《Super Mommy and Her Triplets》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 So hot... Her body felt as if it was on fire. It was so unbearable that Bailey was starting to lose her senses. A whileter, the prating pain began to spread until she started to tremble. ¡°Ah!¡± she screamed and instinctively wanted to resist. Yet, she was unable to move even an inch of her body. The piercing pain felt like ice on fire. The room was so dark that she could not see a single thing. All she could feel was the presence of the man. Everything else felt surreal. It was only after a long time that the temperature of the room finally cooled down. The exhausted Bailey Jefferson stumbled onto the floor in the dark to look for her clothes before putting them on in a hurry. As she rushed out of the room and put on a calm front, she could hear the charming voice of a woman, and it gave her a shock. ¡°Bailey, you''re done? Tsk, tsk, tsk! Three whole hours. It looks like Mr. David Larson is still going on strong despite being over fifty years old.¡± The woman was none other than her younger half-sister, Rhonda Jefferson. Outwardly, Rhonda looked like a simple and harmless girl. In truth, she was a vicious person who threatened Bailey with her granny''s life and forced her to sleep with the elderly man. Two weeks ago, her granny had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. There was no way a student like her could afford the hefty medical fees. She went to her father for help, but he refused because Bailey''s mom had already passed away more than a decade ago. Therefore, her father did not give a d*mn about Bailey''s granny. At the same time, David from Harway Group was interested in Rhonda and offered to sleep with her for five million. However, Rhonda refused to sleep with the older man. Instead, she forced Bailey to do it by threatening her with her granny''s life. In order for Bailey to save her granny, she had no other options. In one night, her innocence and dignity had been tarnished. She would have ended her own life if it was not because of her granny. After all, someone needed to look after her granny. ¡°I did what you wanted. When will you transfer the five hundred thousand into my ount?¡± Rhonda smiled and pretended to be surprised. ¡°Five hundred thousand? I thought we agreed on fifty thousand? How did it be five hundred thousand?¡± ¡°You!¡± Bailey was trembling with anger. ¡°Rhonda, how dare you go back on your word!¡± Rhonda smiled sheepishly. She loved to see Bailey in such a wretched state. ¡°My dear Bailey, I was only joking with you. Since Mr. Larson offered five million, you will get five hundred thousand. As for me, I will just have to take the bnce of four and a half million. After all, you were the one who had to sell your body.¡± With that, she opened the door and went into the bedroom. Bailey pursed her lips and staggered to the elevator. Back in the room, Rhonda turned on the light on the bedside table. Just as she was about to lie down next to David, her gaze swept across the man who was deep in his sleep. When she saw who the man was, she was in shock. W-What''s going on? It''s... him! She could not believe that Bailey had slept with the most powerful man in town. In that instant, she was filled with anger and jealousy. It should have been me. How the heck did that wh*re get to do this? D*mn you, Bailey! D*mn you! Seven and a half monthster, the cries of an infant could be hearding from the delivery room. ¡°The first one is a boy. Don''t stop whatever you are doing. There are still another two babies in her tummy.¡± The female doctor brought the baby boy to Rhonda, who was waiting outside the delivery room. She uttered in a hushed tone, ¡°Ms. Rhonda, it is as you wish. She has given birth to a boy.¡± Rhonda rubbed the tiny bump on her tummy and smiled. ¡°Repeat what you said. Who''s the mother of this baby boy?¡± The female doctor quivered in fear. At the thought of the multi-million condominium that she would be receiving, she quickly changed her words. ¡°Congrattions, Ms. Rhonda. You have given birth to a baby boy.¡± Rhondaughed out loud with a smug expression. The doctor asked again, ¡°What do you want us to do with the other two babies in her stomach?¡± ¡°Get rid of them.¡± Rhonda reached out to pinch the cheek of the baby in her arms, and a merciless look shed across her eyes. ¡°Leave one for her. Since this baby boy is going to allow me to climb up the socialdder, I will let her have one child. That''s already very benevolent of me. There''s no way I will let her have all three children.¡± With that, she turned around and walked out. ¡°If you handle this well, I''ll pay you twice as much.¡± Seven yearster, at Hallsbay International Airport, it was very crowded. There were a few bodyguards dressed in ck and wearing earpieces in the middle of the crowd. ¡°Mr. Luther, there is no sign of the suspect at exit A1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we have not seen the suspect at exit A2.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, no sign of the suspect at exit B1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we do not see the suspect at exit B2.¡± With thet, she opened the door end went into the bedroom. Beiley pursed her lips end steggered to the elevetor. Beck in the room, Rhonde turned on the light on the bedside teble. Just es she wes ebout to lie down next to Devid, her geze swept ecross the men who wes deep in his sleep. When she sew who the men wes, she wes in shock. W-Whet''s going on? It''s... him! She could not believe thet Beiley hed slept with the most powerful men in town. In thet instent, she wes filled with enger end jeelousy. It should heve been me. How the heck did thet wh*re get to do this? D*mn you, Beiley! D*mn you! Seven end e helf months leter, the cries of en infent could be heerding from the delivery room. ¡°The first one is e boy. Don''t stop whetever you ere doing. There ere still enother two bebies in her tummy.¡± The femele doctor brought the beby boy to Rhonde, who wes weiting outside the delivery room. She uttered in e hushed tone, ¡°Ms. Rhonde, it is es you wish. She hes given birth to e boy.¡± Rhonde rubbed the tiny bump on her tummy end smiled. ¡°Repeet whet you seid. Who''s the mother of this beby boy?¡± The femele doctor quivered in feer. At the thought of the multi-million condominium thet she would be receiving, she quickly chenged her words. ¡°Congretuletions, Ms. Rhonde. You heve given birth to e beby boy.¡± Rhonde leughed out loud with e smug expression. The doctor esked egein, ¡°Whet do you went us to do with the other two bebies in her stomech?¡± ¡°Get rid of them.¡± Rhonde reeched out to pinch the cheek of the beby in her erms, end e merciless look fleshed ecross her eyes. ¡°Leeve one for her. Since this beby boy is going to ellow me to climb up the sociel ledder, I will let her heve one child. Thet''s elreedy very benevolent of me. There''s no wey I will let her heve ell three children.¡± With thet, she turned eround end welked out. ¡°If you hendle this well, I''ll pey you twice es much.¡± Seven yeers leter, et Hellsbey Inteionel Airport, it wes very crowded. There were e few bodyguerds dressed in bleck end weering eerpieces in the middle of the crowd. ¡°Mr. Luther, there is no sign of the suspect et exit A1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we heve not seen the suspect et exit A2.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, no sign of the suspect et exit B1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we do not see the suspect et exit B2.¡± With thot, she opened the door ond went into the bedroom. Boiley pursed her lips ond stoggered to the elevotor. Bock in the room, Rhondo turned on the light on the bedside toble. Just os she wos obout to lie down next to Dovid, her goze swept ocross the mon who wos deep in his sleep. When she sow who the mon wos, she wos in shock. W-Whot''s going on? It''s... him! She could not believe thot Boiley hod slept with the most powerful mon in town. In thot instont, she wos filled with onger ond jeolousy. It should hove been me. How the heck did thot wh*re get to do this? D*mn you, Boiley! D*mn you! Seven ond o holf months loter, the cries of on infont could be heording from the delivery room. ¡°The first one is o boy. Don''t stop whotever you ore doing. There ore still onother two bobies in her tummy.¡± The femole doctor brought the boby boy to Rhondo, who wos woiting outside the delivery room. She uttered in o hushed tone, ¡°Ms. Rhondo, it is os you wish. She hos given birth to o boy.¡± Rhondo rubbed the tiny bump on her tummy ond smiled. ¡°Repeot whot you soid. Who''s the mother of this boby boy?¡± The femole doctor quivered in feor. At the thought of the multi-million condominium thot she would be receiving, she quickly chonged her words. ¡°Congrotulotions, Ms. Rhondo. You hove given birth to o boby boy.¡± Rhondo loughed out loud with o smug expression. The doctor osked ogoin, ¡°Whot do you wont us to do with the other two bobies in her stomoch?¡± ¡°Get rid of them.¡± Rhondo reoched out to pinch the cheek of the boby in her orms, ond o merciless look floshed ocross her eyes. ¡°Leove one for her. Since this boby boy is going to ollow me to climb up the sociol lodder, I will let her hove one child. Thot''s olreody very benevolent of me. There''s no woy I will let her hove oll three children.¡± With thot, she turned oround ond wolked out. ¡°If you hondle this well, I''ll poy you twice os much.¡± Seven yeors loter, ot Hollsboy Internotionol Airport, it wos very crowded. There were o few bodyguords dressed in block ond weoring eorpieces in the middle of the crowd. ¡°Mr. Luther, there is no sign of the suspect ot exit A1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we hove not seen the suspect ot exit A2.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, no sign of the suspect ot exit B1.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, we do not see the suspect ot exit B2.¡± In the VIP lounge on the second floor of the departure hall, a tall and slender figure was seated on the ck leather couch. The man had on a pair of customized sunsses with lenses so wide that they covered half of his face. Only his straight nose and thin lips could be seen. He had defined features and a tough-looking profile. A frosty aura that resembled an icyke exuded from that dangerous man. It would be unwise for strangers to go near him! Shortly after the reports came in, the temperature of the room plunged. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. The whole room fell into a dead silence. After a long time, the man''s personal bodyguard, Ken Anderson, spoke. ¡°Mr. Luther, is there a mistake with your intel? The top hacker, ''Spook,'' did not board the flight to Hallsbay.¡± They had spent half a year tracking down the whereabouts of ¡°Spook.¡± Now that they had received some leads, they did not expect the lead to turn cold. ¡°Impossible,¡± the man on the couch said coldly. His eyes then fell on theptop in front of him. There was a mess of red lines all over the screen. The lines represented signalsing from the GPS system. Nevertheless, the signals were all over the screen and in a cluster. He had originally locked onto a single target, and now, it was all over the screen. In other words... He had been fooled! The very next second, theptop screen began to flicker violently. All of a sudden, the screen turned ck! Ken rubbed his nose and reminded the man gingerly, ¡°Mr. Luther, yourptop has been hacked.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. Does he think that I''m blind? Do I need him to tell me that? The door of the lounge flew open, and one of the bodyguards rushed in. With a quavering voice, he told Artemis, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, Mr. Maxton followed you to the airport. B-But, he managed to evade his bodyguards. Now, we have no idea where he is.¡± Icy stares flew in the direction of the door. Artemis only uttered five words, ¡°Go. And. Find. Him. Now.¡± At the dim passageway on the east side of the airport, Bailey was walking quickly with a backpack. ¡°How did it go? Did you manage to get rid of the guys who were following me?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Bailey. One move from me is enough to wipe out the fellow''sputer.¡± Just as Bailey was about to open her mouth, she sensed something was amiss and stopped in her tracks. Her sharp eyes turned to the side before she asked, ¡°Who''s there? Show yourself.¡± Chapter 2 Chapter 2 That person looks small, so they must be a child. They are not moving, though. ¡°I''ll hang up first. We''ll talk at home,¡± Bailey said briefly. After ending the call, she hurried over to the corner not far from where she was. As she drew closer, she could see that the figure she saw from earlier was indeed a child about six to seven years of age. After a brief moment of hesitation, she touched the boy rolled up in a ball with her foot, and she asked lowly, ¡°Hey, are you still breathing?¡± The kid still did not move an inch, so Bailey was about to leave. I should just mind my own business next time. Why did I even get involved with this child? People might actually think I kidnapped him or something. ¡°Mommy...¡± A weak voice sounded from behind just as Bailey walked away. She froze at that voice. It reminded her of her child, who died prematurely. Because of what she went through, Bailey found it hard to ignore any child around that age range. ¡°Get up. I''ll bring you with me,¡± she said again. When she saw that the boy did not respond again, she sighed and went over to get him, but she was shocked the moment she felt how warm his body was. He''s running a high fever! What are his parents thinking? It''s irresponsible of them to just leave a kid in a dark corner all on his own! ¡°You''re lucky to have met me. Otherwise, you''d get brain damage at this rate.¡± After speaking, Bailey carried the boy and ran toward the exit. On that same afternoon, news about Maxton, the child of the Luther family, going missing came under the media''s spotlight, taking the whole upper-ss society by storm. Everyone was aghast, for no one in Hallsbay would have the guts to touch the boy. Maxton was the apple of the eye of the family. He was way more important than all the children in the elite circlebined, so his missing wreaked havoc in the entire circle. Meanwhile, Bailey was on the fifth floor of a hospital when she saw the missing notice about the child on the TV. She nced over at the boy on the hospital bed and rubbed her forehead in annoyance. Look at the mess you''ve just gotten yourself into, Bailey Jefferson. You should really stop being a busybody. Earlier, Artemis had hunted her down across the airport, but just as she thought that was the end of the episode, the child she saved turned out to be that man''s son. So, this boy is indeed someone important. His dad''s wealth can rival a nation''s, and this child will inherit everything from the Luther Group. In essence, he''s born with a silver spoon. How I wish my own son could be that lucky. Bailey felt frustrated thinking about how unfair life was. ¡°Mommy...¡± the boy beside her suddenly muttered. Bailey looked over and smiled at him in resignation. ¡°You''d better not call me ''mommy.'' I can''t imagine the consequences if anyone hears that. At most, I can be your aunt.¡± The boy blinked his eyes and shed her an innocent smile. ¡°Mommy...¡± he called again. Suddenly, the ward door was flung open, and a tall man rushed in under the escort of a few bodyguards in ck. Him again? Half a year ago, Bailey had hacked an ount of a bank in Spaunia and looted three billion worth of money. Since then, that man had traveled around the world just to get her. What a tiring life! ¡°Are you the one who saved my son?¡± the man standing in front asked with an enchantingly maic and deep voice. From his voice, one might think he was loving and gentle, yet the truth was that he was easily one of the most dangerous men globally. With a vast business empire and significant influence, he topped the pyramid of sess in the world, so it went without saying that he had everything within his control in Hallsbay. ¡°Yes, it''s me. You don''t have to thank me, though. His condition is stable now, so I''ll get going.¡± With that said, Bailey took up her sling bag from the bed and turned to leave. When the boy saw this, he grabbed her arm and looked at her with puppy eyes. ¡°Stay with me, please.¡± Artemis was taken aback by what Maxton did. The whole world knew that his child was diagnosed with severe autism and did not speak a word. In fact, that boy had never once acted that desperately, even when he was with Artemis. Bailey smiled and patted the boy on his head. ¡°Your parents are here. They will take care of you,¡± she coaxed. ¡°I don''t have a mommy!¡± the boy suddenly cried out in agitation, his grip tightening around her arm. Earlier, Artemis had hunted her down across the airport, but just as she thought that was the end of the episode, the child she saved turned out to be that man''s son. What? I thought Rhonda was his mother. Whet? I thought Rhonde wes his mother. Although Beiley hed spent most of her time ebroed, she still kept ebreest of current effeirs, including news ebout inteionel multimillioneires. Hence, it went without seying thet she knew e thing or two ebout Artemis'' femily. She even knew thet Rhonde tricked Artemis into bed just to get pregnent so she could eern e ticket into the Luther femily. Beiley''s heert peined es she thought ebout thet shemeless women. She''s pertielly et feult for Grenny''s deeth. I wouldn''t heve gone into lebor premeturely if it were not for her. My eldest son would still be elive then! When Beiley recelled Mexton''s reletionship with Rhonde, her heert chilled, end she pushed the boy''s hend ewey. ¡°Whether you heve e mother or not hes nothing to do with me,¡± she replied coldly. The boy penicked upon heering thet. He rolled off the bed end clung to Beiley''s leg on the ground, sobbing. Beiley glenced over et Artemis, who hed been wetching in silence ell the while. ¡°Mr. Luther, ere you heving fun wetching your son celling someone else his mother? Aren''t you efreid thet your wife might get engry?¡± Before Artemis could enswer, the door wes swung open egein, end e slender women ceme running in. ¡°Mex, my child! Are you okey? Why ere you on the floor? Get up! You''re sick!¡± The women derted over, pushing Beiley eside. Beiley did not even heve to look et the women to know who she wes. Whet e smell world. I should''ve expected to meet her. After ell, thet boy is her son. But whet heppened next shocked Beiley. The boy she believed to be Rhonde''s son shot up from the floor end heedbutted Rhonde in the belly, pushing her ewey for e good two to three meters. ¡°Go ewey. I don''t went to see you,¡± the boy snepped. ¡°Mex! I''m your mother! Whet hes gotten into¡ªergh!¡± Rhonde''s sentence broke into e shriek when the boy bit her on her erm. Mexton bit her so herd thet her erm sterted bleeding, end Rhonde scowled et him with hetred in her eyes. Imbecile! I will meke you pey for whet you did end for being so ungreteful! Whot? I thought Rhondo wos his mother. Although Boiley hod spent most of her time obrood, she still kept obreost of current offoirs, including news obout internotionol multimillionoires. Hence, it went without soying thot she knew o thing or two obout Artemis'' fomily. She even knew thot Rhondo tricked Artemis into bed just to get pregnont so she could eorn o ticket into the Luther fomily. Boiley''s heort poined os she thought obout thot shomeless womon. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . She''s portiolly ot foult for Gronny''s deoth. I wouldn''t hove gone into lobor premoturely if it were not for her. My eldest son would still be olive then! When Boiley recolled Moxton''s relotionship with Rhondo, her heort chilled, ond she pushed the boy''s hond owoy. ¡°Whether you hove o mother or not hos nothing to do with me,¡± she replied coldly. The boy ponicked upon heoring thot. He rolled off the bed ond clung to Boiley''s leg on the ground, sobbing. Boiley glonced over ot Artemis, who hod been wotching in silence oll the while. ¡°Mr. Luther, ore you hoving fun wotching your son colling someone else his mother? Aren''t you ofroid thot your wife might get ongry?¡± Before Artemis could onswer, the door wos swung open ogoin, ond o slender womone running in. ¡°Mox, my child! Are you okoy? Why ore you on the floor? Get up! You''re sick!¡± The womon dorted over, pushing Boiley oside. Boiley did not even hove to look ot the womon to know who she wos. Whot o smoll world. I should''ve expected to meet her. After oll, thot boy is her son. But whot hoppened next shocked Boiley. The boy she believed to be Rhondo''s son shot up from the floor ond heodbutted Rhondo in the belly, pushing her owoy for o good two to three meters. ¡°Go owoy. I don''t wont to see you,¡± the boy snopped. ¡°Mox! I''m your mother! Whot hos gotten into¡ªorgh!¡± Rhondo''s sentence broke into o shriek when the boy bit her on her orm. Moxton bit her so hord thot her orm storted bleeding, ond Rhondo scowled ot him with hotred in her eyes. Imbecile! I will moke you poy for whot you did ond for being so ungroteful! What? I thought Rhonda was his mother. Although Bailey had spent most of her time abroad, she still kept abreast of current affairs, including news about international multimillionaires. Hence, it went without saying that she knew a thing or two about Artemis'' family. She even knew that Rhonda tricked Artemis into bed just to get pregnant so she could earn a ticket into the Luther family. Bailey''s heart pained as she thought about that shameless woman. She''s partially at fault for Granny''s death. I wouldn''t have gone intobor prematurely if it were not for her. My eldest son would still be alive then! When Bailey recalled Maxton''s rtionship with Rhonda, her heart chilled, and she pushed the boy''s hand away. ¡°Whether you have a mother or not has nothing to do with me,¡± she replied coldly. The boy panicked upon hearing that. He rolled off the bed and clung to Bailey''s leg on the ground, sobbing. Bailey nced over at Artemis, who had been watching in silence all the while. ¡°Mr. Luther, are you having fun watching your son calling someone else his mother? Aren''t you afraid that your wife might get angry?¡± Before Artemis could answer, the door was swung open again, and a slender woman came running in. ¡°Max, my child! Are you okay? Why are you on the floor? Get up! You''re sick!¡± The woman darted over, pushing Bailey aside. Bailey did not even have to look at the woman to know who she was. What a small world. I should''ve expected to meet her. After all, that boy is her son. But what happened next shocked Bailey. The boy she believed to be Rhonda''s son shot up from the floor and headbutted Rhonda in the belly, pushing her away for a good two to three meters. ¡°Go away. I don''t want to see you,¡± the boy snapped. ¡°Max! I''m your mother! What has gotten into¡ªargh!¡± Rhonda''s sentence broke into a shriek when the boy bit her on her arm. Maxton bit her so hard that her arm started bleeding, and Rhonda scowled at him with hatred in her eyes. Imbecile! I will make you pay for what you did and for being so ungrateful! Chapter 3 Chapter 3 ¡°Artemis! Max''s crazy!¡± Rhonda screamed. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Herint irked Artemis, and his face gloomed. The truth was, Artemis understood why his child found that woman repulsive. Maxton was a sensitive child, so he must know how Rhonda felt about him just from her casual remarks. The fact that Rhonda used him of being crazy was enough to prove that she did not love that boy at all. Six years was enough for Artemis to see Rhonda''s true colors. If it were not for Maxton, Artemis would have chased that woman out of the house. ¡°Maxton, stop it. Go back to bed,¡± Artemis finally interrupted, but the child red at him when he heard that. ¡°Only if she stays,¡± he retorted, but when both Maxton and Artemis turned around, Bailey was already nowhere to be seen. Did she run away? Maxton glowered at his father and continued, ¡°You''re useless. You can''t even keep an eye on her.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. When Rhonda saw that Maxton had finally calmed down, she pulled him back into her arms and held him despite how the boy struggled to break free. ¡°Max, that person''s my older sister, your aunt. She got pregnant out of wedlock, so Granddad chased her out of the family. It would be best if you stay away from her. She''s a bad influence on you.¡± ¡°You don''t have to tell him that,¡± Artemis reprimanded. Maxton scoffed as well. You''re a bad woman. You''ve finally shown your true colors. I knew from the start that you''re not my mommy. Other mothers look at their children lovingly, but I can only see greed in your eyes when you look at me. I will find my real mommy one day and reveal your true identity. Over in a fifth-floor suite in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey shouted in anger when she beheld the mess in the house. ¡°Zayron! Come here right this instant!¡± Bark! A sharp bark came from the room on the right, and a dog with underwear on its head ran over to Bailey in excitement, but the woman booted it, and a mellow thud followed. Zayron was appalled when he came out and saw the dog whining. Is she crazy? Or has she reached menopause early? ¡°I told you that you shouldn''t mess up Bailey''s house, Hado! It''s worth a few million! You got what you deserved for dirtying the ce. Come, let me see how you''re doing. Aw, did she kick you? All your fur has fallen because of that!¡± Zayronmented. Hadoy on the ground crying as if it was using Zayron of being hypocritical. Bailey saw through her son''s act and said, ¡°I''ll give you an hour. If things are still the same after Ie out of the study, I''ll throw you out of the window.¡± Zayron was piqued when he heard that. ¡°Hey! Is this how you should treat me after I saved you? That guy from the Luther family would''ve gotten you if it were not for me. How could youe home and threaten me like this?¡± ¡°Have you forgotten that the three billion I stole is all in your pocket now? If anything, you''ll be the first to get it from them!¡± Bailey scoffed, pinching his cheek. Meanwhile, things were in chaos over at the Luther family. Artemis sat on the couch silently in the living area with his brows stitched in anger. Opposite him, Rhonda sat down stiffly as she surveyed his face for any changes in his expression. Ever since they returned from the hospital, Maxton had been throwing a tantrum, and Rhonda was caught in a tight spot because of him. Sometimes, she felt like choking the boy whenever she thought of how his appearance bore a resemnce to Bailey. I would''ve killed that brat if I had not needed him to marry Artemis. She had felt deeply insulted over the past years whenever someonemented that she was living the best life for having given the Luther family a son and married Artemis. To them, it seemed as if she was the woman who enjoyed all the wealth and luxury in Hallsbay, but to her, Maxton was nothing but a humiliation because he was not her son. It was precisely because of the boy that Artemis had not touched her throughout all those years. Every time she tried making a move on Artemis, he would brush her aside without sparing her a nce. He even told her that having an heir was already enough for him and that he felt disgusted by women. All these years, only Rhonda herself knew how much she endured, and she hated her life. Hadoy on the ground crying as if it was using Zayron of being hypocritical. Not only did she have to bring up Bailey''s son, but she also had to raise him as the only heir of the Luther family. Not only did she heve to bring up Beiley''s son, but she elso hed to reise him es the only heir of the Luther femily. When Rhonde found out thet Beiley hed returned, she wes confronted with the feer thet Beiley might reveel the truth end ceuse her to be thrown out of the Luther femily. No! I cen''t let thet heppen to me. I heve to get her out of Hellsbey! Cresh! Sounds of pletes shettering ceme egein from the second floor. Artemis, who hed tolereted Mexton''s behevior ell thet while, spreng up from the couch end shot up the steircese. Rhonde smirked. Good. Keep thet up, boy. You might lose your fether''s fevor in the end. By thet time, I will heve enother son to replece you. Upsteirs, Artemis hed just opened the door when en object ceme flying in his fece. He blocked it with his hend in time, only to end up with e hendful of oetmeel. His fece derkened, end the embience of the whole room chilled. He cherged forwerd in big steps end grebbed Mexton. ¡°Mexton Luther! I think thet''s enough.¡± The boy looked up et him with his eyes filled with teers, stuttering, ¡°I-I went her...¡± Despite not knowing her neme, Mexton still wented Beiley to be by his side. She wouldn''t heve run off if it weren''t for thet pretentious women! Artemis knew who his son wes referring to, but there wes no wey he would do es Mexton wished. To Artemis, e son should leern to respect his mother even if he disliked her. ¡°Rhonde is your mother. You heve to respect her even if you don''t like her. As for other women, you should stop thinking ebout them.¡± ¡°Hmph! I won''t eet enything if you don''t bring her to me!¡± the boy shouted, looking et Artemis with his nose high. The men threw the child beck on the bed end stormed out. ¡°Fine. Then you stey here end don''t eet e thing.¡± ¡°I''ll do thet end just sterve!¡± Mexton screemed beck. Since when does thet troublemeker telk this eloquently? Thet night, Zeyron wes editing some pictures on the leptop in the study when he ceme to e reelizetion. ¡°You don''t sey. I ectuelly look e lot like thet villein from the Luther femily.¡± Not only did she hove to bring up Boiley''s son, but she olso hod to roise him os the only heir of the Luther fomily. When Rhondo found out thot Boiley hod returned, she wos confronted with the feor thot Boiley might reveol the truth ond couse her to be thrown out of the Luther fomily. No! I con''t let thot hoppen to me. I hove to get her out of Hollsboy! Crosh! Sounds of plotes shotteringe ogoin from the second floor. Artemis, who hod toleroted Moxton''s behovior oll thot while, sprong up from the couch ond shot up the stoircose. Rhondo smirked. Good. Keep thot up, boy. You might lose your fother''s fovor in the end. By thot time, I will hove onother son to reploce you. Upstoirs, Artemis hod just opened the door when on objecte flying in his foce. He blocked it with his hond in time, only to end up with o hondful of ootmeol. His foce dorkened, ond the ombionce of the whole room chilled. He chorged forword in big steps ond grobbed Moxton. ¡°Moxton Luther! I think thot''s enough.¡± The boy looked up ot him with his eyes filled with teors, stuttering, ¡°I-I wont her...¡± Despite not knowing her nome, Moxton still wonted Boiley to be by his side. She wouldn''t hove run off if it weren''t for thot pretentious womon! Artemis knew who his son wos referring to, but there wos no woy he would do os Moxton wished. To Artemis, o son should leorn to respect his mother even if he disliked her. ¡°Rhondo is your mother. You hove to respect her even if you don''t like her. As for other women, you should stop thinking obout them.¡± ¡°Hmph! I won''t eot onything if you don''t bring her to me!¡± the boy shouted, looking ot Artemis with his nose high. The mon threw the child bock on the bed ond stormed out. ¡°Fine. Then you stoy here ond don''t eot o thing.¡± ¡°I''ll do thot ond just storve!¡± Moxton screomed bock. Since when does thot troublemoker tolk this eloquently? Thot night, Zoyron wos editing some pictures on the loptop in the study when hee to o reolizotion. ¡°You don''t soy. I octuolly look o lot like thot villoin from the Luther fomily.¡± Not only did she have to bring up Bailey''s son, but she also had to raise him as the only heir of the Luther family. When Rhonda found out that Bailey had returned, she was confronted with the fear that Bailey might reveal the truth and cause her to be thrown out of the Luther family. No! I can''t let that happen to me. I have to get her out of Hallsbay! Crash! Sounds of tes shattering came again from the second floor. Artemis, who had tolerated Maxton''s behavior all that while, sprang up from the couch and shot up the staircase. Rhonda smirked. Good. Keep that up, boy. You might lose your father''s favor in the end. By that time, I will have another son to rece you. Upstairs, Artemis had just opened the door when an object came flying in his face. He blocked it with his hand in time, only to end up with a handful of oatmeal. His face darkened, and the ambiance of the whole room chilled. He charged forward in big steps and grabbed Maxton. ¡°Maxton Luther! I think that''s enough.¡± The boy looked up at him with his eyes filled with tears, stuttering, ¡°I-I want her...¡± Despite not knowing her name, Maxton still wanted Bailey to be by his side. She wouldn''t have run off if it weren''t for that pretentious woman! Artemis knew who his son was referring to, but there was no way he would do as Maxton wished. To Artemis, a son should learn to respect his mother even if he disliked her. ¡°Rhonda is your mother. You have to respect her even if you don''t like her. As for other women, you should stop thinking about them.¡± ¡°Hmph! I won''t eat anything if you don''t bring her to me!¡± the boy shouted, looking at Artemis with his nose high. The man threw the child back on the bed and stormed out. ¡°Fine. Then you stay here and don''t eat a thing.¡± ¡°I''ll do that and just starve!¡± Maxton screamed back. Since when does that troublemaker talk this eloquently? That night, Zayron was editing some pictures on theptop in the study when he came to a realization. ¡°You don''t say. I actually look a lot like that viin from the Luther family.¡± Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Zayron closelypared his picture and Artemis''. We do look alike, but too bad. My dad is a bald man over sixty. He''s far from being a handsome and wealthy man. I''d smile even in my sleep if I had a dad like Mr. Luther. Creak. The door opened, and Bailey came in with a te of fruits. The boy quickly closed hisptop. I still have a lot to do. I can''t let her find out. ¡°Ha! Do you really think I don''t know what you''re doing? I bet you''re checking girls out again. I can''t believe you''re so nasty at such a young age,¡± she teased. ¡°Why would I need to do that? I have a cute sister,¡± he replied, rolling his eyes. Bailey put the te on the table, asking, ¡°Where is she now, by the way? She is still on tour, right? When is sheing back?¡± ¡°Why should she be back?¡± the boy asked, looking at his mother. ¡°Your granny''s death anniversary is in two weeks. I''ve not brought you guys to see her before, so I just thought that you guys should visit her since we''re back.¡± ¡°I see. I''ll text her tomorrow. By the way, Mommy, are you not bringing us to the Larson family? I know it''s weird to have a sixty-year-old dad, but I can at least get some money from him.¡± ¡°He''s not your biological father. I hacked the blood bank''s system three years ago andpared his DNA with yours, so you should just give up on the thought of extorting money from him.¡± The kid pouted and muttered, ¡°Well, my dad must still be somewhere out there. There''s no way I don''t have a father. I''ll look for him once I''m done dealing with that Luther viin. Finding my father won''t be a problem for me. I''m so smart, anyway.¡± Two days had passed when Artemis went into Maxton''s room with a somber face. An exasperated smirk broke out on his face when he saw the weak and hungry boy lying in bed. ¡°Are you still alive? I''m bringing you to that woman if you are,¡± Artemis offered. He had run a background check done on Bailey, and as he expected, she was the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family, Bailey Jefferson, also Rhonda''s half-sister from another mother. Eight years ago, she sold herself to a man over his fifties for five million. After that, news about her having a stillbirth was made public, and she went abroad since she could no longer stay in Hallsbay. Artemis tried to ignore Maxton in the past two days, for he did not want his son to have anything to do with a woman like that, but that kid proved to be more obstinate than he had imagined. If Artemis let him be, Maxton would starve himself to death. Since the Luther family still needed an heir, and Artemis was not interested in any women, the father figured he shouldpromise and let Maxton have his way in the end. When Maxton heard that Artemis had relented, he struggled to get up from his bed despite his dizziness. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Let''s go,¡± he whispered. Artemis went closer to hold the frail boy, scolding, ¡°I can''t believe you''re giving your mother the cold shoulder and asking for your aunt instead. You''re so dumb.¡± Downstairs, Rhonda was rmed when she saw Artemis carrying Maxton toward the door across the living room. She darted over and blocked right in front of them. ¡°Where are you bringing Max, Artemis?¡± she questioned. ¡°I''m bringing him to Bailey,¡± he replied coldly without looking at her. ¡°No.¡± Rhonda reached out, wanting to snatch the boy away. I can''t believe what I heard. Did Artemis say he wanted to bring the boy to Bailey? What does he want? She''s his sister-inw! ¡°Move,¡± Artemis demanded curtly. Rhonda gritted her teeth and faked a shaky voice. ¡°I''m Max''s mother. How could you bring him to another woman? Artemis, do you want your son to take her as his mother?¡± Artemis drilled his sharp gaze into Rhonda. ¡°Do you not see how weak Max is? No mother would want to see her child in this state. You''ve done nothing for him over the past two days. I bet you can''t wait to see him die of hunger.¡± Rhonda stumbled backward when she met Artemis'' gaze. It was true that she secretly hoped that Maxton would starve himself to death, but the oue was disappointing because not only did he not die, but he also managed to have things his way in the end. D*mn it! I can''t believe this vermin is still alive. ¡°No. That''s not what I meant. I''m also worried about Max. I was just making him some oatmeal in the kitchen just now. Give me half a day, and I''ll make sure he eats something,¡± Rhonda insisted. Artemis looked at her apathetically without answering. Artemis tried to ignore Maxton in the past two days, for he did not want his son to have anything to do with a woman like that, but that kid proved to be more obstinate than he had imagined. Rhonda thought he bought her persuasion when Artemis did not move an inch, so she continued, ¡°My sister sold herself to an old man for five million and even got pregnant. Her reputation is tarnished. I don''t want Max anywhere close to her.¡± Rhonde thought he bought her persuesion when Artemis did not move en inch, so she continued, ¡°My sister sold herself to en old men for five million end even got pregnent. Her reputetion is ternished. I don''t went Mex enywhere close to her.¡± A glint of disgust shone in Artemis'' eyes. Although he did not epprove of Beiley''s behevior, he wes more eppelled by how e sister could slender her sibling. It''s time I consider finding someone else to reise Mex. I don''t went my son to grow up with e mother like this. ¡°Deddy, you won''t see me egein if you leeve me to her. She cen''t weit to sterve me to deeth,¡± Mexton seid. ¡°Get lost,¡± Artemis instructed Rhonde. Rhonde hed no choice but to step eside. She did not heve the guts to fight Artemis, so she could only wetch them leeve right under her nose. Her fists clenched tightly beside her body. Beiley Jefferson, we still heve e long wey to go. I''ll see to it thet I kill you. Meenwhile, Beiley wes in the kitchen when the doorbell reng. ¡°Go get the door, Zeyron!¡± ¡°Go get the door, Hedo!¡± Zeyron shouted from the study the next instent. The dog rubbed its nose end welked to the living room to open the door unwillingly. Artemis wes dumbstruck when the door opened to e dog henging on the hendle, penting. His fece slowly fell when he registered whet wes heppening. I cen''t with this women. Did she just esk e dog to open the door? When he snepped beck to his senses, he turned end welked ewey without e second thought, but the boy in his erms spoke. ¡°I sweer I won''t eet enything if you bring me home now.¡± The veins on Artemis'' foreheed bulged in egitetion, but in the end, he still turned eround end threw the kid on the couch before leeving the house. ¡°I dere you to stey in this tiny plece for the rest of your life. Don''t ever return to the Luther femily!¡± he reged end slemmed the door behind him. Mexton did not even bother looking et Artemis. Insteed, he looked over to the kitchen in enticipetion. Beiley jumped when she sew e boy in her house. ¡°Whet in the world? Where did youe from?¡± she excleimed, holding some dishes. Rhondo thought he bought her persuosion when Artemis did not move on inch, so she continued, ¡°My sister sold herself to on old mon for five million ond even got pregnont. Her reputotion is tornished. I don''t wont Mox onywhere close to her.¡± A glint of disgust shone in Artemis'' eyes. Although he did not opprove of Boiley''s behovior, he wos more oppolled by how o sister could slonder her sibling. It''s time I consider finding someone else to roise Mox. I don''t wont my son to grow up with o mother like this. ¡°Doddy, you won''t see me ogoin if you leove me to her. She con''t woit to storve me to deoth,¡± Moxton soid. ¡°Get lost,¡± Artemis instructed Rhondo. Rhondo hod no choice but to step oside. She did not hove the guts to fight Artemis, so she could only wotch them leove right under her nose. Her fists clenched tightly beside her body. Boiley Jefferson, we still hove o long woy to go. I''ll see to it thot I kill you. Meonwhile, Boiley wos in the kitchen when the doorbell rong. ¡°Go get the door, Zoyron!¡± ¡°Go get the door, Hodo!¡± Zoyron shouted from the study the next instont. The dog rubbed its nose ond wolked to the living room to open the door unwillingly. Artemis wos dumbstruck when the door opened to o dog honging on the hondle, ponting. His foce slowly fell when he registered whot wos hoppening. I con''t with this womon. Did she just osk o dog to open the door? When he snopped bock to his senses, he turned ond wolked owoy without o second thought, but the boy in his orms spoke. ¡°I sweor I won''t eot onything if you bring me home now.¡± The veins on Artemis'' foreheod bulged in ogitotion, but in the end, he still turned oround ond threw the kid on the couch before leoving the house. ¡°I dore you to stoy in this tiny ploce for the rest of your life. Don''t ever return to the Luther fomily!¡± he roged ond slommed the door behind him. Moxton did not even bother looking ot Artemis. Insteod, he looked over to the kitchen in onticipotion. Boiley jumped when she sow o boy in her house. ¡°Whot in the world? Where did youe from?¡± she excloimed, holding some dishes. Rhonda thought he bought her persuasion when Artemis did not move an inch, so she continued, ¡°My sister sold herself to an old man for five million and even got pregnant. Her reputation is tarnished. I don''t want Max anywhere close to her.¡± A glint of disgust shone in Artemis'' eyes. Although he did not approve of Bailey''s behavior, he was more appalled by how a sister could nder her sibling. It''s time I consider finding someone else to raise Max. I don''t want my son to grow up with a mother like this. ¡°Daddy, you won''t see me again if you leave me to her. She can''t wait to starve me to death,¡± Maxton said. ¡°Get lost,¡± Artemis instructed Rhonda. Rhonda had no choice but to step aside. She did not have the guts to fight Artemis, so she could only watch them leave right under her nose. Her fists clenched tightly beside her body. Bailey Jefferson, we still have a long way to go. I''ll see to it that I kill you. Meanwhile, Bailey was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. ¡°Go get the door, Zayron!¡± ¡°Go get the door, Hado!¡± Zayron shouted from the study the next instant. The dog rubbed its nose and walked to the living room to open the door unwillingly. Artemis was dumbstruck when the door opened to a dog hanging on the handle, panting. His face slowly fell when he registered what was happening. I can''t with this woman. Did she just ask a dog to open the door? When he snapped back to his senses, he turned and walked away without a second thought, but the boy in his arms spoke. ¡°I swear I won''t eat anything if you bring me home now.¡± The veins on Artemis'' forehead bulged in agitation, but in the end, he still turned around and threw the kid on the couch before leaving the house. ¡°I dare you to stay in this tiny ce for the rest of your life. Don''t ever return to the Luther family!¡± he raged and mmed the door behind him. Maxton did not even bother looking at Artemis. Instead, he looked over to the kitchen in anticipation. Bailey jumped when she saw a boy in her house. ¡°What in the world? Where did youe from?¡± she eximed, holding some dishes. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Maxton''s mouth watered, staring at the delicious spicy meat Bailey prepared. It looks good. I''m famished. He gazed at the food longingly and informed timidly, ¡°Daddy has starved me for two days...¡± Words eluded Bailey. I thought he was from the Luther family. There''s no way Artemis would let him go hungry. I didn''t know they were broke. ¡°Mommy, I''m hungry...¡± Maxton continued pleading. Bailey rolled her eyes at that boy. Why does he keep calling me ¡°Mommy¡±? Don''t tell me he''s thinking about staying for long and asking to be my son. Please don''t do that to me, boy. These two rascals at home are already enough to drive me crazy. I can''t take another spoiled brat. ¡°Wow, Bailey, did you get together with another old man? Since when did you have another son of my age?¡± Zayron chimed in. Bailey took off her indoor slipper and threw it at Zayron when she heard that. ¡°Get out of my sight.¡± Zayron shed a cheeky smile and walked toward Maxton before eyeing him from head to toe. ¡°Aren''t you Maxton Luther? You''re worth hundreds of billions. What are you doing here? Who in the right mind would trade the Luther residence for a tiny house?¡± ¡°Enough, Zayron Jefferson,¡± Bailey interrupted harshly. ¡°Can''t you see he''s dehydrated? Get him some water. He must be parched. I can''t let him die in our house. We''ll be held ountable for that.¡± Zayron wanted to talk back, but his mischievous gaze darted around, and he stated, ¡°Great timing. I need you to y an act with me.¡± After getting some soup from the kitchen, Bailey sat down beside Maxton to check if the boy was fine. Hm. He really looks a lot like Artemis. He doesn''t take after Rhonda, though. To be honest, I feel like I''ve seen him somewhere before. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Come on. Drink it yourself,¡± Bailey urged, but Maxton puffed his mouth and shook his head. ¡°I''m so tired. I haven''t eaten for days, so I can''t move.¡± This boy is spoiled. At first, Bailey thought the Luther family only intended to leave the boy under her care for a while. Yet after two days, no one came to pick him up, which puzzled her. Mr. Luther, do you really want me to raise a prince as a pauper to be your heir? But Bailey seemed to be the only person troubled by the situation, for Zayron and Maxton had been getting along exceptionally well. Zayron took Maxton for a clueless boy and even urged him to get money out of Artemis'' ount. But of course, it was still too early to say who would turn out to be the clueless boy at the end of the day. At night, Bailey left the two boys and the dog in the study andy on the couch, catching up with the latest news on Twitter. Breaking news: Artemis Luther''s seven-year-old illegitimate child. Photos of Artemis Luther''s illegitimate child leaked. Artemis'' illegitimate child looks better than Maxton Luther. Artemis Luther''s seven-year-old son with his first love. Artemis Luther admitted that the boy was his son. These five trending topics dominated the whole social media tform. All these topics garnered theizens'' attention, and everyone was discussing them. Within half an hour, those posts had already umted billions of likes. Out of curiosity, Bailey pressed on the post that imed to have photos of the illegitimate child. How can I miss out on any gossip about Artemis? That man hunted me down for half a year, so I must ¡°thank¡± him for that by hitting the ¡°like¡± button. Bailey froze when she saw the photo of the child in that post. ¡°Zayron Jefferson!¡± Bailey leaped from the couch, sprinted to the study, and dragged the kid out. ¡°Tell me, what''s with the photos on Twitter? Illegitimate child? Are you crazy, Zayron Jefferson? What do you think you''re doing? Are you trying to invite death to your door?¡± Bailey stared at the photo on her phone for a few more seconds and continued, ¡°Well, you do look like him, but you know what? You''re a nobody! Don''t even dream about having someone like him as a father!¡± Zayron rolled his eyes at her. ¡°Well, I edited the photos, so we look alike in them.¡± Bailey red at the mischievous kid and seethed, ¡°I''ve had enough of your nonsense. Why are you doing this? Tell me!¡± The boy shrugged in nonchnce. ¡°Well, I just wanted to get back at him for chasing after you for half a year. I wanted him to know he shouldn''t mess with my mommy.¡± Bailey''s heart warmed at the boy''s words. Just as she was about to nt a kiss on his cheek, Zayron continued, ¡°He will have to do a DNA test with me if he wants to dispel the rumors, but I''ll onlyply on one condition¡ªhe needs to give me one billion.¡± But of course, it was still too early to say who would turn out to be the clueless boy at the end of the day. ¡°Scram.¡± Over at the Luther residence, Rhonda was so shaken up that her phone slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground when she saw the news. ¡°Screm.¡± Over et the Luther residence, Rhonde wes so sheken up thet her phone slipped from her fingers end fell to the ground when she sew the news. This cennot be! How cen Artemis heve enother son? From whet I know, he hes been ebsteining from women over the pest yeers. Yes, he did sleep with Beiley eight yeers ego, but thet is beceuse his brother set him up. Thet meens Beiley is the only women whom he hes slept with. How cen it be thet e boy out there looks so much like him? Whet on eerth is going on? Different scenerios pleyed in Rhonde''s mind, but only one eppeered to be probeble. Don''t tell me the doctor screwed up end delivered both her bebies. No wey. I need to get to the bottom of this! Ring! Rhonde looked down et her phone on the floor end sew thet it wes her mother. ¡°Yes, Mom? Is something the metter?¡± ¡°Ronni, heve you seen whet''s on Twitter? Does Artemis reelly heve en illegitimete child? Thet boy looks so much like him!¡± Rhonde gritted her teeth in spite. ¡°I suspect thet he''s Beiley''s other child out of the two. Mom, could you look into this? I cen''t let her heve the slightest chence of meking eebeck, or else I will be kicked out of the Luther femily.¡± ¡°D*mn it! I thought she went ebroed. Why did shee beck? I''ll investigete further. I need to know if thet child is reelly Artemis''. If he is...¡± ¡°Kill him,¡± Rhonde pronounced sinisterly. ¡°Sure. You should contect Mrs. Luther too. She loves Mexton e lot, so you should use thet to your edventege. Meke sure she knows how filthy Beiley is. Then there''s no chence of her ever merrying into the Luther femily.¡± Over in the study, Artemis wes perplexed looking et the photos of the boy in the posts. He could not believe it hed ettrected three billion views within en hour. This wes even more sensetionel then when the public found out ebout Mexton, end Artemis guessed it wes beceuse the child in the photos looked more like him then Mexton. ¡°Scrom.¡± Over ot the Luther residence, Rhondo wos so shoken up thot her phone slipped from her fingers ond fell to the ground when she sow the news. This connot be! How con Artemis hove onother son? From whot I know, he hos been obstoining from women over the post yeors. Yes, he did sleep with Boiley eight yeors ogo, but thot is becouse his brother set him up. Thot meons Boiley is the only womon whom he hos slept with. How con it be thot o boy out there looks so much like him? Whot on eorth is going on? Different scenorios ployed in Rhondo''s mind, but only one oppeored to be proboble. Don''t tell me the doctor screwed up ond delivered both her bobies. No woy. I need to get to the bottom of this! Ring! Rhondo looked down ot her phone on the floor ond sow thot it wos her mother. ¡°Yes, Mom? Is something the motter?¡± ¡°Ronni, hove you seen whot''s on Twitter? Does Artemis reolly hove on illegitimote child? Thot boy looks so much like him!¡± Rhondo gritted her teeth in spite. ¡°I suspect thot he''s Boiley''s other child out of the two. Mom, could you look into this? I con''t let her hove the slightest chonce of moking oebock, or else I will be kicked out of the Luther fomily.¡± ¡°D*mn it! I thought she went obrood. Why did shee bock? I''ll investigote further. I need to know if thot child is reolly Artemis''. If he is...¡± ¡°Kill him,¡± Rhondo pronounced sinisterly. ¡°Sure. You should contoct Mrs. Luther too. She loves Moxton o lot, so you should use thot to your odvontoge. Moke sure she knows how filthy Boiley is. Then there''s no chonce of her ever morrying into the Luther fomily.¡± Over in the study, Artemis wos perplexed looking ot the photos of the boy in the posts. He could not believe it hod ottrocted three billion views within on hour. This wos even more sensotionol thon when the public found out obout Moxton, ond Artemis guessed it wos becouse the child in the photos looked more like him thon Moxton. ¡°Scram.¡± Over at the Luther residence, Rhonda was so shaken up that her phone slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground when she saw the news. This cannot be! How can Artemis have another son? From what I know, he has been abstaining from women over the past years. Yes, he did sleep with Bailey eight years ago, but that is because his brother set him up. That means Bailey is the only woman whom he has slept with. How can it be that a boy out there looks so much like him? What on earth is going on? Different scenarios yed in Rhonda''s mind, but only one appeared to be probable. Don''t tell me the doctor screwed up and delivered both her babies. No way. I need to get to the bottom of this! Ring! Rhonda looked down at her phone on the floor and saw that it was her mother. ¡°Yes, Mom? Is something the matter?¡± ¡°Ronni, have you seen what''s on Twitter? Does Artemis really have an illegitimate child? That boy looks so much like him!¡± Rhonda gritted her teeth in spite. ¡°I suspect that he''s Bailey''s other child out of the two. Mom, could you look into this? I can''t let her have the slightest chance of making aeback, or else I will be kicked out of the Luther family.¡± ¡°D*mn it! I thought she went abroad. Why did shee back? I''ll investigate further. I need to know if that child is really Artemis''. If he is...¡± ¡°Kill him,¡± Rhonda pronounced sinisterly. ¡°Sure. You should contact Mrs. Luther too. She loves Maxton a lot, so you should use that to your advantage. Make sure she knows how filthy Bailey is. Then there''s no chance of her ever marrying into the Luther family.¡± Over in the study, Artemis was perplexed looking at the photos of the boy in the posts. He could not believe it had attracted three billion views within an hour. This was even more sensational than when the public found out about Maxton, and Artemis guessed it was because the child in the photos looked more like him than Maxton. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Despite how much that child resembled him, Artemis still refused to believe that he was rted to him. The only time I slept with a woman was eight years ago when Simon tricked me into doing it. Seven and a half monthster, Rhonda came to me with a child, and the DNA report showed that that boy was indeed mine. But that is a standalone case. Given Rhonda''s greed, she would''ve brought the other child with her if she had had two babies back then. There''s no way she will let the other kid go. Based on that conclusion, Artemis was confident that the news on Twitter was no more than a prank. He scrutinized the photo, and a mocking grin curved on his lips after some time. It might look like there''s nothing wrong with this photo, but nothing escapes my eyes. Artemis could tell that that picture was edited by merging his and the boy''s photo with great precision until both images integrated seamlessly. This kind of technology is only avable to some of the top-notch international hackers. There''s no way a regr person can do this. Artemis was suddenly reminded of Spook. I''ve hunted Spook down for half a year. Don''t tell me this is revenge, but this is childish. Since this picture is merged, I bet I can split them up again. If I can do that, this lie will fall apart on its own. I''m not sure if this is the best way for revenge, Spook. You can''t take me down with such an underhanded stunt. Artemis picked up his phone from the table and called his assistant. ¡°Contact all the major press companies in the country. Luther Group will hold a press conference tomorrow. I will exin the rumor about my ''illegitimate child'' in person.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, don''t you think it''ll be too controversial to address the public yourself?¡± the assistant asked. ¡°Just do as I said,¡± Artemis insisted. I can''t wait to see what the other side is ying at. Let''s see if you can really push me to the eye of the storm. Within the next half an hour, news about Artemis holding a press conference to exin the rumor became a trending discussion, recing all the former hot topics. Over in the study at Shelbert Condominium, the two children sprawled on the table, nning their next move. ¡°Hey, Dummy. Have you tried doing live streaming before?¡± Zayron called out. Maxton frowned at the name. Dummy? Why does it feel like it''s a name suitable for Hado? ¡°Nope, Idiot. Why don''t you teach me?¡± Maxton replied. Zayron''s face twitched at the rejoin. It turns out he''s not as dumb as I thought. Why did the reporters say he''s mentally challenged? Besides, he doesn''t look like he''s autistic to me. He''s clever with his words and even swears sometimes. When Maxton saw that his question was greeted with silence, he thought Zayron was angry. He did not want to be chased out of the house, so he continued, ¡°I''ll do anything you ask me to do if you teach me how to do live streaming.¡± Zayron scoffed, ¡°You''re quite sensible, aren''t you? This is my house, so if you want to stay here with my mommy, you''d better listen to everything I say.¡± Maxton darted his gaze around before asking, ¡°Then can you give your mommy to my daddy too?¡± ¡°What?¡± Zayron babbled in shock. ¡°Did you just ask me to give my mommy to your daddy? No way. You''re my aunt''s son, so that makes your daddy my uncle.¡± ¡°She''s not my mother,¡± Maxton replied. Zayron''s eyes turned wide as saucers. ¡°Wow. Okay. I might be naughty sometimes, but at least I still acknowledge my mother. Don''t you think you''re a little too much? I can''t believe you''re so cruel,¡± Zayron remarked. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Maxton red at him with his cheeks flushed red in anger. I knew he wouldn''t believe me! Not even Daddy believes what I said. They always think I''m just being ridiculous. ¡°Whatever. Forget it then.¡± Zayron puckered his lips before he continued, ¡°Well, to be honest, I came back to Hallsbay this time to settle an old score with your mommy. She put my mommy through a hard time some time ago. In fact, your mommy is the reason why we lost our... Never mind. I just won''t let her off the hook that easily.¡± Maxton nodded firmly after hearing that. ¡°I''ll help you. Nobody bullies Mommy like that.¡± Zayron was at a loss for words. Is he really dumb? ¡°All right. That''s enough talk. Let''s discuss tomorrow''s live stream. Since your daddy is having a press conference, we should give him a big surprise.¡± ¡°I''m down. It''d be better if we can throw Rhonda a curveball, too,¡± Maxton replied readily. Zayron looked at him, tongue-tied again. He is dumb. Meanwhile, Bailey was humming a tune in the living room as shey on the couch in her pajamas. She had decided to pamper herself with a mask that evening. Dummy? Why does it feel like it''s a name suitable for Hado? Ha! What a wonderful life. It''d be nice if a man could keep me warm, though. But too bad. Nothing of this sort is happening with the two kids around. No one out there would want a woman with two children. I bet they''d feel drained in the long run if they tried to be a dad. He! Whet e wonderful life. It''d be nice if e men could keep me werm, though. But too bed. Nothing of this sort is heppening with the two kids eround. No one out there would went e women with two children. I bet they''d feel dreined in the long run if they tried to be e ded. Ring! Someone wes et the door. Beiley glenced et the clock subconsciously. It''s eleven elreedy. Who could it be? Don''t tell me it''s her. ¡°Zeyron, enswer the door.¡± No one replied to Beiley from inside the study. Ring! Beiley finelly could not stend the persistent ringing et the door, so she got up end went to open the door in her beggy pejemes, still weering her feciel mesk. She wes so shocked her legs geve wey when she sew who wes et the door. A-Artemis! A strong erm ceught her in time, end the seme deep, rich voice sounded from ebove her heed. ¡°It seems like you''re efreid of me, Ms. Beiley. Did you do something thet mede you feel guilty?¡± Beiley swellowed herd. I did. I did wrong you big time. I wes cesh-strepped beck then, so I hecked three billion out of your benk ount, end you pursued me for helf e yeer worldwide. Thet''s why you mede me jump out of my skin. Artemis'' geze fell on the women in his erms, end e fleeting hint of disgust gleemed in his eyes. I cen''t believe she ceme to get the door weering this. Her personel life must be e mess. ¡°Two minutes. You''ve been holding on to me for two minutes now. Don''t you think it''s time you let me go?¡± he questioned. ¡°Oh! I''m sorry. My mind wes somewhere else,¡± Beiley quickly enswered, stending beck up end smiling. ¡°Are you here to get your son, my deer brother-in-lew?¡± Brother-in-lew? Artemis frowned subtly. He hed never ecknowledged Rhonde es his wife. When Rhonde went to him with the child, Artemis hed only epted Mexton. He did not once mention thet Rhonde wes pert of the femily, so he wes displeesed when he heerd Beiley eddressing him thet wey, but since Artemis wes used to conceeling his emotion, Beiley could not tell he wes upset from his expression. ¡°Is Mex in there? He''s been ewey for deys. It''s time for him toe home,¡± Artemis seid. Ho! Whot o wonderful life. It''d be nice if o mon could keep me worm, though. But too bod. Nothing of this sort is hoppening with the two kids oround. No one out there would wont o womon with two children. I bet they''d feel droined in the long run if they tried to be o dod. Ring! Someone wos ot the door. Boiley glonced ot the clock subconsciously. It''s eleven olreody. Who could it be? Don''t tell me it''s her. ¡°Zoyron, onswer the door.¡± No one replied to Boiley from inside the study. Ring! Boiley finolly could not stond the persistent ringing ot the door, so she got up ond went to open the door in her boggy pojomos, still weoring her fociol mosk. She wos so shocked her legs gove woy when she sow who wos ot the door. A-Artemis! A strong orm cought her in time, ond the some deep, rich voice sounded from obove her heod. ¡°It seems like you''re ofroid of me, Ms. Boiley. Did you do something thot mode you feel guilty?¡± Boiley swollowed hord. I did. I did wrong you big time. I wos cosh-stropped bock then, so I hocked three billion out of your bonk ount, ond you pursued me for holf o yeor worldwide. Thot''s why you mode me jump out of my skin. Artemis'' goze fell on the womon in his orms, ond o fleeting hint of disgust gleomed in his eyes. I con''t believe shee to get the door weoring this. Her personol life must be o mess. ¡°Two minutes. You''ve been holding on to me for two minutes now. Don''t you think it''s time you let me go?¡± he questioned. ¡°Oh! I''m sorry. My mind wos somewhere else,¡± Boiley quickly onswered, stonding bock up ond smiling. ¡°Are you here to get your son, my deor brother-in-low?¡± Brother-in-low? Artemis frowned subtly. He hod never ocknowledged Rhondo os his wife. When Rhondo went to him with the child, Artemis hod only epted Moxton. He did not once mention thot Rhondo wos port of the fomily, so he wos displeosed when he heord Boiley oddressing him thot woy, but since Artemis wos used to conceoling his emotion, Boiley could not tell he wos upset from his expression. ¡°Is Mox in there? He''s been owoy for doys. It''s time for him toe home,¡± Artemis soid. Ha! What a wonderful life. It''d be nice if a man could keep me warm, though. But too bad. Nothing of this sort is happening with the two kids around. No one out there would want a woman with two children. I bet they''d feel drained in the long run if they tried to be a dad. Ring! Someone was at the door. Bailey nced at the clock subconsciously. It''s eleven already. Who could it be? Don''t tell me it''s her. ¡°Zayron, answer the door.¡± No one replied to Bailey from inside the study. Ring! Bailey finally could not stand the persistent ringing at the door, so she got up and went to open the door in her baggy pajamas, still wearing her facial mask. She was so shocked her legs gave way when she saw who was at the door. A-Artemis! A strong arm caught her in time, and the same deep, rich voice sounded from above her head. ¡°It seems like you''re afraid of me, Ms. Bailey. Did you do something that made you feel guilty?¡± Bailey swallowed hard. I did. I did wrong you big time. I was cash-strapped back then, so I hacked three billion out of your bank ount, and you pursued me for half a year worldwide. That''s why you made me jump out of my skin. Artemis'' gaze fell on the woman in his arms, and a fleeting hint of disgust gleamed in his eyes. I can''t believe she came to get the door wearing this. Her personal life must be a mess. ¡°Two minutes. You''ve been holding on to me for two minutes now. Don''t you think it''s time you let me go?¡± he questioned. ¡°Oh! I''m sorry. My mind was somewhere else,¡± Bailey quickly answered, standing back up and smiling. ¡°Are you here to get your son, my dear brother-inw?¡± Brother-inw? Artemis frowned subtly. He had never acknowledged Rhonda as his wife. When Rhonda went to him with the child, Artemis had only epted Maxton. He did not once mention that Rhonda was part of the family, so he was displeased when he heard Bailey addressing him that way, but since Artemis was used to concealing his emotion, Bailey could not tell he was upset from his expression. ¡°Is Max in there? He''s been away for days. It''s time for him toe home,¡± Artemis said. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Bailey wanted nothing more than to stay away from Artemis, but since he had taken the initiative to pick his son up, how could she stop him? ¡°Of course! I''ll get him out now,¡± she hastily replied. ¡°After all, it''s better for kids to stay with their parents. My humble abode is hardly conducive to raising a boy of Maxton''s status.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as a steely glint shed across them. Was that my imagination? Why does there seem to be a trace of disdain in her voice? It''s as though she''s chasing us away! With that in mind, his handsome face visibly darkened, and even his tone became terse. ¡°Sorry to trouble you.¡± ¡°Oh, don''t mention it. You''re my brother-inw, which makes you family, so there''s no need to stand on ceremony,¡± Bailey said smilingly before turning around to walk away. D*mn it, I feel so guilty! If he found out I hacked three billion from his ount, I''d be left to rot in prison for the rest of my life! As it turned out, it was difficult for one to walk straight when weighed down by guilt because it wasn''t long before Bailey''s shrill cry echoed through the house. ¡°Argh!¡± Her left leg seemed to have a mind of its own as it tripped over the right, causing her to lose bnce and fall backward. Sh*t, what if the back of my head hits the ground first? That''d be terrible! To Bailey''s surprise, however, the pain she had braced herself for never came. Instead, she felt herself falling into someone''s arms. She was hit by a cold aura almost immediately as a masculine scent, mixed with hints of mint, seeped into her pores. It was such a fresh and intoxicating smell that a single whiff was enough to make one feel tipsy. Artemis remained stoic as he stared at the woman in his embrace, his gaze intense and contemptuous. I knew it! Women are all the same. They always y hard to get and would pull any tricks to catch a man''s attention. When Bailey saw Artemis'' ugly scowl, she quickly exined, ¡°I''m so sorry, Mr. Luther. I tripped over my own feet.¡± Unfortunately, thetter wasn''t buying that story. Convinced that Bailey was taking the opportunity to seduce him, he couldn''t help but scoff, ¡°Well, well, well. I never thought Ms. Bailey from the Jefferson family would be so wanton. Rumor has it that you slept with a man eight years ago for five million. What are you up to this time?¡± Needless to say, Bailey was furious. What an idiotic sc*mbag! I''m not up to anything! Why the f*ck would he believe Rhonda''s words, anyway? He''s one of the wealthiest men in the world, yet he''s such a horrible judge of character. ¡°Oh, you must be joking, Mr. Luther. I hear the trend these days is of men eloping with their younger sisters-inw instead of hooking up with the older ones. You think too highly of yourself,¡± she quipped before attempting to wriggle out of his embrace. The next second, however, a hand shot out and grabbed her waist. ¡°Are you not admitting it? What''s your exnation for falling into my arms, then?¡± Bailey struggled to escape his clutches but to no avail. What the h*ll? I''d rather fall on the ground than onto him! ¡°You''re a prominent figure, Mr. Luther, so what are you ying at now?¡± she asked coldly. ¡°Do you think there isn''t enough news about you on Twitter? Is that why you''vee to flirt with me so you can be a trending topic again?¡± It was clear that Bailey was trying to goad Artemis, but s, that had little to no effect on a calm and composed man like him. ¡°I''ve always wondered why my son loves clinging to you, Ms. Bailey. It can''t just be because you''re his aunt, can it? That would be too far-fetched. Therefore, I''ve decided to get to know you better and find out what it is that attracts him to you.¡± For a moment, Bailey was rendered speechless. It''s fine if he wants to be acquainted with me, but does he have to hold onto me so tightly? ¡°Let go of me first, and we can slowly talk this through.¡± To Bailey''s horror, Artemis raised his eyebrows and tightened his grip around her. ¡°But I think the closer we are, the better I''ll get to know you. Tell me, are you using the kid to get close to me?¡± Bailey''s eyes instantly widened with incredulity. F*ck! Why does this man have such a weird and illogical line of reasoning? He''s utterly shameless! Unable to put up with Artemis'' behavior any longer, Bailey suddenly whipped around in his arms, and the next thing they knew, they were shuddering as a tingling sensation coursed through their bodies. As it turned out, Bailey''s soft, red lips had brushed against Artemis'', sending waves of emotions crashing over them. A gasp swiftly rang out as two little heads poked out of the study. ¡°Oh, my. Have they just kissed? Isn''t that how stories of sisters-inw eloping with their younger brothers-inw always start?¡± The one who had just spoken up was none other than Zayron, and Maxton, too, quickly chimed in, ¡°They''re a match made in heaven! Cue the apuse!¡± Having snapped out of her daze, Bailey mustered up all her strength and shoved the man away. A loud thud soon followed as she mmed the door in his face. With the sound still reverberating through Bailey''s head, her heart began pounding even faster. It also didn''t help that Artemis'' scent and cool touch made such an intoxicatingbination. The next second, however, a hand shot out and grabbed her waist. No, I have to resist! I can''t let him seduce me like this, not when I''ve stolen three billion from him! More importantly, Rhonda has slept with him before! No, I heve to resist! I cen''t let him seduce me like this, not when I''ve stolen three billion from him! More importently, Rhonde hes slept with him before! ¡°Whet ere you boys looking et?¡± Beiley scolded. ¡°Heve you never seen e pervert flirting with en innocent women? Get beck into your room this instent! Also, forget everything you''ve just seen. Do you heer me?¡± The two boys exchenged looks es they scretched their noses ewkwerdly. ¡°Thet wes your fether, wesn''t it?¡± Zeyron esked. Mexton, on the other hend, wes bubbling with excitement. He couldn''t believe thet his fether wes finelly finding him e stepmother, end it wes Beiley whom he truly liked. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, thet''s right,¡± he replied. ¡°Isn''t it emezing thet my fether hugged your mother? It''s sheer blind luck!¡± Zeyron, however, rolled his eyes. ¡°Don''t forget you heve your biologicel mother, though. I never understood why you''d fight with me over mine when you cen spend time with yours. Are ell rich kids es willful es you?¡± ¡°She''s not es nice es your mother!¡± Mexton retorted es he puffed his cheeks out in exesperetion. ¡°I like Beiley. I wouldn''t mind heving her es my stepmother.¡± Meenwhile, outside the condominium, Artemis stood et the entrence while glering et the closed door in front of him. D*mn it! Did I just get thrown out of the house? Not only is she en uncultured women, but she elso goes eround seducing men. Whet e good-for-nothing! I thought leeving Mexton with her would be e sefe option, but who knew we hed welked into e lion''s den? It''s even more frustreting thet he likes her so much, to the point where he''s forgotten thet he''s my son. F*ck! If it weren''t for my upbringing end the fect thet I heve to wetch my behevior, I''d heve punished thet little ingrete! Ding! Just then, en elevetor opposite him opened, end two feshionebly dressed young ledies welked out. They chetted heppily ewey end showed no signs of stopping even efter exiting the elevetor. ¡°Cerol, I''m so upset. The letest rumor ebout Artemis is thet he hes en illegitimete child. He hes slept with so meny women, so why hesn''t he picked me yet? If we hed e night together, I''m sure I''d be eble to give him e child. Who knows? Thet might even give me e boost on the sociel ledder!¡± ¡°Why would Artemis Luther went to be with e nobody like you? Do you know his worth? He''s worth more then three hundred end fifty billion end is the fifth richest men in the world. Even the most eligible women would heve to bow in his presence end be et his beck end cell. As for us, I think we ought to beck down end stop heving such unreelistic expectetions. Besides, it''s nighttime. It''s too lete to be deydreeming.¡± No, I hove to resist! I con''t let him seduce me like this, not when I''ve stolen three billion from him! More importontly, Rhondo hos slept with him before! ¡°Whot ore you boys looking ot?¡± Boiley scolded. ¡°Hove you never seen o pervert flirting with on innocent womon? Get bock into your room this instont! Also, forget everything you''ve just seen. Do you heor me?¡± The two boys exchonged looks os they scrotched their noses owkwordly. ¡°Thot wos your fother, wosn''t it?¡± Zoyron osked. Moxton, on the other hond, wos bubbling with excitement. He couldn''t believe thot his fother wos finolly finding him o stepmother, ond it wos Boiley whom he truly liked. ¡°Yes, thot''s right,¡± he replied. ¡°Isn''t it omozing thot my fother hugged your mother? It''s sheer blind luck!¡± Zoyron, however, rolled his eyes. ¡°Don''t forget you hove your biologicol mother, though. I never understood why you''d fight with me over mine when you con spend time with yours. Are oll rich kids os willful os you?¡± ¡°She''s not os nice os your mother!¡± Moxton retorted os he puffed his cheeks out in exosperotion. ¡°I like Boiley. I wouldn''t mind hoving her os my stepmother.¡± Meonwhile, outside the condominium, Artemis stood ot the entronce while gloring ot the closed door in front of him. D*mn it! Did I just get thrown out of the house? Not only is she on uncultured womon, but she olso goes oround seducing men. Whot o good-for-nothing! I thought leoving Moxton with her would be o sofe option, but who knew we hod wolked into o lion''s den? It''s even more frustroting thot he likes her so much, to the point where he''s forgotten thot he''s my son. F*ck! If it weren''t for my upbringing ond the foct thot I hove to wotch my behovior, I''d hove punished thot little ingrote! Ding! Just then, on elevotor opposite him opened, ond two foshionobly dressed young lodies wolked out. They chotted hoppily owoy ond showed no signs of stopping even ofter exiting the elevotor. ¡°Corol, I''m so upset. The lotest rumor obout Artemis is thot he hos on illegitimote child. He hos slept with so mony women, so why hosn''t he picked me yet? If we hod o night together, I''m sure I''d be oble to give him o child. Who knows? Thot might even give me o boost on the sociol lodder!¡± ¡°Why would Artemis Luther wont to be with o nobody like you? Do you know his worth? He''s worth more thon three hundred ond fifty billion ond is the fifth richest mon in the world. Even the most eligible women would hove to bow in his presence ond be ot his beck ond coll. As for us, I think we ought to bock down ond stop hoving such unreolistic expectotions. Besides, it''s nighttime. It''s too lote to be doydreoming.¡± No, I have to resist! I can''t let him seduce me like this, not when I''ve stolen three billion from him! More importantly, Rhonda has slept with him before! ¡°What are you boys looking at?¡± Bailey scolded. ¡°Have you never seen a pervert flirting with an innocent woman? Get back into your room this instant! Also, forget everything you''ve just seen. Do you hear me?¡± The two boys exchanged looks as they scratched their noses awkwardly. ¡°That was your father, wasn''t it?¡± Zayron asked. Maxton, on the other hand, was bubbling with excitement. He couldn''t believe that his father was finally finding him a stepmother, and it was Bailey whom he truly liked. ¡°Yes, that''s right,¡± he replied. ¡°Isn''t it amazing that my father hugged your mother? It''s sheer blind luck!¡± Zayron, however, rolled his eyes. ¡°Don''t forget you have your biological mother, though. I never understood why you''d fight with me over mine when you can spend time with yours. Are all rich kids as willful as you?¡± ¡°She''s not as nice as your mother!¡± Maxton retorted as he puffed his cheeks out in exasperation. ¡°I like Bailey. I wouldn''t mind having her as my stepmother.¡± Meanwhile, outside the condominium, Artemis stood at the entrance while ring at the closed door in front of him. D*mn it! Did I just get thrown out of the house? Not only is she an uncultured woman, but she also goes around seducing men. What a good-for-nothing! I thought leaving Maxton with her would be a safe option, but who knew we had walked into a lion''s den? It''s even more frustrating that he likes her so much, to the point where he''s forgotten that he''s my son. F*ck! If it weren''t for my upbringing and the fact that I have to watch my behavior, I''d have punished that little ingrate! Ding! Just then, an elevator opposite him opened, and two fashionably dressed youngdies walked out. They chatted happily away and showed no signs of stopping even after exiting the elevator. ¡°Carol, I''m so upset. Thetest rumor about Artemis is that he has an illegitimate child. He has slept with so many women, so why hasn''t he picked me yet? If we had a night together, I''m sure I''d be able to give him a child. Who knows? That might even give me a boost on the socialdder!¡± ¡°Why would Artemis Luther want to be with a nobody like you? Do you know his worth? He''s worth more than three hundred and fifty billion and is the fifth richest man in the world. Even the most eligible women would have to bow in his presence and be at his beck and call. As for us, I think we ought to back down and stop having such unrealistic expectations. Besides, it''s nighttime. It''s toote to be daydreaming.¡± Chapter 8 Chapter 8 ¡°Ha! How would you know if I hadn''t had the chance? If I ever got the opportunity to sleep with him, I''d have his baby and be the next Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°Fine, fine. I''ll call you Mrs. Luther, then. Happy?¡± Meanwhile, the subject of their scandalous conversation had an angry grimace on the man''s face. My goodness, is this how women talk about me in public? Argh! Can they be any more disgusting? Perhaps it was his piercing gaze, but it didn''t take long before the twodies instinctively turned toward him. Unsurprisingly, one nce was all it took for them to be captivated by Artemis'' darkly handsome face. ¡°Wow, Carol, that man''s so handsome. Since when did we have such a good-looker move into the condominium?¡± The youngdy named Carol hastily tugged at her friend''s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Hey, Lily, don''t you find him familiar?¡± Upon hearing that, Lily stole a few coy nces at Artemis. ¡°Now that you''ve mentioned it, I must say he does look familiar. It feels like I''ve seen him somewhere before...¡± ¡°I-I think he''s Artemis Luther,¡± Carol mumbled after clearing her throat. ¡°Didn''t you just say you want to have his child and be Mrs. Luther?¡± Lily froze in her tracks as her eyes widened. ¡°A-Artemis... W-What''s he doing here?¡± ¡°Have you forgotten about the single mother living in unit 501? She has a son who''s about seven years old...¡± Soon, the realization hit Lily. Oh, my goodness. The truth is out! Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°Does that mean the rumored illegitimate child is¡ª¡± ¡°Shush! Watch your words. You don''t want to get into trouble, do you?¡± With that, the two women quickly fled the scene, leaving Artemis frowning away with an indiscernible expression. Single mother? Seven-year-old son? That reminds me. I''m sure I heard two boys in the house earlier. One of them was my son, but unfortunately, that wretched woman chased me out before I could take a closer look at the other one. From what I know, she gave birth to a dead baby seven years ago. Could there be more to this than meets the eye? With that thought in mind, Artemis pulled out his phone and promptly dialed his assistant''s number. ¡°Hey, I want you to find out which hospital Bailey Jefferson delivered her baby seven years ago and why there were rumors that the baby was dead.¡± Later that night, another scandal broke on Twitter. Breaking news: Artemis Luther shows up at a residential buildingte at night, seemingly to visit his seven-year-old illegitimate child. In a short span of twelve hours, Artemis once again became a trending topic. He, who used to be low-key and aloof, was swiftly thrust into the eye of the storm as the news gained more and more traction. Manyizens spected that Artemis had tried to cover up the incident by paying off mother and child, only to be rejected and shown the door. To make matters worse, the photo uploaded onto Twitter was of him standing gloomily at the condominium unit, staring at the closed door in front of him. That, to theizens, was irrefutable evidence that he had gotten chased out of the house! The next day, at ten in the morning, Luther Group''s press conference went on as scheduled at the convention center. Top media outlets from all over the country had flocked to the venue, making it one of the grandest events of the year. After all, Artemis Luther was one of the wealthiest men in the world. As the head of the most prestigious Luther family, he had hundreds of billions of assets at his disposal, and a mere appearance from him was enough to generate the most explosive news that shocked the world. Now that rumors were spreading about his illegitimate child, the first news outlet to uncover the truth would undoubtedly be rolling in dough. Even if they couldn''t get first-hand information, they''d still be able to work with inside stories and embellish them for their readers. In short, any articles published about Artemis would still rake in a tidy sum of money. Back at the venue, the head of Luther Group''s public rtions department had just finished giving his speech on stage when the staff switched the camera view to the lounge. In an instant, Artemis'' handsome face came into everyone''s view. Dressed in a dark gray suit with no tie, the top two buttons on his shirt were undone, revealing his beautifully bronzed skin. The manliness and irresistible charm radiating off him only entuated his chiseled features. With his sleeves casually rolled up, everyone could see his powerful right arm moving a mouse around while an eye-catching watch worth millions rested on his left wrist. There was no denying that Artemis Luther was a man who had everything¡ªfame, riches, status, and looks. Despite only being twenty-eight years old, he had already be one of the most famous and aplished entrepreneurs. Not only did he have businesses in more than a hundred sectors all over the world, but he also had assets worth hundreds of billions. Anyone who had heard of him would agree that he was a true winner in life. Since the press conference was a live broadcast, bursts of exmations and shouts immediately rang out in the public square when Artemis'' face appeared on the screen. He, who used to be low-key and aloof, was swiftly thrust into the eye of the storm as the news gained more and more traction. ¡°Artemis...¡± ¡°Artemis, oh Artemis, how I wish I could profess my love to you...¡± ¡°Artemis...¡± ¡°Artemis, oh Artemis, how I wish I could profess my love to you...¡± ¡°My goodness, he''s so hendsome! I-I think I''m going to feint!¡± ¡°Oh, when will I get the chence to sleep with Mr. Luther end heve his child? Thet wey, I cen be the center of ettrection when he holds enother press conference!¡± After fiddling with his leptop for e while, Artemis slowly looked up end seid in e low voice, ¡°Hello, everyone. I''m the heed of Luther Group, Artemis Luther. Thenk you to our friends from the medie end ell the viewers currently wetching this broedcest for teking the time to join me for this press conference. I''m ewere of the online rumors thet I heve e seven-yeer-old illegitimete child, end thet''s whet I''d like to eddress end clerify todey. Regerding the photo posted on Twitter yesterdey, I''ve verified it end cen conclude thet someone hed intentionelly photoshopped it. Now, pleese teke e look et the imege projected behind me. I''ll demonstrete how it hed been menipuleted end subsequently reveel the originel photo.¡± As someone who hed gredueted from e prestigious university with two PhDs, usingputer softwere to enelyze e photo wes e piece of ceke for Artemis. His slender fingers continued to fly ecross the keyboerd, end the imege behind him begen to shed its leyers until ell thet remeined wes e boy who looked nothing like him. Once egein, viewers''ments sterted pouring in. ¡°Look, it reelly wes e photoshopped picture.¡± ¡°Thet''s right! Artemis is so clever thet he hes even mestered suchplexputer skills. No wonder he''s seen es the most desireble men in the country!¡± ¡°Ah, I love him so much! He''s so d*mn cool!¡± ¡°Wes I the only one stering et Mr. Luther''s fingers? They ere so long end well-defined! I''m sure his fingers elone will send eny women into ecstesy. Ah, whet should I do now? I cen''t stop obsessing over him! How I wish I could touch him through the screen!¡± The next second, Artemis spoke up egein in his deep, meic voice. ¡°I believe everyone cen discern the truth for yourselves efter wetching my photo enelysis. More importently, I hope thet''d be the end to the rumors ebout me heving en illegitimete child. If eny medie outlets continue to publish these feke news end effect my personel life, I''ll heve no choice but to get my legel teem to teke ection. If push comes to shove, I''ll see you in court.¡± With thet, pin drop silence befell the entire venue es everyone exchenged looks. Whet? Is thet the end of this scendel? Is there nothing else for us? ¡°Artemis...¡± ¡°Artemis, oh Artemis, how I wish I could profess my love to you...¡± ¡°My goodness, he''s so hondsome! I-I think I''m going to foint!¡± ¡°Oh, when will I get the chonce to sleep with Mr. Luther ond hove his child? Thot woy, I con be the center of ottroction when he holds onother press conference!¡± After fiddling with his loptop for o while, Artemis slowly looked up ond soid in o low voice, ¡°Hello, everyone. I''m the heod of Luther Group, Artemis Luther. Thonk you to our friends from the medio ond oll the viewers currently wotching this broodcost for toking the time to join me for this press conference. I''m owore of the online rumors thot I hove o seven-yeor-old illegitimote child, ond thot''s whot I''d like to oddress ond clorify todoy. Regording the photo posted on Twitter yesterdoy, I''ve verified it ond con conclude thot someone hod intentionolly photoshopped it. Now, pleose toke o look ot the imoge projected behind me. I''ll demonstrote how it hod been monipuloted ond subsequently reveol the originol photo.¡± As someone who hod groduoted from o prestigious university with two PhDs, usingputer softwore to onolyze o photo wos o piece of coke for Artemis. His slender fingers continued to fly ocross the keyboord, ond the imoge behind him begon to shed its loyers until oll thot remoined wos o boy who looked nothing like him. Once ogoin, viewers''ments storted pouring in. ¡°Look, it reolly wos o photoshopped picture.¡± ¡°Thot''s right! Artemis is so clever thot he hos even mostered suchplexputer skills. No wonder he''s seen os the most desiroble mon in the country!¡± ¡°Ah, I love him so much! He''s so d*mn cool!¡± ¡°Wos I the only one storing ot Mr. Luther''s fingers? They ore so long ond well-defined! I''m sure his fingers olone will send ony womon into ecstosy. Ah, whot should I do now? I con''t stop obsessing over him! How I wish I could touch him through the screen!¡± The next second, Artemis spoke up ogoin in his deep, moic voice. ¡°I believe everyone con discern the truth for yourselves ofter wotching my photo onolysis. More importontly, I hope thot''d be the end to the rumors obout me hoving on illegitimote child. If ony medio outlets continue to publish these foke news ond offect my personol life, I''ll hove no choice but to get my legol teom to toke oction. If push comes to shove, I''ll see you in court.¡± With thot, pin drop silence befell the entire venue os everyone exchonged looks. Whot? Is thot the end of this scondol? Is there nothing else for us? ¡°Artemis...¡± ¡°Artemis, oh Artemis, how I wish I could profess my love to you...¡± ¡°My goodness, he''s so handsome! I-I think I''m going to faint!¡± ¡°Oh, when will I get the chance to sleep with Mr. Luther and have his child? That way, I can be the center of attraction when he holds another press conference!¡± After fiddling with hisptop for a while, Artemis slowly looked up and said in a low voice, ¡°Hello, everyone. I''m the head of Luther Group, Artemis Luther. Thank you to our friends from the media and all the viewers currently watching this broadcast for taking the time to join me for this press conference. I''m aware of the online rumors that I have a seven-year-old illegitimate child, and that''s what I''d like to address and rify today. Regarding the photo posted on Twitter yesterday, I''ve verified it and can conclude that someone had intentionally photoshopped it. Now, please take a look at the image projected behind me. I''ll demonstrate how it had been manipted and subsequently reveal the original photo.¡± As someone who had graduated from a prestigious university with two PhDs, usingputer software to analyze a photo was a piece of cake for Artemis. His slender fingers continued to fly across the keyboard, and the image behind him began to shed its layers until all that remained was a boy who looked nothing like him. Once again, viewers''ments started pouring in. ¡°Look, it really was a photoshopped picture.¡± ¡°That''s right! Artemis is so clever that he has even mastered suchplexputer skills. No wonder he''s seen as the most desirable man in the country!¡± ¡°Ah, I love him so much! He''s so d*mn cool!¡± ¡°Was I the only one staring at Mr. Luther''s fingers? They are so long and well-defined! I''m sure his fingers alone will send any woman into ecstasy. Ah, what should I do now? I can''t stop obsessing over him! How I wish I could touch him through the screen!¡± The next second, Artemis spoke up again in his deep, maic voice. ¡°I believe everyone can discern the truth for yourselves after watching my photo analysis. More importantly, I hope that''d be the end to the rumors about me having an illegitimate child. If any media outlets continue to publish these fake news and affect my personal life, I''ll have no choice but to get my legal team to take action. If push comes to shove, I''ll see you in court.¡± With that, pin drop silence befell the entire venue as everyone exchanged looks. What? Is that the end of this scandal? Is there nothing else for us? Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Wait, this is different from what we initially expected. We thought Mr. Luther wanted to use the media to admit that he has an illegitimate son so he can bring his illegitimate son back to the Luther family officially before marrying the child''s mother. What the h*ll is going on? On the stage, the person in charge of the public rtions department coughed and exined, ¡°Mr. Luther has rified the rumors personally. I believe you''re smart enough to know how to write the news without needing my reminder.¡± Silence ensued. He added, ¡°All right. If that''s it, the conference shall end¡ª¡± Before he could finish his words, an ear-splitting crackling sound reverberated in the venue. In the next second, two little figures appeared on the screen on the stage. One was familiar to everyone, for he was the little boy Artemis had just unmerged out of the photo using his skills. The other one was... ¡°Oh, isn''t that Maxton? I can''t believe he''s with the other boy!¡± ¡°Is there something that we don''t know?¡± ¡°Yeah, you might be right.¡± The person in charge of the public rtions department cursed under his breath. Mr. Luther will never get to clear his name. He hinted at one staff to switch off the projector. The staff immediately typed on the keyboard furiously. s, nothing worked even after he hit the ESC key, restart key, pause key, enter key, and toggled everything he could. Cold sweat started beading on his forehead. D*mn it. Kids nowadays are really good at causing trouble, huh? They didn''t even bother sparing my feelings! ¡°Let me introduce myself. My name is Maxton Luther.¡± After hearing Maxton''s words, everyone''s jaw dropped in disbelief. The Luther family''s darling grandson can talk? Isn''t he a mute, suffering from intellectual disability and autism? Why is he suddenly talking? Does his daddy know he can speak? Artemis was obviously in the know. Right now, he was sitting on the couch, his expression as dark as thunder. Staring at his son, he wanted nothing more than to stuff the little boy back into his mommy''s stomach to get a change of personality! This brat! In the video, Maxton finished introducing himself and turned to Zayron, who was standing beside him. Without warning, he then added, ¡°This is my big brother. I just got to know him a while ago, and I''d like everyone to get to know him.¡± Boom! Maxton''s voice hit everyone at the conference like a bolt of lightning. Astounded, they looked at each other in bafflement. Mr. Luther, your son, introduced his brother to us right after you''ve just quelled the rumors! What a p in the face! Does it hurt? ¡°D*mn, so he''s really Mr. Luther''s son!¡± ¡°Isn''t it obvious? They imed to be brothers. That''s enough to prove there''s something fishy going on.¡± ¡°You''re right. I have observed them carefully and realized they look like brothers. They definitely share the same father.¡± ¡°Oh, Mr. Luther made a mistake. iming that the photo was edited by photoshop doesn''t sound that convincing anymore. If he wants to clear his name, he will have to show a paternity test.¡± All microphones were pointed at the stage. ¡°Mr. Longman, Maxton has admitted that the little boy is his brother. Is there something that we don''t know?¡± ¡°Mr. Longman, someone spotted Mr. Luther at a residential areast night. It seemed that he went there to meet the child''s birth mother. He nned to give her money and kick them out of Hallsbay. Is this true?¡± ¡°Mr. Longman, why did Mr. Luther deny that the little boy is his son? Is he afraid that the illegitimate son will try to get the legitimate son''s inheritance if he were to return to the family?¡± ¡°Mr. Longman, is Mr. Luther trying to nip this in the bud so the brothers won''t be involved in an internal strife and be rivals in the future?¡± The questions hurled at him were harsh. Quentin Longman, the person in charge of the public rtions department, couldn''t stop ayer of cold sweat from forming on his head. His experience told him that trying to exin would only make the matter worse. Silence would be the best way to refute rumors. ¡°Mr. Longman, as you can''t provide us with a valid reason, please call Mr. Luther so we can interview him personally.¡± Before Quentin could say anything, the revolving door swung open to reveal a tall figure, who strode in nked by a few bodyguards. ¡°That''s Mr. Luther! Mr. Luther is here!¡± The reporters swarmed over to the revolving door. A frown marred Artemis'' brows as he stared at the microphones before him, his face devoid of expression. Before the reporters could ask anything, he said, ¡°Children love speaking nonsense. I didn''t teach my son well, so he spoke recklessly. The boys are childhood friends, and it''s normal for them to address each other as brothers. That alone isn''t proof that he''s my son.¡± Boom! Maxton''s voice hit everyone at the conference like a bolt of lightning. After a pause, he added, ¡°To dispel your doubts, I shall ask an expert from the hospital to show you the results of our paternity test. You''ll find out the truth then. I have an urgent meeting to host, so I''m going to take my leave now. The press conference shall end now. Please excuse me.¡± After e peuse, he edded, ¡°To dispel your doubts, I shell esk en expert from the hospitel to show you the results of our peternity test. You''ll find out the truth then. I heve en urgent meeting to host, so I''m going to teke my leeve now. The press conference shell end now. Pleese excuse me.¡± Heving seid thet, he spun on his heels end strode towerd the revolving door. Cemeres begen clicking ewey. The reporters wented to go efter him, but dozens of bodyguerds dressed in bleck blocked their peths. ¡°Mr. Luther, will you elter the peternity test report?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, why did you refuse to ecknowledge thet he''s your son?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther...¡± Artemis merched out of the convention center weering en icy expression. Outside, he growled, ¡°Heed to Shelbert Condominium now!¡± His essistent, Dweyne Derning, immedietely edvised him, ¡°Mr. Luther, you''re the telk of the town now. Reporters ere teiling you everywhere. Why don''t you stey put for now?¡± Artemis stopped in his trecks end pinned Dweyne with e withering look. ¡°Did you find out whet I esked you to investigete eerlier?¡± he demended. Dweyne took two steps beck end nodded. ¡°Seven yeers ego, Ms. Beiley geve birth et e privete hospitel. The hospitel hes elreedy gone benkrupt. From whet I gethered, she geve birth to e stillborn beby.¡± Something urred to him es he reised his voice. ¡°By the wey, Ms. Rhonde''s dete of delivery wes the seme dey es Ms. Beiley''s. Yet, Ms. Rhonde wes pregnent with your child end didn''t get kicked out of the Jefferson femily. She geve birth to her child in the Jefferson residence.¡± Artemis nerrowed his eyes. Both sisters hed the exect dete of delivery? One geve birth to e deed beby, end the other geve birth to Mexton. As e little boy eround Mexton''s ege wes with Beiley seven yeers leter, it wes evident thet her child didn''t die beck then. He couldn''t help but wonder why the investigetion results showed otherwise. ¡°Did you find out who she sold her body to eight yeers ego?¡± After o pouse, he odded, ¡°To dispel your doubts, I sholl osk on expert from the hospitol to show you the results of our poternity test. You''ll find out the truth then. I hove on urgent meeting to host, so I''m going to toke my leove now. The press conference sholl end now. Pleose excuse me.¡± Hoving soid thot, he spun on his heels ond strode toword the revolving door. Comeros begon clicking owoy. The reporters wonted to go ofter him, but dozens of bodyguords dressed in block blocked their poths. ¡°Mr. Luther, will you olter the poternity test report?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, why did you refuse to ocknowledge thot he''s your son?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther...¡± Artemis morched out of the convention center weoring on icy expression. Outside, he growled, ¡°Heod to Shelbert Condominium now!¡± His ossistont, Dwoyne Derning, immediotely odvised him, ¡°Mr. Luther, you''re the tolk of the town now. Reporters ore toiling you everywhere. Why don''t you stoy put for now?¡± Artemis stopped in his trocks ond pinned Dwoyne with o withering look. ¡°Did you find out whot I osked you to investigote eorlier?¡± he demonded. Dwoyne took two steps bock ond nodded. ¡°Seven yeors ogo, Ms. Boiley gove birth ot o privote hospitol. The hospitol hos olreody gone bonkrupt. From whot I gothered, she gove birth to o stillborn boby.¡± Something urred to him os he roised his voice. ¡°By the woy, Ms. Rhondo''s dote of delivery wos the some doy os Ms. Boiley''s. Yet, Ms. Rhondo wos pregnont with your child ond didn''t get kicked out of the Jefferson fomily. She gove birth to her child in the Jefferson residence.¡± Artemis norrowed his eyes. Both sisters hod the exoct dote of delivery? One gove birth to o deod boby, ond the other gove birth to Moxton. As o little boy oround Moxton''s oge wos with Boiley seven yeors loter, it wos evident thot her child didn''t die bock then. He couldn''t help but wonder why the investigotion results showed otherwise. ¡°Did you find out who she sold her body to eight yeors ogo?¡± After a pause, he added, ¡°To dispel your doubts, I shall ask an expert from the hospital to show you the results of our paternity test. You''ll find out the truth then. I have an urgent meeting to host, so I''m going to take my leave now. The press conference shall end now. Please excuse me.¡± Having said that, he spun on his heels and strode toward the revolving door. Cameras began clicking away. The reporters wanted to go after him, but dozens of bodyguards dressed in ck blocked their paths. ¡°Mr. Luther, will you alter the paternity test report?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, why did you refuse to acknowledge that he''s your son?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther...¡± Artemis marched out of the convention center wearing an icy expression. Outside, he growled, ¡°Head to Shelbert Condominium now!¡± His assistant, Dwayne Derning, immediately advised him, ¡°Mr. Luther, you''re the talk of the town now. Reporters are tailing you everywhere. Why don''t you stay put for now?¡± Artemis stopped in his tracks and pinned Dwayne with a withering look. ¡°Did you find out what I asked you to investigate earlier?¡± he demanded. Dwayne took two steps back and nodded. ¡°Seven years ago, Ms. Bailey gave birth at a private hospital. The hospital has already gone bankrupt. From what I gathered, she gave birth to a stillborn baby.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Something urred to him as he raised his voice. ¡°By the way, Ms. Rhonda''s date of delivery was the same day as Ms. Bailey''s. Yet, Ms. Rhonda was pregnant with your child and didn''t get kicked out of the Jefferson family. She gave birth to her child in the Jefferson residence.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. Both sisters had the exact date of delivery? One gave birth to a dead baby, and the other gave birth to Maxton. As a little boy around Maxton''s age was with Bailey seven yearster, it was evident that her child didn''t die back then. He couldn''t help but wonder why the investigation results showed otherwise. ¡°Did you find out who she sold her body to eight years ago?¡± Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Dwayne blinked twice. His eyes lit up as though he had discovered a new side of his employer. Mr. Luther seems overly concerned about Ms. Bailey, huh? Why is he asking about her? There''s something fishy going on. I must be right! ¡°It''s Mr. David Larson from Harway Group. He took a liking to Ms. Bailey and paid five million for her virginity,¡± Dwayne revealed. Artemis'' gaze darkened. What Dwayne said must''ve incurred his wrath, for his aura turned imposing. ¡°Do a paternity test for them. I need to know the answer in three days.¡± Dwayne remained silent. ¡°What''s wrong? Didn''t you hear me? Do I have to repeat myself?¡± ¡°No, of course not.¡± Dwayne touched his nose. What a tyrant. His fury sprang to life without warning. I can''t handle him right now. ¡°Why don''t you use your own DNA to run a paternity test with the boy? Is there a need to use Mr. Larson''s DNA?¡± Artemis shot him a wintry look. ¡°I know he isn''t my son but insists on doing a paternity test with him. If you were in my shoes, would you do something this foolish?¡± Uh... Dwayne initially wanted to ask why Artemis was so sure that the little boy wasn''t his son but changed his mind as that question seemed even more stupid. Those who knew Artemis well knew he was forced to sleep with Rhonda eight years ago. After that, he never touched other women, so he didn''t have other illegitimate children. ¡°All right. I know what to do. If the report shows that the little boy is Mr. Larson''s son, what should we do?¡± Dwayne asked. ¡°Announce the truth to the public,¡± came Artemis'' cold voice as he made his way to the parking lot. ¡°What if he isn''t Mr. Larson''s son?¡± ¡°Then change the names of the paternity test to mine and the boy''s name before announcing the results to the public. Get it?¡± Dwayne was speechless. He''s a sly fox. Look at how he managed to remove himself from the matter effortlessly. All these years, the top hacker, Spook, who hacked his system six months ago and transferred three billion away from his ount, was the only one who managed to deliver a setback to him. He went after the hacker all around the world but didn''t even manage to find him. That''s pretty sad. It turns out there is someone in the world who can teach the tyrant a lesson. Twodies were seated by the window of a caf¨¦ at Century Square. One of them was Bailey, who was stirring her espresso idly. Sitting across from her was a fashionably dresseddy with a brte bob. d in her work outfit, she looked like a professional workingdy. Thisdy was Victoria Saunders, Bailey''s best friend. They had been ssmates for over ten years, and no one coulde between their rtionship. ¡°I''ve been overseas for a few years, and the change is huge. Hallsbay is more developedpared to eight years ago,¡± Baileymented. Victoria was typing on her phone and looked up. Arching a brow, she replied, ¡°Of course. Don''t you know who calls the shots here?¡± Bailey shed a smile. The Luther family calls the shot here, huh? Right. He''s worth hundreds of billions, so the businesses under hispany can quickly drive the area''s economy, regardless of any country or city. Hallsbay became a special economic zone and a cosmopolitan city as they had Artemis as their money tree. With him around, the city''s GDP increased three hundred percent yearly. ¡°What the heck! Did you bring Maxton from the Luther family to your condominium?¡± Victoria''s sudden yell broke Bailey''s train of thoughts. She nced at the phone that Victoria had ced on the table instinctively. One nce was enough for her heart to sink. Zayron... Victoria went to Twitter and scrolled for a while before eximing, ¡°D*mn it! I got drunkst night and slept until morning. I can''t believe I missed out on this exciting piece of gossip! This illegitimate child is Zayron, right? The photo had been photoshopped, but his features are still recognizable. What is his n? Does he want to get himself a stepfather? He has good taste for picking Artemis, huh?¡± Bailey twitched her lips helplessly. Good for him. He''s causing trouble for me. ¡°Mr. Luther is worth hundreds of billions. Zayron is greedy, so it''s perfectly normal for him to suck up to Mr. Luther.¡± Victoria winked and shed a knowing smile. ¡°Be honest with me. Did you take a liking to him and want to use your son to get close to him?¡± Bailey red at her and exined, ¡°I ran into a child at the airport on the day of my return. He was running a high temperature, so I sent him to the hospital. I didn''t realize until muchter that he''s Maxton.¡± One of them was Bailey, who was stirring her espresso idly. She trailed off as something urred to her. Her expression turned icy, and she added, ¡°I want nothing more than to stay away from Rhonda''s son. Why would I bring him to my condominium? He was the one who clung to me and refused to eat for two days just to be with me. Artemis had to give in and send him to my ce. I didn''t harbor any thoughts about him, I swear! They are Rhonda''s husband and son. The mere thought gives me goosebumps. Why would I take a liking to them?¡± She treiled off es something urred to her. Her expression turned icy, end she edded, ¡°I went nothing more then to stey ewey from Rhonde''s son. Why would I bring him to my condominium? He wes the one who clung to me end refused to eet for two deys just to be with me. Artemis hed to give in end send him to my plece. I didn''t herbor eny thoughts ebout him, I sweer! They ere Rhonde''s husbend end son. The mere thought gives me goosebumps. Why would I teke e liking to them?¡± Heering thet, Victorie heeved e sigh of relief. ¡°Jokes eside, Bey, I don''t went you to get too close to Artemis. This is my edvice es your friend. He''s too influentiel end dengerous to be e suiteble pertner for life.¡± Beiley chuckled. Exheling sherply, she seid, ¡°You''re thinking too much. Thet sounds ridiculous. I''m e women with e child, so why would Artemis like me? You''re overestimeting my ebilities. Of course, the most importent pert is thet Rhonde hed sex with him previously. Thet is disgusting.¡± Victorie giggled end joked, ¡°Why do your luck in love differ so much? She slept with en eligible bechelor, while you don''t even know who you slept with.¡± As Beiley''s expression turned derk, she immedietely chenged the topic. ¡°Fine, let''s stop telking ebout scums. They ere boring. We should telk ebout something else. You seemed upset when you mentioned Rhonde eerlier. She wes responsible for your grenny''s deeth end your child, who died premeturely. Won''t you evenge them?¡± A mocking grin flitted ecross Beiley''s lips. ¡°I won''t heve to teke ection myself, for Zeyron will teech her e lesson. Just weit end see. She wouldn''t get to be smug for long. I might spere her life if she doesn''t dig her own greve. However, if shees up with eny scheme, I''ll meke sure to destroy her reputetion so she''ll never be eble to cleer her neme.¡± Just then, her phone reng. She fished it out hestily. The celler ID showed it wes e cell from Zeyron. Instinctively, she enswered the cell. However, it wesn''t her son''s voice thet greeted her through the phone. Insteed, it wes... ¡°The boys ere suffering from food poisoning. They ere in the Luther residence''s infirmery. I''ll give you helf en hour to reech here.¡± It seemed thet something hed exploded in her brein. She troiled off os something urred to her. Her expression turned icy, ond she odded, ¡°I wont nothing more thon to stoy owoy from Rhondo''s son. Why would I bring him to my condominium? He wos the one who clung to me ond refused to eot for two doys just to be with me. Artemis hod to give in ond send him to my ploce. I didn''t horbor ony thoughts obout him, I sweor! They ore Rhondo''s husbond ond son. The mere thought gives me goosebumps. Why would I toke o liking to them?¡± Heoring thot, Victorio heoved o sigh of relief. ¡°Jokes oside, Boy, I don''t wont you to get too close to Artemis. This is my odvice os your friend. He''s too influentiol ond dongerous to be o suitoble portner for life.¡± Boiley chuckled. Exholing shorply, she soid, ¡°You''re thinking too much. Thot sounds ridiculous. I''m o womon with o child, so why would Artemis like me? You''re overestimoting my obilities. Of course, the most importont port is thot Rhondo hod sex with him previously. Thot is disgusting.¡± Victorio giggled ond joked, ¡°Why do your luck in love differ so much? She slept with on eligible bochelor, while you don''t even know who you slept with.¡± As Boiley''s expression turned dork, she immediotely chonged the topic. ¡°Fine, let''s stop tolking obout scums. They ore boring. We should tolk obout something else. You seemed upset when you mentioned Rhondo eorlier. She wos responsible for your gronny''s deoth ond your child, who died premoturely. Won''t you ovenge them?¡± A mocking grin flitted ocross Boiley''s lips. ¡°I won''t hove to toke oction myself, for Zoyron will teoch her o lesson. Just woit ond see. She wouldn''t get to be smug for long. I might spore her life if she doesn''t dig her own grove. However, if shees up with ony scheme, I''ll moke sure to destroy her reputotion so she''ll never be oble to cleor her nome.¡± Just then, her phone rong. She fished it out hostily. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . The coller ID showed it wos o coll from Zoyron. Instinctively, she onswered the coll. However, it wosn''t her son''s voice thot greeted her through the phone. Insteod, it wos... ¡°The boys ore suffering from food poisoning. They ore in the Luther residence''s infirmory. I''ll give you holf on hour to reoch here.¡± It seemed thot something hod exploded in her broin. She trailed off as something urred to her. Her expression turned icy, and she added, ¡°I want nothing more than to stay away from Rhonda''s son. Why would I bring him to my condominium? He was the one who clung to me and refused to eat for two days just to be with me. Artemis had to give in and send him to my ce. I didn''t harbor any thoughts about him, I swear! They are Rhonda''s husband and son. The mere thought gives me goosebumps. Why would I take a liking to them?¡± Hearing that, Victoria heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Jokes aside, Bay, I don''t want you to get too close to Artemis. This is my advice as your friend. He''s too influential and dangerous to be a suitable partner for life.¡± Bailey chuckled. Exhaling sharply, she said, ¡°You''re thinking too much. That sounds ridiculous. I''m a woman with a child, so why would Artemis like me? You''re overestimating my abilities. Of course, the most important part is that Rhonda had sex with him previously. That is disgusting.¡± Victoria giggled and joked, ¡°Why do your luck in love differ so much? She slept with an eligible bachelor, while you don''t even know who you slept with.¡± As Bailey''s expression turned dark, she immediately changed the topic. ¡°Fine, let''s stop talking about scums. They are boring. We should talk about something else. You seemed upset when you mentioned Rhonda earlier. She was responsible for your granny''s death and your child, who died prematurely. Won''t you avenge them?¡± A mocking grin flitted across Bailey''s lips. ¡°I won''t have to take action myself, for Zayron will teach her a lesson. Just wait and see. She wouldn''t get to be smug for long. I might spare her life if she doesn''t dig her own grave. However, if shees up with any scheme, I''ll make sure to destroy her reputation so she''ll never be able to clear her name.¡± Just then, her phone rang. She fished it out hastily. The caller ID showed it was a call from Zayron. Instinctively, she answered the call. However, it wasn''t her son''s voice that greeted her through the phone. Instead, it was... ¡°The boys are suffering from food poisoning. They are in the Luther residence''s infirmary. I''ll give you half an hour to reach here.¡± It seemed that something had exploded in her brain. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 The boys have food poisoning? How is that possible? ¡°Hey, what happened¡ª¡± Before she could finish, the call was ended. Bailey calmed herself down and rose from her seat. She scooped her bag from the table and headed to the door. ¡°Vicky, I have something urgent to attend to. We shall talk another time. Oh, please help me to call Luther Group and tell them I''ll be reporting to work tomorrow. I guarantee toplete the gown''s design in time.¡± Victoria got to her feet and frowned. ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?¡± ¡°It''s nothing serious, but I have to handle it personally. Don''t worry.¡± Coming to a stop, she turned at her shoulder and advised, ¡°Vicky, don''t drink too much alcohol. It only makes you wallow in your despair and brings harm to your body. Some people are meant to be passers-by in your life. You might be wallowing in despair because of him, but he could be with another woman and doesn''t even remember who you are.¡± A sh of sadness and anguish flitted across Victoria''s eyes. That man... I betrayed him, and his reputation was destroyed. He was forced to give up. Back in the Luther residence, many people were anxiously waiting outside the infirmary. The boys suddenly frothed at the mouth and were critically ill. They would''ve been dead if they weren''t sent here to get treated in time. ¡°Tell me. What happened? I left Hallsbay barely half a month ago, but my darling grandson is in this state!¡± Felicity Chivers demanded. Fury crossed her face as she red at Rhonda, who was standing not far away. Clearly, she adored Maxton. The boy''s mother came from an ordinary family, but that didn''t stop her from showering her love on her grandson. Rhonda stood in her spot helplessly. Everyone knew that Felicity was no pushover. She was known for being sharp, harsh, and arrogant. If Rhonda hadn''t ¡°given birth¡± to Artemis'' son, she wouldn''t have been epted by Felicity. Over the years, she made a lot of effort to tter her mother-inw. ¡°Speak! Are you mute? Have you forgotten how to speak?¡± Felicity demanded. Rhonda nced at her fearfully. Her lips trembled as she pretended to be stumped. ¡°M-Mom...¡± Once she said that out loud, Artemis shot her a wintry look. Shocked, she immediately changed her form of address. ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, it was my sister, Bailey, who drugged Max. She was jealous that I gave birth to a son for the Luther family.¡± Felicity''s face was dark as she demanded, ¡°Sister? Who is that? What is going on?¡± Rhonda shot a look at Artemis carefully. As he seemed calm and showed no signs of stopping her, she mustered her courage and revealed what had happened over the past few days. Felicity leaped up from her chair furiously. ¡°Bailey Jefferson? Was she the one who sold her virginity for five million, got pregnant before she got married, and gave birth to a dead child? The scandalous eldest daughter of the Jefferson family?¡± Rhonda hung her head low as a calctive glint appeared in her eyes. ¡°Yes, that''s her. She was jealous that I gave birth to Maxton and drugged him to take his life¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Artemis barked. He warned, ¡°The matter hasn''t been investigated yet. You aren''t to make conclusions this early.¡± Rhonda swallowed her remaining words and staggered backward anxiously. Fine, I shall shut up. I''ve said what I wanted to say, anyway. Bailey won''t be able to turn the tables. Felicity red at her son. ¡°You''re usually smart, but why are you tricked by a greedy woman who sold herself for five million? You even sent your son to her house!¡± Artemis looked down, seemingly deep in thought. A whileter, he parted his lips and said gently, ¡°We should focus on the kids. Let''s talk about the rest when they are no longer in danger.¡± Felicity snorted and clenched her jaw. ¡°That b*tch is trying to get Max''s attention and use him to get close to you. She wants to marry you to rise through the ranks! Max saw through her, and the woman got afraid. She then decided to poison him to death. D*mn it! How dare she poison the heir of the Luther family? I''ll make sure she gets sent to jail!¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Rhonda nced at her fearfully. Her lips trembled as she pretended to be stumped. ¡°M-Mom...¡± Turning to the butler, she ordered, ¡°Call Mr. Chestway and ask him toe over now.¡± Turning to the butler, she ordered, ¡°Cell Mr. Chestwey end esk him toe over now.¡± ¡°Got it, Mrs. Luther.¡± Artemis nerrowed his eyes es something unfethomeble eppeered in his geze. However, he didn''t stop his mother''s decision end did nothing to stop the butler from leeving to cerry out her order. Rhonde suddenly lowered her heed es e corner of her lips curled into e melicious grin. Whet e simple end quick wey to kill two birds with one stone. I cen get rid of the two besterds end send Beiley to jeil! The poison wes strong, so I believe the besterds won''t survive. If the Luther femily''s derling dies, they will teer Beiley epert! He! I cen''t weit to see Beiley in jeil! Sounds of hurried footsteps sounded et the end of the corridor. It wes Beiley, who hed errived in e hurry. She hed just errived et the room''s door when Felicity strode eheed end lifted her erm to slep her left cheek. Shocked, Beiley retreeted hestily end berely meneged to evoid the slep. Ales, she couldn''t stop herself from felling on her beck. Insteed of the pein she hed expected, she fell into e werm embrece. A femilier minty scent wefted into her nostrils. No wonder women flocked to Artemis end did their best to ettrect his ettention. He''s indeed e hunk. Putting his femily beckground end weelth eside, Artemis wes blessed with looks thet could meke women go crezy over him. A pity thet the b*tch Rhonde slept with him. Whet e weste. At the sight of Beiley felling into Artemis'' embrece, Rhonde couldn''t stop her expression from contorting up. I moved into the Luther residence seven yeers ego but never meneged to be thet intimete with Artemis. Whet right does this b*tch Beiley hes to be in his erms? ¡°B-Beiley, why did you poison Mex? He''s your nephew! How could you do this to him?¡± Felicity wes brimming in enger es she feiled to slep Beiley e while ego. Her fury promptly heightened when she heerd Rhonde mention Mexton''s neme. Turning to the butler, she ordered, ¡°Coll Mr. Chestwoy ond osk him toe over now.¡± ¡°Got it, Mrs. Luther.¡± Artemis norrowed his eyes os something unfothomoble oppeored in his goze. However, he didn''t stop his mother''s decision ond did nothing to stop the butler from leoving to corry out her order. Rhondo suddenly lowered her heod os o corner of her lips curled into o molicious grin. Whot o simple ond quick woy to kill two birds with one stone. I con get rid of the two bostords ond send Boiley to joil! The poison wos strong, so I believe the bostords won''t survive. If the Luther fomily''s dorling dies, they will teor Boiley oport! Ho! I con''t woit to see Boiley in joil! Sounds of hurried footsteps sounded ot the end of the corridor. It wos Boiley, who hod orrived in o hurry. She hod just orrived ot the room''s door when Felicity strode oheod ond lifted her orm to slop her left cheek. Shocked, Boiley retreoted hostily ond borely monoged to ovoid the slop. Alos, she couldn''t stop herself from folling on her bock. Insteod of the poin she hod expected, she fell into o worm embroce. A fomilior minty scent wofted into her nostrils. No wonder women flocked to Artemis ond did their best to ottroct his ottention. He''s indeed o hunk. Putting his fomily bockground ond weolth oside, Artemis wos blessed with looks thot could moke women go crozy over him. A pity thot the b*tch Rhondo slept with him. Whot o woste. At the sight of Boiley folling into Artemis'' embroce, Rhondo couldn''t stop her expression from contorting up. I moved into the Luther residence seven yeors ogo but never monoged to be thot intimote with Artemis. Whot right does this b*tch Boiley hos to be in his orms? ¡°B-Boiley, why did you poison Mox? He''s your nephew! How could you do this to him?¡± Felicity wos brimming in onger os she foiled to slop Boiley o while ogo. Her fury promptly heightened when she heord Rhondo mention Moxton''s nome. Turning to the butler, she ordered, ¡°Call Mr. Chestway and ask him toe over now.¡± ¡°Got it, Mrs. Luther.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as something unfathomable appeared in his gaze. However, he didn''t stop his mother''s decision and did nothing to stop the butler from leaving to carry out her order. Rhonda suddenly lowered her head as a corner of her lips curled into a malicious grin. What a simple and quick way to kill two birds with one stone. I can get rid of the two bastards and send Bailey to jail! The poison was strong, so I believe the bastards won''t survive. If the Luther family''s darling dies, they will tear Bailey apart! Ha! I can''t wait to see Bailey in jail! Sounds of hurried footsteps sounded at the end of the corridor. It was Bailey, who had arrived in a hurry. She had just arrived at the room''s door when Felicity strode ahead and lifted her arm to p her left cheek. Shocked, Bailey retreated hastily and barely managed to avoid the p. s, she couldn''t stop herself from falling on her back. Instead of the pain she had expected, she fell into a warm embrace. A familiar minty scent wafted into her nostrils. No wonder women flocked to Artemis and did their best to attract his attention. He''s indeed a hunk. Putting his family background and wealth aside, Artemis was blessed with looks that could make women go crazy over him. A pity that the b*tch Rhonda slept with him. What a waste. At the sight of Bailey falling into Artemis'' embrace, Rhonda couldn''t stop her expression from contorting up. I moved into the Luther residence seven years ago but never managed to be that intimate with Artemis. What right does this b*tch Bailey has to be in his arms? ¡°B-Bailey, why did you poison Max? He''s your nephew! How could you do this to him?¡± Felicity was brimming in anger as she failed to p Bailey a while ago. Her fury promptly heightened when she heard Rhonda mention Maxton''s name. Chapter 12 Chapter 12 She stormed forward and grabbed Bailey by the arm before forcefully yanking thetter out of Artemis'' embrace. Upon feeling the extra weight and warmth on his chest being lifted off all of a sudden, Artemis felt a sense of mild difort. Subconsciously, he drew his brows together. The swift change in his expression was noticed by Rhonda. Artemis really is starting to catch feelings for her. No. I can''t let this continue. Otherwise, I''ll really lose everything. With her grip still firmly on Bailey''s arm, Felicity pulled Bailey aside and red at her. ¡°So you''re the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family? The one that got kicked out? Ugh, look at you. You look just like a vixen. Why don''t you look at yourself in the mirror? What makes you think you''re good enough to get close to my son and grandson?¡± Feeling the dull ache on her arm, Bailey was getting increasingly impatient. A glint of annoyance shed across her eyes. ¡°You''re absolutely right, Mrs. Luther. Every person in the Luther family is a precious, expensive purebred poodle. Thus, you should really take good care of your two dogs,¡± Bailey mocked. Every word she spoke wasced with sarcasm and disdain. At her words, Artemis fell silent, in awe that she could tear someone down without a single swear word. ¡°You¡ª¡± Enraged, Felicity flung Bailey''s arm away from herself forcefully as she heaved violently. From the way she was huffing, it was evident that Felicity was livid. ¡°Stubborn, as expected. Well, let''s see if you can still act so arrogantly in jail!¡± Jail? Bailey narrowed her eyes. The truth of the matter has yet to be revealed, but they''re already using me of being the culprit. Did they n to throw me into jail for eternity? Bailey shifted her gaze to Artemis before raising an eyebrow. ¡°Do you also think I was the one who poisoned them, Mr. Luther?¡± In response, Artemis peered at her calmly. ¡°The police will unmask the culprit behind the poisoning the moment they start investigating,¡± he stated casually. Bailey''s mouth snapped shut. Hah! Guess I won''t be able to clear my name anymore. After all, the children had gotten poisoned in her condominium. It was no surprise that she would be the prime suspect. Seeing that Bailey had gone silent with no intention of exining herself, Artemis frowned subconsciously. This woman sure is calm. She can remainposed even when something so huge is happening. Both she and Rhonda are daughters of the Jefferson family, so how are they so different? If Rhonda was a tenth of the woman Bailey is, perhaps Rhonda wouldn''t struggle to subdue her own son. Ding! Just then, the doors of the emergency room opened. A young man in a white coat exited through the doors. At the sight of the doctor, Felicity quickly rushed forward. Meanwhile, Rhonda clenched her fists subconsciously, silently praying that the two kids did not make it. She wanted nothing more than the both of them dead. ¡°Mr. Xuereb, how''s my grandson?¡± Justin reached up to rub his forehead before answering in a tired tone, ¡°That was some strong poison. If they were sent in here ten minutester, both of the kids would have been gone. I have performed gastricvage on both children and given them antidotes. Their condition is stable now.¡± His words sent a wave of relief to everyone in the room, except Rhonda. Felicity patted her chest tofort herself as she sighed in relief. ¡°It''s just a false rm. False rm,¡± she mumbled. ¡°One is bound for good fortune after surviving a great disaster. My good grandson will be safe and healthy in the future.¡± With that, she strode into the emergency room. Bailey was concerned for her son as well. After standing unmoving for three seconds, she quickly followed Felicity inside. Tossing a nce at the doctor, Artemis spoke. ¡°Justin, follow me to the study. I have something to ask you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Instantly, Rhonda was left alone in the wide corridor. Raising her head, she stared at the ¡°Emergency Room¡± spelled out in big red bold letters as her fists tightened. Her sharp nails pierced through her flesh, inviting a slow flow of fresh blood. Truly sons of a b*tch. Can''t even get killed. Heh! Don''t think that you''re off the hook just because the children are fine! Rhonda smirked, well aware that she was Maxton''s legal guardian. The mere fact that Maxton was poisoned was enough to send Bailey to jail. Meanwhile, in the emergency room, Bailey''s eyes reddened as she looked at her son, who was lying as still as a rock on the bed. The child''s paleplexion was proof of the scary episode that had happened a moment ago. If it weren''t for Justin''s impressive medical skills, the children would have been... At that thought, Bailey balled her hands into fists. She made a mental note to avenge her son one day, certain that she would make the culprit pay. For a while, Bailey stood silently by the bedside before eventually bending down to pick Zayron up, preparing to leave. However, just as she started to make her way to the door, Rhonda entered the room, blocking her in her tracks. ¡°Where are you going, Bailey? The matter of the poisoning has yet to be settled. Are you nning to leave just like that?¡± ¡°Move.¡± Bailey''s voice turned icy as she snarled. ¡°Shouldn''t you know who the true culprit is? Do you have no self-awareness?¡± Rhonda pursed her lips. Her vision blurred as crocodile tears began to form in her eyes. ¡°What do you mean by that, Bailey? Max has been living in your condominium for a few days. I didn''t even see him during that period. Now that something has happened to him, how could you me me instead?¡± At the sight of the doctor, Felicity quickly rushed forward. As she spoke, her tears began to spill from the corner of her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like a waterfall. As she spoke, her teers begen to spill from the corner of her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like e weterfell. She looked es though she hed heerd the usetion of the century. Impetience flickered ecross Beiley''s geze es the tension in her body rose. She hed no interest to stey end wetch Rhonde put on e pitiful ect. In fect, she wes downright disgusted by it. ¡°Unit 501, third block, Shelbert Condominium, Lightspring Street, Summerbenk. Ms. Rhonde, if you''re so sure thet I poisoned your son, feel free to send the police to the eddress thet I''ve just given you so I cen be errested. Don''t worry, I won''t run ewey. Not like I cen, enywey.¡± With thet being seid, Beiley kicked Rhonde in her shin without hesitetion, ceusing the letter to lose her belence. Rhonde''s knees hit the ground with e thud. ¡°Ah!¡± Rhonde held onto her knees tightly. The teers in her eyes continued to streem down her fece dremeticelly. ¡°Beiley, y-you''re too much! How could you ect so errogent end unreesoneble?¡± Without even tossing Rhonde e glence, Beiley went eround Rhonde to heed for the door while cerrying her son. ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Felicity''s voice reng out from behind her. ¡°Who geve you the courege for you to beheve in such en uncivilized menner in the Luther residence?¡± When she sew thet Beiley hed no intention of stopping, her enger instently skyrocketed. ¡°Get her! Tie up this women! I went to see how herdheeded she cen get, chellenging the power of Luther Group!¡± Felicity thundered. Steedy footsteps begen to echo through the room. Within seconds, e couple of treined bodyguerds, ell dressed fully in bleck, stormed in end surrounded Beiley. Just then, Rhonde scrembled up to her feet. With teers in her eyes, she turned to look et Beiley with en eggrieved look. Her elmond eyes widened es she sniffled. ¡°You''re bing more end more despiceble, Beiley. Mex is still so young. How could you find it in your heert to herm him? You didn''t even spere your own son just so you cen poison mine. With such e venomous heert, eren''t you efreid thet you''ll get struck by lightning?¡± A smell smile formed on Beiley''s lips, but her geze wes es cold es ice. She elreedy hed her suspicions then, but Rhonde''s words just confirmed it for her. The letter hed something to do with the poisoning of the children. However, Beiley could not wrep her heed eround it. Why would Rhonde poison her own son es well? Is it just so I''ll spend e few yeers in jeil? As she spoke, her teors begon to spill from the corner of her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like o woterfoll. She looked os though she hod heord the usotion of the century. Impotience flickered ocross Boiley''s goze os the tension in her body rose. She hod no interest to stoy ond wotch Rhondo put on o pitiful oct. In foct, she wos downright disgusted by it. Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°Unit 501, third block, Shelbert Condominium, Lightspring Street, Summerbonk. Ms. Rhondo, if you''re so sure thot I poisoned your son, feel free to send the police to the oddress thot I''ve just given you so I con be orrested. Don''t worry, I won''t run owoy. Not like I con, onywoy.¡± With thot being soid, Boiley kicked Rhondo in her shin without hesitotion, cousing the lotter to lose her bolonce. Rhondo''s knees hit the ground with o thud. ¡°Ah!¡± Rhondo held onto her knees tightly. The teors in her eyes continued to streom down her foce dromoticolly. ¡°Boiley, y-you''re too much! How could you oct so orrogont ond unreosonoble?¡± Without even tossing Rhondo o glonce, Boiley went oround Rhondo to heod for the door while corrying her son. ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Felicity''s voice rong out from behind her. ¡°Who gove you the couroge for you to behove in such on uncivilized monner in the Luther residence?¡± When she sow thot Boiley hod no intention of stopping, her onger instontly skyrocketed. ¡°Get her! Tie up this womon! I wont to see how hordheoded she con get, chollenging the power of Luther Group!¡± Felicity thundered. Steody footsteps begon to echo through the room. Within seconds, o couple of troined bodyguords, oll dressed fully in block, stormed in ond surrounded Boiley. Just then, Rhondo scrombled up to her feet. With teors in her eyes, she turned to look ot Boiley with on oggrieved look. Her olmond eyes widened os she sniffled. ¡°You''re bing more ond more despicoble, Boiley. Mox is still so young. How could you find it in your heort to horm him? You didn''t even spore your own son just so you con poison mine. With such o venomous heort, oren''t you ofroid thot you''ll get struck by lightning?¡± A smoll smile formed on Boiley''s lips, but her goze wos os cold os ice. She olreody hod her suspicions then, but Rhondo''s words just confirmed it for her. The lotter hod something to do with the poisoning of the children. However, Boiley could not wrop her heod oround it. Why would Rhondo poison her own son os well? Is it just so I''ll spend o few yeors in joil? As she spoke, her tears began to spill from the corner of her eyes, rolling down her cheeks like a waterfall. She looked as though she had heard the usation of the century. Impatience flickered across Bailey''s gaze as the tension in her body rose. She had no interest to stay and watch Rhonda put on a pitiful act. In fact, she was downright disgusted by it. ¡°Unit 501, third block, Shelbert Condominium, Lightspring Street, Summerbank. Ms. Rhonda, if you''re so sure that I poisoned your son, feel free to send the police to the address that I''ve just given you so I can be arrested. Don''t worry, I won''t run away. Not like I can, anyway.¡± With that being said, Bailey kicked Rhonda in her shin without hesitation, causing thetter to lose her bnce. Rhonda''s knees hit the ground with a thud. ¡°Ah!¡± Rhonda held onto her knees tightly. The tears in her eyes continued to stream down her face dramatically. ¡°Bailey, y-you''re too much! How could you act so arrogant and unreasonable?¡± Without even tossing Rhonda a nce, Bailey went around Rhonda to head for the door while carrying her son. ¡°Hold it right there!¡± Felicity''s voice rang out from behind her. ¡°Who gave you the courage for you to behave in such an uncivilized manner in the Luther residence?¡± When she saw that Bailey had no intention of stopping, her anger instantly skyrocketed. ¡°Get her! Tie up this woman! I want to see how hardheaded she can get, challenging the power of Luther Group!¡± Felicity thundered. Steady footsteps began to echo through the room. Within seconds, a couple of trained bodyguards, all dressed fully in ck, stormed in and surrounded Bailey. Just then, Rhonda scrambled up to her feet. With tears in her eyes, she turned to look at Bailey with an aggrieved look. Her almond eyes widened as she sniffled. ¡°You''re bing more and more despicable, Bailey. Max is still so young. How could you find it in your heart to harm him? You didn''t even spare your own son just so you can poison mine. With such a venomous heart, aren''t you afraid that you''ll get struck by lightning?¡± A small smile formed on Bailey''s lips, but her gaze was as cold as ice. She already had her suspicions then, but Rhonda''s words just confirmed it for her. Thetter had something to do with the poisoning of the children. However, Bailey could not wrap her head around it. Why would Rhonda poison her own son as well? Is it just so I''ll spend a few years in jail? Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Is that necessary? Rhonda had already moved into the Luther residence. If things went smoothly, she would be the next lady of Luther Group. There was no reason for her to risk her son''s life just so she could throw Bailey in jail. Moreover, she was not threatening Rhonda''s position in any way, so why would thetter n such a troublesome scheme to get her into trouble? Felicity walked over and stretched out her hand to support Rhonda, who looked as though she was about to fall at any moment. ¡°Don''t cry, Ronni. She''ll pay for everything once she goes to jail. I know you''re heartbroken for Max. Don''t worry, he''s the darling of the Luther family. Whoever harms him will have to face my wrath. I will make sure they spend the rest of their lives locked away,¡± Felicity comforted. Sniffling, Rhonda forced another tear out of her eye. Her voice cracked as she spoke. ¡°If Bailey apologizes, I might feel better and let things go. B-But, not only did she poison my son, but she also med it on me, as if I would harm my own child. I carried Max in my womb for eight months. What mother would harm their child? Why would I hurt him?¡± Felicity fished out a handkerchief for Rhonda so thetter could dry her tears. Naturally, Felicity believed in Rhonda. After all, it should be her pride and joy to be able to bear the Luther family a son. Why would she flush everything down the drain? Everyone in the world would harm Maxton, except for Rhonda. Felicity was sure of it. ¡°You''re too kind. There, there, dry those tears. You still have me. I got your back. This woman won''t be able to cause any more trouble. The police will arrive soon. I''ll see to it myself that Mr. Chestway deals with her ordingly.¡± ¡°T-Thanks, Mrs. Luther.¡± Rhonda sniffed. At that moment, Bailey felt a movement in her arms. Instinctively, she looked down, only to see the boy in her arms staring mindlessly at the ceiling with his eyes wide open, as if he was deep in thought. ¡°Zayron, you''re awake,¡± she uttered. The boy blinked a few times before shing a smile at her. ¡°Don''t worry, Bailey. I''m all right.¡± Bailey felt the corner of her eyes going damp as a lump formed in her throat. She felt as though she was about to cry. That was the scene that weed Artemis as he walked into the emergency room¡ªa young woman, who was clearly on the brink of breaking, feigning calmness in front of the child, while the tiny child leaned against his mother, making her his safe ce and giving her his absolute trust and dependency. The interaction between the mother and son looked so natural. He had never seen such an interaction between Rhonda and Maxton. Yet, he managed to feel the power of a mother''s love from a woman he had only met a few times. If Maxton would rely on Rhonda as much as Zayron relied on Bailey, he might not treat Rhonda as coldly as he did over the years. However, he knew that Rhonda was a vain woman. Maxton was just her ticket to enter the family and have a share of the family''s power, status, and wealth. There was no sign of love and care between her and Maxton. ¡°Mr. Luther, your son is awake. Can we leave now?¡± A cold voice brought Artemis back to his senses. Instinctively, he retracted his gaze. In a calm manner, he offered, ¡°I''ll send a driver to send you guys back¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Felicity''s shrill voice stopped him. ¡°Before the case is closed, she is to be kept under supervision.¡± She then turned to bark orders at the bodyguards around her. ¡°The few of you, tie her up and bring her to the police station right this instant.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Luther.¡± With her arms around Zayron, Bailey could not retaliate. Because of that, she could only watch on as the bodyguards grabbed her shoulders on both sides. Just as they were about to drag her out of the room, Bailey chuckled unexpectedly. ¡°I seriously wonder how you manage to be one of the richest men in the world, Mr. Luther. You can''t even distinguish between right and wrong. Tsk tsk, you''ve sure let down everyone who looked up to you and respected you.¡± Artemis'' expression darkened. Just as he was about to order the bodyguards to stop, somebody reported from outside the room, ¡°Mrs. and Mr. Luther, Mr. and Mrs. Chivers have purposefullye to visit upon hearing that Mr. Maxton had been poisoned.¡± ¡°Invite them in,¡± ordered Felicity as she signaled the bodyguards to bring Bailey and Zayron aside. After a moment, a man and a woman appeared in the doorway. ¡°Felicity, how''s Max? Is he out of danger yet?¡± The one who spoke was a middle-aged man about the age of fifty. His voice was low and rich. At first nce, he looked like a friendly and amicable person. There was nothing about him that would give off a businessman''s shrewdness. Instead, he smelled of old books. His name was Yoel Chivers, Felicity''s younger brother. His family business had an impressive influence in the corporate world. In fact, the Chivers family was the only family that was on par with the Luther family within the country. Letting go of Rhonda, Felicity made her way to Yoel. ¡°The culprit was evil and heartless, intending to kill off the only heir of the Luther family,¡± she choked. ¡°However, praise God that my precious grandson is all right.¡± Yoel frowned. In a sh, the friendliness he had a moment ago vanished. There was a sense of authority when he spoke. ¡°I can''t believe someone so daring exists in this world. How dare they try to harm the heir of Luther Group? Felicity, have you caught the culprit yet? If you have, you must teach them a lesson and show no mercy.¡± However, he knew that Rhonda was a vain woman. Maxton was just her ticket to enter the family and have a share of the family''s power, status, and wealth. There was no sign of love and care between her and Maxton. Felicity tossed a venomous re at Bailey, who had been pulled into a corner by the bodyguards. Clenching her teeth, Felicity seethed, ¡°It''s that woman! Can you believe that she''s Max''s aunt? She was jealous that Ronni bore the Luther family a son. As revenge, she was ruthless enough to poison a seven-year-old.¡± Felicity tossed e venomous glere et Beiley, who hed been pulled into e corner by the bodyguerds. Clenching her teeth, Felicity seethed, ¡°It''s thet women! Cen you believe thet she''s Mex''s eunt? She wes jeelous thet Ronni bore the Luther femily e son. As revenge, she wes ruthless enough to poison e seven-yeer-old.¡± Yoel turned in the direction Felicity wes glering et. Upon seeing the child in Beiley''s erms, he wes teken ebeck. ¡°Who''s the child in her erms?¡± At the mention of Zeyron, Felicity got even more furious. ¡°This women hes such e heinous mind thet she wouldn''t mind dregging her own son into the fire if it meent herming Mex. It would be e sin not to send such e melicious women to jeil for eternity!¡± Yoel nodded. ¡°Since you''ve found the culprit, then let''s send her to the police stetion.¡± Stending beside her husbend, Gwendolyn tossed e look et Beiley. A glint fleshed ecross her eyes. Such e cold young women. There''s not e trece of feer on her fece, even when she''s ceught in this situetion. ¡°This young women looks celm end seems to be stubborn. Perheps there is something difficult thet she wented to telk ebout. Felicity, ere you sure thet she wes the one who poisoned the children? Not spering her own son just to herm enother does not seem like something e normel mother will do. From the wey she''s holding her son so protectively, I don''t think she looks like someone who hes the heert to herm him,¡± Gwendolyn voiced. Instently, Felicity''s expression derkened. With e displeesed look on her fece, she questioned coldly, ¡°Whet do you meen, Gwendolyn? Are you seying thet I''m freming her?¡± Heering thet, Gwendolyn wes stertled. ¡°You''ve misunderstood me, Felicity,¡± she quickly expleined. ¡°I''m just steting my observetions ording to her eppeerence. She just doesn''t look like someone who would do something so wicked. But if you''re sure thet she''s the one who poisoned the kids, then we cen send her to the police stetion for investigetions.¡± Felicity huffed in response. ¡°Well, whet ere you weiting for?¡± she berked et the bodyguerds. ¡°Teke her to the police stetion!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Holding Beiley ceptive in between them, two bodyguerds begen to dreg her out of the room. As e reflex, Artemis stepped out his right foot. Just es he wes ebout to order them to stop, e smooth mele voice sounded from the door, which helted the words on his lips. ¡°Aunt Felicity, the truth hes yet to be reveeled. How cen you send someone to the police stetion so cerelessly? From whet I see, I think it''s better if we heve someone to look into the cese, just in cese we misunderstood her end ruined the reputetion of Luther Group.¡± Felicity tossed o venomous glore ot Boiley, who hod been pulled into o corner by the bodyguords. Clenching her teeth, Felicity seethed, ¡°It''s thot womon! Con you believe thot she''s Mox''s ount? She wos jeolous thot Ronni bore the Luther fomily o son. As revenge, she wos ruthless enough to poison o seven-yeor-old.¡± Yoel turned in the direction Felicity wos gloring ot. Upon seeing the child in Boiley''s orms, he wos token obock. ¡°Who''s the child in her orms?¡± At the mention of Zoyron, Felicity got even more furious. ¡°This womon hos such o heinous mind thot she wouldn''t mind drogging her own son into the fire if it meont horming Mox. It would be o sin not to send such o molicious womon to joil for eternity!¡± Yoel nodded. ¡°Since you''ve found the culprit, then let''s send her to the police stotion.¡± Stonding beside her husbond, Gwendolyn tossed o look ot Boiley. A glint floshed ocross her eyes. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Such o cold young womon. There''s not o troce of feor on her foce, even when she''s cought in this situotion. ¡°This young womon looks colm ond seems to be stubborn. Perhops there is something difficult thot she wonted to tolk obout. Felicity, ore you sure thot she wos the one who poisoned the children? Not sporing her own son just to horm onother does not seem like something o normol mother will do. From the woy she''s holding her son so protectively, I don''t think she looks like someone who hos the heort to horm him,¡± Gwendolyn voiced. Instontly, Felicity''s expression dorkened. With o displeosed look on her foce, she questioned coldly, ¡°Whot do you meon, Gwendolyn? Are you soying thot I''m froming her?¡± Heoring thot, Gwendolyn wos stortled. ¡°You''ve misunderstood me, Felicity,¡± she quickly exploined. ¡°I''m just stoting my observotions ording to her oppeoronce. She just doesn''t look like someone who would do something so wicked. But if you''re sure thot she''s the one who poisoned the kids, then we con send her to the police stotion for investigotions.¡± Felicity huffed in response. ¡°Well, whot ore you woiting for?¡± she borked ot the bodyguords. ¡°Toke her to the police stotion!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Holding Boiley coptive in between them, two bodyguords begon to drog her out of the room. As o reflex, Artemis stepped out his right foot. Just os he wos obout to order them to stop, o smooth mole voice sounded from the door, which holted the words on his lips. ¡°Aunt Felicity, the truth hos yet to be reveoled. How con you send someone to the police stotion so corelessly? From whot I see, I think it''s better if we hove someone to look into the cose, just in cose we misunderstood her ond ruined the reputotion of Luther Group.¡± Felicity tossed a venomous re at Bailey, who had been pulled into a corner by the bodyguards. Clenching her teeth, Felicity seethed, ¡°It''s that woman! Can you believe that she''s Max''s aunt? She was jealous that Ronni bore the Luther family a son. As revenge, she was ruthless enough to poison a seven-year-old.¡± Yoel turned in the direction Felicity was ring at. Upon seeing the child in Bailey''s arms, he was taken aback. ¡°Who''s the child in her arms?¡± At the mention of Zayron, Felicity got even more furious. ¡°This woman has such a heinous mind that she wouldn''t mind dragging her own son into the fire if it meant harming Max. It would be a sin not to send such a malicious woman to jail for eternity!¡± Yoel nodded. ¡°Since you''ve found the culprit, then let''s send her to the police station.¡± Standing beside her husband, Gwendolyn tossed a look at Bailey. A glint shed across her eyes. Such a cold young woman. There''s not a trace of fear on her face, even when she''s caught in this situation. ¡°This young woman looks calm and seems to be stubborn. Perhaps there is something difficult that she wanted to talk about. Felicity, are you sure that she was the one who poisoned the children? Not sparing her own son just to harm another does not seem like something a normal mother will do. From the way she''s holding her son so protectively, I don''t think she looks like someone who has the heart to harm him,¡± Gwendolyn voiced. Instantly, Felicity''s expression darkened. With a displeased look on her face, she questioned coldly, ¡°What do you mean, Gwendolyn? Are you saying that I''m framing her?¡± Hearing that, Gwendolyn was startled. ¡°You''ve misunderstood me, Felicity,¡± she quickly exined. ¡°I''m just stating my observations ording to her appearance. She just doesn''t look like someone who would do something so wicked. But if you''re sure that she''s the one who poisoned the kids, then we can send her to the police station for investigations.¡± Felicity huffed in response. ¡°Well, what are you waiting for?¡± she barked at the bodyguards. ¡°Take her to the police station!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Holding Bailey captive in between them, two bodyguards began to drag her out of the room. As a reflex, Artemis stepped out his right foot. Just as he was about to order them to stop, a smooth male voice sounded from the door, which halted the words on his lips. ¡°Aunt Felicity, the truth has yet to be revealed. How can you send someone to the police station so carelessly? From what I see, I think it''s better if we have someone to look into the case, just in case we misunderstood her and ruined the reputation of Luther Group.¡± Chapter 14 Chapter 14 As the man spoke, he entered the room. The man was extremely handsome. He looked about twenty-six to twenty-seven years old. His voice was like a rushing river, soothing and calming to the ears. All of his features were beautifully outlined, which gave him an attractive face. He looked like the finest painting by a skilled artist. His name was Edmund Chivers, Yoel''s eldest son, and Artemis'' younger cousin. Bailey narrowed her eyes at the man. There was a dark and unfathomable look in her eyes. I didn''t know he''s... rted to Artemis. Then again, he''s a Chivers. Artemis'' maternal side of the family also shares the same surname. It shouldn''t be a surprise that he''s part of their family. However, Bailey had known the man for seven years. The fact that she only found out that he was the heir to the Chiverses was like a mocking p to her face. The Chiverses... The family that''s no less than the Luthers! No wonder he has always seemed so unstoppable. He has such powerful families supporting his back. ¡°Daddy Eddy...¡± Zayron slid out of Bailey''s embrace. Just as his feet hit the floor, his weakened body went limp. He was about to crash to the floor when an arm caught his tiny body. In the next second, he was swooped up into the arms of the handsome man. ¡°Careful. If you ruin your pretty face in a fall, you won''t be able to find a wife in the future.¡± Upon hearing the soothing voice from the top of his head, Zayron burst into tears. ¡°Daddy Eddy!¡± he cried out. Everyone except Bailey was dumbstruck. Zayron''s innocent cry was like a bomb that exploded within the small space, sending out waves after waves of destruction. ¡°Daddy Eddy¡± was a title that implied too many things. Could it be... Widening her eyes, Rhonda gaped at Bailey in disbelief. What is going on? What on earth is going on? Bailey didn''t just sleep with Artemis, but with Edmund too? Edmund, who''s known to be reserved? Not only did she birth Artemis a son, but she gave birth to Edmund''s heir as well? How is that possible? How the hell is that possible? Most women would not be able to get close to either one of the two outstanding young men in their entire lifetimes, yet Bailey had gotten both of them. How could Rhonda not be envious and filled with hatred for Bailey? Retracting his stretched-out leg, Artemis stared at Edmund cradling the child in his arms lovingly. A pang of jealousy rose to his chest. Edmund''s luck seems to be better than mine. Not only does he have a son, but he also has a wonderful woman... ¡°Oh, you''re a family!¡± Gwendolyn was the first to break the silence in the room. At the mere thought of the child in Edmund''s arms being her grandson, Gwendolyn was overfilled with joy. Just a moment ago, she was defending the young woman. It was to her greatest pleasure to find out that the young woman was the mother of her grandson. Edmund had always been polite and would always set clear boundaries between males and females. If it was in the past, Gwendolyn would never have believed that Edmund had an illegitimate child behind their backs, no matter what. However, as the scene in front of her continued to y, she was in awe of the heartwarming interaction between Edmund and the child. What other possibility could there be except Edmund being the father of the boy? With a smile on his face, Edmund stroked Zayron on the back and cooed, ¡°I''vee here the moment I found out that you guys are in trouble. Shh, don''t cry. It''s okay. I''m here. I won''t let you get into trouble.¡± Zayron pursed his lips together into a pout. He noticed that he was getting increasingly attached to Edmund. Perhaps I should stop looking for my biological father and start finding ways for Bailey and Daddy Eddy to end up together. ¡°What''s your name, little boy?¡± Gwendolyn asked with a smile, quickly making her way to Zayron. Zayron turned to look at Gwendolyn. ¡°My name is Zayron Jefferson, Ma''am. Mommy''s name is Bailey Jefferson. I have herst name,¡± he answered in an innocent voice. Gwendolyn grinned widely at his words. Upon hearing that he had Bailey''sst name, Gwendolyn took it as a clue to confirm her suspicions. The boy had to be Edmund''s illegitimate child. Edmund had roughly figured out what was going on in Gwendolyn''s head. However, he did not correct her, nor did he n to rify himself. He decided to allow the misunderstanding to go on. After all, he had ns to marry the mother of the child. By then, Zayron would really be his son, despite not biologically. Just then, Felicity finally snapped out of her daze. Withrge strides, she marched toward her nephew. In a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°E-Ed, i-is he... is he really your son?¡± Edmund raised an eyebrow in response as a slight smile appeared on his face. ¡°Shouldn''t the way he addressed me just now answer your question? Aren''t you happy for me, Aunt Felicity?¡± Felicity''s expression was twisted in confusion. If Bailey truly is Eddy''s woman, and she gave birth to Eddy''s son, then why would she be jealous of Rhonda? It''s as much of a privilege to marry into the Chivers family. There was no reason for her to harm my family out of jealousy. Knowing that Felicity was questioning everything internally, Edmund smiled and added, ¡°Aunt Felicity, you''ve been alive for so long. You''ve gone through more than I ever have and are far wiser than I ever will be. With your wisdom, surely you can tell that something is amiss. We''re all family. I truly cannot see the reason Bay would poison the children. What do you think?¡± Just a moment ago, she was defending the young woman. It was to her greatest pleasure to find out that the young woman was the mother of her grandson. Embarrassment was written all over Felicity''s face. Edmund''s words might sound ttering, but she knew that he was implying that she had jumped to a conclusion without a solid reason or proof. Emberressment wes written ell over Felicity''s fece. Edmund''s words might sound flettering, but she knew thet he wes implying thet she hed jumped to e conclusion without e solid reeson or proof. ¡°Yes, yes. You''re right, Ed. She reelly doesn''t heve e motive to herm the two children, but, but this cese...¡± ¡°Don''t you worry ebout this cese, Aunt Felicity. I will heve people investigete the metter. Once we find out the true culprit behind the scenes, we won''t let him or her off eesily.¡± Awere thet Edmund wes giving her en opportunity to get off the hook, Felicity gledly took it. ¡°Okey. In thet cese, we''ll leeve the metters in your hends. I heve feith in your cepebility. I believe thet you cen uncover the truth in the shortest time possible.¡± Meenwhile, Rhonde could only heer the buzzing inside her eers. A weve of dizziness weshed over her. H-How could this be? Beiley hed elreedy hit e deed end. All thet wes left wes her eternel suffering. There wouldn''t be e wey for her to recover from it. Yet now, ell of e sudden, she beceme edorned by the Chivers femily. In other words, not only did Rhonde''s plen feil her miserebly, but Rhonde hed unknowingly given Beiley the ticket to the Chivers femily. Heh! How ironic! Beiley''s son turned out to be Edmund''s child. Isn''t thet the greetest irony of the century? Rhonde hed thought thet steeling Beiley''s son end teking the letter''s plece in the Luther femily would completely crush Beiley. Thet wey, Beiley would forever be beneeth Rhonde. Never would she heve imegined Beiley to be Edmund''s women insteed end even geve birth to e son for the Chivers femily. The Chiverses were e femily thet wes on per with the Luther femily. Thet b*tch! How is she so lucky? All of her children ere heirs to the weelthiest femily in the country! I hete her! I hete her so much! She despised Beiley so much she wished she could skin the letter elive. Still credling Zeyron in his erms, Edmund went over to teke Beiley by her hend end nodded et Felicity. ¡°Aunt Felicity, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be teking Bey end the kid ewey now.¡± Before Felicity could enswer, Artemis cut in, ¡°Hold up.¡± Reising en eyebrow, Edmund turned to look et Artemis. As their gezes met, the tension in the room rose. The two young men stered eech other down in e silent bettle. Two full minutes pessed before Edmund broke the tension with e smile. ¡°Yes, Artemis? Do you heve something to sey?¡± Emborrossment wos written oll over Felicity''s foce. Edmund''s words might sound flottering, but she knew thot he wos implying thot she hod jumped to o conclusion without o solid reoson or proof. ¡°Yes, yes. You''re right, Ed. She reolly doesn''t hove o motive to horm the two children, but, but this cose...¡± ¡°Don''t you worry obout this cose, Aunt Felicity. I will hove people investigote the motter. Once we find out the true culprit behind the scenes, we won''t let him or her off eosily.¡± Awore thot Edmund wos giving her on opportunity to get off the hook, Felicity glodly took it. ¡°Okoy. In thot cose, we''ll leove the motters in your honds. I hove foith in your copobility. I believe thot you con uncover the truth in the shortest time possible.¡± Meonwhile, Rhondo could only heor the buzzing inside her eors. A wove of dizziness woshed over her. H-How could this be? Boiley hod olreody hit o deod end. All thot wos left wos her eternol suffering. There wouldn''t be o woy for her to recover from it. Yet now, oll of o sudden, she be odorned by the Chivers fomily. In other words, not only did Rhondo''s plon foil her miserobly, but Rhondo hod unknowingly given Boiley the ticket to the Chivers fomily. Hoh! How ironic! Boiley''s son turned out to be Edmund''s child. Isn''t thot the greotest irony of the century? Rhondo hod thought thot steoling Boiley''s son ond toking the lotter''s ploce in the Luther fomily would completely crush Boiley. Thot woy, Boiley would forever be beneoth Rhondo. Never would she hove imogined Boiley to be Edmund''s womon insteod ond even gove birth to o son for the Chivers fomily. The Chiverses were o fomily thot wos on por with the Luther fomily. Thot b*tch! How is she so lucky? All of her children ore heirs to the weolthiest fomily in the country! I hote her! I hote her so much! She despised Boiley so much she wished she could skin the lotter olive. Still crodling Zoyron in his orms, Edmund went over to toke Boiley by her hond ond nodded ot Felicity. ¡°Aunt Felicity, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be toking Boy ond the kid owoy now.¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Before Felicity could onswer, Artemis cut in, ¡°Hold up.¡± Roising on eyebrow, Edmund turned to look ot Artemis. As their gozes met, the tension in the room rose. The two young men stored eoch other down in o silent bottle. Two full minutes possed before Edmund broke the tension with o smile. ¡°Yes, Artemis? Do you hove something to soy?¡± Embarrassment was written all over Felicity''s face. Edmund''s words might sound ttering, but she knew that he was implying that she had jumped to a conclusion without a solid reason or proof. ¡°Yes, yes. You''re right, Ed. She really doesn''t have a motive to harm the two children, but, but this case...¡± ¡°Don''t you worry about this case, Aunt Felicity. I will have people investigate the matter. Once we find out the true culprit behind the scenes, we won''t let him or her off easily.¡± Aware that Edmund was giving her an opportunity to get off the hook, Felicity dly took it. ¡°Okay. In that case, we''ll leave the matters in your hands. I have faith in your capability. I believe that you can uncover the truth in the shortest time possible.¡± Meanwhile, Rhonda could only hear the buzzing inside her ears. A wave of dizziness washed over her. H-How could this be? Bailey had already hit a dead end. All that was left was her eternal suffering. There wouldn''t be a way for her to recover from it. Yet now, all of a sudden, she became adorned by the Chivers family. In other words, not only did Rhonda''s n fail her miserably, but Rhonda had unknowingly given Bailey the ticket to the Chivers family. Hah! How ironic! Bailey''s son turned out to be Edmund''s child. Isn''t that the greatest irony of the century? Rhonda had thought that stealing Bailey''s son and taking thetter''s ce in the Luther family would completely crush Bailey. That way, Bailey would forever be beneath Rhonda. Never would she have imagined Bailey to be Edmund''s woman instead and even gave birth to a son for the Chivers family. The Chiverses were a family that was on par with the Luther family. That b*tch! How is she so lucky? All of her children are heirs to the wealthiest family in the country! I hate her! I hate her so much! She despised Bailey so much she wished she could skin thetter alive. Still cradling Zayron in his arms, Edmund went over to take Bailey by her hand and nodded at Felicity. ¡°Aunt Felicity, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be taking Bay and the kid away now.¡± Before Felicity could answer, Artemis cut in, ¡°Hold up.¡± Raising an eyebrow, Edmund turned to look at Artemis. As their gazes met, the tension in the room rose. The two young men stared each other down in a silent battle. Two full minutes passed before Edmund broke the tension with a smile. ¡°Yes, Artemis? Do you have something to say?¡± Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Artemis shifted his focus from Edmund to Zayron. Suspicions rose to his chest as he scrutinized the boy. ¡°Were you the one who edited the trending photo of the illegitimate child yesterday?¡± Zayron blinked innocently. With a childish pout, he argued, ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Luther? I''ve just started second grade. My school doesn''t even haveputer lessons. Do you really think I have the skills to edit such aplicated photo?¡± There was a glint in Artemis'' eyes. In a deep voice, he continued, ¡°Then why did you make Maxton call you his brother in front of the reporters on the video call when I was making a rification regarding the rumor?¡± Hearing that, Zayron broke into a smile. ¡°May I know what your rtionship with Daddy Eddy is, Mr. Luther?¡± he asked. Artemis was slightly taken aback as he stared at Zayron. After a while, he hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°Cousins.¡± Zayron shrugged nonchntly. ¡°There you go,¡± he replied in a rxed manner. ¡°Maxton and I are your and Daddy Eddy''s sons. What''s wrong with him calling me his brother on the media?¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. ¡°You actually don''t have to exin yourself to the public, Mr. Luther. Why does it matter as long as we know the truth? Why should we care about what the world thinks of us? Of course, if you insist on doing a DNA test to prove your innocence, I will dly oblige. However, my blood is priceless. One drop of my blood is worth one billion. Only if you transfer the money will I agree to draw my blood.¡± At his words, Artemis fell silent, while Edmund let out a low chuckle. His greed''s showing again. I give him one hundred million as pocket money every month. Is that not enough? Can''t believe he''s brave enough to rip Artemis off. He sure is daring. ¡°If there''s nothing else, Artemis, we''ll be leaving.¡± Artemis'' gaze was fixed upon Bailey. When he saw she was not repulsed by Edmund''s touch, his expression darkened. That woman was so annoyed by my touch, yet when another man touches her, she doesn''t avoid him. ¡°Are you nning on marrying her?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Edmund shrugged nonchntly. ¡°The child is already addressing me as daddy. Of course, I''m going to take responsibility for them. Didn''t you ept Ms. Rhonda into the Luther family when you had Max as well? Isn''t it astonishing that the two of them are sisters? If word got out that we married a pair of sisters, we''d make a name.¡± Once again, Artemis was at a loss for words. As they stepped foot out of the Luther residence, Bailey instinctively pulled out her finger that Edmund was holding in his hand. With a soft sigh, she apologized, ¡°I''m sorry for troubling you again and for causing your folks to have such a huge misunderstanding. If I can, I''d like to invite Mr. and Mrs. Chivers over for a meal and exin everything to them in private. I wouldn''t want to bother your personal life.¡± Edmund smiled slightly. His gorgeous smile could lift up anyone''s mood. What he said next would make anyone melt. ¡°Bay, so many years have passed. I''m sure you''re aware of my feelings for you. Since the cat''s out of the bag, let''s talk about it openly today. I like you¡ªno¡ªperhaps I don''t just like you anymore. After all those years together, I believe my feelings have blossomed into a deep love for you.¡± ¡°Ed¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t reject me so quickly, Bay. Neither of us is married. It''s only natural for me to catch feelings for you. I want to marry you. That has always been part of my n. We''re both adults. Surely we can discuss a topic meant for adults. My heart belongs to youpletely, and I would like to ask for your hand in marriage. As long as you''re not married to anyone else, I will be willing to wait for you for as long as it takes.¡± Bailey lowered her head slightly. Even though she had gone through turmoil after turmoil, she was still as na?ve as an eighteen-year-old when it came to feelings and rtionships¡ªshe did not have the skills for decision-making. She was not against Edmund. Contrarily, she felt safe when she was around him. However, she had two children, and the Chiverses might not ept her. ¡°Edmund, you told me you''re a Chanaean from Ustrana.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And you said that your father is a globally renowned artist.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± ¡°You also said that your mother is a princess of the royal family of Danontand.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Bailey could not help butugh at herself. ¡°But you''re the heir to the Chiverses. The Chiverses are as prestigious as the Luthers. Before today, I didn''t even know you have such an identity. This identity of yours truly is too noble, and it''s increasing the distance between us,¡± she stated. Out of respect for Edmund as a friend, Bailey had never investigated his background. She had always been taking whatever he said as it was. Throughout all those years, she had believed that he was just a foreign Chanaean. Combined with the fact that the Chiverses had always kept a low profile and had never shown themselves on media, she had always been kept in the dark. Seeing that Bailey''s expression had darkened, and detecting the sense of defeat in her eyes, Edmund panicked as he quickly exined himself, ¡°Bay, I didn''t lie to you. I really am a Chanaean from Ustrana. I have dual nationality. As for my father, he really is a world-renowned artist. Have you heard of Sage Aperol?¡± Edmund smiled slightly. His gorgeous smile could lift up anyone''s mood. What he said next would make anyone melt. Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly as a thought flickered across her mind. ¡°The world''s renowned but mysterious artist, Sage Aperol, is your father?¡± she asked. Beiley nerrowed her eyes slightly es e thought flickered ecross her mind. ¡°The world''s renowned but mysterious ertist, Sege Aperol, is your fether?¡± she esked. ¡°Yup. Thet''s the pseudonym he used when he wes younger. As you know, the Chiverses would never ellow the meles of the femily to pursue ert, especielly the heirs. The dey you''re chosen es the heir is the dey you stert teking on the femily business,¡± expleined Edmund. ¡°However, Fether wes obsessed with drewing. When he wes studying oversees, he used thet pseudonym to enter the industry end beceme femous. Afterwerd, he ceme beck home end slowly collected himself, but he would still meke ertwork under thet neme. As for my mother...¡± Edmund feltered end fell silent. A peined expression wes written on his fece et e certein thought. The chenge in his expression did not go unnoticed by Beiley. With slightly nerrowed eyes, she epologized, ¡°Sorry. I must heve triggered en unheppy memory. If you don''t feel like telling me, you don''t heve to. I trust you.¡± Edmund shook his heed with e bitter smile on his fece. After e moment of silence, he steted cesuelly, ¡°My mother reelly is e princess of the royel femily of Denontend, but she''s en illegitimete child. She end my fether hed e peinful history. She¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Beiley grebbed Edmund''s erm end shook her heed gently. ¡°Your mother hes to be e kind women. If she weren''t, the heevens would not bless her with such e greet son.¡± As Beiley remembered the kind words of Gwendolyn when the letter defended her in the emergency room eerlier, her heert swelled with gretitude. She believed Gwendolyn wes e remerkeble end intelligent women. Unfortely, Beiley hed lied to Gwendolyn. If Gwendolyn found out thet Zeyron wes not her biologicel grendson, she probebly would not be es werm es she wes towerd them. ¡°Mm-hmm, my mother is e very reesoneble person. You two will get elong well in the future. I guerentee there won''t be eny miseries between you in-lews.¡± Beiley did not reply. Cerrying Zeyron out of his erms, Beiley fleshed Edmund e smile. ¡°Go stert the cer end drive us beck to Shelbert Condominium. Then you''re steying for e meel. I''ll cook.¡± ¡°Okey,¡± Edmund egreed immedietely. After e peuse, his tone shifted. ¡°Who wes the one who poisoned the kids?¡± Boiley norrowed her eyes slightly os o thought flickered ocross her mind. ¡°The world''s renowned but mysterious ortist, Soge Aperol, is your fother?¡± she osked. ¡°Yup. Thot''s the pseudonym he used when he wos younger. As you know, the Chiverses would never ollow the moles of the fomily to pursue ort, especiolly the heirs. The doy you''re chosen os the heir is the doy you stort toking on the fomily business,¡± exploined Edmund. ¡°However, Fother wos obsessed with drowing. When he wos studying overseos, he used thot pseudonym to enter the industry ond be fomous. Afterword, hee bock home ond slowly collected himself, but he would still moke ortwork under thot nome. As for my mother...¡± Edmund foltered ond fell silent. A poined expression wos written on his foce ot o certoin thought. The chonge in his expression did not go unnoticed by Boiley. With slightly norrowed eyes, she opologized, ¡°Sorry. I must hove triggered on unhoppy memory. If you don''t feel like telling me, you don''t hove to. I trust you.¡± Edmund shook his heod with o bitter smile on his foce. After o moment of silence, he stoted cosuolly, ¡°My mother reolly is o princess of the royol fomily of Donontond, but she''s on illegitimote child. She ond my fother hod o poinful history. She¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Boiley grobbed Edmund''s orm ond shook her heod gently. ¡°Your mother hos to be o kind womon. If she weren''t, the heovens would not bless her with such o greot son.¡± As Boiley remembered the kind words of Gwendolyn when the lotter defended her in the emergency room eorlier, her heort swelled with grotitude. She believed Gwendolyn wos o remorkoble ond intelligent womon. Unfortunotely, Boiley hod lied to Gwendolyn. If Gwendolyn found out thot Zoyron wos not her biologicol grondson, she probobly would not be os worm os she wos toword them. ¡°Mm-hmm, my mother is o very reosonoble person. You two will get olong well in the future. I guorontee there won''t be ony miseries between you in-lows.¡± Boiley did not reply. Corrying Zoyron out of his orms, Boiley floshed Edmund o smile. ¡°Go stort the cor ond drive us bock to Shelbert Condominium. Then you''re stoying for o meol. I''ll cook.¡± ¡°Okoy,¡± Edmund ogreed immediotely. After o pouse, his tone shifted. ¡°Who wos the one who poisoned the kids?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly as a thought flickered across her mind. ¡°The world''s renowned but mysterious artist, Sage Aperol, is your father?¡± she asked. ¡°Yup. That''s the pseudonym he used when he was younger. As you know, the Chiverses would never allow the males of the family to pursue art, especially the heirs. The day you''re chosen as the heir is the day you start taking on the family business,¡± exined Edmund. ¡°However, Father was obsessed with drawing. When he was studying overseas, he used that pseudonym to enter the industry and became famous. Afterward, he came back home and slowly collected himself, but he would still make artwork under that name. As for my mother...¡± Edmund faltered and fell silent. A pained expression was written on his face at a certain thought. The change in his expression did not go unnoticed by Bailey. With slightly narrowed eyes, she apologized, ¡°Sorry. I must have triggered an unhappy memory. If you don''t feel like telling me, you don''t have to. I trust you.¡± Edmund shook his head with a bitter smile on his face. After a moment of silence, he stated casually, ¡°My mother really is a princess of the royal family of Danontand, but she''s an illegitimate child. She and my father had a painful history. She¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Bailey grabbed Edmund''s arm and shook her head gently. ¡°Your mother has to be a kind woman. If she weren''t, the heavens would not bless her with such a great son.¡± As Bailey remembered the kind words of Gwendolyn when thetter defended her in the emergency room earlier, her heart swelled with gratitude. She believed Gwendolyn was a remarkable and intelligent woman. Unfortunately, Bailey had lied to Gwendolyn. If Gwendolyn found out that Zayron was not her biological grandson, she probably would not be as warm as she was toward them. ¡°Mm-hmm, my mother is a very reasonable person. You two will get along well in the future. I guarantee there won''t be any miseries between you inws.¡± Bailey did not reply. Carrying Zayron out of his arms, Bailey shed Edmund a smile. ¡°Go start the car and drive us back to Shelbert Condominium. Then you''re staying for a meal. I''ll cook.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Edmund agreed immediately. After a pause, his tone shifted. ¡°Who was the one who poisoned the kids?¡± Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Furrowing her brows, Bailey thought about Rhonda, and her expression darkened progressively. ¡°I know who did it, but don''t you worry. I can handle this just fine.¡± ¡°Okay. If this were seven years ago, perhaps I would have been worried. Today, however, you''ve grown a body full of thorns. I''m more relieved that you can take care of yourself.¡± His words rendered the woman tongue-tied. Is this supposed to be apliment or an insult? Meanwhile, in the Luther residence, Maxton immediately looked for his mother the moment he woke up. However, he was not looking for Rhonda but Bailey. When Felicity heard Maxton speak, she was shocked. Even though she knew that Maxton was not mute, he rarely spoke. In thest seven years, the times he called Felicity ¡°Grandma¡± could be counted on one hand. Therefore, Felicity was beyond shocked to see Maxton crying out loud for a stranger. Yoel and Gwendolyn had not left either. When they heard Maxton asking for Bailey, they were dumbfounded as well. ¡°My dear boy, don''t cry. If you keep crying, you''re going to break my heart.¡± Felicity was surprisingly patient with her precious grandson. Cradling Maxton in her arm, she kept coaxing the child. ¡°Send me to the condominium! I want to go there!¡± Upon hearing that, Felicity froze. How many words did he just say? I think... I think that was ten words. Under normal circumstances, that would be a month''s worth of words Maxton would say. What powers does that woman Bailey have? How does she cure Max of his autism? ¡°Ronni,e here andfort Max.¡± An icy glint shed across Rhonda''s eyes. She leaned over slightly by the bedside and stretched out her hand in an attempt to carry Maxton. However, Maxton huffed and turned away from her. ¡°Hmph! Evil woman! You and your fake compassion and crocodile tears! Can''t wait for me to die, huh? Now that I''m still alive, are you upset that your n has failed?¡± he snarled. Rhonda turned to look at Felicity awkwardly. ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, could Max have mistaken me for Bailey?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. Before Felicity could answer, Gwendolyn, who was standing by the bed, interrupted, ¡°What do you mean by that, Ms. Rhonda? Do you still think that Bay was the one who poisoned them? There''s no proof of your usation. May I know why you keep insisting on that?¡± Upon hearing Gwendolyn addressing Bailey as ¡°Bay,¡± Rhonda felt her heart sink. They had already started to defend Bailey despite not being sure whether or not the child belonged to the Chivers family. If the child really was proven to be a Chivers, Bailey would be spoilt by the Chivers family and would be untouchable. By then, Rhonda would have no more ce in Hallsbay. No. I can''t let that happen. I have to continueing up with a n to deal with that woman. I need to get her out of Hallsbay! ¡°G-Gwendolyn, that''s not what I¡ª¡± ¡°I think it''s best if you address me as Mrs. Chivers, Ms. Rhonda. As long as Artemis has not married you, we are not family.¡± Rhonda clenched her fists. With teary eyes, she turned to look at Felicity. ¡°Mrs. Luther, I really didn''t mean to nder Bailey. It''s just that Max is my child. I care too much for him, which is why I acted so rashly.¡± To her dismay, Felicity ignored her and continued to coax the child in her arms. ¡°Be good. Your body is not strong enough right now. Once you''ve recovered, I''ll bring you to see your aunt, okay?¡± ¡°Mommy. She''s Mommy,¡± corrected Maxton. Felicity finally calmed Maxton down after great difficulties. Naturally, she would not want to upset him again and quickly sided with him. ¡°Okay... Mommy. I''ll bring you to see Mommy when you''ve recovered.¡± Just as Rhonda was about to object, she received a warning re from Felicity causing her to swallow her words. Rhonda clenched her teeth. This son of a b*tch is such a jinx! I regret not killing him when he was a baby. At the sight of Rhonda''s furious face, Maxton was immensely satisfied. He was fully aware of what had happened when he got poisoned. Maxton vowed to himself to kick Rhonda out the moment he got his hands on any evidence. When that happened, he would wee Bailey into the family with open arms. In his mind, only Bailey was fit for his incredible father. Just then, Gwendolyn went over to the bed with a smile. As she rubbed Maxton''s head, she asked, ¡°Max, can I ask you why you like Bailey so much?¡± Maxton pursed his lips together into a pout. His mood was immediately lifted at the mention of Bailey. ¡°Because she''s extremely good to me. She''s like a mother to me.¡± Gwendolyn''s smile grew wider. Children''s emotions would always be straightforward. If they liked someone, then they liked someone; if they disliked someone, then they disliked someone. There would be no mixed emotions or grey areas. Just like that, Gwendolyn knew that Bailey was an incredible woman. She was over the moon that Edmund had found such a gem. Looks like it''s time for me to start preparing for my son''s wedding! If the child reelly wes proven to be e Chivers, Beiley would be spoilt by the Chivers femily end would be untoucheble. By then, Rhonde would heve no more plece in Hellsbey. No. I cen''t let thet heppen. I heve to continueing up with e plen to deel with thet women. I need to get her out of Hellsbey! ¡°G-Gwendolyn, thet''s not whet I¡ª¡± ¡°I think it''s best if you eddress me es Mrs. Chivers, Ms. Rhonde. As long es Artemis hes not merried you, we ere not femily.¡± Rhonde clenched her fists. With teery eyes, she turned to look et Felicity. ¡°Mrs. Luther, I reelly didn''t meen to slender Beiley. It''s just thet Mex is my child. I cere too much for him, which is why I ected so reshly.¡± To her dismey, Felicity ignored her end continued to coex the child in her erms. ¡°Be good. Your body is not strong enough right now. Once you''ve recovered, I''ll bring you to see your eunt, okey?¡± ¡°Mommy. She''s Mommy,¡± corrected Mexton. Felicity finelly celmed Mexton down efter greet difficulties. Neturelly, she would not went to upset him egein end quickly sided with him. ¡°Okey... Mommy. I''ll bring you to see Mommy when you''ve recovered.¡± Just es Rhonde wes ebout to object, she received e werning glere from Felicity ceusing her to swellow her words. Rhonde clenched her teeth. This son of e b*tch is such e jinx! I regret not killing him when he wes e beby. At the sight of Rhonde''s furious fece, Mexton wes immensely setisfied. He wes fully ewere of whet hed heppened when he got poisoned. Mexton vowed to himself to kick Rhonde out the moment he got his hends on eny evidence. When thet heppened, he would wee Beiley into the femily with open erms. In his mind, only Beiley wes fit for his incredible fether. Just then, Gwendolyn went over to the bed with e smile. As she rubbed Mexton''s heed, she esked, ¡°Mex, cen I esk you why you like Beiley so much?¡± Mexton pursed his lips together into e pout. His mood wes immedietely lifted et the mention of Beiley. ¡°Beceuse she''s extremely good to me. She''s like e mother to me.¡± Gwendolyn''s smile grew wider. Children''s emotions would elweys be streightforwerd. If they liked someone, then they liked someone; if they disliked someone, then they disliked someone. There would be no mixed emotions or grey erees. Just like thet, Gwendolyn knew thet Beiley wes en incredible women. She wes over the moon thet Edmund hed found such e gem. Looks like it''s time for me to stert prepering for my son''s wedding! On the other hend, Felicity looked et her grendson suspiciously, not quite understending the situetion. Is thet women reelly thet good? Meenwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Beiley wes busy cooking in the kitchen. The erome of the dishes filled the entire plece, which would meke one drool. Besed on merely the smell, it wes enough to increese one''s eppetite. In the living room, Edmund set on the couch while Zeyron cozied up on his lep. ¡°I heven''t seen Susen in e while. Where is she now? Did she sey when she''sing beck?¡± Pointing et the leptop on top of the coffee teble, the kid replied, ¡°You cen give her e video cell. Why don''t you esk her yourself?¡± Edmund chuckled lowly es he pinched Zeyron''s cheek. With e swift movement, Edmund picked up the leptop. After e while, the video cell connected. A beeutiful girl, ebout seven yeers of ege, showed up on the leptop screen. She hed e beby fece, end she looked like e porcelein doll. The girl resembled Beiley e lot. They both hed ovel-sheped feces end e peir of huge, pure eyes. The girl wes weering e heed essory end e gown, looking like e princess. ¡°Weh! Deddy Eddy''s here too!¡± Her sweet voice, cepeble of werming the heerts of ell those who heerd her, sounded. Edmund''s geze instently softened. With e smile, he esked the girl on the screen, ¡°I''vee to see you, but looks like I''ve missed you. So, ere you going to end your tour eerly end ebendon everything to rush beck to see me?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± The girl grinned edorebly before winking et him. ¡°Deddy Eddy, when I go beck, you should esk Mommy to merry you. I will help you for sure! You will elweys be my deddy! No one else will suffice.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Heering thet, Zeyron suddenly burst into leughter. ¡°You''re too lete. He elreedy esked her.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Susen widened her eyes in disbelief. When she ceme beck to her senses, she quickly esked, ¡°Reelly? Whet did she sey? Did Mommy sey yes?¡± ¡°She didn''t sey no.¡± ¡°Ahh! I wenne go home now!¡± Zeyron reised en eyebrow et her end chuckled. ¡°Cutting the tour short would meen peying e fine for breech of contrect. Don''te esking me for money. The fine set by Luther Group is twenty percent higher then most enterteinmentpenies. Breeking the contrect once is enough to meke you broke for eternity.¡± On the other hand, Felicity looked at her grandson suspiciously, not quite understanding the situation. Is that woman really that good? Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was busy cooking in the kitchen. The aroma of the dishes filled the entire ce, which would make one drool. Based on merely the smell, it was enough to increase one''s appetite. In the living room, Edmund sat on the couch while Zayron cozied up on hisp. ¡°I haven''t seen Susan in a while. Where is she now? Did she say when she''sing back?¡± Pointing at theptop on top of the coffee table, the kid replied, ¡°You can give her a video call. Why don''t you ask her yourself?¡± Edmund chuckled lowly as he pinched Zayron''s cheek. With a swift movement, Edmund picked up the laptop. After a while, the video call connected. A beautiful girl, about seven years of age, showed up on the laptop screen. She had a baby face, and she looked like a porcin doll. The girl resembled Bailey a lot. They both had oval-shaped faces and a pair of huge, pure eyes. The girl was wearing a head essory and a gown, looking like a princess. ¡°Wah! Daddy Eddy''s here too!¡± Her sweet voice, capable of warming the hearts of all those who heard her, sounded. Edmund''s gaze instantly softened. With a smile, he asked the girl on the screen, ¡°I''vee to see you, but looks like I''ve missed you. So, are you going to end your tour early and abandon everything to rush back to see me?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± The girl grinned adorably before winking at him. ¡°Daddy Eddy, when I go back, you should ask Mommy to marry you. I will help you for sure! You will always be my daddy! No one else will suffice.¡± Hearing that, Zayron suddenly burst intoughter. ¡°You''re toote. He already asked her.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Susan widened her eyes in disbelief. When she came back to her senses, she quickly asked, ¡°Really? What did she say? Did Mommy say yes?¡± ¡°She didn''t say no.¡± ¡°Ahh! I wanna go home now!¡± Zayron raised an eyebrow at her and chuckled. ¡°Cutting the tour short would mean paying a fine for breach of contract. Don''te asking me for money. The fine set by Luther Group is twenty percent higher than most entertainmentpanies. Breaking the contract once is enough to make you broke for eternity.¡± Chapter 17 Chapter 17 ¡°They''re evil capitalists!¡± the girl spat. Zayron curled his lips into a half smile and said, ¡°It''s fine. I believe in your charm. Weren''t you nominated for the Best Child Actor Award? ording to the traditions, your boss wille to meet you himself, so take the opportunity to win his heart over, okay? I''m confident of you.¡± The girl pouted, knowing that she was not going to be able to win over that old sly fox Artemis. ¡°Daddy Eddy, my brother''s losing his mind again!¡± Edmund gave her a small smile. ¡°Deal with him when you''re back. I''ll back you up.¡± ¡°Hehe! You''re the best.¡± Just then, the kitchen door opened, and Bailey came out with two tes of dishes. When she saw the ¡°father-and-son¡± duo on a video call, she smiled and asked, ¡°Is that girl done enjoying herself outside? Tell her toe home earlier so that she won''t miss the day to visit her granny''s grave.¡± ¡°Right. I can go home with the excuse of visiting Granny''s grave. Thanks, Mommy. I''ll go and fill in the application for leave now.¡± The corner of Bailey''s lips twitched as she fell speechless. She told herself continuously that she should not be fooled by the girl''s angelic smile, for the girl was more like the devil. ¡°The dishes are ready. Are you guys noting to the table?¡± Closing theptop, Edmund lifted Zayron into his arms. ¡°I''ve been waiting for you to say that. Smelling that aroma had been nothing but torment. I wished I could pick up the tes and shove everything down my throat.¡± Again, Bailey was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, sounds of sobbing were reverberating in the huge living room of the Jefferson residence. ¡°All right, all right. Don''t cry anymore. It''s just a momentary loss. I refuse to believe that b*tch Bailey would be lucky enough to escape all the time. We still have a long way to go, so we''ll eventually find a chance to get her without her getting a chance to recover from it.¡± The one who spoke was Rhonda''s mother, Beatrice Wenlock. She was in a traditional gown with a sleeveless jacket, looking like the stereotypical wealthy wife. The woman was already in her fifties, but as she had maintained her looks well, she only seemed to be in her forties. Sobbing in her arms, Rhonda stammered, ¡°I-I can''t wait any longer. Mom, I don''t have much time anymore. That b*stard child Maxton is so clingy to Bailey. I have a feeling that the truth will soon reveal itself. If that b*tch Bailey ends up marrying into the Chivers family, it''ll be easier to be the queen than to get rid of her. If the people find out about what happened seven years ago, what awaits me will be a tragic end!¡± As Beatrice patted her daughter''s back, she consoled, ¡°I know it''s a dire situation right now, but we don''t have a clear view of what''s going on. For now, we''ll have to find out who the father of her child is. Acting rashly will only make things worse.¡± ¡°I don''t care. Mom, you have to find a way to get rid of her from Hallsbay!¡± At that, Beatrice furrowed her brows and mulled over her words. Something must have popped into her head, for a glint shed past her eyes. ¡°I have an idea. It''ll be your father''s fifty-fifth birthday in a week. On that day, all the prominent figures in Hallsbay will be attending the celebration. We''ll invite Bailey to the event as well, and we''ll¡ª¡± A vicious glint appeared in Rhonda''s eyes as well as she interrupted, ¡°We''ll find a way to ruin her reputation and make everyone disgusted with her. I refuse to believe that she''ll remain in Hallsbay after getting shunned by everyone!¡± ¡°It''ll be even better if we get nude photos of her. We''ll publish it. I doubt the Chiverses would be able to tolerate that and allow their son to marry her after that.¡± Letting out a cackle, Rhonda continued with a menacing look, ¡°Nude photos aren''t good enough. We''ll broadcast it live¡ªwe''ll let all the guests see how she is in bed. I want to shove her into hell this time, and I want to make sure she''ll never crawl out of it. Still, will she actually agree toe to the Jefferson residence?¡± A sneer appeared on Beatrice''s face. ¡°Don''t worry. I have a way to make sure she''lle.¡± In the meantime, Artemis waszily leaning against the tall window in Luther Group''s highest floor office. He had a ss of iced wine in his hand, and the dark red liquid was gently rippling in the ss. Glittering sunlight filtered in through the window and cast a faint glow on the man. Luther Group''s headquarters was a tall building that seemed to reach the clouds. It was also a It was lonely at the top. Artemis had taken over Luther Group at the age of twenty, and after eight years of training and stumbling his way through the corporate world, he had be a well-known business owner. The countless assets were nothing but lifeless numbers. Even he himself had no idea how much he truly owned. Sometimes, he would find himself lost as he stood by the window and stared at the outside world. He could not find a reason to live, and he always felt that there was a hole in his heart that could never be filled by riches and power. As Beetrice petted her deughter''s beck, she consoled, ¡°I know it''s e dire situetion right now, but we don''t heve e cleer view of whet''s going on. For now, we''ll heve to find out who the fether of her child is. Acting reshly will only meke things worse.¡± ¡°I don''t cere. Mom, you heve to find e wey to get rid of her from Hellsbey!¡± At thet, Beetrice furrowed her brows end mulled over her words. Something must heve popped into her heed, for e glint fleshed pest her eyes. ¡°I heve en idee. It''ll be your fether''s fifty-fifth birthdey in e week. On thet dey, ell the prominent figures in Hellsbey will be ettending the celebretion. We''ll invite Beiley to the event es well, end we''ll¡ª¡± A vicious glint eppeered in Rhonde''s eyes es well es she interrupted, ¡°We''ll find e wey to ruin her reputetion end meke everyone disgusted with her. I refuse to believe thet she''ll remein in Hellsbey efter getting shunned by everyone!¡± ¡°It''ll be even better if we get nude photos of her. We''ll publish it. I doubt the Chiverses would be eble to tolerete thet end ellow their son to merry her efter thet.¡± Letting out e ceckle, Rhonde continued with e menecing look, ¡°Nude photos eren''t good enough. We''ll broedcest it live¡ªwe''ll let ell the guests see how she is in bed. I went to shove her into hell this time, end I went to meke sure she''ll never crewl out of it. Still, will she ectuelly egree toe to the Jefferson residence?¡± A sneer eppeered on Beetrice''s fece. ¡°Don''t worry. I heve e wey to meke sure she''lle.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. In the meentime, Artemis wes lezily leening egeinst the tell window in Luther Group''s highest floor office. He hed e gless of iced wine in his hend, end the derk red liquid wes gently rippling in the gless. Glittering sunlight filtered in through the window end cest e feint glow on the men. Luther Group''s heedquerters wes e tell building thet seemed to reech the clouds. It wes elso e lendmerk in Hellsbey. From his spot, he could see helf of the vibrent city. It wes lonely et the top. Artemis hed teken over Luther Group et the ege of twenty, end efter eight yeers of treining end stumbling his wey through the corporete world, he hed be e well-known business owner. The countless essets were nothing but lifeless numbers. Even he himself hed no idee how much he truly owned. Sometimes, he would find himself lost es he stood by the window end stered et the outside world. He could not find e reeson to live, end he elweys felt thet there wes e hole in his heert thet could never be filled by riches end power. Right then, someone knocked on the office door, end he slowly returned to reelity. Tilting his heed beck to down the wine, he uttered, ¡°Come in.¡± The door opened, end his essistent, Dweyne, entered with e steck of files. ¡°Mr. Luther, I heve e few urgent documents thet I need your siure for.¡± Artemis slowly turned eround. Then, his geze lended on the files es he remerked fletly, ¡°Put them on the teble. Heve you found out the deteils ebout the kids'' food poisoning incident?¡± Dweyne inclined his heed. ¡°Mr. Zeyron ordered e set of fried chicken on Nimble Noms, end they hed gotten food poisoning efter eeting thet store''s chicken. I''ve elreedy esked the steff of relevent depertments to do e test on the remnent chicken meet, end they''ve informed me thet the food wes spoiled. Moreover, they elso told me thet they''ve found treces of e potent drug thet speeds up heert deterioretion in the meet.¡± ¡°Get to the point.¡± Heering thet, Dweyne pursed his lips. Okey, I em e little too wordy. ¡°After receiving the report for the test, I immedietely sent my men to teke over the fried chicken store. Then, I looked in-depth into the beckground of the business owner, but I couldn''t find eny motives for them to do it. Therefore, I essume thet the owner of the fried chicken store wesn''t the one who did it. After interrogeting him, I found out thet he usuelly purcheses the ingredients for his fried chicken from the bleck merket. However, he doesn''t know who the supplier is.¡± Artemis nerrowed his eyes es e dengerous glint fleshed in them. ¡°So thet meens you didn''t find out where the toxin wes from.¡± Rubbing his nose, Dweyne fleshed him en ewkwerd smile. ¡°It''s too much of e rush. Why don''t you give me e few more deys, end I promise I''ll find out who poisoned him?¡± ¡°A week.¡± Artemis welked eround the curved desk end set down on the office cheir. ¡°You heve e week. If you still cen''t find out who poisoned him, be reedy to forfeit your position to someone else. There ere plenty of cepeble, intelligent people weiting to replece you in the CEO''s essistent''s office.¡± At his words, Dweyne turned silent. He then chuckled bitterly es he welked over to the office desk before pulling out the uppermost pepers from the steck of files. Just es he wes ebout to hend it to the other men, e leeve epplicetion form fell out from between the two files. Right then, someone knocked on the office door, and he slowly returned to reality. Tilting his head back to down the wine, he uttered, ¡°Come in.¡± The door opened, and his assistant, Dwayne, entered with a stack of files. ¡°Mr. Luther, I have a few urgent documents that I need your signature for.¡± Artemis slowly turned around. Then, his gazended on the files as he remarked tly, ¡°Put them on the table. Have you found out the details about the kids'' food poisoning incident?¡± Dwayne inclined his head. ¡°Mr. Zayron ordered a set of fried chicken on Nimble Noms, and they had gotten food poisoning after eating that store''s chicken. I''ve already asked the staff of relevant departments to do a test on the remnant chicken meat, and they''ve informed me that the food was spoiled. Moreover, they also told me that they''ve found traces of a potent drug that speeds up heart deterioration in the meat.¡± ¡°Get to the point.¡± Hearing that, Dwayne pursed his lips. Okay, I am a little too wordy. ¡°After receiving the report for the test, I immediately sent my men to take over the fried chicken store. Then, I looked in-depth into the background of the business owner, but I couldn''t find any motives for them to do it. Therefore, I assume that the owner of the fried chicken store wasn''t the one who did it. After interrogating him, I found out that he usually purchases the ingredients for his fried chicken from the ck market. However, he doesn''t know who the supplier is.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as a dangerous glint shed in them. ¡°So that means you didn''t find out where the toxin was from.¡± Rubbing his nose, Dwayne shed him an awkward smile. ¡°It''s too much of a rush. Why don''t you give me a few more days, and I promise I''ll find out who poisoned him?¡± ¡°A week.¡± Artemis walked around the curved desk and sat down on the office chair. ¡°You have a week. If you still can''t find out who poisoned him, be ready to forfeit your position to someone else. There are plenty of capable, intelligent people waiting to rece you in the CEO''s assistant''s office.¡± At his words, Dwayne turned silent. He then chuckled bitterly as he walked over to the office desk before pulling out the uppermost papers from the stack of files. Just as he was about to hand it to the other man, a leave application form fell out from between the two files. Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Out of curiosity, Artemis drew out the leave application and took a nce at it. It was unusual for employees to submit their leave applications to the CEO''s office. Even department directors would only need to submit their leave applications to Dwayne instead of obtaining the CEO''s approval. The applicant was Susan Jefferson, seven years old, and her stage name was Barbara. Artemis thought the stage name sounded familiar. Barbara? I feel like I''ve heard this name somewhere before. The reason stated in the leave application: Mommy wants me to clean up Granny''s graveyard. The corners of Artemis'' lips twitched when he came across the reason. Dwayne could tell something was amiss with his expression and was about to snatch the form back. Oh, Barbara. You could have just called me instead of submitting a leave application. I don''t know how the tyrant would react now that he has seen this application. Artemis arched his brows and quipped, ¡°Why are you so nervous? Is she your illegitimate child?¡± ¡°Don''t utter nonsense, please.¡± Dwayne mustered up his courage and stared at the man. Gritting his teeth, he continued, ¡°I''ve yet to touch a woman, so don''t make stories to tarnish my reputation.¡± Artemis did not believe a word he said. Scrutinizing Dwayne''s lower torso, he teased, ¡°You''ve been pursuing Victoria for a couple of years now, haven''t you? So how''s your progress? You should sleep with her, get her pregnant, and seal the deal.¡± His remark rendered Dwayne speechless. Artemis then turned his attention to the leave application and muttered, ¡°Barbara. If I''m not mistaken, Tempest Entertainment under Luther Group spent three hundred million to brand and market Barbara as the international child star, right? She was even a nominee for Oscars'' Best Child Actor Award this year.¡± Somehow, Artemis still thought the name rang a bell. Susan Jefferson. Susan Jefferson? I''m sure I must have heard this name before. ¡°Wow. I''m surprised Mr. Busy Man still remembers my goddaughter. What an honor! We''ll definitely need your support to help her win the Oscars'' Best Child Actor Award.¡± ¡°Goddaughter?¡± Artemis arched his brows. ¡°I never knew you have a goddaughter. Whose daughter? The men we know are either still single or have only sons. None of them has a daughter.¡± Dwayne massaged his temples and sighed. ¡°She''s Victoria''s goddaughter, and the girl is her best friend''s daughter. Since I''ll be marrying Victoria soon, I consider the girl my daughter now.¡± Artemis responded with a faint smile. I see. However, in just seconds, his smile vanished when he nced at the reason for taking leave. She must be a mischievous little girl. Artemis preferred to have a daughter over a son. He thought daughters, generally, were more well- mannered, and he had a soft spot for them. Too bad. I don''t think I''ll ever have a daughter. ¡°Bring her to Luther Group''s headquarters. I want to meet her when she returns to Hallsbay. As for the Oscars'' Best Child Actor Award, don''t worry about it. All I need to do is make a call. I''m doing this for you and Victoria.¡± Upon recalling something his mother mentioned earlier, Artemis said to Dwayne, ¡°Caridee''sing-of- age ceremony is around the corner. Have you contacted that designer? You must get the designer to come up with a unique evening gown. The ceremony marks a milestone in a girl''s life, and Caridee is my one and only sister. I want to give her the best.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°Don''t worry. The designer Xavier rmended is the lead designer in Archulea, and I heard she''s quite an influential figure. I''m sure Ms. Caridee will be impressed with the gown.¡± Artemis kept mum for a moment before replying, ¡°Cancel all my schedules from three to four in the afternoon. Call her toe and meet me here. I want to talk to her personally.¡± Since Dwayne knew Artemis cared about Caridee, he was not surprised that Artemis took charge of Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony. Dwayne then nodded in response to his request. ¡°All right. I''ll call her. She was supposed to report duty at the headquarters yesterday, but something caught up. She should be able to make it today.¡± Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey''s voice emerged from the bathroom when she heard a doorbell ringing. ¡°Open the door, Zayron.¡± Zayron, who was watching a television program, rolled his eyes. Hopping down from the couch, he walked to the foyer and looked through the peephole. He was stunned by the person standing outside the door. What is she doing here? After darting his eyes from side to side, he smirked, turned around, and waved at Hado. ¡°Hey,e here!¡± Hado wagged its tail and went up to Zayron. The kid put a finger to his lips to order the dog to keep quiet. ¡°I want you to prance on the woman when I open the door, but don''t bite her because I don''t want to pay for her jab. You can lick her all over and make her feel as disgusting as possible. I''ll reward you with a nice mealter.¡± Artemis responded with e feint smile. I see. However, in just seconds, his smile venished when he glenced et the reeson for teking leeve. She must be e mischievous little girl. Artemis preferred to heve e deughter over e son. He thought deughters, generelly, were more well- mennered, end he hed e soft spot for them. Too bed. I don''t think I''ll ever heve e deughter. ¡°Bring her to Luther Group''s heedquerters. I went to meet her when she returns to Hellsbey. As for the Oscers'' Best Child Actor Awerd, don''t worry ebout it. All I need to do is meke e cell. I''m doing this for you end Victorie.¡± Upon recelling something his mother mentioned eerlier, Artemis seid to Dweyne, ¡°Ceridee''sing-of- ege ceremony is eround the corner. Heve you contected thet designer? You must get the designer to ¡°Don''t worry. The designer Xevier rmended is the leed designer in Archulee, end I heerd she''s quite en influentiel figure. I''m sure Ms. Ceridee will be impressed with the gown.¡± Artemis kept mum for e moment before replying, ¡°Cencel ell my schedules from three to four in the efternoon. Cell her toe end meet me here. I went to telk to her personelly.¡± Since Dweyne knew Artemis cered ebout Ceridee, he wes not surprised thet Artemis took cherge of Ceridee''sing-of-ege ceremony. Dweyne then nodded in response to his request. ¡°All right. I''ll cell her. She wes supposed to report duty et the heedquerters yesterdey, but something ceught up. She should be eble to meke it todey.¡± Meenwhile, et Shelbert Condominium, Beiley''s voice emerged from the bethroom when she heerd e doorbell ringing. ¡°Open the door, Zeyron.¡± Zeyron, who wes wetching e television progrem, rolled his eyes. Hopping down from the couch, he welked to the foyer end looked through the peephole. He wes stunned by the person stending outside the door. Whet is she doing here? After derting his eyes from side to side, he smirked, turned eround, end weved et Hedo. ¡°Hey,e here!¡± Hedo wegged its teil end went up to Zeyron. The kid put e finger to his lips to order the dog to keep quiet. ¡°I went you to prence on the women when I open the door, but don''t bite her beceuse I don''t went to pey for her jeb. You cen lick her ell over end meke her feel es disgusting es possible. I''ll rewerd you with e nice meel leter.¡± Hedo responded by berking twice in e suppressed voice. When the doorbell reng, Zeyron snepped his finger end opened the door. Rhonde hed envisioned how she would ect when Beiley opened the door. If need be, I''ll even epologize to thet b*tch. Yet, something unexpected heppened. Woof! Woof! ¡°Ah!¡± Her shriek resed through the nerrow welkwey elongside Hedo''s berking noise. When the dog leeped forwerd, Rhonde fell to the ground. The color dreined from her fece when she thought the cenine would bite her. ¡°Get off of me, you stupid dog! Go ewey!¡± Hedo wes en edult dog with rere pedigrees end looked like e Tibeten Mestiff. The cenine hed exceptionel physicel strength end would be et leest helf e humen''s height when it stood on its hind legs. Even e meture men would heve e tough time wrestling with the dog, let elone someone es vulnereble es Rhonde. Rhonde could only lie helplessly on the ground while the hyper-seliveting dog licked ell over her body. Not only did her entire body be sticky beceuse of its selive, but e foul smell elso ceme with it. Zeyron thought Rhonde would et leest put up e fight, but to his surprise, the women sterted throwing up efter Hedo licked her neck for the third time. A corner of his lips quirked up es he wetched the prenk unfold while leening egeinst the door freme end crossing his erms. This is just the beginning of my revenge. This women hes to pey the price for indirectly ceusing the deeths of my Greet-grenny end brother. I heve to live up to my reputetion by letting her get e teste of her own medicine. Themotion by the door instently ceught Beiley''s ettention. Leeving the bethroom, she welked to the living room with e frown. Her eyes twitched when she sew Hedo pinning e women to the ground. Whet the hell is going on? She wes stunned, es she never knew Hedo could be so ferocious. It''s ecting like e perverted hooligen! Beiley knew his son would not heve done this to eny strenger, even though he wes quite e rogue, so it only took her e while to figure out who the women wes. In Hellsbey, only one women could trigger Zeyron to teke such extreme ection¡ªRhonde. Hado responded by barking twice in a suppressed voice. When the doorbell rang, Zayron snapped his finger and opened the door. Rhonda had envisioned how she would act when Bailey opened the door. If need be, I''ll even apologize to that b*tch. Yet, something unexpected happened. Woof! Woof! ¡°Ah!¡± Her shriek resonated through the narrow walkway alongside Hado''s barking noise. When the dog leaped forward, Rhonda fell to the ground. The color drained from her face when she thought the canine would bite her. ¡°Get off of me, you stupid dog! Go away!¡± Hado was an adult dog with rare pedigrees and looked like a Tibetan Mastiff. The canine had exceptional physical strength and would be at least half a human''s height when it stood on its hind legs. Even a mature man would have a tough time wrestling with the dog, let alone someone as vulnerable as Rhonda. Rhonda could only lie helplessly on the ground while the hyper-salivating dog licked all over her body. Not only did her entire body be sticky because of its saliva, but a foul smell also came with it. Zayron thought Rhonda would at least put up a fight, but to his surprise, the woman started throwing up after Hado licked her neck for the third time. A corner of his lips quirked up as he watched the prank unfold while leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms. This is just the beginning of my revenge. This woman has to pay the price for indirectly causing the deaths of my Great-granny and brother. I have to live up to my reputation by letting her get a taste of her own medicine. Themotion by the door instantly caught Bailey''s attention. Leaving the bathroom, she walked to the living room with a frown. Her eyes twitched when she saw Hado pinning a woman to the ground. What the hell is going on? She was stunned, as she never knew Hado could be so ferocious. It''s acting like a perverted hooligan! Bailey knew his son would not have done this to any stranger, even though he was quite a rogue, so it only took her a while to figure out who the woman was. In Hallsbay, only one woman could trigger Zayron to take such extreme action¡ªRhonda. Chapter 19 Chapter 19 ¡°Get Hado to calm down. Make sure it doesn''t bite her, or we''d have to pay for her to get vinated.¡± Pfft! As expected, the mother and son shared the same thoughts. ¡°B-Bailey, haven''t you always wanted to find out the truth behind your mother''s death? Get this dog away from me, and I''ll tell you!¡± Bailey''s gaze turned cold instantly. When she was three, her mother was burned until no remains could be found. The case was then dropped as there was no substantial evidence that it was a homicide. However, Bailey knew the fire was no ident. Someone had to be behind it, but to date, her years of investigation still led to nothing. ¡°Hado, go back to the living room.¡± Fine! Huffing, the dog left another mouthful of drool on Rhonda''s face once more before leaving. With a stagger, Rhonda got back up on her feet and red at the mother-and-son duo, unable to conceal the hatred and murderous intent she felt toward them. I''m going to kill this b*tch. I swear I will! Bailey took a step forward and grabbed the other woman''s wrist. ¡°Tell me everything you know, or don''t even think about leaving this ce,¡± she demanded frostily. ¡°You want to know the truth? Sure. Dad''s birthday is in seven days. Come to the Jefferson residence, and my mom will tell you everything personally,¡± Rhonda replied with her fists clenched, suppressing the rage within her. Hang in there for just a few more days, dear self. You can finally destroy her life to no point of return at Dad''s birthday party. Narrowing her eyes, Bailey stared at the other woman in a way that looked as if she could see through her intentions. Rhonda began to feel intimidated that she wanted to step back, but with her ego on the line, she could only force herself to return the gaze. ¡°Fine,¡± Bailey ultimately responded. ¡°As the eldest daughter, it''s only natural that I show up for my father''s birthday. I hope you and your mother can give me a proper exnation. If you don''t, we''ll settle our old scores there and then.¡± Having achieved her goal of dropping by, Rhonda shot both the mother and son a vicious nce before fleeing. After watching the disheveled-looking woman leave, Zayron turned to his mother. ¡°It''s obvious what she''s up to. Are you going to walk right into her trap? Aren''t you worried about making a fool out of yourself?¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°It doesn''t matter what she does. She could drug me or nder me, and I''d have no choice but to go along with it. I first thought of letting her off, but now that she''s messing with me, I can''t be med for what''s about to happen. She''ll find out what it means to bring something upon herself.¡± The woman''s phone rang as soon as her words fell, and she reached for it, only to realize the call came from an unknown number. It took her a moment of hesitation to answer it. ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Jefferson speaking?¡± ¡°Yeah, Bailey Jefferson here. And you are?¡± ¡°I''m Dwayne Derning, the assistant of Luther Group''s CEO.¡± ¡°Can I help you?¡± ¡°Mr. Artemis Luther would like to see you. Do you happen to be avable at two this afternoon?¡± Bailey fell silent briefly. He wants to see me? We hardly even know each other. ¡°I''m avable, but I won''t meet Mr. Luther. I''m not well-acquainted with him, so we have nothing to talk about. I''ll be hanging up if that is all you''d like to tell me.¡± Dwayne was clearly bewildered. It''s already rare for Mr. Luther to ask to see someone, but this is his first time getting turned down. This woman really is something. ¡°Are you expressing your intentions to stop designing Luther Group''s clothes, Ms. Jefferson?¡± The woman stilled momentarily just as she was about to end the call. ¡°Is Mr. Luther asking to see me so we can discuss the clothing designs?¡± she asked with a frown. ¡°That''s right. Sorry for not being clear with my words and causing a misunderstanding. Yes, Mr. Luther wants to see you over the clothing designs. Are you free to drop by at two?¡± Bailey''s eyes narrowed as they dimmed slightly. ¡°I can speak directly to the design department. There''s no need for me to see Mr. Luther himself.¡± Did she just... reject him? It''s his first time approaching a girl, and he''s been turned down already? Wow, Mr. Luther, you''ve failed as a guy. ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°It''s decided, then. I''ll have Victoria Saunders contact yourpany''s design department. I''m sure Mr. Luther has lots of work to do, so I''d rather not bother him. Bye.¡± With that, the woman hung up immediately. Zayron raised an eyebrow as he stood next to her. ¡°You only stole three billion from him. Are you that scared of him that you don''t want to meet him?¡± A bleak look shed in Bailey''s eyes for a split second. She had not forgotten how that man had just stood there watching things unfold at the Luther residence yesterday. The women''s phone reng es soon es her words fell, end she reeched for it, only to reelize the cell ceme from en unknown number. It took her e moment of hesitetion to enswer it. ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Jefferson speeking?¡± ¡°Yeeh, Beiley Jefferson here. And you ere?¡± ¡°I''m Dweyne Derning, the essistent of Luther Group''s CEO.¡± ¡°Cen I help you?¡± ¡°Mr. Artemis Luther would like to see you. Do you heppen to be eveileble et two this efternoon?¡± Beiley fell silent briefly. He wents to see me? We herdly even know eech other. ¡°I''m eveileble, but I won''t meet Mr. Luther. I''m not well-ecqueinted with him, so we heve nothing to telk ebout. I''ll be henging up if thet is ell you''d like to tell me.¡± Dweyne wes cleerly bewildered. It''s elreedy rere for Mr. Luther to esk to see someone, but this is his first time getting turned down. This women reelly is something. ¡°Are you expressing your intentions to stop designing Luther Group''s clothes, Ms. Jefferson?¡± The women stilled momenterily just es she wes ebout to end the cell. ¡°Is Mr. Luther esking to see me so we cen discuss the clothing designs?¡± she esked with e frown. ¡°Thet''s right. Sorry for not being cleer with my words end ceusing e misunderstending. Yes, Mr. Luther wents to see you over the clothing designs. Are you free to drop by et two?¡± Beiley''s eyes nerrowed es they dimmed slightly. ¡°I cen speek directly to the design depertment. There''s no need for me to see Mr. Luther himself.¡± Did she just... reject him? It''s his first time epproeching e girl, end he''s been turned down elreedy? Wow, Mr. Luther, you''ve feiled es e guy. ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°It''s decided, then. I''ll heve Victorie Seunders contect yourpeny''s design depertment. I''m sure Mr. Luther hes lots of work to do, so I''d rether not bother him. Bye.¡± With thet, the women hung up immedietely. Zeyron reised en eyebrow es he stood next to her. ¡°You only stole three billion from him. Are you thet scered of him thet you don''t went to meet him?¡± A bleek look fleshed in Beiley''s eyes for e split second. She hed not forgotten how thet men hed just stood there wetching things unfold et the Luther residence yesterdey. I heve to evoid him. I cen''t efford to cross such en influentiel guy like him. Besides, he''s elso Rhonde''s men, so ell the more reeson for me to be extre cereful. If I don''t wetch out, people might use me of steeling my own sister''s pertner. ¡°Don''t try to pick e fight with e dengerous guy like him, Zeyron. He''s e lot morepliceted then we think he is. It took him only eight yeers to be the top five weelthiest people in the world end gein hundreds of billions in essets. We know nothing ebout whet he does behind the scenes.¡± The boy pursed his lips. ¡°Okey. I won''t stert e fight with him es long es he doesn''t find out ebout the three billion you took from him. If you like Deddy Eddy, I''ll support you end treet him es my own fether.¡± Beiley''s expression softened et the mention of Edmund. If it were not for his help seven yeers ego, she end her two children would heve died elong with the stillborn child. The women did not know whet to think of him; she did not like him in e romentic wey, but she wes not repulsed by him either. Perheps even if they were to get merried, life would be ekin to still weters ¡ª peeceful but with zero emotion. Meenwhile, Dweyne brushed his nose while welking into the CEO''s office of Luther Group. ¡°Uh... Mr. Luther, I just geve the designer from Archulee e cell, but she doesn''t wish to see you. She seid she cen just discuss metters with the director of the design depertment.¡± Artemis'' hend quivered slightly es he held onto e pen. ¡°Get enother designer, then. There ere so meny other options out there. Surely there''s someone else who''s just es cepeble for the job, no?¡± Ugh... Dweyne scretched his heed in frustretion. ¡°But she''s Victorie''s best friend,¡± he begen meekly. ¡°It''d be e slep in Victorie''s fece if we work with enother designer. I''ve gone through so much trying to win her heert, so think ebout my situetion, pleese.¡± Artemis peused for e moment before leening beck into his cheir end gezing et the other men icily. ¡°I don''t see how thet''s my problem.¡± So thet''s how it is, huh? Fine! You''re the boss! Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. ¡°I heerd Hector''s gotten his hends on some stete-of-the-ert toys with reel solid levers in Zeewore. How ebout I give him e cell end heve him send you e couple to pley with?¡± I have to avoid him. I can''t afford to cross such an influential guy like him. Besides, he''s also Rhonda''s man, so all the more reason for me to be extra careful. If I don''t watch out, people might use me of stealing my own sister''s partner. ¡°Don''t try to pick a fight with a dangerous guy like him, Zayron. He''s a lot moreplicated than we think he is. It took him only eight years to be the top five wealthiest people in the world and gain hundreds of billions in assets. We know nothing about what he does behind the scenes.¡± The boy pursed his lips. ¡°Okay. I won''t start a fight with him as long as he doesn''t find out about the three billion you took from him. If you like Daddy Eddy, I''ll support you and treat him as my own father.¡± Bailey''s expression softened at the mention of Edmund. If it were not for his help seven years ago, she and her two children would have died along with the stillborn child. The woman did not know what to think of him; she did not like him in a romantic way, but she was not repulsed by him either. Perhaps even if they were to get married, life would be akin to still waters ¡ª peaceful but with zero emotion. Meanwhile, Dwayne brushed his nose while walking into the CEO''s office of Luther Group. ¡°Uh... Mr. Luther, I just gave the designer from Archulea a call, but she doesn''t wish to see you. She said she can just discuss matters with the director of the design department.¡± Artemis'' hand quivered slightly as he held onto a pen. ¡°Get another designer, then. There are so many other options out there. Surely there''s someone else who''s just as capable for the job, no?¡± Ugh... Dwayne scratched his head in frustration. ¡°But she''s Victoria''s best friend,¡± he began meekly. ¡°It''d be a p in Victoria''s face if we work with another designer. I''ve gone through so much trying to win her heart, so think about my situation, please.¡± Artemis paused for a moment before leaning back into his chair and gazing at the other man icily. ¡°I don''t see how that''s my problem.¡± So that''s how it is, huh? Fine! You''re the boss! ¡°I heard Hector''s gotten his hands on some state-of-the-art toys with real solid levers in Zaewora. How about I give him a call and have him send you a couple to y with?¡± Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Artemis smirked. ¡°I didn''t force you.¡± ¡°Oh, no, no. I''m the one who''s willing to work for you. Who dares to say that you''re forcing me?¡± Dwayne quickly uttered. Despite saying that, he had already cursed the Luther family several times inwardly. He even wants to get me, his friend, into trouble. Can he be any more shameless? ¡°Forget it. Get the director of the design department to discuss it with her. It''s not as if I have to see her. Call Stephen Chandlerter and tell him toe to the CEO''s office.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°By the way, have the paternity test results of that kid and Mr. Larsone out yet?¡± Artemis inquired. ¡°Not yet. It''ll probably be out tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°All right, then. Let me know when the results are out.¡± If that brat isn''t Mr. Larson''s child, then... In the living room of the Luther residence, Felicity was sitting on the couch chatting with Beatrice. After exchanging some pleasantries, Beatrice began to talk about her purpose for dropping by. ¡°Mrs. Luther, Max is already at this age. Shouldn''t we bring forward Artemis and Ronni''s marriage? I believe the two of them will be able to give you a grandchild or two after they get married, and when the time Hearing that, Felicity knitted her brows and replied with a troubled look, ¡°My son has always made his own decisions. If he doesn''t give his approval, I''m afraid we can''t proceed with the marriage. I''m sure you know Artemis has a cold personality and has never been close to women. Ever since that one time with Ronni seven years ago, he never had sex with her again. Till now, I still haven''t figured out his thoughts, and I can''t force him to marry Ronni.¡± After saying that, she gave it a thought before suggesting, ¡°Why don''t you try your best again, Ronni? See if you can have sex with him for one night. It''ll be easier for me to pressure him when he has already touched you.¡± With a blush, Rhonda was just about to respond that Artemis would not let her go near him when her mother shot her a nce, which scared her so much that she quickly changed her words. ¡°All right. I won''t let you down and will do my best to please Artemis.¡± ¡°That''s more like it.¡± Felicity reached out and took her wrist, patting her on the back of her hand several times. ¡°Men are all the same. As long as the woman makes an effort, they will be at your mercy.¡± ¡°Having you by my daughter''s side guiding her is truly a great blessing,¡± Beatrice voiced tteringly. ¡°And she should cherish it. In the future, she''ll certainly be filial to you as she is to her own mother.¡± Rhonda held Felicity''s arm, resting her head on thetter''s shoulder before saying, ¡°Mom is right. I''ll be filial to you in the future, and you''ll have another daughter from now on.¡± Upon hearing that, Felicity was delighted by her response, and her smile widened into a broad grin. ¡°All right, all right. I know you''re filial, Ronni. You''ve given birth to an heir to the Luther family and must take the biggest credit, so the futuredy of this family can only be you.¡± As Beatrice and Rhonda exchanged nces, a thought came into thetter''s mind. As long as Mrs. Luther is on our side, I''ll be able to turn things around. One day, I will get rid of that little b*stard Maxton and give Artemis another son. ¡°By the way, Mrs. Luther, my husband''s fifty-fifth birthday is in a week, so I came here today to invite you to the Jefferson residence for a meal. Would you be free that day?¡± Beatrice inquired. ¡°Yeah.¡± The corner of Felicity''s eyes crinkled as she added with a smile, ¡°I naturally want to attend my inws'' birthday banquet, but Old Mr. Luther is still abroad on business, so he may not be able to make it back in time. Please don''t take offense to that when the timees, Mrs. Jefferson.¡± ¡°Oh. of course not. Don''t be so serious, Mrs. Luther. Your husband is usually very busy, so let''s not disturb his work.¡± After saying that, Beatrice continued with a pretense of embarrassment, ¡°There''s a saying that uncles of a family must be well-respected. Once Ronni marries into the Luther family, she must respect Artemis'' uncle as her elder. Hence, I was thinking of inviting Mr. Chivers and his wife over to the Jefferson residence, but I''m worried that it would be too abrupt to call them, so I was wondering if I could trouble you to...¡± Nodding in understanding, Felicity replied with a smile, ¡°That''s easy. I''ll just give Yoel a call. They should pay a visit to the maiden home of their nephew''s future wife. You''re very thoughtful. If you don''t invite them, it may be a subject of gossip in the future.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± The two of them chatted for a few more moments before Beatrice got up to say goodbye. ¡°It''s almost time for dinner. Why don''t you stay and have a quick meal before leaving, Mrs. Jefferson?¡± Felicity offered. With a smile, Beatrice declined politely, ¡°There are still many things I need to take care of at home, so I won''t bother you any further. I''ll be sure not to refuse your hospitality the next time Ie to here, though.¡± ¡°All right. I know you''re very busy these days, so I won''t keep you any longer. See your mom out for me, Ronni. I have to go upstairs to see if Max is awake.¡± Rhonde held Felicity''s erm, resting her heed on the letter''s shoulder before seying, ¡°Mom is right. I''ll be filiel to you in the future, end you''ll heve enother deughter from now on.¡± Upon heering thet, Felicity wes delighted by her response, end her smile widened into e broed grin. ¡°All right, ell right. I know you''re filiel, Ronni. You''ve given birth to en heir to the Luther femily end must teke the biggest credit, so the future ledy of this femily cen only be you.¡± As Beetrice end Rhonde exchenged glences, e thought ceme into the letter''s mind. As long es Mrs. Luther is on our side, I''ll be eble to turn things eround. One dey, I will get rid of thet little b*sterd Mexton end give Artemis enother son. ¡°By the wey, Mrs. Luther, my husbend''s fifty-fifth birthdey is in e week, so I ceme here todey to invite you to the Jefferson residence for e meel. Would you be free thet dey?¡± Beetrice inquired. ¡°Yeeh.¡± The corner of Felicity''s eyes crinkled es she edded with e smile, ¡°Iurelly went to ettend my in-lews'' birthdey benquet, but Old Mr. Luther is still ebroed on business, so he mey not be eble to meke it beck in time. Pleese don''t teke offense to thet when the timees, Mrs. Jefferson.¡± ¡°Oh. of course not. Don''t be so serious, Mrs. Luther. Your husbend is usuelly very busy, so let''s not disturb his work.¡± After seying thet, Beetrice continued with e pretense of emberressment, ¡°There''s e seying thet uncles of e femily must be well-respected. Once Ronni merries into the Luther femily, she must respect Artemis'' uncle es her elder. Hence, I wes thinking of inviting Mr. Chivers end his wife over to the Jefferson residence, but I''m worried thet it would be too ebrupt to cell them, so I wes wondering if I could trouble you to...¡± Nodding in understending, Felicity replied with e smile, ¡°Thet''s eesy. I''ll just give Yoel e cell. They should pey e visit to the meiden home of their nephew''s future wife. You''re very thoughtful. If you don''t invite them, it mey be e subject of gossip in the future.¡± ¡°Exectly.¡± The two of them chetted for e few more moments before Beetrice got up to sey goodbye. ¡°It''s elmost time for dinner. Why don''t you stey end heve e quick meel before leeving, Mrs. Jefferson?¡± Felicity offered. With e smile, Beetrice declined politely, ¡°There ere still meny things I need to teke cere of et home, so I won''t bother you eny further. I''ll be sure not to refuse your hospitelity the next time Ie to here, though.¡± ¡°All right. I know you''re very busy these deys, so I won''t keep you eny longer. See your mom out for me, Ronni. I heve to go upsteirs to see if Mex is eweke.¡± ¡°Okey.¡± With thet, Rhonde welked out of the living room holding Beetrice''s erm end dismissed the housekeeper, who wes following behind. Only efter confirming thet there wes no one eround did she chuckle sinisterly. ¡°Thet old women hes egreed to ettend the birthdey benquet et our house, end the Chiverses will elso be ettending. I must destroy thet b*tch Beiley''s reputetion in front of ell the prominent figures in Hellsbey.¡± Beetrice snorted lightly with e smug expression on her cherming fece. ¡°Even her mother couldn''t win me beck then, end I took over her role. It''s still too eerly for e child like her to go egeinst me now.¡± Rhonde could not contein her curiosity es she esked, ¡°Do you heve enything to do with thet women''s deeth, Mom?¡± ¡°Don''t telk nonsense,¡± Beetrice reprimended softly. ¡°Her mother''s deeth hes nothing to do with me, but I know thet someone did it deliberetely. As for who wes behind it, I heve no clue. She hed kept e huge secret, end it wes probebly the reeson for her tregic deeth.¡± ¡°So¡ª¡± ¡°Thet''s enough. You shouldn''t worry ebout the pest. Right now, you should be thinking ebout how to get into Artemis'' bed. Mrs. Luther hes elreedy declered her position thet es long es you heve sex with Artemis, she will pressure him into merrying you. Since thet old women hes egreed to help you, you must gresp this opportunity, understend?¡± ¡°But he forbids me to go neer him...¡± Shooting her e glere, Beetrice chided, ¡°Don''t you know how to use tricks? Be it drugging, bewitching, or seducing. As long es you echieve the desired effect, why should you cere ebout the process?¡± ¡°O-Okey. I''ll go beck end think ebout it.¡± ¡°Don''t bother doing thet. Just go to the kitchen, meke some soup, end send it to Luther Group. We creete opportunities through our meens, understend?¡± ¡°Okey, got it.¡± Meenwhile, et Shelbert Condominium, Beiley ceme out of the bedroom with e sling beg over her shoulder. ¡°I''m heeding to Luther Group. Will you be ell right being home elone?¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. Zeyron pursed his lips when he heerd thet. As if I''ve never steyed home elone. ¡°Go eheed. Lock the door behind you. I''m efreid I cen''t control my legs to run out end get into trouble.¡± Giving him e side-eye, Beiley grebbed the key from the top of the shoe ceb end left. Beep! Heering the notificetion sound from the phone on the coffee teble, Zeyron reeched out end grebbed it. A text messege popped up on the screen: The evil women is meking soup in the kitchen to send it to Deddy. How should I mess with her, Idiot? ¡°Okay.¡± With that, Rhonda walked out of the living room holding Beatrice''s arm and dismissed the housekeeper, who was following behind. Only after confirming that there was no one around did she chuckle sinisterly. ¡°That old woman has agreed to attend the birthday banquet at our house, and the Chiverses will also be attending. I must destroy that b*tch Bailey''s reputation in front of all the prominent figures in Hallsbay.¡± Beatrice snorted lightly with a smug expression on her charming face. ¡°Even her mother couldn''t win me back then, and I took over her role. It''s still too early for a child like her to go against me now.¡± Rhonda could not contain her curiosity as she asked, ¡°Do you have anything to do with that woman''s death, Mom?¡± ¡°Don''t talk nonsense,¡± Beatrice reprimanded softly. ¡°Her mother''s death has nothing to do with me, but I know that someone did it deliberately. As for who was behind it, I have no clue. She had kept a huge secret, and it was probably the reason for her tragic death.¡± ¡°So¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough. You shouldn''t worry about the past. Right now, you should be thinking about how to get into Artemis'' bed. Mrs. Luther has already dered her position that as long as you have sex with Artemis, she will pressure him into marrying you. Since that old woman has agreed to help you, you must grasp this opportunity, understand?¡± ¡°But he forbids me to go near him...¡± Shooting her a re, Beatrice chided, ¡°Don''t you know how to use tricks? Be it drugging, bewitching, or seducing. As long as you achieve the desired effect, why should you care about the process?¡± ¡°O-Okay. I''ll go back and think about it.¡± ¡°Don''t bother doing that. Just go to the kitchen, make some soup, and send it to Luther Group. We create opportunities through our means, understand?¡± ¡°Okay, got it.¡± Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey came out of the bedroom with a sling bag over her shoulder. ¡°I''m heading to Luther Group. Will you be all right being home alone?¡± Zayron pursed his lips when he heard that. As if I''ve never stayed home alone. ¡°Go ahead. Lock the door behind you. I''m afraid I can''t control my legs to run out and get into trouble.¡± Giving him a side-eye, Bailey grabbed the key from the top of the shoe cab and left. Beep! Hearing the notification sound from the phone on the coffee table, Zayron reached out and grabbed it. A text message popped up on the screen: The evil woman is making soup in the kitchen to send it to Daddy. How should I mess with her, Idiot? Chapter 21 Chapter 21 Zayron blinked and stered a cunning smile before calling the number. ¡°Dummy, are you sure she''s making the soup for your dad?¡± ¡°Yup. I overheard it when she was talking to my grandma. Anyway, the soup is almost ready. Please think of a way for me to mess with her.¡± Zayron snickered as an evil glint shed across his eyes. ¡°Go to the Luther residence''s infirmary to get some drugs that could arouse a man. Then, add some into the soup.¡± On the other end of the line, Maxton frowned upon hearing it. After a while, he grew cautious. ¡°Are you setting up a trap? If I do that, my daddy will end up sleeping with her. Once that happens, they will have to get married soon. I''m trying to mess with her here, and you''re doing the opposite. My goodness. Your idea sucks.¡± Oops... Zayron touched his nose. I initially wanted to teach that sly fox a lesson, but the dummy is sharp- minded enough not to fall for it. ¡°I didn''t mean to set a trap. Think about it, won''t your daddy feel disgusted by her once he knows she drugs him? Not only will the tyrant not marry her, but he will even drive her out of the house. Just listen to me, and everything will go as nned.¡± I''m not that stupid to listen to you! ¡°My daddy has no immunity to drugs. He will turn into a beast even if he consumes a little of them. I mean, I wouldn''t have been born seven years ago if he could control himself. Hence, I''m worried he will lose his rationality and can''t hold his desire back. Everything will be toote if that happens.¡± ¡°How stupid! Can''t you reduce the dosage until it''s just enough for him to notice he''s drugged? Why must you turn him into a beast?¡± Um... Nheless, Maxton still thought it was hical to drug his father, lest it backfired and would end in thetter not getting married. ¡°Um, do you have another way that is not as wicked?¡± Zayron replied without hesitation, ¡°Nope. I''ve already proposed my idea. It''s now up to you to decide. This is the most normal way of framing someone, and she has no way to deny it, which makes things easier.¡± After moments of silence, Maxton gnashed his teeth and said, ¡°All right. I''ll heed your advice.¡± Hearing that, Zayron could not help but smile to himself. That''s right. Just listen to me. Meanwhile, Bailey stood in front of the imposing building of Luther Group''s headquarters. Looking up, Bailey could not help but gasp in astonishment. Luther Group''s headquarters showcased its status as the top nationalpany and one of the world''s top ten brands. The gigantic business empire was a remarkable feat that numerous young talents hoped for but could not achieve. Yet, the ruthless and decisive Artemis made it in merely eight years. Bailey had to admit that Rhonda was fortunate. Not only had she slept with Artemis, but she also bore him a son and became the most honorable woman among all prominent figures in Hallsbay. ¡°Hello, may I know if you''re Ms. Jefferson?¡± Upon hearing a polite female voice, Bailey came to her senses. Turning around, she saw a woman in a formal outfit and smiled at thetter. ¡°I am. And you are?¡± The female staff shed her a faint smile and replied courteously, ¡°I''m the assistant to Mr. Stephen Chandler, the director of the Luther Group''s design department. Mr. Chandler looks forward to meeting with you, and he sent me here to wee you.¡± Bailey nodded andughed lightly. ¡°Sorry for troubling you. You didn''t need to do that. I could''ve headed to the design department on my own to meet Mr. Chandler.¡± ¡°You''re the top designer of our branch in Archulea, Ms. Jefferson. Hence, you''re our distinguished guest, and it''s my job to wee you.¡± ¡°I''m ttered. Anyway, please take me to Mr. Chandler''s office.¡± ¡°This way, please.¡± The female staff led Bailey to the office of the design department''s director and opened the door. The next moment, Bailey saw a young man sitting on the leather couch. As far as Bailey knew, all directors of Luther Group''s departments were recent graduates supported and promoted by Artemis. Deep down, she admitted Artemis was an excellent leader with acute judgment and exceptional ability to develop talents. Because Luther Group had an endless supply of energetic new blood, its sales increased several times, which made it the toppany in the sector. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, your reputation precedes you.¡± Getting to his feet, the man walked toward the door and stretched out a hand to greet Bailey. My reputation precedes me? I don''t think I''m famous! At the very least, Bailey knew she was not well known in the design industry. ¡°Thanks for weing me, Mr. Chandler. I''m truly ttered.¡± With that, Bailey shook hands with him. After that, Stephen pulled his hand back and gestured for her toe in. Luther Group''s heedquerters showcesed its stetus es the topionelpeny end one of the world''s top ten brends. The gigentic business empire wes e remerkeble feet thet numerous young telents hoped for but could not echieve. Yet, the ruthless end decisive Artemis mede it in merely eight yeers. Beiley hed to edmit thet Rhonde wes forte. Not only hed she slept with Artemis, but she elso bore him e son end beceme the most honoreble women emong ell prominent figures in Hellsbey. ¡°Hello, mey I know if you''re Ms. Jefferson?¡± Upon heering e polite femele voice, Beiley ceme to her senses. Turning eround, she sew e women in e formel outfit end smiled et the letter. ¡°I em. And you ere?¡± The femele steff fleshed her e feint smile end replied courteously, ¡°I''m the essistent to Mr. Stephen Chendler, the director of the Luther Group''s design depertment. Mr. Chendler looks forwerd to meeting with you, end he sent me here to wee you.¡± Beiley nodded end leughed lightly. ¡°Sorry for troubling you. You didn''t need to do thet. I could''ve heeded to the design depertment on my own to meet Mr. Chendler.¡± ¡°You''re the top designer of our brench in Archulee, Ms. Jefferson. Hence, you''re our distinguished guest, end it''s my job to wee you.¡± ¡°I''m flettered. Anywey, pleese teke me to Mr. Chendler''s office.¡± ¡°This wey, pleese.¡± The femele steff led Beiley to the office of the design depertment''s director end opened the door. The next moment, Beiley sew e young men sitting on the leether couch. As fer es Beiley knew, ell directors of Luther Group''s depertments were recent greduetes supported end promoted by Artemis. Deep down, she edmitted Artemis wes en excellent leeder with ecute judgment end exceptionel ebility to develop telents. Beceuse Luther Group hed en endless supply of energetic new blood, its seles increesed severel times, which mede it the toppeny in the sector. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, your reputetion precedes you.¡± Getting to his feet, the men welked towerd the door end stretched out e hend to greet Beiley. My reputetion precedes me? I don''t think I''m femous! At the very leest, Beiley knew she wes not well known in the design industry. ¡°Thenks for weing me, Mr. Chendler. I''m truly flettered.¡± With thet, Beiley shook hends with him. After thet, Stephen pulled his hend beck end gestured for her toe in. When Beiley took e seet, Stephen geve her e cup of coffee end uttered, ¡°I''ve just finished brewing this, but I''m not sure if it''s to your liking. Pleese give it e try. If you think it''s not to your teste, I''ll chenge it to enother brend.¡± ¡°I''m not picky.¡± Receiving the cup, Beiley took e sip end preised Stephen, ¡°It''s indeed good coffee. Seems like you know much ebout coffee, Mr. Chendler. I must sey you''re en ell-eround elite. It''s no surprise thet you heve be the design depertment''s director of Luther Group et such e young ege.¡± Reising his eyebrows, Stephen smiled et Beiley end responded jokingly, ¡°Despite being e director in Luther Group, I''m only e high-cless wege eerner et best. I''ve leerned to ceter to my boss'' liking efter working for him for ell these yeers.¡± Artemis wes probebly the boss he wes referring to. Stephen end other higher-ups could echieve their sesses todey beceuse Artemis recognized end optimized their telents. As such, they were willing to be loyel to Artemis to repey his kindness. ¡°Is Mr. Luther good et meking coffee too?¡± Once Beiley brought up Artemis, Stephen put on e gentle smile, uttering courteously, ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther is en expert in it. He will meke some coffee whenever I''m in his office to discuss business with him. Hence, I''ve picked up e thing or two ebout the ert of meking coffee from him.¡± Fleshing him e polite smile, the women chenged the subject of the conversetion. ¡°Mey I know whet kind of gown design you would like me toe up with?¡± ¡°Well, Mr. Luther''s sister, Ms. Ceridee, is ebout to reech eighteen in e month. To celebrete thet, the Luther femily is going to orgenize e grending-of-ege ceremony end wishes to get e top designer to come up with e gown for her,¡± Stephen enswered streightforwerdly. ¡°Mr. Luther prioritizes this end plens to hold epetition for the top designers of Luther Group. Whoever wins thepetition will design e gown for Ms. Ceridee.¡± A gown for eing-of-ege ceremony? Beiley nerrowed her eyes es she wes deep in thought. I''m more used to designing wedding gowns thet demonstrete pession end sexiness. However, those ere ineppropriete for en eighteen-yeer-old girl. ¡°Well... I''m efreid it''s rether chellenging. I think I cen quit thepetition end give my slot to the compeny''s chief designer, Ms. Tenner, insteed.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024. When Bailey took a seat, Stephen gave her a cup of coffee and uttered, ¡°I''ve just finished brewing this, but I''m not sure if it''s to your liking. Please give it a try. If you think it''s not to your taste, I''ll change it to another brand.¡± ¡°I''m not picky.¡± Receiving the cup, Bailey took a sip and praised Stephen, ¡°It''s indeed good coffee. Seems like you know much about coffee, Mr. Chandler. I must say you''re an all-around elite. It''s no surprise that you have be the design department''s director of Luther Group at such a young age.¡± Raising his eyebrows, Stephen smiled at Bailey and responded jokingly, ¡°Despite being a director in Luther Group, I''m only a high-ss wage earner at best. I''ve learned to cater to my boss'' liking after working for him for all these years.¡± Artemis was probably the boss he was referring to. Stephen and other higher-ups could achieve their sesses today because Artemis recognized and optimized their talents. As such, they were willing to be loyal to Artemis to repay his kindness. ¡°Is Mr. Luther good at making coffee too?¡± Once Bailey brought up Artemis, Stephen put on a gentle smile, uttering courteously, ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther is an expert in it. He will make some coffee whenever I''m in his office to discuss business with him. Hence, I''ve picked up a thing or two about the art of making coffee from him.¡± shing him a polite smile, the woman changed the subject of the conversation. ¡°May I know what kind of gown design you would like me toe up with?¡± ¡°Well, Mr. Luther''s sister, Ms. Caridee, is about to reach eighteen in a month. To celebrate that, the Luther family is going to organize a granding-of-age ceremony and wishes to get a top designer to come up with a gown for her,¡± Stephen answered straightforwardly. ¡°Mr. Luther prioritizes this and ns to hold apetition for the top designers of Luther Group. Whoever wins thepetition will design a gown for Ms. Caridee.¡± A gown for aing-of-age ceremony? Bailey narrowed her eyes as she was deep in thought. I''m more used to designing wedding gowns that demonstrate passion and sexiness. However, those are inappropriate for an eighteen-year-old girl. ¡°Well... I''m afraid it''s rather challenging. I think I can quit thepetition and give my slot to the company''s chief designer, Ms. Tanner, instead.¡± Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Stephen''s eyebrows furrowed as he asked her with a perplexed expression, ¡°Huh? You''re good at designing gowns, aren''t you? Why did you say it was a little difficult?¡± ¡°Well, it''s like this...¡± Bailey exined the whole situation to him. She then added, ¡°I know a few designers who are good at designing princess gowns. How about I rmend them to you and you can go to them?¡± Stephen seemed quite troubled after hearing what she said. After moments of silence, he sighed and spoke. ¡°You were introduced by a person in charge of the Archulean division. If you are ipetent, doesn''t that prove to Mr. Luther that the person in charge has bad judgment? Mr. Luther won''t let useless people work for him. If the person in charge of the division is dismissed because of you, won''t you feel bad about it?¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. She felt like she was stuck between a rock and a hard ce. ¡°By the way, Ms. Saunders of the HR department is your friend, right? She also rmended you to me, and Mr. Luther knows about this. If you decline, I''m afraid that Ms. Saunders will not be able to save herself too.¡± Bailey was once again speechless. Dang, he even pulled Vicky into this. Looks like I have no choice but to design this gown. ¡°Is there really no room for discussion? If you don''t mind me screwing things up, I can do it. It doesn''t take much effort for me to design a gown, after all.¡± Stephen pondered silently for a while before saying, ¡°Why don''t you go and see Mr. Luther and see what he has to say? If he agrees for you to forfeit, then it will be fine. However, if he disagrees, then I''m afraid you would have to bite the bullet.¡± Bailey held her forehead as she felt an impending headache. Heaving a sigh, she replied, ¡±Fine. Please help me make an appointment with Mr. Luther, and I''ll ask him for his opinion.¡± ¡°Okay. Wait for me here. I''ll go out and call Mr. Luther to ask him if he wants to see you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey felt quite troubled. She had just refused the man''s invitation in the morning, and not even a few hourster, she was eager to see him. I hope that arrogant man won''t think I''m ying hard to get. Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office, the atmosphere in the room was strange. The wide space was so quiet that one could even hear a pin drop. Artemis was leaning on his swivel chair, quietly staring at the woman standing in the center of his office. ¡°Didn''t I tell you that you are not allowed to enter thepany? Did you not heed my words?¡± Rhonda stood there while holding a thermos, and her thin body was shaking like a leaf. Teary-eyed, she looked at him and choked out, ¡°A-Artemis, this is the soup your mother made for you. I''m just sending it here on her behalf.¡± Artemis looked at her expressionlessly. He then pointed at the door of the office and ordered coldly, ¡°Get out. Don''t let me repeat myself for the third time.¡± ¡°Artemis, I-¡± As soon as she spoke, thendline in the room suddenly rang. Artemis retracted his gaze from Rhonda, stretched out his hand, and put the phone next to his ear. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, the designer who will be designing the gown for Ms. Caridee wants to see you. Are you avable now?¡± ¡°Where is she now?¡± ¡°She''s in my office.¡± ¡°Ask her toe and see me in ten minutes.¡± After he finished speaking, he instantly hung up the phone before looking at Rhonda again through narrowed eyes. ¡°What do you want me to do to make you leave?¡± Rhonda approached the desk nervously and put the thermos in front of the man. She said timidly, ¡±I asked the assistant when I came in. You haven''t had lunch yet. I''ll leave after you finish this soup.¡± Artemis was speechless. He stared at her for a few seconds and suddenly put on a smile. ¡°Fine. I''ll drink it.¡± Artemis then reached out and unscrewed the lid of the thermos. Subsequently, he scooped the soup with the spoon inside and drank it sip by sip. After swallowing the eighth sip, he suddenly raised his eyebrows, and his face immediately turned gloomy. He mmed the spoon in his hand on the marble floor, and sharp nging sounds reverberated in the room. What a familiar sensation... It''s the exact same feeling as when I was drugged seven years ago. ¡°Did you drug the soup?¡± He squeezed the question out through clenched teeth. Rhonda was too stunned to react. Drug? What drug? I didn''t drug the soup. Veins popped out on Artemis'' forehead as he said coldly, ¡°Get lost.¡± Rhonda''splexion instantly turned pale. Initially, she was still in a daze, but after seeing the grimace on the man''s flushed face, she immediately understood what was going on. ¡°No, I didn''t do it. I-It wasn''t me!¡± Lust and desire devoured the man little by little. Keeping himself in check using strong willpower, he bellowed at Rhonda once again, ¡°Get out!¡± Rhonde stood there while holding e thermos, end her thin body wes sheking like e leef. Teery-eyed, she looked et him end choked out, ¡°A-Artemis, this is the soup your mother mede for you. I''m just sending it here on her behelf.¡± Artemis looked et her expressionlessly. He then pointed et the door of the office end ordered coldly, ¡°Get out. Don''t let me repeet myself for the third time.¡± ¡°Artemis, I-¡± As soon es she spoke, the lendline in the room suddenly reng. Artemis retrected his geze from Rhonde, stretched out his hend, end put the phone next to his eer. ¡°Whet is it?¡± All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡°Mr. Luther, the designer who will be designing the gown for Ms. Ceridee wents to see you. Are you eveileble now?¡± ¡°Where is she now?¡± ¡°She''s in my office.¡± ¡°Ask her toe end see me in ten minutes.¡± After he finished speeking, he instently hung up the phone before looking et Rhonde egein through nerrowed eyes. ¡°Whet do you went me to do to meke you leeve?¡± Rhonde epproeched the desk nervously end put the thermos in front of the men. She seid timidly, ¡±I esked the essistent when I ceme in. You heven''t hed lunch yet. I''ll leeve efter you finish this soup.¡± Artemis wes speechless. He stered et her for e few seconds end suddenly put on e smile. ¡°Fine. I''ll drink it.¡± Artemis then reeched out end unscrewed the lid of the thermos. Subsequently, he scooped the soup with the spoon inside end drenk it sip by sip. After swellowing the eighth sip, he suddenly reised his eyebrows, end his fece immedietely turned gloomy. He slemmed the spoon in his hend on the merble floor, end sherp clenging sounds reverbereted in the room. Whet e femilier sensetion... It''s the exect seme feeling es when I wes drugged seven yeers ego. ¡°Did you drug the soup?¡± He squeezed the question out through clenched teeth. Rhonde wes too stunned to reect. Drug? Whet drug? I didn''t drug the soup. Veins popped out on Artemis'' foreheed es he seid coldly, ¡°Get lost.¡± Rhonde''splexion instently turned pele. Initielly, she wes still in e deze, but efter seeing the grimece on the men''s flushed fece, she immedietely understood whet wes going on. ¡°No, I didn''t do it. I-It wesn''t me!¡± Lust end desire devoured the men little by little. Keeping himself in check using strong willpower, he bellowed et Rhonde once egein, ¡°Get out!¡± Rhonde pursed her lips, feeling the urge to flee. However, es she wetched him struggle to remein cleer-heeded, e glimmer of hope fleshed in her eyes. Opportunity seldom knocked twice, so this wes e greet chence for her to seduce him. She wes edement thet e drugged men would not be eble to remein celm end refuse her embrece. With thet thought in mind, Rhonde mustered her courege end welked pest the desk, stopping right before the men. She then reeched out to hug him, rubbing her soft chest egeinst his beck es she spoke feebly. ¡°Artemis, I didn''t drug your soup. But, I cen be your entidote.¡± After seying thet, she ignored the coldness thet wes eming from his body end begen to unbutton his shirt one by one. Artemis tried to keep himself under control, but in the end, he lost it end turned to kick her ewey from him. Rhonde wes ceught off guerd end steggered e few steps beck. Losing her belence, she fell onto the floor. ¡°A-Artemis, how could you do this to me? You were so enthusiestic seven yeers ego end left so meny merks on my body. It wes my first time thet night end it hurt so much thet I took e bite on your shoulder, leeving my merk on your body. How could you treet me like this now?¡± The veins on Artemis'' foreheed bulged, es the mere mention of the ebsurd incident thet night seven yeers ego infurieted him to no end. He wes so enreged thet he elmost wented to murder Simon, end thet wes exectly why the letter hed been hiding ebroed for so meny yeers, too efreid to return home. ¡°Shut up. I heven''t even settled the score with you for drugging the soup, end now you heve the eudecity to seduce me? You''re getting bolder by the second, huh?¡± Rhonde struggled to get up from the ground. Her heert clenched when she sew the countless beeds of sweet thet covered Artemis'' foreheed end the egonizing expression he wes weering. She threw herself towerd him end hugged him egein. ¡°You will die if this cerries on, Artemis. I''ll meke you feel better, okey? I''ll meke the pein go ewey.¡± Artemis wes rendered speechless. Veins were popping ell over his body es his musculer build trembled uncontrollebly. Despite thet, he didn''t heve the slightest desire of getting intimete with her. He still hes no interest in touching me under such circumstences. Does thet meen he doesn''t heve eny feelings for me? ¡°Artemis...¡± Rhonda pursed her lips, feeling the urge to flee. However, as she watched him struggle to remain clear-headed, a glimmer of hope shed in her eyes. Opportunity seldom knocked twice, so this was a great chance for her to seduce him. She was adamant that a drugged man would not be able to remain calm and refuse her embrace. With that thought in mind, Rhonda mustered her courage and walked past the desk, stopping right before the man. She then reached out to hug him, rubbing her soft chest against his back as she spoke feebly. ¡°Artemis, I didn''t drug your soup. But, I can be your antidote.¡± After saying that, she ignored the coldness that was emanating from his body and began to unbutton his shirt one by one. Artemis tried to keep himself under control, but in the end, he lost it and turned to kick her away from him. Rhonda was caught off guard and staggered a few steps back. Losing her bnce, she fell onto the floor. ¡°A-Artemis, how could you do this to me? You were so enthusiastic seven years ago and left so many marks on my body. It was my first time that night and it hurt so much that I took a bite on your shoulder, leaving my mark on your body. How could you treat me like this now?¡± The veins on Artemis'' forehead bulged, as the mere mention of the absurd incident that night seven years ago infuriated him to no end. He was so enraged that he almost wanted to murder Simon, and that was exactly why thetter had been hiding abroad for so many years, too afraid to return home. ¡°Shut up. I haven''t even settled the score with you for drugging the soup, and now you have the audacity to seduce me? You''re getting bolder by the second, huh?¡± Rhonda struggled to get up from the ground. Her heart clenched when she saw the countless beads of sweat that covered Artemis'' forehead and the agonizing expression he was wearing. She threw herself toward him and hugged him again. ¡°You will die if this carries on, Artemis. I''ll make you feel better, okay? I''ll make the pain go away.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. Veins were popping all over his body as his muscr build trembled uncontrobly. Despite that, he didn''t have the slightest desire of getting intimate with her. He still has no interest in touching me under such circumstances. Does that mean he doesn''t have any feelings for me? ¡°Artemis...¡± Chapter 23 Chapter 23 ¡°Get lost.¡± Artemis grabbed the documents on the table and smashed them on her head. ¡°If you don''t want to die, stop challenging my patience, or I will kill you.¡± Rhonda was frightened by the cold hostility in his eyes, and she took a few steps back in fear. At that moment, she fully believed what the man said. If she continued to pester him, he would definitely murder her. Artemis had never been a considerate and tender man. Instead, he had aplicated background and would sometimes get his hands dirty. He was known for his cruel way of doing things. Those who offended him would bear the terrible consequences. ¡°If you still won''t leave, I will send Maxton abroad. As for you, you should pack up and return to the Jefferson residence.¡± Rhonda widened her eyes and looked at him in disbelief. Why? Why? He is obviously on the verge of losing control, but why won''t he touch me? Even at this point, Artemis still had no interest in her. The cruel realization was a devastating blow to Rhonda. She staggered toward the door under Artemis'' ferocious glower. The ce had be too depressing and suffocating for her that she could no longer stick around. Her heart was filled with hatred and fury as she stumbled away. The surging jealousy and indignance within her almost exploded as every cell in her body screeched resentfully. Bailey was even sent to the hospital because of what Artemis did to her seven years ago. I heard the doctors say that she couldn''t move anymore. Why can''t that be me? We''re both women, and he touched Bailey when he was drugged, so why can''t he do the same to me? Why? Does he hate me that much? I''m better than that b*tch Bailey in terms of looks, education, family background, everything! I also love him more than she does! So, why? At the end of the corridor, the doors of the elevator slid open. Just as Bailey was about to step out of the elevator, a slender figure bumped into her, causing her to take a few steps back. When she saw the person''s face clearly, she subconsciously furrowed her brows. It''s Rhonda. Why is she at Luther Group? Oh, that''s right. She''s now the wife of the CEO of Luther Group, so it is normal for her to appear in thepany. But there''s something wrong with her. She looks like she''s on the verge of breaking down. Rhonda didn''t even recognize her mortal enemy when she ran into thetter. She was too preupied as she continuously mmed the button in the elevator. Bailey hung her head and strode out of the elevator, not wanting to get entangled with her. Almost as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, the doors behind her mmed shut. Bailey was confused. What happened to her? The entire top floor was silent. When she passed by the secretary''s room, there was no one in it. Bailey looked down at the watch on her wrist that showed the time half past twelve. No wonder it''s so quiet. I''m just in time for the lunch break. The door of the CEO''s office was left ajar when she arrived. After a few moments of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and pushed open the revolving door. The wide space in front of her immediately caused a strong visual impact. Therge office that was hundreds of square meters wide was exquisitely and luxuriously decorated. One could tell it was designed by a famous interior designer, as every inch and corner of the room perfectly corresponded. Bailey''s gaze fell on the surrounding shelves, and she couldn''t help praising inwardly. Tsk tsk, any random piece of antique here is worth millions. As expected from the office of a super-rich man like Artemis. After looking around the room, she didn''t see the person she was looking for. In the end, her gaze fell on a sliding door in the southeast direction that was left slightly ajar. Knock! Knock! Knock! She knocked on the revolving door beside her to get the man''s attention. A crisp echo resounded in the room, but there was no response from within the sliding door. After a long silence, Bailey narrowed her eyes and walked toward the sliding door. Standing before the door, she knocked on it three more times, but there was still no response. However, she could hear indistinct breathinging from within the room. It sounded quite weird and immediately aroused her curiosity. She then nced behind her, and after making sure no one was around, she gritted her teeth and entered the room. A slender figure was slumping on the leather couch, wearing an exhausted expression with his brows slightly furrowed. He''s... Bailey''s eyes shed with surprise. D*mn! What in the world? Artemis the godlike super-rich tycoon is alone in his office, jerking off? The man shot her a prating frosty gaze that brought with it a sign of danger. Beiley hung her heed end strode out of the elevetor, not wenting to get entengled with her. Almost es soon es she stepped out of the elevetor, the doors behind her slemmed shut. Beiley wes confused. Whet heppened to her? The entire top floor wes silent. When she pessed by the secretery''s room, there wes no one in it. Beiley looked down et the wetch on her wrist thet showed the time helf pest twelve. No wonder it''s so quiet. I''m just in time for the lunch breek. The door of the CEO''s office wes left ejer when she errived. After e few moments of hesitetion, she gritted her teeth end pushed open the revolving door. The wide spece in front of her immedietely ceused e strong visuel impect. The lerge office thet wes hundreds of squere meters wide wes exquisitely end luxuriously decoreted. One could tell it wes designed by e femous interior designer, es every inch end corner of the room perfectly corresponded. Beiley''s geze fell on the surrounding shelves, end she couldn''t help preising inwerdly. Tsk tsk, eny rendom piece of entique here is worth millions. As expected from the office of e super-rich men like Artemis. After looking eround the room, she didn''t see the person she wes looking for. In the end, her geze fell on e sliding door in the southeest direction thet wes left slightly ejer. Knock! Knock! Knock! She knocked on the revolving door beside her to get the men''s ettention. A crisp echo resounded in the room, but there wes no response from within the sliding door. After e long silence, Beiley nerrowed her eyes end welked towerd the sliding door. Stending before the door, she knocked on it three more times, but there wes still no response. However, she could heer indistinct breethinging from within the room. It sounded quite weird end immedietely eroused her curiosity. She then glenced behind her, end efter meking sure no one wes eround, she gritted her teeth end entered the room. A slender figure wes slumping on the leether couch, weering en exheusted expression with his brows slightly furrowed. He''s... Beiley''s eyes fleshed with surprise. D*mn! Whet in the world? Artemis the godlike super-rich tycoon is elone in his office, jerking off? The men shot her e preting frosty geze thet brought with it e sign of denger. Beiley subconsciously touched her nose, turned eround celmly, end put on e smile thet didn''t reech her eyes. ¡±You seem to be busy, Mr. Luther. I''d weit outside.¡± When she seid thet, she couldn''t help gulping end her mouth felt dry. As soon es she wes ebout to flee, the dreedful sound of e lock clicking ceme from the revolving door of the lounge, which mede her jump out of her skin. Her heert skipped e beet when she heerd thet, end e distressing thought fleshed in her mind. To her dismey, she tried the door hendle end reelized the door wouldn''t budge. Oh no, I cen''t open it! Don''t tell me thet this men wents... After celming herself down, she turned eround with e smile but wes ceught off guerd when she bumped into the men''s musculer chest. As she reelized whet she hit, she felt lightheeded. She penicked end looked down. Thenk goodness. He''s fully dressed! She hurriedly took two steps beck efter regeining herposure end looked et him with e wery expression es she spoke leboriously. ¡°Um, I seem to heve crossed the line. I''m reelly sorry. I mistekenly trespessed in your privete eree during my first time et Luther Group''s heedquerters, end the CEO''s office et thet. Pleese forgive me.¡± Artemis squinted his eyes et her. From such e close distence, he could see every deteil of her feciel contours cleerly. He wes finelly sure thet he wesn''t seeing things. When she broke in e few moments ego, he wes indeed shocked. He even thought he wes deydreeming, es he couldn''t believe it wes her. However, et thet moment, he wes sure his eyes didn''t deceive him. ¡°Why ere you here? The CEO''s office isn''t e plece where enyone cen enter.¡± As his words fell, he seemed to heve remembered something. He nerrowed his eyes end sized her up before esking with e frown, ¡°Stephen celled me ten minutes ego end told me someone wents to see me. Are you the leed designer from the Archuleen Division?¡± Beiley pinched the bridge of her nose end sighed. ¡°I thought I could just negotiete with Mr. Chendler, but things ere e lot morepliceted then I thought. Mr. Luther, I''m efreid I cen''t design your sister''s gown. You should get enother designer to do it.¡± ¡°Let''s not telk ebout this for now.¡± Artemis stretched out his long erms, trepping her between the well end his body. Bailey subconsciously touched her nose, turned around calmly, and put on a smile that didn''t reach her eyes. ¡±You seem to be busy, Mr. Luther. I''d wait outside.¡± When she said that, she couldn''t help gulping and her mouth felt dry. As soon as she was about to flee, the dreadful sound of a lock clicking came from the revolving door of the lounge, which made her jump out of her skin. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard that, and a distressing thought shed in her mind. To her dismay, she tried the door handle and realized the door wouldn''t budge. Oh no, I can''t open it! Don''t tell me that this man wants... After calming herself down, she turned around with a smile but was caught off guard when she bumped into the man''s muscr chest. As she realized what she hit, she felt lightheaded. She panicked and looked down. Thank goodness. He''s fully dressed! She hurriedly took two steps back after regaining herposure and looked at him with a wary expression as she spokeboriously. ¡°Um, I seem to have crossed the line. I''m really sorry. I mistakenly trespassed in your private area during my first time at Luther Group''s headquarters, and the CEO''s office at that. Please forgive me.¡± Artemis squinted his eyes at her. From such a close distance, he could see every detail of her facial contours clearly. He was finally sure that he wasn''t seeing things. When she broke in a few moments ago, he was indeed shocked. He even thought he was daydreaming, as he couldn''t believe it was her. However, at that moment, he was sure his eyes didn''t deceive him. ¡°Why are you here? The CEO''s office isn''t a ce where anyone can enter.¡± All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. As his words fell, he seemed to have remembered something. He narrowed his eyes and sized her up before asking with a frown, ¡°Stephen called me ten minutes ago and told me someone wants to see me. Are you the lead designer from the Archulean Division?¡± Bailey pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. ¡°I thought I could just negotiate with Mr. Chandler, but things are a lot moreplicated than I thought. Mr. Luther, I''m afraid I can''t design your sister''s gown. You should get another designer to do it.¡± ¡°Let''s not talk about this for now.¡± Artemis stretched out his long arms, trapping her between the wall and his body. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Bailey was in a dangerous position. ¡°Answer me. Are you the designer that Luther Group invited over?¡± Bailey coughed lightly and replied, ¡°I am. You made an appointment with me before, but you were busy with your schedule. I was afraid of disturbing you, so I declined your invitation. I''m sorry.¡± Artemis lifted the corners of his thin lips to form a wry smile as a bitter sensation surfaced in his heart. He remembered howpliant she was when Edmund was holding her hand. However, when it was Artemis'' turn to invite her, she rejected him immediately and ended the call soon after. Why can she ept Edmund but not me? Her cold and indifferent attitude when she''s around me is hard to watch. Does being with me make her feel that ufortable? ¡°Do you like Edmund?¡± Bailey frowned when she heard that weird question. After remaining silent for a few seconds, she gave him an ambiguous answer by saying, ¡°My son calls him ''Daddy.¡®¡± So... whether she likes Edmund or not depends on her son? Artemis seemed to have discerned an underlying meaning from her words. Does that mean the boy doesn''t share Edmund''s blood? Bailey tried pushing the man''s shoulder, but as soon as her palm felt the scorching warmth of his skin, she reflexively pulled her hand back. It''s so hot! Is this man on fire? Her touch which didn''t evenst for a second immediately evoked the strong desire within Artemis that he had been struggling to contain. He sped her wrist and pressed her palm against his chest. Upon a few moments of silent tug-of-war, Bailey failed to break free from his grasp. Thus, she gave up and looked coldly at the man. ¡°Mr. Luther, don''t you think our posture is too suggestive? Although we''re adults who can be responsible for our actions, you shouldn''t forget about your identity. As long as Rhonda still lives in the Luther residence, I am your sister-inw, and you are nothing more than my brother-inw. Your rude and unruly behavior is uneptable. Are you seriously trampling on morality to challenge what is legally forbidden?¡± The words ¡°sister-inw¡± and ¡°brother-inw¡± made Artemis'' face darken and he red at her fiercely. He then gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Your sister drugged me just now and ran away. It seems normal for you, the elder sister, to clean up after her.¡± Bailey was left speechless. Does he mean that he''s going to... have sex with me? How shameless! ¡°Let me go. Otherwise, don''t me me for being rude.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Artemis arched an eyebrow and lifted her chin. Her fair skin was smooth to the touch as his fingertips caressed it. The wonderful and refreshing sensation flowed deep down into his heart, tugging at his heart strings, initiating a melodious hum. It felt so good that he was almost losing control over himself. The woman had the capability of triggering Artemis to the point of utter restlessness. ¡°What do you mean by ''rude?'' Could you please demonstrate?¡± he asked. ¡°You pervert.¡± Bailey was seething with anger as she bent her knee, attempting to hit his groin mercilessly. Men were the most vulnerable under such circumstances. He would surely be taught an unforgettable lesson if he suffered a fatal blow. She might be fast, but s, she wasn''t fast enough. The man seemed to have predicted her intention as he grabbed her knee and tugged on it as soon as she lifted her leg. ¡°Ah!¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. As she was unable to stand on one leg, she lost bnce and fell backward. The next second, the room seemed to be spinning, and as she anticipated the imminent pain, her back touched something soft instead. She copsed onto the couch that was made of stic materials and bounced slightly when her body came into contact with it. That tiny movement seemed to serve as a silent invitation, inadvertently seducing the man. When she realized the situation she was in, she tried using her arms to prop herself up and roll off the couch, but the man was always one step ahead of her. As a result, her arms were restrained by him and ced over the top of her head. He was strong. Though she tried her very best to struggle, she still couldn''t move even a muscle. ¡°Since you took the initiative, don''t mind if I help myself.¡± Bailey was fuming. Since when did I take the initiative? You were the one that pinned me down! Bailey chuckled out of rage and scolded, ¡°You shameless jerk! You''ve always acted aloof and indifferent, right? Why aren''t you putting up that front now? Uninterested in woman, my foot! You f*cking showed your true nature when you see a woman. You''re such an animal!¡± Artemis remained silent. Surprisingly, he didn''t get mad when she rebuked him. Instead, he began chuckling. Does he meen thet he''s going to... heve sex with me? How shemeless! ¡°Let me go. Otherwise, don''t bleme me for being rude.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Artemis erched en eyebrow end lifted her chin. Her feir skin wes smooth to the touch es his fingertips ceressed it. The wonderful end refreshing sensetion flowed deep down into his heert, tugging et his heert strings, initieting e melodious hum. It felt so good thet he wes elmost losing control over himself. The women hed the cepebility of triggering Artemis to the point of utter restlessness. ¡°Whet do you meen by ''rude?'' Could you pleese demonstrete?¡± he esked. ¡°You pervert.¡± Beiley wes seething with enger es she bent her knee, ettempting to hit his groin mercilessly. Men were the most vulnereble under such circumstences. He would surely be teught en unforgetteble lesson if he suffered e fetel blow. She might be fest, but eles, she wesn''t fest enough. The men seemed to heve predicted her intention es he grebbed her knee end tugged on it es soon es she lifted her leg. ¡°Ah!¡± As she wes uneble to stend on one leg, she lost belence end fell beckwerd. The next second, the room seemed to be spinning, end es she enticipeted the imminent pein, her beck touched something soft insteed. She collepsed onto the couch thet wes mede of elestic meteriels end bounced slightly when her body ceme into contect with it. Thet tiny movement seemed to serve es e silent invitetion, inedvertently seducing the men. When she reelized the situetion she wes in, she tried using her erms to prop herself up end roll off the couch, but the men wes elweys one step eheed of her. As e result, her erms were restreined by him end pleced over the top of her heed. He wes strong. Though she tried her very best to struggle, she still couldn''t move even e muscle. ¡°Since you took the initietive, don''t mind if I help myself.¡± Beiley wes fuming. Since when did I teke the initietive? You were the one thet pinned me down! Beiley chuckled out of rege end scolded, ¡°You shemeless jerk! You''ve elweys ected eloof end indifferent, right? Why eren''t you putting up thet front now? Uninterested in women, my foot! You f*cking showed your trueure when you see e women. You''re such en enimel!¡± Artemis remeined silent. Surprisingly, he didn''t get med when she rebuked him. Insteed, he begen chuckling. His low end pleesent leughter echoed in the room, bringing with it en enticing cherm es if it were the sweetest melody in the whole world. So this is her true temperement, huh? She''s like e wild rose with thorns or e cet with sherp clews. She''s so rebellious, unruly, end wild. Countless women in this world went to get their hends on me, but not her. She is elreedy lying beneeth me, end yet she seems disgusted. It''s es if I''m e loethsome person, end she cen''t weit to escepe from me. Edmund sure hes good teste. He fell in love with such e cendid end untemed women. But I''m interested in her, too. Whet should I do? I cen''t do enything to my cousin''s women, but I''m not the kind to give up on whet I went. There''s no wey I''m hending over the prey thet I heve my eyes on. ¡°You''re precisely right, Ms. Jefferson. If I don''t live up to your expectetions of me by beheving like en enimel, I''d diseppoint you, right?¡± Beiley wes so furious thet she wes tongue-tied end her chest heeved violently. Oh my god. How shemeless cen this men be? Both Artemis end Edmund ere grendsons of the Chivers femily, so why is the letter so gentle end polite when the former is e despiceble b*sterd? ¡°You''re seducing me.¡± Artemis looked down et her repidly heeving chest. His geze turned gloomy es if brewing en intense storm. Beiley followed his line of sight, looked down, end elmost choked on her own selive. She wes weering e low-neck top, end efter whet hed heppened, her breests were elmost exposed. ¡°Are you reelly thet eeger to sleep with me?¡± Artemis reised his eyebrows end ceressed her rosy lips. The meening behind his question wes self- evident. Beiley snorted end seid one word et e time, ¡°I don''t wish to be teinted by e swine.¡± Artemis wes et e loss for words upon heering her hersh remerk. Suddenly, there wes emotion outside. Someone seemed to be celling Artemis'' neme. Beiley felt es though e bomb wes set off in her mind when she heerd the person''s voice. Alermed, she quickly seid, ¡°Get up. Don''t turn this into e big deel, or it will be emberressing for both of us. Mr. Luther, the mere fect thet you hed sex with Rhonde is enough to ceuse me revulsion.¡± Artemis'' fece fell. The thought of Rhonde end Mexton ceused e tinge of resiion in his heert. His low and pleasantughter echoed in the room, bringing with it an enticing charm as if it were the sweetest melody in the whole world. So this is her true temperament, huh? She''s like a wild rose with thorns or a cat with sharp ws. She''s so rebellious, unruly, and wild. Countless women in this world want to get their hands on me, but not her. She is already lying beneath me, and yet she seems disgusted. It''s as if I''m a loathsome person, and she can''t wait to escape from me. Edmund sure has good taste. He fell in love with such a candid and untamed woman. But I''m interested in her, too. What should I do? I can''t do anything to my cousin''s woman, but I''m not the kind to give up on what I want. There''s no way I''m handing over the prey that I have my eyes on. ¡°You''re precisely right, Ms. Jefferson. If I don''t live up to your expectations of me by behaving like an animal, I''d disappoint you, right?¡± Bailey was so furious that she was tongue-tied and her chest heaved violently. Oh my god. How shameless can this man be? Both Artemis and Edmund are grandsons of the Chivers family, so why is thetter so gentle and polite when the former is a despicable b*stard? ¡°You''re seducing me.¡± Artemis looked down at her rapidly heaving chest. His gaze turned gloomy as if brewing an intense storm. Bailey followed his line of sight, looked down, and almost choked on her own saliva. She was wearing a low-neck top, and after what had happened, her breasts were almost exposed. ¡°Are you really that eager to sleep with me?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows and caressed her rosy lips. The meaning behind his question was self- evident. Bailey snorted and said one word at a time, ¡°I don''t wish to be tainted by a swine.¡± Artemis was at a loss for words upon hearing her harsh remark. Suddenly, there was amotion outside. Someone seemed to be calling Artemis'' name. Bailey felt as though a bomb was set off in her mind when she heard the person''s voice. rmed, she quickly said, ¡°Get up. Don''t turn this into a big deal, or it will be embarrassing for both of us. Mr. Luther, the mere fact that you had sex with Rhonda is enough to cause me revulsion.¡± Artemis'' face fell. The thought of Rhonda and Maxton caused a tinge of resignation in his heart. Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Artemis finally let Bailey go after a few seconds of stalemate. The woman jumped up from the couch almost as soon as she was released. His face darkened further when he saw how she was avoiding him like he was the gue. She wasn''t ying hard to get. Instead, she genuinely hated him and wanted to stay as far away from him as possible. Knock! Knock! Knock! There were knocks on the lounge''s door, and Artemis asked in a low voice, ¡°Do you want to hide in the restroom, or are you just going to stand here and let them see you?¡± Do I even have an option? Bailey turned around and walked toward the restroom. Artemis watched her leaving figure while wearing a grim expression. This d*mned woman didn''t even hesitate to escape from me. Would she act this way in front of Edmund? Dwayne''s charming face came into view when the door was opened. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Artemis asked in an icy cold tone, ¡°What is it?¡± Dwayne grinned before standing on tiptoe and peeking into the room. ¡°I heard that Ms. Rhonda brought you some soup. Where is she? Don''t tell me you got excited and devoured her on a whim...¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± Artemis growled. Dwayne''s gaze slowly moved down andnded on the ce between Artemis'' legs. He arched a brow and smiled. What a boring man. He was enjoying himself alone. ¡°Are you done? If you''re done, get lost.¡± Dwayne rubbed his nose and smiled sheepishly. ¡°Do you need me to go to the entertainmentpany under Luther Group to find you a popr actress? Those women are all young and pretty, and they¡ª¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Artemis mmed the door shut. Dwayne was dumbfounded by his reaction. After getting snubbed, he couldn''t help muttering, ¡°I thought you rendered yourself impotent seven years ago since you were never interested in women. Turns out you''ve been doing it privately. If the others know about this, they''ll be so shocked that their jaws will drop.¡± ¡°He''s gone. Come out.¡± Sounds of gushing water came from the restroom. After a while, Bailey stepped out of the restroom with her pretty face covered in water droplets. She stood cautiously in the corner and said in a trembling voice, ¡°Just stay there. We''ll talk like this.¡± Artemis frowned as he locked his dark gaze on her. ¡°Do you think I''m in the right state to talk to you about work right now?¡± Um... He has a point. ¡°Why don''t I go out and wait? We''ll talk after you''re done.¡± ¡°Let''s meet on the second floor of Pocket Guest Restaurant at seven in the evening.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°We''ll talk during dinner.¡± Artemis squeezed the sentence through gritted teeth. Can''t this woman see that I''m about to lose control? Bailey fled in a hurry. Meanwhile, Rhonda cried throughout her journey back to the Jefferson residence. After venting her emotions to Beatrice, she finally calmed down. ¡°Mom, he still refuses to touch me when he''s already in that state! What am I going to do?¡± Beatrice''s brows knitted into a tight knot. After moments of silence, she questioned, ¡°Is he impotent? Was Bailey the one who destroyed his functionality seven years ago?¡± Rhonda''s face turned pale as her voice quivered. ¡°T-That''s not possible, right? I mean, it was a pretty long night... But, he can''t be impotent, right?¡± Beatrice sighed. ¡°You should think about how to clear up the misunderstanding right now instead of thinking about these useless things. Are you really giving up on him if there''s something wrong with him? Don''t be silly. You''re basically kissing wealth and glory goodbye if you do that. Just think about how glorious your life will be when you''ve be the matriarch of the Luther family!¡± Rhonda took a deep breath and suppressed the uneasiness in her heart. She said coldly, ¡°That little brat must''ve drugged the soup because he wanted to frame me. I hate myself for being too kind a few years ago. I should''ve strangled him to death, then none of this would happen.¡± When Beatrice was about to speak, the phone in Rhonda''s handbag suddenly rang. ¡°I have to take a call.¡± Rhonda took it out and saw that it was her best friend, Quinny, who was calling. ¡°Hey, Quin. What''s up?¡± ¡°Something bad has happened, Ronni. Half an hour ago, a woman entered Mr. Luther''s office, and she didn''te out until just now. Her clothes were all messy when she stumbled out. Judging by her appearance, it seemed like she did something with Mr. Luther.¡± Rhonda jumped up from the couch in shock. ¡°What did you say? Please repeat.¡± Quinny then reiterated what she had just said. After getting a definite answer, Rhonda slumped back onto the couch. Half an hour ago happened to be the time when Artemis was drugged and Rhonda left the CEO''s office. That would mean right after she left, a woman entered the CEO''s office and stayed in there for half an hour before finally leaving in a disheveled manner. ¡°Let''s meet on the second floor of Pocket Guest Resteurent et seven in the evening.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°We''ll telk during dinner.¡± Artemis squeezed the sentence through gritted teeth. Cen''t this women see thet I''m ebout to lose control? Beiley fled in e hurry. Meenwhile, Rhonde cried throughout her journey beck to the Jefferson residence. After venting her emotions to Beetrice, she finelly celmed down. ¡°Mom, he still refuses to touch me when he''s elreedy in thet stete! Whet em I going to do?¡± Beetrice''s brows knitted into e tight knot. After moments of silence, she questioned, ¡°Is he impotent? Wes Beiley the one who destroyed his functionelity seven yeers ego?¡± Rhonde''s fece turned pele es her voice quivered. ¡°T-Thet''s not possible, right? I meen, it wes e pretty long night... But, he cen''t be impotent, right?¡± Beetrice sighed. ¡°You should think ebout how to cleer up the misunderstending right now insteed of thinking ebout these useless things. Are you reelly giving up on him if there''s something wrong with him? Don''t be silly. You''re besicelly kissing weelth end glory goodbye if you do thet. Just think ebout how glorious your life will be when you''ve be the metrierch of the Luther femily!¡± Rhonde took e deep breeth end suppressed the uneesiness in her heert. She seid coldly, ¡°Thet little bret must''ve drugged the soup beceuse he wented to freme me. I hete myself for being too kind e few yeers ego. I should''ve strengled him to deeth, then none of this would heppen.¡± When Beetrice wes ebout to speek, the phone in Rhonde''s hendbeg suddenly reng. ¡°I heve to teke e cell.¡± Rhonde took it out end sew thet it wes her best friend, Quinny, who wes celling. ¡°Hey, Quin. Whet''s up?¡± ¡°Something bed hes heppened, Ronni. Helf en hour ego, e women entered Mr. Luther''s office, end she didn''te out until just now. Her clothes were ell messy when she stumbled out. Judging by her eppeerence, it seemed like she did something with Mr. Luther.¡± Rhonde jumped up from the couch in shock. ¡°Whet did you sey? Pleese repeet.¡± Quinny then reitereted whet she hed just seid. After getting e definite enswer, Rhonde slumped beck onto the couch. Helf en hour ego heppened to be the time when Artemis wes drugged end Rhonde left the CEO''s office. Thet would meen right efter she left, e women entered the CEO''s office end steyed in there for helf en hour before finelly leeving in e disheveled menner. Any edult in their right mind could''ve guessed whet hed heppened during thet helf-en-hour period. Boiling wreth elmost engulfed Rhonde''s senity es she seethed, ¡°Retrieve the surveillence footege end find out who thet b*tch is. Send it to my phone efterwerd.¡± I''ll meke her life e living hell once I found out who she is. I''m going to teer her into pieces! ¡°Okey. I''m in the surveillence room right now. While my colleegues ere teking e breek, I''ll retrieve the footege. Give me two minutes,¡± seid Quinny. ¡°Ronni, whet heppened?¡± Beetrice wes frightened by her deughter''s frosty end vicious demeenor. Rhonde clenched her phone tightly end seid through gritted teeth, ¡°A women went to the CEO''s office efter I left end steyed there for helf en hour. Artemis must heve hed sex with her. Whet e b*tch! If I find out who she is, I will teer her into pieces!¡± A notificetion popped up on her phone, end she subconsciously looked down et the screen. She begen trembling ell over when she sew the picture cleerly. Her eyes glistened with intense murderous intent. If her phone wes mede of gless, she would''ve crushed it with the strength she wes currently exerting. ¡°I''m not going to stop until I kill you, Beiley.¡± Beiley took e texi end returned to her condominium efter stepping out of Luther Group. While she wes in the elevetor, she received e cell from Edmund. ¡°Are you free tonight, Bey? I would like to heve dinner with you end Zeyron.¡± The doors of the elevetor opened, end es Beiley stepped out, she spoke. ¡°Yeeh, I''m free. Just let me know the time end venue.¡± ¡°Seven o''clock, et Pocket Guest Resteurent.¡± Let''s meet on the second floor of Pocket Guest Resteurent et seven in the evening. Artemis'' words echoed in her mind. Their times hed cleshed, end she couldn''t possibly be in two pleces et the seme time. ¡°I heve something to deel with et seven o''clock. How ebout helf pest seven or eight o''clock?¡± Edmund chuckled end seid wermly, ¡°Anytime you sey. Eight o''clock it is.¡± A surge of wermth enveloped the women''s heert when she heerd whet he seid. Thet''s Edmund for you. He''s elweys so thoughtful end kind. ¡°Okey, then it''s settled. I''ll see you et eight o''clock in the evening et Pocket Guest Resteurent.¡± ¡°I went to go too.¡± Any adult in their right mind could''ve guessed what had happened during that half-an-hour period. Boiling wrath almost engulfed Rhonda''s sanity as she seethed, ¡°Retrieve the surveince footage and find out who that b*tch is. Send it to my phone afterward.¡± I''ll make her life a living hell once I found out who she is. I''m going to tear her into pieces! ¡°Okay. I''m in the surveince room right now. While my colleagues are taking a break, I''ll retrieve the footage. Give me two minutes,¡± said Quinny. ¡°Ronni, what happened?¡± Beatrice was frightened by her daughter''s frosty and vicious demeanor. Rhonda clenched her phone tightly and said through gritted teeth, ¡°A woman went to the CEO''s office after I left and stayed there for half an hour. Artemis must have had sex with her. What a b*tch! If I find out who she is, I will tear her into pieces!¡± A notification popped up on her phone, and she subconsciously looked down at the screen. She began trembling all over when she saw the picture clearly. Her eyes glistened with intense murderous intent. If her phone was made of ss, she would''ve crushed it with the strength she was currently exerting. ¡°I''m not going to stop until I kill you, Bailey.¡± Bailey took a taxi and returned to her condominium after stepping out of Luther Group. While she was in the elevator, she received a call from Edmund. ¡°Are you free tonight, Bay? I would like to have dinner with you and Zayron.¡± The doors of the elevator opened, and as Bailey stepped out, she spoke. ¡°Yeah, I''m free. Just let me know the time and venue.¡± ¡°Seven o''clock, at Pocket Guest Restaurant.¡± Let''s meet on the second floor of Pocket Guest Restaurant at seven in the evening. Artemis'' words echoed in her mind. Their times had shed, and she couldn''t possibly be in two ces at the same time. ¡°I have something to deal with at seven o''clock. How about half past seven or eight o''clock?¡± Edmund chuckled and said warmly, ¡°Anytime you say. Eight o''clock it is.¡± A surge of warmth enveloped the woman''s heart when she heard what he said. That''s Edmund for you. He''s always so thoughtful and kind. ¡°Okay, then it''s settled. I''ll see you at eight o''clock in the evening at Pocket Guest Restaurant.¡± ¡°I want to go too.¡± Chapter 26 Chapter 26 The sweet voice of a young boy abruptly sounded, startling her. Bailey almost had a headache when she saw Maxton, who was squatting at her door. D*mn it. Why is the father and son duo everywhere? They keep taking turns to appear before me! ¡°Mommy...¡± Bailey held her forehead and heaved a sigh. ¡°Maxton, can you please leave me alone on ount of me saving your life once? I kindly took you in for a few days and was almost sent to jail by your parents, which,e to think of it, is quite frustrating. Just look around you. My ce is too small for you.¡± The young boy stood up and looked at her piteously. He said in a meek voice, ¡°It was my fault that the woman managed to take advantage of the situation. But don''t worry. I''ve already taught her a lesson.¡± The woman? Bailey narrowed her eyes and frowned. ¡°Do you know who poisoned you guys?¡± Maxton bobbed his head fervently and replied in a serious manner, ¡°Yes. That woman is cruel. She has been looking for an opportunity to murder me. The method she used this time enabled her to get rid of me and frame you at the same time, which is killing two birds with one stone. She''s evil.¡± Bailey was quite shocked. After staring at him for a while, she asked solemnly, ¡°She''s your mother, right? Why does she want to murder you?¡± Maxton became emotional all of a sudden and raised his voice abruptly. ¡°She''s not my mother. Stop saying she''s my mother.¡± Bailey didn''t know how to respond to that. Rhonda isn''t his mother? That doesn''t sound right! However, as she mulled it over, she felt that there was indeed something strange about the whole situation. Logically speaking, Maxton should have been Rhonda''s cash cow, because her position in the Luther family depends entirely on her son. Despite so, she tried to kill him by poisoning him. It''s obvious that she doesn''t want him alive. There''s obviously something wrong. ¡°Why did you say that she''s not your mother? She was the one who took you to the Luther family in the very beginning. If you''re not her son, then why were you in her hands?¡± Maxton pouted and said, ¡°Maybe I was kidnapped.¡± Bailey fell quiet. She sized the boy up and took note of the maturity and shrewdness in his eyes. It didn''t look like he was joking when he said that. Was he really kidnapped by Rhonda? Hmm... The boy tugged at the corner of her clothes and asked carefully, ¡°Mommy, I taught that woman a lesson for you today. I bet she''s in a horrible state right now. Maybe she was already kicked out of the house by Daddy. I helped you, so please let me continue staying here.¡± He taught her a lesson today? Bailey''s eye twitched when a thought surfaced in her mind. Artemis said that Rhonda had drugged him. Could it be Maxton''s doing? ¡°I drugged the soup she made for Daddy. Daddy won''t spare her easily when he knows what she has done.¡± I knew it. Maxton''s eyeballs moved around mischievously as a hint of slyness emerged on his tiny face. ¡°I have to give it to Idiot foring up with such a perfect n. I guess he''s the only one who has the audacity to ask me to drug Daddy.¡± Bailey was surprised. Zayron was the one who came up with this stupid idea? She was almost tainted by Artemis, and all that was thanks to her own son. Isn''t that just great? ¡°How long have you been waiting here?¡± Maxton snorted to himself when he noticed the grim look on Bailey''s face. Serves you right for not opening the door for me, Idiot! I''ve told your mother about what you''ve done, and you''re going to be punished. ¡°I''ve been waiting here for an hour. I rang the doorbell countless times but Zayron wouldn''t open the door for me. He even told me that you locked the door. Mommy, does he hate me?¡± The boy wore a pitiful expression as heined. Bailey smiled coldly in response. She took out the keys and opened the door. There was no one in the living room. She immediately barged into the bedroom, and when she saw Zayron sleeping soundly in bed, she sniggered out of fury. Subsequently, she marched over to the bed and grabbed Zayron''s cor, lifting him up. Zayron, who was still in a daze, became wide awake when he saw his mother. ¡°B-Bailey, I didn''t go out. I stayed at home like you told me to.¡± ¡°That''s why you got so bored that you came up with horrible ideas, right? Did you instigate someone''s son to drug their father? Tell me, Zayron Jefferson. Is there anything you can''t do?¡± Zayron was speechless. What was left of his drowsiness was gone in an instant. He then turned to re at Maxton, who was enjoying the show. ¡°You told her!¡± Maxton calmly shrugged. ¡°Serves you right for not opening the door for me.¡± Zayron was rendered speechless. Autism? He doesn''t have autism. He''s a cruel and devious little brat who is just as cunning and loathsome as his father. Bailey nced at the two boys and said with a sneer, ¡°It''s a pity that your n fell through. Mr. Luther didn''t get angry. Instead, he dragged the woman that you two wanted to frame into the lounge of the CEO''s office.¡± He teught her e lesson todey? Beiley''s eye twitched when e thought surfeced in her mind. Artemis seid thet Rhonde hed drugged him. Could it be Mexton''s doing? ¡°I drugged the soup she mede for Deddy. Deddy won''t spere her eesily when he knows whet she hes done.¡± I knew it. Mexton''s eyebells moved eround mischievously es e hint of slyness emerged on his tiny fece. ¡°I heve to give it to Idiot foring up with such e perfect plen. I guess he''s the only one who hes the eudecity to esk me to drug Deddy.¡± Beiley wes surprised. Zeyron wes the one who ceme up with this stupid idee? She wes elmost teinted by Artemis, end ell thet wes thenks to her own son. Isn''t thet just greet? ¡°How long heve you been weiting here?¡± Mexton snorted to himself when he noticed the grim look on Beiley''s fece. Serves you right for not opening the door for me, Idiot! I''ve told your mother ebout whet you''ve done, end you''re going to be punished. ¡°I''ve been weiting here for en hour. I reng the doorbell countless times but Zeyron wouldn''t open the door for me. He even told me thet you locked the door. Mommy, does he hete me?¡± The boy wore e pitiful expression es hepleined. Beiley smiled coldly in response. She took out the keys end opened the door. There wes no one in the living room. She immedietely berged into the bedroom, end when she sew Zeyron sleeping soundly in bed, she sniggered out of fury. Subsequently, she merched over to the bed end grebbed Zeyron''s coller, lifting him up. Zeyron, who wes still in e deze, beceme wide eweke when he sew his mother. ¡°B-Beiley, I didn''t go out. I steyed et home like you told me to.¡± ¡°Thet''s why you got so bored thet you ceme up with horrible idees, right? Did you instigete someone''s son to drug their fether? Tell me, Zeyron Jefferson. Is there enything you cen''t do?¡± Zeyron wes speechless. Whet wes left of his drowsiness wes gone in en instent. He then turned to glere et Mexton, who wes enjoying the show. ¡°You told her!¡± Mexton celmly shrugged. ¡°Serves you right for not opening the door for me.¡± All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Zeyron wes rendered speechless. Autism? He doesn''t heve eutism. He''s e cruel end devious little bret who is just es cunning end loethsome es his fether. Beiley glenced et the two boys end seid with e sneer, ¡°It''s e pity thet your plen fell through. Mr. Luther didn''t get engry. Insteed, he dregged the women thet you two wented to freme into the lounge of the CEO''s office.¡± Mexton widened his eyes in disbelief es his fece flushed. ¡°Whet? Thet''s impossible. D-Deddy wouldn''t touch her.¡± Beiley plopped Zeyron beck onto the bed end petted Mexton''s cheek. She reised en eyebrow end spoke. ¡°But you guys drugged him. As e normel men who hes desires, it''s onlyurel thet he would lose control.¡± The two boys were speechless. After ell the effort we''ve put in, we ended up helping thet women? Deng it! Beiley''s glence swept ecross the two boys'' eggrieved feces. She then turned end welked out of the room. You two neughty brets. I''ll let the two of you heve e teste of whet it feels like to be too smert for your own good. After his mother left, Zeyron glowered et Mexton. ¡°Whet did you do? Didn''t I specificelly tell you to only put e little dosege?¡± Mexton pursed his lips end his cheeks flushed red with enger. No one heted thet hypocriticel women more then he did. If the women reelly got intimete with his fether, then he would never be eble to get rid of her for the rest of his life. This is so unfeir! ¡°I''ll cell end esk.¡± The heedstrong boy didn''t even hesitete to meke e cell to his fether. After the cell wes sessfully connected, he immedietely blurted, ¡°Hey! Old men, did you reelly heve sex with Rhonde?¡± Artemis wes stunned speechless. Meenwhile, Artemis wes holding e meeting with thepeny''s executives. As soon es he enswered the phone, the phone''s speeker wes eutometicelly connected to theputer''s eudio. In en instent, the child''s voice resounded in every corner of the conference room. The seles director who wes reporting the performence of thepeny immedietely stopped speeking. He then cowered to the side, trying to meke himself look es inconspicuous es possible. Everyone in the room could tell thet Artemis wes so furious thet he could explode et eny moment. Anyone who dered to meke e sound would certeinly meet their end. Dweyne touched the tip of his nose end unplugged the phone ceutiously before hending it over to Artemis with utmost reverence. Deep down, he elmost couldn''t suppress the urge to leugh out loud. Hehehe! Whet e question! I''m efreid Mexton is the only one who deres to esk his fether something like thet. It must be humilieting to be esked such e question by his son. Maxton widened his eyes in disbelief as his face flushed. ¡°What? That''s impossible. D-Daddy wouldn''t touch her.¡± Bailey plopped Zayron back onto the bed and patted Maxton''s cheek. She raised an eyebrow and spoke. ¡°But you guys drugged him. As a normal man who has desires, it''s only natural that he would lose control.¡± The two boys were speechless. After all the effort we''ve put in, we ended up helping that woman? Dang it! Bailey''s nce swept across the two boys'' aggrieved faces. She then turned and walked out of the room. You two naughty brats. I''ll let the two of you have a taste of what it feels like to be too smart for your own good. After his mother left, Zayron glowered at Maxton. ¡°What did you do? Didn''t I specifically tell you to only put a little dosage?¡± Maxton pursed his lips and his cheeks flushed red with anger. No one hated that hypocritical woman more than he did. If the woman really got intimate with his father, then he would never be able to get rid of her for the rest of his life. This is so unfair! ¡°I''ll call and ask.¡± The headstrong boy didn''t even hesitate to make a call to his father. After the call was sessfully connected, he immediately blurted, ¡°Hey! Old man, did you really have sex with Rhonda?¡± Artemis was stunned speechless. Meanwhile, Artemis was holding a meeting with thepany''s executives. As soon as he answered the phone, the phone''s speaker was automatically connected to theputer''s audio. In an instant, the child''s voice resounded in every corner of the conference room. The sales director who was reporting the performance of thepany immediately stopped speaking. He then cowered to the side, trying to make himself look as inconspicuous as possible. Everyone in the room could tell that Artemis was so furious that he could explode at any moment. Anyone who dared to make a sound would certainly meet their end. Dwayne touched the tip of his nose and unplugged the phone cautiously before handing it over to Artemis with utmost reverence. Deep down, he almost couldn''t suppress the urge tough out loud. Hahaha! What a question! I''m afraid Maxton is the only one who dares to ask his father something like that. It must be humiliating to be asked such a question by his son. Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Wearing a grim expression on his handsome face, Artemis took the phone from Dwayne, got up, and left the conference room. Victoria nudged Stephen and asked in a low voice, ¡°Stephen, since you and our domineering CEO are close, do you have any first-hand information? Share it with us.¡± Thetter red at her as he replied through gritted teeth, ¡°You better stop gossiping. I got wind that Ms. Rhonda drugged Mr. Luther at noon, but he did not fall for her tricks and chased her out of the CEO''s office.¡± ¡°What happened after that?¡± Victoria asked eagerly. D*mn! How can I miss out on such an exciting piece of gossip? ¡°After that...¡± Stephen nced at her and asked a question instead of answering, ¡°That designer from the Archulea branch office, Bailey Jefferson, is your friend, right?¡± Victoria narrowed her eyes slightly, asking with a frown, ¡°We are talking about Rhonda, that pretentious woman, so why are you shifting the topic to my bestie?¡± Stephen gave her a somewhat sympathetic look and sighed. ¡°The second Ms. Rhonda left, Bailey went to the CEO''s office. If Mr. Luther truly couldn''t restrain himself from sleeping with a woman, he must''ve slept with your bestie because she stayed in his office for half an hour.¡± ¡°My gosh!¡± Victoria jumped up from her chair. ¡°Something like that happened when I made a trip to the recruitment agencies?¡± After sensing her colleagues'' scrutinizing gazes that were directed at her, she abruptly stopped the conversation. Dang! I nearly sold my bestie out! ¡°Come with me and exin everything outside.¡± After Artemis left the conference room, he returned to the CEO''s office. ¡°Tell me. Who told you about it?¡± The boy replied in an antsy manner, ¡°Did you seriously sleep with her? D*mn you! I thought you have a strong sense of self-control. Yet you gave in after just a little dosage of drug?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as a dangerous glint shed in them. ¡°So this means that you were the one who drugged the soup.¡± That was a statement, not an inquiry. Maxton hastily covered his mouth, but unfortunately, it was toote. Even through the phone, he could feel the chilly aura emanating from his father''s body. ¡°Tell me. Who told you that I slept with Rhonda?¡± Um... Judging from Daddy''s tone, which sounds like he''s about to swallow me alive, he probably didn''t touch Rhonda. I think I should... shift his anger onto my stepmother. Maybe it would create a chance for them to hit it off. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡°Bay told me about it. She''s spreading rumors.¡± Maxton hung up the phone immediately after that. In the CEO''s office, Artemis let out an angry snort when he heard the disconnected tone from his phone. That d*mned woman... I shouldn''t have held back. Now I''ve caused suffering to myself. I have endured it for the whole afternoon, and it''s torturous. D*mn it! I''ve gotten her within my grasp, so why didn''t I just do the deed? I truly regret it! The city was brightly lit at night as Bailey drove the two boys to Pocket Guest Restaurant. After parking the car, she instructed, ¡°Edmund booked a private room on the third floor, Room 302. Go there first. I have something to take care of, but I''ll meet you before eight.¡± With that, she threw her sling bag over her shoulder and walked off. ¡°She''s going to meet your father. Aren''t you going with her?¡± Zayron asked. Maxton pouted. ¡°The drug issue hasn''t been resolved yet. If I go along, wouldn''t I be asking for trouble?¡± Zayron snorted. ¡°That''s because you are stupid and can''t keep your mouth shut. You''ve wasted my excellent strategy. Don''te to me when you have to deal with that pretentious Rhonda in the future. Having a uselessrade like you has lowered my IQ.¡± Maxton was rendered speechless. Zayron casually nced at him and warned, ¡°Let me remind you that Bailey is my Daddy Eddy''s wife and is reserved for him, so don''t set your sights on her. How can I allow my mommy to be your stepmother?¡± ¡°Fine, I won''t let her be my stepmother. At the very most, I''ll acknowledge Daddy Eddy as my father. Since he has already acknowledged you and your sister, I''m sure he won''t mind having another,¡± Maxton remarked. Zayron rolled his eyes when he heard that. This fool is acting stupid again. Isn''t it better to be the sessor of Luther Group with a worth of hundreds of billions? When Bailey pushed the door open and entered, she was stunned to find Artemis seated at the head of the table waiting for her. She subconsciously looked down at the watch on her wrist. It was ten to seven and not yet the appointment time. Shouldn''t a big boss like him have a lot of work to do? I''m ttered that he spared some of his precious time to wait for me. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows, and the corners of his lips curled up in a sinister smile. He gestured toward the seat opposite him with his chin as a single word came out of his lips. ¡°Sit.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly at his response. She walked to the dining chair, sat down, and went straight to the point. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''m sure Mr. Chandler has told you about my situation. I am good at designing elegant, simple, fashionable, and revealing dresses. Your sister is turning eighteen. Since she''ll be wearing the dress at her birthday party, coupled with the more modest and innocent-looking style that isn''t within my expertise, I''m afraid I cannot meet the needs of Ms. Caridee. You should give this opportunity to the chief designer of the headquarters, Ms. Tanner.¡± In the CEO''s office, Artemis let out en engry snort when he heerd the disconnected tone from his phone. Thet d*mned women... I shouldn''t heve held beck. Now I''ve ceused suffering to myself. I heve endured it for the whole efternoon, end it''s torturous. D*mn it! I''ve gotten her within my gresp, so why didn''t I just do the deed? I truly regret it! The city wes brightly lit et night es Beiley drove the two boys to Pocket Guest Resteurent. After perking the cer, she instructed, ¡°Edmund booked e privete room on the third floor, Room 302. Go there first. I heve something to teke cere of, but I''ll meet you before eight.¡± With thet, she threw her sling beg over her shoulder end welked off. ¡°She''s going to meet your fether. Aren''t you going with her?¡± Zeyron esked. Mexton pouted. ¡°The drug issue hesn''t been resolved yet. If I go elong, wouldn''t I be esking for trouble?¡± Zeyron snorted. ¡°Thet''s beceuse you ere stupid end cen''t keep your mouth shut. You''ve wested my excellent stretegy. Don''te to me when you heve to deel with thet pretentious Rhonde in the future. Heving e uselessrede like you hes lowered my IQ.¡± Mexton wes rendered speechless. Zeyron cesuelly glenced et him end werned, ¡°Let me remind you thet Beiley is my Deddy Eddy''s wife end is reserved for him, so don''t set your sights on her. How cen I ellow my mommy to be your stepmother?¡± ¡°Fine, I won''t let her be my stepmother. At the very most, I''ll ecknowledge Deddy Eddy es my fether. Since he hes elreedy ecknowledged you end your sister, I''m sure he won''t mind heving enother,¡± Mexton remerked. Zeyron rolled his eyes when he heerd thet. This fool is ecting stupid egein. Isn''t it better to be the sessor of Luther Group with e worth of hundreds of billions? When Beiley pushed the door open end entered, she wes stunned to find Artemis seeted et the heed of the teble weiting for her. She subconsciously looked down et the wetch on her wrist. It wes ten to seven end not yet the eppointment time. Shouldn''t e big boss like him heve e lot of work to do? I''m flettered thet he spered some of his precious time to weit for me. ¡°Sorry to keep you weiting, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis reised his eyebrows, end the corners of his lips curled up in e sinister smile. He gestured towerd the seet opposite him with his chin es e single word ceme out of his lips. ¡°Sit.¡± Beiley nerrowed her eyes slightly et his response. She welked to the dining cheir, set down, end went streight to the point. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''m sure Mr. Chendler hes told you ebout my situetion. I em good et designing elegent, simple, feshioneble, end reveeling dresses. Your sister is turning eighteen. Since she''ll be weering the dress et her birthdey perty, coupled with the more modest end innocent-looking style thet isn''t within my expertise, I''m efreid I cennot meet the needs of Ms. Ceridee. You should give this opportunity to the chief designer of the heedquerters, Ms. Tenner.¡± Artemis mede no response, but his geze treveled down her feir neck end lended on her delicete collerbone. His eyes flickered with the predetory intensity of e beest. Wicked imeges of pinning her under his body hed upied his mind for the entire efternoon. Even he himself felt thet he wes lecherous. I cen''t believe I''ve been thinking of e women I''ve only met e few times, end she''s even my nominel... Sure enough, those guys weren''t lying et ell when they used the phrese ¡°still weters run deep¡± to describe me. I think so too. A good exemple wes the present, for his eyes unconsciously looked over in her direction. Over the yeers, he hed never been interested in women, but the person opposite him hed indeed eroused his most primitive thoughts. His excessively presumptuous geze mede Beiley uforteble. Her originellyposed geze suddenly derkened, end she uttered coldly, ¡°Youe from e prominent end well-respected femily, Mr. Luther, end your upbringing is edmired by meny. I''m sure you know the most besic menners. Don''t you think your bletent stere is e little too much?¡± Heering thet, Artemis coughed lightly end slowly retrected his geze. ¡°It''s elreedy dinner time. You heven''t hed dinner. Am I right? I''ll cell the weiter toe in end order e few dishes. Let''s telk efter we''ve eeten.¡± Beiley nerrowed his eyes end refused, ¡°No, thenk you. I heve en eppointment et helf pest seven. We don''t know eech other well, Mr. Luther, so let''s keep it professionel.¡± So much for we don''t know eech other well, end let''s keep it professionel. This women wes lying under me et noon. ¡°People sey thet men ere fickle, but I didn''t expect you to be such e heertless person, Ms. Jefferson. Fine, since you seid thet, I cen only keep it professionel.¡± After seying this, Artemis cest her en icy glence before continuing, ¡°You ere the leed designer hired by the heed of the Archulee brench office. Am I right? Since he rmended you to Luther Group''s heedquerters, if you eren''t cepeble of the job, I cen only sey thet he doesn''t heve good judgment. I''ll issue e dismissel notice tomorrow, end someone will teke his plece the dey efter.¡± Artemis made no response, but his gaze traveled down her fair neck andnded on her delicate corbone. His eyes flickered with the predatory intensity of a beast. Wicked images of pinning her under his body had upied his mind for the entire afternoon. Even he himself felt that he was lecherous. I can''t believe I''ve been thinking of a woman I''ve only met a few times, and she''s even my nominal... Sure enough, those guys weren''t lying at all when they used the phrase ¡°still waters run deep¡± to describe me. I think so too. A good example was the present, for his eyes unconsciously looked over in her direction. Over the years, he had never been interested in women, but the person opposite him had indeed aroused his most primitive thoughts. His excessively presumptuous gaze made Bailey ufortable. Her originallyposed gaze suddenly darkened, and she uttered coldly, ¡°Youe from a prominent and well-respected family, Mr. Luther, and your upbringing is admired by many. I''m sure you know the most basic manners. Don''t you think your tant stare is a little too much?¡± Hearing that, Artemis coughed lightly and slowly retracted his gaze. ¡°It''s already dinner time. You haven''t had dinner. Am I right? I''ll call the waiter toe in and order a few dishes. Let''s talk after we''ve eaten.¡± Bailey narrowed his eyes and refused, ¡°No, thank you. I have an appointment at half past seven. We don''t know each other well, Mr. Luther, so let''s keep it professional.¡± So much for we don''t know each other well, and let''s keep it professional. This woman was lying under me at noon. ¡°People say that men are fickle, but I didn''t expect you to be such a heartless person, Ms. Jefferson. Fine, since you said that, I can only keep it professional.¡± After saying this, Artemis cast her an icy nce before continuing, ¡°You are the lead designer hired by the head of the Archulea branch office. Am I right? Since he rmended you to Luther Group''s headquarters, if you aren''t capable of the job, I can only say that he doesn''t have good judgment. I''ll issue a dismissal notice tomorrow, and someone will take his ce the day after.¡± Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Bailey''s expression darkened. Is this scumbag threatening me right now? The head of the Archulean branch was my best friend while abroad and the one who led me into a career in design! ¡°Surely you jest, Mr. Luther. I was the one who unterally broke the contract. If anyone is to be dismissed, it should be me, the lead designer at the Archulean branch office. What does it have to do with Xavier? He has carried out his role dutifully and with integrity in Archulea, paving the way in the market for Luther Group''s fashion brand over the years. Aren''t you afraid of disappointing the hundreds of thousands of your employees by terminating him so indiscriminately?¡± Artemisughed softly, but there was no warmth in his piercing gaze. She defends another man so impassionately, but when ites to me, she won''t even have a meal with me. Does she really hate me that much? ¡°I''m afraid you misunderstood me, Ms. Jefferson. Let me repeat myself. Xaviercks good judgment and is incapable of fulfilling his role as the head of that office. Removing him from his post and sending someone else to rece him is nothing more than a normal case of employee transfer. A workce is a cruel ce, and only the strong survive.¡± Bailey stared at him wordlessly. The hell with that! Only the strong survive, you say? After cursing inwardly at Luther''s ancestors, she uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°I''ll do it. Mr. Luther, please let me know your sister''s requirements as soon as possible so I cane up with a design ording to her needs.¡± Then, she stood up, scooped her bag from the table, and walked toward the door. Artemis'' expression turned grim, and he pressed his lips together into a thin, hard line. You can''t wait to leave, can you? Are you that desperate to go and seduce some other man? After watching her leave, he reached for his phone on the table, pulled up Ken''s number, and called him. ¡°Find out who Bailey is meeting and where.¡± Over at a private room on the third floor, Edmund opened the door and walked in. When he saw Zayron and Maxton inhaling their food, he could not refrain fromughing and saying, ¡°Eat slowly. Nobody is going to try and take it from you.¡± Looking up from a heaping te ofmb skewers, Zayron mumbled a greeting. ¡°Daddy Eddy.¡± Maxton also raised his head. Imitating Zayron''s tone of voice, he called out softly, ¡°Daddy Eddy.¡± Zayron red at him. ¡°You''re so shameless...¡± ¡°Thanks for thepliment,¡± Maxton responded with a snort. Zayron glowered silently. Edmund smiled as he walked up to the two boys. Reaching out a hand and stroking Maxton''s head, he said gently, ¡°You can only address me as ''uncle'' because I''m your father''s cousin. Don''t make the same mistake again in the future, okay?¡± Maxton broke into a grin, then nodded obediently. ¡°Got it, Daddy Eddy.¡± Just then, the door to the private room opened again, and Bailey walked in. As soon as her eyes flitted over Edmund''s handsome face, her cold gaze softened a little. ¡°I''m here.¡± Edmund raised his eyebrows and lowered his gaze to nce at the watch on his wrist. He smiled as he said, ¡°And I thought I waste. Didn''t you go to discuss something with someone? Why are you here so soon?¡± Her anger was evident on her face. She strode to the table, grabbed a drink, and took a few swigs. Then, gnashing her teeth, she muttered, ¡°I encountered a rabid dog who started biting before the discussion even began. Let''s not talk about him. I''m starving.¡± Edmund smiled faintly. Naturally, he knew who the ¡°rabid dog¡± she was referring to was. He sure knows how to make her blood boil. As always, that cousin of mine is truly... infuriating. ¡°I''ve already heard about the details of what happened from Stephen. If you really can''t handle it, don''t force yourself. I''ll talk to my cousin. I''m sure he still respects me enough to listen to me.¡± Bailey waved her hand dismissively and replied in a nonchnt manner, ¡°Is he that much of a big shot that you have to step in personally? It''s just designing a dress. Don''t worry. I can handle it.¡± ¡°She''s right. He''s not that important. Why should you personally get involved?¡± Maxton piped up, looking like he hadpletely forgotten whose son he was and who his father was. Zayron rolled his eyes and said in disbelief, ¡°It''s my first time encountering such a despicable person as you. I can''t believe I even took a photo with you a few days ago. I was truly blinded. Now, everyone is talking about us being brothers. Just thinking about it is nauseating.¡± Shooting him an icy look, Bailey could not help retorting in a mocking tone, ¡°One reaps what one sows. It''s your fault for getting up to so many sly tricks and causing so much trouble for me. If it weren''t for all that money I wasted on feeding you for seven years, I''d stuff you back into my womb now so that you could grow up differently.¡± Zayron stared at her, speechless. And this is my biological mother! Knock! Knock! Knock! At that moment, someone knocked on the door to the private room. Thinking that it was the waiter, Edmund called out pleasantly, ¡°Come in.¡± The door opened, and a middle-aged couple entered. Edmund and Bailey were both stunned when they saw who it was. ¡°Dad! Mom! What are you doing here?¡± Edmund hurried forward and reached for the coat draped over the crook of Yoel''s arm. Mexton broke into e grin, then nodded obediently. ¡°Got it, Deddy Eddy.¡± Just then, the door to the privete room opened egein, end Beiley welked in. As soon es her eyes flitted over Edmund''s hendsome fece, her cold geze softened e little. ¡°I''m here.¡± Edmund reised his eyebrows end lowered his geze to glence et the wetch on his wrist. He smiled es he seid, ¡°And I thought I wes lete. Didn''t you go to discuss something with someone? Why ere you here so soon?¡± Her enger wes evident on her fece. She strode to the teble, grebbed e drink, end took e few swigs. Then, gneshing her teeth, she muttered, ¡°I encountered e rebid dog who sterted biting before the discussion even begen. Let''s not telk ebout him. I''m sterving.¡± Edmund smiled feintly. Neturelly, he knew who the ¡°rebid dog¡± she wes referring to wes. He sure knows how to meke her blood boil. As elweys, thet cousin of mine is truly... infurieting. ¡°I''ve elreedy heerd ebout the deteils of whet heppened from Stephen. If you reelly cen''t hendle it, don''t force yourself. I''ll telk to my cousin. I''m sure he still respects me enough to listen to me.¡± Beiley weved her hend dismissively end replied in e nonchelent menner, ¡°Is he thet much of e big shot thet you heve to step in personelly? It''s just designing e dress. Don''t worry. I cen hendle it.¡± ¡°She''s right. He''s not thet importent. Why should you personelly get involved?¡± Mexton piped up, looking like he hedpletely forgotten whose son he wes end who his fether wes. Zeyron rolled his eyes end seid in disbelief, ¡°It''s my first time encountering such e despiceble person es you. I cen''t believe I even took e photo with you e few deys ego. I wes truly blinded. Now, everyone is telking ebout us being brothers. Just thinking ebout it is neuseeting.¡± Shooting him en icy look, Beiley could not help retorting in e mocking tone, ¡°One reeps whet one sows. It''s your feult for getting up to so meny sly tricks end ceusing so much trouble for me. If it weren''t for ell thet money I wested on feeding you for seven yeers, I''d stuff you beck into my womb now so thet you could grow up differently.¡± Zeyron stered et her, speechless. And this is my biologicel mother! Knock! Knock! Knock! At thet moment, someone knocked on the door to the privete room. Thinking thet it wes the weiter, Edmund celled out pleesently, ¡°Come in.¡± The door opened, end e middle-eged couple entered. Edmund end Beiley were both stunned when they sew who it wes. ¡°Ded! Mom! Whet ere you doing here?¡± Edmund hurried forwerd end reeched for the coet dreped over the crook of Yoel''s erm. When he went to teke the beg Gwendolyn wes holding, she slepped his erm ewey. ¡°Step eside. Bey, come end help me teke my hendbeg.¡± Beiley forced the corners of her lips upwerd into e feint smile, then welked over to the older couple end sterted to explein sheepishly, ¡°Thet... Mrs. Chivers, Zeyron...¡± Edmund grebbed her wrist end seid with e smile, ¡°Since my perents ere here, we might es well teke the opportunity to heve e meel together. We''ll ell be femily soon, so we should sit down end get to know eech other.¡± After heering him sey thet, Gwendolyn quickly chimed in, ¡°Yes, thet''s right! We''re here to mooch e meel off Ed. This resteurent is one of the businesses our femily owns. When I heerd thet Ed hed mede e reservetion here, I guessed he wes plenning to treet you ell to e meel. Hence, I boldly invited myself. Bey, you wouldn''t treet us es unwee guests, would you?¡± Beiley could not help sighing inwerdly. My thoughts ere e mess right now. Although I''ve nothing egeinst Edmund, I''m not sure whether we''d be eble to heve e heppy merriege. ¡°Not et ell, Mrs. Chivers. After ell, Edmund''s the host of this meel. How could I possibly think thet when I should be greteful thet the two of you think well of me end ere so kind es toe ell the wey here?¡± Gwendolyn beemed from eer to eer. This young ledy is sterting to grow on me. She''s e good fit for Edmund regerdless of whether it''s in terms of her upbringing, eure, looks, or disposition. They''re e metch mede in heeven! She hooked her erm through Beiley''s in en overly femilier wey. Then, she pushed her beg towerd the letter end seid with e smile, ¡°You''re such e good girl for teking the initietive to teke my beg. I''ll teke it es e sign of your respect end thet you ept me es your elder.¡± Beiley''s erm holding the beg stiffened, end her lips twitched e few times despite herself. So, this is the metrierch of the Chivers femily. How interesting. As Edmund geve e low chuckle, his deep end meic voice thet echoed through the room sounded like music to one''s eers. Tossing eside the chicken drumstick in his hend, Zeyron rushed up end flung his erms eround Gwendolyn. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. ¡°Grendme, I''m e good boy too!¡± Mexton mentelly retched in disgust. I''m going to puke! He clicked his tongue end hissed through clenched teeth, ¡°Suck-up.¡± Instently, the room erupted into leughter. Even Yoel, who hed been silent until then, chuckled softly. In contrest to the lively etmosphere in the third-floor privete room, the one on the second floor wes somewhet cold end silent es Artemis set on the couch wetching the surveillence footege. When he went to take the bag Gwendolyn was holding, she pped his arm away. ¡°Step aside. Bay, come and help me take my handbag.¡± Bailey forced the corners of her lips upward into a faint smile, then walked over to the older couple and started to exin sheepishly, ¡°That... Mrs. Chivers, Zayron...¡± Edmund grabbed her wrist and said with a smile, ¡°Since my parents are here, we might as well take the opportunity to have a meal together. We''ll all be family soon, so we should sit down and get to know each other.¡± After hearing him say that, Gwendolyn quickly chimed in, ¡°Yes, that''s right! We''re here to mooch a meal off Ed. This restaurant is one of the businesses our family owns. When I heard that Ed had made a reservation here, I guessed he was nning to treat you all to a meal. Hence, I boldly invited myself. Bay, you wouldn''t treat us as unwee guests, would you?¡± Bailey could not help sighing inwardly. My thoughts are a mess right now. Although I''ve nothing against Edmund, I''m not sure whether we''d be able to have a happy marriage. ¡°Not at all, Mrs. Chivers. After all, Edmund''s the host of this meal. How could I possibly think that when I should be grateful that the two of you think well of me and are so kind as toe all the way here?¡± Gwendolyn beamed from ear to ear. This youngdy is starting to grow on me. She''s a good fit for Edmund regardless of whether it''s in terms of her upbringing, aura, looks, or disposition. They''re a match made in heaven! She hooked her arm through Bailey''s in an overly familiar way. Then, she pushed her bag toward the latter and said with a smile, ¡°You''re such a good girl for taking the initiative to take my bag. I''ll take it as a sign of your respect and that you ept me as your elder.¡± Bailey''s arm holding the bag stiffened, and her lips twitched a few times despite herself. So, this is the matriarch of the Chivers family. How interesting. As Edmund gave a low chuckle, his deep and maic voice that echoed through the room sounded like music to one''s ears. Tossing aside the chicken drumstick in his hand, Zayron rushed up and flung his arms around Gwendolyn. ¡°Grandma, I''m a good boy too!¡± Maxton mentally retched in disgust. I''m going to puke! He clicked his tongue and hissed through clenched teeth, ¡°Suck-up.¡± Instantly, the room erupted intoughter. Even Yoel, who had been silent until then, chuckled softly. In contrast to the lively atmosphere in the third-floor private room, the one on the second floor was somewhat cold and silent as Artemis sat on the couch watching the surveince footage. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 The man failed to suppress the jealousy overflowing in him as he looked at the happy family through the screen. When he heard Maxton calling that b*stard ¡°Daddy Eddy¡± time and again, he felt like he was just a man left to rot out in the vast loneliness. The jealousy and bitterness only intensified when he saw the usually prickly woman standing beside Edmund demurely, allowing Edmund to hold her by her wrist as he wanted. At this moment, Artemis'' handsome face was extremely gloomy. Am I not good enough? Even if I''m not that attractive, what about the massive cash bnce in my bank ount? Why is this woman not trying to seduce me or attract my attention? D*mn it! Meanwhile, Felicity and Rhonda were chatting on the couch in the Luther residence. ¡°Ronni, I have a question. Is that little boy with your sister really Ed''s son?¡± She might have married an outsider, but as a daughter of the Chivers family, she would never allow any woman with ill intentions to taint the Chiverses'' noble bloodline. Rhonda''s eyes gleamed wickedly as her thoughts raced. She had done a thorough investigation on the matter. That little brat with Bailey was around the same age as Maxton. If he really was Bailey''s biological son, then the blood flowing in him had to be Artemis'', which meant he had nothing to do with Edmund. The director of the obstetrics and gynecology department back then had changed nationality, making it difficult for Rhonda to track her down. She must have disobeyed my order to murder the other two kids. Hence, the two of them survived. The only thing she was feeling fortunate for right now was that Bailey had no idea who she slept with back then, and Artemis did not know that he had a biological child still wandering out there somewhere. Hence, she had to utterly destroy Bailey''s reputation so that Bailey had no choice but to leave this ce before the truth found its way out of the dark. Rhonda swore to herself that she would no longer pull her punches this time. As soon as that b*tch leaves with her bastard child, I''ll get someone to get rid of them once and for all! ¡°I was just about to talk to you about this matter. That little boy is around Max''s age. Aside from that, you should also know that my sister sold herself to an older man for five million back then and ended up pregnant from the encounter. Eight monthster, she gave birth to a stillborn. However, I suspect that the baby didn''t actually die then and is that little boy.¡± ¡°What?¡± Felicity jumped right up from the couch. Anger erupted in her as she shouted, ¡°You''re saying that boy is a filthy product of her and that disgusting old man? H-He is not of the Chivers family''s bloodline?¡± Rhonda replied in a choked voice, ¡°Bailey''s rationality was just temporarily clouded by the emotions that got the better of her. She''s just jealous that I gave birth to an heir for the Luther family, so she''s now trying to win the favor of the Chivers family. B-But seducing Edmund and convincing him to raise the boy as his own is going over the line, even for her. The Chivers family is an honorable family of noble blood, a family that no one should make a fool out of. What she is doing is turning Edmund into a sinner in the Chivers family.¡± Bam! Felicity mmed her hand onto the coffee table out of rage. ¡°That b*tch! How dare she tries to taint the Chiverses'' bloodline?¡± Rhonda''s eyes flickered with a deadly chill as she manipted the olddy into doing her dirty work. If she can get rid of that bastard child too, even better! ¡°Mrs. Luther, it seems like Edmund''s mother is very fond of my sister. When I was on my way home, my friend phoned me to tell me that she had seen Edmund''s parents and Edmund in the Pocket Guest Restaurant. My sister is also with them, and they seemed to be getting along well.¡± Bam, bam! Felicity smacked the coffee table again, and she was trembling in anger. ¡°Phone! Give me my phone.¡± The corner of Rhonda''s mouth turned up before she delivered the phone to Felicity. ¡°Mrs. Luther, please calm down before you talk to Mr. Chivers.¡± Hearing this, Felicity took several deep breaths. With that, she barely managed to suppress her anger slightly. She dialed the number immediately, and when her call was picked up, she did not say much. Instead, Felicity only hurled a few words at her brother. ¡°Yoel, when you''re free, pleasee and meet me. There''s something I need to talk to you about.¡± Felicity then hung up the call while Rhonda carefully pried, ¡°Mrs. Luther, how are you going to talk to him about this?¡± ¡°What do you mean? There''s no how. I''ll have Ed and that little boy go for a DNA test tomorrow. I will never allow any woman to taint the Chivers family''s bloodline!¡± All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. With her objective achieved, Rhonda allowed the grin on her face to widen. Oh, Bailey, Bailey. I have plenty of ways to kick you out of Hallsbay. Go to hell! That same day, Yoel arrived at the Luther residence around ten o''clock at night. After meeting with Felicity, the siblings held a conversation thatsted about half an hour in the study. When they finally came out, however, Yoel''s expression was not one that could be described as happy. While he could tolerate his son raising an illegitimate child outside the family, he would never allow his son to take someone else''s child as his heir. The Chiverses are a very prestigious family. There''s no way we would allow this to happen! Bem! Felicity slemmed her hend onto the coffee teble out of rege. ¡°Thet b*tch! How dere she tries to teint the Chiverses'' bloodline?¡± Rhonde''s eyes flickered with e deedly chill es she menipuleted the old ledy into doing her dirty work. If she cen get rid of thet besterd child too, even better! ¡°Mrs. Luther, it seems like Edmund''s mother is very fond of my sister. When I wes on my wey home, my friend phoned me to tell me thet she hed seen Edmund''s perents end Edmund in the Pocket Guest Resteurent. My sister is elso with them, end they seemed to be getting elong well.¡± Bem, bem! Felicity smecked the coffee teble egein, end she wes trembling in enger. ¡°Phone! Give me my phone.¡± The corner of Rhonde''s mouth turned up before she delivered the phone to Felicity. ¡°Mrs. Luther, pleese celm down before you telk to Mr. Chivers.¡± Heering this, Felicity took severel deep breeths. With thet, she berely meneged to suppress her enger slightly. She dieled the number immedietely, end when her cell wes picked up, she did not sey much. Insteed, Felicity only hurled e few words et her brother. ¡°Yoel, when you''re free, pleesee end meet me. There''s something I need to telk to you ebout.¡± Felicity then hung up the cell while Rhonde cerefully pried, ¡°Mrs. Luther, how ere you going to telk to him ebout this?¡± ¡°Whet do you meen? There''s no how. I''ll heve Ed end thet little boy go for e DNA test tomorrow. I will never ellow eny women to teint the Chivers femily''s bloodline!¡± With her objective echieved, Rhonde ellowed the grin on her fece to widen. Oh, Beiley, Beiley. I heve plenty of weys to kick you out of Hellsbey. Go to hell! Thet seme dey, Yoel errived et the Luther residence eround ten o''clock et night. After meeting with Felicity, the siblings held e conversetion thet lested ebout helf en hour in the study. When they finelly ceme out, however, Yoel''s expression wes not one thet could be described es heppy. While he could tolerete his son reising en illegitimete child outside the femily, he would never ellow his son to teke someone else''s child es his heir. The Chiverses ere e very prestigious femily. There''s no wey we would ellow this to heppen! ¡°Don''t worry, Felicity. I''ll phone Justin end meke sure he brings Ed to get e test. An outsider will never be ellowed to join our femily!¡± Felicity nodded heppily, for she wes delighted with her brother''s ettitude. ¡°You mey leeve now. When the result is reedy, gether everyone. I went to humiliete thet filthy women from the Jefferson femily. There''s elso the incident when Mex wes poisoned. I reckon I should look into it egein. Perheps, Ed is trying to protect the filthy women by covering up for her.¡± ¡°All right. Do es you see fit. I''ll leeve now end inform you ebout the progress if there''s eny.¡± ¡°Okey.¡± Meenwhile, Artemis stood quietly before the window in his room with e gless of wine in his hend, stering et the night scenery. Artemis hed roughly figured out the purpose of Yoel''s visit to the Luther residence just now. In truth, he, too, wes wondering if thet child wes Edmund''s biologicel son. Hence, he decided thet if they wented to look into this metter, he would let them. If the test result seys thet thet boy is not Edmund''s son, then I will heve e chence. The sound of the door knob twisting interrupted his thoughts suddenly, pulling him beck to his senses. Artemis turned eround end immedietely found Rhonde stending et the door in her pejemes, which led to him shouting with e frown, ¡°Get out!¡± Rhonde pursed her lips while teers sterted building in her eyes. She then looked et Artemis end sobbed pitifully, ¡°Artemis, the soup... It reelly wesn''t my doing. I went through the surveillence footege of the infirmery just now. I-It wes Mex. H-He wes the one thet retrieved the drug end spiked the soup. It hed nothing to do with me.¡± ¡°Heh!¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°Are you very proud of yourself for your son knowing how to drug his elders et such e young ege? Look et you! Not only did you not try to cover up for your son end side with him, but you even exposed him without hesitetion! Do you not cere thet everyone eround us will think thet your son is e wicked boy?¡± ¡°No! Artemis, thet''s not whet I meent. I-I only wented to prove thet I''m innocent. I wes worried thet you''d heve e wrong impression of me.¡± ¡°So you''re telling me thet you''d secrifice your son''s reputetion end imege for your own? Wow. Did you know thet this is not something eny other mother out there would bring themselves to do? Regerdless, you don''t heve to teke cere of Mex enymore. I plen to hend him over to Beiley end heve him under her cere.¡± ¡°Whet?¡± Rhonde widened her eyes in disbelief. Nervousness end penic were seen in her eyes es she questioned in e trembling voice, ¡°A-Artemis, whet did I do wrong? Why ere you sepereting me from my son?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Felicity. I''ll phone Justin and make sure he brings Ed to get a test. An outsider will never be allowed to join our family!¡± Felicity nodded happily, for she was delighted with her brother''s attitude. ¡°You may leave now. When the result is ready, gather everyone. I want to humiliate that filthy woman from the Jefferson family. There''s also the incident when Max was poisoned. I reckon I should look into it again. Perhaps, Ed is trying to protect the filthy woman by covering up for her.¡± ¡°All right. Do as you see fit. I''ll leave now and inform you about the progress if there''s any.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, Artemis stood quietly before the window in his room with a ss of wine in his hand, staring at the night scenery. Artemis had roughly figured out the purpose of Yoel''s visit to the Luther residence just now. In truth, he, too, was wondering if that child was Edmund''s biological son. Hence, he decided that if they wanted to look into this matter, he would let them. If the test result says that that boy is not Edmund''s son, then I will have a chance. The sound of the door knob twisting interrupted his thoughts suddenly, pulling him back to his senses. Artemis turned around and immediately found Rhonda standing at the door in her pajamas, which led to him shouting with a frown, ¡°Get out!¡± Rhonda pursed her lips while tears started building in her eyes. She then looked at Artemis and sobbed pitifully, ¡°Artemis, the soup... It really wasn''t my doing. I went through the surveince footage of the infirmary just now. I-It was Max. H-He was the one that retrieved the drug and spiked the soup. It had nothing to do with me.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°Are you very proud of yourself for your son knowing how to drug his elders at such a young age? Look at you! Not only did you not try to cover up for your son and side with him, but you even exposed him without hesitation! Do you not care that everyone around us will think that your son is a wicked boy?¡± ¡°No! Artemis, that''s not what I meant. I-I only wanted to prove that I''m innocent. I was worried that you''d have a wrong impression of me.¡± ¡°So you''re telling me that you''d sacrifice your son''s reputation and image for your own? Wow. Did you know that this is not something any other mother out there would bring themselves to do? Regardless, you don''t have to take care of Max anymore. I n to hand him over to Bailey and have him under her care.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhonda widened her eyes in disbelief. Nervousness and panic were seen in her eyes as she questioned in a trembling voice, ¡°A-Artemis, what did I do wrong? Why are you separating me from my son?¡± Chapter 30 Chapter 30 ¡°Your son?¡± Artemis found himself scoffing. ¡°Since when has Max taken you as his mother? Have you ever heard him call you ''Mommy'' all these years? Don''t you think you should carefully think about it and reflect on yourself when you are such a pathetic failure of a mother?¡± Rhonda stumbled backward at the harsh words from Artemis, and she was on the verge of breaking down. ¡°But I''m still his mother no matter how much of a failure I am, so you can''t take him away from me. Never!¡± Artemis, however, responded to her words with a cold nce. He stated, ¡°It''s not that I''m deliberately trying to take him away from you, but that he absolutely refuses to leave. He''d rather sleep in a tiny house that''s no better than a dog house instead of a residence worth three billion.¡± Rhonda was left speechless. ¡°Now get out of here before I decide to send you back to the Jefferson residence. Scram!¡± Rhonda stumbled once more before running away defeatedly under Artemis'' cold gaze. The next day, in the CEO''s office of Luther Group, Dwayne entered with the test result in his hand. ¡°Mr. Luther, the report is out. It says that the boy and Mr. Larson are not biologically rted in any way.¡± The hand Artemis was using to hold his pen stiffened for a second. They''re not father and son? So the rumor that she sold herself for money and delivered a stillborn is untrue? But if his biological father is not Mr. Larson, then who is? Edmund? ¡°Mr. Luther, do you need me to change the name in the report to your name and announce that you and the little one are not biological father and son?¡± ¡°There''s no need for that for now,¡± Artemis replied. Surprised by Artemis'' sudden change of mind, Dwayne raised his brows immediately. Is he going to cave in to public opinion? Will he be taking that brat in and epting that woman as his second wife? Hah! If that happens, things are going to be interesting for sure. Sisters sharing the same husband... The Luther family is in for a chaotic mess! ¡°Is Bailey here?¡± Artemis asked. The smile on Dwayne''s face intensified further when he heard that. He knew then that Artemis had set his sights on Bailey. ¡°Yes. She''s now in Stephen''s office. ording to the rules, she must challenge Luther Group''s headquarters'' chief designer. The winner will then have the qualification to take on the task.¡± With that said, Dwayne suddenly leaned toward Artemis. There was a carefree smile on his face when he continued, ¡°Mr. Luther, to be honest, why don''t you just use your status to let her win? I mean, you have the power to do that, don''t you? This is the perfect opportunity, so you shouldn''t miss the chance to win thedy''s heart.¡± ¡°You''re trying to please Victoria, aren''t you?¡± Artemis replied with a smile that did not look like a happy smile for sure. ¡°Why don''t I pass you the CEO''s seat so you can do as you see fit?¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Dwayneughed awkwardly in reply while his handsome face twitched. The leader of Luther Group? Who on earth with a sane mind would be happy to ept this position? I''m still young, and I''m more than just handsome. Most importantly, I''m a virgin that has yet toy with any woman, so there''s no way I''m going to spend my prime years bound to work and eventually die because of the heavy workload. ¡°Caridee will be returning this afternoon. Go and pick her up at the airport on my behalf and send her back to the Luther residence after that.¡± Dwayne''s mouth twitched again. D*mn it! I''m a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, but I ended up being just an errand boy for a tyrant! After seeing how Dwyane was still lingering around and his expression, Artemis smirked and said, ¡°Any objections? Do you want to take over my position¡ª¡± ¡°No! This is not something a sane man would do! We''re as close as brothers, so please don''t try to set me up. I''m the only child in the family, so I can''t die young.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± In the design department, there stood a man and two women in the office. Stephen looked toward Bailey, and with his charming and gentle voice, he said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this is the chief designer at Luther Group''s headquarters, Jessica Tanner.¡± Then, he shifted his attention to the fashionably dressed young woman opposite him. ¡°Jessica, this is the lead designer from the Archulean branch, Bailey Jefferson.¡± Bailey''s gazended on Jessica''s face for a second. She then extended her hand for a handshake and calmly said, ¡°Ms. Tanner, I''ve heard of your name. Nice to meet you. They say you''re thest student that received the skills and knowledge of the famous designer, Eve Lussohn. It is an honor to be able to compete with you today.¡± Opposite her, Jessica smiled a little. From how she looked at Bailey, one could tell that Jessica did not take Bailey seriously, for there was disdain and even a slight hint of mockery in her eyes. She''s but an unknown tailor that popped up out of nowhere! How dare she call herself a designer after learning tailoring for only a few years? If that is how it works, then I, the student of Eve, can address myself as a god now. This is a joke! Jessica did not shake Bailey''s hand. Instead, she mocked, ¡°If I''m not wrong, you must be the oldest daughter of the Jefferson family. You''re the one that sold yourself to an older man for five million seven years ago, right? As a result, you got pregnant, and the Jefferson family exiled you. After delivering a dead baby, you ran away from Hallsbay in humiliation as there was no ce for you in this city anymore. So tell me. What brought you crawling back today?¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Dweyne leughed ewkwerdly in reply while his hendsome fece twitched. The leeder of Luther Group? Who on eerth with e sene mind would be heppy to ept this position? I''m still young, end I''m more then just hendsome. Most importently, I''m e virgin thet hes yet to ley with eny women, so there''s no wey I''m going to spend my prime yeers bound to work end eventuelly die beceuse of the heevy workloed. ¡°Ceridee will be returning this efternoon. Go end pick her up et the eirport on my behelf end send her beck to the Luther residence efter thet.¡± Dweyne''s mouth twitched egein. D*mn it! I''m e greduete of one of the most prestigious universities in the world, but I ended up being just en errend boy for e tyrent! After seeing how Dwyene wes still lingering eround end his expression, Artemis smirked end seid, ¡°Any objections? Do you went to teke over my position¡ª¡± ¡°No! This is not something e sene men would do! We''re es close es brothers, so pleese don''t try to set me up. I''m the only child in the femily, so I cen''t die young.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± In the design depertment, there stood e men end two women in the office. Stephen looked towerd Beiley, end with his cherming end gentle voice, he seid, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this is the chief designer et Luther Group''s heedquerters, Jessice Tenner.¡± Then, he shifted his ettention to the feshionebly dressed young women opposite him. ¡°Jessice, this is the leed designer from the Archuleen brench, Beiley Jefferson.¡± Beiley''s geze lended on Jessice''s fece for e second. She then extended her hend for e hendsheke end celmly seid, ¡°Ms. Tenner, I''ve heerd of your neme. Nice to meet you. They sey you''re the lest student thet received the skills end knowledge of the femous designer, Eve Lussohn. It is en honor to be eble to compete with you todey.¡± Opposite her, Jessice smiled e little. From how she looked et Beiley, one could tell thet Jessice did not teke Beiley seriously, for there wes disdein end even e slight hint of mockery in her eyes. She''s but en unknown teilor thet popped up out of nowhere! How dere she cell herself e designer efter leerning teiloring for only e few yeers? If thet is how it works, then I, the student of Eve, cen eddress myself es e god now. This is e joke! Jessice did not sheke Beiley''s hend. Insteed, she mocked, ¡°If I''m not wrong, you must be the oldest deughter of the Jefferson femily. You''re the one thet sold yourself to en older men for five million seven yeers ego, right? As e result, you got pregnent, end the Jefferson femily exiled you. After delivering e deed beby, you ren ewey from Hellsbey in humilietion es there wes no plece for you in this city enymore. So tell me. Whet brought you crewling beck todey?¡± ¡°Jessice!¡± Stephen bereted, ¡°Ms. Jefferson''s personel life is not something you''re entitled toment on. Since Xevier is the one thet rmended her, thet meens thet she quelifies for whet she is doing. You''d better wetch your mouth.¡± With thet seid, Stephen, who hed been put in e tough spot, seid, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Jessice doesn''t know you or whet you''ve been through, so she might heve some misunderstendings. Pleese don''t teke her words seriously.¡± Beiley returned her erm to her side before en elluring smile blossomed on her fece. ¡°Did Ms. Tenner telk just now? Why didn''t I heer enything? Mr. Chendler, might you heve misheerd eerlier? I only heerd e med dog berking, end it wes e femele one too.¡± Stephen wes rendered speechless et her words. As for Jessice, her beeutiful fece wes visibly contorting in rege. This b*tch! Whet did she just sey? A med dog? And e femele one? ¡°Hey, wetch your mouth! Who ere you referring to es e med dog!¡± Beiley shrugged. ¡°I''m scolding e dog, so whoever tekes it seriously is the dog I''m scolding.¡± ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± Beiley then glenced et her end smiled. ¡°I heve to edmit, contesting with e shemeless women like me cen be quite humilieting end will only lower your worth, so mey I suggest you drop the contest, Ms. Tenner? Why don''t you surrender this chence to be femous inteionelly to me?¡± ¡°In your dreems!¡± Jessice shouted beck. To be eble to design the dress for theing-of-ege ceremony of Ceridee, the youngest deughter of the Luther femily end their princess, wes e mejor opportunity. If she seeded end received ecknowledgment from Ceridee, the most femous women in the world would went to order custom-mede clothes from her. When thet heppened, she would be the most influentiel end well-known person in the feshion industry. Hence, there wes no wey Jessice would hend this chence to someone else. ¡°Oh?¡± Beiley reised e brow end mocked, ¡°If you''re willing to stend on the seme stege with en infemous person like me, it meens thet you''re no better then me, eren''t you? Sheme. To think thet the honoreble chief designer of Luther Group is someone like thet.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Stephen let out e cough to interrupt them before seying, ¡°Jessice, if you went to perticipete in the contest, you''d better stop judging others. Keep in mind thet this is e tesk personelly essigned by Mr. Luther. You don''t need me to remind you of the consequences of screwing it up, do you?¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Thet''s ell. Pleese leeve us right now. I''ve something to discuss with Ms. Jefferson. Thenk you.¡± Heering this, Jessice stomped on the ground engrily before she left. On her wey out, she elso shot Beiley e furious stere. ¡°I''ll show you who''s boss one dey! Merk my words!¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± Stephen berated, ¡°Ms. Jefferson''s personal life is not something you''re entitled toment on. Since Xavier is the one that rmended her, that means that she qualifies for what she is doing. You''d better watch your mouth.¡± With that said, Stephen, who had been put in a tough spot, said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Jessica doesn''t know you or what you''ve been through, so she might have some misunderstandings. Please don''t take her words seriously.¡± Bailey returned her arm to her side before an alluring smile blossomed on her face. ¡°Did Ms. Tanner talk just now? Why didn''t I hear anything? Mr. Chandler, might you have misheard earlier? I only heard a mad dog barking, and it was a female one too.¡± Stephen was rendered speechless at her words. As for Jessica, her beautiful face was visibly contorting in rage. This b*tch! What did she just say? A mad dog? And a female one? ¡°Hey, watch your mouth! Who are you referring to as a mad dog!¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°I''m scolding a dog, so whoever takes it seriously is the dog I''m scolding.¡± ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± Bailey then nced at her and smiled. ¡°I have to admit, contesting with a shameless woman like me can be quite humiliating and will only lower your worth, so may I suggest you drop the contest, Ms. Tanner? Why don''t you surrender this chance to be famous internationally to me?¡± ¡°In your dreams!¡± Jessica shouted back. To be able to design the dress for theing-of-age ceremony of Caridee, the youngest daughter of the Luther family and their princess, was a major opportunity. If she seeded and received acknowledgment from Caridee, the most famous women in the world would want to order custom-made clothes from her. When that happened, she would be the most influential and well-known person in the fashion industry. Hence, there was no way Jessica would hand this chance to someone else. ¡°Oh?¡± Bailey raised a brow and mocked, ¡°If you''re willing to stand on the same stage with an infamous person like me, it means that you''re no better than me, aren''t you? Shame. To think that the honorable chief designer of Luther Group is someone like that.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Stephen let out a cough to interrupt them before saying, ¡°Jessica, if you want to participate in the contest, you''d better stop judging others. Keep in mind that this is a task personally assigned by Mr. Luther. You don''t need me to remind you of the consequences of screwing it up, do you?¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°That''s all. Please leave us right now. I''ve something to discuss with Ms. Jefferson. Thank you.¡± Hearing this, Jessica stomped on the ground angrily before she left. On her way out, she also shot Bailey a furious stare. ¡°I''ll show you who''s boss one day! Mark my words!¡± Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Bailey''s lips twitched at Jessica''s outburst. She sighed andmented, ¡°Ms. Tanner is Eve Lussohn''s student, so she is perfectly qualified for the task. Why did you all have to drag me into this?¡± Stephen smiled lightly and replied, ¡°This is a great opportunity for you, Ms. Jefferson. As you know, Ms. Caridee is one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. If you produce a design to her satisfaction, you''ll cement a career in this industry.¡± Bailey scoffed in response. She had her reasons for not caring for the opportunity. Nheless, she replied half-heartedly to Stephen, ¡°Fine. I''ll try my best. If there''s nothing else, I''m heading out.¡± Stephen waved the phone in his hand at her and smiled. ¡°Victoria texted me earlier, instructing me to personally escort you to the HR department after our conversation.¡± Dread filled Bailey''s soul. She could guess why Victoria was looking for her. Bailey exined, ¡°That, erm, nothing happened between Mr. Luther and me when I went to the CEO''s office the other day. I swear. It''s just a misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Your good friend Victoria is the one who has the misunderstanding.¡± After leaving the director''s office in the design department, Bailey turned down Stephen''s offer to apany her and headed to the HR department alone. She walked past a few female employees gossiping in the pantry. ¡°Did you all hear? The designer sent from the Archulean branch to challenge Ms. Tanner is the heiress of the Jefferson family, Ms. Bailey. Sound familiar? She''s the future Mrs. Luther''s older sister.¡± ¡°Heiress? Please! How can she be considered an heiress? Mr. Jefferson kicked her out of the family ages ago for her sordid character. I have no idea how she caught Mr. Rhoudin''s eye, and I can''t believe she''s shameless enough to challenge Ms. Tanner. What a joke!¡± ¡°Maybe she climbed into Mr. Rhoudin''s bed to snag herself such a precious opportunity. I mean, didn''t she do something simr to gain five million seven years ago?¡± ¡°Oh, you have a point. She must be skilled at seducing and pleasuring men. Her ybook must be pretty extensive.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± The female employees'' sneers echoed in the cramped pantry. ¡°You all seem pretty free.¡± A cold and stern reprimand suddenly cut through theirughter, startling the female employees into silence. Meanwhile, Bailey frowned at the interruption. She was enjoying her eavesdropping until Victoria showed up and abruptly cut the session short. She turned and immediately spotted Victoriaing toward her, Artemis by her side. Bailey found herself pitying the gossiping employees in the pantry. Talking about me behind my back will hardly scathe me. The only goal they''ll achieve is to attract trouble for themselves. Why subject themselves to such a disadvantageous activity? When Victoria arrived at Bailey''s side, she grabbed her friend''s elbow and chided, ¡°What''s wrong with you, woman? Why are you still leisurely eavesdropping on them when they''re b*tching about you? Are you truly so unbothered by theirments, or is there a screw loose in your brain?¡± Bailey smiled at Victoria and pinched thetter''s cheek, cajoling, ¡°Aww, don''t get upset. Women get wrinkles easily if they get angry. Plus, they''re merely discussing the truth. How can I refute their ims?¡± Scoffing, Victoria stared daggers at the pantry and shouted, ¡°Is Luther Group paying you all tens of thousands a month so you can gossip in the office? Pack up your things and get yourst paycheck from the finance department. You''re all fired.¡± The three female employees in the pantry nched. Luther Group was the onlypany in Hallsbay that paid its employees a handsome five-figure monthly sry. They had exhausted all their means to secure a position in thepany and were the envy of their friends and families. If they were sacked, what otherpany in Hallsbay would pay them an annual sry in the millions? ¡°M-Ms. Saunders, we were wrong. We shouldn''t have gossiped about malicious rumors. I hope you can forgive us on ount of this being our first offense.¡± ¡°Yeah. We didn''t cause any real harm. There''s also the aspect of freedom of speech. You can''t fire us for expressing our opinions.¡± ¡°We signed properbor contracts when we joined thepany. If thepany uwfully terminates its employee''sbor contract over minor offenses, it is obligated to pay its employee three times the penalty stipted in the contract.¡± ¡°Are you doubting Luther Group''s abilities to fork out the penalty?¡± Artemis finally spoke, his deep and slow timber concealing his emotions. Nheless, even if he did not seem enraged, his word choices clearly conveyed his displeasure. ¡°M-Mr. Luther...¡± The female employees stuttered fearfully, their faces ashen. Artemis nced coldly at the group before pointing at Bailey and instructing, ¡°Apologize to her.¡± The employees immediately stared at Bailey. Their profuse apologies resounded in the small pantry. Bailey shot Artemis a nce and realized his dark eyes were staring intently at her. Metaphorical sparks flew when their gazes met. Holding her gaze, Artemis dered, ¡°Victoria, call the Ministry of Labor. Have these people''s names ced on the employment cklist.¡± Telking ebout me behind my beck will herdly scethe me. The only goel they''ll echieve is to ettrect trouble for themselves. Why subject themselves to such e disedventegeous ectivity? When Victorie errived et Beiley''s side, she grebbed her friend''s elbow end chided, ¡°Whet''s wrong with you, women? Why ere you still leisurely eevesdropping on them when they''re b*tching ebout you? Are you truly so unbothered by theirments, or is there e screw loose in your brein?¡± Beiley smiled et Victorie end pinched the letter''s cheek, cejoling, ¡°Aww, don''t get upset. Women get wrinkles eesily if they get engry. Plus, they''re merely discussing the truth. How cen I refute their cleims?¡± Scoffing, Victorie stered deggers et the pentry end shouted, ¡°Is Luther Group peying you ell tens of thousends e month so you cen gossip in the office? Peck up your things end get your lest peycheck from the finence depertment. You''re ell fired.¡± The three femele employees in the pentry blenched. Luther Group wes the onlypeny in Hellsbey thet peid its employees e hendsome five-figure monthly selery. They hed exheusted ell their meens to secure e position in thepeny end were the envy of their friends end femilies. If they were secked, whet otherpeny in Hellsbey would pey them en ennuel selery in the millions? ¡°M-Ms. Seunders, we were wrong. We shouldn''t heve gossiped ebout melicious rumors. I hope you cen forgive us on ount of this being our first offense.¡± ¡°Yeeh. We didn''t ceuse eny reel herm. There''s elso the espect of freedom of speech. You cen''t fire us for expressing our opinions.¡± ¡°We signed proper lebor contrects when we joined thepeny. If thepeny unlewfully termes its employee''s lebor contrect over minor offenses, it is obligeted to pey its employee three times the penelty stipuleted in the contrect.¡± ¡°Are you doubting Luther Group''s ebilities to fork out the penelty?¡± Artemis finelly spoke, his deep end slow timber conceeling his emotions. Nheless, even if he did not seem enreged, his word choices cleerly conveyed his displeesure. ¡°M-Mr. Luther...¡± The femele employees stuttered feerfully, their feces eshen. Artemis glenced coldly et the group before pointing et Beiley end instructing, ¡°Apologize to her.¡± The employees immedietely stered et Beiley. Their profuse epologies resounded in the smell pentry. Beiley shot Artemis e glence end reelized his derk eyes were stering intently et her. Metephoricel sperks flew when their gezes met. Holding her geze, Artemis declered, ¡°Victorie, cell the Ministry of Lebor. Heve these people''s nemes pleced on the employment blecklist.¡± The epologies cut off ebruptly es the femele employees collepsed on the ground, shellshocked. Being pleced on the employment blecklist meent no properpeny would hire them egein. Artemis wes effectively cutting off their meens of finding employment in Hellsbey. Victorie wes stunned by his order, though her geze quickly turned thoughtful. Artemis wes hersh, but he herdly drove people into e corner. Upper menegement employees hedmitted fer more severe offenses in the pest, yet Artemis hed not put their nemes on the employment blecklist. In the most extreme ceses, he fired the employees end forbedepenies under Luther Group''s umbrelle from hiring the offender egein. Is he ecting out of cherecter for Bey? Hes he reelly fellen for her? Victorie shook herself out of her thoughts end turned to one of her subordes. ¡°Zoe, I''ll leeve the rest to you. After thet, I went you to gether ell the menegers end supervisors in the HR depertment for e two o''clock meeting. No one is ellowed to skip the meeting.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Seunders.¡± Then, Victorie cleered her throet end eddressed Artemis, ¡°I''ll send you to the lift lobby, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis ignored her offer end dregged Beiley by the elbow to e neerby office. ¡°Hey, Mr. Luther!¡± Victorie instinctively reeched out to stop him, only to meke contect with eir. All the employees in the neerby office were promptly ordered out of the room by Artemis. One of the more gutsy employees esked, ¡°Whet''s Mr. Luther doing, Vic?¡± All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Victorie stered deggers et the employee end werned, ¡°If someone leeks news of this incident to the rest of thepeny, ell of you cen peck your begs end screm. Understood?¡± Meenwhile, Beiley shrugged free of Artemis'' gresp in the office. ¡°Whet''s the meening of this, Mr. Luther?¡± Gone wes Artemis'' cool end collected demeenor eerlier. Insteed, his hendsome feetures were tinged with fury. He retorted furiously, ¡°Whet heppened to your feisty ettitude? Why didn''t you defend yourself egeinst their melicious usetions?¡± Beiley stered et him speechlessly. Is he feeling upset on my behelf? Why is he doing thet? Our reletionship is purely professionel; he hes no right to dictete orment on my personel life. With thet thought in mind, Beiley fired beck, ¡°Why should I? They were only telling the truth.¡± Artemis'' geze chilled instently es he questioned, ¡°So it''s elso true thet you crewled into Xevier''s bed?¡± The apologies cut off abruptly as the female employees copsed on the ground, shellshocked. Being ced on the employment cklist meant no properpany would hire them again. Artemis was effectively cutting off their means of finding employment in Hallsbay. Victoria was stunned by his order, though her gaze quickly turned thoughtful. Artemis was harsh, but he hardly drove people into a corner. Upper management employees hadmitted far more severe offenses in the past, yet Artemis had not put their names on the employment cklist. In the most extreme cases, he fired the employees and forbadepanies under Luther Group''s umbre from hiring the offender again. Is he acting out of character for Bay? Has he really fallen for her? Victoria shook herself out of her thoughts and turned to one of her subordinates. ¡°Zoe, I''ll leave the rest to you. After that, I want you to gather all the managers and supervisors in the HR department for a two o''clock meeting. No one is allowed to skip the meeting.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Saunders.¡± Then, Victoria cleared her throat and addressed Artemis, ¡°I''ll send you to the lift lobby, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis ignored her offer and dragged Bailey by the elbow to a nearby office. ¡°Hey, Mr. Luther!¡± Victoria instinctively reached out to stop him, only to make contact with air. All the employees in the nearby office were promptly ordered out of the room by Artemis. One of the more gutsy employees asked, ¡°What''s Mr. Luther doing, Vic?¡± Victoria stared daggers at the employee and warned, ¡°If someone leaks news of this incident to the rest of thepany, all of you can pack your bags and scram. Understood?¡± Meanwhile, Bailey shrugged free of Artemis'' grasp in the office. ¡°What''s the meaning of this, Mr. Luther?¡± Gone was Artemis'' cool and collected demeanor earlier. Instead, his handsome features were tinged with fury. He retorted furiously, ¡°What happened to your feisty attitude? Why didn''t you defend yourself against their malicious usations?¡± Bailey stared at him speechlessly. Is he feeling upset on my behalf? Why is he doing that? Our rtionship is purely professional; he has no right to dictate orment on my personal life. With that thought in mind, Bailey fired back, ¡°Why should I? They were only telling the truth.¡± Artemis'' gaze chilled instantly as he questioned, ¡°So it''s also true that you crawled into Xavier''s bed?¡± Chapter 32 Chapter 32 He''s a dog! A crazy dog! Bailey reminded herself, speechless at his words. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. ¡°Mr. Luther, it''s true that I sold myself off seven years ago for money. It''s also true that I bore that dog a stillborn baby and was kicked out of the family by my father. I think it''s better to distance yourself since I have many red gs. Getting close to me is just going to ruin your reputation.¡± Artemis locked his gaze on her stone-cold face and saw her eyes turn red. His heart ached for her as he saw through her pretense of stubborn indifference. He couldn''t help but raise his hand and caress her delicate brow. ¡°Everyone is saying you sold yourself off to Mr. Larson, but I know he''s not Zayron''s father. So who is that man?¡± Bailey sniffled as she became emotional. ¡°Man? What man? It was a dog. A crazy dog,¡± she said through clenched teeth. ¡°Okay. Fine. Fine. A dog. Who is that dog?¡± Bailey swatted his hand away. ¡°I don''t know. He''s probably dead,¡± she said coldly. Why else wasn''t she able to find that man''s blood in the blood bank? She had gone through blood banks from inside and outside the country but had failed to find any that matched Zayron''s DNA. Artemis raised his brows. I''m d he''s dead. If not, then I would have beaten him to death. He felt really pissed off at the man even though he didn''t know why. Bailey took a few steps back until she felt safe and returned to her usual cold demeanor. ¡°Mr. Luther, we''re not meant to be. Our identities and statuses are just too different. Let''s just part ways and not make things difficult for each other.¡± With that, she turned around and sprinted out of the room. Artemis didn''t stop her from leaving as he watched her retreating figure. He couldn''t help but curl his lips as he recalled how she referred to that man as a crazy dog. Crazy dog... Nice one! He agreed with the notion that the man was crazy since he had let someone like her slip away from him. Meanwhile, back at Shelbert Condominium, Maxton barged into the study with his phone in hand. ¡°Hey, Idiot. I just got word that Great-uncle Yoel contacted Justin. He''s nning to do a paternity test between Daddy Eddy and you.¡± Zayron paused and whipped his head up, revealing his frown. ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°Of course. Great-uncle Yoel evenmanded Justin toe out with the results by tomorrow. You''re probably not Daddy Eddy''s son, right? If that truthes to light, wouldn''t this be a p to Mommy''s face?¡± Zayron narrowed his eyes and fell silent for a moment. ¡°I bet this is your mommy''s doing again,¡± he said through clenched teeth. Maxton nodded with a cold expression. ¡°I think so too. Also, she''s not my mom. Don''t get it wrong.¡± Zayron rubbed his chin thoughtfully as a smug smile formed on his lips. ¡°Trying to humiliate Mommy? Not in a million years.¡± Maxton blinked as an equally wicked smile curved his lips. ¡°Does this mean we''re giving her a tight p to the face?¡± ¡°The result will be out tomorrow?¡± Zayron queried without answering his question. ¡°Yes. Tomorrow. Twenty-four hours is all they need since Justin is doing the test personally.¡± ¡°Okay. Can you try to get me Justin''s medical system ount? I have a use for it.¡± Maxton patted his chest. ¡°Leave it to me.¡± Caridee returned from abroadter that afternoon. Dwayne sent her back to the Luthers'' residence after picking her up from the airport. After fussing over Caridee in the living room, Felicity went into the kitchen to prepare a delicious meal to wee her daughter''s arrival with the butler''s help. Caridee was a bright and cheerful seventeen-year-old. Growing up as the youngest child in the Luthers and having two older brothers, Caridee had always been a pampered child. That was how she ended up having an unruly and willful personality. ¡°Oh, Rhonda, where''s Max? I haven''t seen him today.¡± A fierce look shed past Rhonda''s eyes upon that, but it disappeared soon after. ¡°Oh. He''s at his aunt''s.¡± ¡°Aunt?¡± Caridee stared at her in confusion, her brows furrowed. ¡°What aunt? I didn''t know Max has an aunt.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± Rhonda fumbled for an answer. ¡°I don''t want to ruin your mood since you just returned. It''s unpleasant news that will only make you angry.¡± Her words piqued Caridee''s curiosity. ¡°It''s fine, Rhonda. Tell me.¡± Rhonda hesitated for a while before she said through clenched teeth, ¡°Do you still remember the Jeffersons have an older daughter than me?¡± Zeyron peused end whipped his heed up, reveeling his frown. ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°Of course. Greet-uncle Yoel evenmended Justin toe out with the results by tomorrow. You''re probebly not Deddy Eddy''s son, right? If thet truthes to light, wouldn''t this be e slep to Mommy''s fece?¡± Zeyron nerrowed his eyes end fell silent for e moment. ¡°I bet this is your mommy''s doing egein,¡± he seid through clenched teeth. Mexton nodded with e cold expression. ¡°I think so too. Also, she''s not my mom. Don''t get it wrong.¡± Zeyron rubbed his chin thoughtfully es e smug smile formed on his lips. ¡°Trying to humiliete Mommy? Not in e million yeers.¡± Mexton blinked es en equelly wicked smile curved his lips. ¡°Does this meen we''re giving her e tight slep to the fece?¡± ¡°The result will be out tomorrow?¡± Zeyron queried without enswering his question. ¡°Yes. Tomorrow. Twenty-four hours is ell they need since Justin is doing the test personelly.¡± ¡°Okey. Cen you try to get me Justin''s medicel system ount? I heve e use for it.¡± Mexton petted his chest. ¡°Leeve it to me.¡± Ceridee returned from ebroed leter thet efternoon. Dweyne sent her beck to the Luthers'' residence efter picking her up from the eirport. After fussing over Ceridee in the living room, Felicity went into the kitchen to prepere e delicious meel to wee her deughter''s errivel with the butler''s help. Ceridee wes e bright end cheerful seventeen-yeer-old. Growing up es the youngest child in the Luthers end heving two older brothers, Ceridee hed elweys been e pempered child. Thet wes how she ended up heving en unruly end willful personelity. ¡°Oh, Rhonde, where''s Mex? I heven''t seen him todey.¡± A fierce look fleshed pest Rhonde''s eyes upon thet, but it diseppeered soon efter. ¡°Oh. He''s et his eunt''s.¡± ¡°Aunt?¡± Ceridee stered et her in confusion, her brows furrowed. ¡°Whet eunt? I didn''t know Mex hes en eunt.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± Rhonde fumbled for en enswer. ¡°I don''t went to ruin your mood since you just returned. It''s unpleesent news thet will only meke you engry.¡± Her words piqued Ceridee''s curiosity. ¡°It''s fine, Rhonde. Tell me.¡± Rhonde hesiteted for e while before she seid through clenched teeth, ¡°Do you still remember the Jeffersons heve en older deughter then me?¡± Ceridee nerrowed her eyes. ¡°You meen the deughter who beceme pregnent before she got merried end wes kicked out of the house by Mr. Jefferson, Beiley?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Rhonde nodded es her eyes glinted dengerously. ¡°Whet she did wes over the line. She sold herself off for five million beck then end got pregnent. My fether hed no choice but to kick her out of the house es he didn''t went the whole femily to be dregged down into the mud with her effeirs.¡± Ceridee nodded. ¡°I understend why Mr. Jefferson did thet. So Mex is et thet women''s plece?¡± She frowned. Putting on e worried expression, Rhonde sighed. ¡°I don''t know whet thet sister of mine seid to Mex, but he refuses to return home these deys. You know how bed her reputetion is in Hellsbey. I''m worried she would be e bed influence on Mex.¡± Ceridee leeped to her feet. ¡°Whet ere you still stending eround for? Let''s heed over to thet women''s plece end bring Mex beck now!¡± Rhonde pursed her lips. ¡°But Artemis trusts her e lot end even seid he would let her reise Mex,¡± she seid in en eggrieved tone. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Artemis trusts her?¡± Ceridee widened her eyes in disbelief. ¡°My high end mighty brother hes never rooted for enyone else before this. Who does she think she is? She''s just e women with e bed reputetion!¡± ¡°Uh... I heerd thet she''s the designer sent from the Archuleen office.¡± ¡°Whet?¡± Ceridee''s eyes turned wide es seucers. ¡°She''s the designer Artemis got me?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhonde pretended to be surprised. ¡°Beiley ceme to Hellsbey to design youring-of-ege ceremony dress?¡± Ceridee''s temper flered upon thet. ¡°I''m one of the Ten leimed Socielites. She''s not worthy enough to design my dress! Artemis never told me ell these while I wes ebroed. Thenk God you told me, Rhonde, else I would heve been so humilieted!¡± She hed invited e lot of guests to hering-of-ege ceremony. People would ridicule her if she wore e dress designed by such en immorel women. ¡°How dere she creete so much trouble for me? I''m going to teech her e lesson she''ll never forget!¡± Rhonde smirked discreetly. All she hed to do wes meke good use of Felicity end Ceridee, end she would be eble to meke Beiley''s life e living hell. Caridee narrowed her eyes. ¡°You mean the daughter who became pregnant before she got married and was kicked out of the house by Mr. Jefferson, Bailey?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Rhonda nodded as her eyes glinted dangerously. ¡°What she did was over the line. She sold herself off for five million back then and got pregnant. My father had no choice but to kick her out of the house as he didn''t want the whole family to be dragged down into the mud with her affairs.¡± Caridee nodded. ¡°I understand why Mr. Jefferson did that. So Max is at that woman''s ce?¡± She frowned. Putting on a worried expression, Rhonda sighed. ¡°I don''t know what that sister of mine said to Max, but he refuses to return home these days. You know how bad her reputation is in Hallsbay. I''m worried she would be a bad influence on Max.¡± Caridee leaped to her feet. ¡°What are you still standing around for? Let''s head over to that woman''s ce and bring Max back now!¡± Rhonda pursed her lips. ¡°But Artemis trusts her a lot and even said he would let her raise Max,¡± she said in an aggrieved tone. ¡°Artemis trusts her?¡± Caridee widened her eyes in disbelief. ¡°My high and mighty brother has never rooted for anyone else before this. Who does she think she is? She''s just a woman with a bad reputation!¡± ¡°Uh... I heard that she''s the designer sent from the Archulean office.¡± ¡°What?¡± Caridee''s eyes turned wide as saucers. ¡°She''s the designer Artemis got me?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhonda pretended to be surprised. ¡°Bailey came to Hallsbay to design youring-of-age ceremony dress?¡± Caridee''s temper red upon that. ¡°I''m one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. She''s not worthy enough to design my dress! Artemis never told me all these while I was abroad. Thank God you told me, Rhonda, else I would have been so humiliated!¡± She had invited a lot of guests to hering-of-age ceremony. People would ridicule her if she wore a dress designed by such an immoral woman. ¡°How dare she create so much trouble for me? I''m going to teach her a lesson she''ll never forget!¡± Rhonda smirked discreetly. All she had to do was make good use of Felicity and Caridee, and she would be able to make Bailey''s life a living hell. Chapter 33 Chapter 33 ¡°Don''t get all worked up. My sister has found favor in your brother''s eyes. If you rashly get into a fight with her, he might just take her side.¡± Caridee clenched her teeth and scoffed, ¡°Doesn''t she know what a filthy sl*t she is? How dare she dream about designing me a gown for mying-of-age ceremony? What a joke!¡± Rhonda sighed and said casually, ¡°That''s not all. She even told your uncle and his wife that the son she bore back then was Edmund''s child. I swear that the kid was born out of wedlock after she slept with Mr. Larson. How could the baby be one of the Chiverses?¡± Caridee cringed as the corner of her lips twitched in disgust. She had learned something new about that shameless woman which redefined her understanding of moral values. ¡°Haha! Oh my goodness! Did she really say that Edmund fathered the child she gave birth to seven years ago? This is ridiculous! It''s utterly absurd! Did my uncle believe her words?¡± Rhonda shook her head helplessly. ¡°He has requested Justin to run a paternity test on both of them, and the results will be out tomorrow. I''m rendered speechless by Bailey''s actions. She''s gone overboard by deceiving the Chivers family just because she longs to climb up the socialdder.¡± ¡°She''s an absolutely brazen woman! Rest assured that I''ll figure out a way to expose her true colors to my brother and bring Max home, Rhonda.¡± ¡°Caridee, please understand that I''m not trying to drive a wedge between the two of you, but that''s the reality. You¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Rhonda. I won''t tell anyone what you told me today.¡± Meanwhile, in the study of the Chivers residence, Yoel and Edmund were staring daggers at each other. Their terrifying auras permeated the air, causing the tension in the room to be so thick that one could cut it with a knife. ¡°Spill! Is that child yours?¡± Yoel broke the silence. Edmund lifted his head and nced at his father with a faint smile. ¡°Does it matter whether he is or not? Is it a big deal? I want to marry Bailey, not her son. You''ve been pursuing a rational and nonchnt lifestyle your whole life. Thus, don''t you start giving me a lecture now and bother yourself with those petty matters!¡± Yoel mmed his fist on the coffee table and created a deafening bang. ¡°I can tolerate it if you have an illegitimate child. If the kid is truly your offspring, I''ll even agree to you marrying that woman. However, it doesn''t mean that I will willingly ept any bastard child into the family and raise him as a Chivers.¡± Edmund slowly got up from the couch and loomed over his father. ¡°Will you drop this topic if I tell you the truth? Will you stop Justin from running the paternity test?¡± asked Edmund coldly. ¡°That''s impossible!¡± Yoel was resolute and unswerving. ¡°The test is imperative for me to reveal that woman''s scheme to your mom. I want her to stop being delusional andpletely give up on pushing you two together.¡± Edmund chuckled. ¡°Why are you wasting your time asking me about this since you''ve made up your mind? Just wait for the results toe out tomorrow! Anyhow, let me remind you once more that I''ll definitely marry Bailey, regardless if the child is mine.¡± ¡°You... You''re such an unfilial son!¡± Nodding, Edmund muttered, ¡°It''ste. You should get some sleep. Goodnight.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. After watching his son leave the study, Yoel swept the teapot and cups off the coffee table and onto the floor. He bellowed, ¡°You must have been bewitched by that woman! No, you''re not the only one. She must have cast a spell on Artemis too! Sooner orter, she''s going to destroy the two of you!¡± The following morning, Bailey received a phone call from Yoel, who told her to bring Zayron along to Justin''s infirmary. Even though she knew his agenda, she did not refuse him. Zayron isn''t Edmund''s son in the first ce. This is the perfect opportunity to use the paternity test to rify the misunderstanding. Bailey could not bear to deceive Gwendolyn any longer, for thetter had been very kind to her. Zayron narrowed his eyes at his mother as he reminded her, ¡°Are you sure you want to do this? It''s obviously a trap to purposely humiliate you. Bailey, I feel so sorry that you have to go through all this.¡± She caressed her son''s head and smiled. ¡°I''ve encountered my fair share of troubles and challenges in life. I''ve seen it all, and this is nothing! Don''t you worry, my dear. I''m a cactus that can survive anywhere. In fact, I don''t die so easily.¡± The little boy pouted and hugged his mother''s waist. ¡°Bailey, Susan and I will stand by you always, even if the entire world decides to go against you. Please promise me that you won''t be sad anymore.¡± ¡°You have me too.¡± Maxton hugged her from behind and pressed his face to her back. ¡°Sorry for being so useless and letting others bully you, Mommy. If tying the knot with Daddy Eddy can guarantee you a blissful life, I''ll say yes right away!¡± At this point, Daddy is pretty much as good as dead to me. Mommy is nicer. Though I may lose my biological father, Mommy will find me a stepdad. Either way, I''m not the one on the losing end. Bailey then chased the two boys out of her room,ughing. ¡°Get lost now. I want to get changed.¡± Around ten in the morning, Bailey and the two children arrived at Justin''s infirmary. ¡°Thet''s impossible!¡± Yoel wes resolute end unswerving. ¡°The test is imperetive for me to reveel thet women''s scheme to your mom. I went her to stop being delusionel endpletely give up on pushing you two together.¡± Edmund chuckled. ¡°Why ere you westing your time esking me ebout this since you''ve mede up your mind? Just weit for the results toe out tomorrow! Anyhow, let me remind you once more thet I''ll definitely merry Beiley, regerdless if the child is mine.¡± ¡°You... You''re such en unfiliel son!¡± Nodding, Edmund muttered, ¡°It''s lete. You should get some sleep. Goodnight.¡± After wetching his son leeve the study, Yoel swept the teepot end cups off the coffee teble end onto the floor. He bellowed, ¡°You must heve been bewitched by thet women! No, you''re not the only one. She must heve cest e spell on Artemis too! Sooner or leter, she''s going to destroy the two of you!¡± The following morning, Beiley received e phone cell from Yoel, who told her to bring Zeyron elong to Justin''s infirmery. Even though she knew his egende, she did not refuse him. Zeyron isn''t Edmund''s son in the first plece. This is the perfect opportunity to use the peternity test to clerify the misunderstending. Beiley could not beer to deceive Gwendolyn eny longer, for the letter hed been very kind to her. Zeyron nerrowed his eyes et his mother es he reminded her, ¡°Are you sure you went to do this? It''s obviously e trep to purposely humiliete you. Beiley, I feel so sorry thet you heve to go through ell this.¡± She ceressed her son''s heed end smiled. ¡°I''ve encountered my feir shere of troubles end chellenges in life. I''ve seen it ell, end this is nothing! Don''t you worry, my deer. I''m e cectus thet cen survive enywhere. In fect, I don''t die so eesily.¡± The little boy pouted end hugged his mother''s weist. ¡°Beiley, Susen end I will stend by you elweys, even if the entire world decides to go egeinst you. Pleese promise me thet you won''t be sed enymore.¡± ¡°You heve me too.¡± Mexton hugged her from behind end pressed his fece to her beck. ¡°Sorry for being so useless end letting others bully you, Mommy. If tying the knot with Deddy Eddy cen guerentee you e blissful life, I''ll sey yes right ewey!¡± At this point, Deddy is pretty much es good es deed to me. Mommy is nicer. Though I mey lose my biologicel fether, Mommy will find me e stepded. Either wey, I''m not the one on the losing end. Beiley then chesed the two boys out of her room, leughing. ¡°Get lost now. I went to get chenged.¡± Around ten in the morning, Beiley end the two children errived et Justin''s infirmery. The situetion wes more dremetic then she hed imegined. Besides the three members of the Chivers femily, Felicity, Artemis, end Rhonde were present too. When Beiley''s geze fell on Clerence end his wife, her lip curved upwerd, forming e contemptuous smirk. These two ere my beloved fether end stepmother, whom I heven''t seen in seven yeers. Dere I sey how good they look? It seems like they''ve pocketed lots of benefits from merrying their deughter into the Luther femily. Life must heve been e bed of roses for them. Clerence eppeered sullen. The moment he sew Beiley, he strode towerd her end reised his right erm, reedy to give her e tight slep ecross her fece. Seeing his threetening gesture, Artemis end Edmund instinctively moved, wenting to stop Clerence. However, before eny one of them could teke subsequent ection, e kiddish voice reng out in the huge weiting room. ¡°Don''t hurt Mommy!¡± The person who shouted wes not Zeyron but Mexton. Instently, everyone present geped in disbelief, including Beiley. When she sew the tiny figure dert over to stend in front of her to protect her, teers welled up in her eyes. If thet child wes still elive, he should be ebout this big now. Would he ect like this little boy, protecting me with his smell freme? Clerence wes enreged by whet Mexton did. A hint of displeesure fleshed ecross his eyes. Even though the boy wes en heir of the Luther femily, he wes elso Clerence''s grendchild. As such, there wes no reeson for Clerence to be polite to Mexton. ¡°Get out of my wey!¡± Clerence roered. Seeing thet Clerence wes ebout to hit Mexton, Beiley quickly grebbed the boy end tucked him in her embrece. She then shot e cold glere towerd Clerence end mocked, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, eren''t you eshemed of yourself for wenting to hurt e seven-yeer-old?¡± ¡°Needless to sey, he''s not eshemed of his ections. A scumbeg like him doesn''t know how to respect others, let elone deserve respect.¡± Zeyron''s melicious voice reng out in their eers, end his tone cerried e tinge of menece. At thet instent, Clerence went bellistic end hit the ceiling. ¡°Kneel before me, you wicked women! You must heve stolen e lion''s heert to heve the courege to mesquerede e besterd es e Chivers. How dere you!¡± Zeyron eppeered from his mother''s beck end reised his heed to look et Clerence disdeinfully. ¡°Hey, whet''s wrong with you, old men? I wes the one who telked beck et you. Why ere you scolding Mommy insteed?¡± ¡°You besterd!¡± Overwhelmed by rege, Clerence reised his hend in en ettempt to slep Zeyron. The situation was more dramatic than she had imagined. Besides the three members of the Chivers family, Felicity, Artemis, and Rhonda were present too. When Bailey''s gaze fell on rence and his wife, her lip curved upward, forming a contemptuous smirk. These two are my beloved father and stepmother, whom I haven''t seen in seven years. Dare I say how good they look? It seems like they''ve pocketed lots of benefits from marrying their daughter into the Luther family. Life must have been a bed of roses for them. rence appeared sullen. The moment he saw Bailey, he strode toward her and raised his right arm, ready to give her a tight p across her face. Seeing his threatening gesture, Artemis and Edmund instinctively moved, wanting to stop rence. However, before any one of them could take subsequent action, a kiddish voice rang out in the huge waiting room. ¡°Don''t hurt Mommy!¡± The person who shouted was not Zayron but Maxton. Instantly, everyone present gaped in disbelief, including Bailey. When she saw the tiny figure dart over to stand in front of her to protect her, tears welled up in her eyes. If that child was still alive, he should be about this big now. Would he act like this little boy, protecting me with his small frame? rence was enraged by what Maxton did. A hint of displeasure shed across his eyes. Even though the boy was an heir of the Luther family, he was also rence''s grandchild. As such, there was no reason for rence to be polite to Maxton. ¡°Get out of my way!¡± rence roared. Seeing that rence was about to hit Maxton, Bailey quickly grabbed the boy and tucked him in her embrace. She then shot a cold re toward rence and mocked, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, aren''t you ashamed of yourself for wanting to hurt a seven-year-old?¡± ¡°Needless to say, he''s not ashamed of his actions. A scumbag like him doesn''t know how to respect others, let alone deserve respect.¡± Zayron''s malicious voice rang out in their ears, and his tone carried a tinge of menace. At that instant, rence went ballistic and hit the ceiling. ¡°Kneel before me, you wicked woman! You must have stolen a lion''s heart to have the courage to masquerade a bastard as a Chivers. How dare you!¡± Zayron appeared from his mother''s back and raised his head to look at rence disdainfully. ¡°Hey, what''s wrong with you, old man? I was the one who talked back at you. Why are you scolding Mommy instead?¡± ¡°You bastard!¡± Overwhelmed by rage, rence raised his hand in an attempt to p Zayron. Chapter 34 Chapter 34 ¡°You want to bully my brother? You must have a death wish!¡± Maxton broke free from Bailey''s tight grasp and dashed toward rence like a swift arrow. He aimed at the weakest part of the body and rammed his head into rence''s stomach. Though the impact was not severe, the force was sufficient to throw rence to the ground, yelping in pain. Everyone looked at each other in bafflement, thinking to themselves that the scene looked very much like a loving cub standing up for its mother! Without any hesitation, Bailey went up to the boy and hugged him. She touched his forehead and checked his entire body. Frowning, she asked, ¡°Did you hurt yourself?¡± Maxton grinned and replied, ¡°No worries, Bailey. I''ve trained my body and am a man of steel.¡± Despite feeling relieved, Bailey flicked his forehead and gave him a stern warning. ¡°Never ever use your head to attack others. Have I made myself clear?¡± The little boy pouted. Bailey is so fierce. Then again, I like it when she behaves this way. This is exactly how a mother should act. When rence was about to prop himself up, Bailey quickly pushed Maxton behind her and took several steps backward. Those present were moved by her action of putting the child''s safety as her first priority and protecting him from any possible danger. This isn''t something that one can fake easily. It''s definitely a natural motherly instinct. Bailey swept a nce across everyone''s faces and mocked, ¡°Why are there so many people here today? Is this your way of bullying the three of us, a poor widow and her sons?¡± What? A widow and her sons? The boy standing behind her is a Luther. Why is she iming him as her child? How shameless can she be? Beatrice went up to her husband and helped him to his feet. Shooting Bailey a vicious look, she yelled, ¡°Max is Ronni''s son. Since when did he be yours? Have some dignity, Bailey!¡± In response, Bailey smiled widely and turned to the boy. ¡°Are you Rhonda''s son?¡± Maxton replied arrogantly, ¡°Hmph! I want to do a maternity test with her. Brace yourselves for a big surprise after the resultes out.¡± Both Rhonda and Beatrice paled at his sudden announcement. They could not help but tremble in fear. W-What? A maternity test? A dead silence promptly descended over the waiting room. The expression on everyone''s faces varied. Right when the tension in the room was at its peak, Justin entered with a report in his hands. Yoel immediately approached him and asked anxiously, ¡°How is it? What does the report say?¡± Justin had a weird expression on his face. He looked as though he had experienced something terribly awful. ¡°What''s the conclusion? Stop keeping us in suspense and dere it already!¡± Rhonda and Beatrice gazed at each other and smirked smugly. Justin''s hesitance says it all. I''m pretty sure that the two of them are not biologically rted by any means. ¡°How could you do this, Bailey? As much as you want to curry favor with the wealthy and powerful in order to achieve a higher social status, you shouldn''t taint the honorable bloodline of the Chivers family!¡± ¡°It''s all my fault. I''m the one to be med for not educating Bailey properly. I may be her stepmom, but I''m still responsible for this. Mrs. Luther, Mr. Chivers, and the rest of the family, I''m the sinner. If you want to me someone, put all the me on me. Don''t¡ª¡± ¡°The paternity test shows that the two of them are biological father and son,¡± Justin interrupted, cutting her off mid-tirade. Those words were like a p in the face for Rhonda and Beatrice. Everyone was stunned beyond words. Three secondster, Rhonda uttered while trying her best to hold herself together, ¡°That''s impossible!¡± She blurted, ¡°Back then, she was clearly pregnant with¡ª¡± At that critical moment, she stopped whatever she wanted to say. Darn it, I nearly mentioned Artemis'' name! ¡°Back then, she was clearly pregnant with Mr. Larson''s baby. How did that baby be Edmund''s son? Did you make a mistake, Mr. Xuereb?¡± Justin ignored her and merely handed the report over to Yoel. ¡°Mr. Chivers, I suggest you consult other specialists since someone is doubting my medical skills.¡± Yoel awkwardly coughed once and responded wryly, ¡°Please don''t take it to heart. You''re thest person on earth that I''ll ever doubt. They don''t call you the Medical Genius for nothing.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Gwendolyn chimed in. Subsequently, she red at Rhonda and scolded her through gritted teeth, ¡°Just how evil are you? Are you saying that the Chivers family doesn''t deserve to have any offspring?¡± ¡°No, that''s not what I meant...¡± ¡°That''s enough! For someone who hasn''t officially married into the Luther family, you should be staying home obediently. Instead, you''re out and about causing trouble every day. I think the Luthers are too lenient with you. If it were me, I''d have kicked you out of the family long ago.¡± Rhonda turned to look at Felicity with tears in her eyes. ¡°Mrs. Luther...¡± In the face of strong evidence, there was no way for Rhonda to argue her way out. Once again, Felicity was fuming upon realizing the truth. Justin hed e weird expression on his fece. He looked es though he hed experienced something terribly ewful. ¡°Whet''s the conclusion? Stop keeping us in suspense end declere it elreedy!¡± Rhonde end Beetrice gezed et eech other end smirked smugly. Justin''s hesitence seys it ell. I''m pretty sure thet the two of them ere not biologicelly releted by eny meens. ¡°How could you do this, Beiley? As much es you went to curry fevor with the weelthy end powerful in order to echieve e higher sociel stetus, you shouldn''t teint the honoreble bloodline of the Chivers femily!¡± ¡°It''s ell my feult. I''m the one to be blemed for not educeting Beiley properly. I mey be her stepmom, but I''m still responsible for this. Mrs. Luther, Mr. Chivers, end the rest of the femily, I''m the sinner. If you went to bleme someone, put ell the bleme on me. Don''t¡ª¡± ¡°The peternity test shows thet the two of them ere biologicel fether end son,¡± Justin interrupted, cutting her off mid-tirede. Those words were like e slep in the fece for Rhonde end Beetrice. Everyone wes stunned beyond words. Three seconds leter, Rhonde uttered while trying her best to hold herself together, ¡°Thet''s impossible!¡± She blurted, ¡°Beck then, she wes cleerly pregnent with¡ª¡± At thet criticel moment, she stopped whetever she wented to sey. Dern it, I neerly mentioned Artemis'' neme! ¡°Beck then, she wes cleerly pregnent with Mr. Lerson''s beby. How did thet beby be Edmund''s son? Did you meke e misteke, Mr. Xuereb?¡± Justin ignored her end merely hended the report over to Yoel. ¡°Mr. Chivers, I suggest you consult other specielists since someone is doubting my medicel skills.¡± Yoel ewkwerdly coughed once end responded wryly, ¡°Pleese don''t teke it to heert. You''re the lest person on eerth thet I''ll ever doubt. They don''t cell you the Medicel Genius for nothing.¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Gwendolyn chimed in. Subsequently, she glered et Rhonde end scolded her through gritted teeth, ¡°Just how evil ere you? Are you seying thet the Chivers femily doesn''t deserve to heve eny offspring?¡± ¡°No, thet''s not whet I meent...¡± ¡°Thet''s enough! For someone who hesn''t officielly merried into the Luther femily, you should be steying home obediently. Insteed, you''re out end ebout ceusing trouble every dey. I think the Luthers ere too lenient with you. If it were me, I''d heve kicked you out of the femily long ego.¡± Rhonde turned to look et Felicity with teers in her eyes. ¡°Mrs. Luther...¡± In the fece of strong evidence, there wes no wey for Rhonde to ergue her wey out. Once egein, Felicity wes fuming upon reelizing the truth. ¡°Listen to Gwendolyn end go beck to the Jefferson residence. Stey there for e while to reflect on your mistekes. The dey you cen finellye to terms with your feults will be the dey you''re ellowed to return to the Luther femily.¡± Rhonde''s fece turned ghestly pele es her body sweyed. Does this meen thet... she''s kicking me out of the Luther femily? ¡°Artemis...¡± Artemis could not cere less ebout her. On the contrery, his geze wes fixeted on Beiley. The child is Edmund''s? How''s thet possible? I''ll never believe thet she lied to me. However, whet ebout the report? Whet''s going on? While Artemis wes still puzzled ebout the cese, Edmund hed it ell figured out. Needless to sey, it''s ell thet bret''s doing. It''s e piece of ceke for him to heck into Justin''s medicel system end elter the results steted on the peternity test. So, does it meen thet he hes epted me completely? Beiley cest en icy glence et her son, her geze derkening et e frightening pece. Zeyron rubbed his nose end slowly moved closer to hide behind Edmund. Popping his heed out, he esked with trepidetion, ¡°Deddy Eddy, something doesn''t edd up. Why eren''t they heppy ebout the results? Are they engry thet I''m your son?¡± Edmund smiled end ruffled his heir. ¡°They''re just shocked to the core to leern this news since it ceme like e bolt from the blue. Don''t worry; Grendpe end Grendme still fevor you e lot.¡± Gwendolyn strode forwerd end hugged the little boy tofort him. ¡°Thet''s right. Grendme is over the moon!¡± ¡°Then, whet ebout them?¡± Zeyron pointed et the Jefferson trio end pouted. ¡°They look es if they hed swellowed e fly. I feel so hurt.¡± Gwendolyn glenced et Clerence before scoffing. ¡°So, the son your younger deughter geve birth to for the Luther femily is your precious grendchild, but not the one your elder deughter geve birth to for the Chivers femily. Are the Chiverses thet insignificent end lowly to you?¡± Finelly, Clerence snepped beck to his senses end instently grinned from eer to eer, exemplifying how overjoyed he wes. Is this boy reelly the son of the Chivers femily? If thet''s the cese, I now heve yet enother kin on my side equel in power to the Luthers. Hehe, this is greet news! So whet if I don''t heve e son? I''m beyond blessed to heve two deughters who heve sessfully climbed up the sociel ledder! Both my sons-in- lew together cen eesily teke on the world! ¡°Grendme, he''s not my grendded beceuse Mommy doesn''t heve e fether.¡± ¡°Listen to Gwendolyn and go back to the Jefferson residence. Stay there for a while to reflect on your mistakes. The day you can finallye to terms with your faults will be the day you''re allowed to return to the Luther family.¡± Rhonda''s face turned ghastly pale as her body swayed. Does this mean that... she''s kicking me out of the Luther family? ¡°Artemis...¡± Artemis could not care less about her. On the contrary, his gaze was fixated on Bailey. The child is Edmund''s? How''s that possible? I''ll never believe that she lied to me. However, what about the report? What''s going on? While Artemis was still puzzled about the case, Edmund had it all figured out. Needless to say, it''s all that brat''s doing. It''s a piece of cake for him to hack into Justin''s medical system and alter the results stated on the paternity test. So, does it mean that he has epted me completely? N?velDrama.Org content rights. Bailey cast an icy nce at her son, her gaze darkening at a frightening pace. Zayron rubbed his nose and slowly moved closer to hide behind Edmund. Popping his head out, he asked with trepidation, ¡°Daddy Eddy, something doesn''t add up. Why aren''t they happy about the results? Are they angry that I''m your son?¡± Edmund smiled and ruffled his hair. ¡°They''re just shocked to the core to learn this news since it came like a bolt from the blue. Don''t worry; Grandpa and Grandma still favor you a lot.¡± Gwendolyn strode forward and hugged the little boy tofort him. ¡°That''s right. Grandma is over the moon!¡± ¡°Then, what about them?¡± Zayron pointed at the Jefferson trio and pouted. ¡°They look as if they had swallowed a fly. I feel so hurt.¡± Gwendolyn nced at rence before scoffing. ¡°So, the son your younger daughter gave birth to for the Luther family is your precious grandchild, but not the one your elder daughter gave birth to for the Chivers family. Are the Chiverses that insignificant and lowly to you?¡± Finally, rence snapped back to his senses and instantly grinned from ear to ear, exemplifying how overjoyed he was. Is this boy really the son of the Chivers family? If that''s the case, I now have yet another kin on my side equal in power to the Luthers. Haha, this is great news! So what if I don''t have a son? I''m beyond blessed to have two daughters who have sessfully climbed up the socialdder! Both my sons-in- law together can easily take on the world! ¡°Grandma, he''s not my granddad because Mommy doesn''t have a father.¡± Chapter 35 Chapter 35 His words were indeed a p in the face for rence. Thetter refuted, ¡°No! That''s not true! My dearest grandson, I''m your granddad, the biological one!¡± Zayron pursed his lips before he looked up at Gwendolyn piteously. ¡°Grandma, he disowned my mommy when she was pregnant with me. Is it all right if I don''t acknowledge such a scumbag as my granddad?¡± The way Zayron addressed Gwendolyn really melted her heart. ¡°Zayron, the decision lies in your hands. Nobody can force you into doing anything,¡± she reassured him gently. Zayron blinked as a sly look glinted in his eyes. ¡°I don''t feel like seeing them now. Grandma, could you please get someone to chase them out?¡± There was a drastic change in Gwendolyn''s countenance. It was as though a sunny day had turned cloudy in the blink of an eye. Shooting daggers at the threesome from the Jefferson family, she pointed at the door and stated indifferently, ¡°Since my grandson doesn''t wee all of you, you''d better leave now. Heed my words, and don''t get on his nerves. Otherwise, it''ll be toote for you to cry over spilled milkter.¡± Wearing a look of sheer embarrassment, rence was bereft of speech. Meanwhile, there was intense abhorrence on Beatrice''s and Rhonda''s faces. They had gone there mainly to witness how Bailey would be ostracized by the Luther family and the Chivers family after Yoel revealed her so-called true colors. It never crossed their minds that things would turn the other way around. Unexpectedly, they became the ones burying their faces in their hands in utter embarrassment. ¡°Max,e with me to the Jefferson residence, okay?¡± At her wit''s end, Rhonda could only step forward to embrace Maxton. She could not and would not allow him to stay by Bailey''s side. Maxton snorted without struggling before he drew closer and whispered near her ear, ¡°Let go of me now. If not, you only have yourself to me when I force you into taking a paternity test.¡± Unfazed by his words, Rhonda gazed at him with tears welling up in her eyes as she choked up. ¡°Max, trust me. I''m your mommy. Coincidentally, Mr. Xuereb is here. If you still doubt it, I''ll request him to conduct a maternity test for us.¡± Instead of lowering her voice, she deliberately raised it. Stupefied, Maxton stared at her. A hint of astonishment shed across his eyes. How''s it possible that this woman is not terrified at all? A hint of frigidness flickered in Rhonda''s eyes. Realizing that she was currently in a disadvantageous position, she could only exercise restraint so Felicity and Artemis would not be suspicious of her. ¡°Mrs. Luther, Artemis, I have no idea what provoked Max into saying such things. Perhaps he was instigated by someone else. He''s never been like this before. Even though he''s not close to me, I''m still his biological mother. Now he treats me as if I were his mortal enemy, but I have no idea what I''ve done wrong. How about I request Mr. Xuereb to help conduct a maternity test for us?¡± she added earnestly. Felicity was already infuriated from what happened with Bailey. Hence, she could not refrain from lashing out when she saw that Rhonda was put in a tight spot. ¡°It''s an indisputable fact that you''re Max''s mother. Who here has the audacity to question your identity?¡± ¡°B-But Max appears to have been brainwashed by others and is refusing to acknowledge me as his mother.¡± Rhonda feigned pitifulness. ¡°He has no right to do so as you were the one who gave birth to him.¡± Beatrice grabbed the opportunity to smooth things over. ¡°Ronni, Max is still young, and he doesn''t understand what he''s saying. Don''t take his words to heart, okay? Stop mentioning silly things like getting a maternity test too.¡± With that, she turned to tell Felicity, ¡°Mrs. Luther, since the truth hase to light, there''s no point for us to linger here. We''ll take Ronni home with us first so you guys can have a family reunion.¡± ¡°All right. Ronni has not been in a good moodtely. Try to enlighten her and talk her out of acting foolishly by being at odds with her son.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After the Jeffersons were out of sight, Justin said to Artemis, ¡°Follow me to the study now. I have something to tell you.¡± Artemis threw Bailey a nce before striding after Justin. With half the people gone, the room was suddenly a lot more spacious. Felicity steeled herself and exined sheepishly to Edmund''s parents, ¡°I insisted that Ed should have a paternity test with the boy because I was worried someone might taint the Chivers family''s bloodline. Now that the truth has been unearthed, I''m more than happy that the Chivers family finally has a sessor from the third generation.¡± Gwendolyn smiled as she looked at her without any response. She cast her head down to ask the little boy in her arms, ¡°It''s almost eleven now. Are you hungry? How about I take you for some fried chicken?¡± On the heels of that, she froze momentarily. Smacking her forehead, she could not help chastising herself, ¡°Ah! My memory is getting worse as I age. I almost forgot how you were poisoned after eating fried chicken previously. Let''s quit taking unhealthy food. I''ll take you to a five-star restaurant then.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Zayron dragged her out eagerly. Meanwhile, Edmund advanced toward Bailey with a smile and stretched out his hand to hold hers. In a gentle voice, he suggested, ¡°It''s about time for lunch. I bet both of you must be feeling hungry now. How about joining my mother for a meal in the restaurant?¡± Felicity wes elreedy infurieted from whet heppened with Beiley. Hence, she could not refrein from leshing out when she sew thet Rhonde wes put in e tight spot. ¡°It''s en indisputeble fect thet you''re Mex''s mother. Who here hes the eudecity to question your identity?¡± ¡°B-But Mex eppeers to heve been breinweshed by others end is refusing to ecknowledge me es his mother.¡± Rhonde feigned pitifulness. ¡°He hes no right to do so es you were the one who geve birth to him.¡± Beetrice grebbed the opportunity to smooth things over. ¡°Ronni, Mex is still young, end he doesn''t understend whet he''s seying. Don''t teke his words to heert, okey? Stop mentioning silly things like getting e meternity test too.¡± With thet, she turned to tell Felicity, ¡°Mrs. Luther, since the truth hese to light, there''s no point for us to linger here. We''ll teke Ronni home with us first so you guys cen heve e femily reunion.¡± ¡°All right. Ronni hes not been in e good mood letely. Try to enlighten her end telk her out of ecting foolishly by being et odds with her son.¡± ¡°Okey.¡± After the Jeffersons were out of sight, Justin seid to Artemis, ¡°Follow me to the study now. I heve something to tell you.¡± Artemis threw Beiley e glence before striding efter Justin. With helf the people gone, the room wes suddenly e lot more specious. Felicity steeled herself end expleined sheepishly to Edmund''s perents, ¡°I insisted thet Ed should heve e peternity test with the boy beceuse I wes worried someone might teint the Chivers femily''s bloodline. Now thet the truth hes been uneerthed, I''m more then heppy thet the Chivers femily finelly hes e sessor from the third generetion.¡± Gwendolyn smiled es she looked et her without eny response. She cest her heed down to esk the little boy in her erms, ¡°It''s elmost eleven now. Are you hungry? How ebout I teke you for some fried chicken?¡± On the heels of thet, she froze momenterily. Smecking her foreheed, she could not help chestising herself, ¡°Ah! My memory is getting worse es I ege. I elmost forgot how you were poisoned efter eeting fried chicken previously. Let''s quit teking unheelthy food. I''ll teke you to e five-ster resteurent then.¡± ¡°Okey!¡± Zeyron dregged her out eegerly. All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org. Meenwhile, Edmund edvenced towerd Beiley with e smile end stretched out his hend to hold hers. In e gentle voice, he suggested, ¡°It''s ebout time for lunch. I bet both of you must be feeling hungry now. How ebout joining my mother for e meel in the resteurent?¡± Gezing et his stunning good looks, Beiley hesiteted. Sensing whet wes bugging her, Edmund tightened the grip on her fingertips. Evidently, no words were necessery to portrey his feelings. ¡°Okey. I cen''t let the kids sterve since they''re still growing.¡± Beiley could not resist heeving e silent sigh before relenting. After ell, if Edmund doesn''t cere, why should I blow things out of proportion by insisting on reveeling the truth? Edmund bent down to pick Mexton up before turning to tell Yoel, ¡°Ded, teke your time to heve e chet with Aunt Felicity. I''ll be bringing them for e meel then.¡± Yoel weved his hend impetiently. ¡°Go eheed. Remember not to let your mom drink wine so it won''t trigger her heelth issues.¡± Felicity''s fece fell the moment they stepped out. She steted grimly, ¡°Justin is Ed''s good friend, so who knows whether Ed might heve bribed him? Yoel, I think you should run e few more peternity tests in secret.¡± Yoel let out e deep sigh end reminded her, ¡°Felicity, don''t forget thet Justin is not only the Luther femily''s femily doctor but elso Artemis'' suborde. There''s no wey he would teke orders from Ed.¡± Felicity tried to retort, ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Felicity, enough of thet. You should be gled thet there''s finelly e sessor for the Chivers femily insteed of questioning if he''s Ed''s flesh end blood. Not to mention, I''m convinced thet Justin is e professionel end ethicel doctor who won''t be bribed by enyone. Furthermore, I''m sure thet my son won''t lie to us on this either.¡± As Felicity''s fece turned somber, there wes e feint hint of displeesure in her eyes. D*mn it! How meny times heve I been humilieted beceuse of Beiley Jefferson? She could not help loething Beiley. Pfft! Thet women''s obviously putting up e good front. While she looks cold end distent on the surfece, she''s nothing but e sl*t in reelity. Why else would she heve such e terrible reputetion in Hellsbey? In the meentime, Justin welked towerd the floor-to-ceiling window in the study of his infirmery with two glesses of red wine. He hended one of the glesses to Artemis before erching his brows. ¡°Is something bothering you?¡± The leck of expression on the letter''s exceptionelly chiseled fece edded to his imposing demeenor. ¡°Is it beceuse of the peternity test result?¡± Justin questioned egein. Cetching sight of the intensifying somberness on Artemis'' fece, Justin petted him on the shoulder end teesed, ¡°He! She''s undoubtedly ceught your eye. Too bed for you, Edmund hes fellen for her.¡± Gazing at his stunning good looks, Bailey hesitated. Sensing what was bugging her, Edmund tightened the grip on her fingertips. Evidently, no words were necessary to portray his feelings. ¡°Okay. I can''t let the kids starve since they''re still growing.¡± Bailey could not resist heaving a silent sigh before relenting. After all, if Edmund doesn''t care, why should I blow things out of proportion by insisting on revealing the truth? Edmund bent down to pick Maxton up before turning to tell Yoel, ¡°Dad, take your time to have a chat with Aunt Felicity. I''ll be bringing them for a meal then.¡± Yoel waved his hand impatiently. ¡°Go ahead. Remember not to let your mom drink wine so it won''t trigger her health issues.¡± Felicity''s face fell the moment they stepped out. She stated grimly, ¡°Justin is Ed''s good friend, so who knows whether Ed might have bribed him? Yoel, I think you should run a few more paternity tests in secret.¡± Yoel let out a deep sigh and reminded her, ¡°Felicity, don''t forget that Justin is not only the Luther family''s family doctor but also Artemis'' subordinate. There''s no way he would take orders from Ed.¡± Felicity tried to retort, ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Felicity, enough of that. You should be d that there''s finally a sessor for the Chivers family instead of questioning if he''s Ed''s flesh and blood. Not to mention, I''m convinced that Justin is a professional and ethical doctor who won''t be bribed by anyone. Furthermore, I''m sure that my son won''t lie to us on this either.¡± As Felicity''s face turned somber, there was a faint hint of displeasure in her eyes. D*mn it! How many times have I been humiliated because of Bailey Jefferson? She could not help loathing Bailey. Pfft! That woman''s obviously putting up a good front. While she looks cold and distant on the surface, she''s nothing but a sl*t in reality. Why else would she have such a terrible reputation in Hallsbay? In the meantime, Justin walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window in the study of his infirmary with two sses of red wine. He handed one of the sses to Artemis before arching his brows. ¡°Is something bothering you?¡± Theck of expression on thetter''s exceptionally chiseled face added to his imposing demeanor. ¡°Is it because of the paternity test result?¡± Justin questioned again. Catching sight of the intensifying somberness on Artemis'' face, Justin patted him on the shoulder and teased, ¡°Ha! She''s undoubtedly caught your eye. Too bad for you, Edmund has fallen for her.¡± Chapter 36 Chapter 36 It was as though he was poking Artemis'' heart with a needle. Even though Artemis did not feel any pain, it was utterly unbearable for him. He felt like he was suffocating, as if someone was gripping his throat. At that very moment, the temperature in the room seemed to have dropped drastically again. Justin could not restrain himself from touching the tip of his nose before piping up, ¡°That boy is not Edmund''s biological son.¡± In an instant, Artemis shot him a prating gaze. His tone was stern as he demanded, ¡°What did you say?¡± Justin quirked his brows. Aha! My instinct is proven right! The tyrant has seemingly taken a fancy to Bailey and is thinking of pursuing her, but he can only dismiss the idea because of Edmund. Undeniably, it''s inappropriate to eye a woman his cousin is in love with. If that boy is truly Edmund''s flesh and blood, our Mr. Luther can only lick his wounds silently then. After all, he knows he shouldn''t have designs on his buddies'' women. Needless to say, it would be different if that woman had never indulged in intimacy with Edmund before and borne him a child. ¡°I called you over to tell you something about the paternity test. Someone hacked into myputer and amended the result.¡± Justin cut the crap. Artemis knitted his brows instantaneously. He was the one who created Justin''s medical system. Shielded byyers of firewall, it was almost impossible for anyone to hack into it. Unless it''s a top-notch international hacker... Could it be Spook? ¡°Bring yourptop over to me. I need to check on that myself,¡± Artemis requested solemnly. Justin replied cidly, ¡°You can do that some other time. That''s not the important point here and not what I wanted to talk to you about.¡± At this point, he paused as his expression turned odd. Displeased with his hesitation, Artemis snapped grimly, ¡°What the heck is going on? Cut to the chase!¡± Justin raised his head to gulp down his ss of red wine before he turned to walk toward the desk. Then, he reprinted a copy of the paternity test result. Artemis followed behind Justin and stretched out his hand to snatch the printed copy from him. Even though he did not have any expertise in the medical field, he could still understand fundamental medical terms. Pointing at one of the sections in the copy, he questioned, ¡°What does this mean?¡± Heaving a sigh, Justin elucidated slowly, ¡°You don''t need to doubt yourself. That''s exactly what you think it means. Let me put it this way. That boy is rted to Edmund, but he''s not Edmund''s biological son. In other words, the boy could be his brother or sister''s son. In conclusion, they are blood-rted or known as intergenerational blood rtives. Do you get it now?¡± His words repeated in Artemis'' mind. A thought niggled at him, but when he tried to ponder it further, it slipped away. Intergenerational blood rtives? He knew what it implied. It meant the boy''s biological father must be one of Edmund''s cousins, either from his paternal or maternal side. Catching sight of Artemis falling into a trance, Justin could not wrap his head around the former''s stance. Unable to help himself, he asked, ¡°Do you need me to investigate further?¡± As his temples started to throb, Artemis massaged them while replying hoarsely, ¡°No need for now.¡± Justin pursed his lips. He could see the avoidance amidst the resignation on Artemis'' face. Nheless, as thetter''s friend, he was fully aware that he should not let him continue falling deeper into the rabbit hole. ¡°If that boy is Simon''s son, he''ll be your nephew, and Ms. Bailey will be your sister-inw. Artemis, you''ve always been able to keep a cool head regardless of any circumstance. Thus, I''m sure you can think this through without my guidance. Don''t force yourself into a corner. Snap out of it before it''s too late, okay?¡± he advised earnestly. Even so, Artemis only waved his hand. ¡°Thanks for your concern. Pass me yourptop. I need to dig up the intruder hacking into your medical system.¡± Utterly speechless, Justin had no choice but to give in to him. Unequivocally, it was good enough for him to hint at Artemis tactfully. It might exacerbate the situation if he continued nagging at thetter. Hence, he advanced toward the desk again to pick up hisptop and pass it to Artemis. Thetter regained his usualposure and sat on the couch with theptop. Shortly after, his slender fingers typed on the keyboard swiftly. The grimness on his face intensified as time psed. ¡°How''s it going? Did you manage to find out anything?¡± Thud! After closing theptop lid abruptly, Artemis finally opened his mouth. ¡°It''s Spook''s ount.¡± Startled, Justin was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Edmund and the two boys had a lot of fun in the amusement park the whole day. By the time he sent them back to Shelbert Condominium after dinner at a restaurant, it was already eight at night. Just as Edmund was about to leave, Bailey put on her shoes. ¡°I''ll send you down.¡± Edmund shed her a faint smile. His smile widened as he caught a glimpse of the two boys winking fervently at him. At the same time, he shed them an ¡°okay¡± sign behind Bailey''s back. After watching them leave, Zayron remarked blissfully, ¡°From now onward, I''m also an heir with a worth of at least a hundred billion. I foresee the others'' jaws dropping when they know about my new identity as the young heir of the Chivers family!¡± His words repeeted in Artemis'' mind. A thought niggled et him, but when he tried to ponder it further, it slipped ewey. Intergeneretionel blood reletives? He knew whet it implied. It meent the boy''s biologicel fether must be one of Edmund''s cousins, either from his peternel or meternel side. Cetching sight of Artemis felling into e trence, Justin could not wrep his heed eround the former''s stence. Uneble to help himself, he esked, ¡°Do you need me to investigete further?¡± As his temples sterted to throb, Artemis messeged them while replying hoersely, ¡°No need for now.¡± Justin pursed his lips. He could see the evoidence emidst the resiion on Artemis'' fece. Nheless, es the letter''s friend, he wes fully ewere thet he should not let him continue felling deeper into the rebbit hole. ¡°If thet boy is Simon''s son, he''ll be your nephew, end Ms. Beiley will be your sister-in-lew. Artemis, you''ve elweys been eble to keep e cool heed regerdless of eny circumstence. Thus, I''m sure you cen think this through without my guidence. Don''t force yourself into e corner. Snep out of it before it''s too lete, okey?¡± he edvised eernestly. Even so, Artemis only weved his hend. ¡°Thenks for your concern. Pess me your leptop. I need to dig up the intruder hecking into your medicel system.¡± Utterly speechless, Justin hed no choice but to give in to him. Unequivocelly, it wes good enough for him to hint et Artemis tectfully. It might execerbete the situetion if he continued negging et the letter. Hence, he edvenced towerd the desk egein to pick up his leptop end pess it to Artemis. The letter regeined his usuelposure end set on the couch with the leptop. Shortly efter, his slender fingers typed on the keyboerd swiftly. The grimness on his fece intensified es time elepsed. ¡°How''s it going? Did you menege to find out enything?¡± Thud! After closing the leptop lid ebruptly, Artemis finelly opened his mouth. ¡°It''s Spook''s ount.¡± Stertled, Justin wes et e loss for words. Meenwhile, Edmund end the two boys hed e lot of fun in the emusement perk the whole dey. By the time he sent them beck to Shelbert Condominium efter dinner et e resteurent, it wes elreedy eight et night. Just es Edmund wes ebout to leeve, Beiley put on her shoes. ¡°I''ll send you down.¡± Edmund fleshed her e feint smile. His smile widened es he ceught e glimpse of the two boys winking fervently et him. At the seme time, he fleshed them en ¡°okey¡± sign behind Beiley''s beck. After wetching them leeve, Zeyron remerked blissfully, ¡°From now onwerd, I''m elso en heir with e worth of et leest e hundred billion. I foresee the others'' jews dropping when they know ebout my new identity es the young heir of the Chivers femily!¡± Mexton grinned gleefully. ¡°He! I''m officielly the youngest Mr. Chivers from todey onwerd. Don''t worry. I won''t fight for the title of heir.¡± ¡°How ebout Artemis Luther? Are you disowning him?¡± ¡°Who''s he? Do I know him? Stop seying he''s my fether, okey?¡± ¡°Suck-up,¡± Zeyron retorted with e scoff. ¡°Didn''t you insist thet you wented Beiley to be your stepmother previously? Are you teking beck your words now?¡± ¡°I don''t see eny difference. As long es she cen be my mother, it doesn''t metter to me who my fether is,¡± Mexton replied metter-of-fectly. Heering thet, Zeyron did not know whet toment. ¡°Oh yeeh! Idiot, do you know whet thet despiceble women is scheming ebout? She''s not my biologicel mother but hed the gell to suggest teking e meternity test in front of everyone. I cen''t fethom whet''s in her mind!¡± Zeyron shot him e glence speechlessly. ¡°You''re indeed hopeless. Not only ere you disowning your fether, but you''re elso refusing to ecknowledge your mother. Whet do you went then?¡± Puffing out his cheeks, Mexton riposted in exesperetion, ¡°She''s not my mother!¡± Rolling his eyes, Zeyron mocked, ¡°Didn''t you sey thet Artemis Luther''s not your deddy just now? Hmph! Only e fool would believe your words.¡± Mexton wes rendered speechless. In the meentime, Edmund end Beiley were welking ebreest elong e stone peth. ¡°Bey, when ere youing to the Chivers residence for e meel? I cen berely weit to introduce you officielly to my perents,¡± Edmund esked ebruptly. Beiley helted in her trecks end tilted her heed to stere et him. The dim light preted the leefy treetops, cesceding over his fece end feintly illuming it. She chuckled end replied with e melodious voice, ¡°I might be busier letely. We''ll telk ebout it egein sometime leter, okey? Anywey, I''ll elweys be here. Don''t tell me you''re worried I''ll run ewey.¡± Edmund''s heert fluttered uncontrollebly es his hend touched her bengs, twisting e strend of heir eround his fingertip coyly. Beiley did not heve the courege to look intently into his effectie geze. Cesting her heed down, she mumbled, ¡°Edmund, it''s getting lete. You''d better¡ª¡± There wes e sudden werm sensetion on the beck of her heed es his other hend credled it. In the next second, his fece loomed over her before closing in greduelly. Reelizing whet wes ebout to heppen, she stretched out her hends hestily end pleced them on Edmund''s shoulders, trying to stop him from inching forwerd. ¡°Don''t do thet. Others on the roed might see us.¡± Maxton grinned gleefully. ¡°Ha! I''m officially the youngest Mr. Chivers from today onward. Don''t worry. I won''t fight for the title of heir.¡± ¡°How about Artemis Luther? Are you disowning him?¡± ¡°Who''s he? Do I know him? Stop saying he''s my father, okay?¡± ¡°Suck-up,¡± Zayron retorted with a scoff. ¡°Didn''t you insist that you wanted Bailey to be your stepmother previously? Are you taking back your words now?¡± ¡°I don''t see any difference. As long as she can be my mother, it doesn''t matter to me who my father is,¡± Maxton replied matter-of-factly. Hearing that, Zayron did not know what toment. ¡°Oh yeah! Idiot, do you know what that despicable woman is scheming about? She''s not my biological mother but had the gall to suggest taking a maternity test in front of everyone. I can''t fathom what''s in her mind!¡± Zayron shot him a nce speechlessly. ¡°You''re indeed hopeless. Not only are you disowning your father, but you''re also refusing to acknowledge your mother. What do you want then?¡± Puffing out his cheeks, Maxton riposted in exasperation, ¡°She''s not my mother!¡± Rolling his eyes, Zayron mocked, ¡°Didn''t you say that Artemis Luther''s not your daddy just now? Hmph! Only a fool would believe your words.¡± Maxton was rendered speechless. In the meantime, Edmund and Bailey were walking abreast along a stone path. ¡°Bay, when are youing to the Chivers residence for a meal? I can barely wait to introduce you officially to my parents,¡± Edmund asked abruptly. Bailey halted in her tracks and tilted her head to stare at him. The dim light prated the leafy treetops, cascading over his face and faintly illuminating it. This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. She chuckled and replied with a melodious voice, ¡°I might be busiertely. We''ll talk about it again sometimeter, okay? Anyway, I''ll always be here. Don''t tell me you''re worried I''ll run away.¡± Edmund''s heart fluttered uncontrobly as his hand touched her bangs, twisting a strand of hair around his fingertip coyly. Bailey did not have the courage to look intently into his affectionate gaze. Casting her head down, she mumbled, ¡°Edmund, it''s gettingte. You''d better¡ª¡± There was a sudden warm sensation on the back of her head as his other hand cradled it. In the next second, his face loomed over her before closing in gradually. Realizing what was about to happen, she stretched out her hands hastily and ced them on Edmund''s shoulders, trying to stop him from inching forward. ¡°Don''t do that. Others on the road might see us.¡± Chapter 37 Chapter 37 She heard a burst of deep and warmughtering from above her head. The next second, Edmund whispered into her ears, ¡°If there''s no one around, will you let me kiss you?¡± What? ¡°Don''t worry. I won''t force you especially you.¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Bailey was rendered speechless. That intimate posture went on for ten seconds. Both of them knew very well that nothing had happened between them. But it was different from strangers. For example, the man who was seated in the ck sedan not far away. From his angle, it appeared as if Edmund was kissing Bailey on her cheek. Artemis'' face turned grim, and he pressed his lips together hard. The moment he walked out of the office, he dismissed his bodyguards and drove by himself along the road. Somehow, he ended up at that condominium after a long drive. The familiar street corner made him lose his rationality. The urge to see her was overwhelming. He was not a sentimental person. On the contrary, he was a cold and heartless man with a clean personal life. If Simon did not con him seven years ago, he would not have ended up with another son. He had met Bailey by chance. However, the feelings he had told him that it was predestined by God. Fate... Unfortunately, she seemed to have met someone she liked. To make matters worse, the man was his brother. Now that her son had some kind of connection with his brother, the entire thing was a mess of entanglement. Suddenly, the honking of a car brought him back to his senses. When Artemis looked up again, only a slim figure was left standing there. Bailey stood under the streetlight and waved her hands with a smile. Although she was quite a distance away, he could tell that her eyes were filled with gentleness. Bailey always treated Edmund with warmth and gentleness. Perhaps, he should give them his blessing. Not long after Bailey returned to her condominium, the doorbell rang. She nced at the clock on the wall and noted that it was nine o''clock. It was quiet in the children''s room. The two of them must have exhausted themselves during the day, so they must be asleep by now. She walked toward the door and peered through the peephole. It was rence... What''s my scumb*g father doing here? After a moment of hesitation, she opened the door. There was no warm feeling when the father and daughter met. Instead, the atmosphere was tense. ¡°Bay...¡± rence struggled to speak up. Bailey sneered with a look of ridicule and mockery. She had been back in Hallsbay for ten days, and he had never oncee and visited her. Now that he found out that Zayron was the descendant of the Chivers family, he came to them like a dog. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, is there anything I can help you with?¡± Her cold greeting and icy tone put rence in an awkward spot. ¡°Bay, why didn''t you exin to me back then? If I knew you have slept with Edmund, I wouldn''t have...¡± At that instant, he stopped whatever he was saying and looked embarrassed. Bailey smiled coldly and continued his story for him, ¡°If you knew Edmund was the one I have slept with, you wouldn''t have chased me out of the house. Haha! Mr. Jefferson, offspring from the Chivers family is so precious to you, but regr men are worthless?¡± rence looked more ill at ease as the conversation went on, but there was nothing he could say to salvage himself. If she had conceived a son bore by a loser, he would have never cast another look at her. The truth was that she had given birth to an heir of a wealthy and influential family. Therefore, it was a completely different matter. The Luther family had made his life so much better in Hallsbay. If he were associated with the Chivers family, nobody would dare to provoke the Jefferson family again. ¡°If you want to marry into the Chivers family, you will need a proper title. As Ms. Bailey of the Jefferson family, it will help. Why don''t we let bygones be bygones? Pack up your things and move back to the Jefferson residence with me.¡± Bailey wanted tough badly. She could not believe that such shameless people existed in the world. Is he trying to sympathize with me? Sorry, but I don''t need it! ¡°I''m about to climb up the socialdder. I''m afraid that the Jefferson residence isn''t big enough for someone like me.¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°Mr. Jefferson, if there''s nothing else, please leave.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± rence stuck a leg out to stop her from closing the door. ¡°I provide you with an honorable status. Once you are married into the Chiverses, you can help out the Jefferson family. It''s a win-win situation for you. Why are you turning me down so soon?¡± Bailey was about to lose her temper and said helplessly, ¡°Once I go back to the Jefferson residence, I will do everything in my power to throw Beatrice and her daughter out of the house. By then, things at home will be chaotic. I reckon you will be on the trending topic every other day and be a laughingstock to the rest of the world. Mr. Jefferson, are you sure that is what you want?¡± rence pursed his lips and said with a sigh after a moment of silence, ¡°Fine. I won''t force you to move back home. It will be my birthday two days from now. If you are avable, pleasee home. I will rify the past matter publicly and restore your status as Ms. Bailey of the Jefferson family.¡± Other than a smile, there was no other expression on Bailey''s face. Her eyes appeared even colder. ¡°Sure. I''ll be there. If there''s nothing else, I''ll shut the door.¡± With that, she raised her leg and kicked rence''s knee. The intense pain caused him to retract his leg. With a chuckle, Bailey mmed the door shut. She turned around to find Zayron standing at the bedroom door. He seemed to be looking at her, but there was ack of focus. ¡°What''s wrong?¡± asked Bailey. Zayron shook his head and said fearfully, ¡°Yesterday, I used your ount to hack into Justin''s medical system and alter the test result.¡± Bailey frowned and asked, ¡°And then?¡± ¡°That cunning Artemis detected my presence, and he locked my position down.¡± Bailey looked grim. ¡°Please don''t tell me that you did this from home.¡± ¡°Of course not. I''m not that stupid. If I did it at home, I would have exposed my location. Don''t worry. I did it in a mall in Bellridge. That''s all he can detect.¡± Bailey cast an icy nce at him before strutting toward the bedroom. ¡°Don''t log into that ount for the next six months. I don''t want to attract Artemis'' attention, and I certainly don''t want to provoke him.¡± ¡°Oh, okay...¡± The next day at the office of Luther Group. Artemis was looking through the documents with Dwayne standing next to his table. It was so quiet in the spacious office that one could hear a pin drop. All anyone could hear was the shuffling of papers. It was only after a long while before Artemis'' voice rang out. ¡°Any progress on that thing that I asked you to investigatest night?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes and replied, ¡°We have looked through the surveince cameras in the south, east and west corners of the mall. But we didn''t find anyone suspicious. As for the area in the north, the surveince cameras are not working, so there was no footage of the crowd that day.¡± Bam! Artemis mmed his pen on the table. Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Dwayne got a shock. Oh my! It''s so scary when the tyrant gets angry. ¡°If the surveince cameras in the mall have broken down, then how about other ces? If you can''t find anything within one mile, then expand the search radius to ten miles or even a hundred miles if necessary. I don''t care how you do it, but you must locate this fellow. Even a vague picture of him will be good enough.¡± Dwayne nodded with a bitter expression. Artemis pointed at the opened door and spat out two words, ¡°Get lost.¡± Fine! Just as he was leaving, Dwayne remembered something, so he turned around. ¡°Tomorrow is Mr. Jefferson''s birthday, and his invitation card is with me. Will you like to attend the banquet?¡± ¡°We''ll see,¡± answered Artemis curtly. He was about to pick up the pen when he thought of something. This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. rence''s birthday banquet? That woman must be there too. Her status must be different now that rence knew she bore a son for the Chiverses. rence would surely find a way for her to return home and show her off as Ms. Bailey of the Jefferson family. His birthday banquet would provide the most ideal opportunity for him to do that. ¡°Tell Mr. Jefferson that I will be attending his birthday banquet.¡± Dwayne was at a loss for words. Meanwhile at the caf¨¦ in Luther Group. There were two stylish-dressed young women seated by the window. One of them was the chief designer of Luther Group, Jessica. The other woman was Caridee of the Luther family. ¡°Jessica, I don''t want that woman to design my gown for me. She has such a bad reputation. If I wear her gown to mying-of-age ceremony, everyone willugh at me.¡± Jessica narrowed her eyes slightly and looked as if she was in a dilemma. ¡°Ms. Caridee, Mr. Luther seems to like her. If not, he won''t have asked us topete against each other. Although I''m confident of winning, I...¡± At that juncture, she stopped abruptly and looked uncertain if she should continue. Caridee pursed her lips. In truth, she was an intelligent girl. The moment Jessica mentioned her brother, she understood what she was trying to insinuate. ¡°Are you worried that my brother will be biased toward her? Even if you have the better design, my brother will still pick her.¡± Jessica pretended to look anxious and said tentatively, ¡°There''s something I''m not sure whether to tell you or not.¡± ¡°Go on. You have got nothing to worry about. I''ll back you up.¡± Jessica sighed before saying dejectedly, ¡°The dresses that Ms. Jefferson designs are very sexy, but those types of gowns suit only mature women who dress that way to seduce men. Ms. Caridee, it will be inappropriate for you to wear a dress like that on your birthday. But, Mr. Luther admires her even though her designs don''t suit you. He even insists on her joining thepetition. I worry that-¡± Caridee took a deep inhtion before saying through gritted teeth, ¡°I know what you want to say. Ha! She thought she will win just because she has my brother''s backing? Thispetition is for me to choose the designer for my gown. The final decision lies with me. Jessica, don''t be scared. Go ahead andpete with her. With me around, you''ll have nothing to be scared of.¡± Jessica smiled in response. Looks like Rhonda is a good ally to have. With her instigation, this willful princess of the Luther family would have never sought me out. This way, I can get Caridee to deal with that b*tch, Bailey. ¡°May I know what kind of design you like, Ms. Caridee?¡± Without thinking, Caridee answered, ¡°Just design ording to how the Ten Acimed Socialites dress. I don''t believe that Bailey''s design can outshine yours. After all, you are a student of Eve. There is no way the chief designer of Luther Group can lose out so easily to someone who has only a few years of experience in dressmaking.¡± After hearing her praise, Jessica was very satisfied and smug. She also had the feeling that she would win thepetition. Even Hallsbay could not tolerate a woman with such a sullied reputation. There was no way Bailey would be better than her. Who is she topare to me? One design from me will be enough to get rid of her for good. In the study of Shelbert Condominium. Zayron was having a video call with someone. ¡°Where did you get this paternity test report?¡± asked the eight-year-old boy on the screen. His name is Kai Sheldon. Kai was a good friend of Zayron and highly talented in the medical field. Despite his tender age, he also possessed several other skills. Zayron nced at the paternity report and pouted. ¡°Is there anything wrong between Daddy Eddy and me?¡± The night before, he had sent the report to the group chat after he stole the test result from Justin''s system. Now that Kai had seen it, Zayron reckoned that the rest of them must have too. ¡°Both of you aren''t father and son.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes and said, ¡°Of course not. I''m the one who altered the report. Why are you telling me this?¡± ¡°But, the two of you are rted,¡± proimed Kai. ¡°What?¡± Zayron jumped up from his chair. ¡°What the heck are you talking about?¡± There was no response from Kai. Instead, he checked the report over and over again before saying, ¡°You only changed the result. Did you alter anything else?¡± Zayron red at him and chided, ¡°You know I''m clueless about all these. How can I alter anything else? All I did was delete the word ''Not''. I didn''t touch anything else. What are you trying to get at?¡± ¡°If you didn''t alter anything else, then you are rted to Edmund but not first degree. To put it inly, there''s a possibility that you are the son of his cousin.¡± ¡°Holy sh*t!¡± Zayron jumped. ¡°Are you sure you got this right?¡± ¡°If this test report is true, then I''m right. Otherwise, you can enter your blood type into the database and find the person who matches your DNA.¡± Zayron pursed his lips. He knew the consequence of the current finding. Then again, Bailey had finally epted Daddy Eddy, and the two of them were about to seal the deal. If he disclosed the identity of his biological dad, that would definitely put Bailey in a difficult position. Daddy Eddy is such a gentleman. If he finds out that Mommy belongs to his cousin and I''m the son of that man, things will be very awkward for Daddy Eddy. D*mn it! How can that son of a b*tch be Daddy Eddy''s cousin? This is so unfair! It will be fine if it is any other man. But, why does it have to be Daddy Eddy''s cousin? F*ck! Chapter 39 Chapter 39 ¡°It''s not necessary at the moment, but I''ll check with Bailey again. If she really intends to marry Daddy Eddy, this will be the end of the matter. Anyway, you must keep this a secret.¡± Kai shed an okay sign with his fingers. ¡°All right. If there''s nothing else. I''m ending the call.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Bye.¡± No sooner had the video call ended than the room door opened. Maxton subsequently entered with a te of fruits in hand. When he saw the grim look on Zayron''s face, he couldn''t help but ask, ¡°Idiot, who got on your nerves?¡± Zayron narrowed his eyes at him. After scrutinizing Maxton with a piercing gaze, he asked derisively, ¡°Don''t you have an uncle who''s a jerk?¡± Daddy Eddy doesn''t have any siblings and is the only son of the Chivers family. Also, he doesn''t have any male paternal cousins too. As for male maternal cousins, the only ones around are his aunt''s children. Artemis is one of them, but he already has a son who is about my age. Therefore, the chances are not high. That only leaves... What''s his name... Mr. Simon Luther. That''s it! When I get the chance, I''ll throw him at a bunch of women. ¡°Jerk Uncle? Oh, that''s right. He truly is a jerk. If not for him, my dad wouldn''t have be horny and ended up having me.¡± Staring coldly at him, Zayron asked through his gritted teeth, ¡°Has Jerk Uncle slept with anyone before? In other words, does he have an illegitimate child somewhere?¡± Maxton furrowed his brows. ¡°Probably not, as I''ve not heard of anything of that sort before. Idiot, what''s wrong? Did you just discover that he has one?¡± Zayron snorted inughter amidst a vicious expression that descended upon his face. If I find out that he is my biological dad, I will make sure that he bes impotent for the rest of his life. Those who phnder irresponsibly are scum. He certainly doesn''t deserve to have exceptional children like me and Susan. ¡°Can you go to Luther Group''s blood bank to steal some of Jerk Uncle''s blood for me?¡± He wanted to take a paternity test together with Simon. As the blood belonging to the members of the Luther family wasn''t recorded in police registries, he wouldn''t be able to find a match even if he uploaded his blood type into the system. Maxton stomped his feet in exasperation. ¡°F*ck, does Uncle Simon really have an illegitimate child outside? Who is it?¡± Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes and gave Zayron a probing look. ¡°Don''t tell me that it''s you.¡± Zayron red at him. ¡°Just follow my instructions, and stop wasting time. If you dy any further, I''ll kick you out.¡± Maxton was speechless. Meanwhile, in the design department director''s office of Luther Group, Stephen was looking at the two women sitting at the opposite ends of the couch. He couldn''t help but ask with a smile, ¡°Ms. Tanner, Ms. Jefferson, since both of you are colleagues now, what''s the point of behaving like enemies?¡± Bailey ignored him while flipping through a fashion magazine. Sniggering, Jessica replied sarcastically, ¡°Wouldn''t I be sullying my reputation by working with someone ipetent like her? Mr. Chandler, whatever it is, just speak candidly. I''m worried that I''ll be ruined by this shameless woman sooner orter.¡± Bailey let out a chuckle before retorting, ¡°Mr. Chandler, have you been keeping a mad dog as a pet in your break room? Why do I keep hearing one barking? I suppose it must be a b*tch that is dying to mate.¡± Bailey''s words seeded in lighting the fuse of Jessica''s rage. Springing to her feet from the couch, thetter bellowed, ¡°Who are you calling a b*tch? Who are you using of wanting to mate?¡± Ignoring her, Bailey smiled at Stephen with a cocked brow. ¡°Did you hear that? I can hear it barking again. I must say, Mr. Chandler, it''s not healthy to keep a dog indoors all year. All you will do is drive it mad.¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°Enough, Jessica. Zip that mouth of yours. Since Ms. Jefferson ims to have heard a mad dog barking, she must definitely have heard it. Besides, she didn''t say that it was you, so why are you being so worked up for? Unless you''re admitting that you are the b*tch that she''s talking about?¡± ¡°I...¡± Outraged, Jessica trembled all over while her face grimaced in seething anger. I''ll bear with it for now! One of these days, I''ll tear that face of hers apart and have her groveling at my feet. ¡°Today, I''ve gathered both of you here to convey Ms. Caridee''s decision. Actually, her requirements are simple. Whoever can design an outfit that is both creative and capable of entuating her status as one of the Ten Acimed Socialites would be chosen as her fashion designer. On top of that, Mr. Luther dered that he will nominate the winner of thispetition as a candidate in The Grand Fashion Show.¡± At that moment, a greedy glint shed across Jessica''s eyes. There was only one prize given out at The Grand Fashion Show¡ªThe Ultimate Designer, which was the highest honor within the fashion industry. The Grand Fashion Show was apetition held once every four years, and only four candidates were allowed to participate in it. Therefore, one would never get the opportunity unless one had obtained very strong support. Four years ago, Jessica didn''t make it as she was not qualified despite the fact that she was Eve Lussohn''s student. As a result, she resolved to qualify as a candidate this year. Given that Luther Group was The Grand Fashion Show''srgest sponsor, she figured that the organizers of the show would respectfully award her the title of The Ultimate Designer out of respect for Artemis. With that title, she would be able to lord it over the tens of thousands of fashion designers throughout the world. Four years ago, the woman known as Snowke¡ªa dark horse then¡ªhad won the glorious title. Hence, Jessica, as Eve''sst student and the lead designer for Luther Group, believed that the title would be hers. ¡°Really? Does Mr. Luther really n to nominate me as one of the candidates for The Grand Fashion Show?¡± Jessica disregarded Bailey, for she had already assumed that she would win. In her opinion, the inept Bailey stood no chance against her at all. In fact, she doubted thetter could evenplete the design of a gown, let alone one befitting the Ten Acimed Socialites. With his eyes slightly narrowed, Stephen''s gaze fell upon Bailey. However, he couldn''t help but smile when he saw her indifferent expression and herck of desire to argue with Jessica. That''s how someone humble yet talented behaves. With that, he was filled with anticipation to see what this lead designer from Archulea was made of. After all, he trusted Xavier''s eye. The fact that Bailey had transferred to headquarters with glowing rmendations was a testament to her capabilities. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you have any questions?¡± Bailey shrugged before putting down the magazine she was holding. After getting to her feet, she asked with a smile, ¡°Other than being creative and to entuate her status as one of the Ten Acimed Socialites, are there any other requirements?¡± ¡°Sheesh, look at how thick-skinned you are. These two requirements alone are enough to give you grief. And yet, you''re asking if there''s more? What a joke, Bailey. You can drop that act of yours now. If I were you, I would back out of thepetition and leave Hallsbay so as to not sully the city.¡± Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Ignoring Jessica, Bailey maintained her smile as she asked Stephen curiously, ¡°Is the dog barking again? Mr. Chandler, I''m sure you can hear it now.¡± ¡°You...¡± Overwhelmed by rage, Jessica raised her hand in an attempt to p Bailey. At that moment, piercing glint shed across Bailey''s eyes. Giving in doesn''t mean fear, and I have had enough of this woman. After Jessica''s repeated provocations, the good-natured Bailey had run out of her patience. Just before Jessica''s palm struck her, Bailey caught the approaching hand in mid-air. Even though Bailey wasn''t using much strength to restrain Jessica, her inherent athleticism was enough to stop thetter. ¡°Ouch, it hurts! It hurts. My wrist... It''s going to break.¡± Letting out a snigger, Bailey tightened her grip. ¡°Let me remind you to stay out of my way and stop messing around with me. Do you hear me? I''m not your mother and not under any obligation to tolerate your rudeness. Going forward, you had better behave instead of trying to p someone as you wish.¡± At the sound of Bailey''s words, Jessica was filled with so much indignance that her heavily made-up face began to contort. ¡°You despicable woman, who do you think you are? You sold your dignity for five million and even bore an illegitimate child, so who are you to criticize my actions? I¡ª¡± p! The next moment, Jessica instinctively held onto her burning cheek with her free hand as she stared at Bailey in disbelief. This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ¡°You... How dare you hit me. You b*tch. What gives you the right to do that?¡± Bailey snorted inughter before rebutting, ¡°The right? I hit you just because I can. Ms. Tanner, have you learned your lesson now? Whenever you want to hit someone, you have to catch them by surprise.¡± ¡°You...¡± Jessica stared daggers at Bailey as if the burning rage in her eyes could incinerate thetter into ash. ¡°Have you not learned anything yet? In that case, let me show you again.¡± With her brows raised, Baileysh out again with the back of her hand when Jessica wasn''t looking. p! Having been struck twice, Jessica had red palm prints on both sides of her cheeks. They were a testament to how much force Bailey had employed. ¡°Bailey, I''m going to kill you.¡± Then, she began to struggle vehemently. However, Bailey gave her hand a forceful pull. ¡°Ah!¡± Amidst a piercing scream echoing through the office, Jessica lost her bnce and crashed onto the ground. Raising her right leg slightly, Bailey used her sharp heels to hold up Jessica''s chin. The next second, Jessica''s red lips made intimate contact with the bottom of Bailey''s shoes. ¡°Oh, Ms. Tanner, that''s awfully gracious of you to lick my shoes in gratitude after I showed you how to p someone twice.¡± ¡°You...¡± Sprawled on the floor, Jessica angrily hammered her fist on the ground before cursing, ¡°Bailey, one of these days, I''ll tear you apart with my bare hands.¡± Bailey cocked her brow in amusement before strutting out the door. ¡°I''ll be waiting... for the day youpletely transform into a mad b*tch.¡± Stumped, Jessica could faintly taste the stench of blood in her throat, as if she had burst a vessel inside. Then, she tried desperately to suppress the blood that had pooled in her mouth from being thrown out. I hate her. I really hate her! What right does this despicable woman have to throw her weight around like that? Rubbing his forehead, Stephen reached out his hand to pull Jessica back to her feet. ¡°Didn''t I tell you that Ms. Jefferson isn''t to be trifled with, as she''s not the kind ofdy who can be bullied? When you refused to listen, you end up disgracing yourself. What''s the point in all this? If you resent her, shouldn''t you outdo her with your capabilities? Why do you need to get into an altercation?¡± ¡°Stephen...¡± Jessica, tears welling up in her eyes, asked in a pitiful tone, ¡°How can a filthy and uncultured wench like her qualify to design a gown for Ms. Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony?¡± Raising his brows, Stephen cracked an indiscernible smile. ¡°In that case, why don''t you take your case to Mr. Luther? Perhaps he might listen to you and send her back to the Archulea branch.¡± ¡°Hmph,¡± Jessica sniggered. ¡°Wouldn''t that be letting her off too lightly? I want her reputation to be destroyed so that she will never step foot in the fashion design industry again. How dare shee and compete with me? I''ll make sure to teach her a lesson she''ll never forget.¡± Sighing inwardly, Stephen shook his head in resignation as disappointment glistened in his eyes. It''s good to have some pride, but one always needs to back one''s ego up with real ability. It''s obvious that Jessica is no match for Bailey. In fact, both of them can''t even be mentioned in the same breath. And yet, Jessica insists on letting her ego run wild with her superiorityplex. Sooner orter, she will be put in her ce. In the afternoon, Maxton returned to the Luther residence. In the living room, Felicity picked up her grandson and peppered him with kisses. Subsequently, sheined, ¡°You are really heartless, aren''t you? Even though I have raised you, you left me behind without saying a word. And now, you''re not even willing toe home. Is that woman really that wonderful?¡± Maxton tried to struggle free from her arms. Upon seeding, he retreated two meters away and retorted, ¡°You''re not a child. There''s no way you can empathize with what a child takes delight in. With regard to whether Bay is a wonderful person or not, all that matters is that I know the truth. Besides, she''s not someone who''s desperate for everyone''s approval.¡± Despite ranting on with a joking tone, Felicity still felt a sense of gratitude toward Bailey. If it wasn''t for thetter, her precious grandson wouldn''t be talking, let alone speaking with such eloquence. All these years, she had engaged the best specialists throughout the world to cure his autism. Unfortunately, her efforts saw little sess. However, after meeting Bailey for less than a month, Maxton began to speak like a normal person. Therefore, it was undeniable that Bailey deserved all credit for healing Maxton. ¡°Come on, Grandma. Stop nagging me. Now that I can speak so fluently, I want to get myself examined at the Luther family''s infirmary to see if I have fully recovered from my autism.¡± Felicity has barely heard his words when she sprang up from the couch. ¡°That''s right. Look at how bad my memory is to have let the matter slip my mind. It''s true that you do need to go for the checkup.¡± With that, she walked up to Maxton and held his hand. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll take you there.¡± Maxton''s eyes darted around. Cognizant that he was going to the infirmary to steal a blood sample, he knew his father''s suspicions would be aroused if he went alone. However, if he was apanied by his grandmother, she would act as a distraction. ¡°All right, Grandma. Come with me then.¡± ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office of Luther Group, Artemis was sitting at his desk. While going through some documents, the phone on his table rang. ncing at the screen, he saw that the call was from the Luther Group infirmary. ¡°Hmm, what is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, Mrs. Luther has brought Mr. Maxton to the infirmary. She says she wants to have him see a psychologist.¡± Artemis'' hand which was holding a pen froze momentarily. After a moment of silence, he narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°Did Maxton request for it himself?¡± Chapter 41 Chapter 41 ¡°Yes. After he went to see Mrs. Luther at the Luther residence, she brought him to the infirmary.¡± Artemis'' expression began to change. Would he return to the Luther residence from Shelbert Condominium for no good reason? Of course not! Therefore, he must be up to something. ¡°Keep a close eye on him, and see what he intends to do at the infirmary.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther.¡± Back at the Luther Group infirmary. ¡°How is he, Dr. Cramer? Has Max''s condition improved or deteriorated? Now that he speaks just like an ordinary person, does it mean that he is no longer autistic?¡± Dr. Cramer replied with a smile, ¡°Actually, Mr. Maxton never suffered from any speech impediments before. He is physically no different from an ordinary person. All he was doing was sealing himself away emotionally from the outside world. Now that he has been given the opportunity to climb out of his shell, he won''t suffer from autism again as long as he maintains his current mood. Upon hearing the doctor''s words, Felicity breathed a deep sigh of relief. ¡°Thank God my precious grandson can live like an ordinary person. Thank God...¡± Maxton rolled his eyes and grumbled, ¡°What do you mean by ''thank God?'' Isn''t this clearly the fruits of Bay''s effort? Before her appearance, God never performed any miracles. Grandma, if you really want to express your gratitude, you should thank Bay.¡± ted, Felicity wasn''t going to disappoint her grandson. Hence, she quickly added, ¡°You''re right. We should thank your aunt. She''s the one responsible for your recovery, happy now?¡± Feeling upset, Maxton red at her. ¡°Mommy, Mommy. I told you that it''s Mommy. Next time, don''t make the same mistake again.¡± ¡°Fine, fine. Mommy it is. I have never seen you this concerned for someone. In fact, you''re even making me jealous.¡± With his eyes darting around, Maxton raised his head and gave Felicity a peck on her cheeks. ¡°I care about you the most because you''re the one who loves me the most.¡± ¡°Oh, my.¡± His ttery elicited a wide beam from Felicity as if she was on cloud nine. ¡°Grandma, I need to get some air, as I can''t stand the smell of medication in here. Anyway, I''m sure you still have questions for Dr. Cramer, so I''ll be waiting for you outside.¡± Felicity put him down right away. ¡°All right. Go on then, but don''t go anywhere you shouldn''t. This ce is filled with clean rooms.¡± ¡°I know.¡± After leaving the doctor''s office, Maxton swiftly scanned his surroundings. Once he was certain that the coast was clear, he sneaked off to the fifth floor where the blood bank for the Luther family descendants was located. Demonstrating great agility, he slipped into the cold room with ease. However, the sight of a huge number of vials densely arranged together frustrated him. Left without a choice, he picked them up one by one to check. Uncle Simon, where is your blood? Zachary Luther... That''s Great-grandpa... Gerald Luther... That''s Grandpa... Artemis Luther... That''s Dad... Uncle Simon''s is probably next to Dad''s. After rummaging through the box, he took out two vials containing blood samples. The one in his left hand was taken out from the sectionbeled Artemis, while the one in his right was from the sectionbeled Simon. After staring at them for a while, doubt began to fill his mind. Why don''t I switch Uncle Simon''s blood sample with Dad''s? That way, when Idiot receives a negative result from the paternity test, he would no longer be troubled by the matter. He knew that Zayron was certain Simon was his father and didn''t want it to be anyone else. If Uncle Simon really is his father, wouldn''t I be equally outraged? ¡°Max, where are you? It''s time to go home.¡± A voice was heard shouting outside. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Jolted by it, Maxton instantly broke out in cold sweat. Oh no, Grandma ising. Gritting his teeth, he decided to take Simon''s blood sample so that Zayron could use it in his paternity test. Who knows, we might end up being cousins one day. Besides, carrying the surname Luther is so much better. In his panic, he identally put Simon''s blood sample back into the box and took Artemis'' blood sample out of the cold room with him instead. By the time he ran to the end of the corridor, he saw Felicitying up to the fifth floor with a group of staff apanying her. At that moment, he quickly slipped the vial he was holding into his pocket. ¡°Max, why did youe all the way here? You have given me a fright.¡± Felicity stepped forward and hugged him in relief. Tugging the corner of his lips, Maxton heaved a sigh of relief. Luckily, I wasn''t caught. ¡°Since the full-length windows on the fifth-floor balcony are open, I just wanted to get some air there. Sorry for making you worry.¡± Feeling bad for reprimanding him, Felicity held Maxton''s hand as they headed downstairs together. ¡°All that matters is that you''re fine. This infirmary belongs to the Luther family, so you''re free to go wherever you please. However, you have to be more careful, all right?¡± Zayron nodded obediently. ¡°Mmm-hmm. I understand, Grandma.¡± After the person responsible for the infirmary escorted Felicity and Maxton out, he called Artemis at once. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, Mr. Maxton went to the blood bank and took Mr. Simon''s blood sample away.¡± Artemis, who was in the middle of a meeting, narrowed his eyes upon hearing the report. ¡°Are you sure that he took Simon''s blood sample?¡± ¡°I am, as I personally checked them. Mr. Simon''s blood sample is not in the box, and other than Mr. Maxton, no one else has entered the blood bank for the past two weeks. Moreover, when I did an inventory before that, the blood sample was still in there.¡± Artemis'' eyes were suddenly filled with raging emotions. It wasn''t difficult for him to guess why Maxton had stolen Simon''s blood sample. Obviously, Zayron must have gotten Maxton to do that. In other words, the former suspects that he might be Simon''s son. For some strange reason, a sense of helplessness descended upon Artemis. If that kid is Simon''s son, his mother... would then naturally be Simon''s girl... Oh, Simon''s girl! If it was anyone else, he had no qualms ining between them. However, now that it involved his younger brother, he just couldn''t bring himself tomit such a despicable act even if he was capable of it. ¡°Mr. Luther, do you want me to get the blood sample back from the Luther residence?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Artemis tly replied, ¡°Forget it. Just let him be. Nheless, don''t tell anyone else about it.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther.¡± After having his dinner at the Luther residence, Maxton insisted on returning to Shelbert Condominium. Despite how Felicity coaxed him to stay, she gave in after a while when she failed to change his mind. Subsequently, she sent the driver and bodyguard to escort him back to the condominium. Inside the study at Shelbert Condominium, Maxton handed the blood sample over to Zayron. ¡°This is Uncle Simon''s, Idiot. If you really are my cousin, will you agree to your mommy marrying Uncle Simon?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Zayron pondered for a moment before replying through his greeted teeth, ¡°That depends on whether your uncle is a jerk. If he is, I will cripple him myself, let alone hand Mommy over to him.¡± Gasp! Chapter 42 Chapter 42 What''s with the brutality? Wouldn''t I end up harming Uncle Simon? ¡°What if he''s a gem? Would you then be willing to acknowledge him?¡± Troubled by the topic, Zayron waved his hand. ¡°We''ll see. I can''t judge him until I meet him.¡± Maxton nodded. ¡°My aunt''sing-of-age ceremony will be held in one month. Hence, Uncle Simon will be returning from overseas to attend it. When the timees, I''ll introduce him to you.¡± ¡°Fine. Let me warn you. Do not say a word to Bailey about this. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, my lips are sealed.¡± Zayron was speechless. If your lips were really sealed, I wouldn''t have used you of being an ipetent teammate. The next day, Zayron went to the courierpany and sent the blood sample Maxton had given him over to Kai. Kai had informed him that he needed to wait one week for the results. Zayron replied that there was no hurry. All that mattered was the uracy of the test. When he returned to the condominium, Bailey asked him, ¡°I''m heading over to the Jefferson residence tonight. Do you want toe along?¡± Giving her a mischievous look, Zayron sneered, ¡°Aren''t you worried I drive that horrible dad of yours mad?¡± ¡°I couldn''t have wished for anything more,¡± Bailey quipped before returning to her bedroom. Tilting his head, Zayron waved to Maxton who was sitting on the couch. Skipping over, thetter asked with a smile, ¡°You must have thought of a way to prank Rhonda, haven''t you?¡± Zayron simply rolled his eyes in response. This guy is a lost cause. ¡°Bailey will do it herself, so don''t worry. She will definitely make that hypocrite beg for mercy.¡± Maxton was ted to hear it. Any news of Rhonda suffering naturally delighted him. In fact, it made him happier than being the scion of the Luther family. ¡°In that case, what do you want from me?¡± Leaning close to his ear, Zayron whispered, ¡°I want you to get some aphrodisiacs from the Luther residence, and then... drug Bailey.¡± ¡°F*ck.¡± Maxton stomped his feet. ¡°Idiot, how can you sabotage your mommy?¡± ¡°Shush.¡± Zayron shot him a re before continuing in a barely audible voice, ¡°Not so f*cking loud. Mommy is still in the house.¡± Maxton looked at him as if he was a monster. ¡°What''s wrong with you? Why do you want to drug your mother?¡± Zayron snorted twice before exining through his gritted teeth, ¡°I want to see what Mommy''s reaction is to Daddy Eddy. If she rejects him even under the influence of drugs, it means that what they have isn''t true love. Therefore, I''ll have to reevaluate who''s going to be my father.¡± A glint shed across Maxton''s eyes. Does this mean that Uncle Simon has a chance? ¡°Fine, I''ll help you.¡± Stunned, Zayron gave him a look of surprise. ¡°Aren''t you worried that my mommy will skin you alive?¡± ¡°She wouldn''t dare.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°That''s because I''m the scion of the Luther family. If sheys a finger on me, she would be spending the rest of her life in prison.¡± Zayron was rendered speechless. Back in the CEO office of Luther Group, Artemis almost thought that he had entered the wrong room the moment he stepped in. No, who is it that''s munching on snacks while lounging on my leather couch? Dwayne''s lips twitched as he couldn''t help but hold his forehead. Didn''t I tell her to stay in my office? What did shee in here for? ¡°Do you know her?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes at him. ¡°Is she yours?¡± Dwayne gave him the side-eye and retorted, ¡°Do you have to assume that every little girl is mine? How many f*cking illegitimate children do you think I have?¡± Artemis sniggered before pushing the door open and entering. Disregarding the girl on the couch, he walked up to his curved desk and instructed, ¡°List out today''s itinerary for me.¡± However, Dwayne ignored his orders and walked up to the couch. Breaking out a grin, he asked, ¡°Little girl, didn''t I tell you to wait in my office? Why are you lying down here?¡± ¡°You''re a jerk.¡± The girl snorted. ¡°You behaved shamelessly just so that you can marry my godmother. Well done.¡± Erm... Dwayne scratched his nose as he cracked an awkward smile. The girl added, ¡°Didn''t you tell me toe to Luther Group headquarters when I return to the country? You even said that Mr. Luther would personally wee me. I wouldn''t have rushed here before even going home.¡± Pinching his forehead, Dwayne began to feel pressured. This girl is too clever for me. I just can''t keep up with her pace. Artemis¡ªwho was about to circle around his curved desk¡ªstopped in his tracks and turned toward the little girl. When he first entered the room, her face was mostly blocked by the packet of junk food she was holding. Hence, he didn''t get a good look. However, now that she was sitting upright with her face clearly visible, he was stunned by the sight. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Her exquisite features felt somewhat familiar to him as if he had seen them somewhere before. Before he knew it, his legs subconsciously carried him to her. Standing in front of the couch, he scrutinized her with furrowed brows. Now that he had gotten a closer look, she looked even more familiar to him. ¡°Are you Barbara? The child star that Tempest Entertainment spent three hundred million on?¡± Susan''s lips curled into a vibrant smile before replying in a cutesy voice, ¡°That''s right. I''m her. My autographed picture is worth a lot, and I feel that you deserve one. Therefore, shall I sign one for you?¡± Amidst the easing of his frown, Artemis broke into a faint smile. She really is a mischievous little girl, no different from how I imagine her to be the other day. It''s just that her face looks really familiar as if I have seen it somewhere before. ¡°And your parents are¡ª¡± Before the question rolled off his tongue, there was a sudden knock on the door, followed by the respectful voice of ady. ¡°Mr. Luther, Mr. Longman of the public rtions department is aware that you''re going to attend Mr. Jefferson''s birthday banquet tonight. Therefore, he has called to check if you need a female plus one for the evening?¡± Slightly upset by the question, Artemis frowned. Since when have I ever attended a banquet with a femalepanion? Quentin must be having too much time on his hands to pull such a prank on me. ¡°I don''t¡ª¡± Before he could finish, the girl on the couch raised her voice and spoke. ¡°Miss, Mr. Luther already has a companion. Tonight, I''ll be attending the dinner together with him. Thus, you don''t have to be worried about it.¡± Everyone else was speechless. After giving Dwayne a wink, she returned her attention to Artemis. ¡°Mr. Luther, I wonder if I have the honor of being your plus one tonight?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. If it were a woman, he would definitely resent the suggestion. However, he didn''t resent the little girl at all. Raising his gaze to look at his secretary, Artemis tly replied, ¡°Did you hear that? I already have a femalepanion. Convey the message to Mr. Longman, and tell him to mind his own business. There''s no need for him to be concerned with mine.¡± The secretary tucked her head in before swiftly slipping out of the office. Lowering his head to look at Barbara, Artemis remarked with a hidden smile, ¡°This is the first time I''m taking a femalepanion to a banquet. Little girl, you''d better make me proud.¡± Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Susan blinked and there was a sh in her eyes. Mr. Luther is not as terrifying as what Zayron had described. He has even agreed to take me to the banquet. There is no sense of aplishment at all. ¡°Mr. Luther, am I off the hook for ending the trip early?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows while his elegant lips curled tentatively into a sinister smile. After beating around the bush, she has finallye to the point. She is full of tricks. ¡°Haven''t you handed in the leave application? I seem to remember giving my approval.¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± She grinned. ¡°Thank you, Boss. In the future, I shall act well so that I can be the best cash cow in Luther Group.¡± He did not reply to her. Do I need to rely on this girl to make money? At night, the mansion of the Jefferson family was as bright as day. Tomemorate Rhonda giving birth to an heir for the Luther Group, celebrities from all walks of life arrived to show their respect for the Jeffersons and so a small birthday banquet attracted almost all the rich and famous of Hallsbay. Young men in suits and young women in gowns were seen everywhere on the huge outdoor grounds, raising sses and drinking merrily. Bailey entered from the back. To be precise, she climbed over the wall into the backyard. She was not there to im her rightful status from rence, nor to show disdain to him for epting her as a family member again. All she wanted was to find Beatrice and confront her about how her mother died. Through the quiet back garden, she groped all the way to the main building. The outdoor grounds were lively and almost all the guests were gathered there. Inparison, the indoors were peacefully quiet. ¡°Ms.... Ms. Bailey, is that you?¡± An elderly voice suddenly rang out from behind, stopping Bailey in her tracks. Even before turning around, she felt the prick of tears in her eyes. In the moonlight, a trembling figure was approaching her step by step, while murmuring, ¡°It''s Ms. Bailey. It must be Ms. Bailey. She grew up under my care. How could I not recognize her?¡± Bailey turned around with tearful eyes, and she looked at the olddy who hade right up to her. In a choked voice, she said, ¡°Nanny Quaid, it''s me. I''m Bailey.¡± After confirming that it was Bailey, Nanny Quaid''s whole body began to shake. She raised her trembling hand and slowly stroked the side of Bailey''s face. ¡°It''s really you, Ms. Bailey. I''m so relieved to see that you''re well.¡± Bailey took a deep breath and suppressed the pain in her heart. Softly, she asked, ¡°Nanny Quaid, do you know where Beatrice is at this moment?¡± The old woman froze as if remembering something. Then, she reached out hurriedly and pushed Bailey towards the backyard door. ¡°Ms. Bailey, you shouldn''t havee back. Mrs. Jefferson and Ms. Rhonda set up a trap. I didn''t know who they were going to deal with. Now that you are here, I guess it''s you. Hurry up and go quickly. Don''t let them harm you.¡± Bailey gave her a smile and told her gently, ¡°Nanny Quaid, I''m not the pretty face who was defenseless seven years ago. Now, I am not afraid even if theye knocking on my door. In fact, I hope that they would do that. Where is Beatrice? Where is she now?¡± The olddy was very relieved to see her calm expression and the self-confidence shown on her face. Ms. Bailey is indeed not the same person she was seven years ago. Every move she makes now looks intimidating and cannot be ignored. ¡°She is attending to the guests in the front part of the mansion. She won''t be here for a while.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and remained silent for a while. Then, she said, ¡°I''ll go out to the front to see her. Nanny Quaid, when I''m done, I''lle and catch up with you.¡± ¡°Great! You must be cautious lest you fall into the trap this mother and daughter have set up.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. In the front part of the mansion, the outdoor grounds were filled with a lively crowd. Beatrice was standing in the fruit counter chatting with a fewdies. ¡°Mrs. Jefferson, you are really getting younger and younger, and you are glowing. Is the wedding date for Ms. Rhonda and Mr. Luthering soon?¡± ¡°Well, it''s definitely true. Ms. Rhonda is deeply loved by Mrs. Luther, and she gave birth to an heir to the Luther family. The wedding is only a matter of time.¡± ¡°Beatrice, when your girl marries into the Luther family and bes a member of that family, don''t forget your old friends. You will have to ask your son-inw to take care of our businesses.¡± ¡°That''s right. In Hallsbay, Mr. Luther is the leader. When he bes your son-inw, don''t forget to speak up for your old friends so he''ll look out for us.¡± The flood of ttery pleased Beatrice so much that she could not stop smiling happily. It was the utmost privilege to have Artemis as a son-inw and among all the affluentdies of Hallsbay, she was the only one to enjoy that honor. ¡°We have been friends for eons. Naturally, I''ll do anything I can to help. Later on, that disowned daughter wille back here. When she arrives...¡± Before she could finish speaking, thedies around hurriedly agreed. ¡°Don''t worry, Beatrice, we will bring up all the scandalous things she did back then, and disgrace her, so that she''ll go back to wherever she came from.¡± Beatrice smiled with satisfaction. At that moment, a middle-aged housekeeper came out, approached Beatrice and whispered in her ear. ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°She is in the restroom.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll go over right away,¡± after saying that, Beatrice turned to her affluent friends and told them, ¡°I have to deal with something. You girls enjoy yourselves.¡± At that, she turned around and walked away with an arrogant gait without waiting for a response. After watching her leave, one of thedies took a sip and sneered, ¡°She thinks too much of her insignificant influence and has no idea how ridiculous she looks. She is just a mistress relying on her illegitimate daughters to take over the household. Her daughter was pregnant with the seed of the Luther family after seducing the man. If not for that, she will not have a ce in the circle of affluent ladies in Hallsbay!¡± Anotherdy sighed. ¡°Hey, there''s nothing we can do about it. It''s a matter of one rising in position based on another''s deeds. Her daughter is definitely a smart one. She has slept with the man in power in the Luther family and given birth to their heir. Just based on these two points, she can be proud as a peacock.¡± ¡°Huh! What''s there to be proud of? So what if she has given birth to a baby boy? Seven years have passed but the Luther family has not set any date for the wedding. As long as they are not married, her daughter is only a mistress.¡± The moment Beatrice entered the restroom, an exquisitely-dressed woman walked up to her. ¡°Beatrice, you''re here!¡± ¡°Sienna, what''s wrong with your face? Did someone assault you?¡± Sienna gritted her teeth and said with a look of resentment, ¡°I was beaten by that old scum, Laurence. He was keeping a mistress. Can you imagine a fifty-year-old scum hooking up with a twenty-year-old actress? I asked him for an exnation, but he just hit me and threatened to divorce me and marry that little slut. Beatrice, you have to help me, please.¡± Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Beatrice narrowed her eyes. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Everyone in Hallsbay knows that old bugger, Laurence, for his promiscuity. He doesn''t have any other capabilities other than womanizing. The only reason he can continue his phndering ways throughout all these years is that he has the Luther family as his support. That''s right. He''s a coteral descendant of the Luther family. Even Artemis has to address him as Uncle based on seniority. ¡°How do you n on teaching him a lesson?¡± With clenched teeth, Sienna said, ¡°He loves women, doesn''t he? Arrange one for him tonight. Then, live stream his cheating as* in front of the guests. Let Artemis and Mrs. Luther witness his embarrassing behavior for themselves. Mrs. Luther might not teach him a lesson, but I can''t say the same for Artemis. With such a scandal tarnishing the name and pride of the Luther family, he will surely chase that old d*khead, Laurence, out of the Luther family.¡± Something glinted in Beatrice''s eyes as a scheme took shape in her mind. I was just wondering of a way to push that b*tch, Bailey, to her demise. Initially, I nned to drug that b*tch, then have a bodyguard rape her. I''ll live stream the entire thing, so everyone can see what a wh*re she is. However, I changed my mind after hearing Sienna''s n. If Laurence is the one who rapes Bailey, Artemis will never ept a woman tainted by his uncle. I''m certain Theodore and Felicity won''t approve of his rtionship with Bailey, even if Artemis is willing to ept her. Having slept with an elder of the Luther family, Bailey will never marry into the Luther family. With this n, I can get Sienna to owe me a favor and deal with that little b*tch. I can kill two birds with one stone. Her lips curved into a cruel smile at the thought. Suppressing her delight, she stered a troubled look on her face. ¡°Sienna, it''s not going to do you any good if the Luther family kicks Laurence out of the family,¡± she said hesitantly. Sienna scoffed. ¡°He already squandered all his money after splurging them on his other women all these years. He''s penniless, and I want to destroy him this way. I''ll divorce him after the Luther family kicks him out. It''s not going to affect me either way since I''ve already lined my pockets with more than enough funds from the Luther family to livefortably for the rest of my life.¡± Beatrice wrapped her arm over Sienna''s and sighed. ¡°When I first married into the Jefferson family, they all looked down at me and called me a home wrecker. You were the only one willing to befriend me. I remember your kindness even after all these years. I''ll be doing you wrong if I refuse you now. Let me think of something for you. I''ll make sure it infuriates Artemis and get him to kick Laurence out of the family.¡± ¡°Thank you, Beatrice.¡± ¡°Don''t worry about it.¡± I''m the biggest beneficiary. A household staff reported respectfully, ¡°Mrs. Luther and the Chiverses are here, Mrs. Jefferson. Mr. Jefferson summons you over to greet them.¡± Beatrice''s mood brightened. The Chiverses are here already? Wonderful! The show will be interesting today. Beatrice''s expression changed the minute she stepped out of the lounge. A humble look reced the arrogance she wore before. She ran into Rhonda, who was also on her way to greet Felicity. ¡°Have you made the necessary arrangement, Mom?¡± A malicious expression took over Beatrice''s face. ¡°Rest assured. I''ll make sure that b*tch, Bailey, bes aughingstock tonight,¡± she assured. Rhonda looped her arms over Beatrice''s arm. ¡°You''re the best, Mom!¡± Rhonda giggled. ¡°Don''t get your hopes up too early. The Chivers family considers that little b*tch as Edmund''s child. Bailey will still have the chance to turn the table if that information remains a secret.¡± Rhonda pressed her lips into a line. ¡°I''ll coax that olddy from the Luther family into letting me move back to the Luther residence. Caridee, that unruly girl hates Bailey so much right now. I might have a chance to expose the little b*tch''s true colors through her.¡± Beatrice nodded with augh. ¡°You finally thought things through. Well, coax that olddy then. Her decision will decide whether you can marry into the Luther family.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll do as you say.¡± Beatrice''s steps halted as she said in a low voice, ¡°Lure Bailey to the residential area at the back when you see herter. Follow our original n and drug her. Leave the rest to me. There has been a change of n. We don''t need a bodyguard to rape her anymore. We''ll use another person who can surely make her life hellish.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± rence and Beatrice weed Felicity and the Chiverses at the outdoor grounds. After a few exchanges of small talk, Beatrice asked, ¡°Mrs. Luther, where''s Artemis? I haven''t seen him yet?¡± The star of tonight is Artemis. The show can''t go on without him. Felicity patted her hand softly. ¡°Don''t worry about him, Mrs. Jefferson. He''ll surelye since he already promised to do that. Maybe he''s dyed by some work. Let''s wait a little longer.¡± Amotion started at the entrance to the outdoor grounds. A maid came over to report Artemis'' arrival. All the spotlights aimed at the entrance of the outdoor ground, where the crowd was slowly receding. A tall, lean figure emerged from the dark and strolled toward them under the protection of a few bodyguards. The handsome man wasn''t the one who held their attention this time. Instead, the little girl holding his hand was the one who was under the limelight. ¡°Oh, heavens! Who''s that little girl? Why does she look so familiar?¡± ¡°Are you blind? The little girl is a replica of the man. Anyone can see they are father and daughter with a glimpse.¡± That piece of information caused an uproar among the crowd. Felicity, Beatrice, and Rhonda were surprised by the news as well. They do look alike. Their features are nearly identical. The little girl holding onto Artemis'' hand resembles him so much. ¡°W-What is happening?¡± Felicity stammered from the shock. Gwendolyn supported Felicity''s arm. ¡°Instead of Artemis, I''ll say the girl looks more like Simon. Did Simon leave a bast*rd outside?¡± Cold sweat formed along Rhonda''s brows at herment. That''s not Simon''s child. If my spection is correct, that little girl is probably that b*tch, Bailey''s daughter. What''s going on? What is she doing with Artemis? She''s even holding hands with him. Has Artemis found out that she''s his daughter? Did he find out what happened seven years ago? Artemis caught every whisper around him as he crossed the area. She looks like Simon? His brows furrowed at thement. It was no wonder she looked familiar to me. Now that I have a closer look, she does look a bit like Simon. What''s her name again? Barbara? No, it''s Susan! That''s right! Susan! Could it be... Dwayne said Susan was the daughter of Victoria''s best friend, and I supposed Ms. Bailey was Victoria''s best friend. That means... Susan is Bailey''s daughter! Chapter 45 Chapter 45 He stopped in his track and looked down at the little girl whose height barely reached his waist level. ¡°What''s your mommy''s name?¡± he asked, frowning slightly Susan gave him a cheeky smile and replied, ¡°My mommy''s name is Bailey, while my godmother''s name is Victoria. Which one are you referring to?¡± Those words left Artemis dumbfounded. He trembled involuntarily, then asked hesitantly, ¡°Zayron and you are...¡± ¡°We''re twins. He''s older than me by a mere twenty minutes,¡± the little girl shared. I see! This world is full of surprises! What has that lucky idiot Simon done to deserve a set of twins? He calmed himself down and brought Susan to Felicity and his family. ¡°Who''s this girl, Artemis?¡± Artemis kept quiet, and merely looked at Susan. A big smile appeared on Susan''s face as she dered, ¡°I''m Mr. Luther''s partner!¡± Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. That left everyone speechless. From a corner of the venue, Bailey heard that child-like reply. She instantly stopped in her track and turned toward the direction where Susan''s voice came from. Her face fell when she saw the pair. When did this little troublemakere back? Why wasn''t I informed? And why is she with Artemis? ¡°Oh, isn''t that the abandoned elder daughter of the Jefferson family? Why is she here?¡± Suddenly, someone eximed loudly and created an uproar. ¡°Oh, indeed! That''s really Ms. Bailey! Fancy her having the cheek toe back!¡± ¡°That''s true. She was involved in such a big scandal back in those days. No decent woman would sell her body for money as she did!¡± ¡°Not only that! She even got pregnant! Thank goodness life is fair, and she suffered her retribution and lost the child.¡± Tears welled up in Susan''s eyes when she heard those nastyments. Her heart ached for Bailey, knowing her mom had never gotten over her brother''s death. She could imagine the pain Bailey experienced when those people picked on that emotional scar of hers. When Bailey saw Susan trying toe toward her, her expression darkened. She did not want her kids to get involved in that matter as she wanted to protect them from all the harsh judgments. She would rather bear with the ridicule and usations herself. In her heels, she elegantly strolled toward the crowd with a half-smile on her face. Gwendolyn wanted to step in to defend Bailey, but Yoel held her back. She red at her husband and hissed under her breath, ¡°What''s the matter with you? Bay had already bore our family a son, so she''s part of the Chivers family. How can we just stand by and watch as she''s being bullied? If she mes us for that and refuses to marry Edmund, I''ll make you pay for it!¡± Yoel signed and softly replied, ¡°It''s not that I''m not siding with our daughter-inw. However, it''s really not appropriate for us to intervene now. rence is the one who should speak up for her and clear the air. If we were to step in now, those gossipers would think she has buttered up to us and is making use of us to salvage her reputation.¡± Gwendolyn could not argue against her husband''s logical analysis, so she could only hold her peace. Bailey walked toward Beatrice, looked her straight in the face, and asked, ¡°Can you spare a few minutes, Mrs. Jefferson? I would like to have a word with you in private.¡± Beatrice was worried rence would try to clear Bailey''s name in public and ruin her ns. If the public got the impression that Bailey had slept with Edmund seven years ago and bore him a son, then it would ruin her ns to totally destroy Bailey. She had to act fast and go for the final kill while Bailey still had a bad reputation. She needed to do something to totally ruin Bailey''s name so she had no chance to salvage it anymore. She was d Bailey asked to talk to her in private, so she yed along with it. ¡°Oh, sure! You haven''t been home for so many years, and I have so much to catch up with you! Earlier this afternoon, your father was just telling me he misses you. How can a father stay angry with his daughter? Although he was furious and harsh to you back then, after he calmed down, he thought of you often. After all, blood will always be thicker than water.¡± Beatrice went up to Bailey and affectionately held on to her arm as she spoke, acting like a loving mother. Bailey knew what Beatrice was up to and had to suppress her urge to roll her eyes out loud. It was an unnecessary worry on Beatrice''s part, as Bailey had never nned on getting rence to clear her name in the first ce. It was true that she sold herself for half a million, slept with a stranger, and got impregnated. She didn''t want rence to get Edmund involved in that matter, as that would be unfair to Edmund. As she was going away with Beatrice, Bailey threw Susan a warning nce, hoping she would get the hint and stay away from Artemis. After Bailey and Beatrice left, all the attention fell on Artemis and Susan again. ¡°Ar-Artemis, don''t tell me this girl is Simon''s¡ª¡± Felicity asked trembly. Artemis interjected and announced, ¡°Luther Group''s Tempest Entertainment is grooming her as our latest child star. She''s not rted to the Luther family.¡± There was a hint of disappointment in Felicity''s eyes. She already had grandsons, so she was yearning for a granddaughter. Susan was a pretty and adorable little girl, and Felicity would be delighted if Artemis had confirmed her suspicion that the little girl was Simon''s daughter. Artemis saw through his mother. She was a very demanding old woman and had high expectations. The fact that she liked Susan proved just how likable the girl was. D*mn it! Such a cutie pie turns out to be that jerk''s girl. He really has it all! He couldn''t help but be a little envious of Simon''s luck for being blessed with such an adorable daughter. Beatrice led Bailey through the walkway and as soon as they reached a deserted part of the compound, she flung off Bailey''s arm, and her demeanor changed drastically. ¡°You want to know the truth about your mother''s death, don''t you?¡± she sneered. Instead of replying to her question, Bailey mockingly asked, ¡°What do you think? Other than my mother, what else do you think can make me put up such a disgusting act with you earlier?¡± Beatrice narrowed her eyes and threw Beatrice a menacing stare. ¡°I never knew you have such a sharp tongue. Do you want to find out about your mother''s death? Sure. Come with me,¡± Beatrice said, as she turned and headed to the southwestern corner of thepound. Bailey frowned slightly and wondered what Beatrice was up to as she was walking toward the house where Bailey and her mother used to stay. She hesitated for a moment before going after Beatrice. As Bailey was passing through a quiet pebbled path, she was greeted by a sweet scent, a scent that was very familiar to her. Those were the precious nts she nurtured when she was living there. It was a pleasant surprise for Bailey to see that they were still thriving and blooming seven years after she left. When they reached thepound of that house, Bailey stopped and said, ¡°Let''s talk here. I don''t want you to enter my mother''s house and tarnish the ce.¡± Beatrice stopped too, and she slowly turned around and gave Bailey a disdainful smile. ¡°Don''t think too highly of your mother. If she had not done anything terrible, she wouldn''t have suffered such retribution!¡± There was an evil look on her pretty face when she said that. Chapter 46 Chapter 46 Bailey stood at the entrance to thepound and stared intently at Beatrice. After a pause, she spoke through her clenched teeth and asked, ¡°Did you start that fire?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Beatrice pointed to herself, thenugh hysterically and added, ¡°Would you believe me if I said your mother was the one who started the fire?¡± Bailey''s stare became colder and more piercing as her eyes bore straight into Beatrice. ¡°I thought Madam Wenlock is an adult and would say something sensible,¡± she grunted. Beatrice squinted her eyes and said, ¡°Oh, you don''t believe me? I totally understand how you feel. No one will want to believe something like that. s, the truth is that your mother started that fire herself! She wanted tomit suicide as that was the only way for her to take the secret to her grave! It was a shocking secret, and she died because she found out about it!¡± Hearing that, Bailey became tense and nervous. She started recalling the events that led to her mother''s death, and she wasn''t so certain of her earlier belief anymore. If it was murder, there should be traces of evidence left behind by the murderer. However, despite all the efforts she put into the investigation for the past few years, she could not find a single clue. She couldn''t help but wonder if what Beatrice said was true. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°What''s the secret? What happened back then?¡± she demanded. Beatrice smirked and mocked, ¡°What''s the secret? It was something shameful, of course! She was worried she would be condemned if others knew about the matter. She chose to end her own life as that was the only way she could be freed from that fear of being exposed!¡± Bailey was about to take a step into thepound when she suddenly felt a gush of heat rising from within her. This is... She quickly overruled her own suspicion, rxed her tensed muscles, and tried to take another step. s, the next hot flush was even more intense than the previous one. Bailey was a full-grown woman with sexual experience, so she knew exactly what was happening. What puzzled her was that she had not taken any food or drinks after she reached the Jefferson residence, so she had no idea how she was drugged. She caught a whiff of the sweet floral scent, and suddenly, she realized what had happened. ¡°You mixed the aphrodisiac drug in the floral scent!¡± she eximed, her eyes cold and menacing. ¡°That''s right! It is in gas form and odorless, so you can''t possibly detect it in the air. Moreover, this ce is full of beautifully scented blooms, so even that sensitive nose of yours will never detect it.¡± Beatrice laughed out loud as she gloated. Bailey shook her head and forced herself to remain calm and alert. ¡°So what''s next? What do you have up your sleeve?¡± she barked. ¡°What''s next? My dear daughter, you must be desperate for a man now! As your stepmother, I''ll have to do my part to help you! Enjoy yourself tonight! That''s my wee gift to you. Wee back to Hallsbay... you trouble-seeker!¡± Beatrice mocked. With that, she shouted for someone, and immediately, a few bodyguards dressed in ck came strolling in and proceeded to surround Bailey. As she was still alert, Bailey instinctively got into her battle mode. ¡°Still hoping to fight back? How ridiculous! All of you move in and get her!¡± Beatrice ordered. ¡°Yes, Madam!¡± The few men moved in, and Bailey raised her arm and got ready to fight. At that moment, out of the corner of her eye, she saw two figures sneaking past at the southeastern corner of thepound, and a small wicked smile appeared on her face. The next moment, her legs jellied, and she copsed face down onto the floor. The bodyguards were stunned and froze for a few seconds. When they finally came around, they hurriedly went forward and restrained Bailey. ¡°We have her under control, Madam.¡± ¡°Well done! Bring her into the house and guard her well!¡± Beatrice ordered, smiling evilly. ¡°Yes, Madam!¡± As they passed Beatrice while the bodyguards were dragging Bailey into the house, Bailey pretended to be frightened and asked, ¡°Wh-what do you want?¡± ¡°What do I want?¡± Bailey''s fearful look greatly satisfied Beatrice, so sheughed out heartily and said, ¡°Naturally, I will need to find you a man! How about Laurence Luther? I heard he''s a pervert and a sadist. He loves exciting kinky sex, so I''m sure he''ll please and satisfy my lovely daughter tonight!¡± The usually calm and collected Bailey was infuriated by the shameless Beatrice, and she clenched her fists tightly. Laurence...? He''s an old man who''s over fifty years old! How can this woman be so evil! ¡°Why are you still here? Get her into the house! I''ll head off to invite Laurence over for this special feast!¡± Beatrice said. ¡°Yes, Madam.¡± ¡°Hahaha...!¡± Beatrice''s shrillughter rang out loudly in the desertedpound, sending chills down the spine of all those present. Hidden at a corner of the house, Maxton nudged Zayron and grunted, ¡°They are bullying Mommy! What should we do?¡± Zayron gave him a side eye and jumped down from the high corner. ¡°Let''s check on Bailey first before we n our next move,¡± he said. Maxton followed closely behind him, pointed out those men who were guarding the house, and asked, ¡°There are six of them. How do we get rid of them?¡± Zayronughed out disdainfully and said, ¡°Only six? Even sixty is not a problem for me!¡± He immediately sneaked out like a quiet shadow, and in a blink of an eye, Maxton could hear the heavy men falling onto the ground with loud thuds. His jaws dropped in astonishment, and there was a look of idolization in his eyes. My gosh! That idiot is really something! I wonder if there''s anything he can''t do? ¡°Moron!¡± Zayron derided, then quickly rushed into the house, leaving Maxton behind. Bailey''s limbs were bound, and she was left lying on the bed in the room. Her face betrayed a look of great difort. She wasn''t shocked when she heard themotion outside the house. If that little jerk can''t even settle those fools outside, then I''ll quit wasting money on him. I''ll just dump him at an orphanage. ¡°Are you okay, Bailey?¡± Zayron asked with concern after he rushed into the room and started undoing the ropes around Bailey. ¡°You could have easily settled those men outside earlier. Why did you allow them to tie you up?¡± he questioned. Bailey gave him a wry smile, flung off the undone ropes, and tilted her head toward a corner of the room. Zayron looked up and saw something with a blinking light there. ¡°It''s a high-definition camera capable of doing live streaming. So that witch wanted to...¡± He narrowed his eyes as he uttered through his clenched teeth and mmed his fist angrily onto a rack ¡°Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. Those who treat me with injustice, I shall repay them tenfold! The two of you, try to get me some aphrodisiac drugs,¡± Bailey said. ¡°Eh...¡± Zayron touched his nose nervously and then hesitantly replied, ¡°Eh¡ªAbout the aphrodisiac drugs... You don''t have to worry about it. I... I have some with me.¡± Chapter 47 Chapter 47 Zayron felt a chilling stare on him, and the next moment, his ear was pulled and twisted forcefully by Bailey. ¡°Not only do you have naughty thoughts, but you''re acting on them now! Out with it! Which little girl were you nning to use that drug on?¡± she roared. Zayron was speechless, amazed by his mom''s unusual chain of thought. ¡°That drug was meant for you, Mommy!¡± Maxton chipped in. Bailey''s face fell when she heard that. Zayron gave Maxton a death stare and grumbled, ¡°It''s a bloody mistake to bring you with me!¡± He then turned to his mother and asked, ¡°We''re running out of time. Are you sure you want to waste time on this?¡± Bailey flung him to the ground and solemnly said, ¡°I''ll settle this with you when we get home! Now, find a way to lure Rhonda here, and force-feed her the drug you have!¡± Zayron winked and let out a naughtyugh. Getting into mischief was certainly his area of expertise! As Beatrice was walking away from the house, she met Rhonda, who was heading toward her. ¡°How did it go, Mom? Did you manage to subdue that slutty Bailey?¡± Rhonda asked. Beatrice was a prideful woman, so she was annoyed that Rhonda actually asked her that question. ¡°What makes you think there''s even a possibility I''ll fail?¡± she chided. Rhonda beamed with joy upon hearing that. ¡°That''s great! Sienna just told him she has already given the drug to Laurence, and she was asking if we''re ready on our side.¡± ¡°Let''s go! We''ll invite Laurence to the wonderful entertainment we''ve specially prepared for him! I promise you our guests are in for a visual treat tonight, and they''ll not regreting here!¡± Beatrice was smiling sinisterly as she spoke. ¡°You move along, Mom. I want to go and take a look at Bailey. She had always been so arrogant, so I want to see her in her pathetic state now.¡± There was a wicked look in Rhonda''s eyes as she added, ¡°Also, the high-definition camera is off, right? I want to personally turn it on. Remember to get the guys to link it to the big screen at the party. I want everyone to enjoy the raunchy session between Laurence and her!¡± She especially wanted Artemis to watch it, so he would see how cheap and slutty the woman he fancied was. Beatrice thought nothing could go wrong with Rhonda going to that house, so she agreed to the n. ¡°Sure! I''ll go get Laurence while you handle the camera in that house. Be careful and don''t leave any evidence of your presence there,¡± she reminded. ¡°Don''t worry, Mom. I know what to do!¡± After watching Beatrice head off, Rhonda happily made her way to Bailey''s former house. As she was passing the quiet path, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her neck. Before she could scream, she had already cked out and copsed onto the pebbled ground. ¡°Trying to bully my mommy? We''ll let you have an exciting night tonight before you face the wrath tomorrow!¡± Zayron snorted and said. Hot... My body is burning hot! Rhonda was in a daze and slumped on the bed, but her hands were iling about in the air. ¡°Oh, my little beauty...¡± The next moment, a heavy and grossly out-of-shape man appeared on the screen, his huge body blocking Rhondapletely from the camera. Boom! Instantly, the whole party venue became so silent that one could hear a pin drop. In the dead quiet, the steamy noisesing out of the speakers became more vivid and noticeable. When Beatrice saw the image on the screen, she was dumbfounded and rooted to the ground in shock, her earlier smile still frozen on her face. ¡°Gosh! Is-isn''t that Ms. Rhonda on the screen?¡± ¡°Look! It''s showing her face now! Indeed it is Ms. Rhonda!¡± ¡°Quick, snap some photos! This is going to be the top breaking news!¡± Instantly, all the cameras'' shutter sounds rang out at the party, and shlights were going off wildly as the media began to capture the racy scene yed on the screen. Beatrice had invited many mediapanies to the birthday celebration. She wanted to make use of them to publicize Bailey''s scandalous session with a man. She wanted Bailey''s bad name to spread wide and far, not only nationally, but also internationally. It was a roaring sess as she had nned, but little did she expect the female lead of the scandal was her daughter instead. She had single-handedly ruined her own daughter! She felt the world spinning around her, and stumbled backward. A middle-aged housekeeper quickly supported Beatrice and then whispered in her ear, ¡°You can''t go into a panic now, Mrs. Jefferson. Please get someone to turn off the projector, then hurry over to the house to save Ms. Rhonda! Otherwise... I''m afraid her life will be ruined!¡± Beatrice shuddered and snapped out of her daze. She flusteredly turned to the crew near her and shouted, ¡°Turn off the projector! Turn it off!¡± The crew was also in a panic and sweating profusely. His voice was a tremble when he replied, ¡°Mrs. Jeff¡ªJefferson, I can''t turn it off! The camera had linked up directly with the screen, so we can''t control it from our end!¡± As Beatrice felt another wave of dizziness hit her, she could hear amotion from the crowd again. ¡°Look! The face of the man on Ms. Rhonda is visible now! Oh my! He looks familiar!¡± ¡°It''s Mr. Laurence! He''s Laurence Luther!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes! That''s him!¡± ¡°Who would have thought Ms. Rhonda would be so open and wild, and couldn''t even reject a fifty-year- old old man?¡± ¡°The thing is, that old man is Mr. Artemis'' uncle! My goodness! This is pushing the boundaries of morals!¡± The expressions on Felicity, Yoel, and Gwendolyn''s faces darkened as they watched the chaotic scene. They were stunned and speechless for a long while, caught totally off-guard by the unexpected turn of the event. As they snapped out of their daze, they could no longer contain their fury. ¡°What''s happening? Felicity roared at rence and Beatrice. ¡°How could you let this scandal break out in front of so many people? Are you trying to humiliate yourself or disgrace the Luther family?¡± Colors drained from rence and Beatrice''s faces. They knew that if they got into the bad books of the grand old dame of the Luther family, Rhonda could forget about marrying into their family. Beatrice hurriedly exined, ¡°Mrs. Luther, someone must be trying to frame Ronni! Give me some time and I''ll get to the bottom of this!¡± With that, she rushed off, leaving all the guests behind. ¡°What are we waiting for? Let''s follow her! How can we miss this exciting development!¡± ¡°That''s right! Let''s go with her and see the wild Ms. Rhonda in action! She had be notorious and arrogant after giving birth to the heir of the Luther family. Let''s interview her and find out why she''s doing such a disgraceful act on her father''s birthday celebration!¡± ¡°Yeah! We''ve got to interrogate her. Shame on her for engaging in such an indecent affair with the uncle of her husband!¡± Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Felicity turned to Artemis and ordered, ¡°Stop this fiasco, Artemis! You have to get someone to stop this nonsense. The Luther family''s reputation is at stake, and we cannot afford to have our reputation tarnished by this scandal!¡± Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Artemis appeared unaffected by the scandal. He was only worried the rushing crowd would hurt the little girl next to him, so he bent over and picked Susan up, carrying her in his arms. It didn''t matter if Susan was Simon''s daughter. So long as she was Bailey''s child, he would protect her. When Felicity saw he was unmoved by the mess around him and only cared if Susan was injured, she got mad and howled at him. ¡°I''m talking to you, Artemis!¡± He sighed, turned his face slightly toward the crazy crowd, and said, ¡°If we were to make any move now, the attention will turn to us. If we make a stand, we''ll only be putting ourselves in the same boat as the Jeffersons, and get bombarded by the media. If Rhonda is innocent, we can always speak up for herter when things die down. Of course, if she''s doing it out of her own free will, then she''ll have to face the consequences herself.¡± Yoel nodded in agreement and said, ¡°I agree with Artemis. Something is fishy about this matter, Felicity. It could be a setup, so we''d better not act rashly. Let''s find out more before we act. Otherwise, we may make the wrong move, and it''ll backfire on us.¡± Felicity was an intelligent woman. She frowned after listening to her brother''s analysis and said, ¡°You mean there''s more to this than meets the eyes?¡± Gwendolyn couldn''t help but chip in. ¡°We''re at the Jefferson residence. I don''t see how anyone can force Ms. Rhonda to sleep with Mr. Laurence in her own home. I can see two possibilities. It is either she''s doing so willingly, or she tries to frame someone, but it backfires on her instead.¡± Felicity''s face fell. She turned to look at Artemis and solemnly asked, ¡°So what should we do now? Are we going to sit and watch our family''s reputation go down the drain because of that stupid Laurence?¡± Artemis looked at the girl in his arms, and he could see Susan was worried about Bailey. ¡°Don''t worry. She''s more formidable than we think!¡± He tried to console the little girl. Susan looked up at him and pouted. ¡°Why would I worry about her? She already managed to put that scheming woman on a live show for all to see!¡± Artemis was dumbfounded by Susan''s reply, so he turned to his mother and said, ¡°Let''s go and take a look then. The Jefferson will take care of their daughter, but we''ll also have to deal with our own family member who''s involved in this disgraceful act.¡± With that, he started walking toward the house with Susan in his arms. Felicity and the Chiverses looked at one another, then decided to follow suit. As they stepped out of the party venue, Susan suddenly struggled and tried to get out of Artemis'' arms. ¡°Put me down! I don''t want to watch such obscene scenes!¡± she cried out. The main reason for her sudden change in attitude was that she received a message from Edmund telling her that he was about to reach the Jefferson residence. She wasn''t interested in what was happening at the house. She had seen more interesting confrontations between her mom and her opponents when they were abroad. To be honest, she felt Rhonda was too weak and was not a worthy opponent of Bailey, who was in a league of her own. It would be a waste of time to watch her mother fight against Rhonda. Artemis was worried she would get injured from the violent struggle, so he put her down on the ground and said, ¡°Fine. Then be a good girl and stay put here. Please don''t wander around. I''lle for you and send you home after I settle the matter.¡± Susan waved him off as if she was getting rid of a fly and said, ¡°Go ahead, go ahead! I''ll wait here, and I''ll be fine.¡± Artemis lovingly gave her a pat on the head before heading to the house. Not long after he left, Edmund arrived. Susan was ted to see him, and she skipped and ran toward him. She was infatuated with the gentle and kind man. Unfortunately for her, he was already taken by her mom. Otherwise, she would want to marry him when she grew up. Edmund saw the silly little girl staring besottedly at him, and he was amused. ¡°Stop daydreaming and clean that drool from your mouth!¡± he teased. Susan subconsciously wiped her mouth and realized she was not drooling at all. She whined and chided, ¡°You are so mean! How could you tease me?¡± Edmundughed and picked her up in his arms. He looked around and frowned puzzledly. ¡°Where are all the guests? I only see a few housekeepers around. Is the party over?¡± All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Susan pouted andined, ¡°That scheming woman tried to frame Mommy and ruin her reputation. s, her n backfired!¡± Edmund raised an eyebrow. He could more or less guess what had happened, so he did not probe further. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, ¡°Are you hungry? Should we go get a nice meal?¡± Susan narrowed her eyes and pulled a face. ¡°I told you the scheming woman tried to frame Mommy. Aren''t you worried for her, Daddy Eddy?¡± she questioned. Edmund gave her a big smile, yfully rubbed her head, and said, ¡°Your mommy is a tough nut, so who can beat her? Those women are only capable of a handful of unscrupulous ideas, none of which your mommy can''t handle, so why worry? Moreover, I called your brother earlier, and he''s with her.¡± ¡°I was wondering where that guy went. So he was secretly giving Mommy a hand. Okay, then I don''t have to worry about them! Let''s go for a good meal. It''ll be on me!¡± Susan chirped. Edmund was greatly amused by her offer. At the house, an adult and two kids were huddling together in the attic. Bailey was trying to cool herself down in the chilly evening breeze. She was thankful that Beatrice administered the drug via air, so it was diluted and not as powerful. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be able to sit there waiting for the show to begin. ¡°Are you okay, Mommy?¡± Maxton asked. Bailey opened her eyes, looked at him, and nonchntly said, ¡°Don''t worry, I won''t turn into a beast. Even if I do, I won''t do anything to you. Actually, even if I wish to throw myself at you, you''re not equipped to handle me.¡± Eh... What''s with this crazy woman and her off-color jokes? Zayron was busy working on theptop. However, when he heard Bailey''s conversation with Maxton, he couldn''t help but roll his eyes. ¡°Bailey, those two women are really evil. They actually linked the camera to the big screen at the party venue, and wanted to broadcast your raunchy show to all the guests!¡± ¡°So what happened?¡± ¡°I cut off the connection to their control system, so they won''t be able to turn off the projector from their end. They''ll have toe here in order to end this erotic show! Hahaha, all the guests will be heading this way. Rhonda is done for. She''s doomed!¡± Bailey gave him a side eye with a small smile, and said, ¡°At least you didn''t waste all the efforts I put into teaching and grooming you.¡± Bailey heard footstepsing toward the house, so she quickly grabbed the two boys, jumped down from the attic, and hid in a secluded corner. Bailey and the boys had removed the fallen bodyguards who were at the entrance, so the path was clear for all the reporters and paparazzi to enter. ¡°Stop there! All of you, stop!¡± Beatrice shouted as she tried to stop them from swarming into the house. Oh no! Ronni is really done for this time! She''s doomed! If news of the scandal leaked out, Rhonda could forget about marrying into the Luther family. She would stand no chance of bing the mistress of the most prominent family. ¡°Hurry up, rence! Stop them!¡± Chapter 49 Chapter 49 With face dour and eyes searing with rage, rence was positively seething. Although he was not sure of the exact details, his assessment of the situation that yed out before him was enough to clue him in with regard to what had happened. I''m quite certain that this stupid woman had attempted to set up Bailey, only to ultimately fail at her insidious endeavor. Not only that, but she also ended up dragging our own daughter into it. In spite of being in the know, it was not convenient for him to call her out at that time. As the adage went, one should not wash one''s dirty linens in public. Just imagine what outsiders would think of the Jefferson family? Would it not cause the public image and reputation they had so painstakingly built to fall apart overnight? The crux of the matter was, should the Luther family discover the deplorable conduct of his wife and younger daughter in their attempt to drug his elder daughter, never mind Rhonda that bore Artemis a son, they would never ept her into their family even if she could give them a dozen or even a hundred offspring. ¡°You lot. Get the hell in there, and block off ess to the bedroom,¡± he hollered gruffly at the housekeepers who were scurrying all over. Following that, the whole situation got even more bonkers. As the guests outside were quite fixated on remaining dignified in their conduct, there was not enough impetus from them to get involved. That, however, was a different case for the members of the press. Doggedly determined to nail an explosive scope, they came swarming toward the loft with cameras and microphones in hand. How could those disorganized housekeepers of the Jefferson residence get to stand in their way? ¡°It''s over. We''repletely screwed this time.¡± the mumbling Beatrice became unsteady on her feet and on the verge of a nervous breakdown. rence discreetly shot her a look. ¡°Don''t just stand there. Do you really want to see your daughter''s reputation in shambles? Hurry in there and try to get this situation under control,¡± he snarled. Barely able to get herself together, Beatrice managed to muster up enough strength to work in tandem with rence. Paring a path through the mass of reporters, they burrowed their way into the room. The space within was well-lit as someone had turned on all the hanging crystalmps. None of the reporters who had surged in earlier made any effort to impede them. Conversely, all of the former were preupied, furiously snapping away with their cameras with their eyes aglow with exhration. What a rush. It''s going to be the catch of the season. If this piece of juicy news were published, it would definitely be the hottest expos¨¦ of the year, precisely because the woman involved was young Maxton Luther''s biological mother, and the man on top of her, the boy''s granduncle. Rumble in the loft... Lonely futuredy proprietress of Luther Group and the granduncle of her inws are caught in a passionate tryst at her father''s birthday banquet. The headline was scandalous enough in itself that it would surely take the entire world by storm within the first two hours of its dissemination. ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? Do you really want to watch him vite Ronni? Hurry up and get him off of her.¡± Having Beatrice scream into his ears spurred rence into action. He scrambled over, grabbed the old man who was encroaching over his daughter, and hauled the former onto the floor. Incensed at having his bit of fun thwarted, Laurenceshed out at rence with his foot. Then came a mortifying cry. Clutching at the crouch of his pants, rence staggered backward with his scalp drenched in perspiration. A sense of doom hung over him amidst fear that he could have gotten emascted. The people inside the room started exchanging looks with each other. Good god, this horny man is an absolute monster, taking advantage of the host''s daughter inside of their home and even getting rough with the woman''s father. The folks from the Luther family are truly preposterous! Dashing out of the restroom with a bucket of water, the middle-aged butler then dumped its content onto the unconscious Rhonda. The shock of the cold was finally able to rouse Rhonda to her senses. Post a brief bout of grogginess, her pupils shrunk as she red at the scene before her in abject disbelief. ¡°Ahhh!¡± she covered her own body and let out a blood-curdling shriek. Now, it all came back to her. She had remembered everything. Initially, she had nned to set Bailey up in order to ruin thetter''s reputation. Now, it would seem that for all her troubles, she was instead treated to a taste of her own medicine. ¡°Get away from me, you shameless old man. Get out of my face, you disgusting piece of filth!¡± Having not been doused by the water, Laurence remained out of it, and his attention was wholly on Rhonda''s luscious body. No matter how she struggled, he persisted in pinning her down by the wrist and acting wantonly. ¡°Help me, Mom. Help me!¡± Beatrice nked out. She stood rooted to the spot as though her feet were made of lead. ¡°Out of the way.¡± A stern voice emanated from outside the door. Following that, a group of well-trained bodyguards flooded in to open up a path. Ken walked up to the bed and removed his own top which he used to cover up Rhonda''s exposed shamefulness. Truth be told, he had no pity for the woman. He merely did not want her sorry appearance to offend Artemis'' eyes. As Artemis hated seeing women''s bodies, he reckoned that he would surely get an earful if the former were toy eyes on that woman who was in the buff. After he walked in, Artemis did not cast a nce in Rhonda''s direction. Instead, he stretched out a hand to seize Laurence around the wrist. It was not certain how much strength he put behind it, but he had yanked the old man off the bed straight up. In the second that followed, he swung a hard fist right smack into his uncle''s midriff. It was evident from the resounding thud that echoed all around how much power had been exerted. Laurence puked out a mouthful of filth seemingly at almost the same instant that the punch hammered into his abdomen. The excruciating pain that ensued was finally sufficient to sober him up. With the greasily bloated and crinkly face of his scrunched up, he went jelly in the knees and sat slumping upon the floor at the very moment he spotted Artemis'' suave poker face. ¡°M-Mr. Artemis.¡± The Luther family had a house rule. All descendants of the extended family must greet the head of the family reverentially as a measure of respect. This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Artemis'' brows perked up, and his lips curled into a smirk. The frostiness was palpable in his eyes. He thought that the old fe should count his blessings that it was not Bailey that he was forcing himself on, as he would not have hesitated to castrate thetter if that been the case. There was never any doubt that he was capable of battering to death anyone who dared taint the woman that he would not eveny a finger on himself. ¡°Good. It seems like you''re sober now. Uncle Laurence, kindly exin yourself to the representatives from the many media outlets that are present here. If the Luther Group''s reputation were to be ruined at your hands, then we can dispense with convening a family meeting. You could jolly well just up and leave.¡± With eyes widened, Laurence stared at him in disbelief. ¡°A-Are you going to kick me out of the family?¡± Artemis regarded him askance with ambiguity, and it was his roguish smile, in particr, that caused Laurence''s heart to sink. ¡°Y-You can''t do this to me. Even your father dared not boot me out of the family, so how dare you?¡± ¡°Three minutes. You have three minutes to ount for your own behavior. If you cannot do that, I''d have these reporters report that you bedded Max''s biological mother. Do you think that the elders in the family would be able to tolerate that?¡± Laurence''s body shook like leaves in a storm. No! I cannot allow the word of what transpired here tonight to spread, or I''d surely be ousted from the Luthers. Right now, only Artemis could save him, as those reporters would not dare publish without restraint if the former did not allow it. Chapter 50 Chapter 50 ¡°Yes. Someone had spiked my drink. After that, I somehow ended up inside this room where I ran into Ms. Rhonda. But I did not touch her, I swear.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Artemis turned to regard Ken. ¡°Get some people over to the scene and look into the beverages to see whether there are any issues with them.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Felicity walked in from the outside, and a frown appeared between her brows when her sights fell upon Rhonda. ¡°What''s up with you? How did you end up here?¡± Rhonda''s emotions became gradually settled through Beatrice''s pacifying. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, the former then started choking up, ¡°I''ve been set up. Mom sent me back here to pick up some clothes, and when I was passing through the side passage, someone knocked me out and forced some drug down my throat.¡± With that, she lifted her head to regard Felicity with teary eyes. Then, she continued in a hoarse voice, ¡°Laurence is Max''s granduncle and my future uncle so how could I possibly... You have to be the judge of this, Mrs. Luther. I''ve been set up by some wicked people.¡± Looking up at her son, Felicity asked solemnly, ¡°How do you intend to handle this?¡± While Artemis'' gaze fell upon Laurence., his eyes betrayed nothing about his thoughts. Considering how the two matters were intertwined, he reckoned that Luther Group''s reputation would surely suffer if he should choose to do nothing about it. Certainly, none of that really mattered to him, for his primary concern was with his son. What would others think about the boy should word of this spread? Even if they would not say anything nasty to his face, what would they say behind his back? He was positive that his son would be turned into aughing stock. As a father, he saw it as his responsibility to provide a conducive environment for his child to grow. ¡°Have the family doctore over. If they had both been drugged, this matter must have been perpetrated by a third party.¡± With that, he scrutinized the reporters all around him. His keen eyes conveyed an implicit look of deterrence and caution. ¡°If they were set up, then they too could be considered victims. I trust that every one of you here is a reasonable person who would not seek topound upon their misery.¡± The masses exchanged knowing looks with each other. Artemis'' message to them was obvious. He was indirectly using his tone to hint that they were to surrender the photos that they had just taken. ¡°What are you suggesting, Mr. Luther? Are you forcing us to leave our film behind?¡± Artemis'' lips curled up while he turned his attention to the reporter with brows perked up. ¡°If you do not wish to leave your film, you can always leave your camera behind instead. Rest assured that you will not stand to lose, for I am offering to acquire your equipment at three times its value. Of course, you also have the option of calling up your boss to get him to make a trip down to Luther Group''s headquarters, as I''d be happy to have a chat with him in my office over hispany''s financing matters.¡± That was as overt a threat as any and had that reporter so spooked that he shuffled back a couple of steps. Scanning through the faces in the crowd, Artemis let out a subtle smile. ¡°Luther Group has wielded influence in Hallsbay for many years, and I believe that all of you may yet continue to benefit from our presence here in the days toe. If we could all be discreet about the events that took ce here tonight, I have no doubt that there would be more opportunities to coborate abound. However, should anyone here cause a leak that affects my son''s reputation, then do not me me for being merciless.¡± The crowd collectively shuddered. How could they have forgotten about Maxton? If word about the night''s incident were to get out, the first person to be implicated would be the young princeling of the Luther family. As his father, there was no way Artemis would allow his own son to be embroiled in such a fiasco. ck! Someone had already opened up and retrieved a roll of film from his camera which he handed over to a bodyguard at the side. ¡°I''m with Metropolitan News, Mr. Luther. Every shot I''ve taken tonight is in that roll of film that had been handed over to your bodyguard. I swear that I''ll not breathe a word about anything that I''ve seen here.¡± That yielded a smile from Artemis. ¡°In theing six months, you will be given ess to Luther Group for your coverage of finance-rted news. Send yourpany''s representative to Luther Group to discuss the relevant details of this coboration tomorrow.¡± The man responded with delight, for exclusive rights to cover financial news concerning Luther Group would be enough to make hispany a real windfall. ¡°This is Beau Monde''s film, Mr. Luther...¡± ¡°This is ours from The Lowdown Global...¡± Seeing the perks the reporter from Metropolitan News received prompted the rest to produce their own rolls of film from their cameras which they passed along to the bodyguards. When Artemis cast a nce in the way of his subordinates, they got the hint and approached the masses to conduct a body search. Returning from the front courtyard, Ken had in hand a goblet with wine stains left on it. ¡°I''ve ascertained that there are indeed traces of a drug inside of this wine ss, Mr. Luther, but I am unable to determine its source for the time being as it is way too chaotic out there.¡± The family doctors from the two families hustled in just as his voice trailed off. As though she had grabbed onto a lifeline, Beatrice immediately spoke up, ¡°Quick, Dr. Zelinski. Come over here and have a look at Rhonda to see whether she had been drugged.¡± I can''t look dejected, and I have to stay calm. There will be a way to turn this around. She was convinced that so long as they were adamant that someone was out to get Rhonda, there would be no way the Luther family would be able to me it on her daughter. On top of it, Laurence''s involvement means that the Luther family would likewise be bound to secrecy if they wanted to preserve their own reputation. There was a palpable shift in Bradley''s expression after he had examined Rhonda. ¡°This is tremendously powerful stuff. Who was it who wanted to set up Ms. Rhonda? It''s simply abominable.¡± Immediately, Beatrice signaled to her daughter with her eyes, and in the next second, Rhonda bawled aloud. ¡°I told you that someone wanted to set me up. Would you believe me now, in light of the evidence?¡± Two alerting beeps apanied the arrival of a message on Artemis'' phone. Pulling it out to check, he found that it was from Maxton. Come over quickly, Daddy. We''re at the boulevard outside of the Jefferson residence. Bailey has been drugged, and she''s not in a good condition. The color drained from Artemis'' face. For a moment, he thought that the woman had managed to get away unscathed, but it was not the case. ¡°Stay where you are. I''ll be right there.¡± After sending the message out, he looked up at Ken. ¡°Send Laurence back to the Luther residence. I''ll sort him out after I return,¡± he said staidly. With that, he turned to regard Felicity. ¡°Max has run into a bit of a problem on his end, so I have to go over to him. Please oversee things here. I''d have to make a move first.¡± Upon learning that her grandson was in trouble, Felicity had to take her attention off consoling Rhonda. ¡°Then go to him at once,¡± she said anxiously. ¡°Yeah.¡± On the boulevard outside the mansion where they were, the agitated Maxton and Zayron were pacing back and forth. ¡°Didn''t Bay say that the drug wasn''t strong? How did shepletely lose herself then?¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. Sweeping his loose bangs away from his forehead, Zayron seethed, ¡°Why the heck are you asking me that for? Isn''t your mother the one who did the drugging? Why don''t you go and ask her that instead?¡± Uh... Chapter 51 Chapter 51 Bailey leaned back on a tree trunk and rested with her eyes closed. She was relying wholly on sheer willpower to withstand the fric energy that was coursing through her consciousness. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Though it felt somewhat ufortable while they were inside the house, it was not unmanageable. But in no way was it anything close to what she was experiencing there and then, so much so that even the caress of the cold wind on her skin was ineffective at cooling her off. Da*n it. Is the after-effect that strong? Right now, she felt absolutely terrible and desperately needed some release. Oh, no. I am feeling horny... ¡°Let''s cut the crap and find a way to get a ride out of here first.¡± Zayron went close to his mother but dared not touch her. With Bailey looking like the ravenous she-wolf she was at present, he was afraid that she would... Ahem! ¡°I''ve already called a cab. The driver told me that he''d be here in twenty, so hang in there, Bailey.¡± That yielded no answer from her. Then, a rustle of footsteps that sounded quite harried was hearding from the bushes. Sticking his head out, Maxton was overjoyed when he saw his father approach. ¡°My old man''s here, Idiot, so hurry up and let him send Bay to the hospital.¡± Zayron shot him a look and replied between gritted teeth, ¡°Should we hand her over to that creep, I think our mommy would be devoured before she reaches the hospital.¡± Maxton was stumped. In his hurriedness, Artemis had worked up a profuse sweat on his forehead en route there. When he approached, his suave face sank at the sight of the condition Bailey was in. ¡°How did it get so bad?¡± This doesn''t look like she is under the influence of any ordinary drug. Considering her delicate disposition, she''spletely lost her usual aloofness and ispletely out of control. I fear that her life might be in danger if she should go without getting some reprieve soon. What a potent medicinal effect! ¡°Step aside.¡± Reaching out, he parted the two boys who were nking her so that he could lower his upper body to pick her up. In response, Zayron immediately locked up his arm with his own and regarded him with defiant eyes. Enunciating word for word, he said, ¡°I can hand her over to your care, but would you be able to assure that you would not touch her? You should know well the secret hidden within that paternity test, Mr. Jefferson. She could very well be your brother...¡± Coming to that point, he paused abruptly and pursed his lips, ¡°Whatever the case, before we figure this out, you are not to touch her. More importantly, you are not to sully her. If you aren''t able to guarantee that, then you''re only taking her away today over my dead body.¡± Looking sideways at that stubborn little face, those exquisite features did remind Artemis of Simon. This kid''s looks do share certain resemnces to Simon. It''s no wonder that it only takes minor photo editing work to make them look uncannily alike. Being siblings with Simon, he and the former shared some simrities in looks. If the boy was Simon''s offspring, then it should be not surprising if he also resembled his father''s older brother. Uncle... Yet, another bothersome identity! ¡°I''m taking her to Justin''s infirmary. If you trust me enough, then hand her to me. If not... you have to hand her to me anyway. This is because the average doctor won''t be able to fix what''s inside her system. That is, unless, you find her a man.¡± Pursing his lips, Zayron understood well his mother''s condition. Certainly, he did not, in his own esteem, think that that viinous man was trying to cow him. ¡°All right. I''m handing her over. But if you touch her, I''d never let you hear the end of it.¡± With that, he took a couple of steps in retreat with a grim expression upon his dainty face. ¡°Take her away. I''ve called a cab and will be leaving together with Maxton in a bit.¡± Leaning in, Artemis swept up the woman who was leaning against the tree trunk. Then, he strode toward the lot at which the car was parked. ¡°I want. I want it...¡± The soft moans from the woman in his arms got Artemis'' emotions all topsy-turvy. Maxton gulped and reached out to nudge at Zayron''s arm. ¡°Hey, Idiot, are you really sure you want that wily old fox to take our mommy away? They look like they''re in a precarious position to me. I fear that something might go wrong.¡± Zayron shot a vicious look back at him and seethed between his teeth. ¡°If your dad beds my mommy, I''d be the first to castrate you myself.¡± Uh... Maxton reflexively reached down and covered his own crouch, and all the while, his heart was thumping away ferociously. Don''t mess around, Artemis. Your family''s lineage may very welle to an inglorious end. After Artemis ced Bailey inside the car, he ordered the driver to take the car over to the private mansion by the sea. Once the car started up, he held Bailey with one hand while he fished for the phone inside of his pocket with the other. He pulled up Justin''s number and dialed it. ¡°You have half an hour. I don''t care whether you are researching a new drug or fooling around with some random woman, I expect to see you when I arrive at my mansion.¡± He then hung up without waiting for a reply. It was an hour''s journey from where they were to Justin''s infirmary, but a mere twenty minutes to his mansion. Judging from the state this woman is in, I don''t think she would be able tost another hour. Taking her to the mansion in the quickest time possible and plunging her into a bath of ice water would be the best way to help her simmer down. ¡°Stop it.¡± His eyes steadily darkened while he reached over to restrain the hands that were wing at him. How could a woman who had lost all sensibility possibly be receptive to his words? It was almost as though her right hand immediately closed in the second he seized her left. Tangling back and forth, the sh between the fires of her lust and the coolness of his restraint was pulsating. Artemis endured it and regarded her with a taut face and gnashing teeth. ¡°Woman, do not doubt my intentions for I would have dly taken you right now if I could. So, you''d better behave yourself. Otherwise, I''ll make you regret getting what you asked for.¡± The woman in his arms who waspletely unhinged was not inclined to heed his warnings. Not only were her fingers active, but her entire body was also contorting like a snake. Twisting and arcing, she came across as extremely alluring. ¡°F*ck,¡± Artemis could not help but cuss. That was really putting his patience and willpower to the test. Before that woman, the self-control that he took such pride in had gone to the dogs. ¡°Goddammit. Quit squirming, or I''d kill you.¡± The more he fumed, the more his male hormones raged. It became a sort of elerant when taken in through the wayward woman''s nostrils. The veins on Artemis''s forehead pulsed, and the nerves throughout his body tensed up, cing him in peril of losing his grip at any given moment. Let rationality be da*ned. Given the circumstances, the thing that he had always taken pride in seemed more like a nuisance than anything else. Had he not been repressing himself to the fullest extent possible, perhaps he might have already pounced upon her. A cautionary voice was, however, constantly within earshot with a helpful reminder whenever such a notion roused in him. I must noty a finger on her nor could I stain her. She is Simon''s woman¡ªthe mother to my nephew and my future sister-inw. It''d be embarrassing as heck to meet with my brother in the future if I were to make any inappropriate advances on her, or worse, make it impossible for us to maintain our familial ties anymore. A sister-inw is strictly off-limits! ¡°Give it to me...¡± That being said, there was only so much reason and self-restraint that could do against the relentless temptation she was putting forth. Just before his willpower was to break, he grabbed a bottle of water from the back of the car. Uncapping it, he then raised it high to douse its contents upon her head. Chapter 52 Chapter 52 The water that gushed from Bailey''s head instantly woke her up, bringing her to her senses. Looking stunned, she wiped away the water on her face and turned her attention to the handsome man. Upon gazing into his deep, dark eyes, a vortex of anger swirled inside her, and she exploded. ¡°You jerk, b*stard, lecher, shameless idiot...¡± Bailey raised her arms and pped his cheek ferociously. The sound was so loud that it echoed in the tiny space inside the car. The woman hopped up from his thigh and knocked against the car ceiling before Artemis could grab her arm. Bailey massaged her head to get rid of the buzzing sound while hugging her chest with her arms. She shot daggers at the man and asked, ¡°What are you trying to do to me?¡± Artemis nched at her words. It was as if he was about to explode. F*ck! No one has pped me like how this da*n woman did! The man clenched his teeth and said, ¡°You''re safe.¡± He crossed his arms, leaned against the seat, and shut his eyes, pretending that she was invisible. Bailey frowned. She was able to think in the right mind once she regained herposure. After ncing at the water bottle and her wet gown, she finally understood what had happened. He must have rescued me, but I''d mistaken him for being a pervert. She could not help but feel a pang of guilt for what she did to Artemis. ¡°Err, I''m sorry. I got a little agitated just now. Do you want to p me back, so we can call it quits? I won''t tell anyone I''ve pped you before, so don''t worry.¡± Bailey''s suggestion rendered the man speechless. He opened his eyes and looked up at the woman with a scowl. I don''t want to p you. I want to sleep with you. I just want to sleep with you, you hear me? ¡°It''s not the time to put your guard down yet. Listen carefully¡ªwhat they had used on you is not the usual drug. The drug might trigger an even more intense reaction if you don''t purge it out of your system. Do you think you can handle that?¡± There was a baffling look on Artemis'' face when he lowered his eyes to look at the water bottle near his ankle. Bailey pressed her lips. Was I overly affectionate just now? I must have gone overboard. Otherwise, a well-mannered man like him wouldn''t have poured a bottle of water over my head. ¡°So where are we going now?¡± Artemis nced at her before answering indifferently, ¡°My mansion.¡± ¡°Hell, no!¡± Bailey stormed her feet. But before she could stand up, she fell back on the seat as the buzzing sound in her head started ringing again. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Take me to the hospital will do, Mr. Luther. I don''t want to disturb you in your mansion.¡± Artemis leaned forward, inched closer, and responded ambivalently, ¡°You seem to be quite afraid of me. Can I know why? Are you worried that Edmund might misunderstand us? Or are you afraid that I know your other identity, Spook?¡± Bailey stayed calm and ignored hisst remark, but deep in her heart, she was thunderstruck. He must have found out something about me. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have mentioned Spook all of a sudden. ¡°Edmund is trying to pursue me, and yes, I have feelings for him. Since you guys are cousins, I think it''s best we maintain a distance from each other. Please stay away from me, Mr. Luther. Otherwise, I might have difficulty exining our rtionship to Edmund.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes, stared at her for a few minutes, and said nonchntly, ¡°You seem to dodge my question on purpose. You''ve only answered my first few questions but not thest one. So tell me, what''s your rtionship with Spook? Spook stole three billion from me. I''ll have to settle this score with that person.¡± Bailey''s eyes darted from side to side. She could only think of a way to distract him from the topic. She began to narrow her eyes, stared nkly into the distance, curled her body, and started trembling. Artemis cussed as he thought the drug in her body was acting up again. ¡°Hang in there. We''ll be arriving at my mansion in another five minutes. Once we reach, you can soak yourself in the cold water. I''ll call Justin, but he can only be here in another fifteen minutes. Not every doctor can purge the toxins out of your system because the drug is too powerful. I''m not a jerk and will not do anything to you. You just rx and cooperate with me. In short, stop fighting against me.¡± About four to five minutester, the toxins in her body started acting up without her realizing it. When she was on the verge of having a breakdown, the car drove into a private mansion. When the car parked right in front of the entrance, she opened the door and asked in a shivering voice, ¡°W-Where is the bathroom?¡± Even though the foyer was dimly-lit, Artemis could still notice the blush on Bailey''s face. He could also tell she was in great misery. ¡°Upstairs¡ªthe room on the left.¡± She dashed into the house without hesitation. Bailey stumbled a few times but managed to make her way to the bathroom in the master bedroom upstairs. She did not even pay attention to the sophisticated and luxurious design of the mansion. After turning on the faucet, she got into the bathtub with her gown on. The cold water that filled the tub eventually dissipated the heat from her body. She had never been in such a wretched state in thest seven years. Beatrice Wenlock and Rhonda Jefferson. You yed with fire, and I''ll make you pay the price! Bailey knew Artemis could keep tonight''s incident a secret. Artemis would prevent the scandal from going virus because he would do anything to safeguard his son''s reputation. Bailey was not a pushover. She would never let Rhonda off so easily. That was why she did something to the surveince camera in that room and retrieved a part of the footage before leaving the attic. The scandal would go viral on the next day. She would not expose Laurence but would release all of Rhonda''s lewd photos to the public. Bailey wanted Beatrice and Rhonda to get a taste of their own medicine. They might be proud of what they had done tonight, thinking that no one knows they are the culprit. But tomorrow morning, they''ll get the feel of falling from heaven and diving straight to hell. Knock! Knock! Knock! Bailey heard the knock on the door. She pulled herself together and stared at the room with caution. ¡°What is it?¡± A deep, maic voice emerged from behind the door. ¡°I have something for you. Can Ie in?¡± Chapter 53 Chapter 53 Despite asking the question, the man barged into her room without waiting for her reply. Bailey did not know how to react to his action. She submerged her body in the bathtub, red at him, and gritted her teeth. ¡°You said you''re not a jerk and wouldn''t do anything to me. Yet, you intrude on my space when I''m in such apromising position. Don''t you think you''re a hypocrite?¡± Artemis stared at her with narrowed eyes. A voice in his head kept pushing him to approach the woman. However, the fact that she might be Simon''s woman had deterred him from making the next move. ¡°W-Why are you staring at me like this? Don''t you dare have any nasty thoughts! I''m your brother''s woman, mind you!¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. A cold glint shed across Artemis'' eyes. He tossed something at Bailey. ¡°Here.¡± Bailey reached out her hand and caught the item. She tilted her head and looked at the item in her hand¡ªit was a mobile phone. Bailey looked confused. When she was about to ask Artemis what the phone was for, the man had left. Out of curiosity, she unlocked the screen and noticed that there was only one app on the phone. Without hesitation, she tapped on the app to check it out. Suddenly, she heard a bizarre noise from the speaker. Though she had not been intimate with any man for years, she knew what the app was all about. That son of a b*tch. How dare he show me this kind of obscene stuff! What''s wrong with him? Never in a million years did he expect the stone-cold Artemis from the Luther family would do such a thing. Bailey would not have believed it had she not experienced this firsthand in his mansion. Not only did he do all the nasty stuff in his office, but he also had the audacity to show me these videos. Bailey could not take it anymore. Who says he''s cold and indifferent? He''s secretly a pervert¡ªa wolf in sheep''s clothing! She tossed the phone into the tub and watched it sink to the bottom. Don''t think about it anymore, Bailey Jefferson. Don''t let him destroy your morals and principles. Watching those videos would not make her feel any better since she was drugged heavily. Men and women would have easily stayed out of trouble had those videos been effective! After spending another ten minutes in the tub, Bailey heard another knock from the door. She fished out the phone from the bottom of the tub and tossed it in the door''s direction when it opened. Artemis instantly stepped aside to dodge the attack. He then reached out his hand and caught the phone when it was about to drop to the ground. His expression turned grim the moment he felt how wet the device was. F*ck! That''s my precious phone! The entire collection of videos on the phone was what helped him get through all the lonely nights. ¡°Justin is here. Put on my pajamas ande out of the bathroom. Go andy on the bed and cover yourself with a nket. I''ll get him to do a thorough checkup for you, and he''ll decide what medicine to use to relieve your symptoms.¡± Artemis then turned around and left. Bailey froze for about three seconds before standing up from the bathtub. After removing her wet gown, she opened the wardrobe and retrieved a pair of men''s pajamas. She put on the attire and stepped out of the bathroom. There was not a single soul in the room. Bailey hesitated for a while before crawling into the bed and covering her body with the nket. The fragrance of fresh mint wafted into her nose. It was a familiar scent that belonged to that man. She had no clue why she could remember the smell so clearly, but she would always think of him when the scent filled her nose. It was as if the man had infiltrated through her body and soul. They were merely acquaintances who had met a few times, but somehow, Bailey thought his mesmerizing body scent could pull her heartstring. I guess it made sense when people said Artemis is an addictive drug. He has the power to get women to go gaga over him. Meanwhile, Justin could not help but suck his teeth when he peeked at Bailey through the door. Artemis stood before him and stopped him from checking her out. ¡°The drug in her body is quite strong. Are you sure you can get rid of it?¡± Justin raised his brows and smirked. ¡°You don''t have to heed my advice. Since the woman is lying on your bed, you can do anything to her if you''re brave enough.¡± Artemis'' eyes darkened. He responded in a suppressed voice. ¡°Max stole Simon''s blood sample and gave it to Bailey''s son.¡± Justin''s smirk vanished after he heard what Artemis said. He narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°So the two kids know the truth? Do they want to go for a paternity test?¡± Artemis hummed in response to his question. ¡°I guess your advice made sense. I should pull myself away and put a stop to this obsession. If she were Simon''s woman, I''d risk cutting off ties with my dear brother had I taken advantage of her.¡± Justin patted his shoulder and fished out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. ¡°Here, take a puff at it to control your emotion. There are so many other women out there, so don''t just cling onto this one.¡± Artemis retrieved the cigarette and stepped aside to make way for him. ¡°Go and take a look at her.¡± Justin nodded and entered the room with a medical kit. Artemis leaned against the wall and puffed at the cigarette to suppress his emotions. He tottered down the stairs and went to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Bailey gave Justin an unfathomable look as he walked toward her. The cold glint in the woman''s eyes gave Justin chills. He shuddered but tried to defuse the tension. ¡°Don''t look at me like this. Since Artemis dares not touch you, I wouldn''t dare toy my finger on you, so don''t worry.¡± Bailey nced at him with a frown but was less confrontational now. ¡°My son altered the paternity report between him and Edmund, and I''m sure you''ve noticed the discrepancy. Why didn''t you say anything?¡± ¡°Edmund is my friend. Since he wants to marry you, I should do him a favor and help him achieve his goal, shouldn''t I? Do you see that as a problem, Ms. Jefferson?¡± Bailey let out a mirthlessugh. Artemis is a sly fox. Even the people around him are just as cunning. ¡°Not a problem at all. Could you please remove the toxins from my body, Mr. Xuereb? I owe you one.¡± Justin responded with a faint smile and reiterated, ¡°You don''t owe me anything. Artemis hired me, so he owes me a favor.¡± Justin''s medical skills were indeed superb, and he was definitely worthy of the ¡°Medical Genius¡± title. With just an injection, Justin was able to dissipate the heat from Bailey''s body, reducing her temperature. The treatment ended around eleven o''clock at night. Upon realizing Justin had removed the toxins from her body, she just wanted to leave the mansion as soon as possible. Yet, her gown was soaking wet. And I can''t just leave the mansion wearing this pair of pajamas, can I? After a brief hesitation, she decided to give Victoria a call. ¡°Hey. I''m at Artemis'' private mansion. Can you please send some clothes over? I can''t wear my gown anymore.¡± Chapter 54 Chapter 54 Well, even Bailey thought her words sounded ambiguous, not to mention Victoria. Even through the phone, Bailey could sense Victoria''s excitement. ¡°Bay, w-were you two at it like rabbits?¡± At it like rabbits? D*mn! What kind of brazen description is that? ¡°Ms. Saunders, can you behave normally?¡± ¡°If that isn''t the case, howe your clothes are gone? Can you exin to me what''s going on?¡± Victoria''s mocking voice was heard from the speaker. Bailey was rendered speechless. Perhaps I''ve contacted the wrong person. Calling Zayron might have been a more practical choice. ¡°Sis, let''s stop talking nonsense. You should know Artemis'' private mansion''s address. Cut the crap and quickly bring me some clothes. I need undergarments too.¡± ¡°Tch, you''re still denying it. How do you exin the¡ª¡± Bailey did not want to listen to any more of Victoria''s gibberish, so she directly hung up the call. The bedroom door was pushed open right after she hung up the phone. Bailey hurriedly wrapped herself with the nket in fright. She was not wearing any underwear at that moment, and she might identally expose her private areas. Bailey frowned after seeing the face of the intruder. ¡°Mr. Luther, don''t you know how to knock before entering a room?¡± Artemis, holding a tray in his hand, arched his brow at her and sneered, ¡°Do you ever knock before entering your own room?¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. Fine. This is his territory, so he''s always right. I shall be patient. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± Artemis strode to the bedside in silence, ced the tray on the bedside table, and uttered tersely, ¡°Eat.¡± Bailey nced at the tray instinctively and saw a te of delicious-looking pasta. She reckoned Artemis had ordered food delivery from a restaurant. ¡°Thank you for the kind gesture, Mr. Luther, but I don''t eat takeout.¡± Artemis red at her and snapped through gritted teeth, ¡°Who said this is takeout? Why are you ruling out the possibility that I prepared this te of pasta?¡± Bailey did not say a word. She stared at him in surprise and utter disbelief. Her doubts were not unreasonable. After all, who would believe the pampered scion of the Luther family would personally cook a meal and put together such an exquisite te of pasta? Artemis snickered in amusement after taking in her dubious gaze. Bailey had a knack for evoking his various emotions. ¡°You don''t want to eat this? Fine. I''ll feed this to the dogs.¡± Don''t do that! Bailey hurriedly reached out to hold the tray in ce. In fact, she was famished. Her stomach had been growling in hunger for a few times. ¡°Um... Can you leave for a short while?¡± Artemis sniggered, turned around, and was about to leave. How confident is she? Does she think I want to see her body? Every woman''s figure is the same after they''re stripped naked. ¡°Hold on! What I meant was not for you to leave this room. C-Can you leave this mansion?¡± Artemis stopped abruptly in his tracks and shot her a piercing gaze. ¡°What did you say, Ms. Jefferson? I''m afraid I did not hear you correctly.¡± Bailey scratched her nose in embarrassment. It does sound inappropriate for me to ask him, the owner of this house, to leave his home. However, her head ached at the thought of the scene if Victoria stumbled into her staying alone in the mansion with Artemis. ¡°The thing is, my clothes are wet, so I called Victoria earlier to send two sets of outfits here. You know she''s a bbermouth. It will be quite awkward when she starts chattering if she sees us together.¡± Artemis arched his brow at her and asked with mirth, ¡°You called Victoria?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah. Otherwise, what should I wear?¡± Artemis smacked his head and said mischievously, ¡°I contacted the clothing store under Luther Group for their employee to send over two sets of the female outfits while you were in the shower earlier. I think they should be arriving soon. I''m sorry I forgot to inform you because my mind was upied with work-rted matters.¡± Bailey grabbed a pillow beside her and chucked it at him. B*stard! B*stard! B*stard! Why didn''t he tell me earlier? If he had told me in advance, I wouldn''t have embarrassed myself in front of Victoria. ¡°Get out of my sight.¡± Artemisughed out loud. His deep and richughter reverberated inside the spacious room. The tone of his voice was captivating and pleasant to the ears. Even after he left the room, his enticing guffaws continued to echo inside the house. Bailey booted the nightstand, picked up her phone, and sent a message to Victoria: You don''t have to come here anymore. Artemis bought me some clothes. Don''t start gossiping, or I''ll unfriend you. Three secondster, Victoria replied: Sis, let me give you a piece of heartfelt advice. Remember to buy some morning-after pills. I''m not nning to be a godmother again. It was already one o''clock in the morning when they returned to Shelbert Condominium. Artemis personally chauffeured her home. After parking the car, he got out of the vehicle with her. Bailey frowned and turned to look at her house on the fifth floor. She saw that the living room was lit and guessed that Edmund was upstairs. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''m sorry, but it''s inconvenient to invite you upstairs at thiste hour. I''ll treat you to a meal another day to thank you for your help.¡± Artemis slightly narrowed his eyes. He caught sight of the lit living room on the fifth floor from the corner of his eye, and jealousy surged within him again. There''s only one reason why she doesn''t want me to go upstairs. That''s because Edmund is there. We are both rted to Simon by blood. Why am I not allowed to be with Bailey, but Edmund can? N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°I''m going upstairs to look in on Maxton.¡± Bailey was stumped. Artemis had provided an excellent excuse because there was no way she could prevent him from meeting his son. As I expected, leaving Maxton at the condominium is a huge risk. Without waiting for her refusal, Artemis strode toward the elevator. Bailey was rendered speechless by hisck of courtesy. She sighed in her spot and hoped that Edmund was not home. Otherwise, it would be awkward for the two cousins to meet in the house of a single woman like her. Inside the fifth-floor living room, a man and three kids were having the time of their life, making a complete mess of the ce. Bailey heard their joyful noise and banters inside the house right after she stepped out of the elevator. Then she shifted her gaze to the man standing beside her. His face was terrifyingly gloomy. Theughter grew more audible as she took out the key and unlocked the door. ¡°Daddy Eddy, toss it to me.¡± ¡°Daddy Eddy, throw it to me instead. I''m more reliable.¡± ¡°No. I''m a girl. You two should let me have it. Daddy Eddy, toss it to me.¡± Bailey scanned the room. Great. The whole ce is a clutter. She stared at the three kids coldly and uttered sinisterly, ¡°I think you all are wishing for me to toss you down from the window.¡± Silence filled the air instantaneously as the four people inside the living room turned to look at the door. Edmund chuckled and walked toward the door with a football in his hands. He fell into a daze when he saw Artemis, and an unfathomable look shed across his eyes. Chapter 55 Chapter 55 ¡°I heard from Zayron that you brought Bay to Justin''s infirmary to remove the toxin. Thank you, Artemis. I''ll remember your kindness and repay you when I have the opportunity in the future.¡± Artemis arched his brow and said with a half smile, ¡°Who told you I brought her to Justin''s infirmary? She took a nap at my private mansion.¡± ¡°Lecher.¡± ¡°Scoundrel.¡± ¡°Shameless.¡± Three childish voices sounded in session as they criticized Artemis. Artemis'' face turned grim. They do look like a real family at first nce. D*mn their familial warmth and bonding. Even my own son is siding with others. What the hell? Edmund chuckled and replied gently, ¡°As I expected. After all, the journey from the Jefferson residence to Justin''s infirmary requires an hour, but to travel from the Jefferson residence to your private mansion takes only twenty minutes. You''re a brilliant man, Artemis, so it is nothing out of the ordinary for you to choose the second option.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly and sneered, ¡°Aren''t you too generous? Aren''t you worried that I''ve touched her?¡± Edmund shook his head, wearing a smile. ¡°Artemis, I''ve known Bay for seven years. I know her personality very well. If you really took advantage of her, I reckon you two would be at the hospital now instead of appearing here together in such a peaceful manner.¡± An awkward silence filled the air afterward. ¡°Max, your daddy misses you. He''s here to visit you. Why don''t you follow him back today ande again tomorrow?¡± Bailey could not help but attempt to lighten the mood as the atmosphere had turned heavy with tension. Unfortunately, Maxton did not cooperate with her. ¡°You''ve never missed me since I was born seven years ago. Aren''t you being too pretentious to say that you miss me now? Well, you''ve seen me now, so you can leave now. I won''t be seeing you out.¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Artemis was dumbfounded. That was his biological son speaking. Zayron chimed in, ¡°It is inappropriate for a man with a fianc¨¦e like you to appear in a single mother''s house sote into the night. You should hurry up and leave before you tarnish my mommy''s reputation.¡± Again, Artemis was rendered speechless. That was his biological nephew uttering those words. Bailey could distinctly feel Artemis'' fury and icy aura. She rubbed her temples as her head began to hurt. Artemis was indeed not endearing. Even the children disliked him. Artemis swept his indifferent gaze across the two kids before finally focusing on Edmund. ¡°I have something to talk to you about. Care to join me downstairs?¡± Edmund grinned. He turned to look at Bailey and said tenderly, ¡°It''s gettingte. I''ll be taking my leave now. You all should rest earlier. Any pending matters can be dealt with tomorrow.¡± ¡°Okay. Drive safely on your way back, and leave me a message when you''re home.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Artemis stood rooted to his spot for three seconds in silence. Envy rose within him once again as he sensed Bailey had no intention of reminding him to take care. She gives Edmund such gentle reminders but is reluctant to spare me even a nce. This woman... This is just great! After exiting the condominium, Artemis retrieved a document from his car and handed it to Edmund. Edmund raised his brows at him, received the document, and browsed through the contents on the paper. ¡°Artemis, I''m not adept at interpreting medical reports. Giving me this is no different from asking me to read from a piece of nk paper.¡± Artemis trained his eyes on Edmund and enunciated, ¡°This is the paternity test result of you and Zayron. We are both in the know, so there''s no need to be secretive. Zayron is not your child.¡± Edmund smiled faintly. ¡°That''s all you wanted to tell me, Artemis? Justin is your subordinate, so I''m not surprised he told you the paternity test result was tampered with. Do you have anything else to say aside from this matter?¡± Artemis snorted. He shifted his gaze to the middle section of the paper and uttered casually, ¡°That kid is rted to you by blood. He''s not your son, but you two are close rtives.¡± Edmund was taken aback. He looked at Artemis in astonishment as his body tensed up. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°He''s probably the son of your brother or cousin on the paternal side. He could also be your maternal side''s cousin''s child.¡± Edmund was stunned as if something had exploded in his brain. He did not have any brothers or cousins on the paternal side. As for cousins from the maternal side... Edmund had a few cousins from his maternal side, but they were all blood rtives of the Danontand royal family. Paternal-wise, the only male cousins he had were Felicity''s sons. ¡°He is Simon''s¡ª¡± An agonized expression shed across his face as he suddenly stopped speaking. How is this possible? How can Zayron and Susan be Simon''s children? Artemis stared at Edmund coldly and said, ¡°Zayron asked Max to steal Simon''s blood sample from the Luther family''s infirmary. I suppose he intended to carry out a paternity test secretly. If the result shows that he''s Simon''s son, I wish you can keep your distance from Bailey. She''s off-limits if she''s our sister- inw.¡± Edmund was stupefied. His lips moved as he hesitated to speak while he gazed emptily at the test report in his hand. Artemis stretched out his hand to pat Edmund''s shoulder. Then he turned on his heels and opened the car door. ¡°Get in. I''ll send you back to the Chivers residence.¡± Edmund did not respond. Meanwhile, inside the living room of the Jefferson residence, rence pped Beatrice''s face forcefully without reserving his strength, causing her to fall backward onto the couch. He pointed at her with a trembling finger and bellowed, ¡°You idiot! I can''t believe you came up with that ridiculous idea to set Bailey up. Should I call you a hero or a fool? Look at what you''ve done. The Jefferson family''s reputation is dragged through the mud now because of you and Rhonda. Are you satisfied now?¡± Beatrice covered her swollen right cheek and sat upright on the couch. She gazed at rence calmly and uttered scornfully, ¡°Do you really think that bastard Bailey is taking care of is Edmund''s child? All those years you''ve spent in the business world must have gone down the drain for you to fail to discern such a simple trick.¡± rence narrowed his eyes at her and questioned her fiercely, ¡°What do you mean? Do you have any proof that the kid is not a member of the Chivers family? Don''t tell me Edmund bribed Justin to alter the paternity test result and turn himself into a cuckold on purpose?¡± Rhonda piped up fearfully, ¡°Daddy, Edmund was abroad, celebrating Old Mr. Chivers'' birthday during that time seven years ago. He wasn''t even in the country, so how could he have impregnated Bailey?¡± rence''s face turned pale as he seemed to have thought of something. Beatrice agreed with her daughter. ¡°rence, the real culprit who will bring disaster to the Jefferson family is not Ronni and me. That person is Bailey. She tricked Edmund into tampering with the paternity test result and lied to the Chiverses. Her lies will be exposed one day. When Mr. Chivers knows that the kid is not a member of the Chivers family, he will undoubtedly wish to settle the score with the Jefferson family. Even so, do you still n to side with your traitorous daughter who''s trying to falsify her bastard as the Chivers family''s heir?¡± A hint of terror shed across rence''s eyes. Even ten Jefferson familiesbined could not stand a chance against a Chivers family. If the Chivers family truly wished to ce that me on the Jefferson family, rence and his family would definitely have to face the terrible fate of getting wiped out. Sensing his determination wavering, Beatrice immediately pressed that matter further. ¡°Your treacherous daughter is challenging the Chivers family''s bottom line. If you allow her to return to the family, you will be the Chivers family''s first target once the truth is uncovered. rence, isn''t it sufficient for us to rely on the powerful Luther family? Why should we take the risk of lying on behalf of that b*tch?¡± rence was anxious and exasperated. ¡°That deceitful imbecile. H-How dare she?¡± Chapter 56 Chapter 56 ¡°It has always been Bailey''s dream to marry into a rich and powerful family and it just so happened that Edmund''s interested in her. There was no way she would have missed out on such a good opportunity. Mom and I set that trap to ruin her n, but I didn''t expect her to be so evil. I can''t believe that she... she drugged me and...¡± rence wrapped his daughter in his arms andforted her, ¡°Don''t cry. The Luther family still cares about you. The same goes for Artemis. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have tried to suppress the matter. Everyone thinks you''re the victim, so your reputation won''t be affected.¡± The corners of Rhonda''s lips curled up into a sweet smile as she exchanged nces with Beatrice. Although they had failed, they did not suffer any losses. Besides, they had even managed to gain Felicity''s sympathy. As such, it could be considered a blessing in disguise. They still had a long way to go, and the mother-and-daughter pair did not believe that Bailey would always be so lucky. They were determined to humiliate her and tear her reputation into shreds one day. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Meanwhile, in the study of Shelbert Condominium, Zayron removed a card reader from hisptop and passed it to his mother. ¡°Bailey, the stuff you asked for is all inside.¡± Bailey took it over from the boy and eyed him suspiciously before asking, ¡°You didn''t watch it, right?¡± Zayron rolled his eyes before replying, ¡°It''s just an old man having sex with an old woman. There''s nothing interesting to watch. It''s gettingte. You''d better quickly edit the photos. I''ve already contacted Sebastian. He''ll be releasing these photos using LG Corporation''s name tomorrow. By then, Aunt Rhonda will definitely be the talk of the town with her name sttered all over the news.¡± A chilly glint shed past Bailey''s eyes as she said, ¡°I have never intended to do this to her. But she brought this upon herself by messing with me first. She can''t me me for not showing her mercy.¡± Meanwhile, Rhonda had a good night''s sleep. Whenever she thought about the fact that Artemis had suppressed the scandal for her, she could not help but smile blissfully. The next morning, she was awoken by a loud shriek. Immediately before she woke up, she was dreaming about spending her honeymoon with Artemis on a yacht. Rhonda''s temper sparked when she was jolted out of her happy dream. ¡°Who''s shouting so early in the morning? I''m trying to sleep here!¡± Just then, the door swung open and Beatrice entered, looking anxious. ¡°Ronni, something bad has happened!¡± Rhonda sat up on her bed when she heard that. She scrunched up her face as she let out a yawn. Feeling groggy, she grumbled, ¡°Mom, I was having a good dream just now. I dreamed that Artemis and I were on our honeymoon and we were on a yacht. We could not keep our hands off each other, and he was just intending to make love to me on the deck when you barged in and interrupted my dream! Your timing is just too perfect.¡± ¡°Well, you can continue to daydream!¡± rence bellowed as he strode into the room with anger flooding his veins. He hurled the newspaper at Rhonda while fixing his furious gaze on her. ¡°Look what you''ve done! News has even spread overseas. Even though the local media doesn''t dare to cover your scandal, that doesn''t apply to LG Corporation. They are a famous entertainmentpany overseas and are not afraid of offending Artemis.¡± Rhonda was suddenly wide awake as she sensed something amiss. In a fluster, she picked up the newspaper that was on her nket and spotted the eye-catching headlines at once. The younger daughter of the Jefferson family was caught having a tryst with a mysterious man in the attic during her father''s birthday party. Three nude photos of the couple were published together with the headlines. Although some parts of their bodies had been blurred with mosaic, anyone could tell that the woman, who was pinned down by the man, was Rhonda. She appeared to be extremely intoxicated, her expression filled with desire, emptiness, and charm. Moreover, the pictures had all been erged, intensifying the visual impact on those looking at the photos. ¡°Aargh!¡± Rhonda started screaming hysterically while gripping the newspaper. What''s going on? Why is this happening? News that was published by LG Corporation was circted worldwide. That meant that Rhonda had already be a global sensation, her scandalous photos being viewed by billions of men all over the world. ¡°Aargh!¡± The woman let out another agonizing shriek, her face contorted. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, I''m going to kill you! I will kill you!¡± As Bailey was the only person who hade into contact with the camera the previous night, Rhonda was sure that the woman had made a copy of the video and taken screenshots of it before sending them to LG Corporation. LG Corporation was a properpany with aplicated background. They did not fear anyone, not even the president of the country. Since they had already published those photos, there was no way they could stop the news from being circted. ¡°Mom, what should we do now? What should I do?¡± Beatrice looked up at rence with an awkward expression on her face and said, ¡°rence, since things have already progressed to this stage, ming Ronni won''t help. It''s better for us to think of a solution to salvage the situation. You can''t possibly leave our daughter in the lurch and allow her reputation to be tarnished forever. If that happens, she can never marry into the Luther family.¡± rence''s expression tensed. He took multiple deep breaths, trying to tamp down his rage, and managed to calm down a whileter. ¡°I''ll give Mr. Luther a call and ask if he could talk to the CEO of LG Corporation.¡± A look of delight shed past Beatrice''s face as she replied, ¡°Yes! That''s a good idea. Mr. Luther has been in the business arena for decades and is more influential than Artemis. If he gets involved personally, the CEO of LG Corporation will definitely show him some respect.¡± rence shot a stern re at Rhonda before he turned around and left the room. ¡°Mom¡±¡ªRhonda looked at Beatrice tearfully¡ª¡±I didn''t expect Bailey to make such a move. Now that our n has backfired, what should we do next?¡± Beatrice walked toward her daughter and sat on the edge of her bed. After a brief moment of silence, she sneered and said, ¡°It seems that the b*tch is dering war. Very well, challenge epted.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I heard that she''s the lead designer at Luther Group''s Archulea branch, and the reason she''s here is to design Caridee''s gown. We can try to use her of giarizing another designer''s work and send her to jail.¡± When Rhonda heard that, delight crept across her face, and she started feeling smug again. ¡°That''s right! How could I have forgotten that? Caridee hates Bailey to the core. If we can take advantage of that and devise a good n, Bailey will certainly be in deep trouble. Besides, there''s also Jessica, whose nomination at The Grand Fashion Show was affected by Bailey. That woman will be happy to see Bailey''s downfall.¡± Chapter 57 Chapter 57 Caridee came over to the Jefferson residence to see Rhonda in the morning. Rhonda cried her eyes out as she told Caridee everything, causing thetter to go ballistic on the spot. ¡°Does that woman''s shamelessness know no bounds? Not only did she drug her sister, but she also sent your pictures over to LG Corporation! Why has no one dealt with her yet?¡± Rhonda shed a couple more tears as she sobbed, ¡°She''s jealous that I gave birth to an heir for the Luther family, so she''s doing everything she can to ruin my reputation. I don''t get it at all. She already has kids with Edmund, so it''s only a matter of time before she marries into the Chivers family! Why did she have to do this to me? Does she think she won''t be able to marry into the family? Is that why she''s trying to bring me down with her?¡± Caridee narrowed her eyes and fell silent for a while before asking, ¡°Rhonda, how old is Bailey''s child?¡± A cunning glint appeared in Rhonda''s eyes for a split second when she heard that. Yes! The fish has taken the bait! ¡°The same age as Max. She slept with a stranger on the same night I had sex with your brother. Both of us got pregnant around the same time.¡± ¡°What?¡± Caridee leaped to her feet all of a sudden. She got so mad that her face was twisted with rage. ¡°W-What''s wrong, Caridee?¡± ¡°What''s wrong, you ask?¡± Caridee snorted. ¡°If she got pregnant on the same night you had sex with my brother, then my cousin is definitely not the father of her child! My cousin was keeping my granddad company in Springwyn at the time!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhonda stared at her, pretending to be in shock and disbelief. ¡°B-But the DNA paternity test results clearly stated that they''re father and son! ording to Justin''s report, he is Edmund''s child. There''s no way Justin would make a mistake like this, right?¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Caridee broke into a wry smile. ¡°Bailey sure is a cunning one. She convinced my cousin into bribing Justin so they could trick my uncle and aunt! I won''t let her get away with corrupting the Chivers family bloodline!¡± Rhonda got up from the couch with a conflicted look on her face. ¡°We don''t have any proof of this, Caridee. Besides, this is all just my guess, so don''t go doing anything rash. It''s true that Bailey has crossed the line by ruining my reputation, but she is still my sister. I¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough.¡± Caridee hugged her tightly. ¡°Defending the culprit when you''re the victim? You''re being way too kind, Rhonda. She deceived my uncle and aunt, and she ruined your reputation. A wicked woman like her does not deserve to be the lead designer in Luther Group. Don''t worry. I''ll find a way to get her fired. She''ll never be able to work as a designer ever again.¡± Oh, Bailey... I''m not the only one who wants to screw you over. You made too many enemies in Hallsbay, so it''s only a matter of time before theye after you. Rhonda''s lips curled into a vicious smile at the thought of that. Meanwhile, Dwayne entered the CEO''s office in Luther Group with a huge stack of documents in his hands. ¡°Mr. Luther, the number of mediapanies publishing this news is increasing. Because they are all foreign mediapanies, our staff from the public rtions department have no right to stop them. I''m afraid you may have to step forward and address this issue in person.¡± Artemis, who was twirling a pen between his fingers, paused and looked up at him upon hearing that. ¡°Why should I?¡± he asked with a sarcastic smile. Dwayne lowered his eyes and nced at the woman in the newspaper article. Although they aren''t married, she did help give birth to a son. Isn''t it a little inappropriate for him to just sit by and do nothing? ¡°Are you sure you won''t do anything about this? Those foreign mediapanies are going to write all sorts of nasty stuff about her. Even if you don''t care about her, you should at least do it for Max. How will he carry himself into society when everyone knows about his mother''s scandal?¡± Artemis gave a cynical chuckle as he tossed his pen aside and leanedzily against his chair. ¡°She brought this upon herself. She should''ve thought about the consequences of her actions beforehand. Do you know how these pictures got leaked?¡± Dwayne gave it some thought before saying, ¡°You mean Ms. Bailey was the one who leaked these pictures? Rhonda tried to set her up, but Ms. Bailey turned the tables on her and obtained those pictures instead.¡± Artemis stroked his chin as he replied, ¡°That woman is cold and calm by nature, so she wouldn''t go around picking fights with people. She only dealt a blow back because Rhonda had crossed the line this time. If you take a closer look at these pictures, you''ll notice that she deliberately kept Laurence''s face hidden. This proves that she knows where to draw the line. She refrained from ruining Laurence''s reputation because he didn''t do anything to wrong her. As for Rhonda... Well, she had iting.¡± He then waved at Dwayne as he continued coldly, ¡°Don''te to me about such matters in the future. We''ll be able to recover the losses as long as my uncle''s face isn''t revealed. As for Max... I''ll marry someone who is worthy of being his mother. He''ll do just fine without that horrible biological mother of his.¡± Dwayne pursed his lips speechlessly after hearing that. It''s funny you say that when you''ve been defending Ms. Bailey all this while. Too bad she''s not your woman, so you can''t sleep with her! ¡°All right, we''ll drop this topic for the time being. What do you n on doing about Laurence? Are you going to suspend him?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes upon hearing that. His father had called himst night and warned him against kicking Laurence out. Not wanting to destroy his rtionship with his father, Artemis had no choice but toply with his orders. ¡°Find a manor overseas with a peaceful environment and have him spend the rest of his life there. I don''t want to see him in Hallsbay ever again.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Dwayne replied with a nod. He was about to leave when Artemis called out to him once again, ¡°Go find out where Zayron sent Simon''s blood sample to. Once you have confirmed who the recipient is, I want you to do some digging on that person''s background.¡± Dwayne frowned at him in confusion. ¡°You want to get the results of the DNA paternity test?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Why go through all that trouble? We could just have Justin repeat the DNA paternity test, right?¡± Artemis looked at him as though he had just heard the dumbest thing ever. ¡°Because Simon''s blood sample has been stolen. Alternatively, you could make a trip overseas and get another blood sample from that piece of sh*t.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey was casually working on a design in Shelbert Condominium,pletely ignoring the chaos out there. Smack! She mmed the pencil hard against the table in frustration and crumpled the paper in front of her. A gown that looks clean and pure, huh... This sure is a headache to design! I''m used to designing sexy ones that look daring and adventurous. I''mpletely out of my element with this one... ¡°How about modifying the one you made for The Grand Fashion Show back then, Mommy?¡± Chapter 58 Chapter 58 Bailey frowned slightly at Susan after hearing that. I did indeed design an elegant dress that looked clean and pure four years ago. It took the world by storm and became so popr that it was praised by the Ten Acimed Socialites. They believed it was a gem among dresses and that no other design could ever top it. That dress was what got me nominated as a candidate for The Grand Fashion Show, which I won. But I ended up sleeping at home during the award ceremony... ¡°Things were different back then. I was still young and innocent so I coulde up with a design that looked clean and pure. Now that I''ve been influenced by the luxurious way of life, I can only design dresses that look wild and passionate. There''s no way I can bring myself to go back to my previous designs anymore. Screw it. I''ll give Juliana a call and have her take my ce here in Hallsbay.¡± Susan rolled her eyes in response. ¡°Going to your disciple as soon as you hit a snag? What kind of mentor are you? Even if you don''t care about your title as The Ultimate Designer, you should at least try to defend your honor now that the enemy is at your doorstep!¡± Susan walked up to herputer and pulled up the file from four years ago as she continued, ¡°Just use your design from four years ago as the basis, add your current specialty to it, and you''ve got yourself yet another award-winning piece of work! Hmph, Caridee sure is lucky to wear a dress that you personally designed. I''m sure she''ll have tons of suitors from all around the world in the future!¡± Bailey arched an eyebrow as a bold idea formed in her head. That idea might actually work! I could try making my previous design sexier! Abination of pure innocence and wild sexiness might just result in another stunning dress! Instead of treating this as a ¡°All right, I''ll go with your suggestion. Since she is Edmund''s cousin, I''ll make her a dress that''ll blow everyone''s mind on a global level!¡± ¡°Hehe! That''s more like it!¡± Suddenly, Zayron opened the room door and came in with a grumpy look on his face. ¡°Did Maxton beat you again? Just how useless can you get?¡± Bailey asked with a mocking grin when she saw him. Zayron rolled his eyes at her and said coldly, ¡°That scumbag father of yours has contacted that old man from the Luther family. He contacted the CEO of LG Corporation, and Sebastian has ordered the deletion of all the published nudes.¡± ¡°Heh... So what? Everyone has already seen what they needed to see. For all we know, someone out there could be having sexual fantasies while looking at her nudes right now. People are going to be pointing fingers at Rhonda and calling her a promiscuous woman everywhere she goes. That should be more than enough to annoy her.¡± She should stay home and focus on repairing her image so she can be the future mistress of the Luther family. If she chooses to cause trouble again, then she will soon find herself in a nasty situation beyond salvation! Zayron was still a little frustrated, as it was tough getting back at Rhonda. He didn''t want to let her off the hook so easily. Bailey took the kids over to the cemeteryter in the afternoon. As her mother''s body had beenpletely burned to ashes when she died in the fire, they had buried the clothes she used to wear instead. Bailey teared up the moment she stood before the icy-cold grave. She sat down and leaned against the tombstone as she sobbed, ¡°I''m sorry, Mom. I failed to take good care of Granny, and she ended up dying in the hospital. You two must have reunited in the afterlife by now, right? Could you please help me tell her I''m sorry?¡± Susan and Zayron both felt sad when they heard what she said. After hearing from Zayron that Rhonda had something to do with his great-granny''s death, Maxton vowed to make Rhonda pay dearly someday. Bailey caressed the tombstone as she continued, ¡°Please look after my deceased eldest son for me, Mom. That poor child died without getting a chance to see the world. I was supposed to give birth to triplets, but...¡± She got so emotional at the mention of her eldest son that she couldn''t finish her sentence. Maxton stared at Bailey in confusion for a brief moment before tugging at Susan''s sleeve. ¡°Hey, sis...¡± Susan shot him a fierce re. ¡°Call me Susan.¡± ¡°All right, Susan. Who is Bay referring to as the eldest son? Was she pregnant with triplets back then?¡± Susan''s expression turned vicious as she replied, ¡°It''s your scumbag mother''s doing. Had she not caused the death of our great-granny, Mommy wouldn''t have had a premature birth due to being upset, and my brother wouldn''t have died in her womb.¡± Maxton frowned after hearing that. Wait... Why do I feel like there''s more to this than meets the eye? This kind of reeks of conspiracy... Great-granny died all of a sudden, Bay gave birth prematurely, and her eldest son died in her womb... It feels like someone deliberately set everything up! ¡°Zayron, Susan, pay your respects to your granny.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± the two replied in unison as they knelt down in front of the grave. Maxton, who was watching from the side, did the same. Zayron rolled his eyes in response. ¡°Your granny is Beatrice, Maxton. She''s clearly still alive, so why are you kneeling now? Are you trying to curse her or something?¡± ¡°Hmph! If I could curse her to death like this, I''d have done so long ago!¡± Maxton replied coldly through clenched teeth. After spending about half an hour at the cemetery, Bailey brought the kids back to the condominium. They had just stepped out of the elevator when they saw Edmund standing outside their door. ¡°What are you doing standing out here like that? You could''ve called me to let me know you''re here!¡± Edmund turned around and stared at Bailey for a few seconds before shifting his gaze toward Zayron. This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. Yup, he really does look a lot like Simon! Now I see why I felt that sense of familiarity when hanging out with him! It''s because he''s Simon''s son! ¡°What''s gotten into you, Edmund? Did something happen?¡± Even someone as slow as Bailey had noticed something off about him. Zayron had a rough idea as to what was going on after giving it some thought. That b*stard Artemis must''ve told Daddy Eddy about the DNA paternity test. Even Kai could tell that something was amiss, so there was no way Justin would''ve missed it. Chapter 59 Chapter 59 That viin must''ve known about the secret of the paternity test already. Dummy might''ve stolen a blood sample from the Luther residence''s infirmary, but he failed to hide it from his biological father. Hmph. That viin failed to flirt, and now he wants to ruin it for Daddy Eddy, too. What a petty man. ¡°Bay, I have something to tell you. Can we talk in private?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. She looked hesitant, but she did not refuse. She tossed her sling bag that was hung on her shoulder to Zayron and walked toward the elevator. ¡°Okay. Let''s talk at the gazebo downstairs.¡± However, Edmund stood rooted to the spot. Seeing that, Zayron gave Edmund''s arm a nudge, reminding him, ¡°Hey, snap out of it. My mom''s gone. Hurry up and follow her.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, okay.¡± Edmund and Bailey exited the condominium. They took a stroll around the pebbled path before sitting down in a gazebo. ¡°Edmund, you can just go straight to the point. There''s no need to be so reserved.¡± Edmund clenched his teeth. After pondering for some time, he finally asked with difficulty, ¡°Bay, in which hotel you had sex with someone seven years ago?¡± Bailey was stunned, and a conflicted look shed past her eyes. He''s still bothered by it, eh? But the Edmund I know is not an old-fashioned person. Edmund was instantly filled with regret when he saw the change in her expression. I was too hasty. I totally forgot to consider her feelings. ¡°Bay, I''m not looking down on you. I... just want to know...¡± ¡°Golden Age Hotel. I had sex with the stranger at Golden Age Hotel.¡± Edmund froze. His face turned pale, and all his facial features stiffened. Golden Age Hotel... Edmund knew Simon had been there that night because both of them had had a conversation on the phone. Simon had wanted Edmund to get a gift for thetter''s grandfather. He had also mentioned something about Golden Age Hotel during the short conversation. Bailey noticed Edmund trembling with emotions and his face turning pale as if a thought had urred to him. Hence, she quickly asked, ¡°Have you found Zayron''s biological father? Who''s he? Who''s that jerk?¡± Edmund lowered his gaze and dismissed the conflicted look in his eyes, smiling. ¡°Calm down. I''ve never looked into your past until now, so I have no idea who he is. I just wanted to ask you to get some fresh clues.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and frowned. ¡°Why do you want to look into him?¡± ¡°It''s nothing, so I''ve decided to stop investigating him. No matter who he is, you''ll be my wife once you get married to me. As for that jerk, we can forget about him.¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. What on earth did Edmund discover? What''s making him act so odd today? ¡°Yeah, stop wasting your time and energy on this. Come on. Let''s get some ingredients and have dinner at my ce tonight.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, a woman and a man were sitting by the window of the cafe at Luther Group''s headquarters. Victoria stirred the coffee in her cup and said, ¡°Dwayne, we grew up in the same city and have the same social circle. I''m sure you have at least some knowledge about my past.¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. With that, she raised her finger and pointed at her burgundy-colored short hair, her thick makeup, and her sexy outfit. Her looks were the perfect representation of a citydy. She could not help but sneer, ¡°Do you see it now? The innocent girl who was always dressed in princess dresses is gone. She died when a fight broke out between the Gezmond family and the Saunders family. The woman sitting in front of you right now is someone whose edges and corners have been worn off over time. Do you think you can still find the shadow of my past in me?¡± Dwayne''s fingers that were wrapped around the ss cup froze. He, of course, was aware of the grudge between the two families. On top of that, he knew Victoria had fallen in love with the eldest son of the Gezmond family. Unfortunately, the Gezmond family had lost and could only admit defeat. At the same time, the reputation of the young man she loved so deeply had been destroyed, causing him to flee the country. ¡°The past is in the past. Why do you have to torture yourself by dwelling on it? Victoria, are you going to keep drowning yourself in guilt and self-me for the rest of your life? Perhaps Lionel has a family and a business of his own now.¡± Victoria''s red lips curled into a subtle smile like a mysterious and charming flower that bloomed in the middle of the desert. ¡°It''s not that I can''t let go of the past. I just don''t have the courage to fall in love anymore. Hurting one man in this life is more than enough. I don''t want to hurt others again.¡± Dwayne looked her in the eye and said, ¡°It''s not your fault. The rumor about Lionel and his stepmother having an affair and the fact they were captured having sex by the reporters was all your father''s doing. His motive was to ruin the most outstanding descendants of the Gezmond family. You had no idea about it. Why do you have to torture yourself by taking all the me?¡± The corner of Victoria''s lips curled to form a bitter smile, and a pained expression formed on her delicate face. She looked as if she wanted to cry. ¡°Dwayne, you said it yourself that it was all my father''s doing. That''s my biological father we''re talking about. He''s the one who destroyed the Gezmond family''s reputation. He''s also the one who forced Lionel into a corner. Lionel''s father died of a sudden heart attack and the Gezmond family is destroyed because of my father.¡± ¡°Victoria¡ª¡± Victoria took a deep breath and cut him off, ¡°Besides, I was the one who lured him to the hotel. He trusted me. That was why he turned up. But guess what awaited him? A trap where he gets drugged and has sex with his stepmother. In just one night, the news spread all over the city, causing the Gezmond family that was already on the verge of copsing to be ruined.¡± She slowly covered her face with her hands as fat tear drops spilled between her fingers. ¡°I love him so much, but all I could do was watch him get drugged by my dad and send him to have sex with his stepmother. Though nothing happened between them, that stain will stay with him forever. It can never be removed. In the end, he just left Hallsbay without giving me the chance to exin myself. That''s when I knew... he hates me to the core.¡± Dwayne''s expression tensed, and a trace of pity shed through his eyes. He slowly got to his feet and strolled over to Victoria, gently patting her on the back. ¡°It''s not your fault. Fate is a cruel thing for not giving both of you the chance to be in a rtionship.¡± Victoria wiped her tears hurriedly and put on a bitter smile. ¡°It''s been seven years. I''ve been waiting for him to take revenge. It''s time for my family to make up for all the things we''ve done to the Gezmond family. It''s also time for me to make up for the things I''ve done to him.¡± When she finished her sentence, she lifted her head slowly to look at Dwayne. With a hoarse voice, she choked out, ¡°Dwayne, please don''t waste your time on me. You''re the right-hand man of Luther Group''s CEO and earn an annual sry of hundreds of millions. I''m sure you can find someone better. I''m not worth your sacrifices because I still have to pay Lionel for what I''ve done.¡± Dwayne smiled lightly. ¡°I only have feelings for you at the moment, so I''ll pursue you for now.¡± After a moment of silence, he added, ¡°I have some news about Lionel. Do you want to hear about it?¡± Chapter 60 Chapter 60 Victoria gazed at him quietly. After hesitating for a long time, she shook her head. ¡°Since he doesn''t want me to find him, then I shall respect his wishes. I won''t go looking for him to cause him more trouble. Instead, I''ll wait in Hallsbay for him to take back everything that belongs to him.¡± Dwayne could not help but smile. ¡°Perhaps he doesn''t need to anymore. The properties he currently owns are ten times or even a hundred times more than the Saunders family''s.¡± Victoria took in a deep breath, forcing a smile. ¡°Really? He must''ve encountered a miracle, then. I''m happy for him. I hope he can forget the painful past and start a new life.¡± A conflicted expression flooded Dwayne''s eyes. After staring at her for some time, he said, ¡°Vicky, what I told you earlier is true. Lionel... is married and has a child.¡± This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org. ng! Upon hearing those words, Victoria, who had just lifted her ss of coffee, identally lost her grip on it, causing it to hit the table. ¡°I-I''m sorry. I need to go to the restroom.¡± With that, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the private room. Dwayne narrowed his eyes as he watched her flee pathetically. At the same time, a hint of dejection shed across his face. It''s been so many years, yet she still can''t forget about him. She knows it''s impossible between them. Why is she still being so stubborn? After pondering for some time, he took out his phone from his pocket and gave Bailey a call. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you free now? Can youe over to the cafe under Luther Group? Victoria''s in a bad mood. I think you need toe over and talk to her.¡± There was a moment of silence before Bailey''s calm voice could be heard from the phone speakers. ¡°You talked to her about Lionel, didn''t you?¡± Dwayne hummed in response and recounted his entire conversation with Victoria. ¡°Oh, boy. Even I don''t dare to bring up the past to her for fear of making her emotional. Where did you get the guts to do so? Ah, forget about it. I''ll go over there with Susan. Keep an eye on Victoria and don''t let her take any alcohol.¡± ¡°Okay. Thank you so much.¡± Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey tossed the pen in her hand, stepped out of the study, and yelled, ¡°Susan Jefferson, get dressed right now. We''re going out!¡± The three children were ying Old Maid in the living room. Susan was stressing over the Old Maid in her hand. If someone did not take it during that round, she would be the loser. The moment she heard her mother calling out to her, she mmed the cards on the table. ¡°All right, I can''t y with you guys anymore. Yours truly is going to hang out with Bay.¡± Zayron clicked his tongue and reached out to pinch her ear. ¡°You rascal, how dare you speak to me like that?¡± Maxton pped Zayron''s hand away. ¡°And how dare you bully my sister?¡± Zayron was baffled. How greasy! Susan snorted and took Maxton''s side. ¡°That''s how I normally speak to Max. Why are you including yourself in the conversation? How shameless!¡± Zayron was stumped. Are you even my sister? Right then, Bailey stepped out of the room and tossed a fluffy dress at Susan. ¡°Get dressed.¡± Zayron put down his cards and pursed his lips. ¡°You always take her out. Why do you treat us differently when we''re both from the same womb?¡± Bailey marched over to him and gently hit the back of his head. ¡°Do you know how tofort someone? If you do, I can take you along.¡± A thought came to Zayron''s mind. ¡°Is Vic crying over a guy again?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and red at him, her eyes glinting dangerously. Zayron leaped to his feet, took a few steps back, and pped himself. ¡°It''s my fault. I spoke carelessly. I deserve to be punished.¡± Bailey beckoned him over with a finger. ¡°Come here. I have a task for you.¡± Zayron eyed her warily and gave himself a few more ps. ¡°I only said seven words and have already pped myself five times. Are you still going to hit me?¡± Bailey red at him and gritted her teeth. ¡°Come here this instant, young man.¡± Given no choice, Zayron approached her carefully. With a swoop of her hand, Bailey pulled him into her embrace and whispered something into his ear. ¡°Huh? You suspect him?¡± Bailey smacked his head gently. ¡°We''ll know the truth once we look into it. Look into Sebastian''s identity as well. Find out if they''re father and son.¡± Zayron put away the grin on his face and clenched his teeth. ¡°Okay. What if they are?¡± ¡°If they are...¡± Bailey''s voice trailed off as she narrowed her eyes and pondered for a moment. ¡°We''ll think about thatter. Your godmother''s going to have her heart broken.¡± Her words left Zayron speechless. Meanwhile, in the study of the Luther family''s condominium, Artemis was talking on the phone while leaning against the window. The room was illuminated with warm light, which shrouded his slender and tall figure in the dark and obscured his facial features. ¡°Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony is in about twenty days. When on earth are youing back?¡± There was no response from the speakers. The strange atmosphere hung in the air for about a minute before a fearful man''s voice came through. ¡°Artemis, are you... not mad anymore?¡± Artemis massaged his temples and suppressed his anger. He softened his tone as he asked, ¡°You were also drugged seven years ago. Did you have sex with any women?¡± Another long silence greeted him. In the next second, the call ended. Artemis was speechless, and his expression darkened. Every time I ask him this question, he''ll shrink away like a scared bunny. Is he feeling guilty? If he is, that means he did have sex with a woman that night, and that woman is... Bailey! Artemis gripped his phone so tight that the tips of his fingers turned white and the veins on the back of his hand bulged. Artemis would have crippled Simon if thetter were not his younger brother. Meanwhile, Felicity was talking to Caridee on the couch in the living room of the Luther residence. ¡°Mom, you must take my side this time. What gives Bailey the right to design mying-of-age gown with that bad reputation of hers? This time, she did everything she could to harm Rhonda. Our family has already suppressed this matter, but Bailey still managed to get the pictures using her hacking skills and send them to overseas mediapanies. On the surface, she may look like she''s harming Rhonda. Truth is, she''s insulting our family.¡± The mention of Bailey made Felicity grit her teeth fiercely. After all, she had been humiliated over and over again, all thanks to Bailey. ¡°Don''t worry. I won''t let such a terrible person design your gown. Even if she defeats Jessica, I''ll never hire her. Besides, she''s just an amateur who learned to tailor for only a few years. How is she better than Jessica, the mentee of a world-famous designer?¡± Caridee pursed her lips. ¡°I''m just worried Artemis might be biased toward her. She managed to seduce Edmund and taint the Chivers family''s bloodline. I''m sure she''ll seed in seducing Artemis too.¡± Chapter 61 Chapter 61 Felicity narrowed her eyes. ¡°Caridee, how do you know she tainted the Chivers family''s bloodline? The paternity test shows that they are rted. Justin was the one who handled it. There''s no way he could have made a mistake.¡± Caridee rolled her eyes and said exasperatedly, ¡°Ugh, the paternity test is all you, Uncle Yoel, and his wife can think of. Have you guys ever considered what Rhonda said seven years ago? She said Bailey got pregnant at the same time as her. Think about it. Where was Edmund at that time?¡± Felicity fell into deep thoughts. After some time, anger washed over her face. ¡°I remember now. Edmund was keeping your granddadpany in Springwyn. I remember you went there and stayed there for a month too.¡± ¡°Exactly. If Edmund was in Springwyn at that time, how did he make Bailey pregnant?¡± Felicity sprang up from the couch and fumed, ¡°I''m going to give your uncle a call. I''m going to tell him to do another paternity test.¡± ¡°Calm down.¡± Caridee grabbed Felicity''s arm and made her sit down. ¡°Mom, she must be feeling proud and enjoying the feeling of having climbed up the socialdder. Let''s just let her enjoy it for a few more days and bring her down when the time is right. We''ll let her experience the feeling of going from heaven to hell.¡± Felicity whipped around and narrowed her eyes as she nced at Caridee. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°She''s thick-skinned and insisted on being my designer, no? Well, we can plot something with this. Once she messes up, she''ll definitely get Edmund''s help. When that happens, we''ll tell Uncle Yoel and his wife the truth. We''ll have total control over her when she doesn''t have the Chivers family backing her.¡± Felicity fell silent for a moment before nodding. ¡°You youngsters are really witty. You''ve got so many great ideas. Very well. Let''s go with your n. That woman is evil to the core. I''ll never let her get close to Artemis and Edmund and ruin their lives.¡± Having worked hard for two whole days, Bailey finally finished the first draft. She was stunned by her own craft after coloring it. Even Susan was unwilling to let go of the drawing. She muttered jealously, ¡°What a beautiful gown. It''s such a waste to give it to that willful princess of the Luther family just like that. Bailey, why don''t we switch it with something else? We can use this as mying-of-age gown.¡± Bailey massaged her sore temples and pulled her daughter into her embrace, putting on a rare smile. ¡°For youring-of-age gown, I''ll surely spend half a year designing it. This belongs to someone else. How can I let you wear it? It''s too simple and cheap.¡± Susan grinned and wrapped her arms around Bailey''s neck, praising sweetly, ¡°You''re the best mommy on earth. I''m really blessed to be your daughter.¡± Creak! The door opened, and Zayron walked in with a te of fruits. The moment he saw them hugging each other tightly, a wave of jealousy washed over him. That''s it. I''m not her son. I''m definitely not her son. ¡°Bailey, can I have a hug too?¡± Bailey red at him and sneered, ¡°Do you earn as much money as your sister? All she needs to do is film an advertisement, and I have enough money to buy a condominium.¡± Zayron was rendered speechless by her words. Oh, boy. She''s a big shot. I can''t afford to mess with her. Susan leaned into Bailey''s embrace and chuckled. ¡°Mommy, I''m already nominated for the Oscars'' Best Child Actor Award. If I get the award, my worth with increase by ten times. Zayron is not even worth beingpared to me.¡± Zayron stood frozen. Bailey released Susan with a chuckle, got up from the chair, and stretched herself. ¡°All right, now. I need to go to Luther Group''s headquarters to hand in my design. I shall not keep messing around with you kids. Stay at home and behave, okay? Don''t go out there and get into trouble.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. Herst sentence is totally targeting me. Then again, what on earth did I do? Why does she always look at me like I''m some kind of trash? Bailey sat on the couch in the design department director''s room of Luther Group while reading a magazine. She had arrived for over half an hour, yet Stephen was nowhere to be seen. ording to his assistant, he had gone to the office on the top floor for an executive meeting. Click! ck! Click! ck! The sound of high heels touching the ground could be heard as two fashionably dressed youngdies walked over. Bailey side-eyed them, and her lips curled into a sinister smile. Looks like I''m not getting any peace again. ¡°My oh my! Isn''t this Ms. Bailey? Why are you here half an hour earlier? Are you here to beg Mr. Chandler for a few more days'' time because you can''te up with a good design?¡± The person who spoke was not Jessica; it was an unfamiliar voice. Bailey scoffed inwardly. Did she find herself an assistant? Looks like she doesn''t dare to face me alone after I''ve humiliated her twice. The assistant who was watching the scene in the corner stepped forward and said in a low voice, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, she''s Janice Worthiere, one of the managers of the design department. She''s close to Ms. Tanner.¡± Bailey merely raised a brow with her eyes still fixed on the magazine, ignoring the arrogant woman at the door. I''m being polite already. They''d better not me me for ying hardball if they continue insulting me. Janice''s rage red when she saw Bailey, who was still sitting on the couch, ignore herpletely. ¡°Bailey, you''re such a despicable person. Aren''t you afraid you''ll die a horrible death for all the things you''ve done?¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Bailey remained silent. ¡°You drugged your own sister at your father''s birthday party. You even set her up to sleep with a granduncle of the Luther family. You''re such a scheming woman. And that''s not all! You even wanted to ruin her reputation. Admit it. You''re just jealous because she gave birth to Maxton. Too bad your son died in your belly. That''s what you get for all the evil things you''ve done. I bet that bastard decided to kill himself before he was born because he didn''t want to be born to you.¡± Bailey could not tolerate people calling Zayron and Susan illegitimate children and she could not tolerate people who added salt to her wound by mentioning her dead child. Unfortunately, Janice had crossed her this time. Bailey slowly lifted her gaze and beamed at Janice, reminding her in a friendly manner, ¡°Miss, if you need to take a dump, please head to the restroom. This is the office. Please don''t talk sh*t in public. It''s quite disgusting.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Bailey threw the magazine onto the table in front of her, slowly got to her feet, and strolled toward Janice. ¡°Yep. You stink. Please shut up and stop talking crap.¡± Janice raised her hand to p Bailey. ¡°B*tch, I''m going to beat you to a¡ªaargh!¡± Bailey grabbed her wrist, sneering. ¡°Didn''t Ms. Tanner tell you what happened a few days ago? She tried to p me but received two ps in return. If she didn''t tell you that, then it looks like she has sent you here to be cannon fodder. Unfortunately, you''ve fallen for her trick.¡± Janice struggled to break free. She turned to look at Jessica, hissing, ¡°She pped you?¡± Chapter 62 Chapter 62 An idea urred to Jessica, and she shook her head instantly. ¡°No. How could I get pped by her? Jan, she''s brainwashing you. Don''t forget your objective for doing this.¡± Objective? Oh, that''s right. I came here with an objective. Rhonda had promised Janice she would help thetter to be the deputy director of the design department. In return, Janice had to go against Bailey and spread rumors about Bailey setting her own sister up. ¡°Do you think it''s reasonable for you to set your own sister up? Bailey, you''re just jealous of Mrs. Luther for giving the Luther family an heir while that b*stard child of yours¡ª¡± Smack! Bailey gave Janice a hard p that turned thetter''s head to the side. ¡°You''re more than wee to spout nonsense, but don''t drag me into it. I''m short-tempered and don''t have the patience to deal with your antics,¡± Bailey snapped. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Janice subconsciously covered her cheek, which was burning with pain. She shot Bailey a furious re. ¡°Y-You b*tch! How dare you hit me? Do you know who my boyfriend is? H-He''s the deputy manager of Luther Group!¡± s, Bailey was unfazed. After examining the pink palm print on Janice''s cheek, she turned to Jessica, saying, ¡°I remember giving you a p on each cheek the other day. It looked symmetrical and aesthetic, don''t you agree? Why don''t you give her one on the other cheek? That way, we can admire its beauty together.¡± Jessica slowly clenched her fists. After the past incidents, she did not dare to act rashly anymore. After all, Bailey was a trained fighter. Jessica would only be at a disadvantage if she went against her. Originally, Jessica brought Janice over to insult Bailey. To her surprise, Janice was also a short- tempered person who would attack her opponent the instant they had a disagreement. Most importantly, Janice was not a match for Bailey. Before the former could even raise her hand, her arm had already been seized by Bailey. ¡°Bailey, you''re just a designer from another branch. Janice is the manager of the headquarters, which means she''s your superior. Don''t you think you''re going too far by hitting her in the office?¡± Bailey came to a sudden realization and smacked her head. ¡°Oh my goodness. I''ve forgotten about that. I''m sorry. I''m terribly sorry.¡± With that, she quickly released Janice''s arm and took two steps backward as if she wanted to bow in apology. Frustrated, Janice raised her hand and attempted to p Bailey once more. Smack! A loud p rang out. Janice widened her eyes and gaped at her numb palm in disbelief. She then shifted her gaze toward Jessica, who she had just pped. With a trembling voice, she said, ¡°J-Jessica, I-I didn''t do it on purpose. I mean, I never wanted to p you.¡± Jessica''s face was purple with rage, and she shot Bailey a piercing gaze. ¡°How dare you use me as your shield?¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°It''s just reflex. When a person is in danger, they''ll instinctively grab something to shield themselves. It''s your fault for standing beside me. You can''t me it on me.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± A gentle cough sounded at the door, breaking the tension in the room. Stephen could not help but sigh internally as his gaze swept past the red palm marks on Jessica''s and Janice''s faces. A catfight between women is indeed scary. They''re unbelievably ruthless. At this rate, I''m going to see handprints on their faces every day. ¡°Mr. Chandler, you''re finally back. This woman''s unbelievably arrogant. No matter what, I''m still her superior in Luther Group''s headquarters. Yet, she actually had the guts to p me. She should be punished for all her crimes!¡± Raising a brow, Stephen nced at Bailey and asked with a half-smile, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, may I know what did Janice do to offend you? Why did you attack her?¡± Bailey stretched out a finger and pointed at the surveince camera above their heads. The intention of her actions could not be clearer. Seeing that, Janice twitched her lips in frustration. This b*tch! Here I was thinking the mark on my face will be enough proof to teach Bailey a lesson. I never imagined she''d be so cunning as to make me attack her under the camera. Indeed, Janice was the one who moved first. Sadly, she failed and was attacked instead. Hence, that was not an act of assaulting a superior, but ack of skills. Janice had no right to cause a fuss over it. Bailey shed her a kind smile. ¡°Looks like Ms. Worthiere doesn''t have any objections. If that''s the case, let''s put this to an end. You should quickly put an ice pack on your face. It''ll reduce the swelling in a few hours.¡± Exasperated, Janice stomped her feet before leaving the room unwillingly. Stephen shook his head and smiled helplessly at the scene. He then strolled over to the couches to take a seat. Gazing at the two women, he said gently, ¡°Today''s the day to submit your design. I''m sure both of you havepleted your first draft. I''ll need you to hand me your draft first. Then, we''ll have lunch at a restaurant. Luther Group will have an executive meeting in the afternoon so that each department''s director can discuss ande up with a decision. I promise everything will be done fairly, with no biases toward anyone.¡± Jessica''s heart leaped with joy when she heard that, and she asked hurriedly, ¡°Really? Each department''s director will discuss and decide on the winner instead of the decision being Mr. Luther''s alone?¡± If that''s the case, I''ve basically won. Apart from Ms. Saunders, the directors of the other departments are well acquainted with me. I''m sure they''ll choose my design based on our rtionship. Besides, I''m Eve''s mentee and the chief designer of Luther Group''s headquarters. Tons of people want to get on my good side. This situation presents a perfect opportunity for the directors to do so. Anyone who''s smart will naturally know which design to choose. I''m definitely going to win! Of course, Stephen was smart enough to guess what was on Jessica''s mind. Being too conceited is not a good thing. She''ll only face a great loss in the end. He sighed inwardly and turned to gaze at Bailey with a smile. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you have any objections? Having the directors of each department vote was the fairest solution I coulde up with. Please let me know if you have other concerns.¡± Jessica scoffed, ¡°If she has other concerns, that''ll just prove that she''s feeling guilty and scared. She''s nothing but a tailor, just an amateur. It''s a good thing that she has some self-awareness and is not totally stupid. Bailey, I advise you to give up on thispetition while you still can. Otherwise, you''ll only be utterly humiliated when you lose.¡± Smiling, Bailey pulled out a folder from her bag and handed it to Stephen. ¡°This is my draft. Luther Group is an international business conglomerate that has a great internal system. All the department directors are talented people and were personally trained by Mr. Luther. I''m sure they''ll make fair decisions. If I''m not chosen, that simply means my skills aren''t up to par yet.¡± Jessica clicked her tongue and spat, ¡°Oh, go on. Continue putting on an act. You look calm on the outside, but you''re already panicking on the inside. I''ll make sure to enjoy your look of defeat when the timees.¡± However, Bailey did not even bother looking at Jessica. After bidding Stephen farewell, the former spun on her heels and left the director''s office. Stephen watched her leave before shifting his gaze to Jessica with a sigh. ¡°Be careful. There''s a saying that people will meet their fall once they achieve sess in life. As the chief designer of Luther Group, every word and action you make represents the entirepany. Don''t cross Mr. Luther''s bottom line, or no one will be able to save you. That''s all I can say. You''d better watch your behavior.¡± Jessica harrumphed. ¡°Are you saying she can make me meet my fall? What a joke!¡± Chapter 63 Chapter 63 After leaving the director''s office, Bailey noticed the crowd was staring at her funny. Hence, she pricked up her ears and could roughly hear what they were whispering among themselves. ¡°Look. That''s the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family. I heard she set her own step-sister up during her father''s birthday party. Not only did she drug her step-sister, she even ced thetter in the same bed as a random guy to ruin her reputation.¡± ¡°No wonder. I was wondering how such a scandal could happen to Ms. Rhonda in her own home. Turns out she was set up by her sister. But, why? Why would Ms. Bailey do that to her own sister?¡± ¡°You''re so innocent. Don''t you get it? Ms. Bailey''s jealous of Ms. Rhonda for giving the Luther family an heir. Ms. Bailey, on the other hand, had sex with a random guy and gave birth to a stillborn. She must be jealous of her step-sister for being able to marry into a rich family and be the mistress of the most prestigious family in the city. Unable to ovee her ego, she decided to ruin her own sister''s life as well.¡± ¡°How shameless! Anyone who''s observant enough can see that Ms. Rhonda was set up by someone. Isn''t being with Mr. Luther great enough? Who in their right mind would cheat on him? That''s just digging their own graves. Besides, Rhonda isn''t a fool. Why would she willingly have sex with a random guy?¡± ¡°Exactly. She was framed by her own sister. Otherwise, why would the Luther family be quiet about this? If Rhonda really cheated, the Luther family would definitely be the first to sever ties between the two families.¡± ¡°I heard Bailey''s here to submit her design draft. She''s really thick-skinned and arrogant, eh? I can''t believe she has the guts topete against Jessica.¡± ¡°Let''s go to the lobby to watch the drama once the results are out in the afternoon. Jessica will surely scold her in front of everyone in thepany.¡± Bailey smirked at what she heard. If I''m not mistaken, these lies must have been spread by Rhonda. She''s quite quick in attempting to clear her name, isn''t she? Too bad. Countless men have already seen her body, so she won''t be able to clear her name just like that. Bailey was not in the mood to argue with those who spoke. Hence, she quickened her pace as she made her way to the elevator. Right as she arrived at a corner, someone bellowed behind her, ¡°Bailey, stop right there.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Bailey sighed. She had not eaten anything when she left the house. Thus, she was starving. Can''t these people just be nice? Why do they have to look for trouble? Bailey stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at Janice, grinning and raising her brow. ¡°What is it, Ms. Worthiere? Are you not satisfied with the fight earlier and want to continue?¡± Her words triggered Janice''s anger instantly. The two women''s voices were rather loud, which attracted the attention of the employees in the office. In a blink of an eye, many formally dressed men and women had surrounded them. Janice stepped forward and grabbed Bailey''s arm, hissing, ¡°I won''t stop you if you want to walk out of this door, but you have to let me p you in return. If not, don''t you even dream of leaving this ce! My boyfriend is the deputy general manager. He can easily make you pay for what you''ve done.¡± Bailey massaged her forehead. The women here are really different from those in other countries. They''re literally worlds apart. At least the ones I''ve argued with in other countries are capable people, unlike the ones I''ve met here. All they do is yell at others at the top of their lungs. ¡°Ms. Worthiere, do I look like a fool to you? What makes you think I''ll let you p me?¡± ¡°You lot,e here and hold her down!¡± Janice yelled at the few female employees who were standing by the side. Janice was a department manager, after all. Hence, her words had power over them. As soon as she finished speaking, several employees stepped forward. Bailey merely smiled and shook her head. Looks like the office is going to be in a mess today. I just hope this woman''s status in thispany is powerful enough. Otherwise, she won''t be able to deal with the repercussions of such a matter. Before the staff could even grab Bailey, thetter threw out her arm and punched it right into Janice''s stomach. No one knew how much strength Bailey had exerted, but they all saw how Janice released the former''s arm and stumbled backward, finally leaning against an office table with her body bowed forward. ¡°You b*tch! How dare you act so arrogantly?¡± ¡°Let''s all get her and teach her a lesson!¡± The female employees got worked up and charged at Bailey. However, Bailey unceremoniously threw out a few kicks at lightning speed. In the next second, the women were all sprawled on the floor. Perhaps themotion was a little too loud that it caught the attention of the security guards at the stairs. Several of them hurried over with their iron rods and rushed straight at Bailey. Bailey flexed her wrists to warm up her muscles before dashing forward in a sh. The office''s documents flew into the air, and chaos broke out. In the meantime, Stephen hurried over as soon as he heard the news. When he saw the scene before him, he could not help but twitch his lips. Just when he was about to intervene, someone grabbed his arm. He whipped his head around and noticed Victoria behind him. ¡°I say, that''s your best friend who''s getting beaten up. Please don''t tell me you''re just going to watch them fight.¡± Victoria raised her brow and snickered. ¡°We don''t know for sure who''s the one getting beaten up. Anyway, don''t stop them. I want this matter to blow up. It''s their fault for messing with Bay. Once this is over, I''ll fire all of them and make them leave right away.¡± Stephen could not help but chuckle. ¡°Incredible. Go ahead, then. You''re the director of the HR department, after all.¡± Victoria extended her hand and poked his arm, saying excitedly, ¡°Why don''t we make a bet? I bet Artemis wille here and join in on the fight to help Bay out.¡± Stephen was baffled. I bet she''s the only person in the entirepany who dares to make jokes about Mr. Luther. ¡°They''re already causing a huge fuss, so Mr. Luther will definitely step in to deal with it. Technically, the person you recruited is wreaking havoc in my territory. I''m not trying to be pessimistic, but we''ll be doomed if Mr. Luther gets angry.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of? He won''t fire us because of this. At most, we''ll lose a few months'' sries. Lucky for you, I''m close with the director of the finance department. I can just tell him to pay us in secret. How''s that?¡± Stephen was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, Dwayne entered the CEO''s office with aptop in his hand. ¡°Art, Art. Look. Your wife''s sister is wreaking havoc in thepany.¡± As soon as he finished his sentence, Dwayne suddenly felt a chilling stare on him. Oops... He quickly corrected, ¡°I mean, Ms. Bailey is turning Stephen''s design department upside down.¡± Artemis tossed his pen down on the table and took theptop from Dwayne. As he lowered his gaze to watch the video, the corners of Artemis'' eyes twitched. I knew this woman was like a wild cat. The fact that they were able to force her to take action is quite something. ¡°Art... Should we go down there to have a look? Besides, it''s a great opportunity to y the hero and win the heart of the beauty. You must not miss it.¡± Artemis nced coldly at Dwayne before pointing at the screen. Coincidentally, Victoria and Stephen were standing right under the surveince camera, and Artemis could see every single detail from that point of view. ¡°Victoria''s the first person I''ll fire once I get down there,¡± he stated. Dwayne jumped at what he heard. ¡°Holy moly. Do you really have to be so heartless?¡± Artemis tossed theptop onto the table and walked past the curved desk. ¡°Let''s go and have a look.¡± Dwayne tried his best to hold in hisughter. Oh, carry on with the pretense. You''re just pretending to be innocent when you obviously want to impress Bailey. Tch. Chapter 64 Chapter 64 Meanwhile, at the design department, Bailey scanned the people sprawled on the floor, her lips curving upward to form a smirk. ¡°Are these the security guards hired by Luther Group? They''re not very impressive.¡± With that, Bailey whipped around and stared at Victoria, who was watching the drama unfold. The former mocked, ¡°How on earth did you be the director of the HR department? Why did you hire such useless people? Tsk tsk. You have bad taste. I think you should go back to university and study for a few more years. Don''t embarrass your lecturer.¡± Victoria''s lips twitched. What a horrible woman. She doesn''t even miss the chance of insulting her own best friend. I''m just here to watch the drama. Did she really have to mock me too? Bailey walked up to Janice and stared down at her, saying calmly, ¡°You should learn from Ms. Tanner and stay away from me when you see me next time. I''m short-tempered, and I don''t have the patience to tolerate your spoiled princess attitude. By the way, tell Rhonda to clean her name without dragging mine through the mud. Otherwise, I''ll ruin her reputation even more.¡± Janice looked up immediately. When she was about to retort, her eyes fell on the entrance, and she started wailing, ¡°Jeremy, you''re finally here! This woman... S-She''s bullying me.¡± Bailey cocked her brow in puzzlement before slowly turning around. A young man dressed in a suit could be seen approaching them. It was at that moment Bailey understood what was going on. This must be Janice''s boyfriend. What''s his position again? Oh, right. Deputy general manager. Jeremy Lohan swept his gaze over Janice. His eyes darkened when he saw her swollen face and pained expression as she clutched her stomach. He looked over at Bailey and asked angrily, ¡°Were you the one who made her like that?¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Bailey admitted, ¡°Yep. I was the one who beat her up. There''s no way I can deny it since there are so many witnesses here. So? Are you nning to avenge your girlfriend, Mr. Lohan?¡± Jeremy narrowed his eyes and red at Bailey for a long time before saying coldly, ¡°I shall not question who was in the right or wrong for now. Then again, shouldn''t you apologize to her for beating her up to this extent?¡± Bailey was speechless. The people here are so weird. I was the one who was provoked, and I merely defended myself out of instinct. Yet now, I''ve got to apologize to the provoker because she was beaten up? Hah! What kind of logic is this? ¡°What if I refuse? Will you hit me?¡± Without waiting for Jeremy to speak, Janice said, ¡°Jerr, send her to the police station and get her detained for two weeks on the charge of intentionally hurting others.¡± When she finished, she nced at Bailey smugly. ¡°My boyfriend is from the branch family of the Luther family. Sure, you can act unruly in front of me, but let''s see if you can continue doing that when the policee. With no one to back you up, I''d like to see who''ll bail you out once you''re arrested.¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head, moving her feet forward to leave the building. She had only taken two steps when Jeremy grabbed her arm. ¡°If you don''t apologize to her, then I have no choice but to take you to the police station.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, which glinted with a hint of impatience. She sneered, ¡°Looks like it''s a trend to have backers while expanding one''s social circle. As for those without backers, they''ll be bullied. Very well. I''ll go to the police station with you. Consider me unlucky for encountering a rabid dog.¡± Janice grinned gleefully. Once this woman goes to jail, I''ll be able to brag about this to Rhonda. If I manage to butter up the future wife of the CEO, I''ll surely get promoted quickly in Luther Group. Victoria was about to rush over when Stephen stopped her. ¡°Let me go,¡± she demanded. However, Stephen shot her a look and gestured toward the office''s window with his chin. Seeing that, Victoria looked in the direction he was gesturing at. Immediately, a slender shadow outside the window came into view, and she could not help but smirk. As expected, Mr. Luther hase down to help Bay out! Nice! Victoria broke free from Stephen''s grip and strolled over to the crowd. She then purposely spoke to Janice with an envious tone. ¡°Having a boyfriend who''s a rtive of the boss must be nice. Even dropping his name must earn you admiration and respect.¡± Turning to Bailey, she shrugged with a helpless expression. ¡°My dear friend, I''m afraid you''ve picked the wrong opponent today. The Lohan family is the inws of the Luther family. Since you''ve offended their future daughter-inw, I''m afraid you''ve got no choice but to go to jail. Don''t me me for not helping you out. It''s just that the other party''s family is too strong, and you''ve offended them greatly. I... can''t do much to help.¡± Those words boosted Janice''s ego. She wrapped her arm around Jeremy''s and stood straight, casting a provocative and disdainful gaze onto Bailey. ¡°What now? Have you given up on the pretense? I might show you mercy and not send you to the police station if you do these things: receive two ps from me and kneel before me. Otherwise, no one will be able to save you today. My boyfriend is the deputy general manager. Even Mr. Luther has to show him some respect. There''s no way you can leave unscathed after offending me.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle as she eyed the arrogant woman in front of her. She was about to say something when Dwayne entered. He walked straight to Janice and asked with a frown, ¡°Did Ms. Jefferson leave this palm print on your face?¡± Janice was delighted to hear that. If I can convince Dwayne to speak ill of Bailey to Mr. Luther, that''ll make Rhonda happier. ¡°Mr. Derning, you''ve got to seek justice for me. This woman pped me in front of everyone. You''ve got to punish her for assaulting a superior!¡± To her surprise, Dwayne smiled subtly andmented curtly, ¡°Nice one.¡± Janice was momentarily stunned, and she gaped at him. ¡°Huh? What do you mean by that?¡± Dwayne pointed at her swollen cheek with an arched brow. ¡°I''m saying she did well for hitting you.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t get worked up. I wasn''t the one who said it. It was Mr. Luther.¡± Janice''s face drained of color, and she looked as if she had lost her soul. At the same time, she mumbled, ¡°That''s impossible. No way. Why would Mr. Luther say such a thing?¡± Dwayne nced at her with disgust and said inly, ¡°Looks like you''re acting so arrogantly because you''ve forgotten what Mr. Luther''s temper is like. The people he hates most in life are those who spout nonsense and spread malicious rumors. You''ve touched a nerve and angered him by spreading false rumors of Ms. Bailey drugging Ms. Rhonda. I''m sorry, Ms. Worthiere. You''re fired.¡± His words were like a bomb that exploded in Janice''s mind. Her jaw instantly dropped with disbelief. How could this happen? I clearly had the upper hand. How did things take such a turn so quickly? Mr. Luther is firing me? No. That''s not real. It can''t be! Dwayne ignored her and turned to Victoria. ¡°Ms. Saunders, Mr. Luther has ordered you to fire all those involved in the fight. They''re not to be hired by anypany under Luther Group''s umbre in the future.¡± Janice was the first person to object. ¡°No. I object! That woman was clearly in the wrong. Why should we bear the consequences?¡± Chapter 65 Chapter 65 ¡°Why?¡± A deep and maic voice rang out from the door, prompting everyone to turn their attention to the speaker. Artemis had his arms crossed before his chest as he leaned against the doorframe. With a cigarette resting between his lips, he looked like aid-back hooligan. Ironically, it was that handsome, bad-boy style of his that caused women to swoon over him. After all, how could any woman resist a good-looking, rich guy who was strangely graceful yet unrestrained? ¡°I''ll tell you why. How about because this is my turf, and I can bankrupt each and every one of you? You got a problem with that? Or do you think I don''t have what it takes to fire you?¡± challenged Artemis. ¡°Or perhaps I should let you be the CEO for a couple of days, huh? That way, you can actually experience what it''s like to be at the top.¡± ¡°N-No!¡± said Janice as she hastily backed away. With a stumble, she fell into Jeremy''s arms. ¡°J-Jeremy, please help me ask Mr. Luther for mercy. Please. I don''t want to get fired! I don''t!¡± Jeremy''s expression was grim. When he turned his attention to Janice, his eyes shone with a hint of disdain. Rather than a girlfriend, he thought she was more like a friend with benefits because their connection had always been more physical than emotional. Now, she had offended Artemis and was hoping he would help. She can dream on! ¡°You''re the one responsible for the rumors in the office? There is no evidence to prove them one way or another, so why did you say all that and tarnish Ms. Bailey''s reputation? I finally understand why she pped you. You are the one who started all this drama, and she only pped you to retaliate and teach you a lesson.¡± Janice''s eyes bulged. She trembled endlessly as she stared strangely at the man beside her. Is this the man who keeps whispering into my ears about how much he loves me? So his love only exists when we''re in bed, huh? ¡°Jeremy, y-you...¡± Jeremy ignored her. He turned his attention to Dwayne and simpered, ¡°Since Mr. Luther has already issued the order personally, Mr. Derning, I will support his decision wholeheartedly.¡± Dwayne didn''t reply. He simply smiled at Bailey, and the implicit message could not be clearer. The revtion hit Jeremy. He quickly bowed to Bailey and fearfully said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I didn''t know that Janice was the malicious one who spread the rumors in the office, so I protected her earlier. I am so sorry about that. Please don''t take that personally or be mad anymore. She already got what she deserves since she''s been fired now.¡± Bailey sneered as disdain shed past her eyes. I knew it. Bullies are all the same and will only bow to the one who punches the hardest. She ignored Jeremypletely and shifted her gaze to Janice. Bailey had a skin-deep smile on her lips when she advised, ¡°Here''s a hint for all thedies. Never trust a man. They are all pigs.¡± No one spoke for a moment there. Artemis frowned a little. Did she just insult every single man on Earth? Janice sat quietly on the floor, feeling numb. Her lips parted. She thought about throwing Rhonda under the bus, but she got scared when she thought about what that woman was capable of. If Janice were to expose Rhonda, the former would be able to save her job, but she would inevitably be bullied in the future. On the other hand, if Janice were to keep Rhonda''s secret safe, she would have a shot at being rehired someday. Bailey Jefferson, you b*tch! Just you wait. If I ever get the chance, I will make you suffer. Despite everyone watching, Artemis made his way to Bailey and quirked a brow, asking, ¡°May I have the honor of treating you to lunch, Ms. Jefferson?¡± Bailey nced at him before moving toward the exit. ¡°I''m not hungry. You should ask someone else, Mr. Luther.¡± Silence reigned in the office. Oh, that is so cool! Dwayne pretended to rub his nose to hide his smile. He was truly curious about what his tyrant boss was feeling at that moment. Mr. Luther has always been proud, but his pride has been stomped on countless times after he met Ms. Jefferson. Artemis'' lips twitched a little. His sharp gaze swept across the room full of his employees. Just like that, he scared all of them into silence and prompted them to hide their anger away. That afternoon at two o''clock, the top managers of Luther Group gathered for the conference on the top floor. The head of every department was there, with none absent. Bailey and Jessica sat on either side of Artemis, and they both had their drafts with them. Dwayne cleared his throat before he said, ¡°Everyone is invited here today to be the judges of the competition between these two incredible designers. The winner of thispetition will represent Luther Group and be a participant in The Grand Fashion Show, which will only be held every four years. That, in turn, would mean that the winner will have a shot at earning the title of The Ultimate Designer. It also means that Luther Group''s reputation will be on the line, so we pray that everyone here will judge the designers'' work fairly and choose wisely.¡± Artemis had his eyes on Bailey. He noticed how calm she seemed, and anticipation began filling his heart. This woman has always had a knack for surprising me. I hope the same will happen again. ¡°Ms. Tanner, Ms. Jefferson, which of you would like to show your work first?¡± Jessica harrumphed but stayed quiet otherwise. As far as she was concerned,peting against an ipetent woman like Bailey was just an insult to her. She would never have lowered her stance and stood beside Bailey as an equal if thepetition didn''t determine who would get topete in The Grand Fashion Show. Bailey arched her brows. Her lips curved into an evil smile before she said, ¡°Ms. Tanner is the host, whereas I am but a guest. Therefore, I should not go first because that would just be rude. You should go ahead, Ms. Tanner.¡± Jessica red at Bailey with disdain. I bet she couldn''te up with anything good, so she''s stalling now. What''s the point? Her defeat is inevitable, and her lies will be exposed soon enough, anyway. She is such a joke. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°Fine, I''ll go first. I''d like to see how long you can run from this.¡± After saying all that, Jessica stood up and slowly revealed her draft to everyone. ¡°The dress'' design is regal, yet inspires a sense of purity and kindness.¡± ¡°Wow, this is incredible! As expected of a student of Eve Lussohn. It seems she has learned everything her mentor taught her.¡± ¡°Others might mistake this draft as the product of an actual master. I don''t think there is anything better out there.¡± ¡°You''re right. This is definitely one of a kind.¡± Jessica''s heart was brimming with joy when she heard the unending praises. Hah! Given the current situation, I don''t even need to socially pressure them into choosing me. My skills have already ensured that I will win that b*tch, Bailey, by andslide. ¡°I will now exin the concept behind this design.¡± Jessica''s exnation, or rather, her show-off session,sted thirty long minutes. It got so bad that Artemis frowned in annoyance and raised his hand to shut her up. ¡°Leave the rest for after you win thepetition. Things are not set in stone, and there''s no saying if you''ll actually be the candidate for The Grand Fashion Show. Your victory still depends on Ms. Jefferson''s design.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, I¡ª¡± Artemis waved his arm and gestured for her to take a seat. Jessica gritted her teeth. Her arms remained on either side of her, but if someone were to pay attention, they would notice that she had clenched her fists in frustration. D*mn it, Mr. Luther is obviously biased toward her! It doesn''t matter how good my designs are. I will still lose. I knew it. That woman is a subus who managed to seduce even someone as calm and collected as Mr. Luther. Chapter 66 Chapter 66 Artemis tilted his head and signaled at Bailey to start her presentation. Bailey calmly stood up and revealed the piece of A4 paper she had with her. Someoneughed mockingly upon noticing how Bailey had used a random piece of paper to draw her design on. ¡°It''s obviously just a doodle. The requirements areplicated, so it is difficult to create something good, even with the right tools and papers. Yet, here she is with a piece of A4 paper!¡± ¡°I guess she already knew that she would lose, so she decided to cut her losses. Poor Ms. Tanner. She has topete against this fraud and has indirectly made herself seem lesspetent.¡± ¡°Should we keep thispetition going? She essentially lost our interest at the beginning of her presentation, and I honestly don''t think she can doodle anything astounding on a piece of A4 paper.¡± ¡°Hehe...¡± Jessica couldn''t resist giggling aloud. If that b*tch manages to present anything decent, I will eat that piece of A4 paper she has with her! ¡°Oh, my gosh. Come look. H-Her design...¡± The department director sitting right next to Bailey jumped from her seat. She looked in awe as she stared at Bailey''s design, and her eyes shone with excitement. That design... It''s practically divine! I''ve been in this field for so many years, and this is the first time I''ve ever seen something so exquisite. Her exmation caused the other department heads to inch closer to look at Bailey''s design. Two- thirds of them sprung up from their seats in the very next second. T-This is incredible. Artemis sat up straight. He had been rhythmically tapping on the table with his finger, but he paused momentarily. A hint of surprise shed past his dark eyes before a smile slowly crept up on his lips. I knew she wouldn''t disappoint me. A contemporary element had been added to the regal dress that was meant to be partially formal. Strangely, those two elements didn''t sh. Theyplemented each other instead, creating a brand new trend. She truly is gifted and is a treasure of the fashion industry. In a way, she is like a ruby on a crown. Maybe I should headhunt her and steal her from Xavier to be the lead designer here. There''s an opening, anyway. At first, he wanted to give that position to Jessica, but she was too proud, and Artemis couldn''t stand working with her. That was why the position of lead designer in Luther Group had been vacant for years. Now that Artemis had seen Bailey''s potential and had confirmed that she was a worthy investment, he would not let her go. ¡°What the f*ck, Bay? You hid your secret well. Holy moly, you wereining about being uninspired just two days ago! Oh, you little b*tch. You really surprised us!¡± Everyone knew exactly who it was that said those words. Of the dozens of executives there, only Victoria had the guts to spew uncouth words in front of the powerful CEO. Jessica sprung up from her seat and stared at Bailey''s design for a few seconds before slumping back down. I lost. Even I can''t deny that her design is better, and that means I have, without a doubt, lost. The rules had restricted her imagination, and she hadn''t dared to even try designing a dress that bold. That woman... H-How could she have such unique ideas? How did shee up with a design that could astound everyone? All it took was a piece of small paper to highlight the keyponents and unique traits of that dress. It perfectly captured the designer''s idea and the dress'' selling point. If that design were to be publicized, the entire world would gasp in awe. The name Bailey Jefferson would, without a doubt, be internationally renowned. How? She is just a fraud who spent a few years learning the craft, so how did she design something so incredible? Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Come on, Ms. Jefferson. Tell us your design''s concept.¡± ¡°Yeah, I''m honestly intrigued and curious. I''ve been in this field for years, but I have never seen anything so incredible before.¡± ¡°This design is at least as good as the one Snowke designed four years ago. In fact, your design makes you look like a more experienced version of her. The future of fashion is looking brighter and brighter.¡± Stephen retracted his gaze and hid away the awe shining in his eyes. He grinned, then said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I have been training in this field for decades and thought that I knew everything. Yet, I failed to create something good enough to represent thepany. After seeing your work today, I am ashamed and feel as though I should retire. I know that you can take care of everything in my stead, so Ms. Jefferson, would you be interested in being the director of the design department here?¡± Bailey smiled faintly. In her mind, she couldn''t help praising Artemis because he managed to train someone like Stephen, who was humble, cared for his subordinates, and remained politically neutral. ¡°Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Chandler. You got the top certificationst year and are experienced in this field. How can I possibly seed you? I will ce my design here. Please feel free toment on it, everyone. I will ept everybody''s opinion, regardless of what it is.¡± Excited, one of the directors eagerly asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, may I know what is the concept?¡± Bailey nodded before calmly answering the question. ¡°I merely went with the flow. I''ve never thought of this as apetition. I simply wanted to design a nice dress for Ms. Caridee and add a little color to her party. There was no ulterior motive, so everything is rooted in sincerity.¡± Everyone turned to one another. A secondter, they discussed the matter among themselves. ¡°So, what do we do?¡± ¡°What do you think? The result is so obvious, and we''ll just embarrass ourselves if we vote for Jessica.¡± ¡°It''s true. Those two designs are simply in different leagues. If their qualities were simr, we could have helped Jessica out of courtesy. Unfortunately, the difference is simply too great, and there is nothing we can do.¡± ¡°I know, right? She can''t me us for abandoning her under these circumstances. She only has her ownck of skills to me.¡± ¡°So, we''ll vote for Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°Yes. All we can do is be fair. If we don''t, Mr. Luther will skin us alive.¡± Jessica turned so pale so quickly that the change was visible to the naked eye. She felt utterly embarrassed as she slumped in her chair and was so frustrated that she wanted to hide away forever. The difference in quality was so great that she couldn''t even get herself to pressure others into favoring her. The truth was in to see, and she was too ashamed to im that she was better than Bailey. ¡°Mr. Chandler, we have unanimously decided that Ms. Jefferson is the winner today. However, as you''re the person in charge of this matter, you will have the final say.¡± Stephen was going to get up and announce the winner when Artemis spoke up. ¡°I''d like to add something else to thispetition. The winner will be the lead designer here in Luther Group''s headquarters.¡± Artemis'' words were like lightning bolts, striking out of the blue. Whispers filled the air. Jessica had been dreaming of that promotion for four years, but in the end, all the hard work she put in was for naught. A nameless, random candidate had shown up and taken it from her. The mere thought of that was enough to turn someone murderous. The truth wasn''t far off. Jessica actually fantasized about killing Bailey. Nothing would please her more than slicing and dicing the other woman. Being the lead designer gave its holder authority over every designer in Luther Group. It signified endless power, and the political influence it provided was way better than the one Stephen held. Why does she get to have that? On what basis? Chapter 67 Chapter 67 Bailey is nothing but a notorious sl*t! So how dare she ride on the coattails of countless outstanding designers and act as if she deserves it? However, the words that came out of Bailey''s mouth next were so infuriating that Jessica felt like stabbing her a hundred times. Bailey said, ¡°Mr. Luther, I have no desire of bing a candidate for The Grand Fashion Show, nor do I want the position of lead designer at Luther Group''s headquarters. Edmund and I are good friends, so just take this design draft as a gift from me to his cousin. Since you have decided that this design is the winner, please pass this on to Ms. Caridee. As for whether she''ll ept it or not is not my concern. If she doesn''t like it, feel free to throw it in the shredder.¡± Silence filled the room. It seems that Ms. Jefferson is quite an arrogant woman! For her to easily say something like throwing this brilliant design away must mean that she is more than capable ofing up with more such designs and that it''s no big deal for her. It also shows just how much a prodigy she is in the field of design. Besides, anyone can tell that she''s not putting up an act. Instead, she''s simply unbothered. Whether it''s being a candidate for The Grand Fashion Show or the position of the lead designer of Luther Group, she has no interest in any of it. This woman seems to be the eldest daughter that was disowned by the Jefferson family seven years ago. Rumor has it that she sold herself for five million, got pregnant out of wedlock, and gave birth to a stillborn. How can a woman that has a name and reputation so sullied be so arrogant? Hearing her words, Artemis narrowed his eyes as his heart wrenched. So, she''s saying that the only reason she agreed to design the dress was for Edmund''s sake? If Edmund was the one asking her to be the lead designer today, would she have refused so tly? F*ck! My own brother got her body, while my cousin got her heart. What about me then? Am I nothing to her at all? Dwayne could sense that Artemis'' emotions were spiraling out of control, so he quickly stepped forward to try and defuse the tension. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, don''t be in such a hurry to refuse. Have you forgotten that your best friend works here too? If you work here at Luther Group as well, you''ll be able to keep Victoriapany.¡± At that, he signaled Victoria to say something. The gaze he was giving her was one of pleading, seemingly saying, ¡°Oh Victoria, I hope you''ll understand why I''m doing this, so please say something to help me... It''s really not an easy job to be Mr. Luther''s assistant.¡± In response, Victoria simply scoffed coldly and t-out ignored him. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. I''d be the first to object to Artemis getting close to Bay, so why the hell would I advise my best friend to stay? Seeing that his plea for help had been refused, Dwayne fell silent. He rubbed his nose awkwardly and shrugged helplessly at Artemis. Artemis got to his feet and nted his palms on the table, leaning in close to Bailey before saying, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I think you must have misunderstood something. I wasn''t asking for your agreement; I was simply telling you. Since you''re the lead designer at the branch office in Archulea, that means I''m in charge of you. I''m transferring you to the headquarters of Luther Group, and there''s nothing you can do about it. As for The Grand Fashion Show... Since you don''t want any part in it, I won''t insist on it.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. Why must this b*stard insist on pestering me? Should I expose the fact that I hacked his ount six months ago so that he''d finally stop and start seeing me as his enemy? Maybe then he''ll ask me to stay as far away from him as possible. ¡°I was hired by Xavier. If you want to transfer me here, you''ll have to get his approval first.¡± Artemis raised his brow at that. He straightened up and, with a faint smile on his face, he uttered, ¡°But of course. I hope that once I do get his approval, you''ll stop trying to weasel your way out of working here. Otherwise, Xavier might just have to bear the consequences.¡± Fury swelled within Bailey, but she tamped it down. This b*stard! Is he a one-trick pony or something? Can''t he do anything else other than threatening me with Xavier? Sensing the odd atmosphere, the director of the nning department interjected, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I really admire your design draft. Would you mind if I take a few photos of it so that I can take them back to study carefully?¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Sure.¡± The moment she gave her permission, all the others took out their phones as well. Artemis pointed at the entrance of the conference room with his chin and said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, let''s talk outside.¡± Bailey smiled faintly and replied politely, ¡°After you, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis snorted and strode outside. That d*mn woman! What''s with the sudden politeness? Where did that politeness go when she refused my request earlier? Jessica clenched her fists as she watched the two head outside. She then sent a message to Caridee. Jessica: I''m sorry, Ms. Caridee, I wasn''t able to win against her. Mr. Luther intends to hire her as the lead designer of Luther Group''s headquarters, so I reckon she has been set to be the victor all along. All we can do now is ept it. ept it? There was no way in hell Caridee would ept such an oue. Half an hourter, Caridee stormed her way into Artemis'' office with rage burning in her eyes. ¡°Artemis, I won''t agree to let Bailey be my designer. If she''s the one who designs my dress, then I won''t be going to mying-of-age ceremony.¡± Because of themotion, the few people that were sitting on the couch came over to the office to watch the show. Artemis narrowed his eyes, signaling Dwayne to do something. Seeing that, Dwayne hurried over and said to Caridee, ¡°Ms. Caridee, Mr. Luther is quite busy right now, so why don''t you follow me to the lounge first ande backter?¡± Caridee shoved him aside and swept a nce at Artemis and Stephen before finally settling her gaze on Bailey. ¡°So, you''re my sister-inw''s sister, Ms. Bailey of the Jefferson family?¡± Bailey raised her brow. She could tell that the teenager before her disliked her very much just from the anger zing in her gaze. Hah! Looks like it''s yet another person that''s been brainwashed by Rhonda. Since she couldn''t be bothered to get into a heated argument with Caridee, Bailey stood up and said to Artemis, ¡°Mr. Luther, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be taking my leave then.¡± ¡°You''re leaving? Where do you think you''re going?¡± Caridee blocked the entrance and red at Bailey. Gritting her teeth, she spat, ¡°Don''t you think you''re being too shameless? I already said I wouldn''t wear your design, so why don''t you take it and get out of here? Stop embarrassing yourself.¡± ¡°Caridee!¡± Artemis stood up and shot his sister a sharp look. ¡°Go with Dwayne to the lounge. We can talk about thister.¡± Caridee ignored him. She walked over and stopped right in front of Bailey before saying, ¡°You''re a brave one, aren''t you, b*tch? The audacity of you to mix in some dirty blood into the Chivers family. Don''t think I don''t know that the bastard child you''re raising is the same age as Max. There''s no way that child is Edmund''s since he was in Springwyn with Granddad at the time. Do you really think you can bring some bastard child into the Chivers family? Well, I''m telling you right now that you can dream on!¡± Bailey frowned ever so slightly. Great! I guess all the effort I spent designing the dress for two days and nights is going down the drain... She then said, ¡°One, whether you use my design or not is none of my concern. If you don''t like it, feel free to throw it in the trash. And two, stop saying the words ''bastard child.'' It really lowers your status and makes you look like a shrew. Since this is your first offense, I''ll let you off easy. Now, scram and get out of my sight! Otherwise... Once you piss me off, I doubt you''ll be able to handle my angry side.¡± Chapter 68 Chapter 68 S-She''s challenging me! She''s tantly challenging and provoking me! Caridee had never suffered such treatment before, so she raised her hand and was prepared to give Bailey a harsh p. Naturally, Bailey wasn''t going to just stand still and take it. However, she didn''t try to stop Caridee either. Instead, she turned her body to the side and managed to dodge the iing p. Hitting air, Caridee became even more enraged. She stepped forward and was nning to give Bailey another p. But the moment she raised her hand, she was pulled back by someone. That someone was not Bailey, but... Caridee stared at her brother in disbelief. Gritting her teeth, she huffed, ¡°Artemis, are you really going to protect this outsider? She dirtied the Chivers family''s bloodline and has Uncle Yoel and Aunt Gwendolyn wrapped around her finger. How could you choose to protect someone like this?¡± Artemis put in some force and threw her to the couch. In an icy tone, he uttered, ¡°I don''t mind you being a spoiled brat, but I will not allow you to act so unreasonably. Now tell me, where did you learn to act like such a shrew? Or perhaps, did someone instigate you to do this?¡± Caridee pursed her lips and sat up halfway by supporting her weight on her elbow. She shot daggers at Bailey and spat, ¡°You vile vixen! Not only did you manage to make Edmund fawn all over you, but you''re aiming for my brother now? You''d better pray your luck stays, or I''ll make sure your reputation is in tatters before forcing you out of Hallsbay.¡± Bailey sighed softly. My, my, seems like she has been seriously brainwashed by Rhonda. If this continues, it will be the end of such an outstanding student. But I guess I shouldn''t be too bothered by it. After all, what she will be in the future and how her character will be has nothing to do with me. ¡°Well, since Ms. Caridee hates my design so much, I won''t force it on you then.¡± She then turned to look at Dwayne. ¡°Mr. Derning, could I trouble you to throw the design draft into the shredder for me? All right now, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be leaving then. Goodbye.¡± Artemis didn''t stop her. After Bailey left, he grabbed the design draft from the coffee table and threw it in Caridee''s face. ¡°Take a look at it yourself. If you still think the dress is below your expectation, then I have nothing else to say. I will also stop handling youring-of-age ceremony and have Simon take over.¡± Caridee retrieved the drawing warily and took a closer look at it. At once, she was stunned. ¡°This is so beautiful! I''ve never seen such an elegant yet modern design of aing-of-age ceremony dress before! Is this... is this really Bailey''s design?¡± Artemis waved his hand and said coldly, ¡°Take this drawing and leave. The only reason she agreed to come up with a design for you was because of Edmund. Her sincerity in drawing the design of the dress was obvious for all to see, but since you don''t like it, feel free to throw it away.¡± Feeling slightly embarrassed, Caridee turned to look at Dwayne and muttered, ¡°I-Is this really Bailey''s design?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes at her. In a helpless tone, he said, ¡°Maybe you shouldn''t have jumped the gun so soon, Ms. Caridee. You were filled with disdain for the design draft just moments ago, but now you''re in love with it? This is indeed Bailey''s design. If Jessica really had such capabilities, she would have been famous long ago. Why wait until now?¡± Caridee pursed her lips. She was indeed in love with the design. The moment sheid eyes on it, she knew this was the perfect dress for her. To have such a fashionable yet elegant outfit is a rarity. If I really wear this to mying-of-age ceremony, I''ll definitely be the center of attention. But... this is Bailey''s design... Do I really have the guts to wear a dress designed by that notorious b*tch? If I wear it, will everyoneugh at me after they''re done admiring it? After leaving Artemis'' office, Caridee bumped into Jessica. ¡°Jessica, are you okay?¡± Jessica nced at the design draft in Caridee''s hand. She forced out a bitter smile and said, ¡°Ms. Caridee, it seems like you have epted Bailey, huh? Are you going to let her off after she drugged your future sister-inw and caused her obscene photos to spread everywhere?¡± ¡°No, of course not!¡± Caridee refuted. ¡°I won''t let Bailey off this easily. Not only is she trying to dirty the Chivers family''s bloodline by iming that her son is my cousin''s child, but she also schemed against Rhonda. I will never let her off!¡± A look of surprise spread across Jessica''s face as she stared at Caridee in disbelief. ¡°What did you just say, Ms. Caridee? Bailey''s trying to dirty the Chivers family''s bloodline? Are you saying the stillborn child she gave birth to back then is still alive?¡± ¡°Yeah, that''s right.¡± Caridee gritted her teeth. ¡°She bribed Justin to tamper with the paternity test and managed to deceive my uncle and aunt. But don''t you worry, Jessica. I''ll definitelye up with a way to expose her true colors and force her to leave Hallsbay.¡± Jessica shed her a smile. That b*tch, Bailey! I can''t believe she''s using an Illegitimate child to try and cozy up to the Chiverses. Hmph! I''ll be looking forward to the day when she''s brought to reckoning. ¡°Ms. Caridee, could you lend me the design draft for a couple of days? I keep having the feeling that the drawing looks familiar, but I can''t quite put my finger on where I have seen it before. Let me study it for a few days, and maybe I''ll be able to help in your quest of dragging Bailey down.¡± Caridee studied the drawing carefully. Seemingly seeing something, she narrowed her eyes and said, ¡°Now that you''ve mentioned it, I think the drawing looks familiar, too. Could it be that Bailey giarized another designer''s design?¡± ¡°Whether or not she copied the design off of someone else, I''ll be able to verify it once I look into it.¡± Caridee nodded and passed the drawing to her. ¡°If she did indeed giarize, I''d look down on her even more. Look into this matter carefully and see if you can find any clues. Maybe then we''ll be able to charge her with giarism and send her to prison for a couple of years.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Jessica epted the drawing. ¡°I won''t let you down, Ms. Caridee.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room at Shelbert Condominium, Susan set the cup of coffee in her hands down in front of her mother before saying with a smile, ¡°Don''t be angry, Mommy. We''re cultured people, after all. There''s no need to get all huffy for a nobody. It''s her loss to not know a treasure when she sees one. Since you''ve already done what you''re supposed to, you can let the matter go. I just hope that Caridee won''t have the gall to wear your design since she hates it. When that happens, you can simply choose to sell your design to some other clothingpany. I''m sure it''ll fetch a good price.¡± Bailey raised her brows at her daughter and smirked. ¡°Sure, I''ll sell it to you for ten million, then. Remember to bank in the amount to my ount. I''ll draw up a new draft for youter.¡± Susan was rendered speechless by her mother''s words. Her face fell, and she looked like she had just swallowed a fly. Is she even my real mother? Click. Just then, the door was pushed open, and in came Zayron with Edmund trailing behind him. The mother and daughter duo quickly got to their feet. Bailey shed Edmund a smile and raised her brows. ¡°Are you here tofort me?¡± Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Edmund couldn''t help but crack augh. How could I not love a woman who''s so thoughtful? Even if she did have two kids with Simon, I''d still hold on to her. ¡°Zayron, Susan, head out for a while, won''t you? I need to talk to your mommy.¡± The two children pursed their lips and dragged their feet outside. Bailey raised her brow and looked at Edmund, waiting for him to speak his mind. After hesitating for a moment, Edmund asked carefully, ¡°Bay, I''d like to get engaged with you. What do you think about that?¡± Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Bailey''s body tensed slightly as the smile on her face slowly disappeared. ¡°Did you misspoke, Edmund? Or are my ears ying tricks on me?¡± Edmund stepped forward and grabbed her arms, staring straight into her eyes. ¡°I didn''t, and your ears aren''t ying tricks on you. I love you, Bay. I want to marry you. If you think organizing a wedding is too sudden, we can get engaged first.¡± Subconsciously, she avoided his passionate gaze. Her stiff lips twitched before she uttered in a shy voice, ¡°I-I''m not ready yet, Edmund. I think... I think you should give me more time.¡± That made him quite panicked. He didn''t really want to force her, but if Simon returned and she learned the truth, then a rtionship between him and her might be impossible. ¡°Bay...¡± Gently holding her face, he slowly moved his lips closer to her scarlet ones. Right before their lips came into contact with each other, Bailey suddenly put her hand on his shoulder and pushed him away slightly. ¡°I-I''m still notpletely used to this kind of intimacy, Edmund. Can you give me more time? How about a month? No, half a month. If you wait half a month, I''ll definitely agree to your proposal.¡± Edmund brushed his finger past her tender lips gently. Day and night, he thought about kissing her lovingly. Her existence had been rooted deep into his soul. However, he knew he mustn''t force her because it would only achieve the opposite effect of what he wanted. If he appeared to be too unreasonable, she would be scared away. ¡°Very well. I''ll wait for you for another half a month. I truly do love you, Bay. There''s no one else in this world besides you who I want to marry.¡± Bailey''s mind nked, leaving only a ringing in her ears. Edmund wasn''t like this in the past. He always knew how to conduct himself appropriately and has never stepped over the line. I feel like he''s changed ever since he returned to Hallsbay. I can see he''s anxious, too. Did something happen? N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°I''m not familiar with a lot of men, Edmund. You''re one of them, while Xavier is another. There''s also my superior. While I have never met him, I often talk to him on the phone. From my perspective, your rtionship with me is the strongest one. If I do marry someone in the future, you''ll probably be my first pick,¡± she said. Joy filled Edmund''s heart as excitement colored his face. His grip on her arms was getting slightly tighter, though unintentionally so. ¡°Really? Is what you said true, Bay?¡± She gently patted his back with a smile. ¡°Of course, so there''s no need for you to be so anxious. Marriage needs toe naturally. When the timees, even if you don''t mention it, I''ll still take the initiative to bring it up.¡± ¡°Okay, good.¡± His excitement was unconceble as he pulled her into his embrace. She was still pretty tense and didn''t at all rx, even for a moment. That was because she didn''t like men getting close to her, even if it was just Edmund. ¡°Caridee is still young, Bay, and she was spoiled by the Luther family. Most of the things she says are nonsense, so don''t take her words to heart, okay? I saw that design. It utterly amazed me. Women love beautiful things, so I''m sure Caridee will love that dress.¡± A faint smile formed on her face, though she didn''t speak. In reality, she didn''t really care. Ever since she experienced the pain of losing her son, there was no longer anything in the world that could get a rise out of her. Two dayster, on the top floor of Luther Group, the door to the CEO''s office was pushed open. Dwayne entered the room and informed, ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Caridee and Ms. Tanner have arrived. They''re currently waiting outside to meet you.¡± ¡°I don''t have time,¡± Artemis replied inly. ¡°It''s the end of the month, so work''s getting busy. If there''s nothing important, ask them¡ª¡± ¡°Artemis.¡± Caridee''s voice could be heard from outside of the room before she entered the office in high heels. Dwayne rubbed his nose and stepped aside. Artemis'' gaze swept past her before his expression darkened slightly. He questioned coldly, ¡°This is Luther Group''s CEO''s office. Outsiders aren''t allowed to enter without my permission. You may be my sister, but you aren''t a high-ranking executive in thepany. Do you not have any manners at all? How dare you barge straight into my office?¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± With a raised head, Caridee stepped toward the office table and pped the design draft in her hand onto the surface. ¡°Is this the dressmaker you picked for me? A woman who tantly giarizes another person''s work? If I sue her in court, she''ll be thrown into prison and will have to stay there for a few years.¡± His eyes narrowed as he nced at the design draft on the table with furrowed eyebrows. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°What do I mean?¡± She smiled mockingly and turned to the door. ¡°Come in, Jessica. Don''t worry. With me around, no one will dare do anything bad to you.¡± Momentster, the sound of high-heels was heard from outside again. Then, Jessica entered the room with a design draft in her hands. ¡°Show my brother that draft. He has sharp eyes, so he can probably notice what''s wrong.¡± Jessica nodded as her scarlet lips formed a vicious smile. You have some guts, Bailey, to copy the design of ¡°The Ultimate Designer,¡± Snowke. You''re done for this time. If Snowke decides to pursue this matter, you''re going to prison for a few years! Artemis nced at the design she gave him for a brief moment before shifting his line of sight to the one Bailey drafted. Afterparing the two, he subconsciously furrowed his eyebrows. The shape of both designs is almost the same. It seems like Bailey used this design as a foundation and then added elements of contemporary fashion trends on top of it. In other words, she giarized another person''s base design. When Caridee noticed her brother''s tense expression, she knew he had seen the problem at hand. Thus, she couldn''t help but mock, ¡°Are you sure you want to appoint someone who giarized another person''s work as the lead designer of Luther Group''s headquarters, Artemis? If the original creator wants to investigate this matter, Bailey will very likely be sued in court and go to prison. The reason is that the work she giarized came from someone famous she could never afford to offend.¡± Artemis raised his head and nced at her. ¡°Who designed this?¡± ¡°The Ultimate Designer, Snowke.¡± At that, he was stunned because he knew who Snowke was. Four years ago, the organizers of The Grand Fashion Show made an exception and qualified her as a candidate based solely on a single work. After that, she went on to win the title of ¡°The Ultimate Designer.¡± He had actually seen the design before, but it was four years ago, and he had been pretty busy since then. Hence, he had forgotten all about it. ¡°This is the design that she used to win the title of ''The Ultimate Designer?¡®¡± Caridee gritted her teeth as she answered viciously, ¡°That''s right. This is Snowke''s famous work. Bailey is such a shameless woman. The nerve of her to giarize such an iconic masterpiece and hand the giarized work to me as mying-of-age gown! Does she want me to be the biggest joke in the world?¡± Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Artemis massaged his temples. ¡°What do you n to do?¡± He knew how serious the situation was. If the original designer decides to pursue this case, Bailey will no doubt be sentenced to prison. Not only that, whoever''s involved in this matter will be negatively affected as well. This is just great. Shepletely copied the base design of Snowke''s work. Even though she added some contemporary elements, this is more than enough to be judged as giarism in court. Caridee raised her chin and uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°If she hadn''t caused me trouble, I might have let this matter go by asking her to destroy the design draft. However, I won''t tolerate the fact that she tried using me to be someone sought after by international celebrities. How dare she give me a giarized work and use my influence to be famous! There''s no way I''ll forgive her for using me like this!¡± Artemis'' expression tensed up as he asked one word at a time, ¡°So, you''re nning to hand this design to the court and brand her as a copycat to ensure she''ll never be able to work in this industry again?¡± ¡°That''s right. I want Bailey to organize a press conference and admit that she copied Snowke''s work. Then, I want to see her get the hell out of the design industry and never return!¡± A cold look shed across his dark, narrowed eyes. ¡°What if I disagree?¡± ¡°That isn''t your decision to make.¡± Felicity entered the room as she spoke in a stern tone. ¡°My daughter is a daughter of the Luther family, a noble who deserves respect. Hering-of-age gown is incredibly important, yet Bailey had the guts to deliver a giarized work to my daughter to ruin her reputation! You may be able to overlook this, but I can''t.¡± When Jessica saw the older woman, she smiled sinisterly. With her support, I doubt Bailey can get out of this! You reap what you sow, Bailey! Frankly, you were asking for it when you copied the work of a famous designer. A vein popped on Artemis'' forehead. I know how much Mom loathes Bailey. Now that she has gotten her chance, she''s definitely going to cause a huge fuss. Caridee stepped forward and hugged her mother''s arm. ¡°You came at the right time, Mom. Even though things have turned out like this, Artemis is still trying to protect that woman. You need to stand up for me!¡± Felicity''s re was aimed at her son as she roared, ¡°Not only are we going to force her to organize a press conference to admit her giarism, we''re also going to contact the original designer and have her sue Bailey! I''m making sure that b*tch is going to stay in prison for a few years. Only then will the sons of the Luther family and the Chivers family be spared from her seduction.¡± A touch of anxiety could be seen on Caridee''s face as she pulled her mother''s arm and whispered, ¡°Mom, there''s no need to go that far. I know I said I wanted to send her to prison, but I don''t really n to do that. It''s enough for me if we chase her out of the design industry. There''s no need to send her to prison.¡± That caused Felicity to re at her. She scolded, ¡°Your cousin won''t give up on her unless she''s in prison! The Chiverses'' bloodline is noble. I will never allow the blood of an indecent woman to taint the Chiverses'' bloodline.¡± Caridee shrunk back slightly and kept quiet. With a vicious re aimed at her son, Felicity approached the office table. ¡°If my words have no effect on you, then I''ll call your father and let him talk to you personally. This time, I won''t allow anyone to protect that b*tch.¡± Artemis rubbed his forehead and replied resignedly, ¡°At the very least, you need to give me time to make sense of the whole ordeal. I want to listen to Bailey''s exnation right now. If she has proof that it isn''t giarism, then it''s pointless no matter what you two say.¡± Felicity let out a scoff. ¡°I went to aw firm with both designs before I came here. Thewyer also said that it could definitely be ssified as giarism. There''s no way you can scrub her tarnished reputation clean of this, so you may as well give up now.¡± She promptly turned and headed for the door. ¡°I''m going to the legal department and letting them handle the case. Since you''re busy, there''s no need for you to worry about this.¡± Seeing how dark Artemis'' expression was, Caridee didn''t have the nerve to stay there any longer and quickly escaped the office with Jessica. Once they all left, Dwayne approached his boss fearfully and asked in a tentative tone, ¡°What do we do?¡± That sentence rang in Artemis'' head as his sharp gaze swept past his assistant. Then, his thin lips moved as he uttered, ¡°Call the director of the legal department toe to my office.¡± Inside the living room of the Jefferson residence, Rhonda abruptly leaped up from the couch.N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Joy was seen on her face. ¡°What did you say? Bailey''s design is copied from Snowke''s famous work? Are you sure it''s true?¡± ¡°I''m sure. The matter even reached Mr. Luther''s mother. Half an hour ago, she, Ms. Caridee, and Jessica went to the CEO''s office. Then the three of them headed to Luther Group''s legal department. It seems pretty clear that they''re going to punish Bailey. ¡° Rhonda let out a howlingugh. ¡°Good! Very good. Watching Bailey''s reputation crumble as she''s tossed into jail is far more satisfying to me than marrying into the Luther family. Karma has finally caught up to her. This feels so, so good.¡± ¡°I think you should spread the word about this news, Mrs. Luther. You have a copy of Bailey''s design, correct? Leak that design to the paparazzi and let them post it on Twitter. Then, spend some money to get it trending. Finally, hire ghostwriters to writements underneath those posts about how Bailey''s design looks very simr to Snowke''s design and that it could be a case of giarism. I guarantee you that in less than half a day, the news about her giarism will spread worldwide. It''ll shock the world.¡± Rhonda''s grip on her phone tightened as she suppressed the immense joy in her heart. ¡°Of course, I''m not going to let this perfect opportunity of causing Bailey''s downfall slip away. Continue to keep an eye on Luther Group''s headquarters. Let me know if anything happens.¡± ¡°Roger.¡± Once the call ended, Beatrice descended from the second floor. When she saw Rhonda''s excitement, she asked with furrowed eyebrows, ¡°What''s the matter? Did Artemis agree to marry you?¡± Unable to hold back her excitement to share the news, Rhonda approached her mother, grabbed her arm, and smiled wickedly. ¡°Bailey''s done for, Mom! She''s done for this time, haha!¡± Beatrice''s eyes narrowed as she scolded, ¡°Don''t get too cocky. She''s not dead yet. Tell me what happened.¡± Rhonda calmed down and told her mother everything that had happened. ¡°Mom, won''t you say Bailey was digging her own grave? She copied the work of a famous designer and almost dragged Caridee down with her. Now, there''s no way Snowke, and especially the Luther family, will forgive her. If we let the Chiverses know that Bailey''s son isn''t a descendant of the Chivers family, I bet she''ll never be able to turn things around again!¡± Chapter 71 Chapter 71 Beatrice smiled. ¡°Not only will she be unable to turn things around again, but based on what I know about Felicity, she definitely won''t be satisfied until she gets Bailey into prison!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhonda was so happy that she almost jumped in joy. ¡°Will that olddy really send Bailey to prison?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± A mocking smile formed on the older woman''s face as she fiddled with her nails. ¡°Edmund cares very much about Bailey. However, the more he loves her, the more the members of the Chivers family get antsy. After all, he''s the future leader of Chivers Group and an honorable, elegant noble. There''s no way the Chivers family will let a woman who has another man''s child be the futuredy of the family. The best way to split the two of them up is to send her into prison to ensure Edmund can''t think of or see her.¡± That made Rhonda so gleeful that she was shaking. Watching Bailey enter prison would be the happiest and most exciting thing for her. ¡°How do we add fuel to the fire, Mom?¡± Beatrice smiled sinisterly. ¡°First, we spread the news about her giarism. The more widespread it is, the better. Second, we find a way to contact Snowke and encourage her to sue Bailey.¡± ¡°Okay, we''ll do that then.¡± At Shelbert Condominium, Zayron exited the study with hisptop. ¡°Bailey, I got the results for what you asked me to investigate a few days ago.¡± Bailey was sitting on the sofa applying a beauty mask. Her body straightened up when she heard that. ¡°Tell me about it.¡± ¡°The CEO of LG Corporation really does seem to be Lionel Gezmond. However, he rarely shows up in front of other people. Usually, he lets a woman called Mary Jones deal withpany matters.¡± She suddenly peeled the beauty mask away and furrowed her eyebrows. ¡°I heard Sebastian is LG Corporation''s heir. Is it possible that...¡± A grim expression appeared on Zayron''s face as he gritted his teeth. ¡°He is indeed Lionel''s son.¡± There was a strange look in Bailey''s eyes when she heard that. If Sebastian really is Lionel''s son, this means he has a happy family overseas and a wonderful marriage. As a friend, I should congratte him. He experienced the fall of Gezmond Group, the horrible death of his father, and being criticized by the world for having an affair with his stepmother. It was about time fate treated him well after he endured that inhumane pressure. However, what about Vicky? She only has a one-track mind, and she''spletely obsessed with him. There''s no way anyone can break her out of her spell. Neither she nor Lionel are in the wrong. Not only did the hatred of the previous generation drag them into a mess they didn''t cause, but it also destroyed their pure love for each other. Just like that, the blood feud between two families turned a loving couple into sworn enemies, ensuring that they won''t ever want to meet each other again. Vicky was so tortured by fate that she became jaded. I wonder how she''ll ever leave this tragedy behind. ¡°Are you sure Sebastian is Lionel''s biological son?¡± Zayron''s eyes narrowed as he remained quiet for a moment before speaking up. ¡°It doesn''t matter if Sebastian is Lionel''s son. Either way, Lionel already has a wife, and they registered their marriage at Illurasia.¡± Illurasia! Aplicated feeling rose in Bailey''s heart. ording to what I heard, if a couple marries in Illurasia, they aren''t allowed to divorce each other. The marriage will have tost for a hundred years, from the day a person is granted life to the day they die. Couples who are deeply in love with each other like to go to Illurasia to get married to prove that their love will never change. If Lionel brought his wife to Illurasia and married her there, doesn''t it mean he loves her very much? ¡°Can you find out any information on his wife?¡± A frown marred the young boy''s face. ¡°ording to the information I found, she''s the daughter of a rather hidden family in the western world with a respectable status. While I haven''t found out all her details, I know Lionel protects her very well. He almost doesn''t let her appear in the outside world. Maybe we can figure out more about this woman through Sebastian. She''s his mother, after all. It''ll be easier to investigate the matter with his help.¡± Bailey shook her hand and head. ¡°Forget it. I bet she''s someone who we can''t afford to mess with. It''s better if we don''t dip our toes into this matter anymore. Since Lionel is married and has a child now, all we need to do is to make Vicky give up her love. Investigating Lionel''s wife won''t do anyone any good. It''ll only bring more pain to Vicky.¡± ¡°That''s true.¡± He scratched his head with a smile. ¡°I''m great at being a matchmaker. I''ll definitely help Vic find a man who she likes and who can do it with her all day¡ª¡± Her hand quickly covered his mouth. This little brat. I can''t believe he said something like that. As they messed around with each other, the phone sitting on the coffee table rang. Upon picking it up, Bailey answered the phone and nced at Zayron to shut him up. ¡°What''s up?¡± Zayron hadn''t seen the name on the phone and thought Edmund was the one calling. Thus, the moment she removed her hand from his mouth, he shouted, ¡°What are you covering my mouth for? Was I wrong? I don''t think Vic iscking in anything except for a good man who can make her feel like she''s in heaven.¡± There was silence on the line for a few seconds. ¡°You little b*stard! Are you itching for a beating? Do you think I won''t go to where you are right now and beat the crap out of you?¡± Victoria''s voice traveled out of the phone. ¡°Shit.¡± Zayron jumped up and stared at the phone in his mother''s hand with fear. ¡°You''re a monster, Bailey. How could you not mention Victoria''s the one who called? Are you trying to get me killed?¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Bailey kicked him away. ¡°Get out of here.¡± I already shot him a nce to shut him up. It''s his fault for not shutting his mouth and bbering on. ¡°Come on over here, Vicky. He does need to be taught a lesson. I wee you toe over and beat him up.¡± The boy stared at his mother in disbelief. ¡°All right, that''s enough messing around. Bay, check Twitter quickly. Something bad has happened.¡± There was anxiety in Victoria''s voice. Bailey narrowed her eyes and couldn''t help but frown. ¡°What''s wrong? Did news about Zayron not being Edmund''s biological son leak out?¡± ¡°It''s something far worse.¡± Victoria gritted her teeth. ¡°Take a look at Twitter, and you''ll understand.¡± Beside her, Zayron had already turned on theputer andunched the app. ¡°Oh my god. It''s true, Mommy. You may end up going to jail this time.¡± Bailey pushed him away and took a look. Her frown intensified. They''re saying I giarized The Ultimate Designer''s work? After rubbing his nose, he reminded meekly, ¡°If I''m being honest, you did copy Snowke''s work, Bailey. I took a look at the design you made two days ago, and it appeared very simr to the one from four years ago. This is Susan''s rotten idea, right? Throw her under the bus and have her take responsibility.¡± She stared at him coldly and pointed at the bedroom. ¡°Get in there right now and don''t show up in front of me again. Otherwise, I''ll throw you down from the fifth floor.¡± ¡°Ugh. Fine, I''ll shut up. Is that okay?¡± She put the phone next to her ear again and asked, ¡°Who spread the news? Chapter 72 Chapter 72 I was careless. I didn''t expect someone would attempt to destroy my reputation this way to force me out of the industry. Now that I''ve been caught up in this inte storm, it seems like I can''t keep a low profile anymore. I''m sure Jessica, Rhonda, Caridee, and Janice are the ones who want to do me in. Now that a golden opportunity for them to do so has surfaced, there''s no way they won''t try to skin me alive. Bailey frowned. Victoria''s serious and worried voice came over the phone. ¡°It doesn''t matter who spread the news, Bay. Right now, there''s no way you can handle this thing alone. Your design is pretty simr to the one Snowke made four years ago. It can be judged as giarism in court.¡± ¡°The designs are different. I''ve made some changes to the original foundation and incorporated contemporary elements. The current one is much more mature than the one four years ago. It wasn''t a half-hearted effort.¡± Victoria sighed resignedly and chuckled. ¡°Your focus is in the wrong ce, Bay. No one is saying you were beingzy with the design you provided Caridee. Right now, everyone is convinced that you giarized Snowke. That''s what you should pay attention to. Tell me, did you really copy someone else''s work?¡± Just as Bailey was about to answer, her doorbell rang. ¡°Someone''s knocking on the door. I''ll go and take a look. Talk to youter.¡± After she finished her sentence, she went to open the door. A few men and women in suits stood in front of her. Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Who are you lot?¡± The man who stood at the front stepped forward and pulled out a card from his pocket before giving it to her. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we''re members of Luther Group''s legal department. We received a report saying that the design you made two days ago is suspected of giarism. Also, we''ve already contacted the person in charge of the Archulea branch, Mr. Rhoudin, and obtained his permission to halt your responsibilities temporarily.¡± Bailey rubbed her eyebrows. If I tell them that I''m Snowke right now and that I didn''t copy anyone''s work, they''ll probably think I''m a delusional lunatic. I''m starting to regret not epting the award back then. If I had the certificate to show them now, then this would''ve been a lot simpler. ¡°Fine, I''ll leave with you. I just need a moment to change and grab my bag.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Upon returning to the living room, she saw the children standing next to the wall with long faces. She stepped forward and pped their heads. ¡°I''m just doing what needs to be done, regardless of how serious it is. I won''t be able to prepare lunch for you all, so take care of it yourselves.¡± Susan grabbed her mother and apologized glumly, ¡°I''m sorry, Bay. I didn''t know things would end up this way. It wasn''t my intention to give them an opportunity to take you down.¡± With a wave of her hand, Bailey went into the bedroom. ¡°It''s not a big deal. Since they want to y, I''ll indulge them. Let''s see who gets thestugh.¡± After watching their mother leave, Maxton nudged Zayron''s arm and whispered, ¡°What do we do now, Idiot? How about I ask my dad to push this whole thing down?¡± Zayron smiled smugly as a mischievous look appeared in his eyes. ¡°If we let your dad handle it, we won''t get to watch the show! I want them to enjoy stepping on Mommy for a while. Then, just as they are drowning in glee, I''ll deliver them a deadly strike when they''re not paying attention. When that time comes, they''ll know what it feels like to fall straight to hell from heaven. They want to mess with my mom? Well, I''ll make sure they pay the price for it.¡± ¡°How do you want to do this?¡± Maxton rubbed his nose. This idiot is quite evil. He''spletely unlike Uncle Simon, who''s sunny and pure. In fact, he seems more like... my dad. A wretched smile appeared on Zayron''s face as he crooked his finger at his brother. ¡°Come closer.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Maxton leaned closer and listened to the n. The edges of his mouth couldn''t help but twitch violently. Is it really a good idea to mess with people like that? While he was feeling rather conflicted, he nheless praised the n. ¡°It''s a good n. Don''t worry; I''ll cooperate with you. If you need anything, let me know.¡± Meanwhile, at the CEO''s office in Luther Group, the director of the legal department was standing in the middle of the office. He was nervously staring at the young man sitting behind the table while taking care of paperwork. ¡°An hour ago, I asked Dwayne to give you a call. It took you that long to arrive. Your sense of time has worsened, Uncle Samuel. Are you getting too old to perform your workpetently? How about I promote a younger employee to help you split the work?¡± Samuel Luther trembled as his legs shook. He had never been afraid of the previous family head. However, ever since Artemis took over the role, he finally experienced what it was like to walk on thin ice. Artemis wasn''t just more ruthless than his father. He would go so far as to ignore familial rtionships when he was in thepany. If anyone from the Luther family messed up during work, he would deliver their punishment swiftly and justly. ¡°I-It was not my intention to arrivete, Mr. Artemis. When Mr. Derning called me, your mother had just arrived in my office. I didn''t dare to ignore her,¡± Samuel exined fearfully. ¡°Mhm,¡± Artemis replied indifferently as he signed his name on a piece of paper. Upon closing the folder, he lifted his head and stared at his uncle. His dark eyes were fixed on Samuel as if he could see through the middle-aged man. An invisible aura exploded from his body, which made the older man feel as though an oppressive weight was pressing down on him. ¡°You''re fifty years old this year, aren''t you, Uncle Samuel? I think it''s time for you to think about retirement. Once you hand your position to an up-anding talented employee, I''ll help you find an excellent location to live out the rest of your life peacefully.¡± Samuel''s legs turned into spaghetti, and he almost copsed to the ground. What is he trying to say? Is he forcing me to retire? ¡°You must be joking, Mr. Artemis. The chairman''s older than me, yet he''s still working here. I just reached fifty years old, which isn''t the age for retirement yet. How can I work as a hands-off director? Thank you for your care, Mr. Artemis, but I think I can still contribute to thepany.¡± Artemis furrowed his brows as he revealed a sinister smile. There was a cold and cruel look in his eyes. ¡°Who asked you to send men to bring Bailey over?¡± Samuel''s body shook as he was affected by his nephew''s oppressive aura. It caused him to stutter when he spoke. ¡°I-It was your mother.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The younger man raised his eyebrow and spoke with a half-smile. ¡°It seems like I was right about your age dragging you down, Uncle Samuel. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have forgotten whose orders you should be listening to. I suggest you retire soon to give the younger generation a chance to show what they can do. You really have be old.¡± Chapter 73 Chapter 73 Samuel staggered, causing him to take a few swift steps forward. It wasn''t until both his handsnded on the table that he stabilized himself and prevented himself from falling to the ground. ¡°No, it''s not my time to retire yet. You can''t force me to retire! First, it was Laurence. Now, it''s me. Are you really trying to get rid of all your elders in thepany, Artemis?¡± he questioned. Artemis smiled with a raised eyebrow and helped stop his uncle''s sliding body from falling. ¡°I was just joking with you, Uncle Samuel. Why are you panicking? Rx. If you don''t do anything wrong, no one will dare to force you out.¡± ¡°R-Really?¡± Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org. With a smile, Artemis nodded. ¡°Of course. However, I suggest you recognize who''s the real person in charge of Luther Group and who you should listen to. Otherwise...¡± ¡°Yes, yes, of course.¡± Samuel stood with the help of his nephew before rubbing the sweat on his forehead away. ¡°I must have been out of my mind earlier. Don''t worry; I won''t make the same mistake again.¡± The young man walked around the office table and guided his uncle to sit on the nearby couch. Smiling, he said, ¡°Please tell me what my mother told you, Uncle Samuel.¡± Sitting on the couch with a straightened back, Samuel spoke carefully. ¡°She asked me to judge Ms. Bailey''s work as giarism because then the legal department will be able to transfer the case to the court. She also told me to find a way to contact the original designer, Snowke, and invite her to visit Hallsbay personally. Then, we are to encourage her to sue Ms. Bailey on the grounds of copyright vition and hopefully sentence Ms. Bailey to a few years in prison.¡± Artemis'' eyes narrowed. That old bat! She really wants Bailey dead. If she finds out Bailey had given birth to a descendant of the Luther family, I wonder if her attitude toward Bailey would change. ¡°Fine, I understand. After your people bring Bailey to thepany, don''t take her to the legal department. I want her to meet me right away.¡± Obviously, Samuel wasn''t going to say no and quickly agreed, ¡°Of course. I''ll give them a call this instant to ry your order.¡± ¡°You can leave now.¡± The middle-aged man leaped from the couch and power-walked out of the room, even forgetting to bid goodbye. The pressure inside the room was too much for him to handle. He didn''t want to stay there for another second longer. ¡°Wait.¡± After he took two steps away, Artemis called out to him. Without turning back, he asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Do you have other orders, Mr. Artemis?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows. ¡°You saw the two designs. Do you think it''s a case of giarism?¡± ¡°N-No.¡± At that point, only an idiot would say yes, which Samuel was not. Anyone with a pair of eyes can see he has fallen for that woman and wants to protect her. Whoever wants to mess with that woman will have to deal with him, which won''t end well for them. ¡°I want to hear your true opinion.¡± Artemis stood and arrived in front of his uncle. He stared into the older man''s eyes and spoke one word at a time. ¡°Regarding this matter, I want to hear only truths from you. Of course, you can only speak the truth in front of me. When you''re in front of anyone else, you still need to pretend to be stupid. Understand?¡± ¡°Of course, I understand,¡± Samuel swiftly replied. ¡°If this goes to the court, they''ll no doubt say that it''s a case of giarism because Ms. Baileypletely replicated the design structure. While there are contemporary elements added to it, it''s still seventy percent simr to the work of Snowke. This is enough for the judge to determine it as giarism.¡± A chilling look glinted in Artemis'' eyes. He didn''t doubt what his uncle said because he was certain the older man was spooked enough from earlier to not be telling any lies again. Additionally, Samuel had worked in the industry for decades, so he was unlikely to be wrong about what the court would say. After all, if he wasn''t at least a little bitpetent, there was no way he could''ve maintained his position as the director for so many years. ¡°Very well. You can leave now, Uncle Samuel. I do want to remind you to keep a tight leash on the people from the Lohan family. Don''t let them use your authority in thepany to do whatever they want. Otherwise, serious trouble will be knocking on your door one day.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± After the members of Luther Group''s legal department brought Bailey to the lobby, they went straight to the elevator. They were about to send her to the CEO''s office ording to the orders they received. News about Bailey copying Snowke''s design in order to win thepetition had spread throughout thepany. There was an endless murmuring among thepany employees as they discussed the matter. Bailey''s arrival in the lobby caused amotion. ¡°Look, she''s the woman who copied the work of that famous designer! She really is despicable. Seven years ago, her reputation was ruined, yet she still refused to be a better person and continued to do bad things again.¡± ¡°She''s so shameless. How dare shepete with Ms. Tanner using giarized work? Does she not know the saying that an unequal contest brings no honor to the victor?¡± ¡°Speaking of which, she really has quite the nerve. Everyone knew the winner of thepetition would be Ms. Caridee''s dressmaker. Not only that, but the design that won would be Ms. Caridee''s coming-of-age dress. Obviously, her giarized work disgusted Ms. Caridee. Thankfully, it was discovered in time. Otherwise, if Ms. Caridee showed up wearing that during hering-of-age ceremony, she would''ve beenughed at and mocked.¡± ¡°What''s even worse is that she actually copied Snowke''s work. It''s unbelievable. I heard Snowke has an apprentice called Juliana, who''s the daughter of a royal family in the western world. Her status is quite impressive. Bailey has gotten into deep trouble this time. If Snowke sues her, she''ll undoubtedly spend a few years in jail.¡± ¡°She reaps what she sows. She has always used Mr. Luther''s protection to do what she wants. Now that things have gone off the rails, not only will Snowke and her apprentice not let her go, but even Ms. Caridee and Mrs. Luther will give her hell.¡± ¡°Let''s just wait and watch the show. The legal department went straight to her home to bring her here. I bet there''s already a case made for her giarism. Once the case is transferred over to the court, there''s no way she''s getting out of this mess.¡± Bailey could hear what everyone was saying around her. Despite that, there was no rage in her heart. In fact, she was quite eager to see how things unfolded. After all, there was no way anyone could control what they were all saying. The elevator was still descending. She had been waiting for it to arrive for so long that she was tempted to climb the stairs instead. The voices of the people talking around her were annoying her, like flies circling her ears. ¡°Well, well, isn''t this Ms. Bailey, who was living the good life just two days ago? With Mr. Luther''s support, not only did you not receive any punishment after that stunt in the design department, but you also went on to win thepetition. You thought you were so awesome, but sadly, a piece of trash will always be a piece of trash who can only win by copying someone else. Unfortunately for you, before you could even enjoy the glory of your sess, your cheating was discovered. Now, a prison cell awaits you. What a shame.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. She sounds familiar. I guess it''s someone I know. When she turned around, she saw Janice approaching her with a gloating expression. Unable to contain her chuckle, she replied, ¡°Ah, it''s you, Ms. Worthiere. It seems like you''ve gotten much more free time after being fired. You know, you should thank me for it. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have been able to live so freely.¡± That touched Janice''s sore spot as her expression immediately turned ferocious. ¡°I''ll be sure to hire plenty of people to take care of you after you get thrown into prison, you b*tch!¡± Chapter 74 Chapter 74 Bailey smiled faintly. ¡°Make sure you find the best men to beat me up, then. You know how well I can fight, so you''d better make sure I don''t kick their butts instead because that would be the biggest joke ever.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Ding! The elevator door opened, and Bailey quirked her brows, still smiling at her. ¡°I''ll make a move first. See you when I see you.¡± ¡°Where do you think you''re going? This is the headquarters of Luther Group. It''s not some random garden where you can walk about as you like.¡± The stern voice from the elevator instantly silenced the bustling hall. No one dared to breathe a word. Bailey frowned. She knew who that person was just from the voice. It was none other than Felicity. No wonder Luther Group took legal action. She must be the one pressuring them to do so. It seems like a lot of people in Hallsbay want me in prison. Fine. I''ll y along since this is what you all enjoy. We''ll see who ends up being the winner. ¡°Mrs. Luther,¡± Bailey greeted. The old woman charged out of the elevator in big steps until she came close to Bailey and raised her hand to p her. ¡°B*tch! How dare you giarize someone else''s work to set up my daughter? You could''ve ruined her reputation if we had not realized what you did!¡± Bailey grinned and grabbed Felicity''s hand in time. ¡°Mrs. Luther, you know what I''m capable of, so I advise that you save yourself the hassle of using your hand.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Felicity quivered in rage. She tried breaking free, but to no avail, so she seethed, ¡°You are rude and arrogant! But you know what? What disgusts me the most is how shameless you are.¡± So much for being the woman of the Luther family. You sound just like those madwomen on the street. I''ve finally understood the so-called ¡°fine upbringing¡± and ¡°etiquette¡± of the upper ss. Bailey curved her lips in a smirk at that thought. ¡°Well, you''re the one who wanted to p me. What''s wrong with defending myself? It''s just reflex. I wonder what I did to make yoush out at me.¡± The angry scowl on Felicity''s face broke into a ridiculing smile. ¡°Are you seriously asking me that? Fine. Let''sy our cards on the table right now.¡± The furious woman pried her hand off forcefully and criticized, ¡°Why did you use a giarized work to enter thepetition? You knew the winning work would be my daughter''s gown at hering-of-age party, so why did you still copy Snowke''s design? Don''t you know how famous she is? Everyone will recognize that dress if Caridee wears that gown to her party and make fun of her. This will make her a laughing stock! What is your motive?¡± Bailey rubbed her forehead in annoyance, exining, ¡°I didn''t copy her design. I simply referred to it for inspiration. Why don''t you call Snowke to verify this? If the designer says this is not giarism, your usation does not stand at all.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Felicity sneered as if she had just heard the most absurd joke. ¡°You referred to her work for inspiration. Right. I can''t believe you said that when your whole work literally entails all the best parts of Snowke''s design. You''re so brazen I don''t even see the point of wasting my time talking to you. The public rtions department has already informed the media about this, and the headquarters will hold a press conference this afternoon. I will let you go if you admit your fault at the press conference.¡± Bailey blinked her eyes and smirked. She initially wanted to exin herself to settle this issue peacefully. In fact, she was even prepared to reveal her identity, but when she heard what Felicity had to say, it urred to her that things were not as simple as they seemed. It was apparent that this group of people wanted to drive her into a corner. She knew that they would use whatever means possible to incarcerate her if she admitted to giarism. So, you guys want to embarrass me? Fine. I''ll go along with your ns and unleash a surprise strike in the end. It will be nice seeing all of you caught in a sticky situation. ¡°As I said, I didn''t copy anything, so there''s no way I''ll attend the press conference. If you really want to seek legal recourse, go ahead. I''ll give you my full cooperation,¡± Bailey persisted. Felicity was enraged hearing Bailey''s challenge. She pointed her shaky finger at Bailey''s nose and warned, ¡°Remember what you said, Bailey Jefferson. I''ll see you in court. Thew will hold you ountable for what you did.¡± Bailey felt nothing but contempt for Felicity in her heart. You sound like you stand for justice, but I know full well that you will not let me go even if I admit it. ¡°Do as you wish. I''ll wait for the summons at home. I''ll make a move first if there''s nothing else you want to say,¡± Bailey replied. Never in her life was Felicity that infuriated. ¡°Stop her right there. Bring her to the police station,¡± she ordered the bodyguards standing beside her. ¡°Mrs. Luther,¡± Bailey scoffed, snickering, ¡°what''s the hurry? Snowke has notmented on this incident. Even if you''re seeing me in court, you still have to wait for the designer to file a giarism im, so you have no right to send me to the police station.¡± ¡°You... You...¡± Felicity stammered, clenching her chest. This rotten b*tch! She always pisses me off! Ding! The elevator door opened again, and Dwayne emerged. He greeted Felicity first before turning toward Bailey. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Luther would like to have a word with you in his office.¡± ¡°No,¡± Felicity interrupted before Bailey said a word, blocking the way to the elevator reserved for the CEO. The reason why she went there herself was that she did not want Artemis to meet Bailey. Felicity was sure that Bailey would end up in jail for a few years as long as Artemis stayed out of this matter. ¡°Since you''re that confident, you should go home and wait. The court will send a notice to your house latest by tomorrow. I''ll see what tricks you have up your sleeve by then.¡± ¡°Mr. Derning, I''m afraid you''ll have to let Mr. Luther know I can''t go over. I''m caught in the storm of allegations now. It''s not in his best interest to interfere in this matter since he''s the CEO. People might say he''s siding with me, so I''ll take care of this one alone,¡± Bailey said to Dwayne. The assistant frowned. ¡°How are you going to solve this on your own? You should just listen to Mr. Luther. He...¡± Dwayne inched closer and whispered something in Bailey''s ears. Bailey smiled after Dwayne finished speaking. ¡°Thank Mr. Luther for me for the suggestion, but I''ll never admit to giarism. I''d rather they take legal action.¡± Felicity pushed Dwayne aside and instructed, ¡°Move. She''s already agreed to it, so there''s nothing else you need to do. Go back to Artemis and tell him that this woman is arrogant. I will see to it that she ends up serving her sentence.¡± Chapter 75 Chapter 75 Bailey left the headquarters under the usations of everyone in the hall. When she finally came to the alfresco fountain, she ran into Edmund, who seemed to havee in a rush. ¡°Are you okay, Bay? Did they do anything to you?¡± he asked. Bailey''s heart warmed seeing the man, and she wiped the sweat on his forehead with her sleeve. ¡°I''m okay. You don''t have to worry. I can handle this.¡± Edmund smiled at her in resignation. ¡°I don''t know why I just can''t seem to keep my cool whenever something happens to you. Everyone says I''m calm andposed, but I''m really not when I''m with you. I''ll go crazy if anything happens to you,¡± he said. Bailey moved closer and held his arm. ¡°Let''s go home. The children haven''t had lunch.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Back in the CEO''s office, Artemis finally looked away from the screen he had been staring at when the video stopped at the retreating figures of a man and a woman. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Dwayne entered. ¡°Ms. Jefferson refused to admit to anything. Neither did she agree to destroy the design. She even said that she is willing to face legal consequences. Mrs. Luther is incensed and is very insistent. She went to the public rtions department when I came up. I suppose she went to ask Quentin to contact Snowke to press charges against Ms. Jefferson.¡± Artemis rubbed his brows in annoyance. ¡°Stop Snowke from returning to Hallsbay at all costs. I want you to call Quentin. Ask him to give me the designer''s contact. I''ll talk to her on my own,¡± he said lightly. ¡°Snowke is very low-profile. She has only submitted one design over the past four years. No one has ever seen her. She didn''t even attend the prize-giving ceremony. She said she was not interested in attending because she wanted to sleep in when the organizer called her. Given her attitude, I doubt it''s easy talking to her,¡± Dwayne replied with a sigh, but Artemis just waved his hand dismissively in return. ¡°Just get in touch with her first. She''s never appeared in person over the years, so we might not even find her. I''m just worried that she might suddenlye to Hallsbay. It''ll be toote to help Bailey if Snowke sues her.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll call Quentin right away to get Snowke''s number.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Over in the car, Edmund was driving when he said, ¡°Bay, your design looks a lot like Snowke''s from four years ago. What is going on exactly? I don''t think you''re so ambitious as to copy someone else''s design, though.¡± Bailey was resting with her eyes closed in the passenger seat when she heard his question. ¡°I''ve been going through her work a lot recently, so maybe I drew something simr to hers unknowingly, but there are actually differences if you take a closer look. I just didn''t expect things to take such a turn. I guess I can''t hide forever.¡± Edmund sensed there was something unusual about her answer, and a thought budded in his mind. ¡°Okay. I know you''re not a rash person, so I trust you to do what is best. You must have your reason for doing so, but Aunt Felicity is not letting you off the hook this easily. I''m partially at fault for what is happening. Aunt Felicity wouldn''t have hated you so much if I cared less about your performance.¡± Bailey shrugged in nonchnce. ¡°Don''t let it bother you. She loves you. That''s why she''s so worked up. I know what I''m doing, so you don''t have to worry. I won''t let you end up in a difficult position.¡± Edmund narrowed his eyes. ¡°What do you mean by ''I won''t let you end up in a difficult position?'' Does this mean you''ll keep a distance from me?¡± ¡°You''re overthinking,¡± Bailey answered with a faint smile. ¡°She''s just your aunt. What she thinks about me will not affect my decision to ept you or not.¡± Edmund heaved a sigh of relief when he could finally rest at ease. ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have second- guessed you.¡± Bailey smiled at him and said no more. To her, life would always be quiet and peaceful whenever she was with Edmund. She had always wanted this kind of life, but somehow, she felt something wascking in that tranquility. In the following two days, the news about Bailey giarizing a renowned designer''s work circted worldwide, bing a lightning rod for criticism. Since neither party came out to rify the controversy, the issue snowballed. Over in the CEO office of Luther Group, Quentin was sitting on the couch, looking at Artemis approving some documents at his office table. ¡°You don''t have to feel anxious, Mr. Luther. Mrs. Luther can''t find Snowke either. No one can file awsuit without her. Things will die down in a few days,¡± the director said. Artemis flicked off the fountain pen in his hand and sat back in his chair in lethargy. ¡°But she insists that she did not giarize, so she''s not admitting to it. She doesn''t even want to destroy her work.¡± Quentin could not help butugh. Bailey was indeed a riddle to him. Well, if Mr. Luther can''t understand what she''s thinking, there''s no way I can. ¡°What should we do now? Do we continue looking for Snowke so she can clear the air? But the lawyers have already said that Ms. Bailey''s work constitutes giarism, so even if Snowke exins everything, people will only think Luther Group coerces her into doing it. Things will only get worse,¡± Quentin analyzed. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. A subtle smile curved on Artemis'' lips. ¡°You overlooked the most critical part. That''s why you think this issue is thorny. To me, Snowke showing up is an opportunity for us to gain the upper hand. Bailey''s keeping a huge secret, judging from how fearless she is. Although I have no idea what bargaining chip she has in her hand, I''m positive she''ll survive unscathed.¡± Quentin was even more confused hearing Artemis, but thetter just waved his hand and smiled. ¡°We''ll see how things y out. I''m sure Ms. Bailey has a big surprise for us,¡± Artemis assured. Quentin wanted to ask what surprise it was, but he was interrupted when Dwayne made his way in. The assistant was about to say something when he nced at Quentin and swallowed back his words. Quentin smiled and got up from the couch. ¡°All right. That''s my cue. I''ll go and continue my search for Snowke.¡± After he left, Dwayne informed, ¡°I found out where Zayron sent his and Simon''s DNA test to.¡± ¡°Where?¡± Artemis blurted, his eyes narrowed. ¡°He sent it to Kai Sheldon, a medical prodigy in Mrnor. I even found the IP address of that person''s medical system. The blood sample arrived three days ago. This means the result will be out soon. You can just hack the system now if you want to know if Zayron''s Simon''s son.¡± Artemis'' gaze froze. ¡°Give me the IP address,¡± he pronounced after a pause. Chapter 76 Chapter 76 While speaking, Artemis scooped up theptop beside him and started typing away on the keyboard with just one hand. Beside him, Dwayne took out his phone to find a picture before showing it to Artemis. Artemis looked at Dwayne''s phone screen, and his fingers drummed swiftly on the keyboard. Ding! Artemis frowned when a notification came through. Dwayne''s face fell when he saw it. ¡°It''s heavily protected. Don''t tell me even you can''t hack into the system.¡± Artemis squinted his eyes at the image on hisptop, and a smile slowly emerged. ¡°This system is identical to Spook''s system. I''m sure it''s the same person behind this. I can probably find out more about Spook from this ount.¡± Dwayne held his forehead. So he''s still after Spook. ¡°What are the chances of you hacking the system without being noticed?¡± the assistant asked. Artemis pondered for a bit. ¡°More than eighty-five percent. But if the person uses a system different from Spook''s, my chances are only fifty percent. I''ve been trying to hack Spook''s system over the past half a year, so I know the program like the back of my hand, thanks to that guy.¡± I''m not done with you yet. I''ll get back my three billion. ¡°What are you still waiting for? Check the DNA test result. I''m dying to know if that boy is your neph¡ª¡± Dwayne stopped when he met Artemis'' forbidding re. ¡°I mean, Simon''s son.¡± Dwayne initially wanted to tease Artemis, but he suddenly changed tack. It seems to me like Artemis hates that boy. More precisely, he hates that Ms. Bailey is his nephew''s mother. Artemis clicked the keys on his keyboard for a while until he shook his head in the end. ¡°I can''t get in for now. I''ll do it when I have time at night. In the meantime, I want you to contact Juliana Stone, Snowke''s mentee. See if you can get hold of Snowke through her. This is the most pressing matter for now. It will be the end for Bailey if we screw this up. She will never be able to design again if that''s the case. It''ll be a waste for someone as talented as her.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Dwayne rolled his eyes. Yeah. We all know you have an ulterior motive. You just want her by your side. ¡°Okay. I''ll get in touch with Juliana. Remember to tell me the DNA test result when you get it. I can''t wait,¡± Dwayne said chirpily. ¡°Get lost!¡± Meanwhile, a woman was talking loudly in a cafe on the second floor of Century Square. Her voice echoed in every corner of the cafe, and Zayron, who was sitting beside the window, covered his ears in annoyance. There was frustration written all over his face. I must be stupid to have brought her back. I''m dying. She just can''t stop talking! ¡°Ms. Stone, could you please stop? We''ve been here for half an hour, and you''ve talked non-stop for twenty-nine minutes. I really can''t take this anymore!¡± the boyined. He was talking to a striking young woman in her early twenties. She had a head of short blonde hair and looked neat and clean. As a frencer and Snowke''s mentee, she was heavily involved in many thriving international industries. It went without saying that she was a notable and important figure. Bang! Juliana mmed the table with her palm in anger. ¡°Are you seriously asking me to shut up? I asked you so many questions, but you didn''t answer a single one of them. You''ve stayed with my mentor for so long, yet you don''t know a thing. Are you stupid or something?¡± Zayron smirked in disbelief. I swear her mouth is like a machine gun. She''s been showering me with bullets for twenty-nine minutes. Ever since they met thirty minutes ago, Zayron had only had the chance to say, ¡°Hi, Ms. Stone. It''s been a while.¡± Besides that, Juliana had been talking incessantly without giving him a break. You didn''t even give me a chance to answer your questions! In fact, I don''t even remember what your questions were! ¡°Julie, you should at least give me a couple of minutes to answer your questions, right? You''ve been talking non-stop. I don''t even have a chance to speak. Are you crazy? Or have you hit menopause?¡± Juliana rubbed her nose guiltily and smiled. Well, I guess you''re right. ¡°All right. Now''s your chance. Answer up,¡± she said. Zayron smacked his head in helplessness. ¡°Julie, didn''t you see I had my ears covered all this while? I didn''t even hear what you said. As for what you said at the very beginning, I''ve already forgotten about it.¡± Juliana picked up the coffee on the table and had two mouthfuls. Then, she wiped the stain on her mouth away, waved her hand decisively, and said, ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll repeat everything. I''ve got an excellent memory, so I remember all the ny-nine questions I asked just now.¡± Zayron widened his eyes in shock, staring at her. Never in his life had he met anyone like Juliana. He genuinely had trouble understanding how that head of hers worked. ¡°All right. Here''s the first question...¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Zayron cried out, jumping up from his seat before darting over to the woman to cover her mouth to prevent her from bombarding him with questions. ¡°Please, Julie. Spare me. I really have something important to discuss with you, so can we just cut to the chase? Your voice is still echoing in my ears like a spell.¡± Juliana blinked her eyes hard, signaling to the boy that she agreed to his proposal. Zayron eyed her reluctantly and slowly took his hand away. She''s thest person I want to offend. Years back, Bailey would send him to Juliana on and off so Juliana could teach the boy how to talk. Gosh. I don''t even want to recall any of that. ¡°Let''s get down to business, Ms. Stone,¡± Zayron announced. Juliana raised her brows in a subtle smile. ¡°Fine. You can ignore all my questions, but there are two that you must answer.¡± Zayron pressed his bulging temples. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°First, how are things between my mentor and Daddy Eddy? Second, whose blood samples did you send to Kai?¡± ¡°What the heck?¡± the boy blurted. She picked these two questions of all that she asked. She''s really something else. These two are the most critical questions. ¡°First, they are considering marriage. They are just waiting for Mommy to say yes before they hold the wedding. Second, it''s Mr. Simon''s blood sample that I sent. I suspect he''s my daddy.¡± ¡°D*mn!¡± Juliana sprang from her seat, shell-shocked. ¡°Simon Luther? Wow. He''s rich. Does my mentor know about it?¡± Zayron red at her. ¡°I''m only taking two questions. We should get down to business now.¡± Juliana dismissed him. ¡°Isn''t it just about those pretentious people wanting to frame my mentor? I''ll just talk to the press to rify everything. That''ll be a big p in their faces.¡± Zayron scoffed, ¡°Don''t you think that''s too lenient on them? I''m not interested in pping them in their faces. I want them to p themselves in the face.¡± Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Juliana curved her brows, and a glint of mischief shone in her eyes as a menacing smile broke out on her face. ¡°You mean you want to teach them a good lesson?¡± she asked. Zayron blinked at her in agreement and went closer to whisper something in her ear. ¡°That''s a great idea!¡± Juliana eximed as she smacked the table, knocking over the coffee cup on the table. Zayron recoiled back and red at the woman in disdain. ¡°Can you please be gentle? Stop giving me a shock like this!¡± Juliana pinched his cheek and grinned. ¡°I love the idea. Don''t you worry! I''ll harness my finest acting skill. I''ll send them to the sky and see them drop from above.¡± Okay. I''m starting to regret asking this crazy woman toe to Hallsbay. I hope this is not a mistake. Please don''t mess things up for me. Over at the Luther residence, Felicity was having a talk with Caridee on the couch. ¡°Mom, has the public rtions department reached out to Snowke?¡± Caridee asked. Felicity looked tired after having to deal with Bailey for two days. On the one hand, she had to make sure that Bailey did not solicit help from Artemis; on the other, she had to ensure Bailey did not seduce Edmund. There was just too much on her te. ¡°There''s no news yet. It''s as if she''s vanished into thin air. No one seems to be able to contact her. We can''t even find any information about her. I''m starting to doubt if she even exists,¡± Felicity replied. Caridee felt relieved. She thought for a few moments and suggested, ¡°Mom, why not we just let this slide? Maybe she saw Snowke''s design before, and that somehow influenced her own design when she was drawing. I mean, we can indeed see glimpses of Snowke''s design in her work, but this is not going to affect me substantially, so maybe we can just put this behind us.¡± ¡°No,¡± Felicity protested outright. ¡°This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to send her to jail. You have no idea how arrogant she is. I''ll see if she can still act so recklessly once she''s behind bars.¡± ¡°But... she''s not that bad. We still can''t find Snowke up till now, so it''s probably meant to be. Why don''t we just go with the flow and let her go?¡± Caridee argued. Felicity was about to lecture her when her phone on the table rang. Is it about Snowke? She picked up and asked right away, ¡°How''s it going? Did y''all find her?¡± ¡°I''m sorry, Mrs. Luther. We searched every nook and cranny for her, but we still couldn''t find her. However, we do have something about Juliana Stone, her mentee.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Thrill spread across Felicity''s face. ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°She''s at a five-star hotel in Hallsbay. I think she''s here to settle the issue on behalf of her mentor. I think we can still get the proxy to file a case and press charges once we convince her.¡± Felicity grasped her phone tightly. ¡°Reach out to her. Tell her I''m inviting her to tea today.¡± ¡°Right away.¡± Felicity sneered after hanging up the call. ¡°Meant to be, you said, Caridee? Hell, no. They''ve found Snowke''s mentee, Juliana. We just need her to stand in ce of Snowke as the intiff. Bailey''s not walking away with impunity this time!¡± Caridee pursed her lips upon learning the news. Personally, she had no intention of making a fuss out of this issue, but because her mother hated Bailey to her bones, there was no way Caridee could dissuade her. ¡°Mom, do you really want to meet Juliana? I think we should just let it go.¡± Felicity glowered at her and went toward the door. ¡°It''s not just about her giarizing someone else''s work. Edmund is hellbent on marrying her, and your brother is going all out to defend her. This is way past my bottom line. There''s no way a filthy woman like her is entering the Chivers family or the Luther family.¡± Caridee was left speechless. In the meantime, Juliana was lying on the bed ying games in a five-star hotel when the doorbell rang. She flipped out of bed and went to get the door unwillingly. ¡°Who dares interrupt my game?¡± Dwayne rubbed his nose and retreated two steps. ¡°Hi, you must be Ms. Juliana Stone. I''m Dwayne Derning, the assistant of Luther Group''s CEO.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Juliana replied without taking her eyes off her phone. Dwayne cleared his throat as he tried to process the awkwardness. ¡°Well, I''m here to discuss Ms. Bailey''s giarism incident. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I wonder what your mentor has in mind moving forward.¡± Juliana''s fingers stopped on the phone screen, and she looked up at the man, rmed. ¡°What do you think she will do? Someone copied her work!¡± Before Dwayne could answer, a baritone and maic voice sounded outside the corridor. ¡°So, you mean your mentor is going to sue her?¡± The assistant and Juliana looked over. ¡°Mr. Luther,¡± Dwayne greeted courteously before stepping aside. As for Juliana, she was captivated by how stunning the man was. Juliana would lose herposure every time she saw handsome men like Artemis. That had always been her weak spot. ¡°Ah, Mr. Luther. You''re the man at the helm of the Luther Group. You sound as if you don''t want my mentor to sue Ms. Bailey.¡± Artemis leaned against the wall casually, with one hand dipped into the pocket of his cks and another toying with his phone. He smiled in derision when he heard Juliana. Juliana scratched her nose and looked away. Gosh. I need to stop staring at him. I''ll faint at this rate. He''s one fine catch, man. He''s one of the five wealthiest men in the world and so handsome. Someone like him can just steal any woman''s heart effortlessly. ¡°Your fame precedes you, Ms. Stone. You''re an internationally-acimed professional car racer and a designer, but Ms. Bailey is only a lead designer at our branch, so I do not wish your mentor would sue her. It will jeopardize Luther Group''s reputation if she ends up in jail. Spell your terms. I just want to get this over with,¡± Artemis pronounced. Juliana raised her brows provocatively and walked over to Artemis. Then, she hooked her hand on his shoulder and rubbed against his face. ¡°I know just how many women want you in their bed, but none of them had their way. How about you sleep with me tonight? If you satisfy me, I''ll just call off the whole thing and leave Hallsbay as if nothing happened.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Cough! Dwayne was startled by how blunt the woman was. Goodness. I can''t believe she''s teasing the tyrant. She''s talking to him like he''s a gigolo. Chapter 78 Chapter 78 This is insane. A girl is ying the CEO. Artemis nced over at Dwayne coldly until the assistant evaded his gaze in fright before looking at the young woman who was clinging to him. Although Artemis did not find her repulsive, he did not see her as a woman at all. To him, he was just like a girl next door. ¡°Are you even past your legal age? You''re no adult. Besides, I''m a famous entrepreneur. What will the public say if they find out that I''ve been sleeping with a minor?¡± Artemis questioned. What? Juliana stared at him in horror. Why do I feel like he''s just like my mentor? The truth was that Juliana once offered herself to Bailey when she saw how hard it was for Bailey to hold herself back. Back then, Juliana ran up to her and said, ¡°Come, I can satisfy you. I will endure whatever it is.¡± Yet Bailey answered, ¡°Are you even a legal adult? Shut up if you''re not. I''m a woman of principle. I''ll never sleep with minors.¡± So, when Juliana heard that Artemis was speaking something simr, she could not help but feel like Bailey had possessed that man. Seeing how disturbed Juliana was, Artemis pushed her aside and said lightly, ¡°I don''t think you see me as a man, neither do you look like those materialistic women out there who just sleep around out of greed, so just cut that out. It''s not going to work on me. Tell me what you want. I''ll do my best to meet your terms.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Juliana coughed dryly and pouted. ¡°What a failure. I was thinking about sleeping with you, but you said I didn''t see you as a man. I take that as an insult. Am I that unattractive? I can''t believe you turned me down just like my mentor did.¡± Artemis held his head in resignation. It''s such a chore talking to kids. I thought the mysterious designer would have an apprentice who was cold and detached, but it turns out she''s just a clueless child. ¡°I appreciate your forthrightness. You stand out among other young people, so there''s no need for you to wallow in inferiority. How about we get down to business? What is Snowke''s intention of sending you to Hallsbay instead ofing in person?¡± Juliana shook away the yful look and gazed at Artemis in all seriousness. ¡°She wants to sue Ms. Bailey. giarism is no small issue. I understand that you want to preserve the reputation of Luther Group, but it''s not right to copy someone else''s design. Since Ms. Bailey had the audacity to do that, we will see her in court.¡± Artemis frowned. ¡°So, this is what your mentor wants?¡± ¡°Of course. She wouldn''t have asked me to represent her if she didn''t want to settle this legally.¡± ¡°Does this mean you have full rein on how this matter is resolved?¡± Artemis asked. Juliana fell back a few steps, looking at the man warily. ¡°What do you want to do? Kill me? I''m the eldest daughter of a royal family in Adrune, so you''d better be careful. Your family might be influential in Hallsbay, but you still won''t get away with killing royalty.¡± Artemis'' face twitched at the usation. Do I look that evil? ¡°Ms. Stone, you''re very imaginative. I only considered offering you the money you need for the next ten years. We can be friends if you give up the court case. You can stille to me if you need any favors. I''ll do everything within my capacity to help.¡± Juliana narrowed her eyes. Hm. Why do I feel there''s more to this than saving his ownpany? He cares too much about my mentor, though. Don''t tell me he''s fallen for her! ¡°Mr. Luther,¡± Juliana called out, ¡°it seems to me like you care deeply for Ms. Bailey. Do you like her?¡± Artemis was about to say ¡°yes¡± when he changed his mind in the spur of a moment, and he kept quiet. Simon and Zayron''s DNA report will be out soon. How am I supposed to carry myself in the family as Simon''s brother if I admit my feelings for her now? ¡°You must be kidding, Ms. Stone. Ms. Bailey is my son''s aunt. There''s no way I will see her in that way.¡± On the other side, Dwayne was fuming in his heart. What a hypocrite! Anyone could tell your motive for involving yourself in this issue. Even a young girl like her realized it too! Juliana shrugged and smiled back. ¡°Since you don''t like her, there''s no need for me to give you face. I heard Ms. Bailey was unapologetic even after what she did. Not only did she refuse to admit her fault, but she also refused to destroy her design. She even said that she wanted to take this to court. Since that''s the case, justice shall be delivered legally. I''ve made up my mind. I won''t budge unless you talk to my mentor¡ª¡± ¡°Well said!¡± a woman''s voice suddenly interrupted from outside. Artemis rubbed between his brows subconsciously, showing his helpless face. She''s two hours earlier than I expected. I guess there''s no luck trying to persuade Juliana. Felicity walked in confidently until she stood in front of Artemis. ¡°You''ve used all the means you could to get her on your side, but you''ve failed miserably. It''s time you give up.¡± ¡°I think so too. You guys have fun talking. I''ll make a move first,¡± Artemis replied, looking down with a bitter smile. Felicity stared at him, puzzled. Is he leaving just like that? It was not until Artemis and Dwayne disappeared from her sight that Felicity snapped back to her senses. He really left. Felicity turned and held Juliana''s hand. ¡°You''re a good kid. You''ve chosen wisely. Everyone is entitled to their rights, so we cannot just let someone who infringes our rights go free. They will only be emboldened to do evil if we let them go. There''s nothing you need to worry about. I will cover all the legal fees. You just have to prosecute her. I''ll take care of the rest.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Juliana replied readily. So, this is the old hag who wants to destroy my mentor. I''ll remember what you did! Felicity was exhrated, but she decided to err on the safe side and take swift action on second thought. She did not want to risk Juliana changing her mind if Artemis talked to her again. ¡°Do you have time now? How about we go to the court to hand in the documents and file a im now? The court can send out a notice earlier if we do that,¡± Felicity suggested. ¡°Why not? I''ll go get changed now.¡± Juliana blinked her eyes, quickly hiding the cunning glint in her eyes. Felicity''s smile grew wider when she heard that. The anger in her eyes faded away because things were finally going her way. ¡°Sure thing. Go ahead. I''ll wait for you at the door.¡± Juliana smiled at her and went back into her room. The smile on her face vanished the moment she closed her door behind her. She paced to the bed and took out her phone to text Zayron. It''s all ready. Outside Shelbert Condominium, Bailey had just gotten out of the taxi when a crowd of reporters swarmed at her, clogging up the entrance to her residence. ¡°Here''s the copycat!¡± they shouted as they ran toward her. Chapter 79 Chapter 79 Holding onto several bags of snacks and fruits, Bailey stood silently below the steps. A frown washed across her face as she stared at the crowd of reporters and paparazzi darting toward her. This location is so well hidden, and I used Zayron''s name when I bought the ce, so there shouldn''t be any traces of my name on the title deed. Besides, I''ve been meticulous when dealing with matters since rumors of me giarizing Snowke''s work broke out. I''d also wear a mask whenever I head out. With those precautions I took, there was no way anyone could have found my address. But these reporters and paparazzi seem to have nned oning here together. There''s only one possibility. Someone must''ve divulged my address. Bailey did not even have to rack her brains to guess who the culprit was. It must be Rhonda! That woman really loves kicking up a fuss, huh? The photo scandal has only subsided, and now she''s up to no good again. How brilliant! ¡°Ms. Bailey, the rumor of you copying Snowke''s famous work has been spreading wildly in the community. What do you have to say about that?¡± ¡°giarism is a taboo in the design industry. You''ve infringed the rights of the original creator. But you can still act fearless simply because you have Luther Group supporting you from the back, right?¡± ¡°ording to thew firm''s experts, your work constitutes giarism. Despite so, you''re still unwilling to admit to the crime. Are you trying to be a shameless rogue and pretend that nothing has happened?¡± ¡°I heard Luther Group is pressuring Snowke to give up on awsuit. Did you agree to that?¡± ¡°If the judge determines that you''ve giarized, will you get out of the design industry?¡± The crowd was throwing Bailey more and more cutting questions. A deep line formed between her brows, and a hint of impatience shed across her face. Dumping the bags of snacks on the floor, she randomly grabbed a microphone near her and replied with a smile, ¡°I''d like to thank everyone for sparing your attention on a nobody like me. Let me give you guys a proper response today. I did not copy Snowke''s work. Neither am I found guilty of the crime right now. Therefore, I hope everyone can be kinder with their words and stop spreading false rumors. That can easilynd anyone of you in deep trouble. As for any other questions, I have the right to remain silent about it.¡± The moment her words rang out, the onlookers immediately grew furious. ¡°This woman is really arrogant, huh? She openly giarized others'' work and still acts so haughtily. Thew must teach this copycat a lesson.¡± ¡°Exactly. We can''t let this woman off easily. We must protect the original and support Snowke''s works.¡± ¡°If Snowke doesn''t dare file awsuit against her, we shall create a group and report it to the relevant authorities. We must force them to punish this shameless copycat.¡± ¡°Copycat... Copycat... Copycat...¡± More and more people began to gather around. Some were reprimanding, some hurling rude insults, and others snapping photos, leaving the scene inplete chaos. Frowning, Bailey swept her gaze across the surroundings. I guess I won''t be able to get out of here anytime soon. With that, she casually found a spot to settle down on the steps, pulled out a bag of nuts from her bag of snacks, and began munching on them. Seeing herckluster reaction, those self-proimed righteous citizens were steaming with anger. ¡°This woman''s attitude is indeed terrible. Not only does she not see her mistakes, but she has an extreme sense of superiority. She must think she''s so great that she manages to giarize someone else''s work.¡± ¡°D*mn it. Are copycats nowadays all so cocky?¡± ¡°What a lowly b*tch. Seven years ago, she sold herself for five million and got pregnant with a bastard, tarnishing the reputation of the Jefferson family. It''s been seven years, but not only does she show no remorse, but she has even gotten worse. She''s an obstinate woman indeed. Someone like her should be locked up and properly educated so that she understands what propriety, humility, righteousness, and shame mean.¡± ¡°Let''s get that shameless copycat and tear her into pieces.¡± Bailey munched on her nuts calmly, seemingly unbothered by the crowd. I want to see which brave soldier dares toe up and confront me first. Not too far away, an expensive car halted along the roadside. Had it been an ordinary day, the public''s attention would have been on this vehicle worth several million. But at that moment, the people on the streets were swarming over to the condominium area, paying no heed to that expensive car. Artemis narrowed his eyes at the crowd before him. ¡°What''s happening?¡± he asked with his brows furrowed. Momentster, a polite voice rang out from the phone. ¡°Mr. Luther, I sent some guards over to check out the situation, and it turns out that Ms. Bailey got surrounded by some reporters. They''re trying to find fault with her. Do you need me to send some men over to help her?¡± Tightening his grip on the phone, Artemis reached out his hand, preparing to open the car door. When Dwayne saw that, he quickly grabbed Artemis'' arm and uttered, ¡°By making an appearance now, you''re only admitting to the rumor that Luther Group is on Ms. Bailey''s side and thus helped her to pressure Snowke.¡± A murderous glint shed across Artemis'' eyes as he arched an eyebrow. ¡°It''s true I''m taking her side. And it''s also true that I''ll pressure Snowke if I manage to contact her. They are all facts; is there a need for me to hide?¡± Uh... Dwayne rubbed his nose, unable to find any words to retort the man. Isn''t this man usually shrewd and devious? Why did he be a dense creature right now? ¡°Well, what I meant was, if you head out now, you''ll surely me the fury within those people. The situation will get worse if you make them go ballistic. That way, instead of helping her, you''re only harming her. You''re harming her. Do you understand?¡± Artemis'' handsome face stiffened up as he narrowed his eyes. After ncing outside the window for a few seconds, he whipped his head around and coldly muttered, ¡°I remember there''s a police station just up ahead. Give the person in charge a call. Ask him to send some officers over, and bring that woman to the station.¡± Dwayne became speechless. It did not take Bailey too long before she beat up three people at one go, leaving the other onlookers in utter astonishment. ¡°Dang! This woman is skilled.¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°One against three, yet she beats them so easily. It''s aplete win for her.¡± ¡°No wonder she can act so haughtily. So it turns out she can put up a tough fight. I guess there''s really no one who can stop her.¡± ¡°What a feisty woman she is. We''ll have a st if we can hook her up.¡± The horde of reporters staggered backward to a safe zone and began holding their phones high to capture some shots of the situation. A hair-raising incident: Cocky copycat whacks up several righteous public members. Thinking of that scandalous headline left the reporters thrilled as they figured it would trigger another hot topic once it was released. ¡°Let''s all get her together and kill her.¡± Amotion broke out among the crowd again. Nevertheless, a police siren reverberated through the streets in the next second. Stunned, everyone instantly froze in their spots. The police cars slowly arrived before the condominium, and a group of police officers in uniforms got out of the vehicles. ¡°Stop moving. We''re the police.¡± One of the officers strode up to Bailey and raised an eyebrow when he saw the badly beaten man in her grip. ¡°Are you the one who beat all of them up?¡± Bailey pushed the man to the ground and cleaned her hands as she let out augh. ¡°Didn''t you see me whacking him earlier? It''ll make you look like a fool for asking me this question when you''ve seen what happened.¡± This woman sure is arrogant. Having enforcedws for so many years, it was his first timeing across someone so haughty after hitting someone. ¡°Gathering around for a fight and disrupting the peace of the society. ording to thew, you''ll get detained for half a month. Do you understand?¡± Chapter 80 Chapter 80 Bailey smiled sheepishly and pointed toward the surveince cameras above her. ¡°They are the ones who started it first. My retaliation is merely an act of instinct. Inw terms, we call that justified self- defense. Please watch the footage before getting me convicted.¡± The officer scrunched his brows and swept his gaze over to scrutinize the crowd. ¡°S-Sir, she was the one who spoke rudely first, and that''s why somebody decided to teach her a lesson.¡± ¡°Yeah. She taunted us first.¡± ¡°She''s a cocky and arrogant copycat. You must get her locked up in jail for a few days.¡± Bailey rubbed her temples in exasperation. Aren''t they worried they''ll die a horrible death for giving a false statement? They should be careful of retributions for doing too many evil deeds. The officer took out a pair of handcuffs and cidly instructed, ¡°Follow us back.¡± ¡°I-I...¡± ¡°Don''t worry. We will watch the surveince footage. If they are the ones who started it first, I''ll make sure you won''t be wrongly used. But for now, I will need you to cooperate with investigations, so you have to make a trip to the police station with us.¡± Bailey heaved a sigh. Left with no other choices, she stretched her arms out under the crowd''s deadly gazes. Following a click sound, her wrists were cuffed. In that instant, she looked up into the sky, speechless. F*ck. Did I just get arrested? I''ve never gone off the rails all these years while abroad. I can''t believe I''m going to jail the moment I return. Won''t I be theirughingstock if that bunch of people learned about this? ¡°Justice has long arms. This copycat is finally going to jail.¡± ¡°Yeah. What goes aroundes around eventually. Sir, please lock her in jail for a longer time. My daughter especially loves Snowke''s work, and she was bawling her eyes out after finding out that someone giarized Snowke''s work. You have to punish that copycat. Otherwise, the younger generations will get influenced by people like her.¡± That officer lightly nodded and exined, ¡°Rest assured. Thew will bring justice for everyone.¡± Finishing his sentence, he signaled to his subordinates around him. ¡°Take those on the floor back with us too.¡± By now, the reporters were snapping photos at an insane speed. The noises of the continuous clicks of the shutter buttons filled the entire atmosphere. Likewise, news reports were getting increasingly scandalous. Cocky copycat a lost cause; finally caught by the police. ¡°Tsk tsk. The copycat no longer needs a court summons. Just get her from jail on the day of the trial.¡± ¡°Serves her right. Someone like her who doesn''t know the bottom line must be punished by thew.¡± ¡°Indeed. Let''s wait till the release of the trial results. We must gather on the day of the trial and watch her get convicted in court.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. I want to go too.¡± Meanwhile, in the police car, that officer immediately fished out a key from his pocket and uncuffed Bailey as the car drove forward. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''m sorry if I''ve offended you earlier. There were too many reporters around. If I didn''t do that, I''m afraid you wouldn''t have been able to get away easily.¡± Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Raising her brows, Bailey gave herself a stretch and broke into a faint smile. ¡°Since it''s a misunderstanding, you can pull the car to a stop at the side of the road. I shall skip going to the police station. The mere thought of it is terrifying enough.¡± That officer smiled and bowed his head slightly. ¡°I''m acting on behalf of someone too. Please make a trip back with us, Ms. Jefferson. It won''t take up too much of your time.¡± Bailey was left speechless. I''m in his car right now. I thought he gets to decide if I''m heading back with him or not, no? Later, upon arrival at the police station, that officer took Bailey to the reception room. The moment the door opened, her gazended on the back of a man leaning against the window inside. It only took her one look to recognize who that man was. Even though it was a blurry sight, she was very sure of his identity. ¡°So, it''s Mr. Luther? Thank you for helping me out of the situation. I guess I owe you yet another favor.¡± Despite her constant efforts to avoid him, there was just some form of inextricable and unexinable link that tied them together. Whenever she thought she had kept her distance, she would run into him again unexpectedly. Is this what people call fate? But I don''t need it. He isn''t someone I can afford to cross. She had two reasons she did not want to get involved with him. First, he was Edmund''s cousin. Secondly, he was Rhonda''s man. The mere thought of that left her with goosebumps all over her body. There''s just no way we will end up together. ¡°The giarism saga has caused a lot of negative impacts for Luther Group. Regarding that, I can only apologize to you. But fret not. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer on the day of the trial.¡± Artemis slowly turned around and directed his darkened gaze toward her face. ¡°Do you think I''m helping you out because I have other motives?¡± He coldlyughed. Bailey nodded slightly and uttered, ¡°Mr. Luther, we aren''t that close, so it''s best to keep things professional, even in casual conversations like this. Since I''m the one who ruined Luther Group''s reputation, it''s only right for me toe up with a solution to rectify the problem. That''s what I should do even without you saying.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. There was a hint of annoyance on his face. It''s really annoying that this woman is treating me so coldly. We''ve interacted with each other so many times, yet she still treats me like a stranger. Jeez! ¡°All right, if you''re adamant about keeping things professional, Ms. Jefferson, I shall grant you your wish then. Tell me; now that we''re in a dire situation, what ns do you have in mind to clear your name?¡± A deep line formed between Bailey''s brows as she asked frostily, ¡°Is there a need to reveal everything?¡± Artemis let out a cold snicker. ¡°Didn''t you say we should keep things professional, Ms. Jefferson? I''m asking you a question as the powerholder of Luther Group now. How do you n to give me a satisfactory answer?¡± The moment he finished his sentence, he regretted it. F*ck! Suffering a little grievance is nothing. Why am I doing that to her? And now what? I''ve just made us look like two strangers. On the other hand, Bailey saw the man''s change in expression after saying those words. His gaze had turned extremely cold and distant, almost as though he was looking at a stranger. ¡°Fine. Since you''ve said that, I''ll make it clear to you. After today, let''s know our positions and not stand in each other''s way, Mr. Luther.¡± A tinge of frustration crept up Artemis'' expression as he clenched his fists tight. He wished he could give himself a few tight ps as punishment. Look what you''ve done, Artemis. Are you happy now? You''ve sessfully put yourself on the spot. Bailey trotted toward him and reached her hand out, ready to write ¡°Snowke¡± on the ss window. She reckoned Artemis would be smart enough to understand the meaning after seeing what she wrote. However, just as she wrote the first letter, the door to the room swung open, and Dwayne entered. The sight of his appearance instantly made Artemis heave a sigh of relief as if he had been freed of a heavy burden. He was initially eager to know what secret Bailey was hiding from him. It was just that he did not want that anymore. The reason was simple¡ªhe was worried they would be strangers after she told him everything. ¡°What''s up?¡± Dwayne apologized before adding, ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Jefferson, Snowke''s disciple, Juliana, has gone to the court to file a case.¡± Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Artemis frowned. ¡°How are they so fast?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes at him. This shameless sly fox. How are they so fast? It''s all because of your mother''s instigation. Of course, I can''t say this in front of Ms. Jefferson. Otherwise, she''ll direct her anger at Artemis, and I''ll have to bear the brunt of the tyrant if he sulks. ¡°Not really. This matter has been brewing for the past couple of days. It''s evident the public is supportive of Snowke protecting her rights through their one-sidedments. Now is the best time for Juliana toe forward and strike while the iron is hot. Else, it''ll be difficult to pressure Snowke with the public''s support after the interest in this incident dies down a few dayster.¡± Bailey turned to Artemis. ¡°I think it''ll be best if I tell you everything now, Mr. Luther, to get this matter out of your mind,¡± she said impassively. Before Artemis could respond, Dwayne urged, ¡°Mr. Luther said you have a bargaining chip in your hand. It looks like he''s right about that. Please disclose everything to us then, Ms. Jefferson.¡± ¡°Do you have nothing to do?¡± Artemis said in a clipped voice. Dwayne swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue at Artemis'' frustration. He wasn''t insensible, so he caught the change in the tyrant''s expression and tone. ¡°Oh, I just remembered I have something else to handle, so I''ll be taking my leave. Please continue your discussion without me.¡± After watching Dwayne depart, Artemis nced down at his watch. ¡°It''s already lunchtime. Let me take you to lunch first. I''ll arrange for you to stay at my private mansion for a few days afterward. You definitely can''t go back to Shelbert Condominium, so it''s best if you can lie low somewhere else,¡± he offered. ¡°No thanks,¡± Bailey rejected. ¡°I should stay at a hotel. How can I trouble you, Mr. Luther? I''m thankful for your offer, but it''s unnecessary. If you have some free time on your hand, maybe head over to the condominium and fetch Maxton back to the Luther residence. I fear he''ll get food poisoning again if I''m not there. I don''t want the public to use me of harming children once this giarism incident dies down.¡± Artemis'' expression darkened. Am I so loathsome for this woman to avoid me like the gue? ¡°Fine, I''ll take all three of the kids back to my private mansion, and you can stay at the hotel alone.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless at his remark. Bailey secretly reserved a room at a five-star hotel, or more specifically, a suite next to Juliana''s room. Not long after she checked into her room, Juliana knocked on her door. Bailey let her into her room, but a few minutester, she chased Juliana out. ¡°Look for Zayron if you want to gossip. Don''t disgust me, so get out.¡± After getting snubbed, Juliana returned to her room with a lowered head. Since she directed her anger at me, I can only think of other ways to torture those scums that pissed her off. Back at Shelbert Condominium, the three kids were munching on the watermelon in their hands as they stared out the living room''s window. The scene from half an hour earlier was as thrilling as a high-budget action movie. Maxton elbowed Zayron''s arm. ¡°Hey, Idiot. Will Bay be okay? Will other inmates bully her in jail?¡± he asked worriedly. Zayron took arge bite off the watermelon. ¡°Don''t worry. That will never happen. It''ll be good if she doesn''t blow the top of the jail off.¡± Maxton was still worried. Not reassured by Zayron''s nonchnce, Maxton turned to Susan. ¡°Are you not worried about Bay too, Susan? Should we go take a look? I might still be young, but I am the son of the Luther family. The police department still respects me.¡± Susan waved her hand. ¡°Mommy''sbat power is off the charts, and she''s good at taking hits. Even if you throw her into a cage with ten mastiffs, they might not evennd a bite on her.¡± Ding! Suddenly, Zayron''s phone rang in his pocket. He reached for it and saw Kai''s name shing on the screen. There''s only one reason that brat is calling me at this time¡ªthe results of the paternity testing are out. Nerves filled Maxton when he caught the name on Zayron''s phone. Is the result already out? Is Idiot really my cousin? Susan noticed the boys'' anxious expressions. ¡°Are you guys hiding something from me?¡± Susan asked through gritted teeth. ¡°Um...¡± Zayron dashed into the study with his phone. ¡°Ask Dummy about it. It''s that Jerk Uncle''s mess.¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Maxton gasped before sprinting to the study too. Susan stomped her foot as she red at the boys running away. Her anger drove her to chase after them. In the study, Zayron leaned against the ss window with the phone to his ear. ¡°Tell me. What''s the result?¡± His tone might seem casual, but his stomach was churning with anxiety. He squeezed his hand into a fist at his side. The father''s role is different for everyone. Even though I matured early, I had wished for a father too. No matter how nice Daddy Eddy treated me, something still felt missing. We''recking that passionate feeling between biological father and son. ¡°I''ve already sent you the test results. Look at it yourself.¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Zayron cussed. ¡°This is what you tell me after causing so muchmotion?¡± Beep. Beep. Beep. He could only hear the beeping toneing from the other end. Zayron clenched his teeth to suppress his anger. What else can I do but swallow my anger? Smash the phone? He took a seat in front of theputer and logged in to an instant messaging tform. The minute he was online, Kai''s profile picture popped to the forefront. The document was automatically downloaded onto theputer when Zayron logged in. Sucking in a deep breath, Zayron moved the cursor to the downloaded file. There wasn''t any conclusive information in the front, so he scrolled through the pages quickly. Finally, his gaze honed in on the words in thest row, and his finger stopped scrolling. The shock from those few words blew his mind as though a bomb had detonated. The sentence read: The owner of these two samples are biological father and son. There was a string of numbers beneath that sentence, which read ny-nine point nine percent. I''m really that b*stard, Simon''s son. What the heck? N?velDrama.Org owns all content. After snapping out of his shock, Zayron''s trembling fingers tapped on the keys on the keyboard: Are you sure you did it correctly? This result will change my whole f*cking life. There''s no room for mistakes here. Three secondster, Kai replied: Based on the result, you''re his son unless that blood sample isn''t Simon''s. There''s no running from that. Zayron turned his sharp gaze toward Maxton. ¡°Are you sure that blood sample is your Jerk Uncle''s?¡± he asked through gritted teeth. Maxton ducked his head and nodded cautiously. ¡°Y-Yeah. It''s my Uncle Simon''s... I mean, Jerk Uncle''s blood sample. Are you really my cousin, Idiot?¡± ¡°I''m not your f*cking cousin!¡± Zayron shot him a death re and then swung his leg at him. ¡°Make sure you take this secret into the grave. You got me?¡± Maxton fidgeted before he said, ¡°Is being part of the Luther family that bad? I can give you the position of the son of the Luther family if you want it.¡± Susan stared dazedly at her brother. ¡°Z-Zayron, Dummy''s Jerk Uncle is really our father?¡± she stammered. Chapter 82 Chapter 82 Zayron''s rage red when he heard Susan voice out the truth he didn''t want to admit. ¡°Are you blind? The test result is right in front of you! Can''t you read?¡± he shouted. Fine! Even if I''ve mentally prepared myself, it''s still difficult for me to ept the result. Who is Simon? He''s Daddy Eddy''s rtive. I''ve let everyone down. Now that I''ve dug up this truth. Susan stared at the screen for a while before looking at Maxton. ¡°This is all your fault. We wouldn''t have noticed that Jerk Uncle of yours if it wasn''t for you. We would still be feigning ignorance and treat Daddy Eddy as our father. How are we supposed to face Daddy Eddy now with this result?¡± ¡°Um...¡± Her usations rendered Maxton speechless. What did I even do? I did nothing, yet f*cking got the me. Why do I have to take the me for the mess that b*stard, Simon, caused? ¡°D-Destroy the test result, then pretend nothing happened. Can''t we just do that? Don''t worry. I''ll keep your secret with me. We only have one father, and that''s Daddy Eddy.¡± Zayron and Susan didn''t know how to respond to his suggestion. It seems there are people worse than us. How do people describe people like him? Righteousness above family loyalty? No! Inhumane and ruthless. Zayron red at Maxton. ¡°You think you did it wlessly? Your father already knew about it the moment you went to steal that b*stard''s blood, you dumb*ss! He already suspects Susan and I are your Jerk Uncle''s kids. He even told Daddy Eddy about it. All of them already know about Susan and my identity. Who else can you hide it from?¡± Maxton didn''t know what to say. Zayron mmed hisptop shut with a loud thud. ¡°Keep this information under wraps for now. Let''s discuss this again after I meet with that Simon b*stard. It''ll be a happy ending for everyone if he''s a human being. If he turns out to be a jerk... I''ll castrate him.¡± A dead silence fell over the room. Meanwhile, Artemis was resting in his car with his eyes closed. Dwayne was talking on the phone in the passenger seat in a low voice. It sounded like he was making some arrangement. A short while after, he ended the call and looked over his shoulder at Artemis in the back seat. ¡°Ms. Jefferson had gone to Century Hotel and reserved a suite next to Ms. Stone''s room. Do they know each other?¡± Artemis slowly opened his eyes. The corners of his lips quirked up as he answered, ¡°They don''t just know each other. If I''m correct, they''re best friends.¡± ¡°Best friends?¡± Dwayne''s brow furrowed at the news. ¡°That must be why Ms. Jefferson was so calm then. If she knows Juliana, then thiswsuit is a joke. We won''t know who''s the joker until the end.¡± Artemis chuckled. The best friend I meant wasn''t close friends, but... Whatever. The fewer who know about it, the more mysterious their rtionship is. Everything will be revealed in court. I have a feeling the court''s judgment will shock the whole world. Dwayne noticed Artemis'' disinterest in continuing the conversation, so he changed the topic. ¡°Oh right, has Simon''s and that child''s paternity test resulte out? Are they father and son?¡± Artemis didn''t respond but instead reached for hisptop. He powered hisptop and logged in to his hacker ount. His back slowly straightened. His brows furrowed when he saw thetest notification on Kai''s system after hacking into it. The title of the notification read: Paternity Test Report He tapped on the file and scrolled through the document until his gazended on the final row at the end. When he saw the conclusion, he was stunned. His expression hardened, and his body emanated coldness that could freeze the interior of the car. His strange reaction caught Dwayne''s attention. Dwayne stretched his upper body into the back seat and snatched theptop from the dazed Artemis. A loud gasp echoed in the car in the next second. ¡°F*ck me! They really are biological father and son!¡± He narrowed his eyes at the result. ¡°From my understanding, Barbara is also Ms. Jefferson''s daughter. She''s the same age as Zayron, so that makes them twins. Simon managed tond two kids in one night? Barbara is Simon''s daughter? F*ck me!¡± Artemis'' handsome face darkened. ¡°Stop the car,¡± he ordered. The driver stepped on the brakes and stopped the car at the side of the road. Artemis pointed at the car door as he demanded, ¡°Get out!¡± Dwayne blinked at him in shock, thinking he must have heard it wrong. ¡°Me? Get out?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± Dwayne stood at the side of the road with aptop in his arms, watching the taillights disappear. He laughed at the anger bubbling within him. F*ck! I can''t believe I got kicked out of the car. So, a guy like him is capable of doing something as stupid as this. How am I supposed to get back? I don''t have any money on me. The doorbell was ringing at the Shelbert Condominium. Yet the three kids in the living room feigned deafness to the continuous chime. Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. They continued to indulge in ying games, scrolling through Twitter, and watching television. Bay has the keys, so she can''t be the one knocking on the door. Daddy Eddy will give us a call before he drops by, so he''s out of the equation too. Everyone else gets the same treatment other than those two¡ªkept waiting. After the ringing continued for a few more minutes, Hado couldn''t take it any longer. It got up to its feet and went to the doorway to open the door. Artemis'' expression turned stony when he saw it was the dog who opened the door again. He lifted his leg and kicked the dog. The thud that echoed from the doorway caught the kids'' attention. Zayron leaped up from the couch and yelled, ¡°Who dares to kick my brother? Get your *ss in here, you f*cker!¡± Maxton shouted, ¡°Do you have a death wish? How dare you kick my brother''s brother? Get¡ª¡± He couldn''t finish his sentence when he saw the man standing in the doorway. I don''t have the courage to act as the boss in front of my father. Artemis strolled in and swept a nce across the room. When his gazended on the trash piling on the floor, the corner of his lips twitched. This ce looks like some beggar''s den. I don''t know how anyone can live here. ¡°Go pack your things. You''ll be staying at my private mansion for a few days. Your mommy won''t be back for a while.¡± Zayron pursed his lips. ¡°Bailey is being unfair. How could she leave me here while she gets free meals from the government?¡± Artemis leveled his gaze at the child''s face. The familiar eyes, brows, and features. They look like mine. The more I look at him, the more simrities I notice. It''s like he''s cut out from the same cloth as me. He looks a bit like Maxton too. They look like brothers. Is he my nephew? Yet why do I feel like he takes after me more? His looks are a copy of mine. His character, attitude down to his insolence are the same as mine. With all these simrities, he should be my son. That''s how gics work, right? Now I''m hoping I did get drunk and slept with his mother. ¡°Your mom isn''t imprisoned. She''s temporarily staying at a five-star hotel, so go and pack your things and follow me to my house. This ce has beenpromised. The reporters will start knocking on your door anytime now. I don''t want to reveal you guys to the public so early.¡± Even if I want to reveal the truth, I''ll have to wait for that b*stard Simon to return first. I want to see his reaction to all this. Chapter 83 Chapter 83 If that chap is willing to be responsible for the mother and children, I will wish them all the best. If he refuses, then... ¡°I won''t be going to your mansion. I want to look for my mommy.¡± Zayron''s voice brought him back to his senses. He could not help but smile when he recalled his inappropriate thoughts. What will happen if Simon refuses to take responsibility? Will I still be able to rece Edmund''s position in her heart? Will that woman be willing to marry someone like me? ¡°You can choose to stay here, or you can choose toe with me. But you can''t look for your mom. Right now, there is too much gossip about her, and that will affect your daily life. That isn''t what she wants for all of you, nor is it what I want. As a man, you must learn to weigh the pros and cons. Understand?¡± Zayron pouted before saying ruthlessly, ¡°I''m not a man.¡± ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Artemis cocked a brow and grabbed the boy''s pants. ¡°Let me take a look.¡± ¡°Pervert.¡± Zayron held on tightly to his pants and moved a few meters away from Artemis. He stared at the grown-up and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Fine, I''ll go to your mansion. But don''t try to be funny with me. If you dare to touch me, I''ll cripple your son and make sure there''s no heir for the Luther family.¡± Artemis smiled and said casually, ¡°My son isn''t the sole heir of the Luther family. There are others.¡± He seemed to be implying something. ¡°Cunning old fox,¡± mumbled Zayron. He knew that Artemis had hacked into Kai''s medical system and found out about the paternity test result. ¡°You will be punished for stealing confidential information.¡± Artemis chuckled and ignored him. He walked up to Susan, caressed her head, and said gently, ¡°You are one of the artists of Luther Group. That means I''m your boss. Would you mind staying in my mansion for the next few days?¡± He had always yearned for an obedient, kind, and sweet daughter who would melt his heart. Unfortunately, that wish of his would nevere true. Nevertheless, he was very fond of that niece of his. Susan waspletely mesmerized by his gentle eyes. She stared at him transfixed before nodding and said, ¡°That would be nice. It will be my honor to stay at your mansion for the next few days.¡± Artemis bent down to kiss her on her forehead. ¡°It''s also my honor to be able to invite an international child star to my house.¡± Maxton rolled his eyes and was speechless. Am I still his son? Unbelievable! ¡°Old man, I also want to go to your mansion.¡± Artemis nced at him coldly and mocked, ¡°Didn''t you say you want to stay in this tiny ce? Now that it''s empty, there should be enough space for you. Why do you want to go back?¡± Maxton was at a loss for words. At the Jefferson residence, Beatrice was rushing down from the second floor into the living room. ¡°Ronni, good news. The court says that Juliana has used Snowke''s authority to submit a im.¡± Rhonda jumped up from the couch and looked surprised. ¡°Really? Mom, is this news reliable?¡± ¡°Totally. A friend of mine who is working at the court told me Juliana appeared with Snowke''s certificate and trophy when she won The Ultimate Designer four years ago; the court immediately filed the case. In two days'' time, Bailey will receive the subpoena. Once the court case begins, it will be too shameful for Bailey to face the whole world. Regardless of the sentencing, Bailey will never be able to turn things around. She will always be known as the copycat in the industry. Her career will be over.¡± A malicious look appeared on Rhonda''s face. ¡°Finally, the day has arrived. God is great.¡± With an icy smile, Beatrice said, ¡°This isn''t enough. It isn''t enough to finish Bailey off once and for all.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°We have to let the Chivers family know that the little b*stard isn''t Edmund''s flesh and blood. Once she loses the Chivers family as a backer, we can do whatever we want with her.¡± Rhonda took a deep breath and suppressed the euphoria within her. ¡°Mom, since you mentioned it, do you have a solution? What''s your n?¡± A vicious smile appeared on Beatrice''s stunning face. ¡°Find a way to get them to perform another paternity test. We will tell the media that Bailey had tried to pass off an illegitimate child as an heir of the Chivers family in order to climb up the socialdder. Another wave of public criticism will hit her. Combined with the scandal of the giarism issue, I doubt Bailey will be able to get back up on her feet again.¡± Rhonda smiled triumphantly. ¡°Sure. We''ll do as you say, Mom.¡± In the study at the Luther residence, Yoel narrowed his eyes and stared at Felicity. There was hesitation on his face. ¡°Felicity, aren''t we crossing the line? No matter how evil Bailey is, we shouldn''t do this to her.¡± Felicity red at him and said through gritted teeth, ¡°If you don''t hit back now, you will see your son bringing that b*stard back home to be the heir of the Chivers family. Twenty yearster, when Edmund hands the family over to that b*stard, that will be the end of the Chivers family''s bloodline. How do you intend to answer to our ancestors?¡± ¡°I...¡± Yoel was put in a difficult position. ¡°Are you sure that child isn''t Edmund''s flesh and blood?¡± Felicity snorted. ¡°Both Bailey and Ronni got pregnant at the same time. Back then, Edmund was in Springwyn with Father for an entire month. There was no way he could have gotten Bailey pregnant.¡± Yoel went quiet. He was not stupid. On the contrary, he was wiser than most people after heading Chivers Group for many decades. Since his sister had said so, he would be a fool if he still trusted the paternity test result. ¡°Since that''s that case, we can always settle things with Bailey in private. Why do we have to be so ruthless? Felicity, we are all elders. We should forgive and forget.¡± ¡°No.¡± Felicity looked displeased and raised her voice. ¡°If we don''t ruin her reputation, Eddy will never give her up. What happens if he insists on marrying her? Do you really want to watch him make a b*stard into the heir of the Chivers family?¡± Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Yoel rubbed his temples and sighed before saying, ¡°Even so, there''s no need to announce the paternity test result to the public.¡± Felicity was infuriated. ¡°How are we going to expose her lies if we don''t announce the test result to the public? We will show everyone both the authentic and the fake test reports. When that happens, it will cause public outrage. By then, there is no way Bailey will be able to stay on in Hallsbay. I want her to get out of Hallsbay for good so that she will nevere near my son and nephew again.¡± Yoel knew he would not be able to dissuade his sister, so he conceded, ¡°All right then. The paternity test report is still with me. I''ll get the media to announce it.¡± Chapter 84 Chapter 84 That afternoon, the major news agencies in the country reported that the baby Bailey had seven years ago did not die prematurely and was raised by her. As for the father, he was Edmund Chivers, the scion of the Chivers family. Once the news broke, an uproar ensued. The Chivers family was a prestigious family that was second only to the Luther family. The revtion that she had carried the illegitimate child of the Chivers family came amidst the escting scandal of her giarism incident. The dramatic twist was so shocking that no one would have believed it if not for the suspicious circumstances. As a result, the public spected that Bailey had gained favor with the eldest son of the Chiverses, hoping to use the Chivers family''s influence to win the giarismwsuit. Subsequently, the public bacsh online that followed was massive. The Jefferson family has raised a hypocrite who tried to seduce the honorable Edmund. Bailey is truly despicable to try to disguise an illegitimate child as a member of the Chivers family, hoping to be part of them. What an insidious plot she has hatched! Being a copycat is enough to ruin her. This is just her final attempt at struggling before her fall. In the middle of the heated debate, the head of the Chivers family, Yoel, issued the results of a paternity test between Edmund and Bailey''s son to the media. The moment the contents were revealed, it unleashed another shockwave in the public sphere, as both of them were shown to be rted by blood. Unfortunately, no one was convinced. In fact, some even used the Chivers family of falsifying the paternity results just to protect Bailey. Nevertheless, those in the know recognized the logo on the report¡ªit belonged to Justin''s infirmary. What a bunch of jokers. Can''t you see who the author of the paternity test report was? It''s the Medical Genius, Justin Xuereb. Given his ethical history, there''s no way he would help the Chiverses fake a report just to hoodwink the public. Can all of you use your brain for once? Once thement was made, all the other keyboard warriors and trolls were rendered speechless. It was not until someone invited a specialist to authenticate Justin as the report''s author that the rumors gradually died down. Soon, everyone began to ept Bailey''s son as a member of the Chivers family. Obviously, they did not do so willingly. However, faced with Justin''s glorious reputation in the public eye, there was no reason for them to doubt his trustworthiness. In the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice and Rhonda were holding their stomachs in unrestrainedughter. ¡°Haha, Mom,dy luck is smiling at us. Now that the public is forced to believe Bailey''s son belongs to the Chivers family, the results of the real paternity test would definitely spark another outrage. That old hag''s methods are truly vicious. Evidently, Felicity isn''t showing Bailey any mercy at all.¡± Despite the elegant smile, Beatrice scoffed, ¡°It''s a result that I have predicted a long time ago. Felicity has always wanted to appear dominant her entire life. Thus, there''s no way she would allow an illegitimate child into the Chivers or Luther family. Therefore, Bailey deserves to be attacked by her for crossing that threshold.¡± Rhonda asked with a smile, ¡°In that case, should we still think of a way to get Edmund and that b*stard son to take a paternity test? Since Felicity has taken action, I''m sure she will redo the test, anyway, so I suppose it would be unnecessary for us to do it now?¡± ¡°No, we should still figure out how to redo the test. Ronni, it''s during such times that we shouldn''t underestimate the enemy. Edmund will definitely try to stop his father and aunt. If he seeds, wouldn''t our plot be all for naught?¡± Nodding, Rhonda replied with a smile, ¡°I understand now. What you''re saying is that we should have a backup n. If the Chivers siblings are stopped, we wouldn''t be left watching helplessly.¡± Reaching out her hand, Beatrice stroke Rhonda''s head as an approving look descended upon her face. ¡°You finally get it. Remember, Bailey is no longer the same fool we manipted seven years ago. In order to take her down, we will have to use our brains instead of challenging her head-on, understand?¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm, I do. From the moment I stole her son and brought him to the Luther family under the guise of lies, destiny has made us mortal enemies. Going forward, only one of us will be left standing.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, you won''t be the one who falls. Instead, she will lose her life and do so in a pathetic manner.¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm.¡± Meanwhile, in the Chivers residence, a loud smack rang out in the living room as Edmund mmed the newspaper on the coffee table. ¡°Father, if you''re upset with Bay, you should say it to her face. Taking such despicable actions will only make you look dishonorable.¡± Leaning against the couch, Yoel did not bother to look at the newspaper. After all, it was he who released the news to the media and knew the contents better than anyone else. As his piercing gaze fell upon his son, he stared at thetter in silence before replying in a grim voice, ¡°Did that woman get you to pay off Justin to fake the paternity test results? Given how wicked and scheming she is, how is she qualified to be ady of the Chivers family?¡± Sniggering at his father''s words, Edmund responded in a casual tone, ¡°Father, I''m not you, and I will never be you. Even though the family''s interest is important, it doesn''t outweigh the one I love. You might be able to sacrifice a lot for the family back then, but it doesn''t mean I will make the same choice as you did.¡± In an instant, Yoel''s expression turned gloomy. ring at his son, he questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°What are you trying to say? Are you nning to leave the family for the sake of that deceitful woman?¡± ¡°I would naturally be extremely grateful if you can ept her, Father. Otherwise, I''ll have no choice but to seek another way out. As her reputation will affect our future, I hope that you will show some mercy and not expose the fact that Zayron isn''t my biological son, or at the very least, not kick her when she''s down at such a crucial moment.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. Yoel reached out to grab an antique from the coffee table and smashed it onto the ground, causing a shattering sound to reverberate through the living room. ¡°Have you finally admitted that the kid isn''t your son? Good. Since he isn''t yours, I will never allow a woman of such questionable character to be part of the Chivers family, so you had better give up on the idea. Since you want to leave the family so much, so be it. Get out of my sight right now!¡± Standing still for a brief moment, Edmund stormed toward the exit without looking back. ¡°Edmund, once you walk out that door, don''t you ever daree back.¡± The words stopped Edmund in his tracks. Nheless, after hesitating for a fleeting moment, he continued walking out the door. ¡°Y-You... b*stard!¡± Just as Edmund stepped out of the living room, Gwendolyn chased after him from behind. ¡°Ed, your father is just blinded by anger, so don''t take his words to heart.¡± Halting his steps, Edmund patted his mother on the shoulder. With a smile, he replied, ¡°I''m sorry to have scared you. It''s nothing. Don''t worry.¡± Amused by his attempt to coax her as if she was a child, Gwendolyn broke into a smile before swatting off his hand. She grumbled jokingly, ¡°You have never cared for anything and have given me a fright. For a while, I thought you were really serious.¡± Reaching out his hands to give her a hug, he whispered beside her ear, ¡°Mom, I really love Bay. Without her, I cannot continue living, and I won''t marry anyone else in this life other than her.¡± Chapter 85 Chapter 85 Gwendolyn responded by patting him on the back to calm him down. ¡°Since you love her, go all out to pursue her. You have my support, as I''m not the kind who''s dogmatic. Your father only sumbed to the discord sowed by your aunt, so give me some time for me to talk to him about it. At the end of the day, the three of us are still one family. Even though your aunt is a daughter of the Chivers family, she has married into another family and is technically an outsider.¡± Hugging his mother tighter, Edmund replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°I knew you would understand. Thank you for your understanding. During such times, you don''t know how much your support means to me.¡± Gwendolyn patted him on the back of his head and answered with a smile, ¡°Go now. Stay by her side in her time of need. Hopefully, I can see the day when both of youe out of this victoriously.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Inside the hotel, Bailey found out through the inte that Yoel had leaked the paternity report. Upon contemting the matter, she quickly guessed what he was up to. All these people are thoroughly relentless in their attempt to bury me. At this rate, how am I going to have a good rtionship with Edmund when the Luther and Chivers families hate my guts? A marriage can only be built on respect. Only by treating the family and friends of one''s partner as one''s own can a happy marriage be maintained. Now that his family and friends resent me, what future is there to even speak of? Ding! The sudden ring from the doorbell snapped her out of her thoughts. Walking to the foyer to open the room door, she raised her brows instinctively when she was greeted by the sight of a professionally dressed man and woman. ¡°Are you Ms. Jefferson?¡± Giving them a slight nod, Bailey tly replied, ¡°I am, and you are?¡± ¡°We''re from the Hallsbay magistrate''s court. Two days ago, we have received a case involving you giarizing Snowke''s design. After our initial investigations, we have concluded that your design is indeed a case of giarism. Therefore, the authorized party of the original designer has filed awsuit against you. Ms. Jefferson, we''re here to issue you this summons on behalf of the court.¡± Bailey let out a gentle sigh before reaching out to ept the summons. ¡°Has the court date been set? I would like to end the case as soon as possible, for I can''t even go home now due to the controversy surrounding the matter.¡± The staff''s lips could not help but twitch. Does thisdy not understand Chanaean? I already told her that this is a clear case of giarism in the eyes of thew. Why is she still so sure of her innocence? Even though the rumors imed that she has ingratiated herself with the Chivers family, I have not seen any legal representation from them to support her. ¡°We''ll separately notify you of the date. Um... Ms. Jefferson, aren''t you going to hire a defensewyer?¡± Bailey threw the question back at her. ¡°Are you going to pay for it?¡± Not knowing how to reply, the staff scratched her nose before quickly fleeing, as if her life depended on it. As Bailey curled her lips into a smile, she walked toward Juliana''s room and pressed the doorbell. When the door opened, Juliana appeared in front of her, wrapped only in a towel. Holding her forehead, Baileymented, ¡°You''re already twenty-two this year. Where''s your sense of vignce? How can you open the door dressed like that? Aren''t you worried someone with hostile intentions defile you on the spot?¡± Juliana giggled before pulling her into the room. ¡°I of course looked through the peephole before opening the door.¡± Leaning by the door, Bailey waved the court summons at Juliana''s face. With knitted brows, she asked, ¡°Have you gotten enough fun out of this yet? If you have, it''s time to withdraw thewsuit.¡± ¡°That can''t do.¡± Juliana shook her head at once. ¡°It''s rare for me to find something that''s so thrilling. How can I withdraw it before I make those jerks suffer? Don''t worry, my dear mentor. Just stay here for a few more days. I''ll pay for all your expenses, so just let me have a few more days of fun, all right?¡± Bailey gave her the side-eye before opening the room door and walking out. ¡°On top of that, add on the living expenses for the three of us for the next five years.¡± At her words, Juliana was stumped. What a materialistic woman. After leaving Juliana''s room, Bailey returned to her suite. No sooner had she walked to her bed than her phone¡ªwhich she left on the bed¡ªsuddenly rang. When she saw Edmund''s name on the caller ID, she kind of had a guess as to why he was calling. Sliding the phone screen, she was the first to speak. ¡°Edmund, I''m not angry, so there''s no need to worry. Besides, Zayron was never a member of the Chivers family. I, too, was speechless when they used the document to stir up the controversy.¡± As a deathly silence ensued, all that could be heard was the sound of their respective breaths. The awkward atmospherested for two to three minutes before Edmund''s gentle and maic voice rang out from the phone. ¡°I''m sorry. By the time I found out, they already handed the paternity test report to the media. Initially, I wanted to salvage the situation, but there was no way I could do it due to the huge controversy you were mired in.¡± Letting out a chuckle, Bailey replied casually, ¡°You don''t have to exin. I hope that your father will change his impression of me after this incident. Edmund, I''m not as wicked as the public is making me out to be. On the contrary, I... Forget it. What''s the use of me telling you so much? You''re not the one who has misunderstood me. I''m afraid they can only be convinced of the truth with extreme measures.¡± Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org. ¡°I know,¡± Edmund replied in a raspy voice. ¡°I have always known that you''re someone exceptional in this world. The only reason you''re not allowed to shine is that the world''s misconception of you has overshadowed your radiance. Just like in this case, I''m very sure that you''re capable of resolving the controversy behind the giarism incident. That''s why I have not deployed the Chivers family''s legal team to defend you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Edmund. Thank you for being by my side and supporting me during such a difficult time. I''m aware of how much you want toe and see me at the hotel, but I don''t want to burden you. You... do understand, right?¡± Edmund could not help but smile. ¡°You always read me like a book. To be honest, I''m already at the parking lot opposite your hotel. If you hadn''t brought it up, I would have rushed up to see you. It doesn''t matter if I can''t do anything. I''m just happy to be able to chat.¡± Hearing that, Bailey walked to the window. ¡°Thest window on the fifth floor of the southeast wing. Do you see me?¡± ¡°Yeah, I do.¡± ¡°In that case, we can chat on the phone. You can still be by my side this way.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± At a mansion by the seaside, Artemis was talking to Dwayne over the phone in his study. Dwayne reported, ¡°For the time being, there''s no way to suppress the rumors about the paternity test. Mrs. Luther probably intends to produce a new test report to show the public that Ms. Bailey had faked the one released today, cementing their impression that she had wanted to ingratiate herself with the Chivers family by pretending her son was one of them.¡± Artemis touched his forehead with his hand. Given that Dwayne had thought about it, it went without saying the same thought had crossed his mind. It looks like the queen at home will not rest until Bailey''s reputation is in tatters. If she finds out that Bailey has born a son and daughter for Simon, wouldn''t that give her a heart attack? Just thinking about the mess was enough to give Artemis a headache. Noticing Artemis'' silence, Dwayne probed, ¡°Why don''t we announce to the public that Zayron is Simon''s son?¡± Chapter 86 Chapter 86 Only by doing so could they prevent Bailey from being swallowed by the controversy and kicked when she was down. Without saying a word, Artemis tapped his fingers lightly on the table. The solemn rhythm that filled the room simply made the already tense atmosphere feel more intimidating. After a long silence, he responded in a low voice, ¡°Let''s not for now. I''ll talk to my mother first. Now that Bailey is being mired in scandals, we shouldn''t add on to her burden.¡± ¡°All right. It''s good that you have a n. If there''s nothing else, I''m ending the call.¡± Furrowing his brows, Artemis instructed, ¡°Call Simon and give him five days to return to Hallsbay. Or else, I''ll personally travel to Springwyn to get him.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll let him know.¡± ¡°Also, don''t reveal Zayron''s rtionship with him yet. We''ll get to that once he''s back.¡± ¡°I understand. Don''t worry.¡± Upon ending the call, Artemis chucked the phone on the table before leaving the study. He had barely reached the stairs when he heard a dog barking from the living room downstairs. The dog''s incessant barking sounded extremely familiar as if it was from his pet mastiff. As a sense of dread swelled within him, he quickly strode down the stairs and was greeted by a shocking scene. All he saw was a brown dog hysterically ¡°teasing¡± his mastiff that was worth millions. What a f*cking repulsive sight. His eyes shot toward theughing children as he questioned coldly, ¡°Who did this?¡± Ducking his head, Maxton stoppedughing, for he still did not dare to misbehave in front of his father. Susan, too, stopped giggling as she stared fearfully at the gloomy-looking man by the staircase. Compared to both of them, Zayron was visibly more rxed. Laughing uncontrobly still, he sneered, ¡°Who did this? Are you blind? Hado, of course. Can''t you see him pinning your precious dog on the floor?¡± Speechless, Artemis felt the corner of his lips twitch. All this while, he had always thought Maxton was naughty. However,pared to Zayron, Maxton simply paled inparison. What sort of environment turned him into such an annoying brat? That aside, this dog looks pretty strong. Too bad there are barely any ingredients at home. Otherwise... Noticing the change in Artemis'' eyes, Zayron felt his heart sink when he realized the former was salivating at Hado. D*mn it, is he thinking of eating my best friend? ¡°Hado, if you don''t want to end up in a stew, you had better back off.¡± Woof! Woof! The next moment, a brown furry figure shed past them as Hado swiftly slipped out of the living room. Had it stayed a second longer, that would have been the end of it. When the frustrated Artemis stared at the exhausted mastiff on the ground, his lips twitched. D*mn it! How can you lose to a useless dog? What''s the point of me raising you? ¡°What do you want to have for dinner?¡± Exchanging nces with Susan, Maxton looked in Zayron''s direction. Thetter¡ªwith a nudge of his chin¡ªpointed at the mastiff ying dead on the floor. Cocking his brow, he answered, ¡°Isn''t there a ready ingredient in front of us? Let''s ughter it and make stew.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. ¡°Sounds like a good idea,¡± Maxton uttered. ¡°I''ll get the cleaver from the kitchen. We can take its life while its legs are still wobbly.¡± This brat... Artemis almost did not know whether tough or to cry. If it was anyone else, they would definitely have failed to stop the two boys. ¡°Mr. Luther, Mrs. Luther hase over. She has entered the neighborhood and will be arriving here anytime.¡± A respectful voice was suddenly heard from outside, interrupting the strange atmosphere in the living room. Upon hearing it, Artemis touched his forehead in annoyance. It was obvious to him what his mother hade for. She must be here to question me after learning that Bailey''s son and daughter are living in my private mansion. ¡°Maxton, take Zayron and Susan to the yroom on the second floor. Don''te down here unless I tell you to.¡± Zayron let out a snort. ¡°Isn''t Mrs. Luther here to see me and Susan? Who else can she see if we hide? The darned dog sprawled on the ground?¡± Artemis did not know what to say. With that, Zayron pulled his sister''s arm and dashed to the door. Bailey has be public enemy number one and is feeling miserable all thanks to this olddy. Before I had the opportunity to confront her at the Luther residence, she actually had the gall to make her way here. Very well, looks like there will be no respect for her today. Pinching between his brows, Artemis let out a sigh. It seems that a battle of the generations is inevitable. I just hope that it doesn''t end too badly. Meanwhile, Felicity alighted from the car, only to be greeted by the sight of a boy and a girl standing on the steps. With an arrogant posture, both of them red at her, their eyes filled with defiance. After I painstakingly attacked Bailey''s reputation, my son is keeping her children in his house and fanning the mes of their anger. If this isn''t provocation, what else can it be? The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, causing her to lose her temper. ¡°Men, kick these two b*stards out.¡± Four burly bodyguards came out of the car upon hearing Felicity''s instructions. Subsequently, they walked up to the siblings. The first thing she does is cause us trouble? With his brows raised, Zayron shot Felicity an icy re. If one were to look closely, one would notice that his forehead looked simr to Artemis. Even the look in his eyes was exactly the same. ¡°I came here out of respect, but you abuse your authority as an elder instead. Don''t me me for what I''m about to do, then. If I lose today, I will throw myself out. There''s no need for you to bother. In fact, I''ll even crawl out on my knees.¡± He had hardly finished when he whistled toward the bushes at the side. Woof! Woof! Woof! Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Amidst the ferocious barking of a dog, Hado sprang out of the bushes and pounced on the bodyguards in ck suits. Even though Hado was a dog, it had gone through special training¡ªit not only understood humans but could also attack of its own ord. Even four mastiffs were no match for it, let alone four humans. In the beginning, the bodyguards could still restrain it, but the tide of the battle quickly turned within a minute. The group of men was bitten so badly by Hado that they were begging for mercy on their knees. F*cking hell, we have never seen such a savage dog before. This beast alone has defeated the four of us. Given itsbat prowess, the mastiffs at home are no match for it at all. ¡°Y-You guys¡ª¡± The veins on Felicity''s forehead began to throb as she stared at the immobilized bodyguards on the ground in shock. At the same time, her gasp caught the attention of the heavily-panting Hado. Turning its head, it then locked eyes with Felicity''s terrified gaze. It then barked loudly at her, causing Felicity to jolt in fright. ¡°D-Don''t youe over!¡± Chapter 87 Chapter 87 Hado did not bite her. Instead, it approached her with its tongue stuck out. Trembling, Felicity began to step back. ¡°You b-beast! D-Don''te any closer!¡± Woof! Woof! Hado opened its mouth to bare its sharp fangs at Felicity, causing her to fall on her butt into a flower bed. She was terrified of dogs, especially those that were mad and uncontroble. ¡°Artemis,e out here right now! Do you want to watch your own mother devoured by a crazy dog?¡± Woof! Woof! Hado always hated being called a mad dog. His earlier ferocity that had just dissipated began to resurface again. With a brutal expression, it red at Felicity, preparing to bite her. Cognizant of its intention, Zayron yelled at it, ¡°Hado, don''t bite her! It''s enough to just teach her a lesson!¡± At the end of the day, Felicity was the matriarch of the Luther family. Thus, he was worried about infuriating Artemis if Hado were to bite her. If it came to that, there was no way Hado''s life would be spared. Upon hearing its master''s instructions, Hado toned down its aggressiveness as it moved closer to Felicity. Underneath her terrified gaze, it stuck out its tongue and gave her charming face a lick. This is terrible! Felicity was outraged. I''ve never been this humiliated this way throughout my morous life! As anger overwhelmed her, her eyes rolled upward before she lost consciousness. ¡°Oh, no,¡± Zayron remarked as he darted down the steps to catch her before she copsed onto the flower bed. At the end of the day, Felicity was his grandmother. Without her, Simon would not have existed, and neither would he. This was a fact Zayron was still very well aware of. Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Meanwhile, Maxton, too, hurried over to hold Felicity''s other arm while not forgetting to sh a thumbs up at Zayron. ¡°Idiot, you''re amazing. Even Grandpa doesn''t dare get on her nerves. Now that she has fainted from being angered by you, I''m truly blown away.¡± Throwing him a re, Zayron fumed, ¡°Stop wasting time and send her to the infirmary. If I end up killing her, I would be f*cking skinned alive by Jerk Uncle.¡± At that moment, Artemis emerged from the living room and calmly descended the stairs. Extending his hands, he carried the unconscious Felicity, uttering, ¡°This will be thest time. No matter what she has done wrong, she''s still your grandmother, understand?¡± Zayron tugged his lips and grumbled, ¡°In that case, should I allow myself to be kicked out?¡± Stumped again, Artemis sighed in resignation before trying to console him. ¡°She doesn''t know your family origins yet. When she learns of it, she''ll definitely set aside her resentment and love you as her grandchild.¡± Hearing that, Zayron snorted. ¡°I''m afraid the truth will make her angrier.¡± Artemis was speechless. Albeit what had transpired, he did not send Felicity to the mansion''s infirmary. Instead, he escorted her back to the Luther residence. Given that everyone in the family¡ªyoung and old¡ªwas quick to lose temper, gathering them at one spot was a disaster waiting to happen. When they were about to reach the Luther residence, Felicity suddenly awoke. The moment she opened her eyes, all she saw was the final scene before she fainted, causing her to jump out of her seat. Seeing that, Artemis grabbed her arm quickly and pulled her back down so that she did not hit her head on the car roof. However, Felicity shoved his hand away and snapped, ¡°How could you just stand there and allow that b*stard to humiliate me with a dog? Did that wench cast a spell on you to make you treasure that son of hers?¡± Narrowing his eyes at her, Artemis inly replied, ¡°Mother, you''re a socialite and a distinguisheddy who is well respected in themunity. Such foul words shouldn''t roll off your tongue, as it will only make you look uncouth.¡± ¡°You...¡± The furious Felicity red at him and questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°What do you intend to do? Are you going to marry that wench?¡± Marry? If that''s possible, I certainly would. It''s just that... ¡°You''re overthinking it. As I said before, I don''t n on marrying anyone in this lifetime, and I intend to keep my vow.¡± The words outraged Felicity further. Never marry for the rest of his life? This is worse than marrying Bailey. ¡°As the scion of the prestigious Luther family, how can you not have a wife to take charge of family affairs? I will definitely not allow this. When your father returns home, we''ll start the process for your engagement to Rhonda.¡± With a darkening expression, Artemis warned, ¡°If you want to see the wedding attended by the bride alone and the Luther family disgraced, then, by all means, go ahead and hold it.¡± ¡°Y-You''re threatening me?¡± ¡°It''s not a threat. I''m just stating facts. Don''t you just want to have someone take on the role of thedy of the house? Regardless of who you force me to marry, I''ll never acknowledge her both legally and in reality.¡± Clutching her chest in anger, Felicity pointed a finger at her son''s nose. Despite the movement of her lips, not a single word came out. Throwing her a nce, Artemis added, ¡°Mother, you had better stay home and concern yourself with Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony. As for the Chivers family, you''re no longer part of them after marrying into the Luthers, so you should interfere less in their affairs. Otherwise, you might give others a reason to criticize you. Granddad and Uncle Yoel might not care, but rumors are a truly terrible thing.¡± Despite her anger, Felicity was amused. ¡°Fine. One by one, all of you have grown headstrong and insist on protecting that woman, haven''t you? In that case, I can only use my own methods to kick her out of Hallsbay. If she intends to either marry into the Chivers or Luther families, it will have to be over my dead body.¡± Nodding slightly, Artemis did notment any further for fear of Felicity fainting from shock again. That aside, he was cognizant that whatever he would say now would be useless in the face of her anger. It looks like I have to think of a way to stop the paternity test between Edmund and Zayron. Breaking: Bailey Jefferson''s giarism Case Esctes. Breaking: Bailey Jefferson''s Designs Are All Copied From Snowke. Early in the morning, City Daily, Fashionista, The Today Show, and many other established media outlets obtained the drafts of Bailey''s old designs. After running aparison, they noticed that Bailey''s designs closely mirrored that of Snowke''s style. As a result, the publicbeled all her previous works as cases of giarism, using her of drawing inspiration from Snowke''s designs. Once the news exploded, it sent a shockwave through the entire world. At the same time, those who were against Bailey saw their movement gain greater momentum. In the beginning, only those in Hallsbay condemned her. However, the resentment toward her gradually swept across the nation. Chapter 88 Chapter 88 Given how the matter developed, the entire world''s attention was focused on Bailey. They wanted to see how the biggest giarist in history would resolve her predicament. Inside the hotel, Bailey threw theptop in her hand toward Juliana, questioning coldly, ¡°Is this your doing?¡± Juliana shook her head. ¡°No, it''s not me. Even though I''m just looking to have some fun, I''m aware of where the boundaries lie. There''s no way I would dig out all your past designs and allow them to be sullied by the public''s condemnation.¡± ¡°It really isn''t you?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. After a momentary silence, she ordered in a seething tone, ¡°Investigate it, and find out who''s behind this.¡± Juliana nodded at once. Now that Master is infuriated, those sc*ms are going to suffer the consequences. ¡°M-Master, once we find out who did it, what are you going to do?¡± What am I going to do? Bailey sneered before replying through gnashed teeth, ¡°Pay them back tenfold.¡± In the CEO''s office of Luther Group, Stephen was standing in front of the curved desk as he reported to Artemis, ¡°I have studied her designs from the past few years and can''t deny the simrities to Snowke''s style. Mr. Luther, can it be that she is subconsciously influenced by Snowke after seeing too many of thetter''s designs?¡± Artemis did not respond as he examined the designs in detail. It was then he was even more certain of her true identity. No matter how one''s design style changes, it will never stray far from its fundamental framework, and the fundamental framework of all these designs obviously came from the same hand. This includes the winning design of The Ultimate Designer four years ago. All of these are the work of the same person. ¡°Ignore them and let them continue stirring the controversy. Whatever it is, Ms. Bailey will provide us with a satisfactory answer when the timees. Until there is a conclusion, you should maintain your silence. Do not say a word to anyone with regard to whether her designs were a result of giarism or not.¡± Stephen nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°Okay. I''ll do as you say.¡± No sooner had he finished than he expressed his confusion over the matter, ¡°I have no idea what Xavier is thinking. Even though his lead designer is being exposed for giarism, he''s acting as if it''s none of his business at all. In fact, he didn''t even bother calling. All he said was that he''ll leave it to headquarters to decide.¡± Hearing that, Artemis curled his lips into a smile. He must have known of Bailey''s identity a long time ago. That''s why he couldn''t be bothered. ¡°You had better take a leaf out of his book about how to remain calm in the face of problems. In two years, I''ll send you to take charge of the Epea branch. Given how big the world is out there, you should go out and gain some exposure instead of being restricted within this small city.¡± Adjusting his spectacles, Stephen nodded. ¡°It''s better that I stay by your side to learn for a few more years, as I''m not ready to manage anything independently yet.¡± Amidst the sound of his tapping fingers, Artemis tly replied, ¡°Don''t worry about it. Xavier has walked the same path as well. It would be a waste of talent if I limit your future prospects by letting you stay here as a department director for the rest of your life. Epea is a huge market and offers plenty of growth opportunities for you.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll go along with your n. Given how candid you have been, it would be rude for me to refuse.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice took out a document from a bag and showed it to Rhonda. ¡°Look at what this is.¡± Rhonda took it at once and read the contents. When her eyes fell upon the statement in the report that read ¡°not biologically rted as father and son,¡± she was filled with delight. ¡°Is this the paternity test report for Edmund and that b*stard? Where did you get it?¡± ¡°It''s a fake.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhonda gave her mother a look of surprise. ¡°M-Mom, are you sure you aren''t pulling my leg?¡± Eyebrows raised, Beatrice curled her lips into a smile. ¡°Who could be joking about something like that? There''s no need for a real test, as we can now bury Bailey with this fake report.¡± ¡°B-But what if someone finds out?¡± Extending her finger to poke Rhonda on the forehead, Bailey admonished her, ¡°Didn''t I just praise you for bing smarter two days ago? Why have you reverted to your clueless self again? The process isn''t important. What matters is the result, especially now when Bailey is mired in the giarism scandal. When the entire world is waiting for her to be sent to prison, no one is going to care about the authenticity of the report. Besides, that b*stard isn''t Edmund''s child, so the report isn''t technically fake.¡± Knitting her brows, Rhonda hesitated briefly before trying to persuade her. ¡°Mom, why don''t we get a real one instead? I''m worried this n might backfire. If the public learns that we''ve faked a paternity test result, we''ll definitely be condemned.¡± Shooting Rhonda a re, Beatrice retorted, ¡°Do you really think it''s that easy to get a real one? Even that old hag of the Luther family might not get her hands on it, let alone I. There''s no way Edmund and Artemis would stand idly by and watch the paternity test be exposed.¡± ¡°I-In that case... will this really work?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I pulled some strings overseas to get this done. No one would be able to tell.¡± Despite the constion from her mother, Rhonda was still worried. Deep down, she had a niggling feeling that faking the test result would one daye back and bite them. At a caf¨¦ inside Luther Group, Jessica and Janice were seated opposite each other by the window. While they were sipping their coffee leisurely, they heard the crowd around them cursing Bailey for being a copycat. Janice whispered, ¡°Jessica, as long as the court deres that she is giarizing, that will be the end of her career in the fashion design industry. By then, no one will stand in your way anymore. Mr. Luther will nominate you for the role of the lead designer, while Ms. Caridee''s gown will naturally be yours to design. When that happens, you''ll be able to leverage Caridee''s fame to give your reputation a boost.¡± Jessica curled her lips into a smirk. ¡°How dare she challenge me after joining the fashion industry for a few short years? She''s nothing but a joke. If she hadn''t copied Snowke''s work, there''s no way she would have been so sessful.¡± Janice added, ¡°In spite of her short sess, she still has fallen from grace. If she hadn''t resorted to giarizing, she wouldn''t even have the opportunity to taste such glory in the first ce.¡± Delighted by the words, Jessica burst intoughter. ¡°Don''t worry. Once I have taken on the role of Luther Group''s lead designer, I''ll definitely arrange for your return to the headquarters.¡± Janice, too, was ted to hear the offer. The reason she was ingratiating herself with Jessica was that thetter could help her in her career. If there was nothing in it for her, she would not have lowered herself to be a bootlicker. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°By the way, I found out where Bailey is hiding. Do you want to share her location with the media so that they can surround her and give her grief?¡± Upon hearing that, Jessica cocked a brow. ¡°Of course. Where is she?¡± ¡°Suite 502 of Century Hotel.¡± Back at the hotel, Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling windows while chatting on the phone. She was speaking to Xavier, who could no longer withstand the pressure. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, that''s enough. You''re going to get me killed if you let this controversy continue. The gowns which you have designed over thest few years have now been cklisted, and our partners are demandingpensation for them. Even then, I have yet to report the matter to Mr. Luther. He''ll definitely have me fired if he finds out what is going on. On the ount that we''re friends, please don''t cause me to lose my job.¡± Chapter 89 Chapter 89 Bailey raised her eyebrows and smiled. ¡°Don''t worry. Artemis knows what to do, and he will not me you. Besides, I can''t back out of this even if I want to. Thergepensation will force me into submission if we don''t rify this matter. It''s the same as showing up in court and letting them defame me. Think about it. I can hit them all in the face with the verdict when ites out. It''s going to be fun.¡± ¡°You''re going too far,¡± Xavier chastised in amusement. ¡°Serves them right for being dumb enough for you to toy with. It''s funny how they want to pick a fight with you despite being too stupid to follow through.¡± ¡°Why don''t you sneak back here? I''ll take you for a show,¡± she offered with a smirk. Xavier was rendered speechless. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Hang on. I have an iing call. Help me take care of business at Archulea, and I''ll treat you to dinner when I''m there.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± After ending the first call, Bailey answered another one. ¡°Somebody leaked your whereabouts, Ms. Jefferson. Arge crowd of reporters is on their way to Century Hotel. Would you like to retreat?¡± Hearing that, Bailey narrowed her eyes. She did not who the person who called her. The caller seemed to have sensed her deliberation. ¡°Mr. Luther sent me to protect you from the shadows, Ms. Jefferson. There''s no need to be wary of my words.¡± ¡°All right, I got it. Don''t stop them. Let theme in.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The man on the other end was baffled. Ms. Jefferson has an unorthodox way of thinking. No wonder they feel so good about themselves aftermitting giarism. I could never understand people whose brains are wired this way. ¡°I said, let theme in.¡± ¡°Oh, all right.¡± After hanging up, Bailey swiftly packed up her belongings before heading next door. Opening the door, Juliana uttered, ¡°I was just about toe to you, Master.¡± ¡°Is something the matter?'' ¡°I''ve discovered who dug up your works from the past few years.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Your mother.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes as a glint of fury shed across them. ¡°Say that again.¡± Juliana ducked her neck, aware that she had gone too far with the joke. ¡°Stepmother,¡± she corrected hurriedly. ¡°Your stepmother. It was that woman, Beatrice, who had dug up your designs from the past few years. She had also spent a lot to have the media kick up a fuss, which resulted in the rise of giarism and the whole world boycotting your work.¡± Bailey''s eyes shed with murderous intent as she remembered Xavier''s call from earlier. That mother and daughter duo again. I''ve tolerated them long enough. ¡°All right, I got it. Somebody leaked my whereabouts, and now a horde of reporters ising to the hotel. Go to my room. You know what to do from there.¡± Juliana blinked before grinning. ¡°I do. Find out from the reporters who leaked your whereabouts to them, then settle the score afterward.¡± ¡°Very good. It looks like what I''ve taught you over the years has not gone to waste. I''ll take my leave, then. You settle the problem here.¡± ¡°All right.¡± With that, Bailey walked to the window, pushed it open, and peered down. Though the height was frightening enough for ordinary people, it was child''s y for a climbing expert like her. Juliana had the grappling hook and some rope at the ready. ¡°Be careful, Master.¡± Nodding, Bailey reached out to receive them. She then secured the grappling hook on the windowsill before leaping out with a flip. Within ten seconds of tethering between life and death, shended on her feet on the grass below. Juliana''s eyes widened as she admired the slim figure below, who had swiftly disappeared at the end of the flower bed. She felt that all the men in the worldbined were still not worthy of such a ster woman as her master. Who does Simon think he is? He wouldn''t have ended up sleeping with Master had he not taken advantage of her. Half an hourter, the doorbell of Suite 502 in Century Hotel rang. It was not the fault of security downstairs for failing to stop them. It was due to the overwhelming influence of Bailey. Having heard that she was staying there, the paparazzi rushed in like a pack of rabid dogs who could not be stopped by the hotel security. As soon as the door opened, a series of shes went off. Click! Click! The reporters were photographing madly before ascertaining the person within. ¡°Are you still adamant that you did notmit giarism, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°Even the court has passed the preliminary verdict that you''re guilty of giarism, Ms. Jefferson. What kind of boldness supports you to stand firm on your point of view?¡± ¡°The whole world is boycotting the gown of your design, Ms. Jefferson. Your partners are discussing terminating their contracts with you and requesting that you pay for the substantial losses. How are you going to deal with these changes?¡± ¡°If you''re found guilty, you would not be allowed to return to the design industry for as long as you live. Do you regret ruining your life by giarizing for a moment of fame, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°I don''t know. You should ask her.¡± Juliana poked her head out of the room and smiled. ¡°Are you going to interview me? If so, please ask me questions I can answer.¡± In that instant, the riotous corridor was plunged into silence as still as death. What the hell is going on? ¡°Who are you? We are looking for Bailey. Where is she?¡± Smiling, Juliana replied, ¡°Then you''re at the wrong ce. Why would Bailey stay here? No way in hell would she be living with me.¡± ¡°That''s impossible. Somebody leaked the news of Bailey staying in this hotel and even told us the actual suite number. How could we have been mistaken?¡± Juliana shrugged as she sneered at them. ¡°Well, you have been lied to, and it would be best if you hurried back to settle the score with the person who misled you. She has been toying with you as if you''re a bunch of fools!¡± ¡°N-No! Ms. Tanner wouldn''t lie to us. Nobody wants to see Bailey fail more than she does. As long as Bailey is cklisted, she would be the victor of Luther Group''spetition.¡± ¡°That''s right. Ms. Tanner wouldn''t mislead us. Bailey must be in there. Stand aside and let us enter.¡± Ms. Tanner. Juliana smiled in satisfaction. So it''s her. I will remember this! ¡°Enough, settle down.¡± Juliana shrugged and raised her eyebrows. ¡°One of us is the intiff, and the other the defendant. Do you think we would be living together and spending our sleepover fighting?¡± Her words baffled the reporters. Somebody regained theirposure after a long silence. ¡°You''re the defendant? Ms. Snowke has sent her disciple to file awsuit even before arriving at Hallsbay. You must be Ms. Juliana Stone, then?¡± ¡°Don''t I look like I might be? Would you like me to prove it to you with my master''s certificate and trophy?¡± The reporters were rendered speechless again. ¡°She''s indeed Juliana. I''ve seen her before in magazines,¡± voiced somebody in the crowd. ¡°Does that mean... we''ve been fooled by Jessica?¡± Juliana rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course you have been fooled,¡± she said. ¡°If you were the intiff, would you be living with a giarizer?¡± Once again, the reporters were rendered tongue-tied. ¡°All right, enough banter. I need to do some research online, and I''ll be shutting the door. Talk soon!¡± The door was then mmed shut. ¡°Let''s go. We''ll head to Luther Group and confront Jessica,¡± a reporter raged. ¡°We''ll ask her once and for all why she made such fools of us.¡± ¡°Yes, let''s go together.¡± Chapter 90 Chapter 90 As Jessica lounged on the couch in the office of the chief designer at the headquarters of Luther Group, she was engaged in a conversation with several designers. ¡°That giarizer, Bailey, might never recover from this, Jessica. ording to the rules, your work will emerge victorious after her cklist. Mr. Luther has dered to the directors of various other departments that he will promote whoever it is to design Ms. Caridee''s gown to lead designer.¡± ¡°That''s right! After this incident, the position of lead designer would fall onto you, Jessica. Though that b*tch Bailey is wicked, she isn''tpletely useless. At least she''d managed to get Mr. Luther to agree to fill the position.¡± ¡°If you could design a gown that pleases Ms. Caridee, Jessica, you would make a ssh at her coming-of-age ceremony. The international celebrities would be lining up to make an appointment for you to design their gowns.¡± The ttery toward Jessica was very effective. She had imed dominance in apany asrge as Luther Group. If Bailey had not turned up, there was no way she could have lost thepetition. Also, nobody would dare take her, the disciple of Eve, head-on. ¡°That''s right. Speaking of which, I need to thank that b*tch. If it weren''t for her, Mr. Luther would not have readily suggested promoting somebody to lead designer. Even if I take some of the sshes, the effort she had put in was destined for me.¡± The room rang withughter at her words, followed by another chorus of ttery. ¡°By the way, Jessica, I''d heard from a friend on The Today Show that Bailey''s hiding ce is exposed, and arge crowd of reporters is rushing there. Though it would not cause her any material harm, it would still serve to nauseate her.¡± Curling her red lips, Jessica put on an act of feigned surprise. ¡°Really? I wonder who leaked it? Perhaps it''s someone on our side who despises her evilness like us.¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°She can''t me anyone except herself for being despicable and arrogant. Serves her right.¡± Jessica cackled and was about to open her mouth to add another snark remark when an assistant dashed in. ¡°S-Something''s happened, Jessica,¡± she said. ¡°There are a lot of reporters in the lobby on the first floor. They''re demanding to see, wanting an exnation from you.¡± The smile on Jessica''s face froze as she leaped up from the couch. A sense of foreboding rose within her. ¡°R-Reporters from which mediapany?¡± ¡°There are some from Fashionista, and some from the Today Show, and...¡± Hearing that, Jessica turned deathly pale. I was the one who leaked Bailey''s hiding ce to the media, and now they''vee here for me instead of going to the hotel. What does that indicate? She did not dare finish that thought. I have instigated the media by fanning the mes to make Bailey the subject of debate and damage Luther Group''s reputation. If Mr. Luther found out, I''d be dead. D*mn it! I shouldn''t have acted rashly, nor should I have personally contacted the media. I was overly excited that time and, as a result, had forgotten myself andmitted such a rookie mistake. Upon further introspection, she felt she had been rather foolish. ¡°I-I can''t meet with them. Have the security show them out.¡± The assistant gazed at her, conflicted and on the verge of tears. ¡°I can''t, Jessica. They''re causing too big of amotion and have alerted the public rtions department. Mr. Longman wants you to meet them, or he will report it to Mr. Luther.¡± At that, Jessica shuddered violently. ¡°What''s wrong, Jessica? Is there a misunderstanding?¡± ¡°Has anything troublesome happened, Jessica? Tell us, and we''ll see if we can help you.¡± Jessica pulled the closest designer toward her. ¡°I was the one who leaked Bailey''s whereabouts,¡± she cried. ¡°I don''t know what happened or why the reporters came to thepany. Cover for me, will you, Mimi? Tell them you were the one who leaked Bailey''s whereabouts to me, and then¡ª¡± ¡°Jessica!¡± The designer called Mimi flung her hand roughly aside before taking several steps back. ¡°Are you throwing me under the bus?¡± she asked angrily. ¡°It is one of our great taboos to instigate the media and create drama, and I would be fired if Mr. Luther found out. We have no grudges. Why would you do this to me?¡± Having lost allposure, Jessica set her sights on another designer. The other felt her pleading gaze and took several steps back hastily. ¡°Um, I have some drafts to amend, Jessica. I''ll be heading back to work! Talk soon.¡± ¡°Me too. I have work to do as well. I''m heading back.¡± They were not stupid. The me was a curse to whoever took it over as their own. Even if they survived the ramifications, they would note out in one piece. The monthly sry of a hundred thousand offered by Luther Group is too irresistible to give up to be a scapegoat for that woman. To put it bluntly, it would only be another opportunity for advancement for the designers if Jessica was out of the picture. Many within the design department were hoping for her dismissal. Jessica red at the few who had slipped out of the office, her face contorted with rage. They were my friends who bonded over hating amon enemy. My artificial friends. How despicable, yet amusing. After taking a deep breath to suppress the anger and panic within her, Jessica strode out in her heels. What am I afraid of? She was thest disciple of Eve. Luther Group was forced to at least acknowledge that. Her master had amassed a vast fortune for Luther Group and designed its own brand of clothing for thepany. That was her leverage¡ªthe leverage to save herself. When I return, I will have those b*tches pay their dues. Even if I can''t kick them out of thepany, I''ll make them worthless. As she walked out of the elevator in the lobby on the first floor, arge group of reporters swarmed toward her. ¡°Didn''t you tell us Bailey was in Suite 502 in Century Hotel, Ms. Tanner? Why was Snowke''s disciple, Juliana, in there?¡± ¡°The defendant and the intiff had been such good friends that they stayed together. Do you take us as fools, Ms. Tanner? Did you have fun toying with us?¡± ¡°We won''t let this go if you can''t provide us with an exnation for why you would invent such rumors.¡± ¡°That''s right. You owe us an exnation. Why did you lie to us?¡± Just then, Quentin, the director of the public rtions department, ambled toward Jessica. ¡°Was it really you who had leaked that Ms. Jefferson was in Century Hotel?¡± he asked in a low voice as he frowned at her. Jessica stared back at him, her face pale. ¡°I was taken by nder, too,¡± she answered in a shaky voice. ¡°Somebody had instigated me. Please help me, Mr. Longman. Help me deal with these reporters and keep this from Mr. Luther''s ears. I''m begging you.¡± Quentin studied her with narrowed eyes. ¡°Apologies,¡± he said as he shook his head. ¡°I''m powerless to do so.¡± Chapter 91 Chapter 91 Jessica''s face twitched. Her usually confident and arrogant gaze showed a hint of terror. ¡°I think you should just be honest, or this matter will never be resolved.¡± A sarcastic voice came from the elevators beside them. Victoria had arrived quietly as shezily leaned against the wall. Jessica was so angry that she was trembling. This woman is Bailey''s best friend. How would this matter be easily resolved now that she has gotten involved? Victoria waved her phone before Jessica and smiled. ¡°As Mr. Luther has gone on a site visit and is not at the headquarters today, this matter may not have reached his ears yet. I will call and have him personallye over if you don''t tell the truth.¡± Jessica was speechless. Quentin massaged his brow before walking to Victoria to tug on her arm. ¡°For God''s sake,¡± he muttered, ¡°could you stop stirring up sh*t? Look at how many reporters are here. You''ll ruin the company''s reputation if you carry on with your nonsense.¡± Raising her eyebrows, Victoria snickered. ¡°What does that have to do with me? Thispany isn''t mine, anyway. Artemis should be the one to worry about his reputation. None of this is my concern.¡± Quentin gaped at her, at a loss for words. Growing up with Mr. Luther offers one special privilege. She''s not even afraid of offending Luther Group. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Pointing at Victoria, Jessica fumed, ¡°You''re Bailey''s friend. What right do you have to be speaking here?¡± Victoria chuckled coldly. Is this woman trying to change the subject? That wouldn''t do. I''d promised Bay to teach her a lesson. ¡°Yes, Bailey is my friend, and I''m defending her. You could call it defending a giarizer if it makes you happier. However, there is one thing I must warn you of. Before the trial verdict, you had best watch your filthy mouth and stop yapping false usations.¡± Then, she turned to address the group of reporters. ¡°Under the misguidance of others, this stupid woman has told you that Bailey was in Century Hotel to use you to rattle her. You were just tools used by her for her grudge. A woman with conduct as poor as this is no different from Bailey.¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± Jessica was so furious that her body swayed on the spot. She could not even form proper sentences. Letting out a snort, Victoria remarked, ¡°You wanted headlines, didn''t you? Here''s one¡ª''Colleague Makes A Scene: Luther Group''s Chief Designer Jessica Tanner Jealous Of Bailey Jefferson And Leaked Her Whereabouts To The Press In An Attempt At Sabotage.'' Go back and flesh this story out. I guarantee it will be a hit upon publishing from which you will earn a lot.¡± The crowd of reporters was deathly silent at that promation. This woman truly is a sh*t stirrer! However, the passion with which she defended Bailey impressed Quentin. What a pure and precious friendship they must share topel her to defend her friend to this extent. ¡°That''s an excellent idea, Ms. Saunders. We''ll go back and do a full write-up ording to this draft.¡± ¡°Can we really? We mustn''t carelessly publish news on Luther Group, or we''ll be subjects of awsuit. We were allowed to publish news on Bailey without fear due to her suspension from Luther Group. Before her reinstatement, she is not an employee of thepany. On the other hand, as Ms. Tanner is the chief designer of Luther Group, she falls under the protection of thepany''s legal team.¡± Hearing that, Victoria waved an arm airily. ¡°Don''t worry. Just publish it. I will cover for you if something happens.¡± Though the reporters were still hesitating, they appeared appeased on second thought. They were emboldened by the protection granted by the eldest daughter of the Saunders family, as her family was no less influential than Luther Group. Instead of standing around and aplishing nothing, they would much rather be rolling up their sleeves and writing a killer article. Jessica panicked as she watched the reporters leave like a tide ebbing away. ¡°Stop! Don''t go! I was wrong, okay? I beg you not to report this. It will ruin me. You all will ruin me.¡± As she spoke, she began weeping. Though life was devastating, that was the worst of it. She had even somewhat predicted her ending. It would anger Artemis if the matter were to be leaked. By then, it would not be as simple as losing her source of ie; she would be cklisted by Luther Group and eventually fade into obscurity. Quentin gazed helplessly at Jessica, who was seated on the floor howling. ¡°This is a huge pickle, Ms. Saunders. You should exin it to Mr. Luther. Also, please don''t implicate the public rtions department in this. I worry.¡± ¡°How very brace of you,¡± Victoria spat. At that, she leaned over and whispered, ¡°Hey, this is what Mr. Luther wants. I''m just fanning the mes. Don''t worry. Not only will he not me us, but he will also give us a raise.¡± Quentin was struck dumb with surprise, though he did not quite follow her logic. This woman''s train of thought is weird. I''ve learned something new despite all these years. ¡°Are you saying Mr. Luther has taken an interest in Ms. Bailey and intends to destroy these women for her?¡± Victoria patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Your brains are not beyond redemption. From now on, ignore everything that might happen, and don''t attempt to suppress the matter with the public rtions department of Luther Group. Let things worsen and enjoy the show. Got it?¡± Pursing his lips, Quentin chuckled. ¡°Since you''ve made it this clear, I have a feeling you''d tell me to go eat sh*t if I still don''t get it.¡± It was Victoria''s turn to be rendered speechless. That afternoon, Artemis flung a stack of newspapers onto his curved desk in the CEO''s office of Luther Group. ¡°Exin the contents of these papers, Ms. Tanner,¡± he snapped. Jessica timidly stood in the middle of the office. Her slender body trembling. ¡°I... I¡ª¡± Impatience shed across Artemis'' face. Raising his voice, he interrupted, ¡°Even if Bailey''s actions are despicable, she is a designer under Luther Group''s employ. Before the verdict, nobody has the right to use her of giarizing. How dare you expose her hiding ce to the media and smear Luther Group''s reputation? Do you even consider yourself an employee of thepany?¡± ¡°N-No, that''s not what happened. I¡ª¡± ¡°Enough. You don''t have to exin anything. The facts areid out before us. I''m not an idiot you can manipte. I will not fire you as a gesture of respect to your master, but I will temporarily suspend you of all your duties.¡± Stunned, Jessica gazed at him in disbelief. ¡°Y-You''re revoking me from my position as the chief designer?¡± Artemis red at her for a moment. ¡°I will not revoke your position as the chief designer, though your performance in theing days will determine your reinstation. However, don''t ever dream of bing the lead designer anymore. Learn to serve with humility under another.¡± Serve under another. Jessica''s legs gave way as she slumped down to the floor. Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Depriving her of a chance topete for the lead designer position and advance to the next level in her career, as well as being the subject of people''s gossip was even worse than firing her. Jessica could not ept the oue. ¡°No, you can''t do this to me. You can''t just stop me from bing the lead designer. It''s not fair.¡± Artemis pressed his hands on the desk and said with a smirk, ¡°You want to talk about fairness in front of a capitalist? You must be kidding. You can stay if you want to continue to work for thepany. If not, you''re always free to get the hell out of here. I know you have Eve behind your back, but she has no power to influence my decision.¡± Jessica nched at his words. Get the hell out of here? No way. I''ll never be able to make a name for myself if I leave Luther Group. Of all thepanies around the world, only Luther Group could help her realize her dream. To her, all the otherpanies were nothing but child y. ¡°Fine. I''ll ept your decision.¡± Looking away, Artemis started checking the documents. ¡°Don''t cause trouble anymore. You can''t always expect Eve to get you out of trouble.¡± Meanwhile, Felicity was reading a newspaper in the living hall in the Luther residence. As she was flipping through the pages, she sighed. ¡°What she did was right, but the method she used was wrong. I guess I could still use her, though.¡± Walking up to her, Caridee nced at the newspaper and pouted. ¡°This Bailey is quite scary. Whoever went against her would be unlucky. Look what happened to Rhonda and Janice. Now, even Jessica has fallen from grace. That woman is quite a capable designer. I would have chosen her gown for my coming-of-age ceremony had she not giarized Snowke''s design.¡± Felicity red at Caridee and reprimanded her, ¡°Stop paying so much attention to that copycat. We won''t be able to use her gown anymore since the scandal is all over the news. I''ll get in touch with Jessica and get her to customize another gown for you. I hope this will help her get her position back.¡± Narrowing her eyes, Caridee asked, ¡°You must have an ulterior motive for helping Jessica, right? If I''m not wrong, you want to use her to deal with Bailey, right? Don''t you think the giarism case could take her down?¡± ¡°It''s not that easy.¡± Felicity sighed. ¡°Artemis and your cousin are defending her, and I''m sure they''re nning their next course of action now. The intiff might not win the case. Besides, Artemis is in control of Luther Group, and he has the power to influence the verdict.¡± A hard glint shed across her narrowed eyes. ¡°This is going to be a long, arduous battle. I''ll do what it takes to stop Bailey and her b*stards from entering the Luther or the Chivers family.¡± ¡°That woman is too much. Does she not know where she stands? She already has two children and still dreams of marrying into a wealthy family. Does she think she''s in a fantasy or something?¡± ¡°Women are vain and greedy creatures. We''re born into prestigious families, so we''ll never understand their desire to climb the socialdder.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey was leaning on the couch while ying a game on her phone in a unit on level six inN?velDrama.Org owns all content. Bayview Condominium. Victoria came out of the washroom in her nightgown. ¡°I''ve prepared the clothes for you. I''ve only worn them twice, and you can use them temporarily. I''ll go to the mall tomorrow and buy you some new clothes.¡± Tossing away her phone, Bailey beckoned Victoria over with her finger. ¡°Come here.¡± Victoria narrowed her eyes, sneering, ¡°I can''t give you the pleasure you need, so it''s useless to tease me.¡± What in the world... ¡°You totally crushed Jessica and ruined her future. Are you not afraid that she might take revenge against you?¡± Strolling over, Victoria sat beside her and snorted. ¡°Never. Fear isn''t in my vocabry.¡± ¡°How about Lionel? What if he decides to take revenge against you? Are you not afraid of him?¡± At that, Victoria froze as dead silence ensued. Bailey sat straight up and cupped Victoria''s shoulders with her hands. ¡°Vicky, let''s have a talk about Lionel. Stop running away, okay?¡± ¡°W-Why should we talk about him? Let''s not dwell on the past,¡± Victoria responded to Bailey''s question in a shivering voice. ¡°Look at me.¡± Bailey pulled Victoria over, forcing thetter to look into her eyes. ¡°Look into my eyes and tell me you don''t love that man anymore.¡± ¡°D-Don''t do this to me, Bay.¡± Upon noticing the tears that welled in Victoria''s eyes, Bailey released her friend from her grip. ¡°I have news about Lionel,¡± she informed. ¡°Stop right there.¡± Victoria covered her ears and pleaded with Bailey in a husky voice, ¡°Let''s not talk about him, Bay. We talk about something else, okay?¡± ¡°He''s married.¡± ¡°Stop.¡± ¡°He has a child now.¡± ¡°Bailey, stop it. Stop it!¡± Tears rolled down Victoria''s cheeks. Looking wretched, she continued begging Bailey, ¡°Stop adding salt to my wound, Bay. It hurts like hell.¡± Bailey''s red-rimmed eyes sparkled with tears. She held Victoria up when thetter was about to fall and remarked in a hoarse voice, ¡°He married his wife at Illurasia, and the marriage willst for a hundred years. Their son is seven years old now. He has moved on, Vicky. You should as well.¡± Falling into Bailey''s arms, Victoria started bawling. ¡°I''m still waiting for him. I''m waiting for him to exact his revenge, to marry me. H-How could he marry someone else? Why? How could he forget the love we once had? Is it true that all men are heartless creatures?¡± Tilting her head to prevent the tears from rolling down, Bailey forced a smile. ¡°Men are worse than dogs. Have we not learned this in university? How can you trust the promises men made?¡± ¡°But I love him!¡± Victoria roared. ¡°I love him. I love him very much! He has be a part of me now. That''s why I''m in so much pain. He loved me too, and he promised to bring me to...¡± He promised to bring me to Illurasia to register our marriage. He made that promise. But where''s he now? I lost him. No... he abandoned me. He went to Illurasia with another woman to register their marriage. Their marriage certificate will evenst for a hundred years. ¡°That''s not possible anymore, Vicky. It''s over between you and Lionel the day Mr. Benjamin passed away due to a heart attack. Since the day your father sent him to sleep with his stepmother, it was over between you two. Let''s give up, Vicky. You''re still young and have a life ahead of you. Why cling onto this man?¡± Victoria burst into tears. Bailey embraced her tightly. She could feel the pain and despair Victoria was in. She had avoided mentioning Lionel in front of Victoria in thest few years, but now since she had found out that Lionel was married and had a son, she could not keep this to herself anymore. Chapter 93 Chapter 93 If I don''t advise her, who would? I can''t possibly watch her waste her entire life ahead of her, can I? How could I do that? ¡°No matter how much you love him, the fact is that he had already gotten a family of his own now. Perhaps you could still wish for him toe back to you before this, but from now onward, get rid of all those thoughts. Live your life to the fullest, okay? You can''t just give up on your life just because someone leaves you. That''s not how the world works. Of course, if you still decide to take your own life after this, I won''t stop you. You''re an adult, so you have to be responsible for your own actions. However, who''s going to suffer if you die? Lionel has had his fair share of heartbreak. Do you want him to feel guilty for the rest of his life?¡± Bailey was blunt and direct with her words. However, her honesty was something Victoria needed the most at that moment. Victoria then lifted her head from Bailey''s embrace. Her face was still smudged with tears, but she had already stopped crying. ¡°Bring me back to my room. I''m so tired, and I need a good sleep.¡± Bailey smiled. This is the Victoria I know. She''s strong, and she knows how to keep her emotions in check. Hopefully, she''ll be able to walk away from that dark past of hers. No matter how long she takes. Be it a couple of years or a decade, at least now there''s hope. The following morning, Bailey received a notification from the court telling her that the trial would begin in three days'' time. There, the court would decide if she hadmitted giarism. She replied: I''ll be there on time. Felicity had taken Zayron''s blood samples from police registries and given them to the medical teams working for Luther Group. In the end, she was infuriated by the results she had gotten. All the results show that Edmund is the biological father of that b*stard child! This must be Artemis'' doing! He used his position as the head of Luther Group and ordered all the medical teams toe to the same conclusion, saying those two are biologically connected. Bang! Crash! Thud! Smashing sounds rang throughout every corner of the living room. Felicity was so angry that she smashed everything on top of the coffee table. ¡°What a treacherous son! What a treacherous son!¡± Caridee quickly approached her and patted her back. ¡°Mom, calm down! You have to take care of your health.¡± With her trembling fingers, Felicity pointed at the reports on the ground and gritted her teeth. ¡°Those eight reports have the same set of serial numbers! How ridiculous is that? Because of that woman with a bad reputation, my son is publicly challenging me! How am I supposed to calm down? Why should I?¡± Caridee pursed her lips and pondered for a while. ¡°Mom, I don''t think it''s nice to kick someone when they''re down. Bailey haswsuits to deal with now. We really shouldn''t make things worse for her. The others will call us¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Felicity roared. ¡°Bailey hasmitted giarism, and she had nearly ruined your reputation. You''re the victim here! Why are you backing her up? Have you been captivated by her charm as well?¡± Caridee felt rather helpless. ¡°Mom, I''ve never interacted with her. Why would I be captivated by her? It''s just that I know Artemis and Edmund are protecting her. If you don''t let it go, you might tear the family apart.¡± ¡°That''s a risk I''m willing to take to chase that woman out of Hallsbay! She must leave so that we can protect the Luther family and the Chivers family''s bloodlines. If either one of them marries this woman, someone else will have control over the family. How could I let that happen?¡± ¡°Okay. Fine. I know you have your concerns, but Artemis and Edmund are set in their ways, too. Since Artemis doesn''t want you to make an article about the paternity test, why don''t you just put it aside temporarily? You can do that in the future. Why must you have a fallout with him just because of this conflict?¡± Felicity narrowed her eyes and thought about it for a while. With a nod, she said, ¡°You''re right. Since this matter''s not going anywhere, I''ll just put it aside for a while. If Bailey doesn''t end up in jail, I''ll bring this up again. In a way, I''m hedging my bets.¡± Caridee heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. Atst, she managed to calm Felicity down. She wasn''t feeling bad for Bailey. Instead, she just didn''t want to see her mother and brother having a fallout. Meanwhile, in the CEO office of Luther Group, Dwayne opened the door, walked in, and said, ¡°Mr. Luther, the court had set a date for trial.¡± ¡°When is it?¡± Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°In three days'' time. Ms. Jefferson hasn''t done anything else. In fact, she hasn''t even employed a defense attorney. What is she up to?¡± Artemis smiled and yed with the pen in his hand. A mysterious glint appeared in his eyes when he uttered, ¡°We don''t even know if a trial can be held. Why would she need a defense attorney?¡± ¡°What?¡± Dwayne was confused. He frowned and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Artemis waved his hand in dismissal and answered, ¡°You don''t have to know about that. I told you to get Simon back to Hallsbay, right? What did he say?¡± You don''t want to tell me? Fine. In three days'' time, I''ll be at the court and see for myself. I would like to see what Ms. Bailey has up her sleeves. Dwayne answered, ¡°He said he needs to go over to Old Mr. Chivers'' and bring him to Hallsbay as well.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly and furrowed his brows. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers ising back as well?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes and answered, ¡°Since your sister is his granddaughter, he said he has toe back. Besides, Caridee is the only girl in her generation. It''s only natural that Old Mr. Chivers dotes on her.¡± ¡°Noted. Go and arrange a private ne for them. Also, send a medical team there. Old Mr. Chivers has health issues, so I''m worried something might happen. He''s an old man, so we need to take care of him,¡± Artemis ordered. In the study of the Chivers mansion, Gwendolyn advised, ¡°I''ve already called Father, and he said he''s coming to Hallsbay in a couple of days'' time. If he doesn''t stop Ed from pursuing Bay, you shouldn''t either, okay? Just let Ed be. Otherwise, you''re going to have a fallout with your son.¡± Yoel had just calmed himself down, and he got pissed again when he heard that. ¡°Are you saying that I''m overreacting? Isn''t he your son as well? Do you really want him to marry a woman with two kids? What if she doesn''t want to give birth anymore after this? Is Edmund going to let her son be the heir of Chivers Group? Our family has a few centuries of history. Do you want the family toe to an end in his generation?¡± Gwendolyn sighed and uttered patiently, ¡°That''s just your assumption. I think she''s a smartdy, and she knows what''s best. If she marries into the Chivers family, I think she''s going to have a child with Ed.¡± ¡°What if she doesn''t want to? Are you going to force her?¡± Chapter 94 Chapter 94 Gwendolyn was stumped for words. After keeping mum for a while, she chuckled softly and said, ¡°If she really doesn''t want to give birth to a child for the Chivers family, you can just get a nephew of yours to take over the family business. Why should you end your son''s dreams of being with someone he loves?¡± Yoel jumped off the couch and red at her. ¡°What ame idea! No! I''ll never let Edmund marry that woman. Stop persuading me, will you? If you want, put your energy into persuading him to give up on being with her.¡± Gwendolyn shook her head and uttered softly, ¡°I don''t want to have a fallout with my son. Unlike you, I cherish the rtionship we have. I''ve already spent so much time and effort raising him. I don''t want to watch him suffer because of romance. That''s not a nice feeling.¡± Her words were seemingly implying something. Back then, that was what happened to her. Yoel was taken aback. Through his gritted teeth, he said, ¡°We''re talking about our son here. Don''t try to be sarcastic, okay?¡± Gwendolyn smiled wryly and lowered her head. No one knew what was on her mind, but she was exuding an air of mncholy, and there was tension in the air. Yoel scratched his head and said in annoyance, ¡°Okay. Fine. You win. Let''s not talk about whether she would be willing to give the Chivers family a child. Would you be able to ept her for her involvement in giarism? We''re both art enthusiasts, no? One of us is a pianist, while the other is into art and literature. We take copyrights seriously. If she had giarized someone''s work tantly, she''s a person with questionable moral standards. How could she be the matriarch of the Chivers family?¡± Gwendolyn furrowed her brows. She had asked Edmund about it before, and Edmund told her to believe in Bailey. Surely, it''s just a misunderstanding. ¡°There''s a trial in a few days'' time, and we''ll know if she had giarized someone''s work. If she is found not guilty, your hatred toward her will be unjustified,¡± she answered. Yoel gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Fine! If she didn''t giarize Snowke''s work, I''ll take a step back and let Edmund be with her. Once she has agreed to give the Chivers family a child, I''ll take another step back and let her marry into the Chivers family.¡± Hearing that, Gwendolyn let out a sigh of relief. Needless to say, it wasn''t easy getting her husband to compromise. Let''s just hope everything develops smoothly. Three dayster, the trial for Bailey giarizing Snowke''s work was about to take ce. People from all walks of life were there, and the scene was filled with reporters. The people who were allowed to enter were people of status and power. The rest could only wait outside. Based on the principle of fairness and impartiality, the court unanimously decided to live stream the entire court session so that people from all walks of life could observe it. Meanwhile, Felicity was having a conversation with the intiff''s attorney in the lounge. ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Luther. As long as Mr. Luther stays out of thiswsuit, we''ll surely win. As for the sentence, that''ll depend on Ms. Stone. After all, her mentor is an internationally-respected figure. If she were to use the influence she has internationally, the court will most probably deliver their judgment based on her suggestion,¡± the attorney said. Felicity nodded and shifted her gaze toward a middle-aged man standing nearby. ¡°Are you sure Artemis didn''t contact any attorneys, and he didn''t put pressure on the court?¡± The middle-aged man shook his head and answered firmly, ¡°No. Mr. Luther hasn''t done anything of such in the past few days. In fact, he didn''t even consult with Luther Group''s legal department. He doesn''t seem like he''s protecting Ms. Bailey.¡± Felicity chuckled coldly in response. ¡°He trusts this woman a lot, doesn''t he? Based on what, though? Or could it be that the woman had told him something to gain his trust?¡± The attorney then chimed in, ¡°In my opinion, I think Mr. Luther knows she had indeedmitted giarism, so he knows there''s no need to fight it. He could put pressure on the judiciary, but that would destroy his reputation. If he does that, everyone''s going to know that he''s protecting Bailey. Why should he risk Luther Group''s reputation and credibility for a woman who''s under the spotlight? It''s not worth it.¡± ¡°Well, if that''s the case, he has finally gotten smart.¡± Felicity''s expression softened. She thought Artemis would put pressure on the court, so she had gotten prepared to counter whatever that wasing her way. Hence, she was pleased when she found out that he hadn''t done anything. It seems like he still has his rationality intact. He knows he''s a man with responsibilities, so he shouldn''t act impulsively. ¡°Okay. I''m counting on you to finish the job, Mr. Yoder,¡± Felicity uttered. ¡°Thank you for your trust, Mrs. Luther. Don''t worry. I''ll try my best to achieve the best oue for you,¡± Matthew Yoder answered. Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay. If you win this, ruin that woman for good, so she''ll never be able to set foot in the design industry again. Once you''ve done that, I''ll get you to join the legal team of Luther Group.¡± Matthew was left pleasantly surprised. Bing an attorney for Luther Group? That''s a dreame true! ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther,¡± Matthew uttered. The courtroom was packed for the trial. Beatrice, Rhonda, Jessica, Janice, and all the people who wanted Bailey in jail were seated in the front. Jessica shook Rhonda''s hand and smiled. ¡°Here''s to a fruitful coboration. Although we had a hup prior to this, everything seems to have worked out for us.¡± Rhonda grinned and answered, ¡°This is a collective win. Don''t worry, I''ll find a way to help you get your job back. Without Bailey, you''ll surely be the lead designer at the headquarters.¡± The corner of Jessica''s lips twitched. When will I ever be the lead designer? This is all your fault, Bailey. Because of you, I''ll never be what I want to be. ¡°Bailey should be here soon. I''ll go and meet her.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± After watching her leave, Rhonda sneered, ¡°She has big breasts, but she has no brains, does she? She has a ridiculous sense of superiority just because she''s Eve''s disciple. She should count herself lucky that she isn''t interested in Artemis. Otherwise, why would I keep her around till now?¡± Beatrice reached out her hand to pat Rhonda''s back. ¡°It''s not such a bad idea to keep her around. At least we can annoy that b*tch, Bailey.¡± Rhonda retracted her gaze and gritted her teeth. ¡°If the trial doesn''t go our way, we''ll have to keep thinking of ways to bring her down. I hope everything goes smoothly today because I''m so sick of Bailey. I can''t wait to see that b*tch leaving Hallsbay. She should run as far away from here as she can.¡± ¡°Things will go our way today.¡± Beatrice shed a cunning smile. ¡°Before I came here, I had already talked to my friend who''s working at the courthouse. She told me Artemis hadn''t looked for a team of attorneys to help Bailey. Besides, he hadn''t tried to put pressure on the court. This trial is surely going the intiff''s way. To be honest, I''m sure everyone knows Bailey hadmitted giarism. No matter how capable Artemis is, he wouldn''t dare to protect her openly.¡± ¡°Is that true? He didn''t do anything to help her? Is he just hanging her out to dry?¡± Chapter 95 Chapter 95 ¡°Just in case the trial doesn''t go our way, we still have a trick up our sleeves, don''t we?¡± Rhonda cocked her brow and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org. Beatrice smiled, and a frosty glint shed across her eyes. ¡°If we expose the paternity test, we''ll surely be able to put her under the spotlight again. In order to seek connections with a prominent family, she faked a paternity test to fool the Chivers family, and she tried to mess up the Chivers family''s bloodline. That''s enough to give her hell.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey and Victoria had just arrived at the entrance of the court in a taxi. Before getting out of the car, Victoria held Bailey''s hand and smiled. ¡°I know you have another trick up your sleeves, so I never bothered asking you about it. Even if you failed to win thewsuit and you can''t stay in the country, we can go abroad. If you can''t stay in the design industry, there are other industries to develop in.¡± Bailey patted her shoulder and said humorously, ¡°Don''t worry. Keep mepany today, and you''ll see how everything is going to go our way.¡± Victoria was rendered speechless. Indeed, there was a hidden meaning behind those words. As soon as the car door opened, cameras shed, and there were countless reporters surrounding them. Victoria got out of the car first before reaching out her hand to help Bailey out of the car. Right then, those reporters were about to throw questions at them. Victoria threw a sharp nce at them and said casually, ¡°Four days ago, I let you guys report about how Jessica had leaked Bailey''s whereabouts and even imed that I would bear the consequences for you guys. I did my part, and you guys ended up making a lot of money. Show me some respect today, okay? Before a verdict is reached, don''t make things difficult for my friend.¡± The reporters looked at each other in response. We can''t afford to mess with Ms. Saunders. Although the Saunders family isn''t as powerful as the Luther family, the family is still a business giant in Hallsbay. If we offend her, our lives are bound to be difficult in Hallsbay. ¡°Okay. Out of respect for Ms. Saunders, the Metropolitan News will let Ms. Jefferson through. However, please don''t stop us when we try to ask her questions after a verdict is reached.¡± ¡°Great! I agree,¡± Victoria answered. The rest of the reporters nced at each other and let thedies through reluctantly. Bailey smiled subtly and said, ¡°It seems like you''ve given them hell throughout the years. It takes a lot to keep these reporters at bay.¡± Victoria scoffed. ¡°That''s why I think I should work in the public rtions department. However, Quentin disapproved of it. He said I''m fierce, so I should work in the HR department. He told me I could control hundreds of thousands of the employees Luther Group has. I''m not even a decision-maker! How am I supposed to do that?¡± Bailey smiled and teased, ¡°Although you''re not a decision-maker, you have the power to fire them.¡± Victoria kept mum in response. Well, that''s true! As they were walking up the stairs, they bumped into Jessica, who was walking out. Before Jessica could say a word, Bailey asked, ¡°Why are you here, Ms. Tanner? Has the trial ended? How did it go? Did the court say I''m innocent?¡± Innocent? Jessica was utterly infuriated, and she clenched her teeth. ¡°B*tch! You''ve copied my master''s work! How shameless are you to call yourself innocent?¡± The night before, Jessica''s mentor called and told her that Snowke was a disciple of her grandmaster. Hence, she was meant to address Snowke as her master. Therefore, Juliana would be her junior. Besides, her mentor also urged her to protect Snowke''s work at all costs so that the person who had committed giarism would be brought to justice. Bailey raised her brows. Master? Ha! So this woman knows Snowke and Eve share the same mentor? Interesting! I''ll make her eat her words! ¡°Nice meeting you, my disciple. I''m sorry, but I didn''t prepare any gifts for you. Hence, you might''ve wasted your breaths,¡± Bailey answered. As her master, I think I''ve already given her a hint of what''s to come. If she doesn''t get it, she can''t me me for the humiliation she''s about to feel. Upon hearing those words, Victoria looked puzzled, and she kept sizing Bailey up. Could she be... F*ck! So that''s the truth! Jessica wasn''t as bright as Victoria. Therefore, she was pissed off when Bailey addressed her so. ¡°B*tch! How are you so shameless? My master is Snowke! She''s my master! You''re a disgrace!¡± Bailey smiled, and she didn''t want to entertain her any longer. ¡°The trial is about to start. I''ll be off now.¡± Jessica got in her way and scolded, ¡°I''m going to sue you on behalf of my master! Even if you were to win thiswsuit, there''ll be morewsuits toe! With my junior, Juliana, we''ll bring you down!¡± The corners of Bailey''s lips twitched. Did she say Juliana is her junior? If Juliana hears that, I bet she''s going to feel utterly disgusted. ¡°It''s not that I''m looking down on you, but even if you could get Snowke toe today, the court will still find me innocent,¡± Bailey answered. ¡°Y-You...¡± Victoria shoved Jessica aside and said to Bailey, ¡°This way, Big Shot.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but giggle. ¡°I knew it! Some people are smart, and some are just dull. Their ability to process things is different! At least you caught it, Vicky.¡± Victoria linked arms with her friend and chuckled. ¡°Quick! Let me be your simp and get some attention.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. This girl is going crazy again. Bailey and Victoria caused a stir the moment they entered the courtroom. One of the bailiffs approached Bailey and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, the trial is about to start. Could you submit your defense attorney''s information?¡± Bailey froze momentarily before she held her forehead and let out a sigh. ¡°I don''t have money for an attorney, so there''s no need for that. Throughout the trial, just let the intiff''s attorney make all the statements. I''ll ept whatever decision willingly.¡± The bailiff was stunned. Hearing that, the crowd voiced their opinions. One of them said, ¡°What the f*ck? This woman is arrogant and insolent, isn''t she? The trial is about to start, and she''s still so fearless. What right does she have to act this way?¡± ¡°Who knows? At this point, I think the trial is unnecessary. The judge should just find her guilty of giarism and lock her up for a few years. She''s just a shameless and arrogant copycat! Why does she need to have rights to a fair trial?¡± In one of the corners, there was a bearded old man. He was eighty, but he had sharp and bright eyes. Next to him, a man in his mid-twenties waszing on the bench. While scratching the back of his head puzzledly, he asked, ¡°Granddad, it''s so rare for us to be able toe here. Instead of going home, why would you want toe to the court? It''s just a copycat. She''ll pay her fines and serve her sentence. What''s there to see? Let''s go, shall we?¡± Glen pointed at Bailey and uttered in a croaky yet affectionate tone, ¡°I like that young woman.¡± ¡°What?¡± Simon almost jumped up from his seat. With a shocked expression, he said, ¡°G-Granddad, s- she''s a bit too young for you, no?¡± Chapter 96 Chapter 96 Glen''s wife had passed away, so the others had been urging Glen to find someone to keep him company so that he didn''t need to spend the rest of his life alone. However, no one could ept it if he were to find a wife who was in her twenties. Simon continued, ¡°Find yourself a woman in her forties or fifties, okay? In that case, we might be able to ept her. T-That woman is in her twenties! If you marry her, that''s uneptable!¡± A trace of anger shed across Glen''s wrinkled old face. He then reached out his hand and smacked the back of Simon''s head. ¡°Idiot! What are you on about?¡± Simon instinctively tried to dodge it, but he failed. After getting smacked, Simon pursed his lips and asked, ¡°Didn''t you say you like her? What did you mean by that, then?¡± Glen scoffed and said, ¡°Only you would think of it that way! I said I like her, but couldn''t that mean I want her to marry one of my grandsons?¡± ¡°I don''t want her.¡± Simon became emotional again. ¡°That woman has a bad reputation, so I wouldn''t want to marry her. Granddad, I''m your grandson, okay? Why would you do that to me?¡± Glen red at him and sneered, ¡°Who said I want her to be your wife? Stop being delusional, will you? I mean Artemis and Edmund.¡± Simon was stumped. Granddad is mean, all right. ¡°Artemis won''t ept it. He''s into this woman''s sister. As for Edmund, there''s a chance. Everyone says her son is of the Chivers family''s bloodline, right? Who knows? Thanks to her son, she might end up being the next matriarch of the Chivers family,¡± Simon said. Glen''s eyeballs darted around. At that moment, a mysterious glint shed across his eyes. Things could be blurry now. However, once the dust has settled, everything''s going to be different. Half an hourter, the trial started as scheduled. The judge, attorneys, defendant, and the crowd were all there except for the intiff. ¡°What''s going on? Why is Juliana not here yet?¡± ¡°Exactly! She''s the one who submitted the im. How could she be absent?¡± ¡°Did Luther Group threaten her? Is that why she''s too scared to appear in court?¡± ¡°Hey! Watch what you say. You might get in trouble for that.¡± ¡°I''m spitting facts! If Luther Group''s CEO really wants to protect Bailey the copycat, who in the country would dare to challenge him?¡± Whispers started abounding in the courtroom. The judge banged the gavel and turned toward the intiff''s attorney. ¡°Attorney for the intiff, when will your client be able to arrive? If she''ste, we can onlye to the conclusion that she has voluntarily given up the trial. All the allegations are voided, and the defendant wins.¡± Matthew was starting to panic. Since half an hour prior, he had been calling Juliana more than fifty times. However, the automated responses told him that she was not in the service area. ¡°I think she''s just caught up in something. Please wait for a few minutes, Your Honor,¡± Matthew said. ¡°Okay, this case is of the utmost importance, and now it has be an international issue. We will give it another five minutes. If the intiff does not show up after five minutes, then we can only dere the trial to be invalid, and Ms. Jefferson will not be guilty of giarism.¡± Matthew wiped the beads of sweat off of his forehead and rang Juliana again. This time around, not only was Juliana''s phone out of service, but she had also switched off her phone. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Matthew had turned on the speaker, so everyone heard it. Did she switch off her phone? ¡°What the f*ck? Is Juliana really not going to show up in court?¡± ¡°If the intiff isn''t here, how is the trial going to carry on?¡± ¡°What a blunder! We''ve alle to support her, and she bailed?¡± ¡°F*ck! What the hell is going on here?¡± In the spectator area, Felicity''s expression was turning grim by the second. I''ve prevented Artemis and Edmund from helping that b*tch find an attorney. I''ve also prevented them from putting pressure on the court. However, I forgot to prevent them from getting Juliana to not appear in court! Sh*t! This is utter sh*t! As time ticked by,ments from the crowd were getting louder and louder. ¡°No wonder that woman was acting so brazenly! Juliana had been prevented from appearing in court! Without the intiff, there''ll be no trial.¡± ¡°How despicable! Is no one able to stop that woman?¡± ¡°Judging by the current situation, I think it''s safe to say that she''s untouchable. Bailey is a designer Luther Group had employed. If she loses this trial, Luther Group''s reputation is going to get affected. There''s no way Mr. Luther would let that happen!¡± In the spectator area, Beatrice and Rhonda looked grim as well. Nice one, Bailey! You''ve resorted to using such a despicable way to not let the trial go on. How shameless can you be? ¡°Time''s up. Attorney for the intiff, your client didn''t show up on time, so we can only assume she has withdrawn her im. Do you have any objections?¡± the judge asked. At that point, Matthew''s face had already turned pale. He then turned to look at Felicity. Upon seeing how grim her expression was, he didn''t dare to say anything else. Through his gritted teeth, he said, ¡°No objections.¡± The judge banged the gavel and announced, ¡°Regarding the giarism case which Bailey Jefferson had allegedlymitted, the intiff had failed¡ª¡± ¡°Wait!¡± A sharp voice was hearding from the spectator area. Jessica was seen standing up, and she nodded slightly at the judge. ¡°Your Honor, Juliana is just Snowke''s representative. Since she had failed to show up, I think we can just get another representative. This trial has gotten attention internationally, and the whole world is watching. I think it''s too impetuous to just let the trial end this way.¡± Jessica then raised her brows and looked at Bailey sternly. In a mocking tone, she continued, ¡°If we let her go free today, she''s going to get out of control tomorrow!¡± ¡°She''s right! I agree with Ms. Tanner. This case is of great importance. We can''t let it end this way!¡± ¡°I agree with her view as well!¡± ¡°Count us in!¡± ¡°Wait. Apart from Juliana, where can we find another representative? Snowke''s social circle has been hidden all this while. Except for her disciple, Juliana, we don''t know any of her friends or family members.¡± Jessica shed a smile and walked toward the intiff''s bench in her high heels. She stood in front of Matthew and smiled. ¡°Snowke shares the same mentor as my master. Hence, I can be considered Snowke''s disciple as well. Mr. Yoder, since Snowke is also my master, will I be able to represent her?¡± Her words caused an uproar among the crowd. Jessica''s words hit everyone in the courtroom like a bolt of lightning, and everyone abruptly turned toward her. Matthew was stunned for a few seconds as well. When he came back to his senses, he was thrilled. It didn''t matter who was the representative. The question was whether he could deliver the verdict he had promised Felicity. Chapter 97 Chapter 97 Juliana didn''t show up. Initially, the case would be dropped, and Jessica''s future would be ruined. However, now that Jessica imed to be Snowke''s disciple and said that she wanted to file awsuit on behalf of her mentor, it was like a lifesaver to her. As long as she seized the opportunity, she would have a bright future. ¡°A-Are you really Snowke''s disciple?¡± Jessica smiled as she took out her phone and showed something that could prove her identity. ¡°My master sent me this document. She said that Snowke wrote this rmendation letter when she requested to be a disciple of my grandmaster, Cedric Gadzinski. Everyone knows that my grandmaster is the famous Grandmaster Gadzinski. Snowke''s rmendation letter is enough to prove my rtionship with her.¡± Matthew hurriedly took the phone from her and read the document closely. After that, he announced in a clear voice, ¡°Your Honor, this document proves that Ms. Tanner is Snowke''s disciple, so she has the right to file thewsuit on Snowke''s behalf.¡± However, the judge shook his head and replied sternly, ¡°First, we still have to investigate her identity. Second, if she wishes to file awsuit on Snowke''s behalf, thetter has to give her that authorization first. I only agreed to it earlier because Snowke''s certificate and trophy that Ms. Stone brought are credible. On the other hand, Ms. Tanner didn''t provide anything that gave her the proof of any authorization, so she can''t be Snowke''s authorized party.¡± Matthew thought about it and decided to resort to pressure from public opinion. ¡°It''s been days since the case about Bailey''s giarism began. The public''s eyes are focused on the trial. In my opinion, the most important thing is the case itself. Your Honor, I hope you can consider it as appropriate and conclude this trial as soon as possible to appease the public.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± Felicity stood up and smiled. ¡°I''m sure there must be a hidden reason behind why we can''t contact Ms. Stone. Besides, everyone must be guessing if Luther Group has stopped her froming to the court, but I''m sorry to disappoint you that Luther Group will not be the scapegoat. Therefore, we must call the court to order today to prove the Luther family''s innocence.¡± Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. She said it in a way that made her sound virtuous. It was as if she wasn''t involved in sabotaging Bailey. That being said, her statement was intimidating, so the judge hesitated. It couldn''t be helped. After all, Snowke was too famous. After it was revealed that she was Cedric''s disciple, her international status was raised. Now that her famous work was giarized, the matter had shook the entire world. Right when both parties were caught up in a stalemate, a staff present leaned closer to the judge and whispered, ¡°The superiors said that the impact of the giarism case is too serious and involves too many people, including the royalty from Adrune. Therefore, they''ve decided that the trial must be concluded today, or the matter will get even more troublesome if it involves the high court or the international tribunal.¡± The judge instantly pulled himself together and cleared his throat. ¡°Taking into consideration the major impact of this case, we have decided to call the court to order as nned.¡± With that, everyone let out a relieved breath and looked toward the defendant. ¡°So what if someone was pulling the strings from behind and stopping Ms. Stone from attending? The good always triumphs over the evil.¡± ¡°Let''s not waste our time talking about a woman like her. Before this, all we knew was that Snowke is a top figure in the design industry. We didn''t even know that she is Old Mr. Gadzinski''s disciple. Now that the truth is revealed, that woman is definitely doomed since she has offended the entire Gadzinski n. Her life is ruined.¡± ¡°As expected of my role model! Snowke is the designer that I admire the most! Who would''ve thought that she''s Old Mr. Gadzinski''s disciple? Whoa! I''m so excited!¡± ¡°I hope I can meet Ms. Snowke when I''m still alive! She''s our role model! I can''t believe she keeps such a low profile that no one knows she''s Master Gadzinski''s disciple!¡± ¡°Inparison, that shameless copycat, Bailey, is even more disgusting! How could she giarize the work of Master Gadzinski''s disciple? She should''ve just copied Master Gadzinski''s work instead. She''ll get famous more easily!¡± Victoria couldn''t stand listening to them anymore and was about to jump up from her seat. Bailey, however, winked at her and smiled. ¡°Do you want to see them eat their words in a while? If you do, then don''t stop them. They''re mocking me right now, but I''ll pay them back one by er! You''ll definitely enjoy it.¡± Victoriaughed out loud. When did this girl be so mischievous? But,e to think of it, what she said makes sense. These people want to see her get thrown into jail, don''t they? They even thought so highly of Snowke. It''s going to be interesting when they find out. Bailey raised her eyebrows at the intiff''s bench and smiled. ¡°Ms. Tanner, since you''re Snowke''s disciple, I''ll ept this mandate. Instead of returning to the hearing bench, you should stay there.¡± Jessica''s pretty face contorted with anger, and hatred filled her eyes. She almost couldn''t wait to y Bailey alive and grind her bones into dust. Oh well. There''s no rush. I''ll send her into jail myself soon! Once she''s in prison, I''ll bribe a few people to make her life inside a living hell. In the corner, Simon nudged Glen''s arm curiously. ¡°Granddad, do you know what''s going on? Why do I feel that the situation''s strange?¡± Glen stroked his beard and scoffed, ¡°It''s so obvious! Serves her right to be fooled around by Bailey. Your mother''s getting increasingly senile by the day. You''re smarter than she is. Brat, you''d better not get your hopes up, or you''ll be in for a huge disappointment!¡± This old man is getting increasingly indecent. Since Bailey didn''t have a defensewyer, the intiff was the one to tell the entire story. One hour had passed. Undeniably, thewyer that Felicity hired was excellent. Everything single word he said was justified without any loose ends. With the evidence provided, anyone could tell the simrity between the two works. Matthew lifted his head to look at Bailey while smiling. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you have anything to say now that I''ve submitted all the information and you''ve seen them?¡± Bailey''s lips curled into a smile. Sheplimented, ¡°As expected, you''re really a top-notchwyer, the best in your field! But I''m sorry to say that I still can''t admit to giarism.¡± Before Matthew could speak, Jessica snapped, ¡°Bailey Jefferson, just how shameless are you? The evidence is right there! How can you still deny it? Why are you so despicable?¡± ¡°Silence. It''s the defendant''s turn to defend herself. The intiff is not allowed to speak,¡± the judge said strictly. Fury swelled within Jessica, but she suppressed it temporarily. I''ll wait. There''s no way Bailey can turn the situation around in front of the crowd. Bailey looked at the judge and said while smiling, ¡°Your Honor, the works do resemble one another, but that''s only because both of them are designed by the same person. It''s a habit that can''t be changed. Does this mean that just because I designed that work, I can''t use the same idea to design my other works after four years?¡± Chapter 98 Chapter 98 What? The crowd was stunned speechless. What does that woman mean? What does she mean by ¡°designed by the same person?¡± What is she trying to say? Obviously, the judge wasn''t able to react promptly, too. He knitted his brows and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, can you please speak in a more straightforward manner?¡± Bailey pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. ¡°It might get even moreplicated if I carry on. Anyway, I didn''t copy the design. Even if all of you think my design is simr to the work from four years ago, you can''t judge me for giarism or sentence me for being guilty of it because the copyright is in my possession.¡± I''d better not reveal my identity as Snowke for now to avoid the public''s rage. If I tell the entire world that I''m Snowke, most of them might have a heart attack. However, even if she didn''t directly expose her identity, some people understood what she meant. For instance, Matthew did. He widened his eyes and stared at Bailey in disbelief while trembling uncontrobly. ¡°Because the copyright is in my hands.¡± I''ve been awyer for decades. How could I not understand what she meant? She''s saying that she''s the original designer, so there''s no giarism involved! To put it more simply, the work that was designed four years ago and the work designed this year both belong to her. She merely added new touches to her old design! If she continues to be more straightforward, she''d have to say that Snowke and Bailey Jefferson are the same person, and the copycat is actually the original designer. In that case, there''s no defendant in thiswsuit at all. Hahaha! This is outrageous! It''s utterly preposterous! I''ve been shrewd for decades. I can''t believe I''ll do something as dumb as this. My reputation and prestige that I''ve upheld for decades will be destroyed. The judge was taken aback when he heard what the woman said. So, she''s Snowke. That''s why she''s so fearless andposed in court. However, she didn''t reveal her identity, so I have to reach a verdict. The two are separate and different matters. It''s up to her whether she wishes to file awsuit as Snowke after a verdict is given. When everyone still hadn''t recovered from the shock, the judge hit the gavel and announced that the design was giarized in terms of thew since both designs looked identical. Of course, he wasn''t that dumb to say that Bailey giarized herself. Instead, he was only talking about the design. With that, he hedged his bets. Those who still hadn''t understood Bailey''s words jumped out of their chairs joyfully after hearing the judge''s decision. ¡°Amazing! That''s more like it!¡± Jessica''s pretty face was distorted out of excitement. She almost jumped and screamed out of delight. Yes! The court has convicted that b*tch Baily for giarizing! Hahaha! N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. She grabbed Matthew''s arm excitedly and said in a trembling voice, ¡°T-Thank you, Mr. Yoder! I''m really grateful for your help! If it hadn''t been for your help, the copycat wouldn''t have been thrown into jail!¡± Matthew''s face paled at that as his lips trembled slightly. He wanted to say something, but there seemed to be a lump in his throat that stopped him from uttering any word. She''s an idiot! Aplete idiot! Bailey has made herself clear, and yet she still doesn''t get it. Serves her right to be humiliated in front of the public. Beatrice, Rhonda, and Felicity had joyful expressions on their faces, too. That b*tch is finally defeated for good! Next, it''s time to send her off to prison for a few years. They were eager, but not as eager as Jessica. ¡°Your Honor, since it''s decided that Bailey hasmitted the crime of giarizing, isn''t it time to sentence her?¡± The judge nodded slightly and said indifferently, ¡°Ms. Jefferson mentioned that she owns the copyright, so I only convicted her work as giarism. That doesn''t mean she should be sentenced for giarism.¡± Jessica was confused by what the judge said. She frowned and questioned, ¡°Isn''t it the same thing? I don''t understand what you mean. Could you please exin more clearly?¡± The judge ignored her and looked at Bailey. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you mentioned copyright and imed that both designs are your works, but you haven''t given me any valid evidence. Therefore, I can only reach a verdict that the work is giarized. If you have any objections, feel free to file awsuit at the high court.¡± Bailey smiled and said nothing. She was waiting for Jessica and everyone else''s reaction. We still haven''t reached the climax of this farce yet. Finally, Jessica realized what Bailey meant. She stared at Bailey for a while before bursting out in laughter. ¡°Both works are designed by her? Haha! What does she mean by that? Is she shamelessly saying that she''s Snowke?¡± Bailey raised her brows evilly and put on a half-smile. ¡°Don''t the artworks look simr? If I tell you I''m Snowke, how pissed will you be?¡± Before Jessica could respond, Rhonda, sitting in the hearing area, jumped out of her seat andughed. ¡°You didn''t even graduate from high school. You''re just a useless person. How dare you im to be Snowke? How ridiculous! Master Gadzinski is a famous grandmaster! Why would he ept you, a person who doesn''t have any educational background and qualifications but with a bad reputation, as his disciple? You''d better stop, or everyone will get a stomachache fromughing too much.¡± The moment Rhonda finished her sentence, everyoneughed. They shot looks of disdain, ridicule, disgust, and contempt at Bailey. They probably thought that Bailey had gone mad after losing the court case, or she might''ve gone mad because Luther Group didn''t show up as they had promised her, leaving her alone to deal with the lawsuit. ¡°That woman''s gone mad! Send her to the psychiatric hospital instead of the prison to get her mind treated.¡± ¡°That''s right! Let''s start a fundraiser to send her to the psychiatric hospital.¡± Right when Victoria was about to speak up, a clear female voice rang out from the entrance. ¡°I''m sorry! I went for a pic in the countryside yesterday. It was pouring heavily, so I was stuck in a traffic jam. I think I''m only an hour and a halfte. The court hasn''t started yet, right?¡± What does she mean by only beingte for an hour and a half? So, one hour and thirty minutes is a short time for her? D*mn it. I''ve never seen such an unreliable intiff. The trial result is already out, yet she, as a intiff, waste. Instead of panicking, she looks rxed as if she''s hanging out in her own garden! Seeing that Juliana had arrived, Jessica quickly ran up to thetter and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Juliana, my dear junior! The trial result is out. The court sentenced Bailey for giarism, but that shameless b*tch pretends to be your master. You''re here at the right time. Hurry up and expose her so that she''ll go to prison!¡± Junior? Goosebumps crept all over Juliana''s body. Chapter 99 Chapter 99 What? When did I be this pretentious b*tch''s junior? Did Master make this b*tch her disciple to get out of this sticky situation when she didn''t have any other choice? If that were the case, I would be devastated. When Jessica saw how the corner of Juliana''s lips twitched, she asked in a concerned voice, ¡°Juliana, what''s the matter?¡± She can''t drop the ball at this critical juncture! Juliana ignored Jessica and nced around the court. Finally, she saw Bailey and pretended to look shocked. ¡°Master, why are you here? When did you return to the country?¡± In that instant, the court was plunged into silence as still as death. Everyone''s expressions froze. Those who were enjoying the show and were gossiping, judging, and ridiculing Bailey, widened their eyes in disbelief as they stared at Juliana. After looking at Juliana in shock for three seconds, they turned to look in the direction of her gaze. Did we hear her say ¡°Master?¡± Who? Who is her master? Only Copycat Jefferson and Ms. Saunders are seated in the used area. Could it be... ¡°Is Ms. Saunders Snowke?¡± someone asked dumbfoundedly. ¡°P-Probably. It can''t be that copycat, right?¡± ¡°If that''s the case, it makes sense now. Ms. Saunders is that copycat''s best friend, so it''s normal for her to defend that copycat. No wonder Copycat Jefferson is so fearless.¡± ¡°Eh? N-No. Something''s wrong. That copycat said that she has the copyright. So logically speaking, she is Snowke. W-Why do I feel that I just got a p in my face?¡± ¡°M-Maybe you''re right.¡± Something seemed to have exploded in the spacious and silent courtroom, causing a mental storm. With that, everyone eventually came to a realization. ¡°What the! The copycat turns out to be the original designer. That''s really a big p to my face. Ouch!¡± ¡°I agree. I can''t stay here anymore. It''s too humiliating.¡± ¡°I-Is she really Snowke? The dark horse in the industry who was awarded The Ultimate Designer at The Grand Fashion Show four years ago?¡± Jessica stared at the youngdy in front of her and said tremblingly, ¡°J-Juliana, this joke isn''t funny at all. Stop fooling around, okay? Bailey hasn''t been sentenced yet.¡± ¡°Bailey? That woman''s Bailey?¡± Juliana raised her brows and pointed at Victoria. Jessica used what was left of her energy to prevent herself from copsing onto the floor. She spoke with her voice quivering. ¡°N-No. The one next to her is Bailey.¡± ¡°That''s ridiculous. The one next to her is my master, Master Snowke. How could she be Bailey?¡± Juliana shot Jessica a re as her smiley face turned gloomy in an instant. W-What is going on? After wondering what in the world was going on, Jessica slumped to the cold, hard ground. She kept murmuring to herself, ¡°I-Impossible. How could she be the famous Master Snowke? That''s impossible. It''s impossible.¡± Simrly, Beatrice and Rhonda couldn''t believe it too. Both of them jumped out of their chairs in disbelief. Their faces that were wearing heavy makeup began to contort. The news was a massive blow to them. A while ago, they were still celebrating and cheering, but reality hit them hard the next moment. How could anyone stand the feeling of falling into ultimate disappointment from ultimate happiness within seconds? Although Felicity sat there with an indifferent expression, her entire body was trembling. It was a massive blow to her too. D*mn it! I can''t believe that b*tch is actually Snowke! What should I do? She was thinking of ways to kick Bailey out of Hallsbay so that thetter would go far away and leave her son and nephew alone. Juliana circled over Jessica and walked up to Bailey. She stared at Bailey for a few seconds before arching an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Master, are you really the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family? Why didn''t you tell me earlier? Look what happened! I sneaked out your certificate and trophy to Hallsbay to file awsuit! Ah! This is too embarrassing!¡± The corners of Bailey''s lips twitched. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. It''s such a waste if she doesn''t be an actress. With her acting skills, she can easily win an award. Of course, in front of so many people, Bailey wouldn''t expose Juliana. ¡°The Jefferson family already kicked me out, so I''m not their daughter anymore. Since I became Master Gadzinski''s disciple, I''m already one of the Gadzinskis. Master Gadzinski is like my own father to me. Everyone keeps saying that I copied Snowke''s work. How can I prove my innocence if I didn''t let you make a big deal out of it?¡± Juliana scratched her head and pouted. ¡°So, you used me from the beginning. You knew I came to Hallsbay, yet you didn''t tell me that you''re Bailey, and you watched me file awsuit. Great! Now I''m a big joke! I actually sued my own master! Oh my god! What if the public uses me of betraying my own master? How will I carry myself in society? Master, you meanie! I don''t want to live anymore!¡± Bailey almost threw up after witnessing Juliana''s cheesy act. She gave the girl a warning look before changing into a kind expression. ¡°There, there. You helped me a lot by clearing up my name. Why would anyone use you of betraying your master? Besides, you didn''t know anything, right?¡± At the corner, Simon''s mouth twitched as he snapped, ¡°Can that woman be even more hypocritical? It''s obvious they''ve set up a trap and fooled everyone, but in the end, they act like they''re the victims. Granddad, you mustn''t let Artemis marry her. It will be a disaster.¡± Glen rubbed his chin, his eyes sparkling. It''s a pity if such a witty girl doesn''t be the matriarch of the Chivers family. I heard that brat Edmund likes her very much. As expected of my grandson whom I''ve raised. He''s got good taste. ¡°What do you know, you brat? Only women like these are suitable to be the head of a wealthy family. I''ve decided. She''s the one. She''s going to get married to either Artemis or Edmund. One of them has to marry her.¡± Meanwhile, in the hearing area, coldness shed across Beatrice''s eyes as she took out her phone and sent a message. The message read: Go ahead as nned now. Rhonda asked softly, ¡°Mom, are we going to make a move?¡± Beatrice smiled coldly and gritted her teeth. ¡°We have to strike while the iron is still hot. Of course, we have to act now. Since everyone is humiliated, they''re surely angry. Let''s pull the carpet from under her feet. I''d like to see how Bailey will get out of it and how she will exin that her illegitimate child doesn''t have the Chivers'' blood.¡± Rhonda was still a little worried. She couldn''t help but think that it was too risky. Besides, she had a feeling that something big would happen. Chapter 100 Chapter 100 Bailey pulled Juliana away before addressing the judge on the bench, ¡°I won''t file an appeal anymore. I''ll take this opportunity to rify that I am indeed Master Gadzinski''s mentee, Snowke. The design that won first ce at The Grand Fashion Show four years ago was my creation. Four yearster, on this day, I designed the dress for Ms. Caridee Luther using the design concept from four years ago plus some elements of fashion, and the result was the creation some time ago. Since both were my creations and the copyright is in my hands, it can''t be judged as giarism legally.¡± The judge looked hesitant, and after a moment of silence, he cautiously said, ¡°The court has already come to a conclusion, and there is no reason to change it. Ms. Jefferson, you can appeal to the high court to overturn our judgment.¡± ¡°That won''t be necessary.¡± Bailey tly declined, ¡°I can exin it to the public myself. I''m truly sorry for causing a lot of trouble to the court by rifying in such a way.¡± The judge gave her a meaningful look with some admiration in his eyes and smiled at her before getting up and leaving the courtroom. Only after watching several courtroom clerks leave did Bailey turn to address the public seating area. ¡°My apologies. I''m afraid the situation today won''t develop in the way you all had expected. I have no intention to embarrass everyone, but the media has already circted this news abroad. At present, I''m an object of universal condemnation, and this is the only way to rify the rumors,¡± she said with a smile. The people below exchanged looks with each other in bafflement and bitterness. Not long ago, they were still verbally attacking her while feeling proud of themselves, thinking that they had brought her down. However, within a spilt second, she had transformed into the mysterious distinguished figure they respected and admired. It was truly difficult for those without a certain level of psychological endurance to ept the transformation and contrast at that moment. Victoria rushed forward and flung her arms around Bailey, eximing loudly, ¡°Wow, my dear. I can''t believe you''re the distinguished Snowke! I''m overwhelmed by your charisma. Let me simp for you. My, my, I never thought I would have a grandmaster-level figure as my bestie. I''m truly honored and proud.¡± Bailey sighed helplessly. Why is everyone I know such drama kings and queens? A little girl stood up from her seat, approached Bailey, and asked with a tilt of her head, ¡°Are you truly Ms. Snowke?¡± Bailey smiled as she reached out to stroke the girl''s head. ¡°Everyone has their own identity, and so do I. However, it''s not something we should use to show off, do you understand?¡± she said in a soothing voice. The young girl nodded even though she did not fully understand it. ¡°I love design. After seeing several of your works, I was attracted by the style of your designs. I heard that someone copied your work some time ago, and I was very sad. I came to mock the giarist today but never thought... I was wrong. I shouldn''t blindly believe in public opinion. I should''ve relied on my judgment,¡± she uttered. Bailey snatched up a pen and paper beside her, signed on it, and handed it to her. The little girl epted it, and a radiant smile appeared on her face when she took a look. ¡°It''s Ms. Snowke''s autograph. You weren''t lying. You truly are Ms. Snowke. You... really don''t resent us for ndering and discrediting you?¡± Bailey caressed the girl''s head and said with a smile, ¡°Go on. Go back to your family. I hope you can look at things more rationally after this incident.¡± ¡°T-Thank you.¡± Seeing that the little girl had gotten Snowke''s autograph, many people in the audience could no longer sit still. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Those who attended the court hearing were all interested in design and naturally admired Snowke, the distinguished figure in this industry. Now that the person was right in front of them, it was the perfect opportunity to chat with her. How lucky would I be to get an autograph from her? ¡°Ms. Snowke, can I get your autograph? I have admired you for a long time.¡± ¡°Ms. Snowke, I''m stuck in my design process. Can you please give me some advice?¡± ¡°Ms. Snowke, the dress you designed for Ms. Caridee some time ago, where did you get your inspiration? I''ve never seen such a bold and unbridled creation. You truly are a design genius.¡± ¡°Ms. Snowke...¡± Jessica slumped onto the ground as she looked at the woman that was surrounded by admirers, feeling blood gurgling in her chest. Sheboriously suppressed the blood that was about to spew out of her throat. Bailey Jefferson, you b*tch. I can''t believe you nearly made me spew blood from anger. I swear I won''t give up until I get my revenge. Bailey looked coldly at the people surrounding her with a trace of contempt and mockery in her eyes. If it weren''t for this Snowke identity, I''m afraid I would''ve been sent to prison by the verbal attacks of this group of people, who don''t know right from wrong and allow rumors to sway their thoughts. I scorn their respect and admiration. ¡°Sorry. After leaving my mentor, I don''t present myself as Snowke. If you wish to look for Snowke, you can pay a visit to my mentor to get some pointers.¡± After saying that, she turned around and said to Victoria, ¡°Let''s go. It''s been a long morning, and I''m hungry.¡± Victoria raised her eyebrows in amusement before saying to the crowd, ¡°Be more sensible in the future. Don''t keep listening to the bbers of the media. It''ll make you look foolish.¡± The audience were rendered speechless. She then dragged Bailey down the stand, and when they passed the public seating area, thetter slowly stopped in her tracks. Bailey inclined her head to look at Felicity, who was sitting gracefully and demurely in her chair, and commented with a chuckle, ¡°I presume the design I did for Ms. Caridee some time ago wasn''t to the Luther family''s satisfaction, since you destroyed it yourself and hired someone else to design a new dress for Ms. Caridee. Don''t ever use my design. Otherwise... I''ll sue you in court for giarism.¡± ¡°You...¡± Felicity turned her head and red at her. ¡°Are you mocking me?¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°I wouldn''t dare to. After all, I''m an employee of Luther Group. I''ll get myself fired if I disrespect the chairman''s wife.¡± Despite having said that, she did not show much respect with her cold expression. Felicity endured it, suppressing the anger within her as she remarked through clenched teeth, ¡°Let''s hope you can be this lucky every time. Otherwise, you will experience a catastrophic fall one day.¡± Bailey gave her a curt nod before walking toward the exit. ¡°Remember not to use my design to make Ms. Caridee a dress, Mrs. Luther. If she wears a giarized work, the world will have much to say about it.¡± ¡°You...¡± Felicity stood up abruptly and was just about to argue with her when Beatrice walked over from a near distance, held her back by the arm, and whispered in her ear. After hearing what she said, Felicity could not conceal her joy. ¡°Really? You truly prepared¡ª¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Beatrice made a shushing gesture and lowered her voice. ¡°You need not be anxious, Mrs. Luther. You''ll get to watch a good show soon. Chapter 101 Chapter 101 On the top floor at Luther Group, Artemis was sitting at his arched desk in his office, watching the live stream of the trial. The dust had settled. When his suspicions were confirmed, Artemis lifted the corners of his lips into a sinister smile. He knew that his judgment regarding Bailey was correct¡ªthat woman had a shocking identity. Snowke. The Ultimate Designer. Disciple of Master Gadzinski. The smile on Artemis'' face grew wider. Interesting. I wonder if she has any other secrets. Bang! The door of his office suddenly swung open, and Dwayne rushed inside, hugging aptop to his chest. ¡°What the f*ck. Mr. Luther, Bailey is Snowke! She is Snowke! Snowke! What. The. F*ck.¡± Seeing the shock on Dwayne''s face, Artemis rubbed his chin and raised an eyebrow at him with a half- smile. ¡°Is it so strange that she''s Snowke? Did anyone say she can''t be Snowke?¡± Dwayne fell silent. Halting instantly in his tracks, he narrowed his eyes at Artemis. For a few silent seconds, he stared at Artemis'' expression. All of a sudden, he started stomping his foot on the ground. ¡°You f*cking knew! You knew her identity, and you didn''t tell me? How could you treat me like this?¡± Artemis merely smirked mockingly in response. ¡°Why are you ming me? You''re the one with no brains. You have no one to me but yourself. She has already made it so obvious. Do you expect me to exin it to you, like how I would exin a math equation to a child?¡± That got Dwayne stumped. Such a venomous tongue of his. ¡°Oh, right, I forgot to tell you something. Old Mr. Chivers and Simon have returned, but they asked to land their private jet on the private mansion in the suburbs, and then they disappeared. Should we send out teams to search for them?¡± Dwayne suggested. ¡°No,¡± Artemis replied casually. ¡°If I''m right, they''re probably at the court. Go get the car ready. We''re going to the court to pick up... Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes. Just admit that you wanna see Bailey. Why use the old man as an excuse? ¡°Okay.¡± At the Chivers residence, Edmund and his parents were watching the live stream in the living room. When the judge announced that the work was giarized, all three of them did not look happy. Yoel huffed, ¡°There''s nothing else to defend now, is there? Even the judge has decided that she giarized, which means she¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Juliana''s appearance shut him up. Having found out that Bailey was Snowke, all three of them jumped up from the couch in shock. Edmund heaved out a sigh of relief before turning to face Yoel. ¡°Don''t just look at the surface of an incident. Appearances can be deceiving. You taught me this principle, remember, Father? Please keep your promise, and stop stopping me from dating Bay.¡± Yoel opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was at a loss for words. In the end, he could only cross his arms and stormed upstairs with a huff. With a smile, Gwendolyn urged Edmund, ¡°The trial is ending soon. Quick, go to the courthouse and bring Bay here for a meal. Your grandpa might being back today. He must meet her.¡± Needless to say, Edmund did not object. He immediately reached for the coat on the chair and put it on as he walked to the door, all the while not forgetting to respond, ¡°Thanks, Mom. I''ll bring your daughter- inw back now.¡± At the sight of Edmund''s hurried silhouette, Gwendolyn could not help butugh. ¡°Look at you. Forgetting your mother now that you got yourself a wife. I''ve sure wasted my love on you,¡± she teased. A huge crowd surrounded Bailey as she walked out of the court. As she stood on top of the stairs, she looked at the multitude that had gathered outside. They had been waiting eagerly for her to exit the building. Seeing the grand scenario, she felt an impending headacheing up. The public must have known her identity by then. Otherwise, there wouldn''t be so many people crowding the exit of the courthouse. On top of that, she could see more and more people rushing forward from the streets afar. Victoria reached out and wrapped her arm around Bailey''s with a smile. ¡°Let''s go. You''ll have to face the crowd sooner orter as long as you live in this city. You can''t just stay at home forever, can you?¡± Bailey rubbed her temples in an attempt to clear her chaotic thoughts. ¡°This is why I don''t want to reveal my identity. There''s bound to be a lot of drama. It''s so much better living a quiet life as a nobody.¡± Still smiling, Victoria pulled her down the steps. ¡°Nevertheless, your identity has been revealed. There''s nothing you can say that could change this reality. Instead of being frustrated by it, why not enjoy the glory of being a big shot?¡± Just then, Juliana walked over and held onto Bailey''s other arm. ¡°Exactly. With your skills, Master, you definitely are worthy of being called a big shot.¡± A huge grin stretched across her cheeks. ¡°One hour ago, everyone was still scolding you. It doesn''t seem like a bad idea to have them grovel at your feet right now.¡± The noise of the crowd grew louder as they walked. Once they reached the base of the steps, a huge group of reporters rushed forward. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you really Ms. Snowke?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you really Old Mr. Gadzinski''s disciple?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, were you really the dark horse who had won the glorious title of ''The Ultimate Designer'' in The Grand Fashion Show four years ago?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson...¡± Bailey waved her hand, stopping the series of questions that she was bombarded with before turning to look at Juliana and gesturing for her to deal with the crowd. Nodding, Juliana turned to the crowd of reporters and smiled. ¡°So sorry for the misunderstanding, everyone. To be honest, even I didn''t know my master is Bailey Jefferson.¡± Juliana took out a certificate and a trophy from her bag. ¡°This is the certificate and trophy that my master won four years ago. Back then, something came up on that day so she couldn''t attend the award-giving ceremony. Both of these were passed to me by the host instead. Today, I shall officially return them to my master in front of all of you.¡± With that, she passed the trophy and certificate in her hand to Bailey in a respectful manner. Bailey tossed Juliana a look before reaching out to take the two objects. With the trophy and the certificate in her hands, Bailey waved them in front of the reporters with a half-smile. ¡°Any more questions? Would you like to invite the team from The Grand Fashion Show to verify the authenticity of this trophy and this certificate?¡± ¡°You''re funny, Ms. Jefferson. With Ms. Stone as a witness, it has to be real.¡± ¡°That''s right. You''re her master. How could she have mistaken her own master?¡± ¡°To have such exceptional skills and achievements at your age, you are such an inspiration!¡± The crowd continued topliment Bailey. Ding! Ding! Ding! All of a sudden, the sound of notifications filled the area. The phones of multiple reporters began to ring in their pockets. When they took out their phones to check the iing message, they were stunned. A weird look shed across everyone''s eyes as they nced up at Bailey before peering at their phones again. Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly. She could tell something was amiss. She knew that someone would try to sabotage her, but she did not expect them to strike so soon. ¡°Oh. My. Gosh. I received an anonymous message. It''s a paternity test. The test report shows that Mr.Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. Chivers is not the father of Bailey''s son.¡± ¡°I received that too! What on earth? Can somebody exin to me what is going on?¡± ¡°Could it be that Bailey faked the test report in order to disguise an illegitimate child as a member of the Chivers family because she wants to be a part of the Chivers family?¡± ¡°Does that mean the paternity test report that was shown a few days ago was not a real one but a fake by Bailey?¡± In the next second, all microphones were pointed at Bailey. One of the reporters showed Bailey the phone in his hand and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, is this paternity test legit? Is your son a Chivers or is he not?¡± Chapter 102 Chapter 102 Bailey looked at the screen. The sentence read: The owners of these two samples are not biological father and son. Bailey narrowed her eyes when she saw that sentence. She had no time to question the source and authenticity of the paternity test report. One thing was certain. Her son was not Edmund''s biological son. Even if the sky fell, Edmund would still not be Zayron''s biological father. Could Bailey firmly announce that Zayron was Edmund''s son in front of all the reporters and the rest of the crowd? How would she be able to resolve the situation if the truth were to be revealed in the future after she told the lie? Bailey had been unbothered by the rumors all that while because the news had nevere from her own lips. She had never admitted to the public that Zayron was Edmund''s son. However, if she were to lie right then, she would not be able to cover up her lie in the future. This trap sure is brilliantly thought of! Bailey decided to guess the mastermind behind the n first. Could it be Mrs. Luther? Not likely. Edmund and Artemis wouldn''t watch her do the paternity test and do nothing about it. Even if she did it, the results of the report would most likely be altered by them. What about Jessica? That''s even more unlikely. That woman had pinned all her hopes on today. She was sure that I would be in hell once the trial was over. Therefore, she wouldn''t have a n B. Bailey quickly eliminated two suspects. So that leaves me with... Beatrice and Rhonda! Hah! Brilliant! That mother-daughter pair sure deserves an award! N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, why aren''t you answering? Did you really fake the paternity test report that was publicized a few days ago?¡± ¡°Why did you fake the report and lie that your son is the descendant of the Chivers family?¡± ¡°Doesn''t it hurt your conscience to lie to the Chivers family about the report just so you can be a part of the Chivers family?¡± ¡°As a disciple of Master Gadzinski, shouldn''t you be upright and righteous in all that you do? Are you not ashamed to meet Master Gadzinski in the future now that you''ve done something so immoral?¡± The voices of the reporters grew louder and louder. Just a moment ago, all the reporters were friendly and respectful. In a swift turn of events, everyone started mocking and bashing Bailey. The questions and usations got uglier and uglier by the second. Bailey''s identity as Snowke had be fuel to the fire the reporters used to burn her. Bailey did not utter a word but merely stared at them coldly, a glint of hostility glowing in her eyes. Somewhere not too far away, Beatrice tilted her head and signaled to Rhonda with her eyes, gesturing for thetter to show herself in front of the cameras. A smirk grew on Rhonda''s lips, and she made her way to the square. Just as she reached Bailey, the reporters simultaneously turned their gazes to her. ¡°It''s Ms. Rhonda. We can ask her too. After all, both of them are sisters. She should know who got Bailey pregnant all those years ago.¡± ¡°Ms. Rhonda, is your sister''s son a descendant of the Chivers family?¡± ¡°Ms. Rhonda, did the Jefferson family conspire together for your sister to fake the paternity test report to trick the Chivers family? Did the rest of you y a role in all of this?¡± ¡°Ms. Rhonda, as the futuredy of the Luther family, please tell us the truth instead of covering your actions with lies.¡± Rhonda''s eyes slowly reddened. When she walked to Bailey''s side, her voice cracked as she said, ¡°Bailey, the Jefferson family raised you all those years. Now that the world has their doubts about you, they''re questioning the Jefferson family too, thinking that we would do something as despicable as you did. Does it not hurt your conscience?¡± Bailey remained silent. She was utterly disgusted by Rhonda''s act. Arguing with Rhonda would only waste her saliva. Regardless, Rhonda''s appearance showed that her guess was correct. Beatrice and Rhonda were behind the sudden appearance of the paternity test report. Heh. All right. Good luck on finally squashing me beneath your feet today. Rhonda forced two teardrops out of her eyes before raising her voice to reprimand Bailey. ¡°I never thought you were such a vile person, Bailey. Faking a paternity test to disguise your son as a descendant of the Chivers family just to be a part of a wealthy family? Do you think the Chiverses are fools? When you got pregnant seven years ago, Edmund was in Springwyn with his grandfather. How could he have gotten you pregnant?¡± The moment those words were out of her mouth, an uproar broke out in the square. ¡°My gosh. It''s true. She truly is shameless.¡± ¡°Yeah. She could be an inspiring designer, yet she decided to use an illegitimate child to trick her way into the Chivers family. What is she thinking?¡± ¡°Who knows? When it was revealed that she''s a disciple of Master Gadzinski just now, I thought I should admire and respect her. But now... no matter how talented she is, how can I respect someone so dishonest and despicable?¡± Bailey smiled slightly. However, there was not a single trace of warmth on her face. Her eyes appeared to be icy. If she were to lie and say that Zayron was Edmund''s son, the crowd would probably kidnap Zayron to the hospital to do another test. Rhonda had counted on that fact, which was why she was certain she would win. Truthfully, Bailey knew that she could not say ¡°Edmund is the father of my son¡± or any of the sort in front of everyone. What should I do? How do I get out of this situation? Just then, Felicity and Beatrice walked over and stood next to Rhonda. In a loud voice, Felicity announced to the public, ¡°Bailey''s son is about the same age as my grandson, which proves that both sisters were pregnant at the same time. During that time, my nephew Edmund was truly at Springwyn with his grandfather. All these have solid evidence that you can check.¡± As Felicity added fuel to the fire, things started to look worse for Bailey. ¡°Ms. Snowke. Ultimate designer. What bullsh*t! Turns out she''s a scheming woman trying to sneak her way into a wealthy family! Hah! Is she even worthy of being the disciple of Master Gadzinski?¡± ¡°We should contact Master Gadzinski and tell him everything. Let''s advise him to disown her.¡± ¡°Yes. Disown her.¡± Victoria could not contain the anger in her chest any longer. She took a huge step forward and roared at the crowd, ¡°The paternity test report a few days ago was publicized by the Chivers family. It was Mr. Chivers who asked Justin to do the test. Do you knuckleheads think that Bay has the power to ask Justin to alter the test result? While it''s not your fault that you''re fools, it is your fault to use someone''s title against them when you people are the ones who are stupid enough not to be able to differentiate facts from fiction!¡± Once she finished letting out her anger at the crowd, Victoria pulled Bailey by the arm and turned, preparing to re-enter the courthouse. ¡°Come on, Bay. Let''s go. We''ll go make aint together, saying that someone is tainting your reputation on purpose. We can ask the court to investigate.¡± Bailey merely looked at Victoria in awe. Woah! She''s truly valiant. As expected from the eldest of the Saunders family. Bailey reached out to pat the back of Victoria''s hand gently and turned around to face the reporters again with a smile. ¡°Ms. Saunders is right. The paternity test report is not from me. You have got the wrong person. If you want to question somebody, you should go after Mr. Chivers or Justin.¡± Felicity snorted. ¡°Does that mean you admit that your son does not belong to my nephew, Ms. Bailey?¡± Bailey lifted her chin slightly. ¡°Have I ever publicly announced that my son is a descendant of the Chivers family? The paternity report was done by Mr. Chivers and Justin. If something went wrong, you should go find them instead.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Felicity was livid. ¡°Since your son does not belong to my nephew, I would like to request you and your son to get the hell away from here! Don''t cause trouble for the Chivers family!¡± Chapter 103 Chapter 103 Bailey smirked mockingly. ¡°From what I know, Mrs. Luther, you married into the Luther family thirty years ago. Am I right? As of now, you''re thedy of the Luther family. Whoever the Chivers family epts as a wife for their children is no longer your concern.¡± ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± ¡°How arrogant. How could she talk to Mrs. Luther like that?¡± ¡°Yeah. Mrs. Luther is thedy of the most prominent family and an elder. How can she be so disrespectful? Was she raised by wolves?¡± ¡°I guess now we know why she''s called Snowke. Her cold attitude suits her name. It doesn''t matter how great her designs are. Such a disrespectful attitude deems her worthless.¡± ¡°Since you admit that your son is not a descendant of the Chivers family, stop badgering Mr. Chivers. He has an admirable reputation among the echelons as a righteous man. His name shouldn''t be tainted by a rude and vicious woman like you!¡± Feeling her head starting to hurt from the endless rebuke and usation, Bailey reached for her head. Juliana, who was standing beside Bailey, could not take it any longer. Just as she took a step forward to yell at the crowd, Bailey stopped her. ¡°Master, their insults are getting awful. Are you really not going to do anything about it?¡± Bailey sighed and said in a low voice, ¡°The paternity test report that was publicized a few days ago was altered by Zayron using my hacker ount. If they were to investigate, my identity as Spook would be revealed.¡± Juliana was immediately silenced. She then began stomping on the spot. Ugh, that good-for-nothing kid really is more trouble than he''s worth! This is infuriating! ¡°Then what do we do? We''ve finally cleared your name, but someone is messing with your reputation again! Are they ever going to give it a rest?¡± The corners of Bailey''s red lips curled upward into a sinister smile as her eyes turned cold. ¡°Find a way to investigate where Beatrice and Rhonda got the paternity test from. I am certain that it''s faked. Since they want to dance with the devil, let me show them who the devil is!¡± Juliana blinked. ¡°All right. I got it. I''ll start investigating the moment we get out of here.¡± Bailey let go of Juliana and turned to look at the crowd with her cold gaze. ¡°I was not the one who asked to do the paternity test, nor did I ever dere that my son belongs to Edmund. If you insist on arguing, there''s a court right behind me. Let''s take it inside and get a judge to settle the matter of this debate,¡± she stated calmly. The crowd was at a loss for words. Uh... Felicity calmed herself down and suppressed the anger that was coursing through her veins. Clenching her teeth, she warned, ¡°Don''t change the subject. I''m telling you to stay away from my nephew. Don''t be so despicable that you disguise two bastards as descendants of the Chivers family. Do you hear me?¡± The word ¡°bastard¡± triggered something within Bailey. She snapped her head around. Her ice-cold gaze fixated on Felicity''s face. Beep! Beep! Just as Bailey was about to tear Felicity a new one, a series of honking sounded from amidst the crowd. The piercing sound rang out in the square. ¡°Make way, everybody. Make way. If I injure or kill anyone, I will not take responsibility.¡± From an open area not far from the square, two bumper cars could be seen zooming among the crowd, forcing people to step aside. As the bumper cars made their way through the crowd, Bailey caught a glimpse of the two people by the wheel. Her lips and eyes began to twitch uncontrobly. And her head was really starting to hurt. The situation was already messy enough. It would only get messier with the sudden appearance of the two boys. Within seconds, Zayron and Maxton got to the front in their bumper cars. When they reached Bailey, the two of them hit the brakes and stopped the bumper cars. Then one of them turned and hopped out. Zayron flexed his wrists and raised his eyebrow. ¡°Who called me a bastard just now? Show yourself if you dare!¡± Show yourself if you dare? Zayron''s choice of words showed that he was publicly defying Felicity. Remembering that Zayron had got a dog to disgust her a few days ago, Felicity could not keep in check the fury that was boiling within her. She took two steps forward, grabbed Zayron by the cor, and yanked him upward with one swoop. ¡°You bastard, if your mother doesn''t discipline you, I will.¡± Content is ? by N?velDrama.Org. After a few failed attempts at freeing himself, Zayron mocked, ¡°If I am a bastard, then all from the Luther family are bastards, including your precious grandson, your son, and even your husband. Every single one of them is a bastard.¡± Felicity was so furious that her body began to tremble. Her elegant and dignified face was covered in hostility. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to choke the life out of the boy in her hands. Bailey frowned. Her eyes fell to her son''s stubborn expression. Something''s not right. His expression doesn''t look right. Did something happen? She started ming herself for not taking enough time to take care of the two kids as she had been busy with the trial for giarism. Taking a step forward, Bailey grabbed Felicity by her wrist and yanked at her arm, forcing thetter to let go of Zayron. ¡°Mrs. Luther, have some self-respect. No matter how naughty and unruly you think my son is, it is not your ce to discipline him. Let go.¡± Hearing the words of Bailey and Zayron, Felicity lost her temper, as well as every ounce of her self- control. Her words were venomous as she said, ¡°You disguised an illegitimate child as a descendant of the Chivers family. Like mother, like son. Neither of you is an honorable person! He is as despicable and worthless as you are! Egoistical bastards like him should be killed the moment they were born! He''s not fit to live in this world!¡± Felicity''s words were like a sharp dagger, piercing Zayron''s heart. With all his might, he held back his tears, refusing to let them fall. Bailey pursed her lips into a thin line as her expression darkened. Are my children bastards? Is that why God took away my firstborn? ¡°Let. Go,¡± Bailey hissed through her clenched teeth. She sounded emotionless and looked like a devil who had climbed out from the deepest depths of hell. Felicity seemed to have steeled her heart too. She kept her grip tightly on Zayron''s cor, all the while ring at the boy, hoping she could skin him alive. How can I allow Ed to adopt such a bastard into the Chivers family? In twenty¡ªno¡ªten years, this son of a b*tch would probably demand to have the ownership of Chivers Group! ¡°Leave Hallsbay this instant and take this bastard with you! Otherwise, don''t me me for being merciless.¡± A murderous glint shed across Bailey''s eyes. Ignoring the number of eyes staring at them from the square, she stretched out her other arm to grip Felicity''s wrist tightly and jerked it backward. Crack! ¡°Ah!¡± The excruciating sound of bones breaking reverberated through the square. The sharp pain in her wrist caused Felicity to double over, falling straight to the ground. Rhonda quickly stretched out her hand to support Felicity. Joy overflowed in her heart although she did not show it. Amazing. This is truly amazing. With such an offense, Rhonda was sure that Bailey would never have the chance to marry into the Luther family in the future. Even if she did not end up with Artemis, she would make it her life mission to make sure Bailey could not. ¡°Bailey, how could you be so cruel? Mrs. Luther was just teaching your child a lesson, yet you assaulted her! Y-You even broke her wrist!¡± Chapter 104 Chapter 104 Her words stirred up a ho''s nest and resulted in a massive never-ending bacsh. Leaning against Rhonda, Felicity held back the excruciating pain and pointed a finger at Bailey. ¡°If I allow you to enter the Chivers family, I swear I''ll perish immediately and suffer for all eternity in hell with no chance for repentance,¡± she said in a quavering voice. ¡°Really?¡± Zayron tilted his head and smirked. ¡°If Mommy is ever going to get married, she will undoubtedly tie the knot with a Luther. Anyhow, you''re in no position to reject her.¡± After leaving her with that, Zayron picked up a thick pile of documents from the bumper car seat. There were about a hundred copies of them. Subsequently, he tossed them upward, sending the papers flying wildly in the air. Someone in the crowd instinctively stretched out his arms to pick up the documents. Upon skimming through, he read aloud, ¡°Simon Luther and Zayron Jefferson are biological father and son.¡± Stunned, he turned to the onlookers and asked an innocent question, ¡°Who''s Simon Luther?¡± Everyone was totally baffled. Simon, who was in their midst, froze and stood rooted to his spot. No way. I''m just an irrelevant observer. How did I get dragged into this? Bailey was the first one to snap back to her senses. She quickly picked up one of the pages and read its contents. As she read them, her body started shivering. ¡°Z-Zayron, is this true? Is Simon really your father?¡± Zayron fell silent. His gaze was fixated on Maxton. Thetter shrugged as he mulled over the matter. Then he approached Bailey cautiously. ¡°That idiot is indeed Uncle Simon''s son. Actually, Justin has already noticed something amiss when he first saw the paternity test report. He told me that Daddy Eddy and that idiot aren''t father and son but close kins of three generations. Also...¡± ¡°Stop hesitating and spill everything at once!¡± ¡°Oh, okay. Also, that idiot wanted me to sneak into the infirmary at the Luther residence and steal Jerk Uncle''s blood sample. I helped him. This paternity test report must be the final results checked and affirmed by his friend, Kai. The chance of it being inurate is really slim.¡± The papers slipped off Bailey''s fingers and gradually dropped to the ground. So, that night seven years ago... It was Simon Luther? How is that possible? She staggered several steps backward and bumped into Victoria, who helped her stand firm. ¡°B-Bay... is that true? Simon is the father of both Zayron and Susan?¡± Bailey shook her head, gesturing to the other party to stop asking her questions because she was clueless about it. She really had not the slightest idea about the matter. Felicity slowly turned her stiff neck and looked at Rhonda. ¡°R-Ronni, I misheard it, right? How is it possible that the bastard... is Simon''s son?¡± Her voice quavered with doubt. Rhonda, on the other hand, waspletely stunned, bewildered, and panic-stricken. Justin says that Bailey''s son is a close rtive of Edmund. What does this mean? The boy is the son of Edmund''s brother! In other words, we''re getting closer to having the truth revealed. No, no way, I can''t let this happen. Otherwise, I''m doomed. Felicity noticed that she was in a daze and nudged her again. ¡°Ronni, I''m asking you, did I mishear it? Tell me I''m mistaken!¡± Rhonda pursed her lips, trying really hard to get a grip and suppress her anxiety from being shown. If everyone thinks that the two kids are Simon''s, they won''t investigate Artemis. With that, I no longer need to worry about Artemis developing any feelings for Bailey because a sister-inw is off his limits! Artemis can marry any woman in this world, except the lover of his own brother. Haha! It turns out that God doesn''t favor this couple, either. Hence, they''re destined to be separated in such a ridiculous way. ¡°Don''t get all worked up, Mrs. Luther. Didn''t Max say that he stole the blood sample from the infirmary? Let''s go check it out and find out more. I''m sure we''ll be able to sort this out in no time.¡± Infirmary... Blood sample... Felicity recalled the day when she brought Maxton to the infirmary. He did make a trip to the blood bank on the fifth floor. Unless... Instantly, she grabbed Maxton by the shoulder and questioned him urgently, ¡°Max, tell me you didn''t steal the blood sample. Say no!¡± Maxton scratched his head. ¡°I did. I took Uncle Simon''s blood sample. Grandma, Zayron is indeed your biological grandchild. He''s the son of Uncle Simon.¡± He stole it? Rhonda frowned. If it was Simon''s blood that got stolen, why did the result affirm their biological rtionship? Could it be that the silly fellow took Artemis'' by mistake? Rhonda felt a chill go down her spine at that thought. That''s so risky! It''s too close forfort now to get busted... Felicity started swaying as she stared intently at Zayron as though she wanted to see through his soul. Yes, they do look very much alike. He has Simon''s features, but he also looks a lot like Artemis. It''s no wonder I always feel a sense of familiarity when I look at the boy. He''s a Luther; he''s Simon''s son! Felicity had no choice but to ept the harsh reality because she believed that Maxton really did ess the blood bank and steal the blood sample. On the contrary, the crowd was dubious about it. Even though Maxton admitted his doing, they were still doubtful about the test results. ¡°Another paternity test? When will this nonsense end?¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Exactly! This is already the third report. Which version should we trust?¡± ¡°If we can''t even have confidence in what Justin has verified, can we believe this gibberish that came like a bolt from the blue?¡± ¡°It''s actually just a simple thing to find out who the father of that child is. Just go ahead and ask his mother!¡± ¡°Oh, that''s right. Let''s ask Bailey.¡± Subsequently, the crowd bombarded Bailey with a series of burning questions, which got harder and harder. Maxton went up to Bailey and stood in front of her with a copy of the report in his hands. He waved it in the air and scoffed, ¡°Open up your eyes and take a look at this document. This is a certified copy that has been verified officially, and it''s recognized byw. See, there''s a stamp behind each page. You can trust every single word written in the content.¡± ¡°Oh, there''s indeed a certification stamp here.¡± ¡°Hmm, it appears so. In that case, this is the real deal.¡± ¡°So, Bailey''s son belongs to Mr. Simon? She''s climbing up the socialdder, then.¡± ¡°And so it seems. Bailey is no longer the amateur girl who is easily bullied by others. Now that she has strong backing, we''d better watch our words before we get into trouble andnd ourselves in a legal quandary.¡± Felicity shut her eyes as she tried to process everything she had heard. The boy that I wanted dead turns out to be my grandchild! What a joke! How ridiculous is this? As Beatrice and Rhonda exchanged nces, they clenched their fists. What is Bailey made of? Why does she get lucked out all the time? We can''t seem to destroy her. Now that the truth is out, and her son is confirmed to be Simon''s, it''s even harder to take her down. It''s almost a mission impossible. Rhonda was about to say something when Beatrice shot her a stern re, causing her to fall silent. At that point, they had no other option but to ept their fate. No matter how dissatisfied they were with the shocking news, they had to face the matter as it was. Chapter 105 Chapter 105 There was nothing else they could do. If they were to jump out and say that Zayron was not Simon''s and incite the media''s intrigue to force the pair into conducting a paternity test, it would expose the fact of them being uncle and nephew. The pair felt the end of the world descending upon them just from that thought. No, we mustn''t let any outsiders suspect the paternity report. Otherwise, we will be ruined without a chance of redemption. Amidst the crowd, Glen gazed at his grandson beside him through narrowed eyes. ¡°Is that your son?¡± he asked, frowning. Simon tugged his hair, seemingly recalling something. ¡°You can get pregnant like that? What a nasty surprise! Besides, why is she taking out on Bailey?¡± Glen scowled and smacked his grandson on the back of his head. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about, you little sh*t?¡± he fumed. ¡°Did you womanize that night seven years ago?¡± Simon tugged his hair again with an indignant expression on his face. ¡°I don''t know! I only remember arranging a woman for Artemis that night. I don''t recall anything else.¡± Glen panicked. ¡°Idiot! You''re nothing like your cunning father. Think hard, now. You will marry the girl if you can''t give me an exnation.¡± Simon pulled a long face and thought hard, then his eyes narrowed as he seemed to recall something. ¡°The drugs didn''t kick in as hard as they did for me as they did for Artemis, so I didn''t have the guards find me a woman. I slept groggily alone in the room, and I remember I seemed to have had an erotic dream that I was with a woman. Ahem. Anyway, it was all very real. Did I really sleep with a woman that night and cause trouble for Bailey, Granddad?¡± Glen red at him. ¡°You stammer every time I ask you about it. Turns out that the despicable thing you did that night you conveniently pretended was a dream had caused harm to others and yourself. Come back with me and reflect on what you''ve done.¡± ¡°No, Granddad. This pertains to the heir of the Luther family. Shouldn''t we run a thorough investigation? You never know; it might be a prank by the two little sh*ts. I still don''t believe I slept with Bailey. I didn''t feel a thing. My friends saw me and said that I was still a virgin.¡± ¡°We''ll know whether he''s your kid just by asking your brother. Given his influence in Hallsbay, I refuse to believe he didn''t catch wind of anything.¡± Simon stamped his feet in despair. ¡°No! He''ll skin me alive if he knows I ruined some girl''s reputation.¡± Simon had been treading on thin ice for the past seven years and had never spoken about that dream that night. He had been dreading that the pleasant dream woulde true and that he had slept with a stranger and gotten her pregnant. He had even fervently prayed over the past couple of years that he remained a virgin and did not disy the kind of depravity that had harmed other girls. However, the day''s events had turned him into the biggest scapegoat. Besides the strange appearance of a seven-year-old son, he had even incurred the ire of an extraordinary woman. D*mn my luck! ¡°Am I not your beloved grandson, Granddad? I have been good to you over the years, haven''t I? Help me leave Hallsbay. I cannot continue living here. I''ll die.¡± ¡°You''re hopeless.¡± Glen red at him before reaching out to grab his wrist and dragging him out of the crowd. ¡°We''ll return to the Luther residence and decide our next move after ascertaining the situation.¡± Simon was near tears at those grim words. He sensed the very likely possibility of him having a son and knew he would not be able to escape for as long as he lived once he returned to the Luther residence. In an extended Rolls-Royce at an open-air parking lot in the distance, Dwayne turned after speaking on the phone to Artemis in the seat behind. ¡°The two boys have appeared at the court entrance. They are holding hundreds of paternity test reports stamped with the official seal and exposing the father-son rtionship between Simon and Zayron.¡± Artemis lowered his head slightly. He exuded an icy aura that plummeted even the temperature within the car. Simon is back and has learned about Zayron''s background. Is he going to marry that woman? Artemis'' heart ached. Although it did not hurt, he felt suffocated. The woman''s influence over him had deepened to such a degree without his realization. She had broken through his skin and prated his blood and soul. I can''t keep dwelling on it. Some desires, once expressed, cannot be taken back. Their rtionship was tooplicated to allow him any indecent thoughts. I should consider her reputation even if I don''t care about mine. We can never end up together. It is impossible! Dwayne gazed at him for a moment before attempting to console him. ¡°She is not suited for Simon, and Simon may not marry her, anyway. You still have a shot. Having known no fear in the business world over the years, you should give yourself the same confidence and hope in the rtionship arena.¡± Artemis turned his stiff neck to nce out the window. ¡°Let''s head back to the office,¡± he said huskily. ¡°It''s not suitable for me to make an appearance at this time. I hope she epts that fact and has a good life.¡± Dwayne opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but thought the better of it. He heaved a sigh and started the car. Meanwhile, Edmund was sitting in the driver''s seat at the other corner of the parking lot, listening intently to two pedestrians talking about Bailey. ¡°The world has been saying over the past few years that Ms. Bailey was pregnant with the illegitimate child of Mr. Larson of Harway Group. Today, they reveal that her son is Mr. Simon''s. How unexpected.¡± ¡°Isn''t it so? She turned out to be Snowke when she faced charges of giarism. Then, as she was used of giving birth to a bastard, her son was suddenly revealed to be Mr. Simon''s. The world has been cklisting her, and she has been striking back. Anyway, I have been pped across the mouth today and will never dare underestimate Ms. Bailey again.¡± Edmund gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Am I a step toote? Today was supposed to be about taking Bay home and proposing over dinner. Now, how should I bring her home? Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Upon returning to Shelbert Condominium, Bailey led her son straight into the study. After throwing him onto the couch, she produced a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket and threw it at his face. ¡°Spill it,¡± she snarled. ¡°Is this a prank of yours? Think carefully before you answer; it will all be your fault when Simon ruins me.¡± Chapter 106 Chapter 106 Sh*t! Why is she so fierce? That''s my dad! Although Zayron had been speaking at length about ruining his father, such a treacherous act had only existed in his imagination. He had never considered executing it. Now that it seemed to have lit his mother''s fuse, he relished the suffering his scoundrel of a biological father might be in for. Zayron decided against speaking further at that juncture for fear of making things worse. At his reticence, Bailey took a deep breath to subdue the impulse of pping him into the wall. She strode to the desk and turned on theptop. After logging in to her messenger, she found Kai''s avatar and clicked on it to reveal a log of their previous chats and an offline document. Upon hesitating several seconds before the desk, Bailey clenched her jaw and clicked the file. The first thing she saw was the particrly arresting headline of ¡°Paternity Test Report.¡± Her legs gave way after she perused the contents within, and she slumped into the seat. When she read the words ¡°The owner of these two samples are biological father and son,¡± she began shaking all over. It''s been seven years. I have been looking for this scoundrel for seven years. No wonder I couldn''t find him in the blood bank. Turns out he is one of the Luthers. The Luther family, being powerful and influential, had been keeping the blood samples of their descendants out of the public security database, which was how he had been able to get away for seven years. Hah! Now I''ve caught him. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Zayron was frightened by the coldness of his mother''s gaze. He hurried forward to hug her. ¡°It''s not worth breaking thew and putting yourself in prison for this guy, Mommy. Calm down, all right?¡± Bailey looked down at him. ¡°I will not spend my days with that b*stard father of yours,¡± she dered coldly. ¡°If you want to return to your real family, you can go now.¡± The child was rendered speechless and near tears. Despite that, he gazed steadily into his mother''s eyes. ¡°I''ve only known you all my life, Bailey, and I only want you. That b*stard father of mine has nothing to do with me. You''ve raised me just fine these couple of years without a dad. I can''t do without you, Mommy. I''ll starve to death.¡± Just as Bailey was rendered dumbstruck with surprise, the door was pushed open from the outside, revealing Susan, who then entered. When she saw her brother hugging her mother while crying, she hurriedly went over and hugged her mother''s waist from the other side. ¡°We can pretend that nothing happened, Mommy. Let Daddy Eddy continue to be our father. Why don''t you two get a marriage certificate quietly? They can''t control the pair of you making children behind closed doors.¡± For the second time in as many minutes, Bailey was struck dumb again. The corner of her lips twitched, and the anger in her heart subsided at her daughter''s outburst. Edmund must have seen the news now that the matter of the paternity test is trending. Perhaps he is having a harder time than me. However, there was nothing more she could do. Before that day, she had harbored the fantasy that she might marry him someday and experience a complete marriage with his hand in hers. With the recent exposure of the fact that her son was his cousin''s¡ªno matter how shameless or fearless she was toward the prejudice of the world¡ªshe did not have the courage to spend her life with him anymore. Although Bailey did not mind being the subject of gossip and judgment, she could not bring Edmund, who was elegant and gentlemanly, to suffer abuse and condemnation for her sake. That man saved me from distress and helped me to break free from my predicament. If I have some conscience, I shouldn''t pester him anymore and tarnish his reputation. ¡°Zayron, Susan.¡± As she called her children, Bailey reached out to stroke their heads. ¡°Let''s not call Edmund Daddy Eddy anymore when we see him, all right? He is your uncle. It will embarrass the Chiverses and the Luthers if you call him Daddy.¡± Susan wanted to refute but was stopped by a re from Zayron. ¡°All right. We''ll do as you say.¡± Bailey reached out to push them aside and stood up from her seat. ¡°Let''s not hide here in the study and go outside. Victoria and Juliana are still in the living room.¡± The girl wrapped her arm around her mother''s and giggled. ¡°I''m hungry, Mommy. I want some spicy meat.¡± Kneeling on the carpet in the living room of the Luther residence, Simon gazed fearfully at his mother and brother seated on the couch. Felicity''s arm was in a cast, a bandage around her neck to hoist her entire arm up. The injury looked severe even from a nce. If it were not for the leak of Simon''s paternity test with the child, she would have gone to the police and sued Bailey for malicious assault. ¡°Tell me, did you touch her seven years ago?¡± The one who spoke was Artemis. His voice of calm, and there was no telling if he was angry or happy. Simon ducked his head. ¡°The aphrodisiac I took that night was not as serious as yours, and I really did not look for a woman,¡± he said timidly. ¡°I stayed in the suite alone and slept in a daze all night. However, I had an erotic dream halfway through that I had ravished a woman. But it was just a dream. When I awoke the next day, I was alone in the room.¡± The blue veins on Artemis'' forehead bulged violently. No wonder this b*stard had been keeping his mouth shut and hiding from me whenever I asked this question all these years. He harmed other girls and dismissed it as a dream. Preposterous! ¡°The facts are nowid out before you. She gave birth to a son for you. No, she gave birth to twins. You also have a daughter who¡ª¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Simon leaped up from the ground before his brother could finish speaking. ¡°Two? How is she so fertile?¡± ¡°Kneel,¡± Artemis growled. Still terrified of his elder brother, Simon obediently kneeled again after being yelled at. ¡°A-Artemis, what are you going to do? In other words, what do you want me to do?¡± What to do? Artemis lowered his head slightly to hide the deep suspicion and unwillingness in his eyes. He slowly clenched his fingers in the pockets of his trousers into fists. He knew there would be no more hope for him for the rest of his life if he uttered the sentence. However, as the head of the family, it was his duty to say it. ¡°She gave birth to two children for you. If she is willing to marry into the Luther family, you will¡ª¡± ¡°No. That woman looks cold and nasty. I don''t want to marry her. You go ahead if you want to.¡± Artemis opened his mouth, quite ready to say yes, but a powerful drive restrained him from losing his senses. ¡°You don''t have the final say on this matter, nor are you qualified to decide. I will speak to Bailey. If she refuses to marry you, then let it go. If she wants to¡ª¡± ¡°I won''t marry her even if she wants to. We''re back to the same argument. You marry her if you want. Since you want to marry her sister, just marry them both.¡± ¡°No.¡± Felicity suddenly stood up from the couch. ¡°Neither of you is allowed to marry her.¡± Chapter 107 Chapter 107 Having already forged a grudge against that woman, I will not have her as a daughter-inw as long as I live. There are many outstanding girls from good families all over the world who are more talented, beautiful, and well-mannered. I do not care for that arrogant b*tch who broke my arm to marry into the Luther family. Artemis got to his feet and gazed at his mother. ¡°Are you saying that you refuse to acknowledge the two children? Are they going to be left to wander outside, then?¡± Felicity gritted her teeth as she said viciously, ¡°Those two uneducated little beasts are not worthy of crossing the threshold of the Luther residence. Give them a bit of allowance each month and let them stay away from us Luthers. I don''t want them to defile our good name.¡± Chuckling softly, Artemis turned to look at Simon. ¡°What about you? Aren''t you going to acknowledge them too? Are you going to let them wander outside?¡± Simon scowled. ¡°I don''t n to marry that cold woman, and I won''t grant them the status of being my legitimate son and daughter. Bringing them back to the family will only subject them to gossip, criticism, and disdain from those of our distant rtives. Don''t worry. I will raise them if they are really my children. But they will never be Luthers.¡± ¡°Very good.¡± Instead of ring up, Artemis smiled. ¡°Since you don''t n on making them a part of the Luther family, then I won''t treat them as my niece and nephew, nor will I treat them as my brother''s children.¡± Felicity''s sense of vignce pricked. She felt something implicit in his words. ¡°What do you mean? If you don''t treat them as your niece and nephew, are you going to treat them as your stepson and stepdaughter?¡± Artemis merely maintained his wordless smile. Felicity''s anxiety grew. She warned sharply, ¡°I will not allow you to have these crooked thoughts, Artemis. She will destroy you and the entire Luther family.¡± Simon''s eyes widened as he gazed at his brother in surprise. Is he interested in Bailey? If so, that will be great as I can finally wash my hands of this. ¡°The person in charge of the infirmary is here, Mrs. Luther.¡± Felicity red at her eldest son. ¡°Remember what I said. Don''t have any wrongful thoughts. Otherwise, don''t me me for whatever happens to that woman.¡± After she finished speaking, she looked at the door. ¡°Send him in.¡± The person in charge of the infirmary entered and fell to his knees after walking to the center of the living room. ¡°I went to the cold closet on the fifth floor for a quick check, Mrs. Luther, and found that Mr. Simon''s blood sample is missing. It is my fault for the urrence of such a big mistake, and I ask you to punish me heavily.¡± Felicity stumbled and fell back onto the couch. Although she had already epted that the two children were Luthers, she still could not ept the enormous impact of the news amidst concrete, irrefutable proof. I would be delighted to have obtained a grandson and granddaughter if the children''s mother was a girl from a decent family of my choosing. What a blessing it would be. However, at the recollection of Bailey breaking her wrist before so many eyes, she immediately found her fondness for the two wild things the girl had given birth to disappear. Simon jumped up from the ground, strode to the person in charge, and grabbed him by the cor. ¡°Are you sure it was Max who took my blood sample?¡± he demanded. ¡°Yes. I retrieved the surveince footage before I came. Only Mr. Maxton entered the blood bank during this time, and I am confident he was the one who took it.¡± Simon flung him aside before staggering and falling to the carpet. ¡°They''re really my children! What about Queenie? I promised to marry her.¡± ¡°You have a girlfriend abroad?¡± Artemis caught on to something from Simon''s words. Indeed, the kid is twenty-six years old and has already reached the age of falling in love. Simon scrambled to his brother and grabbed his arm desperately. ¡°Help me, Artemis. Queenie and I are truly in love and have nned our future together. I want to marry her after she graduates. I can''t marry Bailey. I can''t.¡± Artemis reached out and rubbed his forehead. Although he appeared helpless, he felt immensely relieved. There is still hope for me! Dwayne is right. I am fearless in business and should be simrly invincible regarding romance. ¡°Give me a moment. Let me think about how to deal with this.¡± ¡°Definitely, Artemis. You are my brother. You must help me.¡± Felicity gazed at her eldest son, whose brows gradually rxed, with aplicated expression. Having been astute for half her life, she could tell what her son was thinking. Maybe I was wrong. It should not have been to prevent the woman from marrying into the Chivers family initially but to prevent her from marrying into the Luther family instead. Although Artemis and Edmund are cousins, their personalities are entirely different. Edmund is too elegant and upright. He has always been gentle and polite, adept at persuasion, and has a solid moralpass. As for Artemis, he is not afraid of how the world sees him and does whatever he pleases. With colossal power now at his fingertips, he has be more willful than ever. Nobody can stop him once he is determined to do something. Felicity detected a trace of ruthlessness trying to break through the confinement of his calm and controlled gaze. He has already thought of stealing that woman Bailey for himself. No, I will not watch him go down that road and destroy himself and the entire Luther family. I will call my husband and have hime back quickly. Bailey sent Edmund a text message that night. I know you are sad. I am too. I''m not sad because I know the truth, but because I know you''re in pain. In fact, I''ve often wondered if any woman in the world is worthy of a man as perfect as you. Probably not, because reality has impressed upon me repeatedly that I am not worthy of you, so I have not dared to act on my feelings all these years and have only treated you as a friend. I think we should continue being friends in the future. Life is too short to umte frustration. May your years ahead be filled with peace and joy. The message had been sent half an hour ago, but the recipient had yet to reply. There was still no reply another hourter. That was how Bailey knew Edmund was hurt this time. He would not give up easily if my children were any other man''s. However, that person is Simon, his cousin. What would it mean for his cousin if he continued to pursue me? What would it mean for the rtionship between the Chiverses and Luthers? Edmund, after all, is the Edmund I know. Calm and rational. Bailey did not leave the house for the following three days, allowing the rumors outside to ferment. The Luther family did not visit her over the past few days, nor did she take the initiative to seek them. With such a drastic change, they were obliged to give each other time to adapt. Meanwhile, Jessica was looking at Caridee cautiously across the table from her at a caf¨¦ at Luther Group. ¡°How is my artwork, Ms. Caridee? Are you satisfied?¡± she asked tentatively. Caridee frowned. Satisfied? What garbage is this? Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 108 Chapter 108 Comparing Bailey''s design with Jessica''s revealed the massive difference in quality between the two. The former was on apletely different levelpared to thetter. If Caridee had known Bailey was the famous Snowke, she wouldn''t have been as picky and missed out on that masterpiece. With Bailey''s gown on her, she would no doubt amaze everyone and be the target of their admiration. However, since her rtionship with Bailey had soured, she had no guts to ask Bailey to give her the right to use that design. She began to resent Jessica because she knew Jessica was jealous of Bailey''s talents. It was most definitely why Jessica had instigated her to set off the series of events that had led to the current awkward situation. ¡°We''re talking about mying-of-age ceremony, Ms. Tanner. How can I be the center of attention wearing this in gown? As a designer, you should always strive to be more creative instead of ying it safe. Otherwise, you''ll get disqualified easily.¡± Jessica''s smile froze. Creative? Like how Bailey adds sexy and revealing elements to a traditional gown? She had been trying for days toe up with something good, but all of her designs were awful. Unless she copied Bailey''s design ideas, there was no way she could ever design a fashionable gown. The thought of taking inspiration from Bailey made her feel disgusted and angry at herself. That b*tch broke the style of clothing that has been passed down for many years. One day, she''ll get boycotted over it. Just wait and see, Bailey! ¡°Ms. Caridee, daughters from the ten most prestigious families use this kind of style for theiring-of- age gown. You, too, can¡ª¡± p! Caridee pped the blueprint in her hand on the table and said through gritted teeth, ¡°What do you mean by that? Are you saying I don''t deserve to wear a new, creative type of gown? Don''te up with excuses for your ipetence, Jessica. There are many good designers in this world, and I can hire any of them with just a few million.¡± What is she trying to say? Jessica''s face turned pale. Is she not going to use my design? If she doesn''t use it, then how can I be a candidate for The Grand Fashion Show? How will I be able to obtain the title of The Ultimate Designer? ¡°P-Please give me another week, Ms. Caridee. I''ll definitely design something that''ll satisfy¡ª¡± ¡°A week?¡± Caridee raised her voice. ¡°There''s only half a month left until mying-of-age ceremony. If you spend another week designing my gown and manage to meet my expectations, then that''s fine. But if you don''t, what am I supposed to do, huh? Do I give you another week to make a new one? By the time you''re done, mying-of-age ceremony will be over!¡± ¡°I-I''m sorry. How about five days? Just give me five more days. I''ll¡ª¡± Before Jessica could finish her sentence, Caridee grabbed her bag and left. Caridee uttered, ¡°I''ll find someone else. There''s no need for you to worry about it anymore. As for the candidates for The Grand Fashion Show, I suggest you wait for another four years. Take the time to improve your skills. Otherwise, don''t expect to be qualified for the show even after forty years, much less four.¡± Jessica watched her leave with her fists tightened. This is all because of that b*tch, Bailey. Before she showed up, my position in Luther Group was solid. After she came, everything that has been going well for me has been ruined! There''s no way I''ll stand for this! If I don''t retaliate, there''s no way I''ll shine brightly for the rest of my life! ¡°Bailey, I''m going to y you alive and grind your bones into dust...¡± After Caridee left the cafe, she went straight to the office on the highest floor of Luther Group. She didn''t have the guts to barge in. Instead, she entered the secretary''s office first to ask for permission before she went into Artemis'' office. Artemis raised his head from looking at a pile of documents and nced at her calmly. ¡°What do you want?¡± The tip of her tongue was pressed against her cheek as she tried to find the right way to say what she wanted. After a long while, she stammered, ¡°Artemis, I... I really like Bailey''s... I like her design for the gown.¡± She really, really liked the design. From the moment she saw it, she had already fallen in love with it. ¡°Oh?¡± Artemis cocked an eyebrow as he spoke with a half-smile. ¡°Several days ago, you said you were worried that wearing her gown, which you imed was giarized, would tarnish your reputation. You know you''re embarrassing yourself now that you''ve changed your mind, right?¡± Caridee pursed her lips and made up her mind. ¡°As long as I can get the right to use her design, I have nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, I''ll do it if you ask me to apologize to Bailey. She''s an expert designer with actual skills, and she deserves the title of The Ultimate Designer. I''m willing to kneel in front of her and apologize if that''s what it takes.¡± A smile appeared on Artemis'' face, and his tone was gentler as he said, ¡°I know you''re not that kind of mean girl, so tell me, who was the one who instigated you besides Jessica?¡± ¡°Well...¡± Caridee hesitated. Should I sell Rhonda out? The reason I''ve been having all these wrong ideas about Bailey is because of Rhonda. Now that I think about it, yeah, I was used. ¡°What''s the matter? Are you so much of a saint that you''re not only not angry at the person using you, but you''re willing to protect her, too?¡± ¡°No way,¡± Caridee said with hatred. ¡°I was wrong, and I threw out all the lessons you taught me over the years. I have no excuse for listening to others. Once I return home, I''ll reflect on my actions. As for who instigated me, I think you know the answer. You only asked me to force myself to admit my mistake. I know what I did wrong now.¡± Artemis stood up and walked around his desk to stand in front of his sister. He patted her head and chuckled. ¡°You didn''tpletely throw all my lessons from the window. There''s no need for you to reflect on your actions. But you do need to apologize to Bailey. She has put in genuine efforts to design you a gown but was suspected by you as a result. No one would feel great about it if they were in her ce.¡± Caridee lowered her head slightly. ¡°What do I do if she refuses to give me the right to use the design even after I apologize to her?¡± ¡°You just need to apologize to her sincerely. Leave the rest to me.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Go. Dwayne has her address. Ask him for it.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The doorbell was ringing at Shelbert Condominium. ¡°Hado, open the door,¡± Zayron ordered. Hado shrank back and yed dead on the ground. It didn''t want to do that anymore because every time it opened the door, it would get kicked, fly across the air, and crash into the ground like an object. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Its experience had taught it not to be bothered with opening the door even if it was punishedter. The boy red at it before getting up from the couch and opening the door. At the sight of the visitor, he mmed the door shut. What the hell? How dare this b*starde here! Does he not know how angry Bailey is right now? Maxton approached him and asked with furrowed eyebrows, ¡°What''s wrong, Idiot?¡± ¡°Don''t you have eyes? Take a look yourself.¡± Zayron pointed at the peephole. Standing on his toes, Maxton peeked through the peephole and instantly trembled out of fear. ¡°It''s Jerk Uncle. Why is he here?¡± Zayron pped the back of his head and red at him. ¡°Keep your voice down! Don''t let my mommy hear you.¡± Chapter 109 Chapter 109 Maxton quickly covered his mouth, but it was toote. ¡°What are you two muttering to each other there for?¡± Bailey''s voice rang out from behind them. ¡°Didn''t someone press the doorbell? Why are you two standing there? Hurry up and open the door.¡± Zayron pped his head and groaned. Well, don''t say I didn''t try, Jerk Dad. You were the one who came knocking on death''s door. No one else can help you. As Zayron opened the door, Bailey''s line of sight went past the boys'' heads andnded on the person standing outside of the door. She didn''t recognize who he was and only thought he looked familiar. ¡°You...¡± Simon rubbed his nose and smiled. Then, as he was being stared at by multiple people intensely, he steeled himself and stepped into the living room. ¡°Um, can Ie in?¡± The mother and sons continued staring at him silently. Simon coughed twice and awkwardly patted Maxton''s head. ¡°Hey, Max. Why didn''t you greet me?¡± This idiot! Maxton couldn''t help but roll his eyes. Given Bay''s attitude, I don''t think she recognizes him yet. I can''t believe this guy actually came here to introduce himself. Well, it''s his fault if he''s beaten, crippled, or even yed! ¡°It''s you.¡± Bailey finally realized who Simon was and immediately turned to Hado. ¡°There''s a pile of trash standing there. You can have him as dog food.¡± Hado barked, stood up, and pounced on Simon. ¡°Oh sh*t!¡± Zayron and Maxton promptly dodged to the side. They didn''t expect Bailey to be that violent by telling the dog to bite Simon immediately. Before Simon realized what was even going on, he was tackled to the ground by Hado. Isn''t there a saying that goes, the hounds will be unleashed after the door''s closed? In my case, they didn''t even let me in. Godd*mmit. I''m the son of the Luther family. Why am I lying on the ground wrestling with a dog? If this news gets out, how am I supposed to meet other people again? This woman really is evil. She''s so terrifying that a dog is afraid of her and willing to do as she asks. ¡°Hey, buddy! Show me some mercy and don''t bite me down there! Godd*mmit! No, don''t do it. I have yet to sleep with a woman! If you bite me there, I''m done for!¡± he shouted frantically at the dog. What the hell is he saying? Bailey crossed her arms and stared at Simon, who was being licked and bitten by Hado, coldly. ¡°I can''t believe you came here by yourself before I even went to find you. Are you that confident I won''t cripple you in some way?¡± Then she turned to Hado again. ¡°You''re a male, and he''s a male, too. Stop ying around and bite off his third leg. Your mission will then bepleted.¡± Simon''s expression changed as he attempted to fight back. However, the dog was too strong as it stood with four of its legs on him. Even if he were in his prime physically, he still wouldn''t be able to escape. As he nced at the dog licking at him, waves of disgust washed over him, and he panicked. The dog was quite smart as it could understand human speech. While it couldn''t find Simon''s third leg, the woman at the door knew. If she told the dog where it should be looking for, then Simon''s manhood would be in grave danger. He thought that having his manhood ripped away by a dog was a bitter and unfair punishment. She really is a ruthless woman! Sweat was dripping down his forehead. What''s so bad about what I did, anyway? Sure, I failed to control myself and caused her trouble, but is that really... Okay, fine, I admit, I''m the culprit, but it''s not like it was terrible for her! The way I see it, she''s lucky to have a pair of healthy and intelligent children! ¡°Ms. Jefferson, please, there''s still room to talk things through. I-I''ll give you anything you want. What do you say?¡± As Simon spoke, Hado turned its head back to look at its owner. It couldn''t find its target''s third leg. Bailey shot a cold nce at it before turning to Zayron. ¡°If I cripple him today, will you be angry at me?¡± The boy promptly shook his head. Then he thought for a while and nodded. ¡°If you cripple my daddy, I won''t be able to be an elder brother in the future.¡± Without hesitation, Bailey kicked him. ¡°Get out of here.¡± Inside the study, Simon, looking disheveled, was sitting on the couch as he stared at the woman approaching him fearfully. He was scared, really scared. There was something evil about the woman that could not be subdued. Bailey walked over to the coffee table and mmed the cup in her hand down on the table. It shocked Simon so much that he leaped up and looked at her alertly like a frightened bird. In a trembling voice, he asked, ¡°I-It wasn''t m-my intention to do it that night. I-I have no memory of what happened. A-Are you sure I-I slept with you?¡± Suppressing the raging fire in her heart, Bailey walked over to theptop on the desk andunched a chatting app to pull out the paternity test. ¡°This is the original document. You can ask Justin to check if it''s real or not. Every bit of data inside has been arranged in a tidy, obvious manner. If there''s anything there that''s modified, he''ll be able to tell immediately.¡± Simon didn''t take it. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. He had been staring at the test for a few days, and in the end, he couldn''t detect anything wrong with it. At that moment, just looking at it made his head hurt. ¡°How do you know the data on that test result isn''t tampered with?¡± How do I know? A sneer was visible on Bailey''s face. That''s because I''m a famous international¡ª never mind. Telling him won''t do a thing. ¡°I''ll say it again. There''s nothing wrong with this paternity test result. Every single data on this document is arranged in a tidy manner, and everything is linked to each other. There''s no way it can be tampered with without appearing odd to anyone who examined it thoroughly. Susan and Zayron are both your children. While I also don''t want to ept this as reality, it''s the truth. There is no hope that it can be anything else.¡± The reason she was so certain Simon was Zayron''s biological father was that she had researched the result thoroughly. There were no traces of the report being tampered with. Simon slumped back to the couch, looking pale. On the way there, he had hoped that perhaps what she had said back then was false, that he didn''t actually sleep with her and impregnated her. However, at that moment, reality gave him a wake-up p, which was very painful. ¡°You seem to have taken quite a huge blow, Mr. Simon. What, is it so bad that Zayron and Susan are your children? Can you really not ept it?¡± Bailey sounded cold and intimidating, like a de that had been sealed in ice at absolute zero for thousands of years. She was fine with it, but she wasn''t willing to see her children get hurt. This idiot is their father. Why does he look like the end of the world ising? Chapter 110 Chapter 110 Bailey was fine if he didn''t want to take responsibility. However, she really disliked how he appeared as though his parents had just died even though he was learning about the news that he had children. She thought his expression would hurt the children if they saw it. ¡°Get out of here. Don''t show up in front of us ever again. I''ll pretend you''re dead. From this day onward, whether we live or die has nothing to do with you.¡± Simon pursed his lips. Even though this is what I expected, I still feel a little like garbage. No, it''s not a little. I do feel like garbage for abandoning my children. ¡°I''ll take care of you and the children''s daily expenses. From today onward, I''ll pay for you three''s living expenses.¡± Bailey ignored him and returned to her desk. Upon pulling out a pen and paper, she swiftly wrote down a series of numbers. Simon was slightly dumbfounded when she handed the note to him. ¡°W-What?¡± Bailey crumpled the note into a ball and threw it toward him. ¡°It''s my bank ount number. Give me exactly three hundred million to make up for the past seven years, no more, no less. If I don''t see the money in my card by tomorrow, I''ll send the two of them to the Luther residence for you to raise them.¡± Simon was rendered speechless. T-Three hundred million? Holy f*ck. She should just hack my brother''s bank ount instead. She''ll be able to grab the three hundred million all at once, and it''ll be easier than doing this. Staring at the bitter and conflicted expression on his handsome face, Bailey raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°What, you got a problem with that?¡± ¡°No, not at all.¡± Simon promptly stuffed the ball of paper into his pocket. ¡°I''ll go and gather the money right away. I hope you''ll fulfill your promise as well. Don''t cause a mess at the Luther residence and don''t ask me to marry you.¡± Bailey was amused. What, does he think I can''t find another man in this world? Why would I want to marry an idiot like him? ¡°Get out of here.¡± Simon left, almost looking as though he was fleeing the scene. What a gold digger! She''s definitely a godd*mn gold digger. In the end, all she wants is the money that I have. No, I can''t just stand by and watch my brother marry a woman who''s obsessed with money and power. She''s not at allparable to the pure and innocent Rhonda. After Simon left, Bailey spoke to Zayron. ¡°Tomorrow, I''ll send the three hundred million he gives me to your ount. Consider it his way of making amends, so don''t bother him in the future anymore. He doesn''t think about you or your sister at all. I''m guessing he has a girlfriend, so don''t go and wreck his rtionship. Otherwise, you''ll be punished for it.¡± The siblings exchanged a nce. Momentster, Susan jumped in joy. However, after thinking about it further, she withdrew her smile and tugged her brother''s shirt, asking in a whisper, ¡°So can I continue to treat Eddy as my daddy?¡± He didn''t answer her. In the afternoon, Juliana visited the condominium. Inside the study, Bailey leaned against a shelf and looked at her coldly. ¡°Tell me, what did you find?¡± Juliana blinked and smiled with mischief in her eyes. ¡°I have to say, Beatrice is quite unlucky. The overseas facility she found to fake the paternity test is actually a subsidiary of our organization. I''ve got all the witnesses and physical evidence. Do I organize a press conference and announce everything publicly now?¡± A smile surfaced on Bailey''s face. ¡°No need to rush. This isn''t enough to ruin them yet. At most, they''ll just be attacked by the media for a few days. Their foundation will remain intact. Keep the evidence first. We''ll wait for a couple more days for them to execute more of their schemes before dealing with them.¡± ¡°Sure. They don''t n to let you go anyway, so they maye up with a new n if the first doesn''t work. Once we collect more evidence of their wrongdoing, we''ll submit all of them and send them to jail.¡± Bailey nced at her with a half-smile. ¡°The situation here has been taken care of. Don''t you think it''s time for you to return to Archulea? If the mercenaries your brother sent to capture you seed in their job, you may be humiliated.¡± ¡°Hmph! My brother is afraid of you. With you around, he wouldn''t dare to make a move.¡± Concurrently, on the top floor of Luther Group''s headquarters, Dwayne pushed the office door open, walked in, and said, ¡°Mr. Luther, I''ve discovered the truth behind the children''s poisoning after you told me to investigate it. Ms. Rhonda was the one who ordered someone to do that. She hid her tracks pretty well, so it took longer than I expected toplete the investigation. Please forgive me.¡± Artemis shifted his line of sight from his pile of documents to the folder in Dwayne''s hand. With a raised eyebrow, he asked, ¡°This is the evidence?¡± ¡°Yes. Do you want to take a look?¡± Artemis waved his hand. ¡°I believe you made no mistakes in your investigation. Just hand it to Bailey.¡± ¡°What?¡± Dwayne was taken aback. ¡°Shouldn''t I hand this to the police? Why do I need to give this to Ms. Bailey?¡± An evil smile appeared on Artemis'' face as he yed with a pen with his fingers. ¡°Do you know who leaked the report that Edmund and Zayron aren''t blood-rted?¡± Dwayne thought about it while furrowing his eyebrows. ¡°I always thought Mrs. Luther was the one who leaked the news. Now that I think about it, it doesn''t seem that simple. Does it have something to do with Ms. Rhonda?¡± ¡°I don''t know. However, I do know Bailey has a n. She''s probably investigating the matter on her own right now. Hand the report to Bailey and let the two sisters deal with each other.¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes. In the end, he''s just trying to support Ms. Bailey. In that case, why is he dealing with this by taking such a long detour? After pulling out an appointment letter from a pile of documents, Artemis informed, ¡°This is the appointment letter that says Bailey will be the lead designer of Luther Group''s headquarters. Go and send the word out.¡± Upon grabbing and briefly reading through the document, Dwayne asked, ¡°Xavier agreed to this?¡± ¡°Why wouldn''t he? If he disagrees, I''ll just fire him.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g He really is a domineering CEO. Everything he says always sounds infuriating. ¡±What about the candidates for The Grand Fashion Show? Do I write down Ms. Bailey''s name as well? She was the winner four years ago. ording to the rules, she''s barred from entering the contest again.¡± With a raised eyebrow and a half smile, Artemis said mischievously, ¡°Was she really the winner from four years ago? I thought it was Snowke.¡± How shameless is he? If he wants her to be The Ultimate Designer twice in a row, then he should just say so. No one''s going to argue with him about his underhanded tactics, anyway. Dwayne said straightforwardly, ¡°You''re spoiling her.¡± A snort was heard from Artemis as he nced at Dwayne. ¡°Duh? Do you expect me to spoil you?¡± Ah! I shouldn''t have said that. I can''t afford to offend him. If you want to spoil her, go ahead. A slight chill ran down Dwayne''s spine. At night at Shelbert Condominium, the doorbell was ringing. As Susan was looking for her shoes at the entrance, she opened the door. When she saw a prettydy standing outside, she smiled and asked softly, ¡°This is Bailey''s house. Who are you looking for?¡± Caridee was taken aback the moment she saw Susan. ¡°You''re... Barbara? The child actress?¡± Chapter 111 Chapter 111 Susan thought Caridee was just another fan, so she was about to shut the door. Seeing that, Caridee promptly stuffed her foot between the door and the frame and said awkwardly, ¡°I''m not your fan. I''m here for Bailey. May I ask who you are to her?¡± Before the girl could answer, Maxton''s surprised voice could be heard. ¡°What are you doing here, Aunt Caridee?¡± Aunt Caridee? Susan scrunched up her face. She''s the unruly and willful brat who disregarded Mommy''s genuine effort? ¡°Ah, so you''re Ms. Caridee. You''re quite the VIP, but unfortunately, our family doesn''t wee you. Please turn around and leave right away. Bye.¡± ¡°Don''t chase her away!¡± Zayron quickly said. ¡°We should treat members of the Luther family well if they''re visiting. Hado, go and lick her!¡± Caridee narrowed her eyes as she gazed at the children in front of her. Why do I feel that the three of them look a little like Artemis? Woof! Woof! Hado''s bark pulled her out of her thoughts. She shook her head, trying to ignore the bold and scary idea that popped into her mind. Both of them are Simon''s children, after all. It''s not weird at all for them to resemble Artemis. ¡°I-I''m here to apologize to Bailey. Please don''t make the dog bite me.¡± A frown was visible on Zayron''s face as he stopped Hado from advancing. ¡°Are you sure you''re here to apologize and not to argue? You''d better not fool me. Otherwise, I''ll make Hado destroy your innocence.¡± ¡°J-Just ask your mother toe out. I''ll apologize in front of her.¡± ¡°Susan, go call Bailey.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Momentster, Bailey exited her bedroom with a face mask on. When she saw the person standing at the entrance, she raised her eyebrow and snorted. ¡°Ah, so it''s the pure and elegant Ms. Caridee who''s visiting me. I''m sorry, my ce is probably too shabby to amodate someone as high ss as you. Please turn around and leave. Bye.¡± Caridee pursed her lips and stood silently for a few seconds. Suddenly, she got to her knees. Shocked, the children quickly ran away. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. After all, Caridee was still their elder. If they epted her gesture, they might receive divine punishment. A look of surprise shed past Bailey''s eyes. She didn''t expect the willful and prideful Caridee to kneel before her. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°I was wrong. I shouldn''t have mistreated you. Artemis said you designed my gown with sincerity, yet I listened to someone else''s words and caused you so much trouble. Since I''ve made a terrible mistake, I should apologize on my knees.¡± Looking at the stubborn expression on Caridee''s beautiful face, Bailey couldn''t help but sigh in her heart. Having experienced so many things, Bailey was no longer the shallow and immature young woman she once was. There was no reason for her to hold a grudge against a brat who wasn''t even an adult yet. ¡°Stand up. I only said those things to your mother out of spite. That design was always meant for you. If you don''t want to use it, the blueprint will just be a piece of useless paper.¡± ¡°R-Really?¡± Caridee looked at her with joy. ¡°Does that mean you''ve forgiven me?¡± Bailey stepped forward and helped her up. ¡°There''s no reason for me to hold a grudge against you when you''re not the real perpetrator. That blueprint is probably still in your mother''s hand. What you should think about isn''t whether I would agree to let you use that design. Instead, you should be wondering if your mother would let you wear that gown.¡± That stunned Caridee for a moment before she realized what the other woman meant. ¡°My mother has always been stubborn. She''ll never allow anyone to slight her. The reason she hates you so much is probably that she doesn''t see any good in you. Once you marry Simon¡ª¡± ¡°If there''s nothing else, Ms. Caridee, you should return home now. It''s gettingte, and it''s not safe on the road.¡± Caridee stared at Bailey for a while and understood something. ¡°I believe you''re not a gold digger and that you didn''t fake that paternity test results to fool my uncle and aunt to climb up the socialdder. If I was only showing thirty percent of my sincerity when I was on my knees earlier, then now I''m using one hundred percent of it to tell you I was wrong to misunderstand you.¡± In the living room of the Luther residence, the rage was written all over Glen''s wrinkly face as he bellowed, ¡°Nonsense! That woman gave birth to a daughter and son for Simon! How can you all ignore that and pretend it didn''t happen?¡± He liked Bailey. Since marriage between her and Edmund or Artemis wasn''t going to happen, he was nning to force Simon to marry her instead. Felicity grimaced. She had been trying to convince Glen to change his mind for the past half an hour, but the old man was stubborn. None of what she said made it into his ears at all. ¡°Simon is your precious grandson, Father. How can you throw him into the fire like that? Bailey is an indecent woman who doesn''t deserve my son! You''re saying this because you haven''t seen the little demons she raised! They''re so naughty that they made fun of me! They don''t deserve to be a part of the Luther family.¡± Glen mmed his cane on the ground three times forcefully and roared, ¡°You''re so ignorant! Even though you''ve been thedy of the Luther family for thirty years, your eye for people is worse than Edmund''s! You''re truly a failure. Call Gerald right now and get him toe back! I''ll talk to him.¡± There was a hint of embarrassment on Felicity''s face. How could she not feel ashamed for being reprimanded by her father in front of the younger generation of her family and rtives? ¡°Father, don''t forget that you''re only someone from my family. You have no say in what happens in the Luther family. In any case, I''m making it clear to you tonight that I won''t allow Ed, Artemis, or Simon to marry that woman. If she marries into the Luther family or the Chivers family, I''ll make sure to give her hell.¡± ¡°You...¡± The old man began to shake as he struggled to speak. ¡°Are you all right, Granddad?¡± Artemis promptly stood up and gently patted Glen''s back. ¡°Calm down, or you''ll hurt yourself.¡± ¡°Y-Your mother, she''s a rebellious daughter!¡± The moment Glen finished speaking, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted. ¡°Granddad!¡± ¡°Father!¡± Lots of people were standing outside the infirmary. When the door to the emergency room opened, Justin walked out. Artemis rushed toward him and asked in a panic, ¡°How''s Old Mr. Chivers?¡± Rubbing the space between his eyebrows, Justin replied tiredly, ¡°The tumor growing in the back of his head is spreading. I''m afraid it may develop into brain cancer if the situation worsens.¡± Everyone''s expression changed when they heard that. Yoel swiftly rushed forward and grabbed Justin''s arm. ¡°We''ve been using the world''s most advanced anti-cancer drugs to suppress the growth of the tumor. How is it still worsening?¡± Chapter 112 Chapter 112 Two years ago, when Glen was going through his routine check-up, he discovered that a tumor had been growing in the back of his brain. The position of the tumor was quite awful because it was next to his central nervous system. Both the Luther and Chivers family had hired a teamprising several international brain specialists. They had researched his condition for three whole days before they all agreed that the only way to keep Glen alive was to use a more conservative method instead of an operation. Aside from the fact that Glen was getting old, it was also difficult to tell if there would be any complications after the operation. Only a few people worldwide were willing to take on the challenge. Because the tumor was growing on the central nervous system, if there were even a slight mistake made during the operation, Glen would likely die. Justin sighed. ¡°I thought the anti-cancer drug that Old Mr. Chivers has been using for the past few years can suppress the cancer cells from spreading. But the truth is that this is a malignant tumor. It''s only a matter of time before it turns into cancer. Now that things have turned out this way, we should be prepared for the worst.¡± Yoel''s body trembled as he stepped back uncontrobly. When Edmund saw that, he quickly held his father andforted him, ¡°Grandpa''s condition hasn''t progressed to the worst stage yet. You should keep your spirits up, Father. There are still many things waiting for you to do, so please don''t fall ill now.¡± Artemis furrowed his eyebrows at Justin. ¡°Since you''ve noticed that the tumor has be cancerous, you should have a solution, right? Tell us about it.¡± A bitter chuckle escaped from Justin''s mouth. ¡°As you know, I''m not an expert on the brain. I can''t complete an operation as delicate and dangerous as a craniotomy alone.¡± Even if it was possible, he wasn''t going to do it willy-nilly. Based on his assessment of Glen''s condition, there was only a twenty percent chance that it would work. No one could afford to take responsibility if it failed. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Artemis stared at him coldly. ¡°If you don''t do the operation, no one else in this world will have the guts to do so. Are you suggesting we wait for Old Mr. Chivers'' tumor to turn into cancer and watch him die on the hospital bed?¡± ¡°I''m sorry.¡± Justin lowered his head slightly. ¡°This really is beyond my abilities. I won''t say no as long as there''s a one percent chance to save him. But I''ve never done an operation like this, and I don''t have the intention of ying with Old Mr. Chivers'' life. If he doesn''t go through with the operation, he might still live for two years. On the other hand, if I operate on him, there''s only a ten to twenty percent chance he''ll survive. It''s likely he''ll exit the operating room as a corpse.¡± A depressing look shed past Artemis'' handsome face. ¡°Is providing Old Mr. Chivers a conservative treatment really the only way to keep him alive while cancer consumes him?¡± He knew Justin wasn''t an expert in the human brain, and he also knew the good doctor hadn''t done an operation like that before. Therefore, he wouldn''t force Justin to gamble with his grandfather''s life. Justin remained silent for a while before he suggested, ¡°There may be someone who can perform brain surgery asplicated and dangerous as this one. However, she''s difficult to track, so we may not be able to find her.¡± ¡°Who is she?¡± ¡°She''s known as Anonymous, a true medical genius.¡± Artemis'' eyebrows furrowed when he heard that. He muttered, ¡°Anonymous, Anonymous... I heard this name before, but I can''t remember.¡± ¡°I do.¡± Edmund stepped forward. ¡°Three years ago, the king of Eskaria also had a malignant tumor in his brain. Back then, the Eskarian royal family had searched high and low for any expert who could save him. Ultimately, no one dared to take on the challenge to operate on the king.¡± Then he nced at Justin. ¡°When the daughter of a well-known medical family, Veronique Revelle, went to visit the Eskarian royal family, the king was miraculously cured a monthter. Everyone thought it was her who operated on the king. However, I met her a year ago, and she told me it wasn''t her.¡± There was a strange glint in Artemis'' narrowed eyes. He had heard about the malignant tumor in the king of Eskaria''s brain three years ago. There were plenty of rumors saying that Veronique was the one who had performed that miraculous operation. Two years ago, when Glen was found to have a tumor in his head, Artemis contacted Veronique. He had asked her to operate on Glen, but she had refused and said that she wasn''t the one who had saved the Eskarian king. He had asked her who the one responsible was. She didn''t reveal the person''s real name and had only said that the person was known as Anonymous. He quickly made the connection that the Anonymous Justin mentioned was the same one from three years ago. ¡°Can you contact this Anonymous?¡± Edmund shook his head. ¡°Veronique didn''t tell me much about her. But I''m certain she knows who Anonymous is and is familiar with her. Otherwise, the Eskarian royal family wouldn''t have agreed to let an unknown woman operate on the king. My guess is that Veronique rmended Anonymous to the royal family.¡± Silence filled the air briefly before Artemis spoke again. ¡°I''ll visit Old Mr. Revelle and ask him if he can invite his granddaughter back to Hallsbay as a favor from an old friend. If Veronique can perform the operation, then that''ll be great. If she can''t, then I''ll find a way to pry her mouth open and learn everything about this Anonymous woman.¡± ¡°Fair enough. Even if we have to mobilize all our forces, we must find Anonymous. If she can save the Eskarian king, she can save Grandpa.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey was currently talking on the phone in her bedroom. ¡°Are you sure you want me to stay in Luther Group''s headquarters? Did Artemis force you to say that, Xavier?¡± A low chuckle was heard from the phone. The person''s voice sounded rich, maic, and warm. ¡°You''re overthinking it. Mr. Luther has spent five years and a ton of effort training me. As long as I don''t betray Luther Group, he won''t touch me. Even if I raise hell in the Archulea branch, he''ll just ignore it.¡± Bailey frowned. ¡°Then why did you agree to the appointment letter he sent out? Why keep me in the headquarters? You should know my social circle is in Archulea. If I stay in Hallsbay, I need to start from scratch.¡± ¡°That won''t happen.¡± Xavier chuckled. There was a tinge of mystery in hisughter. ¡°Someone will appear and clean up the obstacles for you. You''re a rare talent, Bay. You''ll only find the space to improve and see a wider picture by staying in Luther Group''s headquarters.¡± Bailey sighed in resignation. ¡°Fine. The appointment letter has been sent out, anyway. I talked about this with Artemis before. I promised him that if you agreed to let me be the lead designer at the headquarters, I wouldn''t say no. Now that you have given your agreement, I can''t go back on my word.¡± ¡°Then don''t. Stay here and develop your career. I''m rooting for you. Even if you can''t be Mrs. Luther, you''ll still at least be the vice CEO.¡± That rendered her speechless. At the Luther residence, Glen woke up after he was given two bottles of IV. Caridee exchanged a few words with her grandfather before pulling Felicity out of the room. In the hallway, Caridee hesitated for a long time before she asked carefully, ¡°Mom, can you give me back Bailey''s blueprint?¡± Chapter 113 Chapter 113 Felicity red at her daughter. ¡°What do you mean by that? Are you nning to wear the gown she designed? I''m telling you, that''s impossible. I won''t allow you to wear the gown that b*tch designed. It''ll only be an embarrassment and bring more trouble!¡± Caridee was used to having everything going her way, so she wasn''t going to respect her mother''s decision like her brothers. When she heard her mother''s rejection, she harrumphed. ¡°Hmph! That gown is designed for me to wear, so why would it bring trouble to you? I don''t care. I want to wear that gown. Otherwise, I''m not going to theing-of-age ceremony. If I regret it in the future, it''ll be all your fault.¡± Felicity was furious upon hearing that. She didn''t want to hear anything about Bailey at all, yet her usually most obedient child was arguing with her because of Bailey. Of course, that ticked her off. ¡°You... Are you being rebellious right now? How dare you talk back to me! Have you forgotten all the manners you learned over the years?¡± Caridee retorted, ¡°Hmph! You talked back to Granddad too, so much so that he fainted. Does that mean you have also forgotten your manners?¡± The older woman tried to suppress her anger, but she failed in the end. She shook off her daughter''s arm that was wrapped around hers forcefully and scolded, ¡°I''ll say it again. I forbid you from wearing the gown that woman designed for youring-of-age ceremony! If you still see me as your mother, you''ll drop this matter and stop talking about her!¡± Caridee pouted and choked out, ¡°Mom, I had to kneel in front of Bailey to obtain the right to use the design. Please don''t¡ª¡± ¡°What?¡± Felicity eximed. Disbelief was written all over her face. ¡°You kneeled in front of that woman for that garbage blueprint? You''re the princess of the Luther family, Caridee Luther! How could a noblewoman like you be so shameless as to kneel in front of an infamous b*tch?¡± Then she pointed outside the window. ¡°Go and kneel before your ancestors right now! You don''t get to stand up until I say so. Is that clear?¡± The teenager blinked as tears burst from her eyes. After staring at her mother stubbornly for a few moments, she lifted her dress and exited the infirmary. Felicity''s hands curled into fists as she watched her daughter run out in tears. This is all because of that woman, Bailey! She''s the reason both the Luther family and the Chivers family are in a mess right now! One day, I''ll chase her out of this city. The next morning, Bailey, who had been staying in her home for four days, finally went out. She arrived at Luther Group''s headquarters in a high-profile manner. When she entered the lobby, she noticed that the way the employees looked at her had changed. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Jefferson.¡± ¡°Good morning, Ms. Snowke.¡± ¡°Good morning, Ms. Jefferson.¡± ¡°Good morning, Ms. Snowke.¡± Bailey simply smiled at them and walked into the elevator. There were a ton of people standing in front of all eight elevators, likely because it was rush hour at that moment. Her gazended on the sign ¡°For Ordinary Employees¡± and then on the sign ¡°For High-Ranking Employees.¡± The elevator with thetter sign had significantly fewer people in front of it. She assumed she was considered a high-ranking official of thepany since she was currently the lead designer of Luther Group''s headquarters. When she arrived in front of that elevator, she heard a mockingugh. ¡°Don''t you know there''s a saying that it''s always better to be self-aware? You haven''t even gotten Mr. Luther''s appointment letter yet, so why do you think you''re a high-ranking official? Are you getting arrogant because people now regard you as a master designer?¡± From the first word alone, Bailey could tell whose voice it was. It was Jessica. Despite being made a fool in the past, she still hadn''t learned to hold back. Eve probably had no choice but to ept a disciple like her because Jessica''s family was supposedly quite famous and powerful in Epea. Jessica was beautiful, and her family background was solid, but she was just a pretty face. The only good thing about her was her appearance. Even after learning under Eve for a few years, she didn''t learn a ten-thousandth of what Eve had taught her. Bailey slowly turned around and smiled at Jessica. ¡°Ah, it''s you, my dear junior. I didn''t prepare a gift for you thest time you greeted me. How about you greet me again? I promise I''ll give you a big mary gift.¡± Jessica''s face contorted. Junior? I can''t believe I need to refer to this woman as my senior! No way! ¡°I''m not your junior, Bailey. Don''t get too arrogant. It''s not good for your skin,¡± she spat. Bailey pretended to feel sorry. ¡°You''re not my junior anymore? So Eve kicked you out. What a shame.¡± ¡°You!¡± Of course, Jessica wasn''t going to take that insult lying down. She instantly exploded in anger as she stepped forward to pick a fight. However, Bailey had no interest in ying with her. Even if she won against Jessica, she wouldn''t feel aplished because it would be too easy. ¡°If you don''t want to get pped in public, I suggest you stay the hell away! Otherwise, I don''t mind teaching you a lesson on behalf of your master! In the past, if I hit you, you could still report me to the police for assault. But things are different now. If I p you, it''ll just be considered a teaching of a senior to a junior! The police will have no right to get involved, and all you can do is swallow your anger.¡± Jessica halted abruptly and red at her viciously, wishing she could turn her enemy into dust. Having been stared at like that a lot recently, Bailey had be immune to it. ¡°There, there, junior. If your master didn''t kick you out, then you''d better remember to call me Master Bailey in the future. As a disciple, you should know the first rule which is to respect your elders.¡± Jessica closed her eyes as she suppressed the boiling rage in her heart. While those words didn''t wound her greatly, it was enough to disgust her. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Whenever she thought about calling Bailey her senior, she wanted to stab her. There was nothing else in the world that was more disgusting to her than doing that. Right then, amotion was heard at the entrance. A slender figure entered the building while being surrounded by a few bodyguards in ck. ¡°Good morning, Mr. Luther.¡± ¡°Good morning, Mr. Luther.¡± Greetings could be heard from the lobby. Bailey narrowed her eyes at the familiar figure approaching her. He was walking toward her with the sun behind him, so from her angle, she could only barely make out his facial features. The image was blurry, yet brilliant. ¡°Good morning, Ms. Jefferson,¡± Artemis greeted. ¡°What?¡± Bailey returned to her senses. She was still a little dazed as she stared at the man. ¡°G-Good morning, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis smiled. So, this woman ogles at men, too. I''m d God gave me a face that can charm women. ¡°Come, ride the CEO''s private elevator with me. From now on, you don''t need to wait around to board the other elevators anymore. Just use mine.¡± Chapter 114 Chapter 114 The people around them instantly turned their attention to Bailey. That man is definitely trying to drive a wedge between me and the others! Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. She could feel one of them giving her a murderous re. Don''t be mad at me, Ms. Tanner. Your boss did this on purpose to teach you a lesson. ¡°Sure, Mr. Luther. Thank you for your kind invitation.¡± Now that the children''s identities have been exposed, I suppose he would not dare to do anything nasty to his brother''s wife, right? Bailey was not afraid of getting close to him anymore. In fact, she could no longer stay away from him because she had epted the appointment letter. There was no point in hiding from him anymore. Artemis nced at her before walking into the elevator. ¡°Come to my office first. I have something to discuss with you.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± At the CEO''s office on the top floor, Artemis gave Bailey a ss of fruit juice. After thanking him for the drink, Bailey initiated the conversation. ¡°I know what you want to say, Mr. Luther. I''m sorry that Susan''s and Zayron''s presence has put the Luther family in an awkward position, but I won''t put Mr. Simon in a difficult spot, so don''t worry. In fact, we had a pretty pleasant conversation and made some arrangements. From now on, my children will have nothing to do with the Luther family.¡± She kept mum for a few minutes before continuing, ¡°My children may be from the Luther family, but Mr. Simon and I don''t intend to get married. And I also won''t act against my moral principles by marrying into the Luther or Chivers family. So I need you and your brothers to stay out of my personal life.¡± Artemis arched his brows and smirked. Does that mean she has severed ties with Edmund? It looks like there''s nothing between them. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have uttered those words so easily. Although Artemis knew Bailey was warning him, he was pleased to pick up some information from what she said. As long as she''s not in love with Edmund and doesn''t want Simon to be responsible for the children, I''m confident I can win her over. ¡°I understand your concern. Don''t worry, our rtionship in the workce is purely professional. Besides, I don''t think I''ll see you after office hours anyway,¡± Artemis said. He lied straight to Bailey''s face without blinking an eye. Bailey stood up from the couch. ¡°Is there anything else? If not, I''ll take my leave. Could you please get someone to take me to the lead designer''s office?¡± Artemis raised his brows, pointed at the room opposite the CEO''s office, and smiled. ¡°You don''t need someone to take you. Your office is just right there.¡± That reply rendered Bailey speechless. Has he no shame? It''s like he''s not practicing what he preached! She contained her anger, gave him an icy re, and gritted her teeth. ¡°I appreciate your thoughtful arrangement, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis responded, ¡°You''re wee, Ms. Jefferson. Feel free to call the secretary''s office if you need them to buy anything for you.¡± Bailey instantly felt she had fallen into his trap! The phone in Bailey''s bag rang after she stepped out of the CEO''s office. She fished it out from her bag, nced at the screen, and knitted her brows. Veronique? Why is she calling me? ¡°What''s wrong, Vero? Did Zephyr have a rpse?¡± A weary female voice sounded from the other end of the phone after a short pause. ¡°We did a thorough medical checkup on Zephyr. He''s all right now, but we need bone marrow urgently. The Revelle family has looked through all the organ banks around the world but couldn''t find a suitable donor.¡± While Bailey was still on the phone, she opened the door to her office and was astonished by the view. Instead of admiring the spacious and luxurious office, she walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, stared out of the bustling streets, and gasped. ¡°Vero, don''t put on a tough front anymore. Contact the child''s biological father. We know you''re hurt, but you have to face reality. Leukemia is not like other diseases. Even if the father couldn''t save your son, you two could still give birth to another child and use the newborn''s cord blood¡ª¡± ¡°Bay,¡± thedy interrupted Bailey. ¡°You know, Zephyr has always thought of me as his aunt. He thinks my elder sister is his biological mother. If I go and look for his father, he''ll find out who he is.¡± Bailey could not help but feel sorry for them. She had spent the best days of her youth giving birth to a child out of wedlock and raising him. To avoid bringing disgrace to the family, she had to lie to the public that the child was her sister''s son. Bailey could understand the pain she had to go through. ¡°But if you don''t reveal the father, what''s going to happen to Zephyr? Perhaps you can meet the father and do a bone marrow match testing behind Zephyr''s back? If their bone marrow matches, you can get him to donate it anonymously.¡± ¡°He has a fianc¨¦e, Bay. I''ll destroy his life if I look for him.¡± Bailey was stumped for words. She had no idea who Zephyr''s father was and had never investigated his identity. That was the most painful experience of Veronique''s life, and Bailey did not want to trigger her memory. ¡°Besides, Zephyr inherited my medical talents. He may be seven years old, but he couldplete the paternity test without assistance. Zephyr will find out the truth if the man donates his bone marrow.¡± Bailey responded with a sigh. ¡°I might be able to help if it was a simple surgery. But we''re talking about leukemia and bone marrow transnt here. I can''t perform this procedure no matter how skilled I am.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Veronique said in a hoarse voice. ¡°I was just a little frustrated and needed to talk to someone, that''s all. By the way, I heard Zephyr did a paternity test for Simon and Zayron, and the results showed that Simon is his father. Is that so?¡± Bailey massaged her forehead. ¡°The test results would be urate if the blood sample Zayron provided was indeed Simon''s. I''ve seen the report and didn''t spot any problem. Zephyr does live up to his internationally acimed alias, Kai. That medical prodigy is only seven, yet he coulde up with such an urate report. I''m sure he''ll have a great future in the medical field, so don''t give up. I''m sure we''ll be able to find a way.¡± ¡°Yes. I won''t give up. I''ll be returning to Hallsbay in two days. Grandpa called and told me that the growth on the back of his old friend''s head has turned malignant. Since I''m an expert in this area, he wanted me to check on his friend to see if he''s suitable for a procedure.¡± Bailey gave Veronique a faint smile. ¡°You''re indeed the cream of the crop in that area. Let''s have dinner together when you''re back. How about Zephyr? Do you want to bring him over?¡± ¡°No. His biological father... is in Hallsbay.¡± Bailey could not help but frown. If Zephyr''s father is from Hallsbay, he should know Veronique very well, right? Howe he has no idea she was pregnant with his kid? Chapter 115 Chapter 115 What kind of heartbreaking truth is hidden in it? After a moment of silence, Bailey said, ¡°Vero, since he''s from Hallsbay, and since you''re nning to take a trip back here, take some time to meet him. He has the right to know that the kid exists, and saving Zephyr is his responsibility as his father.¡± Veronique let out a soft sigh before saying gloomily, ¡°I''ll think about it. Zephyr has been thinking of me as his aunt all these years, I... I don''t know if he can ept the truth. This is all my fault. To protect the Revelle family''s reputation, I allowed my grandpa and my dad to tell the public that the kid was my sister''s. Bay, I really regret it.¡± Bailey did not know what to say either. Whose shoes should she put herself into to console Veronique? Should she say that they were right to do that? Yet, the mother and the son saw each other every day. How ridiculous was it for Veronique to hear her own son call her his aunt? Should she say that they had done wrong since the start? That would only make Veronique feel even more remorseful. ¡°My dear, you''ll have to close an eye on this. You''re Zephyr''s emotional support. What is he going to do if you copse like this?¡± ¡°Yes. Every time I hit a dead end, I''d think about you in the past. It''s then I''ll realize that my pain and misery are nothing inparison to yours. Bay, I''m so d that I can be your friend. Being friends with you is the luckiest thing that has happened to me in this life of mine.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle at that. ¡°Perhaps mothers are meant to be strong. I used to be a naive girl who could do nothing but let her stepmother and stepsister bully her. After having Zayron and Susan, I finally know what responsibility is. They''re the reason I''ve been working so hard all these years. Fortunately, God was kind enough to let the old Bailey turn over a new leaf. Vero, you''ll be able to do that one day, too.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll heed your words.¡± After ending the call, Bailey stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window for a few more minutes before turning around to study the office. The room was huge and spacious¡ªits size wasparable to the secretary''s office next door, which was meant to house dozens of people at once. The office went for a fashionable but minimalistic design, and it managed to pull off elegance at the same time. The racks around the room were also filled with precious antiques and document folders. Arge curved desk was ced in the middle of the room, facing the entrance. Behind Bailey were the towering buildings, and she could take in the beautiful city view if she turned around to look out the window. Bailey ambled over to the back of the desk before sitting down on the chair. When she raised her head, she could see the CEO''s office opposite the door. Her angle allowed her to see the slender figure going through documents by his table. In other words, everything she did there would be seen by a certain man. Ha. Is this what he meant by a professional rtionship? Isn''t this a little too intimate? After spending the morning reading the files, Bailey could somewhat grasp what kinds of responsibility she had. She was the lead designer of the headquarters. Indeed, it was a managerial position¡ªshe would be managing thousands of fashion and jewelry designers of Luther Group''s various branches across the globe. It was no surprise Jessica had looked at her with hostility. If Bailey were her¡ªif someone were to snatch away something she wanted for years¡ªshe would have fought her in desperation, too. No one was a saint, and no one could do things that only saints would do¡ªunderstanding and forgiving. That was something Bailey knew well. Nevertheless, the strong survived. Bailey had given the other woman a fair fighting chance, but unfortunately, the other woman had been too stupid; Jessica had chosen to use dirty tricks to win her instead of proper methods, so she had no one to me but herself for being suspended. Felicity was a fool, and so was Caridee; both had been easily manipted. However, Artemis was not a fool. The man could observe everything with his sharp eyes, and no one could pull any tricks around him. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± A maic voice came from behind her. Subconsciously, she blurted out, ¡°Thinking about a viin.¡± It was then she finally snapped back to her senses and realized that she had said something without filtering it first. D*mn it! This is bad. The one behind me should be... the viin himself, right? Um... Artemis arched a brow and curled his lips. Mm, a good answer. Even though he knew that it was highly likely that the woman was actually cursing at him, he was still delighted. If she was constantly thinking about him, that meant that he would not take long before winning her heart over. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± The two were a hair''s breadth away, and Bailey dared not turn around. She was terrified that a repeat of the awkward situation like what had happened back then at the condominium would ur. ¡°I''m looking at the streets. Standing on the top floor of Hallsbay''sndmark and looking down on the bustling city makes me feel great. It''s only thanks to you, Mr. Luther, that I have the chance to look at the city and its people from all the way up here.¡± As she spoke, Artemis'' gaze was fixed on her fair, slender neck. He took two steps forward despite himself. His broad chest lightly pressed against her back, and even through the fabric, he could sense the aloof aura she was exuding. Bailey stiffened instantly and furrowed her brows. If she had not had the courage to move earlier, their current pose no longer allowed her to move even if she mustered the courage to. If she were to lean back a little, she would end up in his arms¡ªit would be as if she had thrown herself at him. ¡°You''ve been in the office for the entire morning. What do you think about it? Is there anything you want to change?¡± Bailey clenched her fists and said as calmly as she could, ¡°It feels great. It''sfortable and spacious. Thank you, Mr. Luther.¡± Then she lowered her head to look at her watch. ¡°It''ll be eleven in ten minutes; it''s almost lunchtime. To express my gratitude to you, Mr. Luther, please let me treat you to lunch. Though I think you might need to get your phone and jacket from your office first.¡± If she could put it in other words, she would have said, ¡°Yours truly has offered to treat you to a meal, so can you get the hell away from me now?¡± Artemis chuckled softly. A second after his deep voice traveled into her ears, his minty scent wafted across her nose. Bailey''s expression changed. This d*mn man. He''s leaning against me even more. How dare he flirt with his employee in his office? Has he no shame? Artemis was shameless, indeed, for men who clung too tightly to their dignities tended not to court anyone sessfully. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. When he leaned closer to her ear, he briefly brushed his lips against her earlobe and whispered, ¡°How can I have my lead designer treat me to a meal? Let me do that instead. It''ll be your wee party.¡± Bailey was a second away from an angry outburst. However, the man had trapped her in her spot. If she were to lose her temper, only one consequence awaited her¡ªan even more intimate touch with him. ¡°Holy sh*t, are you two making out?¡± Chapter 116 Chapter 116 Victoria was by the doorway, looking at the two people standing close to each other, her wide eyes about to pop from their sockets. It was no surprise that she had misunderstood the situation. From her angle, Bailey seemed to be leaning into Artemis'' arms meekly. At the same time, Artemis seemed to be whispering sweet nothings into Bailey''s ears. It looked like a sweet and romantic sight. Right as Victoria cried out, Bailey reached the limits of her anxiety. She spun around and elbowed the man behind her. Perhaps she had been standing for a long time, or perhaps she had been too tensed the entire time. The moment she turned around, a tingling, numb feeling shot up her legs and made her fall forward. F*ck! What the hell? I shouldn''t have turned around. I''d rather fall against the ss window than into his arms! Artemis grinned and spread his arms to hug the woman who was falling toward him. When Victoria yelped in surprise earlier, he had felt that the woman was a nuisance for appearing at the wrong time. However, he was inwardly thanking her now. If not for her sudden cry, he wouldn''t have been able to hold a beautiful woman in his arms. Victoria''s eyes widened again. She walked over to the two, and in a quavering voice, she asked, ¡°W- When did the two of you get together? You''re even making out in the office!¡± Making out your *ss! Bailey desperately wished she could strangle the other woman. Can''t you see I didn''t mean to fall into his arms? Artemis smiled. A sly glint shed past his eyes, and he exined, ¡°She stood by the windows too long earlier, so I think her legs fell asleep. That''s why she fell into my arms. As her boss, I can''t possibly just throw her off. I didn''t know it''d lead to a misunderstanding, Ms. Saunders.¡± F*ck! Is that his exnation? Can that even be called an exnation? He''s just adding fuel to the mes! Bailey barked out augh at the peak of her anger. Giving up, she simply put all of her weight on him. Simultaneously, she pinched his flesh with her hands that had been resting by his waist. In the next second, a sharp inhale was heard above her. Then, something warm spread across her waist. This b*stard! How dare he use an arm to circle around my waist? His hand is even on my stomach! He''s taking advantage of me! To Victoria, their actions only made things worse. Speechless for a moment, she then said, ¡°All right, I can''t stand the two of you anymore. I shouldn''t have been here. You two are hugging each other more tightly now after I showed up! This is immoral! How can you unt your love in front of me?¡± Bailey was fuming. F*ck! Why am I friends with a woman as absurd as her? ¡°Please leave. I have something else to say to Mr. Luther.¡± Victoria blinked, a look of anticipation on her face. ¡°What are you going to tell him? Let me listen too!¡± Exasperated, Bailey decided not to speak anymore. Artemis'' lips quirked up. When he sensed that her legs were no longer numb, he quickly pushed her away. The woman was a petroleum tank, and he had to take his time to win her over. If he was too hasty, she would explode, and he was not confident that he could withstand it. At least, not now. Once Bailey regained her freedom, she quickly moved to the side before ring daggers at Victoria. Then, she smiled and hooked her arm around Victoria''s arm and said, ¡°Vicky, you''vee to get me for lunch, right? Let''s go.¡± Victoria tilted her head to the side to nce at Artemis. She lowered her voice and told Bailey, ¡°Bay, I think I came at the wrong time and have disturbed your happy moment. Sorry.¡± Bailey pursed her lips in silence. Holding back hisughter, Artemis said, ¡°I''ll be buying lunch today, so pick a restaurant.¡± ¡°Rea¡ª¡± Victoria was about to exim in joy when a pang of pain came from her waist that stopped her from continuing her sentence. ¡°About that... It''s Bay''s first day here. She isn''t familiar with Luther Group''s cafeteria yet. I''ll bring her around to let her get familiarized with the environment. Why don''t we have lunch together another day? We''ll agree to this another time.¡± Artemis raised a brow but did not insist. With a smile, he said, ¡°Okay. I''ll have to trouble you, Ms. Saunders, to bring the lead designer around thepany. Your bonus will be doubled this month.¡± With that, he strode out of the office. The moment Artemis was gone, the tension in the atmosphere became lesser. Without missing a beat, Bailey smacked the back of Victoria''s head. ¡°Did you leave your eyes at home today? Can''t you see he was harassing me?¡± Victoria harrumphed. ¡°If I did, I wouldn''t havee in; I would''ve let him do as he pleased.¡± Bailey froze when she heard that. ¡°You came in here on purpose to cause trouble?¡± Victoria rolled her eyes, a little speechless by Bailey''s response. ¡°If the two of you really are a thing, and if I hade at the wrong time, I would''ve left the room in silence. I wouldn''t have been so insensitive as to disturb the both of you.¡± Bailey mulled over her words and realized that Victoria made sense. If Victoria had note in, she would have had to endure that man''s intentional teasing. ¡°Not bad. I''m d you came in, or else... I never thought Artemis would be so unruly. He knew I gave birth to two of Simon''s children, and technically, he should be avoiding me. I really don''t understand why he insists on clinging to me and even wants to make us get caught in a scandal.¡± Victoria shrugged and said nonchntly, ¡°He probably fell for you, my dear. Don''t you know how excellent you are? The viin Artemis has always had a unique eye for people. Perhaps he saw the radiating brilliance under your ordinary exterior.¡± Bailey drew her brows together. ¡°If that''s the case, I can''t stay in Luther Group anymore. How will the people look at Zayron and Susan if rumors about us being involved start spreading?¡± ¡°I agree. I don''t think you should stay in Luther Group''s headquarters anymore, but Mr. Luther seems determined to keep you by his side. Do you think you''ll be able to escape?¡± Bailey smirked. ¡°Say, would the board of directors fire me if I were to make a strategic mistake that resulted in a major loss for Luther Group?¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g In the living room of the Jefferson residence, Rhonda was grabbing Beatrice''s arms. It seemed that she had cried earlier, for there were still tears in her eyes. ¡°Mom, what should we do? That b*tch Bailey is like a cockroach; she simply won''t die! Now that everyone knows her son is Simon''s child, it''ll be even harder for us to get her from now on!¡± ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± Beatrice pushed her away. ¡°It''s even better now. This will stop Artemis from wanting her, and he''ll have no choice but to marry you. As for Simon... Don''t worry. Bailey broke Felicity''s arm in front of so many people. There''s no way Felicity''s going to let Bailey marry into the family.¡± Hearing that, Rhonda sobbed, ¡°You''re right. What are we going to do next? Are we going to just let Bailey off like that?¡± ¡°Let her off?¡± Beatrice sneered. ¡°The two of us will have to worry all the time as long as she stays in Hallsbay. Be at ease. I''ve alreadye up with a n to deal with her.¡± A joyous look manifested on Rhonda''s face. ¡°What n?¡± Chapter 117 Chapter 117 What n? A vicious smile grew on Beatrice''s lips. ¡°Didn''t she recently be the lead designer at Luther Group''s headquarters? We''ll start with her job, then. Don''t worry. With Jessica helping us out, we have more than enough ways to ruin Bailey''s reputation at work.¡± At night, Bailey stepped out of the taxi and was about to return to her condominium when she spotted a familiar figure at the end of the street. The sky was dark. The only lights around her were the scattered glow from the dim streetlights. Nevertheless, she still managed to see who it was with just one nce¡ªEdmund Chivers. Five dayster, he had finally reappeared. ¡°Hello, it''s been a while.¡± When she spoke, she tried her best to make herself sound calm. Edmund had never thought that she would greet him in the same way she usually would, so he froze in his spot. Bailey walked over and smiled while waving her hand in front of him. ¡°Snap back to your senses. What if a ghostes and steals your soul while you''re in a daze?¡± ¡°You...¡± Edmund couldn''t refrain fromughing. ¡°You''re you indeed. No matter how serious something is, it never seems to affect you.¡± Is that so? Bailey only smiled and shook her head. Nothing else in the world seemed to matter as much anymore since she had experienced losing a child. ¡°Without me, Edmund, you''re still you; you''re still the gentle, polite, and graceful son of the Chivers family. It''s a fact that there''s no such thing as not being able to live on without someone.¡± ¡°No,¡± Edmund said hoarsely, grabbing her shoulders. ¡°Bay, I''ve spent five days suppressing the overwhelming feelings in me, but my past few days of living like a walking dead have told me that my life is colorless without you. I feel empty.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and cried out in fury, ¡°Edmund, ask yourself. Am I worthy of you?¡± A pained expression came over Edmund''s face. ¡°I love you, so everything about you is good to me, and I think you are worthy of me in every aspect.¡± ¡°What about Simon? He''s your cousin, and now the whole world knows that I gave birth to two of his children. How are you nning to cross this moral line and marry me?¡± Her words were like a dagger stabbing Edmund''s heart. He slowly closed his eyes, seemingly mustering the courage to do something. A long while of silence The moment he opened his eyes, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. At the same time, he whispered into her ear, ¡°Simon has a girlfriend, and he doesn''t intend to marry you. Bay, let''s go back to Archulea soon, okay? Let''s give each other a chance and give me a way out of this. Can we do that?¡± Bailey could not bring herself to reject him out loud, as Edmund had humbled himself so much for her. Even if she did, she could not give him an outright rejection, for that would destroy him. ¡°All right. I''ll try to settle my matters in Hallsbay as soon as possible. We''ll go back to Archulea after that, and if we''re fated to be, we''ll talk about our future.¡± Indeed, Bailey had been thinking about going back to Archulea. Artemis was too interested in her, and to avoid causing a scandal and hurting her children, she had no choice but to choose to leave Hallsbay. ¡°Really?¡± Edmund tightened his hug. ¡°Are you really willing to go back to Archulea?¡± Amused, Bailey sighed and said, ¡°Edmund, my social circle is in Archulea. Going back is just a matter of time. Don''t assume that I''ve given you many things; these are nothing inparison with how you saved my life back then.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. With that, she pushed him away before grabbing his arm and towing him into the residential area. ¡°It''s cold out here. Let''s continue our talk inside.¡± Edmund was still processing the joyous news, so he made no attempt to stop her as she dragged him upstairs. In the condominium, Zayron and Susan were huddled up on the couch, watching television. When they saw their mother bringing Edmund into the house, they jumped off the couch. ¡°Daddy Eddy!¡± ¡°Daddy Eddy!¡± Bailey could sense their delight. She guessed that her children really saw Edmund as their own father. Edmund pushed Bailey away before hunching over to hug the child running toward him. ¡°Daddy Eddy, it''s been five days since you''vee to see me!¡± Susanined as she nted a kiss on his cheek. ¡°Don''t worry, Daddy Eddy. You''re the only one I''ll call Daddy. No one else will be good enough for the name.¡± A gentle and doting smile spread across Edmund''s face. He leaned over to kiss her forehead and said, ¡°Then I''ll be your daddy forever.¡± It was then Bailey cleared her throat and studied her surroundings. ¡°Where''s Max?¡± Zayron huffed. ¡°His grandma''s people came to take him away. Apparently, his great-granddad has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, so he''s¡ª¡± ¡°Zayron,¡± Bailey interrupted before turning to Edmund. ¡°The boy doesn''t have a brain-to-mouth filter. Don''t take his words to heart.¡± ¡°It''s true that my grandpa has been diagnosed with a terminal illness,¡± Edmund said, dropping the smile as a worried look appeared in his eyes. ¡°It''s a malignant tumor, and no one dares to operate on him.¡± Shock flickered past Bailey''s eyes, but it soon disappeared. She frowned and asked, ¡°Is it serious?¡± ¡°Yes. It''s a malignant tumor in his central nervous system, and it''s spreading toward his brain. It''s very likely that it''ll turn cancerous.¡± Bailey''s eyes widened. A tumor on the central nervous system? It''s that bad? ¡°It''s in a perilous location, so it''s definitely a tough case. It seems that there''s no one in the medical industry who can do this surgery because the survival chances for it is less than twenty percent. The ones who have done the operation are either dead or in aa. Still, don''t be too anxious. There''s always hope.¡± Edmund smiled and gazed at her. ¡°You sound like you know medicine. You''ve managed to state the risks involved urately without looking at his report.¡± Bailey returned the smile. ¡°It''s just casual research when I''m free. Isn''t the Revelle family, a family of doctors, specializing in this? Perhaps you can make a visit to the Revelles and find out if Old Mr. Revelle can do anything about it. After all, he has quite the reputation as a surgeon.¡± ¡°I''ve visited the Revelles, and Old Mr. Revelle has called his granddaughter. Ms. Veronique will be returning to the country in a few days'' time.¡± Bailey stiffened as the memory of Veronique''s words to her echoed in her mind. So she''sing back to treat Old Mr. Chivers. ¡°Ms. Veronique has inherited her surgical skills from her grandfather. She''s the most brilliant individual among three generations of Revelle. With her there, everything should be fine, so be at ease.¡± Despite his reassurances, Bailey still felt a little worried. Three years ago, Veronique had been invited to Eskaria to perform a craniotomy for the king of Eskaria. However, in the end, she did not do the operation, for the king''s tumor, too, had been on the central nervous system, and she had not dared to do it. In the end, it was... All Bailey could wish was that Veronique''s skills had improved after three years and that she could complete the operation by herself. ¡°Bay, you''ve been overseas for many years. Have you heard of a woman named Anonymous?¡± Chapter 118 Chapter 118 Anonymous. An inexplicable look shed in Bailey''s eyes for a split second. It had been a long time since someonest mentioned this name. ¡°I...¡± Just as she was about to respond, Edmund''s phone rang inside his pocket. After picking up and hearing what the other person had to say, his expression turned grave. ¡°Okay. I''ll be right there.¡± He then hung up abruptly and turned around, cing his hand on the doorknob. ¡°My grandfather''s fallen unconscious again, Bay. It looks pretty serious, so I have to go back now. It''s gettingte. Have an early night, and don''t stay up.¡± ¡°Don''t be too hasty,¡± Bailey called out while grabbing onto his arm. ¡°You still need to drive! If you panic, you might... Oh! What am I saying? Anyway, be careful on the road. Your grandfather''s hung on for two years. I''m sure he''ll be fine this time too.¡± Perhaps due to his restlessness, Edmund didn''t seem to have caught the hidden meaning behind her words. Glen''s illness had always been a highly-kept secret, and the public knew nothing about his condition. If Edmund were his usual alert self, he would surely have grown suspicious when Bailey mentioned Glen''s having ¡°hung on for two years¡± and began questioning her. Fortunately, he was now so worried that realization hadn''t dawned on him. And how did Bailey find out about Glen''s illness? Through a phone call with Veronique, of course. Two years ago, Veronique had informed Bailey that the eldest son of the Luther family, Artemis, had contacted the former, asking her to return to Hallsbay to operate on Glen. Yet, she had turned him down immediately while also adding that she wasn''t the main surgeon who had operated on the king of Eskaria three years ago; it was a woman called Anonymous. After failing to retrieve any other information on Anonymous from Veronique, Artemis could only leave things be. As for now, Bailey roughly understood why Artemis had asked Veronique toe back. He''s hoping Veronique would agree to perform the surgery, but if she doesn''t, he''d probably try to find out more about Anonymous through her. Sigh... My head hurts. Zayron tugged onto the corner of Bailey''s shirt and nced up at her. ¡°If Glen is the granddad of that scumbag of a father of mine, that makes him my great-granddad, right, Bailey?¡± Bailey rubbed her temples. It was clear what the boy was insinuating. ¡°That''s right. By right, you should be calling him your great-granddad. It''s just that Simon doesn''t intend to acknowledge you both as part of the family, so you can just pretend not to know anything.¡± Zayron pouted. ¡°But we already know, so why should we act like we don''t? You have so much to say for someone who isn''t doing anything while Great-granddad''s lying in bed and could go anytime soon.¡± Exasperated, the woman gave the back of his head a light p. ¡°What do you want me to do, then?¡± Zayron broke into a smile. ¡°Save him.¡± Bailey stilled momentarily before disagreeing right away. ¡°That''s impossible. Any surgeon can do it but me. Give up on that idea of yours.¡± With that, she turned and walked toward the bedroom. For some reason, her usually-carefree silhouette now looked rather depressing and lonesome. ¡°Veronique can do it, Zayron. She has to because this time, no one wille forward to help her like what happened three years ago.¡± Pursing his lips, Zayron stepped forward to refute her, only for Susan to hold him back by the arm. ¡°Don''t do this to her, Zayron. We''re the only ones in the world who can''t tell her what to do.¡± ¡°But she¡ª¡± The little girl quickly waved a hand in front of him. ¡°Have you forgotten what happened, Zayron?¡± she whispered. Hearing that, the boy''s face turned pale. ¡°Of course, I haven''t, but that''s exactly why she should go back to the operating table and try¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t force her to,¡± Susan pleaded while hugging him tightly. ¡°Mommy''s traumatized. She still can''t get over what happened.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Zayron responded with a sigh. ¡°I''ll talk to Vero when shees back. Maybe you''re right that anyone in this world can tell Bailey what to do¡ªanyone but us.¡± ¡°Yeah. I just want Bay to be happy. Even if she chooses not to do anything and just stays home every day, I can bring in the money to look after her.¡± Meanwhile, the Luther residence''s infirmary was now crowded with family members, all of whom looked grim. Compared to how anxious and solemn they were, Glen looked visibly nonchnt as he sat on his bed enjoying a bowl of oatmeal. ¡°All right, now. I''m still alive, so stop looking as if I just died. It''s depressing, for goodness'' sake.¡± ¡°Father,¡± Felicity uttered in frustration after sitting at the bedside. ¡°Justin said your health''s gotten worse since two months ago. I''ve also confirmed this after speaking to the medical team in charge. Why did you force the doctors to hide it from us? Are you that eager to meet Mother? Did you never consider what your children would think of it?¡± Glen had refused to remain in the country for the past two years. Having met and fallen in love with his wife in Springwyn during their younger days and then losing her eventually robbed him of all the color in his life. That was why he now only wanted to spend his remaining years in the very ce he had first met her. His children had initially disagreed, thinking he was simply delusional. How could they have allowed him to live abroad on his own, knowing that a tumor had grown inside his head? Yet, their insistence was no match for the old man''s stubbornness, and they eventually relented after thetter refused to eat for three days. With Simon''spany and the best medical team in the world tending to Glen, everyone had thought he was in good health, only to then learn that his condition had deteriorated two months ago. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The elderly man had even coerced the whole medical team into hiding the truth from his family. At present, Yoel stepped forward too. ¡°She''s right, Father. You''ve gone too far. You refused to stay in Hallsbay and did not want me to follow you to Springwyn. Not only that, but you even forced the doctors to hide your condition. What on earth have you done? Have you lost your mind?¡± Unable to tolerate their nagging, Glen pointed at the door. ¡°Get out! All of you! You don''t know how happy and carefree I was without any of you around, but now that I''m back, you just can''t leave me alone! Get out of my sight and do whatever else you''re supposed to do!¡± Both Yoel and Felicity were bereft of words. There was nothing they could do about this old man. ¡°If you keep this up, I''ll summon Mother''s spirit so she can tell you off personally.¡± Chapter 119 Chapter 119 Crash! The sound of ss breaking rang out clearly inside the room. The elderly man had flung his bowl to the floor in a fit of rage. ¡°Are you threatening me with your mother, now? Fine! Summon her spirit! I can''t wait to ask her why she left me in this world!¡± Reduced to silence, Artemis, Simon, and Edmund nced at each other helplessly. Given that Glen had been bound by rules all his life and was finally revealing his true colors, his grandsons could do nothing butply with him now. Continuing to bicker with him would only cause him to pass out in anger. Smiling, Edmund walked over and patted his grandfather on the back. ¡°Grandpa, you may have maternal great-grandchildren now, but you still don''t have any paternal ones. How about you wait until I get married and have kids before you think about joining Grandma?¡± The old man huffed, ¡°Don''t assume I know nothing about myself anymore just because I''m old. There''s a tumor in my central nervous system, and it''s turned cancerous too. I''ll die if I were to get surgery.¡± Realizing he could be misunderstood, he added, ¡°Death doesn''t scare me. I just don''t want to trouble those doctors and leave them with more blood on their hands. Assuming the worst, if I were to die, that surgeon''s career would be over. Are you guys really willing to let that happen?¡± Edmund couldn''t help butugh. ¡°We''re not that unreasonable, Grandpa. There''s always a contract to sign before the surgery. Take good care of yourself, and we''ll arrange for the surgery in a few days, okay?¡± ¡°No,¡± Glen insisted. ¡°If I''m going to die at the operating table, you may as well let me overdose on sleeping pills here. Get out of here. In any case, I''m not proceeding with the surgery. Professor Damon said I still have about a year and a half, so don''t worry about me.¡± Edmund wanted to say more, only to see Gwendolyn shaking her head at him, signaling him to stop talking. There were two main reasons Glen was against getting surgery. Firstly, it was because he no longer saw a need to remain alive and couldn''t wait to be reunited with his other half. Another reason was that he didn''t want to get his blood on a young doctor''s hands and ruin thetter''s medical career. With a sigh, Yoel requested everyone to leave. ¡°It''s almost twelve. Go home and get some rest, everyone. I''ll stay here and keep watch.¡± After the group walked out of the room, Felicity held her son by the arm. ¡°You have to get Anonymous toe to Hallsbay and operate on your granddad, Artemis,¡± she urged. ¡°He''s the only elder we have left. We can''t let anything happen to him.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll do what I can with every resource I have to save Granddad. I''ll get Anonymous to operate on him as long as she''s still alive.¡± He paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Caridee''s spent enough time inside the ancestral hall. She''s still young, so don''t be too stern with her. Give her what she wants. We won''t get to dote on her anymore after she gets married.¡± Felicity pursed her lips. Despite feeling reluctant, she could only agree so as to not infuriate Glen any further and cause more detriment to his health. ¡°Fine. Since she likes the dress, she can have it made. It''s hering-of-age gift anyway. She''s the star. It''s her own fault if she ends up disgracing herself anyway, so I may as well stop being the bad guy.¡± ¡°I''m d you''re relenting. Thank you on Caridee''s behalf.¡± The next day, Bailey was busying herself with a pile of documents in the design department of Luther Group when Dwayne entered with a push of the door. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, there''s something I feel I should let you know.¡± The woman then looked up at him with raised brows. ¡°What is it?¡± With a smile, Dwayne handed her a rmendation letter. ¡°Mr. Luther personally penned this letter and wants me to mail it to The Grand Fashion Show organizers along with one of your works. The letter means you''ll be nominated as a candidate for the uing Ultimate Designer award.¡± Bailey froze briefly. She then took the letter and nced at it. ¡°If I recall correctly, The Grand Fashion Show has a regtion whereby a person can win The Ultimate Designer award only once. I already received the award four years ago, so please let Mr. Luther know that I have no intention ofpeting for the title this time. Let him give another capable designer the opportunity to shine.¡± The man could not help but smile as though he had predicted her response. ¡°Did you receive the award four years ago? But ording to what I remember, it was Snowke who had won.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. How sneaky can that guy be? ¡°Mr. Luther has said that if you refuse topete for the title, Luther Group won''t send a nominee ever again.¡± What? Is this not a pure threat? Ha! Baileyughed in exasperation deep down. If Luther Group really were to stop submitting candidates because of her, she was sure to be the blight of every single designer working for thepany. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Calm down. Suppressing the rage within her, the woman shed Dwayne a grin. ¡°Well, since it''s such a big deal to Mr. Luther, I won''t dampen his spirits. Do as he says, then. I have no thoughts on the matter.¡± Dwayne beamed. As expected of Artemis¡ªthe man could pin her down no matter how tough she was. The universe would be way too cruel if these two didn''t end up together. Veronique returned from abroad two dayster. After stopping by her home to say hi to her parents and grandparents, she then rushed over to the Luther residence in spite of her jetg. The study was full of people when she arrived. Felicity hurriedly stood up to wee her. ¡°You''re back, Vero! Come, now. I''ve had Justin prepare all the information you need, so do take a look. Feel free to re-examine Old Mr. Chivers if you have any doubts.¡± ¡°Hello, Mrs. Chivers,¡± Veronique greeted with a nod. ¡°How are you?¡± ¡°I''m fine as long as the old man is.¡± The younger woman then proceeded to greet the other members of the family, exchanging a few words. They all grew up in the same circle, so she knew them fairly well. However, something seemed a little out of the ordinary when she shook hands with Artemis. That was because of what he had said to her. ¡°I leave my granddad in your hands, but if you really can''t do it, I''m afraid I may have to request your good friend''s assistance.¡± What does he mean by that? Is he trying to contact Anonymous through me? ¡°Oh, please, Mr. Luther. The only friend I have who''s also in the medical field is...¡± The woman trailed off as her gaze fell on a silhouette standing next to the desk. Is he still doing okay? Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Sensing her gaze, Justin looked up, and their eyes met. Neither of them spoke. Instead, Veronique smiled and turned toward Artemis, saying, ¡°Justin is the only person I know in the medical field.¡± Artemis arched his brows and smiled back faintly. His gaze seemed to say that he had something on his mind, but he did not express it. ¡°I see. Whatever it is, I''m entrusting him to you,¡± he finally uttered. ¡°I''ll try my best,¡± Veronique promised, nodding. With that said, she paced over to the table and smiled at Justin. ¡°It''s been a while,¡± she greeted casually. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Justin spared her a nce as he took out a stack of records from a folder. ¡°These are the patient''s recent medical records. Have a scan. Check them out and let me know if you have any questions.¡± Veronique took the documents from him but did not flip through them immediately. A brief silence ensued before she spoke. ¡°I heard you and your fianc¨¦e are getting married. I hope I''m invited to the wedding.¡± Justin stitched his brows, and his gaze froze. ¡°The Revelle family will be invited to the wedding. Let''s stick to business, shall we? We''ll talk about thister.¡± Veronique forced a rigid smile and looked down at the report in her hand. Her face fell at first nce. ¡°A central nervous system tumor? Grandpa didn''t tell me about this before I came back,¡± she eximed. Is this a ruse? Gosh. I can''t believe that old man worked with them to trick me intoing back. He''ll get it from me when I go home. ¡°Is it going to be difficult?¡± Artemis asked on the other side. ¡°Yes. Very,¡± Veronique replied, scanning through the documents. Her face gloomed the more she read. ¡°So, the tumor cells worsened, turned malignant, and metastasized...¡± Veronique closed her eyes briefly and turned toward Artemis and the rest, shaking her head. ¡°There would still have been a thirty-percent sess rate if the cancer in his hindbrain had not worsened, but from what I see in the reports, the cells have already spread to other cranial nerves, so there''s no way I can perform this surgery... I''m sorry.¡± Everyone paled when they heard that. Agitated, Felicity went over and grabbed Veronique''s arms. ¡°Vero, you saved the king of Eskaria three years ago. You must be able to save my father too! Please. You''re the only surgeon in the world that would do this craniotomy procedure. We can only watch him die if you don''t operate on him.¡± ¡°I wasn''t the one who did the surgery three years ago. Besides, the king''s condition is different from Old Mr. Chivers''. His cancer had not worsened, and the cells had not spread at the time of operation. Even for a case like that, the sess rate was only twenty percent. Moreover, the patient was only forty-over years old at that time. Old Mr. Chivers is already eighty. We don''t even know if his body can take it,¡± Veronique exined with a sigh. Felicity wanted to persuade her, but Artemis stopped her. ¡°What is the survival rate if you''re the one doing the operation?¡± he asked with a frown. The woman pondered for a bit before answering, ¡°Not even ten percent. I wasn''t even confident enough to perform a twenty-percent survival rate surgery for the Eskarian king¡ªlet alone Old Mr. Chivers'' operation. His condition is worse. I really can''t take it up.¡± Here, she paused shortly and thought. ¡°I''ll run some tests on Old Mr. Chivers again and discuss the results with my grandpa. We''ll see if we can develop a treatment n for him. Give me three days. If you guys don''t hear back from me after that, it means all of you have to look for someone else.¡± Felicity shook her head in denial, with despair written all over her face. She staggered backward until Simon caught her. ¡°Please do everything you can to save him, but, of course, we understand if you don''t want to take the risk,¡± Artemis said after a pause as if he had made up his mind about something. Then, he turned to Edmund and continued, ¡°Bring her to Granddad''s ward to do another check.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Once the two had left, Felicity glowered at Artemis, seething, ¡°Why did you forbid me from asking about Anonymous? Veronique is the only one who knows where she is. Anonymous is our only hope now if Veronique can''t save your granddad!¡± Artemis sighed in resignation. ¡°Mother, she''s not obliged in any way to tell us about anything about Anonymous. She''ll turn you down immediately if you ask her about it. This will only make it more difficult for us to request anything from Veronique in the future.¡± Felicity was stumped for words. He''s right, but this is not the time to look at things so rationally. My father is on the sickbed now. His condition is deteriorating, and the cancer cells are spreading fast. ¡°Do you have other ns, then?¡± Felicity asked. ¡°Are you just waiting for her to tell us on her own ord where Anonymous is?¡± Artemis nodded lightly. ¡°That''s exactly what I''m thinking. It''ll be best if she can offer us that information voluntarily. Even if she doesn''t want to, I hope she will stille around because she''s a doctor. She won''t just sit idly by as the patient dies.¡± Hopefully this will prick her conscience. Artemis was an experienced businessman. He knew just how to get the things he wanted¡ªboth in business and in life. Felicity heaved a sigh of relief when she heard that. I can count on him. After all, it only took him seven years to make Luther Group a multinational organization. He even became one of the five wealthiest men in the world. I bet he will oust the others from the list in no time. ¡°That''s great. I''m d you already have a n in mind. Just make sure she tells us where Anonymous is. I will not allow anything to happen to your granddad.¡± ¡°I understand, Mother.¡± That same night, two young women met at Sugar and Spice Caf¨¦ in a private room at eight o''clock. ¡°It''s been a while, Bay. I''ll propose a toast, but with coffee,¡± Veronique said to the woman beside the window. Baileyughed. ¡°Sure. I dare you to finish that whole cup of coffee in one shot.¡± Veronique nced at her speechlessly and rolled her eyes. She still gets on my nerves. ¡°Coffee is meant to be savored. It''s not a drink for you to squander away in just one gulp,¡± Veronique replied after taking a small sip. Bailey smiled again and fell into silence. ¡°So, you went to the Luther family?¡± she asked after a while. ¡°How''s Old Mr. Chivers?¡± ¡°It''s a very tricky situation,¡± Veronique said, taking out the reports from her bag. ¡°I wouldn''t have returned if I knew his cancer was in the central nervous system.¡± Bailey quirked her brows, taking the documents from her friend. She looked through quickly, and her brows furrowed. ¡°It became so bad in just two months? Why did they take so long to decide to operate on him?¡± ¡°Old Mr. Chivers hid it from them, but regardless, there''s no way I can do this surgery,¡± Veronique said with a sigh. Bailey put the report aside and sat back in her chair. ¡°You''re not the person they''re after. They want to reach Anonymous through you.¡± Chapter 121 Chapter 121 Veronique could not help but chuckle. ¡°I suppose you already have a n since you knew what they are after. What do you want me to do, Bay?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes as she picked at her nails, thinking silently for a few minutes. ¡°Vero, do you think I should reveal myself?¡± Veronique frowned. ¡°Bay, are you still thinking about what happened that time?¡± Bailey looked out of the window at the bustling streets in the night city littered with colorful lights, and sorrow and regret clouded her eyes. She remained silent for a long, long while until she spoke again in a hoarse and dry voice. ¡°I can never forget what happened, Vero. It has left a permanent mark on my life. The operating table is a trigger for me. I will never ovee this fear if I can''t walk out of this trauma. I won''t be able to hold a scalpel again my whole life. It''s life and death we''re talking about. I don''t think I will ever get over it.¡± ¡°But it was not your fault,¡± Veronique urged, holding her hand. ¡°That child was so badly injured when he came in. There was no way you could have saved him, Bay!¡± Glints of tears shone and spread in Bailey''s eyes until her eyes were moist. Behind her tears were emotions she concealed so securely that no one would ever understand. ¡°But he was Shannon''s son, Vero. He was the only hope of her life, and she entrusted him to me. I told her I would do everything I could to save him, but I didn''t do that in the end. I didn''t bring him back to her. I''m the one who pushed her down the bottomless pit of misery!¡± Bailey covered her face in guilt, and tears seeped through her slender, fair fingers. Veronique stood up, went over to her, and pulled her into her arms. ¡°Bay, it was not your fault. There were a lot of blood clots in his venous sinuses when you operated on him. We all know that was a lost cause, but you still insisted on the operation. That was already the best you could do for him.¡± Bailey broke into a smile, shaking her head. ¡°I know in my head that it was impossible to bring him back, but my heart doesn''t feel that way. I don''t think I can ever put this behind me. Eugene saw me as his own mother. He would always follow me around, shouting ''Mommy Bay,'' but what did I do for him? I couldn''t even keep him alive.¡± When she pulled her hands away from her face to show Veronique, they were wet with tears. ¡°I carefully cut the blood vessels because I knew there were blood clots. I was so careful, but bleeding still happened in the end. His blood was all over my body, hands, and face. Can you imagine that, Vero? You''re seeing this pair of clean hands, but they were stained with Eugene''s blood.¡± ¡°Stop it, Bay,¡± Veronique pleaded, her arms squeezing around Bailey. ¡°It''s all in the past. We will just leave it where it is even if you can''t get over it. You can stay away from the operating table for as long as possible. Just stop thinking about it, Bay. Stop.¡± Baileyy in her arms like a stiff log. She was a strong woman, but at that moment, she badly needed a friend''s shoulder to cry on. ¡°I can''t even bring myself to contact Shannon over the years. I''m afraid she''ll me me; I''m afraid to look into her lifeless eyes. They pierce through my heart like a knife.¡± Veronique looked away and swallowed back her tears. ¡°Let''s not talk about this anymore, shall we?¡± she asked with a soothing voice and rigid smile. ¡°Get some good sleep tonight. You''ll still be the same strong Bailey I know tomorrow. I won''t force you to do anything you don''t want.¡± Bailey got up from her embrace and looked into her eyes with a sad smile. ¡°They can''t force me to do anything even if they find out who I am. I already cut the veins on my wrist three years ago. I can''t even hold a scalpel now.¡± ¡°Bay!¡± Veronique stared at her in utter disbelief, her body quivering violently. She suddenly recalled something and grabbed Bailey''s right hand before touching her wrist. Her face paled in horror. There''s really a scar! This will not affect her daily life significantly, but there''s no way she can ever do a complex surgery again. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, how could you do this to yourself?¡± Veronique fumed. She was infuriated learning the truth. Her eyes showed rebuke, pain, and pity as she red at Bailey, but thetter smiled lightly. ¡°Don''t worry about it. I can still do everything as usual. I even designed a beautiful gown for Caridee. That''s enough to show that I can do everything as usual except holding a scalpel.¡± Veronique stared at her as she felt her whole body drained of strength. She would have fallen to the ground if her hands were not on the table. Why did she even do that? This is a massive loss to the whole medical sector. She was such a talented surgeon! Veronique sighed in resignation. ¡°It''s toote for me to say anything, isn''t it? You''re the one going through this, so I can''t say I understand your struggles. As for the Luther family, I won''t tell them about Anonymous, so you don''t have to worry.¡± Bailey patted her shoulder and smiled. ¡°I don''t mind letting them know if they keep pressuring you. They probably won''t even believe you if you tell them anything.¡± Veronique shook her head. ¡°I still won''t tell them anything. I don''t want them to disturb your peaceful life. I wanted to ask for your help when I came, but not anymore. What you said was thest straw for me. I''d rather you start a new life instead of dwelling in the past.¡± Bailey pointed at the opposite seat with her chin and smiled. ¡°Let''s talk about something else. What have you been up to these few years?¡± When morning came the next day, Simon made a trip to Shelbert Condominium. He had no intention of going over after Bailey and the children messed with him, but because Glen insisted that Simon bring them to the Luther residence, he had no choice but to go over himself. He knew it was a critical moment for the family, so he did not defy the old man''s wishes. Disobeying him would only make him angry, so Simon just did as he was told. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Zayron came to open the door in his pajamas, and he frowned the moment he saw Simon. ¡°Aren''t you afraid that my mommy will let the dog loose again to bite your member?¡± Chapter 122 Chapter 122 Simon''s face twitched and gloomed. Why do I even have a son like this? Never in Simon''s life had he ever met a son who would call a dog to bite his own father. This kid is the first, man. Zayron looked impatient when Simon did not reply to him. ¡°I''ll close the door if you have nothing to say,¡± the boy said, grabbing the door handle. ¡°Wait,¡± Simon blurted, shoving one of his feet into the door gap, ¡°Where is your mommy? I want to talk to her.¡± Zayron nced at him. ¡°She went out yesterday night and is still not back yet. Just call her if you want to talk to her. I''m tired. Get your foot out, or I''ll ask the dog toe. I''m sure Hado will be able to locate that part of yours urately this time.¡± Simon swallowed hard, ring at the boy in wariness. ¡°D-Did you say she didn''te home? Is she not worried about you guys?¡± he stuttered in a shaky voice. ¡°She always does this. That''s why I say you''re smart. Otherwise, you''d have ended up being cheated on if you married her,¡± Zayron replied with a shrug. Simon clenched his jaw. What a promiscuous woman. Can she even bring up the children properly? Thank God I didn''t marry her. In fact, I should make sure Artemis and Edmund don''t fall for her. ¡°Well, your great-granddad wants to see you and Susan. Do you guys want to visit him if you all are free?¡± Zayron shook his head without even thinking. ¡°I won''t go anywhere unless Mommy says so. I don''t want to get kidnapped.¡± Okay... Does he even see me as his dad? Simon scratched his nose awkwardly. ¡°I might not be able to officially make you all a part of the Luther family, but I''m still your father. I won''t do that to my own son.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g Zayron cocked his head and looked at Simon haughtily. ¡°Oh, really? So, you know I''m your son, but you still brush me aside and let me stay outside like a homeless person. What a jerk.¡± ¡°He''s right. You''re a jerk.¡± A kiddish voice came from inside. Susan was holding on to her teddy bear, ring at Simon. ¡°Mommy would be engaged to Daddy Eddy if it were not for you. You''re disgusting!¡± While speaking, the girl walked over to her brother and gazed at him. ¡°I thought he wanted to bring us to see Great-grandad? We''ll go. It''s not like we''re outsiders. Why can''t we go to the Luther residence?¡± she asked. Zayron raised his brows and patted Susan''s head. ¡°All right. We''ll go,¡± he announced, raising his leg to boot Simon in the knee. The man recoiled in pain, and his right foot jerked back from the door. Bang! The door mmed right in his face. It took Simon a while to snap back to his senses. ¡°Hey! Are you stilling with me to see Old Mr. Chivers?¡± he shouted, banging the door. ¡°We''ll see you downstairs after we get changed!¡± Simon ended up falling asleep in the car, for he had waited for a good half an hour. Luckily for him, the journey home was uneventful since the children looked forward to seeing Glen. But once they arrived at the Luther residence and just got out of the car, they were met with a hostile and angry Felicity. ¡°Who asked you to bring these two brats here, Simon?¡± The man rubbed his forehead in annoyance. ¡°Mom, Granddad wants to see his great-grandchildren, so can you please stop making a fuss? He doesn''t have many days left.¡± Felicity glowered at him, pointing at Zayron and Susan. ¡°When did our family acknowledge these two bastards? They''re not his great-grandchildren. Send them back before I ask the guards to chase them out! It''ll be embarrassing for everyone then.¡± Simon''s heart sank. ¡°Mom,¡± he called coldly with his eyes narrowed, ¡°the Luthers'' blood run in them. You can be stern all you want, but you can''t call them ''bastards.'' They are my children, so show me some respect, at least.¡± ¡°Exactly, you old witch!¡± Zayron chimed in. ¡°How dare you say that to us. Are you saying that my daddy is also a bastard? If that''s the case, then may I know who''s my real grandpa?¡± Felicity was incensed. What Zayron said was equivalent to an usation that Felicity cheated on her husband. Her arm was shaking in anger when she pointed right at Zayron''s nose. ¡°Get lost!¡± she screamed. ¡°Get out right now! Or I''ll ask the guards to break your legs!¡± They''re not my grandchildren! They''re not part of the family! No! I''ll never acknowledge them, even if I go to hell! There''s no way I''ll ever ept these two unruly and rude bastards! Zayron suddenly felt a gush of thrill in his heart when he saw how infuriated the old woman was. ¡°Did you say ''get lost''? Sorry, but I don''t know how to do that. My mommy is not a dumb*ss, so she never taught us how to do that. You, on the other hand, seem to say that a lot. I bet you know how to do that very well. Why don''t you show me how it''s supposed to be done?¡± The impertinent kid pushed Felicity to the verge of passing out. Her legs gave way, and she faltered backward. The maids hurried over to hold her. ¡°Are you all right, Mrs. Luther? Do you have a headache? Should we send for the doctor?¡± one of them asked. ¡°Call all the guards out,¡± Felicity ordered, still pointing at Zayron. ¡°Tell them to break his legs and throw him out!¡± ¡°For real?¡± the boy scoffed. ¡°You''re a cruel witch.¡± Then he turned and kicked Simon on the calf and shrieked, ¡°Are you really one of the family? You must be a bastard too! It''s all your fault! You''d better go do a paternity test with your daddy!¡± All the servants heard what Zayron said because he was shouting, and many started discussing among themselves. ¡°I remember Mrs. Luther wasn''t this harsh when Ms. Rhonda brought Mr. Maxton here. She likes him a lot. I don''t know why she hates Mr. Simon''s son so much.¡± ¡°Maybe what that kid said is right.¡± ¡°Do you mean Mr. Simon is not Mr. Luther''s son?¡± Chapter 123 Chapter 123 Shh! Don''t say it out loud!¡± ¡°Ah! I''m sorry! I should be careful.¡± Felicity was piqued when she heard the servants'' murmurs. I don''t care anymore. I must punish this boy today! He has pushed me beyond my limits! Before long, a group of bodyguards was summoned over. Zayron grabbed Susan''s arm and whispered, ¡°Cover your ears.¡± The girl blinked in agreement. She knew her brother was about to teach the people a good lesson. Zayron tugged her, and the two retreated a few steps back until the fish pond was right behind them. The boy nced at some of the rarest Koi fish in the world swimming in the pond. One Koi is worth tens of thousands. That old witch will cry her heart out if all of them die. Haha! A menacing smirk curved on Felicity''s face when she saw that the children were cornered. ¡°What are you all waiting for? Throw them into the pond! It''s time we wash those filthy kids clean!¡± ¡°Yes, ma''am!¡± Simon wanted to stop the guards, but he was proven to be no match for all the trained men when two of them held him back, locking him where he was. He looked around desperately and called out to the maids, ¡°Call Artemis and Edmund. Quick!¡± ¡°No one is doing anything!¡± Felicity roared, scowling at all the servants present. ¡°Consider yourself fired if you do!¡± Simon was on pins and needles. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. D*mn it! I shouldn''t have brought them here! None of them is willing to back down! Bang! An explosion made everyone jump. Simon''s eyes widened in shock as he looked at the pond. The boy had just thrown something in, and in a loud crack, water sshed up from the pond into the sky for as high as ten meters. In the next instant, the water went raining back down together with the dead fish, drenching everyone. Felicity was wiping her face when she saw the dead fish on the ground. Like a madwoman, she broke free from the two maids holding her and ran over. ¡°My fish! My fish! They''re dead! They''re all dead!¡± She plodded between the dead fish, dispirited. Zayron and Susan had just gotten out from under a statue without the slightest stain on their bodies when Felicity red at them with her eyes narrowed. The children nced at the disheveled crowd, and their gazes finallynded on Felicity. ¡°You should thank me for not bombing your roof, or else the whole residence would be in chaos by now. If you still insist on breaking my legs, I''ll show you how a luxurious mansion worth three billion is brought to ashes.¡± Felicity straightened her back, looking at the child. She was so exasperated she felt like skinning the boy and burning him alive. ¡°What are all of you waiting for? Grab him! Get me the whip! I''ll break his legs today!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the butler answered. Susan was unnerved by the turn of events. ¡°Zayron, please don''t bomb the house. We''ll die here.¡± ¡°That''ll be great. We don''t even need to dig our graves, then,¡± Zayron joked, rolling his eyes. Seeing that the guards were closing in, Zayron took out an object about a pearl''s size and swayed it in the men''s faces. ¡°Any idea what this is? This is the most advanced mini explosive in the world with customizable impact. What happened to the fish is the least this bomb can do. You guys should back off if you don''t want to end up like the fish. You''re mistaken if you think a kid like me doesn''t know anything. Don''t say I didn''t warn you.¡± The guards exchanged hesitant nces. They saw what happened to those Koi fish, but Felicity did not buy any of Zayron''s threats. In fact, she was irked by how timid those grown men were in front of a kid. She charged forward, growling, ¡°I dare you to throw it. I bet you don''t have the guts to throw it at me.¡± The boy pursed his lips and pointed at the expensive fish. ¡°I thought you''d cry a river seeing your beloved fish dead, but you still have the energy to challenge me. It turns out you''re pretty durable.¡± Felicity''s rage dissipated at the mention of her precious Koi. Her legs buckled, and she almost slumped to the ground if it were not for the guards. Zayron smirked at the sight. Initially, he nned on visiting Glen and leaving immediately without causing a stir, but Felicity provoked him. Behind him, Susan stuck out her head and smiled at Felicity. ¡°Grandma, how about you treat us to delicious fish for a meal? I doubt you can finish them all on your own in one go. We can pick them up and season them with salt before drying them under the sun,¡± the girl suggested cheekily. ¡°You... You...¡± Felicity was so pissed by what the girl said. Not only did Susan call her ¡°grandma,¡± but she also rubbed salt into Felicity''s wound when she mentioned the fish. The olddy stammered something until her eyes rolled back, and she fainted. The whole Luther family was thrown into disarray immediately. Artemis and the Chiverses rushed over when they received the news. They were appalled when they beheld the mess. Yoel carried Felicity from the maids and asked with a frown, ¡°What happened to her? Why did she pass out?¡± The maids looked over at the siblings standing beside the pond. ¡°Mr. Simon brought the children home. Then...¡± The butler went on to fill Yoel in on what went down. Beside them, Artemis rested his forehead in his palms in chagrin. Gosh. Can''t they just give everyone a break? Why do they always have to fight each other head-on? He walked over to the children and frowned at Zayron. ¡°Didn''t I tell you to respect your grandma?¡± ¡°Hmph! Are you saying that I should just let her break my legs and feed me to the fish?¡± Artemis squinted his eyes at the boy, eyeing him from head to toe before his gaze finally stopped at his swollen pocket. ¡°What was it that you threw into the pond? Show me.¡± Zayron pouted and dug his hand into his pocket unwillingly. ¡°One of these costs a million. Wire me the money. Your brother has my bank ount.¡± Artemis arched his brows, looking at the item. He recognized it immediately. ¡°How did you get this? Who gave it to you? What do you have to do with the organization?¡± he questioned. Chapter 124 Chapter 124 Zayron whipped his head aside, still puckering his lips. ¡°I don''t understand what you''re talking about. What organization? You make it sound like it''s some underground operation. Do you think a kid like me would know anything about stuff like that?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and pondered until he finallyughed. ¡°You''re right. You''re just a kid. There''s no way you''d know anything about that. I must have made a mistake. I''m sorry.¡± Zayron tugged his lips at the man. I can''t believe someone can be this cunning. I finally understand why people say he''s a sly fox. He definitely is one. Artemis gave the boy back his explosive and reminded him, ¡°Try not to use something so dangerous next time. You might end up blowing yourself up.¡± He''s even got a serpent''s tongue! Unlike his brother, Susan was delighted to see Artemis. She came out from behind Zayron and smiled at the man. ¡°Hi, boss. It''s nice to see you again.¡± Artemis'' expression softened when he saw the girl. She had always managed to touch the most tender spot in his heart. Artemis picked her up and brought her into the house. ¡°You''re a good girl, Susan. I''ll bring you to your great-granddad. I''m sure you would want him to be around longer so you can grow up with him around.¡± Susan blinked her eyes at Artemis knowingly. Maxton had told her the night before that Glen refused to be operated on, and no one was able to change his mind, so Artemis was hinting that the girl should try persuading the old man, but Susan knew this was not within her ability. If Glen agreed to undergo surgery, the Luthers would force Veronique to tell them who Anonymous was. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Thest thing the girl wanted was to make things difficult for Bailey. Although Glen was her great-granddad, Bailey was still the most important person to her. No one could take precedence over Bailey in the girl''s heart. ¡°I can talk to Great-granddad about it, but is there even anyone who can operate on him? If no one can do it, there''s no point even if he agrees to do it. Won''t Great-granddad be sad?¡± Artemis was startled. He looked down, only to see the girl''s small and cute features. The shape and features of her face reminded him of Bailey, and his heart melted. He loved Bailey, so there was no way he would not feel the same way looking at her daughter. ¡°You''re right. Then we''ll just spend time with Great-granddad today, okay? We''ll make sure he has a good time without talking about his operation. We''ll only talk to him once a doctor can help him.¡± Uh... Susan suddenly felt like she just made things worse. Over in the ward, Glen was thrilled to see his great-grandchildren. He kissed the kids over and over again the moment he saw them. To him, he had lived a good and long life of outstanding achievements. The only thing he wanted then was no longer sess, power, or wealth but his great-grandchildren. ¡°Great-granddad!¡± Susanined, ¡°I don''t like your beard. They feel so itchy!¡± Glenughed heartily hearing the girl. After ying with them for a while, he asked the girl, ¡°Susan, do you want to move back to the Luther residence? You can live with your dad.¡± The smile on Susan''s face stiffened, and she shook her head instantly. ¡°No. I don''t want him to be my daddy. He has a girlfriend. That means I have to call someone else ''Mommy.¡®¡° Glen eyed Simon from the corner of his eyes. ¡°What did you tell her?¡± Simon rolled his eyes. I didn''t tell them I have a girlfriend! Susan pulled Glen''s sleeve and pointed at Edmund at the other end of the bed. ¡°Great-granddad, I know you''re the most powerful person in the family. Can you make Daddy Eddy my daddy instead? He''s the one who saved us when we were in danger. He helped us a lot.¡± Here, she paused and blinked her bright eyes at the old man before moving closer to whisper in his ear. ¡°Most importantly, Daddy Eddy likes Mommy, and Mommy likes him too. He really loves us like his own children.¡± Glen''s eyes sparkled at the idea. True that. Simon''s not a potential candidate, so if Bailey likes Eddie, I can really make it happen. ¡°Are you sure about that, Susan?¡± Glen inquired. The girl nodded firmly with a smile. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Glen rubbed his chin and fell into deep thoughts. This is worth considering. Artemis had been standing beside the bed all that while. His head dropped, and a glint of disappointment shone in his eyes. I''m the unlikeliest person to end up with her, but I can''t help it. She already has a ce in my heart. What can I do? Watch her marry someone else? I don''t think I can do that. I can give up on anything but her. Over at the Revelle residence, Bill was having a confrontation with Veronique. Bam! The man pped the table in full force and pointed at his daughter. ¡°I chose to let you be when you refused to say who the father was seven years ago, but Zephyr is in a dire state now, Veronique Revelle! Are you going to watch your son die without doing anything?¡± Bill raged, his body shivering in anger. Veronique looked down silently. There was no telling what was on her mind as she sat before her father like a lifeless puppet. Bill was even more furious when she did not reply to him. ¡°Can''t you hear me when I''m talking to you? Are you still protecting that man and letting your son die?¡± Veronique took a deep breath and looked up. ¡°Dad, I really don''t know who that man is. I was drunk that night. I don''t even remember his face,¡± she said hoarsely. ¡°This is absurd! You''ve studied medicine your whole life. I know you''ve tried different medications, so there''s no way some alcohol or drugs can cause your memory to be fuzzy. At the end of the day, you just want to protect that man!¡± Standing up, Bill snorted and continued, ¡°I understand if you want to keep him from me, but let me warn you, Veronique. If I find out who he is, I will cut him into pieces.¡± Veronique also stood up and gazed at her father. ¡°I was really drunk that night,¡± she reiterated. ¡°I told you I don''t remember who he is, so you can choose to believe whatever you like. I don''t have time for this. I still need to look into Old Mr. Chivers'' operation. I''ll get going.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bill was suddenly at a loss for words watching her leave. ¡°Don''t you want to hear Zephyr call you ''Mommy''? Do you want to be his aunt forever? You will regret this, Veronique.¡± Chapter 125 Chapter 125 Veronique instantly stopped in her tracks. She didn''t turn around, but her body was trembling violently. Her father''s words were like a knife that had pierced into her heart painfully. Am I satisfied? Of course, I''m not! It was utterly saddening to hear her own son address her as ¡°Aunt.¡± Bill walked over to her and reached out to hold her shoulder. With a soft voice, he said, ¡°You love Zephyr. All of us do. That kid has an amazing gift for medicine. If he were to...¡± He paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°It would be such a shame. Vero, tell me. Who is that man? Only he can save Zephyr now.¡± Hesitation shed across Veronique''s eyes. In an instant, she seemed to have remembered something, for her gaze became determined. ¡°I will do my best to save Zephyr. If, in the end, I am not able to save him, I will die with him. I really don''t know who the father is,¡± she said, her voice unfaltering. A look of pain shed across Bill''s eyes as he gripped tightly onto his daughter''s shoulder. However, when he met Veronique''s determined gaze, he let go of her. ¡°Fine. You don''t even care about your own son''s life, so what can I, as a granddad, do?¡± Veronique took a deep breath and walked out of the room. She had decided to take that secret to the grave. Back then, Veronique loved him wholeheartedly, but her affection was one-sided. He had never even nced properly at her. He even had a fianc¨¦e. This was her final shred of dignity. Even if her child was on the brink of death, she would hold steadfast to it. Veronique didn''t want to put him in a predicament, and she didn''t want him to think that she had snatched Zephyr away from him. Meanwhile, in Luther Group, Dwayne and Jessica walked into the lead designer''s office. Bailey looked up from her stack of files. When she noticed them, she quirked an eyebrow and asked, ¡°How do you have the time to saunter around my office, disciple?¡± Fury swelled in Jessica, but she suppressed it. She would always get annoyed every time she saw Bailey. Dwayne noticed the fiery atmosphere between the two. He quickly walked in between them for fear of them getting into a fight and tearing the office apart. ¡°I invited Ms. Tanner here to discuss the partnership with LG Corporation with you,¡± he said with a smile. LG Corporation? Partnership? Bailey narrowed her eyes at that. If it were any other enterprise, she naturally would not pay much attention to it. However, it was LG Corporation. It was a multinational enterprise and was headed by Lionel. Lionel. He was Victoria''s most painful scar. ¡°Oh? Tell me about it,¡± Bailey said. Dwayne passed a file over to her. ¡°Have a look at the documents. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.¡± He smiled. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Bailey lifted an eyebrow and took the file. However, she did not bother looking through it and instead smiled back at Dwayne. ¡°This is a lot of documents, and I''ll probably take half a day just to go through them. In order to not waste each other''s time, please roughly exin it to me,¡± she said in a joking tone. ¡°All right.¡± Dwayne took a moment to organize his words before speaking, ¡°LG Corporation is a film and productionpany. It has taken nearly one-third of the entire world''s advertising resources. They own many famous international mediapanies as well.¡± At that, Bailey tapped her desk with her fingers. ¡°I know. Get to the point,¡± she interrupted. Dwayne scratched his nose awkwardly. In some aspects, Bailey was just the same as Artemis. These two were definitely made for each other. It was now up to fate to bring them together. Artemis seemed like he was going to pursue her no matter what. Regardless, Dwayne hoped that Artemis would seed. ¡°Luther Group''stest clothing brand will need to be introduced to the market soon. The fastest and most effective way will be to work with LG Corporation and make use of their extensive advertising resources to let the public know of Luther Group''s newest clothing brand.¡± Bailey instantly understood what he exined. Artemis wanted to get help from LG Corporation''s advertising and mediapanies to introduce the newest clothing line to the public. However, this should have been handed over to the public rtions department instead of her. Hold on. Dwayne had not revealed if Bailey was in charge of it yet. Therefore, Bailey pointed at herself and asked tentatively, ¡°Am I in charge of this?¡± Before Dwayne could even reply, Jessica interrupted from the side, ¡°Do you think it''s easy to be the lead designer of Luther Group? This is a test given to you by thepany. Prepare to leave the company if you dare to fail.¡± Bailey smirked at what Jessica said. What a heated response. It''s as if you''re afraid that I''ll reject it. There seems to be something hidden behind this. It had always been clear that Jessica wanted Bailey to fail. However, she wasn''t able to bring Bailey down in other aspects. As of now, the only thing Jessica could do is damage Bailey''s reputation in the marketce. This coboration might even be a hole that Jessica had dug. She was probably waiting for Bailey to take the bait and jump into the hole. How persistent. Bailey had already shown Jessica mercy on behalf of Eve. Nevertheless, Jessica still did not try to change. It seemed that there was no need for Bailey to do the same the next time Jessica tried to bring her down. ¡°Mr. Derning, is this approved by Mr. Luther? Does he want me to be in charge of this partnership?¡± Dwayne nodded. He then thought of something and shook his head. ¡°Quentin was originally in charge of this, but LG Corporation wanted you to take over instead. Mr. Longman had been discussing this with LG Corporation''s personnel in charge of the partnership for two days but to no avail. It was only then that Mr. Luther appointed you to be in charge.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Bailey snapped her fingers. ¡°I''ll ept it.¡± She wanted to see if Jessica had thought of more creative ways to ruin her reputation and chase her out of Hallsbay. ording to Bailey''s spections, the other party should have been ordered to deliberately cause trouble. Regardless, time would tell who was the one who gave the orders. When Jessica saw that Bailey had epted it, a malicious glint shed across her eyes. I don''t believe that I won''t be able to get rid of you. At two in the afternoon the next day, Chivers Group organized a press conference to announce Glen''s condition to the public. Both Yoel and Edmund solemnly bowed in front of everyone. ¡°My grandfather''s illness is worsening. The Chiverses hereby announce that whichever doctor can operate the surgery will be greatly honored by us. We will also fund all further research and development projects,¡± announced Edmund. The moment Edmund''s announcement was released to the public, many brilliant neurosurgeons from all around the world rushed to Hallsbay. Putting aside the fact that they would be able to receive funds for all future research and development projects, being seen as an honorable guest by the Chiverses was more than enough to motivate many to try. Of course, when they found out that Glen''s tumor was growing on his central nervous system, most of them gave up immediately. Chapter 126 Chapter 126 Henry Cadman was a famous surgeon who had two PhDs. He also had more than forty years of clinical practice and was an internationally renowned professor of medicine. After reading through the information on Glen''s sickness, Henry shook his head and sighed. ¡°If Cataleya were still around, she would definitely be able to sessfully conduct the surgery. It''s unfortunate that she died from an illness two years ago.¡± Artemis frowned at that. ¡°Mr. Cadman, are you referring to Cataleya, the doctor who was skilled in both modern and traditional medicine?¡± ¡°You''re right.¡± Henry stroked his white beard. He seemed to have suddenly thought of something, for his expression turned sorrowful. He sighed. ¡°Cataleya had helped countless people in her lifetime, but she could not save herself in the end. She had been forcefully taken away by her sickness.¡± Felicity quickly walked up to him and asked, ¡°Does Ms. Cataleya have any disciples? Her brilliant skills in medicine should have been passed down. Please tell us, Mr. Cadman. Old Mr. Chivers'' sickness cannot be dragged on any longer.¡± ¡°Disciples?¡± Henry muttered to himself. He then shook his head. ¡°I''ve never heard of her epting disciples. She was always on her own and was never tied down by anything. She didn''t want to cause unnecessary trouble for herself. Therefore she didn''t ept disciples.¡± A look of disappointment could be seen on Felicity''s face. Artemis was getting frustrated as well. Cataleya had been serving as a brilliant doctor for nearly her entire life and had saved countless lives. Was she really willing to bring all of her brilliant medical skills to the grave alone? ¡°Oh, right. I remember something.¡± Henry smacked his thigh. ¡°My memory is terrible. I can''t believe I forgot such an important thing. Around three years ago, Cataleya told me that the royal family of Eskaria invited her to perform a craniotomy on the king. However, moving around was hard for her, so she kept rejecting them. In the end, she couldn''t withstand the pressure and sent a close friend of hers to Eskaria in her ce.¡± ¡°Cataleya also said that her friend was smart and gifted. If she hadn''t vowed to never ept disciples, she would have epted that girl. Regardless, although they didn''t have a mentor-mentee rtionship, she still shared all of her medical techniques with the girl,¡± Henry added. Felicity became excited when she heard that. However, she soon lost the prior excitement when she thought about it. The woman that Cataleya had sent to treat the king was probably Anonymous. s, they could not even find her. ¡°Are you talking about Anonymous?¡± Henry nodded. ¡°You''re right. Her alias is Anonymous. Nheless, I have never seen her before. ording to Cataleya, she is an extremely talented child. Cataleya wouldn''t have passed her knowledge to her if that wasn''t the case.¡± ¡°Do you have any contact with Anonymous? Do you perhaps know where she is?¡± Felicity rushed to ask. Henry only sighed and shook his head. ¡°It''s a shame. I visited Cataleya before she died and managed to find out that the girl had been through a lot and had decided to stop practicing medicine. This is probably the reason behind her decision to disappear. It will be hard for you to find her. Cataleya said that not many people know of Anonymous'' real identity.¡± Felicity''s legs gave out as she slumped onto the couch. They had gone through extreme lengths only to end up in the same spot. She looked up at Artemis and said, ¡°We can only beg Veronique. You must find out about Anonymous'' whereabouts from her. It doesn''t matter even if I have to kneel and beg her, for I must get that information from her. I can''t possibly see him die just like that.¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°I got it. Leave Veronique to me. You and Uncle Yoel should apany Granddad more and convince him. What''s most important is that he agrees to the surgery.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, in the patient''s ward, Glen red at Simon. ¡°You really don''t want to marry her?¡± Simon shook his head furiously. What kind of question was that? He would rather die than marry the woman who threatened to release a dog to bite off his groin. Glen grabbed the ss on the bedside table and smashed it toward Simon. ¡°You good-for-nothing fool! Have you forgotten your lessons on bearing responsibility? I wouldn''t have asked you to marry her if it weren''t for her already giving birth to two kids. How dare you tarnish her?¡± Simon barely managed to avoid the ss, and he quickly retreated to a corner of the room. ¡°I don''t deserve to enjoy what I never helped with. Please find a better suitor for her, and don''t trouble me anymore.¡± Glen was about tough at how angry he was. ¡°Fine. If you don''t want to marry her, I''ll get your cousin to do it.¡± Simon lowered his head, and a smile appeared on his face. In the end, he still had to rely on his family in crucial times. However, Simon did not dare to get in the way of Glen''s ns. It was better that he escaped from this. Noticing that Simon didn''t make a move to object, Glen became more determined. Eddy will marry her, then. ¡°Granddad, we''ve already reached an agreement. Let Edmund marry her. Don''t go back on your word.¡± Glen waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Get lost. Don''t appear in front of me these few days. What an eyesore.¡± Simon was rendered speechless. In the study at the infirmary, Justin poked his head out from the piles of documents that were stacked before him. He nced at Dwayne, who had just walked in, and frowned. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Dwayne shrugged. ¡°It''s Saturday. I''m here to visit Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Justin snorted, and he pointed to the ceiling above him. ¡°His ward is on the third floor. You''re at the wrong ce. Get lost.¡± Dwayne walked over and smacked Justin on his shoulder. ¡°You''re already going to be a husband. Why are you still so temperamental? I was passing by the second floor and decided to pay you a visit,¡± he teased. With a disgusted look, Justin pped his hand off. ¡°If you have nothing to say, get lost.¡± Dwayne blinked at him and smiled knowingly. He lowered his voice and replied, ¡°Vero, who had a crush on you back then, is back. You should have met with her, right? Since you''re still not married yet, why don''t you¡ª¡± Justin stared right at him. His eyes were cold and sharp as he red venomously at Simon. Dwayne ducked his head and quickly said, ¡°Okay, okay. I''ll stop talking. However, everyone from the Revelle family is a medical genius. Did you know that Simon and Zayron''s paternity test was done by the young boy Yvonne ced under her sister''s care? He''s only seven, but he''s so brilliant.¡± Justin''s hand, which was holding a pen, froze momentarily. ¡°How did you know that?¡± he asked. ¡°I did some investigation on it. Artemis wanted me to find out where Zayron sent Simon''s blood sample. I found out that he gave it to a boy named Kai. I then realized that he''s the grandson of the Revelle family,¡± Dwayne responded. Justin narrowed his eyes while a look of admiration shed across his eyes. Although he did not personally read the paternity test, it should be urate if it could be acknowledged by the Notary Public Office. The seven-year-old child had to have extraordinary talent if he was able to produce such aplete and precise paternity test. He started to be interested in the boy. ¡°Do you have the original copy of the paternity test? Let me have a look.¡± Chapter 127 Chapter 127 Aftering to his senses, Dwayne quickly pulled out his phone. ¡°Yes. I saved a copy in the Cloud.¡± ¡°Send it to me.¡± Dwayne nodded and began fiddling with his phone. Ding! Justin gazed at the screen once hisputer beeped. The next moment, he directly asked Dwayne to leave, ¡°You''re not needed now. Please leave.¡± Dwayne cussed before grabbing the fruit basket on the side and leaving Justin alone. Meanwhile, Justin opened the folder and nced at it. He furrowed his brows as soon as he read the data on the second page. Wait a minute! Something''s wrong with the paternity test''s data. As the Luther family''s private doctor, Justin had a photographic memory and remembered most of the DNA sequences of all members of the Luther family. He confirmed that the data didn''t belong to Simon''s DNA sequence. Could it be that... the blood sample was mixed up? However, it''s rather unlikely! Artemis told him before that Maxton did steal Simon''s blood sample from the blood bank. Also, Zayron and Edmund were confirmed to be rtives. As such, they didn''t question the paternity results back then. As Justin flipped the pages, he realized that the data matched Artemis'' DNA sequence. In other words... Justin rubbed his eyebrows. My goodness. Can anyone exin to me what is going on? ¡°Impossible. Zayron cannot be Artemis'' son. Since Artemis only slept with one woman his whole life, how could he have a son outside of that rtionship? Something must be wrong with the data. Furthermore, since they''re brothers, it''s normal that their DNA sequence resembles one another.¡± With that, he grabbed the phone on his table and called Dwayne. Dwayne said mischievously as soon as he picked up the phone. ¡°What''s up? Do you miss me already, not long after we''ve separated?¡± ¡°Cut the cr*p. I have a question¡ªhave you found the contact number of the young man called Kai?¡± ¡°Why do you ask? Are you interested in a certain someone''s nephew? I''d suggest that you court Veronique. She is apetent woman and has be a surgical expert at a young age. Three years ago, she was invited to Eskaria. Even though she wasn''t the one who cured the king, her abilities are not to be underestimated.¡± Justin wasn''t interested in listening to the nonsense, for his mind was upied with the data of the paternity test. After a while, he got annoyed and shouted, ¡°Shut the h*ll up! Just give the young man''s contact number to me now! I have something urgent and need to speak with him.¡± ¡°All right. I was just joking. Why are you so angry?¡± With that, Dwayne hung up. Soon, a phone number appeared on Justin''s phone screen. Justin dialed the number and realized that it was no longer avable. Apparently, the young man had set his phone to block unknown callers. Under current circumstances, Justin thought he couldn''t propose to redo the paternity test, or the Luther family would fall into the eye of the storm. Moreover, he didn''t believe that Zayron was Artemis'' biological son. Over the years, Artemis only slept with Rhonda and had a son, Maxton. He wouldn''t possibly have another son except for Maxton. After pondering about it, Justin believed the likeliest exnation would be that Kai made some deliberate mistakes when carrying out the DNA analysis. Hence, he had to obtain theplete data from Kai andpare it with the results in the report. A brief silenceter, he decided to call Veronique. Once Justin got through to Veronique, he asked, ¡°Ms. Veronique, I have some urgent matters and need to speak with you. Are you free to meet now?¡± Veronique fell silent for a moment before answering, ¡°Well, I want to ask you some questions about Old Mr. Chivers'' condition too. Let''s meet up at Sugar and Spice Caf¨¦ an hourter.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Meanwhile, Jessica and Rhonda were seated by the window in a caf¨¦''s private room, discussing ways to go against Bailey. Rhonda said, ¡°Bailey will be kicked out of thepany''s board of directors by the board members if we can sabotage the new brandunch. I assure you¡ªher position will be yours as long as she vanishes from Hallsbay.¡± Jessica sneered and replied disdainfully, ¡°Ms. Rhonda, you''re indeed good at making use of others. You used Felicity and Caridee before but still failed to bring Bailey down. Now, you''re using me to get the unfinished task done. Oh, not forgetting Janice, who lost her job because of you. We are only your tools to go against Bailey, and most of us have to pay the priceter. I have to admit you are an expert at ying your cards right!¡± Rhonda shed Jessica a graceful smile, patted the back of her hand, andforted her, ¡°We''re on the same side now. In other words, we share the same glory and humiliation. Rest assured that you won''t go against Bailey alone, for I''ll go all-out to assist you.¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g ¡°Is that so?¡± Jessica narrowed her eyes and warned fiercely, ¡°Rhonda, you''d better not y tricks with me, or I''ll expose the shocking secret you''ve kept buried for seven years.¡± Although the smile on her face remained, Rhonda had clenched her fist on herp. Curse her! I should''ve killed the director of the obstetrics and gynecology department back then to bury the secret forever. Jessica wouldn''t have been able to threaten me today if I had done that. About two days ago, Jessica suddenly visited Rhonda and asked if she knew a doctor by the name of Yuna. Rhonda almost fell from her chair upon hearing the name. Yuna was the director of the obstetrics and gynecology department who stole Bailey''s son for her back then. Rhonda didn''t expect Yuna would be in Jessica''s hands seven yearster. ording to Jessica, Yuna became the family doctor of the Tanners after she went overseas. Not long ago, the Tanner family wanted to send her to the police station because she hadmitted a crime. In the end, Yuna had to reveal the shocking secret that happened seven years ago in exchange for lighter punishments. ¡°Jessica, I know you''re a trustworthy person and won''t expose the secret once you''ve made me a promise. No worries. I won''t back out this time. I''ll not get any peace as long as Bailey is still alive.¡± Jessica snorted coldly. I had to gauge Rhonda''s feelings back then, but now... Humph! She''s merely an imposter. I''ll keep it a secret for her as long as I''m pleased. If she ever provokes me, she will experience the feeling of falling from heaven to hell. ¡°I''ll forget what happened seven years ago as long as you can help me retake my position as the lead designer.¡± Rhonda nodded smilingly. ¡°Thank you, Jessica.¡± Although she said so, a cold and murderous look shed across her eyes. What kind of people can best keep something a secret? The dead ones! Deep down, Rhonda decided that she couldn''t let Jessica live for long. Veronique and Justin arrived at the caf¨¦ almost at the same time. After having a brief and awkward exchange, Justin coughed lightly and cut to the chase, ¡°Uh, can you arrange a video call between Kai and me?¡± Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Veronique stood up from her chair, and shock shed across her eyes. Looking at Justin nervously, she asked in a quavering voice, ¡°H-How do you know him? Why do you want to talk to him?¡± At the same time, she was bewildered by Justin''s request. What a minute. Is it strange that I know Kai? Why can''t I look for him? ¡°I heard Kai was in charge of Simon and Zayron''s paternity test. Hence, I wish to have a video call with him to ask a few questions about the report. Is there a problem?¡± Veronique took a few deep breaths to suppress her worry and uneasiness. Momentster, she pretended to be calm and said, ¡°Nope. There''s no problem at all. I''m just a little surprised that you know my nephew.¡± With that, she sat down again. Not in the mood to be bothered by her strange reaction, Justin asked, ¡°Well, can I have a video call with him?¡± ¡°No,¡± Veronique quickly declined his request. Justin narrowed his eyes and frowned. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°He''s overly aloof and doesn''t like seeing strangers. It''s why my sister let him stay at my ce. Since I live alone, the environment can helpfort him. I''m sorry that I can''t help you.¡± Meanwhile, Justin frowned deeper as he listened to her. After falling silent for a moment, he suggested, ¡°Okay, we don''t need to talk via video call. Please let me talk to him via phone call. I have to talk to him over an urgent matter.¡± Nevertheless, Veronique still shook her head in response. Although her face turned paler, she bit her lip and refused to give in. ¡°I''m so sorry, but I don''t want any outsider to talk to him. Mr. Xuereb, please look for another way and stop intruding into Kai''s life.¡± With a serious look, Justin said, ¡°You can''t do this. The more aloof a kid is, the more you should encourage him to adapt to the environment. He can onlye out of his own world when he feels the lively and bustling real world. You''ll destroy him instead by locking him in the house.¡± However, as Veronique''s mind had gone nk, she didn''t listen to his advice. The next moment, she stood up, grabbed her handbag, and said, ¡°Oh, I just remembered that I have to attend to some urgent matters and have to get going. Please excuse me.¡± Before Justin could react, she ran toward the entrance and out of the premises as if she were escaping. In confusion, Justin nced at the empty seat in front of him for a while and turned his gaze to the half- closed door. Can someone exin to me what had just happened? Aftering to his sense, Justin sent a text message to Dwayne. Since you''ve found the young man''s contact number, I''m sure you also have his address. Please send it to me now. He could only put his mind at ease after he figured out the truth and confirmed that Simon was Zayron''s biological father. Two dayster, a girl in a dress stealthily pushed the door of the lead designer''s office and came in through the door gap. Thinking that thedy was busy reading documents and didn''t notice her, the girl bent down and inched forward. Soon, she arrived at the curved desk. Just as the girl wanted to spring upon thedy, she heard someone yell, and she jolted. ¡°Mommy, how can you always bully me?¡± Susan pointed at Bailey and patted her own chest. Crossing her arms, Bailey stood up and nced at Susan. Momentster, she chuckled and said, ¡°Why don''t you admit that you failed to prank me? I can''t let you win just because I''m your mother.¡± Well, she''s indeed my biological mother! Then, Bailey sat on her chair, raised her eyebrows as she looked at Susan, and said slowly, ¡°Tell me why you are here.¡± Susan pursed her lips and made an indecent gesture. The next moment, she put her hands on the desk and leaped onto it. Bailey''s lips twitched once she saw it. In the eyes of others, Barbara was synonymous with a cute, quiet, and graceful princess. However, Bailey knew she didn''t resemble a princess at all. Why would others rte her to a princess or a demure girl? ¡°I''m here to endorse a product via advertisement and earn one hundred million with it. Mommy, since I can make a lot of money, you can retire early and stay home. Why do you want to work so hard and read this stuff?¡± One hundred million? Bailey looked at Susan in a daze. Which advertisement is worth that much? After a while, a thought shed through her mind. ¡°Luther Group''s new clothing brand prioritizes children''s clothes. Did the marketing department ask you to be its brand''s ambassador?¡± Susan blinked her eyes mischievously and chuckled. ¡°That''s right! They''re hiring Barbara.¡± Upon hearing it, Bailey scoffed, ¡°What a wrong choice!¡± Susan was rendered speechless. Momentster, she got down from the table, bowed at Bailey courteously, and said with a smile, ¡°I shall not bother the lead designer, Ms. Jefferson, anymore. So long!¡± Meanwhile, Bailey held her head as it started to hurt. Bailey knew someone deliberately arranged for her to take over the new productunch, hoping to ruin her reputation forever. Even though she wasn''t afraid of any evil schemes, she wouldn''t allow anyone to hurt her children. After all, her two kids were the boundary no one could pass. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Bailey soon reminded herself to be extra cautious to avoid anyone from dragging Susan and Zayron through the mud. At the Luther residence''s infirmary, Glen leaned against the headboard and nced sideways at Edmund, who was at his bedside. ¡°Is your only choice thedy from the Jefferson family?¡± Edmund shed Glen a faint smile and responded softly, ¡°I grew up by your side since I was young. Hence, I think you know my personality better than anyone. If I can''t marry Bay, I won''t marry anyone else for the rest of my life.¡± Upon hearing him, Glen sneered, ¡°Many in the Chivers familymit themselves to their loved ones. Your dad used to be like that, and now it''s your turn. I can''t help but feel touched.¡± Edmund responded to Glen smilingly, ¡°Grandpa, you''re also like that. Otherwise, you wouldn''t always consider abandoning the family to keep grandmapany beneath the earth.¡± Glen red at him upon hearing it. ¡°You brat! You always mock me whenever there is an opportunity. How fortunate I am to have such a kind grandson.¡± Edmund''s lips curled into a wry smile. Later, he bowed at Glen and said, ¡°Grandpa, I need your help to persuade the others to ept my rtionship with Bay. Please tolerate our nagging and stay alive for a few more years.¡± Glen spat and said sarcastically, ¡°Humph! Do you think I have no idea about your current situation? Five days have passed, yet you still haven''t found the one who can perform surgery on me. Why don''t you stop your nonsense!¡± Unperturbed, Edmund raised his eyebrows and chuckled. ¡°Grandpa, do you mean you''ll follow through with the treatment if we can find someone?¡± Glen waved his hand and said, ¡°Find them first, and we''ll discuss itter. Anyway, when will you bring thedy from the Jefferson family back to visit me?¡± Edmund nodded and answered, ¡°I''ll bring her here one day.¡± In the study, Veronique bowed at Yoel and Felicity and said with frustration, ¡°I''m so sorry. I studied different treatments for five days but haven''t found the suitable method to perform craniotomy for Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Chapter 129 Chapter 129 Although Felicity expected such an oue, she was still very agitated. She held onto Veronique''s arm and looked at her pleadingly. ¡°Vero, I beg of you. Please tell me the whereabouts of Anonymous.¡± Veronique pursed her lips. Both the Chivers and the Revelle families were close friends. She certainly did not wish to see Glen sumb to his illness. She felt sorry for them. Then again, who would feel sorry for Bay''s sufferings? ¡°Mrs. Chivers, I''m very sorry. Thest time I had any contact with Anonymous was three years ago when she announced that she would be retiring from the medical field and never hold a scalpel again. After that, I never met her again, nor do I know her whereabouts.¡± Felicity refused to believe her and grabbed her wrist. ¡°Ms. Revelle, the gods are watching, so you''d better not lie. Otherwise, you will be punished. Back then, you were able to invite her to Eskaria to perform a craniotomy on the king. That proves that the two of you are very close friends. How can you lose contact all of a sudden? Don''t try to patronize me.¡± When Veronique heard what she said, her face darkened. ¡°I really have no idea where Anonymous is. There is still some time for Old Mr. Chivers. Please find someone else to cure him.¡± With that, she picked up her handbag and prepared to leave. Artemis, who had been silent all the while, spoke up all of a sudden. ¡°Earlier on, Rhonda phoned and told me that she had found a renowned neurosurgeon who hails from Uramuzor. His name is Cadence White, and he is the best student from Uramuzor. I''m prepared to bring him to Hallsbay. If it isn''t convenient for Ms. Revelle to disclose any information regarding Anonymous, I will have no choice but to engage Cadence.¡± When Veronique heard Cadence''s name, she stared at Artemis in disbelief. With a quavering voice, she said, ¡°Cadence''s style has always been on the extreme side. How can you risk the life of Old Mr. Chivers?¡± Artemis stared at her with mockery and ridicule. ¡°Then, what should I do? Ms. Revelle, you can''t operate on my granddad and refuse to reveal the whereabouts of Anonymous. Do you expect me to watch my granddad die?¡± That stumped Veronique. That''s right. I have no right to stop the Luther family from engaging members of the Uramuzor to operate on Glen. ¡°My apologies. I crossed the line.¡± Artemis dismissed her with a wave of his hand. ¡°Thank you for your help for thest few days, Ms. Revelle. Please go back and take a good rest. If you are in need of anything in the future, feel free to give me a call. I will do everything I can if it''s within my means.¡± Veronique was about to open her mouth when she changed her mind. Since I can''t reveal the whereabouts of Anonymous, what''s the point of saying anything else? ¡°Sure. I''ll make a move then.¡± With that, she strode toward the door. ¡°Vero, please don''t go,¡± begged Felicity as she reached out to Veronique. Seeing that she was leaving, Felicity wanted to chase after her. When Artemis saw his mother''s reaction, he grabbed her arm and whispered, ¡°If you trust me, let me handle this matter. I will make sure she will give me the location of Anonymous.¡± Felicity was filled with frustration. She turned to look at him and asked, ¡°Who is this person from Uramuzor that she was talking about just now? Can he really operate on your granddad?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and pondered on it before responding, ¡°His name is Cadence, and he is indeed capable. I heard he had performed craniotomy surgery for several people, and all of them survived. But, it''s a high-risk operation because his style differs from others. That''s why people im that he is an extremist.¡± ¡°Is it true that Ronni is the one who rmended him?¡± asked Felicity. ¡°Yes, it''s true. Two days ago, she went abroad and visited Cadence personally. She has asked him to make a trip to Hallsbay.¡± Felicity''s expression softened when she heard that. ¡°That''s very kind of Ronni. Both Ronniand Bailey have borne children for both you and your brother. Yet, Ronni is the one who makes an effort. As for Bailey? She''s more interested in vying for power at Luther Group. It''s a vast difference between the two of them. Once Ronni returns, tell her to move back to the Luther residence.¡± Artemis frowned and said, ¡°Are you actually willing to let Cadence operate on Granddad?¡± ¡°What else can we do? We can''t depend on Anonymous. By the looks of it, she isn''t fit to be a doctor. She''s just fishing for fame with no real talent. I don''t believe the sick will die without her.¡± Artemis kept quiet all the while. Now that Felicity was feeling angry after being rejected by Veronique, one wrong word from him might bring about an argument. Felicity pried his hand off her and strode toward the door. ¡°I''m going to give Ronni a call and tell her to bring Cadence back to Hallsbay as soon as possible. Don''t ever mention this Anonymous in front of me again. Such a disgusting person.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. After Veronique left the Luther residence, she went directly to the caf¨¦ opposite Luther Group. When she got there, Bailey was already waiting for her. ¡°Sorry to keep you waiting.¡± Bailey smiled and poured her a cup of coffee. ¡°It''s normal to be stuck in traffic jams now that it''s the after-work peak hours. So, how did it go? Did the Luther family make things difficult for you?¡± Veronique let out a sigh and said, ¡°Your sister, Rhonda, has gone and asked Cadence from Uramuzor to attend to Old Mr. Chivers. As you know, Cadence is a crazy man. If he operates on Old Mr. Chivers, I doubt the old man will make it.¡± Cadence... Bailey narrowed her eyes when she heard that name. She had long heard about his reputation. ¡°Ha! This is interesting. Looks like Artemis must have found out about my grudge against Cadence. He thinks that by engaging Cadence, he will be able to lure me out so that I willpete against Cadence.¡± Veronique stared at her in puzzlement. ¡°You have grudges against Cadence?¡± ¡°It happened a long time ago. There''s no point in mentioning it. But, I think Mr. Luther will be disappointed this time around. There is no way he is going to get Anonymous to show herself because Anonymous will never operate on anyone again.¡± Veronique raised her hands andughed. ¡°Whatever. I consider this issue over. In two days'' time, I intend to go back to Archulea. I don''t feel at ease knowing that Zephyr is on his own in another country.¡± After a moment of silence, Bailey asked tentatively, ¡°Do you really have no intention to contact his biological father? Vero, I hacked into yourputer and saw thetest report of Zephyr. His illness has already reached the intermediate stage. If you drag this on for a few more months, it will be toote for you to look for his father by then.¡± Veronique leaned on the table and mumbled, ¡°I want to look for him too. But that will take away thest ounce of my dignity. I''m afraid that he won''t ept Zephyr and will look at my son with disdain. I-I don''t have the courage to face everything. Once the truth is out, there will be serious repercussions.¡± Bailey sighed and said, ¡°I''m so sorry to upset you. I take back my words. You should decide for yourself.¡± In the study of the Luther residence, Artemis was on the phone and standing by the window. An hour ago, he had ordered Ken to follow Veronique. ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Revelle has gone to Luther Group to meet Ms. Bailey.¡± All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Artemis smiled to himself. I knew it! Chapter 130 Chapter 130 Artemis had seen thating. Around two days ago, he discovered the grudges between Anonymous and Cadence, so he deliberately mentioned the name before Veronique today. Artemis was sure that Veronique would contact Anonymous immediately. Thus, he sent someone to wiretap hermunication devices after she left the Luther residence and ordered Ken to tail her in secret. As she went to meet Bailey, that could only mean one thing¡ªBailey was rted to Anonymous. They might even be the same person. ¡°Got it. You can leave now. Be careful so they won''t discover you''ve been tailing them,¡± he reminded. ¡°Yes.¡± After the call ended, Artemis stood before the window silently. The night sky reflected in his deep, unfathomable gaze. A brief silenceter, he scrolled to Dwayne''s number and gave thetter a call. When the call got through, he ordered, ¡°Contact Prince Dodi from Eskaria and tell him I''ll video call him tomorrow.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Dwayne''s confused voice rang out. ¡°Why do you want to contact a member of the Eskarian royal family all of a sudden?¡± Arching a brow, Artemis revealed, ¡°I might know who Anonymous is, but I need Prince Dodi to confirm it.¡± ¡°Well...¡± Dwayne hesitated. ¡°Back when Anonymous operated on the King of Eskaria, he must''ve agreed not to reveal her identity to the public. I''m afraid video-calling him won''t work.¡± ¡°Just do as I say.¡± ¡°Fine. I''ll contact the Eskarian embassy and see if they can set up a special line for you to video call Prince Dodi.¡± The next day, Bailey stepped out of the headquarters of Luther Group at noon and ran into Edmund immediately. ¡°Why are you here?¡± she asked. Edmund hurried up the stairs and took her briefcase from her. Grinning, he exined, ¡°My grandpa would like to meet his future granddaughter-inw. Ms. Jefferson, are you free toe with me now?¡± Bailey gave a light nod. Sighing, she said, ¡°Edmund, your aunt hates me. If I show up at the Luther residence, she might suffer from a heart attack and even cough out blood.¡± ¡°My grandpa moved back to the Chivers residencest night. Don''t worry. I won''t let you see Aunt Felicity and make things difficult for you.¡± Frowning, Bailey replied in resignation, ¡°That won''t do, either. Your father hates me, and I don''t want you to be put on the spot.¡± Edmund chuckled lowly and led her down the stairs. ¡°Don''t you worry. My grandpa''s back, so he calls the shots in the Chivers family. He agreed to let me pursue you and warned everyone not to oppose our rtionship. My dad had acquiesced silently to let us date each other, so he won''t make things difficult for you.¡± Bailey came to a stop and turned to look at him. ¡°Edmund, aren''t you afraid of the rumors? After all, I gave birth to your cousin''s¡ª¡± ¡°Shh,¡± Edmund cut in. ¡°Stop saying that. We''re not old-fashioned people, so there is no need to care about what people say about us. Let''s go pay my grandpa a visit. Not as his daughter-inw, but as someone from the younger generation who respects him.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle at his words. Edmund was thoughtful enough to step back whenever appropriate and always hit the nail on the head so that she could note out with any retort. As part of the younger generation, she would have to visit his grandfather no matter what. ¡°Fine. Let''s get some fruits at the fruit shop. I can''t visit him empty-handed, can I?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After they left, two tall figures emerged from the private passage at the right of the building. Standing on top of the stairs, Artemis stared at their retreating backs as his lips pressed together into a thin, hard line. Edmund, huh? He''s everywhere in her life. Does she have space for someone else? Behind him, Dwayne bore a conflicted look. It''s an internal strife between cousins. s, no one can control who they fall in love with. ¡°Mr. Luther, you have an appointment to video call Prince Dodi. Let''s go upstairs,¡± he reminded. Artemis looked away and mumbled, ¡°Looks like I''m still too slow. I''ll have to speed up, or I''ll regret it for the rest of my life.¡± In the car, Edmund focused on driving and did not say a word. Bailey sat in the passenger seat, seemingly hesitant to speak. ¡°Bay, just speak your mind. You can be honest with me.¡± Edmund''s voice rang in the cramped area. He was not even looking at her but could urately sense the change in her emotions. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Bailey''s lips twitched stiffly as she forced a sheepish smile. ¡°Oh, it''s nothing. Did youe up with a treatment n for Old Mr. Chivers'' condition?¡± Edmund slowed the car. A brief silenceter, he sighed and revealed, ¡°Ms. Veronique can''t perform the craniotomy independently, let alone others. Artemis wants to invite Cadence White from Uramuzor to operate on Grandpa, but I disagreed with him. Cadence is too arbitrary and will put Grandpa''s life at stake. The sess rate is less than five percent.¡± His gaze narrowed. Clenching his jaw, he added, ¡°It''s actually less than ten percent. Grandpa can live for around one year if he doesn''t get operated on. If Cadence were to operate on him, he wouldn''t get to leave the operating table alive.¡± Bailey''s brows knitted together as she shook her head. ¡°Edmund, it doesn''t work that way. If you disagree with the surgery, there won''t be any hope for Old Mr. Chivers. You''ll have to watch as he dies in his bed.¡± Edmund shed a bitter smile. ¡°We failed to contact Anonymous, so the results will be the same no matter who does the operation. If we can''t find Anonymous to operate on him, I''d rather spare him the pain of getting operated on. That way, he can live for a few more years.¡± Words failed Bailey. Hmm. I can''t find any words to refute him. I don''t have the right to dispute him, anyway. Am I the only one in the world capable of handling a craniotomy? ¡°I''ve heard about Anonymous, but she has retired three years ago. Perhaps she has her own reasons. We can''t force her to go against her wishes.¡± Edmund grunted in acknowledgment. ¡°I know. She must have her own reasons for retiring without warning three years ago. I understand.¡± Sighing inwardly, Bailey turned to look out of the window, allowing her mind to wander throughout the entire journey. Back in the CEO''s office of Luther Group, Artemis was sitting in his chair, in the middle of a video call. ¡°Prince Dodi, we''ve worked for years and brought each other mutual benefits. I''m in trouble now. Are you sure you won''t offer help?¡± On theputer screen, a foreigner with fair skin and blue eyes was staring at Artemis helplessly. Not beating around the bush, Artemis questioned, ¡°Who is Anonymous?¡± Chapter 131 Chapter 131 ¡°I really don''t know,¡± Dodi responded with a sigh. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''d like to help you, but my father was the only person who saw Anonymous three years ago. She was wearing a mask when she arrived at the pce so no one could see her face. All I know is that she''s a woman.¡± The corners of Artemis'' lips twitched. F*ck! Of course I know she''s a woman. I don''t need him to remind me of that fact! ¡°Then try to fish information from your father. He was the patient, so he should know who did the craniotomy for him back then.¡± Seemingly conflicted, Dodi remarked, ¡°Even you failed to make him talk, so why would you think I can do that? Mr. Luther, I''ll give you a concession of two percent so you can earn billions. In return, stop torturing me. I can''t help you!¡± Arching a brow, Artemis stopped insisting and said, ¡°Fine. I won''t force you, but I''ll find another company to import petroleum for the next half of the year. We can coborate again in the future.¡± ¡°Don''t do that!¡± Dodi sat up hastily and put on a solemn expression. ¡°I''ll go to my father and tell him that the businesses under Luther Group will pull out of Eskaria if he refused to spill Anonymous'' identity. That will make him talk.¡± Artemis'' lips curved into a sly grin as a calctive look appeared in his gaze. ¡°Prince Dodi, you''re observant and flexible, so I believe you''ll ede to the throne one day. I hope we can coborate in the future.¡± Dodi''s lips twitched. He''s indeed a sly fox, as everyone ims. Crafty and cunning, he sets up a trap without even blinking. I didn''t pay attention and ended up falling into the trap he set for me. ¡°I do hope so, Mr. Luther. After this matteres to an end, I hope you''ll hold on to your word and help me ede to the throne.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Artemis chuckled. ¡°No problem. What about the two percent concession you mentioned earlier? Does it still count?¡± The veins on Dodi''s forehead throbbed as he clenched his jaw furiously. He''s not going to suffer any losses, huh? No, he refuses to let any profit slip past his hands. Forcing a smile, he answered, ¡°Yes, of course. This is apletely different matter. I shall ask my men to change the contract so you''ll get a concession of two percent.¡± ¡°Thank you for being so generous, Prince Dodi.¡± Back at the Chivers residence, everyone was chatting gaily when Edmund arrived with Bailey. Glen was hooked to his IV drip as he sat on the couch while the three kids yed gin rummy aside. He would asionally give them tips. However, the person who followed his tips would lose. pping her remaining cards on the coffee table, Susan turned over her shoulder to re at Glen. Pointing at the dozens of post-it notes saying ¡°fool¡± stuck to her face, sheined, ¡°Great- granddad, you''ve never yed gin rummy before, right? I lost literally every round! Look at the ''fool'' post-it notes on my face!¡± A mischievous glint appeared in Glen''s eyes as he reached to pinch her cheek. Roaring inughter, he said, ¡°The boys are too cunning and won''t fall for my tricks, so I had no choice but to fool you.¡± Just then, Gwendolyn emerged from the side door with a fruit tter and saw Edmund and Bailey standing outside the door. Her lips curved as she greeted them, ¡°Why are you standing outside? Come into the living room and have a seat!¡± The group at the couch area turned to look at them. Edmund had a fruit basket in one hand and held Bailey with his other hand. Walking over to the couch, he told Glen, ¡°Grandpa, this is Bailey Jefferson.¡± He released Bailey''s hand and added, ¡°Bay, this is my grandpa.¡± Bailey gave Glen a polite bow. ¡°I''ve heard about your achievements. It''s an honor to meet you today.¡± Glen gave a dismissive wave as he scrutinized her briefly. Stroking his beard, he nodded and commented, ¡°You''re humble andposed. Mm, he has good taste. Have a seat and make yourself at home.¡± Gwendolyn chimed in, ¡°Yes, Bay. Make yourself at home. There''s no need to stand on formalities.¡± shing a slight smile, Bailey allowed Edmund to drag her to the couch across from Glen. They had just sat down when Glen asked, ¡°Youngdy, is your mother Sophia Carr? And your maternal grandmother Holly Carr?¡± Bailey stiffened as the smile on her lips froze. Does Old Mr. Chivers know my mother and granny? That''s impossible. Granny got pregnant out of wedlock and gave birth to a child whose father''s identity remained unknown. Thus, she was chased out of her family. She came to Hallsbay with her daughter alone and worked hard to bring her up. Granny was fairly far down the social pecking order. There''s no way she knew Old Mr. Chivers. Curious, she asked, ¡°Old Mr. Chivers, are you and Granny friends?¡± ¡°Well.¡± Glen sighed and revealed, ¡°Holly has had a hard life. She drifted from ce to ce and endured many hardships. When she was young, I happened to run into her after she fainted outside the Chivers residence. I learned about her plight and allowed her to stay in the residence temporarily.¡± Bailey was taken aback, for she had no idea about the history between her grandmother and the Chivers family. ¡°Thank you for saving them, Old Mr. Chivers. Otherwise, my granny and mother would''ve died on the streets, and I wouldn''t have existed in this world,¡± she said gratefully. Waving his hand, Glen continued, ¡°Rumors can be deadly. After I took them in, society started criticizing me for having a messy personal life and giving birth to an illegitimate child. Hallsbay was in an uproar, so my father caved in and forced me to do a paternity test at the Notary Public Office. That quelled the rumors.¡± Bailey''s fists balled up. After a brief hesitance, she asked tentatively, ¡°What happened after that? Did my granny leave the Chivers residence?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Glen nodded. ¡°She said I was kind enough to save her and her daughter''s life. Despite wanting to stay and repay my favor, she was worried that her existence would bring trouble to me, so she left with her daughter.¡± Taking a deep breath, Bailey tamped the turmoil of emotions in her heart and rasped out, ¡°My granny worked at the bank for most of her life in middle-level management. If I''m not mistaken, you were the one who arranged for her to get this job.¡± ¡°Yes. I sympathized with their plight and arranged everything for her. They had no one else to rely on. How else could they survive in the cruel and harsh world?¡± Bailey lowered her gaze. Granny never told me about Old Mr. Chivers. Perhaps she didn''t want to be connected to the Chivers family and affect Old Mr. Chivers'' reputation. What about the favor she owed Old Mr. Chivers one as he saved her life? Chapter 132 Chapter 132 Previously, she could ignore his plight, as she had no idea about their history. She only found out everything as Glen recounted the entire incident to her. He was reminiscing about the past and did not mean anything else, but she had to do something. There was no way she could pretend nothing had ever happened and gloss over it. If Old Mr. Chivers hadn''t offered a helping hand, Granny would''ve frozen to death on the streets, and Mother would''ve died when she was still a child. He saved their lives. Granny and Mother couldn''t repay him, so I can''t just forget about it. This is the best opportunity for me to repay his favor. But I can''t hold a scalpel! Sensing her sadness, Glen stroked his beard and chirped, ¡°Bay, don''t take it to heart. I was reminded of your granny and got overwhelmed with emotions. At this age, nothing matters to me anymore. The longer I live, the more torturing it is for me. I want nothing more than to be reunited with my partner.¡± Bailey''s lips curled as she shed an assuring smile. ¡°You look like you can live till a ripe old age. You should be at ease and stay happy every day. You''ll get to recover one day.¡± Hearing that, Glen burst outughing. ¡°Everyone else resorted to different ways to console me, and honestly, I''m bored of it. Your way offorting me is quite interesting. All right, there''s no need to comfort me. I can''t even find someone who can operate on my cranium, so there''s no way I''ll live till a ripe old age.¡± Bailey went quiet. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. As the mood turned tense, Gwendolyn immediately tried to liven things up. ¡°Looks like the saying ''birds of a feather flock together'' is right. Your granny and mother had a history with the Chivers family, so you''re meant to marry my son. If you want to repay the favor, then marry into the Chivers family and make your grandpa happy by being a filial granddaughter-inw.¡± Glen pped his thigh and eximed, ¡°That''s right. Bay, marry Eddy as soon as possible so I can get a granddaughter-inw while I''m still alive. That way, I can tell your granny all about it when we reunite one day.¡± Tears threatened to spill out of Bailey''s eyes when she heard his words. She trusted Glen, for why would he lie to her? It would only take an investigation to confirm the facts. Old Mr. Chivers must be friends with Granny. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have remembered her for that long. I can''t ignore his plight. Her determined gazended on her right wrist. Perhaps I can give it a try. I have to take a chance to repay this huge favor. Jolting up from the couch, Bailey gave Glen a hasty bow and told him, ¡°Old Mr. Chivers, I just remembered I have an urgent matter to deal with. I''m afraid I can''t join you for lunch this noon. Should I come over at night to keep youpany?¡± Hearing that, Edmund rose to his feet. ¡°What''s wrong? Did something happen?¡± Bailey dug Edmund''s car keys out of his pocket. Arching a brow, she uttered, ¡°Lend me your car. You should spend time with your grandpa on behalf of me at home. I''ll be here in the afternoon. Don''t ask me where I''m going or what I''m going to do. I''ll exin everythingter.¡± Having said that, she hurried to the door. Edmund wanted to go after her, but Glen stopped him. ¡°She said ''at home,'' so that means she thinks we''re family. Eddy, that''s all I can do for you. You need to do the rest yourself.¡± Halting in his tracks, Edmund kneeled before Glen and grinned. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa. If you hadn''t revealed the history between you and her granny that happened decades ago, she wouldn''t have epted me and the Chivers family whole-heartedly.¡± Turning to Gwendolyn, he asked awkwardly, ¡°Mom, does she sound like a wife giving orders to her husband earlier?¡± ¡°What a fool,¡± Gwendolyn chided jokingly. ¡°You''ll be a groom soon. I''m certain about it.¡± After leaving the residence, Bailey strode toward the parking lot. She got into the car, started the engine, and gave Veronique a call. ¡°Vero, you have ab in Hallsbay, right? Can you bring me there? Is there an operating table here? I''d like to give it a try.¡± Caught by surprise, Veronique quickly regained herposure and replied, ¡°Sure! It''s at 38, Bison Street. You can try operating on animals.¡± ¡°Mm. Don''t tell anyone about this.¡± ¡°Got it. Bay, you''re amazing. I know you can do it.¡± ¡°Really? I hope so.¡± An hourter, Bailey arrived at 38, Bison Street. It was an inconspicuous shop lot with a pharmacy signboard hung above the door. Veronique was waiting for her outside, leaning on the doorpost. After parking the car, Bailey unbuckled the seatbelt and got out of the car. Before Veronique could say a word, Bailey told her, ¡°Let''s talk inside.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The pharmacy might look inconspicuous on the exterior, but stepping inside would reveal more than meets the eye. ¡°Did youbine a few shop lots into one? This is big.¡± Shrugging, Veronique revealed, ¡°The entire row of shop lots belong to the Revelle family, so Ibined all of them into one.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. She''s indeed a daughter of a prestigious family. What a remarkable move. Veronique brought her to the innermost room. Rows of equipment and racks of bottles appeared in sight. Bailey nced around the room before her gazended on the operating table in the middle of the room. One nce was enough for her head to start spinning. The bloody scene popped up in her mind and reyed again and again. Her legs trembled violently. It was as if a pail of ice-cold water had been dumped on her, for she felt completely cold inside and out. Sensing the change in her emotions, Veronique hesitated briefly before pushing her to the operating table. ¡°Bay, give it a try. You''ll find out if you''re capable ofpleting a surgery if you try it out. If you seed, then Old Mr. Chivers is extremely lucky. If you fail, no one can me you for that.¡± Bailey allowed herself to be pushed forward as her mind had gone nk. Slowly, a scene appeared as the fog in her mind faded away. It was a snowy day. A youngdy d in tattered clothes was shuffling along the street, leaving behind a row of footsteps. She was hugging a child in her arms. Despite trembling violently from the cold, she hugged her daughter tightly and protected her well. That is... Bailey''s vision started to blur. Even though she had imagined that scene, it was exactly what Holly and Sophia had gone through. She could imagine how Holly fainted outside the Chivers residence with Sophia in her arms, and she could also picture how Glen saved them both. The Chivers family saved their lives. Granny, Mother, I''ll do my best to save Old Mr. Chivers. Please help me to ovee my fear so I can hold the scalpel once again. Chapter 133 Chapter 133 Click! Veronique switched on all the lights above the operating table. Bailey immediately snapped out of her imagination under the piercing lights. As she stared at the harsh white lights above her, she nearly cked out from panic. Her entire body began to quiver. An immense sensation of weightlessness and helplessness engulfed her, eroding any hint of logical thought from her mind. Bailey hurriedly clutched the rails of the operating table. With pale, quivering lips, she muttered, ¡°I can''t do this, Vero. I simply can''t get over that psychological barrier. Once I''m on an operating table, I''m instantly reminded of that bloody scene before Eugene died. He was just a child, for God''s sake! I-I can''t conquer my demons. Let''s just leave. Please.¡± After that, Bailey forced herself to turn around and leave. However, Veronique hastily grabbed her by the elbow. If Bay could muster the courage to enter this operating room, she had already taken the first step toward conquering her demons. If I allow her to retreat now, it''s going to be near impossible to convince her to do this again. Everything still depends on how she reacts when she touches a scalpel. I can''t allow her to give up now when we''re so close. With those thoughts in mind, Veronique coaxed, ¡°Listen to me, Bay. You couldn''t ovee your psychological barrier because you didn''t touch a scalpel. Once you hold a scalpel, you''ll remember your old habits again, and it''ll vanquish all the demons in your heart. Trust me!¡± Her gaze was confident and encouraging, and it went a long way in soothing Bailey''s nerves. ¡°But¡ª¡± Veronique did not give Bailey a chance to argue and instead turned her around by the shoulders. Then, she stretched out her hand and grabbed a rabbit out of a cage. Calmly, she exined, ¡°I''ve anesthetized this rabbit and shaved the fur off its head. Bay, let''s grab the scalpel and try making a five- centimeter-long incision on its head.¡± Then, Veronique ced the rabbit on the operating table before handing Bailey a tray of tools. The tray held every surgical tool one could think of. The sharp des of the scalpels glinted under the harsh lights in the operating room. Bailey shook her head furiously and broke free from Veronique''s hold. Clutching her head, she wailed in anguish, ¡°Take them away! All of them! Please!¡± Veronique pursed her lips in frustration. Suddenly, she changed tack and ordered sternly, ¡°Bailey, since you were already willing to enter my operating room, it''s proof that you wish to save Old Mr. Chivers. We can''t turn back now. If you don''t save him, he''ll definitely die.¡± Shudders racked Bailey''s slender frame. She''s right. I came here to conquer my demons. I want to hold a scalpel again and save Old Mr. Chivers'' life. That is how I can repay him for his kindness toward Granny and Mom. How can I give up now when I haven''t even tried? Urging herself to calm down, she eventually felt her nerves rxing. Bailey dered, ¡°Fine. I''ll give it a try.¡± With that, she reached out shakily for a scalpel for skull surgery. It was evident from her gaze that she was fighting an emotional breakdown the moment she touched the scalpel handle. Everything appeared to be clouded in a red haze, and Bailey thought she smelled blood. The familiar nightmare was about to eat up her soul. She saw blood oozing out of Eugene''s skull, warm and sticky. In her nightmare, however, the blood was like a corrosive poison that eroded everything in its path. Bailey''s heavy breathing echoed through the silent operating room. She ced a hand over her racing heart, forcing herself to move the scalpel closer to the rabbit''s skull. Her hands shook so violently that the scalpel could notnd on its mark. Upon seeing the sight, Veronique could not help but sigh to herself. If Bay''s acting like this, forcing her to hold a scalpel is pointless. Her hands are shaking so hard. How can she perform high-risk andplicated craniotomy at this rate? ¡°That''s enough, Bay. Don''t force yourself.¡± As she spoke, Veronique reached out to hold Bailey''s wrist, trying to get her to retract her scalpel. To her surprise, Bailey pushed her aside and said, ¡°No.¡± Taking a deep breath, Bailey inserted the sharp scalpel into the rabbit''s head. Blood immediately oozed out of the incision. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Bailey''s face paled as she drew the scalpel further downward. Eventually, her face was devoid of color. More and more blood gushed out of the opening on the rabbit''s skull. Bailey could not bring herself to go any further and let go of the scalpel in her hand. ng! Just as the scalpel ttered on the floor, Bailey lost all strength in her legs as she copsed on the cold ground. No. I still couldn''t do it. I can''t forget that horrifying, bloody scene at all. As long as she saw blood, Bailey could not help but remember the gory scene right before Eugene died. That ghastly incident had also ended her medical career for good. Bailey wished she had never tried to battle her fate in the first ce. She buried her head between her knees. Shivering uncontrobly, she mumbled, ¡°I''m sorry, Eugene. I''m so sorry I couldn''t save your life. I''m sorry I put you through so much pain and made your mother suffer the pain of losing a child. I''m so sorry to both of you.¡± Meanwhile, Veronique had just staunched the bleeding on the rabbit''s head. She was about to bend over and help Bailey to her feet when she realized that thetter''s body temperature was dangerously low. Bailey was also sweating profusely. Veronique began to panic. She was worried Bailey would drown herself in remorse and guilt and eventually drive herself mad. Quickly hugging Bailey''s cold body, she coaxed through sobs, ¡°Come on, let''s not think about it anymore, okay? You''ve done your best. No one has any right to me you or point fingers at you. Let''s just pretend none of this ever happened. Didn''t the Luther family hire Cadence to operate on Old Mr. Chivers? We''ll let him worry about that himself. Let''s not think about such upsetting matters.¡± She barely finished her sentence when someone kicked open the operating room door. A tall, muscr figure then dashed into the room. Instinctively, Veronique looked up. Surprise shed through her eyes when she got a good look at the intruder. She stammered, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, w-why are you here?¡± Ignoring her question, Artemis nced at the operating table before rushing to the women and removing Bailey from Veronique''s arms. He tucked Bailey''s cold body firmly against himself and questioned, ¡°What happened? Isn''t she Anonymous? Why is she so averse to the operating table? Why does she break down once she holds a scalpel? What on earth happened to her three years ago?¡± Staring at him in shock, Veronique blurted, ¡°How did you know she''s Anonymous?¡± When her words fell, she immediately realized she had fallen for Artemis'' trap. He was clearly trying to trick me into confirming her identity, and I stupidly sashayed into this wellid trap. D*mn it! How can I exin my way out of this? Artemis Luther is a right fox! Ugh! His head is filled with so many sly ideas it vexes me. Artemis merely scoffed in response. Initially, he had not confirmed Bailey''s identity as Anonymous and had used his questions to test Veronique. To his pleasant surprise, his trick had worked. Chapter 134 Chapter 134 An hour earlier, Artemis had received word that Bailey left the Chivers residence in a hurry. He promptly investigated Veronique''s whereabouts and learned that she had gone to aboratory under her name. A possibility surfaced in his mind. Bailey must have rushed out of the Chivers residence to meet Veronique. Hence, he quickly ordered someone to find the address of Veronique''sboratory and rushed over as fast as he could. Based on the surveince camera footage of the building, he confirmed that Bailey had indeed visited Veronique''sboratory. Artemis asked Veronique again, ¡°What happened to her? Why is she so averse to the operating table?¡± Massaging her temples, Veronique replied, ¡°That''s her secret to tell, and I won''t betray her by revealing it to you. You saw yourself, Mr. Luther. Anonymous can no longer hold a scalpel in her hand. So please, I implore you not to force her to operate again. I fear she''d go mad. The incident years really traumatized her.¡± Though he pursed his lips in frustration, Artemis kept mum. Lowering his gaze, he realized Bailey had fallen asleep in his arms. He noticed teardrops on her eyshes, a rare show of weakness on her part. Is she still that imposing, tough woman I know? His initial shock after learning she and Anonymous were one and the same had worn off quickly enough. It was almost as though he had expected it. A woman as mysterious as Bailey was the only possible candidate for the insanely talented doctor, Anonymous. With that in mind, Artemis dered, ¡°It''s fine. I''ll ask her myself when she wakes up. I promise I won''t force her if she truly does not wish to operate again.¡± Then, he stood up with Bailey in his arms and strode toward the door. Veronique hastily stopped him. ¡°You must be a busy man, Mr. Luther; I''m sure you don''t have time to tend to an unconscious woman. Why don''t you leave her with me? I have a bedroom here, where she can rest undisturbed. I examined her earlier. She only fainted because she was so agitated she forgot to catch her breath. She''ll be fine after a quick rest. There''s no need to trouble you at all, Mr. Luther.¡± He must be hallucinating if he thinks I''ll hand Bay over to a sly fox. He''s going to eat her alive! Freezing in his tracks, Artemis shot her a sidelong nce. His gaze thennded on Bailey''s pale face. This is the perfect moment for me to y my trump card. ¡°You have a nephew named Zephyr, am I right? I investigated him on my way here. He''s a real handsome kid. He looks kind of familiar, though, almost like...¡± Here, Artemis smiled cryptically and continued, ¡°He looks like your brother-inw. Like father and son.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Veronique was no fool. She began quivering anxiously as she read through the lines of Artemis'' cryptic message. Did he discover something? Ugh, Artemis is cold-hearted enough to even take on his rtives. No one who has challenged him in the past has ever emerged victorious. ¡°What a funny observation, Mr. Luther. Zephyr is my brother-inw''s son; of course they look alike. In any case, myb is closed up most of the time, and it''s pretty stuff. Bay probably can''t get a decent rest here. I find I must trouble you to take care of her, Mr. Luther.¡± After that, she took two steps back and cleared a path for Artemis to leave. Pleased with her response, Artemis smirked and replied, ¡°Of course, Ms. Revelle. Don''t worry. Everyone knows the child you''re caring for is your elder sister''s son. It has always been this way, and it will not change in the future.¡± Veronique perfectly understood the hidden meaning in his reply. Mr. Luther is close to Justin. He probably already guessed that Zephyr is Justin''s son but doesn''t n to reveal the boy''s parentage for Justin''s sake. After all, Justin''s getting married soon. As that thought crossed her mind, Veronique said, ¡°Yes. He''s my nephew. I hope you don''t have any misunderstandings about that, Mr. Luther. Well, I won''t see you out then.¡± Artemis shot her a piercing stare before carrying Bailey out of the operating room. At his private seaside mansion, Artemis lounged on a couch in his study, a ss of red wine in hand. The ruby red liquid swirled against the walls of the winess, leaving faint streaks in its wake. Ken stood quietly in the center of the study. Artemis asked him, ¡°How is the investigation going? Did you find anything?¡± Bailey must''ve been triggered by something at the Chivers residence, or she wouldn''t have tried to approach an operating table after her visit. Perhaps Old Mr. Chivers said something to her. Ken nodded slightly and exined, ¡°We uncovered an incident that happened about fifty or sixty years ago involving Old Mr. Chivers. It also involved Ms. Bailey''s maternal grandmother.¡± His exnation caused Artemis to arch a brow and smile. A thought surfaced in his mind, and he asked, ¡°Did Old Mr. Chivers pursue Bailey''s maternal grandmother in the past?¡± Ken rolled his eyes wordlessly. Mr. Luther, are you sure you''re doing the wise thing by making jokes about your own granddad? Artemis smiled and shrugged. ¡°Never mind, pretend I never said a word. Please continue.¡± After a moment of silence, during which Ken organized his words, he exined the incident to his employer in detail. Artemis did not appear too emotional as he listened to Ken, yet understanding dawned in his gaze. So she''s trying to repay him for saving them. No wonder she behaved so oddly and even feltpelled to touch a scalpel again. She must be determined to repay his kindness, or she would never force herself to recall such a traumatizing experience. ¡°Okay, thanks for letting me know. How is your other investigation going?¡± s, Ken shook his head and said, ¡°Anonymous'' past has beenpletely wiped clean. It''s difficult to find a single trace of her. But don''t worry. I''ll have more men working on the investigation. I''ll have the report out for you in another three days.¡± ¡°There''s no need for that now.¡± Artemis emptied his ss of red wine before heading for the door, adding, ¡°I''ll ask her myself. I already know her true identity, and I don''t think she''ll see a further need to hide her past from me.¡± Ken stared after him in silence. Meanwhile, Bailey had just regained consciousness in the master bedroom of Artemis'' home. Confusion assailed her as she stared at her strangely familiar surroundings. Wait a minute, this is... Before she couldplete that thought, someone twisted the doorknob and came into the room. She instinctively looked toward the doorway and saw Artemis'' striking face. Practically jumping out of bed, the woman immediately checked if her clothes were still intact. Pajamas... Men''s pajamas. Her face soured in an instant. ¡°Did you change my clothes?¡± questioned Bailey. Artemis raised his hands in mock surrender and replied, ¡°Who else could it be? That mastiff I own?¡± Jerk! Without a further word, Bailey snatched a pillow beside her and threw it at his head. ¡°Get out!¡± Artemis easily dodged the pillow before striding toward the bed. Crossing his arms over his chest, he appraised her. A wicked grin curved his lips, and he boasted, ¡°I didn''t just change your clothes. We couldn''t help ourselves and even engaged in some rather pleasurable activities together. You seemed to enjoy it a lot.¡± At his words, Bailey''s eyes were as wide as saucers. Chapter 135 Chapter 135 Artemis touched his nose before gesturing toward Bailey''s corbone by tilting his jaw. He could not have been more obvious than if he had spoken. Don''t believe me? Check for yourself! Bailey instinctively looked down at her chest. Thanks to the wide neckline, she saw red marks dappling across her porcin skin. At the sight, she almost fainted again from anger. This shameless jerk! I can''t believe he took advantage of me while I was unconscious! ¡°You call yourself a man, Artemis? How can you do something so abhorrent?¡± Artemis inched closer toward Bailey, eventually backing her against the bedhead. He then reached out and held her jaw. Arching a brow, he taunted, ¡°You''re allergic to animal fur, so you developed a rash all over your neckline. I helped you to apply some topical cream and soothe the itchiness. You may have been unconscious, but I''m sure you enjoyed the soothing cream all the same. I''m starting to think you''re misunderstanding the situation, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Furious, Bailey raised her hand to p the smug smile off his face. Striking others had always been one of Bailey''s strong suits, yet her talents seemed utterly useless against Artemis, as he easily gripped her elbow before her hand even touched his face. In the blink of an eye, he had gained the upper hand and pinned her against the bed with his dead weight. Bailey red at him through narrowed eyes and scoffed. ¡°Your taste in women surprises me, Mr. Luther. I always assumed sessful men like you loved to y around. If you wanted to have a mistress, why not go for an innocent college girl? I''m sure a woman who has given birth like me will hardly satisfy you, Mr. Luther.¡± Now it was Artemis'' turn to narrow his eyes. Displeasure flitted through his gaze. This woman is a freaking porcupine. She pricks and stabs her way through life so that others will despise her. Does she truly care so little about her reputation? Running a slender finger over her exquisite face, he sighed lightly. ¡°Why must you degrade yourself so? You should know you''re one of the most admirable people to walk the face of this earth. If a man fell in love with you, he would surely worship you like a queen.¡± To her dismay, Bailey felt her heartbeat quickening. An inexplicable emotion blossomed in her heart, and it threw her off-kilter. No man had ever made her heart race over the years. Yes, the attraction was there, but she never felt jittery, not even in Edmund''s presence. She was horrified to realize she could develop feelings for the sly fox before her. Bailey hastilyposed herself and deadpanned, ¡°Oh? I don''t feel like a queen at all. In fact, I feel more like a puppet subject to your whims, Mr. Luther. A queen wouldn''t have to struggle while someone pinned her down against her will, wouldn''t you agree?¡± Narrowing his eyes slightly, Artemis cursed under his breath. Then, he said through gritted teeth, ¡°I should teach you a lesson right now for your cheek.¡± Despite his words, he promptly removed himself from the bed and freed her. He was a man of his words, after all. Since he already swore to worship her like a queen, that would be his goal for the rest of his life. Artemis drawled, ¡°Snowke, Anonymous; I didn''t think you had so many aliases. But that''s not the biggest surprise, is it? You''re arguably the most powerful big shot in this world. Tell me something. How are you connected to the world''s top hacker, Spook? Or are you Spook herself?¡± Propping herself up on her elbows, Bailey leaned against the bedhead and shot Artemis a frosty re. Somehow, she was not surprised that he knew her identity as Anonymous. After all, Artemis had a vast internationalwork and the power and wealth to do almost anything he wanted. He had plenty of avenues by which to uncover the information he desired. Take her identity as Anonymous, for example. If Artemis was determined, he could use the businesses under his name to threaten the king of Eskaria. Even the leader of a country would cave under Artemis'' pressure. ¡°Uncovering such information should be a walk in the park for you, Mr. Luther,¡± Bailey finally replied to his question. ¡°Surely you can conduct your own investigations to determine if I''m Spook. Still, I heard you''ve scoured half the globe and failed to track down that hacker. You''ll need to step up your game, or you might end up in your grave before finding a trace of Spook.¡± Artemis stared at her wordlessly. Her glib tongue astounds me. ¡°Fine, let''s not talk about Spook. Tell me what happened to you three years ago. Why are you so averse to the operating table?¡± His question caused Bailey to pale instantly. Gone was the rosy glow that had tinged her cheeks just seconds ago. That was the piece of her past that scarred her the most. It felt as if she was sprinkling salt on her wound whenever she talked about it. Nevertheless, after a prolonged moment of silence, Bailey lowered her head and slowly exined the incident that had traumatized her. Her tone was calm, though the slightest hint of shakiness betrayed her true emotions. Artemis was stunned. He never imagined she had suffered such a tragic experience. Since the beginning of their acquaintance, Bailey had always seemed like an outgoing, optimistic, and tough woman. It was shocking to learn that her strong facade hid such a traumatic past. Gently, Artemis remarked, ¡°That''s not your fault. He wouldn''t even stand a chance at survival if you didn''t operate on him. You did your best to save him, but fate merely had other ns for him.¡± Bailey smiled weakly at him, looking unconvinced. She replied, ¡°That''s the truth from a logical standpoint, but from an emotional angle, I simply can''t conquer that psychological barrier. You saw it yourself, Mr. Luther. I can''t even go near the operating table. I hope you don''t waste your efforts in convincing me anymore. Please hire someone else to operate on Old Mr. Chivers.¡± ¡°I uncovered the link between my granddad and your maternal grandmother,¡± Artemis uttered. ¡°I''m sure you couldn''t ept your failure to repay his kindness. Deep down, you truly want to help him, or you wouldn''t have attempted to operate again. You may have failed now, but that doesn''t mean you''ll fail forever.¡± All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. That earned him a scoff from Bailey, who retorted, ¡°You''re staring at a loser who can''t even hold a scalpel properly. None of that philosophical discourse is going to fix the situation. Save your words, Artemis. I can''t conquer my demons, no matter how much I wish to repay Old Mr. Chivers for saving my granny and mother. Failure is inevitable as long as I can''t ovee my trauma.¡± Artemis did not respond to her words. Instead, he already had a n in mind. He was confident he could convince Bailey to pick up a scalpel again and help her regain both her talent and her confidence at the operating table. ¡°Fine. I won''t force you. It''s not like you can digest all my philosophical discourse right now. Let''s forget about it for now. Come eat something downstairs. Don''t starve yourself.¡± Bailey stared at his departing figure, lost in her thoughts. Why did this man appear in my life? Two dayster, Rhonda brought Cadence from Uramuzor to Hallsbay. Leisurely chatter filled the living room of the Luther residence. After listening to Cadence''s proposed treatment n, Felicity pped her palms on her thighs and smiled. ¡°Let''s follow your suggestion then, Mr. White. When can you perform the operation?¡± Chapter 136 Chapter 136 Felicity was infuriated by Veronique, and her lingering anger prompted her to refuse to meet with Anonymous. In her opinion, Anonymous was merely someone fishing for fame with nothing to show. Yet, thetter dared to act all high and mighty. Felicity, the matriarch of the Luther family, had lowered herself to beg Anonymous, yet thetter remained hidden. As a result, she thought Anonymous was pretentious and ying hard to get. Since Anonymous was reluctant to show her face, Felicity decided not to be courteous anymore. She reckoned there were so many gifted people with amazing skills in the world, and Anonymous could not be the only person who knew how to perform a craniotomy. She refused to believe that without Anonymous, they could only watch Glen dying in a hospital bed. Cadence was a middle-aged man around forty years old, handsome, and of mixed parentage. He had practiced medicine for over twenty years and performed many craniotomies. Therefore, Cadence was very experienced in that field. ¡°Mrs. Luther, I will have to meet with Old Mr. Chivers to understand his condition better before I can finalize a treatment n.¡± ¡°Of course, of course. You traveled so far to Hallsbay, so I figured you must not have obtained proper rest on the private ne. I''ve already instructed the servants to prepare the guest room for you. You can adapt yourself to the time difference for now. I''ll bring you to the Chivers residence once you''re well-rested.¡± With that, she turned to look at the butler, who was standing aside in silence, and said, ¡°Lex, guide Dr. White to the guest room. See to his needs and immediately order the servants to handle anything he requires. Make sure Dr. White is well-amodated.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Watching Lex leading Cadence away, Felicity reached out to hold Rhonda''s palm and gently patted the back of thetter''s hand before saying affectionately, ¡°Thank you for your kind gesture. You must have had it roughtely, going to all that trouble to seek treatment for Artemis'' granddad''s illness. I can even see the obvious dark circles under your eyes.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Rhonda smiledpliantly and proceeded to butter Felicity up with ttery. ¡°I think of Artemis'' granddad as my own granddad. Therefore, it is my obligation to care for his well-being. I was afraid my ipetence might cause me to fail to handle this task abroad. Fortunately, I was blessed to be able to convince Dr. White to help us.¡± ¡°You are truly a filial and good-natured child. I can rest assured with you as the matriarch of the Luther family. You should stay here in the Luther residence instead of returning to the Jefferson residence. Do your best to nurture your rtionship with Artemis while you''re here and strive for his agreement to get married as soon as possible.¡± Rhonda was overjoyed. She had spent so much time and effort hiring Cadence for the sake of returning to the Luther family. Now that she had achieved her goal, Rhonda thought it was worth it for her to pay the price with her body. In order to satisfy Cadence''s perverted desires, she had suffered greatly in bed for the past few days. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther. I''ll do my best.¡± Felicity let out a sigh. ¡°I wonder if Dr. White is capable or not.¡± Rhonda gazed downward. I don''t know if he''s capable or not in the medical field, but I do know he''s exceptionally outstanding in bed, with all the various positions he tried with me. He mentioned something about wanting to get a thorough taste of me because I''m Artemis'' woman. Recollecting those scenes, she felt disgust churn within her and wanted to vomit. Cadence is indeed someone who originated from Uramuzor, living up to the reputation of being lecherous and twisted to his core. ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Luther. Dr. White is an expert in this area. He has performed hundreds of surgeries. With his rich experience, he will definitely be able to save Granddad''s life.¡± Felicity patted Rhonda''s hand again and chirped, ¡°All right. Okay. Thank you again for your goodwill. You should take care of your health by getting some rest now. I suppose you must be exhausted after a few days of hard work.¡± A hint of hatred shed across Rhonda''s eyes. I''m indeed exhausted after spending all my energy in bed. Bailey, I will tear you into pieces! The following day, Felicity brought Cadence to the Chivers residence in the afternoon. At that moment,ughter and cheerful chatter reverberated inside the living room. While Felicity led Cadence up the stairs, a familiar voice sounded, prompting her face to darken instantaneously. Beside her, Rhonda scoffed loudly. What a small world. I can''t believe we''re running into Bailey, even at this ce. ¡°What''s the matter, Mrs. Luther? Why aren''t you moving forward?¡± Cadence asked. Felicity took a deep breath to suppress her rising anger and forced a smile. ¡°It''s nothing. I was lost in my thoughts because I was reminded of something just now. Let''s go in and discuss further.¡± Inside the living room, three kids were ying cards with an old man while Bailey and Gwendolyn sat aside, chatting. It was a harmonious scene. ¡°Haha! Great-granddad lost again. Zayron, hurry up and stick the paper on Great-granddad''s face. Faster, faster!¡± Glen covered his forehead and sighed. ¡°s. I''m indeed getting old. I can''t even deny my old age now that I''m losing in card games to a few children.¡± When Felicity entered the living room, she witnessed Zayron sticking a piece of paper with the doodle of a turtle on Glen''s face. Her eyes gleamed sinisterly as fury overwhelmed her. ¡°Outrageous! How dare you disrespect your great-grandfather in such a manner, you insolent bastard!¡± Zayron''s hands trembled and identally tore the paper in half. He pursed his lips and snorted. ¡°Great- granddad, you can''t always me me for being naughty when the words uttered by your daughter can be very displeasing to the ears sometimes. I really cannot stand her.¡± Glen flicked Zayron''s forehead and red at thetter. ¡°She''s still your grandmother regardless of how unpleasant her words may be.¡± ¡°But she has never thought of me as her grandson. She''s always referring to me as a bastard, and that''s very irritating.¡± Zayron did not bother lowering his voice. He even deliberately raised his tone so that Felicity, heading toward them, could hear him clearly. Felicity mustered all her patience to contain her burning wrath. She reached the seating area, came to a halt, and said to Glen, ¡°Father, you are already so old. How can you allow these brats to make fun of you? Have you gone senile?¡± Glen was enraged by her remarks. He glowered at her and scolded, ¡°You infuriated me when I was staying in the Luther residence. Now that I''m back in the Chivers residence, you''re still not letting me have peace of mind. Why don''t you just send me to Springwyn for me to finally be able to feel at ease? At least then I can have peace and quiet.¡± Gritting her teeth, Felicity suddenly shrieked, ¡°Father! I''ve been losing sleep because I''m so worried about your illness. Not only do you not sympathize or understand my sentiment, but you are siding with outsiders to rebuke me! I really do wonder if you realize who your closest family member is?¡± Glen snorted coldly and waved his hand at her as if chasing away a fly. ¡°You can go back now. You''re worried for nothing because I''m fine. You can focus on your duties as the matriarch of the Luther family and leave the task of handling my condition to your brother and nephew. There''s no need for you to meddle in this matter.¡± Felicity was stumped. Glen''s action of chasing her away in front of so many people was like a p in the face for her. She shifted her stern gaze onto Bailey and began finding fault with thetter. ¡°Why are you here? Ms. Bailey, since you''ve had a one-night stand with Simon, you''re considered his woman now. I forbid you from cheating on Simon with his brother. If you still care the slightest for your reputation, you should learn to mind your own business and stop flirting and seducing men you''re not supposed to.¡± Rage had consumed Felicity''s rationale. Disregarding her image and status, she chastised Bailey like a shrew, spouting all kinds of harsh terms. Chapter 137 Chapter 137 Gwendolyn was about to get up and utter a retort when Bailey stopped her, then slowly rose to her feet. Gazing at Felicity with a smile, Bailey arched a brow as she asked, ¡°Does that mean you agree for Simon to marry me?¡± Felicity''s elegant and dignified face twitched violently several times. This d*mn b*tch! When did I agree for Simon to marry her? ¡°As I said, I''ll rot in hell if I let you be part of the Luther family.¡± Bailey smiled and lowered her gaze to look at Gwendolyn sitting on the sofa. Softening her tone, she said, ¡°Mrs. Chivers, you heard that. Mrs. Luther said she''ll never allow me to be part of the Luther family. If anyone criticizes me in the future, you must attest to that for me.¡± A clear-headed and percipient person, Gwendolyn naturally understood the hidden meaning behind those words. ¡°Don''t worry. Seeing that neither you nor Simon is willing, no one in this world will force the both of you to be together. Since you have nothing to do with each other, the two of you are free to marry whoever you wish.¡± Felicity was no fool either, so how could she possibly not know what Gwendolyn meant? Her expression darkened instantly, and she asked through clenched teeth, ¡°What do you mean by that, Gwendolyn? Are you agreeable to her dating Ed? What are you thinking? How can you ept her and let her and those two bastards of hers taint the Chivers family bloodline?¡± At that, Glen used his cane to strike the floor several times. ¡°That''s enough. You''vepletely ruined my good mood. I think all of you can''t wait to see me dead, which is why you can''t bear seeing me happy.¡± Turning to Glen with a hurt expression, Felicity protested, ¡°How can you say that, Father? I''m only doing this for the good of the Chivers family. What if Bailey doesn''t give Ed a son and ns to assist that little bastard in taking over? Are all of you going to stand idly by and watch the family''s century-old business fall into an outsider''s hands?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That kid also has the Luther family''s blood running through his veins. Even if Ed hands the business over to him, it won''t be a loss for the Luther family,¡± Glen replied, casting her an icy nce. Felicity was struck dumb. It''s obviously wrong. Everything is wrong, yet I have no way of arguing. Seemingly losing his patience, Glen raised his cane and pointed it at the door. ¡°If there''s no other business, you may leave. Don''t linger here and ruin my mood. The mere sight of all of you annoys me.¡± Felicity shot Bailey a fierce re before finally introducing Cadence. ¡°Father, this is Dr. White from Uramuzor. He has over twenty years of clinical experience and has performed numerous craniotomies. I''m sure he can cure you.¡± When Glen heard that, he gave a dismissive wave of his hand without a second thought. ¡°I''ve said I don''t want to receive any more treatment. Cadence White? He''s just ad! Undergoing surgery will still make me suffer. Send him back to where you found him. Don''t bring him here as he''ll only be an eyesore.¡± Rhonda quickly stepped forward and tried to persuade him. ¡°Granddad¡ª¡± ¡°Who''s your granddad? Why don''t I know that I have such a grown-up granddaughter?¡± Glen remarked, interrupting her before she could go on. Embarrassment shed across Rhonda''s face, and she hurriedly changed how she addressed him. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers, Dr. White is a renowned brain expert abroad. He can surely cure you. Just trust me this once and cooperate with the treatment, okay?¡± ¡°Certainly not,¡± Glen answered, shooting her down firmly and brusquely. ¡°Nothing anyone says will be of any use. I have only just heard I had two great-grandchildren, and I still want to live. If I go ahead with the surgery, I might die on the operation table. What are your intentions? Have you found a strange doctor to perform surgery on me because you want to kill me sooner?¡± Rhonda paled. I put in so much effort to get Cadence here, but why is Old Mr. Chivers now using me of harboring ill intentions? Bailey. It must be her. That b*tch must''ve bad-mouthed me in front of that old fool! She quickly turned to Felicity and choked out, ¡°Mrs. Luther, does Granddad have some sort of misunderstanding toward me? I genuinely want to do my part as a filial granddaughter-inw and harbor no other intentions.¡± Felicity hastily waved a hand at her, then looked at Glen and said, ¡°Didn''t you previouslye round and agreed to let Anonymous operate on you? Why are you going back on your word now?¡± ¡°That''s right. I agreed to let Anonymous perform surgery on me. However, the problem is that you didn''t bring that person to me.¡± After saying that, he jabbed his cane toward Cadence, who was standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room. ¡°Is he Anonymous?¡± Felicity was stunned for a moment before replying bitterly, ¡°That woman is merely angling for fame. I extended a sincere invitation to meet her, but she refused. She even put on airs and acted all pretentious. If you ask me, she''s not as extraordinary as the rumors say. It''s just that she operated on Eskaria''s king, and the surgery happened to be a sess. Dr. White has performed hundreds of surgeries over the past few years, and all of them have been sessful.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and smirked. I remember Veronique telling me that this old hag got on her knees before Veronique a few days ago, begging for me toe out of seclusion. It hasn''t been that long, but she''s already starting to vilify me. This must be the mindset of the wealthy. To them, the world seems to revolve around them, and anyone who doesn''t let them have their way is just in heinous. The tension in the air of the living room was thick and suffocating. Just then, the sound of footsteps on the stairs rang out as Yoel, Artemis, and Edmund descended from the second floor. As Yoel walked toward the couch, he asked, ¡°What happened? Why do all of you look so angry? We''re all family, so why can''t we talk to each other nicely if we have something to say? Must it end up like this?¡± Glen snorted coldly. Ignoring Yoel, he beckoned to the little ones. ¡°Come on,e over here. Let''s continue. I lost thest round, didn''t I? Stick the paper on my face first.¡± The children nced at each other. Then, Felicity stomped her foot twice and stormed up to Yoel. Gritting her teeth, she said, ¡°I think it''s better for our father to stay at the Luther residence. He won''t get fooled by some people to the point that he doesn''t even listen to his own daughter.¡± In response, Yoel massaged his forehead and sidestepped the topic. ¡°You''re Dr. White, am I right? Let''s head to the study to talk. My father''splete medical record is there. If you feel confident about the surgery, we can proceed to discuss the next steps.¡± Felicity still wanted to say something, but a look from Yoel silenced her. Clenching her jaw, she reluctantly followed the others into the study on the first floor. After they left, Rhonda was the only one who remained standing. Having no intention of talking to her, Gwendolyn tugged at Bailey''s arm and picked up their conversation where they had left off. Meanwhile, Glen and the children happily resumed ying cards. ¡°Dummy lost! Haha! You lost, so you''re the Old Maid! Hurry up and stick the paper on your face!¡± Maxton furrowed his brows slightly, staring at the piece of paper with the doodle of four turtles in disgust. His eyes glinted with mischief when he spotted Rhonda out of the corner of his eye. Stepping forward, he pulled her over and said, ¡°Crouch down.¡± Rhonda was somewhat surprised. It''s the first time this little rascal has ever taken the initiative to interact so closely with me! Chapter 138 Chapter 138 Of course, she had to y along and put up an act in front of Glen. ¡°Have you been a good boy while I was overseas, Max? You didn''t give your aunt a hard time, did you?¡± Maxton fought back the urge to throw up as he sat her down on a nearby chair. ¡°Eww... I smell something musky!¡± Zayron mumbled. ¡°You''re right! There is indeed a musky smell in the air! That''s strange... It wasn''t here earlier!¡± Susan chimed in. The smile on Rhonda''s face was frozen in ce as a murderous look filled her eyes. D*mn it! These two brats are indirectly calling me a vixen! By the time she snapped out of it, a piece of paper had been pasted on her face. That was thest straw for Rhonda. She smacked Maxton hard on the shoulder and shouted angrily, ¡°Is this any way to treat your mother, Maxton? I think you need a beating to remind you how you should behave!¡± That hit was so forceful that Maxton teared up on the spot. He got so mad that he wished he could tear her to pieces right then and there. ¡°Is this any way to treat your son? Are you trying to kill me or something? I think you''ve dislocated my arm!¡± he yelled while ring fiercely at her. Rhonda froze as the sudden realization kicked in. Oh my goodness... What have I done? I can''t believe I hit Maxton in front of Old Mr. Chivers and Mrs. Chivers! I really need to have better control over my temper! ¡°I-I didn''t mean to!¡± she stammered anxiously while reaching out to hold him, but Maxton refused to let her do so. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g He jumped off the chair and ran straight into Bailey''s arms, wailing. Bailey instinctively gave him a hug before examining his arm. As Rhonda had indeed smacked him quite hard, it left an obvious bruise on his tender skin. ¡°Oh no! My precious baby! Your arm is bruised! Let''s get you checked out at the infirmary!¡± Gwendolyn eximed in shock from the side. Rhonda''s heart sank when she heard that. Everyone knows how much that old hag from the Luther family loves this kid. He could tear the Luther residence apart, and no one would darey a finger on him. Now that I''ve bruised him, that old hag is definitely going to have my head! Terrified by that thought, Rhonda got up from the chair and ran toward Maxton. However, she had barely taken a few steps forward when Glen blocked her path with his cane. ¡°The kids were just ying with you. Did you really have to hit him that hard over a silly joke? Even an old man like myself is able to put up with their shenanigans, so why can''t you? How will you be the matriarch of the Luther family if you''re so petty? Honestly, I don''t think you''re worthy of my grandson!¡± Rhonda felt a shiver down her spine. ¡°Granddad, I¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t call me ''Granddad,'' Ms. Rhonda. You had the audacity to hit the Luther family''s precious son. As far as I know, Artemis has no ns on marrying you, so you''re not my granddaughter-inw anyway!¡± Glen cut her off. Rhonda was so shocked that she took a few steps back in response. She then nced at Bailey, her gaze meeting that of Maxton''s in the process. Upon noticing the gleeful look in his eyes, Rhonda finally understood that it was a set-up all along. Those kids had prepared a trap for her, and she had walked right into it. I can''t believe I was tricked by a bunch of brats! ¡°What''s the matter? Why is Max crying so loudly?¡± The people in the study were alerted by themotion and Maxton''s incessant wailing. Naturally, Felicity was the first toe rushing out. Upon arriving in the living room, she saw Bailey massaging Maxton''s arm so hard that it was all red and swollen. ¡°What the heck do you think you''re doing, Bailey? Are you trying to kill him or something?¡± she yelled while rushing forward, only to have Glen knock her back with his cane. ¡°Stay right there! She''s treating his bruise by promoting blood cirction!¡± Felicity shifted her gaze toward Gwendolyn and asked, ¡°What''s going on here, Gwendolyn? What happened to Max?¡± ¡°This kid got a little mischievous and pasted a piece of paper on his mommy''s face, so she got angry and gave him a hard p. It''s nothing major, though. His skin is a little red and swollen, so Bay is massaging his arm to reduce the swelling,¡± Gwendolyn replied with a chuckle. Felicity shot Rhonda an icy-cold re as she shouted, ¡°He''s your son, Rhonda! How could you hit him so hard?¡± My son? I want nothing but to tear him into a million pieces! Rhonda forcefully suppressed her anger as she stammered, ¡°I-I got a little mad earlier... His behavior seems to have gotten out of control after staying outside for some time, so I just thought I''d discipline him. I didn''t use a lot of force, though! Children have tender skin, so it turns red really easily. It''ll go away in a bit!¡± Maxton snorted coldly as he broke out of Bailey''s embrace and ran up to Felicity. ¡°My arm is dislocated, Grandma! Her p hit harder than a baseball bat, so this woman is clearly trying to kill me! You mustn''t let her move into the Luther residence again!¡± Rhonda was trembling so much from anger that she could barely stand. This b*stard is clearly doing it on purpose! He set me up because he knows I moved back into the Luther residence yesterday! ¡°Mrs. Luther, I...¡± Rhonda stared nervously at Felicity. To her surprise, however, the look of anger in Felicity''s eyes was reced by a reassuring gaze as she said, ¡°There''s no need for you to feel guilty, Ronni. He''s your son, so it makes perfect sense for you to discipline him. You''re right; he has indeed gotten a little mischievous after staying outside for a while. I should be a little stricter with him as well.¡± She then red at Maxton, who was still clinging to her leg, as she said sternly, ¡°After you return to the Luther residence with me, you will no longer associate yourself with those rascals. Is that understood?¡± Rhonda was overjoyed when she heard that. Oh, I see what Mrs. Luther is doing here... She hates Bailey, so she doesn''t want her precious grandson to stay with her. She''s using this opportunity to bring Maxton back to the Luther residence! Ha! In your face, you little sh*t! That''s what you get for setting me up! Zayron got up from his chair and waved at Maxton, prompting thetter to make his way over. Zayron then whispered in his ear, ¡°Make sure to teach her a good lesson after you go back there. Drive her out of the household as soon as possible!¡± Maxton nodded and shed him a cunning grin in response. Leave it to me! A look of confusion shed past Cadence''s eyes as he stared at Bailey. Why do I feel like I''ve seen this woman before? She seems really familiar... That indifferent aura she''s exuding seems to match that of a certain someone in my memory... Chapter 139 Chapter 139 Having detected his gaze, Bailey turned toward the stairs and saw Cadence staring at her. Does he recognize me? He shouldn''t be able to. I was wearing a mask when I came into contact with him three years ago. I''ve never shown him my real face, so he shouldn''t know what I look like. With that in mind, Bailey shed him a faint smile before retracting her gaze. ¡°It''s almost noon, Mrs. Chivers. Let''s go see what''s avable in the kitchen.¡± Naturally, Gwendolyn wasn''t about to say no to that. ¡°Oh, yes! Eddy tells me your cooking is on par with international chefs. Come on, let''s go! I want you to teach me a thing or two!¡± Bailey shed Cadence another smile when she passed him by before entering the kitchen with Gwendolyn. That made him even more confused. I definitely know this woman, but I just can''t remember where I met her... ¡°Dr. White? Dr. White!¡± Yoel called out to him a few times, snapping him out of his train of thought. ¡°Huh? Oh, sorry, I was spacing out for a bit. What is it, Mr. Chivers?¡± Cadence asked. Yoel led him toward the couch and stood in front of Glen as he said, ¡°Father, we cannot dy the treatment for your condition any longer. I''ve spoken to Mr. White about the treatment just now. He says there is a ten to twenty percent chance of sess, so how about you give it a shot? If you don''t get the surgery done soon, the cancer cells will spread to the other parts of your body. It''ll be toote for regrets, then.¡± Glen waved at him with a stack of poker cards in hand. ¡°I told you, I''m not getting treatment. Stop forcing me, or I''llmit suicide!¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Yoel was about to say something in response, but Artemis stopped him. ¡°Why don''t you and Dr. White go have a cup of coffee or something, Uncle Yoel? I''ll talk to Granddad.¡± ¡°Sure thing. Father always listens to you, so you could help us talk some sense into him.¡± Artemis nodded and told Glen, ¡°Come on, Granddad. Let''s go for a walk around theke in our backyard. There''s something I need to talk to you about.¡± ¡°You''d better not try to talk me into getting surgery, you little sh*t! I''ll whack you with my cane if you do!¡± Glen shouted impatiently as he got up from the couch. ¡°All right,¡± Artemis replied with a helpless chuckle. It was unclear what the two of them talked about in the backyard, but Glen agreed to let Cadence perform surgery on him when they returned at two in the afternoon. Everyone, including Bailey, was shocked when they heard that. Bailey waited until no one was paying attention before dragging Edmund to the gazebo outside. ¡°Are you guys seriously going to let Cadence perform this craniotomy on Old Mr. Chivers?¡± Edmund rubbed his forehead and sighed. ¡°My father, Aunt Felicity, and even Artemis have all agreed to it. He even managed to convince Grandpa, so what else can I do? I''m really worried, Bay. Cadence says there''s only a ten percent chance of sess. There are simply far too many uncertainties involved in this surgery. I fear that Grandpa may not survive it!¡± Bailey was worried too as she knew Cadence''s capabilities all too well. Back then, Cataleya was regarded as the leading authority in neurosurgery. In order to boost his medical skills, Cadence spent a few years trying to court her. However, Cataleya rejected his advances as she had recognized Bailey''s talent and wanted to pass all of her knowledge down to her. Although Bailey never officially became her disciple, she did learn all of Cataleya''s medical skills over the years. Eventually, Cataleya got tired of Cadence''s incessant pestering and decided to issue him a challenge. She told him she would ept him as her disciple if he could defeat Bailey, at the time unnamed, but he would have to leave her alone if he lost. The rules of thepetition had been simple. Cataleya chose two patients with end-stage brain cancer and had them treat one each. The one who could prolong the patient''s lifespan by three months would be dered the winner. Bailey had been able to extend her patient''s life by three months, but Cadence''s patient died on the operating table. That was how she ended up defeating Cadence while remaining anonymous. In other words, I was the reason Cadence failed to be Cataleya''s disciple. While it wasn''t exactly a big deal, I did indirectly crush his dreams of learning from the best neurosurgeon. It has only been three years, so I highly doubt that Cadence has made any significant progress in his medical skills. Although the condition of that end-stage patient he treated was worse than Old Mr. Chivers'', the fact that he died on the operating table proves there is something wrong with Cadence''s methods. Knowing all that, I can''t just sit by and watch as Cadence operates on Old Mr. Chivers! Mother and Granny would probably roll over in their graves if I let that happen! With that in mind, she grabbed hold of Edmund''s arm and urged him anxiously, ¡°Trust me, Edmund. I have other ways of saving Old Mr. Chivers. Give me a week, and I''ll find you someone who can truly perform this surgery. She has at least a fifty percent chance of sess.¡± Fifty percent? That''s quite a high chance! Edmund''s eyes lit up with joy when he heard that. ¡°Do you happen to know Anonymous, Bay?¡± Bailey pursed her lips and kept quiet for a while before saying, ¡°Actually, I am Anonymous.¡± Edmund''s eyes went wide with shock and disbelief. ¡°Y-You''re really Anonymous?¡± Secondster, he let out a helpless chuckle as he continued, ¡°I should''ve guessed! You''re Snowke, so the possibility of you also being Anonymous isn''t that far-fetched! Bailey shook her head and said with a sigh, ¡°The Anonymous today is different from the one back then. I... I can barely even hold a scalpel anymore...¡± After another long pause, she mustered up the courage and gave him a brief summary of the events that urred three years ago. After he heard her story, Edmund''s eyes filled with sympathy. ¡°Bay, I...¡± Bailey made a shushing motion at him and said, ¡°When I found out about Old Mr. Chivers'' special rtionship with my granny two days ago, I was determined to save him. That''s why I left the Chivers residence and headed over to Veronique''sboratory. However, when I walked up to the operating table, I realized I had yet to recover from my trauma. My hands would tremble whenever I picked up the scalpel.¡± Edmund pursed his lips when he heard that. Having learned about her past, he didn''t want to force her into doing anything she wasn''tfortable with. Even so, he couldn''t just sit by and do nothing while Glen''s life was at stake either. ¡°I''m sorry that the Chivers family has put you in a difficult spot, Bay.¡± Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Bailey shook her head and said with a smile, ¡°Had it not been for your grandpa, my mom and granny would''ve frozen to death on the streets back then. I wouldn''t even exist. Edmund, I understand that I need to repay your grandpa for saving them, so will you give me a week to ovee my trauma?¡± ¡°Is Cadence really unable to perform this surgery?¡± Edmund asked after a brief pause. ¡°That''s right. I know full well just how capable he is. Aplicated surgery like this is simply too much for him,¡± Bailey replied without any hesitation. ¡°All right, I trust your judgment. I know you''re the only one who won''t try to harm my grandpa. A week it is, then. I''ll do my best to stall the surgery, but I need you to promise me you won''t force yourself too much. It''d be great if you could ovee your trauma, but it''ll also be fine if you can''t. Whatever the oue may be, I shall ept it as Grandpa''s fate.¡± Bailey forced a smile at him in response. ¡°I know. Don''t worry. If all else fails, I''ll have a hypnotist temporarily erase my memories of the incident from three years ago.¡± Edmund red at her sternly as he shouted, ¡°No way! Hypnosis is incredibly damaging to the brain, so don''t even think about doing that! I''ll call off the surgery if you dare attempt such a crazy stunt, you hear?¡± Bailey was so taken aback by his sudden outburst that she froze for a few seconds. Whoa... I didn''t think a gentle and soft-spoken guy like Edmund was capable of being so aggressive... ¡°It''s just a suggestion... I wasn''t actually nning on going through with it. What are you getting so worked up for?¡± ¡°Bailey...¡± Edmund muttered her name through clenched teeth. Bailey had no choice but to give in. ¡°All right, all right! I won''t even think about it anymore, okay?¡± ¡°Do you need me to provide you with aboratory?¡± Edmund asked. Bailey shook her head. ¡°That won''t be necessary. Vero''sboratory is pretty big and well-equipped. It''d take too much time for you to import all those equipment.¡± Just like that, Bailey spent the next six days trying to ovee her fear of the operating table in Veronique''sboratory. Unfortunately, the oue remained the same each time. The gory scene from three years ago would rey in her head whenever she picked up the scalpel, which resulted in her losing her cool. Her hand trembled like crazy as she cut at the animal''s flesh with the scalpel, and she broke down the moment she saw the blood oozing out of the carcass. There were a few times when she either threw up violently at the scent of blood or fainted on the spot. Veronique described her actions as a form of self-harm. It was true that her repeatedly forcing herself to face her trauma seemed like self-harm, but she didn''t have much of a choice in that matter. ¡°Ms. Bailey has gone missing for six days now, and none of my calls are getting through. Mr. Luther, theunch of our new product cannot be dyed any longer. LG Corporation has called us many times demanding that we give them the sample so they cane up with a promotion n as soon as possible,¡± Dwayne said as he entered the CEO''s office of Luther Group. Artemis looked up at him from a stack of documents and replied coldly, ¡°Bailey took two weeks off, so she won''t being back to work for a while. You can have Victoria take care of theunch of our new product instead. Bailey was halfway done with the project before she left, so I don''t want to let anyone else handle it. Victoria is a good friend of hers, so I believe she won''t pull dirty tricks to stab her in the back.¡± Hmm... That does seem to be the only viable option right now... With that in mind, Dwayne said, ¡°All right. I''ll go look for Victoria in the HR department and have her come see you.¡± ¡°Oh, and have Kene in as well while you''re at it. There''s something I need to talk to him about.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Noted.¡± Momentster, Ken came in through the door and asked, ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther?¡± Artemis tossed his pen aside and leaned backzily in his chair as he asked, ¡°How is that woman doing? Is she still in Veronique''sboratory?¡± ¡°Yes. She hasn''t left since she entered six days ago,¡± Ken replied with a nod. ¡°Six days, huh... Each day probably felt like a year for her. She wishes to return the favor, but fate took away her ability to use the scalpel. I bet she must be drowning in despair and disappointment right now. Ken, what do you think I should do for her?¡± Artemis said. How the heck would I know the answer to that question? Despite his thoughts, Ken replied, ¡°You''ve done plenty for her already, Mr. Luther. You''ve been visiting psychologists in hopes of finding out how she can ovee her trauma. If I recall, the doctors say a strong stimulus is needed for her to recover. I think I might have an idea.¡± ¡°Oh? And what would that be?¡± ¡°We could cut open her son''s head. Who knows? Her desire to save her son''s life might just help her ovee her trauma.¡± The corner of Artemis'' lips twitched slightly when he heard that. Wow... This is quite a crazy idea, but it might just do the trick! ¡°Very well, then. Have a bunch of thugs kidnap her son and make a cut on his head. There''s no way she''d just sit by and watch her son die.¡± Ken stared wide-eyed at him in disbelief. ¡°W-What? Are you serious, Mr. Luther? I was just kidding when I said that! That child will die if we cut open his head like that!¡± ¡°Come, hear me out on this,¡± Artemis said while gesturing at him toe closer. Ken hesitantly did as told and stepped forward. Sure enough, his face turned deathly pale after he listened to Artemis'' exnation. ¡°No, this is far too dangerous! The slightest mistake could result in death!¡± Artemis shed him a faint smile as he said, ¡°If it means helping her recover from this trauma so that she can repay the favor like she has always wanted to, then I shall dly offer up my life. Don''t worry; she''s a lot tougher than you think. I''m sure she''ll be able to make the right decision during the critical moment.¡± Ken shook his head. ¡°It''s good that you have faith in her, but what if she fails to ovee her trauma? There will be no one around to perform that surgery on you! You''ll die, Mr. Luther!¡± Artemis rolled his eyes at him. ¡°Then arrange for a few specialists to be in the crowd! They can take over the surgery if she can''t perform it, so you don''t have to worry about me dying!¡± B-But it''s still too risky! There''s no guarantee that Ms. Bailey will be able to save his life, especially since she can''t even use the scalpel. There are simply far too many uncertainties in this n... ¡°M-Mr. Luther, how about wee up with another idea?¡± ¡°We don''t have enough time, so just shut up and do as I say. Get this done by today.¡± Meanwhile, in an unassuming mansion in Hallsbay, eerie screams could be hearding out of the window on the second floor. It went on for a little over an hour. Rhonda was lying on the icy-cold floor with her clothes all torn while a middle-aged man watched from the couch, a satisfied expression on his face. Chapter 141 Chapter 141 The puffs of smokeing from his cigar obscured the lecherous look on his face as he said, ¡°Heh, I guess I should expect nothing less from Artemis'' woman! You''re so wild that even I struggled a bit when handling you!¡± Rhonda''s tears were flowing down her cheeks and onto the floor. The pain, anger, and humiliation that she felt had all turned into hatred. Bailey is the reason I''m in this position today! Someday, I''ll be sure to make her pay for this a hundred times over! I''ll have her experience what it''s like to be tormented like this! After a few more minutes of lying on the floor, the pain had subsided enough for her to get back on her feet. She then grabbed new clothes from the side and put them on before sitting down on the couch. ¡°Not only are you skilled in medicine, but your body is also in great condition! I''d probably be dead if we kept at it for another thirty minutes, Dr. White!¡± Those were the sort of words men loved to hear. Cadence let out a hearty chuckle after hearing that. He pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss on the lips as he whispered, ¡°Say, am I the first guy to cuckold Artemis?¡± Haha! I''m cuckolding the heir of the Luther family by sleeping with the next woman of the house! I bet I''m the only one capable of pulling off such a feat! The mere thought of it fills me up with so much excitement that I just want to leave my mark all over her body! Rhonda lowered her gaze slightly as she sneered internally. I know exactly what this perverted man is thinking. Unfortunately for him, he''s going to be in for a disappointment. Artemis has neverid a finger on me, and I''m not his woman either! ¡°Dr. White, let us discuss the surgery that you''ll be performing tomorrow. Just how confident are you? It wasn''t easy for me to invite you all the way here, so you''d better not let me down! I''m counting on this to marry into the Luther family!¡± Cadence caressed her cheek and said with a vicious grin, ¡°Don''t worry! I''ll be able to treat Old Mr. Chivers, and you will get to take credit for it. I''m sure I''ll be able to benefit greatly from you once you be the matriarch of the house. You must make sure toe see me whenever I ask you to, okay?¡± Rhonda clenched her teeth to stop her tears from falling as she replied, ¡°You''re my greatest benefactor, Dr. White. Of course I''d serve you and satisfy your every need!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Cadence let out another hearty chuckle as a mocking glint formed in his eyes. What a stupid woman! She actually believes that I can guarantee the sess of the surgery? I only said that to trick her into having sex with me! I''ve already signed a consent form with the Chivers family in secret. It clearly states that I am not to be held ountable if Old Mr. Chivers ends up dying during the surgery. To be honest, I think this surgery''s chance of sess is less than one percent! He has a freaking tumor on the central nervous system! One would have to be aplete fool to think he''d survive! I''ll just give that old geezer a hemorrhage and im he died of blood loss. The Chivers family won''t be able to do anything about it! Meanwhile, Bailey was having lunch in Veronique''sb. She had gotten incredibly weary and lost a lot of weight after abusing herself for six days. Unable to take it any longer, Veronique grabbed her by the wrist and sobbed, ¡°This method won''t work, Bay! You won''t be able to calm down the harder you try to! You should stop abusing yourself and just give up on this.¡± Bailey stubbornly shook her head and pulled her hand back. ¡°I won''t give up until the veryst second, Vero. Just so you know, I''m no longer phobic toward the scalpel. I''ve been able to hold it without throwing up or passing out for the past two days.¡± Veronique let out a helpless sigh in response. Yeah... You are indeed able to hold the scalpel now, but your hand is also trembling even more than before. You''re in no condition to even stitch up a wound, let alone perform an incredibly risky surgery on someone''s brain! ¡°Whatever... I doubt anyone could possibly talk you out of this anyway. Edmund has been waiting outside for the past few days. I asked him toe in, but he refused to. Said he''d end up forcing you to give up if he did because he can''t stand seeing you suffer like this. At this point, whether or not Old Mr. Chivers can be saved has be his second priority. We''re all just worried that you might end up going insane from this abuse.¡± ¡°You carry on eating. I''m heading back to the operating room,¡± Bailey said as she shoved her food aside and stood up. Veronique let out another sigh. I''ve said everything I could, but it''s no use. Should I resort to using physical force instead? No, I can''t do that! Bay will never find peace if Old Mr. Chivers dies during the surgery! In times like this, no one has the right to stop her. Besides, it''s not like anyone even has the ability to stop her anyway! Beep! Beep! Beep! Bailey paused in her tracks when she heard her phone ringing. Upon seeing that it was an unknown number, she hung up without even thinking about it. She was about to put her phone aside when a multimedia message popped up in her inbox. It wasn''t until she got a clear view of the person in the picture that her eyes went wide with shock. Wait... That''s Zayron! He''s been tied to a chair, and there are traces of blood all over his clothes! Beep! Beep! Beep! Her phone started ringing again. Bailey took a deep breath before answering the call, ¡°Who are you? Why have you kidnapped my son?¡± Veronique leaped to her feet and ran toward Bailey after hearing that. ¡°Bay...¡± Bailey motioned at her to keep quiet as she put the call on speaker. A familiar-sounding, high-pitched female voice soon came over the other line. ¡°As you can see, I have your son with me right now. Would you prefer him to live or die, Ms. Bailey?¡± Bailey''s eyes narrowed as she recognized that voice. Janice! She lost her job and got dumped by her boyfriend because of me! ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°What do I want?¡± Janice let out a sinister chuckle as she continued, ¡°I had a great job and a rich, handsome boyfriend. All my friends envied me, but then you showed up and ruined my life! I lost everything and became aughing stock in my social circle! Tell me, should I kill your son so you can feel my pain?¡± There''s nothing more terrifying than a woman who has gone mad. I know that all too well... My son''s life is at stake here, so I can''t afford to waste any more time! Bailey tightened her grip on the phone at the thought of that. ¡°Where are you? I''ll go to you right away! You can do whatever you want with me! Just leave my son out of this!¡± Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g I''ve already lost a son. If something happens to Zayron as well, I... No, I won''t let ite to that! Chapter 142 Chapter 142 Experiencing the agony of losing one''s child once in a lifetime was enough. The pain of her eldest baby dying in her belly was already tormenting enough to her. Naturally, she would be in greater pain when it came to Zayron, whom she had raised for seven years. If anything happened to him, she did not know if she could make it through the ordeal. ¡°Janice, I''ll agree to anything you ask for. Don''t touch my son!¡± At that moment, she had no choice but to act helpless in order to satisfy that woman''s perverted desires. Only by doing so would she not provoke Janice and trigger her to do anything irrational. As expected, immediately after Bailey revealed her vulnerability, Janice burst outughing. ¡°Bailey, you didn''t expect yourself to be begging someone one day, right? Fine! I''ll give you a chance to save your son. If you don''t appear in front of me in half an hour, I''ll stab this b*stard to death.¡± Bailey calmed down and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°W-Where are you now?¡± Janice did not respond and directly ended the call. Three secondster, a message was sent over. It contained a detailed address and the message: If you dare to call the police, I promise that your son will die a horrible death. Call the police? No! No way! I''ll never call the police. At this critical juncture of life or death, she did not trust anyone but herself. When Veronique saw Bailey rushing out, she quickly followed. All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. ¡°Bay, I''ll tag along with you.¡± However, Bailey did not stop in her tracks at all. Raising her voice, she stopped Veronique. ¡°Don''t follow me! I''ll go on my own. Contact Susan and see where she is. Protect her well!¡± Veronique immediately halted. She''s right! Now that Zayron is in trouble, I must not let anything happen to Susan too. ¡±Okay, I''ll go to Shelbert Condominium right now. Be careful!¡± ¡°Got it.¡± The moment Bailey dashed out of theboratory, a bodyguard in ck walked toward her. ¡°Ms. Bailey, you look so anxious. Did something happen?¡± Bailey froze in her tracks and stared at him with narrowed eyes. She knew that guy¡ªhe was Edmund''s personal bodyguard. Since he was there, it meant that Edmund was too. ¡°Where''s your boss?¡± Carlo nodded and said, ¡°Mr. Chivers has just returned to the Chivers residence and instructed me to stay guard here. If you need anything, you can just instruct me.¡± Edmund went back to the Chivers residence? Bailey''s heart sank as she asked solemnly, ¡°Did Old Mr. Chivers'' condition worsen?¡± Carlo nodded. As if he just remembered something, he then shook his head vigorously. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers'' condition did not worsen. However, Mrs. Luther insisted on letting Dr. White perform a craniotomy on Old Mr. Chivers. When Mr. Chivers received the call, they were already preparing for the operation. Although Mrs. Luther kept trying to stop him, he was still worried and rushed back personally.¡± Bailey closed her eyes. She could not afford to be distracted now. No matter what, nothing could be more important than her son''s life. With Edmund there at the Chivers residence, she trusted that he would not let Felicity do anything rash. The most important thing now was to save Zayron. Yes, I need to save my son. ¡°Carlo, I need to deal with something urgent, so I won''t talk to you anymore. You can go back to the Chivers residence first.¡± When Carlo heard that, he quickly moved aside and walked her to the parking lot. ¡°Where are you going, Ms. Bailey? I''ll send you there.¡± ¡°It''s fine.¡± Bailey turned around. She bent her knees slightly and got into a running position. ¡°I learned how to parkour for a few years. It''s faster than taking a car.¡± The dark figure disappeared down the end of the street rapidly. Watching her, Carlo was stunned. This woman is really all-rounded! Is there anything in this world that she cannot do? Within just twenty-five minutes, Bailey reached her destination. It was a wareroom inside an abandoned factory, located around ten kilometers into the western suburbs. She was secretly d that she had learned how to parkour. Otherwise, if she had to drive around the city center, she might not have reached there in an hour, let alone half an hour. As Bailey stared at the dozens of thugs surrounding her, all wielding clubs or knives, her heart sank. She did not expect Janice''s hatred toward her to be so intense that she would hire a bunch of thugs to deal with her. Looks like I''ll have to suffer a bit before I can escape alive. ¡°Not bad, Bailey! Twenty-six minutes. You arrived before our agreed time. You''ve got some sense.¡± A shrill female voice came from the entrance of the wareroom, jolting Bailey out of her thoughts. When she nced over, she saw Janice standing on the stairs with a club and ring at her with a vicious look. Bailey could not help but chuckle. Now that she had fallen into Janice''s hands, she had no choice but to relent. After all, one could not return the favor upon being bitten by a rabid dog, could they? ¡°I''m already here. Where''s Zayron? Bring me to him.¡± Janice smirked coldly. She shot a look at the thugs beside her and strode back to the wareroom, her heels clicking against the floor. Bailey stood right there and let the two lecherous thugs search her body. When she felt that their actions were bing more daring, with their hands reaching toward her butt, she suddenly grabbed their arms and exerted a little force. The crack of bones immediately sounded. ¡°Ouch! Ouch! That hurts!¡± What the f*ck! This woman has learned how to fight before, and she''s clearly quite skilled! ¡°If you don''t want to die, you better behave well. Otherwise, I''ll only need a second to kill you.¡± With that, she flung them aside and rushed up the stairs into the wareroom. She immediately saw Zayron tied to a wooden chair. There were blood streaks near his cor from an injury on his body, though she did not know where. Janice was holding a sharp knife in her hands. The de glinted coldly as she pressed it against Zayron''s cheek. When Bailey saw that, her eyes widened. With a trembling voice, she said, ¡°J-Janice, let''s speak calmly. Don''t hurt my son.¡± With a twisted smile, Janice spat coldly, ¡°Bailey, oh, Bailey! Life is unpredictable, isn''t it? Back then, you paraded in front of me and ruined both my career and rtionship. Have you ever thought that this day woulde?¡± After speaking, she gently flicked the knife. A bloody gash around three centimeters long appeared on Zayron''s cheek in the next second. ¡°With such a handsome face, I''m sure that he can get thousands of teenage girls to fall in love with him. If I ruin his face, do you think that he can continue living like other ordinary people?¡± Bailey gasped sharply. Gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°If you want to kill my son just to vent your fury, you would''ve killed him a long time ago. You wouldn''t have called me and asked me toe. Tell me! What do you want to do?¡± Janiceughed. ¡°You''re right! My target isn''t this brat. I can''t be bothered to paralyze a mere child who hasn''t even reached puberty yet. Bailey, I know that you''re skilled in fighting. Even if everyone here joined forces, they might not be able to defeat you. Thus, the only way to keep you in line would be if I threatened you with your son.¡± When Bailey heard that, she heaved a sigh of relief secretly. As long as Janice was not so sick in the mind that she would torture a child, Zayron would be safe. ¡°If you release him, I''ll let you do whatever you want to me. How''s that?¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Janice scoffed coldly. ¡°Do you think that I''m dumb? If I release him, you''d turn the ce upside down. You want me to spare this brat''s life? Sure, I can do that. However, you must tie yourself up first.¡± Chapter 143 Chapter 143 Bailey frowned slightly. With her skills, it would be a piece of cake for her to deal with the bunch of thugs. At the very most, she would just receive a few blows from the clubs during the battle. However, once she let them tie her up, she would be left vulnerable to their devices. Considering how much hatred Janice harbored toward her, Janice would definitely skin her alive. However, it did not matter much whether she died. The point was that no one could guarantee Janice would release Zayron as promised after she was restrained. When Janice saw how hesitant Bailey was, she smirked coldly and mocked, ¡°You can''t bear to exchange your life for your son''s? You sure know how to create a good image for yourself, huh? You look all morous on the surface, but you''re rotten to the core. F*ck all that nonsense!¡± After speaking, she gripped the handle of the knife and moved her hand down swiftly. She ced the de against Zayron''s neck, where his artery was throbbing. ¡°Bailey, you know the consequences of slitting this, right? If I sever his carotid artery, not even God can save your son. If I can''t kill you, I''ll drag your son down to the grave with me.¡± Bailey subconsciously took a step forward. Gritting her teeth, she steeled herself and spat, ¡°Let your subordinatese and tie me up. I won''t resist. However, you must release my son. Otherwise, the Luther family will never spare you.¡± Although she hated being involved with the Luther family, she could not care much at this juncture of life or death. If bringing up the Luther family was enough to scare Janice, it would be for the best. However, Janice merely burst outughing. She was extremely amused at how Bailey did not dare to say anything despite being furious. ¡°Why are the few of you still standing there? Tie her up right now!¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Two thugs walked over with rope. They ced Bailey''s arms behind her back and tied her up tightly. ncing at Janice icily, Bailey hissed, ¡°Don''t think that I can''t do anything to you just because my hands are tied. If I want to kill you, I can do that in the blink of an eye. Janice, you better honor your promise and release my son. Otherwise, no one here will leave alive.¡± Janice''s body could not help but tremble slightly. From Bailey''s cold gaze, she could see an intensely murderous look. Why is that woman''s gaze so bloodthirsty and vicious? At that moment, she did not even suspect that Bailey would do exactly what she warned. Even though Bailey''s arms were tied, Janice''s instincts told her that Bailey could actually kill her in the blink of an eye. ¡°Toss this brat out and wake him up with cold water. Tell him to get lost immediately.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After watching the thugs carry her son out, Bailey finally heaved a sigh of relief. As long as her child was fine, she did not mind how dangerous the situation would be. ¡°All right. I''ve already released your child. Now, it''s time for us to settle the score between us, once and for all.¡± After speaking, Janice strode toward Bailey with the knife. Pressing the de against Bailey''s pretty face, she spat, ¡°If I ruin this face of yours, will men still flock to you?¡± Bailey stared at her coldly and said in a calm voice, ¡°You''ll find out if you try it. The knife is in your hands. Why are you speaking so much nonsense? If you want to ruin my face, just do it now.¡± A vicious look shed across Janice''s face. Gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°Do you think that I don''t dare to?¡± Bailey could not be bothered to see the twisted expression on Janice''s face. She closed her eyes and said nonchntly, ¡°You''ve already dared to kidnap a child. Is there anything else that you can''t do? If you want to kill or maim me, just help yourself. Cut the crap and be swift.¡± ¡°You...¡± Fury filled Janice''s eyes. If she could, she really did not mind disfiguring Bailey''s face. After all, she would just be in jail for a few years. She would not mind. As long as she could make Bailey''s life horrible, she was willing to do anything. However, there were some things that were out of her control. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you scared?¡± Bailey opened her eyes and nced at her. She mocked, ¡°Your hand is trembling so much. How can you kill someone? I guess that you''ve never killed anyone before, right? Do you need me to teach you a few moves? The heart is the most vulnerable. As long as you stab it, the person will die on the spot. If you don''t believe me, try it out now.¡± As Janice gripped the handle of the knife, her hand trembled even more violently. A look of despair shed across her eyes. This woman is right. I''ve never killed anyone before. The grudge between us is not so serious that I must kill her. However, I can''t sit back and do nothing about her taunts! ¡°Y-You! Shut up! Otherwise, I''ll actually stab you to death.¡± Bailey shrugged and said with a smile, ¡°Janice, you aren''t an evil person who''s beyond saving. Let me go. I won''t call the police, and we''ll pretend that nothing ever happened. How''s that?¡± Janice''s eyes turned bloodshot. ring at Bailey fiercely, she yelled, ¡°What about my job? What about my rtionship? You ruined everything. How can I pretend that nothing ever happened? Bailey, you deserve to die. If not for you, would I have reached this stage in life?¡± Bailey sighed softly. How is this my fault again? Artemis was the one who fired her, and Jeremy was the one who dumped her. However, I ended up being the scapegoat. ¡°What do you want to do, then? Things have already happened. We can''t possibly rewind time, right? Why don''t I find you a new job? As for your boyfriend, he abandoned you the moment trouble arrived. You should be happy that you realized his true colors before marrying him. Otherwise, your life would be ruined.¡± When Janice heard that, a hopeful look entered her eyes. ¡°C-Can you let me return to Luther Group?¡± Bailey raised her eyebrow and reminded, ¡°I''m the lead designer at Luther Group''s headquarters. I take charge of anything design-rted. Furthermore, my good friend is the director of the HR department. What do you think?¡± ¡°A-Are you saying that you can help me return to my original position?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That''s right. You didn''t do anything horribly wrong, anyway. If you do a good job with me in the future, Mr. Luther will be forgiving.¡± Janice fell silent for a long time. Gritting her teeth, she eventually instructed the thug at the side to untie Bailey. At that moment, the boss of the thugs spoke up behind her. ¡°Ms. Worthiere, although your problem is solved, we''d be in big trouble. If this woman goes to the police station and uses us of kidnapping, all of us would have to go to jail.¡± Janice trembled. ¡°W-What do you mean? What are you going to do?¡± ¡°What am I going to do?¡± The boss of the thugsughed menacingly. ¡°Naturally, I''m trying to think of a way to stop her from telling on us. For example, we can take a few photos of her naked. Using that as ckmail, we can extort some money from her to prevent those photos from being leaked.¡± With that, he beckoned his subordinates over. ¡°Bring Ms. Jefferson in and serve her well. Remember to take a few more photos. We''ll have to depend on these photos to ensure that she behaves well in the future.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Just when Bailey was about to attack them, the boss of the thugs read her mind. He reminded coldly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, your son is still in my subordinate''s hands. If you don''t want him to die, you better cooperate with us obediently. If you dare to injure any of my men, I''ll cut off your son''s fingers, one for each person you hurt.¡± Bailey''s expression turned terrifyingly grim. Looks like I can''t escape this situation. Regardless of what they do to me, I must endure it for my son''s sake. Chapter 144 Chapter 144 ¡°You better not let me catch you. Otherwise, I''ll let you find out how it feels like to wish for nothing but death.¡± The boss of the thugsughed mockingly. ¡°I''ve been in Hallsbay for so many years and have never been arrested. I''m looking forward to you trying to find me. Bring her away.¡± Without resisting, Bailey let the two thugs drag her toward a room on the left of the warehouse. Moments after she left, the noise of people fighting sounded from outside. The dozen or so thugs inside, including their boss, rushed toward the entrance. Bailey kicked the two thugs beside her away, causing them to copse onto the ground. Then, she dashed out rapidly. When she reached the entrance, she saw a scene that almost made her lose all hope. A bodyguard in ck shoved a thug to the side, sending him crashing onto the ground beside Zayron. However, the thug was holding a knife, which he then thrust toward Zayron''s heart. ¡°Zayron!¡± roared Bailey at the top of her lungs. She wanted to sprint over, but it was too far. All she could do was watch helplessly as the sharp de approached her son''s heart. ¡°No!¡± Another hysterical yell sounded. The fighting stopped as everyone nced over. They had all undergone special training before. Naturally, they could tell that it was a fatal blow. If the knife stabbed Zayron''s heart, he would die on the spot. Bailey widened her eyes, which werepletely bloodshot. Just then, a figure rushed over and pulled Zayron into his arms in the nick of time. However, there was no time for him to dodge anymore. The knife stabbed right into his back. Spurt! The sound of the knife slicing into his flesh was exceptionally jarring in the silent environment. ¡°Mr. Luther!¡± In the next second, two exmations of shock rang out. Ken and Dwayne rushed out from the corner of the warehouse. They sprinted toward Artemis and grabbed him before he copsed onto the ground. Artemis'' back was bleeding uncontrobly, looking like it would not stop anytime soon. The situation was extremely severe. However, he paid no attention to his injury. Looking at Zayron, who was lying in his arms, he squeezed out a smile. ¡°Are you okay? Were you injured?¡± Aplicated look appeared in Zayron''s eyes. Still stunned, he asked, ¡°Do you like Mommy so much that you''re willing to give up your life for her?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Artemis chuckled. ¡°Doesn''t liking someone mean that you will sacrifice everything without a care in the world? I''ve got ater starting point than Eddy and your father. I can only make up for it with my life.¡± Zayron pursed his lips and crawled out of his arms carefully. ¡°Don''t move! I''ll ask Mommy to save you.¡± With that, he ran to Bailey and hugged her thigh. Choking on his tears, he pleaded, ¡°Mommy, save him! That knife stabbed his back. You''re the only one here who can save him.¡± Everything had happened in an instant, and it took Bailey a moment to regain her senses from the shock and despair that had previously engulfed her. When she saw her son standing in front of her, the joy of regaining her precious boy washed over her. Bending down, she hugged him and mumbled, ¡°Everything''s all right now. I''ll never let you experience something like this again.¡± Zayron was not in the mood to console her. He quickly pushed her hands away and urged anxiously, ¡°Look at Mr. Luther now! He''s barely hanging in there. He might die!¡± Only then did Bailey return to her senses and rush toward Artemis. When she approached him, she could smell the stench of blood all around her. It caused her to feel dizzy. Bailey Jefferson! You must not back out anymore! If he hadn''t blocked the knife with his back, your son would''ve died on the spot. There wouldn''t have even been a chance to try to save him. However, even though she was forcing herself to confront her fear, she could not move her legs at all. It was as if they were filled with lead. Seeing Bailey standing there fixedly, Ken panicked. He tugged her shirt and pleaded earnestly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''m begging you! Please save Mr. Luther! After finding out that Zayron was kidnapped, he rushed over immediately. He didn''t even hesitate when he saw Zayron in danger and blocked the knife with his back. Are you going to watch him bleed to death?¡± Bailey''s body was swaying. The scene of that operating table from three years ago appeared in her mind. It felt like all she could see was blood. Sounding like she was on the verge of tears, she said, ¡°I''m sorry! I''m sorry! I can''t save him. I really can''t! Send him to the hospital right now! Send him there right now!¡± Dwayne grabbed her elbow. Emphasizing every word, he reminded, ¡°Bailey, you''re the best surgeon in the world. You''re the only one who can save him. The knife stabbed into his heart from his back. Any other doctor would not even dare to extract the knife. All they can do is to watch him slowly die.¡± Bailey''s body was still trembling violently. Dwayne continued, ¡°Furthermore, we''re so far away from the city. It''ll take at least half an hour to reach there. It''s a bumpy path down the mountain too. Are you sure that he can withstand the turbulent journey? He might die on the way before we even reach the hospital.¡± ¡°I-I...¡± Bailey began crying out of anxiety. ¡°I-I...¡± At that moment, she felt a strong grip on her wrist. She nced down subconsciously and saw Artemis holding her arm. He was lying in Ken''s arms. It was very dangerous for him to grab her hand in that position. If he was careless, he might cause his injury to worsen. Shocked, she immediately squatted and yelled, ¡°Why are you moving? Do you want to die faster?¡± Artemis turned his head around and shed her a weak smile. Perhaps because he had lost too much blood, his cheeks were deathly pale¡ªeven more so than a ghost. ¡°Although a little fierce, you''re still concerned about me. Don''t be afraid. I''m entrusting my life to you. It doesn''t matter whether I die. Just save me without any concerns.¡± After speaking, blood dribbled down the corner of his lips. Bailey knew that he was suffering from an internal injury, and it was a severe one too. ¡°Shut up!¡± roared Bailey furiously. Artemisughed and said hoarsely, ¡°You never lose your temper when you''re with Edmund, but you''ve got a hot temper with me. Even so, I like it. If I can make you feel happy, angry, or sad, it means that I''ve started to upy a significant spot in your heart.¡± Bailey was stunned. Artemis'' right! I actually lost my temper in front of him. Why? Did he really leave such an important mark in my life? ¡°Ms. Jefferson, quickly think of a way to stop Mr. Luther''s bleeding! If he continues to lose blood, he''ll die!¡± Ken''s urgent reminders pulled her out of her thoughts. She shook her head and dispelled all those nonsensical thoughts from her mind. After taking a deep breath, she said to Dwayne, ¡°Bring a sharp knife to me.¡± Immediately, a bodyguard in ck passed her a knife. She took it and cut open the clothes on Artemis'' back. Luckily, since it was still summer, he only wore a shirt. Otherwise, it would be much more troublesome. When Bailey saw the knife in his back and the wound that was bleeding incessantly, she started to feel dizzy again. However, she forced herself to hang in there and started examining his wound carefully. Upon careful scrutiny, she could not help but gasp sharply. Chapter 145 Chapter 145 That stab has practically pierced half of his heart from the back. Dwayne is right. An ordinary surgeon probably wouldn''t even dare to pull out the dagger and could only watch him die. Bailey hissed as her bony fingers pressed around his wound. ¡°We can''t pull out this dagger, at least not here. If we want him to live, we must perform surgery on him, first to cut him open, stitch up the heart before pulling out the dagger.¡± Upon hearing that, Dwayne questioned in a deep voice, ¡°But can he survive until we return to the city? The blood is flowing non-stop. I''m worried that he will die of shock due to excessive blood loss on the way.¡± Bailey did not answer him, merely shoving a blood-stained palm into her pocket before taking out a medicine bottle. She had been operating on animals for the past few days and had taken to carrying a hemostatic medicine around with her, which would help to resolve her current crisis. ¡°This is a hemostatic medicine I developed myself. It is several times better than the ones on the market. It should be able to stop his bleeding. You should quickly contact a helicopter and get them to come over. Let''s go to Justin''s medical base.¡± With that, she unscrewed the cap and began to pour the medicine on Artemis'' wound. Dwayne pped his forehead. ¡°Oh, right! Why didn''t I think of calling a helicopter here? A car ride is bumpy, but a helicopter ride is not bumpy at all! Okay, leave it to me.¡± Bailey''s medicine was indeed effective, for the wound stopped bleeding after a while. Artemis forced himself to stay strong and did not let himself pass out. He said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Operate on me when we get back.¡± Bailey pursed her lips, and when she looked at him, she appeared conflicted. She had a feeling that something was off, but she could not pinpoint what exactly it was. ¡°Let Justin take a look first. If he can operate on you, then let him do it. I can''t treat your life lightly. You should know that despite locking myself in theboratory for the past six days, I didn''t make any progress or breakthroughs at all. I even became more reluctant to perform surgery. It''s way too risky for me to perform a heart suture on you, and there are also many uncertainties.¡± Artemis furrowed his brows and was about to say something to refute her, but Bailey did not let him speak and covered his mouth with her blood-stained palm. ¡°Don''t speak. Your vocal cords are attached to your internal organs and willpress the wound on your heart.¡± Artemis cocked a brow in response. Although his face was deathly pale, it could not hide his cold gaze. This woman is finally willing to get close to me. Although it''s a heavy price to pay, it seems to be well worth it. Bailey could feel a ticklish feeling on the palm of her hand, followed by a warm sensation, which made her frown. This d*mned man! I can''t believe he''s licking my palm with the tip of his tongue. Very well. I now have a new understanding of him. Not only is he frisky, but he is also very good at flirting. People often described Artemis, the man at the helm of Luther Group, as aloof, withdrawn, and mysterious. He was unapproachable and ranked in the top ten in the world in terms of danger rating. However, after spending some time with him, other than experiencing his teasing, what impressed her most was that he was extremely good at flirting with women. When she did not resist, Artemis was overjoyed. Having herpany in the future seems pretty good. About ten minutester, whirring noises came from overhead, and two helicopters flew toward them from the direction of the city. ¡°Later, when they bring the stretcher to lift him, try to be careful and not touch the dagger in his back,¡± Bailey instructed Ken. ¡°Understood.¡± Upon returning to Justin''s medical base, Bailey immediately instructed Ken to take Artemis to the operating room. ¡°Come with me to see Justin, Dwayne. I''ll give him the treatment n, and with his medical skills, there shouldn''t be much of an issue in performing this surgery.¡± ¡°Uhh...¡± Dwayne had a hesitant look on his face. After a brief moment of contemtion, he said tentatively, ¡°Justin went to Livingsfill, so he''s not on the medical base. I''m afraid you''ll have to perform this operation yourself, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey was taken aback by his reply. Her body tensed, and her expression turned extremely gloomy. She stared at Dwayne for a few seconds before uttering in a sarcastic tone, ¡°Oh, what a coincidence.¡± After saying that, she stopped paying attention to him and headed toward the direction where Ken and the others had disappeared to catch up with them. Dwayne stood still and sighed. It looks like Ms. Jefferson has discerned something. I hope she doesn''t lose her cool now and walk away in a fit of rage. Otherwise, Mr. Luther''s situation would be troublesome. Bailey did not leave but ran all the way to the operating room. She would be lying if she were to say that she had no intention of retreating as she stood at the entrance to the room. Looking at the two words in bold on the sign above her head, she began to tremble uncontrobly. Zayron stepped forward and hugged his mother''s thigh. Looking up at her, he choked out, ¡°If you truly can''t do it, Bailey, don''t force yourself. Worsees to worst, I''ll repay him with my life.¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± Bailey growled softly. Then, she tilted her head to ask Ken, ¡°Is everything ready for the surgery?¡± Ken was visibly anxious as his forehead was covered with sweat. Hearing her question, he quickly replied, ¡°Ready. Several of Mr. Xuereb''s assistants are waiting inside. Hurry in, Ms. Jefferson. Mr. Luther was already unconscious when he was lifted off the helicopter, and now he''s in a deepa with unstable heart activity.¡± Bailey closed her eyes, took several deep breaths, and exhaled heavily. You can do this, Bailey. She stood silently for a few seconds before opening her eyes. Then, she turned and entered the operating room. After changing into a surgical gown and going to the disinfection area to disinfect herself, she slowly came to the operating table. ¡°Turn on the lights.¡± With a few flicks of the switches, the overhead surgical lights all turned on, and white light shone down. She felt dizzy for a moment, but she quicklyposed herself and said to the assistant beside her, ¡°Is the anesthesia ready?¡± ¡°It''s ready.¡± ¡°Inject.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Are the electrocardiogram and respiration rate graphs normal?¡± ¡°Normal at the moment.¡± Bailey steadied herself as her gaze fell on the wound on Artemis'' back. After studying it for a moment, she found the ce to operate. ¡°Number one surgical scalpel,¡± she called out. The next moment, an assistant handed her the sterilized tool. Bailey reached out to take it, and just as she grabbed the scalpel handle, her fingers trembled slightly. The assistant felt it and asked hesitantly, ¡°Mr. Derning told us to cooperate with you fully, saying that your surgical skills are superb. But now your hand holding the scalpel is shaking. Can you truly do such a high-level and precise cardiac wound repair surgery? Lying here is the head of the Luther family. If anything untoward happens to him, we''re doomed.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Bailey''s lips twitched and curved into a bitter smile. I was forced to do this. However, I can probably only ovee my psychological barriers under such immense pressure. If I don''t save him, his heart will bepletely congested and swollen within ten minutes, leading to heart failure. Chapter 146 Chapter 146 Before her right now was not an animal but a living, breathing person, a fool who had not hesitated to pave the way for her to approach the operating table again with his own life! Hence, she would never allow anything to go wrong. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°I''m going to operate now. Prepare the hemostatic forceps and cotton, and pay attention to all the readings. Report to me immediately if there''s any abnormality.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Bailey did not hesitate anymore. She pressed one hand on the flesh of his back while cutting into the middle of his back with the scalpel. Blood began to seep out again, but her head was no longer dizzy this time. Other than a slight tremor on the hand holding the scalpel at the beginning, it did not happen again after that. She had regained the feeling of holding a scalpel again. It was a familiar yet unfamiliar experience, with joy and pain coexisting. Eugene had died under her knife three years ago, and topensate the child, she closed herself off in a lonely world and never touched a scalpel again. After three years, she overcame her psychological barriers and finally emerged from the pain and despair of the past. Zayron waited outside the operation room for twenty minutes and breathed a deep sigh of relief when he heard nomotioning from inside. ¡°It seems that Mommy has ovee her psychological barriers. Don''t worry, everyone. Her medical skills are superb, and she won''t let anything happen to Mr. Luther.¡± Dwayne and Ken heaved a sigh of relief after hearing what he said, and they became less anxious. ¡°That''s good. Since she can approach the operating table, she will certainly be able to operate on Old Mr. Chivers. It seems that the shadow looming over the heads of the Luther and Chivers families will soon dissipate.¡± Hearing that, Zayron pursed his lips and snorted. ¡°You guys are relieved, but I''m feeling miserable. My mommy is so smart that she must''ve already guessed that this is a n we made. I bet she''ll skin me aliveter.¡± Dwayne arched his eyebrows and teased with a smirk, ¡°This is simply an act of mutual consent. How could you get the best benefits from Mr. Luther without any sacrifice? Your mother was truly frightened because of you today, so I''m sure you won''t have it easyter. You''re on your own now.¡± Zayron looked up at the sky, speechless. I let Bailey worry in vain just for that little bit of money. I''m such a jerk. No, it wasn''t for the money, but mainly because I didn''t wish to see Mommy feel guilty and me herself. Old Mr. Chivers saved her granny and mommy, and she truly longs to repay this kindness. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have locked herself in Vero''sboratory and suffered for six days. Mr. Luther is right. In my mommy''s situation, it is necessary for her to receive harsh stimtion. Initially, I wanted to be the one getting injured and let Bailey operate on me, but Mr. Luther pped me on the wrist and firmly disagreed. I must say that he''s quite responsible, and more importantly, he loves Mommy with all his heart. Hmph! I have to admit that he has taste. As to whether he''ll be able to win over Mommy, it all depends on his capabilities. Three hourster, the door to the operating room opened, and Bailey walked out looking exhausted. Dwayne quickly approached her and asked anxiously, ¡°How is it? Was the operation sessful?¡± Until now, he did not dare to report this matter to the Luther family. The past three hours felt like an eternity to him, for he feared that Artemis would die on the operating table if an emergency urred during the surgery. Bailey massaged her forehead to dispel some fatigue before she rasped, ¡°The operation was sessful. The damaged heart has been repaired. He should wake up as soon as the anesthesia wears off. Do you have a guest room? Prepare one for me. I need a good rest.¡± Dwayne noticed that she looked extremely pale, as though she was about to copse. It was obvious to him that she had overexerted herself, so he hurriedly called the butler over. ¡°Mr. Wilson, take Ms. Bailey to get some rest and instruct the kitchen to prepare some food for her. Don''t keep her waiting.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Bailey had just taken a few steps when she seemed to have thought of something and swiftly turned to look at Zayron. ¡°You,e with me.¡± Zayron lowered his head and put on a miserable and indignant expression as he made ast-ditch effort to save himself. ¡°Um... Men and women should keep a distance from one another. It doesn''t seem appropriate for me to remain in the room when you''re sleeping, don''t you think?¡± ¡°Cut the cr*p. Otherwise, I''ll skin you alive right now.¡± Um... Dwayne smiled as he pushed Zayron forward. ¡°Go on. Your mommy doesn''t seem to be in a good state, and you can take care of her by staying by her side.¡± Thetter rolled his eyes. That''s easy for you to say. After watching the mother-son duo leave, Dwayne rushed into the operating room. When he saw a few assistants in the outer room, he hurriedly went forward and asked, ¡°Lacey, was that woman the main surgeon for this operation?¡± Lacey froze for a moment before saying with a smile, ¡°Yes. Although several of us can also perform surgeries, we can''t do something like this that requires slicing the heart with a sharp de and repairing the wound on the heart before pulling out the knife. Even Mr. Xuereb may not be able to do it. Who exactly is that woman, Mr. Derning? How does she have such exquisite medical skills?¡± ¡°Exactly. That woman is truly amazing! We don''t even dare to think about performing such a risky and high-precision operation. I can''t believe shepleted it alone without any unexpectedplications throughout the entire process.¡± ¡°With such a serious injury, Mr. Luther was already one foot in the grave. Never did I expect that she would bring him back to life. Not only was the operation a sess, but there weren''t anyplications. Besides the person known as the pioneer of surgery, Cataleya, I can''t think of anyone else with such superb medical skills.¡± ¡°Hey, you mentioning Cataleya reminded me of something. I heard from my grandpa that Ms. Moore has no mentees, but she passed on her skillsets to a mysterious woman, and this woman is the ''Anonymous'' who became well-known internationally a few years ago.¡± ¡°I''ve heard of the name Anonymous. It is said that Ms. Moore passed on all her surgical skills to this person. Although the two didn''t have a mentor-mentee rtionship, they could still be considered close friends. Ms. Moore was said to have passed on everything she knew, but it''s truly a pity that Anonymous suddenly retired and disappeared three years ago.¡± From their conversation, Dwayne received a definite answer, confirming that Bailey had done the operation herself. Atst, he was able to rx. Mr. Luther''s painstaking arrangements weren''t in vain. He used his life to force Bailey to ovee her trauma and hold the scalpel again. Dwayne knew that Artemis had not risked his life because he wanted her to treat Glen. He merely wanted to help her fulfill her wish so that she would not have any regrets in the future. If it wasn''t for an act of kindness from sixty years ago, I think that Artemis wouldn''t have harmed himself to force her to pick up the scalpel again. Even if he knew that his granddad would die, he probably wouldn''t force her either. Is this what people mean by love? My feelings for Victoria truly can''t bepared to Artemis'' love for Bailey. After Bailey brought her son back to the guest room, she threw him on the couch and smacked his butt a few times. Chapter 147 Chapter 147 ¡°Who gave you the guts to take such risks with your life, brat? Do you know what the consequences would''ve been if Artemis hadn''t taken that stab for you?¡± Zayron gritted his teeth and made nary a sound. Although a sharp pain was spreading across his bottom, he really didn''t dare utter a single word ofint. ¡°Speak up! Do you know what the consequences would''ve been?¡± Bailey roared, her voice raising several decibels. Grimacing and on the verge of tears, Zayron turned to look at his mother. ¡°If he hadn''t taken that knife for me, it would''ve pierced my heart, and I would''ve died on the spot.¡± After saying that, he distinctly sensed Bailey''s body trembling violently. At the same time, her face drained of all color. He hastily flipped over and leaped to his feet before hugging her around the waist. ¡°I promise to never do it again. If there''s a second time, you can break my leg. Bay, don''t torment yourself anymore, okay? I was a brat, ignorant of the gravity of things, and risked my life. I deserve a beating for causing you to suffer a near-breakdown! I ought to be taught a lesson!¡± As he spoke, he smacked himself across the face hard several times. Bailey hurriedly reached out and stopped him from doing so. Hugging him, she slumped onto the couch. In truth, she knew her son''s intentions all too well. If it weren''t because he wanted me to pick up a scalpel again and repay the debt of gratitude I owe to Old Mr. Chivers so that I wouldn''t have any regrets, he wouldn''t have conspired with an outsider to force my hand. ¡°Remember one thing, Zayron. No one and nothing in this world is more important than you and Susan. Indeed, I want to repay the debt of gratitude I owe, but never at the risk of my children''s safety. Do you understand me?¡± Nestled in her arms, Zayron nodded fervently. ¡°Yes, yes! I''ll never do it again!¡± Verily, he didn''t dare do it again. He and Susan were her greatest weakness, so risking his life was tantamount to stabbing her in the heart. Therefore, he would never dare do such a thing anymore. As Bailey held her son, her heart finally settled back into her chest. It was because I was too worried that my emotions got the better of me, giving them an opportunity to slip through the cracks. Casting my mind back on it now, there were actually plenty of ws. If I''d been calmer, I wouldn''t have fallen for it. Leaving his mother''s embrace, Zayron shed her a smile and said, ¡°I''ll go and cook something for you, Bailey. Wait for me, all right? You should eat something before you sleep.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Okay. Be careful that you don''t set the kitchen on fire. I can''t afford to pay the compensation.¡± Words eluded Zayron. There, my mommy is back! Bailey watched as her son left before taking out her phone from her pocket and turning it on. At once, a series of notifications popped up, all indicating missed calls. She swept her gaze over them all. There were some calls from Veronique, Victoria, Edmund, and even Simon. She chose to return Edmund''s call first. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. The moment the call connected, she asked bluntly, ¡°Have you suppressed things over at the Chivers residence, Edmund?¡± A brief moment of silenceter, Edmund''s rich baritone voice drifted out from the other end of the phone. ¡°Yeah, things are fine here. Don''t worry, for I''m here. Bay, I''ve heard about Zayron''s kidnapping and that Artemis took a knife in his bid to save him. I even know that you took him to Justin''s infirmary. How is he? Is his injury serious?¡± ¡°He''s fine, and I''ve already operated on him. Although he suffered an injury to his heart, his life is not at risk. You made the right choice by not rushing over. Keep this matter a secret from the Luther and Chivers families for the time being. I''m worried they''ll kick up a huge fuss after learning about it.¡± Hearing that, Edmund breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°You operated on him personally? That''s good, then. I''m happy for you that you picked up the scalpel again. It''s not because you can then operate on my grandfather, but because we''re confidants.¡± In response, Bailey chuckled. At longst, she realized a truth¡ªEdmund wasn''t as ruthless as Artemis. If it were Edmund, he would never do such a thing as the incident today no matter what, for he has a gentle personality. He''d never employ such a drastic method to force my hand. ¡°Thank you, Edmund. I''m fine now, so don''t worry. When I''ve rested enough, I''ll operate on Old Mr. Chivers in a few days.¡± Edmund chuckled lowly. ¡°Okay. Take good care of yourself. I''ll keep news of Artemis'' injury under wraps to prevent the Luther and Chivers families from learning about it.¡± ¡°All right.¡± After hanging up, Bailey returned Veronique and Victoria''s calls. She didn''t tell them everything that happened in the suburbs, merely saying that Zayron had been rescued but suffered some injuries, so he was currently at Justin''s infirmary. On the whole, everything was fine. Soon, night fell. Bailey had slept for a few hours, so she felt much better. After having dinner in the room, she ordered Zayron to sleep earlier before leaving the room. In the ward, Bailey flipped open the covers on Artemis and checked his back meticulously. It wasn''t until she had ascertained that his wound hadn''t opened up or bled excessively that she breathed a sigh of relief. Truthfully, it was inappropriate for him to lie face down because it would put pressure on his heart. Unfortunately, he had an injury on his back, so he couldn''t lie on his back either. That would be even worse. After a moment''s hesitation, she attempted to shift him on his side so that his chest wasn''t supporting all his weight. Unexpectedly, no sooner had she touched him than the man on the bed roused. Opening his ebony and unfathomable eyes, he gazed at her quietly. His gaze radiated yearning, and he couldn''t take his eyes off her. Bailey gave a cough before urging in a hoarse voice, ¡°Stay still. I''ll turn you over to lie on your side for a while to ease the pressure on your heart.¡± Artemis said nothing, allowing her free reign over him. His gaze fell on her neck. Precisely speaking, it fixated on a spot below her corbone. That angle was simply perfect to steal a peek at her assets. Bailey was perceptive with keen senses, so she instantly sensed a scorching gaze roving about her breasts. ¡°If you continue allowing your eyes to wander, I''m going to make things painful for you. You''d best not doubt my words as I won''t be treating you like fragile ss.¡± Artemis was promptly rendered speechless. Treating me like fragile ss? Has she ever heard someone describing a man as such? The corners of his mouth twitched, and he averted his gaze slightly. Fine, I''ll admit that I''m aroused. Now that I''m immobile, she''d likely castrate me if she were to learn that I''m harboring impure thoughts about her. ¡°I...¡± He was just about to speak when he realized that his throat was utterly parched. Consequently, his initially deep and rich voice had turned into an awful croak. Pouring him a ss of water, Bailey snagged a straw from the bedside table and tossed it into the ss. Then, she brought it to his mouth. ¡°Don''t drink too much, just enough to moisten your throat. You can''t have too much liquid now, or it''ll cause visceral swelling.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as he stared at the straw beside his mouth. The corners of his eyes twitched. She wants me to drink with this? Can she be any more infuriating? Subsequently, he struggled to sit up. D*mn it! I''d rather risk reopening my wound than use such a thing! It''s simply too mortifying! Bailey swiftly held him down. ¡°What''s wrong with you now? You''re eager to die again just after getting off the operating table, huh?¡± His blood boiling, Artemis closed his eyes slowly and ignored her. Bailey was wholly bbergasted. Chapter 148 Chapter 148 Great, just great! You''re the lord and master here, okay? As though resigned to her fate, Bailey snagged a spoon from the table. Taking a spoonful of warm water, she held it to his mouth. ¡°Open up. Otherwise, I''m going to pinch your nose and force it down your throat.¡± Artemis'' thin lips turned up, curving into a faint smile. He loved seeing her all aggrieved because she had to relent for his sake. It gave him a sense of aplishment that had him feeling better than if he had signed a multi-billion contract. The urge to rip him into pieces seized Bailey. What a cunning fox! How shameless! After feeding him a few spoonfuls of warm water, she eyed him coldly and growled, ¡°For the sake of forcing me to pick up the scalpel again to perform a craniotomy on your grandfather, you even went as far as setting me up and risking your life. You''re really Old Mr. Chivers'' good grandson. Your filial piety is touching beyond words, Artemis!¡± Artemis lifted his eyes to her, the expression on his face grim. ¡°You think I only set you up because of my grandfather?¡± he asked in a hiss. At that, Bailey was momentarily startled. She didn''t want to give so much thought to certain things, such as his feelings for her. Lowering her head a fraction, she dodged his dark and unfathomable gaze. Then, she countered cidly, ¡°What other reason could there be if not for your grandfather''s sake when you went as far as risking your own life? Artemis, you''re a businessman, so benefits are most important to you. Meanwhile, the greatest advantage of you doing this is me picking up the scalpel again to save your grandfather''s life.¡± In response, Artemis snorted coldly. ¡°You overestimated my sensibility and filial piety. If it were only for my grandfather''s sake, I wouldn''t have risked my life. Do you not have a heart, Bailey? Do you really have no idea about my feelings for you¡ª¡± All of a sudden, he couldn''t catch his breath. Clutching his chest, he started coughing violently, perhaps because he was overly emotional. Upon seeing that, Bailey hastily leaned over and patted him on the back. ¡°Okay, okay, I''ll stop arguing with you. Calm down so that you don''t pull on your wound.¡± Artemis snapped, grabbing her arm before flipping over without warning, pinning her on the bed. After that, he stered his broad and muscr chest against her upper body without allowing the tiniest gap between them. Shocked, Bailey barked, ¡°Have you lost your mind, Artemis? H-How dare you make such a drastic move when you''ve only just gotten off the operating table?¡± Having said that, she quickly reached out to touch his back. When her palm came into contact with a sticky substance, her expression immediately darkened. The man''s wound had reopened and was presently oozing blood nonstop. ¡°You''ve ripped open your wound, and now it''s seeping blood. Get up first. We''ll talk again after I suture it back closed, okay?¡± Regretfully, Artemis ignored her. He hugged her around the waist tightly, his jet-ck eyes locked onto her face, which had anxiety etched across her features. Well, she has some conscience at least, to be this worried and concerned about me. ¡°Let me hug you for a while,¡± he whispered into her ear. Enraged, Bailey reached out to shove at his shoulder. When her hand made contact with his shirt, however, she suddenly withdrew her hand. If I were to push him off, his heart would probably suffer more trauma, likely putting his d*mn life in danger. ¡°Mr. Luther, we''re both adults, so could we do something age-appropriate? Your wound has reopened, so I''ve got to suture it back again. Can you... understand me?¡± Artemis didn''t reply to that. Instead, he reached out and caressed her exquisite face. In a hoarse voice, he asserted, ¡°I only cooked up such an borate ploy in hopes that you''d be able to walk out of your traumatic past under tremendous pressure. That was all.¡± Bailey''s brows furrowed slightly. She red at him with pursed lips, saying nothing at all. s, Artemis was exceedingly determined. He was stubbornly resolved to have her understand his true intentions. ¡°Be good and repeat after me that I only set you up and forced your hand to help you break free from your trauma.¡± Bailey averted her face, and her body started trembling slightly. What would it mean if I were to say that? It would mean that I understand his intentions and are tacitly acknowledging his feelings for me. I''ve tried so hard to keep a distance from him, but I never expected fate to bind us together time and again without allowing me any room to resist. Seeing as she wasn''t speaking, Artemis quirked an eyebrow. He stretched out atop her and rested his head against her shoulder, uttering airily, ¡°Think about it first. I''ll get up when you''ve made up your mind.¡± At once, Bailey was dumbfounded. She gritted her teeth. Does he have no shame that he''s actually threatening me with his life? If I were to go with my temper, I would kick him to the wall and get him lodged so deep that nothing could get him out! Inhaling deeply, she repeated through clenched teeth, ¡°To help me break free from my trauma and stand before the operating table once more to repay Old Mr. Chivers the debt of gratitude I owe him, you, Artemis Luther, went as far as risking your own life and putting tremendous pressure on me to force my hand so that I could shatter the shackles of pain. I''m truly grateful for that... Mmph!¡± Before she had finished speaking, a cool sensation traveled up from her lips. All her unspoken words disappeared between the man''s lips. Her eyes went wide, and she gaped at his handsome face that was looming ever closer to her incredulously. This scoundrel actually kissed me! D*mn it! What the h*ll? Chuckling lowly, Artemis reached out and sped her chin, forcing her to part her lips. In the next second, he dipped his head and captured her lips. Wholly stupefied, Bailey even forgot to struggle. It wasn''t until her body had gone limp after an indeterminate time had passed that she abruptly jolted back to her senses. She lifted her hand to p him across the face. What a scoundrel! He''s simply a shameless rogue! The expected smack didn''t ring out. Instead, the man atop her restrained her hand the instant she lifted it. In the next heartbeat, the lips stered against her pulled away. Free to obtain fresh air again, she started taking big gulps. ¡°Let go of me, you scoundrel!¡± Artemis extended a finger and brushed it across her lips which were red and swollen following his ravishment. His voice hoarse, he murmured, ¡°Didn''t you enjoy it greatly earlier? Why are you mad all of a sudden? Are all women this fickle?¡± His remark had Bailey at a loss for words. What the h*ll? How did he reckon that I was enjoying it greatly? Suppressing her temper, Bailey kept consoling herself inwardly. Never mind, it''s okay. Just regard it as having been bitten by a dog. You can''t possibly bite the animal in return just because it took a bite out of you, can you? After holding back the rage within her, she glowered at the man with a murderous look in her eyes. ¡°Why did you stop? You might as well go further and die on top of me,¡± she sneered. Chortling, Artemis countered, ¡°No, that won''t do. This world is wonderful, so why would I be so impulsive to give up my life? Besides, I''ve now discovered my greatest joy in life. How could I die just like that?¡± When he had finished saying that, he rolled off her. Perhaps the magnitude of his movement was too great as he pulled on his wound, the pain so excruciating that he gasped.All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. Chapter 149 Chapter 149 ¡°Serves you right!¡± Bailey scoffed. Despite saying that, she sprang up from the bed posthaste. When her gaze alighted on the door, she froze imperceptibly. ¡°W-When did you arrive, E-Edmund?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Upon hearing that, Artemis instinctively turned and cast his gaze over. Right away, he spotted Edmund standing at the door with a fruit basket in hand. It was the first time he had ever seen that cousin of his wearing such a cold and indifferent expression. As far as he remembered, Edmund had always been gentle and courteous. No matter how furious he was, he wouldn''t show it on his face. However, at that moment, he was an entirely different person. ¡°You''re here, Edmund! Why are you standing by the door? Come in and have a seat.¡± Snapping out of her shock, Bailey strode over to Edmund. She opened her mouth, but she didn''t know what to say. I must look a mess right now with my lips ravaged by that scoundrel, Artemis! Consequently, I definitely appear wretched in his eyes. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be wearing such a dark look. In fact, this is the first time I''ve ever seen him with such a frosty and apathetic expression. ¡°Edmund, I¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, Edmund suddenly put the indifference on his face away. Reverting to his usual gentle and casual demeanor, he remarked smilingly, ¡°I heard from Dwayne that you were gravely injured, the knife piercing through almost half of your back, Artemis. I was restless at home, so I came over to pay you a visit.¡± After saying that, he circled around her and headed to the side of the bed. When he saw the blood-stained bandage on Artemis'' back, he couldn''t help arching a brow and commenting, ¡°Your injury is indeed pretty serious. No wonder Bay put up with you. A doctor regards her patients the same, no matter their gender. I understand that.¡± At that, Bailey breathed a sigh of relief. In truth, she could sense the hostility emanating from the man. However, he didn''t want to embarrass her. Thus, he downyed things without mentioning a word about everything that transpired a second ago. Conversely, Artemis snorted. Admittedly, I''m not as magnanimous as him. If anyone dares to touch the woman I love, sorry to say, but I''ll send him to meet his maker directly. ¡°There''s a couch over there. Help yourself and take a seat.¡± shing him a faint smile, Edmund ced the fruit basket in his hand on the bedside table and murmured warmly, ¡°There''s still much to handle at the Chivers residence, so I''ll be leaving. Take care, Artemis.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes a fraction. Without waiting for a response from him, Edmund spun on his heel and walked toward the door. When he walked past Bailey, he halted in his tracks and stated in a lowered voice, ¡°I didn''t take it to heart. He''s a patient, so it''s only natural that you put up with him. There''s no need to be so nervous.¡± Bailey stared at him for a long moment. Out of the blue, a smile bloomed on her face. ¡°There''s never any pressure when I speak to you. You''re the person who understands me best in this world, Edmund!¡± Reaching out, Edmund patted her on the shoulder as he urged gently, ¡°Rest earlier after you''ve sorted Artemis out. Don''t overtax yourself. After all, you''ve got to perform my grandfather''s craniotomy personally.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face brightened all the more. She looked like an eighteen-year-old maiden, her smile pure and unsullied. ¡°Don''t worry. That has always been on my mind. I''ll make sure everything goes as scheduled.¡± Edmund then gave her a few more words of advice before leaving the room. Bailey watched as his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, spacing out for a long moment. At the sight of that, Artemis grew jealous again. He drawled sarcastically, ¡°Since you''re so reluctant to part with him, go back to the Chivers residence with him. Why are you staying here?¡± Bailey lifted her hand and touched her forehead. Then, she pivoted and walked to the side of the bed. Not in the mood to bicker with him, she bent down and tore the bandage off. The agony was so excruciating that Artemis howled in pain. D*mn it, what a ck-hearted woman! She was all affectionate with Edmund a while ago, but in the blink of an eye, she became so rough and savage! Bailey ripped off all the bandages from his back in one go. When she saw that the sutures at the center of his back had reopened, she clenched her jaw so hard that it creaked. It looks like I''ve got to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, he wouldn''t learn and would go even further the next time. ¡°Stay still on your stomach, or I''m not going to stop your bleeding and suture the wound. Instead, I''d merely watch as you go into shock and die from losing too much blood.¡± At that, the corners of Artemis'' mouth twitched. She''s really horrifying when she''s ruthless! Bailey reached out and snagged the nearby medical kit. After opening it and taking out the needle and thread, she made to begin just like that. As soon as Artemis saw that, his pupils constricted slightly. His voice trembling, he inquired, ¡°A-Are you not going to use anesthesia?¡± Bailey snickered mockingly. ¡°Weren''t you impressively brave earlier, going all out to flirt? Yet, you''re now afraid of a fine needle?¡± Left with no retort, Artemisy on the bed on his front without uttering a single word. She''s quite vengeful, isn''t she? I picked on her just now, so she''s now seizing the opportunity to torture me, huh? Fine, then. I deserve it since I asked for it. Sneering, Bailey stabbed the needle right into the man after threading the suture. It went right through his flesh, and she could sense him stiffening at once. ¡°How''s it? Is it still bearable?¡± Cursing inwardly, Artemis replied in a calm and rxed voice, ¡°Yeah, it''s like the bite of an ant.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bailey quirked an eyebrow and stated airily, ¡°To prevent you from moving about and opening your wound again, Mr. Luther, I''ll do a threeyer suture on both the top and bottom. It''s not much, just a hundred over stitches. Just enjoy the feeling of being bitten by an ant repeatedly.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. For a moment, he couldn''t breathe and almost passed out in fury. Argh! What an evil woman! At the Chivers residence the next day, the atmosphere in the living room was exceedingly depressing. Tension hung thick in the air. Edmund stood in the center amidst the couches with his head lowered, thinking about something or other. Felicity, on the other hand, sat across from him with wrath written all over her lovely face. She red at her nephew for a moment before mming her hand on the coffee table. Following that, the pot and cups on it wobbled. ¡°What are the lot of you trying to do? Will you all only be happy to see your grandfather die without doing anything?¡± Inclining his head a fraction, Edmund replied, ¡°You exaggerate, Aunt Felicity. Grandpa is the person we respect most, and he''s also our role model. In fact, I''m willing to give up my life in exchange for his longevity and well-being.¡± ¡°If that''s the case, why do you repeatedly stop Dr. White from operating on your grandfather? Artemis is another one. Even at this critical juncture, he''s still in the mood to go abroad on a business trip! I don''t think you all have any regard for your grandfather. Otherwise, why would you all look so calm and unruffled as though the matter has nothing to do with you?¡± In response, Edmund sighed and exined mildly, ¡°I object to having Dr. White perform Grandpa''s craniotomy because his treatment n is too unreasonable. Besides, the sess rate is too low. Aunt Felicity, if we sign a liability waiver form with him, he won''t need to take any responsibility even if the operation fails. However, our loss will be tremendous. We might lose Grandpa just like that. Do you understand?¡± Glowering at him, Felicity demanded through gritted teeth, ¡°What do you want, then? Even if someone else were to perform the operation, the sess rate would still be ten to twenty percent. How is it different from Dr. White doing it?¡± Edmund lifted his eyes and nced at her. ¡°I''ve found someone who can operate on Grandpa,¡± he enunciated. Chapter 150 Chapter 150 Stunned at first, Felicity swiftly caught on. ¡°Have you found Anonymous?¡± she asked impassively. ¡°No, not Anonymous,¡± Edmund offhandedly replied. As Cadence thoroughly despised Anonymous, Bay could not show up in that identity, or things could otherwise get moreplicated than they need to be. ¡°Who is it then?¡± Felicity continued to press. Edmund pondered over it before he offered her an ambiguous answer. ¡°I have a friend from overseas who is a leading expert on the surgical discipline. She has had experience performing simr procedures with positive results and reckons the sess rate to be at least fifty percent.¡± ¡°What?¡± Felicity shot up from the couch in a state of agitation. ¡°F-Fifty percent? Are you saying that she is confident of achieving fifty percent in seeding with the operation?¡± ¡°That''s right. Doctors would usually provide more conservative estimates to give themselves more leeway, so I suppose that, by quoting a fifty out of hundred, she must be at least seventy percent certain of sess.¡± Felicity strode forward briskly and seized him by the wrist. ¡°Where is she? When will she be able to come to Hallsbay?¡± Lowering his gaze, Edmund calmly replied, ¡°Artemis has already gone to reach out to her himself. I''m sure he''ll have her brought in in another two or three more days.¡± While Felicity stared at him, her eyes swept back and forth across his face several times in deep scrutiny. ¡°Are you sure this isn''t something you''vee up with to fob me off?¡± she asked solemnly. Edmund could not restrain his own amusement. ¡°This concerns Grandpa''s life, Aunt Felicity, so how could I possibly joke about something like that? Rest assured that my friend will be able to save him and return a healthy Old Mr. Chivers to both the Chivers and the Luthers.¡± Gritting her teeth, Felicity acted as though she hade to a decision. ¡°Fine. I''ll give you all three days. If I don''t see this friend of who you speak by then, I''d have Cadence helm the operation no matter what. When that timees, none of you should expect to be able to talk me out of it.¡± ¡°Of course. We shall abide by whatever you say.¡± In the ward of the medical base. Leaning back against the backboard, Artemis had a look of gratification about him while he savored the oatmeal served to him by Bailey. This is well worth getting injured for! ¡°Edmund called me just now. He said that he had rmended a friend of his but had yet to reveal that it was me. Neither did he reveal that it was Anonymous. That''s why I''m a little concerned that your mother and uncle might be strongly opposed if I were to show up. Do you think that you could, perhaps, send Old Mr. Chivers abroad for the operation instead?¡± Swallowing the oatmeal in his mouth, Artemis raised his eyes to regard the wintrily woman with a frown. ¡°Do you think that they would allow Old Mr. Chivers to fly overseas by himself at this juncture?¡± That got Bailey stumped. It makes sense, I suppose. There is probably no one else out there who would be amendable to a proposal like this, either. Artemis reached out to wrap his hand around the fingers she was using to hold the spoon reassuringly. ¡°You need only focus on preparing for the operation. Let me handle the rest of the stuff. Although my mother has her opinions about you, she''ll never try to take the matter concerning my maternal grandfather too far.¡± ¡°Opinions¡±? I have to say, this guy is grossly underestimating his mother''s degree of animosity toward me, as that olddy probably wouldn''t hesitate to skin me alive if she could. ¡°Why are you endangering yourself to help me, Artemis? We haven''t known each other for that long and had only met on a handful of asions, so why are you risking your own life like this?¡± Artemis'' lips curled into a smile. ¡°I started slow, so how else would I be able to make up for the time I lost and win your favor?¡± She was left speechless by that. Three dayster, Artemis appeared inside the living room of the Chivers residence alongside Bailey. Felicity promptly approached and grabbed her son by the hands while shepletely ignored the woman beside him, who she hated to the very fiber of her own being. ¡°Didn''t you fly overseas to enlist the aid of an expert? Where is he? Have you managed to convince him toe?¡± she said anxiously. Following that, she snorted and started chiding, ¡°Why on earth did you bring this woman here? Surely you''re not expecting this seamstress who is only capable of putting together a couple of awful clothing designs to pick up the scalpel and operate on your grandfather?¡± Amusedly, Bailey''s brows perked up. ¡°They are indeed downright awful, Mrs. Luther. You should keep a close eye on your precious daughter to make sure that she doesn''t put on the terrible gowns that I''ve made for hering-of-age ceremony. It could end up being quite the embarrassment for your family, you know.¡± ¡°You...¡± The older woman jabbed a finger at her in rage. ¡°Who do you think you are, throwing your weight around here?¡± The smile on Bailey''s face only grew brighter. ¡°If memory serves, you got married and left the Chivers residence some thirty years ago and have adopted the Luther family name as your own since. As far as that goes, you no longer have any direct ties to the Chivers family. As for myself, being wedded to your nephew makes me thedy of the Chivers residence and will continue to be so for the next half of my life. Even if I were to die, I should also die as a member of the Chivers. That effectively gives me more of a say in this matter than you do.¡± ¡°You. You...¡± Clutching at her chest, Felicity staggered back while she red at Artemis in a fury. ¡°Whoever allowed you to bring this woman back to the Chivers residence? Shoo her off. Get her out of my sight,¡± she roared. ¡°I''m afraid I can''t do that,¡± Artemis replied ndly. ¡°She''s the one I had painstakingly brought in to operate on Granddad, so you''ll have to endure it even if you do not wish to see her. For Granddad''s sake.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Painstakingly¡± was quite the understatement as that knife nearly imed his life. Staring with eyes widened, Felicity regarded him in sheer disbelief, so much so that even her voice was shaking. ¡°C-Could she be that friend Ed had spoken of? The overseas expert? Uh uh. No way. This is way too ridiculous. Simply absurd. A-Are you sure you''ve not mistaken, Ed?¡± She promptly turned to regard Edmund with eyes unblinking in a desperate hope to hear him affirm her assertion for himself. ¡°Bailey is indeed a surgical specialist, Aunt Felicity. Her breadth of knowledge is exceptional, and she is confident of a fifty percent sess rate in this particr operation. Though I understand that you have your own misgivings toward her, I hope that you''d be able to temporarily set aside your own differences and allow her to operate on Grandpa first. Let''s make a priority of preserving Grandpa''s life and leave everything else to be discussed at ater time.¡± ¡°Absolutely not. I won''t stand for this,¡± Felicity did not even pause to reconsider before she voiced her objection. ¡°I''d never put your grandfather''s life into the hands of this woman. Being upset that Simon wouldn''t marry her, she also resents me for thwarting her dream of marrying up into social prominence. Hence, she''s taking this opportunity to get back at us. All of you will be throwing your grandfather''s life away by entrusting him with her.¡± Bailey found that to be somewhat hrious. This overtly imaginative olddy''s sense of victimhood is way over the top, isn''t it? ¡°I''m not going toment on that because this is obviously a family issue that you''ll have to work out between yourselves internally. Tell you what, I''m going to head back first, so ring me up when you''ve come to a decision.¡± Artemis nodded softly. ¡°I''ll have Ken drive you home. Have yourself a good rest. I''ll call you againter.¡± There was to be no let up from Felicity, who advanced two steps forward to seize Bailey aggressively by the wrist. ¡°Since you im to be a surgical specialist, then tell me; Which hospital are you with, and what are your qualifications?¡± Bailey exhaled and leisurely replied, ¡°Medicine is merely my personal interest. I''ve never worked with any hospital, and neither do I possess any recognized professional degree.¡± Felicity''s face twitched hard as she red at her in dismay. ¡°What exactly is a human life worth to you?¡± Chapter 151 Chapter 151 This is insane! Absolutely crazy! Without any clinical experience and established degree, how exactly does this woman think herself capable of performing a procedure as intricate and risky as craniotomy? Who was it who emboldened her to so shamelessly put herself forward to operate? To think that she dared to im that she was sure of a fifty percent sess rate! I''m sure that a random doctor I can hire from any third-rate hospital would be able to do much better than this slut. Ha. Haha! This has to be a joke to end all jokes. ¡°I''d spell my own surname backward if I should ever agree to allow you to operate on my father.¡± Lowering her head into a chuckle, Bailey frivolously replied, ¡°Remember what you said then, Mrs. Luther. Trust me when I say that in three days'' time, reality is going to hit you smack in the face.¡± The positively livid Felicity fingered toward the main door not too far away and seethed between gritted teeth. ¡°Get out. Get the hell out of my face right this instant. You are not to step foot in this house again.¡± Bailey gave her a little shrug, then addressed Gwendolyn before turning to make her way out. She had indeed been worn out from keeping vigil at Artemis'' side day and night and badly needed to go back to catch up with her sleep. It was imperative that she made the best of whatever time she had to recover her energy ahead of that uing high-stakes operation. Even though she was still bickering with Felicity, she was not about to allow herself to be comcent about Glen''s craniotomy procedure. Motivated by a desire to help her repay a debt of gratitude, Artemis had been willing to put everything on the line, so on her part, she was not letting his efforts go to waste, no matter the circumstances. Immediately after Felicity had seen Bailey off from the living room with her piercing gaze, she about- faced to yell at Edmund and Artemis, ¡°Is this what you two managed to put together after all that mucking around you did thest three days? Let us be explicitly clear about one thing. Anyone could be allowed to operate on your grandfather, and I do mean anyone except that b*tch. I''ll never give my consent to her, ever, so you might as well perish the thought.¡± Artemis looked up at her staidly. ¡°I think you should go home to chair Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony, Mother. Time is short as it''s less than two weeks away, so quit fussing and let Uncle Yoel and Edmund handle things here.¡± ¡°Whatever do you mean by that?¡± Felicity''s eyes narrowed at him while she repressed the rage mounting inside of her. ¡°Are you trying to get rid of me so that woman could be allowed to do whatever the heck she wants?¡± ¡°There''s nothing I can do if you insist on thinking that way, Mother. Look, why don''t we just go with your own initial line of thinking? You''re not really in a position to interfere, so just step aside and let Uncle Yoel and Edmund make those decisions that concern the Chivers'' internal matters. Right now, I''ll just have someone send you back to the Luther residence.¡± ¡°W-Why you.¡± He got Felicity hopping mad and staggering back, clutching at her own chest. ¡°Wonderful. This is just great. I can finally see for myself what a fine son I''ve managed to raise. I''m washing my hands off of you. Your father will be back the day after, so it would be better if I left it to him to sort you out.¡± With that, she stormed toward the main door. As he lifted his hand to scratch his head, Artemis'' suave face evoked a smidgen of helplessness. What sort of beef is this? How am I supposed to deal with being stuck between these two women who hated each other''s guts as much as they do? ¡°Come with me to the study, Artemis. I''ve something I wish to discuss.¡± Yoel''s voice rang out within earshot, reining him back from his wayward thoughts. Nodding slightly, Artemis replied with rtive calmness, ¡°I''ve something I want to tell you as well, Uncle Yoel. Let''s head over to the study.¡± Then, Yoel looked to Edmund. ¡°You shoulde too.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey ran into Veronique after she stepped out of the Chivers residence. ¡°What are you doing here, Vero?¡± Veronique''s brows perked up in delight. ¡°I knew that Mrs. Luther is over at the Chivers, and talks are likely to fall through seeing how the two of you simply can''t stand each other. That is why I came by expressly to pick you up. Come on now, let''s go.¡± Bursting out inughter, Bailey then turned to Ken. ¡°I''m going to ride with Ms. Revelle, so you don''t have to drive me anymore.¡± Having worked for Artemis for years, Ken was expectedly perceptive. Who was he to interfere if a pair of good friends wanted to spend some time together? ¡°All right. Then have a safe journey home, and call me any time should you be in need of anything.¡± Bailey pleasantly hummed in acknowledgment before she got into Veronique''s car. After the car rolled out onto the wooded boulevard, Veronique was the first to break the silence. ¡°Congrattions on your revival. Being able to ovee your psychological barriers and finding the courage to return to the operating table.¡± That wiped the smile off Bailey''s face, who was unable to rejoice at the thought of Artemis, the man who had gambled with his own life just to help her fulfill her wish. Though she was aware that he was interested in her, she was not expecting him to fancy her to the extent that he would put his own life at risk. The more he did so, the more it piled on the pressure she felt. That, in turn, only made her increasingly inclined toward avoidance. Some people, she felt, were just not fated to be together, just like Artemis and herself. I am Rhonda''s older sister and Simon''s... Regardless, the connections between them on so many levels were as such that it made a rtionship between them incestuous no matter how one sliced it. Morally abhorrent, even. Should they ever go down that path, they would doubtlessly be made the subject of scorn and ridicule by others. She had sought only a peaceful existence and had never tried to showcase her own talents. Prior to her arrival in Hallsbay, no one knew that she was Snowke or Anonymous because she had done everything she possibly could to conceal her own identity¡ªAll for the sake of leading an ordinary life. Who could say for certain if her life would still remain as idyllic as it presently was if she were to cross paths more often with Artemis in the days toe? ¡°Bay. Hey Bay...¡± Veronique''s voice hailing in her ears snapped her out of her thoughts. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Are you all right? You look distracted.¡± Twitching her lips, Bailey eked out a smile. ¡°I''m fine. I just got a little absorbed in thinking about the operation, that''s all. What was it you were saying before this?¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. Veronique eyed her with some skepticism. ¡°I keep having that feeling there must be more to that kidnapping plot than meets the eye. What do you think, Bay?¡± Looking at her askance, Bailey replied ndly, ¡°You''re looking too much into it. The facts are as such; Janice had hired a bunch of hoodlums to kidnap Zayron. Later on, the group that Artemis brought shed with them, and during the skirmish, one of the goons grabbed a dagger and tried to stab Zayron in the heart. In order to save him, Artemis used his own body to shield him from the attack.¡± With that, she exhaled and continued, ¡°I couldn''t possibly watch my son''s savior die. ced under tremendous pressure, I overcame my mental blocks and stepped out of the shadows of that traumatic past toplete the emergency heart surgery.¡± There continued to be uncertainty within Veronique''s eyes, but she decided against pressing Bailey, seeing that the weary-looking woman had already leaned back with her eyes closed. ¡°Although it was all a little too dramatic, it was good that you are able to pick up the scalpel again, so consider that a silver lining of sorts. I''ll drive you straight home so you can get some proper rest.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Back in the living room at the Luther residence, Felicity grabbed ahold of Rhonda, who wasing down the stairs. ¡°Is that little b*tch Bailey previously trained in medicine, or is she not?¡± Chapter 152 Chapter 152 That question caught the stymied Rhondapletely off-guard and caused her to regard her counterpart in utter bafflement. What''s eating this old woman this time around? Don''t tell me that Bailey had managed to piss her off again? That very thought of that greatly pleased Rhonda, as the more abrasive Bailey was, the worse the latter''s chances of marrying into the Luther family would be. That was exactly the sort of oue that Rhonda was moring to see. ¡°Trained in medicine? I''ve never heard that she was. Why, Mrs. Luther? What''s she up to now?¡± Felicity red at her, fuming. ¡°How did you Jeffersons beget such a shameless daughter? Without any clinical experience or professional certification, what makes her think that reading a couple of medical books would be enough to enable her to perform a craniotomy on yourgranddad? She even went as far as to dere that she was capable of delivering a fifty percent sess rate in the procedure. Hmph. What a massive joke. ¡± The astonished Rhonda regarded her with eyes gawking. She then replied in a quivering voice, ¡°How is it possible for Bailey to understand how to perform craniotomy? She has never even gone anywhere near this field of expertise before.¡± Curse you, Bailey, you little b*tch. Are you seeking to steal my thunder? D*mn you! Just die, why don''t you! In order to pacify that old pervert Cadence, there was no quantifying how much hardship she had to endure every single day. She thus saw Bailey''s abrupt attempt to supnt Cadence as an attempt to doom her. Should that b*tch seed, all my earlier efforts would go down the drain. On top of that, it is possible that any dirt Cadence may have on me could wind up reducing me into his ything. After staving off the bouts of giddiness that washed over her, she sped Felicity''s arms with some urgency. ¡°Could she possibly be thinking of taking advantage of this opportunity to take Granddad''s life because of her personal feud with you? Typically, such high-risk procedures could notmence without first signing an indemnity form, so even if she did cause Granddad to die, she couldn''t be prosecuted for it.¡± Thatment from her only added fuel to Felicity''s fire. ¡°Must I be reminded of this consequence as though I don''t already know it? Now, help me figure out a way by which I could keep that woman away from your Granddad and prevent her from killing him.¡± Pursing her lips, Rhonda fell silent for a while before her eyes lit up. ¡°I''ve got it. A life-saving profession like this must surely require relevant qualifications, Mrs. Luther, so why don''t you have someone look into whether Bailey is licensed to practice? If she isn''t, you should be able to report her to the authorities and have her arrested and charged once she assumes responsibilities for Granddad''s treatment proper.¡± Haha. Clever girl,ing up with something like this. You''ve been digging your own grave, Bailey Jefferson, so bury yourself deep and die well in there. It''d be best if you don''t have any bones remaining afterward, or I''ll surely crush them to dust as well. After Felicity heard those words, her face evoked a hint of glee. ¡°Oh my. How did I not think of that? You''re so smart, Ronni. All right then. I''d have someone go investigate immediately to see whether Bailey is licensed to practice medicine, and if she isn''t, I''ll have her thrown into prison for being in vition of thew.¡± Rhonda''s lips curled up into a smile. With an old hag like her who despises Bailey as much as she does around, Bailey can forget about ever establishing herself in Hallsbay. Someday, Felicity will definitely chase Bailey out of town. Over at the Luther Group''s HR department, Victoria had her head buried inside a pile of documents. The entire office was so deathly quiet that the shuffling sound of pages being flipped could vaguely be heard. Her workload had suddenly doubled ever since she took over Bailey''s duties. A summary of the mediapanies under LG Corporation. When she saw that document, her body shuddered. A name that had been confined to the recesses of her mind was suddenly jolted back to the fore, and it slowly ebbed away at her nerves and faculty of reason. Post a renewal of leadership, LG Corporation, a massive multinational enterprise formerly known as M Networks, went on to acquire several international mediapanies. Rebranding itself as LG after it transformed itself into a force to be reckoned with, the individual at the helm of this internationally listed All of that is, of course, exactly as Bay told me. Truth be told, few outsiders know much of anything about the CEO of LG Corporation since the entire company is fully managed by a woman named Geri Mulligan. ¡°All these years, I kept worrying for you as I was afraid that you might struggle to hold your own without the support of the Gezmond family. Never have I expected you to be the real head honcho behind the international group LG, and you have even gotten married and started a family of your own. I guess that you must be happy and content now, Lionel. Has the timee for me to let go?¡± Her mumbling echoed throughout the vastness of the office. ¡°It''s high time indeed.¡± The delightful voice which emanated from the doorway made Victoria jump up from her seat. After she had ascertained the identity of the neer, she became stumped. But she went on to lunge at her as soon as she was able to recover her ownposure. ¡°Heartless woman. Squeezing off every ounce of my energy and nowing over to scare me?¡± With brows raised, Bailey smilingly dangled a couple of carriers in front of her counterpart. ¡°Are you sure you want to get into a fight with me right now? It would be an awful shame if these bags of food dropped onto the floor.¡± As she braked to examine the contents of the bags, Victoria''s aggrievement swiftly morphed into joy. She then threw her arms around the woman, chuckling. ¡°I knew that you doted on me, Bay, purposefully bringing these takeouts here for your favorite glutton.¡± Bailey could not contain her amusement. ¡°It''s already past ten in the evening, so why are you still in the office? Have you that much to do?¡± ¡°I can see that standing there and running your mouth obviously isn''t too tiring for you. Why don''t you try getting busy like me for two days straight and find out for yourself?¡± Victoria snorted in retort. ¡°All right, all right. I know that it''s been tough on you. Haven''t I just bought your favorite treats to reward you with?¡± With that, she strode over to the coffee table and unpacked the boxes from the bags. ¡°This sort of chili might be addictive, but it''s too caloric dense. You ought to eat it less often going forward.¡± Embracing her once more, Victoria looked at her intently for a while before she pursed her own lips. ¡°You''ve never told me about any of the numerous secret identities you had, sweetie. To think that you were actually the internationally renowned Anonymous! Word has it that you learned everything you know about surgery from the trailzing Cataleya Moore. That is absolutely insane, darling. How did I ever get acquainted with a Big Shot like you?¡± Bailey twitched her lips. This woman is flying off the rails again. ¡°Well, are you going to eat this, or not, because I''m going to have to dump it in the trash otherwise?¡± All content is ? N0velDrama.Org. ¡°Don''t.¡± Victoria immediately reached out to hold her by the arms and rocked her coquettishly. ¡°My dear Bailey. What other high-profile personas do you have? I want aplete lowdown for all of them at once.¡± Smiling haplessly, Bailey reached out to caress the back of her friend''s head provocatively. ¡°Since I''m a Big Shot, then shouldn''t myyers of secrets unravel one at a time? What''s there to look forward to if I were to reveal them all in a single sitting? On your part, you''ll just have to keep your doggone eyes peeled.¡± ¡°Boring. I''d just go look it up onler when I get back in to see what other elusive Big Shots there are out there in the world.¡± Shaking her head, the genial Bailey sought to change the subject. ¡°So, Vicky. Have you finally made up your mind to move on from Lionel?¡± Chapter 153 Chapter 153 Victoria''s smile vanished instantly as she lowered her head. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Seeing that, Bailey tapped the back of her hand lightly. ¡°Come, now. Let''s not talk about this anymore. Eat up.¡± Yet, Victoria remained unmoving for a long while before finally responding, ¡°You''re right, Bay. He''s already married and has his own family now. I shouldn''t involve myself with him anymore. It was my family that drove him to the edge, and now that he''s finally found happiness, I should be d for him.¡± While speaking, the woman sounded especially rigid, as though she were a robot incapable of emotions. Bailey sighed and wrapped her arms around Victoria. ¡°I''m relieved to know you think that way. The sooner you cut him off, the better. You and Lionel aren''t meant to be, so it''s best you move on¡ªfor both his and your sake.¡± Thetter took a deep breath. ¡°Yeah, I know. You don''t have to worry about me. It''s been years, and my worst days are long over. There''s nothing in this world that can bring me down now.¡± With that, she picked up her cutlery and began digging in. Bailey shook her head and smiled bitterly. When ites to love, only the person experiencing it understands it. I can''t feel what she''s going through, but I hope she''ll forget about Lionel and find someone who truly belongs to her. In the morning, Bailey received a call from Artemis informing her that she could now proceed with conducting the surgery. Thetter had already convinced both the Chivers and Luther families to leave Glen''s wellbeing in her hands. After hanging up, the woman locked herself in the study and retrieved the surgical treatment n she had made for the king of Eskaria three years ago. Given how it had been so long since the king''s craniotomy, she now felt the need to draft up a new n. She had to keep Glen alive no matter what. Meanwhile, Rhonda was in the middle of a phone call inside the guest room of the Luther residence. ¡°Don''t worry, Dr. White. I''lle up with a way to put Bailey behind bars. You''ll definitely be the one operating on Old Mr. Chivers. Please give me a few days.¡± A displeased-sounding Cadence replied over the phone, ¡°What''s up with the two families? Didn''t they already sign the agreement to let me handle the surgery? How could they change their minds at the last minute like this and let some unknown woman take over? Am I that worthless in their eyes?¡± ¡°No, that''s not it. Please don''t be mad,¡± Rhonda quickly assured with a smile. ¡°Edmund''s been charmed by Bailey. That''s why he made such a rash decision. But don''t worry! Felicity''s already found out that Bailey doesn''t even have the most basic qualifications, so we can put Bailey in jail as long as she dares take up this case.¡± ¡°Fine. I''ll give you two more days. I''ll be going back to Radford if you don''t give me what I want by then, and don''t be surprised about what I''d do to you.¡± The man hung up right after that. A frosty look shed in Rhonda''s eyes as she heard the beeping sound of the phone, and she gripped her device tightly, seething. Just you wait, Bailey. I''ll send you straight to Cadence''s bed soon enough, so you''ll know what it''s like to be a victim of his sick torture. Suddenly, a knock came on the door, and the woman hastily reced her scowl with a tender smile. She walked over to open the door and saw a housemaid standing outside. ¡°Hey, Lynn, what''s up?¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther is downstairs waiting for you, Ms. Jefferson. She says she has something to discuss with you.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll be right down.¡± Rhonda headed downstairs and saw Felicity seated on the couch, looking joyful. She must''ve found out something about Bailey that would help us. ¡°What can I do for you, Mrs. Luther?¡± The older woman beamed at her. ¡°Thanks to you, I''ve managed to dig up something we can use against Bailey yesterday. To think that b*tch doesn''t have any doctors'' qualifications! That alone could put her in jail for at least a few years!¡± Rhonda smirked. ¡°The heavens have given you this opportunity to save Granddad from another crisis, Mrs. Luther. Now, let''s wait for Bailey to sign the legal form. Once she does, we''ll call the police and have them arrest her at the Chivers residence.¡± Felicity smacked her own thigh as her smile grew wider. ¡°Let''s do that! I''ll let the police know beforehand and make use of some connections. I''m not going to let Bailey escape this time. Her existence is a bane to both the Luther and Jefferson households. I have to get rid of her.¡± Rhonda nodded obediently. ¡°It will be as you wish.¡± Meanwhile, Gleny in his bed at the Chivers residence and turned to Bailey, who was sitting next to him. ¡°Bay, if you''re not confident about the surgery, you don''t have to do it. It''s not up to you to repay a sixty-year-old debt.¡± Bailey merely smiled. She knew he was telling her this not because he doubted her medical abilities but rather because he didn''t want her to regret her actions in case the surgery failed. ¡°Don''t worry, Old Mr. Chivers. I know I can do it. You saved my granny and mother, so I''m not going to treat your life as a mere joke. As for your concern, you don''t have to worry about that either. I won''t let you die from the surgery.¡± Glen heaved a sigh. ¡°Very well. Since you insist on doing it, I won''t stop you. Besides, it''s nice that a youngdy like you is trying to show her gratitude, so I have no reason to turn you down.¡± Bailey grinned. ¡°That''s true. You can''t say no.¡± The door to the room was pushed open at that moment. Then, Yoel, Edmund, and Artemis walked in. Bailey took a couple of steps back and said to Yoel, ¡°I''ve spoken to the patient, Mr. Chivers. If there are no other questions, let''s discuss the surgery''s time and date.¡± ¡°There''s no need to rush,¡± Yoel replied while taking several documents out of a briefcase. ¡°Let''s go through all the necessary procedures beforehand. There are two documents here¡ªa waiver of liability and a letter of authorization. Let me know if there''s anything else that needs to be added. If there isn''t, please sign the documents.¡± Bailey took the papers. After ncing through them quickly, she penned her signature on both documents. Yoel''s frigid expression softened as he saw how decisive she was. ¡°I leave my father in your hands.¡± ¡°Certainly.¡± The surgery was set to be carried out in two days. However, the police came looking for Bailey one day before. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''re under arrest for unauthorized practice of medicine. Come with us.¡± Chapter 154 Chapter 154 Bailey froze on the spot. Unauthorized practice of medicine? Me? At the mention of that, her lips curved into a smirk. If my guess is correct, Mrs. Luther must be behind this again. Indeed, Bailey didn''t have a medical license, so she could really be imprisoned if Felicity reported her. I don''t get why she hates me so much. Old Mr. Chivers is already on the verge of death. The cancer cells are spreading quickly. Shouldn''t she be putting all her effort into taking care of him now? How does she even still have the time to mess with me? ¡°Let me get this straight, sir. You''re saying I''m under arrest for unauthorized practice of medicine? What do you mean by that?¡± The officer nodded but responded with a question instead, ¡°Did you sign an agreement to operate on a Mr. Glen Chivers yesterday, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°I did. Is there a problem with that?¡± The officer nced at her in puzzlement. Is she ying dumb, or is she really this stupid? Doesn''t she realize the graveness of the situation she''s in? ¡°ording to our information, you have no medical qualifications, nor have you ever delved into this field. You certainly haven''t had any experience tending to patients either, so how could you agree to perform such a major and risky surgery on Old Mr. Chivers?¡± He then hesitated for a moment before adding, ¡°We received a report from Mrs. Felicity Luther saying that you''re a threat to Old Mr. Chivers. I don''t know if there''s some sort of a misunderstanding, but for now, pleasee with us and cooperate with us in our investigations.¡± Bailey scoffed as she heard that. I knew it was her. It looks like she won''t give up until I bring her downpletely. ¡°Fine. Give me a moment. I have to pack a few belongings before Ie with you.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Back at Luther Group, Dwayne was rying the information he had just received to Artemis inside the latter''s office. ¡°The police have taken Ms. Jefferson from her condominium on the grounds of unauthorized practice of medicine, Mr. Luther. Should I engage our team ofwyers to bail her out?¡± Artemis twirled the pen in his hand lightly as he fell into thought. ¡°Bailey probably doesn''t have any relevant licenses under her name, so my mother took advantage of that. It''s no use getting ourwyers to protect her. The public would use us of shielding her, and that''d only hurt her reputation.¡± ¡°Then what should we do? It''s toote to apply for a license now. Why didn''t this issue ever cross our minds? If we knew that Ms. Jefferson didn''t have a license, we would''ve never let her sign that document! We could''ve just let her perform the surgery in secret. Now we''re in a mess.¡± Artemis raised an eyebrow and scoffed. ¡°The more they try to mess with Bailey, the more reputable she bes. She never wanted to disclose her identity as Anonymous, but now that all this has happened, she won''t be able to hide it much longer.¡± Dwayne''s eyes lit up as he pped his own forehead. ¡°Of course! How could I have forgotten? Bailey''s never applied for a medical license under her own name, but surely she''s done that under her alias, right? That means we just need to prove to the judges that she''s actually Anonymous.¡± Artemis shot him a nce. ¡°But she''s an unpredictable one, so you''d still better look into this. Find out if she has a license under Anonymous. If she does, think of a way to prove it to the judges. If she doesn''t, use the connections we have and get her one.¡± Dwayne nodded. ¡°You''ve really thought everything through. I''ll get to it right away. So, should we leave Ms. Jefferson be for now? Just a reminder, your mother''s definitely going to get the media to tell the public that Ms. Jefferson''s practicing without a license.¡± Artemis rubbed his temples and sighed in frustration. ¡°My mother''s grown way too conceited now. She''ll only learn her ce after the truth hits her. Let her stir up as much trouble as she wants for now. Hopefully, she''ll learn to let go of this meaningless grudge after that.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Dwayne didn''t know how to respond. What is this? He''s the perfect example of biting the hand that feeds him. How shameless and pretentious could he be? Meanwhile, Luther Group''s public rtions department was now having a press conference. ¡°Mrs. Luther, we''ve heard that you''ve reported Ms. Jefferson to the police for unauthorized practice of medicine. What is going on?¡± ¡°How could Ms. Jefferson be in the medical field, Mrs. Luther? Didn''t she just be Luther Group''s lead designer?¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther! I''ve heard that you and Ms. Jefferson don''t get along and that you refuse to ept her as part of the family even though she''s borne Mr. Simon a son and a daughter. Are you deliberately setting her up to tarnish her reputation and make her leave Hallsbay?¡± The reporters fired their questions at Felicity, one after another. Thetter held her hand up at them, and after the room had fallen into silence, she then answered with clenched teeth, ¡°Bailey Jefferson impersonated a professional surgeon and signed an agreement to operate on Mr. Glen Chivers.¡± Expectedly, her words were akin to a bomb and caused an uproar. W-What? Ms. Bailey actually signed an agreement to be Old Mr. Chivers'' lead surgeon and operate on him? Glen had been undergoing conservative treatment ever since he was discovered to have a malignant tumor growing inside his brain, but it certainly wasn''t because the Chivers family couldn''t afford his surgery. Rather, it was because despite having announced his need for a surgeon, no one dared take up the role out of fear of their own prospects in the event that the surgery failed. Yet, now that a woman in her mid-twenties had suddenly proimed to be an expert surgeon and signed the document to be Glen''s head doctor, it was no surprise that everyone was floored. What were the odds she would seed? ¡°But Mrs. Luther, isn''t Ms. Bailey a designer? How could she be a surgeon?¡± ¡°Something doesn''t seem right. The fact that the Chivers family even allowed her to sign the document clearly means she''s capable of operating on Old Mr. Chivers. You im that she''s impersonating someone, but where''s the proof?¡± Felicity mmed her palm onto the podium stand, silencing everyone effectively. The room fell so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. ¡°Bailey Jefferson is a heartless individual who has no regard for human lives,¡± the woman dered, staring straight at the crowd. ¡°I spent the past two days looking into her and found that she doesn''t even have the most basic medical qualifications a doctor should have.¡± Chapter 155 Chapter 155 The room fell into a dead silence, and those usually sharp-tongued reporters were stunned. The news regarding the Luther family and Ms. Bailey is getting more and more exciting! Felicity then continued, ¡°That''s right. I''ve never nned to let Bailey marry into the Luther family. I never did, and I never will. She had used wicked methods to seduce my nephew into letting her operate on Old Mr. Chivers. I couldn''t just sit by and watch, so I had no choice but to use legal actions to punish her.¡± What? One of the reporters then asked, ¡°Mrs. Luther, are you sure Ms. Bailey doesn''t have the relevant qualification certificates?¡± ¡°Whether she has them or not, I''m sure you guys can just find out through the relevant departments. I can''t be wrongly using her, can I?¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther, just now, you said Ms. Bailey had seduced your nephew, and that''s why he had made such a careless mistake. May I know if your nephew is into Ms. Bailey? Is he so indecent that he wants to bed his cousin''s woman?¡± ¡°No.¡± Felicity red at the reporter and argued, ¡°My nephew is the eldest son of the Chivers family, Edmund. He has always been gentle, polite, and reserved. Why would he do such a foolish thing? He wouldn''t hit on his cousin''s woman. This is all Bailey''s doing. She seduced him and led him to make these mistakes. Neither the Chivers family nor the Luther family will ept such a woman.¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther, you said Ms. Bailey had signed a letter of authorization for surgery with the Chivers family without any relevant qualification certificates. Would you mind showing us the letter of authorization Ms. Bailey had signed?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Felicity shot theputer technician a look. A secondter, the huge screen behind her showed a piece of document, and Bailey''s signature was on the document. ¡°You guys have just been told the whole story, and I believe that all of you here can discern the truth for yourselves. Now, the authorities have already brought Bailey to prison. Once they''ve verified that Bailey doesn''t have the relevant qualification certificates, the court will sentence her.¡± As soon as Felicity finished her sentence, the reporters started discussing among themselves. ¡°What do you guys think about this? Is it legit?¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. ¡°Um... I think it''s true that Ms. Jefferson doesn''t have the required medical certificates, and the letter of authorization for surgery seems legit, too. By right, this case is as good as settled, and the court should be able to sentence her right away. However, I think there''s more to it. Old Mr. Chivers is Edmund''s grandpa. Why would he do such a thing to his grandpa for a woman?¡± ¡°The authorities have already brought Bailey into custody, though. If they didn''t have enough evidence, why would they make a big fuss about it?¡± ¡°Well, everyone has a point. Regardless of what the truth is, Mrs. Luther organized a press conference today so that we can write all we want about it. We should just do as she said instead of finding out the truth on our own. Since we can make so much money out of this without bearing any responsibility, why should we think so much about it?¡± ¡°That''s right. Let''s cut the crap and get to work, then!¡± The reporters left after that. Felicity watched as they left, and a vicious look appeared on her face. I doubt you can make a comeback after this, Bailey. In the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice took the remote control from the table and switched off the television. She then looked at Rhonda and smiled. ¡°Bailey is indeed your stepping stone, isn''t she? You''re getting more and more impressive, and you''ve definitely done a good job this time around. Ha! Why did she sign that letter of authorization for surgery when she doesn''t have the relevant qualification certificates? I think that b*tch is really sick of living.¡± Rhonda smiled in response and uttered casually, ¡°We didn''t even need to do anything, and she had brought doom upon herself. I believe that she studied medicine before, and she has a few tricks up her sleeves. However, she was stupid to sign that letter of authorization for surgery. She was acting so brazenly because she knew Edmund was protecting her. I would like to see how he is going to protect her and help her escape legal punishment.¡± Beatrice reached out her hand and patted Rhonda on her shoulder. ¡°At a crucial time like that, it''s important to not slip up. Regarding the sabotaging of the new brand, you''ve got to keep it going. It''s all good if that b*tch fails to ovee this hurdle, but if she is lucky and gets away with it, at least we still have a way out,¡± Beatrice urged. ¡°Don''t worry, Mom. I''ll remind Jessica of that. In fact, I think she hates Bailey more than I do.¡± ¡°Good. Remember toe to me if you run into any trouble. I can help withing up with plots and schemes.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mom.¡± That afternoon, Veronique, the second daughter of the Revelle family, a prestigious family in the medical industry, posted an announcement on a social media tform The post read: Three years ago, Eskaria''s royal family invited me to perform a craniotomy on their king. However, the tumor in the brain was situated at a tricky spot, and I couldn''tplete the risky and complicated operation with my professional skills. Hence, I contacted my friend, Anonymous, and asked her to perform the operation. After she had executed it perfectly, she refused to take credit for it. That''s why I''ve never rified what happened back then, and I took the credit. Now, I''m telling everyone that I was wrong to do that, and I''m reflecting on my mistakes. As soon as she uploaded that announcement, theizens went into an uproar. Felicity had just organized a press conference in the morning to talk about what Bailey had done, and it had caused a hugemotion online. However, that announcement stole the spotlight as soon as it was posted online. The reason why it was that big of a deal was that Veronique had written about Anonymous. Anonymous was like a myth in the medical industry. People heard of her, but no one had ever seen her. Despite that, she had left her mark in the medical world. It was rumored that Cataleya was a close friend of hers. Although Cataleya wasn''t mentoring her, she had inherited all of Cataleya''s skillsets. Besides, the highly regarded surgeon had also published several research results on the forum, leaving behind a lot of valuable data for the medicalmunity. However, disaster struck, and the talented and mysterious woman vanished into thin air three years ago. Some said she had passed away due to sickness, while some said she had seen it all, so she had decided to retire and enjoy her peace and quiet. In a nutshell, Anonymous had once left a huge impact on the medical field. Every time people talked about her, they couldn''t help but feel pity for the fact that she had left too early. Aizenmented: Who would''ve thought that Anonymous was the one who performed the craniotomy on Eskaria''s king back then? Frankly, I guess she was the only one who could pull it off. When all the surgeons in the world had decided that the surgery was too much for them, Anonymous went in and knocked it out of the park. She had indeed inherited Cataleya''s skillsets. Anotherizenmented: It''s such a shame that she disappeared three years ago. She''s the medical world''s biggest loss. The otherizen agreed: Indeed. I hope she''s healthy and safe. Countlessments from theizens were seen under the announcement made by Veronique. No one med Veronique for what she had done. Instead, everyone wished Anonymous well. Chapter 156 Chapter 156 After Veronique made the announcement, the king of Eskaria also published an announcement on his social media tform. He confirmed Veronique''s im and told the world that Anonymous was the one who had performed the craniotomy on him. ording to him, he had never told the public about it because Anonymous wasn''t motivated by money and fame. Also, she didn''t want to attract people''s attention. In order to grant her wish, the royal family of Eskaria didn''t make any rification when the others imed that Veronique was the one who had performed the surgery. Before he ended his announcement, he had apologized to the world for telling a white lie. Since the king of Eskaria and Veronique made the announcements one after another, it was very convincing. However, theizens were puzzled as to why these two individuals had suddenly made such announcements. Didn''t they say Anonymous doesn''t like the spotlight? What they''re doing now is the exact opposite of what they had agreed to do back then, no? In the visiting room, Veronique told Bailey about what was happening. ¡°Bay, I''m sorry. I''ve taken the initiative and exposed the truth about what happened three years ago. After I made the announcement, the king of Eskaria contacted me. When he found out you were in trouble, he also told the public that Anonymous had performed the craniotomy on him back then.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. She then sighed and held her forehead helplessly. ¡°I just wanted a peaceful life as amoner. Is that too much to ask for? Since I was known as Snowke, my life has been so difficult. Now that my identity as Anonymous has been exposed, I dare not to imagine what my life will be like in the future.¡± Veronique snickered and joked, ¡°Well, it seems like God doesn''t want you to lead a carefree life! Just ept your fate, okay? I''ve already contacted Juliana and told her to bring your medical certificates here. Tomorrow, tell the authorities everything and get out of this ce. This is not a ce a big shot like you should be at.¡± Baileyughed and shook her head. ¡°Is there no other way? I really don''t want to be known to the public as Anonymous. I''m a doctor, and my mission is to save people. I don''t want it to be something I brag about. Besides, I don''t want to use the name of Anonymous to gain fame again.¡± Veronique reached out her hand to hold Bailey''s hand. In a helpless tone, she said, ¡°Mrs. Luther is rather relentless. Even Artemis is nning on sitting idly and enjoying the show. It doesn''t seem like he''s bothered by how you''re going to embarrass his mother. Since that''s the case, why should you keep treating that old woman with respect? If anything, I think you should just give her a p in the face so that she won''t dare to act all arrogant as she is now.¡± Upon hearing that, Baileyzed on the desk and smiled wryly. ¡°You''re right. She''s not going to let me go. Besides exposing my identity as Anonymous, I don''t think there''s anything else I can do. The thing is, Old Mr. Chivers needs medical attention as soon as possible. Otherwise, I would''ve just stayed here for a while and kept Mrs. Luther happy for a few more days. No matter what, she''s still Zayron and Susan''s grandma.¡± Veronique pursed her lips and snickered silently. It seems like no matter what, evil still triumphs over good. When she was abroad, no one could manage to force her to expose her hidden identities. But after she is back in Hallsbay, the unreasonable woman in the Luther family has managed to corner her. I guess only Mrs. Luther, in the whole of Hallsbay, is able to do that. Meanwhile, two men were sitting on a couch in a mansion in the suburbs. One of the men was in his forties, and the other man was in his early twenties. The younger man looked at the older man and hesitated for a while before asking, ¡°Master, how did youe to such a conclusion?¡± Cadence swirled the wine in his winess and answered slowly, ¡°When I bumped into Ms. Bailey a few days ago, I felt as if I''ve met her before. In fact, she looked rather familiar. However, I couldn''t recall who she was. Judging from what Veronique and the king of Eskaria did today, Anonymous must''ve landed in hot water, and they''re trying to help her out of her predicament by bringing up her past contributions. Coincidentally, Ms. Bailey was sent to jail today. Could there be such a coincidence?¡± The younger man was dumbstruck. Cadence finished the wine in his winess and uttered firmly, ¡°Bailey is Anonymous, and Anonymous is Bailey. Anonymous is the only person who is brave enough to say that there''s a fifty percent chance of removing a tumor attached to the central nervous system.¡± Upon saying that, he tightened his grip and broke the ss in his hand. ¡°Ha! What a small world. If it had not been for her, I would''ve been the person who inherited Cataleya''s skillsets, and I would''ve be a renowned figure in the medical field. That woman crushed my hope of rising to the top. I''ve been yearning for a chance for revenge. Finally, I can do that,¡± Cadence said. The younger man frowned and asked, ¡°What are you nning to do, Master? Edmund and Artemis are protecting Ms. Bailey. If you try to harm her, you won''t stand a chance. We should remain patient and wait for the right opportunity, no?¡± ¡°The right opportunity?¡± Cadence smiled. ¡°This is the perfect opportunity. What do you think will happen to her if she screws up Old Mr. Chivers'' operation? What if Old Mr. Chivers dies on the operating table? Do you have any idea what will happen to her?¡± ¡°Now, everyone is paying close attention to Old Mr. Chivers'' condition. If something goes wrong during the surgery and Old Mr. Chivers dies, her reputation in the medical field will be ruined. However, Master, it''s so hard to infiltrate the Chivers family''s infirmary.¡± Cadence''s eyes were filled with murderous intent when he replied casually, ¡°Bailey is surely going to be the one who''s operating on Old Mr. Chivers. If she seeds, who do you think will be on the losing end?¡± ¡°Are you saying that...¡± ¡°Since we have such a good pawn in our hands, why don''t we use it to our full advantage?¡± The younger man went silent. The next day, the police gave all the information regarding Bailey''s alleged involvement in the illegal medical procedure to the court. The court wasn''t keen on taking up the case because there were too many rumors going around the case. Hence, no one could tell what was truly hidden beneath. Indeed, it was a tricky case. From N?velDrama.Org. However, the intiff was the matriarch of the Luther family, so no one could turn it down. When the media learned that the police had handed over the case to the court, the content of the published newspapers and magazines became more and more absurd and presumptuous. Although the court hadn''t given a verdict yet, they all believed that was the end of Bailey. That belief subsequently influenced the public''s opinion. Hence, many were quick tobel Bailey as arrogant, greedy, and insolent. At the same time, Felicity was secretly manipting the situation. She had instructed the court to sentence Bailey to several years in prison. Since the court had enough evidence, they had gone along with Felicity''s rmendation. However, right when everyone was waiting to see Bailey getting sent to jail, the royal family of Eskaria made another announcement. They dered that when Bailey operated on the king of Eskaria three years ago, she was known as Anonymous. At that time, she had revealed the required medical documents before performing the operation on the king of Eskaria. Upon receiving the news, all people shared the same thought. Bailey? Anonymous? Bailey was known as Anonymous? W-What does that mean? Chapter 157 Chapter 157 All people found the announcement unbelievable. Could it be that Bailey is Anonymous? T-This is ridiculous! Ms. Bailey is so young! She''s merely around twenty-six years old, right? Most people her age are still studying and spending their parents'' money. How could she be an internationally renowned big shot in the medical field? Earlier, when it was revealed that Bailey was Snowke, the public was already in shock. This time around, it was revealed that she was Anonymous, a talented and leading figure in the medical field. Upon knowing that, the public was utterly dumbfounded by her talents. One of the female bloggers asked in a forum: Is this a prank? Bailey is still so young, no? How could she have such exceptional medical skills? Anonymous is a legend in the medical field! How could Anonymous possibly be Bailey? After that, she was heavily criticized by a bunch ofizens. Netizen A: How could it not be? Prior to this, you keyboard warriors were using her of being a copycat, right? How did that turn out? Didn''t she give you all a p in the face? Although she''s young, she has already be the designer of the generation. Doesn''t that prove she''s exceptionally talented? If she could be Snowke, why can''t she be Anonymous? Netizen B: Idiot! The announcement came from the king of Eskaria himself. Do you think he would y a prank on the public for his amusement? A prank, you said? F*ck you! I think you''re just jealous of her, and you don''t think you''ll ever be as great as her, even if you were to work hard your entire life. That''s why you''re belittling her, isn''t it? Netizen C: Shouldn''t everyone be happy that Bailey is Anonymous? That means we have another top surgeon in the medical field, and that''s good for the country and its people, no? How could someone be stupid enough to talk trash about Bailey? Netizen D: I don''t know about the others, and I don''t understand what they''re thinking, but when I found out Bailey is Anonymous, I was over the moon! All these years, Anonymous was regarded as a loss to the medical world. Now that she''s back, she''ll surely do great in the medical field again. That''s good news for the people! Netizen E: I have had enough of this. I''m going to the police station to see hering out of jail. She has been wronged. I''m also urging everyone to go to the Luther residence to get an exnation out of Mrs. Luther. Netizen F: I''m going as well! Netizen G: I want to go too. All theizens in the forum were pumped up. Meanwhile, at Century Square, Rhonda was surrounded by a bunch of reporters. They were asking her about how Bailey had illegally performed a medical procedure. ¡°Ms. Rhonda, are you sure your sister has never worked in the medical field? When she was abroad all those years, did she ever get involved in the medical field?¡± ¡°Ms. Rhonda, what''s the Jefferson family''s view on your sister''s alleged involvement in an illegal medical procedure? Are you guys going to figure out a way to bail her out?¡± Rhonda held her friend''s hand and put on a troubled expression. Rhonda sobbed, ¡°Throughout the recent years, my sister has been the lead designer for Luther Group. Hence, she has never been involved in the medical industry. She might''ve read a few medical journals, but she doesn''t have clinical experience.¡± With that, she blinked and forced a few tears out of her eyes. ¡°What she did this time around is completely uneptable. She didn''t have the right to sign a letter of authorization for surgery with the Chivers family. She had vited thew, so she should get punished for it. The Jefferson family will not intervene, and we won''t bail her out.¡± ¡°Ms. Rhonda, you''re sure your sister has never worked in the medical industry, right? Are you saying that she deserves whatever legal punishment the court sentence to her?¡± Rhonda nodded slightly in response. In a hoarse voice, she answered, ¡°She''s an adult, so she should be responsible for her actions. The Jefferson family is not going to help her. Although the evidence is solid and the court is about to reach a verdict, I still hope she can prove her innocence.¡± Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. As soon as her words fell, a male reporter in the crowd uttered in a mocking tone, ¡°You''re getting what you hoped for, Ms. Rhonda! Your sister has provided proof that she''s innocent. To be precise, someone has proven her innocence for her!¡± With that, the male reporter held his phone in the air and dered, ¡°My friends, a Chanaean forum has just gone into an uproar because of an announcement made by the king of Eskaria! Hurry and check it out!¡± Upon hearing that, the reporters at the scene all whipped out their phones and checked the trending forum. There, their screens were filled with links to the announcement made by the king of Eskaria. ¡°God! The king of Eskaria said three years ago, Bailey performed a craniotomy on him as Anonymous.¡± ¡°He also said that Anonymous has all the medical certificates. If anyone doesn''t believe him, he''s willing to disclose the letter of authorization for surgery. In there, we''ll see all the certificates Anonymous has.¡± ¡°Wait. Could anyone please tell me what that means?¡± a young man asked. Someone pped the young man and chided jokingly, ¡°You''re usually a bright one, no? Why are you so slow-witted now? Do you really not know what this means?¡± The young man raised his gaze to look at the dumbfounded Rhonda. He then smiled, rubbed his nose, and answered, ¡°John, I really don''t understand what''s going on, and I don''t think I''m the only one. Could you please exin it to everyone?¡± The middle-aged man that pped that young man, John, swept a nce at everyone else and said, ¡°This means that Bailey is Anonymous, and Anonymous is Bailey. Three years ago, Bailey operated on the king of Eskaria as Anonymous. That''s why he has her credentials, and so he''s asking everyone here not to wrongly use Bailey.¡± The crowd was stunned. His words were like a p of thunder that brought everyone back to their senses. Rhonda''s friend took out her phone from her bag and checked out the announcement. After that, she handed her phone to Rhonda and stammered, ¡°R-Ronni, look. It''s true. She''s really Anonymous, the legendary figure who inherited Cataleya''s skillsets a few years ago.¡± Rhonda was so stunned that she felt dizzy all of a sudden. What the f*ck? Bailey is... Anonymous? Bailey is Anonymous? What? How is this possible? How? This is impossible! No... No! I can''t believe this. I won''t believe this. Seven years ago, that woman was just an outcast who was meek and subservient. Mom and I always bullied her as we pleased back then. How could she possibly do a one-eighty in a few years'' time? How did she be a world-renowned figure? No! This can''t be! This is impossible! ¡°Are you okay, Ronni?¡± her friend asked, and her voice had attracted all the reporters'' attention. Someone saw how terrible Rhonda''s expression looked and asked, ¡°Ms. Rhonda, you looked upset. Is this because your sister is proven innocent?¡± Chapter 158 Chapter 158 ¡°Look at her face. Isn''t it exactly that? Is there any need for us to ask any questions?¡± ¡°Fantastic acting, Ms. Rhonda. Just a second ago, you were saying that you hoped your sister would be able to clear her name, but right after you found out that she was fine, your expression changed. What beautiful sisterhood you''ve got there. It''s quite... shocking.¡± ¡°No wonder the people say that Ms. Rhonda is pretentious. Look at her demeanor. She really is the poster child for pretentiousness. Even a saint won''t be able topare to her.¡± Rhonda''s knees buckled, and she nearly fell off the stage. When her good friend saw that, she quickly shot out her arms to hold Rhonda. ¡°Ronni, you can''t give up now. Hurry up and exin to them, or else the people are going to ruin your reputation.¡± At that, Rhonda took in a deep breath to suppress the boiling resentment in her. Then, she forced the corners of her stiff lips upward into a smile. ¡°You''ve misunderstood the situation. I was too excited, so I lost control of myself. Bailey''s my own sister, and she''ll be my sister-inw too. There''s no one in the world I''d be closer to. Of course, I''m thrilled to hear that she''s out of it now!¡± Despite her sincere tone, no one knew how many people would actually believe in her words. ¡°Let''s go. We''re going to the police station now. Ms. Bailey''s about to be acquitted, so let''s hurry up and interview her. The world has been paying much attention to news about Anonymous, so if we get to verify that she is Anonymous with her own statement, we''ll surely get the hottest headlines of the year.¡± ¡°Yes, yes! Let''s hurry up and curry favor with Ms. Bailey. She''s the only one who will allow us to earn big bucks. Thatdy''s our actual cash cow.¡± The reporters all rushed toward the exit, and in no time, the crowded mall turned spacious. The people in the vicinity then turned to look at Rhonda as they began chatting away. ¡°Her ns have fallen through, huh? She only has herself to me for this. She''s doomed to be called a scheming b*tch from the moment she decided to climb into Mr. Luther''s bed and give birth to a son without letting the Luthers know.¡± ¡°She''s a daughter from the Jefferson family too, but they''re worlds apart from each other. One has morals and keeps a low profile despite the many good things they do for the world, and the other tramples on those who are of a lower ss than her. She''s even looking down on everyone else just because she''s in league with the Luther family. Pah! I don''t know why she''s being all proud. I''d say she''s so useless she''s not even worthy of bringing her sister the newspaper!¡± ¡°How could she have such fame if not for her sleeping with Mr. Luther? In contrast, Bailey built her fame with her own talents. All Rhonda does is seduce men. Indeed, they''repletely different from each other.¡± Rhonda was furious. She was so furious that her entire body shook. What she hated the most was outsidersparing her with Bailey and them praising Bailey while looking down on her. ¡°Ronni, l-let''s leave this ce first,¡± Rhonda''s good friend whispered into her ear as she held Rhonda. Rhonda closed her eyes for a moment to tamp down the rising fury and grudge before walking down the stairs. Then, she walked toward the doorway as the others stared at her with mocking, disdainful eyes. Bailey, Bailey, how I wish I could skin you alive! In the reception room at the court, the person in charge of the court was greeting Felicity, who had abruptlye. ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Luther. We have all the evidence for Ms. Bailey''s case, so the court will pass the guilty verdict soon. It''s just a matter of time now, so please patiently wait a little longer.¡± Felicity beamed in satisfaction. After a moment of thought, she asked, ¡°Could you please tell me how long she''ll be locked up?¡± The person in charge lowered his head and squeezed out, ¡°This is confidential, and I won''t be able to tell you about it, Mrs. Luther. It''s not too different from what you''ve heard. Luther Group has numerous teams ofwyers and a functioning legal department. You must have inquired them about this before. The final verdict won''t be too different from their estimation.¡± Felicity was no fool, so she understood what he meant. Thus, she changed the topic and said, ¡°Thank you for this. You cane to me if you need anything in the future, and I''ll do my best to assist you.¡± The person in charge wiped the sweat off his forehead before fearfully replying, ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Mrs. Luther. We''re only just settling this matter ording to thew. I had to rely on your information too, Mrs. Luther. I wouldn''t dare to im this achievement as mine. I wouldn''t.¡± Ha. Felicity sneered inwardly. This old man''s a sly fox. He knows when to trim his sails. He''s afraid that he''ll lose his job if he crosses the Luther family. It seems like anything I say goes, but he has never thought about buttering up the Luther family and dragging himself into the mess. Ha! ¡°All right. There''s nothing else now, so I''ll be leaving first.¡± With that said, she got to her feet. At that, the person in charge hurriedly stood up to escort her out. ¡°Allow me to send you off.¡± Before Felicity could agree to it, someone barged into the room and hurried toward the man. In an urgent tone, the neer said, ¡°S-Sir, b-bad news!¡± The man shot her a re before chiding, ¡°Why are you panicking so badly? Calm down before you speak. It''s not as if the world is about to end in the next second.¡± The female staff member had to take several deep breaths to calm her thumping heart before uttering, ¡°There has been a turn of events in Ms. Bailey Jefferson''s case. We might have to acquit her.¡± Shock shed past the person in charge''s eyes, and he instinctively turned toward Felicity. When he saw the darkened look on her face, he quickly said to the female staff member, ¡°Wait in my office. I''ll come to you after sending Mrs. Luther off.¡± ¡°Wait in your office?¡± Felicity red at the female staff member. She then gritted out, ¡°Speak clearly. What do you mean by there''s a turn of events in her case and that you have to acquit her?¡± The female staff member turned to the person in charge, anxious. ¡°I... This...¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. The person in charge sighed. It was unlikely that he would be able to hide the matter from Felicity, and it was likely that Felicity would find out about the details after she left the court. Therefore, what was the point of trying to flee from the situation? ¡°Just say it here. Mrs. Luther is the intiff of the case. She has the right to know about the case''s progress.¡± The female staff member then lowered her head and tentatively said, ¡°Just twenty minutes ago, the king of Eskaria posted an announcement with his own ount on the overseas Chanaean forum. H-He said that three years ago, Bailey operated on him as Anonymous. Back then, she had presented to him with the relevant medical licenses.¡± For a moment, Felicity''s mind short-circuited. ¡°What are you trying to say? What do you mean by she operated on him as Anonymous? Is she trying to pretend to be Anonymous to get out of this?¡± The female staff member shuddered and steeled herself before saying, ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, you''ve misunderstood me. I''m saying that Bailey is Anonymous¡ªAnonymous is Bailey. They''re the same person.¡± ¡°What?¡± Felicity''s knees turned weak, and she fell back onto the couch. ¡°What did you just say? Bailey is Anonymous? She''s Anonymous?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. Her disciple, Juliana, has already presented the evidence to the relevant departments to prove that Bailey is Anonymous.¡± Chapter 159 Chapter 159 Crash! Felicity swept her arm across the table to shove all the sses onto the floor. Bailey is Anonymous? This is absurd! This is ludicrous! How can she be Anonymous? How can she possibly be Anonymous? This can''t be. That b*tch shouldn''t be this talented. She shouldn''t be such a gifted individual in the medical industry. Felicity had once dered that she would kneel before Anonymous to beg her to step into society after finding out where Anonymous lived. Does that mean that I... said that I was going to kneel before Bailey? ¡°Mrs. Luther, are you okay?¡± the person in charge asked in concern. Felicity waved her hand dismissively, but she still could not reel in from the shock of the revtion. ¡°Please go out. I need to be left alone for a while.¡± The man parted his lips but said nothing, for he was afraid that he would say the wrong things that would infuriate Felicity and make things worse for himself. Hence, after a moment of hesitation, he led the female staff member out of the room. Once he closed the reception room door behind him, he promptly said to her, ¡°Hurry up and call Mr. Luther. Inform him about the situation, and have him pick Mrs. Luther up as soon as possible. I''m worried that something might happen to her here.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± In the infirmary at the Chivers residence, Glen was leaning against the headboard and watching television. After he found out about what happened, he tilted his head to re at his grandson. ¡°Brat, you knew who she was long ago?¡± Edmund chuckled softly before saying, ¡°Grandpa, she''s quite aloof and keeps a low profile. If not for Aunt Felicity''s aggressiveness, the rest of the world would probably have never known that she''s the famous doctor Anonymous who had studied under and inherited the skillset of the pioneer of surgery, Cataleya.¡± Glen contemptuously huffed twice before muttering, ¡°No wonder she did not hesitate in saying that she''s fifty percent sure about the chances. So she is Cataleya''s student. Cataleya had led a lonely life as she poured all her efforts into medical research. I''m d to hear that, at the very least, she had someone to pass her mantle on to.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. Edmund smiled before handing a fruit to Glen. He then teased, ¡°Are you satisfied with such a brilliant granddaughter-inw?¡± ¡°I''ve been happy with her since the first time I saw her. Pay more attention to her and cultivate your rtionship with her so that you can marry her earlier.¡± The other man became speechless. The judicial officer took a personal trip to the police station to meet Bailey in the reception room. It had been a major misunderstanding¡ªthey had detained an internationally famous doctor as a criminal who worked in the medical field illegally. The pressure the judicial officer and his coworkers felt at that moment was worse than two mountains stacked together. After his higher-ups learned the details of the situation, they gave him a harsh scolding and ordered them to settle the case properly; they must not let Anonymous feel any resentment toward the court, which would, in turn, affect the contributions she made to the medical industry. Bailey could not help but chuckle when she saw the shaking men and women. ¡°Isn''t this just a misunderstanding? What''s wrong with you detaining me ording to thew? I was the one who didn''t make a clear exnation, so you were berated by your higher-ups. This even left a mark in your records. Sorry, I''ve troubled you all.¡± The judicial officer quickly inclined his head and gave her a polite smile. ¡°You''ve got a big heart, Ms. Jefferson. In contrast, we seem a little shallow. You were unable to prove your identity in jail, and even if you did say it to us verbally, we probably wouldn''t have believed you. Fortunately, the king is a man who cherishes the gifted ones; he did not want to see his once savior be wronged, so he stepped in and cleared your name despite the pressure.¡± Bailey raised a brow and smiled. ¡°I''m indifferent to many things, and fame isn''t something I adore. When an old friend taught me medicine back then, she told me that my medical skills are not for me to unt, for doctors are meant to be benevolent. If not for this, I probably wouldn''t have revealed that I''m Anonymous and have troubled you all.¡± ¡°It''s no trouble! No trouble at all!¡± the judicial officer quickly stood up from the chair and bowed at Bailey. In a sincere voice, he said, ¡°Your magnanimous demeanor has impressed me. Perhaps only someone like you, who have no love for fame, is of interest to the people like Master Gadzinski and Ms. Cataleya Moore. That''s why they''ve chosen to impart their knowledge to you.¡± Bailey stood up and returned the bow with a smile. ¡°I''m a legal citizen here, so I have the duty to cooperate with your investigation. You don''t need to take this to heart. As to whether or not I''ll contribute to the medical industry... How do I say this? As long as I''m still needed, I''ll still be there.¡± ¡°I''m d to hear that!¡± the judicial officer cried out. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''re a reasonable person, and it''s the medical industry''s honor to have you here. I look forward to your uing aplishments and findings in the medical industry.¡± ¡°That''s kind of you.¡± Bailey then raised a brow and asked, ¡°Now that everything has been cleared up, may I leave? The treatment for Old Mr. Chivers'' illness can''t be dyed any further; I have to head back to study his treatment n.¡± An impressed look crept upon the judicial officer''s face. He wistfully remarked, ¡°Mrs. Luther has sued you and made you end up in jail. Yet, not only do you not harbor a grudge for this, but you''re even returning her misdeed with a good deed. This is proof of your morals.¡± Then, he moved aside to open up a path for her. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this way, please. To express my apologies, please allow me to send you back myself.¡± A chuckle escaped Bailey at that. ¡°You really don''t need to be so courteous. I''ll think of this as an experience. It is but a thrill in my life.¡± She''s easy to talk to. The judicial officer could sense her sincerity; he knew she was not faking it. After exiting the detention center, the judicial officer said to Bailey, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, there are plenty of people and reporters crowded outside. Let''s leave through the secure path.¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°It has already happened, and what shouldn''t have been exposed has already been exposed. What''s the point in still trying to keep it under wraps? There are some things I have to step in and rify, or else I don''t know how you''re going to give an exnation to your superior.¡± A bitter smile appeared on the judicial officer''s face. ¡°Sorry for the trouble then, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey smiled in silence before walking toward the exit of the police station. As she stood on the stairs'' highest step, she saw the countless people gathered in the square outside the station. ¡°Look, guys, Ms. Jefferson''s out!¡± ¡°She''s out! She''s out! The famed doctor Anonymous is finally out!¡± The scene turned even more chaotic at Bailey''s appearance as the people screamed and shouted. A small smile grew on Bailey''s lips before she walked down toward the square. Some people in the crowd went down on their knees as they sobbed out, ¡°Thank you so much for Bailey slowed down in her tracks and walked over to the elderly woman before helping thetter up. ¡°Ma''am, please don''t do this. I''ve inherited Ms. Moore''s mantle, and life has been kind to me. I''m a doctor, and I should serve the people. Unfortunately, there has been something that gued my mind in recent years, so I strayed from my original path; I''ve betrayed Ms. Moore''s teachings. From now on, I''ll definitely do my best for the medical field.¡± Just as those words were out of her mouth, someone in the crowd asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you admitting that you''re Anonymous?¡± Chapter 160 Chapter 160 ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you really the famous Anonymous? The mysterious woman who has taken on Cataleya''s mantle?¡± ¡°Exactly! Although the king has stepped in to prove that you''re Anonymous, and although your disciple, Juliana, has also shown simr evidence, we still wish to hear you admit that you''re Anonymous yourself.¡± ¡°My mother has been suffering from her illness for many years, but you''ve developed a drug to treat it. Not only did you cure my mother, but you even helped my daughter find her own path. She was epted into a medical school in June, and she said she wanted to be a famous doctor, just like Anonymous. She said she wanted to contribute to the medical field!¡± ¡°You''ve done so much for this world, but you were so humble to the point we could not find out who you were. I think that someone like you, who has contributed greatly to society, should be admired and respected by the people instead of hiding away.¡± Bailey smiled. She then took two steps back and bowed at the friendly people. ¡°Indeed, I am Anonymous. I was honored to be chosen by Ms. Moore. She had imparted her knowledge to me, and she had passed on her mantle to me. The contributions I have made to society have been my duty, so I wouldn''t dare to take pride in those matters. I am delighted to hear that my work has helped those who have been suffering from illnesses, and thank you so much for thinking that I''ve done well. Thank you.¡± Just as she said that, the square plunged into silence. After dozens of seconds of silence, the cheers of the people reverberated in the square. ¡°Ms. Bailey really is Anonymous! She really is!¡± ¡°I''m so happy! Once again, the medical industry has gotten another talented individual!¡± ¡°She''ll be able to cultivate a batch of excellent students in the future so that she can pass on her brilliant skills forever.¡± A reporter then asked, ¡°Ms. Bailey, may I know if you''ll be returning to the medical industry? Will you join the National Institute of Medicine to join in their most challenging research for anti-cancer drugs?¡± Bailey slightly inclined her head. She was not as courteous to the reporters, which was audible with her less-gentle and less-casual tone. ¡°There will be organizations that will answer your question in the future, so I won''t reply to you now. I only have one thing to say: If the country needs me, I''ll be there.¡± With that, she strode out of the square. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. However, there were too many people at the scene. Just as she took a step forward, the crowd blocked her from moving further. At that, the judicial officer said, ¡°I''ll have someone get the police to maintain order here. Ms. Jefferson, please give me a second.¡± Although Bailey was reluctant to trouble them and owe them a favor, she was trapped among the people¡ªshe was genuinely uncertain that she would be able to leave unscathed. ¡°Thank you, then.¡± The judicial officer said a simple, ¡°You''re wee,¡± before turning to leave. Right then, amotion broke out in the crowd not far from them. Arge group of bodyguards in ck began moving toward Bailey. Even from within the crowd, Bailey could see the figure in the middle of the group of bodyguards. It was Artemis Luther. Why is he here? Bailey furrowed her brows without knowing it. Isn''t he afraid of aggravating his wound with all that squeezing? Does he think that he''s a tough person, or is he trying to end his life this time since he failed to die thest time? While she was preupied with those thoughts, the bodyguards escorted Artemis to Bailey. The man smiled at her and asked, ¡°Are you surprised to see me?¡± Bailey shot him a re at first. Then, when she saw the beading cold sweat on his forehead, she widened her eyes. So he did aggravate his wound! He wouldn''t look so pained otherwise. He had iting! A person who had injured their heart would have to be bound to their bed for at least half a month. Yet, Artemis was already out of his house after a few days. Therefore, he had no one to me but himself if he exacerbated his wound by squeezing with the other people. The smile on Artemis'' face widened. This carefree woman''s starting to show concern for me. Mm, this is a good start. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to what I have to say. My grandfather is currently gravely ill, and every minute that passes means more danger to his life. Could you please let Ms. Jefferson leave first? Once she''s done with my grandfather''s craniotomy, I''ll arrange a conference so that you can all talk to her. How does that sound?¡± It''s... The people shared a look with each other. A moment of silenceter, someone yelled, ¡°Old Mr. Chivers'' treatment can''t be dyed any further. Let''s open up a path and let Ms. Jefferson save a life at the Chivers residence first!¡± ¡°Yes, yes. We have a long way to go. Since we now know that Ms. Bailey is the famous Anonymous, we''ll get the chance to talk to her again. Let''s not dy her from saving a life.¡± At that, the crowd parted to open up a path for the two to walk out of the ce. Artemis beamed at Bailey and gestured for her to head off first. Bailey shot him a cold look and took the lead. As Artemis watched her back, he curled his lips into a sly smile. I''m d I didn''t miss out on this fascinating woman. She''ll be more than enough for this life of mine. In the car, Bailey coldly watched Artemis enter before barking out a mockingugh. ¡°You''re still breathing after all that suffering you''ve brought upon yourself?¡± It was only after Artemis closed the car door did he reveal a look of agony on his face. An old man had collided against his back earlier when he was trying to squeeze inward. It had not been a hard collision, but it was more than enough for him to feel horrendous. Bailey scanned the inside of the car before finding the medical kit under the front passenger seat. ¡°Take off your clothes.¡± Her sudden statement rendered him speechless for a moment. He then narrowed his eyes at her and said, ¡°What did you just say?¡± Bailey gave him a re before gritting out, ¡°Take off your shirt. Right. Now.¡± Oh. Glee danced across Artemis'' eyes. Seems like my pain is worth it. She''s asking me to take off my clothes herself, so I''m not going to be shy about it! Hence, without missing a beat, Artemis swiftly undid his buttons before pulling off his shirt. Then, he revealed his broad back to her. Bailey''s eyes widened. It was not because of the injury on his back but because of his bronze skin that stunned her to her core. For the past two days, she had been so focused on his wound that she never thought about how she was looking at a mature man''s body. Furthermore, she would not overthink the situation and make things awkward for herself. However, now that his condition had been stabilized, she could no longer stay focused on his injury. She seemed to interpret everything differently after that. ¡°What''s the matter? Is it serious?¡± When Artemis sensed her prolonged stillness, he instinctively turned to look behind. When his gaze met her panicking eyes, he realized what was going on. ¡°Ms. Bailey, what do you think about my sturdy body? In other words, are you interested in it?¡± Bailey gritted her teeth. This b*stard is acting up again! Chapter 161 Chapter 161 Is this what they call a chiseled body? I can''t say I disagree! This is definitely... something of an eye candy! ¡±Mr. Luther, your body is indeed a fine specimen. I''m sure it''ll be very useful in my research, so maybe you should satisfy my curiosity by letting me... dissect it,¡± suggested Bailey. Artemis'' lips immediately twitched in shock when he heard Bailey. Just as I thought, I should never have expected normalcy from a weirdo like her. This woman will be the death of me! I can''t believe I thought it was a good idea to try to seduce her. D*mn it! Bailey could not help but smirk after she had sessfully rendered Artemis speechless. He''s got nothing on me when ites to shamelessness. ¡±Stop moving so I can check your wound.¡± At that point, Artemis dared not talk back since he realized how ruthless the woman was. Thest time Baily stitched his wound without giving him any anesthetic, Artemis was in so much pain that he even forgot his own name. Who knows what other hellish torture she has in store for me next if I offend her again? The corner of Bailey''s lips curled upward when she noticed how afraid the man was. Even she, herself, did not notice that the way she looked at Artemis had changed. Instead of indifference, there was a sense of closeness between the two. Bailey ced her long, slender fingers on Artemis'' chiseled body to check his wound, and only after making sure that his heart was fine did she breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Your heart''s fine. You probably got an injured nerve because of the external injury, so just rest well and avoid going to crowded ces or over-exerting yourself.¡± With that, Bailey applied medications on Artemis'' wound again before wrapping it with a bandage. ¡°Put your shirt on.¡± Even though Bailey was a decent woman, she was at an age where most women would be sexually desperate. Finding it somewhat challenging to resist a well-built body like Artemis'', the woman was worried that she would do something reckless. ¡°It''s cooler this way,¡± responded Artemis after raising an eyebrow at Bailey. Immediately, the woman turned to the car door and was ready to leave the vehicle because she would rather not waste her breath on Artemis. ¡°Okay, okay, okay. I''ll put it back on. Are you happy now?¡± Artemis then hurriedly picked up his shirt and put it on. Before long, the piece of clothing was properly buttoned up once again. ¡°Don''t go. Let''s talk about the surgery.¡± ¡°Your mother took me to court, yet you still expect me to perform a craniotomy on her father unconditionally? Do I look like Mother Teresa or Virgin Mary to you, Mr. Luther? Why the heck would I do her a favor after what she did to me?¡± questioned Bailey rhetorically, scoffing at Artemis. Shocked by the woman''s straightforwardness, Artemis stared at her with twitching lips. ¡°Mrs. Luther has repeatedly offended me, so you''ll have to forgive me for not being as merciful as Mother Teresa. Tell your mother that she has two options. She can either keep her word and beg for Anonymous'' help or cut ties with Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Bailey was no saint, so she had no reason to help the woman who kept trying to send her to prison to ruin her. Back then, Felicity said she would get on her knees and beg for Anonymous'' help, and I think that''s a great idea. I certainly don''t mind seeing the elderly woman kneel before me. However, Bailey did not think that someone as proud as Felicity would do that. It''s unlikely that the old woman will humble herself before the young woman she hated with a passion. It''s fine if she doesn''t want to kneel. She just has to cut ties with Old Mr. Chivers. I''ll do my best to treat him if he''s no longer her father. ¡°Okay. I''ll ry your message to my mother. Is there anything else you''d like her to know? If not, I''ll send you back to Shelbert Condominium.¡± Bailey was surprised to hear that, for she expected Artemis to protest against her demands on his mother. ¡°So you''re fine with me putting your mother in a difficult position like that?¡± ¡°We all have to be responsible for our own mistakes. Since she made one, she should be punished for it. Otherwise, she won''t learn,¡± replied Artemis while casually leaning back in his seat. From N?velDrama.Org. To that, Bailey simply nodded slightly, convinced that Artemis was colder than she was. Seeing how Bailey kept silent, Artemis said not another word to her but turned to the driver instead. ¡°Back to Shelbert Condominium.¡± Meanwhile, at a private mansion in the eastern suburbs, Rhonda followed a housekeeper to a garden pavilion. ¡°Dr. White, Ms. Jefferson''s here.¡± ¡°Leave us.¡± Rhonda then paced up the steps and frowned at the man in front of the railing. If she could, she would not think twice about pushing him into the artificialke and letting him drown. ¡°Is there anything I can help you with, Dr. White?¡± Cadence grabbed a handful of bait and threw it into theke before turning around to give the woman a half-smile. ¡°You know that Bailey is Anonymous, right? The Chivers family is convinced, and they want her to operate on Old Mr. Chivers, which means our effort will be for naught.¡± Rhonda did not like hearing Bailey''s name. As soon as the man mentioned the name, she began to boil with anger. ¡°You only called for me because you already have a solution, don''t you? Let''s hear it. After all, we''re in the same boat now. If I go down, you go down with me.¡± Afterughing heartily, Cadence dusted his hands and approached Rhonda to pull the woman into his arms. ¡°We''re close enough to bepletely honest with each other, aren''t we? Of course, we''re in the same boat. Letting Bailey operate on Old Mr. Chivers may not be such a bad thing.¡± Rhonda tried to break free, but to no avail, so she had to give up trying. With her eyebrows furrowed, she questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°What does that mean? Why would it not be a bad thing? If Bailey seeds, that old hag in the Luther family would probably start treating her differently. The old hag might even ept her.¡± ¡°Don''t get your knickers in a twist, baby,¡± uttered Cadence in a disgusting tone after pecking the woman on the cheek. ¡°As you said, that only happens if Bailey seeds. No matter how capable she is, there''s no way she can guarantee a hundred percent sess rate.¡± Immediately, Rhonda''s face was filled with disgust. As though Cadence''s kiss had caused her cheek to be infested with maggots, she felt her stomach turn. ¡°W-What do you mean by that? Are you saying you can control the oue of the operation?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± questioned Cadence rhetorically while giving the woman a mysterious look. Rhonda stared at Cadence for a while before a glint shed across her eyes. ¡°Are you sure you can cause the operation to fail?¡± ¡°I know just how to ensure that old man dies on the operating table,¡± whispered Cadence beside Rhonda''s ear with a smirk. Shivering, Rhonda quickly protested, ¡°No, he cannot die. If I''m going to take credit, I need him. I can''t let him die on the operating table.¡± Chapter 162 Chapter 162 ¡°Ms. Rhonda, it''s unrealistic to expect to destroy Bailey and still be able to take credit. Nothing good everes from greed,¡± sneered Cadence. ¡°I''d tell you to pick one if it''s possible, but the truth is you don''t have a choice anymore. All we can do now is destroy Bailey for good by making her responsible for Old Mr. Chivers'' death.¡± Hesitation was written all over Rhonda''s face as she pursed her lips tightly. Should we really kill Old Mr. Chivers? ¡°Think about it. If he doesn''t die, how will we get the Luthers and the Chiverses to hate Bailey? You''re a smart woman, so I''m sure you know exactly what I''m talking about.¡± After listening to the man, Rhonda squeezed her eyes shut, for she knew Cadence was right. Still, she was upset that she had to give up her moment of glory because of Bailey. ¡°With Bailey out of the way, it''ll be easier for you to marry into the Luther family,¡± reminded Cadence. Hence, Rhonda''s eyes sprung open before she lifted her head to look at the man with clenched teeth. ¡°So be it. Let''s see how the Luthers and the Chiverses like her when she has Old Mr. Chivers'' blood on her hands.¡± Cadence then pressed his lips onto Rhonda''s before voicing, ¡°Now that''s what I want to hear. We must learn to see the big picture. Once you finally get rid of Bailey, who else is there to stop you from making the world your oyster?¡± After clenching her fists to suppress her intense emotions, Rhonda inquired, ¡°How will you cause Bailey to fail the operation and have it lead to Old Mr. Chivers'' death?¡± In response, Cadence pulled out a spray and waved it in front of the woman. ¡°It''s colorless and odorless, so nobody will be able to notice it. It can damage one''s central nervous system, where Old Mr. Chivers'' tumor just so happened to grow. The second Bailey cuts into the old man''s already damaged system, she''ll kill him.¡± ¡°There''s no way for me to get close enough to spray that old man. I can''t even enter the Chivers residence, so how am I going to get this into his system?¡± asked Rhonda frustratedly. ¡°You can''t, but others can, like Mrs. Luther or your son. I''m sure you don''t want the little guy''s central nervous system to be damaged, so find a way to spray Mrs. Luther. She''ll carry it to Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Suddenly, Rhonda felt a surge of ecstasy. Oh, I''m more than willing to spray this on that little b*stard! Haha! I''ve finally found a way to kill him. The time hase! N?velDrama.Org owns all content. With that thought in mind, the woman snatched the spray from Cadence. ¡°If this works out, rest assured that I''ll make it worth your while. I know you hate Bailey; she''ll be all yours when this is over.¡± Cadence gave Rhonda a half-smile while grabbing her bottom. ¡°Why would I want anyone else when I have a vixen like you? However, if you want me to give that woman hell, I can make it happen.¡± Rhonda''s eyes burned with intense hatred as she tightened her grip on the porcin bottle. I''ll make Bailey and that little b*stard pay! Meanwhile, in the living room of the Luther residence, Felicity jumped to her feet from the couch in anger. ¡°Unbelievable! How dare Bailey request that I kneel before her! And what right does she have to ask me to cut ties with my father? What a big fat joke!¡± ¡°You''re right. She doesn''t have the right to ask you to kneel or cut ties with your father. However, she''s the only person in the world who can save him,¡± uttered Artemis while leaning casually against a shelf not too far away with his arms crossed on his chest. ¡°Nonsense!¡± sneered Felicity before continuing, ¡°Dr. White''s still in Hallsbay. I admit he''s not as skillful as that woman, but I''m willing to give him a chance. If he seeds, I won''t have to suck up to that b*tch!¡± Artemis shrugged nonchntly in response. ¡°Whatever. If you think your pride is more important than Granddad''s life, I''m not sure what else I can say. You can reach out to Cadence if you want to. I''m not going to stop you.¡± ¡°I''m your mother! Are you fine with watching me kneel before a nobody? Are you going to just let your mother be humiliated like that?¡± questioned Felicity rhetorically as she scowled at her son. Artemis nodded slightly before replying, ¡°Back then, you said you''d kneel to beg for Anonymous'' help when you find her.¡± ¡°But she turned out to be Bailey! She''s Bailey!¡± roared Felicity like a madwoman. In response to that, Artemis helplessly sighed. ¡°As you said, she is Bailey, but she didn''t intend to make this difficult for you at the beginning. Yet, you insisted on offending her by trying to get her locked up andpromising her identity as Anonymous. Now that you know who she is, you should keep your word and beg her for her help.¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± Felicity got so furious that she had to take a while to recollect herself. ¡°So this is how you treat your family. I can''t believe you''re siding with an outsider instead of your own mother!¡± ¡°Bailey isn''t an unreasonable person. If you''re willing to apologize, she won''t put you in a difficult spot. Besides, you should apologize because you''re the one in the wrong.¡± After slumping into the couch, Felicity pointed her finger straight at the door and ordered through gritted teeth, ¡°Get out!¡± ¡°Cadence may have a chance at a sessful operation, but he''s far less skilled than Anonymous. You should think about it carefully and make sure you don''t regret your decision for the rest of your life, Mother,¡± advised Artemis as he made his way to the door. Not long after Artemis had left, Rhonda entered the ce. Seeing how upset Felicity was sitting on the couch, Rhonda took a moment to arrange the sentences in her mind before approaching the woman. ¡°What''s wrong, Mrs. Luther?¡± When Felicity lifted her head and saw that it was Rhonda, she quickly inquired, ¡°Ronni, is Dr. White still in Hallsbay?¡± After nodding in response, Rhonda remained standing in ce as she cautiously voiced, ¡°Mrs. Luther, Dr. White called me and told me that Anonymous is better than him in terms of medical skills. That''s why he thought Anonymous should be the one to do the operation...¡± Without giving Rhonda a chance to finish, Felicity abruptly mmed her hand on the coffee table. ¡°D*mn it! Are you siding with Bailey too?¡± ¡°No, no, no!¡± answered Rhonda immediately while grabbing Felicity nervously by the arms. ¡°I''m on your side. It''s just that I think we should get Granddad the best since his life is on the line.¡± With her eyes widened in rage, Felicity was about to rebuke Rhonda but suddenly changed her mind. She kept silent for a while before finally giving in. ¡°Fine! I guess I''ll just have to treat Bailey like a goddess since she has the best chance of saving my father. All I have to do is apologize. Sure, let''s get it over with.¡± Chapter 163 Chapter 163 Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window as she talked on the phone. It was a call from Edmund. ¡°I heard that you''ve made two requests from Artemis, asking him to pass the word to Aunt Felicity. Bay, Aunt Felicity has a strong sense of ego. She will choose neither of your choices. Given her personality, it''s more likely that she will insist on Cadence doing the operation,¡± Edmund said. Bailey smiled and replied, ¡°I know. That old woman loathes me. She will nevere and apologize to me. I just asked Artemis to pass the word to annoy her. I''m not a saint, nor a naive girl. There is no way I''m putting up with that rotten attitude of hers.¡± Edmund sighed. ¡°Then what about my grandpa''s surgery?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Old Mr. Chivers'' treatment n is ready. He can undergo the surgery at any time. I''ve been forcing myself to move on from my past trauma. Your aunt''s taunts will not make me change my mind. I am indebted to your family, after all. I''ve only put out the two options to irritate her.¡± Edmund chuckled and said apologetically, ¡°I''m sorry. I misunderstood your intention. I should have known better.¡± ¡°It''s all right,¡± Bailey smiled. ¡°You''re just worried about your grandpa and afraid that I''m dying his surgery on purpose for my own grudges. You cannot be med for thinking that way. Please rest assured that I will be true to my promise and carry on with Old Mr. Chivers'' surgery. It is what I should do.¡± ¡°I know. Sorry for being such a¡ª¡± Before Edmund could finish, someone knocked on her door. A little head popped in from the opening of the door and said, ¡°Bay, the matriarch of the Luther family has arrived. She''s yelling outside the entrance.¡± Bailey was stumped. Then, she narrowed her eyes at the little girl and furrowed her brows as she asked, ¡°Are you certain?¡± ¡°Yes, I''m certain. I saw her through the peephole. She looked like she was about to devour someone.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bailey lifted a brow and spoke on the phone. ¡°Your Aunt Felicity is here. I believe we are due for an argument, and I think you should call Artemis and ask him toe here. I''m afraid that Mrs. Luther will faint from the argument, and I will be forced to send her to the hospital.¡± ¡°Bay, Aunt Felicity may have realized that she was wrong and is there to apologize. Do you really want her to kneel and apologize to you?¡± Edmund asked. Bailey shrugged and replied, ¡°It depends on my mood. I''m hanging up. Bye.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After hanging up the call, Bailey threw her phone on the bed and strode out of her bedroom. In the living room, Zayron was lying on the couch with aptop by his side. He was so engrossed in his game that he paid no heed to the incessant sounds of the ringing doorbell. Bailey approached him and smacked the back of his head. ¡°I thought you enjoy mocking others. What''s the matter with you today? Someone''s offered herself and came all the way here, and yet you''re right here ying your games and ignoring her?¡± Zayron pursed his lips and cleared his throat before answering, ¡°If I were to answer the door, I would have weed her with Hado and asked Hado to give her two vicious bites. Only then would I be appeased.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. The thing was, the boy was truly capable of something like that. Bailey stood grounded for a few seconds. When the woman rang the doorbell for the fifth time, Bailey finally went over to answer the door. Felicity stood at the entrance with an expressionless face. Her right hand was still in the air as she prepared to ring the doorbell one more time. She was stumped for a few seconds at the sight of Bailey. Then, she turned her head to one side, refusing to look Bailey in her eyes as she asked in a clipped tone, ¡°Will you agree to perform the surgery on Old Mr. Chivers if I apologize to you?¡± Bailey raised a brow as a glint of surprise fleeted across her eyes. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. So, Mrs. Luther is really here to... apologize? Wow, the sun is truly rising from the west. ¡°Even if you don''t apologize to me, I will still perform the surgery on Old Mr. Chivers. I only proposed the two options to agitate you.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Felicity was enraged as she red at Bailey. She gritted her teeth and snapped, ¡°Are you taking me for a fool?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bailey smiled triumphantly. ¡°And you''ve taken the bait.¡± Bailey jutted her chin at the elevator opposite her and said with a smile, ¡°Please see yourself out of the building, Mrs. Luther. I will perform the surgery on Old Mr. Chivers because I am indebted to him for saving my life back then, not because of your attempted apology. So, get off your high horse and don''t ever assume that it has anything to do with you. Your presence, or theck of it today, has no bearing on my decision whatsoever.¡± Felicity shook with rage at Bailey''s remark. How foolish of me to walk right into this wretched woman''s trap and let her trample all over me! There are so many specialists around. Why do I have to stoop so low to beg in front of this b*tch? ¡°Bailey, this business between you and me,¡± Felicity gestured and said, ¡°is not finished.¡± Bailey smiled in response and stated impassively, ¡°I know that you were forced to be here today. I also know that you feel really indignant about this. So, I do not expect that the discord between us will be resolved any time soon. Besides, I''m not the naive and innocent type who could bear to smile in front of the person who tries to lock me behind bars.¡± Felicity threw a daggered look at Bailey and turned to head to the elevator. ¡°Bailey, just you wait.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Bailey mumbled as she eyed Felicity''s back. A sense of helplessness washed over her. This is not going anywhere. ¡°Mommy,¡± Susan said as she tugged at the corner of Bailey''s shirt. She pursed her lips and said, ¡°That old woman has done so many bad things to you. You''ve even gone to jail because of her. Why didn''t you ask her to kneel and apologize to you?¡± Bailey patted Susan on her head and said, ¡°Susan, she is your grandma. Because of this, I can never bring myself to castigate her, no matter what she has done.¡± She let out a wry chuckle and continued, ¡°Mrs. Luther isn''t evil at all. Otherwise, she would not have considered apologizing to someone younger than her whom she loathes. She just has a strong ego. Mrs. Luther just has a steeper learning curve in bing a more amiable person. You will never grow close to her if I insist on her kneeling and apologizing to me.¡± Susan reached out to hug her mother''s leg and lifted her head to look at Bailey, her eyes filled with nothing but awe for Bailey. ¡°You are so kind and think through everything, Mommy. I want to be like you when I grow up.¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. Am I really kind and able to think things through? Bailey knew that she did not wish to sow the seeds of hatred in her daughter''s heart. Most importantly, Bailey did not want Susan to hate her own grandmother. If she were truly a kind-hearted woman as Susan thought she was, Bailey would not have brought up the two choices totle Felicity. Hence, Bailey knew her daughter thought too highly of her. As a matter of fact, Bailey did not wish to suffer the indignance without fighting back. Meanwhile, in Maxton''s bedroom in the Luther residence, Rhonda was fumbling through the boy''s everyday clothing. The door was pushed open right then. It was Maxton. His face fell after noticing that Rhonda was rummaging through his clothes. ¡°What are you doing in my room?¡± Chapter 164 Chapter 164 Then, Maxton''s gaze fell on the clothes that Rhonda was holding. ¡°Who gave you the permission to rummage through my clothes? Leave them,¡± Maxton said icily. Bailey had bought those clothes for him. He treasured the two sets of clothes and would alternate between the two sets of clothes every day. He could not help but wonder if Rhonda was trying to tear his clothes out of jealousy. The little boy''s face darkened at the thought. He strode forward and snatched the clothes from Rhonda''s hands. He inspected his clothes carefully. After making sure it was all right, Maxton red at Rhonda and gritted his teeth. ¡°Bad woman, what are you trying to do?¡± Rhonda lowered her head slightly and discreetly hid the medicine bottle in her sleeves as she hurriedly exined, ¡°I just heard the housekeepers saying that you really like those clothes. So, I just came up here to take a look, as I''m curious about your favorite style. I''m just trying to figure out what to buy when I go shopping next time.¡± Maxton let out a snort and snapped, ¡°I wouldn''t be happy even if you were to buy the exact same ones. Who knows what rotten ns you have? I bet I won''t even know how I died after wearing the clothes that you bought.¡± Rhonda lifted her head and looked hurt. She sobbed and said, ¡°Max, how could you say that? I''m your mother. How could you talk to me like that? How could you doubt my love for you?¡± ¡°Drop the act.¡± Maxton sneered. ¡°You can''t wait for me to die. You say that to fool my grandma, but you aren''t fooling me with that. Do note near my bedroom in the future. Do you understand?¡± Rhonda tightened her fist and tried to suppress the boiling rage inside of her. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she cast a look of devastation at Maxton. Maxton did not pay heed to her and averted his gaze. Then, he paused when he noticed a red mark on her neck. Are those... hickeys? Why are they in patches? ¡°What''s that on your neck?¡± Rhonda was stumped and instinctively lowered her head to check it out. Only then did she realize that her cors were lowered, and her corbone was in in sight. They were love bites left by Cadence when they made love in the morning. Property belongs to N?vel(D)r/ama.Org. D*mn it! This b*stard noticed it! If Maxton found out about her cheating on Artemis, he would likely broadcast it for everyone to know. Felicity would surely chase her out the Luther residence then. ¡°I-I was mowing thewn at noon, and I was bitten by some insects. That''s why my skin is all red,¡± she stammered before she reflexively tried to hide the hickeys. Maxton was dubious about her exnation. He had known the woman for years, and he knew how she would behave when she was gued by guilt. She''s feeling guilty right now! There''s surely more to this! She has done something really bad. Maxton then decided it was time he found out who she had been in contact with and what she had been doing. ¡°Go out. Don''t spread that thing to me,¡± Maxton said. Rhonda heaved a sigh of relief and shed him an amiable smile before turning to head out of the room. ¡°All right, I''m leaving. I have not considered the fact that I might infect you.¡± Maxton rolled his eyes at her. As if insect bites are infectious. She is so guilty that she''s muttering gibberish. I am no better than a fool if I can''t even spot that she''s lying. Meanwhile, at the HR department of Luther Group, Victoria was busy with work. ¡°Ms. Saunders, the manager of the public rtions department, Mr. Otto Cole, is looking for you.¡± Victoria turned her attention away from the pile of documents and looked at the assistant standing by the door, saying, ¡°Ask him toe in.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± A young man in a suit walked into the office. After standing in the middle of the room, he spoke up. ¡°Ms. Saunders, we have encountered some problems with the advertisement for LG Corporation. The person in charge of the project hase looking for me.¡± Victoria''s hand that was clutching a fountain pen paused in midair as she narrowed her eyes at the man. She furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°You''ve encountered some problems? What kind of problems?¡± Otto handed over the periodicals to Victoria. She took over and skimmed through it. Her face turned ashen as she asked, ¡°What happened? Why is the Les Cinq Series of the kidswear line of ourpany used of giarizing the design of the kidswear line from Emmy Boutique two years ago?¡± Likewise, Otto was baffled as he said in a low voice, ¡°I''vepared the drafts of Les Cinq Series with the kidswear design that was released by Emmy Boutique two years ago. I agree that they do share some simrities. This has been sensationalized by foreign media. Emmy Boutique has since approached LG Corporation and used them of promoting the product that Luther Group giarized from them.¡± Victoria shot up from her seat and demanded, ¡°When did this happen? Why aren''t our local media companies covering this?¡± ¡°This happened just two hours ago. Local mediapanies have not gotten their hands on this. However, within half a day, this will make the headlines worldwide. Ms. Saunders, I think that it is likely that LG Corporation contacted ourpany after they hadpared the designs of the Les Cinq Series with the kidswear design that wasunched by Emmy Boutique two years ago. It is possible that they are of the opinion that we have giarized Emmy Boutique''s design.¡± Otto paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°The CEO of LG Corporation, Mr. Lionel Gezmond, has been alerted of this. He has stopped all advertising activities of our products and imed that he will terminate all coborations with Luther Group if we have truly giarized Emmy Boutique''s designs.¡± Victoria sank back into her seat. LG Corporation wielded influence over two-thirds of the advertising market all over the world. Hence, LG Corporation would be the first choice of anypany that wanted to market its products. If Luther Group were truly involved in design giarism, LG Corporation would cease its agreement with Luther Group, which would cause irreparable damage to the marketed products of the group. ¡°I''m going to meet Mr. Luther on the highest floor. Please tend to the person in charge of LG Corporation and pass the word that Luther Group will give them an exnation for this. We will not tarnish their reputation in any way,¡± Victoria said. ¡°Okay,¡± Otto replied. On the highest floor of the building, Artemis was flipping through the papers when Victoria entered his office. ¡°Ms. Saunders, you''re here. I believe you already know what''s happened overseas.¡± Victoria stepped forward and nodded. ¡°Mr. Cole has briefed me on what happened. Mr. Luther, the kidswear line was released upon Bay''s authorization. If Les Cinq Series has truly giarized the designs of Emmy Boutique, how could she have not noticed it?¡± Artemis pinched between his brows in exasperation and sighed. ¡°Because you guys were tricked by someone.¡± Then, he took out a few design drafts from an envelope and passed them to Victoria. ¡°These are Bailey''s drafts. Compare it against the released Les Cinq Series designs and see if there''s a difference.¡± Victoria took the drafts over. She did not look at the other four designs and went straight for the fifth design draft. After scrutinizing it, she eximed, ¡°They''re different! The marketed design is different from her draft. Someone''s modified it!¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Yes. Someone modified her draft. She was swamped when she applied for her leave and did not sign her design drafts. You signed on her behalf, and someone modified her fifth design draft, the Les Cinq Series, afterward.¡± Chapter 165 Chapter 165 Victoria staggered and asked in a shivering voice, ¡°Does that mean the Les Cinq Series, which we''d released publicly, is a case of giarism?¡± Artemis nodded and replied casually, ¡°The culprit would definitely go all out if he or she wanted to frame you guys for giarism. Otherwise, it would be just a waste of time.¡± Victoria took a deep breath and gritted her teeth. ¡°Since I signed the papers, I''ll bear the consequences. I''ll protect Bay''s reputation at all costs.¡± ¡°And you''re willing to sacrifice your reputation?¡± Artemis raised his voice. ¡°Pull yourself together, Victoria. Investigate this matter and find the culprit. You think Bailey can walk away freely even if you took the me?¡± Victoria shuddered upon hearing that. He''s right. The culprit had marked Bailey the target. If the person insists on pursuing the matter, Bailey, as the lead designer, will still be in hot soup. Besides, Victoria knew Bailey would not let her take the me. She''ll shoulder all the responsibility to protect me instead. ¡°You''re right. I have to pull myself together and investigate the matter. Since different designers are in charge of the drafts, I need to find out who the designer of the Les Cinq Series was and get her to show us her original sketch. We should be able to prove Luther Group''s innocence.¡± ¡°You don''t have to do that anymore,¡± Dwayne said while walking in. ¡°I went to the design department, and the manager told me the designer who handled the Les Cinq Series is on a long break. She has not returned to the office for more than a week now. I believe she has gone into hiding. Someone must have threatened her.¡± Victoria widened her eyes in disbelief. Artemis, on the other hand, remained calm. It was as if he had expected this. ¡°By hook or by crook, we must find the designer.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Artemis turned his head to look at Victoria and said, ¡°We can''t keep this a secret from Bailey for long. She might have read the news and will call you soon. Don''t agitate her by saying you''ll take the me on her behalf. Tell her you''ll talk to her about this after the surgery. Got it?¡± Victoria bobbed her head in response. ¡°Got it.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You two can leave now. I''ll contact Emmy Boutique and the CEO of LG Corporation. Let''s try to lie low and spend time investigating this matter.¡± As Artemis had expected, it did not take Bailey long to learn about the giarism case. She received the news while conducting a pre-op checkup for Glen. She immediately called Victoria and told her to stay calm. ¡°Let''s talk about this after the surgery.¡± Edmund approached Bailey when he saw her walk out of the treatment room. ¡°How is he? When can we begin the procedure?¡± Bailey studied the report with a frown and mumbled, ¡°It''s strange how Old Mr. Chivers'' nervous system has deteriorated overnight. Is it due to the tumor''s rapid growth? No, it can''t be.¡± Upon hearing that, Edmund could not help but ask, ¡°Bay, what''s wrong? Did something happen to Grandpa? Can he continue with the surgery?¡± Bailey shook her head to get rid of the messy thoughts in her mind. I must be overthinking. ¡°Everything''s fine. All the readings are normal. Do you have all the drugs I need?¡± Edmund nodded. ¡°I purchased all the drugs from overseas as per your instruction. But you should check it out just in case I made any mistakes.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll go and take a look at the drugs now. If everything goes well, we''ll carry out the operation tomorrow. Since it''s a major procedure, it''ll take about twelve to fifteen hours.¡± Edmund knitted his brows. ¡°Twelve to fifteen hours? Are you sure you can take it?¡± ¡°I''ll be fine. Don''t worry.¡± When Bailey was about to leave, Edmund grabbed her arm. After a short hesitation, he said, ¡°I heard about the news, Bay. I''m sure Artemis can take care of it, so don''t worry.¡± Bailey froze for a moment before tapping his shoulder gently and smiling at him. ¡°Those clowns can''t do anything to me. There are so many scandals and rumors about me, but I''m still in one piece, so what are you worried about?¡± ¡°You''re unbelievable.¡± Edmund broke into a smile. ¡°With all the experience umted over the years, you must have developed a heart of steel.¡± ¡°That is why you don''t have to worry about me. If this is how they want to y the game, bring it on,¡± Bailey said. Meanwhile, at Luther Group, Dwayne entered the director of the HR department''s office. Victoria got up and asked, ¡°How is it? Did you manage to find his contact details?¡± Dwayne gave her a slip of paper and frowned. ¡°Are you sure you''re ready to do this? What if the call rekindles your feelings for him?¡± ¡°I''m only calling him because of work¡ªnothing personal. I messed this up, so it''s my duty to do some damage control. At least I can exin to LG Corporation''s CEO to clear the misunderstanding. I don''t want them to terminate their partnership with Luther Group because of this.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Dwayne handed the piece of paper to Victoria and said in a serious voice, ¡°Mr. Gezmond was still mad when Mr. Luther called him earlier. He was mad that this incident had tarnished LG Corporation''s reputation. I hope you''ll be able to appease him.¡± Victoria grasped the paper and thanked him while she was in a daze. After Dwayne had left the office, she walked to her desk, picked up the phone, and keyed in the numbers on the paper. Victoria was aware of the consequence of making the call, but she knew she could not back out now. She was the cause behind the incident that had tarnished LG Corporation''s international reputation. As someone responsible for the mistake, Victoria had to make the call. The call got through, but a crisp and clear voice of a woman emerged from the other end of the phone. ¡°Hello, who is on the line?¡± Victoria felt a sharp pain in her chest. She clenched the phone tightly and answered in a husky voice, ¡°Hello, is Mr. Gezmond there? I need to speak to him.¡± The woman smiled and replied, ¡°I''m sorry, my husband is in the shower. Could you callter? Or should I get him to call you back?¡± Victoria ended the call abruptly. The phone slid down her hand and fell onto the ground with a thud. It was as if someone hammered something heavy into her heart, causing her to experience another round of excruciating pain. The woman with a sweet voice¡ªis she his wife? She must be since she called Lionel her husband! Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes. Her legs turned feeble, and she copsed to the ground. What else can I do, Bay? I''m still trapped in this lonely limbo, no matter how hard I try to run away! Chapter 166 Chapter 166 I thought I could muster the courage to put this hopeless wait behind me, but reality pped me hard across my face. My determination and pretense of staying calm were utterly shattered by merely listening to his wife addressing him as her husband. That man has permanently and thoroughly bonded with my body and soul. I''m destined to stay trapped in this lonely limbo and grieve over my heartache for the rest of this miserable life. Meanwhile, Dwayne leaned against the wall outside the office with his head lowered, listening to the muffled cries on the other side of the wall in silence. That oue was within his expectation, yet he could not help but sympathize with her. After all, they had borne witness to Lionel and Victoria''s rtionship and the special love they harbored for one another. Many among their friends had stated that they had observed the best representation of love in the couple''s rtionship. However, even a couple admired by so many people like them could not escape the irony of fate as their affection toward one another turned into hate, resulting in the two of them drifting apart. Lionel and Victoria had ultimately be the sacrificialmbs in the power game. Lionel had escaped that ill-fated rtionship, married a wife, and fathered a child. He was doing well in his career and life. On the other hand, Victoria remained the only one who continued to be tortured by the unfruitful romance. She could only rely on herself to leave her lingering feelings behind as no outsiders could help her. Dwayne sped the doorknob and hesitated to open the door for around five minutes. In the end, he gave up. I doubt she wants anyone to see her current pathetic state while she suffers from an emotional breakdown. If I barge into the room, the atmosphere will only turn awkward and more unbearable. Since Dwayne could not stay by her side to share her pain and despair, he decided to be her silent guardian. He sincerely believed that a human''s heart was not made of stone, so his feelings would one day reach and touch her. Perhaps after all those heart-rending experiences, Victoria would slowly open up to others and try to ept him. Dwayne figured they had a long future ahead, so he could afford to wait for Victoria. At the same time, inside a luxurious and exquisite private manor in the eastern suburbs of Moranta, housekeepers dressed in tidy uniforms could be observed walking around the ce as they diligently carried out their duties. The Gothic-styled andvishly decorated master bedroom gave the impression of a pce from the realms of fantasy, magnificent and romantic. A slender and graceful figure leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window. That woman wore a long red dress and stood barefooted on an expensive carpet. Her thick, long, and curly hair hung freely on her back. The grand interior design of the room entuated the elegance and refinement of her figure as she exuded a mysterious and forbidding aura. She was the matriarch of that manor. All the tycoons from the business world would politely address her as Mrs. Gezmond. Her name was Wendy Hoffman. She was a wealthydy born in a prominent, highly affluent family from Adrune. Six years ago, she married LG Corporation''s owner, Mr. Gezmond, raising her status further as one of the most honorable women internationally. At that moment, she was frowning at the darkened screen of a phone. She parted her lips and muttered, ¡°That was so weird. We were engaged in a conversation. Why did she suddenly fall silent and hang up the call?¡± Amidst her mumbling, a click sound suddenly rang inside the spacious room. She instinctively turned to look and saw the bathroom door was opened, then a tall man emerged. He was a man from Aploth with delicate facial features. His brows were neatly trimmed, and his nose aquiline-shaped. He had a set of thin lips, a narrow chin, and a chiseled jawline. As a whole, his face was wless. That man was very handsome. His every move highlighted his gracefulness and sophistication. He was wearing ck pajamas with his belt undone. Large beads of water rolled down his muscr and tanned chest, causing him to radiate a seductive manly vibe that could make any woman lose their mind. Wendy gulped and said hoarsely, ¡°Nell, are you testing my patience, or should I say, are you trying to seduce me?¡± Lionel was momentarily dazed before realizing there was another person inside the room. After his gaze swept past her face, Lionel subconsciously reached out to fasten his belt. As he worked on his belt, he uttered in his deep and maic voice, ¡°Did I not ask you to wait in the living room? Why did youe upstairs?¡± Wendy chuckled and waved the phone in her hand. ¡°Someone called you. I wanted to bring the phone to you so you could answer the phone, but I saw you were showering, so I picked up the call in your stead.¡± Lionel appeared unfazed as he asked casually, ¡°Who called?¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The number is not registered in your contact list.¡± With that, she tilted her head in perplexity and said, ¡°Did you not set your phone number as a private line that disallows unknown numbers to contact you? How did that number earlier get through?¡± Slightly taken aback, he narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°What is the number?¡± Wendy repeated the number to him. At that instant, a hint of an inexplicable look shed across Lionel''s dark eyes, but he swiftly recollected himself and feigned nonchnce the next moment. ¡°She was asking for Mr. Gezmond, so I think she should be your acquaintance, right? And you even specifically allowed that number to be connected to your line. Is she an old friend of yours?¡± ¡°You''re overthinking this matter.¡± Lionel picked up a pair of slippers from the shoe rack and strode up to her. He said, ¡°Although the floor isyered with carpet, it is still cold. You should never walk around the house barefoot next time. Do you hear me?¡± She pouted and reminded him, ¡°You haven''t answered my question. Is this woman an old friend of yours?¡± Instead of replying to her, he slowly crouched down on the floor and gently lifted her tender and slim ankle before helping her put on the slippers. After that, Lionel straightened himself and said to her, ¡°I''m going to get changed now. Then, I''ll bring you and Yonathan to have our meal outside.¡± Wendy slightly narrowed her eyes as she watched his leaving figure disappear into the changing room. She murmured, ¡°He has never avoided answering my questions since I''ve known him for so many years. He''s been dodging and refusing to respond to my many questions today. Are there more unknown stories behind this issue?¡± The following day was the day Bailey would perform a craniotomy on Glen. All the media in Hallsbay received the news. As a result, many reporters had camped outside the Chivers residence early in the morning, hoping to be the first ones to receive thetest information. The reporters were not the only party there. Many citizens had also hurried over to spectate the asion. After all, that was a significant matter involving the first surgery performed by Anonymous following her reappearance. Therefore, that operation garnered significant publicity. Moreover, no one dared to ept that procedure previously because none of the other doctors had the confidence to assure sess. The public wanted to see if Anonymous was capable of achieving the miraculous feat and saving Glen''s life. Outside the operating room, almost every member of the Luther family and Chivers family were present. Yoel held Bailey''s arm and uttered solemnly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''ll be leaving my father in your care. You must try your best to secure his life. If this surgery is sessful, you''ll be the Chivers family''s savior, and I will not interfere further in your rtionship with Edmund.¡± Artemis, who was standing aside, narrowed his eyes. He did not fancy listening to Yoel''s statement. Edmund chuckled. ¡°Father, stop pressuring Bay. She will undoubtedly put forth her best effort. However, the oue of this surgery will have to depend on Grandpa''s fate.¡± Chapter 167 Chapter 167 Felicity growled, ¡°What nonsense did you say? I know you care about Bailey, but how can you think so little of your grandpa''s life? Isn''t Ms. Baileypetent? I assume she''ll be able to aplish this surgery.¡± With that, she red at Bailey and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You mustplete this surgery sessfully.¡± Bailey ignored her and said to Yoel, ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Chivers. I endured so many hardships and finally left my past trauma behind with much difficulty for the sake of aplishing this surgery and repaying Old Mr. Chivers'' kindness for saving my life previously.¡± Then, she nced at Artemis'' handsome face. Artemis was the person Bailey had to genuinely thank for being able to regain her confidence and disy her excellent medical skills on the operating table again. She wondered how many people in this world would be willing to sacrifice their lives just to help her. Perhaps Edmund was also considered one of those people, but his thought process was tooplex. His measures were never as drastic as Artemis'' because he took too many issues into consideration when contemting his every move. Even if Edmund were willing to give up his life to assist Bailey, he would not lose his mind and do something as irrational and wild as Artemis did. That was probably the most distinctive difference between the two cousins. Their personalities, miens, and the way they carried themselves were contrasting. Ultimately, one became a well-mannered and humble gentleman while the other grew into a ruthless and cunning businessman. Artemis seemed to have sensed her gaze. He slightly lifted his head, and their lines of vision intersected, sparking ambiguous emotions to rise within them. He did not say a word and merely gave her an encouraging look. Artemis was silently giving moral support to her. Bailey could not help but curve her red lips into a faint yet unmistakably contented smile. ¡°It''s almost time now. I''ll be entering the operating room. This procedure will take approximately twelve hours. The rest of you, please wait outside patiently.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Standing around the operating table, Bailey located the precise incision point and swiftly sliced open the skin using a scalpel. She had made plenty of preparations in the past few days. For an experienced surgeon like her, the difficulty of that operation was not beyond her imagination. Everything was within her capabilities. In fact, she was seventy percent sure that she could execute the craniotomy with perfection. Having said that, some problems still arose during the surgery. Approximately eight hours into the operation, Glen''s cranial nervous system deteriorated. His vital signs also began to act irregrly, suggesting his life was hanging in the bnce. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Old Mr. Chivers is experiencing tachycardia.¡± ¡°Apply pressure on his eyeballs to stimte oculocardiac reflex.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Old Mr. Chivers'' blood pressure is still on an increasing trend.¡± ¡°Inject medication to bring his blood pressure down forcefully.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Old Mr. Chivers is showing signs of respiratory depression.¡± ¡°Put him on a venttor and increase the oxygen saturation.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we''ve tried that, but his heart rate is still high.¡± ¡°I''ve tried too, but the blood pressure is noting down.¡± ¡°Patient is still in the hypoxic state despite being put on a venttor.¡± The neurologists standing beside her nced at the vital signs and attempted to persuade Bailey, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, the patient is currently unstable due to the many haywire parameters. My suggestion is to stop the surgery at once.¡± ¡°I think we should stop the procedure too.¡± Bailey turned a deaf ear to their counsels and focused on removing the tumor. She finally recalled what was wrong. When she checked Glen''s brain the day before, she vaguely noticed his rapidly worsening nervous system. At that moment, she assumed that the spread of the tumor triggered deterioration. However, now that Glen''s entire brain structure was in to see, based on her experienced judgment, Bailey was confident his declining condition was not induced by the disease. Glen''s brain tumor was not as severe as they imagined, and her incision could not have caused his nervous system to degenerate so quickly. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. His deteriorating condition was catalyzed by an external factor. In other words, someone had drugged Glen with a type of medication that could bring about the swift degeneration of the brain nervous system. ¡°Yonah, I will now mention the name of six types of injections. Follow my instruction to prepare the medications and inject them into Old Mr. Chivers intravascrly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey proficiently uttered the name and dose of six types of medications without taking a break from the surgical procedure. Yonah stared at her in slight astonishment and said with a shaking voice, ¡°M-Ms. Jefferson, these are all very potent medications. Are you sure you want to mix them up and inject the mixture intravenously into Old Mr. Chivers?¡± ¡°You did not hear me wrong. Just do as I say. I''ll bear the full consequences should anything happens.¡± ¡°O-Okay. All right.¡± Outside the operating room, all members of the Luther family and the Chivers family were tired from the long hours of waiting as all of them were visibly worn out. Felicity paced in the corridor, ncing at her wristwatch from time to time. ¡°Fourteen hours have passed. Why aren''t there any updates? Don''t tell me something bad happened, and Bailey is afraid ofing out to face us.¡± ¡°You need to stop talking,¡± Yoel snapped at her. She red at him and uttered, ¡°You signed the consent form, and you are also the one who made the decision. If something undesirable happens to Father, I''ll have you to me.¡± Yoel was stumped. His face darkened as he stood to one side. Felicity added fiercely, ¡°If this surgery goes south and costs Father''s life, I will make sure she pays the price by making her keep Fatherpany in the afterlife.¡± Right after she spoke, a yelp rang out from the bench nearby. Gwendolyn squealed anxiously, ¡°Max, what happened to you?¡± Everyone turned to look in that direction, and their expressions changed drastically at the sight of Maxton lying in Gwendolyn''s arms. He was foaming at the mouth, and his body was twitching. Felicity was the first to rush over. She pulled Maxton away from Gwendolyn and into her embrace. Felicity questioned sternly, ¡°What''s going on? What happened?¡± Zayron and Susan exchanged nces before Susan piped up gingerly, ¡°Max kept saying his head was aching, and he was feeling nauseous and out of breath. I wanted to inform you all, but he forbade me from doing so. Max has been enduring that difort until now.¡± Felicity glowered at her and bellowed, ¡°You fool! You kept your mouth shut because Max told you so? Aren''t you very witty on normal days? Why are you turning into a mute now?¡± Zayron leaped to his feet at once and stared at Felicity coldly. He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Watch your mouth. Don''t simply nder others with your bullsh*t. If she''s a fool, what does that make you? A fool''s ancestor?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough. Get a hold of yourselves.¡± Artemis strode forward and narrowed his eyes at his son, now lying in Felicity''s arms. An unfathomable look shed across his face. Gwendolyn hurriedly stood up and said to Felicity, ¡°Felicity, Yoel and the others will be staying here. We should quickly send Max to the family doctor''s office to check his condition. We must not let anything happen to him.¡± Felicity was worried sick about her grandson, so she did not have the effort to spare to argue with Artemis. She red at Zayron before picking Maxton up in her arms and leaving. Chapter 168 Chapter 168 The surgerysted for fifteen hours, which far exceeded Bailey''s expectations. The Luther family, the Chivers family, all the reporters, as well as the crowd outside, were anxious. The operation started at eight in the morning, and it still was not over by eleven at night. Nothing was heard from the mansion. People began to wonder if the operation had failed and if the Chivers family was detaining Bailey. ¡°What''s going on? It''s been fifteen hours, so why is there still no news?¡± ¡°My guess is that the operation failed, and all the doctors inside are trying to save Old Mr. Chivers'' life.¡± ¡°In that case, Bailey''s reappearance as Anonymous will be a joke.¡± ¡°I mean, it''s not like she has the ability to resurrect the dead. We were the ones who overestimated her abilities.¡± ¡°In the future, Bailey may not be able to maintain international relevance as Anonymous if the operation fails. It''s difficult to ascend to greatness, but easy to fall from grace.¡± ¡°I don''t think we should stay here any longer. The operation has probably failed. Let''s go back and write our drafts. I think the title will be ''Anonymous Fails! Old Mr. Chivers Died On The Operating Table!'' That''ll definitely be the hottest news tomorrow.¡± ¡°I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I''ll be disappointing you all.¡± The cold voice of a womaning from the mansion instantly drew everyone''s attention. Everyone turned toward the entrance in surprise to see Bailey walking out of the building under the moonlight. ¡°It''s Bailey.¡± ¡°Yeah, it''s her! She''s out!¡± In an instant, it was as though all the tired reporters were revitalized as they rushed toward the entrance. Since there was a metal fence between her and them, they could only stuff the microphone in their hands through the gaps. ¡°Ms. Jefferson. No, Ms. Anonymous, was Old Mr. Chivers'' operation sessful?¡± ¡°Yeah! The operationsted for far longer than three hours. We were all anxious the whole way through. Ms. Anonymous, did Old Mr. Chivers survive?¡± Bailey tried to smile casually, but it was not enough to hide her exhaustion at all. It was a fifteen-hour long dangerous andplex operation. Additionally, lots of unexpected things urred during the process. It almost wore her outpletely, so much so that she probably needed half a month to recover. ¡°I think it''s better if Mr. Edmund answers everyone''s question. He''s much more convincing with his words.¡± When she finished, she turned to Edmund and smiled weakly at him. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. He could feel his heart clenching twice as his breathing paused for a moment. Bailey was like a sick beauty in the dark night, given how pale and sickly she looked. She appeared to be so weak that he had a strong desire to pull her into his embrace and give her a good hug. ¡°Thanks to Ms. Anonymous, my grandpa survived. No need to worry, everyone. The operation to remove the tumor in my grandpa''s brain was very sessful,¡± Edmund dered. The silence that followedsted for more than ten seconds before a loud cheering sound was heard outside of the mansion. In the next second, the reporters rapidly fired all the questions they had in mind toward Bailey like machine guns. Edmund whispered next to her ear, ¡°I forgot to mention something, Bay. I don''t know what happened to Max, but he suddenly started foaming at his mouth and convulsing. He was already sent to the emergency room to be saved.¡± ¡°What?¡± The volume of her voice was raised. When she returned to her senses, she turned around and hurriedly approached the infirmary. ¡°Why didn''t you tell me about this when it happened? This is a serious matter! A child''s immune system isn''t as strong as an adult''s. He can''t afford a dy in treatment!¡± He sighed. ¡°The people and reporters outside needforting as well. Otherwise, they maye up with nasty headlines to destroy your reputation.¡± Her pace increased as she muttered, ¡°My reputation isn''tparable to a child''s life.¡± Meanwhile, the Luther family was gathered outside of the emergency room. Bailey promptly stepped forward and pulled Artemis'' arm. ¡°What''s Max''s situation right now? Have they found out why he was foaming at his mouth and convulsing?¡± Without hesitation, Felicity flung Bailey''s hand away and pulled her son a few steps back. She gritted her teeth as she spoke. ¡°Leave far away from my son. Don''t try to use your seduction techniques on him.¡± Ignoring the older woman, Bailey stared at Artemis. His handsome face darkened with fury, which caused her heart to skip a beat when she saw it. Old Mr. Chivers was given a drug that rapidly deteriorated his nervous system. Was Maxton given the same poison as well? Foams at the mouth and convulsion are clear signs that the brain isn''t getting enough oxygen, meaning something''s wrong there. ¡°I need to go in and take a look. He may be in a severe condition.¡± Upon finishing her sentence, she headed toward the emergency room entrance. However, just as she took two steps forward, she was grabbed by someone. Turning her head around, she realized it was Felicity. With a resigned voice, she said, ¡°Can''t we just call it a truce for now, Mrs. Luther? If you really want to pick a fight with me, wait until Max''s condition is stabilized first. After that, I''m willing to battle it out with you for however long you want.¡± ¡°Stop exaggerating! My grandson is doing fine. I don''t need your fakepassion or crocodile tears, and I certainly don''t believe he won''t be fine without you around,¡± Felicity barked. ¡°Hah.¡± Bailey smiled mockingly. ¡°Do you know why it took me fifteen hours toplete the operation?¡± That stunned the older woman for a moment before she narrowed her eyes. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± A smile appeared on Bailey''s face as the look in her eyes grew colder. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers was poisoned by a type of drug that rapidly deteriorates a person''s nervous system. The operation was originally going to fail, but I endured and made it work. You should be lucky I''m the one at the operating table today. In fact, if you''ll forgive me for being arrogant for a moment, Old Mr. Chivers would''ve died on the operating table if anyone else but me was operating on him.¡± Rage was still present on Felicity''s face. Clearly, she did not understand what the younger woman was trying to say. While she was slow at picking up hints, it did not mean Artemis was simrly dumb. As soon as Bailey uttered herst word, Artemis asked, ¡°So you''re saying Max was also poisoned? That''s why he''s experiencing the same condition as Old Mr. Chivers?¡± ¡°That''s right.¡± She went straight to the point. ¡°The longer his treatment is dyed, the more danger he''ll be in. Mr. Luther, are you sure you want to waste precious time arguing with me like your mother?¡± In the blink of an eye, he pulled his mother''s hand away from Bailey''s arm and pleaded, ¡°Please save my son.¡± With that, Bailey entered the emergency room without turning back. It was not until Felicity heard the sound of the doors closing that she returned to her senses. She stepped backward until she arrived at the wall. In a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°I-Is what she said true? Someone poisoned Max? Someone wants to kill him?¡± Artemis nced at her. ¡°He was foaming at his mouth and convulsing,¡± he replied tly. ¡°If his condition is a little more severe, he might die, and no treatment will be able to save him.¡± Felicity''s legs turned into jelly as she copsed to the ground. Chapter 169 Chapter 169 ¡°W-Who wants to kill my grandson?¡± Instead of answering, Artemis nced at Caridee and Simon, who were both standing dumbfounded at the side. When they received their eldest brother''s cold nce, both of them promptly snapped out of their daze, and they quickly helped their mother up. However, Felicity just pushed the two of them away as she stepped toward her eldest son and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°You know who poisoned Max, right? Tell me. Who poisoned him? I''m going to y that b*stard!¡± Artemis touched his forehead and sighed. ¡°Let''s save that conversation for after Max''s condition has stabilized. Right now, it''s more important that he survives.¡± Upon hearing that, Felicity staggered backward again. Once again, Caridee held her mother and advised timidly, ¡°Let''s visit Granddad first. His operation was very sessful, so I think he''ll be waking up soon.¡± ¡°I''m not going anywhere.¡± The older woman was stubborn. ¡°No one can drag me away from the emergency room until my grandson is no longer in danger.¡± At her words, Caridee turned to Artemis with a troubled look. ¡°Artemis, what¡ª¡± ¡°Just let her be.¡± He waved his hand before rubbing his tired eyes. Inside the second bedroom in the Jefferson residence, a thud was heard when the phone in Rhonda''s hand slipped out and fell to the cold floor. Seeing that, Beatrice knew what had happened. D*mn it! I can''t believe that b*tch Bailey also overcame this difficult obstacle! During the day, she asked for an expert''s opinion. They told her that if someone with a tumor in their brain was stimted by a drug that would cause their nervous system to deteriorate, that person would probably be dead. Even a deity would not be able toplete an operation as dangerous as the one Bailey was performing. The operation being sessful made Beatrice wonder if Bailey was a monster who could resurrect the dead. ¡°What do we do, Mom? What do we do? Bailey seeded! She actuallypleted the operation that everyone thought was impossible to pull off! We basically handed her a stepping stone to achieving even greater fame!¡± Panic filled Rhonda''s voice. Her mother pulled her to the bed and patted her back. ¡°What about Maxton? Is he dead? Since you sprayed the drug onto his shirt, it counts as direct contact. The drug was basically absorbed by him, so did that kill him?¡± Upon taking in a deep breath, Rhonda stabilized her emotions and uttered in a sinister voice, ¡°I was told that he foamed at his mouth and convulsed before entering aa. Let''s hope that the grim reaper will take him quickly. If he dies, my act of stealing Bailey''s child will forever be a secret. And as a result, the Luther family will forever treat Bailey''s other two children as Simon''s children.¡± ¡°He even foamed at his mouth? I think he''s pretty much dead, then.¡± ¡°But Bailey saved Old Mr. Chivers!¡± Rhonda roared. ¡°Why does she always have such good luck? Even though there was no way she could''ve seeded, why did she still manage to ovee that impossibility?¡± With a graceful smile, Beatrice reminded, ¡°She may have ovee this predicament, but we still did manage to kill her son. It''s not all bad.¡± Then she sneered and added, ¡°Don''t forget about the Les Cinq Series incident that went viral overseas. She was fully responsible for that. If the matter is investigated, there''s no way Luther Group''s board of directors will let her walk away scot-free. How much longer do you think she''ll lead a happy life in Hallsbay?¡± That calmed Rhonda down, though she still gritted her teeth. ¡°That''s right. There''s still that giarism incident waiting to do her in. Even though Jessica is a useless woman, at least she managed to do something I''m satisfied with.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Jessica...¡± Beatrice muttered as a violent look shed past her eyes. ¡°She''ll lose her value after we finish using her. I think we should take care of her once everything''s over. She knows you stole Bailey''s child, so if she leaks that news out, we may be in danger.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mom. I''ve already made arrangements for where she will be going. Soon, I''ll make her disappear from this world without anyone noticing.¡± The night was as cold as ice. Inside a private manor in the eastern suburbs of Moranta, there was silence within the master bedroom. A slender figure was standing in front of arge window. The man''s facial expression appeared blurry under the dim light. It was difficult to tell what kind of expression was on his face. He was holding a winess while ying with his phone. The red liquid inside the ss swirled, causing ripples to spread out. The phone screen was glowing and disying a page of received calls. His bony finger was brushing a number without a name on the screen. Every time he touched it, his surrounding temperature would drop by one degree. Memories were flooding into his mind. Anyone who saw the two people entwined in a dimly lit room would experience a potent visual impact. ¡°Get out of here if you don''t want to die!¡± the man, who was being pinned down by the woman, roared furiously. However, it was as though the woman had lost all her rational thinking. She had also forgotten about their status and that if they continued further, irreversible damage would be dealt to their reputation. Suddenly, the door to the hotel room was kicked open before reporters flooded into the room. Camera lights shed relentlessly as criticisms, insults, and mockery were flung toward the two even more incessantly. ¡°What are you doing here with your stepmother, Mr. Lionel?¡± ¡°Mr. Lionel, your father is currently in a critical medical condition right now. Are you that eager to get your hands on your stepmother?¡± ¡°Mr. Lionel, we heard that you had an engagement with Victoria from the Saunders family. Don''t you feel sorry for cheating on her?¡± ¡°Did you think about your father and the daughter of the Saunders family when you performed such an immoral and hical act, Mr. Lionel? Have you considered how they''d feel?¡± The man on the bed had already died inside. When he was brought out of the hotel by members of his family, he saw someone through the sea of people. At a distance, a young woman who used to smile at him often was staring at him coldly. Next to her was her respected and beloved father, whose hand was lying on her shoulder. The middle-aged man who set up the whole thing to destroy his reputation was smiling wretchedly at him through the crowd, like a winner showing off a sessful, treacherous n. It was as though the cruel reality was telling him that he had been set up by the woman he loved. The gentle and quiet young woman gave up the love they had fostered with each other for the sake of her family. He felt like a puppet that could do nothing but watch as he was pushed into an endless abyss he could never crawl out of by the woman he trusted and loved the most. What happened next was the death of his father, the copse of his family, and his disgraceful escape. As for her, she was still the daughter of a prestigious family, with countless young men chasing after her. Chapter 170 Chapter 170 Crack! The winess in the man''s palm shattered. Dark red wine dripped onto the floor with his blood. It caused beautiful but poignant flower patterns to bloom on the expensive carpet. A roiling hatred was spreading in the bedroom. Beep! Beep! Beep! There was a call on his phone. The man calmed his hatred and anger down before answering the call. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It''ll be your father''s death anniversary in a few days, sir. Are you going to return to Hallsbay? Do you need me to clear out your schedule for the next few days?¡± Lionel''s grip tightened around the phone as he replied in a deep voice, ¡°Postpone them and prepare me a flight. I''ll return to Hallsbay in three days. Don''t tell anyone about it. I don''t want my whereabouts to be exposed, got it?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Once the call ended, he shut his eyes. Hallsbay... The city that pushed me into an endless pit of despair, as well as the ce where I buried my family and love in a single night. If it''s possible, I never want to set foot back there again. However, I was born there. It is also where my ancestors and my parents are buried. The only source of my love and hate is also there. Crack! Just then, Wendy opened the door and entered his bedroom in her pajamas. ¡°What''s going on, Nell? I heard something fall to the ground.¡± When she aimed her gaze lower, she saw his still bleeding palm and gasped, ¡°You''re hurt! I''ll go and call the family doctor.¡± ¡°There''s no need for that.¡± Lionel walked to the door and grabbed her arm. ¡°The winess identally bumped into the floor-to-ceiling window and shattered. It caused a few cuts on my palm, but it''s nothing to worry about. No need to call the doctor.¡± Pulling his hand up, Wendy checked if a vital vein was cut. When she saw that did not happen, she let out a sigh of relief. ¡°All right, then. I''ll grab the medical kit and bandage your wound. It''ll be bad if you get an infection.¡± As she spoke, she prepared to head to the living room. However, he abruptly hugged her tightly and whispered next to her ear, ¡°Have you ever felt aggrieved staying with me for all these years, Wends?¡± With a smile, she answered, ¡°Why would I? I''m grateful that you gave me and Yonathan a home. You''re the reason he had a normal childhood. If I have aint, it''ll be that you keep rejecting my advance to sleep with you.¡± ¡°Wends...¡± ¡°I was just joking. No need to take it seriously, and don''t give me a speech either. I think things are fine as is. As long as the three of us stay together, I''m happy with my life.¡± Lionel chuckled. ¡°Don''t worry, you''ll always be my wife. I won''t let anyone look down on you.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, now please let me go. I still need to grab the medical kit.¡± On the other side, Bailey spent five hours in the infirmary inside the Chivers residence. She went in at half-past eleven in the night and did not walk out until half-past four in the morning the next day. Seeing how wobbly she was as she walked, Artemis stepped forward and held her. On the other hand, Felicity ignored how terrifying the younger woman''splexion looked and questioned, ¡°How''s my grandson? Did you save him?¡± At that point, Bailey waspletely spent. She was lying in Artemis'' embrace sleepily as she informed weakly, ¡°He''s not out of the woods yet. I suspected that he came in direct contact with the drug, which was why his condition was worse than Old Mr. Chivers''.¡± ¡°I don''t want to hear all that nonsense.¡± Felicity red at her with gritted teeth. ¡°I''m asking you how Max is doing. Don''t scare me with those exaggerations.¡± Bailey opened her mouth before suddenly feeling dizzy and cking out. ¡°Bailey!¡± Artemis eximed as pain shed across his handsome face. She was absolutely spent. Before she could even take a breather after wrapping up a fifteen-hour long brain surgery, she had to spend five more hours in the emergency room. Even the sturdiest person could not hold out longer than that. ¡°All of you stay here and watch over Max. I''ll take her to a nearby room for her to rest.¡± With that said, Artemis promptly lifted Bailey and carried her toward a ward. Felicity had the intention of stopping him, but she could not keep up with his speed. After shouting behind him twice, she red at Simon and scolded, ¡°Isn''t Bailey your woman? You should be the one carrying her, not your brother! Don''t you see what''s going on? Why do you keep letting your brother get involved with that woman?¡± A bitter expression was formed on Simon''s face. If I don''t keep letting that happen, I''ll have to marry that woman. I''m an idiot if I stop Artemis from helping me. Seeing how he was not saying anything, Felicity became even angrier and pped the back of his head. ¡°If your brother insists on marrying that woman, I''m going to force you to marry her. You two already have two children, so marriage isn''t out of the question. In any case, your brother must not marry her.¡± What kind of bullsh*t logic is that? Why am I forced to marry her just because she''s not worthy of him? Please, both of them fit each other the most. Who else has a fate like hers? She''s the famous designer Snowke and the famous doctor Anonymous. With how talented she is, she''ll be perfect as the matriarch of the Luther family. After Bailey was carried into a ward by Artemis, she woke up just as he ced her down on the bed. She forced herself to stay awake because she was still worried about Maxton. ¡°Where is this? Why did you bring me here? Max is still in danger. I need to see him.¡± A warm look shed across his eyes. No wonder Maxton loves this woman, so much so that he wants to cling to her all day long. There''s something really special about her. Even though she appears cold, in reality, she''s a kind person. It makes people want to get closer to her. ¡°I''ve already mobilized the Luther family''s medical team. They''re among the best doctors in the world. While their skills aren''t as great as yours, they''ll likely be able to take over for a while with little issue. I know you''re strong-willed, but you need to take care of your body, too. Since you fainted, it means your body is really exhausted. You should stop moving and rest for now,¡± he advised. From N?velDrama.Org. Bailey stared at him, stunned. This man is so handsome. There are rough edges to his handsomeness, unlike Edmund''s pretty boy appearance. He has a bad boy vibe to him as if he was an untamed beast. As though Artemis had read her mind, he pecked her pale lips when she was not paying attention. This b*stard. He''s acting up again. She coughed slightly and turned away to avoid staring at the joyous look in his eyes. ¡°How are Zayron and Susan? This is a pretty precarious situation, so I want to make sure nothing bad will happen to them. Otherwise, I won''t even have a ce to cry.¡± ¡°They''re doing fine. I''ve sent people to protect them.¡± He then reached out and propped his hands on both sides of her body. With a raised eyebrow, he uttered, ¡°It seems like you have fallen for my gentle trap, Bailey.¡± Chapter 171 Chapter 171 He really is acting up again, this b*stard. ¡°I''m tired, so I''ll be sleeping now.¡± ¡°Go ahead. I''ll apany you,¡± Artemis responded. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. As she was fatigued, it only took her a few seconds to fall asleep. Staring at her delicate and tranquil face as she slept, the man felt warm and fuzzy inside, as though his heart was melting. I want this woman. I don''t care if the whole world is against it. She''s going to be my wife. Edmund, who was about to enter the room, saw what had transpired in the room through a small window. His grip on the door handle tightened as a strange expression appeared on his face. Both of us began from the same starting line for the battle for Bay''s love. No, I had the advantagepared to him because I had known her for seven years. Not only that, Zayron and Sarah like me. If I still lose with all that advantage, then I think it''s a sign that I''m ipetent. The next morning, inside the living room of a private mansion in the eastern suburbs, Rhonda red at the man enjoying coffee on the couch. She roared, ¡°Did you hear that Bailey sessfullypleted the operation? She actually did it!¡± Cadence pointed at the stack of newspapers on the coffee table with his chin, smiling. ¡°It''s already all over the headlines. Tens of mediapanies in Hallsbay reported the same thing all at the same time. Even a three-year-old knew about it. Why wouldn''t I?¡± ¡°Then why are you still sipping coffee as if nothing''s happened? Can you really let her off for stepping on you when she returned to the medical world in such an overwhelming manner?¡± ¡°Sit.¡± He pointed at the couch across from him. ¡°The direr the situation is, the calmer we must be. Don''t worry, I didn''t forget what she did. I bet I hate her more than you do since she vanquished my hope of ever reaching the top of the medical world. Now that I know her whereabouts, do you think I''ll let her off?¡± Sitting across from him lividly, Rhonda questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°What do you n to do next?¡± With a smile, he proposed, ¡°Now that she''s getting really famous, I bet a lot of medical organizations will spend a lot of money to hire her to develop medicine. If she does, I''ll find a way to sabotage her medicine and turn her into a murderer.¡± At his words, Rhonda''s eyes glimmered with hope. ¡°Oh yeah! She''ll be developing drugs used to save lives. If they are sabotaged, those life-saving drugs will be death-inducing ones. I wasn''t wrong about you after all.¡± ¡°There''s plenty of time ahead of us, so just wait and see. There wille a day when Bailey''s time in the spotlight will end, and she''ll be thrown into the abyss.¡± That made her feel relieved. Then she recalled her real reason for visiting him. ¡°That little b*stard saw me when I was spraying the drug on his shirt,¡± she stated. ¡°I don''t think he noticed anything odd, but I''m worried if they run tests on the shirt, I¡ª¡± Not giving her a chance to finish, Cadence waved and interrupted her, ¡°Don''t worry, the drug''s only effective for twenty-four hours before it evaporates. By the time they realize what happened, it would be gone.¡± ¡°Really?¡± A huge sigh of relief escaped her mouth. After all, it was a serious matter. If people found out about it, she would be done for. With a raised eyebrow, he questioned, ¡°Do you think I''m stupid enough to expose myself before Bailey kicks the bucket? If I leave them such an obvious trail to track, I''d get knocked out of the ring by her on the first round.¡± On the flip side, Zayron was typing on hisputer on a desk inside the living room of the Chivers residence. Ever since Dummy told him that Rhonda might be seeing someone outside and cheating on Artemis, he got pretty riled up. As part of his n, he installed a satellite positioning system on her phone. ¡°What is she doing in the eastern suburbs?¡± he muttered before further locking in on her position. In the end, he discovered she was inside a private mansion. ¡°What are you doing, Zayron?¡± Susan leaned in curiously. ¡°I''m catching an adulterer in the act.¡± ¡°Huh? What?¡± Her eyes widened as she stared at him adorably. Letting out a cough, he changed the topic. ¡°Les Cinq Series, the one you endorsed, was determined to be a case of giarism. Now that your reputation is damaged, the Oscars are going to remove you as a nominee for the Best Child Actor Award. Don''t you think you should find a way to restore your image as a refined and elegant princess? What are you staring at me for?¡± With a pout, she replied, ¡°How am I going to solve the issue? I''m not a rich person. I may be able to control the market and even sway Horington''s decision, but I''m still too young, even if I''m as pretty as an angel. No one''s going to intervene for my sake.¡± Zayron was speechless. Jeez, what is she saying? ¡°How about we sell our dear mom to Artemis and let him protect my reputation?¡± ¡°You...¡± Before the boy could speak further, Artemis'' voice was hearding from the outside. ¡°You don''t need to sell your mother to me, because the Best Child Actor Award undoubtedly belongs to you this year.¡± The siblings jumped up from the couch as their line of sight darted around. Susan lowered her voice. ¡°Why do I feel like that tyrant is in a good mood right now? Did he bang Baileyst night?¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± Zayron red at her, sessfully stopping her from speaking further. The boy then turned toward Artemis and spoke rigidly. ¡°There''s no need for you to worry about my sister, Mr. Luther. If she doesn''t get the Best Child Actor Award from the Oscars, that''s her problem.¡± The adult man shoved one hand into his pocket and used the other one to caress his chin. Then he arrived in front of the boy and patted him. ¡°Your sister is an actor contracted with a mediapany that''s a subsidiary of Luther Group. If she gets the Best Child Actor Award, she''ll help mypany open up new market opportunities. This is strictly a business decision.¡± Zayron frowned. ¡°But the Les Cinq Series she endorsed was found to be a case of giarism. This has greatly damaged her international reputation. If she still manages to win the award under these circumstances, people will think she''s using underhanded tactics to win.¡± ¡°Then let them think that way. Right now, everyone in the world knows Susan is the daughter of the Luther family. Who would dare to criticize me if I do use underhanded tactics to let her win?¡± Susan tilted her head and stared at Artemis. This man is so handsome. He''s oozing a masculine and domineering charm, especially when he''s making decisions. No wonder Bay is starting to catch feelings for him. If he interacts with her like that a couple more times, I bet she won''t be able to resist him, no matter how rational she is. When she was about to speak, a housekeeper verbally delivered a report outside of the door. ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Anonymous is asking you to head to the emergency room immediately. She said Mr. Maxton''s condition is worsening.¡± Artemis'' face darkened before he ryed an order to the siblings. ¡°I''ll head to the emergency room now. Remember to eat your breakfast and try not to go out. Stay here, okay?¡± ¡°I''lle with you!¡± ¡°Me too!¡± Meanwhile, Felicity and Bailey were arguing outside of the emergency room. ¡°What kind of heartless woman are you? How dare you say my grandson will turn into a mentally challenged child!¡± Chapter 172 Chapter 172 Mentally challenged? Artemis stopped and stared at Bailey with confusion. Is Maxton''s condition that serious? So much so that he''s going to be mentally challenged? When Felicity saw her son had arrived, she flung Bailey''s arm away and threw herself into her son''s embrace, crying at the top of her lungs, ¡°I let her treat my precious grandson, but now she''s telling me he''s going to be mentally challenged! There''s no justice in this world!¡± His eyebrows became intensely furrowed as he pushed his mother into Simon''s embrace. ¡°What happened?¡± he asked Bailey. ¡°How did Max be mentally challenged? He didn''t show any signs of that before, so why did this suddenly happen?¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes was icy cold. Even though she was verbally abused by Felicity, she could still suppress the rage in her heartpletely. When she heard his questioning, she could not help but sneer, ¡°I was being stupidst night. I shouldn''t havee forward and volunteered to jump into this mess. Perhaps you should hire another expert, Mr. Luther. I can''t afford to bear this sin.¡± Her words stunned Artemis, and only then did he realize he had spoken inappropriately. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ncing at the still-enraged Felicity, he dragged Bailey to the side and apologized, ¡°I''m sorry. I was getting a little too emotional earlier. I have no intention of ming you, so don''t get angry, okay? No matter what happens, I''m grateful that you were willing to help save my family members. Without you, they would''ve been in a far worse condition.¡± Shaking her head, Bailey suppressed the anger caused by Felicity''s provocation and sighed. ¡°I''m just saying that''s the worst-case scenario. As for what''ll actually happen, we need to wait until he wakes up first. I analyzed the genes in his brain and found out that he was given a drug that disturbs a person''s nervous system. That is why I said there''s a chance he may be mentally challenged.¡± ¡°So you''re saying you''re not sure what''ll happen?¡± The woman shook her head. ¡°It doesn''t matter what I specte, because unless he wakes up, I won''t have the data required to provide a proper diagnosis. We''ll see how he does when he wakes up. Hopefully, my conclusion will be wrong.¡± ¡°Don''t stress yourself out too much.¡± Artemis held her weak shoulders and stared at her warmly, smiling. ¡°It''ll all depend on him whether he''ll pull through.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± She then changed the subject. ¡°I''ve examined his body thoroughly, and I didn''t find out what drug caused his nervous system to deteriorate. There were no signs of drug injection when I tested his blood, either.¡± A brief silence ensued before Artemis asked tentatively, ¡°Could it have been mixed into his drink or food?¡± ¡°That''s impossible.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°I''ve examined the residuals in his stomach. There are no signs of drugs that can weaken a person''s nervous system there.¡± His eyes narrowed with a subtle hostile look. His eyebrows were also furrowing, so much so that they turned into a unibrow. ¡°Any guesses?¡± Staring at the light brown shirt he was wearing, Bailey fell into deep thought. Upon following her line of sight, he saw she was staring at the suit on his chest and raised his eyebrow. Is this woman admiring my muscr body? Is she enjoying it? In the next second, he shook his head and his thoughts away. ¡°Are you thinking someone might''ve sprayed the drug onto his shirt, causing him to breathe it in and affect his brain?¡± Bailey agreed with her silence. Seeing how she was not saying a word, he continued, ¡°I''ll ask someone to run a test on Maxton''s shirt and see if they can find any clues.¡± When he finished speaking, he turned around, preparing to walk away. Bailey swiftly grabbed his arm, shaking her head at him with a sigh. ¡°If someone really did poison him, then they certainly wouldn''t leave any traces of their crime. Some drugs automatically lose their effectiveness after twenty-four hours. It had been more than twenty-four hours since I operated on Old Mr. Chivers. It''s pointless to do that now.¡± Halting his steps, he nced at her. ¡°So the people who poisoned him weren''t targeting Old Mr. Chivers. They''re targeting you.¡± With a nod, she answered in a hoarse voice, ¡°I''m sorry. I dragged Old Mr. Chivers into my mess and made him suffer. You''re probably right that the people who poisoned both of them are gunning for me. They want my reputation to go down the drain.¡± Artemis was a smart man, so he instantly connected many dots in his mind when he heard that. ¡°I heard Cadence had a grudge against you in the past. Back then, he wanted Cataleya to take him in as a student, but you were quicker. He has hated you since then for that reason.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± Bailey confirmed without hesitation. ¡°The moment he knew I was Anonymous, I bet he wanted to y me alive immediately. I''m more than certain he''s not going to let go of any opportunity to take me down, but I''m only eighty to ny percent sure he''s the one who poisoned Max.¡± A violent look shed past Artemis'' eyes. After all, his son was hurt, badly. Obviously, as a father, he was not going to sit still after guessing the perpetrator''s identity. ¡°It''s a shame that he''s very good at covering his tracks. We can''t trail it back to him.¡± ¡°I don''t think he''s that good,¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°If his first n didn''t work out, he''ll certainlye up with a second n. We just need to find the right opportunity to force his hand.¡± When her words fell, she blinked at him. It was rare for her to act like a mischievous girl. ¡°I heard Cohen Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Luther Group, has been researching an anti-cancer drug recently. However, they got stuck and couldn''t progress further. The rest of the world has been eagerly waiting for the drug to be released, so a lot of people are paying attention to it. How about you help me ask the people at Drug Administration to let me join the development of the drug?¡± she suggested. Artemis'' eyebrow was raised as he instantly understood what she was nning to do. Staring at her mischievous smile, he briefly entered a daze. This woman does have a feminine side to her. It''s just that the weight on her shoulders has increased over the years, and the pressure forced her to hide her true self, turning her cold and indifferent. His intense gaze was making her feel ufortable, so she shot him a vicious re and spat, ¡°What are you staring at? Never seen a hottie before?¡± The smile on his face became brighter. ¡°I''ve seen plenty of hotties before, but none could enter my heart like you.¡± The woman was rendered speechless. So he''s flirting instead of spouting tawdry remarks now? Godd*mn, that line was so corny that I got goosebumps. ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Maxton has woken up.¡± A polite report was delivered verbally from behind their backs, which shattered the amorous atmosphere the two were experiencing. Thank goodness. ¡°I''ll check up on him right now!¡± Bailey eximed before running away. Inside the ward stood Felicity, Simon, Caridee, Zayron, and Susan. They were all staring wide-eyed at Maxton, who was curling into a ball on the bed. Upon entering the room, Bailey could feel something was wrong. With furrowed eyebrows, she turned to Zayron and asked, ¡°What''s wrong with Max?¡± The boy rigidly pointed at his own head with a bitter expression. Chapter 173 Chapter 173 Bailey felt her heart lurch. ¡°Out with it. Stop talking in riddles.¡± Zayron gulped, and in a trembling voice, he muttered, ¡°T-There''s really something off with him here...¡± Hearing that, Felicity red over and growled, ¡°Shut your mouth! Don''t you dare curse my grandson! Now get out of my sight!¡± Ignoring her, Zayron scoffed coldly. I doubt this old hag can do anything to me, not while Artemis is still here, so there''s no reason for me to fear her. After getting the confirmation from her son, Bailey felt her heart wrench. So, in the end, the worst still happened? This is thest thing I wanted to see... But even if I managed to treat him in time, there was no way he would have left this incident unscathed, since the drug had already damaged his nervous system. After standing rooted to the spot for a while, Bailey walked over to the bed. However, before she could reach it, Felicity blocked her path. Bailey''s tone was unfriendly when she said, ¡°If you don''t want your grandson to live the rest of his life as a mentally challenged boy, get out of my way.¡± Felicity was about to refute her when she was held back by Simon and Caridee. The siblings then dragged her away. ¡°Let go of me! You insolent brats! I said let go of me!¡± ¡°Mom, please, stop it. If Bailey can save Granddad, she can treat Max, too. This may not be what you wanted to hear, but Bailey is probably the only person who could save your grandson.¡± Felicity halted. In truth, she knew that from a rational point of view, Bailey was indeed the only person who could save her precious grandson. But if I ept this woman, won''t I be humiliating myself? Bailey went to stand beside the bed before stretching out a hand to pull Maxton to face her. ¡°Max, it''s me, Bay. Didn''t you say that you''ve always liked me?¡± Maxton poked his head out from between his legs and gave Bailey a once-over. The next moment, he started to giggle while saliva dripped down the corners of his mouth. Um... For a moment, Bailey was at a loss on what to do. Is the boy who''s grinning at me with an empty look in his eyes while saliva stream down his mouth really the cool and handsome young heir of the Luther family? Bailey could not ept such a reality, and her mind went nk. Although I was aware that he would be mentally challenged, I didn''t expect it would be to this extent. ¡°Max, do you know who I am?¡± In response, Maxton stared at her for a moment before he did something thatpletely caught her off guard. He put his index finger into his mouth and started suckling on it, all while giggling like a fool. Seeing the state her grandson was reduced to, Felicity could not bear the shock. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she fainted on the spot. Artemis shifted his gaze from his son and said to Simon, ¡°Take Mom back to the Luther residence. Stay with her, and don''t let here to the Chivers residence for the time being.¡± Original content from N?velDrama.Org. After he recovered from the shock, Simon did as told and carried Felicity in his arms. His knees buckled as he staggered for a few steps before he found his bnce. Now that Maxton''s be like this, it means that the Luther family just lost our heir. This is a huge blow to the family. Even I myself can''t ept such an oue, let alone Mom, who loves Maxton so much. When Caridee passed by Artemis'' side, she advised, ¡°A-Artemis, don''t fret over it too much. I''m sure there''s a way to cure Maxton.¡± Waving his hand, Artemis replied tly, ¡°Go and keep Mompany. Watch over her, and don''t let her do anything stupid. After that, call Dad and tell him that his trip can''t be postponed any longer. He needs toe back to Hallsbay as soon as possible. I''m afraid that the Luther family is going to undergo a huge change soon.¡± ¡°Okay... I''ll give Dad a call once I''m home.¡± After the trio left, Artemis walked over to the bed slowly. With narrowed eyes, he stared at his son, who was still giggling on the bed. Soon, tears welled in his eyes. At that moment, he was bursting with rage, and the idea of killing the culprit responsible for his son''s state filled his mind. Bailey was not any much better, as a deep sense of sorrow and regret swirled in her heart. Maxton is such a smart child. He would have be a qualified heir to the Luther family in the future. But now, everything is ruined because of a scheme. After standing beside the bed for a few minutes, Artemis suddenly turned and rushed out of the ward. Seeing this, Bailey decided to hurry after him. ¡°Zayron, Susan, stay here with Max. Don''t do anything that''ll stimte or scare him.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Standing at the end of the corridor, Artemis was smoking a cigarette. The puffs of smoke surrounding him blurred his facial features. Bailey walked over slowly beforeing to a stop beside him. ¡°Seven years ago, I was pregnant with triplets. The first child I gave birth to was a stillborn.¡± Artemis whipped his head around to look at her with disbelief written all over his face. ¡°What did you say?¡± Bailey''s lips twitched stiffly as she tried to tamp down the agony that was assaulting her heart. She then shed a wry smile. ¡°I was pregnant with triplets, but I gave birth prematurely. My eldest died, so I guess you can say that the rumors aren''t all fake.¡± Artemis pursed his lips. I had no idea about this. He never thought that underneath her positive and tenacious appearancey the painful experience of losing a son. ¡°You...¡± Bailey smiled, and her voice cracked as she uttered, ¡°I''m not telling you this to win your sympathy. I''m only sharing my story because what I experience then is the same as what you''re experiencing now. I''m well aware of the fact that any pain suffered by our children is reflected on us parents a thousand- fold, so I know just how painful it must be for you to see Maxton like that.¡± Artemis took a deep breath. With a hoarse voice, he replied, ¡°I''m sorry I got you to talk about your painful past. I didn''t expect that you were pregnant with triplets. The Luther family owed you and your stillborn too much.¡± Bailey shrugged as though it was no big deal. ¡°It was simply a one-night stand, and there weren''t any feelings involved. I''ve already disregarded his existence, and I managed to get through all these years, so it doesn''t make sense for me to start acting all pitiful now. Anyway, I''ll do my best to cure Max. After all, apart from doing my duty as a doctor, he''s Zayron''s cousin.¡± Stretching out his hand, Artemis stubbed out his cigarette. Rposing himself, he responded, ¡°You were willing to recall your traumatic past just tofort me. I will remember your kind gesture. I find that I''mcking in every way whenpared to you.¡± Smiling, Bailey replied, ¡°No matter what happens, life must go on. As long as we are still alive, we must go through whatever obstacles fate put in our path, so cheer up. Know that at least you''re luckier than me, as you haven''t lost him yet.¡± Artemis did not reply to her. The first thing that Rhonda did after finding out about Maxton''s condition was to rush into the Chivers residence. Gwendolyn tried to stop her, but Yoel held her back. Yoel told her that no matter what happened, Rhonda was still Maxton''s mother and that it would be hical if they were to stop the woman from seeing her sick child. Gwendolyn could not find a good refute to her husband''s righteous words; she could only lead Rhonda to the infirmary reluctantly. Staring at the giggling boy on the bed, Rhonda cried her eyes out. Chapter 174 Chapter 174 When Bailey heard that Rhonda was here, she rushed over, only to see thetter bawling her eyes out. At the sight, Bailey could not help giving a mocking chuckle. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Zayron, too, rolled his eyes at the sobbing woman. ¡°Why are you crying? He''s not dead, you know? But with the way you''re howling, you might as well start preparing for his funeral.¡± Whipping her head, Rhonda red at Zayron sharply. ¡°I bet you must be looking forward to him dying, huh? After all, once he''s dead, you''ll be the next heir of the Luther family.¡± ¡°What the f*ck did you say?¡± Rage welled within Zayron when he heard Rhonda''s scathing remarks. ¡°Don''t assume things on your own. I have no desire to acknowledge the Luther family, nor do I ever think of myself as part of the family.¡± Rhonda could not be bothered to continue arguing with the brat and turned to look at Bailey. ¡°You cold-hearted b*tch! How could you poison my son? Aren''t you afraid of retribution?¡± Bailey burst outughing. Me? Poisoning her son? Hah! What a crazy mutt. Here she goes again. ¡°Well, there''s nothing I can do about it since I''ve taken a fancy to your son''s inheritance,¡± she responded. ¡°I wanted my son to take his ce, so I did what I had to. Now, can you take a guess at what''s the most effective way to clear an obstacle?¡± Upon hearing that, Rhonda widened her eyes, a look of disbelief on her face. She did not expect Bailey to say such a thing. Turning around, she saw Artemis standing at the entrance, and she rushed toward him without saying a word. However, she was left hugging air when the man unhesitatingly dodged away. With teary eyes, Rhonda looked at Artemis. Dialing up her pitiful act, she uttered, ¡°Did you hear that, Artemis? She said she was aiming for Max''s inheritance, and that she wanted her son to rece him. Why don''t you send such a cruel woman to prison? Are you really going to stand idly by as she harms our son?¡± Artemis raised his brow, giving her a side-eye. Smiling, he asked, ¡°Who told you that Maxton would be the next heir of the Luther family? Was it me? My dad? Or the Luther family''s elders?¡± Stunned, Rhonda staggered and took a few steps back. It was not until her back hit the wall that she muttered coldly, ¡°So, in order to help Bailey''s son be the next heir of the Luther family, you actually stood by and watch as that b*tch turned Max into a fool? You don''t deserve to be a father, Artemis.¡± Artemis shook his head. He could not be more disappointed in the woman before him. He decided right then and there that he would not interfere, even if Maxton chose not to acknowledge Rhonda as his mother. This woman only has money and status in her mind. Maxton is nothing but a cash cow to her. A normal mother would never have the time to think of anything else if she sees the dire condition her son was in. If Rhonda had the slightest affection for her child, she wouldn''t have left him hanging at the side while she bicker with another person over some fickle matter. ¡°Men, take this woman away.¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhonda roared. ¡°Artemis, you can''t keep protecting Bailey! She''s the culprit! She''s the one that turned Max into a fool! I want her in prison! She needs to bear the consequences of her action!¡± A look of impatience shed across Artemis'' handsome face, and he ordered the manservant that came in, ¡°Take her away immediately.¡± Before Rhonda could even resist, she was dragged away by two burly men. ¡°Bailey, you will suffer retribution! You won''t die an easy death! I curse you! And I curse your two b*stard children to have a painful death!¡± Stepping forward, Gwendolyn held Bailey''s arm andforted, ¡°Bay, don''t mind that mutt''s words.¡± Rposing herself, Bailey stated in all seriousness, ¡°Yeah, she''s indeed a mutt.¡± Gwendolyn chuckled at that, but when her gaze fell on Maxton, she sighed. ¡°Poor child...¡± After the operation, Glen recovered well and did not have anyplications. However, since Bailey could not guarantee there would not be a rpse of the tumor, she instructed the members of the Chivers family to give Glen a CT scan every three days. As for Maxton, he was sent back to the Luther residence. Bailey said that she would need to do some research and see if she could develop a drug that could restore the boy''s nerves to normal. By the time she was done handling Glen''s matters and settling Maxton down, three days had already passed by. As for the incident of giarism with Les Cinq Series, it was hyped up again for some reason. Although the public rtions department of Luther Group tried to suppress the news, it was to no avail due to the dire situation abroad. After her absence of thirteen days, Bailey finally returned to Luther Group. The first thing she heard from her assistant the moment she stepped into thepany was that Luther Group was holding a board meeting in the conference room and that the discussion was getting rather heated. With her interest piqued, Bailey decided to stop by the conference room. As soon as she arrived at the entrance, she heard Alistair Walker, an older shareholder, speak. ¡°There has never been an incident of giarism since the establishment of Luther Group. But the moment Bailey was hired, this happened. Although she wasn''t the one who signed the final draft, this matter was still handled by her, so she should take full responsibility for it now that trouble has arisen.¡± ¡°Mr. Walker''s right. Since Emmy Boutique refused to let the matter go and insisted on taking Luther Group to court, the stock price will be affected once the case is filed for investigation. We''re talking about apany with a worth of hundreds of billions here. Who will bear the heavy losses once the stock price drops sharply?¡± ¡°That''s right. Bailey needs to be suspended, and this matter must be investigated. It''d be for the best if we could push all the me on her. Then, we''ll get the public rtions department to get in touch with the person in charge of Emmy Boutique so that they would only sue Bailey and not the whole Luther Group.¡± p, p, p! A series of apuse rang out, attracting everyone''s attention as they turned their gazes toward the conference room entrance. Bailey stepped into the room in her high heels. Fixing her gaze at the group of shareholders in suits, she smiled and mocked, ¡°Is this really how the great Luther Group handles their problems? I really have to say, you''ve opened my eyes. Turns out all you sessful people are nothing but cowards. All you know is to find a scapegoat whenever you''ve encountered a crisis. The bravery you''ve disyed is unheard of, gentlemen!¡± After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd finally snapped back to their senses. A more foul-tempered shareholder refuted, ¡°You''re the one who made this mess, so what right do you have to drag Luther Group into thewsuit with you? Now that everyone''s watching Luther Group''s every move, is it so wrong of us to get you to take all the me?¡± ¡°You foolish woman, don''t you know you should be responsible for your own wrongdoings? You''re not telling me you want Luther Group to pay for your stupidity, are you?¡± Just then, a thunderous bang rang out as Bailey mmed her bag onto the table heavily, effectively stopping the shareholders'' barrage ofments. ¡°What the hell are you all yapping about? Did I ever say that I''m going to avoid taking responsibility? What''s the big deal? It''s just Emmy Boutique. Give me three days, and I promise to give you a satisfactory answer by then.¡± ¡°What an arrogant woman! What do you mean that it''s just Emmy Boutique? This brand managed to rise through the ranks six years ago and has developed into one of the biggest brands in the world in just a few years. Even Luther Group is wary of them, and yet, you''re saying that it''s no big deal? Your hubris baffles me.¡± Chapter 175 Chapter 175 Arrogant? N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Bailey curled her lips into a smile. If I wasn''t brazen and behaved submissively instead, I would have been chewed up entirely by this group of people. ¡°Since I dare to say it, I naturally have a way to resolve the matter. Besides, aren''t you trying to get rid of me from Luther Group? That will also have to depend on your capability to get some dirt on me.¡± As her words fell, she strutted in her heels toward Artemis, who was sitting at the head of the table. When she got near enough, she stopped in her tracks. Raising her brows, she looked at him with a smile. ¡°Mr. Luther, now that all the directors are all worked up and can''t wait to skin me alive, I figure they won''t believe a thing I say. It seems that I must set an ultimatum to prove myself.¡± Artemis was tappingnguidly on the table with one hand. Despite looking up at her, he didn''t seem as if he had lowered his position at all. ¡°Mmm. Given the huge pressure they''re exerting, an ultimatum is indeed necessary.¡± ¡°All right then.¡± Bailey leaned forward with both hands on the table. Giving Artemis a devilish look, she sneered, ¡°I can help clean up this mess, but there''s no reason for me to tolerate the board venting their frustrations on me. If you want me to resolve the matter for you, you have to agree to a condition of mine.¡± Artemis'' eye glistened faintly in delight. Nevertheless, he still managed to hide it well. This woman is putting another of her schemes into y. I really like how she''s ruthlessly trying to exact revenge. ¡°Go on.¡± Bailey stood back upright before pointing at the members of the board. She dered in a forceful voice, ¡°If I resolve this matter perfectly, all of you will have to apologize for how you treated me today.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± One of the directors sprang to his feet. ring at Bailey, he admonished her, ¡°You''re nothing but an employee of Luther Group. What makes you think you can demand an apology from the board?¡± ¡°Are you refusing?¡± With a shrug of her shoulders, Bailey remarked in a nonchnt tone, ¡°If all of you don''t agree, I would not blindly go through the trouble. You can go ahead and hold me ountable based on the previous decision. After kicking me out, you can then wait and see if Emmy Boutique will actually sue me.¡± ¡°Hmph, do you think we don''t dare do that? Mr. Luther, on behalf of the board, I request that you strip Bailey of her role as lead designer. After that, push all the responsibility over the giarizing incident onto her so that when Emmy Boutique subsequently pursues the matter, they will have to look for her, as it no longer has anything to do with Luther Group.¡± Hearing him, Bailey chuckled softly. Truth be told, she had no intention of humiliating the bunch of old men. However, given how relentlessly they were attacking her, there was no reason for her to show them mercy. Scrutinizing Bailey''s expression, Artemis caught a glimpse of the scheming smile that cracked from her lips. Seriously, this woman... ¡°Do all of you share the same opinion and concur that Luther Group should fire Bailey and that she should shoulder all the me?¡± ¡°This was her mess, to begin with. Dismissing her and holding her responsible is the natural thing to do.¡± ¡°That''s right. Our decision to fire her is unanimous. Only by punishing her can Luther Group clear its name in the giarizing scandal.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Artemis stroked his chin while making the decisive decision. ¡°I will now fire her with the board bearing witness. From now on, Bailey is no longer the lead designer at Luther Group headquarters. As for the giarizing scandal, I, too, will hold her entirely responsible for it. However, I have no control over whoever Emmy Boutique holds ountable in the end.¡± The moment the words rolled off his tongue, the entire board froze. Wait, why did he agree so readily that she fired her on the spot? Didn''t he groom her himself? They were expecting Artemis to stand up for her and try his best to preserve her position. Unexpectedly, he had readily agreed to their demands. What''s going on? Ignoring them, Artemis walked up to Bailey. With cocked brows and a smile on his face, he said, ¡°Bailey, you''re fired.¡± The vibrant smile on Bailey''s face deepened further. ¡°Are you sure you want to fire me? Aren''t you worried that I destroy Luther Group? Mr. Luther, you''re well aware of how vengeful I am. After being kicked out of Luther Group today, I''ll return the favor tenfold tomorrow.¡± As a warm glint shed in Artemis'' eyes, he looked at her with a gaze so gentle it could melt anytime. ¡°It''s the board that has forced you to leave Luther Group today, so please make sure you exact your revenge on the right people.¡± At that moment, Bailey was awed by how charming Artemis was. Despite being cognizant of her agenda, he still yed along with her act without any hesitation. A dominant man is indeed extremely charming. ¡°Fine. From now on, Luther Group and I have severed all ties. Initially, I had nned to help the company ovee this crisis. But since you don''t trust me and insist on kicking me out, don''t even think I''m going toe back easily.¡± With that, she swung her sling bag over her shoulders before swaggering out the door in her stilettos. Watching her proud silhouette leave, the arrogant Alistair sniggered. ¡°Hmph! She really doesn''t know any better. We chased her out today. Does she really think we''ll beg her toe back?¡± ¡°Oh well, that''s because of how capable she is. Not only is she the famous designer, Snowke, but she''s also the famous doctor, Anonymous. Given the heights she has soared to at such a young age, it ended up inting her ego.¡± ¡°She had better pray that she doesn''t make a mistake. Or else, she will be devastated when she falls from such heights.¡± Dwayne, who was standing by the side, was stunned by what had unfolded before him. What''s going on? Isn''t Mr. Luther supposed to stand up for Bailey? Why did he fire her without hesitation after hearing the board''s suggestion? Can someone f*cking exin to me what just happened? It was not until he left the conference room and entered the CEO''s private elevator did he get the burning question off his chest. ¡°Mr. Luther, why did you kick Bailey out of Luther Group? Both of us know very well what happened. Someone she has offended has framed her, so how can wey the me on her?¡± Putting one of his hands into the pocket, Artemis leaned against the elevator wallnguidly. Instead of answering the question, he threw out a stranger one. ¡°What kind of person do you think the boss of Emmy Boutique is? Why does she have such an extraordinary talent for business? I spent seven years bing the fifth richest man in the world, and that was with the backing of Luther Group''s wealth. However, she started from nothing, so how did she manage to grow Emmy Boutique into one of thergest brands in the world?¡± Dwayne was stunned. After giving the matter some thought, he widened his eyes when something suddenly struck him. ¡°No, it can''t be. Mr. Luther, are you saying the mysterious boss of Emmy Boutique is... is...¡± With an indifferent expression, Artemis gave Dwayne the side eye. ¡°Watch your mouth. Be mindful when you speak of this to others.¡± What the hell! Chapter 176 Chapter 176 He''s even asking me to keep it a secret. The more I think about it, the more certain I am of it. ¡°Did you dismiss her just to y along and allow her to vent her frustration?¡± ¡°What else can it be?¡± Cocking his brow, Artemis asked with an indiscernible smile, ¡°Since she''s the woman I''m enamored with, shouldn''t I indulge her?¡± Stumped, Dwayne scratched his nose before breaking into a sheepish smile. ¡°Of course you should. I''m just worried that the fuss being kicked up by Ms. Bailey might drastically affect Luther Group. Although the fall in stock price isn''t a big deal, my concern is¡ª¡± Amidst a wave of his hand, Artemis replied in a nonchnt tone, ¡°Just let her be. In spite of my limited abilities, I''m still able to shelter her from the threats looming about her head.¡± Dwayne''s eyes were filled with mixed emotions. Has he been driven mad by his affection for Bailey? Just to elicit a smile from her, he is willing to amodate her actions at the expense of Luther Group''s reputation. This is a really big sacrifice to make. Is he not worried that the situation goes out of control and deals a devastating blow to the company? ¡°Did you decide to go along with the shareholders'' wishes just so they would beg on their knees for her toe back?¡± Artemis snorted before replying in a mocking tone, ¡°I''m sure you have seen for yourself how ruthless they were in the conference room just now. If only they had listened to Bailey and agreed to let her deal with the matter, Luther Group would have avoided any trouble. Instead, they kicked her out in their smugness, assuming Emmy Boutique would hold her ountable. Unknown to them, they are faced with someone who''s even more merciless than they are.¡± No sooner had he spoken than the elevator bell rang. After the door opened, Artemis stepped out and continued, ¡°That bunch of old fogeys love to throw their weight about. When they realize they have made a mistake by forcing Bailey out, they will definitely beg for her to return. However, there''s no way the woman I fancy will forgive them easily. They might be able to get rid of her on a whim, but they will fail to recruit her unless they grovel at her feet.¡± Dwayne was speechless. No one spoils women the way Mr. Luther does! That afternoon, the Luther Group public rtions department issued a statement: The lead designer at our headquarters, Bailey Jefferson, has condoned her subordinate''s giarism of Emmy Boutique''s kidswear from two years ago. Due to her unscrupulous actions, the board, after much consideration, had decided to strip her of her position. Once the news broke, the entire world was shocked. Given Bailey''s poprity on the international stage, any controversies involving her would definitely attract everyone''s attention. As for the statement issued by Luther Group, it cemented the impression that Bailey had condoned thePlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. act of giarism by her designer. Suddenly, all those who were envious and jealous of Bailey began to malign her on the inte. They would condemn her with harsh words to incite the public into boycotting her. Back in the Luther Group design department''s office, the smug-looking Jessica was chatting on the phone while leaning back in her swivel chair. ¡°What do you think? Are you satisfied with what I''ve done? Now that Bailey has personally been fired from Luther Group by Artemis, she''s being ridiculed by the general public. Soon, her reputation will be in tatters.¡± Rhonda''s delighted voice rang out from the phone. ¡°I''m more than satisfied. With the board''s pressure, even Artemis was unable to protect her. All that''s left now is for us to instigate Emmy Boutique into suing her alone. When that happens, I don''t see any way that b*tch can escape.¡± Jessica burst into heartyughter. ¡°This feels f*cking amazing! Since she''s been chased out and abandoned by Artemis, it would be impossible for her to recover. Anyway, don''t you worry. I''ve gotten in touch with Emmy Boutique''s legal department, and they will initiate legal action against her.¡± ¡°That''s good.¡± Even though Rhonda had calmed down, she was still unable to hide her tion. Now that Bailey''s name in the design industry is almost ruined, I''ll move on to the medical industry next. With Cadence''s help, I''ll have her used of being responsible for losing the lives of a few. When the timees, she would truly have fallen from grace with no hope of making aeback. ¡°As for Emmy Boutique, you should continue to egg them on. Tell them to strike when Bailey is at her lowest so that she''ll be sent to prison, or else they would lose the chance to uphold their rights if they allow her to find her feet.¡± Curling her ming red lips, Jessica broke into an insidious smile. ¡°Don''t worry. Bailey is my mortal enemy; only one of us cane out of this alive. Since I do not wish to lose, my only choice is to ensure her destruction.¡± She had barely finished when an arrogant expression painted her face amidst the softening of her tone. ¡°Now that I have sessfully gotten rid of her from Luther Group, she no longer enjoys Artemis'' protection. I''m sure you''ll definitely be able to find a way to eradicate her permanently.¡± At that, Rhonda''s hystericalughter was subsequently heard from the phone. Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey opened the room door to be greeted by an anxious Victoria standing there. She could not help but raise her brow and ask, ¡°Are you being hounded by some kind of monster?¡± Panting heavily to catch her breath, Victoria grabbed Bailey''s arm once her pounding heart began to calm down. ¡°You asked me to bear with it for a few days and told me that you''ll definitely deal with the matter. Instead, you ended up being removed in disgrace by those old fogeys from Luther Group''s board. Do you know what they''re saying about you outside? They im that your firing from Luther Group is evidence of your wrongdoing in the giarism incident. D*mn it, with your capabilities, why would you even need to copy from someone else?¡± Bailey pulled Victoria into the living room before closing the door behind her. Settling thetter down on the couch, she handed her a ss of water. ¡°Have a drink.¡± Upon taking the ss and downing it, Victoria was stopped by Bailey just when she was about to continue ranting. ¡°Why are you behaving like a child when you''re already an adult? Is it necessary to overreact to something so trivial? Vicky, do I look like a pushover to you?¡± Stunned, Victoria narrowed her eyes. ¡°Is there something you''re not telling me?¡± Bailey reached out to pinch her cheek with a smile. ¡°Why are you even surprised? I have been hiding plenty from you. In fact, I''ve already lost count of the number of times I did it.¡± ¡°Bay...¡± Victoria''s voice trailed off as she gave Bailey a reproachful look. ¡°All right now. I know you''re just worried about me, but it really isn''t necessary. Someone is trying to set a trap to destroy me. Based on my character, I''ll definitely jump into it so that I can take my enemy down.¡± ¡°Pfft.¡± Victoria burst intoughter. ¡°Fine. I was just panicking out of concern, thinking that you took the me for my mistake by getting Mr. Luther to fire you.¡± Bailey flicked her finger on Victoria''s head. ¡°What are you talking about? Since when did we do anything wrong?¡± ¡°Oh, right, we didn''t do anything wrong. It was just a slip of tongue. Anyway, what are you nning now that you got Mr. Luther to fire you?¡± Bailey cracked a mysterious smile. ¡°You''ll find out in two days. I heard how the group of shareholders from Luther Group has been giving you grief by using you¡ªthe eldest daughter of the Saunders family¡ªofing to work in Luther Group with an agenda, so I''m going to deal them a devastating blow on your behalf this time.¡± VIctoria was speechless. Chapter 177 Chapter 177 Inside the living room of the Luther residence, Felicity showed no joy at all when she heard the news of Bailey''s dismissal. Instead, she leaned against the couch with her face losing all color. She had spent three days epting the fact that her grandson had be a retard. Pride and dignity no longer mattered to her. In fact, she was willing to grovel at Bailey''s feet as long as thetter could cure her precious grandson. Unfortunately, even the resourceful Bailey had run out of ideas on how to treat Maxton. It feels like God isn''t even granting me the opportunity to beg on my knees. ¡°Mom...¡± Caridee gave Felicity a nudge on her arm. After hesitating for a moment, she probed, ¡°There''s a lot going on at home now. I don''t think anyone is in the mood to hold a banquet. Let''s just cancel my coming-of-age ceremony.¡± Felicity''s listless gaze was slightly jolted. Turning her attention to Caridee, she responded in a hoarse voice, ¡°Youring-of-age ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime event. How can we cancel it? Isn''t Simon organizing it now? Stop saying silly stuff like that.¡± As a burning sensation descended upon Caridee''s nose, she threw herself into Felicity''s arms. ¡°Mom, Max is a lucky child. Since he managed to ovee his autism earlier, I''m sure he will repeat his sess again. I have faith that he will recover.¡± ¡°That''s right. He definitely will,¡± Felicitymented softly. ¡°It''s just that we don''t know when. I feel as if I won''t ever get to see Max speaking adorably in my arms again.¡± ¡°Mom, you¡ª¡± Before Caridee could say a word, amotion was heard on the second floor. One of the maids hurried downstairs and reported, ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, M-Mr. Maxton has peed his pants again.¡± Springing to her feet, Felicity thundered, ¡°Why are you telling me that? Shouldn''t you be changing his pants instead?¡± ¡°H-He refuses to let me do it no matter what and insists on yelling for his mom.¡± ¡°In that case, you should get his mom instead ofing to me. Where''s Rhonda? Didn''t I ask her to stay by his side? Where did she run off to?¡± The maid replied meekly, ¡°Ms. Rhonda went to her room to take a call and hasn''te out since then.¡± ¡°Why don''t you call for her, then? What are you still waiting for?¡± ¡°Oh, oh, all right.¡± Once the maid was gone, Felicity slumped onto the couch with despair written all over her face. She then ranted in a heartbroken tone, ¡°Oh, my poor grandson. He has never soiled his pants since he was a baby. B-But now... What has the Luther family done wrong for God to torment my grandson this way?¡± As her words fell, she pounded her chest with her fist. Restraining her mother''s hands, Caridee cried out in tears, ¡°Mom, don''t take it out on yourself. There must be a way. I''m sure Bailey is capable of curing Max.¡± At the mention of Bailey, Felicity¡ªas if she was grasping at straws¡ªgrabbed Caridee''s arm and ordered anxiously, ¡°The public is condemning Bailey and even calling for her to be jailed. Y-You, go and tell Artemis that he has to protect Bailey. Worsees to worst, get him to shoulder the me as long as she isn''t sent to prison by the folks at Emmy Boutique. If ites to that, what will happen to Max? Who''s going to treat him?¡± Caridee sighed in resignation. Kinship is a strange thing. Mom used to hate Bailey and can''t wait to rip her to pieces. But because of Max now, she''s willing to cast aside her pride to ept the person she hates the most. ¡°Go now. Quickly. What are you spacing out for? Once Bailey goes to prison, it will be hard to get her out.¡± ¡°Oh, okay. I''ll call Artemis now.¡± In the second-floor bedroom, Rhonda was greeted by a stinking smell the moment she walked in. Her expression drastically changed. D*mn it, that b*stard has soiled his pants again. If it was not for the maids present, she would definitely not hide the disdain and resentment on her face. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''re finally here. Mr. Maxton refused to let us change him. And now, he''s covered in... You should help him wash up and change a new pair of pants.¡± Sweeping a piercing gaze over, Rhonda exploded, ¡°Why do I have to do everything myself? What did the Luther family pay you so much for? If you can''t resolve something as trivial as this, all of you are no longer needed and should get lost!¡± The maids turned pale in unison. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we''re not trying to skive nor think it''s beneath us. It''s just that... Mr. Maxton refuses to let us touch him.¡± ¡°That''s right. Now that he''s fragile psychologically, he just wants his mother. There''s really nothing we can do.¡± Rhonda was further incensed by their words. He has never clung to me when he was normal. And now, he only remembers me when he has soiled his pants? D*mn it, what a despicable child! ¡°Out you go! All of you!¡± With no intention of angering Rhonda any further, the maids scurried out inpliance. Meanwhile, when Rhonda looked at Maxton, who was giggling like a fool, she could feel her cheeks twitch. If only I increased the dosage back then, I wouldn''t have ended up with a retard right now. ¡°Hehe, hehehe...¡± Maxton''s idioticughter sent a chill down Rhonda''s spine. Unable to hide her exasperation any longer, she pinched her nose as she gradually approached him. If only it were possible, she really wanted to take his life. ¡°Get up and follow me to the bathroom.¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± ¡°Did you hear me? I want you to follow me to the bathroom.¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± Stumped, Rhonda braced herself and reached out to scoop him up. However, the moment she ced her hands on him, she felt something warm and sticky. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Looking down, she felt the color drain from her face. It''s poop! ¡°You...¡± Enraged, she began to show her true colors. ¡°You b*stard. I should have strangled you when I first brought you to the Luther family. It would have saved me a lot of trouble, including being trapped by Jessica...¡± She had hardly spoken when she held her tongue. With an anxious expression, she scanned her surroundings and only breathed a sigh of relief after realizing that she was alone. When she returned her gaze toward Maxton and saw that he was stillughing stupidly, her mind was finally put at ease. He''s just an idiot and probably doesn''t know what I''m saying. ¡°Come, follow me into the bathroom.¡± Grabbing his arm forcefully, she dragged him right out of bed. Although Maxton continued tough stupidly, hisughter sounded grimmer. Not long after Luther Group dismissed Bailey, Emmy Boutique''s public rtions department issued a statement to reiterate that they would take legal action against those who were responsible. As to whether they would sue Bailey or Luther Group, it had not been revealed yet. Nheless, public spection weighed heavily toward Bailey, as Emmy Boutique also had a candidate in The Grand Fashion Show. Moreover, that candidate''s biggestpetitor was Bailey. If Bailey were to be convicted, the title of The Ultimate Designer would naturally go to Emmy Boutique. As a result, no one had any doubt that Bailey would be the target of thewsuit. Unexpectedly, two dayster, Emmy Boutique made a decision that shocked the entire world. Chapter 178 Chapter 178 Instead of suing Bailey, Emmy Boutique made Luther Group the defendant in theirwsuit and even brought the case to the international court. The moment the news broke, it sent a shockwave through the world. After all, Luther Group was a long-established business empire with a solid foundation. Ever since Artemis took over thepany, it expanded exponentially to the extent of gaining a monopoly over many popr industries. Within Aploth itself, it upied a dominant position and was untouchable. As for Emmy Boutique, it was an apparelpany founded six years ago. In spite of growing to be one of the most popr brands on the international stage, thepany''s influence and foundation paled inparison to Luther Group. Therefore, their decision to initiate awsuit against Luther Group was nothing but an exercise in futility. Even though thewsuit might impact Luther Group''s stock price negatively, there was still no way the company''s foundations would be shaken. Furthermore, such a move was extremely risky, as Emmy Boutique could end up in a position where Luther Group could take over it. Meanwhile, inside a caf¨¦ in the city, Rhonda mmed the newspaper she was holding down on the table. Scowling at Jessica, she questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°Didn''t you im to have an understanding with Emmy Boutique and that their legal department would sue Bailey? How did Luther Group end up as the target of thewsuit?¡± As a grave look descended upon Jessica''s face, she gave the newspaper a deathly stare and ranted, ¡°How did this happen? It shouldn''t have turned out like that. They clearly agreed to take legal action against Bailey and even imed that she was standing in their way. Only by disposing of her can the designer they nominated win The Grand Fashion Show.¡± Staring coldly at Jessica, Rhonda asked in a seething tone, ¡°What was your deal with Emmy Boutique for you to have so much faith in their words?¡± The moment the word ¡°deal¡± was mentioned, Jessica sprang up from her chair, as if she was jolted by an electric current. ¡°Oh no, I''m finished. I''m really finished this time.¡± No sooner had Jessica spoken than she grabbed Rhonda''s arms. As if she was possessed, she muttered, ¡°Ms. Rhonda, please save me. I beg of you. Otherwise, both of us are done for. All of us have been had.¡± The words caused Rhonda''s heart to sink as a sense of dread began to fill her mind. Could this fool have given Emmy Boutique dirt on us? ¡°Speak clearly. What in the world have you done?¡± The listless-looking Jessica did not reply. Instead, she kept repeating that they were done for. Having lost her patience, Rhonda raised her hand suddenly and pped Jessica harshly. Amidst the crisp sound of a p, the stinging pain that resulted snapped Jessica out of her hysteria. ¡°Rhonda...¡± Jessica burst into tears as she exined, ¡°It wasn''t my idea to tamper with Les Cinq Series. Instead, it was someone from Emmy Boutique who proposed it. Back then, the person in charge of their public rtions department told me that they, too, have nominated a designer for The Grand Fashion Show, and their biggestpetitor was Bailey. The reason she came to me was to form an alliance to take Bailey down together, to which I... I agreed.¡± With her eyelids twitching rapidly, Rhonda''s eyes began to burn with rage. She was filled with the urge to tear Jessica apart for not only failing to do her job but also making things worse. All this while, she had assumed that it was Jessica''s idea to tamper with Les Cinq Series. However, it had never crossed her mind that Emmy Boutique was the one who initiated the idea. Jessica is such a fool to have been manipted by them. ¡°Did you give them dirt on you?¡± Jessica replied in a grave tone, ¡°The designer responsible for Les Cinq Series reports to the person in charge of public rtions, and so does the staff who helped me switch it.¡± As her head began to swoon, Rhonda felt her knees buckle, causing her to slump into her chair. It''s over. We''re done for. Grabbing Rhonda''s hand tightly, Jessica sobbed, ¡°Rhonda, I have walked into a trap. Emmy Boutique never wanted to attack Bailey from the very beginning. Instead, it just wanted to take me down. Now that they have something on me, you have to save me. Otherwise, I''ll end up going to prison.¡± Rhonda''s face was as pale as a sheet. That''s right. It was a ruseid out to ensnare Jessica. She was clearly being targeted by them with the intention of destroying her. And yet, this foolish woman simply walked into the trap. Logically speaking, I shouldn''t get involved in this. However, I can''t anger her at such a time, as she knows my biggest secret. Desperation might force her to reveal to the Luther family that I stole Bailey''s son seven years ago. Comfort her! That''s what I should do. I should reassure her that everything will be fine while I figure out how to do her in. ¡°Calm down, Jessica. Let''s monitor the situation and find out what Emmy Boutique is trying to achieve by suing Luther Group first. Don''t worry. We''re in the same boat now. I won''t stand idly by and watch you suffer.¡± Upon hearing Rhonda''s words, Jessica grasped at straws. ¡°Thank you, Ronni. Thank you for being willing to help me. As long as I can ovee this crisis, I will pledge my undivided loyalty to you.¡± Rhonda stayed silent. Inside the study at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey leanednguidly against a swivel chair while staring coldly at Juliana. ¡°Go on,¡± she said slowly. ¡°Tell me what you have done recently to bring me more controversy.¡± Tucking in her neck, Juliana gave her a fearful look and mumbled, ¡°I-I have been resting and reflecting on myself in your condominium. W-Where would I find the time to do anything like that?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bailey fiddled with her fingers as her ming red lips curled into a mischievous smile. ¡°I''ll get Zayron to book your flight ticket. Go back to Archulea and never return to Hallsbay. Just stay there obediently to rest and reflect on your actions.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Come on...¡± Juliana frowned as she got to her feet and wiggled up to Bailey''s side. Giving Bailey''s sleeve a tug, she pleaded coyly, ¡°Master, can''t I just confess? Please don''t send me back to Archulea. I want to stay here by your side.¡± Bailey gave her the side-eye before replying tly, ¡°Spit it out, then. Let me hear what glorious results you have achieved and understand how you brought the controversy upon me.¡± Twiddling her index fingers with each other, Juliana rted, ¡°Since Jessica hates you to the core, I thought it would be better for us to seize the initiative by striking before she does. Therefore, I called Lisa and told her to set a trap for Jessica in her capacity as the person in charge of Emmy Boutique''s public rtions department. Initially, I thought it would be difficult and was actually surprised that Jessica was stupid enough to take the bait.¡± Chapter 179 Chapter 179 It went almost the same as Bailey had guessed. She thought something was fishy upon knowing a few days ago that Les Cinq Series was a giarised work based on the children''s clothing line that Emmy Boutique hadunched two years ago. Since there are so many boutiques worldwide, why did Jessica choose Emmy Boutique? Deep down, she believed someone must have helped Jessica secretly. Also, that person was likely the weird disciple she epted. ¡°Master, I only wanted to throw Jessica a curveball because she''s evil-hearted. She would scheme against you anyway, even if I didn''t act. I understand that you''repetent, but it''s difficult to survive all of her tricks.¡± Bailey massaged her forehead for a while and heaved a sigh. ¡°Julie, you''re the eldest daughter of the royal family in Adrune. Given your noble status, you shouldn''t scheme against someone for me. After all, your reputation will be affected if someone finds out.¡± ¡°I''m not afraid.¡± Juliana suddenly hugged Bailey and rested her head against Bailey''s shoulder. ¡°Master, many mistreat you and wish to see you fall. I''ve chosen to act because I can''t stand it anymore.¡± Bailey''s gaze softened. She patted Juliana''s head and said smilingly, ¡°All right. Anyway, it''s good to let you find out howplicated and evil humans can sometimes be. Since you''ll have to reign over the kingdom and be one of the most powerful women, it''s time to learn and grow up.¡± Juliana grinned upon hearing it. ¡°I don''t want to go home to take over the throne. Since it''s rxing and fun to be with you, why should I go back to suffer? You will protect me until I reach thirty, won''t you? I don''t want my family members to take me back and force me to be a doll everyone worships.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and shed Juliana a smirk. ¡°Well, you can avoid bing a doll by marrying a man whoes from a prominent family. With the protection of your husband''s family, your father probably won''t count on you to take over his throne anymore.¡± ¡°Forget it. My father was infuriated when my sister was pregnant out of wedlock. I don''t want to follow in her footsteps.¡± The next moment, Bailey pulled Juliana closer, patted her beautiful face, and sighed. ¡°Ah, how pity! You have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Nheless, I''ll feel proud if you inherit the throne.¡± ¡°Master...¡± ¡°All right. I''ll stop teasing you. Now, tell me what the dirt is you have on Jessica.¡± Once Bailey finished, Juliana got energetic and boasted about her capabilities for several minutes. In the end, she proudly exined that she had caught the designer of the Les Cinq Series and the low- level staff who switched the draft to something else for Jessica. Bailey generously praised Juliana for what she did. When Juliana gleefully continued, a shiver ran down Bailey''s spine. ¡°Jessica was so weak and was easy to deal with. Yet, you had to do so much to finish her off. I was even forced to reveal that I''m the boss of Emmy Boutique. It''s not worthwhile because we took a musket to kill a butterfly.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. After saying goodbye to Jessica, Rhonda didn''t return to the Luther residence but headed to the Jefferson residence instead. In the living room, Rhonda exined to Beatrice the information she got from Jessica earlier. ¡°Mom, what should I do? Jessica can''t escape this time. However, if we don''t save her, she might expose our seven-year-old secret to Artemis.¡± From N?velDrama.Org. With a grim expression, Beatrice gritted her teeth and replied, ¡°You shouldn''t have chosen the idiot as your ally in the first ce. I mean, she jumped right into the trap that others set up. No wonder Bailey could fool her so easily. She brought this upon herself!¡± Rhonda looked at her in a daze and frowned. ¡°Mom, what do you mean by that? Did Bailey fool her? What does it have to do with Bailey?¡± Suddenly, Rhonda stopped talking and gave it some thought. After a while, realization finally dawned on her. ¡°Mom, do you mean Bailey is the mastermind behind the trap Emmy Boutique set for Jessica?¡± ¡°She''s rted even if she wasn''t responsible for everything.¡± Rhonda shivered upon hearing it. As far as she knew, Emmy Boutique was established six years ago, and the owner was a woman from Aploth in her twenties. After Bailey was revealed to have the identities of many big shots, Rhonda couldn''t help but think the mysterious owner of Emmy Boutique could be Bailey. Beatrice had seemingly read Rhonda''s mind and sighed. ¡°Nothing is impossible, and the same thing applies to Bailey. You guess she might be the boss of Emmy Boutique, right? Who knows if news about her identity wille out tomorrow? Bailey has transformed herself after living out of the country for seven years.¡± Clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, Rhonda said, ¡°In that case, will she escape unscathed again? Will our hard work turn into a joke?¡± ¡°That''s right. Let''s assume Bailey is Emmy Boutique''s boss. Given that the boutique has obtained evidence of Jessica switching the design drafts, there will be only one oue¡ª Jessica goes to jail. Then, Luther Group''s shareholders will invite Bailey to return to thepany again. Do you know why Artemis fired Bailey? It''s his tactic to show his affection and indulgence toward her. He wants Luther Group''s shareholders to kneel before Bailey now so that her position in thepany will be firmer than ever.¡± Feeling dizzy, Rhonda murmured, ¡°Why does he love her so much? Why is he willing to trample on the shareholders'' pride for her? What about me? What should I do?¡± Instantly, a ferocious glint shed across Beatrice''s eyes. ¡°Since you can neither win his heart nor his body, you must secure your title. Make everyone respectfully call you Mrs. Luther forever.¡± Rhonda let out a self-deprecatingugh. ¡°Ha! Secure the title? Mrs. Luther? How difficult! I haven''t achieved what I want even after seven years of trying. Now that Artemis has fallen for Bailey, it''s even more challenging for me. Mom, the harsh reality has made it clear that you''re asking for the impossible.¡± After a while, Rhonda shook her head and added helplessly, ¡°Now that Jessica still troubles me, I don''t have time to think about other things. If that woman exposes the truth that happened seven years ago, I might not be able to stay alive, let alone be Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°In that case, kill her,¡± Beatrice said with an evil expression. Rhonda got emotional. ¡°No. Bailey is keeping an eye on her now. If she dies, Bailey will discover us sooner orter.¡± Once Rhonda finished, Beatrice''s murderous aura faded away. She then said smilingly, ¡°I was merely testing you. The truth is you''re a lot more mature now. Ronni, the battle hasn''t ended, and no one knows the ending. Hence, you shall not give up. Since the woman can''t die now, we can resort to another way to shut her up. For instance... who knows if she might suddenly lose her memory?¡± Suddenly, a glimmer of hope shed across Rhonda''s eyes. ¡°You''re right. We don''t have to kill Jessica but just make her lose her memory. Thank you, Mom. I know what I should do.¡± Chapter 180 Chapter 180 The shareholders'' meeting was held in Luther Group''s conference room. Sitting at the head of the table, Artemis was immersed in the documents and ignored the shareholders. Are they finally panicking? Didn''t they think that something like this would happen when Bailey left back then? ¡°Mr. Longman, isn''t the public rtions department always liaising with Emmy Boutique''s person in charge? Didn''t you shift all the responsibilities to Bailey already? Why is Emmy Boutique suing Luther Group now?¡± ¡°Exactly. Since it happened because of Bailey, she should bear all the responsibilities. Why is Emmy Boutique suing Luther Group instead?¡± In the meantime, Quentin, director of the public rtions department, remained seated on the chair and lowered his head silently. After the shareholders finally finished bombarding him with questions and usations, he answered calmly and slowly, ¡°Bailey isn''t responsible for it because she didn''t sign the final draft. Instead, Victoria, director of the HR department, is the one responsible.¡± ¡°What? Quentin, what do you mean?¡± Quentin looked up at the shareholders and exined, ¡°There is the notion of division of responsibilities inw. Even though Bailey was involved in the new productunch, the one who signed the final draft was Victoria. Let me put it this way¡ªthe court will dismiss the case even if Emmy Boutique wishes to sue Bailey, for she isn''t the person directly in charge. Bailey did not sign it. Hence, she isn''t guilty, unlike Victoria. Therefore, Emmy Boutique now sues Luther Group instead. Everyone, do you understand what I''ve said?¡± When the shareholders fell silent, Artemis snickered and threw the documents in his hands on the table. Then, he said with a stern look, ¡°All right. The fiasco is over. Stop keeping Bailey on the hook because she doesn''t have to bear any responsibility. I''d suggest you think about ways to negotiate with Emmy Boutique, hoping they will withdraw thewsuit.¡± The next moment, Artemis raised his eyebrows and added, ¡°Now that Luther Group is facing awsuit, I''m afraid all of you have to suffer huge losses once the share price drops. You might be able to bear losses up to one or two hundred million. What about one billion, two billion, ten billion, or twenty billion? By the way, please don''tpare yourselves with me. Since my worth is more than three hundred billion, I can afford to prolong thewsuit.¡± What the h*ll? Dwayne, who stood beside Artemis, almost couldn''t suppress his desire to stab him with a knife. D*mn it! I''m also one of the human beings who can''t bear such a huge loss! Meanwhile, Alistair looked deathly pale upon listening to Artemis'' words. He jumped up from his chair and questioned, ¡°Mr. Luther, what do you mean by that? Are you not nning to salvage the situation?¡± Ignoring Alistair''s question, Artemis spread his hands and said with a grin, ¡°Don''t you guys always think you''re capable enough? After all, you forced me to fire Bailey and were excited about it. Now, please solve the problem which happened because of your action. I won''t interfere as long as I can afford the losses. Nevertheless, I wonder if the money in your bank ounts can help you withstand the financial pressure for as long as I can.¡± Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. D*mn it! This guy is so arrogant! In the face of crisis, Luther Group''s top decision maker doesn''t intend to find a solution but only asks shareholders to bear the losses. Does Artemis think all of us have a worth of hundreds of billions and can bear losses over ten billion like him? Ten billion is probably our entire worth! How can we bear losses longer than him? The answer was crystal clear¡ªthey couldn''t afford it. Nheless, Alistair refused to give up and tried to make ast-ditch effort to persuade Artemis. ¡°Mr. Luther, we''re in the same boat and share the same glory and humiliation. If Luther Group''s share price plummets, many of us will have no choice but to sell our shares. However, it''s foreseeable that hardly anyone will acquire the shares. At that time, a third of Luther Group''s capital will be paralyzed.¡± With a wry smile, Artemis shot him a sideways nce and responded, ¡°Well, I''ll acquire as many shares as you sell. I believe three hundred billion is enough to take over all of your shares, right?¡± Almost instantly, Alistair''s face drained of color when he knew Artemis nned to acquire their shares. Apart from Alistair, the expressions of all the other shareholders also changed. Artemis is a lot more ruthless than his father, Gerald. Now that his position in Luther Group is as firm as ever, he covets all shares and intends to drive us out to control the entirepany! Everyone was stupefied when they realized Artemis'' ambition. After the silence went on for nearly five minutes, Alistair finally couldn''t withstand the pressure. He slowly lowered his head and said humbly, ¡°I had a slip of the tongue just now. Considering our contribution to thepany in the past, please enlighten us about ways to resolve the predicament.¡± Artemis'' lips curled into a wry smile as he tapped on the table and stroked his chin. After a while, he said indifferently, ¡°I don''t have the power to make Emmy Boutique drop thewsuit. Nheless, Bailey can do it. Ask for a favor from her if you don''t wish to see the money in your bank ounts evaporate.¡± What? Must we beg Bailey, the one we drove out of Luther Group earlier? ¡°Mr. Luther, this¡ª¡± Before the shareholder could finish, Artemis stood up and walked toward the conference room''s door. ¡°That''s everything I have to say. Please decide if you want to lower your ego to ask a favor from her.¡± As soon as Artemis left, the shareholders came up to Alistair. ¡°Alistair, you instigated us to drive Bailey out of thepany. Now, please do us a favor by begging for her help.¡± ¡°Yes, he''s right. Alistair, we followed your orders without questioning you. You can''t just watch as our shares plummet and our hard-earned money disappear, can you?¡± ¡°That''s right. Let''s not hope Artemis will act to resolve the crisis, for he covets our shares. He can''t be happier that the share price tumbles because he can acquire our shares at a low price and control Luther Group entirely. Alistair, you have to do everything Bailey wants if she can save us. Kneel and apologize to her if need be.¡± At that moment, Alistair was irritated. His reputation would go to the dogs if he begged Bailey; nheless, his entire savings would perish if he chose not to do so. I''m in a dilemma now. How should I choose? After a while, he finally answered, ¡°All right. I''ll beg Bailey tomorrow.¡± Early in the morning, the pitter-patter of the rain echoed along the pebbled path in Mount Willow Cemetery in Hallsbay. Victoria was walking on the path while holding an umbre. Just as she arrived at the crossroad, she stopped and stared at the slender figure that moved toward her. Some said if true lovers missed an opportunity to be together, God would arrange to let them cross paths again. However, Victoria visited and stopped at numerous crossroads but still hadn''t met her lover. Eventually, she plunged into despair, thinking that a reunion with her lover at a crossroads was a fantasy that only existed in fairy tales. Am I... seeing things now? Why would I meet the man imprinted on my mind at this quiet and cold cemetery? Chapter 181 Chapter 181 The wind blew like a hurricane as the rain became heavier and heavier. The raindrops fell into her eyes and blurred her sight. Victoria widened her eyes as she stared at the tall figureing closer and closer to her. Ten meters left. Five meters. Three. Only one man was reflected in her eyes that was blurred by tears and rain. ¡°G-Gez¡ª¡± All her words were trapped in her throat as she watched the man walk past her with no trace of hesitation at all. He had ambled past her as if she was the most unfamiliar stranger in his life¡ªhe never even spared her a nce. At that moment, she even wondered if she had gotten the wrong person. However, that man was the love of her life whom she had carved into her soul. As long as she was close to him, the blood in her veins would begin to sing. Moreover, she would never mistake that familiar scent of his that seeped into every one of her pores even if he was in a crowd. Lionel, do you really hate me that much? Do you despise me to the point you think of me as just a passerby in your journey of life? Do you abhor me so much you won''t even spare me one nce? There are millions of ways to torment a soul in this world, but only your disregard and indifference are able to teach me what it is to feel a pain bone-deep. I thought that you would be angry and in pain; I thought you would resort to violence and p me continuously to unleash the bitterness you felt onto me. And I was prepared to take on your emotions. Yet the cruel reality has told me that I''m but a speck of dust in this world¡ªso small I can''t even make a ripple in your life. Do you know that your disregard is what hurts me the most? Have I left no mark in your life at all? Must you treat me like air when we see each other again? Must you treat me like a stranger that you know so well? When the footsteps behind her faded away, Victoria snapped back to her senses. She slowly turned around to watch the familiar figure climb up the stairs with an umbre in his hands through the veil of rain. He never once turned, and he never once paused in his tracks. It was as though they were only two strangers crossing paths in life. A smile crept upon Victoria''s lips as tears rolled down her cheeks. The umbre fell out of her hand, and the wind whisked it away into the woods. Victoria tilted her head back a little and let the tears of the sky pour on her face. They did not hurt, but their coldness seeped into her bones like a dagger formed by ice that left marks that could never be erased. It was a mistake. I''ve made a mistake. Bay was right. My stubbornness will only bring trouble to his current life; my existence will only ruin his rtionship with his wife. Seven years ago, Victoria indirectly caused the downfall of the Gezmond family and forced the man to flee. Now that he''s finally out of that period of betrayal and destion, what right do I have to disrupt his peaceful life again? None. At Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was greeted by a sight that made her leap in shock. Victoria was standing by the door,pletely still as if her soul had been taken out of her and with her face as pale as death. ¡°Vicky, what happened to you?¡± Victoria forced her stiff lips to part as she hoarsely muttered, ¡°Bay, I want to die.¡± With that, her knees buckled, and she fell into Bailey''s arms. ¡°Holy sh*t!¡± Bailey cursed before hurriedly catching her friend. It was then she found out that Victoria was drenched from head to toe and burning up. ¡°Zayron, fill up the bathtub and prep the IV liquid for fever.¡± Zayron sped out of the study. Once he had a clear look at the situation in the living room, he, too, jumped in shock before darting into the bathroom. After Bailey helped Victoria take a bath, she set up an IV therapy for thetter. Not long after, Victoria regained consciousness. Bailey was sitting on the bed and staring at her coldly. After chuckling, she asked, ¡°Spill it. What kind of challenges did you encounter that made you tell me you want to die?¡± Victoria pursed her lips and turned her head away to avert Bailey''s frigid gaze. In a barely audible voice, she said, ¡°My fever took over my mind, so you can''t take what I said to heart. Sorry to make you mad.¡± Bailey''s expression rxed a little, and she sighed. ¡°Vicky, you''ve gotten over the tough situation back then, so I thought nothing in this world could devastate you anymore¡ªwhether it be love or hate. Everything''s in the past now. Is there a point for you to wallow in your misery and torture yourself still?¡± Victoria sniffled and struggled to hold back the tears that were welling in her eyes. In a calm tone, she said, ¡°I went to Mount Willow Cemetery today to visit Lionel''s father, and when I left, I bumped into Lionel at the entrance.¡± Bailey froze. No wonder she looks as if she has lost her soul. So it''s because she met Lionel. What was I expecting? Only Lionel would make her lose control like that. ¡°What happened, then? He told you that he hated you, and you apologized to him?¡± Victoria shook her head before smiling bitterly. ¡°We never said anything to each other. Nothing. He walked over from afar and past me without saying a word. It''s as if... to him, I''m just a stranger with a familiar face.¡± Bailey''s heart lurched, and she instinctively grabbed Victoria''s hand, which had been resting by the edge of the bed. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. Victoria turned to meet Bailey''s eyes before shaking her head. With a forced smile, she said, ¡°Bay, I know what you''re trying to tell me. Don''t worry, I can take it. Pain is better endured swift than dragged out. Now that he is treating me like aplete stranger... Frankly, I''m relieved. Even if I am destined to stay in a world without hope for the rest of my life, I still wish for him to find his bliss. I don''t have many things I wish for in life, but the one thing I do wish for is for him to lead a quiet, peaceful life.¡± Bailey tightened her grip on Victoria''s hand. Then, raising her brow, she changed the topic and teased, ¡°Why don''t youe and develop a career with me? There''s no point wasting time on those useless men. We''ll still have to work hard ourselves to get the best kind of life. What a man can give you are just some materialistic satisfaction. Why must you bind yourself to a stove when you know the fire will never start again?¡± Victoria chuckled. ¡°That sounds good; it''s what I was thinking about too. Why don''t I¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the bedroom door was opened, and Susan poked her head through the gap. With a grin, she uttered, ¡°Ladies, excuse me. There''s an old man outside looking for Bay.¡± Old man? Bailey arched a brow. She could guess who it was. Victoria narrowed her eyes at Bailey. Then, she frowned and said, ¡°Your useless father? What''s he doing here?¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. ¡°It shouldn''t be rence. If my guess is right, it should be a shareholder representative sent by the Luther Group''s board of directors who wants me to step in to solve Luther Group''s troubles.¡± Victoria sneered. ¡°How can they be so shameless? Take out the needle for me. I''m going to meet them.¡± Chapter 182 Chapter 182 In the living room, Zayron was leisurely leaning against the shoe rack. He wore a half-smile on his face as he stared at the middle-aged man standing by the doorway. ¡°Um, boy, can you let me through first? There are a lot of people in the corridor, and it would be weird if anyone sees us.¡± Zayron scoffed. Before the boy could say anything, a gloomy woman''s voice sounded out behind him. ¡°My, it''s you, Mr. Walker. What an honor to meet you. Why have youe to my humble abode instead of celebrating at home over your sess in kicking me out of Luther Group?¡± Right as Bailey said that, Victoria''s mocking voice sounded. ¡°Bay, you don''t know what''s going on, do you? Mr. Walker thinks that you''re not embarrassed enough, so he hase to rub salt into the wound. I''d say you should get on your knees and bow before him so that he''ll spare you the harsh words.¡± Alistair Walker awkwardly chuckled before exining, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Ms. Saunders, you''ve misunderstood me. I''vee to apologize. We were foolish to have driven you out of Luther Group. I''vee to sincerely invite you back to Luther Group today.¡± ¡°What?¡± Victoria widened her eyes and stared at him in deliberate shock. ¡°Oh my god. I didn''t hear him wrong, right? Did Mr. Walker just say he''s here to apologize? Everyone in the corporate world knows that Mr. Walker''s thergest shareholder in Luther Group besides Mr. Walker. He''s usually so intimidating, and everyone in both the political and the corporate world would act extra respectfully around you. Yet, you''re here to apologize to a junior in thepany?¡± Alistair''s face turned bright red. He was acting vastly different from what his big ego told him to do, so he was starting to feel ashamed. All these years, he had always been well respected by the people in the political and corporate world. He had always been high and mighty. However, he had been defeated by a young woman, and he had to toss aside his pride to beg her. It was indeed a shameful act. If anyone were to hear about this, the reputation he had taken years to build would be ruined overnight. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I was short-sighted to not have seen how good you were. I''vee to present my sincerest apologies.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Victoria walked past Bailey toward the door before giving him a smile that did not reach her eyes. ¡°If I didn''t remember this wrong, Jessica is your niece, Mr. Walker. I don''t think you''ve driven Bay out of Luther Group because you were short-sighted. After all, my dear friend here was in the way of your niece''s bright future. It''s nothing strange for her to be kicked out of thepany. If she doesn''t leave, how are you going to get your niece to rise in the ranks?¡± Alistair''s body visibly shuddered. As he forced a smile on his face, he squeezed out, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, that isn''t quite right. Mr. Luther has dered that Jessica will never be able to be Luther Group''s lead designer. Such an important position will never belong to her. On the other hand, Ms. Bailey is a talented and moral person; she''s the best candidate for the role. Therefore, Ms. Jefferson, please forgive my earlier actions ande back to your position.¡± Bailey ambled toward Victoria before shing a smile at Alistair. She arched an eyebrow and spoke. ¡°Do you still remember what I said that day? It''s easy to kick me out, but it won''t be the same when you try to get me back. You were relieved to kick me out of Luther Group, but things won''t go as smoothly for you now.¡± Alistair fell silent and wore a stumped expression. A beatter, he steeled himself and asked, ¡°May I know what we can do to satisfy you, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°It''s simple. Hold a press conference and apologize to me in front of the media. Remember. All of Luther Group''s shareholders have to be there. I won''t be satisfied unless every one of them is there.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± A tinge of anger emerged on Alistair''s face. Was it not enough for me to lower myself ande to beg her? Does she have to publicize this so that we''ll all be humiliated in front of countless people? ¡°No?¡± Bailey chuckled quietly before gesturing at the door. ¡°I guess you shouldn''t be here, then. Vicky, is Saunders Group recruiting lead designers? I can start work tomorrow.¡± Victoria reached out to hook her arm around Bailey''s as she giggled. ¡°My darling, you have no idea how many people are after you right now. It''s Saunders Group''s honor to be able to hire the famous Snowke as Saunders Group''s lead designer.¡± ¡°In that case, please contact Saunders Group''s person in charge to rmend me.¡± Then, after a sigh, she added, ¡°Luther Group was nice to me, and I wanted to help solve Luther Group''s crisis. Unfortunately, there are people who won''t ept my kindness and kicked me out of the ce. I''m afraid Luther Group''s shares are going to plummet for a period of time in the near future. Mr. Walker, I hope you''ll hold on tight. Best not to let your hard-earned money evaporate into thin air overnight!¡± Hearing that, Alistair''splexion turned deathly pale. Evidently, Bailey''s words had hit the right spot. In the end, he gritted his teeth and bit the bullet. ¡°All right! I''ll prepare for the press conference and have all the shareholders apologize to you.¡± At that, he red at her before tentatively asking, ¡°Bailey, how certain are you to make Emmy Boutique drop thewsuit?¡± Bailey curled her lips and leaned closer to his ear. ¡°I''m the mysterious boss of Emmy Boutique, and I have the power to dictate whether Emmy Boutique lives or dies. Mr. Walker, how certain do you think I am?¡± ¡°What?¡± Alistair''s eyes widened into the size of saucers as he looked at Bailey in disbelief. ¡°Y-You''re... Well, well, Bailey. You''ve intentionally made Artemis fire you. Then, you sued Luther Group in the name of Emmy Boutique to force us to apologize to you. That way, you can turn us shareholders into your stepping stones! Is Artemis trying to make you king?¡± Bailey shrugged before slowly saying, ¡°Mr. Luther dotes on me, but that''s his personal matter. If you have something to say about that, talk to him. It''s pointless for you toin to me. Of course, you can stay in a stalemate with him, but you have to remember that he has over three hundred billion in Anndurn currency. I''m afraid you won''t be able to hold on for long. I guarantee that, as long as Luther Group''s shares plummet, the first to go broke would be shareholders like you.¡± Alistair was so furious his entire body trembled. They had done everything for Luther Group, but in the end, they were nothing but tools for Artemis to tter a woman. How could he not be angry about it? How could he possibly not? Yet, there was nothing he could do even if he was furious. He couldn''t possibly do nothing and watch as Luther Group''s shares plummeted to the point of no return. If that was the case, Bailey would be right¡ªthe first to dere bankruptcy would be Luther Group''s shareholders. ¡°Fine, fine. You win. You win!¡± Bailey grinned as she walked Alistair stumble away before shaking her head in exasperation. She did not want to mess with those old men, but they were adamant about digging their graves, so there was nothing much she could do. ¡°Tsk tsk,¡± Victoria clicked her tongue. ¡°The viinous Artemis is quite aggressive. To bring you to greater heights, he risked the entire Luther Group. How generous. Bay, perhaps he''s...¡± Bailey turned and went back to the living room. As she walked, she said, ¡°It''s impossible for us, so I''d advise you to rid yourself of those thoughts.¡± That afternoon, Luther Group''s shareholders held a press conference and publicly apologized to Bailey. They announced that Luther Group had wronged her, so she would not need to bear any responsibility for the theft case of Les Cinq Series. From N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 183 Chapter 183 As the secondrgest shareholder in Luther Group, Alistair swore that Luther Group would not terminate Bailey unless she herself wanted to leave thepany. Dozens of shareholders who had worths of tens of billions had to apologize to Bailey in front of countless media. Without a doubt, their actions ced Bailey on a pedestal. At the CEO''s office in Luther Group, Artemis waszily leaning on the couch. As he watched the press conference, which was almost ending, his lips curled into a satisfied smile without him knowing it. He had finally brought that woman to the greatest heights possible in Hallsbay¡ªa spot where no one in Hallsbay could ever reach. Luther Group''s shareholders had all shown up to apologize to her, and that was a grand scene only Bailey deserved to have. He wanted the whole world to know that he was capable of making the woman he loved a queen even if she was never even a princess. Right then, the door to his office opened, and Dwayne came in. ¡°Mr. Luther, LG Corporation''s Mr. Gezmond was just on the call with me.¡± Artemis switched off the television before asking, ¡°What did he say?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther said that Emmy Boutique has sued Luther Group and that the giarism case hase to a conclusion. LG Corporation has endorsed for Luther Group a giarized work, and it has severely harmed their international reputation.¡± ¡°And?¡± Artemis stared at him and let out a mockingugh. ¡°Is he thinking of terminating the contract with Luther Group? Does he want to terminate all further cooperation with Luther Group?¡± Dwayne shook his head and quietly answered, ¡°When he found out that Victoria was the one who signed the finalized draft, he asked to have Luther Group fire Victoria. Artemis froze as shock shed past his eyes. ¡°Did he really say that? Did he really request Luther Group to fire Victoria?¡± ¡°Yes, that''s what he said.¡± Artemis sighed before augh escaped him. ¡°It seems like no man, no matter how calm he is, can escape the concept of love. It''s been seven years... Forget it. Tell him this on behalf of me that Luther Group has not done any thieving and that we will be proving our innocence with evidence in the near future. I won''t fire Victoria. He can terminate the cooperation with Luther Group if that is what he wants.¡± ¡°Okay. About Emmy Boutique...¡± Artemis waved dismissively. ¡°Bailey knows her limits; she won''t let this go on. She has already epted the bunch of old men''s apologies, so it means she has an ace up her sleeve. You won''t need to worry about her.¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes. How can I not be worried? No businessman risks his entire business just to dote on a woman. In a caf¨¦ in the city, Jessica was gripping Rhonda''s arm and hissing, ¡°My uncle, Mr. Walker, called me during noon and said that Bailey''s the boss of Emmy Boutique. Rhonda, what do I do now? If she presents those two witnesses, and they reveal that I was the one who swapped the draft, I''ll be going to jail!¡± Rhonda''s head was slightly lowered as she muttered, ¡°Jessica, there''s no way you''re going to get out of this free. I''ve already consulted awyer about this, and she has told me that, at most, you''ll be imprisoned for three years. Why don''t you... just admit it. I''ll do everything I can to make sure that you''ll be out within a year.¡± Jessica flung Rhonda''s arm off before ring at thetter. She gritted out, ¡°Screw you, Rhonda. You were so eager to use me as your weapon earlier, but now that something has happened, you''re making me take the me alone? Do you really think I''ll do that for you?¡± Rhonda furrowed her brows and snarled, ¡°Then what do you want? Jessica, the people at Emmy Boutique have already gotten ckmail-worthy information about you. I won''t be able to save you at all, so calm down.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Jessica slowly rose to her feet before looking downward at the other woman. With a sneer, she growled, ¡°If I tell Bailey that her eldest son never died and was actually stolen away by you, do you think she''ll thank me? Do you think she''ll let me go on the ount of my contribution to their reunion?¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Then, seemingly caught up in the heat of the moment, she ignored Rhonda''s darkening expression as she went on, ¡°Yes, yes, yes. I have to tell Artemis about this right away. I''m going to tell him that the one who gave birth to his son is Bailey, and she had actually given birth to triplets back then. He''s so concerned about her, so I''m sure that he''ll be delighted to hear this. If he''s happy, he might let me go. I''m going to let the family of four reunite, so he''s going to let me go!¡± Rhonda clenched her fists that were resting on herp as a cold glint flickered past her eyes. When Jessica grabbed her bag from the table and sped out of the room, Rhonda made no move to stop her. Instead, she picked up her phone and called Cadence. ¡°She has already gone out of the caf¨¦. I''m counting on you. You have to deal with this for me.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I''ve studied medicine for many years, and I am more than capable of erasing a certain period of memory from a person''s brain. I swear I won''t leave any traces behind.¡± ¡°Okay. Thank you.¡± After Jessica exited the room, she headed straight for the elevator. When she went around the corner, someone suddenly emerged from one of the rooms and covered her nose and mouth before dragging her into the room. ¡°Mm!¡± On the balcony of Shelbert Condominium, Bailey and Juliana were leaning against the railing and snacking on nuts. ¡°Master, should I submit the two witnesses anonymously to Luther Group''s legal department next so that they can testify against Jessica swapping the drafts? That way, that woman will be in jail for a few years.¡± Bailey stiffened, her hand halfway reaching for another nut, and she knitted her brows. It was not that she pitied Jessica, for Jessica had brought it upon herself. She had to be punished for the misdeed she had done. However, Jessica was Eve''s student, and she could not just embarrass Eve like that. ¡°Master, you''re hesitating. Don''t tell me you''re going easy on her. Some people simply can''t be pampered. The more you let her do as she pleases, the crazier she''ll get, and that''ll only hurt her in the end.¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. Right. Letting her go will be hurting her in the end. ¡°Okay. We''ll do as you say then.¡± The next morning, the personnel of Luther Group''s legal department found the two witnesses who had helped Jessica swap the drafts in a rental house situated in the west suburbs. Three dayster, Artemis made an announcement to the public that read: Jessica was jealous and unhappy that Bailey was the lead designer in thepany. At the finalization of the drafts, she swapped the original draft of Les Cinq Series, and that was how the entire case started. Luther Group did not giarize Emmy Boutique''s children''s wear that was marketed two years ago. Hence, please look at this case with a reasonable mind. That afternoon, Emmy Boutique also announced: The court has already investigated the case and proved that this incident was due to internal conflicts between Luther Group''s employees. It has nothing to do with Luther Group, so we''ve decided to withdraw ourwsuit. At Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was leaning against the doorframe and looking at Jessica, who was kneeling outside. ¡°You''ve destroyed Luther Group''s reputation, and Luther Group''s the one after you. I won''t be able to help you, so you should leave.¡± However, Jessica grabbed the hem of Bailey''s shirt and pleaded, ¡°Master Bailey, please! Please, for the sake of your senior, Eve, save me! I can''t go to jail. My whole life will be ruined!¡± Chapter 184 Chapter 184 Master Bailey? Bailey raised her eyebrows and smirked. If she had treated me as such from the very beginning and didn''t keep shing with me, would this many sh*tty things happen? It''s not as if I have to be the lead designer of Luther Group. If this woman had been a little smarter and didn''t make me her enemy, seeing as we were connected through mentorship, would I rob my junior of a position that she''s been yearning for many years? In the end, she only has herself to me for everything. Not only did she ruin her future, but she also got herself a criminal record. She should pay the price she deserves for not knowing her ce. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I''m sure your mentor is already aware of your situation. However, she didn''t call me to intercede on your behalf. Do you know what this means? It means that she tacitly agreed to let you go to prison for a few years to reflect on your actions. You should be thankful that you didn''t cause an irreversible situation this time. Otherwise, it wouldn''t be as simple as spending a few years in prison.¡± Jessica clung to the corner of Bailey''s clothes and refused to let go as though she was holding on to thest strand of hope she had found. ¡°Rhonda ordered me to do all of this, Master Bailey. It''s that woman. She''s the one who wants to drive you out of Hallsbay. I-I was merely used as a tool,¡± she cried. ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, yes. You should know how much that woman hates you, so it''s not surprising that she instructed me to do these things. I''m not your enemy. The one who truly wants to destroy your reputation is Rhonda.¡± Bailey slowly crouched down and stretched out a finger to lift the other woman''s chin while saying lightly, ¡°I believe you were instructed by Rhonda, but where is the evidence? If you can produce proof that she instructed you to swap the drafts, I''ll overturn the case for you and let Rhonda go to jail in your ce.¡± Jessica froze. Her face instantly turned ashen as she murmured, ¡°Evidence, evidence... I do have evidence. But... But I can''t remember what it is. I''m sure I''ve gotten hold of dirt on her, but I truly can''t remember it anymore.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly. She lowered her eyes to stare intensely at Jessica and said in a low voice, ¡°Look me in the eyes and don''t speak.¡± Jessica''s murmurs ceased abruptly. She stared back in a daze, and after a moment, her pupils began to dte. Bailey stared into her eyes and waited for her to snap back into reality before slowly inquiring, ¡°You just mentioned that you have dirt on Rhonda. What exactly is it? Tell me.¡± ¡°Dirt? Yes, I''ve gotten hold of dirt on Rhonda. It''s a shocking secret, one that can ruin her reputation.¡± ¡°What is it? Say it!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes...¡± Jessica repeated the word many times, and after a full minute, she began to hold her head while wailing in agony. She had lost her mind. ¡°I can''t recall it anymore. I truly can''t remember it.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and stared coldly at Jessica, who was huddled up on the ground, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. Based on her experience in hypnotism that she had umted over the years, the reason the woman before her had a mental breakdown without realizing it was because her memory was damaged. There are three types of memory impairment. Firstly, a hypnotist whose hypnosis skills are superior to mine had erased a particr part of her memory. But this is pretty unlikely as almost no one can beat me in hypnotism in the entire world. Secondly, her brain has been hit hard by external forces. But this is also unlikely. If she had brain trauma, she should be experiencing extensive memory loss. She can''t just forget the most important things. Thirdly, it''s caused by targeted medication. It''s not difficult for an expert who has studied drugs for decades to erase parts of a person''s memory. Oh, that''s kind of interesting. I wonder what kind of dirt has she gotten hold of on Rhonda to make thetter go to great lengths to erase a part of her memory. ¡°Bailey.¡± Zayron poked his head out from the side, narrowing his eyes at the woman squatting on the ground wailing in pain. ¡°Can you restore the memory she lost? I suspect that this woman holds Rhonda''s biggest secret,¡± he said with a frown. Bailey inclined her head and gave him the side-eye. ¡°Who are you to have that suspicion? Do you have any basis?¡± Um... The boy touched his nose sheepishly and stepped aside timidly. I can''t just say... Ding! The elevator door across from them opened, interrupting Zayron''s thoughts. Several uniformed police officers came out. The middle-aged police officer in the lead approached Bailey and nodded to her as a greeting. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we received news that Ms. Tanner came to your ce.¡± After saying that, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to Bailey before he continued, ¡°Jessica Tanner is suspected of involvement in a white-cor crime. We are arresting her ording to thew. Ms. Jefferson, may I take her away now?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and looked down at Jessica, who was squatting on the ground, asking solemnly, ¡°Can this matter be dyed for a few days? As you can see, she''s in a very bad state now, and I''m worried that something might happen to her.¡± The middle-aged police officer let out a chuckle before uttering inly, ¡°Every person suspected of committing a crime is in a bad state when they''re arrested. After all, we are not saints and can''t face prison sentences calmly. Now that the arrest warrant has been issued, we must take her away. Should you have other considerations, Ms. Jefferson, you may go to the police station to apply for bail pending trial within twenty-four hours.¡± Hearing that, Bailey shrugged and said nonchntly, ¡°Despite this woman almost ruining my reputation, I requested this out of consideration of humanitarian spirit. If you don''t ept it, forget it. Just take her away and see yourself out.¡± After speaking, she turned back to the living room and mmed the door behind her, leaving the police officers speechless. ¡°Why are you still letting those people take her away when you know that part of Jessica''s memory was erased, Bailey? She said she had gotten hold of dirt on Rhonda, and it should be a shocking secret. Are you not nning to find out about it?¡± Bailey nced at her son and said indifferently, ¡°My hypnosis can''t awaken her memory. Do you think I can restore her memory overnight?¡± ¡°Are you just going to drop this matter then?¡± ¡°Let''s wait until the issue dies down. I have to analyze what kind of medicine she was injected with to develop the corresponding antidote. There''s no point in insisting on keeping her now.¡± Zayron shrugged and replied, ¡°All right then. As long as you know what you''re doing.¡± Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office of Luther Group''s headquarters, Artemis raised his eyebrows at the resignation letter in his hand. ¡°This matter has now been cleared up, and Jessica is in prison. You hold no responsibility, so take this resignation letter back and manage the HR department well,¡± he said tly. Victoria hung her head low, seemingly deep in thought. After around five minutes of silence, she slowly uttered, ¡°I know that Mr. Gezmond has asked for my dismissal, or else he''ll terminate all cooperation with Luther Group. Mr. Luther, this is a personal grudge between me and him. I don''t want Luther Group to be affected by this.¡± Artemis threw the resignation letter in his hand on the table before looking up at her slowly. ¡°You said that this is a personal grudge between you and him, and if Mr. Gezmond terminates the cooperation with us because of that, I can only say that he is short-sighted, and there''s no need for us to coborate.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Luther. I appreciate that, but I still insist on resigning.¡± Chapter 185 Chapter 185 If this is what the man wants, I''ll do my best to satisfy his demand. Artemis stood up from the chair, ced his hands on the table, and looked at her with a smile. ¡°I thought you were a smart person, Victoria. Since you''re friends with Bailey, I thought that at least you won''t be that stupid, but I am disappointed by your decision today,¡± he remarked, enunciating every single word. Victoria bowed deeply, and her tone remained firm. ¡°You need not use reverse psychology on me, Mr. Luther. I''ve made up my mind, and I won''t change it because of anyone. Saunders Group is now in need of people, and I want to go back to help my father.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± A mysterious smile appeared on Artemis'' face. ¡°The reason Saunders Group achieved its current glory is entirely due to the annexation of Gezmond Group. Would it not unsettle you when you go back? Or do you have other ns, such as... handing over Saunders Group to the original owner.¡± As Victoria trembled slightly, her expression also gradually stiffened. She replied in a somewhat shaky voice, ¡°You''ve gone too far with your words, Mr. Luther. No matter what, the Saunders family is my origin. How can I bring disaster upon my family by opening the door to a dangerous foe?¡± Hearing that, Artemis spread his hands and apologized, ¡°I''m sorry. My words were improper. All right. Since you insist on leaving, I won''t force you to stay. I wish you good luck in your future career.¡± With that, he reached for the pen on the table and signed his name on the resignation letter. From N?velDrama.Org. Victoria curled her stiff lips and forced a smile. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Luther. I''ll hand over all the work at hand to Mr. Hathaway.¡± With that, she gave him another bow, then turned around and walked toward the door. She had merely taken two steps when Artemis'' deep voice suddenly came from behind. ¡°Some people are destined to be only a memory, for they have aplete life now, while there are also some people whom we should firmly grasp. Dwayne can be considered the most outstanding young man in Hallsbay. The Derning family is also a famous family of schrs. I hope you cherish him.¡± Victoria stopped in her tracks and stood still for a few seconds before stepping forward again. ¡°Thank you for the advice, Mr. Luther. If something is meant to happen in life, it will happen.¡± Meanwhile, in the infirmary of the Chivers residence, Bailey was doing a post-operative examination on Glen. ¡°How is it? Is Grandpa''s condition stable?¡± Edmund asked from the side. Bailey put away the stethoscope, looked at the wound on the old man''s head again, and chuckled. ¡°I told you that I know how to read faces and understand the art of fortune-telling. Old Mr. Chivers is blessed with longevity. It''s truly not something I made up.¡± Hearing this, Edmund could not hold back hisughter. ¡°Even if he''s blessed with longevity, he probably wouldn''t live past this year if he hadn''t met you. It''s all thanks to you. On behalf of the Chivers family, I thank you for saving his life.¡± After speaking, he took a step back and bowed deeply at her. Bailey quickly helped him up and red at him. ¡°What are you doing? If that''s how you''re going to calcte things, my family still owes your family five lives. Old Mr. Chivers saved my granny and mother, while you saved me, Zayron, and Susan. How should I pay you back?¡± Edmund reached out and sped her arm before saying with a smile, ¡°Then marry into the Chivers family and be filial to Grandpa as his granddaughter-inw, and also fulfill my dream all these years. You are the only one I want in this lifetime, Bay, and I won''t marry anyone else.¡± Cough! Cough! Glen''s light coughs came from the bed. ¡°Silly boy! How can you propose to her like this? No wonder you haven''t won her over after pursuing her for so many years. You truly don''t know how to be romantic. First of all, the atmosphere isn''t right. Secondly, there aren''t any flowers, and thirdly, no ring. I''ll be shocked if Bay said yes.¡± Edmund was rendered speechless. Bailey, on the other hand, snickered. ¡°That''s right. With such an insincere proposal, you only have yourself to me for my rejection,¡± she teased. After saying that, she reached out and patted his shoulder, adding, ¡°Be more thoughtful, young man.¡± Edmund was so amused by the two of them that he reached out and massaged his forehead. He gave Glen a look of slight reproach and whined, ¡°Couldn''t you have pretended to be asleep, Grandpa? Bay was about to say yes but look what you''ve done. You messed it up.¡± Glen grunted twice in response before looking over at Bailey. ¡°When will I be able to get out of bed, Bay? It''s Cari''sing-of-age ceremony in a few days. She''s my only granddaughter, so I must attend.¡± Bailey replied with a smile, ¡°Don''t worry. With my medicine, you''ll surely be able to attend your precious granddaughter''sing-of-age ceremony.¡± The old man looked at the pair by his bedside and broke into a satisfied smile. ¡°Make preparations, Eddy. After Cari''sing-of-age ceremony, I''ll personally organize your wedding.¡± A joyous look manifested on Edmund''s handsome face. ¡°Thank you, Grandpa.¡± Bailey was slightly taken aback. When she came to her senses, she said with a faint smile, ¡°There''s no hurry. Let''s wait until you''ve fully recovered before discussing this.¡± Despite it being a polite refusal, it sounded more like acquiescence to Edmund. In a trice, his smile grew wider. ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± A curious voice came from the door, and in the next second, Felicity, Artemis, Yoel, and his wife came in from outside. Glen''s eyes flickered around the neers before falling on Yoel. ¡°I''ll decide on Eddy''s marriage, and none of you are allowed to object. After Cari''sing-of-age ceremony, you shall start preparing for his marriage with Bay,¡± he said bluntly. Hearing that, Yoel furrowed his brows. At that moment, the huge ward was so silent that one could hear a pin drop, and the atmosphere became tense and depressing. To everyone''s surprise, Felicity spoke up, not against but in favor of it. ¡°I was a fool for being ignorant in the past. I misunderstood Bailey and denied her exceptional qualities. Since she and Ed truly love each other, I think it''s all right to give them my blessings.¡± Several gazes shot toward her, some appearing surprised, some with mixed emotions, some doubtful, and some uprehending. Bailey lowered her head slightly as the corner of her lips evoked a cold smirk. This old woman is worried that I''ll seduce Artemis, get my hands on the man at the helm of Luther Group, and ruin the entire Luther family. After all, I gave birth to two children for Simon. If I end up marrying Artemis, the brothers would share a woman, and their family would be heavily criticized by those outsiders. Hah! She''s willing to sacrifice her nephew for the sake of her son. Humans are indeed selfish creatures. ¡°What are you all doing looking at me like this? Father has agreed to this marriage. Is there any point in me objecting? Since it''s pointless, why should I say anything more? To anger him for nothing and affect his health?¡± A strange smile suddenly manifested upon Artemis'' face. Even though it was very faint, Bailey still caught sight of it. This man must be feeling miserable inside. His grandpa and mother, whom he respects, ignore his feelings and emotions and force him to be an austere man with no selfish desires, forbidding him to touch what they considered ¡°taboo¡±. Chapter 186 Chapter 186 ¡°Edmund, you guys continue talking, then. I''ll go back to the study to sort out some medical reports first.¡± ¡°I''ll go with you.¡± Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Bailey shook her head and smiled. ¡°It''s okay. I can finish it faster on my own. You can just stay with the guests.¡± ¡°All right. You do your work, then. Stay for dinner. I''ll bring the food overter.¡± ¡°Okay. Thanks.¡± Bailey turned and walked toward the door. On her way out, she stole a nce at Artemis, and their gazes met. The brief interaction was all it took for Bailey to spot an inexplicable glint in Artemis'' deep and dark eyes. What is that I see in his eyes? Helplessness? Unwillingness? Resentment? No. It''s determination. The look in Artemis'' eyes was resolved, as if he had an unwavering determination to achieve something. The man was like a prowling beast that was prepared to sh its ws and pounce on its prey. The scene where Artemis was stabbed suddenly shed in Bailey''s mind, and it made her feel suffocated. She subconsciously quickened her pace and rushed out of the ward. Bailey could not help but realize that Artemis had a stronger hold over her than Edmund. She felt she had developed feelings for Artemis. No. This cannot be. I promised myself to stay away from Artemis before I came to Hallsbay. I''ll only fall into a bottomless abyss if I eat my word. Bailey Jefferson, you''ve only been here for a short time, yet you''ve fallen for him. How could you? Behind her, Edmund watched her leave and turned back with a smile. ¡°Since Grandpa, Father, and Aunt Felicity have given the green light, I''ll pick a date and visit the Jeffersons next.¡± Yoel conceded with a nod. ¡°Yes. We should still observe proper etiquette regardless of Bailey''s rtionship with her family.¡± ¡°I''ll start preparing the next few days,¡± Gwendolyn chimed in from beside. Meanwhile, Glen looked over at Artemis with aplicated gaze. ¡°Artemis, you''re Eddy''s older cousin. What do you think about him marrying Bay? Artemis lifted his head slightly and replied calmly, ¡°I believe people destined to be together will get married eventually, so it all boils down to whether Edmund and Ms. Bailey are meant to be. Other than that, I don''t have anything else to say.¡± Glen nodded. ¡°Well said. I''ll remember what you said today. I''m your granddad, so I hope what you said to me counts.¡± A faint smile curved on Artemis'' face as he answered inly, ¡°I mean what I said. I''ll take my leave first. I still have some work to do at thepany.¡± Over in the study, Bailey was poring over a pile of documents when she heard the room door open. ¡°Edmund, you don''t have toe here. You should stay with Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Wait. It''s not Edmund. Bailey turned around in rm when she sensed something amiss. ¡°Artem¡ª¡± The man was already right behind Bailey when she turned. With a gloomy look on his face, he swept away the documents on the table with one hand and grabbed her waist with another. He then pinned her down and kissed her, chafing her lips intensely in the process. Bailey resisted, but the man''s grip tightened around her like manacles, locking her so securely that she could not even move her fingers. That was when she realized that she was no match for him. The man was a lot more agile and quick- witted than she was, so no matter what she did, he would subdue her somehow. What took ce next was no teasing kiss. Artemis bit and ravaged her lips as if he was fixated on making her his. That tenacity reminded Bailey of his gaze back at the ward earlier on. He must be crazy! Is he going to take me right here? Bailey struggled violently to break free. What does he think he''s doing? This is the Chivers residence! How am I supposed to face everyone if anything happens? ¡°Um...¡± Bailey was on the verge of giving up all hope when the man stopped everything he was doing. He pulled away from her and stared into her eyes, deep in thought. Bailey was exasperated. She vehemently freed herself from his grip and raised her hand to p his charming face. ¡°I''ll take you here and now if you hit me,¡± Artemis warned. Bailey''s hand stopped a few millimeters away from his face. She knew she had better not dismiss his remark, given how unpredictable the man was. He meant it. He would really do something brutish to me if I pped him. This man is capable of anything. I know how relentless and ruthless he can be. Artemis is never a kind man. Such a decisive and cruel man will never give in and go easy on me, so I shall not wish for the impossible. ¡°Are you not hitting me? I''m disappointed, to be honest. Maybe I shouldn''t have warned you. I don''t mind getting pped for sleeping with you. It''s a good bargain.¡± His gruff and captivating voice echoed in Bailey''s ears, pulling her back to reality. She put her hand back down in defeat and sighed. ¡°Whatever. It already happened, anyway. Can you let me go now?¡± Artemis ran his slender and long fingers on her shirt and unbuttoned it. ¡°What if I say I regret not continuing what we did and would like to carry on? Will you agree to it, Ms. Bailey?¡± Baileyughed. ¡°You''d better stop it, you b*stard. I''m not a carpet you can walk all over. If you do anything to me today, I''ll be sure to make you pay in the future.¡± ¡°Are you threatening me? You know what I''m capable of. There''s no way you''re running out of my control,¡± Artemis replied with a soft chuckle. Bailey was at a loss for words. He''s right. Who am I kidding? I really can''t run away from him. No one can, actually. ¡°You want me, right? Fine. Just don''t do it here. I don''t want to hurt Edmund. Don''t say I didn''t warn you. You''ll pay with your life if you do this.¡± Artemis disregarded her words as his fingers brushed across her delicate features. ¡°Don''t worry. I won''t force myself on you. But, you also have to promise me that you won''t marry Edmund, or I won''t mind making my own cousin a cuckold.¡± This guy is aplete freak! Why did I not realize earlier that he''s such a jerk? He gets what he wants by hook or by crook. Once he falls for someone, he''s even willing to put aside morality to get his way. ¡°I must be cursed to have met a lunatic like you. Don''t worry, for I won''t do anything to hurt Edmund before I get rid of you first.¡± Artemis arched his brows at the challenge. ¡°So, you won''t agree to Edmund''s proposal, nor will you move on with the marriage, right?¡± Bailey gritted her teeth and put on a smile that didn''t reach her eyes. ¡°I think I''ve already made it clear enough. Are you that unconfident in your own indecency? You yourself said you would sleep with your own cousin''s wife, so stop doubting how shameless you can be.¡± Bailey Jefferson, do you have to be this savage? Chapter 187 Chapter 187 When Bailey saw that Artemis was stunned by her words, she bent her knee and positioned it below his waist. It''s easy to make you impotent, Artemis. I just need to boot you right here. Bailey thought Artemis would let her free and retreat, but the man was way more insufferable than she imagined. ¡°I know what you''re trying to do, Ms. Bailey.¡± ¡°What do you think? You''d better scram before anything happens.¡± Artemis smirked, and gleams of cunningness shone in his eyes. ¡°How about we make a bet, Ms. Bailey? You can try that, but I''ll still be able to make you pregnant.¡± Bailey suddenly felt like a deted balloon. He''s right. Men with erectile dysfunction can still make women pregnant, given how advanced things are nowadays. ¡°Fine. I surrender. I won''t agree with Edmund''s proposal for now. You just want me to y along with you, right? Fine. I''ll do what you want until you get tired of it.¡± Artemis patted the woman''s cheek and smiled with his brows quirked. ¡°Well, I might get tired of other women in days, but you''re different, Ms. Jefferson. I''ve never done so much for a woman before. Since I''ve already made up my mind, there''s no way you''re escaping my grip your entire life.¡± Bailey moved her face aside and evaded his earnest gaze. Actually, Bailey already knew how Artemis felt about her when thetter took the stab for Zayron. To help Bailey ovee her trauma so she could repay Glen for his kindness without leaving any regret in her life, Artemis staged a kidnap and risked his own life, allowing himself to be stabbed in the back. From N?velDrama.Org. Bailey knew Artemis took extreme actions at the cost of his life because he loved her. Her sigh echoed in the quiet room as she stared up at the ceiling. ¡°Artemis,¡± she called out hoarsely, ¡°I gave birth to two children for Simon. From the standpoint of morality, it is uneptable to be involved romantically with your sister-inw. You''re a man of power in a distinguished family and an influential businessman. You know what our rtionship means for your reputation.¡± Bailey smiled sadly and continued, ¡°Your mother did everything she could to stop me from marrying into the Chivers family, but she caved in the end. Do you know why? Because she did not want her own son¡ªher sessful son¡ªto end up ruining his life because of a woman like me. She would rather sacrifice her nephew to protect you. This means we will never have our family''s blessings.¡± Artemis'' pupils contracted as his fingers continued caressing her cheek. ¡°This is why I have to fight for you, Bailey. You don''t love Edmund. At least, that''s what I observed. I''m the one who can cause a ripple in your heart. That is what gives me the confidence to fight for our future.¡± As he finished his sentence, he let her go and took two steps back. He smiled at her and added, ¡°You''re the only one for me, Bailey.¡± Seeing that she did not say a word, Artemis pulled her up from the table and changed the topic. ¡°I already applied to the Drug Administration since you wanted to join thepany''s drug research team. The person in charge approved the application immediately when he knew that Anonymous was joining.¡± Bailey looked up, and theplexity in her eyes dissipated. ¡°I just want to use this opportunity to lure Cadence out from his hiding spot. I''ll make sure he pays for setting me up, but don''t you worry. I''ll do my best to contribute to Luther Group''s cancer drug research. Hopefully, this will benefit society one day.¡± ¡°All right. I won''t do anything to Cadence for now since you''re not taking action yet. He ruined Max, and Old Mr. Chivers almost fell prey to his ploy. I''ll make sure they are avenged.¡± Later that day, Bailey met up with Victoria at a caf¨¦. The two stared out of the window at the busy street wordlessly until Bailey broke the silence. ¡°So, have you made up your mind, Vicky? When are you going back to Saunders Group? Are you sure you want to wreck thepany''s industry chain?¡± Victoria stared at her for a brief second. A fleeing hint of astonishment shone in her eyes, but she quickly broke out in a smile. ¡°No way. The Saunders family is my root. They brought me up and educated me. There''s no way I''ll betray them.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bailey questioned in a casual tone, swirling the coffee in the cup. ¡°You can''t hide anything from me, Vicky. Why did you go to Luther Group after graduating if you take them as your family and do not resent them? Why didn''t you stay at your family''spany instead?¡± Victoria lowered her head. ¡°Luther Group is a multinationalpany. There are a lot of learning opportunities there. Now that I''ve acquired some experience, it''s only natural for me to return to Saunders Group, so don''t overread the situation. I don''t have any other motive,¡± she said calmly. Bailey smiled coldly. ¡°You''re not admitting to anything unless I state it clearly, aren''t you, Vicky? Lionel''s return means he''s ready to take down the Saunderses. You are now joining your family''spany to help him, aren''t you?¡± ¡°No,¡± Victoria negated outright. ¡°I''m going back to help my family. You''re misinterpreting this.¡± Bailey held her forehead in annoyance. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say more, but she did not continue. She sighed in the end. ¡°Fine. I respect that everyone has their own emotions they need to deal with, so I''m not going to pry into anything, but you have to promise me something. Please don''t do anything stupid. What happened seven years ago is not your fault, so don''t bear this burden unnecessarily, okay?¡± Victoria smiled. ¡°Bay, I want to close this chapter and put the past behind me. This is the only way I can move on. You promised we would go all out on our career together.¡± Bailey smiled back, shaking her head. ¡°Sure. I''ll put you in charge of Emmy Boutique if you want to stand on your own feet,¡± she agreed, dropping the previous subject. ¡°Bay, don''t you think this is a little too much? Are you seriously giving me apany worth hundreds of billions just like that?¡± Bailey pinched her friend''s cheek. ¡°You''re my best friend. What''s wrong with giving you the best?¡± Victoria chuckled in response. Back at the Jefferson residence, rence was sitting on the couch reading the newspaper when Beatrice went over, sat beside him, and held his arm. ¡°rence, I was just thinking about Max''s condition. I''m afraid the Luther family might invalidate his inheritance, given his mental issue. If that''s the case, Ronni''s position in the family will be shaken. Do you think we should do something to help her?¡± rence''s hands froze, clenching the newspaper. He tilted his head and looked over with a frown. ¡°What can I do, huh? She''s spent seven years with Artemis, but he still refuses to marry her. It is not like I can take a knife and force that man to marry her. Ronni only has herself to me for not trying harder.¡± ¡°rence...¡± Beatrice muttered in an ingratiating tone, ¡°Ronni already tried her best. She''s just one step away from her goal, so you should give her a push.¡± ¡°Give her a push? How?¡± Chapter 188 Chapter 188 Beatrice leaned closer and whispered in her husband''s ear. Immediately, rence shot up from the couch and roared, ¡°No. This is too risky. Lives are at stake here! If we''re discovered in the end, we might end up in jail!¡± Beatrice looked up and reminded him, ¡°This is the price we have to pay if we want to be sessful. Artemis might end up marrying someone else if we drag this out. Ronni will get kicked out, and everything will be toote.¡± rence quivered at the sound of the oue. He had always wanted to get on the Luther family''s good side. Seven years ago, his daughter bore Artemis a child, and that was when rence thought she would have the opportunity to marry into the family. s, Artemis was unmoved despite Rhonda''s beauty and all she did, and their wedding ended up being stalled for a good seven years. With Artemis turning thirty, it was about time he settled down. Everyone in Hallsbay will take me as a joke if the person Artemis marries is not Ronni. When Beatrice noticed her husband wavering, she continued, ¡°Our reputation is not even the main issue if Ronni gets chased out of the family. What''s more unsettling is whether we will be able to continue staying in Hallsbay in the future. There will be public opinion directed at us.¡± rence paced up and down around the coffee table about ten times until he finally announced, ¡°All right. Go ahead with the n, but make sure you don''t go overboard. I don''t want you to end up killing someone.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I''m always careful when ites to Ronni''s future.¡± Over at the ward in the Luther family, Maxton was lying on the bed as he stared at the ceiling, smiling foolishly. Beside him, Bailey observed him with her eyes narrowed. I know he''s mentally unstable, but isn''t this a little too much? The sight of Maxton''s current state reminded her of Zayron''s words the other day. The boy had told Bailey in all certainty that Jessica had dirt on Rhonda. I wonder if Zayron knows something. Don''t tell me Max is the one who told him. An outrageous idea budded in Bailey''s mind, and she smirked to herself. Pulling Max up from the bed, she said, ¡°Max, be a good boy and look into my eyes.¡± The child smiled absentmindedly before looking at Bailey''s eyes, and they maintained eye contact for three solid minutes. Then, Bailey stared deep into his eyes and asked, ¡°What is your name?¡± Maxton''s pupils constricted as he replied in a daze, ¡°Maxton Luther.¡± ¡°How old are you?¡± Bailey continued. ¡°Seven.¡± ¡°Did you tell Zayron about Jessica knowing something Rhonda did?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°Rhonda said it herself.¡± Ha! This kid has been growing some gut, hasn''t he? How dare he trick me? Bailey flicked her fingers beside Maxton''s ear, and the boy instantly snapped out of his stupor. He was quiet for a moment until he started smiling stupidly again. Bailey knocked his head so hardly that the blow made him dizzy. ¡°That''s enough. I already saw through your act.¡± Maxton stoppedughing immediately. ¡°W-What did you do to me just now?¡± Instead of answering him, Bailey knocked him on the head again. ¡°Do you think this is funny? I wouldn''t have fallen for your trick if I wasn''t worried sick!¡± Looking at her in confusion, the boy ruffled his hair in annoyance and pouted. ¡°How did you find out? My acting skills were so good! Even Daddy didn''t realize anything.¡± ¡°Didn''t Zayron tell you that I know how to hypnotize people? I''m really good at it,¡± she said as she pinched the boy''s cheek, putting on an insincere smile. ¡°Bay, how could you be so good at everything?¡± Maxton sighed. ¡°I feel so inferior around you. I bet my daddy feels the same.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. No. Your dad does not feel inferior at all. He''s so carefree he does anything he wants and takes advantage of anyone he likes. ¡°Tell me. Who put this lousy idea in your head?¡± Bailey interrogated, twisting the boy''s ear. ¡°Use your imagination, Bay. You know how nasty your son is,¡± Maxton admitted. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. Zayron? I knew it! No one else is capable ofing up with such a terrible idea other than him. Maxton circled his arms around Bailey''s and looked at her piteously as he pleaded, ¡°Bay, could you tell Grandma and Daddy that you''ve found the cure for my illness? You can give me an injection so I can act normal again. It''s too tiring living like this. I even have to pee and poop in my pants.¡± Bailey''s face twitched when she finally came to a realization. Zayron fooled this poor boy. Now that Max finally knows what he has gotten himself into, it''s already too late for him to back out. There''s no way Max can admit to Artemis that he''s been messing with everyone all this while. That man would skin him alive if he finds out. ¡°Bay...¡± Maxton implored again. Bailey held back herughter and patted the boy''s cheek. ¡°You can''t quit now. You''ll have to hang in there since we still don''t know exactly what Rhonda did. Make sure you don''t give the whole thing away now. Your dad will surely beat you up if he finds out.¡± Maxton slumped back on the bed in utter dejection. ¡°Zayron had better pray he doesn''t end up in my hands in the future. I''ll beat him to a pulp if I see him again.¡± After leaving the infirmary, Bailey went back to the Luther residence. Suddenly, a low voice called out to Bailey while passing by the garden, ¡°Waverly? Is that you?¡± She stopped in her tracks. Waverly? Is someone calling me ¡°Waverly?¡± She whipped her head around and looked across the vast garden. There''s no one here, so that person must be talking to me. She slowly turned around and cast her gaze toward the corner of the corridor where the voice came from. It was a middle-aged man in his fifties. Bailey could see traces of Artemis and Simon''s features from his charming and familiar face. Putting two and two together, she could make an educated guess. He must be Artemis'' father, Maxton''s grandpa¡ªGerald Luther. He is the man in charge here. ¡°Did you call me, Mr. Luther?¡± Gerald walked down the stairs with his gaze glued to her. ¡°Are you rted to Waverly?¡± Chapter 189 Chapter 189 Bailey was stunned. Am I rted to Waverly? I don''t even know who she is. ¡°You must have mistaken, Mr. Luther. I don''t know anyone with the name of ''Waverly.''¡° The man drew closer until he was about two meters away from Bailey. ¡°It can''t be...¡± he muttered, gazing at her. ¡°You look so much like her. May I know your name, miss?¡± Bailey was confused but somehow felt the name ¡°Waverly¡± was vaguely familiar. Although Bailey was confident that she had not met Waverly, that name sounded familiar to her. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. She recalled that Lionel had an aunt, Waverly, who married into the Shurmer family of Lostaria thirty years ago. Famed for its extensive wealth, that prestigious family was only second to the Luthers in the continent of Aploth. Did he just say that I look like the mistress of the Shurmer family, Waverly Gezmond? What is going on? Waverly has a son and a daughter. The eldest child is Zeke Shurmer, a talented and world- renowned man, and the second is Zoey Shurmer, one of the top ten celebrities. Both of them have nothing to do with me. ¡°I''m Bailey, rence Jefferson''s eldest daughter, also Rhonda''s sister.¡± ¡°Oh, so, you''re Bailey. I''m sorry. You''re no way close to Waverly,¡± Gerald said with his brows stitched after a brief silence. I''m no way close to Waverly? That''s not a nice thing to say. Bailey smiled subtly and agreed, ¡°You''re right. I''m no way close to her. She''s the eldest daughter of the Gezmond family, who married a Shurmer. A deserted daughter chased out by her family is nothing compared to a respectable woman like her.¡± Realizing he had spoken too harshly, Gerald quickly exined, ¡°I didn''t mean it that way. You''re an impressive woman yourself. I''ve heard of all the things you did when I was abroad. You bore Simon two children, and I hope you can be part of the Luther family too.¡± ¡°Thank you. Please excuse me if there''s nothing else. Mrs. Luther is still waiting for updates about Max,¡± Bailey said apathetically, maintaining a rigid smile. Then, she turned and went toward the garden. He looked disappointed back there. I bet she''s his first love. Well, I''m not surprised. No one can forget their first love. Gerald watched Bailey as she walked away. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons. She''s not rted to the Gezmonds at all, and nor is she Waverly''s daughter, but why does she look so much like her?¡± he muttered. Bailey returned to the Luther residence''s living room to talk to Felicity. Although thetter no longer taunted Bailey, she still behaved coldly toward her. ¡°How''s Max? Have youe up with a cure for him?¡± Felicity asked. Bailey raised her brows and shed her a half-hearted smile. ¡°Do you think it''s easy researching a drug?¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°Come on. Don''t be angry. It''s bad for your health. As for the medication, I''m still looking into it, so just wait a while more, and don''t mess with me. I assure you I''m the only person on earth who can save your grandson, so if you provoke me, I''ll walk away.¡± Felicity clenched her jaw and forced back her anger. ¡°Fine. I''ll do as you said, but you''d better try your best. I''ll acknowledge you as my nephew''s wife if you cure Max, but if you fail, you''ll end up having a miserable life in the Chivers family.¡± Meanwhile, Beatrice was concerned when she saw that Rhonda had returned to the Jefferson residence. ¡°Ronni! Why are you home? I thought you were with the Luthers taking care of that b*stard? Did something happen?¡± Rhonda threw her handbag on the table and copsed onto the couch. ¡°Bailey went to the Luther residence, so I came home. I don''t want to see her.¡± Beatrice sat down beside her daughter and smiled. ¡°Just a while more, Ronni. Artemis will marry you soon.¡± The young woman straightened her back in surprise. ¡°Do you have a n, Mom?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Beatrice whispered something to her. ¡°A-Are you sure?¡± Rhonda inquired hesitantly. ¡°Your dad has already approved of the n. You''ll have to suffer a little, but it''ll be worth it.¡± ¡°I don''t mind,¡± Rhonda said, waving her hand. ¡°I''m willing to do anything to marry Artemis and be part of the Luther family, even if it means risking my life. I will be his wife even if I can''t get his heart. This is my sweetest revenge.¡± Beatrice patted her on the shoulder. ¡°That''s right, my girl. Men are not dependable, especially those like Artemis. They''re wealthy and have many options, so you should focus on what they can offer instead of obsessing over winning their hearts. This is the biggest security you can get in your life.¡± ¡°I''ll do as you say, Mom.¡± The butler suddenly walked over with a te of smoked Eisbein. ¡°Mrs. Rhonda, you''re just in time. Mrs. Jefferson has just made some smoked Eisbein. Do you want to try some?¡± Rhonda received the te with a smile and picked up the cutleries, but a nauseating sensation suddenly rose from her stomach. She jumped and dashed to the bathroom. Before long, sounds of dry heaving came from inside. ¡°Um... Is Ms. Rhonda okay, Mrs. Jefferson?¡± the butler asked. Beatrice thought of something and her face gradually gloomed. ¡°Stand guard at the door. Make sure nobodyes in,¡± she instructed before getting up and walking to the bathroom. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Jefferson,¡± the butler replied. Beatrice hurried over only to see Rhonda clinging to the sink weakly. ¡°Ronni, what''s going on? Are you pregnant?¡± Rhonda''s eyes widened in disbelief as she replied shakily, ¡°M-Mom. I can''t possibly be pregnant. It must be food poisoning.¡± Beatrice grabbed her daughter''s arm and demanded, ¡°I know what I saw, Ronni. You''re pregnant. Artemis didn''t touch you, did he? How could you be pregnant?¡± Rhonda suddenly burst into tears. ¡°N-No! This is not happening. I''m not pregnant! I was on birth control pills!¡± Beatrice''s heart dropped, and her eyes widened in horror. ¡°Rhonda Jefferson! What did you do? Did you cheat on Artemis? You must be crazy! How could you do that?¡± Rhondapletely broke down. Her hands fell from the basin, and she slumped to the ground, bawling her eyes out. This only confirmed Beatrice''s hypothesis. Her grip tightened around Rhonda as she shook the woman violently. ¡°Who''s that man? Tell me! We have to deal with him. You''ll be dead if we don''t get rid of him!¡± Chapter 190 Chapter 190 Rhonda finally lost it. She threw herself into her mother''s arms, crying. ¡°Mom! This is the end of me! What should I do?¡± The veins on Beatrice''s forehead bulged in agitation as she clung to her daughter firmly. ¡°Tell me what happened. I can''t help you if you don''t tell me about it. How did all this happen?¡± ¡°I-I...¡± Rhonda wiped away her tears and choked out what had happened between Cadence and her. ¡°I really had no other choice. Cadence refused to help no matter what. He said he didn''tck anything despite what I offered, so he asked to sleep with me instead. I was at my wit''s end, so I gave in. That''s how I managed to bring him to Hallsbay.¡± Beatrice flopped to the ground, staring at her daughter in utter despair. ¡°How could you be so silly, Rhonda? How could you agree to such a deal? There''s no turning back if the Luthers find out about this!¡± Rhonda fell back into her mother''s arms and sobbed. ¡°What can I do, Mom? It''s already happened, and there''s no point in scolding me right now!¡± Beatrice closed her eyes in desperation. After a long while, she managed to curb her emotions and regained herposure. ¡°Ronni,¡± she called, opening her eyes, ¡°You only spent twenty days with Cadence when you went abroad, so even if you got pregnant, it must have happened very recently. There''s still a chance we can turn the tables.¡± ¡°How? Rhonda asked hoarsely. Beatrice''s gaze turned cold and ruthless. ¡°Discuss with Cadence. Ask him to think of a way and make this child in your belly Artemis''.¡± A smirk curved on Beatrice''s lips. ¡°Cadence must be delighted to know he has a child. Given Maxton''s condition, that child has fallen from grace. If you give Artemis another child now, it will mean the Luther family has another heir again. Cadence will definitely agree to the deal. After all, who doesn''t want their child to grow up in the Luther family? It''s a good deal.¡± Rhonda stared at her mother, perplexed. ¡°I don''t understand, Mom. Do you hear yourself? This child belongs to Cadence. How can I make the child Artemis'' child?¡± Beatrice pped Rhonda''s forehead. ¡°Are you dumb? Can''t you use your brain? Just drug Artemis and sleep with him. This child will be his, then.¡± A flicker of hope shone in Rhonda''s lifeless eyes. ¡°This is a good n. I''ll talk to Cadence now. As you said, he will happily let the child grow up in the Luther family because this means he will have full control of the family in the future.¡± Beatrice helped her up, replying, ¡°Wait here. I''ll bring some pregnancy test kits, Ronni. Now that things havee to this, we will ditch the first n and go with this n instead. We will use another way to force Artemis to marry you.¡± Rhonda took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°I''ll do as you say. It turns out this baby is a blessing in disguise. Cadence will definitely have a way to make Artemis sleep with me. If Artemis fell for it, he would have no choice but to marry me.¡± ¡°You''re right.¡± Twenty minutester, Beatrice came back with some pregnancy test kits. ¡°Go. Take the test.¡± Rhonda took them and closed the bathroom door behind her. After some time, she came out again with mixed feelings in her heart. She felt pleased but also worried and disappointed at the same time. Beatrice rushed over. ¡°How''s it?¡± Rhonda shook her head. ¡°I tested three times, but they are all negative. Are you sure I''m pregnant, Mom?¡± Puzzled, Beatrice stepped aside and went into the bathroom herself. After a few seconds, she came out wearing a calm expression. ¡°We must have tested too soon. Go to Cadence and ask him to run a test. He''s a doctor, so he''ll be able to get a more urate result. Hash out a n with him if the result is as expected.¡± Rhonda clenched her fists and nodded. ¡°I''ll go now, Mom. I''m actually looking forward to getting pregnant after knowing your n. I''ll get to force Artemis to marry me if we can get him to sleep with me.¡± ¡°Yes. Hurry.¡± Over at the Saunders family''s mansion, Victoria sat on the couch, staring coldly at the middle-aged man sitting opposite her. ¡°Are you worried about giving me a better position in thepany? Is it because you fear I will help Lionel bring down thepany and our family? Vincent cleared his throat and smiled awkwardly. ¡°Come on. Why are you still so temperamental? I thought you''d be more calm and collected after years of working at Luther Group. I''m d you''re returning to the family business, but it''s not easy convincing the board of directors to give you a powerful position.¡± Victoria scoffed, ¡°Aren''t you the chairman? I''m surprised you don''t hold sway on the board, but whatever. I''ll just quit if I can''tnd a legit position. But remember this. If anything ever happens to the Saunders family or thepany, don''t ever think of getting help from me. I''m starting my own business.¡± With that said, she stood up and left. ¡°Hold on,¡± Vincent blurted out, holding her arm and pulling her to sit back down on the couch. ¡°You''re the only hope the family has now. Your brother is only interested in enjoying life instead of the company. There''s no point in nurturing him.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Victoria smirked. ¡°Is that why I''m getting a sinecure post in thepany? You''re getting worse at lying, Dad. Victor mightPlease check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. be useless, but he''s still your son. I thought you''ve always favored sons over daughters. You can just entrust the whole family business to him. I don''t care.¡± Vincent''s back hunched helplessly as he sighed. ¡°Vicky, I know you still hate me for what I did to the Gezmond family, but you must understand that I didn''t have a choice. Our family could''ve been destroyed if I didn''t do that. You''re mistaken if you think Mr. Gezmond is a principled man. He''s even willing to sacrifice his sister for his own interest.¡± Victoria was puzzled. ¡°What do you mean by that? Aunt Waverly married into the Shurmer family of Lostaria. That''s what everybody dreams of. How is that sacrificing her?¡± ¡°Ha,¡± Vincent sneered with a derisive look on his face. ¡°The Shurmer family is good, but it''s not where Waverly wants to be. She loved Gerald Luther, but her own brother split them up. This is why Waverly did not lift a finger to help when the Gezmonds hit a rough patch. She hates that family through and through. She hates Benjamin.¡± Chapter 191 Chapter 191 A look of surprise shed past Victoria''s eyes. As far as she remembered, Benjamin had always been a gentle and benevolent elder who treated her as if she was his daughter. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org If not, how is he able to bring up such a gentle and polite offspring like Lionel? ¡°The past is called the past for a reason. What makes you think I''ll believe your one-sided words? Besides, even if Mr. Gezmond is a cruel person, what about Lionel? What did he do wrong? Why did you have to destroy his reputation and make him theughingstock of the upper-ss society? Do you know you''ve ruined his life by making him have an affair with his stepmother?¡± she questioned. Vincent waved his hand and uttered offhandedly, ¡°He''s an offspring of the Gezmond family. That''s his sin.¡± Victoria was at a loss for words. ¡°All right. Let''s not talk about the past. All you want is to be the general manager, right? Fine. I''ll hold a shareholders'' meeting tomorrow at the office and talk to the directors. Stay at home and get some rest. The letter of appointment will be given to you soon.¡± Victoria stared at him in surprise. ¡°So, you''ve agreed? Aren''t you afraid I''ll sell off thepany to avenge the Gezmond family?¡± Vincent chuckled and said inly, ¡°Do whatever you want. After all, you and your brother are grown up and no longer need my protection. I don''t need to expand my powers to protect my children anymore, either. If you think destroying ourpany willpensate the Gezmond family, by all means, go ahead.¡± Victoria did not know what to say to that. Meanwhile, at a private mansion in the suburbs, a slender figure was leaning against the window of a luxurious-looking living room. The man was holding a ss of wine and slowly sipping on it. Behind him stood a middle-aged man dressed in a suit. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, why didn''t you give me a heads up beforeing back? I would''ve made arrangements to have your amodation arranged.¡± Lionel lowered his gaze to look at the red liquid in his ss. He uttered monotonously, ¡°I''ve assigned you to keep an eye on Saunders Group''s activities. How did it go?¡± The middle-aged man nodded, saying, ¡°Vincent has gotten old and isn''t as bold as he was in the past. Hence, Saunders Group hasn''t had any outstanding performance for the past few years. They had been operating on the safe side. Besides, the Saunders family''s eldest son doesn''t do proper work. All he does is fool around and get drunk every day. Currently, the Saunders family is facing a problem in passing down thepany. They don''t have a suitable heir, which puts the higher-ups on their toes.¡± At that point, the middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before adding, ¡°However, the daughter of the Saunders family, Victoria, has resigned from Luther Group. Based on what I know, she''s probably going back to take over the family business. Currently, she''s the only person Vincent can rely on.¡± Lionel raised a brow and smiled. ¡°Really? It''s been seven years. It''s time for them to pay for what they did.¡± ¡°Yes, they should. Don''t worry, Mr. Gezmond. The n you''ve asked me to plot is almostplete. All that''s needed is a final move from you. I can guarantee this will make Saunders Group announce their bankruptcy within a month.¡± Lionel swirled the wine ss and scoffed, ¡°Calm down. We''ll do things one by one. Let''s start with the Saunders family''s eldest son. I want Vincent to witness his beloved son sent to jail.¡± ¡°Okay. I know what to do. I''ll make the arrangements and get back to you in three days.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± Meanwhile, at Cadence''s residence, Rhonda was watching Cadence examine her abdomen with a machine in the room. ¡°I''ve been taking contraceptive pills. How could such a thing happen?¡± she asked. Cadence raised a brow and smiled, teasing, ¡°Maybe that little guy is stronger than usual and wasn''t affected by the chemicals.¡± Rhonda turned away to conceal the hatred in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°So? Am I really pregnant?¡± ¡°Yes. It''s a sess. You know what? I feel extremely aplished. I can''t believe I actually made Artemis'' wife pregnant. I should ask him what he feels about it next time.¡± Rhonda red at him and scolded, ¡°Cadence, don''t involve me if you''re seeking death. Tell me. Now that this child exists, what should we do?¡± Cadence put the device away, ced both hands on both sides of her head, and loomed over her. With an ambiguous smile, he suggested, ¡°Why don''t we make Artemis suffer in silence? If this child is a boy, he can inherit the Luther family''s property in the future. You can still ride on your son''s fortunes. Besides, he''s your actual biological sonpared to that b*stard, Maxton.¡± He reached out an arm and stroked her t belly, saying, ¡°Artemis doesn''t love you. If he finds out you''ve stolen Bailey''s son and imed him as yours, he''ll definitely make you rot in prison for the rest of your life. Instead of letting that happen, we can work together to take over the entire Luther family and own all their fortune.¡± Rhonda''s pupils suddenly constricted. She widened her eyes and stared at him as if she had figured something out. She hissed, ¡°You''ve been nning to get me pregnant to plot against the Luther family, haven''t you?¡± Cadence chuckled sinisterly. ¡°This n only benefits you. The fact that you came looking for me proves you share the same thought. So, stop putting on that expression as if you''re going to gobble me up. It''s rather hypocritical, don''t you think? Ronni, this child is a blessing in disguise. It can help you to be Artemis'' wife right away.¡± Rhonda gritted her teeth and shot him a vicious nce. This cunning fox has nned this all along, and I''m like a stupid animal that fell into his trap. Ugh. How stupid can you be, Rhonda? ¡°Okay. Since we''re on the same page, let''s find a way to make Artemis sleep with me to make it look like this child shares the Luther family''s blood.¡± ¡°That''s easy.¡± Cadence got to his feet and looked down at her with his brow arched. ¡°Isn''t Ms. Caridee of the Luther family having hering-of-age ceremony in two days? It''ll be a crowded one. I''ll drug Artemis and let him sleep with you with all the guests as witnesses. When that happens, your family can force Artemis to take your hand in marriage.¡± ¡°Okay. You better make sure this n is foolproof, or we''ll be in deep trouble.¡± Cadence patted her cheeks gently, smirking. ¡°Take good care of my child. I''ll help him to be the new heir of Luther Group.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey had just stepped into the living room of the Luther residence when Caridee approached her. ¡°Oh, Bailey, my cousin-inw, you''re finally here!¡± Caridee greeted. Cousin-inw? Bailey frowned and said calmly, ¡°Ms. Caridee, you can just address me as Bailey. Edmund and I aren''t engaged yet. It''ll create unnecessary trouble once others hear this.¡± Caridee pouted. ¡°Pfft. You think too much. Fine. I''ll call you Bailey for now.¡± Bailey could not be bothered to argue with her. She asked straightforwardly, ¡°What''s the matter, anyway?¡± Caridee grabbed Bailey''s arm and pulled thetter toward the stairs. ¡°Come,e. Let me show you something.¡± As both of them made their way up the steps, they bumped into Rhonda, who wasing down. ¡°Bailey, why are you always visiting the Luther residence?¡± Rhonda questioned. Before Bailey could even answer, Caridee said unhappily, ¡°I was the one who invited her. Do you have any problem with that?¡± Rhonda was stunned, and she looked at Caridee in puzzlement. ¡°Caridee, since when do you mingle with someone like her?¡± Chapter 192 Chapter 192 Someone like her? What does the mean by that? Rhonda''s choice of words annoyed Caridee. ¡°She''s my future cousin-inw. Why can''t I mingle with her? Are you having doubts about my granddad and Edmund''s tastes? Rhonda, I don''t care what kind of bad blood you have with Bailey, but you''re not allowed to disrespect her. She''s my guest,¡± she warned. Her threatening words made Rhonda tremble slightly. She had been too upied with Cadence''s matters and taking care of Maxton to the point where she had been distant from Caridee. I can''t believe that cunning woman, Bailey, managed to fill my spot during those days and pollute that stubborn princess'' mind. Caridee''s a useful tool in the Luther family. I can''t possibly let her get close to Bailey just like that. No. I''ve got toe up with a way to ruin their rtionship. I can''t let Caridee switch sides and support Bailey. ¡°Caridee, that''s not what I meant. I''m sorry, Bailey. I spoke too carelessly just now. Anyway, where are you girls going?¡± Sensing Bailey''s impatience, Caridee snapped, not wanting to waste any more time arguing with Rhonda, ¡°I''ve got some design-rted questions for Bailey. Carry on with your work. We''ll head upstairs now.¡± With that, she pulled Bailey''s hand and ran up the stairs. When both of them passed Rhonda by, thetter put out her leg silently to trip Bailey. Hmph. I''ll make you trip to your death. Even if you don''t die, I''m sure you''ll be severely injured. Besides, you''ll be utterly humiliated even if none of that happens. ¡°Ah!¡± A piercing scream resonated along the stairs, attracting the attention of many housemaids. Rhonda could be seen making a half twirl on the steps and falling headfirst. If she were to tumble down the stairs, she could end up with a broken skull. Bailey''s lips curled, and a look of mockery shed through her eyes as she shot out a hand to grab Rhonda''s arm that was iling in the air. With a heave, she pulled Rhonda back. ¡°Watch out, youngdy. Initiating a fight on the stairs might backfire, you know? I won''t be that kind to save you if this happens again,¡± Bailey said. Rhonda slumped to the ground, her entire being trembling in horror. Evidently, she had not recovered from the shocking incident. Bailey stifled augh and made her way to the final step of the stairs. Caridee cast Rhonda, who was sitting on the steps, a conflicted gaze. She then said to the maidsOriginal content from N?velDrama.Org. downstairs, ¡°Take Ms. Rhonda back to her room. She''s too shocked to move.¡± With that, she turned around and hurried after Bailey. Meanwhile, Rhonda watched them leave with her hands slowly balling into tight fists. Bailey Jefferson... I won''t let you off just like that. Finally, Caridee caught up to Bailey. When the former wanted to say something, Bailey said, ¡°What did you see earlier?¡± Caridee pursed her lips and thought for a moment before hissing, ¡°She hoisted with her own petard. I know you''ll never take the initiative to mess with her, which means she was the one who tried to mess with you, but you made her n backfire.¡± Bailey chuckled and raised her brow. ¡°You aren''t that silly, after all. There''s still hope.¡± Puzzled, Caridee studied her with a frown. ¡°Aren''t you mad? If you didn''t act swiftly enough, you could''ve tripped and fallen down. She''s not that kind to save you, you know?¡± Bailey pinched Caridee''s cheeks and smiled. ¡°Well, people like to mess with others sometimes. And when they do that, all you have to do is smile. Getting angry, throwing a fight, and shouting curses will only make you look less dignified. The angrier you are, the happier the opponent will be.¡± Caridee reached out and pped Bailey''s hand away, pouting. ¡°No one''s ever pinched my face before. You''re definitely the first, but I like being friends with you. I get to learn so much from you.¡± As they continued chatting, both of them soon arrived at the dressing room. The moment Bailey saw the design of the room, she had a rough idea of Caridee''s objective for bringing her there. ¡°Is the gownpleted already?¡± Caridee rolled her eyes at Bailey. ¡°Well, aren''t you the smart one? No wonder you managed to make a man who''s high and mighty like Edmund fall head over heels for you. ording to Simon, Artemis has feelings for you, too. Bailey, you''re really a seductress.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle. As she stepped into the dressing room, she saw the elegant, fashionable, yet minimalistic gown hanging by the window. Though she was the one who designed it, she could not help but gasp at the final product. ¡°It''s pretty...¡± she breathed. Caridee looked up, speechless. ¡°You really know how to praise yourself, huh? I get it now. You''re a narcissistic woman.¡± Bailey jutted her chin at the gown, smiling. ¡°Try it on. I want to see if there are any ws.¡± ¡°Even if there are, are you really going to change it? Mying-of-age ceremony is in two days. You''d better not take the risk.¡± Bailey gave Caridee a nce and stopped urging her. Instead, the former strutted over and circled the large rack a few times. After carefully studying for some time, she smiled and said, ¡°As expected from Luther Group''s top garment-making team. It''s exactly the same as my design. This gown would never belong to you if you weren''t Edmund''s cousin.¡± ¡°Yeah. Okay. I''m really thankful to Edmund and Ms. Snowke. If it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t have the honor of getting such an amazing design.¡± ¡°If you''re really grateful to me, you can just transfer ten million. It''ll be the cost of designing.¡± Caridee was baffled. Ugh. This woman is unbelievable! Artemis took Bailey to the pharmaceutical factory that was under Luther Group the following morning. He wanted to inform her about their research and development of anti-cancer drugs. When they came to the meeting room, the person in charge of the pharmaceutical factory humbly asked Bailey countless professional questions, to which Bailey answered one by one. ¡°I have a rough understanding of the drug''s development progress. You''ve indeed run into a brick wall. But fret not, let me handle the rest. I''ll use the shortest amount of time to sessfullyunch your product into the market.¡± The person in charge quickly got to his feet and nodded respectfully with a smile. ¡°With the famous doctor Anonymous joining us, we''ll definitely get twice the result with half the effort. I''m looking forward to working with you.¡± ¡°Likewise.¡± Meanwhile, in the suburbs of Salinsburgh in Archulea, a suited young man could be seen holding a name card and asking for directions on a quiet road surrounded by trees. ¡°Hello. May I know where''s this?¡± ¡°Hmm... Street 315, Greenfield Avenue, eh? Go along this road. You''ll find a residential area full of mansions at the end of it. 315 is in District C. Every mansion has a number. You''ll know once you see it.¡± Justin smiled and nodded. After thanking the man, he walked to the end of the road, pulling his luggage behind him. In the meantime, a red car was speeding in the same direction in the middle of the road. Veronique held the steering wheel as she nced at the road ahead of her. Vaguely, she could see a familiar figure in the distance. The second she realized who it was, her face paled. Justin... What''s he doing in Archulea? Did Artemis tell him about Zephyr''s identity? Chapter 193 Chapter 193 At that thought, Veronique subconsciously tightened her grip on the steering wheel. No way. I can''t let Justin know of Zephyr''s existence. I have to preserve my final ounce of dignity. Balling her fists, she rolled up both sides of the windows and mmed on the elerator, increasing the speed of the car. Three minutester, the red sports car drove into thepound of a mansion. ¡°Ms. Veronique, you''re back!¡± A maid went forward and took the luggage from her. Veronique looked around and whispered to the maid, ¡°Ellie, I''ve found a leukemia expert in the capital, and I''ve got to bring Zephyr over right away. If someonees looking for me when I''m gone, tell them we''ve gone on a trip, okay?¡± Ellie, the maid, was stunned by the news. After returning to her senses, she asked hurriedly, ¡°You''ve juste home. Don''t you need some rest? Why don''t you stay at home tonight and start your journey tomorrow?¡± Waving her hand, Veronique walked into the living room while saying, ¡°It''s fine. The expert is an extremely busy person. I''ve got to take Zephyr to him at the appointed time.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll go upstairs to pack Mr. Zephyr''s bags.¡± Veronique stopped her. ¡°That''s not needed too. I''ve got a friend in the capital. She''ll prepare the necessities for us. I just need you to pack his medicines. Where''s Zephyr anyway?¡± Ellie pointed at the tiny garden at the side. ¡°He''s drawing in the garden.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll go check on him. Hurry up and bring all his medications over.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Veronique followed the path and made her way to the tiny garden behind the mansion. From a distance, she saw a tiny figure sitting in front of a drawing board, looking as if he was drawing something. Veronique took in deep breaths to suppress the uneasiness within her before strolling forward with a smile. ¡°Long time no see, Zephyr. Did you miss me?¡± The little boy stiffened. He instinctively grabbed the duster and erased the drawing on the drawing board. Though he reacted quickly, Veronique still caught a glimpse of the drawing. He seemed to have drawn a few people. There was a man, a woman, and a child. She called out, ¡°Zephyr¡ª¡± He spun around, revealing his face that was handsome with a tint of paleness caused by his illness¡ªit was a rather sad sight. ¡°Aunt Veronique, you''re back! Why didn''t you give me a call? I could''ve picked you up from the airport.¡± The words ¡°Aunt Veronique¡± left a stinging pain in Veronique''s heart. Dismissing the bitter look in her eyes, she lifted her head and smiled. ¡°I made a trip to the capital after leaving Hallsbay and met up with Dr. Bern. I didn''t tell you earlier because I had no idea when I''d return.¡± When she finished, she strolled over to him and hugged him. She added, ¡°Dr. Bern Barker has agreed to treat you. He''s an expert in this area. I''m sure he can save you.¡± Zephyr forced the corners of his lips upward into a bitter smile, which filled Veronique''s heart with pity. ¡°Aunt Veronique, you''re a doctor. I''m sure you know there''s only one way to treat leukemia, which is bone marrow transntation. Without suitable bone marrow, even Dr. Bern won''t be able to help, no matter how great his skills are. So, you should stop wasting your time on this,¡± he said. Veronique reached out and gently flicked his forehead, scolding, ¡°Don''t be so negative. Bern can prolong your life. That''ll give me more time to find suitable bone marrow for you.¡± Zephyr''s eyes darkened, and he said grimly, ¡°Even my parents'' bone marrow wasn''t a match. What more can you expect from other people? Aunt Veronique, please stop deceiving yourself.¡± ¡°Zephyr¡ª¡± Veronique raised her voice. Her tone of voice sounded angry. However, Zephyr quickly hugged her. ¡°Okay, okay. I won''t say that anymore. Please don''t get angry. It''s just a visit to Dr. Bern''s, right? Why don''t you get some rest? We can leave for the capital tomorrow.¡± ¡°We''re going now. Dr. Bern has a strict conception of time. We must not let him wait for too long.¡± Veronique pulled him toward the exit of the garden. Right then, Ellie approached from a distance. ¡°Ms. Veronique, I''ve ced Mr. Zephyr''s medicines in your car. Are you leaving now? I can prepare some food for you. Maybe you should eat something before¡ª¡± ¡°It''s fine.¡± Veronique led Zephyr along the path and arrived at the courtyard. She then opened the door and settled him at the back of the car. ¡°Ellie, we''re leaving now. If something happens, just do whatever I''ve instructed you to do. Understand?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Soon, Veronique drove the car out of the courtyard and took a turn somewhere not far away. She then continued driving it slowly along the road that was surrounded by trees. From afar, she spotted the familiar slender figure on the sidewalk. I''m sorry, Justin. Some things are meant to be kept a secret, like the incident that night and Zephyr''s identity. Right then, Zephyr rolled down the windows. During those brief seconds, he met Justin''s gaze. However, the car sped off like a rocket, leaving only a blurry image in Justin''s mind. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Zephyr recognized who that person was. It''s that Medical Genius, Justin Xuereb! Why''s he in Salinsburgh? And why is he so near to our mansion? ¡°Zephyr, it''s windy outside. You should wind up the windows.¡± Veronique''s voice traveled from the driver''s seat, bringing him back to his senses. ¡°Aunt Veronique, are you and Justin friends?¡± The car screeched to a halt, throwing both of them to the front. Veronique quickly adjusted the gear and smiled. ¡°Sorry. I was too immersed in my thoughts. I hope I didn''t frighten you.¡± Zephyr narrowed his eyes and gave her a brief answer to indicate that he was fine. After that, he repeated, ¡°You and Justin are friends, right?¡± Hearing that, Veronique slowed the car down. As she fiddled with the steering wheel, she smiled and said, ¡°Yes, we are. We were both born in Hallsbay and grew up with the same circle of friends. But we haven''t been in touch recently. Why are you suddenly asking about him? Do you know him?¡± Zephyr wound up the windows and answered calmly, ¡°No. I looked into him back then and found that you kind of had a crush on him. I just asked out of curiosity.¡± Veronique chuckled. ¡°I was young and innocent back then. I didn''t know what true love was.¡± ¡°Really? I think he''s quite outstanding. Both of you would make a great couple. It''s a pity that he has a fianc¨¦e already. I think you should let it go and not torture yourself.¡± Veronique''s hands turned white from how tightly she gripped the steering wheel. Zephyr never talks about a person without a reason. Why is he suddenly talking about Justin? Did he discover something? Meanwhile, Justin arrived at Veronique''s residence, only to be greeted with disappointment. However, thanks to the maid, he managed to find out about Zephyr''s leukemia. He wanted to ask more about their whereabouts, but the maid was unwilling to reveal anything. All she said was they had gone abroad for a trip. He continued looking around in Salinsburgh but to no avail. In the end, he had no choice but to return to Hallsbay to attend Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony. Chapter 194 Chapter 194 Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony was not held at the Luther residence. Rather, they chose to hold it at Century Hotel in Hallsbay. Ever since Maxton was announced to be suffering from intellectual disability, the Luther family had been filled with grief. Hence, it was not appropriate to hold such a major party at home. After all, Caridee was the precious daughter of the Luther family and one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. She lived a very extravagant life. To her, aing-of-age ceremony was like a wedding ceremony that only happened once in a lifetime. The Luther family booked the entire Century Hotel, making it a grand event. The hotel had a total of twenty floors, and each floor was filled with elegantly dressed people with wine sses in their hands. Almost all the highly respected people from the country''s political and corporate worlds were present, which was a great act of respect toward the Luther family that had existed for over a century. The main venue was located on the eighteenth floor. That floor was particrly crowded with lights shining brightly and the sound of sses clinking filled the air. Meanwhile, Bailey was keeping an upset Victoriapany. Thetter was downing sses of wine. ¡°Don''t drink too much. This ce is filled with people. You''ll have a lot of trouble to deal with if you lose control of yourself tonight.¡± Victoria grinned at the ss in her hand and scoffed, ¡°How am I supposed to get drunk without having a hundred sses? What a joke. Come on, Bay. We rarely get a chance to rx. Don''t be so serious.¡± With that, Victoria stuffed a ss full of red liquid into Bailey''s hand. ¡°Come. Join me!¡± Sighing, Bailey epted the ss and took a sip. She said exasperatedly, ¡°I''ll join you once this party is over. I really can''t let you get drunk now. I''m afraid you''ll go crazy and ruin Caridee''sing-of-age ceremony.¡± Victoria rolled her eyes and waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Fine. Go and get busy. Big Shot''s duty is to socialize. It''s a waste of talent to make you drink with me.¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey red at Victoria. Bailey was about to say something when she saw Susan walking over in a dress. Bailey was stunned, for the dress was not the one she wore earlier. The design looks familiar. It looks like... Victoria noticed something was off and asked, ¡°Hey, pretty girl. Your dress looks familiar. Where did you steal it from?¡± Susan was speechless. What do you mean, steal? ¡°This is the one Bay designed for Aunt Caridee. Mrs. Luther ordered one for me in a smaller size. What do you think? Is it pretty?¡± she said. It was at that moment when Bailey came to a realization. No wonder it looks familiar. It''s the mini version of Caridee''s. ¡°Did you say Mrs. Luther ordered it for you?¡± Susan nodded looking all adorable. ¡°That''s right. Mrs. Luther ordered it for me. She even said she wants me to perform a dance tonight¡ªone that represents purity and elegance. It''ll be a birthday gift for Aunt Caridee.¡± Victoria pped and smiled. ¡°What a great idea to have the youngest girl of the Luther family perform a dance for her aunt and get both of them to wear the same design. It''s as if the Luther family wants to tell everyone that Susan''s status is the same as Caridee''s¡ªthe precious daughter of the Luther family.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Bailey smirked. She surmised Felicity was in a hurry to tell everyone that Bailey had given birth to a boy and a girl for Simon. Raising Susan''s status and acknowledging her identity was Felicity''s way of warning Artemis. It was warning him to noty a finger on his brother''s woman and make his niece his stepdaughter. Otherwise, he would be mocked by everyone. Victoria gave it some thought and finally saw through Felicity''s intentions. ¡°Susan, go look for Aunt Caridee in the dressing room. I''ll have a few drinks with your mommy,¡± Victoria suggested. Susan shed an okay sign and disappeared into the crowd. Victoria took a seat beside Bailey, tugged at thetter''s arm, and teased, ¡°Hey, buddy. Tell me. Are you and Artemis really nning to push the boundaries of morals and be a couple?¡± Bailey shoved a ss into Victoria''s hand and picked up a piece of cake to stuff thetter''s mouth. ¡°Just eat and drink. Stop spouting nonsense.¡± In the meantime, a man wearing a cap knocked on a door in the corner of a lounge on the fifteenth floor. Several secondster, the door opened, and a youngdy ushered him in. Rhonda shut the door quietly and turned around, asking, ¡°Did anyone follow you? There are people watching all over this ce. We''ll make a mistake if we''re not careful.¡± Cadence naturally wrapped an arm around her shoulder and locked her in his embrace, while he used the other to touch her t belly. He raised a brow and asked, ¡°How have you been recently? Is my son healthy?¡± A hint of disgust shed through Rhonda''s eyes. She pushed him away and hissed, ¡°I''m being serious here. Can you stop messing around?¡± Cadence pulled her to a couch and settled down, smiling. ¡°Okay, okay. Don''t worry. I never leave traces when I visit a ce. Just attend the party in peace and let me handle the rest. I''ll let you know once I''ve drugged Artemis.¡± After saying that, a perverted smile formed on his lips. ¡°It''s time to let Artemis get a tasts of the woman I''ve slept with. This time, he''s officially being cheated on.¡± Humiliation flooded Rhonda''s heart. She found herself extremely despicable and dirty as if nothing in this world could clean herpletely. ¡°Okay. You''d better not make a mistake, or you''ll die in Hallsbay, not to mention your son.¡± Cadence burst outughing and reminded, ¡°This is Artemis'' son. Remember that, okay? Don''t let things slip.¡± Rhonda was baffled by his words. Meanwhile, after Bailey and Victoria had a few sses of wine, Zayron appeared from the crowd. ¡°Bailey, I have news.¡± Hearing that, Bailey arched a brow and crooked her finger at him with an enchanting smile on her face. ¡°Spill it.¡± Zayron shuddered, and he felt goosebumps all over his body. Despite that, he still went up to her and whispered something into her ears. After listening to his words, a half-smile crept up to Bailey''s lips. ¡°Hm... Interesting.¡± She then patted his shoulder and instructed, ¡°You have one task today, that is to watch him. Remember that. Keep a close eye on him. I''ll punish you if you lose him.¡± Zayron was dumbfounded. I''m so stupid. I''ve just set myself up for a beating. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Right then, amotion broke out at the entrance, and the crowd rushed over in that direction. ¡°The Luthers and the Chivers family are here. Come on. Let''s go offer our wishes.¡± Oh, yes. Who knows? We might just gain the Luther family''s support by amusing their little princess.¡± ¡°You just want to be their son-inw, don''t you? Too bad. Her parents aren''t interested in you.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Bailey whipped her head around to look at Victoria, who stood beside her. She asked thetter, ¡°Do you want to go over there to watch the show?¡± ¡°Sure. This drinking session is no fun. You''reing home with meter to have another round.¡± Chapter 195 Chapter 195 Glen walked from the entrance to the front with Edmund''s help. Gerald, Yoel, and their wives followed behind with Artemis and Simon at the back. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers looks much better. I''m sure he''ll live a long life.¡± ¡°You''re right. Anonymous is indeed a marvelous physician. She effortlessly cured the man of the disease that had gued him for years.¡± ¡°No matter how you put it, we''re all family. Ms. Bailey had already given birth to a son and a daughter for Mr. Simon, so there''s no doubt she''ll marry into the Luther family. Congrattions on your beautiful grandchildren, Old Mr. Chivers.¡± Simon could not help but roll his eyes when he heard all the bootlicking. What did they mean there was no doubt she would marry into my family? Have I agreed to marry her already? Glen then lifted his left hand to interrupt the pleasantries. ¡°Thank you, everyone, for your concern and kind wishes. I appreciate that you took the time to attend my granddaughter''sing-of-age ceremony, so I extend the warmest wee to you on behalf of the Luthers and my family. You''re right. That''s not the only reason we''re all here today because I have a wedding to announce.¡± The crowd burst into cheers as soon as they heard that. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers, are you going to announce the marriage of Mr. Simon and Ms. Bailey now?¡± ¡°That''s not right. The eldest son must marry before the younger one. Old Mr. Chivers'' probably announcing the marriage of Artemis and Rhonda.¡± ¡°If Old Mr. Chivers wills it, maybe there''ll be a wedding for both the Jefferson sisters and the Luther brothers. Imagine what a party that''ll be!¡± ¡°The Jefferson sisters have both given birth to sons for the Luthers, so their weddings should be equally important.¡± Instead of Artemis or Simon, Edmund was the one who broke into a smirk while the crowd continued with their discussion. Bailey, too, had the same expression on her face. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Edmund was convinced that Glen had decided to have him marry Bailey and to announce their marriage despite the public''s opinions. With his head lowered, Artemis repeatedly clenched and loosened his fists as if to show how tense he was. Even though the man warned and forbade Bailey from marrying Edmund, she was not someone who would just listen to him mindlessly. Artemis dared not imagine what would happen if the woman were to ept Edmund''s proposal in front of so many people that day. Hence, the man decided not to let that happen. Bailey was also getting anxious as she considered fleeing the scene to avoid the repercussion of Glen''s bold move. When Edmund gets down on one knee, should I ept or reject him? There''s only one way to escape this predicament, and that''s to disappear before the hammer falls. Just when everyone was still deep in their own thoughts, they suddenly heard the host''s resounding voice from the stage. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the time hase! Please return to your seats because our party is about to start. The star of the evening is more than ready to meet everyone, so shall we put our hands together to wee her?¡± In an instant, deafening cheers filled the ce as the Luthers and the Chiverses made their way to the viewing tform. After the host''s opening remarks, a beautiful piece of music began to y, and the lights turned the venue like a fairynd. From the entrance, Caridee walked in wearing an elegant but fashionably simple dress. The crowd burst into cheers once again as soon as they saw the woman. The piece of clothing was so impressive that anyone who wore it would instantly be the center of attention. ¡°The draftpletely failed to bring out the perfection of the dress. The finished product is nothing short of amazing!¡± ¡°This is truly the work of Snowke. This dress haspletely surpassed the one she designed three years ago. The way she managed tobine traditional and modern elements is just perfect!¡± ¡°This is more than just aing-of-age ceremony; it''s also a fashion show. We''re lucky to be able to lay eyes on such a gem of the fashion industry.¡± ¡°Snowke definitely lives up to her title as The Ultimate Designer.¡± Bailey intentionally stood in the dark, trying to hide herself. She smiled slightly when she heard the countless praises. That honor belongs to Snowke, not me. The only thing Bailey wanted was to be a normal woman bringing up her two children. Seeing the sweet smile on Caridee''s face, Bailey knew it was time for her to leave. Fame and fortune are like fireworks. They burn bright for a while but quickly disappear. With that thought in mind, Bailey unconsciously began to back away. However, she only took two steps before she bumped into someone. The woman was greeted with a familiar minty fragrance. Bailey then felt a hand grab her tightly by the waist, and before she could react, a man from behind pulled her into a corner. The lighting in the venue was dim, and everyone was focusing on Caridee on the red carpet, so nobody paid any attention to the corner. ¡°Artemis, what¡ª¡± Bailey widened her eyes as she stared at the man''s handsome face in disbelief. Da*n this b*stard! Why is he suddenly kissing me? I didn''t even do anything! Artemis had Bailey tightly secured within his arms, trapping her in the corner. The man''s passionate kiss made Bailey feel as if she had been hit by a tidal wave or a violent storm. Artemis could not get enough of the woman because to him, she was as addictive as drugs and as mysterious as red spider lilies in the night. She''s a vixen. No, it''s more urate to call her an enchantress because I''mpletely enchanted by her. One look was enough to make Artemis go crazy about the woman. It did not matter if he were a tycoon with assets worth trillions or a powermonger who controlled the life and death of many others, he was now reduced to a humble man in love in front of Bailey. They would willingly sacrifice the entire world just for her. Unable to figure out what was going through Artemis'' mind at that moment, Bailey could feel her brain buzzing with puzzlement. Is this man oblivious to where we are right now? Why does he have to be a jerk? Should I struggle and try to resist him? No, I can''t afford to cause a scene, and I certainly don''t want to steal Caridee''s spotlight. Bailey let Artemis kiss her for a minute before lifting her foot to stomp the man''s foot violently. The woman was so angry that it took her a minute to figure out how to resist Artemis. I guess I turn stupid when this jerk gets near me. When she heard the man inhale sharply in response, Bailey sneered, ¡°How do you like that, Mr. Luther?¡± Chapter 196 Chapter 196 Smirking, Artemis let out a chuckle before uttering in a hoarse voice, ¡°You''re probably the only one who can give me an experience like this, Ms. Bailey.¡± To that, the corner of Bailey''s eye twitched in disbelief. That''s not what I expected to hear. What do I do with this guy? The level of shamelessness this jerk disyspletely blew my mind. ¡°Is that so? Then, why don''t you have another?¡± With that, Bailey drove her heel into the man''s foot forcefully once again. Even under the dim lighting, the woman could clearly see Artemis'' good-looking facial features begin to contort. Bailey then proceeded to stomp Artemis a few more times before questioning him with a cold smile. ¡°How about now? Are you enjoying yourself?¡± In response, Artemis grabbed Bailey by the waist with one hand and caressed her cheek with the other. ¡°Oh, yes. I believe I''ll enjoy myself even more if we get to indulge in this exchange more deeply,¡± insisted the man through gritted teeth. After hearing that, Bailey lost her patience to continue with Artemis'' little game. ¡°Are you done flirting, Mr. Luther? Your sister is about to reach the stage, and when she does, they''re going to turn the lights back on. Just imagine how we''re going to hit the headlines tomorrow when everyone sees us like this. Everyone will lose their mind.¡± Artemis leaned in and pecked Bailey on the cheek with his tender lips, taking every opportunity to tease her. ¡°You heard my grandfather. He''s ready to announce your marriage with Edmund to the entire upper ss. I want to know what you is in your mind.¡± ¡°What if I told you that I''m looking forward to the announcement and that I can''t wait to receive blessings from the crowd beside Edmund? What then?¡± sneered Bailey. With his arms suddenly tightening around the woman''s waist, an icy-cold glint shed across Artemis'' eyes. ¡°You''re ying with fire here. Do you know that?¡± The man then got closer to Bailey''s ear. ¡°If you do that, I''ll bed you tonight and have Edmund know what it''s like to be cheated on.¡± ¡°You''re insane!¡± In a sh, a sharp de suddenly appeared on Artemis'' neck. ¡°All I have to do is flick my wrist, and this world will be short of a man named Artemis Luther. How are you going to do that when you''re dead? With your spirit?¡± Instead of saying anything in response, Artemis simply smiled at Bailey, who tightened her grip on the knife. If the woman just applied a little more force on the weapon, she would cut Artemis'' neck open and cause him to bleed to death. However, Bailey did not do that. She pushed the man away and said coldly, ¡°I nned to leave early. If it weren''t for you, I would''ve been gone by now.¡± ¡°Good girl. This is what I like about you. I''d rather not waste my time disciplining my girl.¡± Artemis patted Bailey on the face in a frivolous demeanor. ¡°Can I leave now?¡± inquired Bailey, narrowing her eyes at the man. ¡°Go. Don''t get caught.¡± Bailey then lifted her foot once again and kicked Artemis in the knee before sneaking away while the man groaned in pain. ¡°Da*n you, woman! I''ll get you one day!¡± When she heard Artemis cursing, Bailey instinctively smirked. That''s for taking advantage of me. He should be grateful that I went for his knee instead of his manhood. The woman nced at the stage from behind the crowd as she left the ce. Sitting in front of a harp was Caridee skillfully ying a beautiful tune and serenading her guests. Meanwhile, Susan spun elegantly in the center of the stage. Her dance moves were captivating and lively. The aunt and niece are putting on a terrific show. Well, they are both from the Luther family, so they''re basically born with elegance and talent. Unlike me, my daughter should be able to lead an easy life as one of the Luthers. Bailey had a half-smile on her face as she looked away. After leaving the banquet hall, Bailey went straight to the elevator. The woman was about to make a turn when she suddenly froze because she smelled a peculiar fragrance. Since all the guests were already inside the banquet hall, the empty hotel corridor seemed somewhat eerie. However, Bailey did not stop moving. She became more alert instead. The woman then pretended to cough so she could slip the drug between her fingers into her mouth when covering it. After what Beatrice did to herst time, Bailey became more sensitive to fragrance. She thought it was better to be safe than sorry. Ding! Bailey sized up the two waiters in the elevator before getting in. The woman casually stepped backward after the elevator door closed, but it did not take long before she felt arge hand sping her shoulder. As expected, it''s a trap. This is going to be interesting! ¡°We need you toe with us, Ms. Jefferson,¡± voiced the person behind Bailey as they covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. What a strong knock-out drug! If I hadn''t ingested the counteragent, I''d be in trouble again. Ten secondster, Bailey''s legs gave way because she waspletely unconscious. ¡°Find her phone in her bag and text Artemis. Ask him to go to unit 501 on the sixteenth floor.¡± ¡°Okay. You should hurry up and take her to the mysterious man. Remember to ask for our remaining payment.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, Caridee and Susan were showered with cheers and apuse because of their excellent performance. Artemis was making small talk with a group of business associates when he sensed his phone buzzing. After pulling out the device, he saw a message on the screen: Sixteenth floor. Unit 501. Come quickly. I have something urgent to discuss with you. Bailey''s name appeared on top of the message as the sender. Without thinking twice, Artemis quickly excused himself and quietly left the hall. The unconscious Bailey was taken to a suite on the sixteenth floor. ¡°I have the woman you want, mister. When will we receive the rest of our payment?¡± ¡°What''s the hurry?¡± asked a middle-aged man in the room. ¡°Stay here and watch her. I''m going to unit 501. You''ll have your money when this is over.¡± ¡°Sure. See you soon.¡± There was a murderous intent in the middle-aged man''s eyes when he nced at Bailey. However, he quickly suppressed his rage and adjusted his hat before striding out of the room.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Chapter 197 Chapter 197 The server tossed Bailey onto the couch before he spun around to head to the bathroom. He had just taken two steps when a dagger shot to his front from the back and pressed against his neck. ¡°Stay still. Otherwise, your life will be forfeited.¡± A shudder ran through the server, and he stammered, ¡°I-I''m only doing this for the money. As the saying goes, every injustice has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor. If you want reprisal, you should seek out the culprit who hired us to kidnap you.¡± Bailey smiled, arching an eyebrow. Without warning, the dagger bore down another inch. In a split second, bright red blood trickled down the de. Due to the pain, the server reflexively cried out, only to be gagged with a wad of tissue. ¡°Well, what did that man earlier order you to do?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°You''re not talking? Then, it means that you choose death. Okay, I''ll grant you your wish.¡± Bailey gave a low chuckle. As her words fell, her dagger pressed down once more. In an instant, the flow of blood increased in speed. The server''s eyes went wide, but he was gagged, so he could only produce muffled noises. Deliberately ignoring the terror on his face, Bailey remarked with a half-smile, ¡°You''re still unwilling to speak? Fine, then. I''ll cut deeper. At that time, even God himself can''t save you when your neck is severed.¡± While she said that, the dagger in her hand pressed deeper again. ¡°Mmph!¡± The server was in such a panic that tears escaped his eyes. He reached up and removed the wad of tissue in his mouth. ¡°I''ll talk! I''ll talk, okay? Please don''t torture me anymore.¡± Smirking, Bailey quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, that''s right. You were gagged, so you couldn''t speak. Sorry!¡± Dropping to his knees, the server pleaded with tears streaming down his face, ¡°Please spare me, miss. I''ll tell you everything, okay? That gentleman told us to kidnap you and text Artemis Luther with your phone, asking him to meet in Room 501 on the sixteenth floor. As for his intentions, I really haven''t the slightest idea¡ª¡± Before he had finished speaking, Bailey struck him at the back of the neck and knocked him out. Taking out her phone from her pocket, she keyed in Artemis'' number and gave him a call. The call failed to connect, for the voice prompt of ¡°the number you have dialed is not in service¡± drifted out from the other end of the line. It was evident that the man''s phone had been encrypted to block unknown numbers. ¡°Well then, I can''t reach you, so don''t me me for not alerting you when you fall into a trap.¡± Despite her words, Bailey still gave Zayron a call. ¡°Cadence went to Room 501 on the sixteenth floor. He likely went to set Artemis up. Don''t make a move first. Wait until he has left Room 501 before luring him out of the hotel. Understood?¡± ¡°Just lure him out of the hotel? Do you need me to knock him out and finish him off without leaving a trace?¡± ¡°Zayron Jefferson!¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I''ll do as you say. I''ll obey you to the letter, okay?¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey was in no hurry to leave. She waited in the room for ten minutes before she received a text from Zayron. It read: Cadence knocked Artemis out and drugged him. Then, he texted Rhonda, urging her toe over right away. That''s all I''ve got. Now, I''ll make my move and lure Cadence out of the hotel. Go and enjoy the view in Room 501. Remember to snap a few extra photos so that we can ckmail Mr. Luther after that and get some money out of him. Bailey replied: Buzz off! Tossing the phone away, Bailey swiftly left the room. She was currently on the sixteenth floor. Coincidentally, Room 511 and Room 501 were only separated by a long corridor. As soon as she pushed open the room door, wave after wave of a peculiar smell came rushing at her. Holy sh*t! How did Artemis offend Cadence that the old geezer actually used such a potent drug on him? Eyeing the man on the bed, she propped a hand against her forehead in exasperation. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. D*mn it! Why does this scene give me a feeling of an innocent rabbit voluntarily offering herself on a silver tter to a rabid dog to be defiled? If she even has an ounce of sensibility, she ought to stay far away from him. A man who''s turned on is dangerous, but one who''s out of control can no longer be described thus. He has probably lost all reason and is no different from a beast right now. When Rhondaes overter, she can be his best antidote. Should I just... No sooner had that thought popped into Bailey''s mind than she nipped it in the bud. Ultimately, he only fell into the trap because of me. He trusted me, so he came over to meet me with his guard down, but he ended up in hot water. As such, how could I stand idly by? On top of that, she felt exceedingly uneasy, downright repulsed by the thought of him sullied by Rhonda. Click-ck! Click-ck! The sound of high heels against the ground sounded from outside. Bailey cursed inwardly, for she had never expected Rhonda to arrive so quickly. It looks like she is so eager that she can''t wait anymore! In a sh, she hid behind the cab at the side. Click! The door swung open. The person who walked in was indeed Rhonda. With the illumination of the dim lighting in the room, Bailey could see the tion on the woman''s face. In the next second, she actually started undressing without a word. As she stripped, she stared down at Artemis on the bed condescendingly. Grinning wickedly, she dered, ¡°I missed the opportunity seven years ago, but I''ll never again miss it tonight. I''ll definitely make you my man, for sure!¡± Bailey was stunned. What did she mean by having missed the opportunity seven years ago? There seems to be some hidden information behind her words. s, she hadn''t the time to mull it over, for Rhonda had already climbed onto the bed and started unbuttoning Artemis'' shirt. Whoa! She''s so wild! If I were to wait any longer, he''d definitely be devoured by her. Sure enough, a woman who had restrained herself for a long time is as feral as a tiger! ¡°Who''s there?¡± Rhonda promptly spun around. The instant she caught sight of Bailey, she visibly froze. ¡°Bai¡ª¡± Without waiting for her to speak, Bailey shot her hand out and snapped her fingers in front of Rhonda. Her mesmerizing ruby lips turned up, and she instructed with a smirk, ¡°Look into my eyes. Stare into them intently, then forget everything you just saw earlier.¡± Rhonda''s pupils gradually dted. Slowly, her pupils turned unfocused. She stared at Bailey nkly like a puppet, her gaze vacant and her expression dull. She plunged into a strange state. Seizing advantage of that lull, Bailey whipped out a dagger. Without a single word, she plunged it into Artemis'' thigh mercilessly. ¡°Ouch!¡± A pain-filled groan split the air. On the heels of that, Artemis stirred and regained consciousness. After a brief moment of confusion, his senses returned, and he nced around the room out of habit. When he spotted Bailey, he breathed a sigh of relief. The second he shifted his gaze a fraction andid eyes on Rhonda, who was naked from the waist up at the side, his pupils abruptly constricted. ¡°Did I... touch her?¡± Rolling her eyes, Bailey pulled her dagger out of his thigh. As expected, this is the most effective way. It doesn''t take any effort, and he woke up with a single stab. ¡°Ouch!¡± Artemis hissed in pain. At the sight of his bloody thigh, the corners of his mouth twitched. ¡°You stabbed me?¡± Chapter 198 Chapter 198 Chuckling coldly, Bailey flipped over and got out of bed. Artemis hastily shot his hand out and grabbed her arm. Again, he asked, ¡°You stabbed me?¡± Shooting him a re, Bailey countered through gritted teeth, ¡°Was I to stand idly by as you bedded this woman instead of stabbing you? You probably didn''t see your wild behavior earlier, Mr. Luther. You were no different from a beast.¡± In response, Artemis chuckled lowly, looking delighted. ¡°Great job! If I dare flirt with other women in the future, just stab me in such a manner.¡± Bailey was wholly dumbstruck. Following her lead, Artemis flipped over and stood up. His movement tugged at the wound on his thigh, making him grimace in pain. ¡°F*ck! Could you stab me somece else next time? This spot is too dangerous. How am I to bed you if you identally injure my manhood?¡± Bailey was speechless. Inhaling deeply, she suppressed the urge to do exactly that and snapped, ¡°If you continue yakking, I''ll finish you off right this instant!¡± This time, Artemis went silent. Touching his nose, he shed her a sheepish smile. How savage, taciturn and ruthless! I like it! Not in the mood to entertain him, Bailey took a pill out of her pouch and stuffed it into his mouth. ¡°It''s the antidote to the aphrodisiac. Swallow it.¡± A sh of something flittered across Artemis'' eyes, and he drawled smilingly, ¡°Instead of this antidote, I''d rather you help me with your body.¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey gave him a swift kick. At once, Artemis dodged. ¡°Okay, okay, I''ll stop teasing you. Let''s get down to business.¡± Bailey threw him a warning look. Then, she lifted her hand and pointed at Rhonda. Frowning, she stated, ¡°She conspired with Cadence to set you up. As for her motive, I''m sure you''re well aware of it without me having to spell it out for you. How are you nning to deal with her?¡± A glimmer of disgust flittered across Artemis'' eyes. Pressing his lips into a thin line, he enunciated, ¡°Since she''s so strapped for men, I''ll find her a few and have them satisfy her.¡± After saying that, he snagged his phone at the side and walked away to make a call. Shortly after, he returned. He eyed Rhonda for a few seconds before inquiring with a frown, ¡°She doesn''t look as though she''s unconscious. What did you do to her?¡± Shrugging, Bailey parted her ruby lips a fraction and murmured, ¡°I hypnotized her.¡± Artemis was taken aback. She even knows hypnosis? ¡°What a feral approach!¡± In return, Bailey was rendered speechless. The two of them waited in the room for three to four minutes before two bodyguards in ck rushed in from outside. ¡°How may we be of use, Mr. Luther?¡± Artemis pointed at Rhonda on the bed. He didn''t say much, merely two words in total¡ª¡±Do her.¡± Huh? The two bodyguards were visibly startled. Has Mr. Luther lost his senses from ying the field? Isn''t this Ms. Rhonda, the biological mother of the heir of the Luther family? Wouldn''t it be somewhat inappropriate for us to bed her? ¡°Mr. Luther, but she''s¡ª¡± Artemis'' sharp gaze shot right at them. ¡°No buts! Did you not understand me? What''s with all the yakking?¡± The two bodyguards immediately went silent. Bailey nced at the watch on her wrist before saying to Artemis, ¡°If I guess correctly, Beatrice will be bringing a few guests to Room 501ter in a staged idental encounter with you and Rhonda. Then, she''ll use that excuse to pressure you into agreeing to marry Rhonda and epting her into the Luther family.¡± As soon as Artemis heard that, his handsome face promptly darkened frightfully. Radiating a faint murderous intent, he instructed the two bodyguards, ¡°Make it quick.¡± Bailey cast a look at Rhonda on the bed, her lips curving into a smirk. Serves you right since you asked for it. Rhonda, this is the price you should pay after stooping to such despicable means. I''m no saint, so I''m not going to pity you. ¡°Wait!¡± Artemis'' voice rang out behind her. She instinctively nced over her shoulder at him. Her brows furrowing, she questioned, ¡°You''re not leaving? Are you nning to stay here and watch the live-action skin flick?¡± Artemis shot her a re. Gritting his teeth, he hissed, ¡°I lost too much blood, so I can''t feel my right leg now. Come over here and lend me a hand.¡± At that, Bailey was entirely dumbfounded. Rolling her eyes, she made her way back and dragged him out. ¡°Figure out a way to stop Beatrice. Don''t allow her to bring people over and witness this show. While I hate them both to the core, I don''t want to mess around with Max''s reputation. If this matter gets out, people will point fingers at him and say all kinds of nasty things. He''s still young, so don''t allow him any contact with such vile things at this age.¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Don''t worry, for I''ll make all the arrangements. Now, drive me back to the mansion and treat the injury on my thigh.¡± For a moment, Bailey was taken aback. The injury on his thigh. Hmm, why does it sound so suggestive? Did I dig a hole for myself? Oh God, why did I have to stab him in the thigh? That''s... the thigh! How am I supposed to bandage it? Artemis seemingly perceived her embarrassment, for his mood became all the better. I''m d she stabbed me! Meanwhile, the banquet on the eighteenth floor was still ongoing. Glen was exhausted in the middle of the banquet, so Yoel and Gwendolyn escorted him to the adjacent private room to rest. After dismissing his few business acquaintances, Gerald followed suit. When he walked in and saw that the members of the Chivers family were all there, he stated bluntly, ¡°I object to Ed and Ms. Bailey''s marriage, Glen.¡± Four pairs of eyes swung in his direction in concert. Gwendolyn queried with a smile, ¡°What''s the meaning of this, Gerald? Do you not wish the best for your nephew? Eddy isn''t young anymore, so it''s time he gets married and has children.¡± ¡°But the woman he wants to marry is his cousin''s woman. The woman even gave birth to two children for his cousin,¡± Gerald asserted frankly. Snorting, Glen lifted his cane and mmed it onto the ground hard a few times. In a sharp voice, he thundered, ¡°Your jerk of a son isn''t willing to marry her. Why, is Eddy not allowed to do so just because your son refused to do as he should?¡± Gerald inclined his head a fraction. In a humble manner, he replied unhurriedly, ¡°Bailey can marry anyone, but not Edmund. Well, at least not now. The outside world has just learned that her two children are part of the Luther family. And now, she''s all eager to marry Simon''s cousin. How would everyone think? You''re only inviting criticism against her, and it''ll hurt her.¡± After saying that, he swept a gaze over Edmund before continuing, ¡°I know you n to use this banquet tonight to announce their marriage, but it''s really a tad inappropriate. Someone just came to me and told me that Bailey has already left the hotel. She probably hoped that you wouldn''t be so hasty, so she took the initiative to draw back.¡± Glen''s expression darkened. Just when he was on the brink of blowing a gasket, Edmund suddenly interjected, ¡°Uncle Gerald is right. It''s indeed rather upstaging to announce my marriage with Bay in front of such a crowd. The banquet tonight is for Caridee, so she''s the star. I don''t want our matter to ruin things for her.¡± Glen shot him a re. He was just about to reprimand the man when something or other urred to him, and he called a halt to the conversation. ¡°Fine. I''m not going to be bothered about this anymore. Just do whatever you want. Send me home, Yoel.¡± Everyone said nothing further. Rhonda slowly roused. The room was silent, and she was lying on the bed alone. Did my n fail? She instinctively wanted to sit up, but a wave of excruciating pain flooded her. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. This isn''t right... Could it be that Artemis bedded me? Chapter 199 Chapter 199 I remember that it was indeed Artemis whoy beside me before I lost consciousness. Cadence has no reason to trick me, nor would he possibly do so. As such, the person who bedded me must have been Artemis. There''s no doubt about it! But where is he? Why don''t I see him upon waking? Could it be that he woke up before me and left furtively? Also, didn''t Mom say she''d bring some people over to catch us in bed and have a few wealthydies as witnesses? Where is she? As all those questions lingered in her mind, Rhonda propped her elbows against the bed and sat up. The instant she lowered her eyes, she glimpsed the bruises littering her body. At once, a feeling of bliss suffused her. I just knew that he was a virile man, especially at such a time... From the marks on my body, I can tell how powerful he is! Sure enough, Cadence''s drug is effective. No matter how strong Artemis'' willpower was, he ultimately had to submit to me docilely. I''ve finally be his woman! And soon, I''ll give birth to a healthy child for the Luther family, an heir with my blood flowing through his veins! Bang! The room door was pushed open, and Beatrice barged in from outside. Startled, Rhonda quickly reached out and snagged the nket at the side, wrapping it around her naked body. When she had made out the person who came in, she questioned with a frown, ¡°Why did you only come now, Mom?¡± As Beatrice panted, she answered intermittently, ¡°Something came up, and I was dyed for half an hour. How did things progress on your side? Where''s Artemis? Why is he not here?¡± Glowering at her, Rhonda huffed, ¡°Why do you think? I threw myself at him, and he took me, but you never came with those few wealthy women.¡± Immediately, delight showed on Beatrice''s face. ¡°He took you? The two of you really slept together?¡± Upon seeing that she didn''t quite believe it, Rhonda yanked the sheets off herself, revealing the bruises on her body. Then, she crowed triumphantly, ¡°All these bruises were courtesy of him. I''m still in much pain right now, especially down there. Could it be fake?¡± Beatrice breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Great! It''s good that he touched you. By the way, where is he? Why isn''t he in the room?¡± Shaking her head, Rhonda carefully cast her mind back to the situation before she fell unconscious. s, her mind was nk, and she had no recollection of anything. She could only hear a faint voice repeatedly telling her that Artemis took her. Therefore... he must have touched me! She was absolutely certain about that. ¡°I couldn''t withstand his aggressiveness in the middle of things and passed out. When I awakened, he had already left.¡± When Beatrice heard that, her eyes narrowed a fraction. ¡°Are you sure it was Artemis?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°That''s good, then. It''ll do as long as he knows that he touched you. Only then will he not be suspicious when you fall pregnant.¡± Having said that, she pondered for a moment and added, ¡°Find an opportunity to take a morning-after pill in front of the matriarch of the Luther family tomorrow. If she asks, say that Artemis bedded you, and you''re only taking the pill out of worry that you''ll fall pregnant.¡± Stunned, Rhonda regarded her nkly and inquired in puzzlement, ¡°Mom, if I were to take a morning- after pill, how am I to tell him that I''m pregnant a monthter?¡± Beatrice red at her, chiding, ¡°I''m just asking you to put on a show, not to take it for real! Besides, the matriarch of the Luther family will stop you from taking it after learning about the matter. What''s there to fear?¡± ¡°Oh...¡± No sooner had her words fallen than the ajar door was pushed open once more. A figure darted in from outside at lightning speed. Beatrice had never seen Cadence before, so she demanded, ¡°Who are you? And why did you barge into someone else''s room?¡± A wicked smile bloomed on Cadence''s face. He stretched out a finger and pointed at Rhonda on the bed. Arching an eyebrow, he drawled, ¡°Barge? No, no, I didn''t barge into someone else''s room. I''ve already been in your daughter''s bed, and she has long since belonged to me. In fact, she''s pregnant with my child.¡± Beatrice turned around in shock, her gaze alighting on Rhonda. ¡°Who is he, Ronni?¡± ¡°Cadence White,¡± Rhonda answered cidly. A chilly murderous intent shed across Beatrice''s eyes. It was this b*stard who dragged my only daughter into this mess with him. If I ever have the chance in the future, I''ll definitely rip him into pieces! ¡°Ah, it''s Mr. White. What a pleasure to meet you. Isn''t your taskplete? Why did youe back?¡± Ignoring her, Cadence strode right to the southwest corner. After feeling around for a while, he frowned and remarked, ¡°The camera I installed here is gone. So, did Artemis touch you?¡± Rhonda''s expression instantly darkened. Gritting her teeth, she snarled, ¡°You installed a camera in the room? How dare you do such a thing? Don''t go too far, Cadence!¡± Cadence didn''t bother responding to that. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Beatrice beside the bed. Smirking, he asked, ¡°Do you also think I shouldn''t have installed a camera in the room, Mrs. Jefferson?¡± Beatrice narrowed her eyes a fraction. After a moment of silent contemtion, she replied with a smile, ¡°My daughter is naive and inexperienced, so she inevitably falls short when considering things. You did the right thing, Mr. White. Only by filming Artemis and Ronni in bed would the man be unable to deny what he did. Now that the camera is gone, it has probably been destroyed by him.¡± After saying that, she shifted her gaze back to Rhonda and asserted, ¡°Mr. White did that for your good, Ronni. Thus, you should thank him. Now that the camera is gone, you can only do as I taught you earlier. Don''t rush. Take it easy.¡± Cadence likewise turned to Rhonda on the bed. With a frown marring his countenance, he queried, ¡°You are sure it was Artemis who bedded you? Don''t lie to me. Otherwise, a single false move will cause us to lose everything.¡± ¡°It was him. It was him, all right! He was still beside me before I passed out! How could it not have been him?¡± Rhonda roared, raising her voice. Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org. Following that, no one said anything further. Meanwhile, in the master bedroom in the riverside mansion, Artemis leaned sideways against the couch. His handsome face was as pale as a sheet, making it all too clear that it was caused by the excessive loss of blood. Bailey stood at the side, cradling her forehead with exasperation written all over her face. Right then, she felt all the more resentful of her hand. You could''ve stabbed him anywhere, yet you just had to stab him in his inner thigh, mere centimeters from the most intimate part of him! At the thought that she had toe face to face with that part of him, her brain started buzzing. When treating an injury, it''s inevitable that my hand will identallye into contact with some inappropriate ces. Once I trigger his beastlike nature, I''ll just be making trouble for myself, no? ¡°How about I send you to the hospital? A doctor is more professional, and you''ll suffer less.¡± Lifting his eyes, Artemis shot her a wicked look and sneered, ¡°The globally-renowned doctor, Anonymous, is actually iming that the doctors at the hospital are more professional. Don''t you find it hypocritical? The door is right behind you, so you may scram if you don''t want to help stem the blood flow. There''s no need to yap here. I''ll simply regard it as having been bitten by a dog. Never mind if I end up bing a cripple.¡± Ugh! What a scoundrel! Who indulged him so much that he''s throwing a tantrum? ¡°Take off your pants.¡± Chapter 200 Chapter 200 Artemis opened his eyes abruptly and stared at her. He asked while wearing a frown, ¡°What did you say?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and enunciated, ¡°Take off your pants.¡± Not knowing how to respond, Artemis cleared his throat. This woman is really capable of surprising me at every turn. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Do you need me to take your pants off for you?¡± ¡°Yes, please. Come on.¡± Bailey snatched a pillow and chucked it at him. Then, she turned around and entered the changing room. She randomly selected a sleeping robe, tossed the clothes to him, and uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Don''t taint my eyes.¡± Artemis fell silent. He removed his pants with much difficulty and covered his lower body with the sleeping robe. His legs were covered in crimson blood. Fortunately, Bailey knew her limits. Otherwise, Artemis reckoned his legs, or perhaps even his life would be sacrificed. ¡°I''ll help you stop the bleeding first. Then, I''ll help you suture and bandage the wound.¡± Artemis'' body shuddered uncontrobly at the mention of suturing his wound. He could not help it, as he had been traumatized by Bailey''s suturing technique. ¡°T-There are some local anesthetics in the first aid kit. Remember to inject two vials for meter.¡± She snorted, picked up the bottle of alcohol, and poured it on his legs. That sensation was no different from rubbing salt on his wound. Artemis winced in pain as if someone was slicing him with a thousand knives. He would have passed out in agony if not for his strong will and determination. This evil woman. Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead to his muscr, tanned chest. Theyer of moisture on his skin glistened under the bright lights, giving him an enticing charm unique to mature men. Bailey took the hemostatic forceps from the tray and used them to pick up a ball of sanitized cotton to clean the bloodstain around the wound. She felt Artemis grasp her arm just as she turned around. The next second, Bailey was pulled into his arm forcefully. Then, the sensation of a domineering kiss overwhelmed her instantly. Artemis did not know how long the kisssted. He finally leaned away and slowly let her go after the heart-wrenching pain gradually dissipated. He uttered hoarsely, ¡°This method is much more effective than anesthesia. I''ll do this again during the suturingter so I won''t feel any pain.¡± The corner of Bailey''s mouth twitched. She red at him and said, ¡°My medical skills are amazing, but I am still unable to kiss a dog while mending its wound.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. This wicked-tongue woman. ¡°Stop moving unnecessarily. I''ve disinfected the wound. Now I will stop the bleeding for you and suture theceration.¡± Artemis let go of her, leaned his upper body against the back of the chair, and slowly closed his eyes. Bailey nced at him with a hint ofplicated emotions shing across her eyes. She could not believe she did not put up any resistance earlier and even took the initiative to reciprocate his kiss. She had allowed him to do as he pleased, leaving his scent to linger in her oralBelonging to N?velDrama.Org. cavity. Am I really getting fond of this man? As the location of the wound was too special, the suturing process became a challenge. Having no other choice, Bailey could only kneel on the floor and lean close to the side of his body. Her posture could invoke one''s imagination to run wild. Bailey tried her best to ignore that awkward situation, expelling all the vile thoughts in her mind. As a result, her movements became very tense. With the local anesthetic''s effect kicking in, Artemis did not stir when Bailey began mending his wound with the needle. However, as her hand unintentionally grazed his skin repeatedly, he finally showed a reaction. Artemis'' heart palpitated, and his breathing turnedbored. Without needing to look up, she could already clearly sense a passionate gaze fixed on her as if a predator staring intently and possessively at its prey. Bailey finally closed the wound after enduring such torment for five minutes. He grabbed her arm just as she was about to help her apply medication to the injury. She instinctively lifted her head and shivered when she met his dark gaze. Apparently, Artemis had lost his rationale. ¡°A-Artemis, calm down.¡± He stretched his hand to cover his forehead before pointing at the door in the distance and said huskily, ¡°Go and prepare some food for me. I''ll handle the rest.¡± Bailey subconsciously retracted her palms, got up, and took a few steps back. She tossed the bottle of medication at him, spun on her heels, and left. ¡°Apply the medication and bandage the wound. The cut is not very deep, so you''ll be fine after resting for two days. I have some matters to attend to, so I''ll take my leave now. You can just order food delivery.¡± Artemis did not say a word. He narrowed his eyes as he watched her leaving figure from behind. A hint of remorse surged within him. This was such a good opportunity. Why did I act so pretentiously? I should have just followed my heart and taken advantage of her. When Bailey returned to Shelbert Condominium, she stumbled into Edmund downstairs. Standing under the streemp, the dim lighting caused his shadow to appear elongated, giving him an unusually lonely vibe. Bailey felt guilty as she was reminded of the scene when Artemis kissed her unknowingly. Before, she had no feelings for Artemis, so she agreed to Edmund''s marriage proposal without hesitation. But now, Artemis had barged into her life assertively, wreaking havoc on her daily life. She could no longer fathom her feelings as doubt, hesitation, and reluctance churned in her chest. Her desire to start a family with Edmund was no longer as intense as before. Bailey was even feeling a little unwilling to proceed with that arrangement. ¡°Why are you standing outside, Edmund? Are Zayron and Susan not home?¡± Edmund strode gracefully toward her under the moonlight. He walked in front of Bailey and regarded her with aplicated look that baffled her. ¡°Bay, are you not willing to marry me? Do you harbor any loving feelings toward Artemis?¡± Bailey was stunned. On second thought, a wry smile spread across her face. How could I have underestimated Edmund''s capabilities? There''s no way I can hide my whereabouts from him. ¡°Edmund, I do not wish for Artemis and you to turn against one another because of me. Artemis is merely interested in me on a whim. I suppose he will stop trying so hard after this infatuation dies out.¡± Is that so? Edmund curled his lips into a forceful smile. Huh, will someone risk their life for someone they are only interested in a whim? He was not a fool. Edmund could tell Artemis would never stop until he got Bailey, and he could also sense the subtle changes in Artemis and Bailey''s rtionship. ¡°It is normal for a remarkable woman like you to garner interest and adoration from men. Bay, I can provide you with a quiet and peaceful life, and that is something Artemis cannot give you.¡± Chapter 201 Chapter 201 Bailey nodded and said while wearing a faint smile, ¡°I know. Choosing Artemis will mean selecting an obstacle-filled path, which contradicts my initial intention. Please allow me some time to handle my rtionship with Artemis.¡± Edmund gazed at her without saying a word. He remained silent for some time before uttering, ¡°You are a rational person, so I believe you will make the right decision. It''s gettingte now. You should go up and get some rest. I need to go back too.¡± She pursed her lips before sounding him out. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers did not announce our marriage during the banquet, right?¡± A bitter smile spread across his face as he chuckled. ¡°I managed to convince him not to. Bay, I would never reveal any information about our marriage without receiving your consent.¡± Bailey reached out to grab Edmund''s hand and led him toward the parking lot. ¡°Thank you very much. You must be exhausted from taking care of Old Mr. Chivers all this while. Quickly go back and get rested. Don''t worry. This matter will significantly affect a few people''s lives, so I will consider it thoroughly and make an informed decision.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey began focusing on researching new medications after Artemis helped her establish the required connections with the pharmaceutical factory. Half a month swiftly passed by. She obtained remarkable breakthroughs in the development of her anticancer medication. However, she was still one step shy of sess as she needed to wait for the long process of clinical trials. During that period, Bailey had visited the prison a few times. Whenever she spent some alone time with Jessica, she would try using hypnosis to uncover thetter''s deleted memories, but all her effort was in vain. Original content from N?velDrama.Org. Initially, Bailey wanted to invent a kind of medication that could stimte the brain''s nervous system to aid Jessica in recollecting her lost memories. However, Bailey received a phone call from Eve. Eve said to Bailey, ¡°Bailey, I heard about what happened to Jessica, and I also know that you are providing her with treatments to try and recover her lost memories. I beg you. Please do not pursue this matter further. I''m afraid Jessica will lose her life in the end. I''m worried that someone will do away with her.¡± After a thorough contemtion, Bailey agreed to Eve''s plea. Bailey was confident about dealing with Rhonda using other methods. She did not have to rely solely on the dirt Jessica had on Rhonda. ¡°All right. I have to do you this favor since you so rarely asked something of me, Eve. Jessica is imprisoned because of me, and I think she has been sufficiently punished after receiving the penalty she deserved.¡± ¡°Thank you, Bailey. Remember to pay Master Gadzinski a visit when you''re free.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, inside one of the Luther residence''s bedrooms, Maxton was lying on his bed, talking on the phone with Zayron. ¡°Idiot, I told you to investigate Rhonda previously, so what is your progress on the search? Is there an affair between her and Cadence?¡± Zayron''s mockingughter sounded from the phone''s speaker. ¡°How should I investigate if she has not left the Luther residence in the past two weeks? You must have it rough having to pretend as a fool, but it is such a pity that your effort is all for naught.¡± The veins on Maxton''s forehead throbbed as he clenched his jaw furiously. ¡°Zayron, you''d better pray we do not meet with one another. Otherwise, I''ll show you the consequences of making fun of me.¡± Beep. Beep. Beep. Listening to the beeping tone that indicated Zayron had hung up the call, Maxton''s body shook with fury. He gritted his teeth, got down from the bed, and walked out of the room. The two maids at the door hurriedly reached out to stop him when they saw Maxton leaving the room. He hastily slipped through the gap between the maids and ran away. ¡°Mr. Maxton, where are you going? You are not allowed to leave the room.¡± ¡°Mr. Maxton, slow down. Careful not to trip.¡± Maxton sprinted to the top of the staircase and coincidentally saw Felicity walking up the stairs. After steeling his resolution, he deliberately tripped on his own foot. I''m willing to endure this temporary pain now than drag this excruciating experience of having to pretend as a fool further. ¡°Max!¡± Felicity''s hysterical cry rang from the top of the stairs. She had just witnessed her precious grandson roll down the stairs and knock his head on the railing, resulting in a bloody cut the size of a bottle cap on his head. When Artemis and Bailey walked through the door and saw that scene, they exchanged nces. Artemisughed in exasperation. ¡°What a stupid boy. Is his brain filled with sh*t? How could hee up with such a ridiculous idea?¡± Bailey was not as nonchnt as him. She hastened toward the bottom of the stairs and checked on Maxton''s injury. Felicity acted as if she had seen her savior when she saw Bailey. She grabbed thetter''s arm and asked anxiously, ¡°How is Max? Is he all right?¡± Bailey said while wearing a frown, ¡°There''s a hole in his head. Do you think he''s fine? Hurry up and send him to the infirmary. His life may be in danger if we dy his treatment further.¡± Colors drained from Felicity''s face instantaneously. Her legs turned to jelly, and she slumped to the ground. Rhonda hurried over. When she saw Maxton lying in a pool of blood, she eximed gleefully in her heart. Did he fall to his death? I think he''s dead, right? If he''s not dead, how should the baby I''m carrying rece him as the family''s heir? ¡°Max, Max. W-What happened to you? What''s going on?¡± Rhonda stretched out her hand in an attempt to hug Maxton as she wailed. She was nning on aggravating Maxton''s existing wound in the hope of ending the boy''s life. However, just as her fingertip touched his shoulder, someone grasped her wrist. ¡°He will die faster if youy a finger on him. Are you that desperate to see your son die, Rhonda?¡± Rhonda was shocked as her face turned pale in an instant. Then, she red at Bailey and chided, ¡°Don''t try to nder others. I gave birth to Max, so why would I want him dead?¡± Felicity bellowed at them, ¡°That''s enough! Don''t you see Max''s life is hanging in the bnce now? Hurry up and send him to the infirmary!¡± Rhonda and Bailey fell silent afterward. Inside the emergency room, Artemis crossed his arms in front of his chest and leanedzily against the wall beside a machine. He gazed down at Maxton and snorted. ¡°Did you have to risk your life to cover up a lie you told me? How very brave of you.¡± Maxton reached out to rub his head in dizziness and pouted. ¡°You knew I was pretending to be a fool, yet you did not expose me. Did you find it amusing seeing your son embarrassed?¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°You were toyed around by that brat, Zayron, because of your inadequacy. Do you think you''re qualified to me me for remaining an onlooker?¡± Maxton was rendered speechless. I can''t believe my biological father is uttering these words! Outside the emergency room, Bailey swept her eyes across every member of the Luther family before finally resting her gaze on Rhonda''s face. ¡°You are very fortunate, Ms. Rhonda. Your son managed to survive this predicament.¡± A hint of disappointment shed across Rhonda''s eyes, but she feigned a joyful appearance. ¡°Really? Max is safe?¡± Bailey regarded her with a half-smile and added, ¡°Not only is he fine, but he also reverted to normal following the blow to his head.¡± The cheerful expression on Rhonda''s face stiffened. She fell into a momentary daze and blurted, ¡°Did he not be a fool? How is it possible that he recovered? Did you make a mistake?¡± A few people turned to look in her direction simultaneously. Only then did Rhonda realize she had let slip her genuine thoughts. ¡°I-I did not mean that. I-I am just too happy, so I wasn''t thinking properly. Has Max truly returned to normal?¡± Bailey scoffed inwardly. She was finally certain of Rhonda''s wish to cause Maxton''s death. Chapter 202 Chapter 202 Still, Bailey could not fathom why Rhonda would want Maxton dead. It is a given for parents to care for their children. Besides, Maxton can bring endless glory and wealth to her, so there shouldn''t be any reason for Rhonda to kill him. Jessica was harmed and had her memories wiped out because she possessed Rhonda''s greatest secret. Could it be that the secret Jessica knew was rted to Max? ¡°Maxton has indeed recovered as you wish, Ms. Rhonda. The blow unclogged the veins inside his brain, and the impact caused him to regain a normal mental state.¡± After that, Bailey leaned forward and whispered beside Rhonda''s ear, ¡°Therefore, you don''t have to be so worried, Rhonda. Your son will be fine. The position as the heir of the Luther family can only be his, and one day, you can certainly ascend to a higher social status by relying on him.¡± At that instant, Bailey vividly sensed the aura enveloping Rhonda''s body grow significantly colder. That observation further verified Bailey''s suspicion. Rhonda seems unwilling to let Maxton be the heir of the Luther family, but why? Don''t tell me Maxton is really not her biological child. That kid has always said that Rhonda is not his real mom. I''ve always assumed he was being unreasonable and disliked Rhonda''s excessive pursuit of vanity, so he was unwilling to get close to her. Now that I have reconsidered these things, it seems this matter is not as simple as I thought. It looks like I should do a maternity test for Rhonda and Max. A scientific test report will give me the most urate answer regarding their rtionship. Inside the study of the Luther residence, Bailey leaned against a shelf while gazing at Gerald with her brows raised as the man sat on the couch. ¡°If you want to see me because of the matter rted to Mr. Simon, this meeting is unnecessary, Mr. Luther. I''ve expressed my stance previously. The Luther family does not need to bear the responsibility for what happened seven years ago. Besides, Mr. Simon has found the woman he loves, so it would not be appropriate to disrupt his rtionship now.¡± Gerald frowned at her and replied hoarsely, ¡°My son might not have whetted your appetite, but it seems my nephew has won your favor. However, have you considered how the public would view this matter? You gave birth to Simon''s children and then proceeded to marry his cousin. Do you want others to treat us asughing stocks?¡± R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Bailey arched her brow and curled her lips into a sneer. ¡°So, ording to you, Mr. Luther, I am not allowed to get married for the rest of my life?¡± Gerald sighed before saying, ¡°That''s not what I meant. You are quoting me out of context. You can marry anyone else except for Edmund.¡± A sly look glinted in her eyes. ¡°Is that so? I can marry anyone except Edmund, including Artemis?¡± Gerald suddenly leaped to his feet and raised his voice. ¡°What did you say? You should never kid around with a joke like that, Bailey!¡± She chuckled. ¡°Why are you taking my words so seriously when you already assumed I''m just joking? I am curious. Why are you stopping me from marrying into the Chivers family?¡± He stared at her grimly and uttered, ¡°For the sake of my two grandchildren. I do not want them to be criticized by others. As their mother, I suppose you do not want them to be scorned by the public, right?¡± Bailey wiped the smile off her face and gazed at Gerald impassively. ¡°I left early during theing-of- age ceremony that night because I was trying to avoid this. I did not wish to see Old Mr. Chivers announce my marriage to Edmund in front of so many people. Are you satisfied with this answer, Mr. Luther?¡± ¡°I am satisfied.¡± Gerald nodded. He rxed, beamed at her, and proceeded to speak in a calm tone. ¡°You are a smart person, Ms. Bailey. I believe you will make the right decision.¡± Bailey sneered inwardly. I am a smart person, but I can''t be sure if I can make the right decision. ¡°I shall take my leave now if there''s nothing else, Mr. Luther.¡± Gerald waved his hand. ¡°Go ahead. Take good care of the kids. You can call me at any time if you face any difficulties.¡± Bailey nodded. Then, she strode toward the door. Just after she took two steps away and reached for the doorknob, Gerald''s voice sounded again. ¡°Bailey, are you acquainted with Waverly?¡± Bailey was slightly taken aback. She gradually halted in her tracks, turned around to look at him, and asked with her brows raised, ¡°Should I be acquainted with her?¡± Gerald was stumped. She smiled mirthlessly and left the study without turning around. Bailey had just arrived at the stairs when the phone in her hand began to ring. She nced at the phone screen and saw that it was a call from Veronique. ¡°Hello, Vero. What''s up?¡± Bailey''s facial expression changed drastically after listening to something Veronique said. ¡°Where are you now? Okay, all right. I''ll head over there immediately. Don''t panic. Inject the child with an adrenaline shot. I''ll reach there in half an hour.¡± She dashed downstairs after hanging up the phone. While Bailey hastened down thest flight of stairs, she stumbled into Artemis, who was heading toward her. ¡°What''s going on? Why are you in such a hurry?¡± Bailey did not stop to answer him. Striding toward the door, she said, ¡°I''ll take my leave first because I have a personal matter to attend to. By the way, lend me your car.¡± Frowning, Artemis reached out to grab her arm and uttered, ¡°You seem to be in a panic. Did something serious happen? Let me send you there. I''m worried you''ll cause an ident if you drive in this state.¡± Bailey knew she could not win against him in an argument, so she did not waste time borating further. ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey entered theb, walking with long, decisive steps. ¡°You''re finally here, Bay. Z-Zephyr''s condition deteriorated. His heart rate would not return to normal, no matter how hard I tried to save him. W-What should I do now?¡± Taking in Veronique''s fragile appearance, Bailey hurriedly held Veronique andforted her, ¡°Don''t be scared. I''m here. Bring me inside to check on Zephyr''s condition. I will try my best to treat him.¡± Veronique calmed down and dragged Bailey along as she sprinted in the operating room''s direction. Bailey instinctively turned her head around and said to Artemis, ¡°Wait out here for a while. I''m going to check the child''s condition.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Artemis slightly furrowed his brows at the sight of their leaving figures from behind as they left anxiously. Child? Are they talking about the boy Veronique is raising? I suspect the boy to be Justin''s child. Judging by their worried demeanor, I wonder what happened. He scanned his surroundings before his gazended on the table beside him. He picked up the topmost test report and was shocked after taking a nce at the content. End-stage leukemia. The child has end-stage leukemia? He grabbed a few more documents, and each of them showed the diagnosis being leukemia. Complex emotions churned within Artemis as he grasped the papers in his hand. If this child is really Justin''s son, and I do not inform him even when I know about this, how should I face Justin in the future if my silence costs the boy''s life? ¡°Artemis. Artemis.¡± Bailey''s voice brought him back to his senses. ¡°Hmm, what is it?¡± She narrowed her eyes at him and asked with a frown, ¡°What are you thinking about? You were so absorbed in your thoughts and did not respond even after I called your name a few times. What''s the matter?¡± Instead of answering her question, Artemis looked at the report in his hand and asked Bailey, ¡°Veronique''s child is diagnosed with leukemia?¡± Stunned, a look of bewilderment shed across Bailey''s face. How does Artemis know Zephyr is Veronique''s child? Chapter 203 Chapter 203 For all these years, the Revelle family had been telling the public that Zephyr was Veronique''s sister''s child. No one else but a few of Veronique''s close friends knew about Zephyr''s real identity. ¡°How did you know about Zephyr''s identity?¡± Right as Artemis parted his lips to reply, he saw Veronique walking out of the operating room. Instantly, he mped his mouth shut and shot Bailey a look. Bailey blinked in confusion, thinking, What the h*ll is this man trying to tell me this time? ¡°Stay with Ms. Revelle here. There are some things I need to deal with in thepany, so I''ll leave first.¡± Hearing that, Bailey became even more confused. She sensed that the man knew about something. After watching him leave, Bailey turned to look at Veronique, confounded. With a frown, she asked, ¡°How did Artemis learn about Zephyr''s identity?¡± Veronique slightly inclined her head and muttered, ¡°Zayron sent Simon''s blood sample to Zephyr. Artemis was secretly looking into it, and he ended up investigating Zephyr as well. Perhaps he figured it out when he thought about how Zephyr looks like me and about how I suddenly left Hallsbay for many years seven years ago.¡± Bailey lifted her hand to massage the spot between her eyes. ¡°Forget it. Let''s not talk about him anymore. That man is powerful, and it''s a piece of cake for him to look into anything. Let''s talk about Zephyr''s situation instead; what are you nning to do next?¡± Veronique slumped on the couch and buried her face in her hands. She mumbled, ¡°Bay, you saw his situation. In your professional opinion, how long do you think he''ll be able to live?¡± Bailey walked over to sit beside her and hugged her. ¡°Zephyr''s already in thete stage of his illness. You should know that patients like him can usually only live for about three months. However, if we go for the hormone treatment, I can ensure that he has eight more months to live.¡± At that, she sighed. After steeling herself, she went on, ¡°Vero, you have no time to hesitate anymore because god isn''t giving us the chance to. Look for Zephyr''s father. Maybe his father can save him. Even if we assume the worst¡ªthat his father''s bone marrow isn''t a match for him¡ªyou can bear another child and use the baby''s cord blood to save him.¡± ¡°No. N-No. I can''t look for him. I can''t!¡± Veronique shook her head vigorously before muttering in a miserable tone. ¡°Bay, you don''t understand howplicated our issue is. He doesn''t love me, and he even hates me. If he finds out that I''ve given birth to his son behind his back, he''ll... he''ll...¡± At that point, she began bawling. Bailey shook her head and sighed. She did not know what she could do to persuade Veronique at the sight of her misery. A man would never understand another man''s bitter feelings; only the ones in the situation would know the pain. ¡°Vero, I''m sorry, but there isn''t any medicine meant for leukemia yet. Even surgery won''t be able to treat an illness like this. There really isn''t anything I can do about this.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Veronique choked out. ¡°You''ve already tried your best. I''m weak for being too afraid to look for his father. I''m selfish for ignoring the boy''s chance of living. Someone like me should go to hell.¡± ¡°Veronique, what nonsense are you talking about? Every life has its own fate, and this isn''t your fault, so don''t me yourself for this.¡± ¡°Bay, give me a few more days. Since I''ve already brought Zephyr back to Hallsbay, I''ll find his father. I just need a little more time to prepare myself mentally.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Bailey reached out to pat her back and smiled. ¡°You have my support for any decision you make.¡± After Artemis left theb, he drove to where Justin was. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org When Artemis entered the infirmary''s study, Justin was in the middle of reading documents by the table. Artemis did not know if he was too quiet or if Justin was too focused, but Justin did not realize it when he entered the room. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Justin jumped in surprise and quickly shoved the documents he had in his hands into the drawer. ¡°Nothing. It''s just the medical records of a friend with cancer, and I was having some difficulties reading it. Why are you here?¡± When Artemis noticed that his anxious demeanor was born out of his attempt to avoid him, he arched a brow and asked, ¡°You''ve never kept anything from me, so what''s making you want to keep this medical record a secret?¡± Justin stiffened. The documents he was looking at earlier were the result of the paternity test between Simon and Zayron and the gic data of Artemis and Simon. He had learned a shocking secret when he read the papers. As it turned out, Simon''s gic data were an exact match for Artemis''. What did that mean? That meant that the blood sample was not Simon''s but Artemis''. Maxton had stolen the wrong sample. In other words, Zayron was not Simon''s child; Zayron was Artemis'' son. Ha. Haha... What in the world is this? What am I looking at? ¡°My friend, let me ask you something. Have you ever sleep with women other than Rhonda?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Nothing. I''m just curious if you''ve left a child or two of yours around in some corner of this big world.¡± Artemis reached out his bony hand and gently knocked the table. He then slowly replied, ¡°I should be the one asking you this. Did you do anything with a woman seven years ago?¡± Justin was taken aback by his question. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Artemis raised a brow and chuckled. ¡°Nothing. I''m just curious if you''ve left a child or two of yours around in some corner of this big world too.¡± Justin fell silent as the corners of his lips twitched. He''s deflecting. Artemis then walked to the wine cab and fished out a bottle of red wine. After filling up two sses, he returned to the desk and handed one of the sses to Justin. ¡°I heard a while back that you''re marrying soon. Have you decided on a wedding date yet?¡± Justin took the wine ss from him and muttered, ¡°It''s an engagement from our childhood. As long as my grandfather''s happy, I''m fine with it. To me, a woman''s only for ensuring that there is the next generation.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Artemis raised his ss and sipped on it. He then curiously asked, ¡°Veronique was quite persistent in courting you back then. Do you not feel anything for her at all? Instead of marrying a woman you don''t love, why don''t you marry Veronique instead? At the very least, you can develop feelings for her, right?¡± Justin chuckled, but there was no joy in his eyes. In fact, the look he had was a cold one. ¡°The Fletcher family in the capital has military and political power. Our family, the Xuereb family, won''t be able to bear the consequences of me breaking the engagement, even if we''re a prestigious family of doctors. I was indifferent to Veronique''s courtship back then because I didn''t want her to be the Fletcher family''s target. Now that she has gotten over me, why should I make things tough for her again?¡± Artemis froze before narrowing his eyes. ¡°Are you telling me that you''ve rejected Veronique because of the Fletcher family''s influence? So you actually have feelings for her?¡± ¡°Is that important?¡± Justin slowly rose to his feet with his palms on the table. ¡°As long as the Fletcher family is well and thriving, I can''t break off the engagement. I''m destined to be the Fletcher family''s son- inw, and no one can save me from that fate. Even if I don''t love Scarlett Fletcher, I have to marry her.¡± Chapter 204 Chapter 204 Artemis shook his head and sighed. Forget it. I''m only here to test the waters with Justin. Now that I know the issues he has to face, I can''t pressure him anymore. If Veronique wants Justin to know about the kid, she''lle to look for him herself. Artemis was an outsider to the situation, and it was best if he did not get involved. ¡°Artemis, you''re acting strange today. It''s almost as if you''re hiding something from me.¡± Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Artemis tilted his head back and downed the red wine. ¡°You know how it goes. Veronique is close to Bailey; I''m only speaking on her behalf to please Bailey. Since you don''t intend to marry Veronique, I''ll have to say the two of you are not fated to be. I''ll leave first, so carry on with what you were doing earlier.¡± With that said, he turned to leave the room. At that, Justin quickly said, ¡°I''m going to the Luther family''s infirmary this afternoon, so inform the person in charge there about my visit.¡± Artemis halted in his tracks and turned to look at him. ¡°You have something to do there?¡± Justin lowered his head to conceal the glint in his eyes as he answered, ¡°I''m going to check the blood samples in the blood bank as usual.¡± ¡°I see. I''ll inform the person in charge of the infirmaryter.¡± A weekter, Bailey was at the pharmaceutical factory. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this is great news! Our third clinical trial was a sess! If we seed one more time, this new medication can enter the market!¡± Bailey smiled before raising her hand to massage her temples. In a soft voice, she said, ¡°We have a ny percent chance of seeding in the fourth trial, so keep a close eye on it. Remember toe to me right away if anything crops up.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± In a private mansion in the suburbs, Cadence was holding onto a ss of red wine by the tall windows as a man in ck behind him gave his report. ¡°Mr. White, I have news from the employees in Drug Administration. Supposedly, the anti-cancer medication that Bailey is in charge of has seeded in its third clinical trial. If the fourth trial goes through, that medication will be made avable in the market.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Cadence lifted a brow and chuckled. ¡°A month has gone by in a blink of an eye. It seems like Bailey''s quite an impressive individual. She actually overcame the bottleneck of the research in a mere thirty days. I look forward to seeing this medication on the market. I''d love to watch Bailey fall from the sky and straight to hell, and I''d like to see her experience what it''s like to have everyone look at her in contempt.¡± ¡°Are we going to continue with our original n?¡± ¡°There''s no rush, so let''s give it a little while longer. We''ll only strike when they celebrate their fourth trial''s sess. Have you connected with the people I''ve asked you to?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ve done what you''ve told me to do.¡± ¡°Very well, you can leave now. Wait for my news.¡± At the medical base''s study, Justin was staring at the blood sample in his hands with aplicated look on his face. That bottle of blood was something he retrieved from the Luther family''s infirmary a few days ago. After testing it, he received confirmation that the bottle contained Simon''s blood. In other words, the boy had taken Artemis'' blood sample back then, and Zayron was Artemis'' son. Beep, beep, beep! The phone on the table rang, and when he grabbed the phone and nced at the screen, he froze. The number was from an unknown caller, but he was familiar with that number, for the owner of that number had once sent him countless messages of love. Justin never replied to any of those messages. A moment of hesitationter, he picked up the call. ¡°Who''s this?¡± he asked in an icy tone despite knowing who it was. They should not be speaking to each other at all. ¡°I-I''m Veronique Revelle. Mr. Xuereb, I have something to talk to you about, so I''d like to invite you out. Would it be convenient for you?¡± Justin''s fingers shook, and he nearly dropped his phone. ¡°Ms. Revelle, I have a fianc¨¦e, so it isn''t appropriate for me to meet with someone of the opposite sex. Please just tell me what you have to say over the phone. It''ll be the same.¡± ¡°It isn''t!¡± Veronique cried out. ¡°I really have to meet you. Room 205 on the second floor of Sugar and Spice Caf¨¦. I won''t leave until I see you tonight.¡± ¡°Vero¡ª¡± Before he could even finish his sentence, the beeping tone came from the other end of the line. Justin could only stare at the dim screen on his phone with a frown. After staying seated in his spot for twenty whole minutes, he finally stood up, grabbed the car keys on the table, and left the study. When Veronique saw Justin entering the room at Sugar and Spice Caf¨¦, she let out a sigh of relief. ¡°You''re here.¡± Justin did not reply to that. Instead, he sat down on the seat opposite her and said, ¡°Go on. Why were you looking for me?¡± Veronique nced at him before pointing at the cup in front of him. ¡°The temperature should be perfect right now. Try it.¡± A hint of impatience shed past Justin''s face, and he picked up the cup to take a sip from it in a frustrated manner. ¡°I''m here, and I''ve drunk your coffee. Will you tell me what your aim is now?¡± Veronique pursed her lips and muttered sadly, ¡°Justin, do you hate me that much? Is my love for you that disgusting? Did my feelings of adoration back then leave no mark in your heart at all?¡± Thump! Justin mmed the cup in his hand onto the table and uttered, ¡°Ms. Veronique, did you invite me out so late in the night to say these things? I''m sorry, but I can''t be your listener. You should know that I have a fianc¨¦e, and we''re about to marry. Please have mercy on me, and don''t create any issues for my marriage, okay?¡± Veronique''s eyes widened, the tears in them threatening to spill. ¡°Justin, am I that unbearable for you? Can I never be worthy of you?¡± ¡°That''s enough,¡± Justin snapped, standing up. ¡°I''ve already said what I needed to say seven years ago, so stop looking for me. That crush of yours is your problem and not mine. There are plenty of women who have a crush on me, so are you telling me that I''m supposed to marry them all?¡± Veronique bit down hard on her lower lip as more tears welled up in her eyes. She then cried out, ¡°I thought I could forget about you, but seven years have passed, and the reality is that I can never remove you from my world. Justin Xuereb, I love you. I really, really love you.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± The veins on Justin''s temple popped. As he ruthlessly stared at her, he uttered, ¡°Don''t love me. I''m terrified of your love tainting my blissful marriage.¡± Plop. Tears rolled down Veronique''s cheeks and fell onto the smooth surface of the table, forming a small rippling puddle. Nheless, Justin turned away and mercilessly said, ¡°Don''t appear in my line of sight ever again. I genuinely abhor you.¡± With that said, he turned to leave. However, just as he took a step forward, his knees abruptly buckled and forced him back on the couch. ¡°Y-You spiked the coffee?¡± Veronique stood up from the chair and walked over to him. ¡°That''s right. I spiked the coffee with a narcotic and an aphrodisiac.¡± Justin''s eyes widened at that. He stammered, ¡°W-What are you trying to do?¡± Chapter 205 Chapter 205 What am I trying to do? Veronique stared at him with tears in her eyes. I want to save Zephyr, the poor child who grew up with me but could only call me ¡°Aunt Veronique¡±! ¡°I''ve loved you for so many years, Justin! I dedicated my youth to you, but you''ve been as cold as ice to me! You know what? I''ll make this easy for the both of us. I''m ovting these two days, so just give me a child, and I''ll leave you alone.¡± I''m really sorry, Justin... Zephyr''s life is in danger, so I have no choice. He still has a long way ahead of him in life, and I can''t let him suffer because of us. Since you hate me so much, I know my child will never receive your love and affection. I don''t n on telling you about Zephyr''s existence because it would ruin your perfect marriage with Ms. Fletcher. Just give me a child, and I''ll save Zephyr with the cord blood. This will free that poor child from his suffering! The veins on Justin''s head were bulging as he clenched his teeth to keep himself conscious. ¡°I used to think you were just a little clingy, but now, I see how much of a b*tch you truly are... Are you really that desperate? Do you really desire me that badly? You disgust me to the core, Veronique. I would rather die than have sex with you! Get lost!¡± While most women would probably die from heartache after being humiliated by the man they love, Veronique was so desperate to save Zephyr that she couldn''t care less about it. Saving her son''s life was all that she could think about at the time. ¡°I''ll bepletely gone from your life after tonight, so you can hate me to your heart''s content. My child is all I need for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°F*ck off! Go find yourself another guy or something! Don''t you dare taint me with that filthy body of yours!¡± Justin grabbed a cup from the table and smashed it against her head. Bang! Veronique simply sat there and took the hit from the cup without flinching. Despite him being drugged, Justin''s swing was still incredibly forceful due to his rage. Veronique felt her vision get blurry as tears formed in her eyes, and she let out a chuckle as they rolled down her cheeks. She knew he had always hated her, but she didn''t think it was to this extent. Fortunately, Veronique was able to remain calm and keep herself from blurting out Zephyr''s identity. Otherwise, both she and her son would be hated and treated with contempt. ¡°I''m sorry, but this child is all that I want for the rest of my life. Since I''ve loved you for so many years, I ask that you grant me a seed of life in return. This child will keep mepany throughout the rest of my miserable, lonely life.¡± Justin felt a chill down his spine when he saw her bleeding forehead. What the... She''s still going through with this? Does she know that her stubbornness could result in her death? ¡°Having sex during your ovtion period doesn''t guarantee a pregnancy. If you give me the antidote, I''ll go to yourb and let you extract some of my sperm. You''ll have a higher chance of getting a baby with in vitro fertilization.¡± Veronique let out a wry chuckle. ¡°You''d agree to give me a child, but you won''t eveny a finger on me... You really hate me that much, huh? Did you really think I''d believe those words of yours, Justin? You can''t even fool a three-year-old with that, let alone an adult like myself!¡± Justin slowly closed his eyes in helplessness. I''ve tried my best to talk her out of this, but she won''t listen. In this case, there''s nothing else I can do except facing the consequences with her... Veronique then removed her dress and leaned against his chest as she ran her slender fingers all over his body. Justin could feel his shirt buttonsing undone one after another, revealing his healthy, tanned skin underneath. ¡°Thanks for the reminder, Justin. If this doesn''t work, I''ll give in vitro fertilization a try seven dayster. One way or the other, I will have your child!¡± Justin was slowly starting to lose focus as the raging feelings of lust took over. Oh, no... I''m on the verge of losing control... ¡°Are you sure you want to do this? The Fletcher family has decided that I will marry into their family. If you get pregnant with my child, then I will have no choice but to cancel my marriage. What will you do if the Fletcherse after you and your family in revenge?¡± Veronique stared at him in confusion. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Justin reached out and swept the stuff off the table and leaned in close as he continued, ¡°If this is what you want, then I shall give it to you.¡± Veronique felt a little dizzy and tried to hold on to something, but her mind had gonepletely nk. What the heck is he doing? The tension in the room continued to rise. Right as the two of them were about to go at it, the room door was swung open all of a sudden. The first person toe running in was a middle-aged woman in her fifties. She froze for a brief moment when she saw the position they were in, but the look of shock was soon reced by anger. ¡°What the heck do you think you''re doing, Justin?¡± A middle-aged man entered the room after her, and he quickly looked away after realizing what was going on. Despite still being under the effects of the drugs, Justin was able to retain some of his consciousness. The loud sound of the room door being swung open and the middle-aged woman''s angry yelling snapped him out of his horny state. Without even looking at the door, he reached for his dress shirt on the side and wrapped it around Veronique''s upper body. ¡°You''re about to get married to Scarlett, Justin! How could you cheat on your fianc¨¦e like this? Sloan Fletcher will have your head on a tter if he finds out about this!¡± shouted the woman, who turned out to be Justin''s mother, Olivia. She was having coffee with her husband in the private room next to theirs when she heard the waiter mention Justin meeting a woman. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Out of curiosity, they decided to go have a look and see who he was meeting. To their surprise, they heard the two making some very questionable noises when they got to the door. Naturally, they knew what was going on inside the private room. Fearing that Justin would end up offending the Fletcher family, Olivia had no choice but to barge right in. What she saw upon entering the room pretty much matched what she had imagined. Still naked, Justin calmly got to his feet and stared at his furious mother as he said, ¡°You''re the matriarch of one of Hallsbay''s most prestigious families, Mom. Don''t you know to knock before entering a room? Also, you should''ve just left the room quietly after walking in on me.¡± Chapter 206 Chapter 206 Olivia exploded with anger when she heard that. ¡°Justin! How dare you talk to me like that when you''re sleeping around with some other woman? Besides, how could I possibly walk away and let you two...¡± She couldn''t bring herself to continue as she would just be humiliating her son even further. Not wanting to make things any more awkward, Justin''s father, Christopher, kept his head low to avoid seeing anything he shouldn''t as he made his way toward Justin. A quick nce at Justin''s face was all he needed to realize something was amiss. ¡°Have you been drugged with a powerful aphrodisiac?¡± Olivia lost her cool when she heard that. ¡°You b*tch! How dare you drug my son? I''ll teach you a lesson for ruining his reputation!¡± she shouted while charging toward the table. Veronique''s body was trembling all over. The mere thought of Justin''s parents seeing her naked made her extremely ufortable. Oh, no! My family''s reputation will bepletely destroyed if Justin tells his parents I drugged him! ¡°What are you doing, Justin? Let go of me! This b*tch had the audacity to do it with you in a f*cking caf¨¦! I want to know who she is!¡± Justin held on to Olivia''s arm with one hand while gripping the table with the other. ¡°She''s just a small- time celebrity, Mom. You shouldn''t defile your eyes by looking at her.¡± ¡°But she drugged you, Justin! Everyone knows you''re going to marry into the Fletcher family and be Sloan''s son-inw! This woman must have ill intentions toward you if she''s seducing you now!¡± Olivia shouted angrily. Justin pursed his lips and said nonchntly, ¡°She wasn''t the one who drugged me. Someone tried to set me up by drugging me, so I had here over to help relieve my urges.¡± ¡°Justin!¡± Olivia raised her voice as she continued, ¡°Do you take me for a fool or something? You''re a talented doctor, and you can''t even deal with a freaking aphrodisiac? There''s no way you''d need to resort to this! If you''re going to lie, at leaste up with a more convincing excuse!¡± While he was distracted, Olivia shoved him aside and dragged the woman off the table by the arm. ¡°Veronique?¡± Olivia''s eyes went wide with shock when she saw her face. A few secondster, she yelled at the top of her lungs, ¡°Why are you so d*mn persistent? I told you seven years ago that Justin doesn''t love you! He''s going to marry the daughter of the Fletcher family! Why won''t you just leave him alone?¡± At that moment, Veronique really wished Justin hadn''t wiped the blood off her face. Olivia probably wouldn''t have recognized me if I still had my face covered in blood! Can the ground just open up and swallow me whole? This humiliation is killing me! Justin shoved Olivia off her and pulled Veronique into his arms. ¡°Dad, could you please get Mom out of here for now? I''ll give you two a proper exnation once I take care of things here.¡± Christopher nodded and grabbed Olivia''s arm as he whispered, ¡°We''re in public right now, so let''s not blow things out of proportion here. Come on. We''ll wait outside while Justin takes care of Ms. Veronique.¡± ¡°No! I will call Mr. Revelle and have hime over! I want him to see what a b*tch his daughter is! The Revelle family has always acted like they''re better than everyone else, so I want to show him how shameless his daughter turned out to be!¡± ¡°There''s no need to go that far, Olivia. Don''t make this any harder for our son. Remember, it takes two to tango. Ms. Veronique wouldn''t have done something like this if Justin had kept his hands to himself.¡± Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. However, Olivia refused to listen and retrieved her phone from her purse. Veronique quickly shoved Justin aside and knelt in front of her when she saw that. ¡°I''m sorry! I shouldn''t have drugged Justin! I shouldn''t have desired a man who doesn''t belong to me! Please don''t call my father! His poor old heart can''t take something like this! I promise this won''t happen again!¡± she pleaded while holding on to the hem of Olivia''s dress. Veronique even started sobbing as she fell into despair. Why is this happening to me? This is the only way for me to save Zephyr! I can''t imagine what I''d do without him! He''s too young to die like this! Justin let out a sigh as he knelt beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He then looked up at Olivia and said, ¡°Unless you want the Fletcher family to find out about this, you should just let this matter rest. Luckily for us, we haven''t done anything because you got here in time.¡± ¡°Are you saying you don''t n on marrying Scarlett anymore?¡± Olivia asked while ring coldly at Justin. Justin tensed up upon hearing that and fell silent for a brief moment before replying, ¡°No, I will only marry Scarlett.¡± ¡°All right, you''d better remember what you just said.¡± Olivia bent over and hauled Veronique to her feet as she continued, ¡°I won''t humiliate your father by having hime over, but you must take me to the Revelle residence. I want to hear your father promise he''ll keep a close eye on you in the future. I can''t afford to have you cause my son any more trouble.¡± ¡°Mother...¡± Justin was about to protest, but Veronique stopped him and said, ¡°All right, as you wish.¡± She then retrieved the antidote from her handbag and handed it over to Justin. I know I''m practically handing Zephyr''s life along with this antidote, but I don''t have a choice. Given how things have turned out, I can only leave Hallsbay with Zephyr and keep him happy for as long as he has to live. Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey leaped to her feet and eximed in shock, ¡°What? Justin''s parents caught Vero trying to seduce him?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Zayron nodded solemnly. ¡°You told me to keep an eye on Vero a few days ago, didn''t you? Well, ording to my contacts, Vero drugged Justin after meeting up with him at Sugar and Spice Caf¨¦. They were about to do it when Justin''s parents found out and rushed over to stop them.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly after hearing that. I asked Zayron to keep an eye on Veronique a few days ago because I wanted to find out who Zephyr''s father is. I figured Veronique would go see Zephyr''s biological father now that the boy''s life was in danger, but she went to see Justin instead. What does this mean? Beep! Beep! Beep! Bailey was snapped out of her train of thought when the phone on the coffee table started ringing all of a sudden. She picked it up and saw that it was Artemis calling. ¡°Keep everything that happened at the caf¨¦ tonight a secret. I don''t want anyone leaking that information. You know what to do, don''t you?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Bailey. I''ve already paid off all the people who know about it.¡± ¡°All right. I''m going to take this call.¡± Chapter 207 Chapter 207 Bailey made her way into the study before answering the phone. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°There''s something I need to tell you about. I''ve long since known about Zephyr being Veronique''s son. After testing her outst night, I can confirm that the boy is indeed Justin''s son.¡± Bailey froze as she recalled Zayron''s words from earlier and understood what was going on. So, that''s why Veronique went to see Justin! She drugged him so she could get herself pregnant with his child. She''s nning on saving Zephyr with her cord blood! It''s a shame her n failed. She must be in despair right now, huh? ¡°Does Justin know?¡± ¡°I''ve tried testing him, but he insists on marrying Scarlett. I''m worried that the Fletcher family will go after both the Revelle family and the Xuereb family if the news about Veronique''s son gets out.¡± Bailey frowned. ¡°That serious?¡± ¡°Bailey, do you know how powerful the Fletcher family is? Well, I suppose you wouldn''t be asking me that if you did.¡± Bailey fell silent. The Fletcher family? As in the Fletcher family that is regarded as a legend among politicians? Justin is engaged to their daughter? Okay, that really is news for me... ¡°Oh, I know about the Fletcher family. Simr to how the Luther family is regarded as the head of the business world, the Fletcher family holds a simr position in politics. Things are going to be difficult if they have set their sights on Justin. Sloan would never let him escape his fate.¡± ¡°I think it''s best if you don''t get yourself involved in their affairs. Just let Veronique make her own decisions. These are the two most prestigious families in the world of medicine. We can''t take responsibility for what happens to them.¡± Bailey shook her head helplessly and said with a sigh, ¡°I''ll be careful. Is there anything else you''d like to tell me?¡± ¡°Yes, I have some pickup lines for you.¡± ¡°Oh, f*ck off!¡± Meanwhile, at the Revelle residence, Olivia had a stern expression as she told Bill everything that happened at the caf¨¦. ¡°Mr. Revelle, is this what you''re teaching your daughter? To use underhanded means when she can''t get what she wants fairly and squarely? My son is going to marry Scarlett of the Fletcher family. If they find out what happened, neither of our families will survive their wrath!¡± Smack! Bill mmed his palm on the table and red fiercely at Veronique, who was kneeling on the floor. He shouted, ¡°You shameless wretch! Have you not humiliated yourself enough seven years ago? I can''t believe you''d be crazy enough to try and steal Scarlett''s fianc¨¦! What could you possibly do if the Fletcher familyes for you?¡± Veronique''s slender body trembled slightly as she said apologetically, ¡°I''m sorry, Dad! I won''t do it again, and I will no longer desire what doesn''t belong to me!¡± Bill shifted his gaze back toward Olivia and Christopher as he continued, ¡°My daughter''s actions were the result of my poor parenting. For that, I am sorry. Please rest assured that I will keep a close eye on her from now on. I won''t let her harass Justin ever again.¡± ¡°Your daughter overestimated herself and thought she could take the Fletcher family on, but you know better. I''m sure you''re well aware of their background. Sloan has chosen Justin as his son-inw, and that isn''t something your daughter should be messing with. What she did nearly put both our families in harm''s way. I think you should teach her an unforgettable lesson, Mr. Revelle,¡± Olivia replied with a sneer. Bill closed his eyes briefly before opening them with a hint of decisiveness on his face. ¡°Fetch me the whip, Alfred.¡± The butler, Alfred, was shocked when he heard that. ¡°Sir, Ms. Veronique has yet to recover from her injuries from seven years ago. You might break her bones if you whip her! Maybe¡ª¡± ¡°Save it, Alfred. Just do as I say and bring me the whip.¡± With his teeth clenched, Alfred ran out of the living room to retrieve the whip. Justin frowned as he stared at Veronique with a sympathetic look in his eyes. There''s nothing wrong with her loving me. With that in mind, Justin said, ¡°I think we can forgo the whipping, Mr. Revelle. Just make sure she doesn''t make any more mistakes like this in the future.¡± He then turned toward Olivia and continued, ¡°This matter ends here. You will let this slide if you wish for me to marry Scarlett.¡± ¡°Justin, are you threatening me?¡± ¡°You are free to ignore my threat, but keep in mind that whether or not I marry Scarlett will remain an uncertainty.¡± ¡°You...¡± Alfred had returned with the whip before Olivia could say anything further. Bill ignored them as he took the whip over and walked up to Veronique. He then raised his arm and brought the whip down on her slender back. ¡°I''ve always been teaching you to watch your words and think before you act, so why didn''t you listen? You brought this punishment upon yourself!¡± he shouted while whipping her again. R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Veronique had obstructedbor when giving birth to Zephyr seven years ago, and she lost a lot of blood when the doctors performed a C-section to get him out. As her body hadn''t recovered fully, she couldn''t possibly withstand a whipping like this. All it took was two strokes of the whip for her to cough up blood and copse. Bill raised his arm for a third stroke when a figure darted into view and threw itself at her. Bill was shocked when he saw who it was, but it was toote for him to stop at the time. Just like that, the final stroke of the whipnded on Zephyr''s body. Although the force had been reduced significantly, Zephyr''s body was still weak from his illness. ¡°Zephyr!¡± Veronique''s scream echoed throughout the living room. Her face went pale as she held him in her arms. ¡°I''m fine, Aunt Veronique. Don''t worry about me,¡± Zephyr mumbled weakly. That was thest straw for Veronique, who burst out crying secondster. Why did I give birth to him? I could''ve killed him seven years ago by taking a pill, but I let him live and suffer instead. Bill looked away and walked up to Olivia. ¡°Is this good enough for you, Mrs. Xuereb?¡± Still in shock, Olivia swallowed nervously. ¡°I...¡± Everyone knows Bill is a vicious man, but I didn''t expect him to be this harsh with his daughter! Justin instinctively took a few steps toward Veronique, but Bill stopped him and said, ¡°Mr. Justin, my daughter was in love with you far too deeply. Whatever it is you two have going on shall end with these three strokes of the whip. You will not see each other anymore from now on. Please leave.¡± Justin''s face went pale as he tried to make sense of the situation. No, this isn''t right! Something feels off here! Why would Veronique drug me all of a sudden? Why was she so obsessed with getting herself pregnant? She wasn''t like this seven years ago, so why would she¡ª That was when his gaze fell upon the boy in her arms, and a faint smile formed on his face. This kid is the one with leukemia, isn''t he? Apart from receiving a bone marrow transnt, the only other way to treat leukemia is through the cord blood from a newborn baby... ¡°Stop spacing out, Justin! We''re going home! You two are not to see each other again, you hear?¡± Bill watched as Justin''s parents dragged Justin out of the living room. He waited until they were gone before dropping his cold act and looking worriedly at his daughter and grandson. Chapter 208 Chapter 208 She drugged Justin and tried to seduce him? There''s no way my daughter would ever do something that shameless! As her father, I know her very well. She hasn''t contacted Justin for seven long years after giving birth to this boy. Therefore, there can only be one reason why she''d suddenly try to have sex with him. ¡°Alfred, get Zephyr to the infirmary and have Dr. Isaacs perform a CT scan on his back. Check for any internal injuries.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± However, Zephyr refused to leave Veronique''s embrace. Veronique''s face was pale when she gave him a kiss on the forehead and shed him a faint smile. ¡°They''re gone now, so your granddad won''t hit me anymore. Go to the infirmary with Alfred, okay? I''ll go see you in a bit.¡± Zephyr pursed his lips with a stubborn look on his face. After a brief moment of silence, he mustered his strength and tried to stand up. Alfred quickly summoned two housekeepers and had them carry him out of the living room. Bill dismissed the remaining housekeepers in the living room before kneeling in front of his daughter with a sympathetic look in his eyes. ¡°I''m sorry for embarrassing you, Dad. I did this because I couldn''t let go of Justin, and my mistake nearly put both our families in danger. Mrs. Xuereb was right to have you punish me. I brought this upon myself,¡± Veronique sobbed out as she made eye contact with him. ¡°Veronique...¡± Bill raised his voice as he continued, ¡°Why are you still defending that b*stard after everything that has happened? Do you really think I''m that stupid? I may be old, but I''m not senile! I can clearly see what''s going on here!¡± Veronique tensed up when she heard that. She slowly clenched her fists as she said in a trembling voice, ¡°I-I don''t know what you''re talking about! I seduced Justin because I couldn''t control myself. This has nothing to do with him whatsoever, so please stop jumping to conclusions!¡± ¡°Is that so? And what conclusions do you think I''ve jumped to, huh?¡± Unsure of what to say, Veronique decided to avoid having that conversation. ¡°I''ll go take a look at Zephyr. You may have held back on thatst stroke of the whip, but he''s still wounded pretty badly. I''m really worried about him.¡± Angered by her response, Bill grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back to the floor. ¡°You drugged Justin and tried to have sex with him because you wanted to get pregnant and save Zephyr with the cord blood, right? Did you really think you could keep something that obvious from your father?¡± Veronique bit down on her lip and replied bitterly, ¡°You really have gotten the wrong idea! I only seduced Justin because I couldn''t let go of him!¡± ¡°Heh...¡± Bill let out a sarcastic chuckle as he continued, ¡°Your son''s life is in danger, and you expect me to believe that you''d be in the mood to seduce that man? If you insist on having me expose you, then so be it. Justin is Zephyr''s biological father, isn''t he?¡± Veronique pursed her pale lips and kept quiet. What else am I supposed to say in response to that? Her silence only angered Bill even further. ¡°Fine! I won''t force you to talk if you don''t want to. That b*stard probably hasn''t gone far. I''ll go after him and have him do a paternity test with Zephyr!¡± he shouted angrily while walking toward the front door. Veronique quickly grabbed him by the arm and pleaded, ¡°Please don''t do it, Dad! I''ll talk! I''ll tell you everything! Justin is Zephyr''s father! He¡ª¡± The stress and injuries proved too much for Veronique, and she fainted before she could finish her sentence. Meanwhile, Christopher summoned Justin to the study after returning to the Xuereb residence. ¡°Everyone else out there envies our family and thinks we''re blessed to be so sessful, but they don''t know the price we had to pay to get here. I know you don''t have feelings for Scarlett, but that girl loves you. She has been determined to marry you ever since you saved her life back then. I know that people in this day and age advocate freedom of marriage, but we aren''t as powerful as the Luther family. Therefore, we don''t have what it takes to go against the Fletcher family. Do you understand?¡± Justin stared at Christopher as he said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I never said I wouldn''t marry Scarlett. In fact, it would be an honor to marry a woman of her status.¡± He then let out a wry chuckle as he continued, ¡°Sometimes, I wonder if me treating Scarlett was a mistake. Had I not done that, I wouldn''t be in this situation today, and I''d be able to marry the woman I ¡ª¡± ¡°Watch your words, Justin! There are things that you should never say if you know what''s good for her. Do you understand?¡± Justin shed him a faint smile in response. The Fletcher family is the most powerful one in this city, and Scarlett is hopelessly obsessed with me... Looks like I''m never getting out of this one, huh? ¡°Yes, I understand. I won''t make a mistake like this anymore. Is there anything else you want to tell me? If not, I''ll be going to bed now. You should get some rest too. Good night.¡± ¡°Not so fast, Justin! I just got a call from Mrs. Fletcher. She says Scarlett''s uncle will be celebrating his fiftieth birthday in five days. You are obligated to attend the party, so go pack your stuff. We''ll head over together tomorrow,¡± Olivia said as she made her way over and blocked his path. Justin frowned upon hearing that. A lot has happened today, and I still have many unanswered questions. What if something happens right after I leave Hallsbay? ¡°You can head on over if you want. I''ll meet you there a few dayster.¡± ¡°No way. Veronique is still in Hallsbay. There''s no telling if she''ll pull another crazy stunt like this again. You must head over with me tomorrow, or I''ll have Mr. Revelle send Veronique overseas!¡± Olivia insisted. Justin let out a helpless sigh and gave in after a brief moment of silence. ¡°Fine, but there are some things I need to take care of before I leave. We''ll head out tomorrow afternoon, okay?¡± ¡°All right.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. The next day, Bailey was on her way to monitor the fourth clinical trial at the pharmaceutical factory when she got a call from Zephyr. After finding out about Bill injuring Veronique with the whip, she changed her course and headed straight for the Revelle residence instead. Meanwhile, a secretary entered the CEO''s office of Luther Group with an exquisite-looking box in hand. ¡°A parcel from overseas has been delivered directly to the secretary''s office. Your name is listed here as the recipient, Mr. Luther. Would you like to take a look at it?¡± Chapter 209 Chapter 209 Artemis lifted his gaze from the pile of documents before him and turned to look at the box clutched in his secretary''s hands. His brows slightly raised at the sight of the box. ¡°Hand it over.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After cing the box on the curved desk, the secretary retreated out of the office quietly. Artemis did not rush to open the box. Instead, he texted Bailey first. Artemis: Have you arrived at the pharmaceutical factory yet? Be careful on the way. He managed to get a reply in just ten seconds. Bailey: Veronique was beaten by her father yesterday. She''s not doing so well. I''m going to go over and have a look. Please pass the word to the people over at the pharmaceutical factory that I will only head there in the afternoon. Artemis reckoned that she was still driving. Hence, he did not reply to her text, fearing that he might distract her. Then, he tossed his phone aside and picked up the exquisitely wrapped box. He opened it up and saw that there was only a note written in rather neat handwriting inside. It said: It is only befitting to marry one''s savior. Artemis took the handwritten note out of the box and turned it over. As expected, there was the signature of the author of the note: Zoey Shurmer. She was the eldest daughter of the Shurmer family, one of the Ten Acimed Socialites renowned worldwide, and a nobledy who was well-known for her elegant mannerisms. Artemis'' thin lips turned up slightly. Then, he picked up his phone to browse for Zoey''s number and sent a text to her. Artemis: How are you doing overseas? Once again, thank you for saving my life back then, Ms. Shurmer. I am indebted to you for life. Also, I wish you may find someone whom you love and could share your life with. After sending the text, he did not sit around to wait for Zoey''s reply. Instead, he got up and went around the desk to head out of the office. At the same time, Dwayne came inside and bumped right into him. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°The Revelle residence.¡± Dwayne was rendered speechless. He widened his eyes in disbelief at Artemis. Has he given up on Bailey? Is he pursuing the daughter of the Revelle family instead? ¡°Um, there are a few urgent documents that require your signature,¡± Dwayne said. ¡°You may sign it,¡± Artemis stated inly. ¡°What the h*ll? Aren''t you afraid that there will be some errors in the agreement that will incur billions of losses to thepany?¡± Dwayne groaned. However, Artemis did not seem to pay heed to him and continued to head out of the office. His voice became more and more distant as he said, ¡°Losing billions is a small price to pay when you finally get the woman you are pursuing.¡± Dwayne was speechless. Is he really thinking to pursue Veronique? What the heck? Meanwhile, in the infirmary of the Revelle residence, Bailey did a check-up on Zephyr. ¡°There''s nothing wrong with you. You just need to take ample rest here. I''ve called Zayron on my way here. He''s going to be here soon. It has been some time since you guys have seen each other. Why don''t the two of you take the time to catch up with each other?¡± Bailey suggested. ¡°Thank you, Bailey.¡± Bailey reached out to pinch Zephyr''s cheeks and smiled. ¡°I''m going to take a look at your Aunt Veronique at the ward next door.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Zephyr said. When Bailey entered Veronique''s room, thetter was lying on the bed and spacing out. ¡°I know it all,¡± Bailey said as she made her way to Veronique''s bedside. ¡°Hmm?¡± Veronique was a bit confused. ¡°What have you found out?¡± Bailey crouched by her bedside, grinned at Veronique, and said in a low voice, ¡°Why are most of the women I know so silly? Why torment yourself for a man? Victoria is like this, and so is Shannon. Why do you guys choose to do this to yourselves?¡± Veronique managed a wry smile. ¡°Artemis must have told you. He adores you. Of course, he would tell you everything.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at the girl. ¡°Don''t mention him. Men are all the same. So, what are the two of you nning to do next? Since your initial n didn''t work. Should you be honest with him now?¡± ¡°Be honest with him?¡± Veronique murmured. She shook her head and said, ¡°Bay, I believe Artemis must have mentioned the Fletcher family to you.¡± ¡°Yes, he did. The Fletcher family is one of the most prominent families in the capital. They are so powerful that the Revelle and the Xuereb familiesbined cannot rival the family. However, you''ve given birth to Justin''s child first. No matter how one looks at it, that Fletcher girl is the third wheel.¡± Then, Bailey reached out to take Veronique''s hand and added, ¡°If you have the courage to face the situation, I can help you out. No matter how powerful the Fletcher family is, I am not afraid of them.¡± ¡°I know you are not afraid of them,¡± Veronique said with a smile. ¡°But, don''t you have children of your own too? Life is not going to be easy for your family if you offend the Fletcher family. Moreover, this will inadvertently put your children at risk. No matter how naive I am, I will never do something so selfish.¡± ¡°Vero, you don''t need to concern yourself with that. I¡ª¡± Before Bailey could finish, Veronique caught hold of her arm and shook her head. ¡°I can''t let you risk offending the Fletcher family. My father''s whips made me realize that if this were to be Zephyr''s fate, I could only ept it and go with the flow. This is my choice to make. Just save the trouble of trying to convince me otherwise.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bailey replied in a heartbeat. ¡°I''m not going to stop you then. So, how did you get pregnant with Justin''s child back then?¡± Veronique went quiet. After about five minutes, Veronique finally parted her lips to say, ¡°If I said that he raped me back then, would you believe me?¡± Bailey was stumped. ¡°You...¡± R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Veronique smiled dryly. ¡°Well, that is the truth. It happened back in Pontotium. Artemis brought Justin and Dwayne for a business meeting with an underground gang. Nevertheless, they fell into a trap and were in a perilous situation. Dwayne protected Artemis at all costs, while Justin was left behind to hold back the thugs. However, he was caught in the end.¡± She paused right then and did not continue. Shrewd as Bailey was, she could already guess what happened next. ¡°You were madly in love with Justin back then. So, you must have rushed to Pontotium to save him when you got hold of his news,¡± Bailey said. Veronique battled with herself for some time before she finally removed her clothes. Her waist immediately caught Bailey''s eyes, especially the jarring teeth marks on it. ¡°T-This¡ª¡± ¡°This is from a tiger''s bite,¡± Veronique said in a hoarse voice. ¡°Those sick b*stards locked Justin in a cage and dumped him at the beach. They also locked a few tigers inside the cage with him and drugged Justin and the tigers with the strongest drugs.¡± Veronique started to shake uncontrobly. Bailey could already imagine what happened next. She hugged Veronique in an attempt the soothe her. ¡°It''s all in the past now. Don''t be afraid.¡± It took a few minutes before Veronique could finally calm down. ¡°If I had not made it in time, Justin would have lost his life. Even if he did survive, he would have been crippled for life,¡± she stated in a t tone. ¡°He had lost all rationale when I saved him from the tigers. No matter how hard I tried to struggle, he paid no heed to me and forced himself onto me right then and there on the beach. I know... I know he doesn''t like me. He wants to marry the Fletcher girl. So, after the incident, I asked someone to take care of him and came back here all alone.¡± She continued, ¡°After a month, I realized that I was pregnant. You, of all people, should know that my body would not allow abortion. I would risk my fertility if I chose to abort the child. Besides, my father could not bear to see me suffer the loss of the child too. Hence, after discussing with my sister and brother-inw, they''ve decided to announce to everyone that my sister is pregnant instead.¡± Chapter 210 Chapter 210 As a listener, Bailey could not help but sigh with sympathy. Veronique was a tough woman. She once risked it all for love, which brought her so much pain and trauma that could never be forgotten. Nheless, she still chose to carry on with her life and protect her beloved child by living in a deserted city to get some peace. If it were not for Zephyr, who suffered from leukemia and urgently needed a bone marrow transntation, she would never appear before Justin or have any interaction with him. ¡°Bay, Zephyr is a child born out of a sin Imitted. That''s why the heavens have given him so many health issues. I''ve done my best, but I still can''t relieve even a tiny bit of his suffering. Father''s beating last night made me realize Justin is someone I cannot mess with. Messing with the Fletcher family will mean ruining mine.¡± Bailey sighed softly. Just as she was about to speak, the butler''s voice traveled from the outside. ¡°Ms. Veronique, Mr. Xuereb is waiting outside, saying he wants to see you. However, Mr. Luther has warned us to not let Mr. Xuereb in. What should we do?¡± Veronique cast Bailey a panicked nce, saying, ¡°Bay, do you think Justin knows something?¡± Bailey pondered for a while before saying, ¡°You drugged him and insisted on getting pregnant. He must''ve gotten suspicious and thought about how Zephyr needs a newborn''s stem cells to treat leukemia. Maybe...¡± ¡°What should I do?¡± Bailey got to her feet and patted Veronique''s shoulder. ¡°I''ll talk to him. Since you''re determined to keep Zephyr''s identity a secret from Justin, then we should dispel his suspicions.¡± ¡°Do you have an idea?¡± ¡°Yeah. I do. Stay here and get some rest. Don''t bother getting up.¡± After leaving the infirmary, Bailey went to the mansion''s entrance, invited Justin into her car, and talked to him for half an hour. No one knew what Bailey said, but Justin had a conflicted look when he stepped out of the car. He fixed his eyes on the mansion for some time before leaving in his car. When Bailey was about to get off the car, the door to the passenger seat was opened again, and a tall figure slipped in. She stared at the man beside her in shock, raising her brow. ¡°What are you doing here instead of being at the office?¡± ¡°I missed you, so I came over.¡± Bailey was speechless. This dude is acting up again. Right then, she recalled her conversation with Veronique in the ward about the past. Unable to hold in her curiosity, Bailey asked, ¡°Seven years ago, you went to Pontotium to negotiate a deal but got tricked by someone. Did you manage to escape safely when Dwayne covered for you?¡± Artemis was taken aback by the question. That was one of the past events he hated to bring up. It was also the biggest blow he had endured in his life. I''ve already gotten people to destroy all traces of the incident. How did this woman find out about it? As he thought about it, a sudden realization came to him, and he asked, ¡°Justin was rescued during that time too. Was Veronique the one who saved him? Was that when she got pregnant?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. This dude is too smart. How is he able to rte the pieces to what I said? ¡°Answer my questions. I was the one who asked first.¡± ¡°Dwayne and I got separated. The person he rushed over to rescue was sessfully rescued. As for me, I nearly died in the opponents'' hands. Thankfully, I was rescued at a critical moment.¡± Bailey side-eyed him and shed a half smile. ¡°I''m guessing the person who rescued you is a beauty, am I right? What''s wrong? Why didn''t you develop a rtionship with her or something? You know, like those kinds of interesting experiences between a man and a woman.¡± Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Ignoring her words, Artemis grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace, leaning over to kiss her. Bailey was stunned. ¡°I only have wicked thoughts for you. Yes, just like what you said earlier. The interesting experiences between a man and a woman. Why don''t we go back to my private mansion and experience it ourselves?¡± Bailey said nothing in reply. Artemis bit her lips gently and said hoarsely, ¡°You''re such a seductress. I can''t wait to take control of you. I bet a wild woman like you can only be controlled by me.¡± Hearing that, Bailey rolled her eyes and red at him, squirming to escape from his arms. This scoundrel... Is he addicted to kissing me or something? Artemis grabbed her waist with one arm and her chin with the other, warning, ¡°The more you squirm, the more you''re igniting my desires. When that happens, I''m going to make you satisfy my desires in the Revelle residence''s guest room.¡± Bailey stopped moving instantly, allowing the man on top of her to press down hard on her. ¡°I say, Mr. Luther. You''re the one who came here flirting with me for no reason. What on earth do you want?¡± Artemis eyed her. ¡°Shouldn''t you know already? Do I have to bed you to teach you a lesson?¡± Meanwhile, Felicity, Gerald, Caridee, Rhonda, and Maxton were having lunch in the dining room at the Luther residence. Felicity kept piling food on Maxton''s te. ¡°Eat more, my darling. You haven''t been eating well recently. You''ve lost so much weight. Here. Have more to replenish your system.¡± Maxton felt disgusted at the sight of the greasy roast pork on his te. Without even hesitating, he picked up his fork and push them all onto Rhonda''s te. Rhonda''s face twisted in disgust. She had been consuming pills and avoiding greasy food to suppress her morning sickness. As soon as Maxton transferred all the roast pork onto her te, a sudden wave of nausea washed over her. She tried her best to repress it. s, she could not put up with it. She mmed the fork down and ran to the restroom. Maxton rolled his eyes and pouted. ¡°How is she my biological mommy when she''s disgusted at her son''s food? Hmph.¡± ¡°What''s wrong with her?¡± Caridee questioned, arching a brow. Suddenly, a thought came to Felicity''s mind, and her eyes lit up with excitement. She shot to her feet and hurried over. Meanwhile, Rhonda did not even bother closing the restroom door as she leaned over the sink and vomited her guts out. After all, it had already been a month. Showing signs of morning sickness at that point would not raise any suspicions. Felicity patted Rhonda''s back while saying happily, ¡°Ronni, didn''t you say Artemis had sex with you a month ago without using any protections? And now, you''re vomiting so terribly. Could you be pregnant?¡± The vomiting sounds stopped, and Rhonda stared at Felicity in disbelief. With a trembling voice, the former said, ¡°N-No way. There can''t be such a coincidence. I mean, it was only once. Can I really get pregnant just like that?¡± ¡°It''s possible. Didn''t the same thing happen when you got pregnant with Max? I got pregnant with Artemis after just one night too. I''m pretty sure you''re pregnant. Come on. Let''s get you checked at the infirmary,¡± Felicity said as if she was an experienced person. Rhonda was indeed pregnant. The person in charge of the infirmary performed an ultrasound on Rhonda and confirmed that she was one month into her pregnancy. The period matched her story perfectly. Felicity was ted while Maxton was stumped. He could not understand how Rhonda got pregnant. Did Ratemis really bed her? That''s impossible! Ratemis is totally infatuated with Bailey. How could he touch another woman? Chapter 211 Chapter 211 Artemis was in the office when he received a call from the Luther residence, congratting him on his new baby. After receiving the news, he froze on the spot. Bailey''s pregnant? Wait. No. Rhonda''s pregnant? Artemis was slightly taken aback by the sudden news of his new role. Right then, the door to his office opened, and Bailey walked in. ¡°The pharmaceutical factory gave me a call just now. They said the drug has entered the fourth clinical trial. You can start preparing for the next steps. Once the trial is sessful, we can start mass-producing the drug andunching it.¡± Artemis leaned against the table and stared fixedly at his phone,pletely ignoring her. Noting that, Bailey raised her brow and strode over to him, teasing, ¡°Did you get drunk with some womanst night? Was it so unforgettable that you can''t snap out of it?¡± In the next second, she regretted her actions. The man in front of her caught her by the waist, turned around, and pressed her against the table. ¡°Haven''t you learned your lesson? There''s a lounge in here. Should I carry you in there, ravage you to teach you a lesson?¡± he asked. Bailey red at him, not realizing the words that had left her lips earlier sounded reproachful. ¡°Stop messing around. The door is still open.¡± Chuckling, Artemis leaned in and pecked her lips. ¡°You''re flirting with me, eh?¡± Bailey turned her face away and hissed, ¡°Looks like my skills have risen to another level. Who would''ve known I would be able to flirt with a dog?¡± What the hell? How could this woman be so savage? ¡°Please get up. Keep your hands to yourself. We can talk this out.¡± Artemis raised his brow and ignored her words as he continued touching her body. Bailey, on the other hand, had experienced enough to know that she would make him more aroused by resisting. Hence, she stopped moving and stared at the beautiful decorations on the ceiling. ¡°Rhonda is pregnant,¡± Artemis said with a smile. Bailey froze for a moment. She then narrowed her eyes as she stared at him, frowning. ¡°Didn''t you take any precaution that night?¡± Artemis smirked. ¡°I gave her some pills, but she still got pregnant.¡± ¡°Hm... Could the drug have failed?¡± ¡°I don''t think so. It''s a birth control pill formted by Luther Group''s best medical team. How could they make such a low mistake? Take another guess.¡± Bailey pondered for a moment before guessing, ¡°Hm... There could be two possibilities. First, the fact that Rhonda took such a huge risk during Caridee''s birthday party to have sex with you means that she''s trying to get pregnant with your child. Two, she was already pregnant at that point, and she just wanted you to bed her so that she can use that excuse to make that unborn child of hers yours.¡± Artemis pinched her cheek and smiled. ¡°You always manage to find the right answer. You''re right. I had pretty much the same guesses as yours.¡± Bailey blinked and raised her brow. ¡°So, what do you n to do? Perhaps, you should just ept the situation and adopt that child of hers on behalf of another man?¡± Artemis stared fixedly at her, saying with a deep voice. ¡°Bailey... I think Max isn''t...¡± He faltered and fell silent. Though he never wanted to look into the matter, he had little a choice at that moment. After all, Rhonda was a cunning woman who was capable of doing anything. That included stealing Maxton from someone else, appearing at his doorsteps, and iming someone else''s role. However, Bailey misunderstood his words, thinking he was suspecting Maxton was not a descendant of the Luther family. ¡°That can''t be. Wasn''t Justin the one who handled your paternity test with Max? Rhonda is not capable of bribing Justin to falsify the results. Don''t you think you''re going a little too far by suspecting Max isn''t your biological child?¡± Artemis red at her and hissed, ¡°Tsk. What are you thinking? I''m saying I suspect Max isn''t Rhonda''s child. I think she stole him from his biological mother.¡± Bailey''s expression turned grim, and she said in a serious tone, ¡°Same here. During my recent interaction with Rhonda, I can confirm that she''s trying to kill Max. But why? Why is she trying to kill her own child though? Hence, I can''t think of another reason apart from Max not being her biological child.¡± Artemis nodded. Suddenly, his tone of voice turned frosty as he hissed, ¡°That kid has been insisting that Rhonda isn''t his mother, and I keep thinking he doesn''t acknowledge her as his mother because of her materialistic nature. Now that I think about it, there''s definitely something suspicious about it. Can you find a way to get Rhonda''s blood? I want a paternity test done between her and Max.¡± Bailey said tly, ¡°You don''t necessarily need a blood sample. A strand of hair will do. Even body fluids can do the trick. I''m pretty sure you won''t collect her body fluids, right? Go for her hair, then. It should be fairly simple since she lives in the Luther residence.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll get the housekeeper to get Rhonda''s hair while cleaning the house. Perhaps the housekeeper might find some on the bed or the carpet.¡± Bailey raised an arm and pushed his chest. ¡°That''s settled then. Can you get up now? This position is quite tiring.¡± Artemis side-eyed her and said with a smirk, ¡°Do you want to go into the lounge? It''s a more suitable ce.¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± A cough sounded at the door. Dwayne had an awkward expression as he stood frozen to the ground, not sure whether he should enter the office or leave. ¡°Are you two nning to carry on? Should Ie backter? Is one hour enough?¡± he asked. What the hell? What nonsense is he spouting? Bailey shoved Artemis away, flipped around, and stood up. She straightened her clothes and red at Dwayne. ¡°Don''t you know you should knock before entering? Have your basic manners gone out of the window?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes and said exasperatedly, ¡°I say, Ms. Bailey, did you remember closing the door after entering?¡± Uh... Artemis grabbed Bailey and ced her behind him protectively. Frowning at Dwayne, the former questioned coldly, ¡°Why did youe in for? Is the CEO''s office a ce you can enter whenever you want?¡± What the heck? Dwayne''s eyes widened as if he had heard the most shocking thing on earth. The CEO''s office is the ce I visit over a hundred times on a daily basis. Am I not supposed to enter this ce now that there''s a woman he fancies? ¡°Okay. Fine. From today onwards, I won''t step foot in this ce unless you call for me.¡± ¡°Hey, spit it out. Get lost if you have nothing to say.¡± Dwayne took a deep breath and suppressed his temper. Grinning, he said, ¡°Congrattions on bing a father, Mr. Luther. Mrs. Luther has just phoned the public rtions department to have them arrange a press conference. She''ll be announcing Ms. Rhonda''s pregnancy and your marriage with Ms. Rhonda.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. Artemis turned to look at Bailey. When he saw the half-smile on her lips, understanding dawned on him. ¡°Do what Mrs. Luther has ordered. Let her have the press conference and announce Ms. Rhonda''s pregnancy,¡± he said. Dwayne''s smile froze. Wait. This is different from what I expected. Chapter 212 Chapter 212 Shouldn''t this tyrant lose his temper after hearing that? He should be rushing home now to convince Mrs. Luther to cancel the press conference. Why is the plot going in another direction? ¡°My dear friend, are you sure you heard what I said? I just said Mrs. Luther wanted to announce Ms. Rhonda''s pregnancy to the public. She also wants to announce your marriage to Ms. Rhonda. The child in her belly¡ª¡± ¡°It is mine for now,¡± Artemis said tly. Dwayne was at a loss for words. ¡°All right. Get out if you have nothing else to say. Don''t get involved in the press conference. Just let my mother carry it out.¡± Artemis waved his hand as he would to a fly. After watching Dwayne leave, Bailey raised her brow as she gazed at Artemis, chuckling. ¡°Are you sure you''re going to go with my idea? Once Mrs. Luther tells the world that Rhonda is pregnant, everyone will think the child in her belly is yours. It isn''t that easy being someone who''s cheated on.¡± ¡°It doesn''t matter.¡± As Artemis grabbed her waist, he leaned into her ear and nibbled it. ¡°Oh, well. As long as it makes you happy. We''ll teach her a good lesson once we prove she''s not Max''s mother. Let her enjoy her life for now. That way, she can experience the feeling of falling from heaven to hell.¡± That afternoon, Felicity held a press conference at Luther Group''s conference room, announcing to the world that Rhonda was one month into her pregnancy. Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. The news was a shock to the upper-ss society. It was a known fact that Artemis did not like Rhonda. Hence, he had always been indifferent to her for the past seven years. In fact, no one knew when she would be married into the family. Just as everyone was making jokes about her, she had secretly lured Artemis to bed her, causing her to be pregnant with his child. Basically, she had turned her situation around again. ¡°Mrs. Luther, when will Mr. Luther and Ms. Rhonda''s marriage be held?¡± ¡°We are curious. Ms. Rhonda is already bearing the second child. The wedding should be happening sooner than expected, right?¡± Felicity did not have an urate answer to those questions. Thus, she only managed, ¡°Rhonda has contributed greatly to the Luther family by bearing our family children. I''ve already acknowledged her as my daughter-inw long ago. As for the wedding, it should be happening soon. I''ll hold another press conference to announce it.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room of the Luther residence, Gerald grabbed the remote control on the coffee table and turned off the television. Caridee, who had been sitting beside him, seem rather confused after watching the press conference. She asked, ¡°Daddy, why is Mommy in a rush to announce Rhonda''s pregnancy? They had just confirmed her pregnancy. And now, she''s telling it to the world. What exactly is Mommy up to?¡± Gerald shook his head with a smile. A sigh escaped his mouth as he said, ¡°That''s because the daughter-inw I prefer isn''t Rhonda. The future matriarch of the Luther family should be an international socialite. Rhonda hasn''t reached my standards yet, even if she had borne Artemis a son. Still, she''s not the ideal candidate I want.¡± That piqued Caridee''s interest. She scooted over to Gerald and held his arm, asking curiously, ¡°Rhonda isn''t your ideal daughter-inw? Then, who''s your ideal daughter-inw? Come on. Tell me.¡± Gerald smiled and said gently, ¡°Zoey Shurmer, the eldest daughter of the Shurmer family of Lostaria. She''s one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. She''s very polished and elegant. Only she is worthy of your eldest brother.¡± Caridee snorted. ¡°Zoey, eh? Your taste is definitely better than Mommy''s. I heard that many princes of Danontand, Gregan, and other countries want to take Zoey''s hand in marriage to build a connection through marriage. Unfortunately, she has very high standards and fancies none of them.¡± As soon as she finished, she blinked and grinned at Gerald. ¡°Don''t tell me you like Zoey because of Aunt Waverly? Didn''t you pursue Aunt Waverly when you were younger? She then married the Shurmer family and gave birth to Zoey. Have you fallen in love with Aunt Waverly so much that you love her family, too? Is that why you think Zoey''s the ideal daughter-inw for Artemis?¡± Gerald red at her. ¡°Nonsense. Your mom''s imagination is going to run wild if she hears this. Besides, who doesn''t admire anyone when they were younger? So many years have passed. I''ve been married to your mother for over twenty years, and she''s borne me children. Isn''t that greater than the puppy love from my younger days?¡± Caridee pouted and mumbled, ¡°I''m just kidding. Why do you have to be so fierce?¡± She had finally understood why Felicity wanted to announce Rhonda''s pregnancy. Felicity had been feeling upset over the fact that Gerald had once pursued Waverly when he was younger. When Felicity found out Gerald wanted to have a marriage connection with the Shurmer family, she quickly grabbed hold of Rhonda to prevent Zoey from marrying into the Luther family. Felicity was determined to make Artemis marry Rhonda, even if the Jefferson family''s background was not as great as the Shurmer family''s. ¡°Is this you taking a step back by letting Mommy hold a press conference? Does that mean you''ve epted Rhonda?¡± Gerald massaged his temples and said suggestively, ¡°I''m afraid I have no choice but to ept Bailey if I reject Rhonda. I''d rather your brother marry Rhonda instead of Bailey. Perhaps I''m not fortunate enough to have Zoey be my daughter-inw.¡± In the meantime, Rhonda was leaning against the bed and rubbing her t belly in the room. The fact that Artemis isn''t objecting to Mrs. Luther holding a press conference shows he has silently epted the child in my belly as his. That also means I have made the Luther family believe I''m bearing their child. Suddenly, someone kicked the door open with a loud bang. It gave Rhonda a shock. As she lifted her gaze, she saw Maxton storming into the room. A murderous look fleeted across her eyes. Maxton walked straight to the side of her bed and red at her, hissing, ¡°Didn''t you say you love me? Why do you have to get pregnant again? Do you want to give birth to another son to fight for the family assets with me?¡± Rhonda was speechless. Clearly, she did not understand what he was moring about. After being momentarily stunned, she reached out and held Maxton''s arm. ¡°Max, why would you think that? Isn''t it great that I''m giving you a baby brother? You two can keep each otherpany in the future.¡± Maxton harrumphed. Truth was, Maxton had given Zayron a call and discovered that Artemis had not slept with Rhonda a month ago. I knew it. Ratemis has fallen head over heels for Bailey. How could he sleep with this woman? ¡°Fine. You can give birth to him, but you have to swear to Grandpa and Grandma that he''ll never take my inheritance in the future.¡± Rhonda slowly clenched her fist, and her gaze gradually turned frosty. She questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°Maxton, he''s your brother. How could you be so hostile to him?¡± Maxton twitched his lips. Hah. I''m finally seeing her vicious side. Looks like my n is effective. I''m sure she''ll attack me if I agitate her. This time, I''m going to get proof and make her get jailed for the rest of her life. ¡°His presence is basically an act of taking my inheritance from me. Isn''t it only right that I''m hostile toward him? There''s no such thing as familial affection in wealthy families, let alone brotherly love and rtionships. There''s only profit. I won''t hesitate to get rid of him if he dares to covet my possessions.¡± With that, he turned around and shot out of the room. Rhonda was so mad that she threw two punches into the bed. That d*amned b*stard! Chapter 213 Chapter 213 I''m definitely going to kill him! The next day, rence and Beatrice came to visit the Luther family. Before they raised the topic of marriage, Felicity took the lead to talk about it. ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, since Ronni is pregnant with a second child, I think it''s time to talk about her marriage with Artemis. When you have time, Gerald and I should pay you a visit and discuss further.¡± rence was overjoyed deep down, but he looked hesitant and pretended to be in a dilemma. ¡°What does Artemis think? After all, they are the ones getting married. If the groom-to-be doesn''t agree, it''s meaningless for us to say anything.¡± In fact, Felicity was determined to let Rhonda marry Artemis. I know that Zoey is a lot better than Rhonda. Anyone who is rational would choose Zoey over Rhonda. However, she is Waverly''s daughter! Waverly is the person I am most jealous of. If her daughter marries into our family, I would never have another happy day in my life. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Jefferson. Before I held the press conference yesterday, I tried to ask someone from the public rtions department to sound Artemis out. He did not stop me, which proved that he recognized the baby in Ronni''s belly. I believe he will agree to the marriage. If you''re still worried, I''ll let him take Ronni to register the marriage first. What do you think?¡± rence quickly nodded and said, ¡°Then we need your help to get this done. Now that they have two children, I really think it''s time for them to get married.¡± ¡°Sure, sure. What Mr. Jefferson said is absolutely right. Artemis is rather busy these two days, and he has not returned home yet. I will talk to him once he is back. You just wait for the good news!¡± Meanwhile, at Veronique''sboratory, Bailey walked out of a room with a test report. Artemis hurriedly stood up from the couch and asked anxiously, ¡°How is it?¡± Bailey shook her head and handed the report to him without saying anything. Artemis took over the report and turned to thest page as he did not have the patience to go through all the data on the front pages. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. The sentence on thest page read: Specimen A and Specimen B are not biologically rted. Artemis squeezed the papers tightly, and his eyes shed with the fire of fury. It was not surprising that he was so angry. He had been fooled for seven years. Anyone in that situation would be angry too, not to mention Artemis. Bailey grabbed his arm and said, ¡°Please calm down. This is an expected oue, isn''t it?¡± Artemis closed his eyes abruptly and took several deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, he said, ¡°Bailey, don''t you think this is such a coincidence?¡± Stunned, Bailey looked at him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Artemis put his hand on her shoulder and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°You and Rhonda gave birth on the same day. Your first child was stillborn. At the same time, she came to the Luther family with an infant whose biological mother was unknown. Don''t you think all of these are too coincidental?¡± Bailey immediately understood what Artemis was trying to say. His words sent shivers up and down her spine. ¡°Y-You mean Rhonda took away my first child and pretended to be hers? T-This is impossible. Simon is Zayron and Susan''s father, while you are Max''s father. How could the three of them be triplets when they have different fathers?¡± Artemis rubbed his eyebrows. ¡°Hold on, hold on. Let''s not rush to the conclusion. We have to calm down and think carefully about what went wrong.¡± With that, he slowly released her and started pacing back and forth in the room. Bailey froze on the spot for a moment and suddenly lowered her body to pick up the report on the floor. She seemed to have thought of something. However, she put on a disappointed look after looking at the report for a long while. Noticing her strange behavior, Artemis squatted beside her and asked anxiously, ¡°What''s wrong? Did you find something?¡± Bailey pursed her lips and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°If Max is my first child, then he should have a blood rtionship with Rhonda too since Rhonda is my sister. I''ve read this report very carefully, but none of the data shows that Max and Rhonda are rted.¡± A trace of dejection shed through Artemis'' face, and he blurted out, ¡°Are you and Rhonda really sisters?¡± Bailey frowned. ¡°What?¡± Artemis realized that he had said something inappropriate, and he quickly apologized, ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have said that. Please don''t take it to heart.¡± Bailey nced at him, stood up slowly, and said in a low voice, ¡°For now, I can only be sure that Max is not Rhonda''s son. As for who Max''s biological mother is, you have to find out yourself. I really shouldn''t give myself any false hopes. My son is dead, and I shouldn''t deceive myself.¡± Artemis stood up too. ¡°I''m sorry for making such an inappropriate inference. I shouldn''t have raised any false hopes for you too.¡± Bailey waved her hand and changed the topic. ¡°What are you going to do with Rhonda?¡± Artemis smiled coldly, and a hint of chilliness shed through his eyes. This was the real Artemis, the man at the helm of Luther Group who was unscrupulous and ruthless. ¡°Since she''s not Max''s mother, then I don''t have to care about her so much. She has fooled my family for seven years. I think it''s time for her to pay the price.¡± At night, Artemis returned to the Luther residence. In the living room, Felicity tugged his hand and talked a lot. She thought he would refuse as always, but to her surprise, he readily agreed with the marriage arrangement. ¡°I leave it to you to make the decision on this matter. There''s no need to ask for my opinion. You guys go ahead with the discussion. I''ll go upstairs to check on Rhonda first.¡± Felicity put on a bright smile. ¡°Yes, you should go and take a look at her. Carrying a child is not an easy job. You should care more about her.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± I will definitely care more about her! Artemis walked straight to Rhonda''s room on the second floor and pushed open the door that was left ajar. His movement was not big, but he still woke Rhonda who was dozing off. A smile appeared on her face when she opened her eyes and realized it was Artemis. ¡°Artemis, you''re back.¡± Artemis stopped three meters away from her bed, staring at her coldly. How dare you still want to sleep with me when you''re pregnant with an illegitimate child? At that moment, Rhonda did not know what Artemis was scheming in his mind. Rhonda slowly suppressed her smile under the cold-eyed stare of Artemis. She looked at him awkwardly and asked in a trembling voice, ¡°W-What''s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Artemis'' lips curved into a devilish smile, and he fixed his gaze on Rhonda''s t belly. ¡°I hope you give birth to a daughter,¡± he said softly. Rhonda was stunned. A daughter? No way! I can''t give birth to a daughter! Can I expect a daughter to take over the assets of the Luther family for me? ¡°A-Artemis, what if it''s a son? Would you not love him anymore?¡± Chapter 214 Chapter 214 Artemis arched his brows and smirked. ¡°Of course, I will love him! I have to thank the baby in your belly as it makes me realize a lot of things.¡± Rhonda was startled, and she had a bad feeling. Just when she was about to ask further, Artemis spoke again, ¡°I''ve been in touch with the person in charge at the City Hall, and he''ll bring the staff over to our residence tomorrow. Don''t you want to register our marriage? I get them to do it here.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhonda looked at him in a daze. Did I hear it right? Did he say that he''s arranged for the people from City Hall toe here for our marriage registration? The unexpected happy event caught her off guard. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°A-Artemis, do you really want to register our marriage?¡± Artemis put on a devilish smile again. ¡°Do I look like I am kidding? Or do you not want to get registered?¡± ¡°No.¡± Rhonda became anxious all of a sudden and wanted to get out of her bed. A trace of sarcasm shed through Artemis'' eyes, and he said lightly, ¡°You should just stay in bed. The baby in your belly is so precious now, and I take it very seriously. You have to take good care of it.¡± Rhonda dared not move anymore. She hurriedlyid back and said anxiously, ¡°Tomorrow. We''ll register our marriage tomorrow, right?¡± Artemis turned around and started walking toward the door. ¡°Yes, that''s right. It''s tomorrow. You don''t have to doubt what I said as I always keep my word. Get some rest now, and we''ll talk about it tomorrow.¡± Rhonda narrowed her eyes to look at his departing figure and fell into deep thought. The surprise that came all of a sudden made her feel a little unreal. She was so flustered to the extent that she felt something was not right. Did he really just say that he wants to marry me? Am I dreaming now? She leaned on the bedside and thought for a long while, but she was still clueless. She reached for her phone on the bedside table and gave Beatrice a call. She then told Beatrice about Artemis'' decision. ¡°Mom, why do you think he suddenly changed his mind? Do you have any idea what he wants to do actually?¡± Beatrice smiled andforted her, ¡°Don''t worry too much, Ronni. I guess it''s Felicity who pressured him to do so. Perhaps Artemis has no choice but topromise because of his mother''s pressure.¡± ¡°Huh? What did Mrs. Luther do to pressure Artemis?¡± Rhonda frowned and asked. Beatrice said sarcastically, ¡°Do you know who Gerald''s ideal eldest daughter-inw is?¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The eldest daughter of the Shurmer family, Zoey.¡± Rhonda was stunned for a moment. When she came back to her senses, she asked as she in a confused tone, ¡°Zoey is one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. I am not surprised that she''s the ideal daughter-inw in Gerald''s eye. But what does this have to do with that old woman?¡± ¡°Oh, let me tell you. Zoey''s mother is Waverly, the first love of Gerald. This woman had given Felicity a very hard time back then. So, Felicity will notpromise as long as this woman is in the picture. Do you think it is possible for Felicity to agree to Waverly''s daughter marrying Artemis?¡± exined Beatrice patiently. Rhonda finally understood the situation a little, and she tried to ask further, ¡°I understand that Felicity does not want Artemis to marry Zoey, so she forced Artemis to marry me. But what did Felicity do actually to pressure Artemis?¡± ¡°Well, she''s Artemis''s mother! She has her own ways of dealing with him. You don''t need to think so much. You should be happy that Artemis is willing to marry you now! Your position in the Luther family will be as solid as a rock as long as Felicity has your back!¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll do as you say.¡± Meanwhile, at the Saunders residence, Victoria was reading the financial report in the living room. All of a sudden, a middle-aged man rushed in and shouted, ¡°Ms. Victoria, Mr. Saunders, something bad has happened!¡± Victoria moved her gaze to the butler and frowned. ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? What can happen at such ate hour?¡± The butler knelt on the ground in a thud and said anxiously, ¡°Ms. Victoria, Mr. Victor... Mr. Victor was taken away by the police.¡± Victoria was stunned. After regaining her senses, she lowered her body, sped the butler''s arm, and asked in a deep voice, ¡°What did he do again? Why was he arrested by the police?¡± The butler took a few deep breaths to calm down his emotion. ¡°The police said Mr. Victor is secretly manipting the stock market and is suspected of somemercial crimes. I don''t really know the details. Sean called me and told me that Mr. Victor is in trouble. But he didn''t tell me in detail over the phone.¡± The butler''s voice started to break. Victoria stood up from the couch and was about to walk outside. ¡°What a moment. Your brother is not that smart and knows very little about business. Do you believe that he''s capable of manipting the stock market andmittingmercial crimes?¡± asked Vincent with a majestic voice while walking down the spiral staircase steadily. Victoria''s body started trembling violently, and her face gradually turned pale. ¡°W-What do you mean?¡± Vincent walked up to her and stared at her for a long moment. Without answering her question, he asked further, ¡°Is Lionel back in Hallsbay already? Have you met him?¡± Victoria staggered a few steps backward and looked at him, startled. ¡°This person has long since disappeared from my world. Why are you still mentioning him now?¡± ¡°Why am I mentioning him? Don''t you have a clue? I don''t care if you want to take over Saunders Group or even hand over Saunders Group to that kid from the Gezmond family. But Victor is your brother. You can''t hurt him.¡± ¡°I didn''t do anything!¡± Victoria looked at Vincent with teary eyes and said furiously, ¡°I did have any ill intention when I came back here. I wanted to return everything I owed the Gezmond family to Lionel, but I didn''t n to harm my own brother! I never once thought of putting you or Victor in danger.¡± Vincent gazed at her with a look of pity, feeling a little sorry for her. ¡°That means it was him. Let me take care of this, and you don''t have to worry about it. Just go back to your room and rest.¡± Victoria looked at him stubbornly and said in a tough tone, ¡°No. If he wants to take revenge, none of us can escape. I''m no exception too. Dad, you rest first. I''ll go to the prison to find out what''s going on.¡± With that, she stormed toward the main door. Vincent tried to stop her, but she ignored him. She walked out of the living room and rushed into the dark night. At the study in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was studying the DNA test report of Rhonda and Maxton. She was secretly hoping that Maxton was her first child who was stolen by Rhonda to pretend to be hers but she could not find any clues on the test report even after reading it a hundred times. Rhonda does not have any blood rtionship with Max, not even in the slightest. If Max is my eldest son, why is he not rted to Rhonda at all? Chapter 215 Chapter 215 Mixed feelings of despair and sadness bloomed in her chest. My son died seven years ago. Why do I still expect him to be alive? How silly of me! But... If Max is not Rhonda''s child, then who is Max''s mother? Who did Rhonda steal Max from? Beep! Beep! Beep! The phone on the desk rang. She grabbed it over and saw that it was a call from Victoria. ¡°Vicky, what''s the matter for you to call me at this hour?¡± ¡°Bay, listen to me. My brother is arrested by the Department of Justice. They said he was secretly manipting the stock market and is suspected of getting involved in somemercial crimes. I need to see him now, but I don''t know anyone in the Department of Justice. Do you think you can help me make the arrangement to see my brother?¡± Bailey stood up in an instant. ¡°Where are you? I''ming to see you now.¡± Belonging to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I''m at the Department of Justice.¡± ¡°Okay. I have some dealing with the head of the Department of Justice. Don''t worry. I''ll give him a call right now and see if he can do me a favor. You just stay there, and I''ll be there in half an hour.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, Maxton was lying in his bed quietly in the Luther residence. Half an hour ago, his father suddenly came to his room, sat down on the bed, stared at him with a mysterious gaze, and said nothing. A shiver ran up his spine, and he asked, ¡°D-Did I do anything wrong? If I did something wrong, you can tell me directly. Please don''t torture me this way. It''s killing me.¡± Artemis did not say anything, and he fixed his gaze on Maxton''s delicate face. Such familiar facial features. I feel I''ve seen them somewhere. Maxton''s face started ovepping with the oval-shaped face in his mind, and they slowly merged together in the end. In fact, Artemis had always thought that Zayron looked a lot like him. Back then, he thought Zayron was Simon''s son, and it was not surprising that Zayron looked like his uncle. However, he did not think so now. Zayron looks so much like me. It is very likely that he is... ¡°Let me ask you something. Was the blood sample that you stole from the blood bank really your Uncle Simon''s blood?¡± Maxton was stunned. He looked at Artemis timidly and said in a low voice, ¡°Are you going to teach me a lesson now? It''s really not my doing. It was Zayron, that b*stard asked me to steal it.¡± ¡°I''m asking you whose blood sample did you steal that day?¡± Maxton shuddered and narrowed his eyes to recall what happened exactly that day. ¡°That day, I went to the infirmary with Grandma. Then, I went to the blood bank alone on the way. The blood samples of you and Uncle Simon were there. I just grabbed one, and then Grandma suddenly called me. I panicked and... I guess it was Uncle Simon''s blood that I took.¡± His voice became softer and softer as he started to lose his confidence. He suddenly came to a realization that he was not sure whose blood sample he actually took. What a moment! That did not make sense! Maxton widened his eyes and stared at Artemis in disbelief. ¡°If I took the wrong blood sample which was supposed to be yours, and it showed that the owner of the blood sample is Zayron''s father, does that mean that you''re Zayron''s father?¡± Artemis twitched the corners of his stiff lips. He felt he was not far from uncovering the truth. ¡°Max, Bailey did a DNA test for you and Rhonda, and the result showed that the two of you are not rted. Rhonda is not your biological mother.¡± Maxton snorted as he was not surprised at all. ¡°I knew it a few years ago. There''s no need for you to tell me this. I knew that Rhonda is not my mother! My mother will not...¡± Maxton suddenly paused and looked at Artemis in shock. ¡°Bay was pregnant with triplets, and her first child was stillborn. Zayron is her second child. If Zayron is your son, then my mother is... D*mn it!¡± He jumped up from the bed suddenly and looked at his father in surprise. Artemis curled his lips and touched Maxton''s head. ¡°The only thing I can''t figure out is the DNA test report of Zayron and your Uncle Simon. If you did not steal the wrong blood sample, then Uncle Simon is Zayron''s father, and Bailey is definitely not your mother. But if you stole the wrong blood sample...¡± ¡°If I stole the wrong blood sample, then I''m Bay''s first child! That means I have the same father and mother as Zayron and Susan!¡± Artemis'' body was shaking lightly. Was that woman really Bailey? Not only did she give birth to Max, but she also gave birth to Zayron and Susan? It was a triplet. She... He was astonished. That woman was imprinted in his flesh and blood soul, and all the surprises in his life came from her. Maxton put his arms around Artemis'' neck, buried his little head in his neck, and asked in a muffled voice, ¡°Daddy, Bay is my mommy, right?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Artemis nodded, and his voice was firm. It''s her. It must be her! Even if it is not, it will have to be her! Bailey drove to the police station. When she arrived, the head of the Department of Justice was there too. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we meet again.¡± Bailey smiled. ¡°Yeah, I''m afraid I''ll have to trouble you this time.¡± ¡°It''s no big deal. Ms. Jefferson is such a credible person. The anti-cancer drug that you''re in charge of has now entered the fourth clinical trial stage and will soon beunched in the market. This is going to benefit all mankind. It is my pleasure to be able to offer some help to you.¡± Bailey exchanged some pleasantries with him. She then turned to look at Victoria and said concernedly, ¡°You go check out the situation first. If your brother is being framed, then it is easy to deal with. But if he did manipte the stock market... Then, we''ll think of other ways.¡± ¡°Okay, thank you. Bay, if you were not here, I''ll really be at a loss.¡± Bailey patted her shoulder and said, ¡°Let''s go. I''ll wait for you outside.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the same time, at the Luther residence. Artemis, who just came out of Maxton''s room, received a call from Dwayne. He learned from Dwayne that Victor was arrested by the Department of Justice, and Victoria contacted Bailey for help. ¡°Okay, I got it. You go and find out what Victor did.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey waited for an hour at the entrance of the police station. Just when her patience was exhausted and about to go in, Victoria walked out in very slow steps. Bailey immediately rushed toward her and asked solemnly, ¡°Is the situation that bad?¡± Victoria''s legs buckled, and she fell into Bailey''s arms. ¡°I think his life is ruined. The amount involved is as high as billions. How are we going to solve this?¡± Bailey stretched out her hands to help her sit on the steps, andforted her, ¡°Don''t worry too much first. Tell me the situation.¡± ¡°My brother went to a casino to gamble some time ago and lost hundreds of millions in one night. He didn''t dare to ask for money from the family for fear that my dad will break his legs. So he manipted the stock of a listedpany after being instigated by someone. He managed to get a few billion out of it to pay his debt.¡± Bailey''s heart skipped a beat, and she asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Whichpany''s stock did he manipte?¡± Chapter 216 Chapter 216 Victoria pursed her lips, then uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°Fashionista.¡± Bailey was stunned. Fashionista... If my memory serves me right, it''s a mediapany owned by LG Corporation. In other words... Instantly, the look in her eyes reflected her mixed emotions. That''s right. How could I have forgotten the grudge between the Gezmond family and the Saunders family? ¡°What did Fashionista say?¡± Victoria bit her lip and answered in a voice choked with tears, ¡°It was all a setup to make my brother fall into their trap. Fashionista''s true owner is actually Lionel. If he insists on suing Victor, my brother will end up in prison. Bay, what should I do?¡± Bailey held Victoria''s trembling body tightly. Taking a deep breath, the former replied in a low voice, ¡°I''ll meet with Lionel and see if I can persuade him to show mercy.¡± ¡°It''s no use. Lionel plotted this entire thing in the first ce, and no one will be able to persuade him otherwise. His return this time is to take revenge on my family. Hence, I doubt he''ll listen to anyone on this matter,¡± Victoria replied, shaking her head while smiling bitterly. Bailey sighed inwardly. How could I not know how dire the situation is? It''s just that I don''t want to stand idly by. Whatever it is, I''ve got to do what I can. ¡°What about the person who abetted your brother into manipting Fashionista? Did the police catch him?¡± ¡°No. Since the whole thing is a setup, how could he have left my brother a way out?¡± Victoria hissed through clenched teeth. ¡°You have a point. Don''t worry, Vicky. There''s always a solution for everything. I''ll send you back first. Both of us have to calm down. We can onlye up with a n when we''re calm.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The following day, the City Hall''s person in charge arrived at the Luther residence with a few staff in tow. Artemis summoned the person in charge to the study, where they talked for half an hour. No one knew what they talked about, but the person in charge wore a strange expression aftering out of the room. Meanwhile, Rhonda was too caught up in her own happiness to notice anything. After filling in the form and signing her name as per the procedures, she asked the female staff who was sorting through the documents, ¡°There should be a photo of the couple on the marriage certificate, right?¡± The woman was a little taken aback. She subconsciously nced toward the person in charge, who smiled and said, ¡°Yes. However, it wouldn''t be suitable to take a photo now since it''s still the early stages of your pregnancy, and the baby''s condition isn''t stable. We''ll digitally merge two photos of both of you. What do you think?¡± Rhonda''s expression darkened at once. In an icy voice, she replied, ¡°How can you even suggest that? We have to take a photo now. If you don''t have a camera with you, I''ll have someone prepare one.¡± ¡°This...¡± The person in charge from City Hall felt caught in a dilemma. Turning and seeing Artemis returning from using the bathroom, he hurriedly asked thetter, ¡°Ms. Rhonda would like to have a photo taken of the both of you. Would you be okay with that?¡± Straightening his shirt as he strode toward the pavilion, Artemis answered tly, ¡°Don''t you know that she''s in the early stages of pregnancy? The baby''s condition isn''t stable yet, and I don''t want any photos. Are you capable of bearing responsibility if something should happen to the baby?¡± ¡°Artemis, taking a photo for the marriage certificate is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. How can we possibly use a photo of us created on aputer?¡± Rhonda asked in a wheedling tone. He shot her a frosty nce, then responded calmly, ¡°We''ll take one another day after your pregnancy is stable. If you can''t ept that, we''ll wait and get the marriage certificate a few monthster.¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhonda instantly became anxious. I waited so long for him to agree to this, so how can I postpone it to a few monthster? There''s that b*tch, Bailey, and Zoey, the world-famous beauty from a wealthy family. Both of them covet the position of the Luther family''s matriarch. If I let down my guard for even a second, they''ll take advantage of me, and I''ll live to regret it. ¡°Let''s go with your suggestion. We''ll take a photo on another day.¡± Artemis murmured an acknowledgment. Then, he turned to the City Hall''s person in charge and said cryptically, ¡°You''ve helped me out big time today, and I owe you one. If you need my help in the future, I won''t refuse.¡± The man reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow. Smiling obsequiously, he replied, ¡°It''s my honor to serve you, and I dare not ask for anything in return. If there''s nothing else, we''ll take our leave first. We''ll deliver the marriage certificate to you once it''s ready.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± After sending off the others, Artemis arched an eyebrow at Rhonda and said with a half-smile, ¡°Stay home and rest. Just let the butler know if there''s anything you want to eat. I still have some business to attend to at the office, so I''ll be going now.¡± With that, he headed straight for the garden''s exit without waiting for her to respond. ¡°Arte...¡± Rhonda subconsciously called out to him. However, her voice trailed off as she watched him walk away, looking cold and forbidding. Take your time. Take it one step at a time. I still have my whole life ahead of me to build our rtionship. The visit by the City Hall''s person in charge and his staff to the Luther residence was not done in secret, nor did Artemis take any measures to keep it confidential. Hence, it only took half a day for the news to spread like wildfire among the public, who thought it seemed both expected and somehow didn''t expect it at the same time. Why would the City Hall personnel go to the Luther residence? One doesn''t even need to think to figure that out. News of Ms. Rhonda''s pregnancy just got out. Subsequently, the Luther family invites people from City Hall to their residence. What else could it be for than to register the marriage between Artemis Luther and Rhonda Jefferson? It looks like there''ll be a grand wedding in Hallsbay soon. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Over at the CEO''s office in Luther Group''s headquarters, Artemis sat back on the couch as he spoke to Dwayne, who stood in front of him. ¡°Call Justin and tell him toe to the office. I need to speak to him urgently.¡± Surprised, Dwayne furrowed his brows as he replied, ¡°Justin went to the capital two days ago. Didn''t you know?¡± Artemis fell silent as he massaged the point between his brows. With a sigh, he said, ¡°I''ve been so busy these past couple of days that it slipped my mind. All right, then. I''ll wait until he returns to speak to him. Have you looked into the matter I asked you tost night?¡± ¡°Yes, I have.¡± Dwayne proceeded to exin the situation to Artemis, who narrowed his eyes and mused slowly, ¡°That means Victor got tricked.¡± ¡°Yeah, that''s what happened. On top of that, the other party did so openly through Fashionista.¡± Getting up from the couch, Artemis responded calmly, ¡°I know you love Victoria, but the grudge between the Gezmonds and the Saunders runs too deep. It''d be better for you not to get involved. Where''s Bailey? Is she in her office?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll go over and take a look. You can get back to your work.¡± Dwayne grinned as he watched Artemis walk out and said, ¡°Congrattions on your marriage.¡± Artemis halted his footsteps abruptly, then turned to gaze at Dwayne. ¡°I''m going to expand the business to Alendor next month, and I''m transferring you there to be in charge of that division. Hand over your work and be prepared to stay there for ten years.¡± ¡°What the f*ck!¡± Dwayne stomped his foot angrily. Artemis sneered, then strode out of his office. Meanwhile, Bailey was busy going through a pile of documents in her office. She subconsciously lifted her gaze at the sound of footsteps. When she saw Artemis, she raised her eyebrows and said, ¡°Oh, it''s you, Mr. Luther. Congrattions on your nuptials. Remember to treat me to dinner tonight.¡± cing one hand in his pants pocket, Artemis walked up to her desk with a graceful stride. Then, he leaned closer and murmured in his deep, maic voice, ¡°I don''t want to treat you to dinner. I want to have you.¡± She stared at him wordlessly. Chapter 217 Chapter 217 Bailey picked up a file from the desk and tossed it at his face. What a scoundrel! ¡°Get out!¡± Artemis grabbed hold of the file as it slid down his cheeks. He arched his brows and said, ¡°You insulted me first. Why can''t I tease you back?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. She shot daggers at him and sneered, ¡°Did I insult you? Your wedding with Rhonda has be the talk of the town, and you two will be holding the wedding of the century soon. Why can''t I, your employee, give you my blessings?¡± Artemisughed even more loudly. He pressed one of his hands on the desk and reached out his other hand to lift her V-shaped chin. ¡°Honey, are you jealous?¡± Honey? Bailey lifted her arm to p his hand off her chin. Disgusted by his remark, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Are you done teasing me? If yes, please get out. I''m busy and have no time for your nonsense.¡± Artemis grinned and shook his head. ¡°I want you to know that the only name that will appear on my marriage certificate is Bailey Jefferson. No other woman is qualified to put her name in that column, so ignore those rumors.¡± R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only Bailey was stunned for a moment. She thought the man would screw Rhonda up by marrying her so that she could experience the feeling of falling from grace. Upon hearing his remark, she felt there was more to it than meets the eye. ¡°Did you bribe City Hall officers and get them to fabricate a marriage certificate?¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Artemis arched his brows and smirked. ¡°Rhonda did marry someone named Artemis Luther. But that Artemis is a beggar, not me. Well, technically speaking, that''s not the beggar''s name either. I had to spend a million to get his name changed.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. While staring at the man with a nasty look, her lips twitched. Men can be much crueler than women if they want to. To Rhonda, being humiliated like that would be worse than death. ¡°You''re indeed a viin. Anyone who falls for you would suffer miserably.¡± Artemis walked past the desk and turned Bailey''s chair around. He then wrapped one hand around her waist, lifted her chin with his other hand, and smiled. ¡°But not you. You''ll be the happiest woman in the world if you fall for me.¡± That remark rendered Bailey speechless. Why do I feel like this b*stard has be horniertely? In the past, he would at least control himself, but now, it seems he doesn''t respect my boundaries anymore. ¡°Please. That would be disastrous. Hey, I am curious. What do you like about me? I''ll try to be less likable if you can give me some hints.¡± Artemis was not mad after hearing what she said. He was all smiles when he stared at her t tummy. It was her capability to produce offspring that had caught his attention. She gave me three kids in one go. How can I let her run away? Artemis believed God had been kind to him. The woman he loved was also the one who took his virginity and gave him two sons and a daughter. Since fate has brought us together, I can''t just let her go, can I? ¡°What are you smiling at?¡± Bailey got a little annoyed. After ring at the man for a moment, she sighed. ¡°Everyone says you''re cruel and heartless, but why do I feel that you''re just a dude who likes to flirt? I''m curious why you are so obsessed with me since you know how boring I am.¡± Artemis brushed his hand against her delicate face, then ran his fingers on her cheeks and uttered, ¡°Because spending time with you made me realize what good marriage is. That''s why I think you''re my soulmate. Bailey, stop running away from me. You won''t be able to outrun me.¡± Bailey did not know how to react to that confession. Artemis lowered his head and was ready to nt a kiss on her lips. Before she could retaliate, Artemis pulled himself away and turned his attention to the stack of files on the desk. He raised his brows and asked, ¡°Are you studying Victor''s case?¡± Bailey was stunned for a moment. ¡°You know about it?¡± On second thought, she felt she had asked a dumb question. Nothing escaped Artemis'' eyes, including international affairs. Since the entire Hallsbay is his territory, of course, he would know what happened to Victor. After shoving her aside, Artemis picked up a document and flipped through the pages. He then smiled. ¡°Victoria is your best friend, and now that her brother is behind bars, I know you''ll do something about it. But Lionel would not leave any traces of evidence behind because he is well-prepared this time. You''re just wasting your time going through all the documents.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and responded with a serious tone, ¡°So you expect me to sit and watch Victor being sentenced to jail for a crime he didn''tmit? ¡°He''s not innocent,¡± Artemis said in a calm voice. ¡°Someone might have instigated him, but his motive was obvious. He knew it was against thew but still did it. No one can clear his name as he was the one who cashed out that several billion.¡± A look of dejection shed across Bailey''s face. Artemis was indeed someone with good analytical skills who was not afraid of speaking his mind. Everything he said was logical that Bailey could not retort. Artemis smiled at her and raised his brows. ¡°It''s not a lost cause yet, as there''s still a chance to turn things around, but that particr person will have to reach out to the mastermind.¡± He continued, ¡°From loving to hating someone, Lionel has experienced it all. Putting his marriage and child aside, Lionel has feelings for Victoria. But no men can deal with the consequences of being betrayed by their loved ones.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, cast an icy nce at him, and asked, ¡°You mean I should ask Vicky to go and see Lionel so that she can resolve the grudges he had for her?¡± Before Artemis could exin further, she added, ¡°No. I''ll not allow that to happen. He''ll torture her to death. Vicky is innocent, and she doesn''t deserve to go through that misery.¡± Artemis looked at her and said indifferently, ¡°If she can''t handle the pressure, then she had no choice but to watch her brother suffer in jail and her family fall apart.¡± ¡°Victor''s case marks the beginning of Lionel''s revenge, and he probably has marked Vincent as his next target. Lionel would show no one mercy as he had nned this revenge for years. No one can stop him except Victoria.¡± Bailey pressed her lips and gritted her teeth for a bit. She then asked, ¡°Do you have any other ns in mind? What if I beg you to help them? Will you help Victor?¡± A corner of Artemis'' lips quirked up. He wrapped his hands around the woman''s waist again, pulled her to his chest, and whispered, ¡°A woman who seeks a man''s help must pay the price. Come to my private mansion tonight and serve me well.¡± In a fit of anger, Bailey knocked his chest with her elbow. ¡°You j*rk.¡± After responding with a deep grunt, Artemis chuckled. ¡°What''s wrong? Did I ask you to sleep with me? I just want you toe to my mansion to cook me a meal. Who''s having dirty thoughts now, huh?¡± Bailey did not know what else to say. This son of a b*tch. Meanwhile, in one of the rooms in the Luther residence, Rhonda sat up in the bed and leaned against the headboard. Beatrice sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at her. ¡°Ronni, don''t worry. I''d asked my friend at City Hall to check, and he told me your marriage certificate does carry Artemis'' name. Now that you''re married to him, everyone must start addressing you as Mrs. Luther.¡± Chapter 218 Chapter 218 A warm smile crept up on Rhonda''s face. ¡°Thank you, Mom. I can put my mind at ease now. I''ll wait for the elders to decide on the marriage date. Hopefully, the wedding will be held before my baby bump bes obvious.¡± Beatrice held Rhonda''s palm, patted it gently, and replied smilingly, ¡°Everything will be settled soon. The Luther family has to follow its lengthy andplicated tradition when ites to weddings. Despite that, Felicity has simplified a lot of it to avoid unnecessary trouble. Hence, we will probably decide on the marriage date in two days. Please be patient.¡± Rhonda murmured a response and gazed at the tightly-shut door. Momentster, she whispered, ¡°Mom, Maxton is hostile toward my baby. Now that he has recovered and be normal, I''m afraid my baby can''t seize the right to inheritance from him. You must find a way to get rid of that b*stard for me.¡± After giving it some thought, Beatrice said with a stern expression. ¡°We can''t rush things and must look for the right timing. Be patient, for there will always be a way. Remember not to act on impulse because we have worked so hard ande so far. As they say, a little neglect may breed great mischief.¡± Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°All right. Let him live for a few more days.¡± At night, Artemis returned to the Luther residence. The moment Artemis hopped out of the car, the housekeeper informed him that the person in charge of the infirmary was looking for him. He was a little excited and headed toward the infirmary without hesitation. When Artemis arrived at the study in the infirmary, he said, ¡°Please tell me the current situation.¡± The person in charge lowered his head and fell silent as though he was contemting the best words. After a minute or so, he said in a shaky voice, ¡°Mr. Luther, I conducted several tests and confirmed that the blood sample left in the blood bank belonged to Mr. Simon. In other words, the blood sample he stole back then was yours.¡± The atmosphere in the room got tenser as the person in charge exined what happened. Artemis tightened his grip on the wine ss but loosened it when a thought shed across his mind. After repeating the actions dozens of times, he asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Are you sure the blood sample left in the blood bank belongs to Simon?¡± Apparently, the person in charge was also shocked by the revtion. When the blood sample in the blood bank was proven to be Simon''s, it meant the one who underwent the paternity test with Bailey''s son was Artemis. The test result showed that they were father and son. In other words, Artemis had a son, whom he wasn''t aware of until today. ¡°I''m sure. If you don''t believe me, please ask Mr. Xuereb for confirmation.¡± Artemis was startled for a moment before he narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°What does he have to do with it?¡± The person in charge nodded and answered, ¡°A week ago, Mr. Xuereb took the remaining blood sample when he carried out a routine inspection of the blood samples in the blood bank. He kept it a secret from you and returned the blood sample three days ago when he left Hallsbay. Back then, I didn''t understand why he took the remaining blood sample. Now, I believe he probably noticed something and took it to conduct a test.¡± Artemis''s body trembled once he listened to the exnation. In the meantime, mixed feelings of shock and joy bloomed in his chest. He was certain that Zayron was his son. In addition, Max''s biological mother was Bailey, the woman who barged into Artemis''s life and couldn''t be gotten rid of. While his hands were shaking, Artemis took out a stic bag with a few strands of Zayron''s hair in it. The next moment, he pulled a few strands of his hair and handed them over to the person in charge. The man understood Artemis'' intention right away. After taking the strands of hair, he nodded and said, ¡°Please give me three days. I will give you an absolutely urate answer.¡± Artemis waved his hands and reminded the person in charge, ¡°Remember to keep it a secret from anyone. Get it?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± In the Revelle residence, Zephyry on the bed with an IV drip attached to his hand. As his condition worsened, he looked deathly pale and drained of all energy. While lying on the side of the bed, Zayron clenched his hair and said, ¡°Zephyr, are you trying to make things difficult for me on purpose? I can''t pair Justin and Veronique off if he isn''t fond of Veronique!¡± Zephyr coughed and replied feebly, ¡°Justin wouldn''t have let Aunt Veronique create a ruckus if he isn''t fond of her. Moreover, he was even aroused and almost slept with her. Don''t tell me he couldn''t control his desire just because he was drugged. I know the aphrodisiac drug wouldn''t have much effect on him.¡± Once Zephyr finished, Zayron sat straight and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Do you mean he''s fond of Vero? In that case, why did he mentally torture Vero?¡± ¡°It''s all because of the Fletcher family of Jadeborough. Sloan values Justin and wants him as his future son-inw. Hence, Justin rejects Aunt Veronique to prevent the Fletcher family from targeting the Revelle family.¡± ¡°The Fletcher family of Jadeborough.¡± Zayron scratched his head and added, ¡°They are tough nuts to crack. Even I might not be able to deal with them. Anyway, there are a lot of men out there. If Justin is a no-no, I can marry your aunt when I grow up. Why must you insist on him?¡± Zephyr pursed his lips and shook his head. ¡°Aunt Veronique only loves Justin. Zayron, now that my days are numbered, I''m only worried about her. I wish she could find her Romeo before I pass away, and Justin is the one for her.¡± ring at him, Zayron said, ¡°Pfft! Stop being so crestfallen. I''ll look for a way to pair Justin and Veronique off if you''re sure he loves her. Nheless, let me be clear. I am not doing this to fulfill your dying wish but merely to help you.¡± Zephyr chuckled. ¡°I''m d to have a friend like you. Thank you. I wish Aunt Veronique could find happiness. Then, I''ll be able to put my mind at ease and¡ª¡± Zayron red at him and gritted his teeth. ¡°Shut up. I''ll dig a hole and bury you if you spew nonsense again.¡± Instantly, Zephyr held his tongue. In a restaurant, Edmund and Bailey sat opposite each other in a private room on the second floor. ¡°Bay, the dust has settled here. Why don''t you quit your job in Luther Group ande with me to Archulea?¡± Bailey stopped cutting her steak and looked up at him. Momentster, she asked while frowning, ¡°Old Mr. Chivers'' condition has just stabilized. Why don''t you stay here to keep himpany?¡± Edmund put on a faint smile. ¡°Since he''s recovering, I cane back to visit him more often. I don''t have to stay by his side every day.¡± Bailey put down her fork and spoon and asked, ¡°Edmund, are you sure you won''t mind if I bring my children to live with you? More importantly, I''m not a virgin. Are you sure you''re willing to be loyal to me forever?¡± Edmund didn''t respond but only stared at her silently. At the same time, a glint of disappointment shed across his eyes. Instantly, Bailey regretted saying those words to Edmund. Do I not know what is on Edmund''s mind? ¡°I''m sorry for going overboard. I shouldn''t have questioned your character.¡± The next moment, Edmund held her fingers and said in a croaky voice, ¡°Bay, stop running away from it.¡± Chapter 219 Chapter 219 Bailey was shellshocked. Was I so obvious? She exined, ¡°I''m not trying to skirt the situation, Edmund. Let''s just see how it goes. The anti-cancer drug I''m developing is in the fourth clinical trial stage. That''s the most critical time in its development stage. I simply can''t leave now. You understand, right?¡± Edmund pursed his lips and eventually shot her a bitter smile. ¡°Of course. You''re a shining star, and I would be remiss to stop you from reaching your full potential. Developing anti-cancer drugs is a noble calling. I should''ve been as selfless as you.¡± Bailey twisted her hand around and held his wrist instead. She smiled and said, ¡°Why don''t you focus on running Chivers Group? We could form a powerful and trailzing alliance in the industry. What do you think?¡± He froze momentarily before smiling bitterly again. ¡°It''s fine. Bay, you have loftier aspirations than me. Still, someone as driven and calm as you won''t easily promise yourself to another. I''ll have my chance.¡± Bailey smiled silently in response. His feelings for me are too deep. Even if I reject him, he might still be too stubborn to give up on me. No one can predict the future, though. Once the dust has settled, who knows? I may very well end up with Edmund. Fate is far too unpredictable. After leaving the restaurant, Bailey rejected Edmund''s offer to send her back to her condominium. She exined, ¡°We''re not far from Shelbert Condominium which is only a twenty-minute walk. You should head home. It''s not safe to be driving toote at night.¡± Edmund failed to convince her. After cautioning her to be careful, he drove off. Bailey began walking home. A short whileter, she immediately sensed that something was off. Someone was following her. She whirled around and froze in shock. Artemis. What is he doing here? She clearly remembered that he had returned to the Luther residence after leaving thepany that afternoon. Her surprise grew as that thought crossed her mind. Since when do I know his schedule like the back of my hand? ¡°You...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Artemis strode toward her and wrapped his arm around her waist. ¡°I''ll marry you, Bailey. Okay?¡± Bailey was dumbfounded. As he leaned closer to her, she realized he was acting a little strange. Is he drunk? Or did something else happen to him? ¡°Let go of me first. We can talk at my condominium instead of the street. There aren''t many people around at this time, but... mmph!¡± Oh my God! He''s totally crazy! Artemis pressed her against a roadside tree and began kissing her after his abrupt proposal. Bailey struggled with all her might. To her dismay, she learned that a drunk man was far stronger than a sober one, and she barely shifted an inch in his embrace. ¡°Artemis Lut¡ª¡± He swallowed her protestspletely. In fact, opening her mouth merely gave Artemis a chance to deepen the kiss. Bailey only ever felt hopeless in his presence. He seemed to control her entire world, and she stood no chance of escaping his grasp. Just when she thought she was about to go numb from how tightly he was hugging her, Artemis slowly loosened his grip. Bailey gasped heavily for air. She felt less nauseated after filling her lungs and brain with some much- needed oxygen. After recovering her wits, she let out an angry snort. ¡°You''re a madman! Who the heck does something crazy like that? In a totally inappropriate location, if I may add!¡± Artemis stroked her cheek and hissed, ¡°Did I bed you? I don''t think so. I hardly deserve beingbeled as a madman. I''d caution you to mind yournguage.¡± Bailey was at once amused and infuriated. She was about to explode. This shameless scoundrel! Can he be any more outrageous? Bailey barked, ¡°Tell me. What triggered you this time? Why are you taking it out on me again?¡± He smiled at her and repeated himself, ¡°I''ll marry you. Okay?¡± That drew a bout of crazedughter from Bailey. Blinded by fury, she blurted, ¡°Mr. Luther, I stole the three billion that vanished from your ount. I''m sure a gold-digger like me can''t be your soulmate.¡± Artemis froze in surprise, though he quickly grew light-headed from all the alcohol in his system. He mumbled, ¡°Be a good girl. Let''s not talk about the money for now. Why don''t you exin those triplets to me, hmm?¡± Bailey was bbergasted. Did he read one too many romance novels? How does his mind jump to some totally unrted topic so quickly? She was utterly tongue-tied. After calming herself down, panic swelled in her chest. Thank God he was drunk and barely absorbed what I said earlier. Three billion could bankrupt my whole family. Rashness is the truly a devil. I can''t afford to blurt that out again. She changed tack and suggested, ¡°You may have drunk more than you could handle. Come on. I''ll take you back to my ce so you can rest.¡± Artemis rubbed his head and croaked, ¡°I saw you eating with Edmund, so I ordered a few bottles of wine and got a little tipsy. However, I''m not drunk.¡± Bailey could not be bothered to argue with him about his drunken state. Instead, she slung his arm over her shoulder and supported him as they walked toward the entrance of her residential area. Thank goodness we''re almost at the condominium. I don''t think I can lug this heavy thing around with me for much longer. Artemis woke up the next day on Bailey''s couch. After a brief moment of confusion, he recognized his surroundings and crawled up to a sitting position. ¡°Boss, you''re awake.¡± A childish voice rang out beside him. Artemis looked over instinctively and spotted Susan sitting on a nearby couch. The young girl wore cartoon pajamas and hugged a Barbie doll to her chest. She rocked her legs front and back while smiling sweetly at him. Artemis'' heart melted in an instant. Could she be my daughter? She must be. Her beautiful face is so simr to mine. Artemis initially thought Susan had inherited Simon''s genes. He had long since eliminated that possibility. She''s my daughter, goddammit! Meanwhile, Susan tilted her head and muttered, ¡°Bailey is really something, huh, forcing a girl who barely has a full head of hair to entertain you. Boss, how can someone as small as me satisfy you?¡± Artemis'' lips twitched in amusement. R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only The princess image in his mind instantly shattered. She''s nothing but a small devil in an adorable child''s clothing. How else could she say something as outrageous as that? Artemis massaged his temples to soothe his pounding head. ¡°Come here. Let me give you a hug.¡± ¡°Eww!¡± Susan stomped her feet and used, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Sighing, Artemis muttered, ¡°I''m way older than you. Just what are you thinking in that tiny brain of yours?¡± Susan backed away, clutching the Barbie doll tightly to herself. Then, she turned and ran for the master bedroom, shrieking, ¡°I''m getting Bailey! You can try your funny ideas on her! Leave me alone!¡± Artemis was speechless at her dramatic disy. What the heck has Bailey been teaching her children? How did she turn my daughter into a little monster? Chapter 220 Chapter 220 After watching Bailey enter the living room, Artemis struggled to get up and head to the bathroom. A momentter, Bailey came back out of the master bedroom, properly dressed. Well, she had no choice. There was a beast in the house, and she dared not walk around in a spaghetti-strapped nightgown like Susan. If she did that, she would essentially be offering herself up to a certain man. When she entered the living room, she found no one on the couch. Her eyes then flited toward the bathroom, where the sounds of running water wereing from. Just as she was about to walk over to ask him what he wanted for breakfast, a ringtone of a phone traveled into her ears. It was Artemis'' phone. A while of hesitationter, she walked over to pick up the phone. When she lowered her eyes and looked at the screen, she was greeted by the name ¡°Zoey.¡± Instinctively, Bailey raised a brow. The contacts that Artemis saved on his phone were all important people. Thus, she wondered, A confidante? An evil n formed in her head. She turned around to nce at the bathroom before walking over to the balcony. Then, she answered the call. Before she could say anything, a crystalline clear voice of a woman traveled out of the speaker. ¡°Artemis, what are you doing? I''m thinking ofing back to Hallsbay in a few days'' time. As usual, I''ll stay in your seaside mansion when I''m there.¡± Bailey was speechless upon hearing that. Are they that close to each other? It sounds like she''s a frequent guest in Artemis'' private mansion. Is she Artemis'' first crush? Just then, the door to the bathroom opened with a clink. When Bailey turned to look in his direction, she was taken aback. What the f*ck? I can''t believe this man ising out of the bathroom half naked. As Bailey''s mind went nk, she dropped the phone. Holy sh*t, there''s no way I''m going to be able to clear my name if the woman on the other end of the line misunderstands the situation. ¡°Who''s calling?¡± Artemis asked as he walked over. Bailey narrowed her eyes at him with a frown. ¡°Aren''t you mad that I picked up your call without asking for your permission?¡± By then, Artemis was already on the balcony. He casually reached out his arm to wrap it around her waist before whispering in her ear, ¡°I was serious about what I said to youst night. I want to marry you, so what''s wrong with my wife picking up a call for me?¡± The hair on the back of Bailey''s neck rose. For a moment, she forgot to struggle as she tilted her head to look at him. ¡°You still remember what happenedst night?¡± Mirth danced across Artemis'' eyes at that. He knew what the woman was worried about, and he could not help but think... What a greedy woman. ¡°Yes. I only remembered that I told you I wanted to marry you. Was there anything else?¡± ¡°No, no.¡± Bailey hastily shook her head, and her actions made her look a little silly. ¡°That''s all that happened. I...¡± Artemis'' heart melted when he saw her anxious demeanor. Before she could finish her sentence, he leaned over to nt a kiss on her lips. Beep, beep! His phone rang at the most inopportune time. Bailey thrashed and pushed him away before shoving his phone into his hands. She muttered, ¡°Your confidante is calling. She says she wants to stay in your mansion, but I didn''t answer her. It''s best that you call her back, or else the beautifuldy is going to be mad.¡± Artemis lowered his gaze to look at the phone she had pressed against his chest. Then, he grabbed it and threw it onto the couch. ¡°Ignore her. Let''s continue.¡± ¡°Mm!¡± As Victoria walked down the spiral stairs in the Saunders residence, she said to the person on the other end of the line, ¡°Are you sure Mr. Gezmond is currently in Fashionista?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ve looked into his tracks per your instructions, and he is indeed currently in Fashionista. Do you need me to book an appointment with Fashionista''s secretary?¡± ¡°No,¡± Victoria rejected immediately. ¡°The appointment will be at least three days after, and I can''t wait that long. I must meet Mr. Gezmond right away. You can carry on with your work. Thank you.¡± With that, she walked down thest step. Right as she was about to head out the door, Vincent''s voice came from the direction of the couch.¡± Are you going to meet Lionel?¡± Victoria halted in her tracks immediately. She then slowly turned to look at her father and pursed her lips. ¡°Lionel is personally supervising Fashionista, and he has demanded that thew enforcer give my brother a severe punishment. Father, we have no other choice. If I don''t lower myself and beg him, I''m afraid my brother will be in jail until he dies.¡± R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°Even so, you can''t go.¡± Vincent leaped to his feet, agitated. ¡°Isn''t Lionel trying to take revenge? He should being after me if he wants to do that. Listen to me, and don''t get involved in this. Be good. Stay home. Ignore Victor''s matter because I''ll think of a way to deal with it.¡± A bitter smile appeared on Victoria''s face as she hoarsely said, ¡°Dad, do you want me to watch as the Saunders family gets ruined? I can''t do that. You and Victor are my family. How can I sit on my hands and watch as the two of you get thrown in jail until the end of time?¡± Despite the many years of hatred she had for her family, when the opportunity was ripe for revenge, she realized that she could not cut ties with them at all. However, Vincent shot out his arm and smacked the coffee table twice before pointing at the spiral stairs. He snapped, ¡°You''re not allowed to go if I say no! Get back to your room right now! Without my permission, you can''t leave your bedroom. Do you hear me?¡± Victoria bit down hard on her lower lip before inching toward the exit of the living room. With tearful eyes, she said, ¡°If Lionel hadn''t been so trustful of me back then, his reputation wouldn''t have been destroyed by your schemes. At the end of the day, the pain and humiliation he went through were all because of me. The one who should be paying the price is me.¡± With that said, she spun around and sprinted out of the living room. ¡°Victoria!¡± Vincent bellowed after her, but his angry shouts could not stop his determined daughter. ¡°Ulrich, call Ms. Bailey and tell her about the situation. Have her stop Ms. Victoria.¡± ¡°Sure. Please calm down. I''ll contact Ms. Bailey right now.¡± On her way to Lionel, Victoria received a call from Bailey. Bailey blurted out, ¡°Vicky, do you know that you won''t be able to turn around once you go there? Lionel''s waiting for you toe.¡± Victoria wasted no time in telling Bailey, ¡°Bay, I''ve been living like the dead all these years. Let me see him and end this miserable love between us, or else I''ll never be able to live in peace for the rest of my life.¡± After hearing that, Bailey said nothing else and quietly ended the call. She knew that no one in this world could save Victoria. Perhaps only after going through an episode of excruciating pain and torture would she be able to transform into a different person. Victoria drove to Fashionista''s office. When she entered the building, she patiently conversed with the receptionist at the first floor''s lobby. ¡°I really have something urgent to talk to him about. Please let me head up to meet Mr. Gezmond. If anything happens, I''ll bear the full responsibility for this, so you won''t be held ountable.¡± ¡°Ms. Saunders, I''m really sorry, but I can''t let you go up without an appointment.¡± Right as Victoria was about to say something else, amotion broke out outside the lobby. ¡°Mr. Gezmond''s wife is here. Let''s hurry over to greet her!¡± Chapter 221 Chapter 221 Victoria''s body shuddered, and the words died in her throat. Mr. Gezmond''s wife? Lionel''s wife? Is she here in Hallsbay too? With those thoughts in mind, Victoria stiffly turned to look at the doorway. It was then she saw a young woman in a wine-red dress striding over with a few bodyguards surrounding her. She was a beautiful Adrune woman with delicate facial features; it was as if she was the magnum opus of a master sculptor. She looked noble, elegant, fashionable, and stylish. Victoria could see all the good qualities of a modern woman in the young woman. Furthermore, there was mirth in her eyes. Victoria guessed that only a woman loved by a man would be able to have such peaceful delight in her eyes. Lionel must adore her. I''m sure Lionel must be living a happy life with this beautiful woman by his side. While those thoughts shed past her mind, the voices of greetings traveled into her ears. Their greetings of ¡°Mrs. Luther¡± rushed into her ears and ached her heart. ¡°Wends, why are you here?¡± came a voice, and the entire lobby fell silent. Victoria instinctively turned to look in the direction of the voice. She then saw a slender figure stepping out of the private elevator and walking toward the young woman at the doorway. Victoria knew that figure well¡ªit was an image that had been seared into her soul. When she saw him reach out to pull the young woman into his arms, Victoria hastily spun around. The moment she lowered her gaze, a teardrop slid down her cheek and crept between her lips. This hurts. This hurts so much. However, Victoria did not have much time to rpose herself. Lionel had finally appeared in her line of sight, and she could not let the opportunity slip by her. After taking in a few deep breaths, she stered a smile on her face and walked over to the couple as the others stared at her. It had been seven years. Although the knowledge of Lionel and Victoria''s love had slowly faded with time, some of the older employees in thepany were award of it. When the crowd saw Victoria''s appearance, they broke out into an uproar. Wendy nudged Lionel and reminded, ¡°Nell, there''s ady walking toward us right now. It seems like she knows you.¡± At that, Lionel stiffened. Then, he turned around. Once he registered the identity of the other woman walking toward him, the smile on his face froze. Victoria continued her way over until she was in front of Lionel. She then shed a smile at him and said, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, please let me introduce myself. I''m the general manager of Saunders Group, Victoria Saunders. I was in a rush today, so please forgive me for how I haven''t made an appointment with you. Mr. Gezmond, may I know if we can step aside for a brief talk?¡± After the initial shock, Lionel returned to his graceful demeanor and inclined his head. ¡°Sorry. My wife just came from abroad, so I''ll need to take her home to rest. Let''s do this another day when we''re both free.¡± Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. With that said, he turned to look at Wendy and gently said, ¡°Did Sebastian note with you?¡± Wendy snorted. ¡°You miss your son, don''t you? He''s such a heartless boy. I asked him to greet you first, but he ran off to look for his friends the moment he got off the ne.¡± As Lionel held his forehead, he sighed. ¡°Our boy isn''t in our control anymore now that he''s all grown up. Forget it. Let''s just let him enjoy his time. When my aunt and her family return to Hallsbay in a few days'' time, I''ll ask him toe back for a family meal.¡± The entire time, Victoria kept her head hung. The longer she listened to their sweet interaction, the wider her smile became. Just as the couple''s conversation paused, Victoria said again, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, I really have something urgent to talk to you about. It''ll only take ten minutes of your time.¡± Lionel grimaced. As he coldly stared at her, he said, ¡°Ms. Saunders, you''ve been working for a few years now, right? Don''t you know what basic manners are? I''ll repeat myself¡ªI''m going to spend time with my wife today, so I don''t have the time to deal with work matters. Let''s meet another time.¡± With that, he led Wendy over to the private elevator. Victoria could only press her lips tightly together as tears clouded her vision. Still, she did her best to hold her tears back and watch the two leave. You''re a treasure when the man loves you, but trash if he doesn''t. Lionel, do you hate me that much? Is my death the only way to appease the hatred and fury in your heart? The Luther family''s elders and the Jefferson family''s elders gathered to discuss Artemis and Rhonda''s wedding. After much consideration, they decided to hold the wedding twenty dayster. The news of their uing wedding traveled like wildfire. Once again, the two families were in the spotlight. Artemis said nothing about the matter. When Felicity asked him about it he only told her to arrange it ording to their preferences. He felt that it was none of his business. Rhonda was on a call with Cadence in the living room. ¡°You''ve heard the news of my uing wedding with Artemis, right? Soon, your son will be a child of the Luther family. He''ll be admired by countless people, and he''ll be treated like a prince. However, whether or not he''ll sessfully be the Luther family''s heir will depend on what you do.¡± Just as she said that, Cadence replied, ¡°Didn''t you ask me to teach the boy of the Luther family a lesson? Don''t worry. I won''t let him be in the way of my son''s future. Give me a little more time, and I''ll find a way to get rid of him for good.¡± As Rhondazily leaned against the headboard, she said, ¡°That sounds about right. How can you not do anything if you want your son to blend into the Luther family and get their assets? Remember what you said earlier. I want to see that b*stard Maxton''s body before my wedding with Artemis.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey entered Luther Group''s CEO''s office as she said, ¡°Ratemis, just now¡ª¡± She halted in her tracks. Once she registered the attractive man sitting on the couch, she narrowed her eyes. Did I go to the wrong ce? That can''t be. Ratemis is still sitting in his office. ¡°Ratemis. Ratemis, Ratemis, Ratemis. D*mn, this nickname is on another level!¡± The one who spoke was the alluring man on the couch. He smiled at Bailey before continuing, ¡°You are truly ferocious, ma''am. You''ve given Artemis a fantastic nickname. It just feels so good to say it.¡± Bailey was speechless for a moment before she turned to Artemis, who was still dealing with his work by the table. With a frown, she asked, ¡°Where did this rate from? I was in the opposite office the entire time, but why didn''t I see him enter?¡± Artemis tossed away the pen in his hand before arching a brow and chuckling. ¡°You said he''s a mutt, so naturally he crawled in. It''s nothing unusual that you didn''t see him enter.¡± ¡°Sh*t!¡± Sylvester Hollett leaped up from the couch before ring at the two of them. He then fumed, ¡°Aren''t you a match made in heaven? Are you being mean to me because I don''t have a woman by my side?¡± Artemis ignored him as he turned to look at Bailey. ¡°What were you about to say earlier?¡± However, Bailey did not answer him right away. She pointed at the other man on the couch and said, ¡°Tell him to leave. I can''t stand watching a man be flirtier than a woman.¡± Sylvester''s jaw dropped. What the f*ck? I''m not being flirty. I''m alluring! Alluring, you hear me? Chapter 222 Chapter 222 Nevertheless, Artemis wasted no time in getting rid of the other man. ¡°Didn''t you hear her? Get lost.¡± Sylvester rolled his eyes and began making his way to the door. At the same time, he said, ¡°So you''re chasing me off now? Fine, I''m going to enjoy my time in yourpany''s secretary''s office. If I end up impregnating one of the secretaries, you''ll have to clean up after my mess.¡± Artemis only smiled and shook his head. Bailey raised a brow and asked, ¡°Which terrible friend of yours is he?¡± Instead of replying to her, Artemis stood up and walked over to her. Yet, before he could circle his arm around her waist, Bailey took two steps and avoided his touch. Oh? She''s wary now. It looks like it won''t be as easy to flirt with her anymore. ¡°Am I some kind of wolf?¡± Bailey studied him from head to toe before shaking her head. In a serious tone, she replied, ¡°You''re a monster.¡± This wicked-tongue woman... ¡°He''s the Hollett family''s oldest son, Sylvester Hollett.¡± Bailey froze when she heard that. Once she recollected herself, a look of surprise appeared on her face, ¡°So he''s Sylvester of the Hollett family? The one who can destabilize the country with just a stomp? Artemis could not help butugh at the sight of her look of disbelief. ¡°Yes, that''s him. He looks flirtatious, but he''s quite a ruthless character. He thinks of you as the wife of a good friend, and that''s why he was joking around you.¡± ¡°Ha,¡± came Bailey''s unamusedugh as she curled her lips. ¡°It sounds like he''ll be a pain to deal with. By the way, the person in charge of the pharmaceutical factory called me earlier and said that the results for the fourth trial are out. It''s aplete sess. He wanted me to ask you if you''re going to hold a press conference to announce the good news.¡± ¡°Of course, we''re going to do that.¡± While she was not paying attention to him, he quickly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her toward him. ¡°Your participation was why they overcame the bottleneck. This is your sess, so, of course, I''m going to hold a press conference to sing your praises.¡± Bailey tried to struggle out of his grasp, but her efforts were to no avail. Hence, she gave up on that and changed the topic. ¡°Remember to fish out information about Max''s biological mother before you deal with Rhonda. The boy''s still young, and he needs the love of a mother. Don''t let his childhood be his regret.¡± Artemis quietly hummed in response. ¡°It''ll be the same if you be his mother.¡± Bailey did not reply to that. In a caf¨¦ opposite Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey was looking at a gleeful Rhonda with raised brows. With a smile that did not reach her eyes, she said, ¡°Congrattions on your pregnancy again, and your wedding with Mr. Luther.¡± The moment Bailey said that, the smugness on Rhonda''s face grew more intense. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I invited you out here to assign you a task.¡± A task? A small smile manifested on Bailey''s lips, and she humbly said, ¡°You''re the future wife of the CEO. You can just give me a call if you have anything to tell me. You don''t need to see me in person.¡± The mention of how she was going to be the wife of a CEO only made Rhonda even more thrilled. At least this b*tch knows how to read the room. ¡°You know how my wedding day with Artemis is approaching. Aren''t you Luther Group''s lead designer? As the wife of the CEO, I order you to design a wedding dress for me in three days'' time.¡± Hearing that, Bailey lifted a brow. So she didn''t invite me only to show off. She''s hoping that I''ll design her wedding dress too. ¡°Sure, Mrs. Luther. What style would you like? Do tell me, and I''ll do my best to design it in three days.¡± Rhonda stiffened as she started at Bailey with wide eyes. She never thought that Bailey would agree to it so easily. She thought that Bailey would have lost control of her emotions¡ªthat she would be mad, hysterical, and jealous. But she did not. Bailey did nothing but agree to her request. ¡°You... You agreed to it.¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°Well, as an employee of Luther Group, it''s my honor to design the wedding dress of my boss'' future wife. Why would I reject you? You don''t have to doubt my decision, just tell me what style you prefer.¡± Rhonda pursed her lips at that. She was very disappointed. She could not fathom why Bailey did not look jealous at all. Why? Artemis has agreed to marry me, but why can she still seem so nonchnt about it? Could it be that she doesn''t want to marry Artemis, the handsome man who''s probably richer than the country itself? ... Two dayster, at the Luther residence''s infirmary. The person in charge was passing the documents in his trembling hands to Artemis. ¡°Mr. Luther, this is the result of the report on you and Ms. Bailey''s son. I think you''d want to read this yourself.¡± Artemis tightened his grip on the wine ss, and his nails turned white from the force. A moment of silenceter, he slowly reached out to take the documents from the other man. Artemis was a fast reader. Soon, he was in thest section of thest page. R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only It was results that he had seening, but they still struck him like a sledgehammer. Thest line read: Specimen A and specimen B are biologically father and son. All mysteries were unraveled. He, Artemis Luther, had left three seeds behind that night seven years ago. Those seeds had bloomed and given him the best surprise in his life. Bailey... Bailey... At that very moment, he wished he could meld her into him. What do I do? It feels like nothing I do is enough to express the love I have for her. How should I show her the deep affection I have for her that threatens to burst out of my chest? When the person in charge saw no response from Artemis, who was as still as a statue, he anxiously asked, ¡°Mr. Luther, are you all right?¡± Artemis forced his stiff neck to turn to the side before smiling. ¡°That boy is my son. My son.¡± ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the person in charge quickly answered. ¡°Mr. Luther, you''re a lucky man to have two sons and a daughter. You surely will have plenty of children and grandchildren in the future.¡± ¡°Haha,¡± Artemis giggled. ¡°It must have been tough for her to be pregnant with three babies at the same time. I already have sons and a daughter, so I don''t want her to experience the pain of going through labor again.¡± Cadence was sitting on a couch in the living room of a mansion as he quietly watched the live broadcast of a press conference. ¡°The woman''s quite fast to havepleted the fourth trial in just a month''s time. I''m sure they''ll begin the manufacturing process after the press conference. Oh, Snowke. I''ve been waiting for so many years, and the chance for me to take revenge has finallye.¡± With that said, he grabbed the phone on the coffee table and dialed a string of numbers. ¡°Launch the n earlier.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Meanwhile, at the site of the press conference, Bailey was listening to the apuse of the audience with a faint smile on her lips as she stood on the stage. Ms. Moore, I''ve utilized the medical knowledge you''ve taught me to help this world. If you can see me now, you''ll know that it''s time for you to rest in peace. While she was thinking that, Artemis was looking at her with a gentle gaze. ¡°I used to think that I am very sessful in earning an amount that most people would never be able to make in many lives. However, after getting to know you, I finally realized that the feeling of aplishment doesn''te from personal gains but from the act of contributing to the world. Anonymous, thank you. Thank you for helping our research team ovee the hardest obstacle in the medical field.¡± Chapter 223 Chapter 223 Anonymous... A dubious expression shed past Bailey''s face. It had been a long time since she heard that name. If not for the man beside her doing his best to help her out of her past trauma, perhaps she might have never appeared in the medical field as Anonymous. ¡°I should be the one thanking you. If it wasn''t for that stab you took, I might still be trapped in that forlorn past. I might not even be able to pick up the scalpel, let alone develop drugs and operate on others.¡± Artemis'' brows raised in a smile. ¡°So, you''re telling me that the stab I took opened your heart up to me? It allowed me to walk into your life?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at him. Can''t this man grow eyes and see where we''re at? Must he say such cheesy things now? ¡°Ms. Anonymous, may we know when this medication will be avable in the market for cancer patients?¡± ¡°Yes, that''s right. The fourth clinical trial is a sess, which means this anti-cancer medication is a sess. When will it be avable for purchase on the market?¡± The reporters were all pointing their microphones at Bailey as they uttered simr questions about when the medication would be made avable to the public. Bailey smiled. As she turned to look at the men beside her, she said, This drug is a patented research and development project by Luther Group''s pharmaceutical factory after making the application for the project with the Drug Administration. What happens next will depend on Mr. Luther''s arrangements. I''m only in charge of the research.¡± Before the reporters could begin bombarding him with questions, Artemis said, ¡°First of all, I have to thank Ms. Anonymous for her massive contribution to the medical field. I have already applied for the Medal of Honor with the relevant governmental departments.¡± At that, a look of surprise crossed Bailey''s face. He applied for the Medal of Honor for me? A strange feeling began to rise in her chest. If someone were to ask her to describe that feeling, she would say that it felt warm and tender. It was a feeling that she had not experienced after her grandmother passed away. ¡°You¡ª¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, Artemis continued, ¡°As for when the medication will be made avable to the public, I''m afraid we''ll have to wait for the relevant departments to make the decision. Once the results are out, Luther Group will hold another press conference to announce it to the public.¡± After exiting the press conference, Artemis brought Bailey back to the CEO''s office. While they were in the private elevator, Bailey gazed at him and sighed. ¡°To be honest, you don''t need to apply for an award from the government. Doctors are meant to do their job, so I''ve only done what I should be doing. If I receive too much recognition for what I''ve done, I''ll lose track of the goal I had when I first joined the medical field.¡± However, Artemis grinned at her as he shoved a hand into his pants pocket and leaned against the elevator wall. ¡°I like doting on you. I''d love to dote on you until you''re all spoiled.¡± Ever since he found out that Zayron was his son, thest bit of hesitance in his heart had dissipated. As long as Bailey had no connections with Simon, he could shower her with love endlessly without fear. He only restrained himself earlier because he was worried that he would create trouble for her if he identally crossed the line. Now, it was a different case. If anyone were to say that he was immoral to have gotten together with his brother''s wife, he would bravely throw the DNA test report at that person''s face. She''s my woman. No one has the right to say anything even if we bedded each other for a few nights continuously. While Artemis was entertaining those thoughts in his head, Bailey was narrowing her eyes at him. Somehow, she sensed that the man had changed. He had be less reserved, a little too gutsy, and a little too unrestrained. She was curious as to what had made him change¡ªwhat made him dote on her without any reservations. Isn''t he scared of others talking bad about us? After all, she was his brother''s wife in the moral sense. Even though she did not marry Simon, she was someone Simon had been with. Artemis could be close to any woman but her. Does this man really want the rest of the world to curse at him? Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Artemis, are you really thinking of marrying me?¡± All of a sudden, the man straightened up and schooled his features into a serious look. ¡°You will be the one and only wife I will ever have. Bailey, I know what you''re worried about. Give me a little more time, and I''ll deal with everything. It''s not the right time yet, so there are some things I can''t tell you for now.¡± Bailey pressed her lips tightly upon hearing his reply. Hmm, I might be wasting my time talking to a brick. This man has gone off his rocker. He won''t heed my words at all. When Artemis heard her silence, he changed the topic. ¡°I hear that Rhonda came to you and asked you to design her wedding dress?¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°We''re sisters. I can''t just sit on my hands for her wedding, so I agreed to it.¡± Artemis smiled. ¡°Good. Remember to design the most luxurious wedding dress you can evere up with. I have to thank her for toying the Luthers as if we were all monkeys.¡± Victoria had never seen Lionel in person ever since their meeting the other day at Fashionista''s office lobby. No matter what she did, she could not get into contact with him. The authorities had informed them they found evidence of Victormitting the crimes. As the amount of money involved was arge sum, and due to the actions of LG Corporation''s person in charge in the shadows, it seemed like the court was going to punish him severely for his crimes. Things were not looking good. Left without a choice, Victoria called Bailey. Not long after, Victoria came to Shelbert Condominium''s study. ¡°Bay, you know Lionel, right?¡± Bailey tensed. After a while of silence, she frowned and asked, ¡°How did you know that?¡± Victoria pursed her lips and gritted out, ¡°Dwayne told me about it. He had investigated Lionel for me, and he found out that you were the one who published the picture of Rhonda and Laurence in bed together through LG Corporation. That''s why he deduced that you knew Lionel.¡± Bailey let out a soft sigh and nodded. She muttered, ¡°It''s true that I know the CEO of LG Corporation, but I didn''t know he was Lionel beforeing to Hallsbay. Every time I contacted him, it was through the phone¡ªI never once saw him beforeing here.¡± Victoria grabbed her wrist and choked out, ¡°Bay, please help me. Please contact him for me. Please. I have to meet him, or else my brother is going to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Once he''s found guilty, there''s no way we can appeal for his case anymore.¡± Bailey cast a heart-aching look at her and said, ¡°Vicky, you can''t find him because he''s avoiding you. I''m afraid there''s no way out of this anymore, so why must you insist on seeking to be humiliated?¡± ¡°But I can''t watch as Victor stays in jail for the rest of his life! Bay, I know you feel bad for me, but what is the point of a person''s life if she disowns her family? If I abandon my brother today, I will end up abandoning my father another day. Without my father and my brother, what is the meaning of life for me?¡± Bailey hesitated, but in the end, she agreed to it. However, she did not call Lionel; she sent him a text message instead. Bailey: If you keep this up, even I will have trouble keeping Victoria around. She''s on the verge of a mental breakdown. If thest thread of sanity in her mind snaps, what awaits her will be madness. Chapter 224 Chapter 224 Bailey was betting on Lionel''s memory of the past; she was betting on how Victoria used to mean something to him. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. In the end, Bailey won the bet. Five minutester, Lionel replied with a message. Lionel: You should know what it would be like if shees to meet me. Seven years ago, she and her father ruined me. The only way I can alleviate the resentment in me is to crush her seven yearster. Let''s put it this way¡ªif you make her see me, you''ll be pushing her to hell. Will you still let her see me if that''s the case? A bitter chuckle escaped Bailey, and she handed the phone to Victoria. After Victoria saw it, she startedughing andughing until herughter dissolved into sobs. ¡°I''m sorry, Bay. I know I shouldn''t be this selfish and make you bear this burden, but you''re the only one who can save me now.¡± Bailey snatched her phone back and sent Lionel another message. It was a simple one, saying: Your location. Lionel responded quicker than before. In less than ten seconds, Bailey received an address. After Victoria saw it, she leaped to her feet and headed toward the door. Bailey''s pained voice came from behind her. ¡°Vicky, if you don''t want me to feel guilty for the rest of my life, then you have to keep living. Even if there isn''t a part of you that''s unscathed after this, you must learn to rebirth again. At the very least... don''t forget that you have me as a friend.¡± Victoria skidded to a stop, but she did not turn around. In a hoarse voice, she uttered, ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey''s knees buckled when she watched Victoria leave, and she fell back onto the couch. Perhaps she could rescue Victor from prison, but that did not matter. Doing that would only make Lionel exact his revenge with even more vigor. Although Bailey could save them once, she could not keep saving them forever. Victoria had been very troubled and living with guilt and self-me for so many years. Perhaps the only way she would be able to walk out of the pain was after going through some rude awakening. Maybe it was only then she would be able to let go of the past. By arranging for their meeting, Bailey was pushing her into hell, but that push would save Victoria. All she could hope for at that moment was for Victoria to stick to her promise and transform into a new person after putting a stop to the past that had been haunting her. Victoria went to the suburbs per the address Lionel sent, and she came to a condominium surrounded by mountains. When she went past the security room, a security guard handed her a bunch of keys, saying that it was what Lionel told him to do. Victoria took them and went to the sixth floor to open the door to Unit 602. Inside, it was empty, but the ce was decorated luxuriously and somewhat familiar. Memories flooded her mind. Thisyout... It''s Lionel''s. He designed thisyout back then for the house we were going to move into after our wedding. Lionel once told her that they were not going to live in a mansion after marriage. It was far too huge and spacious, and it did not feel homely at all. They had nned to buy a condominium of hundreds of square meters with everything in the house designed and decorated by them. That ce was going to be their home. As it turned out, Lionel had secretly prepared this house back then. He had once given her a home. She was the one who indirectly ruined all of that. Every dreadful moment he had gone through was because of her. ¡°Lionel... Lionel...¡± Her weak legs could no longer support her weight, and she fell against the wall and slowly slide to the ground. There, she remained still on the cold floor. Night came, and the house turned dim until the darkness swallowed everything up. Lionel never came. It was then she realized that the man was forcing her to stay in that condominium to feel what the betrayal and pain were like for him back then. It was a move that struck right in her heart and was far worse than skinning her alive. The next day, at Luther Group''s headquarters. The three days that Rhonda had given to Bailey for the design of the wedding dress were up, so Rhonda came to Luther Group''s office with a haughty demeanor. In the past, executives would have tried to ignore and dismiss her. However, things were different. Now that she was the future ¡°Mrs. Luther,¡± everyone in thepany was exceptionally polite to her. That boosted her ego. Everyone, from the first floor to the highest floor, would politely greet her as ¡°Mrs. Luther.¡± Their greetings inted her ego to the point she nearly exploded like an overinted balloon. Rhonda, with her hand on her hip, entered the lead designer''s office, only to see Bailey flipping through some documents. She thenughed and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, have you forgotten about the task I assigned to you three days ago?¡± Bailey froze in her motions before raising her head to look at Rhonda''s t stomach. She then curled her lips and said, ¡°Everyone knows that you''re pregnant, so there''s no need for you to pose like that. It''s still early¡ªyou''re only one month pregnant. You don''t need to walk around with your hand on your hip. It''ll be tiring.¡± A look of displeasure crossed Rhonda''s face. ¡°Don''t be mad. It''ll be bad for you, and if anything happens, you''ll need to do an amniotic fluid test. You might even need the baby''s father''s blood to keep the baby healthy. It''s a pretty miserable thing.¡± Honestly, Bailey was merely spouting nonsense to scare Rhonda. Nevertheless, her words had the effect she wanted. The very mention of doing an amniotic fluid test made Rhonda turn pale. Rhonda had another man''s child in her stomach. She had cheated on Artemis, and she was fearful that her secret would be exposed. Rhonda only had herself to me for the challenges she faced. Still, she recollected herself and shot Bailey a re before she gritted, ¡°Where''s my wedding dress? Are you done with its design?¡± Bailey then stood up and walked over to the other side of the desk before passing Rhonda a draft on the table. ¡°There. It''s designed per your request. Take a look and see if you''re satisfied with it or not.¡± Immediately, Rhonda cast her gaze downward to look at the draft. Just a nce, and she was stunned by the design. It''s such a beautiful andvish dress! There are billions of purple gems shimmering on it. It''s such an eye-catcher! But... This dress will surely be expensive. Will Artemis think that I''m too wasteful if he finds out about this? Bailey could read her mind, and she chuckled. ¡°Mr. Luther has told me to design the most luxurious wedding dress for you. So far, the most luxurious wedding dress I know cost two hundred million. This dress is approximately three hundred million in its initial stage. Mrs. Luther, do you like it?¡± She''s going to be marrying a beggar in a dress worth three hundred million. Artemis, you''re ruthless! You''re so darn ruthless! ¡°D-Did you just say that this is what Artemis told you to do? He told you to design such a fancy dress?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± came a maic voice from the doorway. The two of them turned to see Artemiszily leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded in front of him. Artemis was wearing a ck suit today, and it perfectly entuated his calm and collected demeanor. He was the epitome of a mature man. Rhonda was stuck in a daze staring at him. In contrast, Bailey rolled her eyes. Here he goes again. Rhonda stammered, ¡°A-Artemis, did you really ask Bailey to design this wedding dress for me?¡± Artemis smiled and uttered, ¡°Yes. This is the only dress that can match your grand wedding.¡± Chapter 225 Chapter 225 This b*stard... He was grinning. Bailey was dying to punch that evil yet handsome face of his. How can someone as evil as him be alive? Meanwhile, Rhonda was so absorbed in her joy. Even the regr wedding gowns from the bridal house were enough to make her skip for joy, let alone the resplendent piece designed under Artemis'' instruction ¡°Artemis, thank you. I will be the happiest bride in the world.¡± Artemis bowed slightly and said ambivalently, ¡°Let''s hope so. It''s worth my effort as long as you are happy.¡± He then turned to his bodyguards and instructed, ¡°Send Mrs. Luther back. She''s pregnant, so be careful.¡± He used the words, ¡°Mrs. Luther¡± instead of ¡°wife.¡± If Rhonda were calmer, she would have noticed that something was off. However, she was so overwhelmed with joy that she did not notice how he was toying with her. After Rhonda stayed for a while more before she left reluctantly with the two bodyguards. Bailey looked at Artemis and asked disapprovingly, ¡°Aren''t you worried that she can''t take it and end up losing her mind?¡± ¡°I don''t care. If she really bes insane, I will buy a mental asylum for her.¡± What! Victoria received news from the court that there were doubts surrounding Victor''s case where he had been used of manipting the stock market illegally, and further investigation was needed. For the time being, the court would postpone the hearing. She heaved a sigh of relief, but she felt sad at the same time. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org That was the man''s way of telling her that he had ultimate control over the fate of the Saunders family. If she did as she was told, they might be spared. Otherwise, the Saunders family would end up in a sorry state. He was torturing her by entrapping her in the matrimonial house that he had built for her. In doing so, he intended to destroy her pride and dignity. Most importantly, she knew that was only the beginning. In the future, life would be very tough and full of obstacles. Lionel, if this is what you wish to see, then I will y along. I can only hope that you will live the rest of your life peacefully once you have finished venting your hatred. I wish you and your wife a blissful and happy marriage. Two dayster, with the approval of the rted departments, the new drug wasunched in the market. A few appointed pharmaceuticalpanies would be authorized to produce the first batch of drugs, and they were to be incorporated into treatment in the shortest amount of time. That day, Luther Group held a press conference once again to announce the wonderful news. It was a day of celebration for them. During the press conference, the Drug Administration bestowed Anonymous with the highest medical honor and appointed Bailey as a member of the National Institute of Medicine. In that moment, she stood proudly on the stage. That was her moment of glory and hers alone. Bailey would be well-known in that field and be an extraordinary achiever. ... At Shelbert Condominium. Bailey looked dismally at the three boys who were sprawled on the carpet and ying cards. ¡°Zephyr, it''s time for you to go on the IV drip. Yonathan, you haven''t gone back to the Gezmond family since you came to Hallsbay. It''s time you go back and visit your family. Zayron, clear up this mess.¡± Her instructions were met with silence. None of the three boys responded to her. Susan, who was watching TV, snorted before running to the restroom and getting a pail of water. She then poured it on top of Zayron''s head. ¡°What the heck! Susan, are you asking for a good round of beating?¡± Susan pouted her lips and said, ¡°You are too noisy and disrupting my TV show.¡± What! Bailey was worried that Zephyr might get sick because of the cold water, so she quickly picked him up. Veronique had rushed to the capital personally because there was news of matching bone marrow. Before leaving, she left Zephyr in Bailey''s care. Hence, Bailey dared not make any mistake. The boy meant the world to Veronique. If anything happened to him, she would be devastated. Bailey ced Zephyr on the couch and inserted the IV drip for him. She was about to go upstairs and give Zayron a few ps. Just then, her phone rang. It was Artemis. ¡°What''s wrong? It isn''t the weekend yet. Is there anything?¡± Artemis sounded anxious. ¡°Max met with a car ident. If you are free,e over to Justin''s medical base right now.¡± Bailey was shocked. After she returned to her senses, her body started trembling ever so slightly. There was a dull pain in her chest, and she had difficulty breathing. ¡°I-I will be going over right away.¡± With that, she calmed herself down and told Zayron, ¡°Zephyr needs to go through three bags of IV drip today. Please keep an eye on him. I may not be able to make it back by lunchtime, so all of you handle your own lunch.¡± After giving out her instructions, she took the car key and left. Zayron rolled his eyes and muttered, ¡°With a mom like her, it will be a miracle that I could survive into adulthood.¡± By the time Bailey arrived at the medical base, she saw Artemis waiting alone outside the emergency room. ¡°What happened? I thought Max was at home. How did he get into a car ident?¡± Artemis replied with a grim voice, ¡°He heard that it was very happening at Shelbert Condominium, and he wanted to go over. I couldn''t stop this stubborn boy, so I got the driver to send him over. On the way there, the brake of the car malfunctioned. As a result, the car crashed into the greenery and flipped over on its side.¡± Without another question, Bailey dashed into the emergency room. Not long after she went in, Ken rushed up to Artemis and said, ¡°Mr. Luther, we found out that Mr. Maxton''s car has been tampered with during maintenance. Someone wants Mr. Maxton dead.¡± Artemis clenched his fists. They keeping after my son. Do they think I''m dead and gone? ¡°Spread the news around. Just say that Maxton from the Luther family met in a car ident, and he is in critical condition. There is a high chance that he may... You do know what I mean, right?¡± As a father, there was no way he could mention the word ¡°die.¡± He certainly would not care how the public spread the rumor. ¡°Yes, I''ll see to it right away. What should I say if the Chivers family and the Luther family call?¡± ¡°Just tell them that I have taken the children to look for Bailey, but you have no idea where we are.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Half an hourter, the news of Maxton''s car ident and his being in a critical state had spread around the entire Hallsbay. It caused an uproar. Both the Chivers family and the Luther family could not sit still any longer. They started calling Artemis'' phone, but he had turned it off. Artemis had been waiting outside the emergency room for an hour before Bailey walked out. Her face was pale, and she looked like she was on the verge of copsing. Artemis quickly reached out to hold her. ¡°What happened to you? Why are you looking so pale?¡± Bailey did not struggle. Instead, she leaned into his arms weakly and sighed, ¡°I just donated a few liters of blood to your son. Of course, I look pale.¡± What! Artemis looked at her and said unhappily, ¡°If a blood transfusion is needed, why didn''t you tell me? Why are you doing this to yourself?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and replied, ¡°I wanted them to use your blood too. But, the doctor told me that your blood type isn''tpatible with that of Max. How then can we use your blood? But, I''m shocked to find out that Max has the same rare blood type as me.¡± Chapter 226 Chapter 226 Of course! She is his biological mother, so it isn''t surprising for them to share the same blood type. Although he wanted to voice his thoughts, he decided against it. He decided he would find a suitable time to tell her about it after he had settled everything. ¡°How is it? Is he doing all right?¡± Bailey nodded and sighed. ¡°This child has been through so much. First, someone drugged him. Now...¡± As though a lightbulb went off in her head, her voice suddenly trailed off, and she slowly looked up. Gritting her teeth, she seethed, ¡°I know it was no ident that the brakes failed. Rather, it was on purpose. Someone wants to kill Max, but who can that be?¡± Artemis did not reply. Instead, he gave her a knowing look. Instantly, Bailey got the hint. ¡°It seems like you need to get rid of Rhonda as soon as possible. She is now pregnant with a child that the Luther family approves of. Therefore, Max has be her biggest hurdle, and it is no surprise that she wants to get rid of him. What do you n to do next about it?¡± Artemis kept quiet for a second before he announced, ¡°I''ll ask Ken to spread the news that Max had a car ident and is in serious condition.¡± Frowning, Bailey tried toprehend his n. ¡°Are you trying to give everyone the impression that Max is on his deathbed and...¡± ¡°Yes. While we find a way to deal with Rhonda, we need to keep Max hidden away. She''s crazy and can do anything. Who knows? She probably has more vicious tricks up her sleeve, and I don''t think Max can take another blow from her,¡± Artemis exined. ¡°Okay, you do make sense. However, please don''t make it sound like Max has already left us. Why not tell others that he is in grave condition and in aa? You could say there is little chance for him to wake up. Meanwhile, we can keep Max in the medical base to recover. Our priority is still to remove Rhonda as a threat.¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, a loud voice sounded over a phone. ¡°Idiot!¡± Rhonda subconsciously squeezed her phone and snarled, ¡°No matter how stupid I may be, I''ll still be better than a coward like you. Cadence, you told me you could destroy Maxton once and for all. So much time has passed and yet have you done anything? It''s ridiculous! How could you dream of doing big things when you don''t even dare to take risks? What a joke! It is no wonder why you can''t beat Bailey.¡± Utter silence followed. A few minutes passed, yet no one spoke. Finally, Cadence replied grimly, ¡°Tell me¡ªhow confident are you that he''s dead?¡± ¡°The driver died on impact, and there was a wide gash on the boy''s head. There is no way he could survive that. I don''t know what kind of news the Luther family received, but that old biddy kept crying. Artemis must have contacted her to let her know that the boy died.¡± There was a deep sigh on the other end of the line. ¡°Well, it is what it is. There is no point in pushing the me. For now, you should stay in the Luther family. Cry if you have to and put up a good act. While you do your part, I will take care of the rest. You only have to make sure not to give yourself away.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Shortly after, Rhonda came down the stairs to the living room and saw Felicity sobbing in Gerald''s arms. After she descended from thest step, she weakly walked to the couch. In a shaky voice, she asked, ¡°Mrs. Luther, is Max doing okay? Is he feeling better now?¡± Hearing her voice, Felicity pulled away from Gerald''s embrace and quickly turned to Rhonda. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. After she helped Rhonda to the couch, she choked out, ¡°I thought I told you to stay in the room and not to move around so much. Why didn''t you listen to me? You are in your first trimester, and anything can happen. What if something bad happens to you?¡± Holding Felicity''s wrists, Rhonda looked at the older woman with teary eyes. Her voice was hoarse when she replied, ¡°My child got into an ident. As a mother, how could I sit around and do nothing about it? Mrs. Luther, please tell me how Max is doing.¡± Seeing how emotional Rhonda seemed, Felicity panicked. She was afraid that her emotions might affect her pregnancy negatively. ¡°It''s fine. Max is doing okay. I''m sure Artemis will find a way to save him. Don''t get agitated.¡± Plop. Tears started to flow down Rhonda''s cheeks. ¡°You were crying so heartbreakingly. How could Max be fine? Mrs. Luther, I am not a child, so you don''t have to hide things from me. Please tell me the truth. Is Max already...¡± Rhonda turned pale and looked like she was about to break down. As such, Felicity could not hide the truth anymore. She quickly responded, ¡°Max isn''t dead, but he isn''t awake. Bailey told us that he is in a deepa and is basically in a vegetative state. Nheless, medicine is so advanced these days that I''m sure Max will wake up.¡± He is still alive. How could he have survived after all that? The driver died upon impact. Besides, his head had a huge gash. Yet, he managed to pull through. Hahaha. What a joke! Why can''t I seem to get rid of him? Fury surged through her veins, and she shook violently. Unable to take the emotional turmoil, she fainted on the spot. ¡°Ronni!¡± Felicity screamed in horror. She thought Rhonda passed out from sadness over Maxton. Little did she know that it was anger that caused it. In the evening, Maxton woke up. Bailey was sitting by the bed, and as soon as she saw him open his eyes, she heaved a huge sigh of relief. There was a small part of her that was worried he would never wake up. She only acted nonchntly before Artemis so that he would not worry. After all, the boy was in a grave condition. Given the blow to his head, there was a fifty percent chance he would end up in a vegetative state. Looking at Bailey, Maxton softly called out, ¡°Mommy.¡± In the past, Bailey would have rolled her eyes and softly knocked his head. At the same time, she would scold him for disregarding his biological mother. However, at that moment, she could not help but feel her heart soften. ¡°Don''t worry. I am here.¡± Maxton struggled to sit up. At the sight of that, Bailey quickly stopped him with a frown. ¡°You shouldn''t move too much yet. Be a good boy and stay in bed for the next two days. When your injuries have healed, you can move around freely.¡± Nevertheless, the boy did not seem willing to listen to her. He reached out for her sleeve and looked at her with puppy eyes. ¡°Hug me,¡± he whimpered. How could she have the heart to reject his request when he looked at her with tears in his eyes? Carefully, she helped him up and allowed him to lean on her. As she wrapped her arms around him, she nced at his face. He looked like he was in pain. ¡°Does your injuries hurt?¡± ¡°Yes, Mommy. Will you sing to me? Once I hear your singing, it will stop hurting.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey chuckled. Her melodic voice filled every corner of the ward and sounded like it could dispel all the pain and suffering in the world. Meanwhile, Artemis leaned against the door and quietly witnessed the scene before him. His son finally found his mother. At the same time, Victoria received a message. It was from Lionel who asked her to go out at eight in the evening to a ce called Aurora Club. Chapter 227 Chapter 227 Aurora Club was the biggest nightclub in Hallsbay, bedecked with neon lights, boozes, and hedonistic existences. That decadent ce was infested with endless trading involving bodily pleasures. He wants me to go to Aurora Club. I can''t believe he''s asking me to go to a nightclub. Victoria felt deste as she took in the luxurious and elegant interior design. Ultimately, she had been the only one holding on to the wishful thinking. The loving, understanding, and caring young man who used to hold her gently in his arms had long disappeared with time and was nowhere to be found anymore. Victoria knew Lionel''s revenge was just about to start, but little did she anticipate his desire to humiliate her so thoroughly. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. Lionel, I suppose your goal for spending so much effort into this scheme is to force me to concede, right? Well, you''ve won. Meanwhile, inside the Saunders residence, Vincent, seemingly in poor health, shut his eyes and leaned back on the couch as if he was taking a short rest. ¡°Mr. Saunders, Sean called earlier and informed me that Ms. Victoria went to Aurora Club. I think Mr. Lionel had invited her over.¡± Upon hearing that, Vincent opened his eyes at once, staggered to his feet, and bellowed, ¡°What is that brat trying to do? Did he ask my daughter to go to the nightclub to put her to shame?¡± With that, he immediately strode toward the door of the living room with the help of his walking stick. At that sight, the butler hurriedly halted Vincent and said anxiously, ¡°Mr. Saunders, Mr. Lionel loathes you. Your presence there will only provoke his anger and me his desire to torment Ms. Victoria in worse ways. Since this is an unavoidable entanglement between them, you should just let Ms. Victoria do as she sees fit.¡± Vincent''s legs turned to jelly, stumbling a few steps backward, and fell back onto the couch. ¡°This is truly an ill-fated rtionship. Still, I can''t just sit back and watch my daughter suffer this humiliation. Call Ms. Bailey and beg her to make a trip to Aurora Club.¡± A conflicted expression spread across the old butler''s face. ¡°But Ms. Jefferson already said she would not interfere in Ms. Victoria''s matter anymore and that Ms. Victoria should make her own decisions now.¡± Vincent closed his eyes while wearing a grimace. The signs of old age had etched themselves on his mature face. Before those misfortunes befell the Saunders family, Vincent did not appear as ancient and frail, but at that moment, he seemed more vulnerable than ever. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Saunders. I''ve thought of someone who can rescue Ms. Victoria from that predicament. Please wait here while I contact him at once.¡± With that, the butler dashed out of the living room without turning back. Tears streamed down Vincent''s face as he took in the spacious yet empty living room. At the same time, at Aurora Club''s parking lot, Victoria was brought before a Rolls-Royce by two bodyguards in ck outfits. As one of the bodyguards opened the car door, Victoria noticed the interior was pitch ck. ¡°Ms. Saunders, Mr. Gezmond has invited you to join him inside the car.¡± Victoria bit her lip. She had been asking around about Lionel''s whereabouts recently, yet she failed to find any information. At that moment, he was right in front of her. She could finally meet with him if she took another step forward, but uneasiness filled her chest. There was a voice in Victoria''s heart, continuously reminding her that once she took that step forward, she would be venturing into an endless hell with no way out. ¡°This way, Ms. Saunders.¡± The bodyguard''s voice pulled her back to her senses. After scanning her surroundings and taking in the deserted parking lot, she smiled bitterly and got into the car. Victoria could vaguely see a slender figure leaning backzily in the seat while gently swaying a ss of red wine in his hand in the dimly lit environment. She could not be more familiar with that man''s figure as it had appeared countless times in her dreams, and his appearance had been carved into her body and soul. ¡°L-Lionel.¡± Hidden behind the curtain of darkness, Lionel seemed to have grinned as he curled his thin lips into a sinister smile. ¡°I thought you''d be too ashamed to show yourself in front of me again. It seems like I have underestimated your shamelessness.¡± He was able to utterly destroy her calm pretense by saying those words. Victoria felt highly self-conscious, as if she was being stripped naked and exhibited in front of Lionel. He knows me too well, so he''s capable of hurting me in the most straightforward and ruthless manner. ¡°I''m sorry for disappointing you, but I cannot stand by and watch because this matter is rted to my father and brother. Mr. Gezmond, let''s discuss your conditions. What should I do to make you withdraw thewsuit or for you to be willing to surrender the culprit who instigated my brother into manipting the stock market.¡± Lionel sneered. ¡°Aren''t you being too casual? You sound so righteous even when you''re begging someone else. Victoria, you''re so arrogant and so wonderful at the same time. Your extraordinary qualities truly entice one''s desire to ravage you.¡± With that, he suddenly leaned forward, pinched her pointy chin forcefully, and enunciated, ¡°I deeply regretted not sleeping with you in the past. That was such a waste. I should have treated myself better by ying with you to my heart''s content before you betrayed me, no?¡± Colors drained from Victoria''s face instantaneously. ¡°But that''s not needed now. I have a graceful and gorgeous wife who is much purer than you. You intend to save your brother, right? That''s not a problem. All you have to do is keep a few of my clients company and make sure to please them. Once they agree to sign the contract with me to retrieve Fashionista''s loss, I will let your brother off the hook. Otherwise, you and your entire family can wait for me to take revenge on you all.¡± After saying that, he pushed her aside. ¡°Room number 203. Go there on your own. Remember, you must make sure to please them.¡± Ashen-faced, Victoria stared at Lionel in a daze as if her soul had left her body. She was under the assumption that he would personally torment her, making her his mistress, his ything, or even his personal property, but she did not expect him to gift her to other men. ¡°I only wish to repay the debt I owe you to you. Lionel, you can hit, torture, or even kill me, but you cannot gift me to somebody else like I''m an object.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Lionel arched his brows and regarded her with a contemptuous expression. ¡°Are you saying you are only willing to let me sleep with you? Well, I''m sorry. I have a wife, and my wife has given birth to my son. We registered our marriage in Illurasia, and I vowed never to betray her. At the very least, I do not n to cheat on her. Besides, I disdain your tarnished body. I fear you''ll infect me with your depravity.¡± Victoria''s body shuddered greatly as if she was on the verge of copsing. ¡°If I agree to your suggestion, does that mean our scores will be settled? Will you leave my family alone and never cross paths with us again?¡± He tilted his head back and downed the red wine. Instead of responding to her question, Lionel shifted his gaze and looked outside the window, seemingly at the limits of his patience. A wry smile spread across her face. ¡°Okay, I got it. After tonight, I will owe you nothing.¡± With that, she got out of the vehicle. Lionel slowly turned his head around, gazing at her leaving figure from behind until she disappeared into the elevator. Never cross paths again? Very well! Silence filled the air inside the car for a few moments before the middle-aged man sitting in the passenger seat spoke. He asked hesitantly, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, are you really going to let Ms. Victoria entertain those clients? Those people are nightclub veterans. They are infamous for their never-ending methods of toying with women, and some even have perverted kinks. Not to mention, Ms. Victoria offended them in the past, so they will undoubtedly show her no mercy.¡± Lionel looked away and replied calmly, ¡°I returned to Hallsbay this time to put an end to the grudges established seven years ago. I can only vent my pent-up resentment and fury with this method. The two of us will never cross paths again after tonight. I suppose this is not a bad oue.¡± He could only resort to such a cruel method to force himself to part ways with his past. Chapter 228 Chapter 228 At the medical base, Bailey received a call from Zayron, telling her that Lionel had invited Victoria to Aurora Club. ¡°Bailey, are you not going to Aurora Club to check things out? That''s a dodgy ce. I''m sure Vicky is going to run into trouble there,¡± Zayron uttered. Bailey looked up into the starry sky and replied, ¡°That''s her choice, so no one can stop her. I don''t think Lionel would go overboard. The most he''s going to do is humiliate her and vent his anger.¡± Zayron frowned and asked, ¡°Aren''t you worried that Lionel might go overboard and let Vicky apany other men?¡± ¡°Probably not.¡± ¡°Didn''t you say all men are useless? Do you trust that man? His hatred for the Saunders family is through the roof! He''s more than capable of destroying Vicky.¡± Bailey hesitated when she heard that. ¡°Fine. I think I should go and have a look. By the way, how''s Zephyr? Is he doing all right?¡± ¡°He''s fine. How about Dummy? Is he awake yet?¡± ¡°Yes. He is. Stay home and stay safe, okay? I''ll go over to Aurora Club. After that, I''ll go back to the condominium to check on Zephyr.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay.¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey turned around and saw Maxton was fast asleep. She then tucked him in and left the ward. The moment she left, she bumped into Artemis, who was just about to go in. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Artemis asked. ¡°Zayron called me and told me that Lionel had invited Vicky to Aurora Club. I''m worried about what that man is capable of doing to Vicky. I need to go there and have a look.¡± ¡°Don''t go.¡± Artemis reached out his arm to stop her. ¡°I''ve already looked into it. Lionel is going to let Victoria apany some of his clients.¡± ¡°What?¡± Bailey widened her eyes to stare at him in disbelief. The next second, she pushed him aside and strode toward the elevator. Artemis stopped her again and asked, ¡°What do you think you''re doing?¡± ¡°I''m going to cripple that worthless man.¡± Bailey was enraged because Victoria was like a sister to her. Zayron and Susan treat her as their mother. How am I supposed to just stand idly by? Unfortunately, Lionel had crossed her this time. ¡°That''s not necessary.¡± Artemis pulled her into his embrace andforted her by saying, ¡°I think this is a good thing. This way, Victoria can finally let him go.¡± ¡°Are you saying that I should stand idly by and let a bunch of perverts take advantage of Victoria? Is that what you''re suggesting, Artemis?¡± ¡°She''s going to be fine.¡± Artemis looked at her confidently. ¡°After I received the news, I called Dwayne and asked him to save her. He also told me that the Saunders family''s butler had already informed him before I did. He is already on his way to Aurora Club.¡± Bailey was stunned. ¡°Are you suggesting that we should let Dwayne save Victoria?¡± ¡°Bay, Dwayne is my friend, so there''s a reason why I''ve done so. I hope that he can get the woman he loves. Let''s just give him the chance to do so. Victoria is already hurt. If Victoria is still not convinced after seeing Dwayne showing up as her knight in shining armor, perhaps they''re just not meant to be.¡± Bailey slumped into his embrace and said, ¡°You''re right. Vicky is hurt, all right. She needs a person to save her, and Dwayne is the perfect person to do so. If possible, I really hope that she can snap out of it and start a new chapter in life.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. She''ll turn over a new leaf and start over.¡± Meanwhile, Victoria was lying on a couch in Aurora Club, letting a few men toy with her. At that moment, she was staring at the chandelier over her head calmly. ¡°Wow! Who knew a day like this woulde for the arrogant heiress of the Saunders family?¡± ¡°Hey, don''t say that. Ms. Victoria here is just trying to save her brother. There''s a reason why she had come to please us with her body.¡± ¡°Before this, this woman had acted so arrogantly in Luther Group. Back then, I imagined myself on top of her. Finally, I have the chance to do her today! Fellows, I shall have a go at her first.¡± At once, the private room erupted intoughter. Victoria was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. Her legs were there for everyone to see. She then smiled bitterly when she felt a rough pair of hands running over her legs. If this is Lionel''s way of taking revenge, I have no choice but to ept it. After tonight, I''ll forget all about the guilt I''ve felt in the past. I''ll never let this man influence my life anymore. Bay, I''ll honor my words. I''ll open up my heart and get rid of this man once and for all. ¡°I''ming for you, pretty thing.¡± The moment those words fell, a loud bang was heard because someone had kicked the door to the private room wide open. Dwayne was then seen rushing in. His eyes were filled with rage when he saw what was happening before his eyes. Right away, he shoved the man on top of Victoria aside and gave him a good beating. The pain was so excruciating that the man wailed incessantly. ¡°F*ck you! How dare you treat my woman this way? I''m going to kill you!¡± Dwayne cursed. Obviously, a man who could be by Artemis'' side was no goody two shoes. Although Dwayne could normally be seen in suits, he was a ruthless man. After a dozen punches, the middle-aged man was gasping for air. Before Dwayne went over, Artemis had already told him to go all out on the men. Artemis was willing to back Dwayne up if he needed it. Meanwhile, Victoria was staring at Dwayne tearfully. She was worried that Dwayne could actually end up killing that man. Hence, she quickly pulled him back and sobbed out, ¡°That''s enough, Dwayne. That''s enough. Don''t be a murderer for my sake. It''s not worth it.¡± Dwayne took a few deep breaths and calmed himself down. He then nced fiercely at the other men in the private room. Upon seeing the look on Dwayne''s face, they all curled up in the corners of the room in fear. ¡°If I ever see you losers again, I''ll cripple all of you!¡± With that said, Dwayne turned toward Victoria and apologized with an aching heart, ¡°I''m sorry for beingte.¡± Victoria turned away and scolded, ¡°You shouldn''t havee, Dwayne. You really shouldn''t havee. I''m doing this to save Victor. If you bring me away now, Victor will get convicted tomorrow.¡± Veins were popping on Dwayne''s forehead when he grabbed her shoulders and fumed, ¡°Are you really willing to apany these men just because you were told to do so? When have you be so obedient, Victoria? Do you love him that much? Do you love him that deeply that you''re willing to let these men take advantage of you?¡± ¡°It''s none of your business, Dwayne. Just leave. There''s no need to worry about me.¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Dwayne was infuriated. ¡°I wouldn''t be considered a man if I were to leave you with these men.¡± Victoria pushed him aside forcefully and thundered, ¡°Are you able to save Victor? Are you able to save the Saunders family? If you can''t do that, buzz off! Leave!¡± Chapter 229 Chapter 229 Dwayne was stumped, and his expression darkened. I can''tpete against Lionel''s family background. I can''t save Victor. If I ignore everything and bring Victoria away, that''ll definitely anger Lionel. By then, Victor will get convicted. I can''t afford to bear the consequences. When Victoria saw Dwayne''s expression getting less determined, she couldn''t help smiling bitterly. ¡°Dwayne, listen to me, okay? Leave. No one can help me because I''m doing this willingly. I need to do this so that I can get rid of him and start a new life.¡± With tears in his eyes, Dwayne looked away. What on earth is Lionel thinking? She has an innocent and kind woman loving him. How could he let these middle-aged men take advantage of her? Is he doing this to a woman he once loved dearly just because of what happened seven years ago? If that''s the case, Lionel is not capable of love, and he''s not worthy of Victoria''s love. If he had loved her, he would forgive her, regardless of how severe the mistake was. Outside the private room, Lionel was leaning against the wall with his head hung low. No one knew what was on his mind, but he was exuding a chilly aura. In fact, he had arrived shortly after Dwayne. Prior to that, he kept staring at his watch when he was in the car, and he felt terrible. That was when he realized that he couldn''t bear to let Victoria be taken advantage of. ¡°Call them and get them to leave Aurora Club at once. After this, I''ll make it up to them. Whatever happened here tonight stays here. If they dare to leak it out, they''ll bear the consequences,¡± Lionel said to his subordinate. ¡°Yes, Mr. Gezmond.¡± Lionel then slowly straightened his body and nced at the inside of the private room from the corners of his eyes before walking toward the elevator. In the room, one of the men received a phone call and kept nodding profusely. ¡°Okay. Sure. We''ll leave at once. I understand. Don''t worry. We''ll keep our mouths shut.¡± With that, he hung up the phone and shared a nce with the man next to him before bringing the other man toward the exit. Seeing that, Victoria grew anxious. She then quickly got off the couch and wanted to stop the men from leaving. Dwayne stopped her from doing that. ¡°Let me go, Dwayne. Let me go! After tonight, Victor and the Saunders family will be free. I''ll never have to deal with Lionel again. That''s the best oue for me, and that''s my only way out. Please let go of me, okay?¡± Victoria pleaded. Dwayne pursed his lips because he couldn''t bear to hear her cry for another second. In the end, he struck her on the back of the neck and knocked her out. While looking at her teary face, Dwayne uttered gently, ¡°I''m sorry, but I can''t bear to see you being taken advantage of. Although you don''t love yourself, you have others who care about you.¡± Meanwhile, in the Gezmond residence, Wendy was on the phone with someone while leaning against the floor-to-ceiling windows. ¡°How did it go? Did you manage to find Mr. Gezmond?¡± The person on the other end of the phone answered respectfully, ¡°Mrs. Gezmond, Mr. Gezmond had gone to Aurora Club, and he met Ms. Victoria in the underground parking lot. I don''t know what was said between them. As for what happened after that, it seems like someone is deliberately trying to cover it up, so I couldn''t find that out either.¡± Ms. Victoria? Wendy gripped the phone so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Wendy knew about the history between Lionel and Victoria. Furthermore, she knew why Lionel had refused to touch her and be close to her throughout the years. Therefore, Wendy was once haunted by the mention of Victoria''s name. This is the woman stopping Lionel and me from having a good rtionship. ¡°Okay. Keep following Mr. Gezmond and notify me the moment somethinges up,¡± she replied. ¡°Got it.¡± Right after she ended the call, someone pushed the door to the bedroom wide open. Wendy thought Lionel had gotten home, so she quickly turned around gleefully. However, she saw a middle-aged woman walking in with a te of fruits. Wendy instinctively frowned and growled in displeasure, ¡°Do you usually not knock, Mrs. Gezmond?¡± The middle-aged woman was Kimberly Cook, Lionel''s stepmother. Seven years ago, Vincent tricked Lionel into bed with her. Because of that, the Gezmond family''s reputation was ruined, and Lionel''s father died of anger as a result. With an awkward expression, Kimberly answered, ¡°I knocked. I think you didn''t hear it because you were on the phone. Since I didn''t get a response, I came in straightaway. I''ll be more careful next time.¡± Wendy shot her a look in response. She then thought of something, and the solemn look on her face disappeared in an instant. With a smile, she apologized, ¡°I''ve misunderstood you. I''m sorry.¡± With that said, she threw her phone aside and walked toward Kimberly to hold her arm. After helping her to the couch, Wendy chuckled and said, ¡°Since you''re Lionel''s stepmother and I''m Lionel''s wife, you''re my mother-inw. You''ve been taking care of the Gezmond family all these years, and Lionel really appreciates you. From now on, we''ll serve and take care of you.¡± A strange light glinted in Kimberly''s eyes. She was an intelligent woman, and she was good at reading people. That was why Lionel''s father had fallen for her and married her. ¡°Wends, why isn''t Lionel back yet? It''s already sote at night. Is he meeting someone?¡± Kimberly asked. ¡°Yes. I''ve just gotten the news saying that he had gone to meet Ms. Victoria. When I came back from abroad that day, Victoria had gone to find Lionel at the office. Now, she''s also meeting Lionel at a nightclub. What is she up to? Is she trying to ruin my marriage with Lionel?¡± Kimberly''s expression turned grim immediately. I''ve suffered so much because of the Saunders family. I''ve been holding it in for so many years, but I think this is my chance to take revenge. This girl from Adrune is going to give me that chance. I can tell that she''s all over Lionel. I''m going to use her to destroy Victoria. R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only ¡°From what I know, Ms. Victoria has never had a boyfriend in recent years. It seems like her family isn''t nning to marry her off as well. I think she''s into Lionel. However, that doesn''t matter. You''re his wife. If she keeps bothering Lionel, she''s only going to be a shameless mistress,¡± Kimberly said. ¡°I don''t want that!¡± Wendy abruptly got up from the couch and fumed, ¡°Back then, she caused Nell''s downfall. How could she still shamelessly approach him now? I can''t let her get close to Nell. Nell is my husband and Sebastian''s dad.¡± The couple would call their son Yonathan asionally since they also liked the name but thought it would be inappropriate as time passed. Kimberly went silent. Dwayne carried the unconscious Victoria back to the medical base. Bailey bathed her and brought her to a ward. Meanwhile, Artemis and Dwayne were smoking in the corridor. The puffs of smoke surrounding them blurred their facial features. Artemis tossed a side nce at Dwayne and uttered half-jokingly, ¡°Isn''t this your perfect chance? Are you really such a gentleman? You can have her here and now!¡± Chapter 230 Chapter 230 Right after he finished speaking, an object flew toward him. ¡°F*ck.¡± Artemis dodged at once, staggering a few steps backward. However, after steadying himself, he realized what the object was and reached out unwillingly to catch it. He had no other choice. That was Bailey''s phone, and he was sure that the woman would give him a hard time if it was damaged. Dwayne sneered before saying in a mocking tone, ¡°Seems like you''re worse than me. I dare you to touch Bailey, but I bet you won''t even get to feel the corners of her blouse.¡± Artemis was rather speechless when he heard that. Just then, Bailey walked over with a frosty expression and sized the two men up before saying snarkily, ¡°Have you guys been lonely for too long? Need me to arrange something for you?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Fine! Even though I can''t offend her, I can avoid her! Dwayne snubbed out his cigarette and started walking toward Justin''s room. ¡°I''ll take Justin''s room. You guys can feel free to pick any of the remaining rooms you like. Anyway, Bailey, Artemis seems rather energetictely. I think you should interact with him on a deeper level and bnce out your energies. That''s better for health.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes after hearing that. The next moment, she was pinned against the wall by Artemis, who was standing next to her. Not again! ¡°Finally, that guy has said something right. Bailey, I am indeed feeling excessively energetictely, and I need your help to drain off some of it.¡± Without speaking any further, Artemis pressed his lips against Bailey''s. When Victoria woke up the next morning, subconsciously, the first thing she did was look at her body. ¡°What''s the matter? Weren''t you very bravest night? Why would you care about your innocence now?¡± A familiar voice rang out. Victoria turned toward the sound of the voice and saw Bailey munching on a piece of watermelon. ¡°Bay, I think I can finally let go now.¡± ¡°Stop.¡± Bailey gestured for Victoria to stop talking before letting out a cold snort and said, ¡°Show me then. Actions speak louder than words.¡± Victoria sighed as she struggled to sit up. ¡°You''re always so sharp with your words. Fine! I''ll use my actions to prove it. I''m hungry now. Where''s my breakfast?¡± Before the woman even asked for it, Bailey had already taken out a bottle of warm milk and some snacks from a thermal container. ¡°What are your ns?¡± Without answering, Victoria picked up the milk and drank a few gulps. After soothing her throat, she said, ¡°I''ll return to the condominium which he had arranged for me to stay at. Then, I''ll just wait and see what else he can do to degrade me further.¡± Just as Bailey was about to speak, Victoria cut her off with a dismissive wave. ¡°Bay, you want me to stop waiting for him because there would never be a positive oue, right?¡± Bailey fell silent. She was no fool and understood what Victoria meant by that. Do you really have to do that? Are you only going to give up after you arepletely beaten and bruised? Reading Bailey''s thoughts, Victoria smiled and said, ¡°Yup. I guess I''ll only wake up and give up completely after I''mpletely bruised and battered. So, stop persuading me and just let me be.¡± Bailey nodded and replied, ¡°Fine. I''ll respect your choice. I''m d that you didn''t think of ending your life even after what happenedst night. Vicky, I trust that you will not give up on life easily.¡± Victoria responded with a smile. Artemis arrived at the medical base at noon. In the study, he passed the box which he had brought along with him to Bailey and said solemnly, ¡°Previously, we guessed that, most likely, Cadence had tampered with the drugs during the production process, which would cause those medicine that was supposed to save lives to cause deaths instead. That would not only destroy your reputation but could also put you in jail. I''ve specially retrieved some preliminary samples from a few drug factories for you to check if the ingredients have been altered.¡± Bailey froze for a moment when she heard that. She had almost forgotten about Cadence. ¡°All right. Thanks for reminding me. Otherwise, that guy would have gotten away with it.¡± Artemis smiled and put his arms around Bailey''s waist before saying, ¡°Everything concerning you is important to me. I want to take care of you in all areas of your life so that you can focus on your career without any worries. Bailey, has anyone ever told you how attractive you are when you are serious at work?¡± Bailey was speechless when she heard that. She rolled her eyes before fixing her gaze on the drugsid out in front of her and said with a frown, ¡°There are only a few dozen samples here. We might not be able to find any anomalies.¡± ¡°Don''t worry about it. Just check these first. If you can''t find anything amiss, I''ll get you more to examine. Also, before this batch of drugs is introduced into the market, I will get Luther Group''s medical team to do a thorough check on the drugs in secret. I won''t allow anyone to die from consuming these drugs and destroy your reputation.¡± Aplicated expression appeared on Bailey''s face as she looked up at Artemis. ¡°Artemis, I''ve countless enemies all over the world, and Cadence is just one of them. If I get into any serious trouble next time, you will regret being involved with me,¡± she said helplessly. ¡°Don''t be silly.¡± Artemis tapped the woman''s nose and replied, ¡°You''re not allowed to say such nonsense next time. Although I''m not invincible, I''m still capable enough to support and protect you.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words when she heard that. Meanwhile, in the Luther residence''s dressing room, Rhonda was circling around an exquisitely- designed wedding gown, her eyes filled with astonishment. Caridee, who was standing next to Rhonda, was looking at the woman coldly, with aplicated gaze in her eyes. After what happened to Maxton, the entire Luther family was in a state of despair and anguish. However, as Maxton''s mother, apart from pretending to faint briefly after being informed about Maxton''s ident, Rhonda had been behaving as if nothing had happened. Earlier on, when she learned that the wedding gown was going to arrive that day, she was so happy that she couldn''t stop smiling. No wonder Max isn''t close to her. Which child would feel safe having a mother like that? ¡°Rhonda, are you very happy?¡± Without thinking much, Rhonda replied at once, ¡°Of course! Your brother had custom-made this gown for me, and it cost three hundred million. I heard that the most luxurious wedding gown to date was only worth two hundred million. Since mine is now way more valuable than that, that means I''m the most precious woman in the world from now on.¡± After saying that, she grabbed Caridee''s arm and continued, ¡°Caridee, help me take a look and see if there is anything that needs alteration. There are around ten days left until the wedding day, so we still have time to get them fixed.¡± Caridee flung Rhonda''s hand away and sneered, ¡°Rhonda, I know you are excited about the gown, but I am really not in the mood to admire it. That''s because my nephew is still lying in the hospital in a coma. My biological nephew.¡± The woman emphasized thest few words intentionally through gritted teeth. Rhonda snapped out of her excitement when she heard that, and the look on her face changed at once. Forcing a stoic expression, she replied, ¡°I''m very worried about Max as well, so I''m really hoping that the wedding will help ward off some bad luck and Max can wake up soon.¡± Ha... Feeling deted and no longer wishing to continue the conversation, Caridee turned around and headed toward the door. ¡°Ms. Rhonda, I shall leave you here to continue admiring your wedding gown. I''m sure my brother would be giving you the grandest wedding that would be the envy of everyone.¡± Rhonda let out a cold snort after hearing that. Well, needless to say, our wedding would definitely be the wedding of the century. Even though you''re the daughter of the Luther family, all you can do is envy me. Meanwhile, after examining the drugs, Bailey found other substances mixed in them. Chapter 231 Chapter 231 Over in theboratory, Artemis narrowed his eyes, looking at the drug in Bailey''s hand. ¡°Are you sure it''s contaminated?¡± Bailey threw him an icy nce. ¡°I''m the one who researched this drug, so I know it like the back of my hand. Do you think I won''t realize any differences if there''s some reaction?¡± she enunciated every word. Okay... She didn''t have to respond this defensively, but I guess she''s right. This drug can save lives. If it''s contaminated with other substances, people might end up dead. Any medical researcher would be pissed if this were to happen. ¡°Fine. It''s clear how we can solve this since you''ve confirmed it. This reagent is taken from Dyke Pharmaceutical, meaning either the executives in thatpany are bought over or thepany''s core management team is problematic. I''ll send someone to get to the bottom of this.¡± Bailey smiled at his suggestion. ¡°Why should we investigate? There''s no need for that. As long as this drug is not sold to the consumers but remains in the warehouse, there''s nothing we should be worried about. Just let them produce as many as they want until we find the evidence of their crime, identify the culprit, andpletely stamp out this hical yer in the pharmaceutical industry.¡± Artemis'' eyelids twitched. This woman is savage. How she deals with this issue is solid proof of why no one should ever cross her path. She holds a grudge forever. ¡°By the way, do you know anything about Dyke Pharmaceutical? Who backs thispany?¡± Bailey asked. Artemis frowned and fell into a brief silence. ¡°It''s a subsidiary under Shurmer Group.¡± Bailey paused and asked, ¡°Shurmer Group? You mean the family from Lostaria.¡± ¡°You''re right. Zeke Shurmer is the person at the helm of the family now. I heard he''ll being to Hallsbay with his parents for someone''s death anniversary in two days. Do you want me to contact him?¡± ¡°No,¡± Bailey answered, shaking her head. ¡°He''s responsible for hispany''s mismanagement. If you expose his shoring now, you''re making an enemy out of him. Besides, we don''t know if he''s involved himself. We might end up rming him. What about I ask Juliana to reach out and talk to him in private? We''ll test the waters and see what''s his stance. As for you, you should keep out of this for now.¡± Artemis'' brows raised in a smile. ¡°Honey, are you worried about me?¡± ¡°Get lost. Don''t make me puke,¡± Bailey snapped, kicking him. Meanwhile, at a highly-redited national medical research center in the capital, Veronique met an elderly man in the lounge. ¡°Mr. Yardley, Father sent me here. He told me you''d found a bone marrow match for Zephyr. Do you mind giving me their contact so I can ask them if they''re willing to donate their bone marrow?¡± Veronique asked. Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org. The person in charge of the research institute sighed when he heard Veronique''s request. ¡°It''s not that I don''t want to give you the details of that person, but she''s not someone who gives offers easily. Her information is top secret because of her status. Giving you her details means I''m going against my superiors.¡± Veronique bit her lip. It had been days since she came to the capital, and Mr. Yardley had avoided her all that time, so Veronique figured the person who was a bone marrow match with Zephyr must be influential. That was why even someone as respectable as Mr. Yardley had to act carefully not to offend that person, but Veronique had no choice. That was herst hope. She shot up from her seat and went to her knees. ¡°Mr. Yardley, you must''ve heard of Zephyr''s condition from my father. He doesn''t have much time left, so please, Mr. Yardley. Could you give me the person''s contact number? I''ll never disclose anything to anyone.¡± Mr. Yardley sighed and reached out with one hand to help her up. ¡°The information is all stored in the research center''s database. People will know I''m the person who revealed the data if there is a leak. This means the whole institution will be caught in a legal tangle. I hope you see where I''ming from.¡± Veronique paled when Mr. Yardley spoke inly about the consequences. She knew it would be unreasonable for her to insist. ¡°I understand, Mr. Yardley. Sorry for taking up your time.¡± With that said, she turned to make her way out with a stagger. ¡°By the way,¡± Mr. Yardley suddenly called out with a smile. ¡°Her details are in my center''s database, but I''m not the only source from whom you can retrieve this information. You''re a tech-savvy young woman, so I''m sure you know other means of getting it.¡± Veronique''s eyes glimmered as she turned around swiftly. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yardley! Thank you! I know what I should do,¡± she eximed in a nasal voice. ¡°All the best.¡± Back in the ward at the medical base, Bailey had just given Maxton an injection and was about to sit beside him for a chat. Suddenly, a ringtone came from her phone on the bedside cab, and she reached for it. Veronique? ¡°Maxton, why don''t you watch the TV first? I need to get this call. I''lle back and talk with you after this.¡± After leaving, she slid her finger across her phone screen to pick up the call. ¡°Vero, have you found the person?¡± ¡°Bay, I need your help. Could you put me through to the renowned international hacker called Spook?¡± Bailey was stumped by her request. Spook? ¡°Why are you looking for Spook?¡± ¡°Mr. Yardley said he couldn''t tell me who that person is himself and asked me to think of other ways to hack the research center''s system. The best hacker I can think of is Spook,¡± Veronique exined. Bailey smiled, shaking her head. I see. ¡°You got the right person, Vero. I''m Spook. Don''t freak out, okay? Give me half an hour. I''ll send that person''s details to your phone. You have nothing to worry about. I''ll settle this for you.¡± Bailey hung up immediately without even thinking about how shocked Veronique would be. Then, she returned to the ward and exined the situation to Maxton before heading back to her study. On her way back, she received a text from Veronique. The message read: What the heck? Are you really Spook? Am I living in some sci-fi world? I can''t believe it! Speaking of, is it okay for you to hack the research center''s database? Bailey''s lips curved into a smile as she typed a reply: I hacked Artemis'' back ount in Spaunia and took three billion from it. For that, he pursued me across the globe but still failed to find me after half a year, so you have nothing to worry about. I even hacked the Security Agency''s blood bank system before, so this is not a big deal. At the same time, over at Luther Group''s headquarters, Dwayne barged into the office with important news. ¡°Look! Artemis! Spook has just signed in! Quick! Take a look!¡± While speaking, he dropped hisptop right in front of Artemis, and thetter looked down at the screen. Artemis ran his fingers across the keyboard and located Spook''s whereabouts. ¡°Why do I feel like this location looks familiar?¡± Dwayne asked, staring at the location. He was right, for the location disyed was Justin''s medical base. Instead of replying to Dwayne, Artemis continued going through the documents on his table. When Dwayne saw this, he swept the documents aside and asked anxiously, ¡°Aren''t we going to stop this guy? He fooled you and made you run all over the ce for him. It was super exasperating.¡± Bam! Artemis mmed the pen against the table and got up to leave. ¡°You take care of all the documents for me since you''re so free,¡± he ordered as he walked out. Seriously? Meanwhile, Bailey pored over the details with aplicated expression on her face in the study at the medical base. So, she''s the bone marrow match. Chapter 232 Chapter 232 Scarlett. I can''t believe it''s her. Her engagement with Justin has brought great pain to Veronique. Seven years back, Scarlett, the heiress of the Fletcher family, became terminally ill. All her medical details, including her blood type and gic information, were copied to many big research institutions because the family was looking for the best doctor to treat her. In the end, Justin was the one who cured her. After that, the woman fell in love with him, and they got engaged. To many, it was a prospective union between a political family and a prestigious family with exceptional medical talent. Still, to Veronique, it was a day of loneliness and hopelessness when she left the country with the baby she was carrying. No one would believe that after so many years, fate would bring them together again. At the end of the day, none of them managed to escape the wheel of fate and fortune. Bailey sat silently on the couch for a solid ten minutes until she snapped back to her senses when her phone rang. ¡°Bay, did you get it?¡± Bailey forced a rigid smile. ¡°Yeah. I just got it. I was about to send it to you,¡± she replied dryly. She logged into her ount and emailed Scarlett''s details to Veronique. Silence set in until the ambiance turned suffocating, and no one spoke for a long time. Bailey was beginning to feel numb when Veronique finally uttered, ¡°So, it''s her. I guess there''s no running away. I have to face her in the end. Thanks, Bay. I''ll deal with the rest on my own. There''s no helping me beyond this.¡± Bailey paused for a bit and replied, ¡°I deliberately left some traces in the database so that they know the data was leaked. Even if the Fletcher family knows Scarlett''s information was hacked, they''ll not me the research center, so you can go ahead and do whatever you want with peace of mind.¡± Veronique was brought to tears. ¡°I know you could well wipe off any traces,¡± she choked out, ¡°but you chose to do so because of me, right, Bay? I can''t thank you enough for what you did for me...¡± ¡°Cut it out, Vero. Please don''t make me cringe. I got to go. I''ll hang up first, okay? Let me know if you need anything else. You helped me a lot when we were studying medicine. It''s only reasonable that I return the favor. Of course, that''s unless you don''t take me as a friend.¡± After ending the call, Bailey logged out immediately and deleted all the history on herptop. Just as she walked out, Bailey saw Artemis leaning against the door, and she jumped. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± she asked with a frown. ¡°I mean, since when were you here?¡± Don''t tell me he''s still hunting Spook down and got my location when I signed in just now. I hope that''s not the case because I have nothing to pay him with now. Three billion is a lot of money! It''s not even enough if I sell myself off. Artemis straightened his back and pushed Bailey back into the study. Bang! The door shut with a loud noise behind them. Bailey nced at him nervously. He must have found out. Maybe he wasn''t even drunk that day. He might have learned the truth when I told him that I was the one who took the money. ¡°H-Hey! Listen to me. I was the one who took the money, but I gave everything to your nephew, so you should look for Zayron instead. Don''t me it on me.¡± A glint of glee shone in Artemis'' eyes. I don''t mind spending three billion to raise my own son. ¡°He''s still a minor, so it makes sense that I deal with his guardian, right?¡± he argued. While speaking, he pulled her close with his arm and tugged Bailey into his embrace. With another hand, he tilted her sharp chin upward and teased, ¡°You''ve got some nerve, don''t you? I didn''t expect you to have the guts to steal my money. Now that I got my hands on you, there''s no way you can escape.¡± A shudder went down Bailey''s spine, and she shed him a smile. ¡°Well, you''re rich. Three billion is nothing to you. Just treat it as a donation for your brother. I know three billion is more than enough to raise two kids for seven years, but I promise I won''t ask for any more child maintenance from the Luther family.¡± Artemis let go of her chin and patted her delicate cheek twice frivolously. ¡°If I remember correctly, you''ve already asked Simon for money once, so your promise is not convincing enough. I''m dead set on getting my money back,¡± he joshed with a grin. Bailey felt a tinge of itch on her scalp. He went all over the world trying to get me for half a year but failed. I can''t believe he found me just because of a minor slip on my end. I really don''t know what else to say. ¡°I have no money. My ount is linked to a few international charity organizations, so the money goes to them by default whenever there''s a bnce in my ount. I need some time to think of a way to get the money.¡± Artemis'' heart softened when he heard this, for he knew she was telling the truth. He had investigated her ount before. Bailey was almost as wealthy as him, but because she had been donating everything she owned over the past years, she ended up not having much. She''s so selfless. How can I not love her? When Bailey saw that Artemis was quiet, she looked at him intently and, after some thought, suggested, ¡°Why don''t I pay you back with my body?¡± Here, she broke out into augh. ¡°But, of course, I''ve slept with someone else before, so you might think a one-night stand is not worth three billion. After all¡ª¡± Bailey''s eyes widened in shock. W-What is he doing? Is he angry? I didn''t even say anything! Artemis did not deepen his kiss. After a brief moment, he pulled away and cupped Bailey''s face with his hands. ¡°Don''t say anything like that. You''re priceless in my eyes. I''m willing to give you everything I own just to have you¡ªlet alone three billion.¡± Bailey blinked at him and held out her right hand. ¡°How about you give me everything you have now? I need money.¡± Bailey felt a gush of regret right after she said that. Just what was I thinking? I must''ve been stunned because of him. I can''t believe I was dazed because of a kiss. A deep chuckle sounded from above her head. Before Bailey looked up, Artemis had already dug his hand into his cks'' pocket, pulled out a ck card, and put it in her hand. Bailey stared at the card, dumbstruck. For real? This is Spaunia''s bank''s VIP card. This means there are at least a hundred billion in it! I guess it''s right when they say a man''s the coolest when he spends on you. ¡°I-I was just kidding,¡± Bailey said, stuffing back the card in Artemis'' hand. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. He nced at her with his brows arched as he bent over and whispered, ¡°Why are you giving it back? Are you trying to draw a line between us? If that''s the case, I guess I''ll have you as coteral for the three billion you took.¡± With that, he kissed her ear, making her shudder. Chapter 233 Chapter 233 He must be crazy. God knows what he''ll do if I don''t take his card. Why do I feel like I just dug my own grave, and this man is dly burying me alive now? ¡°Give me the card,¡± Bailey seethed between her teeth, clenching her jaw. This put a smile on Artemis'' face. He gave her back the card and reminded her, ¡°You''re mine now that you took it, Bailey. You''d better remember that you belong only to me for the rest of your life. Understood?¡± Bailey bit her lip hard. Pleased, Artemis burst out in a heartyugh, and his melodious voice echoed in the room. ¡°All right. I''ll stop teasing you. Tell me. Whose ount did you hack this time?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and went on to tell him about Veronique. Artemis frowned when he learned about what happened. ¡°Do you know that the top brass will not let you off the hook so easily? You just hacked into the country''s research center''s system. They''ll definitely send professionals to track you down. It''ll be bad for you once they get their hands on you.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°Are you suggesting that I should hide all my traces? Veronique will be caught in a tight spot if that''s the case. Mr. Yardley is helping her out of his goodwill. If I pull the rug from under his feet now, it''ll be difficult for Vero to face him.¡± ¡°I didn''t ask you to cover all your traces. You''ll have to deliver your promise since you gave her your word. What I mean is you should give me your ount, so even if they really trace it back to the hacker, they wille to me instead of you.¡± Bailey was caught by surprise. She looked at Artemis with uncertainty in her eyes and asked, ¡°Artemis, you...¡± Do you love me this much? Don''t you know this might ruin you? Are you willing to shoulder the consequences for me? Artemis pulled her into his embrace and assured her, ¡°I told you I''d treat you like a queen. I don''t care if this means people will step all over me, Bay. I want to carry everything for you, including all the darkness you have to face on your own. Are you willing to let me bear this burden for you?¡± Bailey''s heart beat fast. If a man is willing to take all your burden for you, he genuinely loves you. He''s someone I can spend the rest of my life with, but things are not as straightforward. I still have to consider Simon and Edmund. They''re both Artemis'' family members. I can''t just dismiss their feelings and what the world thinks about me. ¡°I''ll let someone manage the ount so they won''t trace it back to me. Don''t be too nice to me, Artemis. I don''t deserve it.¡± After receiving Scarlett''s details, Veronique spent the next few days in a dilemma without being able to come to a decision. She could kneel before anyone to beg that person to donate their bone marrow, but not Scarlett. She''s Justin''s fianc¨¦e! What if they find out who Zephyr is? If Scarlett finds out that Zephyr''s Justin''sC¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org son, she might even want to kill the boy¡ªlet alone donate her bone marrow to him. Zephyr will be in danger! Back at home, Bailey was leaning against the book rack in her study when she called out to Juliana, who was reclining on the couch. ¡°I need you to do something for me. I need it done perfectly.¡± Then, Bailey told Juliana how she found her drugpromised during the production phase at Dyke Pharmaceutical. Juliana shot up from the couch angrily. ¡°For real? Is someone trying to mess with you again? Seriously, Master, just how many people did you offend? You can''t even live a single day in peace.¡± ¡°Enough nonsense. I just found out that Zeke has arrived at Hallsbay, so find time to meet him. Remember, don''t give the game away. I just want to know Zeke''s attitude toward the issue. I want to know if he''s involved.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Juliana promised with her eyes shimmering and smiling. ¡°I heard Mr. Zeke from the Shurmer family is well-known and dashing. I''ve always wanted to meet him in person.¡± ¡°Just get out,¡± Bailey replied, waving her hand. Then, Bailey went over to Luther Group to sort out some important documents. After that, she got ready to go to the medical base to check on Maxton, but just as she was leaving, she heard the sound of high heelsing in her direction. She looked up instinctively, and what she saw made her jaw drop. She is gorgeous! Carrying an air of ssiness, the woman of about Bailey''s age walked elegantly toward her, but above all else, her face was the most attractive trait. Bailey felt she had seen that woman somewhere before, for her face was fresh in her memory. It was just that Bailey could not recall where she met that woman. When the young woman walked past her, Bailey could feel the dignified air of her imposing presence. Out of curiosity, Bailey slowed down and looked back. The head of the secretary department had juste out of the office to greet that woman. ¡°Ms. Shurmer,¡± he said politely. ¡°Mr. Luther requested that you wait at the CEO''s office.¡± Zoey showed a graceful smile and nodded. ¡°Thank you. Is Artemis in the office?¡± ¡°He''s in a meeting now. He''ll probably be back in a few minutes. Why don''t you follow me to his office first?¡± ¡°Sure. Thanks.¡± Bailey''s eyes trailed the secretary and Zoey as they entered the office. Her eyes twitched when she realized Zoey''s voice sounded familiar to her. I heard that voice when Artemis was on a call in Shelbert Condominium. She''s Zoey Shurmer, one of the Ten Acimed Socialites and also the heiress of the Shurmer family. Her brother is especially talented. Not only does he control the whole family, but he''s also popr on the international stage. Bailey could not help but feel jealous of Zoey. I guess that''s why Artemis treats her differently. Only a woman whomands international influence like her is worthy of him. I''m nothing but a taboo to him. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you heading out?¡± A woman''s voice pulled Bailey''s thoughts back. Bailey looked up only to see the manager of the design department. ¡°Yes. Is there anything I can do for you?¡± ¡°I''ve just drafted the proposal for the productunch. Do you mind spending a few minutes going through it?¡± ¡°Sure. Let''s go to my office, then.¡± Five minutester, Bailey sat back in her office chair with her brows raised. ¡°I know I gave a lot of criticism. I''m sorry if I sounded demanding.¡± The manager shook her head. ¡°Don''t say that. I''m d you pointed out the things I need to work on. I''m thankful for that.¡± ¡°That''s good. Redo it, then. I''ll give you a day to do that.¡± ¡°Sure. I''ll make a move first. Thanks, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Not long after the manager left, Bailey heard the sound of footsteps outside her office again and saw Artemis rushing over to his office. Bailey smiled. She must be really important to him. The smile on her face deepened when she heard theirughtering from the office. Chapter 234 Chapter 234 Over in the CEO''s office, after greeting Zoey, Artemis went over to his table and took out several keys from the drawer. ¡°You always stay at the mansion by the beach every time you visit Hallsbay. I figured you might have a special sentiment for that ce, so I transferred the ce to your name. Now you don''t have toe over whenever youe to Hallsbay. You can go over there directly,¡± Artemis said, passing Zoey the key. The smile on Zoey''s face froze, for the true reason she fancied that mansion was because of Artemis. Since Artemis had gifted her that property, it meant that she could no longer spend time with him under the same roof. To Zoey, there was no point in keeping that mansion if that was the case. ¡°I-Isn''t this your residence? Where will you stay now that you gave it to me?¡± Artemis quirked his brows. I''d better not forget that woman''s warning on the balcony the other day. I''m to marry soon, so I should not get too close to any woman¡ªincluding Zoey¡ªeven if she saved my life. ¡°I''m about to have my own family soon, so I''ll stay with my wife. The mansion by the beach is not my ideal home for a family, so I''m thinking about making another home for her.¡± Thest shred of smile on Zoey''s face faded away. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org His wife? Does he mean Rhonda? He''s never shown any interest in her over the past seven years. What made him change so drastically? ¡°Right! You''re about to get married soon! I haven''t even congratted you.¡± Artemis smiled faintly. Suddenly, he caught sight of Bailey walking out of the office on the opposite side through the window. He looked down at Zoey, saying, ¡°I have to get going. I''ll ask Dwayne to send you to the mansionter. We''ll have a meal some other time.¡± With that said, he took his phone and ran outside. ¡°Artem...¡± Zoey''s voice trailed into silence when she realized Artemis had already dashed out and was nowhere in sight anymore. The room fell silent, and Zoey clenched the keys in her hand. Rhonda Jefferson! It''s been seven years! Why are you still alive? Over at thepany''s elevator, Bailey pressed the ¡°close¡± button and watched the doors shut before her absent-mindedly. She could still hear Artemis and Zoey''sughter from the CEO''s office ringing in her ears, and the sound vexed her beyond measure. Ding! Suddenly, the rm rang, and Bailey looked up only to see someone inserting their hand into the elevator. Without saying a word, Bailey grabbed the person''s wrist and peeled off the hand from the door. Crack! The rattling sound of bones being crushed by the elevator door rang crisp and loud, and a sharp gasp followed. ¡°You stone-hearted woman,¡± Artemis noted from the outside as he squeezed his way through the gap. Once he got in, he pushed Bailey against the wall and questioned in a hoarse voice, ¡°Who pissed you off? I''ll teach him a lesson.¡± Bailey looked away. ¡°There''s no need for that. I''ve already done that,¡± she said snarkily. It took Artemis a while to understand what she meant. ¡°Are you jealous, dear?¡± Bailey''s body froze, and she red at him. ¡°Why are you here? You''ve got a beautifuldy who came all the way from overseas right in your office. Why don''t you go and spend time with her? Get away from me.¡± Artemis chuckled lowly. She must be jealous. This is a good sign. ¡°She came to take the mansion''s keys.¡± Bailey became even more upset when she heard that. ¡°Scram!¡± ¡°I already transferred her the ownership of the mansion, so it belongs to her from now on and has nothing to do with me anymore. I''ve already asked Ken to pick up my things. I don''t have a ce to stay now, my dear. Are you willing to take me in?¡± What the actual f*ck? He''s so shameless! Bailey was initially angry about what she saw earlier, but after Artemis joked around with her, she managed to let off some steam. ¡°You''re generous, aren''t you, Mr. Luther? The mansion costs at least hundreds of millions. You might be broke after gifting all your property to your female friends at this rate.¡± Artemis grinned and lowered his head to Bailey''s ear. ¡°Come on, Zoey saved me before. She might have a mansion, but you''re the ultimate winner here. You wouldn''t have a husband if she didn''t save me.¡± He''s so brazen! ¡°Ouch! My hand still hurts, Bay. You can get angryter, but could you help me pop my bone back first?¡± Bailey nced at him coldly. The truth was that she felt a lot better after hearing Artemis out. She figured she should not probe into the matter as to why she felt vexed in the first ce. Bailey held his wrist and twisted it forcefully. His dislocated joint was adjusted to its original position with a crack. ¡°I don''t have an extra room at Shelbert Condominium, so you should just go back to the Luther residence.¡± What? Does that mean I got hurt for nothing? Over in Jadeborough, Veronique finally decided to put aside her feelings and the past and talk to Scarlett after much struggle. After all, Zephyr''s life was at stake here, yet when she pulled some strings to get a date with Scarlett, she was told that Justin and Scarlett had already left the capital for Hallsbay. Veronique had no choice but to buy a return ticket to Hallsbay. In a way, it''s good that they''re not in Jadeborough. It won''t be easy getting this done if I''m in the country''s political center, Jadeborough. Meanwhile, a few ck cars pulled up in the square in the office area of Dyke Pharmaceutical. A middle-aged man in a suit and shiny shoes walked to the Rolls-Royce SUV with a longer wheelbase right in the middle of the convoy. ¡°Thank you foring for the inspection, Mr. Zeke. I''m Kayden Jennings. I''m in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical.¡± The door opened, and a strapping and sophisticated man emerged from the car. He looked aristocratic in his white suit, which made him look especially pleasing to the eyes. It was none other than the new head of the Shurmer family¡ªZeke Shurmer. ¡°Mr. Jennings.¡± Zeke parted his thin lips and greeted with a faint smile. ¡°I''m here to look at the production process of the new drug. The public is particrly keen about our new product, so ensure nothing goes wrong.¡± A fleeting hint of nervousness shone in Kayden''s eyes. ¡°Y-Yes, Mr. Zeke.¡± Over on the staircase, Juliana looked impressed when she beheld the elegant man. He''s so handsome! Did my prince charming justnd from the sky? ¡°Ahem!¡± A soft cough came from beside her. ¡°His charm must''ve blinded you. I must have been foolish to have thought someone like you could get anything out of him. You''re awe-struck before you even deal with him face to face.¡± Juliana jumped and whipped her head back. ¡°M-Master! Why are you here?¡± Bailey smacked her head and sneered, ¡°Well, you might have dly offered your soul to him if I had note.¡± With that said, Bailey went down the stairs and walked toward Zeke. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Zeke.¡± Zeke, who was just about to walk over, stopped where he was the moment he saw Bailey. He looked confused. When did Mom have another daughter? Chapter 235 Chapter 235 They look so alike! This woman definitely looks the same as Mom. Although Zeke had often seen news reports about Bailey and all her achievements, he was astonished when he saw Bailey in person, for they looked different. Watching her from the screen did not deliver the same effect, but when Zeke had the chance to observe her up close, he realized Bailey did look simr to Waverly. Bailey smiled at the surprised man. Zeke was usuallyposed and well-mannered as a man whose fame spread worldwide. His blunder was not because he felt attracted to a charming woman as a man but because she reminded him of his mother. Zeke''s reaction made Bailey think of Gerald''s response when he first met Bailey. That time, the old man seemed to have mistaken Bailey for his first love, Waverly, who happened to be Zeke''s mother. Now, this is interesting. ¡°Did you take me for your mom too, Mr. Zeke?¡± Everyone was nonplussed by Bailey''s abrupt question. Juliana coughed dryly and pulled Bailey on the sleeve, speaking softly, ¡°Master, how could you be so rude? You''re younger than Mr. Zeke. How could you say you look like his mother?¡± Um, well, you''re right. Bailey rubbed her nose awkwardly and looked away. I only said that because Gerald thought I was Waverly. After a moment of shock, Zeke regained hisposure and shed Bailey a polite smile. ¡°You must be Ms. Jefferson. Your fame precedes you. I can''t believe I''m seeing you today. The honor is mine.¡± Bailey''s lips curved stiffly into a friendly smile. ¡°The anti-cancer drug I made has just started production, and Dyke Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary under yourpany, is part of the production chain. I would appreciate it if you could ensure the quality is top-notch. After all, lives are at stake here.¡± Zeke nodded with a smile. ¡°You have nothing to worry about, Ms. Anonymous. Shurmer Group is a century-old corporation that is widely acimed, so we will take quality control seriously. We won''t do anything to ruin our reputation.¡± He''s right. The Shurmer family spent generations building their business empire until they achieved the sess they enjoy today. There''s nothing in it for Zeke to work with Cadence to change the composition of the drug. Cadence is doing this to get me into prison so he can ruin my life, but Zeke has no motivation to do so. Zeke and I have not met before, so there are no old grievances between us to begin with. ¡°Did youe to Hallsbay just to check on the new drug''s manufacturing process, Mr. Zeke?¡± Bailey asked. Zeke smiled gently at her. ¡°Well, I can''t ck off when you''re so dedicated to your craft. You''re here to keep an eye on the manufacturing even after researching the drug. This is a product that will benefit the whole of humanity, so I''d like to contribute to it too. This is also good publicity for me. I would like to leave a good impression on the public.¡± Good publicity? He''s weird. People say the eyes are windows to the soul. We can know a person''s thoughts from their eyes. As a hypnotist herself, Bailey could search a person''s true thoughts just by looking into their eyes. This man''s gaze is deep and vast like the boundless universe, but he did not try to evade my eyes when he came up to me, nor did he shy away. This means he''s not lying. He did not panic because he did nothing wrong to begin with. Don''t tell me the person in charge of the Shurmer family has no idea that the new drug has already been swapped. Of course, there''s also a possibility that he bypassed my hypnosis and outsmarted me. ¡°Indeed, you''re a visionary businessman. People respect and admire you despite your young age. I''m d you take social responsibility seriously. I heard that you''re here for an inspection. Is it possible for me to join you to take a look at the production facility?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Zeke replied with a smile. ¡°We''re honored to have you participating in this process yourself. Over here, please.¡± Bailey smiled back at him. Just as she was about to walk over, Bailey felt Juliana tugging her sleeve from behind, and Bailey giggled. ¡°By the way, Mr. Zeke, this is my mentee, Juliana Stone,¡± Bailey introduced. Zeke cast his nce at Juliana and fell into silence. ¡°I should call you ''sister-inw.¡¯¡± Zeke noted with a smile. What? Bailey and Juliana exchanged confused nces. Before either of them spoke, Zeke added, ¡°If I''m not wrong, Ms. Stone''s the second daughter of the Hoffman family, the royal family of Epea. Your real name is Juliana Hoffman. You changed your name after you became Snowke''s mentee. You have a sister, Wendy Hoffman. She became my cousin''s wife when she married into the Gezmond family. Since you''re Lionel''s sister-inw, that makes you my sister-inw as well.¡± Okay. So, a distant rtive? C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Bailey narrowed her eyes at Juliana, saying, ¡°So, your sister married Lionel.¡± Prior to that, Bailey had wondered how Lionel ended up bing so sessful overseas, and it turned out that he had garnered the support of the Hoffman family. Juliana looked away. ¡°Yes. Their marriage is kept a secret from the public. Besides, you didn''t ask me, Master. I would''ve told you if you asked.¡± Bailey held her head in exasperation. What kind of rtionship is this? It''s soplicated! The lot proceeded into thepany, and after some time, Bailey asked Zeke in a low tone, ¡°Mr. Zeke, do I really look like your mom?¡± Zeke was taken aback, but he quickly resumed a smile. ¡°Well, sometimes we find strangers who look alike too, so I guess it''s nothing surprising.¡± After the trip that day, Bailey returned to Luther Group from Dyke Pharmaceutical. Artemis poured her a ss of warm water and sat down opposite her. Instead of asking her about the inspection, he simply smiled and gazed at her. Bailey took a few sips of water before speaking with a frown. ¡°I don''t think Zeke''s involved in this whole thing. First, he doesn''t have a reason to do so. Second, a businessman like him values profit most of all. He might benefit from working with Cadence, but that benefit is nothingpared to the whole consortium''s profit. He doesn''t need to put the whole Shurmer Group''s future on the line.¡± Artemis crossed his legs and rubbed his chin with his fingers as he thought. ¡°Well, we can''t jump to conclusions before we have conclusive evidence proving he''s not part of this.¡± ¡°But I used hypnosis on him, and he didn''t show any sign of nervousness. It didn''t look like he was lying.¡± Artemis wanted to reply, but his phone on the coffee table rang just as he was about to speak. Someone was calling from the Luther residence. ¡°Let me get this.¡± After picking up, Artemis listened for a few seconds, and his face darkened. The atmosphere suddenly chilled to a freezing point. ¡°What did you say?¡± Chapter 236 Chapter 236 After the person repeated what was said, Bailey observed how Artemis'' face became even gloomier, and she could not help but feel curious. For that b*stard to reveal such an expression, something major must have happened. ¡°All right. I''ll head there right away.¡± After Artemis ended the call, she raised her eyebrow and asked, ¡°Did Rhonda create more trouble again?¡± Rolling his eyes at her, Artemis replied firmly, ¡°Rhonda had a miscarriage. The preliminary diagnosis is that she identally took some abortifacient.¡± What? Bailey was shocked for a while. When she returned to her senses, she widened her eyes and eximed, ¡°What did you say? Rhonda took some abortifacient? How is that possible? She''s relying on her baby to be the future matriarch of the Luther family. How could she possibly ruin her own future?¡± As Artemis narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint appeared in them for a moment. ¡°That means someone gave her the abortifacient,¡± he concluded nonchntly. ¡°In more straightforward terms, she blocked someone''s path, which caused that person to develop a grudge against her.¡± Bailey fell silent at that. After a long while, she asked, ¡°Could the culprit be from the branch family of the Luthers? Now that there are more children added to the direct line of descent, the main family can grow its monopoly. If the branch family eliminated Rhonda''s child, it would be equivalent to diminishing the main family''s power. In turn, they''ll get a greater share of power.¡± ¡°It''s hard to tell,¡± replied Artemis solemnly. ¡°It''s possible that the father of her illegitimate child did it. He probably noticed that something was wrong and wanted to avoid futureplications. After all, if I find out who he is, I''ll never let him off the hook easily.¡± Bailey stood up from the couch. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll follow you to visit the Luther family. Perhaps I can pick up a clue from the abortifacient.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the Luther residence, the bedroom was filled with wails. From a distance away, one could already hear Felicity screaming at the top of her lungs. ¡°Dear Lord, how has the Luther family sinned? Why did these tragedies happen to our grandsons one after the other? Are you deliberately torturing my grandsons because you can''t bear to see the Luther family prosper?¡± Rhonda''s sorrowful cries ensued. In the meantime, Bailey suddenly halted in her tracks. If she barged in directly, Rhonda, that crazy woman, would definitely cling to her and use her of everything. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Although she did not mind it, it did not mean that she would be eager to put herself in such a horrible position and get scolded by someone else. ¡°I don''t think I''ll enter. Tell the person in charge of the infirmary to let me have a look at Rhonda''s medical report. Get him to show me the food that contained the abortifacient, too.¡± Artemis nced at the butler, ordering, ¡°Follow her instructions.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With that, Bailey turned around and went downstairs. Artemis watched her leave before entering Rhonda''s bedroom. When the two women at the bed saw him enter, they became even more emotional. Felicity staggered over and buried herself in Artemis'' arms. Although he frowned, he still hugged her back. No matter what, she was still his biological mother. ¡°Artemis, how has the Luther family sinned? Why are the heavens treating my grandsons like this? It happened to Max, and now, Ronni''s child has also...¡± The moment she finished speaking, Rhonda tried to rush out of the bed and jump into Artemis'' arms. When Artemis saw that, he uttered calmly, ¡°Stay on the bed and don''t move. Rest well. There are only a few days before the wedding. If you can''t recover in time, how can the wedding continue?¡± Rhonda''s wails stopped abruptly. Looking at him in surprise, she asked hoarsely, ¡°A-Artemis? Now that my child''s gone, t-the wedding is still continuing as nned?¡± Artemis did not answer her directly. Instead, he nced at the maids at the side, pointed at Rhonda, and asked, ¡°Who is she?¡± The maids exchanged nces with each other, not daring to respond first. After a while, one of the maids could not bear the pressure anymore and replied timidly, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, she''s Mrs. Luther.¡± Artemis suddenlyughed before responding in a rxed tone, ¡°Get twice the amount of your sry from the butlerter. Your sry will be doubled from now on.¡± The maid was stunned for a while before a look of joy appeared on her face. When the others saw the perks that she received, they quickly addressed Rhonda as ¡°Mrs. Luther.¡± Smiling, Artemis looked at Rhonda and asked with a raised eyebrow, ¡°Did you see that? Now that the entire world knows that you''re Mrs. Luther, how can we possibly cancel the wedding? Just lie on the bed. Don''t worry too much, and rest well. After that, you''ll be the world''s happiest and most beautiful bride in your best state.¡± Felicity left Artemis'' embrace and walked to the bed. Holding Rhonda''s hand, she stated hoarsely, ¡°Be a good girl and rest well. After the wedding, both of you still can have a child. Don''t be too sad, and stop overthinking.¡± Rhonda was ted. Even though I had a miscarriage, Artemis is still willing to marry me. Does it mean Artemis has finally noticed my sacrifices for him and has decided to spend the rest of his life with me? In that case, I''m d that the b*stard in my womb is gone. After marrying him, I have plenty of chances to be pregnant with his child and give birth to a true heir for the Luther family. ¡°Okay. I''ll listen to you. I''ll recover well and prepare to be a good bride.¡± In the infirmary, as Bailey reviewed the report on the medicine''s remnants and Rhonda''s medical report, she fell into deep thought. ¡°How is it? Did you notice anything?¡± Artemis'' voice rang out beside her ear, jolting her back to her senses. Passing one of the report sheets to him, she exined calmly, ¡°These are the remains of the medicine. After I did a test, it''s confirmed that it contains an abortifacient. Furthermore, the abortifacient is extremely strong and has very harmful effects on the womb. Rhonda probably can''t be a mother in the future. The culprit is very ruthless.¡± Artemis grabbed the report and scanned it. I don''t understand anything. ¡°I''ll instruct someone to investigate which pharmacies the medicine is sold at. Let''s see if we can find any clues.¡± Shaking her head, Bailey sighed. ¡°Medicines like these are prohibited in the country. The culprit probably got their hands on it from overseas. If we were to track it, it''ll be like looking for a needle in a haystack.¡± Artemis fell silent. Bailey patted his shoulder and reassured him with a smile, ¡°That baby wasn''t your child, anyway, so the miscarriage doesn''t really matter. This is Rhonda''s karma for all the evil deeds she has done. To be honest, even if I didn''t do anything, she''d still have dug her own grave.¡± Soon, news of Rhonda''s miscarriage spread, and everyone knew about it in no time. Naturally, barely anyone in the public felt pity for her. Instead, they were gloating over it. After all, why should all the good things just happen to Rhonda? As a daughter from a middle-ss family, she was not worthy enough to be the matriarch of the Luther family. Now that it was almost the wedding, she deserved to have that sudden miscarriage. A loud thud rang out in the study room at the Shurmer residence. Zeke threw the papers in his hands on the table and red at Zoey coldly. He then bellowed, ¡°Exin to me what happened!¡± Chapter 237 Chapter 237 Zoey looked down and saw the headlines in the newspaper. The ring word, ¡°miscarriage,¡± immediately entered her sight. Rhonda had a miscarriage? Haha! What great news! ¡°What do you mean, Zeke? What does Mrs. Luther having a miscarriage have to do with me?¡± ¡°Zoey.¡± Zeke dragged her up from the couch and demanded furiously, ¡°Do you think you can hide anything from me? Do you think you''re skilled enough to deceive me?¡± Lowering her head slowly, Zoey replied in a nonchnt tone, ¡°I don''t know what you''re talking about, Zeke. Rhonda''s miscarriage has nothing to do with me. Don''t use your own little sister.¡± Zeke took a deep breath. Suppressing the fury within him, he said coldly, ¡°Looks like you''re going to keep denying it. If I don''t produce any proof, you won''t confess, right?¡± With that, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and ced it in front of her. ¡°Three days ago, you obtained some abortifacient developed by Shurmer Group''s pharmaceutical factory under my name. Since the effects of that particr abortifacient are too severe, it hasn''t been released on the market yet. What did you need it for?¡± This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ncing at the retrieval form, Zoey replied with a smile, ¡°One of my friends encountered a bottleneck when researching abortifacients. He asked me to obtain a prototype developed by Shurmer Group so he could examine it. Since he was so enthusiastic, I agreed. Are you going to reprimand me so harshly over such a minor matter?¡± Zeke stared at her coldly. After a moment of silence, he chuckled lightly. ¡°Very well. You''ve learned how to lie to your brother now, huh? Well done! Even if you want to go down the wrong path, as your brother, I cannot watch youmit these mistakes without doing anything. You refuse to confess, right? Fine! I''ll go to the Luther residence and ask Artemis to give me the remnants of the abortifacient. Once I confirm that it is identical to the one developed by Shurmer Group, you''ll find out what the consequences are.¡± With that, he turned around and walked toward the door. Zoey panicked. If Artemis found out she drugged Rhonda and caused the miscarriage, she would never have a chance to rise up the ranks. ¡°Zeke...¡± Crying out loud, she rushed forward and hugged Zeke. Then, she added through her sobs, ¡°I admit it! I admit it, okay? I instructed a maid who I nted at the Luther residence to give Rhonda the abortifacient. Afraid that Artemis would find out that it was me, I didn''t dare to buy it at a pharmacy. Hence, I had no choice but to obtain it from Shurmer Group''s pharmaceutical factory. Zeke, you should know how much I love Artemis. I was the one who saved him seven years ago. Why should Rhonda, that useless b*tch, be the chosen one in the end?¡± Zeke closed his eyes, which hid a hint of hostility. Although he was normally very gentle, there was naturally more to him than that as the head of such a massive family. ¡°Artemis has already gotten his marriage certificate with Rhonda. So what if you made her have a miscarriage? Artemis doesn''t love you, so what''s the point of forcing him to?¡± ¡°I don''t care.¡± Zoey hugged him tightly and cried through tears, ¡°I only want him! I refuse to marry anyone but him. Mr. Luther likes me too. When ites to family background, appearance, and intellect, how can Rhonda evenpare to me? One day, I''ll chase her out of the Luther family. Other than me, no one else is allowed to marry Artemis.¡± Zeke massaged his temples. Pushing her away slightly, he warned in a cold tone, ¡°You can only do such harmful things once. Don''t do that again. Otherwise, don''t me me for looking past our rtionship and punishing you harshly.¡± Zoey smirked, knowing that Zeke, who had always doted on her, would not do anything to her. She was the precious daughter of the Shurmer family, and her parents were famous. With her background, she should be in a position to choose any man she wanted in the world. In a mansion in the suburbs, Cadence was leaning against the couch and reading the newspapers with narrowed eyes. A miscarriage? This isn''t good news at all. There''s something strange about this. Did Rhonda identally reveal the truth, leading the Luther family to eliminate her illegitimate child secretly? However, he was not disappointed. It was not important whether that illegitimate child, assumed to be the Luther family''s, would inherit the family''s assets. The most important issue was whether he could kill Bailey. No one could stop his revenge on Bailey. In the living room at Shelbert Condominium, Zayron was working in front of theputer. Zephyr asked anxiously at the side, ¡°How is it? Has Justin returned to Hallsbay?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Zayron replied solemnly, ¡°He''s back, but he brought along with him a mega boss. I can''t afford to anger that woman''s father. If things go wrong, I''d be dead. Do you understand? There''ll be a bullet right through my brain.¡± Zephyr grabbed his arm and remarked through gritted teeth, ¡°You have a solution, right? You always have so many stupid ideas. Just think something!¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. ¡°I don''t know what you and your aunt are thinking! There are so many men in the world, but you insist on clinging to someone''s fianc¨¦. Let me think about it.¡± p! Someone pped the back of his head. ¡°What the f*ck?¡± Standing behind him, Bailey looked down at him and said sternly, ¡°Justin and Veronique''s rtionship is veryplicated. Don''t meddle in it blindly, understand?¡± Shifting her gaze to Zephyr, she continued with a smile, ¡°Zephyr, you''ve never seen Justin before, so you can''t assume that he''s suitable for your aunt so easily. You''re still young, so you don''t understand theplex rtionships between adults.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes and pouted. ¡°Isn''t it very simple? Once the lights go off and the nkets are over their heads, even enemies can fall in love. What''s there to understand? I know everything very well.¡± p! p! Bailey pped him so hard that he fell onto the keyboard. Just then, the doorbell rang. When Bailey walked over to open the door, she saw Veronique standing outside. ¡°Didn''t you just get off the ne? Why are you here so fast?¡± While walking in, Veronique replied with a smile, ¡°I miss Zephyr, so I came over to visit. Has he been doing well recently?¡± ¡°Quite well. I''ll wait for you at the study.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the Luther residence, Rhonda was in the bedroom, sobbing in Beatrice''s arms. ¡°It''s fine. So what if the b*stard''s gone? Your wedding is still continuing. After marrying him, you can have all the children you want. I''m only confused about who gave you the abortifacient.¡± Pursing her lips, Rhonda spat through gritted teeth, ¡°It must be Bailey, that b*tch! Since she cannot stand me getting married into the Luther family and being superior to her, she resorted to such dirty tricks.¡± ¡°It''s not that simple,¡± said Bailey slowly. ¡°I understand Bailey''s personality. Although she''s proud and cold, she''ll never do something so despicable. Instead of Bailey, I suspect another woman more¡ªone who has saved Artemis before and yearns to marry into the Luther family.¡± Pulling herself out of Beatrice''s arms, Rhonda turned around and looked at the former. Clenching her jaw, she asked, ¡°Who is it? Who''s targeting me? Having lived in the Luther residence for so many years, I don''t think I have offended anyone. Why are they doing this to me?¡± Chapter 238 Chapter 238 Beatrice sighed to herself as she looked at her daughter, who was boiling with rage. She knew her daughter would storm off to settle the scores with the woman if she divulged the identity of the woman whom she suspected. They could not afford to make any mistakes at this critical point. ¡°The wedding ising right up. You''d better focus on being a bride. I''m going to tell you when you feel better. Otherwise, you''re going to regret your rash decision by then.¡± Rhonda pursed her lips and gave Beatrice a disapproving look. ¡°Mom, do you think I''m that impulsive? Forget it, then. I just want to be Artemis'' bride right now. I''ll deal with the rest when I''m Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°That''s my girl.¡± Beatrice reached out to caress her daughter''s head, a cold glint in her eyes. The eldest daughter of the Shurmer family, Zoey Shurmer... Hah. Sophia Carr had only died in the fire because she knew of the Shurmer family''s darkest secret. I should investigate what happened back then. If I could get hold of more secrets of the Shurmer family, perhaps I could use it to protect Ronni from Zoey. Meanwhile, in the study of Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was leaning against the bookshelf as she eyed Veronique, who was slumping against the couch. There was an unfathomable look in Bailey''s eyes. ¡°Vero, why don''t you tell me what you''re nning to do?¡± Veronique lowered her head and kept quiet for some time before she parted her lips to say, ¡°I''d like to ask Scarlett out and let her know the truth about Zephyr''s identity. I did get pregnant with Zephyr before she knew Justin. She cannot possibly me me for this.¡± This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°And then? What do you n to do next? Are you going to ask her to leave Justin so that he can take on his responsibility as Zephyr''s father?¡± Pursing her lips, Veronique did not reply. Bailey shook her head and let out a sigh. ¡°Vero, you''re underestimating how tenacious a woman can be when she''s in love, and I know for a fact that Scarlett is very much in love with Justin. Even if you did give birth to Justin''s son, she will not just back out because of this. Don''t ask me how I know about this. My intuition as a woman is telling me that this is the way things are going to y out.¡± Veronique looked at her and let out a chuckle. ¡°Actually, that''s not what I n to do at all. In fact, I n to propose a deal to Scarlett. If she agrees to donate the bone marrow, I will take Zephyr far, far away, and never return to bother Justin. If she refused to take up the offer, I will be left with no choice but to tell Justin of Zephyr''s identity. Maybe as his father, Justin''s bone marrow might be a good match. Even if his bone marrow doesn''t match Zephyr''s, there is a good chance that anyone in the Xuereb family''s bone marrow will match Zephyr''s.¡± Hearing that, Bailey furrowed her brows. ¡°This is quite risky, Vero. I''m worried that Scarlett might think of getting rid of Zephyr. After all, there is a possibility that Justin might leave her because of Zephyr. A smart woman in her position would choose to nib the problem in its bud.¡± When Veronique heard that, her face paled. Truthfully, the possibility did cross her mind. However, she was reluctant to face the truth. ¡°W-What should I do, then?¡± Bailey thought for a moment before replying, ¡°Give your sister a call. Ask her toe back for a while. To everyone else, she is Zephyr''s mother. She should be the one to try and talk to Scarlett about this so that she could try to sound out Scarlett''s thoughts on this first.¡± ¡°But this is going to take a longer time. I''m afraid that Zephyr might not be able to wait until then,¡± Veronique mumbled hesitantly. Making her way to Veronique''s side, Bailey reached out to take the former''s hand. ¡°I''ve said it, and I''ll say it again. Zephyr will be fine for the next seven months. I think my n is much less risky than the one you suggested. Vero, the Fletcher family''s influence knows no bounds. If you were to reveal Zephyr''s true identity to Scarlett, it is no different than letting him meet his demise. Do you understand?¡± Struggling toe to a decision, Veronique slumped on the couch. In the end, she relented as she responded, ¡°All right. I''m going to call my sister and ask her toe to Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, in the Shurmer residence, an elegant middle-aged woman was sitting on the couch. Despite her being in her fifties, she looked as though she was only in her forties. She was Waverly Gezmond, the eldest daughter of the Gezmond family, and she became the matriarch after marrying into the Shurmer family in Lostaria. ¡°Mother, this is the overview of the situation. I think you really need to talk some sense into Zoey, lest she gets herself further into this mess. Otherwise, you''re going to lose your daughter,¡± Zeke said. He sat opposite Waverly and recounted the incident of Zoey drugging Rhonda with an abortifacient. Waverly let out a soft sigh after listening to Zeke. ¡°Your sister has already sumbed to this madness seven years ago. You''re her elder brother. Are you going to sit idly by and watch her get tormented by her unrequited love?¡± Stumped, Zeke narrowed his eyes at his mother. ¡°Are you saying that you''re going to let Zoey continue doing this? Mother, you ought to know that you''re an aplice to her crimes if you don''t stop her. You''re doing her more harm than good this way!¡± Waverly took the cup of coffee from the table and took a sip before she said, ¡°Me stopping her is what''s truly bringing her harm. She ought to go after the man she loves.¡± If Zoey has what it takes to be the daughter of the Jefferson family and be the matriarch of the Luther family, why should I stop her? Zeke''s lips pursed into a thin, hard line. It was apparent that he disapproved of his mother''s stance. ¡°Artemis doesn''t love Zoey.¡± With a smile, Waverly retorted, ¡°He doesn''t love the girl from the Jefferson family either. I think Zozo still stands a chance.¡± ¡°So, are you going to connive at her actions?¡± Zeke asked in an incredulous tone. Waverly put down the cup of coffee and leveled a stare at her son. ¡°Your sister is a stubborn one. She has her eyes set on Artemis. If I stop her now, she''s going to suffer in regret forever. As a mother, I cannot be so cruel to her. Just let her be and try to watch her back. Don''t let her suffer any indignance and harm those who are innocent again.¡± At the same time, in a bedroom on the second floor, Zoey was answering a phone call as she leaned against the bedframe. ¡°What''s the progress?¡± She put the call on speakerphone. The man on the other line said respectfully, ¡°Ms. Zoey, I''ve made the arrangements as instructed. A sensational video of the bride having sex with another man will be broadcasted for all guests to see. I bet that the guests will be intrigued.¡± As Zoey toyed with her nails, she let out a chuckle. ¡°Well done. Remember to remove all trails that will lead to me.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Ms. Zoey. I will take care of it so that the Luthers and the Jeffersons will not find out a single thing,¡± the man replied. ¡°Okay.¡± When the call ended, Zoey''s lips curled into an eerie smile. Rhonda Jefferson, do you really think you can snatch my man away from me? I am a Shurmer, and you''re only fit to grovel at my feet! Enjoy the wedding gift that I''ve prepared for you. I''d like to see how you''re going to walk out of Century Hotel when the video of you having sex with another man is broadcasted for everyone to see. At night, in the condominium, Victoria was stumped at the sight of the man who was standing right in front of her door. ¡°L-Lionel...¡± Chapter 239 Chapter 239 Lionel gave her the cold shoulder and went straight to the living hall. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The architecture and decorations here seemed familiar because he designed all of them. He did everything he could to turn this space into afortable home. Yet, the harsh reality jolted him, awakening him from his fantasy. ¡°How is it? Do you enjoy staying here?¡± he asked. Victoria froze for a bit before responding with a cursory smile, ¡°Yeah, not bad. I can find everything I need in this house.¡± Keeping mum, Lionel walked to the couch and sat down. He then lifted his head to look at the woman, who seemed a little disoriented. That''s the woman I''d loved and hated, and I''ll remember all those feelings for the rest of my life. ¡°I went to the court earlier,¡± he informed. ¡°In my capacity as the head of LG Corporation, I had withdrawn Fashionista''s case against your brother.¡± Victoria looked up and stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Y-You''re willing to let my brother off?¡± she asked in a shivering voice. She thought the man would step up his revenge n against the Saunders family after the incident the other night. Never in a million years did she expect him to withdraw the legal case against Victor. ¡°Now is not the time to call for a celebration,¡± Lionel said. ¡°Though I''d withdrawn Fashionista''s case against your brother, he''s still convicted of market maniption. With my help, he''ll just need to serve jail time instead of life imprisonment, but the judge will decide on the jail sentence.¡± Victoria trembled. Her legs turned feeble, and she copsed on the cold floor. Lionel lolled on the couch and continued, ¡°Your brother is already an adult. Hemitted the crime, so he must face the music. I can turn a blind eye to his action, but he still can''t escape the long arm of the law. Besides, it''s not my responsibility to rescue him, either.¡± Laughing in self-pity, Victoria responded in a hoarse voice, ¡°You''re right. It''s all his own doing. His motive was clear because he owed several billion in gambling debt. At this stage, no one can lend him a hand anymore.¡± She crawled up from the ground, walked up to Lionel, and kneeled before him. ¡°Thank you for showing him mercy, Mr. Gezmond.¡± Stunned, Lionel instinctively wanted to hold her up. However, the interior design of the house once again reminded him of her betrayal. Hence, he looked away and said casually, ¡°Next, I''ll be targeting Saunders Group and Vincent Saunders. They''ll have to pay the price for everything they had done to the Gezmond family.¡± Pausing for a while, he continued, ¡°It''s time for you to leave. You don''t deserve to live here because this house was meant for the woman I once loved. Too bad she''s gone for good. Get lost now.¡± Tears started rolling down Victoria''s cheeks. The ¡°woman I once loved¡± remark stabbed her heart repeatedly like a knife. Yes. I was the woman he once loved, but I lost him. ¡°All right, Lionel. I''ll await your revenge. My family has done you wrong seven years ago, but don''t worry, I''ll pay you back what we owed you.¡± With that, she stood up and walked out of the door. I''ll probably not return to this house for the rest of my life. Lionel, let''s bury all the sweet memories we once had in this ce, shall we? Three dayster, the wedding between Rhonda and the fake Artemis took ce at Hallsbay''s Century Hotel. Meanwhile, Artemis was sitting on the couch at Shelbert Condominium. Giving the man a smirk, Bailey arched her brows. ¡°It''s your big day today, Mr. Bridegroom. Shouldn''t you be on your way to the hotel? Don''t keep all the guests waiting.¡± Artemis gradually lifted his dark eyes and turned his attention to the woman. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, ¡°You want me to go?¡± Bailey did not know how to respond to his question. Fine! I''ll stop teasing him! Putting on a serious face, Bailey walked to the couch and sat opposite him. ¡°How are you going to end this?¡± ¡°How am I going to end this?¡± Artemis chuckled. ¡°That ''Mr. Luther'' will attend the wedding ceremony, of course, since his name appeared on the marriage certificate. You could tell I took great care of Rhonda, too, right? I paid three hundred million for her wedding gown and nearly a billion for the wedding. Though the bridegroom is a beggar...¡± He paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°Oh, whatever. I bet she can make do with him.¡± Bailey looked at him in disbelief. Why must he be so cruel to that woman? This wedding will be Rhonda''s biggest nightmare in her life. She might even go bonkers because of it. ¡°You mean you don''t intend to attend the wedding?¡± Artemis side-eyed her and responded with a snort, ¡°What for? I''m not the bridegroom, anyway.¡± His assertive reply rendered Bailey speechless. ¡°I''d rather stay here and spend time with you.¡± Bailey kicked him. ¡°Get out of here.¡± In the meantime, Felicity had spent a fortune organizing her elder son''s wedding. Members of the public could also celebrate the wedding as the event would be live-streamed. Besides journalists from all over Hallsbay, international press members had also arrived to cover the ceremony. In the dressing room, Rhonda stood in front of the dressing table in the three hundred million wedding gown and spun around. Happiness was written all over her face. ¡°You''re absolutely stunning, Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°I know right? She''s the prettiest bride I''ve ever seen.¡± ¡°I heard this wedding gown is worth three hundred million, and it''s the most expensive gown in the world. Mr. Luther loves you very much indeed! I''m so envious of you.¡± ¡°From now on, you will be the most respectable woman in Hallsbay, Mrs. Luther. Don''t forget about us, okay?¡± The stylist, makeup artist, and fashion designer started licking Rhonda''s boots. Not only were they surprised, but they were also envious of the bride. Rhonda was pleased to hear those praises. ¡°Do your job well today, and you''ll be rewarded handsomely.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther.¡± Rhonda sashayed over to Beatrice''s seat. Lifting her train of gown, she spun two rounds in front of her mother. ¡°How do I look, Mom?¡± Beatrice responded with a smile, ¡°Gorgeous. My daughter is the prettiest bride in the world today. She''s also the happiest bride in the world. Do you know Luther Group had reserved the entire Century Hotel for the wedding? You can imagine how grand the ceremony will be.¡± ¡°Really? I guess Artemis is really determined to marry me. By the way, has Artemis arrived?¡± Beatrice nced at her wristwatch and assured Rhonda, ¡°It''s ten-thirty in the morning. It''s still early. I''ll go and have a look. If he''s not here yet, I''ll ask Mrs. Luther to do something about it.¡± ¡°All right. Go and take a look then.¡± Rhonda then turned around and said to the makeup artist, ¡°Help me with the makeup.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± At the ballroom, the Luthers were busy entertaining the guests. Meanwhile, Zoey was talking to a man in a suit in a corner. The man asked, ¡°Ms. Zoey, should we carry out our n before or after the ceremony?¡± ring at him, Zoey questioned through clenched teeth, ¡°What do you think?¡± The man in a suit dared not utter a word. Chapter 240 Chapter 240 Despite being one of the Ten Acimed Socialites, Zoey had a really nasty temper. ¡°How stupid. What''s the point of doing it after the ceremony? The only way to stop this wedding is to act before they walk the red carpet! Is that understood?¡± she scolded. ¡°Y-Yes, I''ll make the arrangements right away!¡± Zoey gently swirled the ss in her hand as her lips curled into a malicious smile. Oh, things are about to get interesting. There''s no way the Luther family would be able to continue the wedding after everyone sees Rhonda having sex with some random stranger! This is what she gets for stealing my man! Having lost her patience after waiting seven long years, Zoey was determined to kick Rhonda out of the Luther family for good. Meanwhile, a waiter entered the dressing room with a ss of milk on a tray. ¡°Here you go, Mrs. Luther. Have some milk. You haven''t eaten anything all morning.¡± Since Rhonda was indeed feeling a little hungry, she took the ss of milk over without giving it much thought. ¡°Step outside, all of you. I want some time alone.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± About five minutester, Rhonda realized something was not right as her body started heating up, and waves of difort swept over her. Thinking she had yet to recover from her recent miscarriage, Rhonda staggered to her feet and nced about. Since there were no restrooms in the dressing room, she lifted the hem of her gown and went looking outside. The corridor waspletely quiet as she made her way toward the restroom at the end of it. Suddenly, the door to one of the rooms along the corridor was opened. An arm then reached out and dragged her into the room. ¡°Ah! Help¡ª¡± The door closed before she could finish her sentence, and the corridor was plunged into silence once again. Meanwhile, Felicity was socializing with a couple of wealthy women when Beatrice politely interrupted them and pulled her aside. ¡°It''s almost eleven now, Mrs. Luther. Why isn''t Artemis here yet?¡± ¡°What? It''s eleven already?¡± Felicity paused and nced at her watch. ¡°Oh, my goodness! I was so busy socializing with the guests that I forgot about the time! I''ll give Artemis a call and ask him where he''s at!¡± She then retrieved her phone from her handbag and punched in Artemis'' number. Right as she was about to make that call, the projector on the stage started flickering all of a sudden. What followed was an ear-piercing buzz and shocking footage. As the lighting in the footage was bright enough, all the guests were able to see what was going on clearly. The sounds of them gasping in shock echoed throughout the hall, and everyone started freaking out momentster. ¡°My goodness! Isn''t that the bride?¡± ¡°Who else would be wearing a wedding gown worth three hundred million?¡± ¡°What is she doing? Is she having a quick one before the wedding ceremony? That guy on top of her doesn''t look like Mr. Luther, though...¡± ¡°Oh, my... Is she seriously cheating on Mr. Luther in front of everyone?¡± Felicity and Beatrice were so shocked that they both froze on the spot. Standing among the crowd, Gerald simply frowned when he saw the footage. rence, on the other hand, was panicking so much that he felt tempted to just flee the scene. ¡°Mmph...¡± A questionable moan could be hearding from the speakers, causing the guests to lose their minds once again. ¡°Whoa! Did you hear that? She sounds like she''s enjoying it!¡± ¡°This has got to be the most exciting wedding I''ve ever been to my entire life! Is this how the most prominent family in Hallsbay prefers its weddings?¡± ¡°What are you guys standing around for? Let''s go to the dressing room and watch from there!¡± Felicity felt her legs giving out beneath her. Fortunately, Caridee happened to be nearby and caught her just in time. ¡°Go have a look, Mom! I''ll call Artemis and tell him toe over!¡± Gerald came over and helped hold Felicity steady as he said, ¡°Calm down. For now, let''s just head over to the dressing room and find out what''s really going on. Caridee, tell Simon to lock the ce down and cut the livestream. After that, you can give Artemis a call.¡± ¡°Got it, Dad!¡± Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Artemis and Bailey exchanged nces when they saw the livestream of the wedding. ¡°Pfft! Looks like you won''t be able to carry out your n, Mr. Luther! Someone else has made their move on Rhonda!¡± Bailey eximed with a snicker. The look in Artemis'' eyes turned gloomy as he uttered, ¡°First an abortifacient, and now a knock-out drug... Just who did Rhonda make an enemy of?¡± Bailey froze upon hearing that. ¡°You mean the person who drugged Rhonda is the same one who gave her the abortifacient a few days ago?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°I''m not sure. This is just my guess at the moment. I''ll need to head over to Century Hotel and investigate this matter.¡± Meanwhile, in the dressing room, Rhonda had truly experienced what it was like to fall from grace as shey shivering in Beatrice''s arms with a red nket wrapped around her body. ¡°You''re okay now, Ronni. Everything is all right. Don''t be afraid, okay?¡± Beatriceforted her, but Rhonda was in too much shock to hear her. I can''t believe I got vited at my own wedding! This has got to be the most humiliating thing I''ve ever experienced! How will I ever recover from this? This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Gerald sat in front of her with Felicity, who had passed out from the shock in his arms. ¡°This isn''t Ronni''s fault, Mr. Luther. Someone set her up! Luckily for us, we were able to stop it before things got out of hand. All that''s left to do is investigate this matter and find out who did it!¡± rence mumbled nervously from the side. Gerald simply kept quiet. Suddenly, the door to the dressing room was opened, and Simon came in saying, ¡°Dad, we have the situation outside under control. All the guests and journalists are currently being contained in the event hall. I have yet to find out who drugged Rhonda, though. Whoever it was did a really good job at covering their tracks. I can''t find anything from the surveince camera footage, either.¡± Gerald nodded. ¡°What about your brother? Is he here?¡± ¡°He said he''ll be here soon.¡± Gerald gave it some thought and told rence, ¡°Looks like we won''t be able to proceed with this wedding today. While this incident has brought great shame to both our families, everyone else will ce the me on your daughter alone if we can''t find out who drugged her.¡± After hearing that, rence went pale instantly No, this can''t be happening! I''ve been waiting for my daughter to marry into the Luther family for so many years! Why would something like this happen now? Rhonda, who had been silent the whole time, stammered all of a sudden, ¡°N-No, I''m not canceling the wedding! I will be Artemis'' bride no matter what!¡± Chapter 241 Chapter 241 ¡°Shut up!¡± Felicity shouted angrily with a gloomy look on her face. If looks could kill, Rhonda would probably have died ten times over in that very instant. Honestly, just how stupid can this woman get? She finally gets Artemis to agree to marry her, and this is what happens? By screwing another man, she has screwed up what could''ve been the grandest wedding ever! Even if they didn''t technically do the deed, her being seen with another man is more than enough to destroy the Luther family''s reputation! Felicity''s outburst snapped Rhonda out of her daze. ¡°S-Someone set me up, Mrs. Luther! Please, you have to help me!¡± Felicity was about to lecture her when the door to the dressing room opened once again. This time, it was Artemis who entered the room. Upon seeing him, Rhonda got so emotional that she broke out of Beatrice''s embrace and threw herself at him on the spot. ¡°Someone tried to set me up, Artemis! They''re jealous of me, so they''re trying to ruin my reputation like this! Please don''t cancel the wedding, okay?¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Just then, Ken appeared from behind Artemis and stopped Rhonda in her tracks. With a smile, he uttered, ¡°Mr. Luther needs to deal with the guests and journalists outside. Please refrain from disturbing him, Ms. Rhonda.¡± ¡°D-Deal with the guests?¡± Rhonda stared at Artemis in shock and sobbed, ¡°Are you really going to cancel the wedding, Artemis? I''ve been waiting so long for this day! I''ll be theughingstock of Hallsbay if you cancel it now!¡± shing her a sarcastic smile, Artemis asked with an eyebrow arched, ¡°You still want to continue the wedding after what has happened?¡± He then shifted his gaze toward rence, adding, ¡°That''s fine by me, but I''m not sure if your family can handle whates next and the change of events that follows.¡± rence felt a shiver down his spine as he felt the rage in Artemis'' eyes. My instincts tell me he''s giving me a warning. He''s telling me that this wedding must end or something worse will happen! Rhonda tried to break free of Ken''s grip as she pleaded with Artemis, ¡°I''m not afraid of what others will say! I want to marry you, Artemis! Let''s carry on with the wedding¡ª¡± rence cut her off, ¡°Given everything that has happened, we have no choice but to cancel the wedding today. Let''s discuss how we will exin this to the guests and journalists outside.¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Rhonda turned around and red at him in disbelief. ¡°W-Why would you agree with canceling the wedding, too? H-Have you gone senile or something?¡± The look on rence''s face turned gloomy when he heard that. He then turned toward Beatrice and stated coldly, ¡°It seems our daughter is in so much shock that she can''t even speak properly. Maybe you should take her to the side and calm her down.¡± At his words, Beatrice slowly got up from the couch and walked up to Rhonda. ¡°Come on, Ronni. Let''s go rest in the room next door,¡± she ordered with a stern expression. ¡°No! This is my only chance at marrying into the Luther family! I won''t be able to marry into another wealthy family if I let this opportunity slip away! Don''t try and stop me! I will make an enemy out of those who do!¡± Rhonda protested while resisting with all of her might. Since she refused toply after being asked nicely, Beatrice decided to use force instead. ¡°Ken, please help me drag her out of here,¡± she said while grabbing Rhonda by the arm. Just like that, the two of them hauled her out of the dressing room. Gerald waited until they were gone before asking, ¡°How do you n on dealing with this matter?¡± ¡°The wedding was being streamed online, so everyone already knows what happened. Therefore, we can forget about cleaning up the mess and just announce the cancetion to the guests,¡± Artemis replied. ¡°What?¡± Felicity stared at Artemis with her face pale. Her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°E-Everyone out there has found out about Rhonda having an affair at her own wedding? Does that mean our family''s reputation is ruined?¡± Shooting her a nce, Artemis remarked casually, ¡°You were the one who arranged for the wedding to be streamed live, so it''s only natural that everyone out there knows what happened.¡± That was his way of saying she brought it upon herself. The sudden realization shocked Felicity so much that she fainted on the spot again. Artemis turned toward Gerald and rence, instructing, ¡°You two will have to apologize to the guests. Tell them we aren''t able to proceed with the wedding because Rhonda is emotionally unstable.¡± Nodding, Gerald got up from the couch. ¡°All right, you can leave the guests to us. Go find out who drugged Rhonda and ruined the wedding.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, Zeke dragged Zoey to a lounge outside the event hall and brought her into one of its rooms. ¡°Is this another one of your doings?¡± he asked with a stern expression while shoving her violently onto the couch. ¡°What are you talking about, Zeke? I heard¡ª¡± Zeke red coldly at her as he cut her off, ¡°Don''t give me that crap! I''m no fool, Zoey. Did you really think I wouldn''t know about you using our family''s connections for this sort of thing? Have you forgotten that I''m currently in charge of the Shurmer family?¡± Zoey staggered to her feet and looked into Zeke''s rage-filled eyes as she protested defiantly, ¡°You should know what I want better than anyone else out there, Zeke. I''ve been holding it in for seven years thinking Rhonda would eventually receive divine retribution or something, but I was wrong. Do you have any idea how I felt when I found out Artemis was going to marry her? I wanted nothing more than toe back to Hallsbay and kill her with my own hands!¡± Zeke''s eyelid twitched slightly. ¡°Oh, you think you''re really tough, huh? Well, guess what? Artemis is going to investigate this matter himself, so you''d better make sure you cover your tracks well!¡± Zoey went pale the moment she heard that. Instinctively, she reached out to grab the hem of Zeke''s shirt. ¡°You''ll help me out, right, Zeke?¡± Their conversation was interrupted when Waverly came in through the door. ¡°Oh, he''ll help you. You''re his one and only sister, so it only makes sense for him to help you out!¡± Furrowing his brows, Zeke stared at his mother in displeasure. ¡°She''ll get out of control if you keep spoiling her like this.¡± Waverly let out a soft chuckle. ¡°What else am I supposed to do? Present her before the guests and tell them she''s the one who drugged the bride?¡± Zeke was stumped for words. ¡°Go clean up your sister''s mess, Zeke. I don''t want anyone to find out that she did this. Is that understood?¡± Waverly continued while waving at him. Hearing that, Zoey broke into a gleeful grin. Ha! That''s right! I''m the Shurmer family''s most precious princess! Mother will protect me no matter what I do! Chapter 242 Chapter 242 In the meantime, Artemis inspected the entire hotel, but he was not able to find anything. Huh, this is really strange... My family is in charge of everything for this wedding, and our security levels are pretty good, too. There''s no way someone would be able to sabotage it without leaving any traces behind, and yet, my investigations have yielded no results whatsoever. Whoever did this must be really skilled if they managed to get away with it. After the wedding was canceled, rence and Beatrice brought Rhonda back to the Jefferson residence. As if she had lost her soul, Rhonda sat on the edge of her bed and stared nkly at the LCD television on the wall. Beatrice let out a sigh when she saw the state Rhonda was in. ¡°Do you want to get your revenge on the person who ruined your wedding?¡± That question sessfully snapped Rhonda out of her dazed state. The light slowly returned to her eyes as she turned toward Beatrice. ¡°Mom, you know who ruined my wedding?¡± she queried. Having made up her mind, Beatrice replied through clenched teeth, ¡°If I''m not mistaken, the one who drugged you today is the same person who gave you that abortifacient.¡± Upon hearing the word ¡°abortifacient,¡± Rhonda got all worked up. The look in her eyes turned icy-cold and vicious. ¡°Who is it? Who did this to me?¡± ¡°Artemis has always treated one particr woman especially well throughout the past few years. Do you know who she is?¡± Beatrice asked suggestively while ncing at the scratch wounds on her wrists. Rhonda sat bolt upright as she realized who Beatrice was talking about. ¡°I know who she is! It''s Zoey! It has got to be her! She would always stay over at Artemis'' private mansion whenever she returned to Hallsbay! I''m guessing she''s in love with Artemis, which would exin why she got jealous of him marrying me. I''ll go tear that b*tch a new one right now!¡± She was about to get off the bed when Beatrice held her down by the shoulders. ¡°Ronni, have you forgotten what I taught you about letting others do it for you?¡± she asked sternly. Rhonda paused and stared nkly at her for a brief moment before bursting intoughter. ¡°Hahaha! You''re right! I can''t believe I forgot about that! Artemis loves Bailey, not me. If I let Zoey know that Bailey is the one who stole his heart, she''ll go after Bailey for sure! I could just let them battle it out before swooping in to finish them off! That way, I''ll be able to get rid of them both in one go!¡± Beatrice gently caressed her pale cheek, uttering with a relieved smile, ¡°I''m d to see you''re finally mature, Ronni. Zoey is the Shurmer family''s most precious little princess. On top of that, Gerald wants her as his daughter-inw. Things are going to get interesting if she goes against Bailey. At least one of them is bound to lose the battle, and that would be a desirable oue regardless of who it is.¡± ¡°Yeah! This time, I''m actually hoping Bailey will go all out and teach that b*tch a lesson! Bailey''s not going to marry Artemis, anyway, so she''ll make the perfect weapon against Zoey!¡± Rhonda eximed excitedly. ¡°Then be a good girl and nurse yourself back to health. That way, you''ll be able to truly enjoy the show.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey poured Artemis a ss of warm water in his study. ¡°You didn''t manage to find out who sabotaged the wedding?¡± she asked casually. Artemis kept quiet and took a few sips of the water before replying, ¡°I know it wasn''t the act of our branch families because they don''t have what it takes to get away with something like this. Rhonda''s lover didn''t do it either. He wouldn''t have settled for someone like her if he were that capable.¡± Arching an eyebrow at him, the woman stated with a smile, ¡°This is getting interesting. If it isn''t your branch families nor Rhonda''s lover, who could it be? Do you think one of your jealous admirers might''ve taken their anger out on Rhonda?¡± ¡°It''s possible,¡± Artemis replied in a straightforward manner. I don''t know who it could be, though. There are way too many girls out there who have a crush on me. ¡°I''ll leave you to it, then. I''m fine with anything as long as it doesn''t involve me. If anyone dares mess with me, I''ll be sure to give them hell!¡± Bailey pronounced while walking out the door. D*mn, this woman sure is savage! I like this side of her, though. Two dayster, Veronique''s sister, Yvonne Revelle, arrived in Hallsbay. The first thing Bailey did was bring Yvonne to the study in Shelbert Condominium, where she spoke to her for over an hour. Yvonne had a solemn look on her face when the two of them stepped out of the study. Throughout the past few years, the Revelle family had constantly asked Veronique who Zephyr''s father was, but they never got the answer they were looking for. As such, Yvonne was extremely surprised when she found out about the truth. While she sympathized deeply with her sister, she also felt incredibly helpless about the situation. The biggest issue they faced was the fact that the Fletcher family wanted Justin to marry into their family. As such, Zephyr would be in for a world of trouble if the Fletcher family found out about his existence. On the other side, in the study of the Revelle residence, Bill stared at both of his daughters before shifting his gaze toward Yvonne. ¡°Are you sure you want to go see Scarlett?¡± he asked solemnly. Nodding, Yvonne replied with a smile, ¡°I''m Zephyr''s mother, so it only makes sense for me to go. Besides, Veronique isn''t in a convenient position to do much, anyway.¡± ¡°I''m sorry for dragging you into this, Yvonne,¡± Veronique sobbed. Yvonne gently jabbed at her forehead as she replied, ¡°You silly girl! We''re sisters! I''ll always help you out!¡± ¡°Fair enough.¡± Bill got up from the couch and continued, ¡°Since you two have made up your minds, I won''t stop you from going through with this. Yvie, you will test Ms. Fletcher out and see what her conditions are for the bone marrow donation. Make sure to be mindful of your attitude, though. We don''t want to arouse her suspicion.¡± ¡°Understood, Dad. I''ll be sure to keep that in mind.¡± The court had issued the verdict for Victor. After taking various factors into consideration, the judge sentenced him to three years'' imprisonment. Meanwhile, in the living room of the Saunders residence, Victoria looked at Vincent with teary eyes as she sobbed, ¡°My brother can''t go to prison, or his future will be ruined! Let''s file an appeal with the National Intermediate Court, Father! I know our chances of sess are slim, but we''ve got to give it a try!¡± Vincent panted weakly as he leaned against the couch, his face all pale. ¡°We''ll hold off on the appeal for the time being. Go visit your brother in prison and find out what he thinks about this.¡± Victoria was about to say something in protest, but Vincent was not interested in continuing the conversation. ¡°You can make your decision after you''ve heard what he has to say.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Victoria then made a trip to the prison and paid Victor a visit. She tried imagining how their little reunion would y out, but the first thing he said upon seeing her left herpletely devastated. ¡°Save me, Victoria! I don''t care if you have to be Lionel''s mistress! You''ve got to save me!¡± Chapter 243 Chapter 243 In that very moment, Victoria felt as if her world hade crashing down on her. What the... He''s my brother! How could he ask me to be someone''s mistress? Just an hour ago, I was determined to save him, even if it costs our family everything! Now I realize how much of a fool I really am. Even the closest of siblings can turn against you when pushed to desperation. ¡°Do you even realize what you''re saying, Victor? I''m Victoria, your freaking sister! How could you tell me to be the mistress of a married man? Everyone would call me a shameless, home-wrecking vixen!¡± Victor ruffled his hair and eximed impatiently, ¡°What other choice do we have? Lionel wouldn''t have come after us for revenge if you didn''t betray him back then! You''re the reason I''m locked up in here right now! Are you seriously going to just sit by and watch me get a criminal record?¡± Victoria let out a wry chuckle as tears filled up her eyes. ¡°You''re in prison because youmitted a crime, Victor. You brought this upon yourself the moment you used a few hundred million to pay off your huge gambling debt. There''s not much we can do to help you out when they have concrete evidence against you. Had Lionel not gone easy on you, you''d actually be sentenced to life imprisonment. Do you understand?¡± Victor got mad when he heard that. He red at her and shouted through clenched teeth, ¡°You''re defending that b*stard? You probably hooked up with him long ago, huh? I bet you two were working together to get me in prison so you could have all the Saunders family''s properties to yourself!¡± Staring at him in disbelief, Victoria protested in a shaky voice, ¡°You... How could you say such a thing? I''ve been trying so hard to get you out of prison! I was even nning on filing an appeal with the National Intermediate Court before I came here today! How could you say that to me?¡± Victor grabbed her by the wrist. ¡°If you''re going to help me, then you should use the most efficient method possible. The guy who instigated me to manipte the stock market... Lionel must be holding him captive right now. Go be his mistress and get him to hand that guy over. I will be acquitted once that guy is caught.¡± Having been deeply hurt by his words earlier, Victoria no longer felt any pain upon hearing that. She shed Victor a wry smile and shook her head. ¡°I won''t degrade myself like that, Victor,¡± she replied. ¡°I promise to use all of our family''s resources to get you out of here, but I won''t go to Lionel, so you should just drop that idea.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. She then got up and ran out of the visiting room, ignoring Victor''s screams as she made her way into the corridor outside. It was not until she had gotten far enough from the visiting room that she leaned against the wall and slumped weakly to the floor. So much for him being my brother. He''d sacrifice me without the slightest bit of guilt or remorse. Now I see why Father wanted me to visit him in prison. Perhaps prison really is the best ce for him to be. Hopefully, he''ll turn over a new leaf during his time here. On the flip side, in Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey had just heard about Victor''s three-year prison sentence from Artemis. She tried giving Victoria a call about it, but there was no answer. Artemis walked up to her and took her phone away, saying, ¡°Victoria probably left her phone at home when she went to visit her brother in prison. Maybe you can try calling her againter. Don''t worry; undergoing hardships like this will help her grow and mature in life.¡± ¡°But this is too heavy of a price to pay!¡± Staring at her, Artemis asked, ¡°You paid a heavy price too, didn''t you?¡± Bailey fell silent upon hearing that. ¡°You mustn''t interfere with her personal growth because that''s exactly what she needs. Life is bound to be full of problems, so don''t worry too much about it,¡± Artemis added. Bailey propped her chin up with her palm. Smiling, she remarked, ¡°Fair enough. I''ll just let her sort it out herself, then.¡± Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. The secretary then came in momentster. ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Shurmer is here to see you,¡± she reported. ¡°She''s currently waiting in the lobby on the first floor. The front desk is asking if you''re free to see her.¡± Bailey turned around and started walking toward the door. Seeing that, Artemis grabbed her by the arm. ¡°Where are you going?¡± he questioned. Bailey rolled her eyes at him and pointed at the office in front of his. ¡°I''m going to sort out some documents. Don''t worry; I can''t be bothered to pick a fight with a stranger. You do what you have to do.¡± Momentster, Zoey stepped into the CEO''s office with her high heels cking loudly across the floor. ¡°Did you need something?¡± Artemis asked with an eyebrow arched while twirling a pen between his fingers. Walking up to his desk, Zoey leaned forward and uttered, ¡°Have you forgotten about the special asion that''sing up soon?¡± Artemis froze and nced at the calendar on his desk. Huh, I circled twenty-second with my pen... That''s... Oh, shoot! I''ve been so busytely that I forgot her birthday is the day after tomorrow! This will be the first time I''m celebrating her birthday with her, so I can''t afford to miss it! Zoey shifted her gaze toward the calendar as well. Upon seeing the twenty-second date circled, she broke into a huge smile. I knew he''d remember my birthday! I must hold a very important ce in his heart! ¡°Thanks for remembering my birthday, Artemis!¡± Artemis fell silent. Um... No, I actually don''t... That''s Bailey''s birthday. Well, now that I think about it, the two of them were born on the exact same day. With that in mind, he said, ¡°Heh, don''t mention it. I''ll buy you a present, so just let me know what you want.¡± Zoey smiled even brighter at that. ¡°Apart from buying me a present, I want you to treat me to a meal!¡± ¡°Why would I treat you to a meal on your birthday?¡± Zoey let out a mischievous snicker. ¡°I don''t mind treating you to a meal instead. I''m not sure if your ego will allow it, though!¡± ¡°It won''t, so let''s forget about the meal and settle for a present instead,¡± Artemis replied with a serious expression. The smile on Zoey''s face was frozen in ce when she heard that. ¡°Do you have any other ns on the twenty-second? Having a meal with me won''t take too much of your time.¡± ¡°Sorry, but I do indeed have something important scheduled on the twenty-second. How about I treat you to a meal some other day?¡± ¡°I see...¡± A hint of disappointment shed past Zoey''s eyes as she added, ¡°All right, then. Remember to treat me to a meal when you''re free, okay?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± In the meantime, Bailey could not hear what they were saying from the lead designer''s office, but she could feel Zoey''s coquettishness and Artemis'' gentle tone just by looking at them. They sure seem to be having a great time together. Zoey must be his ideal type, huh? I hate guys who fall for pretentious b*tches like her! She was snapped out of her train of thought by the notification sound of an iing message on her phone. It was a text from Edmund that read: Hey, Bay! Your birthday is the day after tomorrow. It''ll be your treat as usual. Breaking into a faint smile, she replied: Sure thing. I''ll treat you to a meal, and you''ll foot the bill. Meanwhile, in the Jefferson residence, Beatrice entered Rhonda''s bedroom. ¡°Ronni! Our golden opportunity has presented itself!¡± she eximed. Chapter 244 Chapter 244 Rhonda was lying on the bed listlessly. When she heard that, she quickly sat up. The only thing motivating her at that moment was figuring out how to deal with Bailey and Zoey. Thus, she was interested in listening to any news about them. ¡°Stop keeping me in suspense, Mommy. Tell me!¡± Beatrice sat beside the bed and ran her fingers through the hair in front of Rhonda''s forehead as she spoke. ¡°My poor daughter. First, you were tortured by that b*tch, Bailey. Then, you fell into Zoey''s trap. Look at how thin you''ve be because of those incidents. Thankfully, god is kind enough to make those two women fall in love with the same man. One day, they''ll fight against each other with all they got and they will suffer great losses.¡± Rhonda was losing her patience. ¡°Don''t waste time saying that nonsense. What exactly is the opportunity you mentioned?¡± ¡°Why are you in such a rush, my child? I''m... Fine, fine, I''ll tell you. As you know, Zoey returns to Hallsbay every year to celebrate her birthday with Artemis. It''s probably going to be the same for this year, too. However, I just discovered something very interesting. Bailey''s birthday is the same as hers. Who do you think Artemis will apany?¡± Seven years! Not once did Artemis celebrate my birthday in the past seven years. Rhonda''s fists tightened. Every year, when he celebrated Zoey''s birthday, she would get insanely jealous, so much so that she wanted to tear Zoey apart. However, she didn''t have the guts to do so. After all, Zoey was the heiress of the Shurmer family. With such a prominent family backing Zoey up, there was no way Rhonda dared to offend her. Now, the tables have turned. It''s time for Zoey to learn what it''s like to be abandoned by a man she loves and go crazy from jealousy. Rhonda asked, ¡°Who do you think Artemis will apany, Mom?¡± With a raised eyebrow, Beatrice replied slowly, ¡°I got another piece of news. Artemis had supposedly gifted the mansion next to the sea to Zoey. Not only that, he had moved out from there. It would seem like he was keeping his distance from Zoey.¡± That prompted Rhonda tough. ¡°So what if she''s the heiress to the Shurmer family and Gerald likes her? Bailey is going to teach her a lesson she''ll never forget. I can''t wait to see the twisted expression on Zoey''s face when she gets jealous.¡± It was then her phone, which was sitting on the table next to the bed, rang. Beatrice grabbed it, nced at the screen, and said, ¡°It''s the spy you nted in the Luther family. Do you want to take this call?¡± Rhonda calmed down, stifling the strong waves of emotions in her heart, and grabbed the phone. After talking on the phone for a while, she hung up and started cackling. Sheughed so hard that tears formed at the edges of her eyes. Beatrice furrowed her eyebrows. ¡°What''s going on?¡± Rhonda''s grip around her phone tightened as she uttered one word at a time, ¡°Joyce just told me that Gerald had invited Zoey to visit the Luther residence in two days so he can celebrate her birthday, too. However, Artemis won''t be there because of an emergency.¡± Then, she grabbed her mother''s hand forcefully with excitement. ¡°I need to go back to the Luther residence, Mommy. I need to personally see the twisted expression on Zoey''s face when she learns Artemis ditched her to celebrate Bailey''s birthday!¡± Beatrice thought for a while and nodded. ¡°Then let''s go. We can use this opportunity to unt in front of her and aim her attacks in Bailey''s direction. What a wonderful show it''ll be when those two women fight against each other.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In a private room on the second floor of a cafe, two elegant young women were sitting next to the window. They simply stared at each other, studying each other, while staying silent. After a long while, the woman sitting on the right, who was wearing a red gown, spoke first. ¡°Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, despite your busy schedule, Ms. Fletcher.¡± Scarlett smiled, her every single move exuding an air of grace. ¡°You speak too highly of me, Ms. Revelle. Not only are you the heiress of a prestigious medical family, but you''re also the consort of Gregan''s royal family. It''s my honor to meet you.¡± Yvonne nodded slightly and praised, ¡°You''re indeed the heiress of a prestigious military family, Ms. Fletcher. The attitude you possess when you deal with your matters impresses me.¡± ¡°Hah.¡± Scarlett lowered her head and chuckled. ¡°We know what''s going on here, so let''s just get to the point. I know you invited me because there''s something you want to know. Tell me about it, and I''ll see if I can enlighten you.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Yvonne failed to hold back herughter. Even though this woman is still young, she''s pretty intelligent. Despite her straightforward demeanor, she''s actually exceptionally steadfast. ¡°Well, you see, my son has leukemia. I''ve searched everywhere for suitable bone marrow, but it wasn''t until I bought important intel from the ck market that I found hope. They said your bone marrow was a perfect match with my son''s. I invited you out today because I wanted to ask you for help to save my poor child.¡± The words ¡°leukemia¡± and ¡°bone marrow¡± repeated in Scarlett''s mind as the smile on her face faded. Without hesitation, she rejected, ¡°If it was anything else, I would''ve agreed to help you out. However, this is the only thing I can''t help you with. You should know I almost lost my life when I fell ill seven years ago. Even though I''ve been recuperating for the past few years, my body is still weak. Drawing a few drops of blood from me is enough to make me faint, so you can imagine what will happen if my bone marrow is extracted. My family won''t agree to this request. You should look for help somewhere else.¡± When she finished, she grabbed her bag and prepared to leave. That made Yvonne panic. She quickly held onto Scarlett''s hand and pleaded, ¡°My son only has a few months left to live, Ms. Fletcher. They say that what goes aroundes around and that one will be rewarded by the universe for saving a life. Please, I beg you, save my son. If you don''t save him, only death awaits him.¡± Scarlett tried to break free from Yvonne''s grab as rage seeped into her voice. ¡°Mdm. Yvonne, please mind your behavior. Bone marrow donation is based on the condition that the donor is willing to do so. I''ve made it clear to you that my body disallows me to make that kind of sacrifice. I''m sorry, but I can''t help you or your son. Hopefully, you''ll get lucky and find a suitable donor soon.¡± Then, she began to pry Yvonne''s fingers off her hand one by one. Yvonne quickly stood up and said, ¡°I''ll ask Ms. Anonymous to perform the operation! Your life won''t be in danger! Please, won''t you consider this, Ms. Fletcher?¡± Instead of answering her, Scarlett shouted at the door. Soon, a few well-trained bodyguards in ck rushed in. Yvonne was forced to let go of Scarlett''s hand before she watched as thetter was escorted out of the room by bodyguards. Her legs turned to jelly as she fell back to her chair. A moment of silenceter, she grabbed her phone and texted Veronique: I''m sorry, Veronique. It didn''t work. You should find another method. Meanwhile, in the lead designer''s office inside Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey was sitting next to the window and answering Veronique''s phone call. ¡°Since she disagreed, we can''t force her to do it. I think you should tell Justin about Zephyr''s true identity, Vero.¡± Chapter 245 Chapter 245 Dead silence reigned. Two whole minutes passed before Veronique''s hoarse voice drifted out of the phone. ¡°Let me think about it further. There must be some other way to convince Scarlett. I''m sure about that.¡± After saying that, she hung up right away. Bailey stared at her ckened phone screen through narrowed eyes, sighing helplessly. If Justin were designated as the ideal son-inw by some ordinary merchant family, it wouldn''t be a problem to kick up a fuss since she has the Revelle family backing her up. s, the other party is a prestigious family in the military field, the Fletcher family. Their influence epasses the entire political arena, and they have ultimate power. With a single order, even the Luther family would suffer a blow, much less the Revelle family, with no underworld background. ¡°What''s wrong? I could hear you sighing from the adjacent room. Have you run into a problem of some sort?¡± All of a sudden, a deep and rich voice rang out beside her ear, making her jump. Sensing a broad chest stered against her back, she didn''t dare move about. ¡°M-Move back for a bit. I''m feeling hot.¡± Artemis arched an eyebrow with a smirk. ¡°Are you? In that case, how about stripping? Then, you won''t be hot anymore.¡± Words eluded Bailey. Good Lord! This raunchy beast has started acting up again! Reaching out, Artemis wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his handsome face into the hair at the back of her head. He inhaled deeply before murmuring in a husky voice, ¡°I was initially rather tired, but all my fatigue dissipated after I took in your fragrance. I now feel that I''ve got unceasing energy. How about¡ª¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Bailey hastily interjected. She then ordered, ¡°Go and talk to Justin. Tell him about the dastardly thing he did seven years ago. Zephyr is innocent, and he shouldn''t be tortured to death by his illness.¡± In response, Artemis gave a low chuckle. ¡°This decision should''ve been made long ago instead of dragging things out until now. I know you''re both worried about the Fletcher family''s influence, but here in Hallsbay, I am thew. I''m not necessarily afraid of Sloan Fletcher.¡± Bailey abruptly turned around. ¡°You also think we should tell Jus... Hmph...¡± Her action made it evident that she was offering herself to the man behind her on a silver tter. As such, Artemis naturally didn''t hold back with her. He leaned down and captured her lips almost at the very second she turned around. Slowly, he deepened the kiss. In the end, he began feeling dissatisfied by the shallow kiss that couldn''t quench his thirst for her at all. Every time he touched her, he felt a fire zing within him, causing his mind to go nk and the desire within him to soar to epic proportions. The urge to pin her underneath him and take her hard so that she would be swept away by the tide of his sea of passion gripped him. Taken aback by the feral air emanating from him, Bailey stole a peek at his eyes out of her peripheral vision. The instant she glimpsed the undisguised lust in his gaze, something in her mind snapped. Ugh! This scoundrel has actually lost control. He lost it in the office in broad daylight! Sure enough, a man who''s been abstinent from the pleasures of the flesh for too long is terrifying and dangerous. Judging from his ravenous look, not even ten women would be enough to satisfy him! ¡°Artemis.¡± Seizing the opportunity while he had all his concentration on devouring her, she stretched out her hands and shoved him away without warning. Artemis staggered back two steps and fell back onto a swivel chair in the office. He cradled his forehead in exasperation andmented with a sigh, ¡°I initially thought I had all women on earth eating out of my palm. Never had I thought that I''d end up falling in love with a thorny wild rose. Never mind, just forget about it. How would I dare force you if you''re unwilling?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes, exasperation written all over her face. What a rogue! He took all he wanted from me earlier, so why is he now putting on an aggrieved expression like I had just bullied him? ¡°Did you hear everything I said to you earlier?¡± Snagging the coffee mug on the table, Artemis threw his head back and guzzled the beverage. When he finally suppressed the fire burning within him by the skin of his teeth, he replied hoarsely, ¡°I''ll talk to Justin about it when I return to the medical base tonight.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Artemis lifted his eyes and looked at her, casually querying, ¡°Are you free tomorrow?¡± I''ve never gone on a date. It''s probably sweet, flirty, and romantic to the core. I''ll try it tomorrow. Unfortunately, he ended up disappointed. ¡°Sorry, I''ve got a date tomorrow. Edmund said he''d like to treat me to a meal.¡± It was as if a bucket of cold water poured down on Artemis, drenching him from head to toe. The smile on his face gradually faded. Narrowing his eyes, he stared at her and enunciated, ¡°You can only date me tomorrow. Turn everyone else down.¡± Hearing his arrogant and domineering tone, Bailey let out a bark of furiousughter. ¡°Say, Mr. Luther, can you please be reasonable? It was Edmund who asked me out first, and I agreed. Please practice the concept of firste, first served in everything, okay?¡± Hah! Artemis sneered. If I were to practice the concept of firste, first served with Edmund, he wouldn''t even be able to touch the hem of her clothes! ¡°Fine, then. Have him treat you to lunch and leave the night free for me. That''spliant enough to that concept, no?¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. The corners of her mouth twitched violently. How shameless! Yet, I''ve got no retort for that. In the guest room in the Xuereb residence, Scarlett was on the phone while sitting on the couch. ¡°Have you discovered anything, Raiden? How did my gic data leak out?¡± After a moment''s silence, a deep, baritone voice drifted out of the phone. ¡°It was a four-star research institute in East Chanaea that leaked the information. After verification by experts, it was found that a hacker infiltrated the research institute''s database.¡± ¡°A hacker?¡± Scarlett shook her head, her eyes glinting with shrewdness. ¡°I don''t think it''s that simple. The Revelle family has long since been prepared. Rumor has it that the child suffering from leukemia has been raised by the second daughter of the Revelle family, Veronique, and she was the girl who had a huge crush on Justin back then. Raiden, help me investigate this matter thoroughly. I want to know why Yvonne handed a royal descendant of the Gregan empire to her sister to raise.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll order someone to investigate it right away. You''re not in the pink of health, so don''t donate your bone marrow, Lettie. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Raiden. I''ve finally gotten a chance to live, so how would I possibly do something so foolish when I hadn''t even married Justin?¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll hang up first. Just call me if there''s anything.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± No sooner had Scarlett disconnected the call than Olivia walked in with a te of fruits. Scarlett frowned, displeasure showing on her face. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, I don''t like someone else entering my room without my permission. Please knock beforeing in next time,¡± she drawled. Olivia was startled for a moment. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. She wanted to say that it was the Xuereb residence, so she had the authority there. Yet, she didn''t dare do so. The prospective daughter-inw before her was too high and mighty, so she could only treat her with the utmost respect. ¡°Sure, sure. I''ll remember to knock next time. Justin phoned earlier and said he''d only be back a bit later as he had something to handle at the medical base. He told you to rest earlier.¡± At the mention of the medical base, Scarlett''s interest was piqued. ¡°I''ve never been to his medical base, so I''m really curious. Mrs. Xuereb, can you arrange for a driver to send me over?¡± Olivia naturally wouldn''t turn her down. ¡°Sure! Then, I''ll have Wyatt drive you over. Do you need me to apany you?¡± ¡°No, it''s okay. You''re up in years, so you should rest earlier. Oh yes, don''t phone Justin about this. I want to go over secretly to give him a surprise.¡± ¡°Sure, sure!¡± Chapter 246 Chapter 246 At night, Artemis chatted with Zayron in the ward at the medical base for a while. Only after his son had fallen asleep did he get to his feet and leave. When he pushed open the door to the study and stepped into the room, Justin was reclining against the couch. The man had a stack of documents in his hands and was flipping through them. Upon seeing that the door was pushed open, he instinctively raised his eyes. As his gaze alighted on Artemis, he quirked a brow and asked, ¡°What exactly happened that you''re acting all mysterious?¡± Artemis walked over and sat down across from him. After a moment''s silence, he murmured unhurriedly, ¡°Do you still remember the incident that transpired in Pontotium seven years ago?¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Justin was stunned, and his body started stiffening. I naturally remember the incident that transpired in Pontotium seven years ago. Even if I''m old and my memory begins failing me, I''ll never forget that experience. Back then, the organization''s leader locked him in a cage. That aside, the man injected him with an aphrodisiac and released a few tigers into the cage. However, he had absolutely no recollection of whatever happened thereafter. When he came to again, he was lying on a hospital bed in the ward of a local hospital. He was a doctor, so he knew all too well whether he had been vited by the beasts. Apart from scratch marks from wild animals on his body, there were two palm prints. Precisely speaking, they belonged to a woman. He reckoned that he bedded a woman while he wasn''t in his right mind, so he tried investigating the woman''s identity after the incident, but to no avail. ¡°What are you trying to say? And why did you suddenly bring that matter up?¡± Sighing softly, Artemis took a photo out of his pocket and handed it to Justin. Justin took it dubiously before reflexively looking down at it. With a mere nce, he was entirely floored. There was a six or seven-year-old boy in the photo. He had exquisite features and was exceedingly handsome, but hisplexion was slightly pale, faintly exuding a sense of sickly fragility. All that aside, his countenance felt very much familiar. It was as though Justin had seen him somewhere and had been looking at that face every day. ¡°W-What''s the meaning of this?¡± Without beating around the bush, Artemis stated bluntly, ¡°Seven years ago, that group of people locked you in a cage and left you at the seaside. A woman rushed over in time and killed those few tigers, saving you. At that time, you were under the influence of the drug and lost all sanity. You forced yourself on the woman. The womanter got pregnant. She gave birth to the child in the photo seven years ago. This little boy is your child.¡± You forced yourself on the woman. The womanter got pregnant... This little boy is your child. Those few grating utterances lingered in the air and drifted into Justin''s ears, crushing him entirely. Likewise suffering a devastating blow was Scarlett, who stood outside the door, a moment from pushing it open. She clutched the door handle hard, allowing those shocking truths to m into her. A woman... pregnant... a child... Justin once bedded a woman, and that woman even got pregnant and gave birth to a son for him in the end. Is that it? Did I interpret things correctly? Who was it? Who gave birth to a son for him? Who was that woman? Who exactly was she? The next second, the man in the room gave her the answer. With a trembling voice, Justin inquired, ¡°W-W-Who was it?¡± In truth, he already had the answer deep within, but he didn''t dare voice it, nor did he have the gall to do so. Did I force myself on her back then? What should I do if that woman was her? And how should I face her family and the child? Sighing soundless, Artemis enunciated, ¡°Other than her, who else would have dared risk her life to save you back then? Justin, I know you can''t ept the truth, but this is the reality. You''ve got no choice but to ept it. Go and save the child. He''s already at the end-stage of leukemia. Veronique is already at the end of her rope. If she were to copse, it would also likely mean the end for the child.¡± Having said as much, he abruptly stopped speaking. He got up and went to the wine cab, taking out two bottles of hard liquor. ¡°Here, have a drink.¡± Justin took the wine bottle with trembling hands. After unscrewing the top, he guzzled it like there was no tomorrow. He couldn''t describe his feelings right then. Instead of the joy of being a father, all he felt was intense helplessness and grief, coupled with the weight that fate hadid on them. Outside the door, Scarlett''s hand slowly dropped from the door handle, and she slumped against the wall weakly. So, it turned out that the child of the Revelle family, who''s suffering from leukemia, is Veronique''s child. He''s Veronique and Justin''s child. Why is this happening? Our wedding is around the corner, and Mr. and Mrs. Xuereb have already started making preparations to head to Jadeborough to ask for my hand in marriage. What would be of my wedding if the fact that he has a son were toe to light at this juncture? No, I can''t just sit idly by and do nothing. I''ll never allow anyone to ruin my wedding, let alone allow that woman from the Revelle family to steal the man I love! I''m the daughter of the Fletcher family. With that status alone, I can trample Veronique under my feet, ruining her once and for all! Afterposing herself, she left silently. When she had gone to the lobby on the first floor, she deliberately gave Justin a call. The call was promptly connected, and Justin''s calm voice drifted out of the phone. ¡°What''s the matter, Lettie?¡± A glimmer of viciousness glinted in Scarlett''s eyes. Well, well, well... It looks like you''re determined to protect that woman, considering your fear of exhibiting the slightest w before me, Justin. Unfortunately, you''re a man I''ve taken a fancy to, so she''ll never be able to marry into the Xuereb family as long as I''m alive. ¡°I came over to your medical base and am currently in the lobby on the first floor. Are youing to wee me personally, Mr. Xuereb?¡± Justin, who was in the study, was stunned for a moment. After hesitating for three seconds, he replied smilingly, ¡°Sure. I''lle down right away.¡± Having disconnected the call, he turned to Artemis and asserted, ¡°Scarlett is here. She can''t learn about this matter for the time being. I''m worried that she''ll eliminate them.¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Go and deal with her. Just let me know if you need my help.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The next day, Zoey was invited to the Luther residence. Although it wasn''t Artemis who invited her, she was still exceedingly happy. In the Luther family, Gerald was the recognized head of the family, so she was sure that it would be smooth sailing for her to marry into the Luther family in the future as long as she gained the man''s favor. In the master bedroom of the Luther residence, Gerald wore an exasperated expression on his face as he regarded his wife, who was sitting on the couch. He remarked with a sigh, ¡°I only invited Zoey over to have a meal together to celebrate her birthday. What would she think if you were to pull a long face?¡± Utterly livid, Felicity raised her voice and bellowed, ¡°Don''t think I''m ignorant of your intentions! Something happened to Rhonda just a while ago, and you now invited that woman''s daughter home. It''s been over twenty years, yet you still can''t let her go? I don''t think you should have my son marry the daughter of the Shurmer family. If you really like her so much, simply marry her yourself. I''ll immediately free up the position of Mrs. Luther for her!¡± ¡°Nonsense! How could you speak without a filter at your age?¡± Gerald chastised. ¡°I''m speaking without a filter?¡± Furious, Felicity shot up from the couch and snapped, ¡°Gerald Luther¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, her phone rang. ncing down at it, she saw that it was a call from Rhonda. Rhonda... At once, delight flooded her. If I were to invite Rhonda over, I''d be able to upset that b*tch from the Shurmer family, no? Chapter 248 Chapter 248 The answer was both expected yet unanticipated. It was unanticipated because Scarlett couldn''t ept it. The wedding date was fast approaching. Once Veronique and her son''s identity came to light, not only would the Xuereb family''s reputation take a hit, but the Fletcher family also would be subject to gossip. That wasn''t something her father and brother wanted to see. After pondering for a long time while sitting by the bed, she unlocked her phone and texted her brother. She typed: Make some time ande over to Hallsbay these few days. I''ve got something urgent to discuss with you. Veronique can''t be allowed to live, nor the illegitimate child she gave birth to. I''ll never allow the Fletcher family to be theughingstock of the entire political arena. Never! At theboratory, the doorbell rang. Veronique walked out in casual clothes and opened the door. As she locked eyes with the person at the door, she was stunned for a moment. The instant she jolted back to her senses, she instinctively wanted to close the door. Justin stretched out a leg and stuck it at the edge of the doorframe. In a hoarse voice, he uttered, ¡°I''ve got something to rify with you. Let''s talk things out.¡± Turning her face away, Veronique countered cidly, ¡°There''s nothing to talk about between us. We''ve made things clear at the Revelle residence that day. Henceforth, we shall go our separate ways, never meeting again. You should leave. Don''t disrupt my life anymore.¡± Justin hung his head. After standing there silently for a long while, he took out a photo from his pocket and held it out to her. His voice guttural, he murmured, ¡°Indeed, there''s nothing to talk about between us. But we can still talk about him.¡± Veronique lowered her eyes reflexively. As soon as she made out the countenance on the photo, her face went deathly pale, and she started trembling uncontrobly. ¡°How...¡± Justin said nothing. Putting the photo in his hand away, he whirled around and headed out while saying ¡°I''ll be waiting for you in Room 201 at the coffee shop across the street.¡± ¡°Jus¡ª¡± Before Veronique could call out the man''s name, he disappeared at the end of the busy street. She mmed the door shut stiffly. The muffled thud snapped her out of her trancepletely. Reality told her that Justin had learned the truth. He had already known about Zephyr''s identity. Judging from his bloodshot eyes and utterly indifferent expression, Zephyr''s existence must be exceedingly troubling to him, huh? Would he detest having such an illegitimate child? Her legs gradually went numb. She slid down the doorframe and slumped onto the floor. In the past few days, the thought of telling Justin about Zephyr''s identity undeniably urred to her. After having been turned down by Scarlett, especially, she felt that he was the only person in the whole world who could save Zephyr. She discovered that it was of no use even if she traveled the globe in search of a suitable bone marrow match. If the other party refused to donate, all her efforts would have been in vain. Therefore, the safest and most secure solution was to seek Justin out and have him go for a bone marrowpatibility test. However, she began wavering after beholding the man''s icy and impassive attitude earlier. She wanted to run away, fleeing as far as possible with Zephyr. Zephyr is still young. How devastated would he be if he were to see his biological father looking at him with such a cold and detached gaze? In a private room on the second floor of the coffee shop, Justin was sprawled on the table, resting, when Veronique pushed open the door and stepped in. Hearing movement, the man slowly lifted his head. His bloodshot eyes fell on her, and he rasped, ¡°You''re here. Come over and have a seat. Let''s talk about the child.¡± Veronique bit her lip hard. After standing there for a moment in silence, she walked over and sat down across from him. Subsequently, she ventured hesitantly, ¡°Have you misunderstood things, Mr. Xuereb? Zephyr is my sister''s son. He has nothing to do with you.¡± ¡°Hah.¡± Justin seeminglyughed, but it carried a hint of self-deprecation and mockery. That aside, helplessness and regret dominated. ¡°Don''t beat around the bush or try feeling me out anymore. Artemis told me about it personally. Do you think he would''ve dared do so without Bailey''s orders?¡± At once, Veronique went silent. In truth, she didn''t know what to say either. ¡°Back then... I forced myself on you?¡± Justin inquired with much difficulty. I didn''t want to hurt her, so I stayed away from her from the very beginning, allowing her no opportunity to approach me. Nor did I give her any hope. Later, she went abroad and started a brand new life. She slowly made a name for herself in the international arena and became deeply respected and revered in the medical field. When I heard about it, I was really happy for her. But never had I expected fate to be so cruel. In the end, I was still the person who hurt her most. He had no idea what she was thinking that night when she drugged him and begged him to bed her and give her a child. Neither had he any inkling of her psychological changes after listening to his ruthless insults and beratement. Most importantly, he didn''t have the faintest clue about her despair when her father applied the family rules and whipped her several times viciously after his mother caught them in bed and dragged her to the Revelle residence, reprimanding her father about his failure to educate his daughter. All he knew was that he owed her so much that he might never be able to repay it all in this lifetime. Was it wrong of her to give birth to the child behind my back? Not at all, for she was the one who saved me back then. But how did I repay her? I was worse than an animal! Not only did I force myself on her by the seaside, but I then turned around and agreed to a marriage with the Fletcher family right after, forcing her to go abroad while pregnant. Honestly, if it weren''t for the fact that our child''s life is at stake, I probably wouldn''t have sought her out again in this lifetime. Verily, I haven''t got the brazenness to do so! Gazing out the window in slight awkwardness, Veronique replied, ¡°You weren''t to be med, for you had lost all reason at that time. If I hadn''t... I''m sorry for giving birth to Zephyr without your permission and bringing so much trouble to the Xuereb family now. But don''t worry. I''ve never thought of sabotaging your marriage with Ms. Fletcher. I''ll take Zephyr abroad when his condition has stabilized. I won''t put you in a difficult position.¡± Justin lifted his hand and massaged his throbbing temples. In a hoarse voice, he remarked, ¡°Give me Zephyr''s bone marrow report. I''ll do a test at the medical base. If my bone marrow suits him, I''ll arrange for an operation immediately. His illness can''t take any more dys, so his treatment takes precedence.¡± Veronique snapped her head back in surprise. Gaping at him, she asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Y-You''re willing to save Zephyr?¡± Justin''s expression froze. It felt as though he had been stabbed in the heart, the pain unbearable. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Shouldn''t I save the child? Or am I so cold and indifferent in her eyes that I''d even disregard my own flesh and blood''s life? ¡°Remember to send the data to me. I''ll give you an answer by tomorrow morning at thetest.¡± After saying that, he stood up from the chair. It was uncertain whether he had been sitting for too long or suffered too heavy a blow that his tall and slender body swayed slightly. He stumbled to the door. He really hadn''t the temerity to tarry any longer, and he didn''t know how he should face her. The damage had already been done. As such, no amount of words could negate the sufferings she had endured over the years. In fact, he couldn''t imagine how she could withstand having her own biological son addressing her as his aunt all the time. Every time she hears it, her heart probably twists painfully. Veronique didn''t stop him from leaving. As she stared at his back dazedly, a bitter smile curved her lips. Do you just hate me this much, Justin? You''re bolting so quickly because you''re afraid that I''d taint your wedding with Scarlett? Chapter 249 Chapter 249 The moment Rhonda entered the tearoom in the Luther residence, Felicity quickly stood up to wee her. Needless to say, Rhonda was slightly caught off-guard. ¡°Hey, Ronni! You look so much better now. Indeed, it was a good choice to let you heal in the Jefferson residence. Surely, your mental health had improved with your parents taking care of you. I was even thinking about getting someone to bring you over.¡± Hearing that, Rhonda sneered inwardly. If Gerald didn''t invite Zoey to Luther Group, you wouldn''t have even thought about me, let alone getting someone to fetch me from the Jefferson residence. What a joke! ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther. I''m feeling much better now. By the way, is Ms. Shurmer here yet?¡± Rhonda asked. Felicity''s expression darkened immediately when Rhonda mentioned Zoey. That b*tch is even more annoying than Bailey! ¡°Since the party is being held in the evening, I think she''s only going to be here in the afternoon. Ronni, you''re Artemis''wful wife. This time around, you must carry yourself as his wife and take good care of Ms. Shurmer, okay?¡± Felicity uttered. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Luther. I''ll deal with her ordingly. I won''t let you down,¡± Rhonda answered. Of course! I don''t need you to remind me what to do. She had used abortifacient and aphrodisiac drugs on me. Zoey had ruined my pregnancy and my wedding. I''ll surely make her pay! ¡°Good! You''re a smart kid, so you know what''s on my mind. You''re indeed my ideal daughter-inw! Any woman who wishes toe into the family will need our approval!¡± The corner of Rhonda''s mouth turned up. ¡°You''ve been looking after me, Mrs. Luther, so I''ll repay you and show Ms. Shurmer her ce.¡± Bailey had lunch at the Chivers residence. After lunch, Edmund invited her to watch a movie, but she turned him down. She told him something had happened at the pharmaceutical factory, so she would be busy that night. Instead of convincing her, Edmund sent her to the pharmaceutical factory personally. When they were in the car, Bailey asked curiously, ¡°Edmund, I heard that the head of the Shurmer family, Zeke, is your friend. How is he as a person?¡± Edmund shed a smile. ¡°Why are you bringing Zeke up all of a sudden?¡± ¡°It''s nothing. I''m just asking because this man is young and famous, and I''m curious.¡± ¡°Well, what can I say about Zeke...¡± Edmund fell into deep thought. After a while, he smiled and said, ¡°The Shurmer family started off as a manufacturer of medicines. Now, they have thousands of pharmaceutical factories all over the world. Although I don''t know much, I know that he has a good character. In other words, he''s not a person who would harm others for personal gains.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bailey shed a faint smile. ¡°If he had gotten your approval, I bet that''s really the case. I must find an opportunity to know him better.¡± ¡°Sure! I''ll introduce you to him.¡± Bailey then turned to look outside the window. Is Zeke really not capable of harming others for personal gains? If that''s the case, who on earth added the other substances in the new batch of medicines produced by Dyke Pharmaceutical? Back at the medical base, Artemis didn''t go to work that day, and he was having a cup of coffee on the balcony outside Maxton''s ward. He then received a text from Ken saying: After leaving the Chivers residence, Mr. Edmund had sent Ms. Bailey to Luther Group''s pharmaceutical factory. Ms. Bailey is now at the production wing, and Mr. Edmund had driven away. Artemis smiled. Well, the woman''s smart. If she dared to keep hiding in the Chivers residence, I would definitely go and look for her there. He then got up and went to the ward. After saying a few words to his son, he turned toward the entrance. Seeing that, Maxton asked, ¡°Hey! Where are you going?¡± ¡°I''m going on a date with your mommy.¡± Maxton was rendered speechless. What the f*ck? Since when has he be so romantic? That afternoon in the Luther residence,ughter and cheerful chatter reverberated inside the living room. ¡°You''ve be prettier, Zoey! You have such a unique charm! If I were a man, I would definitely be all over you!¡± Caridee eximed. Zoey smiled at Caridee and uttered gracefully, ¡°You''re also getting prettier, Caridee. You''ve changed a lot! I''m so sorry I couldn''t make it to youring-of-age ceremony. Please don''t take offense, okay?¡± ¡°Why would I?¡± Caridee smiled and waved a gift box in her hand. ¡°You''ve already given me a gift to make up for it, Zoey. However, today is your birthday. How could I let you give me a gift?¡± Zoey smiled and replied, ¡°You''re wee!¡± After saying that, she turned toward Gerald and asked, ¡°Mr. Luther, where''s Mrs. Luther? Why have I not seen her?¡± Gerald checked his watch and smiled. ¡°She should be watering the nts in the garden at this hour. She''ll be back in a while.¡± Zoey got up and said politely, ¡°I shall go to the garden and say hi to Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Gerald nced at Caridee and instructed, ¡°You go with her.¡± ¡°Okay! I need to use the bathroom first. Zoey, wait for me at the entrance to the garden, okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± While walking along the corridor, Zoey couldn''t find Felicity. Instead, she bumped into Rhonda. ¡°Hi, Ms. Shurmer. Mrs. Luther was asking about you. She was waiting for your arrival, so she got me to come over to see if you''ve arrived,¡± Rhonda uttered. Zoey instinctively took a step backward and nodded. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Rhonda. Where''s Mrs. Luther? Would you mind bringing me to her?¡± Rhonda scoffed when she heard that. Ms. Rhonda? It seems like this woman doesn''t know my status yet. It''s all right. I shall teach her a lesson. ¡°I think you ought to address me differently, Ms. Shurmer. After all, everyone knows I''ve married into the Luther family. You may address me as Mrs. Luther. That would be more appropriate, right?¡± Rhonda asked. In response, Zoey smiled at her and answered calmly, ¡°If I remember correctly, your wedding with Artemis was canceled, right? In fact, everyone knows that Artemis is still single. I''ll address you as Mrs. Luther when you exchange wedding rings with Artemis.¡± She''s challenging me! She''s tantly challenging me! B*tch, the wedding wouldn''t have gotten canceled if she wasn''t secretly causing trouble! She''s made a fool out of me, and everyone in Hallsbay isughing at me. Luckily for her, I don''t have evidence of her being the culprit yet. However, the moment I find dirt on her, I''m telling Mr. Luther right away! Despite being enraged, Rhonda smiled faintly and replied, ¡°All these years, Artemis had been celebrating your birthdays for you, right, Ms. Shurmer? I wonder how you feel now that he''s not here to celebrate it with you this year. However, it''s not like you can me Artemis. You''re just unlucky because you share the same birthday as Luther Group''s lead designer, Bailey Jefferson. He had even booked the entire top floor of Mystique Land for her. I hope you don''t mind that, Ms. Shurmer.¡± Chapter 250 Chapter 250 The moment those words fell, the smile on Zoey''s face faded. Are my ears ying tricks on me? Did she say Artemis had booked the entire top floor of Mystique Land for an employee of Luther Group? He booked a ce that''s only frequented by couples for a woman? No! No! I can''t believe Artemis would do such a thing for a woman! All these years, he would only bring me out for a meal on my birthday. I''ve never been to Mystique Land with him. I''ve never had a candlelight dinner with him, and I''ve never received flowers from him! I''ve never seen any of those things! Bailey Jefferson? Who is she? Is she the abandoned child from the Jefferson family who spent a night with Simon and gave birth to a pair of illegitimate children? Who is she to get Artemis to book the whole Mystique Land for her? Who does she think she is? Rhonda was secretly overjoyed when she saw Zoey''s expression contorting. B*tch! How does it feel to get abandoned? Does it feel nice to be filled with jealousy? I''ve been enduring that for the past seven years. This is just the beginning for you. I hope you can enjoy the torture! ¡°Ms. Shurmer, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell? Should I fetch the family doctor for you?¡± Rhonda asked. Zoey took a deep breath and suppressed the jealousy within her. After shing a smile, she said, ¡°Thank you for your concern, Ms. Rhonda. I''m fine. By the way, is there a bathroom nearby?¡± Rhonda smirked mockingly and pointed in the southeastern direction with her chin. ¡°The tearoom is there. There''s a restroom inside, Ms. Shurmer.¡± Zoey looked at her intently before turning to leave. ¡°Pfft!¡± Rhonda spat in Zoey''s direction after thetter sashayed away elegantly. Keep acting, then! One day, I''m going to expose her true colors in public. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Felicity''s voice came from behind. Rhonda froze momentarily before turning around to sh a smile. ¡°Mrs. Luther, I''ve already told Ms. Shurmer why Artemis isn''t here to celebrate her birthday for her. I think Ms. Shurmer is overwhelmed with jealousy, so she has gone somewhere to calm herself down.¡± Felicity narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows. In a puzzled tone, she asked, ¡°What is Artemis busy with exactly? Why would Zoey be jealous?¡± Rhonda inclined her head as her rosy lips contorted into a vicious smile, a scheming gleam shing in her eyes. ¡°Didn''t you know? Artemis had booked the whole top floor of Mystique Land to celebrate Bailey''s birthday for her.¡± ¡°What?¡± Felicity widened her eyes and fumed, ¡°Did Artemis mean celebrating Bailey''s birthday when he said he has something urgent to deal with? He booked the top floor of Mystique Land for her? That''s a ce only couples would go to! What is he doing being with his brother''s woman?¡± The smile on Rhonda''s face turned even more wicked. Although she wanted to use Bailey to get rid of Zoey, that didn''t mean she was willing to watch Artemis and Bailey spend time together. The person who could split them up was none other than Felicity. ¡°Mrs. Luther, things are actually favorable to us. Now, we can let Zoey fight against Bailey. No matter the oue, we would still be winning, no?¡± Felicity was stunned. After pondering for a moment, she suddenlyughed and said, ¡°That''s a good idea! We shall let Bailey go up against that b*tch from the Shurmer family. After all, we don''t like either of them. Let them fight it out!¡± Rhonda clenched her fists, and a cold glint flickered across her eyes. Bailey and Zoey, I''m looking forward to watching the both of you tearing each other apart. Upon arriving in the tearoom, Zoey quickly whipped out her phone and called her subordinate. ¡°Help me check if Mr. Luther had booked the entire top floor of Mystique Land. Also, find out when is Ms. Bailey''s birthday.¡± ¡°Sure, Ms. Zoey. I''ll get back to you.¡± Zoey then hung up the phone and went into the bathroom. When she came out, her phone rang. ¡°Ms. Zoey, I''ve already gotten the information you need. Mr. Luther had indeed booked the entire top floor of Mystique Land.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. I''m sure. Mr. Luther had ordered everyone to keep it a secret. However, Mystique Land belongs to the Shurmer family. I used your name to contact the person in charge directly. He was the one who gave me the information.¡± ¡°Do you know why Mr. Luther booked Mystique Land?¡± ¡°He didn''t tell me anything about that. However, Mr. Luther''s men had delivered a lot of flowers there. I think the flowers are for decoration. Do you want me to look into it?¡± Upon hearing that, Zoey tightened her grip on her phone. A piercing glint shed across her eyes as she gritted her teeth. ¡°It''s all right. How about Bailey''s birthday? When is it?¡± ¡°She was born in the same year and on the same day as you, Ms. Zoey. In fact, she was born in the same hospital as you, too.¡± Zoey was rendered speechless. So, Rhonda wasn''t lying. It really is Bailey''s birthday today. Artemis had abandoned me so that he can celebrate Bailey''s birthday with her. I wouldn''t even mind it if he''s bringing her to a restaurant for a meal. However, he booked Mystique Land for her! That''s where couples go! That means Bailey is someone Artemis wants to date. Rhonda isn''t even the woman he wants! Bailey is the one he''s after! When Felicity and Rhonda were told that Zoey had left in a hurry, they were bothughing joyfully in the garden. ¡°You''re so smart with your ideas, Ronni! I''m so sick of that b*tch from the Shurmer family. She''s so skanky that she stinks! She''s just going to pollute the air in the Luther residence,¡± Felicity said. In response, Rhonda smiled and said, ¡°Bailey has a lot of people backing her. Hence, she''s surely going to put up a good fight against Ms. Shurmer. Mrs. Luther, just sit back and enjoy a ruthless battle between two b*tches!¡± ¡°Haha! Sure!¡± That afternoon, Artemis drove to the pharmaceutical factory to fetch Bailey. The moment his sports car arrived at the entrance, his phone rang. He took out his phone and saw that it was a call from Ken. He answered the call and put it on speaker mode. ¡°What is it?¡± Artemis asked. ¡°Mr. Luther, the person in charge at Mystique Land called me just now. He told me that Ms. Shurmer''s bodyguard had given him a call. Since the bodyguard was asking on behalf of Ms. Shurmer, the person in charge had no choice but to tell him that you''ve booked the entire top floor of Mystique Land. Also, I was told that Ms. Shurmer had left the Luther residence in a hurry after saying goodbye to Old Mr. Luther.¡± Upon hearing that, Artemis arched his brows and smirked. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org He was a smart man, so he knew what was going on right away. ¡°Okay. If Zoey wants to go to Mystique Land, don''t stop her.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± After hanging up the phone, Artemis sent a text to Sylvester. It read: Hey! You''vended a new girl, right? I''ve already booked the top floor of Mystique Land for you. Bring your pretty little thing there and enjoy! After a while, Sylvester replied: Wow! Thanks! Chapter 251 Chapter 251 Artemis smiled when he saw the reply. Of course, I''m going to use him to save myself! Thump! Thump! Thump! Suddenly, someone knocked on his window, and he instinctively turned toward the side. Through his tinted window, he saw a slender and graceful figure standing outside. Although the tinted window had blurred out the facial features of the woman, he knew who it was instantly. This woman has permanently and thoroughly bonded with my body and soul. As he rolled down his window, her exquisite facial features entered his field of vision, and he was loving what he saw. ¡°You''re so beautiful, Bay,¡± he uttered. Bailey rolled her eyes in response. This man is getting cheesy! She then raised her brows and pointed at the passenger seat with her chin. ¡°Are you not going to open the door for me?¡± Artemis smiled and answered, ¡°I think we''ve gotten very close, and I''vee to know everything about you. Therefore, there''s no need for that anymore. Don''t you think so?¡± Bailey merely shook her head helplessly. He''s the only person who could be so shameless! After getting into the passenger seat, she looked at him and raised a brow. ¡°I heard that you''ve booked the top floor of Mystique Land for me. Let''s go.¡± Artemis rubbed his temples and sighed. ¡°Before you got into the car, I''ve already given the reservation to Sylvester as a gift. Let''s go somewhere else, okay? Where would you like to go? I''ll bring you there.¡± Bailey didn''t seem disappointed. Instead, a sly look emerged in her eyes as she swiveled her eyes around. ¡°I can pick wherever I want?¡± she asked. When Artemis saw the look on her face, he felt a tinge of numbness on his scalp. Something tells me this woman is about to cause trouble, but I can''t retract my words! ¡°Yes. Anywhere you want,¡± he answered. ¡°Okay! Disnend, here wee!¡± she eximed. What? Artemis was stumped. What''s Disnend? The atmosphere in the car instantly became awkward. The corners of his mouth started twitching when he finally came to his senses. Wait... Isn''t that a theme park? What the f*ck? Is she asking me, the heir of Luther Group, to bring her to a theme park? N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°B-Bailey, why don''t we go somewhere else?¡± he asked. Bailey chuckled and answered, ¡°Sure! Let''s go to Shelbert Condominium!¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. After leaving the Luther residence, Zoey went straight to Mystique Land. She then found out from the front desk that the honored guests had arrived on the top floor. Hence, she took the elevator and went up. When she was on the way there, she had already thought about what to say. When I go inter, I''ll tell them the servers had informed me that he''s entertaining a guest on the top floor. Hence, I had to go up and say hi. After greeting them, I''m not going to leave. Although I can''t do anything to Bailey, I''ll still be a third wheel and stop them from having time alone. The moment the revolving door opened, she smiled and uttered, ¡°Artemis, I heard that you''re¡ª¡± Her graceful voice stopped abruptly because she couldn''t believe her eyes when she saw two people being intimate on top of the revolving dining table. At that moment, she thought Artemis was pinning a woman against the table and kissing her passionately. As soon as her words fell, the man at the table instantly turned toward her and shot her a piercing gaze. She staggered backward and widened her eyes. In a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°Y-You''re not Artemis... Where is Artemis?¡± Sylvester looked utterly annoyed. Anyone would be pissed off if someone were to barge in and ruin an intimate moment. However, it was a good thing he was a calm and collected person, or he would''ve killed the woman right then and there. ¡°Who the f*ck are you? Can''t you see I''m busy? Why did you just barge in like that? Get out! What are you doing standing there?¡± he fumed. Before Zoey could answer, the woman next to Sylvester struggled to free herself and thundered, ¡°Sylvester! You''re a b*stard! Why would you do such a thing to me? Am I so worthless to you? Do you think I''m such an easy woman?¡± Sylvester tugged his hair in frustration. If I didn''t do this, would she have agreed toe out on a date with me? Besides, I haven''t even done anything! The most I did was kiss her a few times! He then immediately turned toward Zoey and gritted his teeth. ¡°You''ve ruined my date! Why are you still here? Buzz off!¡± By then, Zoey''s face had already turned pale. Not only did I not find Artemis here, but I''ve also bumped into a pair of lovebirds in action! What''s with my luck? With that in mind, she turned around unsteadily and ran out of there. F*ck you, Rhonda! You''ve tricked me! I''m going to tear you apart! Meanwhile, Artemis had brought Bailey to Disnend. Since it was at night and he was wearing a pair of sunsses, no one could recognize him. The corners of Artemis'' lips curled up into a smile when he saw Bailey in her bumper car, ying with a bunch of kids. I''ve yet to bring my kids to a theme park. Who would''ve thought that I would be with her on my first trip to a theme park? From the corner of his eye, he spotted a stall selling cotton candy. After hesitating for a while, he walked toward the stall. ¡°I''ll have one,¡± he said to the stall owner. ¡°Sure!¡± A few momentster, the stall owner gave him a serving of cotton candy and said, ¡°Handsome, that''ll be five.¡± Five what? What is he talking about? Artemis was caught in an awkward moment as he had never seen or used cash. The stall owner seemed to have noticed the awkwardness on Artemis'' face. With a smile, the stall owner said, ¡°It''s all right if you don''t have cash. I ept e-payment as well.¡± Artemis whipped out his phone and realized that the battery had gone t. Oh, no... How embarrassing is this? I''m the richest person in the world, but I can''t even pay for cotton candy. ¡°Pfft!¡± Suddenly, someone behind him chuckled. He turned around to see Bailey standing there in amusement with her arms crossed. The head of Luther Group is embarrassing himself in front of amoner! This is so satisfying to watch! ¡°How could you bring me to a theme park if you can''t even afford cotton candy? Are you serious, Mr. Luther?¡± she asked. Artemis was embarrassed, and he stood in his spot helplessly. Bailey then approached him and smiled. ¡°I''ll pay for you. However, promise me something.¡± ¡°W-What i-is it?¡± Artemis asked. Something tells me she''s going to ask for something ridiculous. ¡°Take a ride on the Ferris wheel with me!¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. Ten minutester, Baileyughed so hard that she couldn''t stand up straight because Artemis was puking uncontrobly under a tree. Wow! He''s afraid of the Ferris wheel! Haha! This is great! Finally, I know his weakness. If this idiot angers me again, I''m going to get him to ride on a Ferris wheel! Chapter 252 Chapter 252 A ride on the Ferris Wheel. Who knew a gimmick used to punish children would work on the omnipotent Mr. Luther? Hah! Artemis leaned feebly against the tree trunk after throwing up and sappily watched Bailey roar with laughter with her head thrown back. His gaze became so soft it turned misty. It must''ve been a long while since sheughed this hard. It is fortunate that I got her to lower her guard and be herself once more around me. Subsequently, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Bailey''sughter stopped abruptly, and she began to struggle in his arms. ¡°Be good and stop moving,¡± Artemis whispered in her ear. ¡°Snuggle against me, and let me hold you for a bit.¡± Bailey noticed he sounded feeble, so she surrendered herself to his strong arms and eased into his embrace. ¡°What time is it?¡± Artemis asked softly with a smile. Bailey rolled her eyes. ¡°Don''t you have a watch?¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡°I''m worried you''ll make a run for it the moment I raise my hand.¡± Annoyed, Bailey consulted her own watch. ¡°It''s five minutes to eight.¡± ¡°Any moment now,¡± Artemis muttered those words without thinking. Bailey narrowed her eyes suspiciously. What does he mean? Why must this man speak in riddles? She understood what he meant five minutester. Fireworks exploded throughout the skies in a dazzling spectacle against the backdrop of night, instantly illuminating the sky above the entire city. ¡°It''s so beautiful!¡± ¡°Wow. I haven''t seen fireworks in Hallsbay in a long time.¡± Exmations andughter of delight and appreciation sounded all around them as the city''s inhabitants enjoyed the show. Bailey raised her head slightly and stared at the array of fireworks ascending one after another before exploding in a jubnt extravaganza. Under the illumination of the blinding light overhead, her eyes shone with joy. ¡°Is it pretty?¡± Artemis asked, leaning over to her ear. Bailey sniffled and wrenched her nose. ¡°I haven''t seen fireworks in Hallsbay in years,¡± she choked. ¡°Who do you think these are lit for?¡± She knew who lit them, but she wanted him to say it. Artemis chuckled and nibbled her earlobe. ¡°I think some lovesick guy is lighting the fireworks for the girl he loves,¡± he said tenderly. ¡°He wants to tell her that she is the queen of the world and that every second of her life dazzles those around her like these fireworks.¡± Bailey tilted her head. After a moment''s silence, she smiled. ¡°The city has banned fireworks. Though his motives are sincere, he shouldn''t be allowed to do whatever he wants.¡± Artemis'' smile widened as he spoke. ¡°Perhaps he holds absolute power in this city and is not afraid of doing as he pleases. He would give everything for her.¡± He then reached out to grasp her shoulder, turning her around to face him as he dered passionately, ¡°Happy birthday, Bay. This fireworks show is a token of my love for you, and you must ept it as it''s toote to call it off now. All of Hallsbay bear witness.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. In the meantime, Zoey was snuggling in Waverly''s embrace in their bedroom within the Shurmer residence. ¡°What do I do, Mom? If Artemis falls for Bailey, does that mean I no longer stand a chance?¡± she asked dejectedly. Waverly caressed her daughter''s head as sheughed. ¡°Who was it who swore before me half a month ago to face whatever difficulties that may ur bravely and win over the man she loves through her own abilities? It''s only the beginning, and you''re already forfeiting and giving up? I''m most disappointed in you if that''s the case.¡± Zoey pursed her lips. ¡°I thought that the only person standing in my way was that pretty face, Rhonda. Now, however, I have to deal with Bailey, who had appeared out of nowhere. Though they are both daughters of the Jefferson family, there''s a world of difference between their motives and means. Snowke. Anonymous. These names have ascertained that Bailey is somebody formidable.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of? You are the heiress of the Shurmer family, and Bailey cannotpete with our noble bloodline no matter how capable she is. Do what you need to do. I will support you,¡± Waverly said cidly as she pushed Zoey aside. ¡°You''re wonderful, Mom.¡± Zoey burrowed her head in her mother''s arms. ¡°I have nothing to fear with you having my back.¡± Meanwhile, in a gazebo in the garden of the Chivers residence, Edmund was gazing at the specks of fireworks in the distance from his seat. His bodyguard had reported to him that the skies surrounding Disnend were ignited with fireworks. Artemis is the only one who is rich and influential enough to ignite fireworks in Hallsbay. Is Bailey that important to you, Artemis? Is she so important to you that you are willing to break any rule for her? I have to admit that you are arrogant. There are so many other women in the world, and none of them caught your eye except for Bailey, the bright and dazzling woman who, unfortunately for you, is also the girl I love. I''m not giving you an inch this time. The following day found four women lying in disarray on the bed dominating the master bedroom of one of the units within Shelbert Condominium. The stale fumes of alcohol hung heavily in the air. Victoria, Veronique, and Juliana had rushed over one after another at ten the night before to drown their sorrows in alcohol under the guise of celebrating Bailey''s birthday. Unsurprisingly, all of them became very drunk. The silent bedroom suddenly erupted with a shrill ringing that yanked the women out of their pleasant dreams. ¡°Pick up the phone, Vero.¡± Bailey reached out to poke the figure lying next to her. Veronique''s voice came from the end of the bed. ¡°W-Why me?¡± she muttered. ¡°Because that''s your phone. Someone''s calling you,¡± Victoria answered impatiently. ¡°I''m going to throw it out from the fifth floor if you''re not going to pick it up to put an end to that racket.¡± Only Juliana remained asleep like a log. Nothing seemed to rouse her. Veronique''s hands felt all over the bed before finding her phone. She instinctively swiped the screen to answer it after locating it. ¡°Hello? Who are you? What''s wrong with you for calling so early in the morning?¡± she asked groggily. After a moment''s silence, Justin''s deep voice came from the other end. ¡°It''s Justin. Are you drunk? Where are you now? Did you return home? Or did you spend the night at the bar?¡± ¡°What does that have to do with you?¡± Veronique answered evasively. ¡°Pay attention to your fianc¨¦e instead, and stay out of my business.¡± A sigh came from the other end. ¡°The results are out for the bone marrowpatibility test between Zephyr and me. Would you like to hear it? Maybe I should wait for you to sober up.¡± Bonepatibility test. Veronique leaped to her feet with a whoosh at the sound of those words. Her drowsiness dissipated in an instant. ¡°H-How did it go?¡± she asked in a shaking voice. ¡°Are your bones a match with Zephyr''s?¡± Chapter 253 Chapter 253 Even Bailey sat up at her friend''s words. She sensed that Veronique was trembling and instinctively took thetter''s hand. ¡°No matter what the results are, we will face it together. Promise me you won''t shut yourself out,¡± she whispered. Justin''s voice sounded from the other end once more. ¡°I''m sorry. The results showed that we''re not a match.¡± Veronique shuddered as thest trace of her hope shattered. Despair shed across her pale face. Her phone slipped from her limp fingers and fell onto the sheet. Not a match! How could it be? Even the child''s father could not save him. Has God never even considered giving Zephyr a chance? ¡°Hello, Veronique? Are you still there? Hello?¡± Justin''s urgent voice repeatedly called for her, but Veronique sat stupefied on the bed and gazed silently into the space before her. Her pitch-ck pupils were unfocused. Bailey sighed wordlessly and grabbed the phone from the sheets. ¡°This is Bailey speaking,¡± she said. ¡°Vero is currently at my ce, but she''s not doing too well at the moment. You can tell me if you have something to say to her, and I''ll ry the message once she feels better.¡± ¡°She''s over at your ce? Oh, what a relief. Ms. Jefferson, please tell her that I will bring Zephyr''s bone profile to the Xuereb family in search of a match, and I will immediately contact her when I find one. Don''t let her sink into despair. There''s still hope.¡± ¡°All right. I''m hanging up if there''s nothing else.¡± After ending the call, Bailey reached out and hugged Veronique. ¡°If we can''t find a match, we''ll acquire Justin''s sperm and make a test tube baby and use the newborn baby''s cord blood to rescue Zephyr in seven months.¡± Bailey spoke those words with fierce conviction. It was evident that she had made up her mind. Veronique regained her rity from the shock and nodded stiffly. ¡°All right. I''ll do as you say,¡± she whispered. Glen was propped against the headboard in his bedroom at the Chivers residence and having breakfast as Artemis stood with his head bowed at the other end of the bed. The atmosphere within the room was stagnant. After a bout of silence, Glen spoke. ¡°Do you know why I''ve summoned you here so early in the morning?¡± Artemis did not look up. ¡°Your motives are too profound for me to fathom, Granddad. Please enlighten me,¡± he murmured. Glen grunted in disdain. ¡°Let me ask you something. Did you order the fireworks to be released around Disnendst night?¡± Artemis'' eyes shed. Even the air in his immediate vicinity seemed to have solidified. ¡°It was only a fireworks show. Why does it bother you so, Granddad?¡± ¡°Hallsbay has not had a fireworks show in years. I paid the mayor a visit yesterday and brought the issue up with him. He agreed that city life was too oppressive and a fireworks show ought to lighten the mood.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Glen waved his hand impatiently. ¡°Enough. If you intend on beating around the bush, this conversation will never end. We''ve known each other for too long to be doing this. Speak freely. Have you fallen for the girl of the Jefferson family?¡± Artemis failed to stifle augh. This old man gets straight to the point. After a moment''s silence, he responded with a question of his own. ¡°Am I not allowed to have feelings for Ms. Jefferson, Granddad?¡± Glen straightened up to re at his grandson. ¡°If it were any other woman. I would not stop you even if she has no background or status to speak of. Bailey, however, is your brother''s woman who has borne him two children. Even if Simon refuses to marry her, it does not change the fact that she had given the Luther family two children,¡± he said sanctimoniously. ¡°So what?¡± Artemis said coolly. ¡°She''s not legally Simon''s wife, and I will marry her if I so wish. Aren''t you fond of Bailey, Granddad? It should please you if I married her and made her your granddaughter- inw.¡± ¡°You''re crazy!¡± Glen shouted as he leaped out of bed and brandished a furious forefinger at the younger man. ¡°The family spared no expense to groom you. How could you destroy your future for a woman? As fond as I am of Bay, you are definitely not the person to marry her. Do you wish to utterly destroy your reputation by coveting your brother''s woman?¡± Artemis looked up slowly and smiled at Glen. ¡°She''s more important to me than the entire world,¡± he said, enunciating each word carefully. ¡°I don''t care about offending the entire world for her. I''m making my intentions clear today, Granddad, by showing you how strong my resolve is to marry Bailey. Even you and Dadbined cannot sway my decision.¡± At that, he bowed deeply before Glen and turned to walk toward the door. Glen trembled all over with rage. ¡°I can''t stop you from destroying yourself,¡± he shouted at his back, ¡°but I will not sit and watch you destroy Bay! A woman with two husbands, who are biological brothers at that. Once word gets out, she will drown in the contempt of the world.¡± The only response he received was the clicking of loafers on floorboards. Isn''t the boy usually abstinent? How did he be this madly stubborn once he fell in love? Meanwhile, a young woman was seated near the window of her private room on the second floor of a caf¨¦. She cast frequent nces at her watch and then up at the shut sliding door. Her brows were furrowed with anxiety. Minutester, the door slid open to admit a mature-looking man d in a ck trench coat. Scarlett sighed with relief at the neer''s arrival and stood up to receive him. ¡°You''re finally here, Raiden.¡± ¡°Why did you summon me so urgently from Jadeborough to Hallsbay?¡± he asked with a frown. ¡°What trouble have you gotten into this time?¡± ¡°Raiden,¡± Scarlett whined as she clung to her brother''s arm. ¡°What sort of trouble would I get into? It''s Justin. Something happened to him.¡± Raiden narrowed his eyes. ¡°Don''t tell me someone died on his table, and he''s getting sued.¡± Scarlett rolled her eyes speechlessly. ¡°Your imagination is rich, Raiden. I wonder if you would be able to ept it if I told you that Justin has an illegitimate child?¡± Raiden''s countenance darkened after he regained hisposure. A gust of rage rose in his hawklike eyes. ¡°What did you say? Justin has not even married you yet, and he''s already messing around and fathered an illegitimate child?¡± The air around them instantly became stagnant. ¡°It wasn''t Justin''s fault,¡± Scarlett exined hastily. ¡°That woman took advantage of Justin when he was unconscious and gave birth to their son behind his back. The reason I summoned you here, Raiden, is to discuss how we''re going to deal with that woman and her son. Should we spare them, or should we dispose of them?¡± Chapter 254 Chapter 254 Spare? Dispose? This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Raiden''s eyes narrowed at his sister. ¡°You wish to dispose of her? Who gave you the courage to contemte murder, Scarlett?¡± Scarlett retracted her neck in fright at his tone. She grew up with fear in her bones of her elder brother, who had be a general at a young age. Whenever he was furious, she would feel a tremendous pressure above her, filled with an oppressive, murderous aura. ¡°Dad is standing for election, Raiden. If he seeds, we Fletchers will be elevated yet again. There cannot be any unsavory news about us during this critical period. If the world knew that the son-inw handpicked by Dad led a dishonorable life and had an illegitimate child, how would they view Dad and the Fletcher family?¡± Raiden lowered his head as if in thought. She continued, ¡°If Dad were to be elected, Raiden, you are going to rise easily. Who else in Jadeborough would be equal to us? No word of Justin''s illegitimate child can be exposed during this juncture. Since our wedding has been moved up, the Fletcher family''s reputation would suffer the most if the world found out.¡± ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Raiden asked quietly with a frown. A murderous glint shed across Scarlett''s eyes. ¡°Get rid of them,¡± she spat those four words through gritted teeth. Raiden fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. ¡°That is too extreme a measure, which will easily backfire on us at the slightest mishap and cause our family to fall into ruins. It''s not worth the risk. Rest assured, however. I will not let that woman and her son spoil your wedding with Justin. Give me two days to think about it, and I''ll provide you with the most pragmatic solution.¡± Scarlett''s purpose in getting her brother involved was to exile Veronique out of Hallsbay even if she could not destroy thetter. Seeing as her brother had agreed with her, she naturally wouldn''t say anything more. ¡°All right. We''ll do it your way.¡± Waverly handed a stack of documents to Zoey, who was seated in a corner in the living room of the Shurmer family mansion. ¡°Have a look at these documents. You''ll know what you need to do once you''re done.¡± ¡°What is this?¡± Zoey asked as she reached out to receive it. She gazed down, and a delighted smile appeared instantly on her lips. ¡°Is this true, Mom? The man who obtained a marriage certificate with Rhonda is not Artemis but a street beggar instead?¡± Waverly picked up a cup of coffee from the table and sipped on it. ¡°Artemis loves Bailey, so why would he register for marriage with Rhonda? Thus, out of curiosity, I sent somebody to investigate Rhonda''s lawfully wedded husband whose name was in the document, and found, interestingly, that this person is not the head of the Luther family as his personal information ispletely different from Artemis''.¡± Zoey clutched the documents in her hand and sneered. ¡°Poor Ms. Rhonda to have been given away by Artemis to some beggar, yet still blissfully unaware of it. Now, she''s announcing to the world that she is legitimately Mrs. Luther. To be fair, she really is Mrs. Luther, but not to the husband she expected but a street beggar instead. Hah!¡± Waverly met her daughter''s eyes and reminded her, ¡°Don''t get too cocky. It wasn''t Artemis who registered for marriage with Rhonda, which proves that she is not your actual opponent. You have been sabotaging the wrong person. Bailey, the internationally famous woman, is the one standing in your way.¡± Zoey grinned. ¡°Thank you for your reminder, Mom. I know what to do.¡± If her memory served her right, the new drug produced by Dyke Pharmaceutical, which belonged to the Shurmer family, was Bailey''s creation. If I can sabotage the drug to create side effects for the patients, Bailey will be going to prison for a long time. Bailey was pushing Glen in his wheelchair around the artificialke in the Chivers residence''s garden. ¡°Speak your mind, Old Mr. Chivers. You don''t have to be apprehensive around me.¡± Glen sighed. ¡°You''re an intuitive girl. I barely showed any indications, and you''d guessed that I have something to say. Just as well. We''ve grown very close, so I won''t beat around the bush. Here I go. Though I don''t know how you feel toward my eldest grandson, I know he has fallen for you. You are a beautiful and intelligent girl, and you should know that you would only hurt each other if something happened between you.¡± Bailey''s footsteps froze. She squeezed the wheelchair handles until her fingernails turned white. I should have seen thising. Artemis arranged for fireworks, which were prohibited in the city, to light up the sky over Hallsbay to celebrate her birthday. With such a grand gesture, every discerning eye could see his intentions. ¡°What would you like me to do, Old Mr. Chivers?¡± Glen looked up at her and smiled. ¡°Your social circle is at Archulea, isn''t it? When are you nning on returning?¡± Bailey fell silent. She understood Glen''s intent. He wanted her to go abroad and away from Artemis. How would that strong-willed man allow me to go? ¡°All right. I promise you, Old Mr. Chivers. After the new drugunches sessfully, I will bring Zayron and Susan out of Hallsbay.¡± Glen heaved a sigh. ¡°Do you me me, Bay?¡± Bailey shook her head with a bitter smile. ¡°You''re right. We''ll only hurt each other if I keep getting involved with him. I should think for the children even if I don''t think for myself. There''s no need to be emotionally burdened, Old Mr. Chivers. I know you love us.¡± ¡°Good girl.¡± Glen patted the back of her hand and sighed. ¡°You can''t force what''s not meant to be. Though Eddy isn''t as good as Artemis, he is another rising star of the next generation. I hope he can give you a stable life. Consider it God making up for the shorings of your romantic life.¡± Justin was on his knees on the cobblestone floor outside the Revelle residence, bowing his head. The sun seared overhead and baked the ground until a heat wave rose. Countless beads of sweat seeped out of his forehead. Though his face was flushed red, his lips were deathly pale. He had not been able to sleep since he discovered the truth about Zephyr''s parentage, which caused a heavy toll on his body. In addition to being subjected to the scorching sun, his strength was starting to fail him. Yvonne gazed helplessly at her father seated on the couch in the living room. ¡°It''s noon now, Dad,¡± she lamented, ¡°and it''s approaching forty degrees out there at the very least. He''s been on his knees outside for two hours. I''m worried that his life would be in danger if this continues.¡± Bill nced at the clock on the wall and slowly rose from the couch. He strolled to the door to regard Justin below the steps. ¡°I only have one question. Answer me truthfully, no games. How did my daughter get pregnant back then?¡± Justin shuddered violently. It was an answer he found difficult to begin exining. How am I going to tell a father to his face that I had forced myself on his daughter? Chapter 255 Chapter 255 His daughter went to save him, yet he was worse than an animal and abused her instead. In the end, he ruined her life and caused her much sufferings. ¡°Why? Is it so difficult to answer my question? If my daughter was the one who seduced you and made youmit that sinful act, the Revelle family will let this matter rest. However, if you were the beast who forced yourself on her, then I''m going to break your leg today!¡± Justin pursed his lips, then confessed in his hoarse voice, ¡°Seven years ago, when I got into trouble in Pontotium, Veronique went to my rescue. Instead of being thankful and grateful, I forced myself on her, resulting in her pregnancy. What''s more, I have never fulfilled my duties as a father to the child all these years. If you wish to break my leg, I''ll readily ept that punishment and not put up a resistance.¡± Bill''s knees turned weak when he heard that, and he stumbled backward. Thankfully, Yvonne was standing behind him and managed to stop him from falling. ¡°Calm down, Dad. Vero will be sad if you hurt yourself over this,¡± Yvonne urged. Bill shoved her aside. Trembling involuntarily, he pointed at Justin and chided, ¡°Y-You rascal! Do you know your abhorrent act has ruined a youngdy''s life? My daughter is from a family of doctors, yet because of you, she chooses to stay away from home and her family. Zephyr is her flesh and blood, but she can only be known to him as Aunt Veronique. Do you know how painful that is? You can''t make up for that even if I stab you a million times!¡± Justin''snky body trembled uncontrobly as he quietly stayed on his knees and looked down remorsefully. He knew he had let Veronique down and that he could never make amends for his past sins. ¡°Alfred, bring me the stick!¡± Bill yelled to his butler. Yvonne panicked. She knew she could not stop her father, so she stealthily tried to step aside to give Veronique a call. She was hoping she could get her sister to rush back in time to stop their father. Bill saw through her ns, and he snapped, ¡°Don''t you dare call Veronique! All these years, I''ve wronged my innocent girl. I thought she had misbehaved and brought shame to our family. Never did it cross my mind that she was vited! Since this scum hase to us, as her father, I have the duty of seeking justice for her. No one is going to stop me from breaking his leg today!¡± When he noticed Alfred was still rooted to his spot, he shouted at him, ¡°What are you waiting for? Get me the stick!¡± ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± Yvonne knew she could not stop her father, so she ran out of the hall and dashed to Justin. ¡°My dad is really furious now. You know what his temper is like. Since he has vowed to break your leg, he''ll definitely do so. You have to leave now. If you want to apologize and seek forgiveness,e back againter when Vero is back,¡± she urged. Justin kept his head down and did not utter a word. ¡°You idiot!¡± Yvonne red at him. ¡°Both of you are so stubborn! You''re going to cause Vero more heartache if you get hurt! She has suffered enough, so can''t you have mercy on her and quit doing things that''ll hurt her?¡± That finally evoked a reaction from Justin, and he looked up with his bloodshot eyes. In a choking voice, he said, ¡°Thanks for your concern, Yvonne. It is a fact that I''ve done something wrong. As you have said so yourself, I''ve made her suffer, so it''s only fair that I take the punishment.¡± ¡°You...¡± Before Yvonne could continue, Alfred hade back with a walking stick in his hand. Bill snatched the walking stick from Alfred and yelled for two helpers to restrain Yvonne. He then dashed down the steps and headed for Justin. Upon reaching Justin, he raised the walking stick and mercilessly strike Justin''s leg with it. Thud! That strike caused Justin to topple forward and fall on his face. Physically, he was already extremely exhausted, so when Billnded a second strike on him, he fainted. ¡°Justin...¡± someone shrieked from a distance. The next moment, Veronique dashed over and shielded Justin with her body. She looked up at her father and sobbed, ¡°Dad, he hasn''t gotten any rest for a few days, and he''s about to copse. If you continue with the beating, you''ll kill him!¡± ¡°Get lost! Or I''ll hit you as well!¡± Bill threatened. He raised his arm and was poised to strike again. s, Veronique did not budge. Instead, she turned around, lean onto Justin, and closed her eyes, ready to take the beating. Bill''s arm froze in mid-air. The sight of his daughter''s back reminded him of the previous beating, and his heart bled. He despondently took a couple of steps back and sighed. ¡°Forget it! I don''t want to hurt our rtionship over this.¡± With that, he turned around and staggered back to the hall. As Yvonne hurried over to support Bill, she shouted to Veronique, ¡°Veronique, you''d better bring Justin to the infirmary. Be quick. He may be suffering from a heat stroke.¡± Veronique paid no heed to her sister. She got off Justin, pulled him over, and cradled him in her arms instead. Looking at his ghostly pale face, she muttered, ¡°Why are you doing this? Even if you punish yourself, you can''t make up for the sufferings I endured.¡± Meanwhile, at Dyke Pharmaceutical, when Kayden stepped into his office, he was shocked to see a young woman seated in his chair. Frowning, he asked, ¡°Who are you? Why are you in my office?¡± The youngdy gave him a big smile, parted her sensual red lips, and said, ¡°I''m Zoey Shurmer.¡± After a brief daze, Kayden quicklyposed himself and said, ¡°Oh, Ms. Zoey, what can I do for you?¡± Zoey leaned forward, stood up from the executive chair, and strolled toward Kayden. Smilingly, she said, ¡°I heard you have a gambling debt of three hundred million in the city of Durbaine, and you''re not doing too well financially now, Mr. Jennings. Thus, I thought I''lle by to extend you some help.¡± Kayden was stunned. He narrowed his eyes at Zoey and attempted to sound her out. ¡°What do you mean, Ms. Zoey?¡± he asked. Zoey tilted her chin toward the direction of the office table, directing his attention to two pieces of paper on it. ¡°There''s a check for three hundred million and a get-rich proposal on the table. Read it, and you''ll know what I mean.¡± Kayden walked over to the table apprehensively and reached for the check. He saw that it was indeed a check of three hundred million. This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Next, he picked up the other piece of paper, and his eyes began to narrow as he read its content. ¡°What do you mean by this, Ms. Zoey? The cancer treatment medicine that we are producing now is based on Ms. Anonymous'' formtion. Patients may die if we tamper with the ingredients,¡± he protested. Zoey raised her eyebrows and smilingly said, ¡°I never asked for anything fatal. It will be sufficient if the patients suffer from some side effects after taking the medicine.¡± Kayden copsed into his chair. With a trembling voice, he said, ¡°M-Ms. Zoey, you are risking the Shurmer family''s reputation! Your family has put in a lot of effort to build up our brand in the past century. If anything goes wrong, all their past efforts will go down the drain.¡± Zoey leaned against the bookshelf, fiddled with her nails, and nonchntly said, ¡°The new formtion is from Ms. Jefferson, and we''re merely in charge of the production. If we rece the sample as well, then we can put the me on Ms. Jefferson. We just need to prove that the problem lies with the sample she gave us!¡± Chapter 256 Chapter 256 Kayden shuddered and said, ¡°That''s against thew, Ms. Zoey. I''ll get a long jail term if we get caught. What grudges do you have against Ms. Jefferson to warrant such drastic actions?¡± Zoey looked up and shot him a cold-eyed stare. ¡°Mr. Jennings, with great riskes great reward. If you don''t want to be bothered by your huge debt anymore, you''ll have to take some risks. It''s your call.¡± ¡°I...¡± Kayden fell silent, caught in a dilemma. ¡°You don''t have to make a decision now. I''ll give you a couple of days to consider, but I hope to hear good news from you in a few days'' time. I''ve specially prepared that gift of money for you, so don''t let it go to waste,¡± Zoey said. She took the check from the table, shoved it into Kayden''s hand, then leaned over and whispered in his ear, ¡°On the other hand, if you disappoint me, I''m afraid you''ll have no ce in Dyke Pharmaceutical anymore.¡± Kayden turned around in shock. ¡°You... Is that a threat?¡± he asked in a quivering voice. Zoey smiled, patted him on his shoulder, then turned to head out of his office. As she walked off, she said, ¡°Mr. Jennings, you managed to climb the corporatedder and rise to be the head of this subsidiary, so I believe you are an ambitious and capable man. I''m sure you''ll make a decision that''s a win-win for both of us. If you sessfully pull off this feat, I''ll put up a rmendation for you to be rewarded with Shurmer Group''s stock option.¡± Kayden tightened his grip on the check and watched as Zoey disappeared around the corner of the corridor. He then quickly walked over, closed his office door, fished out his phone, and dialed a number. ¡°Hello, is it Mr. White?¡± A soft grunt of acknowledgment came from the other end of the phone. After a quick, cautious nce around the room, Kayden lowered his voice and said, ¡°Mr. White, Ms. Zoey came by my office a while ago. She wanted me to tamper with the ingredients of the new medicine and frame Bailey. Why do you think she is doing this? Did Zeke find out I messed with the ingredients, so he sent his sister to sound me out?¡± After a brief silence, Kayden heard Cadence asking in his low, husky voice, ¡°Did she say why she wanted to frame Bailey? Also, what is she offering you in return?¡± ¡°She''s offering me three hundred million to settle my gambling debts,¡± Kayden shared truthfully. ¡°I have no idea why she wishes to frame Bailey. She refused to tell me. I reckon a woman usually fights with another over a man. Of course, it is also possible that Zeke found out I tampered with the ingredients, so he sent her over to test me out.¡± ¡°This is interesting!¡± Cadence burst intoughter, seemingly amused. ¡°Looks like Ms. Jefferson has offended quite a number of people, and everyone is trying to seek revenge by targeting this new medicine. This life-saving medicine is going to be life-changing for Bailey, as she will end up in jail because of it!¡± Kayden narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°So, you want me to ept Ms. Zoey''s proposal?¡± Cadenceughed evilly, and his voice turned a pitch higher because of excitement. ¡°Of course! You have to ept her proposal! If the matter is exposed, we can put all the me on her. Most importantly, once she''s involved, the Shurmer family will be implicated too!¡± Cadence knew that in the event Zeke found out about the tampering in the future, he would hesitate to reveal the matter to the authorities, as his own sister would be incriminated in the crime as well. Kayden''s eyes lit up, and he happily said, ¡°You''re brilliant, Mr. White! That is true. So long as Ms. Zoey is involved in this, the Shurmer family can''t absolve themselves of the crime.¡± Cadence''sughter rang out from the other end of the phone. ¡°Haha, luck is on our side! Bailey is doomed!¡± he remarked gleefully. Back in the infirmary at the Revelle residence, Veronique managed to bring down Justin''s temperature and put a cast on his leg. She finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw on the EGC that his heart rate and rhythm had returned to normal. Looking at the handsome face of Justin, who was lying unconscious on the bed, she felt a pang of sadness. The reason why she stayed away from home for the past few years was so as not to cause Justin any trouble. That was also the reason she never revealed the truth to her father. She thought she could stay overseas forever with her son and cut all ties with Justin. s, it was not meant to be. An illness had brought them back together. Is this our destiny? ¡°Veronique.¡± Yvonne''s voice drifted in from outside the room, and Veronique instantly snapped out of her contemtive mood. She walked out of the ward and closed the door behind her. ¡°Why are you here, Yvonne? How''s Dad? Is he calmer now?¡± she asked hoarsely. Yvonne sighed softly, gave her sister aforting pat on the shoulder, and said, ¡°Dad is not angry with you. Rather, he''s mad at himself for misunderstanding you all these years. When Justin told him the truth about what happened seven years ago, he was overwhelmed by self-reproach. Don''t worry. He''ll be fine after a few days. How''s Justin, and how''s his leg?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Veronique shook her head and hugged Yvonne tightly. ¡°I made a bad decision, didn''t I, Yvonne? The child was conceived during a regretful incident. However, despite knowing his arrival in this world wouldn''t be weed by most people, I insisted on giving birth to him. In the end, I brought misfortune to both him and Justin,¡± she cried. ¡°Don''t be silly. Zephyr will be sad if he hears that!¡± Yvonne chided. ¡°You can''t turn back time and undo what you did, so you just have to move on and face it courageously. Justin would not havee to apologize if he had not epted Zephyr''s existence. The two of you shouldn''t be wasting time on useless and unimportant things. More importantly, you should be looking for a cure for Zephyr.¡± Veronique''s tears rolled down her cheeks when she blinked. ¡°Okay, I get you.¡± Two dayster, Zoey got a call from Kayden, and he agreed to work with her. She was standing in front of the full-length window, and when she heard his reply, a smile broke out on her face. ¡°You are indeed a smart man and did not disappoint me, Mr. Jennings. The check I left with you is rightfully yours now!¡± she said. ¡°Remember, just add some ingredients to make the consumers suffer from serious side effects, but nothing fatal, okay?¡± On the other end of the phone, unbeknownst to Zoey, Kayden had an evil smile on his face. If there is no fatality, how can we make sure Bailey is doomed? Oh, Ms. Zoey, my dear Zoey, you can''t me me in the future when the crime is exposed. After all, you were the one who approached me with this deal. I''m afraid you''ll have to take my ce in prison instead. ¡°No kidding, Ms. Zoey. The only reason why I epted your deal is that I''m desperate. Of course, I wouldn''t want to cost anyone their lives over this! Don''t worry. I''ll definitely act ording to your order.¡± ¡°Great! I''m counting on you, Mr. Jennings.¡± After ending the call with Kayden, Zoey lifted her ss of wine and took a sip. Oh, Bailey! You''re going to end up like your sister, Rhonda. That''s what happens when you fight with me over a man! Rhonda... Rhonda... But that darn Rhonda is still officially Mrs. Luther! Chapter 257 Chapter 257 Even though it was fake, Zoey still felt ufortable when she heard it. The sooner I reveal the truth about the marriage certificate, the better. I''m the only one who deserves to be Mrs. Luther. No other woman deserves that title. Meanwhile, Bailey was typing in the lead designer office inside Luther Group''s headquarters. The words ¡°Resignation Letter¡± were boldly seen on the screen. She had decided to leave Hallsbay once the new batch of medicine entered the market. After being at a loss for so long, I''ve finally made a choice that seems right to me. Old Mr. Chivers is right. Even if I don''t think about myself, I should still consider Zayron and Susan. They are still young, and they deserve to have a worry-free life. They shouldn''t be stuck in a life where their perspective on the world is constantly twisted by rumors and gossip. Artemis... I guess this name will forever only be a dream of mine in Hallsbay, however alluring he may be. Even if I''m understanding him gradually, I must still keep my distance from him. Right then, the door to her office opened, and she caught sight of Artemis walking in. She quickly moved her mouse and closed the file. I can''t let him know about this for now. Otherwise, I won''t be able to leave. ¡°Do you need something?¡± Bailey asked, raising her head. Silently, Artemis walked toward the office table, propped himself up with his hands, and raised his eyebrows. ¡°I heard you delegated some of your most important tasks to Stephen. Is your body unable to handle the stress?¡± Bailey was stunned. I didn''t expect him to be this sensitive. Nothing can be hidden from him, huh? ¡°Yeah. The new batch of medicine produced by Dyke Pharmaceutical should bepleted in a few days. So, I need to be on top of my game to deal with it. Since I won''t be able to take care ofpany matters well, I thought I might as well let Stephen handle it. He''s the director of the design department, so logically, he should share my burden.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Artemis smiled as he fixed his dark eyes on hers. The look in his eyes was intense as though he was trying to see through her. Even though Bailey''s willpower was strong, it was still slightly unbearable to her. This man''s observation skills are too powerful. It''ll rouse his suspicions if I act oddly, even just a little bit. ¡°Did my granddad tell you anything in the past few days, Bay?¡± Bailey replied, ¡°He did. He''s still thinking about my marriage to Edmund. So, whenever I went to the Chivers residence, he would ask me about it. He said I was the one who saved his life, so I had to give him a reason to keep living. For the moment, watching Edmund getting married and having a child is the most meaningful thing to him.¡± Artemis smiled faintly, seemingly believing her, but there was still a look of suspicion in his eyes. ¡°Then he''s going to be disappointed because you''ll never be his granddaughter-inw. Well, not in the way he hopes, anyway.¡± That rendered Bailey speechless. This man is so conceited. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org In the living room of the Saunders residence, Vincent and his daughter were talking. ¡°Dad, the Department of Justice has contacted me for a third time, asking me if I want to file awsuit to overturn Victor''s case. They''ll send him straight to prison if I don''t reply to them again. What do you think about this?¡± Victoria asked. Leaning against his chair, Vincent replied with a question of his own instead. ¡°What about you? What do you think should be done?¡± ¡°He has a rotten character. Even if we help him this time, he still won''t learn his lessons and will make an even bigger mistake in the future. I think it may be a good thing for him to stay in prison for a few years.¡± Without hesitation, Vincent said, ¡°Then let him stay there. We''ll give up on overturning his case.¡± Victoria raised her head and stared at him, bbergasted. ¡°C-Can you really ept that your only son is going to jail?¡± ¡°It has nothing to do with that. He broke thew, so now he''s getting punished for it. No exceptions. The brat from the Gezmond family will probably deal with me next, which is fine by me. I''ll end things with him. Hopefully, he''s willing to let you go.¡± ¡°Dad, I¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Vincent raised his hand and stopped her. ¡°Give the Department of Justice a call and let them know about our decision.¡± On the top floor office of Fashionista, Lionel was having a meeting with several of thepany''s high- ranking officials when his phone, which was sitting on the table, buzzed. Soon, a text message popped up on the screen. It read: Mr. Gezmond, the Saunders family gave up on overturning the case. The Department of Justice has transferred Victor to Hallsbay''s male prison. Lionel''s finger trembled slightly after he read the message. She gave up on appealing? Is she really going to watch her older brother be sent to prison and receive a criminal record? At that moment, a myriad of emotions shed through his mind. Sorrow, bitterness, and other negative emotions hit the weakest spot of his heart repeatedly. It was the weekend. On the second floor of arge mall in Century Square, Rhonda was shopping in branded stores with a few young women surrounding her. She very much enjoyed being treated like a star, for it thoroughly satisfied her ego. When they exited the store, a young woman with a girl bumped into her. Rhonda was furious. ¡°Are you blind, b*tch? How dare you bump into me! Do you have a death wish?¡± The young woman promptly took two steps backward. ¡°I''m sorry, Ms. Rhonda. I didn''t mean to bump into you.¡± The moment Rhonda heard what the young woman called her, she exploded in fury. Zoey had called her that in the past to humiliate her. At that moment, she couldn''t bear outsiders calling her that. ¡°Open your eyes and take a good look at who I am, b*tch! I''m thedy of the Luther family! I''m Artemis'' official wife, Mrs. Luther! Are you making fun of me by calling me Ms. Rhonda? Or are you mocking me?¡± The young woman trembled, her face pale. Back when Rhonda was just an illegitimate child of the Jefferson family, anyone could offend her and get away with it. However, at that moment, she was the eldest daughter-inw of the Luther family. Thus, she could destroy a middle-ss family with just one order. ¡°I-I''m sorry. I was used to people calling you Ms. Rhonda over the past few years, so I¡ª¡± p! Rhonda raised her hand and pped the young woman with so much force that a bright red handprint immediately appeared on thetter''s fair cheek. The young woman held her swelling cheek and stared at Rhonda with tears. ¡°Who are you to p me? I already told you I got used to listening to people calling you that. Why did you¡ª¡± Once again, she was cut off by two ps. Blood could be seen in the corner of the young woman''s mouth. ¡°Y-You''re a bully, Rhonda.¡± Before Rhonda spoke, a young woman on her side mocked, ¡°That''s a good p. You don''t deserve to call Mrs. Luther by her name willy-nilly. If you ask me, I think your mouth should be torn apart so you''ll remember not to make the same mistake again.¡± ¡°You... You...¡± Chapter 258 Chapter 258 The young woman held her burning cheek and pointed her trembling finger at Rhonda and the others with anger. Her lips twitched, but no words escaped her mouth. When the girl behind the young woman saw her mother was getting bullied, she jumped out, raised her head, and red at Rhonda. ¡°You were the bride who was kissing other men at the wedding and then canceling it afterward! They all say that you''re a bad woman! A bad woman! A bad woman...¡± At that instant, a crazy killing intent shed across Rhonda''s eyes. This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. She stepped forward, grabbed the girl''s neck, and lifted her. ¡°What did you say, you little b*stard? I dare you to say that again!¡± The girl swung her legs as she coughed and struggled to leave. Seeing that her daughter''s life was in danger, the woman pounced on Rhonda, who was still gripping the girl''s neck like a mad woman. Suddenly, two adults and a kid were embroiled in a fight. It didn''t take long before the brawl attracted the attention of the shoppers nearby. Rhonda hated it when people brought up her wedding incident. Thus, the killing intent in her eyes burned brighter as she stared at the girl. She lifted her arm and pped the little girl twice on her delicate face. ¡°Oh my god. How could she hit a child? Is she not afraid of karma?¡± ¡°There''s nothing that can be done. She has the Luther family backing her and is currently the wife of Luther Group''s CEO. Even if she ripped the skies of Hallsbay apart, no one would dare to do anything to her.¡± ¡°Yeah. Nowadays, ordinary citizens are afraid of government officials, and government officials are afraid of business people. Luther Group is the most powerful entity in Hallsbay, and now she''s using the family''s name to do whatever she wants as well as showing off. No one can do anything to her.¡± A crowd had gathered around Rhonda as theymented about her and even took photos. Suddenly, Rhonda screamed. She looked at the teeth print on her bloody wrist and rage consumed her mind. She threw the little girl away and yelled at her bodyguards, ¡°Beat them up until they''re dead! I can''t win against them in a fight. If I can''t even deal with two lousy b*tches, what right do I have to call myself Mrs. Luther!¡± The bodyguards exchanged a nce. They were okay with beating up men, but not women and children. Just as they were hesitating, a series of pping sounds could be heard from the crowd. Soon, a slender figure emerged from the gaps between the bystanders. ¡°How impressive, Mrs. Jefferson. Not only are you using your husband''s family reputation to show off everywhere you go, but you''re also ordering your bodyguards to beat up a child. Truly, no one can afford to mess with you.¡± When that familiar voice traveled into Rhonda''s ear, she shuddered. Then she turned around and met Zoey''s mocking gaze. At that moment, she couldn''t hide the murderous intent in her eyes any longer. ¡°Ronni...¡± whispered a young woman beside Rhonda, pulling her sleeve. ¡°You need to calm down. There are too many people around here. If you order your bodyguards to hit the girl until she''s crippled, the world will say you''re abusing your power to bully people. It''ll damage the Luther family''s reputation, and it won''t be easy for you to exin yourself when you go back home.¡± Rhonda swept her gaze across the area, and when she noticed that many people were staring at her, she slightly calmed herself down. I need to bear with this! With a smile, Zoey approached the mother and daughter curling on the ground in her high heels. She helped them up and said, ¡°Are you two all right? Should I send you two to the hospital for a checkup?¡± ¡°T-Thank you, Ms. Shurmer. But no thank you,¡± the mother said. Zoey asked with a raised eyebrow, ¡°Do I need to call the cops for you? I think it''s better for the police to handle this since you were beaten up for no reason.¡± ¡°T-That won''t be necessary.¡± The young woman carried her daughter, lowered her head, and dove into the sea of people. There was no way she could afford to offend the Luther family. If she didn''t let the matter go, she would only be the victim in the end. After Zoey watched the two of them disappear into the crowd with a smile, she turned to Rhonda. ¡°You got quite the temper, Mrs. Luther. Age doesn''t matter to you when you''re dishing out punishments, huh? That girl''s only five or six years old. Is it really necessary for you to be so angry with a child?¡± As Rhonda stared at her hypocritical facade, rage stormed inside her heart. At that moment, she very much wanted to rush forward and tear Zoey into pieces. ¡°What, are you jealous that I married a good husband, Ms. Shurmer? Well, I can''t me you for that. After all, many women have tried desperately to be Mrs. Luther. Now that I am Mrs. Luther, it''s only natural that you''re envious of me. A long future awaits you, so just enjoy your descent into madness as you get consumed by your envy of me. No, all of you should slowly enjoy this feeling instead.¡± That statement instantly incurred the hatred of all the women there toward her. In Hallsbay, Artemis was the Prince Charming of many women. They already hated Rhonda when she got lucky enough to be married to him. That was why none of them could stand her. ¡°You''re getting out of line, Rhonda!¡± ¡°That''s right. Don''t think you can look down on everyone and act arrogantly just because you married into the Luther family. This is a society governed byw, and even you can''t escape its punishments.¡± ¡°This woman is pure evil! Why is she allowed into the Luther family and to be their matriarch?¡± The more they were enraged, the more excited Rhonda was. As she gazed at their envious, twisted faces, she gave an ugly smile. ¡°All of you, listen up! I''m Artemis''wfully wedded wife. If you see me in the future, you must refer to me as Mrs. Luther! I don''t have a good temper, you see. So, if you piss me off with the way you address me, you deserve the punishmenting your way.¡± ¡°You!¡± A few people instantly exploded in anger. They lifted their legs, preparing to rush forward and tear her apart. With a sneer, Rhonda nced at the bodyguards next to her and said, ¡°Break the legs of whoever dares to bump into me.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Luther,¡± they replied. Staring at the pompous Rhonda, Zoey whispered to an unfamiliar man next to her, ¡°This is a good chance. Since she has a death wish right now, I may as well fulfill it. Go and announce Ms. Rhonda''s legal husband. Remember, you must show solid evidence and make sure she gets sent to prison. Got it?¡± ¡°Got it.¡± At the same time, at Shelbert Condominium, Sebastian brought hisptop to Bailey, who was in the living room, and said excitedly, ¡°Bailey, a mediapany under LG Corporation just received a piece of news from an anonymous person. It has something to do with your sister, Rhonda. Take a look at this and let me know if there''s any problem. If not, I''ll ask people to report on the news. This is a piece of explosive news. The moment we put this out, it''ll definitely be the hottest trending news.¡± Bailey shifted her line of sight away from the television and toward theptop. When she saw the contents on the screen, she narrowed her eyes. Why did the news about Rhonda and Artemis'' fake marriage leak out? Chapter 259 Chapter 259 Artemis has ordered the staff of the City Hall to keep that matter a secret. It couldn''t have leaked from there. This means... ¡°Do you know who spread the news?¡± Sebastian shook his head. ¡°It was sent to us by an anonymous person. I tried to find out who they were, but I couldn''t locate their IP address.¡± ¡°Let me try.¡± Bailey grabbed hisptop. ¡°Where''s the original file?¡± Sebastian pointed at an email on the screen. ¡°Here.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey clicked on the original file on the email, and her fingers began dancing on the keyboard. Momentster, she narrowed her eyes and informed, ¡°This is sent from Century Square. The person who sent it was probably using their personal ount.¡± Then she hacked into the surveince system at Century Square. As the screen disyed the live footage captured by the cameras, her eyes focused on one particr footage. ¡°Isn''t that Rhonda? Why is she at Century Square? And why are there so many people?¡± Sebastian shrugged with a grin. ¡°Where there are women, there are lots of people. Look, there''s another familiar face in the crowd. If my memory serves me right, I think that woman''s the internationally famous Ms. Zoey from the Shurmer family.¡± That stunned her a little. She followed the direction he was pointing and saw Zoey hiding in the crowd. Upon zooming into the footage, she could clearly see Zoey''s sinister and strange smile. ¡°I think I get it now.¡± Sebastian raised his voice. ¡°Ms. Shurmer must''ve asked someone to send this news to me. There are many people in the mall right now, so if news about Rhonda and Mr. Luther''s fake marriage leaks to the public, she''ll instantly be the target and joke of Hallsbay. Tsk, tsk, tsk, what a devious, well-thought-out n. This woman is scary when she wants her man.¡± Bailey raised her brows. This kid''s imagination is pretty rich. Even I didn''t think of that yet. It seems to be true now that I gave it some thought. It''s undeniable that Zoey loves Artemis, which is why she couldn''t bear it when Rhonda was going everywhere announcing that she was Mrs. Luther. After receiving the news about Artemis and Rhonda''s fake marriage certificate from the City Hall, she nned to use this chance to send Rhonda to jail. Unfortunately, her n is doomed to fail because news about Rhonda''s fake marriage cannot be leaked out yet. At least, not before Cadence is caught. It''s a shame she can''t utilize this golden opportunity when so many people are gathered around Rhonda. ¡°Help me suppress this news, Sebby. Leave the rest to me.¡± In response, Sebastian narrowed his eyes and spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Zayron mentioned Rhonda was the reason you three suffered back then. Not only that, she killed Zayron''s great-granny and brother. Are you sure you want to give up this opportunity?¡± Bailey rubbed her head and smiled. ¡°Just because I''m letting her go for now doesn''t mean I''ve forgiven her. I''ll find an even better chance to deliver her a lethal strike. She enjoys being treated like a star, right? In that case, I should let her enjoy the moment for a bit longer. After all, the higher she ascends, the harder she''ll fall.¡± Sebastian scratched his head and said, ¡°Fine. I''ll ask people to suppress this news. However, I won''t be able to do anything if they decide to send the news to another mediapany.¡± ¡°I know. Just do it.¡± After watching Sebastian return to the study, Bailey gave Edmund a call. ¡°What''s the matter, Bay?¡± Edmund asked. Without beating around the bush, she informed, ¡°You know about your cousin and Rhonda''s fake marriage certificate, right? Just now, the daughter of the Shurmer family, Zoey, has anonymously leaked this news to one of the mediapanies under LG Corporation. I have my reasons for not wanting the news to leak out yet, so can you help me contact Zeke and ask him to tell his sister to back off?¡± Even though Edmund didn''t know what she was thinking, he was still smart enough to figure something out. ¡°Rhonda is still useful to you, huh? Very well. I''ll contact Zeke and ask him to tell his sister to back off. Bay, if my cousin didn''t register his marriage with Rhonda, does this mean you n to¡ª¡± ¡°I know what you want to say. Don''t worry. I''ve decided to leave Hallsbay. Once this new batch of medicine enters the market, I''ll quit my job and leave quietly.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Joy was heard in his voice. ¡°You''ve really decided to leave?¡± ¡°Yeah. Once I''ve settled down overseas with Zayron and Susan, I''ll contact you again. Don''t tell anyone about this, Edmund. I''m afraid Artemis won''t let me go if he learns the news.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I won''t tell anyone.¡± Inside the mall, Zoey was waiting for an amazing show as she stood in the crowd. However, all she got was a call from her elder brother. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°I''m at Century Square buying some clothes. What''s the matter, Zeke?¡± ¡°I know what you told Joran to do. I''ve also contacted the people in LG corporation to suppress the news.¡± Zoey''s grip around her phone tightened as she asked with a frown, ¡°Why are you doing this, Zeke? Don''t you want to see your sister lead a better life? I''m telling you, rescind your suppression order immediately. Let them report the news about Artemis and Rhonda''s fake marriage certificate to the whole world.¡± This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. A brief silence ensued before Zeke sighed and spoke. ¡°You''re mistaken, Zozo. Artemis has his ns for the fake marriage certificate he created. If you act on your own, you''ll ruin his n. When he finds out you''re the one responsible, you''ll be going for wool anding home shorn. Do you understand?¡± Zoey was stunned because she didn''t think her ns through. All she wanted was to expose Rhonda in front of everyone and then personally send her to prison. She wanted the title of Mrs. Luther for herself, and she didn''t want anyone else to have it. Upon listening to her brother''s analysis, she realized she had acted too rashly. If Artemis was using a street beggar to fool Rhonda, it must mean he''s trying to kick her out. Indeed, it''s not worth the risk for a woman who''s already been abandoned. ¡°I''m sorry, Zeke. If not for you, I believe I would''ve shot myself in the foot. You''re right. One day, Artemis will take care of Rhonda and let her feel what it''s like to fall from grace. There''s no need for me to rush.¡± ¡°I''m d you understand. Wipe out all traces of what you did. Don''t let anyone get dirt on you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Inside a cafe at the corner of a street, Scarlett and Raiden were sitting next to a window. The atmosphere inside was quite tense, as their conversation didn''t seem to be going well. ¡°This is the answer you''re giving me after thinking about it for a few days, Raiden?¡± Chapter 260 Chapter 260 Ha! The family''s making me break off my engagement with Justin myself. What a joke! They''re willing to deny me my happiness just for the sake of their reputation. Scarlett snorted. Raiden stared at his sister coldly and sighed. ¡°This is the best option Father and I can think of. Since Justin already has a child with another woman outside, he doesn''t have the right to be the Fletcher family''s son-inw anymore. It''s best if you announce the dissolution of your engagement with him now since the wedding date hasn''t been decided yet. This is the only way both families'' reputations can be protected.¡± ¡°No.¡± Standing up from her chair, Scarlett stared at her brother with tears. ¡°I love Justin. Without him, there''s no reason for me to live. I thought you were the only person who truly loved me in this world, Raiden. In the end, you still stabbed me in the back.¡± ¡°Stop messing around.¡± Raiden frowned. ¡°This concerns the reputation of the whole Fletcher family. As a daughter of the family, you should put your family''s benefit ahead of your personal desires instead of drowning yourself in your romantic feelings.¡± ¡°What a nice brother and father you two are. You two always said you love me, yet when ites to the one thing I wanted the most, you two are willing to sacrifice me without even blinking. I''m telling you, I''m not letting him go. If you all refuse to help me solve this problem, I''ll just do it myself.¡± Raiden raised his head and asked with a frown, ¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Scarlett said through gritted teeth, ¡°Either I agree to Veronique''s deal, giving her son the bone marrow he needs before both of them leave this country, or I find someone to remove them from existence.¡± Raiden''s pupils constricted. ¡°The first method will endanger your life, and the second willnd you in prison. Is it really worth it for you to destroy your life for a man who betrayed you?¡± A bitter smile formed on Scarlett''s face as she stumbled backward. ¡°From the moment I knew Justin, I wanted him. I want to marry him in this life. If you''re afraid of getting involved, you should return to Jadeborough. I''ll take care of this matter myself. None of you need to worry about me.¡± Before he could speak, Scarlett turned around and left the room. As Raiden watched her leave, he sighed and sent a message to his father: The Fletcher family only has one daughter. I do think it''s cruel for us, her family, to stand by and watch. As things stand, I can only lend a helping hand to Scarlett. I hope you''ll forgive me, Father. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. At the medical base, Zayron pushed a ward door open and entered the room. As he looked at Maxton, who was lying on the bed, he grinned hideously. ¡°You''re still alive after having your head opened a couple of times? What a strong-willed person you are. I''m impressed.¡± Maxton stared at him with a strange look in his eyes. This is my younger brother. We came from the same mother. Nice! In the future, this idiot will have to refer to me as his elder brother. Seeing that Maxton was staring at him silently, Zayron felt the goosebumps creeping up his skin. He red at Maxton and said, ¡°Don''t tell me you''re not straight and that you like people of the same gender instead of a pretty girl like my sister. I''m warning you, I''m very straight, so it''s not going to happen.¡± Maxton rolled his eyes and uttered inly, ¡°I am pretty lucky. Back then, the doctors said I was dead, yet I survived.¡± The smile on Zayron''s face instantly vanished when he heard that. He wasn''t stupid. In fact, he was pretty smart. Even though he looked like a dummy, he had a pretty intelligent mind. Thus, he knew there was a reason why Maxton suddenly said nonsensical stuff like that. Still, he couldn''t figure out what that was supposed to mean. ¡°What... are you trying to say?¡± Zayron asked. Maxton stared straight at him and said apologetically, ¡°I''m sorry, Idiot. The blood sample you asked me to steal in the past wasn''t Simon''s.¡± ¡°What? Today isn''t April Fool''s, you know! Don''t try to mess with me, or else I''ll kill you!¡± Maxton stared at him with a serious expression. ¡°I''m not. The blood sample I stole wasn''t Uncle Simon''s, it was my dad''s. This means we aren''t cousins. We''re brothers from the same mother.¡± Immediately upon hearing that, Zayron turned around and prepared to leave. ¡°Goodbye.¡± ¡°Don''t leave!¡± Maxton panicked and tried to get down from the bed. However, he hadn''t moved for a long while, so his legs were like cotton candy. The moment his feet were on the ground, he fell. Hearing the sound of a thud, Zayron stopped in his tracks. ¡°Ouch...¡± Maxton started putting on a pitiful act. Zayron turned around and red at him. ¡°You''re useless, you know that? You can''t even walk properly.¡± Despite his words, he still stepped forward and helped Maxton up. Maxton took the opportunity to give him a big hug as he rested his head on his brother''s shoulder. ¡°We''ve finally reunited, little brother.¡± Little brother? What? Zayron''s face was turning pale. He could ept the fact that Maxton was his brother, but not the fact that he was the younger one. ¡°Who''s your little brother? I''m your elder brother.¡± Maxton giggled. ¡°It doesn''t matter what we say. Once we meet Bay together again, she''ll decide. After all, we came out of her belly.¡± Zayron tugged his hair because he knew what his mother was going to say. This nerd knows how to make her happy! If she learns that he''s her son, she''s going to coddle him a lot! I''m already losing the competition with Susan around, but with him added to our family? I bet I''ll be totally worthless in Bailey''s eyes! Right then, the door opened and Artemis stepped into the room. When he saw the two kids hugging each other, he was puzzled. ¡°Why are you here, Zayron?¡± Zayron pushed Maxton away and narrowed his eyes at Artemis. ¡°Are you really my dad?¡± Artemis promptly turned to Maxton, who had returned to the bed, and questioned with furrowed eyebrows, ¡°What did you tell him?¡± With a shrug, Maxton answered, ¡°I just had a happy reunion with my brother. What do you think?¡± The man''s line of sight once more returned to Zayron. With a smile, he said, ¡°Since you''ve acknowledged him as your brother, you should acknowledge me as your father now.¡± He tried to make himself sound casual, but an attentive listener could hear the quiver in his voice. After all, the truth was revealed too suddenly, and he hadn''t thought about how to face his other son. While he had no idea, Zayron did. Without speaking a word, the boy rushed forward, hugged his father''s waist, and bit it. Chapter 261 Chapter 261 Artemis felt a sharp pain spread slowly from his abdomen. After the initial shock, he chuckled softly and gradually rxed his tense body, allowing the boy in his arms to bite his stomach hard. His eyes brimmed with affection as he stretched a hand to stroke Zayron''s head. It was the look that only a father would have while gazing at his child. ¡°You sure are a clever little one, deliberately choosing to bite the spot where there are no bones. Have you lost your baby teeth? If you haven''t, then you''d better be careful. Don''t bite too hard. I''m worried you''ll hurt your gums.¡± Zayron slowly let go, then sprawled on Artemis'' stomach gloomily and began to cry. A tender expression crossed Artemis'' face, and he stroked Zayron''s head even more gently. ¡°Aren''t you going to bite me anymore? If you haven''t vented enough, you can choose another spot and continue biting. I''m not afraid of pain as long as it makes you happy.¡± ¡°Are you really my dad?¡± Zayron asked. He did not feel any strong emotions toward Simon. How should I put this? I don''t feel the father-son bond where blood is thicker than water when I''m with him. If the results from the paternity test hadn''t reined in my imagination, I would never have believed he was my father. However, reality told me there was no way that shy guy was my biological father. Artemis gently pushed Zayron away and crouched to his eye level. Then he patted thetter''s cheek with hisrge palm. ¡°You look a lot like me, so I thought at first that you''d inherited Simon''s genes. However, the facts show that only a biological father-son pair would share simr features. You don''t have to doubt our rtionship because I instructed someone to run a paternity test. You''re my son. I''m sorry for all the suffering your mother and the three of you endured all these years. I promise I''ll never let any one of you suffer in the slightest again.¡± Zayron pursed his lips. After hastily wiping away his tears, he turned toward the bed and nced at Maxton. He raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°You let him inherit the Luther family''s assets, so what will you leave for me? If I said I wanted to be the Luther family''s heir, would you name me as your sessor?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You little rascal,¡± Artemis chided teasingly. Then, he leaned close to the boy''s ear and said, ¡°Don''t worry. Apart from being the head of Luther Group, I hold many other positions. So, there''s more than enough for your inheritance.¡± A glint shed across Zayron''s eyes as he blinked at Artemis. ¡°I heard the head of the world''s most powerful force, Tarragon, is a Chanaean. You¡ª¡± Artemis smiled without saying anything. Reaching out and gently ruffling his son''s hair, he said with a grin, ¡°You''re still young, so you should live a carefree life. When you''re older, I''ll show you the things you can deal with.¡± Zayron stared at him silently. Artemis stood up slowly and led Zayron over to the bed. ¡°Your mommy doesn''t know the truth yet. I''ll find a suitable opportunity toe clean with her. Neither of you is to let it slip.¡± Meanwhile, Justin was lying on his front on a bed in the Revelle residence''s infirmary while Veronique applied ointment to the backs of his legs. ¡°Although you didn''t injure your tendons this time, you fractured your bone. Try to walk as little as possible for a month. Otherwise, you''ll start experiencing sharp pains that''ll get excruciating during colder weather and when it rains.¡± Justin murmured an acknowledgment. ¡°I''ll take note of that. The tests on my closest rtives are being done secretly. I''ll let you know once we find a suitable bone marrow.¡± Veronique rose to her feet. Gazing at his broad back, she asked, ¡°And what if there are no matches with Zephyr''s bone marrow among your closest rtives? What should we do then?¡± As soon as she uttered that question, a deathly silence descended over the room. Justin finally turned his head toward her after several minutes. Enunciating every word slowly and clearly, he replied, ¡°In that case, we''ll have to fall back on ourst resort. We''ll conceive a child with the same parents as Zephyr, then use the newborn''s cord blood to save him.¡± Veronique pressed her red lips together tightly. Thinking that she felt embarrassed, he hurriedly added, ¡°Don''t get me wrong. What I mean is to create a test-tube baby through in vitro fertilization. You don''t have to worry. I won''t touch you.¡± She suddenly lifted her gaze and gazed at him a little sadly. Do you loathe me that much, Justin? Is touching me even more disgusting than touching thedies at a nightclub for you? ¡°We don''t need to use a newborn''s cord blood. That''ll take too long, and I''m worried Zephyr won''t be able to make it till then. I''ve got a better n. It''s just that I''m not sure whether you''d be on board with it.¡± Justin looked at her somewhat doubtfully. ¡°Oh? What''s the n? Let''s hear it.¡± ¡°Your fianc¨¦e''s bone marrow is an exact match for Zephyr''s. Don''t ask me how I know that. I''m sure she can save him. Do you think you can get married as soon as possible, then use your status as her husband to discuss and see whether she''d be willing to donate her bone marrow to Zephyr?¡± Get married as soon as possible? My status as her husband? Subconsciously, his brows drew together sharply after he heard those words. ¡°You want me to marry Scarlett? Things have gotten to this point, and you still want me to marry her?¡± Veronique nodded and said, ¡°I''m sorry. It''s all my fault. I really shouldn''t have given birth to Zephyr. But he has been born. Do you want me to strangle him to death?¡± ¡°I...¡± That''s not what I meant! Can''t she look on the bright side? When have I ever med her for having Zephyr? The only person I''ve med over the past few days is myself. I detest myself for being such a cruel dumb*ss and ruining her life. ¡°You don''t have to say anything more, Justin. Things may have gotten to this point, but there''s still a way to turn the situation around. I won''t break up your marriage with Scarlett. All I ask is for you to marry her as soon as possible, then persuade her to save my son. Please.¡± With that, she turned to face him and bowed deeply. ¡°You...¡± Justin wanted to lecture her, but he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. Scarlette''s bone marrow is an exact match with Zephyr''s? Very well. I''ll think of a way to persuade her to donate her bone marrow and save Zephyr. As for the marriage, I''m afraid I''ll have to personally make a trip to Jadeborough to ask for Sloan''s forgiveness and beg him to call off the arranged marriage between our families. Veronique gave birth to my son, so I can''t be indifferent anymore, let alone let her and Zephyr wander around in a foreign country. Over in the CEO''s office at Saunders Group, several of thepany''s higher-ups were sitting around the curved desk. All of them looked concerned. ¡°Ms. Saunders, all the big enterprises partnering with us have terminated their contracts. They''d rather bear three times thepensation amount than have anything to do with us. If we continue ignoring what''s happening, it''ll significantly impact our stock prices.¡± ¡°That''s correct. Our market value will plunge on arge scale if we don''t take any measures. When our debt exceeds our profit, all thepany can do is dere bankruptcy.¡± As Victoria stared at the stacks of data sheets in front of her, she could not help giving a bitter smile inwardly. Oh, Lionel. Must you really push me to the edge like this? You''ve just sent my brother to prison, and now you''re immediately making your move on our business partners. You''re not leaving me a way out if you do this. ¡°All right. I understand the state of affairs. Give me two days. I''ll think of a n to stabilize the situation.¡± Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office at Luther Group, someone said to Artemis, ¡°I''ve received reliable information saying specialists from the Cyber Security Department are secretly investigating to identify the hacker who infiltrated the research center. I''m afraid Ms. Jefferson''s identity is about to get exposed.¡± Chapter 262 Chapter 262 Ken was the one speaking as he stood in front of the slightly arced desk. Artemis leaned back in his chair and lightly tapped his fingers against the desk, eliciting a clear rhythmic sound. After a short silence, Artemis finally spoke. ¡°I didn''t expect the Cyber Security Department to interfere so quickly. It looks like the Fletcher family''s status within the political world is indeed significant. They can even give orders to a governmental department.¡± Ken nodded. ¡°If a federal department joins the investigation, it''ll be difficult even for an excellent hacker like Ms. Jefferson to avoid detection. Moreover, she even left some traces in the research institute''s database. That''s like a beacon, asking for an investigation.¡± Artemis rubbed his temples, feeling a headache forming. ¡°I''ll take over Bailey''s ount and draw the attention of the Cyber Security Department away from her. We''ll talk about what happens next after that.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ken looked at Artemis with a confused look. ¡°Are you nning to take the fall on behalf of Ms. Jefferson? Mr. Luther, you can''t do that. If the Cyber Security Department finds out about you, it''ll ruin the reputation you''ve built over the years.¡± It''s a criminal charge to hack the research institute''s database and steal confidential information. Furthermore, the Fletcher family is fully capable of bringing the Luther family to court over this. I never expected him to be this crazy for a woman. Is it worth risking the entire Luther Group on the line just for one woman? Artemis read his mind and chuckled. ¡°She''s my woman. I''m willing to risk my life in exchange for her safety if she needs it, let alone taking the fall for her,¡± he drawled out. With that, Artemis bent over theputer, and his fingers started tapping on the keyboard swiftly. Coincidentally, she isn''t in the office right now since she left for the pharmaceutical factory for some work. I should be able to find her hacker ount and login password if I hack into her office''sputer system. The sounds of furious tapping on the keyboard echoed across the spacious office. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. After a moment, he discovered something on herputer that turned his stony expression ck. Resignation letter. The two eye-catching words came into his sight. He felt a knot in his chest, constricting his airway. His breathing turned shorter as though something was squeezing his heart. Bailey! How dare she even think about leaving Hallsbay. It looks like Old Mr. Chivers really did say something that provoked her. And now, she''s thinking of a way to leave me. Great! Ken noticed the dark look on Artemis'' face and couldn''t help but ask, ¡°What''s wrong, Boss? Are you unable to hack into Ms. Jefferson''sputer?¡± Artemis dragged his gaze away from the screen and red at Ken. ¡°What do you think?¡± he returned. Um... Ken pped himself across the face. ¡°I spoke without thinking. There''s no system that you can''t hack in this world. Ms. Jefferson''s capabilities can''t rival yours. If you do it seriously, you''ll definitely leave her far behind in a trail of smoke.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Artemis scoffed and returned his gaze to the screen. Looking at the resignation letter, he suddenly changed his mind. If I steal her ount, she will surely notice it and knows I''ve seen her resignation letter. With her craftiness, she''ll just think of some other way to run away. By that time, it''ll be difficult for me to stop her. I might as well deliberately fall for her trick so that she''ll end up in my trap. In that case, I won''t have to worry about what other ways she''s nning to use to flee. ¡°I remember the International Programming Competition is about to be held soon, right here in Hallsbay. Chanaea still hasn''t submitted any suitable programmers. If Spook participates in this competition andes out as the champion, don''t you think that''ll make our country proud? In that case, do you think those d*ckheads from the Cyber Security Department will drop the case about her hacking into the research institute''s database?¡± Ken''s eyes sparkled at the possibility. I''m fine with anything that doesn''t risk Mr. Luther''s reputation and safety. ¡°Yeah, that works. Have Ms. Jefferson participate in the International Programming Competition as Spook. She''ll be the nation''s pride if she wins thepetition. I believe the Cyber Security Department won''t dare to give her much trouble then.¡± Artemis smiled. I want to expose all her identities and leave her with no choice but to stay by my side with no way to run. ¡°Go make the arrangements, and I''ll think of a way to persuade Bailey to participate in thepetition.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Meanwhile, Waverly sat on the couch in the living room of the Shurmer residence and smiled at the couple standing in front of her. ¡°This is a match made in heaven. Both of you look perfect together. I trust that your mother will rest in peace now.¡± Lionel lowered his head, not responding to her praise. Beside him, Wendy answered, ¡°Thank you for your praise, Aunt Waverly. Even though I''ve never met her, I''m sure she was a virtuous person. Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of Lionel.¡± ¡°Wonderful! I feel assured after seeing you two treat each other with respect.¡± She gestured for them to take a seat. ¡°Don''t just stand there. Come and have a seat. It has been so long since we''ve talked. Before you guys arrived, I called Zeke to have hime back to keep you company. Stay for lunch.¡± Lionel suddenly broke his silence. ¡°I''m sure he''s busy. With Dyke Pharmaceutical being in charge of the production of the new anti-cancer drug, he probably has a lot on his te at the moment. Let''s not trouble him. We''ll leave in a while.¡± ¡°That won''t do.¡± Waverly red at him. ¡°We haven''t seen each other for a while. I''ll take it as you looking down on me if you don''t stay for lunch.¡± Lionel''s lips curved into a resigned smile. ¡°You''re exaggerating.¡± Wendy chimed in, ¡°Listen to Aunt Waverly, Nell. Lunch won''t take up much of our time anyway. Besides, we''ll be returning to Moranta in two days. Who knows when we''ll meet next?¡± ¡°You''re going back to Moranta in two days?¡± Waverly frowned. ¡°Why don''t you stay at Hallsbay for a little longer? It''ll be Thanksgiving in a fortnight. Your uncle will be back in Hallsbay then. I was thinking that we could all have dinner together.¡± Wendy smiled. ¡°Oh, I''m sorry, but there''s still a lot of things we have to settle back in Moranta. We¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Lionel cut her off. ¡°I won''t be leaving Hallsbay temporarily, Aunt Waverly. As for lunch, I still have something to deal with, so no thanks. I''ll visit again when Uncle returns.¡± Lionel rose to his feet, ready to leave. Wendy''s expression froze as the delight in her eyes dimmed. Of course I''m aware of why Lionel wants to stay in Hallsbay. It''s all for that Saunders woman. This Victoria is way too detestable. I used seven years to soothe the wound in Lionel''s heart. Yet, all it took was that woman''s appearance to crush all those years of effort. Zoey''s lips quirked up into a smile when she caught the hostility that shed across Wendy''s eyes. I think I have an ally now. ¡°You go deal with your work, Lionel, but Wendy has to stay back to keep mepany.¡± I have to use this Adrune princess well and unleash her full potential. Chapter 263 Chapter 263 Zoey tugged Wendy to sit down on the couch in her bedroom. ¡°Come on, Wendy. Stop sulking. Since Lionel has to stay at Hallsbay a little longer for work, why don''t you stay here with him? Didn''t my mom say that it''s almost Thanksgiving? We can have a nice dinner together then.¡± Wendy''s expression was still dark. Boiling anger simmered in her eyes. Lionel has been keeping me at arm''s length since we arrived at Hallsbay. Every time I look at him, it''s like trying to find my way out of a foggy maze, hazy and ethereal. It''s like he can disappear, leaving me at any moment. All his changes were because of that woman from the Saunders family. She''s the one who ensnared Lionel''s soul and left me with an empty shell. Zoey''s heart surged with joy when she noticed Wendy trying to suppress her rage. It looks like I''m right. This princess does have hatred and resentment for Victoria. ¡°What''s wrong, Wendy? You look as though something is bothering you. If you''re troubled by something, you can always talk to me. We''re cousins now, so I''ll definitely take your side. Did Lionel do something to make you sad again?¡± Wendy pressed her lips into a line and turned to Zoey. ¡°Zoey, do you know Victoria Saunders?¡± ¡°Um...¡± Zoey paused. Hesitation crept up her face as she purposely fumbled with her words. ¡°Victoria... S-She...¡± Seeing her stammer, Wendy snickered. ¡°Whatever. You''re Lionel''s cousin. Naturally, you''ll take his side. I''m sure you''re unwilling to help me expose him. I''ll be taking my leave if there''s nothing else important. Let''s meet again if there''s a chance.¡± She was about to get up from her chair when Zoey hurriedly reached for her hand. ¡°I''m not on Lionel''s side. I''m worried that you won''t be happy if I bring Victoria into the conversation. After all, she''s Lionel''s ex-girlfriend, and they had an intense rtionship. However, don''t worry. That woman betrayed Lionel. I want nothing more than to tear off that fake, innocent mask she wears,¡± Zoey exined urgently. Wendy cast a sideway nce at Zoey. ¡°Is that true? You don''t like her too?¡± Zoey answered resignedly, ¡°Wendy, what''s up with your question? She was the one who caused Uncle Benjamin''s death and tarnished Lionel''s reputation. How can I like her?¡± ¡°Then, will you help me chase her away from Lionel''s side?¡± Wendy grabbed Zoey''s wrist and went on in a choked-up voice, ¡°She''s approaching Lionel again. I''m sure her motive isn''t pure. It was hard for Lionel to turn over a new leaf. I don''t want her to ruin him again.¡± Zoey looked at Wendy with puzzlement. ¡°How can she be so shameless? She hurt Lionel before. How can she¡ª¡± Zoey stopped her rambling. ¡°Wendy, you can''t have mercy on her. You could ignore Lionel''s past since you two were strangers seven years ago. However, he''s now yourwful husband. It''s time you use some tactics.¡± Wendy stared at her with shock. ¡°W-What tactics?¡± The corners of Zoey''s lips quirked up into a smile while a calctive gleam shed across her eyes. Victoria is Bailey''s best friend. All I have to do is instigate this dumb princess to cause trouble for Victoria. When Victoria has nothing left of her, I''ll get my revenge on Bailey. ¡°Don''t forget, Wendy, you''re Lionel''swful wife. The public will use Victoria of being a homewrecker if they find out she''s trying to interfere in someone else''s marriage.¡± Wendy clenched her fists. ¡°You''re saying¡ª¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Zoey ced her index finger in front of her lips. ¡°Sometimes, it''s better not to say certain things out loud, as long as we both know what it is. After all, the walls have ears.¡± In theboratory of Dyke Pharmaceutical, Juliana peered through the window at the grounds below and saw a familiar figuree into her sight. That is... ¡°Master, I''m leaving since I have something urgent to deal with.¡± Bailey lifted her gaze to Juliana before shifting it to the window. She spotted Zeke walking toward his car under the protection of his bodyguards. Hmm... Has she finally fallen in love? Bailey was baffled at the thought of Juliana being in love. Something indescribable glinted in her eyes. The eldest daughter of the Hoffman family has married a foreigner, removing her right to be a sessor. Now only their second daughter is left. Will they allow her to fall in love with a foreigner too? ¡°Don''t go too¡ª¡± When Bailey looked over her shoulder, Juliana was already gone from the room. ¡°This girl...¡± Bailey sighed resignedly. It looks like I''ll have to keep a close watch on her. At the parking lot outside, Zeke was about to get into his car when he heard a shout from the back. ¡°Zeke, are you leaving? Can you give me a ride? Zeke frowned at her request. Three days. I only used three days to discover the extent of this princess'' clinginess. I have to say I''m impressed. I don''t understand how the cold, indifferent Bailey can teach a girlpletely opposite in personality to her. While he was lost in thoughts, Juliana had already reached his side. ¡°I''ll take it as an agreement from you if you stay silent, Zeke. Let''s go!¡± She tried to get into the car before he could realize what she was doing. Zeke immediately stopped her. ¡°You sure are easy-going, Ms. Stone. With that character, I''m sure a lot of people like you. However, you know I''m your cousin-inw, right?¡± He was hinting at her with his words. How can I be unaware of her feelings for me when I''m such a keen person? I have to think twice before rejecting her feelings since she''s Bailey''s disciple. I hope that reminding her about our rtionship can draw the line and set some boundaries. Juliana pouted. What cousin-inw? I want him to be my husband. ¡°Whatever. Where are you going? Can you give me a ride?¡± Zeke pondered briefly before smiling. ¡°I''m returning to the Shurmer residence. Coincidentally, your sister and brother-inw are there as well. Let''s go together.¡± Woah! Juliana''s eyes sparkled at his offer. He''s bringing me to meet his parents so soon? ¡°Okay! Before that, though, why don''t you apany me to the mall to buy a dress first? Then, we''ll shop for presents.¡± Zeke didn''t know how to respond to her thought process. At that moment, Zeke''s phone rang. He apologized to Juliana before walking a distance away to pick up the call. Juliana swiftly mbered into the car, worried he would go back on his word. Zeke ended the call and walked back to the car. With a smile, he said, ¡°Lionel has left the Shurmer residence due to urgent matters, but your sister is still there. I''ll have someone send you over. I won''t be joining you as I wouldn''t want to interrupt you gals from having a fun time.¡± With that, he shut the door in Juliana''s face and turned to one of his bodyguards. ¡°Send Ms. Stone to the Shurmer residence. Treat her with care.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the bodyguard answered. ¡°Hey!¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Juliana tried to open the door when realization dawned upon her, but the lock was already in ce. Hence, she could only watch as the car slowly pulled out of its parking space. Her temper red, and she started cussing at the window. ¡°Zeke, you''re a hypocrite! How dare you trick me! I''ll remember this and bother you every day. I refuse to believe you won''t be frustrated by the end.¡± Chapter 264 Chapter 264 Bailey returned to the Luther Group''s headquarters in the afternoon. The moment she opened the office door, a figure darted toward her like a gust of wind. She instinctively threw a punch to fend it off. The next second, a man''s arm suddenly appeared on her waist out of nowhere. Dumbstruck, she quickly withdrew her fist. Otherwise, she presumed the man''s stunning face would have been bashed in by her punch. In the blink of an eye, the man wrapped his arms tightly around her. Before she knew it, her back had mmed hard against the wall. D*mn it! It hurts! Even her internal organs seemed to ache from the massive impact. What an idiotic scoundrel! ¡°Artemis Luther, what''s the matter with you again?¡± Before she was in time to see the man''s face clearly, he bent down to kiss her passionately, devouring her lips to the fullest. Bailey could not fathom why the man seemed to have suddenly gotten overexcited. Momentster, a sharp pain originated from her lips. At the peak of fury, she burst outughing instead. What a scoundrel! He''s like a mad dog that has been starving and bites me whenever he has the opportunity! My goodness! I can''t even break free. Unequivocally, Artemis was a man known for his stubbornness to the point of insanity. Once he fell head over heels for a woman, he would be willing to do anything for her. Sometimes, she could not help wondering if it was a blessing or misfortune when such a man loved her wholeheartedly. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, I want you so badly. I''ll surely go insane without you.¡± A hoarse, low voice sounded near her ear, breaking her out of her reverie. Bailey looked up into his obsidian eyes. The sheer affection in them was the reason she could never doubt his devotion to her. He must love me from the bottom of his heart. Unfortunately for him... She raised her hand slowly and brushed it against his eyebrows before covering his eyes. With a hoarse voice, she reassured him, ¡°Aren''t I in your arms now? Where do you think I can go? Don''t overthink, okay? Don''t ever lose your mind because of me either. Do you know how terrifying you are when you go berserk? I''m worried stiff that you might stir up a bloody turmoil worldwide after losing your mind.¡± Artemis held her hand and ced it on his chest before mumbling in a raspy voice, ¡°Bailey, you are just like my heart. You should know that I can never survive without you. If you still doubt my love for you, you can cut open my chest and take out my heart to have a good look.¡± Narrowing her eyes, Bailey gazed at him. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Artemis stepped backward, loosening his grip on her gradually. ¡°The Cyber Security Department is tracking down the hacker who hacked into the research institute''s database. Since you''d left traces in the system, I foresee theming after you. Bay, give me Spook''s ount number and password, okay?¡± Bailey knitted her brows. If he had made such a request some time ago, she would have dly agreed without thinking twice. After all, his safety scarcely meant anything to her back then. However, how could I let him risk his life for me without batting an eyelid now? Doesn''t he know that once the department gets to the bottom of the matter, they''ll file awsuit against the one who hacked into the database of a national 4-star research institute? If so, he won''t be able to go against the legal department openly despite his omnipotence. ¡°Why are you bringing up this matter again? Didn''t I tell you that I''ll look for others¡ª¡± ¡°You''ll look for others to take the rap for you?¡± Artemis gazed at her and shook his head. ¡°I reckon you won''t have the heart to do that, so don''t lie to me, okay? Come on. Give me the ount number and password.¡± Bailey looked up to meet his gaze and stated resolutely, ¡°No way. I won''t let you take the risk and tarnish your reputation. Artemis Luther, you should know that I''ve fallen you. Thus, stop pestering me to do something that will ce you in a precarious position.¡± Artemis Luther, you should know that I''ve fallen for you. At that moment, Artemis'' heart leaped with joy, and his face lit up as he stared at her. Taking her face in both hands, Artemis asked excitedly, ¡°You''ve fallen for me? Is it true?¡± Thunderstruck, Bailey was rendered speechless. What did I say? D*mn it! I must have blurted out the words after feeling dizzy because of his kiss! ¡°You must have heard wrongly. How could I possibly fall in love with a scoundrel?¡± Artemis was momentarily stunned before heughed heartily. ¡°Fine, I''ll be a scoundrel then. As long as you fall for me, I won''t even mind how you cuss me.¡± Bailey was utterly speechless. Hmph! He''s undoubtedly good at twisting my words! She heaved a sigh before uttering softly, ¡°I''m nning to participate in the International Programming Competition. If I cane up with aplete source code to boost the development of 5G inte, it''ll count as me making a big contribution to the country. Thus, my crime of hacking into the research institute''s database to obtain the data illegally will, hopefully, not be a big deal by then. You don''t have to take the risk for me since there''s already a solution in my mind.¡± Artemis arched his brows. Ah! That''s what we define as husband and wife sharing the same sentiments. Surprisingly, we have the same idea in mind! Seeing that he was not doubtful at all, Bailey could not resist smiling. ¡°You''ve thought about this method long ago, haven''t you? I reckon you''ve even pulled strings for me so I can gear up once I say yes.¡± Artemis chuckled and stretched out his hand to tap her nose. ¡°Undeniably, it''s stressful to have an intelligent wife. I hope I''ll be able to handle you in the future. Bay, it won''t be easy toe up with the source code for 5G inte. Countless softwarepanies worldwide have been giving their all to develop it, but to no avail, even after a few years have psed. Do you have any confidence?¡± Bailey raised a brow and smiled with a flicker of confidence in her eyes. ¡°Have you forgotten about the research for anti-cancer medication? Wasn''t I the one who had a breakthrough previously? You might think I only spent one monthing up with the medication. In actuality, I''d put in a lot of effort over the past few years. At the same time, I have been working on this source code, and there''s some progress. Let me give it a try, okay?¡± A gentle expression graced Artemis'' face. It was precisely because she was so incredible that he could not restrain himself from being obsessed with her. ¡°Okay! You take some time to get ready. I''ll contact Ken and ask him to register for you.¡± Bailey dly responded with a hum. After sending him off, she headed toward her desk in haste. First, she scrutinized theputer for a while and was convinced that nobody had touched it. Next, she turned it on to ess the internal system and went through it. After ensuring that nobody had hacked into it, she eventually heaved a sigh of relief. Earlier on, she could not help suspecting that Artemis had used herputer. He could have seen her copy of the resignation letter and guessed that she wanted to flee from Hallsbay. That was why he suddenly seemed to be overreacting. Leaning back in her swivel chair in silence, she stared nkly at the office opposite her. In that instant, her eyes began to well up with tears. Artemis, I''m grateful for your appearance in my life. Those moments will be the most memorable ones in my memory. Even though you don''t mind that I''d given birth to two children for your younger brother, the rtionship between us is destined to be a forbidden one¡ªa boundary that we can never cross. In the meantime, Cadence was lounging on the couch with a ss of chilled wine in his private mansion. Quirking his brows, he fastened his gaze on Rhonda, who was standing right opposite him at the moment. ¡°So do you mean to say that Zoey Shurmer gave you the abortifacient, and she was also the one who drugged you during the wedding ceremony?¡± Gritting her teeth, Rhonda hissed, ¡°It must be her! Cadence, she killed your child. Do you think you can let her off without settling the score with her?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Cadence responded cidly, ¡°Of course not. That''s why I set her up, so she''ll be my scapegoat. Just wait for it. The heiress of the Shurmer family who has gained fame worldwide will be in prison in no time.¡± Startled, Rhonda furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Chapter 265 Chapter 265 Her gut instinct told her that the man would not settle the score with Zoey solely for her. After all, nobody could easily flee after offending such a prominent family as the Shurmer family. ¡°Cadence, don''t try to bluff me. Zoey Shurmer is the heiress of the Shurmer family. Not to mention, her father and brother are renowned figures worldwide. Will you take the risk to step on the Shurmer family''s toes for my sake?¡± ¡°I won''t,¡± Cadence replied candidly. ¡°You!¡± Rhonda was riled up in an instant. However, something urred to her, and she calmed down. She could not help but scoff, ¡°Hmph! What a heartless answer. Anyway, I believe you. Tell me now. How are you nning on making her into your scapegoat? Why did you set her up?¡± Cadence beckoned to her. ¡°Come here.¡± Pursing her lips, Rhonda remained standing in the same spot for quite a while before she advanced toward him reluctantly and sat down beside him. On the heels of that, Cadence turned to pin her under him. Rhonda snapped in exasperation, ¡°Have you gone nuts? I only had a miscarriage a few days ago and haven''t fully recovered. How can I do the deed with you now?¡± Arching his brows, Cadence brushed his fingertip against her alluring lips as he stated ambiguously, ¡°Ha! There''re many methods to gain pleasure. Let''s have fun with a new method today. For instance, you can please me with your mouth.¡± A hint of indignance flickered in Rhonda''s eyes. Deep down, her abhorrence toward the man intensified. She tilted her head instinctively to avoid him, but the man above her gripped her chin viciously. ¡°Let go of me!¡± ¡°Are you sure you want me to let go of you? If you can''t please me today, you won''t be able to get any clue about what you have been wanting desperately from me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Rhonda stared at the sheer indifference in his eyes. After what seemed like an eternity, she eventually gave up struggling. Stifling the resentment over the humiliation and shame, she had no choice but to submit to him. ¡°Get it done quickly. You must keep your promise to clear my doubt after that.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Cadence carried her toward the bedroom right away and reassured her, ¡°Don''t worry. That heiress of the Shurmer family has apparently dug her own grave and stepped on my toes. I''ll seek her out for payback for your sake to return your favor for serving me well these days.¡± Rhonda was rendered speechless. In a ward of the medical base, a child''s voice sounded and reverberated to every corner. ¡°Are you Justin Xuereb?¡± Leaning against the bed, Zephyr tilted his head as he stared at the man drawing his blood with glittering eyes. Justin momentarily froze before he looked up gradually. As he fixed his gaze on the boy''s face that bore a strong resemnce to his, there was an indecipherable expression on his face. ¡°Yeah! I''m Justin Xuereb. Nice to meet you. I heard you have expertise in the medical field. You even completed a paternity test yourself at such a young age.¡± In an instant, Zephyr''s expression darkened as he mumbled, ¡°However, it seems to be an indisputable fact that doctors can''t cure themselves. Mr. Xuereb, since you''re a skillful doctor, I''m sure you can sense that I don''t have much time left with a nce. What''s the point of me being highly talented in the medical field? I can''t even save my own life, let alone the lives of others!¡± Justin cast his head down slightly to conceal the intense sorrow in his eyes. That was the first time he was face to face with his son. It was already unbearable for him to look at the boy''s pale and sunken face. He seriously had no idea how Veronique had endured everything throughout the past few years. Despite being a skillful doctor, he could only watch helplessly as his own child suffered from a critical illness. No words could describe his despair. ¡°Mr. Xuereb, can''t you try to take a liking to my Aunt Veronique? In truth, she''s a good woman who deserves to be cherished and loved by any man.¡± Justin''s body trembled slightly. Looking up at Zephyr, he queried hoarsely, ¡°Since you im that she deserves to be cherished and loved by any man, why do you only choose to ask me if I can try to love her?¡± Looking intently into Justin''s obsidian eyes with a solemn look, Zephyr elucidated earnestly, ¡°It''s because she only loves you. Mr. Xuereb, Aunt Veronique really loves you very much. In fact, I guess you''re the only person she can truly rely on in this world. In actuality, I''ve been looking forward to meeting you for a chat long ago. Other than Aunt Veronique, there isn''t much for me to worry about before I''m gone forever. If you like her too, could you please promise me to take good care of her for the rest of her life?¡± Justin''s frown deepened into a scowl. Why does he sound as if he''s giving hisst words? He rubbed his head hard with his palm before his authoritative voice sounded. ¡°Don''t overthink. Since your Aunt Veronique sought my help to treat you, I''ll give it my all to save your life. Don''t talk nonsense again, okay? If your Aunt Veronique overhears this, won''t she be feeling down in the dumps?¡± This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. The next second, a smile broke out on Zephyr''s face. Even though he still looked pale, there was an unmissable hint of warmth in his smile. ¡°Mr. Xuereb, you like Aunt Veronique, don''t you? You''ve been treating her indifferently so the Fletcher family won''t target her and inflict harm on her, right? I got it. I guess I know what I should do now.¡± Justin was at a loss for words to refute. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Veronique opened the door and stepped into the ward. Sensing the unusual atmosphere between the father and son, she knitted her brows. Shooting Justin a puzzled look, she tried to question him discreetly about whether he had said something he shouldn''t have to Zephyr. Justin could only smile wryly. Is she nning to keep things under wraps from our son forever? No way! Since he''s my son, he should live together with me. A father and his son should lead a blissful life together without being separated from each other. ¡°Ah! Aunt Veronique, you''re here. I like Mr. Xuereb very much. When I jokingly requested him to marry you so I could call him Uncle Justin a while ago, he didn''t turn me down either.¡± Veronique was dumbfounded. After regaining herposure, she reprimanded, ¡°Zephyr, don''t talk nonsense. Mr. Xuereb has a fianc¨¦e.¡± Justin was irked by her words instantaneously. Having a new identity as a father, he definitely hoped his son could have the best first impression of him. Now that she tells our son that ''Mr. Xuereb has a fianc¨¦e,'' how will my son think of me? ¡°We are not legal husband and wife yet. Thus, there are still uncertainties. Anyway, engagement is far from marriage and can be broken off at any moment.¡± Veronique stared at him in bafflement. What does he mean? Could it be he''s nning to break off his engagement with Scarlett Fletcher? Fine, even if he doesn''t care how the Fletcher family will retaliate after he breaks off the engagement, has he ever thought about how he can talk Scarlett into donating her bone marrow to save Zephyr then? ¡°Justin, you...¡± Justin had a hunch about what she was going to say, but he did not n to give her any chance for that. With that, he snorted coldly and headed toward the door with his walking stick. ¡°Aunt Veronique, didn''t you notice it''s inconvenient for Mr. Xuereb to move? Quick! Give him a hand now,¡± Zephyr urged. Veronique had no choice but to give in to him. ¡°Didn''t you say that you''ll get married to Scarlett soon and request her to donate her bone marrow to Zephyr? How could you think of breaking off your engagement? Justin, you are pulling my leg, aren''t you?¡± Veronique lowered her voice as she helped the man out of the ward. Pulling her leg? There was a change in Justin''s countenance. Evidently, he was boiling with rage. The next second, he turned around, gripped her shoulders, and pinned her against the wall. ¡°Are you serious? Do you really want me to marry Scarlett Fletcher?¡± Chapter 266 Chapter 266 Veronique was taken aback for a moment, baffled by his sudden reaction. ¡°Didn''t you always want to marry Scarlett? I just asked you to marry her sooner for the sake of saving Zephyr!¡± ¡°You...¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Justin was furious. After staring at her delicate face for a long moment, he lowered his head and startedughing. ¡°Veronique, how could you be so cruel? How could you sacrifice me for the sake of saving our son?¡± Veronique was even more confused. She stared at him in bewilderment and asked nkly, ¡°If it was not for Zephyr, would you have entertained the thought of breaking up your engagement with Scarlett?¡± Justin froze on the spot. Veronique chuckled bitterly, pushed him away slowly, and said in a sad tone, ¡°Justin, I don''t know why you''re being so difficult now. I just hope that you can take Zephyr''s life seriously. Scarlett is the only person who can save him now! Don''t you think that, as a father, you should agree to all of the requests that Scarlett makes? Everything is worth it as long she''s willing to donate her bone marrow to Zephyr.¡± Justin scoffed and sneered, ¡°Veronique, you are quite the saint, aren''t you?¡± Veronique bit her lip and said nothing. Landing a punch on the wall beside Veronique, Justin said through gritted teeth, ¡°All right. As you wish, I''ll marry Scarlett and persuade her to donate her bone marrow.¡± With that, he threw away the cane in his hand and limped toward the end of the corridor. Veronique''s legs buckled, and she slumped onto the ground. She looked at his leaving figure, and tears rolled from the corners of her eyes. This was the best solution she could think of to minimize the damage. I''m sorry, Justin. In order to save Zephyr, I have no choice but to sacrifice you. In the study in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey looked at the pair of children in front of her and sighed. ¡°I know the two of you like Hallsbay very much, but we really have to leave this city this time. You guys go pack your things, as we might leave the country anytime.¡± Zayron and Susan exchanged looks, seeing the doubt in each other''s eyes. ¡°Mommy, you''re doing so well in Hallsbay. Why do you want to leave all of a sudden?¡± Bailey did not exin. She caressed Susan''s head and said with a smile, ¡°The same old rule¡ªjust do as I say. You don''t have to ask so much because even if I exin it, you may not understand.¡± Susan wanted to speak, but she was stopped by Zayron grabbing her hand. He gestured for her to stop asking questions. She pouted and stepped back gloomily. Zayron gave his mother a smile and said, ¡°Bailey, we''ll follow you wherever you go.¡± Despite saying that, Zayron was nning something else in his heart. Bailey wants to escape from Hallsbay? No way! I will not let that happen! I finally found my rich and powerful dad, and I haven''t gained any benefits from him yet. I''m not going to let go easily. As for my mom... I guess selling her to any man is the same. Isn''t it better to sell her to Artemis since they''ve at least slept together before? He managed to make three babies in one night! I think he''s pretty strong. He should be able to handle my ferocious mother. After Bailey left, Zayron chased Susan out too, leaving himself alone in the study. He then sent Artemis a text message: Ratemis, my mom is about to run away. Please make sure that she''s not able to get out of Hallsbay. If she leaves, it will be very difficult for you to get her back in the future. Artemis was drinking with a few clients at Golden Age Hotel when he received the text message from Zayron. He curled his lips into a sly smile. This kid is kind of smart. At least he doesn''t mess around when ites to his mother. Artemis replied: Okay, I got it. Please watch over her closely. Don''t forget that if you want to inherit my huge underground forces, you have to help me get your mother. Zayron was overjoyed when he received the reply from his father. His main concern was not whether Artemis was his biological father. He was only interested in those underground forces in Artemis'' hands. For the sake of that, he did not mind selling his mother off. At a caf¨¦ by the corner of the street, two middle-aged men were sitting opposite each other in a private room on the second floor. They were discussing the new drug produced by Dyke Pharmaceutical. ¡°Mr. White, I have a feeling that Bailey seems to have discovered something. Recently, she has been visiting the pharmaceutical factory quite frequently. This drug was invented by her. Do you think she will not notice that we tampered with the drug?¡± said the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical, Kayden. His face was wrought with anxiety and nervousness. He was extremely worried because he was doing something that could harm human lives. If things did not go right, he would be in huge trouble. While making the coffee, Cadence said slowly, ¡°Of course she will notice it. In fact, she has already discovered that someone tampered with the drug.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kayden jumped up from the couch and looked at Cadence in disbelief. His voice was trembling. ¡°T-Then, what should we do now? I-If she reports this to the Drug Administration, we''ll all be in trouble!¡± Cadence looked at him calmly and answered, ¡°Why are you so worried? Have you forgotten that we have a scapegoat? If we can make Zoey responsible for this, then we can walk away from this safely.¡± Kayden swallowed and said with difficulty, ¡°But your target is Bailey. If we make Zoey the scapegoat, it would deviate from what you''ve nned.¡± Cadence shook his head helplessly and sighed. ¡°I didn''t expect Bailey to be so cautious. She even supervised the whole production process of the drug. Perhaps I acted too mboyantly previously, and it attracted her attention. Hence, she has been keeping an eye on the production process. Thankfully, that Zoey from the Shurmer family decided to take the bullet for us. I''ll just have to find another opportunity to take down Bailey in the future. It seems that the n this time won''t work anymore.¡± Kayden asked further, ¡°Then what about me?¡± ¡°You...¡± Cadence raised his eyebrows and smiled. ¡°Naturally, you''ll have to run away. But before you do so, remember to hand over the evidence proving that it was Zoey who instructed you to tamper with the new drug to the Drug Administration and Department of Justice. I promised my beauty that I would help her to teach Zoey a lesson.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll get someone to hand over the recording and the three hundred million check to the Department of Justice. These can definitely put Zoey into jail,¡± replied Kayden. ¡°Mhm. Go ahead.¡± In the living room at the Shurmer residence, Waverly was chatting with Zoey when the butler suddenly rushed in. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, the people from the Department of Justice are here! They said they want to meet with Ms. Zoey for official business.¡± ¡°What?¡± Zoey sprang to her feet when she heard that. Her face turned pale instantly. Department of Justice? Why are they here? Is it because... Before she could figure out what was going on, some footsteps were heard outside the door, and several people in uniform walked in. Chapter 267 Chapter 267 They seemed as though they were here for some serious matter. The man leading the group walked up to Waverly and nodded lightly to her. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, sorry for disturbing you.¡± The Shurmer family in Lostaria was a well-known prestigious family globally. Even the person in charge of the Department of Justice had to show some respect toward them. Waverly stood up slowly. Inparison to Zoey, who was in a panic, she seemed much calmer. ¡°Oh, you''re the person in charge of the Department of Justice! It''s been a while. Who are you here to arrest? Has anyone of the Shurmer family done anything wrong?¡± The man fixed his gaze on Zoey and said in a formal tone, ¡°Ms. Shurmer, you are suspected of instructing Kayden Jennings, the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical, to tamper with the new anti-cancer drug. We would now like to invite you over for an investigation, and your cooperation will be appreciated.¡± Zoey''s face became paler, and her legs turned to jelly. She almost fell onto the couch if not for Waverly, who was standing next to her. Waverly sped Zoey''s arm tightly and forced a smile. ¡°My daughter is still young, and she has never experienced anything like this. I think such a huge scene has frightened her.¡± Then, she made a mercurial turn of conversation. ¡°Are you sure my daughter is suspected of tampering with the anti-cancer drug? Dyke Pharmaceutical is under Shurmer Group. How is it possible that our own family members would do anything to harm thepany? I believe you''ve made a mistake.¡± Zoey straightened her back and, trying not to let her voice tremble, said loudly, ¡°That''s right. I''m afraid that someone is trying to frame me. There are many people out there who want to bring down the position of our family in the medical industry. They will do anything just to ruin our family''s reputation. I''m innocent!¡± The person in charge of the Department of Justice nced at Waverly and Zoey and said lightly, ¡°That''s why we said you''re only a suspect. We didn''t say you are guilty. Please cooperate with us and follow us back for investigation.¡± Zoey panicked and turned to look at her mother. ¡°Mom, I can''t go to the Department of Justice. I just can''t!¡± Waverly narrowed her eyes and took in Zoey''s flustered expression. At that instant, she had a rough idea of what had happened. In the end, she''s still too young and impulsive, leading to her getting in such big trouble! ¡°It''s okay. Just follow them back to clear things up.¡± ¡°Mom...¡± Zoey looked at her in surprise and said with a trembling voice, ¡°How could you... I-I''m not going to the Department of Justice! I won''t! This will ruin my life!¡± Waverly put away the smile on her face and red at Zoey, scolding, ¡°Your father and brother have got your back! You don''t have to worry about being framed for something that you didn''t do! They will think that you feel guilty if you don''t follow them back right now. Do you want to admit that you did something illegal?¡± ¡°N-No, it''s not like that. I¡ª¡± Worried that Zoey would say something she should not, Waverly quickly reached out and sped her shoulders. ¡°It''s okay, my dear. Just go to the Department of Justice with them. I''ll call your brother right now and ask him to bail you out. Don''t worry; you''ll be fine. Don''t admit to anything that you didn''t do, understand?¡± When it came down to it, Zoey had lived in the Shurmer residence for more than twenty years and had grown up under the influence of a family with such a strong background. Thus, she quickly regained herposure after the initial panic. ¡°Okay. I''ll do as you say.¡± ¡°Yes, that''s right. You''ll be fine, okay?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After watching the people of the Department of Justice take Zoey away, Waverly quickly grabbed her phone from the table and gave Zeke a call. Meanwhile, at the CEO''s office of Luther Group, Artemis sat on the swivel chair while Bailey leaned against the curved tabletop with her arms crossed. ¡°After a few days of contact, I think I understand Zeke a little bit more. I don''t think he''s the one who colluded with Cadence to tamper with the new drug. Artemis, what should we do next?¡± Artemis arched his brows and pointed to a name on the document. Bailey looked down. ¡°Kayden Jennings? Are you saying that the person who colluded with Cadence is the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical?¡± ¡°Yes. It should be him if it''s not Zeke. They are the only two people who are capable of doing that at Dyke Pharmaceutical,¡± said Artemis while rubbing his chin. Bailey tried to recall the man in her mind, but her impression of him was that of an honest man. At that moment, the internal phone next to them rang. Artemis picked up the phone, but he did not say anything as he listened. After a moment, his expression darkened, and his brows furrowed. ¡°Okay, I got it. Send someone to investigate immediately.¡± Noticing his drastic change in emotions, Bailey asked curiously, ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Artemis looked at her, his expressionplicated and strange. This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. After a long moment of silence, he informed lightly, ¡°The people from the Department of Justice went to the Shurmer residence and took Zoey away.¡± Bailey was baffled and did not respond for a while. What does this have to do with me? Recalling Artemis''plicated expression, she pointed a finger at herself and asked, ¡°Is her imprisonment rted to me?¡± Artemis rubbed his eyebrows and sighed. ¡°The Department of Justice imed that she is suspected of instructing the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical, Kayden, to tamper with the anti-cancer drug.¡± Bailey was stunned as her mind went nk. She was utterly bbergasted. What on earth is going on? ¡°Ratemis, are you sure you said it correctly? I did not hear you wrongly either, did I?¡± Artemis shook his head and repeated his words, ¡°The Department of Justice imed that she is suspected of instructing the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical, Kayden, to tamper with the anti- cancer drug.¡± What the h*ll? ¡°Don''t tell me that stupid woman wanted to frame me but was made into a scapegoat by Cadence?¡± Artemis said nothing but gave her a look that showed she had guessed everything right. Bailey rolled her eyes and said, ¡°What have I done that made her hate me so much? Unfortunately, she went for wool and came back shorn.¡± Chuckling lowly, Artemis replied, ¡°Maybe she was envious of you, or maybe she was jealous of you, and then it gradually turned into hatred. Anyway, she is indeed stupid to mess with the pharmaceutical factory that''s under her family. Isn''t this pushing her own family to a downfall? Other pharmaceutical companies who have had their eyes on Shurmer Group''s share of the market are probably celebrating now.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. Her target was actually Cadence since he had drugged and harmed Maxton. She had to get revenge on behalf of the boy and ensure Cadence paid the price for it. However, she did not expect Zoey to ruin her n. D*mn it! She should just spend the rest of her life in jail! Chapter 268 Chapter 268 Waverly was in the living room at the Shurmer residence. When she saw her son walk in, she stood up to greet him anxiously. Earlier on, when Waverly was dealing with the personnel from the Department of Justice, there was no sign of panic on her face. Now that Zeke had returned, her true feelings were written all over her face. ¡°Zeke, what''s going on with your sister? W-Why did she order Kayden to tamper with the new drug?¡± Zeke looked at his mother and replied calmly, ¡°I told you before that Zoey has been blinded by love, and you allowing her to do as she wished has only spoiled her rotten. Now that she has caused so much trouble, it will be impossible for her to get out of it. You should be mentally prepared that she will be sentenced to jail for her crime.¡± ¡°That sounds serious!¡± Waverly looked at him in surprise and asked in a quavering voice, ¡°Why did she spike the new drug? There''s no reason for her to do that. Do you think someone else told her to do so?¡± Zeke helped her back to the couch before he answered, ¡°Has it ever crossed your mind who will be held responsible if the patients suffer various side effects after taking the new drug?¡± Waverly was not stupid. She knew what her son was trying to get at. ¡°Are you telling me that Zozo wanted to sabotage Bailey, and that''s why she did what she did? Then, how did the officers from the Department of Justice find out? Zozo may be impulsive, but she wouldn''t have been so careless. How did the Department of Justice find out so quickly?¡± Zeke rubbed his brows and said helplessly, ¡°Kayden from Dyke Pharmaceutical is the one who tipped them off. He has already made a run for it. Before absconding, he handed a recording of the phone conversation between him and Zoey and a three hundred million check to the Department of Justice.¡± Waverly turned pale immediately. ¡°Are you saying that they have solid evidence?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zeke nodded and continued, ¡°That''s why I want you to be mentally prepared that Zoey will be incarcerated.¡± ¡°No!¡± Waverly stood up from the couch and raised her voice. ¡°Your sister cannot go to prison! She''s a girl. Once she has a criminal record, her life will be over!¡± Zeke looked up at his mother and said casually, ¡°It isn''t up to you and me whether she goes to prison or not. It all depends on the Department of Justice. Personally, I think this will be a good lesson for her. If not, she will continue with her arrogant ways. Next time, she may not end up in jail. She may even lose her life.¡± Waverly narrowed her eyes and stared at her son. ¡°What do you mean? Do you intend to watch your sister get imprisoned for years?¡± Zeke bowed his head slightly before responding nonchntly, ¡°Even if it isn''t for a few years, we should at least let her stay inside for a couple of weeks. It will be an unforgettable lesson for her.¡± Waverly let out a sigh of relief. Since her son said that, then he must have a solution on hand. There was no way he would allow his sister to be convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. Waverly was d. Although Zeke was a very upright person, he would still help Zoey since they were siblings, after all. ¡°Do you know of any way to exonerate Zozo?¡± After a moment of silence, Zeke answered, ¡°I will try my best. Now that Bailey knows about the tampering incident, she has run some tests. Zoey will be found guilty if Bailey hands in those reports to the court.¡± His meaning was clear. Whether Zoey would be found guilty or not all depended on what Bailey decided to do. ¡°Bailey...¡± Waverly mumbled her name, and a n popped up in her mind. It looked like she would have to meet Bailey after all. In a bedroom at the Luther residence, Rhonda was on the phone with Beatrice. ¡°Mom, why are youughing so happily? Do you have good news to share? Let me guess. Are you pregnant?¡± ¡°Silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? How can I be pregnant at this age? It''s about Zoey. That b*tch has been taken away by the Department of Justice. Apparently, she has been used of ordering someone to tamper with the new drug. I think she''s a goner this time around.¡± Rhonda''s grip on her phone tightened. Zoey is going to prison? Haha! That sl*t is going to prison! That''s great! Cadence didn''t lie to me after all. That old man really sent that wh*re into prison. ¡°Mom, how reliable is your source? Why didn''t I hear anything?¡± ¡°Of course, it''s reliable,¡± said Beatrice with a smug smile. ¡°I have a close friend who works at the Department of Justice. She''s the one who told me, so of course it''s reliable. I think the public doesn''t know anything yet because the Shurmer family must have suppressed the news.¡± Rhonda smiled, and a vicious look shed across her eyes. ¡°Then, we should do a good deed and spread this shocking news around. Let the public enjoy this juicy piece of news.¡± ¡°Sure. I was thinking about the same thing too. Just wait and see. I will have someone get to it right away.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After the two women ended their phone call, Rhonda raised her wine ss and clinked it against the window. With a devilish smile, she mumbled to herself, ¡°Zoey Shurmer, looks like there''s nothing fantastic about you. After putting in so much effort, you still ended up going to prison without hurting Bailey in the least. That''s hrious. I appeared to have overestimated your ability.¡± Meanwhile, Justin, who had been missing for days, had finally returned to the Xuereb residence. When Olivia saw her soning out of the car with crutches, she rushed up to give him a hand. ¡°Didn''t you go overseas to attend a medical forum? How did you hurt your leg?¡± A few days ago, Bill broke Justin''s leg. In order not to cause any worries to the Xuereb family and Scarlett, he found an excuse and imed he was going abroad to attend a forum with no return date in sight. Now that he had returned with an injury, it was only natural for Olivia to be worried. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Justin nced at Scarlett, who was standing on the steps, before consoling Olivia, ¡°Don''t worry. It''s just a minor ident. I hurt my tendons, that''s all. How has Lettie been? Is she doing okay after staying here for the past few days?¡± Olivia red at him and chided him with a smile, ¡°I knew it. Once you have a wife, you forgot about your mother. The first thing you asked about is Lettie. Don''t worry. Lettie will be my daughter-inw soon, so I won''t ill-treat her.¡± With that, she turned around and said to Scarlett, ¡°See? Even when he isn''t at home, all he can think about is you.¡± Scarlett smiled slightly and looked down to hide her sharp gaze. She knew well enough about his whereabouts for the past few days. Their little family of three get along well, don''t they? Justin, Justin. Am I really your fianc¨¦e? What''s so good about that Revelle woman? In terms of family background, looks and talents, I''m much more superior to her. Once they got back to their room, Olivia went downstairs to prepare some food. Justin used that opportunity to talk to Scarlett. ¡°Lettie, I have something important to discuss with you.¡± Chapter 269 Chapter 269 Scarlett smiled at him mockingly with a hint of hostility on her exquisite face. I knew he was going to mention the bone marrow the moment he returned. It seems that he''s very determined to save that illegitimate child of his. Once he has saved that illegitimate child, will he bring both the mother and son back to the Xuereb residence and chase me out after that? Justin, I won''t let you have what you want. As long as I''m still alive, Veronique will never be able to be a part of the Xuereb family. I will make sure that bastard will always be known as the illegitimate child. ¡°We are about to hold our wedding, so there''s no need to be so polite with me. Just speak your mind. Don''t worry about anything.¡± After a moment of consideration, Justin said, ¡°The eldest daughter of the Revelle family, Yvonne, has contacted me to ask you to donate your bone marrow to help her young son. She told me that she has spoken to you in the past, but you rejected her. Lettie, can you please help her on my ount?¡± Scarlett loomed over him and pretended to be in a dilemma. ¡°You are aware of my poor health. If I donate my bone marrow, it will hurt my health. Justin, I''m your future wife. How can you hurt my health for the sake of a stranger?¡± She had purposefully emphasized the word ¡°stranger.¡± Distracted by his son''s condition, Justin failed to sense that something was amiss with her. ¡°I know you aren''t in great health, but a child''s life is in peril. Lettie, I will personally perform the surgery and make sure you are unharmed.¡± Scarlett chuckled softly and felt a dull paining from her chest. The man she loved wanted to personally remove her bone marrow to save the illegitimate child he had with another woman. I''m sorry. I''m not a saint. There''s no way I can do that. ¡°Are you going to call off the wedding if I don''t agree to your request?¡± Justin was taken aback. ¡°What are you talking about? The whole world knows about our impending wedding. Why are you talking nonsense?¡± The smile on Scarlett''s face deepened. ¡°I''m not joking with you. Fine. I will donate my bone marrow but only after the wedding. Don''t get me wrong; I''m not negotiating with you. I''m only worried that I will regret it if I die on the operating table before I can be your wife.¡± ¡°Don''t talk rubbish,¡± Justin told her off. ¡°You are a little weak but taking your bone marrow won''t kill you. In the future, don''t say things like this anymore.¡± Scarlett burst outughing. ¡°Fine, fine. I won''t say such things anymore. So, do you promise?¡± Justin went quiet. There was no way he could say no. Veronique refused to get pregnant again. Only Scarlett''s bone marrow could save Zephyr right now. Seeing Justin keeping quiet, Scarlett did not push him either. Instead, she sat next to him with her head down, her eyes filled with raging emotions. Once he agreed, she would never allow Veronique and her son to live on. After all, if he was willing to bring forward their wedding because of that bastard, in the future, he would chase her out of the household because of that bastard as well. The mother and son were the stumbling blocks in her hope of having a blissful marriage. She had no choice but to get rid of them. ¡°Sure. Let''s get married as soon as possible. After the wedding is over, you will donate your bone marrow to save the boy.¡± When she heard what Justin said, she clenched her fists instinctively. So, this man is willing topromise because of that bastard of his. Ha! What a joke! She had been waiting for six years, but he had never once given in. Yet, right now, he agreed just like that because of that illegitimate child of his. Justin, don''t me me for being ruthless. I can''t keep that bastard alive. ¡°Great! Pick a date and go to the capital and ask my father for my hand in marriage then.¡± Justin kept quiet. Inside a VIP room in Century Hotel, Victoria raised her wine ss and gave a toast to her business partners. ¡°All of you have been working with Saunders Group for many years. I know that the economy hasn''t been doing well this year, and everyone''s businesses have been affected. But, if all of you cancel your contracts with Saunders Group, it will cause a huge disruption to our operation. If any of you is unhappy with the profit, there''s still room for discussion. There''s no need for such drastic actions.¡± The few bosses exchanged nces and saw fear in each other''s eyes. They wanted to cooperate with Saunders Group, but if they did so, they would face bankruptcy. Small and medium enterprises like theirs could not afford to offend LG Corporation. ¡°It isn''t that we aren''t willing to work with Saunders Group, but we have our own difficulties as well. LG Corporation controls arge portion of global mediapanies. In the future, we still need to rely on them to market our products. There''s no way I will dare to offend Mr. Gezmond.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± another boss chimed in. ¡°Please don''t me us for not helping you based on our past rtionships. We have families too. If we offend LG Corporation, our families may get into trouble. I''m sure that''s not what you want to see, is it?¡± ¡°Vicky, instead of wasting your time on us, why don''t you have a talk with Mr. Gezmond? Seven years ago, Saunders Group destroyed his family and ruined their reputation. Only you can solve the problem now. Resolve the grudge between the two of you. Hopefully, he will spare the Saunders family.¡± ¡°True. It''s better that you look for Mr. Gezmond. We have other matters to see to, so we shall make a move first. Hopefully, Saunders Group can ovee this hurdle in one piece.¡± With that, those business partners stood up and walked out. ¡°Please don''t go...¡± This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org. Victoria got up to stop them, but their bodyguards were too powerful. She could only watch them leave the private room in a hurry. After their bodyguards left too, she quickly rushed outside only to hear the conversation between her business partners. ¡°Everyone knows that Vincent and his daughter ganged up against Mr. Lionel seven years ago and made him sleep with his stepmother. That caused Mr. Lionel his reputation. I can''t believe she has the audacity to beg us for help today.¡± ¡°The family is destroyed, and his reputation is ruined. There is no way Lionel will forget about it. Even if he is a good-for-nothing, he will also take revenge on the Saunders family. Now that Lionel has be such a powerful man, I think it''s the end for the Saunders family.¡± Victoria''s legs turned into jelly, and she copsed to the ground. It turned out that everyone was aware of how the Saunders family had set Lionel up all those years ago. Both her father and she had caused the destruction of the Gezmond family. ¡°Ms. Saunders, what''s wrong?¡± Her assistant came running to her. Victoria allowed her assistant to help her back to the chair. With a deep, hoarse voice, she asked, ¡°Lucy, how do I get myself locked up in prison?¡± Chapter 270 Chapter 270 The assistant was shocked as she stared at Victoria in bewilderment. ¡°M-Ms. Saunders, are you feeling under the weather? Should I apany you to the hospital?¡± Wearing a bitter smile, Victoria gradually lowered her head and replied, ¡°I''m fine.¡± After saying that, she fell silent for some time before suddenly muttering, ¡°If I sell some shares illegally to obtain arge amount of cash, will I be imprisoned for a few years?¡± ¡°Ms. Saunders, w-what do you mean?¡± Victoria took a deep breath, looked up at her assistant, and grinned. ¡°It''s nothing. My mind was not working properly, so I spouted some nonsense. Let''s go. We''ll go back to thepany first.¡± Lucy was rendered speechless by Victoria''s response. Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office at Luther Group, Bailey pushed the door open and strode into the room. She asked, ¡°So, are there any updates on Kayden''s whereabouts?¡± Kayden was the only witness who could testify Cadence was the mastermind. Only by arresting Kayden could theypletely eliminate Cadence, who was a ticking time bomb. Bailey felt ill at ease, knowing Cadence was still alive and lurking in the shadows. Artemis put down the pen in his hand and shook his head. ¡°No. He must have nned his escape route in advance, so there''s no way to track him down at the moment. Give me another two days. I reckon we''ll receive some news soon because I''ve also mobilized the underworld forces to borrow their influence for this manhunt.¡± Bailey walked up to the curved desk and rested her palms on the tabletop. Then, she leaned forward and arched her brows at him. ¡°Underworld forces? It seems like you''re not as simple as you appear to be, Mr. Luther. Perhaps you''re hiding many more secrets behind your identity as the person in charge of Luther Group?¡± Artemis leaned closer to her, lifted his head, and gently pecked the corner of her lips twice. ¡°Why don''t you make a guess?¡± She pped him on his head and pushed him away. ¡°It''s fine even if you don''t want to tell me.¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Artemis was about to say something when Dwayne entered. ¡°Mr. Luther, something bad happened. The news of Ms. Shurmer being taken away by the authorities has leaked to the public, including the reason behind her arrest. This topic is being hotly discussed over the inte, and everyone is waiting for Ms. Anonymous to step up.¡± ¡°Waiting for me?¡± Bailey pointed at herself in perplexity. ¡°Why are they waiting for me?¡± Dwayne scratched his nose and took two steps back. He was afraid of getting dragged into the mess because he sensed the devilish aura enveloping Bailey''s body. ¡°They are waiting for you to publish the test report to verify whether or not the batch of new medications has been tampered with. If the test report is negative, Ms. Shurmer will at most be charged with attempting tomit a crime and be detained for two weeks. However, if the new medications are indeed contaminated, Ms. Shurmer will be proven guilty for her crimes and will likely be sentenced.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrow. I see. Does that mean I''m in control of Zoey''s fate? She looked sideways at Artemis and shed a sinister smile. ¡°Your first crush''s fate lies within my hands. Are you going to beg me to show her mercy?¡± Artemis waved his hand to chase Dwayne out of the room. Then, he walked past the curved desk and stopped in front of her. Wrapping his arm around Bailey''s waist, he pulled her into his embrace. Seemingly used to his action, Bailey did not struggle. Instead, she beamed at him, dazzling him with her gorgeous smile. Artemis'' heart softened at that sight. He could not help but lean in to kiss her eyebrows while he chirped, ¡°In that case, please show Zoey sympathy and spare her life. However, you did mention her as my first crush. Well, she''s not qualified. There''s no ce for a first crush in my heart because you''ve already upied every inch of my heart.¡± Bailey shuddered in disgust, and she felt goosebumps all over her body. He''s really bing more and more flirtatious. ¡°What if I refuse to do so? After all, Zoey provoked me first. I am not a saint. If others dare toy a finger on me, there''s no way I will do nothing and endure in silence. If Cadence did not make her his scapegoat, or if I had not taken the necessary precautions, she might have just gotten her way and put me behind bars. How am I different from those innocent fools out there if I forgive her so easily?¡± Artemis'' smile grew wider as his grip around her waist tightened. He uttered tenderly, ¡°If that''s the case, then enjoy to your heart''s content so long as you don''t kill her in the process. I''m afraid members of the Shurmer family will target you relentlessly if they''re driven to desperation.¡± Bailey looked at him in amusement as a sense of gratification filled her chest. Artemis wondered if Bailey realized how beautiful or exceptionally captivating her facial expression was at that moment. ¡°You''re such a heartless person, Mr. Luther. Ms. Shurmer once saved your life, after all. Are you going to stand by and watch as I y with her like a cat does with a mouse?¡± He reached out to caress her delicate face, seemingly enticed by and losing himself in her enchanting smile. If we were living in ancient times, and I had ascended the throne, I''m sure I would be a terrible ruler of ill-repute with Bailey by my side. Toying with my council members to please her is nothing. I''m even willing to fail all my subjects and wreak havoc in this world for her. ¡°Bay, you are the only person I love. Zoey did save my life. If she wants me to repay her one day, she can just stab me with a knife, and I will not resist. However, I cannot allow her to harm you because that is beyond my tolerance.¡± Bailey gradually put away the smile on her face. Just a moment ago, she had nned to let Zoey spend a few years in jail to teach thetter an unforgettable lesson, but now... Never mind, forget it. Zoey once saved his life, and that is, without a doubt, a significant favor. I''ll let her go this time and consider the score between Artemis and her settled after this. ¡°Fine. I''ll just let her be detained for two weeks for your sake. Artemis, from now on, you don''t have to take into ount the kindness she showed you anymore because the debt has been cleared.¡± Instead of saying anything in response, Artemis leaned forward and kissed her lips. How can I not fall in love with someone like her? To want me to let her go? Hah! There''s no way I will ever let go of her for the rest of my life unless I''m dead. In a private room in a cafe, the moment Bailey pushed open the door and entered, her eyes were immediately drawn to an elegant middle-aged woman sitting beside the windows. She was a graceful and dignified woman whose every gesture wasced with a hint of nobility. Naturally, those were not of significance. The most important thing was her face. When Bailey saw that woman''s facial features, it was as if she was looking into a mirror. We look alike, so much alike! No wonder Mr. Luther mistook me for his first crush, and I''m now not surprised that Zeke confused me with his mother. I do appear very simr to her, the eldest daughter of the Gezmond family and the matriarch of the Shurmer family¡ªWaverly Gezmond. Equally shocked was Waverly as she gaped at the youngdy at the door in a daze. If Zozo had not grown up by my side, I might have mistakenly considered her my long-lost daughter. ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Both of them spoke and faltered at the same time. Bailey arched her brow and smiled. ¡°Please, go on.¡± Waverly cleared her throat to suppress her astonishment before pointing at the chair opposite her and saying gently, ¡°If you don''t mind, would you like to enjoy a cup of coffee with me, Ms. Jefferson?¡± Bailey did not refuse her. She strode over, sat opposite Waverly, and cut to the chase. ¡°What benefits do you n to offer me so that I will let Ms. Shurmer off the hook?¡± Chapter 271 Chapter 271 Waverly was stunned. Clearly, she never expected Bailey to be so direct. Regardless, hearing that from Bailey made Waverly relieved. Straightforward people are much easier to deal withpared to those pretentious hypocrites with bad intentions. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I like your straightforwardness. You''ve just arrived, and you''re already jumping straight into the topic,¡± Waverlymented. Bailey raised her brow and smiled. ¡°I''ve been mistaken as you several times in the past, which appears to be a strange twist of fate. Besides, we would eventually have to dive into the main topic, anyway. There''s no difference between talking about it now orter. Thus, there''s no need for us to beat around the bush.¡± Waverly smiled and nodded in response. If only thisdy wasn''t Zozo''s love rival. I probably could''ve treated her as my own daughter just because she looks exactly like me. All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. Though Waverly had given birth to Zoey, she could not find a single resemnce on her daughter''s face. However, Waverly''s attention waspletely captured after meeting Bailey, who had such an interesting personality. Unfortunately, Zoey had also fallen in love with the son of the Luther family. After weighing the pros and cons, she realized she only had one option. ¡°All right. Since you''re so straightforward, then I shall be honest as well. My daughter is young and immature. She was too blinded by love that she thought there was something going on between you and Artemis. That''s why she had a momentarypse of judgment, which led her to make that mistake. Thankfully, no substantial damage was caused. For the sake of this good rtionship we have, can you please forgive my daughter''s foolish acts?¡± Bailey side-eyed Waverly and shed thetter a half smile. ¡°What if I say there''s really something going on between Artemis and me? Will you stand on your daughter''s side and go against me in the future? Will I be creating a threat for myself if I forgive her today? Mrs. Shurmer, do you really think I''ll do something so disadvantageous for myself?¡± Waverly was truly the matriarch of the Shurmer family. Despite Bailey''s ufortable questions, the former''s expression never changed. Instead, she said calmly, ¡°Oh, Ms. Jefferson, you must be joking. You''ve given Mr. Simon two children. In terms of seniority in the family, Artemis is the uncle of your two children. Anyone can date whomever they like, but you can never be with Artemis. That''s against the social rules, after all. I''m sure you''re a smart person, Ms. Jefferson. How could you go against the social rules?¡± Bailey sneered inwardly. And now she starts talking about morals, eh? Why didn''t she consider the consequence of her daughter falling into my hands when she was condoning Zoey''s actions of messing with me? ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, you''re truly a smart person. Sadly, your daughter''s foolishness has caused her to make a mistake that''ll ruin her reputation.¡± Waverly quickly chimed in, ¡°Yes. She was being foolish. Otherwise, she wouldn''t havee up with such a rotten idea. Ms. Jefferson, please state your terms. I''ll never decline as long as it''s something within the Shurmer family''s powers.¡± Bailey lowered her head and yed with her nails while saying casually, ¡°The test report for the new drug is out. Not only did she tell Kayden to switch out the original ingredients, she even switched out the sample I came up with. Thankfully, Kayden''s rationality prevailed, and he reported this matter to the Department of Justice in time. If not, this batch of drugs would''ve caused many deaths once it was launched. I''d be the first to be criticized terribly. Do you think this matter can be resolved just because you say she was being stupid? This is a serious matter, after all.¡± Waverly frowned. She was no fool. Naturally, she sensed the threat behind Bailey''s words. s, it did Waverly no good, even if she saw through it. She has the drug''s test report. Once it''s submitted to the court, Zozo will be found guilty. ¡°If that''s the case, what do you think is the most appropriate way to settle this?¡± Bailey blinked and raised her brow. ¡°I heard that Ms. Shurmer rescued Mr. Luther once. How about this? I''ll forgive her this once as repayment for this favor Mr. Luther owes her. How about that?¡± Waverly was stunned. Her instincts told her that Bailey''s and Artemis'' rtionship was much moreplicated than she expected. The fact that Bailey was willing to ask for the repayment of the debt Artemis owed Zoey instead of using such a great opportunity to gain more benefits for herself was surprising. I''ll never believe it if someone says thisdy isn''t interested in Artemis. Looks like Zozo has found herself a powerful opponent. ¡°You seem to be getting the short end of the stick on this deal. Why don''t we do this? I''ll ce the Shurmer family''s best research base in Archulea under your name. In the future, you can stay in Archulea to develop new medicines instead ofing all the way to Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk...¡± Bailey could not help but click her tongue. The best research base, eh? Mrs. Shurmer is really giving her all to make me leave Hallsbay. Then again... ¡°I''m sorry. I''ve already made a deal with Mr. Luther. He says if I can use this opportunity to repay the favor he owes Ms. Shurmer, then he''ll give me three research bases. The deal you''re offering is not as attractive as the one Mr. Luther offered. I''m afraid I''ll have to reject it.¡± Waverly''s lips twitched in frustration. I get it now. Thisdy is colluding with Artemis. They''re determined to use this chance to repay Zozo''s favor for saving Artemis'' life seven years ago. That''s clever. Oh, Zozo. You''re so foolish. You''ve squandered all your advantages by just making one mistake. ¡°Okay. I shall ept your proposal, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey cocked her brow and smiled. ¡°It doesn''t count if you say yes. Ms. Shurmer has to personally ept it. Moreover, she has to promise she''ll never use the incident of her saving his life as an excuse to make Mr. Luther do anything for her again in the future.¡± Waverly was at a loss for words. She calmed herself down and suppressed the surging rage in her. Suddenly, she changed the subject. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, your personality is really different from your mother''s. Even your looks are different. If your surname wasn''t Jefferson, I would''ve wondered if Sophia actually gave birth to you.¡± Taken aback, Bailey eyed her and asked, ¡°You knew my mother?¡± ¡°How can we not know each other when we''re from the same industry? Come to think of it, your mother and I were at the same hospital on the same day, waiting to give birth back then. In fact, you and Zozo should be born on the same date.¡± Victoria was sitting in the CEO''s office of Saunders Group while reading a document. Standing beside her was her assistant, who said anxiously, ¡°Ms. Saunders, Saunders Group''s stock prices have been plummeting recently. It''s causing thepany''s executives to panic. Some shareholders even want to sell their shares to escape the situation. What do you think we should do?¡± Smack! Victoria mmed the document on the table. She leaned back in her chair despondently and said hoarsely, ¡°Lucy, can I trust you?¡± Lucy Chambers, the assistant, nodded fervently. ¡°I was trained by you. I''ll never betray you, even if everyone in thepany does so.¡± ¡°Very well, Lucy.¡± Victoria got up from her chair, walked around the desk, and approached Lucy. She ced her arms on thetter''s shoulders and uttered clearly, ¡°I''ve ordered the finance department to mobilize the assets to control the stock market first. After that, I''ll sell off all of my shares and withdraw arge sum of money. Once the stock market copses, we''ll publicly announce that Saunders Group has gone bankrupt.¡± Lucy gazed at her in puzzlement and stammered, ¡°M-Ms. Saunders, are you trying to abscond with the money? That''s illegal!¡± Chapter 272 Chapter 272 Controlling the stock market would make Saunders Group''s stock prices look as if they were rising steadily. It would then attract arge group of shareholders to purchase thepany''s shares. Once the capital chain had ruptured, the stock market would implode. Countless people would lose all their possessions once Saunders Group announced its bankruptcy. Has Ms. Saunders gone mad? Mr. Victor was sentenced to imprisonment because he tried to control the stock market. Is she trying to walk the same path he took? ¡°No way! I can''t just watch you vite thew. Ms. Saunders, let''s just announce bankruptcy if the company can''t hold on anymore. Don''t control the stock market and sell the stocks for cash, all right? You''ll end up going to jail!¡± A bitter smile appeared on Victoria''s face. That''s the whole point. I want to go to jail. Since that man wants to get revenge, then I''ll let him get his revenge properly. All of his suffering over the past few years will be ounted for once I''m sent to jail. I don''t have the right to beg him to forgive the Saunders family. All I can do is satisfy his wishes¡ªlet Saunders Group go bankrupt and go to jail on behalf of my father. ¡°Lucy, I have my reasons for doing this, but I''m afraid I can''t tell you about it. Whether you understand my intentions or not, please do what I''ve told you today. You''re free to talk to the board if you want to expose me. I''ll just me it on myself for trusting you.¡± With reddened eyes, Lucy hugged Victoria and cried, ¡°Ms. Saunders, you''re doing this because of Mr. Gezmond, aren''t you? Why are you so foolish? Why would you send yourself to jail because of a grudge from the past?¡± Victoriay her head on Lucy''s shoulder and said calmly, ¡°You won''t understand. You''ll never experience the misery of watching the man you love standing before you with his wife. It hurts so bad. I''m in urgent need to vent it out, and I need to end this ill-fated rtionship. When everything''s over, I''ll need you to help me return all the money I''ve transferred out to the shareholders. Don''t let them face any losses. I-I just want to use them to help me get into jail.¡± ¡°Ms. Saunders, you¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough. I''ve already made up my mind, so you can stop trying to persuade me otherwise. Please help me to clean up the mess once I''m in jail. I''m counting on you.¡± In the meantime, Lionel was leaning against the window of the CEO''s office in Fashionista. He was silently studying the southeast of the bustling city. Standing among the sea of skyscrapers was a building that belonged to Saunders Group. Right then, the office door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man dressed in a suit entered. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, Saunders Group''s stock price has plunged terribly. The executives are panicking, investors are withdrawing their investments, and coborators are canceling their agreements. We''ve brought Saunders Group to its lowest. Yet, Ms. Saunders hasn''t taken any action against this. I''m afraid Saunders Group will be announcing its bankruptcy soon if this continues.¡± ¡°Really? Then, let it be so. Tell the relevant departments to make preparations to purchase the company.¡± Lionel''s voice echoed in therge office. It was cold and emotionless. ¡°Understood.¡± The middle-aged man turned around to leave the office. He had only taken two steps when Lionel called out again, ¡°Hold on. Have you done as I told you and collected the evidence of Vincent doing illegal transactions for the past few years?¡± The middle-aged man shuddered. He turned around slowly and uttered with difficulty, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, Mr. Victor has been sentenced to jail, and Saunders Group is going bankrupt soon. Isn''t that enough? Vincent is old and terribly ill. He''ll definitely die once he''s sent to jail. You¡ª¡± Before the middle-aged man could finish, Lionel threw the former a chilling stare. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you feeling sorry for them?¡± ¡°N-No,¡± the middle-aged man answered. He quickly nodded and went on respectfully, ¡°I''ve collected sufficient evidence to have Vincent imprisoned for life. I''ll arrange them now and hand them to you.¡± ¡°Go on. No one in the Saunders family, apart from Victoria, will be getting a happy ending.¡± The middle-aged man was speechless. The news about Zoey asking the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical to tamper with the new drug had caused quite a stir. Everyone was waiting eagerly to find out what kind of terrible fate the international socialite would face. The waiting took three whole days. Three dayster, Bailey used her identity as Anonymous to announce that the new drug produced by Dyke Pharmaceutical had never been tampered with. With that conclusion, it meant that Zoey had only attempted tomit a crime. ording to thew, she only needed to be detained for two weeks. The countlessizens waiting to see how everything turned out were not that disappointed at the announcement. After all, Zoey was not really in their way. Hence, there was no need for them to wish her dead. Of course, some lost their temper as soon as they heard the news. For example, Rhonda. Loud crashing sounds rang out in the living room of the Jefferson residence. Rhonda swept all the sses and antiques on the coffee table to the ground. ¡°D*mn it! This is so frustrating. I can''t believe that vermin, Zoey, is still roaming free after all this!¡± she cursed. Beatrice merely sat in a corner and watched her daughter vent her frustration. The former had absolutely no intentions of stopping thetter. The truth was Beatrice wanted to vent her frustration as well. However, with her current identity, she could not afford to lose her calm. Rhonda slumped into the seat beside Beatrice and sobbed, ¡°Mom... This was such a great opportunity, but we still failed to get rid of Zoey. This is so frustrating and annoying!¡± Reaching out, Beatrice grabbed her daughter''s hand and patted the back of it. Sheforted thetter, ¡°Perhaps Zoey not being sentenced to jail might be a good thing. It means that we can still count on her to deal with Bailey.¡± Rhonda could not help but scoff. ¡°Mom, are you really still counting on that idiot to deal with Bailey? I''d rather count on myself rather than Zoey. She''s on apletely different levelpared to Bailey and would be wiped out anytime.¡± Beatrice smiled. ¡°This round was a mistake. She underestimated Bailey. Now that she''s been kicked out of the Ten Acimed Socialites, her heart must be filled with resentment. Just wait and see. Once she''s out of jail, she''ll definitely go to more drastic measures to take revenge on Bailey.¡± Rhonda pouted and scoffed, ¡°So what if Zoey wants to skin Bailey alive? It''s only a waste of time when she can''t even defeat Bailey. She almost got sentenced to life imprisonment this time. How am I supposed to count on her to take down Bailey?¡± ¡°Zoey can''t, but she has Waverly backing her, doesn''t she? That woman is the matriarch of the Shurmer family. She''s got some incredible tricks up her sleeves. Even if Waverly can''t kill Bailey, she''ll make Bailey''s life a living hell.¡± Rhonda''s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°That''s right. Why didn''t I think of Mrs. Shurmer? She''s the champion among champions. Dealing with Bailey would be just a piece of cake for a woman who''s been a matriarch of the Shurmer family for over twenty years.¡± Beatrice smiled and patted Rhonda''s cheek. ¡°That''s why we shouldn''t panic. Let''s just rx and watch the drama unfold.¡± Bailey opened the door to the VIP room on the highest floor of Hallsbay''s biggest nightclub, Aurora Club. ¡°Quick! Bailey''s here!¡± ¡°Hello, Bailey.¡± ¡°Hello, Bailey.¡±N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Chapter 273 Chapter 273 Bailey was just about to put her right foot into the room when she heard waves of greetings traveling into her ears. She instinctively stopped in her tracks and scanned the room. Artemis, check. Dwayne, check. Justin, check. And that seductive-looking woman... Wait, no, he''s a man. Okay. I know Sylvester, too. I don''t recognize the other two apart from these four... Hold on, that''s not true. I know that man sitting in the corner. Micah Neyman... A cold, murderous intent flooded Bailey''s gaze. In the next second, she disappeared in a sh and pounced on Micah. Her dagger glinted as Bailey charged at Micah''s face. It was a fatal move. The room''s lively atmosphere fell into a pin-drop silence all of a sudden. Looks of puzzlement shed across the eyes of Artemis and the others. Never did they expect Bailey to exude such a murderous aura upon entering the room. ¡°A-Artemis, w-what did Micah do to offend Bailey?¡± Sylvester stammered. Artemis did not answer. Instead, an unfathomable look filled his narrowed eyes as he watched the duo tangle in a fight. Bailey was not the type who would take the initiative to challenge someone to a fight. Her agitation and murderous aura meant that she and Micah had a bad history with each other. Even worse, it was a deep-rooted blood feud. In the blink of an eye, both of them had exchanged dozens of strikes, yet there was still no winner. As Micah counterattacked, he frowned and asked, ¡°May I know in what way I have offended you? What did I do to make you so mad? If I remember correctly, this is our first encounter with each other, right?¡± Our first encounter? Hah! I''d recognize you even if your body has turned to ashes. This is the man who made Shannon and Eugene flee to the ends of the earth. In the end, Eugene died... The scene of Eugene lying on the operating table and drenched in blood appeared in her mind. It was a heart-wrenching sight. She had sworn to herself countless times that she would bring the vicious man to Eugene''s grave, make him kneel before it, and beg for forgiveness. Shannon, however, was tired of being tortured. Hence, she was constantly in fear that Micah would find her. To keep Shannon''s whereabouts a secret, Bailey had no choice but to suppress the horrifying memories of the past. She had not been looking for him for the past few years. The timing could not be better now that he had appeared before her. I''m going to kill him today. Noting something was amiss, Artemis quickly sprang to his feet. ¡°Micah, I''m going to skin you if you harm a hair on her head.¡± Micah snorted in exasperation upon hearing his best friend''s words. What the h*ll? Can''t you see who''s the one trying to kill the other? Hah! Sworn brother, my foot. I''m the first person he''s treating like sh*t once he has a girlfriend. D*mn it! Justin stood up and asked Artemis, ¡°This is weird. Have you heard of anything about Micah offending Bailey in the past?¡± Knitting his brows, Artemis said grimly, ¡°She has so many identities. How on earth would I know if Micah had offended her before?¡± Sylvester stepped forward and bbered, ¡°Judging from the way they''re fighting, it''s either they''ve killed someone''s family member or... I say, do you guys think Micah failed to keep control of a certain part of his and made Bailey¡ª¡± Before he could even finish, a wine bottle came flying at him. ¡°Oh, f*ck!¡± Sylvester hurriedly backed away and stopped spouting nonsense. While they were busy discussing the event, the duo had exchanged hundreds of strikes. The bnce of the fight was finally broken. Bailey was gradually faltering, not because her attacks were weaker than Micah''s, but because of the difference in strength between both genders. Worried Bailey might injure herself if she continued fighting, Artemis rushed forward and stood between them. With just three moves, he managed to part the duo, whose eyes were bloodshot from the fight. He then reached out and held Bailey tight in his arms. He was stunned to see her reddened and bloodshot eyes. ¡°Let me go!¡± Bailey swung her hand and gave Artemis a p. However, Artemis did not stop her or avoid it. He just epted it silently. A loud p echoed in the air. Sylvester rubbed his nose and nudged Dwayne in the arm, asking softly, ¡°What are they like when they''re alone? Does Ratemis get beaten up by Bailey all the time?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes at Sylvester and said snarkily, ¡°Follow them all the time, and you''ll get your answer.¡± Bailey finally snapped back to her senses as soon as the pnded on Artemis'' face. She stopped struggling and panted in Artemis'' embrace. In a frosty tone, she questioned, ¡°Who is he to you?¡± Artemis frowned. After much contemtion, he said, ¡°My sworn brother. Of course, I can make him kneel and beg for your forgiveness if he has offended you in any way.¡± Everyone else exchanged nces. So, this is how you coax a woman, eh? He''s willing to sacrifice his sworn brother just to calm his partner down. Very well. Ratemis is truly a jerk who loves his partner. Looking grim, Micah nced at Bailey and asked solemnly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, what did I do to offend you?¡± Before Bailey could speak, Artemis threw Micah a kick. ¡°Be more respectful to Bailey.¡± Micah''s lips twitched in annoyance. D*mn it. What''s the point of being a sworn brother? To everyone''s surprise, Bailey snickered before raising her graceful brows. She teased, ¡°You''ve got great skills. Not only am I not your opponent, but I even lost to you. Let me introduce myself. I''m Bailey Jefferson. You are?¡± Six confused faces stared at the scene in a daze, unable to process what they had just heard. Hold on, Bailey. So you don''t actually know him? Then why were you attacking so furiously just now? Bailey lowered her gaze and dismissed the murderous intent in her eyes. I was too rash just now. I want and need to kill him, but I can''t let him know I''m doing it because of Shannon. Artemis repressed the puzzlement in his heart and spoke to the woman in his arms. ¡°He''s Micah Neyman. He''s the one who brought Kayden back to the country. With Kayden in our possession, you can make him testify against Cadence.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Bailey looked at Artemis in confusion. He had not mentioned anything when he phoned to tell her to make a trip to the private room on the highest floor of Aurora Club. She never expected the person in charge of Dyke Pharmaceutical had been captured. ¡°Is that so? Well, thank you very much, Mr. Neyman. If I remember correctly, you''re the public front for the head of the world''s most powerful organization, Tarragon, right?¡± As for the true head behind the scenes, she had no idea. She had zero leads despite many years of investigation. Her words left all the men in the room shocked. Tarragon is a top-secret organization, and Micah''s identity is even more secretive than that. How does this woman know about it? Bailey could not help but smirk inwardly when she saw the bewilderment on their faces. The reason Bailey knew about all that was all thanks to Shannon, of course. She was the one who told Bailey all about it. Micah was the man whom Shannon had shared a bed with before. In fact, she had even given birth to a son for him. Hence, she knew a little about his identity. Chapter 274 Chapter 274 Whenever she thought of Shannon, Eugene''s innocent little face would pop up in her mind. The little boy died a horrible death and had once haunted her dreams. I also can''t forget thedy who suffered throughout her life... ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Artemis'' voice rang out, snapping her out of her reverie. At once, the hostility in her gaze slowly faded away. Micah narrowed his eyes at her and frowned. ¡°May I know how you got to know my real identity?¡± He was careful enough that no one except for a few trusted aides had seen his face in real life. Thus, the public had no idea who he was. Bailey didn''t bother hiding her malice, so he knew she wanted to kill him. It wasn''t a joke or provocation. She wants to kill me for real. She would''ve stabbed my chest with the dagger if I weren''t her match earlier. However, I don''t remember offending her. N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Bailey let out a low chuckle. ¡°Mr. Neyman, are you looking down on me? I''m Spook, the top international hacker. Would you believe me if I said I could steal all your top-secret files in Tarragon''s internal system with just aptop?¡± ¡°You''re Spook?¡± Micah stared at her in surprise for some time before turning to look at Artemis. He couldn''t believe his ears. ¡°Are you seriously telling me that the woman you fell in love with was the top hacker, Spook, who stole three billion from you six months ago, causing you to chase after her all around the world like a fool?¡± he asked incredulously. Well... When everyone thought Artemis would fly into a rage, he chuckled lightly. Without any embarrassment, he said, ¡°It''s a good thing my wife is more capable than me. You''re just being jealous of me.¡± Sylvester coughed twice and stepped forward to make the introductions. ¡°Bailey, we asked you toe today to hand Kayden to you and see you in person. We also wish to be introduced to you formally.¡± He turned around and announced, ¡°First in line is Artemis, your future husband. I don''t have to introduce him. This is Micah, second in line. The third in line is Justin, and the fourth is Dwayne. I''m Sylvester, the fifth in line. The young man engrossed in his game is Jerry Perry, sixth in line. The seventh, Dexter, is currently on a mission in Alendor. He couldn''t make it back in time. An hour ago, he called and asked me to say hello to you on his behalf.¡± Bailey lowered her head but didn''t say anything else. She knew what Artemis was getting at. He was introducing her to his sworn brothers so she would be branded as his. s, she had no choice but to disappoint him. ¡°Hello, Bailey,¡± the five men chorused politely. Micah, Justin, Dwayne, Sylvester, and Jerry were showing her respect as she was Artemis'' other half. Bailey pursed her lips without responding. Knowing her concern, Artemis sighed inwardly as he couldn''t expose her now. ¡°I shall thank you on behalf of her. She''ll acknowledge you when you get closer to each other in the future. Micah, where is Kayden?¡± Micah observed Bailey carefully. I need to find a chance to ask why she''s this hostile to me. ¡°The old man asked to see Bailey on the cruise ship docked at the port. He wanted to strike a deal with her.¡± Bailey arched a brow silently. A whileter, she said calmly, ¡°I''ll make time to meet him. I still need his help to catch Cadence.¡± As they had reached a conclusion, Artemis asked, ¡°Are you hungry? I''ll bring you to dinner now.¡± ¡°That won''t do!¡± Sylvester was the first to protest. ¡°It''s hard for us to gather together. You can''t bring Bailey to a candlelit dinner and abandon us. Both of you need to treat us to dinner tonight!¡± In the women''s prison, Waverly was seated in the visiting room. Sitting across from her was her daughter. Calmly, she revealed, ¡°Zozo, the International Socialite Club will remove your name from the top ten socialites as you''ll be held in detention for half a month.¡± ¡°What?¡± Zoey rose to her feet in shock. Gazing at Waverly in disbelief, she asked in a shaking voice, ¡°A-Am I really going to be held in detention for half a month? And is the International Socialite Club really removing my name from the top ten socialites? Mom, why did this happen? What is going on?¡± Waverly sighed helplessly. ¡°Don''t you know why this is happening? Zozo, you''re such a fool. There are many ways to deal with Bailey, but you picked the stupidest way. If you weren''t Artemis'' savior, I''m afraid you''d have to serve a few years sentence in prison.¡± Zoey was taken aback. She quickly regained herposure and grew emotional. ¡°Mom, what did you say? Did Artemis rescue me as I''m his savior? Doesn''t that mean he still cares for me?¡± Waverly shook her head and exhaled sharply. ¡°I don''t know whether or not he cares for you, but you''ve certainly wasted this favorpletely this time around.¡± Zoey furrowed her brows and clenched her jaw. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Waverly wasn''t about to keep the truth from her. ¡°Initially, Bailey tested the drug and confirmed there was something else in it. If she were to hand her report to the court, you''d definitely be convicted. Left with no choice, I had to go to her and ask for her help. She agreed to help me in exchange for the favor Artemis owed you after you saved his life. I agreed to her condition,¡± she said calmly. ¡°What?¡± Zoey''s eyes widened. Veins popped up on her forehead as she eximed, ¡°How could you agree to her condition? I was nning on using the favor to force Artemis to marry me!¡± ¡°Are you dumb?¡± Waverly snapped. ¡°Do you seriously think Artemis will marry you just because he owes you one? Rhonda''s contribution to the Luther family was greater than yours as she gave birth to their eldest grandson. But did Artemis cave in and marry her?¡± Zoey slumped in her chair as though she had been dealt a huge blow. She hung her head low and fell silent for a long while. Suddenly, something urred to her, and she nearly leaped out of her chair. ¡°Bailey is protecting the culprit! Mom, can we send her to jail if we report her behavior to the Department of Justice?¡± Waverly frowned and chided, ¡°You must''ve gone nuts. Who is she protecting? You? If we were to report her behavior to the Department of Justice, I''m sure you''ll be the first one to get convicted.¡± Chapter 275 Chapter 275 She couldn''t believe her usually smart daughter would devise such a stupid idea. How could she suggest such a brainless idea? ¡°Zozo, use the time in prison to adjust your behavior. If you''re still this naive by the end, you should stop thinking about going against Bailey. I''ll send you back to Lostaria immediately.¡± ¡°No!¡± Zoey''s fists balled as she growled through gritted teeth, ¡°I''ll listen to you and adjust my emotions in prison. Bailey is the reason I got kicked out of the International Socialites Club, so I''ll make her pay for what she did.¡± Waverly shed a satisfied grin. ¡°That''s my girl. Don''t worry. I''m here for you. I won''t let you suffer any setbacks in the future.¡± ¡°Yes, I still have you, Mom.¡± Lionel sat on his leather couch in his study in the Gezmond residence. Holding a winess, he narrowed his eyes at the middle-aged man standing across from him. ¡°Come again?¡± he demanded with a frown. The middle-aged man nodded and repeated, ¡°Saunders Group is making aeback. Its share price is increasing slowly with an upward tendency. These two days, many shareholders are repurchasing their shares. Saunders Group''s crisis has been resolved.¡± ¡°That''s impossible.¡± Lionel held his winess tightly and stated slowly, ¡°Under usual circumstances, Saunders Group can''t make aeback unless someone controls the share price and creates an illusion that there is an upward trend. Otherwise...¡± He faltered and fell silent. His expression turned dark as a thought urred to him. D*mn it. Is that woman foolish enough to control the share market to help Saunders Group make a comeback? ¡°Check Saunders Group''s capital flow and see if there have been any huge fluctuations these few days.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After watching the middle-aged man walk out of his study, Lionel tilted his head back and downed the red wine. Victoria, what do you have in mind? Outside his study, Wendy stood in the corridor and peeked through the gap of the door to see Lionel drinking alone. Her gaze turned cold as she balled up her fists. Suddenly, someone''s handnded on her shoulder. Out of instinct, she was about to scream when the person covered her lips. She turned at her shoulder to see Kimberly standing behind her. ¡°Shh!¡± Kimberly made a zipping motion with her hand before pulling her into the neighboring room. After the door shut behind them, Wendy said unhappily, ¡°Do you know how scary you were back there? Why are you sneaking around during the day?¡± Kimberly pulled her to the couch. ¡°Wends, you need to calm down. It isn''t time to teach Victoria a lesson yet. You should only take action against her after Lionel destroys Saunders Grouppletely.¡± Wendy''s expression turned dark when Victoria''s name was mentioned. ¡°It''s obvious Lionel is taking the b*tch''s side. If I don''t take action amidst the chaos, he''ll bring her to a secret ce and keep her for himself once Saunders Group goes bankrupt!¡± ¡°It would be great if that were to happen.¡± ¡°You...¡± Wendy huffed. ¡°Are you telling me to turn a blind eye to his actions? Should I allow Lionel to get a mistress?¡± Kimberly reached out to take her hand and patted the back of it tofort her. ¡°The Saunders family is in trouble now and might be destroyed any minute. Be patient and wait for a suitable opportunity to destroy the womanpletely.¡± Wendy calmed herself down. After a while of silence, she asked, ¡°When do you think is the right opportunity?¡± ¡°When the Saunders family goes bankrupt,¡± Kimberly revealed. ¡°If Lionel has the guts to keep her as his secret lover, you can expose her identity. She used to be an arrogant socialite but is now someone else''s mistress. If news gets out, everyone will surely condemn her.¡± Wendy pondered over the matter and realized her words made sense. Zoey had also given her the same suggestion earlier, so she nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay. I''ll be patient for a few more days and destroy her after Saunders Group goes bankrupt.¡± Bailey boarded a luxurious cruise ship docked at Hallbay''s pier. She went to the underground warehouse and saw Kayden tied to one of the shelves. Cocking a brow, she said, ¡°Mr. Jennings, we meet again.¡± The man, who had initially closed his eyes to nap, shifted slightly and opened them. Looking at her, he replied calmly, ¡°Ms. Bailey, you''re finally here. I''ve waited days for your arrival.¡± Bailey hooked a chair and dragged it to a spot before him. After taking a seat, she said, ¡°What do you want to discuss with me?¡± Kayden''s lips twitched as though he was smiling. ¡°Something that you want, of course. For example, proof that Mr. White ordered me to add something else in the new drug.¡± ¡°Okay. I like how straightforward you are, Mr. Jennings. Tell me your conditions.¡± Kayden chuckled. ¡°I think you should be able to guess my conditions, Ms. Jefferson. Let''s stop beating around the bush and get straight to the topic.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± Bailey snorted out loud. ¡°Interesting. Fine. I will release you once you provide evidence that it was Cadence who instructed you to tamper with the new drug.¡± Without warning, Kayden burst outughing. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, even if I hand you the evidence, I''m afraid you can''t send Mr. White to jail. After all, you just announced to the public two days ago that the drug isn''t contaminated with other substances. Ms. Shurmer is in detention for half a month, so Mr. White would most probably end up in jail for half a month, too. Getting him locked up for just a few weeks won''t benefit you at all.¡± Won''t it benefit me? He''s wrong. I stand to gain a lot if Cadence ends up in jail for half a month. Once news of him instructing the person in charge of the pharmaceuticalpany to tamper with the drug gets out, his career in the medical industry will be over. That will be his biggest punishment. ¡°That shouldn''t be your concern, Mr. Jennings. Tell me, do you agree to the deal or not?¡± Kayden shed a bitter smile. ¡°I don''t think I''m in the position to negotiate with you right now, am I? Give me a phone so I can contact a subordinate of mine who is safekeeping the evidence.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey pulled out her phone from her pocket. ¡°Mr. Jennings, you''d better be sure. If you dare to y any tricks, I''ll chop off your head directly.¡± After taking her phone, Kayden dialed a number. ¡°Give the stuff to Ms. Bailey. Remember not to alert Mr. White.¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°Got it, Mr. Jennings.¡± After the call ended, Kayden lifted his head to look at Bailey. ¡°Ms. Bailey, are you satisfied now?¡± Bailey pulled her phone from his grasp and turned to leave. ¡°I''ll ask them to let you go once I get what I want,¡± she said as she walked away briskly. One whomits many injustices is doomed to failure. Kayden, I hope you won''t work with the bad guys in the future. Upstairs, Bailey leaned on the railing on the deck and told Artemis, ¡°I''m afraid I need you to send some men to keep watch on Cadence''s private mansion. I don''t want the sly fox to escape.¡± Artemis chuckled. ¡°How are you nning on punishing Cadence? Are you going to send him to jail? He won''t get convicted that way.¡± Chapter 276 Chapter 276 Bailey scoffed coldly. He couldn''t be convicted, but being sent into detention for half a month would tear his reputation into shreds. ¡°After his detention ends, I''ll send him back to Uramuzor. That was where he came from, so they should deal with him.¡± Meanwhile, Cadence was talking on the phone in his private mansion. After hearing what the person on the other end of the line had to say, he lost hisposure and rose to his feet abruptly. ¡°Come again? Tarragon''s men captured Kayden?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Dr. White. I think things aren''t going in the way we want. You should leave Hallsbay as soon as possible.¡± ¡°D*mn it,¡± Cadence cursed under his breath. Gritting his teeth, he demanded, ¡°Didn''t I ask you to send Kayden to Zaewora? That''s aplicated ce. How did Tarragon manage to discover him?¡± All rights ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Dr. White, they came prepared.¡± They came prepared? They came prepared... Something urred to him as he slumped back into the couch. ¡°When was Kayden caught?¡± he asked. ¡°A-Around three days ago.¡± ¡°B*stard! Why did you only report the matter to me today when he was caught three days ago?¡± The person on the other end of the line said nothing. Cadence ran a hand through his hair in frustration and mumbled, ¡°It must be Bailey. It must be her. She wants me dead. That was why she sent her men to get Kayden. D*mn it. I should''ve killed that coward back then.¡± The person''s trembling voice rang out. ¡°T-That wasn''t your fault, Dr. White. No one knew Kayden was an ingrate who kept onest trick up his sleeve. He used the evidence showing that you instructed him to threaten you. There''s no use saying anything now. You should leave Hallsbay right away.¡± ¡°F*ck! Kayden is in Bailey''s hands. Even if I leave Hallsbay, it won''t change anything!¡± Cadence roared angrily. ¡°Bunch of useless tw*ts can''t even keep an eye on one man. Bailey must''ve gotten the evidence showing that I instructed him to tamper with the new drug. If she exposes it, my reputation will be in tatters. Do you understand?¡± Cadence couldn''t tamp down his anger and flung his phone away forcefully. What should I do? I can''t sit and wait for that to happen, can I? No, I can''t be a sitting duck. What is Bailey''s weakness? Her children. Right. I could force her to give up the evidence she received from Kayden if I were to abduct her children. With that thought in mind, he quickly got to work. After making the necessary preparations, he was about to head out when a mocking voice sounded outside. ¡°Mr. White, are you heading out? We''re friends, so it''s more appropriate for you to wee me at home.¡± Cadence shuddered violently when he heard the female voice. The next second, despair crept up his face. She''s too fast. Before I even realized it, she''s already discovered my den. Bailey strolled in casually and curled her red lips into a smirk. ¡°It has been a while since west met, Cadence.¡± Slowly, Cadence turned around and took in her cheerful expression. A roiling hatred surged through him. ¡°Yes, it has been a while since west met. If it wasn''t for you, I would''ve sessfully gotten Cataleya to be my mentor. Anonymous, I''ve never stopped thinking about you over the years,¡± he uttered. Bailey raised her eyebrow and grinned. ¡°Thanks for remembering me. s, I forgot all about you. Sorry about that. If you hadn''t poisoned Max, I wouldn''t have noticed you. A loser isn''t worth my time and effort.¡± Furious, Cadence dashed to a rack and twisted a decorative item on it. The next second, a thin mist descended from the ceiling. ¡°Go to hell!¡± Bailey''s expression grew stern. She retreated and shouted at Artemis, ¡°Bring your men out of the living room. This is a poisonous mist.¡± Footsteps sounded behind her. Suddenly, she realized she had bumped into someone''s chest. Bailey nearly suffocated from her fury. ¡°Artemis Luther, leave right now!¡± she ordered. Artemis smirked. ¡°We live and die together.¡± F*ck you! Bailey fought back the urge to curse out loud. She grabbed his hand and ran out of the mansion. ¡°There is an underground tunnel beneath the mansion. He must be nning to escape using it. Send your men after him. I can''t let him get away.¡± Half an hourter, Bailey mmed her fist into a tree trunk next to the boulevard. ¡°D*mn it! You surrounded the entire ce tightly, but he still managed to escape. He''s a ticking time bomb, so the people around me are in danger.¡± Artemis nced around andforted her, ¡°Man proposes, but God disposes. As he sessfully escaped, it means that he isn''t meant to die today. I''ll station my men at the sea,nd, and airports. He won''t be able to flee the country.¡± Having said that, he arched a brow and changed the topic abruptly. ¡°Zayron and Susan might be in danger, so you can''t stay in Shelbert Condominium anymore. You should move into my private residence.¡± Ratemis, is it nice to plunder a burning house? At the Jefferson residence, Rhonda had just stepped out of the intricately-carved door when arge palm covered her mouth. In the next instant, she was dragged behind arge tree. She instinctively tried to struggle, but a familiar voice rang in her ear. ¡°Don''t alert the security room. It''s me, Cadence.¡± Rhonda grunted twice in acknowledgment. When he finally removed his hand from her mouth, she immediately demanded, ¡°It''s past midnight. Why are you at my house?¡± Cadence''s face was dark as he growled, ¡°I''ve been exposed. Bailey knows that I was the one who instructed Kayden to tamper with the new drug. She has all the evidence, so I''ll be doomed if she were to catch me.¡± Oh, is that so? Rhonda''s eyes lit up. That''s good news. If he''s doomed, I will no longer be under his control. Rhonda was now Artemis'' wife in name. As long as he didn''t ask for a divorce, she could be ¡°Mrs. Luther¡± for the rest of her life. Thus, Cadence was of no use to her anymore. As though he had sensed her intention, Cadence gripped her chin and sneered, ¡°Be good if you don''t want your nudes to spread all over the Inte. There''s no way you''ll get rid of me even if I''m doomed. We''re on the same boat, so if either of us gets into trouble, the other will get affected, too.¡± The color drained out of Rhonda''s face. ¡°W-What do you mean?¡± Cadence patted her cheek and shed a menacing grin. ¡°Yeah, it''s exactly what you think.¡± With that said, he tossed her into the bush and towered above her. ¡°Listen carefully. From now on, do whatever I say. Otherwise, I shall release your nudes to the public so you''ll be a sl*t scorned by everyone,¡± he ordered. Chapter 277 Chapter 277 Rhonday sprawled in the bushes and dug her nails into the soil. I should''ve known that this despicable pervert won''t give up any chance to use me. ¡°Fine, I''ll listen to you. Tell me what you want me to do.¡± Slowly, Cadence squatted down and reached out to grab her chin once again. Smirking, he said, ¡°Don''t worry. You''ll dly do as I say. I want you to kidnap Bailey''s son.¡± Rhonda could barely hide her surprise. After regaining herposure, she demanded, ¡°You want to threaten her with her son so she''ll hand the evidence showing that you''re the culprit to you?¡± ¡°You''re not that stupid.¡± Cadence patted her cheek and chuckled. ¡°So? This is exactly what you want, right?¡± Rhonda turned away and mocked, ¡°I''m not a three-year-old kid who falls for your lies easily. After she agrees to give you the evidence, you''ll release her son. What will happen to me, then?¡± Cadence forced her to look at him and leaned down to cover her lips in a kiss. A look of ecstasy crept up his face. ¡°After you help me kidnap Bailey''s son, I''ll inject an incurable poison into his body. Even if the deal is a sess and I return her son to her, she won''t be able to save his life,¡± he told her. Rhonda lowered her gaze and fell into deep thought. This old b*stard hates Bailey immensely as she''s the reason he''s in this wretched state. Bailey''s son will definitely suffer in his hands. ¡°Fine, it''s a yes from me. You should hide somewhere while I find a chance to kidnap Bailey''s children for you.¡± In the medical base, Justin offered Veronique a ss of warm water in his study. In a calm voice, he said, ¡°I came here to deliver good news. Scarlett has agreed to donate her bone marrow.¡± ¡°What?¡± Veronique cast him a bbergasted look. Her voice was trembling as she sought confirmation. ¡°D-Did she really agree to donate her bone marrow?¡± Justin grunted in acknowledgment. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Veronique urged, ¡°When will she be donating it, then?¡± ¡°After our wedding. Within this month, I suppose,¡± came Justin''s answer. After their wedding? Veronique stiffened as the delight in her gaze faded away. Is he going to marry Scarlett? Good for him. I should give him my blessings. I never intended for Zephyr and me to disturb his life or destroy his happiness anyway. ¡°Congrattions in advance. There''s no need to invite me to your wedding. I believe your parents won''t want to see me there. Ms. Fletcher will definitely share their sentiments.¡± With that said, she rose to her feet hastily and staggered out. ¡°It''s almost time for Zephyr to change his IV drip. I''ll take a look at him. You should get back to work.¡± Justin pursed his lips and watched as she fled his study. He sighed to himself. Have I been wrong since the start? To protect her from the Fletcher family, I keep hurting her feelings. That doesn''t seem to be the right thing to do. ¡°Hmm? Are you in a foul mood?¡± Artemis asked as he walked into the study. Justin lifted his head in confusion. With a frown, he responded, ¡°Shouldn''t you be helping Bailey capture Cadence? Why are you at the medical base?¡± Artemis sat across from him and revealed calmly, ¡°He managed to escape. I was worried that he might try to take revenge on Bailey and the kids, so I was wondering if they could move into the medical base temporarily.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Justin gaped incredulously and eximed, ¡°It''s a great chance for you to trick her into moving to your private residence and getting your way with her. Instead of doing that, you sent her to my ce instead? My friend, this isn''t the time to be a gentleman with principles. It''s the perfect chance to plunder a burning house! She has nowhere else to go, so bring her to your mansion and make her your woman.¡± ¡°Do you think I don''t want that?¡± Artemis undid the top few buttons of his shirt in frustration and exposed his tanned chest. I want nothing more than to make love to her. However, she wants nothing more than to leave Hallsbay. There''s no way she''ll sleep with me. ¡°I tried to convince her on the way here and even used my masculine charms, but she refused to budge.¡± Why is he so useless? He failed to persuade her to change her mind even after he tried to seduce her. Veronique bumped into Bailey the moment she stepped out of the study. ¡°Vero.¡± Bailey stretched her hands out to support a stumbling Veronique. She sensed something was off with thetter''s emotions and asked, ¡°Did something happen to Zephyr?¡± Veronique shook her head profusely and wiped her eyes with her arm. When her vision cleared, she shed a smile. ¡°Nothing happened, so calm down. Zephyr is doing well. Zayron and Susan are keeping himpany.¡± Bailey bobbed her head as her gazended on the study door not far away from them. Comprehension dawned when she heard Justin and Artemis'' faint voices chatting inside. ¡°Vero, you and Justin¡ª¡± ¡°Nothing happened between us,¡± Veronique exined hurriedly. ¡°He''s going to marry Scarlett soon.¡± Bailey was stunned. Justin is marrying Scarlett even after learning that Zephyr is his son? Did he even consider their feelings? If he hadn''t taken advantage of Veronique that night, she wouldn''t have had to lead such a tough life! ¡°He''s going to marry Scarlett?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes angrily. ¡°He isn''t going to raise another kid with you to save Zephyr''s life? Is he giving up on Zephyr?¡± ¡°No, that''s not it,¡± Veronique exined. ¡°Scarlett agreed to donate her bone marrow after they get married. Bay, there is hope for Zephyr.¡± Bailey was taken aback. Realization soon dawned on her, and she shot Veronique a sympathizing look. Yes, there is finally hope for Zephyr. Nevertheless, you''ll never be happy again. ¡°Vero, Justin isn''t that heartless. He won''t object to building a new family with you. Why don''t you try having a baby with him? That way, you can use the baby''s cord blood to save Zephyr. You can be a happy family of four.¡± A bitter smile flitted across Veronique''s lips as she pulled Bailey to a corner. Her voice was hoarse as she revealed, ¡°Bay, I sustained serious injuries when I gave birth to Zephyr. After my father whipped me twice a while ago, my health has gone down the drain. I might be barren forever.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey was about to ask why Veronique had kept it a secret from her, but she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. Even if she told me, what could I do? Can I repair her injured uterus? ¡°Bay, stop trying to persuade me to change my mind. Don''t pity me, either. This is actually good. Scarlett is willing to risk her life to donate her bone marrow, so it''s only fair that I return the man she loves to her.¡± What about you, then? Bailey didn''t ask that question out loud, for she knew it was destiny. Veronique and Justin''s fate had been decided. It was the same for her and Artemis. I guess this is fate. As Bailey remained silent, Veronique added, ¡°Bay, you should pay Vicky a visit. It seems that the Saunders family is going to dere bankruptcy soon.¡± Chapter 278 Chapter 278 Bailey was stunned. Is the Saunders family going bankrupt? Why didn''t I know about this? She had been so busy dealing with the pharmaceutical factory and Cadence that she had not had time to pay attention to the Saunders family. Did something major happen to them during this period of time? ¡°What happened to the Saunders family?¡± Veronique shot her a look of surprise. ¡°Don''t you know? Saunders Group''s stocks plummeted two days ago. Strangely enough, they rose again recently. You should call Vicky and ask her about it.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Although that was what Bailey said, she did not call Victoria immediately. Instead, she instructed someone to secretly investigate Saunders Group''s situation. She knew Victoria''s personality well¡ªif she asked Victoria immediately, thetter would refuse to say anything. Victoria was so intent on making it up to Lionel that she had lost her mind. There was nothing that she would not do. The next day, Bailey received an invitation sent by the organizers of The Grand Fashion Show. The message only contained one sentence. We cordially invite Ms. Snowke to attend The Grand Fashion Show, held once every four years, at Century Hotel in Hallsbay two dayster. After reading the message, she got up and looked for Artemis in the adjacent guest room. The moment she moved into Justin''s medical base with the two kids, Artemis immediately tagged along. He could not even be chased away. When the door opened, she took a brief nce and turned away instantly, all prepared to leave. What a jerk! He was shirtless, with only a towel wrapped around his lower body. Leaning against the door frame, he looked extremely seductive. ¡°Why are you running?¡± Artemis grabbed her arm and tugged forcefully, pulling her into the room. After he mmed the door shut, he bent down and kissed her lips. Bailey was filled with exasperation. Since he was topless, there was nowhere appropriate for her to ce her hands. It almost felt like he was ying hard to get. However, in the end, her temper dissipated. Sighing in exasperation, she allowed him to do as he wished. He''ll release me once he''s satisfied. Two minutester, Artemis finally moved away from her lips reluctantly. He asked hoarsely, ¡°When will you be willing to sleep with me?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. Can''t this jerk speak properly? Can''t we just talk about serious matters? ¡°Let me ask you this. Wasn''t The Grand Fashion Show going to be held in Mapleton? Why did it change to Hallsbay?¡± Well... Artemis stroked her cheeks and said with a smile, ¡°Bailey, if you sleep with me once, I''ll give my life to you.¡± ¡°Speak properly.¡± ¡°I told them to change it. Since Luther Group is The Grand Fashion Show''s biggest sponsor, they''ll hold it wherever I tell them to.¡± That''s impressive. Bailey red at him. ¡°Tell me the reason.¡± Pinching her cheeks, Artemis said gently, ¡°This is my turf, and you''re my woman. If my woman wins a prize on my turf, I''ll feel very aplished.¡± ¡°Bye.¡± Bailey turned around and left. ¡°Don''t!¡± Artemis reached out and pulled her into his arms. Laughing, he continued, ¡°We still haven''t captured Cadence, so we can''t leave Hallsbay. That''s why I decided to make them change the location of the event to Hallsbay.¡± Bailey sighed softly, knowing that he had done something so demanding just for her sake. Artemis... How on earth should I repay your love? ¡°You actually don''t have to do that. It''s a rule in the industry that the show should be held in Mapleton. If I can''t leave right now, I''ll just not attend it.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Artemis gazed at her, his eyes brimming with affection. ¡°You didn''t attend it four years ago. Now that another four years have passed, I will not let you leave behind any regrets.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± Before she could say anything more, Artemis added, ¡°Don''t you want to lure Cadence out?¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows. ¡°Are you saying that we should leverage the chaotic situation at the show to lure Cadence out?¡± ¡°Yeah. He desperately needs to snatch the evidence of his crimes away from you. If he can''t do that through brute force, the only solution is to threaten you. There''s only one way to do that, which is to hold the people you care about the most hostage. We can bring Zayron and Susan along and set up a trap for him.¡± Bailey''s eyes brightened. ¡°Can you guarantee Zayron''s and Susan''s safety?¡± Artemis could not help but burst outughing. After all, they were his children. Even if he had to sacrifice his life, he would not let anyone harm them. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll not let anything happen to them.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Bailey agreed easily. ¡°We''ll go with your n.¡± In the afternoon, Bailey was sitting by the window in a caf¨¦ around the corner of a street. Raising her eyebrow, she stared at the handsome man opposite her. As expected of the second-inmand of Tarragon, the intimidating aura he exuded was so strong that even Bailey, who was used to stressful situations, could barely stand it. She knew that he was deliberately acting in such an intimidating manner to her. ¡°What''s wrong? You still aren''t satisfied with the fight two days earlier, huh? Do you want to fight with me again, Mr. Neyman?¡± Micah stared at her through narrowed eyes, which held a glint of approval. No woman in the world could withstand it when he deliberately put on such an intimidating air. She was definitely the first. As a designer, Bailey was known as Snowke; as a doctor, she was Anonymous; and as a hacker, she was Spook. Heh! Interesting. ¡°Do you know Shannon?¡± Bailey''s heart skipped a beat as she did not expect him to ask that so directly. When she revealed her murderous intent to him that night, it probably alerted him and aroused his suspicion. ¡°Yeah,¡± replied Bailey without a moment of hesitation. ¡°I know quite a few people called Shannon. Who are you referring to, Mr. Neyman?¡± Micah frowned, not knowing how to respond to what she just said. ¡°Are you ying around with me?¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Bailey burst outughing. ¡°You noticed it, huh? That''s right. I''m ying around with you. Who told you to deliberately try to intimidate me earlier? I''m someone who holds grudges. If you make me angry, I might y around with you like you''re a monkey.¡± Ratemis, your woman really needs to be taught a lesson, you know? Naturally, Artemis knew that. After all, that was the result of him spoiling her too much. Chuckling, Bailey stood up and drank the coffee on the table in one gulp. Looking at Micah with a smirk, she raised her eyebrow and said, ¡°If there''s nothing else, I''ll leave first. I''ll take this coffee as your treat. Remember to pay for it!¡± Micah parted his lips, wanting to say something. However, as he watched her leave so coolly, he could not help butugh. It doesn''t seem easy to make her talk. Why don''t I change my tactic and eavesdrop on her calls instead? Let''s see if she''ll contact Shannon. However, he vetoed the idea the moment it surfaced in his mind. After all, Bailey was Spook, the best hacker in the world. It would be practically impossible for his subordinates to hack into hermunications system. He was just asking for the impossible. After leaving the caf¨¦, Bailey headed to the parking lot and entered her car. Immediately, she whipped out her phone and dialed a number. ¡°Hey, send more people to protect Shannon. If she asks about it, just say that I arranged for it. She''ll understand.¡± Chapter 280 Chapter 280 In the underground parking lot of Century Hotel, Caridee and Rhonda got out of a Rolls-Royce limousine. Donning the gown Bailey had designed for hering-of-age ceremony, Caridee shined brightly on this day. The pink gown further amplified her elegance and beauty, yet at the same time, she looked like a pure, innocent white lily. The gown she wore was destined to be the center of attraction tonight. Through this gown she designed, Bailey, too, would very likely be The Ultimate Designer and triumph over herpetitors. ¡°Caridee, I''m afraid I have to leave you on your own for now. My friend is on her way here. She asked me to wait for her in the parking lot.¡± Caridee was not bothered at all. Upon hearing her words, she didn''t bother asking about this friend of hers. Instead, she waved dismissively and said, ¡°All right. You do your things. I''ll head over to the banquet hall first.¡± As Caridee got into the elevator, Rhonda whipped out a pair of sunsses from her bag and put them on before sneaking into a corridor. ¡°Are you there?¡± she shouted toward the door upon reaching the entrance. In the next second, a massive hand reached out from the dark and dragged her inside. ¡°Shh.¡± Cadence gestured for her to be quiet and said in a low voice, ¡°It''s me. Keep quiet.¡± Rhonda bobbed her head continuously in response. As soon as he removed his hand from her mouth, she quickly said, ¡°The ceremony is starting soon. What should I do? It''s not easy to kidnap those two b*stards of Bailey. They are here in Century Hotel today, but they are well protected. I would be busted in an instant if I moved against them.¡± Cadence smiled coldly, his eyes filled with hostility. ¡°Change of ns. Artemis is trying to lure me into his trap. I won''t give him the chance!¡± Hearing this, Rhonda started losing her temper. ¡°Then why did you ask me to meet you here? If you don''t have a n, you should return to hiding properly.¡± Cadence passed a bottle to Rhonda. ¡°Forget about kidnapping them. I need you to poison them. Make sure you feed them this poison. Bailey will have toe looking for me for antidotes if you seed, and I will force her into surrendering the evidence by then.¡± He would never let the evidence of those crimes leak out. Although half a month of imprisonment was nothing, it would tarnish the reputation he had worked hard to build over the years, leaving all his achievements in ruins. When that happened, there would be no more ce for him in the medical world. Rhonda narrowed her eyes at the bottle in her hand. She asked with a frown, ¡°What will this poison do to the human body?¡± Cadence let her go and answered, ¡°That''s none of your concern. What you should be concerned about is the task I gave you. Mess it up, and your naughty photos will be all over the media by tomorrow.¡± ¡°You...¡± Rhonda''s eyes burned with intense hatred as she tightened her grip on the bottle. Bailey, Zoey, you guys put me in this situation I''m in today! I''ll make both of you pay for what you have done to me! Meanwhile, amotion broke out in the hall upon Caridee''s arrival. Several international socialites gathered around her, their faces filled with envy. ¡°Caridee, you''re lucky to have such a famous designer as your sister-inw. Ms. Snowke''s masterpiece is not something anyone can easily get their hands on.¡± ¡°That''s right! I told my father to help me get in touch with Ms. Snowke back then. We told her we would pay her handsomely to design a gown for me, but she turned us down.¡± ¡°Same here.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Caridee couldn''t help but smile happily at the sight of the beautiful gown she was wearing. Just then, Rhonda entered the hall, drawing attention to herself in an instant. The socialite standing beside Caridee was quick to mock, ¡°Caridee, your second sister-inw is Snowke and Anonymous, which makes her even more outstanding. Speaking of which, your eldest sister-inw should have better achievements than her, but who would''ve thought she''s just a slut who flirts with other men at a wedding? They are sisters and also sisters-inw, but why is there such a massive gap between them?¡± Another socialite chimed in, ¡°She''s right. Caridee, you should stay away from that eldest sister-inw of yours who brought shame to the Luther family. Don''t let her presence taint your eyes.¡± Rhonda slowly halted in her tracks and clenched her fists that hung by her sides. The inquisitive gazes andments directed at her pierced through her like steely des, leaving no parts of her unscathed. ¡°That''s my sister-inw there!¡± Caridee suddenly let out a shout. Upon hearing Caridee''s words, Rhonda was full of smiles, for she thought Caridee was referring to her. To Rhonda''s dismay, Caridee grabbed the hem of her skirt and ran past her before wrapping her arms around Bailey''s. It turned out that she was referring to Bailey. The vortex of anger that swirled inside Rhonda almost made her explode on the spot. What happened next further erupted the me burning strong in Rhonda, for with her arms still wrapping around Bailey''s, Caridee announced, ¡°I only have a sister-inw, and she''s Bailey. I know someone else is around, but she''s not considered my sister-inw¡ªnot before a proper marriage.¡± Her words had Rhonda''s body shaking violently. After all, Caridee was somewhat like ackey to her back then. She would always follow behind her regardless of the asion, but things were different now. Bailey! This b*tch has stolen everything from me! I want her child dead! I long to see you suffer the pain of losing your child again! ¡°Mr. Luther, and the organizer, Mr. Kenwood, is here.¡± Amotion ensued when the two slender figures entered the hall, surrounded by a group of people in suits. Bailey''s gaze fell upon Artemis precisely at once, and she found it surprising. Since when have I started to look for him in a crowd? Caridee leaned over to Bailey''s ears and whispered, ¡°Look how charming my brother is! Women all over the world go crazy for him. I won''t be surprised if you tell me you''re in love with him. Bailey, I''m rooting for both of you! Since Simon has a girlfriend and is not determined to marry you, you could marry Artemis. It''s all the same!¡± Bailey was left speechless. Just as Caridee was whispering to her, the person in charge of the ceremony walked up to her and reached out for a handshake. ¡°It is an honor to meet you, Ms. Snowke. I''ve heard so much about you!¡± Bailey shook hands with him and quirked her brows. ¡°It is also an honor to meet you, the founder of The Grand Fashion Show, Mr. Kenwood.¡± Joshua Kenwoodughed out loud before turning toward Artemis, who was standing beside him. ¡°Mr. Luther, I know you know each other, but I still have to do it. This is Snowke, The Ultimate Designer who got all the spotlight for herself four years ago.¡± Artemis looked at thedy standing before him, his gaze gentle. Ever since he entered the banquet hall, he had never looked away from her. On this very night, the stage belonged to her and her alone. He believed she would shine brightly and stun everyone with her talents. ¡°In my opinion, Ms. Snowke will still triumph over herpetitors and be The Ultimate Designer again!¡± Chapter 281 Chapter 281 Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Of course, I will. Do you think the organizer is brave enough to go against your will when you''re the one pulling the strings behind this? As soon as the words rolled off Artemis'' tongue, despair descended and crushed the hopes of the three otherpetitors into pieces. Mr. Luther is openly setting this up for Bailey. All we can do is sit and watch! However, they did not dare to raise their objections unless they no longer wished to work in this industry. After seeing how Artemis killed the conversation, Joshua quickly said, ¡°Seems like Mr. Luther has high hopes for Ms. Snowke. But then again, who wouldn''t have high hopes for a top designer? I, too, believe that Ms. Snowke can continue with her winning streak.¡± Then he gestured for Artemis to leave. ¡°Mr. Luther, now that the ceremony is about to begin, let''s head to the VIP section, shall we?¡± Artemis nodded in response. However, just as he took a step, he felt a hand wrapping around his arm. He narrowed his eyes with hostility written all over his face. When he turned around and saw Rhonda holding his arm, a glint of disgust shed across his eyes. However, given that he was surrounded by a massive crowd, he did not push Rhonda away. Instead, he looked toward Caridee, who was with Bailey. Caridee met his gaze and immediately knew what he wanted. She rolled her eyes at him in response. He really doesn''t hold back when he orders me around. Caridee slowly let go of Bailey and approached Rhonda with a smile. ¡°Let''s leave the gentlemen to deal with their business alone, shall we? Come, I''ll take you to the socialite''s section.¡± D*mn it! Who wants to go with you? Her actions angered Rhonda. You were buttering Bailey up just now beforeing back to me! Do you really think I have no idea what you''re up to? Just as she was about to push Caridee away from her, an idea popped into her mind. And here I was, trying to find a chance to get near the two b*stards of Bailey! Things would be easier with Caridee around. Perhaps I can even poison those two little sh*ts through Caridee. ¡°Okay. I''lle with you.¡± Caridee was perplexed, as she did not expect Rhonda to agree readily. Before she could even return to her senses, Rhonda had already dragged her away. As Artemis strode toward the VIP section, Bailey hurriedly caught up with him and whispered, ¡°Something is wrong with Rhonda.¡± ¡°I know, but it''s normal that there''s something wrong with her. Don''t forget that her other half is Cadence, which makes perfect sense if they are both up to no good.¡± ¡°Then what should I do?¡± Artemis smiled and said softly, ¡°y along with them.¡± On the stage, four nominated design drafts were disyed side by side, waiting to be evaluated and voted on by the judges. Whichever draft received the most vote would be the winner. In fact, Bailey was not interested in winning thepetition. She was merely here because of Cadence. To her, glory and pride could not prove anything. What mattered the most to excellent designers was their ability to design unique pieces. ¡°Ha. And here I thought Ms. Snowke was a woman of dignity and vigor. After all, your teacher is Cedric Gadzinski, so I thought you''d be as honorable as him. Little did I know you''re just another woman who relies on your man, who abused his power, to win apetition.¡± A voice filled with resentment rang out next to Bailey. It was from one of the three other candidates. Bailey had, of course, heard it all as she was sitting with them. She turned around, cocked an eyebrow, and said, ¡°Ms. Foster, you may argue with me, but please don''t drag Master Gadzinski into our argument. I suppose you should know your manners since you''re one of the shortlisted candidates. Please choose your words carefully.¡± Upon hearing this, Elsie Foster lost herself. She ignored the other two candidates and yelled, ¡°You won the title four years ago by exploiting Cedric''s influence in the design industry! Now, you''re trying to win it again by relying on a man. You had Mr. Luther abuse his power! Bailey, in my opinion, you''re just a good-for-nothing with no actual talents! The only reason your gown got so popr is because of Luther Group!¡± Her words stirred up a ho''s nest and attracted the attention of those around. Two middle-aged men in suits hurriedly jogged up to them and bellowed, ¡°What are you doing, Elsie? Are you out of your mind? Behave yourself! We''re in Hallsbay right now! Apologize to Ms. Snowke at once!¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Elsie sprang up from her seat and shouted, ¡°Why should I? I''m not at fault!¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Before the man could finish his words, Elsie pointed at Bailey and said, ¡°She''s Cedric Gadzinski''s final disciple, and words had it that he is very fond of her. Perhaps she slept with her master and seduced him into¡ª¡± p! The bellowing stopped abruptly. Elsie covered her face and stared at Bailey in disbelief. ¡°Y-You b*tch! How dare you p me? Are you mad because everything I''ve just said is true? You, Bailey Jefferson, are just a b*tch who¡ª¡± p, p! Another two psnded on her face, but they didn''te from Bailey this time. Artemis moved his wrist and locked his darkened gaze on Elsie, forcing her to fall back into her seat with his overwhelming presence. ¡°Who let the rabid dog out?¡± Artemis asked through gritted teeth, which clearly showed his anger. Words had it that Artemis was a brutal man, but he would never hit ady. This was his first. Aside from that, the way he had hit the woman was the most simple yet brutal way possible¡ªa p in the face. What happened had the man in the suit shaking in fear, and in a trembling voice, he said, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, I''m terribly sorry for what happened. It''s our fault for not training our employees correctly. Please forgive us. We didn''t mean to offend you and Ms. Snowke. We''re¡ª¡± ¡°You''re the deputy CEO of Maple Group?¡± Artemis cut him off impatiently and fixed his gaze on the name tag that the man wore. ¡°The employees of thergest garmentpany in Mapleton are indeed arrogant and disrespectful. How dare youe to my ce and kick up a fuss? It''s a shame, isn''t it?¡± As soon as he said that, the man in the suit fell to his knees and started begging. He was no fool. He understood what Artemis meant by that. He knew that Artemis was thinking of taking over Maple Group. ¡°I''m terribly sorry, Mr. Luther and Ms. Snowke. It is my fault for not disciplining them right. Please forgive me just this once.¡± Artemis took the wet tissue from Ken and turned toward Bailey after wiping away the dirt in his hand. This woman has always been like that. She would never provoke anyone or resort to violence. That fool humiliated her and her master, so she should be furious now. ¡°How do you want to deal with her?¡± Bailey chuckled coldly. Murderous intent could be seen flickering in her eyes as she walked toward Elsie, then grasped her by her chin. Chapter 282 Chapter 282 ¡°I recall telling you not to drag my master into our fight, but you just wouldn''t listen. Now, you will have to pay the price for your actions.¡± A hint of terror shed across Elsie''s eyes. She wasn''t thinking straight when she said those words back then, but she couldn''t help herself as she was consumed by jealousy and hatred. Maple Group was a well-knownpany, and considering how it had focused all its resources on her, she reckoned the title of The Ultimate Designer would belong to her. Yet little did she expect Bailey to appear out of nowhere and snatch the glory from her grasp, so how could she not be angry? ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°I''ve never told any outsiders that I''m a graduate of Gadzinski Academy, so your im is nothing but a lie. Besides, the world didn''t even know that Master Gadzinski was my master before I arrived in Hallsbay. You can say whatever you want, but you''ll have to face the consequences at the end of the day.¡± That said, Bailey pushed Elsie aside, lowered her head, and looked at the deputy CEO of Maple Group. ¡°I''m not the only one that this woman offended. She has already offended Gadzinski Academy when she said those words. So if you wish to protect her, I will have to pin this on yourpany.¡± At once, the man jolted in fright. While Artemis was not someone he could offend, he, too, could not afford to cross Gadzinski Academy. ¡°Elsie, you''re fired! You''re no longer the lead designer of Maple Group! Get lost as soon as you wrap your things up in thepany. Anypanies owned by Maple Group will no longer employ you.¡± ¡°What? No, no! I can''t be fired! If I''m fired, I will no longer have any ce in the industry!¡± Elsie fell from her seat and copsed onto the ground. Artemis nced at Bailey. Upon noticing that she showed no objection to this decision, he turned to Ken. ¡°Get rid of her.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Mournful screams could be heard in the massive hall. Itsted for two minutes before silence returned to the hall. Immediately, Joshua signaled the host with his eyes. Upon catching the signal from Joshua, the host raised the microphone and said, ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, the judges have made the final decision. They unanimously agreed that the gown Ms. Bailey designed for Ms. Caridee is a gem in the design industry and voted her as The Ultimate Designer! Now, let us wee Ms. Bailey for a speech with a warm round of apuse!¡± In the next second, thunderous apuse reverberated across the hall. Bailey turned to look at Artemis. ¡°You go.¡± A hint of coyness could be captured in her tone, to which Artemis raised his brows. He was madly in love with the grim expression of hers. If there weren''t people around, he would''ve cornered her and tasted her lips as he wished. ¡°You should go. I''ve prepared something for you. It''s a big surprise.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes in response. After hesitating for a moment, she went up the stage. All the spotlights focused on her in that split second, and all eyes were on her. Four years ago, it was a shame that Snowke didn''t show up at the award ceremony at the Grand Fashion Show. Four yearster, her astounding masterpiece shook the globe yet again. However, she did not let the ceremony end just like that in regret as she did before, for she had personally walked up the stage, allowing everyone to witness the graceful bearing of a top designer. Joshua followed behind her as she walked up the stage. After finishing his introduction and speeches, he turned toward Bailey with a smile. ¡°Congrattions, Ms. Jefferson! I believe this is the ultimate price you deserve. Let us wee our mysterious guest to award you the trophy and certificate!¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Bailey arched a brow. Her instincts told her that this was the surprise Artemis had prepared for her. However, she had gone through so much in life. There were not many things that could surprise her anymore. ¡°Now, let us wee the one and only Cedric Gadzinski, the pir of the fashion industry, with a round of apuse!¡± A look of surprise shed past Bailey''s eyes. She turned around stiffly and stared at the passageway to her side. As she caught a glimpse of the familiar face, her eyes turned teary. She had never once enjoyed the love of a father and mother, but they were all given to her by her master. Come to think of it. It''s been a long time since Ist returned to Gadzinski Academy. I''m really unfilial to have Master Gadzinski travel all the way here to Hallsbay to visit me! ¡°Master Gadzinski, why are you here?¡± Cedric examined her from head to toe and nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Good. You''re as steady as usual for not revealing your emotions on your face. Very well.¡± With that, he took the trophy and certificate from the host before striding toward Bailey. He gently said, ¡°Now, I''m here today to take this opportunity to let the world know that you, Bailey Jefferson, are the mostpetent student I have ever had.¡± Bailey shifted her gaze elsewhere. Can this old man stop being so emotional? I''m about to cry! After calming herself down, she slowly reached out and took the trophy from Cedric before bowing deeply at him. ¡°Thank you for your three years of teaching, Master Gadzinski. I will not let you down.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Cedric said, and tears started welling in his eyes. In the next second, the lights shed, and music started ying in the hall. Artemis fixated his gaze on the beautifuldy on the stage and curled his lips into a smile. There was nothing the Jefferson family could do to give Bailey the warmth of a family, so Artemis decided to invite Cedric to Hallsbay to witness this moment. It was the only thing he could do for her. Meanwhile, Susan approached Caridee with a cup of fruit juice in her hand. ¡°Aunt Caridee, I need to use the restroom, but I''m too scared to go alone.¡± Caridee reached out to pinch Susan''s cheeks and smiled. ¡°I thought you were brave. Why are you scared now? Come. I''ll take you to the restroom. Put your cup on the table.¡± After they left, Rhonda fixed her eyes on the cup of fruit juice. Her lips curled into a malicious grin. Die, you little sh*t! Cedric scanned around when they got down the stage and asked, ¡°Where''s Julie? Why did she not attend such a grand ceremony?¡± Bailey rubbed her temples in response. ¡°I think she''s in love.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cedric eximed and narrowed his eyes. ¡°She''s a special one. The Hoffman family sent her to Gadzinski Academy so that she could focus on her priorities. They needed her to inherit the empire, so she''s not to be in a rtionship with men outside, or they would be in a lot of trouble.¡± ¡°You''re right, Master Gadzinski. I''ll keep an eye on her.¡± At this moment, Juliana was waiting to ambush someone at the main gate of the Shurmer residence. As a convoy slowly closed in, she immediately sprang up from the ground before jumping into the middle of the road. A momentter, Zeke got out of the car. As soon as he got out, he said, ¡°Ms. Juliana, I have a girlfriend, so please stop looking for me.¡± Chapter 283 Chapter 283 Juliana seemed bewildered for a second. Silence ensued as she stood there quietly for a moment, but it did notst long. She smiled and said, ¡°Maybe I''m too outdated, but I''ve never heard a word about you having a girlfriend. Are you tantly lying in my face because you find me annoying?¡± Zeke was dressed in a white suit. The moonlight he bathed in only amplified his elegance, making him look like a natural-born leader. He speechlessly massaged his temples to soothe his pounding head and said, ¡°Ms. Juliana, what can I do to convince you that I have a girlfriend? Do I have to let you speak to her on the phone for you to believe me?¡± ¡°Call her now. Let me speak to her when she picks up the phone. I will dere war against her! I still have a chance as long as you''re not married!¡± Zeke couldn''t help but chuckle. He couldn''tprehend what went on in thedy''s mind, and it seemed that his lie was about to be exposed. Seeing how Zeke remained silent, Juliana sneered, ¡°I knew it! You''re lying! How boring! This is only just the beginning, and you can''t take it anymore? Remember to find a better excuse next time!¡± Zeke shook his head bitterly in response. He lowered his head, and after looking at the time, he calmly said, ¡°It''ste now. I''ll have my driver send you home, Ms. Juliana. It''s not safe for ady to be wandering aroundte at night. I won''t be able to exin to your master if something happens to you.¡± Juliana blinked. She darted toward Zeke and wrapped her arms around his. ¡°Hehe. I''ve been waiting for you for the whole day. Treat me to a meal, or I will annoy you to death tonight!¡± Zeke stood there without saying a word, but he finally gave in. ¡°Fine. I''ll get you something to eat, but you have to promise me you will go home after you have your food. Stop clinging to me.¡± Juliana giggled sheepishly. Go home obediently after I have my food? That''s not happening! I''ll drag him to the movies and have some supper after that! The grand ceremony was still going on in Century Hotel. After the award ceremony was a lively party, and the sound of sses clinking filled the air. Prominent figures in the political and corporate world could be seen chatting with one another everywhere. As for Cedric, he was surrounded by the judges, which altogether had him upied. Bailey whispered something to him before she squeezed her way out of the crowd. As soon as she walked out, Zayron came reporting, ¡°Ms. Bailey, something''s up.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and dragged him to the side. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Rhonda poisoned Susan''s fruit juice.¡± Bailey''s gaze turned cold, and she asked hurriedly, ¡°Did she drink it?¡± Zayron blinked, and a sly glint shone in his eyes. ¡°I purposely had Susan ask Aunt Caridee to take her to the restroom. I wanted to see if Rhonda would do anything stupid, and she did. Everything is just as expected.¡± Bailey''s eyes lit up like the stars in the night, and she praised, ¡°Good boy! What a move! Instead of waiting for Rhonda to make a move, you decided to deliver the chance to her to bait her into your trap! Not bad. You''re just as smart as your mother!¡± Zayron rolled his eyes in response. This woman is trying to praise herself by saying this. Has she no shame? ¡°What do we do now? Rhonda can''t report to Cadence if Susan doesn''t drink the poisoned fruit juice.¡± Bailey pinched his little cheeks. ¡°Don''t forget that your mother is, Ethereal, the top hypnotist in the world! I''ll hypnotize her. She will think that you and Susan drank the poisoned drink as a result.¡± Zayron gave her a thumbs up and said, ¡°How savage, taciturn, and ruthless! I like it! You have my admiration!¡± ¡°Stop spouting rubbish. Go and look for Susan and take her to Rhonda. We''ll put up a nice show for her. Remember, we don''t want Caridee around. We can''t risk letting anyone else know about this. Understood?¡± Zayron gave her an okay sign and said, ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll figure it out!¡± Rhonda waited for nearly half an hour in the socialite section, but Caridee was still nowhere in sight. She started growing impatient. ¡°Mrs. Luther, would you like to hit the dance floor with us? The dance is about to start.¡± Ady approached her, only to have Rhonda waving at her dismissively. ¡°You can go if you want to. Just leave me alone.¡± A trace of embarrassment shed across thedy''s eyes, and she mumbled, ¡°What''s with that snarky attitude? Mr. Luther did not even bother looking at you ever since he appeared. The star today is Bailey, and she''s the one who has all his attention. You''ll soon have to step down and make way for your elder sister.¡± ¡°What are you mumbling about?¡± Rhonda shot thedy a re, intimidating her and causing her to flee. At this moment, Zayron came over with Susan and said, ¡°I''m thirsty. Go fetch me a cup of fruit juice.¡± Susan rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Are you disabled? Can''t you get it yourself?¡± Rhonda''s eyes brightened as soon as she heard their conversation. She quickly picked up her fruit juice and offered it to Zayron. ¡°This is mine. If you don''t mind, you can have it. I haven''t touched it at all.¡± Zayron narrowed his eyes. He kept mum for a second before he said, ¡°Fine. You can''t possibly poison me in public, can you?¡± With that said, he reached toward the cup delivered to him, and just as he was about to down it, a hand reached out from the side and stopped him. ¡°No. She might actually do it. Don''t drink anything that she gives you. You''ll die.¡± Susan stopped Zayron before delivering him her cup of fruit juice she had ced on the table. ¡°Drink mine. Mine''s better.¡± Rhonda sneered inwardly, Good. Drink that. That''s even better. Two birds with one stone! Just as she was feeling cocky at the thought of the two little ones downing the drink, allowing her to report to Cadence about thepleted task, she heard a snaping from the side. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. She turned around instinctively and was met with a pair of eyes from where she saw a universe filled with vast nothingness and stars. One look was all it needed for her to be entirely hooked to the pupils that looked like the center of a vortex. Standing beside her was Bailey. With a smirk, she leaned over and whispered something to Rhonda, forcefully injecting her will into Rhonda''s mind. When everything was done, Bailey nodded at Zayron, and the little boy hurriedly poured the fruit juice underneath the table. When Rhonda came back to her senses, she was weed by the scene of the two little ones arguing with one another. ¡°Zayron! You drank all of them! You should''ve kept some for me!¡± ¡°There''s still a mouthful there! You''d better stop! You keep going to the restroom after drinking too much!¡± Rhonda''s lips curled into a smile as a voice continuously told her that the two little ones before her had drunk the poisoned fruit juice. Bailey, let''s see how you''re going to get away with it this time! Chapter 284 Chapter 284 Toward the end of the banquet, Artemis gave a speech on stage in his capacity as the investor. The news he had was going to send a shockwave through the world. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to use this opportunity to announce something to the public. This rtes to the International Programming Competition that will be held in Hallsbay in half a month''s time. From Chanaea, the name of our representative has been handed in, and she''s Luther Group headquarters''...¡± At that moment, he hesitated momentarily as he snuck a nce toward where Bailey was standing. That night, he not only wanted her to bathe in glory within the design industry but also to catapult her to fame in the space of advanced technology. The guests assumed that he would announce that it was the director of Luther Group''s programming department or a core member of Luther Group''s technical department. Little did they expect him to say that name. ¡°She''s Luther Group headquarters'' lead designer, Ms. Bailey Jefferson.¡± His words struck everyone like a thunderbolt, causing the entire banquet hall to break into an uproar. Ms. Bailey even knows how to code? Furthermore, the International Programming Competition rtes to the 5G inte. All this while, Chanaea has not managed to find a suitable candidate. In fact, the officials were prepared to give up. So, how good is Bailey at programming? How did she end up in thepetition without any prior news about her in this field at all? ¡°Ms. Jefferson, may we know if what Mr. Luther says is true?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you really know how to code?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, thispetition involves the development of a source code for 5G inte. Are you really confident of winning?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, other than the famous designer, Snowke, and the famous doctor, Anonymous, do you still have any secret identities that have yet to be revealed? Can you give us a tip?¡± As the reporters swarmed toward Bailey, they peppered her with questions from a long distance away. Subsequently, Bailey sauntered up the stage and took the microphone from Artemis'' hand. Cocking a brow, she replied, ¡°Firstly, what Mr. Luther said is true. At the veryst minute, I have been requested to shoulder the responsibility as Chanaea''s representative in thepetition. Secondly, I could design a coming-of-age ceremony gown that blew the world away and execute the mostplex surgery in the world, so why can''t I code? ¡°Thirdly, the development of the source code for 5G inte has been going on for a few years. However, no one has managed to find suitable encryption for it, and I might not do so either. However, I promise that I''ll try my best. As for the fourth question...¡± Bailey suddenly changed the subject with a mysterious smile. ¡°I''m sure with all your capabilities as journalists, you''ll be able to quickly discover my moniker in the IT world.¡± Everyone was rendered speechless. That night, Bailey''s name was gloriously sshed across the headline of every newspaper. Not only did they publish content on her winning The Ultimate Designer, but they also announced that she was representing Chanaea in the International Programming Competition. The moment the news was out, it shocked the entire world. Soon, a member of Luther Group''s technical staff revealed that Bailey didn''t know how to fix her own computer when it encountered issues and even had to get a technician to do it for her. As a result, there was no way she would know something asplex as coding. The moment the rumor spread, those who initially supported Bailey began to waver. The source code for 5G inte had been in development for many years. However, many international telmunication conglomerates, including the leading titans in the industry, had yet to seed in developing it. Considering that the clueless Bailey doesn''t even know how to repair her ownputer, how is she going to understand theplexities of inte data? It seems Ms. Jefferson is just blowing her own trumpet. Meanwhile, inside her bedroom at the Luther residence, Rhonda was on the phone while leaning back on the couch. ¡°Don''t worry. I saw with my own eyes those two b*stards drinking the spiked juice. Once the poison acts up, you can get in touch with Bailey.¡± ¡°Well done.¡± Cadence''s insidiousugh rang out from the phone. ¡°As long as you follow my instructions obediently, the position of Mrs. Luther will be yours. Otherwise... your reputation will be in tatters.¡± Clenching her phone, Rhonda replied through gritted teeth, ¡°In that case, I''m grateful for your mercy. Also, remember your part of the bargain. You''re only to give the two b*stards medication to alleviate their symptoms. After all, I want to enjoy watching the poison spread through their bodies and eat them alive from the inside.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Bailey and I have a blood feud, so killing her children is high on my agenda. There''s no need for you to remind me.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The next day, Bailey drove toward Fashionista. Inside the CEO''s office, she stared coldly at Lionel from the couch she was sitting on. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, you are a trusted partner of mine. Even though we have never met before, we have spoken multiple times on the phone. Therefore, I¡ªout of respect¡ªhave suppressed my anger and murderous intent to see you, hoping that you can provide me a satisfactory answer with regard to Victoria.¡± ¡°Victoria,¡± Lionel mumbled repeatedly to himself. He then asked with a cocked brow, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you really want an answer from me?¡± Suddenly, Bailey sprang to her feet and stormed up to his desk. With both hands supporting herself on it, she leaned in toward him and demanded, ¡°After having loved each other, do you really intend on not showing any mercy? Both of us are well aware of what''s going on, so let''s just cut to the chase. ¡°Since you intend to send Mr. Saunders to prison, Vicky¡ªin her attempt to save her father from that fate¡ªhad no choice but to manipte the stock market and get herself detained, just to satisfy your need for vengeance. Lionel, are you truly that heartless? Do you really intend to see her go to prison?¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Lionel sniggered with an emotionless expression. He then added in a nonchnt tone, ¡°She couldn''t bring herself to watch her father go to prison, yet she decided to act ruthlessly against me by letting me suffer the betrayal of a loved one.¡± ¡°No.¡± Raising her voice, Bailey bellowed, ¡°Back then, she, too, was a victim of her father''s plot! She didn''t set it up, and neither did she betray you!¡± The revtion caused Lionel to jolt as a look of surprise shed past his eyes. She wasn''t in cahoots with her father? How is that possible? That night, I clearly saw the cold look in her eyes and the brimming contempt in them. It was as if I was nothing but a toy to be manipted. So, how can it be that she wasn''t involved? When Bailey detected the hesitance in his eyes, she added at once, ¡°Blinded by your own misery, you didn''t feel the suffering she experienced. Her love for you remains as strong as ever despite the years that have gone by. Lionel, considering how deep her feelings for you are, let her go and spare the Saunders family too.¡± ¡°Never,¡± Lionel hissed through gritted teeth. Feeling disheartened, Bailey let out a sigh. ¡°By not letting Mr. Saunders go, it''s no different from pushing Victoria into a bottomless abyss.¡± All of a sudden, Lionel burst into a loud guffaw. ¡°Despite knowing the devastation her father has wrecked upon my family, she continues to take his side. Since she''s adamant about paying for Vincent''s crimes, I''ll make her wishe true. After all, there''s no way I''m going to forgive the Saunders family.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Standing upright, Bailey looked down at him and threatened, ¡°In that case, don''t me me for going against you. LG Corporation isn''t the only one in this world capable of taking over Saunders Group. I can do it too.¡± This fool of a man doesn''t deserve Vicky''s love at all. Chapter 285 Chapter 285 Meanwhile, inside the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice burst into heartyughter as she flipped through the document in front of her. So that''s what happened. Back then, Waverly and Sophia were at the same hospital when they gave birth to their respective daughters at the same time. Those two girls grew up to be the Bailey and Zoey we now know. As Beatrice stared at how much Waverly and Bailey resembled each other in the photo, an audacious thought emerged in her mind. In order to allow her daughter to live thevish life of the rich, Sophia had bribed the doctor with a huge sum of money to switch babies with Waverly. In the end, the true darling of Lostaria ended up an ostracized child unloved by the Jefferson family. As for the girl with pitiable origins, she became the beloved daughter of the Shurmer family. What an insidious scam this is. Sophia, I''m truly impressed by your methods. However, how did you end up dying in a fire with your corpse burnt to a crisp? Can it be that you immted yourself so that the secret would die with you? No. Beatrice''s hunch told her that there was more to the matter than met the eye. If she''s so materialistic, there''s no way she would kill herself. I''m certain there''s a terrible secret hidden behind it still. Nheless, there''s no hurry. This discovery is a valuable one, for I now have dirt on Zoey in my hands. As long as I leverage it properly, that fake will obey me, and I''ll force her to remove all obstacles for Ronni. Meanwhile, inside the suite of a five-star hotel, the seated Raiden red at the bodyguard in ck who was standing in the center of the living room. He ordered grimly, ¡°Tell me, what has Scarlett tasked you with this time?¡± ¡°Um...¡± The bodyguard hesitated. As he was Scarlett''s personal bodyguard, he would be severely punished by the Fletcher family for his betrayal if he were to snitch on Scarlett to Raiden. Raising his brows, Raiden exuded an intimidating aura and asked, ¡°What''s wrong? Do you not dare to tell me?¡± The bodyguard dropped to his knees with a loud thud. ¡°I dare not betray Ms. Fletcher, so please go ahead and punish me, Mr. Fletcher.¡± Narrowing his eyes at the bodyguard, Raiden maintained his calm and replied indifferently, ¡°If my guess is correct, Scarlett has sent you to assassinate Veronique and her son. Am I right?¡± Stunned by those words, the bodyguard gave Raiden a horrified look. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, you...¡± Raiden waved his hand and sighed. ¡°Given that she wears her heart on her sleeve, how can I not tell what''s on her mind? You should stay your hand for the time being and give me some time to figure out an ideal solution. After all, I want to avoid bloodshed if possible.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Mr. Fletcher.¡± Back at the Luther residence, Felicity and Rhonda were chatting on the couch when the sound of rapid footsteps from the staircase caught their attention. When Felicity saw her son scramble down the staircase, she couldn''t help but ask with a frown, ¡°Simon, what happened?¡± While dashing out, Simon replied, ¡°Bailey just called and said that Zayron and Susan were poisoned. Their condition is serious to the extent of being life-threatening. Hence, I''m rushing over to see them now.¡± No sooner had he spoken than he ran off and disappeared. As for Felicity, she sprang to her feet at once. Even though she disliked Bailey and had her differences with the children, she still couldn''t sit idly by. After all, they were still members of the Luther family. Curling her fingers into fists, Rhonda celebrated triumphantly in her mind. Is the poison in the b*stards finally working? Good! Now, Bailey will have to lower herself to beg Cadence for the antidote. I can already imagine how he''ll make her suffer. In fact, I hope he tortures her and takes indecent pictures of her while he''s at it. ¡°Mrs. Luther, let''s go over to see them too. Weren''t you thinking about seeing Max? This is a good opportunity to do so.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Yes, all right.¡± Felicity swiftly circled around the coffee table and rushed out the door. In response, Rhonda quickly ran after her. After all, she was looking forward to seeing the agonized look on Bailey''s face. And more importantly, she needed to verify if everything was going ording to n. Outside the emergency room at the medical base, Artemis and Ken were smoking as they leaned against the wall with their heads lowered. Felicity rushed up to them and asked, ¡°How are the children?¡± None of them answered. Grabbing Artemis by the cor, Simon thundered, ¡°Say something! I''m the children''s father. At the very least, don''t I deserve to know their condition?¡± The corner of Ken''s lips twitched. Mr. Simon, since when are you the father? To not have realized that you''re raising your brother''s children, you do deserve to be manipted by the father and son. Shoving Simon aside, Artemis tly replied, ¡°Wouldn''t you have your answer once Bailey is out? I''m not a doctor. What''s the point in asking me such questions?¡± Simon was speechless. As for Felicity, she slumped into a chair andmented, ¡°What has the Luther family done to deserve this? First, Max gets involved in a car ident, followed by Ronni suffering a miscarriage. And now, even Simon''s two children have their lives hanging in the bnce. Is God trying to end the Luther family line?¡± ¡°Stop saying nonsense.¡± An admonishing voice rang out from the corridor, heralding the arrival of Gerald and the Chivers family. He walked right up to Artemis and inquired in a deep voice, ¡°How are the children? Weren''t they doing just fine when they attended The Grand Fashion Show? How did they fall into such dire circumstances overnight?¡± Nodding his head, Artemis replied, ¡°It''s difficult to tell now. Justin and Bailey are trying their best to save the children inside. They only mentioned that the children are in critical condition but didn''t borate.¡± Gerald nodded in acknowledgment before turning to face Felicity and Simon. ¡°Since we don''t know anything now, let''s just wait patiently instead of letting our imagination run wild. I''m sure the children will be fine.¡± He had barely finished when the sound of the emergency room door opening was heard. Subsequently, Justin emerged from within. Simon was the first to rush up. ¡°What''s the situation? How are the children?¡± With a grim expression, Justin exined, ¡°The situation is critical. We can''t identify the poison, which is really aggressive and has attacked their internal organs. More importantly, because we don''t know its composition, we''re unable to produce an antidote.¡± Staggering back in shock, Simon murmured, ¡°That bad? W-What will happen to them?¡± Justin bowed his head and answered, ¡°If we don''t neutralize the poison, they won''t live past this time tomorrow. In other words, they only have twenty-four hours left.¡± His words triggered a drastic change in everyone''s expression. Suddenly, an anxious shout rang out from the emergency room. ¡°Oh no, Mr. Zayron has vomited blood again, and Ms. Jefferson has fainted from shock!¡± In that instant, a figure shed in front of them¡ªEdmund had dashed into the emergency room with Simon following closely behind. Unable to hide her overwhelming glee, Rhonda seized upon the chaos to send Cadence a message on her phone: The poison is taking effect now. Both b*stards are puking blood. Chapter 286 Chapter 286 Inside the ICU of the medical base, Felicity was sitting by the bed, holding Maxton''s arm with one hand and stroking his pale face with the other. ¡°My poor grandson. You used to be so energetic. What have we done for you to deserve such a fate?¡± Standing behind Felicity, Rhonda¡ªwho was staring at the unconscious child¡ªcouldn''t help but curl her lips in schadenfreude. Bailey, even though I failed to kill your three children seven years ago, there''s still no escape for them now. One has be a vegetable, while the other two have their lungs stricken with poison. These b*stards of yours are fated to be my stepping stones to marrying into a prominent family. Haha, in the meantime, you should enjoy the pain of losing your children. Hopefully, you''ll be strong enough to continue living after the b*stards'' deaths because Zoey can''t wait for the opportunity to teach you a lesson. ¡°M-Mrs. Luther...¡± she sobbed while reaching out to help Felicity up. ¡°L-Let''s go outside so that Max can rest. I''m certain he''ll regain consciousness one day. I have no doubt about it.¡± After wiping the tears off her face, Felicity turned toward the teary-eyed Rhonda andmented, ¡°As his mother, no one is more devastated than you are. And yet, I put you in a difficult position by needing you to console me.¡± Me? Devastated? Haha! I can''t wait for the child to meet his maker! Perhaps if he is reincarnated as my son, there''s still a chance that I might feel sad for him. Felicity, oh, Felicity. Despite dominating with a strong and shrewd hand your entire life, I never expected you to be increasingly foolish as you get on in years. Even though I''m doing your three grandchildren in, you''re still unaware that I''ve been manipting you. ¡°Mrs. Luther...¡± Rhonda blinked, allowing a huge teardrop to streak down her cheek. ¡°I-It''s true that I''m stricken with grief. If the doctor hadn''t said that there''s hope for Max still, I would definitely feel like ending my life.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Felicity couldn''t resist admonishing her. ¡°You''re still young. Hence, you can still bear more children when your body recovers. Going forward, I''m not going to tolerate you speaking about ending your life. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. I''ll do as you say. Let me help you out, Mrs. Luther.¡± Rhonda was worried that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn''t be able to hold herself back from rushing to the venttor and pulling out the tubes connected to Maxton, hastening his death. No sooner had both of them left than Maxton, who was lying in bed, opened his eyes. After what just happened, he had resolved to expose Rhonda within the next two days, for he could tolerate her hypocrisy no more. After leaving the ICU, Felicity and Rhonda headed back to the emergency room. There, they learned that the two children''s condition had worsened to the extent of falling into aa. The shocking news caused Felicity to faint on the spot. Artemis instructed Caridee, ¡°Help Rhonda take Mother back to the Luther residence, and don''t let her come here again. I''m worried that she''ll be driven mad by the shock.¡± ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Caridee quickly helped Felicity out. When she saw that Rhonda was still frozen to the spot, she couldn''t resist snapping at thetter, ¡°Rhonda, what are you spacing out for? Can''t you see that Mom has fainted? Hurry up and help me take her home.¡± At that moment, Rhonda swept her gaze around the emergency room and saw that the Luther and Chivers family were in chaos. On top of that, the presence of the medical teams deployed by both families was a testament to the seriousness of the crisis. Consequently, there was no reason for her to stay any longer since she wasn''t going to get to see Bailey anytime soon. I''lle back when the two b*stards are dead. By then, watching her wallow in grief and despair will definitely be an entertaining sight. After leaving the medical base, Rhonda sent Cadence a message in the car: The Luther family has brought in various medical teams to help save the children. I''m sure their lives are hanging by a thread right now. Ten secondster, Cadence replied: I have a spy within the medical teams who has confirmed that the children have indeed been poisoned. You have done well this time, so don''t worry about your nude photos being leaked. Clenching her phone, Rhonda fell into a brief silence before sending him another message: If Bailey falls into your hands, please make sure you treat her ''well.'' Ideally, you should take some photos of her so that I can shame her in public and forever destroy her reputation. Cadence: You don''t have to remind me as that''s exactly what I intend to do. Inside the study at the medical base, Artemis, Bailey, Simon, and Gerald were all sitting on the couch amidst a deathly silence. Bailey''s face was pale as she exuded a sickly aura. Having just regained consciousness, she was still mired in a sense of gloom. After a moment, Gerald was the first to break the silence and ask, ¡°What exactly happened? How did the children end up ingesting a biologically-engineered poison?¡± ¡°It''s because of me,¡± Bailey responded in a broken voice. ¡°When my newly researched drug was put into production by Dyke Pharmaceutical, someone tampered with it. Our subsequent investigations revealed that it was Cadence of Uramuzor. Upon obtaining the evidence, we tried to apprehend him, but he managed to slip away.¡± The sharp Gerald swiftly understood the crux of the situation. ¡°He must be worried that the evidence in your hands will destroy his reputation. Is that why he poisoned the children? To force you into a compromise?¡± ¡°That''s right.¡± Bailey gradually lowered her head as she med herself, ¡°It''s my fault. I was the one who got the children involved in the affairs of adults. But don''t you worry. I''ll think of a way to wrest the antidote from Cadence''s hands.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Narrowing his eyes, Gerald asked in a deep voice, ¡°Is trying to get the antidote the only way? Considering that you''re capable of inventing a drug to fight cancer, can''t you research an antidote?¡± Shaking her head, Bailey borated in a raspy voice, ¡°Uramuzor specializes in creating poisons, and Cadence loves to take his experiments to the extreme. Hence, I''m not sure what sort of outrageous ingredients that madman used to concoct his poison. Since I can''t afford to gamble on my children''s lives, I have no choice but to get the antidote from him.¡± Turning toward Artemis with his brows furrowed, Gerald asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Instead of answering, Artemis shifted his gaze to Simon, his intention obvious. Wasn''t he just defending his position as their father? Since he thinks so highly of himself, he should figure out a n on his own. However, Simon was already on the brink of tears. ¡°Artemis, please help me! They''re your nephew and niece, after all.¡± Artemis snorted in response. Nephew and niece? Those are my children! ¡°I agree with Bailey obtaining the antidote from Cadence as the children''s lives are at stake. Besides, our limited time doesn''t allow us to take any risks.¡± No sooner had he spoken than Bailey''s phone rang. Lowering her head slightly, she curled her lips into a devilish grin. Cadence... That''s really quick. Are you that impatient to meet your doom? Fine. If that''s what you want, I''ll give it to you. I''m doing this for Max and also to rid the world of your evil. ¡°It''s Cadence,¡± she informed everyone present. Chapter 287 Chapter 287 The three Luther men exchanged nces. ¡°Pick up and see what he has to say,¡± said Artemis. Bailey nodded and answered the call. ¡°Hi, Bailey here.¡± ¡°Yes, I''m looking for you.¡± Cadence''s evilugh sounded from the other end of the phone. ¡°I can hear that your condition is not good. Let me guess. You''re probably so panicked and angry now that even your vocal cords are damaged.¡± Bailey lowered her gaze. It was an undeniable fact that Cadence''s medical skills were extremely outstanding. If he had used his skills correctly, he would have been a great asset to the medical industry. Unfortunately, he was too obsessed with obtaining fame and fortune, eventually losing his nature as a doctor. ¡°Yes. You poisoned my son and daughter, and their lives are in danger now, Mr. White. As a mother, how can I not panic and be angry? I''ve been through a lot in my life, but I immediately passed out after learning that my kids would not survive tomorrow. I just woke up not long before you made this call.¡± Cadence burst outughing. ¡°This is the Anonymous that I know! If you had started crying and begging me right after you answered this phone call, I would have thought that you were acting. All right, let''s cut the crap and go straight to the point! May I ask if I am qualified to negotiate with you now, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°I don''t want to watch my kids die from poisoning,¡± said Bailey in a calm voice. ¡°Haha! Okay, let''s make a deal then. I''ll send you a text message to inform you what to doter. You''d better not y any tricks, or I''ll make sure that your kids are dragged down to hell with me, even if I have to ruin my reputation.¡± As soon as he finished his words, the call ended. Bailey quickly turned on a tracking software, trying to trace Cadence''s position with the tracking system that she had developed. Unfortunately, she failed. It meant that Cadence had set up a multiyer encrypted call. D*mn it! In the evening, Bailey received an anonymous text message. Without guessing, she knew immediately that it was from Cadence. The message read: Meet me at Egret Square in the west of the city in half an hour. You have toe alone with the evidence. If I find out someone is following you, I will immediately destroy the antidote in my hand. After reading the message, Bailey handed the phone to Artemis and said lightly, ¡°He asked me to meet up with him, but I believe this Egret Square is not the final meeting ce.¡± Artemis looked down at the phone screen. After reading the text message, he frowned. ¡°I believe he has some other intention. Otherwise, there''s no need for him to make things soplicated. He could have just had you leave the evidence somewhere for him to pick up.¡± Bailey arched her eyebrows and sneered. ¡°I bet he''s interested in my body and wants to strip me naked and¡ª¡± Suddenly, Artemis kissed her lips and stopped her from finishing her words. How dare you talk like this in front of me? I have to teach you a lesson and let you understand who is your man! Bailey rolled her eyes. I was just kidding. Do you really have to be so serious? Noticing the anger that enveloped his body, Bailey dared not resist and let him bully her to his heart''s content. Eventually, Artemis withdrew from her delicate red lips reluctantly and pressed his forehead against hers. ¡°I will never allow any man to covet you. Let''s stop ying with him. Just publish the evidence and destroy his reputation. I will then send someone to capture him. You really don''t need to risk yourself.¡± Bailey pursed her lips, wrapped her arms around his waist, and looked at him. ¡°That guy is crazy. We can''t live in peace as long as he''s not dealt with. Since this strategy can lure him out, there''s no reason to back down at this moment. You don''t have to worry about me. Even if he wants to force himself on me, he doesn''t have that capability.¡± ¡°Bailey...¡± Artemis sped her waist tightly and gritted his teeth. ¡°Was the punishment just now not harsh enough? How dare you still say this nonsense? Do you want me to pin you under my body to have a deep ''talk''?¡± Bailey scratched her nose awkwardly. Okay. This man can''t take jokes at all. ¡°Trust me. I can hold him back until your rescue.¡± Artemis refused to listen to her. He stared at her coldly and articted each word firmly, ¡°I will go with you.¡± Bailey rejected him without hesitation, ¡°No way! If you go with me, Cadence will not show up. If he doesn''t show up, our n will be ruined. Although our kids are fine now, I just can''t stand the sight of that fly constantly buzzing around us. It''s so disgusting! I have to smash it dead tonight.¡± Artemis red at her with a vicious look. Bailey was not afraid at all. She raised her head to look at him with a firm gaze. In the end, Artemis gave in. ¡°All right. Since I promised to pamper you, obeying your ns is also a way of pampering. I have no more objection to you meeting Cadence, but you have to be careful and protect yourself. Bailey, if you don''t want to see me going crazy and out of control, just wait for me to rescue you.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Bailey sighed softly and hugged his waist tightly. ¡°Don''t worry. If there''s any danger, I''ll just run. Let me tell you a secret. I was once a marathon champion!¡± Artemis froze as shock shed through his eyes. Marathon champion... Why is this woman so outstanding? She''s even more capable than most men! At half past seven, Bailey drove away from the medical base alone. At eight o''clock, she arrived on time at Egret Square in the western suburbs. As she expected, this was not the final meeting ce. After waiting at the square for about ten minutes, she received another text message. Cadence: Good girl. At least you didn''t bring anyone with you. Drive your car fifty miles outside the western suburbs, and you''ll see an abandoned factory. Park your car outside the factory and walk in. Bailey curled her lips into a smile. She supposed the abandoned factory was the final meeting ce. Bailey: Okay. After replying to Cadence''s text message, she gave Artemis a call. ¡°There''s an abandoned factory fifty miles out of the western suburbs. He asked me to meet him there. I''ll need about half an hour to drive there. When I see him, I will notify you with the signal. Then only you depart. Don''t worry about me. I''ll find a way to deal with him and buy you time.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Artemis responded briefly. Bailey knew it was incredibly hard for him to say this word. It was indeed too much to force him to let her take the risks. However, there was no other way as she had to get rid of Cadence herself. Half an hourter, Bailey arrived at the destination. As soon as she got out of the car, she was keenly aware that there were many potential dangers hidden nearby. It seemed that Cadence was fully prepared and had no intention to let her go easily tonight. She ran into two ck-clothed bodyguards after only taking a few steps. ¡°Hold it! We have to search you first.¡± Chapter 288 Chapter 288 Bailey frowned. If this were in the past, she would have killed them all on the spot with just a blow, but now... ¡°Okay, go ahead. Since I''m here, I''m not going to resist.¡± The two bodyguards searched all over her body, but they were professional about it and did not behave inappropriately. ¡°Okay, you can go in now. Mr. White is waiting for you in the innermost warehouse.¡± Bailey pursed her red lips and walked toward the factory. For every ce that she passed through, she could sense dozens of people breathing. Seems like this factory is being guarded by a lot of bodyguards. She hoped Artemis could break through the defense line and rush over as soon as possible. Stepping into the warehouse, she saw a middle-aged man sitting inside at a nce. Who else could it be if it was not Cadence? She raised her hand and stroked the hair behind her ear. It seemed like a charming gesture, but without anyone noticing, she had already sent out the signal. Cadence narrowed his eyes slightly and asked the bodyguard in ck behind Bailey, ¡°What''s the situation outside?¡± ¡°Mr. White, no one followed her from Egret Square to this abandoned factory. Don''t worry.¡± p, p, p! A burst of apuse resounded in the empty warehouse, originating from Cadence. ¡°Not bad. You are indeed a courageous woman, Ms. Bailey! But I bet you don''t dare to do anything only because you have to rely on me to save your two kids!¡± Bailey nodded slightly. ¡°Yes. My kids'' lives are in your hands. How can I not obey your instructions? Tell me. What can I do to make you hand over the antidote?¡± Standing up from the couch, Cadence walked over to her and stretched out his hand to lift her chin. A wicked smile curved his lips as he answered, ¡°It''s very simple. First, hand over the evidence of my crime. Second, spend one night with me.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bailey agreed without any hesitation. Cadence was surprised as he did not expect her to agree so easily. ¡°Are you sure that you''ve heard that right? I said I want you to spend one night with me. On the bed.¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°Since you asked me toe to this kind of ce, I''ve already expected you to make such excessive demands. I''ve prepared myself mentally on my way here. As long as you give me the antidote, I''ll do as you say.¡± Cadence burst outughing. ¡°Oh, my dear Anonymous! I''m very powerful in bed, and I''m not sure if you can handle it.¡± Bailey could not help mocking in her heart, Of course you are! Or else you wouldn''t have been able to impregnate Rhonda. ¡°It''s okay. I like wild men. We can y anything you wish.¡± Cadence snorted. He took out a bottle from his pocket and threw it to her. ¡°This medicine will make your body go weak. Take one. I like my women obedient. It''s safer for a wild cat with sharp ws like you to have your ws removed.¡± After hesitating for three seconds, Bailey swallowed the medicine in the bottle. Cadence dragged her toward the couch and threw her onto it,ughing. Looking at her disheveled state, he did not waste another second and started touching her body. For the past three years, he had been constantly thinking about how to abuse and ravage this woman so that she became the dirtiest sl*t in the world. His dream finally came true today. Of course, he would go all out. Bailey twitched her lips and gave him a captivating smile. Much like the deadly nightshade, she appeared beautiful yet dangerous at the same time, full of lethal temptations. In an instant, she had him hooked by the soul. To be more precise, he had been hypnotized. Hey, dirty old man! No matter how hard you nned for everything, I''m sure you never expected I knew hypnosis, did you? The world''s top hypnotist, Ethereal, was also a legendary figure who had never shown her real face. Yet, here she was right now. Her n was to seduce him with her beauty and then control his mind. ¡°Come here.¡± He obediently walked over to her and pinned her down with his body. Bailey used hisrge stature to avoid the gazes of everyone else there. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, ¡°Tell them to get out.¡± Cadence''s body was shaking slightly as his mind resisted it for a moment, but he finally sumbed to her order. ¡°Get out. All of you get out.¡± The bodyguards around looked at each other in dismay. After a moment of hesitation, they all retreated. When no one was watching, Bailey heaved a sigh of relief. She looked into Cadence''s eyes and said, ¡°Repeat after me.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The next moment, a series of strange and disturbing noises sounded in the empty warehouse. Is Mr. White really so amazing? The bodyguards standing outside felt awkward listening to those sounds. Twenty minutester, several dark shadows shed by and rushed into the factory like phantoms. Blood was sttered everywhere along the way where these shadows passed through. In the blink of an eye, the sounds of breathing at several spots outside the factory stopped abruptly, and the coppery stench of blood spread in the air. ¡°Artemis, all the bodyguards on the outside have been dealt with. You can rush in to save Baileyter, and we''ll handle the people outside the warehouse.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As soon as the group of people turned the corner to the warehouse, they were startled by the strange sounds. Artemis'' expression changed drastically. No normal man would not know under what circumstances would someone let out such screams. Sylvester scratched his nose and said in a trembling voice, ¡°T-This... Are we toote? Is Bailey going to be someone else''s wife?¡± Artemis was not in the mood to joke around with him, and he immediately rushed in. The rest of the group quickly followed and killed all of the bodyguards hidden in the dark corners. Artemis broke into the warehouse with a gloomy face. After he saw the situation inside, he looked like he had swallowed a fly. Bailey was leaning back on the couch while Cadence knelt by her feet, massaging her legs gently. As he did so, he also let out some disturbing and strange noises continuously. Artemis could not believe his eyes. ¡°What''s going on?¡± Bailey slumped against the couch and said, ¡°Don''t just stand there like a piece of wood with that awful expression. Tie him up quickly! I can''t use my hypnosis for a long time. It''s very exhausting.¡± Hypnosis? Oh right, Bailey can hypnotize. N?velDrama.Org content. As realization dawned, Artemis saw that her face was pale. She was obviously exhausted. He hurriedly rushed forward to break Cadence''s limbs. Under the stimtion of severe pain, Cadence broke free from the hypnosis in an instant. He looked at Bailey with horror on his face and stammered out incoherently, ¡°A-Are you even human? H-How do you know this long-lost dream-making technique? You are a ghost! You are possessed by the soul of the founder of the dream-making technique!¡± Chapter 289 Chapter 289 Artemis narrowed his eyes to look at Bailey as he sized her up. Ignoring him, Bailey stretched out her slender fingertip to hook Cadence''s chin. As soon as the tip of her finger touched Cadence''s skin, Artemis immediately pped it away. ¡°Don''t touch another man,¡± he warned her with a stern voice. Bailey rolled her eyes. I even seduced this dirty old man before he came. If he finds out, is he going to explode with rage? ¡°What''s wrong with him?¡± asked Artemis, frowning. Bailey shrugged and said indifferently, ¡°I ced him in deep hypnosis earlier. He needs some time to regain his rity, which is why he''s acting a little deranged now.¡± After finishing her words, she snapped her fingers twice in front of Cadence. Cadence''s frightened eyes gradually regained focus, and he returned to normal in an instant. ¡°Bailey, you f*cking tricked me!¡± With that, he leaped to his feet, intending on pouncing on Bailey to strangle her. However, his limbs had all been broken by Artemis. When he moved, the pain in his joints was agonizing. He screamed in severe pain before slumping on the floor again. ¡°Bailey, what did you do to me just now? What the hell did you do to me just now!¡± Bailey spread her hands and said with a smirk, ¡°Please don''t tell me that you didn''t know I could hypnotize. Cadence, do you know how you ended up in such a pathetic situation? How could you let a top hypnotist seduce you?¡± ¡°Y-You''re a hypnotist?¡± Cadence looked at her in horror, and his body began to tremble violently as he thought of something. ¡°So the man who had sex with Rhonda at the hotel that day was not Artemis. She was hypnotized by you, and you instilled thoughts into her mind, causing that fool to think it was him. You did the same thing to her again this time. You hypnotized her and made her believe that she had sessfully poisoned the two kids. The kids are actually fine.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± Bailey admitted right away. She did not want to waste time on him anymore. ¡°Cadence, why do you hate me so much? Is it because Cataleya did not take you as her apprentice back then and taught me everything that she''s learned in her life? You even tried to tamper with the new drug that I invented just for the sake of taking revenge on me. You treat human lives as though they''re nothing. Do you think you''re still qualified to stay in the medical industry?¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Cadence stared at her nkly. ¡°An ordinary hypnotist wouldn''t be able to control a person''s mind and forcibly instill thoughts into the mind of the hypnotized person. Who the hell are you?¡± Bailey smiled faintly, leaned toward him, and whispered in his ear, ¡°Have you heard of ''Ethereal''?¡± Cadence stared at Bailey with widened eyes and a dumbfounded expression. S-She is Ethereal! Invincible. She''s indeed invincible! ¡°What are you going to do with me? Do you want to send me to prison or to Uramuzor?¡± Bailey scoffed and wagged a finger at him. ¡°No, no, no. I''m not going to send you to prison or Uramuzor. For a dangerous person like you, I can only rest assured that you will not harm people anymore when I see you dead.¡± With that, she struggled to stand up from the couch and looked down at him. ¡°I will not let go of anyone who tries to hurt my kids. You may die in peace now.¡± ¡°You b*tch! I''m going to kill you!¡± Cadence leaned forward and tried to lunge toward her. He hated her. He hated her ruthlessness for not showing him any mercy at all. Suddenly, a ck shadow darted in between them. Artemis stood in front of Bailey and kicked Cadence a few meters away. How dare you touch my woman! I''m not going to let you walk out of this factory alive tonight! Cadence spat out a mouthful of blood and looked up at Artemis while lying on the ground. ¡°Mr. Luther, you have an amazing wife. I''ve had so much fun with her in the past month or so. How''s it feel to be cheated on by your wife? Does it feel good?¡± Artemis smiled. ¡°Wife? Who''s my wife? Rhonda? I''m sorry, but I''m not her husband. Her husband is just a beggar who shares the same name as me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Cadence looked at him in astonishment, and his eyes were about to pop out of their sockets. He then suddenly burst outughing when something crossed his mind. ¡°It turns out that everything was under your control all along. We were nothing but clowns to amuse you! Haha! You weren''t the one being yed for a fool but me! It was me!¡± Artemis sneered and ignored him. Cadence''s fate was sealed from the moment he poisoned Artemis'' children. Turning around, he swept Bailey into his arms and walked straight toward the door. Bailey did not struggle but wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°I know that it''s easy for you to kill him, but what happens after you do so? Have you thought about how to exin it to the outside world?¡± Artemis looked down at her and asked an unrted question, ¡°Did you seduce him before I came?¡± Uh... Should I admit to it? If I do, this man is going to swallow me alive! Seeing that she did not answer his question, Artemis snorted coldly and strode out of the warehouse. ¡°Ken, handle this cleanly. Kill the man in there, then send his body to the police station and exin the situation to Mr. Chestway.¡± ¡°Noted, Mr. Luther.¡± Micah narrowed his eyes and watched as Artemis left the factory with Bailey in his arms. Aplicated expression appeared on his face. Hypnosis. This woman knows how to hypnotize people. I still remember the top assassins I sent to guard Shannon back then were also hypnotized, which is how they lost her in the end. It seems that this woman is somehow connected to Shannon. Noticing that Micah was staring at the two of them leaving and was in a daze, Sylvester poked his arm. ¡°Hey, Micah! What are you looking at? Please don''t tell me that you have a crush on Bailey! You can''t do that because Ratemis is going to kill you! I don''t want to see the two of you turn against each other.¡± Micah was speechless. When they returned to the medical base, both Bailey and Artemis did not tell the truth. They took a bottle of ordinary medicine to use as the ¡°antidote¡± and injected it into the two children. In one of the rooms in the Luther residence, Felicity leaned against the headboard with a sullen face. Rhonda sat beside her andforted her with a soft voice, ¡°Mrs. Luther, please don''t worry. Artemis asked Caridee and me to bring you back here because he was worried that your body couldn''t take it. Don''t think too much. The Luther family is blessed by God. The kids will definitely be fine.¡± As soon as she finished her words, the door was pushed open, and Caridee rushed in with a look of surprise. ¡°Mom, good news! Dad called just now, saying that Artemis and Bailey got the antidote from Cadence. Zayron and Susan are out of danger now!¡± What? Both Felicity and Rhonda were shocked. Rhonda clenched her fists in frustration, and her body shook violently. Chapter 290 Chapter 290 Still alive? And they even got their hands on the antidote? D*mn it. What the hell is Cadence doing? It was such a good opportunity, but he still lost to Bailey. What a useless man! Felicity reacted differently from her. Once she heard what her daughter said, she began struggling to get off. Caridee rushed over to press down on her shoulders and said with a smile, ¡°Mom, just rest at home. Dad has said to not let you go anywhere and make sure you wait at home.¡± Felicity instantly grabbed her daughter''s wrist and stammered, ¡°Are the two kids fine? Are the toxins out of their body?¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Caridee smiled at her mother and happily said, ¡°Not only are Zayron and Susan fine, but Max even woke up from hisa.¡± Felicity froze, clearly needing time to process what Caridee just said. Then, she began shaking. ¡°Caridee, what did you say? Max is awake too?¡± ¡°Yes! Max is awake. Your precious grandson is awake.¡± While she spoke, Caridee nced at Rhonda from the corner of her eyes. It was then she saw the scrunched-up features and ferocious look on Rhonda''s face. Caridee''s heart sank. Maxton''s awakening did not seem to be joyous news for Rhonda. On the contrary, she seemed furious. But why? Isn''t Max her biological son? ¡°He''s awake. He''s awake,¡± Felicity muttered under her breath. Once she came back to her senses, she grabbed Rhonda''s arm and cried out, ¡°Ronni, did you hear her? The three kids are all fine, and your son has woken up from hisa!¡± Rhonda was about to implode from the fury, but she still pped a look of pleasant surprise on her face. ¡°Yes, I heard her. I knew that the Luther children would be fine.¡± At that, Caridee rolled her eyes. This woman changes her attitude as quickly as a revolving door. Why didn''t I realize how pretentious she was in the past? I was blinded by her fake gentle appearance back then. The next day, the police published an announcement on their official website: World-infamous drug refiner Cadence White, who had been refining drugs in an abandoned factory at Hallsbay, has been found dead after identallying into contact with toxins. The moment the news was published, the entire world was stunned. To the outsiders, Cadence was an extreme madman who acted strangely. Hence, they were not too shocked that he was killed by the toxins he was developing. However, when Rhonda saw the news, she hurried back to the Jefferson residence anxiously. In the living room at the Jefferson residence. ¡°Ronni, calm down. Cadence''s death might be a good thing for you. You can finally get out of his control. Anyway, you''re aiming for the status of Mrs. Luther. You''re above so many other people in Hallsbay, so what are you worried about?¡± ¡°But... But I''m scared that old man''s going to reveal the unsightly things I''ve done with him. If Artemis finds out that I''ve been cheating on him, he''s going to skin me alive!¡± ¡°Calm down.¡± Beatrice grabbed Rhonda''s hand and consoled her, ¡°If Artemis had really found out about this, he would have rushed to the Luther residence to kick you out of the family. Weren''t you fine the entire night? I''d say that Cadence died before he could spill any beans.¡± However, Rhonda was still quaking in her boots as she stuttered, ¡°I-Is that really so? Mom, I''m no match for Bailey. That woman is a bringer of misfortune, and she''s scary. Anyone who gets involved with her ends terribly.¡± Beatrice curled her lips and nonchntly said, ¡°Then let''s not confront her head-on. We''ll use Zoey to deal with her instead.¡± Rhonda gulped. She was genuinely doubting Zoey''s ability to survive Bailey''s tricks. After all, Zoey seemed to be someone with all looks and no brains. In a caf¨¦ at the corner, a man and a woman sat by the window seat. Bailey was looking at Zeke with a raised brow. ¡°May I know why you''ve invited me here, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Zeke watched her with gentle eyes,pletely unlike the rumored head of the Shurmer family. Indeed, he had some bizarre feelings for her. Her face kept reminding him of his mother, so he thought of her as his younger sister. ¡°Thank you for having mercy on my sister, Ms. Jefferson. If not for the evidence you provided to the court that proved the medication was fine, my sister would have been charged guilty. She might have ended up getting sentenced to a few years in jail.¡± However, Bailey shed him a smile and said, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, are you trying to point out how I''ve falsified the evidence?¡± Zeke froze and frowned. ¡°I don''t understand what you''re trying to say, Ms. Jefferson. Please enlighten me.¡± Bailey took a sip of her coffee and slowly said, ¡°There was indeed an issue with that batch of medication from Dyke Pharmaceutical, but your sister wasn''t the one who did something to it. Cadence, who died in the abandoned factory yesterday, was the true culprit. I always thought that you were part of the incident¡ªthat you were Cadence''s aplice, so I''ve been keeping my guard up against you all this time. You have my apologies for that. I''ve thought too terribly of you. As for your sister, she simply wanted to ruin my reputation, but she ended up being manipted by Cadence.¡± Zeke raised his brows in response. ¡°I see. Thank you for rifying this to me, Ms. Jefferson. Indeed, my sister has made a mistake. The Shurmer family should extend our gratitude to you for being merciful to her.¡± Bailey waved dismissively. ¡°My mercy was conditional. It''s to repay the favor Artemis owed her.¡± At that, she lifted her head to nce at Zeke before continuing, ¡°My disciple, Juliana, seems to be quite close with youtely, Mr. Shurmer. It is the first time the girl has fallen for someone else, so she might have crossed a line or two identally. Mr. Shurmer, I hope you''ll deal her a swift blow and reject her.¡± Upon hearing that, Zeke could not help but hold his forehead in exasperation. He then sighed and muttered, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''m sure you know what kind of person your disciple is. Since you''vee to me to talk about this, clearly, I haven''t gotten through to her. Frankly, it isn''t the first time I''ve told her about it, but she''s stubborn. There are two reasons for me to invite you here today. One is to thank you for letting my sister go, and the second is for you to keep a close eye on that girl and have her stop harassing me.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. After falling silent for a while, she cautiously asked, ¡°A sudden question, but do you have a girlfriend, Mr. Shurmer?¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Zeke inclined his head and uttered, ¡°I have a fianc¨¦e from an arranged engagement.¡± Bailey arched a brow. ¡°Is she the eldest daughter of the Gourd family, Shirley Gourd?¡± A chuckle escaped Zeke after his initial shock. ¡°As expected of an international big shot. You have so many identities, and you''re up to date with all kinds of news. Indeed, it is the eldest daughter of the Gourd family, Shirley Gourd.¡± ¡°That''s okay then.¡± Bailey snapped her fingers and beamed. ¡°I''ve resolved a crisis for Dyke Pharmaceutical, so technically, you owe me a favor, Mr. Shurmer. Could you please call Ms. Gourd to take a trip to Hallsbay? I don''t think my girl will give up until the very end. I''m sure she''ll finally stop if she sees your fianc¨¦e in person.¡± Zeke turned quiet in hesitation. Chapter 291 Chapter 291 ¡°Is it a hard decision to make?¡± Bailey queried. However, Zeke shook his head. ¡°It seems like it''s the only choice we have. All right. I''ll try to contact Shirley and ask her toe to Hallsbay.¡± Bailey then stood up from her chair and took her sling bag from the table. ¡°I have something else to do, so I''ll excuse myself first. I''ll have to trouble you to keep a closer eye on Dyke Pharmaceutical so that the first batch of medication can be made avable to the public as quickly as possible.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After returning to the medical base, the first thing she saw from afar was the siblings, Zayron and Susan, ying happily with Edmund. Their calls of ¡°Daddy Eddy¡± echoed in the spacious field and warmed the hearts of the onlookers. No one could be a better father to the two children than Edmund. Bailey felt that there was no harm in trying to ept him if he was the father the siblings chose to have. But what is that aching and frustrating feeling in my heart? ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± While she was lost in her thoughts, Edmund had reached her side. Bailey gave him a faint smile. ¡°Nothing. I just feel at peace watching you y with your kids.¡± Edmund took her hand and led her to the artificialke. As Susan watched the two head there, she pped fervently and cried out, ¡°Daddy Eddy finally won over Bailey''s heart. Zayron, did you hear that? Bailey said ''you and your kids.'' That means she epts Daddy Eddy! She epts him as family!¡± However, Zayron narrowed his eyes a little and shot a nce at the girl as a mocking look shed past his face. That''s because you don''t know who your real dad is. If it was that dense guy Simon, Daddy Eddy might still stand a chance. But it''s that sly old fox, Artemis. Even if there are ten Daddy Eddys around, they''re still no match for Artemis. Just give up on that! Meanwhile, Bailey was leaning against the railing by the artificialke and smiling. ¡°Let''s just get straight to the point instead of beating around the bush. There aren''t any secrets between us, Edmund.¡± Edmund chuckled. He then asked, ¡°Bay, when are you nning to leave Hallsbay? Cadence''s now dead, and no one''s going toy a finger on the medication anymore. Doesn''t that mean we can leave without regrets?¡± Bailey sighed as she slowly dropped the smile on her face. In a tired tone, she said, ¡°I''m afraid I won''t be able to leave for the next two weeks. I''m representing Chanaea in the International Programming Competition, so I have to stay here until thepetition ends.¡± Edmund''s interest was piqued when he heard her mention that. ¡°You''ve never shown off your abilities, so why did you join the International Programming Competition this time?¡± A bitter smile crept upon Bailey''s lips before she briefly told him about how she had hacked into the research institute to steal Scarlett''s documents. ¡°That''s what happened. It would be easier to deal with if I had crossed someone ordinary, but the other person is from the Fletcher family. Now that the cyberspace administration department has taken over the investigation, it''s only a matter of time before they realize my involvement. That''s why I''m in a rush to get an achievement so that they can''ty a finger on me.¡± Edmund lifted a brow and said, ¡°It seems like you have quite an impressive identity in this field. Mind revealing something to me?¡± Bailey''s eyes flicked toward him before she walked over to the gazebo. ¡°I''m the top hacker, Spook.¡± A look of surprise shed past Edmund''s eyes. It was not because he learned that she was the best hacker internationally but because he remembered that Spook had hacked into Artemis'' ount half a year ago, causing him to lose three billion. For that, Artemis had chased after Spook across the globe for half a year. So Spook is Bay? She''s unbelievable to have the guts to mess with Artemis. Edmund could not stop the chuckle from escaping his lips as he watched her leave in a suave manner. She was far too marvelous, and sometimes, he felt that he was not worthy of her. Perhaps it would be a difficult feat to find a man in this world who could stand by a brilliant woman like Bailey. In a private room of the caf¨¦ by the corner, Vincent was sitting by the window, his gaze fixed on the busy street outside. He had been waiting there for an hour, but there was still no sign of Lionel. The old butler stepped forward and tried to convince him to leave. ¡°Mr. Saunders, you''re in poor health, and an hour is your limit. I don''t think Mr. Gezmond will being, so let''s go home first.¡± An intense bout of coughing and panting echoed in the room. ¡°L-Let''s wait for a little longer. I''m the one who has something to request from him, so I have to be humble.¡± The butler sighed and quietly retreated to the side. Vincent had already found out about Victoria attempting to send herself to jail bymitting a commercial crime. However, instead of looking for Victoria, he had gone to look for Lionel. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The butler could vaguely figure out what Vincent was trying to do. After all, at this point, the only way to keep Ms. Victoria safe is to¡ª Right then, the door swung open, and Lionel entered the room. Vincent quickly stood up and hastily said, ¡°Lionel, you''vee.¡± Lionel''s gazended on Vincent. When he saw how sickly Vincent appeared, his heart lurched. Is this still the man who mercilessly took over Gezmond Group back then? It''s only been a few years since then, but he now looks like he''s at death''s door. ¡°Mr. Saunders, you''re rather shameless to invite me out after all the things you did to me.¡± Lionel did not take a seat as he walked over to the window and leaned against the windowsill. With a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said, ¡°Mr. Saunders, if you''vee to ask me to let Saunders Group off, there''s no need for you to waste your breath. I''ve already drafted the acquisition contract, and I''m only waiting for the day when Saunders Group deres its bankruptcy.¡± Vincent harshly coughed a few times before he heaved out, ¡°I''m not here to ask you to let Saunders Group go. I''m here to ask you to let Vicky go.¡± Lionel raised a brow. ¡°Let your daughter go? I don''t remember ever doing anything to Victoria. Isn''t she fine right now? I neither asked her to be my mistress nor kidnapped her, so why are you asking me to let her go?¡± ¡°Lionel.¡± Vincent raised his volume and roared, ¡°You''re ruining her life! Will you only stop after forcing her to the edge of the cliff?¡± Lionel dropped the smile and fixed his cold gaze on the older man. ¡°Why didn''t you think about what would happen to me when you set me up to sleep with my stepmother? But you can''t take it now that bad things are happening to your daughter? Vincent, Vincent, what right do you have to negotiate with me? What right do you have to question me about this?¡± The fury left Vincent instantly, and he slumped into his chair. A long moment of silenceter, he slowly closed his eyes and said in a tranquil voice, ¡°You can acquire Saunders Group, and you can send me to jail, but please let Vicky go. She never did anything wrong; she has been a victim all along, so don''t ruin her life.¡± Lionel sneered. ¡°She''s the one who rammed into the wall herself. She wanted to take your ce in jail, so there''s no point for you to beg me. Since she''s decided you''re the most important to her, she will be my enemy, and I have no reservations when ites to dealing with my enemies.¡± ¡°What if I turn myself in? Lionel, you''re the only one who can stop her now. If I go to prison like you want me to, can you please make sure that she''s safe?¡± Chapter 292 Chapter 292 Narrowing his eyes, Lionel gave Vincent the side-eye. ¡°You''re willing to turn yourself in? Judging by your sickly appearance, I highly suspect you''ll die inside the prison. You''ve lived a glorious life thus far, so are you really willing to ept this miserable end?¡± Vincent wore a bitter smile. ¡°What can I do even if I''m unwilling to ept this oue? I suppose you won''t let me go even if Vicky is imprisoned in my stead, right? Therefore, why should I drag my daughter into this mess and ruin her life?¡± N?velDrama.Org content. Lionelughed sinisterly and raised his brows. ¡°Victoria maye and beg me to show you mercy before she goes into jail. Perhaps I will really let you off the hook for the sake of our past rtionship. She''s still young, so she can turn over a new leaf after spending a few years in prison. However, the same cannot be said for you. You''re old and frail. Once you enter the prison, there is no chance for you toe out alive.¡± Vincent coughed violently before he ced his hands on the table and pushed himself up. Then, he bowed deeply at Lionel while panting heavily. ¡°I don''t mind where I die at this advanced age. Please, have mercy and let my daughter go. I promise you that I will turn myself in.¡± After saying that, he turned around, grabbed his briefcase, and took out a stack of documents with his trembling hands. ¡°This is Saunders Group''s share transfer agreement. I''m willingly offering you the fifty percentpany share in my possession. From today onward, you will be Saunders Group''s major shareholder, as well as the decision-maker of thepany. I hope you''ll take into consideration your past rtionship with Vicky and stop her crazy actions.¡± With that, Vincent walked unsteadily toward the door with the help of his walking stick, stumbling a few times and nearly facenting on the floor. At that sight, the old butler hastily rushed forward to support Vincent. The two of them slowly left the room afterward. Lionel gazed at the traffic jam outside the window with an unfathomable look gleaming in his eyes. He stood rooted to his spot for a long while before ambling to the table and picking up the share transfer agreement. The content of the agreement was genuine. Vincent had also affixed his signature at the bottom of the page and even attached his fingerprint. That share transfer agreement was already legally effective. Lionel understood Vincent''s intention. Only by transferring Saunders Group''s decision-making power to him could Vincent render Lionel capable of stopping Victoria from continuing her crime. Hah! It seems like this old man is quite caring and protective toward his daughter. In that case, I shall do as he wishes by rescuing Victoria. Then... The fall of the Gezmond family and the death of his family members was a grudge Lionel did not dare to forget, nor could he ever forget. Meanwhile, at the lead designer''s office in Luther Group, Artemis pushed the door open and entered the room. He could not help but feel curious when he saw Bailey browsing through piles of references with her brows knitted as if she had encountered aplex problem. Is there any issue in this world that she can''t resolve? ¡°What''s the matter? Did you hit a bottleneck in your programming?¡± While biting the end of her pen, Bailey tly replied, ¡°No. I''m figuring out a way to acquire Saunders Group.¡± Acquire Saunders Group? Artemis was stunned. He sauntered over to her desk and leaned forward to take a look. Scattered on the table were documents rted to the acquisition process of apany. ¡°Why are you thinking of purchasing Saunders Group? I remember you were toozy to even manage Emmy Boutique and handed all the responsibilities of running the business to the operations team.¡± She ced down the pen in her hand and leaned back in the chair. ¡°My discussion with Lionel fell through. That guy is determined to bring about the downfall of Saunders Group and send Mr. Saunders to prison. If I wish to protect Victoria, I must first safeguard Mr. Saunders, which means I''ll have to save Saunders Group.¡± Artemis sighed and reached out to grab all the documents. Bailey thought he wanted to read the papers, so she did not stop him. Unexpectedly, he turned around and tossed them into the shredder. ¡°Hey! What are you doing? Are you crazy?¡± She leaped over the desk in an attempt to switch off the shredder but was halted by Artemis. ¡°You don''t have to do this anymore. Saunders Group is already in Lionel''s possession, so there''s nothing you can do to reverse the situation no matter how hard you try.¡± Bailey red at him and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Are you doubting my capabilities? Do you think I can''t win against Lionel?¡± ¡°That''s not it.¡± Artemis stretched out his hands to hug her and let out another sigh. ¡°I have full confidence in your abilities, but I have just received news about Mr. Saunders transferring all his shares to Lionel.¡± Taken aback, Bailey narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°What did you say? ¡°Vincent Saunders has transferred all his shares to Lionel Gezmond. Lionel now owns half of Saunders Group''s shares, bing the major shareholder as well as the decision-maker of thepany.¡± Bailey gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Is that old man crazy? Saunders Group is the Saunders family''sst hope. Isn''t it equivalent to him digging his own grave if he transfers all of his shares to Lionel?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°Not necessarily.¡± She stared at him. ¡°If you have something to say, then spit it out all at once. Don''t leave me hanging.¡± ¡°Lionel is the only person who can stop Victoria from pursuing her insane n now. Mr. Saunders decided to hand over thepany to Lionel because he wants thetter to protect Victoria. What you are trying to achieve here is the same, right? Despite the difference in method, you and Mr. Saunders hope for the same oue. Listen to me. Don''t interfere in their matter anymore. They are all adults who are capable of handling their own problems.¡± Hearing that, Bailey slumped in his embrace like a deted balloon and sighed. ¡°Mr. Saunders'' method is indeed more suitable, but will Lionel agree to his request? Lionel is adamant about sending Mr. Saunders to jail, so why ¡ª¡± Suddenly, she stopped talking. After contemting briefly, she asked, ¡°Is Mr. Saunders nning to turn himself in and keep Victoria safe in exchange for his own life?¡± ¡°I think that is the most usible exnation. If he wishes to save Victoria, he must sacrifice himself.¡± ¡°Then, I ¡ª¡± Artemis ced a finger over her lips and shook his head. ¡°Bay, don''t pity Mr. Saunders. Why would he be afraid of Lionel''s revenge if he was truly innocent? I reckon Mr. Saunders must have done something terrible, and Lionel got hold of the evidence. We should let them deal with their personal grudges themselves. None of us are qualified to intrude into this matter.¡± With that, Artemis dragged Bailey along as he strode across the office and seated her on the swivel chair, not giving her any time to process her thoughts or say a word. ¡°Try to write a program. I''ll see if I can provide you with any guidance.¡± Bailey smiled in resignation. She was well aware of Artemis'' prowess inputer skills. Perhaps he might just be able to help her out. ¡°By the way, now that Cadence has been eliminated, when do you n to expose Rhonda''s pretense so that she can receive the punishment she deserves?¡± ¡°There''s no need to rush,¡± he replied tersely. I''ll reveal the whole truth when Rhonda prepares to go on the run with the two kids. I''ll wait until then to give her this huge surprise. Inside the ward of the medical base, Zayron rested his hands on his sister''s shoulders and seated her on the couch. ¡°Susan, there''s something I need to tell you so that you can be mentally prepared.¡± Susan blinked and beamed at Zayron. ¡°Just tell me what you have to say. Why do you have to sound so serious?¡± Zayron took a deep breath and uttered sulkily, ¡°We made a mistake when finding out our biological father. That b*stard, Simon, is not our father.¡± The smile on Susan''s face stiffened. ¡°Zayron, you''re joking, right? But your joke isn''t funny at all. I''ve yet to have my fun as the Luther family''s little princess. I''m not willing to give up this noble status yet!¡± Chapter 293 Chapter 293 Zayronughed cynically and said, ¡°Don''t worry. We''re still from the Luther family. It''s just that our father has now be our uncle.¡± Susan''s expression stiffened as her smile vanished in the blink of an eye. Zayron clenched his teeth and expressed his frustration. ¡°It''s all Maxton''s fault¡ªtold him to steal Simon''s blood sample, yet he went on and stole his father''s instead.¡± Something else seemed to pop up in Susan''s mind when she heard that. She got excited not because she would be getting a rich father, but because of something else. ¡°Is Max the child Mommy thought had passed away? He''s also our elder brother, right? D*mn it, Rhonda. How dare she steal Mommy''s child and bring him to the Luther family? She must pay the price for causing Mommy to live in misery for so many years.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. ¡°Can we focus on finding our dad first?¡± The little girl responded with a cold snort. ¡°I only acknowledge Daddy Eddy as my daddy. None of the men in the Luther family are as pleasant-looking as Daddy Eddy.¡± Meanwhile, in the guestroom of the Xuereb residence, Scarlett was leaning on the couch while talking over the phone. ¡°Are you sure the person who hacked into the research institute to retrieve my data is Spook and not Veronique?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Fletcher. All the evidence indicates that Spook was the hacker.¡± Upon hearing that, she tightened her grip on the phone. Scarlett had always thought the culprit was Veronique. If that were the case, she would be able to put thetter behind bars for a few years. Oh, well. Too bad she''s not the hacker. But it''s fine. Spook is clearly in cahoots with Veronique since she helped her steal my data. As long as I can get hold of Spook, I''ll get her to spew out the mastermind. ¡°All right. Get the cyberspace administration department to track Spook down. Make sure it carries out a thorough investigation. The Fletcher family must get to the bottom of the information leak.¡± ¡°All right, Ms. Fletcher.¡± After ending the call, Scarlett let out a cold snort. I have nothing to be afraid of since the entire Fletcher family has my back. She''s just a daughter from a family of doctors. Who is she to snatch my man? She would not let Veronique have both Justin and the bone marrow. I would be an idiot if I lent her a helping hand. Can''t wait to see her illegitimate son die a miserable death. Meanwhile, a woman wearing a cap was walking in the quaint streets of Springwyn. People who had gotten hurt in a rtionship woulde to this ce to find peace. After a short walk, the woman froze for a moment. Instead of turning around, she stared into the distance and said, ¡°Stop hiding. I know it''s you.¡± There was no one behind her. Shannon responded with a sigh before turning around. ¡°I''vee across quite a few unfamiliar faces in this town, and they all seem well-trained. Bailey must have sent you here, right?¡± Yet, she still did not get any response from the mysterious person. After shing a wry smile, she stuck her hand into her pocket to fish out her phone. Ordinary folks could have done it easily, but not Shannon because she had lost an arm. ¡°I''m going to call Bailey if you''re not going to show yourself.¡± ¡°No, please don''t...¡± Suddenly, a young man emerged from the corner of the wall. ¡°Please don''t, Ms. Shannon. Ms. Bailey doesn''t want you to contact her during this period.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Shannon found a spot, sat on the grass, and asked casually, ¡°Did he find out my whereabouts? Is he trying to hunt me down?¡± The young man remained silent and lowered his head as he sympathized with her. He could not bring himself to hurt her anymore as fate had put her through hell. ¡°Got it. Tell Bailey not to worry about me. I''ll hide well and not cause her any trouble,¡± she said. The young man hesitated for a moment before assuring her, ¡°Enjoy your stay here, Ms. Shannon. Ms. Bailey will help you clear all your obstacles. We hope you can start afresh and find someone you can spend the rest of your life with.¡± Shannon nced at her missing left arm before gazing into the bright blue sky. At that point, she had resigned to her fate. Her hoarse voice echoed in the air. ¡°I didn''t steal Tarragon''s secret information. If an outsider like Bailey can trust me, why can''t the man I shared a bed with and the father of my child believe me? I was too na?ve to believe I''d met my Prince Charming, and because of my ignorance, I''d not only ruined my life but had also destroyed my child''s future.¡± Meanwhile, a shareholders'' meeting was taking ce in the conference room on the top floor of Saunders Group. The entire conference room was in a chaotic situation. Suddenly, a few bodyguards dressed in ck suits barged into the room. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. The secretary standing behind those men eximed, ¡°Gentlemen, please. You can''t barge into our conference room like this.¡± ¡°What''s going on?¡± A middle-aged shareholder got up from his chair and roared, ¡°Who are these barbarians? Where are our security guards? Drag them out of here!¡± The man in a ck suit walked over and punched him in the face. The shareholder instantly copsed into the chair. The man''s brutal move had caused an uproar among the other shareholders. Victoria, who presided at the meeting, kept staring out of the conference room. Upon noticing a familiar figure from a distance, she began to feel a pain in her heart. He just can''t wait to take over Saunders Group, huh? She just needed a few more days to sell her shares in thepany. She would sign the acquisition document if she were given a couple more days to gather the money required. ¡°It''s Lionel. Lionel Gezmond from Gezmond Group,¡± a shareholder eximed when he recognized the man. Victoria guardedly got up, walked up to Lionel, and smiled. ¡°What a surprise visit, Mr. Gezmond. How can I help you? If you''re here to discuss business, please wait for me at the CEO''s office. I''m afraid I won''t be able to attend to your request here since this is the shareholders'' conference room.¡± Lionel lifted his hand, gesturing for his bodyguard to hand a stack of documents to Victoria. Victoria lowered her eyes and nced at the document. Upon seeing the words ¡°Share Transfer Agreement¡± on the cover page of the document from a distance, she began to develop a bad feeling about it. After snatching it over and reading through the content, she staggered and said in a shivering voice, ¡°M-My father transferred all his shares to you?¡± All the other shareholders were thunderstruck when they heard that. ¡°Vincent Saunders! How could he sell off his shares at a lower price when thepany is still operating? That irresponsible man doesn''t deserve the chairman title!¡± A corner of Lionel''s lips quirked up. He responded nonchntly, ¡°Indeed, he doesn''t deserve the title. That''s why I''m here to take over thepany. From now on, I''ll be leading Saunders Group.¡± Chapter 294 Chapter 294 Victoria was dumbstruck after hearing that. A hint of horror shed across her eyes before she dashed toward Lionel. Grabbing his cor, the woman bellowed furiously, ¡°What did you do to my father?¡± Lionel looked down slightly with hostility reflected in his eyes. He could not believe that Victoria was still defending the Saunders family at that point. If that was the case, there was no need for him to show her any mercy. He raised his hand and threw her aside forcefully. Victoria''s back mmed against the edge of the table before she slumped on the floor in pain. ¡°Clear the area,¡± Lionel ordered through gritted teeth. The next moment, the shareholders who were in the conference room were all thrown out by the bodyguards in ck. The instant the door closed, the room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Lionel cast a cold nce at the woman sitting on the floor and said cidly, ¡°The finance director of Saunders Group misappropriated thepany''s funds and attempted to manipte Saunders Group''s stocks. I''ve already handed him over to the Department of Justice.¡± Victoria nced up at once, her eyes filled with disbelief. ¡°No! No, no! The one who misappropriated thepany''s funds was¡ª¡± p! Before the woman could finish her sentence, a tight pnded on her face. After pping the woman, Lionel lifted Victoria from the floor and pinned her against the conference table. ¡°Do you want to go to jail so f*cking much?¡± he yelled. ¡°Did you really think that I would let your dad off if you go to jail? Let me tell you, not only would I not let him off, I''ll use even more extreme measures to take revenge.¡± Victoria covered her burning cheek with one hand and turned her face away. Lionel stared at the woman with darkened eyes, feeling utterly disgusted at the sight of her. Victoria used to have beautiful long hair and often wore in dresses. She was as pure as the driven snow back then. However, that was all in the past. Currently, she was sporting a pixie cut dyed in red and wearing heavy makeup. ¡°Listen up. It was Saunders Group''s finance director who misappropriated thepany''s funds. It has got nothing to do with you at all. If you choose to be a hero and surrender yourself to the Department of Justice, I''ll make sure that your brother dies in jail. Do you understand?¡± Victoria fixed her gaze on the man''s handsome face and hollered, ¡°What''s your purpose for doing this? What''s your condition for keeping me safe? The Saunders family going bankrupt? Or making sure that my father spends the rest of his life in jail?¡± Lionel reached over to pat the woman''s cheek before saying with a sneer, ¡°Let''s change the rules of the game. I won''t send your father to prison if you promise me something.¡± Sensing his thoughts, Victoria turned pale instantly. ¡°Oh? Have you guessed what I have in mind? It''s exactly as you reckon. You have to be my mistress until I get sick of you.¡± When Victoria heard that, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her entire world seemed to crumble down around her. She looked at Lionel with tears in her eyes and said in a choked voice, ¡°Be your mistress? Do you really have to humiliate me to such an extent? Does doing this make you happy?¡± Lionel let out augh before whispering into Victoria''s ear, ¡°I''m not that kind to just let you be my mistress in name. Not only will the very status humiliate you, but I''m also very interested in your body as well.¡± Victoria looked at the man in disbelief, and her body started shaking as she said, ¡°But... but you''re already married...¡± Lionel sneered and replied, ¡°It''smon for sessful men to have a few mistresses outside. Do you think I really care about loyalty in a marriage? My life values have be twisted ever since your dad made me sleep with my stepmother. Given how much criticism and humiliation I''ve already endured, do you think it would matter to me if I were to be called out for having an affair?¡± After saying that, the man straightened his back and walked toward the door while saying, ¡°From today onward, I will be the one calling the shots in Saunders Group. I''ll give you three days to consider my earlier proposal. If you agree, your father will remain safe and sound at the Saunders residence. Otherwise, you can expect a visit by the Department of Justice.¡± Victoria stared at the ceiling with an empty look in her eyes as tears started streaming down her cheeks. After so long, we are back to square one. Is this really my destiny? Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office at Luther Group''s headquarters, Susan, who was wearing a fluffy dress, dashed through the door. She froze in shock when she saw a few people dressed in formal business wear inside the room. A momentter, she touched her nose and said with an awkward smile, ¡°Oh, you''re busy. Seems like I came at a bad time.¡± When Artemis saw the girl, a tender expression appeared on his face. ¡°All of you may leave now. Let''s continue our discussion here at three p.m.ter,¡± he said to the few department directors in his office. ¡°Understood.¡± Artemis stood up and walked past his desk toward the door. After closing it, he squatted in front of his daughter and pinched her cheek affectionately, asking, ¡°Are you here for something important?¡± Susan blinked and contemted briefly before saying, ¡°Zayron told me everything. You''re my daddy, right?¡± Arching his brows, Artemis tousled the girl''s hair before he nodded and answered seriously, ¡°Yup. I''m your daddy.¡± After hearing that, Susan thought for a moment and asked, ¡°If that''s the case, can you arrange for the Oscars to be held in Hallsbay this year?¡± Artemis furrowed his brows while looking at his daughter with a puzzled expression. ¡°The Oscars has always been held in Anndur. I can go to Anndur with you to attend the ceremony. There''s no need to bring the event here.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± The girl crossed her arms and let out an angry snort. ¡°I''m not important to you at all! I don''t need a daddy like you!¡± With that, she turned around and ran toward the door. Artemis grabbed Susan''s arm at once and pulled the girl into a hug. ¡°That''s not true. You''re much more important to me than your two brothers. I can do without those two boys, but I will never not want you. Be a good girl and tell me why you want the Oscars to be held in Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Because you brought the Grand Fashion Show to Hallsbay. I wanted to see if Bay and I are equally important to you.¡± Artemis was speechless when he heard that and could not help butugh in amusement. So that''s why! ¡°However, that''s not the most important reason. The most important reason is that I bragged to another nominee for the Best Child Actor Award that I have a very capable daddy who can arrange for the Oscars to be held in Hallsbay. But that kid didn''t believe me and said that I was delusional. So, are you going to protect your daughter''s credibility?¡± Artemis smiled helplessly. Can I say no? The man knew that if he rejected the girl, she would turn to Edmund immediately. ¡°Of course! That''s simple. I will make the necessary arrangements to bring the Oscars to Hallsbay straight away. Anything for my girl.¡± The corners of Susan''s lips curled up into an impish grin. Although my real daddy is indeed quite capable, Daddy Eddy is still my only daddy. At the same time, in the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice got up from the couch immediately when she saw the person in charge of the infirmary entering the house. Three days ago, she had retrieved rence and Bailey''s blood samples from the blood bank and had gotten Waylon to do a paternity test. The results of the test were ready. ¡°How did it go? Is Bailey rence''s biological daughter?¡± Chapter 295 Chapter 295 Waylon wore a cheerless expression as he nced around nervously. Closing her own fists into a steady grip, Beatrice did her best to keep her own emotions in check. Then, she spoke as calmly as she could. ¡°Don''t trouble yourself. I''ve already sent away all the helpers to other parts of the house, so go ahead and speak your mind.¡± Waylon kept his voice low. ¡°The paternity report states that Ms. Bailey isn''t Mr. Jefferson''s daughter. W- What''s going on here? I''ve been with the Jefferson family for over ten years. Back then, Mr. Jefferson''s ex-wife had indeed conceived his child. How is it that the both of them turned out to be biologically unrted?¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Needless to say, Sophia must have cheated on rence with another man before she ran back to him, iming that the child is his. I''m afraid your poor employer has spent thest few dozen years raising someone else''s daughter,¡± uttered Beatrice scornfully with augh. ¡°T-Then, should we not inform Mr. Jefferson about this?¡± ¡°You''d think?¡± Beatrice red at him frostily as she bellowed. ¡°Hasn''t it urred to you that the realization that he had helped raise the b*stard conceived through his own wife''s infidelity might give rence a heart attack? Keep this to yourself and do not tell anyone else about it, do you hear?¡± You must be kidding me. Should rence learn that Bailey isn''t his biological offspring, wouldn''t he have someone dig up everything that happened back in the day? If he were to find out that his real daughter is with the Shurmer family, how am I to continue to coerce Zoey into doing my bidding? Should this issue blow up and the Shurmer family finds out that Bailey is actually their kid, it will only get harder for me to deal with that little b*tch going forward. Waylon was somewhat hesitant. ¡°Mr. Jefferson has been nothing but great to me, so I don''t feel comfortable keeping this from him.¡± Beatrice got to her feet slowly. She then picked up a check off the table and approached him. ¡°Here''s one million. Would this be enough to ease your guilty conscience?¡± That offer of all that money made Waylon''s eyes light up. After briefly feigning a troubled look on his face, he purposefully gnashed his teeth. ¡°I suppose it might be better if I withheld this from Mr. Jefferson in consideration of his health.¡± ¡°That''s more like it.¡± Beatrice smiled elegantly while she slipped the check in her hand into his pocket. ¡°You''re a smart man, Dr. Zellman, so I trust that you''ll keep that promise. Carry on with your business, and pretend that nothing has happened here.¡± ¡°Y-Yes. Of course.¡± After Waylon exited, a vicious smile rippled across Beatrice''s face. Zoey might be inclined to spare Bailey before, but after this, she will have no choice but to eliminate Bailey or risk losing both her status and everything she owns. This show is only getting started. Apart from my daughter, no one else deserves to marry into the Luther family. No one! In the private room of a caf¨¦ by the corner of the street, Scarlett raged at the personal bodyguard who was kneeling on one knee. ¡°I''m the one who is paying you your sry, Joran, so why are you taking orders from my brother? Did you forget who was the one who saved you and brought you here to the Fletcher family?¡± Joran''s head remained lowered. ¡°It''s my fault. Please chastise me as you deem fit, Ms. Fletcher.¡± That elicited a subdued sigh from Scarlett. ¡°Oh, forget it. What''s the point of ming you? It''s not as though you are in a position to defy my brother''s orders in the first ce. Go on and get yourself up already.¡± Joran hesitated before he slowly straightened himself upright. ¡°What should we do next, Ms. Fletcher? Now that I''m now being watched closely by Mr. Fletcher, I won''t be able to send my own men to silence Veronique and her son anymore. He''ll be informed straight away and would surely seek to stop me should I try anything.¡± With her hands sped tightly around her coffee cup, Scarlett showed a chillingly nefarious look in her eyes. ¡°Since you can''t mobilize your own subordinates, we''ll just have to spend the money to enlist the help of outsiders. Don''t the Saviors specialize in dealing with this sort of dirty business? For the right price, they''d be able to hand the head of the person their client wants on a tter, so go to them and reach out to the one in charge.¡± Joran''s eyes lit up. ¡°That reminds me. I have a friend who is with one of the Saviors'' branches. He told me that they were now led by a man named Veikko. I''ll get in touch with that buddy of mine and have him help facilitate this right away.¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± Scarlett lifted up the cup and took a sip of coffee from it before she continued impassively, ¡°Agree to whatever terms they demand, so long as they are able to rid us of Veronique and her son.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Meanwhile, Raiden was inside a five-star hotel, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window while he fielded a call with Sloan. ¡°Is that how you want to handle this, Father? I''m concerned that Lettie would not agree to it.¡± ¡°Would not agree?¡± From the other end came the animated voice of a man that encapsted a tone of severity. ¡°If she won''t go along with this, then have her brought back to Jadeborough. She can just as well forget about marrying into the Xuereb family.¡± ¡°But this arrangement for Justin to provide his sperm to Ms. Revelle is a little too outrageous. He already has an illegitimate child. How would Scarlett be able to ept the humiliation of him conceiving another one through in vitro fertilization?¡± Raiden replied with a hapless sigh. ¡°If she can''t ept that, then she shoulde back and stop clinging to Justin. There are plenty of talented and good-looking young men in Jadeborough who would be happy to marry her, so why does she need to be so infatuated with that punk?¡± Raiden reached up and massaged his own forehead while he forced a crumpled smile. ¡°Why can''t we try to approach this in a more rational manner, Father? We are not going to get anywhere if you won''t stop bringing your own emotions into this conversation.¡± A cold snort came back from the other end, and following that, Sloan expressed his own stance unequivocally. ¡°For starters, let me rify that the mother and son pair are not to be harmed. No matter how powerful our family is, we can''t be held responsible for the loss of two human lives. Secondly, you are not to allow your sister to donate her marrow. She is far too weak, so I''m afraid she might not survive the procedure. The only viable option left for us to pursue here is to have thess from the Revelle family conceive another child to save her own son.¡± Raiden did not know how to respond to that. Ignoring his son, Sloan rambled on on his own, ¡°Go and talk this over with her and arrange for her to take her son out of the country. We will see to it that she will be taken care of so long as she assures us that she won''t seek toe between Justin and Lettie.¡± Raiden opened his mouth as though he had something to say but, in the end, gave up in exasperation. ¡°Very well. I''ll find the time to meet with Ms. Revelle and have a proper discussion with her.¡± Inside the study at the medical base, Bailey was working away at herptop when a piece of international news came up. It said: Artemis Luther, the head of Luther Group, has injected one billion worth of funds to cover all future expenses that would be incurred toward the hosting of the Oscars over the next ten years. A unanimous decision has been made by the Oscars'' board of governors to host this year''s event in Hallsbay as a token of appreciation for Mr. Luther''s generous contribution. Bailey''s lips twitched vigorously not once, but twice. Mr. Luther is too f*cking generous, spending millions and billions on a whim the way he does. No. He can''t possibly be throwing money at the Oscars ceremony for nothing. There must be a reason behind it. At that moment, the phone left on the table red. She shook off the random musings in her own head and reached over for the phone. Lowering her eyes, she saw that it was a call from Veikko. That made her heart skip a beat. Could it be that Shannon''s whereabouts have been exposed? Chapter 296 Chapter 296 With the entire Tarragon''s forces under Micah''s control, he could discover Shannon''s whereabouts through her. ¡°Veikko, what''s up? Did something happen to Shannon?¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°No.¡± A clear word was heard from the phone. ¡°The Saviors received a mission a while ago. They paid a considerable sum of money for us to assassinate two people.¡± Bailey was surprised. Usually, Veikko wouldn''t inform me of such matters. He has the right to make his own decision within the Saviors unless the assassination is somehow rted to me. ¡°Does the employer have something to do with me?¡± ¡°On the contrary, it''s the targets of our assassination.¡± Bailey was stunned for a moment. The assassination targets? ¡°Who did they want you to kill?¡± ¡°Veronique and her son.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. ¡°Are you sure? Am I hearing you correctly?¡± ¡°I''m positive. The employer contacted me and wanted me to do the deed. The targets were indeed Ms. Veronique and Zephyr.¡± ¡°Ha.¡± Bailey smirked. ¡°This is getting interesting. Vero and Zephyr are doctors hired by the Saviors. It''s weird that they wanted us to assassinate them. So tell me, who''s the employer?¡± Veikko replied solemnly, ¡°I''ve instructed someone to find out. The employer is the bodyguard of Ms. Scarlett Fletcher from the Fletcher family.¡± Bailey squeezed the phone in her hand, and her eyes turned cold. Why does Scarlett want the Saviors to assassinate Vero? Is it because Vero once had a crush on Justin? No, that''s not enough to make Scarlett take such a huge risk. Then there is only one possibility. Scarlet has already found out about Zephyr''s identity, and she wants to eliminate every possible factor that could hinder her marriage. ¡°Veikko, listen to me. Take a recording the next time you negotiate with him. Using the professional protocol as a cover to get their fingerprints would be best. I need it, very much.¡± Veikko agreed without question. Bailey deliberated for a moment and asked, ¡°How is Shannon?¡± ¡°She''s doing pretty well, living her mundane life. However, a local young man seemed interested in her, and they chatted a few times. She showed her broken arm to him, but he didn''t seem surprised. He evenforted her repeatedly.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and said calmly, ¡°Find out who he is. If he has any ulterior motives, kill him. I don''t want any potential danger around her.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey tossed her phone on the coffee table and continued to read the news on herptop. After spending tens of billions sponsoring the Oscars, the people at the Oscars unanimously decided to move this year''s ceremony to Hallsbay. Obviously, he wants the people in charge of the Oscars to hold the ceremony in Hallsbay by using money. Who came up with this stupid idea? It must be Susan. At that thought, she shut herptop with a snap, stood up, and walked outside. As soon as she reached the door, she bumped into Artemis, who was walking in. Since she was heading toward him, he willingly opened his arms to embrace her. When she finally fell into his embrace, he wrapped his arms around her waist, turned around, and pushed her against the wall. ¡°Where are you going in such a bad mood?¡± Bailey reached out to grab his cor. Then, she gritted her teeth and asked, ¡°Did you sponsor the Oscars because Susan was making a fuss?¡± Artemis chuckled and caressed her cheek. ¡°Both of you are important to me. If I can move the Grand Fashion Show to Hallsbay for you, I can also move the Oscars here. Don''t be mad. You''ll scare the child.¡± Bailey''s eyes instantly reflected her mixed emotions. She could feel his sincerity, but it was too overwhelming for her. She couldn''t bear it, and neither could Susan. He''s splurging money because of a few words from Susan. Just how much does he love me to do something this idiotic? ¡°Artemis, do I really deserve such treatment?¡± Suddenly, the sensation of a domineering kiss overwhelmed her. Is she still questioning my feelings for her? Do I have to sleep with her for her to trust mepletely? ¡°Mmm...¡± Struggling to no avail, Bailey stopped resisting. After he had his way for a few minutes, she finally leaned on his chest, panting. She was beginning to feel addicted to his invigorating kisses. She seemed to have gotten used to his impulsive kisses. In those moments of weakness, she felt a hint of sweetness. While she resisted it, she also felt a sense of anticipation. Artemis rubbed her soft red lips with his fingertip, whispered something in her ear, and led her to the couch. ¡°I''m a little confused about the codes you didn''tpile this morning. Come on. Let''s try it again and see if we can break through.¡± Victoria knelt on the floor in the bedroom of the Saunders residence. ¡°If you turn yourself in, it only means I''m ipetent. What''s the point of an ipetent person living in this world?¡± Vincent was lounging on the couch with an IV drip attached to the back of his hand. His face appeared to be wearierpared to two days ago. He tilted his head to look at Victoria, who was kneeling on the ground, and he sighed. ¡°My hands were never clean, to begin with. I''m fine with going to prison. Be good. Start a new life and stop worrying about me.¡± Victoria slowly raised her gaze and looked at her terminally ill father on the couch. A glint of determination shone in her eyes as if she had made up her mind. ¡°Over the years, I''ve hated and resented. I''ve always wanted to return everything I owed to the Gezmond family to Lionel, even if it meant making Saunders Group bankrupt. Now that thepany''s ownership has changed, I have already paid back what I owe. It would be unfilial of me to watch my terminally ill father go to prison. There''s a ce for everyone in this world but none for the unfilial. If you genuinely love me, you should stay at home. Otherwise, I can only apany you to jail.¡± As she finished, she slowly bent over and bowed at Vincent. Then, she stood up and walked toward the door. Devastated, Vincent shed tears as he looked at Victoria''s determined figure. He knew there would be no turning back after Victoria stepped out of the house that day. Moreover, if he insisted on turning himself in, she would definitely confess that she was illegally embezzling public funds and go to prison with him. No matter what he chose, he couldn''t save his daughter. ¡°Victoria, I have failed you.¡± Victoria stopped in her tracks, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. After a brief moment of silence, she left the room without looking back. At the arrival gate of Hallsbay International Airport. A stylishly dresseddy was walking among the crowd while holding the hand of a little girl about six to seven years old. The two wore sunsses, concealing most of their faces. Many reporters gathered in the crowd as if looking for someone. The little girl, led by thedy, whispered, ¡°You have to watch my back. If these paparazzi catch us, we won''t be leaving the airport today.¡± Chapter 297 Chapter 297 Shirley reached out and rubbed the girl''s head. Then, she smiled and said, ¡°Going out with an international child star is so tiring. First, I had to ensure your safety, and now I have to protect you from the reporters.¡± The little girl pouted and scoffed, ¡°It''s all Susan''s fault. What''s wrong with holding the Oscars in Anndur? She just had to use Luther Group''s influence to move the Oscars to Hallsbay, huh? Hmph! So what if she has the head of Luther Group as her uncle? Uncivilized and a showoff. She''s just a gold digger at best.¡± Shirley looked at her niece in amusement and advised, ¡°Arethea, don''t belittle yourself. The daughter of the Gourd family is just as great as the daughter of the Luther family. Besides, you''ll soon have the head of the Shurmer family as an uncle. Come on. Be confident. You''re as great as any princess in the world.¡± Arethea Gourd''s heart fluttered with joy. ¡°That''s true. This year''s Best Child Actor Award belongs to me. I will not allow Susan to have it.¡± Shirley put her finger at her lips and gestured for her to be quiet. ¡°There''s arge group of reporters coming. If you don''t want to expose your whereabouts, stop talking.¡± The two passed through the hall, and two men in ck approached them when they reached the stairs outside. ¡°Excuse me, are you Ms. Gourd?¡± ¡°Yes, I am.¡± ¡°Mr. Shurmer sent us to pick you up. He''s at the open-air parking lot opposite this ce. He thought that you needed to lie low, so he didn''te to greet you in person. Ms. Gourd, this way.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The two followed the bodyguards to the parking lot and saw Zeke leaning against the car window from a distance. He was wearing a white suit, and he looked gentle in it. Shirley was stuck in a daze staring at him. Arethea was amused and giggled. ¡°You''re swooning again.¡± Then, she quickly ran toward Zeke, shouting, ¡°Uncle Zeke!¡± Zeke furrowed his brows a little and instinctively leaned over to hug her. Then, he smiled and said, ¡°Arethea, you''ve be even more beautiful, as expected from a famous international child star. But can we change the way you address me? From now on, call me Mr. Shurmer. It sounds cooler.¡± ¡°No,¡± Arethea refused. ¡°You''re my uncle since you''ll be marrying my aunt. I won''t change the way I call you.¡± Shirley walked over from afar with a smile. ¡°Arethea is right. She will address you as her uncle sooner orter. You should get used to it earlier.¡± An inexplicable look shed in Zeke''s eyes. He nodded and said, ¡°Great job for making it this far. Let''s go back to the Shurmer residence.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After getting in the car, Arethea refused toe out of Zeke''s arms. ¡°Uncle Zeke, I''m here topete for the Best Child Actor Award at the Oscars.¡± Zeke smiled and replied gently, ¡°You''re so amazing. You''ll definitely win the award.¡± Shirley heard and interjected, ¡°Zeke, I''m counting on you for Arethea''s award.¡± As a clever man, Zeke understood what she meant. She wanted him to pull some strings for Arethea. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Leave it to me. I''ll send the people at the Oscars my regards.¡± Two dayster, at the coffee shop on the second floor of Century Square. Bailey sat by the window, smiling at Raiden in front of her. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, I''m sorry for taking up your precious time. There is an urgent matter, and I need the Fletcher family to make a statement, so I had no choice but to look for you.¡± It was the first time that Raiden met Bailey. Seeing the graceful woman in front of him gave him a new understanding of the opposite gender. Over the years, he had met countless women of all kinds, and every one of them was nervous when they saw him. However, Bailey looked at him with frivolity and a half-smile, ignoring the fact that he was a general with a huge army under hismand. How interesting. ¡°Speak your mind. Spare the formalities. You don''t seem like a person who sticks to etiquette.¡± Baileyughed, took out a stack of documents from her bag, and mmed them on the table. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, take a look at what your sister did. I think you need to know.¡± Raiden gulped. After reading the contents thoroughly, his handsome face turned grim. Before he could speak, Bailey said, ¡°Your sister has been hiring assassins, belittling human lives. Mr. Fletcher, these are two living people. Even with your mighty influence, I doubt you''ll be able to handle something this big.¡± Raiden narrowed his eyes and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Where did you get this information? Joran contacted the Saviors, and they wouldn''t have revealed their employer''s identity. How did you get...¡± As he spoke, he seemed to have realized something. He narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, are you one of the Saviors?¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and smiled. ¡°It doesn''t matter whether I''m a part of the Saviors or not. What matters is that I have evidence that the heiress of the Fletcher family is hiring assassins. Don''t even think of silencing me. I won''t be killed so easily. Now, how should we deal with this?¡± Raiden gradually restrained his hostility and gave Bailey a thumbs up. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''re an extraordinary person. You''re Snowke, Anonymous, the owner of Emmy Boutique behind the scenes, and now, you even have connections with the Saviors. I wonder if the world''s top hacker, Spook, has anything to do with you.¡± Bailey smirked. ¡°Perhaps that could also be me. I heard that Spook hacked the database of a research institute in Jadeborough, and the cyberspace administration department is investigating the true identity of Spook all over the world. Mr. Fletcher, I suggest that you stop wasting your efforts. You should know the importance of researching and developing the 5Gwork in the country. As long as you try to stop me from participating in the International Programming Competition, the Fletcher family will have to suffer this undisclosable loss.¡± Raiden let out an angry snort. This woman really knows how to annoy people, but no one can stand in her way. ¡°I promise not to let anything simr happen again in the future. She almost made a huge mistake by acting on her own. I apologize on her behalf.¡± Then, he briefly exined his n to her. After listening to his ns, Bailey retracted her mocking smile slightly. ¡°Since Ms. Fletcher wasn''t sincere about donating her bone marrow, there''s no need for my friend to wait. Okay. Then get the sperm from Justin''s body. After this, as long as Scarlett doesn''t provoke Veronique, I promise Veronique will not hinder her marriage with Justin.¡± Raiden breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the documents on the table with his eyebrows lifted. ¡°So, about these...¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and smiled. ¡°As long as you don''t reveal the identity of Spook, I will keep this secret for the Fletcher family. Of course, the evidence of hiring assassins must be kept with me for the time being. I will give it to you once everything is over.¡± Meanwhile, Victoria was in the CEO''s office of Saunders Group. Since Lionel joined thepany as thergest shareholder, Victoria had given him the office. Looking at Lionel sitting at the desk, Victoria sighed softly. She longed to be by his side, even if it meant dirtying her hands. ¡°I''ll agree to your conditions, but please let my father off.¡± Chapter 298 Chapter 298 Lionel lifted his head and narrowed his eyes at her as he sized her up. He had not expected her to give in. After all, he remembered Victoria as a stubborn and hard-headed girl who would not easily yield. Hence, he was surprised that she would agree to such demeaning terms to save her father. Hah, great. An inexplicable storm of rage boiled inside of him. Lionel sprung from his seat and stormed past his desk to get to her side. In a swift motion, he pinched her chin and uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Have you really decided to do so?¡± Victoria turned her head aside and said in a calm tone, ¡°Do I have any other choice? Are you saying I should just do nothing and watch as my sickly father dies behind bars?¡± Enraged, the veins on Lionel''s forehead popped. He took a look around the office and transfixed his gaze at the southeast corner of the office where the lounge was as a cold glint fleeted across his eyes. ¡°Great. Then you should y your role as a mistress today,¡± he snapped. He dragged her into the lounge and threw her on the couch. Lionel bent forward and imed her lips in an overbearing manner. Victoria was taken aback at first. However, she soon gave up on trying to resist the man and slowly closed her eyes. If this was an irredeemable sin, Victoria was willing to be a degenerate. Even if she was to be shamed as a homewrecker, Victoria could not bring herself to break free from the fierce tenderness. Seeing that Victoria was not making any attempts to resist him, Lionel grew brazen. After all, she was the woman he loved. They had only be estranged because of a fateful twist back then. Besides, his love for her had not faded. On the contrary, it had only grown stronger with time. Lionel reckoned that she was the only woman who could make him lose all rationale. Ring! Ring! Right then, the unwee sound of a phone ringing could be heard in the spacious yet empty lounge. It snapped Victoria right back to her senses as she started to struggle in an attempt to free herself. ¡°Lionel, your phone is ringing. Please stop.¡± Asking a man to stop when he was overwhelmed with desire was worse than killing him. Lionel paid no heed to her and carried on. Victoria started to sob as he was essentially forcing himself onto her. What does he take me for? Streams of hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Lionel, who was kissing her, stopped himself right away. The taste of the warm liquid made him flinch as he returned to his rational self. ¡°Do you have to be so impatient? I''ve already agreed to your conditions. You can choose to exercise your rights at any time. But do you have to do it right now and right here in the Saunders Group''s CEO office?¡± Lionel narrowed his eyes at her as an inexplicable glint fleeted his eyes. When his phone rang again, he took the pants that were tossed aside to retrieve his phone. Then, he realized that it was Wendy. Victoria saw the caller ID as well. A pang of guilt festered in her heart right then. She was a homewrecker who was ruining someone else''s marriage. One day, she would be ostracized and suffer everyone''s contempt. Lionel cast a nce at her and made his way to the floor-to-ceiling window aside. ¡°Wends, what''s the matter?¡± Victoria could not hear what Wendy had said on the phone. However, she noticed that Lionel''s expression darkened as he asked, ¡°So, is Yonathan all right?¡± After Wendy answered him, Lionel hurriedly replied, ¡°Okay. I will get there as soon as possible. Please ask the doctor to stop the bleeding first. I''ll give Justin a call and ask him to go over and take a look. Don''t worry; I''m around. Nothing will happen to Yonathan, all right?¡± After hanging up, he strode over to the side of the couch and picked up the clothes strewn across the floor in the lounge. After putting on his clothes, Lionel left without even turning his head to spare Victoria another nce. He did not care to exin anything to Victoria and acted as if she was not even there in the first ce. A wry smile crept up Victoria''s face as she watched him leave. The man had a wife, a wife that birthed him an adorable son. Something must have happened to Lionel''s son, judging from his reaction to the phone call. The thing was, he left right away when his wife called. Hence, he was just treating her as a disposable mistress whom he could summon and dismiss at his whim. It was a hard pill to swallow, but Victoria had no choice but to face the bitter truth. After having gone through what she had gone through, Victoria did not harbor any hope that he still loved her. Meanwhile, in a deluxe suite at a five-star hotel, Raiden mmed a stack of documents on the desk. ¡°Look at what you''ve done,¡± he said. Scarlett was stunned and picked up the documents with shaky hands. She grimaced after skimming through the documents. ¡°R-Raiden, how did you know that I''ve paid a huge amount to ask the Saviors to kill Veronique and her son? Did Joran rat me out? Did he betray me?¡± Raiden mmed on the coffee table with so much force that the ss surface of the coffee table cracked. ¡°On the contrary, Joran has been fiercely loyal to you. I''ve given him such a stern warning, and yet he still chose to act ording to your instructions. I''ve asked someone to send him back to the Fletcher family so that he could be punished. From today onward, I will assign two personal bodyguards to protect you.¡± Scarlett''s face paled as she stammered, ¡°I-If it wasn''t Joran, t-then how did you find out?¡± Raiden did not wish to let her know about Bailey''s background. However, he was worried that she might make the same mistake and do something out of line again. Hence, he chose to tell her the truth in the end. ¡°Veronique''s good friend, Bailey, knows the people from the Saviors. You will never be able to rival that Jefferson woman. So, stop being so impulsive. I will deal with Veronique and her son. Do not try to interfere again. Do you understand?¡± Bailey Jefferson... Scarlett tightened her fist in rage. So, it was the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family that had ruined my assassination attempt? Scarlett made a mental note to register Bailey''s name. ¡°I understand. But I would like to remind you that I will only marry Justin. I will not marry anyone else,¡± she stated. Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. Meanwhile, in Veronique''sboratory, Bailey dragged her to the study after analyzing Zephyr''s condition. ¡°Vero, I have to be honest with you about something so that you may be more alert about this.¡± ¡°Okay. I''m listening,¡± Veronique said in a low voice when she noticed how serious Bailey was. ¡°The Fletchers have found out about Zephyr''s identity. Two days ago, Scarlett employed the Saviors to assassinate you and Zephyr. However, Veikko managed to stop them.¡± Veronique was slightly stumped. A look of surprise shed across her eyes. Zephyr''s identity was exposed? I have been very careful. How did this happen? Bailey saw right through her and let out a sigh. ¡°Don''t worry about how the news on his identity got leaked in the first ce. Our priority right now should be on how to keep you and Zephyr safe. I have asked Scarlett''s brother, Raiden, out to discuss the matter. He has suggested a way to resolve this issue. I wanted to run it by you to see if it''s workable.¡± Then, Bailey briefed Veronique on what Raiden had told her. ¡°Take Justin''s sperm for in vitro fertilization?¡± Veronique murmured. ¡°But I''m worried that I might not even be able to get pregnant.¡± Chapter 299 Chapter 299 Bailey held her hand tightly and gave her an unswerving look. ¡°Leave it to me, and I''ll figure something out.¡± Her eyes projected confidence and assertiveness. Instantly, Veronique was assured. This woman is full of charisma, and she just knows how to calm people down. ¡°Okay, I trust you. In that case, I''ll find the right time to take Justin down and withdraw some sperm from his body. The moment I get them, I''ll leave Hallsbay with Zephyr.¡± Bailey frowned and asked, ¡°Must you leave Hallsbay? Do you want to consider giving it a shot? If you seed, the four of you can live happily ever after as a blissful family.¡± ¡°But what if I lose?¡± Veronique smiled wryly. ¡°If I fail, dire consequences will follow. I''ve got no intention of offending the Fletcher family from Jadeborough. If it weren''t for Zephyr''s leukemia, I would never have appeared before Justin in this lifetime. Bay, I''m not an ambitious person. All I want is for my son to grow up peacefully. I couldn''t care less about romance and all that.¡± Bailey heaved a long sigh and replied, ¡°Fine, I''ll respect your decision. Let''s seize Justin and withdraw his sperm. Subsequently, I''ll tell him that we''ve found a bone marrow match abroad, so we don''t need Scarlett''s anymore. You can leave Hallsbay with Zephyr thereafter.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Unbeknownst to the two women, Zephyr was outside the study and overheard most of their conversation. As the effects of anesthesia subsided, he woke up and started searching for Bailey and Veronique. In the end, he stumbled upon the study. The line where Bailey mentioned that they wanted to take Justin''s sperm caught his ear. Justin''s sperm? Why do they need that? Spections shed across his mind. He assessed his thoughts repeatedly, dismissed some delusional ideas, and formed new assumptions. He kept reminding himself that the truth would prevail, and he had no way to escape it. It''s suspicious enough for Aunt Veronique to bring me to Hallsbay. It''s even weirder when Justin bes entangled with her. All these tell me that I''m not Aunt Veronique''s nephew, but... The little one staggered backward at that thought. They are scheming to get Justin''s sperm. Isn''t this solid proof to confirm my spection? They are going to use his sperm to fertilize an ovum. Whatever for? To give birth to a new baby and use its cord blood to treat my leukemia, for I''m the son of Aunt Veronique and Justin. Meanwhile, on a field at the medical base, Susan closed herptop angrily. m! Both her brothers exchanged nces,pletely baffled. Did you get on her nerves? Then, they shook their heads in unison. Maxton leaned toward his sister and grinned. ¡°Who stepped on your toes, my dear Susan?¡± She tossed theptop in her hand to Maxton and snapped, ¡°Can''t you see for yourself?¡± Fine! What a sassy boss! No one dared to mess with Susan, the precious darling of the family. They just could not afford to anger her. ¡°Arethea Gourd? Who is she topete against Ms. Luther for the Best Child Actor Award at the Oscars? Does she have a death wish?¡± Susan pouted and hummed, ¡°She''s the heiress of the Gourds from Lostaria, whose uncle is apparently quite influential in the industry. My manager just texted me, saying that Arethea requested help from her uncle to bribe the upper management of the Oscars. If I don''t get a favor through the back door, the award will go to her without a doubt.¡± ¡°How brazen!¡± Maxton narrowed his eyes and said, ¡°I''ll get Ratemis.¡± ¡°What for?¡± Zayron stopped him and said contemptuously, ¡°If we want to drive somebody crazy, the best way is to let the person get to the highest pinnacle and then fall to the lowest pit harshly. Didn''t she already get her uncle to use his connections to help her win the award? Well, she thinks she has won. Let her be on cloud nine for several days. When she finds out who goes home with the award on the day of the ceremony, she will fully understand how it feels to have everything she ever wanted taken away from her overnight.¡± Maxton shed Zayron a thumbs-up after hearing his n. ¡°You''re undeniably the offspring of Ratemis, so vicious and cruel!¡± Sitting in between her two brothers, Susan felt her heart leap with joy. It''s so nice to have everyone doting on me. The feeling of being spoiled is priceless! Beep! Beep! Suddenly, Zayron''s phone rang. ¡°Hey, what''s up, Zephyr?¡± He put him on loud speaker. Momentster, Zephyr spoke weakly from the other end of the line. ¡°Lend me a hand, Zayron. Justin''s blood sample or gic data should be avable at the medical base. Please think of a way and get me either one of them. I need it urgently.¡± Zayron''s eyes darted around. Arching a brow, he asked, ¡°Why do you need that?¡± ¡°Just shut up and get me a copy.¡± ¡°Are you¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Zephyr hung up. When Zayron tried calling back, the phone was already switched off. What on earth is going on? Has he gone mad after undergoing dialysis? Maxton nudged Zayron''s elbow and dropped a hint. ¡°Idiot! Don''t you think that Justin and Zayron look alike?¡± Thetter was rendered speechless. In the infirmary at the Gezmond residence, Wendy was sobbing in Lionel''s arms. Her entire body was shaking uncontrobly. ¡°Nell... Nell... Will Sebastian be all right?¡± That morning, Sebastian was so free that he climbed a tree to disturb a bird''s nest. Little did he know that a snake was hiding inside it. s, he failed to get any eggs and got bitten by the venomous snake. Panic-stricken, the little fellow fell from the tree and hit the back of his head on a rock, resulting in a bloody sight. Jeez! ¡°Everything will be just fine. Justin is already inside. With his superb medical skills, he will ensure that Yonathanes through the peril unscathed.¡± Lionel stared intently at the door to the operating room whileforting his wife. Biting her lip, Wendy remained locked in Lionel''s embrace. The faint scent on his body caught her attention. She could tell that it was from ady''s perfume. In other words, Lionel had hugged or even kissed another woman before returning home. It was not hard for Wendy to guess who the other woman was. Since he is now overseeing Saunders Group, he has plenty of alone time to spend with that woman. Their lust and passion for each other can be easily ignited like fire to dry wood. No, I can''t allow him to be alone with Victoria any longer. I need this man for the rest of my life, and I can''t afford to lose him! Victoria, don''t me me for taking action against a sl*tty woman like you who seduced my husband. You might be willing to stoop so low and be Lionel''s mistress, but I, his wife, have never expressed my permission for you to cross the line! I''ll make you the target of public criticism for as long as I live. Two dayster, it was time for Zoey to be released from detention, and Waverly went to pick her up personally. On the way back, thetter asked, ¡°Have you thought about what''s next after being locked up for over ten days?¡± Zoey nodded and said, ¡°I''m not going to do anything rash but go with the flow for now.¡± Waverly was pleased with her answer. ¡°That''s good! It seems like you''ve be enlightened. There are many ways to get a man, but you should never try too hard to the extent that you sacrifice yourself in the end. It''s too silly!¡± Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org. ¡°I understand.¡± Meanwhile, at theb, Veronique brought along two sses of wine to the study, and she gave the one that was drugged to Justin. ¡°I don''t have anything fancy to serve you. Is wine okay?¡± Chapter 300 Chapter 300 Justin did not ept the wine. He narrowed his eyes and stared at the stirred-up ripples caused by the swirling ss, fearful of anything she offered him. Veronique raised her brow and mocked, ¡°Are you afraid that I''ll drug you once more? Fine. I''ll drink first.¡± At that, she withdrew her arm and wanted to take a sip. However, Justin stopped her, snatched her ss, and emptied it in one go. Then, he adjusted his tie impatiently. ¡°Veronique, do you really want me to marry Scarlett? We can try conceiving another child to save Zephyr. Although there''s risk in doing that, I''ll stand by your side to protect both of you and not be affected by the marriage.¡± Veronique chuckled. ¡°In that case, I''d rather take the risk. I can live without a man, but I can''t live without my son. Justin, you should sacrifice yourself to save our son.¡± At that instant, Justin felt so ufortable, as though there was a lump in his throat. He did not wish to tie the knot with Scarlett because he had never loved her. He used topromise when he was a bachelor. Now that he was a man with a woman and son, he loathed the idea of marrying Scarlett. ¡°I...¡± He lifted his eyes, only to realize that he was the only one left in the room. As he scanned the huge vacant room, a rueful smile crept up on his face. Shortly after, he slumped onto the couch and fell asleep. Soon, Veronique returned to the room with a tray of various tools. It was an easy task for her to get sperm out of a man''s body. Even though it was not an ethical act, she had no better way to achieve a win-win situation for both of them. Meanwhile, Zephyr obtained the key to Shelbert Condominium from Zayron and secretly performed a paternity test there. Zayron opened the door and entered the room. Sighing, he patted Zephyr''s shoulder. ¡°It''s not a bad thing to know who your biological parents are. Take it easy. I''m sure you''ll find a way to get through this. I think you should get yourself treated abroad beforeing back to wipe out the Fletchers and get your daddy back.¡± Zephyr pursed his lips and uttered, ¡°There''s still a chance I''m not Justin''s son until the paternity test result says otherwise.¡± The Oscars was scheduled to take ce two dayster at Century Square, Hallsbay. Bailey found the event rather boring. Hence, she tore the invitation card into two without checking its content and channeled all her focus on the uing programmingpetition. N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. Meanwhile, Dwayne entered the CEO''s office in Luther Group and filed aint. ¡°Mr. Luther, it''s about time you control your woman. She didn''t even pay attention to the invitation card, which was fresh from the oven, and tore it apart the moment she received it.¡± Artemis cocked a brow and grinned. ¡°What a brilliant move! My woman can walk into any event whenever she likes. Why does she need an invitation card?¡± Huh? Okay, bye. Dwayne turned and took a few steps forward before stopping in his tracks. ¡°By the way, the people at the Oscars are so thoughtful. They''ve arranged Ms. Rose, three-time Oscar winner for Best Actress, as your femalepanion of the night. Since Bailey refuses to attend, let Ms. Rose keep youpany.¡± Artemis shot him a cold nce and responded indifferently, ¡°I won''t go if Bailey isn''t going. Please decline the invitation on my behalf.¡± Dwayne widened his eyes in disbelief. ¡°You changed the event location to Hallsbay. Additionally, the Oscars is naming you their guest of honor! How humiliating will it be for them if you don''t n to show up?¡± ¡°What''s the big deal? It''s an honor to be given a chance and be humiliated by me.¡± Outside of the CEO''s office, Bailey carried herptop and left hastily. A while ago, she had sessfully cracked a series of codes which she could not make any progress days ago. Thus, she nned to test it out on the professional devices found in the technical department. As she made her way to the corner, she ran into someone, and the two of them stumbled backward. Thanks to her years of experience in martial arts, she was able to gain a footing quickly and steadied herself. Unfortunately, the other party received the full blow of the collision impact and staggered backward. As a consequence, she missed a step and fell on the marble floor. ¡°I''m sorry.¡± Bailey hurried over and assisted her. Little did she know that the woman wouldnd a tight p across her face as soon as Bailey propped her up. At that instant, Bailey''s face fell. I apologized and offered to help her up. If she doesn''t appreciate that, she deserves to fall one more time. Feeling upset, Bailey released her grip immediately. The woman lost her footing and fell hard to the ground. ¡°You...¡± With herptop in her arms, Bailey loomed over the blondie and gave her a once-over. Rose? The international star who won Best Actress at the Oscars for three consecutive years? Why is she here? Oh yes, it''s because Artemis is in the office. In fact, every single woman on earth would love to be in his presence. ¡°What a stupid Chanaean! Do you know who I am? How dare you knock me down and trick me? You''re going to die an ugly death!¡± A stupid Chanaean? Bailey narrowed her eyes at Rose and grinned sinisterly. ¡°Repeat how you addressed me just now if you have guts.¡± The blonde-haired actress red at her and mocked, ¡°Sure! Stupid Chanaean! Foolish Chanaean! Hit me if you can,e on¡ª¡± Lo and behold, Bailey went up to Rose and pped her delicate face twice, leaving two crisp sounds resonating in the air. Any Chanaean with a shred of humanity in them would not tolerate the humiliation of a foreigner. Rose didn''t mock me alone; she has humiliated several billions of Chanaeans! ¡°I''m more than capable of hitting you. So what? Do you want to stand up and bite me?¡± Rose covered her face as she stared daggers at Bailey. ¡°How dare youy a finger on me?¡± Bailey smiled coldly. ¡°I already did! The two red marks on your face are evidence of my brazen act. Go ahead andin about me.¡± Comin? Nope. I want this annoying Chanaean dead! Next, Rose leaped to her feet and pounced on Bailey. Taken aback, thetter raised a brow. I''ve given her a chance to snitch on me and report the incident to Ratemis. It''s not my fault if she doesn''t want to seize the opportunity and do just that. I couldn''t care less if she''s an Oscar winner who''s been adored by countless international entertainment tycoons. The moment she steps on my toes, I''ll make sure I kick her back! Bang! It was a loud and very powerful kick! Finally, Rose''s manager and bodyguards registered what had happened. Some went to check on her, whereas the others attacked Bailey. Right when Bailey was about to return the favor, a figure appeared before her. Bam! Bam! Within seconds, Ken had beaten the bodyguards to a pulp and sent them sprawling on the floor. Artemis strode forward and scrutinized Bailey. Frowning, he questioned, ¡°Weren''t you writing a program in the office? Why did youe out and create havoc?¡± She rolled her eyes at him. ¡°It''s better you ask someone to take her to the hospital now. I couldn''t control my force, so I''m afraid she''s in trouble.¡± Chapter 301 Chapter 301 Artemis sized up the blond woman on the floor before instinctively furrowing his brows. He looked sideways at Dwayne and asked, ¡°Who is she? Why don''t I remember having an appointment to meet with a woman in the CEO''s office today?¡± Dwayne scratched his nose and shifted his gaze onto the secretary. The secretary shuddered fearfully and uttered in a trembling voice, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, s-she''s the winner of the Oscars'' Best Actress award, Ms. Rose, s-so...¡± Artemis'' face darkened. He stared at the secretary coldly and articted each word, ¡°So, you allowed her to take a shortcut bying up here without making an appointment?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, I was wrong. I''ll never¡ª¡± Without waiting for her to finish her sentence, Artemis waved his hand and said, ¡°Go to the finance department to im three months'' worth of sry and get the hell out of Luther Group.¡± Colors drained from her face after she heard his instruction. In the past, the secretary had done simr things. Whenever some important guests visited without making an appointment, she would allow them to enter after deliberations. Mr. Luther never scolded me and even praised me for my adaptiveness, but today... I don''t think I''ve made any mistake since this Oscars'' Best Actress award winnermands a ster reputation internationally. Perhaps Luther Group may even need to rely on her to advertise our new products in the future. That''s why I gave the receptionist the green light to let here up without first reporting to Mr. Derning. Mr. Luther is furious mainly because Ms. Rose ran into Ms. Jefferson. Upon grasping that crucial point, the secretary immediately bowed at Bailey and apologized, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''m terribly sorry. It is my negligence at work for letting this unreasonable woman in and causing her to collide with you.¡± Bailey arched her brow. This secretary is a smart person. Besides, Luther Group needs employees like her who know how to smooth over problems. Naturally, she couldn''t let Artemis dismiss a great talent like the secretary. Bailey said to the secretary. ¡°It''s still working hours, so you should hurry up and return to work instead of staying here to take part in thismotion. It''ll be bad if you''re innocently dragged into this mess later.¡± Feeling as if she had just been pardoned, the secretary shot a grateful look at Bailey before hastily leaving the scene. While they were talking, Rose''s manager helped her up from the floor. ¡°Mr. Luther...¡± A woman''s soft and coquettish voice echoed in the long corridor. Bailey shuddered as she felt goosebumps all over her body. Rose''s skittish, seductive, and charming tone as she called out Artemis'' name could undoubtedly entice any man. One might even lose himself in her allure if she continued flirting in such a manner. ¡°Mr. Luther, I suppose this dumb woman is one of Luther Group''s employees? Shouldn''t you fire her after she bumped into your distinguished guest?¡± ¡°Distinguished guest?¡± Artemis raised his brows and smiled. ¡°Who is that? Are you referring to yourself?¡± ¡°That''s right.¡± Rose shook her thick, curly blond hair and replied confidently, ¡°As the winner of the Oscars'' Best Actress award, I''m the most esteemed guest no matter where I go. Although you''re extremely wealthy, you cannot deny my international eminence, am I right, Mr. Luther?¡± The smirk on Artemis'' face widened. Whenever he shed such a sly smile, that was a sign that somebody''s day was about to turn south. That instant was not an exception too. ¡°As far as I''m concerned, you''re supposed to win the Oscars'' Best Actress award again this year. Is that correct, Ms. Rose? Since you''re so prestigious, what do you say I present the award to you as the sponsor by that time?¡± An ted expression shed across Rose''s face. There were two goals she aimed to achieve during her visit to Hallsbay. The first goal was to secure her honor of winning the Oscars for the fourth consecutive year. Secondly, she wanted to win the affection of Artemis, the most outstanding bachelor in Aploth. In her opinion, among all the eligible bachelors in the whole world, Artemis was the only one worthy of being with her. ¡°Are you really willing to present the award to me onstage, Mr. Luther?¡± Artemis grinned mischievously. ¡°If you''re able to win the award again, I''ll definitely do you the honors.¡± With that, he turned around and said to Dwayne, ¡°I''ve finished my discussion with Ms. Rose. You can see her off now.¡± The smile on Rose''s face wavered. She red at Bailey and uttered fiercely, ¡°This woman knocked into me. She needs to be punished.¡± Artemis shrugged and took two steps back. ¡°I also think she needs to be punished. Feel free to do as you please.¡± After saying that, he strode toward his office. When he walked past Bailey, he whispered, ¡°Honey, do as you wish. I''ll have your back even if you cripple or kill her.¡± Bailey nced at him. This assertive and almighty man can be so impressive when he acts cool. Two minutester, ambnce sirens rang out outside Luther Group''s building. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Immediately afterward, four men and two women were carried out from the premise by a group of bodyguards dressed in ck outfits. Meanwhile, a young woman sat on a couch beside the window in the deputy CEO''s office at Fashionista. She lowered her head, seemingly in deep thought. Sitting opposite her was a corpulent middle-aged man staring at her in exasperation. He uttered impatiently, ¡°You''re both actresses who signed contracts with LG Corporation, but take a look at Rose. She knows how to curry favor with the wealthy and powerful and is adept at pleasing those business tycoons. As a result, she''s won the Oscars'' Best Actress award for four consecutive years. What about you? Fashionista channeled all its resources on you, so why can''t you reciprocate and bring glory to thepany?¡± The man who spoke was Paul Zielinski, the deputy CEO of Fashionista, while the woman sitting across from him was Rainie Yeanisky, a locally famous actress in recent years. ¡°Mr. Zielinski, Rainie cannot be held entirely responsible in this matter.¡± Rainie''s manager chimed in at once, ¡°Everyone knows Rose is acquainted with Mr. Gezmond''s wife, Ms. Wendy. Regardless of how capable Rainie is, she can never match against someone close to the wife of LG Corporation''s CEO.¡± Paul paced in circles inside the office after hearing that. Then, he bellowed, ¡°In that case, you should think of ways to butter up those rich and influential figures. Rainie, you don''t think I know Sylvester Hollett, the eldest son of the most prominent family in the Golden Triangle area, has been pursuing you recently? Can''t you let go of your pride and indifference to try and please him so that you can rely on his stature to help you win this year''s Oscars'' Best Actress award?¡± Rainie suddenly looked up at Paul with teary eyes and sobbed, ¡°Mr. Zielinski, we''ve agreed that I''m only selling my skills and not my body when we signed the contract. How can you suggest such an unreasonable request now?¡± Stumped, Paul glowered at her. ¡°Fine. You''re the most dignified and noble person in this universe, and you''ll never resort to climbing the corporatedder with disdainful methods. But let me warn you. If you are still unable to win the Oscars'' Best Actress award this year, you''ll have to terminate your contract with Fashionista. I don''t fancy keeping useless people in mypany.¡± With that, he threw his hands up and left the office in a huff. Rainie regarded her manager, Angie Hayes, with a tear-stricken face and asked hoarsely, ¡°Angie, what should I do now?¡± Angie walked up to Rainie and sat beside thetter beforeforting her, ¡°Rainie, I think Mr. Hollett is genuinely trying to win your affection. W-Why don''t you heed Mr. Zielinski''s advice and meet up with Mr. Hollett to see if he can help you win this year''s Oscars'' Best Actress award?¡± Rainie pursed her lips as a look of utter despair shed across her eyes. Chapter 302 Chapter 302 ¡°Mr. Hollett, Mr. Hollett, Sylvester, Sylvester, Sylvester...¡± she kept mumbling. The more she repeatedly called his name, the more ashen-faced she became. She then bounced from the couch and shook her head. ¡°No, I can''t go and look for him. I don''t want to have anything to do with him anymore.¡± In the afternoon, Cosmos Studios issued a press release online: The winners of the Oscars'' Best Actor and Best Actress awards will get a chance to y the male and female leads of the new novel by famous author Morpheus. The announcement instantly caused an uproar in the entertainment industry. Morpheus was the original author of Horington''s blockbuster films ¡°The Alliance,¡± ¡°Men VS Machines,¡± and ¡°The Rise of the.¡± Despite writing for years, the mysterious author had never made any public appearance. Morpheus won hundreds of awards and was nominated for the Victoria Prize in Literature. Yet, they had never attended any of the ceremonies. Some people believed Morpheus was a female because her writing was more delicate and romantic, and she could bring out the emotions of the characters in the story. Some thought Morpheus was a male, as his writing was more assertive in describing the unpredictable challenges at war. They opined that only men were capable of developing those plots. Of course, none of these spections mattered. What mattered the most was Morpheus had recently released another masterpiece¡ª¡°Time Warp.¡± ¡°Time Warp¡± was said to be the greatest masterpiece Morpheus had ever written. Not only did this novel capture the hearts of a billion fans, but it also was internationally acimed. This masterpiece also earned Morpheus a nomination for the Victoria Prize in Literature. Anyone who had the honor of ying the leading roles in the film would no doubt achieve international fame and be the world''s most influential actor and actress for the next decade. Meanwhile, Rose was lying on the bed in the VIP ward of a hospital in Hallsbay. A confident glint shed across her eyes when she read the news. I''ll win the Oscars'' Best Actress Award and be the female lead for Morpheus'' masterpiece ¡°Time Warp.¡± No one can snatch it away from me¡ªNot even Fashionista''s internationally famous Rainie Yeanisky. A man in a suit opened the door and walked in. Rose narrowed her eyes, looked at him, and asked, ¡°Managed to put that dumb and arrogant woman behind bars?¡± The man shook his head hesitantly and responded in a trembling voice, ¡°The person in charge of the Hallsbay police department said the woman would be representing Chanaea in the International Programming Competition. The cops couldn''t do anything to her unless she haspleted the competition.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rose grimaced. ¡°How can she roam freely after beating me to a pulp?¡± The man gulped and looked troubled. ¡°Ms. Rose, unlike the other countries, we don''t have anyone behind us. Besides, the government here is highly protective of Ms. Jefferson, so we can''t do anything to her. Why don''t we settle the old scores with her after the film festival?¡± When Rose was about to pick up a ss on the bedside table and toss it in his direction, Wendy opened the door and entered the ward. ¡°Rose, you''re an elegant woman. How can you act like an uncouth person? Put the ss down.¡± Rose regained herposure after seeing Wendy from a distance. Rose dared not throw tantrums in front of that woman because she still needed to depend on her. ¡°Wends, what are you doing here?¡± Wendy walked over, took the ss from Rose''s hand, and grinned. ¡°I heard you''re injured, so I came to visit you. How are you feeling? Are you all right?¡± Upon hearing that, Rose''s fury surged. ¡°That d*mn b*tch pped me. Wends, you have to teach her a lesson on my behalf.¡± A corner of Wendy''s lips quirked up. She would be more than willing to deal with anything or anyone associated with Victoria. Wendy knew Bailey was Victoria''s best friend. Great! From now on, Ms. Jefferson will be my arch- enemy too. ¡°Let''s not act in haste. We''ll teach her a lesson once the film festival is over, all right?¡± Rose did not have the guts to say no. ¡°Okay, sure. I''ll listen to you, Wends. Let''s deal with her after the film festival. Wends, who do you think will win the Best Actress award?¡± Wendy gently patted the back of Rose''s hand and smiled. ¡°The award will go to you for sure. Don''t worry. I read that the Best Actress award winner will get to y the female lead of Morpheus'' masterpiece.¡± ¡°You''re the best, Wends,¡± Rose wrapped her hand around Wendy''s arm and responded with a smile. Wendy gradually lowered her head to hide the sarcasm in her eyes. Just when I thought she would expect nothing in return. Anyway, it''s time for me to put her to good use. ¡°Oh, Rose. Something is troubling metely.¡± N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content. ¡°Oh?¡± Rose responded with a confused look. ¡°Are you kidding, Wends? You''re LG Corporation CEO''s wife. What else can trouble you?¡± Wendy pressed her lips and sighed. ¡°Mrs. Gezmond is no doubt a morous title, but someone as sessful as Lionel would tend to attract women, and these women, who might eventually be his mistresses, would only get more and more aggressive.¡± Rose was alert enough to read between the lines. She knitted her brows and asked, ¡°You''re saying Mr. Gezmond is keeping a mistress?¡± Wendy shook her head and responded with a wry smile. ¡°He doesn''t spend much time at hometely, and I can always smell women''s fragrance on his body when he returns. I suspect some women are going after him.¡± ¡°I''m sure someone is seducing him. Wends, I''ll help you investigate. Once we find out who the vixen is, we''ll get rid of her.¡± Wendy hesitated. ¡°But wouldn''t it be too troublesome for you to go through all the hassle? Besides, Lionel and I have to keep our marriage low profile. It would be disastrous if this matter is blown out of proportion.¡± ¡°It''s not a hassle at all. You''ve helped me a lot, and it''s time for me to lend you a hand. I know what to do, so don''t worry. I''ll make sure everyone points their fingers at that homewrecker.¡± A baffling smirk tugged at Wendy''s lips. The game is on, Victoria. And you''ll lose miserably. Meanwhile, at the garden in the Shurmer residence, two young women were having a small talk by a stone table. ¡°Zoey, I heard some updates about you. It''s all right. We''re still socialites, and we still live a much better life than those our age.¡± Zoey froze for a moment and stopped smiling. Her eyes darkened when she thought of Bailey. Pull yourself together, Zoey! Now is not the time to strike back! Zoey swore she would make Bailey pay for causing her to be detained for half a month and kicked out of the higher echelons of society. ¡°You''re right, Shirley. I might have been kicked out of socialites'' circle, but I''m still a member of the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°That''s right.¡± Shirley patted her shoulder and smiled. ¡°Your brother told me to console you, but you have a clear mind and know what to do. It seems you don''t need me tofort you at all.¡± Zoey pouted, but before she could respond to Shirley''s remark, a housekeeper ran over. ¡°Ms. Zoey, Ms. Juliana came to pester Mr. Zeke again.¡± Chapter 303 Chapter 303 ¡°Hmm?¡± Shirley stared at Zoey in confusion. ¡°Ms. Stone is pestering your brother? What''s going on, Zoey?¡± ¡°She''s just a little b*tch who overestimates herself. Just like her mentor, she throws herself at every decent guy shees across. Heh... Watch how I tear her a new one!¡± Zoey replied with a mocking grin. She then turned toward her servant and asked, ¡°Where are they now?¡± ¡°Outside the mansion. Mr. Zeke''s convoy had just arrived at the front gate when Ms. Stone confronted him.¡± ¡°That b*tch!¡± Zoey muttered under her breath as she dragged Shirley toward the garden''s exit. ¡°Could you at least tell me what''s going on, Zoey? I don''t know what I''m supposed to do!¡± Zoey replied, ¡°Someone is about to steal your man.¡± Sure enough, saying that worked like a charm as the look on Shirley''s face changed instantly. Outside the Shurmer residence, Zeke stared helplessly at Juliana and said with a sigh, ¡°Ms. Juliana, you''re still too young to understand love. There are plenty of better guys out there, so why don''t you go after someone else instead? Why does it have to be me? Do you realize that your actions are causing me a lot of problems?¡± Juliana shed him a wide grin. ¡°It''s fine. I don''t mind being with you all day, every day! As for my age, I''m twenty-two this year! It''s the perfect age to get married!¡± ¡°So you think you can just go around stealing someone else''s fianc¨¦? Have you no shame, Ms. Stone?¡± Zoey asked in a sarcastic and mocking tone as she stepped out of the garden. Zeke frowned when he heard that. His lips moved slightly, but he held his tongue when he recalled something and slowly took a few steps back. Juliana turned around and stared at Zoey before shifting her gaze toward Shirley, who looked really elegant and graceful in her gown. Before Juliana could say anything, Shirley stepped forward and greeted her with a friendly smile, ¡°Ms. Juliana, was it? You sure are a lively youngdy! You strike me as the type who would be having a stress-free rtionship in college or something. I hear you''re Snowke''s disciple. You wouldn''t do something as uncouth as stealing someone else''s fianc¨¦, would you?¡± Threatening me with my mentor''s reputation right off the bat? What a cunning woman! ¡°You really are Zeke''s fianc¨¦e?¡± Without saying anything in response, Shirley simply shed her a smile and shifted her gaze toward Zeke. She figured he had invited her to Hallsbay to get rid of persistent women like Juliana, so she wasn''t afraid of him denying her statement. After a brief moment of silence, Zeke walked up to Shirley and said in a gentle voice, ¡°Our engagement is no secret. I know the ns haven''t been made, but it won''t change the fact that we''re getting married. There''s no need to hide it.¡± Shirley reached out and wrapped her arm around his as she scolded him, ¡°Good thing I came over to Hallsbay in time, then. You''d be wasting this youngdy''s time if you didn''t tell her the truth. I''m just d we got all that out of the way.¡± She then shed Juliana a smile as she continued, ¡°Since you''re rted to my cousin-inw, Wendy, I''ll invite you to our wedding!¡± The look on Juliana''s face changed instantly. ¡°Is this true? Is she really your fianc¨¦e?¡± she asked while ring at Zeke. Zeke simply shot her a nce and said calmly, ¡°I''ll be sure to send you a wedding invitation.¡± He then turned around and made his way into the garden. Shirley smiled and winked at Zoey before entering the house with him. Zoey felt incredibly satisfied when she saw the look of despair on Juliana''s face. I can use this opportunity to turn her and Bailey against each other! With that in mind, she said, ¡°Ms. Stone, do you know why my future sister-inw is here in Hallsbay? I''ll let you in on a little secret. It''s actually because of that precious mentor of yours! My brother didn''t want to give you such a rude awakening, but Bailey kept pressuring him to do so. Why don''t you confront her about it and see what she has to say?¡± Juliana looked up at her with disbelief written all over her face. ¡°W-What did you say? Master was the one who got her toe to Hallsbay?¡± Zoey reached out and patted her on the cheek as she replied, ¡°It''s because you''re from the Hoffman family. Bailey is afraid that your parents will go after her if you marry a foreigner. That''s why she chose to sacrifice you, silly girl. Your mentor sacrificed you to protect herself! Do you really want someone like her as your mentor?¡± ¡°No... Master always has my best interests in mind! She''s not like that! You''re lying!¡± Juliana yelled at the top of her lungs as she took a few steps back. Zoey jabbed at her chest. ¡°Heh... Look at you, worshipping a backstabbing mentor like a fool! Are you hurting here, silly girl?¡± Noticing Juliana''s face rapidly turning pale, Zoey added, ¡°Given what Bailey is capable of, she could definitely help you out even if you married a foreigner. However, she chose to sacrifice you anyway. It''s obvious that she doesn''t want to get on the Hoffman family''s bad side because of you.¡± ¡°No... That''s not true...¡± Meanwhile, in a study in Shelbert Condominium, Zephyr was sitting on the floor with a copy of the DNA paternity test results he had just printed. Unable to stand his behavior any longer, Zayron walked up to him and snatched the document out of his hand. After reading through the results, which came back positive, Zayron burst outughing and said, ¡°Pfft! And here I thought it was something serious! So, your father ends up bing your uncle while your uncle turns out to be your actual father. Big deal! I used to think Edmund was my father. Later on, I thought it was Simon, but it turned out to be freaking Ratemis! I was upset at first, but I eventually came to ept it as reality. We don''t get to pick our fathers, so we have to just ept who we get. Quit acting all pitiful and just deal with it!¡± ¡°Aunt Veronique has already extracted the sperm from his body and is preparing to take me away from Hallsbay. What should I do, Zayron? I don''t want to just leave like this! I want to live with my parents!¡± Zephyr mumbled with his head held low. Zayron gave it some thought and said with a grin, ¡°That''s easy. All you have to do is steal your mom''s household registry while I steal Justin''s. After that, we''ll bring it to City Hall and get them a marriage certificate!¡± Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop, Sylvester frowned deeply as he red at the woman sitting before him. ¡°You''re Rainie''s manager?¡± N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Yes, that''s right. I asked to see you because there''s something I urgently need your help with,¡± Angie replied with a nod. Sylvester waved nonchntly at her. ¡°I don''t run a charity organization. You should go to one instead.¡± ¡°What if I told you this has something to do with Rainie? Would you still tell me to leave, Mr. Hollett?¡± Sylvester paused and squinted at her as he said, ¡°Don''t lie to me. I have men tailing Rainie at all times, so I''ll be the first to know if anything happens to her. I don''t need you reminding me of such things.¡± ¡°No, that''s not what I meant. Fashionista is about to kick Rainie out.¡± Chapter 304 Chapter 304 Kick her out? Sylvester sat up straight and asked solemnly, ¡°What did she do?¡± Angie pursed her lips and hesitated for a bit before replying, ¡°Fashionista dedicated tons of its resources to help make her an A-list celebrity in hopes of her being awarded Best Actress at the Oscars. However, as you know, it is impossible for those in the entertainment industry to rise up without doing sexual favors. Throughout the past few years, Ms. Rose has been the one winning the award for Best Actress. That woman is your typical social butterfly, so there''s no way Rainie could ever beat her.¡± As Angie had dropped some very obvious hints, Sylvester immediately understood what she was trying to say. ¡°You mean an internal decision was made to grant Rose the Best Actress award at the Oscars again this year?¡± Angie nodded. ¡°I''m sure you''re already aware of the statement released by Cosmos Studios. Those awarded Best Actor and Best Actress this year will be given the lead roles in ¡°Time Warp,¡± which is a masterpiece nominated for a literary award by Morpheus. Given the huge fanbase that it has, Rose would surely jump at the opportunity. She''s close with the wife of LG Corporation''s CEO, so she''s bound to win the Best Actress award this year.¡± Sylvester narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, ¡°Is that why Fashionista is pressuring Rainie? They want her to win the Best Actress award this year, or they''ll kick her out?¡± ¡°That''s right.¡± Angie let out a sigh as she continued, ¡°Rainie is a reserved and modest woman, so she refuses to sleep with the big shots in the entertainment industry. If you don''t help her, then she''ll have no choice but to¡ª¡± Sylvester cut her off by waving at her. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°All right, I''ll help her out. Stay with Rainie and make sure she doesn''t do anything stupid. I''ll kill you if she sacrifices her body for the sake of some stupid award.¡± Angie''s eyes lit up with joy when she heard that. ording to my research on Sylvester, he''s a close friend of Artemis, the head of Luther Group. If he can get Artemis involved in this, then the Best Actress award could belong to Rainie! ¡°Thank you very much, Mr. Hollett. I''ll be sure to keep an eye on Rainie, so she doesn''t do anything stupid.¡± Meanwhile, inside the private room of a fancy caf¨¦, Raiden ced a check in front of Veronique and said, ¡°Please ept this as a form ofpensation from my family, Ms. Revelle.¡± Veronique''s lips curled into a sarcastic grin when she saw the eight-figure check on the table. ¡°I''m getting paid tens of millions just to keep my mouth shut? The Fletcher family sure is generous, huh? Well, I suppose I should expect as much from a family that is about to ascend to the pinnacle of power. Unfortunately, a girl like me has no need for such money, so bribing me like this isn''t going to work,¡± she said while picking up the check and tearing it to pieces in front of Raiden. The man narrowed his eyes and asked with a frown, ¡°What''s the meaning of this, Ms. Revelle? Are you nning to remain in Hallsbay and continue harassing Justin? If that''s the case, then things are definitely going to end badly for you. I can guarantee you that much. ¡°Why would I want to keep used goods? If Ms. Fletcher likes him that much, she can have him for all I care. I suggest you advise her to keep a close eye on him, though. If he dares harass my son and me, I''ll be sure to throw a monkey wrench into their marriage,¡± Veronique replied with a sneer. She then grabbed her handbag and made her way to the door. ¡°My son and I will be leaving tonight, so you can spare yourself the trouble of kicking us out of here.¡± With a mysterious look in his eyes, Raiden stared at her in silence until shepletely disappeared from sight. I wish Scarlett had half of Veronique''s level of independence... That way, she wouldn''t be so dependent on men all the time. Honestly, those two are as different as night and day! If I were to choose a woman for myself, I''d probably pick a strong and independent one as well. Meanwhile, at the Revelle residence, Zephyr and Zayron were sneaking into Veronique''s bedroom. ¡°Hey, Zayron! Are you sure we can get them a marriage certificate without them being present at City Hall? I doubt the staff there would even entertain our request!¡± Zephyr asked. ¡°Look, you don''t have to worry about that. Just shut up and keep looking for the household registry!¡± Zayron replied as he rummaged through a nearby suitcase. After searching for a bit, Zayron paused and came up with another idea. ¡°You know what? I think I might have a much better idea!¡± Zephyr stared at him with a frown and waited for Zayron to continue. ¡°What if we have your mom and dad get it on in a hotel room, then have a bunch of journalists take pictures of them in the act? With their scandal all over the news, I wonder if the Fletcher family will still want your dad!¡± Zayron continued. What a nasty idea! Zephyr grabbed a pillow and threw it at his head. ¡°You can do that to your parents if you want to. Don''t ruin my family with that n of yours!¡± Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office at Luther Group headquarters, Sylvester was staring at Artemis with a faint smile on his face. ¡°I have hit a snag and need your help. Will you help me out?¡± Artemis shot him a cold re and let out a snicker. ¡°What good are you if you can''t even resolve your woman''s problems? You dishonor your excellent family background. You should go back to Golden Triangle. Honestly, you''re such a disgrace!¡± Sylvester mumbled with a pout. ¡°Hey, I can''t help it. All of my power and influence is in the underworld, especially in Golden Triangle. I could easily get you the most addictive drug avable on the ck market, but I have no connections in the entertainment industry whatsoever.¡± Artemis'' eyelid twitched when he heard that. Why would I want to destroy my life by getting hooked on drugs? ¡°Right... Rainie, was it? I''ll contact the person in charge of the Oscars and have them give your woman the award instead. Anything else? If not, get the heck out of my office. My wife doesn''t like seeing that nasty face of yours.¡± Sylvester was about tosh out at Artemis when he realized what he had just said. ¡°Wait, are you saying a phone call is all it takes to solve the problem? You''d better not be pulling my leg here, Ratemis! Rainie''s future is at stake here!¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Artemis yelled. After rushing over to Lunar Bar, Bailey entered a private room and was greeted by the strong smell of alcohol. She instinctively frowned as she scanned the room and saw Juliana lying on the couch. ¡°Why have you been drinking so much, Julie? Did something happen to you?¡± Juliana slowly opened her eyes and stared at Bailey with a dazed look on her face. ¡°It''s funny you ask me that because you know exactly what happened. Or are you so busy that you forgot what you did?¡± Bailey frowned as she reached out to pull her up. ¡°You''re drunk, Julie. Just this once, I''ll pretend it was the alcohol talking. Come on, let''s get you back to the condominium.¡± ¡°I''m not drunk! You can drop that pretentious act of yours and leave me alone! I don''t want to see you right now!¡± Juliana yelled as she shoved her off. Having been caught off guard, Bailey lost her bnce and fell to the floor. Chapter 305 Chapter 305 Surprised by what Juliana had said, Bailey stared at her in confusion. ¡°Julie, do you have any idea who you''re talking to?¡± Juliana burst outughing upon hearing that, but herughter soon turned to sobs as she yelled, ¡°Who do you think you are, huh? You act like you''re concerned about my well-being, but you''re secretly stabbing me in the back! You''re unworthy of being my mentor!¡± Bailey scrambled to her feet and said in an icy-cold voice, ¡°Looks like you really are drunk. I''ll help you get sobered up, and then we''ll talk about this.¡± ¡°I told you, I''m not drunk! Were you the one who forced Zeke to have his fianc¨¦ee to Hallsbay?¡± Juliana screamed at the top of her lungs. When Bailey didn''t say anything in response, Juliana got even more agitated. ¡°Well? Say something! Were you the one who forced Zeke to have his fianc¨¦ee to Hallsbay?¡± she shrieked furiously. Bailey looked to the side and replied with a sigh, ¡°Yes, it was me who asked Mr. Shurmer to have his fianc¨¦ee to Hallsbay. I know you two could never be together, so I¡ª¡± Juliana cut her off, ¡°That''s enough from you! I thought Zoey was making it all up to drive a wedge between us, but her words turned out to be true all along. I can''t believe you''d do such a thing! Why can''t Zeke and I get together? Is it because I''m from the Hoffman family? You''re just afraid of the potential trouble I''d get you into by marrying a foreigner!¡± Bailey stared at her in confusion and disbelief. What the heck has gotten into her today? I don''t remember my disciple being so mean and unreasonable! Where did I go wrong? ¡°You''re really drunk, Julie. You don''t even know what you''re saying anymore. Once again, I''ll pretend it was the alcohol talking. Come on. Let''s go home.¡± Juliana shoved her off again. ¡°Who are you to tell me what to do? If you''re that afraid of getting dragged into my problems, then let''s cut ties right here and now!¡± Bailey''s eyes went wide with shock when she heard that. ¡°J-Julie, do you even realize what you''re saying?¡± ¡°I said, we''ll cut ties starting today! From now on, you no longer have to concern yourself with my problems!¡± Juliana practically spat those words out. After that, she turned around and stumbled her way out of the private room. Bailey wanted to go after her, but she had twisted her ankle when she fell earlier. An intense pain shot up from her ankle the moment she took a step forward, causing her to slump against the couch. Suddenly, Artemis came running into the private room. Upon noticing the look of anguish on her face, he quickly stepped forward to pick her up. ¡°Come on. I''ll get you to Justin''s clinic. We need to get your injury treated.¡± Bailey pushed him aside and said, ¡°Don''t worry about me. Julie is somewhere out there,pletely drunk. I''m worried about her safety. Go bring her back!¡± ¡°Don''t worry; Ken is already on it.¡± Meanwhile, in Shelbert Condominium, Zephyr was watching Zayron type away on theputer. After about half an hour, Zephyr lost his patience and asked, ¡°Hey, Zayron! Are you sure this is going to work?¡± Zayron shot him an annoyed re. ¡°Of course! What do you think I''ve been doing this whole time? First, I hacked into the Security Agency''s system and copied your parents'' fingerprints into the database. Then, I hacked into City Hall''s official website, copied its official seal onto their files, and uploaded their files into City Hall''s database. What do you think is going to happen next?¡± ¡°When Justin and Scarlett go to get their marriage registered, they''ll realize that Justin is already married,¡± Zephyr replied after giving it some thought. Zayron snapped his fingers. ¡°Exactly. With their fingerprints and the official seal on their files, this marriage is now considered legal. Just go ahead and get treated overseas. I can guarantee that your father isn''t going anywhere.¡± Zephyr shot him a nce before shifting his gaze toward the household registry, which they didn''t even use. ¡°Say, what was the point of us going through all that trouble to steal this?¡± Um... Zayron scratched his head and let out a sigh. ¡°I was initially nning on having Ratemis pull some strings and get the staff at City Hall to register their marriage. Then, I figured the guys at City Hall wouldn''t dare do so because the Fletcher family has chosen him as a son-inw. Eventually, I decided to just hack the Security Agency and City Hall systems and do it online.¡± Later that night, Bailey and Veronique were hugging each other as they said goodbye at a private airport. ¡°Just focus on producing the test tube baby, Vero. I''ll leave Hallsbay in about ten days. I''ll go see you when I get there.¡± Veronique stared at her in surprise and confusion. ¡°You''re leaving too, Bay? I thought you and Artemis were¡ª¡± Getting along pretty well? Bailey cut her off before she could finish, ¡°He''s the uncle of Zayron and Susan, Vero. He can date anyone he likes, just so long as it isn''t me. That is simply taboo for us. We would be ostracized and suffer everyone''s contempt if we got together. Separation might just be the best way to end it.¡± Veronique gave her a pat on the back and said with a smile, ¡°Don''t worry. We''ll be able to start over after we leave Hallsbay. I''ll be waiting for you in Archulea.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay.¡± The two of them continued chatting for a bit longer until they saw Zayron and Zephyr approaching. Bailey gave Zephyr a pat on the head. ¡°Make sure to listen to Aunt Veronique''s instructions and give the treatment your full cooperation, okay? Now that we have found a suitable bone marrow, we need the donor to make time for the surgery. All you have to do is be patient and wait for that time toe.¡± Zephyr nodded obediently in response. ¡°Okay, I''ll do as you say.¡± After watching the two board the ne, Bailey turned toward Zayron and said, ¡°Hide both their trails so Justin can''t find them. He will have to take care of his marriage with Scarlett if he wishes to see them ever again.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± The next morning, Justin found out that Veronique and Zephyr had left Hallsbay, but he didn''t know where they were headed. Bailey wasn''t all that surprised when she opened the door to Shelbert Condominium and saw Justin inside. ¡°Looks like you already know about Vero and her son leaving Hallsbay, huh?¡± ¡°Where did they go?¡± Justin asked coldly. Bailey chuckled and said, ¡°So what if I tell you? Are you going to marry Vero? Have you forgotten that you''re the Fletcher family''s chosen son-inw?¡± Justin let out a helpless sigh and ruffled his hair in frustration. ¡°Scarlett has already promised to donate her bone marrow, so why would she leave with the boy now?¡± What? Scarlett has promised to donate her bone marrow? Just how na?ve can this guy get? Does he not realize that the mere existence of Veronique and her son is enough to drive Scarlett crazy? No woman could possibly put up with her beloved man raising an illegitimate child, especially the proud daughter of the Fletcher family! I could tell him about Scarlett''s assassination attempt, but I won''t because of the promise I made with Raiden. ¡°She probably wants to put Scarlett''s heart at ease. After all, Scarlett won''t be willing to donate her bone marrow unless she feels safe and secure. You should marry her as soon as possible, Justin. Don''t go looking for Vero.¡± Chapter 306 Chapter 306 Later that night, the annual Oscars event was being held at Century Square. Bailey didn''t want to attend it, but she knew Artemis wouldn''t go without her. As such, she had no choice but to give in and attend the event against her will. The Oscars was regarded as the grandest event in the entertainment industry. Naturally, the guests attending it were all big shots on an international scale. After exiting the parking lot, Bailey went straight to the event venue and found a rather quiet spot in the corner. She had just taken her seat when she heard a familiar female voice saying, ¡°Oh, my! If it isn''t Fashionista''s favorite star, Rainie! What''s the matter? The organizers didn''t get you a VIP seat?¡± ¡°Haha! That''s a good one, Ms. Rose! A pretentious nobody like her isn''t even worthy of being your assistant! There''s no way she''d be given a VIP seat!¡± ¡°Exactly! You two are leagues apart! So what if Fashionista spent most of its resources on her? She''s a lost cause! She can''t even win the Best Supporting Actress award, let alone the Best Actress award! Honestly, it''s no surprise why Mr. Zielinski would want to kick her out. She''s a worthless piece of crap, so there''s no point in keeping her around anyway!¡± Everyone burst outughing after hearing that. Rainie? Bailey arched an eyebrow in amusement. Didn''t Sylvester swallow his pride and ask Ratemis to help ensure she gets the Best Actress award? Does she have a grudge against Rose? Heh, I suppose a littlepetition is unavoidable when you''re in the same industry. With someone that powerful backing her up, Rainie might just be able to win this Best Actress award. I bet Rose would be devastated if she lost to Rainie! There''s no way a prideful and arrogant woman like her would be able to ept such defeat, but she won''t have a choice. A few momentster, she''s about to watch Rainie, whom she looks down upon, go on stage to receive the Best Actress award! This is probably the best form of punishment for an arrogant person like her! Rainie slowly stood up, grabbed her wine ss, and prepared to walk away without saying anything in response. However, Rose wasn''t done with her yet. She quickly motioned at herckeys, prompting them to step forward and block Rainie''s path. ¡°What''s the matter? Did we strike a nerve? Are you feeling so humiliated that you can''t take it anymore? Hmph! I''m surprised a mere piece of trash like you would have the audacity topete for the Best Actress award! What a joke! Do you think you''re on the same level as me just because you''re working for a subsidiary of LG Corporation? You''re nothing! You have no right topete with me!¡± Rose yelled. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That''s right! Ms. Rose has won the Best Actress award three times in a row! How dare a mere nobody like you show up at the Oscars?¡± ¡°I say we tear up that face of hers and put her in her ce! That way, she won''t cause Ms. Rose any more problems in the future! Rainie, this is what you get for coveting the Best Actress award! Do you really think you can be the female lead for ¡°Time Warp¡±? Why don''t you look at yourself in the mirror, huh? That role is clearly meant for someone as elegant and beautiful as Ms. Rose!¡± Rainie pursed her lips and clenched her fists as she red at the woman standing on Rose''s left. ¡°Ste, we''re both working for Fashionista, so that makes us colleagues. How could you team up with an outsider to bully me?¡± A look of hatred shed past Ste Wagner''s eyes when she heard that. If there was one person she hated the most in the entertainment industry, it was none other than Rainie. All I could do was watch as this woman hogged all of Fashionista''s resources, and she had the audacity to call me her colleague. Does her shamelessness know no bounds? ¡°Oh, I''m not just going to bully you. I''m going to burn that face of yours!¡± Ste yelled as she grabbed a hot cup of coffee from the table. Right as she was about to ssh it all over Rainie''s face, the cup was knocked out of her hand, causing her to yelp in surprise. ¡°Come on. You''re all public figures. Please don''t do something as barbaric as sshing hot coffee on others. There are journalists everywhere. You wouldn''t want them getting a picture of you doing this, right, Ms. Wagner?¡± Bailey said as she smacked Ste''s hand aside. Having been caught off guard, Ste lost her bnce and crashed into Rose. Rose had yet to fully recover from her injuries after Bailey beat her up two days ago. As such, the two of them fell to the floor, with Stending on top of Rose. ¡°Get off me, Ste!¡± Rose screamed furiously. Ste quickly scrambled to her feet and apologized in a trembling voice, ¡°I-I''m sorry, Ms. Rose! I didn''t mean to! I-It was her! She pushed me into you!¡± After being helped to her feet, Rose pped Ste across the face and red viciously at Bailey. ¡°You again? I''ll teach you a lesson¡ª¡± Smack! Bailey cut her off with a swift p on the cheek. Rose was fuming as she rubbed her stinging cheek. ¡°H-How dare you to hit me?¡± ¡°I couldn''t help it. You were being way too foul. It seems you haven''t learned your lesson, so I''ll keep hitting you until you do,¡± Bailey replied nonchntly. Rose was trembling all over with rage, but there was nothing she could do about it. What am I supposed to do? The police are clearly on her side, and she is well-trained in self-defense. Bailey raised her arm and waved it in front of Rose as she continued, ¡°Well? Do you want to get pped again? I''d be more than happy to give you a couple more ps, but I don''t think you''d want to walk up the stage with your face all swollen.¡± ¡°You...¡± Rose stomped her feet in frustration. It was obvious that she wanted to fight Bailey, but she knew she couldn''t do so. No, I have to bear with it until I get the role of the female lead in ¡°Time Warp¡±! After that, I can go after her for revenge! With that in mind, Rose turned around and said, ¡°Let''s go!¡± The other celebrities around her exchanged nces in surprise. They thought Rose would punish Bailey for pping her, but she ended up chickening out and walking away instead. ¡°Thanks for the save, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Rainie''s voice rang out from behind her. Bailey slowly turned around and asked with an eyebrow arched, ¡°You know me?¡± Rainie nodded. ¡°You are a highly respectable woman, Ms. Jefferson. I''ve admired you since I found out about you being Anonymous. I, on the other hand, failed to live up to mypany''s expectations despite having worked in the entertainment industry for so many years now. Not only was I unable to repay mypany for its contributions, but I am also going to lose the Best Actress award at the Oscars this year to Rose. To be honest, I feel incredibly useless afterparing myself to you.¡± Bailey''s lips curled into a mysterious smile as she said, ¡°That''s not necessarily the case.¡± Chapter 307 Chapter 307 ¡°Huh?¡± Rainie gave her a dubious look and uttered, ¡°What did you say, Ms. Jefferson? I didn''t hear you clearly.¡± Bailey smiled and responded with another question. ¡°Do you really want the Best Actress award at the Oscars so badly? In my opinion, you shouldn''t be too persistent because it''s rather superficial. I''ve gotten countless awards in recent years, but I''ve never gone up the stage to receive them. That''s because I think these things are just for show, and there they shouldn''t dictate your life.¡± ¡°You''re rather open-minded, Ms. Jefferson!¡± Rainie couldn''t help but exim. After a brief pause, she added, ¡°Frankly, I''m not fazed by getting the Best Actress award at the Oscars. However, Cosmos Studios announced that the Best Actress this year will be given the lead role in ¡°Time Warp.¡± I''m a huge fan of Morpheus''s works. If I acted in a character of hers, it would be a dreame true.¡± ¡°Oh? Morpheus...¡± Bailey dragged her word and smiled. ¡°I can''t help you with anything else but that. All right, then. I''ll keep it in mind.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rainie stared at her in shock. ¡°What do you mean, Ms. Jefferson?¡± ¡°It''s nothing.¡± Bailey raised her ss and clinked it against Rainie''s. She then arched a brow and said, ¡°Fate has brought us together. In that case, I shall make you my friend. From now on, I''ll address you as Rainie, and you shall address me as Bailey.¡± Bailey''s words rendered Rainie speechless. On the other side of the square, Susan was seen sprawling on the table and munching on fruits. Her manager''s eyes were twitching as he watched from the side. ¡°Susan, is eating really your priority right now? Answer me this, okay? Did you ask Mr. Simon to talk to Mr. Luther so that he would give you the Best Child Actor Award?¡± With a mouthful of fruits, Susan blurted, ¡°Simon didn''t even want to acknowledge me. That jerk threw some money at us and told us to get out of his face. Do you think he would still care about me?¡± The manager was taken aback, and he looked slightly helpless. I thought she would definitely get whatever she wanted in her career after acknowledging Mr. Simon as her father. Heck, I thought she could get the Best Child Actor Award! However, who would''ve thought that Mr. Simon would ignore her? ¡°Susan, why don''t we look for your uncle? After all, he''s the owner of Luther Group, the biggest sponsor of the Oscars. You''re his niece, no? I bet he''ll give you the Best Child Actor Award,¡± the manager said. Susan rolled her eyes at him and answered in a helpless tone. ¡°If my dad doesn''t even care if I live or die, what makes you think Uncle Artemis will help me?¡± Suddenly, a little girl dressed in a princess gown, apanied by a few child celebrities, approached them. One of them couldn''t help but mock, ¡°Susan, it seems you have a shred of self-awareness. Arethea had gotten her Uncle Zeke to help her out this time around. The people at the Oscars already promised her the Best Child Actor Award.¡± ¡°Did you think you could climb thedder by associating yourself with the Luther family? You''re merely an illegitimate child! The Luther family doesn''t intend to acknowledge you. Otherwise, why would your dad pay you guys off? Susan, you''re a joke! You''ve even said Mr. Luther had moved the Oscars to Hallsbay because of you, right? Is that so? Who do you think you are? Why would the head of the Luther family spend that kind of money on an illegitimate child like you?¡± another mocked. ¡°That''s enough. Guys, stop making fun of Susan,¡± Arethea interrupted. With a smile, she walked up to Susan and said, ¡°Susan, there''s no need to go beyond your depth. We all know about your family background. As an illegitimate child, you should keep a low profile from now on.¡± A glimmer of viciousness glinted in Susan''s eyes because she was triggered by being called an illegitimate child. Upon hearing those words, she was devastated, and she was on the verge of crying. All of a sudden, she picked up the fruit tter and threw it at Arethea and the rest. Right after that, she jumped off the stool she was sitting on and dashed toward them. Instantly, the whole ce broke into chaos. Seeing that, the manager quickly chased after her. ¡°You rascal! Stop right there! Don''t run away now that you''ve caused a mess! I''m going to teach you a lesson!¡± Susan ran straight into the lounge area. There, she saw Ken standing in the dark and started crying inconsbly. Ken was stunned. He hurriedly went to her and hugged her while asking, ¡°What''s wrong? What happened? Who bullied you?¡± In response, Susan kept mum and cried even harder. Exasperated, Ken turned around and barged into the lounge. At that moment, Artemis was having a conversation with the executives of the Oscars. He was enraged when he saw Ken barging into the lounge. Right when he was about to scold Ken, he saw Susan sobbing and trembling all over. He then immediately got up from the couch and strode over to Ken. ¡°Why is she crying?¡± As clueless as Artemis was, Ken handed Susan over to Artemis and turned toward the executives of the Oscars. ¡°Gentlemen, Mr. Luther has some private matters to attend to. Do you mind giving him some privacy?¡± One of the executives immediately answered, ¡°The grand ceremony is about to begin, so we have to make some arrangements. Let''s not bother Mr. Luther any longer. We''ll treat Mr. Luther to a meal after the event.¡± With that, the executives left the lounge in a hurry. Artemis was rooted to the spot, and he was heartbroken when he saw how hard his daughter was crying. He thought he was strong and imprable. However, he couldn''t stop trembling when he saw his daughter crying her eyes out. ¡°What is it, Sweetheart? Tell me, okay?¡± Artemis asked cautiously. He was suppressing his anger because he didn''t want to startle Susan. The little girl stared at him with her watery eyes and asked in a sad tone, ¡°Am I a disgraceful illegitimate child?¡± This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Artemis'' face went pale as a look of utter despair shed across his eyes. His chest was heaving, and he seemed to be doing his best to suppress his rage. Who did this? Who said that to her and upset her? With those questions in his mind, Artemis raised his gaze and shot Ken a look. Thetter acknowledged it right away and retreated. Someone''s going to be in huge trouble tonight! ¡°Am I a disgraceful illegitimate child?¡± Susan repeated before breaking down in tears. Seeing how things had yed out, Artemis began to panic. I could go through raging gunfights and battles. Yet, the sight of my daughter crying is enough to make me panic! ¡°I''ll just marry your mommy right away, okay? Once I''ve done that, no one would call you an illegitimate child anymore. Stop crying, Susan. I can''t take it anymore,¡± Artemis uttered. Right then, the door to the lounge was pushed open once again. Maxton and Zayron walked in and saw their sister crying inconsbly in their father''s arms. They exchanged nces and scolded in unison, ¡°Jerk.¡± Chapter 308 Chapter 308 Artemis was enraged at first, but he instantly huffed a gnarlyugh when he heard his sons scolding him. Are they angry at me because I haven''t married their mom, and that''s why Susan was said to be an illegitimate child? God knows how badly I want to marry that woman. However, it isn''t time yet. ¡°Fine. I admit I''m a jerk. It''s all my fault your mommy had to go through countless hardships over the years. Once she knows the truth, I''ll kneel before her and apologize. Now, I need you guys to figure out a way to stop your sister from crying,¡± Artemis said. ¡°You don''t say,¡± the brothers uttered in unison once again. That was how in sync they were. Hearing that, Artemis couldn''t help but burst outughing. These two haveplete control over me. What status will I have in the family in the future? Despite his thought, he felt a wave of warmth in his heart when he saw both his sons trying to console his daughter. This heartwarming scene is beyond all I can ask for. God has truly given the greatest blessing to me by giving me two sons and a daughter. How am I supposed to repay that woman? I guess I''ll have to cherish her and pamper her for the rest of my life. Gradually, Susan stopped crying. She then pushed her brothers aside and tugged at the corner of Artemis'' shirt. While looking up at him, she uttered in a hoarse voice, ¡°Daddy.¡± Artemis'' body trembled, and he was stunned for a few seconds. The moment he regained his senses, he nced at Susan joyfully and stammered, ¡°What did you just call me, Sweetheart? Do you mind repeating yourself?¡± Susan smiled and repeated herself. Artemis felt his heart thumping, and the sense of family rose from within his body. He then leaned forward to carry Susan up and fiercely kissed her delicate cheeks. After that, he shifted his gaze toward Zayron. The little boy snorted and called out, ¡°Arty.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. If he were somebody else''s kid, I would definitely send him to Tarragon''s training base to teach him a lesson. Meanwhile, Bailey went around the square to look for the kids, but she couldn''t find any of them. Instead, she bumped into Lionel. ¡°Hi, Mr. Gezmond. It''s been a long time,¡± she greeted. Lionel shed a faint smile in response. ¡°It has. What a surprise! I didn''t expect to see you at such an event, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Instead of responding to him, Bailey shifted her gaze toward the woman he was holding arms with. She then raised her brows and asked, ¡°You''re Ms. Wendy, right? As expected of the Hoffman family''s eldest daughter. With Mr. Gezmond by your side, you guys look like a match made in heaven.¡± Wendy smiled at Bailey and teased, ¡°Instead of addressing me as Ms. Wendy, I think it''s better if you address me as Mrs. Gezmond, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey nodded slightly and shed a half-smile. ¡°Ms. Wendy, in the name of love, you''ve turned your family away. It''s admirable to see you sacrifice so much. Indeed, I should address you as Mrs. Gezmond.¡± ¡°You...¡± Wendy was pissed off. However, she quickly pulled herself together. ¡°I need to thank you for taking care of my sister over the years, Ms. Jefferson. Now that she''s with me, you won''t need to worry about her anymore.¡± Bailey''s gaze glinted darkly when Wendy mentioned Juliana. That girl doesn''t understand my intentions. She only severed our rtionship because she was afraid of causing trouble. Unbeknown to her, Zeke belongs to a different world. No matter how hard they try, their rtionship will not work out. ¡°Well, it''s all right. As her sister, advise her, will you? The Hoffman family might ept one of the daughters marrying a foreigner. However, I doubt they''ll ever allow both to do the same,¡± Bailey answered. ¡°Hi, Lionel and Wendy! You guys are here!¡± A melodious voice rang out from somewhere nearby. Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Zoey walking over to them while holding a little girl''s hand. Bailey didn''t want to deal with them any longer, so she turned around and was about to leave. As soon as she had taken one step forward, she heard the little girl Zoey had brought along asking, ¡°Are you Susan''s mom? The illegitimate child.¡± Bailey halted in her tracks when she heard the girl calling Susan an illegitimate child. She then slowly turned around and narrowed her eyes to re at the little girl. With a frown, she asked, ¡°Who taught you those words?¡± ¡°Isn''t she Mr. Simon''s illegitimate child? How dare she snatch the Best Child Actor Award with me? Hmph! I wonder where did she run off to after we made fun of her. By the way, she dirtied my skirt. You ought topensate me!¡± Arethea pursed her lips and snorted coldly. Bailey let out a light chuckle, but there was no warmth in her expression. There was a tint of mncholy in her eyes. ¡°Although my daughter is an illegitimate child, she''s still way better than a rude child like you.¡± Prior to that, Bailey thought it wouldn''t matter much if Susan couldnd the Best Child Actor Award. However, she changed her mind. Not only must she get the award, but she must also receive it with pride. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Arethea is just a child. Don''t you think what you said is uncalled for?¡± Shirley uttered. ¡°Arethea was just telling the truth. Your daughter is, in fact, an illegitimate child. The Luther family doesn''t even want to acknowledge her. Why don''t you just ept it? Your daughter doesn''t deserve the Best Child Actor Award,¡± Zoey chimed in. A smirk tugged at Bailey''s lips. These people are longing for a p, aren''t they? At eight that evening, the ceremony began. First, the host announced the Best Actor award. Needless to say, the award went to the main character of ¡°Men VS Machines.¡± However, any artist who acted in the works of Morpheus would usually win corresponding awards for the role yed. Next, the host was about to announce the Best Actress award. At that moment, everyone sort of knew who would be presented with that award. Not only was Rose the top performer for LG Corporation, but she was also the best friend of the CEO''s wife. In fact, she won the award for three consecutive years. Moreover, whoever won the award this time around would be given the lead role in ¡°Time Warp.¡± There was no way Rose could give that up. Hence, Rose immediately stood up proudly the moment the host mentioned the Best Actress award. When she got onto the stage and reached out both her hands to receive the award, the host smiled awkwardly and asked, ¡°What are you doing on the stage, Ms. Rose?¡± All of a sudden, the deafening apuse at the scene subsided, and everyone was focusing on what was happening on the stage. Rose wasn''t fazed. She flipped her blond and curly hair before smiling charmingly. ¡°Well, I''m here to receive the award.¡± The host cleared his throat and uttered in an awkward tone, ¡°Ms. Rose, this year''s Best Actress award isn''t yours.¡± The moment those words fell, the smile on Rose''s face faded, and she was stupefied. N?velDrama.Org content. The silence that ensued was deafening. Simr to Rose, the crowd was just as stunned. Is Rose not the recipient of the Best Actress award? Ha! Why is she up there, then? She''s embarrassing herself! The awkwardnesssted for a good ten seconds. After that, Rose smiled and said, ¡°You must''ve made a mistake. I think you should check with your superior.¡± Chapter 309 Chapter 309 As soon as the words left her lips, higher-ups of the Oscars emerged from backstage. ¡°Ms. Rose, I understand that you feel disappointed about the results. I would like to express my sincere apologies, but unfortunately, the winner of the Best Actress award isn''t you this year.¡± After he was done speaking to Rose, he turned to the group of ck-d bodyguards and instructed, ¡°Escort Ms. Rose down the stage. Do not dy the rest of the award ceremony.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Rose''s legs buckled from underneath her, and she slumped to the ground. It''s not me? I didn''t win Best Actress? Then, why did I run up the stage so eagerly? I even made a fool out of myself. In truth, Rose had indeed be the butt of the joke, the crowd roaring withughter at her expense. ¡°Hahahahaha!¡± The female attendees felt much better after finding out Rose wasn''t the winner of the coveted award. In the VIP section, Wendy looked at Lionel with a hint of puzzlement in her gaze. ¡°Nell, didn''t LG Corporation submit Rose as their candidate for Best Actress? How did things end up like this? Did the organizers make a mistake?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. The man cast her a nce and reminded her indifferently, ¡°Don''t forget that Artemis is sponsoring the ceremony this year. In fact, it''s a full sponsor. Naturally, the organizers are more than happy to go along with his wish.¡± Wendy was astounded and unable to conjure a response at that moment. The show could finally go on after Rose was pathetically dragged off the stage, and the host went on to announce, ¡°The winner of this year''s Oscar for Best Actress is Fashionista''s Rainie Yeanisky! Let us wee her to the stage with a round of apuse!¡± When they heard the announcement, the audience was shell-shocked. Isn''t Rainie under LG Corporation as well? Since she stole Rose''s limelight, I bet there''s internal strife afoot. Rose, who had lost all the strength in her limbs and was being supported by the bodyguards, instantly became agitated upon hearing Rainie''s name. ¡°N-No! How can this be? She''s nothing but a pretty face! How can she win Best Actress instead of me?¡± she eximed, her toneced with exasperation. She could bring herself to ept another female celebrity who had won over her for the award but not Rainie, who she had underestimated and looked down upon all this while. If that b*tch wins, it''ll be extremely humiliating for me! Blinded by hatred and disbelief, Rose dered, ¡°No, there must be something shady going on behind the scenes! I have to expose this to the public. I''ll expose all of you!¡± The higher-ups of the Oscars, who were seated in the VIP section, were fuming with anger at that point. They could hardly believe how thick-skinned the disgraced female celebrity was. That woman pulled some strings to win three years in a row. If it weren''t for the fact that she''s best friends with Ms. Wendy, she wouldn''t have been able to win the award for Best Actress at all! Yet, she has the audacity to say there''s something shady going on. What a fool she is! ¡°What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and drag that crazy woman away, d*mn it!¡± demanded the higher-ups. The award ceremony was being broadcasted live across the globe. If Rose continued to cause a scene, certain things might be revealed, despite the fact that they were not meant toe to light. The bodyguards didn''t hesitate to subdue the woman. One of them knocked her out and carried her out of the venue. In the southeast area, Bailey reached out to poke Rainie in the shoulder. A smile hung on the former''s lips as she said, ¡°What are you waiting for? The host invited you onto the stage. Hurry up and go already!¡± Only then did Rainie return to her senses. ¡°Huh? Bailey, did I really win?¡± Bailey arched a brow. Well, is there any issue in this world that can''t be resolved by power and status? In order to protect you,Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Sylvester was willing to set his pride aside to butter up his buddy. If you didn''t win the award for Best Actress, then those two would be utterly ipetent. ¡°Yes, you did. Go on! Everyone''s waiting for you.¡± ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Bailey''s smile widened as she watched Rainie leave. For some reason, thetter reminded Bailey of her younger self. If Sylvester manages to win her heart, he''ll definitely be a lucky one. After presenting the award for Best Actress, the host went on to announce the winners of other categories, including Best Lead Actor and also Best Supporting Actor. Most of the winners worked on films adapted from Morpheus'' work. In a way, Morpheus helped them achieve their dreams, so all of the winners expressed their sincere gratitude to her when they went on stage to ept their awards. When the host asked them what they wanted to do most at the moment, all of them said they wanted to meet Morpheus to thank her for writing such interesting stories, as it was her vivid imagination and extraordinary talent that allowed them to bring those fantastical worlds to life. A mysterious look crept into the host''s eyes as he listened to them. In a half-joking manner, he said, ¡°Perhaps Ms. Morpheus will grace us with her presence tonight and fulfill your wishes.¡± Naturally, everyone assumed the host was merely joking around as Morpheus had won hundreds of literary awards, but she never once showed herself at the award ceremonies. ¡°All right, let''s move on to the next category. The winner of the Best Child Actor Award is... Susan Jefferson, also known as Barbara!¡± Arethea burst into tears as soon as the winner was revealed and threw herself into Shirley''s embrace. ¡°Aunt Shirley, you lied to me! You said Uncle Zeke would help me win the Best Child Actor Award, yet Susan''s the one who got it! You''re all liars!¡± she whined. Not knowing how to handle a child who was in the midst of a temper tantrum, Shirley merely remained silent. Meanwhile, the rest of the audience couldn''t help expressing their thoughts about the situation. ¡°Oh my, Arethea didn''t win? How is that possible?¡± ¡°I know, right? How could she lose, and how on earth did Susan Jefferson manage to snag the award?¡± ¡°Can''t you see she''s merely ying dumb? She already knew she was going to win but still put on an innocent act. We were all fooled by her!¡± Susan was dressed in a ball gown, making her look like a princess. She got to her feet and skipped gleefully toward the stage to receive her award. It was an incredibly heart-warming scene to behold. ¡°What a cute little girl!¡± ¡°As expected of Bailey''s daughter! I love her so much!¡± Artemis nced at his daughter''s silhouette. His gaze on her was incredibly tender. This was Artemis'' territory, so naturally, he would do everything to give his daughter the carefree life she deserved. After the little girl went up to the stage, she stood on her toes and attempted to grab the award that was sitting on the podium. Unfortunately, she was too short, and all of her attempts to grab the award ended up in failure. Oh no... This is embarrassing. The award is right in front of me, but I''m not tall enough to grab it! With exasperation written all over her face, Susan nced at the host and pouted. ¡°Mister, can you help me out? The podium''s too tall for me.¡± The host walked over with a smile stered on his face. He gently patted the little girl on the head and said, ¡°Don''t worry, princess. Someone will present the award to you.¡± The audience couldn''t help but chuckle at how endearing the little girl was. After all, who could possibly dislike such an adorable girl? Just then, the host cleared his throat and announced, ¡°Tonight, we were fortunate enough to invite an incredibly special guest to the ceremony. Let us wee the world-famous author, Morpheus, to the stage to present the award for Best Child Actor!¡± What? The audience''s jaws dropped as disbelief spread across their faces. What did we just hear? Morpheus is here? Where? Where is she? ¡°Is Ms. Morpheus really here?¡± Someone leaped to their feet excitedly. It was none other than the man who won the Best Actor award. He rose to fame after participating in the film adaptation of Men VS Machines. Hence, it could be said that Morpheus was the one who made him into the actor he was today. Chapter 310 Chapter 310 After that, more people leaped to their feet excitedly. Most of them were A-list celebrities who rose to fame internationally after ying their acting roles in Morpheus'' masterpiece. The rest were Morpheus'' fans. Everyone was craning their neck, waiting for the revtion of the mysterious author''s identity. Artemis, who was in the VIP section, furrowed his brows instinctively. Has the famous author, Morpheus,e to Hallsbay? And the author even ns to show up at the Oscars? Why did I not know about it? Instantly, his interest in the mysterious author was piqued. How interesting! In the southeast area, Rainie, who had just received the Best Actress trophy, reached out to poke Bailey''s arm and said with a grin, ¡°Everyone is waiting for you to go up to the stage. Why are you still sitting here? Hurry up and go.¡± Bailey cocked her brow. ¡°How did you know it''s me?¡± Rainie shed a smile. ¡°You''re Master Snowke and Anonymous. So why can''t you be Morpheus as well? I wouldn''t believe it if it were someone else, but if it is you, I think everyone here will be convinced.¡± What a smart woman. Bailey nced sideways at her and teased, ¡°Sylvester definitely has a good eye.¡± The smile on Rainie''s face stiffened at the mention of Sylvester''s name. Bailey curled her lips into a smirk and got up before striding toward the stage. When she walked past one of the staff members, she snatched the microphone from his hand. Then, a cool female voice rang out in the square. ¡°I wrote ''The Alliance'' five years ago, ''The Rise of the'' four years ago, and ''Men VS Machines'' three years ago. Then, my masterpiece, ''Time Warp,'' came out two years ago. As soon as it was published, it was well-received both nationally and internationally.¡± Bailey smiled. ¡°Hi, everyone. I''m Morpheus. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement. I''ve learned a lot during this journey, and because of your never-changing support, our Chanaean culture has gone global.¡± Utter silence followed. Countless people searched for the source of that voice in a sea of people. Before long, their gazes landed on the slender figure standing near the stage. ¡°It''s Bailey Jefferson. She''s Ms. Morpheus, whom we have admired for years.¡± ¡°It''s her; it''s her. I wouldn''t believe it if it were someone else, but if it''s Bailey Jefferson, I''ll believe it unconditionally.¡± ¡°Ms. Bailey is as awesome as ever. Oh, my goodness. What should I do? I love her so much. No, no. I need to talk my brother into pursuing her and making her my sister-inw.¡± ¡°Goodness gracious! How many prominent identities does this woman have? She''s so perfect and capable; she puts us to shame.¡± ¡°Is there any man in this world who can be worthy of such a brilliant woman?¡± The look of astonishment in Artemis'' eyes gradually faded, and he cracked a slight smile. I should''ve known this would happen. This woman is so capable. It''s not surprising that she has yet another remarkable identity. Hmm, but she''s too perfect. How can I match up with her? To be honest, I''m now a little worried that I''m not good enough for her. s, it''s not that good to have such a capable wife. It''s a shame that she outshines me. Meanwhile, Bailey was just about to go up the stage when the winner of the Oscars'' Best Actor walked up to her with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. With a blush creeping up his neck, he asked, ¡°Are you really Ms. Morpheus?¡± With her brows arched, Bailey gazed at the shy young man in front of her before breaking into a wheezy chuckle of amusement. She reached out and patted him on the shoulder approvingly. ¡°You did great. You lived up to my expectations in the film. We''ll work together again when there''s a chance.¡± The young man grinned and hesitantly handed her the bouquet in his hand. ¡°You showed up too suddenly, so I didn''t prepare any gifts beforehand. This bouquet of flowers is taken from the table. I hope you don''t mind.¡± Not expecting this turn of events, Bailey felt a headacheing on. If she took the flower, Artemis would, no doubt, kick up a fuss. Even as she stood there near the steps to the stage, she could feel a fiery gaze from the VIP section. For the sake of her own safety, she surmised that it was better for her not to provoke Artemis'' jealousy. If he snaps, he will do anything to his potential love rival. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Young man, this flower bouquet should be given to beauty. Besides, you''re the star of the ceremony tonight. I think you should give it to the most beautiful girl here. Don''t worry about me. I''m not a young girl anymore; I don''t really like flowers as gifts.¡± Uh... The young man smiled bashfully and replied, ¡°I think you''re the most beautiful woman tonight. It''s your work that makes so many people''s dreamse true. As the Best Actor, I think it would be great for me to gift you the first bouquet of flowers.¡± Bailey held her head, feeling troubled. I think I haven''t received flowers from Ratemis before. If this kid gives me flowers before Ratemis does, will Ratemis kick him out of the entertainment industry in a fit of jealousy? Forget it. I''d better not harm such a great young man. He is indeed very talented in acting. He''ll definitely produce more excellent works for the audience in the future. It''d be a pity if he''s cklisted in the show biz because of Artemis. As that thought crossed her mind, she leaned toward him and said in a hushed tone, ¡°Do you see that little girl on the stage? She is my daughter. Now there are some rumors among the public that she is an illegitimate daughter. The sole reason I show up today is to boost her poprity so that she''ll be deemed to be distinguished in the eyes of others, even if it means making me an object of derision. If you really want to thank me, give this bouquet of flowers to my daughter. It will attract everyone''s attention to her and make her peers jealous.¡± The young man was taken aback for a moment. After it finally sunk in, a hint of respect shed across his eyes. ¡°You''re a mature, far-sighted person. No wonder you can write those splendid and magnificent books. It''s my honor to portray a character created by you.¡± With that, he took back the flowers he handed to her and carefully carried them in his arms. ¡°After you.¡± Bailey arched her brow and smiled. What a smart young man. He has a razor-sharp mind. He deserves his fame as the most influential rising star of the year. After Bailey went on the stage, Susan dashed toward her mother and threw herself into Bailey''s arms. Bailey''s eyes radiated with motherly love as she hugged Susan back. The young man gave the flowers to Susan smilingly. ¡°Barbara, you rock. I look forward to future coboration with you.¡± Susan blinked and looked up at the young man, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Are you Elliot Sawyer? You look even more handsome than you do on the screen. Can I marry you when I grow up?¡± Since Susan was wearing a headset microphone, everyone at the square heard what she said. Artemis'' expression turned grim instantly. Elliot Sawyer! How dare that pretty boy target my daughter after failing to hit on my woman! Very well! I''ll have him kicked out right away after the ceremony. Elliot stroked Susan''s hair and shoved the flowers in her hands before turning on his heel to leave the stage. This glorious moment belongs to the mother and daughter, and I don''t want to intrude. Chapter 311 Chapter 311 The host led Bailey to the rack before thetter took the trophy and presented it to her daughter. ¡°Congrattions on winning the Best Child Actor Award, Barbara!¡± The girl passed the flowers that she was holding to the host before receiving the trophy from her mother. With the spotlights focusing on Susan, the audience broke into apuse, reverberating through the auditorium. After the crowd quietened, the girl tilted her head and asked, ¡°Ms. Morpheus, I''ve already been awarded the Oscars'' Best Child Actor Award. Have I earned the right to take part in your new production?¡± Bailey smiled and pinched Susan''s cheeks affectionately before replying in front of the tens of thousands of guests who were present, ¡°You can take part in any of my productions you like. From today onward, you will be the one selecting your role and not the other way around. If there''s any role that you would like to attempt, just let me know, and I will invite the Best Actor and Best Actress to act with you.¡± After saying that, Bailey said to the audience in a half-joking manner, ¡°Would the Best Actor and Best Actress of the evening be willing to act with my daughter?¡± Elliot, who had just won the Best Actor Award, took over the microphone from one of the members of the event crew and replied smilingly, ¡°That would be my honor.¡± A momentter, Rainie, the Best Actress of the evening, spoke. ¡°It would also be my honor to act with Ms. Jefferson''s little princess.¡± Susan was overjoyed when she heard that and started jumping in delight while pping her hands. ¡°Hooray! I''m so looking forward to acting with both of you too!¡± Meanwhile, the other young actors and actresses in the audience were casting looks of envy at Susan. It was finally clear to them why Morpheus had appeared. The woman had kept a low profile for many years, and the reason she revealed her true identity was not to gain attention but to support her daughter''s acting career. Susan is so lucky to be her daughter! ¡°Everyone, please quiet down.¡± The host gestured for the audience to keep quiet before saying with a smile, ¡°Since Ms. Morpheus has graced the event personally, it''s time for us to announce the winner for the final award of the evening. Let us congratte Ms. Morpheus for winning the Best Writer Award for the fifth consecutive year!¡± Immediately after the host finished speaking, voices of agreement could be heard from the audience. ¡°Ms. Morpheus definitely deserves the title!¡± ¡°There''s no question about that.¡± ¡°Indeed, we agree.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Those who had spoken were all internationally acimed writers whose works had been adapted into movies or dramas. Their praises for Morpheus were from the bottom of their hearts as they truly believed that the woman was the most iconic figure in the industry. She was widely respected as many of her works had a profound effect on the younger generations, imparting the right values to them. The organizer of the Oscars walked up on stage holding the trophy and stopped next to Bailey. ¡°For the past four years, I''ve been hoping to see Morpheus at the Oscars but ended up disappointed. It''s definitely my greatest honor to see you here tonight,¡± the man said with a smile. Bailey nodded slightly before taking over the trophy from him and said, ¡°This is the first time I''m receiving a literary award on stage, and it would also be thest time. This evening''s awards ceremony is deeply meaningful to me. Once again, I would like to thank all my friends and fans for your support over the years.¡± After saying that, the woman looked toward the camera and bowed deeply. What seemed like a usual thank you speech shocked the audience. Thest time? Could she be thinking about... The host asked at once, ¡°Ms. Morpheus, it seems like you''re implying something. Are you intending to stop writing?¡± With a smile on her face, Bailey shook her head and replied, ¡°Don''t get me wrong. What I meant was that I would request for the literary organizations to stop considering me for any awards. The awards should be given to the newer writers to encourage them to create better works instead. I shouldn''t continue hogging the nomination list.¡± p! p! p! The audience responded with thunderous apuse after hearing Bailey''s words. Everyone was pping for the woman from the bottom of their hearts, feeling in awe of the literary master. Indeed, she was a role model for all current and aspiring writers. As the audience cheered, Bailey and her daughter walked down the stage, hand in hand. When the mother-daughter pair walked past the VIP section, Susan made a face at Arethea and scoffed, ¡°You were right! I''m indeed an illegitimate child. However, I was born to a good mother. See, I''m able to pick any role I''m interested in. Moreover, I get to act alongside the Best Actor and Best Actress. You must be really envious of me, aren''t you? Hmph!¡± Even though Susan had removed her headset, her voice was still rather loud. As such, the surrounding audience heard her words and looked toward the two girls. ¡°Her upbringing is really terrible. How can she call someone an illegitimate child? She''s still so young but already so mean!¡± ¡°Exactly! It''s her parents'' fault for not teaching her well. It''s ridiculous to call our Susan an illegitimate child. As long as Susan''s mommy expresses her intention to get married, I''m sure every single man in Hallsbay would join the line.¡± Arethea was already very upset about not winning the award. After being criticized by the crowd, she could not help but feel that the entire world was against her and burst into tears once again. At that moment, Zoey wanted nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow her. Shirley had gone to the restroom and left Arethea in her care, and she ended up being dragged into the current situation. Bailey Jefferson! I will make you pay for embarrassing me time after time! The corners of Bailey''s lips curled into a cold grin before she walked away with Susan. As she walked past the crowd, many in the audience extended their hands. In response, Bailey held their hands briefly with a smile on her face. ¡°Ms. Morpheus, I love your works!¡± ¡°I can''t thank you enough, Ms. Morpheus! It''s because of your work that I managed to clinch the Best Supporting Actress Award.¡± ¡°Ms. Morpheus, can I audition for a role in your next production? I wouldn''t mind even if it''s just a cameo.¡± Shielding her daughter, Bailey was finally able to squeeze out of the crowd. ¡°Just for you, I''ve done something I didn''t want to do again. s! Why did I give birth to two troublemakers?¡± she eximed. Susan chuckled as she hugged her mother''s thigh and replied, ¡°I''m your biological daughter. Don''t even dream about getting rid of me.¡± Bailey was smiling from ear to ear when she heard that. She knew that her daughter was upset about being called an illegitimate child and would do anything to cheer the girl up. ¡°Susan, remember, you''re a very precious little girl, and I will always be here for you and support you in the pursuit of your dreams. People are only speaking ill of you because they are jealous, so you shouldn''t take theirments seriously. If you do that, you will be giving them exactly what they want. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Susan answered as she looked up at her mother, feeling amused. Mommy, you''re so dumb! Daddy is just right next to you, and you don''t even know. Serves you right for being kept in the dark by us. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Luther is looking for you urgently and requests that you head to the lounge,¡± a male voice said respectfully. Bailey turned toward the direction of the voice instinctively and saw Ken standing there. ¡°Tell him I''ll talk to him after the event ends.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther said that if you don''t go over now, he wille here personally. If he does that, everyone in the auditorium would see him pestering you and¡ª¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Bailey interrupted the man through gritted teeth. ¡°I''ll go see him now.¡± Just when Bailey reached the lounge area, she heard strange sounds and stopped in her tracks. Chapter 312 Chapter 312 That voice... Isn''t it... The woman''s interest was aroused instantly. She stuck her ear to the wall and moved slowly, trying to find the source of the sound. As she moved closer and closer to the sound, that voice became clearer. D*mn! That''s wild! Those two people must be really daring to do it in a public space! Just when Bailey was about to move closer, she noticed a shadow approaching her from the back, and instinctively, she reached out to attack the person. However, the moment she extended her arm, her fist was grabbed by the other party. The next second, she found herself leaning against a broad chest. ¡°Shh! It''s me.¡± Bailey was on the brink of tears. It was because of him that she felt unsafe, and she could feel her head throbbing frantically. If he finds out I''m watching the reality adult performance, he would definitely... ¡°Umm, shall we go out first?¡± Bailey asked softly. Artemis cocked his brows before whispering next to her ears, ¡°I saw that you were really engrossed in watching them. If I hadn''t pulled you back, you would have joined them, right? Are you itching for it now?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and replied through gritted teeth, ¡°It was just a coincidence that I happened to be here. Umm, let''s just leave this ce.¡± In fact, she was extremely worried that Artemis would lose control of himself if he continued listening to those sounds made by the couple. The man seemed to have read her thoughts and said with a faint smile, ¡°Why should we leave? Since we are both inexperienced in this area, it''s a perfect opportunity for us to learn the ropes. It would be useful for us when we do it next time.¡± What the hell? What nonsense is he spouting? As time ticked by, the couple inside the room grew increasingly passionate, and the noises made by them became louder and louder. Being trapped in Artemis'' embrace, Bailey could feel obvious changes in his breathing pattern. She could even feel his biological reaction. F*ck! What if this beast loses control? If that happens, the party is going to get bigger! By then, instead of us being spectators, it would be the other guests watching us instead. ¡°Let''s... let''s go,¡± Bailey said with a slight tremble in her voice. Artemis pressed his lips together, his forehead covered with beads of perspiration. The truth was, he was already at his limit and was barely able to control himself. ¡°Sure, let''s go.¡± After saying that, he put his arm around Bailey and headed toward one of the lounges with her. The second the door was shut behind them, Artemis bent forward and imed the woman''s lips in an overbearing manner. Bailey tried to struggle away from Artemis but gave up eventually and rxed against his chest while he explored the recesses of her mouth relentlessly. A whileter, the man got impatient and started unbuttoning Bailey''s blouse. Bailey was taken aback by his sudden action. In the end, he still failed to control himself. Even though she had already given in to his advances and stopped struggling, he had still sumbed to his desires and lost the ability to think clearly. ¡°Artemis, we''re at Century Square. All the guests are outside right now. If someone saw us, what would happen? I don''t care if anything happens to us, but what about the kids?¡± Bailey''s words were like a bucket of ice-cold water that was dumped on Artemis, extinguishing his burning desire instantly. ¡°F*ck, I''m going to die from your torture sooner orter. You''re such a little devil, I¡ª¡± Without waiting for the man toplete his sentence, Bailey stood on her toes and kissed his lips. At that instant, a determined look shed across her eyes. If they were not meant to be in each other''s lives for long, and if she could use her body to calm him down, perhaps, she could try giving herself to him. After all, it wouldn''t be long before they had to go their separate ways, and that could be a fine conclusion to their rtionship. It was as if Artemis knew what Bailey was thinking. He gripped her shoulders firmly and pushed her away. Rubbing her delicate cheeks with his rough fingers, he asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Can you stay by my side forever?¡± Bailey lowered her head and stayed silent. She could not! Artemis shot her a re and bellowed, ¡°How dare you try to sleep with me if you do not intend to stay with me forever! Keep dreaming!¡± Bailey was speechless when she heard that andughed out loud in exasperation. What an idiot... Who''s the one who started it just now? ¡°Fine then. Mr. Luther, if there''s nothing else, I shall go out first.¡± After saying that, Bailey started walking toward the door. ¡°Bay.¡± Artemis reached out and grabbed her arm before pinning her against the wall. ¡°I don''t dare to do it. I''m worried that it would be so good that I would end up being addicted to you. I will make you mine once you agree to stay by my side forever.¡± Bailey stopped struggling when she heard his words and felt a sense of dejection. Sometimes, she felt that being too rational might be detrimental. For instance, applying to the current situation, if Artemis were not that rational and imed her without caring about anything else, he wouldn''t be feeling so torn. Also, if she were not that rational and disregarded the awkward status between the two of them, she wouldn''t be feeling so troubled. Artemis pulled Bailey into his arms and said with a sigh, ¡°Look at how outstanding you are. I''m not even sure if I''m good enough for you. Bailey, given my capabilities, I''m worried that I won''t be able to give you a better life than what you have now.¡± Bailey smiled bitterly and shook her head. Am I really that outstanding? To her, she was nothingpared to the man. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Why are you belittling yourself? To everyone else, you are much more mysterious than me. I''m unable to hide anything from you, and my identities have been exposed one by one. Meanwhile, you have remained unmoving. From this alone, it''s clear that you''re better than me.¡± Artemis lowered his gaze and looked at the woman. ¡°If that awkward status between us did not exist, would you stay by my side forever?¡± he asked. Bailey pursed her lips and gently caressed the man''s face before replying slowly, ¡°I don''t wish to see you abandoning your family responsibilities because of me. Artemis, you''re meant to soar like an eagle. Your wings should not be chipped.¡± How could a smart woman like her always be so clueless at crucial moments like this? The next day, at the Xuereb residence, Justin entered the guest room and saw Scarlett sitting at the dressing table. After casting a nce at her, he said, ¡°Let''s find some time to go to City Hall and collect our marriage certificate.¡± Scarlett smirked when she heard that. If it was before, she would definitely be overjoyed. However, at that moment, all she could feel was disdain. He sure doesn''t want to waste any time just to save that illegitimate child. While drawing her brows, the woman replied, ¡°There''s no rush. You haven''t even met my parents in Jadeborough yet. We should register our marriage after you speak to them and ask them for my hand officially. My family is rather traditional, and there are a lot of rules to follow. I think we need at least one or two months toplete all the procedures.¡± Justin''s gaze darkened when he heard that. He was not in a rush, but Zephyr could not afford to wait. ¡°Lettie, the child''s life is in danger. He''s waiting for your bone marrow to save his life. Maybe you could donate your bone marrow first? After that, we can take our time and n our wedding properly. If you''re worried, we can collect our marriage certificate first.¡± Just when Scarlett was about to turn down the man''s suggestion, she seemed to have thought of something suddenly and replied with a faint smile, ¡°Sounds good. Today seems like the perfect day. Why don''t we register our marriage today?¡± Anyway, her brother had told her that Zephyr''s situation had already been settled, and there was no longer a need for her to donate her bone marrow. If that was the case, it was pointless for her to dy it. It would be better for her to register her marriage with Justin as soon as possible and tie the man down. Chapter 313 Chapter 313 Bailey had just entered Luther Group''s lobby when twodies walked right into her. ¡°Oh, I''m so sorry, Ms. Morpheus. It''s my fault for bumping into you. Something must be wrong with my eyes. Please forgive me.¡± A look of hostility shed in Bailey''s eyes as she gazed at the blond-haired woman who had stumbled into her. It was Rose. Has this conceited and haughty woman finally learned to be humble after losing at the film festival and embarrassing herself? s, it''s toote. ¡°What are you talking about, Ms. Rose? You''re at the top of your game in the entertainment industry and a massive international A-lister, so how could I dare to get mad at you? Now that the film festival is over and there''s a clear line drawn between us, we have nothing to do with each other anymore.¡± With that, Bailey pushed Rose aside and headed toward the elevator. Rose refused to give up. She grabbed Bailey''s arm and wanted to kneel before thetter. N?velDrama.Org content. Bailey raised her brows. You should drop the act. Go ahead and kneel if you dare. I won''t even bat an eyelid if you do. Rose had expected Bailey to help her to her feet, thinking thetter would at least show some respect for thepany she was signed to, LG Corporation. The oue, however, caused her to clench her jaw angrily. Not only does she show no intention of stopping me, but with that eager gaze, it looks like she''s expecting to watch a good show. It''s as though she can''t wait for me to get to my knees. D*mn it! If I kneel before her today, how will I ever be able to keep a foothold in the entertainment industry? But if I don''t, how will I secure the female lead role in ¡°Time Warp¡±? She hesitated and struggled over the decision for a long time. In the end, she slowly bent her knees and lowered her head. I can''t let that b*tch, Rainie, get the part. After all, ¡°Time Warp¡± is a big deal. It has garnered a massive following and is beloved by billions of young people. If Rainie gets the role, she''ll definitely shoot to international stardom overnight and overshadow me. Someone as proud as Rose would never be able to tolerate having the young girl, who she had trampled under her feet for years, get ahead of her. ¡°I apologize for my recklessness and ignorance. In Aploth, kneeling is the best way of expressing one''s sincerity. That''s why I''m on my knees, admitting to my mistakes. I hope you can forgive me.¡± A hint of surprise shed across Bailey''s eyes. I never thought that this woman who''s as proud as a peacock would really bow and kneel in front of me. It looks like the role of the female protagonist in this new project means a lot to her. Or perhaps it''s because she can''t bear to see the part go to Rainie. ¡°There''s no need for that, Ms. Rose. You may have offended and bumped into me previously, but I''ve already pped you to teach you a lesson. Hence, you don''t owe me anything. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be heading upstairs.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Rose wrapped her arms around Bailey''s thigh, then looked up at thetter and asked anxiously. ¡°My temperament matches that of the heroine in your new work. Could you let me y that role?¡± Bailey shot her a sidelong nce, then gave a half-smile. ¡°I''m afraid there''s nothing I can do to help you. Cosmos Studios own the film rights now, and they''ll be fully in charge of that project. Regardless of whether it''s casting or scouting for filming locations, they''ll be the one who makes the call. You''re good at socializing, aren''t you? You could go and approach the studio''s upper management.¡± Rose instantly looked upset. Why is she still pulling an attitude even after I''ve gotten to my knees before her? ¡°As the author of ¡°Time Warp,¡± Cosmos Studios will definitely listen to your suggestions. As long as you rmend me for the part, I''m sure to get it.¡± Bailey leaned down slightly and slowly reached out to pry Rose''s arms from around her leg. Enunciating every word clearly, she said, ¡°Cosmos Studios made a promise before the film festival. Whoever wins the awards for best actor and actress will get to participate in the film. Ms. Rose, you lost because your acting wasn''t as good as Ms. Yeanisky''s. Hence, there''s no use for you toe to me now and beg.¡± Looking grim, Rose sprang to her feet and snarled, ¡°In that case, you''ll have to face the consequences. I''ve already groveled before you and begged. What more do you want?¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°Did I ever promise to let you have the part of the female protagonist if you kneeled before me?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Livid, Rose lunged forward to attack Bailey. However, Bailey immediately dodged aside with a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. Unable to regain her bnce, Rose tipped forward and crashed straight onto the marble floor with a dull thud. The staff around them walked over at once, pointing at Rose and whispering among themselves. ¡°She didn''t have what it took to win another Oscar for Best Actress and lost to some younger actress. However, she still has the audacity to show her face here and grovel before Ms. Jefferson. What a joke!¡± ¡°If you ask me, she must''ve won before this because she pulled some strings. Otherwise, how could someone who''s only a pretty face like her get the Best Actress award three years in a row?¡± ¡°It''s imperative that one possesses self-awareness. Look at her. How could she have no shame and come to beg for the part of the female lead? ''Time Warp'' is a major intellectual property coveted by countless people. It''s a huge masterpiece! Despite that, she doesn''t even bother to take a good look at herself in the mirror. The most experienced social butterfly in the entertainment industry? Yeah, right. Don''t let her drag down the entire film.¡± Rose gritted her teeth as she listened to the remarks around her while lying sprawled on the floor. Just you wait, Bailey Jefferson. Once I''ve seeded in seducing Mr. Luther, I''ll use him to make you pay for this. The same goes for that b*tch, Rainie. She wants to act in ¡°Time Warp,¡± does she? Well, if I can''t have what I want, I''d rather destroy it than let it fall into the hands of another. Over at City Hall''s reception room, the person in charge was attending to Justin and Scarlett in an ingratiating manner, chatting and cracking jokes. After all, she''s Sloan Fletcher''s beloved daughter, and that''s his chosen son-inw. Even if someone tried to bribe me, it wouldn''t be worth offending this couple. ¡°Please wait a moment, Ms. Fletcher. I''ve already instructed my staff to gather the necessary documents. They''ll be here shortly to proceed with your marriage registration.¡± A trace of a smile yed on Scarlett''s red lips as she basked in the man''s obsequious behavior. As a member of the Fletcher family, even the mayor of Hallsbay would have to treat me respectfully. Who does that rebellious daughter of the Revelle family think she is to try and steal a man from me? ¡°There''s no hurry. It''s still early. It''ll be fine as long as everything ispleted before it gets dark.¡± ¡°Yes, of course. Have another cup of coffee,¡± he replied while hurriedly pouring her more coffee. Just then, two employees walked in with some documents and aptop in their arms. Ignoring the person in charge, Scarlett walked over to the two of them. ¡°Can we begin now?¡± Both employees had also gotten wind that the woman before them was the Fletcher family''s eldest daughter, so they did not dare to dawdle. ¡°Yes, of course. Please fill in these forms while I log into the marriage registration system to record your details.¡± As Scarlett took a pen from the other employee, she smiled and said to Justin, ¡°Let''s get this done quickly so that we don''t take up too much of their time.¡± A dark look flitted across Justin''s eyes, and a twinge of repugnance and protest rose in his heart. He sat in silence for a while before taking the pen Scarlett held out to him and filling in the form. Meanwhile, the female employee took Justin''s household registry and began tapping away on the keyboard. Once she had keyed in the details, however, a message box suddenly popped up on the screen: Submission Failed. Chapter 314 Chapter 314 The female employee was stunned. Thinking she had mistyped something, she checked it once again, then clicked to confirm that the information was correct. However, the result was still the same. ¡°Huh?¡± she murmured in confusion. She proceeded to look up Justin''s name in the system and pulled up the records on his marriage registration. ¡°This...¡± She stared at theptop screen disbelievingly, then nudged the male employee next to her. Her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°I-Is there something wrong with my eyes? Could you help me take a look at this?¡± When he nced at the screen, his jaw dropped. ¡°T-This... Sir, pleasee and have a look at this. Something doesn''t seem quite right about Mr. Xuereb''s records.¡± The person in charge felt his heart lurch, and an ominous feeling descended over him. He strode over to stand behind the two employees. When he saw what was on the screen, his face paled. How can this be? T-This... How is this possible? Why is there someone else''s name in the box for Mr. Xuereb''s spouse''s name? Why does it show that he''s already married? ¡°Have you made a mistake?¡± The female employee pressed her lips together, then answered in a shaky voice, ¡°No. That''s impossible. Look. It has Mr. Xuereb''s photo here. How could it be a mistake?¡± ¡°She''s right. There''s even City Hall''s official seal on it. There''s no way it''s a mistake.¡± The person in charge was silent, and his knees started to buckle. It was supposed to be the perfect opportunity to curry favor. As long as everything went well, Ms. Fletcher would forever remember how I was of help to her. But now, what was supposed to be a happy event has turned into a nightmare. Who knows whether she''ll have my head if she learns that we''ve helped Mr. Xuereb process a marriage registration before this? ¡°What''s going on?¡± Scarlett asked in a low voice. She was no fool, and their strange behavior did not escape her notice. The person in charge gulped before asking ufortably, ¡°M-Ms. Fletcher, there seems to be a problem with our system. I''m afraid we won''t be able to record your details today. How about I personally make a trip to your house tomorrow to settle this for you?¡± Scarlett snorted coldly. Do they truly take me for a pampered and naive princess who doesn''t understand how cunning people can be? ¡°Hand me theptop.¡± ¡°That¡ª¡± Scarlett could not be bothered to waste time talking nonsense. She grabbed theptop and lowered her gaze to look at the screen. Then, her pretty face started contorting with fury. What the heck did I just read? Married? Veronique? Justin and Veronique have already applied for a marriage certificate. He already married that b*tch! Then why did he drag me all the way to City Hall? Is it so that we can make a fool of ourselves? ¡°Justin, you... You...¡± Justin''s brows drew together sharply when he saw the information disyed on the screen. When did Veronique and I get married? Why don''t I know that happened? Amid his confusion, he also felt joy bubbling within him. Nheless, it''s neither the time nor the ce to provoke Scarlett. After all, Zephyr is still waiting for her bone marrow so that he can be saved. ¡°That wasn''t me. If it were, I wouldn''t have brought you here. Lettie, we''ve known each other for years. You know I wouldn''t be so mean to you, right?¡± Scarlett took a deep breath. Then, tossing theptop onto the table, she red at the person in charge and uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°Did you hear that? Mr. Xuereb says he has never been here to register a marriage. So, exin why Veronique''s name appears as my fianc¨¦¡¯s spouse. If you fail to clear things up, you can sit and wait to get investigated for dereliction of duty.¡± The man staggered and plopped onto a chair. I don''t doubt that she''ll carry out her threat. If she says I''ll be investigated and punished for dereliction of duty, I''ll definitely end up in prison. ¡°G-Give me three days. No, one day! Just one day will do. I''ll get to the bottom of this and give you a satisfactory answer.¡± Scarlett''s expression darkened, and she looked as though she wanted to continue berating him. However, Justin stopped her. ¡°Let''s go. Give the man some time to investigate. To save his neck, I trust he''ll give us a reasonable exnation.¡± The following day, Bailey sat by the window of the coffee shop on the corner, arching her brows as she gazed at the man opposite her in military uniform. ¡°May I know why you wanted to meet me, Mr. Fletcher?¡± Raiden took his time pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to her. ¡°There''s no rush. Try the coffee here and see what you think.¡± She narrowed her eyes slightly. I''ve never had any contact with anyone in the military. However, the way I see it, those in the military should be straightforward. They wouldn''t be prone to beating around the bush, let alone be calctive. Nheless, this privileged son of an official gives off such a mysterious air that I can''t seem to read him at all. Raiden took a sip of his coffee. After a long pause, he finally spoke. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you truly have many tricks up your sleeve. You used Spook''s ount to hack into City Hall''s marriage registration system and registered Justin Xuereb and Veronique Revelle as a married couple.¡± What? Bailey''s eyes widened. When did I hack into City Hall''s marriage registration system to do such a thing? As she pondered about it, realization suddenly dawned on her. Zayron... I don''t even need to guess to know that it must''ve been him that messed with the system. But why did he do that? There can only be one reason¡ªZephyr found out about his background and asked him to do it. ¡°You''re good, Mr. Fletcher. I was so discreet and didn''t expect you''d pick up on it.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. He narrowed his eyes. ¡°No. Your reaction just now indicated that it wasn''t your doing. You''re covering for the person who was responsible.¡± Her heart sank at those words. What a sharp and clever man. The eldest son of the Fletcher family is terrifying indeed. I seem to have crossed someone incredibly formidable. ¡°It was done using Spook''s ount. Hence, it all justes back to me. Right? s, I''m afraid I might have to disappoint you. You can''t harm me. Well, at least not before the International Programming Competition.¡± Raiden did not say anything. Slowly standing up, Bailey said with a smile, ¡°If there''s nothing else, I''ll be going. The coffee was actually pretty good. Please take your time to enjoy it.¡± With that, she started walking toward the door. ¡°Wait a minute,¡± he called out. ¡°I didn''t ask to meet you to confront you. I actually wanted to talk to you about the International Programming Competition.¡± ¡°Oh? And in what capacity would you be talking to me about such a confidential matter?¡± she asked, raising her eyebrows. He looked up at her, then replied slowly and clearly, ¡°The country has sent me to Hallsbay to be in charge of thepetition. They want me to keep track of the participants at all times. Is that reason good enough for you?¡± She stared at him wordlessly. ¡°There''s no need for you to feel pressured, Ms. Jefferson. I''m only here to guide you in the subsequent tasks. As long as you make our country proud and develop aplete source code, your previous hacking of the research institute''s database will get written off.¡± His response rendered Bailey speechless. Over at Luther Group''s headquarters, Artemis swept his gaze over the office opposite and frowned as he asked, ¡°Who did Bailey go to meet? Why isn''t she back yet?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes and replied exasperatedly, ¡°It hasn''t been that long since youst saw her. Do you have to get so worried? If you ask me, you should just pin her to your belt.¡± Artemis nced at him icily. ¡°All right. I''ll tell you, okay? She went to meet with Raiden.¡± Chapter 315 Chapter 315 Artemis'' face fell. They''ve been seeing each other a bit too frequently as ofte. This is way beyond what is appropriate between strangers. His sixth sense told him that Raiden was a threat. Of course, it wasn''t the man''s status that rmed him. After all, he was too high above to even care about prestigious families in the world of politics. The threat he sensed was targeted at Bailey. Could he have had his eyes on my woman and is plotting toe between us? ¡°Where are they meeting up?¡± Dwayne blinked. ¡°Palm Top Cafe.¡± Artemis shot up from his seat and went around his desk to exit his office. ¡°I won''t be returning to the company today. Go through the remaining documents.¡± Dwayne was speechless. F*ck! N?velDrama.Org content. At the Xuereb residence, the administrative chief of the City Hall dropped by to exin the situation. ¡°Ms. Fletcher, we found out after some technical inspection that someone had hacked the City Hall''s database. It was Spook''s handiwork, and the hacker was the one who forged the marriage registry. Scarlett stood up from the couch. ¡°D*mn that Spook! That hacker had repeatedly helped Veronique f*ck around with me. I swear by my name that I''m going to have that hacker arrested and locked behind bars!¡± Next to her, Olivia also had a livid expression on her face. She had waited long enough for her son to realize the truth and agree to get registered with Scarlett, only for that sh*t to happen. It was impossible for her to keep her cool. Moreover, it''s that lowly woman from the Revelle family that''s gotten involved with him! This is uneptable! ¡°Mr. Sanders, since the registered information is proven to be false, I suppose the marriage isn''t considered valid, right?¡± ¡°Well...¡± The person in charge seemed slightly perturbed. Having lost all patience, Scarlett yelled, ¡°Just spill whatever you have in mind! Quit stalling!¡± ¡°T-The thing is, Spook also gotten a hold of the City Hall''s official seal and stamped it on the register, so the documents have gained legal status. Unless we can capture Spook and have them confess their crimes or have the wedded couple personally annul the registered documents at the City Hall, the marriage will always be considered legal.¡± Scarlett''s pretty face twitched violently. That meant she had to either seize Spook or order Veronique to return. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be able to register her marriage with Justin. ¡°D*mn it.¡± She gritted her teeth in resentment. ¡°I''ll start an investigation on Spook immediately. I swear I''ll find that hacker!¡± Meanwhile, Artemis already missed Bailey when he arrived at Palm Top Cafe. The manager informed him that the recent Oscars Best Actor, Elliot, had just taken her away with him. Ken touched his nose sheepishly before backing away instinctively. At that moment, Artemis was as terrifying as a raging bull. ¡°What are you waiting for? Start an investigation! I need to know where that boy brought Bailey to!¡± Ken said nothing in response. At that very moment, Elliot had brought Bailey to a restaurant. They were seated at a window seat on the second floor. Looking over the street corner, Bailey chuckled. ¡°The city is both mesmerizing and yet filled with decadence and debauchery. Innumerous people had lost their direction in the bustle of it all. I hope you''ll be able to stay true to yourself.¡± After that, she toasted him. ¡°Congrattions on winning the Best Actor award at the Oscars. ''Time Warp'' is the pinnacle of my career. I hope you''ll be able to render it into a youthful and motivating film for the silver screen.¡± ¡°Thank you, Ma''am.¡± Bailey raised her brow with a smile. ¡°You don''t need to address me so formally. It''s awkward. If you don''t mind, you can address me as ''Ms. Bailey.'' I have a younger brother who''s about your age. He''s also very outstanding, and you constantly remind me of him.¡± ¡°Okay, Ms. Bailey.¡± Elliot took a sip of his red wine. As he looked around, he let out a soft gasp. ¡°Ms. Bailey, isn''t that Ms. Yeanisky?¡± Bailey looked in the direction where he was pointing. Indeed, she saw Rainie''s figure on the za outside. Apanying her was a middle-aged man around fifty years of age. He seemed a little familiar, for she had met him when she met up with Lionel some time ago. If memory served, the man was one of the deputy CEOs of Fashionista. ¡°You carry on. I''ll go talk to them for a bit.¡± ¡°Do you need me to go with you?¡± ¡°No need.¡± Bailey stood to leave the private room. When she turned a corner, a conversation between two people caught her attention. She was very familiar with one of the voices, for it belonged to none other than Rose. ¡°After the banquet begins, find a chance to pour this packet of aphrodisiac into Rainie''s wine ss,¡± Rose said. ¡°Is that all?¡± ¡°Yeah. That should do. As long as youplete this task, I will have Fashionista hire you as my assistant.¡± ¡°Sure. Don''t worry, Ms. Rose. I will handle things most appropriately.¡± ¡°Okay. I will be waiting in the room next to yours. Send me a message after you seed in drugging her. I''ll arrange what happens next. This time, I''ll make sure the world knows that Rainie is a lustful woman who would sleep with anyone! Serves her right for fighting with me over roles and the title of Best Actress.¡± Bailey lowered her gaze. I suppose Rainie and I sure are fated to meet. I''vee to a restaurant to enjoy a meal, only to run into a situation where someone is setting a trap meant for her. Luckily I found out about it. Otherwise, Sylvester''s darling is going to be in trouble. Elliot had already left when Artemis arrived at the restaurant, so Bailey was the only one sitting and admiring the street view by the window. ¡°Where''s that boy?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. I just had some coffee with Raiden and enjoyed a meal with my bo¡ª Hold on, with Elliot. Does he need to circle all of Hallsbay just toe after me? ¡°He had left. I had him leave after knowing you were on your way. After all, you''re terrifying when you lash out at people, and I don''t want to scare such a good boy.¡± Artemis huffed a gnarlyugh. F*ck! I had been after her from four o''clock this evening to eight o''clock at night! I haven''t gotten a single bite of anything! This wretched woman¡ª A burst of rich aroma greeted him as Bailey removed the lid of the pot on the table smilingly. ¡°I know you''re hungry, so I made some soup in the restaurant kitchen. Come have a taste.¡± The sullen look on Artemis'' face melted into a smile. His gaze on her was incredibly tender. After that, he walked up to her, reached for her chin, and leaned in to kiss her. Bailey red at him before punching him in the chest. ¡°Aren''t you hungry? Eat up. I''ll get you front-row seats for a showter on,¡± she demanded softly. Artemis almost took her word for it and thought she would literally buy them tickets for a movie. However, all of his fantasies dispersed after noticing the cunning glint in her eyes. Okay, she''s the spawn of the devil, and settling down would kill her. As he drank the delicious soup, its rich vor filled his mouth and gave him a feeling of warmth. He turned to kiss her and fed her the soup he had in his mouth. Bailey sighed inwardly. Why can''t he be obedient while eating? Why does he have to be so cheeky? After quickly swallowing the soup he fed her, she chided, ¡°Stop fooling around. I really have something important to doter.¡± Artemis actually behaved himself. Upon finishing his soup, he arched his brows and asked, ¡°Who''s your target today?¡± Bailey remained silent for a while. F*ck! How dare he say that! Artemis burst intoughter. ¡°It''s okay. You can target anybody you want in Hallsbay, including the head of ministries. I''ll deal with the consequences.¡± Chapter 316 Chapter 316 Sounds of people toasting each other could be heard from the private room on the second floor of the restaurant. Paul stood up from his seat and raised his wine ss in Rainie''s direction. ¡°Come, let us congratte our new Best Actress for acquiring the role of the female lead in ¡®Time Warp.¡¯¡± As soon as he rose to his feet, the others followed suit and raised their sses at Rainie. A little bbergasted at herself being so well-received, Rainie followed up with her own toast at everyone. ¡°Thank you! I''m grateful for the help I received from my superiors and colleagues alike along the way. I will work harder to honor thepany.¡± ¡°All right!¡± ¡°Great job!¡± After a few cheers, the bustle in the room resumed. ¡°This meal is on thepany! Eat all you can and have fun! Don''t worry about the expenses.¡± ¡°Sure thing!¡± As the focus of the night, Rainie was toasted by everyone present. By the end of it, she could no longer take it and had her assistant drink in her stead. ¡°Ms. Yeanisky, Sophie is even more of a lightweight than you. Look at her. She''s already drunk. You should carry on.¡± The person who spoke to her was a stylist. As she walked up to Rainie, she handed one of the two sses of wine she held to thetter. Rainie smiled in resignation before taking it and took a few swigs. The stylist curled her lips into a smile and backed away silently. When she made sure no one was watching, she took out her phone to send a text message. I''ve drugged her. She should almost be at her limit and will head to the restroom soon. I''ll leave the rest to you. In the room next door, Rose smiled sinisterly after reading the message. She found her subordinate''s number and made a phone call. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Have you arranged for the presence of the man and the press?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. We''ve made all the necessary arrangements. The moment Rainie steps out of the room, we''ll render her unconscious and send her to the room on the third floor where four hooligans are on the wait. The press should be on its way. After that, we''ll lead them to the room on the third floor for a live broadcast while disguised as the restaurant crew.¡± Rose smiled with contentment. ¡°Well done. I''ll be waiting for your good news.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She set her phone aside after the call ended and was about to celebrate the asion with a few sips of wine. At that very moment, there was a knock on the door to the room. ¡°Who is it?¡± She received no verbal reply as the person outside continued knocking. Worried that the knocks might attract attention from next door, she got up and opened the sliding door. Before she could even register who was outside, she heard someone snap their fingers, and her consciousness gradually faded. At the same time, Bailey arched her brows and nimbly squeezed her way into the room. She had taken Rose under her control using hypnosis. After she scanned the room''s interior, her gazended on the wine ss on the table. Haha. She is celebrating even before her scheme has seeded. What a vicious woman. I''ll teach her a thing or two about using such underhanded tactics despite not having the grit and skill to pull them off. Even if Bailey were to ignore the fact that Rainie''s downfall would negatively impact the box office of ¡°Time Warp,¡± given that Rainie would be among the cast, Bailey was intent on protecting the girl who had secured the affection of Sylvester, who had, in turn, acknowledged her rtionship with Artemis. Thus, Rose just had the awful luck to be captured by her. She strolled toward the table while retrieving a vial that she emptied into the ss of wine before handing it to Rose. ¡°Drink it.¡± Still under the control of Bailey''s hypnosis, Rose wasn''t self-aware at all. Therefore, she took the wine ss from Bailey and downed its contents in one fell swoop. Bailey arched her brows and patted Rose''s face smilingly. ¡°Go enjoy the men you prepared. You''ll have one heck of a night.¡± Beep! Her phone beeped in her pocket. When she took it out, she saw a message from Artemis. I''ve gotten rid of all of her aplices. You can bring her to the third floor now. Bailey curled her lips into a smile before snapping her fingers by Rose''s ear. ¡°Follow me.¡± They soon arrived at the third floor. After Bailey led Rose, who was docile and unaware, out of the elevator, she saw Artemis leaning against the wall. ¡°Where are the men she arranged toe? The drug she had has kicked into effect, whereas my hypnosis will slowly lose its grip on her. I can''t afford any dys.¡± Artemis tilted his chin in the direction of the room at the end of the corridor. ¡°Over there.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Okay. I''ll take her over there. Check on Rainie on the second floor. She''s drugged, and I don''t want her to get into more trouble after she has just gotten out of one.¡± Artemis crossed his arms while leaning against the wallnguidly. Arching his brows, he replied, ¡°I''ve already called Sylvester and told him his woman got drugged. I bet he''s going to rush here even if he has to run dozens of red lights.¡± Bailey didn''t know what to say to that. I have to say they make the perfect team. Twenty minutester, the five-star restaurant was surrounded by the press. The security guards in the restaurant failed to block them out and could only watch helplessly as they swarmed into the restaurant like flies. Their target was clear, so they maneuvered the lobby and headed to the third floor. Some of them even made a fuss while running. ¡°Go to the third floor! ording to a reliable source, Rose, who was an Oscars Best Actress for three consecutive years, booked out the third floor of International Restaurant to enjoy a night with a few men!¡± The announcement triggered an uproar among the stupefied guests in the lobby. ¡°Come on. Let''s go check it out.¡± ¡°Yeah. The best actress'' affair is definitely worth checking out.¡± Within moments, the lobby was in an upheaval as everybody flocked toward the stairs with looks of tion on their faces. Meanwhile, the drug Rose ingested had kicked into effect. She never was a conservative woman. Throughout the years, countless directors, producers, and investors were enamored with her, so she had considerable experience in that regard. While under the effects of the drug, all she could think of was to quell her desires, so she couldn''t even spare a thought for herself. The atmosphere in the room was high. As soon as the press rammed the door open, they began shooting photos rapidly. shlights shone non-stop as clicking sounds filled the ce. Perhaps because of themotion, Rose managed to regain a sliver of her sanity. Seeing the press that swarmed into the room, she shrieked and reached out with a panicked look to push the man pressed on top of her. By then, her manager came hurrying in from outside. Upon witnessing the scene, she copsed onto the ground, her legs having given out as she mumbled, ¡°We''re done for. We''re absolutely doomed this time. This fool just ruined our efforts over the past five years.¡± ¡°Ahhhhh!¡± Rose let out a shrill, maniacal cry when the man on top of her wouldn''t budge. ¡°Wow, this is so invigorating.¡± ¡°Yeah. Listen to her scream. It sounds almost seductive.¡± ¡°If this makes it to the news, it''s going to be the most explosive one during this year. Rose, the supposedly pure woman who was Best Actress for four consecutive Oscars, got... Ahem.¡± The security guards from the restaurant finally managed to squeeze their way in after parting the crowd. Chapter 317 Chapter 317 The manager ordered the security guards to chase the press out while shouting, ¡°Your actions have gravely intruded on the privacy of our guests! We will be taking legal action if this carries on!¡± One of the press jabbed, ¡°This is such a refined ce, and yet someone booked out the third floor to have fun. Is this what actually sustains the restaurant? This is shocking. Don''t tell me the owner is some government official''s lover.¡± The manager was at a loss of words. He never knew something like that could happen, so he was so anxious that he resorted to threatening the press with legal action, only to have it backfire on himself. Another journalist waved and ushered aloud, ¡°Okay, now that we''ve taken enough photos, we don''t need to stay for the whole thing. Let''s show some decorum and leave the restaurant for the manager''s sake.¡± The rest of them obliged. That night, scandalous photos of Rose flooded the inte, gaining global traction within a few hours. Although Wendy attempted to stop the news from spreading using LG Corporation''s resources, her efforts amounted to nothing. Rose made a blunder so huge that not even LG Corporation could direct public opinion despite being a leading mediapany. Back in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was scrolling through the news on her phone while sprawled out on the couch. Admittedly, Rose used to have quite the influence, evident from how those scandalous photos went globally viral the moment they were published. Nheless, Bailey was certain that the woman was as good as ruined. Haha. I can''t be med. I merely gave her a taste of her own medicine. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Aren''t you going back?¡± Artemis leaned against the couchzily, his eyes half-closed as he muttered casually, ¡°I''m sleeping over here tonight.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes, well aware that she wouldn''t be changing his mind anytime soon, so she changed the topic instead. ¡°Where''s Rainie? Could Sylvester have slept with her?¡± ¡°My sworn brother is all as decent as I am.¡± Urgh, he sure has some thick skin. At a suite in a five-star hotel, Rose was bawling while snuggled on a couch. Next to her, her manager consoled her. ¡°Rose, it''s not time to give up yet. Get yourself together and wait for a chance to turn the tides.¡± Rose lifted her gaze to look at her manager with a malevolent expression. ¡°Turn the tides? How am I supposed to do that? Those scandalous photos of mine are now a worldwide sensation! I''ve lost all of my footing in the entertainment industry.¡± ¡°Don''t forget you still have the best resources.¡± Rose''s gaze intensified immediately. ¡°By that, you mean...¡± ¡°Ms. Wendy.¡± The manager didn''t beat around the bush. ¡°She''s the only one you can rely on. Didn''t she request your help to deal with that woman who kept on pestering Mr. Gezmond? We''ll find a way to get rid of that third wheel and gain Ms. Wendy''s favor. By the time all of this is over, we can have her propel you into stardom yet again using LG Corporation''s resources. You have nothing to fear for.¡± Bloodlust fleeted across Rose''s gaze. ¡°Have you investigated the third wheel as I instructed a few days ago?¡± ¡°Yeah. Her name is Victoria Saunders, and she was Mr. Gezmond''s first love who betrayed and forced him into exile. Mr. Gezmond returned to seek revenge against the Saunders family. With Saunders Group already acquired by LG Corporation, Victoria is now down-and-out. I''m certain we can get rid of her.¡± Rose clenched her fists around the tissues she was holding. ¡°Okay. We''ll do just that. By the way, have you found out who''s behind the incident tonight?¡± Her manager gritted her teeth and spat, ¡°Bailey Jefferson.¡± Rose fell silent for a moment before rage red within her and filled her gaze. Bailey Jefferson... Bailey Jefferson... One day, I''ll make minced meat out of her! The next day, Raiden arrived at the office of Luther Group''s lead designer on the top floor of the company headquarters without hindrance. In the CEO''s office, Artemis cast his fountain pen aside while frowning at the sight of the man''s lean figure entering Bailey''s office. A grim expression traveled across his handsome features. If I''m not mistaken, it was that guy from the Fletcher family who entered Bailey''s office. Great. He''s taking the fight to my turf. Do I look dead to him? He reached for the phone on his desk and called the front desk. ¡°Who gave you the order to grant Fletcher passage?¡± There was a momentary silence before the receptionist replied in trepidation, ¡°Mr. Fletcher isn''t here for you but the lead designer, M-Mr. Luther. I called Ms. Jefferson, and she was the one who gave us approval.¡± ¡°You can leave thepany at this instant.¡± The receptionist wept through the phone. Artemis had startled her into tears. After hanging up in annoyance, he continued to stare glumly at the two of them, who were chatting amicably in front of him. At the same time, Dwayne came to him with some documents. Before he could utter a single word, Artemis told him to f*ck off. Dwayne didn''t know what to say to that. F*ck! What was that for? It wasn''t until he followed Artemis'' gaze that he realized what was going on. So he''s feeling jealous. ¡°You don''t have to get all worked up alone. Mr. Fletcher came for business.¡± Artemis gave Dwayne a side nce. ¡°Business? What business could he have with Bailey? I bet he''s plotting something. By the way, haven''t I ordered you to smother that boy? How are things going?¡± Dwayne was speechless. ¡°We would need an appropriate reason even if we were to do that. Besides, he''s a globally-known top celebrity. We can''t just do that!¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and sneered, seemingly having thought of a n. ¡°It''s a piece of cake to get rid of him. Just imitate what happenedst night. Arrange a few women for him, and then get the press to take some photos and publish them.¡± Dwayne could feel his lips twitching violently. This is madness! Ms. Bailey is right! He''s unscrupulous! Meanwhile, Bailey was seated by theputer in the lead designer''s office as she showed Raiden the codes she wrote. Then, she reached out to point at the screen while eximing, ¡°I''m stuck here. The competition is happening soon, so I don''t think I can write a full set of codes.¡± Standing beside her, Raiden supported himself on the table with one arm while caressing his chin with the other. As he lowered his gaze, he happened to take in her profile. She''s very enticing. While her appearance wasn''t all that outstanding, she exuded a mor about her that made people stare. Snowke, the designer; Anonymous, the doctor; Spook, the hacker; and Morpheus, the author. All of her identities added to her brilliance and garnered her global fame. ¡°Rx. I could look past a few things and make sure you won''t be sent behind bars even if you lost the competition. Bailey was startled. His tone is a little off. He actually sounds gentle. She looked up instinctively and into his dark eyes. She could see clearly her features reflected on them as a thought formed in her mind. Could this guy have feelings for me? ¡°You can send me to jail if I lose, Mr. Fletcher. We weren''t all that acquainted with each other, to begin with.¡± Chapter 318 Chapter 318 Her tone was chilly with a hint of defiance. She had no intention of provoking an official''s son. Raiden was startled as if he had seen through her thoughts. ¡°You''re right. I have overstepped my bounds,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°All right, then. If you don''t win the award, I will disclose your identity as Spook to the public and have the people from the cyberspace administration department send you to prison.¡± Bailey grinned and was about to speak when the office door swung open to admit Justin. ¡°I have something urgent to speak with you about. Is this a good time?¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow and, upon further thought, inferred that he came to discuss Veronique''s affairs. She stood up from the swivel chair. ¡°It is. Let''s chat in the room next door.¡± ¡°Was it you who''d loaded the data into theputer at City Hall?¡± Justin began brusquely as soon as he took a seat. Bailey smiled. ¡°Zayron used my ount to do it,¡± she affirmed bluntly. ¡°I not only knew about it but also condoned it.¡± Justin''s pupils contracted violently. ¡°Zephyr is in urgent need of a bone marrow transnt,¡± he said, lowering his voice, ¡°and Scarlett has promised to donate her bone marrow for the child. Such an incident has ruined the n to obtain the...¡± He suddenly stopped talking at the mention of the subject to squint at Bailey. ¡°Something''s not right,¡± he muttered through gritted teeth. ¡°You regard Zephyr as your son. How could you just watch Zayron mess things up? Could you have found another way to save Zephyr?¡± Bailey smiled enigmatically. ¡°You''re not as stupid as I thought,¡± she teased. ¡°Yes, we do have another way, but I can''t tell you how for the time being.¡± Justin opened his mouth with the intent of asking further, but Bailey waved her hand to stop him. ¡°Go home and appease Scarlett. Keep her from making trouble, or Rose will be the end of her.¡± Justin pursed his lips. ¡°Are you sure you can save Zephyr without Scarlett donating her bone marrow?¡± he asked seriously after a moment of silence. Bailey responded with another question. ¡°Is that important?¡± Justin gritted his teeth in consternation. ¡°Of course, it''s important. If Scarlett doesn''t have to donate her bone marrow, I''ll find a way to annul the marriage contract between the Xuereb family and the Fletcher family. Veronique gave me a child. I should support her and give the child an unbroken home.¡± Bailey blinked. Somehow, Zayron''s sabotage gave Veronique a glimmer of hope. ¡°Do you really want to marry Veronique?¡± Justin red at her. ¡°Do you think I don''t love her because I''m cold to her?¡± he growled. ¡°Forget it. It''s useless talking to you.¡± At that, he got up and walked toward the door. Bailey gazed at his back with a smile before giving him an affirmative answer. ¡°The Fletcher family never nned to ask Scarlett to donate her bone marrow from the beginning, nor did Vero pin her hopes on Scarlett, so it''s the truth that she found another way to save Zephyr. Rest assured.¡± After watching him leave, Bailey got up slowly and prepared to head back to the office. A figure dashed in and grabbed her as soon as she reached the door. It dragged her two steps back, then mmed the door shut. ¡°Artemis, what are you¡ª¡± Before she finished her sentence, the man''s overwhelming kiss stifled her. His movements were rough and indicative of his anger. Bailey was annoyed. She stomped on his foot with a high heel, and a gasp sounded from above her head at the next second. Serves him right. ¡°What''s wrong with you?¡± This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Why did you let Fletcher in? He has ulterior motives toward you.¡± Bailey red at him and then at their amorous embrace. ¡°Who is the one harboring ulterior motives toward me?¡± she retorted. ¡°Have you no dignity, Artemis?¡± ¡°None whatsoever,¡± Artemis replied as he looked at her. ¡°You can ask me if you have any doubts about the code. You are not allowed to approach other men.¡± Bailey was livid. This man is too unreasonable. I can''t even have friends of the opposite sex after being courted by him? ¡°There''s no need to concern yourself with my affairs,¡± she said curtly. Artemis chuckled suddenly and reached out to caress her face. ¡°All right, I won''t. I''ll only concern myself with our affair,¡± he dered shamelessly. After a stunned silence, Baileyughed despite herself. ¡°Enough fooling around, Artemis. Raiden''s superiors sent him to oversee this programmingpetition. It will only be a few days. Once the competition is over, you won''t have to look at him anymore.¡± Artemis snorted coldly. That''s true. You are getting ready to leave. What other man would be a threat to me? Meanwhile, Wendy was glowering at the woman who had suddenly appeared at the Gezmond residence. ¡°You are the subject on every scandalmonger''s lips in town,¡± she yelled. ¡°How dare you Ignoring thetter''s contempt, Rose linked her arm around the other woman''s. ¡°Don''t worry, Wendy,¡± she soothed, ¡°I disguised myself when I came here. No one will find out.¡± Wendy flung Rose''s arm aside with a look of disgust. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she asked icily. Embarrassment shed in Rose''s eyes when her arm was thrown aside before being reced by hostility. Mr. Gezmond has never touched you, a woman who gave birth to a wild child after all these years of marriage. How dare you fling my arm aside? ¡°Didn''t you mention a few days ago that you would deal with Mr. Gezmond''s mistress? I can help you now that I have freed up time.¡± Wendy was stunned. The coldness on her face gradually dissipated as she said with a light smile, ¡°How kind of you to remember this, Rose. Tell me, then, how we should deal with her.¡± ¡°I think we should first expose the existence of Mr. Sebastian to the public so they know that Mr. Gezmond has a family. Then, we''ll reveal how Victoria did not hesitate in seducing Mr. Gezmond to save her family''s business, to pile moral condemnation upon her, and cast her aside in disgrace. What do you think?¡± Wendy''s lips spread in a triumphant smile. ¡°Sounds good. I''ll leave this to you. Remember, you will never recover for as long as you live if you dare to leak the news and inform Lionel that I gave the order.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I will leave no loose ends.¡± Juliana Stone, or Juliana Hoffman as she was known, was frowning as she stood in the corridor outside the cafe. These two women are nning to sabotage Victoria? Who emboldened them so? In the meantime, Shirley rushed into Zoey''s bedroom in the Shurmer residence with her phone. ¡°Good news, Zoey. I found a way for you to deal with Bailey.¡± Zoey, who was applying a face mask, tore it off at those words. ¡°How?¡± she demanded with a frown. ¡°No games. Tell me quickly.¡± Shirley walked up to her and sat down before saying slowly, ¡°The Gourd family and the Fletcher family in Jadeborough have always been pretentious. My brother just called to inform me that the infamous hacker, Spook, has hacked the research institute''s system and stole the blood type of Scarlett''s bone marrow. The higher-ups are secretly arresting Spook as we speak.¡± Zoey''s eyes darted around as countless thoughts shed through her mind before finally converging at one point. ¡°Bailey appeared to participate in the International Programming Competition at thest minute, proving that she was unwilling to participate in the beginning. Her sudden agreementter feels more like ast resort. Are you saying that woman is Spook, Rose?¡± Chapter 319 Chapter 319 ¡°Just as I thought. Spook stole Scarlett''s bone marrow model because Mr. Zephyr of the Revelle family has leukemia and urgently needs a bone marrow transnt. Bailey and Veronique are good friends, so I''m guessing that Bailey is Spook. Hacking into the research institute is a serious crime, Zoey. She probably participated in the International Programming Competition just to rid herself of the crime.¡± Zoey smiled suddenly. ¡°So, we just need to prevent her from winning thepetition?¡± Shirley reached out to hold the other''s wrist. ¡°You are my sister-inw,¡± she said solemnly, ¡°and are the last person I would deceive. I would not have informed you of this if I didn''t have faith in my source. I hope you can marry into the Luther family, Zoey. Marry for love.¡± Zoey clenched her fists slowly as a hint of cruelty shed across her eyes. I will be part of the Luther family one day. I will don a wedding dress and marry Artemis, the love that belongs to me. That woman, Bailey, is my biggest stumbling block. I will do everything in my power to trample her under my feet. ¡°What do you think we should do, Shirley?¡± Shirley smiled slyly. ¡°We are not the only ones who want Bailey dead. I heard from my brother that Scarlett is looking all over the world for Spook. If she, the daughter of the infamous political family, knew that Bailey was Spook, she would do everything in her power to get rid of Bailey.¡± Zoey looked at her friend doubtfully. ¡°Does she hate Bailey that much?¡± she asked with a frown. ¡°I''d never heard Bailey offending her any other way apart from stealing her information.¡± Shirley leered. ¡°Here''s something you don''t know. It was said that Scarlett and Justin went to City Hall to obtain a certificate but failed because Spook hacked City Hall''s system to register Justin and Veronique, the second daughter of the Revelle family, for marriage. After Scarlett found out, she dispatched arge team to investigate Spook''s true identity. Bailey has sabotaged Scarlett''s dream of many years of Justin finally agreeing to marry her. Do you think she''ll let that slide?¡± Zoey roared withughter. ¡°I can''t believe that actually happened. That b*tch, Bailey, is a typical example of courting death by offending the Fletcher family. How will she get away with this?¡± She stoppedughing abruptly, and her eyebrows creased slightly as if she had thought of something. ¡°So what if Scarlett knows that Bailey is Spook? Can she still beat that woman?¡± Shirley smiled mysteriously. ¡°I''d heard that Scarlett''s elder brother, Raiden, is wholly in charge of the contestants in the Chanaea Division. Mr. Fletcher must have Bailey''s source code. We just need to instigate Scarlett to steal Bailey''s source code from her brother''sputer and sell it to another contestant, then have them submit it first. When Bailey submits hers, we can use her of stealing somebody else''s work.¡± ¡°What an ingenious idea.¡± Zoey cast Shirley an approving gaze and said jokingly, ¡°You''ll do a fantastic job of keeping my brother close at hand with you by his side.¡± Shirley smirked. There are too many celebrities who want to climb into Zeke''s bed, and I must be prepared if I am to be the matriarch of the Shurmer family. How is the second daughter of the Hoffman family, a simple-minded thing, deserving to fight with me over a man? What a joke! Bailey leanedzily on the couch by the window at the staff caf¨¦ in Luther Group as she regarded Rainie seated opposite her with a half-smile. ¡°You promised to buy me coffee, yet I find myself at the caf¨¦ in Luther Group with the bill ending up on me. How insincere.¡± Rainie was stunned. Ms. Jefferson is really specific when she gives out a tongueshing. ¡°Thank you for that night, Bailey. I would be ruined now if it weren''t for you. I can''t imagine what horrors would befall me if Rose''s plot seeded.¡± A sly look appeared on Bailey''s face as she suddenly leaned closer to the other. ¡°I''m more concerned about the follow-up,¡± she insisted with raised eyebrows. ¡°You can express your gratitude by telling me what happened after that.¡± Rainie was slightly taken aback before bursting out inughter after grasping her meaning. Does Big Shot enjoy gossip as well? ¡°Nothing happened. He sent me to Justin''s medical base, and Justin gave me an antidote for the drug.¡± ¡°How anticlimactic,¡± Bailey snorted, pursing her lips. ¡°He deserves to be single for failing to act upon such a good opportunity.¡± Rainie lowered her head slowly to conceal the dark glint in her eyes and changed the subject. ¡°You offended Rose for me, Bailey. That woman isn''t going to let this go. I''m sorry for causing you trouble.¡± Bailey waved her hand. ¡°It''s all right,¡± she said indifferently. ¡°I have enemies everywhere, and one more won''t matter much. They''ll just mess with me with some disgusting underhanded tactics. They can''t hurt me.¡± ¡°You have such a positive view of life.¡± Rainie gazed at her with envy. ¡°Not many people live as freely as you do. It is my honor to be your friend.¡± ¡°Well, I also think it''s your honor to be my friend¡ª¡± Bailey was just about to add a few words of self-praise when her phone on the table rang. It was a message sent by the system. She froze instantly when she opened it. It read: Recent Photos of LG Corporation''s Young Heir Exposed. LG Corporation? Young heir? Bailey instinctively opened the link, and a familiar little face appeared. It was Sebastian. Lionel has been protecting the little guy well. How is he suddenly exposed? She looked through thements again. All of them expressed shock and disbelief. One wrote: Is Mr. Gezmond, the president of LG Corporation, really married? I can''t believe he has a six or seven-year-old son. Another remarked: Though it was once rumored that there was a young heir to LG Corporation, there had been no actual proof. I guess we''re forced to believe it now that photos of the young heir have been exposed. A thirdmented: How sad that another wealthy bachelor is gone from the world. My dream of being married into a wealthy family is once again shattered. A fourthmented: Am I the only one who wonders who this Mrs. Gezmond is? Bailey''s brows knitted. Sebastian''s identity being conveniently exposed at this juncture led her to assume the worst. The world would definitely have nothing but positive things to say if they knew Lionel had a wife and children. What if the entanglement between Victoria and Lionel is exposed, however? All the insults, usations, andments would then fall onto Vicky for being the other woman. ¡°What''s wrong, Bailey? Did something happen?¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Rainie''s voice pulled her back from her erratic thoughts. ¡°Oh, it''s nothing. Your boss''s child has been exposed, that''s all. He''s an adorable little thing.¡± At that very moment, Scarlett leaped up from the couch in the living room of the Xuereb residence. Her fingers tightened around her phone until her nails turned faintly white. ¡°What did you say? Spook is Bailey?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Scarlett. Although we haven''t proved that, I''m positive they are the same person. If you would give me a few more days, I will be able to collect enough evidence to prove her identity.¡± Chapter 320 Chapter 320 There was a cold and menacing glint in Scarlett''s eyes. This is the woman who infiltrated the research institute''s databank and stole my information. She even hacked City Hall''s system and registered Justin and Veronique''s marriage, causing my wonderful dream to be shattered. I was embarrassed in front of everyone because of her. ¡°It''s fine even if there isn''t any evidence. With the Fletcher family''s influence, I believe it''ll be easy to invite her to the police station to cooperate with us in the investigation as long as she''s a suspect.¡± With that, she hung up the phone and made a call to the Department of Justice in Hallsbay. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Because of her status, the Department of Justice couldn''t ignore her request. Half an hourter, a group of officers led by a person in charge from the Department of Justice arrived in front of Luther Group''s building. Momentster, Scarlett reached the scene in her car as well. Right after she got out of the vehicle, the person in charge immediately approached her. ¡°Ms. Fletcher, you mentioned Baileymitted a crime. May I know what the involved offenses are? If you enlighten me in advance, I can be mentally prepared to handle this issue.¡± Scarlett took off her sunsses, nced at the person in charge indifferently, and scoffed, ¡°I know you''re acquainted with Bailey, but shemitted some severe crimes. You won''t be able to safeguard her, so I suggest you be more sensible.¡± ¡°Yes, you''re right. Can you tell me what illegal things she did, then?¡± ¡°First, she infiltrated a research institute in Jadeborough and stole some ssified information from the databank. Second, she hacked into the system of City Hall in Hallsbay to tamper with the stored details. I reckon these two offenses are sufficient to detain her, right?¡± The person in charge was taken aback. Ms. Jefferson, you''re getting more and more capable of causing trouble. ¡°These are severe uwful acts. May I know if you have any evidence to support your im, Ms. Fletcher?¡± Scarlett red at him and said through gritted teeth, ¡°She''s highly suspicious. The Department of Justice can take her into custody for further investigation for this reason alone. What''s the matter? Are you trying to defy my orders?¡± ¡°No, no. I wouldn''t dare to do that.¡± In fact, he didck the courage to refuse Scarlett. After all, she was the daughter of the most prestigious family in the political world. No one would dare to offend her. ¡°If that''s the case, you should quit yapping and go to the top floor office to seize Bailey so that you can bring her back to the Department of Justice to interrogate her.¡± The person in charge was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, inside the CEO''s office on the highest floor of the building, Artemis was drinking coffee with Raiden. The atmosphere inside the room was slightly tense. ¡°You''ve been visiting Luther Group rather diligentlytely, Mr. Fletcher. It''s as if this top-floor office has be your family''s backyard.¡± Raiden arched his brow. He disregarded Artemis'' unfriendly tone and said while wearing a faint smile, ¡°I can''t help it. I must carry out the duty assigned to me by my nation with dedication. Everyone in Chanaea is cing all of their hopes in Ms. Jefferson. Her aplishment will determine whether the 5G inte can be sessfully invented. I need to stay by her side and ensure her safety at all times.¡± Artemis snorted in response. At that moment, the office door was pushed open. Dwayne hurried into the room and said anxiously, ¡°Mr. Luther, the person in charge of the Department of Justice has led a team here to apprehend Ms. Jefferson. They''re already inside the elevator.¡± What? The two men leaning against the couch were both dumbfounded as they simultaneously turned to look at Dwayne. Dwayne shifted his gaze to Raiden and uttered calmly, ¡°It was Ms. Fletcher who contacted the Department of Justice and called them over to arrest Bailey.¡± Raiden was stumped. Artemis could not help but let out another snort. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, can you feel the intense irony lingering in the air?¡± Pfft! What a fool. He was talking about ensuring Bailey''s safety just a few moments ago, but his sister barged in here the next second, wanting to detain Bailey. What an irony. Raiden pursed his lips as he narrowed his eyes and regarded Artemis with a grimace. Artemis shrugged. Oh, I''m so scared. Tch! He''s not qualified to act as he pleases here in Hallsbay. Meanwhile, Bailey was working on a source code inside an office when someone suddenly barged into the room. She looked up in annoyance and met Scarlett''s mocking expression. ¡°Are you looking for me?¡± Scarlett cut to the chase. ¡°Bring her away.¡± Bailey curled her lips into a smile and shifted her gaze to the person in charge of the Department of Justice. She raised her brows and asked, ¡°What did I do wrong? Do you mind telling me?¡± Thetter sighed. ¡°Ms. Fletcher said you infiltrated the database of a research institute in Jadeborough and hacked into City Hall''s system. We would like to invite you to the police station to cooperate with our investigation.¡± ¡°Oh, you''re requesting me to apany you for a cup of coffee? Sure. I''ll follow you.¡± With that, she got up from her swivel chair. Scarlett looked at her in slight astonishment, as she didn''t expect Bailey to be so amodating. Complex emotions filled the person in charge''s eyes. He uttered in a deep voice, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, it won''t be easy for you to be released once youe with us. We can only let you go after we''re through with the investigation.¡± ¡°That''s all right. We''ve been friends for some time now, so I figure you won''t let me starve to death. There''s no hurry. You can take your time with the investigation. If one day is insufficient, keep me in custody for ten days or even a month. I''ll cooperate unconditionally.¡± The person in charge was at a loss for words. At that moment, Artemis and Raiden entered. Bailey arched her brow at Raiden and said, ¡°I''m sorry, Mr. Fletcher. I think I''m in trouble. Take a look at this. The Department of Justice has knocked on my door to invite me to be their guest at the police station. I''m afraid I won''t be able to take part in the International Programming Competition. Please help me exin the situation to the higher-ups.¡± Raiden frowned. He turned to look at his sister and questioned her frostily, ¡°Did you bring all these people here?¡± Scarlett shivered slightly because she had never seen her brother acting so stern as he fixated his cold, hostile gaze on her. Bailey is just an outsider. How can he act so fiercely toward me because of an outsider? Why is he doing this? ¡°That''s right. I brought these people here. The person I sent to investigate Spook informed me that Bailey is Spook. She invaded the research institute''s database and hacked City Hall''s system. What''s wrong with me bringing these officers here to arrest her?¡± Bailey chimed in, ¡°That''s right. You''re not at fault for wanting to arrest me, Ms. Fletcher. I''ve also agreed to follow them. Mr. Fletcher, you should step aside to avoid damaging your sibling rtionship.¡± Raiden red at Bailey before looking at Scarlett grimly and snapped, ¡°Where''s the evidence? Show me the proof that she''s Spook.¡± Tears streamed down Scarlett''s face uncontrobly, as she was frightened by her brother''s ferocious demeanor. She choked out, ¡°Now that she''s a suspect, I am qualified to bring her in for her to cooperate with the investigation. Raiden, why are you stopping me when even she is not resisting? Do you fancy her? That''s why¡ª¡± ¡°Shut up, Scarlett,¡± Raiden bellowed. Then, with a chuckle, he added, ¡°Fine. Do as you please. I won''t stop you from taking her away, but you''ll have to take her ce in the International Programming Competition.¡± What? Scarlett widened her eyes and stared at her brother in utter disbelief. She said with a trembling voice, ¡°I-I don''t know anything aboutputers, nor am I knowledgeable in source codes. H-How can I take part in apetition?¡± Raiden looked at her indifferently. ¡°So, you''re also aware that you''re useless. Scarlett, Bailey''s participation in thispetition concerns the nation''s honor. The higher-ups regard this matter with utmost importance, so consider your decisions thoroughly. I just want to remind you not to drag the entire family down with you because of your stupidity.¡± Scarlett shuddered as chills traveled down her spine. It was because of the support from her family that she could walk around proudly andmand so much respect from others. She didn''t dare imagine the consequences if the Fletcher family met its downfall. Chapter 321 Chapter 321 She did not want to end up being down and out. ¡°I-Is it really that serious?¡± Raiden stared at her coldly. ¡°The country sent me to be in charge of this. Do you think this is serious? You tell me.¡± Scarlett''s face paled, and she immediately thought of quitting halfway. However, when she looked at Bailey''s amused expression, she gritted her teeth in resentment. Do I want to give up on this golden opportunity? If Bailey wins thispetition, doesn''t that mean everything I''ve done will be in vain? How can I swallow this anger? A touch of mischief flitted across Bailey''s face, and an evil smirk yed on her lips. ¡°Whoever mastered the 5G technology will have the right to speak. Ms. Fletcher, you have to do well in my stead in thepetition. If you lose, it will be a huge problem for the Fletcher family.¡± ¡°You...¡± Scarlett red at her. She felt defeated as she knew nothing about technology. However, protecting her family was more important than making Bailey go to jail. ¡°You''re really capable, Ms. Jefferson. First, you developed an anti-cancer medication, then there''s the source code for 5G inte. You''re a rare talent. Since you''re representing the country in thisCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. With that, she stomped her feet on the ground and ran out of the office. Raiden greeted Bailey, then ran after Scarlett. Artemis arched a brow at the people from the Department of Justice and asked curiously, ¡°What are you still doing here? Are you nning to have lunch here?¡± The person in charge bowed and replied, ¡°Pardon the intrusion.¡± Then, he quickly left with his subordinates. After everyone left, the office fell silent. Artemis nced at Bailey icily. ¡°How many women have you offended?¡± Bailey chuckled softly. ¡°I have you on my side even if the whole world is against me, no?¡± Artemis'' expression brightened up. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. ¡°That''s right. I like hearing these words.¡± The rumors of Lionel from LG Corporation having a son spread like a wildfire and eventually, they became twisted. Many people guessed that he was Lionel''s illegitimate child; otherwise, Lionel would not have hidden him from the public eye for seven years. Wendy bawled her eyes out in front of Lionel when she heard about the rumor. Lionel had no choice but to convene a press conference to announce to the public that the child was his wife''s and that it was a baseless usation that his son was an illegitimate child. After the party concerned stepped forward and rified the situation, the rumors finally died down slightly. In a mansion near the sea, Victoria was sitting on a swing chair and staring at the boundless sea in the distance. She had been staying here for almost a week. Since that incident at the office in Saunders Group, Lionel had arranged for her to live at this mansion. It was not the condominium he had prepared specifically for her. He said that the woman in his heart had died, so Victoria did not deserve to live there. Right then, footsteps sounded from behind, and the swing chair began swinging gently. Lionel looked down at her and asked tly, ¡°Are youfortable living here?¡± Victoria chuckled. There was no warmth in her expression, but a tint of mncholy in her eyes. ¡°It''s just a ce to sleep. Anywhere is the same.¡± The conversation was dead. There was an eerie silence. After ten minutes, Victoria piped up, ¡°I have heard about the rumors. The whole world now knows that you have a wife and child. If that''s the case, do you still want to keep me as a mistress and ruin the marriage with your wife?¡± Lionel snorted and pulled her up. He raised her chin and mocked, ¡°Why? Are you scared? Are you afraid that the world will know that you''re with a married man and that they will call you a homewrecker and a mistress?¡± Victoria''s lips twitched as if she was smiling. However, sadness was evident on her face. ¡°When they said you were inhumane for being with your stepmother, you must have been very scared, right?¡± Lionel shuddered, and his gaze darkened. This damned woman! How dare she bring up this incident? It was the biggest wound in his heart and a taboo subject for him. Even he himself did not dare to talk about it. ¡°You''re asking for death.¡± He wrapped his hands around her neck so hard that the veins on his arms bulged. There was hostility in his eyes, and he looked as if he would swallow her whole. Victoria did not struggle and let the air in her lungs escape. She felt breathless and wanted to give up on her life. Lionel noticed her intention. Her reaction was the tiny spark that set him offpletely. He had lost all reason,posure, and control. ¡°Victoria, let''s go to hell together.¡± Lionel pushed her and pinned her down on the swing chair. He was fast and brutal. He did not kiss her or soothe her. He was ruthless. Victoria felt an excruciating pain pierce through her whole body. Her face was instantly drained of all colors. She wanted to retaliate and escape, but the man was simply too strong. There was nowhere for her to run. Blood seeped out of the gaps of the swing chair and dripped onto the marble floor, creating beautiful patterns. There were white clouds in the sky, and they could hear the sea breeze blowing from a distance away. Victoria gave up struggling and slowly extended her hand as if trying to touch the clouds in the sky. Tears rolled down her face. I can''t escape! They were star-crossed lovers who could not escape each other''s love and hatred. At the coffee shop on the second floor of Century Square, Scarlett narrowed her eyes at the young woman in front of her and said, ¡°We aren''t close, are we, Ms. Shurmer?¡± Zoey smiled. ¡°We''re indeed not close. But your good friend, Shirley, is about to be my sister-in- law. Shouldn''t we try to get close to each other?¡± Scarlett waved her hand impatiently. Although she did not feel a sense of superiority over Zoey, she did not want to lose to her in terms of temperament. ¡°Let''s stop with the pleasantries. I have no time for that. Just tell me why you ask me out.¡± Zoey immediately got to the point and asked, ¡°Do you want Bailey to die?¡± Scarlett was stunned. However, she thought about it and instantly understood Zoey''s intentions. If there was anyone who wanted Bailey dead, Zoey would definitely be the first. It was all because of Artemis who caused Zoey to be so irrational. When a woman became irrational, they were worse than a lunatic. ¡°You want to work together with me? Is that why you asked me out?¡± Zoey smiled. ¡°It''s easy to talk to smart people. That''s right. I''m here as an ally. The person who connected you with me is none other than your best friend, Shirley.¡± ¡°That''s interesting.¡± Scarlett straightened her body. ¡°Do you know any way to deal with Bailey?¡± Chapter 322 Chapter 322 ¡°Of course. If I didn''t have a way, I wouldn''t havee before you today,¡± Zoey said. ¡°All right, tell me your n. If I approve of it, we will work together. If I don''t, don''t you think of ying any tricks either. Your family may be influential in Lostaria, but that doesn''t mean you can afford to offend the Fletcher family.¡± Zoey merely smiled at Scarlett without voicing any objections, fulfilling thetter''s sense of superiority. Scarlett was used to being the center of attention, and she had never really experienced any hardships. Just a few words of ttery were enough to make her feel full of herself. Once that happened, Zoey would be able to wrap Scarlett around her little finger. ¡°Bailey is representing Chanaea in thepetition, and Raiden is fully in charge of this. Obviously, they''re going to discuss things with each other. Ms. Fletcher, don''t you want to grab this great opportunity right before you?¡± Scarlett narrowed her eyes at Zoey. ¡°Finish what you want to say at once. Don''t keep me hanging; I don''t have the energy to y the guessing game with you.¡± Zoey couldn''t help but sneer inwardly. Does she actually think she canpete with Bailey with that brain of hers? She''ll be defeated the moment they face each other. ¡°I''m sure Raiden has a copy of Bailey''s source code on hisputer. If you find a way to get it and leak it to the other contestants¡ª¡± Scarlett raised her hand and stopped Zoey before she could finish. She finally understood what Zoey meant. ¡°Do you think I''m stupid? I don''t need you to exin that to me in detail,¡± Scarlett retorted. Her words once again caused Zoey to scorn her in her heart. Staring at Zoey coldly, Scarlett demanded, ¡°What can I gain from doing this?¡± Zoey had to suppress her urge tough as she exined, ¡°If Bailey doesn''t win, she won''t be able to redeem herself. More importantly, she will be used of giarizing. Once she goes down, no one can protect Veronique. With Veronique gone, who else willpete with you to be Justin''s wife?¡± As Scarlett listened on, she clenched her fists. That''s right! If I want to get rid of Veronique, I need to deal with Bailey first. ¡°Okay, deal. I''ll find an opportunity to steal the source code. Once I get it, I''ll give it to you.¡± ¡°No problem. I''m looking forward to our fruitful coboration.¡± The two women clinked sses and shared a smile. In the seaside mansion, the bedroom was painted crimson by the setting sun. Victoria slowly opened her eyes. After spacing out for a while, she slowly regained her senses. She tried to sit up, but she felt boneless. As she tried to move, an excruciating pain shot up from between her legs. When she recalled the scenes in the garden that afternoon, a look of shame and despair shed across her face. What shouldn''t have happened still happened. I can''t believe I hooked up with a married man. She didn''t want to ruin his marriage, but in the end, she still did. What should I do if his wife and child find out what I have done to their peaceful life? Just then, the doorknob clicked open, and in came Lionel with a tter. ¡°You''re awake? Take this medicine.¡± As he spoke, he walked over and took a box of medicine from the tter before throwing it onto the pillow. Victoria turned her attention to the box. Birth control pills. Upon seeing those words, she felt as if something had pierced through her heart. That was the difference between a wife and a mistress. It was only right for the wife to bear children for her husband, but if the mistress were to do that, she would be known as a shameless b*tch to the others. Not only that, her child would be an illegitimate child. No, things are already hard enough. I can''t have a child. That will make life even more miserable. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. With that in mind, Victoria gritted her teeth and propped herself up. She was wearing pajamas. Aside from the exhaustion and pain down there, she had no other difort. He probably cleaned me up and dressed me in these clean pajamas after I passed out. Should I thank him? Well, at least it doesn''t feel as awkward anymore. After opening the box, Victoria shoved a pill into her mouth without any hesitation. The bitter and dry pill burned her throat, forcing her into a coughing fit. Anger filled Lionel''s eyes as he watched her. She didn''t even hesitate a bit when she swallowed the pill. Does she hate me that much? Is she so unwilling to bear a child for me? At that thought, Lionel leaned down and pried her mouth open, digging the pill out of her throat. ¡°You don''t want to bear a child for me, huh? I''m not going to let you have your way. From now on, you stay here obediently until you get pregnant.¡± Then he turned toward the bathroom with the pill between his fingers. Panicked, Victoria pulled the hem of his shirt and choked out between coughs. ¡°Give it to me. Give me the pill! I don''t want to get pregnant. I can''t!¡± Her voice was hoarse from her frantic pleading earlier, which had fallen on deaf ears. Veins popped out of Lionel''s forehead as he shook her hand off and strode toward the bathroom. ¡°Is this your revenge against me?¡± Victoria''s sorrowful voice echoed across the room. Chapter 323 Chapter 323 Lionel did not respond or stop moving. ¡°No matter what, we were once in love. Can you really bear to see my child get insulted and called an illegitimate child?¡± Victoria questioned miserably. Lionel finally reacted as he abruptly paused in his tracks. However, he regained hisposure the next moment and entered the bathroom before shutting the door forcefully. Listening to the sound of water inside, Victoria burst into tears. What should I do? What should I do now? That night, in the penthouse suite of a five-star hotel, Scarlett was sitting on the couch while scrolling through her phone. Beside her sat Raiden, who was watching her with narrowed eyes. He knitted his brows and said, ¡°It''s already eleven. Aren''t you returning to the Xuereb residence?¡± Scarlett leaned her head against the pillow and said weakly, ¡°I don''t want to go there. If you kick me out, I''ll have to sleep on the streets.¡± Raiden mmed hisptop shut and rebuked, ¡°Fix your attitude and speak properly.¡± Scarlett pouted and huffed, ¡°I''m not going anywhere tonight. I''m staying here! There are three rooms in this suite. There should be a space for me!¡± Raiden threw her a cold look before standing up and leaving hisptop on the coffee table. ¡°Suit yourself.¡± Without waiting for Scarlett''s response, he walked into the master bedroom. After a few minutes, the sound of water running came from the room. Right away, Scarlett''s gaze fell on theptop on the coffee table. She was fortunate that Raiden had his guard down around her. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have enough time to extract what she wanted from hisptop. Wearing the earphones she had prepared, she lowered her voice and uttered, ¡°I''ll turn on theptop now. You teach me what to do.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Five minutester, Scarlett''s lips curled into a smirk. She swiftly removed the memory card from the laptop and shut it down. Right when she sat back on the couch, Raiden came out of the room in pajamas. He took theptop and headed to the study while reminding her, ¡°It''s past eleven. Hurry and go to sleep.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Inside the study, Raiden sat in the swivel chair while staring at theptop before him with a frown. Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Bailey. After the call was connected, Bailey immediately questioned, ¡°Raiden, was anyone with you in the past thirty minutes?¡± Raiden narrowed his eyes and nced at hisptop again. Following a short silence, he probed, ¡°What happened?¡± Bailey sighed. ¡°You''re a wary man. I don''t even need to guess to know who can touch yourptop right under your nose.¡± Raiden''s grip on his phone tightened. He did have a feeling that someone had messed with hisptop, but he didn''t expect his guess to be correct. Bailey thought Raiden was mad since he was silent. After all, she had gone a little overboard by installing a security system on aptop that was not hers. ¡°I''m sorry. The source code is crucial to the development of 5G inte, so I have to be careful. I installed a security system on yourptop while you went out to meet Artemis the other day. Once someone copies the source code, I will receive an alert.¡± ¡°I''m not mad at you. What you did was right. If it weren''t for you, the source code would have leaked out. I can''t believe Scarlett still won''t give up. She...¡± ¡°It''s okay. It''s natural for women to lose their minds in love. I got in her way, so she''s getting back at me. It''s fair and understandable. Unfortunately, she''s not capable enough. I''m afraid she''ll be disappointed.¡± Raiden rubbed his temples and chuckled helplessly. ¡°You''re always so generous. I bet you''re more big- hearted than most men. Tell me, what do you want me to do?¡± ¡°What do I want you to do?¡± Baileyughed coldly. ¡°Of course, I''ll let your sister hand that source code to the person she wants to give it to.¡± ¡°Aren''t you...¡± Aren''t you scared that the source code will be leaked? Raiden didn''t finish his question as he suddenly thought of a possibility. ¡°You hacked myptop and edited the source code. The copy Scarlett got is a fake.¡± ¡°Bingo. Did you think she was capable enough to steal the real source code from me? I spent five years on it. Now that I finally managed to achieve a breakthrough, there''s no way I''d let her leak it.¡± In a secluded apartment, Rose was leaning against the window as she talked to someone on the phone. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Rose. I''m certain about it. Mr. Gezmond has been going in and out of a seaside mansion recently. A woman lives there. I suspect he''s keeping her there.¡± Rose smirked. There was no doubt as to who that woman could be. It''s Victoria. ¡°Continue keeping an eye on them. Find a chance to snap some intimate photos of them.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Two dayster, the International Programming Competition was held at a convention center in Hallsbay. There were only twenty contestants, but they were topputer geniuses from all over the world. Bailey was the only woman among them. Despite the small number of contestants, the convention center was packed with tons of people watching thepetition. Twenty seats were set on stage, where the contestants would be coding on the spot. In the southwestern corner of the convention center stood three women. ¡°Is everything all set?¡± Scarlett asked with a frown as she grabbed Zoey''s arm. Chapter 324 Chapter 324 Zoey patted the back of Scarlett''s hand and reassured, ¡°Don''t worry, Ms. Fletcher. I have given one of the contestants the source code you sent me.¡± She pointed at a man in green on the stage and continued, ¡°That''s the chief programmer of Wave Corporation, apany from Anndur. He was the one who wrote the source code of the 4G inte. No one will doubt him if he seeds with the source code for 5G today.¡± A pleased smile crept across Scarlett''s face. ¡°That''s smart of you. I''ve asked someone from the Department of Justice to wait outside. Once Scarlett loses and gets used of giarism, she will be arrested immediately.¡± Zoey shed her a thumbs-up. ¡°You indeed live up to your position as the eldest daughter of the Fletcher family from Jadeborough. I admire your courage and boldness.¡± Scarlett snickered and walked toward her seat. After watching Scarlett leave, Zoey turned to Shirley and arched her brow. ¡°Say, what are the odds of her seeding?¡± Shirley shook her head. ¡°If she really seeds, that can only prove that Bailey is a weakling.¡± Zoey burst intoughter at that. ¡°If she fails, she will hate Bailey even more. It''s not yet time to use Scarlett. She needs to learn her lessons first.¡± In no time, the host announced the start of thepetition. The crowd''s chatter stopped abruptly, and only the sound of typing could be heard in the huge convention center. Thepetition was being broadcasted live so the entire world could watch the programmers'' incredible performance. Among the audience, two small figures were sitting together while whispering in each other''s ears. ¡°Will Bailey really seed?¡± Maxton wondered out loud. Shooting him a nce, Zayron said calmly, ¡°If she can''t seed, then no one else in this world can.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± Susan chimed in from the side. ¡°If Bailey fails, then you can quit dreaming about using 5G phones.¡± ¡°Hey, watch your attitude. I''m the eldest among us. You have to show me respect, got it?¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Susan pursed her lips and retorted, ¡°You''ll forever be the second eldest unless you''re not Bay''s child.¡± Her words rendered Zayron speechless. I''ve spoiled her all these years for nothing. Susan scanned the ce. Upon seeing Artemis, she shed him a grin. Yet at the sight of Edmund, she slid down her chair in tion and ran toward the man. When Artemis noticed that, the smile on his face faded. As his expression darkened, the temperature around him seemed to have dropped as well. Damn it. Whenever Edmund is around, I''m practically a nobody. He has Bailey and Susan wrapped around his finger! While watching the ¡°father-daughter¡± duo embrace each other, Artemis clenched his jaw. He couldn''t help but recall the resignation letter again. She clearly wants to elope with another man while taking my child with her! Suddenly, a beep sounded, followed by the host''s announcement. ¡°A contestant has submitted his code.¡± The audience gasped in shock. ¡°Who is it? Is it Bailey?¡± ¡°I don''t think so.¡± ¡°Look at the big screen. It''s Jason, the chief programmer of Wave Corporation. He once wrote the source code for 4G inte.¡± ¡°Can we actually trust Bailey? She''s representing the entire Chanaea. If she loses, we''ll lose the opportunity to be the first to possess the core technology.¡± Beep. ¡°Two contestants have submitted their codes.¡± The host''s voice rang out again as another male contestant finished his work. Beep. Beep. Beep. ¡°Fifteen contestants have submitted their codes.¡± To the Chanaeans'' dismay, Bailey was not among them. ¡°We''re doomed. Don''t tell me she can''te up with the code.¡± ¡°That won''t happen. Bailey is incredible. She even developed an anti-cancer medicine. I''m sure she can do it!¡± ¡°You can''t be certain about that. Look at her. She seems to have no intention of submitting her work! Could it be that she can''t figure it out?¡± Beep. ¡°Neen contestants have submitted their codes.¡± Instantly, the Chanaeans burst into an uproar. ¡°I knew it. Women are not as clever as men when ites toputers. It was a mistake to make Bailey join thepetition!¡± ¡°I don''t believe she will lose. Just give her some more time. Thispetition is not about speed anyway. What matters is thepletion of the work.¡± ¡°That''s right. You bashers should stop mocking your fellow people. What good will it do to us if Bailey loses?¡± ¡°Exactly! You bashers should shut up before we make you regret it!¡± Beep. ¡°Thest contestant has submitted her code.¡± Under the watchful gazes of the audience, Bailey finally turned in her work. ¡°Now, it''s time to let the system verify the codes. The contestant whose code decodes the most information will be the winner.¡± Right away, the huge screen on the stage started shing as rows and rows of text scrolled up rapidly. ¡°The first contestant, Jason, decoded eighty percent of the information.¡± Everyone was shocked to hear that. ¡°What? Eighty percent? There''s no point in checking the other codes anymore. Experts have been studying the 5G source code for so many years, yet they only managed to decode less than forty percent of it. Now, Jason decoded eighty percent of the code at once. How will the other contestants match up to that?¡± ¡°Jason is indeed a veteran. He''s so outstanding.¡± ¡°I don''t think there''s a need to check the codes of the other contestants. He got eighty percent! Who can actually surpass that?¡± ¡°It seems like Anndur will be taking home the core technology of 5G again this time.¡± ¡°No. I refuse to ept our defeat until Bailey''s resultse out.¡± While the crowd engaged in a heated discussion, many contestants on the stage shook their heads with bitter smiles. Jason''s achievement was too remarkable for them to ovee. ¡°I would like to withdraw from thepetition.¡± ¡°I would also like to withdraw from thepetition.¡± ¡°Same goes for me.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Since they would only be bringing shame to themselves by staying in the game, they admitted defeat instead. In an instant, eighteen contestants backed out, leaving only Bailey topete with Jason. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, would you like to remain in thepetition?¡± the host asked tentatively. Bailey raised her brow and responded with a question, ¡°If I lose, will you cut off my arm?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The host was dumbfounded for a moment. Uponing back to his senses, he hurriedly shook his head and assured, ¡°Of course not. There are no punishments in thispetition.¡± Bailey shrugged casually and said, ¡°Then we''re good. Why would I back out? It''s not like anything bad will happen if I lose. Who knows? Maybe I''ll score a huge victory.¡± As Bailey was thest to finish, she would indeed be scoring a huge victory if she won against Jason, who finished first. Just then, Jason turned his head to nce at her. His eyes were full of mockery as he said, ¡°There''s a saying in your country that goes, ''A wise man adapts himself to circumstances.'' Ms. Jefferson, I think you should learn from your ancestors. If you act too rashly, you''ll embarrass yourself. I''m afraid it''ll be difficult for you to surpass my score.¡± Chapter 325 Chapter 325 Bailey cast a nce at him. The ghost of a smile crept up her face. He copied my codes, and yet he had the audacity to ask me to give up on thispetition. What kind of twisted mentality is that? Are copycats this arrogant these days? Hah! ¡°If I lose, you can use me as a stepping stone to bing today''s spotlight. Just look at how I support you, my friend. The eighteen participants before me didn''t want to be your backdrop, so I volunteered. So, quit yakking and ask them to get started.¡± The texts on the giant screen began scrolling up rapidly again. Halfway through the test, Jason sprang up from his seat and shouted, ¡°There''s a problem with her source code. It''s exactly the same as mine! I demand that the judges disy mine side by side for comparison.¡± The initially bustling convention center immediately fell silent. Everyone turned to look in Jason''s direction, anticipating his next move. The host approached him and asked in puzzlement, ¡°Mr. Jason, what do you mean?¡± Jason pointed at the screen onstage and said through gritted teeth, ¡°This is the source code I submitted. Every set of data is exactly the same as mine. Bailey giarized my work.¡± His words felt like a bolt of lightning to everyone present. As the convention center was too noisy, some people couldn''t hear what he had said at first. However, now that the convention center was pin-drop silent, his usation reverberated in the convention center, crystal clear for everyone to hear. The host widened his eyes at Jason for a moment before he turned to Bailey and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you have anything to say?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly as if she was contemting something. ¡°What is there for a copycat like her to say? I submitted this source code first. If any other participants'' submission is simr to mine, then it''s clear that they''ve giarized my work. As you know, this woman right here submittedst. She must have copied my work. We cannot let this behavior go unpunished!¡± ¡°They''re really quite simr,¡± a participantmented. ¡°Yes, I think so too. But we don''t know who the copycat is,¡± another participant chimed in. The host thought for a moment and announced, ¡°Now that a participant has been used of giarizing, we have to investigate the matter thoroughly to ensure that it is a fairpetition. Everyone, please stay calm. I will ask the technical team to disy both source codes on the screen.¡± Then, the host hurried off to the backstage. The convention center went into an uproar after the host left. Meanwhile, below the stage, Susan was sitting on Edmund''sp. Seeing that her mother was rubbing her temples onstage, she pouted and groaned, ¡°Bad guys are trying to hurt Bay again. This is so annoying.¡± Edmund patted her head and smiled. ¡°I think it''s too soon to say who''s going to get hurt. Your mommy is a smart woman. She can surely turn this situation around. I think the person who''s trying to hurt her is going to get real unlucky today.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Susan blinked and wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°Daddy Eddy, I don''t want to be your daughter anymore.¡± Edmund was stunned. ¡°Hmm? You don''t want your mommy to marry me anymore?¡± he asked carefully. ¡°No.¡± The little girl shook her head as a dark glint fleeted across her eyes. She used to hope that Edmund would be her father. However, ever since Zayron told her about their identities, she knew that Edmund and Bailey would not work out anymore. Not wanting to upset Edmund, she said, ¡°Daddy Eddy, I like you. Could you let me marry you in the future?¡± Taken aback by her innocent remark, Edmund let out a chuckle. ¡°I know you must be joking. If I marry your mommy, I''m going to love and care for you, my little princess. You''re going to meet your Prince Charming in the future, Susan.¡± Right then, the host''s voice rang out in the convention center. ¡°Everyone, aftermunicating with our judges, we think that it is imperative that wepare both source codes side by side. Do the two participants consent to this?¡± Of course, Jason wouldn''t have a problem with that. Bailey smiled and raised a brow. ¡°If there is indeed giarism involved, what will be the consequences that follow?¡± The host was momentarily stunned. However, after getting an affirmative nod from the organizers, he announced in a low voice, ¡°We will permanently ban the person involved and he or she will be forbidden from participating in all activities in our circle.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey snapped her fingers. ¡°Let''s begin.¡± The screen onstage flickered, and it was soon divided into half to project two sets of source codes on the screen. Even though the audience did not understand the codes, they still had a discerning eye to spot the differences between the two. The crowd went wild when they noticed that the two source codes were exactly the same. ¡°They''re really identical.¡± ¡°That''s true. Did Bailey really giarize Jason''s work?¡± ¡°Even if she didn''t, it would be impossible for her to exin herself. After all, Jason did submit his codes first. She will be gged for giarism as her submitted codes are exactly the same as his.¡± ¡°Yes, that''s right.¡± ¡°What is Bailey thinking? She could have not submitted anything if she really couldn''te up with anything. She''s ruining her life by copying others'' work!¡± ¡°She must have been too carried away by all the big names that she used to enjoy and wanted toe in first ce in everything. Her ego has clouded her judgment.¡± Chapter 326 Chapter 326 Most people in the audience thought that Bailey was done for this time. After all, Jason was the man who came up with the 4G technology source code. Nobody would bat an eyelid if he imed to be the one to have written the 5G technology source code as well. As for Bailey, even though she carried many big names, she did not have many aplishments in theputer science field to show for it. Adding on top of the fact that her submission was after Jason''s, it was almost certain that she would be charged with giarism. ¡°As all of you can see here, Bailey''s codes are exactly the same as mine. This is evident that she has giarized my work.¡± Jason''s voice sounded in the convention center, pulling at the already tense heartstrings of the audience. Right then, disappointed sighs and scornful insults could be heard. Most of them were hurled at Bailey, chastising her for giarizing other people''s work when she could note up with her own, causing disgrace to her own country. Jason turned to look at Bailey and let out a cold snicker. ¡°Are you going to go to the police station on your own, or do I have to call someone to drag you there?¡± ¡°Patience is a virtue, Mr. Jason.¡± Bailey arched a brow. ¡°We are not yet done with theparison now, aren''t we? How do you know that I''ve onlypleted eighty percent of my code?¡± Jason had a bad feeling as he watched her calm andposed manner. Does she have a backup n? No, that''s impossible. Eighty percent should be the limit. I only finished seventy percent of the codes for 4G back then. A top hacker named Spook finished the rest. Surely, she has onlypleted eighty percent of the code. ¡°Look! Their codes are starting to look different!¡± ¡°Yes, they are.¡± Jason''s face turned pale. He lifted his head, and the codes that he saw on the screen made him retreat a few steps back as he slumped back in his chair. ¡°Jason''s code is not moving anymore. It''s as if it''s encountered a bottleneck. Bailey''s code is still moving. Eighty-one, eighty-five, ny, ny-five...¡± ¡°My goodness. She perfected the 5G source code.¡± ¡°A-Am I dreaming? Shepleted it!¡± ¡°No, you''re not dreaming. She''s created a miracle! This core technology will be in the Chanaeans'' control now.¡± Sounds of cheers and apuse thundered in the convention center right then. Jason widened his eyes in disbelief at Bailey and asked in a shaky voice, ¡°Y-You... Who are you? How is it possible that you perfected the 5G source code?¡± Bailey''s lips curled into a smile as she whispered into his ear, ¡°Because I''m the number one hacker in the world¡ªSpook.¡± Jason''s eyes were almost bulging out of their sockets. Spook? She''s... Spook? What? If I''d known that she was Spook, I wouldn''t have stolen her work. How ridiculous of me. Jason couldn''t believe he had just tried to frame the top hacker worldwide for giarism. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Zoey grimaced. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Bailey''s striking back. That b*tch. Why? How is she so capable? Their resentment toward Bailey festered as they were ovee by the frustration that there was nothing they could do to stop her. Bailey''s achievement was steering her further along on her path toward sess. ¡°So what if she programmed the full source code? Jason submitted the code first. She still giarized his work.¡± Someone in the crowd started to protest. However, nobody paid heed to her. After all, her im was too ridiculous. Right then, a man in a suit came out from backstage. He took the host''s microphone and said, ¡°Hello, everyone. I am the representative of the International Network Society. I hereby announce the result of the International Programming Competition¡ª¡± Before he could continue, shouts of spection could be heard in the crowd. ¡°Bailey Jefferson.¡± ¡°Bailey Jefferson!¡± ¡°Bailey Jefferson should be the champion!¡± The oue of thepetition would dictate the ownership of the core technology for the uing decade. Those who would stoop to plot schemes against her to prevent her from winning thepetition were obviously self-centered parties who did not have their home country''s interests at heart. However, there were many other patriots who were watching on and cheering for Bailey, hoping that she would win thepetition and make Chanaea proud. They were also earnestly hoping that she could retain the 5G core technology in Chanaea. Bailey approached the man in a suit and took the microphone in his hand. She raised a brow and said, ¡°Since there are still people who think that I''ve giarized Jason''s work, I''ll¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Jason suddenly said, snatching the microphone away from her. ¡°It was me who stole Bailey''s source code. I admit my mistake and vow to never set foot in this industry ever again.¡± A hint of surprise shed across Bailey''s eyes. Likewise, the audience was astounded as well. They didn''t expect Jason to readily admit that he had giarized Bailey''s work. The dramatic turn of events was intriguing, to say the least. Jason ignored the gestictions below the stage and turned to bow deeply at Bailey. Bailey shook her head and let out a sigh. ¡°You''re extremely talented in programming. Why did you resort to this and ruin your own life?¡± Chapter 327 Chapter 327 Jason did not answer her question and instead asked, ¡°Could I reveal your identity to them?¡± ¡°By all means. I''ve not done anything to hurt anyone with that identity, nor am I afraid of you revealing it to everyone.¡± Of course, Bailey had not agreed to the disclosure of her identity as Spook to win the admiration of anyone. She was hoping that the higher-ups in Chanaea would not pursue her for hacking into the system of the country''s national research institute following the revtion and the honor that she had brought upon Chanaea for winning thepetition. Bailey was looking to hit two birds with a stone. The higher-ups were hunting Spook down. If one day she was indeed captured by the state, Bailey knew she might not make it out of prison, not especially if she continued to keep her identity as Spook a secret. ¡°I believe everyone is curious why I openly admit to giarizing Ms. Jefferson''s code. This has its roots all the way back when I was still working on the 4G source code. I hit a bottleneck back then, and I saw no way out. My progress came to aplete halt at seventy percent. I think everyone here knows for a fact that the famous and mysterious number one hacker, Spook,pleted the remaining code for me.¡± The convention center fell into dead silence once again. The bizarre silence hung in the air for a few seconds and was finally broken by someone shouting, ¡°My goodness! Is he trying to tell us that Bailey Jefferson is the number one hacker, Spook?¡± Heated discussions among the audience ensued, and the convention center went into an uproar once again. Even the representative of the International Network Society appeared to be confounded as well. ¡°So you''re the number one hacker, Spook, whopleted the remaining thirty percent of the 4G code. What a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Jefferson!¡± the man said to Bailey. ¡°The pleasure is all mine,¡± Bailey said. Then, she turned to the audience and continued jokingly, ¡°Don''t you guys dare to offend me now that you know I''m Spook. Otherwise, you can always assume that it''s me who leaked your naked photos on the inte when your phone orputer gets hacked.¡± Laughter erupted in the convention center right then. Bailey turned back to the man from the International Network Society and said, ¡°This code will bring benefits to humanity in theing decade. However, I am a Chanaean. So, I think this code can only remain in Chanaea for the time being. Does the International Network Society have any opinion on this?¡± A hint of hesitation fleeted across the man''s eyes. He seemed reluctant to agree to Bailey''s request. However, he decided to suppress his brimming greed after a moment of contemtion. He had heard that the eldest son of the most prominent family in Chanaea, the Fletcher family, had come to Hallsbay. Thetter had brought along an army. If they decided to take the 5G source code with them, he would be long gone before he could leave Hallsbay. ¡°N-No, of course not. This is your work, Ms. Jefferson. You have the final say. We look forward to working together with Chanaea.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After thepetition was over, Bailey kept a low profile and left the convention center. In the suite of a hotel room, a loud p reverberated across the room. Scarlett cupped the left side of her face and widened her eyes incredulously at Raiden. ¡°Raiden, you hit me. You really hit me,¡± she said in a quavering voice. Raiden was trembling from the fury burning in his chest. He exuded a murderous aura and looked intimidating. ¡°If not for Bailey showing mercy, do you know where you would be now?¡± Raiden berated. ¡°The prison!¡± Scarlett pursed her lips and looked at him with eyes full of tears. In a choked voice, she said, ¡°You''re being delusional, Raiden. Who would dare to put me, a member of the powerful Fletcher family, in prison?¡± Raiden could not help but chuckle in derision as he looked at his spoiled sister. ¡°The powerful Fletcher family? Who would dare to put you in prison? How arrogant of you! Even Father wouldn''t dare say that. Do you know how f*cking important this 5G technology is to Chanaea? It almost went into another country''s hands because of your stupidity! Do you think you can get away if Bailey insists on getting back at you?¡± Raiden was infuriated by his sister''s hubris. Scarlett''s ignorance would spell doom for the Fletcher family one day. She bawled, ¡°You''re siding with Bailey! Otherwise, why did you tell her I copied the code on your computer? If you''d turned a blind eye, she would be the one who''s in jail right now. Raiden, why are you even scolding me for a b*tch who''s birthed a child out of wedlock? You¡ª¡± p! Another loud p echoed in the suite. Raiden pped her again and chided, ¡°How are you still oblivious to what you''ve done? You''re really beyond salvation. You will get back to the capital today and stay at home. You''re forbidden from going anywhere. I will go to the Xuereb residence and cancel the marriage between you and Justin. I guess you''ll only realize the gravity of your actions then.¡± ¡°No.¡± Scarlett looked daggers at Raiden. ¡°Justin has agreed to marry me. He has to marry me. Only my bone marrow can save that illegitimate child of his. I can surely marry into the Xuereb family!¡± Veins popped on Raiden''s forehead when he heard Scarlett. He went silent for a moment before he said in a cold voice, ¡°Do you think Veronique has found another matching bone marrow? No. She''s taken Justin''s sperm for in-vitro fertilization, and they will have another child together. Justin will be a father again, and again, you''re not the mother of his child.¡± Scarlett staggered a few steps back and slumped back into the couch as she widened her eyes at Raiden. The news was a much harder pill to swallow than when Raiden had told her he was going to cancel her engagement with Justin. How is this happening again? Why does that b*tch get to birth yet another of Justin''s son? ¡°Raiden, you''re lying, right? You want me to give up on Justin. That''s why you came up with this absurd lie.¡± Raiden gave her a cold, hard stare. ¡°I suggested that. I thought by getting Ms. Revelle out of the picture, you''ll settle down with Justin for good. But I was wrong. You targeted Bailey because you wanted to hurt Veronique, right? It seemed that getting rid of Ms. Revelle was not good enough. Since that''s the case, you better get the hell back to the capital and consider your engagement with Justin off the table. I don''t want to witness my own sister going crazy and be blinded by her own jealousy.¡± Scarlett panicked. She slid down from the couch and groveled at her brother''s feet. ¡°I will stop. Please, Raiden. Don''t send me back home. I don''t want to cancel the engagement. I promise you. I will not hurt anyone. As long as Justin is willing to marry me, I will let Veronique and her son live. Please, I beg you.¡± Raiden shrugged her off. ¡°It''s toote. Bailey has gone to look for Justin. She will tell him the n of getting his sperm for the IVF, and Justin will go overseas to meet up with Veronique and her son.¡± Scarlett slumped to the floor in despair. ¡°Bailey Jefferson...¡± Scarlett''s eyes glinted with a thirst for blood. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Raiden was disappointed yet again when he noticed the look in her eyes. I''ve said so much, yet she didn''t listen to a word. Looks like I''ll have to take this the hard way. Chapter 328 Chapter 328 Bailey headed toward Justin''s medical base. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She didn''t want to be involved in the entanglement between the three of them at first. However, since Scarlett was so determined to bring her down and was nning something against Veronique, she couldn''t just stand by and do nothing. Bailey would soon leave Hallsbay now that the International Programming Competition had ended. As Veronique''s friend, Bailey didn''t mind fanning the mes since Justin intended to break off his engagement with the Fletcher family to provide Veronique and her son with aplete family. In the study of the medical base, Bailey was leaning back against the couch. Justin handed her a ss of juice. ¡°May I know the reason for your visit, Mrs. Luther?¡± Bailey reached for the ss of juice and sighed. ¡°Oh, quit it. I don''t feelfortable with Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°I think the title will stay with you forever, so I advise you to ept it. He will never let go of the woman he sets his eyes on so easily.¡± Hmph! Is that even sound advice? However, he''s right. Artemis won''t let me go easily. ¡°Whatever. I''m not here today to argue over my title, so call me whatever you want.¡± After that, Bailey straightened her back and asked somberly, ¡°Justin, if you n to divorce Veronique, then I''ll drop by City Hall and exin to the staff there so that they can cancel¡ª¡± ¡°It''s fine,¡± Justin hurriedly said. ¡°I''ll ept it since this is fate''s arrangement. I''ll think of a way to break off my engagement with Scarlett. Then I''ll go search for Veronique overseas.¡± Bailey arched her brow in surprise. It looks like I''m right about him. If he really agrees with me going to City Hall to proceed with their divorce procedure, I won''t tell him anything about Vero''s current situation. Luckily, he didn''t disappoint me. ¡°Are you really nning to break off your engagement with Scarlett? Zephyr is still waiting for the bone marrow to save his life. We can''t find any other suitable donor other than her.¡± Justin narrowed his eyes at Bailey. ¡°Are you still nning to hide the truth from me even at this stage?¡± Bailey was stunned. Justin continued, ¡°I was already thinking if you''ve found another way to save Zephyr since the day I found out I was Veronique''s husband at City Hall. Otherwise, you wouldn''t havee up with such a terrible idea to upset Scarlett. The fact that you dared to do that proved that you didn''t care about Scarlett''s bone marrow.¡± Bailey''s lips curved into a faint smile. How could I even forget that he is friends with Artemis? There''s no way he''s dumb. ¡°It seems that you''ve already guessed what Veronique has done. That''s right. She took your sperm and nned to have a baby via in vitro fertilization so that she could use the newborn''s cord blood to save Zephyr.¡± Justin was calm. Indeed, he had already guessed that possibility. Bailey nced at him and continued, ¡°However, Vero has suffered from a severe injury in her womb before, so the baby can''t grow in her body for long. You''re an expert in this field. I hope you can stay by her side and monitor her condition. Remove the fetus immediately if there''s any abnormality and don''t let any harme to her.¡± Justin stayed silent and didn''t give her any promises. Instead, he said, ¡°Tell me where she is now.¡± After leaving the medical base, Bailey headed straight back to Shelbert Condominium. When she stepped out of the elevator, her phone in her pocket beeped. She reached for her phone and saw a text from an unknown number that read: Wendy has asked Rose to deal with Victoria. They seem to havee up with some evil n. Ask Victoria to be careful and don''t fall for their trap. Even though it was an unknown number, Bailey knew the sender''s identity. Only that girl knows what Wendy and Rose are up to and cares about Victoria. Bailey stood in front of her door for a long while. She finally snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a deep voice from behind. ¡°How long are you nning to stand here? My legs are already numb.¡± She looked over her shoulder and saw Artemis standing three meters away. ¡°What are you doing here? Didn''t they hold a banquet to wee the members of the International Network Society and invite you to attend?¡± Artemis snorted. ¡°I''m not an escort. Do I have to go when they tell me to?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at his answer. ¡°Anyway, you''re just here in time. Can you send someone to find out where Lionel is hiding Victoria? I need to ask her something.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes at her. ¡°They''re both in this situation because they want it that way. Why are you getting yourself involved?¡± Bailey was speechless. Even if he''s right, I can''t just stand here and do nothing. I can''t turn a blind eye especially after I find out Wendy is nning to target Vicky. One is the wife, and the other is the mistress. Fine. I hate that identity, but that is the reality. Everyone always supports the wife and scorns the mistress. Vicky''s current situation is truly terrible. ¡°Fine. I''ll find out myself.¡± ¡°Don''t!¡± Artemis reached out and hugged her waist. ¡°She''s at a private mansion on the beach in the east of the city.¡± Chapter 329 Chapter 329 Bailey shot Artemis a look. ¡°Are you lying to me?¡± Artemis red at her. ¡°You heartless woman! I remember everything about you, including the people you care about. I know you''ll ask about Victoria''s whereabouts sooner orter, so I ran a check on her. Why would I lie to you?¡± Bailey didn''t know how to respond. Warmth filled her heart. He does remember everything about me, but I can''t repay his heartfelt feelings. ¡°All right, all right. I was wrong.¡± Artemis gazed at her looking up at him in an integrating manner and snatched the keys in her hand. After he unlocked the door, he pushed her into the living room and shut the door. The second the door closed, he pressed his lips against hers. They slowly inched back toward the couch as they kissed fervently. At that moment, all their feelings poured into their kiss like water rushing out of the dam. The sound of fabric tearing cut through the air. Following that was the sound of skin hitting skin. All the buttons on Bailey''s shirt were ripped off and fell to the ground with a crisp sound. Seeing Artemis kissing her neck ardently, Bailey closed her eyes and said, ¡°Let''s go to the bedroom.¡± Those five words gave him her approval. Artemis found hisst shred of sanity in the madness. He moved away from the curve of her neck and asked, ¡°Are you giving yourself to me willingly?¡± Bailey tightened her grip on his shirt as a fierce battle took ce in her heart. She hesitated. I am not averse to having sex with him, but our identities are making things awkward. ¡°Ah!¡± Bailey instinctively let out a scream when Artemis lifted her into his arms. His abrupt action pulled her out of her struggle, and she let him carry her to the bedroom. The distance from the living room to the bedroom wasn''t far, but many thoughts crossed her mind. We feel the same toward each other. s, fate is not on our side. We can''t escape if destiny decides to toy with us. All we can do is indulge ourselves momentarily by giving in to our feelings in this lifetime. I don''t think I''ll fall for any other man for the rest of my life. If I''m leaving, I want to leave something behind. At least, I''ve lived up to this rtionship. Artemis ced her gently on the bed and loomed over her. Bailey looked up at the luxurious crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Her lips curved into a faint smile. An untouchable taboo, right? Will the heavens strike me with a lightning bolt if I touch it? Suddenly, a ringing sounded in the bedroom, slicing through their haze of lust. Artemis ignored the ringing and continued what he was doing. Anyone who can step on the brakes at such a moment is impressive. I know I can''t. I''m taking this woman today. The ringing continued and grew louder, dampening the mood as it reverberated across the bedroom. The loud ringing pulled Bailey out of her daze. She shoved Artemis aside and said, ¡°It''s my phone. Bring it here. If it''s from the kids¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Artemis had already reached into the pile of clothing on the floor and fished for her phone. His expression darkened when he caught the name shing on the screen. It was from Edmund. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. I guess that guy is calling to ask when Bailey is leaving Hallsbay. Perfect. Calling at this hour to snatch my woman. Wonderful. Bailey''s expression froze when she saw the caller ID. She gave Artemis a pitiful look and pleaded, ¡°Don''t take it.¡± If he picks up the call at this moment, it''ll be a huge blow to Edmund if he hears anything. Artemis'' lips quirked up into a cold grin. He''s not a nice guy. Is there a reason why I need to be gentlemanly toward him? He ignored her plea and slid his finger across the screen to answer the call. He tapped on the hands- free button and tossed the phone away. The next second, he leaned down and kissed her soft lumps. This b*stard! An urge to chew Artemis to his death surged within Bailey. Edmund is his cousin. How can he be so shameless? ¡°Hello, Bay?¡± Edmund''s gentle voice came from the speaker. A sliver of guilt rose in Bailey''s heart. Six years ofpanionship and waiting, and what have I repaid him with? Tears filled her eyes, clouding her vision. With a hoarse voice, she said, ¡°E-Edmund, now isn''t a convenient time. Can you call me back after¡ªah!¡± A sharp pain came from her neck, causing her to gasp in surprise. This crazy dog actually bit me! Hearing that something was wrong, Edmund asked urgently, ¡°Bay, what''s wrong? Did you get into some trouble?¡± Bailey shot Artemis a death re. ¡°I-It''s nothing. I identally stubbed my toe against the table leg. I''m in the middle of something urgent now; I''ll call you backter,¡± she said, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°All right. I''ll talk to youter.¡± Relief washed over her at Edmund''s consideration. He would never force her to exin her situation to him. Bailey''s head cleared slightly after the phone was hung up. I was too wild and out of control earlier. Thank goodness for Edmund''s call. He pulled me back before I can sin. No! We can''t do this. ¡°Artemis, you''re making me feel dirty.¡± That sentence was like a wet nket over Artemis'' passion. This woman has always been so capable. She always hit where it hurt with a single point. Chapter 330 Chapter 330 Before Artemis could say anything, Bailey went on, ¡°I know the words I''m about to say will hurt you, but I''m still going to say it. The world hasbeled me as your brother''s property. Everyone knows I gave birth to two children to Simon. They don''t care how in love you and I are and will only believe we''re straddling the bottom line of morality. Let''s give in to fate, Artemis. At least, for the sake of the children.¡± Artemis sighed before he rolled over to the side and reached for the quilt. He pulled it over them and put his arm around her waist, enveloping her in his embrace. This is also a kind of torture. With our bare skin touching, I can feel the desire in me burning once more. ¡°Fine. You haven''t gotten any rest because of the programmingpetition. Don''t overthink and go to sleep. I won''t touch you.¡± Bailey was indeed exhausted. Despite their intimate posture, she still fell asleep in a sh. ncing at her beautiful sleeping face, Artemis could not help but smile wryly. What do people call this again? Reaping what you sow. Telling her the truth can solve all the problems, but I don''t even know where to start after dragging it on for so long. The next morning, a serious confrontation was ongoing in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop. Justin was staring at Raiden, who was sitting across from him. ¡°I''m truly sorry about the engagement between our families. I will definitely marry Lettie if I don''t have a child outside, but¡ª¡± Raiden raised his hand and stopped Justin. ¡°I understand your intention. It looks like Bailey has already met you. Fine, then. The Fletcher family won''t force you. Take a trip to Jadeborough and exin to my father personally. I agree with you two breaking off the engagement.¡± Justin hesitated briefly before he asked tentatively, ¡°How are you nning to break the news to Scarlett?¡± ¡°The children of the Fletcher family can''t decide their marriage. My father agreed to the engagement back then because he did not want Scarlett to fall into a spiral of depression and harm herself after her close call to death. Now that she''s recovered, there aren''t many qualms about it.¡± Justin let out a sigh of relief. ¡°I have let her down. Lettie is a wonderful woman. She''ll definitely meet a husband who will love and adore her.¡± ¡°That''s enough. Save the courtesy. We''ll announce to the public that the Fletcher family is the one who proposes the break off of the engagement. The Xuereb family has no problem with it, right?¡± ¡°That should be the way.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room of the Xuereb residence, Olivia was surprised by the sudden visit of a distinguished guest. ¡°What brings you all the way to Hallsbay, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± ¡°The kids have caused such a mess, and Lettie called me crying about how she wanted to die. How can I leave things be?¡± Olivia immediately gestured for Tamara to sit. She poured her a cup of coffee and said apologetically, ¡°This is the Xuereb family''s fault. We have caused much distress to Lettie, but please rest assured, Mrs. Fletcher. We''ll think of a way to solve the issue of the marriage certificate as quickly as we can so that Lettie can marry into the Xuereb family as soon as possible.¡± Tamara couldn''t help but sneer inwardly. Does this woman think I''m oblivious to her n? She wants to latch on to the Fletcher family. Surely it''s not for the sake of the Xuereb family. I''m well aware she''s doing it for her own family. Her family holds some mid-level posts in politics within the capital. However, this woman wants to elevate their status. The only way for her to do so is bytching on to the Fletcher family, the most prestigious family in politics. ¡°Surely you don''t think the only obstacle between Lettie and Justin''s engagement is his marriage, right, Mrs. Xuereb?¡± Olivia looked at her in confusion and questioned, ¡°What are you implying, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± Indeed, I''m oblivious about any other obstacles other than that b*tch from the Revelle family hiring some hacker and hacking into the City Hall''s database to register her marriage. ¡°It looks like your precious son tells you nothing at all.¡± Tamara smiled coldly. ¡°Such as... him raising an illegitimate child outside.¡± ¡°What?¡± Olivia jolted up from her seat and nced at Tamara in disbelief. ¡°Has there been a misunderstanding, Mrs. Fletcher? Justin doesn''t even get close to the opposite sex. H-How is it possible for him to raise an illegitimate child outside?¡± Tamara''s gaze turned colder. ¡°Are you saying I''m using your son? Do we need to call him here and ask him about it?¡± Seeing that Tamara was angry, Olivia quickly said, ¡°That''s not what I meant. It''s just hard for me to ept after hearing it. Did you manage to find out the child''s whereabouts, then?¡± ¡°Find out?¡± Tamara sneered. ¡°The mother and son have shown up themselves. Do you think I still need to find out?¡± Olivia was baffled. However, she wasn''t dumb and immediately understood who Tamara was referring to. ¡°Y-You''re talking about Veronique and her nephew? I did wonder why the Revelle family would let Veronique raise her nephew. So that kid is Veronique''s illegitimate child? What a b*tch!¡± A satisfied smile stretched across Tamara''s face. ¡°Since you''re aware of the truth, how are you nning to deal with this?¡± ¡°I definitely won''t allow that mother and son into the Xuereb family. Lettie is the only one worthy enough to be the Xuereb family''s daughter-inw.¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± Tamara pped her hands and chuckled. ¡°It looks like my daughter''s love for your son isn''t wasted. I''vee to Hallsbay this time to deal with Veronique and her son.¡± Olivia sat back down and said carefully, ¡°Let me know if you need my help. I''ll assist you in every way I can.¡± At night, Bailey was cooking in the kitchen at Shelbert Condominium when Zayron ran in with aptop in his arms. ¡°This is bad, Bailey! Vicky is in trouble!¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Bailey instantly turned off the gas and snatched theptop from Zayron. Her expression darkened as she nced at the screen. One of the headlines read: Breaking news! After Saunders Group went bankrupt, a mysterious wealthy man seemed to have taken the Saunders family''s daughter as a sugar baby. She has stooped to being a man''s toy. Another headline read: Shocking news! A daughter of an eminent family has turned into a down-and- out. The daughter of the Saunders family has disgraced herself by bing a mistress. All kinds of rumors were spread across the inte, and all of them were targeting Victoria. There were even a lot of photos attached to the news articles. Many of them were of her being locked up in a private mansion. Among them were a few blurry photos that captured the sugar daddy''s back as he left the mansion. Bailey was sure that the man was Lionel. F*ck! I''ve nned to rescue Vicky from the seaside mansion tonight and bring her overseas with me. I didn''t expect something to happen before I even make my move. Vicky will be ruined if the world finds out Lionel is the mysterious sugar daddy. Who is Lionel? He was the biggest victim of the power struggle between the Gezmond and Saunders families. The past down-and-out son of a wealthy family has returned stronger. He acquired Saunders Group and has a perfect, happy family with his wife and son. The people who had once pitied and sympathized with him had all sent him their best wishes and blessings. If the world finds out he''s involved with Vicky, they won''t me him and will onlybel Vicky as a homewrecker. They''ll use her of seducing a married man and trying to take Saunders Group back from his grasp. God, I can''t imagine how the public will use and me her then. Chapter 331 Chapter 331 ¡°Bailey, what do we do?¡± Bailey snapped out of her reverie when she heard her son''s voice. Stuffing theptop into Zayron''s arms, she turned and walked outside. ¡°I need to go to the seaside mansion and fetch Vicky. While I''m gone, make your own food, all right?¡± Zayron went silent. After Bailey left the kitchen, she headed straight to her room, changed into a set of casual sportswear, and secretly left the condominium. The moment she left the house, Zayron sent a text message to his father. Zayron: Bailey is on her way to rescue Vicky. I think when she gets to her, they''ll leave Hallsbay. You have to keep a close eye on the sea,nd, and air routes these few days. Don''t let her slip away. Meanwhile, at the Gezmond residence, Lionel was leaning against the couch in his study. As he read the news headlines that had blown up all over the inte, his eyes narrowed, and his cold gaze was as sharp as daggers. He knew he was extremely careful every time he went to the mansion. Ordinary paparazzi couldn''t have possibly tailed him. In other words, someone was targeting Victoria. These people had spread rumors about Victoria being someone''s mistress all over the inte. They even found out about the mansion beforehand and hid there twenty-four hours in advance to get these photos. Who was it? Who leaked this to the press and tried to destroy Victoria through public pressure? Knock, knock, knock. Someone knocked on the door to his study. Immediately, he closed theptop lid before he permitted that person to enter. The door was pushed open, and Wendy walked in with a tray in her hand. ¡°Nell, I''ve prepared some soup for you. Have it while it''s still hot.¡± Lionel didn''t say anything and narrowed his eyes at her. Could it be her? It shouldn''t be possible. The people who attended to her were all my men. If she did anything, I would be the first to know. But there wasn''t anything unusual from my men''s report. ¡°Have you seen the news?¡± Lionel asked in a roundabout way. Stunned for a second, Wendy looked at him in confusion before saying, ¡°What news? I haven''t had the time to watch the news since I was in the kitchen making soup. Did something happen?¡± Lionel leaned back on the couch and folded his arms. Looking at her indifferently, he drawled, ¡°It''s okay. You''ll know sooner orter. The rumors are true. I''m indeed keeping a mistress, and she''s Victoria.¡± Wendy trembled, her eyes flickered, and she had an awkward expression on her face. She felt a sense of shame at his straightforwardness. ¡°Nell, I¡ª¡± Lionel waved at her dismissively and said, ¡°You know, we are not even married and have not slept together either. You don''t have to think of it as a betrayal. But if you feel wronged, you can look for one yourself like I did. You¡ª¡± ¡°Lionel,¡± Wendy called out to him in a high-pitched voice, with tears welling up in her eyes and a wounded expression on her face. ¡°After all these years, can''t you feel my feelings for you? You promised to give Sebastian and me aplete family.¡± Lionelughed and shook his head at her. ¡°That''s not it, Wendy. The man you love is not me but Sebastian''s biological father.¡± ¡°No!¡± Wendy got agitated. ¡°I don''t love him! That irresponsible b*stard! I wish I could tear him into pieces if I ever see him! Why would I love him?¡± ¡°If you don''t love him, why did you go against your parents for him? If you don''t love him, why would you give yourself to him and have Sebastian? Wends, calm down, and listen to your heart. Who do you really love?¡± Wendy burst into tears and shook her head continuously. ¡°No, I don''t love him! I never loved him. That spineless, irresponsible piece of shit! That man doesn''t deserve my love! I''m used to living with you after all these years. I want to stay with you in the future.¡± Lionel sighed. He walked in front of her, held her in his embrace, and said, ¡°See? You said so yourself that you''re used to living with me. After all, I took you in and cared for you when you were at your lowest. So, you may have mistaken your dependency on me for love. However, this is not love. Wends, when he left you that year, he might have had his own reason.¡± ¡°I don''t want to listen to that.¡± Wendy covered her ears, sobbing. ¡°He knew I was pregnant with his child, but he still chose to leave me. His reason? What bullshit! I bet he was scared that he would suffer the Hoffman family''s wrath after eloping with me. He''s a cowardly and worthless b*stard!¡± Lionel couldn''t say anything about that. Outside the seaside mansion, a slender figure was weaving in and out under the trees like a phantom at night. As she moved, she leaped nimbly across a high wall and entered the courtyard. In the next second, her figure blurred, and she gracefully entered through the floor-to-ceiling window. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. In the room, when Victoria was spacing out in front of her vanity table, she saw a silhouette materializing behind her in the mirror. She was so shocked that she jumped from her chair. Before she could let out a scream, a hand reached out behind her neck and covered her mouth. ¡°Vicky, it''s me.¡± Victoria was at a loss for words. She knew it was Bailey since she had seen Bailey''s face in the mirror. However, her self-preservation instincts kicked in when Bailey suddenly appeared in her room, prompting her to scream. After Bailey took her hand away from Victoria''s mouth, Victoria turned and hugged Bailey tightly. ¡°Bay...¡± Bailey returned the hug and consoled her, ¡°Sorry, dear. I''mte.¡± After that, she pushed Victoria away and observed thetter. Her expression darkened when her eyes fell on the countless bruises and kiss marks on Victoria''s neck. ¡°Did you sleep with Lionel?¡± Chapter 332 Chapter 332 Victoria was stunned. She followed her gaze and looked down. She was wearing her nightgown. However, after all that moving, arge part of her front was exposed. The marks left by Lionel looked especially ring on her fair skin. What Victoria felt when her best friend saw her in this miserable state was a deep shame. Instinctively, she pulled up her nightgown to cover them and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Don''t look at me. I''m dirty.¡± Smack! In anger, Bailey pped the back of Victoria''s head and scolded her, ¡°Vicky, is that how you view our friendship for gosh, how many years already? That time, when someone forced himself on me and made me pregnant, who was the one who took me in and let me stay in their condominium for seven whole months? Why the heck didn''t you think I was dirty then?¡± As Bailey talked about it, she began to choke on her words in sadness. Victoria smiled bitterly. ¡°I''m sorry. I was not in my right mind. Don''t take it to heart.¡± Bailey dragged Victoria to the dressing room and said, ¡°Get changed and leave here with me. Let''s ignore those scummy b*stards and run as far away as we can. We should steer clear of them from now on.¡± Staring dumbly at Bailey, Victoria frowned and asked, ¡°Are you leaving Hallsbay? And you''re going to take me with you?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bailey answered. ¡°All Artemis that scumbag has in his head are ways to get me to sleep with him. I''m afraid I will fail to resist his temptation one day and fall into his trap. I should leave while I''m not that deeply involved with him.¡± Victoria stayed silent for a while before saying, ¡°Since you two love each other, why don''t you give it a try? Life is short, and finding someone you love is really hard. Are you sure you''re okay giving it up like this?¡± Bailey stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Victoria with a self-deprecating smile. ¡°Zayron and Susan''s biological father is Simon. This is the truth. No matter how powerful we are, we can''t change the fact. The only thing I can do is to provide a good living environment for the children. We can''t destroy their futures just because we can''t control ourselves.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Victoria pursed her lips and smiled helplessly. ¡°All right, fine. I respect your decision. But I can''t go. I can''t go until Lionel has promised to spare my father.¡± Bailey''s face darkened. She narrowed her eyes and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°At this point, rumors about you being a sugar baby and having fallen so far as to be someone''s mistress are literally everywhere! Now that your backer isn''t revealed yet, you can still save yourself. Do you know what would happen to you if Lionel was exposed?¡± ¡°I know.¡± Looking at Bailey, Victoria calmly continued, ¡°Everyone will curse at me for being a homewrecker who ruined someone else''s marriage. Many would even think I have approached and seduced Lionel with ulterior motives, like trying to take Saunders Group back from him.¡± ¡°If you know, why aren''t you leaving with me?¡± ¡°Bay, what I''m experiencing now, Lionel had experienced it seven years ago. He had been cursed by the masses that he was so depraved that he slept with his stepmother and cuckolded his father. He was considered a piece of utter trash. You see? He had it worse than me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey was furious. Just as she was about to knock Victoria out cold so she could forcefully drag her away, Victoria darted to the side and evaded her. Victoria knew Bailey too well. She smiled and said, ¡°Bay, let me end this ursed rtionship. I have already paid my price. If I can''t witness the ending, all of my sacrifices will be in vain.¡± Bailey opened her mouth to say something but decided against it once she saw Victoria''s stubborn yet determined face. ¡°Fine. Since you insist, I shouldn''t force this on you. Take good care of yourself. I need to go out of the country for some time. Something''s wrong at Vero''s ce, and I need to deal with it. Keep yourself safe, always. If you ever decide to leave Hallsbay, use our exclusive contact number to call me. I''ll send for someone to fetch you immediately.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After leaving the seaside mansion, Bailey went to the Chivers residence. She first visited Glen before chatting with Gwendolyn for some time. When Bailey was about to leave, Gwendolyn held her hand and said smilingly, ¡°I await the time you be our daughter-inw.¡± Ever since Yoel knew about Bailey''s many identities, the man wasn''t opposed to her marrying his son. Yoel was now of the same mind as Gwendolyn and Edmund. Now, they wanted Bailey to marry into their family. Reaching out and hugging Gwendolyn, Bailey leaned in and said in her ear, ¡°Since I was young, my parents had always been lukewarm toward me. However, from you, Mrs. Chivers, I felt motherly love. Actually, I have long thought of you as my own mother. So, take care of yourself. I will try my best to fulfill your wishes.¡± Gwendolyn broke into a beaming smile. With tears in her eyes, she said, ¡°Okay, okay. That''s wonderful. Wonderful.¡± Under the moonlight, Edmund and Bailey were walking on the narrow road to the parking lot. ¡°Have you decided when you are leaving?¡± Edmund asked. Smiling faintly, Bailey nced at him from the side and said in a teasing tone, ¡°Why do I keep sensing that you''re eagerly waiting for this moment toe?¡± ¡°You''re right.¡± Edmund was candid. ¡°I am overjoyed that I can take you away from Hallsbay.¡± Bailey shook her head. With a straight face, she said, ¡°No, we can''t leave together. Artemis will stop us.¡± Edmund was not surprised at all. He had known this would happen. ¡°I mean we can finally leave Hallsbay and live the kind of life we used to have overseas. Oh, yeah, have you thought of a way to leave?¡± Chapter 333 Chapter 333 Bailey blinked, and a mysterious look crept into her eyes. ¡°Not telling you.¡± Edmundughed quietly at that. As he watched her cheeky expression, his gaze became as soft as the moonlight of the night. ¡°Can I really not know about it?¡± Bailey chuckled softly. ¡°I''m just messing with you. I''m going to be on the navy battleship.¡± Edmund arched a brow. After a moment of confusion, he gradually realized what Bailey meant, and he laughed. ¡°The son of the Fletcher family seems easy to convince. You''re not in the army, but he''s letting you on the battleship. That''s risky of him to do so. Isn''t he afraid that he would be in hot water if Artemis found out about this?¡± ¡°Who cares? I don''t mind as long as I can get out of Hallsbay. It''s true that Artemis is capable, but he wouldn''t dare to intercept a battleship. He has no choice but to watch me leave this time.¡± Meanwhile, Artemis was answering a call by the window in the Luther residence study. ¡°Mr. Luther, there''s nothing unusual at the three exits for the sea, thend, and the air. Are you sure that Ms. Jefferson will use these methods to leave even when she knows that you''re going to intercept her?¡± Artemis, who was standing in the corner where no lights illuminated his face, uttered, ¡°No.¡± After a long silence, Ken recovered from his speechlessness and said, ¡°If it''s a no, why are you still asking us to guard the ce? Isn''t that pointless?¡± Artemis quirked his brows. ¡°If you don''t guard the exits, she''ll be able to leave without needing to sneak out.¡± Ken inhaled sharply. Right. ¡°By the way, my subordinates informed me earlier that Ms. Jefferson has gone to the seaside mansion, but she didn''t bring anyone out of there. After that, she went to the Chivers residence and has yet to come out until now.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint shing across them. Hmph! That woman''s eager to leave, but I''ll prove to her with my actions that I''ve already locked her up in my cage. She''ll never get to leave! Wherever I am, she has to be there too. Fine. It can also be ¡°wherever she goes, I''ll follow.¡± However, Artemis could not be too certain of his words, and he could not try to y cool in front of Bailey. Otherwise, he would end up getting punished. ¡°All right, I got it. Zayron will contact me and tell me which route they''re taking to leave. Just stay where you are and wait for my orders.¡± At the same time, Rhonda was about to head up the stairs when Maxton stopped her in her tracks. ¡°Max, you haven''t fully recovered yet. Didn''t Grandma ask you to rest earlier? Why are you here on the stairs?¡± Maxton beckoned her to move closer to him. Rhonda frowned, but after a while of hesitation, she hunched over to lean her ear closer to his mouth. Maxton whispered, ¡°Rhonda, I''ve been faking it previously. I was pretending to be mentally challenged to get enough information to ckmail you. My efforts paid off, and I''ve gotten what I want now.¡± What? Rhonda whipped her head to the side and stared at Maxton in shock. He''s been faking it? This b*stard''s been faking it? Does that mean he understood me when I blurted out that I wasn''t his real mother? ¡°M-Max, are you pulling Mommy''s leg? You fell down the stairs and had a bloody hole in your head back then. Your nerves were damaged, and even Bailey said you''ve be mentally challenged. How could you have faked that?¡± Maxton scoffed, ¡°I faked them all. It isn''t the first time I''ve heard the animosity in your voice. In fact, I even heard you say that I wasn''t your real son but an illegitimate son. Tsk, tsk, tsk. If my grandma and daddy find out about your lies, you''ll definitely be on your way to hell.¡± Rhonda''s face turned ashen. She grabbed his shoulders and uttered hastily, ¡°Max, you must have made a mistake. How can I not be your mommy? I gave birth to you! Don''t let these strange thoughts take over your mind.¡± Maxton snorted. ¡°I''m going to tell Grandma about it tomorrow. I''ll ask her to invite Justin over for a DNA test.¡± With that, he lifted his chin, put his hands on his hips, and strode toward his room. Rhonda stumbled back a little as she stared at Maxton in fear. Then a murderous look crossed her eyes. No. I can''t let a little pest like him stay here anymore. If the Luthers find out about the truth of his birth, they''ll surely kick me out of the family. I''ve only been Mrs. Luther for such a short time. How can I let that little rat destroy my life? No, I must find a way to make him shut up. I''ll make him take that secret to his grave. The next morning, Bailey turned on herptop and sent the resignation letter to the new director of the HR department. After keeping her identification documents, she exited the bedroom to go to the living room. When she saw that her children were already seated on the couch, she curled her lips and said, ¡°I''ll be leaving now. In a few days'' time, you''ll be leaving here with Daddy Eddy too. Be good and stay home until then, okay?¡± The corners of Susan''s lips turned downward. ¡°Are you really leaving? You haven''t dealt with Rhonda yet.¡± Bailey smiled and reached out to ruffle the girl''s hair. ¡°Your Aunt Rhonda has married a beggar, and he''s waiting for her to bear his children. Don''t worry. She''ll have a happy marriage.¡± Zayron''s lips twitched. She''s putting on an innocent look despite her cruel acts. Wow! Ratemis has such a good eye indeed. A rat and a witch. How perfect. ¡°The sun''s almost up. Hurry up and get lost.¡± Bailey smacked the back of his head and said, ¡°Take care of your sister.¡± Just as Bailey stepped out of the condominium, she noticed the number of people tailing her. Artemis, you should know that your people can''t keep me here, so why are you still doing this? After a bout of parkour and bouldering, Bailey managed to shake off two-thirds of her stalkers. Then, once she used her hypnotic skill, she shook off all of them. No one in this world could keep her trapped, not unless she allowed it herself. She was no longer the same easy target she was seven years ago. Bailey continued running toward the suburbs before finally meeting Raiden in a remote spot on the outskirts. When Raiden saw the sweat beading her forehead, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and passed it to her. ¡°Here.¡± Bailey took it without dwelling much on it and wiped her face. While gasping for breath, she said, ¡°We can go now.¡± A glint of approval shed in Raiden''s eyes. ¡°As expected of a marathon champion and a rock-climbing master. Artemis has sent almost five batches of agents to tail you, but you''ve shaken them all off. I''m curious why he isn''t intervening yet.¡± Bailey smiled, but that was a smile that did not reach her eyes. ¡°He knows he can''t stop me; no one will be able to keep me here if I''ve made up my mind to leave. Rather than making things awkward, it''s better for him to give me his blessings and let me go instead.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Raiden shook his head in disagreement. ¡°I don''t think you''ll be able to leave Hallsbay that easily today. I''m sure he has another ace up his sleeve.¡± Chapter 334 Chapter 334 Hearing that, Bailey raised her brows. ¡°How can that be possible? You''re the one in charge of the battleship. Are you going to let Artemis take me away while we''re in your territory?¡± Raiden shook his head with a smile. ¡°Of course he''s not going to do as he pleases on my territory. If he dares to cross the line and go against the orders of the army, I''ll shoot him and send him to meet his maker. Still, I''m guessing he won''t risk his life to challenge my patience. After all, he''s a global millionaire with assets worth trillions. He has a wonderful life, so why would he gamble with it?¡± ¡°That''s that, then.¡± Bailey shrugged before reaching out to pull open the door and get into the car. Raiden couldn''t help butugh. ¡°I''m not worried about Artemising after you; I''m worried that you''ll feel reluctant to part and return to him yourself.¡± Bailey waved her hands dismissively and uttered, ¡°That''s impossible. If I was reluctant to leave, I wouldn''t have asked you to get me out of here with a battleship. It''s not a simple favor to owe you, you know?¡± Raiden got into the car as well and chuckled. ¡°You''ve contributed much to the country, and a reward for that is due. But fame and money aren''t your things, so I didn''t ask for that for you. Just take this battleship trip as a reward from the government for the 5G core technology. This won''t be a personal favor, so be at ease.¡± Bailey blinked. It''ll be great if that''s the case. She truly did not wish to be indebted to Raiden. It was not because she would not be able to repay the favor another time but because his feelings for her made her want to keep a distance from him. Artemis alone was already a massive headache. Bailey was not interested in having another man who had the power of the army be obsessed with her. The car moved slowly, but in no time, it sped off. The journey was a smooth one. As Raiden had said, Artemis did not dare to provoke him, as he had military power. With just one order from him, the sky would rain bullets and fill Artemis with holes. Once they reached the port, Raiden led her onto the battleship. ¡°Which route are we taking?¡± Bailey asked with a frown. Raiden folded his hands behind his back and surveyed the choppy waves on the deck before saying, ¡°We''ll be heading west along the ind sea until we cross the border. I''m sure you have a way out once we''re out of the country, right?¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Yes. All you need to do is send me beyond the border. Thank you.¡± ¡°That''ll be easy.¡± The battleship started moving and slowly made its way out of the shallow waters toward the seemingly endless ocean. Bailey continued staying on the deck, watching the bustling city fade from her sight. Her eyes darkened. She had beening and going from various ces freely all these years. Yet, in Hallsbay, she had developed a bond she found hard to let go of. Her heart had changed drastically. Goodbye, the city that has made me lose myself. Meanwhile, at the port, Artemis was standing at the highest spot, watching the ocean with a pair of binocrs. Ken walked over to him and lowered his head. ¡°Mr. Luther, news hase from the military port. Mr. Fletcher''s battleship that Bailey is on has left for the sea.¡± Artemis ignored him, his gaze still fixed on the ocean. There, a ship was slowly heading toward the deep waters. Artemis'' gaze darkened. Bailey, Bailey. I''m surprised you even thought about taking a battleship to leave this ce. Should I say that you''re smart, or should I say that you''re stubborn? ¡°Is the sniper ready?¡± he quietly asked as he lowered the binocrs. Ken hesitated for a moment before saying through gritted teeth, ¡°We can head overseas to look for Ms. Jefferson after this. There''s no point risking your life like this. Although the sniper I''ve hired is one of the best, we can''t guarantee that nothing will go wrong. If the target moves¡ª¡± Artemis waved his hand to stop Ken from continuing. In a gloomy voice, he said, ¡°I want to tell her in this way that I''ve trapped her heart here. Even if her body escapes from me, her heart cannot.¡± At that, Ken fell silent. He could not stop theplicated emotions from crossing his face. Artemis was a strong man with few desires. Nothing in the world could crush him. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Yet, a man who had everything like him was more than willing to risk his life for a woman. ¡°Make the arrangements per my instructions earlier.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Right as Ken left, Artemis'' phone rang. When he fished it out of his pocket, he realized it was a call from the Luther residence. ¡°Bad news, Mr. Luther! Mr. Maxton has been bitten by a cobra!¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and snapped, ¡°Why are you calling me instead of Justin?¡± ¡°B-But Mr. Xuereb is out of the country!¡± Artemis shuddered. The venom of a cobra is fatal. Without the appropriate antidote, the victim will not have long to live. ¡°I''m on my way back. Get the infirmary to find a way to prep the antidote. Tell them that they''re dead meat if anything happens to my son.¡± Chapter 335 Chapter 335 After ending the call, Artemis turned to look at the ocean as a wave of bitterness washed over his heart. Is this how cruel fate is? Something just had to happen when I''m about to execute my n. Is this fated? Are we destined to not be in each other''s lives? Is that why God isn''t even giving me a chance to keep her here? ¡°Thank goodness you haven''t shot yourself,¡± came a youthful voice from behind Artemis. It was Zayron. The boy jumped over the railing and walked over to his father. After a moment of studying Artemis from head to toe, he frowned and continued, ¡°Fortunately, you won''t need to go on with your painful n.¡± Artemis lifted a brow before lowering his gaze to look at Zayron and asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zayron clicked his tongue. ¡°You have a good son who doesn''t want you to be shot to death. That''s why he let out a snake and let it bite him. I''ll call Bailey now and tell her that Max has been bitten by a cobra and is on the verge of death.¡± Artemis'' expression darkened, and a hint of anger manifested in his eyes. ¡°Are you telling me that he intentionally let the snake bite him? Damn it! How can he do something dangerous like this?¡± Zayron flinched in fear. Darn, Ratemis is quite scary when he''s angry. ¡°A-Actually, he wasn''t the one who let out the snake. It was Rhonda. Max came clean with Rhondast night and even said that he was going to get a DNA test with her. Rhonda was desperate, so she ordered someone to put a snake in Max''s room. The only thing Max is guilty of is ying the fool and letting the snake bite him.¡± Artemis was speechless. His temples throbbed. These two idiots! Don''t they know how dangerous this is? If anything happens to the two of them, she''ll nevere back to me even if I get shot ten times, let alone once. ¡°I''ll settle the scores with youter. Hurry and call your mother. Tell her...¡± At that, Artemis paused for a moment. ¡°Tell her that my enemy shot me. Tell her that the bullet is lodged in my heart but no one dares to operate on me. Urge her to hurry back.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Zayron blinked rapidly. ¡°Aren''t we supposed to tell her that Max has been bitten by a cobra?¡± ¡°A cobra''s bite is deadly, but that''s something a doctor can deal with, although it''ll take quite an effort. Do you think your mom''s going toe back to develop the antidote for him?¡± Um... Zayron pursed his lips before muttering in a sympathetic tone, ¡°So you mean to say that Dummy suffered for nothing?¡± Artemis huffed. ¡°Well, it isn''tpletely pointless. At least I don''t need to be shot now.¡± ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry and call your mother.¡± Sorry, Bailey. For the sake of getting the power Ratemis has now, I''ll have to betray you. On the battleship, Bailey was watching the city fade into a ck dot before disappearing beneath the waves. Just as she was about to look away, her phone rang. Upon taking it out, she discovered that it was a call from Zayron. She narrowed her eyes. A moment of hesitationter, she epted the call. ¡°What''s wrong?¡± ¡°Mommy, I have bad news! Maxton just called me and told me that Ratemis was shot in the chest by his enemy. Apparently, his life is in danger!¡± Bailey''s eyes widened, and her phone nearly slipped out of her hand and fell into the sea. She quickly rposed herself and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°What did he promise you to make you agree to help him out with this lie?¡± Zayron was at a loss for words. Mommy''s too calm and rational. It''s hard to trick her. Still, the boy soon came up with another n. After he decided to go all out and steeled himself, he said, ¡°Yes, it''s part of his n, but that old man actually did it! The sniper shot right at his heart. You know how Justin is overseas right now. There isn''t any doctor in Hallsbay who dares to operate on him. If you don''te back now, he''ll die. Well, he only has himself to me for his. You have the choice not to save him.¡± Fury twisted inside of her as her grip on her phone tightened so much that the tips of her fingers went white. How dare that damned man do this? How can he force me in such a ruthless way? Do I go back? If I do, I''ll be admitting to him that my heart is trapped here and that I''ll never be free from this ce. What if I don''t go back? Justin isn''t in Hallsbay. No one will be able to operate on him. Soon, he''ll be dead. Darn him! What a scoundrel! He''s a b*stard and a rascal! What else is he but a pest if he''s using such lowly tricks to force me to return? ¡°Anyway, I''m only informing you about the situation. Whether or not you want toe back will be up to you. But I have to say, Bailey, Ratemis is quite badly hurt this time.¡± With that, Zayron ended the call. Bailey nearly broke her teeth from how hard she gritted them. She had no doubt that the man would fire a shot at his heart. After all, his love for her had turned into an obsession. ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Raiden''s voice came from behind her, and it pulled her back to reality. Bailey gave him a bitter chuckle. ¡°It looks like your words havee true. Please turn the ship around and head back to Hallsbay. I can''t leave.¡± Chapter 336 Chapter 336 Indeed, Bailey could not leave, for that man had trapped her heart in Hallsbay. Regardless of whether his injury was genuine or not, regardless of whether he or his enemy had fired that shot, all she could think of at that moment was the image of him in a pool of his own blood after he took the stab for Zayron the other time. Bailey did not dare to take the risk when it came to Artemis'' life. If he was truly injured, all that waited for the madman if she did not return was death. Raiden narrowed his eyes at her and asked with a lifted brow, ¡°What if I don''t agree with turning around? What would you do?¡± Bailey lifted her head to nce at him. The only thing she said to him was, ¡°Then you will be my enemy.¡± Raiden smiled bitterly. ¡°The love you have for him is immense. How can Artemis be so fortunate to have your affection?¡± Bailey inclined her head a little and muttered, ¡°I don''t think that''s the case. It''s not good fortune that he has met me but ill fortune. I''ve dragged that divine man off his throne and tainted him with worldly desires. I''ve made him an ordinary man.¡± A dark look danced across Raiden''s eyes. A while of silenceter, he turned and headed toward the cabin. Bailey quietly watched him leave before sighing inwardly. Artemis had won. Not only did he win her, but he even won Edmund and Raiden. Upon reaching the port, Bailey rushed straight to Justin''s medical base. When she darted into the emergency room and saw Artemis leaning against the wall,pletely unscathed, she went cold with fury. Disregarding the other Luthers who were present, Bailey pped him. Smack! The sound snapped the dazed Luthers back to their senses. Almost immediately, Felicity roared, ¡°How dare you hit my son, Bailey Jefferson?¡± Bailey shoved her aside aggressively, making Felicity stumble back until she fell into Gerald''s arms. ¡°Y-You pushed me?¡± Felicity struggled to get out of her husband''s hold to fight with Bailey. ¡°That''s enough. Hold your tongue if you don''t want to see your beloved grandson die. We will need to rely on her.¡± Bailey ignored all the noises around her and uttered in a mocking, contemptuous manner, ¡°Weren''t you shot? Where''s the injury? Where''s the bullet? Didn''t you say that you were on the verge of death? Who is this healthy man in front of me, then?¡± Artemis pursed his lips and said grimly, ¡°Max has been bitten by a cobra. Justin isn''t in town, and the medical team hasn''te up with the right antidote yet. Please save him.¡± ¡°What does his life have to do with me?¡± Bailey raised her voice. ¡°Do you think of me as a saint? Am I supposed to save everyone who''s in trouble?¡± Anyone in her position would have exploded in anger. Only God knew how anxious she had been when she had rushed back here. Yet, the supposedly dying man had no trouble standing in front of her. Despite not actually wanting him to be hurt, she could not stop the wrath from taking over her mind. ¡°I''m sorry,¡± Artemis said in his hoarse voice. Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her into the emergency room. ¡°Let go!¡± Bailey bellowed as she thrashed around. ¡°Artemis Luther, you''re a madman! You''re a b*stard! You''re nothing but a pest! You''re bullying me! All you know is to be mean to me!¡± As she shrieked curses, tears welled up in her eyes, and she began bawling. Artemis pursed his lips before turning to shout at the doctors in the room, ¡°You useless bunch! I can''t believe you''ve failed to develop the right antidote until now! Why should we still hire you? Get the f*ck out right now!¡± The doctors scrambled out of the emergency room. Once they were gone, Artemis pulled her into a tight hug. ¡°Max took the hit for me. I was supposed to shoot myself, but the silly boy was scared that I might die, so he let a snake bite him instead. I''m sorry. I couldn''t protect our boy well and made him suffer in my ce.¡± Although Bailey was crying, she still had a good head on her shoulders. When she registered his words, she slowly lifted her head to stare at him. In a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°W-What do you mean? What do you mean by our boy?¡± Artemis turned her head to make her look at the boy on the bed. ¡°Look, doesn''t his face seem familiar? Doesn''t he look like you?¡± Bailey began shaking. ¡°No. No, no, no. He can''t be my child. Artemis, don''t do this. Don''t do this to me, please. I really, really don''t want to be filled with hope, only to have my hope taken from me again. My child died in the delivery room back then. He died. He was gone.¡± At that, herst bits of calmness shattered as her face turned pale. She was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Artemis tightened his grip on her before leaning closer to nt kisses on her pale cheeks. ¡°There''s no way this is a mistake, and I won''t let your hope turn into despair anymore. Bay, Max is really our eldest son. Rhonda took him away.¡± Something in Bailey''s mind exploded, causing her to tremble even harder. ¡°No, that''s not right. I''ve done a DNA test for them before. Max isn''t Rhonda''s biological son, and he''s not her nephew either, so there''s no way he''s my eldest son. He''s not mine. No, he isn''t. Artemis, you''re really doing everything just to keep me by your side, huh?¡± Artemis sighed softly. ¡°He''s lying right in front of you. You can always do a DNA test with him. Bay, I swear I''m not lying to you. Max is your son, and Susan and Zayron aren''t Simon''s children either. They''re mine.¡± Bailey''s eyes widened. It was only then a certain thought crossed her mind. If Maxton was her son, then Zayron and Susan would be Artemis'' children. What''s going on? Can anyone tell me what''s going on? After a moment of silence, she struggled out of his arms and walked toward the side of the bed. ¡°Let''s put that aside for now. Show me the test report. I need to know what kind of cobra it was before I can come up with the right antidote.¡± Artemis was silent as he walked to the side. Shortly after, he returned with a few test reports. Bailey took them and skimmed through them. ¡°Okay, I know what antidote to make for him.¡± With that, she began searching for needles in the room. After finally finding it, she took half a syringe of Maxton''s blood before heading toward the door. ¡°I''ll be developing the antidote in theb.¡± Bailey''s footsteps were steady, but if one were to look at her closely, one could see that she was shaking. No doubt she had taken Maxton''s blood for a DNA test. Chapter 337 Chapter 337 Inside the living room of Shelbert Condominium, Edmund was ying blocks with Susan when his phone on the table suddenly rang. Upon picking it up, he realized it was his assistant on the line. Thereafter, he gradually got off the couch and gave Susan''s hair a tousle as he spoke. ¡°Carry on ying. I need to take a call.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Once he entered the study, he swiped to answer. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Chivers, I have just received news that General Fletcher''s battleship has turned back.¡± The stunned Edmund narrowed his gaze slightly. ¡°Turned back? Are you sure you haven''t made a mistake?¡± ¡°I''m certain of it. Ms. Jefferson has also returned to Hallsbay. The moment I heard the news, I tracked her down and learned that she headed straight to Mr. Xuereb''s medical base the moment she left the port.¡± Justin''s medical base? Edmund''s brows furrowed in reflex. ¡°Did you find out the reason for her visit?¡± ¡°Based on what I''ve learned, Maxton was bitten by a cobra. However, I''m not sure if that''s why Ms. Jefferson has decided to return.¡± ¡°All right, I got it.¡± After ending the call, Edmund let out a gentle sigh as a wry smile emerged on his face. Despite everything, she has still failed to leave? Has her heart been captured by someone in Hallsbay, making it difficult for her to do so? Regardless of whether it is because of Artemis'' injury or Maxton''s snake bite, her return has proved how indispensable both of them are to her. Bay, oh Bay, since when did you lose your heart to someone else? Why does fate insist oning between both of us? Does my six-year presence by your side mean nothingpared to the mere months you spent with him? Meanwhile, at the medical base, Bailey injected the specially-formted serum into Maxton. It wasn''t until she was certain the venom was neutralized that she breathed a sigh of relief. As if every bit of strength had been drained from her, she slumped onto the side of the bed. Watching the purplish-ck marks gradually receding from Maxton''s face, Bailey was greeted by the tender face of a child again. It reminded her of the first time she met him. Back then, she felt that he didn''t resemble Rhonda at all. Instead, she was bugged by a niggling sense of familiarity. After dwelling upon the matter, she came to the conclusion that he resembled her. As she ran her slender fingers across his pale face, a raspy voice rang out from her throat. ¡°Are you really my son? I have gone through so many cycles of hope and despair that I''ve long been traumatized by it. It''s not that I don''t love you. It''s just... I no longer dare to hope.¡± At that moment, Artemis entered the room and came up to her side. cing his hand on her shoulder, he remarked softly, ¡°Actually, if we really think about it, everything does make sense. Back then, Rhonda and you gave birth on the same day. You lost your eldest son, whereas she had a boy. Thereafter, she brought the child to the Luther family and imed it as her own, demanding due recognition. At the end of the day, this was nothing but a scheme concocted by her vanity and greed for wealth.¡± Pursing her lips, Bailey shook her head. ¡°As of now, I don''t trust what anyone has to say. Only the maternity test can validate the truth.¡± Artemis grunted softly in acknowledgment. ¡°In that case, let''s wait for the results of the test.¡± Artemis had barely finished when a thought struck him. After a brief hesitation, he probed, ¡°Bay, if the test results show that Max is your son. It... would also mean that Rhonda isn''t your biological sister.¡± His words sent a jolt through Bailey. ¡°Rhonda is definitely rence''s daughter¡ªthis I''m certain of. If she and I aren''t rted by blood, it would also mean I''m not rence''s biological child.¡± Artemis reached out to give her a hug. ¡°Don''t overthink it. Going forward, the children and I will be by your side. As for your so-called parents and sister, they no longer matter anymore.¡± ¡°Hmph,¡± Bailey scoffed softly. ¡°Don''t worry. If it turns out that I''m not their real daughter, it''s actually a cause for celebration, as I have never seen them as my own family before.¡± Artemis didn''t know what to say. After pushing him aside, Bailey got to her feet. ¡°I heard Zayron mention that it was Rhonda who nted the snake in Max''s room. Where is she? It''s time she pays for everything she has done.¡± This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Artemis nodded. ¡°My men have her restrained. Do you want to see her?¡± ¡°Let''s wait till the maternity test results are out before we decide what to do.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± The results came out that night itself. After reading it, Bailey locked herself in theb for a few hours. It wasn''t until five the next morning that she emerged with an exhausted expression. Having not slept a wink and being flooded with turbulent thoughts, she felt like every ounce of energy had left her. The moment she stepped out of theb, her head spun before her legs began to buckle. Artemis, who had been waiting outside the entire night, was initially delighted to see her emerge atst. However, the sight of her swaying body and subsequent copse caused his heart to skip a beat as he dashed forward to catch her. ¡°Bay, are you all right?¡± Twitching her lips, Bailey¡ªright before she lost consciousness¡ªmumbled, ¡°Artemis, my son... is alive.¡± With that, her eyes rolled up before she finally fainted. Chapter 338 Chapter 338 In the living room of the Luther residence, a loud p echoed through the space. Felicity had struck Rhonda so hard that thetter copsed onto the carpet on the ground. ¡°You despicable woman! The agony you have caused me and the entire Luther family with your lies! Throughout these seven years, I was manipted by you like a fool!¡± Ignoring the burning sensation on her cheek, the pathetic Rhonda groveled in front of Felicity and clung to thetter''s thigh. ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, what have I done wrong? Why are you so angry?¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Overwhelmed by her rage, Felicity mmed a kick into Rhonda as she hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°What have you done wrong? You actually have the cheek to say that? Get the infirmary administrator in here!¡± No sooner had she spoken than the administrator entered the living room. ¡°Mrs. Luther.¡± Pointing her finger at Rhonda, Felicity thundered, ¡°Tell her what she did wrong!¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Luther.¡± The administrator retrieved a document from a folder before throwing it in front of Rhonda. She asserted coldly, ¡°Ms. Rhonda, based on the maternity test results, you and Mr. Maxton are not biologically rted.¡± Rhonda''s mind went nk at the words. Have I been exposed? Didn''t that b*stard, Maxton, die from the venomous snake bite? Who was it that told this olddy the truth? Who? ¡°No, Mrs. Luther, let me exin. You have to listen to me. I¡ª¡± p! p! The crisp sounds reverberated through the room as Felicity interrupted her with another two ps. For making a fool out of her for seven years, Felicity was dying to tear Rhonda limb from limb. ¡°If you daree close to me again, I''ll have your legs broken.¡± The words sent a shiver down Rhonda''s spine. After shifting her gaze away from Felicity, Rhonda turned to look at Gerald and Caridee. ¡°Caridee! Caridee, please talk to your mother on my behalf. I was forced to do it. I...¡± With a smirk on her face, Caridee stepped forward and flung a whole stack of documents in Rhonda''s face. ¡°Take a good look at what you''ve done. You have not only tried to harm Max repeatedly but also Granddad. A devious person like you deserves to go to prison.¡± The revtion caused Felicity to explode. ¡°If it wasn''t because my grandson was lucky, he would''ve died in your hands. Rhonda, you should stop hoping that the Luther family will show you any mercy. I''m going to make sure that you''re locked up and the key is thrown away!¡± Rhonda''s face lost all color abruptly. No... No! I can''t go to prison. I don''t want to spend the rest of my days in a dank dungeon, for I am Mrs. Luther, the most distinguished woman in the world. Nobody cany a finger on me! ¡°Fine, expose me then. Once the public hears that the recently married Mrs. Luther is a wickeddy who''s responsible for countless misdeeds, the Luther family''s reputation will be ruined.¡± ¡°You...¡± Pointing at Rhonda, Felicity was rendered speechless by her rage. Subsequently, Gerald walked up to his wife to assuage her anger as he asked, ¡°Go on, tell us where you got Max from. Who is his biological mother?¡± Rhonda burst into hystericalughter. ¡°His real mother is dead. Do you hear me? Dead! After giving birth to that b*stard, she was killed in an avnche!¡± ¡°Rhonda,¡± Caridee snapped, ¡°even at this crucial period, you show no fear at all. Do you really think we won''t dare send you to prison?¡± ¡°Hmph, go on then. I challenge you. In fact, I can''t wait to see the Luther family name be dragged through the mud as you be theughingstock of high society.¡± ¡°You...¡± Overwhelmed by her anger, Felicity¡ªunable to catch her breath¡ªfainted on the spot. Carrying Felicity in his arms, Gerald instructed Caridee to call Artemis back to deal with Rhonda. After that, he went upstairs with the family doctor following closely behind. Once her parents were gone, Caridee gave the devastated Rhonda a look of disdain as she sneered, ¡°Justice wille for you, Rhonda. After all the sins you havemitted, judgment is now upon you. Don''t think that we''re not aware of who you took Max from. Based on what I know, you gave birth on the same day as your sister. Her eldest son inexplicably died while you happened to have given birth to a son. If my guess is correct, Max is Bailey''s child.¡± A murderous glint shed across Rhonda''s eyes. Caridee, sooner orter, I''ll make you pay for your backstabbing with your blood! Meanwhile, inside the bedroom within the medical base, Bailey woke up to be greeted by daylight. Feeling groggy still, she took a while to regain her senses. When she finally did, a smile gradually broke out on her face. My child is still alive! The death of my son caused me seven years of anguish and left a painful scar that I thought would hurt me for the rest of my life. But now... destiny has truly been good to me. More importantly, the children''s real father is Artemis. It''s really Artemis! With that thought in mind, she couldn''t help but smile wider. This is wonderful! ¡°Look at that broad smile of yours. What are you thinking about?¡± The door was pushed open, and in walked Artemis. Greeted by the sight of her gleeful expression, he couldn''t help but raise his brow when he, too, was infected by her joy. Chapter 339 Chapter 339 After sitting up in bed, she leaned back and asked, ¡°How is Max doing? Does he have a fever after the venom was neutralized?¡± Artemis handed a cup of warm water to her. ¡°Drink some water to warm your stomach. I''ll get someone to bring you some food in a while.¡± As Bailey took the cup from his hand, she noticed a slight change in their rtionship. Both of them wanted to talk about the elephant in the room, but neither dared to start first. ¡°I...¡± ¡°I...¡± ¡°You go first.¡± ¡°No, you first.¡± Cocking his brow, Artemis reached out his hand to caress her cheeks before breaking into a smile. ¡°Fine, I''ll go first. I acted rashly back then and got you pregnant without your knowledge. I apologize for that.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes as she mumbled, ¡°You don''t sound sincere at all.¡± Enamored by her reaction, Artemis couldn''t resist sitting by her side and pulling her into his embrace. ¡°I still remember what you told me at Luther Group back then. You said that the man was a rabid dog and that you would castrate him if you saw him again. Now that he''s right in front of you, do you still want to do it?¡± Bailey shot him a re. He must be teasing me for not carrying out my threats. D*mn this b*stard! With a gentle smile, Artemis nuzzled his head against her neck as he joked, ¡°Just admit it if you can''t bring yourself to do it. I promise I won''tugh at you. After all, we''re both adults and will be sleeping frequently with each other. If I were to be castrated, it would be the bane of your sexual life.¡± Bailey didn''t know what to say. What sort of nonsense is he spouting? Thump! Thump! Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard. Artemis'' face turned grim at having their banter interrupted. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, Mr. Maxton is awake.¡± Without a moment''s dy, Bailey pushed Artemis aside and jumped out of bed. When he saw her reaction, Artemis massaged his forehead. Is her son all that matters to her? When she noticed how annoyed he looked, Bailey couldn''t help but smile. She subsequently walked over and nted a kiss on his lips before suggesting warmly, ¡°Now that our child has returned from the brink of death, we, as his parents, should go see him at once. Since we have plenty of time for each other in the future, what are you so anxious about?¡± I''m not the one that''s anxious, something else is. Inside the ward, the doctor was fixing up an IV drip for Maxton, who was grimacing throughout the entire process. ¡°B-Be gentle.¡± This is scary! Annoyed by how his brother was reacting, Zayron snatched the needle from the doctor''s hand and¡ª before Maxton could resist¡ªstabbed the needle into thetter''s vein. ¡°Aah!¡± The agonized scream was so loud that it could be heard through the entire corridor. When Bailey heard the faint cry of her son, her heart skipped a beat as she picked up her pace. The moment she barged into the ward and noticed Maxton ring at his brother with teary eyes, she twisted Zayron''s ear before even saying a word. ¡°You naughty boy, why did you bully him again?¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. Who''s the elder one, and who''s the younger one? Who''s bullying who now? Just as expected, Mommy doesn''t love me anymore with him around. I should have killed him just now with the needle! Ignoring the grumpy look on Zayron''s face, Bailey strode up to Maxton''s bedside and pulled him into a hug. ¡°What happened?¡± Maxton remained silent. Instead, it was the doctor who exined, ¡°Just now, Mr. Zayron took the needle from me and stabbed it into Mr. Maxton''s vein. It probably hurt, but there''s no need to worry because the needle hit the right spot.¡± ¡°All right, I understand.¡± After the doctor left, Artemis lead Zayron out, leaving the mother and son inside. Bailey hugged her son tightly as if she was holding the world in her arms. In a choked voice, she apologized, ¡°Max, I''m sorry. I have failed you by losing you back then.¡± The wonderful sensation of his mother''s embrace elicited a gleeful chuckle from Maxton. ¡°It''s fine, as I''ve been living the good life with the Luther family. It''s not like I grew up in a beggar''s den, fated to be one of them. There''s no need to me yourself at all.¡± Bailey''s heart was warmed by his words. To even know how tofort me, my son has grown up to be so sensible. ¡°Mommy, I''m older than Zayron, aren''t I?¡± Pfft! Unable to help herself, Bailey burst out inughter. Cognizant of what was on his mind, she replied in a gentle tone, ¡°That''s correct. You''re the elder of the two. Even if you aren''t, I have thest word on the matter. If that naughty Zayron dares to cause you trouble, I''ll definitely teach him a lesson.¡± ¡°You''re the best, Mommy!¡± Outside, Artemis cocked a brow when he saw Zayron gloomily leaning against the wall. Upon walking up to thetter, he ruffled Zayron''s hair. ¡°It''s the same if I spoil you.¡± Goosebumps rose on Zayron''s skin, and he pped his father''s hand away. ¡°You''re making me cringe, Ratemis.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Inside a private room in a caf¨¦ by the corner of the street, Wendy hissed at Rose, ¡°Didn''t I already tell you that we shouldn''t meet for the time being while being the talk of the town? Why did you refuse to listen?¡± Lowering her head slightly, Rose shed a smirk. This woman is such a hypocrite. Despite her repeated ims that we''re best friends, they''re nothing but a lie. She''ll definitely throw me under the bus at the first sign of trouble. However, I don''t care about all that anymore. Now that my reputation is in tatters, I just need to use her in my revenge against Victoria. ¡°Of course it''s something urgent. You have seen for yourself the pictures exposed two days ago. Now that we have sessfully made Victoria the talk of the town, she would drown in ridicule if we reveal to the public that she''s Mr. Gezmond''s mistress.¡± Wendy was gripped by hesitancy. Should I do this? The fame and reputation Lionel has painstakingly built will be destroyed if this scandal breaks. Do I really want to throw the currently peaceful life into chaos just because of Victoria? ¡°Don''t act rashly. Let me think about it first.¡± Picking up her bag, Wendy then warned, ¡°Next time, don''t ever ask to meet unless it''s something urgent. It''s not like you''re not aware of your current predicament.¡± With that, she strode right out the door. Watching her leaving silhouette, Rose couldn''t help but sneer. Hmph, you''re so naive. Do you think I''ll stay my hand just because you asked me to? No matter what, I''m going to expose Lionel''s mistress and wreck chaos upon your marriage. Now that my reputation is ruined, what makes you think you can continue living the high life in a prominent family? If I''m being dragged through the mud, I''ll make sure that you join me. Inside the living room of the Jefferson residence, Beatrice was taking a call while leaning against the couch. Upon being informed of something, she sprang to her feet with a drastic change in her expression. ¡°What are you trying to say? What do you mean by Ms. Rhonda has been exposed?¡± ¡°Mrs. Jefferson, all of Ms. Rhonda''s misdeeds have been revealed, including stealing a child and lying about its identity to the Luther family. Furthermore, she even nted a venomous snake that bit Mr. Maxton. Hence, the Luther family wants her to be imprisoned for life.¡± Beatrice''s legs suddenly gave out as she fell back onto the couch. It''s over. Everything''s over. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Chapter 340 Chapter 340 Back at the medical base, Bailey was feeding Maxton some oatmeal in his ward. It was then that the phone by the bed rang. Before she could react, Maxton¡ªone step ahead of her¡ªhad already scooped it up. ¡°Bay, it''s Daddy Eddy.¡± The hand Bailey was holding the spoon with trembled slightly. Edmund... I don''t know how to face him. Even though I promised him to leave Hallsbay to start a new life with him, I chose to return in the end. I''m sure he''s aware of my feelings for Artemis given how smart he is. It was for that reason she didn''t know how to break it to him. After a brief hesitation, she put down the bowl and took the phone from Maxton''s hand. She then walked to the balcony and answered in a raspy voice. ¡°Edmund, I¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Edmund interrupted her. ¡°I heard Max was bitten by a cobra. Has the venom been neutralized?¡± Bailey sighed inwardly with her head hung low. Edmund, oh Edmund, there are just some matters we can''t resolve by avoiding them. If you don''t dare face it, wouldn''t I be holding you back for the rest of your life? ¡°Edmund, there''s something I need to tell you.¡± As tension filled the air, Edmund''s slightly hoarse voice rang out after a momentary pause. ¡°I know what you want to say. It''s all right. What matters now is Maxton. Since you didn''t seed in leaving this time, we''ll think of another way. You should go back to whatever you''re doing as I''ve still got something to deal with. Bye.¡± ¡°Ed¡ª¡± Bailey opened her mouth, but Edmund didn''t give her the opportunity to say anything further. The call-end tone ringing in her ears elicited a wry smile from her. Edmund has probably guessed what I wanted to say. He has just chosen to avoid the topic due to his fear of confronting it. My spurning of his feelings has truly scarred him. Such an exceptional man is now reduced to a wary presence in front of me. Suddenly, footsteps were heard from behind before she felt a heavy weight on her shoulder. Artemis'' voice rang out from beside her ear. ¡°If you can''t bring yourself to talk to him, let me do it.¡± ¡°No,¡± Bailey stopped him without hesitation. ¡°You''ll only end up causing him more hurt. Artemis, you should be thanking him instead. If he hadn''t saved us back then, the children and I would have died on the streets.¡± Artemis'' gaze darkened, for he knew Bailey''s words were not an exaggeration at all. Back then, Rhonda¡ªafter taking Maxton for herself¡ªhad ordered Bailey and the other children to be killed. Therefore, their survival was a miracle in itself. ¡°All right. I''ll remember the debt of gratitude we owe him. Going forward, I''ll find him a wonderful wife.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes in response. ¡°You better hold back on that thought.¡± Chuckling to himself, Artemis wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. ¡°Bay, will you be by my side for the rest of our lives?¡± With her eyes narrowed, she threw a different question back at him. ¡°Do you n to announce the children''s real background?¡± ¡°Yeah...¡± Artemis grunted as he nuzzled her neck. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Sensing the inadequacy of his response, he added, ¡°That said, I still need to take into ount your opinion. If you want me to announce it, I''ll do it. If not, I won''t dare make a unteral decision.¡± Bailey couldn''t resist bursting intoughter. With a raised brow, she asked, ¡°Are you afraid of your wife?¡± The mention of the word ¡°wife¡± delighted Artemis. If she''s my wife, I don''t mind being afraid of her at all. ¡°Mmm-hmm, I am. From now on, I might be the head of the household, but you wear the pants in the house.¡± After she let out a chuckle, a grim expression descended upon Bailey''s face when something came to mind. Noticing the change in her mood, Artemis probed, ¡°Shall we go and see Rhonda?¡± Bailey was briefly stunned. When she regained her senses, a smile broke out across her face. He can really read my mind. I''m indeed nning to see Rhonda. ¡°Where is she now?¡± ¡°The Luther residence.¡± After a momentary pause, he added, ¡°If you don''t feel like going there, I can order Ken to bring her here.¡± Bailey was indeed reluctant to go, for every time she was there, she would bear the brunt of Felicity''s resentment. ¡°Okay, get Ken to bring her here then.¡± In the afternoon, another scandal exploded on the inte. Someone in the know revealed that Victoria''s mysterious sugar daddy was none other than Lionel, whose Gezmond Group was taken over by Saunders Group seven years ago. The fallen scion of the Gezmond family had made aeback and returned to Hallsbay in a position of power. Soon after, he swiftly took down Saunders Group and became itsrgest shareholder. Just when everyone assumed the bad blood between the two families would end with the change in ownership of Saunders Group, the indignant daughter of the Saunders family seduced Lionel, hoping to use her body to wrest back control of Saunders Group. Once the news broke, an anonymous source published a few photographs. The background was of a seaside mansion where Victoria stayed, and the man¡ªwhose face could clearly be seen¡ªwas none other than Lionel, head of LG Corporation. With a picture as evidence, the entire inte went into an uproar, filled with ridicule and usations. Just as Rose had predicted, no one used Lionel of cheating. Instead, all the disparagement was concentrated on Victoria. Chapter 341 Chapter 341 Words such as ¡°shameless,¡± ¡°homewrecker,¡± ¡°vixen,¡± and ¡°a slut who ruined someone else''s marriage¡± could be seen all over the inte. Public opinion was one-sided, with everyone condemning Victoria. In the eyes of outsiders, she was a sl*t who seduced a married man and destroyed a family of three, so she should be taken to task morally and suffer a guilty conscience. At the Gezmond residence, Wendy was livid when she saw the widespread scandal on television. She immediately contacted Rose, but thetter''s phone was turned off. Thus, she btedly realized that she had been yed a fool by the woman. Argh! What a lunatic! Her reputation is all torn to shreds, but she wants to drag everyone down with her! A series of emotions, including self-reproach, regret, anxiety, and the like battered her relentlessly. Verily, she wished that she could stab Rose to death. Meanwhile, at the medical base, Bailey swiftly learned of the rumors circting out there. She had anticipated it, but still, she found it somewhat difficult to ept. Ultimately, Vicky, you still pushed yourself to the point of no return. Is this your take on love? To repay the debt you owed back then, you even went as far as willingly allowing yourself to be all bruised and battered. Is that man really that important to you? Oh well, I don''t have the right to judge Lionel either. Nor am I qualified to persuade Vicky to give up loving him since even I myself can''t do the same. If it were so easy to stop loving someone, I wouldn''t have returned when I knew full well that it was a trap. ¡°Don''t think so much.¡± Artemis walked over and patted her on the shoulder. In response, Bailey shook her head. ¡°I know this is Vicky''s choice. She said Lionel likewise suffered untold criticism seven years ago, so it was her turn to bear the brunt of the consequences seven yearster. This is probably her idea of love. Like a moth flying toward the mes, it''s sorrowful and tragic.¡± Taking her hand, Artemis led her toward the door. ¡°I''m d you''re not fixating on it.¡± Startled, Bailey asked with a frown, ¡°Where are we going?¡± ¡°You wanted to see Rhonda, no? Ken has already brought her over. Let''s go and meet her together.¡± Bailey''s hand tightened around his. It was evident that she was trying to keep a leash on her emotions. I''ve been mourning the death of my son for seven years, and that was all thanks to Rhonda! Therefore, she was understandably hopping mad. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Artemis coaxed, ¡°Although Max was taken from your side since birth, it makes no difference since he grew up by my side.¡± That simple remark calmed Bailey''s roiling emotions. Ah, he always manages to see right through me! In the reception room downstairs, Bailey was greeted by the sight of Rhonda standing right in the center of the room the instant she pushed open the door and stepped in. Thetter appeared exceedingly smug, disdain written all over her face. Bailey promptly snapped, her eyes gradually turning red-rimmed. Marching up to Rhonda with great strides, she shot her hand out and grabbed the woman''s cor, roaring, ¡°Why? Why did you steal my child?¡± As she spoke, tears slowly welled in her eyes. I shouldn''t be crying. At the very least, I shouldn''t be doing it in front of her. But I really can''t control my emotions. She''s so cruel that she''s made several attempts on Max''s life. If it weren''t for pure luck, he would''ve long since died at her hands! ¡°Answer me! Why did you steal my child?¡± However, Rhonda started cackling maniacally. I don''t stand a chance anymore, so I might as well rip a piece of flesh off her like a mad dog! ¡°Haha, why? Why do you think, my beloved sister? Back then, the opportunity belonged to me, but you benefitted from it at the end of the day. I was utterly resentful and envious. Naturally, I stole your son so I could go to the Luther family and pretend to be his mother, taking your ce. Otherwise, I would''ve killed that little b*stard long ago. Look how high and mighty I am right now! Everyone is calling me ''Mrs. Luther.'' All this is thanks to your son.¡± All of a sudden, the sound of a crisp p pierced the air. Bailey smacked Rhonda hard across the face. ¡°This p is for my granny.¡± p! ¡°This is for Max.¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. p! ¡°And this is for me. It''s been seven years. In the past seven years, I''ve been mourning the loss of my child every second of every day. You deserve to die, Rhonda. You really ought to pay with your life.¡± She ced all her strength into the blows without an ounce of mercy. Hence, Rhonda''s face became badly swollen after those three ps. That aside, blood seeped out of the corners of her mouth nonstop. Still, she remained headstrong, slurring, ¡°Sure enough, a son born of a b*tch is resilient. I tried to poison him time and again, but all my attempts failed. My greatest regret is my inability to have you experience the pain of losing your child. Haha!¡± After saying that, sheughed even more uproariously. What have I got to fear? I''m Artemis'' wife at present, the matriarch of the Luther family! The Luther family would never reveal the truth and humiliate themselves in the entire elite circle! Artemis, who had been standing at the side, abruptly stepped forward. His hand shot out as he seized her neck. In a chilly voice devoid of warmth, he demanded, ¡°So, you''re admitting to the crimes you committed?¡± Rhonda continued chortling unrestrainedly, just like a woman who had gone utterly insane. ¡°All that is of no matter. Most importantly, we''re married. Even if we were to get a divorce, my status as your ex- wife would suffice to sicken you both forever!¡± Chapter 342 Chapter 342 Indeed, it''s sufficiently sickening. Regretfully, she''s destined to be disappointed. ¡°Really? Sorry, but I''m not the person who married you. Instead, it was a random beggar I ordered my men to find from the streets. I had him go to the Security Agency and change his name, so he ended up with the same name as me.¡± At once, Rhonda''s pupils constricted. The smile on her face froze at that very same instant. Finally, fear showed in her eyes. Gaping at Artemis in disbelief, she countered in a quivering voice, ¡°No, that''s impossible. It''s impossible! I''m your wife, the wife of Artemis Luther. Back when we registered our marriage, it was even the person in charge of City Hall who handled things personally. You''re lying to me, right? You''re bluffing, aren''t you, Artemis?¡± Artemis snorted coldly, a trace of scorn and disgust shing across his eyes. He threw her on the ground abruptly before snagging a few pieces of tissue from the tissue box at the side and wiping his palms unceasingly. Meanwhile, Bailey sighed softly and murmured, ¡°She''s not in her right mind anymore. Have her sent to the mental institution.¡± Reaching out, Artemis hugged her around the waist. ¡°Honey, sending her to the mental institution is too light a punishment for her. I think we should hand her to the beggar to be his wife. The best fate for her is to continue the family line for her husband. What do you think?¡± At that, the corners of Bailey''s mouth twitched violently. I''ve long since known that he''s cold and ruthless. Today, I''ve witnessed it at longst. Well, that''s indeed the most severe punishment for her. ¡°Okay. I''ll leave it to you.¡± Having said that, she whirled around and headed out. In the past, no matter how much she provoked me, I''d always stop without taking things too far in consideration of the blood ties between us. But now, after learning that I''m likely not a descendant of the Jefferson family, I no longer have a reason to spare this woman. After all, she has nothing to do with me. ¡°One day, sooner orter, Bailey, you''ll rot in hell!¡± Rhonda''s malevolent curse rang out behind her. Nheless, Bailey merely continued walking. Slowly, a devilish smile curved her lips. ¡°Really? Too bad, but you won''t be able to witness it, for you''ll die way before me. Enjoy the love of that beggar husband of yours. As a woman, you should carry on the family line for your husband after marriage. I''ll be waiting for the good news of your pregnancy, Rhonda.¡± ¡°I''ll haunt you even in death, Bailey!¡± Curses of a simr nature drifted into the air endlessly. In the CEO''s office at Saunders Group, Lionel reclined in his swivel chair with a newspaper in hand. It was clear as day that he had made the headlines. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. The title was also exceedingly eye-catching, reading: The mysterious sugar daddy of the daughter of the Saunders family is Lionel Gezmond of LG Corporation. As he stared at the picture on the front page of the newspaper, his eyes narrowed a fraction. At that precise moment, his assistant pushed open the door and came in. ¡°I''ve already found out the identity of the person who leaked the news and photo to the media, Mr. Gezmond.¡± ¡°Who was it?¡± ¡°Rose, a celebrity under LG Corporation. She once won the Oscars for three consecutive years. Besides, she''s good friends with Mrs. Gezmond and secretly met up with her a few times in the past few days.¡± Bam! Lionel mmed the newspaper in his hand onto the desk hard. ¡°What did you just say? Repeat that again.¡± His assistant was promptly taken aback. He was a perceptive individual, so he instantly surmised that his words weren''t appropriate upon seeing that his employer had flown off his handle. Quickly changing his tune, he said, ¡°It was Rose, a celebrity under LG Corporation. She hates Bailey but can''t do anything to her, so she can only sabotage those around Bailey.¡± Calming down slightly, Lionel replied in a cid voice, ¡°Got it. You''re dismissed.¡± His assistant went silent for a moment before venturing, ¡°The rumors out there are growing in intensity. Shouldn''t you host a press conference to rify things?¡± Lionel said nothing, waving a dismissive hand to shoo him away. After sitting on the swivel chair for a while, he picked up his car key from the desk and left the CEO''s office. Leaving Saunders Group, he headed home directly. In the garden of the Gezmond residence, Lionel was greeted by the sight of Kimberly pruning flowers with Wendy no sooner had he walked in. He stood at the entrance for some time, his resolve regarding the decision he had made strengthening all the more. ¡°Why did youe back at this hour, Nell?¡± Wendy''s voice drifted over from the garden, making it clear that she had spotted him. Striding over to the flowerbed, Lionel said to Kimberly, ¡°Go into the house first. I''ve got something to discuss with Wends.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll leave you two to talk and go see whether Sebastian is awake.¡± When Kimberly had left, Lionel fixed his eyes on Wendy. His gaze was sharp, so piercing that it could seemingly prate right to the depths of one''s heart. Unease swamped Wendy at his prating gaze. In a trembling voice, she queried, ¡°W-Why are you looking at me like that, Lionel? Did I do something wrong?¡± Narrowing his eyes at her, Lionel enunciated, ¡°I''ve already given the orders to search for Sebastian''s father. Do have a good chat with him when he arrives in Hallsbay. If possible, I hope the three of you can live together as a family.¡± ¡°What?¡± Wendy initially avoided his gaze, but she suddenly jerked her eyes up to meet his upon hearing that. ¡°H-How could you do that? I''m your wife! How could you push me to t-that man?¡± Inclining his head slightly, Lionel stated mildly, ¡°Now that my rtionship with Victoria has be public knowledge, you and Sebastian can''t stay by my side anymore. Otherwise, it''ll bring trouble to you both.¡± With tears shimmering in her eyes, Wendy sprinted over and hugged him, sobbing, ¡°I can only rely on you. I don''t trust anyone else except you.¡± However, Lionel merely sighed softly. ¡°Initially, you and Sebastian could''ve stayed by my side. But you had the outside world know that I''m Victoria''s sugar daddy, so there won''t be any sense of security if you both stay by my side any longer.¡± Shuddering violently, Wendy gaped at him with surprise etched across her features. ¡°Y-You know that it was my doing?¡± Right after saying that, she hastily shook her head. ¡°No, it wasn''t entirely me. I admit that I was the one who ordered someone to leak out news of Victoria having a sugar daddy, but it wasn''t me who leaked your identity. I was also used by Rose.¡± Lionel remained calm and unruffled, seemingly not at all inclined to ce the me on her. ¡°I didn''te today to hold you ountable, so you don''t have to be so apprehensive. Since all this hase to light, so be it. It doesn''t matter. I''ve already decided to have that man take you both away from Hallsbay.¡± When he had finished saying that, he reached out and pushed her away. Spinning on his heel, he headed toward the corridor. Wendy wanted to chase after him, but she was the one who created the mess, so she could only pay the price. For that reason, she hadn''t the cheek to go after him. As she watched his gradually receding back, her legs went weak, and she slumped down onto the cobblestone ground. Is this what it means by shooting myself in the foot? He initially had no intention of abandoning us, but I foolishly leaked news of Victoria having a sugar daddy, forcing him to send us away from Hallsbay in the end. I was wrong! I was really wrong! The next day, the Luther family held a press conference. Caridee attended on behalf of the entire family. When the various major media outlets received the invitation, they were all bewildered. We haven''t heard of any major happenings in the Luther family. Why are they having a press conference? The moment Caridee announced the contents of the press conference, the entire world was shaken. Chapter 343 Chapter 343 What? Ms. Rhonda stole someone else''s child back then and went to the Luther family, pretending to be the child''s mother? Worse still, she even attempted to murder the son she raised for seven years multiple times in order to conceal the truth? When Caridee revealed the truth of the matter, the entire press conference plunged into an uproar. ¡°Whose child did Rhonda steal, Ms. Caridee? And who exactly is Mr. Maxton''s biological mother?¡± ¡°What methods did Rhonda use to harm Mr. Maxton?¡± ¡°Ms. Caridee, Rhonda is already Mr. Luther''s legally wedded wife now. Is the Luther family not afraid of bing aughingstock in the elite circle by exposing her scandal?¡± ¡°Rhonda is currently a part of the Luther family, Ms. Caridee. Would you be handling this matter by the law and sending her to prison to be punished for her crimes?¡± Standing at the podium, Caridee answered with a quirk of an eyebrow, ¡°I''m not so sure about the identity of my nephew''s biological mother at present. As for the methods Rhonda used to harm him, I''ll be announcing them on the screen one by one in a while.¡± At that point, she sneered and hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°She isn''t part of the Luther family. She didn''t register her marriage with my brother at all. Thus, if you want tough at someone, direct it to her and her husband. Don''t nder the Luther family.¡± Huh? They didn''t register their marriage? How''s that possible? Back then, this matter was the talk of the town. Furthermore, it was even the person in charge of City Hall who personally went to the Luther residence to handle the procedures. ¡°What exactly is the truth behind all this, Ms. Caridee? Please enlighten us.¡± shing them a smile, Caridee admitted unhurriedly, ¡°The name of Rhonda''s husband is indeed Artemis Luther, but it isn''t my brother. Countless people have the same names in this world. She only married someone else who shares the same name as my brother.¡± What? That''s totally mind-boggling! None of the journalists present were fools, so they could all surmise from the statement that Rhonda had been tricked by the Luther family. She thought she''d married into money and be a wealthy woman everyone envies, but unbeknownst to her, she was being yed for a fool! ¡°Today, I''m hosting this press conference on behalf of the Luther family to expose Rhonda''s crimes and rify the marital rtionship between her and my brother to the outside world. All right, I''ve already said all there is to be said. If you still have questions, you may seek out the person in question.¡± After saying that, she headed to the back of the stage. Seeing that she was leaving, the journalists swarmed toward her. ¡°Ms. Caridee, rumor has it that Mr. Maxton met with a car ident some time ago and ended up in a coma. Was it Rhonda''s doing?¡± ¡°Could you please tell us who exactly Mr. Maxton''s biological mother is, Ms. Caridee?¡± ¡°Exactly! Since Rhonda has already been caught, she must have told you the identity of Mr. Maxton''s biological mother, right? Please tell us.¡± ¡°Ms. Caridee...¡± At the medical base, Bailey snagged the remote control on the table and turned off the LCD television across from her. This is the punishment you deserve, Rhonda. Maxton sprinted over and threw himself at her. Pouting, he crowed, ¡°That evil woman has finally gotten the punishment she deserves, and I don''t have to live in fear anymore!¡± Unbidden, Bailey''s heart clenched. The pain was like the sh of a knife¡ªexcruciating to the core. If I hadn''t returned to Hallsbay, he would''ve probably been tortured to death by her. Fortunately, God was merciful and had mee back, allowing me to save his life several times! ¡°It''s okay. No one will dare pick on you anymore henceforth. I''ll bring you wherever I go, okay?¡± ¡°Yay!¡± As though deliberately showing off, Maxton magnified his joy indefinitely. Zayron stood at the side with a jealous expression. At the sight of the duo hugging each other, he couldn''t help rolling his eyes. Hmph! I must be an adopted child while he''s her biological child! In the living room of the Jefferson residence, a crisp p pierced the air. rence sent Beatrice tumbling to the couch with a p. ¡°Look what you and your daughter have done!¡± Surprisingly, Beatrice remained calm and unruffled. From the moment she learned that Rhonda wasn''t married to Artemis, she knew that her daughter was doomed. Ronni and I will never be able to make aeback in this lifetime. The only thing I can do right now is to drag Bailey down as well and have her apany us to hell. ¡°Humans are selfish, and every girl dreams of marrying into money. Is Ronni wrong to desire marrying into the Luther family?¡± The veins on rence''s forehead throbbed. While pointing a trembling finger at her, he demanded furiously, ¡°Whose child did she steal back then?¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. I''ve got to pry their mouths open. Only then will I be able to make amends and beg the Luther family to spare me! Snorting, Beatrice didn''t answer him but asked in return, ¡°Who do you think?¡± rence was momentarily stunned. In an instant, something shed across his mind. He seemingly thought of something or other, for his pupils abruptly started constricting. ¡°Back then, Bailey was pregnant with triplets. On the day her eldest son died, Rhonda gave birth prematurely that same afternoon and had a son. Y-You two stole Bay''s child!¡± Beatrice cackled maniacally. ¡°Haha! It looks like you''re not yet senile since you managed to guess it so quickly. Yes, that b*stard of the Luther family is Bailey''s son! That daughter you banished from the family is the rightful matriarch of the Luther family!¡± At once, joy flooded rence. If Max is really Bailey''s child, I still have a chance to make aeback! Chapter 344 Chapter 344 With blood ties linking us together, I don''t believe that Bailey will turn a blind eye to me, her father. Now that Rhonda is ruined, I''ll merely give her up. As long as I cling to Bailey, I''ll still be Artemis'' father- inw at the end of the day. Beatrice seemingly saw through him, for she couldn''t help sneering, ¡°Do you think Bailey is your biological daughter? Hah! Howughable that you had no idea Sophia had been cheating on you for so many years!¡± Trembling violently, rence red at her with disbelief written all over his face. ¡°What the h*ll do you mean by that, b*tch?¡± he bellowed. ¡°What I meant?¡± Beatrice slowly got up and stumbled over to the cab. Unlocking it, she took out a DNA test and tossed it onto the coffee table. ¡°You''ll know after taking a look at it.¡± At the end of his patience, rence strode forward and snatched up the document on the table. He scanned through it, his expression growing increasingly grim as he read further. Thest line read: Specimen A and Specimen B are not biologically rted. Not biologically rted. So, we''re not father and daughter! Unadulterated towering rage consumed rence. With his face contorted into a mask of fury, he ripped the report he held into shreds. ¡°How dare you, Sophia, you b*tch! You actually gave birth to someone else''s child and even had me raise her for twenty years! I''m going to dig your remains out and desecrate your grave!¡± At that, a peculiar smile bloomed on Beatrice''s face. Hah! What''s the greatest humiliation for a man? It''s his wife cheating on him and giving birth to someone else''s child, yet having her husband raise the child to adulthood. Now that things have progressed to this, I don''t believe he''ll still rely on Bailey, that illegitimate child who''s the source of all his shame and disgrace! ¡°Can you still rely on her when that little b*tch isn''t your biological daughter, rence? Don''t be such a fool. When she learns of her background, she''ll only remember you banishing her from the family but forget all about you having raised her all those years.¡± ¡°Shut up! Zip it!¡± rence snarled before rushing over to the staircase while stumbling all over himself. Seeing that, Beatrice snorted withughter. It seems that this old geezer is even dumber than I''d expected. With just a few words, he believes that his deceased wife cheated on him. Well, it''s a good thing. Then, he won''t investigate the incident from all those years ago. Consequently, he won''t have any idea about Zoey''s existence. Right now, the only thing I''ve got to do is to figure out a way to use that daughter of the Shurmer family to strike at Bailey! In the garden at the seaside mansion, Victoria sat in the gazebo. Hearing the sound of footsteps behind her, shemented in a tearful voice, ¡°Everyone out there knows that you''re my sugar daddy, yet you still daree here. What do you take your wife for, Lionel?¡± Lionel stood behind her with his hands at his back. For the very first time, the urge to exin things to her gripped him as he gazed at her slender and delicate back. He wanted to rify that Wendy wasn''t his wife and Sebastian wasn''t his son. ¡°Victoria, I¡ª¡± Just when he was about toy his cards on the table, the phone in his pocket rang out of the blue. Taking it out for a nce, he saw that it was a call from Sebastian. He answered the call, upon which Sebastian said something or other to him that had his handsome face promptly darkening. ¡°Okay, I got it. I''ll rush home immediately. Be good and don''t worry. Your mommy will be fine.¡± After terminating the call, he whirled around and hastened toward the garden''s exit. He had barely taken three steps away when he suddenly halted in his tracks and turned back to Victoria. Staring at her back, he expounded, ¡°Wendy attempted suicide, so I''ve got to go home and see how things are. Wait here for me. Wait for me to return and exin things to you.¡± When Victoria heard all that, her back inexorably stiffened. As his footsteps gradually faded into the distance, a bleak smile tugged at her lips. Hah! I, the shameless homewrecker, have backed his wife into such a corner that she attempted suicide. The thing I loathed most in the past is actually reflected in me today. How pathetic! A long timeter, she slowly picked up her phone. Flipping to Bailey''s contact, she sent her a text that read: I''m done repaying my debt, Bay. Come and take me away, won''t you? When Bailey received that text message, her heart clenched painfully. She brushed the tip of her finger across the words on the screen, sensing Victoria''s sorrow and despair. The fact that she''s making such a decision makes it clear that she has truly finished paying off her debt. But how is she going to start a new life when she''s littered with scars all over? After holding her phone in silence for a long moment, she stiffly typed out a single word: Okay. Meanwhile, Artemis had Ken hand Rhonda over to herwfully wedded husband. That man was named Pedro Coleman. He was a street thug who often stole and pilfered. On the whole, he was nothing more than a roughneck. Anyhow, his life improved after Artemis gave him a sum of money. But even then, he didn''t change his ways, even bing addicted to gambling. As the knocking on the door persisted, Pedro blearily stumbled out of the bedroom in a pair of shorts. He went to the living room and opened the door. ¡°Who is it?¡± Ken waved a hand. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Following that, the two bodyguards behind him pushed Rhonda, who was all tied up, at Pedro. The groggy man abruptly jolted awake when a beauty fell right into his arms. At the sight of Rhonda''s smooth and supple skin, lust glinted in Pedro''s eyes. ¡°Mmph!¡± Rhonda''s mouth was taped shut, so she couldn''t speak. Nevertheless, her lovely eyes brimmed with terror. No, no! I don''t want to be sullied by such a slob! No... Ken then said to Pedro in a cold voice, ¡°This is Ms. Rhonda, whom you married. From today on, she''s your wife.¡± Chapter 345 Chapter 345 Excitement bubbled up in Pedro''s eyes. When he looked at Rhonda''s beautiful face, he couldn''t help but swallow the saliva building up in his mouth. His response was exactly what a man who had gotten ady who was way out of his league would be. ¡°C-Can I touch her?¡± he asked. Ken bobbed his head and replied tly, ¡°I''ve already told you she is your wife. What do you think?¡± With that, he turned around and left with the two bodyguards. Pedro, momentarily stunned, stood at the doorway with Rhonda in his arms. Only when the beauty in his arms struggled frantically did he snap out of his daze. ¡°Wow! I can''t believe that a person like me can have a chance to be with a youngdy from a prominent family. How lucky I am!¡± Then, he leaned forward and fiercely kissed Rhonda''s delicate face. In the infirmary of the Gezmond residence, Lionel, leaning against the wall, gazed down at Sebastian, who was hugging his waist. ¡°Good boy, everything is going to be okay. The doctor is treating your mommy. She''ll be fine.¡± ¡°Can we still live together in the future?¡± Sebastian''s eyes were watery as he looked up at Lionel. Lionel let out a gentle sigh as he leaned forward to touch Sebastian''s head. In a warm voice, he said, ¡°You have your own biological father. I believe he will be a good husband and father. A family is only complete when you live with your biological parents under one roof. Understand?¡± ¡°But Mommy¡ª¡± ¡°She''lle around eventually.¡± Just then, the emergency room door opened, and the family doctor walked out. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, Mrs. Gezmond is fine now. Even if the bleeding has stopped, it''s good to discover it early.¡± Lionel nodded in response. ¡°Okay, thank you so much.¡± After saying that, he turned to Sebastian. ¡°Go and get Grandma to make some soup. I''ve something to say to your mommy.¡± N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. ¡°Oh, okay.¡± Meanwhile, Wendy had already woken up in the ward and was staring nkly at the ceiling. Lionel strode toward the bedside and stared at her for a long time. Then, he shook his head. ¡°You are no longer the Wendy I know. Back then, you were resolute when fighting against your family for that man. I could feel your fearlessness and determination. But now, you''re willing to end your life for a man you don''t love. How ridiculous!¡± ¡°You''re right. I don''t love you.¡± Wendy''s voice was hoarse. ¡°Lionel, do you know whom I thought of when I closed my eyes?¡± ¡°Him.¡± ¡°Yeah, it''s him. When death came, images of him flooded my mind. You''re right. I love him but also hate him at the same time. My feelings for you are nothing but reliance and admiration.¡± Although it was as Lionel expected, he still heaved a sigh of relief. As long as she''s not obsessed with relying on me, she still can get her lost emotion back. ¡°So, have you thought it through?¡± A look of hatred shed across Wendy''s eyes when she heard that. ¡°Yes. I want to go to him. If it''s true that he did wrong by me, I''ll make him pay for what he did. If it were the people around him who separated us, I''d make them pay as well.¡± Lionel leaned over and caressed her head, smiling. ¡°This is the aura and demeanor the first daughter of the Hoffman family should have. Just go ahead with what you want to do. I''ll always be your strongest supporter.¡± Wendy looked at him. Soon, tears welled up in her eyes. ¡°I''m sorry. I''m an idiot to have believed in Rose''s words and made you everyone''s target. I... I actually never wanted the outside world to know that you are Victoria''s sugar daddy.¡± ¡°It''s okay. I believe you.¡± Wendy was stunned by Lionel''s words. ¡°Do you really believe me? Don''t you me me for any of it?¡± Lionel sat on the edge of the bed and said leisurely, ¡°Wends, thanks for helping me at my most difficult time and rekindling my hope. You are not a despicable person by nature, and none of the daughters of the Hoffman family are bad either. That''s why I never believed you are the kind of girl with a wicked heart.¡± Wendy immediately cried when she heard that. ¡°I''m sorry, Lionel. I''m really sorry! I shouldn''t have revealed that you''re married with children. Ms. Saunders must be heartbroken now.¡± Lionel lowered his head slightly. ¡°This is fate, and you''ve nothing to do with it. Now, stop overthinking things. Victoria and I will eventually figure things out between us.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough. Just focus on your recovery for the moment. I''ll let you know when I have any news about Sebastian''s father.¡± Wendy was at a loss for words. At the Luther residence, Felicity, boiling with anger, red at Gerald in the living room and yelled, ¡°Gerald Luther, what do you mean by that? We''ve just received news that Artemis didn''t marry Rhonda, yet you''re already raring to take that little vixen from the Shurmer family as a daughter-inw!¡± Gerald narrowed his eyes at her and said in a deep voice, ¡°Do you think this is my idea alone? Your father invited me to the Chivers residence to discuss this matter yesterday. Anyone with a clear mind can tell that Artemis wants to marry Bailey. Do you intend to let him marry his own brother''s woman?¡± Felicity was stunned by his words. She naturally would not allow Artemis to marry Bailey. However, there was no way she would allow Waverly''s daughter to marry into the Luther family and be an eyesore to her. ¡°Is Zoey Shurmer the only person qualified to marry into the Luther family in this world? I refuse to believe that no otherdy from a prominent family can be a better match for Artemis besides her.¡± Gerald sighed helplessly and analyzed patiently, ¡°Zoey is Artemis'' life savior. They have also been friends for many years and have a good foundation for a rtionship. She''s the best candidate compared to other girls. This is also Glen''s idea as he doesn''t want to see Artemis continue being entangled with Bailey.¡± Felicity''s anger vanished in no time. Her rational side told her that pairing her son up with Zoey was the right choice, but she still couldn''t get past that hurdle in her heart. Gerald noticed her steely gaze begin to waver and seized the opportunity to say, ¡°Think it through. Once Artemis insists he''ll only marry Bailey, the destruction of the Luther family''s reputation will only be a small matter. However, it''ll be toote for regrets if Artemis'' life is ruined.¡± Felicity went into deep thought when she heard that. In a residential area on the east side of the city, Rhonda was lying quietly on the bed in a rental apartment. Her face was as pale as paper, and she looked as though she had lost her soul. She stared nkly at the ceiling above her. What came into her sight was no longer a luxurious crystal chandelier but a cracked white ceiling. She had fallen from grace and thought everything happened because of Bailey. Bailey, Bailey, Bailey! With that thought in mind, she abruptly gripped the sheets beneath her tightly as intense hatred soon reced the emptiness in her eyes. Chapter 346 Chapter 346 Bailey went to the seaside mansion that night. She did not sneak into the mansion this time but openly took down the bodyguards outside and entered brazenly. Meanwhile, Victoria was spacing out in front of the window. Looking at the skinny and frail figure, Bailey felt a pain in her heart, and tears began to well up in her eyes. What was Victoria like seven years ago? She was bubbly, active, naive, and lively. Although she disguises herself as an urban professional woman now, she still carries the temperament and pride of the heiress of a prominent family, and her beauty is iparable. But not even a shadow of her former self remains anymore since the return of Lionel. This woman, yed by fate and destroyed by love once before, is beginning to wither now. Can she still return to her old self? ¡°Bay, you''re here.¡± Victoria''s hoarse voice rang out. Her tone was like that of an elderly, bitter from the vicissitudes of life. It brought Bailey back to her senses. She strode over, hugged Victoria from behind, and tried to say in a cheerful tone, ¡°Vicky, I have good news for you.¡± Victoria moved her body and turned her head slowly, curling the corners of her stiff lips to squeeze out a forced smile. ¡°Have you decided to stay in Hallsbay and ept Mr. Luther?¡± Bailey shook his head. She leaned forward to rest her head on Victoria''s shoulder and said hoarsely, ¡°My child is not dead. He''s still alive.¡± Alive? Victoria was momentarily stunned by Bailey''s words. Her empty, dull, and unfocused eyes instantly brightened. She cast Bailey a bbergasted look and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bailey briefly told Victoria about the situation while getting thetter on her feet. ¡°Vicky, even though life is filled with twists and turns, there''s always hope as long as we''re alive. Isn''t that right?¡± Victoria''s head drooped as she said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Stop persuading me, Bay. When I learned that his wife tried to take her own life because of me, I began to think about things. While it may seem I''m atoning for my sins by staying beside him, what I''m actually doing is destroying his marriage. I can''t let myself continue making mistakes. Please get me out of here.¡± What? Wendy tried to take her own life? No wonder Vicky decided to leave. It turns out she was shocked by the incident. Having that thought in mind, Bailey said, ¡°All right. Let''s leave this ce now and start a new life.¡± With that, she took Victoria''s hand and headed downstairs briskly. Soon, they walked out of the living room and disappeared into the night. When Lionel received the news and rushed to the mansion, the ce was already empty. He scanned the bedroom before his gazended on the dressing table. On it was a piece of paper. He walked over and saw the tiny words: Goodbye forever, Lionel. From the words, he could sense Victoria''s determination when she left. In the end, she still refused to listen to him. He had told her to stay at the mansion and wait for him to return as he wanted to tell her that he had never registered his marriage with Wendy. It was only a trick to deceive the others. He did not have a son either since Sebastian was only his foster child. Still, Victoria left. After leaving a message of ¡°goodbye forever,¡± shepletely withdrew and disappeared from his life. Is this fate, Victoria? Are both of us destined to be separated from each other? Bailey did not hold back and requested a private mansion from Artemis to settle Victoria in. In one of the bedrooms, she pushed Victoria onto the bed and red at her. ¡°Now, go to sleep.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Before Victoria could say anything, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Susan walked in with a plush doll in her arms. ¡°Vicky must miss me very much. That''s why she can''t sleep. I''ll stay with her tonight.¡± Then, she got onto the bed and obedientlyy in front of Victoria. ¡°Let''s sleep, Vicky.¡± Victoria''s eyes reddened when she heard that. She embraced Susan from the side and said in a choked voice, ¡°All right. Let''s sleep together, Susan.¡± Seeing that, Bailey left without another word. She was not surprised to bump into Artemis in the first floor''s living room. However, she was stunned by Dwayne''s presence. ¡°Why are you here, wily old bird?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes when he heard that. Wily old bird? What the hell! Is that a new nickname or what? ¡°Uhm, I''ve already submitted my resignation letter to Mr. Luther.¡± ¡°So? What does it have to do with me?¡± Bailey responded in contempt. ¡°I''ve rmended you to Mr. Luther to take over my ce as his special assistant. A special assistant always sounds better than a secretary, isn''t it?¡± Bailey kicked him and shouted, ¡°Get lost.¡± Then, she turned to Artemis. ¡°Hey, Ratemis. You really need to be taught a lesson. How can you fire your sworn brother to make me your secretary?¡± Artemis'' face twitched after he was dragged into the situation. He helplessly exined, ¡°He ns to take Victoria out of the country for a break, so I''ve approved him to take leave for three months. Since he''s apanying your best friend, you have to cover his ce while he''s away.¡± Looking at Dwayne with a raised brow, Bailey asked, ¡°Do you really have a way to get Victoria to agree to go out for a break?¡± ¡°Well, it depends on whether you allow me to take advantage of the situation or not.¡± Bailey graduallyposed herself and frowned. ¡°Her reputation is tainted now. Are you still willing to marry her?¡± Chapter 347 Chapter 347 Without hesitation, Dwayne replied, ¡°Didn''t you also have a bad reputation before? Despite that, Artemis is willing to marry you. Since I''m someone who hangs out with him, what''s wrong with following his example?¡± Not only was Bailey not mad when she heard Dwayne bring up her former notoriety, but she guffawed instead. ¡°All right, I''ll leave Vicky to you. If you can cheer her up, you''re considered to have passed her best friend''s test.¡± ¡°Thank you, Bailey.¡± Inside a bedroom at the Jefferson residence, Beatrice sat on the bed as she answered her phone. Her expression grew hideous as she listened to the report from the person on the phone. ¡°What did you just say? Artemis actually threw Ronni to the beggar and let him ruin her?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. That''s what I found out from my investigation. Mrs. Jefferson, Ms. Rhonda is in quite a bad state.¡± Beatrice''s grip on the phone tightened. Even if her daughter''s reputation was currently in tatters, she had no intention of forcing Rhonda into an early grave. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Rhonda was her only daughter. Beatrice had nned to rely on Rhonda as she grew old with age. ¡°Bring her back to the Jefferson residence immediately!¡± ¡°I...¡± The person on the other end wavered for a moment before gritting his teeth and continuing, ¡°Mr. Luther arranged for a twenty-four-hour surveince on Ms. Rhonda. We are unable to take any action. Moreover, she is already the beggar''s legally wedded wife. It''s only natural for her husband to keep her by his side, so we are unable to file a police report either.¡± ¡°You...¡± Beatrice was so enraged that her jaws creaked with the force of her gritted teeth. She was about the reprimand the person when she suddenly thought of something. A smile appeared on her face. That b*tch Zoey fed Ronni abortifacient. She even messed up Ronni''s and Artemis'' wedding. Since Zoey hates Ronni the most, I''ll force her to rescue Ronni and make her feel disgusted. With that, Beatrice hung up the phone. She then proceeded to contact a delivery person at Hallsbay''s post office. ¡°Hello, is this the post office? I have some documents that need to be sent. Could you pleasee to the Jefferson residence?¡± Meanwhile, inside a five-star hotel, Scarlett started bawling the moment she saw her mother. ¡°M-Mom! Y-You need to back me up and seek justice for me!¡± A pained expression flitted across Tamara''s face when she looked at her sobbing daughter in her embrace. Scarlett had been sickly when she was younger. Seven years ago, she had finally been cured, but she was currently afflicted with love sickness and was suffering because of it. ¡°Lettie, I came to Hallsbay precisely for the sake of your marriage with Justin. Rest assured, you will be the one who marries into the Xuereb family.¡± ¡°B-But, he...¡± ¡°I heard about your situation. I thought Raiden came to Hallsbay to help you. I truly did not expect him to... Ugh, men are so unreliable.¡± Scarlett''s eyes immediately clouded over when she heard her mother mention Raiden. Her thoughts turned to Bailey, the person who opposed her at every turn and the one who caused her downfall. ¡°Mom, you may not know this, but Raiden fell for Bailey. That woman has a son and a daughter. If Raiden really manages to woo her, the Fletcher family will have to take in two bastard children.¡± ¡°What did you just say?¡± Tamara widened her eyes and red at Scarlett in disbelief. ¡°Raiden fell for a woman who already has two children?¡± Scarlett was ecstatic when she saw how livid her mother was. I may still stand a chance against Bailey. ¡°Yes, he really fell for Bailey. Two days ago, he even let her board the naval warship. You know how he''s always been a stickler for rules. Three years ago, he t-out refused when you requested him to send you to the west sea with the warship. He even said something about how it''s not appropriate to use the ship for personal reasons. But why is it okay when ites to Bailey?¡± The fury on Tamara''s face intensified when she heard Scarlett''s words. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, also known as the number one hacker, Spook. She''s the one who hacked the research institute''s data. She can''t do whatever she wants just because she beat some 5G technology. As she stole information from the Fletcher family''s heiress, we can send someone after her based on this fact alone.¡± Scarlett was over the moon. Tamara regained herposure and continued, ¡°I will get someone to leak the scandal about the Revelle family''s second daughter, Veronique, having a child out of wedlock. Public opinion will force her back to Hallsbay. When she returns, I will take care of her.¡± Meanwhile, in the garden of the Shurmer residence, Shirley was on the phone. ¡°Ms. Gourd, Ms. Stone continues to pester Mr. Shurmer daily. She even told Mr. Shurmer that she''s already severed her ties with Bailey Jefferson, thus enabling her to boldly pursue him without shaming her master.¡± Shirley''s grip on the phone tightened. What an annoying and persistent person. I already warned her, but she continues to cling to Zeke like a barnacle. ¡°All right. Continue to monitor her. If there''s any suspicious movement, call me immediately.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Zoey smirked as Shirley ended the call. ¡°Like master, like disciple. One continues to pester her son''s uncle, while the other clings to a married man. They truly have no limit nor bottom line.¡± Shirley sighed. ¡°What''s the use ofining? We shoulde up with a method to deal with them.¡± Zoey grinned coldly. ¡°I''ve already thought of a way to deal with that b*tch Juliana.¡± Chapter 348 Chapter 348 Shirley immediately sat up straight. ¡°What is it? Tell me!¡± ¡°It''s simple. We''ll inform the Hoffman family about her affections and let them handle her.¡± Shirley''s eyes lit up when she heard that. ¡°That''s right. Why didn''t I think of that? Wendy already lost her purity and gave birth to a foreigner''s bloodline, so there''s no way they''ll choose her to be the heir. That means the Hoffman family will have all their hopes pinned on Juliana. If we reveal her feelings to them, I bet Adrune will send someone to bring her back at the earliest opportunity.¡± Zoey''s lips curled into a smile. ¡°Then, that''s settled. Doesn''t your family have contact with the Hoffman family? Try to think of a way to ensure that Adrune finds out about this matter.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At that moment, a maid holding a parcel came over. ¡°Ms. Zoey, there''s an urgent document that requires your attention. The butler told me to bring it over.¡± Zoey swept a nce over the item and calmly said, ¡°Put it on the table.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Zoey.¡± Shirley got off the stone stool and stood up. ¡°Give me a minute. I need to use the bathroom. We can go shopping afterward.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± After Shirley and the maid left, Zoey picked up the cup and prepared to drink her coffee. Just then, the phone on the table chimed. Following the text message notification tone, a message popped up. The message read: Ms. Zoey, you''ve probably received the document. Remember to look inside. There''s a huge surprise waiting for you. Zoey narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the unknown phone number. Why am I the target? There must be a reason for this. Her eyesnded on the parcel from earlier. After a brief moment of hesitation, she tore open the packaging. It contained four photos, a report, and a letter. Zoey turned to the four photos first. The first photo was of her mother while the second showed Bailey. Zoey''s expression darkened the moment she saw Bailey. The third photo showed a young woman who looked to be about twenty-five years old. Zoey''s pupils dted when she saw the woman''s face. Isn''t this... No, it can''t be. I''ve never been photographed while d in such attire. It absolutely can''t be me... But why does the woman in the photo look so simr to me? Our simrities... Something prompted Zoey to go back to the first two photos, and she froze when shepared them. Why does Bailey look so simr to Mom? What''s going on? A thought flitted across her mind, too fast for her to grasp. Zoey flipped back to the third photo and stared at it for a moment before she seemed to realize something. She immediately threw aside the third photo to reveal the image in thest photo. It''s a picture of me! Zoey was sure it was actually her. She thenpared the third and fourth photos. The more she stared at them, the more panicked she felt. Bailey looked like her mother, whereas she looked like the unknown woman. This can only mean one thing. Zoey dared not continue the line of thought. The photo fell from her hands, and she frantically scooped the letter from the table. The letter wrote: Ms. Zoey, does the truth about your parentage shock you? I''ll give you a rundown. The woman who looks like you is Sophia Carr, my husband''s ex-wife. She died in a fire over twenty years ago. As for why Bailey Jefferson looks like your mother, I''m sure someone as smart as you can figure out the reason. I heard that you were born on the same day and in the same hospital as Bailey. Tsk, tsk, tsk. All the hidden secrets. I''m sure you can use your imagination. After you''ve thought it through, you can check the report. Only then will everything be revealed. Zoey''s body began to shake. She knew that she shared the same birthday as Bailey and was also aware that she had been born in the same hospital as thetter. However, Zoey had never realized that Bailey looked like her mother and that she herself resembled Bailey''s mother. Zoey was not so dim that she could not guess the truth. A bold idea emerged in her mind. At the same time, her heart continuously tried to reject it. No. No way. I am Zoey Shurmer. I am the eldest daughter of Lostaria''s Shurmer family. The noblest of blood flows in my veins. There was no way she was rted to a poor and humble family like the Jeffersons. Zoey wavered between self-affirmation and rejection over and over again. Finally, she reached for the report on the desk. The report stated: Paternity test. Father: rence Jefferson. Daughter: Bailey Jefferson. The probability of the father and daughter being rted is 0.0001. The two of them are not biologically rted. Zoey immediately sprang to her feet. Her eyes were wide as she red at the conclusion in thest line of the report. Bailey was not from the Jefferson family! Then, whose was she? The Shurmer family? No! N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Zoey had no intention of allowing that to happen. Someone had written a note at the bottom left corner of the report: If you don''t believe me, you can get someone from the Shurmer family to take a paternity test with you. The papers slipped from Zoey''s fingers, scattering on the table. Intense fear enveloped her, causing her to copse back onto the stone stool. ¡°Zoey, I''m back. Let''s grab our bags and hit the streets.¡± Zoey frantically gathered the things on the table and shoved them into a folder. Following that, she stood up again and stumbled toward the garden exit. ¡°Hey! Where are you going? The main house is to your east.¡± The only response she got was Zoey''s distraught figure rushing away. The next day, Dwayne apanied Victoria as thetter departed from Hallsbay. There were no ns made, nor was there a fixed return date. Dwayne said, ¡°You can go wherever you wish to go and do whatever you please for as long as you want.¡± Victoria only smiled faintly, not saying a word. Meanwhile, at Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey continued to use the lead designer''s office even though her job title had changed. Dwayne''s former duties were now her responsibility. ¡°Come here.¡± Artemis gestured at Bailey as he stood by the full-length window. Smirking, Bailey strolled over to where he stood. Artemis reached out and pulled her right into his embrace when she was about half a meter away. ¡°Bailey, in the end, you still didn''t manage to escape from my grasp. Resign yourself to your fate as I''ve taken you hostage here,¡± he said, pointing at her chest. Bailey chuckled lowly. She stared at the traffic outside and murmured, ¡°It''s been a while since I''ve driven.¡± Surprised, Artemis lowered his gaze and stared at her. ¡°Didn''t you drive to thepany this morning?¡± Bailey was speechless. She had not been talking about a private car. When Artemis saw that Bailey was silent, a thought urred to him. He smiled and teased, ¡°Ms. Bailey, you must be excellent at street racing. Would you do me the honor of showing me your glorious skills?¡± He really is too smart for his own good. How annoying. That afternoon, an explosive piece of news swept across the inte. Six years ago, Veronique Revelle, the second daughter of a prestigious family in the medical field, became pregnant out of wedlock and gave birth to a son with an unknown father. In order to preserve the Revelle family''s century-old impable reputation, they imed that the child belonged to the eldest daughter, Yvonne Revelle. Chapter 349 Chapter 349 When this news came out, it shocked the entire globe, not for anything else, but for the fact that the eldest daughter of the Revelle family married into the Adrune core royal family and was thus a princess. Six years ago, rumors were flying around that the Revelle family''s eldest daughter had given birth to a son for the royal family, but she gave the child to her sister to raise in the end. This decision generated a lot of public debate on a global scale at the time. Everyone spected as to whether the infant was the illegitimate child of Yvonne''s husband, and because she did not wish to keep him close by to usurp her son''s position, she lied that the child was hers before cing him in the care of her younger sister to keep him out of the royal power center. To their surprise, the plot took a dramatic turn. The so-called nephew that the Revelle family''s second daughter had been raising for several years turned out to be her own offspring. Hence, everyone grew curious and began specting who the biological father of her son was. In just half a day, a reporter found out about Veronique''s crush on Justin back then and spread the information online, causing theizens to go crazy. This Justin is none other than the son-inw-to-be of Jadeborough''s Fletcher family, and the wedding date has already been set. If he did have an illegitimate child with Ms. Veronique six years ago, wouldn''t that be a great insult to the Fletcher family? If the noblest daughter of the most prestigious family in politics was betrayed by her fianc¨¦ before their wedding¡ªeven having an illegitimate child¡ª wouldn''t she be theughingstock of the entire upper-ss society? Meanwhile, in the living room at the Revelle residence, Bill was sitting on the couch, looking at the middle-aged woman across from him with aplicated expression. ¡°I didn''t expect you to visit me, Mrs. Fletcher. Please excuse me for theck of hospitality.¡± ¡°Please don''t say that, Mr. Revelle,¡± Tamara said with a smile. ¡°I came here for a reason. I''ve encountered some difficult matters and would like you to clear things up, Mr. Revelle.¡± Bill''s expression stiffened as he narrowed his eyes at her with an undecipherable look. He had already anticipated what she was going to say. After all, he was aware of the rumors flying around outside. What else besides her daughter''s matter could''ve prompted Justin''s future mother-inw to pay a visit at this time? ¡°I''m a straightforward individual who enjoys being honest. Speak your mind, Mrs. Fletcher. There''s no need to be polite to me.¡± Tamara smiled and nodded. ¡°Very well. I''ll get straight to the point. Justin is engaged to my daughter, but now there are rumors that your young grandson is Justin''s illegitimate son. How do you n to deal with this matter, Mr. Revelle?¡± Bill furrowed his brows. Although she appeared to be inquiring, she was, in actuality, pressing him to state the oue she wanted to hear. ¡°If the rumors are true, I wonder if you''ll get Ms. Fletcher to break off her engagement with Justin, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± ¡°That''s impossible.¡± Tamara said frankly, ¡°Justin is the Fletcher family''s chosen son-inw, and this will never change. However, we will never allow him to bring a bastard into our house.¡± Never would Bill have expected that the elderly woman would be so adamant as to permit her daughter to wed someone she already knew had a son. Can I go ahead and say that my young grandson is Justin''s child in such a situation? No, I can''t! He did not want his daughter and grandson to be the target of others'' attacks. ¡°Rumors are just rumors. They can''t be taken seriously. Mrs. Fletcher, please rest assured that I''ll have my youngest daughter return to Hallsbay as soon as possible and hold a press conference to rify this matter afterward. I won''t create any trouble to your daughter and son-inw''s marriage.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Tamara smiled with satisfaction. ¡°My son-inw is a virtuous man and has never had any interaction with other women, let alone raised an illegitimate child outside.¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± Meanwhile, in a private mansion at Archulea, Veronique stood at the entrance to the garden, quietly gazing at the small figure sprawled on thewn. She had already learned from Bailey that Zephyr had enlisted Zayron''s help to hack into the system of Hallsbay City Hall to register her marriage with Justin. Naturally, those were not of significance. The most important thing was that Zephyr already knew his identity. Since they arrived in Archulea, he had not said a word to her. Apart from eating, sleeping, and obedientlyplying with treatment, he spent much of his time alone on thewn, staring nkly into space. He probably had not gotten used to the fact that his aunt was now his biological mother. While Veronique was in a daze, a housekeeper came over and whispered in her ear, ¡°Ms. Veronique, that man came again. He didn''t make his presence known and is just standing outside.¡± She hummed softly. ¡°Don''t mind him.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She turned her attention back to thewn once the housekeeper left, only to discover that Zephyr had moved to a spot less than three meters away from her. ¡°Zephyr, I¡ª¡± He looked up at her. ¡°You don''t need to feel awkward. It''s not that I despise the fact that you''re my mom. I just kept silent because I didn''t know how to deal with it.¡± Veronique''s face showed a hint of happiness. She quickly crouched down and drew him into a hug. ¡°I''m sorry, Zephyr. It''s all my fault. Despite spending all of our time together, we couldn''t acknowledge one another as mother and child because I dared not face the truth.¡± Zephyr met her gaze and, after remaining silent for a while, mumbled, ¡°I want you two to live together. Is that okay?¡± Veronique was stunned. She naturally understood who he meant by ¡°you two.¡± But can we live together? Just half an hour ago, Dad called me to return to Hallsbay to rify the rumors of an illegitimate child. N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Chapter 350 Chapter 350 ¡°Do you really want me to live with him, Zephyr?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Zephyr nodded. ¡°That way, there''ll be someone to take care of you in the future. Even if my illness can''t be cured, at least¡ª¡± ¡°Zephyr!¡± Veronique raised her voice and chided, ¡°Don''t say such nonsense in the future. I will definitely cure you.¡± ¡°Then you must promise me not to back down because of some difficulties. So what if he has a spoken engagement with the Fletcher family? You two still have marriage ties. Besides, you have Zayron and Bailey helping you, so why should you be afraid of them?¡± Veronique stared at him nkly, and after a moment of silence, she felt a fiery passion ignite within her, its intensity simr to her crush on Justin during her younger days. To give Zephyr and my soon-to-be-born child aplete family and love from both parents, maybe I can give it a go. ¡°Okay. I promise you.¡± With that, she stood up and led him by the hand toward the entrance of the mansion. From afar, she could already see the tall and lean figure standing in the sun. Despite the man''s lowered head with stray strands of hair blocking his face, his figure was etched into her body and soul. She could recognize him at a nce, even in a vast crowd. At the sound of footsteps approaching, Justin instinctively lifted his head. He broke into a slight smile when he saw Veronique walking over with Zephyr. ¡°Vero, Zephyr.¡± Veronique patted the back of her son''s head. ¡°Go on,¡± she urged with a smile. Zephyr let go of her hand and rushed toward Justin. Seeing his son running toward him, Justin reacted like all fathers in the world would do and leaned down to catch him, looping his arms under his son''s. ¡°You don''t look so well. Are you not cooperating well with the treatment?¡± The boy did not reply but whispered in his ear, ¡°She has thought it through and decided to give it a go. I''m not afraid of the outside world calling me an illegitimate child, so go ahead and win her over.¡± Justin''s gaze softened. He reached out to stroke his son''s head before correcting him, ¡°You are not an illegitimate child because your mom and I have already registered our marriage. Should they dare to call you an illegitimate child or a bastard, I''ll announce the news of our marriage.¡± A wide grin spread across Zephyr''s boyish face. ¡°I didn''t think that you''re also a tough guy. I believe you can protect her well.¡± With that, he withdrew from his father''s arms. ¡°I''ll go to the kitchen and instruct them to prepare a meal. You guys have a chat first.¡± ¡°Zeph¡ª¡± Veronique wanted to stop him but gave up after sensing his high spirits. I haven''t seen him so happy in a long time. He probably longs for his whole family to live together. Since this is my child''s wish, I, as his mother, should help him realize it. N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Justin approached her and said softly, ¡°I told Bailey that I''ll definitely take responsibility for you and Zephyr, and only then did she tell me your address, so don''t me her.¡± Veronique let out a sigh. ¡°I know. No one in this world treats me better than her. I wish to give the children a home, Justin. What do you think?¡± Justin''s reply was short, but it was enough to leave her speechless. ¡°You are my wife and children, protected by thew.¡± Meanwhile, in the office on the highest floor of Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey broke into a faint smile after receiving Veronique''s message. That''s great. She''s finallye around and will probably make her way back to Hallsbay soon with a completely different outlook to battle for her position. It''s not that I look down on Scarlett, but that woman isn''t exactly clever and merely has a more powerful background. Veronique has a good chance of winning against her. She typed a reply: Great. I''ll await your return. When the timees, we''ll crush those scumbags together. She had just sent the message when Artemis walked in. ¡°What are you so happy about? You seem even happier than when you became my secretary.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. Can this man not be so annoying? Artemis walked to her desk and shamelessly threw the documents in his hand on the tabletop. ¡°I''ll let you handle these.¡± Bailey gave him the side-eye, her gaze icy, and said snarkily, ¡°You just brought them over from the secretary''s office, didn''t you? You just received them, and you''re already throwing them at me. You might as well give your CEO position to me.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Artemis answered swiftly. ¡°I''ll submit my resignation to the board of directors tomorrow and rmend you to take over my position.¡± Bailey was utterly speechless. This scoundrel is like a ball of cotton. Despite punching him with a lot of force, you still feel powerless. ¡°Spit it out. Otherwise, get lost.¡± What must I do when I''ve angered my wife? Coax her! Artemis circled the desk and reached out to pull her up. He then leaned closer and peppered kisses all over her face before saying with a smile, ¡°Husbands and wives share each other''s joys and sorrows, and it''s the same for us.¡± Bailey was equally ruthless and stomped on his foot with the heel of her high-heeled shoes. As a gasp sounded from above her head, she could not help but remark mockingly, ¡°This is the consequence of being cheeky.¡± Artemis was at a loss for words. In a private room on the second floor of a caf¨¦, Zoey narrowed her eyes at Beatrice¡ªwho was seated opposite her¡ªand asked coldly, ¡°Are you the one messing with me? What''s your purpose?¡± ¡°Messing with you?¡± Beatrice shook her head as she continued with a smile, ¡°I didn''t exaggerate any details about your identity, Ms. Shurmer.¡± Chapter 351 Chapter 351 Abruptly, Zoey tightened her grip on the porcin spoon in her hand. Zoey wasn''t foolish. She knew the olddy would never expose this matter to her beforepiling substantial evidence. Since the olddy had finallye to Zoey, it meant that Zoey''s identity was mostly confirmed. Although she didn''t want to ept the truth, the reality was always harsh, so she was forced to face it. ¡°I already know what you want to say. Tell me your conditions. What do I have to do for you to keep this secret for me?¡± Beatrice smiled elegantly. ¡°Looks like you''ve already epted the truth, Ms. Shurmer. That''s great. Now, I''ll stop beating around the bush. I want you to rescue my daughter.¡± Zoey''s face twitched violently as her expression turned malicious. Who is this olddy''s daughter? It''s that b*tch, Rhonda! I was extremely delighted after I found out that Rhonda was pranked by Artemis and was abandoned to be a beggar''s wife. However, she''s asking me to rescue her now? She''s clearly doing this on purpose to disgust me! ¡°I can''t agree with this. Give me another condition.¡± Beatrice stirred her cup of coffee and sneered, ¡°It seems like you''re still unaware of the current situation, Ms. Shurmer. I''m the one who has something on you. You don''t really have a choice. After all, I have the leverage to make you lose everything.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Zoey was frustrated, but she couldn''t do anything because she was afraid. She was afraid to lose everything and end up living a poverty-stricken life if she was stripped of her identity as the Shurmer family''s heiress. ¡°Fine. I''ll agree with your condition. But you can''t force me to do anything else after this is done.¡± ¡°Oh, you silly girl. Do you think that''s possible? Now that I have dirt on you, you can only do as I say.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Beatriceughed maniacally. ¡°You better think this through. Once your identity is exposed, Bailey will rece you and be the Shurmer family''s beloved heiress.¡± Hearing that, Zoey gritted her teeth so hard that a crunching noise could be hearding from her jaw. This olddy isn''t easy to deal with. She secured her position in the family as a mistress, so she has plenty of tricks up her sleeves. If I anger her, she might resort to extreme methods. ¡°Give me three days. I will save Rhonda and send her back to the Jefferson residence.¡± ¡°In that case, thank you, Ms. Shurmer.¡± Zoey remained quiet. Bailey met up with Edmund in a restaurant. She felt the need to have an open conversation with him. Regardless of whether he could ept it or not, she couldn''t continue keeping him in the dark. Previously, there was nothing she could do, as she didn''t know the truth. Since she had found out about everything and finally understood her own feelings clearly, she should stop leading Edmund on so that he wouldn''t continue wasting his time on her. In a private room in the restaurant, Bailey poured two sses of wine and handed a ss to Edmund. ¡°Come on. Let''s have a couple of drinks.¡± With that, Bailey lifted her ss and bumped it lightly with Edmund''s ss. Then, she downed the wine in one go. The alcohol was strong, but it felt great. Edmund lowered his gaze and downed his wine, imitating her. After a few rounds of drinking, Edmund stopped the woman from grabbing another wine bottle. He then said in a torn voice, ¡°Bay, you''re like strong alcohol. Everyone who has gotten a taste of it will definitely enjoy it, and I''m no exception. Falling in love with you is inevitable because you deserve to be loved by any man in the world. However, Artemis is slightly luckier than me, as he had gotten the bargaining chip to marry you.¡± Bailey was stunned and looked at him in surprise. Then, she frowned and asked, ¡°So, you already know?¡± Edmund smiled bitterly. ¡°What are you referring to? The fact that I already know you''ve fallen in love with Artemis? Or the fact that Zayron, Susan, and Max are Artemis'' children?¡± Bailey was stumped by his words. This man is too smart. He didn''t fight for me, not because he couldn''t win against Artemis, but because he already knows my heart is inclined toward Artemis. ¡°How did you find out about the children''s background?¡± ¡°Is it difficult to guess? Rhonda didn''t give birth to Max, so he must be stolen from someone close to her. Besides, your eldest son died unexpectedly right after you gave birth to him. Hence, the chance of him being swapped by others is high.¡± Swapped? This word reminded Bailey of her background. She wasn''t the Jefferson family''s daughter, but rence thought she was. Therefore, there must be a hidden story behind this matter. Looks like I shall investigate what happened back then. Does my mother''s death have something to do with my parentage? ¡°Bingo. You''ve guessed it. They are Artemis'' children. Edmund, I''ve spent six years trying to ept you. Yet, I finally realized today that I''ll never be able to change the way I see someone no matter how hard I try. You are one of those people.¡± A bitter smile appeared on Edmund''s face as he asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Then, what am I to you? A friend?¡± Bailey shook her head and murmured, ¡°You''re more than a friend, but less than a lover. You could say we''re soulmates.¡± Edmund''s lips moved slightly. However, he said nothing in the end. He reached for the bottle of wine and started chugging the content. Bailey didn''t stop him and just quietly sat across from him, keeping himpany and feeling his pain. He was once a gentle and warm soul, yet he was forced into this state by me. If only he were more dominant and as assertive as Artemis throughout these years, we might''ve been... With that thought in mind, Bailey began tearing up. Her eyes were fogged by tears, blurring her sight, and thus turning Edmund''s facial features into an indistinct blob. In the end, she had never once cared about him. If it were Artemis in this situation, she could clearly outline every inch of his features even with her eyes closed. An hourter, Bailey felt troubled when she looked at the intoxicated Edmund, who was sprawling on the table. If she propped him up and exited the private room just like that, they would probably end up in the headlines of tomorrow''s news. Right then, the door of the private room swung open, and Simon entered the room. Bailey looked at Simon in confusion. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Simon was still quite intimidated by Bailey. His private part was almost bitten off by her pet dog, so it was only natural that he was afraid of her. ¡°A-Artemis invited me here for a meal and told me the truth. Y-You''re really my sister-inw, Bailey. Please stay away from me. I''m just here to take Edmund home. I promise I won''t get in your way.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. D*mn it, am I that scary? Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. The corners of Bailey''s eyes twitched after she saw how Simon helped Edmund up and dashed out of the private room immediately like a monster was hot on his heels. All I did was let Hado lick him from head to toe once. It''s not like Hado bit his manhood off! Does he have to be so scared? When Artemis entered the private room, Bailey grabbed him and asked, ¡°Ratemis, am I really that vicious?¡± Artemis strode toward her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Looking at her reddened cheeks caused by drinking too much alcohol, he let out a low chuckle. ¡°Yes, you are ferocious. You made Simon so scared that he has basically be sexually impotent.¡± Hearing that, Bailey was rendered speechless. ¡°Therefore, you mustpensate the Luther family. Let''s make babies now to expand the family.¡± With that, he carried her in his arms. Chapter 352 Chapter 352 Shocked, Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°Stop it. I feel sick from having too much to drink.¡± Artemis cocked a brow. ¡°Your drunken state provides the best opportunity for me.¡± What a scoundrel... Feeling helpless, Bailey resigned herself to be carried out of the private room. Upon arriving at the elevator, she asked curiously, ¡°Where are we going? Back to Shelbert Condominium?¡± Lowering his gaze to look at her, Artemis retorted sarcastically, ¡°Do I look like an idiot? Why would I bring you home and have the kids disrupt my n?¡± Hmm... This scoundrel is getting smarter by the day. ¡°B-But it''s gettingte. Wouldn''t it be dangerous to leave the children home alone? Let''s hurry back instead.¡± ¡°Sheesh,¡± Artemis snorted. ¡°Can you drop the act? Don''t think I''m not aware of how hands-off you were with the children over the years. They''re quite independent. When you were overseas for one to two months, has Zayron ever suffered?¡± Bailey was rendered speechelss. Ding! The elevator doors opened. After Artemis carried her in, he pinned her against the wall. Before she knew it, she was overwhelmed by his affection, as if he was about to devour her. Bailey let out a gentle sigh. It''s clear he has reached the limit of his endurance. He would likely explode if I continue to resist him. ¡°Honey, do you want to do it here or my private mansion?¡± What sort of question is that? Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°If you dare to do it here, I''ll break your legs.¡± As tion shed across his face, Artemis rified frantically, ¡°I-Is that a yes?¡± After a momentary silence, Bailey threw her arms around his waist as she replied in a raspy voice, ¡°Artemis, I have fallen hopelessly in love with you. As you''re also the father of my children, what other reason do I have to hold myself back? I might easily cave to pressure seven years ago, but I''ll never betray myself now.¡± From the moment she bared her soul and confessed her feelings to Edmund, telling him that they could only be friends, she had a crystal-clear understanding of what she truly wanted¡ªthe man in front of her. She swore to herself that she would seize the opportunity and never miss it again. Ding! The elevator doors opened. Without another word, Artemis swept her off her feet and carried her to the underground parking lot. His urge to make her his was driving him mad. This woman has taken over my entire life. My happiness or sorrow revolves around her now. ¡°Slow down. My heart belongs to you, whereas you have my body in your arms. Are you still worried that I''ll escape?¡± ¡°I can''t hold myself back any longer.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, after helping the wasted Edmund out of the restaurant, Simon sent him back to the Chivers residence. In the living room of the Chivers residence, Glen was staring grimly at his grandson who had been knocked out, his eyes glistening with indiscernible emotions. As she wiped her son''s face, Gwendolyn murmured, ¡°What happened? Why did Ed get himself so drunk? I have never ever seen him let himself loose like that.¡± ¡°Enough.¡± With a wave of his hand, Glen ordered Yoel, ¡°Both of you, take him back to his room.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± As the three of them headed upstairs, it dawned upon Simon that he had better not stay. Smiling cordially, he suggested, ¡°Granddad, it''s gettingte, so I''m going back to the Luther residence. I''lle by another day to visit you.¡± No sooner had he turned around to slip away than Glen stamped his walking stick on the ground twice. ¡°You b*stard, if you dare take another step, I''ll chase you down and break your legs!¡± Cognizant that escaping was not going to be easy, Simon resigned himself to his fate. Given how disciplined and gentle Edmund has always been, there''s no way Grandad would fail to guess what happened when he sees Edmund''s pathetic state. ¡°Okay, okay. I''ll stay, so please don''t be mad. Otherwise, my mom and uncle would kill me before you do.¡± ¡°Tell me, why did Eddy have so much to drink? Who did he see?¡± ¡°Um, about that, I''m not too sure myself. When I received a call from the restaurant manager to pick him up, I rushed over¡ª¡± ¡°Come clean with me.¡± Glen jabbed his walking stick on the ground again. Trembling in response, the timid Simon quickly changed his tune. ¡°He went to see Bailey, and she must''ve told him that they should just be friends. I think he had too much to drink because he was heartbroken.¡± Glen''s expression turned grim when a sudden thought struck him. Narrowing his eyes, he snapped, ¡°Is Bay with your brother right now?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°Spit it out.¡± ¡°Both of them were indeed together when I left with Edmund.¡± The old man''s hand that was holding the walking stick jolted before he picked up the phone with his other hand. ¡°Call your brother and tell him toe here.¡± Simon flinched in fright upon hearing the order. Artemis and Bailey must be having a passionate time somewhere right now. Wouldn''t it be suicide if I were to call my brother at this juncture? ¡°G-Granddad, whatever it is, let''s leave it until tomorrow, as it''s alreadyte. Who knows, they might already be asleep.¡± Chapter 353 Chapter 353 The word ¡°sleep¡± ignited a burning rage in Glen''s eyes. ¡°B*stard, do you want to stand idly by and watch Edmund be ruined?¡± Simon''s lips twitched as the urge to tell Glen about the children''s true identity swelled within him. Nevertheless, he didn''t dare to do so without Artemis'' permission. ¡°Fine. Since you refuse to do it, I''ll call him myself.¡± Simon''s lips puckered in response. Go ahead, I wouldn''t wish for anything else. Meanwhile, Artemis drove back to his private mansion as fast as he could. With Bailey in his arms, he stumbled along the way while rushing into the bedroom. Everywhere he passed, he would bump into something. At the sight of his reddened eyes, Bailey couldn''t help chuckling. ¡°You''re a grown man! Why are you still behaving like a child? Aren''t you worried about hurting me like that?¡± After a moment of silence, Artemis took a deep breath and leaned in to kiss her. Laughing softly, Bailey wrapped her arms around his waist. Finally, no one will bother us anymore. Unexpectedly, their ns were immediately disrupted as an untimely ring echoed through the spacious bedroom. They felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water onto their heads. Artemis couldn''t help but curse, ¡°F*ck, I forgot to leave my phone in the living room.¡± Narrowing her eyes in silence, Bailey had an inkling about who was calling. Simon should''ve sent Edmund home by now. Old Mr. Chivers must''ve guessed what my decision is just by looking at the inebriated Edmund. Hence, the phone call... If she could guess who it was, so could Artemis. Raising his head with a wry smile, Artemis remarked, ¡°Save it. I know what your decision is¡ªanswer the call and head over to the Chivers residence to ept our punishment.¡± With that, he supported himself in an attempt to get up. Amidst a soft chuckle, Bailey put her hands around his neck as she whispered into his ear, ¡°Why don''t you be quick and scratch this itch of ours? It won''t take up much time. Since we''re going to be taught a lesson, we might as well do it first. That way, the punishment would be well worth it, don''t you think?¡± Artemis'' eyes sparkled as he gave her a look of surprise. ¡°Y-You''re not asking me to go?¡± Bailey let out a sigh. ¡°It''s not like I''m unaware of the reason Old Mr. Chivers has summoned you. I might have had reservations in the past but not anymore. As you''re the father of my children, there''s no reason for us not to sleep with each other. So, what''s there to be afraid of?¡± An ecstatic glint shed across his eyes as he leaned in to kiss her. Thereafter, romance filled the room with the moon shining brightly outside. Both of them giving themselves to each other was the purest expression of their love. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavable. Please try againter.¡± ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavable. Please try againter.¡± ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavable. Please try againter.¡± Glen called three consecutive times, but no one picked up. Outraged, the old man threw the phone back on the table before getting to his feet with the help of his walking stick. ¡°Take me to your brother''s private mansion.¡± Perturbed, Simon touched his forehead and probed, ¡°Grandad, why can''t Artemis and Bailey be together? Don''t you like Bailey a lot? What''s the difference between her being with Artemis and with Edmund?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Glen thundered. ¡°Edmund can marry her, and so can you. Only Artemis is forbidden to, as they will be ridiculed by the public. If news of their rtionship gets out, can you imagine the controversy that will result?¡± Taking a deep breath, Simon approached Glen and held him by the arm to support him. ¡°I should''ve stayed out of this, but now that things havee to this, there''s something I have to tell you. Granddad, let''s go to your study. Once you have learned the truth, you''ll probably change your mind about stopping them.¡± Glen responded with silence. Back at the private mansion, the gentle light in the room illuminated the aftermath of the passionate session. Leaning against the bed and breathing heavingly, Artemis clearly hadn''t had enough. More... I want more... However, he was afraid of hurting the gentle and fragile Bailey. The womany in his arms with her eyes closed, seemingly taking a short nap. Her long hair strewn across his chest, covering most of his bronze-colored skin. As he tried to move, he identally woke her up. Bailey gradually opened her eyes, and her gaze locked with Artemis'' the moment she looked up. N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Caressing her exquisite-looking face with his hand, he asked in a raspy voice, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Bailey shook her head. Since when am I that fragile? ¡°Now that you''ve gotten what you wanted, can we take a break? Let''s hurry over to the Chivers residence and exin the situation to Old Mr. Chivers. In actuality, I think he''s reluctant toe between us. It''s just that... he loves us too much and is worried that we''d be the target of public ridicule.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Artemis concurred. ¡°No matter what, Granddad is wiser than us due to his age. Regardless of what he says, he only has our best interest at heart.¡± Despite his reluctance, Artemis forced himself to sit up, for he knew that the matter couldn''t wait. Suddenly, a message notification rang out in the room. Cocking a brow, Artemis checked his phone and was delighted by what he saw. Chapter 354 Chapter 354 Simon: Artemis, I''ve exined everything to Granddad, and he has calmed down. Hence, you don''t have to rush over to the Chivers residence. Now that you owe me one, this will offset what I did seven years ago. Therefore, you''re not allowed to hold it against me anymore. Intrigued by Artemis'' sudden smile, Bailey inquired, ¡°What is it?¡± Artemis showed her the message instead of replying. Upon reading it, Bailey was equally delighted. ¡°Back then, in my desperation to raise money to save Granny, I had no choice but to agree to Rhonda''s condition and sleep with an old man. I was surprised when the ¡°old man¡± turned out to be you. So it was Simon''s doing all along. Anyway, message him to tell him that I''m eternally grateful for what he has done. From now on, I have his back wherever he goes.¡± Artemis was ted to hear her words. Is she expressing her gratitude to Simon for sending her my way? Hmm, I have to admit that I need to thank him too. ¡°All right.¡± After replying to Simon''s message with what Bailey said, Artemis turned off his phone. Subsequently, a smile descended upon Bailey''s face, as she knew exactly what was on his mind. Cognizant that there was no escape, she threw her arms around his neck and took the initiative instead. The night had just begun and so did their story. Back in Shelbert Condominium, the two boys were sitting on the sofa, sighing. ¡°s, it looks like she has been taken.¡± ¡°That''s a fact since seven years ago. There''s no point inining about it now.¡± As the smiling Susan joined them, shemented, ¡°Maxton, Zayron, I don''t want to be the youngest. I prefer to have a younger sibling instead.¡± Exchanging nces, the boys gave their adorable sister a look before pping their thighs in unison. ¡°Fine, I''ll make your wishe true.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll think of a way to get Mommy pregnant again.¡± After mulling over the matter, the brothers shared a nce and spotted the cunning glint that shed across each other''s eyes. Zayron remarked, ¡°Given how desperate they are for each other, I''m sure they didn''t use any protection. Thus, Bailey will definitely take the morning-after pill tomorrow. Hehe... I''ll leave this matter to you.¡± Maxton patted his chest. ¡°Don''t worry, I''ll get it done. Bay will not be swallowing that pill tomorrow, I promise.¡± As the brothers burst into deviousughter, Susan pped her hands in delight. ¡°Hurray! I''ll have a younger sibling soon!¡± Meanwhile, at the Gezmond residence, Lionel was on the phone as hey on the couch in his study. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, we have discovered Ms. Saunders'' location. She has secretly left Hallsbay a few days ago. Traveling together with her is Dwayne Derning, assistant to Luther Group''s CEO.¡± The mention of Dwayne caused Lionel to tighten his grip on his phone. I''m surprised that she has left with that man. Does she really think that she can find love again? What a joke! With my brand on her body, does she really think she can escape forever? ¡°Regardless of where she is and whatever it takes, find her.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Upon regaining hisposure, Lionel added, ¡°Do we know where Holden is?¡± A deathly silence ensued before the person on the other end of the line mustered the courage to answer, ¡°Based on our investigations, we have narrowed it down to one person. However, he is someone so powerful that we''re unable to touch him.¡± With a darkened gaze and furrowed brows, Lionel asked, ¡°Who can he be?¡± ¡°One of Tarragon''s leaders, second only to Micah.¡± Lionel''s pupils constricted abruptly. Even though he knew that Sebastian''s father was an influential person, he didn''t expect thetter to be so powerful. Tarragon, the mysterious organization that controlled all the underground factions around the globe, was feared by everyone. No one dared to go against them. Is Sebastian''s father really one of the leaders of Tarragon? If that''s the case, he should have had the capability to fight with the Hoffman family back then. Why did he abandon the pregnant Wendy and cause her to fall into such a predicament? She was almost assassinated by her family! ¡°Okay. I understand. There''s no need to investigate any further. If we don''t stop here, I''m worried that we would bring unnecessary trouble upon ourselves.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Falling into deep thought after the call, Lionel decided to see Micah. Since he was told that Micah was in Hallsbay recently, he figured it was best to find out about Holden straight from the horse''s mouth. Inside a private room on the top floor that night, Sylvester and Micah were sharing a drink, while Jerry, abstaining, was ying games on his phone. When Sylvester threw a kick at Jerry out of nowhere, his toes struck a steel te when thetter swiftly dodged, causing him to howl in agonized pain. F*ck, isn''t he engrossed in his game? How did he see my kicking? After being humiliated by Jerry, Sylvester turned toward Micah, who was gulping down his wine, and rolled his eyes. ¡°Justin has gone in pursuit of his girl, while Dwayne is spending time with his first love. As for Ratemis, he''s intoxicated in a woman''s bed, leaving both of you here. One is addicted to his games and the other only cares about drinking. F*ck, this is so boring. I''m outta here.¡± With that, he got up to leave. Narrowing his eyes at the other man''s leaving silhouette, Micah asked in a nonchnt tone, ¡°Jerry, is there any progress on the matter I asked you to investigate?¡± ¡°The Saviors, Veikko, Bailey, Shannon.¡± After spitting out the names one by one, Jerry lowered his head and continued with his game. Micah''s brows knitted in response. The Saviors? Veikko? Bailey? Shannon? After a momentary silence, he rified, ¡°Are you saying that Bailey sent Veikko of the Saviors to protect Shannon? As long as I can find Veikko, I can find her?¡± Jerry ignored him. Whenever he immersed himself in his game, he could go on ying for three days without eating. He might not even realize if there was a fire. Nevertheless, Micah trusted his friend, as thetter wouldn''t be known as Tarragon''s top detective without the required skills. His answer has proved that all those parties are connected, confirming my suspicions. Therefore, Bailey must know where Shannon is. The next day, when sunlight illuminated the room through the windows, Bailey was awoken by its jarring rays. The moment she opened her eyes, ayer of haziness covered them still. Subsequently, the soreness of her limbs washed over her, bringing rity back to her mind. As she looked to her side instinctively, Artemis wasn''t there. Evidently, women can''tpare to men. Even though he did most of the workst night, I''m still the one who''s drained. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. As she sat up from bed while leaning on the headboard, the residual marks on her body elicited a sigh from her. That jerk. How am I going to show my face in public like this? At that moment, the door was pushed open, and in walked Artemis with a tray in his hand. On it was breakfast¡ªconsisting of milk and bread¡ªand a box of medication. Chapter 355 Chapter 355 Bailey arched an eyebrow when she saw the box of pills. ¡°Why? You don''t wish to have any more kids?¡± Artemis ced the tray on the bedside table, took out a pill from the box, and offered it to her. Bailey did not take the pill. She narrowed her eyes and looked at him curiously, waiting for his exnation. The woman was curious about the reason behind his actions. Doesn''t he want to have more children with me? ¡°I''m content to have two sons and a daughter. Of course, I''ll be delighted if you wish to bear me more children, but I really do not want you to suffer from the pain of childbirth anymore,¡± he confessed. So that''s the reason! Bailey smiled upon hearing that, touched. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. She parted her lips, leaned over, and took the pill he held out for her. Next, he held out a ss of warm water for her, and she gratefully took a couple of sips, swallowing the contraceptive pill. Indeed, she had no wish to experience the pain of childbirth anymore. Years back, she had seriousplications while giving birth to her triplets, and that traumatizing experience had haunted her ever since. ¡°This is just a temporary precautionary measure. When Justin is back, I''ll make arrangements with him for a vasectomy procedure,¡± Artemis shared. Stunned, Bailey stared at him in disbelief. As the head of a prominent family, one would expect him to be concerned about having heirs to continue the Luther family''s name. As such, it was shocking to know he was considering a vasectomy procedure. ¡°You...¡± Bailey was at a loss of words. ¡°It''s okay. I already have two sons and a daughter to inherit the family business, so don''t feel pressured about that issue. I want to marry you so we can be together, not for you to be a child-bearing machine,¡± he said. Bailey buried her face in his abdomen and hugged him tightly. ¡°I struggled with the decision, but I''m so d I overcame my hesitation and took this step forward with you. If I had let you go, it would''ve been a huge loss for me,¡± she confessed, her voice hoarse. Artemis bent over, kissed her on her forehead, and teasingly said, ¡°You are such a shrewddy, so how is it possible you will let go of such a catch?¡± Bailey could not refute that. Meanwhile, back at the Luther residence, Gerald and Felicity were having a discussion in the hall. Felicity sullenly looked at her husband and gave in, saying, ¡°Sure, I''ll agree to let Zoey marry into the family. However, after their marriage, she and Artemis have to move out. I don''t want to see her on a day-to-day basis.¡± Gerald let out a sigh of relief. Having gotten his wife''s consent was half the battle won. The remaining challenge would be to get his son to agree to the marriage. ¡°If you do not wish to see her, we can always move overseas,¡± he suggested to Felicity. ¡°Hmph!¡± Felicity snorted, stood up, and made her way to the stairs. As she was walking off, she said, ¡°Don''t count your eggs before they''re hatched and start celebrating just because I relented. Your son is stubborn and has a mind of his own. I spent seven years trying to get him to marry Rhonda, and in the end, I still failed. I doubt you can easily convince him to marry Zoey.¡± In the guestroom at the Gezmond residence, Wendy was leaning against the headboard and sipping on the mushroom soup that Sebastian was patiently spooning into her mouth. ¡°Mom, Zayron called mest night and told me Victoria has left Hallsbay,¡± Sebastian updated her. ¡°Huh?¡± Wendy was surprised to hear that. ¡°Did your da... I mean, Lionel, send her away?¡± she asked. He shook his head and replied, ¡°No, she ran away. Da... Lionel is trying to track her down.¡± Wendy fell silent for a moment, then ruffled Sebastian''s hair and smilingly said, ¡°I know you''re influential and have good connections. Where possible, do lend Lionel a hand and help him find Victoria.¡± Sebastian gave her a wink and a big smile. ¡°Looks like you''ve really let it go and you''re no longer troubled by this anymore! Let''s make a public announcement soon to rify that we''re not Lionel''s wife and son. I''m sure Victoria will forgive Lionel after knowing that,¡± he said. ¡°You''re such a good boy!¡± Wendy beamed with pride and patted him on his head lovingly. Just then, Lionel walked in and saw the two of them chatting happily. ¡°What are you guys talking about?¡± he curiously asked. Sebastian made a funny face, saying, ¡°It''s a secret between Mom and me. I''m heading out with Zayron, so I''ll not be back for lunch.¡± With that, he dashed out of the room. ¡°Be careful! The injury on your head has not fully healed!¡± Lionel couldn''t help but nag at him. ¡°Okay!¡± ¡°That boy...¡± Lionel smiled dotingly as he watched Sebastian run away. He then sat down by the bedside, picked up the bowl of soup, and continued to feed Wendy. After taking a few mouthfuls of soup, Wendy hesitantly asked, ¡°Any news of her yet?¡± Lionel pursed his lips in hesitation and finally asked, ¡°Wends, how did you meet Holden?¡± Taken aback by his question, Wendy nervously clenched the bedsheet under her. After a long bout of silence, she haltingly said, ¡°Back then, he was chased after by his foes and was badly injured. I found him hiding in the cabin of our family''s yacht. He took on a new identity and stayed by my side as my bodyguard for a period of time.¡± So that''s how it started... Lionel nodded understandingly and continued to probe, ¡°Has he ever shared with you his real identity and background?¡± ¡°No. All I knew was that judging by hisbat skills and gentlemanly behavior, I was sure he wasn''t a gangster. I was sure he had aplicated background.¡± Wendy had no doubts about that. Suddenly, she grabbed Lionel''s hand and anxiously asked, ¡°Nell, you managed to find him, didn''t you? Who is he? Where is he now? H-He''s still alive, right?¡± Chapter 356 Chapter 356 Lionel held on to her hand and softly chided, ¡°The stitches on your wound are still new, so you shouldn''t exert too much force. If you strain your hand and aggravate your injury, you may end up worsening your condition! If that happens, it''ll be toote to cry over spilled milk!¡± It was only then that Wendy realized she had be too emotional and had used her injured arm to grab him, oblivious to the pain. ¡°I-I''m fine,¡± she sheepishly said. Despite her reassurance, Lionel carefully checked her hand to make sure it was okay before resuming their conversation. ¡°As the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, I''m sure you''ve heard of the organization, Tarragon,¡± he said. Wendy''s eyes popped wide open, and she blurted out, ¡°W-What did you say? T-Tarragon?¡± Her reaction aroused Lionel''s suspicion. Although Tarragon had a fearsome reputation, her response was over the top, and definitely not normal. He instinctively knew that there was more to it than met the eye and that she was hiding something from him. ¡°Wends, please be honest with me. What do you know about Tarragon?¡± he asked. Wendy shook her head and insisted, ¡°Nothing. H-How is it possible I have anything to do with them? You don''t have to beat around the bush, Nell. Just tell me what''s on your mind.¡± She took the ss of water from the bedside table and started drinking from it. Her evasive manner made Lionel more suspicious, but he did not confront her further. Instead, he revealed, ¡°Holden could be one of the top executives in Tarragon.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Plop! Wendy dropped the ss she was holding, and the water spilled onto her nket, wetting it. ¡°I-I''m sorry. It slipped from my hand,¡± exined Wendy as she tried to wipe the water off her nket. Amidst her state of panic, she identally hit her injured arm and cried out in pain. Lionel was not a fool, and her agitated reaction confirmed his suspicion. He decided to dig further and look into any possible rtionship between the Hoffman family and Tarragon. ¡°Stop fussing over it, or you''ll hurt your arm again. I''ll get the helper toe and change the bedding for you.¡± Lionel stood up and was about to leave the room when Wendy grabbed onto his arm again with her other hand. ¡°N-Nell, if Holden is... if he''s one of the top guys in Tarragon, then please don''t pursue further. We should stay away from those people. Please don''t mess with them,¡± she pleaded. Lionel silently sighed, knowing he could not possibly forget about the matter. He had to find out why Holden got close to Wendy on purpose and then left her after she became pregnant. However, he consoled her by saying, ¡°Okay. Calm down. I''ll drop it and won''t dig further into it.¡± Meanwhile, at the Shurmer residence, Waverly had called Zoey''s name a couple of times but got no response from her daughter, who was seemingly in a trance. Thus, she couldn''t help giving Zoey a nudge and asked, ¡°What''s wrong with you?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Zoey snapped out of her daze and hurriedly said, ¡°N-Nothing, Mom. What were you saying?¡± Waverly sighed and said, ¡°Based on the evidence I gathered over the past few days, Artemis is besotted with Bailey. Why don''t you forget about him, Zozo? We''ll head back to Lostaria, where there are many outstanding young men waiting to win your heart. You can take your pick!¡± Back to Lostaria? No way! I can''t go back! The Jefferson family is already aware that Bailey is not their flesh and blood. If things escted, Bailey''s definitely going to know about this and will try to find out what happened back then. Once the truth is out, the Shurmers will know I''m an outsider who''s not blood-rted to them. Even if I returned to Lostaria, I can''t stay in the Shurmer family anymore. Zoey came to the conclusion that she could not leave for Lostaria. Between Bailey and her, one of them had to die, and it would be Bailey. ¡°Mom, Mr. Luther called me this morning with good news. Mrs. Luther has relented and agreed to let me marry into their family. Could you call Dad and ask him to make a trip to Hallsbay?¡± Zoey said. Waverly was stunned. She frowned puzzledly and asked, ¡°Are you sure? Gerald... He... I mean, the Luther family is really willing to be our inws?¡± ¡°Yup, I''m positive. It''s true, Mom, so please don''t make me go back to Lostaria. I''ve set my mind on Artemis, and I won''t marry anyone else,¡± Zoey pleaded. Waverly rubbed between her brows as she contemted in silence. After a while, she clenched her teeth and said, ¡°Fine. Then let''s make use of the pressure of public opinion to keep Artemis and Bailey apart.¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean by that?'' Zoey asked, clueless. Waverly revealed her n. ¡°Spread the news that Bailey is throwing herself at her brother-inw. She was in a rtionship with Simon, so that makes it a little awkward andplicated for everyone. If the public gets to know she''s now having an affair with Artemis, she''ll be condemned.¡± Zoey''s eyes lit up when she heard that brilliant idea. Why didn''t I think of that? I''m sure she''ll drown in the torrent of abuse from the public! And... if I set Rhonda free, I''m sure we''ll get to enjoy a good show when the two sisters fight against each other! ¡°You''re the best, Mom! That''s a brilliant idea! I''ll order someone to take photos of Artemis and Bailey in intimate contact, then...¡± ¡°That''s not necessary!¡± Waverly interrupted her. She then took out an envelope from the drawer and handed it to Zoey. ¡°Take a look at this. It''s what you need,¡± she said. Zoey was a little uncertain, but nevertheless, she ripped open the envelope and checked out the content. It was a few photos of Artemis and Bailey being intimate with each other. ¡°Mom, this...¡± ¡°I hired a professional detective to spy on them at the restaurantst night. Artemis was carrying Bailey as they left the private room and headed into the elevator. These photos are good enough to prove Bailey is having an affair with her brother-inw. She''ll soon be scolded by the public for her behavior. We can stand by and enjoy the show,¡± Waverly gloated. Chapter 357 Chapter 357 Meanwhile, in a private mansion, Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window in her pajamas when Artemis entered with a bag of women''s clothes. After casually tossing the bag aside, the man walked to the side of the bed and hugged Bailey from behind. ¡°Are you still feeling sore?¡± Upon hearing the question, Bailey arched a brow. Gosh, is it appropriate to discuss this sensitive topic while we''re in such an intimate position? In any case, he''s like an insatiable beast who''s just gotten his first taste of meat. If I were to say the wrong thing, I reckon he''d want to have his way with me again. ¡°I want to look into my background, Artemis. I want to know what on earth happened back then.¡± Unsurprisingly, Artemis didn''t turn her down. As he brushed his lips along the nape of her neck, he murmured, ¡°I''ve already sent someone to investigate, and I''m sure we''ll get some news soon. Don''t worry. I''ll help you find your family. You may seem cold and indifferent, but deep down inside, I know you''ve been yearning for family love.¡± With that, Bailey smiled and melted into his embrace. ¡°From today onward, I''m giving myself to you. The past few years have been too hectic and tiring. I can hardly breathe with all this weight on my shoulders.¡± Artemis hugged her even tighter. Yes, she''s right. She single-handedly raised two children and even managed to teach them so well. I can only imagine the amount of pressure she had faced over the years. ¡°Sure. Leave everything to me from now on,¡± Artemis reassured. ¡°After all, I''m your man. There''s no need to feel bad or shameful for depending on me. With me around, all you need to do is enjoy your life.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. When the rays of sunlight poured through the windows, she instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes. Is this what tranquility feels like? Wow... It sure is addictive. ¡°Bay, should I make a public announcement about our kids?¡± ¡°Huh? What for?¡± Bailey asked, looking somewhat bemused. Artemis smiled and nted a kiss on her lips. ¡°I''m afraid that some people might try to smear our private lives. ording to Ken, someone secretly photographed us in the restaurantst night. Given our current situation, there will undoubtedly be an uproar if our intimate photos are leaked.¡± To the man''s surprise, Bailey merely smirked as a devilish glint shed in her eyes. ¡°It''s okay. Let them say whatever they like. We''ll announce the truth about our kids once things have reached a critical point. That way, it''d be a tight p in the face of those gossipmongers. Ha! I can''t wait to see their defeated looks!¡± The more Artemis gazed at the mischievous yet gorgeous woman, the more he felt himself falling head over heels in love with her. He was, without a doubt, ready to do anything for Bailey. ¡°Sure. We''ll do as you say.¡± At a hotel near the eastern outskirts of Hallsbay, Rose flung a card at the two thugs in front of her. ¡°There''s a total of five hundred thousand in this card. If you follow my instructions and vite Rainie Yeanisky from Fashionista, I''ll reward you with another five hundred thousand.¡± Needless to say, the thugs were shocked. Oh, f*ck! That''s a million in total! We''ve never seen so much money in our lives! ¡°A-Are you sure you''re giving us a million?¡± Rose''s eyes instantly zed with disdain. Hmph. One million is merely what I pay for a handbag. I can''t believe these two filthy peasants are so mesmerized by that paltry amount. ¡°Haven''t I already given you five hundred thousand in advance?¡± she snapped. ¡°Once you''ve assaulted Rainie, I''ll pay you the rest immediately. Of course, you''ll need to bring me her nude pictures as proof.¡± After hearing that, the two thugs exchanged furtive nces. Oh, h*ll yes! We''re doing this! Not only will we get to sleep with the Oscars'' Best Actress, but we''ll also be paid handsomely for it! What a deal! We can even ckmail the actress with her nude photos and rake in another tidy sum of money. My goodness, we''re going to be so rich! ¡°All right. You''ve got yourself a deal. Give us three days. We''ll find a spot and wait for the perfect timing to do the deed.¡± ¡°Go on, then.¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± With that, the two thugs grabbed Rose''s card and darted out of the room. Thetter couldn''t help but curl her lips into a vicious smile as she watched them leave. I failed to do a number on Bailey, but that doesn''t mean I can''t deal with a b*tch like Rainie. So what if Rainie''s pretty? She''s nothing more than a talentless airhead! What gives her the right to steal my Best Actress award or take over the lead for Time Warp? Does she intend to use this opportunity to break into the international scene? If that''s the case, I shall give her a hand by publishing her nude photos. That way, she''ll be famous all over the world! Hahaha... Go to hell, Rainie Yeanisky! Meanwhile, Micah was on the couch in a suburban mansion as he downed ss after ss of alcohol. As the current leader of Tarragon, he wielded a lot of power in his hands. Therefore, it was no surprise that countless bigwigs in the world had tried to curry favor with Micah by sending him women and money, all of which he graciously epted. s, it wasn''t long before the rumors began to spread about him having a harem and spending every day getting drunk or indulging in the pleasures of the flesh. As it turned out, the public was right about him being drunk. After all, Micah had turned to alcohol to numb his pain. The rumors about the harem, however, were merely baseless usations. He had given all the women to his subordinates because he only had eyes for one woman¡ªShannon. Thetter might be disabled, but not even that could sway his love for her. Just then, the phone on the coffee table started ringing. Despite feeling tipsy, Micahzily sat up and answered the call. ¡°What is it?¡± he muttered as he put the phone on speaker mode. ¡°Mr. Micah, we''ve tracked down the whereabouts of Veikko from the Saviors.¡± Micah sobered up almost immediately. ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°He wasst seen in Springwyn, so I checked the immigration records. He''s still there.¡± By then, Micah had grabbed the phone and sat up straight. ¡°Have you found out where he''s staying?¡± ¡°Not yet. The Saviors has a branch in Springwyn, so we have to tread lightly. We don''t want to alert the enemy.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Micah said through gritted teeth as he stood up from the couch. ¡°Secretly investigate them and try not to arouse any suspicion. Even if they''re alerted, no one is to make a move. I don''t want any harm to befall my woman. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± After pacing back and forth in the living room with the phone in his hand, Micah eventually decided to make a trip to Springwyn. That''s it. I have to go. ¡°Jerry, I''m going overseas for a few days. If Artemis asks about it, tell him I''ve returned to Tarragon''s headquarters.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Unfortunately, all Micah heard was the sound of gunshots from the room upstairs. Argh. That guy must be ying his video games again. Later that afternoon, several scandalous headlines were sshed across the front pages of Hallsbay''s newspapers and magazines. Bailey Jefferson rumored to be dating Artemis Luther. Vain and immoral beyond belief, Bailey Jefferson has an affair with her brother-inw. Despite being dumped by Simon Luther, Bailey Jefferson seeks an alternative route into the Luther family by seducing Simon''s brother. Bailey Jefferson and Artemis Luther enjoy a candle-lit dinner before leaving the restaurant together. Sources believe they spent the night at a private mansion. Chapter 358 Chapter 358 The news published was more shocking and exciting than the previous one. In the end, some newspapers even publicized the photograph. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. In that incriminating picture, Bailey and Artemis were embracing each other in a restaurant. The oversized photograph took up almost a quarter of the entire page. What do people call this again? This is a smoking gun! Artemis left the restaurant with Bailey in his arms. The two were behaving intimately before getting into the car and driving to a private mansion. What did that imply? Any adult could imagine what happened between them on that night. A loud smack rang out across the Luther residence. Gerald mmed the newspaper in his hand onto the coffee table. His face turned gloomy like a raging storm. ¡°Simon Luther, get your as* down here!¡± The butler on the side informed fearfully, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, Mr. Simon didn''te homest night.¡± Hearing that, Gerald mmed his hand on the table. These two b*stards! Are they trying to give me a heart attack? Sitting on the side, Felicity narrowed her eyes as she read the newspaper''s contents. She somehow felt relieved seeing her son being intimate with Bailey. In all honesty, she was reluctant to let that awful woman from the Shurmer family marry into the Luther family. She would rather ept Bailey than have Zoey as her daughter-inw. ¡°Now that Artemis is together with Bailey, it''s hard for us to change that fact. It''s better to think of ways to suppress this matter,¡± Felicity suggested. ¡°No way!¡± ring at his wife, Gerald said through gritted teeth, ¡°Our family can''t afford to lose face like this. It''s beyond embarrassing for the elder brother to covet his younger brother''s woman. If we allow them to continue making mistakes, don''t you think the Luther family will be theughingstock of the whole world?¡± Felicity slowly got up and walked toward the stairs. ¡°Fine. Go ahead if you want to trouble yourself and interfere in their personal lives. I don''t have the energy to deal with these matters. They can marry whomever they want. Our children can take care of themselves. I think I have finallye around to that fact.¡± Gerald was at a loss for words. While the public was in an uproar, the two main subjects of the chaos were enjoying themselves in the mansion. Lying in Artemis'' arms on the grass, Bailey looked at the horizon and said with a chuckle, ¡°It''s indeed human nature to act in a despicable way. They still want to annoy me even though they clearly know that they are fighting a losing battle.¡± Artemis reached out and caressed her face. Arching his brow, he asked, ¡°How despicable indeed. They still dare to provoke you despite knowing how capable you are. That''s just dumb.¡± Pfft! Bailey could not hold back herughter. That wicked woman is at it again. ¡°Guess who''s messing with me again this time?¡± Artemis blinked and fell silent. After a while, he asked tentatively, ¡°Was it the Jefferson family?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°Then was it the previous Best Actress, Rose?¡± Artemis asked. Once again, Bailey shook her head. ring at him, shemented with a pout, ¡°Come on! You''re doing this on purpose. You''ve already guessed it, but you''re ying dumb.¡± Artemis chuckled. Massaging his temples, he said with a sigh, ¡°I''m worried that you might throw a tantrum since that woman likes me. That''s why I didn''t dare to mention her name in front of you.¡± ring at him, Bailey retorted, ¡°Am I that petty to you? Besides, she was the one who messed up the rtionship between you two. I''m not going to remember her kindness for saving your life.¡± ¡°That''s good to know.¡± Remaining silent, Bailey fixated her gaze on the clouds in the sky. Despite the carefree look on her face, countless thoughts flooded her mind at that moment. Zoey Shurmer... Waverly Gezmond... Bailey felt as though she had figured something out, but when she delved further into it, she couldn''t seem to grasp that vague idea in her mind. ¡°Mr. Luther, your father is here. He''s waiting for you in the study now,¡± the maid informed Artemis from a distance. Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly, not intending to move at all. Smiling, Bailey reached out to pinch his handsome face. ¡°You''d better exin the situation to your father. It''s about time he gives up. I know he likes Zoey, but there''s no way I''m going to let go of the man I fancy. Oh, what should we do? This is a sticky situation.¡± Artemis'' mood instantly improved when he heard those words. He pinched her nose and uttered softly, ¡°Well, you should guard this man properly so that other women won''t have a chance to steal him away.¡± Giggling, Bailey wrapped her arms around Artemis'' neck and kissed his lips. ¡°Help me to settle this matter with your parents. After all, they''re my future inws. Maintaining a good rtionship with them will save us from a lot of trouble in the future.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± When Artemis entered the study, he was met with a flying teacup that was aimed at his head. He managed to avoid getting hit by dodging swiftly. Nheless, he did not reach out to catch it, allowing the priceless teacup to shatter on the floor. ¡°You b*stard! Don''t you know she''s your brother''s woman? How dare you cross the line and get entangled with her? Are you trying to humiliate the Luther family''s name?¡± Gerald thundered. A smile crept up on Artemis'' face as he stepped past the broken shards on the floor. ¡°Who said she is Simon''s woman? Did you see them sleeping together?¡± ¡°B*stard!¡± In a fit of rage, Gerald picked up another teacup on the table and prepared to hurl it at his son. Arching his brows, Artemis said indifferently, ¡°Calm down if you want to know the truth. Let''s sit down and have a talk.¡± The truth? Gerald abruptly paused in his tracks. Chapter 359 Chapter 359 ¡°What truth? Can you somehow change the fact that your brother slept with Bailey?¡± Gerald probed. Artemis narrowed his eyes as he walked over to his father before sitting down. Reaching out to take out a few documents from the drawer, he threw them in front of Gerald. ¡°Take a look at these yourself. Feel free to ask me any questions after reading them. I''ll exin everything in detail.¡± Gerald''s curiosity was piqued. He could not help but lower his gaze at the documents on the table. He scanned the information on the documents quickly. When Gerald finished reading the documents, he looked at Artemis in astonishment. ¡±M-Max is Bailey''s child?¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°The DNA test is right in front of you. You still don''t believe it? Fine. If you''re not convinced by this, feel free to ask our family doctor toe over and redo the test,¡± Artemis replied. Gerald was stumped. Artemis has never been one to spread lies. I shouldn''t question the authenticity of the DNA test he showed me. ¡°Does that mean Rhonda stole Bailey''s son back then? So, neither Zayron nor Susan are Simon''s children. These two and Max are triplets given birth by Bailey.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± Artemis answered confidently. ¡°There''s no taboo regarding my rtionship with Bailey. We love each other. As my father, you shouldn''t prevent us from being together.¡± Artemis'' words sounded a bit harsh. Shooting his son a death re, Gerald raged, ¡°What do you mean? Am I that unreasonable to you?¡± Artemis merely shrugged. ¡°Zoey is the daughter of your first crush. You insist that I marry her because of your favoritism. I only want to make my stance clear.¡± Seeing that his father remained silent, Artemis did not want to waste time any longer. As he strode toward the door, he added, ¡°I''ve made up my mind that I won''t marry anyone other than Bailey in this life. If you insist on stopping me, I''ll have to cut ties with the Luther family.¡± ¡°You b*stard! How the h*ll did I raise someone like you...¡± The sound of Gerald''s tirade sounded behind Artemis. However, thetter could not care less as he left the study without looking back. Meanwhile, over in the Shurmer residence, Zeke threw a stack of newspapers onto the coffee table. ¡°Was this your doing?¡± A bloodthirsty smirk crept up on Zoey''s face as she nced at the newspapers on the table. The overwhelming insults from others should be able to make Artemise to his senses. That b*tch, Bailey, will finally back off, right? ¡°Yes, that was me. However, this photograph was given to me by Mom. If you have any questions, go upstairs and ask her!¡± Zoey snapped. The veins on Zeke''s forehead were bulging as he held back his rising anger. He did not understand why his mother and sister insisted on beating a dead horse. It''s clear that Artemis doesn''t love her. So why is she so obsessed with him? ¡°Zoey, do you think you can break them apart just like that? Hah! You''re so naive. I can assure you that not only will you fail to break them up, but they will humiliate you in the end.¡± The grin on Zoey''s face froze when she heard Zeke''s words. ¡°W-What do you mean by that? How can they humiliate me?¡± she asked. Instead of replying instantly, Zeke paced around the living room a few times. Only then did he manage to put out the mes of anger raging within him. ¡°Do you take Artemis for an idiot? Do you think he won''t notice it when you guys secretly took pictures of him and let those photographs be published? To avoid Artemis, Bailey went out of her way to owe Raiden a favor. She asked him to use a battleship to send her away. Both of them are sensible people. If the truth was as it seemed, do you think it would be that easy for you to expose this scandal?¡± he probed. Zoey chuckled upon hearing that. ¡°Zeke, these are merely your spections. Now that the scandal is all over the inte and media, I don''t believe Artemis will continue to make mistakes with no regard to the Luther family''s reputation.¡± ¡°You...¡± Zeke wanted to continue reprimanding Zoey, but after seeing the stubborn and determined expression on her face, he finally gave up. ¡°Fine. I hope you can aplish your goal.¡± With that, he stormed out of the living room. Looking at Zeke''s retreating figure, Zoey broke into a smirk. Oh, I will surely aplish my goal. Soon, Artemis will be forced to abandon Bailey due to the overwhelming rumors. Meanwhile, Gerald had left the private mansion. Artemis went to the Chivers residence as well. He had to exin some matters to Glen personally. At the same time, Bailey was catching up on sleep in the bedroom. She knew that the man who had just had his first taste of sex would not be satisfied so easily. He would undoubtedly torture her again that night. Amidst her sleepy haze, the phone next to the bed started ringing. Grabbing the phone, Bailey saw that it was a call from Veikko. Shannon... She was wide awake within seconds. Frowning, she sat up from bed and asked, ¡°Veikko, did something happen to Shannon?¡± ¡°Ms. Bailey, someone is looking into me. The other party already knows that I''m in Springwyn. They''re trying to locate me.¡± Bailey was stunned. ¡°All right, I got it. Don''t act rashly. Wait for my instructions.¡± With that, Bailey hung up the phone. Then, she found a set of codes before making a call. ¡°Use all the forces in Hallsbay to help me find the whereabouts of Micah,¡± she ordered. ¡°Got it.¡± Around ten minutester, the other party returned the call. ¡°Ms. Bailey, Micah left Hallsbay early in the morning. He took Tarragon''s private ne. However, we can''t locate his route. All we know is that he has left the country.¡± Bailey tightened her grip on the phone as her gaze turned cold. She had a hunch that Micah had discovered Shannon''s whereabouts. Chapter 360 Chapter 360 D*mn it. How could I forget about that dangerous man? He might not do anything to Shannon if she falls into his hand, but she might drive herself to insanity instead. Bailey knew that Micah''s name was a nightmare Shannon could not escape. After all, he had something to do with both her crippled arm and her perished child. ¡°Prepare a private jet for me. I''m going to use it after one hour.¡± ¡°Got it, Ms. Bailey.¡± Bailey then hung up and gave Veikko a call. ¡°Veikko, listen. Micah may have found your whereabouts. I''m going to head to Springwyn right away. Do not act recklessly, and make sure Shannon doesn''t notice anything wrong. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After putting down her phone, Bailey got up from the bed in a hurry and dressed without much thought. Then she got her phone and car keys and headed out. She tried to call Artemis, but his phone had been turned off. Upon giving it a thought, she phoned Zayron and told him about the situation so he could pass the message on to Artemis. ¡°Okay, I got it. Take care ande home early, Bailey.¡± When Artemis found out that Bailey was leaving Hallsbay, her private jet had already flown out of the country. He thought of going after her, but a text message from Bailey arrived at that moment. It read: Micah is your sworn brother, so he won''t do anything to me. Don''t follow me here as I don''t want to see you stuck in a dilemma. Stay put and deal with the rumor that''s all over Hallsbay, then wait for me toe home. Artemis couldn''t help but snort after he finished reading the text. She just left like that, huh? Will it hurt to wait for me for an hour or two? If it weren''t for the fact that Bailey had given herself over to him, he would have ordered the entire Tarragon to get in her way. After all, it was embarrassing to have his woman escape right under his nose. ¡°Mr. Luther, is the rumor being circted out there true?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, are you really going to have an affair with Mr. Simon''s woman?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, it''s immoral to covet your sister-inw. Aren''t you scared of suffering a guilty conscience?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Jefferson hasn''t shown up for the past two days. It''s as if she disappeared without a trace. Where is she right now? Are you hiding her somewhere?¡± Outside the parking lot of Luther Group, Artemis was ambushed by a group of reporters. As he looked at the cameras shing in his face, a murderous look flickered across his cold eyes. These f*cking flies are here again. ¡°Ken, deal with them. Beat them up and ditch them in the hospital.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± With a few bodyguards surrounding him, Artemis walked speedily toward the elevator. At the same time, wails of pain sounded behind him. Serves them right. I didn''t go after them even when they published those nasty articles in my territory because I was being nice. How dare they test my patience and cause trouble right in front of me? Do they think I''m a pushover just because I''ve been inactive for a period of time? When Artemis entered his office on the top floor, the first thing he saw was Zoey sitting on the couch. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Right after he blurted that question out, his face darkened as he remembered something. ¡°Were you the one who called those reporters over?¡± Zoey was initially grinning, but her smile faded when she heard Artemis'' question. ¡°A-Artemis, what do you mean by that? What reporters? I-I didn''t do anything.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but sneer inwardly. So she enjoys putting on an act, huh? Then I''ll y along with her. ¡°Nothing, I was just confused. Don''t take it to heart. What brings you here today?¡± Zoey heaved a sigh of relief at that. I thought he found out that I was the one who spread the rumor. I was so careful about it, so there''s no way I would get caught! Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°I-I heard about the rumor, so I thought of visiting you. Artemis, are you and Bailey¡ª¡± ¡°We broke up,¡± uttered Artemis before striding toward his desk. They broke up? Zoey was so overjoyed that she couldn''t hide the spark in her eyes. So Artemis dumped Bailey? Does that mean I''ve seeded? ¡°Artemis, you... you really broke up with Bailey?¡± Humming in acknowledgment, Artemis said, ¡°Don''t bring this matter up anymore. It disgusts me.¡± Zoey hurriedly approached him as she suggested, ¡°Since you''ve broken up with Bailey, why don''t we confirm our rtionship?¡± Suddenly, Artemis turned around and looked at her with an unreadable expression. ¡°What did you say?¡± His abrupt movement surprised Zoey, who realized she was being too straightforward. ¡°I mean... I just think that it might be difficult to clear up the rumor that''s all over the ce. If you publicize our rtionship, you can prove them wrong and spare yourself from the trouble of exining to them.¡± Artemis raised his brow and responded, ¡°That''s a good idea that we can try. I was actually worried because I can''te up with an excuse to shut them up. It would be great if you''re willing to put on a show with me.¡± Upon hearing that, Zoey widened her eyes at him in disbelief. Am I hearing things? Did he just agree to my suggestion? ¡°Artemis, do you really agree to publicize our rtionship?¡± After giving it a thought, Artemis knitted his brows. ¡°If I use you to stop the rumor, it might be unfair to you. Give me more time to think about it.¡± ¡°No, I''m fine with it,¡± Zoey voiced enthusiastically. ¡°I don''t find it unfair. As long as I can be of help to you, I''m willing to do anything.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Artemis stroked his chin as his eyes glinted slyly. Since she''s asking for it, it''s not my fault for being merciless. Even though Zoey was the one who leaked those photos behind his back, Artemis had decided to let her off considering the fact that she had once saved him. Yet now, she was asking for trouble by clinging to him. ¡°All right, we''ll do that then. I was quite troubled about how to resolve this issue, so now that you''re willing to help, I''ll ept it dly. You should go home first. Once I arrange the press conference, I''ll ask you to attend it. We will announce our rtionship there and give them a p in the face.¡± ¡°Okay, sure!¡± Zoey chirped, her body trembling with excitement. He agreed! He really agreed to hold a press conference and announce our rtionship. Although he''s doing this to rify the rumor about him and Bailey, he has already decided to give up on her! Just that fact alone was enough to pump Zoey up for days. As Artemis watched Zoey leave, a mischievous smirk crept across his face. He was actually going to hold a press conference and make her attend. However, the announcement he would be making was not about their rtionship but the true identity of the three children. Since Bailey wants to put the instigator to shame, I''ll satisfy her. I''m going to make Zoey suffer humiliation in front of the entire world. So what if she was my savior? She could do anything to me, and I''ll allow it, but she shouldn''t have messed with Bailey. Chapter 361 Chapter 361 Meanwhile, in Springwyn of Anndur, it took Bailey three days to hide from Tarragon''s spying. She managed to reach the town in Tarragon where Shannon was currently staying. She went to meet Veikko upon arrival. After knowing the situation from him, Bailey decided to bring Shannon back to Hallsbay secretly. The most dangerous ce is the safest ce. Micah will never expect me to bring Shannon back to Hallsbay. After making up her mind, Bailey instructed Veikko to make arrangements for their return before heading to a farmyard in town. From afar, she could see a familiar figure working in the vegetable patch. It was Shannon. Perhaps only a rural life like this could help Shannon to heal from her inner trauma. I hope that she could stay here forever to enjoy the tranquility so that she wouldn''t have to recall the horrifying memories of her past. However, it''s all wishful thinking. After all, we are all humans. It''s impossible for us to escape from the love-hate entanglements of the mundane world. ¡°Bailey, you''re here.¡± Bailey snapped out of her reverie when she heard a cold voice. While she was lost in her thoughts, she had unknowingly reached the entrance of the yard. ¡°Yes. I have something to do in Anndur, so I came to see you. By the way, I''m thinking of bringing you to Hallsbay for a trip for a few days.¡± Shannon watered the cabbage seedlings and responded, ¡°It''s good living here. I''m not going anywhere. By the way, could you please ask Veikko and the rest to leave? I feel ufortable being watched. I''ve had enough of that in the past. I wish to live freely for the rest of my life instead of being someone''s puppet.¡± Bailey leaned against the doorframe and lowered her eyes in hesitation. Then, she uttered, ¡°Okay. I promise. However, you have to live with me in Hallsbay for some time. After that, I''ll find a new ce for you to live carefreely there.¡± ¡°I''m not going anywhere. I''ve adapted to this ce after living here for quite some time. This is my home now,¡± replied Shannon nonchntly. Bailey furrowed her brows. Not leaving? I can''t let that happen. She has to leave Springwyn. Otherwise, Micah would definitely discover this ce within three days. ¡°Zayron and Susan miss you dearly. They were the ones who invited you to go over to Hallsbay. I''m fine with you rejecting me, but you can''t reject the kids, right?¡± Shannon threw the waterdle in her hand into a pail and looked at Bailey. After moments of silence, she asked softly, ¡°He has discovered my whereabouts, right?¡± Hearing that, Bailey kept mum. She did not know what to say either. It was a sensitive topic to mention Micah''s name, for the man was a nightmare to Shannon. Mentioning his name to Shannon was like poking her heart, which was already perforated, with a needle. Hence, Bailey was worried that it would be too much for Shannon to handle. Taking in Bailey''s silence, Shannon did not press on for questions. Instead, she continued, ¡°If that''s the case, just let it be. I''ve been hiding from him countless times for years, and I''m really tired of it. I will dly ept my destiny by putting an end to this, even if we have to die together. He will have to pay me back for my crippled arm and perished child, eventually.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey''s heart abruptly jolted. She clearly wants to die together with him. I can''t let this happen. I know that it''s a suffering for Shannon to live this way, but I can''t just watch her die! ¡°You are my friend. I won''t let you do this to yourself.¡± As soon as Bailey finished her sentence, she dashed forward in Shannon''s direction. When thetter sensed something was wrong and was about to retreat, it was toote. Bailey struck the back of Shannon''s neck, knocking her out cold. Holding the unconscious Shannon in her arms, Bailey could not help but sigh. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. I''m sorry, Shannon. I know that this is not the life you want, but I still wish that you could live well. The next second, she carried her friend and promptly left the ce. She then met up with Veikko, preparing to board the ne. Right then, one of Veikko''s subordinates hurried over and informed his boss, ¡°We are now surrounded by Tarragon''s men!¡± Veikko instinctively shifted his attention to Bailey, whose expression darkened almost instantly. Micah is really fast. I have just met with Shannon, and he''s already here. As expected from the leader of Tarragon, the most powerful underground force in the world. I guess only a force like Tarragon could be on equal footing with me. ¡°Veikko, bring Shannon to the ne first. I''ll go meet Micah.¡± Without wasting any time, Veikko took Shannon from Bailey''s arms and turned, heading toward the boarding gate. Bailey could not help but chuckle. This brat. I consider him my little brother. How could he not be concerned about my safety at all? After ensuring that they had boarded the ne, she walked to a sports car next to her and opened the car door to get in. Secondster, she stepped on the elerator and sped away. After an approximately ten-minute drive, Bailey halted the car. That location was the first line of defense where her people were stationed. As soon as she got out of the car, she saw Micah. He''s really here. ¡°We meet again, Mr. Neyman. What''s going on? Are you not satisfied with ourst fight? Is that why you came all the way to Anndur for another battle with me?¡± Micah narrowed his eyes and frowned at her. He merely replied curtly, ¡°Hand Shannon over to me.¡± Chapter 362 Chapter 362 Bailey could not help but sneer. What did he just say? It''s shameless of him to ask me to hand Shannon over. I would''ve killed him if it were not for Artemis. Did he even flinch one bit when he asked those people to cut off Shannon''s arm? Did his conscience ever condemn him when he staged that ident that killed Eugene? He never once cherished the woman who offered him her heart. ¡°You said you wanted Shannon. Sure. Over my dead body,¡± Bailey challenged. To her, there was no point in keeping up the act anymore since the secret was already out. Micah red at Bailey as he enunciated, ¡°Do you think I won''t kill you? I canpromise on anything for you, but not Shannon. You have to hand her over today.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Baileyughed out loud, but gradually, tears started rolling down her cheeks. She was crying for Shannon. Shannon had always been an endearing person to Bailey. Not a single soul would remain unmoved by her story and how she survived all her hardships. ¡°Micah Neyman, you have no right to ask for her. I''ll let everyone and anyone see her except for you. If you have a problem with that, fight me.¡± ¡°Do you think I won''t do it?¡± Micah nced at Bailey coldly as he waved his arm, silently signaling his men to make a move. At hismand, groups of men in ck emerged from the trailer behind him. That was just as expected from Tarragon''s leader. Micah could easily mobilize hundreds and thousands of bodyguards with just a simple order, and Bailey was no match for him, but that did not mean she would back down. She had made up her mind that she would not hand Shannon over to Micah, even if bloodshed was about to ur. ¡°It seems like you''re bent on destroying me, Mr. Neyman. I might not survive today, but I''ll never betray a friend.¡± Subsequently, Bailey took a gun from her subordinate and aimed it in Micah''s direction. ¡°Who''s getting the first shot?¡± She barely finished her sentence when a screeching sound of brakes pierced through the air from afar. Then, an off-road vehicle sped over and stopped between the opposing groups. The door to the driver''s seat opened, and Bailey frowned at the familiar figure that alighted from the vehicle. It was Artemis. Why is he here? Didn''t I tell him to stay away from Springwyn? ¡°Why are you here?¡± she questioned. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis ignored her, strode over, and snatched the gun from Bailey before pinching her cheek hard. ¡°Ouch...¡± Bailey whined, ring at him. There was affection and reproach in her tone. Before she could do anything, her forehead hit Artemis'' chest. Seriously? Why is he so violent? Can''t he be a little gentler? ¡°You''re hurting me.¡± ¡°Serves you right.¡± Artemis darted a reproving nce at her and leaned over to whisper into her ear, ¡°I''ll teach you a good lesson after we get back. I''ll make sure you can''t walk for the entire week.¡± This scoundrel! Can he not talk about sex all the time? Pulling Bailey into his embrace, Artemis raised a brow at his friend, wearing a half-smile on his face. ¡°I can''t believe you messed with my woman while I was away, Micah. Do you have a death wish?¡± There was no way Artemis and Micah could remain friends at this rate. Micah squinted his eyes and reiterated, ¡°I want Shannon. Give her to me, or no one is leaving alive today.¡± Artemis'' brows arched at the threat before he lowered his head to look at Bailey. ¡°Is Shannon with you?¡± Bailey blinked at him and squeezed out some tears from her eyes. ¡°Shannon? I don''t even know who she is, Artemis. Please do something about your friend. He bullied me when you weren''t around.¡± Both Micah and Artemis'' faces twitched. They had never met a woman who could put up such a good act. Her skills of ying dumb were out of this world. ¡°Did you hear that? She said she doesn''t know Shannon, so stop pressuring her.¡± Micah pursed his lips in resignation. I can''t believe I actually have a sworn brother like him. I must be blind. Just as Micah was about to utter something, Artemis shot him a meaningful nce, and Micah understood immediately. After what the two brothers went through together, there was no way Micah did not know what his buddy was implying. Though disgruntled, Micah still gestured at his men to make way for Artemis and Bailey. Since Bailey refused to budge no matter what and was adamant about keeping Shannon, there was no use for Micah to continue forcing her. Instead, it would be better for him to have her tailed to find out where Shannon was. I''ve got time, anyway. I''ll definitely find Shannon one day. After that, when Artemis dragged Bailey to the car, thetter asked out of curiosity, ¡°What did you tell him just now?¡± ¡°I urged him to let us go because I need to bring you home to make babies.¡± Bailey elbowed him in the stomach, eliciting a mellow groan of pain from the man. ¡°Enough with your lewd jokes. Tease me again, and I''ll sever your manhood.¡± After escaping from Micah, Bailey boarded the ne with Artemis, and they headed for Hallsbay. Although Micah already knew their whereabouts, Bailey figured the best ce to go would still be Hallsbay. Otherwise, if she were to send Shannon somewhere else, Micah would still easily find Shannon. Hence, the best option would be Hallsbay. Artemis tried to ask Bailey about Shannon on the ne, but the woman shot him a death re, causing him to zip his lip. Chapter 363 Chapter 363 Taking note of Artemis'' timid look, Bailey rolled her eyes in annoyance. Am I that fierce? Is he really afraid of me? All I did was re at him. ¡°By the way, how did you deal with the rumor that spread all across Hallsbay?¡± Artemis blinked and raised his brows. ¡°I''ve decided to hold a press conference and bring Zoey along. Everyone will think that I am about to disclose my rtionship with her.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes again. Seriously? Do you have to be that mean? She saved you once. Can''t you just be merciful? We all know that the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Toying with people''s feelings like that will really drive them crazy. Zoey would be on cloud nine when she thought that Artemis had called for a press conference to announce their marriage to the public. However, all of her hopes woulde crashing down when Artemis revealed the truth about the three children. That''s so savage. I never thought Artemis would punish Zoey like that. They''ve always said that women can be the most ruthless when you cross them, but men can be equally vicious. Artemis didn''t even spare the woman who saved him once. He can be heartless if he wants to be. ¡°Bay, I''ll never let anyone hurt you¡ªnot even my family. If Zoey wants me to return the favor for saving my life, I''ll dly let her stab me with a knife. She can do anything, but I won''t let her hurt you.¡± Knock! Someone knocked on the cabin door, so Bailey quickly pulled away from Artemis'' embrace. ¡°Come in.¡± Veikko pushed the door open and stuck his head in. ¡°Bailey, Shannon''s up. She said she wants to see you.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll be right over.¡± Bailey nced at Artemis and realized how tired he looked. He must have rushed over from Hallsbay overnight. He should get some rest. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Get some sleep. I''ll go check on Shannon. I''ll be back after that.¡± Yet, Artemis circled his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, ¡°But I want you.¡± Bailey red at him, reprimanding quietly, ¡°Get some sleep first. You can do whatever you want after that.¡± A satisfied smile spread on Artemis'' face, and he let go of her. Bailey went straight to the lounge after stepping out of her cabin. She saw Shannon standing by the window from a distance, staring at the sky outside in a daze. The sight of that made Bailey''s heart ache. ¡°Shannon...¡± she called out, but Shannon did not turn around. ¡°Don''t me yourself, Bailey. It''s already been three years. That''s enough time for us to heal, so stop living in the past. It''s tiring,¡± Shannon said with a hoarse voice. Bailey walked over and hugged her friend. ¡°I''m sorry for bringing you back to Hallsbay without your permission.¡± Shannon smiled, but there was no warmth on her face. ¡°Don''t worry about it. I can''t run away forever. I''ll have to face it eventually. You don''t have to waste all those resources sending people to protect me after we reach Hallsbay. I''ll just rent a house and wait for him to find me.¡± Bailey wanted to object, but when she saw the determination on Shannon''s face, she relented. ¡°Okay. I respect your decision.¡± After that, Bailey stayed at the lounge for slightly over an hour to chat with Shannon before returning to the cabin. Artemis was sleeping when she got back, his breathing slightly heavy. He was obviously exhausted. Bailey walked over and covered him with a nket, but as soon as she bent down, Artemis grabbed her waist and flipped her over. ¡°You''re awake,¡± Bailey blurted. ¡°I was asleep, but I woke up when I smelled your scent.¡± Bailey red at Artemis. Your sense of smell is keen like a dog. ¡°Can I have you now?¡± he grunted in her ear. Bailey sighed. ¡°You''re exhausted. You need to rest.¡± ¡°No. I slept for an hour already. That''s more than enough. I want you now,¡± Artemis insisted, shaking his head. ¡°Please.¡± Bailey nced at him in resignation. ¡°Well, I''m already under you right now. What else can I do? It''s not like I can kick you off.¡± Artemis kissed her on the lips instantly. As soon as a passionate wave of desire engulfed her, she mumbled in a daze, ¡°Are there any morning- after pills onboard?¡± ¡°There are condoms.¡± Over at the Shurmer residence, Shirley regarded Zoey with a look of envy as thetter kept bragging, but deep down, Shirley was sneering with contempt. Why is she so showy? The press conference hasn''t even happened, and Artemis hasn''t even announced their rtionship. I can already imagine how disheartened she would be if Artemis doesn''t publicize the rtionship. She needs to stop thinking too highly of herself. ¡°Congrattions, Zoey. Your dream finally came true. You''re getting the man every woman wants,¡± Shirley said. Zoey smiled sweetly at her. ¡°Your dream wille true one day too. Zeke''s a good catch. Many girls out there want to marry him as well. Everyone will envy you if both of you really end up together.¡± ¡°But Zeke¡ª¡± ¡°Do you think I should spread the word about Artemis holding a press conference to announce our rtionship officially?¡± Zoey interrupted before Shirley even finished her sentence. Shirley inclined her head as a glint of annoyance shone in her eyes. How inconsiderate can she get? ¡°Well, I guess it''ll be nice to give the public the heads-up,¡± Shirley suggested. Ha. Show off all you want now, Zoey. You''ll be in for a huge disgrace if anything goes wrong. ¡°That''s a good idea,¡± Zoey agreed. ¡°I''ll ask them to spread the news about the press conference. I should get the people talking about this big news in advance. This is a good way to shift public attention. I believe Artemis will support my decision, too.¡± Shirley smiled. Just as she was about to speak, Zoey''s phone rang. She had just received a text message that read: Ms. Shurmer, don''t forget to save my daughter. If I don''t see her two days from now, the Shurmer family will know you''re a fake. Zoey''s hand shuddered, and her phone almost slipped from her palm. ¡°Are you okay, Zoey?¡± Zoey looked up and met Shirley''s concerned gaze. ¡°I-I''m fine. What was I saying just now?¡± she stuttered guiltily. ¡°You said you should get people talking about your rtionship with Artemis before the press conference.¡± ¡°Right. I''ll get this done immediately.¡± Meanwhile, Justin had brought Veronique and Zephyr back to the country. Once theynded, Veronique went back to the Revelle residence while Justin brought Zephyr to the medical base. With Zephyr''s condition deteriorating over time, he had to be on dialysis most of the time, so he could not leave the facility. Over at the Revelle residence, Veronique gazed at Bill, who was sitting on the couch, in hesitation. ¡°Dad, I''ve decided to face everything with Justin. I''ve also decided to spend my life with him and give Zephyr aplete family,¡± she said after some time. Bill did not look surprised. It was apparent that he had already anticipated that from his daughter. ¡°What about the Fletcher family? How are you going to deal with them?¡± Chapter 364 Chapter 364 Veronique pondered briefly and replied, ¡°Justin and I already registered our marriage. No matter how powerful the Fletcher family is, there''s nothing they can do to nullify our marriage.¡± Bill looked up, surprised. Obviously, he was not informed of that part of the story. ¡°When did you guys register?¡± Veronique smiled bitterly. ¡°Well, it''s not like we wanted to. Zephyr... Ah, it''splicated. You just need to know that we''re legally married. I''ll spare you the details.¡± Bill gazed at his daughter shortly before asking, ¡°Do you still love that man?¡± Veronique smiled and admitted her feelings for Justin openly. To her, there was no need to hide her feelings from her father. ¡°Yes. I still love him. I don''t think I''ll ever fall for anyone again. I hope you can give us your blessings.¡± Bill waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Since both of you have decided to face everything together, there''s nothing I can say, right? Just do what you have to do, and the oue doesn''t matter. You have nothing to regret as long as you give it your best shot.¡± ¡°Thank you, Dad.¡± As soon as Bailey''s private jet reached Hallsbay, theynded at Artemis'' mansion. Since Shannon did not intend to stay, she bid farewell to Bailey and left. ¡°She''s a strong woman. I''m nothingpared to her.¡± Bailey could not help but sigh as she watched Shannon leave. Artemis circled her waist and pulled her into his arms. ¡°Micah might be my buddy, but I don''t pry into his private life, so I have no idea what happened between them. However, there''s one thing I''m confident about: things have not ended between them. There''s nothing you can do to stop them, so just let them be. Stop worrying.¡± Bailey smiled bitterly. ¡°You''re right. Their story has not ended.¡± That night, a red sedan slowly moved into the parking lot in a posh residential area. The car door opened, and Rainie got off the driver''s seat before locking the door. Then, she walked down a shady path, clutching her bag. Around her, a few streetmps shone dimly, hiding the two shadows lurking in the corner at the end of the path. ¡°This is ourst chance. We must settle this tonight, or we''ll be in trouble.¡± ¡°I know, but we haven''t had the chance. She might be the best actress, but her private life is boring. She''s always at Fashionista, the set, or her home. She doesn''t go anywhere else. I bet she''s still a virgin.¡± ¡°That doesn''t matter. Either way, we''re going to have some fun. All right. Enough talk. Hide properly. We can''t afford to fail this time.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The clicking sound of heels approached from afar, and the two men instantly shut their mouths. Over on the other side, Rainie was in a good mood that night. Cosmos Studios had already secured her a leading role in Time Warp, just as she wished, but that was not what made her day. Most importantly, she loved the storyline of Time Warp. Just as she was thinking about the contents of the story, a man sprang in front of her and interrupted her thoughts. Before she could scream in fright, another man covered her mouth from the back. ¡°Mmm! Mmm!¡± Rainie wasn''t a fool, so she knew exactly what was about to happen to her. Because of that, she struggled with all her might, but at the end of the day, a woman was no match for two men in terms of physical strength. She soon became exhausted and eventually gave up in despair. ¡°Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...¡± ¡°Bring her to the tunnel. There''s no one there. We can do our business there.¡± ¡°Okay. Go check if there''s anyone in front.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Rainie could not break free from the man behind her. When she heard their conversation, tears started rolling down her cheeks. What should I do? How am I supposed to live after this if they vited me? ¡°Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...¡± She wanted to beg them to let her go and was even willing to give them all the money she had as long as they spared her, but she could not say a word because her mouth was stuffed. The man behind her leaned over to her ear and warned, ¡°Don''t try anything stupid. We won''t kill you, but if you don''t behave, we can''t guarantee you''ll survive tonight.¡± She continued moaning incoherently. The men dragged her down the narrow path toward the tunnel, and her surroundings got darker. Despair overtook Rainie at that moment. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Thud! The men hurled her to the ground. The moment she was free, she crawled toward the tunnel exit where there was light, but as soon as she moved, a sharp pain shot up from her ankle where one of the men had grabbed her. ¡°Trying to run away? No way.¡± Then, the men started ripping off her clothes. The noise of her clothes being torn ensued. ¡°Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!¡± She struggled to break free. They were quick with their actions, as if they were too eager to wait any longer. Just as Rainie thought it was the end for her, a series of rapid footsteps echoed in the dark. Shrieks of agony followed, and she felt the weight on her body lifted off her. Afterward, someone pulled her up, and shended right into a warm embrace. At that moment, a familiar scent enshrouded her. She scrambled to remove the cloth from her mouth. ¡°S-Sylvester? Is it you, Sylvester?¡± she stuttered, her voice trembling. Chapter 365 Chapter 365 The man sighed. ¡°Luckily, I sent someone to watch you, or you''ll be ruined tonight.¡± The woman in his arms began shaking violently upon hearing his words. ¡°D*mn it!¡± Sylvester pped himself in the face. ¡°I shouldn''t have said that. Don''t be afraid. They''re noting back ever again.¡± Rainie started bawling her eyes out in Sylvester''s arms. Sylvester did not say anything else, for he knew how traumatic it would be for someone to experience something like that, so he allowed the woman to vent her emotions. After bringing Rainie out of the tunnel, he instructed his men, ¡°Beat those two b*stards to a pulp and ask them who sent them. I want to know who dares to touch my woman.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Then, Sylvester carried Rainie back to the parking lot. Before they had walked far, Rainie whispered, ¡°It must be Rose. It must be her. She hates me for snatching the Best Actress award and a role from her. She must''ve wanted to ruin my reputation. That''s why she ordered those two men to attack me.¡± Sylvester arched his brows as anger glimmered in his eyes. She drugged Rainie once, and now she even sent those men to ambush her. Fine! I''ve got many ways to torture her. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll never let her off the hook.¡± After staying in the car for twenty minutes, a bodyguard in ck paced over and knocked on the window. ¡°Mr. Hollett, they said it''s Rose who wanted to teach Ms. Yeanisky a lesson.¡± Sylvester looked at Rainie, who was still trembling in fear beside him. He hesitated momentarily and got out of the car to talk to the bodyguard. After the two of them walked further away from the car, Sylvester said, ¡°Then they must know where Rose is hiding now.¡± ¡°Yes. They do. She''s in a hotel in the east side of the city.¡± ¡°Good. Since she sent two men to vite Rainie, I''ll send her twenty. Make sure they treat her well. After that, make sure to publicize this matter and let everyone know about her excellent performance.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± After giving the order, Sylvester went back into the car. ¡°Sylvester... could you send me to Angie''s?¡± Angie was Rainie''s manager, so it should be safe for Rainie to go to her, but Sylvester was still worried. ¡°But your ankle''s hurt. How about you go over to my ce?¡± Rainie wanted to turn down his offer, but when she saw how concerned Sylvester was, she felt assured and changed her mind. ¡°All right, then. Thanks.¡± ¡°Don''t mention it.¡± Sylvester was more than happy to have her at his ce. Meanwhile, the inte was taken by storm after someone imed that Artemis was about to hold a press conference to officially announce his rtionship with Zoey, the daughter of the Shurmer family. At first, everyone was talking about Artemis'' scandal with his sister-inw, but when news about the press conference spread, the center of public attention changed. Numerousments emerged on the inte. Whoa! Did he cut ties with Bailey? I thought Armetis would give up his reputation for her, but in the end, he''s turning his back on her. Well, all men are the same. They''re worse than animals. Poor Bailey. She got ditched just like that. I''m looking forward to the press conference. I wonder how Artemis will publicize his rtionship with Zoey. Over at Artemis'' mansion, Bailey was staring at the documents in front of her with a frown. Before long, she looked up at Artemis. ¡°What is all this?¡± Artemis looked at her and exined, ¡°Your mother and Zoey''s mother gave birth at the same time at the same hospital. You''re smart, Bay, so I''m sure you know what I''m trying to say.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Crash! Amidst her shock, Bailey identally swept a cup off the table, and the sound made her jump to her feet. ¡°I-I''m sorry. I didn''t do it on purpose.¡± Artemis reached out and hugged her. ¡°Bay, I know it''s hard for you to ept this, but we must face it. Everyone has parents, so we should at least know where our roots are.¡± Bailey began shivering in Artemis'' arms. Although she already knew she was not one of the Jefferson family, it did not mean she was ready to meet her birth parents. ¡°I understand, Artemis, but...¡± ¡°There''s no rush. Take your time to think. Just let me know when you''ve made up your mind. I''ll face it with you.¡± Bailey pursed her lips in silence. ¡°Okay,¡± she then muttered with difficulty. Meanwhile, at the Jefferson residence, Beatrice was standing at the living room door, craning her neck as if she was waiting for someone. After some time, a car slowly pulled up in front of the residence. As soon as the car came to a halt at the doorstep, Beatrice rushed over immediately. The car door opened, and Zoey came out. Beatrice grabbed Zoey''s arm when she saw the younger woman. ¡°Where''s Ronni? I thought you said you had saved her?¡± she asked anxiously. Zoey looked back at her car and replied softly, ¡°I gave that beggar some money, and he agreed to break off the marriage with Rhonda. I''ve already sent someone to handle the divorce procedures at City Hall, so she''s free now. But, she might not be in her right mind now. The man ravaged her.¡± Beatrice shuddered at the news. Subsequently, she walked past Zoey toward the car and opened the door. Chapter 366 Chapter 366 Rhonda was lying in the car seat with her eyes closed. As Beatrice looked at her daughter''s pale face and the blue and ck bruises that encircled her neck, she slowly tightened her fist. Bailey... That wretched b*tch. I swear I will end her one of these days. No, I want to chuck her to twenty men and have her experience what it is like to be ruined. ¡°Linda, call two female housekeepers over and help Rhonda back to her room. Call for the family doctor to check up on her as well.¡± ¡°Yes, Ma''am.¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer, can we talk in private?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The two left the Luther residence and went to the artificialke. Halfway along the journey, Beatrice started the conversation. ¡°Ms. Shurmer, now that we have the same enemy, I have a proposal to make. As long as you get rid of Bailey for me, I will never tell another soul the secret of your parentage. How''s that?¡± Zoey smirked. ¡°I''m totally fine with that. After all, Bailey is my biggest stumbling block and, ultimately, someone I want to see gone. I''ll find ways to get rid of her even if you didn''t say the word.¡± ¡°Good. I like that straightforward attitude of yours. Call me if you need me. I''ll do everything I can to help you.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± At Shurmer Group, in the underground parking lot, Zeke had just gotten out of the elevator and was heading toward his car when a slender figure dashed out and blocked his way. ¡°Zeke! Why are you avoiding me? Is a grown man like you scared of my advances?¡± Zeke could feel a headacheing as he put a palm over his forehead. After an exasperated sigh, he looked at the little girl in front of him. ¡°Ms. Juliana, I have told you again and again that I have a fianc¨¦e, and we''re about to be engaged. Please, can''t you do me a favor and forget about me?¡± ¡°She''s not your fianc¨¦e.¡± Lifting her head to stare at him, she enunciated her next words clearly. ¡°I did some digging. You have never acknowledged her as your fianc¨¦e and never thought of marrying her. You''re just using her as an excuse.¡± A cold glint shed in Zeke''s eyes. He could feel that his patience was running out. ¡°Juliana, I reiterate. We are notpatible. Leaving the matter of whether I have a fianc¨¦e aside, our statuses and family backgrounds are very different. Please don''t bother me anymore, or I''m going to get sick and tired of your face.¡± With that, he promptly avoided her and started walking toward the cars. Juliana didn''t chase after him. As she stared at his back, she shouted, ¡°To avoid inconveniencing Master, I have broken all ties with her. Zeke, you do know how determined I am to win your heart. It''s okay if you don''t like me back. I like you, and that''s enough for me.¡± Zeke halted in his tracks. After pausing for about three seconds, he started walking again. His treatment toward her was still the same as ever. He would never give her any hope. The spark in Juliana''s eyes dimmed as she watched him leave without looking back. Despite that, she didn''t n on giving up. Over the years, she learned many things from her master, including determination and perseverance. Whether he would ept her or not, she would have no regrets if she gave her best. In a supermarket in the eastern suburbs, Shannon was cing the items from her cart on the counter. After the cashier scanned all her items, Shannon took out a card from her small bag. ¡°I''m sorry, miss. We don''t ept cards. Can you pay by cash or PayPal?¡± Cash? I didn''t bring cash. PayPal? I just returned to this country and haven''t registered for a PayPal ount yet. Just as she was in a pinch, a cold voice sounded above her. ¡°How much?¡± It was these two words that made Shannon tremble uncontrobly. Their meeting was both expected yet unanticipated. She didn''t dare to face him. She didn''t dare to look at the cold-blooded man who could stand by and watch as her arm was chopped off. As she recalled the horrifying memories of the past, all Shannon wanted was to run. In actuality, she wasn''t as tough as she had made herself out to be. She was especially weak against this man. ¡°Mister, that will be two hundred eighty-five.¡± ¡°Oh, I''m sorry. I don''t want them anymore. Please help me put them back. I apologize.¡± Struck with fear, she stumbled her way out of the supermarket. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Nevertheless, Micah didn''t look at her. Taking out his phone, he paid the bnce and carried the multiple bags of groceries out of the supermarket. Outside, he stood on the steps and frowned at the scurrying figure as waves of anguish washed over his heart. With the price of an arm, he had ended his unforgettable love with her. He had no choice, given the circumstances. All the evidence pointed back to her, incriminating her of leaking Tarragon''s most important secret. ording to the organization''s irond rule, she would need to die. To preserve her life, he could only let those people have her arm. One arm. ¡°Mr. Micah, Ms. Shannon has already left.¡± The bodyguard''s voice pulled his wandering thoughts back to the present. He strode down the steps and left in the direction she disappeared to. Meanwhile, Shannon jogged back to her rented apartment. mming the door shut, she leaned against the doorframe and slid down, eventually slumping onto the floor. Her right hand absentmindedly touched the ce where her now missing left arm was, and shbacks of the traumatic memory resurfaced. ¡°So, Micah, this is your woman. We might let her off if you plead on her behalf.¡± ¡°No. A mistake is a mistake. Now that all evidence points to her as the one at fault, she should receive the appropriate punishment. Since she is someone from the Lewitt family, I will spare her life. However, she still needs to pay for her crimes. That is why, she will leave an arm as punishment. Let this be a lesson to her for life.¡± The scene changed. A wide asphalt road appeared. Shannon was walking on that road with a two-and-a-half-year-old Eugene. Suddenly, a car rammed into them, and tragedy struck. She tried to protect her baby, but the two of them went flying after being hit. s, Eugene wasn''t as fortunate as she was. When he fell, the back of his head hit a sharp corner, and a bloody dent the size of a bowl appeared on his head. Eugene went into shock and died on the spot. She thought that the man would not know of Eugene''s existence since she escaped Tarragon while Eugene was still in her womb. Moreover, she had even spent two whole years living with his son without incident. Yet, the conversation between the two people she heard in the car reyed vividly in her mind. One person said, ¡°Is the little b*stard dead?¡± The other answered, ¡°I think so. I saw him hit the back of his head on a sharp corner. And you know, blood was everywhere. How could someone survive that?¡± ¡°You can''t use words like ''I think.'' You have to be sure that the boy is dead. Since Mr. Micah doesn''t allow any of his children to be left outside, he had ordered us to deal with the mother and son. We must follow Mr. Micah''s order to the letter and not let them live, especially that boy. He has to die.¡± Shannon pressed her hand tightly against her chest, curled her whole body into a ball, and shivered helplessly in the corner. She could brush off the pain of having lost a limb. But what about her feelings of revenge for her son? She couldn''t let it go. Chapter 367 Chapter 367 The scene where the child bled heavily was like a burning piece of metal etched deeply in her soul. Each time she saw children around that age, her body and soul ached so hard that she felt out of breath. No. She could not let go of that memory. That man should be punished for killing his kid. If that man did not receive his punishment, she would kill him to avenge Eugene. Knock. Knock. Someone knocked on the door. She struggled to stand up and rushed to the kitchen, grabbing a kitchen knife before returning to the living room. When she opened the door, she immediately swung the knife ahead. However, the knife hit nothing. Without any resistance, she staggered forward and ended up standing outside the corridor. It was quiet all around her, without any sound in the background. She nced left and right. The man was nowhere to be seen. As she moved backward, her ankle was caught onto something, and she lost her bnce, causing her to slump to the ground. Her knife slid down from her grip, making a nking sound as it dropped on the floor. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. She lowered her gaze and saw some familiar food items and fruits. They were the same items she grabbed at the supermarket but couldn''t pay for. Soon, footsteps could be hearding from the stairs. Two youngdies walked past her and could not stop gossiping about her. ¡°Look at how haggard she is. I guess she must be heartbroken after a guy dumped her.¡± ¡°You''re right. That''s why we can''t believe and rely on men so much. Women who rely on and trust men too much should have prepared themselves to be dumped one day.¡± Shannon lowered her head and took in her haggard look. A wry smile tugged at her lips. That''s right. It serves me right. Despite knowing that she could not afford to get close to that man and fall in love with him, she still foolishly devoted all her affection to him. Thus, she deserved her miserable ending. She brought this upon herself. Meanwhile, Raiden rushed back from another city and headed to a suite in a five-star hotel to find his mother. ¡°You shouldn''t havee to Hallsbay,¡± he said. Tamara narrowed her eyes and questioned coldly, ¡°Are you expecting me to sit back and do nothing like you when others are bullying Lettie? She was a sick child growing up and finally got a chance to live like a normal person. As a mother, I must do everything to make her happy.¡± Raiden paced back and forth in the living room, trying to sound as patient as possible as he said, ¡°Mother, you should know that Justin doesn''t love Lettie. Forcing things never works. He doesn''t care for your daughter now, so do you think he would treat her well if he were forced to marry her?¡± ¡°He can try hurting Lettie. She''s the Fletcher family''s precious little princess. No one daresy a finger on her.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Raiden waved a dismissive hand. ¡°I don''t think I can convince you otherwise, so it''s pointless for me to continue doing this. Why don''t you tell me your n instead? What is your n?¡± ¡°I discussed it with Bill. He will make his daughter return to Hallsbay and hold a press conference to rify the rumors about the illegitimate child.¡± ¡°What about Justin? If he refuses to marry Lettie, what will you do? Will you use the Fletcher family''s power to force him into marrying her?¡± Tamara sneered. ¡°We will see what the Xuereb family does about this. I believe Mrs. Xuereb will have a way to make her sonpromise with this.¡± Raiden did not know what to say. Right then, Scarlett rushed inside the suite. Seeing that her brother was there, she shrank her neck a little. ¡°R-Raiden, aren''t you supposed to be elsewhere? What are you doing here?¡± Tamara waved at her. ¡°Lettie, you don''t have to be afraid of him. I''m in charge of your marriage now that I''m here.¡± Hearing that, Scarlett was thrilled. She was d her brother did not convince Tamara otherwise, or she would surely be doomed. ¡°Mom, I heard Veronique has returned from abroad. Why don''t you urge Bill again? Tell him to order Veronique to hold the press conference and rify the rumors about the illegitimate child. Also, you should remind Bill to go to City Hall to dissolve Veronique and Justin''s marriage.¡± Tamara nodded. ¡°I''ll call himter. Don''t worry. Bill promised me he wouldn''t allow his daughter to ruin the engagement the Fletcher and Xuereb families had agreed upon.¡± Meanwhile, in the bedroom at the Jefferson residence, Rhonda jolted awake from a nightmare. The moment she opened her eyes, she looked as though she was in a daze. Staring at the luxurious chandelier hanging on the ceiling, she thought she was still dreaming. After rubbing her eyes, she noticed the scene around her did not disappear. Only then did she return to her senses, and she immediately burst into tears. Beatrice happened to walk into the room with a tray in her hand at that moment. Seeing that her daughter was crying, she immediately rushed over to her and asked, ¡°Ronni, are you not feeling well?¡± Struggling to sit in her bed, Rhonda ignored that she had torn her wound as she threw herself into her mother''s embrace. Instead, the first sentence she said was, ¡°Mom, I must destroy Bailey, that b*tch.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Beatrice patted her back to console her and continued, ¡°You should focus on your recovery first. I''ve found you a great weapon, and it will surely help you teach Bailey a bloody lesson for what she has done to you.¡± Rhonda tugged the hem of her shirt tightly. Then, like a demon that crawled out from hell, she uttered, ¡°I must cut her flesh piece by piece topletely relieve my hatred.¡± ¡°No problem. I''ll think of a way to bring her here and let you have your way with her.¡± ¡°Mom, I hate her so much. I wish I could skin her alive.¡± ¡°I know. I understand.¡± Chapter 368 Chapter 368 The next morning, Artemis held a press conference at the Luther Group''s press room. At the scene, countless media reporters started whispering among each other. ¡°It seems that the rumors about Mr. Luther preparing to announce his rtionship with Ms. Shurmer are solid after all.¡± ¡°That seems like it. Judging by the grand setting for this press conference, it is very likely to happen. Otherwise, I can''t think of another joyous asion for the Luther Group to spend all their resources to broadcast this conference worldwide.¡± ¡°Those people who were specting about Mr. Luther dating Bailey must be embarrassed right now. I knew it was impossible that a calm andposed man like Mr. Luther would have an affair with his sister-inw.¡± ¡°Even if he''s not having an affair with his sister-inw, that doesn''t mean youdies stand a chance to be with him. He''s about to announce his rtionship now. An ideal man is about to tell the world he''s off the market, and youdies can only stay jealous and mad to see another woman marrying him.¡± ¡°I feel like crying already when you mentioned that.¡± At that precise moment, Zoey showed up at the venue in her high heels. Instantly, everyone fixed their gazes on her. Camera lights shed everywhere, and the reporters gathered around her, asking her one question after another. ¡°Ms. Shurmer, is it true that Mr. Luther is holding a press conference today to announce your rtionship?¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer, did you rush here after epting the invitation from Mr. Luther?¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer, it was rumored earlier that Mr. Luther was having an affair with Bailey Jefferson. Are you announcing your rtionship to divert the public''s attention from that scandal?¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer, it is said that you once saved Mr. Luther''s life. Are you perhaps using that to make Mr. Luther marry you?¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer¡ª¡± Zoey waved a hand and cut off the reporters'' questions. She smiled and said, ¡°Everyone, you''ve asked too many questions for me to address them one by one. Now that I''m standing here today, I guess it''s enough to prove that many rumors surrounding us are true. I hope you can focus on Artemis and me instead of asking irrelevant questions. Thank you.¡± Her statement triggered an uproar among the reporters. Someone sensible immediately said, ¡°Ms. Shurmer, congrattions to you and Mr. Luther.¡± ¡°You two make a great couple. You''re certainly a match made in heaven.¡± ¡°We wish you two a happily ever after.¡± ¡°Ms. Shurmer, you will certainly make every woman on earth envy you, and you will be the happiest woman in the world.¡± Hearing all the congrattory messages from the reporters, Zoey felt like she was on cloud nine. It felt surreal. She enjoyed being the center of attention and showered with praise. Thus, she must marry Artemis to enjoy this kind of attention for the rest of her life. Another series of footsteps rang out at the entrance again. Being surrounded by his bodyguards, Artemis had arrived at the venue. ¡°Look. Mr. Luther is here.¡± ¡°That''s right. Mr. Luther is here. He''s here.¡± As soon as he appeared, Artemis immediately became the center of attention. Zoey heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing him, and the blissful smile on her face grew wider. He did not lie to her as he indeed showed up at the press conference. ¡°Mr. Luther, are you holding a press conference today to announce your rtionship with Ms. Shurmer?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther¡ª¡± N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. Before the second reporter could ask his question, Artemis suddenly raised a hand and stopped him. Instantly, all noises in the room quietened down. The spacious press room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Artemis swept a nce around the room and said faintly, ¡°Thank you, everyone, for clearing your schedules to attend Luther Group''s media conference. I hope all of you, including Ms. Shurmer, can stay and witness the news I am about to announce.¡± Upon hearing that, everyone else exchanged a knowing nce. Under normal circumstances, one would only ask others to witness their happy moments. Moreover, Artemis inviting Zoey to join the press conference was a sign that he wanted the world to witness the moment he announced they were dating. ¡°More than half a month ago, Luther Group sent my sister, Caridee, to host a press conference. She exposed Rhonda''s evil deeds at that press conference, and today, I wish to announce that I have found my son''s biological mother.¡± The scene fell quiet. What? Zoey''s smile faded instantaneously. All the reporters under the stage exchanged a confused look. After a brief moment of silence, a reporter asked, ¡°Mr. Luther, aren''t you supposed to announce your dating news today? Why are we talking about your son now?¡± Artemis smirked. ¡°Everyone, please be patient. It''s true that I will announce my rtionship today, but I wish to exin certain things first to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.¡± With that, he suddenly snapped his fingers. Almost immediately, therge screen behind him flickered. Gradually, two DNA test results were disyed on the screen to everyone in the room. ¡°That...¡± ¡°Isn''t that...¡± ¡°Everyone, look. The DNA test result belongs to Bailey and Mr. Maxton.¡± ¡°That''s right. You''re right. Their names are written on the result. What the heck? The result shows that the two are biologically rted and are mother and child.¡± ¡°What? How is it possible that Bailey gave birth to sons of the Luther brothers in the same year?¡± ¡°Everyone, look. The other report belongs to Mr. Luther and Bailey''s son.¡± ¡°What the h*ll is this? Bailey''s son is actually Mr. Luther''s son?¡± ¡°What the f*ck? Can anyone exin to me what is going on here?¡± Chapter 369 Chapter 369 Zoey''s face turned pale at that instant. She widened her eyes at the screen and couldn''t help stepping backward. A thought shed across her mind. She forced herself to deny that thought. No. No way. There''s no way that the child Rhonda stole back then was actually Bailey''s son. No way! ¡°Ms. Shurmer, watch out.¡± A staff member standing next to her noticed she was near the edge of the steps, so he immediately reached out to grab her. However, Zoey was not in the mood for this. She shook off the staff member and looked at Artemis with a teary gaze. Her voice trembled as she said, ¡°You... You did not hold this press conference to announce our rtionship.¡± Artemis'' lips curved upward, but his expression had no warm emotions. Instead, the look in his eyes turned cold as he said, ¡°To be exact, I am about to announce my rtionship, but you''re not involved in it.¡± His words were like a bolt of lightning striking across the room, shocking everyone. Zoey''s legs gave out beneath her, and she slumped to the ground. Then, camera lights started shing wildly again in the room. It was breaking news for the world that the Shurmer family''s daughter was denied the chance to marry someone from a noble family. However, they forgot that the press conference was broadcasted worldwide. In other words, the entire world was already watching the press conference. ¡°Mr. Luther, can you exin this situation?¡± ¡°Yes, please. Also, who are you going to announce your rtionship with today?¡± Artemis curled his thin lips into a smile. The look in his eyes grew tender as he thought of Bailey. ¡°Well, so here''s what happened...¡± Artemis slowly told the whole story in front of the cameras as he leanedzily against the podium. In the end, he added with his low and maic voice, ¡°My silly kids messed up the blood samples, which resulted in a huge misunderstanding. In fact, Bailey gave birth to all three of my children, and the eldest son she thought she had lost was actually stolen by Rhonda. Now that the truth is revealed, I hope everyone can stop judging our rtionship with malicious intentions. We are genuinely in love. She is not my sister-inw. Likewise, I am not her brother-inw. Our love is not forbidden, and we did not trample the bottom line of morality.¡± Colors drained out of Zoey''s face when she heard his statement. It was a trap to humiliate her with the whole world watching. How cruel of him. Is he doing this to me as revenge for targeting Bailey? ¡°Mr. Luther, are you saying the person you''re dating is Bailey?¡± Artemis nodded and smiled. ¡°Don''t you think I should marry her since she''s given birth to my three children?¡± Zoey, who had remained silent all this while, suddenly became agitated. She jumped and yelled hysterically, ¡°You made up all of this. Artemis, you''re lying to the public. You fabricated the DNA test results and took in your brother''s children as your own to justify being with Bailey. You are a liar.¡± Hearing that, the reporters looked at each other awkwardly. Although they did suspect that, none of them had the courage to say it out loud. Only Zoey, who seemed to have lost her senses due to her anger and jealousy, would dare use Artemis of that. Artemis looked coldly at her and stated, ¡°You can ask the Shurmer family doctor to run a paternity test to prove my ims. By then, you will know whether those three are my kids.¡± He deliberately emphasized on the number three. Hearing that, Zoey slumped to the floor again. She was again the center of attention in the room. To be precise, the whole world was watching her. She made a joke out of herself. Artemis had never considered marrying her, and everything she did turned out to be the biggest joke she pulled on herself. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Zoey startedughing out loud, and as sheughed, tears rolled out of the corner of her eyes. Artemis stared at her, but he was unfazed. Perhaps that was the only way to make her wake up from her delusional thoughts. Zoey had lost it. She sat on the floor and cried out loud. Her life was ruined. Bailey, that woman, had ruined her entire life. She hated Bailey so much. Anger enveloped her, but there was nothing she could do. Thud! Someone kicked open the door to the press room from outside. Everyone turned around to look at the door, and they saw a young man in a white suit making his entrance. ¡°That''s Zeke Shurmer, the head of the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°You''re right. It''s Zeke from Lostaria. It is him.¡± ¡°Oh my. Mr. Shurmer has never shown his face in public. This is my first time seeing him. He''s so handsome, and he fits all the criteria as my prince charming.¡± ¡°I guess he''s what they call a perfect gentleman.¡± Under countless gazes, Zeke walked over to the stairs. He stared coldly at Artemis and said, ¡°Mr. Luther, how cruel of you to treat a woman who saved your life like this for a woman you''ve barely known for half a year. Aren''t you afraid of making the world think of you as a heartless man?¡± With that, he bent over and picked up Zoey in his arms, saying softly, ¡°Zoey, don''t worry. I am here for you.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes at Zeke, carrying Zoey in his arms. A hint ofplicated emotions surged within his heart. She must be watching this conference through the live broadcast. I wonder if she will start overthinking after hearing what Zeke said. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, since you''re here, please take your sister with you. I have never loved her, and I hope she will gain some self-respect after this and stop pestering men who don''t belong to her.¡± Artemis then started walking toward the door. Seeing that the main star of the conference was about to leave the venue, the reporters immediately rushed to Artemis. ¡°Mr. Luther, can you share with us when is your wedding with Bailey?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther!¡± Sure enough, as Artemis had guessed, Bailey was sitting on the couch in the mansion''s living room and watching the live broadcast. When she saw Zeke lifting Zoey in his arms and heard him telling Zoey not to worry, she picked up the remote control and turned off the television. I guess he adores Zoey a lot. After all, they''ve lived together for so many years. Although not rted, they must be closer than the bond between biological siblings. She figured since she had taken Artemis away from Zoey, she could at least not drive Zoey to the edge by making her lose her status as the daughter of the Shurmer family. Forget it. I''m only giving myself false hope to think about my biological family. I may desire to belong to a family, but they might not want anything to do with me. I might even trouble them if I appear out of the blue, so why bother? Meanwhile, in the bedroom at the Jefferson residence, Beatrice couldn''t stifle an evil smirk when she saw Zoey looking haggard after being abandoned by Artemis through the live broadcast. ¡°Ronni, did you see that? This is why I didn''t tell Zoey that Bailey gave birth to two other children for Artemis. We can only trigger her hatred by making her lose everything and fall from her grace. Just wait and see. She will charge at Bailey like a mad dog after this. One of them will be ruined in this battle.¡± Rhonda smirked viciously. ¡°I am looking forward to seeing them fight each other.¡± N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. On the same afternoon, the second daughter of the Revelle family also held a press conference to address the rumors that she had an illegitimate child with Justin. Chapter 370 Chapter 370 Even though the public relished the news about Artemis'' private life, the rumor about Veronique and Justin was just as explosive. That was why the public immediately shifted their focus from Artemis and the Shurmer family''s daughter to Veronique and Justin when they heard the Xuereb family would be holding a press conference to rify the rumor about the illegitimate child. It was an easy choice since Justin was the future son-inw of the prestigious family that held the number one spot in politics. His privacy was nonexistent the moment he was tied to the Fletcher family. Every part of his private life would be put under the spotlight and scrutinized by many. Within the hall for the press conference, the entire room was filled with people from one end to the other. All the big-name news media of Hallsbay and even some state media had arrived. It was a no-brainer why the media focused on Justin so much with his identity and connection to the Fletcher family. When Veronique stepped into the venue, the reporters swarmed and surrounded her. ¡°Ms. Veronique, is the grandson of the Revelle family your son?¡± ¡°Ms. Veronique, who exactly is the child''s father? Why did the Revelle family announce the child was Ms. Yvonne''s?¡± ¡°Ms. Veronique, there''s a rumor spreading among the public that the child is Justin and your illegitimate child. May I know if that''s true?¡± ¡°Ms. Veronique, Justin is currently engaged to the daughter of the Fletcher family. How do you view the rtionship between the three of you?¡± ¡°Ms. Veronique, who is the wife, and who is the lover between you and Ms. Fletcher?¡± The questions got more and more harder to hear. Veronique pressed forward until she reached the steps toward the stage. ¡°Everyone, please calm down. I''ll answer all of your questions, so please don''t worry. Now, let''s chat.¡± N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Her gaze swept across the entire hall. Bitterness rose within her after seeing the densely-packed crowd beneath the stage. I probably wouldn''t have had the courage to brave this press conference if it wasn''t for Zephyr. ¡°Firstly, I want to address that... Zephyr is my biological son. I got pregnant before marriage. I had no choice but to lie to the public that the child was my sister''s to protect the family''s name and my reputation. I''m deeply sorry for lying to all of you.¡± She bowed deeply as a show of her sincerity for her apology. ¡°Who is the child''s father?¡± a reporter asked. Veronique straightened her back and continued, ¡°I fell into a one-sided love with a young man seven years ago. I spent all of my youth and passion pursuing him. This led me to save him when he got into trouble, resulting in some idents, and I had a baby in the end.¡± When the crowd heard the term ¡°one-sided love,¡± their minds were blown. Ms. Veronique did one-sidedly love a young man seven years ago, and that man was Justin. Someone had already revealed that information a few days ago. Does this mean she''s admitting that the child belongs to Justin? Amid the crowd, Scarlett sped onto her mother''s arm and said, ¡°M-Mom, what''s happening? Didn''t you say Veronique would clear up the rumors about her illegitimate child? W-Why did she admit that the b*stard was Justin''s?¡± Tamara frowned. Her gaze darkened as an ominous feeling rose within her. She couldn''t put her finger on the problem, but her instincts were telling her the press conference would end in a bust. ¡°I''m talking to you, Mom. Why are you spacing out? The public didn''t know Justin had an illegitimate child before this, but the uproar you caused had led the whole world to know. H-How am I going to marry him like this?¡± Tamara red at Scarlett and admonished, ¡°How is it that you lose yourposure so easily? The press conference hasn''t ended yet, so why are you jumping to conclusions now?¡± Scarlett was speechless at that. ¡°Ms. Veronique, are you saying Justin is the father of your child?¡± Veronique lowered her gaze and kept silent for a bit before she started, ¡°That''s right. Zephyr is Justin''s son. Justin was running from his foes when I saved him. A one-night stand happened, and I got pregnant.¡± Her words were within their expectations but still shocking to hear. Based onmon sense, she shouldn''t have admitted her child belongs to Justin. After all, Justin already has an engagement with the daughter of the Fletcher family. Thus her child with Justin will only bebeled as illegitimate. ¡°Ms. Veronique, why did you admit that Justin is the child''s father? With his current engagement to the daughter of the Fletcher family, aren''t you afraid the public willbel the child as illegitimate?¡± Veronique raised her head and pinned her stare on the reporter who asked the question. ¡°No. My son is not an illegitimate child,¡± she said through gritted teeth. ¡°Did you think that saying he''s not would not make him one? In my opinion, your son will have the illegitimate childbel attached to him forever.¡± Scarlett''s voice came from the crowd. She broke free from her mother''s grip and waded through the crowd toward the steps. With her head raised, gaze glued on Veronique, she seethed, ¡°Veronique, you''re shameless! You had Justin''s child behind his back and ruined our engagement. Aren''t you afraid of the entire world''s spurn and criticism?¡± Scarlett''s appearance had attracted every eyeball in that hall. Someone asked, ¡°Hey, who''s thedy?¡± ¡°Yeah, this is the Revelle family''s press conference, so why did shee here?¡± Chapter 371 Chapter 371 ¡°S-She looks like the Fletcher family''s daughter, Scarlett.¡± What? Amotion erupted at the scene. The legitimate wife can''t bear to watch how things will progress and decides toe to the battlefield to fight with the lover? F*ck! Things are bing more and more interesting. The next second, Scarlett was encircled by numerous reporters. Tamara felt things were getting out of hand, but with her identity, she couldn''t rush to her daughter recklessly. ¡°The two of you, hurry up and get over there to drag Scarlett back here.¡± The bodyguards standing beside Tamara nodded and weaved through the crowd toward the steps. A reporter questioned, ¡°Ms. Fletcher, is Ms. Revelle telling the truth? Your fianc¨¦, Mr. Xuereb, has an illegitimate child outside your rtionship?¡± Anger filled Scarlett, and her words were starting to lose sense. ¡°That''s right. That thing is an illegitimate child. He will only be an illegitimate child in this lifetime. I will never let Justin bring him back to the Xuereb family to be registered in the family register.¡± Another reporter asked, ¡°Since Mr. Xuereb already has a child, do you still insist on marrying into the Xuereb family, Ms. Fletcher?¡± ¡°Why wouldn''t I?¡± Scarlett shot a death re at Veronique, who stood atop the stage. ¡°She''s the homewrecker and the one who destroyed my engagement with Justin. Thus the one who should step down is her and not me.¡± Veronique felt her confidence surge as she gazed at the aggressive look on Scarlett''s face. This woman keeps repeating homewrecker, wife, or illegitimate child in every sentence. Enough is enough. I can''t stand it any longer. ¡°What right do you have to call me a homewrecker, Scarlett?¡± Veronique''s spirit caught Scarlett off guard briefly before Scarlett''s temper spiked. ¡°Look at her, everyone. She actually dared to ask me what right I have to call her a homewrecker. Shouldn''t I call her so, though?¡± Um... A cold smile tugged at Veronique''s lips. Bay was right. One can only use extreme means to suppress unreasonable people. She''ll give in instantly if others are stronger than her. ¡°Since Ms. Fletcher keeps emphasizing the identity of homewrecker and wife, then allow me to debate.¡± Veronique cast a nce at a staff on the side. Therge screen on the stage was turned on the next moment. The staff toggled to Hallsbay''s City Hall Marriage Registration System and input Justin''s and Veronique''s names in the search engine. Two marriage certificates popped up on therge screen in the next second. ¡°F*ck me! Justin and Veronique are legitimate husband and wife!¡± ¡°D*mn, this revtion is way too explosive. Ms. Fletcher has be the homewrecker.¡± ¡°Woah, this is some unexpected plot twist.¡± ¡°Great. The homewrecker has be the wife, and the wife has stooped to being a homewrecker.¡± ¡°This is hrious!¡± It was indeed funny. None of them expected things would progress in that direction. ¡°I''m sure everyone has seen for themselves that Justin and I are a legitimate couple. Our child is legitimate as well, so please consider the choice of words you use before using my child of being illegitimate.¡± Scarlett''s face turned red from rage. Her beautiful features contorted. At that moment, the two bodyguards had finally reached her. One of them spoke into her ear. ¡°Ms. Scarlett, Mrs. Fletcher has asked us to escort you out of the venue.¡± Scarlett didn''t want to stay there any longer after humiliating herself. Nevertheless, she couldn''t leave at that point. Reporters had flocked to her and blocked her from leaving. They flung a barrage of rude questions at her. Everywhere Scarlett looked, she only saw mocking gazes. Anger rose within her at the humiliation. The impact raised her blood pressure, causing her to faint. Meanwhile, Bailey was watching the confident Veronique on the screen. Her lips curled into a faint smile at the sight. Now, this is the Veronique I know. Scarlett doesn''t even match up to her in a fight. In the end, being a mother makes a woman stronger than before. If Zephyr hadn''t forced her, she probably wouldn''t have taken that step. ¡°It looks like dealing with the Fletcher family''s wrath is next on the agenda. I wonder if the Revelle family and the Xuereb family can handle it.¡± She cast a nce at the man sitting beside her with his eyes shut. ¡°I think I should ask Raiden out for a chat so that¡ª¡± Before she could finish, the man beside her suddenly loomed over her, caging her against the couch. N?velDrama.Org copyrighted ? content. ¡°Bringing up that fellow''s name in front of me, huh? Are you treating me like I''m nothing?¡± Bailey held in herughter. ¡°What else can I do? I can''t just watch the Revelle family bear the brunt of the consequences from the sidelines.¡± Artemis started taking off her clothes. ¡°Pleasure me, and I promise to help you if I''m satisfied.¡± Finally, Bailey couldn''t contain herughter any longer and wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°Let''s take this to the bedroom.¡± Artemis didn''t move as he studied her exquisite face. His long slender fingers lightly brushed across her eyebrow. ¡°Have you truly decided to give up on your family?¡± Bailey tightened her arms around Artemis'' neck and arched her brow. ¡°I have a new family, namely the three kids and... your family.¡± A wide smile spread across Artemis'' face as he lifted Bailey into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom. In the study at the medical base, Olivia mmed down a stack of newspapers on her son''s desk. ¡°Who gave that b*tch from the Revelle family the guts to say that b*stard of hers is a member of the Xuereb family?¡± Coldness flitted across Justin''s face at her crude remarks. ¡°They are your daughter-inw and grandson. Please respect them.¡± Chapter 372 Chapter 372 A loud p echoed across the room. Olivia had mmed her palm on the desk. ¡°Impossible. I''ll tell you this now, Justin. I will never ept that b*stard as a member of the Xuereb family, much less that b*tch as my daughter-inw.¡± Justin merely replied, ¡°You can leave now.¡± Sliding her gaze to the corner of her eyes, she saw Zephyr standing by the door. He was like the spark that sent Olivia''s rage over the edge. She strode over to the child and grabbed his neck. Killing intent red in her eyes as she choked the boy. My family still needs to secure themselves in the political world with the Fletcher family''s help. I won''t allow Veronique and her child to destroy the engagement between the Xuereb family and the Fletcher family. Veronique wasing up the stairs when she saw Olivia choking Zephyr. A wave of terror engulfed her, and she rushed toward them without a second thought. ¡°Let go! Zephyr can''t take any more abuse! Let go of him!¡± Olivia''s rage red. She shoved Veronique when she released her grip on Zephyr''s neck. Veronique had just returned from the press conference, so she was still in high heels. With a shove from Olivia, she lost her bnce and toppled backward. Justin raced toward her and hurriedly grabbed her. However, he could only grasp onto the end of her sleeve and watch as Veronique''s back hit the floor with a loud thud. The next second, her white skirt was drenched in blood. Red liquid soaked the fabric. It was horrifying. Justin''s pupils constricted at the nightmarish scene. He raised his hand, ready to p Olivia, but his rationale snapped back in ce. Gaining back control, he bent down and carried Olivia to the emergency room. ¡°Zephyr, call Bailey immediately and have here over.¡± Zephyr red at Olivia with a burning rage. His teeth mped down on her arm and tore off a piece of flesh. ¡°Argh!¡± A shrill scream sliced through the room. Christopher dashed over to see his wife shrieking as she held her bloody arm tight to her chest. He turned his gaze to his grandson and saw the hatred in Zephyr''s eyes. His heart sank. ¡°Zep¡ª¡± Before he could get the whole word out of his mouth, Zephyr had run away. N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights. Zephyr reached for the phone in his pocket as he ran. Artemis should be d that Zephyr called at just the right moment. He would''ve been depressed if the kid had called ten minutes earlier. ¡°Get up quick! Zephyr called me earlier, saying Olivia pushed Vero. Now, Vero is bleeding profusely after a bad fall. The fertilized ovum had only been imnted into her body not long ago, yet she fell terribly. I fear¡ª¡± As she spoke, Artemis had already brought their clothes over. ¡°Stop talking and start changing. I''m sending you to the medical base.¡± In the end, Veronique still lost the baby in her belly. Not only did she lose the baby, but her womb had suffered a second injury, so Bailey suggested she undergo a hysterectomy. Veronique had just woken up from her sleep when she heard Bailey''s suggestion. She shook her head furiously. ¡°No, Bay. I can''t remove my womb. How can I have another baby if I don''t have my womb? If I can''t have a baby, what will happen to Zephyr? Who will save him?¡± Bailey looked at Justin, who stood at the end of the bed. ¡°She has already lost her rationale, so her words don''t count. You decide. If she doesn''t remove her womb, it might turn cancerous. Think things through.¡± Justin was a renowned doctor. He knew the horrible consequences of leaving a heavily damaged womb in the body. Looking at the pallor on Veronique''s face, he came to her side and sped her hand. Veronique saw the look in his eyes and panicked. She squeezed his arm with all her might and sobbed, ¡°Justin, you''re not that cruel, right? You won''t just watch as Zephyr await his death, right?¡± Justin caressed her face. His touch was lingering and kind. ¡°I can''t watch you slowly walk to your death too. There''ll be another way, Vero. If things don''t work out, we can hire someone. I won''t let you take that risk.¡± ¡°No!¡± Veronique was adamant. ¡°I know my body. Give me another year. After I deliver a child to treat Zephyr, you can remove my womb. Please!¡± Justin pressed his lips into a thin line. He was about to retort when Bailey shook her head at him. She turned to Veronique and said, ¡°Fine. We won''t remove your womb. You rest, and we''ll talk after your body gets a bit better.¡± Bill sat on a long bench outside the emergency room, fuming. Yvonne red at Olivia with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. ¡°My sister traveled around the entire world to look for ways to save Zephyr. She had no choice but to try for a test-tube baby. Then, in came you, and with a light shove, you not only killed her baby, you even shattered Zephyr''s hope.¡± Rage still simmered within Olivia. Her temper red when a woman younger than her scolded her. ¡°No one asked her to give birth to that b*stard anyway! She wouldn''t have had this many problems if she didn''t give birth in the first ce.¡± Fury stirred within Yvonne at Olivia''s crude remark. She was about to tear Olivia a new one when Bill grabbed her hand. He looked at Olivia and said, ¡°The Revelle family has two daughters. My elder daughter married into royalty. Thus my younger daughter must find a husband willing to live with us. If your son is unwilling, I''ll advise my daughter to divorce him.¡± A fresh swell of rage rose in Olivia at his cruel words. What is this old bat talking about? Is he saying Justin''ll be living with the Revelle family if he agrees? Even the Fletcher family didn''t dare to make such an unreasonable request. How dare he! ¡°Don''t worry. Even if my son never marries, he will never live with the Revelle family.¡± Olivia didn''t know she would be eating her words soon after. Aftering out of the emergency room, Justin said, ¡°Veronique is my wife. I will never separate from her in any way unless she passes away.¡± Olivia fainted from his words instantly. Justin ignored her and turned to Christopher. ¡°She''s still my mother, so I''ll let the matter where she caused Vero to miscarry slide this once. Please respect my wife and son. If anything happens to both of them, I won''t continue living, and the four of us will reunite in heaven.¡± Christopher sighed. My wife has been headstrong her whole life. She can''t give up on her brothers and is adamant about sacrificing her son''s marriage to pave the way for her family. Even though I disagree with her methods, we''ve been married for decades; I can''t just divorce her. ¡°I''ll talk to Olivia. I''m upset over Veronique''s miscarriage too, so when she gets better, I''lle over to apologize to her.¡± After watching Christopher and Olivia leave, Bill asked, ¡°Have you thought about an alternative n? Now that you had a falling out with the Fletcher family, they will likely not donate the bone marrow anymore. What are you going to do about Zephyr?¡± Before Justin could say anything, Bailey chimed in as she walked over, ¡°I''ll think of a way to get the Fletcher family to donate the bone marrow. Rest assured.¡± It looks like I still have to beg Raiden at the end of the day. Chapter 373 Chapter 373 Artemis headed back to the Luther residence with Bailey and the three kids. Caridee hurriedly went up to them. She then wrapped her hands around Bailey''s arm and greeted her warmly. Bailey reached out to pinch the girl''s cheek. Raising her brows, she uttered, ¡°I''m afraid you just greeted me in vain because I didn''t prepare any gifts.¡± Hearing that, Caridee rolled her eyes at Bailey. ¡°Do you think I expect a heartless woman like you to give me a mary gift?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°I heard that you admire the Legendary Racer, Adhira. It just so happens that there will be an International Racecar Tournament soon, and the venue is in Hallsbay, so I''ll find a way to get an autographed photo for you.¡± ¡°For real?¡± Caridee jumped for joy and continued, ¡°Bailey, are you serious? Can you really get Adhira''s autographed photo?¡± Bailey arched her brows. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you doubting my words?¡± ¡°No. Of course not.¡± Caridee immediately waved her hands. ¡°You are so great that I don''t believe anyone but you. It''s just that the Legendary Racer has never revealed their face to anyone, and they''re entric. No one has ever received an autographed photo from them before. Are you sure you can get it?¡± Bailey stretched out her hand to pinch the girl''s cheek again. ¡°I''ll try my best.¡± Thetter was speechless. ¡°Why is an educated and elegant girl acting like an overly excited fangirl instead of staying at home obediently?¡± Felicity''s voice rang from the top of the stairs. There was a hint of harshness and disapproval in her tone. Caridee stuck her tongue out at that. She then leaned close to Bailey''s ear and remarked, ¡°Bailey, my mom is not a mean person. She was also instigated by Rhonda in the past, which was why she kept opposing you. Please don''t take her words to heart. She is now regretting it, but she has always had a strong character. I guess she is just unwilling to let go of her pride and apologize to you. Please bear with her.¡± Bailey shook her head with a smile. ¡°I''ve never taken her words to heart. If I held a grudge against your mother, your brother would be the one who would suffer in the end. I can''t bear to see him suffering from a headache.¡± ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk!¡± Hearing that, Caridee was at a loss for words and nudged her brother''s shoulder. ¡°Hey, Artemis, how did you make this woman submissive to you? Despite her wild personality, you still managed to train her to submit to your authority.¡± Giving her the cold shoulder, Artemis strode toward the living room with Bailey. ¡°You''re back?¡± Felicity asked with a stern expression. Artemis didn''t give any response. Instead, he turned to cast Bailey a nce. Bailey also remained silent. She lowered her gaze to look at the three little ones. Maxton obediently called out, ¡°Grandma.¡± Susan puckered her lips. Following that, she also cooed, ¡°Grandma.¡± Felicity''s smile widened. She then gazed at Zayron expectantly. Zayron pouted and harrumphed, but he didn''t follow suit and addressed the woman as ¡°Grandma.¡± Instead, he called out, ¡°Creepy Granny.¡± Instantly, an eerie silence descended over the space. Felicity''s smile froze. Bailey immediately pulled her son behind her and stared at Felicity with a frown. ¡°This child has been too spoiled. Please don''t be mad at him.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. As soon as she finished speaking, she took out an embroidered box from her bag and handed it over to Felicity. ¡°I heard that you have been looking for the extant scripture of Master Yisroel from the Church of St. Victor. It happens that I have a copy here. I''m thinking of fulling your wish by giving this to you.¡± As Felicity heard that, her utterly tense face lit up with pleasure. ¡°I-Is this really Master Yisroel''s handwritten scripture?¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realize that her reaction was a bit too strong and immediately shut her mouth. What an entric old woman! Bailey couldn''t help but sigh. She was aware that the reason Felicity decided to ept her was that thetter didn''t want Artemis to marry Waverly''s daughter, Zoey. That said, Bailey wondered how Felicity would feel or react if the woman found out that Bailey was, in fact, the daughter of the Shurmer family. She will probably go berserk. Bailey sighed inwardly. Fate, sometimes, is strange and likes to y tricks on people. ¡°Max, could you take this scripture to Grandma''s room?¡± Since Felicity was in need of getting out of this awkward situation, Bailey was willing to give her the out as she didn''t want Artemis to feel caught in the middle. Maxton reached out to take the embroidered box from her mother and promptly ran upstairs. Felicity''s expression immediately brightened. Although the way she looked at Bailey still carried a hint of awkwardness, it was much more amiable than before. Artemis nced at her. His eyes shed with a trace of appreciation. He understood that she was controlling her temper for him as she didn''t want him to get into an awful predicament. Just then, Gerald entered the house. As he saw them standing at thending, he couldn''t help but ask, ¡°What are you standing there for? Hurry up and ask them to sit on the couch.¡± Her husband showed up just in time to drag her out of this awkward situation. She then softened her tone. ¡°We''ll be family in the future, and we''ll get to see each other every day, so there''s no need to be so formal. Just make yourselves at home.¡± Bailey arched her brow. She wondered if she had atst obtained her future mother-inw''s acknowledgment. ¡°Don''t worry. I will make myselffortable here. My man and my children belong to the Luther family. The ce where they are is my home.¡± Felicity was rendered speechless for a moment. In the tearoom of the Chivers residence, Glen was drinking coffee with Edmund. ¡°Eddy, if something is meant to happen, it will. Otherwise, don''t push it. You are smart enough to understand simple logic, no?¡± Chapter 374 Chapter 374 Edmund''s hand, which had been holding the cup, jolted slightly. As he lowered his head, a trace of bitterness shed across his eyes. ¡°Grandpa, is providing an heir for the family that important? Do I really have to deliver an heir for the Chivers family?¡± Glen was bewildered upon hearing that. As he finally made sense of Edmund''s words, his face grew solemn. ¡°It''s not that we desperately want an heir, but at the very least, it''s better if there''s a woman who can keep youpany and take care of you. Otherwise, how are you going to live the rest of your life? Eddy, some people are destined to come into your life for a brief moment, so you don''t have to be so obsessed with them.¡± A bitter smile yed around Edmund''s lips. In a hoarse voice, he replied, ¡°But I have already fallen for her. Grandpa, you used to be deeply in love with Grandma too. There was a time when you even wanted to end your life for Grandma. You should understand the torture of being in love with someone.¡± As he spoke, he suddenly rose to his feet and walked up to Glen. He dropped to his knees abruptly. ¡°Grandpa, I''m afraid I''ll have to be the first unfilial child of the Chivers family.¡± As a clever man, Glen understood what he meant. However, there was nothing he could say at that point. ¡°Forget it. Get up first. Some things are destined by fate, and no one can change them. If God really wants the Chivers family to be heirless, there is nothing we can do anyway, right?¡± Edmund lowered his head. After remaining silent for a while, he slowly got up. ¡°The Chivers family still has other members. I''ll pick one of my uncles'' children in a few years and adopt him. Grandpa, don''t worry. I won''t let the Chivers family lineage end like this.¡± Glen waved his hand. His grandson had been in such distress. As the elder of the family, he couldn''t bring himself to force his grandson. ¡°Your own path is still up to you. No matter what decision you make. I''ll support you.¡± Edmund was moved and had no idea what to say at that moment. Meanwhile, Zoey had locked herself in the bedroom of the Shurmer residence since the press conference, and no one could talk her out of it. Looking at her dejected daughter in bed, Waverly couldn''t help but say with a sigh, ¡°I once thought you two were really destined to encounter each other. Otherwise, God wouldn''t have sent you to save him at the most critical moment. But after learning that he has a connection with that girl from the Jefferson family and has three kids with her, I feel nothing but sorry for you. Zozo, he, perhaps, is not the right one for you. Y-You have to let him go.¡± Zoey, who was in a daze, became agitated after hearing what her mother said. In a hoarse voice, she yelled, ¡°Mom, are you refusing to take my side too? Are you telling me to return to Lostaria gloomily and be theughingstock of the entire upper-ss society?¡± Waverly narrowed her eyes as she looked at her daughter. A moment of silenceter, she responded in a deep voice, ¡°Then what do you want to do? Artemis has publicly announced the identity of the three children and also mentioned that he would not marry anyone but Bailey. There are no secr taboos between them. Do you still think you can separate them after everything?¡± Zoey merely pursed her lips without saying anything. Her mother sounded like she was defending Bailey. She has started to defend Bailey even though she''s, up to this point, still unaware of who Bailey is. If she found out, that would be... No, I will never allow this to happen. That b*tch has stolen my man. I can''t just sit back and watch her steal my identity as the heiress of the Shurmer family too. ¡°Mom, I...¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Waverly sat by the bed and held her daughter''s wrist without giving her a chance to speak. She then urged, ¡°Zozo, you''re thedy and daughter of a prestigious family. Over the past few years, countless good-looking and talented men havee to the Shurmer residence to propose to you. Why are you ruining your life for a man who doesn''t even like you?¡± Zoey bit her lip, holding back her rage. She knew that her mother had given up on taking her side. There was no point in talking about it any further. In any case, I won''t let that b*tch off. I would rather destroy the man that I couldn''t get than let her have him. Or I could just destroy her or kill her. In the afternoon, Bailey was invited to a coffee shop by the corner of the street. The one who invited her was her father, rence. To be precise, it was her adoptive father. They were seated at a window seat on the second floor. Bailey stared at the emaciated middle-aged man sitting across from her. Her expression remained unchanged. People always said that nothing was more important than love from parents. However, the man before her had never cultivated warmth in their home. In the past, she was filled with indignance and resentment. Nheless, at this point, after learning that she was not the daughter of the Jefferson family, she was indescribably calm. Without the familial bond, everything seemed to not matter anymore. ¡°Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Jefferson?¡± rence didn''t reply to her question. He just stared at her. A trace of sadness shed across his eyes. This dull-witted man was still under the impression that his wife betrayed him, got pregnant with another man, and let him father the man''s child. Bailey seemed to see through him, but she didn''t exin anything, and neither did she n to tell him Zoey''s identity. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, if you only want to grab a coffee with me, I will make a move first now that I have finished my coffee.¡± With that, she pretended as if she was going to leave. ¡°Wait a minute,¡± rence hurriedly called out to her. Gritting his teeth, he asked, ¡°Have you long known about your identity?¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows. ¡°So what if I did, and so what if I didn''t? Do you think we can change the oue?¡± Chapter 375 Chapter 375 rence didn''t know how to respond. After remaining silent for a few moments, he began, ¡°Although the Jefferson family had treated you badly over the years, we were still the ones who raised you. I don''t need you to repay us for raising you. I only hope you can promise me this one thing.¡± Bailey chuckled. Sure. I''ll give him my promise and repay his favor. After that is done, we won''t owe each other anything and won''t cross paths again. ¡°I''m guessing you want to ask me to spare Rhonda''s life, right?¡± rence froze, and when he regained his senses, he hurriedly replied, ¡°Ronni is my only daughter. I have to rely on her when I grow old. I beg you to let her off.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Bailey replied without hesitation. rence was surprised. ¡°Y-You agreed?¡± ¡°Of course. You''re begging me for a favor in exchange for you raising me. How can I not agree?¡± rence fell silent. Standing up again, Bailey grabbed her sling bag and looked down at rence. ¡°I promise to spare Rhonda''s life to repay the Jefferson family for raising me over the years. I hope you can teach your daughter well and stop her from causing trouble again,¡± she dered, enunciating her every word. Then she strode out of the coffee shop. I only promised to let Rhonda off this time. Don''t me me for being merciless if she continues to stir up trouble. After leaving the coffee shop, Bailey went to a caf¨¦ to meet Raiden. The topic of their discussion was simple. It was regarding the bone marrow. Raiden had probably guessed the purpose of Bailey''s request to meet up, as before she could finish speaking, he had already agreed to think of ways to get Scarlett to donate her bone marrow. Seeing how easily he agreed, Bailey did not feel relieved. Instead, her chest felt heavier. She remembered that previously, he did not agree to let Scarlett donate her bone marrow. Yet, after a few days, he conceded. It is definitely not because he''s sympathetic. A ruthless person like him wouldn''t care about a child''s life. The reason why he changed is because of me. In other words, I have the ability to change his decisions. Is this a good thing, though? ¡°Raiden, I¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Raiden suddenly raised his hand to cut her off. ¡°I know what you want to say. We all know, and that''s enough. You don''t need to say it out loud and make it awkward.¡± Bailey made no reply and could only smile bitterly. This man is way too sharp and quick-witted. I think I might have invited a love rival who will be hard for Artemis to deal with. But I have no choice. After weighing the pros and cons, I believe seeking Raiden is my best choice. I can''t just watch Zephyr die. Lionel met up with Micah at a high-end club in the city. Although Wendy begged him incessantly to stop investigating, Lionel still wanted to find out what happened back then. In the VIP room, Micah raised his brows and looked at Lionel sitting opposite him. ¡°We''re not that close, Mr. Gezmond. So why did you want to see me?¡± Micah asked calmly. Lionel did not beat around the bush. ¡°I would like you to introduce me to Holden, the vice president of Tarragon.¡± Narrowing his eyes and frowning, Micah asked, ¡°Why are you looking for him? Since he''s the vice president of Tarragon, he shouldn''t have had any interactions with you, Mr. Gezmond.¡± ¡°I am seeking him due to some personal matters. Mr. Neyman, please help me arrange a meeting with him. I''ll owe you a favor for this.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°What a generous offer. Not many people can get a favor from you. How tempting. However...¡± Micah suddenly paused, stretched out his hand to grab the wine ss on the table, and sipped before continuing, ¡°However, Holden''s whereabouts are often unknown. Even I don''t know where he goes sometimes and can only meet him at Tarragon''s headquarters. Usually, we don''t contact each other in private.¡± It was a direct refusal from Micah. After all, Micah and Holden were the president and vice president of Tarragon, respectively. So how could they not contact each other? Lionel creased his brows. ¡°Mr. Neyman, you''re exaggerating. I''m looking for him to... to ask him why he abandoned his wife and child.¡± Micah''s hand, which had been holding the wine ss, froze, and he nced at Lionel in surprise. Upon hearing thetter say, ¡°abandoned his wife and child,¡± he recalled Shannon. Although they did not have a kid, he would only have one woman and one wife his entire life, and that would be Shannon. Still, in the end, he lost her. Of course, what made him truly surprised was what Lionel said. Holden abandoned his wife and child? When did he get married? Why do I not know about this? ¡°You must be joking, Mr. Gezmond. Everyone in Tarragon knows that Holden is unmarried. He seems to be repulsed by women. A few years ago, many foreign big shots sent him women to suck up to him. In the end, he killed them all. He even told them to stop sending him women and disgusting him. If not, their n will only backfire.¡± Lionel smiled. ¡°Holden does have a woman, and she birthed him a son. Mr. Neyman, I''m sure you don''t want me to use my influence tob through the whole of Tarragon, right?¡± ¡°You''re threatening me.¡± With a dark face, Micah looked at Lionel through narrowed eyes. Lionel shook his head. ¡°No, no, no. I don''t have the ability to threaten you. If you agree to help me, I won''t do something as unnecessary as asking my men to investigate Holden''s whereabouts. If I don''t investigate, Tarragon''s confidential information will remain confidential, and nothing will happen.¡± The atmosphere in the room became increasingly tense. Micah''s face also turned thunderous. Despite his feelings, he didn''t dare to ignore the words of the man before him, as Lionel''s LG Corporation controlled two-thirds of the world''s media. If he really manages to dig up something and release it through LG Corporation, Tarragon will be revealed to everyone. It will be a huge mess if that happens. ¡°No wonder everyone in the world tries to suck up to you, Mr. Gezmond. If they offend you, you will probably dig up all their secrets.¡± Lionel held up his wine ss and tipped it in Micah''s direction. ¡°So you agree to my request, Mr. Neyman?¡± he asked with a smile. ¡°Give me three days. I''ll contact Holden.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll wait for your good news.¡± In a five-star hotel suite in Colstrax, Danontand, the sound of retching reverberated through the room. Victoria propped herself up on the bathroom sink and, after vomiting for a while, weakly lifted her head. The mirror reflected her pale and haggard face. She wasn''t a fool. How could she not know why her body was having such a huge reaction? Am I really pregnant? Stroking her t stomach, a wry smile crossed her face. Looks like I can''t escape. It''s all destined to happen. It was already nighttime. Shannon leaned against the window of her rented apartment, staring silently at the familiar figure beside a streetmp downstairs. It had been a few days since she moved to her current location, and that man had stood outside, guarding her almost every day for the whole night. Chapter 376 Chapter 376 If it were before, she would probably have been overjoyed. Yet, as the years passed, she only thought that it was ironic when she saw him guarding her in the distance. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Such irony. Where was he when I experienced the darkest days of my life when I lost my arm and my son? Ha, how can I forget? He consented for others to cut off my arm. He was also the one who sent men to kill my son. All my misfortunes are because of him. As Shannon recalled her past, especially Eugene''s innocent little face, hatred brewed in her. She suddenly stood up and grabbed her bag on the table to retrieve a few pictures before dashing out of the room. Seeing her stumble down the stairs, Micah immediately went over to help her. ¡°Shanny...¡± ¡°Don''t call me that.¡± Shaking his arm off, Shannon red at him with hatred and gritted her teeth. ¡°I feel disgusted when you call me that.¡± Micah''s pupils constricted, and a look of pain shed across his face. ¡°Sha... Shannon, I had no choice but to do what I did back then. I had no authority and couldn''t protect you. If you didn''t lose an arm, they would have killed you. I can only hurt you aspared to losing you.¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Her eyes wide, Shannon red at him and yelled, ¡°You think I hate you because of that incident? No. What made me hate you is your heartlessness. You killed so many people, even your own flesh and blood.¡± My flesh and blood? Stunned, Micah stared at her with a frown on his face. ¡°My flesh and blood? Shannon, what are you talking about?¡± Shannon barked out augh. ¡°You''re pathetic. What, you don''t dare to admit the crimes you committed?¡± Micah was utterly confused. His instincts told him that he was missing something. He seemed to be kept in the dark regarding certain matters. ¡°Shannon, calm down. Tell me what you want to say straightforwardly. Don''t beat around the bush, okay?¡± ¡°You''re not going to admit it?¡± Shannon glowered at him with red-rimmed eyes and screamed, ¡°You were the mastermind behind that car ident years ago. How can you not admit it? Micah, are you even a man?¡± Walking toward her, Micah grasped her shoulder with one hand and caressed her elegant brow with the other gently, his fingers lingering on her skin. No woman could remain impassive if a man who had power and influence reaching across the globe treated her so gently. However, the person he was treating so lovingly was Shannon, making his actions seem ironic. ¡°Shanny, I''ll give you my arm. If that still can''t diminish your anger, I can dig out my heart for you. Can you just stop looking at me with such deep hatred? It hurts.¡± Shannonughed hysterically, and as sheughed, tears started sliding down her face. Shoving him away, she uttered sarcastically, ¡°I thought you were just heartless before. Now it seems that you don''t even have any basic sense of responsibility. How can you not have a sliver of regret when my child died a terrible death? Micah, I wish I could skin you alive and incapacitate you.¡± Child? Died a terrible death? What does she mean? What is she trying to say? Micah''s face turned sour, and he reflexively stretched out his hand to grab her left hand, but all he touched was her sleeve. His face turned pale at that. This wound stood between them, hidden, unspeakable, and irreparable for the rest of their lives. ¡°Mr. Neyman, you have grabbed the wrong arm. This arm has already been cut off by your people.¡± With that one statement, Micah felt as if he was plummeting into an abyss. And Shannon''s next wordspletely pushed him over the edge into a bottomless hell. ¡°But the pain of losing my arm can''t even bepared to a thousandth of the pain I felt losing my son. Micah, one day, my son will be a ghost and take your life. He will stand before you, his biological father, dripping with blood, asking you why you killed him.¡± With that, she threw a stack of pictures in his face before turning to leave. ¡°As you wished, Eugene died terribly and will stay dead. His head collided with a sharp edge, and his skull shattered. He only died after all his blood drained out of him. I''m giving you those pictures to show you how horrifying the tragedy you created was.¡± Micah''s legs were leaden, and there was a ringing sound in his ears. He could not understand what she was saying. What did she just say? Child? Biological father? Skull shattered? What is she trying to say? Lowering his eyes, he gazed at the pictures on the ground. The background is blurry, so it was probably printed from surveince footage. Of course, such things could be ignored. What truly shocked him was what the pictures showed. She is right. It is truly a tragedy. The cameras perfectly captured how a mother and son collided with a jeep and flew into the air before crashing against a corner of the building opposite them. Blood spurted out, and some even sttered onto the camera lens. Chapter 377 Chapter 377 These few pictures presented theplete state of that car ident years ago before him. Micah stared at thest picture with wide eyes as fury boiled in him. In the picture, the mother was crying while sitting in a pool of blood. The child in her embrace was all bloody, and blood kept gushing out from the back of his head. It was a ghastly sight. The woman in the picture was familiar to him. It was Shannon. Though the face of the child is covered in blood and blurry, he must be her son since she is hugging him. Who is the father of her child? He dared not face the truth, as he had a feeling that the instant the truth was revealed, all the blood and tears Shannon had shed would be a lifelong hatred toward him. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning shed in the sky. Soon, rain fell, mixed with ps of thunder. A bodyguard hurried over with an umbre from a distance and was about to raise it over Micah''s head to shelter him from the rain when Micah punched the bodyguard. ¡°Get lost!¡± Micah growled. Shocked by the murderous look on Micah''s face, the bodyguard immediately retreated and dared not continue bothering him. As the rain poured, Micah slowly raised his head and let the raindrops stter against his face. The force of the raindrops was too weak for him to feel pain, yet, his heart felt like it was being torn to pieces. He still could not understand the entirety of the situation and kept telling himself everything was purposely made up by Shannon. Yet, the look of deep hatred on her face continuously reminded him that he might have really made an inexcusable mistake. He wanted to run over and question her, but he was afraid of facing her, afraid that if everything was true, questioning her would once again tear away the scab that had formed on her wound. ¡°Ahh!¡± Micah roared as thunder rumbled above. His bellow was so deafening that it seemed to shatter the skies. Shannon did not go up the stairs when she reached the stairwell. Hearing Micah''s roar from outside, she slowly slid down against the wall and slumped onto the ground. He feels pain too? Since he is also hurting, why did he want to kill my son? Eugene was innocent. Perhaps that woman felt that Eugene''s existence was a nuisance, but he had no reason to kill his own son because of that woman. I never wished to ruin their arranged marriage. I just wanted to live with my son and then grow old by myself in a city. It was him... No¡ªit was them who forced me to be this hateful. If they don''t die, how can my child be at peace? Meanwhile, Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window while picking up a call in a private mansion. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. It was from Victoria to tell Bailey about her pregnancy. ¡°Vicky, do you really n on keeping the baby?¡± Bailey was not supportive of Victoria keeping the baby as thetter''s situation was different from hers seven years ago. The reason Bailey gave birth seven years ago without getting married was that she did not have room for love in her heart. Even if she gave birth, her children wouldn''t affect her future marriage or her love for any man. However, Victoria was different. She loved Lionel deeply. If she kept the child, she would be trapped for her whole life by the child. As her friend, Bailey did not want Victoria to spend the rest of her life with a child. Victoria was still young and deserved to get married and find her own happiness. ¡°Bay, you know how deeply I love him. If I didn''t get pregnant, I would try to forget him, but now that I am, I won''t get an abortion. I love him so much. If I can give birth to a child for him, then my love for him will beplete.¡± After pausing for a moment, Bailey asked tentatively, ¡°What about Dwayne? How will you face him? I can tell that he treats you wholeheartedly. If you ever have to be married in the future, he will be a good choice.¡± Victoria could not help but smile bitterly. ¡°I can''t give him an untouched body, and my love for him is iplete too. Bay, I can''t be so selfish. I can''t trap him and ept his love guiltlessly.¡± ¡°So what do you want to do?¡± ¡°I''ll find a chance to leave secretly. I don''t want him to waste any more time on me. It''s better to let him endure this temporary pain than drag it out and cause him more painter on. I''ll make him give up on me.¡± Bailey made no reply. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Artemis'' voice beside her ear dragged Bailey back to reality. She lowered her eyes and noticed that the screen of the phone in her hands had gone ck at some point in time. ¡°Victoria called me just now and told me she''s pregnant. She''s preparing to leave secretly to make Dwayne give up on her. Artemis, I don''t think I can be their matchmaker anymore, and your sworn brother is going to get his heart broken.¡± Artemis hugged her from behind, wrapping her in his embrace. ¡°Don''t overthink this. We should leave this to the heavens. Humans can''t change fate. Dwayne will understand. You don''t need to be worried about him,¡± he said warmly. Bailey sighed. ¡°Why are there so many people facing troubles in love? There''s really nothing one can do when ites to feelings.¡± Chuckling, Artemis lifted her into his arms and walked toward the bed. ¡°Those feelings can also make someone insatiable. I wish I could die in your arms.¡± Bailey stretched out her hand to squeeze his handsome face. ¡°Where did your image as a chaste and heartless CEO go? Artemis, you are bing more self-indulgent andcking self-controltely. Aren''t you afraid of overworking your body?¡± she teased. Artemis leaned in to whisper something in Bailey''s ear that was so flirtatious that her face turned red. ¡°You scoundrel.¡± Chapter 378 Chapter 378 In the living room of a five-star hotel suite, Tamara and Scarlett red at Raiden with fury etched across their faces. ¡°What are you talking about, Raiden? Why should I donate my bone marrow to that illegitimate child? You were against that idea previously, so why have you suddenly changed your tune?¡± After she said that, something seemed to ur to her, and everything clicked. ¡°It''s Bailey, am I right? She persuaded you into getting my bone marrow. Raiden, are you seriously going to sacrifice your sister because of that depraved woman?¡± Tamara added, ¡°There''s no chance I''ll agree to let Lettie donate her bone marrow. You can banish that thought. Also, you need to stay away from that woman. She has Artemis protecting her, and you don''t have to concern yourself with that. With the way you hang around her so eagerly, are you trying to announce to the whole world that no other women are interested in the Fletcher family''s heir?¡± Raiden frowned. I knew this would happen. Nheless, I wanted to give it a shot. Since I''ve already tried and the oue isn''t satisfactory, I can only resolve this with a high hand. ¡°All right, then. Seeing that neither of you is agreeable to it, I won''t force it. Just pretend I never said anything.¡± With that, he rose to his feet and left the suite. The mother-daughter pair nced at each other. Scarlett asked, ¡°What should we do next, Mom?¡± For a moment, Tamara fell silent. Then, she said reassuringly, ¡°We''ll wait for news from Olivia. She''ll give us a satisfactory reply.¡± After pondering for a while, Scarlett piped up, ¡°Mom, Bailey has influenced Raiden''s mind. That''s not a good sign. I''m worried he''ll insist she''s the only one he wants to be with and end up getting hurt. He''s your only son. You wouldn''t want to see him ruined by that woman''s hands.¡± ¡°I''ll think of a way to make him abandon that notion,¡± Tamara uttered through clenched teeth. Meanwhile, Bailey was performing a checkup on Veronique at the medical base. Veronique grabbed Bailey''s wrist and asked desperately, ¡°Bay, do you have any way of making my uterus recover quickly? Zephyr doesn''t have much time left. I need to produce another test-tube baby as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Even someone who suffered a normal miscarriage would have to recuperate for a month, let alone you who just underwent in vitro fertilization. Three months. There must be no stimulus to the uterus for three months. Otherwise, I swear on my life that I''ll remove it,¡± Bailey responded furiously while shooting her a stern look. ¡°Three months...¡± Veronique mumbled. Upon thinking of Zephyr''s condition, she could not help but cry as she muttered, ¡°Three months is too long. Zephyr can''t wait. Bay, I know you must have a way. I''m begging you. Please help me, okay?¡± Bailey sat on the edge of the bed and held Veronique''s wrist. Then, she said slowly and clearly, ¡°Listen carefully. I''ve already found a way to cure Zephyr, so you can stop thinking about producing a test-tube baby anymore.¡± However, Veronique did not believe her. ¡°You''re only saying that to make me feel better.¡± Gazing at Veronique, Bailey said solemnly, ¡°No, I''m not. I won''t let anything happen to Zephyr, and if all else fails, I''ll kidnap Scarlett. One vial of anesthetic will be enough to knock her out. After that, I''ll take some bone marrow from her body.¡± Veronique stared at her wordlessly. ¡°I know what I''m doing, Vero. Are you really that worried about how I handle things? All you need to do is rest and focus on recovering. Once I''ve settled the matter regarding the bone marrow, I''ll operate on you to remove your uterus,¡± Bailey said as she stretched out a hand to pat Veronique''s head. Veronique was about to say something when Artemis and Justin walked in. With just one nce at Artemis'' expression, Bailey immediately knew something was amiss. She quickly went over and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Artemis pulled her out of the ward without saying anything. ¡°What''s wrong? Did something happen?¡± He sighed and exined slowly, ¡°Micah stood in the rain the whole ofst night and fell unconscious early this morning. After his fever subsided, he called me and said he had to see you. If you don''t meet with him, he''ll go straight to Shannon.¡± He was quiet for several seconds before continuing, ¡°Shannon might''ve said something to him. He''s behaving very strangely. If he acts rashly and goes looking for Shannon, I''m worried it''ll cause your friend pain.¡± Seething with rage, Bailey gnashed her teeth. She hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°Where is he now?¡± ¡°I''ll take you to him.¡± After leaving the medical base, Artemis and Bailey drove to Lunar Bar. When Bailey pushed open the door to the private room on the top floor, she was greeted by an overwhelming smell of alcohol. A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind as she stared at empty bottles littering the floor. Artemis said Shannon told Micah something, and that caused Micah to spiral out of control. Micah knows about Shannon''s missing arm, and even that didn''t affect him much. So, all that''s left is... At that thought, Bailey no longer hesitated. She strode over to the couch, then reached out and grabbed Micah by his cor. She sneered, ¡°What''s the use of getting drunk? Even if you die a thousand deaths, you wouldn''t be able to atone for what you did.¡± Micah cracked open his eyes to look at her. Despite having had a lot to drink, he did not look inebriated. ¡°What happened back then?¡± he asked hoarsely. Bailey was stunned. She narrowed her eyes as she met his gaze. Momentster, Micah''s gaze gradually became unfocused. She had hypnotized him. ¡°Were you the one who orchestrated the car ident that happened four years ago?¡± He shook his head in response. ¡°Did you send someone to hunt down and kill Shannon and her son?¡± Micah shook his head again. Upon seeing that, Bailey sighed. I believe him because no one can break away from my hypnosis. It looks like there are still many unknown truths hidden behind that ident. That incident is far from how simple it appears. She snapped her fingers, and Micah gradually returned to his senses. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Furrowing his brows, he asked frostily, ¡°What did you just do to me?¡± Bailey shrugged her shoulders. ¡°What''s wrong? Did you think I would kill you with your sworn brother here?¡± ¡°If you really wanted to kill me, that guy behind you would probably hand you a dagger without a second thought,¡± he retorted with a cold snort. Oh? She turned to gaze at Artemis with a look that asked whether that was true, and he actually nodded shamelessly. Ha ha. So that''s what sworn brothers are for. ¡°The two of you must have a lot to talk about. I''ll step outside, then.¡± Bailey reached out to stop him and shook her head. ¡°You don''t have to leave. It''s nothing confidential.¡± With that, she turned toward Micah on the couch. ¡°Sit up. Let''s have a good chat.¡± Will it be less painful for Shannon if we resolve this horrible misunderstanding? Although there''s no way to bring Eugene back to life, it''d probably make her feel a little better to know that the man she loved didn''t cause her son''s death. She has had it tough, and if uncovering the truth behind the ident will ease her pain, then there couldn''t be anything better. After Micah sat up straight, his first question was, ¡°Shannon had a child. Was the child mine?¡± Bailey nodded. She took her phone from her pocket, logged into a private database, and retrieved a photo. Then, she handed the phone to him. In the photo, an adorable boy around two years old was beaming innocently. ¡°His name was Eugene.¡± Chapter 379 Chapter 379 That was thest photo she had taken of Eugene. Not only did that little boy''s death hurt Shannon deeply, but it also left a permanent scar in Bailey''s heart. She had thought she was mentally strong enough to handle anything in life, only to find herself so traumatized that she developed a phobia toward operating tables. It got to the extent where she couldn''t pick up a scalpel for three years. Had it not been for Artemis putting his life on the line, she probably wouldn''t go anywhere near an operating table for the rest of her life. It felt as though that bloody image had been etched into her very soul. Micah slowly reached out to take the phone from her. His body began trembling violently when he got a closer look at the picture of the adorable boy on the screen. What the... This boy looks exactly like me! His facial features are so simr to mine that I can''t possibly deny it! Bailey looked him in the eye as she said, ¡°The boy was only two and a half years old when he died. Shannon brought him with her as she went out to do some shopping. They were crossing a road when an SUV came speeding in their direction. The two of them were sent flying by the impact. Shannon was lucky enough to survive the hit, but Eugene... Well, his skull shattered when he hit his head on the corner of a building. I tried my best to save him, but it was to no avail. Poor Eugene died in that car ident.¡± This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Drip! A teardrop rolled down Micah''s cheek and fell off his chin, forming a tragically beautiful pattern as it hit the screen of the phone. He was a man who killed without blinking an eye, struck fear into people''s hearts on an international level, and was treated with respect by countless people. Despite how tough Micah was, he shed manly tears when he found out about the tragic death of his son. As he tried really hard to suppress his sobs, he sounded like a beast that was howling in anguish. Bailey turned to look at Artemis¡ªwho was standing at the side¡ªfor advice on what to do next. Artemis nced at Micah and, after a brief moment of silence, said, ¡°Keep going. Tell him everything he needs to know.¡± Bailey nodded and continued, ¡°The perpetrator imed that you sent them to kill Shannon and her child. Throughout the past few years, she has always believed that you were the cause of the car ident. Eventually, she drove herself crazy.¡± Clunk! Micah dropped the phone to the floor. He then covered his face with both hands as he tried to stifle his sobs. Momentster, tears began flowing out of the spaces between his fingers. Now I see why Shannon hated me so much, why she always red at me with burning hatred in her eyes. As it turns out, she thinks I sent those people to kill her and our two-year-old son. I know I''m cold- hearted and cruel, but I wouldn''t kill innocent people, let alone my own flesh and blood. Looks like she really doesn''t trust me, huh... Well, now that I think about it, she does have a reason to not trust me. After all, she lost her arm when she trusted me too much back then. Given the circumstances, it was only natural that she would believe the perpetrators when they told her I ordered the hit. ¡°I didn''t know she was pregnant. Back then, she was determined to leave me. One time, she managed to escape from me sessfully. She didn''t tell me she was with child at the time, so I had no idea. If I had known she was pregnant, I...¡± I probably would''ve left Tarragon and moved somewhere secluded where the three of us could live our lives peacefully. Bailey let out a sigh and shot Artemis a nce before walking off. She believed men were better atforting each other, so she decided to let Artemis handle him instead. She had just reached the door when Micah called out to her from behind, ¡°W-Where''s the boy buried at?¡± Bailey paused in her tracks upon hearing that. After a brief moment of silence, she replied calmly, ¡°You''ll have to ask Shannon about that. I''m not at liberty to disclose that information.¡± She then opened the door and walked out of that room. Given everything that has happened, there''s no real way to determine who''s truly at fault here. They have both been through far too much pain over the years. They''ve been doubting and suspecting each other for so long that their love has been corrupted beyond salvation. Meanwhile, in a five-star hotel in Colstrax, Danontand, Victoria opened the door and saw Dwayne standing outside with a cart filled with food. ¡°You could just call up room service and have them deliver the food, you know? There''s no need for you to do it yourself,¡± she said. Dwayne arched an eyebrow at her and replied with a smile, ¡°It''s an honor to be able to serve you. I happened to be free anyway, so I figured I might as well do you a favor.¡± Lowering her gaze to hide the exasperated look in her eyes, she asked, ¡°Dwayne, why does it have to be me? Why don''t you go after some other girl instead?¡± ¡°You''re the first girl to win my heart over, so I want to protect you with everything I''ve got. Please rest assured that I have no other intentions toward you,¡± Dwayne answered after giving it some thought. Victoria breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that. He says he has no other intentions toward me. Does that mean he has no romantic feelings for me as well? Is he simply caring for me out of admiration? ¡°Dwayne, you should know that I am deeply in love with Lionel. I love him so much that I''ve lost myself along the way.¡± Chapter 380 Chapter 380 Dwayne narrowed his eyes as he asked with a frown, ¡°And? What are you trying to say?¡± This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Victoria shrugged and let out a casual chuckle. ¡°Nothing. I just wanted to thank you for your companionship. You''ve given me some really wonderful memories.¡± She then nced at the food on the cart and continued, ¡°I don''t feel like eating this stuff, though. Could you get me something else?¡± Dwayne shifted his gaze between her and the food. ¡°What would you like to eat, then?¡± he asked with an eyebrow arched. ¡°Hmm... There''s an authentic Chanaean restaurant at the end of the street. Could you buy me some of their specialties?¡± ¡°Sure, I''ll get to it right away. Give me about twenty minutes,¡± Dwayne replied without any hesitation before heading off with the cart. There was a look of guilt in Victoria''s eyes as she watched him leave. I''m sorry, Dwayne. I can''t give you the love that you want from me, nor am I able to bring myself to ept your love. May we never meet again after this. Meanwhile, Tamara and Scarlett were rushing over to the military general hospital in Hallsbay. Half an hour ago, they received a call saying Raiden had sustained severe injuries from a terrorist attack. The medical personnel had secretly rushed him to the hospital after that. Because Raiden was the only son in the Fletcher family, Tamara took great pride in his sess and couldn''t bear to lose him like this. The director of the hospital greeted Tamara in person when she arrived at the emergency room. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, you''re finally here!¡± Tamara grabbed him by the arm and asked anxiously, ¡°How is my son, Dr. Wace? Is he still in critical condition? W-What happened to him?¡± ¡°Things are not looking good for him. There''s a bullet near the edge of his heart. We didn''t dare risk operating on him,¡± the hospital director said hesitantly after a brief pause. Tamara''s eyes narrowed as she stared at the hospital director in disbelief. ¡°Are you saying my son could die anytime? Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and remove the bullet!¡± The hospital director had a conflicted expression on his face when he heard that. The Fletcher family is so powerful that even the business tycoons in the country wouldn''t dare cross them! On top of that, rumor has it that the head of the Fletcher family is going to be even more powerful than before! With that in mind, he said, ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, this surgery only has a twenty-percent chance of sess. The risk is far too huge for us to bear. None of us are confident enough to perform this surgery.¡± Tamara''s legs gave out beneath her when she heard that. Had Scarlett not been there to hold her steady, she would''ve slumped to the floor. ¡°Calm down, Mom. Let''s see if the hospital director has any alternative treatment methods avable,¡± she uttered. Tamara red viciously at the hospital director and muttered through clenched teeth, ¡°If anything happens to my son, your career as a doctor will be over! The Fletcher family will take legal action against you and ensure you end up in prison!¡± The hospital director knew she wasn''t making empty threats because the Fletcher family was indeed capable of such things. ¡°H-How about you try contacting the Revelle family in Hallsbay? They''re a prestigious family of doctors. Old Mr. Revelle may have stopped practicing medicine, but his daughter Veronique has inherited his medical knowledge. She is an incredibly talented surgeon, so she should be able to help remove the bullet,¡± he stated nervously, with his forehead drenched in a cold sweat. Tamara red daggers at him as she asked, ¡°Hold it! Who did you just suggest I ask for help?¡± The hospital director trembled in fear as he didn''t expect her to get so mad at his suggestion. What''s with that reaction of hers? I don''t think I said anything offensive! I was just suggesting that she ask Veronique of the Revelle family for help. Wait a minute... I remember hearing rumors about the conflict between Ms. Veronique and Ms. Fletcher a few days ago. Ah, I can''t believe I forgot about that! Why did I suggest asking for her help? That would only add fuel to the mes of the Fletchers'' anger! ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, I¡ª¡± Tamara cut him off before he could finish, ¡°Is there no one else in Hallsbay that can perform this surgery? What about Justin Xuereb? Can''t he do it?¡± ¡°Justin doesn''t specialize in surgery, especially those that are extremely risky like this one. Honestly, I don''t think he can handle this. It''s either Veronique or Anonymous,¡± the hospital director replied hesitantly. Tamara hated both Veronique and Anonymous. She really didn''t want to face either of them if possible. ¡°Is there really no one else?¡± ¡°N-No...¡± Tamara''s face drained of all color as she contemted her options. Scarlett shuddered when she saw the conflicted look on her mother''s face. No, we can''t let that b*tch Veronique save Raiden! If she seeds in doing so, she''ll definitely use it to force us into canceling my arranged marriage with Justin! With that in mind, she protested, ¡°You mustn''t ask those two women for help, Mom! They''ll get Raiden killed!¡± Tamara turned around and red coldly at her daughter as she snapped, ¡°It''s either we ask them for help or sit around and watch your brother die! Scarlett, aren''t you the least bit concerned about your brother''s safety?¡± ¡°I...¡± ¡°That''s enough. You are in no position to voice your opinions on this matter, let alone make any decisions. I''ll give Veronique a call and ask her to perform the surgery.¡± Chapter 381 Chapter 381 Scarlett took a few steps back and stared at Tamara with teary eyes. ¡°What if she makes unreasonable demands, Mom? Are you going to just agree to them?¡± she sobbed. ¡°No price is too high as long as it''ll save your brother, and your marriage is no exception,¡± Tamara muttered through clenched teeth. Scarlett slumped weakly against the chair as the bad feeling in her gut intensified. Mom cares more about Raiden because he''s the only son in the family. I will never be treated equally simply because I''m a daughter. Veronique was at the medical base when she got the call from the military general hospital. Instead of responding immediately after obtaining all the information regarding the situation, she ended the call and contacted Bailey. ¡°Hey, Bay! Did you know that Raiden got shot?¡± Bailey was unaware of it, so she was utterly shocked when she heard that. What? Raiden was shot? That doesn''t make any sense! Who would dare assassinate him here in Chanaea? Even if someone was crazy enough to attempt it, who could possibly break through his lines of defense? ¡°Tell me what happened in detail.¡± ¡°The director of the general hospital told me that Raiden was attacked and shot. The bullet is currently stuck in his chest near his heart. The surgery would be extremely risky, with only a twenty-percent chance of sess. He wants me to go help perform the surgery,¡± Veronique replied. Bailey tightened her grip on the phone as she slowly understood what was going on. Wait a minute. Is this that man''s way of forcing the Fletcher family to agree to the bone marrow donation? Isn''t this a little too much? How will I ever return the favor? It''s true that I was the one who asked Raiden for help, but he didn''t have to go this far! What he did was extremely dangerous! He could very well end up dead if things don''t go ording to n! Oh, well... What''s done is done, so there''s no point in worrying about that now. Raiden risked his life to provide us with this opportunity, so we can''t let it go to waste! ¡°Listen to me, Vero. You must be the one to perform the surgery for Raiden. However, you need to force the Fletchers to sign the bone marrow donation agreement before you operate on him.¡± Veronique was shocked when she heard that. ¡°Bay, are you sure it''s appropriate to take advantage of them like that?¡± Bailey let out a wry chuckle. ¡°Do you really think Raiden was attacked?¡± It wasn''t long before Veronique caught on and realized what she meant. ¡°W-What? Are you saying he ¡ª¡± ¡°We don''t have time for this, Vero. Hurry up and do as I say! We can''t let Raiden''s sacrifice be in vain!¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Think about Zephyr, Vero. He''s running out time!¡± Veronique tightened her grip on the phone. ¡°Thank you, Bay. I know Mr. Raiden is only doing this because of you. I really ought to be thanking you for this.¡± ¡°All right, you can save that sentimental talk forter. Now, go to the hospital and get that bone marrow donation agreement!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Bailey stared nkly out the window after ending the call. Why did Raiden have to go that far for me? How will I ever repay him? ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Artemis'' voice rang out from behind her. Bailey turned around and shed him a wry smile. ¡°I think I''m going to ruin yet another man''s future.¡± Artemis arched an eyebrow at her. ¡°Tell me what happened.¡± ¡°Raiden did the same thing you did. He shot himself in the heart in order to force the Fletcher family into agreeing to the bone marrow donation. I will owe him an insanely huge favor if this n of his works, but I don''t know how I''ll be able to repay him.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as his expression grew solemn. Oh? Raiden cares so deeply about Bailey that he''s willing to risk his life for her? Well, he certainly exceeded my expectations this time, I''ll give him that! This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don''t worry; I''ll help you out. The Fletcher family wishes to rise to the top, so I''ll lend them a hand when the timees. That should be enough for you to repay him.¡± Bailey frowned when she heard that. One of Artemis'' principles is to never get involved in politics, and yet, he''s going to break that principle for me? If the Luther family and the Fletcher family team up, they''ll be making tons of enemies in politics. That can''t be good for Luther Group. As though he had figured out her concerns, Artemis hugged her and gave her a pinch on the cheek. ¡°You and I are one. We''re supposed to help each other out in times of need. If you think you''re causing me problems, then that means you don''t see me as your man.¡± Bailey giggled in amusement as she went on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips. ¡°Look at you, running your mouth when I haven''t even said anything! You''re my man, so it only makes sense for me toe to you for help!¡± Artemis tightened his hug on her body. ¡°I don''t want you to feel like you''re being a burden to me. Even if you are, I''m capable of carrying that burden, so just rx and enjoy the finer things in life.¡± Meanwhile, Veronique saw Tamara and Scarlett sitting on the couch when she entered the hospital director''s office. She simply shot them a nce before greeting the hospital director with a smile, ¡°Dr. Wace, there''s something I''d like to discuss with Mrs. Fletcher in private. Would you mind stepping outside for a bit?¡± The hospital director cleared his throat awkwardly and said with a smile, ¡°Of course! Doctors should indeed have a chat with the patient''s family members in private. I''ll step outside to give you all some privacy, but please don''t take too long. Mr. Raiden''s life is on the line here.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Tamara waited until the hospital director left the office before saying, ¡°Let me guess, you want us to cancel the arranged marriage, right? Fine, I''ll agree to that request, so hurry up and perform the surgery for my son!¡± Veronique arched an eyebrow at her in amusement. Wow, she sure is full of herself! Does she think it''d be that simple? What a joke! I wasn''t expecting her to be this na?ve! ¡°Justin and I are already a legally married couple, Mrs. Fletcher. Why would I be concerned about all that?¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara was about to say something when Scarlett cut her off, ¡°It is an honor for you to perform surgery on my brother! You should be grateful, Veronique!¡± Veronique shrugged. ¡°Is that so? Sorry, but I have no need for such honor. If you two aren''t sincere about asking for my help, then I''ll be going now. Have a nice day!¡± With that said, she turned around and started walking toward the door. Oh no! She''s leaving! Raiden is still in critical condition, and it''s getting worse with each passing second! I have to do something, or he might die! Feeling anxious and desperate, Tamara leaped to her feet and hissed through clenched teeth, ¡°Why don''t you just tell us what you want, Ms. Revelle? I will grant any of your requests as long as our family is able to!¡± With a smile on her face, Veronique turned around and looked her in the eye as she replied, ¡°I want Ms. Fletcher to sign the bone marrow donation agreement.¡± Chapter 382 Chapter 382 Scarlett stood up and red daggers at Veronique. ¡°What? Don''t push your luck, you b*tch! I''ve already agreed to cancel my marriage with Justin, so what more do you want from us? What does that illegitimate child of yours have to do with me? Why should I even agree to save him?¡± ¡°Yeah? And what does your brother have to do with me? Why should I save him, huh?¡± Veronique snapped back at her with a sneer. ¡°You...¡± Scarlett jabbed a finger at Veronique, but the words were stuck in her throat. Veronique ignored her and turned to look at Tamara as she continued, ¡°There, I''ve stated my request. It''s up to you two whether to fulfill it or not. It''s true that the Fletcher family is incredibly powerful, but you can''t force me to perform this surgery. You wouldn''t want to leave the fate of your son in the hands of a reluctant surgeon, would you?¡± Tamara fell silent as she tried to process the situation. It''s obvious that Veronique came here with this intention in mind. However, I can''t possibly reject her request when my son''s life is on the line! Scarlett''s heart skipped a beat when she noticed Tamara starting to waver. ¡°My body isn''t fit enough for a bone marrow donation, Mom! It could result in my death! You can''t sacrifice my life to save Raiden''s!¡± she protested anxiously. ¡°Now you''re just exaggerating, Ms. Fletcher. We''ll just be taking a little bit of your bone marrow. It won''t even affect your health in the slightest, let alone put your life in danger!¡± Veronique said before Tamara could even respond. ¡°Shut up, you!¡± Scarlett yelled at her before clinging to Tamara''s arm as she sobbed. ¡°You mustn''t be so selfish, Mom! You can''t sacrifice your daughter just to save your son!¡± Tamara frowned at her as she asked in displeasure, ¡°So what? You want to just sit by and watch your brother die?¡± Scarlett went pale instantly. ¡°No, I didn''t mean it like that! I¡ª¡± Tamara interrupted her, ¡°Enough! I don''t want to hear another word from you! Since a bone marrow donation isn''t going to endanger your life, then you should sign the agreement and save your brother''s life!¡± Scarlett''s legs gave out beneath her, and she slumped weakly against the couch. ¡°N-No! I won''t agree to this! No one has the right to take my bone marrow without my consent!¡± ¡°Oh well. If Ms. Fletcher won''t agree to my request, then I won''t force her to. You two can just sit by and watch as Mr. Raiden dies of blood loss,¡± Veronique said with a shrug before she once more headed for the door. ¡°Wait!¡± Tamara called out to her and turned toward Scarlett. Gritting her teeth, she dered, ¡°If you won''t save your brother, then the Fletcher family will cut ties with you. If your brother dies, then you will no longer be a member of this household!¡± Scarlett red at Tamara in disbelief. ¡°Mom, are you seriously going to kick me out of the family?¡± ¡°If you don''t even care about your own family member''s life, then why should I keep you around?¡± Tamara snapped back at her. Feeling helpless and defeated, Scarlett slumped weakly against the couch. Mom has always stayed true to her word, so there''s no point in arguing any further. If Raiden dies because of my selfishness, everyone in the Fletcher family will never forgive me. ¡°All right... I agree to donate my bone marrow. There. Can you go operate on my brother now?¡± she said after a long pause. Veronique pulled out two copies of the document from her handbag. ¡°I''m afraid a verbal promise isn''t going to suffice. Sign this agreement, and I''ll perform the surgery.¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°I suggest you hurry it up, Ms. Fletcher. It has already been two hours since your brother got shot. As fit and strong as he may be, he''s probably at his limits by now.¡± Scarlett was gnashing her teeth in anger and frustration, but she had no choice in that situation. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Her eyes were filled with hatred as she took the documents over and signed them. Ugh! I hate this! I hate this so much! I hate Veronique and her son to the bone, and yet, I have to sacrifice myself to save that boy. ¡°Here, they''re signed. Can you go save my son now?¡± Tamara asked while handing Veronique the signed documents. ¡°Of course. I''ll go perform that surgery right away,¡± Veronique replied with a nod. There was a hint of guilt in Tamara''s eyes when she looked at Scarlett. However, the thought of her son''s life hanging in the bnce quickly snapped her out of it. It''s okay. I''ll have plenty of opportunities to make it up to her in the future. Worried, Bailey and Artemis rushed over to the military general hospital as quickly as they could. Their gazes fell upon the two middle-aged men sitting on the bench outside the emergency room. ¡°That''s Sloan Fletcher and Mr. Steven Shurmer,¡± Artemis whispered. He could clearly feel Bailey tremble a little when she heard that. She''s not nervous because she''s meeting someone powerful like Sloan. Instead, she''s anxious because she''s meeting her biological father. She, too, desires familial love like anyone else. Looks like she isn''t as cold-hearted as she appears on the outside, after all. ¡°Sloan and Mr. Shurmer were having a meeting in the capital. They must''vee over to Hallsbay after hearing about Raiden''s injury.¡± Bailey nodded and took a deep breath before walking toward them. Chapter 383 Chapter 383 Sloan and Steven quickly stood up when they saw the twoing. ¡°Long time no see, Mr. Luther!¡± Steven said while extending his arm. Artemis tightened his grip on Bailey''s hand when he saw that. ¡°I thought you''d be hating my guts after I embarrassed your daughter in front of the journalists a few days ago,¡± he said with an eyebrow arched after shaking Steven''s hand. Steven froze when he heard that, his brows furrowing slightly. For several seconds, he stared at Artemis. Then, he smiled while saying, ¡°You are now a married man with a happy family, Mr. Luther. It''s unfortunate that my daughter isn''t that lucky, but some things can''t be forced.¡± As he shifted his gaze toward Bailey, his eyes went wide with shock. Why does this girl look so much like my wife? ¡°Is this the legendary doctor, Anonymous?¡± Bailey''s body shuddered slightly before she inclined her head. ¡°That''s just a nickname I used in the past. My real name is Bailey Jefferson. You can call me ''Bailey,'' Mr. Shurmer.¡± She then turned to look at Sloan as she continued, ¡°I think I might be able to help out with the surgery. At the very least, I should be able to increase Mr. Raiden''s chances of survival by another twenty percent.¡± ¡°In that case, please do lend a hand,¡± Sloan said. Bailey nodded and started making her way toward the emergency room. Suddenly, Scarlett showed up in front of her and said, ¡°My brother got shot over two hours ago! Why are you only showing up now, Bailey? Who are you trying to put up an act for?¡± ¡°For a clown,¡± Bailey replied with a snicker. ¡°Who are you calling a clown?¡± Bailey arched an eyebrow at Sloan and said, ¡°Mr. Fletcher, it looks like your daughter wants to stop me from saving your son''s life. I suggest you keep an eye on her.¡± Scarlett''s face went pale as she stammered in a trembling voice, ¡°N-No! T-That''s not true, Dad!¡± Steven spoke up before Sloan could say anything. ¡°Ms. Fletcher, I believe your hostility toward Ms. Jefferson is unfounded. She has invented a drug that could cure cancer, saving countless lives as a result. There''s hardly any reason for her to harbor ill intentions toward your brother.¡± ¡°I...¡± ¡°That''s enough! I don''t care who it is that assists with the surgery, as long as it will save Raiden''s life.¡± Bailey nced at Steven in surprise. She wasn''t expecting him to defend her, especially since she was the main reason Zoey was now the laughingstock of the world. Before she could ponder the matter further, Sloan''s voice rang in her ears again. ¡°Please assist with the surgery, Ms. Jefferson.¡± ¡°On it!¡± After four hours, Raiden''s condition was finally stabilized. Veronique breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat off her forehead. Her voice sounded tired as she said, ¡°Thank goodness you made it here just in time. I probably wouldn''t have been able to save him on my own!¡± There was a conflicted look in Bailey''s eyes as she stared at Raiden. We haven''t known each other for long, and we''ve barely met a few times. Even so, he made a huge sacrifice just to help me out. I don''t know when he started developing such strong feelings for me, but I really don''t deserve his help like this... ¡°Bay?¡± Veronique''s voice snapped her out of her train of thought. Bailey shook her head and shed her a smile. ¡°Don''t worry about it. I''m just doing what I''m supposed to. By the way, did you manage to get Scarlett to sign the agreement?¡± ¡°Of course! Zephyr''s life depends on it, after all.¡± ¡°That''s good to hear. Have her deliver her end of the bargain once Raiden wakes up. We need to get this matter over with as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Meanwhile, Micah knocked on the door of a rental unit in the countryside. The door slowly opened about a minuteter, and Shannon appeared before him with a knife in hand. Micah swept his gaze across her face before suddenly taking two steps forward. Spurt! Blood immediately started flowing as the knife punctured his body. Hatred filled up Shannon''s eyes as she slowly lost her calm. Without even thinking about it, she stepped forward and pushed the knife deeper into Micah''s body. The bright red blood dripping down the knife formed a hauntingly beautiful pattern on the marble tiles below. After so many years, the possibility of reconciliation was long gone. Hatred was the only thing keeping Shannon going in life. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. As she thought about her lost arm and the tragic death of her child, Shannon exploded with anger and yanked the knife out as forcefully as possible. Seconds after raising her arm high above her head, she brought it down on his chest, sticking the de in between his ribs. Micah groaned in pain, but he didn''t even bother to look at the bleeding wound on his chest. Instead, he reached out to caress Shannon''s cheek, which was contorted in rage and hatred, as he said, ¡°I wasn''t nning on exining myself because I am indeed the one at fault. However, I''ve changed my mind now that I''ve seen the agony you''re in. So, I''m going to exin to you what really happened.¡± Shannon simply kept quiet and red coldly at him with sheer loathing in her eyes. ¡°Shanny, I didn''t send those men to kill you and our child. I wouldn''t have left you if I knew you were pregnant.¡± Chapter 384 Chapter 384 The hatred in Shannon''s eyes wasn''t easing up because she wasn''t fazed by his exnation. I''ll never trust anyone in this world again. My heart died when Eugene stopped breathing. I''ll treat those two stabs as my revenge, and I''ll never cross paths with this man again. ¡°Shanny...¡± Shannon slowly let go of the handle of the knife before turning around and walking into the house, her movements stiff like a mindless puppet. At that point, she had his blood all over her hand. With every step she took, a droplet of blood would drip onto the floor, leaving behind a bloody trail that made for a ghastly sight. Micah was scared. He didn''t dare to touch her because he was afraid that she wouldpletely lose her rationale. However, he couldn''t bear to watch her continue living her life as if she was a soulless person either. Hence, he suddenly reached out to grab her arm. ¡°Shanny, I really didn''t send anyone to harm our son. Please believe me. Give me some time, and I''ll find out who''s behind it. I''ll avenge our son.¡± Shannon''s eyes lit up slightly when she heard him talking about taking revenge. Before Micah arrived, Bailey had alreadye to look for her to tell her about the situation. Hence, she knew he wasn''t at fault for Eugene''s death. But so what? My son is already dead. He''s dead! Even if Micah didn''t orchestrate it, he was still involved. A tragedy happened, and there''s nothing anyone can do to reverse it. Yet, her numb heart ached once again when she heard him talking about avenging her son. That''s right. My son suffered a horrible death, and I''m supposed to avenge him. Holding that thought, she gradually turned around and red at him. ¡°What if that woman is responsible for my son''s death? Will you still avenge him?¡± she roared. Micah narrowed his eyes slightly and kept mum in response. The woman Shannon was talking about was Yvette Sullivan. She was the daughter of the previous head of Tarragon. Seeing that he had gone silent, Shannon couldn''t help butugh mockingly. ¡°You can''t touch her, can you? Oh wait. Now you can. However, her father is your mentor, and he died saving your life. When he entrusted her life to you back then, you swore you wouldn''t do anything to her, no matter how grave her mistakes are.¡± Micah pursed his lips and stayed silent for a while before uttering through clenched teeth, ¡°We haven''t gotten to the bottom of it, so we can''t be sure it''s Yve.¡± Upon hearing that, Shannon started chuckling. As she did so, beads of tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°Micah, you were just joking when you mentioned taking revenge, weren''t you?¡± With that, she abruptly shook his hand off her and pointed at the door. ¡°This is the end of us! I don''t want to see you ever again. Leave!¡± she shouted. Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, Micah''s face went pale, and he looked like he was on the verge of copsing. ¡°I promise you this. If Yvette truly is responsible for our son''s death, I''ll seek justice.¡± Shannon staggered a few steps back and slumped onto the couch. Covering her face with one hand, she began to weep softly. Why is fate toying with us? Why is God putting so much pain into our lives? I have but one simple wish. I just want to live peacefully in a city with my son. It''s such a simple wish, yet it''s never going to happen. Micah stumbled toward her and squatted down right in front of her. While rubbing the corners of her eyes, he said, ¡°I''m sorry. As a father, I failed. I''ve hurt you and killed your hopes. I don''t wish for your forgiveness, but I hope you can let go of the hatred and start a new life. Even if I''m not the man you spend the rest of your life with, I would still be happy.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Before Micah learned about her whereabouts, he had vowed to keep her by his side once he found her. Be that as it may, he didn''t have the courage to do so after finding out what she had gone through. As long as she can walk out of the pain, I will let her go. I didn''t understand love back then, so I ended up hurting her. Now that I do, I know how agonizing heartbreaks can be. ¡°S-Shanny, I would like to see our son. M-May I know where his final resting ce is?¡± Micah asked cautiously to prevent provoking her. Turning away slightly, she answered coldly, ¡°Mount Willow Cemetery, Hallsbay.¡± Meanwhile, in the Shurmer residence, Zoey was bawling in Steven''s embrace. Steven lifted his gaze and looked at his wife, who was sitting on the couch. In response, Waverly turned away helplessly. Seeing that, Steven sighed and patted Zoey''s back tofort her. ¡°He has already found a woman he loves, and that woman gave him three children. No one in the world can tear them apart. There''s no use in crying your eyes out now. Zozo, let him go, okay? Let''s return to Lostaria. I''ll find a few young men for you, and I''m sure they''ll be as impressive as Artemis.¡± Hearing that, Zoey cried even harder. ¡°B-But I only want to marry Artemis. I don''t want anybody else but him. Help me, Dad. Please help me, okay?¡± Steven furrowed his brows and replied sternly, ¡°You can''t expect me to just ruin someone''s rtionship, can you? Bailey has contributed a lot to the medical world. I can''t possibly let my daughter ruin her marriage.¡± Those words sent a shiver down Zoey''s spine. Did I hear him right? Did Dad just defend Bailey? Why is he protecting that b*tch? Right then, Zeke walked in and greeted Steven before saying tly to Zoey, ¡°Shirley is going back to Lostaria in a few days. Follow her back and rpose yourself. Don''t lose your mind over a man that doesn''t belong to you.¡± ¡°I''m not going back.¡± Zoey raised her voice and retorted, ¡°You guys are all staying in Hallsbay. Why should I go back to Lostaria on my own?¡± ¡°You don''t have a choice. I¡ª¡± Steven interrupted Zeke''s speech by raising his palm all of a sudden. He then lowered his head to look at Zoey and said, ¡°If you don''t want to go back, it''s fine. However, you must promise me you''ll stop pestering Artemis. I don''t want to hear any rumors about you again.¡± With that, he turned toward Zeke and said, ¡°Mr. Gourd called and told me you guys aren''t getting any younger, so it''s about time to talk about marriage. Since Shirley is in the Shurmer residence, I''ll look for herter to get her opinion. If she''s okay with it, we''ll go over to propose a marriage.¡± Zeke was stupefied. After keeping silent for a while, Zeke uttered casually, ¡°There''s no hurry. We''ll see how things go in a few years. If Shirley is so eager to be married, get her to look for someone else to marry.¡± ¡°You brat!¡± Steven red at him and scolded, ¡°What are you talking about? Shirley has been waiting for you for years. It''s about time for you to seal your rtionship with her.¡± Zoey was listening to the conversation between Steven and Zeke, and she couldn''t help but chime in, ¡°Dad, Zeke has fallen for someone else.¡± Chapter 385 Chapter 385 Zeke quickly turned toward her and shot her an icy look. ¡°Don''t spout nonsense.¡± Zoey scoffed and raised her voice as she protested, ¡°Zeke has been quite close with Juliana recently. I bet he''s falling for her.¡± Steven''s expression darkened the moment he heard those words. ¡°Isn''t she from the Hoffman family in Adrune? Zeke, how did you end up being around a girl from that family? Don''t you know that the Hoffman family doesn''t allow one of their own to marry a foreigner? You''re looking for trouble.¡± In response, Zeke sighed softly after ncing at Zoey for a moment. In a t tone, he said, ¡°That girl likes me, but I''ve already rejected her countless times.¡± The tenseness in Steven''s expression eased up right away, and he reprimanded, ¡°You must be careful. Don''t fool around with someone you can''t afford to mess with.¡± ¡°All right,¡± Zeke replied. Steven mulled over it for a while and added, ¡°Your marriage with Shirley is settled, then. We''ll go over to the Gourd residence in Lostaria to propose the marriage.¡± Zeke rubbed his temples and responded helplessly, ¡°I''m really not nning on getting married anytime soon, Dad. If you''re so free, why don''t you worry about Zoey''s future instead? After all, she''s a girl and already twenty-six. It''s about time she marries and has a family of her own.¡± ¡°Zeke!¡± Zoey stomped her feet and grumbled, ¡°Why must you drag me into this?¡± ¡°You started it first.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough.¡± Waverly stood up from the couch and said, ¡°Your father has just returned. Let him go to his room to rest. We''ll talk about your futures in a couple of days'' time.¡± After that, she turned to Steven. ¡°Let''s head upstairs. I need to talk to you about Lionel.¡± Steven hummed in response. He pondered for a moment before saying to Zoey, ¡°Zozo, I don''t want you to ruin someone else''s rtionship, and I definitely won''t allow you to do such a nasty thing. I don''t mind having a mediocre daughter, but I won''t ept an immoral one. Do you understand?¡± ¡°U-Understood.¡± While watching Steven leave, Zoey clenched her fists. I can''t hide my identity forever. One day, my secret will be exposed. If I don''t get rid of Bailey before that, she''s going to end up taking everything that''s mine. No. I can''t let that happen. It''s safest if she''s dead. She must die! At the military general hospital, Raiden finally regained consciousness six hourster. Bailey ran a few tests on him and heaved a sigh of relief after making sure that he was out of the woods. I can''t afford to mess this up. If something bad had happened to this man, I would have to live with immense guilt for the rest of my life. Raiden stayed in bed for a while before struggling to sit up. Bailey was shocked when she saw that. She quickly went up to him and grabbed his arm to push him back down. ¡°Don''t move. Your heart was damaged, and I had to stitch it up. You shouldn''t even move your body, let alone sit up.¡± ¡°Thirsty...¡± Raiden mumbled. Hearing that, Bailey hurriedly grabbed a ss of water nearby and used a spoon to feed him. ¡°Open your mouth.¡± Raiden wasn''t used to such treatment, and he looked embarrassed. How could I let her see me in such a pathetic state? Bailey knew what was on his mind, so she red at him and said, ¡°If you don''t drink up, I''ll stab myself in the heart to repay you.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. This damned woman! Thus, Raiden had no choice but to open his mouth. After getting fed a few mouthfuls, he shook his head to show that he had had enough water. Bailey put the ss of water aside and sighed. ¡°Raiden, do you really think it''s worth it to risk your life for a woman you have no chance to be with?¡± Raiden coughed lightly and uttered weakly, ¡°It''s not about whether it''s worth it. It''s about willingness. Anyway, all that is in the past now, so what''s the point in questioning the initial intention?¡± Aplicated look appeared on Bailey''s face. After a brief moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Raiden, don''t waste your time on me. I''m never going to ept you as I''ve already met Artemis, and I''m not nning on loving another man. It''s cruel to say this, but it''s the truth. Let''s not drag this out. I hope you can find a better girl for yourself in the future.¡± Raiden slowly raised his arm and waved at her. His voice was hoarse when he spoke. ¡°I don''t need you to remind me about that. I understand. Don''t worry; I won''t ruin your rtionship with him. Just treat what happened this time around as me acting on my emotions. It won''t happen again.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. Is that so? Is it really not going to happen again? When one loves another, they''ll often lose all sense of self and give in to the other unconditionally. Inside the hospital''s lounge, Scarlett was holding Sloan''s arm and whining, ¡°Dad, I didn''t have a choice but to sign the donation form back then. You know how frail I am, so if I were to donate my bone marrow, I think I''m going to suffer from all sorts of side effects. I''ve already suffered from sickness in the past few years. You wouldn''t want me to go through more pain, right?¡± Tamara quickly chimed in, ¡°That''s right. Lettie has health problems. Sloan, what do you think?¡± Chapter 386 Chapter 386 Sloan frowned in response. This is a critical moment for the Fletcher family. I can''t afford to let anyone have leverage over us. Scarlett had already signed the bone marrow donation form, and Sloan knew it was a binding contract in the eyes of thew. If the Fletcher family were to go against thew, others would make fun of the family. After remaining silent for a while, Sloan uttered tly, ¡°I''ll seek advice from the professionals. Let''s see if donating your bone marrow is going to harm your health. If it does, you shouldn''t donate. On the other hand, if it doesn''t, you ought to endure it.¡± Scarlett cast Sloan a bbergasted look and stammered, ¡°D-Dad? Before this, you were the first to object to the idea of me donating my bone marrow. Why have you suddenly changed your mind?¡± Sloan shoved her aside and replied solemnly, ¡°What else am I supposed to do? You''ve already signed the document, haven''t you? Now, the Fletcher family is the talk of the town, and I''m about to seed. I can''t possibly let you ruin the family''s reputation at such a pivotal point.¡± With tears in her eyes, Scarlett looked at Sloan pitifully and choked out, ¡°Are power and influence really that important? Are they more important than your daughter''s life? I¡ª¡± Tamara noticed Sloan''s expression turning grim, so she quickly tugged at Scarlett''s arm and shook her head. ¡°Lettie, listen to your father, okay? If the doctors say you''re healthy enough to donate your bone marrow, we''ll just go ahead with it.¡± ¡°Mom? I...¡± Seeing that one of her parents was prioritizing power and influence while the other was protecting their son, Scarlett was devastated. She pushed Tamara aside violently and dashed out of the room. Watching her leave, Tamara couldn''t help but sigh. ¡°This time around, we''ve truly broken her heart. However, I didn''t have a choice. I couldn''t just watch Rai die.¡± With a grim expression, Sloan ordered, ¡°Bring her back to Dellmoor and discipline her. Since Justin has already married another woman, the Fletcher family shouldn''t cling to him. We''ve already been humiliated enough. Tell her not to continue pestering Justin lest she ruin the Fletcher family''s reputation further.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Tamara had always been afraid of her husband. Upon hearing such stern words from him, she quickly answered, ¡°Okay, understood. Once Rai gets better, I''ll bring Lettie back to Dellmoor and discipline her.¡± At Mount Willow Cemetery in the suburbs, Micah was walking up a flight of stairs under the drizzling sky. The empty cemetery was extraordinarily quiet, so he could only hear the crisp sound of raindrops hitting the floor. After walking up dozens of steps, Micah slowly stopped in front of a tombstone. It was a nk tombstone. Without any wording or a photo of the deceased, the ck tombstone looked rather depressing. There were sunflowers all around the tombstone, and they were all swaying in the autumn wind. While staring at the nk tombstone, Micah''s eyes turned watery, and he started crying momentster. Is this because of the familial bond I have with my son? I''ve never seen him, but I can feel the connection, especially when I see his tombstone. I can feel my heart aching tremendously. I''ve always been heartless and brutal because that''s who I need to be so I can properly manage a huge underground organization. Globally, everyone feared him. He was known as a strong man with no desires or weaknesses. That day, however, he felt utterly hopeless and sad. In the face of his child''s tombstone, he could only cry helplessly, allowing the pain to spread to his limbs and bones. At the end of the day, he was still just an ordinary man. Just like all the fathers in the world, he longed for the sight of his child''s innocent smile. Needless to say, that was nothing but a pipe dream now. All he had left was an icy tombstone. Before this, he didn''t even know he had a son. Indeed, it was a truly terrible and heartbreaking state of affairs. As if every bit of strength had been drained from him, Micah slowly squatted down and ran his slender fingers across the tombstone. His pain was evident in his movement. ¡°I love your mother dearly, and she''s the only woman that matters in my life. I gave her all the emotions I was capable of. Unfortunately, the world isn''t as perfect as we think it is. Fate has brought too much pain into our lives, and we ended up hating each other to the bones. I''ve never seen you, and your mommy never told me about your existence. In your eyes, I must be a bad and irresponsible father. Yet, we share a bond. I guess my love for you is endless as well. My son, the world is a dark and scary ce. You''re as pure and innocent as snow, so you shouldn''t be corrupted by this nasty ce. What''s heaven like? I bet it''s a beautiful ce. Perhaps that''s where you truly belong. I''ll guard you and protect you from hell. If you miss me, just look up at the stars in the sky. I will definitely be the biggest and brightest star you see up there. Fate was harsh to us. Hopefully, we''ll get to see each other again in our next lives. All right. I shall stop now. You''re still too young, so there are a lot of things you don''t understand. Sleep tight, little one. Given the chance, I''ll bring your mommy here to visit you often.¡± Micah slowly retracted his hand and leaned toward the tombstone to nt a kiss. It was as if he was kissing his son''s forehead. ¡°Good night, my son.¡± Chapter 387 Chapter 387 Outside the ward in the military general hospital, Veronique brought the bone marrow donation form to the Fletcher couple. All she said to them was, ¡°The Fletcher family is a prestigious one in the political world. Sloan, you wish to rise to the top, so I''m sure you''re a man of your word. Now that Mr. Raiden is awake, I''m hoping that you''ll stick to your promise.¡± Sloan narrowed his eyes in silence for a while before saying, ¡°I''ve already consulted the specialist in the hospital about the situation. If my daughter''s body is capable of withstanding the bone marrow extraction procedure, then we won''t need to waste any more time¡ªwe''ll do the operation right away. On the other hand, if my daughter''s body can''t withstand it, I''m afraid we won''t be able to donate her bone marrow, and we won''t budge even if you kick up a fuss about it.¡± Veronique sneered. The military general hospital was part of the Fletcher family''s territory. Who would dare to speak the truth if the Fletchers had bribed the specialists? It was obvious that they did not want to donate the bone marrow. You''re burning the bridge after crossing it, but you''re asking me to not kick up a fuss? There''s no way life would be that easy for you! ¡°I think it''s best for Ms. Fletcher to undergo a checkup in the General Hospital. After all¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Bailey came out from the intensive care unit and arched a brow. ¡°What''s going on? Why are you all here?¡± Veronique was delighted to see her, and she quickly informed thetter about the situation. Bailey nodded before turning to Sloan with a smile. ¡°Sloan, if you''re worried that the extraction of the bone marrow will hurt your daughter''s body, then I will tell you with certainty that your worry is for naught. Although Ms. Fletcher''s body is weak, donating her bone marrow is unlike donating her kidney ¡ªit won''t affect her.¡± Yet, before Sloan could say anything to that, Tamara let out an icyugh. ¡°Why should I believe you? You''re on Veronique''s side, so naturally, you''d be saying these to help her out.¡± Bailey smiled and said, ¡°Well, I''ll speak to you as Anonymous, then. The donation of her bone marrow won''t harm her. Are you satisfied with this answer, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Instantly, Bailey turned to Sloan and lifted her brows. ¡°The Fletcher family is prestigious, so are you going to break your promise like that? I just told you that the bone marrow donation wouldn''t affect Ms. Fletcher''s health. Don''t you think that you should be persuading your daughter to hurry up and do the operation now?¡± Sloan''s expression darkened as he uttered, ¡°Are you sure it won''t harm my daughter?¡± ¡°Absolutely. If anything happens to Ms. Fletcher, feel free to hold me ountable. However, if you deliberately hurt her and try to hold me ountable for that, I won''t entertain you.¡± After a moment of silence, Sloan turned to Tamara and said, ¡°Call Lettie and have here to the hospital as soon as possible for the operation. Let her know that if she refuses toe, she''ll no longer be part of the Fletcher family, and she won''t be allowed to enter the house ever again.¡± If Bailey ever had any doubts about Tamara and Sloan being a couple, she would not have any now. The two of them made identical kinds of threats. After Scarlett received her mother''s call, she angrily destroyed the decors in the hotel. It looks like I can''t rely on my parents anymore; it''s better to rely on myself. Even if I can''t get Justin, I''ll make their lives a living hell! In the afternoon, Scarlett came to the hospital. To avoid having Scarlett change her mind, Bailey did the operation on her in the military general hospital. After extracting Scarlett''s bone marrow, Bailey passed it to Veronique. Once Veronique received it, she hurried to the medical base. Justin had already prepared for the bone marrow transnt. The moment he took the bone marrow sample from Veronique, he told thetter to rest in the room next door while he darted into the operating room. It took him hours to transnt the bone marrow to his son, but everything went well. Justin''s friends all let out sighs of relief when they heard the good news. In the meantime, Bailey remained in the hospital by Raiden''s side. Only when midnight came and after she was sure that he was no longer in a critical state did she leave the hospital while he was asleep. The first ce she went to after exiting the hospital was the medical base. Upon hearing from Veronique that the operation was sessful, the weight that had been on her chest for years was finally lifted. Shannon had lost her son, and Bailey did not wish to see Veronique lose hers as well. The next day, Dwayne returned. He immediately went to Bailey after getting off the ne. The first thing he said to her when they met up was, ¡°Bailey, were you the one who convinced Victoria to leave me?¡± Bailey froze. Without missing a beat, Artemis threw a rough kick at Dwayne. ¡°Be nicer to her. What is with that tone of yours?¡± Dwayne rolled his eyes, finally understanding what Micah felt all the time. So we mean nothing to you when your beloved''s around, huh? Bailey looked at Dwayne and sighed. ¡°Vicky''s pregnant, and the baby is Lionel''s. She doesn''t want to waste your time and feelings, so she chose to leave.¡± ¡°Where did she go?¡± Dwayne urgently asked. ¡°If she''s pregnant, then she needs someone to take care of her, now more than ever. Tell me where she is. I''m going to go to her and stay by her side.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Bailey could see how genuine his love for Victoria was, but that was exactly why she was going to stop him from getting hung up on Victoria. She did not want him to waste his youth away. Both Victoria and Dwayne were equally important to Bailey. One was her good friend, and the other was her man''s good friend. ¡°Listen to me, Dwayne. Vicky is pregnant with Lionel''s child. It''s no longer possible for the two of you to be together. Take my advice and let her go. You''ll find a girl who''s a match for you in the future.¡± Dwayne pursed his lips. He wanted to keep pushing for the answer, but he knew that Bailey was not going to tell him. Left without a choice, he turned to Artemis and uttered, ¡°Artemis, help me out!¡± Artemis gave him a cold nce and replied, ¡°Pregnant women shouldn''t be worrying about things all the time. You being by her side will only trouble her and affect her mood. You''ll be nothing but a burden if you stick with her.¡± Dwayne''s anger evaporated in an instant, and he became dispirited instead. Artemis'' words had hit the bull''s-eye. ¡°All right. Go home and rest for a few days first. Don''t keep pestering and annoying her. It''s not as if your world will copse if you can''t get Victoria. I know that because I don''t see any possessive desire in your eyes when you look at her. You don''t have romantic feelings for her. You only can''t let her go because you don''t want to admit defeat.¡± Dwayne stayed silent. In the military general hospital, Tamara watched with icy eyes as Olivia entered the ward. She then scoffed and said, ¡°You now have a daughter-inw and a grandson, so why have youe?¡± Olivia inclined her head slightly as a cold glint shed past her eyes. Do you think I want to be here? If not for the Fletcher family''s decision-making power in the political scene, do you think I''d enjoy bowing to you arrogant people? ¡°My, what do you mean? Lettie hasn''t married Justin yet, so what daughter-inw can I possibly have, let alone a grandson? Moreover, the Xuereb family isn''t going to take in an illegitimate child and humiliate themselves.¡± Right as Tamara was about to spit out a few more mocking words, Scarlett stopped her. ¡°Thank you for taking the time to visit me, Mrs. Xuereb. s, I''m not fated to be your daughter-inw.¡± ¡°Youngdy, what are you talking about? Don''t worry. I''ll make sure that you''ll marry Justin. I refuse to ept anyone but you as my daughter-inw.¡± Chapter 388 Chapter 388 Scarlett was thrilled to hear that. ¡°Mom, I''d like to have some fruits. Can you please bring some to me?¡± Tamara knew that her daughter was trying to remove her from the room, but she could not lose her temper with her. At least, not right after forcing her to donate her bone marrow. Thus, after a long look at Olivia, Tamara stepped out of the room. Once Tamara was out, Scarlett quickly helped Olivia to take a seat by the bedside. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, I thought you''d epted the mother-and-son duo as family.¡± ¡°How can that be possible?¡± Olivia patted the back of Scarlett''s hand and consoled, ¡°I told you a long time ago that you''re the only daughter-inw I approve of. Who do those two think they are, and what right do they have to join the Xuereb family?¡± As a dark look crossed Scarlett''s face, she pursed her lips. ¡°But Justin refuses to ept me. Now that he has a son and has legally taken Veronique as his wife, what chance do I have left with him?¡± Right then, a look of cruel determination shed past Olivia''s face, and she leaned toward Scarlett to whisper something to her. Once Scarlett registered the words, she widened her eyes. ¡°M-Mrs. Xuereb, can we really do this? I''m afraid that it''ll only make things worse, and Justin might hate me even more.¡± ¡°Even if he doesn''t hate you, you still don''t have his favor. In that case, why don''t you take the risky way instead? That way, he''ll have to bear responsibility for you even if he doesn''t want to. Tell me, Lettie, are you willing to take this risk?¡± Scarlett worried her lip in silence for a while before gritting out, ¡°All right, I''ll do as you say. You''re right. I''ll never win over his heart no matter what I do now, so I might as well take the risk.¡± At that, Olivia patted her head and smiled. ¡°That''s right. A weekter will be my husband''s birthday, and you''ll be a guest at the event. I''ll think of a way to knock Justin out so that you can sleep with him. With the number of guests at the event, Justin will have no choice but to bear responsibility for what he does.¡± At the Gezmond residence, Wendy was staring at her younger sister, who was sitting in the gazebo. Sighing, she said, ¡°Julie, you''re the hope of the family, so don''t take the same path I did and end up getting kicked out of the family.¡± Juliana slowly turned around to give Wendy a nce. ¡°You''ve gone through this before, so you should know that these feelings are out of my control. You were willing to abandon the family for that man back then, but now, you''re trying to convince me to do otherwise?¡± Wendy pressed her lips tightly together for a moment before striding toward the other woman. She then reached out to hold Juliana''s shoulders and chuckled bitterly. ¡°It''s because I''ve been through this that I don''t want you to experience the same pain. I might say otherwise if Mr. Shurmer had feelings for you too. At least that way, the things you do for him would not be for nothing. But he has rejected you countless times, and he already has a fianc¨¦e, so why must you insist on dying on this hill? Love is nothing but puppy love when you''re young. This is but admiration disguised as love; it''s not romantic love. As time goes by, you''ll forget about it.¡± ¡°No.¡± Juliana shook her head. In a solemn tone, she went on, ¡°Perhaps it was truly admiration at the start, but as time went by, I realized that he has burrowed deep into my heart. Wendy, you can''t change my mind. Not even my master could dampen my resolve. No one will be able to rescue me from this unless I step out of this myself.¡± Wendy narrowed her eyes. After a while of hesitation, she tentatively said, ¡°I received news about how the family has sent men here, to Hallsbay. They must have heard about you falling for a man and are worried that things would go horribly wrong. That''s why they''ve decided to bring you back to the family.¡± At that, Juliana leaped to her feet and stared at Wendy in surprise. Even her voice was trembling as she asked, ¡°D-Did our family really send people to Hallsbay?¡± Wendy nodded. ¡°Yes, they''ve departed and are on their way here. It''s one of the elders in the family who hase per our parents'' request. I''m guessing that they''re going to force you back home.¡± Her words made Juliana''s face turn ashen. Juliana did not want to leave Hallsbay. She did not want to return to the family. ¡°Wendy, help me. Please help me! It''ll be close to impossible for me toe back out here if they drag me back now!¡± Wendy''s expression was conflicted as a bitter smile manifested on her lips. ¡°I''ve already cut ties with the family. Per the family rules, I''m not allowed to intervene in the Hoffman family''s matters anymore. Julie, you''re only making this hard for me.¡± Juliana clenched her teeth and stayed quiet. Wendy then mulled over the matter for a little longer before suggesting, ¡°Why don''t you seek Bailey''s help? She should have a way to keep you here.¡± Juliana''s mouth remained mped shut, for she knew that not even her master would be able to protect her if her family was dragging her back. After all, Bailey had made a promise with Juliana''s father back then that she would not intervene if the Hoffman family wanted to bring Juliana back to take over the family matters. That was why Bailey wanted her to give up on Zeke. ¡°Wendy, do you think our parents will be disappointed if I end up making the same choices as you?¡± Wendy''s heart lurched. ¡°Julie, you''re not going to...¡± Juliana shrugged. ¡°I''m just pulling your leg. I don''t have the guts to sleep with Zeke. Frankly, I''m a little afraid of him. It''s difficult to know what he''s thinking about, and I don''t really have the courage to cross him.¡± Hearing that, Wendy let out a soft relieved sigh before holding Juliana''s shoulders again. She then enunciated, ¡°Julie, you''re the hope of the family, so don''t ever let your feelings take over your rationality. Love is what hurts a person the most in life. It''ll be much easier on you if you have power since that will allow you to live a freer life.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey, who was at Shelbert Condominium, also received news of the Hoffman family sending men to Hallsbay. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Chapter 389 Chapter 389 The news made her a little worried about her disciple. The girl was already two feet into the mess, and she was terrified of Juliana doing something irrational. ¡°All right, I got it. Inform me when the Hoffman family''s people arrive in Hallsbay. I''ll meet them first.¡± ¡°Ms. Bailey, I don''t quite understand this. Haven''t you severed the master-disciple rtionship with Juliana? Why are you still so worried about her?¡± A small smile crept onto Bailey''s lips. ¡°I only have one disciple, and the one she fell for is my... Regardless of everything, this is a matter I should be dealing with properly. Don''t ask any more questions about this and just do as I tell you to.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Just as the call ended, Artemis came out of the bathroom. He had just finished his shower, so he only had a towel wrapped around his waist. Countless drops of water were sliding down his chest, making his bronze skin glisten alluringly. Bailey swallowed and averted her gaze before hoarsely saying, ¡°Didn''t I buy you a set of sleepwear? Why aren''t you wearing it?¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Artemis lifted a brow and strode over to hug her. Bailey tried to struggle out of his hold. ¡°I haven''t showered yet and smell like sweat right now. Let go.¡± ¡°No, I can only smell your usual sweet scent on you.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. Artemis nuzzled her neck before mumbling, ¡°Who was it?¡± ¡°One of my subordinates. He told me that the Hoffman family has sent one of their elders here to bring Julie back. I''m guessing that they''ve found out about Julie courting Zeke.¡± Artemis raised his brows and teased, ¡°Bailey, if your disciple bes your sister-inw, what would you feel?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and smacked his head. ¡°Be serious. Think of a way to help me hold the Hoffman family''s men back for now. I''m going to find out what Zeke thinks about this and whether or not he has any feelings for Julie.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Artemis softly answered before lifting her up in a bridal carry. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Taking you to the shower.¡± Bailey frowned. Take me to shower? It sounds like you''re about to unleash your inner beast instead! In the meantime, the three children were eavesdropping as they pressed their ears on the door. Sly grins appeared on their faces when they heard their father cooking up a nefarious n again. ¡°Susan, you''re going to be an older sister in no time.¡± ¡°Hehe. Thank you, Zayron.¡± In the living room of a private mansion out in the suburbs, Micah was forced to take three steps back by a young man''s punch. He narrowed his eyes at his opponent, and after spitting out a mouthful of blood, he lifted his hand to wipe the remaining blood from his lips. ¡°Holden, it''s been a while. It seems like you''re getting better and better inbat.¡± Holden, being the stoic man he was, seemed indifferent as he stared at Micah expressionlessly, but the tenseness of his body said otherwise. ¡°Where''s Shannon? Where is she?¡± A gloomyugh slipped past Micah''s lips. ¡°What''s the matter? Do you still think that I was the one who hid her away back then? Holden, your power and influence are no lesser than mine. How can you possibly fail to find her if I was the one to hide her away?¡± Holden furrowed his brows. Indeed, he had looked into each and every one of Micah''s properties over the past few years, but still, he could not find her. Sometimes, he wondered if Shannon was no longer in the world of the living. Otherwise, how could he, a man of considerable power, not find a hint of her anywhere at all? ¡°I came here when I heard that Shannon had appeared in Hallsbay. It''s been a long while since you arrived here. Don''t you dare tell me that you''ve never seen her.¡± Micah rubbed his temples and sighed. ¡°She only came here recently and had been living in Springwyn previously. I¡ª¡± ¡°Tell me where she''s staying right now,¡± Holden cut him off. Micah then gave him an address. Once Holdenmitted that to memory, he turned to leave. ¡°Wait!¡± Micah cried out. ¡°Shannon''s not in a good state right now. Don''t agitate her.¡± ¡°I don''t need you to tell me that.¡± Micah parted his lips but said nothing in the end. He had wanted to ask Holden if he had a son who was already seven years old. However, the other man seemed like he was in a haste to meet his sister, so Micah decided to mp his mouth shut again. Whatever the case, Holden was now in Hallsbay, so Micah was going to call Lionel and have them settle things themselves. An hourter, in a rental house in the suburbs, someone opened the door. Shannon stood transfixed for a while when sheid eyes on the slender figure by the doorway. In seconds, tears began welling up in her eyes. ¡°H-Holden...¡± Holden raked his gaze across her before finally stopping at the empty sleeve on her left. His eyes widened, and his brows knitted. Shannon could not hold it back any longer at the sight of her family. She threw herself into Holden''s arms and began bawling. Holden was not used to having anyone of the opposite sexe close to him. Despite that, after recovering from his initial shock, he reached out to hug her and whisper hoarsely, ¡°Where have you gone all these years?¡± Shannon''s crying only worsened when his familiar voice traveled into her ears. Back then, Shannon was forced to leave without saying goodbye to not put her brother in a tough spot. With Bailey''s help, she managed to fly under Micah and Holden''s radar. No one expected their separation tost six years. In the past six years, Shannon thought about her brother all the time as he was her only living rtive left. She was worried that her brother would not be able to live in a treacherous ce like Tarragon. She was afraid that he would be caught up in the wars between the factions and end up dying a horrible death. ¡°I''m sorry. I''m so sorry. I was insensible, and I made you worry.¡± A quiet sigh slipped out of Holden, and he picked her up. After closing the door behind him, he carried her to the living room and ced her on the couch. Then, his warm hand brushed past her head in a subtle gesture of constion. Chapter 390 Chapter 390 ¡°Although I''ve lost my memories and don''t remember anything that happened prior to six years ago, I know that you''re my only family in this world. You shouldn''t have secretly left me, and you shouldn''t have avoided contacting me all these years.¡± Shannon, sprawled in his arms, sobbed even louder. He lost his memories. How good is that? He has forgotten that devastating matter that happened six years ago. Only by letting go of it can he have a life again. I can''t let go of it, so I''m irreparable. With those thoughts in mind, she wiped away her tears in a rough manner before giving him a weak smile. ¡°Holden, I''ve been doing well all these years. I''ve found a genuine friend, and she was the one who protected me for the past few years.¡± Holden said nothing. He only stared at her with a look of pity asplicated feelings washed over him. After arriving at Hallsbay, he had done his homework and discovered what she had been through in the past six years. That was why his heart ached for her. He could not remember how his sister had lost her arm. Amnesia had stolen away all of his memories. Yet, his sister had to suffer through the loss of a child after he became powerful. How could he ever forgive himself for that? ¡°Be good, okay? Give me some time. I''ll... take revenge for you.¡± Shannon stiffened. She thought her brother did not know about the matter, so she wanted to hide it from him so that she could spare him the misery. Yet, as it turned out, he knew everything. I''m too naive. Holden isn''t the same young man who was an easy target for others six years ago. He''s now a powerful and influential figure across the globe. It would be a piece of cake for him to look into what I''ve gone through all these years. ¡°Holden, I''m fine. You don''t need to worry about me. I''m now invincible after all these things. They won''t crush me anymore.¡± As Holden gazed at her, he gently said, ¡°It''s okay. I''m more than capable of doing anything I want, so don''t worry about me. No one in this world is able toy a finger on me now.¡± Sensing his insistence, Shannon said nothing else in protest. Instead, she let herself enjoy the moment of peace in his arms. Lionel, who was in the Gezmond residence, received news from Micah that Holden was in Hallsbay. At the same time, Micah gave him Holden''s contact details and told him to contact Holden himself. Before he ended the call, Micah revealed to Lionel something else¡ªabout how Holden had lost his memories six years ago and had forgotten many people and things. At that, Lionel became even surer that Holden had not meant to abandon Wendy and her child. Holden had to have a reason for his abrupt departure back then. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. The next day, Bailey went to the medical base and did a full-body checkup for Zephyr. The boy had strong willpower. His body was quick to adapt to the transnted bone marrow, and his recovery was swift. After stepping out of the ward, Bailey pulled Veronique aside and said, ¡°This time, we''ve managed to force Scarlett to donate her bone marrow, so there''s no way she''s going to let us off the hook easily. You have to be careful not to let her have an opportunity to strike you down.¡± Veronique nodded. ¡°I know. It''s all thanks to you this time, Bay. I wouldn''t know how to get Scarlett to agree to the bone marrow donation if I had to do this alone. If that had been the case, I would''ve been able to only watch Zephyr get weaker and weaker with each passing day.¡± Bailey reached out to pat her shoulderfortingly. ¡°We''re friends, and this is what a friend should do for another. Take good care of Zephyr. By the way, spare some time to have Justin operate on you and remove your womb. If you keep it in you, you might get cancer. Now that Zephyr''s alive, there''s no need for you to bear another child. Keeping it will only be akin to keeping a time bomb in you.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll talk to Justin about it soon.¡± After leaving the medical base, Bailey went to the Gezmond residence. Instead of entering the ce, she waited under the shade of arge tree by the flower bed. Around five minutester, Juliana came out. ¡°Didn''t we sever our rtionship? Why are you still here?¡± Bailey chuckled in amusement before pinching Juliana''s cheek. ¡°All right, that''s enough. Your acting is terrible to me. You don''t want to get me involved, so you decided that you''d cut ties with me. Please, when have I been afraid of trouble? When have I ever been worried that you would drag me into a mess?¡± Juliana did not respond to that. ¡°I hear that the Hoffman family has sent their people over to Hallsbay. Let me ask you something. Do you really like Zeke? Must he be the only one for you?¡± Juliana continued to keep her silence. ¡°You''re not going to talk? It''s fine. I won''t do anything then. We''ll simply sit on our hands until the men from the Hoffman familye and take you away.¡± With that, Bailey turned to leave. Instantly, Juliana shot out her arm to grab Bailey. ¡°Master, I don''t want to go back to the family. If I do, I''m sure I''ll never get out of there ever again.¡± Bailey''s lips curled. In the next second, she whacked Juliana on the head twice. ¡°Oh, have you finally realized that your actions are unrealistic and pointless? You still need to rely on me when the timees, huh? Don''t worry. They can''t take you away without my permission.¡± Hearing that, Juliana''s eyes lit up. ¡°You''re not going to convince me to go back to the family? Instead, you''re even going to deal with them for me?¡± Bailey stroked her chin in silence for a while. ¡°If your feelings for Zeke are genuine, and if Zeke returns those feelings, then what''s wrong with me letting the two of you get together? Of course, if Zeke isn''t interested in you, I hope you''lle to your senses and stop clinging to him.¡± Juliana pursed her lips. A momentter, she gritted out, ¡°Okay, I''ll heed your words. If I can''t make him fall for me after trying hard, I''ll give up on him and go back to the family. However, if my feelings are reciprocated, you have to promise me to deal with my family.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey gave her another look before turning to walk toward the car. ¡°I have something else to do, so I''ll be leaving first. When the Hoffman family''s elder arrives in Hallsbay, I''ll invite him for a meeting to see if I can hold him in ce for a while.¡± When Juliana saw that Bailey was about to leave, she quickly said, ¡°By the way, Master, my sister did not register her marriage with Lionel, and her child isn''t a Gezmond. Please convince Victoria not to give up. The man she loves has always belonged to her and her only.¡± At that, Bailey skidded to a stop and spun around. ¡°Are you speaking the truth?¡± ¡°Yes. Lionel is already trying to get in contact with Sebastian''s biological father. I''m sure there will be news soon. My sister also made up her mind to bravely face the matter and stop relying on Lionel.¡± A look of delight manifested on Bailey''s face. Most of the time, Bailey kept her emotions off her face. Thus, that visible joy was a sign of how thrilled she was. It was indeed a matter to celebrate. After all, Victoria was pregnant. Hence, Bailey wished for a good home for her dear friend. ¡°Okay, I got it.¡± Meanwhile, in the study, Lionel patted Sebastian''s head and asked with a smile, ¡°Would you like to meet your biological father? I already have news of him.¡± Sebastian drew his brows together and tentatively asked, ¡°Does my mommy not want to meet him?¡± ¡°Your mommy...¡± Lionel sighed in resignation. ¡°There are some misunderstandings between your daddy and her. We''ll have your daddy deal with your mommy once we find him and let him know of your existence.¡± The boy mulled over it and nodded. ¡°Okay, take me to meet my daddy then.¡± Chapter 391 Chapter 391 Wendy reached out, about to push open the door to the study. When she heard the conversation going on inside the room, she slowly withdrew her hand. What is Holden doing in Hallsbay? That man is one of Tarragon''s leaders. Does this mean that he had a motive when he approached me all those years ago? Maybe he didn''t have any romantic feelings for me at all and simply approached me because he wanted to destroy me. As Wendy was the heir to the Hoffman family back then, once something happened to her, the entire family would be in trouble. Reality also validated this point. When news about her bing pregnant from a foreign man broke out, the entire family erupted in chaos. If it were not for Lionel secretly lending her a hand, the Hoffman family would havepletely fallen apart because she had a premarital pregnancy. Holden... Oh, Holden... You were just using me, weren''t you? I was just a tool to help you destroy the Hoffman family. In that case, you don''t have the right to know about Sebastian''s existence. You don''t even have the right to have a child. She did not want to let Sebastian meet Holden, and she could not allow her child to have anything to do with Tarragon. Tarragon and the Hoffman family were mortal enemies and had been for thest hundred years. There was no way she would allow her child to be caught up in their power struggle. It seemed it was time for her to take Sebastian and leave Hallsbay. The next day, Bailey went to a private room on the third floor of Century Hotel. When she saw the men who were seated inside, she raised her brows. ¡°Sorry, I was held up on the way. I apologize for making you wait.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. With that, she turned to one of the elderly men and said, ¡°Mr. Raymond, it has been years since Ist saw you, and you are still as fit as a fiddle. The flight from Moranta must have been very long.¡± Raymond looked at her and replied in somewhat awkward Chanaean, ¡°Snowke, when you took Julie away from the Hoffman family, you promised that you would take good care of her and not allow her to have any rtions with a foreign man. How do you intend to exin this situation, then?¡± Bailey arched a brow. After finding herself a seat, she asked in a confused tone, ¡°Who said that she had a rtionship with a foreign man? Did she lose her virginity or get pregnant?¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°Mr. Raymond, this is all just hearsay, so you can''t take it seriously. Julie is very obedient now and wouldn''t get involved with any man. There is no need for any of you to worry.¡± Raymond fell silent for a moment. ¡°No matter if it''s true or not, Julie can''t be left to her own devices any longer. Now that she hase of age, it''s time for her to make preparations for the session,¡± he said through gritted teeth. The corner of Bailey''s lips curled up as she replied casually, ¡°I promised her that I wouldn''t force her to return to the family before she reached thirty. You maye back for her again in a few years.¡± Raymond instantly objected, ¡°That won''t do. I heard that she has developed feelings for the eldest son of the Shurmer family and is even by his side all the time. This is definitely not a baseless rumor. We can''t afford to take risks or make any more mistakes, as Julie is the family''s only hope. She muste home with us this time.¡± Mockery shed across Bailey''s face. ¡°And do you think you''ll be able to take her away from right under my nose?¡± Raymond''s expression turned grim. Bailey''s words had destroyed all diplomacy. Without a need to pretend to be polite anymore, he said coldly, ¡°Snowke, you are pretty influential globally, but you are no match for the Hoffman family. I advise you not to shoot yourself in the foot. Otherwise, you wille to regret it.¡± ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± came a deep and rich voice from the doorway. It was Artemis. He had arrived without anyone noticing and was leaning against the doorframe casually. His arms were folded across his chest, with one hand stroking his chin. There was also a devilish grin etched on his handsome face. ¡°Don''t you all think that threatening my woman on my turf is a foolish thing to do? She''s no match for you? But what if the Luther family gets involved too? Do you think all of you will be able to defeat me on my territory?¡± Raymond''s expression changed drastically. How could I have forgotten that this woman is now rted to the Luther family? If they get involved, it will be a huge problem. ¡°The Luther family and the Hoffman family have always stayed out of each other''s way, Mr. Luther. Do you wish to destroy the peace and stir up trouble?¡± Artemis chuckled lightly. ¡°As long as none of you mess with my woman, the peace can be maintained. Otherwise, if my wife bes upset, I will go all out to teach whoever hurt her a lesson.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey could sense the tension between the two men getting thicker. She was starting to worry that this would escte into a battle between two powerful families. ¡°What''s the rush, Mr. Raymond? I wasn''t done speaking yet. You may take Julie back to the Hoffman family if you want, but you have to give me a month to try and persuade her. If she''s agreeable, then you can take her with you.¡± Raymond''s expression darkened. ¡°And what if she doesn''t agree?¡± he asked, gnashing his teeth. ¡°Then, as her master, I will have to respect her wishes.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey grinned as she rose from her seat and gave Raymond a once-over. ¡°I will persuade Julie to return to the family. There is no need to worry,¡± she added. Raymond did not respond. He red at her, raging with anger but not daring to re up. We are on Artemis'' territory and can''t act rashly. It looks like we have to think of another way. Chapter 392 Chapter 392 In a gazebo in Tarragon''s headquarters, a slender figure stood by the railing as she fed the fish. ¡°Well? Has there been any strange activity on Micah''s end?¡± ¡°The president has been in Hallsbay for over a month, during which he has also gone to Springwyn once. He seemed to have met someone there and returned to Hallsbay after a few days.¡± Yvette paused in her movement. She slowly turned her head to look at the bodyguard dressed in ck standing behind her. ¡°Did you find out who he met and why he''s been staying in Hallsbay?¡± she asked with knitted brows. The bodyguard was a little troubled. He hesitated, unsure whether to tell her the truth. Yvette''s gaze went cold, and she scoffed. ¡°Are you going to keep it from me even though you serve me? Do all of you think that you can disobey my orders now that my father is dead?¡± ¡°No, I wouldn''t dare.¡± The bodyguard quickly got on his knees and inclined his head. ¡°I owe a great deal to Mr. Sullivan. I had sworn to protect you with my life should Mr. Sullivan no longer be with us.¡± ¡°So, what are you waiting for? Answer my question.¡± ¡°S-Shannon Lewitt is in Hallsbay.¡± When Yvette heard that name, her hands slowly tightened into fists, crushing the fish food into dust. Shannon... It''s Shannon... Why isn''t she dead? Why is she still alive? ¡°Ms. Sullivan, there is one more thing I need to report.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The vice president has also gone to Hallsbay.¡± The hostility in Yvette''s eyes instantly grew stronger. That b*tch Shannon is so lucky. The two most powerful leaders in Tarragon are always thinking about her. How can I not be jealous? Or envious? How can I not hate her? What has she done to deserve such a wonderful man as Micah or a doting brother like Holden? But I guess the pain of having lost an arm and her child should be enough to torture her for the rest of her life. Death will just provide her an escape from her misery. The more agony she lives in, the more pleased I will be. So, she better not die. She should remain alive and carry that heartwrenching pain with her. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Prepare the private jet. I''m going to Hallsbay.¡± The bodyguard was taken aback. ¡°Ms. Sullivan, now that the president and vice president are both in Hallsbay, Shannon will be well-protected. Even if you were to go there now, you wouldn''t be able to do anything.¡± Yvette scoffed coldly as a dark and vicious look flitted across her eyes. ¡°If I guessed right, that b*tch Shannon already knows that I was the one who set her up regarding the theft of Tarragon''s ssified information and sent someone to run that little b*stard of hers over. However, she doesn''t have any evidence to prove that I was behind it. Micah and Holden were both personally trained by my father. They will never believe her baseless ims and go against me. Hence, I think she will try to finish me off herself. The moment she tries something, I will dly destroy her.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°That''s enough. You need not say anymore as I''ve made up my mind. Go and prepare the private jet.¡± The bodyguard fell silent. Meanwhile, the doorbell in one of the apartments in Hallsbay''s Shelbert Condominium was ringing. Three little kids were sprawled on the floor, each ying their own game and ignoring the knocks on the door. Bailey came out of the kitchen and went to answer the door, lightly kicking Zayron on the way. Zayron rolled his eyes andined loudly, ¡°I must be adopted! All of us are freaking lying on the ground together, but you kicked only me!¡± Susan broke into a wide grin. ¡°Maxton is still injured, and I''m a girl. Of course, you''re the only one who can be kicked!¡± Silence fell upon the room. Hadoy sprawled on the ground, staring at Zayron. The look in its eyes seemed to be saying, ¡°Look at that; you''re even worse off than a dog. You got kicked, and I didn''t.¡± Artemis walked out of the bedroom, picked up the children, and threw them onto the couch. ¡°It''s already autumn. You''ll catch a cold if you lie on the ground,¡± he said with a frown. Susan rolled over and into her father''s arms. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned close to his ear and whispered, ¡°Daddy, I''m going to be an older sister soon.¡± Artemis froze. He scanned the children around him with narrowed eyes before his gaze finallynded on Zayron. ¡°What did you do?¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. Why is it always me? Susan said in a small voice, ¡°Maxton secretly changed the contraceptive pill to folic acid. Zayron also secretly poked lots of holes in the condom. Daddy, now that you know about this, you have no choice but to protect us.¡± The corners of Artemis'' lips twitched. I see. So that''s why. At that moment, he was mad yet amused at the same time. Artemis reached out and pinched his daughter''s cheek. ¡°As expected of my daughter. There''s zero hesitation even when you throw your daddy under the bus.¡± ¡°Hehe!¡± Meanwhile, Bailey stared at Caridee, who was standing outside the door. Frowning, she dered, ¡°Don''t tell me you''re moving in here too. I don''t have any more empty rooms.¡± Caridee rolled her eyes and entered through the gap between the door and Bailey. ¡°I''m here to give you tickets. The internationalpetition will be held soon.¡± Bailey was stunned. ¡°What internationalpetition?¡± Caridee shot her a re. ¡°You have a terrible memory. How could you forget about the racing competition? You even said you would help me get Legendary Racer''s autograph!¡± Bailey pped her forehead. She had been too busy recently that shepletely forgot about the racingpetition. ¡°Of course there''s no way I would forget about that. Don''t worry. I''ll keep my promise.¡± It''s just an autograph. I can even give one to her now. Chapter 393 Chapter 393 Also, who mentioned Legendary Racer would be participating in the contest this year? Why am I unaware of this? No one informed me of anything. This must be a gimmick by the organizer to promote their event. ¡°Aunt Caridee!¡± ¡°Aunt Caridee!¡± ¡°Aunt Caridee!¡± Three silhouettes dashed in her direction. In the next second, Caridee was surrounded by the kids. Bailey was just about to remind the children when her phone, ced on the shoe cab, rang. She picked up the phone and took a look at the screen. Then, she arched her brow. Dexter... This brat must be contacting me because of matters rted to the International Racecar Tournament. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be calling at this juncture. She entered the study and closed the door before swiping her phone screen to answer the call. ¡°What''s up?¡± ¡°Bailey, can you do me a favor? Please participate in the International Racecar Tournament on my behalf. I can''t return to the country because I have some matters to attend to. Everyone in Chanaea is counting on you.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrow. ¡°You don''t have a girlfriend nor a wife, so what''s keeping you upied? Besides, the tournament''s contestant list is already finalized. You can''t just ask someone else to rece you. If you don''t show up, you''ll be considered forfeiting thepetition automatically.¡± ¡°But you''re an exception. I believe no one will dare to say a word if you join thepetition with that identity of yours. Please, pretty please? I really have to deal with this urgent issue. If you don''t help me, I may be cklisted by the association.¡± Bailey let out a chuckle. ¡°What''s this important matter that can prompt you to give up on your most passionate car racing?¡± ¡°I''ll exin to you when I return to the country. I''m going to board the ne now, so I''ll be hanging up now. I assume you''ve agreed to my request, so I''ll leave this international tournament in your hands now.¡± With that, he ended the call. Listening to the beeping sounding from the speaker, Bailey covered her forehead as she felt her headache. Being so shy is genuinely not my style. I just want to live a peaceful and quiet life, but... Staring at the darkened screen of her phone, she smiled in resignation. Do I have a choice to refuse now that he has handed this mess to me? I''ve not participated in carThis belongs to N?velDrama.Org. racing for a long time. Maybe it''s not a bad idea to take up his offer. Late at night, at the Gezmond residence, Wendy sneaked out of the house while hugging Sebastian, who was sound asleep. Someone was already waiting for them when they reached the car park. ¡°Ms. Wendy, are you sure you want to leave Hallsbay?¡± She gestured at him to be quiet and said in an undertone, ¡°We are leaving discreetly. I''ve already taken care of the guards at the gates. All you need to do is send us to the harbor, and we''ll leave by boat.¡± The driver nodded slightly. When he nodded, a glint shed across his eyes. ¡°Yes, Ms. Wendy.¡± A few minutester, the vehicle drove out of the mansion silently. At the same time, in the bedroom of the Gezmond residence, Lionel leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window while speaking into his phone. He had guessed that Wendy would bring Sebastian with her and leave the city, so he instructed his men to monitor them secretly. His prediction came true as she did what he anticipated. He was baffled. He could not understand why she had reacted so drastically after learning Holden was a member of Tarragon. Are there some past grudges involved in this matter? ¡°Okay, I got it. Keep an eye on them and see where they''re going. Order someone to follow them and ensure their safety. Wait for my call.¡± ¡°Understood, sir.¡± After the car traveled on the road for some time, Wendy sensed something was off. She asked while wearing a frown, ¡°This isn''t the way to the harbor, Tiger. Where are you taking us?¡± The driver, Tiger, didn''t respond. He merely stared intently ahead. A sense of foreboding rose within her chest. Wendy instinctively held his son closer and gazed cautiously at the person in the driver''s seat. Then, she said through gritted teeth, ¡°Tiger, I have treated you well all these years. Why are you betraying me? Stop the car. I''m telling you to stop the car. Do you hear me?¡± After saying that, she reached out to open the door, but it was locked from the outside, so her attempt was for naught. That further affirmed her suspicion. I''ve been tricked. I''m just wondering if this situation is good or bad for me. She reached for her phone in a panic but failed to find the device. Then, she remembered she had passed her handbag to Tiger when she got into the car earlier, and she had left her phone inside the bag. ¡°Tiger, what are you trying to do? Tell me.¡± ¡°I''m sorry, Ms. Wendy. I have to carry out Mr. Raymond''s orders for my family. Don''t worry. He just wants to use Mr. Sebastian to force Ms. Juliana to return to the family. Mr. Raymond won''t hurt your child.¡± Wendy grew more agitated at the mention of Raymond''s name. When she looked down, she saw Sebastian staring at her with his clear round eyes. ¡°S-Sebastian, when did you wake up?¡± He shook his head while pursing his lips. ¡°I was never asleep all along. Dad... Lionel said you might do something tonight, so he told me to stay vignt. Mommy, where are you taking me to?¡± Wendy wrapped her arms around her son tightly. She wanted to bring him to somewhere no one would recognize them. Regrettably, she couldn''t realize that wish now because she had walked right into Raymond''s trap. Suddenly, the driver mmed on the brakes, causing Wendy and Sebastian to lurch forward uncontrobly. Someone opened the car door from outside. The next second, a few bodyguards dressed in ck outfits snatched Sebastian from her. ¡°No! Return my child to me. Give him back to me.¡± At that moment, a white-haired elderly man strode over from a distance not too far away. He was none other than Raymond. As he approached Wendy, he uttered, ¡°Ms. Wendy, the Hoffman family had raised you, yet you abandoned your family for a man. Your younger sister is now the entire family''s hope, but she''s following your footsteps of associating herself in an ambiguous rtionship with a male outsider.¡± Wendy red at him and bellowed, ¡°What does that have to do with me? I''ve already cut ties with the Hoffman family. Why are you taking my son away from me?¡± ¡°Why?¡± Raymond suddenly shed a menacing smile. ¡°You two are sisters, so your son is considered Ms. Juliana''s nephew, after all. Go back and inform her that if she doesn''t return to the Hoffman family with us, your son won''t live past a fortnight. I advise you to take my word seriously. This child is a bast*rd, to begin with. The Hoffman family would''ve eliminated him if Lionel had not tried his best to protect this child.¡± ¡°No!¡± Raymond ignored her hysterical screams and ordered his subordinate to grab Sebastian. Then, they headed toward the convoy nearby. Wendy wanted to retrieve her son, but a few men in ck halted her. In the end, she could only slump on the street and watch as the convoy sped away. Twenty minutester, Lionel arrived in a hurry, with Juliana trailing behind him. ¡°Wendy, what happened? Where''s Sebastian?¡± Wendy grasped Juliana''s arm and replied anxiously, ¡°Julie, please save Sebastian. Please save your nephew. H-He was taken away by Mr. Raymond. He wanted you to return to the Hoffman family. Otherwise, he''ll kill Sebastian.¡± Juliana frowned. As I expected, they are resorting to extreme methods now that they''re desperate. Still, I didn''t anticipate that old man to be so despicable. I can''t believe he''s threatening me using a child''s life to force me to return to the family. ¡°Wendy, get up first. Sebastian is my nephew. You can rest assured because I won''t let anything bad befall him.¡± Wendy started bawling. I shouldn''t have acted so rashly. I already know people from the Hoffman family are in Hallsbay, and they''re racking their brains to figure out a way to force Julie to follow them back. What I''ve done was no different from providing them with the most effective bargaining chip. ¡°I''m sorry. I''ve dragged you into this mess, Julie.¡± Chapter 394 Chapter 394 Inside the ward of the military general hospital, Sloan tossed a stack of documents on the bed. He red at his son who looked pale and leaned on the headboard. ¡°Look at what you''ve done. Getting yourself attacked? I''ve said it again and again. With an ability like yours, no one should be able to hurt you.¡± Raiden lowered his eyes and scanned the stack of reports. He said softly, ¡°The child is still young. Lettie''s bone marrow can save him. I can''t bear to stand by and watch him being eaten away by the illness at such a young age...¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± Sloan interrupted Raiden coldly. ¡°That child is your future brother-inw''s illegitimate child. You''re willing to join hands with some outsiders to extract your own sister''s bone marrow. Say, are you sure you weren''t bewitched by Bailey?¡± Raiden frowned as he uttered, ¡°This has nothing to do with Bailey. Don''t drag her into this.¡± ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± Sloan sneered coldly. ¡°You''ve never let anyone board your naval warship, and yet you made an exception for her. Youunched the ship just to send her to Hallsbay. Raiden, do you think I can''t discern your feelings for her?¡± Raiden''s eyes darkened in response. I can''t afford to let him turn his attention on Bailey or it will cause trouble for her. The Fletcher family was about to rise to power, and Sloan would be the one to wield it. When the time came, not even Artemis would not be able to stand against Sloan let alone Bailey. ¡°You''re overthinking it. Bailey obtained the right to develop 5G for Chanaea and it''s a great contribution. Hence, I agreed and tried my best to fulfill her request. I''m only rewarding a person who has contributed to the country. It has nothing to do with love.¡± ¡°I see you''ve cut ties with her. All right, since you don''t have feelings for her, you should return to Dellmoor and prepare to get married. I''ve already made some arrangements.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t intend to get married now,¡± Raiden replied calmly. ¡°I will wait for you to obtain the position. Currently, there are someplicated matters that need my attention. Once I am married, I will have extramitments and may have to split my attention between them.¡± What a lofty reason. Sloan was no fool. How can I not know my own son''s true feelings? ¡°You don''t have the right to choose your marriage partner. A woman from an ordinary family simply will not do, what more so someone like Bailey who was not married when she got pregnant. You''d better watch what you are doing and be mindful of your actions. Otherwise, there will be no ce for her in Chanaea.¡± With that said, Sloan spun on his heel and left. Raiden frowned as he stared at his father''s retreating figure. Unlike Tamara and Scarlett, Sloan did not mess around when he decided to take action. There was no guarantee that Bailey could handle him. Bailey was a capable woman, but she was currently in Chanaea. The leader of a nation could easily deal a serious blow to her. In a bedroom at Shelbert Condominium, Artemis made Bailey sit down on the bed and reached for a map on the bedside table. ¡°Look at this,¡± he said. Bailey was confused. What am I supposed to be looking at? Is that a map of Chanaea? What is there to look at? Thend somewhat resembles a rooster, and every junior high schooler would have memorized it. In fact, I can even draw it upside down. ¡°This is a map of Hallsbay. I''m nning to build a residential area there. Take a look, choose a direction you like, and mark the area. Later on, I will get someone to check the geomancy of that area.¡± Bailey blinked, and a sly look shed across her eyes. ¡°Isn''t it just interpret markings on the ground checking to see if there are skeletons buried underneath? You don''t need to hire someone else for something like that, I''ll ept the task instead.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. Reading the markings on the ground and scavenging for skeletons? We''re not exploring a graveyard! ¡°Ms. Bailey, we''re building a ce for living humans. Don''t scare me like that! You almost gave me a heart attack.¡± Grinning, Bailey reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. She then rested her head on his chest. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Truth be told, this condominium is pretty nice. We don''t need a ce that''s toorge. It''s more important for it to be cozy andfortable.¡± Artemis frowned and replied gloomily, ¡°But this belongs to you. I feel like a good-for-nothing if I continue to stay here and mooch off you.¡± Try as she might, Bailey could not hold it in and burst intoughter. So, this is because of his manly ego. Oh no, should I attempt to empathize with him? ¡°Don''t you already have many properties under your name? Just pick a random one. Anywhere is fine. There''s no need to waste manpower and funds to build a new ce. The Luther residence already cost three billion. If you build another ce, you''re going to have to squander several hundred million.¡± Artemis burst outughing as he gave her a once over. ¡°You''re obsessed with money, and yet you dress quite casually. Your shirt probably came from some street stall and cost no more than a hundred. Besides, you don''t wear jewelry. What did you spend your money on?¡± Bailey chuckled in response. She appeared to be very silly and absent-minded, unlike her usual calm and wise self. ¡°I donated it to charity. I''ve been helping millions of people attend university for the past few years. Hey, Mr. Luther! Won''t you praise me for doing that?¡± Artemis'' heart softened when he heard this. What a woman! ¡°I''m not going to praise you. I''m going to reward you, thoroughly.¡± Then, he pressed down on her body with his. Bailey rolled her eyes. His self-control is worsening. He wants to do it at least once every day! Whatever, I''ll let it slide. At least he serves me well... ¡°Don''t build the house,¡± she said. ¡°No, I want to do it,¡± Artemis insisted. Bailey had nothing to say to that. Chapter 395 Chapter 395 The next day, Bailey was awoken by a ringing tone. Clutching at her aching waist, she leaned back against the pillownguidly and fished for the phone. When the call connected, it only took a few words from the person on the other end of the line to chase away vestiges of her sleepiness. ¡°Something''s happened to Sebastian?¡± ¡°Yes. Raymond abducted him in order to force me to return. Master, please help me contact Raymond and ask him to give me some time. I will return with them once I settle my affairs here. Please tell him not to hurt Sebastian.¡± Bailey gripped the phone tightly as she asked, ¡°How do you n to settle the matters here? Julie, don''t act rashly. I''ll do whatever I can to help you.¡± A lowugh that was tinged with bitterness and slight mncholy sounded from the phone. ¡°Master, it seems like I''m not fated to be with him. I''m unable to hold a ce in his heart. I''ve thought about it though. If there is no room in his heart for me, there''s no point in trying to squeeze my way in. I''ll only end up hurting myself and troubling others.¡± ¡°So? You''re giving up?¡± ¡°Yes, I intend to. I have some matters I need to settle in Hallsbay. Please give Raymond a call and ask him to give me three days. After three days, I will return to the family.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. Julie sounds extremely calm. It''s quite frightening. She had known Juliana for many years, so she knew her very well. Nah, this is not what she wants. ¡°Julie, I can help you if you don''t wish to return¡ª¡± ¡°Master, I know what you''re going to say, but there''s no need for that. I''ve really thought through the matter. Since he has no room for me in his heart, there''s no point in me continuing to pester him. I''d rather let him go than get detested by him.¡± Bailey sighed. ¡°All right. I''ll respect your choice and offer you my support. If you encounter any problems upon returning to your family, let me know. I will help you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Master.¡± Bailey sighed again after she hung up the phone. Sitting up, Artemis reached out and enveloped her in his embrace. ¡°Tell me if you need anything.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°Juliana''s already made her decision. I can only respect her choice. Truth be told, Zeke and her just aren''t from the same world. Due to her background, she''s never been able to act selfishly and do as she pleased. Perhaps this is for the best. Adrune is full of handsome young men and maybe she''ll fall for someone else in a few years.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ... In a private mansion in the suburbs, Micah narrowed his eyes at the young woman in the living room. Furrowing his brows, he asked, ¡°Why are you in Hallsbay?¡± Smiling elegantly, Yvette took a step forward and grabbed his arm. ¡°I''m tired of staying at the Tarragon headquarters. It does wonders for my health to take a break asionally.¡± Micah shifted his arm to break her hold and tried to push her away. However, his efforts proved to be futile. Thus, he could only give up and asked in a cold tone, ¡°You could travel around the world if you wanted a vacation.¡± ¡°I am on vacation! I happened to pass by Hallsbay and heard that you were here. That''s why I stopped by to visit you and stay for a bit.¡± Hehe, I made sure Hallsbay is the first stop on my travels. I nned my trip with a purpose. After keeping silent for a moment, Micah replied casually, ¡°All right. You can stay here for a few days. Leave once you''ve rested well.¡± ¡°By the way, you''ve been in Hallsbay for quite some time. Did something happen?¡± Micah frowned in response. After thinking for a moment, he calmly replied, ¡°I stay back to watch the International Racecar Tournament that will take ce in a few days.¡± Blinking in surprise, a look of excitement crossed Yvette''s face. ¡°I heard that the Legendary Racer, Adhira, was going to be participating in the International Racecar Tournament. I''m a huge fan of hers and would love to watch the race! Can you take me with you when you go there?¡± Micah nced at her and said softly, ¡°Okay.¡± Yvette let out a sigh of relief when she saw that his attitude toward her did not change. Micah was as cold as always, but he would materialize her wishes. It seems like Shannon did not run her mouth in front of him. Good. I''ll make sure she dies like a dog this time. Meanwhile, in a different mansion in the same area, Holden walked down the spiral staircase expressionlessly. When he spotted the young man on the couch, his brows furrowed. Lionel got to his feet hurriedly when he saw Holden descend. ¡°I''m sorry, Mr. Lowe. Please forgive my impertinence, for I truly had no choice but toe here.¡± Holden cut to the chase. ¡°What do you want?¡± Lionel took out several photos from the folder and arranged them on the coffee table. ¡°Mr. Lowe, please take a look at these. I will exin in a moment.¡± Holden strode over and calmly nced over the photos. After a brief moment, he arched an eyebrow. The photo showed a handsome and delicate little boy who looked to be around six years old. Naturally, that was not important. What mattered was that the little boy looked a great deal like him. The boy''s eyebrows looked like they were cast from the same mold. Is he... my son? Holden did not have memories from six years before. He did not know what he had gone through, nor what he had experienced. Apart from Shannon, he did not know if he had anyone else in his life. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, are you going to tell me that he''s my son?¡± Lionel was stunned. He had not expected Holden to be so frank.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Chapter 396 Chapter 396 Shouldn''t he feel shocked when he hears about his son''s existence in the world? Lionel was befuddled by Holden''s reaction because thetter appeared unruffled. There wasn''t even a hint of surprise in his tone when he replied to Lionel. Lionel questioned, ¡°You have such a son all of a sudden, yet you aren''t shocked?¡± Holden retracted his gaze and walked toward the couch at the side to sit down before he answered tly, ¡°Why should I feel shocked? I once lost my memory, so I''ve forgotten everything in the past six years. This boy looks six or seven-year-old, which means he was born before my memory was lost. Is that strange for a normal man to sleep with someone and have a child?¡± His response left Lionel speechless. Seeing Holden being so open-minded, Lionel could not help butugh a little. ¡°You''re open-minded. It seems I''ve guessed it correctly. Indeed, you''ve lost your memory. I should tell you something that happened in the past.¡± He paused right then and did not continue, seemingly considering how he should break the matter to Holden. A long momentter, he finally exined the experience he and Wendy had gone through. Holden''s mood finally seemed to change after hearing his words. A glint of surprise shed across his eyes. He was well aware that Lionel''s wife was the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, Wendy, even though the outside world had no idea about it. There was no way Holden could stay calm now that Lionel suddenly told him that Wendy was once his woman, and she even gave birth to a son for him. ¡°I''vepletely forgotten what happened six years ago. Maybe you''re telling the truth, but she''s your wife now. Are you nning to give her back to me?¡± ¡°No. She isn''t my wife. We aren''t married. She doesn''t love me, and neither do I. After all, both of us have the love of our life. Holden, I''ve already told you about your past. It''s up to you whether you want to get your woman and son back. I have no right to interfere with your decision.¡± With that, Lionel stood up and walked toward the door. Narrowing his eyes, Holden watched him leave. ¡°The grudge between Tarragon and the Hoffman family hasn''t ended for over a century. If I indeed slept with that woman and made her fall in love with me, I must have used her and abandoned her after I got what I wanted.¡± ng! Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. The sound of something heavy hitting the floor sounded from the door. The duo looked up instinctively and saw Wendy standing outside the door in a daze. Her pretty face was covered in tears, and her phone was on the ground. There were countless cracks on the phone screen. ¡°Wends, why are you here?¡± Wendy didn''t answer Lionel''s question and made her way in with a stagger instead. When she passed by Lionel, he grabbed her arm. ¡°Wends, let''s head back first.¡± ¡°No.¡± Wendy abruptly brushed his hand off and walked toward Holden. Without hesitation, she raised her hand to p him. A loud p echoed through the space. Logically, Holden could have avoided that p. With his speed and capabilities, no one in the world could hit him in the face. However, it was as though he was in a trance because he only watched her hand getting closer to him and eventuallynding on his face. Just then, a series of rapid footsteps rang from the door. A few bodyguards in ck equipped with guns dashed through the door and pointed the guns at Lionel and Wendy. Lionel''s gaze turned cold, and he immediately raised his guard. Meanwhile, Wendy grabbed Holden''s cor without a care in the world before she roared, ¡°Is this your exnation to me? I was pregnant before I got married and turned my family away for you. I gave up on power and status and almost gave my father a heart attack by making him mad. I caused a big stir in my family. Moreover, my child was called an illegitimate child. It''s all because of you! s, all I got was your callous remarks in the end. Holden, I must have been blind to have given up on everything for you.¡± As she trailed off, she began to burst into tears. She went weak at the knees and slumped to the ground. On the other hand, Holden remained seated on the couch as he stared coldly at her, who was sitting on the ground beside him. There were no changes in his emotions. It was as if her usations had nothing to do with him. In reality, he had no recollection of her at all. To him, she was merely a stranger. Wendy couldn''t stand his nonchnt gaze and felt an excruciating paining from her heart, causing her to curl into a ball. Instantly, Lionel walked toward her to carry her before he said in his hoarse voice, ¡°I''m sorry. Perhaps I was wrong. I shouldn''t have let you gather your courage to face him again. And I shouldn''t have met him and allowed him to hurt you once more.¡± Wendy buried her face into his chest and bawled her eyes out. Lionel looked at Holden icily and uttered solemnly, ¡°Since you''re so heartless, I have nothing to say to you. What Wends said is true. She has been blind to falling in love with you and giving up everything for you. As you''ve made yourself clear, let''s settle things once and for all. From now on, she and her son have nothing to do with you anymore.¡± At that, he held Wendy in his arms and turned to leave. After taking two steps, Wendy poked her head out of his embrace and stretched her neck to look at Holden, who was behind them. ¡°People from the Hoffman family kidnapped Sebastian. They''ll surely skin Sebastian alive if they know he is your son. If you still have some kindness left in you, you should fulfill your responsibility as a father and save your child.¡± Holden frowned at her words, and his gazended on the coffee table. Complex emotions churned within him as the photo of Sebastian came into sight. Honestly, I have no idea why I approached the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family six years ago. Why did I abandon her in the end? Did I exploit her or fall in love with her? I can''t even recall any of these. I wonder what happened in the past six years. I should probably look into it, or I can ask... Shannon. ... At Shurmer Group''s branchpany, Zeke was working through the documents while leaning back on the swivel chair. The door to his office was pushed open, and Juliana barged in through the door. The secretary, who followed behind her, uttered anxiously, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, I''m sorry. I can''t stop her.¡± Zeke furrowed his brows and waved his hand before replying, ¡°You may leave now.¡± With that, the secretary scurried out of the office. Juliana strode toward the desk before she mmed her palm on the desk. ¡°Zeke, are you not willing to marry me?¡± she queried through clenched teeth. Zeke held his head. ¡°I''ve already answered this question numerous times. Even if you keep asking me the same question, I''ll never change my answer. I won''t marry you.¡± When Juliana heard that, she let out a soft chuckle. A dark look shed across her eyes before she replied bitterly, ¡°Fine. It''s just my one-sided feeling. I promise you this will be thest time I''m asking you this question because my family sent someone, and I''ll follow the elder to return to Adrune a few dayster. Zeke, I''m telling you one more time. I really like you a lot, and I''m not being frivolous and willful like I was at the peak of my youth. Bear in mind that a girl from the Hoffman family named Juliana will continue to like you until the end of her life.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Zeke lifted his gaze to her. He sighed, ¡°You don''t have to do this. I...¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Juliana raised her hand and stopped him. ¡°I have one final question. Do you love Shirley?¡± Chapter 397 Chapter 397 Zeke furrowed his brows. He was thrown a tough question so he wasn''t sure if he should answer in the affirmative. Juliana bit down hard on her lip while staring intently at him. In a begrudging tone, she questioned, ¡°Are you still not going to tell me the truth even after I have decided to leave Hallsbay to reunite with my family?¡± Zeke sighed softly before casting his fountain pen aside. While leaning against the backrest of his chair lazily, he touched his forehead and drawled, ¡°I don''t love her, for I''m not interested in romance. Or rather, I''ve yet to meet a woman who my heart yearns for.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Upon hearing that, Juliana pressed on, ¡°So will you marry her?¡± ¡°Not for the time being.¡± Zeke didn''t mince words. On second thought, he worried that his reply might give her hope, so he added, ¡°If I must get married, she will be my first choice.¡± Juliana straightened her body abruptly and gave him a solemn look before turning to walk to the door. ¡°Okay, I understand, Zeke. I wish you a lifetime of happiness. You have my best wishes from another continent.¡± As Zeke watched her retreating figure, his gaze darkened, and with his mouth agape, he was about to say something. s, he had no words as his lips quivered, so he could only stare as her figure disappeared from the doorway. This is for the best. She will return to where she belongs, and I shall, once again, have peace. ... At a rented house in the suburbs, Shannon came out from the kitchen to answer the door at the foyer after hearing someone knocking. She was startled at the sight of her visitor. ¡°What brings you, Bailey?¡± Bailey arched her brows. ¡°Do you not intend to invite me inside?¡± Shannon chuckled in merriment and stepped aside to allow her passage. Bailey gave a friendly pat on her shoulder before striding inside. ¡°Make yourself at home.¡± ¡°Sure, I won''t be too uptight being around you.¡± Shannon was speechless. After the two of them sat down in the living room, Bailey scanned her surroundings before inquiring, ¡°Have you gotten used to living here?¡± With a slight nod, Shannon casually replied, ¡°It''s okay. Why are you here?¡± Bailey raised her brows and handed Shannon a ticket that she retrieved from her pocket. ¡°This is a ticket to the International Racecar Tournament. You''ve got a lot of free time at hand anyway, so you should go rx. Please don''t turn my offer down right away. This is my gift for you.¡± Shannon was stunned for a few moments before slowly reaching for the ticket with a smile. ¡°I was going to get a ticket. Since you brought it to my doorstep, I see no reason to decline it.¡± Bailey was relieved. The fact that Shannon would still venture out into the world meant she hadn''t cut herself out from the world outside. That was a good sign. Ever since knowing that Micah wasn''t responsible for Eugene''s death, she was no longer in as much despair and sorrow like before. Perhaps she could now walk out of the gut-wrenching pain. ¡°Shannon, Micah wasn''t lying. I''ve put him to the test using hypnosis. He really had no idea of the child''s existence and had never sent anyone after you.¡± Shannon smiled, but it was a dry one, and her gaze was deste. ¡°It doesn''t matter anymore for we can no longer return to the past, Bay. I know what you''re trying to say, but please keep it to yourself. I do not wish to relive such excruciating pain and torment.¡± All she wished for was to live out the rest of her life living in peace. After a few years, she would adopt a child from an orphanage and pick a spot where she would spend her golden years caring for the child. ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey didn''t want to make things tooplicated, so she didn''t push seeing that Shannon wasn''t going to listen to her. Then, she got up slowly from the couch. ¡°I''ve got other matters to attend to, so I''ll be taking my leave. I''ll see you at our wedding at the race tracks in three days.¡± ¡°Sure. See you.¡± ... At the Gezmond residence, Wendy leaned against the headboard with an ashen look on her face. Juliana entered the room after pushing the door open. Her heart clenched with pain upon seeing her sister in that state. Is this what love is? Instead of offering sweet memories, it leaves behind wounds that cannot be mended. ¡°Wendy, I will let you back into the family after I take over power. Let''s return and start a new life in Moranta, okay?¡± Wendy''s empty eyes regained some focus after hearing that. She tilted her head and stared at Juliana before asking in a hoarse voice, ¡°Aren''t you courting Zeke? Won''t you regret it if you just give up like this?¡± Juliana wore a rueful smile. ¡°I would dive in regardless of the consequences if he loves me. However, everything proved that it is nothing but a one-sided love. Wendy, think of it as something selfish and reckless that I''ve done during my immature and youthful years. Time will make everything fade away.¡± Wendy reached out to hug her. ¡°I''m sorry. The family was supposed to be my responsibility. I was so selfish to have left this burden to you.¡± ¡°It''s fine.¡± Juliana grinned. ¡°It''s also quite nice to be one of the most powerful women in the world. All of Adrune would be in the palm of my hand. Who wouldn''t want absolute power? I''m no different.¡± Wendy''s lips quivered. Just when she was about to say something, Juliana''s phone rang. ¡°Wendy, I need to take this call. Get some rest. After I take over the family, I will wee you and Sebastian back.¡± With that, she left the room in a hurry. Wendy smiled wistfully while watching her leave. Julie, I won''t ever be going back home. Holden is a senior officer in Tarragon, and Sebastian is his son. The Hoffman family would never ept him. Juliana took the call as soon as she got out of the room. Chapter 398 Chapter 398 ¡°What''s the situation?¡± ¡°Ms. Juliana, Mr. Shurmer will be attending a dinner tonight at Century Hotel. He would be resting in his private suite as per his habit before the dinner begins.¡± Juliana tightened her grip on the phone. ¡°Okay, I get it. Everything is to go ording to n.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After hanging up, Juliana nced at the room behind her, a look of resoluteness crossing her gaze. She had to return to her family, or else Wendy and Sebastian would be in great trouble. It would be likely that she would never be able to leave if she returned to them, so she was determined to fulfill a dream of hers before that and give her romance a proper ending. The triennial International Racecar Tournament was held at Hallsbay. When the official list of participants was announced, the public went into an uproar. First, the Legendary Racer Adhira wasn''t among the participants. Second, Dexter Nicholson, Chanaea''s best racer wouldn''t be joining the tournament due to personal reasons and had had his friend take his ce. The two shocking news caused amotion among online fans. F*ck, I have been conned by official news! Didn''t they announce that Adhira would be joining? I was hoping to witness her in action! Geez, capitalists sure are abominable. They shamelessly threw in Adhira''s name just so the event could gain higher poprity. F*cking hell. I''m fine with Adhira not joining the tournament given that she''s the Legendary Racer, but Dexter''s absence is just unreasonable! By the way, who is it that''s going to take his ce? I''m curious. Logically speaking, substitutes aren''t allowed in tournaments like this, so how did Dexter manage it? Who the hell is taking his ce? Who knows. We''ll see in three days when the tournament begins. ... Bailey could hardly contain herughter when she went through thements online. Why is life so hard? All I want is some peace and quiet, but the outside world constantly denies me that. She could already imagine the ruckus created by her taking Dexter''s ce in the tournament. Her phone rang. When she took it out, she saw that it was a call from Victoria. Her heart skipped a beat as she picked up the call. ¡°Where are you, Vicky?¡± She could hear the sea breeze and the sounds of children ying. ¡°Are you by the beach?¡± ¡°Yeah. I''m currently at Belmonia Ind. I''ve been wanting to visit the ce for a long time but never got the chance to do that. Now that I''ve gone globe-trotting, I would like to visit all the ces that I''ve wanted to visit. Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°I''ve been wondering how you''re doing and worried if you''re well- nourished. And here you are, having the best time of your life. When are you nning oning back?¡± ¡°I won''t be back for some time. My father is always saddened when he sees me in such a state. His health is declining, so I don''t want to trigger him. How have you been? I saw the news. Artemis had announced you and your children''s rtionship with him. When will you be holding your wedding ceremony?¡± Bailey arched her brows. When she looked up, she saw Artemising out of the kitchen with two dishes. A smile formed on her lips. ¡°We might be getting married in a few days. Would you like to attend my wedding?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Bailey went to the balcony. After some hesitation, she chose to speak up. ¡°Vicky, I think there''s something that I need you to know. Lionel and Wendy aren''t married, and Sebastian isn''t Lionel''s kid either.¡± ng! A loud noise came through from the other side of the line. It sounded like something dropping onto the floor. ¡°Are you okay, Vicky?¡± ¡°I-I''m fine. I lost my grip on my mug and dropped it on the table. I need to get a change of clothes. I''ll call you some other time, Bay.¡± Bailey didn''t press for more, for she was aware that Victoria would need some time to digest the news she just got. After hanging up, she sent Victoria a text. Fated connections don''te by easily, so they''re extremely precious. All we can do is treasure them, Vicky. There''re a lot more people who had fared worse than you did. A friend of mine had suffered the bone-grinding pain of losing her child. Yet, she is stubbornly alive despite that. The only way to resurrect yourself is by mustering up the courage to face your pain. She spent a minute waiting on the balcony after sending the text, only turning around to reenter the living room when she received no reply. A smile crept onto her lips when she noticed the aroma permeating the room. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. After casting her phone onto the couch, she headed for the kitchen. She could see from afar a tall and lean figure busying himself in front of the cooking top. Fate was magical indeed. Half a year ago, she wouldn''t have believed in her wildest dreams that she would, one day, cross paths with Artemis and even fall so deeply in love with him. However, all of that came true after half a year. Not only did she start living with the man, but he also happened to be the one who was beyond her reach. As her thoughts ran rampant, she arrived at the kitchen. Upon reaching out to circle her arms around Artemis'' waist, she thanked him in a low voice, ¡°Artemis, I''m grateful for all the touching and passionate moments that you have offered me.¡± Artemis turned off the stove and pushed her against the cab, drowning her in passionate kisses that overwhelmed her instantly. After Zayron entered the kitchen, he checked the food in the pot while ignoring his parents who were engaged in a passionate kiss. With a pout, heined, ¡°You guys are so sappy! I''ve lost all my appetite now!¡± Bailey pushed away the man who was pressed against her to whack her son on the back of his head. Chapter 399 Chapter 399 ¡°Having some disy of affection to look at is already good enough. What''s there to whine about?¡± Zayron scratched the back of his head and frowned slightly as he climbed up the countertop and started serving himself some soup. He acted as if his parents were not even there in the first ce. Bailey had the urge to smack him, but Artemis stopped her. ¡°I also think that you''re biased. I only see you smacking him. Why do you not do that to the other two as well?¡± Bailey turned around and red at him. ¡°Anymore nonsense from you and I''ll smack you too.¡± Uh... Artemis scratched his nose and mustered his courage to pull his wife aside before asking with an arched brow, ¡°I just heard you telling Victoria that there''ll be a wedding in a few days. Bailey, you can''t treat your words as nonsense. When will you go with me to register our marriage?¡± Before Bailey could reply, Zayron yelled as he walked by while carrying a bowl of soup, ¡°Hurry up and marry this crazy woman. Don''t let her trouble me anymore.¡± Bailey lifted her leg and was about to kick the boy when Artemis quickly stopped her. ¡°The kid is carrying soup. You might burn him by ident.¡± The next moment, Bailey kicked him in the calf, and what she said next rendered him speechless. ¡°You wish to marry me? Wait another ten years, and we shall see.¡± Zayron burst intoughter. ¡°Why don''t you marry her in another ten years, Artemis? By then, I''ll be an adult and have a girlfriend. We can have a double wedding then.¡± ¡°Buzz off.¡± Zayron was at a loss for words. ... That night, in a room on the third floor of Century Hotel, Zeke was leaning against the backseat of the couch as his assistant spoke beside him. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, the dinner will start in an hour. Please take a rest first. I''ll go and wee the guests.¡± Zeke hummed in response. Shurmer Group had hundreds of pharmaceuticalpanies across the globe, and behind this vast corporate empire were burdensome trifles that currently fell solely on him. Initially, he thought of training Zoey to share some of his burdens, but his younger sister had dived headlong into a rtionship. How can she spare any thought of helping me carry the family burden? Someone knocked on the door, and he responded softly, ¡°Pleasee in.¡± A waiter pushed the door open and walked in before moving the tray from the cart onto the table. ¡°Here''s the red wine you ordered, Mr. Shurmer.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Meanwhile, Juliana was resting with her eyes closed while leaning against the seat in an ordinary- looking MPV at the hotel''s basement parking lot. Just then, the phone in her hand rang. She had just swiped to answer and was about to speak when the person on the end beat her to it. ¡°It''s all arranged, Ms. Hoffman. Mr. Shurmer is in Room 302 on the third floor. When youe up, try to avoid the cameras.¡± Juliana immediately sat up straight and gripped her phone tightly as her body trembled slightly. Has this moment finally arrived? She felt a little nervous. I thought I was not afraid of anything, but I didn''t expect that there would be times when I felt insecure and hesitant to take a step forward. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, Ms. Hoffman, are you listening?¡± Juliana was brought back to reality by the voice on the other end of the phone. ¡°Huh? Oh, I''m here. Go ahead.¡± ¡°As the dinner is starting in an hour, I didn''t mix in a heavy dosage of the drug, so you must hurry.¡± ¡°Okay. Got it. By the way, he won''t recognize me, right?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Not only did I add an aphrodisiac in it, but I also added a hallucinogen. He''ll be groggy for a short time. Plus, it''s dark inside, so I''m sure he won''t recognize you.¡± ¡°All right. Got it.¡± ... Back in the room, Zeke felt his head growing heavier, his body getting warmer after consuming half a ss of red wine. His consciousness was gradually slipping away. Tonight''s wine seems a little strong. I feel restless for some reason. His mood grew irritable as he recalled the conversation in the office, and he reached out to drain the remaining half ss of red wine. So be it if I''m getting wasted. In the worst case, I won''t go to the dinner. I''m tired. I just want to get a good rest. In his daze, the restlessness and irritability within him became more and more intense, and a burning sensation spread slowly from his lower abdomen. He could not believe that he longed for a woman, a feeling he never had before. Click! With a twist on the doorknob, the door was pushed open a gap, and a slender figure entered the space. Zeke was oblivious to it. Although he was usually calm and wise, he could not withstand the two drugs raging in his body at that moment. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. He was drugged and desperately desired a woman. These were the only two thoughts he had beforepletely losing his mind. Then, a delicate fragrance hit him like rain after a long drought and collidings, spiraling him out of control. He instinctively pinned the woman approaching him under him. Before losing his rationalitypletely, he opened his eyes with difficulty in an attempt to glimpse the other person''s face. However, the light was too dim and he was losing his senses, so all he could make out was the contour of her face. She looks familiar. I think I know her. The next moment, hepletely lost his rationality and could only act on his instinct. Half an hourter, Juliana used all of her strength to push the man who still wanted to continue away before tumbling off the couch after much difficulty. She fumbled in the dark for her clothes, quickly threw them on, and staggered out of the room. At the same time, in the banquet hall on the fifth floor, Shirley looked at the watch on her wrist, noting that the dinner was about to begin. ¡°Shirley, why are you standing here? Where''s Zeke?¡± The person who spoke was Richard, who came to Hallsbay to discuss the marriage with the Shurmer family. Shirley quickly turned around and replied with a smile, ¡°Earlier, his assistant said that he was a little tired and was resting in the room, so he must''ve fallen asleep.¡± Just then, Steven walked over with Waverly, who remarked, ¡°Go and check on him. The dinner is about to start in ten minutes. Don''t let the guests wait for him, especially your father. How can you leave the elders waiting.¡± Richard smiled and waved his hand. ¡°It''s fine. Zeke has a lot of burdens on him, and he doesn''t have siblings to help him. He has been busy all day, so it is understandable that he''s resting.¡± ¡°You guys continue. I''ll go to the room to take a look,¡± Shirley said. ¡°Go on.¡± ... Juliana rushed out of the room and followed the stairs to the basement. When rounding the corner, she brushed past Shirley, who was going downstairs. Although the former was not paying attention in her hurry, thetter saw her clearly. Juliana... Why did this little b*tch appear in Century Hotel looking disheveled? Her gaze fell on the nearby room, and looking at the half-opened door of Room 302, she groaned inwardly. Could it be that this b*tch... Disregarding Juliana, who left in a flustered state, she charged into the room. After seeing the scene inside, she clenched her jaw tightly and nearly broke a tooth. The air was thick with an amorous atmosphere. She was not a fool, so how could she not have guessed what had happened earlier? Juliana... Juliana... That d*mned b*tch! How dare she use such a despicable method to touch my man. We''re about to get engaged, and Zeke''s agreement to attend tonight''s dinner also meant that he has given in and decided to marry me. But at a time like this, I can''t believe that b*tch Juliana got to him first. Chapter 400 Chapter 400 Her eyes were filled with an abominable hatred. Seeing that the dinner is about to begin, what more can I do other than clench my jaw in fury? No! I can''t miss such a good opportunity. I must utilize it effectively. Since that b*tch Juliana has alreadyid her hands on Zeke, I''ll take advantage of the situation and take her ce. This marriage will be set if everyone believes that Zeke has touched me. At that thought, she closed the door of the room behind her and quickly walked over to the couch. She swiftly removed her clothes and slipped into the arms of the sleeping man. Hmm... I''ll wait for a while. After another ten minutes, if the guests above still don''t see us, they will surelye down to look for us. If I cause a fuss, Zeke will have no choice but to admit it. Juliana stumbled all the way to the basement and got into the car. ¡°Find me a hotel. I want to rest for the night.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After tonight, I will be returning to the Hoffman family, and Zeke will be nothing more than a passerby in my life. I''ve given him my most precious thing. I suppose it counts as fulfilling my feelings for him. ... A quarter of an hourter, Waverly noticed that Zeke and Shirley had not made their way upstairs, and seeing as the dinner was about to start, she prepared to go to the room on the third floor to have a look. Just then, Steven and Richard approached her. ¡°The two of them haven''te up yet?¡± Richard asked. Waverly shed him a faint smile. ¡°Maybe they''re talking about something. I''ll go down now and have a look. Let theme up, show their faces, and attend this dinner before anything else.¡± Richard mulled over it for a while and replied, ¡°I''ll go with you. I happen to have some questions to ask Zeke. I want to know his attitude toward this marriage.¡± ¡°Sure. Let''s go down together.¡± Several people headed toward the entrance of the banquet hall. Zoey also nned to follow them to see what was going on out of curiosity. Just then, the phone in her hand buzzed suddenly, and when she looked down, she found that it was a text message from Shirley: Zozo, I slept with your brother, and we''re in the room. Can you do me a favor by guiding some rtives and friends to the third floor to witness the scene of me lying with him? That way, your brother willpromise and agree to this marriage, and you don''t have to worry about him marrying that b*tch Juliana and making you feel disgusted. A hint of confusion shed across Zoey''s eyes. Zeke slept with Shirley? He really did that? Gosh! How is that possible? She did not bother giving it much thought due to the urgency of the situation for she had to lead some people to the third floor. Indeed, I can''t ept my brother marrying that b*tch Juliana, so I can only help Shirley to get what she wants. She texted back: Okay. I''ll send someone to spread the news that you and my brother are having an intense fight in the room immediately and attract some rtives and friends to have a look. ... After Steven and Waverly got out of the elevator with Richard, they headed straight to Room 302. The door was closed, but not locked. Waverly knocked several times, and when there was no response, she instinctively reached out to twist the doorknob. The door opened with a click. When she saw the clothes strewn all over the floor through the dim light, her face clouded over. Following behind her, Steven and Richard took in the scene as well, both of them looking at it with confused expressions. ¡°W-What''s going on?¡± Richard could not even speak clearly. Any father would be furious when they saw their daughter''s innocence being tarnished. ¡°Steven, Waverly, this... You must give me a reasonable exnation. How could this happen when the two of them aren''t even engaged?¡± After getting over the initial shock, Waverly returned to her usual calmposure and said with a smile, ¡°It''ll happen sooner orter. Since it came earlier, it''s still considered a happy event.¡± While they were talking, a series of rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor. Several elders of the Shurmer and Gourd families hurried over. ¡°What''s going on? Why haven''t the two youngsters shown up yet? Did something happen?¡± The speaker was an elderly man with a full head of white hair, who appeared to be of significant seniority within the family. Waverly quickly stood in front of those people with a smile and said to the old man, ¡°Uncle, it''s not convenient for the two youngsters to meet anyone now. Why don''t you all return to the banquet hall and wait.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. After saying that, she turned and shot her husband a nce, signaling him to steer the rtives and friends away immediately. Steven exchanged nces with Richard, and they began ushering the group toward the elevator. Suddenly, there was a loud thud, followed by a woman''s scream. ¡°Ah! It hurts!¡± ... Waverly took one look at everyone before opening the door and walking in. Everyone else also wanted to follow after her but was stopped by Steven and Richard. ¡°Uh... We are all adults, so I''m sure you''ve all guessed what happened inside. Zeke and Shirley really can''t meet anyone right now. If you just barge in like this, you''ll only make the situation more embarrassing.¡± Everyone was rendered speechless. Waverly reached toward the wall and turned on several dim lights in the room. When she turned her head, she saw Shirley sprawled on the ground, sobbing while clutching her arm. The earlier thud was her falling off the couch. She hurriedly went up, took off her trench coat, and draped it over the girl. Chapter 401 Chapter 401 ¡°Are you okay, Shirley?¡± Shirley ignored those concerned voices. Instead, she looked up to Zeke, who was slumped on the couch and clutching his head in distress. ¡°Z-Zeke! Why did you get mad and pushed me off?¡± she blurted out, pouting. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Zeke froze briefly, then narrowed his eyes and frowned at Shirley. ¡°You drugged me and then took advantage of that to sleep with me?¡± he questioned. He was sure that he had an intimate encounter with a woman, but he wasn''t sure who it was. His mind went nk, and all he could remember was that it was someone he was familiar with. Other than Shirley, he couldn''t think of any other woman who would possibly do that. Da*n it! This woman... Zeke''s face fell, and he coldly said, ¡°I''ve already epted the dinner invitation, which shows that I have relented and am prepared to marry you. Why do you have to resort to such a disgusting ploy?¡± Ashen-faced, Shirley quickly tried to exin, ¡°No, no, it wasn''t me! I did not drug you! You were already in delirium when I came in, and when I went to check on you, you... you...¡± She threw herself into Waverly''s arms and started sobbing. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I did not do that! I really did not drug Zeke! Please believe me!¡± she whined. Waverly patted Shirley on her back to console her as she turned around to reprimand Zeke. ¡°Rascal! How dare you use Shirley when it was you who lost control of yourself and took advantage of her? She was with me all the time until she came looking for you and found you in a confused state of mind. How is it possible she''s the one who drugged you?¡± she chided. Zeke frowned and looked toward the coffee table. His wine ss had disappeared, and there was nothing on the table. His expression darkened as he realized someone had already removed all evidence of their sneaky act. He was positive Shirley was the one who set him up. s, he had fallen into her trap, and there was no turning back time to undo his mistake. It was a fact that he had slept with her, so their fates were entwined, and he could not disassociate from her anymore. Sternly, Waverly told Zeke, ¡°Many of our family and friends are outside, and they all know there is some hanky-panky going on between you and Shirley. Both of you can''t back out of your marriage arrangement now. Go wash up and then get back to the hall to entertain the guests.¡± With that, she helped Shirley up and said, ¡°Let''s go to the restroom to freshen up, Shirley. I''m sorry you had to go through this nonsense, my poor girl. Rest assured the Shurmer family will make amends to you for this.¡± Putting on a pathetic act, she shakily walked off with Waverly while softly crying, ¡°I really didn''t drug him, Mrs. Shurmer... I didn''t.¡± ¡°Of course, my dear. I know you didn''t do that. Ignore what that rascal said. He knew he did wrong and was merely trying to find an excuse. I will not let him malign you in this manner!¡± Waverly reassured her. Veins were popping on his temple as a distressed Zeke watched the twodies leave. He tried hard to recall what had happened but drew a nk in his mind. His foggy and heavy brain could only remember vaguely that it was a very familiar face. Begrudgingly, he was convinced and epted it was Shirley whom he shared that intimate time with. ¡°Fu*k...¡± He couldn''t help but let out a string of swear words as he bemoaned his bad luck. ... In the hall at an unknown mansion, Holden was seated leisurely on a couch, and a man in ck was standing in front of him. ¡°What did you find out?¡± Holden asked. ¡°They are staying in a resort in the suburb. As it was a highly secured base of the Hoffman family, I could not get closer to find out more,¡± the man in ck replied. Holden stopped swirling the ss of wine in his hand, looked up, and casually asked, ¡°Where did they confine the young fe?¡± ¡°At the same location, but he has more people guarding him. If you wish to have more detailed information about him, I can try to sneak in during the night to find out,¡± the man offered. Holden waved him off, saying, ¡°Let me think about it. Don''t do anything rash and blow your cover.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± After the man in ck left, Holden dug into his pocket and fished out a photo. It was a photo of Sebastian. In the photo, a young Sebastian was seated on a tree, holding on tightly to one of the branches. He was peeping out from behind the branch, and there was an innocent and bright smile on his youthful face. With a solemn look in his eyes, Holden gently caressed the face in the photo with his slender finger. The more he looked at Sebastian, the more he noticed the resemnce between Sebastian and himself, and he was pleased. Some bonds would never be broken, and blood would always be thicker than water. ... Meanwhile, in the study at the main house of the Hoffman family''s resort, Raymond was standing in front of the desk, admiring a masterpiece painting. A middle-aged man walked in and reported, ¡°Mr. Raymond, our guys found something.¡± ¡°Tell me what it is,¡± Raymond nonchntly replied. ¡°Lionel had been secretly looking for Holden, who is the vice president of Tarragon,¡± the man said. Bang! Raymond looked up in shock, and dropped the magnifying ss he was holding onto the table. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± he demanded. The man shared his view. ¡°I suspect the bodyguard who led Ms. Wendy to turn against the family many years back is Holden. He assumed the fake identity of ude in order to get close to Ms. Wendy. His main motive was to get confidential information from her so he could get control of Zaewora.¡± A look of fury shed by in Raymond''s eyes. ude robbed the innocence of Wendy, who was the heir of the Hoffman family. He also stole confidential information from her, which resulted in the Hoffman family losing their territory in Zaewora. He had been the arch-enemy of their family since then. If Holden was indeed ude, Raymond reckoned he might be able to make use of Sebastian to ckmail Holden into returning him what he deemed should rightfully belong to the Hoffman family. Chapter 402 Chapter 402 ¡°Do you have proof that Holden is ude Wyble?¡± The man in ck shook his head and replied hesitantly, ¡°It is just a guess, and I don''t have substantial proof. However, Lionel secretly sent a lot of his men to find out the whereabouts of Tarragon''s vice president, Holden. That is strange enough so I''m pretty sure he is investigating Holden because of Ms. Wendy.¡± Raymond mmed his palm on the table as a sh of excitement appeared on his weathered face. ¡°Since you have a guess, do your best to confirm it.¡± The man in ck nodded. ¡°How do I do that?¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Raymond sneered, ¡°His son is with us, right? If Holden is indeed ude, he must''ve discovered that his son is here. I believe he''ll do his best to save his son. We''ll set a trap so he''ll reveal himself.¡± With that, he waved at the man in ck. The man came nearer to the table and bent down. Raymond whispered something in his ear. ¡°Got it?¡± ¡°Yes. I''ll make the arrangements now.¡± ¡°Mm. Go ahead.¡± The following day, Juliana dragged her exhausted body to Shelbert Condominium. When the door opened, she fell into the arms of the person who opened the door for her. Artemis'' brows furrowed. ¡°I''m not your master.¡± Huh? A muddled Juliana looked down and promptly leaped away from him. ¡°Master Artemis, sorry about that.¡± Huh? Why the h*ll is she calling me Master Artemis? Bailey walked out of the bedroom to see Artemis standing at the door in a daze. Curious, she went over to him. Upon spotting Juliana, she rolled her eyes and said, ¡°I thought a gorgeousdy showed up. Why are you in a daze after seeing Juliana? I...¡± Before she could finish, Juliana threw herself at Bailey. ¡°Master...¡± Bailey arched a brow. ¡°Why? Do you feel reluctant to leave me? If you don''t want to return to the Hoffman family, you can stay. No one can take you away from me.¡± She then grabbed Juliana''s shoulders and tried to shove thetter away. Nevertheless, the sight of a few red marks on Juliana''s nape caused Bailey to narrow her eyes instinctively. Those look suggestive, huh? Previously, Bailey wouldn''t be that sure, but she was recently ravaged by Artemis relentlessly and got used to getting hickeys from him. The red marks on Juliana''s neck were the same as hers. Oh, Juliana... A thought shed across her mind. Before she could ponder upon it, Juliana said in a muffled voice, ¡°Master, I''m leaving Hallsbay soon. I''m not sure if I get to visit you in the future, so I might not be able to attend your wedding.¡± Bailey let out a soft sigh. ¡°It isn''t as serious as you im. When you gain power, the whole Adrune has to listen to you. Why are you worrying about losing your freedom?¡± Juliana''s gaze lit up. ¡°You''re right. After I gain power, no one will stop me from going anywhere. If they make me upset, I will just punish them severely!¡± Bailey pinched her cheek. ¡°That''s it. The Hoffman family is the most mysterious and prestigious family in Adrune. You''re the descendants of King Adam and had ruled over Adrune for a few centuries. People respect you. After you ascend the throne, I might even need to rely on you.¡± Juliana flung her arms around Bailey yet again. ¡°Sure. I will protect you, Master. If you suffer in Aploth, come to Adrune. I promise you can do whatever you want in Adrune.¡± Bursting intoughter, Bailey patted her back and assured her, ¡°Don''t worry. No one dares to go against me in Aploth.¡± ¡°Of course. You''re now part of the most prominent family in Aploth. Besides, you''re so capable in everything you do and your various identities. No one will dare to offend you.¡± In the living room of his private mansion, Holden took a look at the parcel on the table and furrowed his brows. ¡°Who sent this?¡± The security guard shook his head. ¡°The sender is anonymous. We''ve used a scanner to scan the contents, but there isn''t any weapon inside. It seemed that there is a child''s finger inside.¡± Holden''s gaze turned cold as something urred to him. A tense silence ensued. It was as if time itself hade to a standstill. A whileter, he ordered, ¡°Open it.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The security guard opened the parcel to reveal a note on the top. There was a metal box underneath the note. After he opened the lid of the metal box, an unmistakable metallic scent of blood overwhelmed their senses. There was indeed a finger inside the box. Judging from its size, it seemed to belong to a kid around six to seven years old. Holden''s pupils constricted as an ominous feeling rose in his heart. He grabbed the note which read: Ms. Wendy, the three-day deadline has expired. Ms. Juliana isn''t back yet, and Mr. Raymond is furious. To appease him, we have no choice but to chop off Mr. Sebastian''s finger. From today onward, we''ll chop off one of Mr. Sebastian''s fingers every day if Ms. Juliana still doesn''t show up. Holden gripped the note. The sender deliberately used the wrong form of address. The recipient seemed to be Wendy and Juliana, but it was meant as a reminder to him. They wanted him to pay them a visit to get the boy back. Otherwise, the next parcel sent to him would contain the boy''s real finger. It was a threat and also a test. If he wasn''t the boy''s father, then he could ignore the boy''s safety after receiving the parcel. However, if he was the boy''s father, there was no way he could sit back and do nothing. ¡°Well, well. They are trying to set a trap for me, huh? Good. They want something from me, right? I shall fulfill their wish.¡± With that said, he rose to his feet from the couch and went to the door. ¡°Let''s go to the resort so I can meet Mr. Raymond in person.¡± He had just stepped out of his mansion when his phone rang in his pocket. Pulling it out, he realized it was from an unknown number. After a few seconds of hesitation, he decided to answer the call. ¡°Who is this?¡± ¡°It''s me, Lionel. Wends only said those words out of anger that day, so please don''t take it to heart. Don''t act impulsively, okay? Juliana has decided to return to the Hoffman family to get Sebastian back. Please don''t be reckless unless you want the Hoffman family to know Sebastian is your son. If that happens, they won''t give Sebastian back to us even if we offer ten Julianas in exchange.¡± Holden''s face was grim as he tightened his grip on his phone until a crunching noise could be heard. ¡°It''s toote. I just received a parcel with a kid''s finger inside. It isn''t Sebastian''s, but I''m pretty sure they have a wicked idea in mind. Judging from the content in the note, they already knew that Sebastian is my son.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lionel raised his voice. ¡°Did you do something that made them sense something was off?¡± Holden snorted icily. ¡°It wasn''t me; it was you. You sent your men to search for me, and the old geezers in the Hoffman family aren''t fools. They only need to ponder over it to realize my rtionship with Wendy and Sebastian.¡± Lionel was at a loss for words. A momentary silenceter, he asked in a deep voice, ¡°What will you do? Will you send your men to save Sebastian or do nothing?¡± Chapter 403 Chapter 403 Holden narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°Why? Do you think I am a cold-blooded man who won''t even save his own son?¡± he asked icily. ¡°I''m sorry. You know that wasn''t what I meant. I just panicked after realizing the Hoffman family knows about you and Sebastian. Holden sneered, ¡°Don''t you worry about me. Mr. Gezmond. If he''s my son, I''ll do my best to save him.¡± With that said, he walked down the stairs and added, ¡°I''ll head to the Hoffman family residence to meet their head now. Don''t tell her about this. I don''t want her to panic and act irrationally.¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Naturally, Holden was referring to Wendy. Hearing that, Lionel raised his voice. ¡°You''re going to meet them just like this? If you head there personally, they''ll confirm that their suspicion is right. That''s telling them Sebastian is your son!¡± ¡°What else can I do? Should I wait until they chop off Sebastian''s finger for real before starting a negotiation with them?¡± Lionel was stumped at his answer. Sighing, he said, ¡°Well, you''re right. With their suspicion, they won''t hand Sebastian over to us easily. They won''t give up until they prove that Sebastian is your biological son.¡± Holden wasn''t about to waste time talking to him and hung up immediately. At the parking lot, his phone rang again. This time, it was still Lionel''s phone number, but the person on the phone wasn''t Lionel but Wendy. ¡°I overheard your conversation with Lionel. I won''t act recklessly, so I hope you''ll do the same. My sister has decided to return to the family. Please allow her to talk to Mr. Raymond first. We shall see if she can get Sebastian back. If she fails, we can figure out another way,¡± Wendy told him. Holden''s brows snapped together. When I ignored things, she used me of being cruel and heartless. Now when I want to take action, she''s worried I might screw up. Women are difficult to please. Will I harm my own son? ¡°Holden, are you listening?¡± Holden parted his lips and replied curtly, ¡°Okay.¡± She''s worried that I''ll ditch her son if I cannot fulfill the harsh conditions the Hoffman family stated, huh? If she doesn''t trust me, then why did shee all the way to scold me earlier and ordered me to save our son? Back at the Gezmond residence, Wendy grabbed Juliana''s arm in the living room and said in a choking voice, ¡°I''m sorry you have to bear responsibility for the mistake I did.¡± Juliana shed a nonchnt smile and patted Wendy''s back in aforting manner. ¡°We''re sisters, so don''t say that. Our parents only have two daughters. Since you can''t be the head of the family, that means I''ll have to take over the position. It has been arranged early on, so I''m fine with it.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°All right, stop fretting. Stay at home while I figure out a way to save Sebastian.¡± She then turned to Lionel and shot him a grin. ¡°Please take good care of Wendy. I''ll send someone to bring Wendy and Sebastian back once I am officially the head of the family. I think my master has already exined everything to Vic. You can go to her and apologizeter. I believe she''ll forgive you.¡± ¡°Okay. Be careful there. If you need my help, just give me a call. I''ll do my very best to help you.¡± ¡°Thanks, Lionel.¡± Just then, the butler walked into the house as though he had something to report to Lionel. ¡°There are no outsiders here, so just say it,¡± Lionel told him. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, the Shurmer family just sent news that Mr. Zeke is going to get engaged to Ms. Gourd of the Lostaria Gourds. They invited you and Mrs. Gezmond to join them for a meal at the Shurmer residence.¡± Wendy could feel her sister''s body trembling. Inwardly, she let out a sigh. It looks like Julie is deeply in love with him. She still misses him even though she imed to have given up. ¡°Julie...¡± Juliana gave her a smile and feigned nonchnce. ¡°It''s fine. You and Lionel should go. Just arrange for a driver to send me to Mr. Raymond''s house.¡± Wendy was about to say something, but Lionel stopped her. Seeing his signal, she swallowed her words. Love was a feeling that others would not understand and only the person involved would feel it. Outsiders could never understand her feelings or stand in her shoes to judge her decision. The Shurmer family and the Gourd family were both present in the living room of the Shurmer residence. Richard took a look at an expressionless Zeke and said firmly, ¡°My daughter said she didn''t drug you, and she''s telling the truth. B*stard, how dare you me my daughter when you were the one who couldn''t control yourself and forced yourself on her? Are you trying to shirk responsibility?¡± Zeke''s expression turned as dark as thunder. Waverly immediately tried to ease the tension in the air. ¡°Everyone was too emotional and spoke without thinking much earlier. Now that we''ve calmed down, we won''t use Shirley wrongly.¡± She poked her son''s arm and warned, ¡°Promise Mr. Gourd that you''ll marry Shirley and treat her well.¡± Chapter 404 Chapter 404 Zeke looked away and lowered his head. After a brief silence, he said slowly, ¡°We can get engaged first and discuss the wedding two yearster. I''ve just taken over the Shurmer family, so I''m too busy to n a wedding.¡± Everyone in the living room heaved a sigh of relief when they heard him agreeing to the engagement. They were worried he would refuse to marry Shirley no matter what. Richard rxed. ¡°Sure. You can get engaged first.¡± He turned to his daughter and asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Shirley could barely hide her delight. Finally, Zeke agrees to get engaged to me. As long as we are engaged, I''m confident he''ll stay by my side. Everyone in the Shurmer family and the Gourd family knew Zeke had sex with me and that I am his woman. I''ll be his wife as long as the b*tch Juliana doesn''t do anything to break us up. ¡°I''ll follow Zeke''s wishes. Just do as he said,¡± she replied shyly. Richard guffawed in joy and gazed at Steven, who was sitting across from him. ¡°We finally fulfill our wish of being inws.¡± Steven nodded. ¡°The Shurmer family is blessed to have a daughter-inw like Shirley. They will finally marry each other, so our wish hase true.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°Yes, you''re right.¡± Zeke got up and said calmly, ¡°I need to get back to work, so I''ll be heading back to my office now.¡± He then walked toward the door. Seeing that, Waverly promptly called out, ¡°We have a dinner party tonight. I have asked the butler to call Lionel, so he''ll be hereter. Remember to be back in time for dinner.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± ... The screeching sounds of a car braking were heard at the intersection of Haltwind Road. Juliana frowned. ¡°What happened? Why did you hit the brakes suddenly?¡± ¡°Ms. Juliana, there are a few cars blocking our way,¡± the driver reported. Right after he said that, someone knocked on the window. Juliana rolled it down to discover a bodyguard dressed in ck standing outside. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, my employer would like to talk to you.¡± Juliana recognized the bodyguard as he was Zeke''s personal bodyguard. The employer he mentioned should be Zeke, then. He never took the initiative to look for me. What is going on? No! There must be a reason for him toe all the way here to meet me. Did he realize I was the one who drugged himst night? With that thought in mind, she held the corner of her dress tightly and forced herself to stay calm. ¡°I''m sorry, but I''m in a hurry. Please make way.¡± The man in ck ignored her words and gestured for her to get out. It was clear what he meant. Juliana clenched her jaw. I don''t have enough men with me, so it''s impossible to get past them and leave. So... ¡°I''ll go talk to Mr. Shurmer. Stay in the car,¡± she told the driver.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Juliana opened the door and strode to a car parked nearby. When she arrived, another man in ck opened the door for her. She hesitated for a few seconds before getting into the car. ¡°Why have youe?¡± Juliana dared not look at the man sitting next to her as she felt a little guilty. Zeke shot her a dark look. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, it seems that your attitude toward me has done aplete one-eighty. Why? Have you lost interest in me that soon?¡± Juliana whipped her head around to re at him. ¡°What do you mean by I''ve lost interest in you? Did you forget how you rejected me countless times and...¡± Mid-sentence, she btedly realized that she was overreacting and promptly swallowed the rest of her words. Arching a brow, Zeke asked, ¡°Are you going to meet the elder of the Hoffman family?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Juliana managed through gritted teeth. She then mocked, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, you can finally heave a sigh of relief as no one will pester you anymore. You can finally get engaged to your fianc¨¦e in peace. I wish you both a happy marriage.¡± She pushed the door open to leave. Seeing that, Zeke gripped her arm and chuckled. ¡°Why are you blowing up when we barely chatted?¡± Juliana flung his arm away with all her might. ¡°What do you want? I''ve made myself clear, and I won''t pester you anymore. Can''t you get out of my way instead of showing up before me?¡± I''m afraid I might be reluctant to leave after seeing him a few more times. God knows how much courage I had to summon to make up my mind. Can he stop showing up before me and enabling my rebellious side? Zeke sighed softly. ¡°We are friends, so I came here to send you off. If you need help back in your family, just give me a call. I''ll do my best to help you.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Yes, I don''t need him. I have Master, Master Artemis, and Lionel. He won''t have a chance to offer his help. At her insistence, Zeke shed a bitter smile and shook his head. ¡°All right, then. Take care. I''ll be celebrating your sess back in Aploth. You''ll be one of the most influential and powerful women in Adrune.¡± Juliana parted her lips to say something but decided against it after she thought of something. Then, she left the car without saying anything. A dark look appeared in Zeke''s eyes as he watched her leave. He was so used to being pestered by Juliana, so he felt his heart break a little after learning about her departure. ... Bailey remained in Shelbert Condominium instead of bidding goodbye to her mentee. To her, Juliana''s departure was only temporary. Once Juliana took over the entire Hoffman family, no one in the world could stop her from going anywhere. Chapter 405 Chapter 405 The Hoffman family was the biggest and most mysterious family in Adrune and had ruled over Epea for centuries. Once Juliana wielded real power, she would be one of the most powerful people in the world. Thus, Bailey approved of her return. Her years of experience taught her one thing¡ªonly those in power were able to protect their loved ones and do whatever they wanted. The doorbell rang right when Bailey sent a message to Juliana. It was a curt text: Have a safe trip. After the message was sent, she tossed her phone onto the coffee table and went to the doorway to open the door. ¡°Bailey, you lied to me!¡± The sight of her sister-inw at the door caused Bailey to massage her brows in exasperation. Ugh, I''m going to have a headache. I''ve just sent one away, and another one is here. ¡°When did I lie to you?¡± ¡°You promised to get me Legendary Racer''s autograph, but she didn''t evene to Hallsbay, let alone join thepetition!¡± Bailey let out a helpless sigh. ¡°How do you know she''s not at Hallsbay? Not joining thepetition doesn''t mean she''s not here, get it?¡± Caridee blinked. ¡°Is she here? You''re not lying to me, right?¡± Feeling amused, Bailey pped her head. ¡°I promise you''ll get Adhira''s autograph that day.¡± Caridee sighed in relief and took Bailey''s arm. Beaming, she said, ¡°Bailey, you''re the best!¡± Right after she spoke, footsteps sounded in the corridor outside. They both looked up. Caridee bore a lovestruck expression when she got a clear look at the person. ¡°Oh, he''s so handsome. I-Is heing toward us?¡± Bailey nced at her before turning to look at Veikko. Oh, no. Caridee is a pampered socialite, so she cannot resist someone as handsome as Veikko. That''s precisely why handsome young men are popr in the entertainment industry. Girls just swoon at the sight of them. Veikko''s ck outfit made him look more handsome than ever. He also looked manly as he received vigorous training all year long. Did Caridee fall in love with him at first sight? Please don''t... If he steals her heart, Ratemis will kill me! One was a malicious young assassin who reeked of blood, and the other was a sheltered youngdy who grew up without any worries. If sparks flew between them, they would end up being on parallel lines that would never intersect with each other. ¡°Maxton, Zayron, your Aunt Caridee is here. Bring her to the study now.¡± Caridee rolled her eyes in exasperation. ¡°I have only taken one look at yourckey. Why are you so nervous? I wasn''t nning on seducing him.¡± After she said that, a shocking thought popped up in her mind. Her eyes widened incredulously as she asked, ¡°B-Bailey, don''t tell me you have a kept man without Artemis'' knowledge... Mmph...¡± Bailey hurriedly covered her mouth and dered, ¡°Stop talking nonsense. If your brother hears this, he''ll kill me!¡± Caridee blinked before reaching out to pry her hand off. ¡°It turns out you''re scared of Artemis, huh?¡± Bailey was speechless. Yes, I''m afraid of Artemis. In fact, I''m terrified of him. I''m scared he''ll pin me in bed and force me to stay there for seven days in a row. She wasn''t exaggerating, for Artemis was perfectly capable of doing that. ¡°Who is he, Bailey? If you refuse to tell me who he is, I''ll tell Artemis you have a kept man.¡± Bailey shot her a re. I knew it. The Luthers may look innocent, but they are full of tricks. ¡°My sworn brother. Don''t talk nonsense,¡± she warned. ¡°What is his name?¡± Caridee asked. ¡°Veikko.¡± Oh, Veikko. Caridee blinked twice. What a nice name. I like it. Bailey pushed her into the living room and mmed the door shut. ¡°Why did youe?¡± Veikko nced at her and asked, ¡°I heard Dexter isn''ting back and wants you to join the competition on his behalf. Is that right?¡± ¡°Yes, he can''t make it back in time and asked me topete on his behalf. Why don''t you do that instead?¡± Bailey didn''t want to steal the limelight, anyway. Hearing that, Veikko spun on his heels and left. ¡°I''m not used to people staring at me like I''m a monkey in the zoo.¡± Bloody hell! He''s insulting me indirectly! ¡°By the way, what about the thing I told you to investigate? What did you find?¡± ¡°The Hoffman family is currently at Sunny Resort in the south of the city. Sebastian is locked up there, too. However, you shouldn''t act recklessly. The resort is the Hoffman family''s base, so it is heavily guarded. If you were to go alone, you might be able toe and go as you like, but it will be hard to escape since you have to take Sebastian with you.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes at his words. Hopefully, Juliana''s return can allow Sebastian toe back safely. s, she was bound to be disappointed. After all, she didn''t know that Sebastian''s biological father, Holden, had unfinished business with the Hoffman family. ... Juliana alighted from her car when they arrived at Sunny Resort. At once, dozens of bodyguards d in ck outfits formed two lines and greeted her, ¡°Ms. Juliana.¡± Juliana''s lips curved when she saw the grand wee. This is just the beginning. Once I gain full control of the Hoffman family, all forces in Adrune will have to bow at my feet. Raymond came down the stairs and chuckled. ¡°You keep your promise by showing up in three days.¡± Juliana blinked and raised her brow. ¡°I have no choice as my nephew is with you, Mr. Raymond. Now that I''m here as promised, can you release Sebastian?¡± Raymond gave a dismissive wave. ¡°There''s no hurry. He''s part of the Hoffman family, and I''d like to spend more time with him. I''ll ask someone to send him home when we leave.¡± Juliana sneered inwardly. As she expected Raymond not to release Sebastian that easily, she wasn''t that disappointed at his response. ¡°All right. We''ll do it your way. Where is Sebastian? I''ll go take a look at him.¡± Since she agreed without kicking up a fuss, Raymond didn''t make things difficult for her. He ordered a maid,¡± Bring Ms. Juliana to the guest room so she can see Mr. Sebastian.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After watching them leave, the middle-aged man beside Raymond asked, ¡°Holden didn''t take action after receiving the finger. Was my prediction wrong?¡± This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Raymond snorted icily. ¡°They are cing their hopes on Juliana and won''t take action.¡± ¡°What should we do?¡± ¡°Make sure Juliana doesn''t get to contact the outside world. That way, they will panic and fight with each other. Also, tighten the security on the bast*rd. We don''t want to let Juliana take advantage of the situation to save him.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ... The Shurmer residence was rather lively and noisy. Zoey got her phone and left the living room. She came to a stop in a gazebo in the garden and nced at the bodyguard in ck who summoned her. Frowning, she asked, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Ms. Zoey, I just received a tipoff from a friend who works for the racing association. It is rted to Bailey.¡± Chapter 406 Chapter 406 Zoey looked up and narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°What is that matter rted to Bailey?¡± The bodyguard in ck seemed to be pondering the best way to express his mind. He contemted briefly before saying, ¡°Two days ago, the racing association published the participant list for the International Racecar Tournament. Chanaea''s representative, Dexter Nicholson, could not return to the country to take part in the tournament because he was upied by some personal matters, so he requested his friend to take his ce in the contest. The substitute is Bailey.¡± Zoey widened her eyes in utter disbelief. In her opinion, an intense and dangerous sport like car racing was usually participated by men, so she wondered if Bailey, a woman, was up for the challenge. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Are you sure she will be recing Dexter in the tournament?¡± ¡°Yes. I''m absolutely certain.¡± A hint of menace shed across Zoey''s eyes as an idea to eliminate her concern once and for all popped into her mind amidst her rumination. If a car overturns or crashes into a building while traveling at high speed during a race, the driver would suffer a horrible death, right? I want to send that b*tch, Bailey, to hell. ¡°Did you mention that your friend works in the International Racecar Tournament? Is he subjective to bribery?¡± The bodyguard in ck fell silent for a few moments before replying, ¡°There isn''t any problem in this world that cannot be resolved with money. As long as you can offer a handsome reward, I believe there will always be room for discussion.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She stretched out her arm and lifted one finger at him. ¡°I''ll be offering him this much. Let me know if your friend is willing to take the job.¡± A look of surprise flitted past the bodyguard''s eyes. The daughter of the Shurmer family is indeed generous, putting forward one hundred million as the reward without hesitation. ¡°Okay. I''ll contact my friend right away to seek his opinion. To what extent do you want him to tamper with the tournament, Ms. Zoey?¡± Zoey curled her lips into a smile and responded coldly, ¡°I want her dead. Regardless of what your friend does, I want him to make sure Bailey will perish along with the vehicle during the race.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll discuss it with my friend. Please wait for my update.¡± With that, he turned around to leave the pavilion. After taking two steps forward, Zoey''s voice sounded behind him. ¡°Remember to handle this matter well and not let outsiders get dirt on us. If your friend is reluctant to ept the offer, you must buy him off to ensure his silence too.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Zoey.¡± Following the bodyguard''s departure, Zoey slowly gazed up at the shining moon in the sky and clenched her fists that hung by her sides. Bailey, we are sworn enemies, and there is simply no way for us to coexist, so only one of us can survive. I''ll never stand by and watch as you steal my identity. I won''t allow you to rece me and cause me to lose everything. Meanwhile, at the Xuereb residence, a small banquet was held to celebrate Christopher''s birthday. The entire mansion was brightly-lit, and many impressively-dressed social elites could be seen socializing and interacting with one another. Zephyr had just undergone surgery, and Veronique had suffered from a miscarriage a few days ago. Hence, Justin didn''t bring them along to attend the event due to their condition. Of course, the main reason was that his mother had yet to ept Veronique and Zephyr into the family. Therefore, their presence would only invite embarrassment and conflict. After parking the car, Justin noticed many people were giving him strange looks as they sized him up while he strode toward the house. Only after he entered the living room and saw Scarlett did he fathom the reason behind the guests'' unusual gazes earlier. His wife didn''t tag along, but his ex-fianc¨¦e, who he had verbally agreed to marry, showed up at the Xuereb residence. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Justin asked while frowning at Scarlett. Initially, Scarlett grinned happily as she wrapped her arms around Olivia''s. However, after hearing his question, the smile on her face wavered. ¡°Today is Mr. Xuereb''s birthday. Shouldn''t I attend this banquet to celebrate this joyous asion with him since we''ve known each other for so long?¡± After Scarlett finished speaking, Olivia piped up sarcastically, ¡°Lettie is more thoughtful and well- mannered, after all. Unlike somebody else, she realizes the importance of being present at an elder''s birthday banquet. A certain someone is unwilling to show up even for her future father-inw''s birthday banquet. No, I stand corrected. You two have registered your marriage, so Christopher is technically her father-inw. She''s really full of herself, isn''t she?¡± Holding his forehead, Justin disregarded his mother''s mockery and said to Scarlett, ¡°You just donated your bone marrow, so your body hasn''t recovered yet. You should be resting in the hospital now. I''m not ming you for attending tonight''s banquet. I''m just saying that you should take better care of your health. If you wish to visit the Xuereb residence, you can do so at any time. Maybe my mother should take you in as her goddaughter.¡± Scarlett balled her fists. Do I strike you as an orphan? Do Ick affection to the extent of needing an outsider to be my godmother? I am the precious and esteemed daughter of the Fletcher family, so is there a need for me to butter up others and trouble myself with the ordeal of entertaining another set of parents? You are the only reason I''m frequenting the Xuereb residence. Do you understand how much I love you, Justin? Christopher walked over and chimed in, ¡°That''s enough. The banquet will begin soon. Justin, go upstairs and change your clothes. Come down and apany me to greet the guestster.¡± Justin grunted in response. Still, he couldn''t help but exhort Scarlett, ¡°You''ve just donated your bone marrow, so you are still weak. It''ll be best if you don''t drink alcohol and avoid spicy food too.¡± The resentment in Scarlett''s chest intensified after she listened to him. To whom did I donate my bone marrow? I donated them to your illegitimate son. She felt like he was rubbing salt in her wound whenever he mentioned that matter in front of her. Chapter 407 Chapter 407 Watching her son''s leaving silhouette, Olivia patted the back of Scarlett''s hand and whispered, ¡°Calm down. He''ll be yours tonight.¡± Scarlett forced an awkward smile. ¡°If you hadn''t stood up for me, I would''ve been walked over by Justin.¡± ¡°Oh, don''t be silly.¡± Olivia stroke Scarlett''s head before pushing her away. ¡°He''s gone upstairs. I need to give the housekeepers some instructions. You wait here on the couch. I''ll be back in a while.¡± ¡°All right. Go on ahead. I''ll leave everything to you.¡± Olivia headed straight to the kitchen. There, she filled up half a bowl of soup and ordered the housekeeper to bring it up to Justin. ¡°Tell him that the soup was prepared specifically for him. After all, drinking alcohol on an empty stomachter is bad for health.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± Twenty minutester, Justin emerged from the bathroom wearing a bathrobe. The moment he entered the changing room, he stopped abruptly in his tracks, a grim expression on his face. He turned around and threw his gaze at the porcin bowl on the table. Damn it! Someone has spiked that bowl of soup with a strong aphrodisiac. He couldn''t believe something like that would happen to him at home. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn''t have been worried about such drugs, as an antidote of his would be able to negate the effects. The problem was that he was currently at home, while the antidote he created was at the medical base. Before he lost his mind, he swiftly picked up his phone and sent a message to Veronique: I''ve been drugged by something potent, and it can only be neutralized by an antidote. Bring it to me from the third drawer in my study. Hurry! I''m afraid I can''t control myself much longer. No sooner had he sent the message than someone opened his bedroom door. It was none other than Scarlett. When she saw Justin wrapped only in a bathrobe with sweat beading off his face, she eximed, ¡°Justin, what''s wrong? Why is your face so red?¡± Justin pursed his lips when the reason his mother drugged him became evident. He couldn''t believe how reckless his own mother was in trying to get someone else to bed him despite the fact that he was already a family man. Does she realize she''s forcing her own son to cheat? ¡°Why are you here?¡± Pointing downstairs, Scarlett replied shyly, ¡°Your father was wondering what was holding you up and asked me to check on you.¡± Justin waved his hand and responded sternly, ¡°I got it. I''ll be right down. You can leave now.¡± ¡°Um, you don''t look right. Are you having a fever?¡± Leave? I have no intention of doing so the moment I walked through that door. She walked up to him as she spoke. Justin narrowed his eyes and raised his voice as he said, ¡°Get out of my room now! Otherwise, I''m going to throw you out.¡± Scarlett was taken aback by his hostility. Nheless, cognizant that this was her only opportunity, she mustered all the courage she had. She knew that a second chance would nevere her way. ¡°Justin, you''re in a bad mood because of your fever. Why don''t you lie down while I get you some medicine?¡± She rushed up to his side. At the veryst moment, she pretended to trip on her own leg, hurtling her body into his arms. When shey her hands on his burning chest, she eximed, ¡°Justin, you''re burning up! You really do have a fever.¡± She pushed him toward his bed while fanning his lust further by caressing his chest. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Justin looked at her coldly. ¡°What''s the point in all of this? I have a wife and son, and yet, you''re still deluding yourself by resorting to such despicable schemes?¡± Scarlett stared nkly at him. ¡°I don''t know what you''re talking about, Justin. The fever must be clouding your mind.¡± Justin snorted. ¡°Do you take me for a fool? If not for the fact that we go way back, I would have kicked you out of the house for your actions earlier. You better get out before I lose all my rationality. Don''t disgrace yourself this way.¡± Scarlett looked at him through her misty eyes and choked out, ¡°Do you really hate me that much? Justin, I''ve loved you for seven whole years, which should mean something to you. But why is your heart still frozen like a rock?¡± ¡°You''re right about the seven years. During that entire period, I couldn''t bring myself to love you no matter how much I tried. It proves that we''re just not meant to be together. Even if you sully yourself tonight, it changes nothing. I don''t love you. I won''t marry you even if I sleep with you.¡± Scarlett bit her lip in seething anger, her tears streaming endlessly to the ground. After a momentary silence, a resolute look returned to her eyes. ¡°It''s fine if you have no feelings for me. My love for you is all that matters. Losing you will drive me mad.¡± With that, she began to rip off his bathrobe. Justin was on the brink of losing his senses, his eyes bloodshot. He could barely resist such visual stimtion. While struggling to stop her, he desperately suppressed the effects of the drug within him. His only hope theny with Veronique. Chapter 408 Chapter 408 Fortunately, the medical base wasn''t far from the Xuereb residence. It was a twenty-minute drive away, but one could make it in ten if one were to hurry. Despite her efforts, Scarlett began to grow anxious when she failed to strip Justin''s bathrobe off. Olivia had informed her that the drug was extremely potent. An ordinary person wouldn''t be able to resist it for more than ten minutes. However, now that twenty minutes had passed and Justin still maintained his presence of mind, she couldn''t help but admire his willpower while worrying about how the situation was unfolding. In the end, driven by desperation, she threw herself into his arms and pushed him onto the bed. Justin had reached the limit of his resistance. He was close to losing his rationality in another minute or two. His eyes were red as he stared at Scarlett, who was consumed by her obsession. Raising his hand up high, he swung it down on her neck and knocked her unconscious. The entire struggle had carried on for more than ten minutes. Unable to hold himself back any longer, Justin staggered into the bathroom and dipped his head into cold water. It wasn''t until a few minutester that a dark figure shed across the full-length windows of his room, heralding Veronique''s arrival. After a quick scan of the surroundings, she found Scarlett lying on the floor. Thinking of how such a beautiful girl was willing to sacrifice her dignity for love, Veronique let out a sigh. Even though she, too, had been obsessed with Justin once, it never urred to her to resort to such unscrupulous measures to force his hand. Getting pregnant with Zephyr was a result of circumstances out of her control. Why did you have to bet everything on a pipe dream? What''s the use of forcing the matter when his heart clearly doesn''t belong to you? As the sound of flowing water rang out from the bathroom, she rushed inside without further hesitation. The moment she opened the door, the condition Justin was in gave her a shock. F*ck, what a potent drug! But I shouldn''t be surprised. Justin''s mother does know him like the back of her hand. She must have gone all out with the knowledge that ordinary drugs have no effect on him. I can''t believe how ruthless she is. If Justin resisted till the end, wouldn''t she end up killing him? If word gets out that he was killed by his mother... ¡°Justin, wake up. Wake up!¡± She gave his face a couple of ps. As he gradually opened his eyes, the sight of her caused him to abruptly turn his body over and pin her on the ground. The next moment, she was covered by passionate kisses. ¡°Give yourself to me...¡± His voice couldn''t be any hoarser. Veronique pursed his lips and reminded him, ¡°Are you sure? I just suffered a miscarriage, and my uterus still isn''t up to it.¡± When she saw the agony he was in, she wanted to use herself as an antidote to ease his desperation. Unfortunately, her body wasn''t in the condition to do so. Also, by the time he regains his senses the next day, he will be filled with nothing but regret. The moment the words ¡°miscarriage¡± and ¡°uterus¡± echoed through Justin''s mind, he froze briefly and narrowed his eyes at her. ¡°Veronique?¡± Breaking into a smile, Veronique wrapped her hands around his neck. ¡°Yes, it''s me. But I can''t fulfill your request now. Just take the antidote instead.¡± With that, she took a bottle out of her pocket. ¡°Open your mouth.¡± Turning his head to avoid it, Justin confessed, ¡°Actually, I do have feelings for you. I was looking for an opportunity to bare my soul back then but ended up going to Dellmoor. After I saved Scarlett there, she and her father took a liking to me. You left without saying goodbye, so I...¡± Veronique''s eyes widened as she looked at him in disbelief. What did he just say? He likes me? He really has feelings for me? Overwhelmed by tion, she could clearly hear her heart pounding furiously. ¡°Y-You really like me? When I left without telling you, it wasn''t because I had given up on you. I found out that the Fletcher family had chosen you as their future son-inw. Coupled with the fact that I got pregnant, I had no choice but to leave.¡± Justin gave her a tight hug. ¡°Luckily, I didn''t lose you over the years.¡± Tears began welling up in Veronique''s eyes. Knowing that Justin wasn''t one to utter sweet nothings, she knew he meant every word he said. ¡°Justin...¡± As the effects of the drug began to overwhelm him, he gave his head a forceful shake before taking the bottle from her hand and pouring its content into his mouth. Given the effectiveness of the antidote, Justin felt the heat in his body swiftly dissipate within a few minutes. Looking in the direction of the bedroom, Veronique asked, ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Justin got to his feet before pulling her into his embrace. ¡°How did you get in?¡± Veronique blinked. ¡°I picked up rock climbing from Bay.¡± ¡°So you came in through the window?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± Veronique grinned. Justin knocked her on her head. ¡°Have you forgotten the condition your body is in?¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Veronique nuzzled herself coyly against his chest. ¡°Don''t hit me on the head. I''m not someone smart. If you do it a few more times, I''ll be dumber than Zephyr.¡± At the mention of his son, Justin suddenly said, ¡°Let him take my surname, Xuereb. We''ll keep his given name as it is. Zephyr Xuereb. How does it sound?¡± Veronique nodded. ¡°Excellent. I love the sound of it.¡± Thereafter, she pointed to the bedroom and asked, ¡°What are we going to do with her?¡± An insidious expression shed across Justin''s face. ¡°We''ll take her to the study and both of us can get into bed after that.¡± Veronique blinked. ¡°Your mother will probably burst a vessel once she sees us.¡± Justin replied coldly, ¡°She has to bear the consequences of setting up her own son. In fact, I have yet to hold her ountable for causing your miscarriage. So what if she''s an elder? It doesn''t negate the wrong that she has done.¡± Veronique was bereft of speech. The end result was just as she had expected. When Olivia led a group of her rich friends to Justin''s room, she almost fainted from anger at the sight of Veronique and Justin sleeping on the same bed. Christopher''s birthday banquet ended on a sour note. The next day, the International Racecar Tournament was held in Hallsbay. Even though Adhira and Dexter didn''t participate due to personal reasons, it did not diminish the prestige of the event at all. All the organizers did was announce that someone would rece Dexter but didn''t reveal who the mysterious driver was. The hype surrounding the new driver filled the public with anticipation for the race. Meanwhile, at the race area parking lot, Bailey and Shannon alighted from the car. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Just as they were about to enter the elevator, they ran into a couple. Bailey recognized the man, who was none other than Micah. As for thedy holding his arm tightly, Bailey had no idea who she was. That fact alone worsened her impression of Micah. Naturally, she wasn''t going to mince her words. ¡°Yo, Mr. Neyman, since when did you have a mistress?¡± At the sight of Shannon, Micah attempted to retract his arm from Yvette. His face darkened when he heard Bailey''s words. Chapter 409 Chapter 409 The sudden tension in Shannon''s body didn''t escape Bailey''s notice. Sneaking a curious nce, she saw the former staring intently at Micah. To be precise, it was thedy beside Micah whom her attention was focused on. Does Shannon know her? From the look in her eyes, it''s clear that they have an irreconcble grudge against each other. Yvette released Micah''s arm before taking a step forward unabashedly and smiling. ¡°I didn''t expect to run into you here, Shannon. Where have you been all these years?¡± She reached out to grab Shannon''s arm. Shannon''s eyes glistened, and she avoided it by reflex. Bailey was one step ahead as she stood in front of Shannon to shield her, a sharp glint in her eyes. She was trying to grab Shannon''s left hand, which obviously isn''t there. Evidently, she''s trying to rub salt into her wounds on purpose. ¡°I''m sorry, but my friend isn''tfortable interacting with strangers, so please step back.¡± Feeling awkward, Yvette said, ¡°Shannon and I go way back. When we were in Tarragon, we would always talk to each other about everything under the sun. There''s no way she would see me as a stranger.¡± Bailey continued to stare at Yvette coldly. She could feel Shannon trembling all over when she reached out behind her to hold thetter''s arm. Indeed, there''s something really fishy going on with this woman. ¡°What has happened in the past has no bearing on the present. I have already given you a fair warning. If you refuse to take a step back, don''t me me for being rude.¡± Yvette''s face clouded over. She was about to retort when Micah pulled her back. ¡°Go to the VIP area and wait for me there. I have something to speak to them about.¡± Just as Yvette wanted to protest, Shannon preempted her. ¡°Bay, I don''t feel like staying here. Let''s go.¡± Sensing Shannon''s turbulent emotions, Bailey led her to the elevator despite the burning questions she had. The moment both of them walked past Micah, he wanted to grab Shannon''s hand to exin himself. However, her right hand was being held by Bailey. As for her left hand, he didn''t dare touch it at all. That was the scar in their rtionship that would never heal. With no way to stop Shannon, all he could do was stand idly by and watch Bailey lead her into the elevator. Meanwhile, when Yvette saw how shaken Micah was after running into Shannon, she clenched her fists. Shannon... Shannon... You lost your arm and your son. Why haven''t you been driven to madness? No, my fears won''t be ayed even if you lose your mind now. Micah loves you too much. He will still protect you no matter what you be. You must die! Inside the elevator, Bailey wrapped her hands around Shannon, who was trembling, as she asked tentatively, ¡°Who''s that woman? Is it all right for you to tell me?¡± This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org. Her question caused Shannon to shiver even more intensely than before. Ding! When the doors opened, Bailey gave up digging further and prepared to get out of the elevator with Shannon in tow. Jolted back to her senses, Shannon stopped Bailey with a tug. ¡°Bay, do you have time now? I want to tell you about the past.¡± Bailey led her into one of the lounges avable. Upon settling Shannon down on the couch, she poured a ss of warm water for her. ¡°Drink this to calm yourself down, and then we can talk. Take your time.¡± After taking the ss from Bailey, Shannon took a few sips and began her story. ¡°Her name is Yvette Sullivan, daughter of the former head of Tarragon, Leo Sullivan. She grew up together with me, Holden, and Micah. As the de facto ¡°princess,¡± she ended up being spoilt. When I subsequently fell in love with Micah, a twist of fate led her to develop feelings for him too.¡± Shannon''s story gave Bailey an epiphany. ¡°Back when you were framed for stealing Tarragon''s secrets, was Yvette behind it? As for Eugene... Remember when you overheard the attackers mention that it was Micah who sent them? Could it have been Yvette too?¡± Shannon pursed her lips. She didn''t know how to exin it all. Even though she was just specting, she knew in her gut that it was true. Deep down, there was a voice constantly telling her that Yvette was responsible for the cmities in her life. Sensing her concerns, Bailey gave her a hug. ¡°It''s all right. All that matters is that we now have a lead to investigate. If I find out that she''s the one who did this to you, I''ll definitely make her pay.¡± Shannon shook her head and gripped Bailey''s arm as she warned, ¡°Bay, don''t get yourself involved. Even though her father is dead, she''s still protected by plenty of his loyal followers. You''ll get yourself in big trouble if you offend Tarragon for my sake.¡± Chapter 410 Chapter 410 Tarragon... Bailey scoffed. Despite how powerful it is, it doesn''t scare me at all. Nheless, Bailey¡ªnot wanting Shannon to worry¡ªnodded in agreement. ¡°Fine. I won''t do anything reckless before running it by you. Now, get a grip on yourself. I''m taking you racing.¡± Shannon was taken by surprise. ¡°Are you participating in today''s race too? But your name isn''t on the roster.¡± A sly glint shed across Bailey''s eyes. ¡°It''s true that I''m not on it, but Dexter is.¡± Shannon understood immediately. ¡°So you''re the one who''s racing in his ce. In that case, today''s race will be an exciting one. I''m really looking forward to it now.¡± ¡°Let''s go.¡± Just as Bailey pulled her up from the couch to head out, Shannon hesitated. ¡°By the way, Bay, there''s something about my brother and Wendy that I have to tell you. After all, your best friend, Victoria, is involved with Wendy''s husband.¡± Bailey stopped abruptly in her tracks. ¡°Your brother? How is he connected to Wendy?¡± ¡°Back when I was imprisoned for stealing Tarragon''s secrets, my brother agreed to take on a mission issued by the elders in an effort to save me. It involved getting close to the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family to obtain the family''s secrets. When my brother seeded in doing so, the Hoffman family naturally lost the authority to control Zaewora.¡± Given how smart Bailey was, she instantly knew what Shannon was trying to convey. ¡°Are you saying that your brother manipted Wendy into falling for him to obtain the Hoffman family''s secrets? In that case... Wendy''s son, Sebastian, is your brother''s?¡± Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Shannon shook her head. ¡°I''m not sure about that. When he returned afterpleting his mission, my brother lost his memory and couldn''t remember a thing. As for me, my arm was broken as punishment before he got back. I was disheartened, so I ended up fleeing Tarragon. I don''t know if Wendy''s son is my brother''s, but I''m certain that he hase to Hallsbay for a reason.¡± Bailey''s face turned sullen. If Sebastian really is Holden''s son, he''ll be the target of the Hoffman family''s frustration after the massive loss Holden has caused them. Can Julie really bring him out safely after going to see Mr. Raymond and the others alone? ¡°Got it. Thank you for telling me this. Now, let''s head to the venue.¡± Inside another lounge, Zoey, leaning against the couch, looked up at the bodyguard opposite her and asked, ¡°Is everything in order?¡± ¡°The arrangements have been made, Ms. Zoey. Don''t worry. My friend has worked at the racing association for a long time and knows how to tamper with cars without anyone noticing. Soon, it will be Bailey''s funeral.¡± Zoey tightened her grip on the wine ss in her hand. Excellent! I came here today just to see Bailey die. ¡°All right. Come back here for your reward once the deed is done.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Zoey.¡± When Bailey and Shannon arrived at the venue, they ran into Edmund. Thinking that she had made a mistake, Bailey had to look twice before she was sure it was him. ¡°Why are you here? I remember that you never liked crowded ces.¡± The faint smile on Edmund''s face was as gentle as before. However, he had lost a lot of weight since she hadst seen him. He must have gone through a hard time. I wonder if time has managed to heal his wounds. ¡°The daughter of my father''s friend from overseas came to Hallsbay to watch the race. She insisted on getting Adhira''s autograph and threw a tantrum at home when she learned that he wasn''t on the roster today. After my mom pacified her, she insisted on me apanying her here.¡± Bailey cocked a brow. The daughter of his father''s friend is clinging to him. Do I see some hope between both of them? As if he could read her mind, Edmund pped her gently on the head. ¡°Don''t let your imagination run wild. She''s like a sister to me.¡± Bailey puckered her lips. I was hoping that he could see her as his lover. If Edmund lives out the rest of his life alone, guilt will haunt me for eternity. ¡°Eddy, I bought two boxes of ice cream.¡± At that moment, a young girl in a dress ran toward them from afar. When she saw Edmund talking to two women, she quickly hid the ice cream behind her back. It''s not a good idea to let Eddy''s friends see him eating ice cream. Her actions, which didn''t escape Bailey''s notice, impressed her. What an honest and lovely girl! More importantly, she has feelings for Edmund. A girl like her should be able to heal the wound in his heart. ¡°Hello, I''m Bailey Jefferson.¡± The girl blinked and quickly realized who Bailey was. ¡°Oh my God, you''re Bailey. You really are Bailey, the one known as Snowke, Anonymous, Morpheus, and Spook. May I know if you''re Adhira too?¡± Rendered speechless, Bailey held her forehead. Her thoughts are really all over the ce. Clearing his throat, Edmund interrupted, ¡°The race is about to begin. Let''s head to our seats.¡± Chapter 411 Chapter 411 Edmund walked away, and the girl immediately tried to catch up. But she only took two steps when she suddenly thought of something. She turned back around to face Bailey. ¡°My name is Lydia Xanthos. ''Lydia'' like the fashion model.¡± In response, Bailey gave Lydia a friendly smile. Lydia Xanthos... So she''s the daughter of the Xanthos family, the most powerful, prestigious family in Northern Epea, huh? No wonder there''s an air of nobility about her. If nothing else, she and Edmund certainly do make a good match. ¡°Mommy...¡± Suddenly, Bailey heard someone calling out to her. She instinctively turned around and broke into a smile as the children ran toward her. After picking up her daughter, she looked at her sons. ¡°Where''s your father?¡± Zayron simply snorted twice to that while Maxton answered, ¡°The person in charge of the racing association offered to buy Daddy coffee.¡± ¡°I wonder what made him think it was a good idea to leave you guys behind with so many people around here,¡± stated Bailey with furrowed eyebrows while sweeping her gaze across the crowd. Chuckling, Shannon chimed in, ¡°This is Mr. Luther''s territory. Who would dare toy a finger on his children?¡± With that, she patted the boys on the head and asked with a smile, ¡°What do you want to eat?¡± At that moment, several men in suits approached Bailey and informed courteously, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we have received a call from Mr. Nicholson, who wants you to rece him in today''spetition. We need you toe with us and provide us with your information.¡± Nodding in agreement, Bailey then put her daughter down before turning to look at Shannon. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Go. I''ll look after them for you,¡± said Shannon, smiling and waving at Bailey. ¡°Thank you.¡± Not long after Bailey left, Caridee emerged from the crowd with Simon. Simon seemed displeased because he thought thepetition was vain and that it made fun of him, someone who could not drive. What''s the point of organizing such a meaningless event anyway? ¡°Jerk Uncle, you''re here!¡± cried out Zayron, which led to him being pped several times by the already annoyed Simon. Half an hourter, the race officially began. A total of ten contestants, consisting of males only, took part in thepetition. When they appeared from the backstage one by one, countless women in the crowd screamed in excitement. The contestants were all well-known racers who had fans from all over the world, which was why their fans ounted for more than half of the crowd. It was only natural the fans got excited when they saw their favorite racers. However, when the final racer appeared, the ce suddenly fell silent. ¡°Holy shit! Isn''t that Bailey?¡± ¡°You''re right. That is her!¡± ¡°Damn! Somebody, please tell me she''s not Dexter''s recement.¡± ¡°Ten men are participating in the internationalpetition, and now we only see Bailey among them, not Dexter. What is she if not his recement?¡± ¡°I''m curious to see if that woman can handle a lightning-fast racing car. Let''s hope she doesn''t get thrown out of the driver''s seat like a rag doll.¡± ¡°She probably knows a thing or two about racing since she''s willing to join thepetition. Why don''t we sit back and see what she can do?¡± Dexter''s female fans almost lost their minds the moment they saw Bailey. Dexter is known for his unbeaten streak, so what makes Bailey think she has what it takes to rece him? She''ll humiliate Dexter if she loses! ¡°I refuse to ept this. Bailey has no right to rece Dexter in thepetition.¡± ¡°Exactly! ording to rules set by the racing association, the substitute has to be someone highly respected. Bailey is a novice nobody knows about. She''s not qualified to rece Dexter.¡± ¡°Bailey''s not fit to be Dexter''s substitute.¡± ¡°She''s not fit! She''s not fit!¡± The fans would rather see Dexter disqualified from thepetition than watch helplessly as Baily ruined his squeaky-clean record. ¡°Please calm down, everyone. We''ve verified Ms. Jefferson''s identity and confirmed that she''s qualified to participate in thepetition. Otherwise, we wouldn''t have agreed to let her rece Dexter,¡± the person in charge of the event informed with a microphone that sent his voice throughout the venue, clearly defending Bailey''s participation. ¡°Fine. Then tell us why she''s qualified.¡± ¡°Yeah. She can''t be on the race track if she''s never joined a racingpetition.¡± Caught between a rock and a hard ce, Amos Lopez, the manager, wondered if he should reveal Bailey''s identity. Just when he was still hesitating, Artemis addressed the crowd. ¡°She''s qualified because she''s my woman and the new matriarch of the Luther family. Of course, you can still insist on stopping her from participating, but I''ll cancel thepetition if you do. Why would I spend a fortune to sponsor this event if my future wife couldn''t take part in it?¡± The crowd would have rioted if the one brazenly threatening them were not Artemis, for no one dared question the man''s wishes. ¡°This is unbelievable! Now I''m seriously suspecting that Bailey snatched Dexter''s spot in the competition.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, that does sound usible. As the racer representing Chanaea, Dexter was in Bailey''s way, so she got Mr. Luther to make the necessary arrangements to swap him out.¡± ¡°Damn it! Is that woman trying to make a name for herself? Whatpelled her to participate in a sport as dangerous as auto racing? Is she not afraid to be turned into a human barbeque in a crash-and- burn?¡± ¡°I don''t understand why she would want to participate. What''s wrong with staying in herne as a famous doctor-cum-designer-cum-writer-cum-hacker?¡± ¡°Bailey only got to rece Dexter through nepotism. Shame on her!¡± Bailey was amused when she heard what the crowd was saying about her. If I really wanted to join the competition, all I needed to do was make a phone call, so why would I choose to rece Dexter? That man owes me big time! I''m going to skin him alive if he doesn''t give me a reasonable exnation when he returns. Bailey took a microphone from a staff member and calmly addressed the audience. ¡°Since nobody wants me to participate, I won''t. That''s all for thepetition today; the event is canceled.¡± The crowd was shocked when they heard Bailey. Canceled? How dare she announce that! What right does she have to stop the internationalpetition? ¡°What does the official representative have to say about this? We want an official exnation. Did Bailey force Dexter out so she could rece him?¡± ¡°Yeah! We want a reasonable exnation.¡± A momentter, Amos hurried over. ¡°I apologize,dies and gentlemen. It''s true that we could''ve handled the situation better, but Dexter really does have a good reason for not being here with us today. That''s why he had Ms. Jefferson rece him in thepetition. As you all know, Ms. Jefferson is well-respected internationally, so it''s possible that she''s an auto racing expert. Why don''t we give her a chance to prove herself?¡± Chapter 412 Chapter 412 Still, the audience was unconvinced. An auto racing expert? Just look at how fragile she is! How is someone like that going to control a beast-like racing car? Does she think she''s invincible just because she''s the famous designer, Snowke, the well-respected doctor, Anonymous, and the woman Artemis wants to marry? An auto racingpetition isn''t child''s y. Without professional training and experience in the field, she could kill herself as soon as she stepped on the elerator. Meanwhile, in the VIP area, Zoey was sitting in the crowd while listening to the people''s objection to Bailey''s participation in the event. My n will be ruined if Bailey quits. I''ll be damned if I allow the one hundred million I spent to get rid of Bailey to go to waste! What''s wrong with letting that b*tch humiliate herself? Why are these morons trying to stop her? Do they have nothing better to do? If Bailey wants to die, let her. ¡°Fine. Since it''s confirmed that Bailey is qualified to participate, we''ll y along just this once and allow her topete. However, she''ll have hell to pay if she loses badly.¡± ¡°That''s right. We have no problem with Bailey joining thepetition, but she must win to avoid tainting Dexter''s perfect record.¡± ¡°If she loses, she can forget about leaving this ce in one piece.¡± Bailey could not help but be amused once again after listening to the fans. What''s wrong with these people? With so many factors at y in apetition, who can ever guarantee that they''ll win? Am I supposed to promise victory just because I''m recing Dexter? ¡°What should we do about this, Ms. Jefferson?¡± inquired Amos meekly after turning to look at the woman. In response to that, Bailey simply waved at the man before walking to her car, holding her helmet. The woman had never lost to anyone in the past few years, and she was not about to break her streak. Even if she did lose, Artemis would protect her, so she had nothing to worry about. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Damn! Bailey is actually heading to car number five.¡± ¡°S-She really can race?¡± ¡°I guess so. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be that confident.¡± ¡°Look, everyone! Mr. Luther is here!¡± ¡°You''re right. He''s walking toward Bailey in casual wear. He''s not nning to get into the car to keep herpany throughout the race, is he?¡± ¡°Come on! Do they have to put on a public disy of affection even in apetition?¡± With the crowd watching him, Artemis made his way to the racing car and stopped before Bailey. ¡°You nning toe with me?¡± asked Bailey with an eyebrow raised. Smirking, Artemis replied briefly, ¡°Wherever you go.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and responded to the man''s smirk with her own. ¡°You know I''m only doing this because Dexter forced me to, right? I mean¡ª¡± Before Bailey could finish her sentence, Artemis reached out to grab her by the waist and whispered into her ear, ¡°I sponsored this internationalpetition.¡± What he really wanted to tell Bailey was that he had the racing association in the palm of his hand and that he knew everything about the other racers. Bailey was rendered speechless when she heard Artemis. I guess powerful men do like to show off. So what if he knows my identity? It''s not as if I''m not already as naked as a peeled apple to him. ¡°Get in. Let me take you for a ride.¡± After chuckling to himself, Artemis ignored the hundreds of thousands of people and lowered his head to kiss Bailey twice on the cheek. Immediately, whistles and excited screams surrounded the two love birds. When Zoey saw Artemis getting into the passenger seat of the racing car, her face turned as pale as a sheet. She wanted nothing more than to see Bailey dead, but she did not intend for Artemis to join the woman. He''ll be as dead as her if anything happens to that car! With that thought in mind, Zoey tried to rise from her seat. However, the bodyguard behind her held her down and reminded her, ¡°Ms. Zoey, there are more than one hundred thousand spectators here. You''ll ruin yourself if you admit that you''ve tampered with the car now.¡± Looking at the sea of people around her, Zoey could not help shivering in fear. Right. I''m only going to ruin myself if I act recklessly now. Hatred began to fill every inch of Zoey as she watched the familiar slender figure kiss Bailey on the face several times. Since I can''t have him, nobody can! Even if he survives, he may fall for another woman, which means I''ll continue to suffer. I''d rather he die if that''s the case. I may not be able to win him over, but there''s no way I''ll let Bailey steal my identity as the heiress. ¡°Keep your hand off of me. I know what I''m doing. I don''t need you to remind me.¡± When the racing cars moved from their parking spots to the race track, the venue was immediately filled with deafening cries of fans cheering for their favorite racers. However, Bailey had no one rooting for her since nobody wanted her to participate in thepetition in the first ce. All the racers gradually increased their speed after the race started, except for Bailey, who stepped on the brake pedal to slow her car down. Chapter 413 Chapter 413 Something''s wrong with the vehicle. Bailey was sure her car was not performing as it should. As if he could sense the sudden change in Bailey''s mood, Artemis tilted his head to look at her and asked with knitted eyebrows, ¡°What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡± ¡°Somebody messed with the car in an attempt to get me killed,¡± replied Bailey through gritted teeth while a cold glint shed across her eyes. Artemis'' face immediately hardened after he heard that, for he knew exactly how dire their situation was then. ¡°What''s the problem?¡± Bailey shook her head in response. ¡°I don''t know for sure yet, so I''m driving slowly to see if I can find out what the cause is. Unfasten your seatbelt. If anything happens, you''ll be able to jump out of the car to save yourself.¡± Artemis hurriedly reached out to unfasten Bailey''s seatbelt before doing the same to his. How can I not be moved when he always puts me first? Bailey could not help but turn to smile at Artemis after what he did for her. ¡°Artemis, if I decide to throw my life away and step on the elerator, will you die with me?¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Why would I want to die when I still have so much to do in this world?¡± questioned Artemis rhetorically with a raised eyebrow and a chuckle. Baileyughed heartily because she could not agree more with the man. He''s right. Why would we want to die when there''s so much to live for? How can I leave this world when my children are still so young? ¡°Look, everyone! Bailey''s car stopped for some reason.¡± ¡°Are you blind or something? It''s obviously still moving but at the pace of a tortoise.¡± ¡°You''re right. It really is moving as slowly as a turtle. That weirdo is going to ruin Dexter''s perfect record!¡± ¡°What is she thinking driving so casually? Does she actually think she owns the International Racecar Tournament?¡± ¡°Damn it! I''d give anything to p that woman. Or better yet, I''ll pull her out of the car and take her ce.¡± ¡°If she loses, she''ll bring shame to the entire Chanaea.¡± In the VIP area, Zoey clenched her fists as her forehead sweated bullets because, unlike the other spectators, she knew Bailey was not fooling around. Why is she driving so slowly? Did she find out? ¡°What did your friend do to the car?¡± Zoey secretly asked the bodyguard in ck beside her. Pursing his lips, the bodyguard then replied, ¡°I heard it had something to do with the braking system. Once the car gets hot enough, the heat will cause the system to malfunction.¡± Zoey''s pupils instantly shrank when she heard that. ¡°That idiot! Why use heat to trigger the malfunction? How will the car get hot enough now that she''s slowed down?¡± ¡°Well...¡± When she saw how lost for words the bodyguard was, Zoey got so upset that her entire body shook. Just a minute ago, she had been confident that things would y out the way she imagined. ¡°That b*tch must be slowing down because she realized somebody messed with the car. She''s probably trying to find out what''s wrong now.¡± ¡°That can''t be true. My friend knows all about racing cars, and he told me only experts could tell that the vehicle had been tampered with, not an amateur like Bailey,¡± responded the bodyguard with tightly furrowed eyebrows. At that moment, Zoey got so furious that the veins on her forehead popped out. There''s no other exnation. That woman must be an expert. For some reason, the name of the Legendary Racer, Adhira, suddenly crossed Zoey''s mind. She can''t be Adhira, can she? If that''s the case, we''re fools to tamper with her car. Everyone knows how passionate Adhira is about racing cars. She knows the structure of almost every racing car like the back of her hand. How can she not know when someone has messed around with her car? ¡°I''m giving you a chance to make things right. Figure a way out to shut your friend up. If necessary, kill him,¡± uttered Zoey. The bodyguard trembled and was hesitant to carry out the order he was given. ¡°Ms. Zoey, why not just buy him off? We don''t actually have to kill him, do we? If we do that, it won''t end well for you or me.¡± ring at the bodyguard, Zoey wanted to curse at him but was not allowed to do so because of her surroundings. All she could do was speak through clenched teeth. ¡°Only a dead man tells no tale. I''ll give you ten million if you do this right.¡± Still, the bodyguard said nothing in response. ¡°What are you still standing here for?¡± ¡°Right away, Ms. Zoey.¡± Meanwhile, on the race track, the other nine racers had already covered a quarter of the set distance, while Bailey was still near the starting line. Her performance was more than enough to trigger the fans, causing them to hurl insults at her. Artemis was heartbroken when he saw Bailey sweating bullets, so he suggested softly, ¡°Forget about thepetition. Let''s get out of the car.¡± ¡°Do you have your phone on you?¡± asked Bailey, pursing her lips. Instead of answering Bailey, Artemis simply pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to the woman. After getting the device, Bailey quickly looked up some information. ¡°It''s a controller made in Thymion that disrupts the braking system when heated. I''ve already traced it to the office here, so the perpetrator should be a member of the racing association.¡± ¡°So what do we do now?¡± ¡°I''m downloading a piece of software to counter and turn off the device.¡± Artemis broke into a smirk after hearing that. That''s the good thing about having a capable future wife ¡ªI don''t have to worry about her. Ding! After the phone beeped, Bailey uttered, ¡°It''s done.¡± Chapter 414 Chapter 414 Bailey snapped her fingers and threw her phone on one side before buckling her seat belt. ¡°Buckle up and sit tight. Let me take you on the ride of your life.¡± Just as she finished speaking, she stepped on the elerator, and the car fired away. Sparks were flying off from the wheels of the car. The very next moment, the entire car flew into the air and over the first obstacle. A grin appeared on Artemis'' face. Right from the start, she had stepped on the elerator all the way and dashed toward the obstacle before flying over it. A huge amount of courage was needed for that superb driving skill. Bailey was the only one who could pull off such a cool stunt. ¡°F*ck...¡± ¡°Oh, my!¡± The spectators could be heard screaming. Their attentions were already on Bailey''s race car. When her car made that sudden move andnded back on the tracks steadily before speeding toward the next obstacle, the spectators could not help but exim in astonishment. ¡°Is this woman crazy? She steps on the elerator all the way and dashes toward the obstacles. Isn''t she worried that the car may overturn?¡± ¡°Oh, God! Is she even human? Such dauntless driving skills. I have never seen any race car not stop before going over an obstacle. Not only does she not slow down, but she speeds up after hurdling over the first obstacle. Isn''t she afraid that the car maye apart and she may fly out of the car?¡± ¡°Look! She has gone over four obstacles in a row, and her car is still on track. She''s catching up with the rest of the racers.¡± ¡°That''s right. The other racers will all slow down when they are going over an obstacle, except for her. Now, she has gone past the fifth obstacle. No, no. She has just passed obstacle number six.¡± Those spectators who knew a thing or two about racing were shell-shocked. As for those who did not, they were holding their breaths nheless. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. They were really worried that she might fly out of her car at the rate she was going. It was too exciting. To them, such driving skills could only be done using special effects. They never thought that a woman could execute such a move in real life. The wind whistled past their ears. Bailey was concentrating on the road in front of her. With an eyebrow arched, she asked, ¡°So, how is it? Thrilling enough for you?¡± Initially, Bailey had wanted to take Shannon for the ride, but she was worried that thetter could not handle the excitement. The car was going so fast at full throttle that the view in front of her shed across her eyes like shooting stars. Honestly, only someone who was daring enough would be able to ride in the same car as her. Artemis'' face was tense. It was pretty obvious that the woman next to him had frightened him quite a bit. Even he dared not be so reckless. This woman... She''s truly one of a kind. He had no idea how he managed to get so lucky and find her in the present lifetime. ¡°Well, it''s exhrating. I''m nothingpared to you. It looks like we will have to practice more often in bed in the future.¡± Bailey was speechless. This scoundrel is saying obscene stuff again. ¡°Sit tight. Let me show you how I''m going to overtake them.¡± Artemis sat there in silence. ¡°God! She has done it. Bailey has really overtaken thest car and closed the gap between them.¡± ¡°The way she is going, she will be able to overtake the frontrunner in less than a minute. Afterward, it will take her another two minutes to distance herself from the rest of the racers.¡± ¡°F*ck! This woman is in full control of the race. It looks like she will be the winner.¡± ¡°To be honest, even if Dexter is racing today, he may not be the champion. But, judging from the way Bailey is racing, I think she will win the race for sure.¡± On the race tracks, Bailey had already surpassed eight cars. She then raised her voice and yelled at the racer on her left. ¡°Guys, drive faster! Give it your all! There are only five more obstacles left. Give it everything you''ve got. Otherwise, the championship will be mine.¡± As she was talking, she came to a bend. With a sharp swerve of the steering wheel, the whole car tilted to one side. Just as everyone thought her car was about to overturn, she made an insane move that stunned all of them. Bailey stepped hard on the brake to stabilize the car before mming her foot on the elerator and charging toward the obstacle. By the time all four wheels of her car touched the track again, she went on the full throttle once more and passed four obstacles in one go beforeing to a stop at the finishing line steadily, not an inch more or less. As a result of her madness, the frontrunner was now far behind her. Everyone was dumbstruck. That woman is indeed a lunatic. Beep! The whistle had been blown, and the race official waved the red g. The race hade to an end, and Bailey had won. The jaws of the crowd nearly fell to the ground. They had yet to recover from the nerve-wreaking and exciting race. She''s too cool. This woman is really something. Despite the fact that she had a dy in her start, she still managed to forge ahead and im victory in the end. ¡°Hooray!¡± someone screamed into the microphone. The very next instant, screams and cheers erupted everywhere. Bailey''s victory also meant that Chanaea had won. Once again, that woman had brought glory to the country. She was so outstanding that it was not a surprise that Artemis refused to let her go. A talented and gorgeous woman like her was worthy of men''s pursuit. ¡°Bailey!¡± ¡°Champion!¡± ¡°Bailey!¡± ¡°Champion!¡± ¡°Bailey, Bailey is the champion!¡± ¡°Bailey, Bailey is the champion!¡± Excited screams rang out all over. A minuteter, the rest of the racers arrived at the finishing line too. Eight of them gave her a thumbs-up. A woman who could race so excellently was worthy of respect. ¡°You''re really awesome.¡± ¡°You truly live up to your title.¡± ¡°You have certainly earned the respect of every racer.¡± ¡°Congrattions.¡± Bailey smiled and nodded. She looked at the previous frontrunner and saw that he was upset. Bailey could not help but say, ¡°Racing is all about passion. Why do you care so much about winning?¡± Racer number three was bitter about his defeat when he saw Bailey being worshipped by countless people. He felt terrible. He snatched the microphone from the referee and said harshly, ¡°ording to the regtions of the International Racecar Tournament, Dexter is required to find a reputable racer to take his ce. Who are you? Howe I have never heard of you before? You are a nobody and have no right to participate in this race. Therefore, you have no right to be the champion.¡± The moment he said those words, his fans started yelling too. ¡°Bailey is not fit to be in the race. The championship doesn''t belong to her.¡± ¡°If she''s disqualified, then Corey will be the winner ording to the sequence.¡± ¡°Corey is the champion! Corey is the champion!¡± Bailey found the situation amusing. How dare they try to use this tactic to take the victory away from me? God knows what this bunch of idiots are thinking. She looked at the official who was in charge of the race and signaled for him to get onto the stage. The person in charge walked over with a smile, took the microphone, and announced, ¡°In the world of car racing, there is no one else more qualified than Bailey to participate because she''s the Legendary Racer!¡± Chapter 415 Chapter 415 Legendary Racer? What? What does he mean by that? ¡°Holy sh*t! Could it be that she''s Adhira?¡± someone eximed in astonishment over the microphone. That person''s words stirred up a ho''s nest, and the entire ce was filled with excited shouts and screams. Shock, astonishment, and utter disbelief were written on the audience''s faces. ¡°No, that''s impossible. How could she be Adhira? Adhira has never been to Hallsbay. There is no way she''s Adhira.¡± Corey could not take it. He felt like his whole world was crashing down. He was aware of the gulf between himself and her. He also had the utmost respect for her, but he wanted to make use of the loopholes in the rules to reim the championship title. However, reality pped him in the face. He had just imed earlier that she did not have the right to participate in thepetition. Yet in the next second, she was revealed to be Adhira; the person who was the most qualified to be a substitute in thepetition. It was practically a p in the face. ¡°She is Adhira.¡± The head of the racing association stated firmly, ¡°It is Adhira. She''s the one who always wears a helmet at everypetition to hide her true identity. The one and only Adhira who wins everypetition she participates in.¡± Corey took several steps back and leaned against the car''s hood for support. He stared at Bailey in disbelief and said shakily, ¡°Y-You really are Legendary Racer Adhira? There are thousands of people here, Bailey. You had better not be lying because it will backfire on you.¡± Bailey smirked. She was not afraid of things backfiring on her because she had been the one to deal blows on others recently. She took the microphone from the head of the association and said with a smile, ¡°Four years ago, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet Dexter. Everyone knows that he is an avid racer with superb driving skills. I learned some skills from him and made a bit of a name for myself. Hello, everyone. I am Adhira, the one rumored to be extremely ugly because I am always wearing a helmet and refuse to show my face.¡± Everyone was shocked when they heard that. The head of the racing association had said she was Adhira, and she admitted to it in front of so many people. That had to mean that she was really Adhira. ¡°Ahh! My hero, Adhira! You finally showed yourself in public! I''m so excited!¡± ¡°To be honest, I''m not surprised at all that Adhira is Bailey.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. ¡°I agree. Big Shot has so many amazing identities that this one isn''t all that shocking.¡± ¡°I must ambush her at the exit and get an autograph from her.¡± The crowd had gone wild. There were countless fans of Adhira present. The mysterious racer who wore a helmet at everypetition gave the spectators a treat with her outstanding driving skills. Whether they liked to race or simply preferred to watch, everyone would look at her with admiration. Therefore, it could be said that everyone here was Adhira''s supporter. Everyone could only rely on their imagination when Legendary Racer still hid behind a mask. Now that she had revealed her face, and it was not too different from what everyone was expecting, they could not contain their excitement. As Bailey listened to the cheers and screams all around her, her red lips curled into a devilish grin. Artemis walked up to her and wrapped his arm around her waist like he was staking his im on her. ¡°My dear, you''ve attracted so much attention to yourself again. Tell me, how should I punish you for this?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and said exasperatedly, ¡°The entire world already knows I''m yours. Who would be foolish enough to mess with me?¡± Artemis scoffed coldly. ¡°Is that so? Do you think Edmund is afraid of me? As long as you give them a smidge of a hint, they will treat me as their mortal enemy for you.¡± Bailey could not help but sigh inwardly. ¡°I won''t let something like that happen, which is why I rejected them. I''m neither a saint nor a pretentious woman who needs to have countless men fawning over me to make myself feel superior. You''re enough for me.¡± Her words managed to relieve the jealousy that Artemis was feeling. Without care for how many people were watching, he gave her two pecks on the cheek. The public disy of affection was quite infuriating. What the h*ll? Zoey, who was in the VIP area, nearly broke her teeth from how hard she was gritting them. Not only was she unable to take Bailey down, but she had also put Bailey under the spotlight. Legendary Racer Adhira... She really is Legendary Racer Adhira. Why? Why is that woman so talented? Why did she also have so many famous and popr secret big-shot identities? Is that woman even human? Why is she so outstanding? ¡°Mr. Luther and Ms. Bailey look more and more like the perfect couple.¡± ¡°Yeah! Not even Rhonda or Zoey can stand as Artemis'' equal. Ms. Bailey is the only one who is worthy of my favorite bachelor.¡± ¡°I don''t feel jealous at all seeing them together. They look like they''re meant to be together. I can''t imagine them with anybody else.¡± ¡°Oh, I feel the same. They disy how beautiful love really is.¡± The women around Zoey were fervently discussing Bailey and Artemis, and their words were like knives slicing into her heart. Chapter 416 Chapter 416 Bailey and Artemis make a great couple. A f*cking match made in heaven! Do they know that their joy is built upon my misery? Bailey looks so much like Mother, and she has be so outstandingtely. If someone were to publicize their photos side by side, it would catch the attention of the whole world. By then... Zoey could not bring herself to imagine how things would turn out if that were to happen. All she knew was that if the world found out that Bailey was the true heiress of the Shurmer family, she would lose everything that she ever knew. Zoey was already used to living a wealthy lifestyle. She had grown ustomed to being the spoilt daughter born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. How could she survive a poverty-stricken life? Bailey had to be taken out of the picture. The more outstanding she was, the more necessary it was to get rid of her. Back then, perhaps she could still reside peacefully in Lostaria and pretended as if nothing had happened. However, things had changed. So many people from around the world know Mother and have seen her. The moment they realize it, people will surely know the resemnce between Mother and Bailey. Plus, if the media adds fuel to the fire, the entire world will find out that I''m an imposter. In the meantime, the security system at the race had gone down. The multitude of fans charged toward the race tracks. ¡°Adhira! Can I have an autograph?¡± ¡°Adhira! Can I take a photo with you?¡± ¡°Adhira! I have some questions regarding racing that I would like to ask you! Would you mind answering them?¡± Seeing the crowding at her from all sides, Bailey rubbed her temples in annoyance, feeling the impending headacheing. If they got caught up in the middle of the crowd, they would most likely not be able to go anywhere else that day. ¡°What now?¡± she asked the man beside her. Artemis scanned the surroundings quickly before raising his arm and pointing at the office building to their southeast. ¡°Didn''t you say that the main controller is in that building? Let''s use running away from the crowd as an excuse to enter and investigate. I would like to know who wants you dead so badly.¡± Bailey arched an eyebrow. ¡°How are we getting there?¡± Artemis did not reply. Instead, he grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him as he sprinted toward the number five race car. In one swift motion, he pushed her into the passenger seat while he slipped behind the wheel. Then, the car sped off like an arrow in the wind. The corners of Bailey''s lips curled into a smile. Artemis'' racing skills were not inferior to hers. If he were topete, he might even win against her. If that were the case, she would not be as well- known as she was. ¡°Woah! Mr. Luther knows how to race too!¡± ¡°Check out his technique. He''s no worse than his girl.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther sure is low-key. How could he not show off his skills? If he were topete with those skills, Adhira might havepetition.¡± ¡°Hey! Mr. Luther! I want an autograph!¡± ¡°And I want a photo!¡± What does it feel like to have countless people chasing after you? Astonishing and terrifying at the same time. Like right now. Bailey could not help but breathe out a sigh of relief as she pped her forehead. ¡°Thank heavens we got out of there quick. Otherwise, it''d be a huge pain in the ass if we were to be surrounded by such a huge crowd.¡± Artemis broke into a smile. With the horsepower of the race car, the two reached the front of the office building within a minute. The building was at the deepest end of the racing area and was quite a distance away from the race tracks. It was impossible for the crowd to reach them so quickly. Getting out of the car, Bailey let out a smallugh. ¡°Look at me, fleeing from crazy fans and getting myself all disheveled. The main reason I''ve been low-key for so many years is that I don''t want people to look at me like a monkey in a zoo. Can''t believe that I still got caught up in all of this in the end.¡± Walking over to the other side of the car, Artemis pulled her up the steps. They were immediately greeted by a few security guards. Each one of them was holding a piece of paper and a pen in their hands. It seemed as though they had been expecting Bailey''s arrival and were prepared to stop her by the entrance. ¡°Adhira, I''m a huge fan. I watch every single tournament that you have raced in on television. I¡ª¡± Bailey waved her hand, stopping him mid-sentence. ¡°Sir, I''m sure you saw the crowd chasing after me. Can we first hide inside the office building?¡± The security guard rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he handed her the pen and paper. Bailey rolled her eyes before snatching the pen from him and scribbled her signature onto the piece of paper within two seconds. Following suit, she signed the paper slips from the rest of the guards. ¡°Can we enter now?¡± ¡°Of course. Of course. Please. Please.¡± Inside the building, the office was dead silent. Perhaps it was because all the office staff had gone to watch the tournament. Without needing a reminder from Bailey, Artemis fished out a phone from his pocket and handed it to her. Taking the phone from him, Bailey began to locate the software. The main controller was in fact in the building they were in. After one minute of searching, she parted her lips to speak. ¡°Third floor,st room in the southwest.¡± With that, she led the way to the staircase. Artemis followed closely behind. The two of them made it to thest room in the southwest on the third floor. Just as she was about to push the door open, a security guard caught up to them and stopped her. ¡°Um, about that, Ma''am, this office belongs to one of the higher-ups in the racing association. He has a terrible temper, and he has warned us not to allow anyone inside without his permission.¡± ¡°Consider his warning bullsh*t. Don''t be afraid. Even if he finds out, you will not get in trouble. Even if you do get in trouble on the one-in-a-million chance, the worst that will happen is that you''ll be fired. If you get fired, you cane and find me at Luther Group. I''ll make you the manager of the security department.¡± The security guard widened his eyes in pleasant surprise. ¡°Really?¡± Bailey smiled and rummaged around in Artemis'' pocket before taking out a business card and handing it to the guard. Chapter 417 Chapter 417 ¡°Did you see that? He''s Artemis Luther, the CEO of Luther Group, and he agreed. Move aside, quick.¡± The security guard was stupefied. Then the office door was pushed open, and Bailey headed straight to the desk. She switched on the phone, pressed the keyboard randomly, and cracked the password. The security guard was shocked to witness that scene. ¡°As expected of the top hacker, Spook. You only need a few clicks to decrypt the double encryption. You''re amazing.¡± Bailey cast a nce at him and replied, ¡°You''re not bad too. You can tell that it''s double encryption at a nce. It seems that there are experts hidden in the racing association.¡± As soon as she finished her words, theputer was unlocked. Bailey clicked on the desktop with the mouse and turned to Artemis. ¡°It''s thisputer. Even though the other party has disconnected the CPU from the controller, there are still some traces left in the software.¡± Artemis nodded and asked the security guard next to him, ¡°Whose office is this?¡± The security guard finally mustered his courage, thinking that there was nothing he should be afraid of since he could work as the security manager at Luther Group even if he were to get fired. ¡°This is Herbert Wright''s office. Mr. Wright takes charge of car repair and maintenance for the race. He''s fully in charge of the racing cars used in this internationalpetition.¡± Artemis swept his gaze across the surroundings and asked, ¡°Where is Mr. Wright? Has he gone to watch the race?¡± ¡°No. He was still in the office before you came and left not long ago.¡± Artemis and Bailey exchanged nces and seemed to have fathomed what was on each other''s minds through their eyes. They wondered if Herbert had scurried away after sensing that he would get exposed soon. ¡°Damn it!¡± Bailey turned around and was about to go after Herbert when Artemis stopped her. ¡°We''re going to lose him if I don''t go after him now.¡± Artemis'' lips curled into a cold grin. ¡°He can never get out of Hallsbay as long as he''s still alive.¡± Despite doubting that he was merely boasting, she had to agree that he was capable of doing so, indeed. ¡°I have no beef with the people from the racing association, and I didn''t even reveal my identity previously. Why did he try to harm me and even resort to causing a car ident that could cost my life?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and fell silent for a moment before he suggested, ¡°I suppose someone ordered him to do so. You have a high profile and have offended quite a number of people.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless that she lifted her leg to kick his calf. ¡°Any more nonsense from you and it''s your manhood that I''m kicking next.¡± Artemis fell silent. He then reached out and held her by the waist. ¡°Leave this to me. You don''t have to worry about anything.¡± Just then, sounds of chattering rang out from outside, and the two walked toward the window. As they looked down, they could see the ce was crowded with people, and it was such a magnificent scene. Holding her forehead, Bailey asked, ¡°What should we do? We''re stuck here, and we can''t even get out of this ce. This is the deepest corner of the racing zone. We have to pass through the crowd if we want to leave.¡± Artemis pulled her back to the office, took a piece of paper and a pen from the table, and handed them to her. ¡°Didn''t they ask for your autograph? You just have to sign here and make one hundred thousand copies. Everyone who came to watch the race will get one.¡± Bailey instantly burst intoughter. I guess only Artemis cane up with such a bad idea, but I like it. ¡°All right.¡± She took the pen and signed her name on the paper. Artemis picked up the paper and tapped the security guard on the shoulder. ¡°Make one hundred thousand copies and distribute them to the people outside. If you get this done, you can start working at Luther Group tomorrow.¡± The security guard broke into a smile. ¡°I''ll make sure to get the job done.¡± Bailey watched as the security guard darted out of the office. She arched an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What should we do now? We still can''t leave, no?¡± Artemis grabbed the phone from her hand and called Andy. ¡°Get a helicopter to the racing area and have itnd on the highest floor of the office building.¡± Bailey could not help butugh. This man... I suppose there are not many in the world who can spend ostentatiously as he does. I love this man to bits. A few minutester, a helicopter could be seen hovering above Hallsbay. Everyone watched as the helicopternded on the top floor of the building. Then, they saw Artemis and Bailey getting onto the helicopter and leaving in front of them. ¡°Do they have to make us feel worthless like this? They''re showing off their wealth and ability as they wish. Do they even care about our feelings?¡± ¡°I think only Mr. Luther and Mr. Edmund can get a helicopter flying across Hallsbay, and they''re actually cousins.¡± ¡°I''ve been looking forward to getting an autograph for many years, and my hope is gone now. I''m so sad.¡± Just then, the broadcast above them sounded. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, please don''t forget toe to the entrance to get Adhira''s autograph before you leave. Since there are many people here, it will take her forever to sign so many copies. She requested us to print a hundred thousand copies of her autograph for everyone to keep as souvenirs.¡± The crowd was at a loss for words. In the helicopter, Bailey was leaning against the seat as she picked up the call from Dexter. ¡°Tell me why you couldn''te to Hallsbay for the race. Because of you, I had to flee the scene by helicopter.¡± ¡°Pass the phone to your man.¡± Bailey was baffled. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°I said pass the phone to your man. I know Artemis is next to you.¡± Did he just ask to speak to Artemis? Bailey narrowed her eyes as she stared at the man beside her. Gritting her teeth, she asked, ¡°You know Dexter?¡± Artemis frowned slightly. He could already guess why Dexter was looking for him. ¡°I know him. He''s one of my sworn brothers, and he''s the seventh in line.¡± Bailey widened her eyes and looked at him in disbelief. ¡°D-Dexter is your seventh sworn brother?¡± ¡°Yes, he is.¡± He grabbed the phone from her and ced it next to his ear. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Artemis, help me deal with Bailey for the moment. She''s raging too much, and you have to find a way to calm her down every day. Well, if your body can''t handle it, I can send you some supplements from overseas.¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± Artemis ended the call as soon as he finished his words. Bailey raised a brow and said with a half-smile, ¡°You knew Dexter would ask me to rece him for the race, yet you told me nothing about his identity. You kept me in the dark.¡± Artemis did not know what to say. ¡°You will get your punishment when we go back.¡± He could only remain silent. ¡°You''re gonna get on your knees and beg for my forgiveness.¡± Soon, the helicopternded at a private mansion. The couple got off the helicopter and saw Caridee rushing toward them from afar and running straight into Bailey''s arms. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Bailey stumbled a few steps backward because of the impact. She seemed to have been hit somewhere, and she felt her stomach churning. The next instant, she forcefully pushed Caridee away and started retching. Caridee was startled. ¡°B-Bailey, are you okay?¡± Bailey threw up a little and eventually felt better. ¡°I''m okay. Maybe the race just now was too intense that it triggered the acid reflux.¡± Caridee could not care less and reached out to hug Bailey again. ¡°God! Bailey, how could you keep us in suspense when you''re actually the Legendary Racer, Adhira?¡± Chapter 418 Chapter 418 Bailey shoved her aside andined, ¡°What''s that smell on your body? It''s making me feel sick.¡± ¡°Smell?¡± Caridee lowered her head to sniff her own body puzzledly, then shook her head. ¡°There''s no smell. I don''t use perfume.¡± ¡°The smell isn''t on your body. I think it''s from your mouth. What did you eat just now?¡± Caridee scratched her head and smiled sheepishly. ¡°Oh! I had pork chop! It was oily, but it was delicious. I packed a portion for you too!¡± Upon hearing about the oily pork chop, Bailey felt her stomach churn violently, and she had to take a few deep breaths to suppress the disgusting feeling. ¡°Are you all right, Bailey?¡± Caridee asked. Bailey looked sick. With a frown on her face and her lips pursed, she shook her head and answered, ¡°I''m fine. You wanted an autograph, right? I''ll give it to you now. Do you have a pen and a piece of paper?¡± Caridee flinched and looked at Artemis timidly. It was as if she was asking him what was going on. Artemis stared at Bailey''s tummy from the corner of his eyes. I know what those kids have done. Besides, I know how resilient my offspring can be. Her nausea could only mean one thing. Is she pregnant? ¡°Don''t you want an autograph? Get me a pen and paper; otherwise, I''m leaving.¡± Bailey''s voice interrupted the looks the siblings were giving each other. Flustered, Caridee turned toward Bailey and said, ¡°Huh? Oh! Right. Autograph. I wanted an autograph.¡± With that, she searched her pockets for a pen and paper. After a while, she steeled herself and said, ¡°I don''t have a pen or paper on me. Should we head back to the mansion? You can give me an autograph then.¡± ¡°Some other day.¡± Bailey turned and walked toward the parking lot. ¡°I have matters to attend to. I''ll go back to Shelbert Condominium first.¡± Artemis pursed his lips and wanted to chase after Bailey. However, Bailey stopped him by saying, ¡°Don''t follow me if you don''t want trouble. I''m in a bad mood now.¡± Artemis halted in his tracks and watched her leave with aplicated gaze. She noticed it, didn''t she? I bet she noticed it. She''s such a skillful medical practitioner. How could she not notice it? Why is she acting this way? Did something unhappye to her mind? ¡°Artemis, what''s with Bailey?¡± Caridee asked. Artemis shot her a cold nce and said snarkily, ¡°Don''t ever eat pork chop again.¡± Caridee was rendered speechless. What the heck? Artemis ignored her and walked toward the mansion. After taking a few steps, he texted Zayron: Your mommy could be with child, so she''s very moody. Behave yourself and don''t make her angry. Ten secondster, Zayron replied: Holy shit! She''s pregnant? Not bad, Arty! Can you push the limit and get my mom pregnant with quadruplets this time? Artemis massaged his temples to soothe his pounding head. This kid and his mouth. In a few years'' time, he''s going to walk all over us. Bailey drove back to Shelbert Condominium. When she came out of the parking lot, she bumped into Edmund. ¡°You''re finally back! I was starting to think I had to wait through the night,¡± Edmund said. Bailey raised her brows and shifted her gaze toward Lydia. I think I know why they''re here. Prior to this, Edmund told me this young girl is a huge fan of Adhira. When she found out that Adhira couldn''t take part in thepetition, she was infuriated. Now that she knows I''m Adhira, she''s going to be all over me. Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You want my autograph?¡± Bailey asked. Lydia broke into a bright smile. ¡°You''re so smart! You knew what I wanted without me saying it!¡± Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Was it even a hard guess to begin with? ¡°Get me a pen and paper, and I''ll give you an autograph.¡± Lydia''s face was filled with joy. She hurriedly took out a cover photo and a pen from her bag. ¡°Just sign here.¡± Bailey lowered her head and saw that it was a promotional photo of her wearing a helmet and leaning against the door of a race car. Although it doesn''t show my face, I look rather cool in the photo. Indeed, even she was captivated by how great she looked in the cover photo. After signing on the photo, Bailey shed a faint smile and said, ¡°Since you guys are here,e on up.¡± Edmund nced at Lydia and shook his head. ¡°We''ll stay out of your way. I have to send her back to the Xanthos residence. I''ll look for you again when I''m free.¡± Lydia was displeased when she heard that. She wrapped her arms around Edmund''s arm and pouted. ¡°Eddy! Didn''t you promise to bring me out for a meal? Are you bailing on me?¡± Edmund held his forehead helplessly. ¡°All right. Let''s go for a meal.¡± With that, he exchanged nces with Bailey before turning around to walk to his car. Lydia quickly followed behind him. After taking a few steps, she turned around and said, ¡°I''ll buy you a meal when I''m free, Adhira. Eddy is the most important person today, so I have to apany him.¡± Bailey gave her a thumbs up in response. Bailey''s heart was filled with anticipation as she watched them leave. Not only is Lydia bubbly and cheerful, but she''s also from a prominent family. If she managed to win Edmund''s heart, they could have a sessful marriage together. I hope he has a family of his own soon. Chapter 419 Chapter 419 When Bailey pushed the door to her condominium open, there was only silence in the living room. She went into her room andy down on the bed. As she looked up at the crystal chandelier above her head and smelled the familiar fragrance of mint on the quilt, her mind was invaded byplicated thoughts. Frankly, I hate being pregnant. I absolutely hate it. This reminds me of the experience I had when I was pregnant with Zayron and the rest seven years ago. It was an awful experience. I was under so much pressure that I eventually got depressed. Because of that, Victoria had to spend a fortune to get me a psychiatrist. That was what I had to do to survive the pregnancy. Still, the experience was traumatic. Prior to this, I was fine. Now that I know I might be pregnant, I''m starting to feel empty and unsafe. I can feel my anxietying back to haunt me. After staring into space for half an hour, she slowly regained her senses. She pursed her lips and stared at her wrist. I''m Anonymous. I don''t need a pregnancy test kit or an ultrasound to find out if I''m pregnant. All I need to do is take my pulse. However, she was afraid to find out if she was pregnant. The moment she thought about the possibility of being pregnant and having to go through the horrible experience she had gone through seven years ago, she felt anxious. Slowly, she took her pulse with her trembling fingers. She smiled bitterly and shut her eyes. The children were outside her bedroom door. They were pressing their ears against the door, but they heard nothing inside. At that, they couldn''t resist looking at each other. ¡°I think she''s asleep,¡± Maxton uttered softly. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Zayron tugged his hair in frustration and said, ¡°I wouldn''t have messed around if I had known Bailey wouldn''t be happy with getting pregnant. I don''t even mind being the youngest among us.¡± Hearing that, Susan said, ¡°This is all my fault. I was being unreasonable. Mommy is angry and sad because of me.¡± As she said that, tears started to flow down her cheeks. ¡°What the heck? Don''t cry.¡± Zayron quickly wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Everything has happened. There''s no use ming yourself.¡± Maxton blinked and suggested, ¡°Should we call Vicky? We should ask her to keep Baypany.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. ¡°Are you a fish? Why do you have a memory of a goldfish? Vicky''s abroad. She''s abroad.¡± Meanwhile, Artemis was leaning against a private mansion floor-to-ceiling window while being on a phone call with Victoria. ¡°What? Bay could be pregnant?¡± Victoria yelled. ¡°How could you get her pregnant? God! She might die from it!¡± Artemis'' gaze turned cold, and his grip on the phone tightened. Something''s wrong. ¡°What''s going on? How could she die from a pregnancy? Did she have a bad experience or something?¡± Artemis asked. Victoria fell silent upon hearing his questions. After a long while, she sighed and said, ¡°I forgot about the fact that you weren''t around when Bay got pregnant seven years ago.¡± Those sharp and hurting words were like knives stabbing into Artemis'' heart. I regret what happened as well. When she was pregnant with triplets, I wasn''t by her side. She must''ve had a tough time. ¡°Tell me what happened to her.¡± ¡°She got pregnant before marriage, so her father chased her out of the house. To make matters worse, she was insulted and mocked by others. At the same time, her granny got terribly sick, and it was life- threatening. Because of the enormous pressure Bay had to endure, she eventually got depressed. Back then, I found a psychiatrist to help her. It worked, and it helped her get through pregnancy. However, Bay was traumatized.¡± Artemis squeezed his phone. I don''t know any of this. If I had known... Artemis smiled bitterly at that thought. I only found out about it when she was most probably pregnant. Isn''t it a bit toote now? Although those kids are at fault, I can''t possibly me them. ¡°It''s my fault. I should''ve been thankful instead of getting her pregnant again. I-Is it possible for her to get an abortion?¡± Artemis asked. Victoria heaved a sigh and answered, ¡°Give it some time. Who knows? Maybe Bay mighte around. She''s the one with the child. If she doesn''t agree to it, the abortion can''t be done, can it?¡± She then mulled over it and continued, ¡°I still have the contact of the psychiatrist she saw back then. Do you want it?¡± ¡°Yes. Please send it to me.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± In a room at Sunny Resort, Juliana was watching the live broadcast of the race with Sebastian. When Bailey held the microphone and told everyone she was Adhira, Juliana leaped to her feet in shock. ¡°What the f*ck? Master never told me she''s actually Adhira! What? She''s Adhira!¡± Sebastian nced at her and scoffed, ¡°As if you know all her other identities. You don''t know anything else apart from her identity as Snowke, right?¡± Juliana pped the back of his head and scolded, ¡°You b*stard! I''m your aunt! Must you mock me?¡± Sebastian leaped to his feet and looked out the window. With his brows furrowed, he said, ¡°The security measures have been tightened over the past two days. It''s going to be harder for us to get out of here.¡± Chapter 420 Chapter 420 Juliana tapped on his shoulder and smiled. ¡°For you. I''m not leaving anymore. I''ll follow them back.¡± Perplexed, Sebastian looked at her and asked, ¡°Are you not pursuing Mr. Shurmer? Are you giving up on him?¡± Juliana red at him and gritted her teeth. ¡°You''ve only spent a few days with Zayron, and you''re already talking like him!¡± ¡°Aunt Juliana, are you really going back? Are you doing it to save me?¡± Sebastian frowned. Juliana patted his cheek and teased, ¡°You wish! You think highly of yourself, don''t you? I''m going back to take over power.¡± ¡°Is power more important than the man? If you can get Zeke, you will be the matriarch of the Shurmer family. You will still be powerful, no?¡± Juliana shed a faint smile. ¡°That''s the sort of power that''s given. It''s not as good. All right, let''s think about how to get you out of here.¡± Sebastian pursed his lips. ¡°Don''t worry. If Mr. Raymond doesn''t hand me over, they won''t be able to leave Hallsbay. I think we''re still here now because they''re trying to use me to get benefits from my biological father. I don''t mind ying along. For how he abandoned me and my mom, he deserves to get scammed by Mr. Raymond.¡± Juliana''s lips twitched. He''s bing more and more like Zayron! However, he has a point. If Raymond wants to leave Hallsbay safely, he has to hand Sebastian over. At the moment, they just want to take back what the Hoffman family wants from Holden. For example, the control over Zaewora. ¡°Perhaps I worry too much. Let''s just hope your father actually cares about your life.¡± Sebastian merely snorted in response. If he doesn''t save me, I''m going to make his life a living hell when I get out. Meanwhile, a loud p echoed through the living room of a suite at a five-star hotel. Sloan had just delivered Scarlett a tight p across her face. ¡°Who told you to drug Justin and try to get into bed with him in front of so many guests?¡± Scarlett held her cheek and slightly lowered her head to hide her hostile gaze. I was so close. Veronique is such a b*tch. She just had to mess up my n. I hate her! I hate her! Sloan got even angrier when he saw Scarlett keeping silent. ¡°I''ve achieved so much, but somehow, I ended up having a foolish girl for a daughter. You wanted to sleep with a married man. Do you think the Fletcher family doesn''t have enough problems? Do you want the family to vanish even faster? Fortunately for you, Justin managed to control himself. If something had happened, the Fletcher family would''ve been destroyed by you.¡± Scarlett bit her lip and uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Justin was my fianc¨¦, but Veronique snuck in and took him. I can''t ept it! Dad, I can''t ept it.¡± ¡°You don''t have a choice!¡± Sloan roared. ¡°Now is the most critical moment for the transition of power. You better behave yourself. I have arranged for a ne to send you and your brother back to the family.¡± Scarlett balled her fists in anger. Right then, Tamara went up to Scarlett and grabbed her arm. ¡°Listen to your dad. Go back to Dellmoor,¡± she whispered. Scarlett was about to retaliate, but Tamara sent her a warning by tightening her grip on her wrist. ¡°Fine. I''ll go back.¡± Scarlett thought of something and caved in. I''ll wait till the Fletcher family is in power. By then, I''ll get someone to get rid of Veronique. Night had fallen when Bailey woke up. When she opened her eyes, she noticed the room was dimly lit. Upon adapting to the brightness of the light in the room, she turned to her side and saw Artemis sitting next to her on the bed. ¡°You''re awake?¡± His voice was hoarse, and there was a trace of weariness in his voice. Bailey frowned and struggled to sit up. After that, she got out of bed and was about to leave the bedroom. Artemis quickly went up to her to hold her arm. ¡°Let''s talk, Bay.¡± ¡°What''s there to talk about?¡± Bailey shrugged him off. ¡°I''m hungry. I''m going to make some food. Go to bed if you''re tired.¡± Artemis pursed his lips in response. She obviously didn''t want to mention the pregnancy, so he didn''t dare to bring it up. All he could do was watch her leave the room. Surprisingly, the kids were all very well-behaved. They were all watching TV while sitting on the couch in the living room. Bailey nced at the three of them and fixed her gaze on Zayron. While looking at him, she couldn''t help but smirk. I thought the worst thing he could do was rece the contraceptive pill with folic acid. Never had I expected him to poke holes in the condom. How on earth did I end up giving birth to this b*stard? Zayron was trying his hardest to endure the constant stare, but he couldn''t take it anymore. He asked, ¡°H-How may I help you, Bailey?¡± Bailey sneered and retracted her gaze before heading toward the kitchen. Zayron felt aggrieved and red at Maxton. ¡°Why didn''t youe up with this stupid idea?¡± Maxton hugged Susan and moved away from Zayron. ¡°Don''t put this on me. I won''t ept it.¡± Soon, Artemis was seen walking out of the bedroom. Susan leaned forward, slid off the sofa, and rushed into her father''s embrace. ¡°Daddy, Bay is so scary. I''ve never seen her so angry before. No matter how Zayron messed around before this, she was never so angry.¡± Artemis patted her back andforted her, ¡°Everything''s all right. Don''t me yourself and don''t worry about it. I''m here. It''s gettingte. Go to bed, all right?¡± With that, he gently pushed her aside and headed toward the kitchen. The moment he arrived at the entrance, a te came flying in his direction and shattered into pieces right at his feet. Artemis held his forehead. Are all pregnant women so feisty? Stepping on a floor of broken ss, he went up and hugged Bailey. ¡°Before I came here, I went to get a minor surgery. Nothing like this will happen again. I''m sorry,¡± he said cautiously. Bailey turned around and narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°I''m sorry.¡± ¡°Before that.¡± ¡°Nothing like this will happen again.¡± ¡°Before that.¡± ¡°I went to get a minor surgery.¡± Artemis hesitated and added, ¡°I went for a vasectomy procedure. You won''t get pregnant again.¡± In response, Bailey pointed at the door and fumed, ¡°Get out.¡± Artemis looked at her with his puppy eyes and said, ¡°I just had surgery, and I''m still hurting. Can I stay? I can sleep in the living room.¡± Feeling defeated, Bailey leaped into his embrace and choked out, ¡°Artemis, this is too sudden. This is way too sudden. I''m not prepared for this.¡± Artemis was taken aback. ¡°S-So... y-you''re really pregnant?¡±Content is property of N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 421 Chapter 421 He tried his best to suppress his emotions, but he still ended up stammering. Although he already had three kids, he only knew of their existence after they were born. He had never experienced the joy of finding out that he was going to be a father. Artemis knew there was a great chance they wouldn''t keep the child because he didn''t want Bailey to suffer. Still, he couldn''t help but feel ted when he found out she was pregnant. This is the product of our love! Bailey noticed his change of mood and sighed inwardly. He must be looking forward to this. But will I be able to ovee my psychological disorder and survive the pregnancy? ¡°Artemis, I don''t want the child.¡± She was testing him to see how he would react. If he were to pressure her into keeping the child, she would most probably be utterly devastated. She would also think that he would always prioritize his children over herself. ¡°Okay. Before I came over, I''d already talked to Justin about it. We think we should let Veronique perform the abortion. However, it''s too early because the fetus is too small. Let''s wait for another two weeks, okay?¡± Artemis answered. Bailey stared at him in confusion. Did he really agree to it? I can''t believe he agreed to it so readily. ¡°Artemis, a-are you sure? This is your child we''re talking about.¡± Artemis hugged her tight and whispered into her ear, ¡°No one is more important than you in my heart. Not even the children. As long as you''re by my side, I don''t mind not having a child. Yet God was kind to me. God gave me Max, Zayron, and Susan. They are the best gifts from God.¡± Shocked, Bailey wrapped her arms around his waist and said tearfully, ¡°I have prenatal depression, which is a kind of mental illness. I am a renowned physician and a hypnotist, so I know how scary this illness is. If I insist on keeping the child, I don''t know if I can survive the pregnancy. I will be restless and unreasonable. I''m afraid you''ll detest me.¡± Artemis was heartbroken when he heard those words. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead and mumbled, ¡°Don''t think about it, then. Let''s just get an abortion.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. Bailey didn''t say anything in response. At that moment, her mind was a mess, and she couldn''t decide what to do. Maybe I should wait a few days to see if I can get used to it. If I can, I may be able to keep the child. ¡°Go to the room and lie down. You just had surgery, right? Don''t tire yourself out.¡± Only when Bailey got calmer did she notice how pale his face was. Artemis waved his hand dismissively and turned on the stove. ¡°I''m fine. I''ll make you some food first. What would you like to eat?¡± Bailey wouldn''t let him do that. She pushed him out of the kitchen and ordered, ¡°Go to the room and lie down, or I''m going to get Ken to send you home.¡± Artemis did as he was told. He couldn''t persuade her to change her mind because he was dog-tired. She opened her heart to me, and that''s the best oue possible. I can''t ask for more than that. This woman has already given up and suffered so much because of my outrageous action back then. Indeed, he was filled with remorse, so he wanted nothing other than for her to be safe. The next day, at a rented house in the suburbs, the doorbell was ringing. Shannon went to open the door. The moment she saw the person at the door, she instinctively wanted to close the door. ¡°Shannon.¡± Yvette hurriedly stretched out a leg and ced it in between the door and the doorframe, preventing it from closing. ¡°Are you not going to invite me in? We were once as close as sisters.¡± Shannon narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows. ¡°We have nothing to talk about. I left Tarragon many years ago, and the rtionship we used to have is long gone.¡± Yvette smiled and pushed the door open forcefully before walking in. Shannon''s face clouded over. I don''t want to see this woman now. I really don''t want to see her. ¡°Yvette, drop the act. You''re disgusting. We both know what you did to me,¡± Shannon uttered. Yvette ignored her and sat down on the couch. While arching a brow, she shed a half-smile and said, ¡°Which incident are you talking about, Shannon? Are you talking about the time when you lost an arm, or are you talking about the staged car crash?¡± Shannon strode forward and grabbed Yvette''s arm. ¡°So you finally admit it? Are you admitting to the fact that you framed me and staged a car crash that killed my son?¡± Yvonne spread her hands and smiled gracefully. In a confused tone, she asked, ¡°What are you talking about, Shannon? We grew up together. Why would I frame you and cause you to lose one of your arms in vain? Micah was the one who nned the road ident in Springwyn. Why are you ming me for it?¡± Shannon bit her lip and stared at Yvette coldly. This woman''s words have just exposed her. Apart from me, Bay, and the perpetrator, no one knows the ident happened in Springwyn. However, this woman just revealed it. Is this not enough to prove that she was the mastermind? ¡°Why, Yvette? Why did you have to drag a two-year-old kid into this?¡± Shannon asked. Chapter 422 Chapter 422 Yvette remained mystified. ¡°I don''t know what you''re trying to say, Shannon. If you think I was the one who killed your son and caused the loss of your arm, feel free to look for Micah and Holden with the evidence. Given their connections to you, you can count on them for their support.¡± Shannon slowly balled her fists. I will not go to them. They will demand evidence beforeying a finger on Yvette because her father raised them. That is also why she dared toe to me so brazenly. ¡°The wages of sin is death. You will reap what you sow, Yvette.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Yvette stood up from the couch and sauntered toward the door. When she walked past Shannon, she reached out and patted her shoulder. ¡°I must get to an appointment, and it''s time I take my leave. Without concrete evidence, Shannon, you can''t do a thing to me.¡± N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. With that, she strode out of the rented house on her heels. When she reached the corridor outside, she suddenly stopped to turn back and sneer at Shannon. ¡°Micah is now the head of Tarragon. Though his power is not as vast as the unseen leader''s, he is omnipotent within Tarragon. Business tycoons all over the world want to befriend him. It wouldn''t even be surprising for a man like that to have a harem. ording to Tarragon''s polygamy rules, he is allowed to have wives and concubines. Look at yourself, Shannon. You''re not worthy of being with him. If you know what''s best for you, keep your distance.¡± Shannon clenched her fists. Yvette''s words felt like a cruel stab to her heart. Indeed, she was unworthy of being with Micah. The man was now a globally renowned legendary figure who held the hearts of women in the palm of his hand. As for Shannon, she had a broken arm; her mind was approaching its twilight years, and she could be barren for life. Even an unremarkable suitor would not want her. Sometimes, she would gaze at the stump where her left arm used to be and would feel repulsed by it. A broken, iplete woman who causes revulsion in all men who cast their gaze upon her. What right do I have to stand as an equal to that perfect man? My only reason for living now is revenge. I will avenge my child, and Eugene''s spirit will beid to rest. Since both of them are unreliable, I have to intervene. I will end myself after killing Yvette. No more attachments in the world. Death is perhaps where I belong. My only way out. In the living room of a private mansion, Micah was conversing with Holden. ¡°What actually happened six years ago? What did I steal from the Hoffman family?¡± Holden asked in a deep voice. Micah lowered his head slightly. After a brief silence, he replied calmly, ¡°I don''t actually know because I was sent to deal with the riot in Alendor. You''d lost your memory by the time I came back. ¡°Oh, by the way, not long after your return to the organization, the Hoffman family lost Zaewora. I''m guessing that, through Ms. Hoffman, you''d stolen the ns the Hoffman family had for Zaewora and reported it to the organization. ¡°With an iron fist, the organization ruined their ns and upied the entire territory of Zaewora.¡± Holden''s gaze dimmed. That is why the Hoffman family refuses to release my son. They intend to use him to take back their controlling right of Zaewora. That will only be the first of their demands. There will be other conditions. Micah cast him a nce before asking, ¡°The controlling rights of Zaewora in exchange for your son? I''m afraid that''s not possible. The old timers in the headquarters will never agree to this. I would mobilize Tarragon''s forces and destroy them if I were you.¡± Holden red at him. ¡°At my son''s expense, then. What do you think panic would do to them? When forced into a corner, they might kill the boy in anger.¡± Micah shrugged. ¡°Then I have no other suggestions. You have to give them back what we took from them as ransom. Nevertheless, Artemis has the final say in this.¡± With that, he rose and walked toward the door. Holden looked at his back. ¡°How do you n on dealing with Shannon?¡± he asked coldly. ¡°She has been through enough, and I, for one, will not allow her to return to Tarragon. If you still care for her, you should set her free.¡± Micah halted and turned around. ¡°What are you trying to tell me? More precisely, what are you trying to warn me?¡± Holden spread his hands. ¡°It''s not my ce to give you warnings. I''m just advising you not to treat Shannon as an entitled boss would treat his woman. While there''s still breath in me, I will not allow any man to treat her as a trophy.¡± Micah pursed his lips tightly. ¡°She''s beyond repair now, with nothing more keeping her in this world. It will only end one way if I force her. It would be to give her no way out. Shannon is everything to me. Don''t worry. I won''t force her hand. If I could, I would like to watch over her for as long as she lives.¡± Holden heaved a sigh of relief. I underestimated Micah''s feelings for Shannon. He''s used to being a bully. He would take what he wanted withoutpromise. For him to take a step back this time shows his feelings for her. Chapter 423 Chapter 423 ¡°Everything to you, huh? You better remember what you said today, Micah. Don''t throw a fit and harass Shannon.¡± Micah did not respond and strode out of the living room instead. He and Shannon had been through so much that everything had changed. There was no need to think about the romance between them, as their humble devotion was the sincerest deration. It was also their only way out. At Shelbert Condominium, Artemis was leaning against the headboard in the bedroom as he answered a call. ¡°Mr. Wright of the racing association has been murdered, Mr. Luther.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. ¡°He''s dead? Did you find out who was behind it?¡± The other end fell silent for a moment before answering tentatively, ¡°I have investigated his routine over the past couple of days and found he had met with all sorts of people. It took us all night to find a lead.¡± ¡°Tell me.¡± ¡°The bodyguard to Zoey, the heiress to the Shurmer family, was friendly with Mr. Wright and they communicated in private. More so over the past couple of days, in fact.¡± Artemis clutched his phone. A cold glint shed across his eyes. It''s that woman just as I thought. ¡°Very well. The person bribing the racing association has done something to the race car in an attempt to cause an ident to im the life of my woman. If not for Bailey''s timely intuition, we would have med it on the race car. This woman is good.¡± ¡°What should we do next, Mr. Luther?¡± Artemis'' lips spread into a thin, cruel smile, which was the foreshadowing of his rage. Someone was about to suffer. ¡°I will give you two photographs, and I want you to post them online anonymously. Title it as ''The Uncanny Resemnce Between Bailey, the Eldest Daughter of the Jefferson Family, and Waverly Gezmond, the Lady of the Shurmer Family,'' and then expose the fact that Bailey is not the biological daughter of the Jefferson family.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± The other party was hesitant. ¡°Don''t you have to discuss this with Mrs. Luther, Mr. Luther? It pertains to her identity, after all.¡± Artemisughed coldly. ¡°You would think that they have thought me dead from how they disrespected my wife? She is hot-tempered and would likely not take it well, but I cannot let her take this lying down. Just do as I say.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After ending the call, Artemis tossed his phone to the bedside table. They wanted to show Zoey mercy by allowing her to remain as the heiress of the Shurmer family. However, she insisted on picking a fight instead of learning her ce. I''ve shown her mercy long enough. She will only turn bad or worse if I keep letting this slide. This time, it''s sabotaging the car. She may do something more drastic next time, likeing at us with a knife. The room door pushed open, and Bailey entered with a tray in her hands. ¡°What is it? Why the long face?¡± she asked when she saw Artemis scowling, then walked toward the side of the bed. Artemis reached out to take the tray from her hands and ced it on the bedside table before grabbing her arm and pulling her into his embrace. ¡°The saboteur of the racecar has been discovered, Bay.¡± With a start, Bailey turned to face him. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. From her angle, she could only see the blurred outline of his features, which emanated an aura of fury. Her eyes darted around as she asked tentatively, ¡°Was it Rhonda or Zoey? Or was it Scarlett? Could it be Rose?¡± Come to think of it, I''ve offended so many people. ¡°It was Zoey,¡± Artemis said solemnly. ¡°You wanted to show her mercy, but she seems determined to destroy herself. This time, it was sabotaging the car. Next time, she might even stab you. We can''t take this lying down from somebody this unrepentant.¡± Raising her eyebrows, Bailey hugged his arm with augh. ¡°I''m guessing you have already taken care of her. So, how did you do it?¡± He must have exposed the resemnce I share with Waverly and that I am not the biological daughter of the Jefferson family. These two points are enough to cause an uproar. Artemis hung his head slightly and pressed his forehead against hers. ¡°You understand me best, Bay. Forgive me for acting on my own, but I will not go easy on anybody who means you harm.¡± Bailey sighed. ¡°Zoey is different. She saved your life. Besides, she has been with the Shurmers for years. I can''t just drag her down.¡± ¡°She started it, so you can''t be med for it. Don''t overthink it. Leave this to me.¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°All right. I''ll leave it all to you. With you here to shield me from even the sky falling on me, what do I have to be afraid of?¡± Artemis pinched her cheek. ¡°You must always let me handle things for you like this. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± A juicy piece of gossip appeared online that afternoon. A very juicy piece. Breaking News! Uncanny Resemnce between Bailey, the Eldest Daughter of the Jefferson Family, and Waverly Gezmond, the Lady of the Shurmer Family. Mother and Daughter, Perhaps? Within a few short minutes, the news was abuzz on every tform. Onementator wrote: They do look alike! How have we never noticed this? Another added: It''s not toote to discover this. We just don''t know if there are any conspiracy theories. A third mused: One is thedy of the Shurmer family of Lostaria, and the other is the eldest daughter of the Jefferson family of Hallsbay. They have no apparent connection other than sharing a passing resemnce. There are too many doppelgangers in the world. We can''t just im people are rted just because they look alike. A fourth spected: There is no smoke without fire. There must be an even bigger surprise to be revealed when somebody anonymously reports things like these. A fifth concurred: My thoughts exactly. Let''s sit in wait for the bigger bomb to drop. I''m sure it will be interesting. As they predicted, another earth-shattering headline appeared online half an hourter. Breaking News! Bailey, the Eldest Daughter of the Jefferson Family, is Unrted to rence Jefferson. They Are Not Father and Daughter. If the news of Bailey and Waverly sharing a resemnce was exposed only to profit off the media''s attention, the new information regarding Bailey and rence''s rtionship increased the severity of the matter by order of several magnitudes. One busybodymented: Damn, whose daughter is Bailey if not rence Jefferson''s? Another replied: What is there to think about? She''s obviously Steven Shurmer''s daughter! A third remarked: If there is evidence proving that Bailey and rence are not rted, Bailey''s resemnce to Waverly bes even more intriguing. The pair may very well be mother and daughter. A fourth added: That''s right, I feel the same way. These two bombshells are closely rted. The appearance of the second piece of news is, without a shadow of a doubt, to validate the first one. The debate online began to skew to one side. In the end, most agreed that Bailey was the daughter of the Shurmer family. The Shurmer couple was equally stunned when they saw the news online. Having met Bailey, they agreed that the girl looked like Waverly. With the revtion that Bailey was not the daughter of the Jefferson family, could there be any more surprises left to uncover? Chapter 424 Chapter 424 Zoey was sitting by her bed in her bedroom at the Shurmer residence when her phone slipped from her palm. Her head rang as if the world hade to a standstill as she stared at the overwhelming news online. It''s all over. The world now knows that Bailey and Waverly look alike and that Bailey is not the daughter of the Jefferson family. With their skills, those reporters must have found out as soon as they heard that that b*tch, Bailey, was born on the same day and in the same hospital as me. With the appearance of both those bombshells online, a DNA test proved unnecessary to ascertain Bailey''s true identity. Who was it who exposed this? Only the women in the Jefferson family and I were aware of the matter. That b*tch, Rhonda, must have revealed this secret to drag me down. Anger shed across her face. She leaned over, picked up her phone, and dialed Beatrice''s number. ¡°Were you the one who exposed that stuff online?¡± she asked through gritted teeth as soon as the call went through. ¡°What do you mean by this? Are you trying to drag me down?¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°You should refrain from false usations, Ms. Shurmer,¡± Beatrice said. ¡°What good would it do me if I revealed this secret? Do you think I would expose the matter, have Bailey reconcile with her family, and gain another backer?¡± Zoey bit her lip and only managed to suppress her tumultuous emotions after a moment''s pause. ¡°Who else could it be if not you? Only you two and I knew of Bailey''s identity. It must have been me if it was neither of you, then?¡± Beatrice sighed softly. ¡°I''m expecting your help to destroy Bailey, Ms. Shurmer. Why would I shoot myself in the foot? I think the news online is started by scandalmongers who noticed the resemnce between Bailey and your mother and have too much time on their hands. Don''t be hasty. Let''s first think about how best to appease the Shurmers.¡± Zoey''s grip tightened around her phone. ¡°It''s all over the media now. How exactly should I appease the Shurmers? As I said, the seeds of doubt have been nted, and things could backfire at any moment,¡± she fumed. Beatrice gave a faint smile. ¡°Let them doubt. It wasn''t you who switched ces with Bailey, anyway. After all, you have been calling each other family for the past twenty-odd years. They''re not going to cast you out upon finding the truth. What you need to do now is to implore Waverly with tears. The more devastated you sound, the more you gain their sympathy. Do you understand?¡± Zoey''s eyes flickered. Her mind instantly cleared up. That''s right. I couldn''t control the babies switching. So what if it''s exposed? The Shurmers aren''t going to kick me out because of this! No. I refuse to believe my parents and siblings would be heartless enough to drive me out after being family for years. ¡°All right, I know what to do. I''ll find a way to ruin that b*tch. Our pact remains unchanged. Bailey is still ourmon enemy.¡± In the living room on the first floor, Waverly was looking at the news on her phone. She then looked at her husband beside her. ¡°What do you think, Steven?¡± Steven massaged his brow. ¡°They''re just rumors, and baseless ones at that. We cannot assume from them that Zozo isn''t ours!¡± Waverly thought about it and asked, ¡°Is it possible the hospital brought us the wrong child during her birth? Could Bailey be our daughter instead?¡± The thud of something heavy falling onto the ground sounded from thending. The couple turned around in unison and saw Zoey standing at the top of the stairs. Her phone was smashed to pieces beneath her heel. Waverly stood up hastily from the couch. ¡°Zozo...¡± Zoey began to bawl. ¡°Mom, Dad, is the news on the inte true? I''m not your daughter, am I?¡± Waverly hastened over to hug her. ¡°Hush, girl. We were only wondering aloud. Your father is right. They''re only baseless rumors.¡± Despite those words, a seed of doubt had been imnted in Waverly''s mind. I must get to the bottom of this instead of letting somebody y me for a fool by allowing my birth daughter to be left out there all alone. ¡°What if it''s true, Mom? What if somebody else took your daughter back then and had a reject like myself rece her? Will you resent me? Will you cast me out?¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Waverly smacked her back severely. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? We have raised you with all our hearts. How could we cast you out? Don''t overthink, Zozo. You are always my daughter and the pride of the Shurmer family.¡± Zoey snuggled against Waverly''s bosom with a satisfied smile on her lips. There''s still a chance. As long as the Shurmers don''t cast me out, I still have a chance. ¡°What about Dad? They said that a daughter is a father''s lover in his past life. If I''m not Dad''s daughter, then I''m not his lover! Would he still love me like he used to?¡± Chapter 425 Chapter 425 Waverly frantically turned to look at her husband and hinted at him to express his opinion. Steven raised his brow slightly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, ¡°It doesn''t matter if they''re my biological daughter or adopted daughter. I''ll never abandon them.¡± The answer he gave was straightforward. Steven also explicitly told Zoey that if Bailey was his daughter, he would never leave her alone outside. A true daughter of the Shurmer family should live up to the honor that was rightfully hers. Zoey slowly clenched her fists after hearing Steven''s words. Her existence was the only thing that mattered in that household. Zoey''s status would hardly matter if Bailey turned up unexpectedly. Bailey must die. In the living room of the Jefferson residence, rence mmed a stack of newspapers onto the table and red at Beatrice, who was sitting on the couch. ¡°Were you the one who exposed this? Who told you to expose the fact that Bailey is not a child of the Jefferson family?¡± rence questioned angrily. At present, there was an assumption that the outside world was mocking him for being cheated on by his first wife. Beatrice stared at the shameless middle-aged man before her and shed a look of disgust. She still felt delighted by the acquaintance of baby-faced men outside who could satisfy her. If not for the old geezer who hogged most of the Jefferson family''s fortunes to himself selfishly, Beatrice would have long eloped with a younger man. ¡°No, it wasn''t me. rence, is there something you''re unhappy about?¡± Happy? What''s there to be happy about? For a while, rence gave no response. He then asked, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± The disgust in Beatrice''s eyes intensified immensely. What a dumb swine. It''s obvious what this is about. How can he still not guess it? If Bailey was not a child of the Jefferson family, then this proved that Sophia''s daughter, whom she birthed all those years ago, had been swapped with someone else''s child. To put it bluntly, rence was not cheated on, but his daughter had taken Bailey''s ce and became the noble heiress of the Shurmer family. ¡°If Bailey is a daughter of the Shurmer family, then the eldest daughter, Zoey, must be your child. Do you not realize that Zoey and Sophia look very much alike?¡± rence was momentarily stunned. ¡°Y-You''re saying Sophia never cheated on me all those years ago? She swapped the two babies just so her daughter could live the luxurious life of a princess?¡± ¡°What do you think? Could there be a third exnation for all of this? The truth is about to be exposed now. Once the Shurmers find out Zoey is a fraud, they''ll surely drive her out of the house. What you need to do now is to safeguard your daughter''s position in the Shurmer family. Only through this way would you be able to gain benefits from her. The only way to protect Zoey is to eliminate Bailey, the true heiress of the family.¡± rence felt his body tremble violently. When he returned to his senses, a hint of murderous intent shed past his cloudy eyes. If the eldest daughter of the Shurmer family was indeed his child, then the only thing rence could do was eliminate Bailey to protect his own daughter. Beatrice could not help but smirk upon witnessing her sess in inciting rence''s murderous intent with her words. With so many people wanting Bailey dead, she did not believe Bailey would survive long. That night, someone found out Bailey and Zoey shared the same birthday. Bailey threw her phone aside in the living room. She then picked up and took two sips from the ss of fruit juice on the coffee table. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. She wondered if such a taste appealed to the child inside her. A strong sense of nausea soon hit her as the fruit juice entered her throat. She bent over promptly as she vomited into the trash can. Artemis rushed out of the kitchen in an apron while holding a spat. His expression immediately darkened when he saw Bailey throwing up again. He walked toward the dining area while pursing his lips. After a while, he came back with a ss of warm water. At that moment, Bailey had stopped vomiting and was panting as she leaned against the back of the couch. Artemis looked at Bailey''s pale face. The vomiting was so intense that her eyes were filled with tears. However confident or proud Bailey was as a woman, she was reduced to such a state because of her pregnancy. Artemis became more determined when he looked at Bailey and saw her tired eyes. When the time arrived, he would surely apany her to get an abortion. ¡°Here, have some water.¡± Bailey stretched out her hand and took the ss of water. After taking two gentle sips, she said weakly, ¡°This child is starting to be more finicky. It''s only the initial stages of pregnancy, yet they''ve shown such intense reactions. I think things could get rowdier in the future.¡± Artemis soon felt his gaze wander around Bailey''s t tummy. ¡°Hang in there for a few more days. I''ll apany you to the medical base when the timees. We are getting that abortion.¡± Bailey looked at Artemis. After staring at him for a whole minute, she said softly, ¡°I think it''s a girl, your lover from your previous life. Are you sure you''re willing to go through with this?¡± There was no way of ascertaining the baby''s gender currently, but they could tell how many they were expecting. Thankfully, Bay''s only pregnant with one baby. How else am I willing to go through with this otherwise? A hint of hesitation shed across Artemis'' eyes, which slowly turned into reluctance. He could no longer force himself to put up a farce. Indeed, Artemis was unwilling to go through with the decision. He already felt reluctant if the baby was a boy, but he was even more unwilling if it turned out to be a girl. ¡°I''ve got Susan. Stop making me emotional. We''re going through with the abortion, and that''s final,¡± Artemis replied. Bailey stretched out her hand and caressed her lower abdomen. I''m starting to feel slightly reluctant. What do I do? Artemis did not wish to focus on such vexing issues. He changed the subject and said, ¡°The Shurmers may make a move in the next two days. They may do a DNA test with you or with Zoey. Bay, what are you going to do?¡± The smile on Bailey''s face stiffened. After pondering in silence for a while, she asked, ¡°If I wasn''t the heiress of the Shurmer family, would you think my status was too low?¡± Chapter 426 Chapter 426 ¡°Bailey...¡± Artemis hissed her name through gritted teeth. There was a hint of annoyance in his tone. The next second, he leaned in to kiss her lips, pressing hard against them. ¡°If you say such nasty words again in the future, I''ll really beat you up.¡± Bailey stared at him, her eyes growing misty. She then choked out tearfully, ¡°You''re being mean to me, and you even want to abuse me.¡± ¡°D*mn it!¡± Artemis couldn''t bear to see her looking pitiful, as it would provoke the beastly nature in him and make him want nothing more than crush and eat her up. ¡°I''ll kill you if you keep acting like this.¡± Bailey grinned and threw herself into his arms. ¡°Artemis. I don''t need to be the Shurmer family''s heiress. This time, the reason I gave you consent to expose this matter is to alert Zoey to appreciate what she has and stop thinking of fighting with me. Now that the heads-up has been given to her, just let her off. If something simr happens again, I won''t go easy on her.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but chuckle. He knew that the woman before him would make such a decision. This woman seems distant, but in fact, she is kind-hearted. As long as they are acquainted with her, even if they don''t treat her genuinely, she will still repay them sincerely. ¡°All right. I support you. I''ll assign someone to secretly keep a sharp eye on the Shurmer family these two days. If there is anything strange, I''ll inform you immediately.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°I guess they won''t drag Zoey out to do a paternity test. After all, this will hurt Zoey. They will more likely head to the databank and retrieve my DNA for a test. Later, I''ll hack the system of the Security Agency and fabricate my data.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The next day, the Fletcher family of four returned to Dellmoor in a private jet. At the private airport, Bailey leaned down and patted Raiden, who was in a wheelchair, on the shoulder. With a smile on her face, she uttered, ¡°Have a safe flight. Until next time.¡± Raiden shifted his gaze to Artemis and uttered indifferently, ¡°There are a lot of men swooning over this woman. You''d better keep an eye on her. If someone takes an opportunity and steals her, I bet you''ll be the globalughingstock.¡± Letting out a snort, Artemis reached out and pulled Bailey into his arms. In a gentle voice, he remarked, ¡°You''re carrying a child now and need to rest. Thus, you can''t stand for too long. Mr. Fletcher is going to board the ne. Let''s not hold him up. Sloan is waiting in the cabin.¡± A look of astonishment crossed Raiden''s face when he heard that. He then fixed his gaze on her t belly, his eyes shing with a trace of faint sorrow. ¡°Y-You are pregnant?¡± Bailey pursed her lips and shot Artemis a re before replying with a smile, ¡°Isn''t our government encouraging us to procreate? So, we want to take advantage of this chance and have a baby. Raiden, you should also find your other half, too. When there is a wife, it''s where a man''s home is.¡± Raiden lowered his head slightly with a bitter smile ying around his lips. ¡°Well, I''ll think about it. I have to board the ne. Until next time.¡± ¡°See you.¡± They watched Raiden being carried into the private ne. Soon after, the roar of the engine rang out. Slowly, the ne took off against the wind and disappeared into the clouds. Goodbye, Raiden. May we never meet again! Artemis wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. ¡°He''s already left. Stop feeling reluctant about his departure.¡± Bailey lifted her leg and kicked him hard on his foot. Gritting her teeth, she huffed, ¡°I''ll cripple you if you get jealous again in the future.¡± The man was rendered speechless. In the garden of a suburban mansion, Yvette was leaning against the railing while feeding the fish. Right then, her bodyguard walked over. ¡°Ms. Sullivan, as you have expected, Shannon has been tracking your whereabouts over the past two days. I guess she is scheming against you.¡± Yvette''s lips curled. She then tossed the baits in her hand into the pond and dusted the residue off her palms. ¡°Having known her for so many years, I naturally know her well. She is aware that she can''t convince Holden and Micah to deal with me before getting hold of any evidence. But she bears a grudge against me and can''t wait to watch me die. Under such circumstances, she has no choice but to take the risk and deal with me personally.¡± Shannon grew up in Tarragon and was trained. Previously, she was a female assassin. It was certain that she was quite confident about her assassination skills. Therefore, Yvette was positive that the woman woulde to exact her revenge personally. The reason Yvette visited Shannon the other day was to incite Shannon''s anger, forcing thetter to make a move against her. ¡°What are we going to do next?¡± Yvette grinned. ¡°Could you help me ask the daughter of the person in charge of Tarragon branch out, telling her that I''d like to invite her for a facial treatment tomorrow? After that, ry my whereabouts to Shannon.¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°All right.¡± Gazing at the school of fish hopping in the pond, Yvette curled her lips into a vicious smile as Shannon would be sent to hell after that night. Other than the secretive current head, I bet no one can defend her after she ¡°assassinates¡± the daughter of the previous head. Well, I don''t think that good-for-nothing would guard her against all odds. As a result, she''ll be dead for sure, and on top of that, she''ll be tortured to death in the most brutal manner by Tarragon. Meanwhile, in the study of another private mansion, Holden was leaning against the back of the chair while talking on the phone. ¡°My son is with them now. If we can''t give them what they want, they won''t let my son leave the resort alive. Boss, could I ask you to permit the people from Tarragon to leave the port in Zaewora and let the Hoffman family take control over there?¡± Upon being informed of something, Holden stayed silent for a moment before responding, ¡°Don''t worry! I''ll regain control of Zaewora within a month and never let the organization suffer any losses.¡± The person on the other end of the line seemed to agree with what he suggested. Following that, the beeping tone went through the phone. Holden let out a heavy sigh. The head of Tarragon had agreed to his request. He decided to save his son first. In the study of the Shurmer residence, Steven and Zeke were sitting on the couch. ¡°What do you think of the rumor out there?¡± Steven asked. After mulling over it for a while, Zeke replied, ¡°There is no smoke without fire. We have to confirm Bailey''s identity. If she is really my sister, I will bring her home to reim her identity. She and Artemis are going to get married soon, I suppose. The Luther family, after all, is one of the most prestigious families. If she didn''t have a strong background, she would be criticized for sure.¡± Steven nodded. ¡°Well then, let''s arrange for a paternity test with Zoey and see if she is my daughter.¡± Zeke furrowed his brows and replied solemnly, ¡°There''s no use in doing a paternity test with Zoey. Even if she''s not your daughter, we can''t say that Bailey is. The easiest way is to get Bailey''s DNA from the databank of the Security Agency. After that, we can use it to do a paternity test with yours. If you two are biologically rted, then Zoey is not your daughter. In that way, we can kill two birds with one stone.¡± ¡°That works, too. Well, just do as you say, but we can''t let Zozo know about this. I''m worried she might overthink it. You have to go to the Security Agency by yourself tomorrow and retrieve Bailey''s data to do a paternity test with me.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± In the bedroom on the third floor, Zoey was wearing a headset, and she heard everything the father and son said in the study loud and clear. Chapter 427 Chapter 427 She deliberately nted listening devices in the study in the afternoon so that she could find out how they were nning to settle the matter. Unsurprisingly, her father was really nning to use Bailey''s blood data for a DNA test with him. If the result showed that she was his daughter, she could guess that the Shurmers would take Bailey back into the family with how Zeke had been acting. If that were to happen, Bailey was going to be the daughter of the Shurmers, and she... was going to be a worthless adopted daughter. From then on, she would have to act ording to that woman''s wishes. How could she possibly stand that? No, I can''t just be a sitting duck. I won''t just sit on my hands as I watch Bailey return to the Shurmer family and take over my identity and status. With those thoughts in mind, she shot up from her bed and strode out of the bedroom. The next day, Gerald and Felicity came to Shelbert Condominium. Bailey froze when she opened the door and saw who was behind it. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Felicity raked her gaze at Bailey''s t stomach before looking at her face. They look alike! They look so alike! This girl shares half her facial features with Waverly. No wonder people are talking about how they must be mother and daughter. I finally know why I''m annoyed with her and can''t bring myself to love her. It''s because she looks like Waverly. She looks like the woman my husband has been missing for decades. Gerald cleared his throat and disrupted the awkward atmosphere between the two. ¡°Aren''t you going to invite us in for a seat?¡± ¡°What? Oh.¡± Bailey recovered from her shock and quickly moved aside. ¡°You don''t need to change your footwear. I''ll clean the floorter.¡± Right then, Maxton rushed out of the study andunched himself into Felicity''s arms. ¡°Grandma, why are you here?¡± Susan was not one to bear a long grudge, so she soon lunged into Gerald''s arms as well. ¡°Grandpa...¡± The couple answered in response before carrying their precious grandchildren up into their arms. When Gerald heard the sounds from the kitchen, he lifted a brow and asked, ¡°Is Artemis cooking?¡± A look of shock shed past Felicity''s face when she heard that, and she turned toward the direction of the kitchen. Indeed, there was a tall figure by the stove, and it was none other than Artemis. ¡°That boy knows how to cook?¡± Disbelief was written all over the elderly woman''s face. Her understanding of her son had been challenged by the sight of her son cooking in the kitchen. Bailey then cleared her throat and exined, ¡°I''ve been feeling unwelltely, and I can''t stop vomiting the moment I smell any oil or smoke. When I have time a few dayster, I''ll hire a housekeeper. I won''t let him¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Felicity waved dismissively. ¡°You don''t need to exin this much to me. It''s his job to cook for his wife and children.¡± At that, Bailey raised a brow. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. She finally thought things through, huh? Will she stop fighting with me now? Felicity then put Maxton down before gesturing at the nearby couch with her chin. ¡°Grandpa, we''re ying Old Maid in the study. Can youe and y with us?¡± Uh... It''s a little embarrassing for me to y Old Maid. Bailey held her forehead and chided, ¡°Susan, don''t be absurd. Go and y with your siblings instead. You shouldn''t be bothering your elders with games like these.¡± Susan frowned. ¡°I''m just worried that Grandpa''s bored. If you don''t like that, I won''t talk about it anymore.¡± Gerald burst outughing once he registered her words. ¡°It''s fine. If your daddy can cook, why can''t I y with you all? Come on.¡± With that, he held Maxton''s hand with one hand and carried Susan with the other before walking toward the study. After watching the elderly man leave with his grandchildren, Bailey went over to sit on the couch with Felicity. ¡°I heard that you''re pregnant,¡± Felicity calmly started. Bailey curled her lips. ¡°You heard it right. I am pregnant, but I don''t know whether or not I want to keep the baby.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Felicity asked, furrowing her brows. ¡°Don''t you and Artemis love each other very much? Why won''t you want the baby? Bearing children for the Luther family is your duty as the Luther family''s daughter-inw. I had three children back then.¡± Bailey blinked before giving Felicity a half-smile. ¡°One of my children can already be enough for three of yours. Am I not doing enough?¡± Felicity was stumped. She did not know how to respond to that. After a moment of silence, she quietly uttered, ¡°I hope you can keep the baby. If you don''t want to raise the baby, you can leave the baby to us. That way, you can continue to enjoy your current life.¡± A sly glint shed past Bailey''s eyes, and she quipped, ¡°Everyone says that I look like your love rival, Waverly. Won''t you resent me to death if your son marries me and I turn out to be her daughter?¡± Felicity''s expression darkened. Of all the things she could have said! I was about to ignore her birth circumstances, but she just wanted to remind me about it, huh? ¡°You''re not like Zoey. Zoey''s too soft and fragile, and that makes her seem pretentious. I don''t like it. On the other hand, you''re indifferent to most things and have few desires. If I had to pick either one of you, I''d rather choose you. Now stop trying to irk me with these things. I only have one question. Can you keep the baby?¡± Chapter 428 Chapter 428 Bailey chuckled. Frankly, she had already made up her mind to give birth to the baby. The baby was the product of Artemis and her love. How could she possibly abandon it? Although she did not know what was going to happen during her pregnancy and whether or not her depression could be controlled, at that very moment, Bailey wanted to keep the baby. ¡°I was capable of bearing three at the same time seven years ago. This time, I only have one. It doesn''t seem like there''s any reason for me to abandon it, so don''t worry, the baby wille into this world safe and sound.¡± Hearing her, Felicity let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had been anxious on her way there, fearing that Bailey would not heed her persuasion and would be adamant about aborting the baby. ¡°That''s good, that''s good. Have a talk with Artemis and see if you''re nning to marry before giving birth to the baby or after. We can make better arrangements after your discussion.¡± Marry? Bailey narrowed her eyes. That was something she never thought about. Perhaps having a proper title was of the utmost importance for other women, but that was not the case for Bailey, for she never thought about leaving the fate of her life to a man. ¡°Okay, I''ll talk to him when I''m free to hear what he thinks about this.¡± In a rental home in the suburbs, Shannon deleted the messages she received that day before walking to the bedroom. A momentter, she emerged from the room in a set of simple clothes. As she stood in the living room, she scanned her surroundings before a look of ruthless determination appeared in her eyes. I doubt I''ll have the chance toe back here after I leave today. In the meantime, in a VIP room of an upscale beauty salon in Hallsbay, two women were lying down in a massage chair with facial masks on their faces. One was Yvette, and the other was the daughter of the person in charge of Tarragon''s branch, Keira Euchler. ¡°Your Royal Highness, I hear that you''re about to tie the knot with the vice president, Micah. May I know when your wedding will be?¡± Keira uttered politely. Her father had told her that despite how Yvette had lost her family, she still had powerful people to back her up. The mighty elders in Tarragon still adored her, and as long as she got into Yvette''s good books, the Euchler family might one day get the chance to work in Tarragon''s headquarters. A look of anticipation manifested on Yvette''s face at the mention of tying the knot with Micah. Soon! I''ve set a major trap for that b*tch, Shannon. The moment she steps into it, I''ll be able to persuade the executive members of the headquarters to force Micah to marry me. I refuse to believe that Micah won''t say yes to save Shannon. ¡°Micah''s a little busytely, so our wedding''s postponed for now. But it won''t be a long wait. Once we set a date for it, I''ll send you the wedding invitation.¡± Keira''s eyes lit up. I''m so quick to get into the previous head''s daughter''s good books? Knock. Knock. Right then, someone knocked on the door, and the two women halted their conversation. Keira turned toward the door, annoyed, and barked out, ¡°Who is it? Didn''t I say not to disturb us unless it''s an emergency?¡± ¡°Ms. Euchler, I''m here to change your masks.¡± Keira then lifted her arm to touch her mask. Indeed, it was a little dry and needed to be changed. ¡°Come in, then.¡± The door to the room opened, and a woman in work attire and a mask entered. Yvette''s eyes darkened, and she gradually tightened her fists. Shannon''s here. Did she think that I won''t be able to recognize her just because she changed her voice and put on a mask? We''ve been living together for so many years. Just a single move and I know that it''s her. Very well. She''s not afraid of death at all. In that case, I''ll grant her what she wants. Shannon inched toward the twodies. She had a prosthetic left arm attached, and Keira didn''t notice anything amiss. When Shannon walked over to her, Keira quickly said, ¡°Please change the mask of thedy beside me first. She''s the esteemed patron here.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Shannon nodded and walked over to crouch down beside the massage chair. Then, she reached out with her right hand to pull away Yvette''s mask. Just a secondter, she turned her wrist abruptly and stabbed a shiny knife at Yvette''s heart. ¡°Ah!¡± A loud shriek of terror echoed in the room. Yvette was already wary of Shannon, so how could she possibly let thetter stab her? However, she would be unable to put an end to Shannon if she did not let Shannon draw blood. Right then, she spotted Keira jumping off the massage chair, about to flee from the room. Yvette sneered. Since you''re not loyal enough, I might as well drag you into this mess. The battle between her and Shannon reached a stalemate, but soon, she managed to force Shannon a few steps back. The moment Shannon was briefly distracted, Yvette leaped off the massage chair and darted toward Keira. She grabbed Keira''s arm and tugged hard. In the next second, the sound of friction reverberated in the room¡ªthe sound of a knife stabbing into flesh. Keira''s eyes widened, and she slightly lowered her head to see the blood gushing out of the wound on her chest. Fear danced across her eyes. Shannon drew her brows together. That stab could have been a fatal blow on Yvette. s, who would have known that the wicked woman would use someone else as a shield? Chapter 429 Chapter 429 What a vicious woman. We were all previously fooled by her kind, meek appearance. The thought of her lost arm and the tragic death of her child made Shannon overwhelmed with fury. She then yanked out the knife from Keira''s chest before stabbing it toward Yvette again. The slight dy had made Shannon lose her best opportunity to kill Yvette, and God was not going to give her a second chance, for arge group of bodyguards in ck swarmed in. The leading man was Micah. The moment Yvette saw Micah, she ignored everything else and threw herself into his arms. However, Shannon made no move to cease as she trained the sharp knife at Yvette''s heart mercilessly again. If she could, she would stab Yvette thousands of times over. That was the only way she would be able to take revenge for what happened in the past. Her son had died a terrible death, and the woman deserved the same. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. It was only then her son would be able to rest in peace. The hatred grew more and more intense in Shannon''s eyes. By then, all her rationality had been reced by the resentment in her. Micah''s eyes widened. Before he could dwell much on the situation, he stretched out his arm to block the iing de. Instantly, crimson blood glided down the de. The knife waspletely embedded in Micah''s flesh, but he did not even flinch from the impact. Instead, he knitted his brows and looked at Shannon with a pained expression. Why did she rashly try to assassinate Yvette? Doesn''t she know what situation she''s now in? How can this woman be so impulsive? I''ve already promised her that I won''t let this matter go. As long as I find evidence of Yvette hurting our child, I''ll make Yvette pay with her life for her crimes so that our son can rest in peace. Why did she have to do this and walk down the path of no return? ¡°Let go,¡± Shannon enunciated. ¡°If you have a hint of conscience left, then you shouldn''t be stopping me from killing this woman. Eugene died horrendously, so what right does she have to keep living in this world?¡± A wicked woman like her should go to hell and never see the heavens! Micah pursed his lips and fixed his grim gaze on Shannon. ¡°You can''t kill her before we find any evidence. However, if you''ve found evidence to prove that she was the one behind it all, then you don''t need to do this. I''ll kill her and take revenge for the boy.¡± Yvette snapped her head upward to look at Micah tearfully. She choked out, ¡°What do you mean by I''m the one behind it all? What did I do? Micah, this woman tried to kill me, but you''re still trying to defend her?¡± Micah ignored her and continued to stare at Shannon, who was gritting her teeth. ¡°Say it. Say that you''re not here to kill Yvette, and swear on your dead son''s chance at reincarnation that you would never try to kill Yve again.¡± Shannonughed. Sheughed andughed until tears rolled down her face. She knew that the man was protecting her¡ªthat he did not want Tarragon''s men to punish her. But that did not matter. From the moment she decided to assassinate Yvette, she had cast away thoughts of wanting to live. She never even thought that she would be able to step out of the room alive. Therefore, when the man told her to swear on her son''s next life, thest bit of hope in her heart died. ¡°Let go, Micah, and let me stab her to death. Then, I''ll apologize to Eugene in the afterlife with her. I don''t want to live anymore. This is my only wish, so please just grant me this wish.¡± The determination in Micah''s eyes wavered when he heard her death wish, but it onlysted for a few seconds. No. I can''t fulfill her wish. She mustn''t die. If she dies, then what is the point of me living? Why don''t I kill Yvette myself and let all of us go to the afterlife to see Eugene instead? ¡°I still hold onto the words I said. Before we get any evidence to prove that she was the mastermind, no one is allowed toy a finger on her. Shannon, you''re a smart woman. I''m sure you know when to push on and when to stop.¡± A mncholic smile spread across Shannon''s lips, and she slowly let go of the knife. She had lost. She had lost to Micah and his lingering feelings for Yvette. Even though he knew that it was highly likely that Yvette was behind everything, he still stubbornly wanted evidence first. What was that but the lingering love he had for her? If it were someone else who had murdered his son in cold blood, Shannon was certain that he would have killed them without missing a beat. Evidence was just an excuse for him to get Yvette out of the matter without being held ountable for it. ¡°Micah, I''ve made a mistake. I''ve been too stupid. Too dumb to think that you would actually want revenge for my boy. Even if you''re refusing to do anything because of your past feelings for her, you wouldn''t have stopped me from taking my revenge. Now, reality has given me a sobering p. That child is the pain in my heart, not yours. Eugene was just a passerby in your life, and whether or not he ever lived never mattered to you. What words can I say to the one who pities his death but defend his murderer? I''m d he''s dead, or else I have no idea how terribly upset he would be to find out that he has such a cruel, heartless father.¡± With that, she turned around to the person in charge of Tarragon''s branch and said, ¡°Lord Euchler, I''ve gone against the rules of your organization by attempting to assassinate Her Royal Highness of Tarragon, and I''ve ended up hurting your daughter as well. You''ve caught me red-handed, so there isn''t any need for interrogation. Just throw me to the branch and execute my punishment.¡± Her tone was t, and no one could hear any emotions in it. It was not as if she had never seen the torments that went on in Prudent Hall. In the past, she might have been afraid. After all, anyone made of flesh and blood would fear painful torture. However, now that there was no hope in her heart, she was nothing but a soulless puppet. Death as punishment was what she sought. Daniel hesitated. Turning to the grim Micah, he tentatively said, ¡°She has admitted to attempting an assassination on Her Royal Highness. Mr. Neyman, our rules dictate that she must go to Prudent Hall first. What do you think about that?¡± Micah pushed Yvette away and started walking toward Shannon. When he came to a stop before her, he reached out his bloody hand to caress her cheek. ¡°Do you have no ties to this world anymore? Is mutual destruction what you want? Shanny, must you die?¡± Shannon lifted her head to look at him before chuckling. ¡°Micah, let''s make a promise. Let''s not meet each other in our next lives. I have had enough of loving each other but hurting each other. When I die, I will plead with God to never let me see you again in my next life.¡± Despair crept into Micah''s eyes. He was stopping her from killing Yvette because he did not want to see her die. However, that woman had no thoughts but death in her head. There was nothing he could do to change that. ¡°Okay. Farewell for good, then. Go and be with Eugene, and leave the rest to me. One day, I''lle to your graves to tell you that you can rest in peace.¡± Chapter 430 Chapter 430 Meanwhile, in the bedroom in Shelbert Condominium, Bailey leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window with a ss of fruit juice in her hand. She was in a daze while watching the scenery outside the window. N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material. The door to the bedroom was pushed open from the outside, and Artemis walked in. ¡°What''s the matter? Did my mom trouble you again with her words?¡± Bailey weakly leaned in his embrace, shifting all her weight to him. The familiar mint scent on his body filled her nerves, making her feel exceptionally safe. Perhaps she was too anxious to realize her current situation waspletely different from seven years ago. She used to have no one to rely on. At that time, fear, insecurity, and anxiety filled her heart so much that it triggered her prenatal depression. However, the situation was different now. She had Artemis and her three children by her side. Although she would still feel anxious, she could at least try to keep things under control. ¡°Artemis, I promised your mom that I will keep this baby.¡± After Artemis heard that, something flickered in his eyes, and he exerted little strength into his arms around her waist. ¡°You don''t have to bother about what she said. It''s normal for elders to want more grandchildren, but you''ve delivered three children for the Luther family. That''s more than enough. Let''s maintain our previous decision, okay? I''lle with you when you go for the abortion.¡± Bailey chuckled softly when she heard that. She caressed her t belly with her palm andced her fingers through his. ¡°Artemis, don''t you feel it? The baby is growing inside of me. This is the best gift from God to us. We are in no ce to abandon the baby. So why don''t we ept our fate and keep the baby?¡± Artemis did not say a word, but he wrapped her tightly in his arms. He would love it if they could keep the baby. It was his wish to see his baby slowly forming and growing inside the woman he loved and to stay by her side as they weed the baby into the world. Noticing his silence, Bailey looked up at him and frowned. ¡°Artemis, did you hear what I said?¡± ¡°Mm. I''m listening. Are you okay with keeping the baby? I don''t want you to do this against your will because of what my mom told you.¡± Bailey shot him a re. ¡°Did you really hear what I told you? It seems to me that you heard nothing. Otherwise, why would you say I changed my mind because of your mom?¡± Reaching out to touch her delicate face, Artemis said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I heard you, and I know what you think, but I don''t want you to fall into depression again for the baby. You''ve suffered long enough to recover from your pregnancy seven years ago. I don''t want to see you suffering again.¡± Bailey snaked her arm around his and stood on tiptoes, nting a brief kiss on his thin lips. She smiled and said, ¡°I believe you now.¡± ¡°Hmm? Believe in what?¡± ¡°I believe you''ve considered the best for me before asking me to have the abortion. But then, I really want to keep this baby. Artemis, I''m not doing this against my will, and I won''t suffer for this pregnancy. This baby will be thest. We won''t have any more children after this, okay?¡± Artemis'' heart softened at that. He held her shoulders and spun her around, leaning closer to kiss her. Yet, at that moment, the phone by the window bay rang. She turned around and saw it was Veikko calling her. ¡°Let me answer it. Veikko rarely calls me. For him to take the initiative to call me, he must have something urgent to tell me.¡± Artemis darkened his expression at that. Veikko... That young man is indeed a good-looking guy. His features are unquestionably attractive to thedies. Fine. I guess I can''t look at another man now without treating them as my rival in love. Bailey seemed to read through his mind. She smacked his head. ¡°Veikko is like a younger brother to me. What nonsense are you making up about us in your mind?¡± Then, she picked up her phone and answered the call, putting it on speaker. ¡°Hello? Veikko, why did you call?¡± ¡°Bailey, bad news. Shannon is taken away by the guys from Tarragon''s branch.¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes turned cold instantly. She shoved Artemis out of her way and asked in a low voice, ¡°Did you find out what happened? Micah and Holden are the vice presidents of Tarragon. How could they watch her being taken away?¡± After a brief moment of silence, Veikko said through his gritted teeth, ¡°Shannon attempted to assassinate Yvette, the daughter of the previous head of Tarragon. Her assassination failed and ended with the person in charge of the Tarragon branch catching her red-handed.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes upon hearing that. Yvette... Isn''t she the woman who stood next to Micah the other day during the international competition? From what Shannon said that day, that woman seemed to be rted to all her sufferings in the past. Bailey initially nned to have someone investigate more about Yvette for her, but she had to put it on hold for the past few days due to her pregnancy. It had only been a couple of days since that, but something terrible had already happened to Yvette. ¡°Did she kill Yvette?¡± ¡°No. Micah and his men rushed over just in time to stop that from happening.¡± Micah stopped her? Then why was she taken to Tarragon? Could Micah sit back and watch his subordinates take the woman he loves away? ¡°Why are they bringing her to Tarragon branch?¡± Veikko took a deep breath and gritted his teeth again as he said, ¡°They''re nning to let her face her punishment in Prudent Hall. Shannon pled guilty to assassinating Yvette. She wants to die.¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey was so enraged that she gritted her teeth hard until a crunching noise could be heard in her jaw. She should have realized earlier that Shannon would have sought revenge at the expense of her own life. Chapter 431 Chapter 431 She was too careless. Verily, she didn''t expect the frail woman to do something as crazy as that. Shannon, you didn''t treat me as your friend. If you regarded me as someone close to you, you would''ve given me a call and asked for my help to kill Yvette. I can definitely do it better than you. Now, look at what you have done. Not only did it not work out, but you''re also caught for doing that. ¡°I got it. Don''t act recklessly. Let me have a look at the situation first.¡± With that, she ended the call. ¡°Artemis, what is the offense for assassinating Her Royal Highness of Tarragon? What punishment is there going to be?¡± Frowning, Artemis hesitated for a while before saying tentatively, ¡°Assassinating Her Royal Highness is equivalent to assassinating their leader. You should know that Yvette''s father was once a powerful person. He had a strongwork of interpersonal rtionships. After his death, those people voluntarily stayed by Yvette''s side to protect her. Shannon is going to suffer the consequences for assassinating her.¡± Bailey hissed through gritted teeth, ¡°I''m asking about the punishment. Don''t tell me about all these useless things.¡± Artemis let out a sigh. ¡°If she admits that she assassinated Her Royal Highness, then that''s the most serious crime for Tarragon. She''s going to receive the cruelest retribution until she dies.¡± Bailey''s legs turned to jelly and she staggered, almost falling to the ground. Artemis immediately stretched out his arm to support her. ¡°Don''t panic. Let''s understand the situation first. Moreover, Micah and Holden are there. They can''t possibly just sit back and do nothing. At present, they have the say in Tarragon. Though it''s going to be hard to protect Shannon, they can definitely think of a way. Give them some time.¡± Bailey grabbed his arm and choked back on tears as she said, ¡°Shannon is too pitiful. She killed Yvette because she felt that Yvette was the mastermind behind that car ident years ago. She wanted to seek revenge for Eugene. Artemis, I have never begged you before, but this time I''m begging you to save her. You''re the only one who can do so. I don''t want to ce my hope on Micah. He clearly knows that it''s possible that his son died because of Yvette, but he still insists on finding evidence to support that point. That means I can''t count on him to rescue Shannon.¡± Artemis let out a soft sigh as he wrapped his arms around her. ¡°You know that I can save her, so why are you still afraid? Just rx. Don''t worry, and be patient. Stay positive at all times.¡± He was worried that her restlessness was going to trigger her prenatal depression. It was a terrifying mental disease that could make her lose herself. Meanwhile, in the study of Tarragon''s branch, Micah was discussing with Daniel the ways to cover up the recent assassination case. All of a sudden, someone kicked open the door. Holden then barged in furiously. He went straight to Micah and grabbed his cor. ¡°Micah, are you even a man? How could you not protect Shannon in that situation?¡± he shouted. Micah''s expression darkened, and his facial muscles tensed up, rendering his mien intimidating. ¡°She is seeking death. What else could I do? Cut the crap! Go ahead and shoot me in the head if you can''t stand me.¡± ¡°Do you think I don''t have the guts to do that?¡± Holden had gone to Mount Willow Cemetery earlier to visit his nephew. Staring at his nephew''s wordless headstone, he was already sullen enough. To make matters worse, he returned to the city and heard that something had happened to his sister. At that moment, he couldn''t stop his fury from oveing him. Moreover, Micah''s indecent attitude only served to add fuel to the fire. Holden had the strong urge to shoot him right there and then. He then put his thought into action and produced a gun from his pocket before pointing it at Micah''s head. ¡°You think I don''t dare to kill you? Micah, the afterlife is lonely. Go and keep my sisterpany!¡± A relieved smile appeared on Micah''s charming face. ¡°Go ahead. I''m not going to fight back, I promise.¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Holden cursed, hurling the man back onto the couch. ¡°Killing a coward like you dirties my hand. You''re better off living the rest of your life in solitary!¡± After saying that, he pointed his gun in Daniel''s direction and uttered, ¡°Release my sister right now.¡± Frightened, Daniel''s legs gave out and he knelt on the floor in an instant. ¡°M-Mr. Holden, those in the headquarters are aware that Ms. Shannon has assassinated Her Royal Highness. The elders flew into a rage and asked me to deal with her. Your order is not going to have any effect.¡± Click! Holden cocked his gun, making himself clear. Daniel trembled in fear and quickly changed his tune. ¡°How about you talk to the leader? Right now, he''s the only one who can protect Ms. Shannon and silence the group of elders.¡± The veins on Holden''s forehead were bulging. Initially, he wanted to pull the trigger and send Daniel to his doom, but something popped into his mind all of a sudden, causing him to pause in his tracks. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°Bring me to Shannon.¡± Daniel didn''t dare to defy Holden. Getting back to his feet hastily, he replied in terror, ¡°O-Okay... T-This way...¡± Looking over at Micah, Holden said coldly and emotionlessly, ¡°From now onward, you have nothing to do with my sister. I don''t want to see you pestering her. Otherwise, I''ll kill you.¡± Chapter 432 Chapter 432 On the second floor of a coffee shop, Zoey sat on a couch beside the window of a private room, staring coldly at the middle-aged man who sat across from her. ¡°Mr. Dahmer, you''ve been working in Caremark Hospital for about ten years. Does it upset you that you never get a promotion opportunity?¡± Sweat beaded the middle-aged man''s forehead when he heard that. The Shurmer family had just sent him the blood sample for him to conduct a DNA test the day before. Zoey came looking for him just the day after that. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. He didn''t need to guess to know her purpose in meeting him. ¡°Um, Ms. Shurmer, I believe that your family would still treat you as their own regardless of whether you''re adopted or not. There''s no need for you to take the risk by forcing me to tamper with the test result...¡± said the middle-aged man, Lawrance Dahmer, sheepishly Before Lawrance could finish his sentence, Zoey interjected, ¡°I heard that there''s a vacancy in the Medical Association. You''ve been searching for an opportunity but to no avail. How about I lend you a hand instead?¡± Lawrance''s body shuddered ever so slightly. He stared nkly at her as the determination in his eyes began to waver. How could I reject such a tempting offer from her? Zoey noticed the flicker in his gaze and struck the iron while it was still hot. ¡°You''re a smart man, Mr. Dahmer. You''ve been working in the DNAb for years, and you know a slight alteration to the test result could bring a huge difference to someone. Besides, you have to sacrifice something in exchange for a gain. I''ve made my offer to you. If you''re dissatisfied with it, you can negotiate further with me. However, if you''re reluctant to help me, then I''ll have to find another person to do the job.¡± After saying that, Zoey sat on the couch and waited for a while. When she noticed that Lawrance was still remaining silent, she no longer wanted to waste any more time on him. Thus, she got up and was about to leave. ¡°Hold on!¡± Lawrance stopped her and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You''re a straightforward person, Ms. Shurmer. It seems fated that you came to me first, so I''ll carry out the task for you. However, I hope that you will keep your word after this. Otherwise, I can''t guarantee you that the public won''t find out about you bribing me for the fake report.¡± Zoey smirked when she heard that. ¡°Sure. I''ll take that as a yes, then. I hope we''ll have a fruitful coboration.¡± Lawrance hesitated for a bit before shaking her hand. Subsequently, he produced his phone from his briefcase and called a number. ¡°Is the result for the blood sample Mr. Shurmer sent yesterday out yet?¡± ¡°Yes. The result was released ten minutes ago. I just emailed you the result. Have you received it? I''ll send it again if you haven''t received it.¡± ¡°Let me check.¡± He ended the call swiftly and took hisptop out of his briefcase. After logging into his email, he nced through the document. Shock surfaced in his eyes as he read the report. ¡°W-What''s happening? The result shows that Ms. Jefferson is not biologically rted to the Shurmer family.¡± Stunned, Zoey snatched theptop from him to take a look for herself. What''s going on? I don''t understand. If Bailey is not the biological daughter of the Jefferson family, why does she look so much like Waverly? It only makes sense if she''s rted to the Shurmer family. Is there something wrong with the test result? How is she not rted to Dad? ¡°Are you sure it''s urate? Is there a mistake?¡± Lawrance shed a smile at her. ¡°Isn''t this result what you want? You want me to tamper with the report so that you could twist the truth and stop her from reiming her identity, right? The report shows that they''re not biologically rted, which means she has no blood rtions with the Shurmer family. You should be happy.¡± Zoey clenched her fists. She was unable to be as optimistic as Lawrance, nheless. There''s an eighty percent possibility that Bailey is the biological daughter of the Shurmer family. However, the result shows otherwise. Something tells me that someone else has tampered with the test result before I could. Who could that be? ¡°Ms. Shurmer, now that I don''t have to change anything on the report, my position in Medical Association...¡± Waving her hand at him, Zoey voiced, ¡°I''ll settle that. You''ll get your position in the association soon.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you so much, Ms. Shurmer. You may look for me if the Shurmer family wants to conduct another DNA test. I can assure you that the report will show you as their biological daughter.¡± Meanwhile, in a secret room in Prudent Hall of Tarragon''s branch, Shannon stared at Holden with a frown. ¡°Considering your unique identity, you shouldn''te here at all.¡± Holden stared at her coldly and asked in a low voice, ¡°Why did you make your own decisions? Did I not tell you that I''ll seek revenge for your child once I find proof that Yvette tried to harm you? Why are you so reckless?¡± Slowly, Shannon retracted her gaze and replied, ¡°She has a distinguished status, after all. Even if you found the evidence, she would only receive a light punishment. I can''t ept this. My child died tragically. I won''t let her get away easily just like that.¡± ¡°Even so, you shouldn''t act on impulse. You should wait for the right opportunity to assassinate her. Now you''ve got yourself into trouble by getting caught red-handed.¡± Shannon let out a light chuckle, and her expression turned strange. ¡°Have you not noticed that this is clearly a trap set by Yvette? It''s her n to make me do everything willingly. Hopefully, with my death, Micah will understand that I have no choice but to seek revenge myself since he chooses to turn a blind eye to it.¡± ¡°I won''t let you die,¡± Holden replied softly. Shannon''s lips curled into a resigned smile. ¡°No one can stop me if I want to die.¡± Upon hearing that, Holden gritted his teeth. She''s right. No one can stop her if she''s determined to end her life. Micah knew that, and hence he chose to let go. ¡°Our mother is still alive.¡± She lifted her eyes to gaze at him in disbelief. With a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°W-What did you say? Our mother is still alive? She''s not dead?¡± Holden stayed silent for a brief moment before producing his phone from his pocket to show Shannon a picture. ¡°This is hertest photo. Look, she''s still alive. How could you die when our mother is well and alive? Even if you''re seeking death, you should consider how she would feel if she were to watch her daughter die.¡± Shannon''s hands were shaking terribly as she took over the phone. As she stared at the familiar face on the screen, tears started sliding down her cheeks. Mother is still alive. She''s not dead. It''s true... ¡°Where is she?¡± ¡°She''s in Nardor. I''ll send you there after I get you out of here. By then, you guys can live a peaceful life together. Leave the matter of revenge to me. I''ll seek justice for Eugene.¡± Shannon stared at him with tears welling in her eyes. ¡°I tried to kill Yvette. Furthermore, I admitted that I have murderous intentions in front of so many people. I don''t think you can save me,¡± she said, sobbing. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll think of something. Promise me to notmit suicide, okay? Mother has been waiting to reunite with you for years.¡± Shannon lifted her hand to cover her eyes. Momentster, tears began flowing out of the gaps between her fingers.Her suppressed and mournful sobs echoed in the room for a long time. Later that night, Lawrance showed up at the Shurmer residence in person and passed the DNA report to Zeke and Steven. Chapter 433 Chapter 433 In the living room, Steven perused the contents of the report dubiously and honed in on the words ¡°not biologically rted.¡± So all this about the swapping of daughters is nothing but a farce? Zeke took the DNA test report from his father and took a nce at it before frowning. ¡°She''s not a daughter of the Shurmer family?¡± At that, he trained his gaze on Lawrance and inquired solemnly, ¡°Are you sure the information here is urate and has not been tampered with?¡± Zeke was exceptionally astute and considered the various possibilities that didn''t even ur to his father. A look of epiphany instantly shed past Steven''s eyes when he heard that. This DNA test was likely to be a stumbling block for Zoey. Therefore, it was possible that she''d bribed Lawrance into creating a false report. Cold sweat beaded Lawrance''s forehead at Zeke''s forwardness. The members of the Shurmer family were indeed not to be trifled with. Thankfully he''d not redacted any of the report''s contents. Otherwise, with how sharp the father-son pair were, he would have been exposed and sent to prison. ¡°O-Of course not! I never altered anything in this report! This concerns the bloodline of the Shurmer family. I wouldn''t have dared to do such a thing even if I had nine lives! If you still have doubts, feel free to bring the blood tests to Justin to be tested again.¡± It would be in poor taste for Zeke to continue questioning Lawrance''s words. After instructing the butler to escort Lawrance out, Zeke said to Steven, ¡°Perhaps this was all a blunder, and we should let it rest.¡± Steven nodded. ¡°I suppose so, for now. By the way, when do you intend to be engaged with Shirley?¡± Zeke''s face darkened in the blink of an eye at the mention of that. After an extended period of silence, he took his time replying, ¡°Granddad''s death anniversary is in a few days. We''ll talk about this after that.¡± Steven snorted. ¡°Fine then. I''ll see what other excuses you cane up with to postpone this discussion when the timees.¡± Zeke scratched his head and chuckled. ¡°I would simply be dying the inevitable. Rest assured that I''ll marry Shirley. I won''t put you in a tight spot.¡± Yvette opened the door to the study in a private mansion while holding a tray containing a bowl of mushroom soup. Ever since Shannon was incarcerated, Micah had neither eaten nor drank. He appeared ghastly with his bloodshot eyes and haggard mien. ¡°Micah, I''ve prepared some mushroom soup. Drink it while it''s still warm.¡± Micah stared at her icily. His prating starended on her and rooted her to a spot within his periphery. ¡°Were you the one who orchestrated that car ident three years ago? You''d better be frank with me. If I find any evidence against you, not even my debt to your father will save you.¡± Yvette was visibly shaken by his words and her eyes instantly became misty. ¡°M-Micah, what are you saying? Why can''t I seem to understand a word? What is this car ident about, and what have I got anything to do with it? I''ve been devastated that Shannon was imprisoned too and had been trying to contact the elders at the headquarter in hopes that they''ll grant her leniency. How could you nder me like that?¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Micahughed humorlessly. His bloodshot eyes were devoid of warmth. ¡°You imed that you''ve contacted the elders at the headquarter to spare Shannon. If that''s the case, how did they react to it?¡± ¡°I...¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Speak!¡± Yvette pursed her lips and bit the bullet. ¡°I''m sure you''re aware that many of the elders are old friends of my father''s. They view me as their daughter. Now that I''m of age, they wish to see me get married to someone suitable.¡± The mirth in Micah''s eyes thickened. ¡°What you''re trying to say is that those codgers will only stop pursuing the matter regarding Shannon''s offense if I agree to marry you, is it?¡± ¡°Yes indeed, Micah. We were already betrothed in the first ce. We should get married as soon as possible or, at the very least, be engaged. Once the elders see that our union is confirmed, they''ll be gracious and release Shannon.¡± An odd look marred Micah''s features. ¡°You''re sorely mistaken if you think you''re the only one who holds sway over those geezers in the entirety of Tarragon. I know someone else who can bend them to his will using the hard way.¡± He nced at Yvonne meaningfully and added. ¡°You better bear in mind the conversation we had today and pray that you had nothing to do with the car ident. Or else...¡± Yvette looked at him nkly and deadpanned, ¡°Or else what? You''ll murder me?¡± ¡°It''ll be a debt that will be paid by blood.¡± The chilling words rolled off his tongue. Subsequently, he got to his feet and made his way to the door. Yvette abruptly turned toward him and screamed at the top of her lungs, ¡°Micah, I am the only one who can save Shannon in the entirety of Tarragon other than the leader of Tarragon. However, would this elusive leader make an appearance to save a random woman? Don''t be so naive. Shannon has broken ourws. Therefore, without my pardon, she won''t be spared.¡± Chapter 434 Chapter 434 Micah froze mid-stride. He didn''t bother turning his head to address Yvonne and uttered stonily, ¡°You have miscalcted. Even without you, Shannon wouldn''t be dead because...¡± He didn''tplete his sentence as he feared that his rash words would elerate Shannon''s demise. ¡°Never mind. On the ount of the debt I owe your father, you''re safe for the time being. Nheless, you''d best pray that you''ve never done anything to hurt Shannon, as I will make sure anyone who does so pays dearly for it with their life. Your father''s kindness wouldn''t even save you from that.¡± Yvette clenched her fists tightly as she red daggers at the departing figure of Micah. Since you aren''t willing to relent, Micah, I guess it''s time for the elders to exert some pressure on you. I hope you remain as cool-headed and imcable as you are now once Shannon undergoes her punishment. In the guest room of a resort, Raymond''s eyes narrowed as he looked at Holden, who was sitting on the couch opposite him. ¡°It was you, after all. You''re the bodyguard who bewitched Wendy into falling in love with you, only to use her to steal the family''s secrets.¡± Holden raised his brows and intoned, ¡°My apologies. I suffered memory loss and have no recollection of the past. Let''s let bygones be bygones, as there''s no point wasting time bringing up matters I simply don''t remember. Just cut to the chase and state your conditions, will you?¡± Raymond''s weathered face dropped, and anger overtook his expression. ¡°How dare the vice president of Tarragon not admit to his mistakes because of cowardice? What''s the point of this discussion since you seem so insincere? You may take your leave now.¡± It was evident that Raymond thought he was feigning memory loss. Holden sighed and broke intoughter. ¡°How could you doubt my sincerity when I''vee all the way here just as you instructed? What exactly do you want in order to release Shannon?¡± Raymond was about to retort when a middle-aged man beside him whispered in his ear, ¡°Let him be. As long as we get what we want from him, he can continue with his act as he pleases.¡± Raymond swallowed his words and tapped his tongue on the back of his teeth as he sank into contemtion. After a while, he voiced dourly, ¡°All right. I won''t badger you any further since you don''t have the guts to admit it. That wretch Wendy must have been blind to have fallen in love with a weakling like you. I''ll rescue that worthless Shannon only if you spit out everything you''ve coveted from us, such as the control over Zaewora. In addition, withdraw the forces of Tarragon from the regions upied by the Hoffman family and swear that you''ll never intrude on our territory again.¡± A look of hesitation graced Holden''s features. He could agree to the first condition as he had obtained approval from Tarragon''s leader. Yet the second condition was not that simple. If Tarragon were to withdraw from Adrune, didn''t this signify that they were yielding to the Hoffman family? Their two forces had been stuck in a stalemate at Adrune for so many years. If he were to agree to the condition now, Tarragon would suffer an insurmountable loss. ¡°Seems like you''re not determined enough to save your son, Mr. Lewitt. Since you can''t seem to make up your mind, we''ll end our discussion now. We''ll reconvene once you''ve decided on an answer.¡± A vicious look shed past Raymond''s face as he added, ¡°I can''t assure you that your son will be safe and sound for the next few days. Perhaps there might be a few broken fingers or toes, so I''d suggest that you choose quickly. It''d be such a pity for such an adorable child to have a few ws.¡± A grimace descended upon Holden''s handsome face while his malicious re focused on Raymond. ¡°Is there no room for discussion regarding the second condition?¡± Raymond shook his head resolutely and smiled cruelly. ¡°You of all people should be aware that the Hoffman family never trades at a loss. If your son were born to another family, he would be worthless. Fortunately, he''d been born as the son of Wendy and the glorified leader of Tarragon. Naturally, I''d make good use of him since he''s so valuable now.¡± Holden pursed his lips and, after a moment''s silence, said, ¡°Give me a day, and I''ll get back to you with a satisfactory answer. But I''d like to request that you let me see my son before that.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°All right. Our rtionship is that of a kidnapper and the family of the victim. You''re granted leave to ensure that the hostage is safe.¡± He addressed the bodyguard beside him. ¡°Bring Mr. Lewitt to see his son.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± In the Shurmer residence, Waverly opened the bedroom door to her daughter leaning against the headboard in a daze. Her heart ached for Zoey. ¡°You silly girl, why are you still tormenting yourself? Haven''t your father and I assured you that rumors are just rumors, and you shouldn''t take them seriously? You will always be part of the Shurmer family.¡± Zoey was not at allforted by her mother''s assurance and, in turn, felt even more upset. The Shurmers turned out to be a pretentious lot for discreetly carrying out a DNA test behind her back. It was only when the test results were negative that they were willing tofort her. What if Bailey is in fact the true daughter of the Shurmer family? They would probably make a fanfare out of the entire incident and invite her back into the family. ¡°Mom, Bailey must be the one behind this. She''s plotting her revenge against me.¡± Chapter 435 Chapter 435 Waverly raised her brows subtly upon hearing that. She was sensitive enough to make out the resentment in her daughter''s voice. ¡°What do you want, then, Zozo? You should just give up now that there''s nothing else you can do. We can go back to Lostaria, and I will find you a good suitor.¡± Zoey smirked at the suggestion. With the seed of suspicion sown, Zoey would have too much to worry about as long as Bailey was still alive, so the only way out for her was topletely eliminate Bailey if she wanted to remain the daughter of the Shurmer family for the rest of her life. That b*tch has to die. ¡°Granddad''s death anniversary ising soon, so why don''t we stay back until we visit his grave? I''ll go back with you to Lostaria after that.¡± Waverly heaved a sigh of relief, d that Zoey could look at the bright side of things. She did not wish to see her daughter, whom the Shurmer family had put their heart and soul into raising, ruined because of a man who did not even care about her. ¡°I am d you can take it with an open heart. You will still be the same Zoey Shurmer everyone looks up to back in Lostaria. What happened in Hallsbay will not affect your status in the upper-ss society in Lostaria.¡± Zoey clenched her fists as a spiteful thought flitted through her mind. I don''t have much time left, so I will have to make full use of it to get rid of her. Over in the CEO''s office at Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey had just entered the room with a pile of documents when Artemis shot up from his chair and strode over to help her. ¡°Seriously? Can''t you just chill a little? You should ask the secretary to do this,¡± he said. The man had been on tenterhooks the whole morning because Bailey had been busying herself despite her pregnancy. ¡°I''m fine. I''m just sending some documents here. It''s no big deal.¡± With the stack of documents in one hand, Artemis wrapped his other arm around her waist to help her to the couch. ¡°Bailey, we should talk about this. I think you should stay at home instead ofing to thepany.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Bailey raised her brows and put on a faint smile. ¡°Well, you can still keep an eye on me if I''m at the company. On the contrary, if I stay home, you won''t even know what I''m up to. For all you know, I might be so bored out that I go car racing. I suppose that will make you jump out of your skin.¡± Artemis'' face fell. ¡°All right. You should just stay around, then. I''d rather let you send documents around than go car racing.¡± The thought of Bailey doing something dangerous sent chills down his spine. He recalled the day Bailey behaved recklessly when she went racing. Given the fact that she was already pregnant then, it was fortunate that she did not have a miscarriage due to all the adrenaline rush from racing. ¡°By the way, there is an urgent document from Archulea that Xavier asked you to sign.¡± Artemis looked down, and the content on the first document grabbed his attention. ¡°Thergest cosmeticpany in Archulea? Xavier is not bad at all to get a good deal like this. Cosmetico''s mysterious owner is also here in Hallsbay and invited me for dinner tonight.¡± Artemis'' eyes suddenly shimmered as he looked at thebel on the document and arched his brow. ¡°Don''t tell me you''re the enigmatic big shot in the cosmetic industry,¡± he guessed, ncing at her from the corners of his eyes. Bailey rolled her eyes. Does he think all the eminent international figures in the world are me? Is that even possible? ¡°It''s really not me. I also tried digging into thepany''s owner out of curiosity a year ago, but I only found out that she was Aplothian. To be exact, she is a woman in her fifties from Aploth, and her name is Sofie Carr.¡± ¡°Well, since you''re so curious about the magnate in the cosmetic industry, I''ll bring you to see her in person tonight,¡± Artemis replied with a smile. Bailey could not hold back herughter upon hearing the proposal. ¡°Aren''t you afraid that I might drink at dinner?¡± Artemis patted her cheek, saying, ¡°Do you think I''m dead? Of course, I''ll stop you from doing so.¡± Meanwhile, over in a five-star hotel''s presidential suite in Hallsbay, an elegant woman was staring at the bustling city with a ss of red wine in her hand while she leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window. Despite being in her fifties, the dashing woman from Aploth still looked like she was in her thirties. She was Sofie Carr¡ªthe owner of the internationally acimed beauty brand called Cosmetico¡ªand she hade to Hallsbay to discuss the brand''s coboration with Luther Group. Creak! The door was swung open, and a female assistant entered. ¡°Ms. Carr, Luther Group''s CEO, Artemis Luther, has epted your invitation.¡± A smile graced the middle-aged woman''s face as she leaned against the window. She then parted her lips to speak, her voice pleasant and melodious, bringing with it a unique air of elegance. ¡°It''s been twenty years, and I''m finally back. Things have changed so much that I wonder if those I know still remember me.¡± The assistant nodded and said, ¡°I knew you were Chanaean, but I didn''t know you used to live in Hallsbay, the most vibrant metropolis in the country. It is home to many talents like Artemis from the Luther Group, Edmund from the Chivers Group, Zeke from the Shurmer Group, and Lionel from LG Corporation. These four young and promising businessmen all grew up in Hallsbay.¡± Sofie smiled faintly at the answer. ¡°You''re right. This city has won the hearts of many women because it houses the men of their dreams.¡± The assistant blinked and asked out of curiosity, ¡°What about the man of your dream? Is he...¡± The assistant stopped mid-sentence when Sofie''s face darkened. ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have asked, Ms. Carr.¡± Sofie waved her hand and fell into a brief silence before she spoke again. ¡°Since I''m making my identity known tonight, I might as well invite the executive from Hallsbay Business Association. If we want to venture into Hallsbay''s market, we will need some connections with them, so make sure we build a good rapport.¡± ¡°Understood. I''ll send them an invite right away.¡± ¡°Good.¡± When afternoon came, Bailey went from the executive assistant room to the CEO''s office, but seeing that Artemis was talking to a few directors, she did not enter. ¡°What about we have lunch together?¡± the chief secretary suggested from behind. Bailey turned around upon hearing the chief secretary''s voice. The chief secretary had treated Bailey with respect ever since thetter saved her from being dismissed by Artemisst time. ¡°Sure. I''m hungry, anyway.¡± The chief secretary smiled. ¡°Why, of course. It''s already twelve. You''re feeding two mouths now, so you must be famished. Let''s go.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Seeing that the secretary reached out to hold her, Bailey could not help but smile. ¡°Come on. I''m not some queen mother.¡± ¡°Right, you''re not the queen mother. You''re just the queen with a prince. No one dares to cross you in thispany.¡± Bailey shook her head,ughing. Two months ago, everyone was still mocking her for being abandoned by her family and for shamelessly keeping a baby out of wedlock, yet two months after that, she had be the most respected woman in the upper echelon. Over at a resort, Holden narrowed his eyes in confusion as he observed Sebastian. ¡°Hey, you old thing. Where have you been all these years?¡± Sebastian called out rudely. Chapter 436 Chapter 436 Holden''s charming face darkened, and his eyes shone coldly. Usually, that expression on his face was enough to deter just anyone, for Holden was a man who held significant sway in the internationalmunity, and a small gesture from him was enough to cause consequential damages. Not everyone could withstand his wrath, but Sebastian seemed unperturbed. Scoffing disdainfully, he smirked. ¡°Don''t expect that to work on me since you''ve never even taken care of me before, old man. Just so you know, pulling a face won''t scare me.¡± Holden stared at the boy for a while and chuckled. Young but daring. That''s my son. He might be locked up here, but he is not afraid and is even challenging me. That''s interesting. That realization somehow made Holden not as repulsive of the idea of suddenly having a son. In fact, if Holden were to choose an heir, Sebastian would be the perfect choice. ¡°Those people out there want to kill you. Are you not afraid?¡± Sebastian puckered his lips in annoyance. ¡°Why should I be afraid? It''s not like they will let me go if I''m afraid. I''m not naive like a three-year-old.¡± Holden looked away, and his gaze fell on Juliana. ¡°Hi, Holden,¡± she greeted with a wide smile. Holden was silent for a brief moment before asking, ¡°Was I really in love with your sister?¡± Okay... What kind of question is this? Doesn''t he know if he''s in love with my sister or not? ¡°I lost my memory, so I can''t remember anything in the past six years, including the fact that your sister was pregnant,¡± Holden exined when he read what was on Julianna''s mind. He lost his memory? A look of surprise crossed Juliana''s face. ¡°I see. I wondered why the man Wendy loved would have the heart to leave her without any reason. Well, to answer your question, I believe you used to love her enough to have a child with her. If you were really just using her, you wouldn''t have slept with her, let alone make her pregnant.¡± Holden pondered for a while and nodded in agreement. ¡°That makes sense. I reckon I did love her.¡± Why does that sound so clinical? Holden then looked at his son again, saying in a deep voice, ¡°You stay here for a few days. I''ll try to get you out. Remember: don''t put up a fight or make things worse for yourself. Okay?¡± Sebastian pursed his lips and wanted to say something, but on second thought, he kept quiet as Holden went out without further ado. Juliana immediately piped up, ¡°Holden! Wendy is a good woman. Because of you, she went against our father, who chased her out of the house and scrapped her name off the family. Yet, she never once regretted everything she did for you. Even after you deserted her, she still chose to give birth to Sebastian despite people pointing fingers at her. Women like her are a rare find.¡± On the other side, Wendy was staring nkly into the air beside the flower bed in the Gezmond residence''s garden when Lionel walked over and patted her shoulder, speaking to her gently. ¡°Are you still thinking about Sebastian? Don''t worry. Mr. Raymond won''t do anything to him. They know they won''t get out of Hallsbay alive if the child dies in their hands.¡± Wendy moved her tight lips, replying in a broken voice, ¡°But Mr. Raymond already knew Sebastian is Holden''s son. I''m afraid that he''ll hurt Sebastian to safeguard his own interest.¡± Lionel shook his head. ¡°I don''t think so. Sebastian''s identity as Holden''s son might just protect him in times like this. Mr. Raymond will let Sebastian go once he gets what he wants from Holden, or else Holden might do everything he can to crush the Hoffman family, which has just recently recovered from defeat.¡± ¡°What if Holden doesn''t do anything?¡± Wendy looked up at Lionel, sobbing. ¡°Holden might dismiss the threat and end up angering Mr. Raymond. Sebastian will be dead if that happens.¡± ¡°It won''t happen. Holden already went to the resort to talk to Mr. Raymond. I believe there will be news soon. Don''t be so pessimistic.¡± Wendy deted like a balloon and slumped against the pir weakly. ¡°I hope things get better. I''m so scared Mr. Raymond will do something to Sebastian out of desperation.¡± Just as Lionel wanted tofort her, the phone in his hand rang. He looked down and realized it was the detective he had dispatched to look for Victoria. ¡°What is it? Did you find anything?¡± ¡°Mr. Gezmond, we found out where Ms. Saunders is. She went to a women''s and children''s hospital in Belmonia Ind for a check-up.¡± Lionel suddenly got emotional when he finally had news about Victoria. ¡°A hospital? Why is she there? Did something happen?¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Gezmond. Ms. Saunders is fine.¡± ¡°Why is she at the hospital, then? Wait. What hospital is it again?¡± ¡°Women''s and children''s hospital.¡± Lionel''s eyes widened in astonishment as a flickering hint of happiness glimmered in his eyes, but instead of expressing his thoughts explicitly, he asked carefully, ¡°What is the check-up about? How did it go?¡± Chapter 437 Chapter 437 If I''m right, that is where pregnant women go for check-ups. Could it be that... A thought popped up in Lionel''s mind, making him extra careful about jumping to conclusions. Are we having a child? ¡°You''re right, Mr. Gezmond. Ms. Saunders is pregnant. We managed to track her down because she went to the hospital for a checkup.¡± Lionel turned to leave via the garden exit, but he stopped when he recalled that Wendy was still behind him. ¡°Send someone to watch her twenty-four-seven. Don''t lose her again. I''ll be in Belmonia Ind in two days. Don''t leave her out of your sight until I reach.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Gezmond. I will keep watch.¡± When Wendy saw the unconceble happiness on Lionel''s face even after he hung up, she asked, ¡°Did something good happen?¡± Lionel did not hide the truth from Wendy since she had alreadye to terms with her own feelings and acknowledged that Holden was the man she loved, so she would not do anything irrational out of jealousy. ¡°Victoria is in Belmonia Ind. She''s pregnant.¡± Wendy was momentarily stunned, but she quickly snapped out of it and said, ¡°Then what are you waiting for? Go to Belmonia Ind to find her. She is in her most helpless moment now. If you go to her now, she will slowlye to depend on you.¡± Lionel would like to fly over immediately too, but he hesitated because Sebastian was still in danger. ¡°I''m not in a rush. We can wait until Sebastian is out of the woods.¡± Wendy smiled and stood up to push Lionel out of the garden. ¡°There''s nothing you can do by staying here anyway. Only Holden can solve this problem. It will be hopeless if even someone like Holden can''t save Sebastian.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°No buts. Just go to Victoria. Also, ask her to call me if she doesn''t believe what you say. I''ll exin everything to her.¡± Despite Wendy''s persuasion, Lionel still felt concerned. ¡°Okay. If you want me to go to Belmonia Ind, then you''ll have to stay at Holden''s. I can''t just leave you here alone at the Gezmond residence.¡± Wendy''s first reaction was to disagree, but Lionel did not even give her a chance to do that. ¡°If you don''t, I''ll stay here until Holden saves Sebastian.¡± Wendy red at the man, knowing full well what his intention was. Lionel still had hopes that things would work out between Holden and Wendy, so he was trying to create an opportunity for them to spend time together. However, after going through all the heartbreak and betrayal, Wendy was no longer sure if she could still love the man the way she used to. She could tolerate his desertion, but she would never be able toe to terms with the fact that Holden approached her with an ulterior motive. That was why she was devastated when she learned that the bodyguard she had fallen for was Tarragon''s vice president, Holden Lewitt. She would feel a suffocating pain in her heart whenever she thought that Holden had gotten close to her just to gather intelligence to control Zaewora. ¡°He lost his memory, Wends, so he might have lied to you. You should do some digging yourself to find out the truth about his departure.¡± Wendy pursed her lips, clenching her jaw. ¡°He stole intelligence from me and caused the Hoffman family to lose control over Zaewora¡ªthat is reality, Nell. You don''t have to find excuses for him. I know in my bones what he did to me.¡± Lionel shook his head. ¡°Fine. Then don''t ask me to go to Belmonia Ind, either. I don''t think I can leave you here with you in such a state. I''m afraid you''d go to the resort and end up getting bullied by those old geezers.¡± ¡°No. I will go to Holden. As you said, there are things I need to find out, so call him, Nell. Ask him if I can go over to stay at his mansion,¡± Wendy said with resolution in her eyes. Lionel smiled and patted the back of her head. ¡°That''s more like it. Now you''re looking like the same strong and determined woman you used to be in the past. I''ll call him now.¡± That night at Century Hotel in Hallsbay, Cosmetico''s owner booked the entire third floor to hold a banquet for all the tycoons in the business and political spheres. Since Bailey was curious about the mysterious woman, she followed Artemis to the banquet, but the children, bored as they were at home, insisted on following as well. So, Artemis held the two boys in each hand and shoved them in the car at the back before carrying his daughter to the one in front, holding Bailey''s hand. ¡°Ratemis, how could you treat your sons like that? Don''t ever expect us to take over your business for you in the future since you like your daughter that much. Just have her do it instead,¡± Zayron comined while Susan giggled in Artemis'' arms. ¡°Daddy, who are Zayron and Maxton to you?¡± she asked. Artemis pinched her cheek, answering casually, ¡°They''re nothing to me.¡± At the sight, Bailey could not imagine what would happen if she were to have another daughter because by then, not only would the two boys be neglected, even she herself might not get much attention from Artemis. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Bailey''s thought did not go unnoticed by Artemis, so he put Susan down in the front seat and fastened the seatbelt around her before sitting down beside Bailey and whispering in her ear, ¡°You''re different. I''ll give you all my love. I will satisfy you and make you feel like you''re on cloud nine every day.¡± Chapter 438 Chapter 438 Bailey''s face flushed red. Here goes this scoundrel with his lewd jokes again. Should I thank you for all the love you show me in bed? I don''t need it at all. I always end up suffering every time you get excited. Artemis nibbled at her earlobe, feeling an urge rising in his body. Oh, no. It has only been a few days, and I already can''t take it anymore. Bailey pped the man on his head to push him away, seething, ¡°Your daughter is still here. I''m not shameless like you.¡± The next second, Susan''s kiddish voice suddenly rang within the car. ¡°I''m asleep, Mommy. I''m asleep.¡± She even faked snoring right after to make it seem real. Artemis, Bailey, and the children caused a stir when they arrived at the banquet hall in Century Hotel. Seeing them, the city mayor went forward and greeted, ¡°Mr. Luther, it''s nice to see you here. I didn''t know Ms. Carr invited you too.¡± Then, the man looked aside at Bailey with a wider smile on his face. ¡°Ms. Jefferson! You''ve done so much for the people. Our country needs more people like you. It''s an honor to meet you.¡± Bailey arched her brows at thepliments, smiling faintly. ¡°Thank you, Mr. West. Actually, I think Mr. Luther might be a lot happier if you could change how you address me. If he''s in a good mood today, he might donate a billion.¡± Jacques West was initially perplexed, but he quickly wrapped his head around Bailey''s statement and said, ¡°You''re right. It must have been a slip of the tongue. You are ''Mrs. Luther'' now, so I shouldn''t call you ''Ms. Jefferson'' anymore.¡± ¡°Why don''t you call me ''Mr. Zayron,'' then?¡± Zayron suddenly piped up from beside Bailey. Bailey red at him coldly, criticizing, ¡°I''m going to stuff your mouth so you can keep quiet.¡± Zayron ignored his mother and looked up at Jacques to continue the conversation. ¡°Mr. West, I''m the next in line to inherit Luther Group. Hallsbay''s economic development will be in my hands, so are you sure you don''t want to call me ¡®Mr. Zayron?¡¯¡± ¡°What are you guys talking about, Father?¡± A young woman dressed in a ssy gown was seen walking over with a ss of wine. When she beheld Artemis¡ªthe very man every woman in Hallsbay adored and wanted¡ªa pink hue spread across her cheeks. ¡°Here you are, Chloe. Let me introduce you to one of the most influential businessmen in Hallsbay.¡± The way the young woman lowered her head shyly reminded the onlookers of a pure and beautiful burgeoning Hibiscus, easily making her one of the most attractivedies among the others in prominent families. However, Bailey disliked Chloe for the look in her eyes when she gazed at Artemis. I am now an old hag before I even marry into the Luther family. I can''t believe I have to deal with these pretty-looking young women everywhere I go. ¡°Mr. Luther, this is my daughter, Chloe West.¡± With that said, Jacques turned to his daughter as he continued, ¡°Chloe, this is Artemis Luther from Luther Group. I''m sure you will learn a lot from him.¡± ¡°N-Nice to meet you, Mr. Luther,¡± Chloe greeted timidly. ¡°I just graduated from Central Chanaea University of Science and Technology with a Master''s degree and am preparing to apply for a position in Luther Group. It''s an honor meeting you.¡± Artemis nced at Jacques and said calmly, ¡°Very well. Just go to the HR department and look for the director. He will get you a suitable position.¡± Chloe looked delighted at the news, for she did not expect Artemis to readily agree to letting her join thepany, and that made her feel like she was one step closer to her prince charming. Yet, when Chloe''s gaze fell on the woman beside Artemis and spotted the cold expression on her face, she could not help but scoff. What''s with that face? She''s so old I bet she will start growing wrinkles in two years. I doubt she''ll be able to satisfy someone like Artemis. Given her keen sixth sense, Bailey felt a degree of antipathy from the young woman. It was apparent that Chloe adored Artemis, so Bailey was sure that things would get messy if she were allowed to work at Luther Group. ¡°Ms. West, with your background, I believe you can do far better than a localpany. You see, the person in charge of the branch in Archulea is my friend. If you''re willing, I can always get you a position abroad so that you could gain experience. What do you think?¡± Puzzled, Artemis turned and looked at the woman next to him, but when he discerned the icy expression on her face as well as her intentions, it dawned upon him that Bailey was jealous. I swear I didn''t lead that girl on. She''s the one who has feelings for me. It''s not something within my control. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Yet, since Bailey had proposed the idea, Artemis would have to give her his full support. ¡°She''s right. You can do better than just getting a mediocre position at Luther Group, Ms. West. Let''s go with Bailey''s idea instead. She will get everything arranged for you to go abroad.¡± Chloe paled as she felt her heart sank. She, along with those women in the upper echelon around her, had thought that Artemis married Bailey only because she bore him three children, but what just happened had proved that that was not the case, for it showed that Bailey had an important ce in Artemis'' heart. Artemis probably just finds her interesting because he hasn''t gotten bored of her. Right. That must be the case. With that thought in mind, Chloe looked at her father anxiously, sobbing. ¡°Daddy, I don''t want to leave you all. I want to stay here.¡± Since Chloe was his only daughter, it went without saying that Jacques did not want her to leave for another country, so he turned down the offer politely. ¡°It is very kind of you to offer, Mrs. Luther, but Chloe has just graduated, so I think it will be good for her to start from the bottom at Luther Group. That will be the best for her.¡± Bailey raised her brows, smiling half-heartedly. ¡°You''re right. I have overlooked that. Proceed with the original n, then.¡± Bailey Jefferson! I''ll remember you. The first thing I''ll do when I go to Luther Group will be to take away what''s yours. I''ll get on Artemis'' bed and let him get rid of you. ¡°Cosmetico''s owner, Ms. Carr is here.¡± ¡°Oh! I didn''t know she is Aplothian. She''s a true Aplothian beauty.¡± ¡°Her every move exudes elegance.¡± The crowd began discussing among themselves as everyone, including Bailey, cast their gazes at the hall entrance. Bailey was stunned when the graceful middle-aged woman made an entrance¡ªnot so much by her beauty¡ªbut by the sense of familiarity she felt when she saw her face. I feel like I''ve seen her before. Who is she? Why does she remind me of someone I know? Chapter 439 Chapter 439 She could count the number of middle-aged women she knew on one hand. Beatrice? No! Waverly? No! Felicity? No! Gwendolyn? No! Sophia? Yes, that''s right. My mother. This woman resembled Sophia, her mother in name. She didn''t remember much about Sophia''s appearance because thetter passed away when she was still a child. However, Sophia''s blurry facial features tucked away somewhere in her memory resembled this woman''s. Moreover, this Aplothian woman''s name was Sofie. All of these reminded her of her mother. Artemis seemed to have noticed the sudden change in Bailey''s mood and asked, ¡°What''s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?¡± Bailey pursed her lips and shook her head. ¡°I''m fine. Seeing Ms. Carr brings back memories. I''ll tell you more after the banquet is over.¡± Maybe I''m overthinking this, and I''ve got the wrong person. My mother perished in that fire. No remains could be found. How can this woman be my mother? Wait. There were no remains? There was nothing left of her body... As she honed in on that phrase, mixed emotions overwhelmed her. Is there such a coincidence in life? There were no remains discovered in that fire, not even a piece of clothing. Only an empty casket was buried. Then, an Aplothian woman returned after many years with a simr name and appearance. Is it really just a coincidence? ¡°Mr. Luther, nice to meet you. I''ve heard a lot about you.¡± A gentle voice rang outside beside her ear, jolting Bailey back to her senses. She raised her head and realized that Sofie and the others had approached them. As their eyes met, she could see serenity in Sofie''s eyes. The older woman had a look of peace and elegance in her eyes. Perhaps only people who had gone through many ordeals and weathered many storms could wear such an expression. After Sofie shook hands with Artemis, she beamed. ¡°I''ll be relying on your care and guidance in Hallsbay, Mr. Luther.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± Artemis'' reply was perfunctory for he was quite distracted. All his attention was on the woman beside him. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Sofie''s gaze shifted away from him and onto Bailey. ¡°You must be Ms. Bailey from the famous Jefferson family. You guys are a match made in heaven, as though you''re destined to be together.¡± With that, she extended her right hand toward Bailey. Bailey looked at her long slender fingers with aplicated expression. After a moment, she slowly extended her hand for a handshake. She then said casually, ¡°Did you used to live in Hallsbay? I thought I saw an old friend when you walked in just now.¡± Sofie raised a brow before smiling. ¡°Well, sometimes we find strangers who look alike too. I guess I must be fated with your old friend to have a simr appearance to her.¡± Bailey smiled and withdrew her hand naturally. She turned her head to Artemis and stated, ¡°It''s quite crowded here. I''ll go outside to get some fresh air. You can carry on.¡± Worried, Artemis'' grip on her waist tightened. ¡°If you''re feeling unwell, I can send you back first. There are all sorts of people here, and I don''t feelfortable letting you go by yourself.¡± ¡°I''m fine.¡± Bailey pushed him away and pointed at Zayron, who was at the side. ¡°I have this troublesome brat to apany me, so nothing will happen to me. You guys can continue chatting. I''ll go out and take a breather and will be back soon.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes while staring at her. Secondster, he gave in and sighed. ¡°Fine, then. You have a mind of your own, so I can''t control you, or you willin that I''m bullying you again.¡± With that, he looked toward Zayron and instructed, ¡°Look after your mother. Give me a call if anything happens.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. ¡°She''s not my wife. Why must I look after her?¡± ¡°What did you just say?¡± ¡°All right. All right. I''ll take care of her. You don''t even treat me like a human being when you don''t need me. Then, when you need me, I''m treated like a ve. How did I wind up with such a father? I''d rather be fatherless.¡± Artemis was speechless. Sofie''s lips curled into a strange smile as she watched Bailey leave. Her gaze shifted to Artemis'' handsome face. This man is indeed handsome and exceptional. He is deserving of women''s pursuit. The Shurmer family has undoubtedly raised my daughter to have good taste in men. Even if her pursuit of love could be a challenging endeavor, it''s also a way to train her endurance. I''ll help her secure this man and be the matriarch of the Luther family. Hah! As for Bailey, so what if she''s capable? She will only be my daughter''s stepping stone. After Bailey exited the banquet hall with her children, she waited for the elevator to take them to the garden on the eighth floor. At that moment, two fashionably-dressed women walked over. They seemed to be in a rush. One of the women said, ¡°Quick! Quick! The auction on the sixth floor is about to begin. I''ve had my eyes on Beauty''s Tear for so long! I must get it this time.¡± Beauty''s Tear... Bailey stopped abruptly in her tracks. Chapter 440 Chapter 440 Beauty''s Tear was a masterpiece designed by the famous designer Yara and was considered a treasure in the jewelry design industry. That piece of jewelry caused a tremendous uproar when it first appeared because it was an exquisite and opulent purple diamond ne that was Yara''s life''s work. Cedric had spent almost thirty years trying to find this ne but to no avail. The reason he was looking for the ne was straightforward. Yara was his fianc¨¦e, and he wanted to find her masterpiece to keep it by his side so that it would remind him of her. Yara was a talented designer. However, fate was cruel to her. The day before the wedding, she passed away in a car ident just as she was about to wed Cedric. Cedric never married because of that. In the past, Bailey did not understand Cedric''s feelings for Yara. She had thought that many outstanding women would make excellent wives for Cedric, so she did not understand why he would choose to live in solitude. However, she finally understood him after falling head over heels for Artemis. Some people were unwilling to amodate and settle for the next best. Cedric was madly in love with Yara. Even if she had passed away, she still lived in Cedric''s heart. His heart had no room for another woman, and he was unwilling to ept anyone else other than Yara, so he chose to live the rest of his life in solitary while holding on to past memories. ¡°Let''s go and take a look on the sixth floor.¡± The children exchanged nces and covered their pockets. Does she want to buy something at the auction? She did not bring money. If she really wants some expensive thing in the auction, would we have to pay for her? Bailey saw their coordinated actions and was so perplexed that sheughed. She raised her hand and pped the back of their heads. ¡°What''s the point of me giving birth to you guys? You guys can live with your own money, then.¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. The auction venue on the sixth floor was livelier than the banquet hall. Although Cosmetico''s boss, Sofie, managed to bring over a few big shots from the political and business arenas, the auction was still lively and packed. Bailey found a spot to sit and waited patiently for the auction to start. A few people were chatting in front of her, and their conversation caught her attention. ¡°Did you guys find out about Beauty''s Tear being auctioned here tonight through special channels?¡± ¡°Of course, or I wouldn''t havee here. Beauty''s Tear has disappeared for thirty years and is known as a treasure in the jewelry industry, so of course it arouses people''s interests. Although I don''t have much money to bid for it, this trip is still worth it if I can get a glimpse of Beauty''s Tear.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, Beauty''s Tear had been missing for many years. Even Yara''s fianc¨¦, Cedric, could not find any trace of it. Would the one auctionedter tonight be a fake one?¡± ¡°That can''t be. The auction is organized by Auro Pawnshop, the leading enterprise in Hallsbay''s pawn industry. They won''t use a counterfeit to ruin their reputation.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. This won''t happen. The upper management of the association has invited Vespera to appraise it. As you guys know, she has a keen eye in evaluating the authenticity of any antique.¡± ¡°Whoa, for real? Vespera, the expert antique appraiser, is really going to be here?¡± ¡°I heard it from Auro Pawnshop''s executives. The auction staff also confirmed it, so it must be true.¡± ¡°Oh my god. Is Vespera, the mysterious appraiser, really going to be here? I really admire her. You guys admire Adhira, Anonymous, Morpheus, and Snowke, but I''m different. I admire Vespera, as I''m really impressed by her skills.¡± Hearing their conversation, Bailey could not help but arch her brow and smile. Vespera is here in Hallsbay? Why don''t I know? ¡°Wee,dies and gentlemen. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend Auro Pawnshop''s auction event. Your continued support has brought ourpany to its present glory and sess. We will continue to uphold the philosophy of openness, honesty, and truthfulness to provide you with genuine and authentic treasures for your collections.¡± A deep and maic voice sounded in every corner of the venue. One of the executives of Auro Pawnshop made an opening speech. A round of enthusiastic apuse followed it. The auction then started. Initially, there were few bids as people were not interested in these items. It was evident everyone was waiting for the grand finale. After auctioning three antiques, the atmosphere was still rather dull. The management was worried that the auction items before the finale item would not be able to fetch high prices, so they changed their strategy and instructed the emcee to bring out the finale item right away. The emcee immediately announced loudly through the microphone, ¡°Two days ago, ady commissioned us to help her auction her item. After we obtained it, we found a few appraisers to authenticate it. In the end, they came to the same conclusion. The item is Yara''s masterpiece that disappeared thirty years ago. It''s Beauty''s Tear, the purple diamond ne.¡± With that, the crowd became excited. Everyone was urging the emcee to bring out the ne so they could behold it. The next second, two female emcees pushed a cart from behind the stage. Chapter 441 Chapter 441 As the embroidered box was opened, a crystalline purple diamond ne was disyed on the big screen. The camera moved around the ne, allowing everyone to admire this masterpiece that once shocked the world from all angles. ¡°What an exquisite, luxurious, elegant, and sleek ne! As expected from the best among the best. I can''t take my eyes off it even after just one look!¡± ¡°Back then, Cedric and Yara were a beautiful couple who everyone envied. People named this ne ''Beauty''s Tear'' because thest drop of tear Yara shed for Cedric before passing away fell right on this ne and melted into its small gap. Rumor has it that whoever obtains this ne will get Yara''s blessings. Now, this ne has reappeared. As long as it is authentic, I''m willing to pay one hundred million for it.¡± ¡°I''ll pay two hundred million.¡± ¡°Three hundred million!¡± ¡°I''ll take it for five hundred million.¡± ¡°Wait, I thought you guys invited the expert antique appraiser Vespera to authenticate this ne? Ask her toe out. We only trust her. If she says it''s real, I''ll be willing to pay even five hundred million in Anndurn currency.¡± ¡°That''s right. Ask Vespera to authenticate it first.¡± ¡°We want Vespera to appraise the ne.¡± ¡°All right, all right,¡± an executive of the pawnshop agreed while throwing the host a look. Thetter hurriedly announced, ¡°Now, let us wee the internationally-renowned antique appraiser, Vespera, to say a few words.¡± The spotlights swept the stage and finally focused on a young woman who walked out from backstage. ¡°Hello everyone, I am Vespera.¡± Hearing that, the people in the audience exchanged suspicious nces. ¡°Is she really Vespera?¡± ¡°I don''t know. She never showed up in public and always gave directions behind the scenes during her previous appraisals. Why is she suddenly making an appearance now? Who would know if she''s actually Vespera or not?¡± ¡°Has anyone among you ever met Vespera? Come out and tell us if that''s really her.¡± No one responded, which meant no one had ever seen her. The young woman smiled and said into the microphone, ¡°When I don''t show up, youined that I''m big-headed. Now that I''m here, you''re doubting my identity. It''s really difficult to please everyone, huh? Anyway, I guess I should just return backstage and talk to you from there. That way, you probably won''t be suspicious anymore.¡± Under the stage, Bailey yawnedzily and left the venue quietly. While they walked in the corridor, Maxton couldn''t help but ask, ¡°Mommy, weren''t you interested in that ne? Why did you leave? Daddy can afford five hundred million in Anndurn currency.¡± Bailey smirked and responded, ¡°The appraiser is fake, not to mention the ne. I''m not that stupid to purchase a piece of fake jewelry for five hundred million.¡± A fake? Maxton pursed his lips. ¡°Are you not going to expose her?¡± With a shrug, Bailey said, ¡°What''s the point in doing that? Since someone is willing to be the fool and collect a fake piece, then I''ll let them be.¡± She then headed toward the elevator, but she paused in her tracks after taking a few steps. I haven''t heard any news about Beauty''s Tear for years. Howe it suddenly appeared in Auro Pawnshop''s auction tonight? Although it''s a fake, there must be a reason why it was brought up. This can''t be a coincidence. ¡°Let''s go back.¡± Without a word, Maxton followed Bailey, who rushed back to the auction. ¡°This ne is fake,¡± she announced loudly upon arrival, her firm voice echoing around the huge venue. The next second, countless gazes turned toward her. ¡°It''s Bailey Jefferson!¡± ¡°Why is she here? Isn''t she attending a banquet with Mr. Luther downstairs?¡± Ignoring the crowd''s discussion about her, Bailey walked up the stage. She arched her brow and questioned, ¡°Where is that ne?¡± The confused host asked in return, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, what brings you here?¡± ¡°I asked you where that ne is.¡± ¡°A gentleman snagged Beauty''s Tear for five hundred million in Anndurn currency. Our staff has taken it backstage to pack it.¡± Bailey curled her lips and uttered, ¡°Bring that ne out. It''s a fake.¡± The pawnshop''s executive emerged from backstage at that moment. With a smile, he said, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I know you''re talented in many fields, but I don''t think you''re well-versed in jewelry appraising. Please stop interfering with our auction.¡± While ying with her nails, Bailey said, ¡°I do know nothing about appraising, but I''m very familiar with Beauty''s Tear.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you weren''t even born yet when Beauty''s Tear was made. How could you be familiar with it if you''ve never seen it?¡± With a smile, the executive pointed out. Bailey sneered, ¡°I have never seen it, but my mentor had. Don''t forget that the ne was given by Yara to my mentor as a token of love.¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Following a short silence, the crowd began bustling. ¡°There must be a reason why Bailey ims the ne is fake. Bring out the ne and let her have a look.¡± ¡°Yes, let her take a look at it!¡± ¡°No wonder Vespera showed up out of the blue when she never did that. It turns out she''s an impostor trying to deceive us!¡± ¡°Take out the ne so Bailey can have a good look at it!¡± ¡°That''s right. We trust that she''s not the type to shoot her mouth off. Bring out that fake ne, or we''ll go to the Department of Justice and sue you!¡± A cold glint shed across the pawnshop executive''s eyes. D*mn it. He had asked a woman to pose as Vespera and sell the fake ne at a high price. As for the actual item, he was nning to keep it to himself. He did not expect Bailey to suddenly show up and ruin his n. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I admit you''re a capable woman, but you shouldn''t make such an usation. If that ne turns out to be authentic, how will youpensate our pawnshop for its reputation?¡± Bailey raised her eyebrow as her gut feeling grew stronger¡ªthe real ne was in their hands. If she hadn''t stepped up and stirred up a ruckus, the buyer would most likely get a counterfeit while the real thing was pocketed by someone else. ¡°If the ne is real, I''ll add one hundred million on top of its hammer price. I will also post an apology on Twitter and admit that I wronged Master Vespera and the pawnshop.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± the executive uttered through gritted teeth. He hated Bailey to the bone. If it weren''t for her, the ne could have been his. Not long after, he brought over the ne. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''d better take a good look and see whether it''s authentic or not.¡± A smile appeared on Bailey''s face after she took the box. She finally managed to find Beauty''s Tear and fulfill Cedric''s wish. Even though she knew she would soon face endless criticism, she was fine with it. Chapter 442 Chapter 442 Bailey opened the box to reveal the beautiful purple diamond ne inside. Under the soft light, she saw at first nce the tiny line of text carved into the bottom of the ne: Cedric Yara. The ne was indeed authentic. It was the token of affection that Yara had designed for Cedric back then, but it went missingter for some reason. With the ne finally in her hands, Bailey heaved a sigh of relief. Good thing I realized it before I left this ce. Otherwise, I would have missed this ne. Bailey was not interested in collecting antiques. Her obsession with the ne was simply driven by her desire to fulfill Cedric''s wish. Gadzinski Academy had many disciples, and almost all of them were looking for this ne just to fulfill their beloved mentor''s wish. Staring at Bailey coldly, the pawnshop executive spoke in a low voice. ¡°So what do you think, Ms. Jefferson? Is this ne real or fake? I hope you don''t lie and deny its authenticity just to save your own face.¡± Bailey shrugged and confessed, ¡°Fine, I admit I was wrong this time. You''re right to say that I''m not knowledgeable enough to talk about the technicalities. However, I am certain that this ne is real.¡± It''s real? The crowd erupted in chaos right away. ¡°What the h*ck? I was waiting for a drama, and this is all that I get?¡± ¡°This just proves that we''ve indeed overestimated Bailey. It''s true that she''s aplished in the design, medicine, and racing fields, but she''s a noob in jewelry appraising.¡± ¡°She even suspected that the woman earlier is an impostor of Master Vespera.¡± ¡°Well, she just shoot herself in the foot.¡± ¡°Bailey, we won''t pursue this matter, but you should apologize to Master Vespera.¡± ¡°Right, you should apologize to her quickly.¡± The pawnshop executive threw Bailey an icy look and said sternly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you should know that your ignorant ims just harmed Auro Pawnshop''s reputation. You must give me an exnation tonight, or you won''t be allowed to leave.¡± Bailey sneered in her heart. They were only forced to bring out the real item because I came forward and pointed out that the ne is fake. If I hadn''t done that, the authentic ne I''m holding will never be revealed. ¡°I''m sorry, I made a mistake and misled everyone to doubt Auro Pawnshop. I apologize to you all. Of course, I will keep my word and purchase this ne for six hundred million.¡± As the pawnshop executive nced at the purple diamond ne, he was filled with bitterness. If I let her off just like this, who will make up for my loss? So what if she pays six hundred million for it? Even if she pays six billion, there''s no point. That money won''t be mine, anyway! ¡°Ms. Jefferson, do you think you can solve this problem with just an apology? You don''t know anything about jewelry appraisal, yet you were so daring to make those ims. Your behavior has caused us huge trouble. Who will bear the responsibility for our loss?¡± ¡°I will.¡± A deep and maic voice sounded from the entrance the next second. Everyone turned their heads around, and they were met with the sight of Artemis walking in with one hand in his pocket. Stroking his chin with his other hand, he voiced, ¡°Auro Pawnshop is quite bold, huh? How dare you mess with my woman? You''re treating me like I''m dead.¡± The executive''s knees instantly went weak when he heard Artemis. How could I forget that Bailey has such powerful backing? C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°M-Mr. Luther, that''s not true! We didn''t intend on messing with Ms. Jefferson. It''s just that she barged in during the auction and imed that our auction item is fake. She even¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Artemis grinned menacingly and interrupted, ¡°Barged in? Are you asking for a beating? Century Hotel is a property of Luther Group. As the mistress of the Luther family, she can go everywhere she wants. When will she ever need to barge into any ce?¡± ¡°I... No, that''s not what I meant, Mr. Luther. You''ve misunderstood. I meant to say¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough,¡± Artemis cut him off again. ¡°Tell the boss of Auro Pawnshop to head to my office at Luther Group tomorrow. I''m going to talk to him about the acquisition.¡± The executive was so terrified that he stumbled forward and barely managed to keep his bnce. Ignoring him, Artemis approached Bailey and wrapped his hand around her waist. He tapped her nose, chiding affectionately, ¡°I thought you went for a walk in the garden? Why are you causing trouble again? What a naughty girl you are. You need to be punished.¡± The women in the crowd couldn''t help but feel envious as they watched the couple. He was so imposing just a second ago, yet now, he''s acting so lovingly toward his wife. My goodness! Can they not do this in front of us? This is making us look pathetic! Bailey waved the embroidered box at Artemis and beamed. ¡°I just got this for six hundred million.¡± After taking a look at the ne, Artemis chuckled lightly. ¡°You indeed have good taste. If my guess is correct, this must be Beauty''s Tear, which has gone missing for more than thirty years, right?¡± ¡°Please pay for me,¡± Bailey requested as she passed him the box. Then she walked toward the young woman who imed to be Vespera. ¡°Are you really Vespera, the expert antique appraiser?¡± Chapter 443 Chapter 443 A sh of panic could be seen in the young woman''s eyes. She was not Vespera. Her name was Lina Young, and she was an ordinary appraiser from a pawnshop overseas. Even if she trained for another twenty years, she would likely never reach Vespera''s level. However, with so many people watching her, she dared not admit her true identity. ¡°What nonsense are you saying? Of course, I am. The ne is authentic, so isn''t that enough to prove that I am Vespera? Why would they invite an impostor here?¡± A smile crept across Bailey''s face as she nodded and agreed, ¡°You''re right. By the way, the Museum of Hallsbay just posted a notice the other day. They are expecting a batch of national treasures to be shipped in from abroad, and they need a renowned appraiser to appraise those relics. Since you''re a top expert in the field, I''m sure you''ll take the task, right?¡± Lina shuddered involuntarily at Bailey''s words. Can I take the job? But what if the real Vespera appears after word gets out? I will be the laughingstock of the entire world! ¡°I...¡± ¡°Since Master Vespera has returned to the country, she will surely agree to take the task,¡± the pawnshop executive at the side chimed in. Next, he shot Lina a look. Don''t you mess around! If you dare reveal that I asked you to pretend to be Vespera, I won''t let you off the hook! Intimidated by the man''s threatening re, Lina could not bring herself to say anything else. She steeled herself and said, ¡°You''re ttering me, Ms. Jefferson. I''m just one among the many talented appraisers in this world. There are countless people who are more capable than me. Nevertheless, if Cultural Relics Bureau needs my help, I am more than willing to offer my service.¡± ¡°That''s great.¡± Bailey gazed at her intently before turning around to Artemis. ¡°Let''s leave after paying. I don''t want to disrupt the auction.¡± Just then, a plump middle-aged man rushed out from backstage. He was the boss of Auro Pawnshop. While everything was transpiring earlier, he was getting it on with a C-list celebrity in the suite next door. When he got a call from his assistant and found out that Artemis showed up and even mentioned acquiring Auro Pawnshop in his anger, he was scared witless. In an instant, he lost the mood to fool around with the woman he picked up and immediately got dressed to head toward the venue. ¡°M-Mr. Luther, I heard that your wife had her eye on Beauty''s Tear and made a winning bid for it. This is truly Auro Pawnshop''s honor! Please keep the ne. As for the payment... I''ll shoulder it.¡± Without giving it a thought, Artemis epted his offer. ¡°Sure, as you wish.¡± Uh... Artemis shoved the box into his pocket unceremoniously and strode out of the venue with his arm around Bailey''s shoulder. The boss red at the assistant beside him and questioned in a low voice, ¡°How much did she bid for this ne?¡± ¡°Six... Six hundred million,¡± answered the assistant cautiously as he gulped. Six hundred million? The boss widened his eyes in disbelief. That''s enough to acquire a pawnshop! ¡°It''s six hundred million in Anndurn currency, which means you''ll have to pay almost four billion in our currency,¡± the assistant added, adding salt to the wound. The boss gasped and clutched his chest. Unable to cope with the shock, he eventually copsed with his eyes rolled over. Behind the stage, Lina was talking to the executive with a troubled expression. ¡°Mr. Watson, I can''t do this. I can pose as Vespera and help you fool the buyers, but I''ll be exposed if you make me deal with those cultural relics!¡± sheined. The man shot her a re and insisted, ¡°You''ll have to do it no matter what. There''s no turning back now. After tonight, someone from the Cultural Relics Bureau will probably contact you. Cooperate with me if you don''t want people to know what you did.¡± ¡°B-But what if Vespera shows up? I''ll still be caught that way.¡± ¡°What are you scared of? No one has ever seen her. Even if she appears, she won''t be able to prove her identity. Besides, I got reliable news that Vespera died from cancer a year ago. She''s dead.¡± His statement shut Lina up. ... Meanwhile, as Artemis and Bailey left the ce, she told him about what happened at the auction. After listening to her, Artemisughed. ¡°You''re so smart. This is quite a pressure on me! Don''t they say that pregnant women be less intelligent? Howe you''re getting smarter and smarter?¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Nheless, she did think that she was quite clever. If she hadn''te to a realization while she was in the corridor, Beauty''s Tear would have gone missing again. She would never have gotten her hands on it. ¡°Is the banquet downstairs over?¡± she then inquired. Artemis looked at her and sighed. ¡°No. How could I wait for it to finish beforeing to you? I feel anxious whenever you''re out of my sight. I''m scared that you''ll get hurt.¡± Suddenly, he remembered Bailey''s strange behavior at the banquet earlier and couldn''t help asking, ¡°Is there any problem with Sophia? Why were you so emotional after seeing her?¡± Bailey pursed her lips before clenching her jaw. ¡°She looks like my mother... My mother in name, Sophia Carr.¡± Her words surprised Artemis. ¡°Didn''t rence''s first wife die in a fire? They didn''t even find her remains.¡± Chapter 444 Chapter 444 He suddenly narrowed his eyes. Nothing left of her body? Could it be there''s a shocking secret behind this tragedy? ¡°She switched me with her daughter back then and kept me with the Jefferson family, whereas her daughter was with the Shurmer family. Now that I''ve ruined Zoey''s reputation, do you think that woman has returned to deal with me on Zoey''s behalf if she is truly Sophia?¡± Artemis fell silent for a brief moment and nodded in response. ¡°We can''t rule out that possibility. Don''t worry. I''ll try to dig more information about that woman before wee back to this.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the same time, in the Gezmond residence, Lionel called Holden over the phone and told him to come and pick Wendy up. Holden hung up the phone right away. Lionel thought he would note, but he still showed up in the end. At the main entrance, Holden stood by the stairs. Wendy looked down at him and said expressionlessly, ¡°I''ll bring Sebastian away with me once he''s rescued. We will not disrupt your life and bring you any trouble.¡± Holden did not say anything in response. Instead, he opened the door to the passenger seat and gestured for her to get inside. Wendy tilted her head and nced at Lionel next to her. Then, she forced a smile and said, ¡°Nell, sorry for troubling you so many years. I hope you and Victoria will get your happy ending.¡± Lionel reached out and patted her back. He seemed like he wanted to say something else but gave up in the end. ¡°Sure, I wish you the same.¡± In the car, Holden held the steering wheel as he drove ahead and said calmly, ¡°I''m sorry for how I talked to you a couple of days ago. I don''t know what happened six years ago, and I have no idea if I genuinely liked you or if I was only using you. Please give me more time to investigate what happened back then.¡± Wendy pursed her lips and turned slightly away, fixing her gaze on the scenery outside the window. It doesn''t matter if you like me or if you''re only using me. That does not change the fact that you approached me with a fake identity and took advantage of my feelings for you back then. It also doesn''t change the fact that you left me without saying goodbye when I needed you the most. Moreover, you have stolen the most important intel from the Hoffman family by using my trust. ¡°Don''t bother about it. It''s been so many years. Whatever we had back then has already faded with time. You''re only a stranger to me now, not the man I love. You guys don''t even have the same name.¡± Holden frowned a little at that. He was never good at coaxing women. In fact, he never interacted with the opposite gender over the years, let alone coaxed them. ¡°Don''t worry. That kid is fine. You''ll see him in two days. If you don''t want me to be responsible for you two, I won''t force it either. I''ll make the arrangements so that you two can live afortable life after we save him.¡± A hint of anger shed across Wendy''s eyes. She was about to lose her temper, but she thought of something and suppressed it. ¡°Sure. Thanks in advance, the vice president of Tarragon.¡± He remained silent. The next day, at the headquarters of Luther Group, Bailey was surprised to see the mayor''s daughter showing up at work so soon. Staring at the elegant and beautiful youngdy standing before her, she couldn''t help frowning. ¡°Ms. West, what are you doing here? Since you''ve passed the interview, you should head to your department and start work there. What are you doing here at the executive assistant''s office?¡± Chloe smiled faintly and answered in a somewhat joyful tone, ¡°The HR department director, Ms. Saunders, told me toe to the executive assistant''s office and learn from you to ease the process for me to take over your positionter.¡± Bailey raised a brow. ¡°Take over my position? I don''t remember tendering my resignation.¡± ¡°You are pregnant, aren''t you? So that means you will soon be on maternity leave. I''ll take over your position during that time.¡± Ha! How considerate. Should I thank the HR director for assigning an innocent beautiful youngdy to work in the CEO''s office once I''m away? Doesn''t this make things easier for this woman to seduce my man? ¡°Sure. You can stay on the highest floor. There''s a mini office out there. You can im it as your own.¡± Chloe smiled confidently when she heard that. She had expected to hear this from Bailey. The HR department director personally assigned this position to me, so it''s pointless for you to disagree with that arrangement. Bailey stood up from her seat and scooped the pile of documents on her desk in her arms before heading to the CEO''s office. Seeing that, Chloe immediately took the documents away from her. ¡°Let me do this instead.¡± Right after saying that, Chloe seemed to realize she sounded a little odd, so she immediately exined, ¡°Ms. Bailey, since you''re pregnant, you shouldn''t exhaust yourself. You can let me run some errands for you from now on.¡± That way, Chloe could ess the CEO''s office more often and see more of Artemis every day at work. She was delighted at that thought. Bailey frowned and seemed somewhat pissed off at that suggestion. However, before she could react, Chloe took the documents from her and quickly left the executive assistant''s office. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Seeing that, she was speechless. Then, the chief secretary walked into the office from outside and put several documents onto the desk before whispering, ¡°Bailey, is that youngdy the mayor''s daughter? She has such a seductive look. You should be more careful about her.¡± At that, Bailey raised a brow. It seems that I''m not the only person feeling the same about her. I''m not being unreasonable or hostile to a new employee. It''s just that I don''t know what the mayor''s daughter wants. Do I want to satisfy her demands? Ring... Ring... Ring... The internal phone rang, and the number on the screen suggested it was from andline. Seeing that, the chief secretary pointed at the door before leaving the office quietly. Bailey picked up the phone. The other party said something, and she subconsciously furrowed her brows. The Cultural Relics Bureau? ¡°All right. I understand. I''ll pass the message to Mr. Luther that you wish to invite him to be the ambassador of cultural relics.¡± The party at the end of the line was the deputy chief of the Cultural Relics Bureau. He wished to invite Artemis as a special guest and visit the bureau once the cultural relics arrived at Hallsbay. To put it simply, the bureau intended to get Artemis to invest some money by being the special ambassador. The higher authorities must have spent too much money on getting the batch of cultural relics shipped back to the country. Now that they were short of funding, Artemis appeared to be the best candidate they could aim for. After the phone call, Bailey stood up and walked toward the door. She walked past the secretary''s office and pushed open the door to the CEO''s office. However, the scene before her eyes startled her a little. In front of her, Chloe squatted down while picking up several documents scattered around the floor, whereas Artemis leaned against the couch with a neutral expression. The look in his eyes was cold, exceptionally cold. Bailey had never seen him looking so angry. She did not have to guess to know the mayor''s daughter must have done something to offend him. Bailey slowly walked over to her and stepped on the paper Chloe was about to pick up. She stared condescendingly at Chloe and said, ¡°Ms. West, given your prominent family background as a politician''s daughter, countless people are already envious of you. However, you should know that some men are way out of your league, so please control your feelings and desire for them while you still can. There is only one wife to Luther Group''s CEO, and that is me. Those women who covet my husband can only be his mistresses if he ever falls for them. I guess, given your status, you won''t be willing to live your life as a mistress and allow the whole world to criticize you for doing that, will you?¡± Thud! A crystal teardrop rolled down from the corner of Chloe''s eye. Bailey ignored that and walked over to the man sitting on the couch. Artemis stood up and hugged her waist, asking softly, ¡°It''s three o''clock now. Do you feel hungry?¡± Chapter 445 Chapter 445 His voice is soft and gentle with a hint of inextricable affection. There''s no sign of the frostiness mentioned in those rumors flying around out there! Chloe lifted her gaze slightly and nced at the couple locked in a tight embrace. Then, hugging the documents to her chest, she rushed out of the office. As Artemis watched her stagger away, his brows drew together subconsciously. He said solemnly, ¡°Perhaps your earlier apprehension was justified. I shouldn''t have obsequiously done Jacques West a favor and ced a jinx like her by my side.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Bailey smiled as she shook her head and saidfortingly, ¡°He''s the head honcho of Hallsbay''s political circles. You can currently go about your business without catering to his whims. However, both of you live in the same city and will inevitably bump into each other quite often. Hence, it wouldn''t be good to make things tense between you, as that could be detrimental to Luther Group''s future development.¡± ¡°That was my concern back then too, which is why I did as he asked. If his daughter were sensible, I''d turn a blind eye. However, if she tries to overstep the boundaries, don''t me me for showing no mercy,¡± he said with a sneer. Noticing that he was about to fly into a rage, she quickly changed the subject. ¡°The Cultural Relics Bureau called the executive assistant''s office just now. The bureau chief has personally invited you to be the guardian ambassador for thetest shipment of relics arriving in Hallsbay. He also invited you to join him in inspecting the cultural relics on the day they arrive.¡± He let out a snort ofughter. ¡°Guardian ambassador? What nonsense! If he wants me to make a donation, he shoulde right out and say it.¡± Uh... Okay. Even though that''s their goal, do they have to be so obvious about it? ¡°Anyway, I''ve already told you about it. It''s up to you whether you go or not. I''ll let you get back to your work. I''m heading to the coffee shop to meet with Master Gadzinski,¡± she said. The news that I''d bought Beauty''s Tear at the auctionst night has spread like wildfire throughout Hallsbay. Master Gadzinski must''ve probably heard of it by now, but he hasn''t called to ask. Perhaps his attachment to the ne has waned, or maybe he guessed I bought it for his sake. Even if he doesn''t mention it, I''ll still find a chance to give him the ne. He frowned and asked, ¡°Are you okay with going alone? Do you need me to apany you?¡± She reached out and pushed him away, then walked toward the door. ¡°I may be pregnant, but it''s not like I have a broken arm or leg. Just get back to your documents.¡± Hearing that, he watched her leave wordlessly. Later at the coffee shop, Cedric gazed sorrowfully at the magnificent yet exquisite purple diamond ne before him. ¡°I never expected to see it again after so long. Just looking at it reminds me of Yara when she was young. She was such a vibrant soul, and yet¡ª¡± Without waiting for him to finishmenting, Bailey grabbed the box back. ¡°I bought the ne because I wanted to fulfill one of your wishes, not because I wanted to see you grieving over it. If you insist on moping, there''s no need to give this ne to you.¡± He waved his hand in response. ¡°If you don''t want to give it to me, that''s fine. I wasn''t nning on epting it anyway. You can keep it safe.¡± She blinked at him. After ncing at the box, she shifted her gaze back to her master, momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°I was only joking. I got this for you, so why would I want it?¡± With that, she ced the box in front of him again. Cedric gazed at the ne in the box with a smile, then said slowly, ¡°You''re the disciple who makes me the proudest, and I''m sure Yara would be happy for me that I have someone to pass on the mantle. Just think of the ne as a gift from her.¡± He reached out and pushed the box back toward her. Bailey stared at him for a long time. Seeing that he was not merely saying that in jest, she could not helpughing in disbelief. ¡°We''ve been searching for this ne all because we hoped to make your dreame true. Who would''ve thought you wouldn''t even care.¡± ¡°She''s already gone, and trying to keep her old belongings safe will only make time crawl even slower. What''s the point of that? Now that I got the chance to see it again in my lifetime and pass it on to my best disciple, I''m content.¡± His response made her furrow her brows slightly. ¡°Why does it sound as though you''re saying yourst words? Are you hiding something from me?¡± Tapping her smartly twice on her head, he responded, ¡°Why, you little brat. How disrespectful of you to curse your master. You''re not to speak so recklessly anymore.¡± She fell silent immediately. In the study of Tarragon''s branch, Yvette narrowed her eyes at Daniel and uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°What are you saying? What do you mean an order came from the higher-ups to release Shannon? She tried to assassinate me and severely wounded your daughter! Who decided to spare her even after shemitted such a grave crime?¡± Daniel looked at her with a conflicted gaze. New lords, newws. I may have worked for Leo previously, but Tarragon has a new leader now. I can''t cling to the past and ignore the orders of the current leader. ¡°It was the leader who got in touch with me. He instructed me to release her. He also said he would deal with the elders in the headquarters and told me not to worry about it.¡± ¡°What?¡± Yvette eximed, springing up from the couch and staring at Daniel incredulously. ¡°Even I haven''t met Tarragon''s new leader yet. Why would he personally step in to protect Shannon? Are you sure you didn''t get fooled by someone impersonating him?¡± Daniel''s expression darkened. ¡°Ms. Sullivan, there are some things one can''t say indiscriminately. It''d be wise to mind what you say. Those in charge at the branches have a special way ofmunicating with the leader, so it wouldn''t be possible for an outsider to impersonate him.¡± Chapter 446 Chapter 446 Shannon bit her lip hard. How can this be? How is this possible? I''ve been living in Tarragon''s headquarters, yet I''ve never met or interacted with the new leader. How did Shannon gain his protection and make him bear all the pressure to pardon her for her crimes? ¡°I want to meet our leader. Lord Euchler, help me to get in touch with him and tell him that I''m looking for him.¡± ¡°That''s...¡± Daniel was a little hesitant. The leader has never shown himself. We all know that Tarragon has a mysterious boss, but no one has ever seen his face. Over the years, he has never appeared at the headquarters, leaving Holden and Micah to handle all of Tarragon''s affairs. If I''m being honest, I''m a little terrified of the secretive head of this organization. ¡°You''re putting me in a tight spot. Even Micah and Holden wouldn''t be able to ask him to show himself, so what makes you think I''ll be capable of doing so?¡± Yvette gritted her teeth and uttered bitterly, ¡°I''m the victim of this assassination. Even if he wants to spare Shannon''s life, shouldn''t he be asking for my approval first? I don''t care. Since it happened on your turf, you''ll have to give me a satisfactory answer. And if you can''t, you can forget about being the head of this branch. I may be powerless against the leader, but it''ll be a piece of cake for me to drag you down with me!¡± Daniel''s expression froze. He did not doubt her threat in the slightest. As the daughter of the previous head, she was once Tarragon''s most distinguished princess. Despite her father''s death, she still wielded considerable influence within the headquarters. That was also why Micah and Holden dared noty a finger on her. ¡°Don''t get mad, Ms. Sullivan. All right. I''ll agree to it. I''ll help you contact him now and ask him to meet you or talk to you on the phone.¡± Yvette''s expression finally eased. As long as I get to speak to the leader, I''m confident I can persuade him to execute Shannon as soon as possible. Over at a resort on Belmonia Ind, Lionel had on sunsses and a pair of binocrs in his hand as he observed a hanging bridge some distance away. ¡°Has there been any strange activitytely on her end?¡± Hearing the question, the man in ck next to him quickly inclined his head politely before answering, ¡°Ms. Saunders leads a simple life and never initiates conversation with others. She has been on the ind for quite a few days, and she spends most of her time sitting on the end of the bridge by herself and gazing at the sea.¡± Suddenly, Lionel frowned. He had spotted a young man pass by in front of Victoria on a bicycle. Then, the man stopped and appeared to greet her. Lionel did not know what they said to each other, but the young man proceeded to get off the bicycle and hand it to Victoria. She was smiling. Her bright smile lit up her pretty face, and she looked radiant and charming. A secondter, she hopped onto the bicycle and started riding it on the bridge. It was clear she was not good at it. In fact, it would be more urate to say she did not know how to cycle. The moment she lifted her feet off the ground, the bicycle and her whole body started swaying dangerously. Lionel''s pupils constricted. This d*mned woman! Doesn''t she know she''s pregnant? How could someone who has never ridden a bicycle attempt it on a hanging bridge? She truly knows how to have ¡°fun.¡± No, wait. I should say she surely knows how to look for ¡°excitement.¡± He tossed the binocrs toward the man in ck and strode toward the bridge. Meanwhile, the young man on the bridge could not helpughing when he saw Victoria cycling unsteadily. ¡°You can''t ride a bicycle? In that case, you''re pretty brave for trying it for the first time on a hanging bridge. I''m impressed.¡± She chuckled while endeavoring to lift her feet off the ground again. Unsurprisingly, she and the bicycle both tilted to one side immediately. In the end, she had to try several positions before managing to stabilize herself. Without her realizing it, she furrowed her brows. If I can drift on four wheels and look super cool while racing, I don''t believe I can''t master riding on two wheels. As the bicycle rolled to the top of a slope, she released the brake without even thinking. A secondter, the bicycle was speeding downhill. The sea breeze howled in her ears, and she sensed she had lost control over her momentum. Nheless, the bicycle isn''t that tall. Even if it does overturn, I should be able to get out of harm''s way immediately with my skills. As it turned out, she did not fall. It was not because she mastered the art of controlling the bicycle but because a tall figure dashed out to grab ahold of the vehicle with one hand and wrap the other arm around her. She was startled as a familiar scent greeted her. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. When she returned to her senses, she broke away from the man''s grip and got off the bicycle. Then, she spun around and headed toward the stairs. Lionel frowned. He flung aside the bicycle, caught up to her in just a few steps, and hugged her from behind. ¡°Let''s talk.¡± Victoria''s body stiffened, and her muscles tensed up. An invisible aversion spread through her limbs. Then, exerting all of her strength, she tried to use her arms to free herself from his embrace. The man behind her repeated, ¡°Let''s talk.¡± After several failed attempts to free herself, she eventually gave up. In a frosty tone, she said, ¡°What would a wealthy man and his mistress have to say to each other? Please have some respect, Mr. Gezmond.¡± Her words stabbed his heart like a knife, and his expression turned grim. ¡°I''m not married, so we don''t have that sort of rtionship. Please don''t sully yourself, Victoria.¡± The cold expression on her face changed, and she chuckled softly. ¡°Who''s sullying whom, may I ask? Have you forgotten what you did to me?¡± Chapter 447 Chapter 447 Lionel pursed his lips into a thin line as he reached out to press down on her shoulder, turning her over. As their gazes met, he could see the look of indifference in her eyes. ¡°Even though I assumed that I could forget about you after all those years, there is no taking back the love I have for you. You won, Victoria. You have my heart. As I said, I will offer you an exnation, but you never gave me the chance to do so. You''re as stubborn and indifferent as you were seven years ago.¡± Victoria shook his hand away without warning before huffing augh. ¡°Since that''s the case, we shall go our separate ways. We''re destined to be enemies that hold lifelong grudges against each other.¡± ¡°I refuse.¡± Lionel grabbed her by her arm, his tone grim as he spoke. ¡°We have other options. We''re both exhausted after going through all of that, so can''t you stop being so stubborn? Come back with me, and we can start over.¡± ¡°Start over?¡± Victoria sneered, shaking her head. ¡°We can''t possibly do that. You ruined the Saunders family. More importantly, you sent my brother to jail. That record destroyed him, heir to the Saunders family. I would be disloyal to my family if I married you. That would be treachery.¡± Lionel''s face was drained of all color. Revenge felt exceptionally sweet back then, but it was at the cost of losing the love of his life. Victor''s imprisonment ultimately put them in irreconcble positions. ¡°I''m worn out, Lionel. I''ve lost all my zest for life because of you. We''vee to the end of our path together. Please just let me go. Can''t you give me some peace?¡± Upon noticing that Lionel seemed to have more to say, she added, ¡°My father is on his deathbed, and my family is bankrupt. Lionel''s imprisonment and my reputation being tarnished had elerated his impending death, all of which you yed a hand in. Do you still think we have a future together?¡± Lionel didn''t know what to say. Victoria reached out to pry his hand off her arm while continuing in a soft voice, ¡°You must''ve already known that I''m pregnant. I''ve done a blood test a few days ago and found out I have a baby girl. She won''t be able to seed you as the heir of the Gezmond family, so please show some mercy and let me have her.¡± A daughter? That''s great. A look of joy fleeted across Lionel''s gaze, but his face fell the moment he heard her words. She must be out of her mind because she''s too angry. That''s why she said something so preposterous. I shouldn''t take her too seriously. As he was spacing out, she had walked far away and left him behind. His expression was unreadable while he stared at her retreating figure. However, he watched over her in silence instead of going after her. He was certain that time would heal all the hurt. The future is promising. We still have a long road ahead of us. Ever since Lina showed up at the auction held by Auro Pawnshop as Vespera, a lot of famous entrepreneurs and collectors in Hallsbay had invited her over for tea, elevating her into a position like never before. All the while, she enjoyed being celebrated by the public and immersed herself in her role as Vespera. Bailey couldn''t help butugh as she saw the astonishing media coverage about Vespera drowning out all other news. The identity that gave me a headache proved most useful to somebody else. Should I consider myself as having done a good deed? She can take my ce as long as she doesn''t provoke or try to frame me. Yet, the truth of the matter was that the world was full of troubles. While she wouldn''t mind granting Lina''s wish to soar high within the industry as an appraiser, Lina had other thoughts about it. Meanwhile, at a window seat in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop, Chloe was sitting across from Lina. She looked at thetter in tion while chirping, ¡°Lina, I can''t believe you''re Vespera! Oh my gosh! I never expected you to reach such heights after spending a few years abroad. I''m impressed!¡± Lina smiled, her face full of pride and confidence. She enjoyed the admiration of others. ¡°You only found out about my identity now even though I''ve been in Hallsbay for a couple of days. It seems to me that I don''t mean much to you.¡± ¡°That''s not it.¡± Chloe pouted and mumbled, ¡°I''ve been overwhelmingly busy with work these past few days after starting a new job and haven''t been paying attention to the news! See, I bought you some coffee right after realizing you''re Vespera.¡± Lina wore a cheerless smile, her gaze apathetic. Back when her mother and her fell from grace, her uncle, who had since risen to the position of mayor, had disregarded their misfortune despite their blood ties. When they begged for his mercy, he gave them some money and sent them away from Hallsbay as if he were kicking a beggar out, worried that he might be implicated. Ever since Lina made a gloriouseback and was championed by countless collectors and entrepreneurs under her guise as Vespera, her uncle was smart enough to humble down and tter her. Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°From what I heard, you''ve joined Luther Group. You have a promising future. I will be under your care from now on, Chloe.¡± Chloe deted all of a sudden andy down on the table before muttering in dejection, ¡°Bailey is such a jerk! How dare she give me an attitude? Who is she anyway? She''s just a b*stard without a father, whose mother just f*cked with some random guy and got pregnant with an imbecile like her! How dare she order me around! I am the mayor''s daughter! Never have I received such mistreatment!¡± Lina arched her brows in amusement. Given Bailey''s prominence, Lina couldn''t possibly outshine the other woman, who wore multiple hats, even while impersonating Vespera. However, if she could work with Chloe to tarnish Bailey''s reputation, she could gain a foothold for herself in Hallsbay''s upper-ss society with her identity as Vespera. By then, nobody would be able to dominate her. ¡°You have outstanding qualifications, a decent familial background, good connections, and impable looks. Moreover, you''re the mayor''s daughter. Bailey can''t even remotelypare to you. I''m with you! Come to me if you need assistance. I''ll do my best to help.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Chloe seemed enraptured. ¡°With your help, I should be able to topple Bailey and take her ce as Mr. Luther''s love interest! I shall propel you into an even higher position with his help by then!¡± Lina said nothing as she smiled. I see. So she fancies Artemis. This makes things easier and makes her even more suitable as my pawn to defame Bailey. At the same time, in another room in the coffee shop. Zoey narrowed her eyes as she studied the woman in front of her whom she resembled slightly. With a frown, she asked, ¡°Are you Ms. Carr, the owner of Cosmetico? I don''t think we know each other. To what do I owe the honor of meeting you?¡± Smiling, Sophia pointed at her face and then at Zoey''s. ¡°Given your intelligence, can you still not guess my identity and my reason for asking you out, Ms. Shurmer?¡± Chapter 448 Chapter 448 Zoey clenched her fists. Though she knew this could be the possible oue, she was still stunned when the woman admitted it in person. Sophia. Sophia Carr. Is she really that Mrs. Jefferson who died in the fire two decades ago? Twenty years ago, she perished in a fire, and her body was not found. Her death had rocked the elite ss in Hallsbay. Everyone believed she was burned alive in the incident as there was no way for her to cheat death. But howe she''s still alive? And howe there''s no sign of wounds on her body? Nevertheless, there were still some minor changes to her appearance. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. Compared to her appearance twenty years ago, she looked slightly different at present. Zoey deduced that the woman must have undergone several stic surgeries to restore her looks. ¡°D-Didn''t you die in the fire? H-Howe you''re still alive?¡± Zoey stuttered. Sofie responded with a sigh, ¡°Did you just curse me? I''m your mother. How could you? Do you wish I''m dead? You would have lost a strong ally had I been dead.¡± Those words sent a shiver down Zoey''s spine, but her eyes lit up with joy as if something shed across her mind. She''s right. She''s the owner of an international cosmeticspany. With her help, I can get rid of Bailey more easily. ¡°D-Does that mean you''re willing to help me?¡± Zoey asked. A corner of Sofie''s lips quirked up. She gently stroked Zoey''s face and sighed. ¡°I haven''t met you for twenty years, and you''ve grown into a beauty. It looks like I made the right choice. Only the Shurmers could raise you to be an elegant woman. Had you been raised in the Jefferson family, you would have ended up being a small fry among the other socialites. In other words, you wouldn''t have made it to the list of the Ten Acimed Socialites.¡± Tears started welling up in Zoey''s eyes when she heard ¡°Ten Acimed Socialites.¡± She could not help putting on a piteous pretense. ¡°That b*tch Bailey tricked me and put me behind bars for half a month. As a result, the International Socialite Club removed me from the ranking.¡± The woman standing before her was her biological mother. Had she been an ordinary woman, Zoey would have given her the cold shoulder and ordered someone to kick her out of Hallsbay. Kinship meant nothing to Zoey. A mother who could not provide her with all the assistance she needed would be just another useless person. Fortunately, Sofie managed to make a name for herself and be a renowned entrepreneur in the international arena. Given Sofie''s power and prestige, Zoey knew she could be of great help to her. I''m even willing to lick her boots if necessary. Sofie''s heart instantly softened when she heard Zoey''s soft voice. After all, Zoey was her biological daughter. She had been away for years, and she felt a pang of guilt for not fulfilling her responsibility as a mother. ¡°Who cares about the Ten Acimed Socialites ranking? I''ll tell the world you''re my goddaughter. I bet the International Socialite Club will beg you to return. I understand you''re in a difficult situation, and I''m aware Bailey had driven you to the edge, but look, I came all the way here to back you up. With me behind your back and your position as the daughter of the Shurmer family, I''m sure you''ll be the new mistress of the Luther family.¡± Zoey was overjoyed. ¡°You came back for me? You mean you''ll help me deal with Bailey?¡± Sofie nodded with a grin. ¡°Yup. That''s right. I''ll remove all the stumbling blocks that get in your way and help you be Mrs. Luther.¡± Zoey''s body began to tremble in excitement. One thing she learned from the harsh reality was she must cling to her biological mother if she wanted to lead a better life. I believe God has sent her over to help me ovee this crisis. ¡°Though I''ve never met you, I still want to thank you. Thank you for swapping Bailey and me at birth and giving me a chance to grow up in the prestigious Shurmer family. You must be eager to see me do something big in life, right? I''ll make you proud by bing the most prestigious woman in the world.¡± Sofie beamed with pride. ¡°I thought you would have given up after going through so much hardship. It seems you''re an intelligent woman who knows what you want to achieve. I''ll make you the most desirable woman in the world, so don''t worry.¡± Zoey broke into an adorable grin. It did not take Zoey long to wee Sofie with open arms because she knew the woman was wealthy and had a strongwork. She''s someone I can count on if I want to do well. ¡°So how do you n on taking Bailey down?¡± A mysterious smirk shed across Sofie''s face. ¡°We don''t have to do anything for now. There''s already a ticking bomb lying next to Bailey. We just need to wait. Something will happen in no time.¡± A hint of confusion shed across Zoey''s eyes. Who did Bailey offend this time? But luck seems to always be on her side no matter how many people she had offended. ¡°Don''t underestimate that woman. There''s something evil about her. Anyone who opposed her will be doomed.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Things are different this time. Even if she survives this ordeal, I still have other ns up in my sleeve.¡± Upon hearing that, Zoey heaved a sigh of relief. This woman clearly came prepared. She must have returned to Hallsbay specifically to deal with Bailey. Chapter 449 Chapter 449 Zoey knew she could not count on the Shurmer family. The paternity test incident had aroused the Shurmer''s suspicion. Though the truth was not out there yet, the Shurmer family would realize something was amiss if she continued taking revenge against Bailey. That was why Zoey wanted to use Sofie to her advantage since thetter was now on her side. Who cares about kinship? It''s all about fighting for our interests. I would have kicked her to the curb had she not been able to lend me a hand. Besides Waverly, Zoey would never acknowledge anyone else as her mother. The only reason she buttered Sofie up was she wanted the woman''s help to get Bailey out of her way. She abandoned me when I was born, so I''ll never acknowledge her as my mother. Meanwhile, Bailey conducted a routine body checkup on Glen at the Chivers residence. Artemis was with them at the infirmary. When Yoel saw Bailey putting away the scanning device, he immediately asked, ¡°How is it? Did the cancer cells spread? Some experts said cancer recurrence might happen sometime after the tumor surgery.¡± Bailey responded with a faint grin, ¡°Old Mr. Chivers'' tumor is non-malignant, so a cancer recurrence is unlikely to happen. I''ve been monitoring his recovery from time to time, so don''t worry. I''ll keep you updated if something happens.¡± Yoel heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank God. I was worried that the cancer cells might return and grow into malignant tumors. Old Mr. Chivers is so frail now. I''m sure he can''t go through the whole process all over again.¡± ¡°That won''t happen, trust me,¡± Bailey assured him. She then looked in Glen''s direction and smiled. ¡°Old Mr. Chivers, you must tell me if you feel ufortable. Our immune system weakens as we age, so I''m concerned that your body might not respond well to the treatment.¡± Glen waved his hand. He nced at her belly, but words caught in his throat when he noticed Artemis was around. ¡°Go and have a chat with Eddy''s mom. I wish to speak to Artemis in private.¡± Bailey smiled in response and hesitated for a moment before leaving. The fact that Mrs. Chivers didn''t show up means she must still be mad and thus felt awkward meeting me. She knew Gwendolyn liked her very much and hoped she would be her daughter-inw, but... To be honest, I don''t know what to say to her when I see her. Yoel seemed to have seen right through Bailey and said tly, ¡°My wife had just returned from an auction after bidding on an antique emerald ring. She has been admiring the beauty of the jewelry piece the whole day, and that''s why she''s not here to meet you. I hope you can be a little more understanding and continue to respect her as your elder. After all, though she isn''t going to be your mother-inw, she''s still your aunt-inw,¡± he added. Upon hearing that, Bailey felt much better. ¡°You''re right. I do respect her as my elder. I''ll have to make the first move and initiate the conversation with her. You guys carry on. I''ll go and check on her.¡± After shoving Artemis aside, she walked out of the door. ¡°Be careful. Don''t say anything that will backfire on you,¡± Artemis reminded her. Bailey replied, ¡°Got it. You stay here to keep Granddadpany.¡± Meanwhile, Gwendolyn was studying her antique emerald ring with a magnifying ss in the living hall. The butler could not help but ask, ¡°Mrs. Chivers, Ms. Jefferson is here. Are you sure you don''t want to meet her?¡± Gwendolyn''s hand jolted for a bit while holding the magnifying ss. After regaining herposure, she responded nonchntly, ¡°She''s the kind of girl who tends to overthink, so she might feel awkward if I appear before her. She must have felt guilty and is too ashamed to see me. Why should I put her in a difficult position?¡± The butler gave her a wry smile. ¡°You have her best interest at heart. But what if she doesn''t understand why you''re doing this? What if she misunderstands you, thinking you''re giving her attitude?¡± Gwendolyn waved her hand. ¡°Things don''t always go ording to n. How can we expect everything to be perfect? There''s nothing much I can do if Eddy and she are not meant to be together. No one can change that.¡± There was a sh of worry in her eyes when she mentioned her son. Two days ago, Edmund even mooted the idea of adopting a child from one of the branches of the family. She knew what he had in mind. He''s probably nning to live in solitude. He doesn''t want to marry anymore, does he? Does he really want to spend the rest of his life alone? Gwendolyn could only sigh helplessly. The butler''s eyes darted from side to side for a moment as he tried toe up with words of constion. He then smiled and said, ¡°Lydia from the Xanthos family seems like a girl with a bubbly personality, and she has been trying to get Mr. Chivers'' attention. Perhaps, given time and luck, he might fall in love with her?¡± Gwendolyn gave the butler a half-hearted smile that didn''t reach his eyes. ¡°I hope so. I like Lydia too. I hope she''ll one day win Eddy''s heart.¡± Suddenly, footsteps emerged from outside the door. The butler could not help but quip, ¡°Speak of the devil. I can easily recognize her footsteps after hearing them in thest couple of days.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. A youngdy in a pink princess dress dashed across the living hall. ¡°I''m back, Mrs. Chivers.¡± Gwendolyn straightened her back and turned her attention to the girl standing by the door. She grinned and asked, ¡°You''re back? I thought you went to the office to ask Edmund to buy you lunch?¡± ¡°He has a lunch appointment. I came home because I was bored. Oh wow, Mrs. Chivers, this emerald ring looks exquisite!¡± Chapter 450 Chapter 450 With that, she reached out to touch the antique emerald ring. To her surprise, Gwendolyn pped her on the back of her hand, reprimanding, ¡°Stop it! You''re going to sully the antique emerald ring with your sweaty hands!¡± The butler smiled in response and went off to carry out the order. Just as she reached the door, she eximed, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, what are you doing here?¡± Hearing that, Gwendolyn and Lydia turned around in unison and saw Bailey approaching. Lydia immediately threw her handbag onto the couch and trotted toward Bailey, wrapping her arm around thetter''s shoulder. With a smile, she said, ¡°Bay, we meet again!¡± Bailey''s expression stiffened. Bay? Did I hear it wrong? This girl is not only overfriendly but also straightforward. Should I call her Liddy in return? ¡°Bay, you''re here.¡± Gwendolyn''s voice was as gentle and loving as ever, causing her eyes to sting, and she almost shed tears. ¡°I heard from Mr. Chivers that you''ve bought an antique emerald ring from the auction and thought I''d come over to check it out.¡± ¡°Is it that one?¡± Lydia pointed to the antique emerald ring on the table and pouted. ¡°It''s just a replica of an antique emerald ring using the most advanced technology. It looks just like the real one, and the compositions are identical. Anyway, it''s a product of modern craftsmanship¡ªa worthless collectible. After all, how can a modern craft like this be considered an antique?¡± Fake? A replica? Gwendolyn, bbergasted, knitted her brows. ¡°Liddy, I''ve spent tens of millions on this antique. How can you say it''s a replica?¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Did you not know about that?¡± Lydia''s eyes widened as she looked at Gwendolyn in disbelief. Gwendolyn shot her a red and admonished, ¡°If I knew it was fake, would I still buy it with tens of millions? Wait. You know nothing about antique appraisals. How can you conclude that it''s a replica? You''d better don''t make wild guesses, Liddy.¡± Lydia rolled her eyes and pursed her lips disdainfully. ¡°Have you forgotten how the Xanthos family started their business? We made a fortune with the knowledge of antique appraisals. As a Xanthos, even if I''m only an amateur, I can still tell whether it''s real or fake at a nce.¡± Her words rendered Gwendolyn speechless. After sweeping her eyes across the antique emerald ring, Bailey curled her lips into a smile. This girl has a good eye. I''m surprised she can identify such an exquisite replica without assistance. As expected of the daughter of the Xanthos family. She has good judgment and insight. The daughters of ordinary prestigious families are nothingpared to her. ¡°This shouldn''t be happening.¡± Gwendolyn narrowed her eyes at the antique ring and frowned. ¡°I specifically brought it to Vespera, the expert antique appraiser. She said it''s the real thing.¡± ¡°She must be an impostor, then,¡± Lydia remarked bluntly. ¡°If she were the real Vespera, she would have figured it out. Since she told you it''s a real antique, I can only say this Vespera is a fake.¡± Realization dawned upon Gwendolyn after she heard that. Bailey started to like Lydia even more. This girl is honest, lovely, and smart. Edmund and her complement each other well. With such a lively and cheerful girl by Edmund''s side, I guess he won''t feel lonely for the rest of his life anymore. Gwendolyn''s face was tinged with rage. She gritted her teeth and said, ¡°So that woman is a fame seeker, huh? No wonder Master Vespera, who has disappeared from the public eye for several years, suddenly appeared in Hallsbay. It turns out someone impersonated her.¡± With that said, she reached out to hold Lydia''s wrist. ¡°Liddy, since your family''s antique business spans the globe, you should be able to contact the real Master Vespera, right? Can you ask her toe to Hallsbay and expose the impostor to prevent more people from being cheated by her?¡± ¡°Vespera...¡± Lydia hesitated, unsure of whether to tell the truth. ¡°Perhaps she''s already gone. Some said she was involved in a car ident, while others imed the antique dealers had ended her life. Anyway, these are only rumors. The public has yet to receive any news of her death, and no one knows the truth. That''s why the impostor dares to take Vespera''s ce recklessly.¡± Hearing that, Gwendolyn looked at the antique emerald ring on the table and sighed helplessly. ¡°Greed is indeed dangerous. No, I must go to the Antique Appraisal Association to denounce her and stop her from fooling others.¡± Bailey smiled faintly and said, ¡°A batch of cultural relics will arrive in Hallsbay a few dayster, and the Cultural Relics Bureau has invited her to perform the antique appraisal. Maybe we should only expose her when the timees.¡± Upon hearing that, Lydia blinked with a cunning glint in her eyes. ¡°This is a good idea! Let''s do it this way. Haha! Something fun is going to happen in Hallsbay soon.¡± In the infirmary, Glen looked a little awkward as he stared at his grandson, who sat at the end of the bed. ¡°I was too domineering regarding this issue. Luckily, I didn''t make a huge mistake. Anyway, Bay getting pregnant is good news. When are the two of you getting married?¡± Artemis, hanging his head, spoke after a moment of silence. ¡°I want her to marry me with the most honored identity, so now isn''t the time yet.¡± He still wanted Bailey to return to her roots and marry him as the most honored heiress of the Shurmer family. The public currently insulted Bailey as a baseborn child with an unknown father. Even after she married into the Luther family, that would still be a stain in her life that could never be washed off. Thus, he had to clear her name at all costs. Glen, momentarily stunned, narrowed his eyes at Artemis. After a moment of silence, he seemed to have thought of something and asked in surprise, ¡°Is Bay really the daughter of the Shurmer family?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°She''s indeed the daughter of the Shurmer family who was swapped at birth.¡± ¡°Why doesn''t she take this chance to reim her identity and return to her roots?¡± Artemis held his forehead and sighed. ¡°Bay''s too kind and doesn''t want to take away Zoey''s identity as the heiress. She will rather subject herself to public usations and gossip than tell the Shurmer family the truth from the past.¡± Glen heaved a sigh. ¡°As I expected. She''s kind-hearted and can''t bring herself to harm others. But since she has taken a step back, will the girl from the Shurmer family do the same?¡± Will Zoey take a step back? Definitely not. The Zoey I know will never back out. With that thought in mind, Artemis replied, ¡°She won''t. That''s why I''ve been waiting for her to court her own death. Bay doesn''t want to reim her identity and let Zoey go. If Zoey doesn''t cherish Bay''s kindness, I''ll make her leave the Shurmer family.¡± All of a sudden, Glenughed aloud. ¡°Brat, you''ve been full of tricks since childhood. Both Eddy and Simon couldn''t beat you in games back then. Now that you''ve grown up, you''ve gotten even better at manipting others!¡± Artemis smirked when he heard that. ¡°Thanks for yourpliment, Granddad.¡± The next day, a group of tourists was attracted to the Museum of Hallsbay, knowing that the museum had invited the expert antique appraiser, Vespera, to be their guest speaker. A sea of people crowded inside the museum. ¡°Look! Master Vespera is here.¡± Chapter 451 Chapter 451 With her high heels clicking on the ground, Lina stepped out of the high-ss guest room with professional-looking men and women dressed in suits following her. They were the museum''s leaders and executives. Her face was glowing with confidence. After impersonating Vespera for a couple of days, she had be apletely different person. She was no longer the ordinary appraiser no one consulted. At that moment, she was someone highly sought after by everyone in the antique and appraising industry. Lina hoped the real Vespera was dead and gone. That way, it would make things easier for her. Even if Vespera was not dead, it would be no use if she came up and exposed Lina at that moment, because thetter had already gained everyone''s trust. ¡°Master Vespera, I heard that a batch of cultural relics will be shipped back to our country in a few days. The history of those relics is untraceable, and some of the relics might even be fake. Are you really able to differentiate them?¡± ¡°Exactly. The Cultural Relics Bureau has hired many appraisers for this batch of relics. Yet, none of them dared to ept the task because the relics are too valuable. They''re worried something might go wrong. Secondly, it''s exceptionally hard to appraise this batch of relics. They fear they might make mistakes, which can lead to awsuit.¡± ¡°Are you really able to identify the genuine relics from the counterfeits in this batch, Master Vespera?¡± ¡°Hey, what''s that supposed to mean? How could you guys doubt Master Vespera''s skills? Do you think everyone''s like Bailey? That woman even mistook the famous Beauty''s Tear to be fake.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. ¡°Watch it. Don''t involve Ms. Bailey in this. What did she do to you, anyway? She just made one mistake, that''s all. Why do you keep bringing that up?¡± ¡°That''s right. No matter how much you don''t like Ms. Bailey, she''s still Snowke, Anonymous, Legendary Racer, and Spook. She can eliminate anyone with any of these identities.¡± ¡°Pfft. She''s just an imbecile who doesn''t know who her father is. She doesn''t even know her roots. Even worse, she caused Mr. Jefferson to be mocked for getting cheated on by his wife and taking care of a daughter that doesn''t even belong to him for over twenty years. Who does she think she is?¡± ¡°Exactly! So what if she has all those identities? She''s just a disgraceful, illegitimate child. Sure, she bore the surname of a Jefferson when her identity was still unknown. But she doesn''t deserve the surname now. So, what gives her the right to marry into a top prestigious family like the Luther family?¡± ¡°Tsk. All of you are just jealous, that''s what it is. How shameless.¡± ¡°Hey, who are you calling shameless?¡± ¡°You. Duh.¡± In the next second, chaos broke out as the two partiesunched into a fight. A smile crept up Lina''s face while she watched the crowd fight each other. Looks like not everyone in Hallsbay is on Bailey''s side. I guess it makes sense. Not only does Bailey have many incredible identities, but she has also stolen the hearts of many handsome men. It''s no wonder those women don''t like her. Lina''s smile slowly turned into a sneer as she nced at the people who worshipped and stood up for Bailey. Soon, they''re going to worship me instead. After all, I''m the one everyone in Hallsbay should be worshipping. Who does Bailey think she is? She''ll forever be criticized as an illegitimate child as long as she doesn''t find her biological father. Hmph. A mere illegitimate child. She''s worse than me. Right then, a man in a suit shouted to break up the fight, ¡°Be quiet, everyone. Everyone who''s here today is an admirer of Master Vespera. So, even if you don''t respect the leaders of the museum, please at least show Master Vespera some respect.¡± Taking her cue, Lina said, ¡°Everyone, I have no intention of bringing up the conflicts between me and Ms. Jefferson. Truth is, I admire her a lot. Although I''ve made some achievements, it''s nothing compared to Ms. Jefferson''s. So, please stop aggravating the tension between us.¡± With that, she walked toward the stage. ¡°Next, I''d like to introduce a few treasures of the museum,¡± she said. ¡°What a shameless fame seeker.¡± Suddenly, a sneer sounded from the crowd, followed by the appearance of a slender figure. Pointing at Lina, Lydia hissed, ¡°Can anyone prove this woman is Master Vespera? No one, right? Very well. Since no one can prove it, then why is everyone trying to get on her good side? For all you guys know, she might be lying.¡± After a moment of silence, someone shouted, ¡°On what basis are you iming she''s not Master Vespera? Have you met the real Master Vespera, then?¡± ¡°Hah. Looks like we have another supporter of Bailey''s. Ugh. The sight of another supporter just makes me furious. Who the h*ll do you think you are? Why do you support her so much?¡± ¡°Since you''re saying Ms. Young isn''t Vespera, then show us some proof. Stop making a fool of yourself if you don''t have any proof. If Ms. Young''s not Vespera, the real deal should''ve exposed her long ago instead of allowing her to put on an act for so many days.¡± ¡°That''s right! It''s been several days since Ms. Young is revealed to be Master Vespera. Still, the real deal hasn''t shown up. Isn''t that enough to prove that Ms. Young is Master Vespera? Oh, please don''t say that Vespera can''t expose Ms. Young because she''s dead. That''s going to be the most ridiculous joke ever.¡± Following that, everyone burst outughing. Chapter 452 Chapter 452 Lydia was so furious that she stomped her foot on the ground. ¡°Y-You¡ª¡± Narrowing her eyes at Lydia, Lina said coldly, ¡°Please mind your words and actions, youngdy. You''re an adult, aren''t you? Besides, what makes you think I''m impersonating Vespera? If you want to use me, I''d advise you to show me proof.¡± ¡°Yes. Show us proof. Bailey suspected Ms. Young of impersonation a few days ago, too. In the end, Bailey got pped in the face with the truth and had no choice but to apologize. So, you must be responsible for your actions if it turns out you ndered Master Vespera wrongly.¡± ¡°Y-You guys...¡± Lydia trembled with anger. In truth, she wanted to tell them that Vespera was truly dead and that the woman standing before them was a fake. However, from what Lydia had seen, she figured she would be torn to shreds if she said that. ¡°They''re right, Liddy. You''ve used Ms. Young wrongly. Please apologize to her.¡± An icy voice traveled from the crowd, and Bailey stepped out from a corner. ¡°Psst. It''s Bailey.¡± ¡°Whoa, it''s Bailey.¡± Fixing her teary eyes on Bailey, Lydia choked out, ¡°You know the truth, Bay. She''s obviously¡ª¡± However, Bailey grabbed Lydia''s arm and shot thetter a look. Smiling, the former said, ¡°Do you remember what I told you at the Chivers residence yesterday? Listen to me and don''t let strangers affect your mood. If you''ve made a mistake, then you''ve made a mistake. Apologize to Ms. Young now. During the auction event that night, she had sworn that the purple diamond ne was Beauty''s Tear, and it was the truth.¡± Lydia pursed her lips indignantly. After all, she was still too young to control her temper. ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have spouted nonsense and used Ms. Young of impersonating Master Vespera. Please forgive me and don''t hold a grudge against me.¡± ¡°Wow. She''s truly Bailey''s supporter, and what''s more, they seem close. Youngdy, was it Bailey who forced you to use Ms. Young of not being Master Vespera?¡± Lydia could not help but curse, ¡°Shut the f*ck up! Don''t use Bay! Go on and support whoever you want. One day, you''ll be punished for your choices.¡± ¡°Hey, you rascal. Watch your words! How dare you speak so rudely at such a young age? Did your mother not teach you any manners?¡± Lydia could not take it anymore. Just as she was about to tear the person into shreds, she was stopped by Bailey. They''re just a pack of mad dogs. It''s pointless arguing with them. Lina, who stood on the stage, looked down at Bailey with a smile. ¡°What''s the meaning of this, Ms. Jefferson? Are you trying to drag me into the mess because you can''t stand seeing others bing sessful while you''re riddled with rumors of your unknown background? A few days ago, you imed Beauty''s Tear was fake at the auction, implying that I was impersonating Vespera. And now, you brought a young girl over here to nder me. You''ve got quite the guts, eh?¡± Upon hearing her words, Bailey arched a brow. Is she trying to pick a fight with me? This is interesting. Two days ago, Bailey had decided to help Lina so that thetter could make a name for herself in the appraising industry. In other words, she would be like a senior promoting her junior. Regardless, it never urred to Bailey that Lina would be so arrogant and would go overboard. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Look, I''m being respectful here, but you, Ms. Young, are looking at me condescendingly. What is this? Hasn''t it only been a few days since you came to Hallsbay? Do you really think you can rece me in this city?¡± Lina blinked like a frightened and piteous little bunny. Sounding anxious, she said, ¡°I-I''m just telling the truth. You''ve been picking on me over and over again. I don''t even know what I''ve done to offend you.¡± As soon as those words left her mouth, the crowd started attacking Bailey. ¡°Bailey, are you trying to pick on her?¡± ¡°Don''t you dare think you can do whatever you want just because you have so many powerful identities. Master Vespera is right. You''re riddled with rumors of your biological father''s identity being unknown, and you''re afraid that Master Vespera will overshadow you. That''s why you''re using your powers to suppress her, aren''t you?¡± ¡°Hmph. Looks like this woman is addicted to being a big shot. That''s why she wants to have a powerful position in every industry. And if she can''t get involved, she won''t let her opponents off easily.¡± ¡°Does she really think she can do whatever she wants in Hallsbay? Her scandals aren''t even resolved yet. How dare she act so high and mighty?¡± ¡°Don''t be scared, Master Vespera. Many of us here will definitely support you. Bailey has to go through us if she wants to kick you out of Hallsbay.¡± ¡°That''s right. Don''t be afraid of her.¡± Bailey shed Lydia a smile. ¡°Come on. Let''s check out the treasures of Hallsbay''s museum. It''s too noisy here. My ears can''t take it.¡± Clenching her teeth, Lydia said, ¡°I swear I''m going to rip her mask off during the opening ceremony. When the timees, I''ll bring the Xanthos family''s most famous appraiser to the event. I''m going to make sure Lina gets utterly humiliated once she makes a mistake.¡± Hearing that, Bailey patted Lydia''s shoulder and said amusedly, ¡°Now that''s more like it. The whole idea of messing with someone is to let them experience what it''s like to be on the top before bringing them back to reality in the cruelest way possible.¡± Lydia nced at the surrounding people who supported the impostor and gave Bailey a thumbs up. She could not wait to see Lina at her worst. Chapter 453 Chapter 453 In the study of Tarragon''s branch was Yvette, who grabbed Daniel''s wrist and asked anxiously, ¡°Did you help me contact the leader? What was he like? Did he agree to see me?¡± Looking hesitant, he answered, ¡°Ms. Sullivan, I really can''t help you with this. I''ll dly do it if it was something else, but the leader''s whereabouts are not something we can control. I''m terribly sorry.¡± Yvette''s expression turned grim, and she gritted her teeth. ¡°I want to know his exact words. Just tell me.¡± ¡°Uh...¡± ¡°Tell me or I''ll get the elders from the headquarters to remove you from your position.¡± ¡°H-He said you have n-no right to see him, and he won''t change his mind because of you. He also ordered me to release Ms. Shannon right away.¡± Yvette''s lips twitched, and surprise shed past her eyes. She never expected the leader to be so cruel and would not spare her dignity. To be more precise, he did not spare her father''s dignity. Even Micah and Holden have to treat me with respect. How could the leader decline my request just like that? He did not even bother showing me some respect. ¡°Give me his contact information. I''m going to contact him myself.¡± Unfortunately, that put Daniel in a difficult spot. He suggested with caution, ¡°Perhaps you can try asking the headquarters'' elders. They''ll definitely have the leader''s contact information. The leader and I contact each other using a special code, and I can''t share it. I hope you can understand, Ms. Sullivan.¡± Understand? Yvette''s chest heaved as she panted in rage. She then pointed her finger at him, hissing, ¡°Even you are disrespecting me now, huh? Have you forgotten what my identity is in Tarragon? My father might not be here, but I can still easily remove you from your position.¡± With a thud, Daniel fell to his knees and gave himself a tight p. Of course, he would not give her the code, for disobeying the leader would bring worse punishments than offending her. ¡°Wow. Isn''t it lively here? Lord Euchler, what mistake did you make that brought you to your knees? Have you forgotten who you are? The person in charge of Tarragon''s branch only kneels before the leader.¡± It was Micah, who was entering the room at the same time. He swept his gaze over Daniel before ncing at Yvette with a half-smile. ¡°How could you make him kneel before you? Are you coveting the leader''s position?¡± Yvette froze. Her face paled as her voice trembled. ¡°N-No, no. I never thought of that, nor do I have the desire. Micah, I just wanted to see the leader and talk to him about some matters. Can you help me arrange a time for him to meet me?¡± A smile formed on Micah''s lips as he shook his head. ¡°I''m afraid I have to say no because even I don''t have the chance to meet him.¡± With that, he lowered his gaze to Daniel, who was still trembling, and continued, ¡°Didn''t the leader order you to release Ms. Shannon? Take me to Prudent Hall now.¡± ¡°Um...¡± Daniel could not help but nce at Yvette, looking conflicted. Noting that, Micah shot Daniel a re and yelled, ¡°What now? Are you going to disobey the leader''s words?¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Daniel got to his feet hastily and made a gesture for Micah to follow him before leaving the study first. Meanwhile, Micah shot Yvette a look while saying casually, ¡°Shannon wanted to kill you because she had some misunderstanding toward you. Thankfully, you''re unharmed. Please forgive her. After all, you two were like sisters who grew up together.¡± Sisters? Yvette scoffed inwardly. The truth was that Shannon only wanted to kill Yvette because she knew thetter was the one behind everything. There was no longer any friendship between them. Instead, they had be mortal enemies, and death was the only way to put an end to the situation. One of them had to die. ¡°Micah, are you misunderstanding something? I never thought of pushing Shannon to her death, but it''s undeniable that she harmed Lord Euchler''s daughter. She has to be punished, right? How else am I supposed to exin this to the others?¡± Micah smirked. ¡°Really? Well, I hope that''s what you really think. All right. I''ll go get Shannon out of prison now. You two should talk things out when you''re free. Who knows? It could resolve the misunderstanding.¡± Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. Yvette squeezed the hem of her dress as hostility flooded her gaze. You''re wrong, Micah. There''s no misunderstanding between Shannon and me. It''s a blood feud, one that''ll never be resolved. In the meantime, Shannon sat on the stone bench in the dungeon with her head hung low, looking weak. Her clothes were stained with blood. Clearly, she was punished. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and in walked Micah. The moment the stench of blood wafted toward him, he frowned instinctively. Anyone who ended up in Prudent Hall would be given some sort of punishment. However, Micah could feel his heart clench, albeit knowing the rules. To be precise, he was heartbroken. Nheless, he strode over and squatted down to hold her slender hands. ¡°There''s always hope as long as you''re alive. It''s not that I don''t believe you, but we can''t do anything to Yvette until we find evidence. It''s a logic your brother and I know very well. So, even if we know she did it, we can''t take action yet. Attacking her is like starting a war with the forces backing her. It''ll spark a blood bath. Do you understand what I''m saying?¡± he uttered hoarsely. As Shannon moved her stiff body, she felt a piercing pain coursing through her limbs as blood gurgled in her abdomen. She tried to suppress the blood from surging up to her throat. s, she failed and ended up spitting a mouthful of blood on Micah''s face. His expression turned gloomy instantly as the warm liquid trickled down his face like a red, toxic potion. He could not help but shudder as he pulled Shannon into his embrace. To his surprise, Shannon smiled indifferently and said with a hoarse voice, ¡°Sorry for dirtying your face.¡± Micah gazed at her with a pained look in his eyes. She has already lost the ability to have emotions. Is she losing the ability to feel pain now? How is she still looking so calm when she has been tortured so terribly? ¡°Shanny¡ª¡± After slowly cing her index finger on his lips, Shannon muttered intermittently, ¡°I stayed alive so I can kill the person who killed my son. Once I''ve solved the blood feud, I''ll meet Eugene in heaven. Can you not stop me when the timees?¡± Ssh. A tear rolled down from the corner of Micah''s eyes and fell on Shannon''s pale face, forming a sad yet beautiful pattern on her face. ¡°All right. I''ll go with you and protect him in heaven.¡± His words made Shannon smile. Right then, her head drooped to the side, and she fainted. Perhaps it''s for the best. She bears too much sin, and to continue living in the world will only fill her with more resentment. Dying could relieve her of all the hurt she experienced. ¡°Shanny!¡± Micah''s terrified scream echoed in the empty cell. Chapter 454 Chapter 454 In the infirmary of Tarragon''s branch, Micah was leaning against the wall, looking deep in thought while exuding a frosty aura. Suddenly, a series of rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor. The next second, Holden was seen hurrying over. He did not even spare Micah a nce but turned toward Daniel instead and asked in a deep voice, ¡°What did I tell you? Physical punishment is not allowed to be used on my sister. Are you deaf or something? Or are you sick of living and want me to kill you?¡± Daniel was so terrified that his knees almost buckled. He had to support himself against the wall next to him to prevent himself from falling down. ¡°Umm... Mr. Lewitt, the branch''s Prudent Hall is under the management of the headquarters. As such, the people managing the hall were also sent there by the headquarters. I have already informed them, but they insisted that the rules have to be followed. There''s nothing I can do.¡± When Holden heard that, he swung a hard punch at Daniel, causing thetter to stagger backward. ¡°Are you mute as well? Why didn''t you alert me of the situation? How could you have just watched them use physical force on my sister?¡± Daniel was on the verge of tears. Anything he said seemed wrong. The more he said, the more dangerous his situation would be. Finally, he decided to keep quiet and step back, trying not to bring attention to himself. Holden turned to look at Micah who was beside him and sneered. ¡°I''m the one who spoke to Daniel, and it was also me who pleaded with the leader. How could you be so shameless? You didn''t do a single thing, and yet, you took all the credit by being the one who got my sister out of the dungeon. How do you even have the cheek to be here?¡± Micah pressed his lips into a thin line and did not reply. Did he not approach Daniel as well? In fact, not only had he spoken to Daniel, but he had also threatened the person in charge of Prudent Hall that, if Shannon ended up dying under their torture, he would not hesitate to kill his entire family. The person in charge was terrified after being threatened by Micah. As such, he did not dare to inflict the full extent of the physical punishment on Shannon. Otherwise, given the woman''s frail body, she would not have made it out alive. He had also pleaded with the head of Tarragon not just by calling him, but he even visited him personally. Otherwise, Holden''s efforts alone would not be sufficient to get the leader to release Shannon. After all, Shannon had tried to assassinate Yvette, the only daughter of Leo, the previous head of Tarragon. As she had the support of most of the headquarters'' members, Shannon had invoked the members'' wrath by attempting to assassinate Yvette. The senior members at the headquarters were all raring to kill Shannon. Even though the head of Tarragon was the most powerful person in the organization, it wasn''t an easy task for him to calm everyone down and soothe their anger. He would not have agreed to help just because Holden alone had asked him to. Seeing how Micah remained silent, Holden raised his fist and was about to give the man a punch when the emergency room door suddenly opened, and a middle-aged female doctor walked out. Micah pushed Holden away and hurried toward the door. With a crease between his brows, he asked, ¡°How is she? Is her life in danger?¡± The doctor nodded and replied, ¡°Mr. Neyman, although Ms. Shannon had sustained serious injuries, they are not life-threatening, so please don''t worry. But...¡± The doctor found her heart aching slightly, and a hint of pity shed across her eyes as she spoke. What exactly had that woman gone through? Not only had she lost one arm, but she also... Shannon had suffered a lot and was just like a broken y doll that was pieced back together. She was Holden''s sister and Micah''s lover. Those two were Tarragon''s most powerful men. With both of them protecting and cherishing her, the woman was supposed to be the target of everyone''s envy. However, in the end, it was like all of the misfortune in the world had befallen her. Her life was so tragic that anyone would shed a tear for her. ¡°But what?¡± Micah asked in a deep voice. ¡°Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me honestly.¡± The doctor replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°Ms. Shannon had undergone an operation previously to remove her womb. Judging by the condition of her wound, it was likely to have happened three years ago.¡± A look of disbelief appeared on Micah''s handsome face. He stumbled a few steps backward and only managed to steady himself after bumping into Holden, who was behind him. That piece of information was an extremely huge blow to him. Three years ago. That''s when Eugene got into that car ident. She must have been in such despair, thinking that I had caused Eugene''s death. As such, she had chosen to remove her womb after losing the child. How disappointed and heartbroken does a woman have to be for her to do such a cruel thing to herself? Micah stared at the door to the emergency room with a pained expression as his body trembled uncontrobly. Holden was also frozen in shock. After he regained his senses, his feelings of disbelief turned into pity and heartache. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. The man reached out and pushed Micah away from him before entering the emergency room. While walking, he said to Micah, ¡°Don''t let me see you in the next few days. I might not be able to control my urge to kill you.¡± When Micah heard that, he staggered backward until he hit the wall. Finally, his legs gave way, and he slumped to the ground. Her womb is gone. How could she have removed her womb? We would never be able to have children together ever again. Micah covered his eyes with his hands, and a momentter, tears began flowing out through the spaces between his fingers while the man''s agonized wails reverberated through the empty corridor. At the same time, Yvette was standing at the corner of the hallway with her cold gaze fixed on Micah, who was sobbing on the floor. She slowly clenched her fists. Chapter 455 Chapter 455 Micah was a proud, dignified, and powerful man. He would go through raging gunfights and battles without flinching a single bit. However, he was currently crying because of Shannon, who was akin to useless trash in Yvette''s eyes. Why? That sl*t is in such a sorry state. Nothing about her is attractive to men. Why is such an outstanding man so devoted to her? D*mn you, Shannon Lewitt. You should just die. Why are you not dead yet after going through so much torture? ¡°Ms. Sullivan, Mr. Doyle called just now. He is looking for you urgently,¡± Yvette''s bodyguard reported in a hushed voice. With her fists tightly clenched, Yvette lingered outside the emergency room for half a minute longer before she turned around and left. Yvette, who had sat down on the stone bench in the garden, took over the phone from her bodyguard and dialed Dominic''s number. The moment the call went through, Dominic spoke before Yvette could say anything. ¡°Yve, are you still not giving up after everything you''ve been through? If Micah truly cared about you, he wouldn''t have disregarded your feelings and insisted on saving Shannon.¡± Yvette pursed her lips tightly and fell silent for a second. Holding back her tears, she replied, ¡°I''ve liked him ever since we were kids. I''ve admired him for a long time, and to me, he''s the most outstanding man in the world. He''s the only one for me.¡± The elder on the other end of the line let out a soft sigh before saying, ¡°That''s because you have not met any man who''s better than Micah. For example... Tarragon''s new leader. He''s a powerful and mysterious man who settled Tarragon''s internal strife single-handedly. Micah and Holden also willingly followed his lead. I''m sure you will change your mind after meeting the legendary man. Even Micah can''t bepared to him.¡± The leader of Tarragon? He was such a mysterious presence that he felt like a god who was out of women''s reach. Yvette suddenly tightened her grip on the phone. Will I be able to get close to him? It would be wonderful if I can. Bing the woman of Tarragon''s leader would be the perfect oue for her. Although she liked Micah and wanted to marry him, Micah did not have any feelings for her at all. Besides, his actions had already hurt her deeply. She would rather take a gamble than continue loving someone unrequitedly. If she could really meet the leader and be his woman, given her influence in Tarragon, she was confident that she would eventually gain control of the organization. ¡°Mr. Doyle, who is the new leader of Tarragon? I''ve never seen him before. Is he very ugly and that''s why he doesn''t dare to show his face?¡± ¡°No, not at all,¡± Dominic denied at once. ¡°He''s exceptionally handsome, and women would flock to him in droves.¡± When Yvette heard that, she could not help but feel excited. Is Mr. Doyle intending to reveal the identity of the new leader? If he''s indeed very handsome, no, actually, as long as he''s not too ugly, I wouldn''t mind giving it a shot. If she managed to be the matriarch of Tarragon, she would be able to torture Shannon in any way she wanted. She vowed that she would make sure that b*tch died a horrible death. ¡°Mr. Doyle, if you can help me be the leader''s woman, I will give up on Micah.¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Dominic let out a heartyugh before replying, ¡°Sure, sure! If you listen to what I say, I''m sure you''ll have a bright future ahead! I''ll make sure you be the leader''s woman and reign over Tarragon.¡± Initially, Yvette was still rather hesitant. However, after listening to Dominic''s words, a look of determination shed in her eyes. ¡°You haven''t told me who the new leader is.¡± ¡°Just wait for two days. Two dayster, the person in charge of Prudent Hall will be heading to Hallsbay to report the organization''s performance progress to the leader. As such, the leader will be at the branch on that day. You will be able to meet him then. You wouldn''t believe me even if I told you now anyway.¡± Yvette seemed to have caught some information from the elder''s words and could not help but ask, ¡°That means the leader is currently in Hallsbay, right?¡± ¡°That''s right. He resides permanently in Hallsbay.¡± Meanwhile, Wendy was strolling listlessly around the garden of the private mansion with a few maids trailing behind her. After spending some time with Holden, she was finally convinced that the man had indeed lost his memory. If that was the case, no one would know what actually happened back then. At that time, he had approached her in order to steal confidential information. As for whether he had ended up falling in love with her, it would always remain a mystery. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. Holden was a mature and disciplined man. By right, if he did not love her, he would not have slept with her, not to mention impregnate her. Therefore, she was quite certain that the man did have feelings for her. Perhaps, that was also part of the reason for his amnesia. It was also possible that Tarragon did not want to lose a talent like Holden and had intentionally wiped out his memories to force him to stay in the organization. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, Mr. Lewitt is back.¡± Wendy turned to look across the artificialke and saw Holden walking toward the residence with a woman in his arms. Who''s that woman? A crease appeared between Wendy''s brows. Could she be his new girlfriend? At that thought, the woman headed toward the house. She hurried toward the bedroom on the second floor and saw an attractive woman lying on the bed. ¡°You do know that I''m still here, right? Even if you have a new girlfriend, shouldn''t you at least try to hide it from me? You could have taken her somewhere else. Are you doing this on purpose just to humiliate me?¡± Wendy said through gritted teeth. Chapter 456 Chapter 456 Holden nced at Wendy silently. He was not good at exining himself. Moreover, there was no need for him to exin anything. What does she mean by a new lover? Shannon is my biological sister. Taking in his silence and the indifferent look on his charming face, the woman''s expression turned chilly, and her eyes reddened. ¡°Holden, you jerk! Sebastian is still in Raymond''s hands. Your son is carrying your burdens because you offended them back then! How can you ignore your own son''s plight and flirt with a woman so leisurely?¡± she choked out. After saying that, Wendy wiped the tears from her eyes and bolted out of the door. Shannon, who had just woken up, was about to greet Wendy, but before she could say anything, the latter was already gone. Thus, Shannon turned to her brother and said anxiously, ¡°Holden, you should go after Wendy and exin the situation to her. She truly loves you! Otherwise, she would not have turned her back on her family and given up on her inheritance. It''s extremely difficult to find someone who cherishes you wholeheartedly in this day and age. You should treasure her more.¡± Holden furrowed his brows in response. He had never appeased a woman before, let alone a woman who had given birth to his child. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. It was awkward enough for him to see her, much less try to console her with gentle and soothing words. The mere thought of doing so made his scalp tingle. ¡°Holden...¡± Shannon struggled to sit up, but she was immediately pushed back down by Holden. ¡°Just lie still and don''t move around.¡± ¡°Then hurry and exin the situation to her. Otherwise, I''ll get off the bed and go myself!¡± Inside the second bedroom, Wendy sat at the edge of the bed while wiping her tears. Standing at the door, Holden hesitated for a brief second before exining, ¡°She''s my sister. My real sister.¡± Wendy lifted her head and looked at him with tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes, looking extremely pitiful. Unconsciously, Holden took a few steps forward and slowly walked to the side of the bed. He then reached out to wipe away a teardrop at the corner of her eye. Wendy stared at him nkly, enjoying the brief moment of tenderness he was showing her. ¡°Don''t worry about Sebastian, for I will surely rescue him. So, please stop saying such things to provoke me. It''s extremely hurtful.¡± With that, Holden turned to leave the room. Pursing her lips into a thin line, Wendy asked through clenched teeth. ¡°The famous doctor, Anonymous, should be able to cure your amnesia. Holden, do you wish to regain your lost memories?¡± Holden halted in his steps, but still, he did not turn around. He stood rooted to the spot for a long moment before letting a single word escape through the gaps between his teeth. ¡°No.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of? Are you afraid to find out that you were the one who betrayed me after you regain your memories? Holden, are you such an irresponsible person? Once, I abandoned my family for your sake without hesitation. Now, it''s your turn to face the truth from your past. Are you just going to ignore it?¡± Holden exited the room without responding. Livid, Wendy grabbed a pillow and angrily hurled it in the direction Holden had vanished in. ¡°Idiotic jerk!¡± I would have left ages ago if I didn''t need his help to rescue Sebastian. Meanwhile, the hype about Vespera''s appearance in Hallsbay continued to spread like wildfire. Initially, only a small group of people worshipped Vespera, but the number of supporters soon increased at a rapid pace. Thus, Lina was able to secure a foothold for herself in the city. Meanwhile, in the CEO''s office at Luther Group''s headquarters, Bailey ced the documents in her hands on the desk and said with a smile, ¡°I don''t think you can avoid donating the funds, because if you refuse to donate, they''re just going to assume that I''m the one pulling the strings due to my dislike of Vespera. Obviously, the public thinks I would be reluctant to let the antique appraising ceremony be a Sweeping his gaze over the newspapers, Artemis could not hold back augh. ¡°Then, they are mistaken. Not only am I going to donate the money, but I''m also going to make sure the ceremony for the receiving of the cultural relics is extremely grand. I will ensure that Vespera steals the show, making everyone worship her.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Bailey could not hold back herughter. Artemis is up to his tricks again. I have a feeling someone is going to suffer. Reaching out for the internal phone, Artemis called the chief secretary. ¡°Mr. Luther, how may I help you?¡± ¡°Contact the finance department and request they donate five billion to the Cultural Relics Bureau. Also, get the public rtions department to contact everyone notable in Hallsbay. They are to drop everything and attend the event held by Cultural Relics Bureau the day the relics arrive in Hallsbay. Tell them that if they are absent, they will receive an invitation to Luther Group. We will then chat about possible mergers and acquisitions over some coffee.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther.¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow. Ratemis appears to be quite dashing today. ¡°And here I thought I was the merciless one. I didn''t expect you to outdo me. Aren''t you afraid you''d send someone right to their grave under that immense pressure?¡± Rubbing his chin, Artemis repliednguidly, ¡°The rumors about your unknown father and that you''re an illegitimate child were spread at that woman''s behest. She''s obviously trying to crush you and besmirch your name in order to take over your position in the hearts of the people in Hallsbay. She hit a nerve there, so I''m already showing her mercy for not having her killed outright.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle. Oh, Lina. Why couldn''t you have just stayed put? Why did you leap out of the pan and into the fire? I already let you have Vespera''s identity, but still, you were not content and tried to use said identity to pressure me. Hmph, I think you''ve overstepped your bounds. You deserve whatever Artemis has in mind for you. ¡°Artemis, I''ll be addicted to you if you spoil me so much.¡± ¡°That''s fine, I''ll just have to¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Bailey''s expression changed drastically as she bent over. Shocked, Artemis hurried to the other side of the desk and held her. ¡°What''s wrong? Does your stomach hurt?¡± he asked anxiously. In the blink of an eye, Bailey''s forehead was covered in sweat, and her face had turned as pale as a sheet. She clung tightly to Artemis'' arm and murmured in a trembling voice, ¡°I had my meal at the office today. Someone must have done something to my food or drink because this is a sign of a miscarriage.¡± Upon hearing that, Artemis'' expression instantly changed. Bending over, he attempted to lift Bailey into his arms. Bailey shouted frantically, ¡°Don''t move me! I can''t be moved at this moment, or I''ll immediately have a miscarriage. Pour a ss of warm water and bring it to me.¡± Sweating all over in a state of panic, Artemis helped her lean against the desk before rushing over to the water dispenser with his cup. Bailey reached into her pocket and fished around for a moment before finding a porcin bottle. Ever since she decided to keep the child, she was cautious enough to keep the anti-abortifacient with her at all times just in case she needed it. Who would have thought it woulde in handy now? After mixing the pill with some warm water, she swallowed it. The next second, a searing pain coursed through her abdominal cavity. She had taken a wonder drug that would cause a certain degree of harm to the mother''s body. Afraid that Artemis would stop her from taking it, she had not informed him in advance. However, even if she did not tell him, that did not mean Artemis was unaware of what she had done. ¡°What did you just take?¡± asked Artemis through gritted teeth. Chapter 457 Chapter 457 A tad bit aggrieved, Bailey looked at him with teary eyes and pouty lips that could arouse anyone''s sympathy. ¡°You''re being mean to me.¡± Artemis took a deep breath topose himself, unwilling to let the sympathy and heartache he felt for the woman cloud his judgment. The veins on his forehead bulged as he put on a steely expression and repeated, ¡°What did you eat just now? Tell me.¡± It was then Bailey knew she couldn''t talk her way out of the situation any longer, for it must have struck a nerve in the man, and it wouldn''t be so easy to fool him. ¡°I-It''s just a wonder drug to stabilize the embryo.¡± Upon noticing how the man''s expression became grimmer by the second, Bailey hurriedly added, ¡°It won''t affect the baby at all...¡± When she put it that way, Artemis'' expression clouded over, causing Bailey to shut her mouth in fear. This guy isn''t worried about the baby, so why is he wearing such a gloomy expression? Could it be that... ¡°I-It won''t bring any harm to my body either. Calm down, I¡ª¡± ¡°Tell me the truth,¡± demanded Artemis through gritted teeth. Instantly, Bailey couldn''t help but shudder and stammered a hasty exnation, ¡°There might be some side effects, but nothing''s more important than keeping the baby safe. Don''t worry, I''ll be fine.¡± As soon as she finished talking, the man in front of her pulled her into a tight embrace. He then lowered his head and began kissing her lips. It became clear as day that Artemis was incredibly tensed, for his lips were quivering slightly as he kissed her. I guess he must''ve been frightened. ¡°I''m fine.¡± Bailey reached out a hand to pat him on the back whileforting him, ¡°I should do everything I can to protect the baby. That''s my responsibility, after all.¡± In the next second, Artemis pushed her away and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Are you sure it''s the abortifacient? Tell me everything you consumed earlier today.¡± Bailey''s brows knitted together as she sunk into deep thought. ¡°I ate some food from the restaurant, had a fruit juice from the convenience store, some coffee from the office, and... some fruits that one of the secretaries sent over from their hometown.¡± The man reached his hand out, intending to pick up the internal phone on the desk and order some investigating to be done. Seeing this, she instantly stopped him and shook her head. ¡°Let''s not alert our enemies. Instead, carry me out of the office and act as if I''m suffering a miscarriage¡ª¡± ¡°Don''t talk nonsense.¡± Uh... okay. ¡°Then just act as if I''m... in need of medical attention and head to Justin''s medical base.¡± Artemis frowned as he looked at the woman. ¡°So, you mean to say...¡± Curling the corner of her lips into a smile, Bailey exined, ¡°Isn''t a certain someone paying close attention to the baby in my belly? If she thinks she''s seeded, won''t she get too cocky and reveal her true colors?¡± Realization dawned upon him, and he carried her in his strong, sturdy arms. ¡°All right. We''ll do as you say.¡± Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Right after saying that, he stormed out of the CEO''s office with a grim expression stered on his handsome countenance, all the while emanating an aura of fury. ¡°Mr. Luther, what happened to Mrs. Luther?¡± The chief secretary was about to enter the CEO''s office to report on the work progress when she saw Artemis dashing out of the room with Bailey in his arms. Upon noticing Bailey clutching her abdomen and the beads of cold sweat on her pale face, the chief secretary instantly snapped back to her senses. ¡°I''ll give the infirmary a call and have them make the preparations.¡± ¡°No need. I''ll take her to Justin''s medical base. In the meantime, find out everything Mrs. Luther ate, drank, touched, and used today, as well as who she''s met. I want every single detail.¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± After watching Artemis get on the elevator, the chief secretary turned around, sweeping her gaze across the employees who were curiously looking on. ¡°What are you all looking at? Don''t you know that disaster is upon us? If anything happens to the child that Mrs. Luther''s carrying, none of the employees on this floor will be able to escape suspicion,¡± she roared. Chloe ran out of the executive assistant''s office and clung to the chief secretary''s shoulder, asking, ¡°What happened to Ms. Bailey? She was fine when she left the executive assistant''s office. How did it happen so suddenly¡ª¡± The chief secretary studied her briefly before sneering, ¡°You''re Mrs. Luther''s assistant. Shouldn''t you know what happened? Also, are you aware of the rules? Who''re you calling Ms. Bailey? You''re on the top floor of Luther Group, so you should be addressing her as Mrs. Luther, do you understand?¡± Chloe''s hands clenched slowly into fists, though she still maintained a smile on her face. Who does this woman think she is? She''s nothing but an average person who graduated from a prestigious university. What right does she have to bark orders at me? Does she not know I''m the mayor''s daughter? Chief secretary, huh? This position seems awesome. Tomorrow, I''lle with up a n to get this woman kicked out of Luther Group and take over her job. ¡°It''s my fault for not taking good care of Ms. Bai¡ª Mrs. Luther well enough. I''ll find out what''s the cause of this incident, and I assure you I''ll provide Mr. and Mrs. Luther with an exnation.¡± ¡°That won''t be necessary.¡± The chief secretary walked past Chloe and strode toward the surveince room. ¡°I''ll investigate this myself. You can get back to your work.¡± There was nothing Chloe could say in response to that. As she looked at the chief secretary''s slender silhouette, the hatred and scorn in her heart grew more and more intense. I have to think of a way to get rid of this woman for no other reason than the fact that she''s one of Bailey''s supporters. That''s right! I need a scapegoat for the abortifacient incident. I''ll just pick her to take the me for me! That evening, the news of Bailey''s miscarriage spread from the medical base and became the headlines for every single one of Hallsbay''s media outlets. Chapter 458 Chapter 458 When word about the miscarriage spread like wildfire, not everyonemented the sudden turn of events. Some were overjoyed about it, while others sympathized with Bailey. Before long, all sorts ofments popted the inte. Aizen wrote: ¡°Bailey Jefferson''s a b*stard child who doesn''t even know who her biological father is. Her mother, Sophia Carr, is a shameless wench and a homewrecker. God probably couldn''t bear to watch it any longer. Not only did He punish the promiscuous Sophia by having her perish in a fire, but He also punished Bailey''s baby.¡± Anotherizen expressed: ¡°Perhaps the Luther family couldn''t handle the pressure and refused to ept a woman who''s a b*stard into their family, so they fed her the abortifacient.¡± There were also countless spectivements suggesting that Artemis must''ve grown tired of Bailey and fallen for a younger, prettier girl. As a result, he kicked her in the stomach, causing the miscarriage. All of the theories and rumors verified the same truth¡ªBailey had miscarried. She had lost the leverage to marry into the Luther family. Thus, it was a day of celebration for the legion of women who were vying for the chance to marry into a wealthy family. At the medical base, Felicity looked at Bailey, who was lying motionless in the hospital bed, and eximed while patting her chest, ¡°You scared me! I really thought you''d miscarried.¡± Though Bailey''splexion was still quite pale, she was a lot more energetic than before. Upon hearing Felicity''s words, she couldn''t help teasing the older woman, ¡°I thought you''d hold a party to celebrate after finding out about my miscarriage. After all, my identity is rather awkward, and everyone''s calling me a b*stard. If I marry into the family, you''ll all be criticized.¡± Felicity shot her a re and snappily said, ¡°Although the public''sments are nasty, I can''t deny the fact that you''ve contributed greatly to our family. My views aren''t muddled; I know what''s right and wrong, so you don''t have to make fun of me. As long as the little ones are children of the Luther family, I''ll turn a blind eye to everything else.¡± A faint smile hung on Bailey''s lips. ¡°In that case, I have to thank you for not stepping on me when I''m down.¡± After letting out a scoff, Felicity turned toward her son with her brows furrowed and asked, ¡°What''s going on? Haven''t you two been at Luther Group the entire day? How could this happen?¡± Artemis nced at his mother and said tly, ¡°Do you think Luther Group''s that secure? There are plenty of people out there who are looking to harm her. After all, the matriarch of the Luther family and the wife of Luther Group''s CEO are both extremely attractive positions. Those women would stop at nothing to jump at the chance.¡± At that, Felicity''s expression dimmed. ¡°Then, you''ll have to investigate this thoroughly. Although I don''t like Bailey much, I won''t allow anyone to harm my precious grandchild.¡± Artemis said nothing in response to his mother''s words. Instead, he made his way to Bailey''s side and spoke with her for a bit. He then spun on his heels and left the room, saying he''d go collect the report from Justin. In the study, Artemis leaned on his desk and scrutinized the medical report in his hands. ¡°Bailey took a wonder drug. What sort of harm will it cause her body?¡± Justin was in the midst of printing some documents. He swept his gaze across the papers before replying, ¡°It might cause menopathy.¡± Menopathy? How would taking a wonder drug result in these gynecological diseases? ¡°Are you sure? She''s taking an anti-abortifacient, so why would it cause such side effects?¡± Justin threw the papers onto the desk, signaling Artemis to see for himself. This time, thetter wasn''t pretentious and readily admitted, ¡°I don''t understand. Exin it to me.¡± Squinting his eyes at Artemis, Justin snorted a bark ofughter. ¡°You''ve sure be low-key after getting yourself a wife. Someponents in the anti-abortifacient can cause changes to one''s uterus, and that''s also why its effects are so remarkable.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes as he crumpled the papers in his hand. ¡°What sort of diseases can menopathy cause, or what sort of effects will it have on one''s body?¡± ¡°The woman might experience severe pain during her periods.¡± Just then, Veronique walked in. ¡°Very, very painful cramps.¡± Pursing his lips, Artemis queried in a low voice, ¡°Is there no way to treat it?¡± ¡°No. The development of period pain due to menopathy is dependent on one''s body. There are no medications to manage the pain, let alone treat the condition. One can only endure the pain. If the patient''s significant other knows how to appreciate her, perhaps it might lessen her sufferings.¡± At that, Artemis was rendered speechless. The next day, Holden made another visit to Sunny Resort. In the reception room, Raymond fiddled with his beard as he asked, ¡°Have you thought about it, Mr. Lewitt? Will you hand over your son in exchange for the two conditions I proposed?¡± Holden leaned against his seat and looked at the manzily. ¡°Do you think I''d be sitting here if I don''t agree to your conditions? All right, you''ve got yourself a deal. Tarragon''s forces havergely withdrawn from Epea, and we''ll also hand over the control of Zaewora to the Hoffman family. I''ve already done everything I should, so can you release my son now?¡± Release him? Raymond certainly wasn''t nning on letting Holden''s son go easily. The fact that Holden was willing to give in so readily showed how much he cared about his son. Raymond could use Holden''s son as a pawn to keep him in check and reap more benefits from him in the future. The older man would be a fool to let such a useful pawn go just like that. ¡°Very well. I''ll release your son when I return to my family.¡±Content protected by N?v/el(D)rama.Org. Chapter 459 Chapter 459 Holden failed to stifle augh. ¡°Do I look like a fool to you? I know my son wouldn''t be freed upon your return.¡± Raymond merely shrugged his shoulders, looking like an old rogue. ¡°Don''t forget, Mr. Lewitt, you''re the one asking me for a favor, and I''m the one making the decisions here.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Holden slowly got out of his seat and fished out an emerald pendant from his pocket, ying with it in the palm of his hand. Upon noticing the pendant, the older man sprang to his feet. ¡°What did you do to my grandchild?¡± ¡°Nothing much. All I did was send him to Tarragon''s Prudent Hall for an experience. The kid''scking in physical fitness, so he passed out a couple of times, but don''t worry, he''s still alive.¡± Raymond''s expression changed drastically at the mention of Prudent Hall. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. That ce was akin to hell, where all sorts of gruesome torments would be inflicted, and chances of making it out alive were slim. ¡°Holden, although we''re enemies, we should still abide by the unspoken rule of not harming the women or children. Are you trying to break that rule by targeting my grandchild?¡± he questioned. Amused by the older man''s usations, Holden chuckled. This old bat dares to talk to me about the unspoken rules of our industry. Does he have no shame? ¡°Well, isn''t my son in your hands right now? Aren''t you threatening me with my son? If not, then I''ll take my leave,¡± he voiced. With that, he turned around and walked to the door. However, he did not forget to add, ¡°Oh right, Mr. Raymond, he''s your biological grandchild, correct? If you wish to save him, then you''ll have to agree to my terms. As for the terms... I''ll think about it at home and let you know.¡± The older man''s face twitched violently as it grew red with fury. He was the one threatening Holden and had gotten what he wanted, but the tables turned in the blink of an eye. In fact, it was a dramatic turn of events. Raymond eximed, ¡°Wait! I''ll trade with you! Give me control over Zaewora, withdraw from Epea, and release my grandson. In return, I-I''ll let your son go.¡± Hearing the proposal, Holden halted in his tracks and turned around. A smile spread across his face, but it did not quite reach his eyes. ¡°Are you daydreaming, Mr. Raymond? My son''s in your hands, while your grandson''s in mine. It''s only fair if we make an equal exchange. How could you add two additional conditions?¡± Raymond was so infuriated by the man''s words that he was shaking in fury as his face turned ashen. ¡°Are you trying to go back on your word? Do you think I dare not kill your son?¡± he snarled. Holden merely spread his hands. ¡°Do as you please. He wouldn''t feel lonely with your grandson apanying him in the afterlife. But it''s really unfortunate for you, Mr. Raymond. Your son passed away at a young age and only left one descendant. Your grandson''s your precious treasure, isn''t he? I don''t suppose you can have any more children, so it looks like he''s the only one who can continue your family''s bloodline.¡± Every single one of his words was merciless, stabbing Raymond where it hurt the most. ¡°Not bad, not bad at all! In that case, let''s just keep stalling like this.¡± Holden quirked a brow at the older man''s words. ¡°Are you sure, Mr. Raymond? I''d suggest you get rid of your wishful thinking. After all, your grandson''s in Prudent Hall. He could cross over to the afterlife at any second.¡± Raymond''s legs gave out, and he fell heavily onto the chair. Seeing how severely devastated the man was brought a smile to Holden''s face. ¡°Indeed, I did take Zaewora from the Hoffman family. Many years have passed since then, and Tarragon has grown significantly. As such, I''ll be generous and return the territory to you.¡± Raymond looked up at him, his voice trembling as he asked, ¡°A-Are you speaking the truth? You''re returning Zaewora to the Hoffman family?¡± ¡°But on the condition that you hand over my son, and of course, I''ll also release your grandson.¡± The older man shut his eyes, and calmness filled his tired-looking eyes when he finally opened them again. ¡°Okay,¡± he uttered through clenched teeth. He then fell silent for a moment before adding, ¡°Order Tarragon''s men to withdraw from Zaewora first. I''ll release your son once my people have taken over the territory.¡± Holden merely shrugged at his suggestion. ¡°It doesn''t matter to me, but the transition of power could take at least three or four days. Are you sure your grandson will be able to hold out until then?¡± Raymond clenched his teeth so hard that grating sounds could be heard. ¡°Don''t worry. Wendy is my woman and a member of the Hoffman family. As a show of respect for her, I won''t go back on my word,¡± added Holden. That left Raymond with no other choice. His opponent could very well father another offspring after losing one. After all, Holden was in his prime and had no reason to worry about having no heirs. s, that was not the case for Raymond. His son had passed away, and he himself was well past the age to procreate. Hence, his grandson was his priceless treasure. If anything were to happen to the little boy, his family line would end then and there. ¡°All right, I''ll trust you this once. If you still have a conscience, Holden, you should stop using Wendy as your bait. She''s given too much for your sake, and she''s not a pawn of yours.¡± ¡°Rest assured. I''m a man of my word,¡± Holden responded with a smile. Raymond then raised his hand and gestured at the bodyguard who was standing at the side. ¡°Bring Mr. Sebastian here.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Soon after, Sebastian was brought over. The little boy had been sleeping and eating well, so much so that he had gained some weight. Rage seethed within Raymond as he fixed his gaze on the fair and chubby boy in front of him. He''s been eating well and getting tons of rest over here, yet my grandson''s being tormented over at Prudent Hall. Patting Sebastian''s head, Holden said to Raymond, ¡°If there''s nothing else, we''ll be leaving first.¡± The older man waved at them, crestfallen. ¡°Get lost.¡± Holden did not say anything more and left with his son. Shortly after that, Raymond received a call from his residence. Only when his grandson''s voice came from the other end of the line did he realize he had been fooled. Unable to repress his anger, Raymond smashed the phone to the ground after hanging up the call. Holden, you brat! How dare you trick me! He was furious, but at the same time, relief suffused him. His grandson was safe, and that was all that he cared about. It did not matter if he was fooled, for nothing was more important than the life of his grandson. ¡°Tell everyone we''ll return to Moranta three dayster,¡± Raymond ordered. ¡°Understood.¡± After leaving the resort with Sebastian, Holden started the car and drove away. In the car, Sebastian sat in the passenger seat and furrowed his brows as he nced over at the man in the driver''s seat. ¡°What did you give in exchange for me?¡± he asked. As Holden focused his attention on the road, he replied in a deep and maic voice, ¡°The control over Zaewora.¡± ¡°Pathetic.¡± An expression of disdain formed on the little boy''s face. ¡°After all that, you still had to give up Zaewora in exchange for me. Isn''t that so pathetic?¡± Augh escaped the man when he heard that. ¡°I have countless methods to save you, but this is the only one that can satisfy your mother. I used her to gain control over Zaewora, and because of that, she was exiled from her family. I don''t know how to make it up to her, so the best I can do is return something her family rightfully owns.¡± Chapter 460 Chapter 460 There was nothing Holden could do about the fact that his son disdained him. Given that he had been active in the underworld for years, no one in the world would dare disrespect him. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. It was his first time to be disdained by someone else, not to mention by a bratty kid. After listening to his exnation, Sebastian snorted softly. There was still a scowl on his face, but a small smile began to form at the corners of his lips. This birth father of mine didn''t end up disappointing me. Mmh. I''m quite satisfied. Out of the corner of his eye, Holden nced at Sebastian. Seeing the quirk on his lips, he could not help but reach out to caress his head. After a moment of silence, he attempted to exin. ¡°It''s not that I don''t care about you and your mother. I didn''t know that you guys existed in the first ce. Now that I''ve found out, of course, I''m not going to watch from afar anymore. Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of you two. I won''t let anyone bully you guys.¡± Sebastian felt rather awkward. Following a snort, he avoided Holden''s touch. ¡°If you dare to bully my mommy, I''ll annoy you to death.¡± Holden was speechless. At Luther Group''s headquarters, the atmosphere in the office on the top floor was incredibly suffocating. Each and every employee was trembling with fear, and they did not even dare to breathe too heavily. Artemis leaned against the doorframe of the secretary''s office. His eyes were narrowed as he stared at the chief secretary across from him and asked, ¡°Why did you drug Mrs. Luther? She''s always treated you like a friend. Because of that, she didn''t have her guard up around you. You, on the other hand, decided to betray her.¡± The chief secretary was so terrified that her legs turned to jelly. Unable to stand straight, she hurriedly grabbed onto the desk next to her to regain her bnce. ¡°I-It wasn''t me, Mr. Luther. It really wasn''t me. Why would I drug Mrs. Luther? She''s so kind to me. I wouldn''t bite the hand that feeds me. There must be someone trying to frame me. I''m sure of it,¡± she insisted. Without waiting for Artemis'' response, Chloe, who had been standing at the side, stepped forward. She pointed at the chief secretary''s nose and berated, ¡°You ungrateful b*tch. Mrs. Luther has treated you so well, yet you harmed her. How could you betray her trust like that? You said you weren''t the one who drugged her, but why are there traces of abortifacient found in the fruits that you served to Bailey? From what I remember, you brought the fruits from your hometown. Who could it be if not you?¡± As soon as those words fell from her lips, the petrified employees were worried that they would be implicated. After thinking for a while, they all made the chief secretary their target, intending to make her bear that crime. It was all about survival of the fittest. That was the only way they could protect themselves. They had no other choice. The corporate world was just that cruel¡ªit was a dog-eat-dog world. ¡°Ms. West is right. It was the chief secretary. She was the one who drugged Mrs. Luther.¡± ¡°That''s right. Even though she acts all respectful to Mrs. Luther, she''s actually jealous of her.¡± ¡°You probably don''t know this, Mr. Luther, but the chief secretary''s been in love with you for a long time. She hated Mrs. Luther for stealing you, so she wanted to take revenge on her. She''s downright vicious.¡± The chief secretary was at a loss for words. Turning around abruptly, she looked at the subordinates she had personally selected from various departments in disbelief. Her teeth were clenched so hard that the sound of them grinding together was audible. All this while, I treated them so well. It never hit me that they would be the first to turn against me the moment I was in trouble. I was a fool to meet my doom at the hands of the people I had handpicked. It is simply ridiculous, incredibly so. When Chloe saw that everyone was ndering the chief secretary, she revealed an icy smirk. The way they were all kicking her when she was down was a perfect representation of how merciless society could be. The chief secretary had met her downfall. Once her position was vacant, the others would have a chance to fill it. There was no way they were going to let that chance slide. ¡°You heard it yourself, Mr. Luther. Everyone''s saying that the chief secretary had a motive. When combined with the conclusive evidence, we can confirm that she harmed the child in Mrs. Luther''s womb. You have to punish her,¡± Chloe dered. Her powerful voice resonated through the ce, and she spoke without room for negotiation. In the meantime, the chief secretary found it impossible to refute the usation thrown her way. Because of the unbearable shock, she took a few steps back and eventually slumped onto a swivel chair. ¡°It wasn''t me. It really wasn''t me. Mrs. Luther is so kind. How could I bear to hurt her? I would never do that,¡± she babbled. Chloe sneered. ¡°Those who have done wrong never admit it. However, we have witnesses and proof. There''s no point in trying to deny it.¡± The chief secretary''s sharp gaze shifted over to Chloe. She seemed to have thought of something, and her pupils shrank violently. ¡°It''s you. It must be you. I''m sure of it.¡± Chloe narrowed her eyes. She was just about to snap at her, but Artemis was one step ahead. ¡°We have definite proof of you drugging Mrs. Luther with abortifacient. You should have been detained immediately. However, since Mrs. Luther considers you a friend, she has decided to let you go. From today onward, you are cklisted from everypany under Luther Group.¡± Once he was done speaking, he turned and went to the CEO''s office. The chief secretary wanted to chase after him but was stopped by Chloe, who gave her an icy grin. Thetter whispered, ¡°Know your ce, or else you won''t be able to survive in Hallsbay. I''m the mayor''s daughter. Believe me when I say I can ruin your life with a snap of my fingers.¡± There was nothing the chief secretary could say in response. Chloe reached out to pat her on the shoulder, then turned and left the secretary''s office. Upon arriving at the CEO''s office, she received an order that took her by surprise. ¡°From today onward, you will take over as the chief secretary.¡± Chapter 461 Chapter 461 Surprise filled Chloe''s gaze as she stared at the handsome man with his arm propped on the desk. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The reason why she had gone after him was that she wanted to request the position of chief secretary. Despite that, Artemis had already put the suggestion forward himself before she even managed to say anything. Has he already been seduced by my beauty? He must be after my young, tender body, and this is how he''s trying to let me know. Is he implying that I''m going to be his new lover? That must be it. Bailey, that old hag, has already given birth to three kids. I bet she must be loose down there. It''s only natural that Mr. Luther''s not interested in her anymore. The thought of it made Chloe feel smug. All men are like that. Sessful, powerful men, especially, have plenty of lovers. I''m gorgeous, a virgin, and I have a good temperament. Not only that, but I''m charming, pure, and lovely at the same time. No man could withstand my allure. ¡°A-Are you really promoting me to the chief secretary, Mr. Luther?¡± she asked. Artemis leaned against his chair and cast a sidelong nce at her. With a half-smile, he replied, ¡°Out of everyone in the secretary''s office, you''re the only one with the best education and family background. Who else would I promote? The chief secretary is also the representative of thepany. Of course, I have to choose someone well-qualified.¡± Chloe was overwhelmed by the immense joy. Her ego immediately puffed up, and she began to get carried away. There was a look of infatuation on her face as she gazed at the slender, elegant figure behind the office desk. Losing her self-restraint, she rounded the table and made her way to the man sitting on the swivel chair. As she walked, she unbuttoned her clothes. The woman was putting her all into seducing him. Chloe sure made use of the resources she could get her hands on as the mayor''s daughter. Considering that her figure was well-developed, she must have taken good care of herself since she was young. Paired with her alluring gestures, it was an irresistiblebination for any man. Artemis lightly rapped his fingers on the table. His gaze fell on her movements, and the look in his eyes was unfathomable. From his point of view, he was not looking at the body of a woman but a pile of flesh. Aside from Bailey, everyone else looked the same to him. They were just a bunch of walking blobs of meat, and they meant nothing to him. With him staring at her like that, Chloe''s face immediately turned crimson. She coyly called out, ¡°Mr. Luther.¡± Her tone was enough to make one''s body tingle. At that moment, Ken''s voice could be hearding from the outside. He reported, ¡°Mr. Chantler from the Cultural Relics Bureau is here, Mr. Luther. He says that he wants to express his gratitude for your generosity personally.¡± That made Chloe jolt in shock. She haphazardly buttoned her clothes back up. However, the people outside did not give her the time to tidy her clothes. A series of footsteps sounded, and a man in his forties or fifties walked in. When Harry Chantler saw what was going on inside the room, he gave two light coughs and blurted, ¡°It seems that this isn''t a convenient time for you, Mr. Luther. I''ll go to the reception room first. Go on.¡± Artemis smirked devilishly. Harry was the one he had been waiting for, so there was no way he was going to let him slip away. ¡°We need you to sign the donation beneficiary form, Mr. Chantler. If you don''t, you might not be able to receive the funds. I''m swamped, and I have to hold a meeting with the higher-upster. Thus, I''m not sure if I''ll be able to make time to meet with you. If we postpone this, we might have to dy it for a few days,¡± he piped up. Harry retracted his extended leg. He desperately needed the donation. If he were to leave at a time like that, there was no telling when he would be able to see Artemis again. ¡°O-Okay, then. Let''s sign it now. I''ll do it now,¡± he agreed. Artemis reached out to get the documents from his file. As he skimmed through them, he asked, ¡°You know Ms. West, don''t you, Mr. Chantler?¡± Harry felt awkward. He darted a nce across Chloe''s body, then quickly looked away. ¡°Y-Yes, I do. Who doesn''t know the daughter of the mayor? You could say I''m well-acquainted with her father.¡± Hearing that, Artemis smiled and passed him the file in his hands. Harry quickly took it and picked up a nearby pen to start filling it up. Artemis leaned back and casually remarked, ¡°Ms. West learned about your visit, so she specially came to the CEO''s office to wait for you. There''s a lounge inside. Mr. Chantler, how about I lend you the space so that you two can have fun?¡± Thud! The pen in Harry''s hand dropped onto the table. Disbelief was written all over his face as he eyed Artemis. His voice trembled as he asked, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, you can''t joke around like that. Chloe''s like a daughter to me. H-How could I sleep with her?¡± He was direct with his words. When Chloe heard that, she was so terrified that her face turned pale. That old man was none other than her father''s subordinate. He was a whole thirty years older than her. Even thinking about doing the dirty deed with him made her sick in the stomach. She began, ¡°Mr. Luther, you¡ª¡± Artemis did not wait for her to finish. Smiling at Harry, he said, ¡°I''m sure you can tell what''s going on right now, Mr. Chantler. My chief secretary has already taken the initiative to make a move. What are you afraid of? Don''t worry. I won''t say a word. You can do anything you want. If you''re worried because I''m here, I can leave and let you have the office to yourselves for an hour. Actually, how about two hours? Is that enough?¡± Harry was so frightened that his legs gave out. It was impossible for him to taint his superior''s daughter. If he were to let loose and ruin Chloe''s innocence, her father might put him behind bars for a lifetime. ¡°M-Mr. Luther, please don''t make fun of me anymore. Chloe is such a pure girl. You should have her,¡± Harry pleaded. Chapter 462 Chapter 462 Upon hearing that, Chloe felt so ashamed that she wished the ground could open up and swallow her whole. By then, she finally figured out that Artemis knew Harry was going toe to the CEO''s office, which was why he had allowed her to strip. Afterward, he wanted to use Harry to teach her a cruel lesson. Sure enough, he was heartless. ¡°How could you do this, Mr. Luther?¡± She stomped on the ground with her high heels a few times, then dashed out of the office. Watching her leave with her tail between her legs, Artemis sneered. Harry gazed at him fearfully. With his voice shaking, he said, ¡°M-Mr. Luther, Chloe''s been spoiled ever since she was young. Please be more tolerant of her.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows in response, chuckling lightly. ¡°I was merely joking earlier. Don''t take it to heart. You should really tell Jacques to educate his daughter, though. The fact that she just starts stripping out of nowhere is pretty bad. It''s harmful to her reputation.¡± There was no way Harry had the guts to refuse. While wiping away the sweat on his forehead, he agreed, ¡°Okay. I''ll let Jacques know when I bump into him.¡± Meanwhile, the chief secretary had epted her fate. She obediently went to the HR department to carry out the resignation procedures. In reality, she was only doing so because Chloe had too powerful of a background. Even if she knew that Chloe had spiked the fruits, she dared not investigate the issue. Losing her job was not a big deal, but it would be disastrous if she did something to make the West family hate her. All of her family and friends were in Hallsbay. If she crossed the mayor of the city, they would no longer be able to survive there. Chloe was the only daughter of the West family, and all of her family members had high hopes for her. If the chief secretary recklessly exposed the fact that Chloe had tried to drug someone with abortifacient, it would cause an uproar. Consequently, Chloe''s reputation would be ruined, and the West family would certainly get revenge on her in the worst ways imaginable. Her friends and family would have no more ce in Hallsbay. After leaving the HR department, the chief secretary was about to go to the finance department to settle her sry when the phone in her hand suddenly rang. She looked down and saw that it was a call from Bailey. The moment she saw Bailey''s name on the screen, she teared up and nearly started bawling. Once the call went through, she could hear Bailey''s feeble voice. ¡°Come to the parking lot for a second, Ms. York. Don''t let anyone see you. Stay hidden.¡± Then, she hung up without waiting for a reply. Without hesitation, Ms. York immediately strode toward the elevator. Upon finding Bailey''s car in the underground parking, she opened the door and went inside. When she saw Bailey leaning against the seat with her eyes shut, she could not help but ask, ¡°Didn''t you have a miscarriage, Mrs. Luther? Why did you get discharged so fast? That isn''t good. It''s harmful to your body.¡± Once the words came out of her mouth, she btedly realized that she was making things worse. Hastily, she exined, ¡°I wasn''t trying to rub salt in your wound. I just¡ª¡± Bailey raised her hand, signaling for her to stop. With a faint smile, she said, ¡°Don''t worry. It was a minor ident; I didn''t miscarry.¡± That left Ms. York stunned. However, after some contemtion, she understood and happily eximed, ¡°Did you lie about the miscarriage on purpose? Was it because you wanted to lure out the person who drugged you?¡± Bailey smirked. ¡°I''ll give you a month off from work. Take a vacation. Thepany will cover all the costs.¡± Ms. York stared at her in a daze. ¡°You believe me?¡± Bailey could not help butugh. ¡°Do I seem that stupid? Don''t me Mr. Luther, either. I was the one who told him to do this. After all, I''m up against the most distinguished, rich youngdy in the entire political scene of Hallsbay. I have to be careful when dealing with her. I have to eliminate this danger, and I need to make sure the West family can''t do a single thing about it.¡± The following day, Zeke and Shirley''s engagement party was held in Century Hotel. The Shurmer family was a prestigious family in the medical field. They had pharmaceutical factories around the globe and over a thousand branch offices all around the world. Even though Zeke had specifically requested the engagement party be kept low-key, it was still a huge event. The Shurmer family had invited Artemis, but he had no ns of attending since Bailey had to be absent because of her ¡°miscarriage.¡± Bailey thought about it. In the end, she decided to let the children attend the engagement party in her stead. Zeke was their biological uncle, after all. Even though they had not reunited, that would not change their blood ties. It would be good for the kids to celebrate their uncle''s engagement. Bailey brought the children to Century Hotel. After leaving them in Felicity''s care, she got Artemis to send her to the resort. The weather was terrible that day. It was drizzling, and the pitter-patter of the rain seemed to strike one''s heart. There was a sorrowful feeling to it. From far away, she spotted a slim figure standing in the rain, looking up at the gloomy sky. At that sight, Bailey felt a pang of heartache. She knew Juliana would be sad and upset. There was nothing that could be done, though. As the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, Juliana had her own responsibilities and thus could not act recklessly. Naturally, that was not the point. The point was that Zeke did not like her. If Zeke had any feelings for her at all, Juliana would forge a path where they could be together, even if she had to risk offending the entire Hoffman family. Nheless, the reality remained unchanged. Zeke knew that Juliana was going to leave Hallsbay that day and head back to the Hoffman family. Even so, he did not show himself. Not only that, but he even arranged for his and Shirley''s engagement party to be held on the same day. It was a straightforward response. He was doing that to permanently crush Juliana''s hopes so that she could calmly return to the Hoffman family and be crowned queen, the most powerful woman in Adrune. After Artemis parked the car, Bailey opened the door and was about to leave. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Wait.¡± He quickly reached out to grab her, then stuffed an umbre into her hands. At first, Bailey did not want to take it. Her disciple was standing in the rain. As her master, it was only right for Bailey to join her. However, she decided to give up on standing in the rain with Juliana when she saw Artemis'' frown as he looked at her abdomen. She had yet to recover from her near-miscarriage. If something happened to her from being soaked in the rain, Artemis might go insane. The man was easily frightened, so she decided not to make trouble for herself. Bailey took the umbre and walked over to Juliana. After standing in front of her, she brushed away the hair sticking to thetter''s face and said, ¡°Julie, every heartbreaking experience is a moment in which you are reborn. When youe back, I''m sure you''ll return as the queen with the whole world in your hands. That''s what you should really be after.¡± Juliana''s lips twitched. It took her a few tries before she could finally get her voice out. ¡°Is it really impossible for me to be with him, Master? Even after I took over the Hoffman family and became queen, is there still no way for us to be together?¡± Bailey sighed quietly. ¡°He''s engaged, Julie. It''s happening today. In the future, he''s going to be a married man.¡± The rain grew heavier. The soft sound of sobbing caused the air to grow tense. Drip! Teardrops mixed with rainwater flowed down Juliana''s face. Chapter 463 Chapter 463 The next second, Juliana''s legs gave out, and she slumped to the wet ground. Then, she hugged her knees and began bawling. Bailey, meanwhile, neither pulled her up norforted her. Instead, she stood in the rain and held an umbre over their heads, keeping herpany in silence. Love was something that no one else, other than the people involved, would understand. In fact, no one could endure the pain of heartbreak on one''s behalf. Only after experiencing it oneself could one be reborn. The vicinity was silent. Other than the sounds of the raindrops falling onto the ground, the only sound left was the heartbreaking wails of a young woman. Some distance away, a car was parked on a tree-lined sidewalk, hidden from sight. The driver had activated its one-way mirror function for all its windows. No one was able to see into the vehicle. ¡°The engagement party is about to start soon, sir. We should head to Century Hotel. Mrs. Shurmer had called us several times, asking us to hurry.¡± The assistant in the passenger seat turned to look at Zeke, who was sitting at the back. He waited for thetter''s reply quietly. However, Zeke did not say anything. He continued to watch the scene in the resort through the blurry window. The rain obscured his view, and ayer of fog was in the air. Thus, it felt surreal when he watched her. He wondered if he liked the cheerful youngdy but soon denied it. As a reserved, calm, and mature man, he would only marry the daughter of a prestigious family like Shirley if he were to take a wife. After what seemed like a long moment, the assistant reminded him for the third time. Zeke finally opened his mouth and said inly, ¡°Let''s go.¡± The car slowly drove away and left the resort, as quiet as when it first arrived. Deeply lost in her sadness, Juliana did not notice the man she yearned for had apanied her for a long time. As for Bailey, she ced her full attention on her disciple, so it was no surprise that she also did not notice a car parked in the distance that only left after apanying them for so long. Even though the two women did not notice it, it did not mean that Artemis, who was in the parking lot, missed it as well. As a matter of fact, he noticed Zeke''s car the moment it arrived at the resort. Does he really have no feelings for her? If it''s true, why would hee to the suburb and quietly keep herpany on the day of his engagement? Narrowing his eyes, Artemis continued to watch as Zeke''s car drove further away from the resort. A complicated look shed across his eyes. It seems like my future brother-inw is a bit slow when ites to love. Then, he lowered his gaze to look at his watch. Realizing that half an hour had passed, he slowly frowned while looking at the two women not far from him. If it were before, I wouldn''t stop Bailey from doing things whatever she wants. But she just had a slight incident with her pregnancy, and now she''s stood in the rain for half an hour. She''s been exposed to the bitter cold... As the thought crossed his mind, he pushed the door open and got out of the car. Then, he strode toward the two women. Bailey''s legs were numb from standing. Even her body swayed slightly. It was apparent that she could not hold on much longer. The moment Artemis wrapped his arm around her waist, she leaned on him, letting him support her weight. With a hint of distress in his voice, he asked, ¡°Can you still hold on?¡± Bailey did not say anything. Instead, her gaze was fixated on Juliana. Thetter was still slumped on the ground with hands around her knees, crying her heart out. Artemis frowned. In a grim voice, he said, ¡°Your master is pregnant. She nearly had a miscarriage two days ago, and her body is still recovering. Standing in a room for half an hour is already taxing for her, let alone in the rain. If you are a considerate person, you need to pull yourself together. Don''t drag your master to suffer with you.¡± Bailey elbowed Artemis'' stomach lightly before lifting her head to re at him. ¡°Why are you so stern toward her? You''re going to frighten her. It''s a special circumstance, so can''t you be kinder?¡± Looking at her pale face, he felt sorry for her. The next second, he bent over and scooped her up in his arms. While they were talking, Juliana stopped crying. After climbing to her feet and frantically wiping the tears on her face, she gestured for Artemis to carry Bailey into the room. ¡°I''m sorry for being inconsiderate. I caused you to suffer with me, Master,¡± Juliana said. Bailey sighed. Reaching out to caress Juliana''s head, she consoled her. ¡°Everything will pass. There''s always a rainbow after every storm. I''m sure there will be a light at the end of the tunnel for you.¡± Both the master and her disciple chatted in the bedroom for a while. Meanwhile, Artemis went to see Raymond. It was unknown what they talked about, but thetter had a grim expression when he left. At eleven in the morning, the Hoffman family''s private jet arrived. They were ready to leave Hallsbay for Moranta. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. Bailey gestured for Artemis to let her down on the walkway outside the outdoor grounds. Then, she pulled Juliana to the side. ¡°Julie, don''t rush to take the helm after you''re back home. Observe carefully and discreetly for those who want to harm you. Deal with them if you can. If you can''t do it, call me. I will settle everything for you.¡± Juliana hugged her tightly. ¡°Master, I''m sorry for not being able to keep youpany when you need me the most,¡± she said in a low voice. Upon hearing her words, Bailey chuckled in amusement. ¡°Don''t let Artemis hear this, or he''ll pick a fight with you. But don''t you worry. Hallsbay is his territory. With his protection, no one will be able to harm me.¡± Juliana nodded. After a short pause, she asked tentatively, ¡°Are you really the daughter of the Shurmer family, Master? Is Zeke your biological older brother?¡± Bailey was stunned, perhaps because she never expected her to ask the question. After thinking about it briefly, she said with a smile, ¡°No. I have nothing to do with the Shurmer family.¡± Chapter 464 Chapter 464 Juliana seemed to have heaved a sigh of relief. In a very soft voice, she muttered, ¡°That''s good to hear. Otherwise, the world will go topsy-turvy if the disciple bes the sister-inw.¡± ¡°What are you muttering about?¡± ¡°Huh? Nothing, Master. You can''t be Zeke''s younger sister. Otherwise, it will be the end of the world.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. The buzzing sound of an engine was heard in the distance. It was the private jet getting ready to take off. Two bodyguards in ck approached them and urged Juliana to hurry. They wanted her to board the jet quickly. Bailey reached out to pat Juliana''s shoulder. ¡°Remember what I told you. Your journey onward is long. You''re the only one who can protect yourself.¡± Juliana did not say anything. A look of sadness shed across Bailey''s face as she watched the private jet hover in the air for a while before flying into the clouds. I''m destined to be stuck in Hallsbay. But there''s still so much to see in the world. It''s good that Juliana will be exploring it on my behalf. At Century Hotel, the engagement party between the children of the Shurmer and the Gourd families was proceeding as scheduled. Standing in the corner, Zayron pointed to the center of the stage before turning to Maxton and asked, ¡°Dummy, are you willing to let the woman be our aunt?¡± Maxton followed the direction of his brother''s finger, and his gazended on Shirley. Then, he shook his head earnestly. ¡°A phony woman like her is an eyesore. There''s no way I''m willing to let her be my aunt. Is she even qualified to be my aunt?¡± Once those words fell from his lips, he tilted his head to look at Zayron. With sparkling eyes, he asked, ¡°Are you nning to create amotion?¡± A mischievous smile yed about Zayron''s lips. At the same time, a cunning glint shed across his eyes. ¡°The engagement ceremony will start in twenty minutes. If we don''t want her to be our aunt, we must think of a way to ruin this engagement party.¡± Maxton looked at him with excitement. Are we going to wreak havoc? I''m so in! ¡°What are you going to do?¡± he asked. Zayron leaned in and whispered in his ears. Upon hearing his ns, Maxton stared at him with shock. ¡°W-Will it be okay? If we''re not careful, the whole hotel might be destroyed.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of? The hotel is a property of Luther Group. The public will only think of us as wastrels if it''s destroyed. We won''t be hurt. As of now, the most important thing is to save our uncle.¡± Maxton gritted his teeth. With much determination, he nodded in agreement. Fifteen minutester, the emcee announced that the engagement ceremony had officially begun. The guests stopped their conversations and proceeded to circle around the stage. The first person to appear on stage was an elder from the family of the groom-to-be. Steven stood on the stage and gave a short speech of pleasantries. Then, as the groom-to-be''s father, he gave the couple his blessing. A round of apuse resounded through the hall. At that moment, a speaker inside the banquet hall sounded all of a sudden. ¡°This is an emergency. I repeat, this is an emergency. There''s a fire on the third floor of the hotel. The fire is raging and starting to spread rapidly to the upper floors. All guests on every floor are requested to stop their activities at once and leave using the emergency exit quickly.¡± Three seconds of silence passed in the banquet hall. Then, chaos erupted. Those who were near the floor-to-length windows quickly peered outside. Sure enough, they were able to see the raging fire on the third floor. Licks of me burst out of the windows. It was both spectacr and terrifying. ¡°Oh my goodness! It''s true. There''s a fire. Look at it. It will only take a few minutes before it spreads to the sixth floor.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°That''s right. What a huge fire! Everyone, let''s leave now. Quick!¡± ¡°Let''s stop the engagement ceremony today. Don''t just stand here. Move fast. Save your lives!¡± All of a sudden, everyone inside the banquet hall panicked and ran toward the emergency exit. Shirley was resentful beyond words. It took a lot of effort to force Zeke to agree to hold our engagement party. Many guests are here now. The ceremony will bepleted as soon as we exchange the engagement rings. But why is this happening to me? ¡°Shirley, let''s leave this ce quickly,¡± Genevieve, her mother, urged. Pursing her lips, Shirley walked forward and grabbed Zeke, who was trying to evacuate the guests. Hastily, she said, ¡°Zeke, the fire hasn''t spread up here yet. We''re on the sixth floor, so we won''t get burned to death so soon. Only a few steps are left for the ceremony. Let''s just skip the others. Why don''t we go on the stage and exchange the rings?¡± Zeke''s face darkened. He nced at her coldly and reprimanded, ¡°Is this engagement party more important than human lives?¡± Shirley wanted to say ¡°yes,¡± but his cold and emotionless eyes deterred her from doing so. Genevieve noticed that her future son-inw was getting angry. Thus, she quickly grabbed her daughter''s arm and said, ¡°Shirley, don''t be crazy. The engagement party can be held againter, but we''re doomed if we don''t get out of here alive. Be a good girl. Don''t make things difficult for Zeke. He needs to evacuate all the guests, so stop distracting him.¡± With tears in her eyes, Shirley looked at Genevieve andined sadly, ¡°Mom, it took me so much effort to get him to agree with the engagement. I hate that something like thises up. I hate it!¡± Not knowing how tofort Shirley, Genevieve sighed. There was nothing she could do other than grab her daughter''s arm to stop her from pestering Zeke. At that moment, Zoey walked over from the side. She reached out to pull Shirley''s other arm and said in a low voice, ¡°You still have time. There''s no need toplete the engagement today. I received news that Juliana had returned to her home country with the Hoffman family. No one will cling to Zeke anymore. What are you still afraid of?¡± ¡°That b*tch left?¡± Shirley asked with slight astonishment. Chapter 465 Chapter 465 Yeah, she''s gone. I have someone monitoring the Hoffman family at all times, so I can confirm that they have left Hallsbay.¡± Shirley clenched her teeth and suppressed her resentment. ¡°All right, I''ll take your word for it.¡± ¡°That''s more like it!¡± After leaving the resort, Artemis and Bailey were on their way back to the medical base when they received a call from Felicity. Bailey got so mad when she heard about the fire at Century Hotel that she nearly cursed on the spot. There''s no need for guesses or investigations. It''s freaking obvious that Zayron did this! ¡°We''re going to the hotel.¡± Artemis kept one hand on the steering wheel and rubbed his forehead with the other. ¡°Those kids might''ve taken things a little too far, but they mean well. I don''t think Shirley is worthy of being with Zeke either.¡± Bailey shot him an icy-cold re, prompting him to keep his opinions to himself. ¡°All right, I''ll take you to the hotel,¡± he said as he turned the car around and started driving toward the city. Bailey shot him a nce and asked helplessly, ¡°Artemis, your sons have gotten themselves into huge trouble. Aren''t you even the slightest bit mad at them? They could''ve gotten people killed! Who''s going to be held responsible if that happens?¡± Artemis let out a wry chuckle when he heard that. As if getting mad at them is going to do me any good! It''s not like there''s anything I can do about those two brats! If I were to get mad at them every time they cause trouble, it wouldn''t be long before I die of a stroke! ¡°It''s fine. They''re still kids, so they should try to have fun while they can. One day, I won''t be able to protect them anymore. When that timees, they will have to handle everything on their own. Besides, being a little haughty will give them an edge over the other kids.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at him when she heard that. ¡°You know what? Forget it. Things are probably very chaotic at the hotel right now, so I want you to drop me off at the Luther residence instead. You can pick the kids up from the hotel and bring them over afterward.¡± Meanwhile, Zoey sneakily made her way into a private room in a coffee shop. ¡°What the heck is wrong with you? Everyone is on high alert after the incident at the Shurmer family''s engagement party! Why would you ask to meet me at a time like this?¡± she eximed when she opened the door and saw Sofie sitting on the couch. Sofie simply shed her a smile and pointed at the empty seat in front of her. Zoey pursed her lips as she made her way over and sat down. ¡°Well? Why did you want to see me?¡± ¡°Bailey''s sons were the ones who set fire to Century Square. I trust you know what to do about it, yes?¡± Sofie asked. After taking a moment to process that information, Zoey came up with a bright idea. ¡°Shirley went through a lot of trouble just to get my brother to agree to the engagement party. She''s still mad about having her ns ruined by the fire. If I tell her that Bailey''s sons were responsible for sabotaging her engagement party, she''d think they were acting on her instructions and me it all on her!¡± ¡°You catch on quick. I always knew you were a smart woman, Zoey. Those who are truly capable should always try to use others to aplish their goals. That way, they''ll be able to keep their hands clean and conserve their energy as well as resources. Do you understand what I mean?¡± Sofie said with a satisfied grin. Zoey felt a chill down her spine when she heard that. This elegant woman sitting before me would go as far as swapping her own daughter with that of the Shurmer family... Good thing she''s my biological mother. Otherwise... Noticing the look of fear in Zoey''s eyes, Sofie said with a chuckle, ¡°Why are you afraid of me? I''m your mother, Zoey. I would never set you up as I do with others. I swapped you with the Shurmer family''s daughter because I wanted you to live a sessful life. However, I have recentlye to realize that being a part of the Shurmer family isn''t all that great. Only by marrying into the Luther family and gaining control over the household will you truly be sessful.¡± Meanwhile, at the Luther residence, Artemis saw Zayron and Maxton kneeling in the rain when he carried Bailey into the house. Bailey snorted coldly when she noticed what they were doing. ¡°They know you''re mad at them for what they did, so they''re doing penance by kneeling in the rain. Will you forgive them?¡± Artemis said with an eyebrow arched. ¡°I''ll believe they''re truly repentant if they keep at it until nightfall!¡± Bailey replied with a sneer. Artemis frowned worriedly when he heard that. ¡°But it''s only noon right now. They''ll get sick if they stay out in the rain for another few more hours!¡± Hmm... How is she able to be so cruel to her kids? Bailey shot him a cold re and said, ¡°If you''re that worried about their health, then why don''t you take their ce and kneel in the rain instead?¡± ¡°On second thought, they can kneel till nightfall. I think they need to be taught a lesson for pulling such a crazy stunt.¡± Felicity had a pained look on her face as she stood in the corridor and stared at her grandsons. She knew they were the ones responsible for the fire at Century Hotel, but she had no idea why they did it. Although initially furious at them, Felicity''s anger quickly subsided when she saw them kneeling in theExclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. heavy rain. ¡°What happened? Why does Bay look so upset?¡± she asked anxiously when she saw Artemis walking toward her with Bailey in his arms. As Artemis couldn''t be bothered to exin it to her, he decided to me it all on the boys. ¡°It''s because of what those two did. Leave them be, Mom. They need to learn their lesson. Anyway, Bay got a little drenched in the rain. Could you prepare something warm for her?¡± ¡°All right.¡± Felicity then had the butler follow her into the kitchen. Bailey tried to get Artemis to put her down, but he insisted on carrying her in his arms. After a few failed attempts at breaking out of his embrace, she gave up and turned to look at the boys, who were still kneeling in the rain. ¡°I''m surprised you boys didn''t burn yourselves to death,¡± she said with a sneer. Zayron pouted as he snapped back at her, ¡°I''m not stupid. So why would I choose to have my body reduced to nothing but ashes when there are so many other ways to die?¡± Infuriated, Bailey yelled, ¡°Put me down, Artemis! I''m going to teach that brat a lesson!¡± Artemis shot Zayron a cold re and growled, ¡°You''d better stop talking back to your mother or I''ll have you runps around the house all night.¡± Maxton went pale the moment he heard that. He tugged at the corner of his brother''s shirt. ¡°Cut it out, Zayron!¡± Zayron let out a defiant snort. ¡°So what? We''ll just burn this house down if ites to that!¡± ¡°You know what? I don''t think you''ve learned your lesson. Keep kneeling there until tomorrow,¡± Artemis said while carrying Bailey inside the house. After making sure Bailey was well taken care of, Artemis left the Luther residence. Meanwhile, in one of Tarragon''s branches, Yvette was applying her makeup in the living room. The leader of Tarragon would be visiting the branch shortly, so she wanted to present herself in the best way possible. ¡°Lord Euchler is here, Ms. Sullivan.¡± ¡°Let him in.¡± ¡°M-Ms. Sullivan?¡± Daniel called out to her nervously as he entered the room. Yvette mmed her eyeliner down on the dressing table and yelled angrily, ¡°I told you to address me as ''Your Royal Highness!'' Make sure you do that when our leader arrives!¡± Chapter 466 Chapter 466 Yvette wanted all of them to address her as ¡°Your Royal Highness¡± to make her seem more respectable. She believed it would impress their leader enough to gain his attention. Daniel knew exactly what her intentions were, and he wasn''t pleased about it. It should be my daughter who gains the leader''s attention! However, I can''t afford to get on Yvette''s bad side after what happened with Shannon. Otherwise, she might actually convince the elders back at headquarters to remove me from my position! ¡°R-Right, of course... I''ll be sure to have everyone address you as ¡®Your Royal Highness.¡¯¡± ¡°Once I rise to power, I will promote you and have you transferred to Tarragon''s headquarters. If you disobey me, however, I will kill you and every single member of the Euchler family! You would be wise to not doubt my words,¡± Yvette said with a satisfied smile. Daniel went pale the moment he heard that. ¡°Oh, I wouldn''t dare! Please rest assured that I will obey your everymand, Your Royal Highness!¡± Yvette slowly got up from her chair and made her way over to the door. ¡°The leader will surely pass by the front garden on his way here, so I''ll go wait for him there. You know what to do, don''t you?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, I do.¡± Later that evening, a convoy slowly entered the boulevard and drove along the artificialke before stopping outside the manor. Micah and Holden then stepped out of the car in the middle of the convoy and stood on each side of the back door. Micah ced his hand on the top of the door while Holden opened it. They both bowed respectfully as they waited for the leader of Tarragon toe out of the car. A pair of shiny leather shoes came into view, followed by the tall figure of a man as he emerged from the car. He was wearing an emerald mask that covered most of his face, revealing only his thin lips. The hundreds of bodyguards around him who were dressed in ck got down on one knee and chanted in unison, ¡°Greetings, Leader!¡± The leader of Tarragon held absolute power over every single one of its members. Daniel stepped forward and bowed respectfully at the leader as he said, ¡°Greetings, Leader. I am Daniel Euchler, the head of the Chanaea branch.¡± The leader kept quiet and stared at Daniel with a prating gaze. ¡°This is no ce for a conversation. We''ll talk inside,¡± said Micah from the side. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°R-Right, of course.¡± The group then made their way through the garden and headed toward the base behind it. Yvette stole a nce at the leader from the gazebo. Although she couldn''t get a clear view of his face, she believed a man with such thin lips would surely be incredibly handsome. On top of that, the leader wielded so much power that no one in the underworld was able to defeat him. Only a legendary man like him is worthy of my love! Before this, I didn''t dare to pursue Leader since I have no idea what he looks like. But now that I''ve seen him and the fact that all the elders are going to lend me a hand, I have to give it a shot! Yvette was snapped out of her train of thought when Keira called out to her, ¡°Please stay focused, Your Royal Highness.¡± She grabbed Keira by the wrist and eximed excitedly, ¡°Did you see him, Keira? Our leader looks so majestic and masculine with his tall frame and broad shoulders! Oh, and let''s not forget those perfect lips of his! I bet he has a stunningly handsome face to go with it!¡± Keira nodded and replied with a smile, ¡°Yes, Your Royal Highness. You are the only one in all of Tarragon worthy of being with our leader. My father will have you go in there to serve them tea in a bit. Make sure to seize that opportunity and win our leader''s heart over.¡± Yvette''s eyes lit up with confidence as she said, ¡°But of course! Given my status and beauty, a single smile at our leader should have him falling head over heels for me!¡± Meanwhile, the leader was fiddling with amunication device while seated on his throne in the hall. ¡°Those are the names of the traitors from all of our branches. Their actions are detrimental to the interests of Tarragon. What would you like us to do with them?¡± said the person in charge of Prudent Hall. The leader was about to say something when they heard amotion outside the door. ¡°Your Royal Highness!¡± ¡°Greetings, Your Royal Highness!¡± The next thing they knew, Yvette entered the hall with a tray in hand. On that tray was a pot of really fragrant tea. ¡°Lord Euchler, do you not have servants here at this branch? Why is Ms. Sullivan the one serving us tea?¡± Micah eximed with a frown. Daniel could only sh him a wry smile in response. Hey, don''t look at me! I''m not the one calling the shots here! ¡°I heard our leader would being over for a visit. I was worried that our lowly servants would identally offend our leader with their ignorance, so I decided to serve up the tea myself. Please don''t me Lord Euchler, Micah,¡± Yvette exined with a chuckle as she made her way over. Micah''s frown deepened as he red at her with a mysterious look in his eyes. Yvette blushed slightly as she ced the tray on the table and shed the leader a shy smile. The leader''s lips curled into a sinister grin as he said, ¡°I want the execution carried out at Prudent Hall.¡± Yvette was so terrified that her legs gave out beneath her, and she slumped to the floor in front of the leader. Chapter 467 Chapter 467 W-What did I just hear? Did he just say he would have me executed in Prudent Hall? Does he not know who I am? With that in mind, Yvette protested, ¡°I-I''m the only daughter of Leo Sullivan, the former leader of Tarragon!¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. The leader ignored her and continued fiddling with themunication device as he added, ¡°Prolong the execution process as much as possible. I want you to use all the torture devices avable in Prudent Hall. Failure to do so will be treated as a sign of ipetence, and I have no use for ipetent people. My pet crocodiles should be hungry by now, so this would be a perfect time to feed them.¡± Yvette was as white as a sheet when she heard that, and a clear liquid slowly flowed out from beneath her. ¡°No, I don''t want to die! I didn''t do anything wrong! Why would you torture me to death?¡± she protested desperately. Daniel stepped forward and reminded her, ¡°Leader isn''t talking about you, Your Royal Highness. He''s referring to the traitors that we have captured at headquarters.¡± At that moment, Yvette had never felt more relieved in her entire life. As a pungent smell began to fill the air, the leader clicked his tongue in disgust and got up from his chair. ¡°Let''s talk somewhere else. It stinks in here,¡± he said while walking toward the door. Holden shed Micah a taunting smile in response. Hah! Take a good long look at this fianc¨¦e of yours, Micah! She tried to seduce the leader right in front of you and ended up embarrassing herself! There was a vicious glint in Micah''s eyes as he pursed his lips and yelled, ¡°Get out, all of you!¡± Everyone quickly backed out of the hall to give Micah and Yvette some privacy. ¡°P-Please don''t get the wrong idea, Micah! I-I was just trying to serve our leader some tea!¡± Yvette stammered in a trembling voice. Micah narrowed his eyes and red coldly at her as he said, ¡°Being the princess doesn''t give you the right to act as you please. Your father didn''t raise our leader, so he doesn''t owe the Sullivan family anything. If you offend him, he will not hesitate to have you killed. Do you understand?¡± Yvette shuddered in fear when she heard that. ¡°If you don''t want to see me offend him and end up getting killed, then hurry up and marry me! If you do that, I promise I''ll behave myself and remain at headquarters! I won''t mess with anyone ever again!¡± ¡°No.¡± Micah shook his head without any hesitation whatsoever. ¡°I will never marry you. There are lots of men out there who are much better than me. I''m sure you''ll find the right one for you someday.¡± Yvette let out a wry chuckle and yelled at him, ¡°Why would you stop me from going after other men if you won''t marry me?¡± The veins on Micah''s forehead were bulging as he muttered through clenched teeth, ¡°You can go after any other guy you like, but the leader is off-limits! You are unworthy of a man like him!¡± He then stormed out of the hall immediately after. Yvette got so mad that she was trembling all over as she grabbed a tea cup and hurled it at the door. I''m unworthy? I''m the freaking princess of Tarragon! Who else could possibly be worthy of dating our leader and ruling over Tarragon alongside him? With a ss of wine in hand, the leader leaned against the couch in the study and arched an eyebrow at Micah. ¡°That woman is your responsibility, so make sure you keep her under control. I will have her thrown into the snake pit if she tries to seduce me again.¡± Holden shot Micah a nce before saying, ¡°Leader, I''ll need to make a trip to Zaewora and regain control of that area.¡± ¡°We''re in no rush. Juliana has returned to her family. We can talk about reiming ournd in Zaewora after she bes the head of the family,¡± replied the leader calmly. Meanwhile, Shirley had smashed up everything she could get her hands on in the fancy suite of a five- star hotel. Her parents could only sigh as they stood by the door. ¡°I''m starting to wonder if our daughter isn''t meant to be with Zeke. I mean, just look at how their engagement party turned out. They were this close to getting engaged, but then the fire broke out and ruined everything.¡± ¡°There''s no point in talking about that now. We need to find a way to calm our daughter down.¡± Ring! Ring! Ring! Their conversation was interrupted when the doorbell rang all of a sudden. Genevieve turned around to open the door and saw Zoey standing outside. ¡°Hi, Mrs. Gourd. My parents and my brother are currently busy taking care of the Shurmer family''s rtives, so they sent me here to deliver our apologies instead.¡± Genevieve quickly brought Zoey into the living room when she saw that the woman was drenched in the rain. ¡°Oh, you silly girl! You didn''t have toe all the way here in the pouring rain! A simple phone call would''ve sufficed!¡± ¡°My parents have already called you, so I figured it''d be better if I came over in person instead. By the way, where''s Shirley? I''m a bit worried about my future sister-inw.¡± Delighted by what Zoey called Shirley, Genevieve said with a smile, ¡°That''s so sweet of you! Shirley is still having a fit in her room. Since you''re here, maybe you can go talk to her.¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Genevieve then opened the room door with a key and let Zoey in. ¡°Shirley, I found out who it was that set fire to Century Hotel!¡± Chapter 468 Chapter 468 Sprawled on the bed, Shirley eagerly shot up upon hearing that. ¡°Who was it? Who set the fire?¡± Gritting her teeth, Zoey hissed, ¡°It was Bailey''s two brats. My guess is that she ordered them to do so to ruin your engagement party with my brother and buy time for her disciple.¡± Crash! Another loud crash split the air. As though having lost her mind, Shirley swept all the ornaments on the bedside table to the ground and roared with hatred, ¡°Bailey! Bailey! I''m going to rip you into a thousand pieces and reduce you to ashes!¡± Meanwhile, a sinister smile tugged at Zoey''s lips. Sure enough, that old woman, Sofie, is a scheming b*tch, having perfect control over the minds of others. If she hadn''t hinted at me to use this method, I wouldn''t have thought of it so quickly. ¡°Don''t worry, Shirley. I''ll help you. Not only is that b*tch your enemy, but she''s also mine. She spread rumors about her resembling my mother, attempting to use public opinion to drive me mad. Fortunately, my father and brother trust me, feeling that it''s wholly absurd that we''ve been switched. Otherwise, she would''ve really gotten her way.¡± The instant Shirley heard that the baby-switching subject that took the city by storm a few days ago was also Bailey''s doing, her fury zed even hotter. Clenching her jaw, she snarled, ¡°She even offended Scarlett. Now that the Fletcher family has sessfully been elected, I''ll give Scarlett a call sometime and invite her to Hallsbay to deal with that b*tch together.¡± At once, glee showed on Zoey''s face. ¡°That''s right! There''s still Ms. Fletcher. So, don''t be mad anymore. We''ve got all the time in the world, and we''ll definitely be able to make Bailey pay with our collective efforts.¡± At night, Zayron crawled into the living room. Indeed, he literally crawled. Well, there isn''t anything I can do since I ended up with such heartless parents, leaving me out in the rain and having me fend for myself for a few hours. This is my only choice. Hah! That bootlicker, Maxton was smart! In the afternoon, he hugged the tyrant''s leg and pretentiously wailed for a while before shamelessly passing out on the ground. Taking pity on him, that tyrant saved him. The tyrant then turned and asked whether I knew what I did wrong, but I foolishly said no. After that, no one bothered about me anymore! Argh! When he came home at night, he didn''t even pay me any mind. He simply walked right into the living room to enjoy himself with his wife and kids! Hmph! I bet I must have been adopted! That must be it! In the living room, the whole Luther family was munching on fruits as they sat on the couch. It made for an exceedingly heartwarming sight. Sprawled on the ground, Zayron keened, ¡°I''m dying.¡± Caridee wanted to rush over and scoop him up, but a re from Bailey scared her so much that she shrank back into the couch. Bailey eyed her son lying limp on the ground coldly. In a terse voice, she asked, ¡°Do you know what you did wrong?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. I shouldn''t have been so reckless and set fire to the hotel. If someone had died in the fire, it would''ve been a senseless loss of life.¡± As soon as Bailey heard that, her temper spiked. ¡°I don''t think you''ve realized what you did wrong at all. Go out and continue kneeling!¡± Following her words, Zayron yanked at his hair. What the hell did I do wrong exactly? Isn''t she hopping mad because I shouldn''t have shown such disregard for innocent lives? Sighing softly, Artemis walked over to his son and looked down at him. In a deep voice, he started, ¡°Max said you started the fire personally. At that time, you were less than a meter away from the fire and almost got burned.¡± Zayron snapped his eyes up and shot daggers at Maxton, hissing through gritted teeth, ¡°Who told you to tell them that? Didn''t I warn you¡ª¡± Before he even had the opportunity to finish his utterance, Bailey stalked over and pped him hard on the back of the head several times. With red-rimmed eyes, she bellowed, ¡°Why on earth did I give birth to a brat like you?¡± At longst, Zayron knew what he did wrong. I took a risk with my life and terrified her, causing her great terror. Scrambling up from the ground, he reached out and hugged his mother''s leg. Weeping, he blubbered, ¡°I''m sorry. This time, I really know what I did wrong. I promise I''ll never act so recklessly again, nor will I ever risk my life.¡± Bailey lifted her arm to hit him a few more times, but when she sensed him all wet and trembling incessantly, she ultimately couldn''t bring herself to do so. ¡°Heed my warning, Zayron Jefferson. If you get yourself killed, I''ll also die with you. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. I... I''ll never do it again.¡± Perhaps Zayron was already at his limit, for no sooner had he finished saying that than he went limp and slid down to the ground, unconscious. Shocked, Bailey hastily bent down to scoop him up. However, Artemis was a step ahead of her. Scooping Zayron up, he cradled his son in his arms. ¡°Carry him up and draw him a hot bath. I''ll go and get some cold medication.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± On the couch, Gerald nodded approvingly. ¡°One must be strict when the situation calls for it and vice versa. That''s the correct way for parents to educate their children. Don''t worry, for every generation is responsible for the next. There''s no need for us to interfere.¡± Felicity snorted, but in truth, she grew increasingly pleased with Bailey. Although she might possibly be a daughter of the Shurmer family, I''ve alreadye around after experiencing so much. My three grandchildren... Ah, it should be four grandchildren. They were all born of her, so it''s sufficient to offset my prejudice against her. Besides, she''s mild-tempered and doesn''t put on airs. While she''s pretty irritating when she speaks and doesn''t treat me like her elder, I can sense that she''s only so daring with me because she regards me as family. The next day, a collection of antiques shipping back from abroad arrived in Hallsbay. They were then delivered to the exhibition hall in the museum. The antiques were seized from a gang of tomb raiders abroad. After bringing down that gang, the authorities learned that they also broke into a fewrge domestic tombs dating back to the Quix and Haju Eras and sold off most of the antiques. Rumor had it that there was a national treasure among those cultural relics. However, the authorities didn''t specify what it was exactly. Only when Raiden arrived in Hallsbay once more with orders from the government did Bailey finally learn what the mysterious cultural relic said to be a national treasure was exactly. It was an emerald seal that belonged to the Haju royal family. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. On top of that, it was the foundation of Chanaea''s inheritance. In the coffee shop, Bailey let out a long breath after listening to Raiden''s brief exnation. But still, she couldn''t mask the surprise on her face. ¡°For the past millennium, the descendants of Chanaea had been searching for the foundation of the inheritance of Haju Civilization. It''s also what people in the industry term the emerald seal. Unfortunately, there hadn''t been any news throughout the ages. It''s really unexpected that it ended up being discovered by a gang of tomb raiders.¡± In response, Raiden nodded with solemnity written all over his handsome face. ¡°The higher-ups attach great importance to this matter, so they sent me over to follow up on it. As the emerald seal has been resold several times by antique dealers, experts can''t determine whether the emerald seal transported back is genuine.¡± Bailey was silent for a moment before she ventured, ¡°Have those few antique dealers been arrested?¡± ¡°Yes. Anyone who came into contact with the emerald seal has been arrested. Now, I mainly have to find an expert who can appraise antiques to conduct an appraisal.¡± Chapter 469 Chapter 469 An expert antique appraiser? A frown marred Bailey''s countenance. If he wants to find an expert antique appraiser, he should go to antique stores or antique auction houses. Why did he ask me out instead? Raiden regarded her thoughtfully before stating, ¡°In my opinion, everyone has a responsibility to protect cultural relics that make a national treasure and the inheritance of Haju culture. No matter one''s identity, she should shoulder this duty as long as she''s Chanaean.¡± Hearing that, Bailey arched a brow at him. Well, well, well... There''s something he''s hinting at here. ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Raiden merely chuckled lowly. ¡°Nothing. I was just feeling sentimental. I heard that Hallsbay''s Cultural Relics Bureau invited the international expert antique appraiser, Vespera. Say, Bailey, do you think she''ll be able to distinguish the authenticity of the emerald seal?¡± In a sh, the smile on Bailey''s face froze. If it were an ordinary antique, Lina might be able to deal with it. But when it involves something so important as a national treasure, she probably can''t tell. ¡°We''ll only know after she had performed the appraisal.¡± Raiden''s face promptly darkened, and he stated solemnly, ¡°This is no joke, Bailey. As you know, the Haju people have been searching for the emerald seal for thousands of years to find our blood inheritance. Rumor has it that it was made with a piece of red emerald by our ancestors,bining the wisdom and kindness of the ancestors of the humanities. It''s something indispensable for the descendants of Chanaea to thrive.¡± Chortling, Bailey inquired helplessly, ¡°What do you want me to do, then? And what can I do?¡± Raiden stared at her seriously and uttered sincerely, ¡°You have a wide range of talents and are outstanding in all industries. I believe that the same applies to antique appraisal. Can I ask for your help to take a look at it for me?¡± At that, Bailey lifted her hand and massaged her temple. Content ? N?velDrama.Org. How blunt of him! He just came short of saying that he knows I''m skilled in appraising antiques and might even be Vespera. Anyhow, she didn''t n on thinking too highly of herself when he didn''t say that outright. After a moment''s silence, she offered, ¡°I''ll be attending the cultural relic exhibition tomorrow with Artemis. I won''t interfere If Lina sessfully distinguishes the authenticity of the emerald seal. But if she can''t, I''ll lend you a hand. What do you think?¡± Raiden was an astute person, so he naturally discerned the implication behind her promise. As he breathed a sigh of relief, his admiration toward her mounted. She''s just like an almighty queen. No matter the difficulties thate her way, she can easily resolve them. It was no ident that I fell in love with her. Instead, it was only natural. ¡°It''s decided, then. If you sessfully help the country to find the emerald seal back this time, I''ll definitely credit you.¡± A smile curved Bailey''s lips. ¡°Remember your promise, then. While it isn''t useful to me, it''ll probably come in handy for my future husband.¡± In turn, a bitter smile inexorably bloomed on Raiden''s face. Is thatment really necessary? Verily, she''s resorting to all sorts of tricks to make me give up on her. In the bedroom of the Shurmer residence at night, Shirley stood in the middle of the room with her eyes fixated on the man on the couch, hesitant to speak. ¡°Zeke, I¡ª¡± With his brows creasing, Zeke ced the wine ss in his hand on the table. In a mild voice, he urged, ¡°Spit it out. It''ste now, and I want to rest. Stop dithering.¡± Gritting her teeth, Shirley bit the bullet and ventured, ¡°Should we set another date to have our engagement party again since it was ruined back then?¡± Zeke lifted his eyes to her and drawled, ¡°The second batch of the new anti-cancer drug is ready for production. The Shurmer family has mobilized almost all of its sub-factories to manufacture the drug, so no mistakes are allowed. I''m exceedingly busy now, so let''s just discuss having the engagement party again sometimeter.¡± Shirley wasn''t satisfied with that answer. In fact, it had her extremely frustrated. The longer things drag out, the more disadvantageous it is for me. That b*tch, Juliana, had reconciled with the Hoffman family. If she somehow bes the head of the family, how would I be able to compete with her anymore? ¡°The engagement party won''t take much of your time. I''ll settle everything, and you won''t need to worry about anything.¡± The look in Zeke''s eyes gradually turned chilly. ¡°Couldn''t you understand me? Do you need me to repeat it and exin everything to you?¡± Shirley bit her lip hard. Despite her reluctance to ept that result, she didn''t dare speak further. After a brief moment of silence, she ventured, ¡°We''re engaged to be married and had been intimate, so there''s no problem if I want to move into your room, right?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Zeke agreed readily. Delight flooded Shirley. But in the next second, her mood plummeted to rock bottom, for the man headed out after picking up his wine ss and phone. ¡°W-Where are you going?¡± ¡°I''m vacating the room for you. I''ll be sleeping in the guest room. Good night.¡± At once, Shirley''s face contorted. I''m moving into his room, but he''s going to the guest room. What''s the difference between him agreeing and otherwise? No, I can''t just sit back and do nothing, allowing time to pass me by. Once that b*tch, Juliana, returns, I won''t stand a chance anymore. A child... A child! Yes, I can get myself pregnant! It doesn''t matter even if the child is not of the Shurmer family. It''ll be fine as long as the Shurmer family believes it. It just so happens that everyone knows Zeke had been intimate with me some time ago, so no one will suspect anything if news of me being pregnant were to leak out a monthter. Chapter 470 Chapter 470 In the guest room of Tarragon''s branch, Yvette answered a call while leaning against the floor-to-ceiling windows. ¡°Who exactly is the leader, Mr. Doyle? He wore a mask, so I couldn''t see his face at all. He probably won''t being to the branch anymore, will he? How am I to seduce him?¡± Upon hearing that, Dominic startedughing heartily. ¡°Hahaha! It looks like you''ve been bewitched by him. Well, don''t his aura and allure supersede Micah''s? It isn''t tough for you to marry him, huh?¡± Huffing, Yvette couldn''t helpmenting, ¡°So what if I''m bewitched? I still can''t see him, can I? You might as well save it.¡± At that, Dominic''sughter grew in intensity. ¡°Have some patience, for you''ll know his identity very soon. There''s a cultural relic exhibition in Hallsbay tomorrow. Have Lord Euchler get you a ticket. The leader will be there in person, so take a good look at all the guests and see whether you can recognize him.¡± Yvette''s hand promptly tightened around the phone. ¡°Okay, I''ll go to the exhibition hall tomorrow to have a look. I want to see whether this mysterious leader of ours is really that impressive.¡± In the bedroom of the private mansion, Shannon was finally feeling better after lying on the bed for two days. Seeing that Wendy was holding out a spoon to her, she murmured with a smile, ¡°Just put it on the table, Wendy. I''ll drink it myselfter.¡± Wendy instinctively nced at Shannon''s right arm. On second thought, she found herself too tactless and hurriedly withdrew her gaze. s, that quick look stung Shannon. Wendy hastily exined, ¡°I''m sorry. I''m not pitying you. I just¡ª¡± In response, Shannon chuckled. ¡°It''s okay. I''m used to it. I know you''re concerned about me.¡± Breathing a sigh of relief, Wendy remarked with a wry smile, ¡°I was foolishly intimate with your brother and gave birth to Sebastian, yet I never knew that he had a sister in this world.¡± ¡°Wendy.¡± Shannon reached out and took the bowl over before turning to ce it on the bedside table. Then, she grasped Wendy''s wrist and started solemnly, ¡°My brother lost his memories and doesn''t remember anything now. Back then, he only epted the organization''s task and approached you to save me. Perhaps he indeed merely wanted to aplish his task at first when he interacted with you, but I can promise you that he must have fallen in love with youter. I know him all too well. He never would''ve touched a woman unless of his own volition, much less allowed any possibility of her getting pregnant.¡± Shooting a hand out, Wendy pinched her cheek. ¡°You''re so kind. Sometimes, God is blinded and does foolish things, but don''t worry. One day, he''ll see that such a kind girl is suffering in the mortal world. Who knows, your days of pain will end tomorrow.¡± Shannon shed Wendy a smile, the look in her eyes indifferent. Verily, she had already seen through all earthly matters and the futility of emotions. ¡°I''m fine. I think I''ll be happy as long as your rtionship with my brother goes well. Will you forgive him, Wendy?¡± Wendy went silent. An indeterminate time passed before she replied casually, ¡°We''ll see when he had regained his memory and given me an exnation. If he doesn''t love me, won''t I simply be inviting humiliation by clinging to him?¡± Words eluded Shannon at that. Outside the door, Holden leaned against the wall, listening in to the entirety of the two women''s conversation. Perhaps it''s time I go in search of those memories I lost. The next day, Victoria, who was far on Belmonia Ind, received a call from the Saunders residence. She was told that Vincent''s condition had worsened, and the man might not be able to live to see the new year, so she should hurry home. She knew that her father was already terminally ill and would leave her one day, but she hadn''t expected it to happen so fast. After receiving that piece of news, she took a flight back to Hallsbay. When she departed from her ce, Lionel came knocking on her door, offering to fly her on his private ne. However, she declined. That aside, she even said it would be unfilial of her to continue having anything to do with him when the Saunders family was already ruined. She had no inkling of his feelings then, but she could distinctly sense his pain. Right at that moment, she could tell that he was in excruciating agony. See? This is the fate God arranged for us. We''re destined to torture and hate each other for eternity, never finding a way out. The biggest exhibition in the history of Hallsbay officially kicked off in the museum''s exhibition hall. Almost everyone with some prestige in the political and business arena was present. They were all there for no other reason than because the government announced the return of a cultural relic that was a national treasure. Thus, they came to witness its magnificence. Despite having no idea what it was, they naturally wouldn''t miss the opportunity when their appetites had been whetted. At the most, they would only be wasting some time by joining in the fun without having anything to lose. In the museum''s reception room, Lina was deeply attracted to the tall and handsome man the moment sheid eyes on Raiden. Is this the eldest son of the most prestigious family in Jadeborough, the biological son of the top gun in the political arena, and the highest general whomands all troops in military uniform? My, my. he''s certainly capable of having countless women going crazy about him to the point that they willingly lose themselves. Even I can''t help fantasizing about bagging him despite knowing full well that I''m merely an ant and can never be worthy of him. ¡°N-Nice to meet you, Mr. Fletcher. I''m the expert antique appraiser, Vespera.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Chapter 471 Chapter 471 Raiden nced at her. A look of displeasure shed across his eyes. She''s tantly staring at me as though she wants to strip me naked. How disgusting. ¡°Have a seat, Ms. Young. Let''s talk about today''s antique appraisal.¡± Lina sat across from Raiden with a blush on her face. Looking at him shyly, she said in a coy voice, ¡°Feel free to tell me what you need, Mr. Fletcher. I''ll do my best to get it done.¡± The man smirked. His charming smile was bewitching, holding her utterly spellbound. How is this man so devilishly handsome? ¡°I believe you''ve heard about it, Ms. Young. There is a national treasure in this batch of antiques. Let''s talk about the appraisal of this cultural relic.¡± Lina shook her head to remove the evil thoughts filling her mind and smiled. ¡°I have heard quite a lot about it the past few days, but I wonder what this cultural relic is to be called a national treasure?¡± Raiden parted his lips and said simply, ¡°An emerald seal.¡± ¡°What?¡± She jumped to her feet and stared at him in disbelief. ¡°W-What did you say? T-That relic i-is the emerald seal lost by the Haju people for thousands of years?¡± Nodding, he replied, ¡°That''s right. It''s the emerald seal. This cultural relic has been resold several times overseas. No one knows if the one that was shipped back is real, so I would like you to verify it on the spot.¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Lina waved her hands. ¡°I-I can''t do that. How can I appraise such a precious cultural relic? You should look for reputable antique appraisers to authenticate it instead.¡± Content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Oh?¡± Raiden arched his brows and smiled. ¡°Aren''t you a reputable antique appraiser, Ms. Young? Unless you''re admitting that you''re not Vespera?¡± ¡°That''s not what I''m saying. I am Vespera.¡± ¡°Since that''s the case, what are you afraid of? You''re well-known all over the world. Are you worried about making a mistake? I heard that Master Vespera''s skills are out of this world, whereby you can determine the authenticity of an antique with your eyes closed. This should be extremely easy for you, isn''t it?¡± Lina felt a tinge of itch on her scalp as her mind buzzed. The techniques in creating counterfeits have be so good now that I can''t even tell the difference between a real and fake Beauty''s Tear. How am I supposed to authenticate an ancient relic from thousands of years ago? ¡°M-Mr. Fletcher, what if, just hypothetically speaking, I made a mistake about the authenticity? What kind of punishment will there be?¡± she asked tentatively. Raiden narrowed his eyes at her and said solemnly, ¡°We haven''t even started, and you''re already backing off? The emerald seal concerns the bloodline of Chanaea''s descendants. If the authentication is wrong, there''s no doubt you''ll be imprisoned for life once it''s found out.¡± Lina shuddered in fear. She was starting to regret impersonating Vespera. I thought that this identity would bring me good fortune and that I could have a smooth-sailing career progression. However, I never expected it to be a ticking time bomb. If I don''t handle this well, I''ll have to spend the rest of my life in prison! ¡°T-That serious? I''ve never seen a real emerald seal before, so I''m notpletely confident about this.¡± Seeing that she was terribly frightened, Raiden arched his brows and smiled. ¡°You don''t have to be so nervous, Ms. Young. Just perform as per usual. The government has sent several cultural relic experts to work with you in the appraisal today.¡± Lina breathed a sigh of relief. I''ll just keep quiet and listen to the experts'' opinions first, then use them toe up with my own conclusion. ¡°All right. I''ll do my best,¡± she said. Afterward, she looked at him shyly and asked, ¡°Mr. Fletcher, can we be friends?¡± With a half-smile, Raiden looked at her and responded, ¡°Let''s discuss this after you''ve sessfully determined the authenticity of the emerald seal.¡± Lina could only nod in agreement. Amotion broke out when Bailey and Lydia showed up at the museum. ¡°Look. Bailey is here.¡± ¡°Didn''t she have a miscarriage a few days ago? What''s she doing here instead of staying at home?¡± ¡°Isn''t it obvious? She''s worried that her position in Hallsbay would be threatened in which a new talent would rece her.¡± ¡°How shameless. Does she have to be the only big shot? Must she be jealous when someone takes over?¡± ¡°Well, what do you expect? She''s been the big shot for so long that she can''t bear to let it go.¡± ¡°I heard that Mr. Luther will be attending today''s appraisal as a special ambassador. She''s probably worried that he won''t be able to control his lust and that he''ll fool around and leave her.¡± ¡°Pfft! Now that you mentioned it, I just remembered that we have a chance to seduce Mr. Luther now. Let''s take the opportunity to sleep with him while Bailey can''t.¡± ¡°Mr. Luther used to apany her personally in the past. Now, their loving rtionship is gone, and they''re like strangers. She''s probably been kicked to the curb.¡± Laughter ensued from the heated discussion. Lydia could not take it anymore. Just as she was about to step in, she was stopped by Bailey. ¡°Bailey, they''re saying such awful things! How can you endure it?¡± Bailey smiled in resignation. ¡°They''ve said nastier things before you came to Hallsbay, but they all ate their words, didn''t they? They''re just jealous of me. I should be happy. Why get angry?¡± Uh... She''s quite broad-minded. However, there seems to be something unusual in her words. Could it be that she''ll make them eat their words again? If that''s the case, I''ll leave them be for now. It''ll feel so exhrating to show them how wrong they are! Bailey''s indifferent, haughty, and cold attitude instantly angered the women around them. One of them dashed out of the crowd and stood in front of Bailey with a sneer. ¡°You''re just a bastard with an unknown father. Seven years ago, you shamelessly slept with Mr. Luther and gave birth to three illegitimate children. Did you think you could be above your station because of that? Pfft! Your children are just bastards like you. Bastards will only give birth to bastards. None of them are pure.¡± Bailey frowned slightly. She could tolerate other people insulting her and Sophia, but no one was allowed to insult Zayron and the other kids. Her children were her life. At that moment, Felicity and Gwendolyn approached from a distance. The two of them were the most distinguished women in upper-ss society, attracting everyone''s attention as soon as they appeared. Felicity walked toward Bailey. Narrowing her eyes at thetter, she chided, ¡°Are you mute? You''ve always been eloquent. Why are you letting her insult you?¡± With that, she turned around, raised her arm, and pped the socialite across the face. ¡°The Luther family''s daughter-inw and grandchildren are not people you can criticize.¡± Everyone present at the scene, including Bailey, was stunned. Felicity was always gentle and dignified. Although she was a little assertive, no one had ever witnessed her p another in front of a crowd, especially when the other party was a young woman. The socialite held her cheek and looked at Felicity with teary eyes. Mom clearly said that Mrs. Luther hates Bailey. She said that Mrs. Luther would see me in a new light if I ridiculed Bailey in front of her. W-What''s going on? Chapter 472 Chapter 472 How could she disregard her status and p me in front of everyone? ¡°M-Mrs. Luther, I was simply helping you to teach that bastard child, Bailey, a lesson. Why did you hit me?¡± Felicity''s gaze turned cold. Her sharp gaze swept across the room, and she growled, ¡°Whose family is this brat from? Take her away now and discipline her properly! What? Do you want me to discipline her in front of everyone?¡± Just then, a middle-aged woman squeezed herself out of the crowd. She rushed over to the young woman and gave her two fierce ps on her arm. ¡°You stupid girl! Who asked you to be so disrespectful toward Mrs. Luther? Do you have a death wish?¡± A bbergasted look appeared on the young woman''s face. With a trembling voice, she said, ¡°Didn''t you ask me to¡ª¡± ¡°Shut your mouth!¡± The middle-aged woman threw a fierce re at her daughter before hurriedly exining with a smile, ¡°Mrs. Luther, my daughter is just a naive girl. Please forgive my ignorant daughter for causing you trouble.¡± Felicity gave her the cold shoulder. With her icy gaze surveying the room, she announced in a deep voice, ¡°I don''t care about Bailey''s background or how terrible her reputation is. She will soon be the daughter-inw of the Luther family, and this means that she''s a member of the Luther family. Anyone who humiliates her is equivalent to humiliating the Luther family. I won''t let anyone who threatens the benefits of our family off the hook.¡± No one dared to question her after her words fell, for she was well respected in upper-ss society. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. The crowd exchanged nces with each other. They all thought this was a dramatic turn of events. Felicity used to be enraged whenever Artemis defended Bailey. Logically, she should be extremely dissatisfied with the woman. However, now that Artemis had made the decision to kick Bailey out of the Luther family and find a new lover, not only is Felicity not holding a party to celebrate the asion, but she''s adamantly defending Bailey in front of everyone from the upper-ss society. The crowd was perplexed by Felicity''s sudden change in attitude. Bailey nced at Felicity with a look of amusement, and her eyes shed with a touch of appreciation. Although Mrs. Luther is a little difficult, she will undoubtedly take my side once I gain her acknowledgment. After all, the same applies to Rhonda back then. She forgave Rhonda no matter how many mistakes she had made. She even taught Rhonda how to catch Artemis'' attention. Even though she waspletely let down when Rhonda''s utterly despicable wrongdoings came to light, she still didn''t make things difficult for thetter. Hence, Mrs. Luther is actually a good person but with a tough character. Bailey uttered, ¡°I''m used to it. You shouldn''t have stood up for me. I can''t afford to tarnish your long- established reputation.¡± Felicity whipped her head around to throw a re in Bailey''s direction. ¡°That''s fine too. But you have to promise me not to marry my son first.¡± Uh... Freya chuckled. ¡°Bay, your mother-inw''s temperament has always been like this. You should be more considerate since she''s your elder. Since you''re fine now, why don''t youe and have a walk with us?¡± Some distance away, a group of business tycoons led by Artemis, Edmund, and Zeke toured the museum''s treasures in the hall while apanied by the museum executives. Hidden in the crowd in the southwestern corner of the museum, Yvette was silently observing the good- looking and talented young men who were being surrounded by a group of people. She could only see their backs from her line of sight, and she recognized none of them. That was until her gaze fell on the broad, tall figure in the very front. Yvette grew excited. It''s him! He must be that godly man I saw in the garden and remember vividly. His back matches the one in my memory perfectly. Who is he? Yvette subconsciously waved at a waiter, signaling for him toe over. With a low voice, she asked, ¡°Who''s that young man walking at the very front?¡± The waiter looked in the direction of her finger. ¡°Are you talking about the person in the brown suit?¡± ¡°That''s right!¡± The waiter noticed her excitement and the uncontroble joy in her eyes. He instantly understood that Yvette was interested in Artemis. He could not help but chuckle. ¡°You have a good eye, miss. The man you picked out is the noblest bachelor in Hallsbay.¡± Yvette gripped the hem of her dress. He''s the noblest bachelor in Hallsbay? It seems that Tarragon''s leader possesses an important position in the outside world as well. My taste is indeed impable to have picked the most outstanding man out of everyone. ¡°Can you tell me who he is?¡± ¡°He''s Artemis Luther, the head of the most prestigious family of Aploth, the Luther family.¡± When Yvette heard his name, she could not help but shiver. ¡°A-Artemis? Is he the one who holds the lead position of Luther Group, which is ranked the top five richest internationally? ¡°That''s right. It''s him.¡± Yvette felt exhrated as if she had hit the jackpot. Before, it was impossible for her to covet the leader of Tarragon, much less the decision-maker of the most prominent family in Aploth. How can I not be shocked upon learning that they are one and the same? It''s exhrating enough to imagine myself bing thedy of Tarragon and the Luther family. Chapter 473 Chapter 473 Yvette had decided right then and there that she would marry Artemis no matter what. She had lived in Tarragon''s headquarters for years, and she had never seen the true appearance of this exceedingly powerful man. Although she had stayed in Hallsbay for a period of time, she did not have the time to appreciate Artemis'' looks as she was fixated on her rivalry with Shannon. But that''s not going to be the case from now on. Yvette said, ¡°Mr. Luther must be very handsome. Since I''ve been abroad for years and always keep to myself, I barely know anything about him.¡± The waiter noticed her extravagantly dressed appearance. He hurriedly grabbed a magazine from the disy shelf on the side and handed it to her lest he offended this distinguished guest. ¡°Mr. Luther is the special guest of this relic exhibition. His picture is on the cover of this promotional magazine.¡± Yvette took the magazine over quickly. She was enthralled by the man in the picture with just a nce. Exuding aloofness, he was handsome all around, and his chiseled features seemed like a work of Adrune''s master sculptor. ¡°Indeed, he''s very handsome and charming. I''m certain he has stolen many girls'' hearts. After all, he''s the definition of perfection.¡± ¡°That''s right! Mr. Luther is the prince charming of all women in Hallsbay. Otherwise, Bailey wouldn''t have been the target of public outrage. In fact, she''s still ostracized even with her immense contributions to Chanaea.¡± It was only then that Yvette remembered Artemis'' lover. That''s right. I have heard of Ms. Jefferson. It seems I have to learn more about her in the future. Artemis and the others circled the arc-shaped exhibit area before finally meeting Bailey and the rest. Everyone in the vicinity braced their eyes and stared at them curiously to see if Artemis would openly ignore Bailey. s, they were disappointed by the oue. Artemis strode forward to reduce the distance between them before wrapping his arm around Bailey''s waist. He then pecked her on the cheek, unconcerned about the spectators. What the hell was the rumor about her losing Artemis'' interest? Clearly, Artemis is infatuated with Bailey. In fact, the woman has Artemis wrapped around her fingerpletely. It''s impossible for Artemis to love someone else. ¡°I haven''t seen you for half an hour, and I''ve missed you dearly,¡± Artemis whispered in her ear. In response, Bailey shot him a re. Does he think I''m clueless as to what he''s actually thinking about? With Edmund, Raiden, and even the Oscars'' Best Actor, Elliot present, isn''t he just trying to stake his im on me in front of them? I didn''t expect the head of the Luther family to have such a childish side. Although Bailey found the situation amusing, she could not help but feel troubled. It looks like I won''t be able to have any male friends with how domineering he is. ¡°Everyone, please proceed to the auditorium on the east side of the exhibition hall, as the appraisal conference will begin shortly,¡± said the person in charge of the museum with a microphone to invite the guests to take a seat. Felicity walked up to Artemis and Bailey and said, ¡°Your wife is a pushover. She doesn''t know how to fight back when someone tantly crosses the line. You''d better take good care of her now that I''m handing her over to you. Don''t let her embarrass the Luther family. You have to teach her not to put up with everything. It''s eptable to hit, scold, and fight others when they deserve it. The Luther family will back her up no matter what happens.¡± Although what Felicity said were words of concern, she sounded slightly grumpy. Bailey smiled, for Felicity''s words warmed her heart. She must have taken a liking to me. Otherwise, she would have never defended me in this manner. The smile on Artemis'' face widened. After acknowledging Felicity''s words with a slight hum, he supported Bailey and proceeded to take a seat. Just then, Zeke approached them and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I have something to ask you. Can I talk to you in private?¡± Upon hearing that, Artemis'' grip on Bailey''s waist tightened. However, he quickly eased his strength in consideration of the baby in her stomach. Nheless, his expression was grim. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Bailey found the situation amusing. It''s fine that he''s wary about Raiden and Edmund. But why is he keeping his guard up with Zeke? It''s not like he doesn''t know my rtionship with Zeke. Artemis scoffed twice. With a cold tone, he stated, ¡°It''s chaotic here. I don''t feel at ease handing her over to you. I can either apany her, or you can wait until the end of the appraisal conference to meet her at the Luther residence.¡± Zeke''s gaze swept across Bailey''s belly. He seemed to have understood something when he noticed Artemis'' hand gently covering Bailey''s belly. It appears that the rumors spreading outside are inurate. This calctive couple must be up to no good and setting up a trap for someone. ¡°That''s fine. I will go look for her at the Luther residence after the end of the appraisal conference, then.¡± Just then, Lydia dragged a middle-aged woman to them. ¡°Bay, let me introduce you to Ingrid Wolcott, the most renowned expert antique appraiser of the Xanthos family. I''ll get her to expose the true face of that impostor, Lina,ter.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrow. Ingrid Wolcott? It seems like Lydia''s pretty capable to have invited such an important figure here. ¡°Greetings, Mdm. Wolcott.¡± Ingrid smiled warmly. ¡°It seems there will be a good show to watch today.¡± Chapter 474 Chapter 474 In general, a person of great wisdom would usually have sharp eyes. Speaking of this, Ingrid definitely had the air of a wise woman. ¡°I''m also looking forward to seeing Ms. Young, the expert antique appraiser, to liven things up,¡± said Bailey. As Ingrid and Bailey exchanged nces, they seemed to havemunicated wordlessly. Without another word, both of them broke into a smile. ¡°Let''s take our seats.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Lydia scratched her head over the duo''s conversation. She could not help asking Zeke, ¡°Did you get what they were talking about?¡± A smile crept onto thetter''s face. ¡°You invited Master Ingrid to this event to liven up the mood, didn''t you?¡± At that point, Lydia became even more confused. Soon, the staff pushed the unearthed antiques onto the stage piece by piece. Everyone down the stage was amazed and astounded at the same time. It''s no wonder that the higher-ups regarded this exhibition with great importance. Even the heir of the Fletcher family is here to handle and monitor the event. All of these antiques will be priceless treasures once their authenticity is verified. ¡°Vespera and our specialist team have concluded that this bronze vessel dated back to the Bronze Age is authentic. No documentation is avable,¡± the curator announced. Everyone at the scene was shocked to hear that. Wow! The first piece of antique is a relic from the Bronze Age. It dates back thousands of years! The gang of tomb raiders that has been arrested... I wonder where did they steal all of these relics? Meanwhile, in the VIP area, Bailey was gazing at the bronze vessel on the stage. As she was filled with admiration for the ancient people''s wisdom, she also began to admire Lina''s courage. Even though there is a team of specialists helping her, she''s still considered courageous enough to bear the responsibility of an appraiser. After all, she is just an imposter. s... her greed for fame will surely ruin her one day. ¡°Bay, is this thing really authentic?¡± Lydia queried. ¡°Yes, it is. The techniques of metalworking are not fully established during the Bronze Age. Thus, the authentication process is ratherplicated. But there is a way to ascertain its authenticity. Have a look at...¡± Bailey softened her voice as she exined it in detail. ¡°Oh, I see!¡± Lydia was instantly enlightened. ¡°As expected of a world-renowned expert. You''re very knowledgeable, Ms. Jefferson. Your skills in antique appraising are impressive too. Looks like I''ll have to learn from you,¡± Ingrid praised with a smile. ¡°You tter me!¡± While they were chatting, another few pieces of relics were examined. Among them, some were authentic; some were replicas. Of course, the counterfeit relics were not replicated by the ancient people. When collecting an antique, some immoral antique dealers would also acquire its replica to trick people into buying the fake antique at an exorbitant price. A momentter, an antique statue was confirmed to be fake. Looking at the antique statue, Bailey frowned slightly. Noticing her unusual expression, Artemis asked softly, ¡°What is it? Is there something wrong with the judgment of this antique statue?¡± At that moment, an idea struck Bailey, and a calcting glint shed across her eyes. I reckon Mrs. Luther will like this antique statue even though she has already acquired the handwritten scripture. An antique statue is more meaningful than a modern scripture anyway. On top of that, this statue had been in the hands of kings and queens. It was believed that monarchs possessed healing powers in ancient times. I''m sure the Luther family will prosper and be blessed with excellent health if we disy this statue at home. ¡°Hmm. If I''m not mistaken, this statue dates back to the Middle Ages. y is not a valuable material nowadays, but using y for sculptures was rare until thete Middle Ages. This statue was handmade with y by a famous sculptor. Rumors had it that he was very enthusiastic about art. Also, since this statue had passed through the hands of kings and queens, its spirituality could now be felt,¡± Bailey expounded. Artemis was taken aback to hear that. ¡°There are such rumors? Howe I''ve never heard of it?¡± ¡°You only have your heart set on money. Without any interest in art, it''s natural that you''ve never heard about this.¡± Bailey''s remark instantly rendered him speechless. Since the duo had been talking quietly, and the crowd around them was noisy, Ingrid and Lydia did not overhear their conversation. Hence, when Lina concluded that the antique statue was fake, Ingrid could not help asking, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I''m not knowledgeable enough to talk about the technicalities, but I get the feeling that something is off with this antique statue. Can you please enlighten me?¡± Bailey curled her lips into a smile and shook her head. ¡°You''re overthinking things, Mdm. Wolcott. I reckon that you know all the antique statues with historical records. You don''t remember seeing this antique statue, do you?¡± Ingrid could not help but chuckle. ¡°No. I''ve never seen this statue, but there''s something fishy about it. Hmm. Don''t you think this antique statue is out of the ordinary, Ms. Jefferson?¡± Bailey shook her head in response. This antique statue will surely be handed in if I conduct an appraisal. As such, I won''t be able to gift it to Mrs. Luther. In actuality, Bailey did notck patriotism. She had been working hard to contribute and had be a pride of her nation. To her, that was how a patriotic citizen should be. A momentter, gasps of surprise echoed through the hall. As Bailey looked toward the stage, she saw a blood-red antique emerald. On its surface was the engraving of some densely packed ancient alphabets. This is... Bailey sat up straight and squinted her eyes to observe the red emerald. Her eyes were filled with excitement. Is this the Haju people''s red emerald? After thousands of years, it has finally reemerged... ¡°Gosh! What is this?¡± ¡°That''s such a bright red. It''s surprising to see a blood-red emerald!¡± ¡°I reckon modern craftsmanship can produce an emerald with such bright color. Yet, this is a relic! There was no modern technology in ancient times. So how is it possible for a red emerald like that to exist?¡± ¡°Where are the official representatives? They should exin to us.¡± ¡°This is the emerald seal. Thousands of years ago, it was the foundation of the Haju people''s inheritance,¡± an elderly in the crowd stated. His bold spection instantly attracted everyone''s attention. ¡°What? This is the emerald seal that went missing thousands of years ago?¡± ¡°How can this be? This is impossible! How can it reemerge after it went missing for these past thousands of years?¡± At that moment, the curator went up the stage. With a solemn expression, he voiced, ¡°What this mister has just said is true. Indeed, this is the emerald seal, but we''ve yet to confirm its authenticity. Of course, we won''t simply jump to conclusions either. As this relic means the world to us, we''ve already revealed all the rted information, hoping to receive advice from some organizations. Thankfully, we have sessfully invited Vespera, an internationally redited antique appraiser, to work with us today. I believe she possesses the skills and ability to examine this relic. Without further ado, we shall proceed with today''s main agenda.¡± Having said that, hended his gaze on Lina. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. Thetter was utterly dumbfounded at that moment. Gosh! What am I supposed to say? I can''t even tell what this relic is made out of. To me, it looks exactly like a replica produced with modern craftsmanship. After all, no technology was avable during the Pre-Quix Era. That was thousands of years ago! There was no way to create such an exquisite product back then. Despite thinking of that, Lina dared not utter a word. She found the gaze of the audience too intimidating. But what if it is real? I''ll be doomed for making a wrong judgment. Gosh! How am I going to shoulder the me by then? Chapter 475 Chapter 475 She was not the only one; she was sure that none of the specialists who were present could bear the responsibility. Therefore... ¡°Mr. Hodgkin, what do you think about this?¡± she whispered to an elderly man by her side. The elderly man stroked his beard and smiled. ¡°This is a real red emerald.¡± Lina smirked. Everything was going the way she expected. Afraid that he would have to bear the responsibility of missing out on the real national treasure, the elderly man lied. After all, no one had ever seen the emerald seal. Although there were records of it in history books, the descriptions had been vague. There were no mentions of its shape and the material of the seal. If the few of them said that the emerald was real, who else in the world would dare to refute them? Getting involved in the matter would spell endless trouble for them, after all. She was certain that no one would intentionally step into troublesome waters like these. ¡°A good eye, Mr. Hodgkin. I, too, think that the red emerald is real.¡± At that, she turned to look at the others around her. When she saw their agreement, she let out a sigh of relief. Who cares whether or not this thing''s real? As long as I get past today, I''ll be internationally famous tomorrow. Think about it. How great of an achievement will it be to find the emerald seal that has been lost for thousands of years for Chanaea? My name will be written in the history books! ¡°Our specialist team hase to the conclusion that this is the red emerald from ancient times. Although no text can prove our spection, since this thing has re-emerged in the world, it must be none other than the real thing, for no one would forge an antique of thousands of years. The moment she uttered those words, the people in the space cheered. ¡°Oh my goodness. T-This really is the emerald seal that the Haju people of Chanaea had lost for thousands of years.¡± ¡°The specialists and the expert antique appraiser, Vespera, have agreed that this is the emerald seal, so it has to be it. We''ve finally found the national treasure!¡± ¡°Master Vespera is amazing! She managed to decipher whether the item was authentic or not. Truly nothing less from a master. I''m impressed!¡± Below the stage, Ingrid Wolcott drew her brows together as she looked at Bailey. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, what do you think? Is this red emerald really the one from ancient times?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°This is simply a high-quality replica. However, it has to be identical to the real emerald, for the one who made this must have had the real item to copy from. In other words, the real red emerald has appeared, but someone had swapped it out for a replica at one point.¡± Ingrid began looking at Lina asplicated feelings washed over her. ¡°It looks like Ms. Young is an imposter. Although I''ve never met Vespera myself, I''ve heard a little about her character. She would not have needed to lie for fear of getting prosecuted. If the seal were fake, she would have been honest about it.¡± Augh escaped Bailey. It looks like she knows me well. She''s right. If I were on the stage, I wouldn''t have lied and would have told the world that this was fake. I would have said to them that someone had taken the real away. This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Right then, Raiden went on stage. Instead of looking at the specialists and Lina, he looked right at Bailey and asked, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you''re a woman of great knowledge. May I know if this red emerald is real?¡± The moment that question left him, everyone was rendered bewildered. What? Why is Mr. Fletcher consulting someone who knows nothing about appraisals? ¡°Mr. Fletcher, I think we have no need to heed Bailey''s opinion.¡± ¡°That''s right. Even though she excels in other fields, appraising antiques isn''t one of her strengths. I don''t know if you know this or not, but a few days ago, she made a mistake in recognizing Beauty''s Tear, a token of love from her master Yara to her benefactor Cedric. You really can''t put your hope on someone as brainless as her.¡± ¡°Hear, hear. Her opinion is not one to be heeded.¡± Nevertheless, with one rake of Raiden''s scathing gaze, everyone mped their mouths shut. The man was a mighty being whomanded obedience. Furthermore, he had military power and was an influential figure. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I hope you will fulfill your earlier promise and tell us the truth.¡± Bailey sighed before briefly studying Lina. Her greed is going to ruin her. If she had denied the legitimacy of this red emerald, perhaps she would have been fine today. But she wanted to dance with the devil and lie when there were no ways to authenticate her words. Therefore, she only has herself to me for what will soon befall her. ¡°No, this is not the real emerald seal. The real emerald seal doesn''t have the characters carved on the surface of the emerald. Instead, the characters were carved into the emerald. That is why I am confident to say that this is not the real emerald seal.¡± Lina jumped to her feet and red at Bailey. She snarled, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we bear no grudge toward each other, so why do you insist on targeting me? You did this during Beauty''s Tear''s auction, and you''re doing this again. Will you only stop when you destroy my reputation?¡± Right as those words passed her lips, Adrian Hodgkin spoke. After all, they were all in the same boat¡ª their fates were bound together. ¡°Foolish young woman. You''ve never even seen the emerald seal, so how did youe to the conclusion that the characters are engraved within the emerald? You''re trying to mess with the people!¡± Chapter 476 Chapter 476 ¡°Don''t you dare tell me that you''ve seen the emerald seal because that will be a joke! This is a national appraising event with plenty of experts here. An inexperienced junior like you shouldn''t be boasting about your meager skills here. Take a step back now and stop speaking nonsense.¡± Bailey found the situation amusing. And he calls himself an experienced specialist. How funny. They could have been fine if they had admitted that they were unable to discern whether the seal was the real deal or not. Their insistence was going to backfire terribly if someone were to prove that the current seal they had was a replica. The crowd around them was noisy as they bombarded Bailey with illments. However, Bailey kept a faint smile on her face and rested her head on Artemis'' shoulders before saying to Raiden, ¡°See what I mean? They don''t believe me and are certain that this is real. Why don''t you go along with their words and pretend that this is the real one?¡± Raiden could hear the discontent in her tone. Indeed, he was at fault for this. He knew that putting her in the spotlight would pressure her tremendously, but he still did it. It was nothing unusual for her to be furious to be on the receiving end of everyone''s doubts and mockery after that. ¡°I''m sorry to have pushed you into this, but this is the only thing I can do. I can''t just sit back on watch as the real emerald seal disappear while the national museum receives a fake one.¡± Bailey waved him off. She understood the difficult spot Raiden was in. It would be challenging to correct the mistake if they did not reveal the truth instantly. Bailey only had a foul tone because she was pregnant, and pregnant women tended to be quicker to be angry than others. With a bellow, Raiden stopped the others from talking. He then uttered, ¡°I''m sure no one wants the real red emerald to continue getting passed around strangers'' hands while we keep a fake one in our museum, right?¡± A short and sweet speech that dispirited the angry people. Raiden continued, ¡°There must be a reason for people to voice their doubts. Don''t worry. I''ll reinvestigate this matter. We''d rather spend more time looking into this than let the real red emerald slip by us.¡± Lina gritted her teeth, a touch of anxiety shing past Lina''s heart. She thought no one would dare to question the legitimacy of the red emerald in public. Yet, it seemed like Bailey was fearless with the way she instantly said that the seal was fake. Why is she so skillful? It was the same for Beauty''s Tears, too. No one realized it was a fake but Bailey. If the real deal had not still been in the auction back then, she would have been exposed. Ha. Bailey Jefferson. She''s truly my personal harbinger of doom. With things havinge to this, Lina had no choice but to steel herself and keep fighting against Bailey. ¡°All right. I''ll give Mr. Fletcher three days to look into this. If you still have no evidence that this is a fake antique three dayster, I''ll have to resort to legal measures.¡± ¡°Master Vespera, that''s so nice of you.¡± ¡°That''s right! This is nonsense, and you have no need to care about it at all!¡± ¡°Mr. Fletcher, if this red emerald turns out to be the real one, what do you n to do with Bailey? She can''t get away from this scot-free, can she?¡± Before Raiden could say anything, Lionel uttered, ¡°If this emerald is real, you can send me to jail for disrupting public order. I promise the Luther family won''t intervene.¡± At that, Raiden cast Bailey an apologetic look before turning to Lina. ¡°Bailey has already said her part. Isn''t it time for you to do the same?¡± Lina pursed her lips in response. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Although she was filled with uneasiness, she could only steel herself and swear, ¡°If this emerald is fake and I''m just a fraud, you can send me to jail too.¡± ¡°We have trust in you, Master Vespera.¡± ¡°That''s right. Master Vespera is one of the best in the appraising industry. In fact, I heard that she learned her appraising skill from an experienced tomb raider. If you can''t recognize it, no one in this world would be able to do that.¡± ¡°Bailey''s ignorant. She''s going to fail.¡± There were other relics to be appraised after that, but Bailey was more concerned about the antique statue. ¡°Ratemis, let''s go backstage.¡± Seemingly reading her mind, Artemis reached out to pinch the tip of her nose before leaving. After the two of them went out of the exhibition hall, Artemis looked for the person in charge of the museum. ¡°Can you sell those three replicas to me? I''m thinking of bringing them back to let my darling study them. She''s too lousy of a judge, and I''d like her to practice more often.¡± The museum curator received a huge sum of donations from the Luther family just a few days ago. Even if Artemis had asked him for the real relics, he would have still found a way to give them to him, let alone the replicas. ¡°Mr. Luther, how could you say that? They''re but worthless toys. Please just help yourself to them.¡± Bailey happily took the antique statue. The moment she took it, she sensed the uniqueness of the statue. It was almost spiritual, and if she were to close her eyes, she could smell a hint of fragranceing from it. How can those experts toss such a priceless treasure away as if it''s trash? How ludicrous. Even combined, the antiques today aren''t worth as much as this antique statue. After all, how could a statue that had been blessed in Tonitrus Temple be anything ordinary? Chapter 477 Chapter 477 Meanwhile, in the living room of the Luther residence, Bailey raised her brow and smiled at Felicity. ¡°I''ve got something good for you.¡± With that, she pulled out the antique statue from her shopping bag and ced it on the table. As a fervent art collector, Felicity was appalled to see that Bailey had kept such a delicate statue in a flimsy bag. ¡°Don''t ever do that again! That''s very disrespectful! You ought to treat art pieces with more care.¡± Bailey, however, only found the situation highly amusing. Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org. I show my love for art through actions, not words. I wouldn''t have picked it out from that heap of trash if I hadn''t cared about it. ¡°Go on. Check it out. I assure you it''s a treasure.¡± Despite her skepticism, Felicity took the magnifying ss from her butler and began inspecting the statue. After a while, her expression slid into a frown. ¡°Well, I don''t see any difference between this and other ceramic statues. That said, it''s still a beautiful piece of art, and we ought to treasure it.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°Take a closer look. If you still can''t tell it''s special, I can only say you don''t have a keen eye for art.¡± Upon hearing that, Felicity gave a short, exasperatedugh. ¡°Oh, you and your sharp tongue. Fine. I shall have another look. You''d better not be pulling my leg, though. Otherwise, I''ll give you a few good smacks.¡± Momentster, Felicity finally turned to Bailey with a look of astonishment on her face. ¡°Bay, am I imagining things? Why do I hear harp music and choral singing? I seem to be smelling frankincense too...¡± Bailey curled her lips into a smile. It looks like I''ve indeed snagged myself a treasure. That statue had passed through the hands of kings and queens and had even been blessed in a temple. Only those who truly appreciate art will be able to experience its wonders. ¡°Oh, it''s not your imagination. Everything you''ve heard and smelled is spot on. That''s because this antique statue has an incredible history behind it,¡± she said before sharing the statue''s story with Felicity. ¡°T-This... I-Is this really...¡± Seeing how Felicity was stumbling over her words, Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°You don''t have to doubt it. It''s indeed that statue.¡± Felicity stared nkly at the antique statue and muttered, ¡°My goodness. This is a national treasure! Why didn''t you say anything back at the museum? I remember those old fogies iming it to be fake, so why didn''t you correct them?¡± ¡°If I had corrected them, how would I have been able to keep the statue for myself?¡± Bailey quipped as she arched her brows. ¡°In any case, please don''t start preaching to me. All I care about is my family. Besides, what''s truly beneficial to the country isn''t this antique statue but the red emerald. Now that I have the former in my possession, I''ll definitely help to find the genuine emerald. After all, I''m not one to take advantage of others.¡± Felicity''s mind cleared up in an instant. ¡°Earlier, I was still thinking about donating the statue to the museum, but I''ve changed my mind after hearing what you said. I do have one concern, though. Are you sure we won''t get into trouble for this?¡± Bailey shook her head firmly. ¡°Don''t worry. We won''t. Go ahead and keep it in the Luther residence.¡± The news must have reached Raiden when I took the statue away. Given his intelligence, I''m sure he has also figured out it''s a rare, ancient relic. However, since he didn''t stop me, I shall take it as a tacit acquiescence on his part. Ha! It''s not like he has a choice, anyway. He asked me for help, so why shouldn''t I receive some form of payment? Meanwhile, at a coffee shop, Yvette narrowed her eyes as she coldly scrutinized the middle-ageddy in front of her. Hmph. Why, if it isn''t Sofie Carr, the woman who seduced Dad back in the day. She even tried for a son through in vitro fertilization so she could assume the role of my mother. Thankfully, she got what she deserved. She had a miscarriage after six months of pregnancy, which undoubtedly shattered all her dreams. In the end, Dad got sick of her and even paid to have her leave him. That being said, I can''t believe she''s such a tough cookie. Who knew she''d turn her life around and be the boss of Cosmetico? Ah, I bet she must''ve exchanged sexual favors with various business partners! Otherwise, she wouldn''t have gotten to where she is today! ¡°What do you want from me?¡± Yvette finally asked. Sofie smiled. ¡°You know, I used to be your father''s mistress, so technically, that''d make me your stepmother. You shouldn''t be treating your elders with such disrespect.¡± Upon hearing that, Yvette felt a wave of fury crashing through her. What a shameless sl*t! She was the one who drove Mom to her grave and made a fool out of Dad, yet she still has the guts to demand respect from me! How much more thick-skinned can she get? The next second, Yvette jumped up from the couch and grabbed her cup of coffee, ready to throw it at Sofie''s face. Thetter, however, quickly added, ¡°The new head of Tarragon is Luther Group''s CEO, Artemis Luther. He''s the golden child, but since I don''t have a daughter, there''s nothing much I can do. You, however, are my stepdaughter. Your father had done a lot for me in the past, and helping you be the wife of Tarragon''s leader would be a good way of repaying his kindness.¡± Yvette immediately pulled her hand back and peered at Sofie. ¡°Are you saying you can help get me married to the leader and be Tarragon''s new matriarch?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sofie answered without hesitation. ¡°I''ll have you know I haven''t spent all my time in Tarragon for nothing. If we join forces, I''m sure we''ll be able to achieve our goal.¡± Vignt as always, Yvette decided to probe further. ¡°What do you want in return?¡± I''m no ignorant fool. There must be a reason this woman has suddenlye to me. Once again, Sofie broke into a smile. ¡°As a businesswoman, what I care about are profitability and growth. If you can double the size of my business empire, that''d make you my business partner, and I''ve always been very generous to my partners.¡± After mulling over it for a few seconds, Yvette finally said through gritted teeth, ¡°I need time to think about this. Give me two days.¡± ¡°No problem. You can get back to me once you''ve thought it through, Your Royal Highness. However, please be reminded that if Mr. Luther marries someone else, you will no longer be the most distinguished person in Tarragon. Everyone will be trying to curry favor with the new matriarch.¡± Needless to say, Sofie''s goading had hit Yvette where it hurt most. I''ve always been the most well-loved princess in Tarragon, and I''ve never had to worry about my position being threatened. But what happens if the new leader gets a wife? Where would that leave me? ¡°Fine. I''ll give you an answer after two days,¡± Yvette muttered. ¡°I do hope you''re worth cooperating with.¡± After watching the youngdy leave the coffee shop, Sofie promptly turned to a secret door in the southeast corner. ¡°She''s gone. You cane out now.¡± Hearing that, Zoey opened the door and strode out. ¡°Mom, who is she?¡± ¡°Well, she''s got quite a reputation, but that''s not something you need to know for now. All you need to know is that she, too, wants to marry Artemis Luther. Therefore, we can make use of this royal highness. She''ll get rid of Bailey Jefferson for us.¡± Zoey stared at the woman in front of her as she felt a rush of conflicting emotions. Oh, gosh. This woman is terrifying. She''s gotten the entire situation under control so effortlessly. Not only is she ambitious, but she''s also scheming. Sometimes, I feel like I''m just a pawn to her. Who knows? I might face dire consequences if I make one wrong move... ¡°What''s wrong? Are you still afraid that I, your mother, will hurt you?¡± Chapter 478 Chapter 478 Zoey could not help sneering inwardly. I don''t know if this woman would harm me, but I''m sure she must have ulterior motives. A scheming woman like her would not have put in so much effort if there aren''t any benefits for her to gain in return. After all, if she could abandon me, her daughter, as she pleased, I don''t think she values familial ties. ¡°No. That''s not what I meant. I know you''re doing this for me, and you only instigated that woman to deal with Bailey because you wanted to make things easier for me.¡± Hearing that, Sofie curled her lips elegantly. The look in her eyes was almost unfathomable. No one could tell what she was nning inside her mind. ¡°That''s right. You should know I am your mother, your biological mother, and I will never harm you, even if I have to hurt everyone else. Come on. Sit next to me.¡± Zoey shivered uncontrobly and suppressed her anxiety as she took a seat next to Sofie. ¡°Zozo, you heard what I told her just now, didn''t you? Artemis isn''t the only one in charge of the Luther Group. He also has someone extremely powerful backing him up. Words can''t even describe the power he has in this world. If you marry him, you will be the most honorable woman in the world. No one will be able topare to you.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. ¡°If that''s the case, Mom, I will let you decide what to do with my life. With you protecting me and opening new pathways for me, I think I will soon be the most envied person in this world.¡± ¡°Of course. You''ll only have to listen to me, and I''ll do my best to help you get everything. Remember, I only love obedient kids. Those who don''t listen to me often end up badly.¡± ¡°I understand. I will stay obedient to you and never think of going against you.¡± At that point, Zoey regretted relying on the vicious and brutal Sofie. Of course, Sofie could indeed be of great help to Zoey if thetter could use the older woman''s cruel traits to her advantage. Otherwise, those traits would be a sharp de stabbing Zoey so hard that she was sent to her doom. The incident of Bailey questioning the authenticity of the emerald seal Lina chose at the appraisal had stirred quite an uproar among the public. Aside from feeling excited that they found a national treasure, the public also harshly condemned Bailey''s actions. To the public, Lina was Vespera, the expert antique appraiser recognized internationally. They believed she could never make a mistake when appraising an ancient relic. As for Bailey, she appeared clueless in terms of antique appraisal because she had even failed to recognize the love token that her master''s wife had gifted to her master. With such disparity in their professional skills, the public would not hesitate to choose Lina if they had to pick a side. Ament wrote: Bailey is ignorant and arrogant, thinking she owns the world just because she has multiple big-shot identities. She''s trying to im a spot in every industry. How annoying. Another seconded: That''s right. We can still try to believe her words if she''s questioning an ordinary appraiser. But now? She''s questioning Master Vespera, an expert in the appraising field. How could she im Master Vespera made a mistake in her appraisal? Isn''t she trying to challenge the entire industry by doubting Master Vespera? After all, Master Vespera was nominated by everyone to represent every antique appraiser in the industry. Anotherment read: Bailey should give us a reasonable exnation within the next three days. Otherwise, we won''t let her get away with this. She can doubt whoever she wants but not Master Vespera. I will always hold her against this. Someone else agreed: Exactly. She can stop dreaming about using the Luther family''s influence to gloss over this issue. We will not let her get away so easily. Bailey dismissed those hatefulments on the inte with augh. She had already grown immune to theizens hating on her, and thosements were barely enough to hurt her feelings. Despite being a legendary doctor, the Legendary Racer, a lead designer, and a professional hacker, the public still hated her for the single fact that she won Artemis'' heart. Hence, Bailey knew she would only face more dumb and pathetic personal attacks like this from the public in many years toe. The public would not stop hating her unless she gave up on Artemis and returned him to his admirers, giving thosedies another chance to marry him and be a part of the wealthy family. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°I''m thinking of ways to kick you out there so that you can relieve your admirers'' anger toward me.¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey could feel the air around her drop several degrees lower. Then, she realized she had mindlessly blurted nonsensical words, so she immediately tried to appease him by saying, ¡°I was babbling nonsense. Don''t take that to heart. It''s nothing serious.¡± Artemis snorted and asked nonchntly, ¡°What do you n to do next? To look all around the world for that red emerald? It''s no different from finding a needle in a haystack. You won''t find it even if you were given three years, let alone three days.¡± Bailey blinked with a cunning glint in her eyes. ¡°Who told you I''m nning to look all around the world? Will you do something so stupid?¡± Artemis was stumped by her words. Ignoring him, Bailey continued, ¡°Raiden said he had controlled those people who were in contact with the red emerald. Now that I told him the one in the museum is fake, I''m sure he will find a way to make those people talk and get a lead on the actual one.¡± Artemis scoffed at that. Is she praising Raiden? It seems to me she doesn''t think it''s a big deal to praise him. What about me? I''m still here! ¡°It sounds like Raiden is perfect in your eyes. You think he can do everything, don''t you?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes, stood up, and was about to leave the bedroom. Now, I wonder who is the pregnant one who requires constion all the time? As soon as she stood up, she felt a weight gripping her wrist. Then, the world spun around her in the next second as she was pinned onto the bed. Chapter 479 Chapter 479 ¡°Don''t.¡± Bailey red at him. Artemis ignored her and continued roaming his hand on her body. Exasperated, Bailey could only use the baby in her belly as an excuse. ¡°We can''t have sex in the first three months, or it will affect the pregnancy.¡± He reached out to brush his fingers across her lips, smirking. ¡°Well, your lips seem just fine. I''m sure we won''t affect the pregnancy if we put your lips to use, right?¡± Words eluded Bailey. Meanwhile, Victoria stood by the door to the bedroom in the Saunders residence. The air was filled with a strong medicinal smell. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she took in the emaciated figure on the bed. She could not help trembling at that sight. It had only been slightly more than one month since she left, but the strong and reliable figure in her memories had now be so haggard and skinny. Victoria was not a fool. Naturally, she knew her father''s time was almost up. ¡°Vicky, is that you?¡± A raspy and hoarse voice rang out inside the room, calling her name. Victoria stumbled into the room and rushed toward the bed, crying out loud, ¡°Dad... Dad...¡± Vincentboriously lifted his hand and caressed his daughter''s head. ¡°My time is almost up, and I can only leave behind a broken and worn down Saunders family to you. If you can handle it, then you should keep it. Otherwise, you can give it up, find a suitable ce, and start a new life there.¡± Victoria shook her head fervently as tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°No. Don''t say that. You''re still young. You won''t die so soon. Bay is a skilled doctor. I''m sure she can find a way to save you. I am certain about that.¡± Then, she frantically searched for her phone. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Vincent almost used up all his energy to say those words, and he could no longer stop his daughter from doing anything. All he could do was watch her run out of the bedroom in a panic. ¡°Mr. Saunders, just let Ms. Saunders look for Ms. Jefferson. This is her responsibility as your daughter, and it will make her feel more at ease by doing that,¡± said the butler standing next to him. Cough! Cough! Vincent started coughing violently and tried to form aplete sentence in between, asking, ¡°Is... Is she really pregnant with the Gezmond brat''s baby?¡± The butler nodded in response. ¡°The person you dispatched to protect her reported back to me that she went for a pregnancy checkup in Belmonia Ind. From the hospital records, it''s true that Ms. Saunders is pregnant.¡± Vincent''s hand, which was hanging in the air, fell limp to the side. He stared at the ceiling with despair and dread filling his cloudy eyes. ¡°What an ill-fated rtionship! Despite what I did in the past to force them to part ways, they still ended up back in each other''s lives again. Fiona, how are you going to rest in peace knowing this?¡± The butler wiped his tears away and said with a choked voice, ¡°Should we tell Ms. Saunders about what happened back then? She has the right to know her mother died a terrible death.¡± ¡°No. No. We can''t.¡± Vincent resisted the idea with all his might. The butler hurriedly went over and held him back down. ¡°You''re too weak to move around.¡± Vincent grabbed the butler''s wrist and said sternly, ¡°Promise me. Promise me to keep it a secret in your heart. Carry this secret to your grave, and don''t tell anyone, especially Vicky. We can''t let her find out about this, or she will be miserable for the rest of her life.¡± The butler sobbed and said in a trembling voice, ¡°Okay. I won''t tell. I won''t tell her. Ms. Saunders will never know her mother¡ª¡± He immediately stopped talking, clearly afraid that he would identally reveal the truth. In the meantime, at the Luther residence, Bailey softly panted while lying in bed. She red at the man next to her, who was seemingly in a good mood, and gritted her teeth hard. D*mn it! My mouth stinks because of him! ¡°Go out,¡± she said. Artemis shook his head. ¡°I''ll have to carry you to the bathroom so you could freshen up.¡± She was at a loss for words. Then, the phone she ced next to the bed rang. Artemis walked over and looked at the screen. ¡°It''s from Victoria. Do you want to answer it?¡± Victoria? I think she''s back from Belmonia Ind. If I''m not mistaken, someone at home called and told her to rush back home because Vincent''s condition had worsened. Thinking of that, Bailey hurriedly reached for the phone. ¡°Vicky, what''s wrong?¡± she asked. Victoria was heard crying over the phone, and she sounded heartbroken. Bailey immediately got anxious. Victoria was her best friend and her soulmate. If Victoria had not rushed to the hospital in time back then, Bailey and her kids would have died. Afterward, Victoria also helped her raise Zayron and Susan. Thus, the woman was essential in Bailey''s and her children''s lives. ¡°What''s wrong? Talk to me. Slow down. Stay calm.¡± ¡°Bay, can you save my dad? Can you please save him? He''s my only family. If he dies, the Saunders family will be ruined for sure!¡± Bailey immediately tightened her grip on the phone when she heard that. Sure enough, Vincent was in a critical condition. ¡°All right. I''ll rush to the Saunders residence right away. Listen to me. Don''t get too anxious about this. Calm down. I''ve got you.¡± With that, Bailey got out of bed and strode toward the bathroom. A momentter, the sound of her throwing up rang out from inside. She had always had serious pregnancy nausea, and what Artemis did to her only served to worsen her situation. Her mouth was filled with a revolting taste, but she was too focused on consoling Victoria over the phone, so she suppressed her nausea and only threw up after ending the call. Hearing that, Artemis narrowed his eyes and btedly realized he was being inconsiderate. She was still in the early stage of her pregnancy when her morning sickness was the worst, yet he made her satisfy his desire without considering her feelings. Chapter 480 Chapter 480 Gazing at Bailey''s pale face through the mirror, he said guiltily, ¡°I''m sorry. It''s all my fault.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes upon hearing that. After rinsing her mouth, she turned around and embraced him. ¡°What are you talking about? It''s not like I''m disgusted by you. It''s normal to have nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, so...¡± Artemis reciprocated the hug as he replied, ¡°I know. I promise I won''t mess around anymore. Actually, I could just use my hands.¡± Amused, Bailey couldn''t help chuckling. ¡°Let''s go to the Saunders residence.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Artemis lifted Bailey into his arms and carried her out of the door. After an hour, they arrived at the Saunders residence. Bailey frowned instinctively when she saw all the reporters outside of the Saunders residence. ¡°What''s happening? Why are there so many reporters here?¡± Artemis pondered for a moment before answering in a deep voice, ¡°They must have received the news that Victoria is back, so they''re trying to surround her to get more information about the love triangle between Lionel, Wendy, and her.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°They are just like disgusting flies and mosquitoes that are everywhere. They would never give up on any possible chance to intrude in people''s personal lives. If we approach just like that, won''t they encircle us, too?¡± Artemis frowned in annoyance. He did not bring his bodyguard with him at that moment. Though he could afford thepensation if he just stepped on the elerator and drove in straight away, knocking those reporters down in the process, they were precious lives after all. Even if he was the almighty Artemis, he couldn''t take human lives lightly. ¡°Ask Victoria toe out and distract them so we could go in.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°No way. Vicky is pregnant. It''s too dangerous for her to get too close to these maniacs.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes, hesitating to call Ken and ask him to send someone over. However, before he could decide, Bailey opened the car door and walked straight out of the car. ¡°D*mn it,¡± he cursed softly before unbuckling his seatbelt and following Bailey out of the car. ¡°Guys, look. Bailey is here.¡± ¡°It''s Bailey! It''s Bailey! Let''s go and stop her.¡± The reporters swarmed toward Artemis and Bailey and surrounded them along with their car in no time. ¡°Bailey, is that red emerald really a fake?¡± ¡°Why are you so sure that the red emerald is a fake? Are you trying to doubt Master Vespera''s appraising skills?¡± ¡°What does the real red emerald look like? Could you have possibly heard of some rumors to know what the real emerald seal looks like?¡± Bailey smirked as she replied casually, ¡°I was just making things up yesterday. I don''t even know if the red emerald is real or fake. Anyway, it''s also better to reinvestigate the matter. Maybe the oue of the investigation would show that the emerald is a fake. Then, they might be able to find the real deal upon the second inspection.¡± Whoa... This woman is unbelievable. Just as the reporters were about to continue asking Bailey difficult questions, she said nonchntly, ¡°This information should be sufficient to make the headlines. I will not answer any more questions. Those who are smart should immediately return and publish the information I provided just now. Otherwise, yourpetitors are going to beat you to it.¡± That''s true! She''s right! When that realization dawned upon them, half of the reporters left the scene one after another and rushed back to the press office to start working on the articles. The remaining half of the reporters asked again, ¡°So, does that mean you''ve admitted that you are defaming Master Vespera?¡± ¡°Bailey, are you annoyed because Master Vespera is a big shot?¡± ¡°That''s right. You are jealous because someone stole your spotlight. That is why you are using such dirty tricks to give her trouble.¡± ¡°Bailey, do you think you are the only big shot, and everyone else should look up to you?¡± Bailey''s lips curved into a smirk. ¡°That''s right. I am defaming Vespera because I''m jealous of her being in the limelight. Also, she could only admire me because she''s not even worthy to be my servant.¡± Oh, my God! She is so arrogant! As the remaining reporters got ready for another round of verbal attack in order to gain more information, Bailey raised her eyebrows and said, ¡°Half of the reporters already left to publish the shocking news. If all of you continue dawdling here, you are going to lose coverage. Hurry up and go back to your offices to write your articles. I really won''t answer any more questions. Don''t even try to get anything out of me.¡± All of the reporters were rendered speechless. Artemis couldn''t help giving his wife a thumbs-up as he watched the reporters clear the ce one by one. He was wholly impressed by Bailey''s actions. Her intelligence is indeed out of this world. ¡°Let''s go. I hypnotized them just now, so they took the bait. If they snap back to their senses, they mighte back to surround us again.¡± When Bailey saw Vincent in the bedroom of the Saunders residence, she knew the old man''s time was almost up, and he was close to death. Even if she was a miracle doctor, there was nothing much she could do to tackle the natural progression of life. Death was, ultimately, inevitable. ¡°Bay, my father can still be cured, right? There''s still hope, right?¡± asked Victoria as she stood aside, staring at Bailey earnestly. Bailey lifted Vincent''s eyelids, felt his pulse, and said to Victoria, ¡°Three days. I can keep him alive for another three days. You''d better be by his side during this period. After three days, please let him go peacefully. It''s torturing for him to stay alive.¡± Hearing that, Victoria staggered backward and slumped onto the couch. ¡°Is there really no other way to save him?¡± Bailey sighed softly. ¡°Mr. Saunders'' health is deteriorating due to his old age, not because of some disease. Even if I have superb medical skills, I can''t do much for him. Vicky, let''s be brave and face reality.¡± Cough! Cough! Vincent coughed and instructed the butler to entertain Artemis and Bailey. After the couple left the bedroom, Vincent''s gazended on Victoria. ¡°Vicky,e here.¡± Victoria walked over to the side of the bed with heavy footsteps and squatted down, saying tearfully, ¡°Dad, can you please stay with me for two more years? Victor is in prison now. If you are gone too, who can I rely on?¡± Tears escaped Vincent''s eyes. Seeing how distraught his daughter was, he was even more determined to take that secret to his grave. ¡°Vicky, I have let the Gezmond family down. I am the one who ruined the Gezmond family. It''s normal for him to take revenge on me. Please don''t hate him. Forget about all those sad things in the past and start over with him.¡± Victoria pursed her lips and said hoarsely, ¡°Dad, why did you attack the Gezmond family previously? Initially, I thought you did it for the sake of acquiring Gezmond Group. However, after all the incidents that happened recently, I know you are not a person who is greedy for fame or wealth. I can tell that you don''t value wealth when you gave Lionel all of the Saunders family''s shares. Can you please tell me the real reason behind what you did to the Gezmond family back then?¡± Upon hearing that, Vincent''s pupils constricted, and he averted his gaze. ¡°There is no real reason behind it. You are overthinking it.¡± After he finished his sentence, he began coughing violently again. Victoria saw through her father''s reluctance to talk about the matter, and that further affirmed her suspicion. There must be a hidden reason behind Dad''s attack against the Gezmond family. ¡°All right, all right. I won''t ask. Please calm down.¡± At that instance, Vincent grabbed Victoria''s wrist and snapped, ¡°Live the rest of your life with Lionel. Both of you still have a long way to go, so don''t wallow in the sorrow of past memories. Just don''t.¡± Chapter 481 Chapter 481 Sorrow churned within Victoria as she stared at her father''s emaciated figure on the bed. Perhaps I''ve misunderstood my father from the very beginning. He must''ve had his reasons to target the Gezmond family seven years ago. Father is most likely the only person to know the hidden story behind his intention. From his attitude, he seems to be nning to bring the secrets to the grave with him instead of divulging the information to me. Can I force the truth out of him? Father probably won''t rest in peace if I do that. He tried so hard to hide this matter from me to allow me to live like a normal person instead of dwelling on past entanglement. Can I go against the only wish of a dying old man? I can''t! ¡°Okay. I promise you I''ll live well. I won''t pursue matters that happened in the past and will only focus on moving forward in life.¡± ¡°Good. That''s good.¡± Then another series of heart-wrenching, violent coughs sounded inside the room. Vincent immediately used a handkerchief to cover his mouth. By the time the cough subsided, the piece of cloth was already stained with blood. The colors drained from Victoria''s face, and her body trembled uncontrobly. Vincent reached out to pat the back of her head with much difficulty and uttered weakly, ¡°Living any longer will only cause me more suffering, so be good and let me go to the ce I yearn. Your mother has been waiting for me in the afterlife for too long. I''m afraid she will get mad at me if I make her wait longer. It is better for me to join her sooner.¡± Victoria turned away. After calming herself for some time, she gradually regained herposure. ¡°Okay. I won''t force you to stay anymore as you wish. Do you want to meet with Victor? I can¡ª¡± Vincent waved his hand. ¡°No. He resents me for not saving him and hates the Saunders family for abandoning him. He won''t be sad even if he knows I''m dying. Your brother hasmitted too many illegal actions all these years. Three years in jail is already considered a mild punishment because Lionel has been merciful. Otherwise, he should''ve been sentenced to life imprisonment and, worst case, the death penalty.¡± At that moment, Bailey entered the room. ¡°I just prepared some medication to reduce the dry coughing frequency and intensity. Although this medication cannot save your life, it''ll ease your agony in the uing two days.¡± Victoria hastily got up from the floor and retreated to one side. ¡°Thank you, Bay.¡± Bailey ignored her and strode up to the bedside. Then he injected the medicine in the syringe into Vincent''s arm. ¡°Bay, Vicky will have no one to depend on after my passing. I hope you''ll help me look after her.¡± Bailey leaned forward, grabbed his hand, and replied firmly, ¡°As long as I''m around, I won''t let anyone bully her, including Lionel.¡± ¡°Thank you. I''m d to hear that.¡± That afternoon, all Hallsbay''s newspaper publishers printed the speech Bailey had uttered outside the Saunders residence. Instantly, she became the center of every discussion and gossip in the city, more so than before. ¡°Oh my gosh, Bailey is so arrogant that she even disregarded Master Vespera. No one else would''ve dared to provoke Master Vespera.¡± ¡°I can''t believe she admitted that she was spouting nonsense at the appraisal conference yesterday and didn''t really identify the authenticity of the red emerald. How can that woman be so shameless?¡± ¡°She even dered that she was jealous of Master Vespera for stealing her limelight and that Master Vespera was an insignificant person who wasn''t even qualified to be her servant.¡± ¡°Pfft! Does she think she''s the best at everything in this world? She doesn''t even know the first thing about appraising antiques, yet she''s having a pipedream of recing Master Vespera''s position in the antique-appraising field. What a joke.¡± ¡°Bailey, why don''t you just die already?¡± Lina gloated when she saw the content in the newspaper and how Bailey had infuriated the public with her speech. This is what I was talking about. There''s no way that b*tch, Bailey, knows how to differentiate the genuineness of the red emerald. She''s just putting up a boastful act, after all. She''s turning herself into everyone''sughingstock with her pretentious demeanor. Hah! She''s bing more unpredictable and reckless in her actions just because she''s been a big shot for too long. I don''t believe Bailey has any tricks up her sleeve. The red emerald is genuine. This is definitely the case. Aside from the real Vespera, I don''t reckon anyone else could verify the originality of the red emerald. Vespera died so many years ago, so there''s no way she can crawl out from her grave and help Bailey with the appraisal, right? Without Vespera''s assistance, Bailey could never convince the public. Lina was confident Bailey would lose and be sent to jail. Meanwhile, outside the Saunders residence, Bailey raised her brow at Raiden, who was wearing a military uniform and leaning against his car. She chirped, ¡°Those reporters were reluctant to leave and had been camping here for an entire day, yet they all hurriedly left once you arrived. Having an official''s background seems more influential and intimidating, after all.¡± Raiden curled his thin lips into a half-smile. ¡°I''m guessing those reporters wille up with all kinds of headlines about the two of us having an ambiguous rtionship, so that''s why I made the foolish decision of trusting your nonsense and concurring with you to question Master Vespera''s capabilities.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Bailey was stunned because the reporters might just produce such news. She couldn''t care less about the media''s opinion, but she would have to face Artemis'' wrath if he became jealous. ¡°Let''s hope you''re not a jinx. So, tell me, why did youe all the way to the Saunders residence to look for me?¡± Chapter 482 Chapter 482 Raiden gradually put away the smile on his face, recing it with a menacing, frosty expression. ¡°We missed out on someone who had made contact with the emerald seal in the middle of the transition. The real emerald seal is in that person''s possession.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. We missed out on someone? Is the emerald seal not with those people we captured? If that''s the case, this is turning into a sticky situation. ¡°Those people should know the identity of this person we missed out on, right? Did you try to force the information out of them? These desperados are ready to give up their lives at any time, so you won''t be able to get any intelligence out of them without resorting to underhanded methods.¡± Raiden replied grimly, ¡°We did, but our effort was for naught because they refused to divulge any information. That''s why I came here to seek your advice on effective alternatives to make them cooperate with us.¡± Bailey contemted briefly before suggesting, ¡°That person should''ve undergone rigorous and harsh training before bing a special agent. Since you''ve failed to force the information out of them, that means torturing them will not be fruitful. You need to think of another approach.¡± Here, she paused abruptly and narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°You know I''m adept at hypnosis?¡± Raiden raised his eyebrows in response. ¡°I don''t. I''m just here to try my luck, and it turns out you really do know. In that case, I''ll have to invite you to tag along. I''m afraid you''re obligated to help me out now.¡± In fact, Raiden had no idea Bailey was equipped with hypnotizing skills, but since she seemed so capable in everything, he thought she might be proficient at hypnosis too. He was unsure why he was so certain about the possibility either. If he must provide a reason, perhaps the best exnation would be that his behavior proved the saying of how people often viewed those they were romantically interested in with rose-colored sses. He fell for her, admired, and even loved her, so in his opinion, everything about her was great. Bailey could not help but roll her eyes after hearing that. Then she uttered in resignation, ¡°Aren''t you a little presumptuous? I am also a fool for voluntarily admitting that I''m skilled in hypnosis.¡± ¡°Since you''ve made peace with that thought, please get into the car, then.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°You haven''t even returned the favor for my help at the appraisal conference previously, yet you''re already seeking my assistance again. Why don''t you show some sincerity by returning thatst favor first?¡± Raiden smirked. It was apparent his mood had brightened significantly. Being around this woman always seems to have the effect of washing away all my worries and troubles. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°I suppose that antique statue is a priceless treasure, so that should be more than sufficient to return the favor I owed you yesterday. I won''t pursue the whereabouts of that antique statue now, and you shall not dwell on that favor either.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. He''s indeed a sly person. ¡°You can depart first. Artemis and I will be right behind you.¡± Raiden couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Is there a must for you to bring him along?¡± Bailey snorted twice. ¡°Of course. He''s my future husband. Who else should I bring along if not him?¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± Raiden chuckled in exasperation. ¡°I must''ve been entirely isted from women in my previous life. That''s why I''m falling for even a woman as stone-hearted as you.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face stiffened. Still, she feigned nonchnce and said, ¡°In that case, you should stop having feelings for me to avoid getting annoyed by the sight of me.¡± Raiden waved his hand and strode to his car. ¡°I''ll be waiting for you at Hallsbay''s military base. Come over as soon as possible.¡± Bailey did not respond to that. After watching him leave in his car, she turned around and was about to enter the mansion when saw Artemis leaning against the doorway. Instantly, her head began to throb painfully. Doesn''t this guy realize how low he has stooped to be eavesdropping on others'' conversations? ¡°Um...¡± ¡°You did well. Remember to behave like this in the future.¡± What? Bailey stared at him in astonishment. He''s not mad at me or jealous even after discovering that I met with Raiden behind his back? What the hell? This isn''t the Artemis I know. Artemis walked up to her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pecked twice on her face. ¡°It pleasures me to hear you telling Raiden that I''m your future husband, and you''ll need me to tag along no matter where you go.¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. ¡°Let''s go. We''ll stroll around Raiden''s territory and exhibit a public disy of affection to crush his will so that he''ll forget about you quicker.¡± Again, Bailey fell silent, not knowing how to respond. In the study at the Gezmond residence, Lionel answered a call while leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, ¡°How''s Mr. Saunders?¡± ¡°Mr. Gezmond, Ms. Saunders requested the famous doctor, Anonymous, to treat Mr. Saunders, but the effort was futile. Mr. Saunders probably only has a couple more days to live.¡± Lionel shut his eyes and was quiet for a few seconds before he replied casually, ¡°Okay, I got it. Send a notice to the Saunderses to let them know I''ll visit Mr. Saunders tomorrow.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Gezmond.¡± That evening, Bailey became a trending topic on the inte again. Some reporters had managed to capture photos of Raiden when he went to the Saunders residence. Thetter was seen to have a pleasant chat with Bailey at the door. Raiden didn''t enter the house and left after meeting with Bailey. Obviously, his intention wasn''t to visit Vincent. He was merely there to look for Bailey. Subsequently, someizens revealed that Raiden fancied Bailey and that he had been relentlessly trying to win her affection. He had allowed Bailey to nder Lina because of how deeply in love he was with her. The uproar that ensued was easily predictable as all theizens began chiding Bailey again. They scolded her for being more capable of seducing men than her mother because of the way she had simultaneously captured the hearts of the few most eligible bachelors in the country and reciprocated the feelings of any men who had shown interest in her. Someizens even described Bailey as the modern-day Madame Bovary, criticizing her in the worst ways possible. Meanwhile, in the study of the Shurmer residence, aplicated expression spread across Zeke''s face as he read the news flooding the inte. Her father''s identity is unknown, but is that really the case? Chapter 483 Chapter 483 Since Bailey isn''t a member of the Jefferson family, she must belong somewhere. She''s born on the same day as Zoey and grows up to look like Mom yearster, yet Zoey doesn''t resemble any of the Shurmer family members. That fact alone, I''m sure there are many secrets hidden between the lines. However, the paternity test disimed any biological ties between the two. I even asked a friend stationed overseas to run a paternity test for me, but the results were the same. I don''t understand where it went wrong. Was there an issue with the data of the blood sample? After all, that data was taken from the Security Agency''s system. There''s a likelihood it had been tampered with. Zeke jolted to his feet at that possibility. No! I have to find a way to get some of Bailey''s hair and rerun the test. I''ll only trust the result with a sample that''s taken directly from her. There''s a possibility of any other data being tampered with. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Zeke''s heart clenched as he read each one of the usations and verbal abuse directed at Bailey. If Bailey truly is my sister, I won''t let anyone trample all over her or hurl insults at her like this. A daughter of the Shurmer family should be the most distinguished princess. Outsiders can only look up to her and are forbidden to speak ill of her. The sky had turned dark when Bailey and Artemis arrived at the base. Raiden was about to lead them to the dungeon after a short chat, but Artemis frowned disapprovingly. ¡°My wife is pregnant with bad morning sickness. The strong smell of blood will trigger her reflux. We won''t be heading down to the dungeon. Have someone clean up the person and bring him over.¡± Bailey red at Artemis and turned her gaze to Raiden. ¡°Don''t listen to him. I''m not that precious. Lead us to the dungeon.¡± Raiden shook his head. ¡°Indeed, it was my oversight. I apologize for I don''t have any experience of being a father, so I''m oblivious to knowledge like this. Have a seat, and I''ll be right back.¡± After watching Raiden leave, Bailey said frustratingly, ¡°Artemis, can you not aggravate him? He knows I''m pregnant, and it''s your baby. Can you please stop bringing up my pregnancy? It''s hurtful to him.¡± Artemis snorted and released her waist as he strode over to the couch. ¡°I''m only worried about your morning sickness, hence my reminder. I didn''t¡ªwhatever. I don''t want to talk about this. It''s pointless to talk it out with you.¡± Bailey was speechless at his usation. Ten minutester, Raiden called for his men to haul a man who looked to be around thirty years old into the living room. Bailey rose to her feet and approached the man. ¡°Are you going to give it up willingly, or do you want me to force you with hypnosis?¡± A cold grin formed on the spy''s face. ¡°That''s useless against me since I''ve gone through the most ruthless psychological training. You can''t control my thoughts even if you use hypnosis.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bailey''s lips quirked up. ¡°What if I say I''m Ethereal? Do you think I can pry your mouth open?¡± The spy lifted his head and looked at Bailey in surprise. ¡°Y-You''re Ethereal? The top hypnotist, Ethereal, whobined hypnosis and lucid dreaming which can breakthrough every obsession and delusion?¡± Bailey patted his shoulder and smiled. ¡°You can doubt my identity, but think it through. If you doubt me, I have no choice but to use hypnosis to break into your mind. Don''t me me once I pry into something private after I gain control over your thoughts.¡± The spy began to panic. ¡°What if I reveal the whereabouts of the emerald seal? Can you not hypnotize me?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Bailey agreed without any hesitation. ¡°I''ll not only spare you from the hypnosis as long as you reveal the whereabouts of the red emerald, but I''ll also grant you freedom.¡± The spy''s lips pressed into a thin line as he contemted his choices. ¡°Can you guarantee my safety? The buyer who purchased the red emerald is too powerful. It''ll be a sure death for me if I rat on him.¡± ¡°I can do that,¡± Bailey agreed instantly. ¡°Having a capable guy with such excellent physical qualities as my subordinate isn''t a bad choice. I''ll ask Veikko to protect you.¡± A surprised look crept up the spy''s face when he heard the name Veikko. ¡°Veikko? Are you referring to the Veikko from the Saviors? You''re also part of the Saviors?¡± With a smile, Bailey corrected him, ¡°Let me correct a word here. I''m the founder of the Saviors.¡± After a moment of silence, the spy gritted his teeth as though he had made a decision. ¡°It was someone from the Hoffman family who bought the red emerald. That family has been in turmoil all these years. Their offspring began to dwindle, and they''ve already started on a downward slope. To fortify their status, they took the advice of some international geomancer to search for the emerald seal that bred the people of Chanaea and ce it at home. The geomancer guaranteed the Hoffman family would rise to be the top family in the international arena in less than a century.¡± Bailey and Artemis exchanged a nce. They doubted the spy''s words but didn''t catch any loophole in his story. It seemed realistic, yet that was all the more reason to be suspicious. There were two likelihoods. It was either he had been through it, so everything he said was the truth, or he hade up with the story after he was caught and nned to get away with it. However, Bailey was more inclined toward the former. After all, she had already revealed her identity as Ethereal, so it would be pointless for the spy to lie. She could still find out the truth via hypnosis. ¡°All right, I believe you. You''ll be staying with the Saviors for now to hide. I''ll have Veikkoe and fetch you.¡± She then looked over her shoulder at Raiden with aplicated expression on his face. ¡°Can I take him with me?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Raiden hollered to his men to drag the spy away, then said, ¡°The Hoffman family is the overlord of Adrune. I don''t have that long of a reach.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at him. Why can''t he just ask me outright if he needs my help? ¡°Let me call my disciple. She has already returned to the Hoffman family''s side. I''ll have her investigate and see if she can find any clue.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you.¡± Bailey didn''t know how to respond to his shamelessness. This guy epted my offer so readily. The next day, the butler at the Saunders residence hurried into the living room. ¡°Ms. Saunders, Mr. Gezmond is currently waiting outside. He said he''s here to visit Mr. Saunders.¡± Victoria scrunched her brows. ¡°Ask him to leave. The Saunders family doesn''t wee him,¡± she said coldly. ¡°But...¡± The butler was in a difficult position. ¡°Anyone who visits is our guest. Isn''t it inappropriate to reject their visit?¡± Victoria''s expression darkened. ¡°Why should we let him in? So he can continue to anger Dad? Do you think he hasn''t caused enough harm to the Saunders family?¡± The butler didn''t dare to persuade Victoria any longer. ¡°All right, then. I''ll have him leave immediately.¡± A flurry of footsteps came from the stairs just as the butler was about to take his leave. A maid ran down the stairs and said, ¡°Ms. Saunders, Mr. Saunders said to invite Mr. Gezmond in for a chat upstairs. He has something to discuss with Mr. Gezmond.¡± Chapter 484 Chapter 484 Victoria''s expression turned cold, and a tinge of hesitation shed across her eyes. Should I let Lionel in to meet Dad? They have way too many grudges against each other. Perhaps they''ll make peace if they can have a good chat. Dad doesn''t have much time left. He''s always thinking about everything that happened seven years ago. If I let Lionel meet with him to settle the past grudges, he''ll feel more at ease. At that thought, she shut her eyes tight and said stiffly, ¡°Let him head upstairs to meet Dad.¡± The butler uttered an acknowledgment and left the living room in a hurry. A momentter, Lionel followed him in. Victoria stood up from the couch and strode toward the stairs. Noticing that Lionel remained rooted to the ground, the butler immediately gave him a nudge on his elbow and said in a low voice, ¡°Ms. Saunders is gesturing for you to follow her upstairs. What are you waiting for?¡± Only then did realization dawn upon Lionel, and he quickly followed behind. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! When they reached the second floor, Victoria abruptly paused in her tracks and said cidly, ¡°I hope you can amodate my father no matter what he says. He only has three days left.¡± Lionel pursed his lips and muttered with difficulty, ¡°Okay.¡± In the bedroom, Vincent sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard. He was holding onto his chest as he panted heavily. At the sight of that, Victoria hurried over to help him lie down on the bed. However, Vincent reached out and forcefully pried open her hands. ¡°I''m fine. I feel much better after Bailey gave me an injection. Go to the kitchen and get them to whip up a few more dishes. Let''s ask Mr. Gezmond to stay for a meal together.¡± Victoria furrowed her brows at his request. She knew very well Vincent was trying to send her away. ¡°I''m afraid Mr. Gezmond won''t be interested in our humble fare, so let''s not make a fool of ourselves. Let me cut some fruits for you while you guys chat.¡± ¡°Vicky.¡± Vincent was evidently a little displeased, and the stir-up of emotions led to him start coughing incessantly. A sense of resignation filled Victoria''s heart. ¡°All right, all right. I''ll head to the kitchen right away, okay?¡± After watching her leave the room, Vincent uttered in a slightly shaky voice, ¡°Close the door and take a seat on the couch.¡± Lionel mmed the door shut, but instead of walking to the couch for a seat, he went to the bedside and questioned bluntly, ¡°Why did you deal with the Gezmond family seven years ago?¡± Stunned, Vincent said softly, ¡°There''s no reason. I did it because I coveted the Gezmond family''s company.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lionel broke into a self-deprecatingugh. ¡°I used to think you coveted ourpany too. But when you transferred all the shares of Saunders Group to me, I realized you weren''t greedy for fame and fortune. You must have had other reasons for dealing with the Gezmond family back then.¡± ¡°No. There aren''t any other reasons. I merely wanted to acquire and absorb the Gezmond family''s power. You don''t have to overthink it.¡± Lionel stared at Vincent coldly. ¡°Do you really not want to reveal the truth? I''m afraid your daughter won''t be able to live in peace if I can''t get things off my chest. Perhaps we will even live in hatred for the rest of our lives.¡± ¡°No.¡± Vincent struggled to sit upright. He grabbed Lionel''s arm, and said anxiously, ¡°She''s pregnant now. You two will have a happy family, so you better treat her well. Otherwise, I''ll haunt you even in death.¡± Lionel let out a light chuckle, but there was no warmth in his expression or his gaze. ¡°I can treat her well if you want, but you have to exin yourself. Why did you bring down the Gezmond family seven years ago? If you don''t tell me, I''ll forever remember that you''re the one who forced my father into an early grave. In that case, Victoria will be the daughter of my enemy. Do you think I''ll still love her wholeheartedly?¡± Vincent loosened his grip on Lionel''s arm and snapped his brows together as a turmoil of emotions surged within him. ¡°Are you sure you want to know? You might regret it when you found out the truth.¡± ¡°Tell me. I''ll hear you out.¡± After a silence thatsted for an eternity, Vincent muttered, ¡°Forget it. There''s no way I can keep it from you if you''re adamant about finding out. Perhaps you will treat my daughter well after you learn about the truth. Fiona died at the hands of your father. I took action against the Gezmond family because I wanted to avenge my wife. Setting you up to sleep with Kimberly was my scheme to break Vicky and you up. I could not ept that my daughter had fallen in love with the son of her mother''s murderer.¡± Lionel found it hard to ept the truth and staggered a few steps back. He stared at Vincent in disbelief, and with a trembling voice, he queried, ¡°A-Are you telling the truth? M-Mrs. Saunders died because of my father?¡± At the mention of Fiona, Vincent shut his eyes heartbrokenly. Fiona died a terrible death. How can I allow my daughter to marry our enemy''s son? He had sought revenge on Benjamin for the sake of Fiona. He had also set Lionel up to sleep with Kimberly in the name of Victoria to break them up and stop them from making more mistakes. Nevertheless, reality had pped him in the face. Not only did Vicky not escape this ill-fated rtionship, but she even got entangled with our enemy''s son. Worst of all, they even have a child. When I die, how am I supposed to exin to Fiona? How can I bring myself to say everything? Lionel strode up to Vincent and grabbed his shoulders. ¡°What exactly happened back then?¡± he yelled hoarsely. Chapter 485 Chapter 485 Following Vincent''s confession, the ugly truth, which had been deeply buried for years, was finally brought to light again. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Lionel''s mother, Constance, and Fiona were bosom friends. For decades, they were as close as blood- rted sisters. Their deep bond remained the same even after their marriage. A few years back, the two families had been considered good friends. Both parties even intended for Lionel and Victoria to marry each other. That way, their rtionship could grow closer than just friends. However, things began to change when Constance was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Because of the illness, she became pale and lost a lot of weight in a short time. She was no longer as radiant and beautiful as she was before. That was when Benjamin began to get funny ideas and had his eyes on other women, which soon became amon urrence. What made it more outrageous was how Benjamin acted one way to somebody''s face and another to somebody''s back. His actions were purely hideous and revolting. In front of everybody, he was a warm and caring husband who was extremely attentive to his sick wife. He perfectly showcased what a model couple was like, and his behavior undoubtedly touched the hearts of many. But behind everyone''s back, he was theplete opposite. He kept mistresses and fooled around with many women. He lived his life as if Constance was already dead. Later, Constance gradually felt that Benjamin had changed. Nheless, she did not share her woes with her son. Since she had no confidants around her to vent her grievances, she could only share them with Fiona. Fiona had an impatient character. After learning about Benjamin''s inhuman acts, she was infuriated and dered that she would gather evidence of him having affairs and publicize it so that his reputation would be torn to shreds. After several days of investigations, she sessfully collected enough evidence. Unfortunately, she was murdered before she could even reveal the contents. Everyone believed that Fiona had fallen off the cliff while driving because of faulty brakes on her car. Of course, that was also the result of the police investigations. However, Constanceter found out that her best friend''s death was all pre-nned by Benjamin. Worried that he would lose everything after Fiona revealed the videos, Benjamin had ordered someone to tamper with the brakes on her car, thus leading to the ident. Constance was overwhelmed with guilt toward her best friend after learning about the truth. Yet, she dared not expose Benjamin''s wrongdoings at the thought of Lionel. She figured that Lionel still had to depend on Benjamin for a living. She was worried that Lionel would end up in misfortune if she offended Benjamin. Hence, she chose death. In the quiet of the night, she took sleeping pills to end her life. The public assumed she passed away because she had lost her battle with sickness. Nobody knew that she had chosen to end her life because of her guilt toward Fiona and her utter disappointment in Benjamin. ¡°Before your mother passed away, she sent me a message that revealed the truth. She said that the Gezmond family had done the Saunders family wrong. She hoped I could take revenge on your father and break you and Vicky apart if possible. There''s a blood feud between the two of you. Forcing you two together will only put you both in torture, so it was probably a better choice to end things quickly. That''s how the tragedy happened seven years ago.¡± Without a doubt, that was too huge a blow for Lionel. He stumbled a few steps before slumping back onto the couch. That painful past has concealed so many ugly and filthy schemes that were allden with blood and sin. So it turns out that it was not the Saunders family that owed the Gezmond family, but the other way round. My father killed Victoria''s mother and destroyed the Saunders family. My father betrayed my mother and left her with no choice but to end her own life. That merciless man had destroyed two families, and yet he acted like he was the innocent party and left me with so much hatred before he died. Because of this, I used revenge as an excuse and thought it was reasonable to torture the woman I love and owe the most. Under extreme agitation, Lionel spewed a mouthful of fresh blood. No. No way. It was all wrong. My father had iting. He deserves to die. But we owe the Saunders family so much. Why did I destroy them for such a heartless and ungrateful man? Seeing how the truth hadpletely crushed Lionel, Vincent heaved a helpless sigh. ¡°I have no intention of revealing all these grudges to you. My daughter is pregnant. I want to see her live a blissful marriage. But I''m worried you''ll misunderstand that I killed your father and eventually divert all your hatred to my daughter. I don''t want her to suffer any more brainless attacks and torture; that''s why I decided to tell you the truth. Now that you know what happened, I truly hope you can treat my daughter well. She did no wrong. She''s the most innocent one in our family feud.¡± Following a few light coughs, Lionel wiped off the bloodstains on the corner of his lips. He then stumbled up from the couch, walked up to the bed, and went down on his knees. ¡°I''m sorry for ruining Victoria. Had I learned the truth earlier, I wouldn''t have brought her into this mess; neither would I have forcefully gotten her pregnant. My mother was right. It''s not right for two people with a deep-rooted blood feud to be together, or they''ll suffer for life.¡± ¡°No...¡± Vincent grew agitated and started coughing violently again. ¡°You mustn''t think of it that way, Lionel. Don''t have any guilt in you. I still want to entrust my daughter and my grandson to you. You must not dwell on the past or think about repenting. Promise me. Promise me you will take good care of Vicky and her child.¡± Vincent tried to grab Lionel''s arm as he said those words. Unfortunately, he lost his bnce and crashed straight onto the floor. Chapter 486 Chapter 486 Lionel stretched out his arm hurriedly to support him. Vincent took the opportunity to grab Lionel''s arm. He looked at him firmly and said, ¡°Don''t tell Vicky the grudge between us from the previous generation. We shouldn''t ruin your lives because of it. Promise me you''ll treat my daughter well.¡± Lionel helped Vincent up and ced him on the bed. ¡°She has the right to know.¡± Vincent''s eyes narrowed. It was only natural for parents to worry about their children. He had chosen to be misunderstood by Victoria for all these years rather than tell her the truth because he didn''t want her to live in hatred. Now that his days were numbered, he could not just sit back and watch Lionel ruin Victoria''s life by telling her the truth. ¡°Vicky is pregnant, Lionel. Do you want her to be a single mom with no one to rely on? If you feel you''ve failed her, you should bury the past in your heart. Never tell her the truth. Just pretend that Vicky''s mother fell off the cliff by ident and your father had nothing to do with it. I''m a dying person. I hope you can understand my eagerness to protect my daughter, please.¡± Lionel slowly closed his eyes. Indeed, he didn''t want to keep Victoria in the dark about her mother''s death and believed she had the right to know it. However, Vincent had a point. Victoria would surely leave him if she found out the truth. How was she going to survive on her own with a child? ¡°Okay. I promise I won''t mention this matter first.¡± Feeling relief from his tension all of a sudden, Vincent copsed on the bed. That''s great. The grudges of the previous generation havee to an end. It shouldn''t be brought forward to the next generation. It''s painful to live with hatred. Victoria had nned to go upstairs to eavesdrop on the conversation between her father and Lionel. Just after she came out of the kitchen, she saw Zayron and the othersing from a long distance away. Shortly after, Zayron appeared in front of Victoria and hugged her by her thighs. ¡°Vicky, you still have us.¡± Tears started to well up in Victoria''s eyes. Right. I still have my family and friends. Some people are destined to leave, and it''s impossible to stop them. The only thing I can do is protect those by my side. ¡°I know. Don''t worry. I''ve slowly epted the reality. I won''t do anything foolish.¡± With that, she looked at the mansion entrance. When she did not see Bailey, she asked in confusion, ¡°Didn''t your mommy come with you guys?¡± ¡°She has something to do and wille in the afternoon.¡± Bailey called Juliana, asking her to help search for the emerald seal. However, she was told by the latter that it was in the hands of the Hoffman family. Bailey had wanted to go to Moranta. However, Juliana told her she didn''t need to go there herself. Instead, she would find a way to get the red emerald and send someone to Hallsbay with it. Seeing how confident Juliana was, Bailey thought it was an opportunity to train her, so she agreed. Although time was almost up and Bailey would be sued by Lina for defamation if she couldn''t find the authentic emerald seal, she didn''t pressure Juliana and only reminded her to be careful and not to act hastily. Meanwhile, at a coffee shop, Bailey was smiling at Zeke, who was seated across the table. With raised brows, she asked, ¡°May I know why you wanted to meet me, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Don''t tell me he''s confronting me after finding out it was Zayron who caused the fire at the engagement party the other day. I feel helpless having a mischievous child too. Zeke remained silent as he looked at her face carefully. He thought they looked more alike the more he looked at her. She had an uncanny resemnce to Waverly. Zeke didn''t believe the coincidence of two people looking simr. He felt there must be something more to it. ¡°Bailey, don''t you have anything to say to me in the face of the overwhelming rumors outside?¡± Bailey blinked and shed him an ambiguous smile. ¡°What do you want to hear from me? Do you want me to say that I''m a daughter of the Shurmer family because I look simr to your mother?¡± ¡°But you''re not a descendant of the Jefferson family,¡± Zeke said solemnly. ¡°Since you are not a child of the Jefferson family, you must have a real family out there. Do you know where youe from?¡± Bailey smiled as she shook her head. ¡°No, I don''t. I believe the Shurmer family must have secretly investigated and done a DNA test. So, tell me, am I a member of the Shurmer family?¡± Zeke frowned slightly. Bailey shrugged. ¡°Look, the results of your investigation couldn''t prove anything. So what else can I say? Mr. Shurmer, don''t be obsessed with this matter. It''s a waste of time. I have no rtion with the Shurmer family.¡± She slowly stood up from the chair. ¡°I''ll be leaving if there isn''t anything else to discuss. Enjoy your coffee.¡± Zeke watched her as she left without stopping. Although he didn''t understand Bailey well, he knew it was useless to force her to disclose something that she refused to. Secondster, a waitress walked in. She was more of a bodyguard than a waitress. Just now, when she knocked into Bailey, she had pulled out a few strands of hair from her. ¡°How did things go?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Sir. I''ve gotten my hands on Ms. Jefferson''s hair.¡± Zeke picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip. Then, he said tly, ¡°Send it to the Shurmer family''s secret research institute and ask the person in charge to run the test personally. I want a hundred percent uracy.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± At the underground parking, Bailey subconsciously reached out and stroked her hair. There was still a faint pain in her scalp. She reckoned a lot of her hair must have been pulled out. Bailey knew Zeke''s intention to meet wasn''t to get information out of her. His real motive was for her to collide with the waitress. It was easy to figure out why he wanted her hair. The paternity test from before had failed to persuade the Shurmers. They were still making efforts to investigate her identity. At the headquarters of Luther Group, the secretaries were surprised to see Bailey. It hadn''t been long since she had had a miscarriage. She was supposed to be resting now. Chloe went up to her and smiled. ¡°Ms. Bailey, how are you feeling after your miscarriage?¡± This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. She sounded as though she cared for Bailey, but she was aiming for where it hurt the most. Bailey scoffed inwardly, All right, let''s do this since this is what you want. ¡°I''m fine. I heard you applied some abortifacient on the fruits. What an ingrate. Congrattions on getting promoted to the position of chief secretary.¡± Chloe smiled while she put her hand around Bailey''s arm. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Bailey. By the way, what are you doing at thepany today?¡± To that, Bailey''s lips curled. She said slowly, ¡°I''ve been having dreams of my unborn baby crying. Some people told me it''s the spirit of my child. I think I have to meet the murderer who killed him, so he can avenge himself.¡± Chapter 487 Chapter 487 Chloe tensed all over as her face drained of all colors. T-The child''s s-spirit? C-Could it be that the child''s spirit hasn''t reincarnated and is currently attached to the mother? If that little imbeciletches on to me, won''t it try and go after my life? No... No! I''m most afraid of ghosts. I can''t let that thing find me ortch onto me. She staggered backward as that thought crossed her mind. Bailey quirked a brow and nced at the frightened woman. The ghost of a smile crept up her face as she queried, ¡°What happened to you, Ms. West? Is there a ghost lurking around me or something?¡± She paused right then and smacked her forehead. ¡°Oh, right! There is a ghost hanging around me. Every day, she makes a fuss about wanting to seek revenge on the person who did this to her. But... Ms. West, you haven''t done anything wrong, so why are you afraid?¡± At once, Chloe''s face contorted as she waved her hands. ¡°O-Oh no, nature calls, so I''m going to the restroom. Ms. Bailey, why don''t you go ahead and look for Mr. Luther in his office? We''ll chatter.¡± Bailey scoffed inwardly upon hearing the woman''s hasty excuse. Is that all it took to scare you? What a coward. After watching Chloe''s pathetic escape, Bailey strode into the CEO''s office. When Artemis noticed her walking in, he stood up and walked toward her, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. He wasn''t trying to fool around. Instead, he was trying to lift the weight off of her body. Naturally, Bailey epted the man''s generosity and allowed herself to shift all her weight to him the moment he slid his arm around her waist. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Why does Zeke want to meet me?¡± Curling the corner of her lips into a smile, she responded, ¡°He asked me if I''m the daughter of the Shurmer family. I said I wasn''t, so he ordered my hair to be taken as a sample. I suppose he wants to do another paternity test.¡± Artemis arched his brows. ¡°It looks like my brother-inw is rather smart, and his sense of smell is quite sharp as well. My guess is that he noticed the abundance of rumors going around spreading that you''re an illegitimate child. He felt sorry and is now trying to set the record straight.¡± ¡°That''s what I think, too. Zeke is a smart man. He''s not convinced by the report from the Security Agency, so he wants to confirm his spection himself.¡± The man lowered his eyes to look at her and asked in a gentle voice, ¡°Do you want to stop him?¡± Bailey shook her head at that. ¡°Having a brother like Zeke wouldn''t be too bad, so I don''t think it''s necessary to keep the truth from him. You''re right about the fact that I crave familial bonds and wish to be acknowledged. With rumors running rampant while I''m pregnant, it''ll be troubling for me, and I''m afraid the pressure might trigger my prenatal depression.¡± Tightening his embrace around her waist, Artemis reassured her, ¡°Don''t worry. I won''t let something like that happen. Just rx and don''t think too much. Leave everything to me, all right?¡± She wrapped her arms around his neck as a smile crept up her face. ¡°Sure! I was nning to do that anyway. Artemis, I''m so fortunate to have you by my side.¡± Her words made the man smile. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against hers as he uttered, ¡°You''re right. I''m fortunate to have you by my side in this life, Bailey.¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Over in Moranta, Raymond was in the study of his residence. ¡°She''s looking for the emerald seal? Are you sure about that?¡± A hint of surprise shed across Raymond''s eyes as he directed the question to a middle-aged man standing in the middle of the study. Hearing this, the man inclined his head in acknowledgment. ¡°Indeed, she''s looking for the emerald seal. In fact, she''s onto us.¡± Raymond eyed the man, frowning slightly. ¡°Have you found out the reason why she''s looking for the emerald seal?¡± he asked, his toneced with solemnity. ¡°I did. Two days ago, the Cultural Relics Bureau imported a batch of treasures, and among them was the emerald seal. However, it was merely a well-made replica. The museum had hired an appraiser to sort the relics, and even the appraiser didn''t notice anything amiss, yet Bailey insisted that the emerald seal was fake. Of course, no one believed her and ordered her to find the real red emerald seal in three days'' time, or she''d be sued for defamation.¡± Raymond burst out inughter at his words. ¡°That astute woman is finally falling from grace. This is gratifying! Absolutely gratifying!¡± With furrowed brows, the middle-aged man asked, ¡°Should I send someone to move the emerald seal?¡± Raymond went quiet as he pondered his next move. After a long while, a glint shed across his eyes. ¡°Didn''t she oppose the marriage? Do you reckon she''d give in if we threaten her with the emerald seal?¡± The middle-aged man looked at Raymond with a hint of confusion and disbelief in his gaze. ¡°But the geomancer said that the emerald seal can replenish the Hoffman family''s vitality, and after a century, our family will¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Raymond waved his hand, cutting the man off. ¡°You believe that old zealot? Chanaea lost the emerald seal thousands of years ago, but still, it''s prosperous and continues to flourish. Using a piece of red emerald to determine the fate of a country or a family is utterly nonsensical. I don''t believe in such absurdity, for the things that truly belong to me are in my hands. I don''t believe in anything else.¡± Knowing that Raymond had made up his mind, the middle-aged man didn''t continue to persuade him and merely queried, ¡°Do you think Ms. Juliana would give in to a piece of emerald? After all, she''s been vehemently opposing the marriage for an entire decade!¡± Chapter 488 Chapter 488 Raymond smirked at the man''s words. ¡°We''ll have to see how important Bailey is to her, then.¡± The middle-aged man was about to say something when he was interrupted by knocking sounds from the door. ¡°Come in.¡± The door to the study was pushed open, and in came the butler. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. Raymond, Ms. Juliana wishes to see you.¡± Raymond and the middle-aged man shared a look. The former then said with a smile, ¡°Did you hear that? She came right to my doorstep. It seems she wants to cut straight to the chase. If the emerald seal can make her give in and marry my godson, then my godson will possess all of the power and influence of the Hoffman family, which will inevitably fall into the palm of my hand.¡± ¡°You''re a man of foresight, Mr. Raymond. If Huntley marries Ms. Juliana, he''ll rightfully be able to call the shots in the family''s name. His taking control is equivalent to you taking control,¡± the man replied respectfully. ¡°You may go now,¡± Raymond ordered, waving his hand. He then raised his head to look at the butler. ¡°Let her in.¡± Soon after, Juliana entered the room. She scanned her surroundings before her gazended on Raymond. Juliana then got straight to the point, ¡°Where''s the emerald seal? I must have it, so tell me your terms.¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°How direct of you. Since you''re being so straightforward, I won''t beat around the bush, either. Julie, you must know that I''m not in the business of losing profit. You can have the emerald seal, but you''d have to promise me something.¡± Juliana strode to the side of the desk, gripping its edge as she quirked a brow. ¡°You want me to hand over the control of the Hoffman family to you, don''t you? I''m afraid that won''t work, old man. Even if I hand it over to you on a silver tter, no one will listen to you.¡± Upon hearing that, Raymond startedughing heartily. ¡°No, no, no. I don''t want you to do that. It''s just as you said¡ªI''d being into power unjustly. Even if I have the power, no one will obey my commands.¡± Frowning slightly, she asked, ¡°Then what do you want from me? Besides my inheritance, I don''t think I have anything else that would entice you, Mr. Raymond.¡± The old man reached out to pull open the drawer, retrieving a red envelope from it. ¡°Take a look at this. If you''re willing to sign it, then I''ll give you what you want.¡± Juliana lowered her gaze and instantly looked upset. It was a marriage certificate for her and Huntley. Since a decade ago, the old man had been wanting her to marry his godson, for Huntley was the most outstanding among the younger generation of men. Juliana was not oblivious to the fact that Raymond wanted to gain control over the Hoffman family through Huntley. In the eyes of the elders, she was just a yful little girl. Even if she had the power, she wouldn''t be able to put it to good use or retain it. Hence, the identity of her husband was exceedingly important as the things she couldn''t handle herself could always be delegated to her husband. In other words, the power would be in his hands, making Juliana nothing more than a figurehead. This was a good move by Raymond, but his intentions were ringly obvious to everyone. As a result, not only did the elders oppose this marriage arrangement, but even Juliana''s parents were against it as well. In the end, due to conflicting opinions, the engagement never came to fruition. So many years have passed since then. I didn''t expect this old man to still hold onto this matter. ¡°You''ll hand over the emerald seal to me once I sign this marriage contract?¡± Raymond nodded, a smile creeping up his face. ¡°That''s right. This is my final wish. Ms. Juliana, I truly have the main family''s best interest at heart. Huntley is a talented young man, and it''s not every day you get to meet someone like him. If you two get married, your children will be the most suited heirs to the legacy of the Hoffman family.¡± Hmph! He''s clearly after my authority, yet he''s covering it up with such a glorious excuse. If it weren''t for the fact that I needed a favor from him, I would''ve chewed him out and made him pop a vein in anger. Looking at the marriage contract, Juliana gently caressed her belly. She purposefully picked a day when she was ovting to consummate her rtionship with Zeke. Hence, there was a ny percent chance of her conceiving a child from that night, and Juliana couldn''t help but wonder if life was growing inside of her. The road ahead of her was still long, and she had no idea when she would take control of the Hoffman family. If her elders found out about her pregnancy, the child''s life might not be spared. Hence, regardless if Juliana wanted to be with Zeke in the future, she needed a husband on paper. No one would question her pregnancy if she was married, and that way, she could safely carry her baby to term. Although Juliana wasn''t sure if she was pregnant or not, it was better to be safe than sorry. At that thought, she agreed, ¡°All right. I''ll sign it.¡± A hint of surprise glinted in Raymond''s eyes as he didn''t expect her to agree so easily. ¡°How honorable. You''re indeed Bailey''s finest disciple, Julie. You''re willing to put your marriage on the line for the sake of your master.¡± Juliana ignored him and signed the marriage contract decisively. She then tossed the documents onto the table. ¡°I''ve already signed it. Where''s the emerald seal? Can you hand it over now?¡± Looking at the signature on the marriage contract, Raymond was wild with joy. He was now one step closer to taking over the Hoffman family. ¡°Where''s the emerald seal, old man? Don''t you dare y dirty. Otherwise, if my master ends up in jail, I''ll never let you off the hook. Forget marrying Huntley. I''ll make sure you never experience a moment of peace for the rest of your life.¡± Chapter 489 Chapter 489 Raymond scolded her with a smile, then waved his hand and said, ¡°Why don''t you go back first? I guarantee the emerald seal will be delivered to you in an hour.¡± Juliana narrowed her eyes at him. After a moment of silence, she suddenlyughed. ¡°Mr. Raymond, I have good faith in your integrity. All right, I''ll go back first. Don''t forget to send the emerald seal to my residence. Master doesn''t have much time.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked toward the door. However, she stopped suddenly after taking two steps. ¡°Oh, by the way, Mr. Raymond, don''t you ever think of fooling me with a fake emerald seal. Master has already taught me how to identify the real one.¡± In the bedroom of the Saunders residence, Vincent was leaning against the bed and coughing violently. Victoria said anxiously from the side, ¡°Please lie down and rest. It''s better not to toss about.¡± This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org. Vincent waved his hand and said intermittently, ¡°Vicky, I have a wish yet to be fulfilled. Before I die, can you please grant thisst wish for your father?¡± Victoria lowered her head slightly as her eyes fell on her t belly. She seemed to have guessed what her father''s wish was. She couldn''t help but ask herself if she could even say no. She and Lionel had so many heartbroken memories. Is it the right choice for us to be forced together again? ¡°Okay, tell me what it is first. Let me see if I can do it for you.¡± Vincent''s eyes also fell on her belly, and a look of pity shed across his eyes. ¡°I don''t want you to spend your whole life guarding a child alone. Lionel knows he''s wrong, and he also admitted his mistake in front of me. Please forgive him. Even if you don''t think about others, you should think about the child in your belly.¡± Victoria''s lips curled into a bitter smile. She knew what her father wanted to say. What else could it be in hisst words except for her marriage? ¡°Dad, does it mean that if I agree to marry Lionel, you can rest in peace?¡± Vincent suddenly felt sorry for Victoria. He really shouldn''t force his daughter this way. However, he felt distressed whenever he thought of how the mother and daughter duo would be left all alone and helpless in the future. The more he thought about it, the more hard-hearted he became. ¡°Yes, if you marry Lionel, I will rest in peace. When I meet your motherter in the afterlife, and she asks about you, I can at least reassure her that you will be fine.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Victoria didn''t hesitate for long before she agreed. ¡°Lionel and I will go and register our marriage as you wish. We will live a good life together.¡± Vincent breathed a sigh of relief as if a weight had finally lifted off his chest. ¡°Great! I will be more than happy if I can see you and Lionel register your marriage at the City Hall before I close my eyes for good.¡± Victoria did not answer to that. Meanwhile, in a bedroom at the Luther residence, Bailey was on a video call while leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window. Ever since Bailey decided to keep the child in her womb, she had moved in with Artemis into the Luther residence. ¡°What, you have sessfully obtained the emerald seal? How did you get it?¡± ¡°Master, please stop probing. You just need to know that I''ve sessfully obtained the emerald seal to solve your immediate plight. Are you sure this emerald is genuine? If it is genuine, then I will book a jet to send it back to Hallsbay.¡± Bailey didn''t feel relieved at all. Even after getting her hands on the red emerald, she didn''t feel the slightest excitement in her heart. Raymond was greedy and a conspirator who only wanted to maximize his profits. If he was willing to hand over the emerald seal, it must mean that he had gotten what he wanted from Juliana. As for what it was, Bailey hadn''t had a clue unless Juliana told her about it. It seemed that she would need to activate her forces over there to find out. ¡°Master, I''m talking to you. Is this emerald real or fake? I hope it''s not a fake one. Otherwise, you''ll be in trouble.¡± ¡°Silly girl.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but reprimand, ¡°Do you really think that Artemis will let them put me in prison?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± Juliana scratched her head. ¡°Before this, you said in front of so many people that you didn''t need the Luther family to protect you. I thought you were tough. I didn''t expect you to rely on a man in the end.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless for a moment. This girl has be more and more brazen. ¡°Even if I want to be tough, it still depends on whether Artemis allows me to do so. He is not dead. No way he would let me go to jail while pregnant. So Julie, please don''t do stupid things for me. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Oh, I didn''t do anything stupid. I didn''t lose anything important. You should quickly confirm whether this emerald is genuine.¡± After speaking, she pointed the camera at the red emerald in her hand. Bailey nced again and said with certainty, ¡°It is undoubtedly the emerald seal. I''m at ease now since you said that you didn''t use any important things to strike the deal. You should ask someone to send the emerald seal back to Hallsbay first.¡± ¡°All right.¡± The next day, Lionel was already waiting at the door of City Hall when Victoria arrived. Victoria was in a daze as she looked at the slender figure on the steps through the car window. This man was once her joy when she was young. She thought they would live happily ever after like all those sweet couples in the world. However, the reality only struck them with pain, tearing up the rtionship they had spent so many years building up. Their story was, after all, a transient dream. It was like the moon''s reflection in ake, alluring but untouchable. Chapter 490 Chapter 490 Tears slowly welled up in her eyes. Touching her cheek with her fingertips, she felt a chill. It turns out that I still remember how to cry. I''m actually crying for him now. Then, she heard a series of taps on the car window. The man who was supposed to be on the front steps had now gone next to the car and knocked on the window before him. Victoria drew a deep breath to suppress swarms of emotions roiling inside her, unbuckled the seatbelt, and got out of the car. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°Let''s head inside to register our marriage. Today might be my father''sst day in this world, and he''s waiting to see our marriage certificate.¡± When Victoria walked past Lionel, he grabbed her. The man before her looked haggard. His eyes were bloodshot, and he was skinner than before. His odd behavior began two days ago after he met her father. What exactly did they talk about that day? ¡°Vicky,¡± said Lionel. His voice was weak and hoarse. ¡°If you''re not willing to marry me, we can end the marriage any time after getting the certificate. I don''t want you to be angry or torment yourself with your emotions.¡± Victoria shot him an icy re after hearing that. ¡°That won''t be necessary. We''ll maintain the marriage because I''m not willing to lie to a man who is dying soon. If we terminate our marriage the moment Father leaves this world, I doubt he can rest in peace. I haven''t been a good daughter to him, and I don''t want to fail him anymore.¡± Her tone was t and indifferent. Pursing his lips, Lionel was hesitant to speak. He wanted to tell her about the blood feud between the Gezmond family and the Saunders family and promise her that he would watch over her for the rest of his life to atone for his sin, but those words remained at the tip of his tongue, refusing to go past his lips. At this point, Victoria was losing her patience. After breaking free from his grip, in a cold-clipped tone, she said, ¡°Do you still n to get the marriage certificate? If so, cut the crap. If not, please inform me so that I may stop wasting my time here.¡± With that, she scurried to the front step. Her words made Lionel clench his fists, which were by his side, a few times. Finally, he followed behind her. Lionel hoped this painful past would remain sealed in Vincent''s grave after thetter passed away. Bailey initially wanted to get someone to find out about the deal Juliana made in exchange for the emerald. However, before she could reach out to her contacts in Moranta, a piece of overseas news provided her with the answer she was looking for. The news went: The Hoffman family''s second daughter of the first wife, Juliana Hoffman, had returned. The family''s old patriarch had revealed multiple times to the public that she would be taking over his position and bing the new patriarch of the Hoffman family. Today, the Hoffman family released a statement that Ms. Juliana had engaged, and the day of the reception will be the day she inherits the crown. Bailey trembled all over with fury after reading through the statement she found online. Is she out of her mind? How could she exchange her marriage for the red emerald? I can''t believe it! She shouldn''t do that! Artemis frowned upon noticing his wife''s face contorted with anger after exiting the bathroom. ¡°Didn''t I tell you not to get angry again? What happened?¡± Bailey gritted her teeth, threw her phone at the end of the bed, and hollered, ¡°Juliana, that idiot girl married herself off for the sake of the useless emerald!¡± Artemis was caught off guard by the news. He alternated his gaze between his furious wife, who was leaning against the bedpost, and the phone at the end of the bed. He then curiously looked at the screen. After getting a clear look at the content of the news, he rubbed his temples in exasperation. I knew it! The apple does not fall far from the tree. The disciple and the master are both of the same characters. They are daring. ¡°Let her be. She will leave Zeke alone this way. Whenever I think about the possibility of her being my sister-inw, my head throbs.¡± How could he say that? Bailey took the pillow next to her and flung it at him. ¡°Get lost!¡± How could he be cracking jokes when I''m so worried? ¡°Artemis, what should I do?¡± From her tone, Artemis could tell she was pleading for help. He strode to the bed and leaned over to hug her. ¡°I''ll deal with it.¡± Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck and pouted. ¡°Why do you think Juliana is doing this? I don''t believe she would use her life as a stake for the sake of that red emerald. There must be another reason forcing her to do so.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. He suggested, ¡°The Hoffman family requires their future patriarch to be married before allowing them to take over the position. It is possible that she wants to be in power as soon as possible, so she gives in. You don''t have to worry about her. She knows what to do.¡± Bailey sighed. ¡°I don''t know if letting her return to her family is the right thing to do. That girl is in a hurry to gain power. I fear that she might go down the wrong path.¡± ¡°She has to go through this to learn never to give up when frustrated. Her efforts and hard work must be ten times or a hundred times harder than others if she wishes to rise to the top of the world. You can''t do anything about it.¡± Bailey shook her head. Helplessly, she said, ¡°You''re right. I called Julie just now, but she didn''t answer it. I guess she fears that I might confront her about her decision. Anyway, if she dared to do so, she must have thought of a way to deal with it.¡± ¡°That''s right. So, there''s no need to worry about her. I will have someone monitor the Hoffman family closely. If anything happens, I will let you know immediately.¡± ¡°Okay. Please do so.¡± Back in the study of the Shurmer residence, Zeke furrowed his brows deeply after reading the news online. That girl had only returned to the Hoffman family not long ago. Why would she be engaged so soon? Did she do so by choice? When his train of thoughts ended here, he suddenly chuckled self-depreciatingly. Zeke, what are you thinking about? You wanted her gone then. But now you couldn''t stop thinking about her? Is it possible that she is my demon? He couldn''t help having shbacks of Juliana pestering him as waves of inexplicable emotions swirled inside him and assaulted his heart. His life became boring without Juliana around. Then, his phone on the table pinged. He took it and saw the notification of an iing message. The paternity test result is sent to your email. Zeke''s mind went nk for a moment. When he finally remembered what it was, he quickly fired up his computer, logged into his personal email, and saw an unread email. After a brief pause in silence, he reached out, opened the email, and scanned the content of the report swiftly. Soon, he finished reading it. When he saw the result at the bottom of the report, his expression becameplicated. This is... Then, the door creaked open from the outside, and in walked Zoey. Zeke instinctively shut hisputer and lifted his head to look at her. ¡°What''s wrong? Why are you still up at this hour?¡± he asked casually. Zoey stood by the door, toying with her dress with both her index fingers uneasily, and haltingly requested, ¡°Z-Zeke, I have a favor to ask.¡± Zeke turned his gaze away from her and responded tly, ¡°Tell me. If it''s something I can help with, I will do my best.¡± His tone made Zoey clench her fist tightly so she wouldn''t lose control of her emotions. Zeke treated her differently than before now. He was cold to her. She knew that that incident had nted suspicion in their hearts, and they would stop treating her like a family. ¡°I-I want to be one of the Ten Acimed Socialites again.¡± Chapter 491 Chapter 491 Ten Acimed Socialites? N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Zeke frowned andmented in a low voice, ¡°That''s nothing but a name. Why are you being so persistent?¡± Zoey''s eyes reddened as she heard that. Why am I so persistent? Because I''m not the Shurmer family''s daughter. If my identity is revealed, I''ll no longer be able to stay at the Shurmer residence. While I''m still useful in the eyes of everyone in the Shurmer family, I must make every effort to reach the top. Only if I did this would I have something to fall back on if I was chased out of the house. ¡°Zeke, this shouldn''t be a problem for you, right? Several pharmaceutical factories under the Shurmer family have produced anti-cancer drugs and made great contributions to humankind. If you speak up, I''m sure the International Socialite Club will show you some respect and re-enter me into Ten Acimed Socialites.¡± Zeke locked his gaze on Zoey for a moment before slowly rising from his swivel chair and walking around the curved desk to approach her. ¡°Zoey, is the status of the Shurmer family''s daughter not enough? Do you really have to fight for those useless things? In your eyes, the status of the Shurmer family''s daughter is inferior to that of Ten Acimed Socialites?¡± he questioned. ¡°No, no, no.¡± Zoey hurriedly shook her head. ¡°In my eyes, the Shurmer family is the most important. I''ve always been proud to be a member of the Shurmer family. It''s just that I was originally one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. If Bailey hadn''t sent me to jail, I¡ª¡± ¡°Enough.¡± Zeke raised his voice all of a sudden and chastised, ¡°You bribed the person in charge of the pharmaceutical factory to add other ingredients to the anti-cancer drug, disregarding human lives. If Bailey hadn''t gone easy on you, do you think it would have been as simple as losing your status as an acimed socialite and being detained for only half a month? If she really wanted to ruin you, you''d be sentenced to at least three years in prison.¡± Biting her lip, Zoey looked at him with tears in her eyes and uttered, ¡°Zeke, you''re taking Bailey''s side? She''s just an outsider. She snatched my man away from me, made me lose my status, and humiliated me, but instead of helping me, you defended the culprit.¡± The veins on Zeke''s forehead were visibly bulging. It was obvious that he was trying his best to suppress his rage. ¡°Bailey isn''t as bad as you think. She has let you go several times. You''re the only one to me for losing your status as an acimed socialite. As for Artemis, he was never yours, to begin with. What''s the point of trying to make things work between the two of you? Zoey, if you still consider us to be your family, stay at home obediently. You''re no longer young. I''ll arrange a marriage for you when I have the time. Your wedding will be grand and magnificent, I promise. You''ll always have the Shurmer family''s support. Your life won''t be difficult.¡± ¡°No!¡± Zoey bellowed hysterically. ¡°I don''t want to get married. I''m still young. I want to stay in the Shurmer residence for a few more years.¡± Having said that, she grabbed Zeke''s arm and pleaded, ¡°Zeke, please don''t marry me off, okay?¡± With a grim expression, Zeke stretched out his hand to push her away. He seemed a little apathetic, havingpletely lost his patience. ¡°That''s all I have to say. Think carefully. If you marry as the daughter of the Shurmer family, at least your inws won''t look down on you. If you insist on pursuing Artemis and going against Bailey, don''t come to me if anything happens in the future. I won''t condone you anymore. If you should go to jail, you''ll go to jail. You''re an adult now and must take responsibility for your actions.¡± Hearing that, Zoey took a few steps back and stared at Zeke in disbelief. ¡°Zeke, are you nning to sever all ties with me? Are we no longer siblings in the future?¡± Zeke cast her a meaningful nce. As he walked toward the door, he replied, ¡°If you stay at home obediently and don''t covet things that aren''t yours, I can guarantee you a happy andfortable life. However, if you continue to pester Artemis and hurt Bailey, don''t me me for being ruthless.¡± Zoey was at a loss for words. Her eyes were filled with hatred when she stared at Zeke''s receding figure. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. Bright red blood slowly oozed from the wounds. What she had dreaded the most had happened. Zeke had chosen Bailey over her. She was unsure if Zeke was aware of Bailey''s identity. However, based on that alone, she would not let Bailey off the hook. I''d rather destroy what I couldn''t get than hand it over to that b*tch. Never. In the bedroom of the Saunders residence, Vincent was on the verge of passing away. Bailey gave him a shot in the arm before turning to face Victoria and saying, ¡°His organs are no longer functioning. There''s nothing I can do to save him. Vicky, make the most of the time you have left.¡± With that said, Bailey walked out of the bedroom. In an instant, Victoria copsed to the ground, reached out to hold her father''s hand, and choked out, ¡°I know you''re in a hurry to meet Mom, and she has been waiting for you for many years, so I won''t force you to stay. Dad, farewell.¡± Although Vincent wanted to raise his arm to touch his daughter''s head, he was unable to do so because all of the muscles in his arm were dead. ¡°Y-You and L-Lio¡ª¡± Victoria knew what he wanted to say and quickly interjected, ¡°Don''t worry. Lionel and I have gone to City Hall to register our marriage. It''s a regret that I can''t walk arm-in-arm with you down the aisle.¡± Chapter 492 Chapter 492 Tears streamed down Vincent''s skinny face. He shifted his gaze to Lionel and twitched his lips. He appeared to have something to say but was unable to do so because he did not dare to say it in front of his daughter. Lionel immediately understood what he was trying to say. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll keep my promise. I''ll take good care of Victoria and protect her for the rest of my life,¡± Lionel said as he leaned over and reached out for Vincent''s hand. As he spoke, he pulled something out of his pocket and showed it to Vincent. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. When Vincent saw the words ¡°Marriage Certificate,¡± he started crying once again. ¡°Good. Now, I can rest in peace.¡± With thest bit of his strength, he ced his daughter''s hand in Lionel''s and whispered, ¡°I-I''ll leave my daughter in your care, b-but you better treat her well, or I-I''ll come back to haunt you.¡± As soon as Vincent finished speaking, his arm fell limply, and he gradually closed his eyes. His controversial life had alsoe to an end. Everyone imed that he was cruel, as he refused to let go of histe friend and caused the Gezmond family to be destroyed. Nobody was aware that he was actually the victim. He was deeply in love with his wife. They had a happy family, but it was destroyed in the end by Benjamin, who was worse than a monster. All the goodwill and resentment should now vanish with the passing of everyone from his generation. Victoria hugged her father''s body and burst into tears. At the same time, Lionel slowly bent his knees to kneel on the carpet and silently vowed in his heart. Don''t worry. I won''t let Victoria find out about the feud between our families. Outside of the bedroom, Bailey''s eyes gradually turned red as she heard the crying inside. Victoria had hated her father ever since the incident seven years ago and had never returned home. However, when she wanted to make up for lost time after realizing that there was something odd about what had happened back then and that she might have misunderstood her father, her father had already passed away. Could there be anything in this world that was more agonizing and uneptable than that? ¡°Don''t let your emotions take over,¡± Artemis reminded. ¡°Artemis, am I doing the right thing?¡± Bailey asked, her eyes welling up with tears. ¡°For the sake of Zoey Shurmer, I concealed my identity and kept my biological parents in the dark. They''d probably never find out the truth.¡± Pulling her into his embrace, Artemisforted her, ¡°Zeke already knows the truth. He''s now the head of the Shurmer family and represents the entire family. His decision is for everyone in the Shurmer family. If he cares about you, he''ll handle this matter properly.¡± Bailey''s expression softened slightly when Zeke''s name was mentioned. I''m sure my brother cares about me. Despite being raised by the Jefferson family, she never got along with them. Even though she had stated that she would not reveal her identity to the Shurmer family, she still yearned for familial affection. After all, those were her parents and older brother. ¡°Thank you, Artemis.¡± ¡°Silly girl, you''re not allowed to say thank you in the future. If you don''t listen, I''ll bully you to death.¡± Bailey was speechless. Meanwhile, in a testing room at the medical base, Justin furrowed his brows as he looked at the CT image in his hand. It seemed like what Bailey feared was about to happen. What kind of damage did Veronique''s body sustain back then? How could her uterus... Thinking of that, he took a deep breath and took out his phone to call Bailey. As soon as the call was connected, he inquired, ¡°Bailey, are you aware of the condition of Veronique''s uterus?¡± After a moment of silence, Bailey''s calm voice could be heard on the other end of the line. ¡°Is there really a problem with Vero''s uterus?¡± Instead of answering, Justin took a few pictures of the CT image with his phone and sent them to her. Shortly afterward, Bailey piped up worriedly, ¡°There are signs of cancer in the uterine wall. It appears that what I feared is about to happen. Vero''s stomach mmed into the edge of the table when she was eight months pregnant. Although Zephyr survived, Vero''s uterus was severely damaged. I was originally against the idea of having a test tube baby, but she was determined to save Zephyr. It would be fine if the fetus'' conception went smoothly, but the point is that she miscarried halfway through. It was a strong blow to her already frail uterus. Because she refuses surgery, her chances of developing uterine cancer are extremely high.¡± Massaging his temples, Justin asked, ¡°Then what should I do now? Should I perform the surgery and remove her uterus?¡± ¡°No, don''t act hastily. I have to figure out whether it''s malignant or benign. If it''s benign, a hysterectomy will be sufficient. However, if it''s malignant, the cancer cells will still spread to her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, etc., even if you remove her uterus.¡± Hearing that, Justin let go of the CT image, which fell to the ground. In an instant, his expression darkened. ¡°Justin, don''t worry. I''ll head over to the medical base right now.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In the study of a private mansion, Holden was looking at Micah, who was seated across from him, with a sneer on his face. His eyes were filled with contempt. Chapter 493 Chapter 493 ¡°Hah! The whole of Tarragon knows that Yvette wants to be married to you and make you hers, but what''s this? After seeing Leader''s face, the woman has fallen head over heels for him and is nning to cheat on you!¡± Micah furrowed his brows, and a sharp glint shed in his eyes. If this guy isn''t Shannon''s brother, he''ll definitely get a taste of my fists. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Why? Don''t like it? Or do you think I''m wrong? Your woman was tantly seducing the leader in front of all the executives. What a joke. You should be crowned loser of the year!¡± he continued. After lifting his head and ring at Holden, Micah said solemnly, ¡°Cut the crap. Let me ask you. How are you going to help Shanny?¡± Immediately, the smirk on Holden''s face disappeared. He got up and walked to the door. ¡°It has nothing to do with you. Of course, if you want revenge for your son, I can help you with that. I''ll never let a single one of those who harmed my sister get away with this.¡± Micah tightly pursed his lips and said with gritted teeth, ¡°I want to meet Shannon. Let me see her.¡± Instantly, Holden stopped dead in his tracks. Turning around to look at him, he enunciated his next words clearly, ¡°Before my sister is proven innocent, I''ll never let you meet her. I''ll never let you near her either if the murderer is not caught.¡± After saying that, he suddenly sneered as if something had urred in his mind. ¡°Come to think of it; we don''t need to dirty our hands anymore. Since that woman messed with Leader, she''s dead.¡± Despite saying all that, Holden thought otherwise. He had to investigate the truth behind his sister''s lost arm and the death of his nephew. If Yvette was really the culprit, then too bad. She''ll need to pay for my sister''s lost arm and my nephew''s life. After Micah watched Holden leave the study, the former left the room too. When Micah passed by the living room, he met Wendy, who was going up to the second floor with a bowl of soup in her hands. ¡°Ms. Hoffman,¡± he stopped her. ¡°How''s Shannon doing?¡± Wendy gave him a side nce, eyeing him closely before saying, ¡°Her external wounds are almost healed, but if you ask me, she''s as good as dead without a heart.¡± Micah staggered two steps backward. Even though he knew she was ovee with sadness, it was a little too much for him to bear when another person jabbed at him with that. ¡°I know she can''t move around easily, but please take care of her during this period. I''ll be forever in your debt, Ms. Hoffman.¡± Hesitating slightly, Wendy suggested, ¡°Actually, she still has a lot on her mind, like her son''s death. If you truly love her, Mr. Neyman, help her get revenge on her son''s killer. If it drags on any longer, I''m afraid she''ll be colder and colder, eventually turning into an emotionless doll.¡± With that, she carried the bowl of soup up the stairs. Micah was left standing in the middle of the living room. Lifting his head, he stared in the direction of Shannon''s room on the second floor, ignoring the spreading pain in his chest. He knew their rtionship had reached a dead end, and they had no way of freeing themselves from the pain. However, he was contented with protecting her from afar. When they got their revenge, he would follow her wherever she went. He would not force her to do anything and silently guard her. At Hallsbay Prison, Victoria sat in the visiting room, dressed in ck with a white flower on her head. Then the door was pushed open, and Victor emerged, escorted by two prison guards. As he saw her in a ck dress with the white flower on her head, Victor was stunned for a moment. ¡°Huh? Your attire... Is father?¡± Victoria sucked in a deep breath, tilting her head backward to stop tears from falling. In a hoarse voice, she said, ¡°Father is gone. He passed away this afternoon. I have specifically requested your temporary release from prison for you to attend Father''s funeral.¡± At that, Victor suppressed a sneer in his heart but disyed a sorrowful face on the outside. ¡°How... How did he die? He was fine when I went to prison. It was only a few months! He left... just like that?¡± Victoria did not hide anything and told him everything that had happened. When Victor heard that his father had transferred all of Saunders Group''s shares to Lionel and even helped him obtain the position of Chairman, Victor ground his teeth in rage. That old geezer has finally lost it. Now that I''ve lost the session rights, why do I need to go to that old geezer''s funeral? ¡°Okay, I get it, but I''ll never go to the funeral. Didn''t he like you best? Then, you should deal with everything. Oh, I just remembered. You''re a woman. ording to family tradition, you can''t send him off for thest time. Serves him right to die without a son to send him off.¡± Victoria''s head snapped up, and she stared incredulously at her brother. ¡°Victor, how could you say that? Father worked so hard to raise you, so how could you say something so selfish?¡± ¡°Yes, he raised me, but as his son, he didn''t name me his sessor. He even went so far as to hand the Saunders family to the enemy. So, why do I need to send him off?¡± After saying all that, he turned to leave. If there''s something left for me in the family, I might send that old geezer off for thest time. Maybe I could shed a few tears just for show. But now? Someone else has possession of the Saunders family''s assets. He didn''t leave me my inheritance. Then, why do I need to think of him as my father? ¡°Victor!¡± Victoria roared. ¡°Please! I beg you! Just think of doing me a favor. Father has passed away and needs you, a son, to attend the funeral procession. Don''t you remember how he fed you and clothed you? He needs you to send him off to his final resting ce. Please! Can you do this for me? I still have some savings. I''ll give everything to you when it''s over. Okay?¡± Victor did not look back and strode steadily on. At this moment, the door to the visiting room opened, and Lionel walked in with a prison guard. ¡°This way, Mr. Gezmond.¡± Victor stopped when he saw Lionel. On the other side, Victoria stood up abruptly from her chair. Perhaps she was overwhelmed with grief, but she felt a sudden rush of blood to her brain. Then, she staggered, her body tilting to one side. In the moment of danger, she instinctively protected her abdomen. However, she did not feel the anticipated pain. A man''s arm suddenly appeared at her waist, and she fell into Lionel''s arms. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?¡± Shaking her head, Victoria tried to break free from his embrace but could not. Lionel''s grip was too strong. As Victor saw them hugging each other, he sneered, ¡°And here I am, wondering why that old geezer transferred all his assets to you. It turns out that you two have gotten together a long time ago. I didn''t expect the old geezer was willing to give everything he had to tter that son-inw of his. If that''s the case, why are you looking for me? Let him send the old geezer off for his funeral. He''s the better candidate.¡± Lionel frowned slightly, and a trace of displeasure showed on his face. As tears filled Victoria''s eyes, she looked at Victor and screamed, ¡°Is money more important than your father?¡± ¡°What right do you have to ask me?¡± Victor roared back at her. ¡°Now that your man has gotten everything from the Saunders family, why are you here acting like a saint? Do you think I''m stupid, Victoria? I know you two have plotted to make the Saunders family your own, and you expect me to go and send that old geezer off? Dream on!¡± ¡°You... You!¡± Victoria trembled all over with fury. ¡°Victor, you''re irredeemable!¡± Chapter 494 Chapter 494 How dare he say that? He''s Dad''s biological son, and Dad raised him! How could he spew such treachery? ¡°What are your conditions for agreeing toe back home?¡± Victor looked around before snickering. ¡°Give me back my life. Also, I want to be paroled. With the above two conditions fulfilled, I will attend that old geezer''s funeral.¡± Victoria trembled while leaning in Lionel''s arms. Her voice was shaking as she extended a finger to point at Victor. ¡°Y-Y-You''re purposely making things difficult for me! I can''t possibly grant you either of these requests!¡± ¡°Fine then. Since you turned me down without hesitation, I see there''s nothing else to be said. I shall no longer be involved with the Saunders family. My well-being is none of your concern and vice versa.¡± With that, he turned to leave. Distraught, Victoria tried to go after him, but her legs gave out, and she fell back into Lionel''s arms. ¡°You can''t do this, Victor. A funeral must be held for the dead. Dad hadn''t done anything bad, so we can''t l-let him...¡± As she trailed off, she burst into tears. Yet, Victor showed no hesitation and deftly arrived at the door within moments. ¡°Hold on.¡± It was Lionel who spoke. He narrowed his eyes while staring at Victor''s back before saying solemnly, ¡°I agree to both of your terms. I will transfer the Saunders family''s shares to you and make sure that you get out of here after you attend your father''s funeral.¡± Victoria raised her head to gawk at Lionel. ¡°A-Are you really going to hand over all the shares? Is that okay? You spent so much time plotting for it. Are you okay with giving them up for my father''s sake?¡± Lionel ignored her, his focus still on Victor. Arching his brow, he asked, ¡°How does that sound? Do you agree with that? I will transfer all of Saunders Group''s shares to you, which gives you full rein over the company by making you thergest shareholder.¡± Victor narrowed his eyes as he studied Lionel. There was a hint of suspicion as he questioned, ¡°Are you really okay with transferring all the shares to me?¡± ¡°You don''t need to question my intentions. Your sister is pregnant with my child, so you''re my daughter''s uncle, which makes you one of the people closest to her. Besides, the shares had always belonged to the Saunders family, and I was merely holding onto them for safekeeping. Therefore, I would voluntarily hand it over if you want them.¡± There was a momentary silence before Victor gritted his teeth. ¡°Okay. I will trust you just this once. You''d better not lie to me, or else I''ll find an opportunity to dig the old man''s body out of its grave even after I attended the funeral.¡± ¡°You¨C¡± Enraged, Victoria raised her voice and was ready to retort him. However, Lionel covered her mouth, stopping her from saying anything. ¡°Go sort through the administrative procedures with the warden. I''ll send someone over to fetch you this afternoon. I can fulfill your first condition today. As for the second one, give me some time to work on it, and I can guarantee your early release.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Victor agreed to that and turned to leave the visiting room without even sparing Victoria a nce. After seeing her brother off, Victoria began weeping again. ¡°A few months in prison didn''t put him back on the right track. Instead, he seems even more menacing. Am I to watch on as a bystander as he continues descending until reaching a point of no return?¡± Lionel picked her up and cooed, ¡°Everybody has their own destiny already written down in stone. Don''t overthink this. Let''s go home for now. We''ve still got a lot of tasks awaiting us.¡± Victoria stared at him. ¡°Are you sure you''re willing to part with the shares you hold?¡± Lionel cast her a look before marching toward the exit. ¡°I have assets all across the world and have monopolized a third of the global entertainment industry. You can rest assured that I''m not after the Saunders family''s riches. Even without the shares, I can feed both you and the child.¡± Victoria said nothing. Veronique leaned against the headboard in the ward at the medical base. She wore a wistful smile while looking at Bailey, who was standing by her bed. ¡°Something is wrong with my uterus, am I right?¡± Knowing that she couldn''t possibly hide the truth from Veronique, Bailey decided not to beat around the bush. After all, Veronique was one of the top medical specialists in the world. She could figure out if something were wrong with her body. ¡°Yeah. There are tumors, but I haven''t found out if they''re cancerous. I came for an experiment to study it. We cane up with a treatment n after getting the results.¡± Veronique nodded. ¡°Sorry for the trouble. You shouldn''t be running around when you''re pregnant.¡± Bailey leaned in to pat her face smilingly. ¡°I''ll cut ties with you if you say such nonsense again.¡± Veronique didn''t respond to that. Holden was leaning against the couch in the study of his mansion with a ss of spirit in his hand. Creak. Wendy entered with a tray after opening the door. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. ¡°You haven''t had dinner, so I brought you some soup.¡± She walked up to the couch as she spoke, frowning subconsciously upon being greeted by the smell of alcohol. Chapter 495 Chapter 495 This smells strong. Why would he drink spirit without first eating anything? Does he think his stomach will be able to stand that? ¡°Stop drinking. It''s hurting your stomach.¡± She reached out to snatch the ss from him before turning to fetch him the soup she had brought. Arching his brows, Holden reached his hand out in a sh to grab her on the arm and then yanked her over. Following her cries of astonishment, sounds of the wine ss shattering on the floor rang in the spacious room. By the next instant, she fell into Holden''s arms. Or rather, she was lying in his arms. It was unthinkable that a man as intimidating as him, who also happened to be celibate, would behave in such a frivolous manner. ¡°I-I...¡± Wendy tried to wrench herself free from him, but he held her down by her waist. ¡°W-What do you think you''re doing, Holden?¡± Holden smirked as he pinned her hands down, raising his brow. ¡°You''re my woman. Seeing that you have my child, I don''t think this situation is unbing of me.¡± With that, he rolled over and pressed her under his body, his fingers traveling across her body. ¡°Calm down, H-Holden. We can talk things through if you have something on your mind. Let''s talk.¡± There was a hint of adoration in his piercing gaze as he ran his rough fingers over her soft lips. I sure am interested in this woman. Does this mean I did love her? I wouldn''t have epted her in the first ce if I hadn''t gotten used to her body. ¡°Were we in love before this?¡± Wendy bit her lips while averting her gaze slightly beforementing, ¡°How should I know if you''ve never loved me? I can''t read your mind. Are you expecting me to open up your chest and check on your heart?¡± Holden frowned. After a brief silence, he seemed to have things figured out. A smile bloomed on his face abruptly. ¡°It''s fine if we don''t know the answer. Let''s test it out.¡± Taken aback, Wendy gulped and asked in a trembling voice, ¡°H-How are we going to do that?¡± Holden appreciated her body for a moment before allowing his gaze tond on her waist. Grinning, he quipped, ¡°You''ll know soon enough.¡± Wendy nearly bit her tongue off out of embarrassment. T-T-This is... I-I-Isn''t he Holden Lewitt, the cruel and celibate vice president of Tarragon? Who is this man who''s flirting with me while his body is pressed on top of mine? ¡°H-Holden, I-I... We can''t do this.¡± ¡°Stay still,¡± Holden demanded impassively. ¡°I need to know if I do love you. I bet you''re also bothered by that question, no?¡± Gradually, Wendy ceased her struggles as she gawked at him. Does it matter if I want to know? He has full power over the situation and can change his mind on a whim. How can I trust him? ¡°Indeed. I wish to know your reasons for dating and even acquiescing to me being pregnant with your child back then. However, my opinion matters not. How can you give me an answer after losing your memories?¡± ¡°I sure can.¡± Holden began unbuttoning her shirt as he drawled, ¡°I''ve been celibate throughout the years. It wasn''t that I never felt the desire to sleep with women, but more that I wasn''t interested. Since you''ve triggered that desire in me, I suppose I do love you.¡± For a moment, Wendy was speechless. What''s gotten into his head? ¡°Y-You can find treatment for your amnesia. I-I can get Bailey to help. D-Don''t use this method.¡± ¡°I''m already feeling it.¡± Wendy had no words. As Holden buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath tingled her fair skin, and she felt as if the room temperature had surged. As the cool air hit her body, she screwed her eyes shut. ¡°H-Holden, I''m not like those women in nightclubs who you can order around. Ouch, it hurts.¡± Holden bit her on her corbone, the ring pain causing her to shed a tear. ¡°Do notpare yourself to those lowly women. Do you understand?¡± Wendy remained silent. Sensing the change in his attitude, Wendy relented after a moment''s hesitation. She never was able to escape his tender embrace. Not before, not in the future. At the critical moment, a woman in ck rammed the study door open and dashed inside. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Mr. Lewitt¨C¡± She cut herself short when sheid eyes on the sight before her, frozen on her spot in bewilderment. Are my eyes ying tricks on me? Mr. Holden, who had always been celibate and considered women a nuisance, i-is lying on top of a woman while doing that kind of thing. Holden snapped back to his senses the moment the door flung open and managed to retrieve the clothes that were scattered on the floor to cover Wendy''s top. As he looked up from where he was to cast a piercing gaze at the door, the handsome features on his face hardened. ¡°Haven''t anyone taught you to knock before entering a room?¡± The woman in ck knelt on one knee and hung her head low. ¡°Mr. Lewitt, we''ve lost contact with all of our men in Zaewora.¡± Holden shot up and fixed his clothes while inquiring, ¡°Have you found out the reason?¡± ¡°It''s the Hoffman family. They sent someone to take over the ce and encircled our men. Mr. Lewitt, that amounts to hundreds of our men. The elders are already alerted of this.¡± Chapter 496 Chapter 496 Holden held his forehead. After keeping his promise to return control of Zaewora to the Hoffman family, he never expected them to strike back in an attempt to wipe out Tarragon''s influence there. ¡°Mr. Lewitt, shall we head to Zaewora? The Hoffman family has gone too far. Now that they have yet to stabilize their presence, we can use the opportunity to take back Zaewora and annihte them once and for all.¡± When Holden''s gaze fell upon Wendy, the wry smile she was wearing caused him to reply with a frown, ¡°You should head out first. Let me consider our options.¡± As the ck-ddy threw the pathetic-looking Wendy a nce, she reminded him through her greeted teeth, ¡°Mr. Lewitt, this woman is a daughter of the Hoffman family and used to be its heir. Considering the bad blood between Tarragon and the Hoffman family, your close rtionship with her will only bring you disaster.¡± Giving her the side-eye, Holden asserted, ¡°Don''t stick your nose into my business. Now, get out!¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Out!¡± Once the woman was gone, Wendy held her arm as she gradually sat down. Looking up at Holden, she remarked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Even though I have been kicked out of the Hoffman family, their blood still courses through my veins. There''s no way I''m going to allow anyone to harm them. Holden, if you insist on taking on the Hoffman family, you had better be prepared to feel my wrath. At the end of it, no one will survive unscathed.¡± After throwing her a brief yet intent look, Holden walked to the door and reassured her, ¡°Give me some time. I''ll deal with this properly without putting you in a difficult position.¡± Wendy responded with silence. The next day, the Museum of Hallsbay organized a grand event to determine the authenticity of the emerald seal a second time. This time, the organizers invited many experts from all over the world to determine whether the seal was genuine. In spite of that, Lina wasn''t concerned at all. What difference will more specialists make? How are they going to authenticate the emerald seal when none of them has seen the real one before? When the timees, they, too, will bow down to pressure and take my side by dering that the seal is genuine. As for Bailey, I can''t wait to see the dejected look on her face. After all, there''s no way she can produce the real emerald seal in just a few days. If she dares show herself and steal the limelight from me today, I''ll kick her out of the museum and send her straight to prison! ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, a few days ago, there have been doubts among the public over the authenticity of the emerald seal. In order to ay your concerns, we have invited the world''s top ten antique appraisers to examine it. Once they have determined that the seal is genuine, I hope that all the rumors of the contrary will be put to rest. Spreading them is disrespectful to both the national treasure and our esteemed ancestors.¡± No sooner had the museum curator spoken than everyone present expressed their support and agreement. With that, the appraisers began their work. They closely examined the red emerald for more than half an hour being to a conclusion. One of the specialists dered, ¡°Our findings indicate that this red emerald is real. Those who doubt it must be harboring ill intent. Therefore, I hope that all of you do not believe in the malicious rumors that disparage the emerald seal.¡± Another elderly expert added, ¡°Exactly. This emerald seal is indeed genuine. After going through an official examination, there is no mistake. Please rest assured that our national treasure has truly returned to our hands.¡± While speaking, the old expert began shedding tears of joy. Moved by the sight, everyone began to believe that the red emerald was indeed the emerald seal. ¡°I trust the experts'' judgments. It must be genuine if they say it is.¡± ¡°That''s right. We shouldn''t doubt the heritage of Chanaea.¡± ¡°Where''s Bailey? After brazenly proiming that the emerald was a fake, where is she now?¡± ¡°She''s probably too ashamed to show herself, but we have not forgotten her audacious ims.¡± ¡°She had better not assume that she wouldn''t be held ountable for her baseless usation. For almost sullying Master Vespera''s reputation, she deserves to be punished.¡± ¡°You''re right. That''s exactly what she deserves.¡± ¡°Are you really sure that the emerald is authentic?¡± The very next second, an icy female voice rang out from the back of the stage, heralding Bailey''s entrance from the shadows. Raising her brows at the ten elderly experts, she wore a smirk on her face as a cold glint shed across her eyes. ¡°It''s understandable that growing old will cloud your judgments. My advice to you is to reexamine your evaluation. Otherwise, your reputation will be ruined in your ripe old age. The red emerald is, after all, the legacy of an entire people and shouldn''t be trifled with. If your wrong judgment causes the real red emerald to be left in the hands of others, you would havemitted the greatest betrayal to our people.¡± After being momentarily stunned, the elderly expert who spoke earlier snapped, ¡°You ignorant fool! What basis do you have to im that the red emerald is a fake? Do you have any evidence to back it up?¡± ¡°Exactly. Anyone of us here possesses experience that''s vastly greater than yours. I''m afraid you can''t afford to bear the consequences of not knowing your ce.¡± Cocking a brow, Bailey sneered, ¡°It looks like you won''t admit your mistake until it''s toote.¡± The next moment, she retrieved a box from her pocket and ced it in front of the cameras. ¡°Take a good look at it. I paid a fortune to purchase this from a collector yesterday. Why don''t you examine it and tell me whether my emerald or the one you''re holding is the real thing?¡± As countless gazes concentrated on the box, they were greeted by the sight of an ancient emerald that was covered in a crimson hue. It really is an ancient emerald! Even through the screens, one could feel the intense aura exuded by it. ¡°Quick, look at the ancient words that are emzoned within the emerald. It''s clear that they were formed naturally, unlike the previous emerald where the words were engraved upon it.¡± ¡°Also, the color of this emerald is a lot more vibrant than the previous one. Just based on the surface alone, it is a significantly superior piece.¡± ¡°Can the emerald Bailey brought be the real one?¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°From the looks of it, it should be.¡± Gradually getting up from her chair, Lina red at Bailey as she retorted, ¡°No wonder you wanted three days'' time. It turns out that you have used it to create this fake emerald. Bailey, you''re currently someone respected in the internationalmunity. How can you resort to producing imitations?¡± ¡°A fake?¡± Bailey scoffed. ¡°Are you saying that this isn''t genuine?¡± ¡°Three days ago, you imed that this emerald is a fake. And now, you produced one that looks exactly the same. What else can it be other than an imitation? Bailey, I''m well aware of your resentment for me, but you can''t resort to such despicable methods just because of that.¡± Chapter 497 Chapter 497 Thereafter, she turned to the crowd and dered at the top of her voice, ¡°Bailey is trying to pass off a fake as the real thing. What she''s doing is uneptable! What agenda is she harboring by doing this? Who gave her the gall? Bailey, you had better not go too far. ¡°Don''t assume you''re allowed to behave with impunity in Hallsbay just because of your achievements. The emerald seal is an important heritage of Chanaea and symbolizes the people''s pride. There''s no way we''ll allow you to tamper with it. Bailey, you''re heading to prison today. Don''t think you can escape your fate by showing up with a lousy rock.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey reached into the box in front of the cameras to retrieve the red emerald and fiddle with it. Thereafter, Raiden and the museum curator emerged from backstage. Raising her brows at Raiden, Bailey spoke with an indiscernible smile. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, I have found you the emerald you''ve been looking for. However, everyone present doesn''t seem to believe that it''s real. I''ll let you decide how you want to deal with this.¡± Turning to the museum curator, Raiden asked in a deep voice, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Um...¡± The curator hesitated. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, given that the experts have dered the earlier emerald as genuine, I find it hard to believe that Ms. Jefferson''s emerald is the real one.¡± A frightening aura was abruptly released by Raiden as he gave the curator the side-eye, causing the latter to stagger back in fear. As the son of one of the nation''s leaders and someone who wielded significant power, no one dared to fool around in his presence. If it weren''t for the red emerald, the curator wouldn''t even be worthy of standing in his presence. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, why don''t you tell us what we should do? I-I do not have the courage to make a decision, as the consequences are beyond my pay grade.¡± Rubbing his forehead with his fingers, Raiden¡ªwearing a wry yet apologetic grin¡ªsuggested, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, why don''t you suggest how we can resolve this impasse.¡± Smirking, Bailey turned her gaze toward Lina and curled her finger at thetter. ¡°Ms. Young, you have used me of disparaging and maligning you. Since you were the one who appraised this red emerald, why don''t youe up on stage so that we can resolve this matter?¡± As Lina narrowed her eyes at Bailey, a sense of dread crept into her. She looks so calm that it feels frightening. It''s as if everything is under her control regardless of what happens. ¡°Master Vespera, there''s no need to fear her. Since she has challenged you, you should go on and teach her a thing or two.¡± ¡°Exactly! You should put the haughty Bailey in her ce.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. You have our full support. So what if she''s really capable? She doesn''t have absolute authority in Hallsbay. What harm can she do?¡± ¡°Master Vespera, what are you spacing out for? She is walking all over you by calling you out. How can you tolerate this?¡± Clenching her fists, Lina was caught between a rock and a hard ce. If she epted the challenge, she wasn''t prepared for what Bailey was up to. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Doing otherwise would be the equivalent of admitting defeat. After a momentary silence, the seething Lina finally decided to walk upstage. She refused to believe that Bailey was capable of finding the red emerald in only three days. On top of that, the emerald that she appraised might not turn out to be fake too. ¡°Now that I''m here, tell me how do you want to decide it?¡± Bailey broke into a grin. ¡°Let''s use the most primitive method.¡± Turning toward the curator, she added, ¡°Can I trouble you to bring out two melting pots? The kind that can reach a thousand Celsius.¡± No sooner had the words rolled off her tongue than everyone was shocked. Has she gone mad? At a thousand Celsius, anything would melt into liquid. Filled with astonishment, Lina asked in a trembling voice, ¡°B-Bailey, what''s wrong with you? At that temperature, even metal will melt, let alone emerald. You really are a lunatic.¡± ¡°Are you afraid?¡± Bailey gave Lina the side-eye as she exined, ¡°Legend has it that the red emerald is forged from the essence of the divine. Hence, it''s not afraid of such a test. In fact, it is capable of withstanding heat that''s ten times that.¡± ¡°Y-Y-You...¡± Ignoring her, Bailey smiled confidently at Raiden. ¡°This is the method I''m proposing. Do you agree to it? If you do, we''ll be able to see the results in three minutes. If you don''t, it''s clear that you''re just as guilty.¡± ¡°You...¡± Narrowing his eyes, Raiden rified, ¡°Are you sure the emerald won''t be melted?¡± ¡°It won''t. The real emerald is made of a special material that doesn''t degrade over a millennium. It''s not something that an imitation can easily rece. Trust me.¡± ¡°Fine, we''ll go along with your suggestion.¡± The curator''s expression drastically changed. Just as he was about to protest, a piercing re from Raiden caused him to hold his tongue. Staggering back in shock, the wide-eyed Lina asked in a quivering voice, ¡°M-Mr. Fletcher, what if the emerald is melted? You can''t possibly go along with this ludicrous n of Bailey''s, can you? This is the emerald seal we''re dealing with¡ª¡± ¡°Enough. I have made my decision. Just do as Bailey says.¡± With that, he ordered the curator to bring in the melting pots. At that moment, one of the elderly experts came forward. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, in the event the red emerald is destroyed, are you going to bear the responsibility?¡± Chapter 498 Chapter 498 Just as Raiden was about to reply, Bailey preempted him. ¡°The emerald will not be destroyed. That is a certainty. You''ll know once you''ve tried.¡± ¡°You...¡± Pointing a trembling finger at Bailey, the expert exploded, ¡°You ignorant fool, you''re going to destroy our nation''s most precious heritage!¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Sniggering back at him, Bailey proimed nonchntly, ¡°If the real red emerald is ruined, I''m willing to pay for it with my life!¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Bailey raised her hand to shut him up before shifting her attention to Lina. ¡°This war is between both of us. Since a piece of trash like you has the cheek toe so far, what is there to be afraid of? After all, aren''t you a master in antique appraisal?¡± ¡°W-Who says that I''m afraid?¡± Biting her lip, the seething Lina countered, ¡°Fine. Go ahead and melt it. Bailey, you had better remember your words. If the red emerald is destroyed because of yourpse in judgment, the consequences will be yours to bear!¡± Now that both of them hade to an agreement, everyone else''s opinion was moot. They, too, were curious to know whether the thousand-year-old ancient emerald would be able to withstand the extreme heat of the melting pot. A short whileter, four workers brought in two melting pots. As Lina''s fists were clenched tightly, sweat began to ooze out of her palms. Even her forehead had cold sweat beading off it. The emerald she appraised a few days ago was fake and would undeniably melt in the pot. Hence, her only hope was that Bailey''s emerald was a fake too. Once it liquefied in the heat, she would be able to use thetter of making a wrong judgment. After all, destroying a national treasure by mistake was a crime no one, including the Luther family, could absolve her of. With that thought in mind, she heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, the melting pots have reached their maximum temperature. We can load the emeralds into them now.¡± Instead of responding, Raiden turned to Bailey to await further instructions. Curling her lips into a smile, Bailey sauntered up to the melting pot and threw in the red emerald she was fiddling with. Her movements were deft as she showed no hesitation at all. Meanwhile, Lina felt her eyelids twitch as the ominous feeling within her increased in intensity. She looks really calm, as if victory is within her grasp. Can it be... No, No... I shouldn''t scare myself. Perhaps she''s just trying to scare me off on purpose? ¡°Ms. Young, why are you hesitating? Just admit that your emerald is a fake if you do not have the guts to throw it in. I''ll forgive you this once.¡± The words caused the wavering Lina to re her temper. ¡°Fine, I''ll throw it in. I''m not going to believe the nonsense you''re spewing. At more than a thousand Celsius, anything would turn into ash. You should instead prepare yourself for prison.¡± The moment she finished, she threw the emerald she evaluated into the burning pot. All that was left now was to wait for the results. Turning her head toward the crowd, Bailey gave Lydia, who was amongst them, a look. Cognizant of what the former was trying to convey, Lydia shed her an okay sign. Both of them had prepared a huge present for Lina. Three minutester, the fire in the melting pot gradually died down. As the crowd on the stage gathered to check on Lina''s red emerald, solemn expressions descended upon their faces. ¡°What are we going to do? Master Vespera''s red emerald has melted!¡± ¡°You guys on stage, tell us what''s going on?¡± ¡°Yea, if you don''t, we''reing up ourselves.¡± Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. Subsequently, the curator announced, ¡°Ms. Young''s red emerald has been liquefied.¡± As silence fell upon the room, Lina, knees buckling, copsed onto the ground. However, one of the experts caught her in time and whispered, ¡°Don''t fret yet. I''m sure Bailey''s emerald didn''t survive the heat. In fact, it must be entirely incinerated.¡± Thereafter, the crowd moved toward the pot where Bailey loaded her emerald. The moment they took a peek, their faces were filled with disbelief. ¡°W-What''s going on?¡± ¡°Exactly. What is happening? W-Why isn''t it melted?¡± ¡°Not just that. It''s even shinier than before!¡± ¡°W-What sort of sorcery is this?¡± As the crowd on stage went into an uproar, those below were gripped with shock. I-It isn''t melted? Bailey''s red emerald is intact? How could this happen? Lina staggered back in shock before crashing into the railing behind her. The fact that the emerald didn''t melt was evidence that its material couldn''t be forged by modern techniques, and by extension, not made in the present. On top of looking exactly like the emerald seal, its authenticity was no longer in question. ¡°No, this can''t be the real thing. It can''t be...¡± Ignoring Lina, Bailey attempted to reach into the pot to retrieve the emerald. Shocked by what she was about to do, Raiden grabbed her arm to stop her. ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed? The heat inside has yet to dissipate. If you put your hand in, it will be incinerated at once.¡± Chapter 499 Chapter 499 ¡°That''s right, Ms. Jefferson. This is no joke. With thousands of degrees Celsius inside, our body will turn into ashes in no time.¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey raised her brow and reached out to pry open Raiden''s hand. ¡°Don''t worry. The emerald seal itself has heat absorption and dissipation function. Thus, the temperature inside will not be higher than thirty degrees.¡± With that, she reached her hand inside. Everyone held their breaths the moment she did that. There was only one thought in their mind¡ªthey would believe the emerald was real if Bailey withdrew her arm totally unscathed. Miracles constantly happened in this world, and now they witnessed a true one. Bailey, ying with the red emerald she had taken out, uttered slowly, ¡°My master is Grandmaster Wietse, who has a knack for antique appraisal. Believe it or not, none in this world can identify the authenticity of this ancient emerald beside me.¡± The scene immediately plunged into pin-drop silence. It was not because Bailey had withdrawn her arm unscathed but the mention of her master, Grandmaster Wietse. Wietse was a grandmaster in antique appraisal; even a thousand experts were no match for him. He had mastered all the techniques and tricks in antique appraisal and had never made a wrong appraisal of an ancient relic. Naturally, those were not of significance. The most important thing was Wietse had only taken in one disciple¡ªVespera¡ªthe legendary antique appraiser. ¡°My goodness! What does this woman mean? She just said Grandmaster Wietse is her master. How is that possible? We all know that Grandmaster Wietse had only taken in one disciple. How could it be her?¡± ¡°Yeah. Grandmaster Wietse''s disciple is supposed to be Vespera. How could it be Bailey?¡± ¡°Hah! You still don''t get it, huh? Obviously, Bailey is Vespera, the real Vespera.¡± ¡°Um, maybe you''re right.¡± While others were having a heated discussion, Lina stared at Bailey in disbelief and stammered, ¡°A-Are you really Vespera?¡± As soon as her words fell, everyone realized that something was off. It seems this woman is really an impostor. ¡°D*mn! We''ve been fooled by her!¡± ¡°I feel a p in the face now. How could I worship her like an idiot before? I even thought there was finally someone as good as Bailey now. In the end, Bailey''s position is still unshakable.¡± ¡°Lina, why are you impersonating Master Vespera?¡± ¡°Lina, why did you lie to us?¡± Meanwhile, Raiden narrowed his eyes at Bailey. Although he had already anticipated that the woman before her was Vespera, he was still shocked by the truth. Oh my, how can I let go of her? I''ve fallen into her trap of love, and there''s no way for me to break free from it. He would inevitably fall for her; none of the men with good taste could escape it. ¡°Bailey, you''re¡ª¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Before Raiden could finish his words, amotion erupted in the scene again. Everyone was desperate to know whether Bailey was Vespera. Bailey shed Lina a smile as she said casually, ¡°Regarding this question, I think it''s more appropriate for you guys to ask Ms. Young. She seems not satisfied with the oue.¡± Everyone turned to look in Lina''s direction. ¡°Lina, be honest with us. Are you impersonating Vespera?¡± ¡°If you were Vespera, how could you mistake a replica for an emerald seal?¡± ¡°Lina, no matter what, you must give us an exnation today or prove to us that you''re Vespera. Otherwise, don''t you ever think of leaving the museum today.¡± Colors drained from Lina''s face when she heard that. Despair crept into her eyes. She red at Bailey, gnashing her teeth in anger. D*rn it! So this woman... this woman is Vespera! How ridiculous! Oh God, how can you pull such a joke on me and make me a fool? Lina hated Bailey so much. She could ept anyone in the scene as Vespera but definitely not Bailey, the person she wanted to overthrow the most. ¡°This woman is an impostor.¡± Lydia''s voice suddenly rang out in the crowd. She walked to the stage with a vase and gritted her teeth in a fury. ¡°This is a porcin vase Mrs. Carter bought with tens of millions from the auction. Lina vouched that it was real. But after the Xanthos family''s expert antique appraisers authenticated it, they all agreed it was actually an exquisite replica.¡± After saying that, she stuffed the vase into Lina''s arms and added, ¡°Mrs. Carter bought this vase because you vouched for it. ording to the rules, you shall bear all the collector''s losses if there''s a fake antique. In short, pleasepensate for it.¡± Lina''s pupils constricted at once. In the past, she had been fearless by taking advantage of her identity as Vespera. She thought the collectors who looked for her to perform an appraisal would not seek a second appraiser. Little did she expect that Freya would ask another appraiser to perform a second appraisal. D*mn! Tens of millions is a hefty sum of money. Even if I lost my fortune, there''s no way I can afford it. With that thought in mind, Lina turned her sharp gaze on Lydia. A vicious look fleeted across her eyes. B*tch, I''ll remember you for putting me in this situation I''m in today. I''ll make you pay for what you''ve done to me! Seeing the woman re at her silently, Lydia couldn''t help but snicker. ¡°Don''t you have anything to say? Lina, you''re nothing but trash. Do you actually think you can be Vespera? In your dream! Now that your identity has been exposed, I''d like to see how you''re going to stay in this society.¡± Lina leaped up from her chair and snarled, ¡°Bailey is Vespera? Says who? She resents me for stealing her limelight. As I see it, she''s the one impersonating.¡± Bailey shook her head upon hearing that,ughing. This crazy dog has lost her rational and is now trying to bite back. ¡°If I''m not Vespera, who is then? Could it be you, Ms. Young? You can''t even authenticate a porcin vase. How dare you im yourself as the disciple of Grandmaster Wietse!¡± Lina bit her lips hard and uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°Well, everyone makes mistakes.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± A deep and maic voice rang out from the east just then. Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and saw Zeke walking toward them with several people behind him. ¡°Ms. Young, I don''t think you only made one mistake. Almost all the antiques you rmended to the collectors during this period of time were exquisite replicas.¡± ¡°Vespera, no, Lina, you''ve got topensate me. You made me spend tens of millions to buy a bunch of junk. I''ll sue you!¡± The people Zeke brought over rushed toward Lina indignantly. Bailey didn''t pay much attention to them and shifted her gaze to Zeke. Her gaze gradually softened. She only ordered Lydia to prepare the fake porcin vase and did not expect Zeke to bring all the victims over. Judging from that, she could tell the man already knew her true identity. Is he doting on me? Chapter 500 Chapter 500 That was the brotherly love that showed he epted her and recognized her as his own sister. Feeling warm on the inside, Bailey could sense her eyes tearing up. It turned out that she craved familial love more than she thought. Bailey had never known what it was like to be protected and loved by a family member for so many years, so she thought she would never find out. Unexpectedly, after all the hardships she had gone through, fate decided to grant her what was most important to her, familial love. Even though Bailey did not even dare to hope for a brother before, she finally had one standing right in front of her. How wonderful! Perhaps because Bailey had stared too long, Zeke instinctively lifted his head to meet her gaze and saw gentleness in her eyes, which could not help but have tears rolling out of them. Bailey was more than d to have finally found her brother. ¡°Don''t be afraid. No one cany a finger on you as long as I''m around,¡± promised Zeke with a smirk after approaching Bailey to stand before her. When Bailey heard that, she broke into an adorable smile. The look in Zeke''s eyes softened even more as he reached out to pat Bailey gently on the head and gazed at her angelic smile. This is my sister. Only a woman as gracious as her is fit to be the daughter of the Shurmer family. ¡°Thank you. I''m d you coulde today,¡± voiced Bailey. ¡°We shouldn''t talk here; we''ll continueter,¡± responded Zeke, smiling. With that, he turned to give the collectors below the stage a look. Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Lina, you impersonated Master Vespera and had me auctioning fakes, which cost me millions. You can be sure I''ll hold you responsible,¡± uttered one of the collectors immediately. ¡°Don''t forget about me. I spent tens of millions to buy three pieces from you, and it turned out that two of them were fake. You mustpensate me for my loss.¡± ¡°Lina, I supported you because I trusted you, and what did you do? You trampled our trust by impersonating Master Vespera and tricking us. Someone as vile as you should be reflecting on yourself in a prison cell.¡± ¡°Send her to jail.¡± ¡°Send her to jail.¡± Lina then sunk into her chair again with her face as grim as death. I''m done for! Not only is my reputation ruined, but I''ll probably also be sent to prison. No, I can''t go to jail. I refuse to go! After jumping to her feet, Lina hurried over to kneel before Bailey. ¡°I know I was wrong, Ms. Jefferson. I really do, so please forgive me. If you let me go, I''ll never do it again.¡± In response, Bailey let out a sigh and lowered her head to look at Lina before calmly voicing, ¡°I didn''t want to expose you. I would''ve let you be if you had kept a low profile, but you just had to mess with me. I''m no saint, so there was no way I would let you get away with what you did.¡± With that said, Bailey gently pushed Lina away with the sole of her feet before taking two steps backward. ¡°You reap what you sow. I can''t and won''t save you.¡± Lina, who was pushed to the floor, scowled at Bailey as she questioned angrily, ¡°You''re the real Vespera, so why did you allow me to impersonate you? What was the big idea?¡± Bailey could not help feeling amused when she heard that. So I''m responsible for ruining her because I allowed her to pretend to be me in the antique appraisal industry? I guess I only have myself to me for hoping that she would change. ¡°I admit I shouldn''t have let you impersonate me in the first ce, so I''ll cover the losses. However, you''ll still have to answer for all your crimes.¡± ¡°No...¡± Lina immediately threw herself at Bailey and held the woman''s leg tightly. ¡°I''m sorry. I should never have talked back. Could you please spare me, Bailey? My life will be ruined if I go to jail.¡± ¡°What does your life have to do with me? You have no one but yourself to me for your fate. It''s time to make a choice. You either cover their losses or spend a few years in prison,¡± sneered Bailey. Cover their losses? How am I going topensate for the hundreds of millions of losses? If the first choice isn''t an option, does that mean I''ll have to go with the second one? Lina found it almost impossible to make a decision. ¡°You have to save me, Bailey. You know how I can avoid being sent to prison, right? Please help me!¡± Before Bailey could respond, the collectors who had been cheated all gave Lina a piece of their minds one after another. ¡°We want her topensate us and answer for her crimes.¡± ¡°That''s right. How can we allow someone that vile to get away? She must be sent to prison.¡± ¡°Even if we have to give up on the tens of millions we lost, we still want that impostor locked away for a few years.¡± ¡°Yeah. Have her incarcerated for a few years.¡± With every bit of strength in her, Lina pressed her hands against her ears so she would not hear the usations surrounding her. ¡°No. I don''t want to go to jail! I don''t want to go to jail!¡± Bailey thought she had wasted enough time on the matter, so she turned to Raiden and calmly uttered, ¡°She should be taught a lesson after all the bad things she''s done. I''ll let you handle this.¡± With a wave of his hand, Raiden gestured for two bodyguards to take Lina away. Chapter 501 Chapter 501 Agonizing screams and pleas for mercy reverberated through therge hall. The surrounding onlookers slowly calmed down following Lina''s departure. Grimacing, they stared up at Bailey, who was on the stage. And to think that we were denunciating this woman for Lina''s sake just a few moments ago. Who would have thought that things would escte so quickly? This is so embarrassing. Humiliation inundated the crowd. They thought they had finally found a big shot who was just as outstanding as Bailey, but who would have thought that the big shot turned out to be Bailey herself again? She was the expert antique appraiser, Vespera, the only disciple of the Grandmaster Gadzinski, and her ancient relic appraising skills were already out of this world. It was infuriating to think that she found the authentic emerald seal and aplished yet another great feat. However, regardless of how infuriating or unfair it was, the reality was that she was awesome, amazing, and a genius whom everyone admired. No one could take that identity away from her. Someone in the crowd gritted his teeth and asked resentfully, ¡°Bailey, are you really Master Vespera?¡± Bailey arched her brow and smirked. ¡°From what I know, Gadzinski, that old geezer, only took in one disciple, and that''s Vespera.¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Don''t beat around the bush. I want to hear from you that you are the real deal.¡± Bailey raised her arm and waved the ancient emerald in front of the audience before exining nonchntly, ¡°I am the only one in this world who can authenticate this red emerald. What are the chances that I am not her based on this fact alone? I am Vespera, the great master whom all of you looked up to.¡± The man kept quiet at that. Bailey continued, ¡°Everything that happened today was because of greed. Lina must pay for what she did. As for the rest of you, write down your sins, repent, publish for the world to see, and I will let this slide.¡± The crowd of specialists exchanged looks. They knew she was referring to them when she mentioned ¡°the rest.¡± Nevertheless, they felt relieved when they heard she was going to let the matter slide. It was better to lose their dignity by publishing their sins for the world to see than go to jail. One of the specialists sighed. ¡°I''m bing senile. I''ve gone astray because I was so blinded by fame and fortune. It was a good thing you found the real red emerald, Ms. Jefferson, or else it would have been lost under our noses, and future generations would have condemned us for this.¡± ¡°That''s right. We were idiots. How could we have made our judgment based on our intuitions alone? We believed the jade to be real just because our sixth sense told us so.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I apologize for the things I''ve said.¡± Bailey waved her arm. She wasn''t in the mood to listen to their crap. Is their reputation so important that they would lie so tantly in my face? How could they confirm the emerald''s authenticity when they weren''t even sure? Heh. And to think that they call themselves specialists. What a joke. They had no respect for themselves even though they were a lot older than Bailey. ¡°Now that we have found the real red emerald, I will hand it over to Mr. Fletcher since he''s sent here to settle the matter as the country''s representative.¡± With that, she threw the emerald at Raiden without even caring if he could catch it. Raiden cursed under his breath as he dashed forward to catch the red emerald. Bailey arched her brow and smiled. ¡°Chill. Why are you so nervous? This baby can withstand extremely high heat. It won''t break that easily.¡± Raiden was rendered speechless. ¡°Bailey, you say you''re Vespera, but why didn''t you recognize the Beauty''s Tear gifted to your master by Mrs. Gadzinski a few days ago? Why did you say that it was fake when it was indeed the real deal?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but rub her temples and sigh. ¡°The one during the auction was indeed fake. The Beauty''s Tear revealed to the world would have been a fake if not for the scene I created because someone wanted to keep the real deal for himself.¡± Everyone fell silent at that. ¡°Okay. We''re done here. That''s it for tonight. You may all go. Sorry to disappoint, but looks like it''s fated that I won''t be going to jail anytime soon.¡± Bailey scanned the crowd smugly as if she was a queen overlooking her subjects. In truth, she was indeed the most distinguished woman in Hallsbay. She had Artemis, who would dote on her; Zeke, who would protect her; and Edmund and Raiden, her admirers, who would stand up for her. As such, she was, without a doubt, the queen. Bailey was surrounded when she left the museum. Artemis had to send a dozen bodyguards over to get her out. News regarding Master Vespera''s identity spread like wildfire and became the talk of the town in no time. Meanwhile, at the caf¨¦, Bailey and Zeke sat by the window with their gaze fixed on the busy streets below. After a moment of silence, Zeke spoke up. ¡°You didn''t have a miscarriage, did you?¡± Bailey shook her head and smiled. ¡°No. Did you forget the fact that I''m a skilled surgeon? How could I allow myself to have a miscarriage? No one in this world can harm me with drugs.¡± Zeke turned to face Bailey. He couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°That''s right. I forgot how capable you are. How could you have allowed yourself a miscarriage? I''m d and relieved to hear that the child is safe.¡± Chapter 502 Chapter 502 A half-smile nudged Bailey''s lips. She picked up her ss of fruit juice from the table and sipped on it slowly. ¡°I didn''t want you to learn the truth. Zoey has kept youpany for years, so she should at least be given credit for her effort. I shouldn''t be selfish by taking away her identity.¡± ¡°Bay!¡± Zeke''s expression turned dark as he chided, ¡°Don''t think that way. It wasn''t your fault. It was Sophia''s fault for switching you at birth. She''s a despicable woman! You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth but instead became a diamond in the rough. Despite the difficulties you''ve faced, you remain steadfast and proud. I have faith that you will lead a joyful and content life as you had ovee those obstacles.¡± Bailey turned over her shoulder to meet his gaze. Chuckling, she said, ¡°I''m satisfied enough to have Artemis with me. Don''t purposely make any changes just for me. Zoey has been a Shurmer for more than twenty years, and she didn''t do anything evil. You should be understanding to her.¡± Zeke sat up straight and said solemnly, ¡°Bay, you can coexist with her. She''s the adopted daughter, while you''re the biological daughter of the Shurmer family. You both can be the Shurmer family''s¡ª¡± Bailey cut him off with a wave. ¡°I changed the data earlier so I wouldn''t have to return to the Shurmer family. I don''t want Zoey to think I''m snatching her identity away from her. Zeke, can you keep this a secret from your parents? Returning to the Shurmer family doesn''t matter to me. Being recognized as a Shurmer is just the icing on the cake for me.¡± Zeke protested, ¡°But you need the identity now. Everyone''s calling you an illegitimate child as you don''t know who your father is. People are criticizing, mocking, and hurling insults at you. As your brother, how can I watch and do nothing as the haters tear you down?¡± Bailey chuckled and shook her head. ¡°It''s okay. I''ve grown ustomed to it, so don''t let it weigh on you. They''re criticizing me out of jealousy and hatred as I have multiple big-shot identities. Don''t forget that I''ve even captured the heart of their Prince Charming.¡± Amused, Zeke burst outughing at her words. As she was insistent, he gave up on persuading her. There will be another chance in the future for me to persuade her to return to the family. ¡°Forget it. I''ll respect your decision. You''re smart, and I''m d you think that way. We''ve got plenty of time ahead of us, so I''ll find a way to make it up to you.¡± Bailey''s smile widened. Artemis aside, this was the first time she had ever broken into such a heartfelt bright smile in front of someone of the opposite sex. Zeke couldn''t help but tease, ¡°Don''t you act coy to me. If Artemis finds out, he''ll skin me alive.¡± Bailey shot him a re. ¡°He won''t dare to do that. After all, he''ll have to gain your approval to marry me.¡± Hearing that, Zeke burst intoughter. Bay''s right. Artemis has to receive my approval before he could marry her. ¡°By the way, Zayron was the one responsible for starting the fire at your and Shirley''s engagement party. I''ve already punished him for doing that.¡± Hearing that, Zeke put a hand to his forehead in exasperation. ¡°Well, well. He''s nothing but a troublemaker. I guess I should be grateful to him for what he did, though. The truth is, I never had any romantic feelings toward Shirley. I was forced to have sex with her that night.¡± Forced to have sex with her? Bailey cast him a dubious look and asked, ¡°Since you don''t love her romantically, why did you have sex with her?¡± ¡°I was drugged and ended up in bed with her without realizing it. When I woke up, we already had sex,¡± he revealed. Drugged? They ended up in bed without him realizing it? Something seemed off to Bailey, but she couldn''t figure out what it was. ¡°Ah, that exins why you suddenly agreed to get engaged to Shirley. Zayron was just pulling a prank, so don''t take it to heart. He''s just being his mischievous self. You know how he likes causing chaos and being a troublemaker.¡± ¡°It''s fine. He actually did me a favor by pulling that prank. I didn''t want to get engaged to Shirley. Now that the engagement party is called off, I can put it on hold.¡± N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Beep, beep! Right then, Zeke''s phone beeped. Artemis had sent him a text. Artemis: I''ll meet you outside in the hallway. I have something important to discuss with you. ¡°Bay, I need to go to the restroom,¡± Zeke said. Back in the study at the Saunders residence, Lionel was busy organizing some files. The door was pushed open, and in came Victoria. She nced at the pile of files on the desk as her gaze turned dark. ¡°Are you sure you''re going to transfer all the Saunders family''s shares to Victor? He''s not a businessman, and he''ll likely burn through all of the assets in a matter of months once he gets his hands on them.¡± Lionel signed thest document before lifting his head to look at Victoria, exining gently, ¡°These belong to the Saunders family, and Victor is the legal heir. He deserves the assets. Whether or not he can keep them isn''t my business. What''s crucial at this moment is to get him to agree to fulfill his filial duty and attend Dad''s burial.¡± Victoria walked over to the couch and sat down. shing a bitter smile, she said, ¡°I can''t believe we had to use the shares to persuade him to attend Dad''s funeral. Do you think Dad will rest in peace if he found out about this?¡± ¡°Don''t worry.¡± Lionel came over and gave her aforting hug. ¡°Your father, despite knowing he was close to his passing, did not request to see Victor. This showed that he hade to terms with things. He was solely concerned about your happiness. As long as you''re content, he''ll be able to rest in peace and be reunited with your mother.¡± He retrieved the files from the desk and gave them to Victoria. ¡°I''ve transferred all assets and shares to Victor. You won''t get anything. Is that okay with you?¡± Victoria nodded. ¡°He can have them all. As long as he doesn''t engage in excessive spending or gambling, the wealth will be enough to sustain him for the rest of his life. I''ve done all I can. If he remains unrepentant, I''ll sever my ties with him.¡± With that, she pulled her phone out and called thendline in the living room on the ground floor. ¡°Tell Mr. Victor toe to the study. I need to talk to him.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Victoria.¡± A whileter, the door of the study was pushed open. Victor, d in a ck outfit, strode in. ¡°Did you summon me toplete the transfer procedure?¡± Tears brimmed in Victoria''s eyes as she choked out, ¡°Victor, is money that important to you? Is it more important than our familial bond?¡± Hearing that, Victor sneered, ¡°Of course money is more important than you. Familial bond, huh? Don''t be so naive. You talk about familial bonds, but where were you when I was sentenced to prison? You didn''t do anything to stop me from entering prison, and now you''re all about familial bond. What a joke.¡± Victoria gazed at him, her heart aching with unbearable pain. Tears spilled from her eyes, cascading down her cheeks in rivulets. Victor merely snorted icily and turned to look at Lionel. ¡°Where is the property transfer agreement?¡± Chapter 503 Chapter 503 Lionel helped Victoria to the couch before he grabbed the file and went over to Victor. ¡°Victor, all the shares and assets of the Saunders family are yours now. Victoria won''t get anything, so you are now the sole inheritor. Victor, I hope you can manage the business effectively. After all, it''s a legacy that has been built and sustained for generations within your family,¡± he said solemnly. Victor snatched the file from him and mocked, ¡°I don''t need your reminder. Why would I trust you when you said Victoria didn''t take anything? I don''t know how many assets the Saunders family has. What if she takes a slice for herself?¡± Victoria leaped up from the couch and hurried over to Victor. She protested in agony, ¡°Victor, how could you say that? it is undeniable that Lionel has worked hard to operate our family business and sessfully increased its profit by a few percent. As a result, the business is now worth more than when Dad entrusted it to him. If you need proof, you can check the records at the notary office.¡± Victor disregarded Victoria''s words and cast his gaze upon the impressive figures in the document. A satisfied expression could be seen on his face. ¡°I don''t mind you taking a slice. You can treat it as dowry from me,¡± he joked. ¡°You!¡± Victoria was about tosh out at him, but Lionel stopped her from doing so. ¡°Now that the assets and shares have all been transferred to you, shouldn''t you fulfill your filial duties by heading to the funeral home?¡± Victor shed a shameless smile. ¡°I''m pleased with how you fulfilled my first condition. Now time to talk about my second condition. When will youplete the procedures so I can be released from jail?¡± ¡°Victor, don''t push your luck!¡± Victoria snarled angrily. He is using Dad''s funeral to threaten Lionel and me. Dad must be heartbroken to see his actions. Victor merely snorted icily. ¡°If it weren''t for him, I wouldn''t have ended up in jail. I''m kind enough not to ask him to grovel at my feet. I''m his brother-inw, so he''ll have to do everything I say.¡± ¡°Hey¡ª¡± ¡°All right, Vicky. That''s enough,¡± Lionel interjected. He then told Victor, ¡°Attend the funeral first. I''ll make the arrangements for everything. Don''t worry, for I''m a man of integrity. I''ve given you my word that I''ll arrange for you to be released, and I won''t go back on my word.¡± Victor sneered and left the study with the property transfer agreement. Victoria watched as he marched away without a backward nce while tears blurred her vision. She felt her legs give out beneath her as she crumpled to the ground. N?velDrama.Org ? 2024. Lionel hurriedly reached out to support her and pulled her into his arms. ¡°Be careful. Don''t fall and hurt yourself,¡± he reminded her. Victoria bawled in the man''s arms. ¡°He was in jail for a few months, but instead of repenting, he grew even more hostile. If he gains control of the Saunders family business, he''ll ruin everything in less than six months.¡± Lionel put on a bitter smile and shook his head. ¡°Let''s not worry about the future and concentrate on completing your father''s funeral. Victor is the rightful heir to the Saunders family, so it is only right for him to inherit the assets. It''s up to him how he chooses to handle the assets he inherits.¡± At the end of the hallway of a caf¨¦, two men stood side by side on the balcony. Artemis nced at the bustling street not far away and let out a sigh. ¡°I can''t believe you''re now my brother-inw. Life can sometimes be surreal, huh?¡± Zeke let out a chuckle and shook his head. ¡°Who would have thought you would be my brother-in- law as well? So, why do you want to talk to me?¡± Artemis turned to the private room that Bailey was in and said, ¡°She refuses to reunite with the Shurmer family and forbids you to tell your parents about her real identity, right?¡± Zeke grunted in acknowledgment. ¡°Bay has a strong will and apassionate heart. Despite her aloof demeanor, she is genuine, willing topromise, and empathetic. She doesn''t bear a grudge against us for leaving her behind. I''m grateful that she is understanding and has such a kind heart.¡± Artemis narrowed his gaze. ¡°Are you saying you went along with her and agreed not to let her return to the Shurmer family? Zeke, you should know people are spreading malicious rumors about her. I deliberately allowed you to learn of her identity so you can make amends by restoring her reputation. I don''t mind her past, but rumors can be deadly. Plus, she''s pregnant. Most importantly...¡± Suddenly, he trailed off and hesitated for a moment. In the end, he chose to reveal to Zeke how Bailey suffered from prenatal depression during her first pregnancy. Surprise shed across Zeke''s eyes. ¡°Was it that serious?¡± ¡°It was a close call. She almost lost the baby, but thankfully she pulled through. I don''t want her to be burdened by external pressure. If possible, I hope the Shurmer family can make a public announcement dering her as their legitimate daughter as she isn''t a b*stard.¡± ¡°It will happen.¡± Zeke turned to look at him and assured, ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll make sure she returns to the Shurmer family as soon as possible.¡± That evening, in theboratory of the medical base, Justin and Bailey exchanged nces while standing in front of the monitor. Bailey staggered backward. Her voice was trembling as she asked, ¡°H-How is this possible?¡± Chapter 504 Chapter 504 Justin''s expression was pale as though he had been dealt a devastating blow. His hands were shaking as he gripped the report and stared at it without a word. To be exact, his entire being was trembling. Malignant tumor. I can''t believe it is a malignant tumor. That means even if we remove her uterus, the cancerous cells will still spread to her other organs. We cannot remove all her organs, can we? ¡°No. There must be something wrong. Perhaps we did the test wrongly. Let me run the test again,¡± Justin muttered under his breath as he fumbled with the buttons on the equipment. Bailey shook her head lightly and spun on her heels to walk out of theb. Outside, Artemis could sense the gravity of the situation when he saw her walking out, her expression pale. Reaching out to support her, he asked solemnly, ¡°Is it bad news?¡± Bailey held her forehead and sighed. ¡°It is indeed bad news. The tumor is malignant. Even if the uterus is removed, the cancerous cells will spread elsewhere.¡± Artemis'' expression turned dark. Artemis was well aware of the sufferings that Justin faced before finally gaining happiness. As Justin''s good friend, Artemis felt sorry for him now that something like this happened. N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°What about the anti-cancer medication? There are clinical trials that prove it works, right?¡± Bailey shook her head and exined, ¡°There are many types of cancers, and the anti-cancer medication we developed only works on a few types of cancerous cells.¡± ¡°What are you guys nning to do?¡± ¡°Let''s wait and see. Justin is currently struggling toe to terms with the results, so he''s redoing the test. We''ll have a conversation once he''s had a chance to calm down.¡± Artemis bobbed his head. ¡°You should go keep Veroniquepany. I''ll wait here for Justin.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Olivia was talking on the phone inside her bedroom in the Xuereb residence. ¡°Really? Did that woman really suffer from uterine cancer with a malignant tumor?¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Xuereb. Mr. Xuereb couldn''t ept it and is currently running tests in theb, but I''m positive that Ms. Revelle is suffering from uterine cancer.¡± Olivia tightened her grip on her phone as a delighted grin appeared on her aged yet still attractive countenance. ¡°Oh, this is karma. I was wondering how I could break them up, but she is now ill. This is great. Malignant tumor, huh? She''ll soon die and make way for Lettie.¡± After the call ended, Olivia hurriedly called Scarlett. Scarlett had been giving Olivia the cold shoulder ever since thetter screwed upst time. Now that she received some exciting news, she was eager to share it with Scarlett as soon as possible. The ringtone rang for a good forty seconds, but no one answered her call. She tried calling again a few times to no avail. In the end, she had to call the Fletcher residence''s landline. ¡°Hello. May I know who you''re looking for?¡± ¡°Is this the Fletcher residence? I''d like to talk to Ms. Scarlett Fletcher.¡± ¡°Ms. Scarlett Fletcher? That is not the proper way to address her. She is now Lady Scarlett Fletcher. Please be mindful.¡± Frightened, cold sweat beaded on Olivia''s forehead. She realized that she had made a mistake and quickly apologized. ¡°I''m sorry for that. I need to speak to Lady Scarlett urgently. Could you please pass on my message to her?¡± A rustling noise was heard, followed by Scarlett''s voice. ¡°This is Scarlett Fletcher. May I know who is speaking?¡± ¡°Lettie, it''s me, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± ¡°Oh, Mrs. Xuereb. Is there anything I can do for you?¡± Olivia held her phone tightly and dered happily, ¡°Lettie¡ª¡± ¡°I think it''s best for you to address me as ''Lady Scarlett'' to show your politeness. What do you think?¡± Scarlett interjected. Olivia''s face turned dark in displeasure. However, she knew the Fletcher family could bring her family a massive profit, so she was forced to tamp down her irritation. ¡°All right, then. I shall address you as Lady Scarlett. Lady Scarlett, I have some wonderful news to share with you.¡± ¡°Oh? What is it?¡± ¡°That b*tch from the Revelle family has a malignant tumor, so she doesn''t have long to live. It''s a great opportunity. Why don''t youe back to Hallsbay and get Justin back?¡± ¡°Veronique has a malignant tumor?¡± Scarlett raised her voice in excitement. ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± ¡°Of course. She''s currently in the Xuereb family''s medical base. I''m one hundred percent sure she''s suffering from cancer and is dying. Lettie, you have to fight for your happiness. I know you can''t forget Justin, so don''t hold back. You''re the number one socialite in Chanaea and also the honorable Lady Scarlett. You can marry whoever you want.¡± A few seconds of silenceter, Scarlett made up her mind. ¡°Fine. I''ll make up an excuse to sneak away from Dellmoor and head to Hallsbay. Mrs. Xuereb, you cannot disappoint me this time.¡± ¡°Okay, don''t worry. I promise that you and Justin will end up together this time.¡± Back at the medical base, Veronique watched as Bailey peeled a fruit beside her bed in the ward. ¡°Are the results out? It''s a malignant tumor, right?¡± she asked calmly. Bailey''s hand gripping the knife went rigid, causing the de to slice across her skin. A stream of blood flowed down her flesh. ¡°You''re bleeding!¡± Veronique struggled to sit up. Bailey swiftly ced her hands on Veronique''s shoulders, pressing her back to the bed. In a husky voice, she reassured her, ¡°Vero, don''t worry. Everything is going to be okay. Everything will work out.¡± Chapter 505 Chapter 505 Veronique was smart enough to make out what her words meant. ¡°So is it really a malignant tumor?¡± Bailey turned away. ¡°We discovered it in time, so there is still time to treat it slowly. Don''t worry. I have experience in developing anti-cancer drugs, so I will definitely develop a suitable drug before the cancer cells spread any further.¡± Veronique sped Bailey''s arm and shook her head, her lips tightly pressed together. ¡°You are carrying a baby, so you can''t stress yourself. Schedule the surgery to remove my uterus first, and we''ll see what happens after that.¡± ¡°Okay, whatever you say. You must promise me not to think aboutmitting suicide. You want to be inws with me, right? Zephyr and Susan grew up together, so they will definitely end up together as you wish. You must be alive and well to see that.¡± Veronique chuckled. ¡°You''ve agreed to it so readily, huh? I don''t think Mr. Luther agrees to it, though. If Zephyr ends up with your daughter, I think he''ll stop being friends with Justin.¡± ¡°Just stay alive. If you make a full recovery, I will give my consent for my daughter to marry your son. Look, this is a huge sacrifice on my part, so you must make sure you recoverpletely.¡± ¡°All right. Don''t worry. I''m not as fragile as you think. I''ve grown indestructible over the years after having to face Zephyr''s illness.¡± Click! The door was pushed open, and in came Justin. He was back to his usual calm and indifferent self. His gazended on Bailey as he said, ¡°It''s getting late, Bailey. You should head back and get some rest while I stay here with Veronique.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey walked out of the ward to see Artemis leaning against the wall. He was holding an unlit cigar. Upon seeing her, he quickly came over and asked, ¡°Are you tired? Do you need me to carry you to get some rest?¡± Bailey stretched her arms out. Since he offered to carry her, she was more than d to ept his offer. ¡°By the way, how did you deal with the collectors who were lied to? Did youpensate them for their losses?¡± Artemis arched a brow and mocked, ¡°They were foolish enough to fall for that trap. Why would I compensate them?¡± ¡°Artemis...¡± ¡°Okay, I will disclose everything to you, but please don''t get angry. This incident involved a fraud scheme. The ringleaders manipted Lina into advertising a fake item to collectors. The police are now involved and should conclude their investigation shortly. As long as they manage to retrieve the money, the collectors can get their money back. On the contrary, if the money cannot be retrieved, they will have to bear the losses as a result of their own naivety.¡± Bailey found his reaction amusing. ¡°You love splurging, don''t you? Thepensation is nothing to you. Since when are you so stingy?¡± ¡°I only splurge on my wife. Are they my wife?¡± Bailey was speechless. Meanwhile, Zoey sat on a couch in the living room of a private mansion in the suburbs. She nced at the spiral staircase nervously. ¡°Why isn''t Ms. Carr here yet? I have an urgent matter to discuss with her. Could you please ask her to hurry up?¡± The female assistant gave her a curt nod. ¡°Ms. Shurmer, Ms. Carr is currently having a video conference in her study. She promised to meet you in half an hour, and she won''t go back on her word. Please be patient. It isn''t time yet, so I dare not interrupt her.¡± Zoey clenched her jaw. She recalled how Zeke defended Bailey at the museum earlier in the day and grew increasingly anxious. Did Zeke learn about Bailey''s real identity? Otherwise, why did he help Bailey gather all the victims who were tricked by Lina and helped her send Lina to jail? After much pondering, she concluded that the only possibility was that Zeke had discovered Bailey''s identity. Footsteps echoed from the staircase, causing her to immediately lift her gaze and saw Sofie, who was descending the stairs dressed in a nightgown. Zoey promptly stood up to greet her. Sofie gave a wave to dismiss everyone in the living room. Frowning, she asked, ¡°Why are you here this late? Did something happen?¡± This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. ¡°I think Zeke found out about Bailey''s identity. What should I do? Please tell me what I should do!¡± Sofie guided her to take a seat on the couch and spoke in a measured tone. ¡°Ah, I thought it was a pressing matter. That''s why you''re here. So what if he has uncovered the truth? As long as you haven''t done anything wrong, they won''t kick you out of the Shurmer family. You need to have patience. After all, a little impatience spoils great ns. Don''t get flustered over something minor. I have everything under control, so nothing will happen.¡± ¡°B-But now that Zeke knows Bailey is his biological sister, he will definitely take action by finding a chance for her to return to the Shurmer family. Mom, if Bailey returns to the Shurmer family, she will be able to marry into the Luther family with her identity as the Shurmer family''s legitimate heiress. This could also impact my standing in the family. Our ns will be thwarted if that were to happen.¡± Sofie nced at the ground for a few moments in silent contemtion before grabbing her phone which she ced on the coffee table. She typed out a text: Yve, have you made up your mind? The head of Tarragon is going to marry his wife soon. If you are still hesitating, you''ll have to bow and submit to another woman in the future. Ten secondster, she received a reply: Okay, let''s do as you say. I got rid of Shannon, so I can get rid of Bailey as well. Let me deal with that woman. If I need your help, you''ll have to help me no matter what. Sofie: Okay. Congrattions in advance, Your Royal Highness. After sending the message, Sofie raised an eyebrow and grinned malevolently. ¡°Can you calm down now? Even if you don''t take any action, someone else will do it for you. Just wait and watch. We''ll wait until both parties suffer losses from the battle, and then you can reap the benefits.¡± The following day, Shannon ran out of the living room to the outdoor grounds of her house. Tears streamed down her cheeks when she saw the familiar figure standing before her. ¡°M-Mother...¡± Ivy lifted her head to stare at her daughter who was standing on the steps as tears filled her eyes. ¡°Oh, Shannon. My dear daughter.¡± Shannon could no longer keep her emotions in check and stumbled down the stairs, copsing on her knees in front of Ivy and clinging to her legs. ¡°Mother, I''m d you''re alive. Oh, this is great! After all the obstacles I''ve been through, God has finally decided to be kind to me this time,¡± she wailed. Ivy''s hand trembled as she reached out to caress Shannon''s face. Her gazended on the empty left sleeve of Shannon''s shirt, and her tears flowed like a torrential downpour. My daughter should''ve been the cream of the crop as she was the most talented member of Tarragon among her peers. What could she have gone through to bring her to this state of distress? ¡°Shannon, what happened to you over the years?¡± Chapter 506 Chapter 506 Shannon quickly wiped her tears and wrapped her arm around her mother''s before walking up the steps. ¡°I''m fine and doing well. I''ve led a peaceful life all this while. There weren''t any killings, bloodshed, or gunfights. My days have been so peaceful that I have gradually forgotten what it was like to live like a lifeless puppet.¡± Before Ivy could ask further, Holden shot a nce at her, signaling for her to stop pressing on for answers. Ivy sighed softly before saying, ¡°My health has deteriorated over the past few years. Otherwise, I would have looked for you personally. After almost six years of endless searching, your brother was still unable to find you. I thought you were already...¡± The woman stopped short and immediately corrected herself. ¡°What am I talking about? I take it back. You''re standing in front of me right now. Seeing that you''re safe and sound, there''s really nothing more I can ask for.¡± Shannon''s expression brightened as the corners of her mouth curled up into a faint smile. She was relieved to see her mother, and the gloomy air that was previously surrounding her seemed to have dissipated. ¡°Mother, I''m just grateful that you are still alive. By the way, you must have heard about Holden''s kid, right?¡± A shocked expression appeared on Ivy''s face at once. Subconsciously, she looked toward her son and asked, ¡°Is what your sister just said true?¡± Holden smiled and replied, ¡°He went out with his mom to visit her friend. They will be back in the afternoon. Please be patient and wait for a while.¡± Ivy was ecstatic to hear that. However, her overexcitement had probably triggered her ailment, and the woman started coughing violently. ¡°Mother, are you okay?¡± ¡°I''m fine. I''m okay. I''m just so happy.¡± Shannon breathed a sigh of relief before her eyes dimmed. If Eugene were still alive, he would have been five years old. Shannon could not help but imagine how delighted her mother would have been to know that she had another grandson. At the thought of her son, who had died a terrible death, Shannon''s expression slowly turned grim. From the corner of his eye, Holden noticed that something was off about Shannon. He could more or less guess what was on her mind and quickly changed the topic. ¡°The two of you haven''t seen each other for some time. I''m sure you have a lot to talk to each other about. Let''s go sit down on the couch and have a good chat.¡± Shannon suppressed the waves of sorrow in her heart and rposed herself. A momentter, a smile resurfaced on her face. Just then, the butler was seen approaching them in a hurry from the courtyard. While walking, he said, ¡°Mr. Lewitt, Mr. Neyman is here. He has something urgent to speak to you about.¡± Holden knitted his brows. After a few seconds of silence, he said in a deep voice, ¡°Ask him to wait for me at Tarragon''s branch. I will head over shortly.¡± ¡°I heard that Aunt Ivy is in Hallsbay and have speciallye to visit her. Holden, you are not going to turn me away, right? I''m your guest after all.¡± Micah strode in after breaking through the bodyguards'' defense. Holden''s expression turned grim before he said with displeasure, ¡°Micah, this is my private residence. If you have anything to discuss with me, we can talk at the branch. Are you trying to challenge my authority by barging into my house like that?¡± Micah stopped when he reached the bottom of the steps and looked up at Ivy and Shannon. ¡°I haven''t seen you in a few years, Aunt Ivy. How have you been?¡± The smile on Ivy''s face faded. Even though she did not know exactly what her daughter had been through over the past few years, she would never forget the painful experience they shared six years ago. Ivy med herself for not being able to do anything while her daughter was being framed. She went around begging for help but to no avail, and in the end, Shannon was forced to lose one arm. Ivy wasn''t present at the scene on that fateful day, but she heard that Micah was there. Moreover, it was him, the man whom Shannon had loved deeply for many years, who had suggested chopping off her arm. Ivy could not imagine how painful it must have been for her child back then, not so much because of losing her arm, but because of Micah''s ruthlessness toward her. ¡°Oh, it''s Mr. Neyman. I think it''s better that you address me as Mrs. Lewitt. I don''t deserve to be your Aunt Ivy.¡± When Micah heard that, he forced an awkward smile and replied, ¡°Aunt Ivy, please don''t say that. You watched me grow up, and I have always regarded you as my own mother. I will always hold you in high esteem.¡± Ivy had a gloomy look on her face. She wanted to bring up the past but was worried that Shannon would be triggered. ¡°Shannon, let''s talk inside,¡± she said to her daughter. Shannon nodded and turned to walk toward the living room while holding her mother''s arm. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Instinctively, Micah followed behind them, but Holden suddenly got in his way and stopped him from advancing. ¡°Shannon''s life has been a living hell for the past few years. After experiencing so much all by herself, she finally gets to be in theforting arms of our mother. So please stop showing up in front of her and disrupting her peace. Can''t you just let her fully enjoy this moment?¡± Micah pressed his lips tightly together while watching Ivy and Shannon enter the living room. He had finally gotten to see Shannon, and all he wanted was to stay by her side and watch over her. ¡°Holden, please give her back to me.¡± Holden furrowed his brows and sneered, ¡°Give her back to you so that you can continue hurting her?¡± ¡°I won''t.¡± With a serious expression on his face, Micah continued, ¡°I won''t let her get hurt again. Holden, you should know how much I love her. I can''t live without her.¡± Holden nced at the man coldly and replied mercilessly, ¡°You can just die if you can''t live without her. You imed that you love her, but if you really love her, why did you let those people chop her arm off without doing anything? If you really love her, why did you allow Yvette to fabricate the car ident that killed her son?¡± Chapter 507 Chapter 507 Micah staggered a few steps backward. Those painful memories that Holden had brought up were like daggers stabbing into his heart, causing him so much agony that he was barely able to breathe. Shannon would never be able to recover from the trauma of losing an arm and the death of her precious child. As such, he knew that the Lewitt family would never forgive him no matter what he did. Shannon resented him. Even Ivy, who had once treated him like her own son, hated him to the core. Holden also disregarded their friendship of twenty years in order to protect his sister. Micah knew that he was a sinner, and because of his guilt, he would never be able to look the Lewitts in the eye ever again. His heart was filled with destion as he turned around and stumbled away. The man was fully aware that Holden was right. Shannon had had a life worse than death. Now that Ivy had returned to soothe Shannon''s wounded soul, he shouldn''t appear and cause her more misery. Looking at his friend''s sorrowful and lonesome figure, Holden finally let out a sigh and said softly, ¡°Focus on getting revenge for your son first. Perhaps, after that, you can think about getting back together with my sister. She has been in hell for too long and needs your help to pull her out of it. Even if you fail to do that, you should join her there and stay by her side.¡± Micah halted in his tracks and balled his hands into fists tightly before replying, ¡°Sure. I will definitely avenge my child. Holden, thanks for your blessing. When I finish what I have to do, I wille for Shannon and never leave her again.¡± Meanwhile, at the medical base, Justin was personally performing the surgery to remove Veronique''s womb. As Veronique had already given birth to Zephyr, she had no more regrets. Since she was unable to keep her womb, her only option was to remove it. Members of the Revelle family were sitting on the bench outside the operating room while waiting patiently for the oue of the surgery. Bailey beckoned Wendy over and led her to the side before asking softly, ¡°Wendy, do you know Huntley?¡± When Wendy heard the question, she understood what Bailey meant at once. However, after all those conflicts that had happened between the two of them previously, she was reluctant to answer the woman so readily. ¡°Ha! Ms. Jefferson, aren''t you very capable? You can find out yourself. Why are you asking me?¡± Bailey found Wendy''s response rather amusing. Even though Wendy was a little prideful, she had a kind heart. Besides, Bailey was aware that someone raised by the Hoffmans wouldn''t be bad by nature. To ease the tension in the air and make Wendy feel better, Bailey said, ¡°My dear Wends, please don''t be angry anymore. You are not really in love with Lionel anyway, so it wouldn''t matter if you let my friend have him, right? Besides, you got back together with Holden again because of the trouble Vicky created. In a way, Vicky had helped youe to terms with your true feelings, don''t you think? Wends, my dearest Wends¡ª¡± ¡°Stop.¡± Wendy touched her arm and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Stop being so mushy. Look, I''m having goosebumps all over.¡± Bailey broke into a cheeky smile and said, ¡°I will stop being mushy only if you tell me about Huntley.¡± ¡°Huntley is Mr. Raymond''s godson. That old man''s son died young. As such, a few years ago, he decided to adopt Huntley, who was only twenty back then.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly and replied, ¡°So that means Mr. Raymond has been intentionally grooming him? Is he really that impressive?¡± Wendy nodded and replied, ¡°Huntley is the most capable one among his peers. Many years back, Mr. Raymond had already had the intention for him to marry my sister, but the proposition was rejected by my parents. The matter was brought up again recently, and Juliana had dly agreed to it. I really wonder what that girl is up to.¡± Bailey pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°Is Huntley highly regarded in the family?¡± ¡°Well, not exactly, but people do show him some respect. By the way, this was the situation before I left the Hoffman family. I don''t know anything about his progress in the family in recent years. However, the fact that Mr. Raymond had chosen him to keep Julie in check is enough to show that he is definitely a powerful character.¡± Bailey raised her brows when she heard that. It was more or less simr to what she had guessed, and she could not help but wonder if Juliana would be able to manage. She had a feeling that Huntley was definitely not someone to be trifled with. The fact that Raymond thought highly of him clearly meant that there must be something special about him. ¡°Wendy, your sister is currently not doing very well. I know that you still have some influence in the Hoffman family. Can you do me a favor?¡± Wendy cast a nce at Bailey and said slowly, ¡°You want me to find out what''s going on internally within the Hoffman family?¡± ¡°Yup. I have to understand the situation first in order to help Julie. She''s your only sister. I''m sure you don''t want anything bad to happen to her, right?¡± Wendy let out a cold snort before replying, ¡°You don''t have to try so hard. I didn''t say that I won''t help you. Give me three days. I will try my best to investigate the current situation in the Hoffman family.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Right after their conversation ended, the door of the operating room opened. Bill stood up and walked toward Justin at once. Tugging at the doctor''s arm, he asked, ¡°How did it go? Is she all right?¡± Veronique did not tell her father that she had cancer. All he knew was that her uterus was seriously damaged and needed to be removed. Feelingpletely drained, Justin massaged his temples and replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°The surgery went well, and we don''t expect her to suffer from any side effects. Don''t worry, she will wake up once the anesthesia wears off. You should go get some rest at the ward first.¡± Just as Bill was about to speak, Yvonne grabbed his arm and said, ¡°Dad, Justin still needs to wrap up the surgery. Let''s not hold him up. We can ask him more questions after Veronique''s condition stabilizes.¡± Just then, Justin turned toward Bailey and said, ¡°Pleasee with me. There is something I want to ask you about.¡± Chapter 508 Chapter 508 In the operating room, Bailey had her eyes narrowed as she studied the tissue sample taken from Veronique''s uterus lining. ¡°The cancer cells have indeed spread. The only thing we can do now is to hope that the remaining cancer cells in her body won''t move to other organs.¡± Justin chuckled self-deprecatingly and said, ¡°We are old-timers with tons of clinical experience. I''m sure we all know we can''t leave this matter to luck.¡± ¡°Yeah, so we still have to develop new drugs. Give me the sample. I''ll take it to theboratory in the Shurmer residence and find out if we can use the data about her genes and cancer to develop a drug that can prevent the cancer cells from spreading,¡± Bailey stated. In response, Justin nced at Bailey''s stomach wordlessly, his intentions clear. Bailey couldn''t help butugh in amusement. ¡°I''m pregnant, not crippled. I''m not that fragile! Don''t listen to Artemis. He''s just excessively worried.¡± ¡°All right, I''ll sort the sample and hand it to you.¡± In a room at the Shurmer residence, Shirley sat on the couch, wiping her tears. Beside her sat Zoey, who was keeping herpany. When Zoey saw how sad Shirley was, an idea urred to her. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Shirley, there must be a reason why Zeke doesn''t want to hold an engagement party for you. I think he has taken a fancy to Juliana and ns to work with Bailey to save Juliana from the Hoffman family.¡± Shirley lifted her head abruptly and looked at Zoey with tearful eyes. ¡°What did you say? He wants to join hands with Bailey and rescue that despicable Juliana?¡± ¡°I''m not sure, but Zeke has been so distractedtely. I went to the study to bring him coffee a few times, and he was always staring at the two pots of cactus on the table while spacing out. I asked his assistant about them and found out that it was Juliana who gave him those nts. He keeps them on his study table.¡± Upon hearing that, Shirley pursed her lips tightly. ¡°She has already left Hallsbay. Why can I still feel her presence everywhere?¡± she said resentfully through gritted teeth. Zoey sighed softly and remarked, ¡°She''s too lucky. Not only does she have the Hoffman family backing her up, but she also has an amazing mentor handling things for her. Bailey is Juliana''s strongest support. Only by taking down Bailey will you be able to have control over Juliana.¡± ¡°Bailey...¡± Shirley balled her hands into fists. ¡°It''s that woman again. Why does she keep going against me? You''re right. As long as Bailey is around, Juliana will have a backer. That way, I won''t be able to do anything to Juliana. I have to get rid of Bailey first before I can have that despicable woman eating out of my hand.¡± A cold, calctive look shed across Zoey''s eyes. She had to admit that although Sofie was evil, the latter was very clever to use someone else to do the job. Now, Zoey had learned to do the same. ¡°That is right. We cannot keep Bailey around. If she marries into the Luther family, she will be even more invincible with their support. By then, it will be almost impossible to defeat her.¡± Suddenly, Shirley narrowed her eyes at Zoey. ¡°Zoey, are you using me as a pawn? If Bailey is gone, you will get to reap all the benefits without doing anything.¡± ¡°What are you talking about, Shirley? Do you think I''d let you battle on your own? We have amon enemy. Of course we have to join hands and deal with her.¡± ¡°That''s more like it. Tell me your n. What do you want me to do?¡± Zoey leaned into Shirley''s ear and whispered, ¡°First, let''s spread the rumor that Raiden and Bailey are having an ambiguous rtionship and that Bailey wants to abandon Artemis and marry into the Fletcher family, the most prestigious family in the political circle. Let''s wait and see how the Fletcher family will react and whether they''ll do something to Bailey.¡± Shirley''s eyes lit up at that. ¡°I heard that Mrs. Fletcher is in Jadeborough, making preparations for Mr. Fletcher''s wedding. She chose the heiresses of several prominent families to be her daughter-inw candidates. If she finds out that Bailey has a thing for her favorite son, she will definitely deal with Bailey. It just so happens that Scarlett and Bailey also have a beef with each other.¡± With a faint smile, Zoey responded, ¡°It''s decided, then. The Fletcher family is in power right now. There''s no way Mrs. Fletcher and Scarlett can''t handle Bailey.¡± Even if they couldn''t, there were tons of people waiting to take Bailey''s life¡ªYvette, Rhonda, and Chloe, the mayor''s daughter, were among them. Oh, Bailey. You did nothing wrong, but it''s unfortunate that you won Artemis'' heart. In the future, countless women will antagonize you and disrupt your life. ¡°By the way, Zozo. How are we going to spread the rumor about Raiden and Bailey? They never hugged, kissed, or slept together. We don''t have any basis for the im.¡± Zoey curled her lips into an evil smirk. ¡°At the appraisal event a few days ago, Lina mistakenly appraised an antique statue. That statue is authentic, and there''s a significant story behind it. Legends have it that the sculptor spent a long time making the statue. Having been passed down through generations of royalty, it acquired spiritual powers.¡± ¡°And what about it?¡± ¡°Mr. Fletcher gifted such an important relic to Bailey. If this gets out, won''t it serve as evidence that there''s something between them?¡± Shirley hurriedly nodded in response. ¡°It surely will, but... Zozo, where did you hear this from? Not even Lina was able to authenticate the antique statue correctly. How do you know if it''s real or not?¡± At that, Zoey sneered inwardly. Naturally, she couldn''t determine whether the statue was authentic. Sofie was the one who told her, and as for how Sofie knew about that, Zoey had no idea. Sofie was a woman with impressive tricks, so Zoey trusted the former''s judgment wholeheartedly. Nheless, Zoey was not stupid enough to tell Shirley the truth. ¡°I have a friend who''s in the antique business, and he happened to be at the event. He found the antique statue familiar-looking, so he checked out the ancient manuals when he went home. That was how he confirmed it''s genuine.¡± ¡°Okay. We''re good as long as you''re sure about that statue. I''ll order someone to spread the rumor right away.¡± The next day, a shocking news made the headlines in Hallsbay. Shocking: Bailey Jefferson Walks off Appraisal Event With Antique Statue. Breaking: Bailey Jefferson ys Some Tricks! Priceless Antique Statue Reappears, Only to Fall Into Her Hands. Trending: Bailey Jefferson, Also the Renowned Appraiser Vespera, Reveals Her Rotten Character as She Keeps a Relic For Herself Instead of Handing It In. News with simr headlines began to pile up. Although they were worded differently, they were all conveying the same message¡ªBailey had stolen the antique statue and kept it for herself. Naturally, such a precious relic should not be made her private possession. It was infuriating how she kept mum about discovering a relic when she was an internationally-renowned appraiser. As it was a sunny day, Bailey was in a good mood when she woke up. Yet the moment she saw the avnche of news online, her mood was ruined. People just can''t tolerate seeing me live a good life, huh? The previous issue has just been resolved, and now, there''s new trouble again! ¡°Artemis, let''s move to Mars.¡± Artemis burst out intoughter at that. He kissed Bailey''s forehead and teased, ¡°Do you think it''s that simple to date the national heartthrob? Doing that is equivalent to stirring a ho''s nest.¡± Chapter 509 Chapter 509 They had indeed stirred a ho''s nest, for troubles were endlesslying one after another. ¡°Say, who''s the troublemaker this time?¡± Artemis lifted a brow and chuckled. ¡°Maybe someone wants to get rid of you as soon as possible because they got anxious after Zeke appeared at the antique appraisal event to get you out of trouble.¡± Bailey chuckled and shook her head. In a resigned voice, she said, ¡°And here I was, thinking of ying the role of a saint this time by letting her go and letting her enjoy the luxury of being the heiress of the Shurmer family, but... Forget it. I won''t tolerate her in silence anymore.¡± Artemis reached out to tap the tip of her nose andughed. ¡°That''s right. You''ve already been magnanimous enough, so why should you make things even harder for yourself?¡± Bailey reached out to circle her arms around his neck. ¡°You were hoping for that woman to mess up so that you could take the opportunity to kick her out of the Shurmer family. That way, I''ll be able to return to the family, right?¡± Artemis fell silent. Bailey was smart, and his little tricks could never escape her eyes. Since he could not keep it a secret, he decided to keep his mouth shut instead. Bailey lifted her head to kiss his lips. What can I do? I love this man so much. My world will probably copse if I ever lose him. ¡°You never bothered setting women up, Artemis, but now, for my sake, you''ve set Zoey¡ªyour savior¡ª up. I...¡± Artemis chuckled quietly before sealing her lips with his. He mumbled, ¡°No one else matters to me but you. So what if she once saved my life? If she ever dares to harm you, I''ll still make sure she gets the punishment she deserves.¡± In the morning, the Department of Justice and the Cultural Relics Bureau brought their men to the Luther residence. This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org. Their aim was simple¡ªthey were going to move the antique statue to the museum. The statue was a national treasure and a priceless antique. It could not solely belong to Bailey. In the living room, Felicity looked at the person in charge of the Cultural Relics Bureau with a frown as she tentatively said, ¡°We''re already worshipping the antique statue in our house''s shrine. We promise not to damage it, so could you please let the antique statue stay at our ce?¡± The person in charge of the Cultural Relics Bureau was stumped. He had just received arge sum of donations from the Luther family a few days ago, and the sum was more than enough for them to purchase ten antique statues. It would not be a big deal if they were to let the Luther family keep the one they had. However, his superior had ordered him to retrieve the antique statue and bring it back to Jadeborough Museum. He would not dare to go against the order. ¡°Mrs. Luther, I have no problem with leaving this antique statue here in the Luther family, but my superior doesn''t agree with it. What about this? If you can get him to agree to it, I''ll turn a blind eye to this.¡± Felicity was hesitant. Everyone knew that the antique statue was in the Luther residence, and if she were to pull strings to keep it, the public would certainly be outraged. Right as the tension in the room was at its peak, footsteps sounded out from the stairwell. In the next second, Bailey came down the stairs while holding the railing. ¡°It''s just an antique statue. Must the government insist on taking back the statue despite all the contributions I''ve made to the country? Please go back. There''s no way the antique statue will be brought out of the Luther residence aftering here.¡± The person in charge of the Cultural Relics Bureau wanted to leave too, but he dared not go against his superior''s order. If he were to mess up on his task, he would lose his position. ¡°I... I... M-Ms. Jefferson, the Museum of Hallsbay has plenty of antiques. Why don''t you take a look at them and pick some that you fancy? Let''s just hand this antique statue over to the government.¡± Bailey strode over to Felicity and sat down beside the other woman. With a smile on her face, she said, ¡°The antique statue is a gift from me to my future mother-inw. What if my mother-inw gets upset about you taking it away and doesn''t agree with me marrying Artemis? What then? Are you going to be my future mother-inw instead?¡± Um... The person in charge of the Cultural Relics Bureau was speechless, shocked that Bailey could say those words out loud. ¡°Ms. Bailey, if you don''t hand the statue over to us, I''ll have to resort to harsher methods. I know you''re on friendly terms with the person in charge of the Department of Justice, but this is an order from my higher-up, so your connections will not matter. He has sent his men to arrest you, so please hand over the statue to us.¡± When Felicity heard that they were going to take action, she quickly turned to say to Bailey, ¡°Let''s forget about this, Bailey. This antique statue isn''t destined to stay in the Luther residence, so let''s just let it go.¡± Bailey parted her lips, about to reply, when someone''s voice sounded outside. ¡°Ms. Bailey, Mr. Raiden of Dellmoor''s Fletcher family is here. He says he has something urgent to talk to you about.¡± Felicity froze and did not quite register the message. However, Bailey furrowed her brows and said, ¡°Don''t let him in. Tell him¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, a figure dashed into the room. Raiden had already barged in. ¡°You''re going to tell me that you''re terribly ill and will not be able to meet anyone, right? Bailey, is this how you treat guests?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. He''s quick. The people of the Department of Justice and the Cultural Relics Bureau have just arrived, and he''s already here. In fact, I''m starting to wonder if he sent his men to keep an eye on me twenty- four-seven. But that doesn''t seem right. We''re in Hallsbay, and Hallsbay is Artemis'' territory. That man would never let his love rival spy on me. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Chapter 510 Chapter 510 Raiden lifted a brow and smiled. ¡°The news about the antique statue is spreading like wildfire out there. Naturally, I came to behold the marvelous thousand-year-old antique.¡± At that, the eyes of the person in charge lit up. Initially, he was unsure if he could actually take the antique statue away by the end of the day. However, Raiden''s intervention heightened his chances of seeding in that. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, my higher-ups have ordered me to send the antique statue to Jadeborough Museum. You''re old friends with Ms. Jefferson, so could you please convince her to forgo the statue?¡± ¡°No,¡± came Raiden''s instant reply. ¡°I was the one who gifted her the statue, so I won''t allow it to be taken away. You don''t need to worry about your higher-ups because I''ll deal with them. Stop harassing Bailey from now on, got it?¡± A look of shock crossed the person in charge''s face. He could not believe that Raiden had gifted Bailey a national treasure that was so important. If news of that were to get out to the public, the people would begin specting about the nature of Bailey and Raiden''s rtionship. One was the eldest son of a prestigious family who held military power, and the other was a single mother who had gotten pregnant before getting married. The two of them should not have crossed paths in life, and yet, Raiden was deliberately binding him and Bailey together. ¡°Mr. Fletcher regards this matter with great importance, too. He has ordered for both the antique statue and the emerald seal to be brought into the capital at the same time.¡± Raiden icily nced at him and muttered, ¡°I''ll exin things to my father. If the public were to ask about this, you''ll tell them that I represented the country in gifting Bailey the antique statue. Do you understand?¡± The other man was about to say something else, but Raiden shot him another cold re. ¡°Of course, of course. I''ll do as you say right away.¡± At the tearoom, Bailey poured a cup of green tea for Raiden and sighed. ¡°You shouldn''t havee. I''m now Artemis'' woman. If you get involved in my matters, people will start talking about how you and I might be romantically involved. If this ends up enraging your parents, you''ll have more troubles toe.¡± I finally know what Zoey was trying to do by revealing the existence of the antique statue to the others. She''s trying to force Raiden to admit that he is the one who gave me the statue. Then, his admittance will make the public start specting if Raiden and I are romantically involved. Raiden''s marriage was of utmost importance to Tamara. She was not going to let Raiden sabotage his future by getting together with someone like Bailey, who already had children. To make sure that her son would not actually get into a rtionship with Bailey, Tamara would certainly target Bailey. Zoey''s n of using others to deal with me is indeed impressive. That way, she won''t dirty her own hands. Mrs. Fletcher is indeed the best choice. Tamara''s identity wasn''t as prominent before this, so she wasn''t as powerful. However, when her husband had gone up the ranks, her status had risen as well¡ªshe was now the most esteemeddy. N?velDrama.Org content rights. Raiden chuckled, unperturbed. ¡°I''m confident in you. Even if my mother wants to mess with you, I''m sure you''d be able to deal with her just fine.¡± Bailey was speechless to hear that. He''s clearly overestimating me. I''m fearless right now because I have Artemis to back me up. Without Artemis, I can barely keep my head afloat in the waters named Hallsbay. I''ve made too many enemies, and everyone wants me dead. The news about Bailey keeping the antique statue for herself continued spreading in the outside world. To soothe the public''s anger and stop things from getting out of control, the Cultural Relics Bureau came out to make an announcement, saying that the antique statue was a reward from the government to express their gratitude to Bailey for what she had contributed to the country. They also mentioned that Raiden had represented the government in gifting the statue to Bailey. The moment that announcement was made, the public went abuzz again. Raiden and Bailey already had an ambiguously romantic rtionship. Now, Raiden''s action of gifting a national treasure to Bailey seemed to cement the idea that there was something going on between the two of them. Thus, the topic of the discussion shifted. Everyone started talking about how Bailey could not be satisfied with merely Artemis alone and about how she was even hooking up with the most promising young heir of the Fletcher family. Some evenpared her with her mother. They talked about how her mother had been promiscuous and had given birth to Bailey, a baby without a known father. They also talked about how her mother had cuckolded rence for over twenty years. And now, Bailey was walking down the same path her mother did, ready to cheat on Artemis as well. Bailey''s mood plummeted when she caught wind of those rumors. She had a history of prenatal depression, and along with stress from her pregnancy, she started showing signs of another episode. Despite that, she did not heed Artemis'' advice of moving overseas for a period of peace of mind. Veronique was not doing good. Bailey had to continue researching in theb toe out with an anti- cancer drug. At the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor, Tamara angrily mmed the newspaper onto the coffee table and snapped, ¡°Darn this Bailey. She''s already together with Artemis, so why is she stilling after my son? What does she want? Polyandry?¡± Scarlett said, ¡°I told you so. I said Raiden was bewitched by Bailey and that he would go against you and Dad for Bailey''s sake, but you didn''t want to believe me. Things have reached an irreversible state now. Just you wait. Raiden''s going to bring Bailey to the Fletcher family and force you to ept her as your daughter-inw!¡± ¡°That''s impossible!¡± Tamara leaped to her feet and gritted her teeth. ¡°She doesn''t even know who her father is, and she even had premarital pregnancy! What right does she have to join the Fletcher family? Ha! So what if she''s smart? I refuse to believe I can''t deal with her as long as she''s in Chanaea.¡± Scarlett curled her lips and tilted her body to the side to send Shirley a message: My mother''s mad. Now what? Chapter 511 Chapter 511 A momentter, Shirley replied: Wait for the right time to use your mother to get rid of Bailey. Try to get rid of her once and for all so she doesn''t get a chance to make aeback ever again. The smile on Scarlett''s lips widened. She must get rid of Bailey Jefferson. Veronique had been diagnosed with uterine cancer, and she could only stay alive with Bailey''s help. In other words, if Bailey was out of the picture, Veronique was dead meat too. Scarlett: Okay. You''re doing this to get Zeke, and I''m doing this to get Justin. It''s a beneficial situation for both of us. Regardless of everything, Bailey has to die. In the living room, Raiden was sitting in the main seat, looking at Artemis with an arched brow and a half-smile. ¡°Why have youe here instead of watching over your woman at home?¡± Artemis gave him an icy look and uttered, ¡°The news outside has affected Bailey''s mood. When are you going to scram back to Dellmoor? Also, when are you going to get engaged with a woman so that people will stop thinking that you''re in a rtionship with Bailey?¡± Raiden slowly dropped the smile, and a dangerous glint shed past his eyes. ¡°Artemis, don''t push your luck. I''m already kind by notpeting against you for Bailey. I hope you''ll stop provoking me.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°It''s pointless even if you try to steal her away from me because you don''t have a ce in her heart.¡± Raiden knitted his brows. ¡°Artemis, you''d better stop taunting me. My love for Bailey is no lesser than yours. If you trigger my indignance, I''ll fight you to the death for her.¡± Artemis scoffed before expressionlessly uttering, ¡°Bailey has nothing to do with you. If you keep staying in Hallsbay, the people will only keep assuming that something is going on between the two of you. Isn''t Mrs. Fletcher trying to find a woman for you? Get someone suitable and marry her as soon as you can. Stop making life difficult for me and Bailey.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. Raiden barked out augh in his anger. ¡°Artemis, would you still settle for anyone after meeting Bailey?¡± Artemis'' expression tensed up. It was a question he did not wish to answer, but he had to. ¡°No.¡± ¡°That''s right. You won''t, and I won''t either. I believe Edmund won''t too. So, stop telling me to marry another woman. I just can''t.¡± Artemis stared at him in silence. ¡°All right. I''ll be heading back to Dellmoor tomorrow. Take good care of her. If I find out that you''ve been mean to her, I''ll definitely bring my soldiers to make a mess at the Luther family''s base in Hallsbay.¡± Artemis remained silent. At Juliana''s ce, Juliana was leaning against the chains of the swing, watching the handsome youth with a cocked head. ¡°How long has it been since we''ve seen each other, Huntley Cloudax?¡± The youth inclined his head a little and humbly answered, ¡°Ms. Juliana, it has been four years. You''ve been out training with your master, and you never came back during those years.¡± Julianaughed. ¡°Don''t stop. Keep pushing me. Push harder. I like the feeling of free falling. It''s quite thrilling.¡± A small smile crept onto the youth''s face. He then rested his hands on her shoulders before pushing her. ¡°Ms. Juliana, you didn''t change a bit. Pure. Untainted. Just like the clouds in the sky.¡± Juliana sneered. ¡°You''re right. I''m still the same as ever. Nothing has changed with me, but on the other hand, you''ve taken over half of the Hoffman family while my father is ill. You''re a bold one, Huntley. Are you nning to revolt?¡± Calmly, the youth continued pushing Juliana, not at all fazed by her words. ¡°I''m simply taking on some of the weight of your father''s responsibilities. He has grown old, and neither you nor your sister can bear the weight back then. Someone has to take on the responsibilities. Even though I now have power over half of the family, my role is temporary. Now that you''re back, Ms. Juliana, I will slowly relinquish my control and let you take over the entire family instead.¡± Juliana scoffed. She had underestimated Huntley, thinking that the boy would not pose any threat. However, in mere four years, he had discreetly taken control over half of the Hoffman family''s power. If she hade back anyter... the entire Hoffman family would have been ruled by the Cloudaxes. He looks so harmless and gentlemanly, but only a few know how sly and ruthless he is. ¡°Huntley, neither of us are fools, so let''s stop beating around the bush. Do say, what do you want?¡± The youth held his forehead, seemingly exasperated, and sighed. ¡°I thought you already knew what I wanted, Ms. Juliana. Turns out I was wrong.¡± With that, he abruptly pulled her off the swing and into his arms. ¡°Every step I take in the Hoffman family is a challenging one, and it is all because I want you. Ms. Juliana, will you believe me if I tell you this?¡± ¡°No,¡± came Juliana''s immediate answer. Then, she added, ¡°But whether or not I believe you don''t matter anymore. I''ve signed the marriage agreement, and our marriage contract is now legally effective. Neither of us can ever escape one another, so let''s just keep this show up for the rest of our lives.¡± The youth''s fingertips slowly brushed across her soft red lips. ¡°Maybe it''s not a show. Maybe we can truly respect and love each other instead.¡± Juliana''s heart lurched. As more time passed, she found it increasingly hard to know what was going on in the man''s mind. His mind was a maze, and she could never know what was hidden within it. Although Juliana hade across all kinds of people in the world during her travels with her master, she could never figure out what the youth was thinking about. Juliana was starting to regret signing the marriage contract. In the Gourd residence''s living room, Genevieve was excitedly holding her daughter''s hand as they sat on the couch. ¡°Shirley, do you remember the thing we were talking about the other time? It''s done!¡± Shirley froze for a second before a look of pleasant surprise appeared on her face. ¡°What? Did you really get Zeke''s sperm from the sperm bank?¡± Genevieve was all smiles, but despite that, she averted her eyes for half a second. ¡°That''s right. I pulled some strings and managed to get Zeke''s sperm from the Shurmer family''s storage. As long as we retrieve your eggs, we can make a test tube baby. There''s no way Zeke will still refuse to marry you with the baby. We''re putting aside that darn engagement ceremony and aiming straight for a wedding.¡± Shirley grabbed her mother''s arm and beamed. ¡°Mom, you''re the best! Everything you do is for my sake. Let''s waste no time, then. The longer we drag this on, the likelier something might go wrong. If I get pregnant again, Zeke will be suspicious.¡± ¡°Mhm. I''ve contacted the hospital, and they''ve signed the non-disclosure agreement. We''ll be retrieving your eggs in the afternoon for the test-tube baby.¡± The next day was a rainy, gloomy day. Despite that, Vincent''s funeral was held as scheduled. Bailey and Artemis reached the Saunders residence early in the morning. ¡°Huh? Isn''t he going to be buried today? The guests are all here, but where are the Saunderses?¡± ¡°That''s right. Where''s the son? Where are the rest? Why aren''t they around at all? Is this how they wee their guests? By leaving them alone in the rain?¡± Bailey turned to nce at Artemis before whispering, ¡°I''ll take a look at what''s going on in the house. Please help calm the guests down.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, in the study, Victoria threw the cup on the coffee table onto the ground. ¡°Don''t push your luck, Victor!¡± Chapter 512 Chapter 512 The atmosphere in the study tensed up following the loud shattering noise of the cup smashing to smithereens. Victor was leaning against the cupboard as he uttered nonchntly, ¡°What''s the matter? Didn''t you two agree to the conditions? Are you going against your word? It''s fine even if you do. There are only two years left, anyway. At most, I''ll just keep waiting inside. As for today''s funeral, I won''t be making an appearance. You two can handle it.¡± Victoria, trembling with fury, pointed at him. ¡°H-How can you do this, Victor? How dare you break your promise after the Saunders family''s shares and assets were transferred to you?¡± In response, he sneered, ¡°Those belong to me in the first ce. I simply regained what was always mine. If you two don''t settle my prison issue today, I won''t attend the funeral.¡± Do they think I''m stupid? I''ll still be brought back to prison after the funeral''s over. What''s the point of inheriting the assets, then? Since I can''t set myself free, they''ll have to do it for me. He thought he should rify his condition just in case they didn''t get the full picture. If they wanted him to attend the burial, they would have to settle the issue of releasing him from prison. By that point, Victoria''s face was covered in tears. She was utterly disappointed in her brother. ¡°I''ve been taking care of Dad''s funeral for the past few days, which was why I didn''t have time to pull some strings and get you out of jail. Victor, I promise you with my life that after you attend the funeral, I will find a way to set you free. What do you think?¡± ¡°I think I disagree. If I don''t get what I want today, I won''t make an appearance at the funeral. How about you let the old fart stay in the house for a couple more days? Once you''ve taken care of my request, I''ll happily do what you want.¡± Victoria was once again engulfed in rage after she heard what Victor said, even though she had just calmed herself down. What does he think Dad''s funeral is? A joke? Is he not afraid of the heavens punishing him for being such an unfilial son? ¡°Victor, you¡ª¡± Originally, she wanted to say, ¡°If you push your luck again, I''ll just ignore your matter entirely and ask the prison guard to throw you back into prison right away. I''ll handle Dad''s funeral myself.¡± However, Lionel stopped her before she couldplete her sentence. He pulled her into his embrace and said, ¡°I''m already taking care of it. Give me three more days, and I''ll make sure you won''t step foot into prison again.¡± Victor shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Fine. The old fart''s funeral will also be dyed by three days, then.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Aren''t you afraid of getting punished by the heavens for threatening your sister and her husband with your father''s funeral? Even if the heavens ignore you, aren''t you scared your father will turn into a vengeful ghost and haunt you for being such a heartless b*stard?¡± Bailey''s voice rang out in the air as she stepped into the room. Swiftly, Victor''s expression darkened as he spat, ¡°This is our family business. It has nothing to do with an outsider like you. Get the h*ll out of here.¡± She clicked her tongue and looked around before raising her voice. ¡°I know your soul hasn''t returned to the cycle of reincarnation yet, Mr. Saunders. Don''t you think it''s time to show yourself and punish your unfilial son?¡± Victor jolted in fright and surveyed his surroundings, panicking. ¡±Q-Quit saying nonsense like that! I-I don''t believe in ghosts or supernatural stuff! Stop acting as though his ghost is here!¡± ¡°You don''t believe it?¡± Raising her eyebrows, she chuckled. ¡°Then why are you trembling? You should know I''m Grandmaster Gadzinski''s disciple. Surely you''ve heard of him before. If you do, you would know it''s a piece of cake for him to conjure the spirit of a dead person. As his disciple, I just so happened to have learned that skill. How about I ask your father to meet with you right now so the two of you can have a chat?¡± Victor was so terrified that his legs turned to jelly, and he had to hold onto the cupboard to stabilize himself. ¡°Y-You''re just spouting nonsense! I don''t believe you can summon his spirit in broad daylight!¡± With a grin, Bailey produced a charm from her pocket. ¡°How about I give you a demonstration of my skill? I can guarantee your father will show up before you in the next second to teach you a lesson.¡± His hand slipped, and he slumped to the ground. As he gazed at the charm in her hand, he pleaded with a trembling voice, ¡°D-Don''t do it! I-I believe you. T-Tell me, w-what do you want me to do?¡± While ying with the charm in her hand, she demanded casually, ¡°I want you to wee the guests out there and bury your father properly. Otherwise, he''ll visit you tonight and haunt you.¡± Victor didn''t have the guts to disobey her because he was aware of what she was capable of. Considering she''s Gadzinski''s disciple, I doubt she''s lying about having the ability to summon a dead man''s spirit! Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Fine, fine! I''ll take care of the funeral. J-Just don''t summon my father''s spirit!¡± As Bailey watched him stumble away, she let out a sigh andmented, ¡°They say having a son meant someone will take care of you when you''re old. However, if the son is this unfilial, how can one hope they''ll be taken care of when they grow old and die?¡± Victoria approached Bailey and choked out, ¡°Thank you, Bay. If it weren''t for you, I really don''t know what to do.¡± Chapter 513 Chapter 513 Bailey patted Victoria''s shoulder. ¡°When ites to people like him, you have to do things the hard way. You won''t win against him by ying dirty because he''s better at it. Although, considering how much he hates the Saunders family, are you two really going to free him from prison? There''s no doubt he''ll cause plenty of trouble once he''s out.¡± Smiling bitterly, Victoria exined, ¡°I promised him I would, and I intend to keep my word. However, if he gets arrested again after being freed from prison, then I''ll leave him to his fate. Whether he lives or dies won''t concern me anymore.¡± Meanwhile, on the second floor of a coffee shop, next to a window, rence stared anxiously at the young woman sitting opposite him and spoke carefully. ¡°Z-Zoey, we¡ª¡± Zoey interrupted, ¡°There isn''t any rtionship between us. Please refrain from spouting nonsense and causing me problems, Mr. Jefferson.¡± I can''t believe he''s trying to make me recognize him as my father when he''s from an ordinary wealthy family! What a joke! I epted Sofie as my mother because that old bat can help me get everything I want. On the other hand, this old fart can''t give me anything. In that case, why should I recognize him as my father? An awkward expression shed past his countenance. ¡°Fine, fine, we don''t have any rtionship with each other at all. I just want to see you and ask you how you have been doing for all these years.¡± Annoyance was visible on Zoey''s face as she spat, ¡°What do you think? I''m the daughter of the Shurmer family, one of the Ten Acimed Socialites. People worship me, and many more are jealous of me. How do you think I''ve been doing?¡± In response, he smiled bitterly. Of course, he could tell the mockery in her tone. He wasn''t an idiot, after all. What could the Jefferson family possibly give her that the Shurmer family couldn''t? Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°I''m d that you''re doing well, Zoey. Is there anything you need my help with?¡± rence inquired. Zoey mulled it over when she heard that. Well, since he''s offering his help, it''ll be a shame if I don''t seize this opportunity. Even if he can''t deliver a fatal blow to Bailey, I''ll be satisfied if he can cause her some trouble. After all, he''s Bailey''s... adopted father. Thus, she requested, ¡°Yes. Bailey''s threatening my position and stole the man I love. She was the one who ruined your daughter, Rhonda, right? Now, she''s messing with me. Don''t you think you should act like a protective father and take care of that woman?¡± rence frowned. She''s right. Both of my daughters suffered because of Bailey. As a father, I should seek justice for my daughters. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Shrugging, she informed, ¡°It depends on you. I won''t mind if you kill her since she''s getting in the way of your biological daughter.¡± He responded with silence. Upon seeing that, she stood from the couch, grabbed her bag, and headed to the exit. ¡°That''s all I have to say. Do as you see fit. Bailey''s my biggest stumbling block right now. If you want to help me, then get rid of her.¡± After Bailey bade Victoria goodbye, she returned to the Luther residence with Artemis. On their way back, Bailey received a call from Veikko. After he said something to her, her expression changed drastically. She replied, ¡°Okay, got it. I''ll contact the person in charge over thereter to understand the situation.¡± Upon ending the call, she held her forehead, visibly troubled. Artemis held the steering wheel with one hand and used his other hand to hold Bailey''s hand. ¡°What''s the matter? What happened?¡± Pursing her lips and gritting her teeth, Bailey answered, ¡°There''s a bloody conflict in Gregan''s branch.¡± Artemis was momentarily stunned before he stared at her dubiously. ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°The Saviors and Tarragon started a fight in Gregan. Many died. Both organizations already regard each other as arch-enemies, and now, their conflict has intensified. Do you think the heavens also disapprove of our rtionship, Artemis?¡± Artemis couldn''t help questioning, ¡°What nonsense are you saying? Their conflict has nothing to do with us being together.¡± A bitter smile formed on Bailey''s face. ¡°Do you really believe that? But we...¡± We are the leaders of those two factions. She didn''t want toplete her sentence because she didn''t want to point it out explicitly and because she saw no reason for doing so. As long as we''re both well aware of it, that''s good enough. ¡°You haven''t received any news?¡± Artemis shot her a nce before refocusing on the road. ¡°I''ve been with you the entire day. Don''t you think you would''ve known if I did?¡± What he really meant was, ¡°Do you think I''m hiding this from you? How can I when I''m being watched by you twenty-four hours a day?¡± The sarcasm in his voice ticked Bailey off. In response, she demanded, ¡°Stop the car right now. I want to get out.¡± Artemis'' handsome countenance tensed up. Why did she get angry so suddenly? I thought we were just talking. Are all pregnant women this bad-tempered? ¡°I''m sorry. My tone earlier was inappropriate. Stop throwing a fit. I''m still driving here. Once we return, I''ll contact Holden and Micah to ask them about the situation.¡± ¡°I''m throwing a fit?¡± Bailey''s anger boiled over. ¡°Stop the car! Stop it right now! Do you hear me?¡± Afraid that her agitation would affect the baby, he swiftly parked the car at the side of the road. Without dy, she opened the door and exited the car. Artemis, who was left alone in the car, massaged his temples in exasperation. If the Saviors and Tarragon did sh with each other, that''ll be tricky to handle. Chapter 514 Chapter 514 Artemis and Bailey had been doing their best to hide their identities so the two factions wouldn''t learn of their rtionship. If their rtionship were exposed, an uproar within both organizations would be inevitable. When Artemis saw Bailey sitting on a flower bed, he was no longer in a hurry to leave the car. He then grabbed his phone and called Micah. ¡°What''s going on with the conflict in Gregan? Why did the Saviors fight with Tarragon?¡± After a brief silence, Micah sighed. ¡°I received the news not too long ago, and I was just hesitating if I should tell you about it. I didn''t expect you to be one step quicker than me. In any case, I''m not certain about the details yet. ording to what I know, the Saviors were the ones who provoked us first. Our men couldn''t keep their cool, and, well...¡± ¡°Then investigate the matter and find out all the details.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Upon ending the call, Artemis sat in the car for a little longer to calm himself down. Subsequently, he left the vehicle, approached Bailey, and squatted in front of her. He gently caressed her cheek and reassured her, ¡°You don''t need to think about those awful things with me around. Even if the sky falls, all you need to do is nestle in my embrace. I''ll make everything okay.¡± In response, she turned her face away while her eyes turned misty. She was clearly on the verge of crying. Artemis'' heart clenched when he saw her pitiful look. D*mn. That look on her face makes me want to give my life to her just to make her happy. ¡°Don''t cry, okay?¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. She ignored him and promptly began sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks endlessly. The sight of her tears made Artemis feel like crying, too. Even though people tell me women are made of cotton, I''ve always thought Bailey''s made of steel. But, at this moment, that doesn''t seem to be true. Watching her cry is enough to break my heart. ¡°It''s my fault for not managing Tarragon well, resulting in conflict and causing the Saviors to suffer immense losses. If you feel you''ve let down yourrades, then feel free to stab me with a knife.¡± Turning her head toward him, she pped his chest. ¡°You''re bullying me, Artemis!¡± Wait, what? I''m telling her that she''s allowed to stab me, so how am I the one bullying her? ¡°I¡ª¡± Bailey buried her head in his embrace and bawled. ¡°I''m afraid the whole world will oppose our rtionship, Artemis. I don''t think I can live without you.¡± It was at that moment Artemis understood why she was throwing a temper tantrum. So, she''s afraid that the conflict between our factions will escte to the point that it''ll tear our rtionship apart. ¡°That won''t happen. I''m willing to give up everything for the sake of our rtionship. If the world forbids us from being together, I''ll relinquish everything just to stay by your side.¡± His words only made her cry even harder. She was, indeed, afraid. At that moment, even the slightest bit of threat to their rtionship would make her feel as though the heavens were forbidding them from staying together. Heforted, ¡°Don''t cry anymore, all right? You''re making me lose my cool, too, which is something I can''t afford to do right now. There are still many things waiting for me to take care of. Be good, okay?¡± Meanwhile, inside the guest room of Tarragon''s branch, Yvette was video-calling Dominic. ¡°Is Bailey really the leader of the Saviors, Mr. Doyle?¡± ¡°That is correct. I''ve already verified it. She is the head of the Saviors,¡± Dominic answered. As resentment shed past Yvette''s eyes, she tightened her grip on the ss she was holding. If that woman really does have the Saviors as a backer, it''ll be much more difficult to deal with her. ¡°What do we do? Our leader loves Bailey and wishes to marry her. If they do marry each other, she''ll be Tarragon''s matriarch.¡± An evil smirk abruptly formed on Dominic''s countenance. ¡°If Bailey''s an ordinary person, this will be more difficult to deal with. However, because she''s the Saviors'' head, she can never have a rtionship with our leader. Don''t forget about the grudge between Tarragon and the Saviors.¡± Yvette slowly loosened her grip on the ss and allowed it to slip out of her hand, smashing into pieces upon hitting the ground. ¡°You''re right. How can I forget about the grudge between Tarragon and the Saviors? If the two factions are locked in a battle, Bailey and Artemis will be arch-enemies, and they''ll never be able to be together for the rest of their lives.¡± Dominic cackled. ¡°I''m d you understand what I said right away. You''re a smart kid. Anyway, let me tell you some good news. Both factions have already started a bloody fight in Gregan, and both have suffered major losses. The animosity between the two factions has been firmly established.¡± Joy surfaced on Yvette''s face. ¡°Really? That''s great! This saves me so much time. I''ll mobilize my dad''s old subordinates and ask them to sign a joint statement. This will force the leader tounch an official war against the Saviors.¡± Shaking his head, Dominic dissuaded, ¡°You can''t do that because it''ll only make things worse. What''s important right now is to inform everyone in Tarragon that Bailey''s the Saviors'' leader. Only then will we be able to eliminate Leader''s idea to marry Bailey.¡± She nodded in agreement. ¡°I''ll do as you say. Once we expose Bailey''s identity, she''ll be Tarragon''s number-one enemy and be boycotted by the masses. I''m curious if she''ll still be able to marry into the Luther family and be Tarragon''s matriarch when that happens.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Meanwhile, inside Dn ck''s office at the hospital, Genevieve ced a check for one million on the table. ¡°I want this matter to remain a secret between us, Mr. ck. No one else, including my husband and daughter, can learn the truth. Do you understand?¡± Narrowing his eyes, Dn spoke hesitantly. ¡°If the cat''s out of the bag, the only person you''ll hurt is your daughter.¡± ¡°It''s fine. Even my daughter is in the dark about this. I believe she can convince the Shurmer family that the baby inside her belongs to Zeke. You don''t need to worry about anything else. All you need to do is keep your mouth shut about how you obtained some random man''s sperm from the hospital''s sperm bank.¡± After staring at the check on the table that represented an exorbitant sum, he hesitated briefly and ultimately failed to resist the temptation of money. Then, he sighed and remarked, ¡°If only Mr. Shurmer''s sperms weren''t all dead, then Ms. Gourd would''ve been able to carry his baby and be the legitimate matriarch of the Shurmer family.¡± Genevieve gritted her teeth. I''m still infuriated! Even though I spent so much effort removing Zeke''s sperm from the Shurmer family''s cold storage, it was all for naught! I have no choice but to use the sperm of a random man as a substitute. Hopefully, Shirley can secure her position in the Shurmer family with this illegitimate baby. Once an intimate rtionship between her and Zeke blooms and they have another baby together, I''ll find a way to get rid of this random man''s baby. ¡°I''ll be counting on you for this matter, Mr. ck. If you have any difficulties in the future, let me know, and I''ll do my best to help you out.¡± ¡°Okay. Two dayster, bring Ms. Gourd to myboratory. I''ll conduct an in vitro fertilization for her there.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Meanwhile, Micah kneeled in the heavy rain before Holden''s mansion. He was staring at the living room ahead of him coldly. ¡°I failed to do what you instructed me to and caused your daughter to suffer, Mrs. Lewitt. Thus, I will remain kneeling here until you''re willing to forgive me.¡± Chapter 515 Chapter 515 Inside the living room, Ivy was sitting on the couch, craning her neck as she stared at the entrance of the mansion. It was winter at the moment, and the temperature was dropping rapidly. Additionally, it was a cloudy afternoon, so the air was practically freezing. Micah would undoubtedly get sick if he were to kneel in the rain for the whole day. While Ivy was dissatisfied with Micah''s methods and believed he didn''t protect her daughter well, she had to admit that the man''s feelings for her daughter were sincere. Back then, when he ordered someone to chop off Shannon''s arm, I know he did it to save her life. It''s not like I don''t understand the situation. As her train of thought ended there, she nced at Shannon, who was sitting at her side. ¡°How about you let him in, and you two can talk this through, Shannon? It''s winter right now. He''ll get sick if he kneels in the rain any longer.¡± Slowly, Shannon stood from the couch and ambled toward the staircase. ¡°You can talk to him if you want. I don''t want to see him ever again. There''s nothing for us to say to each other anymore.¡± Ivy parted her lips slightly and wanted to say something, but in the end, she gave up. After watching her daughter head upstairs, she stepped toward the door. Standing before the entrance steps, she lowered her head and gazed at Micah, sighing. ¡°What''s the point of talking about forgiveness now with how things have turned out? If Shannon doesn''t forgive you, you won''t be able to change anything even if Holden and I understand where you''reing from. Shannon''s the one you''re having a rtionship entanglement with, not us. Just let my daughter go, Micah. Let her live a peaceful life for now. She has suffered too much over the past few years.¡± Pursing his lips, Micah raised his head and stared at the older woman. Raindropsnded on his icy countenance and silently streamed downward, leaving behind tragically beautiful water streaks. ¡°Even though her arm had to be chopped off to save her life back then, the incident had clearly be a nightmare she never wants to remember again. My heart aches every time I recall it. I won''t ask for her forgiveness, but I do want to make up for her lost arm. You''re her mother, the only elder who can seek justice for her. Right now, I shall return what I owe your daughter.¡± The moment he ended his sentence, he removed a dagger from his waist and stabbed the tendon in his left arm. In the next second, blood spurted out of his wound, blurring his vision. Ivy gasped in shock and reflexively rushed down the steps to stop the man from acting recklessly. However, she was too far away from him, and there was nothing she could do to stop him. All she could do was watch him jab the sharp dagger into a specific spot in his arm. That spot was where the tendons in his arm connected. If he forcefully severed them, his arm would be crippled for good. Not even the most prodigious doctor in the world could cure it. ¡°Don''t act rashly!¡± she eximed. As a look of determination shed past Micah''s eyes, he chuckled and exerted more force, preparing to sever his arm tendons. It was then a shing de cut through the air and hit hisright arm. The sound of the de piercing through his flesh rang out along with his groan of pain, and his right arm soon dropped due to the intense agony. Blood streamed down from both of his arms, tainting the puddle of rain on the ground, turning it scarlet in the blink of an eye. As Micah slowly lifted his gaze, he met Shannon''s eyes. She was staring at him frigidly while standing on the steps. ¡°S-Shanny,¡± he uttered. She scowled while hatred swirled intensely in her eyes, almost swallowing him whole. Momentster, she walked down the steps and strolled toward him. The rain falling on her face made her mien appear even colder. If I hadn''t taken action in time, he would''ve destroyed his left arm. He is indeed a ruthless man, both to me and to himself. ¡°Do you really think you could make things up to me by doing this? No, the grudge between us will never disappear unless one of us dies,¡± she said, standing before him. Micah lifted his head and stared at her with a bitter smile. ¡°Fine. Since you hate me so much, kill me then. I won''t fight back. I''m happy enough to die at your hands.¡± Shannon sneered, ¡°Death''s not terrifying at all. It happens in the blink of an eye, and it''ll be over before you know it. True suffering is the inability to escape a living hell. I''ve experienced it for years, so now it''s your turn to do the same. Listen to me, Micah. I don''t want your arm. Instead, I want you to live in penitence for the rest of your life.¡± Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. In response, he tried moving his arm to grab hers. Immense tearing pain assailed him following his movement, and his blood spilled out even faster. Despite that, he repeated his attempt multiple times only to fail every time. It seems like we really aren''t destined to be together. Even though we''re within each other''s reach, we can''t hold on to each other. ¡°Shanny...¡± Perhaps due to his massive blood loss, his body began swaying, and his mind was turning foggy. He genuinely wanted to cripple his left arm aspensation for taking hers. That was because he believed it was the only way for him to approach and protect her without scruples. We have wasted far too much time. All I want is to spend the remaining years of my life by her side. Why can''t the heavens grant this simple wish of mine? Chapter 516 Chapter 516 Shannon began to tremble as she watched Micah lying in a pool of his own blood. Her eyes were fixed on his bleeding arms while destion inundated her. She instinctually shot a flying dart toward him earlier because she couldn''t bear watching him disable his own arm. If she hadn''t injured his right arm, forcing him to let go of the dagger, his left arm would probably have been crippled by then. This man and his methods frighten me. No wonder people are afraid of him. ¡°You can''t let him lie in the rain any longer, Shannon. He clearly hit a major artery when he stabbed himself earlier. If his bleeding isn''t staunched soon, he''ll die,¡± Ivy urged. Shannon immediately snapped out of her senses and bent over, trying to help Micah up. However, her wounds hadn''t fully recovered yet, so she failed to do so. Ivy then turned toward the bodyguards nking them, shouting ¡°What are you guys looking at? Go and help her right now!¡± Meanwhile, at Shelbert Condominium, Bailey was sitting on a couch inside the study and narrowing her eyes at Veikko. With a frown, she inquired, ¡°You''re saying someone intentionally incited the conflict?¡± Nodding, he informed, ¡°That''s right. Both factions had been staying out of each other''s way due to orders from their respective leaders. Even if there were a major conflict, they wouldn''t just start a fight. Yet, this time, Tarragonunched a vengeful assault simply because one of their agents was identally harmed by a member of the Saviors. Someone''s definitely trying to start a fight between the two organizations.¡± Bailey''s frown deepened. It doesn''t seem like this conflict was incited to start a war between the two organizations. It''s more like... No, that''s impossible. No one in both organizations knows about our rtionship. Why would anyone be using this opportunity to separate us? I must be overthinking it. Then, she requested, ¡°Can you visit Gregan, Veikko? You must find out what exactly happened. Artemis and I can''t risk exposing our identities, so neither of us can go. You''re the only one who can.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Veikko nodded. ¡°Dexter''s in Gregan right now, so I''m assuming Artemis asked him to investigate the matter. When the timees, I''ll contact and work with him to catch the mastermind behind this matter.¡± Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Okay.¡± As Veikko expected, Artemis did contact Dexter. It made sense, considering Holden was busy dealing with matters in Zaewora, and Micah was out of commission. Since both of them couldn''t help Artemis, and he couldn''t show himself, he could only ask Dexter for help. ¡°You must uncover the mystery behind the conflict in Gregan, Dexter. I want to know if someone intentionally caused it to happen or if it was because of an ident,¡± Artemis ordered. ¡°Don''t worry, Artemis. You''re my buddy, and Bailey''s my friend. Since this matter involves the both of you, I''ll do my best to unearth the truth,¡± Dexter assured. ¡°Good.¡± During the afternoon, Veikko departed from Hallsbay and headed to Gregan on a ne. Not long after the flight was underway, he noticed something odd. ¡°Who asked you to follow me?¡± He frigidly glowered at a flight attendant in a professional outfit. Caridee flinched and replied timidly, ¡°I-I want to have fun in Gregan. Since you''re heading there, I thought I coulde with you. Don''t be so petty. I''m Bailey''s sister-inw, after all. It''s no big deal for me to hitch a ride on your private ne, right?¡± In response, he looked outside the window. The ne''s high up in the sky right now. If I throw her down, she''ll definitely turn into mush. ¡°Should I ask the pilot to turn around, or do you want to take a parachute down?¡± Shaking her head vehemently, she pleaded, ¡°No, no, no. I don''t want to go back to Hallsbay. Please let me go to Gregan with you.¡± Veikko''s countenance tensed up as he said, ¡°I''m going there to take care of a dangerous, bloody business. The heiress of a rich family like you shouldn''t join me.¡± He then turned to his bodyguards who were standing nearby. ¡°Strap a parachute to her and push her off the ne.¡± Upon hearing that, she trembled in terror. ¡°I-I have a fear of heights. A-And I have heart disease. I-I...¡± ¡°Push her off the ne.¡± ¡°Viekko!¡± She raised her voice and gritted her teeth. ¡°If you do that, I''ll vent all my anger on Bailey. I''m sure you don''t want me to annoy her, especially now that she''s pregnant.¡± Viekko remained silent. Seeing that, Caridee shoved the two bodyguards aside and sat down across from him. Resting her chin on her hands, she smiled. ¡°I''m an unruly and willful princess. Even Bailey has no idea how to deal with me, so what can you do?¡± Still, he didn''t utter a single word. ¡°Just let me tag along in secret and behold what the underworld is like. If you fulfill this request of mine, I won''t bother you anymore. What do you say?¡± Heh, who''s to say what''ll happen in the future? Even if I shamelessly cling to him, there''s nothing he can do about it! Back in Shelbert Condominium, when Bailey learned that Caridee had run away with Veikko, she felt an impending headache. ¡°I know you''re doing this on purpose, Zayron. You knew she was going to leave Hallsbay, yet you didn''t tell me.¡± Chapter 517 Chapter 517 Zayron snorted twice to that. ¡°The sky will rain when it wants to, and Aunt Caridee will marry if she wants to. Can you control that?¡± Infuriated, Bailey took off her slippers and was about to throw them in her son''s direction when the doorbell rang, rescuing Zayron. With that, she shot Zayron a vicious re and gritted out, ¡°Your father will deal with youter. Go get the door.¡± Words eluded Zayron when he heard that. She''s thinking of beating me up, and now she''s treating me as a ve? How shameless can this woman be? As soon as the door opened, in came Sebastian from outside. Zayron stomped his foot. ¡°What the h*ll? Where did this stray doge from?¡± Sebastian was speechless to be called a stray dog. Wendy reached out to pat Zayron on the head, asking, ¡°Is your Mommy home?¡± ¡°She''s not. She''s out messing around with her man. You¡ª¡± Smack! Before he could even finish his sentence, his mother''s slipper ended upnding on the back of his head. The pain caused him to shut up right away. Bailey came over and pulled her son to the side. Arching her brows, she looked at Wendy and smiled. ¡°I never thought you''d be visiting me one day.¡± Wendy couldn''t help but smile when she recalled how they used to butt heads in the past. ¡°Yeah. I thought we''ll remain enemies for our entire life. I never thought we''ll now be friends who would help each other in need.¡± ¡°Well,e in. Zayron, bring Sebastian to your room and hang out.¡± Zayron wordlessly and reluctantly did as told. The twodies took a seat on the couch before Wendy said, ¡°I think you know why I came, so I won''t beat around the bush. It''s about Huntley. I found out about something, and this young man is, indeed, not as simple as he seems. He has taken control over half of the Hoffman family''s power in mere three to four years.¡± Bailey was shocked to hear that as she looked at Wendy, astounded. ¡°Half of the Hoffman family''s power? What background does he have? How is he capable enough to control that much power right under your father''s nose?¡± Wendy shook her head and said solemnly, ¡°He''s our rtive from a prestigious family, and he''s higher in terms of seniority. Mr. Raymond noticed his potential and took him in since he was still young. He also acknowledged Huntley as his godson when his own son passed away.¡± ¡°So, you''re saying that he''s been living among the Hoffman family for years and knew everything there is to know internally?¡± Wendy pursed her lips as a glint of worry shed across her eyes. ¡°That''s right. He knows the way the family operated like the back of his hand. As for Julie, she had just returned to the family. She has no foundation and no connections, so how could she possibly be Huntley''s match? Bailey, do you have any ways or ideas to help my sister with this?¡± Bailey knitted her brows and thought for a while before sighing. ¡°I don''t even know what Julie is thinking lately. She didn''t even call me to seek my help, so that means she has formted a n. Let''s just wait a while longer and see how things y out. There will be turbulence in the Hoffman family if we take action now, and this could jeopardize the entire family.¡± After that, the room went silent. In the study of the Gezmond residence, Lionel was leaning against the window as he picked up a call. ¡°Surrender yourself to the police and shoulder the me. Just say that you were the one who incited Victor to manipte the stock market and sell the stocks illegally. Got it?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Gezmond. I''ll confess to the crime ording to your wishes.¡± Lionel let out a soft sigh as exasperation and exhaustion overwhelmed him. ¡°Are you okay withProperty ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org. shouldering the me?¡± ¡°I''m the one who framed Mr. Victor in the first ce, so it''s only right that I take the me now. You''ve saved my family, Mr. Gezmond, and you even arranged everything for my family. I''ll only be sentenced to a few years in prison at most. It''ll be over soon, anyway.¡± ¡°Okay. Don''t worry. I''ll take good care of your family. You''ll only be sentenced to five years imprisonment at most, and the least will be three years. I''ll try my best to help you with this and lighten your sentence.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Gezmond.¡± The next day, someone dropped by the Hallsbay Police Department to confess to the crime and turn himself in. The man stated that Victor from the Saunders family was framed, and that he was the real mastermind behind the stock market maniption case. He also asked to be severely punished. The citizens of Hallsbay were stunned when word got out. Vincent''s burial was just over, and news about Victor being framed and imprisoned for nothing was immediately revealed. Such a dramatic turn of events was a pretty hrious story to hear. In the study at the Saunders residence, Victoria looked at Victor, who was leaning against the desk, and said in a calm voice, ¡°Lionel has helped exonerate you, so you better watch your behavior from now on.¡± Victor scoffed and couldn''t help but say in a mocking tone, ¡°He was the one who set that trap to frame me, and now I''m the one who owes him? How ridiculous. What a scheme Lionel pulled to have the Saunders family in the palm of his hand. He better pray that I won''t have any dirt on him, or I''ll make sure to ruin his family as well as his reputation.¡± Victoria looked at him in despair and spoke in a painful tone. ¡°You want to ruin his family? Victor, you''re not cursing him, you''re cursing me. I''m his wife, and I''m bearing his child. Are you saying that you hope to ruin my life?¡± Victor snorted when he heard that. ¡°You only have yourself to me for marrying him. Are there no other men in this world who meet your standards? Do you really have to trample on your pride to be with him? Someone as shameless as you don''t deserve to be part of the Saunders family. From this day onward, you are not allowed to set foot into the Saunders residence. Now, leave.¡± Victoria staggered backward as she looked at Victor in disbelief, unable to ept what Victor, her own brother, had just said. She couldn''t believe that her own brother would humiliate her with such harsh words. ¡°You... How could you say something like that? I''m your sister! Your biological sister! We share the same parents!¡± Victor sneered. ¡°Since you had the guts to do what you did, why wouldn''t I have the guts to say what I said? What''s wrong? Do you still think you''re chaste? Too bad. You''re still carrying that b*stard''s child in your belly.¡± Victoria slumped on the couch and looked at her brother in aplete daze. The light in her eyes faded as if her soul had left her body. She was utterly disappointed in her brother. ¡°Fine. I''ll leave. I''ll leave the Saunders family. From now on, we''re no longer siblings.¡± ¡°Good. From now on, whether you live or die is none of my business, so don''t even think of getting anything from the Saunders family.¡± At the Shelbert Condominium, the doorbell rang. Bailey opened the door, and before she could even see who was outside, a figure loomed over her and almost crashed into her. She reflexively extended her arms to support the person. It was only after she lowered her gaze that she found out who it was. ¡°Vicky, what''s wrong with you?¡± ¡°Bay, I''m homeless now.¡± As soon as she finished her sentence, Victoria''s eyes rolled back, and she passed out. ¡°Vicky!¡± In the infirmary at Holden''s residence, Shannon stood by the bed and narrowed her eyes, looking at the man on the bed. ¡°Call your subordinates and tell them toe and pick you up.¡± Micah looked up at the ceiling. After a momentary silence, he said in a hoarse voice, ¡°Don''t worry about me. Just let me die.¡± Shannon tried tamping down her anger but to no avail. She sprang forward, grabbed his cor, and bellowed, ¡°Are you even a man, Micah Neyman? Are you intending to go back on your word? You said you''ll avenge Eugene! Have you done so?¡± Chapter 518 Chapter 518 At that, a glint shed across Micah''s eyes, which slowly regained focus. He turned his head to look at Shannon before stiffly lifting the corners of his lips. ¡°I owe you an arm, and now I''m returning it to you, so why won''t you ept it? Shanny, do you really want to cut ties with me?¡± Shannon scoffed coldly and retorted, ¡°You think you can repay everything you owe me just by severing your arm? We''re not children anymore, Micah. Don''t be so na?ve.¡± Micah lowered his gaze and nced at his bandaged right arm. A faint smile could be seen forming on his pale lips. ¡°Even if I can''t repay you what I owe, it still feels good to know that you at least have an ounce of sympathy for me. This proves that you''re not as merciless as you seem to me. As long as you still have hope for me, I''ll be able to muster enough courage to continue living the rest of my life.¡± Shannon violently shook his hand off, exerting so much strength that she affected his injury. The intense pain that assailed him made Micah tremble, and beads of sweat could be seen forming on his forehead. Shannon subconsciously stole a nce at his arm and saw that the white bandage was tainted red. His wound must have been torn apart. ¡°Stay still. I''ll get the doctor to help you with your wound. You better listen to me. Stop threatening me with your arm. Anything you do is useless before you gain revenge for our son.¡± A faint half smile emerged on Micah''s face. Does that mean she''ll consider forgiving me after I gain revenge for our child? Micah hoped that he and Shannon could stay alive rather than dying together. The concept of reuniting with her in the next life was too much of an illusion, and he dared not hope for that. To him, being able to hold on to her in this life was good enough. After avenging his son, he would then quit Tarragon and travel the world with Shannon. They would lead a quiet and peaceful life from then on. He still had his whole life ahead of him, so he was confident that one day, he would be able to soothe the pain in her heart and make her ept him again. Of course, it didn''t matter even if Shannon refused to ept him. He was willing to stay by her side and protect her until the end of his life. At the Shelbert Condominium, Bailey got up and headed toward the door as the doorbell was ringing. When she opened the door, she saw Lionel standing outside, which wasn''t a surprise. ¡°Aren''t you fast? She just arrived not long ago, and you''re already here. Well, what do you want? Vicky ns to stay with me for a few days, so if you''re here to pick her up, you don''t have to.¡± Lionel was emanating a faint frosty aura as he stood there, a steamy air surrounding him. It was raining cats and dogs outside, and the man appeared damp. ¡°I''m her husband, so it''s only right that I came to bring her back to the Gezmond residence. She has no reason to stay at your house mostly because it''s inconvenient, for Mr. Luther is staying here as well.¡± Words eluded Bailey when he mentioned the word ¡°husband.¡± That''s true. This man is Vicky''s husband, so what right do I have to stop him from bringing his wife away? Furthermore, what he said wasn''t wrong. Artemis lives here as well, so it wouldn''t be convenient for Vicky to stay the night. ¡°Bay, it''s okay. I''ll follow him home.¡± Victoria''s voice came from behind, and Bailey instinctively turned to look at her. ¡°It''s fine. I''ll tell Artemis to move back to the Luther residence for the time being. You can stay here. It''s no big deal.¡± Victoria merely smiled and shook her head. ¡°That won''t do. I would bemitting a huge sin if that were to happen. You''re now pregnant, and Mr. Luther is so worried about you that he''s practically sticking to you like glue. How could I separate you both?¡± ¡°Vicky...¡± ¡°Bay, I know what you want to say, but I''m going to be a mother soon, too. They all say women are strong when they be mothers. I still have a long path ahead of me, and I need to walk that path myself, no? You can''t help me with that, so just let go and allow me to shoulder all the responsibilities that I need to.¡± Bailey could only let out a resigned sigh. ¡°Fine. Take care of yourself, okay? Remember to call me if there are any problems with the baby.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Of course. You''re the famous doctor, Anonymous. I know there''s nothing for me to worry about when I have you checking on me.¡± Artemis returned to the condominium at night. Bailey told him about Caridee following Veikko to Gregan when he got home. ¡°I''m sorry that I failed to keep an eye on your sister and allowed her to go with Veikko. How about you send someone to bring her back? Veikko is there to handle matters regarding the underworld, and it''s going to be dangerous¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Artemis waved his hand and cut her off. ¡°That''s okay. It''s good for her to go out and witness the cruelty of the real world. The Luther family has been protecting her all this while, and she''s still so innocent and unworldly even though she''s already eighteen. How could she stand on her own two feet in this cruel world if she doesn''t grow up? She will be the matriarch of a prestigious family in the future, so how can she take on that responsibility if she didn''t even have the knowledge and guts?¡± In truth, Bailey wanted to say, ¡°Your sister has fallen so hard for Veikko, so there''s no way she''ll be the Luther family''s matriarch in the future.¡± In the end, however, she swallowed the words when they reached the tip of her tongue. Artemis had a lot on his te at that moment, so she didn''t want to trouble him with trivial matters. ¡°Artemis, we can''t let Tarragon and the Saviors know about our rtionship. They were not on good terms to begin with, and if they found out that we''re in a rtionship, chaos will definitely ensue.¡± ¡°I know. Don''t worry. There aren''t many in Tarragon who know about my true identity. Our rtionship will never be leaked. Unless... someone is trying to sabotage us.¡± The next day, Genevieve sneakily brought Shirley to Dn''sb to create a test tube baby. Chapter 519 Chapter 519 Shirley was ted when the embryo was transferred into her body. She failed to get Zeke to sleep with her, and she wasn''t able to make him give out his sperm willingly. Hence, she could only resort to underhand tactics to get her way. However, there was nothing to worry about. When the child was born, her position as the future matriarch of the Shurmer family would be firmly established. ¡°How are you doing, Shirley? Are you feeling okay?¡± Shirley shed an exhausted smile at her mother as she said in excitement, ¡°I no longer feel any pain when I think of the fact that Zeke''s child is currently in my belly. Mom, the Shurmer family would surely recognize me as their daughter-inw this time, right?¡± A look of hesitation shed across Genevieve''s face. She pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Shirley, you must never ever let Zeke do a paternity test with the baby in your belly. Do you hear me?¡± Shirley was stunned. She then looked at her mother, confused. ¡°But why not? This child is Zeke''s, so why can''t he do the paternity test?¡± Genevieve averted her gaze and stammered, ¡°I-I''m just worried that when they examined the baby''s blood during the paternity test, they''ll find out that it''s a test tube baby. You have to bring this secret to your grave, and you can''t let Zeke suspect anything. Do you understand?¡± Shirley had her doubts, but she thought that her mother would never do anything to harm her, so she nodded. ¡°Okay. I''ll remember what you said. I''ll never let Zeke do a paternity test with this child.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Good. Just listen to me. I promise you that you''ll marry into the Shurmer family in no time.¡± ¡°Thanks, Mom.¡± In the study at the Jefferson residence, Rhonda wore an evil smile as she leaned against the cupboard, looking at rence who was sitting on the couch. ¡°Why are you hesitating, Dad? Bailey is not your daughter. You have raised her for nothing, and she ended up putting me in this predicament. As if that isn''t bad enough, she''s now nning to do something to Zoey as well. Oh, by the way, you should know about Zoey''s background by now, right? Are you going to stand by and watch her ruin the lives of both of your daughters?¡± rence threw the newspaper in his hands onto the table. ¡°How dare she!¡± Rhonda scoffed. ¡°Of course she dares to do so! She gave me to a beggar and allowed him to torment me. She already did something so heinous, so there''s nothing she wouldn''t do.¡± She then continued, ¡°The public is now calling her an illegitimate child, so she''s eager to prove that she''s not. There''s only one way for her to do so, and that is to return to the Shurmer family to reim her identity. Think about it. If someone as ruthless as her were to return to the Shurmer family, what do you think will happen to your daughter, Zoey?¡± rence''s face contorted in anger. He was nning to use Zoey to gain more benefits for the Jefferson family, so he would never allow Bailey to ruin Zoey''s status in the Shurmer family. ¡°Ronni, I know you have various tricks up your sleeves. Help me think of a way to deal with her.¡± Rhonda smiled, clearly pleased with herself. She knew rence like the back of her hand and was aware of what he wanted. Therefore, as long as she yed her cards right, he would surely take the bait. ¡°It''s simple. You have to ruin Bailey before she gets the chance to ruin Zoey. Make the Shurmer family be ashamed of her. That way, the Shurmer family will never let her return to the family. Zoey would be safe if that happens.¡± ¡°How do I ruin her?¡± rence asked in a low voice. Rhonda''s eyes were full of viciousness as she gritted her teeth. ¡°Let''s say she tried to seduce her own stepfather. This will surely bring her to her doom, don''t you think?¡± Shocked, rence jumped up from the couch and roared furiously, ¡°You b*stard! What are you talking about? I''m her stepfather! Are you trying to get me involved as well?¡± Rhonda merely shrugged and smirked. ¡°This is the only way to incite the public''s anger and cause the Shurmer family to be disgusted by her. That way, they would want to stay as far away from her as possible. This is the only usation that would destroy her to the point of no return. Everywhere she goes, people will regard her with disdain. Didn''t you want Zoey to marry into the Luther family? Bailey''s reputation will surely be ruined if you go with this method. By then, everyone from the Luther family would object even if Artemis wanted to marry her. Both the Shurmer family and the Luther family won''t ept her. This is the fastest and most efficient way to help your daughter deal with her crisis.¡± rence was trembling all over. Apparently, the method that Rhonda suggested affected him greatly. I would never havee up with such a method. This daughter of mine is so evil. How did I raise someone like her? Taking note of the hesitation on rence''s face, Rhonda continued persuading, ¡°If you''re afraid that your reputation will be ruined, you don''t have to. We can just say that Bailey was the one who seduced you, so you wouldn''t be condemned. Plus, all you have to do is roll around on the bed with her and put on an act. Regardless of whether or not anything actually happened, that alone will make the headlines and cause an uproar.¡± rence''s legs gave out as he slumped on the couch. He was now caught in a dilemma and had no idea how to decide. His daughter was right. Only such scandalous news could ruin Bailey''s life. That was also the only way he could secure Zoey''s position in the Shurmer family. ¡°Take some time to consider it, Dad, but don''t take too long. Bailey would''ve already kicked your daughter out of the Shurmer family while you''re still having trouble deciding.¡± Chapter 520 Chapter 520 After almost thirty minutes of contemtion, rence ultimatelypromised and agreed to Rhonda''s suggestion. ¡°All right. Let''s do as you say, but you''ll have to settle all the necessary arrangements and make sure nothing happens between her and me. I''m not a scoundrel who will touch my own...¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Dad. We''re just using this incident to ruin her reputation. That way, she won''t be able to fight with Zoey anymore, and nor will she be able to marry into the Luther family. I won''t let you ditch the y pretend.¡± ¡°Great. I''ll find time to meet Zoey to share this n with her and get her to cooperate with us.¡± A calcting glint shed across Rhonda''s eyes as she curled the corners of her lips into a smile. Deep down, she had thought of an exciting n which she reckoned could kill two birds with one stone. Bailey aside, I also want Zoey to get thrown out of the Shurmer family. For example, I''ll lead the public to misunderstand that she was the culprit for scheming Bailey to sleep with rence. Then, I''ll expose that Zoey isn''t the daughter of the Shurmer family, and her evil ploy against Bailey was to tie up all loose ends so that she can secure her identity as the Shurmer family''s daughter. That way, both these bit*hes will be screwed, regardless if it''s Bailey or that proud as a peacock Zoey. Haha! I must devise a perfect scheme to make the two women fight against each other and tarnish their reputations! Having endured the indignance in silence for the past month, she wanted to settle all scores with interest since she finally seized an opportunity. ¡°Dad, perhaps it''s better for me to talk with Zoey instead. After all, she''s my sister from another mother. I''ll be sure to help her secure everything she has now.¡± rence nodded. ¡°That works too. You sisters must help each other out from now on. If she''s doing well, you''ll do well in the future too. I''ll find you a good family in a few years after everything dies down. With Zoey helping you, I believe you''ll be able to live a better life in the future.¡± Hah! My life is worse than death right now. How is it possible that I''ll be doing well? Besides, I''m not interested in living the so-called good life either. In truth, all she wanted was to drag those people she was jealous of down with her as she was sick of struggling alone in the abyss of pain and agony. ... Meanwhile, Olivia hurried over to the medical base while Justin was out. In the ward, Veronique hurriedly sat up in bed upon seeing Olivia showing up so abruptly. N?velDrama.Org content rights. She was not supposed to sit up since she just underwent surgery. However, she thought it was disrespectful to remain lying on the bed with Olivia''s appearance. ¡°M-Mrs. Xuereb, what brings you here?¡± Instead of responding, Olivia scrutinized Veronique from head to toe before she finally fixed her gaze on thetter''s t belly. ¡°I heard you removed your uterus?¡± Veronique pursed her lips as she noticed the disgusted look in Olivia''s hostile gaze. ¡°It''s a malignant tumor. I have no choice but to remove my uterus. In a way, the Xuereb family has an heir since we have Zephyr now. Y-You¡ª¡± Olivia cut her off with a dismissive wave before she could finish speaking. ¡°How can someone sickly inherit the Xuereb family? Who knows if he''ll suffer a rpse? I''ve zero confidence in entrusting him with the Xuereb family''s legacy.¡± Veronique''s expression changed dramatically upon hearing that. Aren''t her words a bit too harsh? Zephyr is her grandson, after all! How can she curse him like that? ¡°Then, what do you want?¡± ¡°What do I want?¡± Olivia could not help but sneer. ¡°I want you to leave Justin. How can a barren woman stake a im over my son? Also, the Xuereb family couldn''t care less about that sickly child of yours. If you''re smart enough, take your son and leave. Don''t be a burden to Justin and cause our family line to end here. Name a price if it''s money that you''re after. We''ll settle things once and for all.¡± After hearing what Olivia said, Veronique''s pale face turned even more ghastly white. She knew Olivia had never liked her. Nheless, it was beyond her imagination that thetter would be so blunt and nasty with her words. It''s enough that sheshes out at me, but how can she curse Zephyr too? ¡°I''m not interested in money. Zephyr and I are Justin''s responsibilities. He needs to be responsible to us. There''s no need for you to provoke me like this. It''s pointless. I''ve made up my mind that I''ll depend on Justin forever. I won''t leave him no matter what you say.¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± Boiling in anger, Olivia lifted her finger and pointed at Veronique''s belly. ¡°Look at yourself right now. You can''t even satisfy a man''s basic needs. How dare you insist on not letting Justin go? Didn''t you always say you love him? Is burdening him your way of expressing your love?¡± Veronique bit her lip. As much as she kept reminding herself not to take Olivia''s words to heart, those words left such a tremendous impact on her mind that she could not help but feel upset. ¡°Please leave. I will never leave Justin. Unless you can talk him into abandoning me, or else no one will be able to make me leave him.¡± Livid, Olivia stomped her foot on the floor and spat through clenched teeth, ¡°Since you don''t seem to understand what I''ve said, I can only talk to your father and have him educate his shameless daughter properly. He should bring you back to discipline you well.¡± Just then, Zephyr ran in from outside. He wore a furious expression as he threw Olivia a re and roared, ¡°I think you''re the one who needs some discipline. Sadly, I heard that your father is dead. I guess there''s no one to educate you anymore, and that''s why you''re so rude and arrogant.¡± Olivia had never suffered such humiliation in her life. Besides, the one doing so was only a child. It was only natural that she could not suppress her rage any longer. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and threw it toward Zephyr''s face. Veronique shrieked in horror and struggled to get out of bed when she saw what was happening. ¡°Don''t touch Zephyr. Take it out on me if there''s anything you''re unhappy about.¡± ¡°What an uncultured brat. Since your mom doesn''t know how to teach you to be respectful to the elders, I shall teach you a good lesson.¡± With that said, Olivia swung her arm viciously. At the most critical moment, a silhouette dashed past the door and crashed straight into Olivia''s stomach. That caused her to stumble several steps backward before she plopped right down onto the floor. Rubbing his forehead, Zayron scoffed, ¡°Whoever dares bully my buddy will get headbutted by me.¡± It was unsure how much strength the boy had used, but Olivia was left sitting on the floor, cradling her stomach and crying in pain. When Bailey walked in from outside to find Veronique sprawled by the side of the bed, her expression turned cold immediately. ¡°You just had an operation two days ago. How can you do something so intense? Hurry and lie down.¡± Seeing that the supposed p was not hurled at Zephyr''s cheek, Veronique heaved a sigh of relief and lay back down on the bed. Bailey coldly nced at Olivia, who was still sitting on the floor. She knew what had happened even without asking any questions or deliberation. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, you sure are quite high and mighty. Vero hasn''t married into the Xuereb family, yet you''re already acting as if you''re her mother-inw. In that case, does that mean you''ve acknowledged Vero as your daughter-inw?¡± ¡°Who acknowledged her?¡± Olivia fumed while struggling to stand up. ¡°Why will the Xuereb family ept someone who''s going to die?¡± Bailey''s gaze darkened at once. She snickered icily as she threw Olivia an intimidating re. ¡°If you haven''t epted her, what right do you have toe here and tell her what to do? Please wait until she bes the daughter-inw of the Xuereb family before you do so.¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± Olivia was so mad she began speaking without a filter. ¡°You are just a bast*rd child who doesn''t even know who your father is. What right do you have to criticize me that way?¡± Chapter 521 Chapter 521 Bailey''s expression darkened. One of the things that she hated was people questioning her parentage. Initially, Bailey had wanted to spare Olivia from the humiliation on the ount of the former''s rtionship with Justin. However, since the old woman had decided to trample all over her, Bailey had no reason to put up with it. After all, she was not a sanctimonious doormat. So what if Olivia was older? The woman had no self-respect and thus, did not have the right to demand respect from Bailey. ¡°I''m an illegitimate child whose biological father is not a ster person. This is a well-known fact, Mrs. Xuereb. I don''t need you to remind me of this.¡± When Bailey said that, she angled her head at Zephyr and continued, ¡°I don''t think I need pity. But you, Mrs. Xuereb, deserve the pity more than I do. After all, even your own grandson won''t acknowledge you, and he can''t wait to put you out of your misery. I''m begging you to regain what''s left of your humanity and spare him. It''s sad that one so young already has seeds of deep hatred nted in his heart.¡± Olivia was so angry that she shuddered. ¡°Y-You... My son owns this medical base! Get lost!¡± Bailey arched a brow and smirked. ¡°Your son, you say? I seem to remember that it was my man who paid for all the construction, and it was my man who funded Justin''s research and development. I daresay the one who needs to leave is you.¡± Olivia convulsed twice, gasping for air as her eyes rolled back. Eventually, she fainted. Bailey immediately stepped forward and reached out to catch the old woman before shended on the ground. She then looked outside and shouted, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb has fainted! Can someone hurry and bring her to bed so she can rest?¡± A middle-aged housekeeper hurried inside with two younger women behind her. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb? What''s the matter? Are you okay?¡± ¡°She was so livid that she passed out,¡± replied Bailey mildly. ¡°I''m the culprit, naturally. But if she wishes to continue this fight after she wakes up, I''m more than happy to oblige.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. After watching the housekeepers carry Olivia away, Bailey sneered. ¡°Even the strong-willed Mrs. Luther couldn''t get in my good graces. She still wants to control me. I hate these troublemaking rich olddies who can''t even get their facts straight before acting.¡± Veronique could not help butugh and said hoarsely, ¡°To be honest, what she did was not wrong. I had my uterus removed, and I am dying. She did nothing wrong in wanting me to stay away from her son. To top things off, Zephyr''s condition is unstable, and the Xuereb family''s lineage must be kept going. She¡ª¡± ¡°Veronique.¡± Bailey''s expression had darkened significantly as she narrowed her eyes at the other woman, cutting her off loudly. ¡°When did you be so pedantic? After hearing what Olivia has to say, what do you n on doing? Do you want to leave Justin?¡± ¡°Yes, I am considering it.¡± Bailey took a deep breath, barely suppressing the rage that threatened to spill over. ¡°Forget it. You''ve just had an operation, and your mood is unstable. I do not want to go through the same ordeal you did. Just take care of yourself. You won''t die.¡± Veronique smiled bitterly. I won''t die? I have malignant uterine cancer. There have been no cases where someone has survived this. Veronique did not dare get her hopes up. If the heavens wanted her and could let Zephyr recover without a lifetime of pain, then she would have died willingly for him. ... At the caf¨¦, Rhonda and Zoey found a table near a window. ¡°Tell me. Why did you ask to meet me today?¡± Rhonda curved her lips into a smile and poured Zoey a cup of coffee before pushing it in front of the latter. ¡°We are half-sisters born of the same father but different mothers. Misery lovespany, I guess. We''ve both had to endure Bailey, and I think we should be allies.¡± Zoey looked as if she had heard the world''s best joke. With a sneer, she replied, ¡°Allies? Before this, I nned to sabotage your marriage to Artemis. I even gave you abortifacients. It''s fine if you don''t n on backstabbing me, yet you want to work together? Don''t take me for a fool, Rhonda. I''m nowhere near as stupid as you think.¡± The smile on Rhonda''s face never faded despite hearing all this. ¡°First of all, Artemis never intended to marry me, to begin with,¡± said Rhonda leisurely. ¡°That marriage was a sham. He''d arranged for a beggar to marry me. If anything, I should thank you for wrecking it.¡± ¡°Secondly,¡± continued Rhonda, ¡°The evil seed in my belly belonged to Cadence. It was filthy and shameful. Thus, I had no intention of keeping it. You helped me get rid of it, which was exactly what I wanted. Why would I fault you for that? Now that we''re all in the same boat, just tell me whether or not you want to cooperate.¡± Zoey narrowed her eyes and frowned at Rhonda. She remained silent for a while before asking, ¡°You really hate Bailey, eh?¡± Immediately, Rhonda''s face turned cold as she hissed, ¡°She forced me to marry a beggar and made my life a living hell. How can I not despise her? I don''t just hate her. I want to rip her skin off and crumble her bones to ashes.¡± The smile on Zoey''s face gradually deepened. Sofie was the one who taught Zoey how to use others to do her dirty work, after all. Now that this id*ot Rhonda has so willingly offered herself to me, I''m naturally going to make use of this. ¡°Fine, I believe you. Tell me, then. How do you wish to cooperate?¡± Rhonda had been set up by Bailey many times, and thus she was well aware. Seeing Zoey''s sudden change in demeanor, Rhonda knew that the scheming b*tch wanted to use her to deal with Bailey. Ha. We''ll see who ends up being used. What Rhonda wanted was for Bailey and Zoey to be pushed into ruin. Neither of them could be spared. ¡°I''m nning on...¡± Rhonda then told Zoey about the n she had hatched. After Zoey heard this, she looked very surprised. I didn''t know that she was capable of such vitriol. I guess Rhonda really wants to push Bailey over the edge. Chapter 522 Chapter 522 Zoey decided to mull over this n once more. Bailey can''t stand being alone. In her desperation, she will seduce her adoptive father. Regardless of whether or not anything actually happened, I doubt that b*tch Bailey will ever recover from this rumor. Rhonda saw that Zoey''s gaze had softened, indicating that she still had the intention topromise. Choosing to strike while the iron was hot, Rhonda said, ¡°This n is effective enough. I think we should be able to tarnish her image thoroughly with this. When that happens, she can forget about the Shurmer family taking her back in. I doubt she can even think of setting foot in the Luther residence. Without the protection of the Shurmer and Luther family, she will have nowhere to turn to.¡± Zoey slowly clenched her fists. Deep down, she had to admit that she was convinced by this strategy and that she approved of the n. ¡°Does your father agree? If we do this, he might be implicated. Would he cooperate with such a vicious scheme?¡± Rhondaughed. ¡°The old man is smart. You''re the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family. He can reap plenty of benefits through you. If you weren''t of legitimate blood, he gets nothing. Think about it this way. He has to sacrifice a bit of his reputation to get rid of Bailey, which in turn, solidifies your status within the family. This is a sure-fire deal. Why wouldn''t he agree to it?¡± Zoey smirked. She did not expect any love from rence. Now that she learned of what sordid things the old man had agreed to, she was not the least bit disappointed. ¡°Okay, we''ll go by what you have nned. Tell me. What do you want me to do?¡± A cold glint shed in Rhonda''s eyes. Zoey had taken the bait, and Rhonda''s strategy of killing two birds with one stone was about toe true. ¡°I have no power or backing, so I can''t convince any reporters to break this story. If you want everyone to know about this, then you''d have to make those arrangements by yourself.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± said Zoey without thinking. Zoey wanted to set up Bailey very badly. Now that such a good opportunity had presented itself, she was naturally going to seize it. Rhonda also figured that she was in a hurry to deal with Bailey, so she decided to set things up and spring the trap. Given that Zoey had agreed so readily, Rhonda''s heart was filled with immeasurable glee. Things had gone much smoother than she imagined. This is perfect! Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Since you agree, Ms. Shurmer, let''s officiallymence on this strategy. When the timees for rence to ask Bailey out, I hope that you would have made the necessary arrangements too.¡± ¡°Very well. We''ll contact each other on the phone once everything is in ce. I will ask the most influential media outlet in Hallsbay to break the news.¡± ¡°Perfect! Here''s to us taking down Bailey in one fell swoop!¡± At the Hoffman residence''s study in Moranta, a middle-aged man in his fifties or sixties was sitting on the sofa. This was an extremely majestic man, who exuded a domineering and noble air. He was the leader of the Hoffman family. ¡°Father, Huntley has consolidated a lot of power in the family ofte.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°He has also recruited a lot of his former subordinates and established a hugework of rtionships.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Huntley has also started some shady deals using the Hoffman family name as a shield.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Juliana rolled her eyes exasperatedly and asked, ¡°Father, apart from ''okay'', can you say something else?¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Forget it. Let''s just pretend I was never here. I''m leaving.¡± Just as Juliana was about to turn around, a voice from the sofa said, ¡°You''re more capable than your sister. Within a few days of returning home, you''ve already figured out Huntley''s limits.¡± Juliana raised a brow and narrowed her eyes at him, asking, ¡°I''m sure you already knew that Huntley was ambitious. Why didn''t you put a stop to it? Why did you let him amass power like this?¡± Raymond picked up a decanter and poured himself half a ss of whiskey. ¡°He''s the whetstone I''ve prepared for you,¡± replied Mr. Hoffman mildly after taking two sips. ¡°Over the past four years, he has consolidated about half of the Hoffman family''s power. I did not allow for much more than that. The other half is for you. If you can sessfully regain his half of the power, then I will name you the matriarch of the Hoffman family because you have already proven your worth as a qualified superior.¡± Juliana looked at him with surprise etched on her face. A whetstone? This means that Father intentionally allowed Huntley to grow in power and kept him suppressed so that he doesn''t go overboard. In other words, his main goal all along is to test me and see if I can sessfully wrestle power from that guy. Juliana had always known that her father was swift and decisive, but she never expected him to be so resolute. ¡°Does Huntley know what you''re nning?¡± Raymond smiled mysteriously. ¡°What do you think? His family and friends are in the palm of my hand. I''ve used his loved ones'' lives to threaten him and force him to be a suitable whetstone.¡± Juliana could feel a pang of sadness soaring in her heart. She had not been in frequent contact with Huntley, but she could sense that the young man was constantly preupied with something. As it turned out, he had quite the burden ced on his shoulders. ¡°As of now, he is my fianc¨¦. Soon, he will be my husband. Aren''t you worried that I''d cave in and give the rest of my power to him?¡± Raymondughed softly. ¡°That''s up to you. However, let me remind you of this. The Cloudax family has been facing constant oppression for years, so naturally, there will be resentment in their hearts. If our family ends up under their control, they will immediately put the Hoffman family to the knife. Not a single person will be spared. Is this a burden you can afford to carry?¡± Chapter 523 Chapter 523 Juliana gritted her teeth. This sly old fox! He took everything into ount and is forcing me to sh head-on with Huntley. Yet, what of Huntley? His loved ones are kept under tight control. Even if he wants to act, he likely does not have the guts to do so. As such, thispetition between them had to be staged. ¡°You''re good at strategizing, Father. This bloodbath is your doing. Aren''t you worried that I can''t fight back and will end up dead by his hand?¡± Raymond then mmed the now-empty ss onto the table and held back the smile on his face. ¡°If you can''t defeat him and end up dead, then it''ll only prove that you are not as skilled as the rest. You are unfit to lead the Hoffman family,¡± said Raymond darkly. ¡°If he does kill you, however, I''ll have him put to death and bury the two of you together.¡± Juliana smiled bitterly at this. This is the cold and ruthless man I''ve called my father all these years. ¡°I guess it''s no wonder Wendy chose to forsake this family and not seed as matriarch. There is no warmth to be had in this home.¡± ¡°What did you say? I need you to repeat that.¡± ¡°It''s nothing important. You should head to sleep, Father. It''s gettingte.¡± ... Veikko''s private ne had justnded at a private airstrip in the suburbs of Yannopolis in Gregan. After he left the aircraft, Veikko said, ¡°Find a hotel and have Ms. Caridee settled in. I also need you to arrange for a few bodyguards to protect her. She is not to leave her room under any circumstances.¡± Caridee, who was following them closely behind, immediately froze when she heard his orders. She then strode forward and grabbed onto his sleeve. ¡°I''m not going to a hotel! I''ming with you!¡± said Caridee through gritted teeth. ¡°We''ve already agreed upon this while on the ne. You can''t go back on your word now.¡± A hint of impatience shed in Veikko''s eyes as he reached out to push her away. ¡°Either you behave and go to a hotel, or I send you back to Hallsbay. You decide,¡± said Veikko icily. ¡°I swear, you are¡ª¡± Before Caridee could finish speaking, loud gunshots rang out from around them. ¡°This is bad. We''re under attack! Everyone, protect Veikko!¡± In an instant, chaos descended upon all of them. Veikko pushed Caridee back by a few paces before finally arriving at the fusge. Veikko''s gaze swept around the area vigntly. ¡°What''s going on?¡± ¡°Sir, someoneunched a sneak attack from the southwest. Preliminary judgment would indicate that it''s Tarragon. They must have figured out in advance that you were headed to Yannopolis, so theyy in ambush here to catch you off guard.¡± Veikko''s expression froze. He was about to go out and take a look, but someone yanked onto his arm. ¡°V-Veikko! Don''t go! I''m s-scared!¡± Veikko cursed under his breath. As he heard the increasingly intense gunfire around him, he deduced that he was likely outnumbered. ¡°Go back to the cabin.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Veikko dragged Caridee along and hurriedly made their way toward the steps. ¡°Hurry up! I''ll¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, a sharp noise pierced through the air, faintly carrying the momentum of thunder. From a distance, someone had fired a long-range bullet straight at Veikkos''s back. Veikko could sense the danger headed his way. Subconsciously, he wanted to tremble in fear, but he was rooted to the spot. It was as if his legs were made of lead. Veikko could not duck either. If he did, the bullet was going to hit Caridee for sure. At that very moment, he felt a strong force in his arm. Soon after, he noticed the vague outline of someone dashing towards his back. Veikko was stunned. He thought he had strong reflexes, but in the blink of an eye, the girl in front of him disappeared. A piercing scream reverberated through the air as a soft and delicate body slid down his outstretched arms. ¡°Caridee...¡± The metallic tang of blood assaulted his nostrils. Subconsciously, he turned around to catch her before she fell. Veikko immediately turned around and fired a few shots. ¡°Veikko, hurry and take Ms. Luther to the cabin. The shot went through her shoulder, which may hit a major artery. We need to get the bullet out and staunch the bleeding!¡± Veikko pursed his thin lips and carried Caridee up the steps in big strides. Caridee endured bouts of dizziness from the blood loss. With a pained expression, she said, ¡°I-I know you could dodge it, but you were worried that the bullet was going to hit me instead. They were aiming for your heart. If that bullet had pierced your back, you would''ve definitely died. To reduce the damage, I had no choice but to take the hit for you. Veikko, you are the first person I am willing to defend with my life.¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± said Veikko in a low voice. There was a rare look of distress on his usually indifferent mien. Fine. I''m not going to die anyway. Now that he owes me his life, I can use this as leverage over him. Thinking of this just gives me joy. ... In Luther Group, Bailey had just rushed into the CEO''s office. Artemis was discussing matters with several department directors when he saw Bailey hurry inside. He quickly got up and greeted her. When Artemis approached her, he noticed that Bailey''s forehead was covered in sweat. ¡°Why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen?¡± Just as Bailey was about to speak, she noticed some directors were around and stopped talking. Artemis understood immediately. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed them saying, ¡°I''ll leave you to your work. Feel free to report to meter in the afternoon if you can.¡± After they left the office, Bailey anxiously grabbed onto Artemis'' arm and said, ¡°Veikko was ambushed by Tarragon as soon as hended. There was a shootout, which caused heavy casualties. Even Caridee had taken a bullet!¡± Artemis'' expression froze as a deep frown was etched into his handsome face. ¡°Is it life-threatening?¡± ¡°I don''t know for the time being. The rescue is underway. When the Saviors learned that Tarragon has assaulted Veikko, everyone was enraged. All the branches are now calling for blood. What do I do, Artemis? The conflict has intensified. I''m worried that¡ª¡± Artemis reached out to pull her into his arms,forting her. ¡°Don''t fret. It may not actually be Tarragon. Let me contact Dexter so that we can shed some light on the situation.¡± After saying that, Artemis guided Bailey to a nearby couch. He then brought over his phone, which was charging on the table, and walked toward the window. When the call was connected, Artemis did not mince words. ¡°Your subordinates from the Gregan branch haveunched an assault against Veikko of the Saviors. Even Caridee was caught in the crossfire. What on earth happened there?¡± After a brief moment of silence, Dexter''s doubtful voice could be hearding from the receiver. ¡°An assault on Veikko? That''s impossible. I''m there right now. The branch leader has not issued any orders.¡± Artemis narrowed his gaze slightly. ¡°You''re absolutely certain that Tarragon had no hand in this?¡± ¡°I just mean that my men would''ve immediately reported any suspicious movements to me.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Fine. You should investigate this quietly and find out who has been impersonating Tarragon operatives tounch this attack on the Saviors.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After hanging up, Artemis walked toward Bailey and knelt down to inform her about everything that had transpired in that phone call to Dexter. Bailey frowned. ¡°This means that someone is deliberately trying to intensify the conflict between Tarragon and the Saviors. However, is this attack aimed at the organizations, or is it actually meant for us?¡± No matter who the target was, the moment both parties went to war, the conflict was going to tear both Bailey and Artemis apart. Chapter 524 Chapter 524 Given everything that had happened, the situation was no longer under their control. Dexter imed that Tarragon''s men did not attack Veikko and the others, but the Saviors would not believe him. They only trusted what they saw and believed they were attacked, so no amount of exnations would convince them otherwise. ¡°Artemis, are we really destined to be separated from each other?¡± Artemis shot her a nce and pulled her into his embrace. ¡°Don''t worry about a thing. I''m sure we''ll be able to find a solution to this problem. In the worst-case scenario, I''ll give up that identity of mine.¡± Bailey shed him a wry smile and shook her head. ¡°I''m not some ignorant young girl, so those lies won''t work on me. You have ess to all of Tarragon''s top-secret data, so there''s no way they''d just let you walk out of that life. They''ll most likely put a bounty on your head the moment you talk about quitting.¡± Artemis pursed his lips when he heard that. Oh, that''s right... She''s the leader of the Saviors, so she knows all too well how these organizations operate. It''s true that they''re bound toe after me if I so much as bring up quitting. I had nothing to fear when I was single back then, but things are different now. I have a wife and kids, so I cannot afford to make any mistakes. ¡°Well, I was just making a suggestion. We''re not at the point of no return just yet, though. We can stop the war if we find out who the mastermind is and catch that person.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and asked, ¡°Do you have any suspects in mind?¡± ¡°It''s most likely a high-ranking member within Tarragon. I still don''t know why he chose to start a war between Tarragon and the Saviors. Let''s just wait for an update from Dexter. He should be able to find some clues.¡± ¡°Fair enough. You can go ahead and work on this while I do some research in theboratory. Veronique''s condition is worse than I thought. Her cancer cells are spreading rapidly, so I need to stop the spread before it leads to organ failure.¡± ¡°I''ll go with you.¡± ¡°No, you should focus on your own tasks. You''d only be able to wait outside theboratory anyway, so why waste your time?¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Artemis couldn''t help but let out a wry chuckle after hearing that. ¡°As much as I hate to admit it, I am indeed unable to help with your research. I''m so useless...¡± The look on Bailey''s face turned slightly gloomy. ¡°I won''t talk to you anymore if you say such things again.¡± ... She had just stepped out of Luther Group''s office building when her phone started ringing in her pocket. Bailey arched an eyebrow when she whipped it out and saw rence''s name on the caller ID. rence? He hasn''t contacted me ever since he begged me to spare Rhonda. He must want something from me if he''s contacting me at a time like this. That old man was willing to betray his own daughter for the sake of profits, so there''s nothing he wouldn''t sacrifice. I''m my biological father''s illegitimate daughter, and I''m the reason he gotughed at by everyone. It''s only natural for him to take revenge on me if he gets a chance to. ¡°Do you need something?¡± ¡°Bay, I know who your biological father is. I also know that Zoey is my daughter. Let''s meet up, okay? There''s something I need to talk to you about.¡± Meet up? This is definitely a trap! Given the current situation, rence would either have to watch me return to the Shurmer family and take away everything that Zoey owns or tie up the loose ends by helping Zoey eliminate me. Knowing rence, he''s most likely to go with the second option. With that in mind, she replied, ¡°I''m not feeling well, so I won''t be able to make it. You can just tell me about it over the phone.¡± ¡°I know about the old grudge between the Gezmond family and the Saunders family. If you won''te to see me, I will tell the girl from the Saunders family about that little grudge. I hear she married Lionel. Do you think they''ll be able to stay married if she finds out that Lionel''s father was the one who killed her mother?¡± rence said nonchntly after a brief pause. Bailey''s face clouded over the moment she heard that. What? Lionel''s father killed Victoria''s mother? H-How is that possible? Her mother''s vehicle had a brake malfunction and went off a cliff, which resulted in her death. The news of that incident caused a hugemotion in the upper ss. Victoria ended up being depressed for an entire month because of her mother''s death. The police dered it an ident after conducting an investigation, so how did it turn into a murder? ¡°Don''t lie to me, rence! I''m not as dumb as you think!¡± ¡°I''m not lying to you. Think about it, Bay. Mr. Saunders isn''t the kind of person who craves wealth and power. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have given Lionel all of his shares and properties when Lionel went to him to seek revenge. What he did to the Gezmond family was solely to avenge his wife.¡± Bailey tightened her grip on the phone. All right, to be fair, I have suspected Mr. Saunders of targeting the Gezmond family due to some kind of personal reason. I just didn''t think it would be to avenge his wife... ¡°Why would Mr. Gezmond kill Mrs. Saunders? Also, how did you find out about this?¡± ¡°You seem to be very interested in finding out more. Come meet me at the tearoom on the third floor of Century Grandeur. We''ll talk about you and Zoey as well while we''re at it.¡± Chapter 525 Chapter 525 Bailey furrowed her brows as she thought about it. I can''t say no to that... Knowing rence, he will definitely go to Vicky and tell her everything if I don''t do as he says. Vicky has been through a lot of pain, so she can''t possibly take any more abuse. If she finds out that Lionel''s father was the one who killed her mother, she would probably grab a knife and stab Lionel in the heart. It would be a real tragedy if two people, who are deeply in love with each other, end up killing each other. I can''t allow that to happen! Besides, rence most likely just wants me to keep my true identity a secret so I won''t return to the Shurmer family, so I''ll be safe. ¡°All right... I''ll meet you at Century Grandeur right away, so don''t tell Vicky about this.¡± ¡°I won''t tell her as long as youe over.¡± Little did Bailey know, she had underestimated rence''s wickedness. She had thought of how he would threaten and force her to keep her true identity a secret, but she didn''t expect him to use such a horrible method to destroy her. In the years toe, Bailey wouldment the ugliness of humanity whenever she recalled what happened that day. ... The driver dropped Bailey off at Century Grandeur about thirty minutester. ¡°Do you need me toe with you, Madam?¡± the driver asked. ¡°No, that won''t be necessary. I''m just going to meet my adoptive father. He won''t do anything to hurt me, so you can just wait for me in the parking lot,¡± Bailey replied with a wave and got out of the car. She had just arrived at the elevator when her phone started ringing again. A nce at the caller ID revealed that it was a call from Zeke. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Something came up, so I won''t be able to make it to theboratory. I''ve spoken to the person in charge, so all you have to do is tell him what you need when you get there. He''ll do his best to meet your requirements.¡± Bailey let out a soft chuckle. ¡°All right, I will. You go ahead and do what you have to do.¡± rence had been waiting for quite a while by the time Bailey entered the cafe on the third floor of Century Grandeur. ¡°There you are, Bay!¡± he greeted her when she came in through the door. Bailey scanned the room before sitting down in front of him. ¡°Well? Go ahead and tell me what you have to say.¡± After pouring her a cup of coffee, rence began talking about the grudge between the two families. Bailey''s face was filled with shock as the secrets were revealed to her one after another. ¡°So, you were the one who introduced the woman to Mr. Gezmond? You knew he was a womanizer who pretended to love his wife all along. Well, you cheated on Sophia too, so I suppose you two aren''t that different. Birds of a feather flock together, after all.¡± rence cleared his throat and said, ¡°Mrs. Saunders helped Mrs. Gezmond investigate this matter, and they managed to obtain evidence of Mr. Gezmond''s affair. As Mr. Gezmond was known as a loyal husband, his reputation would be ruined if his affair were to be exposed. That was why he orchestrated that car ident to silence Mrs. Saunders. I know this because I have spies around Mr. Gezmond.¡± Bailey went into deep thought after hearing that. I''ve always suspected that there was more to Mr. Saunders'' act of revenge against the Gezmond family. It''d all make sense if he did it to avenge histe wife. ¡°Okay, I believe everything you''ve told me so far. So, are you going to use all that to make me keep my true identity hidden from the Shurmer family?¡± rence''s lips curled into a twisted grin. ¡°I can''t control what you choose to say. Even if you promised me today that you would never reveal your true identity, there''s no telling if you''ll change your mind someday and go back on your word. If that happens, my daughter would get kicked out of the Shurmer family.¡± Bailey massaged her forehead as she said, ¡°I have never thought about returning to the Shurmer family, let alone taking Zoey''s ce. As long as you keep the grudge between the Saunders family and the Gezmond family a secret, I will do the same regarding my true identity.¡± ¡°And how would I know if you''ll keep your promise?¡± Rhonda asked with a sinister smile as she stepped out from behind a corner of the room. Bailey froze the moment she saw her. What the... I was certain I didn''t detect the presence of anyone else in here! Looks like my senses have dulled after I got pregnant. I can''t believe she has been hiding behind that wall the whole time! ¡°Rhonda, why can''t you just stay home and mind your own business?¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Rhonda''s eyelid twitched as she stepped forward and grabbed Bailey by the cor. ¡°Mind my own business? You''ve turned my life upside down, Bailey! I''ve been suffering so much because of you, and now, it''s time I make you feel my pain!¡± The look on Bailey''s face turned gloomy instantly. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Rhonda cackled maniacally as she caressed Bailey''s cheek. ¡°What am I going to do? Have you sleep with my father, of course!¡± Chapter 526 Chapter 526 Bailey was so caught off guard by her reply that she froze uppletely. After all, no one would ever think about doing something that nasty. ¡°I''m sorry, what did you just say? Could you repeat that?¡± Rhonda''s expression grew increasingly vicious as she replied, ¡°I could say it a million times, and it wouldn''t change a thing. I want you to sleep with my father, who is also your adoptive father.¡± Bailey clenched her fists as she finally understood what was going on. My goodness... Have these two lost their minds? She red coldly at rence, who was casually sipping on a cup of coffee, and asked, ¡°Mr. Jefferson, are you going to just sit there and let your daughter do this? Do you realize that our lives will be ruined if we end up sleeping together?¡± rence simply lowered his gaze and remained silent. ¡°The outside world will think you seduced your adoptive father out of loneliness and tried to me it all on him. What do you think of this arrangement, Bailey? Everyone will look down on you and shame you wherever you go, so you will never be able to live a normal life after this!¡± Rhonda continued with a sneer. Bailey let out a chuckle in exasperation. She had assumed that rence would only threaten her with the grudge between the Gezmond family and the Saunders family, but what he had in mind was far worse than that. As Bailey felt her vision start to go blurry, she recalled the waiter she bumped into on her way to the cafe. The waiter was pushing a cart with dozens of flowers with strong smells to hide the scent of the drug they wereced with. Because Bailey''s sense of smell was lowered due to her pregnancy, she didn''t detect anything off about the scent. Ugh, I can''t believe I let my guard down! I got too confident in my own abilities and ended up underestimating rence''s level of shamelessness. To think that he would go as far as sleeping with me just to destroy mepletely... The mere thought of it disgusted Bailey so much that she felt like throwing up on the spot. ¡°I''ve made all the arrangements, Dad. The journalists that Zoey contacted are on standby. All you have to do is get yourselves naked in bed,¡± Rhonda said. Bailey was so angry that her veins were bulging underneath the skin of her forehead. rence slowly stood up and made his way over to her. ¡°You ruined the lives of both my daughters, so it''s time I get my revenge on you. I can''t afford to let anyone threaten Zoey''s position in the Shurmer family, so I have no choice but to sacrifice you.¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes was as cold as ice. It was the first time she had ever gotten this mad at someone. If she had a gun on her, she probably would have pumped the two of them full of lead on the spot. Bailey felt a pain in her lower abdomen due to the sudden fluctuation in her emotion, but there was nothing she could do about it. I know that using hypnosis would possibly affect my baby, but I don''t have a choice. If I let these two get away with this n of theirs, then my children and I will have to spend the rest of our lives in shame! Seducing one''s adoptive father definitely won''t sit well with society, and we are living in an era where the inte is filled with social media trolls. Even the slightest mistake could result in a person''s downfall, let alone something as serious as this. rence, Rhonda, and Zoey... How dare you three set me up like this? Bailey was so consumed by rage that she was trembling all over while the pain in her lower abdomen spread across her body. She knew that she would most likely lose her baby, but she didn''t stop what she was doing, nor did she try to quell her anger. Rhonda was starting to get a little carried away after seeing that her n was falling into ce. ¡°Once this is over, I''ll be able to crush you beneath my heel for good! You have no idea how long I''ve been waiting for this day, Bailey! No one wille to your aid this time! This room is fitted with a signal jammer, so you won''t be able to call for help. Try your best to enjoy the remaining peaceful moments of your life, because everything is going to go downhill after this! I hope you like being mocked and spat on everywhere you go! Hahahahahahahaha!¡± The sound of her maniacalughter echoed throughout the private room. After suffering for so long, Rhonda was determined to seize this perfect opportunity to vent her anger and enjoy the moment as much as possible. ¡°I won''t kill you, Bailey. I want you to live and watch as the people you love view you in disgust. I want you to suffer losing those who were closest to you. I bet that would feel so horrible that you''d wish I killed you instead!¡± ¡°Is that so? Sorry, but you''re in for a huge disappointment. It appears you haven''t suffered enough to learn your lesson, Rhonda. I guess I''ll have to increase your suffering and make you regret everything you''ve done.¡± Rhonda''s vicious smile was frozen in ce after hearing that. Before she even realized what was going on, her eyes had zed over and appeared empty. Bailey thenpleted the hypnosis by snapping her fingers twice, cing Rhondapletely under her control. She then shifted her gaze toward rence and controlled him with her hypnosis as well. ¡°y with fire, and you''ll get burnt. You forced my hand, so don''t me me for what I''m about to do. Let''s have you two ''bond'' a little in this tearoom.¡± Bailey felt a sudden sharp pain tear through her lower abdomen while a warm fluid flowed down her legs. Being a doctor herself, she knew all too well that her baby was most likely done for. Not only had she been drugged, but she also had to use hypnosis while pregnant, so it was unlikely that her baby would survive. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. All Bailey could do at the moment was try her best to avenge the baby. She endured the tearing pain as she searched Rhonda''s body. After fumbling around, she found a small bottle in one of Rhonda''s pockets. Upon sniffing at it, Bailey was able to confirm that it was a highly potent aphrodisiac. Heh... To think that these two were nning to use this stuff on me... rence, Rhonda, you two are going to spend the rest of your lives in a mental hospital! After giving them both a dose of the aphrodisiac, Bailey used herst bit of consciousness to hack into rence''s mind and erase his memories of the grudge between the two families. After taking care of everything, Bailey stumbled toward the full-length windows and prepared to make her escape. They must have bodyguards standing outside the door. I''m in no condition to fight them right now. I can''t let them capture me, or I''d still end up having my reputation destroyed. With that in mind, she slowly maneuvered herself along the windowsill and used a grappling hook to make her way down to the second floor. However, she lost her bnce halfway through and ended up crashing into one of the private rooms. The people inside, who were having a pleasant conversation, fell silent the moment an uninvited guest showed up. The woman sitting at the table jumped in shock and asked in a trembling voice, ¡°W-W-What''s going on here, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes slightly as he nced at Bailey, who was lying on the ground. After realizing who it was, he leaped to his feet and ran up to her. ¡°Bay! Bay! Wake up! What happened to you?¡± Chapter 527 Chapter 527 He lowered his eyes and was greeted with the ghastly sight of her blood-stained pants. His expression fell. Despite not being a father, he knew what such profuse bleeding meant for a pregnant woman. Holy shit! It was highly likely that she''d lose the child in her stomach based on the amount of blood loss. ¡°Z-Zeke, my stomach hurts so bad.¡± She''d subconsciously held on to Zeke''s arm and called out to him. Zeke was shaken to his core as he propped Bailey''s upper half up and wound his arms around her tightly. ¡°W-What should I do? Am I allowed to move you, or will I end up causing more harm?¡± He was unlike his usual imcable self and was as helpless as a child as he fumbled to position his hands correctly. Bailey bit on her lip as another wave of excruciating pain shook her free from her woolly state. ¡°I-I''m afraid that I''ll be losing the child. Zeke, I hate them so much. They deserve to be dead.¡± Zeke''s hawk-like eyes were misty. He was a hulking man who always had his way with things and feared nothing, yet a bone-chilling trepidation overtook him then. ¡°D-Don''t say such things. I''ll find the best doctor in the world and make sure your baby is safe. I swear.¡± Bailey let out a brokenugh as she croaked, ¡°They drugged me. I was apoplectic when I discovered it. As such, my emotional turmoil must have affected the baby. I would never have escaped if I hadn''t exhausted all my reserves to carry out hypnosis. Zeke, this child inside me is a lost cause. I''m Anonymous, the world-renowned miracle doctor. I know my body best. The infant has yet to be formed but is now nothing but blood. There''s no way for us to save it.¡± Zeke''s face contorted in rage as he gritted his teeth. ¡°Who did this to you? Who in the world was plotting against you?¡± Bailey''s eyes shed with a harsh glint. She had always been an open-minded individual who never bore a grudge despite Rhonda and Zoey''s cruelties against her in the past. s, she couldn''t say the same now as she experienced the sheer agony of her child leaving her body prematurely. N?velDrama.Org content. Bailey wanted nothing more than to annihte the three friends of the Jefferson family. Death would be a mercy for them. She would let them live and suffer the sin of engaging in an incestuous rtionship. The rest of their lives would be nothing but eternal suffering as they''re hounded by their guilty conscience. ¡°rence asked me out, and I carelessly fell into their trap. Rhonda attempted to ce me in a compromising situation with him in a room to destroy my reputation.¡± The astute Zeke caught on to what Bailey was hinting at. He boiled with rage as understanding dawned upon him. How dare they use such filthy and underhanded schemes against a pregnant woman? Bailey might not be biologically rted to the Jefferson family, but she''d lived under their roof for many years. How would they be so heartless by carrying out such atrocities?¡± ¡°How''s the situation above?¡± Bailey pursed her lips and steeled her gaze on Zeke as she bit out the words. ¡°I hypnotized the father- daughter pair and fed them the aphrodisiac they''d intended for me. Do you think I''m vile for doing so?¡± Zeke touched her pale face and murmured gently, ¡°Of course not. An eye for an eye. They deserve it. I would have done the same if you hadn''t. You''re my sister, the respectable daughter of the Shurmer family. No one will ever lift a finger against you and walk away unscathed.¡± Bailey chuckled as tears began streaming down her eyes. She''d made the right decision by revealing her true identity to Zeke. He hadn''t disappointed her and had shown her the kindness of kin. ¡°They''d also arranged for reporters, Zeke. I vow to permanently tarnish the name of rence and Rhonda, so much so that they''ll never be able to lift their heads again. I will avenge my child. Please help me.¡± Zeke nodded and carried her bridal style. His eyesnded on the youngdy beside him. She hurriedly reassured him as she sensed his icy stare, ¡°Worry not, Mr. Shurmer. I saw nothing today. Nothing else happened besides youing here to discuss our possible business cooperation.¡± Zeke reeled in his threatening aura as he raised his chin. ¡°It''s settled then. You may bring the contract over to my assistant at Shurmer Group for it to be signed. If that''s all, feel free to leave as I''m preupied now.¡± ¡°Right at once.¡± The youngdy instantly made herself scarce as she reached for her handbag and departed. Zeke said to Bailey, ¡°I''ll leave the matters here to my personal bodyguards. They''ll get everything done to your satisfaction. Why don''t I bring you to the medical base of the Shurmer family? I''m worried for you. You can have another child in the future, but if you were to pass on, both Artemis and I would lose our minds.¡± Bailey''s eyelids were heavy. She moved her lips in an attempt to speak but fainted before she could get a word out. ¡°Bay....¡± Seeing that, Zeke strode out of the room without hesitation. Chapter 528 Chapter 528 After Artemis received news that something terrible had befallen Bailey, he drove toward the Shurmer family''s medical base at once, running over twenty red lights in the process. His crazy behavior caught the attention of the Transportation Bureau''s chief. Still, the chief didn''t dare to do anything to Artemis, especially after he heard about Artemis'' unstable state from one of the traffic police. Artemis acted like an enraged bull, rendering the chief even more afraid of provoking him at that untimely moment. The traffic condition could be restored following a disruption, but if the chief offended the Luther family because of an insignificant matter like that, he reckoned he might even lose his position as an official. ... Meanwhile, at Century Grandeur, the entire venue was surrounded by reporters. In the beginning, the security guards were still able to maintain order. However, the situation gradually worsened as the crowd grew bigger. In the end, all hell broke loose as the security guards could only stand by and watch as the reporters surged into the premise. ¡°What''s going on? What happened? Did an international superstar visit Century Grandeur? Is it the best actress, Rainie Yeanisky, or the best actor, Elliot Sawyer?¡± ¡°What are you talking about? It''s Bailey Jefferson. I heard that she requested to meet with her adoptive father, rence, at the restaurant, and they are carrying out some secret dealing inside.¡± ¡°I''m guessing she wants him to be a cuckold by taking her into his family since the identity of her birth father is unknown. Once rence announces to the public that she''s the Jefferson family''s biological daughter, others won''t spread rumors about her being an illegitimate child anymore.¡± ¡°Even so, she shouldn''t engage in that kind of activity with her adoptive father.¡± ¡°What? Don''t utter such nonsense if you didn''t witness it with your own eyes.¡± ¡°How can this be nonsense when there are so many reporters here? There would be no smoke without fire. They must''ve done it, or possibly doing it, resulting in so many reporters being attracted to this ce.¡± ¡°Let''s stop guessing. We''ll know the truth once we go up and check out what''s going on. We''ll see if it''s really Bailey and if she''s trulymitting an immoral act with her adoptive father. Everything will be clear once we go upstairs.¡± ¡°That''s right. Let''s go upstairs and take a look.¡± Subsequently, everyone proceeded upstairs. Zoey, wearing a pair of sunsses, hid in the throng''s periphery. She curled her seductive red lips into a wicked smile. Bailey''s life should be ruined from today onward. I don''t have to worry about that b*tch suddenly appearing and snatching my position from now on. I am the Shurmer family''s daughter, and no one else can dream of taking this title away from me. Rhonda had arranged for her bodyguards to stand guard outside the private room on the third floor, but they were all taken care off by Zeke''s men. As a result, those reporters were not met with any obstacles on their way up as they bolted straight toward the room rence was in. Bang! The door was kicked open. The hot scene taking ce inside the private room entered everyone''s visions. They gasped when they clearly saw the faces of the two people inside. ¡°Oh my! That''s not Bailey. That''s Rhonda. It''s the Jefferson family''s second daughter, Rhonda. She''s rence''s biological daughter.¡± ¡°Holy sh*t! What the hell? How did this happen? A-Aren''t they rted by blood?¡± ¡°Who spread the rumor about Bailey being here? It''s clearly rence and Rhonda who are twisted enough to be doing something like this... Fine. This is something beyond theprehension of my worldview. If I hadn''t felt pain when I pinched myself, I would''ve thought I was caught up in the abode of the d*mned. I suppose something as sinful as this can only happen in the underworld.¡± ¡°Can someone go and separate them? They''ll be struck by lightning if this continues. Stop watching and stop them.¡± ¡°We didn''t force them to do this, so why is it our responsibility to stop them? Besides, they are willingly doing this, so why should we halt them? Of course, most importantly, we''ll be tainting our hands if we touch them.¡± Some murmured in agreement while others kept silent. ... The news about Rhonda, instead of Bailey, who was doing unspeakable things with rence inside the private room, spread to every corner of Century Grandeur in no time. Those gossipy bystanders who were stuck outside were utterly bbergasted upon hearing that. A look of utter disbelief spread across their faces. Their astonishment waspletely justifiable. They could still ept the news if it were Bailey since she was not rted to rence by blood. However, Rhonda being the girl inside the private room was entirely uneptable to them. Zoey staggered a few steps backward and gritted her teeth so hard that a crunching noise could be hearding from her jaw. They are useless! They fail to aplish something as simple as this. She didn''t need to guess further to know that rence and Rhonda, the ipetent father and daughter, had fallen into Bailey''s trap. They deserve this oue. I can''t believe they think they can target Bailey with their stupidity. They are nothing but fools. ¡°Ms. Shurmer, Mr. Zeke secretly left Century Grandeur ten minutes ago while carrying Bailey, who was covered in blood,¡± Zoey''s bodyguard whispered beside her ear. She turned around and narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°Covered in blood? Is she injured?¡± ¡°The lower half of her body was bleeding. I''m guessing she suffered a miscarriage.¡± Zoey was briefly stunned. ¡°Didn''t she have a miscarriage not long ago? Why... I got it. She deliberately announced to everyone that she suffered a spontaneous abortion. In fact, the fetus is still developing well in her womb. The damage is probably too significant this time. She won''t be able to keep the baby even if she wants to.¡± ¡°That''s right. I think so too. Judging by the degree of her bleeding, I don''t think she can keep the baby.¡± Zoey was thrilled. ¡°This is wonderful. Although the useless father and daughter from the Jefferson family couldn''t entirely ruin Bailey''s life, they sessfully caused her to have a taste of the agonizing experience of a miscarriage. This is not bad too. Where did my brother bring Bailey to?¡± ¡°The Shurmer family''s medical base.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Arrange for someone to follow them. I want an update on the status of Bailey''s baby as soon as possible.¡± Chapter 529 Chapter 529 Bailey had already been dispatched for emergency rescue by the time Artemis arrived at the Shurmer family''s medical base. His heart sank when he saw Zeke leaning against the wall while drenched in blood, appearing dejected and confused in his thoughts. Who''s blood is that? Is it that woman? How much blood did she lose? I wonder how is she doing now? Artemis hurried to the emergency room, intending to storm in and ascertain the woman''s condition. N?velDrama.Org content. Fortunately, Zeke snapped out of his trance and hurriedly stepped forward to stop the man''s reckless behavior. ¡°Please calm down. They are trying their best to save her. She''s in the good hands of all the experts in the Shurmer family. I''m sure she''ll be fine,¡± he assured. Artemis nced at Zeke''s stained white suit and hissed, ¡°Take a look at the blood on you. How can I be convinced that she''s fine?¡± The rebuttal left Zeke at a loss for words. Bay said that the baby was gone. Why am I still hoping for a miracle? Zeke responded in a quavering voice, ¡°She said that the baby was gone. I had no idea how to save her. There was so much blood on her. She was already in aa when I carried her to the hospital base.¡± Artermis'' body tensed up with every word the man uttered. He became so tense that one would think he might lose his mind in the next second. ¡°Don''t worry, Artemis. I''m confident Bay will be fine. You two are still young. There will be numerous opportunities to have another child,¡± Zekeforted. The man shut his eyes and replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°I''m all right. I never wanted the child anyway. She had a serious case of prepartum depression. Maybe it''s best that she lost the child. She won''t have to go through the pain and agony of pregnancy.¡± Despite Artermis'' deration that it was a blessing in disguise, his fists were clenched tightly. After all, even a vicious tiger would not devour its young. How could his heart not ache after witnessing his child''s death? However, if he had to choose between Bailey and his child, he would not hesitate to choose the former. She was his everything; he could not live without her. ¡°Tell me what happened,¡± Artemis demanded. When he heard the man''s words, Zeke''s rage red up once more. He detailed their meeting at Century Grandeur briefly. ¡°Fortunately, Bay was familiar with hypnosis, or the Jeffersons might have gotten their way,¡± he added. Artemis'' eyes flew open to reveal a murderous glint. What made her decide to give up her child in order to establish her innocence? The baby could have survived if she hadn''t used hypnosis. However, this would tarnish her reputation. She must have been torn between the two choices. s, she decided to sacrifice our child. No wonder she swore to destroy Rhonda and rence. It''s her way of taking revenge and venting the hatred in her heart. After a moment of silence, Artemis took out his phone and called Dwayne. ¡°Ask the public rtions department in Luther Group to report Rhonda and rence''s wrongdoings at Century Grandeur. I want the world to know of their dirty secrets. Do you understand?¡± Dwayne did not question him and simply followed his instructions. The emergency room door swung open the moment the call ended. A middle-aged doctor exited, her expression solemn. Zeke hurried forward and asked, ¡°What''s her condition? Is she all right?¡± The doctor massaged her temples and uttered grimly, ¡°The drugs in Ms. Jefferson''s body have been cleared. However, she lost too much blood and sustained serious injuries. I''m afraid the fetus in her body is gone, Mr. Luther.¡± ¡°How about Bailey? Is she all right? Would she recover well?¡± Artemis probed. The doctor reported truthfully, ¡°She''ll be fine as long as she nurses her health. Since she did not suffer a miscarriage because of a traumatic experience, her body is capable of bing pregnant again. All she needs to do is concentrate on recovery for roughly a year.¡± Artemis heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that Bailey was well. Even if they had lost a child, it was more vital that she was healthy. He would do anything to make sure that she was safe. ¡°Thank you for saving her. Can we go in and see her?¡± Artemis asked. The doctor smiled and nodded slightly. ¡°She''s still unconscious. However, you are wee to push her to the ward.¡± Artemis went inside the emergency room as soon as he received permission from the doctor. Zeke turned to the doctor and instructed, ¡°You are not permitted to discuss today''s urrence with anyone. This includes me giving Ms. Jefferson a blood transfusion. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes. I won''t say anything about it,¡± the doctor reassured. Meanwhile, Rhonda went berserk after she woke up and found herself doing unspeakable things with rence. The man was equally taken aback. He remained silent as he struggled to understand what had urred. The police led the father-daughter duo back to the Jefferson residence. Once they arrived, Beatrice ripped a horrendous shriek and pounced on rence. She yelled, ¡°You, Idiot! How could you be so foolish? Have you forgotten that Ronni is your daughter? How could youmit such a sin? Have you ever spared a thought for her, even if you don''t care about your reputation? My hope of marrying her to a wealthy family is ruined. This is all your fault! I hate you so much!¡± rence remained rooted and allowed Beatrice to release her rage on him. He eventually could not endure the constant reprimands and spat a mouthful of blood. His eyes rolled back in his head as he dropped to the ground. The younger servants were eager to distance themselves from rence and Rhonda''s scandal. As a result, when the news broke, they resigned promptly, even prepared to forego their ie. rence''s sudden copse startled the elderly servants, who opted to stay. They immediately carried him to his room to rest. ¡°Why is this happening? How could you be so stupid to be fooled by Bailey? Your reputation is ruined! How can I depend on you to support me for the rest of my life?¡± Beatrice bemoaned to Rhonda with a look of despair. Rhonda let out a scoff. Her face was devoid of color, and her deep, prating eyes were hollow as if her soul had abandoned her body. Zoey and Sofie were hanging out at the coffee shop. The former grunted, ¡°I thought we could destroy Bailey this time. I never expected the Jeffersons to be so useless. They wasted such a good opportunity!¡± Sofie swirled her coffee and said casually, ¡°There''s no hurry, Zoey. We have plenty of opportunities to teach her a lesson. Moreover, this wasn''t a wasted opportunity. She must be devastated to learn that her baby is gone. It''s our chance to get rid of her while she''s suffering from a shattered heart.¡± Zoey scoffed, and her phone rang just as she was ready to respond. It was a call from her bodyguard. She picked up the phone and enquired, ¡°Is the b*stard in Bailey''s belly gone?¡± Chapter 530 Chapter 530 ¡°Don''t worry, Ms. Shurmer. ording to a reliable source, the baby in Bailey''s belly is gone.¡± A look of glee spread over Zoey''s face. She tightened her grip on the phone and raised her voice, asking, ¡°Really? Is that imbecile gone from her belly?¡± ¡°Indeed. The spy you instructed me to nt in the Shurmer family''s medical base came in handy.¡± Zoey took a deep breath and suppressed her excitement before responding in her calmest tone, ¡°All right. I understand now. Continue keeping an eye on the situation there. Report to me if anything peculiar happens.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Of course.¡± As soon as the call ended, Zoey turned to Sofie and said excitedly, ¡°Mom, the imbecile in Bailey''s belly is gone. It''s really gone. Though that useless pair from the Jefferson family miscalcted things, they''re notpletely useless, after all. At least they helped us remove that b*stard from Bailey''s belly.¡± Sofie smirked. ¡°That''s good enough. I never expected the duo to eliminate Bailey on their first try, anyway. That woman''s a capable one. She won''t die so easily.¡± ¡°What are we going to do next, then?¡± Sofie raised her brow as a dark, vicious glint shed across her eyes. ¡°Our next step, eh? Well, our next step is to see if Yvette can eradicate Bailey once and for all. If not, I''ll have to take matters into my own hands.¡± With her lips pursed, Zoey fell silent for a moment before uttering through gritted teeth, ¡°Mom, so what if we eliminate everyone? It''s all useless if Artemis still refuses to marry me. Everything we''ve done will be all in vain.¡± ¡°Why the rush? Once Bailey is dead, the Luther family will definitely find a way to wipe Artemis'' memories to protect him. Do you think they''ll just watch their patriarch follow a woman to the underworld without doing anything?¡± Zoey gleamed. ¡°If the Luther family finds a way to wipe his memories of Bailey, I can take advantage of the situation to make him mine. Nice one, Mom. You''re always so detailed. I''m so blessed to get your help.¡± ¡°See? You''re just too hasty. Remember this. Many things need time. There''s no use rushing it. Since I''vee back to help you, I''ll definitely make you the matriarch of the Luther family.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll do everything you say in the future.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey, who had been unconscious for two hours at the medical base, was finally regaining consciousness. As she opened her eyes, she had difficulty focusing them. Only after a long time did her memories slowly return. When she felt the excruciating pain in her belly, the light in her eyes faded a little. I don''t deserve to be a mother. I sacrificed my child to protect my innocence. ¡°Bay, you''re awake.¡± A hoarse male voice rang out beside her ear, jolting her back to her senses. As she turned around, her gaze fell on the man who was half kneeling on the ground beside her bed. As their gazes met, she could sense the fury in his eyes. ¡°I-I''m sorry, Artemis. I failed to protect our child.¡± Her voice could not be any hoarser. Artemis'' eyes darkened with sorrow as he heard that. He struggled to his feet and pulled her into a hug. ¡°If you must put it that way, then I must pay for my crimes with my life. What''s the point of being alive if I can''t even protect my wife?¡± Bailey pursed her lips, her eyes glistening with tears. ¡°It''s not your fault. It''s mine. I chose to give up on our child to protect my image and innocence.¡± Artemis'' expression darkened as he asked, ¡°If you chose to protect the child and let rence... Will you be able to stay alive with that steel spine of yours? And even if you''re alive, will you still be with me?¡± Bailey said nothing, as she did not know how to answer him. She preferred not to make predictions when it came to things that never happened. Sighing softly, Artemisforted, ¡°You made the right decision, Bay. This is the only way that''ll bring the damage to the minimum.¡± Bailey could not help but smile bitterly. ¡°I brought the damage to the minimum? I lost our baby, and that''s the biggest blow to me.¡± At that, her gaze turned cold, and she hissed, ¡°What about rence and Rhonda? What happened to them? Did they get what they deserve?¡± Reaching out to hold her shoulder, Artemis uttered slowly, ¡°Yes. Things that shouldn''t have happened ended up happening. The public opinion drove Rhonda mad, while rence coughed up blood and was sent to the ICU.¡± Immediately, the hatred in Bailey''s eyes slowly dissipated, and she felt relief from the tension she was feeling. She then copsed into Artemis'' embrace. ¡°Perhaps this child was never meant to live with us. Since I failed to protect her, the least I could do was avenge her before she was gone. And now, Rhonda''s lost her mind, and rence is dying soon. This will be my revenge for her.¡± ¡°I''ve already alerted the public rtions department of Luther Group. They''ll st the news out to the world. I want everyone on earth to be aware of the Jeffersons'' scandal. Even if they''re alive, I''m going to make their life a living hell.¡± ¡°Okay. Artemis, I''m a little tired. I''d like to sleep a little longer.¡± ¡°Go on. I''ll stay here with you.¡± Meanwhile, at the branch of the Saviors in Yannopolis, Gregan, Veikko leaned against the emergency room door with worry written all over his face. It was a rare sight for someone who looked indifferent all the time. Chapter 531 Chapter 531 He failed to remove the bullet in Caridee when they were on the ne earlier. That was because the bullet was stuck in her bone. A slight mistake could cause her arm to be crippled. Ding! The emergency room door opened, and a young man walked out. He was Zain Bryne, the best doctor in the Saviors. ¡°How did it go? Did you get the bullet out?¡± Zain shook his head, looking extremely grim. ¡°Her condition is terrible. Though it avoided the back of her heart, it severely damaged her bones. Even if the bullet is removed, she is still going to face a great predicament. She might not be able to exert any strength in her right arm. In other words, her arm is crippled.¡± Veikko''s pupils instantly constricted. He grabbed Zain''s arm and hissed, ¡°Can''t you save her arm? You''re the best doctor in the Saviors. She''s a girl, and it''s her right arm we''re talking about here. How is she going to carry on with her life if it''s crippled? Her life will be ruined!¡± Zain merely nced at him with a twinkle in his eyes. ¡°Don''t worry. You can be responsible for her. Marry her and take care of her for the rest of your life. I''m sure she''ll say yes.¡± ¡°Zain!¡± Veikko raised his voice. ¡°All right, all right. In all seriousness, this is the current situation. I''ve already exined everything to you. The most important thing right now is the decision you make. In any case, this bullet has to be removed. As for who''s going to be responsible for her crippled arm, we have to make it clear. That youngdy is Bailey''s sister-inw. I can''t bear the responsibility.¡± Unwilling to give up, Veikko pursed his lips and asked, ¡°Are you sure there''s no hope for her arm?¡± Zain shook his head. ¡°There''s a limit to my medical skills. I can''t save her arm. As for Bailey, you can ask her about it. After all, she''s my mentor; her medical skills are better than mine. However, it''ll take her more than ten hours to rush over from Hallsbay. We can''t let the bullet stay in Caridee''s arm for so long. It must be removed now.¡± Veikko shut his eyes and spoke through gritted teeth. ¡°Take it out, then. I''ll bear the consequences if anything happens.¡± ¡°Okay. Now that you''ve said that, I have free rein to remove the bullet. You''d better get yourself mentally prepared. She became crippled to save you. You won''t even be able to avoid it if the Luther family wants you to take her hand in marriage.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± After watching Zain dash into the emergency room, Veikko pulled out his phone and dialed Bailey''s number. The call was sessfully connected, but it was not Bailey''s voice that rang out of the phone speaker. Instead, it was Artemis''. ¡°Veikko? How is everything in Yannopolis? Is Caridee all right?¡± Veikko hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Um... Could you pass the phone to Bailey? I have something to report to her. Whether or not she wants to tell you about it has nothing to do with me.¡± However, Artemis responded with a simple reply, ¡°Bailey just had a miscarriage. She''s resting now.¡± Veikko froze momentarily. He was about to ask him about their situation, but a thought urred to him, which made him swallow his words. Momentster, he muttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Your sister got shot in her right arm, and the bullet injured her bone. That arm of hers might be crippled.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. There was a dead silence on the other end of the call. Veikko could even feel the hostile aura emanating from Artemis through the phone. ¡°I-I''m sorry. She got hurt while saving me. Just tell me how I shouldpensate. I''ll¡ª¡± Artemis interrupted, ¡°If she''s injured, then so be it. She should''ve considered the consequence before following you to Yannopolis so ignorantly. She''s an adult now. It''s time she took responsibility for her actions.¡± Though he said that, he still asked, ¡°Is she wounded in other parts of her body?¡± ¡°No. It''s just her arm.¡± ¡°All right, then. Don''t tell Bailey about it first. She just had her miscarriage and is feeling down. She mustn''t be emotionally triggered. Just do your best to stabilize Caridee''s wound.¡± With that, Artemis hung up, leaving Veikko staring at the darkened phone screen with a bitter smile. Do I have to marry Caridee, then? Veikko had no ns to marry her. Hence, his only option was to find Caridee a doctor using his connections to treat her arm. Over at the Xuereb residence, Olivia was sitting on the couch in the living room and glowering at Justin, who stood before the coffee table. ¡°You b*stard. What''s the meaning of this? Are you trying to cut ties with me?¡± With one hand in his pocket, Justin looked at his mother calmly and said, ¡°If you can''t take them in, then there''s no need to maintain this rtionship between us.¡± A loud smack rang out across the residence as Olivia mmed her hand on the table. She then rose to her feet and pointed at him, fuming, ¡°What''s so great about that sickly woman? What benefits can a person who''s dying soon give you? Lettie is currently the top socialite and the precious princess of her family. Do you know how influential you''ll be once you marry her? Instead of marrying a finedy, you want to marry a woman who''s dying soon. Is there something wrong with your brain?¡± Justin smiled faintly. At the same time, sorrow fleeted across his eyes. ¡°At the end of the day, you''re doing this to be inws with the Fletcher family so you can bring glory to your family. Don''t forget; you''re still a member of the Xuereb family. You''re Christopher''s wife and my mother. Sure, your family''s important, but are they more important than your biological son?¡± Chapter 532 Chapter 532 Olivia was taken aback. ¡°I-I''m doing this for your own good. Do you have any idea how many people would die to be the Fletcher family''s son-inw? Yet, Scarlett doesn''t fancy anyone but you. What else could you not be happy about?¡± Justin stared at her intently before walking toward the door. At the same time, he remarked, ¡°If she''s so great, why don''t you let my cousin marry her? Isn''t it better to let the Campbell family have a marriage connection with the Fletcher family? Why bother getting me involved?¡± Crash! A series of crashing sound rang out behind him. ¡°You imbecile! Don''t you daree back after stepping out of this house. I''ll never acknowledge that woman from the Revelle family as my daughter-inw. She''ll never be recorded in the Xuereb family''s registry or get buried in the ancestral tomb when she dies!¡± After watching Justin walking out of the living room without turning back, Olivia slumped back onto the couch, huffing furiously. ¡°What a useless imbecile!¡± Right then, the butler hurried over and patted Olivia''s back to help thetter calm down while saying, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, it''s no use getting angry at Mr. Justin. The daughter of the Revelle family is the root of the problem here. Mr. Justin won''t give up unless we make her stay away from him. After that, we can set up a trap to force him to marry Ms. Fletcher.¡± Recollecting herself, Olivia hissed after a momentary silence, ¡°That b*tch is determined to be with Justin. What else can I do?¡± ¡°You can pay Mr. Revelle a visit and express your disgust for his daughter. As a father, he won''t just sit idly by and let his daughter put herself in a horrible position by shamelessly pestering a man. It would''ve been fine if she was healthy, but she''s sick now. She''s a total vermin for pestering a man like that.¡± Olivia narrowed her eyes, agreeing with the butler''s words. In fact, she looked much calmer after hearing that. ¡°You talked about setting up a trap just now. What kind of trap are you talking about?¡± ¡°Isn''t your brother involved in politics? Find something to get your family into awsuit. When that happens, only the Fletcher family can save them. Mr. Justin''s not a heartless person. He''ll give in and marry Ms. Fletcher to help his uncle get through a difficult time.¡± Olivia''s eyes gleamed. ¡°This is a great idea. I''ll wait for Lettie toe back to Hallsbay and talk to her about this. As for that b*tch, Veronique, I''ll pop by the Revelle residence to talk to Mr. Revelle about her. I''ll get him to educate his daughter properly and make her stop pestering my son.¡± Ever since Lionel ced the Saunders family''s shares and assets under Victor''s name, thetter was once again addicted to gambling after regaining his freedom. Unwilling to see him falling deeper into addiction, Ulrich went over to the Gezmond residence, looking for Victoria. Upon arriving in the living room, he said, ¡°Please speak some sense to Mr. Victor. If he keeps gambling like that, all the resources left by generations of the Saunders family will be spent away.¡± Victoria could not help but smile bitterly. ¡°Ulrich, I''m sure you''re aware of my rtionship with my brother. He''ll never listen to me. I''ll only be humiliating myself by talking sense into him. Why don''t you move out from there? I''ll buy you a condominium where you can live peacefully in retirement.¡± The butler waved his hand and sighed. ¡°All Salem does is loaf around. He''s got me worried to death. He stopped his bad habits when Mr. Victor was still in jail two months ago. Now that he''s released, Salem is back to fooling around with Mr. Victor again.¡± ''I''m sorry. It''s my brother''s fault for being a bad influence on your son.¡± ¡°No, no. Please don''t say that, Ms. Victoria. I''m not ming the Saunders family for it. It''s my son''s fault for being an utter disappointment. I''m just worried he''ll end up doing illegal things one day.¡± Victoria pondered for a while before asking, ¡°Perhaps I could talk to Lionel about involving your son in his business and make him get his act together?¡± ¡°It''s useless. He''s got no talent for it. I''m only here to update you about Mr. Victor''s situation so you can come up with something. As for my son, I''ve already done everything I can to make hime to his senses. Since he still wants to live like that, then I can''t do anything about him anymore.¡± Shaking her head, Victoria said nonchntly, ¡°Ulrich, I really can''t do anything about my brother. I''ve handed the entire Saunders residence to him. It''s his problem if he loses everything he owns, not mine. The assets are worth tens of billions. It shouldst him several years.¡± Several years? Ulrich shook his head with a bitter smile. Judging by the rate Mr. Victor''s losing, it''ll be gone in a few months. ¡°All right. Since you''ve already said so, then I shall not continue convincing you otherwise. I''m an outsider, after all. Anyway, please take good care of your health. I hope you''ll give birth to a healthy baby. I''m sure your parents in heaven will be happy for you.¡± Meanwhile, at the study of the Shurmer residence, Zeke was sitting on the couch and talking on the phone. ¡°Have you looked into the thing I told you to investigate?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Shurmer. The reporters who went to Century Grandeur yesterday were arranged by Ms. Shurmer. However, she didn''t contact them personally. Instead, it was through¡ª¡± N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Through who?¡± ¡°Through Ms. Carr of Cosmetico. Ms. Shurmer got Ms. Carr''s help to nt those reporters.¡± Ms. Carr? Sofie Carr? It was only then that Zeke remembered her existence. Could Sofie Carr actually be Sophia Carr, the wife of rence Jefferson and the mother of Zoey? ¡°Keep an eye on Zoey for twenty-four hours. Find out who she meets and what she does during that time.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Click. Just then, the door to the study opened and in came Steven. ¡°I have to go now. I''ll be hanging up. Just do everything ording to my instructions.¡± After ending the call, Zeke raised his brow at his father and asked nonchntly, ¡°It''ste. Why are you still here instead of sleeping?¡± Steven snorted and hissed, ¡°Do you think I don''t know you''ve been helping Bailey repeatedly? Tell me. Have you confirmed that she''s your younger sister?¡± Zeke shed Steven a smile. ¡°Why? Do you suspect it, too?¡± ¡°How can I not be suspicious when thatdy looks like your mother? Besides, she''s not the daughter of the Jefferson family. And don''t bring up the paternity test. I''m sure someone tampered with it.¡± Zeke could not help but chuckle. ¡°It looks like I really can''t hide anything from you.¡± With that, he opened his drawer and took out a paternity test report. Steven marched over and snatched the report from Zeke. After getting a clear look at the content of the report, he staggered a few steps backward. ¡°W-What''s going on? Is she really my daughter?¡± Over at the Saviors'' branch in Yannopolis, Caridee had finally regained consciousness after an entire day. Her arm hurt a lot. As she subconsciously reached out to touch it, another arm stopped her. ¡°Don''t move.¡± Caridee tried to move her body but to no avail. ¡°W-What happened to my right arm?¡± ¡°It''s crippled.¡± Caridee stared nkly at Veikko, thinking she had heard him wrong. ¡°W-What did you say just now?¡± she asked with a trembling voice. Veikko was a straightforward person who never beat around the bush. He repeated, ¡°Your right arm''s crippled. You won''t be able to move it for the rest of your life.¡± Chapter 533 Chapter 533 Caridee''s eyes narrowed all of a sudden. She regained her senses and muttered in a hoarse voice, ¡°My right arm is crippled? How can I take care of myself after this?¡± Veikko''s eyes dimmed. After a short pause, he said, ¡°You got hurt for trying to save me. I''ll take full responsibility.¡± Take full responsibility? Caridee turned around and gave him a hopeful look. ¡°How? Marry me?¡± Veikko was at a loss for words. He looked away and said in a deep voice, ¡°I''ll find the best doctor to treat your arm. Bailey is a superb doctor, and she''s your sister-inw, so I''m sure she''ll give you the best treatment. Cheer up, okay?¡± Her eyes darkened. I thought he was nning to marry me when he said he''d take full responsibility. Did they think I came all the way to Yannopolis for fun? No. There''s more to me than meets the eye. Caridee had fallen for Veikko since the day sheid eyes on him. If it were not for him, she would not have traveled off the beaten path to Yannopolis. When the bullet was shot in his direction, Caridee went all out to take the bullet for him. She was not even worried about her life and death at that critical moment. I was willing to sacrifice my life for him. If this is not love, what is? ¡°It''s all right if you don''t want to marry me. I got injured for trying to save you, so you can''t just leave me in the lurch. From now on, you have to take me with you wherever you go. Do you hear me? Or else, I''ll ask Bailey to teach you a lesson.¡± Veikko was bereft of words. ¡°I need to relieve myself, but I can''t move. Carry me to the restroom.¡± The man did not know how to react to that request. ¡°Veikko, your ears have turned red. You''re blushing,¡± she said. Once again, her remark rendered Veikko speechless. ¡°You''re a man, yet you''re acting like a girl. I want you to carry me to the restroom, that''s all. Why do you look so shy?¡± Caridee said. He responded, ¡°Shut up.¡± Caridee chuckled at his response. Meanwhile, Rhonda had been wreaking havoc in the Jefferson residence since she had gone mad. Beatrice nonchntly gave Hallsbay''s psychiatric hospital a call and told them to take Rhonda away. rence, who had just regained consciousness, was so stunned that he spewed up a mouthful of blood and fell into aa again when he learned that his daughter had lost her mind and his wife was about to admit her to the psychiatric hospital. In the living hall, the psychiatrist looked at Beatrice and asked, ¡°Mrs. Jefferson, Ms. Jefferson went out of control because something triggered her. Give her a few days, and she might feel better. Her condition might worsen if you insist on sending her to the psychiatric hospital. She might go crazy for real.¡± Beatrice looked at the scratches on her wrist, and a murderous glint shed across her eyes. That crazy girl scratched me. She''ll go bonkers every time she loses her mind. How can I allow such a dangerous person to stay in the house? ¡°I''ll pay the hospital thirty thousand a month. Take her away. I''ll be grateful if you can improve her condition. If not, just let her rot there,¡± she said. Her remark rendered the doctor speechless. Even the housekeepers could not help but exchange nces. Poor Ms. Jefferson. Not only is she involved in a scandal with her father, but her mother also intends to abandon her. What a miserable life! Beatrice raised her voice when she noticed the doctor did not give her any response. ¡°What are you waiting for? Take her away! What an eyesore.¡± The doctor did not know what else to say. After the doctor had taken her daughter away, Beatrice returned to her bedroom. The moment she stepped into the room, a man scooped her up from the floor. ¡°We made it, Beatrice. Since rence is out of the way and his daughters have either left or gone crazy, you''re officially in control of the Jefferson family now.¡± The man who uttered those words was a guy in his twenties whom Beatrice had met in a club. After spending a few nights in bed, they clicked and got together. Of course, the man was using Beatrice to get his hands on the Jeffersons'' assets. Otherwise, he would not have wasted time flirting with someone older than him. rence might be an *sshole, but he was pretty good at running his business and had made some money over the years. That was how he umted wealth for the Jeffersons. If I can get my hands on the money, I''ll be able to spend them for at least a few decades. Beatrice reached out her hand, gently shoved his head, and said coyly, ¡°How dare youe to the Jefferson residence. What if rence finds out about you and tries to get rid of you?¡± The man smirked. He leaned forward, nted a kiss on her lips, and mumbled, ¡°He was so pissed off that he fainted just now and is now lying half-dead in the infirmary. There''s nothing he can do even if we were to have some fun in front of him.¡± Upon hearing that, Beatrice giggled. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. A series of panting and moaning echoed in the room as the two tumbled into bed in broad daylight. At the medical base, Bailey felt better after resting for two days. During the recovery period, Artemis stayed by her side to keep herpany. Upon noticing an improvement in her health, he smiled and said, ¡°You''re a strong girl, Bay. I knew you could ovee this.¡± Bailey''s lips curled into a forced smile. My child is gone. Why should I stay depressed all day long when there''s nothing I can do to bring the child back? She did not want the people who cared about her to suffer with her. She was particrly worried about Artemis, who kept ming himself and wished to kill himself for the things that had happened. My pessimism will drive him nuts if I don''t pull myself together. Chapter 534 Chapter 534 The current unfavorable circumstances were unsuitable for one to take care of an unborn baby, to begin with. They had plenty of unsettled matters, and all the troubles burdening her could easily prompt her to suffer from prenatal depression. Even if she toughed through the pregnancy, the fetus might be affected by the mother''s condition, resulting in congenital malformation or disorders. Subsequently, the baby might even be born with birth defects. ¡°Okay. I''m fine now. Don''t worry about me. Hurry up and get rested. You don''t look good. I fear you will fail to hold out and copse.¡± Artemis patted her head while leaning forward to pull her into his embrace. ¡°I''m all right. I''m not in distress anymore now that you''vee out of grief, so my body will remain healthy.¡± She held him tightly and was reminded of rence and Rhonda. She didn''t want to talk about the two initially. However, she couldn''t help but be curious about how they were doing. ¡°What happened to rence and Rhonda?¡± Artemis nced at her and replied calmly, ¡°rence is fatally ill while Rhonda has been sent to a psychiatric hospital. Beatrice found a new lover and is coveting the Jefferson family''s assets. I will take action to crush Jefferson Group. From now on, the Jefferson family will cease to exist among Hallsbay''s elite. I will gradually avenge you for all the sufferings you''ve endured.¡± Bailey nodded weakly. She had repeatedly exercised forbearance when dealing with them. In the end, she merely condoned and encouraged them to behave worse. Now that her kindness had depleted, rence and Rhonda would begin to reap what they sowed. ¡°Okay. That household had never provided me with any familial warmth. Instead, they bullied and hurt me incessantly. They deserve this oue of having their family destroyed and torn apart.¡± Artemis sneered, ¡°Does rence think he can just die like this? Does Rhonda assume insanity is her easy way out? That won''t happen. I will hire the best physicians to treat them so that they will continue to survive in a living hell. I want them to spend the rest of their days in utter shame and misery.¡± Bailey didn''t go against the idea. Those people from the Jefferson family were no longer rted to her, so she had nothing to do with anything that would befall them. Crack. The door to the ward creaked open from the outside. Then, Zeke, holding a fruit basket, entered. Bailey withdrew herself from Artemis'' arms and was about to speak when she saw another person trailing behind Zeke. That man was none other than Steven. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She could clearly see the tears gleaming in Steven''s eyes when their gazes met. At that instant, rity washed over her. Steven had known the truth. Perhaps Zeke had informed him, or Steven had his suspicions and re- investigated the whole thing. ¡°Bay, Father is here to visit you. He doesn''t know what you want to eat, so he went to the supermarket and bought some of each type of fresh fruit.¡± Zeke''s words pulled her back to reality. She slowly looked away and leaned back into Artemis'' embrace. The word ¡°Father¡± repulsed her at that moment. She had just been tricked by her adoptive father. If she hadn''t put up a mighty struggle at the expense of possibly losing her child, her life would''ve beenpletely ruined now. To engage in an immoral act with her adoptive father would''ve been an outrageous scandal. The public''s repugnance toward that sinful behavior alone would''ve devastated her. Steven seemed to sense her avoidance and resistance as he stopped in his tracks after taking two steps forward. He looked at her for a few seconds before saying awkwardly, ¡°Bay, I''m not familiar with your preferences, so I could only... Inform Zeke what you want to eat. He''ll let me know, and I''ll buy them for you. Okay?¡± Bailey closed her eyes and didn''t respond. Presently, the only person she trusted and could rely on was Artemis. She didn''t dare to ce her faith in anyone else. Having learned her lesson and paying dearly after that traumatizing experience, she would always be vignt when dealing with others. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Bay had just woken up, so she''s still a little dazed. We shall talk again after she recovers if you have anything to say.¡± The tense atmosphere inside the ward significantly eased up after Artemis spoke. ¡°Okay, sure,¡± Steven uttered while stepping backward. ¡°Mr. Luther, I shall leave Bay in your care. Please feel free to let Zeke know if you need anything. He will definitely fulfill your requests.¡± ¡°No problem.¡± After watching them leave, Artemis gently released Bailey from his arms. ¡°What''s the matter? Are you feeling uneasy?¡± ¡°Artemis, I don''t know how to face him. I despise the idea of having a father now. rence had utterly disgusted me. I can''t ept any man as my father now.¡± ¡°In that case, you don''t have to do it.¡± He hugged her again andforted her, ¡°You''ve passed the age of requiring paternal affection. A father''s presence is no longer essential to you, so don''t stress yourself out too much. If you can''t ept him, then don''t.¡± Bailey didn''t say a word and merely rested in his embrace. After some time, she suddenly pulled away and looked at him as she appeared to have recalled something. Bailey said anxiously, ¡°Was Veikko ambushed before I was met with a mishap? What happened afterward? Is Caridee all right?¡± Artemis pursed his lips as a dark look shed across his eyes. Bailey understood him too well. She could tell he was hiding something from her with just a nce. ¡°Are you giving me an ount, or should I call Veikko and ask him to tell me?¡± ¡°I''ll do it.¡± Artemis stretched out his arm to stop her from picking up her phone. ¡°Caridee was shot while rescuing Veikko, and the bullet was lodged in her bone. Although your mentee, Zain, helped her remove the bullet, Caridee''s bone was still badly damaged.¡± Hearing that, Bailey could wrap her mind around the severity of the situation at once. Even I don''t have the confidence to ensure a patient''splete recovery from a grave bone injury, much less Zain. That guy hasn''t even learned the essence of my medical knowledge and skills. ¡°Let''s pack our belongings and make a trip to Gregan. We''ll have to sort out the situation in person to resolve the matters there.¡± Artemis hesitated. ¡°Your body is still not well and cannot withstand traveling long hours. We''ll discuss this issue again in a few days.¡± She shook her head. ¡°The chances of sessfully treating new wounds are higher. If we leave her condition unattended for a few more days, there may not be any hope left to cure her arm.¡± Artemis remained adamant. ¡°I''ll ask Simon to go Gregan to bring Caridee back. The foreign country is not my territory, after all. Many people want to cause harm to you at the moment, so I''m afraid I won''t be able to protect you once you leave Hallsbay.¡± Bailey sighed in resignation. ¡°Fine. I''ll listen to you. Tell Simon to bring Zain back as well. I need to inquire about more details from him.¡± Chapter 535 Chapter 535 The father and son left the ward and went straight to the study. ¡°Don''t worry, Dad. It takes time for Bay to ept you. She was just terribly set up by her adoptive father. That''s why she''s somewhat repulsed by it. I''m sure it will fade away in time.¡± Steven waved his hand and sighed, ¡°I''ve never fulfilled my role as a father. It''s only natural for her not to ept me. Tell me, how do you n to resolve this?¡± Zeke didn''t answer. Instead, he posed another question. ¡°What do you think I should do? We already know Bay''s identity. We can''t just let everyone insult her. Calling her an illegitimate child is the same as calling everyone in the Shurmer family an illegitimate child.¡± Steven sighed and suggested, ¡°Zoey lived with the Shurmer family for several years. She''s already part of the family. We can''t hurt her.¡± Zeke scoffed and said coldly, ¡°But she''ll kill your daughter. You must decide for yourself.¡± Steven was taken aback for a moment. After some thought, he finally understood the situation. ¡°Does this matter have something to do with her? Is she also a part of this?¡± ¡°Yes. She invited all those reporters. Oh, by the way, Sophia isn''t dead yet. She disguised herself as Sofie and had already met Zoey and her mother. Here you are, caring so much about the rtionship between father and daughter, yet she plunged into her mother''s arms without looking back.¡± Steven was shocked. ¡°Sophia is all right? She even met Zoey?¡± ¡°That''s conceivable. However, even if she didn''t, what then?¡± Bay is the daughter of the Shurmer family. She used to be kind-hearted and wanted to help Zoey assume her role as an heiress. That''s why she tampered with the data of her blood check, which caused the paternity test to show that she wasn''t my daughter. Now that I''ve discovered her true identity, I can''t let the public criticize her. When she recovers after a few days, I will hold a press conference to announce her true identity to the world. Steven seemed to want to say something, but he brushed it away in the end. ¡°Okay, I''ll have a talk with Zoey. I''ll confront her and persuade her to try to ept Bay and also the fact that she was adopted. If she ends up unwilling, then I have no choice but to give her up for my own biological daughter.¡± ¡°All right.¡± At the Revelle residence. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Olivia stomped over and got very angry in front of Bill. The man sat on the couch and listened to her in silence. Although his face was devoid of expressions, his palms on the armrests slowly clenched into a fist. ¡°Mr. Revelle, I think I have made myself clear. As rude as it sounds, please discipline your daughter properly and don''t let her trouble my son anymore. How dare a dying person drag my son down to the grave together? If it were you, would you let your son marry a woman who couldn''t conceive?¡± ¡°That''s enough.¡± As her words became more and more outrageous and ill-mannered, Bill couldn''t help but stop her. His daughter inherited his legacy and achieved notable milestones in the medicinal industry. She was his pride. He couldn''t just watch an outsider insult her as such. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, I will advise my daughter. Also, you have to keep your son in check. If he can''t take responsibility, then tell him not to screw around. That sort of sc*mbag behavior will ruin his family''s reputation.¡± ¡°Why you¡ª¡± ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, don''t be too focused on criticizing my daughter. If you have the time, look at what kind of person your son is. Getting hung up on the fact that he is marrying a dying person instead of a number- one socialite is just foolish.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°I''ll pick up my daughter from the medical base and take her back to the Revelle residenceter in the afternoon. If your son insists oning, I''ll let him be my live-in son-inw. Otherwise, he can forget about seeing my daughter.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Olivia wanted to assert her dominance over Bill but didn''t expect him to turn the tables. ¡°Fine. Mr. Revelle, you better remember what you said. If you don''t take your daughter away this afternoon, I will send someone to throw her out of the medical base.¡± Bill snorted coldly. ¡°By all means. You keep your son in check. Otherwise, the Xuereb family will be humiliated if he bes the live-in son-inw of the Revelle family.¡± At the Shurmer residence. While Zoey and Shirley were chatting in the garden, Shirley passed out. After some rigorous efforts, the doctor told the Shurmer family that Shirley had sessfully conceived. Although it was only just a week or two, the embryo had already imnted sessfully. Overjoyed, Waverly immediately called Zeke. When Zeke heard the news, he was perplexed. Shirley is pregnant? How is that possible? After thinking about it, he found it usible. After all, they went all the way that night, and he also climaxed in her. However, they forgot to take contraceptive measures, so there was a fifty percent chance of conceiving. Coincidentally, he wasn''t lucky enough. A woman he didn''t love was pregnant with his child, which disgusted him, and he found it difficult to ept. At that moment, he knew that Shirley''s pregnancy meant their wedding would happen sooner than expected. Last time, with the help of his nephew, he set the hotel on fire and ruined the engagement banquet. However, he couldn''t use the same trick twice. Besides, he wasn''t an irresponsible person. Since Shirley was already pregnant, he still had to be responsible for the child even if he didn''t love her. The Gourd family was afraid that Zeke might go back on his word. When the Shurmer family''s family doctor diagnosed Shirley''s pregnancy, Richard and Genevieve secretly instructed someone to spread the news. In just half a day, the news about Shirley, the future wife of the prestigious pharmaceutical family, the Shurmer family, being pregnant swept the world by storm. The Hoffman family. In the garden of the Luther residence. Juliana sat on the ground while leaning against a leg of the swing and stared nkly at the horizon. She just got wind of Shirley''s pregnancy half an hour ago. So Zeke truly loved Ms. Gourd. Even after Zayron ruined their engagement, they still got together and got pregnant with a child. ¡°He has a fianc¨¦e, and his fianc¨¦e is pregnant. Ms. Juliana, you should give up and let it go. You''re both from two different worlds. He can''t marry you, and you can''t turn away from your family to marry him. The sooner you let it go, the better.¡± The voice came from Huntley, a young man dressed in casual clothing, leaningzily beneath an apple tree. Juliana turned her head to look at him. Her eyes were indifferent, and she uttered coldly, ¡°Well, if it isn''t Huntley. You seem to know everything. What now? Do you want to start a fight? Huntley shook the petals off his body and said politely, ¡°Ms. Juliana, you''re constricted and hurt by your feelings. I''m afraid you might need a while toe to terms with reality. Even if I gave you a handicap and used only a tenth of my efforts, you''re still no match for me.¡± Juliana pouted. She didn''t doubt his words. He became a core figure who held much power in the Hoffman family at such a young age. His methods were far more terrifying than she imagined. ¡°Huntley, if I told you I did it with Zeke, would you still marry me?¡± Chapter 536 Chapter 536 Huntley''s expression stiffened, and he got to his feet slowly before narrowing his eyes at Juliana. ¡°Ms. Juliana, there are some things you should never joke about, for they''ll bring you to ruin.¡± Juliana swung her feet, and in turn, the swing she was on swayed with her movements. ¡°How do you know I was joking? Since you''ve found out that I''ve fallen for Zeke, you should know that anything''s possible. It''s not that weird for me to have had sex with him.¡± To that, Huntley chuckled softly and said, ¡°If you really had slept with him, you two wouldn''t have subjected yourself to the mercy of fate like this, given how your temperaments are. Now that news of Ms. Gourd''s pregnancy has spread throughout Hallsbay, it just proves that Zeke doesn''t care about you at all. Ms. Juliana, you should stop lying to yourself. That man doesn''t belong to you.¡± Juliana jumped off the swing and strode toward Huntley. Sneering, she said, ¡°If he doesn''t belong to me, who does belong to me, then? You?¡± Huntley reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist before shing her a faint smile. ¡°I could indeed be yours. All of me, from my body to my heart, can be yours.¡± As he spoke, he stretched out a slender and defined finger before gently brushing it across Juliana''s delicate lips, his movement sensual and ambiguous. Juliana struggled against his touch for a moment, and when she realized that it didn''t deter him, she growled, ¡°Huntley, how dare you touch me! Are you trying to rebel?¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Don''t forget that we''re now engaged, Ms. Juliana. It''s only natural that I can''t resist touching you, for the love I have for you is overflowing. Even if this gets out, people will only say that we''re a young couple madly in love.¡± Infuriated, Juliana grabbed his cor and gritted out, ¡°Listen here, Huntley. You can take this as an official deration of war. I''m going to take back everything that belongs to me.¡± Huntley chuckled lightly. ¡°Then I hope you can keep your wits about you, Ms. Juliana. Stop feeling sad over a man who''s not worth it.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Meanwhile, in the guest room of the Shurmer residence, Steven, Waverly, Richard, and Genevieve could be seen surrounding a bed with joy on their faces. Waverly held onto Shirley''s hand and patted the back of her hand twice. Smiling, she said, ¡°My dear child, you sure have a good constitution to be able to get pregnant after only doing it once with Zeke.¡± After saying that, she turned to look at Genevieve, who was opposite her, and added, ¡°Now that Shirley is carrying the Shurmer family''s child, you can rest assured that we will protect her and not let her suffer any grievances.¡± In response, Genevieve smiled, and with a hint of worry on her face, she sighed. ¡°I''m sure the Shurmer family will treat Shirley well, and even if she''s not your daughter-inw, you will still spoil her as if she''s one of your own. However, Zeke will be the one who will live with her for the rest of her life. If he doesn''t marry her...¡± ¡°That won''t happen.¡± Waverly raised her voice, her tone firm as she guaranteed, ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Gourd. When Zekees backter, I will talk to him about the marriage. Let''s skip the engagement this time and prepare for the wedding straight away.¡± An ted expression shed across Genevieve''s face. All my hard work finally paid off! My daughter is finally marrying into the Shurmer family and bing the matriarch of the family! With this, I won''t have to pin my hopes on the Luther family anymore. With how prestigious that family is, I doubt I''d be able to get my daughter to marry into there anyway. Besides, Artemis still has other heirs, so it will never be my daughter''s child''s turn. Now that the Luther family is out of the picture, I can only depend on the Shurmer family. In any case, I must make sure my daughter stays with the most influential and powerful man. This way, I''ll be respected as the mother-in- law of a bigshot. With that thought in mind, she said, ¡°You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that, Mrs. Shurmer.¡± Waverly smiled. ¡°Don''t worry. Since Shirley is carrying our grandchild, it''s a given that we''ll make her a part of the family. After all, we don''t want anyone saying that the child''s an illegitimate child.¡± Just then, footsteps came from the door, and in walked Zeke. Seeing that her son was home, Waverly beckoned him over. ¡°Zeke, hurry up andfort Shirley. She is now pregnant with your child and is the treasure of the Shurmer family.¡± With an indifferent expression, Zeke walked toward the bed and trained his cold gaze on Shirley, his eyes shing with an unfathomable look. Waverly gave her son''s arm a p and chided, ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? Are you so happy you''re bing a father that you''re at a loss for words?¡± Zeke looked away and swept a gaze across the elders before saying coolly, ¡°I''d like to talk to Shirley alone.¡± Hearing that, Waverly was stunned for a moment before shing a smile, saying, ¡°Sure. You two have a good talk, then. Your inws and I will head to the living room to discuss your marriage date.¡± After everyone left, Zeke narrowed his eyes at Shirley and asked, ¡°Are you going to keep the baby?¡± At that, Shirley froze as the smile on her face gradually faded. Staring at him dazedly, she replied in a shaky voice, ¡°W-What do you mean by that, Zeke? This is our first child together. What am I supposed to do if I don''t keep it¡ªabort it?¡± ¡°If possible, that is exactly what I want you to do.¡± Shirley''s eyes widened as she looked at him in disbelief. With tears welling up in her eyes, she spluttered, ¡°W-What did you just say? Are you really going to abort this child? This child is your flesh and blood and also a member of the Shurmer family! Even a beast wouldn''t harm its offspring, so how could you take away this child''s right to live?¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes slightly and said in an indifferent voice, ¡°Shirley, you should know that I don''t have any feelings for you. I have always regarded you as my sister. If I really had feelings for you, I would have married you a long time ago. I wouldn''t have to wait until you''re pregnant to be forced into marrying you.¡± Chapter 537 Chapter 537 As Shirley bit her lip hard, tears welled up in her eyes. Here we go again with seeing me only as a younger sister and being forced to marry me. Did my admiration and my efforts in pursuing him all these years mean nothing to him? She was utterly heartbroken. Initially, she thought he would be happy to hear she was carrying his child and wouldfort her in his arms as they dreamt of their happy future together. However, she did not expect that he would immediately tell her to abort the child if possible. It''s his child. Although it is a test tube baby, it is still our child, his flesh and blood. How could he be so cruel and take away his child''s life? ¡°We can slowly build a love rtionship. I will never get an abortion. Just give up on that, Zeke. If you refuse to marry me, I will not force you to, but I will keep the baby no matter what.¡± Why did you sleep with me that night if you are not fond of me and even despise me? This is all your fault, but the baby and I are the ones who have to bear the consequences. What have I done to deserve this? Zeke was stumped at the sight of her aggressive demeanor. As he knew he couldn''t persuade her, he could only give up on the idea for now. ¡°I was giving you advice and sharing my thoughts with you. If you insist on keeping the child, I promise I will marry you. As for our married life, I''m sorry to say that I may never love you as a husband, and I will not see you as my wife. We shall go our separate ways. All we have to do is give our child a home.¡± Shirley was heartbroken to hear that as all her perfect fantasies were crushed into dust. The only thing in her favor was that Zeke agreed to start a family with her and give her the title she deserved. ¡°All right. I''m satisfied as long as you are willing to give our child a home. I will never marry anyone except you in my whole life anyway. Once I be part of the Shurmer family, I will fulfill my duty as a wife. I don''t mind that you don''t love me as long as I can stay by your side and protect our child.¡± Zeke was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, Steven was sitting on the couch in the study and staring warmly at Zoey, who was in front of him. ¡°Zozo, tell me. How have I treated you all these years?¡± Zoey''s heart sank as she had a bad feeling. She was not dumb and knew that Steven was implying something. However, as she could not fathom his intention at that moment, she dared not simply respond. ¡°You''ve treated me well, Dad. Everyone is envious of me for having such a great father. You are the person I respect most in this world.¡± Steven nodded and suddenly changed the topic, saying frankly, ¡°I see you have reconciled with your biological mother. That''s good. She is your biological mother and loves you more than we do.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Widening her eyes and staring at him in confusion, Zoey replied in a shaking voice, ¡°D-Dad, what do you mean by that? Waverly is my mother, and I belong to the Shurmer family. What do you mean by my biological mo¡ª¡± Before she could finish her words, Steven waved a dismissive hand and said, ¡°You don''t have to hide it from me. I know everything about your background. I know Bailey is my daughter after running a paternity test, and I''ve also found out that Sophia is not dead. She returned to Hallsbay as the founder of Cosmetico. The two of you have met each other already. I''m not ming you for reuniting with her. Instead, I''m happy for you. Look at me. My biological daughter hasn''t reunited with us and is still being called an illegitimate child by everyone.¡± Zoey bit her lip hard. As Steven was being blunt, she thought it would only irritate him if she continued ying dumb. If she yed the victim, though, maybe she could gain his sympathy and adoration. ¡°Dad, I''m sorry. I didn''t mean to hide it from you. It''s just... When I found out about it, I was shocked and dared not tell all of you the truth. I wish to be part of the Shurmer family. Even if we''re not biologically rted, I still want to be your daughter.¡± Steven beckoned at her. Seeing that, she quickly threw herself into his arms and burst into tears. Patting her back, Steven sighed softly and said, ¡°Silly girl. You will always be my daughter and part of the Shurmer family. Even if we''re not rted by blood, you are still my adopted daughter.¡± He suddenly paused and continued in a deep voice, ¡°I''ve decided to hold a press conference to reveal Bay''s identity to the public. Don''t worry. I won''t tell anyone that your biological mother deliberately switched babies because she was vainglorious. Instead, the two of you were identally switched at birth back then. I hope you and Bay can get along well after she returns. Don''t stir up any trouble. Can you do that?¡± Can I do that? No way! It''s either me or Bailey in the Shurmer family. We can never coexist. Impossible! ¡°I''d be more than happy to have a new sister. Why would I cause trouble? Don''t worry, Dad. I will get along well with her.¡± I''ll deal with her when the timees. ¡°Good. I''m d you''re so understanding. As for Artemis, I think you should give up on him. I''ll look for a young and charming guy and make sure you have a happy marriage.¡± Zoey scoffed in her heart. Didn''t he say he treats us equally? He''s so biased. Do you think I''m a fool who doesn''t know anything? I insist on marrying Artemis. Only by taking away the man Bailey loves and making her suffer in pain for the rest of her life will I be happy. Meanwhile, in a ward at Justin''s medical base. After sending Justin away, Bill said to Veronique, ¡°Vero, Olivia hates you so much, mes you and Zephyr for ruining Justin''s life, and condemns you. Do you still want to keep this unblessed and ill-fated rtionship?¡± What''s the point of marriage if the inws do not ept it? As her father, he couldn''t bear to watch Veronique endure in silence and being humiliated. ¡°Are you telling me to leave Justin?¡± Chapter 538 Chapter 538 Indeed, that was what Bill was thinking. However, he was suddenly bereft of words upon seeing Veronique''s pale and thin face. ¡°To tell you the truth, Dad, I''ve been thinking of leaving Justin. Mrs. Xuereb was right. I''m dying, and Zephyr''s condition is unstable. Hence, I shouldn''t cling stubbornly to Justin.¡± He sighed as he reached out and stroked her head. His distress was evident on his face. ¡°The two of you weren''t destined to be together. You''ll only end up hurting each other if you insist on staying together. Since it wasn''t meant to be, it''ll be better to let go now. You need to get lots of rest now. Having the Xuereb familying to kick a fuss every few days also won''t do your health any favors. If you''ve thought it through, thene home with me.¡± She nodded and replied in a tearful voice, ¡°Okay, Dad. I''ll do what you think is best.¡± Shooting her a satisfied smile, he patted her head before slowly getting to his feet. ¡°I''m going to speak to Justin. If he doesn''t agree to it, I''ll just have to take you home by force.¡± Bill was heading toward the door when a female assistant opened it and walked in. She said in a respectful tone, ¡°Mr. Revelle, Mr. Xuereb received a call asking him to return home as something came up. He just left the medical base and instructed me to let the two of you know.¡± ¡°All right. Got it.¡± He watched the assistant leave, then turned toward Veronique. ¡°See? Justin rushes off at the slightest hint of trouble at home, so he''s not the type of man who would prioritize a woman over his parents. Given a choice between you and his parents, he''d probably pick them.¡± Hearing that, she could not helpughing. ¡°I''ve already agreed to go with you, so you don''t have to provoke me anymore. I''m not a fool, Dad. I know how to weigh the pros and cons. You''d better go and arrange for someone to pick us up. Otherwise, we won''t be able to leave after Justines back.¡± ¡°Right. I''ll make the arrangements now.¡± At the Xuereb residence, the sound of people sobbing bitterly could be hearding from the living room. One of them was Olivia, while the cries of the other sounded unfamiliar. Nheless, someone who would weep with Olivia had to be a rtive or a close family friend. No sooner had Justin walked into the living room than thedy sitting next to Olivia sprang up from the couch, hurried up to him, and fell to her knees with a thud. ¡°What are you doing, Aunt Emma? If there''s something wrong, go ahead and tell me. As your nephew, I can''t possibly have you kneel before me.¡± The woman was Emma, the wife of Olivia''s younger brother, thus making her Justin''s aunt as well. ¡°You''ve got to save your uncle! Otherwise, he''s going to end up in prison!¡± Justin narrowed his eyes as he stretched out a hand to help his aunt up from the floor. ¡°Have a seat first. Take your time to tell me everything. I''ll spare no effort if it''s something I can help with.¡± After a couple more sobs, she proceeded to tell them what had happened. By the end of it, Justin''s brows were tightly knitted. ¡°In other words, you''re saying Uncle Ss was indeed involved in embezzlement, and the authorities have gathered concrete evidence of the crime. Is that it?¡± She nodded. Then, something seemed to ur to her, and she hurriedly shook her head. ¡°He was incited by someone else. It was his immediate superior who dragged him into this mess. It may not be aplete catastrophe, but it''s also no small matter. Not only will it destroy your uncle''s future but also your cousin''s. Justin, you''re the only one who can save him now. Considering how he went around asking his connections to help you settle the situation after you caused a patient''s death, you''ve got to help him now.¡± Lifting a hand and pressing it to his forehead, he replied, ¡°I''ve no judicial power or connections, so how am I supposed to help? Instead of wasting your time on me, you should spend some money to build connections with those who have influence in this matter. If money is an issue, I can help with that.¡± His words stunned Emma. She nced at Olivia, who was opposite her, from the corner of her eye. Seeing the look thetter shot her, she quicklyposed herself and put on a sorrowful expression. ¡°Your uncle is the highest-ranking official in the region, so we can only save him with the help of powerful figures in Jadeborough. As you know, we don''t have such far-reaching connections.¡± He nodded at her reply. ¡°That makes me even more powerless to do anything. You should think of some other solution.¡± Panic rose within her instantly. Reaching out and grabbing his arm, she pleaded urgently, ¡°If the Fletcher family is willing to render assistance, they could do so with just a word. Justin, we''re talking about your uncle here. You can''t just stand by and do nothing!¡± Justin''s expression turned grim, and he uttered in an icy tone, ¡°I''ve nothing to do with that family, so there''s no use for me to beg them.¡± ¡°You should try first and see how it goes anyway.¡± Amanding voice rang out from the direction of the door. Then, an elderly man with snowy white hair walked in, clutching a cane. At that, Justin''s gaze darkened. Walking over to his maternal grandfather, he asked, ¡°What are you doing here, Granddad?¡± Ambrose Campbell gazed at him frostily and responded in a low voice, ¡°Your uncle has been dismissed from his post and is under investigation. My question is, are you going to stand by and do nothing?¡± Justin sighed softly. Now that even Granddad has stepped in, what else can I say? ¡°I''ll get in touch with the Fletcher family and see what they have to say,¡± he replied. A look of joy spread across Olivia''s face when she heard him finally agree to help. She immediately went to hold her father''s arm and said reproachfully, ¡°Why have youe all the way to Hallsbay when you''re not well, Dad? As Ss'' nephew, there''s no way Justin would turn a blind eye in his uncle''s time of need.¡± Over in the living room of a private mansion, Zoey recounted everything Steven had told her to Sofie. ¡°What shall we do, Mom? The Shurmer family has decided to hold a press conference to make Bailey''s identity known to the public. If she returns to the family, I''ll be the target of criticism, won''t I? If she''s not an illegitimate child, that means I''ll getbeled as one!¡± Narrowing her eyes, Sofie was silent for a while. Then, she ventured, ¡°If Bailey''s position as the head of the Saviors is exposed, they may refrain from revealing to the public that she''s the Shurmer family''s daughter.¡± Zoey gave her mother a dubious look. Puzzled, she asked, ¡°Why? Is that position something of a taboo?¡± Sofie sneered as a steely glint shed in her eyes. ¡°It''s not just a taboo. The prestigious families shun anyone who has anything to do with that organization. It''s an organization involved in underworld dealings and with many enemies. If one gets involved with people like that, that''ll probably spell the end of their entire family.¡± After Zoey heard that, her eyes lit up, and she could barely contain her excitement. ¡°So, you''re saying that as the head of the Saviors, Bailey has many enemies, right? And should the Shurmer family have any connection to her, the family will also draw the attention of many of those enemies and risk facing ruin.¡± ¡°That''s right. The Shurmer family has lived in peace for a century, so they probably won''t want to have ties to some underworld organization like the Saviors. Once Bailey''s identity as the leader of the Saviors is exposed, I''m guessing they won''t dare to announce she''s their daughter.¡± ted, Zoey hugged Sofie''s arm and said in an ingratiating tone, ¡°You''re amazing, Mom. You have Bailey right where you want her. So, how should we go about exposing that she''s the head of the Saviors?¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Well, that depends on Ms. Sullivan. The reason she''s bent on stirring up conflict between the Saviors and Tarragon is she wants to tear Bailey and Artemis apart. I''m sure she''ll expose it when the time is right, so all we have to do is wait,¡± Sofie answered, her lips curling into a smirk. Meanwhile, at the Saviors'' branch in Gregan, several leaders in charge of the various regions had come looking for Veikko. They wanted to force him into agreeing to go to war against Tarragon. ¡°Veikko, Tarragon has gone too far by openly attacking you. They''re the ones who started this war first, so we should meet them in battle!¡± one of them remarked. Another piped up, ¡°I agree. We should go to war. If you can''t make the decision, contact our leader. Let her step forth and take charge of this so we can send the members of Tarragon to their graves!¡± Chapter 539 Chapter 539 Veikko felt a headacheing as he looked at the furious branch leaders. It would be difficult for him to turn the tables on his own now that things had turned out this way. However, could he ask Bailey to take charge of this? Nothing good woulde of letting the Saviors'' subordinates know she was in love with Tarragon''s leader. ¡°It might not be Tarragon who tried to assassinate me. Give me a few days to investigate this matter and see whether there is someone else behind this. As for our leader, she has an important affair, so we shouldn''t trouble her with small matters like this.¡± One of the branch leaders came forward and narrowed his eyes at Veikko. He stated, ¡°Veikko, why do I feel you''re trying to protect Tarragon? We have always been at odds with them. Now that they have publicly provoked us, you''re advising us to smooth things over instead of retaliating. What are your intentions?¡± Veikko''s gaze darkened. He understood the situation instantly. Some of the branch leaders were listening and following this person''s orders. They were here to fan the mes of conflict and sow discord between the two organizations. ¡°I''m the person in charge of the Saviors now. Since the leader is not present, I''m the next in line. As for my intentions, I don''t want any conflict to arise between both organizations, which would lead to tremendous losses on both sides. But what are your intentions in banding together with the other branch leaders to question me about my intentions?¡± The branch leader''s expression changed drastically as he started trembling in anger. ¡°Veikko, don''t you dare use me of something I didn''t do! I heard you were attacked and wanted to find out what happened. That''s why I suggested going to war with Tarragon. Since you are adamant that it was not done by Tarragon, you should disregard what I just said.¡± With that, he left the lounge with the other branch leaders. Complicated emotions swirled within Veikko as he watched them leave. After a brief moment of silence on the couch, he took his phone from the coffee table and dialed Bailey''s number. When the call connected, he asked about her condition before letting her know what had happened. ¡°Ms. Bailey, they are finally showing their true colors.¡± ¡°Send someone to monitor them around the clock. Then, investigate who they were in contact with recently.¡± Veikko hummed in acknowledgment before replying, ¡°I''ll find out who''s causing trouble. You should rest properly at Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Oh, right. How''s Caridee? Is she okay?¡± Upon hearing her mention Caridee, Veikko felt his head ache. She''s a true daughter from a prominent family. She''s reckless yet delicate. Nheless, she has me wrapped around her little finger because she saved me. She expects me to do everything for her and would rather stay thirsty and wait for me to feed her a sip of water. ¡°She seems to be in a good mood and enjoys me serving her. Of course, it would be even better if you can bring her back.¡± Bailey couldn''t hold back herughter. ¡°It seems like she has chosen you. You''re rather lucky for the princess of the Luther family to be so into you. You have struck gold!¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Veikko was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, Justin was standing in the rain outside the intricately-carved door of the Revelle residence. Bill was holding an umbre, standing at the entrance. He stared at Justin and stated coldly, ¡°You can go. I''ll not let you and Vero meet. I''ve already investigated what happened with the Xuereb family half an hour ago. Your uncle has been dismissed from his post and is under investigation for embezzlement. He needs someone to bail him out. Besides begging the Fletcher family to help you, you have no other choice. You should know better than me what will happen if you meet the Fletcher family.¡± Justin pursed his lips. The rain fell onto his face, turning his facial features into an indistinct blob. Although Bill''s words were harsh, he was speaking the truth. If he sought help from the Fletchers, they would most certainly force him to marry Scarlett. He would be back to square one. With the situation he was in, he still tried to provoke Veronique. Bill would obviously be unweing to him. ¡°Mr. Revelle, Vero is my wife. I''ll never hurt her. Before the annulment of my marriage, I''ll never betray her. She just had surgery and needs someone to take care of her. Can you let me in so that I can stay by her side? Then, we can talk about this matter after she''s better. What do you think?¡± Bill was expressionless as he uttered, ¡°I''ll only ept a live-in son-inw. If you really love my daughter, you will cut all ties with the Xuereb family and be a part of our family, or you will never get to see my daughter in this lifetime again. I don''t wish for her to suffer in this love triangle any longer.¡± He wants me to be a part of the Revelle family and cut all ties with the Xuereb family? Justin''s expression turned dark in hostility. Bill''s requests were too heartless and difficult. No ordinary person would be able to fulfill them. ¡°I can be a live-in son-inw. However, the Xuereb family raised me, and I''m my parents'' only son, so I can''t just cut all ties with them. I''m beingpletely sincere. Please don''t be so harsh on me.¡± Bill scoffed. ¡°All right. You don''t need to break ties with the Xuereb family. However, you must not intervene in your uncle''s matter. Can you do that?¡± Chapter 540 Chapter 540 Justin fell into deep thought. Can I do that? I don''t think so! I''ve already promised Granddad to save Uncle Ss. I can''t break my promise, especially since it was made to Granddad. Bill noticed his silence and scoffed coldly. ¡°Are you not able to even do that? Since you can''t do it, you won''t get to see my daughter. I don''t want you to stay by my daughter''s side while still being involved with Scarlett.¡± With that, he turned to return to the mansion. The door slowly closed behind him, leaving Justin outside the residence. A bitter smile appeared on Justin''s lips as he looked at the closed door. His time with Veronique was short-lived, as cruel reality made it clear that they were not meant to be. At a psychiatric hospital in Hallsbay, Artemis apanied Bailey to visit Rhonda, who Beatrice had sent to the psychiatric hospital. She could see a crazed woman jumping around in the corridor from afar. The nurse seemed annoyed by that and pped the woman''s arm multiple times, causing thetter to yelp in pain. ¡°What''s her situation now?¡± Bailey asked lightly. One of the psychiatrists beside her immediately answered, ¡°Ms. Rhonda has received a huge shock, causing her to lose her mind. However, it''s not a serious issue. The main reason for her illness is her reluctance to face reality.¡± Bailey sneered. Reluctance to face reality? Isn''t it letting her off the hook too easily if she can escape reality by losing her mind? I have to make sure she goes through this with a clear mind. ¡°Can you treat this with medicine?¡± If it couldn''t be treated with medicine, she would even use her energy to perform hypnosis on Rhonda. She had to make sure Rhona had a clear state of mind so thetter could get a taste of living hell. After a long moment of silence, the psychiatrist suggested, ¡°If you increase the dosage of the medicine, it might be able to stimte her brain and clear her mind. However, it might take a toll on her health.¡± ¡°There''s no need for that consideration. I only want her to recover, no matter what the method is. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. I understand.¡± Bailey walked over to Rhonda and used hypnosis to make sure thetter wasn''t faking her illness. She let Rhonda go after realizing it was real. ¡°I''ll give you guys one month for her to recover. Otherwise, you don''t need to work in this industry anymore.¡± All the psychiatrists'' expressions changed drastically, and they immediately assured her, ¡°Don''t worry. We promise we will be able to make sure Ms. Rhonda recovers after one month.¡± ¡°Yes! That''s right! She will return to normal in one month!¡± Bailey smiled in satisfaction and retracted her gaze. Turning to Artemis, she said, ¡°Let''s go. The atmosphere here in this hospital is too depressing. I don''t feel well here.¡± Artemis instantly swept her up into his arms. ¡°I told you not toe here, but you insisted. See, now you have made yourself unwell.¡± Bailey smiled before sighing deeply. ¡°Rhonda is an utterly shameless person, so I was afraid she was faking her illness. I needed to use my hypnosis to check. I feel more at ease now.¡± Meanwhile, Lionel ced Victoria on the bed in the bedroom of the Gezmond residence and prepared to head to the guest room. Victoria grabbed his arm and suggested, ¡°Since we have already registered our marriage, we are officially a married couple. It''s not good to sleep separately, so you should stay here from now on.¡± A look of joy fleeted across Lionel''s face. He didn''t expect her to be willing so quickly. Since his wife had already encouraged him to stay, he didn''t reject her. It would be ridiculous to pretend he didn''t mind staying in the guest room. ¡°Vicky, trust me. I''ll make you happy.¡± Victoria smiled and suddenly thought about Victor. She asked, ¡°I heard from the butler that my brother is back to his gambling addiction. Has he done nothing after taking over thepany?¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Lionel didn''t want to talk about Victor with her as he was afraid her health might deteriorate from getting angry at Victor. ¡°It''s fine. He has tried to keep himself in check after spending a few months in jail.¡± ¡°Really? We are husband and wife. It''s not right to keep things from each other.¡± Lionel was lost for words. After a moment, he sighed and answered truthfully, ¡°He has spent almost half of his assets in these few days.¡± Victoria''s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°He has about ten billion worth of assets! Almost half of it is still an insane amount!¡± Lionel shook his head and replied helplessly, ¡°Everyone has their own ways and beliefs. No one can change him. You just have to understand that you have done your best.¡± Victoria gritted her teeth and said hatefully, ¡°I''m only worried that he will find us to provide him money after he''s spent all his assets. We won''t be able to have any peace then.¡± Lionel replied gently, ¡°No, he won''t. He doesn''t have anything on us. We don''t need to listen to him.¡± Little did he know, Victor would obtain his biggest weakness and force him to give in to the former repeatedly in the near future. ¡°Promise me that you will never help him even if he''s in a ton of debt and is in danger. I want to make sure he suffers for it so he will turn over a new leaf and not gamble anymore.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Over at the master bedroom of the Shurmer residence, Steven passed a paternity test to Waverly. Waverly looked at it in confusion and asked, ¡°What is this?¡± Steven didn''t answer her question. Instead, he told her, ¡°Look at it yourself.¡± Chapter 541 Chapter 541 Fine, I''ll check it out myself. Soon, she finished reading the contents of the report. The report stated: Paternity test. Thest line read: Specimen A and Specimen B are biologically father and daughter. Each word that Waverly engaged with drove her intoplete bewilderment. ¡°S-Steven, is this your DNA test with Zoey?¡± ¡°There''s no need for me to update you if it''s my report with Zoey. After all, she''s been our daughter for over twenty years. We''ve always treated her like our own flesh and blood.¡± Waverly''s hand, which was holding the report, started trembling gently when she heard the confirmation. She was not a fool, so she knew what was going on right away. ¡°Y-You mean this is your result with Bailey?¡± Steven nodded. ¡°Waverly, Bailey is our biological daughter, whereas Zozo belongs to the Jefferson family. Back then, Sophia swapped the babies because she wanted her child to grow up in a rich and prestigious family. Honestly, the paternity test is unnecessary. The simrities between your appearance and Bay''s say it all.¡± At his words, the report slipped through Waverly''s fingers and fell to the floor. Astounded, she stared at her husband. ¡°S-So, that girl is truly my daughter? She''s a Shurmer?¡± Waverly asked in a quavering voice. Steven held her in his arms and sighed. ¡°I know it''s hard for you to ept this sudden piece of news, but this is an indisputable fact. We can''t deny the truth. Waverly, our daughter has suffered tremendously all these years. We''ve got to take her back.¡± ¡°Then, what about Zozo?¡± Waverly lifted her head and looked him in the eyes, asking solemnly, ¡°Zozo has been living with us for more than two decades. Although we aren''t rted by blood, I won''t give her up even if...¡± She did notplete her sentence, but Steven could roughly guess her intention. Waverly would rather keep Zoey, who had been with her for over twenty years, than acknowledge Bailey. Steven knitted his brows and replied grimly, ¡°Don''t utter such a thing anymore. They are both Shurmers. Rest assured that I won''t send Zozo away even if Bay reims her identity.¡± ¡°Okay. I watched Zozo grow up, so I must keep her in the Shurmer family. She will always be my daughter!¡± Steven stayed by her side and said nothing. That afternoon, an earthquake broke out in Hallsbay. Actually, the natural disaster happened in Quadfield, but its intensity triggered a series of powerful tremors in its neighboring city. Consequently, the entire Hallsbay was affected and shook violently. When the ground first started shaking, Artemis was having a top management meeting at the office. The extreme aftershocks felt caused the man, who had never been afraid of death, to be fearful for the first time in his life. He drove on a rampage and sped as fast as he could to the Luther residence to check on Bailey and the children. After making sure that the ones closest to him were all right, he heaved a sigh of relief. When Felicity saw her son sweating in panic mode, she teased him, ¡°It''s true when people say one forgets his mother once he''s married. You asked about your wife and children uponing home, but you didn''t bother checking in on me.¡± As she spoke, she passed a slice of apple to Bailey. ¡°When I''m old and have problems moving around, you ought to take care of me like how I''m serving you now. Understand?¡± Bailey found it amusing. As soon as they reconciled, Felicity turned into a different person. She would often act like a child when interacting with Bailey. She did not reprimand Bailey at all even when thetter had a miscarriage. Conversely, Felicity hired an internationally renowned nutritionist to look after Bailey''s health and help her recuperate. ¡°Sure! When you get old, I''ll serve you tea and take care of your daily needs.¡± Afterward, she took two pieces of tissue and walked toward Artemis to wipe the sweat off his forehead. Artemis locked fingers with her, his body still shaking lightly. It was obvious that he had not recovered from the shock yet. ¡°Bailey, an earthquake urred without any warning. Death was so close to us!¡± She rubbed his chest in hopes offorting him. ¡°You spent three billion building the Luther residence, and its foundation is extremely solid. This mansion will still stand firmly and unaffected even if the earthquake takes ce in Hallsbay, let alone a tremor. We won''t be in any danger. You worry too much.¡± Artemis hugged her tightly and said in a slightly shaky voice, ¡°The magnitude of the quake in Quadfield was very high.¡± Then, Bailey turned around and looked at the LED television mounted on the wall. The news was broadcasting the unexpected catastrophe. ¡°Yeah. I heard that the tremors affected half the nation, causing tragedy for countless families. One of the counties waspletely destroyed, while many people elsewhere are left homeless. The death toll continues to soar from the devastating disaster.¡± ¡°I''ve urged all the charitable organizations managed by Luther Group to open up aid routes to deliver supplies. They are to provide aid and relief immediately to resolve the pressing needs of the masses,¡± Artemis murmured. Bailey lowered her eyes and smiled. She knew he had a heart of gold although he seldom showed it. ¡°Oh no, oh no! Looks like it''s time to say goodbye to my money again,¡± Zayron cried from a distance away, exasperation written all over his face. Previously, whenever a natural disaster urred, Bailey would donate lots of money to the victims. She doesn''t give in small amounts either. As if that isn''t enough damage, now there''s Dad in the mix too. How much will these two partners in crime donate? I wouldn''t be surprised if their minimum contribution adds up to tens of billions. Bailey shot him a cold nce and said indifferently, ¡°From what I know, you have quite a lot of savings, right? Three hundred million? Five hundred million? Or is it a billion? Withdraw all of your money to help others. Saving lives is more important.¡± Instantly, Susan sprang up from the couch, darted to her mother, and hugged Bailey''s thigh with one arm. Then, she whipped out a gold card from her pocket and gave it to Bailey. ¡°Mommy, here''s Zayron''s card. I don''t know his password, but I bet it''ll be easy-peasy for you to find that out.¡± Zayron went ballistic at her words. He pointed at his sister and started cursing, ¡°You rascal! I''d be better off keeping a loyal dog than raising an ingrate like you!¡± Everyone watched on and said nothing. Meanwhile, Sofie had an appointment with Yvette at a coffee shop. ¡°You see, Evie, disasters and idents happen every single day. Life is short, and you only live once. Therefore, it''s only right that you prioritize yourself first.¡± Yvette narrowed her eyes at Sofie and said solemnly, ¡°Cut to the chase. What is it that you want to tell me? You aren''t a saint, so please don''t act like you''re apassionate person. How disgusting!¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Sofie slowly moved her gaze away and chuckled. ¡°Bailey just had a miscarriage. Don''t you think she''s most vulnerable at this point? Aren''t you going to grab the chance and take advantage of the situation?¡± Yvette''s expression darkened as rage surfaced in her eyes. She spoke through gritted teeth. ¡°Do you think taking advantage of Bailey is child''s y? I must fan the mes of conflict and sow discord between the two factions before exposing her identity as the head of the Saviors. This is the only way to invoke the public''s wrath and achieve the most desirable oue.¡± Sofie shed a smile andmented, ¡°You''re right, Evie. However, it''s not good enough for you to stir up small fights among them. It won''t capture the attention of the high-ranked members from either faction. As long as those at the top aren''t bothered by it, you won''t be able to create an uproar.¡± Yvette red at her and uttered grimly, ¡°Don''t beat around the bush but speak your mind frankly. I''m sure you''ve thought of a n since you asked to see me. Tell me what you want me to do.¡± Chapter 542 Chapter 542 Yvette concurred with Sofie. It was useless for her to incite small arguments here and there as those would not make the higher-ups from both sides bat an eye. What''s the point of creating small fights, anyway? I can only incite major conflict and turn both groups into rivals if I can make all the decision-makers stand up and voice their opinions. N?velDrama.Org content. Pouring Yvette a cup of coffee, Sofie smiled. ¡°It''s actually very simple. You just need to send men disguised as members of Tarragon and kill Veikko from the Saviors. His death will surely infuriate all the assassins of the Saviors.¡± With a serious look on her face, Yvette asked, ¡°How can I send people to ambush him when he''s keeping his guard up? Moreover, he''s in one of the branches of the Saviors. Your n is akin to finding a needle in the haystack.¡± After hearing her response, Sofie smiled from ear to ear. ¡°Yes, I agree that it won''t work. Anyhow, it''s just a suggestion. You can forget about it if you disagree.¡± Yvette clenched her jaw and started to grow impatient. ¡°What nonsense! I thought you''d figured out the perfect n to anger the prominent members of both sects. Now, we''re back to square one!¡± Suddenly, an idea shed across Sofie''s mind. Grinning, she arched her brow and stared at Yvette. ¡°You are the best trap! With your position in Tarragon, you''re more than capable of sending everyone into a frenzy of rage.¡± Yvette narrowed her eyes and shot her a cold look. ¡°What are you trying to say? If you have a n, then spit it out all at once. Don''t leave me hanging.¡± ¡°I''ll arrange for a group of people to assassinate you and then put the me on the Saviors. This will undoubtedly enrage your father''s former subordinates.¡± Yvette widened her eyes in shock as she yelled, ¡°You want to make me the target?¡± Sofie exined calmly, ¡°You''re not the real target, so don''t worry. I can guarantee you won''t be severely injured. Anyway, the decision is yours to make. Let me remind you that Bailey has just lost her baby, and you must seize this golden opportunity to take action when she''s most vulnerable.¡± Biting her lip, Yvette hesitated for a long time. Eventually, she gave in and agreed to the n. ¡°Okay, I''ll take one for the team by enduring this hardship. You must be mindful of the risks involved and keep me safe. If I die, you''ll be in deep trouble.¡± ¡°Rest assured that I won''t let them take your life. It''s just an act. Once the show is over, you can marry the new leader as the daughter of Tarragon''s former head. However, don''t forget our agreement then. You are to do your utmost to assist me in expanding my business empire.¡± ¡°All right, deal!¡± Sofie lowered her gaze before a smirk crept up on her face. Since it''s going to be an ident, somebody must die. It''s more convincing when death is involved, isn''t it? What a fool she is to believe that some minor cuts and bruises are all she''s getting! What an idiot! I might as well grab this chance and get rid of this woman. Thereafter, no one else in Tarragon will covet the position of the matriarch, and I can then easily let my daughter take over. The sudden earthquake in Quadfield had resulted in a high number of casualties. Thankfully, there were donation channels set up across the country, and relief aids were able to be delivered to the affected areas. At that critical juncture, news about the embezzlement of resources by a local non-profit organization in Quadfield was brought to light on the Inte. Rumor had it that the provision of relief aid and supplies were deliberately siphoned off for personal use. Subsequently, the organization sold the resources to external parties at a higher price, who then donated the materials back to the organization. In the end, the organization made huge profits from it. Theizens went into an uproar as soon as the news went viral. Darn it! The people that stole the disaster supplies for the victims should be sent to hell! There''s no way any mishap will befall them if we sit and do nothing. May I know if anyizens have the address of this charitable organization in Quadfield? I''m going to surprise them with a bomb and send them six feet under. Great! Count me in. Me too! Oh my, I''ll never put my trust in these unscrupulous organizations again! I strongly suggest all disaster victims share your personal banking information online, and we''ll transfer the money directly to your ounts. You idiot! They don''t need money but supplies. Basic survival supplies. Do you understand? With a case like this happening in the country, mostizens probably won''t want to donate any more supplies. We aren''t animals used for entertainment in a circus. Why should we be yed by the parasites who leech on others for a living? If we don''t donate through the non-profit organizations, where else can we channel our aid? The people in Quadfield need our help urgently. I''ve never believed that these so-called local charities would perform good deeds. That''s why I always donate through the Willing Angels Foundation, which was founded by the world-renowned phnthropist, Betty. She''s the only genuine one who remains true to her principles and values in the face of massive profits. Nobody else is as credible as her in the whole world. Betty? The mysteriousdy who has donated tens of billions? I heard that several of her credit cards are attached specifically to the main bank ount of Willing Angels Foundation. Whenever there''s a natural disaster, she will activate her cards and donate all her money to those in need right away. This kind phnthropist has done many great deeds, including sponsoring millions of local students to further their studies in universities and alleviating poverty in rural areas. She''s a good Samaritan, indeed. I, too, have only made donations through the Willing Angels Foundation in recent years, for only the compassionate Betty will forward the love to those in need. Please share the bank details of Willing Angels Foundation. Yes, please! Ditto. Ditto. Within thirty minutes, the forums of various media outlets and major websites were filled with simr comments. Chapter 543 Chapter 543 All thements were asking for the official bank ount of Willing Angels Foundation. Within a few hours, the bnce in the foundation''s bank ount increased by a few hundred million. That was the kind of influence the world-renowned phnthropist, Betty, had. She led a low-profile life during peaceful times, shying away from attention. But in times of cmity, such as the recent earthquake disaster, she rose to the asion and carried the beacon of hope, restoring faith in humanity. She became the talk of the town because of this earthquake disaster. Several people were specting about Betty''s true identity. They were dying to know her exact background and why she was so generous to donate her entire fortune. A fewizens even put up their requests online, begging Betty to do a face reveal so that they could see her in person. Later that afternoon, Artemis, the head of Luther Group, issued a press release. ording to the statement, Luther Group''s eight-billion donation would not be sent to charity organizations in Quadfield. Instead, the entire sum would be remitted to Willing Angels Foundation, which would coordinate the purchase of essential supplies to be sent to the disaster zone. The moment that announcement was made, the Inte was abuzz again. The majority of thementsmended Artemis for his generous act. Mr. Luther is alwaysvish with his money, donating almost ten billion. This is how a sessful entrepreneur should be¡ªresponsible, caring, and big-hearted. I''m a proud consumer of Luther Group, spending more than ten thousand on their products annually. As long as the asion calls for it, Mr. Luther will go out of his way to help. True enough, he did not disappoint again this time. Those who are willing to give will receive more in return. Mr. Luther is a fine example; his business is booming because of all the charity he has done. Such is our nation''s heartthrob. I''m giving full points for what he did! I was hesitating about whether to donate to Willing Angels Foundation. Now that Mr. Luther has given his endorsement by donating eight billion to them, what else do I have to fear? I shall transfer my money right now. I''m transferring too! Me too! Simrments kept pouring into thement section. Meanwhile, in the bedroom of the Luther residence, Bailey was sprawled on the bed scrolling through the news articles on her phone. She could not help but smile as she saw thement sections flooded with ¡°Willing Angels Foundation¡± and ¡°Betty, the great phnthropist.¡± She was particrly amused when she saw Artemis transfer eight billion to the foundation''s bank ount without informing her in advance. Oh, what do I do with that man... Bailey smiled to herself. She could not find the words to describe her love for Artemis. In short, she loved him so much that she wished she could meld him into her so that he would be at her side, always. Just then, the door was pushed open, and Artemis walked in. Seeing that, Bailey threw her phone aside and beckoned him over with her finger, winking at him naughtily. A glint shed across Artemis'' eyes. He walked over to the bed and said with an arched brow, ¡°Don''t try to seduce me now. You know you can''t handle me in this current state.¡± Bailey shot him a re and did not say anything further. Artemisy on the bed beside her and turned his head to look at her. He stared at her silently for a few minutes before chuckling, ¡°How is my wife so capable?¡± Hispliment did not garner a response from Bailey. She moved her chin, gesturing to her phone, and asked, ¡°Why did you transfer so much money to the foundation''s bank ount?¡± Artemis snickered and replied casually, ¡°I was worried my wife did not have sufficient funds, which would cause her unnecessary anxiety. Now that I''ve made the first move, I''m sure several entrepreneurs will follow in my footsteps and donate to the foundation. My lovely wife can rx once the foundation secures a huge amount of funds.¡± Bailey''s heart skipped a beat upon hearing Artemis'' words. She could not resist pinching his handsome face. ¡°I love you more and more each day. By the way, aren''t you afraid of the charity organizations in Quadfield finding trouble with you? After all, you''re cutting off their financial support by attracting those business leaders to divert their donations to my foundation with that act of yours.¡± Artemis was unfazed by her concern. He snorted coldly. ¡°I''m only cutting off their financial support, not their livelihood. However, Raiden won''t let them off that easily. He just assumed his role and can''t afford to have any negative publicity that will threaten his position. I''m guessing the higher-ups will assign him to clean up Quadfield personally. Just wait and see; that bunch of corrupt good-for-nothings will be punished soon.¡± Baileyughed loudly. Unlike Artemis, she did not possess mastery over discerning people''s thoughts, and she was envious of that. ¡°By the way, how did you know I''m Betty, the world-renowned phnthropist? Was it Zayron who slipped his tongue and told you about it?¡± Artemis reached out and yfully pinched her nose. ¡°A simple check revealed everything; I didn''t need Zayron to tell me. Anyway, you''re pretty generous tomit all your earnings to charity work. Don''t you feel a sense of reluctance and conflict?¡± Bailey waved her hand as a sign of dismissal. ¡°Money is but a worldly possession; what''s there to be reluctant about? Furthermore, you''ll be providing for me in the future, right? So, why should I be worried about it? I don''t believe you''ll let me starve to death.¡± Artemis could not find any words to rebut her. Over in the CEO''s office at Saunders Group, Victor was leaningzily against his desk. Fatigue could be seen on his icy, stony face. A seductive-looking woman stood behind him, massaging his head. In the center of the office stood the director of the finance department. He lowered his head and stammered, ¡°Mr. Saunders, an earthquake urred in Quadfield and caused heavy destruction. The major corporations are pledging donations to various relief efforts. As a publicly listedpany, should Saunders Group also...¡± The finance department director hastily zipped his mouth in fear when he noticed an icy re from Victor. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Donate? How much are you thinking?¡± Victor questioned. The finance department director pursed his lips and replied gingerly, ¡°At least eighty million.¡± Suddenly, Victor mmed his hand on the desk. The loud sound startled the finance department director and had him falling to his knees. Chapter 544 Chapter 544 ¡°Eighty million? Do you know how much you can do with eighty million? Why donate everything to some strangers?¡± The finance department director swallowed the lump in his throat before answering, ¡°M-Mr. Saunders, the issue doesn''t lie in whether the receiver is a stranger, but all the listedpanies have chipped in. The tycoon from Luther Group, Mr. Luther, has donated eight billion.¡± Victor shot up from his chair, rounded the table, and stomped toward the director. With a swing of his leg, he sent the director tumbling to the floor. ¡°You b*stard! Are you showing off his wealth? Do you know who Artemis is? He''s one of the top three wealthiest men in the whole world. How can I evenpare? I''m sure even eighty hundred billion won''t make a dent in his wallet, much less eight billion. Do you think there''s even a need topare?¡± The director struggled to get up from the floor. Kneeling in front of Victor, he said with a trembling voice, ¡°T-That was why I didn''t ask you to donate billions. Eighty million shouldn''t be an issue for Saunders Group. Mr. Saunders, please listen to my advice and donate this amount if you don''t want to be jeered at.¡± Victor''s lips suddenly curved into a malicious grin. Eighty million is enough for me to lose on the high roller tables for the entire night. Why should I donate it? ¡°Want to be a good Samaritan? You go ahead and be one if you like. Transfer eighty million into my ount, then prepare five hundred million for me. I need it for an emergency.¡± The director looked at Victor with disbelief. ¡°M-Mr. Saunders, I just transferred two hundred million into your ount three days ago. That is thepany''s entire working capital. I''m asking you to donate eighty million, yet you''re asking money from me?¡± Anger surged within Victor, and he swung his leg again. ¡°F*ck off if you don''t want to work here anymore! Get out of my sight! You''re fired if I don''t see five hundred million in my ount by the time I get off work. I don''t need useless trash.¡± The director''s face paled at his threat, then turned red when anger shot through him. With a trembling body, he leveled a re at Victor. ¡°Saunders Group is the culmination of Old Mr. Saunders'' blood, sweat, and tears. He finally got thepany listed after a lot of hard work. How can you squander the money freely and stomp on his efforts?¡± Victor had heard a lot of reprimands from Vincent in the past. Hence, he hated others lecturing him. The minute the director opened his mouth, he had offended Victor. ¡°Get the f*ck out if you''re not preparing the money! Many others are waiting to rece you.¡± The director gave up. He was merely an employee, so how could he go against his employer? Despite being a senior even among the upper management, the man in front of him wasn''t willing to listen to him. ¡°Thepany''s ount really doesn''t have that much money anymore. You will have to sell your shares for the five hundred million.¡± ¡°Sell the shares, then,¡± Victor parroted without letting the words run through his mind. Those papers are useless to me anyway. I can get more money if I sell them off. Only an idiot will treasure those things. ¡°Fine. I''ll order someone to undersell your shares. Show your share transfer agreement by then and sign it.¡± ¡°That''s fine. As long as I get the money, signing is not an issue.¡± When he finished, Victor wrapped his arm around the waist of the blond beauty standing at the side and strode to the door. ¡°Let''s go and have a great time, beauty.¡± Meanwhile, Waverly had a troubled look on her face as she looked at Bailey, who sat opposite her in the living room of the Luther residence. This girl who looks like me, is she really my biological daughter? I was teaching Zoey how to handle her not long ago. I didn''t expect the heavens would p me across the face soon after. Honestly, I can''t make myself like this girl. Maybe it''s the preconceived notions, but I treat Zozo like my own daughter. Thus, I can''t like whoever Zozo considers an enemy. ¡°My husband already informed me of your identity. Do you have to return to the Shurmer family?¡± Bailey was stunned at her question. Then, a disappointed glint shed across her eyes. She''s asking me that question because she doesn''t want me to return. I thought she would pull me into an embrace and bawl after finally reuniting. Yet the truth is telling me a beautiful imagination can only stay in one''s dream. ¡°Shouldn''t I return to the Shurmer family? I''m a daughter of the Shurmers. I have to acknowledge my family line.¡± After a short silence, Waverly negotiated, ¡°Can you not expose Zozo''s identity to any outsiders? If the others know she isn''t a daughter of the Shurmer family, they will call her a bastard.¡± Baileyughed softly, but her eyes were slowly turning ice cold. Every expectation she had for her mother was gone. She was too naive, wishing to have a dream-like familial tie, not knowing she meant nothing in her mother''s eyes. ¡°How are you nning to exin mine if you''re going to hide Zoey''s identity?¡± Waverly clenched her jaw and replied, ¡°We''ll just say the Shurmer family adopted you. We promise to give you the title of the eldest daughter of the Shurmer family so that you can have a grand wedding.¡± A sh of bitterness flitted across Bailey''s eyes as she burst intoughter. If my identity is only going to be an adopted daughter, I have no reason to return to the Shurmer family. Even with their support, outsiders will still call me a bastard. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Shurmer, for your kindness, but my daughter-inw doesn''t need the Shurmer family''s sympathy.¡± Felicity''s cold voice came from the door, immediately gaining Waverly''s and Bailey''s attention. Bailey got up from her chair and smiled. ¡°Aren''t you having a nap? Why did youe to the living room?¡± Felicity scoffed. ¡°You were not far away from being bullied into the ground if I hadn''te to your rescue. What''s wrong with you? Aren''t you good at running your mouth when you argue with me? Cat got your tongue when it''s a different person?¡± Amusement filled Bailey. Have I chickened out? No, I just didn''t want to be calctive. I never once had a kinship, so why should I force it? Felicity red at Bailey before turning to Waverly with a cold smile. ¡°To be the daughter of the Shurmer family is distinguished indeed, but can itpare to being the matriarch of the most prominent family, the Luthers? Keep your handouts. Even without the Shurmer family''s support, she can still marry into the Luther family grandly and be the most distinguished woman in this world.¡± Fierceness shed across Waverly''s face. This is the woman who ruined my rtionship with Gerald back then. Does she think the old Luther couple would have spared her a nce if she weren''t a daughter of the Chivers family? ¡°My daughter isn''t a part of the Luther family yet, so you don''t have the right to interrupt. Mrs. Luther, you''re a respected figure among the upper echelon of society. I''m sure you''re still confined to the basic rules of mannerisms.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. Felicity snickered, then tugged Bailey behind her as though Bailey was her cub. Looking at Waverly impassively, she sneered. ¡°That''s your problem if you want to destroy your own daughter. However, if you''re thinking about giving my daughter-inw a hard time at the Luther residence, the door is right there. Leave on your own if you don''t want me to chase you out. You''re not wee here. Remember, I''m the one who doesn''t wee you.¡± Bailey poked her head out from behind Felicity and said to Waverly, ¡°If the Shurmer family is only going to recognize me as an adoptee, then we can drop this. With my mother-inw''s and husband''s protection, I don''t need parents. If the outsiders call me a bastard, it implies the entire Shurmer family are bastards. It''ll be difficult, but you''ll have to bear with it.¡± Chapter 545 Chapter 545 Waverly''s face turned grim. She was bothered by what Bailey said. She''s right. When the others call Bailey an illegitimate child, they''re also questioning the Shurmer family''s legitimacy. Although we won''t suffer any physical losses, it''s still embarrassing. ¡°If you don''t agree to be the Shurmer family''s adopted daughter, I''ll just tell everyone that I gave birth to a pair of fraternal twins back then. No matter what, I''m not going to let Zoey be the Shurmer family''s adopted daughter. She''s been with the Shurmer family for so long, and I have a good rtionship with her. Even if she''s not my biological daughter, I still won''t let her get insulted,¡± Waverly replied. ¡°Are you bargaining with me? Where do you think this is? The market? I advise you not to embarrass yourself and leave at once. You either acknowledge Bay and tell the public Zoey is the Shurmer family''s adopted daughter or keep that precious daughter of yours that you''ve been taking care of for over two decades. Stop bothering my daughter-inw. I''m rather short-tempered. If I snap, I''ll start hurling ugly and disgusting words at you. Leave now if you don''t want that.¡± Felicity let out a cold snort. ¡°My mother died in the fire twenty years ago. From now on, I''m not going to acknowledge anyone but Mrs. Luther. Please go home, Mrs. Shurmer. I''m not returning to the Shurmer family, so you guys should just treat Zoey as your biological daughter,¡± Bailey chimed in before looking out the door. ¡°Send our guest out.¡± A middle-aged butler came in from outside and gestured for Waverly to leave. Waverly clenched her jaw in anger and enunciated, ¡°Fine! In that case, call my husband and my son to tell them you''re not returning to the Shurmer family, and tell them not to hold a press conference.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Sure. I''ll call Zeke and tell him that. Don''t worry. I won''t tell them you came to the Luther residence to look for me and force me to give up returning to the Shurmer family. Treat it as a token of appreciation for giving birth to me. From now on, my biological mother is dead and no longer relevant. Let''s not treat each other as mother and daughter for the rest of our lives.¡± Waverly parted her lips, wanting to say something, but she could not bring herself to. She red at Felicity before leaving the room. Upon watching Waverly walk out of the main entrance, Felicity turned around to hug Bailey. ¡°Cry it out, okay? I won''t make fun of you. Although you''ve always been acting strong in front of me and making me angry, it''s okay to show vulnerability once in a while.¡± Bailey was amused. She hugged Felicity tighter and smiled. ¡°At this age, I no longer need motherly love. To be honest, I understand where she''sing from. After all, she has taken care of Zoey for the past twenty-odd years. Prior to this, she was even teaching Zoey how to go up against me. All of a sudden, I, who used to be her nemesis, became her biological daughter. Who could ept that?¡± Felicity lifted her fingers to tap Bailey''s forehead. She chided her with a smile, ¡°You''re so heartless! But it''s better this way because you won''t feel as sad. Then again, you shouldn''t treat me the same way you treat Waverly, okay?¡± Bailey grinned and pecked Felicity on the cheek. ¡°You''re my mother-inw! Of course I''ll treat you with respect.¡± Felicity''s expression went cold. ¡°I don''t want that. I just want you to treat me as your own family.¡± Instead of answering Felicity, Bailey looked out the window to watch Waverly''s back gradually disappeared from her sight. I shouldn''t feel anything for that woman. If I get sad, that will mean she has won. She never loved me, so I don''t need her. After all, it''s not like Ick motherly love. In the CEO''s office of one of the branch offices of LG Corporation, Lionel was reading a few urgent documents he had received from all around the world. Right then, his assistant pushed the ss door open and walked in. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, I need to tell you something.¡± Lionel didn''t bother lifting his head. While he was still working, he drawled, ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Mr. Saunders of Saunders Group is selling three percent of his shares with a market value of five hundred million.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. Lionel''s fingers froze momentarily. He slowly raised his head to look at his assistant. With a frown, he asked, ¡°Are you sure Victor is selling his shares?¡± ¡°Yes. It has already entered the trading center, and a few rich businessmen are eyeing his shares and making bids. However, their bids haven''t met Ms. Saunders'' valuation, so they haven''tpleted the transaction.¡± Lionel held his forehead, feeling troubled. Thete Mr. Saunders worked so hard to build Saunders Group. I don''t know how he would feel if Saunders Group were to end this way, but I know Victoria is going to be devastated. ¡°Contact Victor by saying that you''re a Chanaean from Ustrana. Buy those shares from him, but tell him to keep it as a secret. Don''t let him tell anyone that he sold off his shares,¡± Lionel instructed. The assistant hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, ¡°That''s five hundred million worth of shares. If LG Corporation spends that much money, the public is going to cause a huge ruckus. How are we supposed to keep it a secret?¡± Chapter 546 Chapter 546 ¡°No. Don''t use LG Corporation''s funds. Get the money from my personal bank ount. Don''t let anyone know about this, especially Mrs. Gezmond. Do you hear me?¡± N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Yes, Mr. Gezmond. I''ll get it done.¡± In a guest room in Tarragon''s branch, Yvette was on the phone. ¡°When are you going to act?¡± On the other end of the phone, Sofie answered, ¡°Tomorrow. Youe up with an excuse to say you need to shop. My men will disguise themselves as assassins from the Saviors to assassinate you. You''ll just have to suffer some light injuries.¡± Yvette went silent. A vicious glint shed across her eyes when a cunning scheme came into her mind. ¡°I have a condition.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I''ll ask Holden''s sister, Shannon, to go out with me tomorrow. Get your men to kill her and frame the Saviors. Holden and Micah will definitely release their wrath upon the Saviors.¡± Sofie smiled in response. ¡°Sure. As long as you can get Shannon to go out with you, I''ll get my men to kill her.¡± ¡°Okay. That''s a deal, then. You can make your move once I confirm the meeting venue with Shannon. Remember, I want Shannon dead.¡± ¡°All right. I have nothing to do with that woman. I''m not going to feel bad about her death. I''ll get rid of her.¡± Later that afternoon, Zeke arrived at the Luther residence in a hurry. He was only allowed to see Bailey after Felicity was done showing him her displeasure. In the bedroom, Bailey was on the phone, telling the people from the foundation to purchase disaster relief supplies across the country and send the needed supplies to the affected area as soon as possible. Upon entering the room, Zeke closed his eyes and took a rest on the couch. After Bailey hung up her phone, Zeke asked with his eyes closed, ¡°Bay, didn''t we say the Shurmer family is going to hold a press conference in a few days'' time and tell everyone that you''re the Shurmer family''s eldest daughter? Why are you refusing to return to the Shurmer family all of a sudden?¡± Bailey was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window. She shed a half-smile and looked at Zeke while raising her brows. ¡°What do you think about the Shurmer family acknowledging me as an adopted daughter?¡± Zeke, who was usually polite, couldn''t help but curse, ¡°What the f*ck is there to think about? Are you still worried about Zoey? Are you worried that she''ll be everyone''s target once you return to the Shurmer family?¡± Bailey let out a sarcastic chuckle in response. A cold glint shed across her eyes as she asked, ¡°Do you think I will still treat Zoey withpassion after she and the father-and-daughter duo from the Jefferson family caused me to have a miscarriage?¡± ¡°In that case, why are you...¡± Zeke paused and furrowed his brows. ¡°Did someonee to the Luther residence to look for you? Did that person force you to return to the Shurmer family as an adopted daughter? Who was it? Was it my dad or my mom?¡± Bailey was briefly stunned. I didn''t expect Zeke to be so sharp. He figured it out! ¡°That''s not important. What''s important is that I don''t want to return to the Shurmer family. Frankly, I don''t mind not having biological parents. Don''t worry. The Luthers won''t turn their backs on me.¡± ¡°Tell me! Who came to look for you?¡± Zeke raised his voice, and there was a hint of anger in his tone. Bailey turned away. ¡°The matter has been decided. Don''t ever bring it up again. Although I''m not returning to the Shurmer family, you''re still my brother. There''s no difference.¡± No difference? If she doesn''t return, she''ll forever bebeled as an illegitimate child! There''s a huge difference! Zeke was getting impatient. ¡°You''re not going to tell me, are you? Fine. I''ll go home and ask them myself. I want to find out who of them would make such a ridiculous suggestion as a parent.¡± With that, Zeke rose to his feet and walked toward door. Bailey immediately chased after him when she saw that. ¡°Zeke, stop it. I''m fine. Don''t make a big deal out of this.¡± Zeke halted in his tracks and turned back to re at her. He ced both his hands on her shoulders and fumed, ¡°Why can''t you just fight for yourself? Why must you be so kind? You''re always so concerned about them, but they have never once cared about you. Everyone in the world is fighting for themselves, so why must you be different? Are you really willing to be known as an illegitimate child for the rest of your life?¡± Bailey blinked, and her eyes turned watery. ¡°Damn it.¡± Zeke wiped her tears away. ¡°Don''t cry.¡± ¡°You''re being mean to me.¡± Zeke didn''t know what to say, so he pulled her into his embrace, then ced his hand on the back of her head and tightened the hug. ¡°All right, don''t cry. I won''t force you. But can you please just do as we''ve nned and return to the Shurmer family? Dad and I hold a lot of power. We''ll be useless if we can''t even protect you.¡± Bailey let out a sigh and mumbled gloomily, ¡°It was your mom. She came to look for me and told me to either be an adoptive daughter or Zoey''s twin sister. She is adamant about not telling everyone that Zoey is adopted.¡± Mom is so foolish. Zeke frowned slightly in response. ¡°I''m in charge of the Shurmer family, so she can''t make decisions for the family. Don''t listen to her. Leave everything to me. I''ll give you a morous return to the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°And then what?¡± Bailey stared into his eyes. ¡°If you go against your mom, you''re going to cause disharmony in the family. Let it be, okay? I don''t want the Shurmer family to turn chaotic because of me.¡± Chapter 547 Chapter 547 Zeke''s face was tense. After keeping mum for a while, he shook his head and said, ¡°No. I''m still not going to let the public insult you. The press conference will still be held in a few days'' time. Mom will get angry, but she''ll be all right after some time.¡± In the infirmary in Holden''s mansion, Micah leaned against the head of the bed with his eyes closed and his face scrunched up. At the side of the bed, a young maid was holding a bowl of mushroom soup and trying to feed Micah. ¡°Mr. Neyman, please just let me feed you some soup. I''ll definitely look after you with care.¡± Micah was unfazed, and he kept his eyes shut. The maid then turned toward Shannon, who was at the end of the bed, and uttered through her gritted teeth, ¡°Ms. Shannon, Mr. Neyman isn''t opening his mouth. Perhaps you should try feeding him.¡± Shannon''s eyes were filled with fury when she looked at Micah''s handsome face. This man is pushing it. In order to get me to feed him, he would rather starve himself to death. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°If he doesn''t want to eat, let him be. Take the soup away. A couple of days without food isn''t going to kill him,¡± Shannon said. The maid was hesitant, and she looked heartbroken when she saw how pale Micah''s face was. This man is incredible. Why is Ms. Shannon acting all high and mighty? Does she know how many women dream about getting into Mr. Neyman''s bed? He never even paid any attention to those women. Now that he has opened his heart to Ms. Shannon, she''s still constantly ignoring him. How is she worthy of Mr. Neyman''s love? ¡°Ms. Shannon, Mr. Neyman isn''t well, and his immune system is weak. He needs the nutrients. If he doesn''t eat or drink, his injuries aren''t going to heal.¡± Shannon''s expression darkened when she turned to see the maid looking at Micah longingly. This man is irresistible, isn''t he? Although he''s just lying there, he still managed to attract the opposite gender''s attention. ¡°You care a lot about him, huh? Are you heartbroken? Then think of a way to force that bowl of soup down his throat. I have matters to attend to, so I''m leaving.¡± ¡°Ms. Shannon! Ms. Shannon!¡± The moment Shannon left the ward, her phone rang. She whipped it out and saw that it was an encrypted caller ID. She didn''t answer the phone. Only when it rang again did she slowly swipe the screen to answer it. ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°It''s me.¡± The second Shannon heard the response from the other end of the call, her face turned grim, and her gaze darkened. ¡°Yvette... why are you calling me?¡± ¡°Do you want to know who knocked your son? Although I was the one who arranged it, I wasn''t the one who knocked him down. Apart from me, I know you also want to take revenge on the drivers.¡± Shannon gripped her phone and gritted her teeth. ¡°You finally admit it. Yvette, Eugene is still so young. How could you? Aren''t you afraid of karma?¡± Yvette chuckled coldly in response. Since I''ve already reached the end of my road, why wouldn''t I admit it? However, I never believed in karma. If karma exists, what are the police for? Why do we need jail and thews? ¡°Don''t try to scare me. I never believed in such things. Let me cut to the chase. Do you want to know who knocked your son down?¡± ¡°Talk. What do you want?¡± What sort of question is that? Of course, I want to know who knocked Eugene down. Every time I think of it, all I can think about is skinning those men alive! ¡°Let''s meet at the caf¨¦ at the end of Waterlily Road in the western suburb at ten in the morning tomorrow.¡± With that, Yvette hung up the phone. Shannon stared at the screen of her phone that had turned ck and knew that it was a trap. Even so, I''m still going to meet her. I need to avenge Eugene by killing Yvette. Once I''ve killed her, I don''t care if I live or die. In the western suburb, right? Fine. I''ll meet her there. Meanwhile, Juliana was puking in the bathroom in her room. She was sprawling on the sink, and she had aplicated look in her eyes when she lifted her head to look at herself in the mirror. Her spirit was shaken when she slowly reached out her hand to rub her t tummy. I knew I was fertile when I had sex with Zeke. Besides, I even injected myself with something to help me conceive, so I had a ny percent chance of getting pregnant. Unsurprisingly, she was pregnant. However, she couldn''t bring herself to feel happy. Instead, she was panicking. I thought I could go back and take control of my family after conceiving Zeke''s child. I was supposed to look for Zeke after I took control of the Hoffman family. However, God decided to y a trick on me. Not only did Zeke get back together with Shirley, but Shirley is also pregnant. Now that Zeke has his own family, I can''t shamelessly break up a happy marriage. As an heiress of the Hoffman family, I can''t allow myself to be someone''s mistress. I can''t do that! I''m a person of status. I have no choice but to let go. Is this how cruel fate is? ¡°My sweet child, should I keep you? Can I even keep you? This is all my fault. I thought I could control the situation. I thought even if your daddy wasn''t willing to love me, he wouldn''t fall for Ms. Gourd. Evidently, I''ve overestimated myself. I''m so sorry. I can''t keep you.¡± In the Shurmer residence, Zeke shot his mother, who was sipping her coffee, a cold re and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Do you really can''t stand your biological daughter so much? She has suffered so much. Don''t you feel bad for her?¡± Waverly froze momentarily before she narrowed her eyes and uttered in an unhappy tone, ¡°Is this how a son should talk to his mother? I gave her two options, didn''t I? If she can''t choose for herself, who is to me?¡± The veins on Zeke''s forehead were bulging when he gritted his teeth and questioned, ¡°Two options? Do you really think those are the options mothers would give to their children? I didn''t expect you to be so foolish, Mom. How could you be so foolish? Bay never received parental love, and she had no one to rely on. If you do this, you''re only going to push her further away.¡± Waverly smashed her cup on the table and roared, ¡°Don''t forget that Zozo has been your little sister for over two decades! If not for Bailey''s appearance, Zozo would''ve already married into the Luther family!¡± So this is what Mom is like. Fortunately, Bay doesn''t care. Otherwise, I can''t imagine how sad she would be. Zeke smiled in response. ¡°Since you''ve already said so, I''m not going to convince you otherwise. That''s it. I won''t care how you feel. In three days'' time, I''m going to hold a press conference to announce Bay''s identity and exin Zoey''s background.¡± With that, he turned around to leave. Crash! As he was walking out, he heard the sounds of porcin pieces shattering and Waverly shouting, ¡°I object!¡± Chapter 548 Chapter 548 Zeke froze in his tracks. Instead of turning around, he looked out the window at the blue sky and muttered, ¡°I''m now in charge of the Shurmer family. I''m not telling you this to seek your opinion; I''m only informing you about it so that you can mentally prepare yourself for it.¡± Waverly was livid. She shoved the pot in front of her to the ground and snapped, ¡°Bailey has already promised me not to hold a press conference and note back to the Shurmer family to seek eptance, so why are you still so stubborn? What are you trying to do, Zeke? Are you trying to kick Zozo out of the family? I''m telling you now that''s impossible! I won''t let anyone kick my daughter, whom I''ve raised for over twenty years, out of the family!¡± Zeke shook his head and smiled wryly. ¡°What am I trying to do? What can I possibly try to do? I''m only trying to preserve thest hint of familial rtionship between the two of you so that you won''t regret this in the future.¡± ¡°I won''t regret it!¡± Waverly bellowed. ¡°If I were to choose one between Zozo and Bailey, I''d choose Zozo! Do you hear me? I''ll choose Zozo!¡± Zeke lowered his head and stared at her for a while. A momentter, he enunciated, ¡°You''ll regret this one day because the daughter you''ve raised isn''t as kind as you think she is. She¡ªforget it. You''re defensive of her. No matter what I say, you won''t believe it, so we''ll leave it at this. The press conference will be held in three days. I''ll be announcing the truth to the public.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± The next morning, in the living room of Holden''s mansion, Ivy saw her daughter dressed neatly as she came down the stairs. Confused, she asked, ¡°Shannon, are you going out?¡± Shannon walked over to the couch and ruffled Sebastian''s hair before saying with a smile, ¡°I''m going to the cemetery to talk to Eugene for a bit. It''s his... death anniversary today.¡± What fantastic timing that Yvette invited me out to meet her today. Does she know that it''s my son''s death anniversary today? Probably not. She probably forgot what time the orchestrated car ident happened. Eugene died so abruptly and early, yet his murderer still walks thisnd free. How am I to endure this in silence? Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. It was Eugene''s death anniversary that day. Shannon was going to drag Yvette to the afterlife and make Yvette kneel before her child to apologize. Ivy had just found out a few days ago about what happened to her daughter, and she had also learned that her grandson had died horrendously. She could not simply sit still when she heard that her daughter was going to visit the boy. ¡°I''lle with you.¡± Ivy ced her hand on the armrest to stand up. Naturally, Shannon would not agree to it. She reached out to gently coax her mother back onto the couch and said, ¡°Mom, it''s been a few years since I''ve seen Eugene, and I have many things I want to tell him. Why not pick another day if you want to visit him? I''ll ask Holden to apany you there.¡± Ivy hesitated. Wendy quickly chimed in and said, ¡°Just listen to Shannon. She wants to spend some alone time with the boy, so let her do that. Let''s give her some space.¡± Hearing that, Ivy slowly dismissed her desire to head to the cemetery with her. ¡°Okay. Be careful on your way there. Call Holden if anything happens.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After watching her daughter leave, the elderly woman turned to look at Wendy and smiled. ¡°Young people know their peers better. I''m an old woman now. If not for you, I would''ve really insisted on going, and I would''ve disturbed her from having a moment with her son.¡± Wendy gave her a smile. ¡°I''ve made some soup. Let me get you some. Sebastian, stay in the living room by Grandma''s side, okay? Don''t be naughty.¡± Half an hour after Shannon drove off, Holden and Micah finally heard about Shannon''s departure. When the two of them found out that Shannon had gone out by herself, rm bells began ringing in their heads. It had been a long time since she hade to Hallsbay, but she had never once gone to visit Eugene''s grave. In other words, there was something fishy about her wanting to go there now. ¡°Holden, hurry and send everyone you can in Hallsbay to look for her. I''m afraid she''s either nning to barge into Tarragon''s branch or fight Yvette to the death, knowing that she''s outside.¡± Holden''s expression darkened. Numerous executive members of Tarragon had been livid when Shannon had tried to assassinate Yvette the other time. In the end, the head of the organization had to step out to settle the matter and save Shannon''s life. If history was going to repeat itself, Holden was certain that even the head of the organization would not be able to save her this time. ¡°Okay. I''ll send people to look for her right away.¡± In a room on the third floor of a caf¨¦ at Waterlily Road in the western suburb, Yvette looked at Shannon, who hade as promised, and lifted a brow. ¡°You''re quite punctual, and you''ve got strong roots in the living world. I''m surprised that you''re still alive despite how many times I''ve set you up. It won''t be a stretch if I were to say that you''re assting as a cockroach.¡± Shannon walked over to sit down opposite her. As she stared at the other woman, she uttered, ¡°Yvette, do you know what day it is today?¡± Yvette froze, and she lowered her gaze in contemtion for a moment. However, she could not think of anyone, and she ended up shaking her head. ¡°I don''t know. I doubt it''s a public holiday. Just speak your mind.¡± Shannon took out a photo from her pocket and mmed it on the table. ¡°It''s my son''s death anniversary today. This is his photo. Is there nothing you want to say to him?¡± When Yvette saw the bloody scene in the photo, her pupils constricted. Chapter 549 Chapter 549 As a matter of fact, when Yvette saw the child with wide, bloodshot eyes in Shannon''s arms, she found chills running down her spine and the goosebumps on her arms raised. She knew how terrible the car ident had been back then. Otherwise, Shannon''s son would not have died. Nevertheless, the photo told her that the car ident had been far more frightening than she had thought it would have been. ¡°S-Shannon, don''t you dare use rubbish like this to scare me! I-It''s pointless! You said it''s your son''s death anniversary today, right? Fine. You''re going to die today too so that both the mother and the son die on the same day. Who knows? Maybe you''ll get to be his mother again in your next life.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Shannon supported herself upright with her hand against the table. When she fixed her icy gaze on Yvette''s face, she looked as petrifying as a demon who had just crawled out of hell. ¡°Sure. I''ll go to hell, but I''m going to drag you there with me.¡± Yvette''s eyes widened as a look of fear shed past them. She was afraid. She was afraid indeed. Who would not be afraid of someone who did not fear death? Death was nothing to Shannon at that moment. For revenge, she would be willing to give up on her life. ¡°S-Shannon, I hope you thought things through! If you kill me, you''re going to be dead now. Do you not have anyone in this world anymore? What about Holden? What about Micah? Oh, right, I hear that your mother''s still alive too. Are you going to make her attend your funeral?¡± A hint of hesitance flickered in Shannon''s eyes. Yvette took the opportunity to take several steps back. ¡°S-Shannon, you can''t kill me! You''ve got nowhere to run if you kill me! Don''t assume that Holden and Micah will be able to keep you safe because the executives of the headquarters won''t let my murderer go without punishment!¡± Right as thest word was out of Yvette''s mouth, someone kicked open the door. Shannon whipped out her gun from her pocket. The bullet had already been loaded, and once she trained the gun on Yvette''s chest, she pulled the trigger without hesitation. Right in the nick of time, something shed before Shannon''s eyes, and in the next second, a dart struck the back of Shannon''s hand. The pain rushed up her arm, and her gun-wielding hand shifted. Instead of striking Yvette''s heart, the bullet pierced her shoulder instead. N?velDrama.Org content. The agony coursed through her body, and Yvette''s knees went out on her, causing her to fall to the ground. The pain from the dart in Shannon''s hand made her drop her gun. She, too, had lost her capability to fight. A man in ck then walked in. When his gazended on Yvette, he grinned. ¡°Tarragon has assassinated Veikko of the Saviors, and now it''s time for us to teach the daughter of Tarragon''s previous leader a good lesson.¡± Frightened, Yvette scurried backward and curled into herself as she hugged her knees. ¡°A-Are you from the Saviors? A-Are you going to kill me?¡± ¡°There''s nothing we can do about this. You''re unfortunately the most esteemed woman in Tarragon. Only by killing you will we get those old rats in Tarragon to feel humiliated. After all, they would have failed in protecting just a woman. It''s quite embarrassing for others to hear about this.¡± The colors had drained out of Yvette''s face by then. Even though it was all just a show, she did her best to y the role. She pointed at Shannon and said in a quavering voice, ¡°This woman is important in Tarragon as well. She''s the younger sister of the vice president, Holden Lewitt, and the beloved woman of the president, Micah Neyman. You can boast about your achievements if you kill her instead! Please! Please let me go!¡± The man in ck walked over toward Shannon with a gun, but he only took two steps before suddenly raising his arm to fire a round into Yvette''s other arm. The explosive sound, as well as the ghastly cry of pain, reverberated in the room. Yvette widened her eyes in disbelief. What happened? Isn''t this supposed to be a show? Why is he using real weapons? Yvette was blinded by pain. Her eyes rolled back, and she passed out. Shannon looked at the man in ck. ¡°Are you really from the Saviors and are here to kill me and Yvette?¡± The man in ck chuckled. ¡°We''re definitely going to kill Yvette, but as for you... You seem to have a good rtionship with Bailey, so I''m going to spare your life.¡± Shannon let out a mockingugh. ¡°No need. Just kill me. I wanted to die anyway.¡± The man was silent for a while before he shook his head. ¡°The more you wish for death, the unlikelier I''ll let you die. If the members of the Saviors kill you, Bailey will definitely hold me ountable for this.¡± Shannon decided to ignore him and slowly closed her eyes. The man in ck lifted his gun and aimed at Yvette''s heart. Right as he was about to pull the trigger, another man in ck rushed into the room. ¡°Sir, Tarragon''s men are here. We have to leave right away.¡± The first man in ck hesitated for a second before keeping his gun. As he looked at Yvette, he sneered, ¡°It seems like there''s some use in me keeping you alive, so that''s what I''ll do for now. I don''t kill people who I can still use. It''ll be a waste.¡± With that said, he fired another shot at Yvette''s stomach. He had avoided her vitals, but that shot was bound to let her ache for a while. ¡°We''re leaving now.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± A few minutester, Holden and Micah arrived. When they smelled the intense metallic tang of blood inside, they paled and rushed toward Shannon immediately. Chapter 550 Chapter 550 Before Micah could do anything, Holden carried Shannon into his arms. As he stared at Yvette frigidly, who was in a pool of blood, he mocked, ¡°I think you better check on your fianc¨¦e first. My sister will have troubles to deal with if she dies.¡± Micah''s expression darkened. Instead of lifting Yvette into his arms, Micah told his subordinates to lift her from the pool of blood. ¡°Send Ms. Sullivan to Tarragon''s branch and get the bullets out of her. Stop her bleeding as soon as possible. If anything happens to her, they''ll have me to answer to.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± After the two bodyguards brought the unconscious Yvette away, Holden lowered his head to look at Shannon with a frown. ¡°Why were you with Yvette?¡± Shannon did not intend to hide anything from him as she said, ¡°I want to kill her. Who else would I be with if not with her?¡± The veins on Holden''s temples popped. ¡°Don''t you know who she is? Are you trying to get yourself thrown into Prudent Hall again by killing her?¡± ¡°No. I''m going to drag her to hell with me.¡± Holden was livid. He wanted to chide her even more but was stopped by Micah. ¡°The back of her hand is hurt. Let''s take her back for treatment first.¡± Looking at the blood stains on the ground, Holden asked, ¡°Were you the one who fired all the rounds at Yvette?¡± ¡°No,¡± came Shannon''s answer. ¡°The other person said he was from the Saviors and was here to exact revenge for Veikko. That''s why he came to Yvette. Most of her gunshot wounds were from them.¡± Holden let out a sigh of relief, but he soon tensed up again. Someone from the Saviors? On the other hand, Micah was not in the mood to dwell on the matter for long. When he noticed that Holden was still rooted to the spot despite carrying the still-bleeding Shannon, he cursed under his breath and snatched Shannon from Holden. Micah''s arms were hurt, and his injuries had yet to recover. Right as he carried Shannon in his arms, his wounds reopened. Looking at the growing blood stains on his shirt, Shannon sighed and said, ¡°Let me down. I hurt my hand, not my legs. I can still walk.¡± Micah nced at her and answered, ¡°It''s okay. I''ll just get a few stitches after we get back.¡± With that, he carried her out of the room. Holden took out his phone to call Artemis and told him about what had happened in the caf¨¦. At the Luther residence, Artemis did not bother taking the call out of Bailey''s earshot. In fact, he put it on speakers, and once the two heard Holden''s report, they paled. ¡°The members of the Saviors assassinating Shannon and Yvette? That shouldn''t be. I''m in Hallsbay right now, and there''s no way I wouldn''t know if someone was exerting the Saviors'' power in Hallsbay.¡± Artemis'' expression turned solemn. ¡°It looks like someone''s out to mess with us. By pretending to be a part of the two major organizations, they''re driving a wedge between the two entities. If Tarragon starts fighting with the Saviors, we''ll be forced to separate.¡± Bailey scowled. She grabbed the phone from the bed and threw it. ¡°Damn it! Who''s doing this? Is it Zoey? No, that can''t be. She isn''t smart enough to toy with the two entities. Yvette? No, that can''t be either. She doesn''t have a reason to do this.¡± Um... Artemis rubbed his nose awkwardly. She really does have a reason to do this. At the end of the day, it was his fault for luring a bad woman to himself. That was something he would never let Bailey find out, or else he would be doomed. ¡°Let''s not make random guesses first. When the timees, the ones behind this will pop up. It''s pointless for us to think too much about it right now.¡± Augh escaped Bailey at that. ¡°They would''ve won by the time they popped up. They would''ve seeded in instigating a war between the two parties and separating us.¡± ¡°That won''t happen.¡± Artemis hugged her tightly and continued in a hoarse voice, ¡°No one will ever separate us. Now that the conflict between the two parties is at its worst, we''ll wait and find out what they''re going to do next. In the meantime, I''ll also find out whether the members of the parties were the ones who attacked each other or if there is someone else who''s trying to sow discord between the two parties.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Ding. The phone Bailey had thrown to the side made a sound, and she crawled over to grab it. It was a call from the people at the charity foundation. ¡°What''s the matter? Did you run into some troubles while trying to purchase relief supplies?¡± ¡°Bad news, Betty. Someone has forged a purchase order from the Willing Angels Foundation, saying that the unit prices on it are vastly different from the actual unit prices of the acquired products. They''re iming that our foundation is making a profit from this by purchasing substandard goods and supplying them as quality products. Theizens are going mad over this!¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. Purchasing substandard goods and supplying them as quality products. We''re making a profit from this? Frankly, those words hurt Bailey. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. She had spent almost everything she had on charity. The tens of billions she had donated earned her nothing but the title of a fraud. How absurd was that? When Artemis realized how pale she was, he quickly reached out to pull her into his arms. ¡°What''s the matter? Did something happen to the charity foundation?¡± Bailey opened the webpage and clicked on the news article before shoving the phone into Artemis'' arms. ¡°Take a look for yourself.¡± Artemis began reading it. After skimming through it, he frowned and said, ¡°Someone''s trying to target you again.¡± Bailey barked out augh. ¡°That''s right. Someone''s targeting me again! F*ck! Why do people keep coming after me?¡± She cocked her head to the side and looked at Artemis with furrowed brows. ¡°My troubles doubled after I met you, so that means you''re the root of this all. Artemis, can I just dump you now?¡± Artemis could only blink at her in silence. In the bedroom of the West residence in Hallsbay, Chloe was answering a call by the windowsill. ¡°You''ve done well. I''ll tell my father about your wife, so don''t worry. I''ll make sure that she gets a job in the Ministry of Finance.¡± ¡°Good, good. Thank you, Ms. West! Thank you! If you need to forge another purchase order like this again, please feel free to call me. I''ll definitely do the job well.¡± ¡°Okay, I won''t be a stranger, then. Goodbye now. Be careful and don''t let the people at the Willing Angels Foundation track you down.¡± ¡°Of course, of course.¡± After she ended the call, a wicked grin grew on her lips. A few days ago, she had attempted to look into all the properties Bailey owned. As the daughter of the mayor, it would be a piece of cake for her to look into Bailey''s profile. Upon her investigation, she found out that Bailey had registered for a charity foundation a few years ago¡ªWilling Angels Foundation. After finding out about that, Chloe wanted to destroy the entire foundation. She wanted everyone to boycott the foundation. Once everyone felt nothing but hatred toward the Willing Angels Foundation¡ªonce they were sure that the foundation was nothing but a scam¡ªshe would then reveal Bailey as the one behind the foundation. The hatred the people had for the foundation would shift toward Bailey. Even if her n did not drive Bailey over the edge, Chloe would still be delighted to make Bailey''s life miserable for a while. Chapter 551 Chapter 551 The news about the Willing Angels Foundation using the donation fund to purchase substandard goods and supplying them as quality products continued to spread like wildfire. No matter how the foundation''s upper management exined, the public was reluctant to believe them and merely assumed they were attempting to whitewash the usations by manipting the statements to their advantage. Many people even requested Betty, the renowned phnthropist, and the foundation''s person in charge to make an appearance and provide the public with an ount. Because of the influence of the scandal, the progress of procuring relief items also slowed down. Those who wanted to donate to the foundation refrained from doing so, while those who had donated requested the Willing Angels Foundation to give them a full refund. In an instant, the foundation''s operation was paralyzed. Bailey was infuriated by those idioticizens on the inte, and she med those trolls for misleading the public. Subsequently, someone exposed the corruption of one of the foundation''s higher-ups for embezzling a few hundred million and turning the donation by society for years into their own pocket money. The release of that information worsened the situation for the foundation amidst its predicament and also sparked rage among citizens. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. In the living room of the Luther residence, a fashionably dressed young woman craned her neck while continuously gazing at the door, seemingly waiting for someone''s arrival. A few secondster, Bailey entered. The young woman hastily got to her feet and strode up to Bailey. ¡°Ms. Bailey, I''ve finally got to meet with you. You prohibited us from contacting you, so we didn''t feel it was appropriate to disturb you. I came here immediately after receiving your call.¡± Bailey smiled and patted her shoulder. ¡°Yulissa, you did well. I made the right decision to let you handle the foundation.¡± Yulissa Childs was the Willing Angels Foundation''s second inmand. As Bailey had to deal with other matters all the time, she had left Yulissa to be in charge of the foundation. ¡°Ms. Bailey, I feel ashamed to receive yourpliment. I''m sorry for my negligence in monitoring the foundation''s senior executives, allowing the finance department director to embezzle arge amount of money and causing the public to think we have deliberately siphoned off the money for our own use now.¡± Bailey arched her brow. ¡°So, Dean Worrell did line his pockets with three hundred million from the fund?¡± Yulissa nodded. Then she recalled something and frantically shook her head. ¡°He didmit a white- cor crime, but the amount is not as staggering as three hundred million. He embezzled at most a few million.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows slightly. No wonder the others are tarnishing the foundation''s reputation. My failure to keep tabs on my subordinates is why this crisis arose. ¡°Is there evidence of his wrongdoings?¡± Yulissa nodded. ¡°I checked the entire ount and noticed a deficit of around nine million. This sum was transferred to a bank in Spaunia. After investigating the user registration information, we discovered Dean used his mistress'' ID card to open the ount.¡± Bailey grunted in response before uttering casually, ¡°Since this matter has already been investigated, we shall report our findings as they are to the public.¡± Yulissa widened her eyes and stared at Bailey in utter disbelief. She hurriedly shook her head and said, ¡°That won''t do, Ms. Bailey. We cannot do that. Once we admit Dean had indeed helped himself to the donation fund, everyone will think that you instructed him or condoned his action. What if this revtion blemishes your image?¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Do you think my good name can be spared if we avoid publicizing the evidence of Dean''s corruption? Don''t be na?ve. I won''te out of this mess unscathed since he''s one of the foundation''s senior executives.¡± Yulissa gradually lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, ¡°I''m sorry, Ms. Bailey. My dereliction of duty had given him the opportunity tomit embezzlement right under my nose. Worst of all, someone got the dirt on him and exposed his misuse of funds.¡± Unfazed, Bailey waved her hand. ¡°Dean handles the foundation''s finance, so it would be difficult to guard against him if he were determined to embezzle the fund. Don''t me yourself, and do as I say. Hold a press conference, dere evidence of Dean''s misappropriation to the public, and then surrender him to the Department of Justice.¡± Yulissa gritted her teeth and tried refuting, ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Quit dawdling and execute my instructions. Wrong is wrong. Nobody should carry hopes of escaping from their responsibility by luck. Besides, I''m not worried that exposing his wrongdoing will affect my reputation.¡± ¡°A-All right. I''ll do as you say since you insist.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In the second-floor private room of a coffee shop in the city center, a middle-aged man was staring at the girl sitting beside the window in bafflement. He asked in confusion, ¡°Ms. West, why do you want to meet with me?¡± Chloe lifted a brow and grinned. ¡°It seems that you recognize me, Mr. Worrell. That should make things easier to deal with. Since you know who I am, you should be well aware that I can save you from imprisonment.¡± Dean shuddered. He narrowed his eyes at her warily and sounded her out, ¡°W-What do you mean by that? Why am I getting imprisoned?¡± ¡°Isn''t that the case?¡± Chloe shed a faint smile. ¡°News about a senior executive of the Willing Angels Foundation embezzling the donation fund is spreading like wildfire. If the result of my investigation is urate, you should be the senior executive who misappropriated the sum of three hundred million. Isn''t that right, Mr. Worrell?¡± ¡°Three hundred million? I merely took¡ª¡± Dean caught himself abruptly as he realized he had spilled the beans. She chuckled. ¡°You don''t have to be so cautious, Mr. Worrell. I''m here to help you today.¡± Chapter 552 Chapter 552 Help me? Narrowing his eyes a fraction, Dean asked with a frown, ¡°You can help me escape unscathed?¡± Chloe flipped her waist-length hair before replying with a smile, ¡°Don''t forget that I''m the mayor''s daughter. Isn''t it a piece of cake for me to help someone like you who hasn''t murdered ormitted arson but merely embezzled a bit of money?¡± Upon deliberation, Dean felt that it indeed made sense. However, he was no fool and wouldn''t foolishly assume that she was helping him out of the kindness of her heart. She must have some ulterior motive to seek me out. ¡°Tell me your terms, Ms. West. What do you want in exchange?¡± ¡°Sure enough, you''re a smart one, Mr. Worrell. In this case, I''ll cut straight to the chase.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± ¡°I want you to im that the person in charge of the charity foundation behind the scenes condoned your embezzlement of the funds. That aside, make it known that the person in question and the world''s top phnthropist, Betty, are the same person.¡± Wariness stained Dean''s face. Eyeing her coldly, he asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Why do you want to do this?¡± Chloe''s expression turned chilly. She answered in a voice dripping with hatred, ¡°Betty stole the man I love. Is there anything wrong with me taking revenge on her? Just say whether you''re willing to do it. If you''re reluctant, there''s no need for us to waste any more time. But if otherwise, I''ll keep you out of prison.¡± After mulling it over, Dean felt it wasn''t a big deal. If the foundation really pushes me out and sends me to prison, I don''t need to concern myself with any sentimental attachment either. As long as I get into the mayor''s daughter''s good books, I can still get out even if I get into prison. ¡°Okay. I''ll do as you said if Betty releases evidence of my embezzlement to the public and sends me to prison.¡± ¡°All right. I look forward to working with you.¡± At Chloe''sment, Dean answered in the affirmative. Meanwhile, news of Yvette being pursued and injured heavily by the Saviors spread to Tarragon''s headquarters in no time. When the few elders and higher-ups heard the news, they were livid beyond words. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. All of them proposedunching a crusade against the Saviors. Not only did they order Micah and Holden to dispatch men to officially wage a battle against the Saviors, but they even requested that their leader make a trip to Tarragon''s headquarters to preside over things if the two men hadn''t the authority to make such a decision. In a sh, the whole of Tarragon plunged into chaos. Its branches around the world, which amounted to a few hundred, braced themselves for war in the shortest time possible. In the ward in the infirmary at Tarragon''s branch, a female doctor helped Yvette to connect to the video call before cing theptop on a stand. ¡°If there''s nothing else, Your Royal Highness, please excuse me.¡± Yvette was immobile with gunshot wounds to both her hands and abdomen. Her entire upper body was paralyzed. As such, she wouldn''t be able to budge an inch for half a month at the very least. ¡°Sure. You may be dismissed. I''ll call you if I need anything.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After the female doctor left, the video call was finally connected. Looking at the few elderly men on the screen with tears shimmering in her eyes, Yvette whined in a choked voice, ¡°Mr. Doyle, Mr. Baines, Mr. Fielden, the Saviors have really crossed the line to attempt an assassination on me. If it weren''t for Micah and Holden arriving in time, I would''ve departed this life and gone to meet my maker.¡± Dominicforted her for a bit before assuring her in a deep voice, ¡°Don''t worry. We''ll definitely avenge you. The Saviors have provoked us time and again. Now, they even tried to assassinate you, a helpless girl, just to humiliate us. We''ll never take this lying down.¡± Yvette uttered tearfully, ¡°Thank you for having my back. The Saviors'' forces had encroached on Tarragon''s territory multiple times in recent years. I think you all should ask Leader to return to the headquarters to preside over things and take those ignorant lot down a peg or two.¡± ¡°Rest assured that we''re already in the process of discussing the matter of subjugating the Saviors. We''ve also instructed Holden and Micah to contact Leader to return to the headquarters to take command personally. This time, we''ll teach those cowards a lesson and have them realize who exactly the top force in the world is.¡± A sh of delight flittered across Yvette''s eyes. Yes, I''ve seeded! If these elders target the Saviors unanimously, this battle will be inevitable! Artemis is the leader of Tarragon. If all the higher-ups at the headquarters were to force him to point his sword at the Saviors, he would no longer be able to shield Bailey. And Bailey, as the head of the Saviors, likely wouldn''t sit back and watch as the force she established single-handedly gets destroyed. When the two parties were to go head to head, the ones taking the most damage would be the two leaders. I don''t think they''ll still be able to remain together when both sides go to war! ¡°That''s great. Thank you. My father will surely rest in peace to see you all defending me such.¡± ¡°Well, do rest and recuperate. Our stance is firm in that the leader of Tarragon can only marry you, the daughter of our former leader. If someone else wants to be the matriarch of Tarragon, she''ll have to go through us.¡± The smile on Yvette''s face widened. In truth, she knew their motives all too well. If Artemis were to marry Bailey, they wouldn''t be able to control thetter, considering her capabilities. I, however, am different. I''m dependent on them, so they can manipte me once I be the matriarch of Tarragon. Consequently, they would obtain great benefits. Bluntly put, I''m merely a tool for them to gain power and riches. But that doesn''t matter. As long as they can help me ascend to the position of the matriarch, I don''t mind being used! Chapter 553 Chapter 553 The next day, Yulissa held a press conference as the second inmand of the Willing Angels Foundation. She dragged Dean along and released the evidence of his embezzlement in front of countless media outlets. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, our foundation has already conducted a thorough investigation regarding the embezzlement of funds by a senior executive that was brought to light on the inte two days ago. The evidence indicates that the director of the finance department, Dean Worrell, misappropriated a total of nine point six two million in donations and not three hundred million, as rumored. Therefore, we urge the public to view this matter rationally. Please do not exaggerate or twist the facts.¡± As soon as her words rang out, the entire ce plunged into an uproar. ¡°Twist the facts? Is nine point six two million not money? How many donations did it take to make up such a staggering amount? We willingly donated out of the kindness of our hearts, but unknowingly, it ended in your own pockets. How despicable!¡± ¡°Exactly! It''s downright heinous! Today, it''s the director of the finance department embezzling, but it might be another senior executive tomorrow. No wonder you want to buy substandard goods and pass them off as quality products. The money we donate is far from enough for you leeches!¡± ¡°The general public trusted you greatly and transferred their money into your ount, but you''re corrupt and rotten! How could you betray the hopes of innumerable people?¡± ¡°How impertinent of you! Is nine point six two million a paltry sum in your eyes? Oh, I know. Could it be that you''ve embezzled ny-six point two million yourself, so you find this a drop in the bucket? It turned out that the Willing Angels Foundation is rotten to the core. How heartless! Don''t you all fear karma to pocket such money?¡± ¡°Where''s the person in charge of the charity foundation behind the scenes? And where''s the phnthropist, Betty? Ask them toe out. I want to ask whether they''re trying to profit off the public by spending so much to establish their kind personas!¡± ¡°I agree! Hurry up and ask them toe out! We want to hear their exnations!¡± ¡°If they don''t, we''re going to take it as them hiding out of guilt! Could it be that they deliberately condoned Mr. Worrell''s embezzlement of charity funds?¡± ¡°In hindsight, such a possibility does exist. The money might have ultimately ended up in their pockets.¡± ¡°Never had I imagined that Betty would actually turn out to be such an evil person, establishing an angelic persona for herself and fooling the public into making donations. Is she not afraid that God will strike her down?¡± ¡°Silence! Please be quiet, everyone! Please allow me to exin properly, okay?¡± Yulissa bellowed at the top of her lungs at the side, but she couldn''t get a word in edgewise. Left with no other recourse, she could only snatch the microphone from the moderator''s hand before roaring, ¡°Silence, please! I''ve already lodged a report with the Department of Justice, and they''ll be investigating this matter. If anyone else in the foundation is corrupt, we''ll definitelye down on them hard. As for Dean Worrell, we''ll be handing him over to the court.¡± Her interjection had them cease moring at longst. She slowly turned and pinned her eyes on Dean, signaling him to speak up and confess to his crime. A gleam of derision glinted in Dean''s eyes. Sure enough, they pushed me out at the end of the day. After today, I''ll be ruined entirely. Worse still, they''re nning on handing me over to the Department of Justice to be judged and convicted. How can I merely sit back and do nothing? So long as Iplete the task given by the mayor''s daughter, I''ll be spared from going to prison. Yes, that''s right! I''ve got to carry through her orders quickly! At that thought, he snagged the microphone at the side and said to the reporters below the stage, ¡°It was the person in charge of the foundation behind the scenes who condoned my embezzlement because I gave her seventy percent of the money.¡± The instant his words fell, the reporters below the stage were shocked. Beside him, Yulissa was also staggered. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting, Dean? When did Bai¡ªthe person in charge condone your act of embezzlement? And when did you give her part of the money you pocketed?¡± No sooner had she said that than the reporters below the stage and the crowd of onlookers started hurling insults at her. ¡°Shut up! You must be feeling guilty that you''re so apprehensive, huh?¡± ¡°Exactly! Don''t think that you can intimidate Mr. Worrell. With so many of us backing him up, I don''t believe you''ll dare kill him!¡± ¡°Carry on, Mr. Worrell. Don''t be afraid. We''ll back you up!¡± Shuddering, Dean stammered, ¡°A-Actually, the person in charge of the foundation and Betty, the phnthropist, are the same person. S-She established the charity foundation and created the image of a benevolent person who sympathizes with everyone to trick the public into donating to her. Then, she''ll gain huge profits from it.¡± Everyone fell silent, wholly shocked. Like a bomb, Dean''s revtion set off massive shockwaves at the press conference. ¡°Whoa! It was really the person in charge of the foundation who condoned the embezzlement!¡± ¡°Good Lord! The person in charge of the foundation turned out to be the phnthropist, Betty! Damn it! What a b*tch!¡± ¡°Oh God, such a feigned angelic act has truly given us a new understanding of the word shamelessness and despicability!¡± ¡°Since you''ve exposed her, Mr. Worrell, go all out at once. Who exactly is Betty?¡± ¡°Yes, who is Betty?¡± Following those two questions, Dean frowned slightly. Ms. West didn''t order me to reveal Betty''s identity, so she probably has some other n. I''d better not run my mouth, lest I disrupt her n. ¡°Sorry, but I really don''t know the answer to that. Betty never made an appearance from the establishment of the Willing Angels Foundation until this very day. All I know is that she''s the person in charge of the foundation, and that was because she wanted to falsify ounts through me to make a profit.¡± Beside him, Yulissa trembled in rage. She shot a finger out and pointed at him, her mouth twitching multiple times. In the end, she hissed out three words, ¡°That''s a lie!¡± That retort was a touch weak, and she sounded as though she was guilty in the ears of everyone there. ¡°She must know Betty''s identity! Ask her. Everyone, let''s ask her! Coerce her into telling us the answer!¡± ¡°Hurry up and tell us! Otherwise, don''t even dream of leaving this press conference hall!¡± ¡°That''s right! If you don''t tell us Betty''s identity today, we''ll all gang up on you and make you regret it!¡± ¡°Just listen to us, girl. Such a person isn''t worthy of you defending her to this extent.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Yulissa was so frustrated that she was on the verge of tears. Others might not know the truth, but she was all too aware of it. Over the years, Bailey almost emptied her savings for the sake of doing charity. Who, among the average person, would be willing to fork out tens of billions for nothing? She pretty much bankrupted herself. But what did she get in return? I was wrong. It was my momentary carelessness that had now put her in such a predicament. Verily, I''ve let her down. ¡°There''s no need to continue asking that. I''m Betty.¡± Everyone around her gaped at her in surprise. ¡°Y-You''re Betty?¡± ¡°Cut it out! How could you possibly be Betty? Girl, are you sure you want to ruin your future and reputation to take the me for Betty?¡± ¡°Yeah, don''t be foolish! That woman isn''t worthy of you doing such a thing.¡± Sniffling, Yulissa enunciated through gritted teeth, ¡°I''m not lying. I''m really Betty. You should all know that it has always been me making the decisions for the foundation. Who else could be the person in charge if not me?¡± Chapter 554 Chapter 554 When Dean heard Yulissa''s words, a glimmer of surprise showed on his face. At the same time, guilt flittered across his eyes. In all honesty, the Willing Angels Foundation had indeed been good to him. His sry in the past few years was several times the amount he made outside. On top of that, Bailey paid him out of her pocket. s, everyone possessed a greedy nature deep within. As he saw many people transferring their money into the charity foundation''s ount each day, avarice surged within him, and temptation started beckoning him. He couldn''t help the urge to reach out and take some for himself. But once he did that, things spiraled out of his control. He grew greedy and wanted even more. ¡°Why...¡± Just as Dean was about to ask Yulissa why she was taking the me upon herself by iming that she was Betty, he went silent with an icy re from her. The look in her eyes was exceedingly cold and hard, seemingly saying that not everyone was an ingrate like him. Sheer shame inundated him, and he hung his head, not daring to utter a word further. Holding her head high, Yulissa stared straight at the crowd of reporters and onlookers below the stage. In a firm voice, she asserted, ¡°I am Betty, the person in charge of Willing Angels Foundation behind the scenes. If you think that I instigated Dean Worrell, have the Department of Justice investigate me. If it''s ever proven that I lined my pockets with charity funds, I''ll ept all legal sanctions.¡± All the reporters exchanged nces. ¡°Is she really the person in charge of Willing Angels Foundation behind the scenes?¡± ¡°No idea. Anyhow, her courage in shouldering the responsibility ismendable. If Betty is some other person, I can only say that the woman is really a coward, afraid to face us but sent a young girl out to take the fall for her. Such behavior would be downright despicable.¡± ¡°Justice will always be served. I believe that karma will get the heinous people.¡± ¡°Since you''ve said as much, Ms. Childs, we shall wait for the investigative results from the Department of Justice. If you truly embezzled, you''ll undoubtedly be convicted and sentenced.¡± Relief suffused Yulissa. Her legs went weak, and she almost fell to her knees. She quickly shot her hand out and clutched onto the podium to steady herself. I was the one who created this disaster, so I can''t let Bailey take the me. Instead, I should be taking responsibility for this matter. In the living room of the Luther residence, the Willing Angels Foundation''s press conference was being broadcasted live on the gigantic LCD television on the wall. Bailey lounged on the couchzily. When she saw Yulissa taking all the me, she slowly sat upright. She''s too impulsive. Does she think she can help to exonerate me by taking on Betty''s identity? It isn''t that simple. Since someone is making a move against Willing Angels Foundation, it''s evident that the person knows I''m the person in charge behind the scenes. More urately speaking, I''m the reason behind this disaster befalling the foundation. I''ve offended too many people that they''re going all out to get me. This time, someone is trying to deal me a blow through the foundation''s scandal. Now that things havee to this, I''ve got an idea of the mastermind behind this. Chloe... Ah, how forgetful of me that I forgot all about the mayor''s daughter. She loves Artemis and is eager to climb into his bed. Hence, she regards me as a thorn in her flesh and can''t wait to eliminate me. The chances of her being the culprit behind this are high. I reckon she used her father''s authority and found out that I was the registrant of the Willing Angels Foundation. Well, well, well... I''m really impressed by these women''s capabilities. With just a tiny crack, they can take advantage of things. ¡°You truly invite hatred. Look, about all the women in the world regard you as an enemy.¡± As Felicity''s voice drifted into her ears, it jolted her out of her thoughts. shing her a sheepish smile, Bailey replied, ¡°Indeed. It''s all thanks to your son that I''m now the public enemy of all women in the world. If I''d known, I should''ve listened to you and given your son the boot. I wouldn''t be in such trouble then.¡± Felicity snorted before questioning, ¡°You''re really the internationally-renowned phnthropist, Betty?¡± Surprisingly, Bailey burst outughing. ¡°How I hope I''m not right now. Look, they''re all saying that I pocketed the charity funds for myself.¡± ¡°You''re not that kind of person, and I don''t believe you''ll do such a thing. There''s no need to listen to those pesky flies buzzing out there.¡± Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Arching a brow, Bailey asked with a smile, ¡°You don''t suspect me? Who knows, I might be really greedy.¡± ¡°Greedy? What about the tens of thousands of university students from impoverished mountain viges who obtained education thanks to your sponsorship?¡± For a moment, words eluded Bailey. Felicity reached out and snagged the remote control. She switched channels twice, but they were all broadcasting the charity foundation''s press conference. In a fit of pique, she turned off the television. ¡°You''re not fully recovered, so you can''t keep watching television. It damages your eyesight badly. Go upstairs and rest.¡± Bailey shook her head smilingly, a wealth of warmth suffusing her. Waverly''s attitude had had her feeling down, but her future mother-inw before her managed to soothe the hurt within her. I''m d I met Artemis and will have an understanding mother-inw in the future. Meanwhile, when Chloe saw Yulissa masquerading as Betty and taking all the me, she gnashed her teeth in rage. Argh! That idiot is utterly useless, good at nothing except boasting! Heh! Never mind, this is also a good thing. After I find a suitable opportunity, I''ll publicize the information of Willing Angels Foundation''s registrant. At that time, everyone will definitely think that Bailey pushed Yulissa out to take the fall for her. Consequently, the public''s wrath will be incited. I shall see how she can continue living her days in comfort! Chapter 555 Chapter 555 In the study of a private mansion, Artemis studied Holden standing across from him through narrowed eyes while sitting on the couch. Frowning, he questioned, ¡°Were those who attempted to assassinate Yvette really from the Saviors?¡± With his head lowered slightly, Holden admitted cidly, ¡°I couldn''t tell for sure. Although there were indications that they were from the Saviors, there''s also a possibility of someone else impersonating them to incite a war between the two forces.¡± ¡°What''s the stance of those old geezers at Tarragon presently?¡± Artemis asked further. ¡°They''re in favor of going to battle, demanding tounch an attack against the Saviors. All the elders are of the same opinion. The other higher-ups also seconded them. Truly... Yvette has too much influence on them.¡± Artemis chuckled coldly. ¡°It''s not that at all. The truth is, they''re unwilling to have Bailey be the matriarch of Tarragon, so they''re resorting to all means possible to break us up. Once war erupts between the two organizations, Bailey and I will be forced to part ways. That''s what they''re hoping to aplish. Ultimately, they want to use Yvette, whom they can manipte, to gain power and riches. If it were anyone else, they wouldn''t be able to control the person.¡± Holden was silent for a moment before venturing, ¡°How do you n on dealing with it, then? Force them into nixing the idea of attacking the Saviors?¡± ¡°The stance of everyone at the headquarters is unanimous right now. Do you think I can employ force? If I were to use aggressive methods to subjugate them for real, they''d rebel. I''m not afraid that they''ll kick up a fuss, but it isn''t worth having heavy casualties due to internal strife.¡± ¡°Do you mean that you n on... relenting?¡± Artemis'' lips curved into a devilish smirk. ¡°No. I n on setting up a ploy to ferret out the person ying tricks behind the scenes. So long as both organizations are made aware that someone is secretly stirring up trouble, this war won''te to pass.¡± A frown marred Holden''s countenance, and he asked solemnly, ¡°Ferret out the person? How so? The situation is urgent. We''ve got no time to n.¡± A peculiar smile bloomed on Artemis'' face. At the same time, a calcting gleam flittered across his eyes. ¡°You and I both know that it''s one of those old geezers who''s making up trouble to help Yvette be the matriarch of Tarragon. In that case, we''ll make a move against Yvette. There are many young and talented men at Tarragon''s headquarters. As the leader, it''s only natural for me to help her find a suitable husband, right?¡± The corners of Holden''s mouth twitched violently. ¡°You''re nning on using this method to force them into making their move faster?¡± ¡°Yes. Gueri warfare is boring. Since they want to y, let''s go for something more thrilling. Someone backed into a corner will inevitably resort to desperate measures. Once the person panics, he''ll make mistakes. At that time, I believe we''ll be able to obtain the evidence we want.¡± And so, the conversation continued in that direction. Meanwhile, Simon''s private jetnded at the Saviors'' branch office in Gregan. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He was there to pick Caridee up and bring her back to Hallsbay. Unfortunately, she adamantly refused to go back when he sought her out and told her about the purpose of his visit. In the ward, Veikko stood beside the bed and stared down at Caridee, who was sobbing on the bed. In a mild voice, he urged, ¡°Go back with your brother first. I''ll return to Hallsbay after investigating the matter here. Then, I''ll bring you to seek medical treatment. I promised to see your arm cured, and I''ll keep my word for sure.¡± However, Caridee instantly riposted, ¡°No way! This morning, I heard two female doctors talking about you. They said that you''re incredibly popr among thedies, and many girls in the Saviors like you. I''m already in such a state. You''ve got to take responsibility for me for the rest of my life. To prevent you from being stolen by other women, I need to stay by your side at all times without rxing my guard for even a second.¡± Exasperated by her unreasonable behavior, Veikko spun on his heel to leave the ward, nning to have Simon take her home by force. Unexpectedly, he had only taken two steps away before Caridee pulled out the needle from her arm and tore the IV bag off the IV stand. ¡°Do you believe that I''ll further ruin my arm? Don''t bother lecturing me. I know my ws. Indeed, I''m domineering and willful. But that''s unavoidable since I''m the only daughter of the most prominent family, pampered by my parents and brothers. Since you got entangled with me, you can only resign yourself to your fate. You can either watch as I cripple my arm or allow me to stay here.¡± Propping a hand against his forehead, Veikko exined with a sigh, ¡°Your arm has to be treated timely. If you miss the best time, it''ll be difficult to ensure a full recovery.¡± ¡°It''s okay. So be it if it''s crippled. In the future, I''ll try using my left hand. I find it an expression of great love to learn using my left hand for your sake.¡± Veikko was entirely dumbfounded. He said nothing, merely staring at her obstinate expression nkly. It felt as though something or other struck his heart, causing it to thump incessantly. He had no idea what feeling it was, but it swelled in his chest, making him rather ufortable. ¡°Whatever. Just stay if you don''t want to leave. Anyway, I''m not going to be the one with a crippled hand.¡± After saying that, he whirled around and stalked out of the ward. Behind him, Caridee snorted. Anyhow, I''m not leaving. I''m going to cling to him even if it means my death! Right then, Zeke was in the study of the Shurmer residence. He looked at the housekeeper in front of him, Sammy, with a dark and unfathomable look in his eyes. Feeling uneasy from the intense stare, Sammy asked in a trembling voice, ¡°D-Did I do anything wrong, Mr. Zeke? If there''s anything I can do better, just tell me directly.¡± In the Shurmer family, she wasn''t afraid of the patriarch or matriarch of the family. He was the only person she feared. Despite his usual gentle and elegant appearance, the aura he emanated was so strong that she couldn''t withstand it. ¡°I have a question for you. How does one cause a pregnantdy to miscarry without inviting suspicion?¡± Chapter 556 Chapter 556 Sammy was stunned. She was not stupid. She understood what Zeke meant immediately. After all, there was only one pregnant woman in the residence. ¡°M-Mr. Zeke, don''t tell me you¡ªplease don''t. Ms. Gourd is pregnant with your child. The child is also a descendant of the Shurmer family. I''ve been with the family for many years. How can I let you harm the eldest grandchild of the Shurmer family?¡± Of course, she was afraid she might bring trouble to herself if she epted the job. Won''t Mr. Shurmer and Mrs. Shurmer kill me if they find out that Mr. Zeke ordered me to get rid of the eldest grandchild of the Shurmer family? Zeke tapped the table gently. He was not one to wear his heart on his sleeve. Although he was sitting there silently, he could see through everyone. The Shurmer family name had been passed down for many generations, but there weren''t any outstanding descendants. It was not until this generation that one, Zeke, was born. In a few years, he had pushed the family business toward the international market, making the Shurmer family one of the most famous and prestigious families worldwide. ¡°I won''t tell you anything more. You should know who''s in charge of the family now. I''ll only ask you one question. Will you do it or not? If you will, I will personally increase your monthly sry tenfold so your family can live a wealthier life. If you won''t, pack your things and leave the Shurmer residence. Remember this: I, Zeke Shurmer, don''t support useless people.¡± As she fell to the ground, Sammy trembled in fear and begged, ¡°M-Mr. Zeke, if you don''t mind me asking, why can''t you ept the child in Ms. Gourd''s womb?¡± ¡°Because I don''t love her, nor do I want to marry her. If there is a child, I will be forced to marry her. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life than be tied down by marriage.¡± Sammy paled at that. She knew Zeke''s personality. Since he was determined, there was nothing that a housekeeper like her could do to change his mind. ¡°A-All right. I''ll agree to help you create an ident that will cause Ms. Gourd to miscarry.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll wait for your good news.¡± Meanwhile, at the Hoffman residence, Juliana was sitting on the couch and reading news about Zeke and Shirley on her phone. The news wrote: The head of the Shurmer family, Zeke Shurmer, has given tacit confirmation that Shirley Gourd of the Gourd family is pregnant. The couple is suspected to have gotten married due to an unnned pregnancy. ording to relevant sources, Ms. Gourd is pregnant with a son. A mother''s status bes elevated through their child. Ms. Gourd is set to be the matriarch of the Shurmer family. As Juliana read the news, a bitter smile appeared on her lips. In the end, she still lost the opportunity to be with him. It did not matter if she had hurried home to fight for power and regain her freedom after taking charge of the Hoffman family. She could not change her destiny. The two of them were fated to be apart. She slowly reached to grab the medicine box on the table, and with trembling fingers, she took out a pill. It was an abortifacient. Tears fell from her eyes as she lifted her head and swallowed the pill. Since we aren''t fated to be together, I''llpletely cut off our bonds. From now on, I am only the head of the Hoffman family, the most powerful woman in Adrune. I''ll be the high and mighty queen in my territory and watch him be happy with his wife from afar. At the Luther residence, Bailey suddenly woke up and sat up in bed. Artemis quickly wrapped his arms around her in a hug as he asked in a panic, ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Bailey was still in shock. Her eyebrows knitted together as she held Artemis'' arms tightly. Her voice trembled as she said, ¡°I-I dreamt of Julie. Her body was covered in blood as shey on the bed. She was crying and moaning in pain and sadness. Darkness filled her world, and she could no longer see the light.¡± Juliana was not Bailey''s only disciple. Bailey had taken in disciples from various fields. However, the only one that often followed Bailey around was Juliana. Only Juliana had learned everything from Bailey although she was not skilled in any of them. ¡°You think too much,¡± Artemis said as he patted Bailey''s back. ¡°I''ve met the head of the Hoffman family before. Although he''s a sly old fox, he''ll protect Julie. She''ll be safe with him. After all, she''s the heiress to the family.¡± Bailey grabbed the thermos sk from the bedside table and gulped down some water. She nodded and said, ¡°Maybe I was overthinking. During the day, I was worried that she might suffer at the Hoffman residence. That must be why I dreamt of something bad.¡± Here, she changed the topic and asked, ¡°It waste when you returnedst night, and I was already asleep. How are you going to deal with the current predicament?¡± Artemis pondered it before telling her about Yvette and the elders of Tarragon''s schemes. Baileyughed in exasperation. ¡°That''s another woman who fell in love with you. Rhonda, Rose, Zoey, Chloe, and now Yvette... Artemis, all the women who fell in love with you are always targeting me and making me miserable.¡± Artemis massaged his temples and suggested, ¡°How about you lock me up at home?¡± Bailey kicked him before narrowing her eyes slightly. ¡°Yvette... Look at how she harmed Shannon to get Micah. Now, she''s swooning over my man. How great! She''s dead meat now.¡± The next day, Zeke nned to hold a press conference that afternoon to announce Bailey''s identity. However, shocking news rted to Bailey had been all over the news since morning. A headline read: Breaking news! Bailey Jefferson is the registrant of the Willing Angels Foundation. Another headline read: Hot! Bailey Jefferson is the boss of the Willing Angels Foundation. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. A different headline read: Shocking news! The world-famous phnthropist, Betty, is Bailey Jefferson! The trending topic spread like wildfire through major online social tforms. It had also be the headline of many newspapers and magazines. Two days ago, Yulissa had announced that she was Betty. The Department of Justice had yet to have a result from their investigation, but a plot twist came, revealing that Bailey was the actual boss of the foundation. Manyizens did not believe it. Time and time again, they had received ps on their faces. They were afraid to get into trouble with Bailey. Whenever Big Shot was criticized, she would teach the people who attacked her a lesson. If this news was nothing but a rumor, wouldn''t it be as if they were waiting for a p to the face? At noon, another piece of news was posted on the inte. There were no articles, only a photo. It was a photo of the registration form for the Willing Angels Foundation. On the form, it clearly stated that Bailey was the registrant. It was Bailey indeed. Everyone on the inte fell into shock once more. Before, Bailey was the one who sent a p to their faces. However, it was now reality''s turn to do so. Reality told them that Bailey was indeed the boss of the foundation. She was also Betty, the famous phnthropist, as well as the sanctimonious woman who had asked for countless donations. In the Luther residence, Bailey could not help but smirk upon seeing the fast-spreading news. Who else can retrieve such confidential documents except for Chloe? ¡°Artemis, I don''t like the mayor.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows and chuckled. ¡°Then we''ll change mayors. Didn''t his daughter help us pave the way?¡± Chapter 557 Chapter 557 In the study of the Shurmer residence, Waverly threw the newspaper onto the table angrily and yelled at Steven and Zeke, ¡°Look at this! Should we even let her return to the family? She embezzled donations from the public, and now, the entire world is boycotting her. How do you n to protect her?¡± Steven narrowed his eyes, and his gaze fell upon Zeke, who sat beside him. Zeke reached up to massage his temples. Although his head ached, determination could be seen in his eyes. ¡°We should proceed with the press conference. I''ll call Bay immediately and have her get to the venue. We can''t give up on her because of such news. Besides, this looks like someone had set her up. She would never embezzle donations.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Waverly smacked the table and snapped, ¡°Things havee to this, yet you still want to protect her. Are you trying to piss me off, Zeke? Fine. You can let her return to the Shurmer family, but kick me out first. I don''t want to watch her ruin the Shurmer family name.¡± ¡°Don''t say that, Waverly.¡± Steven sighed as he stared at his wife in dissatisfaction. ¡°I know you''re reluctant to let Zoey go, but Bay is our biological daughter. I also know you have many unhappy moments together, but you shouldn''t hold grudges against each other.¡± Waverly red at him, not wanting to take a step back. Her voice was firm as she said, ¡°Whatever. If she returns to the Shurmer family today, then I''ll leave. Do as you see fit.¡± The phone on the table rang just as Zeke was about to say, ¡°Leave, then.¡± He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Bailey. ¡°Bay, I was just about to call you and have you rush to the venue of the press conference.¡± It was silent on the other end of the call for a moment until Bailey''s cold voice rang out. ¡°Zeke, I''m sure your mother must be doing everything she can to stop you from holding the press conference. She''s the elder of the family. Don''t ruin your rtionship with her because of me. Let''s dy the press conference. After all, there''s a scandal linked to me at the moment. We''ll talk about the press conference another day.¡± ¡°Bay, are you¡ª¡± ¡°Zeke, I know what you want to say. Thank you, but you don''t need to worry about me. Artemis will protect me. Don''t let me be a burden to the Shurmer family, okay? I''ll feel guilty, and I won''t be happy even if I return to the family.¡± Zeke opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, he gave up and sighed in resignation. ¡°Since you''ve put it that way, it would seem as if I''m forcing you if I insist on the press conference. But it''s fine. I feel relieved to know that Artemis will protect you. Take care of yourself. Let me know if you have any problems.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Zeke looked at Waverly and said in an icy tone, ¡°That girl is more mature than you think. You don''t need to throw a tantrum. She gave up oning home. From today onward, I''m afraid whatever tiny bit of affection the two of you had is now gone. I hope you don''t regret it in the future.¡± Waverly frowned slightly as mixed emotions shed past her eyes. Am I in the wrong? No, I''m not. I raised and cared for Zoey for the past twenty or so years. It''s only fitting that I stand by her side. In a dimly lit bedroom at the Hoffman residence, Juliana slowly opened her eyes. It was dark outside. The entire mansion was engulfed by darkness. ¡°Are you awake?¡± A raspy and maic voice drifted into her ears, snapping her out of her daze. She regained consciousness, and the day''s happenings slowly shed through her mind. She remembered taking an abortifacient and passing out because of the intense pain. Huntley... Did he know I was pregnant? A murderous glint shed across her beautiful eyes as she jumped out of bed and shot a re at Huntley, who was sitting on the couch. ¡°So you knew?¡± Huntley narrowed his eyes and did not answer her question as he muttered, ¡°So you weren''t kidding the other day. You really slept with Zeke and even got pregnant. Juliana, do you know what the consequences would be if the family were to find out about this?¡± Juliana''s eyes darkened and her face paled even more. If the family''s elders were to find out that she had gotten pregnant with a foreigner''s child, they would definitely kick her out. She would be like Wendy. By then, even her parents would not be able to protect her. ¡°I should congratte you, then. You found my Achilles heel without much effort. You wanted to compete for power, right? Go to the elders'' meeting and report about me, then. Let them kick me out of the family. The entire Hoffman family will be under yourmand if I leave.¡± Huntley slowly got up and made his way toward the bed. He pursed his lips and asked, ¡°Do you love Zeke that much? Apart from him, can no one catch your eye?¡± Juliana looked at him stubbornly and said firmly, ¡°That''s right. I love him. It must be only him. I won''t marry anyone else. I would rather be alone for the rest of my life if I can''t have him.¡± Huntley was rendered speechless. He lowered his head and his expression turned gloomy. She''s really forgotten everything. To her, all our memories together are nothing but a scenic view along the route. Chapter 558 Chapter 558 He was the only one who was still holding on to the memory. Juliana couldn''t understand the man before her eyes. For some reason, she felt as though he was keeping a lot of things to himself. It seems that he''s not going to reveal anything, so I shouldn''t show concern. If I were to ask him, he would just brush me off. ¡°What exactly do you want, Huntley? If you want me gone, let''s just get on with it. I''ll go somewhere far away,¡± Juliana said. Huntley shed a faint smile and uttered in a casual tone, ¡°The child in your tummy needs a father, no? Since things havee to this, let''s just stop pretending and make it real.¡± Juliana was stunned, and she stared at him nkly. When she regained her senses, she asked in puzzlement, ¡°I-I''ve already taken abortifacient, and I bled a lot. H-How can I still be pregnant? Don''t try to fool me, Huntley.¡± Huntley reached out to help her lie down. ¡°The child in your tummy is strong, and it seems that not even the abortifacient can get rid of it. Perhaps this is your fate. God wants you to keep the child. If you can''t bear to get rid of it, you should just keep it. I''ll deal with the elders.¡± Juliana panicked and gripped his arm. Gritting her teeth, she retorted, ¡°Deal with the elders? You? How are you going to do that? Mr. Raymond wants me to get married to you. He has also most probably forbidden you to have any emotional entanglement with me, let alone getting me pregnant. If you tell him I''m pregnant with your child, he''s going to kill you.¡± Huntley nodded and replied casually, ¡°Well, there will be some punishments, but no one has to die. You should take care of the baby instead of worrying about me. Remember this. The child in your tummy is mine. When you returned one month ago, we had sex. Understood?¡± Juliana pursed her lips and stared nkly at him. ¡°Why? Why are you doing this? We don''t seem to have crossed paths before this, no? Why are you doing so much for me?¡± Huntley smiled bitterly. I wouldn''t be here if not for your help back then, Ms. Juliana. ¡°Maybe I was just born to help you. I''m asking you if you wish to have the child. Do you want to be the most influential woman in Adrune?¡± Huntley asked. Do I? Is he kidding me? Of course I do! ¡°Are you sure you''ll be able to fool your way through? My dad isn''t stupid. He''s a hard man to fool.¡± Huntley tucked her in and uttered gently, ¡°You don''t have to worry about that. Just lie down and rest. By the way, I''ve killed all the maids you had in the mansion. They had most probably figured some things out, so I had to get rid of them to avoid dire consequences in the future.¡± Juliana widened her eyes and looked at him in disbelief. ¡°T-They watched me grow up...¡± ¡°Do you want to stay alive, Juliana? If you do, then stop feeling sorry for others. In order to survive an ancient and scheming family, you have to be conscious of every step you make. Otherwise, more will die because of your ridiculous sense of sympathy.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Meanwhile, in the living room of the Xuereb residence, Olivia was grabbing Justin''s arm when she asked anxiously, ¡°How did it go? Did Mrs. Fletcher say she''s going to help your uncle?¡± Justin pursed his lips and shook his head solemnly. ¡°She said the crime Uncle Ssmitted was too serious. Since the Fletcher family has nothing to do with our family, she doesn''t think the Fletcher family should risk bailing Uncle Ss out. Please exin it to Granddad. I''ve already done my best. Now, let''s leave it to fate. If he''s sentenced, then he should just ept it.¡± Olivia''s expression turned grim, and she roared, ¡°What bullshit are you on about? He''s your uncle, and you''re the only one who can save him. If he goes to jail, my family is ruined. Your granddad is an old man, so we can''t afford to agitate him. If he dies because of this, the public is going to hold me responsible!¡± Justin frowned in response. Although he knew what his mother was going to answer him, he still couldn''t help but ask, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Olivia gripped his arm and answered immediately, ¡°Didn''t Mrs. Fletcher say they aren''t going to help because their family isn''t rted to ours? Why don''t you get associated with them? You could marry Lettie.¡± ¡°No way,¡± Justin rejected the idea right away. ¡°If that''s what you have on your mind, I suggest you give up on it. There''s no way I''m marrying Scarlett.¡± Olivia''s gaze darkened, and she gritted her teeth. ¡°Why not? That girl is now Lady Scarlett of Chanaea. Why don''t you want to be the son-inw of the most prominent family in Chanaea?¡± Justin red at Olivia and enunciated, ¡°I have a wife now. To marry Scarlett is tomit bigamy.¡± ¡°The Fletcher family will surely help you settle that issue.¡± Justin shook Olivia''s hand off of him and turned to walk toward the door. ¡°I''m not marrying Scarlett. Just give up on that idea of yours.¡± Olivia was infuriated, so she shouted at his retreating figure, ¡°Fine! Don''t be surprised to find me dead when youe back. I''m going to go on a hunger strike. I refuse to believe that the b*tch, Veronique, would still have the cheek to keep pestering you!¡± Over in the living room in the Gezmond residence, Victoria was looking at the finance director helplessly when she said, ¡°I''m no longer Saunders Group''s CEO. You can''t achieve anything bying to me.¡± Chapter 559 Chapter 559 When Victor chased Victoria out of the Saunders family, they were no longer siblings. If she were to do something about it, Victor could cause her trouble. ¡°Ms. Victoria, I know you''re in a difficult spot, but Mr. Gezmond is already selling his shares to gamble. He lost two hundred million within a night. If he carries on, Saunders Group is going to go bankrupt in a couple of months,¡± the finance director said. Victoria narrowed her eyes and asked solemnly, ¡°He has already started selling his shares? I thought he had up to three billion in his ount. Did he already finish all that?¡± The finance director sighed and bemoaned, ¡°Not only did he use up the money in his ount, but he has also started using thepany''s money. There was an earthquake in Quadfield not long ago, and the upper management of thepany wanted to donate eighty million to the victims, but Mr. Gezmond had also used up the money!¡± Victoria''s breathing began to quicken, and she was obviously pissed off. I thought the money was enough for him to squander for the next eight to ten years. Who would''ve thought that he would end up selling his shares to make ends meet? What a b*stard! ¡°You guys should hold a shareholder meeting to kick him out. There''s nothing I can do to help. I can''t even control him.¡± ¡°B-But those shares are his, so he can do whatever he wants. If this goes to court, the judge won''t rule against him.¡± Victoria kept mum for a while before saying through clenched teeth, ¡°Let him be. If thepany is bound to go belly up, then it shall. Perhaps this is fate.¡± As soon as those words fell, despair crept up the finance director''s face. He was emotionally attached to Saunders Group, so he couldn''t bear to see the business go bankrupt. What can I do? I''m just an employee. Meanwhile, there was arge group of reporters outside the Luther residence. Those reporters were all waiting for Bailey to exin why she had Yulissa take the me. Enraged, Felicity called the police to ask the officers to chase those reporters away. To her surprise, the police, who had always been loyal to the Luther family prior to that, had chickened out. Apparently, the higher-ups were eager to know the whereabouts of the donations. If Bailey couldn''t come up with a reasonable exnation, the police wouldn''t dare to show up. Felicity went berserk when she heard that. After smashing the phone, she rolled up her sleeves. She was ready to confront the reporters. Bailey smiled andforted Felicity by saying, ¡°Just wait. They''re going to eat their words soon.¡± Felicity calmed down right away, and she looked at Bailey in confusion. Furrowing her brows, she asked, ¡°Are you saying you have a solution to this?¡± Bailey smiled faintly in response and whipped out her phone. ¡°Look at this.¡± Felicity grabbed the phone, and she was shocked by what she saw. ¡°A-Are these the people you''ve sponsored?¡± Bailey nodded with a smile. ¡°There are forty-three thousand five hundred twenty university students. They''re all from the mountains. I subsidized each of them with a schrship of one million, totaling over forty billion. They''ve gathered and prepared to sign a letter to publish the remittance certificate of my funding for them.¡± ¡°What a group of nice and grateful kids! This is something they''re supposed to do. You were kind enough to help them, so they''re now showing their gratitude.¡± Felicity smiled. Bailey hugged Felicity and rested her head on Felicity''s shoulder. In a moody tone, Bailey said, ¡°As long as the Luther family doesn''t abandon me, I don''t care if the whole world insults me and bullies me. You guys are the people I rely on the most in this world.¡± Felicity patted Bailey''s back and choked out, ¡°It''s all right. The Luther family''s support is all you need. Go after those who are messing with you. Don''t worry about going out of line. The Luther family will always back you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Right then, Zayron rushed down from upstairs with a grim expression. At that moment, he was overwhelmed by rage, so those reporters outside the house were bound to experience his wrath. Bailey''s attention was caught right away when she saw Zayron walking toward the main entrance. ¡°It''s all right to injure them, but don''t put their lives at risk. If anything happens to them, just send them to the hospital,¡± she reminded from behind Zayron. Zayron didn''t respond to that. Ten minutester, they heard people outside the house shouting in fear. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. That piqued Felicity''s curiosity, so she rushed toward the maid and asked, ¡°What happened outside? Zayron didn''t kill anyone, did he?¡± The maid had gone pale, and it was as if she had just seen something horrifying. In fact, she was trembling all over. She couldn''t even form her sentence. Being as impatient as always, Felicity shoved the maid aside after getting no response from her, then left the living room. Bailey was also curious to find out what Zayron had done, so she followed behind. The moment Felicity stepped outside, she saw an enormous snake crawling up to her. She screamed at the top of her lungs and stumbled backward into Bailey''s arms. ¡°Snakes! There are so many snakes outside!¡± The butler quickly rushed up the front steps and kicked a few snakes aside. After that, he said to Felicity and Bailey, ¡°Mrs. Luther, Ms. Bailey, Mr. Zayron opened the snake enclosure. We now have almost ten thousand snakes on the loose.¡± Felicityughed in exasperation. ¡°That rascal! It seems that he has always been holding back when he was pranking me. Otherwise, I would''ve been dead by now!¡± Unlike Felicity, Bailey wasn''t amused. With a frown, she said, ¡°Everybody has a different tolerance toward snake bites. Some canst for an hour to two after getting bitten, while some could die on the spot. Judging by the screamsing from the outside, I think a lot of them got bitten. We can''t put their lives at risk.¡± In response, the butler smiled and replied, ¡°Don''t worry, Ms. Bailey. These snakes are for consumption. None of them is venomous. The worst a person can get from the bite is swelling. An anti-inmmatory injection will do the trick.¡± Despite hearing those words, Bailey was still slightly worried. She turned toward Felicity and said, ¡°Perhaps we should get the bodyguards to capture those snakes. It could be troublesome if the situation gets ugly.¡± Felicity waved dismissively and uttered nonchntly, ¡°Just let him be. We''ve suffered so much for a few days now, so this is the time to settle the score, no?¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. Momentster, officers from the police station arrived at the scene to capture the snakes. If those thousands of snakes were to roam freely, they could cause a huge ruckus in the neighborhood. When the person in charge of the police station questioned Felicity, she answered him shamelessly and straightforwardly, ¡°Those reporters surrounded my house and awakened those snakes. Coincidentally, someone forgot to close the enclosurest night. That''s how everything happened. Gosh! You guys are such a bunch of exemry public servants. When I called you guys for help earlier today, you guys ignored me. When snakes are concerned, however, you guys arrived at the scene almost immediately. How efficient! All right, now. Capture those snakes and return them to the enclosure. If you guys are interested, feel free to bring some home for a nice meal.¡± The person in charge of the police station nearly spat out blood in frustration when he heard those sarcastic words. Chapter 560 Chapter 560 At the Revelle residence, Veronique struggled to sit up in her bed when Bailey walked into the infirmary. ¡°Stay still,¡± Bailey said as she strode over to push Veronique back to the bed. Veronique held her arm and asked worriedly, ¡°Are you injured? I should havee to see you, but my body wouldn''t let me. You''ve only rested for a few days. Why did you leave home so soon?¡± ¡°I''m fine,¡± reassured Bailey as she sat on the edge of the bed. ¡°I took some medication that I prescribed for myself, so everything''s okay now, but the development of the anti-cancer drug for you has been dyed. How are you feeling? Are you experiencing any difort?¡± Veronique shook her head and reached out to take her wrist, checking her pulse. A whileter, she heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Your pulse is stable, and your body seems fine. That''s a relief.¡± ¡°You don''t have to worry. After all, I''m the famous doctor, Anonymous. Of course I''ll take good care of myself. By the way, why did you move back to the Revelle residence? I went to Justin''s medical base but didn''t find you there.¡± A bitter smile spread across Veronique''s lips. A whileter, she revealed what had happened back at the Xuereb family to Bailey. Bailey arched a brow and sneered, ¡°I can''t believe Mrs. Xuereb is this foolish. Rather than epting her daughter-inw and grandson, she''s pressuring her son to marry someone he doesn''t love. However, you and Justin are legally wed, so no matter what she does, it won''t change the fact that you''re married.¡± Veronique let out a helpless sigh and said slowly, ¡°The Xuereb family''s butler sent me a text asking me to give up on Justin. Apparently, Mrs. Xuereb has started a hunger strike and hasn''t eaten for a day. She''s using it as a way to pressure Justin toply with her wishes. Bay, I''m grateful that you''re here. Could you please help me with the divorce procedures at the City Hall?¡± ¡°Divorce? You''re divorcing Justin?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, disapproval shing across her face. ¡°Are you giving up that easily? This isn''t the Veronique I know. You never gave up on finding a treatment for Zephyr''s condition. So why are you giving up on your husband so easily?¡± Veronique chuckled and shook her head. A bitter look appeared on her face as she exined, ¡°Bay, you''re a doctor, so let''s analyze it from a rational point of view. I''m going to die soon. There might be a miracle, but the chances are slim. I don''t want to cling to him shamelessly when I''m seriously ill.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Furthermore, if Justin''s uncle ends up in jail and his mother dies of starvation because of me, do you honestly think that we can still live together peacefully and make our marriagest forever?¡± I want Justin to spend myst days with me, but can I be this selfish? If I''m the reason Mrs. Xuereb dies, her death will always be a thorn in our rtionship. I''d rather cherish our fond memories together than cling to a painful future. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ve been contemting this since I returned. I''ve made a decision. I was going to ask Yvonne to handle the proceedings at the City Hall, but as the princess consort of the royal family of Adrune, it wouldn''t be appropriate for her to be seen in public, especially at the City Hall. I''ll need your assistance with this.¡± ¡°Okay, then. Since you''ve made up your mind, I will respect your decision. However, you can''t p with one hand. I''ll need to speak with Justin and inform him of your decision to see if he agrees with it.¡± ¡°Sure. Thank you, Bay. Even if he disagrees with the divorce, I believe you have a way to get the procedures done.¡± After Bailey left the Revelle residence, she had nned to return to the medical base to talk to Justin. However, she soon changed her mind and told the driver to give her a ride to Luther Group. Instead of entering through the main entrance, she got the driver to drop her off at the underground parking lot. The news about her embezzling the charity funds was all over the inte, so if she were to appear in public, it would cause another uproar and attract the paparazzi. Without encountering any obstacles, she used the CEO''s elevator to ascend to the top floor. As she walked past the secretary''s office, she overheard hushed whispers from inside. Chloe strode out of her office to see everyone discussing Bailey, saying that Bailey didn''t deserve to be the CEO''s wife or the matriarch of the most prominent family. Hearing that, she felt a rush of exhration. Using the charity foundation''s scandal, she had sessfully destroyed Bailey''s reputation. Bailey was nowmbasted by many. ¡°Shut up, everyone! How dare you gossip about the CEO''s wife?¡± Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Chloe feigned fury and stopped everyone from gossiping before approaching Bailey with a friendly smile. ¡°Hello, Ms. Bailey. What brings you here?¡± Bailey returned her smile. ¡°I''m here to talk to Mr. Luther. Where is he? Is he in his office?¡± ¡°Oh, you came at the wrong time. Mr. Luther just entered the advanced conference room twenty minutes ago.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± A mischievous smile tugged at Bailey''s lips. ¡°It''s okay. He''lle to meet me once I send him a text.¡± Chloe gritted her teeth in hatred. Damn this woman. Is she showing off in front of me? Since she''s here, I''ll call the newspaper to ask them to dispatch the paparazzi here. Chapter 561 Chapter 561 That''s right. I''m going to make her embarrass herself in front of Luther Group''s higher-ups and employees. ¡°In that case, you may wait inside the CEO''s office. I have some matters to attend to, so I won''t be keeping youpany.¡± Bailey arched her brow. ¡°All right. Get back to your work, then. Remember to do something constructive instead of... Forget it. Since you''re the CEO office''s chief secretary, you must be an astute person with a clear sense of what you should and shouldn''t do.¡± Chloe snorted coldly. Of course, I do. For example, I should be luring and gathering the reporters here right now to teach you a lesson. After entering the office, Bailey willfully sent Artemis a text message: I have reached your office. Ten secondster, he replied: I''ll be there immediately. Raise the temperature of the air-conditioner inside the office to avoid catching a cold since the weather is so chilly. She curled her lips into a smile before texting Zayron: Hack into Chloe''s phone to eavesdrop on her conversation. Find out what she''s up to. That''s right. I''m here to target Chloe. I need to vent my pent-up anger at someone, isn''t it? Perhaps I can spare her if she behaves instead of constantly devising schemes. However, if she dares to do anything stupid... Ah, the truth is, some people are indeed born lowly. She knows she''s no match for me, yet she''s determined to disgust me with her futile attempts. Zayron replied: That woman just made an outgoing call to inform the reporters to intercept you outside thepany. Bailey, should I go over to help you deal with her? Bailey sneered. She figured Zayron''s methods were too mild and unable to cause any significant harm to Chloe. Bailey didn''t n to let the daughter of the mayor off easy. Bailey: Let''s keep in touch. I''ll inform you when I need you. All you need to do is execute my orders. Zayron: That''s so boring. N?velDrama.Org content. A few momentster, the door to the CEO''s office was pushed open, and Artemis hurriedly entered. Bailey acted as if she was going to leap into his arms but was halted by him. ¡°You''re starting to disdain me.¡± He red at her. ¡°I just came in from outside, so my body is still cold. What if you catch a cold by embracing me? Aren''t you aware of the current condition of your health?¡± She was rendered speechless. Grinning, she patted his arm before snuggling between his arms. ¡°Your embrace is the warmest, and I yearn for you to hug me at this moment.¡± He lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and chirped, ¡°Haven''t you had enough fun after causing a scene at the Luther residence and unleashing snakes to bite a few hundred people? Are you nning to stir amotion at thepany too?¡± She wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°Mr. Luther, there''s a pretentious b*tch at your office, and I can''t stand the sight of her. What should I do?¡± Taking in her cute and coy demeanor, Artemis was in no mood to listen to her. He was overwhelmed by the urge to carry her into the break room and do the deed with her to his heart''s content. Nheless, his rationale was imploring him otherwise. She had just suffered from a miscarriage. Her body hasn''t recovered, so she can''t handle the intensity. ¡°Why aren''t you saying anything? Are you reluctant to see her get hurt? That''s right. You can keep her by your side to entertain you since she''s such a beauty. That''s much better than facing a hag like me. Hm!¡± He kissed her passionately, seemingly using it as a form of punishment. ¡°I''ll show you the consequences if you dare to spout such nonsense again.¡± Bailey leaned against his chest and chuckled. He let out a sigh of resignation. ¡°I nned to organize an executive meeting to discuss the work schedule for the uing fourth quarter. Now that you''re here, it''ll be difficult for me to leave this office, much less attend the meeting. Fine. Do as you like. She''s just a pretentious b*tch, so humiliate her as you wish, so long as you''re happy.¡± Bailey studied him with her head tilted to the side. ¡°This pretentious b*tches from a rtively formidable background. Are you sure I can do as I please?¡± He pinched her nose and asked with his brows raised, ¡°Are you doubting your man''s capability?¡± She smiled in silence. Initially, Bailey wanted to talk to Artemis regarding what happened between Justin and Veronique. However, she changed her mind at that instant and decided to prioritize teaching Chloe a lesson to vent her anger. Half an hourter, Bailey, whose face blushed crimson after being seduced by Artemis, dashed out of the CEO''s office in embarrassment. Coincidentally, she ran into Chloe, who was holding two cups of coffee, seemingly preparing to send the drinks into the CEO''s office. Her gaze darkened when she saw Bailey exiting the room while blushing. I can''t believe this b*tch really managed to summon Mr. Luther, who was attending the executive meeting, back to his office with a single text message. ¡°Where are you going, Bailey?¡± ¡°Oh. I''m going to the store on the opposite street to have a cup of coffee. You came here at the right time. Are you free to apany me?¡± Chloe was thrilled. She was troubled because she couldn''t think of a reason to divert Bailey out of the The coffee shop, huh? That''s fine too. The reporters are almost here. I''ll just ask them to intercept Bailey outside the coffee shop to let her make a fool of herself. ¡°Okay. Let me deliver this coffee first. Give me a moment.¡± Meanwhile, inside the CEO''s office, Artemis summoned a bodyguard into the room. ¡°What''s the matter, Mr. Luther?¡± Artemis cut to the chase. ¡°I''ll give you an opportunity to sleep with the mayor''s daughter and be the mayor''s son-inw. Do you dare to ept the challenge?¡± The bodyguard fell into a momentary daze and was silent for a few seconds before he nodded and said, ¡°I''ll heed your order and sleep with her if that''s your instruction, Mr. Luther. However, I don''t want to be the mayor''s son-inw.¡± Chapter 562 Chapter 562 Artemisughed. ¡°You''ve got guts. Fine, then I''ll leave you to it. Don''t worry. I''ll shelter you for free, and I won''t ask for anything in return. You won''t face any sort of danger either.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Inside the CEO''s private elevator, Bailey suddenly yelled out loud. Chloe subconsciously turned to look at Bailey and met her gaze. In the next moment, Chloe suddenly looked as if she were in a trance as her pupils began to dte. Bailey smirked. She had never been a virtuous person, to begin with. Rhonda and rence were hell- bent on messing with her, which led to them both taking a tumble in the sheets. Everyone then found out the details of their sordid affair. The woman standing before Bailey had nothing to do with her. If Chloe wanted to mess with Bailey, then she needed to have to courage to face the consequences. So, you love Artemis? After today, I doubt she''d have the guts toe after my man. The snap of Bailey''s fingers echoed loudly in the elevator. Soon, Chloe''s consciousness was under Bailey''spletemand. Bailey then looked straight into Chloe''s eyes and nted her thoughts into her subconscious. ¡°You''re dying for a man''s touch. You won''t resist or say no. You will submit to him as much as possible. Do you understand?¡± Chloe nodded. ... Ten minutester, screams of shock could be heard in the office lobby on the first floor. Countless professionals dressed in suits were gathered around the elevator doors, gawking at the sights within. ¡°Oh my! Isn''t that our chief secretary?¡± ¡°Goodness! Isn''t that Mr. Luther''s former bodyguard?¡± ¡°Ms. West is someone from an esteemed family. By the heavens, she seemed so pure and innocent, having received a good education. I never thought she''d be so passionate. It''s one thing to be fascinated with a bodyguard, but for them to do this inside Mr. Luther''s private elevator? Are they acting out the scenes from a forbidden love story or something?¡± ¡°I guess Jacques didn''t approve of them being together, so they''ve decided to put on a show and let the world decide. That way, Jacques would have no choice but to agree.¡± ¡°Guys, you seem to have quite the imagination.¡± ¡°Pfft. Are you sure it''s my imagination that''s running wild? Just look at them! They seem to be in their own world, unaffected by everything going around them. They also appear to be reallyfortable. She doesn''t look like she''s being forced either. Didn''t you hear Ms. West saying she was dying for a man''s touch just now?¡± Suddenly, the sound of frantic footsteps emerged from the main entrance. Soon, a good number of reporters flooded the scene. ¡°We heard that Bailey was caught shagging with Mr. Luther''s bodyguard. Where are they? Where were they found?¡± ¡°That''s right! Where are they?¡± ¡°Well, they were inside the CEO''s private elevator. However, it wasn''t Bai¡ª¡± Before that employee could finish speaking, the group broke through the crowd and made their way to the elevator entrance. Nobody was prepared for the madness they were about to witness. In the CEO''s office, Bailey was curled up in Artemis'' embrace. ¡°I feel so much better all of a sudden!¡± said Bailey happily. ¡°Do you think it was poor behavior on my part?¡± With a smile and a nod, Artemis replied and said, ¡°Well, you''re bad and you''ve really got the guts. You even dared to mess with Ms. West? Tell me, why did youe to see me today?¡± Bailey stretched and exined Veronique''s request in simple terms. Artemis listened to Veronica before analyzing the situation rationally. ¡°The Campbell family is Justin''s maternal side of the family. They''ve always been in the same position in the political field. This is why Mrs. Xuereb is so insistent on Justin marrying the scion of the Fletcher family. By marrying her, the Campbell family would gain a lot of benefits. They could also advance in terms of political power.¡± ¡°So, you think that the old hag from the Xuereb family would really go on a hunger strike for the sake of her natal family?¡± asked Bailey incredulously. Artemisughed and shook his head. ¡°I doubt they''ll wait for her to actually die. I think Justin will compromise, somehow. ¡°Is that so?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and added, ¡°Justin and Veronique have been through so much. Would he really let her go that easily?¡± Artemis sighed and replied, ¡°In one''s life, setbacks and misfortunes happen from time to time. How can things be smooth sailing all the time? Justin isn''t a heartless person. He''s facing pressure from Ambrose as well as his mother, who has resorted to drastic measures. Maybe he willpromise after all.¡± Bailey clenched her jaw and said, ¡°I''m going to see Raiden. Maybe he can help the Campbell family solve its crisis.¡± ¡°Who gave you the audacity?¡± Artemis then red at Bailey and retorted, ¡°You mustn''t go around provoking other men. Is that clear?¡± ¡°Ha! I can''t believe you have the guts to order me around. Mr. Luther, if I hadn''t acted on that woman first, then it could be you who ends up in the gutter after being bedded by her.¡± Artemis then turned away with a huff and stopped talking. Bailey giggled when she saw how sullen Artemis looked. ¡°Okay, okay, I''ll stop poking fun at you. I just won''t see Raiden then, sheesh. Why are you getting upset? I''ll leave Justin to you. Go and find out what he has to say and see what he thinks.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. The news of a rich youngdy falling in love with a poor bodyguard spread like wildfire. It was imed that the pair chose to make love in the elevator of the CEO of Luther Group to force her father to approve of the rtionship. The trending topic online also came with plenty of explicit photographs. For a while, it sent inte users into an uproar. When Chloe came to her senses after being hypnotized, she realized that she was exposed before all the onlookers. She was unable to tolerate the humiliation and rammed her head into the elevator wall. Since Luther Group also came equipped with an infirmary, she was quickly brought there for treatment. When Chloe came to, she wanted to end her life again, but Laura quickly stopped her by pping Chloe hard across the face twice. It was only then that she managed to gain some emotional stability. ¡°Mom, what do I do? I''m ruined! My whole life is ruined thanks to that disgusting incident with Mr. Luther''s bodyguard! Mr. Luther is never going to look me in the eye again!¡± bawled Chloe. A stern look shed in Laura''s eyes as she asked through gritted teeth, ¡°How on earth did this happen? When this bodyguard took advantage of you, why didn''t you fight back? Why did you look like you were submitting to him?¡± Chloe trembled violently and replied, ¡°I-It was Bailey! That b*tch must have drugged me! That''s why I have no recollection of this! Mom, I didn''t do it willingly! Please exin to everyone else that I was not willing, won''t you?¡± Laura stomped her foot violently as she shook in hatred. ¡°There''s no point. The doctor has examined you and noticed no traces of any foreign substances in your blood. Now the whole world thinks that you were willing, and that''s why... Forget it. Even if you had a thousand mouths, you can''t talk your way out of this one.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Screams of virulent hatred and despair then filled every corner of the infirmary. ... In the Tarragon branch''s guest room, Yvette was on the phone. For some reason, she suddenly leaped from the sofa after hearing what the other party had said. ¡°Mr. Raymond, what are you saying? Leader wants to arrange a marriage for me and have me married off as soon as possible?¡± A sigh could be heard from the receiver. ¡°That''s right. He asked Holden to find you a promising young man from his department. He has ordered that you be married within the next two weeks.¡± Yvette''s knees shook before she copsed back onto the couch once more. ¡°Then why are you hesitating? Hurry up and expose Artemis and Bailey''s true identities to the outside world. We''ll break them up first before continuing this conversation.¡± Chapter 563 Chapter 563 ¡°Expose their identities? What are you going on about? Do you think it''s as simple as ying house? Yvette, please don''t take things out of proportion. You need to take things slowly.¡± Yvette was close to bursting into tears. ¡°Take things slowly? How do I do that? Artemis wants me to marry an unknown stranger in half a month! I am the daughter of the previous leader of Tarragon, and everyone has treated me like I was some kind of treasure. How can I suffer through this insult of marrying some mediocre man?¡± ¡°Even then, you mustn''t just lose it. I''m warning you. Do not act without authorization. The opportunity has yet to present itself. Do you understand?¡± cautioned Raymond. Yvette gritted her teeth. She heard nothing. Even if she heard it, she was going to assume that it was nothing. Yvette was not going to take this warning seriously. The one who has to suffer through this humiliation is none other than myself. What gives that old man the right to order me not to act without any authorization? Since he wants to drag it on further, then I''m going to expedite it. Naturally, Yvette was not stupid enough to do things so openly in front of Raymond. If she wanted to act, she had to do so in secret. Yvette was determined to expose Bailey as the leader of the Saviors so that everyone else could resist her. Yvette wanted the public to hate Bailey and give her no peace of mind whatsoever. ¡°Fine. I''ll await good news from Mr. Doyle, then. You have to find a way to solve this dilemma, or I am quite literally going to die. I refuse to lower myself and marry someone incapable,¡± hissed Yvette. ¡°I''ll think of something to solve this problem. Don''t worry,¡± replied Raymond. After hanging up, Yvette immediately dialed Sofie''s number. ¡°I need to see you. Right now.¡± Yvette then gave her an address. Sophie gritted her teeth. ¡°Fine. I''ll head over there now.¡± ... In the CEO''s office of Saunders Group, the chief financial officer looked dispiritedly at Victor, who was lazing about in the swivel chair. ¡°Mr. Victor, it has only been a few days. You''ve already managed to squander five hundred million you''ve received from the shares?¡± eximed the man. Victor squinted at him and said with a smile, ¡°It''s not your money that I''m squandering, so why are you so upset? I just had a stroke of bad luck and lost two hundred million. Hurry up and sell my shares. I would like about... a billion. I want to go to the casino and win everything I''ve lost.¡± The chief financial officer fell to his knees and began to cry. ¡°Mr. Victor, another billion is the equivalent of losing ten percent of your shares! This is Mr. Saunders'' blood, sweat, and tears. You mustn''t¡ª¡± Suddenly, the sound of shattered ss filled the room. Victor had picked up an ashtray from the table and hurled it at the man. Soon, blood began to seep out from the wound on his head. ¡°I''m selling my shares. They don''t belong to you! Why are you getting so worked up over this? I told you to hurry up and contact the buyers. Stop wasting my time with all this chatter!¡± yelled Victor. ¡°Victor...¡± Suddenly, a mournful voice could be heard as Victoria walked in with tears in her eyes. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°When will you stop this madness? Dad wasn''t even gone for that long! You have not inherited Saunders Group for that long either! You''ve lost all your working capital and sold a lot of shares! If you continue on like this, the whole family will be ruined! Do you really want to single-handedly destroy the Saunders family? Without any money, how will you marry and start a family?¡± Victor smiled grimly. ¡°Why should I marry and start a family? Women are willing to sleep with me whenever I want. I''m going to be as carefree as I''d like. Why on earth would I lower myself and seek out some ugly woman to order me around and give birth to another source of stress?¡± Victoria hurriedly wiped away her tears. ¡°You''repletely hopeless! The tens of billions we have in assets are enough to make us among the top families in the nation. You could have lived worry-free for the rest of your life! Now, you''re so messed up that I can''t really advise you anymore. I guess that''s fine!¡± said Victoria through clenched teeth. ¡°It doesn''t matter if the Saunders family ends here. Dad is gone. There''s no need for this family to exist anymore.¡± Having said that, she turned around and walked away. Victor yelled, ¡°Fine! Remember to do what you can to serve our beloved brother-inw in bed. When I run out of money, I''ll need to rely on you to help me!¡± Embarrassment shed across Victoria''s face. She truly should not have made this trip here. Stumbling all the way to the corner, Victoria fell straight toward the ground. Just then, someone''s solid arm suddenly reached out to catch Victoria before she fell. She lifted her gaze, only to be met with a familiar face. ¡°D-Dwayne? Why are you here?¡± ¡°I was with the marketing director earlier for a meeting,¡± replied Dwayne gently after helping Victoria find her footing. ¡°It was his assistant who told me that you havee to the office today. I felt uneasy and came over to have a look. Are you okay?¡± Victoria''s eyes burned with unshed tears as she sobbed silently. ¡°I''m fine. I just got into a fight with Victor, which upset me. I''ll be okay in a bit. Wait, you said you had a meeting with the marketing director? Has something happened at the sales department at Saunders Group?¡± Dwayne was briefly silent before he answered, ¡°When everyone else found out that Victor was in charge of Saunders Group, they began to boycott thepany. I''m sure you''re aware that your brother doesn''t have a good reputation. On top of that, he''s a gambling addict. Who would want to do business with thepany when you have someone like that at the helm?¡± After a short pause, Dwayne continued, ¡°I''m rtively well-acquainted with the marketing director. He wanted me to get in touch with the marketing department at Luther Group and ask them to be more amodating. He hopes that Luther Group won''t sever cooperation with Saunders Group so decisively. If Luther Group defaults on the contract, Saunders Group is going to take a massive hit.¡± Victoria smiled bitterly and said, You needn''t work so hard. Just wait for Saunders Group to go bankrupt.¡± Chapter 564 Chapter 564 Back at the infirmary, Bailey walked into the ward with a smile. Chloe began to work herself up as soon as she saw her. ¡°Bailey! You tricked me! How dare you set me up? I''m going to kill you!¡± Right after saying that, she turned around and tried to get off the bed, only to feel a sharp pain up her legs. Having just lost her innocence, she didn''t have the strength to stand, and she fell to the floor as her legs turned to jelly. The impact of the fall caused her wounds to reopen, and she bawled her eyes out due to the pain. ¡°How could you do this? You''re a woman too! Don''t you know how much a woman values her innocence?¡± Bailey scoffed. To think this woman still had the audacity to me her. ¡°You say you know how important a woman''s innocence is to her, but did you ever think about my innocence when you destroyed my reputation at that time? I''m not your mother, youngdy. I have no reason to put up with you. Take this as a lesson and remember: don''t ever try to do someone dirty again, because what goes around will alwayse around. It''s just a matter of time.¡± Chloe stared at her in bewilderment. ¡°Y-You knew?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. Bailey smirked. ¡°Did you think you were being that secretive? I''m Bailey Jefferson. If there''s one thing I gained from all the hurt people caused me, it would be a pair of keen eyes. It only took me a split second to see through your intentions. This happened to you only because you tried to plot against me.¡± Having been exposed, Chloe no longer saw the need to maintain a facade. ¡°You won''t beughing for long, Bailey,¡± she dered with gritted teeth. ¡°Dellmoor''s already sent its people to look into you, and my dad''s close friend is in charge. He''ll sentence you to prison soon enough, so you can look forward to life behind bars!¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey grinned. ¡°I look forward to your dad''s friend dragging me into prison. You''d better not disappoint me after getting my hopes up, Ms. West.¡± Unable to stand the smug look on Bailey''s face, Chloeshed out at her only to be pped across the face instead. ¡°You b*tch! How dare you hit me!¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°I already made you lose your innocence. What makes you think I wouldn''t dare hit you? I''d like to see your mighty dad try to put me behind bars.¡± ¡°You!¡± ¡°Have a pleasant recovery, Ms. West. Oh, by the way, your huge scandal is affecting thepany''s reputation, so I suppose I should fire you as the soon-to-be Mrs. Luther. As of this day onward, you''re no longer an employee of Luther Group.¡± Chloe jumped up in rage, but that was her limit. Her legs felt so heavy that she couldn''t move an inch from where she was. Thus, she could only watch Bailey leave haughtily. ¡°Just you wait, Bailey Jefferson. You''re going to die a miserable death.¡± Funnily, everyone who wished that upon Bailey always ended up dying themselves. Bailey''s phone rang as soon as she left the ward. She took the device out of her pocket and realized it was a text message from the leader of the university''s chat group: Hi, Ms. Bailey. We''ve gotten our remittance certificates ready. Can we submit them now? Bailey initially wanted to say that there was no need. She could easily take down the West family. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Didn''t Ms. West say her father''s friend from Dellmoor will being over to investigate me and put me behind bars? I''m going to use that and ruin the West family once and for all. As though having read her mind, the other party added: Please don''t say no, Ms. Bailey. If you do, we''ll all take up loans to return all the subsidies you''ve given us. Bailey was speechless. Sighing, she replied: Fine. Someone''s about to try and send me to prison. I''ll need you guys'' help when that timees, but for now, it''s all good. Leader: Okay. We''ll do as you say. Bailey smiled. Who says being kind never pays off? She had treated them kindly, and now, they were returning the favor. Meanwhile, inside a coffee shop by the window, an exasperated Yvette exined the situation to Sofie. ¡°What should I do now? If we don''t expose Bailey as the head of the Saviors, I''ll never be able to make aeback. The thought of marrying a nobody humiliates me.¡± Sofie raised her brows as a cold glint shed in her eyes. You''re down to yourst value, Ms. Sullivan. I''ll use you for thest time before getting rid of you. ¡°Rather than expose Bailey''s identity, I have a better idea that can help you rise again.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Yvette asked, looking eager. ¡°Give Artemis a memory loss pill to make him forget all about Bailey. As long as he has no memory of her, Tarragon will have a way to get him to marry you.¡± Drug him? That''s tough! It''s way easier said than done. ¡°How am I going to drug him? I can''t even meet him in person.¡± Sofie picked up her ss of coffee and sipped on it gently. ¡°That''s easy,¡± she remarked coolly. ¡°Isn''t he the one who arranged your marriage? Besides, you''re the daughter of the previous leader. As the new ruler, he has an obligation to send you off when you get married. Tarragon''s headquarters are your turf. Don''t tell me you can''t find a single chance to drug him then.¡± Chapter 565 Chapter 565 Yvette''s eyes lit up. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. A memory loss pill, huh? She''s right. I''ll have to give Artemis one sooner orter anyway. There''s no other way to remove Bailey from his life. As long as he remembers her, I''ll never stand a chance. And when he loses his memories, I''ll get him to deal with the Saviors and watch him kill Bailey. What a cruel but splendid idea! At the thought of this, she clenched her teeth. ¡°Is there really a drug that can erase one''s memories? Would he really be able to forget everything about the person he loves?¡± Sofie arched her brow and smirked. ¡°Holden Lewitt was once deeply in love with the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family. He was even prepared to betray Tarragon for her, but Mr. Doyle drugged him with the same memory loss pill. Now, he doesn''t even remember that Wendy Hoffman exists. Don''t underestimate Tarragon''s scientists, youngdy. Not only is the memory loss pill they invented extremely potent, but there''s also no cure for it. So cast your worries aside, ask Mr. Doyle for the drug, and make good use of this opportunity. This is yourst chance to shine again.¡± Yvette balled her hands into fists. ¡°Okay. I''ll do it.¡± ... Back at the Xuereb residence, Justin stood next to the bed and gazed at his dying mother, his eyes full of grief. Olivia wasn''t just throwing a fit, nor was she merely trying to scare him. She was truly prepared to starve herself to death if he refused to give in to her wishes. She intended to break Justin and Veronique up through her death. In truth, she didn''t have to go such lengths since Veronique wasn''t going to live much longer anyway. Thetter''s chances of recovery were far too slim, and everyone knew that. They''d be lying to themselves if they said she''d get better. No one would get in Olivia''s way once Veronique was gone, so she really didn''t have to risk her own life just to pull them apart. ¡°Must you really make me marry Scarlett? Are you going to insist even if it means I''d be living the rest of my life in misery?¡± asked Justin. Olivia didn''t answer. She couldn''t speak in her current state anyway. At that very moment, Ambrose returned from his walk and began to strike Justin with his cane. Despite his old age, he still had a lot of strength in him. The younger man''s face paled after a few hits. ¡°You brat! It''s fine if you don''t care about your uncle, but do you not feel guilty seeing your own mother like this?¡± Ambrose yelled. Justin remained silent. ¡°Your mother gave you her all! She kept you as her only child and spared no love, but what have you done in return? You put her through hell¡ªall because of a woman she doesn''t like!¡± the old man continued. ¡°Are you really going to watch your mother starve herself in bed?¡± Justin took a deep breath before turning to leave the room. ¡°Give me half a day to think about this. I''ll be sure to give you guys an answer you''d be happy with. Please, Granddad, tell her to eat.¡± He drove to Luther Group after walking out of the Xuereb residence. Inside the CEO''s office, Artemis grabbed two bottles of liquor and tossed them to Justin. ¡°I can keep youpany, but I won''t drink. Bay hasn''t fully recovered, so I can''t afford to let alcohol take over me. I don''t want to hurt her.¡± With a dryugh, Justin opened up a bottle and began to chug it down. There was no way he could drink the liquor like that, and as expected, he started coughing violently after a couple of sips. ¡°Veronique came looking for Bailey and asked her to handle her divorce procedures with you on her behalf,¡± Artemismented. ¡°What do you have to say about that?¡± What do I have to say about that? I just want to drink all my worries away now. Justin gulped down more liquor, and he soon fell into a daze. Artemis continued, ¡°Honestly, it''s not that hard to make a choice. You can leave Veronique and marry Scarlett Fletcher. Or, you can watch your mom starve herself to death, and when Veronique''s time is up too, you and her can go ask your mom for forgiveness in the afterlife.¡± Justin stared at him in shock. ¡°And what about Zephyr? What would he do? He''d be all alone in this world.¡± Artemis shrugged. ¡°I wouldn''t consider the child if I were you. To put me in your shoes, if anything were to happen to Bay, I''d go wherever she goes. Kids will always have a way to survive.¡± This might sound selfish, especiallying from a father. Even so, he was the type who would give everything up for the woman he loved. Something seemed to click within Justin after he had heard that. The crease between his brows disappeared, and he seemed much more alert now. In spite of all the booze he had drank, he now felt sobererpared to the time before he had arrived. ¡°Have you figured it out? If you have, start acting. We can''t please everyone, but you should have a clear conscience. Giving in to your mother''s wishes means betraying the woman you love. You don''t deserve love if you do that.¡± Upon hearing that, Justin got off the couch and strode toward the door. ¡°Thanks. I know what to do now.¡± ... As anticipated, Dellmoor had indeed sent a representative to look into the charity''s embezzlement case. To be more precise, they hade to investigate Bailey. Chapter 566 Chapter 566 The fact that these people were the core members of the Department of Justice reflected how important this matter was to the higher-ups. Bailey smiled nonchntly upon learning the news. It looks like a certain official is about to fall in Hallsbay, and the mayor''s going to deal with the aftermath too. Zeke called her to ask if she needed his help getting through this ordeal. The woman chuckled. ¡°I found myself a man so he can support me. What good would Artemis be if you''re the one taking care of everything?¡± Zeke couldn''t contain hisughter. ¡°I guess he''s a good-for-nothing, then. I thought of helping you clear your name as early as possible then take you home to the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°Forget it,¡± Bailey responded without a second thought. ¡°Your mother isn''t going to wee me, and I''d only make things difficult for you. Don''t do anything to disrupt the peace in your family.¡± Then, she realized she might have spoken too frankly. ¡°I don''t have a grudge against your mother,¡± she exined hastily. ¡°I don''t hate her, but I can''t see myself loving her either. She''s like a stranger who has no effect on my emotions.¡± ¡°I know, Bay. You don''t have to get all nervous. Things will get better between you both one day.¡± ¡°It''s fine. Anyway, I shan''t bother you anymore. I''ll talk to you next time.¡± ... Upon returning to the Xuereb residence, Justin knelt on the floor before his mother, who now looked slightly better. Ambrose must have sessfully convinced her to eat. An ominous feeling rose in Olivia''s chest as she saw her son kneel. ¡°W-What are you doing?¡± she asked in a hoarse voice. Justin raised his head. ¡°I''m sorry. There''s just no way I can force myself to marry Scarlett. I don''t love her. Even if we do get married, she''d spend the rest of her life alone. And if the Fletchers find out about this, our family would only be in bigger trouble.¡± ¡°Y-Y-You!¡± The woman pointed at him, unable to utter a word. I thought he came back because he''s finally figured it out, and this is what he tells me. ¡°So, you''re going to just watch me die?¡± ¡°Your life is in your own hands. If dying is what you want, I have no choice but to ept that. I can''t control your thoughts.¡± ¡°Fine! Then I''ll die! There''s no way you and that b*tch from the Revelle family will still be together after I''m gone!¡± Justin shook his head and replied firmly, ¡°Of course, we wouldn''t be able to stay together if you die. When her time''s up, I''ll meet you in the afterlife with her and ask for your forgiveness.¡± Olivia quivered with rage as she heard that. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. Is he threatening me with his own life? She was willing to die, but that didn''t mean she wanted her own son to die too. Yet, his response made it clear that he truly had no qualms about dying. ¡°Hahaha! I can''t believe I raised such an amazing son like you! Get out. Get out of my room now! I don''t want to see you again.¡± Justin bowed to her before slowly rising to his feet. ¡°You decide your own fate. I won''t get in your way. In any case, I''ve made my intentions clear: if you die, Vero and I will see you soon after and apologize to you.¡± ¡°Get out!¡± ... Meanwhile, at the West residence, Chloe tugged on her mother''s arm. ¡°Mommy, I heard Mr. Lewis of Dellmoor has arrived in Hallsbay. You have to convince Dad to talk to him so he can sentence Bailey to death. I want that b*tch dead,¡± she urged. Looking hesitant, Laura paused momentarily before responding, ¡°I''ve spoken to thewyer about this. No one''s ever been given a death sentence for embezzlement. It''s life imprisonment at most. Besides, what''s the point of having her die? Wouldn''t it be better for her to spend the rest of her days getting tormented in prison? I''d say that''s the sweetest revenge you could ask for.¡± Chloe gnashed her teeth. ¡°Someone will try to bail her out as long as she''s alive. Killing her is the only way to prevent that.¡± Laura sighed. ¡°You might think so, but it''s not like your father can openly misuse his power. He''d get into huge trouble for that. You wouldn''t want him to lose his position, would you?¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Chloe red at her. ¡°Look at what that b*tch did to me! What''s the point of Dad being the mayor if the culprit''s allowed to get away with her crimes?¡± Laura pondered over the matter in frustration before concluding, ¡°I''ll talk to your father so he''ll let you buy Mr. Lewis over, then. You should be able to get Bailey executed if it works out.¡± ¡°Okay. Hurry! We have to get Mr. Lewis to sentence Bailey to death¡ªeven if it means using up half of our assets.¡± ... Elsewhere, Yvette had something to discuss with Holden Lewitt inside the study of one of Tarragon''s branches. ¡°What have you asked to see me for, Your Royal Highness?¡± asked Holden. Yvette pursed her lips and clenched her teeth. ¡°I agree to the marriage, so please let Leader know that I''ll be making my way to the headquarters for the wedding in two days. I only have one request, which is for him to be there in my father''s stead. It would be my greatest honor to have him send me off.¡± Chapter 567 Chapter 567 Holden closed his eyes briefly to think and finally nodded after his silence. ¡°Okay. I''ll pass your word on to Leader. It''ll be up to him whether he agrees or not.¡± Yvette''s emotions red up as she said agitatedly, ¡°If he doesn''t go, I''m not going to go through with the marriage. If you guys force me, I''ll kill myself. My death will be on your hands and that''s going to cause a huge mess, won''t it?¡± ¡°I''ll pass that along to Leader as well. Do you have any more requests, Your Royal Highness?¡± Yvette suddenly asked, ¡°Holden, do you love Wendy?¡± Love? Holden narrowed his eyes and fell silent for another few seconds before he shook his head. ¡°No, I don''t. I don''t know who that is and I can''t remember meeting her either. Why do you ask, Your Royal Highness?¡± ¡°Nothing. I was just curious.¡± Yvette''s heart leaped in excitement. It seemed like Tarragon''s memory loss pill truly did work wonders. Holden had been in love with Wendy back then and had even thought about betraying Tarragon for her. The elders didn''t let him and purposely orchestrated an ident before using that chance to give him a memory loss pill that erased his past memoriespletely. He really did forget everything. That was a good sign. If Artemis took the pill, it would definitely cause him to lose his memories as well. Once he forgot about Bailey, then Yvette could finally take her ce. By then, once she managed to get him to bed her, the elders would definitely force him to marry her. After they got married, she could nt the idea of attacking the Saviors in his head as his wife. She would make sure to convince him to personally slit Bailey''s throat. Dying by your lover''s hand. That was definitely going to be interesting. She couldn''t wait to see the expression on Bailey''s face when it happened. This is a perfect n! I really need to thank Sofie for giving me that idea. Once I be Tarragon''s queen, I''m going to bless her with the honor of being the first one to die. She wanted to torture her relentlessly and finally get revenge for her mother. ... Bailey scoffed quietly once she heard about Justin''s choice from Artemis. It looked like Veronique made the right choice and so did she. If that guy really did get a divorce with Vero for the sake of the Campbell family, then she no longer had to give him the time of day. ¡°Is that what you want too, Mr. Luther? To defend your lover against all odds, including your own mother?¡± Artemis rose an eyebrow and said with a smile, ¡°That won''t happen to us. My mother is more than satisfied with you. She keeps asking about when the wedding will be held. She''s not going to force me to marry another woman.¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°So you''re throwing your buddy under the bus?¡± Artemis smirked and said coolly, ¡°Yes. It''s not me who''s getting hurt, anyway.¡± Bailey shook her head as sheughed. Then, she quickly changed the topic. ¡°I should still contact Raiden. I need to ask if he can save Justin''s uncle. Unless, of course, he messed up big time. If he''s the mastermind behind it all, then he deserves to stay in jail for at least a few years. No one can save him if that''s the case.¡± ¡°You really do hate as strongly as you love. Sure, then. I''m not the keenest on you going to find him, but I kind of did bring this upon us. Justin''s hurting badly enough as it is, so as a friend, I should help him. Maybe I should say, you''re helping him.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°You really know how to pick and choose your words, huh?¡± ... Justin met Bill at the Revelle residence and told him about his decision. ¡°We''ll need to trouble you to watch over Zephyr once Vero and I are gone.¡± Bill looked away slightly and said, ¡°Why should I take care of your son? You should make sure toe back alive. Neither of you is allowed to die, you hear me? I know your mother well. She loves you more than she loves herself. I''m sure she won''t want to kill herself anymore after this scare. Don''t worry.¡± Justin smiled lightly. He could no longer control his mother''s will to die. As of now, all he could do was stay by Vero''s side and spend herst few moments on Earth with her. ¡°Thank you. However, even if my mother stops putting her life in danger, I will still be by Vero''s side. I''ll be there for her no matter where she goes.¡± Bill tossed a magazine at Justin''s face and said angrily, ¡°You little punk. Can''t you just hope she gets better? Why are you so negative? I''ve never seen a more pessimistic doctor.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I''ll be more positive about it and do my best to cure Vero.¡± Bill opened his mouth in an attempt to say something a little bit nicer, but he just couldn''t put his pride aside. He ended up just waving a hand as he said stiffly, ¡°Leave. Go and spend more time with my daughter. If you hurt her again, I''ll make sure you live in living hell.¡± Justin smiled like a child who had just beenplimented by an adult. After thanking Bill profusely, he finally left. Bill couldn''t help but shake his head at Justin''s retreating figure. It seemed like it was God''s n to force them together. Not even a crane could pull them apart. It seemed like they were truly meant to be. The two of them had been through so much that Bill, as a father, simply couldn''t find it in himself to give them any more stress. Huh! Victor had managed to sell ten percent of his shares in themodities trading market. Lionelmanded his assistant to buy those shares right after he heard the news. He wasn''t trying to boast about his money, either. Thepany belonged to Vincent and he had spent his whole life on it. Even though Victoria hadn''t mentioned it, he knew she was hurting inside. As her husband, he couldn''t do anything too obvious. Thus, he tried his best to keep everything under wraps and minimize the damage. He asked herst night whether she wanted him to take control of Saunders Group. She shook her head and said, ¡°Such is fate. They''ll reap what they''ve sown, and there''s nothing they can do about it. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ... Back in Bailey''s bedroom in the Luther residence, she was cing a call in front of the French windows. ¡°I''ll leave it to you, Raiden. If Mr. Campbell really was the mastermind behind it all, then just forget I ever said anything. If he was scammed into taking part, then please help me pull some strings.¡± Raiden agreed without hesitation. ¡°Okay. I''ll get someone to investigate the background of the case. If he wasn''t a part of any major crimes, then I''ll do my best to get him out of jail.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°There''s no need for us to be so courteous.¡± Baileyughed out loud. ¡°Okay, my bad. I won''t say that word ever again.¡± ¡°That''s more like it. By the way, Dellmoor has sent someone after that Willing Angels Foundation embezzlement case. Do you need me to step up and settle it?¡± Baileyughed. ¡°Do you guys think I''m weak or do you just not trust me? You''re all so nervous. What could possibly happen?¡± ¡°So many things have already happened to you that I''d rather ask the question, what couldn''t possibly happen? Take care of yourself. Don''t let other people worry about you so much.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but mutter under her breath, ¡°It''s not like I ask you to worry about me.¡± Raiden chuckled out of exasperation. ¡°You heartless woman. Serves you right!¡± Chapter 568 Chapter 568 Scarlett, who was supposed to be in Dellmoor, suddenly appeared in Hallsbay. In a booth on the second floor of a caf¨¦ at the end of the street, a middle-aged man was looking at a youngdy nervously. With a shaky voice, he asked, ¡°L-Lady Scarlett, may I ask what prompted your honorable visit?¡± Scarlett simply smiled and poured a cup of coffee for him. ¡°Have a drink, Mr. Lewis.¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Howard took the cup with trembling hands and sipped performatively before asking, ¡°Could I know why you asked to meet me, Lady Scarlett? Your wish is mymand.¡± Scarlett raised an eyebrow. ¡°Will you truly do anything I ask of you?¡± ¡°As long as I am able to aplish it, then consider it done.¡± ¡°Alright. You were recently tasked with investigating Bailey embezzling the donations from the foundation, yes? All I need is for you to tell them that you found out that Bailey embezzled a huge amount. Even if it''s not enough to get her sentenced to death, I want her to rot in jail for the rest of her life. Can you do that?¡± Howard didn''t reply instantly. Instead, he asked cautiously, ¡°Lady Scarlett, is thising from you or your mother?¡± Scarlett looked at him amusedly and said lightly, ¡°You should know about the rumors about my brother being head over heels for Bailey that have been circting recently, right? He''s been thinking of marrying her. Do you think my mother would allow that? Do you think a woman who''s already given birth even has the right to be the next matriarch of the Fletcher family?¡± Howard immediately understood what was going on. ¡°So, yes, this is from your mother. She doesn''t want Bailey to continue involving herself with Mr. Raiden, so she wants me to throw Bailey in jail and nip Raiden''s intentions in the bud.¡± Scarlett sipped some coffee from her own mug and said slowly, ¡°Yes, that''s right. That''s exactly what my mom wants. If you don''t believe me, you can call her and have her tell you personally.¡± ¡°That won''t be necessary, ¡°Howard quickly declined. ¡°How dare I not believe your words, Lady Scarlett? Since this is what your mother wants, I will do my best to fulfill that wish.¡± With the Fletcher family behind him, he didn''t have to worry about his future position. Even if he tore up the whole field of politics, he had nothing to be afraid of. Scarlett smirked. ¡°I''ll be waiting for your good news. Don''t let my mother down, Mr. Lewis. If you get this right and get rid of her worries, then the bureaucracy is yours to conquer.¡± ¡°Of course! I''ll make sure everything goes ording to n. I promise I won''t let you guys down.¡± ... Justin had been waiting outside the Xuereb mansion infirmary for two whole days and Veronique still wouldn''t let him in to see her. She was dead set on getting a divorce and was unshakable. Yvonne stared at Justin, who was leaning against the wall of the corridor. With a sigh, she said, ¡°Why are you so stubborn? You''ve been here for two days. At this rate, you might join her in there from exhaustion.¡± Justin nced at her and forced his stiff lips into some semnce of a smile. ¡°That''s fine. She''s suffered too much throughout the years. This is nothingpared to that. By the way, I heard that my mother is finally thinking straight and doesn''t want to kill herself anymore. How about you go in and tell Vero the good news so she can rx a little?¡± Yvonne sighed and pushed the door open before walking in. Veronique was staring out of the window in a daze. The soft rays of sunlight made her pale skin look almost translucent, emphasizing her sickly disposition. She was getting weaker by the day. ¡°Vero, that idiot asked me to tell you that Mrs. Xuereb has already thought things through and isn''t going to kill herself anymore. He said he wanted to make sure you knew so you wouldn''t worry too much.¡± Veronique''s dazed stare slowly focused on Yvonne as she turned to look at her. ¡°You don''t need to tell me anything. I''ve already made up my mind. He should be the one you should try to convince. Once he signs the divorce agreement papers, I''ll finally be free.¡± Yvonne sat next to Veronique and reached out to feel her forehead. Warmly, she quipped, ¡°I know you''re afraid of dragging him down. You''re afraid that once you''re gone, he''ll follow soon after, right?¡± Veronique smiled bitterly. ¡°You truly do know me the best. Yes, I''m afraid he won''t be able to get over it and follow me. Don''t try to tell me otherwise either, because I already know that he''s been thinking about it. I want to get rid of those terrible thoughts.¡± Yvonne found it hard to agree and shook her head gently. ¡°There are many people who die for love. It just shows how deeply he loved you. You should be grateful.¡± Veronique pressed her lips into a thin line and tears began to well up in her eyes. ¡°He''s someone I pursued and admired for so many years that I can''t possibly do that to him now. All I want is the best for him. I don''t want him to die, so stop forcing me to stay with him. I want to stop him from thinking about ever dying for me. Please, don''t make me do this.¡± ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Yvonne said and reached out to hug her. ¡°We won''t force you. You can get a divorce. I''ll arrange for someone to help you guys through the process. Just calm down.¡± Chapter 569 Chapter 569 Inside Holden''s study, Artemis was leaning against the French windows as he asked mildly, ¡°How''s the job going? What did they say after you brought up my suggestion?¡± Holden walked over with two sses of whiskey and passed one to Artemis. ¡°I invited you over to tell you all about it. Yvette has agreed to return and wait for the wedding, but she specifically requested that you show up and send her off. She wants to make sure her pride is fed.¡± She agreed so quickly and even asked me to go back to Tarragon to send her off? Things are going so smoothly. Artemis smirked. ¡°It seems like we''ve made the right choice. Go back and get rid of everyone who went against me. I don''t waste my time on rebels. It''s time to clean Tarragon from the inside out.¡± ¡°That may be true, but there''s most likely a huge storm waiting for you. Everyone knows how haughty Yvette is. After she set her sights on you, she gave up on Micahpletely. That''s more than enough to show how prideful and shallow she is. If not, she wouldn''t have agreed to this marriage.¡± ¡°That doesn''t matter. I want to see them attack. Things will be harder if they don''t.¡± Holden nodded. ¡°Then I''ll tell Yvette that you agreed to go send her off. When are you nning to leave? Bailey seems to be in hot souptely. Would you be able to step away?¡± Artemis fell silent for a second as he thought about it. ¡°I''d prefer topletely get rid of the hidden threats first. While Bailey may be caught in the storm, she''s not in too much danger yet. Plus, Zeke is in Hallsbay, and he won''t let anything happen to his sister. I''ll return as soon as possible after I get rid of the person who''s trying to force me and Bailey apart. That way, we''ll be safe from harm.¡± ¡°Alright. I''ll go arrange that right now.¡± ... The news of Jadeborough sending investigators to look into Bailey''s case quickly spread like wildfire in Hallsbay. Some people pitied her, but most of them wanted to see her fall. She was so talented and blessed. Most importantly, she even had Artemis by her side. Hence, there were a lot of people who were jealous of her. If she died, they would all be really delighted. ¡°The news of Bailey embezzling the donations must have been proven true, or they wouldn''t have sent investigators to check.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°She talked about the organization helping loads of unfortunate students before. Why isn''t anyone coming out to speak up for her? If one or two were just ungrateful, that would make more sense, but she must have sponsored a lot of them.¡± ¡°What? Don''t joke. Do you think someone like her would spend her money on some hillbillies from the vige? All the donations she received were used to purchase damaged goods that factories discarded. She''s literally the Devil reincarnated. In all my years of living, I''ve never seen someone as evil as this scheming bit*h!¡± ¡°Let''s just wait for the conclusion of the investigation.¡± ¡°You''re right. Let''s just wait and see. I''ll be ready with popcorn at home to see Bailey truly be destroyed once and for all.¡± ... In the West residence''s study room, Jacques was looking at Howard cautiously. ¡°This visit was so sudden that I didn''t have the time to prepare anything for you. Would you like to stay for dinner since you have dropped by?¡± ¡°Come on, Jacques. We''ve known each other for how long now? I may have been transferred to Jadeborough, but there''s no need to act so formally with me.¡± Jacques let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, ¡°You''re right. I''ve been in this position for so long that I''ve be a coward. When I heard that you wereing to Hallsbay, I couldn''t sleep out of excitement.¡± Howardughed out loud after hearing that. ¡°Alright, let''s get back to the main topic. I heard that Bailey was the cause of what happened to Chloe. How have you not taken revenge yet?¡± Jacques'' expression darkened at that reminder. Chloe was his only daughter and he had ced all of his aspirations for her on her shoulders. Her marrying into a rich and prestigious family had all been part of the n to pull off a perfect political marriage. If she could get married to Artemis, Jacques would definitely be able to get transferred to Jadeborough and climbed up further on the socialdder. All his hopes and dreams had died on the hill named Bailey, so how could he just forgive her so easily? ¡°I will be very soon. I''ve been nning on talking to you about it. You''ve probablye to Hallsbay for the same reason, yes?¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Howard chuckled. ¡°You''re bing really quick on your feet recently. Since we work together so well, how about we be allies?¡± Jacques'' face broke out into a big smile. He would never forgive Bailey for what she did. No matter what he tried, he would make sure to run her to the ground. Now that Howard was on his side, it would be more than easy to get rid of her by his hand. ¡°Okay. Go ahead with your investigation. I can guarantee that you''ll be able to dig up all incriminating evidence I can get my hands on.¡± ¡°That''s what I want to hear! After all, you are the driving force behind Hallsbay. I need you on my side to help me. If not, I''d be useless here regardless of my position.¡± ... Shirley had just tripped while strolling in the garden of the Shurmer residence. Chapter 570 Chapter 570 It was a rather bad fall that she started bleeding. In that instant, the entire Shurmer family went into chaos. Waverly stood on the steps outside the infirmary with a grim face and stared at the group of servants. ¡°Why is there essential oil on the ground of the garden? Don''t tell me it''s a coincidence. Speak up! Who poured the oil here? Who is trying to kill the eldest grandson of the Shurmer family?¡± All the servants did not even dare to let out a breath, let alone answer her question. Waverly was furious when none of them owned up to the mistake. ¡°Fine, fine. Since no one wants to say anything, I''m going to call the police. Let them bring all of you in for questioning.¡± ¡°No, I don''t want to go to the police station. Once I''m being brought there, people will always look at me differently even though I''m innocent.¡± ¡°That''s right, Mrs. Shurmer. We didn''t do it. How can you send all of us to the police station? We''re innocent.¡± ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I have been working with the Shurmer family for so many years now. If you do that, aren''t you worried that you will break our hearts?¡± Waverlyughed out in anger. ¡°Sure. As long as you can tell me who the culprit is, I won''t send the rest of you into the prison for questioning.¡± All the servants looked at one another. After some time, a servant in her twenties stepped forward. She nced at Sammy and mumbled an apology to her before raising her voice, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, it''s the butler. Last night, when no one was watching, she poured the essential oil on the bluestone pavement. Other than the garden, she also did it in the gazebo and the artificialke.¡± Sammy''s face turned pale. She stared coldly at the servant who used her before looking up at Waverly. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, please don''t be fooled by her. Why will I hurt Ms. Gourd and her unborn child? I¡ª¡± ¡°It''s her.¡± Another servant stepped forward and testified against Sammy. ¡°Last night, I also saw the butler sneaking around the artificialke. She seemed to be doing something, but it was too dark for me to see clearly.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Waverly gazed at Sammy, and she appeared extremely upset. ¡°Tell me. Why did you do it?¡± Sammy remained silent. Since she had been exposed, she would have to ept her fate. Zeke had promised to give her a huge reward that would allow her to live out the rest of her life in comfort. Thus, there was no way she would reveal the truth and expose him. ¡°A few days ago, I made a mistake and was given a few ps by Ms. Gourd. She embarrassed me in front of so many housekeepers, and I got angry. That''s why I wanted revenge.¡± Waverly was no fool. She knew that Sammy was just looking for an excuse. Sammy had been working in the Shurmer family for so many years, and Waverly knew her well enough to know that there was no way Sammy would seek revenge just because she received a few ps from Shirley. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, the doctor says that the baby is safe for the time being. But, Ms. Gourd will have to rest in bed for the next few months. Otherwise, there is still a high chance of a miscarriage.¡± Waverly let out a sigh of relief when she heard the good news. ¡°That''s good then.¡± After that, she stared at Sammy and said coldly, ¡°I won''t pursue the matter since you have been a loyal worker but you have to leave. The Shurmer family cannot keep a butler who will harm her employer.¡± What? Without another word, Waverly turned and walked toward the infirmary. Just as she turned around, her eyes darkened. She was sure that someone had put Sammy up to that. There was only one person who could command Sammy and hated Shirley. Zeke... She did not expect that b*stard son of hers to be so vicious. He would not even spare his own flesh and blood. Zeke was seeking revenge because he did not want to marry Shirley. To top it off, Waverly refused to allow Bailey to return to the Shurmer family. Is he trying to get back at me? Zeke was indeed her son. By the look of it, she could not just let him be. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Whether Zeke liked it or not, he would have to marry Shirley. ... Meanwhile, at the top-floor office of the Shurmer Group, Zeke was eyeing Artemis with interest. Artemis had visited him out of the blue. ¡°What have I done to deserve such an honor? The great Mr. Luther is actually here to visit me despite his busy schedule.¡± Artemis rolled his eyes and said nonchntly, ¡°I would have visited anyone who is my brother-inw.¡± In other words, Zeke had done nothing to deserve a visit from Artemis. It was only because of his special status. If another man was his brother-inw, Artemis would have paid that man a visit too. Zeke could not help but chuckle, ¡°What can I do for you?¡± ¡°I have to leave Hallsbay for around ten days. Please take care of Bay.¡± ¡°What? Leave Hallsbay? Now? Artemis, are you joking with me? Dellmoor has already sent someone to investigate Bay. If you aren''t in Hallsbay, who is she going to depend on?¡± Artemis looked at him in amusement and replied, ¡°Of course, she has to depend on you. You''re her older brother. Don''t forget that she''s not married yet. As her brother, please look after that troublemaker for me for the time being.¡± You got to be kidding. After a moment of silence, Zeke asked tentatively, ¡°You have to leave? Is it something urgent?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Someone has deliberately started a war between Tarragon and the Saviors. Bay is the leader of the Saviors, so I''m sure you don''t want her identity to be exposed. I have found a way to deal with those who started this. That''s why I have to leave town for a while. Why else do you think I wille to you for help?¡± Zeke smiled and shook his head. ¡°If you leave Hallsbay, I will have no choice but to take over and protect her. Surely, I can''t allow her to be bullied. What kind of men will we be if we can''t even protect a woman?¡± ¡°I''ll take it that you have agreed. Thank you, Zeke. I have things to do, so I''ll be making a move first.¡± Zeke was about to stop him when his phone beeped. It was a message from Sammy. Mr. Zeke, I''m so sorry. I have been exposed. Ms. Gourd is still with child. But, she isn''t allowed to move around for the next few months. If not, she may suffer a miscarriage. All you need now is another push to make it happen. Zeke frowned and only replied to her after a while. Understood. I will still give you whatever I have promised you. Take care. Very shortly after he sent the message, Waverly called. ¡°If you still consider me as your mom,e back home right now.¡± That was all she said. No matter what happened, she was still his mom. She was still the one who had given birth to him and brought him up. As such, Zeke returned to the Shurmer residence. He raised his brows and looked furious when he saw a few men and women dressed in suits and seated in the living room. If he was right, those were staff from City Hall. Are they nning to force me to marry Shirley? Chapter 571 Chapter 571 ¡°You''re back.¡± Waverly''s voice could be hearding from upstairs. She stood at thending and had no intention ofing down. Instead, she uttered coldly, ¡°Come with me to the study first. I want to talk to you.¡± Zeke nodded slightly and handed his briefcase to the servant who was standing nearby before he went upstairs. In the study, Waverly nced at him and went straight to the point. ¡°Are you the one who ordered Sammy to hurt Shirley?¡± Zeke did not deny it. ¡°Yes, it''s me. It was an ident the other night. I slept with her when I was in a delirious state. I didn''t mean to. Even if she does give birth to the child, I won''t be able to provide him with love and affection. Isn''t it better for everyone if we get rid of the child now?¡± Waverly let out a sarcastic chuckle before saying, ¡°Well, at least you are honest enough to own up to your plot.¡± ¡°It''s pointless for me to hide anything since you are already aware of it. Go on. What do you want to do with me now?¡± ¡°What do I want to do with you now?¡± Waverly raised her voice and became agitated. ¡°What else am I supposed to do with you? You''re my only son and the next patriarch of the Shurmer family. What do you expect me to do? Chase you out of the house?¡± Zeke smiled faintly and said expressionless, ¡°You love Zoey a lot, don''t you? You''re willing to give up your own biological daughter for her. It won''t be a bad idea to let her run the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°B*stard.¡± Waverly was infuriated. ¡°She has no blood rtions with the Shurmer family. If I let her run the Shurmer family, there will be a change of ownership after a few decades, won''t it?¡± ¡°So, you are also aware that she isn''t rted to the Shurmer family. Why, then, do you stop your own flesh and blood froming home?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± By the look of it, Waverly was about to have a heart attack. Zeke looked down and continued, ¡°Are you forcing me to marry Shirley today?¡± Waverly replied through gritted teeth, ¡°Yes, you will have to register your marriage today. Zeke, you have already tried, but the baby is still alive. That proves that he is fated to be born into the Shurmer family. The doctor says it''s a boy. Please pity the Shurmer family. We don''t have many male heirs. I have been waiting for this grandson for so long. For your dad''s and my sake, can you please go along with the n?¡± A bitter smile appeared on Zeke''s face. ¡°Fine, as you wish. I''ll register my marriage with Shirley. I hope you don''t regret your decision in the future.¡± With that, he turned around and walked toward the door. Waverly got up on her feet all of a sudden and wanted to say something. However, when she saw him walking away in such a resolute manner, she did not. Instead, her legs turned soft, and she fell back onto the couch. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Neither my son nor daughter is on good terms with me. Did I really do something wrong? ... At the Luther residence, Bailey was sitting on the couch in silence after finding out that the Shurmer family had forced Zeke to officiate the marriage with Shirley. She felt both hapless and pity at the same time. Bailey could tell that her brother did not like Shirley. Yet, he had been forced to marry her. She worried that it would be an unhappy marriage for the two of them. To be honest, she did not think that Shirley was good enough for Zeke. He deserved to marry a powerful and capable woman who could be his equal. Only such a woman would not humiliate her brother''s character and spirit. Zeke would not have to compromise if he married such a woman. Obviously, there was nothing Bailey could do about it even though she felt sorry for Zeke. She was not even acknowledged by the Shurmer family as one of them. There was no way she could voice her opinion regarding her brother''s marriage. The main issue was Shirley''s pregnancy. She¡ª ¡°Bailey, Bailey! Big news! Big news in Adrune!¡± Zayron rushed down the stairs andunched himself onto the couch before throwing the tablet into Bailey''s arms. Felicity scolded him with a smile, ¡°You brat! Can''t you walk properly? What happens if you fall from the stairs?¡± Zayron shrugged his shoulders and said, ¡°Then I''ll be Humpty-Dumpty.¡± The adults were speechless. Bailey squinted at the screen as she scanned through the news. She was shocked at what she saw. The heir of the Hoffman family, Ms. Juliana, is pregnant. The head of the Hoffman family has released a statement saying that the father of her unborn child is Huntley. The current head of the Hoffman family has announced that his second daughter, Juliana, will be getting married to Huntley. Once the wedding is over, he will hand the Hoffman family over to her. Ms. Juliana may be the only female head in the Hoffman family for the past hundreds of years. Her worth is spected to rise, and she will be one of the most powerful women in Adrune. Thest two headlines did not interest Bailey. She, however, could not believe the first trending post. Julie is pregnant? And the child belongs to Huntley? Furthermore, she has just left Hallsbay in heartbreak. Why will she hook up with Huntley so soon? How is it possible? No way. It doesn''t make sense, and it certainly isn''t Juliana''s style. This isn''t something she is capable of. As her master, Bailey was well aware of her infatuation with Zeke. There was a time when Juliana wanted to cut off ties with her because of Zeke in order not to implicate her. It was obvious how much she loved Zeke. Chapter 572 Chapter 572 Pregnant? Go abroad? Perhaps... When Bailey recalled Juliana''s strange behavior before she left Hallsbay, a thought shed across her mind. Maybe, that night, Zeke slept with Juliana? Then again, how did Shirley get pregnant? Since she dared to go to the Shurmer family and tell them about her pregnancy, she must be very confident that the child she was carrying belonged to Zeke. Otherwise, a paternity test would expose her. Did Zeke sleep with both of them that night? If that''s the case, it''ll be a mess! ¡°Bailey, it doesn''t matter who is carrying Uncle Zeke''s child. Right now, the most important thing is to stop Uncle Zeke from marrying the other woman. Let''s sort everything out first. What do you think?¡± Suddenly, Bailey returned to her senses. Yes, the boy is right. I''ll have to stop Zeke and Shirley from registering their marriage. If Julie is indeed carrying Zeke''s child, then the two of them will have missed their chance to be together, won''t they? She took out her phone and dialed Zeke''s number. The phone rang for three seconds before it was being answered. She could hear the cold voice of Zeke''s. ¡°Yes, Bay? What can I do for you?¡± In that instant, Bailey''s heart sank. ¡°Where are you now?¡± After a moment of silence, Zeke replied leisurely, ¡°I''m at the bar. Did something happen to you?¡± He sounded anxious all of a sudden. Bailey took a deep breath before she said through gritted teeth, ¡°Are you with Shirley?¡± ¡°We received our marriage certificate.¡± Zeke even joked, ¡°Aren''t you going to congratte me? Atst, I have settled my marriage issue.¡± ¡°Which bar are you at?¡± ¡°The one on the other side.¡± ¡°Wait for me. I''ming to look for you.¡± That took Zeke by surprise. ¡°Don''te here. It''s very noisy. If there''s something urgent, I cane to the Luther residence right now.¡± ¡°No, I''ll go there and look for you,¡± said Bailey obstinately. With that, she hung up the phone and rushed out the door. Felicity reminded her, ¡°Be careful. Take a coat with you so that you won''t catch a cold. Get the driver to send you there. Don''t drive on your own.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Back at the Shurmer residence, it had only been half an hour since Shirley received her marriage certificate. Yet, she was shocked when she saw the trending news on the Inte. That wh*re, Juliana, is pregnant? If the news was true, then she must be carrying Zeke''s child. Oh, God. Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org. What if shees back and looks for Zeke? The marriage certificate in her hand began to feel like a hot potato. The certificate felt so heavy and it seemed to be mocking her for her foolishness. ¡°Juliana, Juliana, you just refuse to disappear. Of all the days, you have to announce your pregnancy on the same day we register our marriage. This is too much!¡± she mumbled to herself as she scanned through other news. When Shirley saw that the Hoffman family had announced that Juliana''s child belonged to Huntley, she was relieved. Thank God! Now that the whole world knew that Juliana was carrying Huntley''s child, she could nevere running back to the Shurmer family even if she regretted it because no one would believe her. In fact, that could ruin her reputation. Shirley was Mrs. Shurmer now. As for Juliana, if she dared to return and steal her husband away from her, Shirley would make sure that she became the most miserable mistress in the world. ... Inside the infirmary at the Xuereb residence, Justin stood quietly by the bedside. As he looked at Veronique, who was lying on the bed, his eyes darkened. He had been waiting outside for the past three days, hoping that she would change her mind. Unfortunately, she did not. She seemed to have gone to a dead end. ¡°Must we get a divorce?¡± After not getting any sleep for the past few days, Justin looked very haggard. When he talked, his voice sounded hoarse. Veronique opened her eyes slowly and looked at him calmly. ¡°My dad, my sister, and Zephyr have all failed to talk me out of it. Justin, do you think you can change my mind with just a few words? Don''t waste your time. I don''t want to hear it.¡± ¡°I won''t.¡± Justin continued, ¡°I suppose you won''t listen to reasons now. Perhaps, only the most simple and brutal method can awaken you.¡± With that, he picked up the fruit knife from the nightstand. Veronique''s expression changed abruptly. ¡°Justin, what are you trying to do? Don''t be crazy. Stop¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Justin stabbed himself in the abdomen with the fruit knife. The sudden intense pain assaulted his senses, and he fell to his knees. His handsome face turned pale in an instant. So did Veronique''s face. After much struggle, she sat up and grabbed his arm before yelling, ¡°Justin, why must you do this?¡± A sad smile appeared on Justin''s face. ¡°I have stabbed myself in the abdomen, but it won''t kill me. If you continue to behave in this nonchnt manner, I will stab myself in the heart.¡± He was about to pull the knife out when Veronique rolled off the bed and fell into his arms. Chapter 573 Chapter 573 ¡°Justin, you win!¡± Veronique''s hysterical scream echoed throughout the ward. In the next instance, Veronique wrapped her arms around Justin''s neck and started wailing in his embrace. ¡°I didn''t want you close to me because I was afraid of burdening you. I''m a dying person. How can I drag you with me to my deathbed? Why can''t you understand my intentions? Why must all of you force me?¡± Justin hugged her tightly and smiled. ¡°Silly girl. How can I not know what you''re thinking? Since you don''t want me to follow you to the other world, I won''t do so. I know your biggest worry is Zephyr. I will live on and take care of him until he reaches adulthood. Only then will I go and find you. Is that okay?¡± Veronique got out of Justin''s embrace and stared at him dazedly. ¡°Is that true? Say you''re not lying to me. You''re certain you won''t follow me after I die?¡± Justin reached out and caressed her pale-looking face. ¡°Zephyr is my biggest worry too. He''s still young, and I can''t leave him alone. What you should do now is not think about anything and concentrate on the treatment. If the heavens love you, they will bless my research with Bailey and come up with a uterine cancer drug. Otherwise, we shall ept our fate.¡± Veronique once again threw herself into Justin''s embrace. Her right hand was about to hug his waist when she felt a warm sensation. It was then she realized the knife was still in his abdomen. ¡°Y-Your abdomen...¡± Veronique said in a worried tone. ¡°It''s fine. I''m a doctor, remember? I won''t stab myself in the vital area.¡± Veronique became furious and pped his chest. ¡°You shall not use this method to force me in the future. Do you understand me?¡± ¡°Of course, I''ll listen to whatever my wife says.¡± Veronique rolled her eyes and did not bother to reply further. ... Meanwhile, Bailey walked into a private room of a random bar and found Zeke in a drunken stupor. Zeke stared at her for a while before he could recognize her. ¡°Bay, why are you here? Didn''t I tell you not toe?¡± Bailey sighed gently and walked over to hug Zeke. ¡°Zeke, just cry it all out if you feel horrible.¡± Zeke suddenly became much sober after being hugged by Bailey. He could not helpughing and said, ¡°Are you coaxing me like your son? Why should a big man like me cry? Didn''t I tell you not toe? Why did you not listen?¡± Bailey rested her head on his chest and uttered softly, ¡°You''re my only blood rtive on earth. How can I not care about my dear brother?¡± Zeke stretched his hand and patted Bailey''s back, chuckling, ¡°I''m not that weak, so don''t worry about me. What is it about that you came to look for me?¡± Well, I wanted to talk about Julie. But after seeing your depressed look, I don''t feel like talking about it. Oh well, I shall let you off today. I''ll deal with this meddlesome matter tomorrow. Bailey decided not to bother Zeke. ¡°It''s nothing. I came to look for you because I was worried. Don''t you want to drink? I''ll apany you.¡± With that, Bailey took the wine bottle and was about to gulp it down. Zeke hurriedly snatched the bottle away and red at her. ¡°You should know your health better. How can you be drinking when you just went through a miscarriage? I must keep a constant watch on you. Otherwise, you''ll keep getting into trouble.¡± Baileyughed in response. ¡°I thought you were too drunk to notice. All right, I shall not touch alcohol. You can have it all for yourself while I just stay by your side. I''ll send you to my condominiumter, so don''t worry.¡± Zeke could not be bothered to reply to her. ... At the same time, Jacques was treating a few department heads to dinner on the pretext of asking them to pay special attention to Bailey''s charity foundation. The department heads present at the dinner were a bunch of very smart people. How could they not understand Jacques'' true meaning of the ¡°special attention¡± he mentioned? Even if Bailey were eventually found innocent, she definitely wouldn''t get off scot-free. Later that night, at the Luther residence, Bailey came out of the bathroom and saw Artemis leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window with a ss of red wine in his hand and staring into space. She walked toward his back with a smile and hugged his waist from behind. ¡°What are you thinking about that you are all into it?¡± Bailey asked. Artemis looked at the moon outside the window and replied casually, ¡°I can''t stop worrying about you. Why don''t I postpone my travel until this charity fund embezzlement case blows over?¡± Bailey rubbed her head against his back for she disagreed with him, ¡°It''ll be such a pity to miss this hard-toe-by opportunity. Artemis, you should understand that our current situation is rather precarious¡ªwe are in danger. Only by eliminating them can we put our guard down and rx. Otherwise, it''s so tiring to live in fear every day.¡± Artemis smiled and shook his head. Although Bailey was right in a way, he was still concerned. Seeing that he was still hesitant, Bailey could not help but chuckle, ¡°You forgot that Zeke is still around. Furthermore, Raiden is keeping a close eye on matters concerning the foundation. He will ensure I won''t get implicated.¡± Artemis immediately lost it at the mention of Raiden. Yeah, right, as if he''s genuinely concerned about the foundation. The likely truth is he''s targeting Bailey ¡ªmy woman. He''s watching her like a hawk and waiting for the moment I fail so that he can take advantage and win her over. ¡°I want you to keep a distance from Raiden. Do you hear me?¡± Bailey held back herughter and hurriedly promised, ¡°All right. I promise not to contact him or approach him.¡± That said, she reached to take the wine ss away from his hand and ced it on the windowsill. Then, she began to remove the belt of his robe. Artemis'' expression immediately turned grim. He grabbed her hands and gritted his teeth. ¡°Don''t do this. I can''t guarantee that I won''t hurt you.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°What are you afraid of? It''s not as if I won''t be able to control myself.¡± Artemis paused for a while and took a deep breath. He locked his gaze on her and asked in a low voice, ¡°How are you going to control yourself? Bailey, are you sure you can take it, given your current condition?¡± Bailey got impatient and rolled her eyes. ¡°You sound like you''re only good in a certain way.¡± Artemis could not withhold his desire any longer. He lifted Bailey into his arms. ¡°You''re the one who asked for this. Don''t end up cryingter.¡± Bailey found his response amusing. What''s there to cry about? You''re about to leave, and I don''t know when you''ll being back. That''s why I want you now, is that wrong? Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ... Meanwhile, Juliana entered a bedroom at Huntley''s house. Her expression became apologetic when she saw Huntley lying in bed, looking pale and weak. ¡°I''m sorry for implicating you and causing you to get punished,¡± Juliana apologized. Juliana knew Huntley was belted with a heavy punishment for going against the wishes of Raymond and her father by ¡°impregnating¡± her. Looking at the state he was in, he probably would have to stay in bed for at least a week. Huntley struggled to sit up. At the sight of that, Juliana hurried over and held his shoulders. ¡°Don''t move. A few of your wounds are quite deep and have stitches on them. You may identally tear them again if you move.¡± Huntley revealed a weak smile. ¡°It''s toote for you to regret it now that everyone knows the child you are carrying is mine. Are you ready for this?¡± Chapter 574 Chapter 574 Am I ready for it? Well, at this point, what else can I do? I''ve already been told that Zeke and Shirley have officiated their marriage. It''s obvious that I don''t belong in his world. If I expect too much, I''m just going to trouble others and myself. I might as well forget about it and focus on the Hoffman family. Juliana considered the child as the best gift from God because the child would keep herpany for the rest of her life. I shouldn''t be greedy. The more I want, the more I''ll lose in the process. ¡°Thank you, Huntley. Although I don''t know why you would help me, I know you don''t have any evil intentions. I thank God for sending you when I was at my lowest. If not for you, I''m afraid I would''ve already aborted this child,¡± Juliana uttered. In response, Huntley couldn''t help but chuckle. I also met her when I was at my lowest. She''s the reason I''m here today. ¡°You ought to stop overthinking and be careful in the next few days. I''m afraid that Mr. Raymond might come after the child in your belly. After all, he''s not amused to see you pregnant with my child. He''s afraid that he''ll lose control over me after I''ve bonded with you. Therefore, he''ll keeping up with ways to tear us apart. You must look after yourself,¡± Huntley said. ¡°Okay. I will. You should do the same.¡± ... Early the next day in the private airport in the Luther residence, Artemis was tidying up Bailey''s trench coat and urging, ¡°Please stay in over the next few days. If you need anything done, get Ken to do it for you. I''m leaving him here, so stop doing everything yourself. As for the anti-cancer medication research, you can bring the machines home. Don''t leave home. Do you hear me?¡± Bailey nodded with a smile. ¡°Don''t worry. Why are you talking to me as if I were a child?¡± Artemis then bent over to carry his daughter up into his arms. While caressing her head, he smiled and reminded her, ¡°Stay home and keep your mommypany. If you need anything, call me. I''ll bring back what you need from overseas.¡± Instead of answering, Susan snuggled in Artemis'' embrace and giggled. Seeing that, Zayron pouted and gritted his teeth. ¡°Are you guys done? One of you is all over the daughter while the other one is showering the eldest son with love. Did you pick me up from the bin?¡± Bailey immediately reached out her hand to smack the back of Zayron''s head. ¡°When you released the snakes and injured dozens of people, I paid for all the victims'' medical fees! Would I have done that if I picked you up from the bin?¡± Zayron was rendered speechless. Artemis, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes and gazed at Zayron. In a deep voice, he said, ¡°Your grandparents are old, and your mommy isn''t feeling well. Stop fooling around and making them mad.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes and wanted to refute. Right then, a chuckle rang out from behind. ¡°Let Zayrone with me. I''m very fond of this child. Who knows? He might end up leading the Shurmer family in the future.¡± Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and saw Zeke walking toward them with an umbre in his hand. Zayron instantly ran toward Zeke and greeted him, ¡°Hi, Uncle Zeke!¡± Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. Zeke threw his umbre aside and carried Zayron in his arms. ¡°It''s all right. If they don''t want you, I want you! I''ll take you around from now on.¡± With that, Zeke raised his gaze toward Artemis and said, ¡°Be at ease, okay? I''ll take care of Bay and the kids. Don''t worry.¡± Artemis lowered his gaze to check his watch and nodded. ¡°Okay. It''s gettingte, so I need to board the ne. Don''t stay here, you guys. It''s cold out here. Go back into the Luther residence.¡± ¡°I don''t mind. I''ll watch you board the ne, and I''ll only go back in after your flight has taken off.¡± Artemis didn''t insist. He then put Susan down, kissed Bailey''s forehead, and strode toward the boarding gate. ¡°He''ll return safely,¡± Zeke said. Upon hearing those words, Bailey retracted her gaze and smiled at Zeke. ¡°I know. That''s because he''s not going to leave his family behind.¡± With that, she nced at her kids and uttered gently, ¡°I have something to talk about with Zeke. You guys should head back in so that you won''t catch a cold.¡± As Zayron was walking away, he said, ¡°Uncle Zeke, I''ll pack up and go to the Shurmer residence with you. I would like to see what exactly the Shurmer family has. Since they look down on Mommy, I''ll make sure they''ll never prosper.¡± Zeke smiled and nodded. ¡°Sure. Pack some clothes then.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but frown and ask tentatively, ¡°Does anyone in the Shurmer family have a history of heart disease?¡± Bailey was worried that the moment Zayron entered the Shurmer residence, the two older ones in the Shurmer residence would end up in the hospital. ¡°None of them has a history of heart disease, but there''s one unstable pregnant woman there. Even before Zayron mentioned it, I was already nning to bring him there to wreak havoc.¡± Bailey giggled and replied, ¡°You''re so evil, Mr. Shurmer. Zayron is capable of causing a fire in the Shurmer residence in the middle of the night. Such a traumatic event can actually cause a miscarriage for the unstable pregnant woman. You''re willing to do whatever it takes to get what you want, aren''t you?¡± Zeke''s expression turned grim, and he uttered casually, ¡°Well, that kid isn''t supposed to exist.¡± Stunned, Bailey asked with her brows furrowed, ¡°It''s not? Is that not your child?¡± Chapter 575 Chapter 575 Zeke fell into deep thought. After a long while, he replied, ¡°That''s my child, but we didn''t conceive it naturally. She got pregnant through IVF.¡± Bailey was stunned momentarily, and her face was filled with shock in the next second. ¡°IVF? How did you know?¡± ¡°What I stored my spe*m in a freezer in Shurmer Group''s pharmaceutical factory had been swapped. I did an investigation, and I found that the person in charge of that pharmaceutical factory is close to the Gourd family. Hence, I guess he stole my spe*m and gave it to the Gourd family before imnting it into Shirley.¡± Bailey''s expression darkened. ¡°Are you saying that you didn''t have sex with Shirley that night? She took advantage of the situation and convinced everyone you guys had sex. In order to have control over you, she took the risk ofmitting theft and imnting your spe*m in her body. Is she doing all that to trick everyone into believing that you guys had conceived the child that night?¡± Upon saying that, something immediately popped up in Bailey''s mind. If that''s the case, who did he have sex with that night? Julie! Could it be Julie? ¡°Is Juliana pregnant?¡± Zeke asked in a deep voice. Bailey shivered slightly when she felt the rage Zeke was exuding. Is he angry because Juliana tricked him, or is he angry because Juliana is telling everyone Huntley is the father of her child? ¡°Y-Yes. She''s pregnant. The Hoffman family is telling the public that she''s pregnant with her fianc¨¦''s child,¡± Bailey answered. Bailey ended thest sentence with a more assertive tone to verify her guess. Sure enough, Zeke''s icy aura intensified after he heard those words. It seems like he''s not pissed off at Julie. Instead, he''s angry at the fact that Julie is telling everyone she''s pregnant with another man''s child. Bailey wondered if that meant Zeke still cared about Juliana. ¡°Her fianc¨¦''s child? Ha! Bailey, do you think she''s such an easy woman? Do you think she would suddenly have sex with another man and get pregnant with that man''s child?¡± Zeke asked. Bailey was rendered speechless by his question. Obviously, Julie isn''t a promiscuous woman. She went back to her family because she refused to submit to her fate. Being as relentless as she was, she wanted to take control of the Hoffman family so that no one could ever restrain her. She meant toe back to Hallsbay and pursue Zeke after all that. However, something made her change her mind, and she ended up staying with the Hoffman family and telling everyone she was pregnant with Huntley''s child. Essentially, she gave up going after the man she loved. I think Julie was disheartened when she heard Zeke was getting married to Shirley after getting her pregnant. With that in mind, Bailey said, ¡°Zeke¡ª¡± ¡°You don''t have to tell me anything. I''m smart enough toe to my own conclusion. Let''s put the matter concerning Juliana aside for now. I''m definitely not letting Shirley keep the child. Since Zayron is capable of wreaking havoc, I''m bringing him to the Shurmer residence to stir the pot,¡± Zeke uttered. ¡°Sure.¡± Bailey nodded. ... Meanwhile, in a ward in the psychiatric hospital, Rhonda was clutching her head and screaming at the top of her lungs hysterically. At the same time, anguish was written all over her face. A nurse nearby asked in a worried tone, ¡°Dr. Cohen, it seems like she''s very resistant to regaining consciousness. Should we continue giving her medicine and forcing her to pull herself back from her insanity?¡± A look of disdain manifested on the doctor''s face. Ever since this woman was sent to our psychiatric hospital, we attracted the attention of many. Needless to say, this is a famous woman. ¡°Continue giving her the medicine. We don''t need to risk crossing Mr. Luther and Ms. Jefferson over a psycho,¡± answered Johnny Cohen, the doctor. ¡°Okay. Judging by her condition, I think she can regain consciousness after another couple of shots. Should you give Ms. Jefferson a call to tell her what''s going on?¡± Johnny nodded. ¡°Yes. I''ll call her in a while. Prepare the medicine. The sooner she regains consciousness, the quicker our job is done, and we can stop dealing with this b*tch.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Understood.¡± ... Meanwhile, Zeke brought all three kids instead of one back to the mansion of the Shurmer family. Steven was over the moon when he saw his three grandchildren. He was even trying everything he could to make the kids address him as their grandfather. Waverly was walking down the stairs, and her expression turned grim when she saw the kids. ¡°Who brought them to the Shurmer residence?¡± With that, she red at Steven and gritted her teeth. ¡°Are you that keen to be a granddad? Once Zozo has gotten married and given birth, you''ll naturally be a granddad, no? Why are you in such a rush now?¡± Zayron wasn''t nning to be polite to someone who bullied his mother. Hence, right after hearing what Waverly said, Zayron quickly uttered, ¡°Uncle Zeke, is your mom stupid? Why would she acknowledge a random girl as her daughter and disregard her biological daughter? I strongly rmend you take her to the hospital to check her brain out.¡± ¡°I''ll give Justin a call and ask him to brainwash Uncle Zeke''s mom. We need to knock some sense into her,¡± Maxton chimed in. Not wanting to be left behind, Susan raised her gaze to nce at the angry-looking Waverly on the staircase and smiled. ¡°Zayron, Maxton, I think Uncle Zeke''s mom isn''t only stupid, but she also has problems with her eyes. Otherwise, why would she disregard such a pretty girl like Mommy and protect a pretentious woman? She must be blind.¡± Waverly lost herposure and rushed down the stairs. ¡°Where are your manners? Since your mother didn''t educate you, I''m going to teach you a lesson on her behalf.¡± Chapter 576 Chapter 576 Seeing that, Zayron quickly shielded Susan and headbutted Waverly. Upon impact, Waverly staggered backward and plopped right down on the staircase. ¡°How dare you? Someone throw these b*stards out!¡± Waverly yelled. Despite hearing those words, the servants stood still and exchanged nces. The Shurmer family is now under Mr. Zeke''s control, so we should only take orders from him. Waverly let out a chuckle in exasperation and red at Zeke, who was standing by the main entrance. While gritting her teeth, she fumed, ¡°Why did you bring them here? Do you still want Bailey toe back and reim her identity?¡± Zeke ignored her and grabbed Susan''s hand. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll bring you guys to check out your rooms. If any of you don''t like what you see, we can make some changes.¡± Susan broke into a smile and hugged Zeke''s legs. ¡°I want to sleep with you, Uncle Zeke!¡± The look in Zeke''s eyes softened when he gazed at Susan. I bet Bay was just as adorable when she was little. I''ve missed out on watching Bay grow up. Now, I''m going to make it up to her by loving my niece. ¡°Sure! You''ll be sleeping with me,¡± Zeke answered. ¡°Mom, why are you on the floor?¡± Zoey yelled and rushed down the stairs before helping Waverly up. Zayron and Maxton exchanged looks and saw each other''s ill intentions. ¡°Hmph! How shameless can you be? You know you''re not the Shurmer family''s biological daughter. Yet, you''re holding on to my mommy''s position in the family.¡± ¡°Exactly! What a shameless woman! If I were you, I would''ve packed up and left. Because of you, the rightful daughter of the family can''t even return home. Does God know how pretentious you are?¡± ¡°I don''t think God knows. Otherwise, she would''ve been taken off the face of the earth already.¡± ¡°That''s true. Well, it''s not toote now. So many are dying every day. Why hasn''t this pretentious woman died?¡± The brothers were doing a good job mocking Zoey. When Zoey heard those remarks, she turned to look at Waverly with her teary eyes. ¡°M-Mom, I never intended to snatch Bailey''s identity. If you want her back, I''ll still treat her as a sister. However, she''s crossing the line by asking her kids to mock me,¡± Zoey uttered. Waverly shot Maxton and Zayron a cold look and thundered, ¡°Shut up! If you keep spewing nonsense, I''m going to call the police.¡± Zayron spat in disgust, and Maxton followed suit. Zoey then turned to look at Steven with her watery eyes and choked out tearfully, ¡°It seems like the house doesn''t have a spot for me anymore. Dad, Mom, perhaps you guys should just chase me out. Now that the kids are already here, it''s safe to assume Bailey is alsoing home soon. I don''t want to embarrass myself by staying here any longer. Please, just let me go.¡± Upon hearing those words, Zayron hunched over and gagged. Again, Maxton did the same thing. ¡°How disgusting!¡± ¡°How shameless!¡± Waverly was so angry that her knees went weak, and she fell heavily onto the staircase again. Zeke then lowered his head slightly and curled his lips into a grin. It seems like bringing these kids back to the Shurmer residence is a good idea. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll bring you guys up to rest,¡± Zeke said. ¡°Sure! However, I want my room to be far away from the pretentious woman''s room.¡± ¡°Yes. The further, the better.¡± Waverly was gritting her teeth as she watched Zeke bring the kids upstairs. ¡°B*stard! Is he trying to give me a heart attack?¡± Steven took a nce at her and said, ¡°He went to the bar to get drunk yesterday. Have you ever seen him go to a bar? Waverly, your rtionship with your son is really going down the hill.¡± Waverly trembled slightly in response. Is the distance between me and my son growing wider? Is he turning his back on me? ... For two days straight, all the public statements made by the government departments in Hallsbay were rted to Bailey. These departments were either saying that Bailey was evading taxes or that she had vited the regtions when she registered the foundation, or that something was wrong with the ount of the foundation. In the blink of an eye, Bailey became the talk of the town. However, instead of getting affected, Bailey was focused on doing research on the anti-cancer drugs in the infirmary of the Luther residence. On the other hand, Felicity panicked and engaged all thewyers in Luther Group. Felicity wanted to clear Bailey''s name, but the investigators were sent in from Dellmoor. Therefore, she could only stay home and watch as things unfolded because she couldn''t openly go against the country. All of a sudden, Felicity saw Bailey rushing into the living room, and Felicity immediately went up to Bailey and asked, ¡°What''s the matter? Are the reporters after you?¡± ¡°Mom, I don''t have the time to exin things to you, but could you please arrange a driver for me? I need to go to the Revelle residence. Vero''s sickness is acting up, and I need to check on her,¡± Bailey uttered. Both Bailey and Felicity were stunned by how Bailey addressed Felicity. Felicity froze momentarily, and her tears were welling up in her eyes. I mistreated Bay back then, and I''ve been worried that she might never address me so. Who would''ve thought that it would sound so natural when she addressed me as her mom? ¡°Okay! I''ll make the arrangements now. After that, I''ll go with you,¡± Felicity answered. Bailey smiled in response. I thought I would never address anyone as my mom for the rest of my life. Ever since I was little, I had never addressed anyone so. Personally, I''ve been restricting myself to do that. Back then, I thought Sophia was my mother, and she died in the fire. In order to avenge her, I searched for the truth for several years. In the end, reality humiliated me. After that, I found out that Waverly is my biological mother. I thought things would turn out well, but that woman has disappointed me. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. That was why Bailey thought she would never need a mother figure in her life. However, Bailey noticed how concerned Felicity had been over the past few days. While Bailey was moved, she had also silently acknowledged Felicity. Most importantly, Felicity was Artemis'' mother. Based on that fact alone, Bailey was willing to forgive Felicity for everything Felicity had done in the past. As it turned out, Bailey was rather easily contented. ¡°Bay? Bay?¡± Felicity called out. ¡°Huh? What is it?¡± ¡°Don''t you want to go out? What are you doing standing there? Quickly get changed, will you? If you don''t fully disguise yourself, there''s no way I''m letting you leave.¡± Bailey reached out her arms and gave Felicity a hug and a peck on the cheek. ¡°Thank you, Mom. I''ll go upstairs now. Please remember to arrange a car for me.¡± ¡°Go on, Bay!¡± After watching Bailey go up the stairs, Felicity quickly whipped out her phone to send Artemis a text. Felicity texted: Your wife just addressed me as ¡°Mom¡±. Momentster, Artemis replied: I know you just want us to get married sooner. Felicity saw the text and let out a chuckle in exasperation. What an a*s! Why would I lie to you? Upon remembering Bailey was rushing to go to the Revelle residence, Felicity didn''t dare to waste another second. Immediately, she went ahead to get the car ready. Chapter 577 Chapter 577 When Bailey was walking down the stairs, she saw Felicity all covered up in disguise and smiling back at her from the main entrance. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bailey asked. ¡°I''m going to the Revelle residence with you! My son told me to look after you. He reminded me to keep you at home before he left. However, you''re in a rush to save someone''s life, so I can''t possibly stop you from leaving. Hence, I decided to tag along.¡± Bailey pinched Felicity''s cheek gently andughed. ¡°All right, Mom. That''s enough. It''s so cold outside. How can I let youe with me?¡± ¡°Since it''s so cold outside, perhaps you should stay in as well.¡± Err... Bailey knew there was no talking Felicity out of it, so she had no choice but to nod reluctantly. ¡°Okay. The longer we wait, the bigger the risk Vero is taking. I can''t afford to convince you otherwise. Let''s go!¡± ¡°That''s more like it! If you don''t let me tag along, I''m not letting you leave!¡± ¡°All right, Mrs. Luther. Stop putting up a haughty act despite having an advantage. You''re making someone hate you!¡± ¡°Oh, Bay!¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ... Meanwhile, Bill and Yvonne were waiting impatiently outside the infirmary at the Revelle residence. Needless to say, they both looked extremely worried. Suddenly, they heard a set of footsteps in the corridor, and they both turned around at the same time. There, they saw Bailey approaching, and they immediately went up to her. ¡°You''re here, Bay!¡± With that, Bill turned toward Felicity and apologized, ¡°I''m sorry to have troubled you.¡± ¡°Don''t worry about it. Who can I me for having such a capable daughter-inw? Let''s talk some other time. Bay, go in and check on the patient. Quick!¡± Felicity urged. Bailey nodded and rushed into the emergency room. Bill let out a sigh as he gazed at Bailey''s back. ¡°She''s such a nice girl. Although she''s kind, her life is filled with hardship and challenges. It''s heartbreaking to see what she has to go through in life.¡± Felicity chimed in, ¡°You''re absolutely right! I was foolish back then for making things difficult for her. However, Bay never held a grudge. Instead, she''s even treating me as her mother. Now, she has the Luther family backing her, and no one can touch her. We are dismissing all the gossip and rumors out there.¡± ¡°I''m d you think that way. You''re blessed to have found such an incredible daughter-inw.¡± ¡°Yes. I''m blessed. I''m so thankful for the fact that I saw Bay in a new light. Otherwise, I would''ve missed out on such an amazing daughter-inw. Wait. No. She''s my daughter now. From now on, I''m going to treat her as my own daughter.¡± ... After Bailey changed into a clean coverall, she entered the operating room and saw Justin standing beside the operating table in a daze. At the same time, there were several experts engaged in a discussion. Bailey walked toward Justin and patted his shoulder. ¡°Hey! Wake up!¡± Justin turned around and saw Bailey. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Instead of answering him, Bailey pointed at the unconscious Veronique with her chin and asked, ¡°What''s the situation?¡± Justin nodded. ¡°The cancer cells have begun to spread to other organs, and we are discussing what kind of drugs to inject to slow the spread.¡± Bailey took the CT image and scanned it. With a frown, she said, ¡°The spread is faster than I expected. What do you think we should do next?¡± Justin held his forehead and sighed. ¡°What else can we do apart from using drugs to slow down the spread of cancer cells? Although it''s just a temporary fix, we can at least give her more time.¡± Bailey kept mum for a while before saying, ¡°These drugs will destroy her body functions and make her immunity drop rapidly. When the body''s immune system gives in, the growth of the cancer cells will go out of control. When that happens, the anti-cancer drug will be useless even if it''s developed.¡± Justin''s face fell and responded in a frustrated tone, ¡°What do you think we should do, then? Are we just going to sit by and let the cancer cells spread? She''ll die even faster that way.¡± ¡°Well, that''s something we need to do.¡± Bailey then suddenly grabbed his arm and asked solemnly, ¡°Would you like to take a gamble? Do you want to bet on the possibility that I can develop the anti- cancer drug before her cancer cells spread all over her body?¡± Justin pursed his lips and went quiet. After a while, he asked through clenched teeth, ¡°What are the odds?¡± ¡°Fifty percent. Justin, she''s like a sister to me. Don''t doubt me when I say that I''m thest person on earth who wants to see her die. If she dies, I''ll have to live in guilt for the rest of my life because her life is now in my hands. I''m only willing to take the risk because I have faith and see miracles in clinical trials. At the same time, I believe she''s strong enough to pull through.¡± Justin couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°What else can I say? Let''s gamble. We won''t inject her with anything until you''ve developed the anti-cancer drug. Bailey, I''m leaving my life and Veronique''s in your hands. If things go south, please look after Zephyr.¡± Bailey shifted her gaze elsewhere and answered in a hoarse voice, ¡°Don''t say that. You''re both going to live.¡± After saying that, she went silent for a while before shutting her eyes and gritting her teeth. ¡°If things go south, I promise I''ll treat Zephyr as my own son.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± ... Concurrently, Zoey was on the phone with someone in a private room on the second floor of a coffee shop. Seated across from her was a fashionably dressed young girl, Scarlett. ¡°Did you ask me out to watch you talk on the phone?¡± Scarlett asked. Chapter 578 Chapter 578 Zoey apologized to the person on the other end of the phone and ended the call. ¡°Don''t be angry, Lady Scarlett. I''m working on a cooperation deal between us,¡± Zoey uttered. Cooperation? Scarlett narrowed her eyes and stared at Zoey. ¡°What tricks are you ying on me, Zoey? At this moment, I''m not someone you can afford to mess with.¡± Zoey smiled sheepishly and replied, ¡°You''re right, Lady Scarlett. Who would dare to cross you? However, you''re suffering emotionally, aren''t you? Don''t you think that''s rather...¡± ¡°What are you getting at?¡± Scarlett raised her voice. ¡°Zoey, I don''t have time for your bullsh*t. Spill it!¡± ¡°Veronique is critically ill.¡± Scarlett was stunned momentarily. She then narrowed her eyes at Zoey and queried, ¡°What did you say?¡± Zoey lowered her head to conceal the frigid look in her eyes from Scarlett. What''s with her attitude? Everyone knows she can only afford to behave this way because the Fletcher family is backing her. I would love to see if she can still stay arrogant when she loses the Fletcher family''s support one day. ¡°I said Veronique was critically ill. Prior to this, one of the experts called me and told me the cancer cells in Veronique were starting to spread, so she was in critical condition. But...¡± ¡°But what? Speak.¡± ¡°But it seems like Bailey will save her. You know Bailey is Anonymous, right? Not only does she have incredible medical skills, but she had even developed an anti-cancer drug for the country. Hence, she''s rather experienced in this field. If she says she can save Veronique, she surely can.¡± Hearing that, Scarlett mmed her hand on the table, and her face was distorted with rage. ¡°It''s you again, Bailey Jefferson! You''re always ruining my ns. Is your existence just to oppose me?¡± In response, Zoey clicked her tongue and uttered in disappointment, ¡°Initially, after Veronique died, no one would be standing in your way anymore, Lady Scarlett. She was meant to die. However, Bailey showed up and ended your hopes.¡± Scarlett red at Zoey and gritted her teeth. ¡°You didn''t ask me out just to say this, did you? What else do you have for me? Spill it! My patience is running low.¡± ¡°All right. Since you''re being so straightforward, Ms. Fletcher, I''ll be frank. Would you like to work with me to get rid of Bailey?¡± What? Of course! Scarlett was too angry to think it through, and she asked, ¡°How?¡± ¡°Now is the best chance to kill Bailey.¡± Scarlett clenched her fists, and her gaze turned gloomy. ¡°What chance are you talking about? If it turns out to be something I deem doable, I''m not going to hold back.¡± Scarlett had been wanting to kill Bailey. However, she failed every time she tried. Needless to say, she hated Bailey to the bone, and she wanted nothing more than to kill her. ¡°It has been raining, hasn''t it? If Bailey were to die in a road ident, wouldn''t that be easy and convenient?¡± Zoey asked. Scarlett raised her gaze abruptly and asked, ¡°That''s a crime. Are you asking me tomit a crime, Zoey? What are your intentions?¡± Zoey chuckled coldly, and a frightening look appeared on her face. ¡°Lady Scarlett, how could it not be a crime if we are killing someone? That''s just how it is. If you want Bailey to die, that''s the only thing you can do now. Besides, now is your perfect chance because Artemis isn''t in Hallsbay. Bailey is seldom out of the house except for today. You can''t possibly go to the Luther residence to kill Bailey, can you? Also, you won''t have a chance to get rid of Bailey once Artemis has returned.¡± Scarlett pursed her lips and kept mum for a while. Through her gritted teeth, she said, ¡°Okay. Today''s the day, then. Tell me where she''ll be and when she''ll be there. I''ll arrange for someone to cause a road ident.¡± ¡°Sure. Let''s have a fruitful coboration.¡± ... Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Shurmer residence, Zayron and Maxton arrived in front of a room door. The moment they approached the room, the guards guarding the door stopped the boys. ¡°Mr. Maxton and Mr. Zayron, Mrs. Shurmer told me to keep you away from Ms. Gourd''s room. Ms. Gourd is not feeling well now, so she needs to rest. Please leave.¡± The boys exchanged nces andmunicated wordlessly. A few secondster, Zayron smiled and uttered, ¡°Well, I wanted to see my future aunt. Since you guys don''t let me do that, I''ll just forget about it.¡± After that, Maxton said loudly, ¡°Since our aunt is refusing to see us, that means she doesn''t even see us as her nephews. All right, then. From now on, we don''t have to acknowledge her as our aunt anymore.¡± Shirley heard what the boys said from inside the room, and she was furrowing her brows. Zeke seems to like Bailey''s kids a lot. If I can get in the kids'' good books, does that mean Zeke will treat me nicer? With that in mind, she quickly called out to the guard, ¡°Let them in!¡± The guard opened the door and uttered in an aggrieved tone, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer told me to keep them away from you.¡± ¡°It''s fine. If Mrs. Shurmer reprimands you guys, I''ll bear the consequences. Let them in. Since the kids want to see their aunt, how can I refuse to see them?¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Chapter 579 Chapter 579 The two little ones standing by the door darted past the two bodyguards before they could do anything. Upon sensing something was amiss, the bodyguard hurried downstairs to look for Waverly. Inside the room, Shirley greeted the children with a warm smile. ¡°You''re Zayron? And you''re Maxton? Hello, I''m your aunt.¡± Zayron sneered. Even Maxton followed suit. Shirley''s smile faltered as she sensed their hostile vibes. ¡°Is everything okay? Did I say something wrong?¡± ¡°You''re a shameless woman,¡± Zayron said. ¡°B*tch,¡± Maxton chimed in. Shirley''s expression darkened. She narrowed her eyes, stared at them, and said indifferently, ¡°Please leave if you''re not here to see me. I need to rest.¡± Zayron walked to the bedside and whispered, ¡°I know the truth. The person who slept with my uncle that night wasn''t you, but Ms. Stone. I heard she''s pregnant with his child.¡± Shirley''s eyes widened in disbelief, and her body began to shake uncontrobly. How did he find out about it? How could he possibly know that Juliana was the one who went into Zeke''s room, not me? ¡°Y-You''re just making up stories!¡± she protested. Her voice quivered with anger and fear. ¡°I made up stories? Should I bring Ms. Stone over so that you can confront her face-to-face?¡± Zayron said. Shirley trembled even more violently. She pointed at Zayron but was too agitated to speak. Meanwhile, Waverly''s face turned pale when she rushed into the room and witnessed themotion. She quickly walked to the bed and pulled the two boys away. ¡°Shirley, stay calm. The baby is not yet stable, and if you be agitated again, there is a risk of a miscarriage.¡± Shirley held onto Waverly''s arm anxiously and said, ¡°I am really pregnant with Zeke''s child. If you don''t believe me, you can send someone to do an amniocentesis. ¡°Even if I have a miscarriage, I will still want to clear my name.¡± After hearing what she said, Waverly probably figured out what the two rascals had said to provoke her. ¡°Don''t say that. Of course, I believe you. The fetus is not stable at the moment, and performing an amniocentesis could lead to a miscarriage. Don''t pay attention to those two troublemakers. They intentionally came here to cause trouble and provoke you. They have malicious intentions even at such a young age, and I''m afraid they will continue to cause trouble in the future.¡± After that, she yelled at the two bodyguards at the door. ¡°Get them out of here as far away as possible!¡± Shirley clutched her stomach in agony, moaning, ¡°It hurts, my stomach, my baby...¡± Waverly''s expression turned dark as she red at the mischievous duo, grinding her teeth. ¡°If anything happens to her baby, I''ll skin you alive. Is anyone outside? Hurry, go fetch a doctor.¡± In a matter of seconds, chaos erupted in the Shurmer family. The two brothers exchanged knowing nces, each aware of the other''s cunning intentions. What a weakling. She''s not even one-tenth as formidable as Rhonda. ... Meanwhile, on a tree-lined avenue in the suburbs, the screeching of emergency brakes shattered the tranquility of the rainy sky, sending scattered pedestrians on the roadside fleeing in panic. ¡°Mrs. Luther, Ms. Bailey, someone is after us!¡± Came the voice of Andy through the earpiece. Felicity and Bailey met each other''s gaze, and their expressions turned cold. ¡°Quickly pull over to the side of the road,¡± Bailey ordered the driver. He replied, ¡°Yes, Ms. Bailey.¡± The driver abruptly turned the steering wheel, attempting to maneuver around the obstacles and park the car on the sidewalk. That area was rtively empty, and the pedestrians had dispersed, making it safer for them to avoid any potential idents. However, his driving skills werecking. Despite his repeated attempts, he had not seeded. Bailey grimaced at the turn of events. It was evident that someone had tampered with the road surface, causing the car to skid and making it impossible to move. ¡°Hit the brake, then slowly move over to the passenger seat. I''ll take over,¡± Bailey eximed. The driver did not dare dy and promptly followed her instructions. At that point, Felicity had already quietly opened the car door, waiting for any sudden situation to arise so that she could pull Bailey over and jump out of the vehicle. As the driver had already vacated the driver''s seat Bailey bent over, trying to squeeze through the gap between the driver''s and passenger''s seats. ¡°Ah!¡± All of a sudden, Felicity screamed as she watched a medium-sized truck crash into the right side of their car. Without much thought, she grabbed Bailey''s arm and pushed her out with all her might. ¡°Bay, remember to roll a few times after hitting the ground.¡± ¡°No!¡± Bailey screamed in desperation. Trading one life for another like this might save her, but what about Felicity? How can I ever exin to Artemis if she died in this traffic ident? With a loud bang, the two vehicles collided head-on. After being pushed out of the car, Bailey instinctively rolled several times on the ground, barely avoiding the overturned car they had been traveling in. She would have been crushed under the car had she been a second slower. I might have cheated death, but what about Mom? Andy rushed over with bodyguards. ¡°Ms. Bailey, are you okay?¡± Bailey struggled to get up. ¡°The car overturned, and Mrs. Luther is still inside. Send people over to rescue her.¡± As she spoke, her gaze roamed around the area, and she instantly spotted the vehicles that caused the ident. The three ck vehicles were modified cars that had no license tes. They were racing in different directions¡ªone east, one south, and one west¡ªin search of an exit. Upon noticing that, Bailey immediately took out her phone and sent a text message. ¡°Ms. Bailey, Mrs. Luther is in critical condition. She has a piece of car window ss lodged in the back of her head and is bleeding profusely.¡± After putting her phone into her pocket, she rushed over to Andy. One dead, and another severely injured. The driver had died, and Felicity was severely injured. Bailey''s tears started streaming down her face as she looked at the middle-aged woman lying in a pool of blood. A murderous rage ignited in her eyes. Whoever is responsible will pay for this! ¡°Bay...¡± Felicity''s weak voice brought Bailey back to reality. She knelt down right away and held Felicity''s arm. ¡°I''m here. Look, I''m fine. I''m not injured.¡± As she spoke, her tears continued to flow down her face. Felicity grasped her hand and spoke in a gradually weakening voice. ¡°I''m d you''re okay. I''m d you''re okay...¡± Waverly cried and eximed, ¡°It''s not okay at all. Why did you push me out? I was in front of you at that time. The car would have hit me instead. Why did you do that?¡± Felicity struggled to say, ¡°Because I only have one life, and you have two.¡± She then fell into aa. She knew Artemis would have lost his desire to live if Bailey had died. In other words, she was not only saving Bailey, but she was also saving her son. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Chapter 580 Chapter 580 Zeke rushed to the scene after receiving the news of the car ident, but when he arrived, Bailey and the rest had already been taken away. Instead of rushing to the medical base, he stayed at the scene tomand the traffic police to investigate the matter thoroughly. Meanwhile, Bailey ordered someone to send the unconscious Felicity to Justin''s medical base. As soon as she arrived at the destination, she went straight into the operating room. Gerald and the Chivers family arrived one after another, and they all gathered along the corridor. Glen asked Andy in a deep voice when he noticed the man was covered in blood. ¡°What happened? How could a massive car ident ur in broad daylight?¡± Andy lowered his head slightly and tried to remainposed as he briefly recounted the situation at the scene. Upon hearing that, Edmund knitted his brows and asked, ¡°Is Bay all right?¡± ¡°Yes. Mrs. Luther managed to shove her out of the car right before the collision. Though she tumbled on the ground a few times, her thick clothing prevented her from sustaining any major injuries,¡± Andy exined. Edmund heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Glen, saying gravely, ¡°Someone must have orchestrated this. I will investigate the ident site. Please take care of things here.¡± With that, he turned around and was ready to leave the medical base. ¡°You don''t have to go, Mr. Edmund. Mr. Zeke had rushed to the scene as soon as he heard about the ident. Since he hasn''t yet returned, he''s probably still there investigating.¡± Glen looked at Edmund and bobbed his head in response. ¡°If that''s the case, you don''t have to go. Zeke is Bay''s brother, so I''m sure he will do everything possible to find out who is responsible for the ident now that his sister is involved in such a serious incident. Please call Artemis and Simon and let them know Felicity is in critical condition. Ask them toe as soon as possible.''¡° ¡°Got it,¡± Edmund replied. In the operating room, Bailey cast a worried nce at Felicity, who had a shard of broken ss in her hair. ¡°Do we have CT scan results?¡± Bailey inquired. ¡°Yes.¡± A female doctor hurried over with several color ultrasounds in hand. ¡°Here, take a look.¡± The color drained out of Bailey''s face after she examined the CT scan results. ¡°Ms. Bailey, I must inform you that Mrs. Luther''s condition is critical. We should consider issuing a critical condition notice to mitigate the risks we are taking. If her condition worsens and leads to a fatality, we may face legal repercussions,¡± the head of the Luther Group''s medical team advised. His formal response agitated Bailey. ¡°Stop babbling. Get out of here if you''re scared of the legal repercussions.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± After ring at the hesitant experts, Bailey scoffed, ¡°Luther Group had spent thousands and millions on the medical team, yet you''re afraid of being held ountable. Thepany might as well disband the medical team to avoid wasting money on you bunch of ipetent cowards.¡± ¡°You!¡± the head of the medical team was rendered speechless. He flung his sleeve angrily and stormed out of the operating room. Bailey continued, ¡°If you fear the risk of death, ountability, and trouble, leave the operating room right now. If Mrs. Luther fails to make it, then it will be her fate, but I''m willing to take a gamble and do whatever it takes to save her life.¡± Another two left after the remaining experts looked directly at each other for a few seconds. In the end, only Bailey and a female doctor were left in the operating room. ¡°I have faith in your medical expertise, Ms. Bailey. And I believe you can work wonders,¡± the female doctor responded confidently. ¡°You have faith in me? Bailey arched a brow. ¡°What makes you think I can pull off a medical miracle? The CT scan results show the ss is lodged in the central nervous system. The slightest mistake can result in nerve damage, or even worse, instant death. I''m sure you''re aware of that.¡± The doctor pressed her lips before gritting her teeth. ¡°Luther Group paid for my medical education and provided me with opportunities to gain clinical experience under Mr. Xuereb''s tutge. I''m not afraid to take on this challenge.¡± Bailey responded with a grin and kept mum. She then focused on formting a treatment n based on the CT scan results in her hand. Meanwhile, Glen looked at the medical experts with a scowl when he heard themining about Bailey. Rage boiled inside Glen. ¡°Bay is right. The Luthers had raised a bunch of ungrateful, worthless cowards. Get out of my sight, all of you!¡± The head of the medical team''s face darkened. He gritted his teeth and exined, ¡°The ss is lodged in the central nervous system of the brain. If we operate, the patient will die for sure. Even if she survives, she''ll remain a vegetable for the rest of her life. Old Mr. Chivers, you can''t just allow her...¡± Glen retorted, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. ¡°And what are the chances of survival if you don''t perform the surgery?¡± The medical team head was bereft of words upon hearing his remark. Glen knew the patient would die even faster if they refused to carry out the procedure. I see... They''re so afraid of taking responsibility that they woulde up with all sorts of excuses. What a bunch of cowards. Glen snorted twice andmanded, ¡°Stop making a fool of yourself here anymore. What you can''t do doesn''t mean Bay can''t do it.¡± A few experts peered into each other''s eyes before slinking back to the operating room. Meanwhile, Edmund approached Glen after making the calls. ¡°Grandpa, Artemis didn''t pick up my call. Simon said he''ll fly back immediately in a private jet.¡± Glen red at his son-inw and asked, ¡°Where''s Artemis? Where''s he?¡± Gerald answered in a deep voice, ¡°He went to deal with things for the organization. It should be inconvenient for him to answer the phone. I''ll find a way to contact him.¡± At that moment, Justin arrived in a hurry. ¡°I''m sorry, I got caught up in traffic on the way here. How''s Mrs. Luther?¡± ¡°She''s currently being treated. Get in quickly,¡± Glen said. ... Meanwhile, in a hotel room, Scarlett sprang up from the couch. ¡°What did you say? Bailey is alive? And she''s unharmed?¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Y-Yes, that''s right. She''s alive and well. It was Mrs. Luther who was critically injured and fell into a coma. I''m sorry, Ms. Fletcher, the mission failed.¡± Scarlett''s body shook. She copsed back onto the couch upon hearing that. ¡°A-Also, we couldn''t rescue those drivers who caused the ident in time because they were captured by an unidentified group.¡± Scarlett''s hand shivered. Her phone almost slipped from her grip. Panic rose in her eyes, and she began to tremble all over. Obviously, she was petrified. Her entire being was consumed by an overwhelming sense of terror and anxiousness, for she had orchestrated a major traffic ident that resulted in countless deaths and injuries to innocent people. Not even the Fletchers could save her if the authorities caught wind of her involvement in the case. ¡°Send a team to investigate. Find out their whereabouts and execute them on the spot,¡± Scarlett ordered. ¡°Yes.¡± ... In the evening, at the medical base, Bailey emerged from the emergency room with a weary expression. ¡°How is it?¡± Glen asked anxiously. Bailey shook her head. As soon as she shook her head, everyone''s faces changed. Did Mrs. Luther not make it? Chapter 581 Chapter 581 As there were aware that she had gone through a brutal collision, their hearts were in their throats, and they had all prepared for the worst. Seeing Bailey shaking her head now, they subconsciously assumed that their worst fears hade true and that Felicity had not been saved. Glen staggered back two steps with tears streaming down his face. Yoel quickly grabbed him and said, tearing up, ¡°Dad, I''m sorry for the loss... Felicity is...¡± ¡°She''s not dead,¡± Bailey said helplessly. ¡°I shook my head because her situation is very pessimistic, not because she didn''t survive.¡± Glen pushed his son aside and stood up straight, cursing angrily, ¡°You d*mn brat, can''t you talk properly? You scared the hell out of me.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°I didn''t say anything, okay? I just shook my head and sighed. Does shaking my head mean that she didn''t survive? You guys are just too nervous.¡± Glen choked up, snorted twice, and fell silent. Gerald grabbed Bailey''s arm and asked urgently, ¡°Bay, what''s the situation with your mother-inw? Don''t beat around the bush and tell us quickly.¡± Bailey rubbed her forehead and said slowly, ¡°A piece of ss plunged into her head and got stuck in the cranial part of the central nervous system. Although I removed the ss through surgery, damaging the brain nerves is a very serious matter. I''m not sure if she will wake up or not. If she doesn''t, there is an eighty percent chance she will be a vegetable.¡± A vegetable... These words were like a heavy hammer mming hard on their hearts. Gerald clenched his teeth and asked, ¡°Is being a vegetable the worst case scenario? Is there anything worse? If there is, tell us now. Don''t hide it just because you''re worried about our feelings.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°I''m sure she''s going to make it, but whether she can wake up or not is really beyond my control. It all depends on her willpower.¡± ¡°Okay, thank you for your hard work.¡± Bailey was silent for a moment, then slowly stepped back two steps and bowed to the Luther family and the Chivers family. Glen became angry on the spot and rebuked her, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bailey bowed slightly and said hoarsely, ¡°I''m sorry. She could have escaped, but at a critical moment, she left the chance for survival to me. If it weren''t for me dragging her down, she wouldn''t be suffering like this today.¡± Gerald was also somewhat dissatisfied and looked at Bailey with narrowed eyes. He said in a deep voice, ¡°Bay, what you said is really hurtful. On your way to the Revelle family, Fliss sent me a message saying that you called her ''mom'' and made her very happy. In times of crisis, she protected you, which is the same as protecting her own son. Do you understand?¡± Bailey turned her head slightly, and tears that had been brimming in her eyes finally poured out. Edmund stepped forward and patted her shoulder tofort her. ¡°Aunt Felicity had a car ident, and you saved her. But if you have a car ident, who will save you? If you die, many people will die with you.¡± His words miraculouslyforted Bailey. ¡°You''re right. I can''t let anything happen to me. I still have a lot of things to do, such as finding the person who did this and making the person pay for what he''s done.¡± ... In a private mansion, there was a loud ''p.'' Sofie pped Zoey hard across the face. ¡°You id*ot, who gave you permission to act on your own? Do you realize that you almost ruined everything?¡± Zoey hung her head, clutching her burning cheek with one hand as a cold gleam shed in her eyes. This old wretch! When I take over, she would be the first one I would torture. I''ll make her wish for death. ¡°I just thought the opportunity was hard toe by, and besides, I used Scarlett to arrange the car ident. It wouldn''t be traced back to me. Why are you so nervous?¡± ¡°You idiot,¡± Sofie cursed again. ¡°If something happens to Bailey at this critical moment, do you think Artemis can stay at Tarragon headquarters? If he leaves, how can Yvette give him the memory loss drug?¡± Zoey realized Sofie was right, and she almost messed things up. Earlier, when she heard that it was Felicity and not Bailey who was seriously injured, she was really disappointed. Now she realized she should be grateful that Bailey was fine. Otherwise, once Artemis left Tarragon headquarters, Yvette''s n would be ruined. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Yes, I''m sorry, Mom. I really didn''t expect things to get so serious. Fortunately, it wasn''t Bailey who was hurt, and Artemis shouldn''t being back so quickly.¡± Thinking of her purpose foring here, Zoey quickly said, ¡°Scarlett called me and said that the drivers who caused the ident were all captured by someone mysterious and powerful. Therefore, she might be exposed. That b*tch threatened me, saying if I don''t help her deal with this, she''ll expose me.¡± Sofie took a deep breath and calmed herself down. Then, she coldly said, ¡°The Saviors captured them. They should be under Bailey''s order. There were seven people in total. I sent our top assassin to kill six of them, but one is still missing.¡± Zoey initially felt relieved, but hearing that one was still unounted for made her heart race again. ¡°Mom, we can''t leave any of them alive. All of them have to die.¡± Sofie gave her a cold stare. ¡°Do you think I don''t want to kill him and eliminate all potential troubles? But the person is now with the Saviors. Do you really think I have the power to kill someone who''s with the Saviors?¡± ¡°Then, what should we do?¡± ¡°What should we do?¡± Sofie red at her angrily. ¡°What else can we do? We have to sacrifice the spies we''ve nted in the Saviors for years and let them take care of thest person. The efforts we''ve put in for years have been ruined in one day because of you. If you dare to act by yourself again, don''t me me for not showing any mercy as your mother.¡± Zoey was stunned. ... On a balcony of the hospital, Bailey was answering the phone. In the frigid wind, she looked slightly cold. ¡°Ambushed? Six out of seven dead? Looks like the mastermind behind this is quite powerful. I bet they will eliminate thest person as well. Good, I''ll wait for her to make a move. Once she does, I can follow the trail and find out who is behind this.¡± ¡°How should we deal with this, Ms. Jefferson? Shall we increase security?¡± ¡°Handle the guy like any other prisoner. Report immediately whenever there is anything unusual.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After ending the call, a jacket was suddenly draped over her shoulders before she could put her phone away. She instinctively turned around to see Edmund''s gentle face. ¡°It''s windy here on the balcony. You''ve just had a miscarriage. Don''t catch a cold.¡± Bailey smiled lightly, avoiding his dark and deep eyes that were full of suppressed emotions. ¡°Edmund, Lindsey Carter is quite a decent girl.¡± The air around Edmund suddenly froze. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the winter scenery in the distance. Then, he responded, ¡°Bailey, do you think someone like me wouldpromise in matters of the heart?¡± Chapter 582 Chapter 582 Bailey fell silent. Yeah. Will a man as proud as Edmund everpromise in matters of the heart? But if he doesn''t, will he really live a solitary life? Decades of loneliness stretching out before him, and how will he survive them? ¡°Edmund, I...¡± Bailey stuttered. Edmund sensed her emotions shifting. He reached out and grasped her shoulder. ¡°You don''t have to worry about me. Just take care of yourself. Artemis called me before leaving town and asked me to do everything in my power to protect you. I haven''t had a chance to arrange for extra security around you yet, and now someone''s taken advantage of that window. Bailey, do you have any idea how worried I was when I heard about your ident? If something had happened to you, not only would Artemis have been devastated, but I...¡± He trailed off with a soft sigh. ¡°Never mind, I don''t want to burden you with my troubles. Please be kind to us and take care of yourself. If anything happens to you, many lives will be at risk. Can you bear that weight?¡± Bailey turned her face away and let her tears fall. ¡°I''m sorry,¡± she said. ¡°I''ve made you all lose your passion for life, and I owe you everything.¡± ¡°You don''t owe us anything,¡± Edmund said firmly. ¡°Just live your life well. We don''t wish to apany you to the grave. So, please take care of yourself.¡± With that, he turned and walked away. Bailey watched his proud yet deste figure receded into the distance, and felt a sharp pain in her heart. She knew Edmund was stuck in a more difficult situationpared to Raiden. After all, Raiden had no blood rtion to Artemis. If Artemis treated her badly, he could openlypete for her favor. But Edmund? Could he do the same? In terms of ethics and morality, she was his cousin''s wife¡ªthey were family. Her phone beeped in her pocket, and she saw that it was Artemis calling. She took a few deep breaths, suppressed her grief, and answered the call. Silence hung heavy between them for two whole minutes before Artemis spoke in his low, husky voice. ¡°I heard about the ident, and I found out about my mother''s condition. Are you okay, Bay?¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Bailey had just barely held her grief in check, but hearing his voice made her cry again. ¡°I''m fine, Artemis. I''m so sorry I caused your mother to get injured. Her injuries are so serious, and if it weren''t for me, she would have escaped in the first ce. But she gave me the chance of survival, and she...¡± ¡°I know. I know you feel guilty, but as a mother, she would naturally protect her child. She loves me, so she transferred that love to you. Bay, listen to me. Now is not the time to me yourself, because only you can save Mom. You have to be strong and do your best to wake her up. I have faith in you.¡± Bailey cried, ¡°When are youing back?¡± She immediately realized it was an inappropriate question and hastily added, ¡°Don''t rush toe back. Take care of things there first. I''ll take care of Mom. I promise that when youe back, she will be smiling at you, and you two will hug each other. She''ll still be the kind and loving person you remember. I...¡± ¡°Bay,¡± Artemis interrupted. ¡°Just do your best. Don''t burden yourself with too much guilt. I don''t want anything to happen to you, and I think my mother feels the same way. She risked her life to save you, so you can''t let her down.¡± ¡°Okay, okay. I promise I''ll take good care of myself and avoid getting hurt,¡± Bailey said. ¡°Good girl. I''ll be back in no more than seven days,¡± Artemis replied. ¡°Mmm, I''ll wait for you,¡± Bailey said. At the Shurmer residence, Shirley was so angry at the two boys that she bled. The doctor treated her for several hours before he managed to stabilize her condition. Waverly stormed downstairs, intending to give the boys a good round of scolding, but the living room was empty. Her husband wasn''t there, her son wasn''t there, and the three little troublemakers weren''t there either. The new housekeeper walked in from outside and saw Waverly standing in the living room with a cold face. She quickly said, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, you''ve been upstairs for a few hours. You must be hungry. Shall I prepare some food for you?¡± ¡°What''s there to eat?¡± Waverly red at her and asked angrily, ¡°Where are my husband and son? Where did they go?¡± The housekeeper looked at her with surprise and said, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, you don''t know yet? There has been a major car ident on the outskirts of the city. Ms. Jefferson and Mrs. Luther are both on the casualty list and have been rushed to the medical base for treatment.¡± Waverly widened her eyes in disbelief and asked, ¡°W-What? B-Bailey was in a car ident? When did it happen?¡± ¡°Just this morning. It''s been about six or seven hours now. Mr. Shurmer and Mr. Zeke took the children and left, but they haven''te back yet. The situation seems to be very serious,¡± the housekeeper exined. Waverly slumped down on the sofa. Bailey had been in a car ident, and neither her husband nor her son had told her. Actually, Steven had mentioned Bailey to her at lunchtime, but she had been so angry that she had scolded him and he just left without saying anything. He must have wanted to tell her about Bailey''s ident, but seeing her bad attitude and that she was focused on Shirley''s affairs, he didn''t say anything. Chapter 583 Chapter 583 ¡°Mr. Shurmer, wee back.¡± A maid''s greeting sounded from the doorway. Waverly rushed out at the sound. Her heart sank at the sight of her husband''s serious expression. Could it be Bailey... ¡°Steven, how is Bailey? She''s not badly hurt, is she?¡± Although she had chosen her adopted daughter over her biological daughter, it didn''t mean she could turn a blind eye to her own flesh and blood. Steven looked her up and down before saying in a low voice, ¡°I thought you dislike her. Why do you care now?¡± Waverly stomped her foot and gritted her teeth. ¡°She''s still my flesh and blood! How can I not care about her? Can you stop ying games and tell me what happened?¡± After a moment of silence, Steven said slowly, ¡°She''s fine. Felicity risked her own life to push her out of the car in the face of death and saved her. But... Felicity is now seriously injured and might be a vegetable.¡± Waverly stared at him in disbelief, ¡°Felicity Chivers? Did she risk her life to save Bailey? Don''t joke with me! I''m certain that woman knows that Bailey was my daughter. How could she possibly use her own life to protect my daughter? It''s impossible. That will never happen.¡± Steven just shook his head and walked toward the living room. Waverly stood still at the door. Steven''s words about Felicity protecting Bailey with her life seemed to have dealt her a heavy blow. Indeed, a woman with no blood rtion to Bailey and even an arch enemy to her could cherish her daughter like a treasure. But what had she, the biological mother, done for her daughter? With such aparison, how could Waverly not be shaken? ¡°Felicity used her life to save Bailey. Did she protect my daughter with her own life? Haha, how could that be possible?¡± ... That night, Felicity''s condition fluctuated. Bailey dared not let her guard down and watched over her in the ICU without even blinking her eyes. Both the Luther family and the Chivers family, including Zeke, did not leave the medical base and made do with staying in the guest rooms. When Bailey went into the ICU, she left her phone with Zayron. Late at night, Zayron received a call from the head of the Saviors branch, saying there was movement on their end. He didn''t dare to disturb his mother, so he told Zeke about the situation. Zeke thought for a moment and tried to suggest, ¡°Although you''re the young master of the Saviors, I''ll be worried if you go and handle this alone. If you can take me with you, let me apany you.¡± Zayron was about to refuse, but Edmund patted his head and said in a gentle voice, ¡°Listen to your uncle, Zayron. Don''t be stubborn and act impulsive. Your mother''s been highly stressed and she can''t take any more shocks. If something bad happens to you, she will definitely copse in an instant.¡± Zayron shrugged and had topromise, agreeing to let Zeke apany him to the Saviors. The seven-year-old boy still had a childish look on his face, but he had the air of someone who could conquer the world. I won''t let those who harmed my mother and bullied me off! Although his mother didn''t want him to be exposed to the bloody and dark side of things too early, his life was destined to be extraordinary¡ªhe was Artemis and Bailey''s son. Anyway, he would have to face it sooner orter, so why not face it earlier? At the Saviors'' division, Zayron and Zeke entered the dungeon through a secret passage, catching the division leader off guard. ¡°Young master, the dungeon is off-limits to outsiders, and no one is allowed in,¡± the leader said in surprise. Zayron waved his hand dismissively. ¡°He''s my uncle, not an outsider. Don''t be bound by these archaic rules. Where is the culprit?¡± The leader hesitated, sensing that something was off about the young master tonight. Zayron might be young, but he was terrifyingly calm, so the leader stopped talking and took them to the innermost cell. ¡°I received word that someone has been moving personnel within the division. I suspect they n to raid the prison to rescue the prisoner or kill the prisoner directly.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Zayron nodded and stepped into the cell. The scar-faced man bound to the stake looked at him disdainfully and sneered, ¡°A group of grown men couldn''t get me to talk, so what makes you think a little boy can... Ah!¡± A piercing scream echoed through the room as Zayron plunged a syringe into the man''s arm and pressed the plunger down, injecting the red liquid into the man''s vein. ¡°Do you know what this is? It''s a drug developed by an unknown doctor that amplifies a person''s pain receptors a hundredfold. Your body is covered in wounds from the previous torture, so as soon as this drug enters your system, you will feel excruciating pain.¡± Zayron spoke calmly, his ck eyes were devoid of fear or hesitation. Even though theycked the sharpness of his father''s, they were still terrifying. ¡°I''ve only injected one drop, and you''re already feeling ten times the pain. If I inject ten drops, you''ll... I know you value your life and are waiting for someone toe and save you. But unfortunately, they''re not here to rescue you. They''re here to kill you and silence you. So, tell me who gave the order, and I''ll give you a chance to live.¡± Chapter 584 Chapter 584 The scarred man gritted his teeth and endured the pain, making one final desperate struggle. Zayron raised an eyebrow and pushed the syringe a bit further. The pain grew more intense, and the scarred man clenched his teeth so hard that blood and saliva mixed and flowed from the corner of his mouth. Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org. He didn''t move, but his breathing became rapid as he gasped for air. Zayron smacked his lips and chuckled. ¡°You''re a tough nut to crack. People like you value their lives the most, so why don''t you just confess honestly? I''ve only injected you with two percent of the dose. If I continue, the next thing you ruin won''t be your teeth but your tongue. If your tongue is bitten off, it will block your airway, and you''ll be dead in three minutes. Would you like to try?¡± Fear flickered in the scarred man''s eyes. He wasn''t afraid of well-trained bodyguards, but he was terrified of this little brat who hadn''t even grown up yet. This brat is truly scary indeed. The man didn''t want to experience Zayron''s methods any further. ¡°I''ll talk, I''ll talk. Please don''t torture me like this.¡± Zayron''s lips curled into a smile as he pulled the needle from the man''s wrist and said lightly, ¡°Don''t try anything fancy, or else I have a thousand ways to torture you. Now tell me, whose dog are you?¡± The scarred man''s voice trembled as he spoke five words. ¡°The Fletcher family from Jadeborough.¡± The Fletcher family from Jadeborough? Zayron raised his head sharply and narrowed his eyes while gritting his teeth. ¡°Do you think I''m a three- year-old child? The Fletcher family is now the top family in politics and holds a lot of power. The entire Chanaean poption are their subjects. How could they possibly create such a major car ident?¡± The scarred man pursed his lips and said slowly, ¡°But there are people in the Fletcher family who hate your mother to the core. You''re smart enough to know who that is. Once a woman gets her hands dirty, she''s even more terrifying than the king of hell.¡± Zayron lowered his head slightly and fell silent for a moment before turning his head to look at Zeke beside him, asking with his gaze about the scarred man''s words'' credibility. Zeke nodded and walked toward the door, saying, ¡°Let''s talk outside.¡± Putting away the syringe, Zayron followed him out of the cell. ¡°Uncle Zeke, what do you think?¡± Zayron asked. Zeke rubbed his head and sighed, ¡°Zayron, you''re still too young. You shouldn''t use such cruel methods. It will destroy your innocence.¡± Zayron snorted twice. ¡°Did they think that they were being cruel when they hit my mother''s car? If it weren''t for... I could''ve lost my mother.¡± Zeke was taken aback. Okay, maybe I was being too sentimental. ¡°Forget it. This is the path you must take in the future, no matter if you do it sooner orter. The scarred man''s words are credible. Anyone who could control the traffic department''s surveince system and assist them in escaping must be someone from the government. If it weren''t for your mother''s calmness and quick thinking in giving the Saviors a chase order, they might have all gotten away.¡± Zayron clenched his fists slowly. ¡°So it was that woman from the Fletcher family''s doing. Very well. I''ll y with that pretentious b*tch until she''s done. If I don''t make her pay for this, I''m not Zayron Jefferson.¡± Zeke chuckled and teased, ¡°Well, you''re not actually Zayron Jefferson. You''re either a Luther or a Shurmer. You don''t actually have any rtionship with the Jefferson family.¡± Rolling his eyes, Zayron changed the subject. ¡°So who are the people who nted the spies in the Saviors? Are they also under the Fletcher family''s orders?¡± Zeke shook his head. ¡°No, the Fletcher family''s daughter doesn''t have the ability to control the underground forces. Her brother probably has, but Raiden loves your mother deeply and wouldn''t do anything to harm her. ¡° After hearing his exnation, Zayron suddenly realized something. ¡°I understand now. There''s another force behind this, and they''re just using Scarlett as a pawn. The one who nted the spies in the Saviors and tried to use them to kill the scarred man is the real mastermind.¡± Zeke''s face showed a trace of happiness as he praised the boy, ¡°You''re so quick to understand. You''re really amazing. It seems that my worry about you is unnecessary. Let''s wait and see if we can catch one or two people alive and find out who nted them in the Saviors.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the medical base, Bailey took advantage of Felicity''s stable condition and left the intensive care unit. ¡°Where''s Zayron? Where''s that little troublemaker?¡± Of her three children, he was the one she worried about the most due to his mischievous nature. Edmund ced a steaming hot meal in front of her and urged her, ¡°You haven''t eaten anything in a day and a night. Take a few bites to fill your stomach.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, sensing that something was not right. She grabbed Edmund''s wrist and asked anxiously, ¡°Where''s Zayron? Where did he go?¡± ¡°He''s fine,¡± Edmund said, patting her shoulder with his other hand tofort her. ¡°He went to the Saviors branch. The trap you set earlier today appears to have worked, and he went to check it out.¡± Bailey jumped up from her chair, furious. ¡°He''s casting nothing but his own life away if he''s not careful!¡± With that, she was ready to rush out the door. Artemis'' mother is already like this. I can''t let anything happen to his son. Edmund pulled her back and said helplessly, ¡°Can you let me finish first? You used to be so calm. Why are you so impulsive now?¡± Chapter 585 Chapter 585 Bailey took a deep breath and looked at him expectantly. ¡°Okay, go ahead. Why are you bing more and more like a long-winded woman?¡± Edmundughed and forcibly pushed her back onto the chair. Sighing, he said, ¡°If he had gone alone, I would have gone with him no matter what he said. But that''s not the case. Your brother is with him, so rx.¡± Bailey breathed a sigh of relief, but before she could say anything, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. In the next second, Gwendolyn led Steven and Waverly into the room. ¡°Bay, the Shurmers said they wanted to see you, so I brought them here.¡± Bailey responded with a nod but didn''t pay much attention to the couple. She picked up her fork and started eating without any expression. Waverly looked a little embarrassed and stammered for a while before finally asking, ¡°I heard you were involved in a car ident. I came to see you. Are you okay?¡± Bailey shrugged and said in a light tone, ¡°My mother-inw saved my life with her own, so now I''m her true daughter even if she didn''t give birth to me. Did youe herete at night just to see me, Mrs. Shurmer? If that''s the case, please leave. I''m an unlucky woman and don''t deserve such an honor.¡± Waverly pursed her lips while looking at Bailey''s cold expression. Bailey looked very unfriendly, her eyes devoid of any warmth. This made Waverly feel ufortable and upset. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Her husband was right; all their biological children had turned their backs on them. ¡°Although I don''t agree with youing back to the Shurmer family, we''re still rted by blood. I was really worried when I heard about your ident, so I came to see you in the middle of the night.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and looked at her with a slight smile. ¡°You''re worried about me? Okay, then agree to let me go back to the Shurmer family and announce to the world that Zoey is just a foster daughter, and I''m the real daughter. That way, you can show your sincerity. Otherwise, I''ll treat you as a stranger.¡± Waverly struggled to contain her anger but couldn''t help raising her voice after hearing Bailey''s words. ¡°Bailey, you...¡± ¡°If you didn''te with sincerity, then please leave, Mrs. Shurmer. Goodbye, and I won''t bother to see you out.¡± Waverly was speechless. Inside a suite of a five-star hotel, Scarlett tightly held onto her phone, waiting for good news from Zoey. Unfortunately, she didn''t receive any news from Zoey, only a call from Raiden. As soon as the call connected, her brother''s first words were, ¡°Did you cause that major ident in the suburbs of Hallsbay?¡± Scarlett''s fingers trembled, and the phone almost slipped from her palm. ¡°R-Raiden, what do you mean? How could I, Lady Scarlett of Chanaea, treat human life like trash? Don''t use me without evidence.¡± Raiden''s coldughter came from the other end of the line. ¡°Okay, even if you don''t admit it, that''s fine. I hope it''s not you. Otherwise, even the Fletcher family can''t protect you. Five dead and twelve injured? Scarlett, even if the Fletcher family has superhuman powers, we can''t cover up such a big issue. Good luck to you.¡± With that, he hung up the phone. Scarlett''s legs went weak, and she copsed on the couch. What should I do? I regret it! I really regret it. How could I have been so foolish as to n such a major traffic ident? Five dead and twelve injured? Even if the Fletcher family is at the pinnacle of power, they can''t protect me. What should I do? What should I do? If Bailey had died, I could still ept it, but now five lives are on my shoulders while that woman is still alive and well. What''s the point of everything I did? A text message notification sounded from her phone. She quickly picked it up and saw a message: The mission failed. All the spies I nted in the Saviors were killed. Good luck to you. The sender was a series of encrypted numbers. D*mn Zoey! Did she send me a message with an unknown number to avoid being caught? And now she wants me to fend for myself? That b*tch! ¡°You want to escape? Don''t think it''ll be that easy. Even if I can''t drag you down with me, I''ll make you sick to your stomach.¡± At the Saviors branch, the person in charge rushed into the lounge and said to Zayron, ¡°Sir, they all took their own lives by taking poison. There are no survivors or clues left behind.¡± Zayron''s expression turned grim. He had hoped to pry open their mouths and get some useful information from them, but after trying for most of the night, he had nothing. Zeke shook his head and said, ¡°Investigate the entire branch and check out these people''s social circles. See if we can find anything new.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± With that, Zeke stood up from the couch and said to Zayron, ¡°Let''s go back first. Don''t rush it. We''ll take them down one by one, starting with Scarlett.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In a ward at the psychiatric hospital, Rhonda reached out and smashed everything on the bedside table to pieces, then held her head and cried out in a hoarse voice, ¡°Why am I not crazy anymore? I wanted to stay mad forever! How could you be so cruel and allow me to remember that disgusting and filthy experience?¡± The doctor next to her said to the nurse, ¡°Tell Ms. Bailey that she has returned to normal and that this drug won''t let her escape from her memories. She''ll live in pain every day, reliving that experience over and over again.¡± Chapter 586 Chapter 586 Bailey received a call from the asylum, informing her that Rhonda had regained consciousness. They then asked for her instructions on how to handle the woman. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. However, with a pile of pressing matters on her te, she had no time to concern herself with Rhonda''s fate. She instructed the asylum to keep Rhonda locked up to prevent any escape attempts. To be confined to a mental institution day in and day out and have to endure the cold stares of caregivers while surrounded by a throng of lunatics... This was perhaps the cruelest form of punishment in the world. No blood was shed, yet it inflicted a kind of torture that left one wishing for death. Bailey had wanted this effect when she ordered the doctors to cure Rhonda. That woman deserved to die. But to let her die so easily would have been too merciful. Hence, Bailey devised this method to torment her. She had always maintained that she was no saint; one could get away with crossing her once or twice, but to do it three or four times... Unfortunately for them, she wasn''t their mother, and there was no reason for her to put up with them. When Zeke brought Zayron back to the medical base, it was already the next morning. After a night of Felicity''s condition worsening, things stabilized somewhat after daybreak, which greatly relieved Bailey. Regardless of whether Felicity could wake up, preserving her life was the most important thing right now. Bailey refused to believe that she couldn''t cure the olddy with her medical skills. In the adjacent room, Bailey rubbed her forehead while listening to Zayron''s report. When she learned that Scarlett had orchestrated the catastrophic car ident that caused so many casualties, she gripped the ss in her hand so hard it broke. The shards cut into her flesh, and soon blood flowed from her palm. Zeke chided her gently, ¡°Why are you torturing yourself over someone else''s wrongful act?¡± Bailey lowered her head, speaking in a cold tone. ¡°I''m not torturing myself; I''m venting my anger. Anyway, forget about it. I''m fine. I can apply some medicer. Since we couldn''t extract information on the true mastermind behind the scenes from those moles, we can''t let our guard down yet. We still have a tough battle ahead of us.¡± Zeke fell silent for a moment before asking, ¡°So, how do you n to deal with Scarlett? She is Raiden''s sister, after all. If her involvement in the massive traffic ident were exposed, she could face imprisonment or even worse¡ª¡± However, Bailey interrupted him with a wave of her hand. ¡°So what? From the moment she decided to kill me using this method, it was inevitable that she would pay a painful price for her foolish actions. Raiden isn''t stupid, so he should have already realized that his sister is behind it, but he didn''t call me, which speaks volumes about his intentions. He must be nning on letting me handle it.¡± Zeke nodded. ¡°Okay, as long as you can weigh the pros and cons, that''s fine. I''m not asking you to forgive her. I''m just concerned that you''ll feel conflicted due to your friendship with Raiden. After all, that man has helped you so much.¡± ¡°Zeke, right is right, and wrong is wrong. If someone has made a mistake, they should be punished, shouldn''t they? If the line between right and wrong is blurred, and the culprit can escape punishment, then how terrible would this world be?¡± At this point, Bailey took a deep breath and continued through gritted teeth, ¡°I won''t be lenient. In the past, I spared her multiple times for Raiden''s sake, but this time, with five dead and twelve injured, she can''t escape from her punishment. I''ll send her to prison myself. As for whether the Fletcher family will abuse their power and use their influence to get her out, that''s not within my considerations. However, I will reveal her crimes to the public so that even the Fletcher family can''t cover things up.¡± ¡°Okay, do what you think is right. I promise that no one will threaten and hurt you. You''ve had a long day and night, so go rest for a while. Don''t be too hard on yourself, or else I''ll knock you out and take you back to the Shurmer family. Then you can stop worrying about the affairs of the Luther family.¡± ¡°No.¡± Bailey quicklyy down on the bed and closed her eyes obediently. ¡°I''ll sleep. Don''t take me back.¡± This brother of hers could be really ruthless and would do anything. If she didn''t listen to him, he would really knock her out and take her away. There was no way she could leave at a time like this. Scarlett was scared. She had nned to escape back to Dellmoor early in the morning. As long as she returned to the Fletcher family, she would be safe because she didn''t believe her parents would abandon her. Even if things were exposed, her parents would protect her. But before she could even leave the hotel, she was stopped by several ck-d bodyguards. ¡°What are you doing? Do you know who I am? How dare you stop me? Are you seeking death?¡± Scarlett eximed. One of the bodyguards nodded and said, ¡°Ms. Scarlett, we were sent by Mr. Raiden to guard you. Until he gives the green light, you cannot leave this hotel. Please go back.¡± Guard me? What does that mean? She immediately looked angry and gritted her teeth, saying, ¡°I''m the daughter of the Fletcher family and known as Lady Scarlett of Chanaea. Who dares to stop me? Are you not afraid that I will chop off your heads?¡± ¡°Please cooperate with us. Mr. Raiden has instructed us to keep you here until your suspicion is cleared.''¡° Scarlett''s face turned pale for a moment as she took a few steps back unsteadily. What does Raiden mean by this? Is he nning to put me under house arrest? Once it''s confirmed that I had ordered for the major car ident to happen, is he nning to send me to court and uphold justice even if it means sacrificing family ties? Chapter 587 Chapter 587 How could he do this? I''m his sister. Even if I did something wrong, shouldn''t he try to protect me as my brother? How can he just watch as I get into trouble? ¡°Get out of the way! Let me go back to Dellmoor. I''ve been out for a while, and my mother is worried,¡± Scarlett said. ¡°Sorry, Ms. Fletcher. You can''t go anywhere at the moment. Please return to your room.¡± Scarlett was dumbfounded. She tried to rush past them, but they held her back by the shoulders. ¡°Take her back to her room and keep an eye on her. Without Mr. Raiden''s orders, she mustn''t step out of the hotel.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Scarlettpletely panicked. It''s obvious from this that Raiden has abandoned me. How could he be so heartless to his own biological sister? Does he really want to watch me be executed? In a private mansion, Sofie was calmly trimming a pine tree with scissors while Zoey was anxiously pacing in the living room. ¡°Mom, what if the spies leave any traces? What if Scarlett rats me out when she gets caught? Can you stop trimming that stupid tree and help me think of a way out? I''m really worried that if I get exposed, my fate will be very, very miserable!¡± Sofie continued to trim the branches leisurely and said lightly, ¡°You''re finally anxious now? Why didn''t you use your brain before taking action? If Bailey dies now, what benefit does it bring to you or our n?¡± Zoey stomped her foot fiercely. ¡°I already apologized for that! Can you stop scolding me and tell me how to clean up the mess?¡± ¡°There''s no need to clean up anything. By the time Bailey finds evidence that Scarlett caused the car ident, there will be news over at the Tarragon headquarters. By then, you just need to go to the headquarters and marry Artemis. What storm can Bailey stir up then?¡± ¡°Has there been any news from Tarragon headquarters? Did Yvette seed? Has Artemis lost his memory?¡± Sofie put away her scissors and gave Zoey a cold stare. Frowning, she said, ¡°Do you reckon it''s a cakewalk? Do you think we can just talk our way through it and achieve sess?¡± Zoey was at a loss for words and didn''t want to inquire any further, but the thought of Yvette weighed heavily on her mind. ¡°Mom, do you think Yvette will seize the opportunity and tie the knot with Artemis right away at the Tarragon headquarters?¡± Sofie''s gaze turned even icier. ¡°Do I look stupid to you? Would I help someone else with their marriage?¡± ¡°No, no. I don''t mean that. I just...¡± ¡°Stop worrying. At least you''re using your brain. I have people at the Tarragon headquarters. Once Yvette seeds, she''ll be taken care of, leaving ample opportunities for you.¡± N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Zoey felt overjoyed. Bing the head of Tarragon wasn''t her priority; her ultimate goal was to be the matriarch of the Luther family. She was determined to thwart whatever Bailey hoped for and make sure she lost it all. Later that day, Felicity narrowly avoided danger, and her vital signs returned to normal. The Luther and Chivers families felt a great sense of relief when they heard that. Even though there was a chance she could be a vegetable, there was still hope for her as long as she was alive. Bailey learned from Zeke that Scarlett had been nning to run away but was stopped by Raiden and ordered not to leave the hotel. Upon receiving this news, Bailey fell silent. Raiden, oh Raiden, do you really care about me so much that you can ignore your own sister''s fate for my sake? ¡°He''s using this method to show his stance and tell me that if it is confirmed that Scarlett caused the car ident that led to those numerous deaths and injuries, he will not tolerate it and side with her.¡± Zeke patted her shoulder and sighed. ¡°He''s someone who knows how to separate their personal life from their public life. He just wants to give those who died an exnation. Don''t think too much about it. I''m actually gathering some evidence right now. Once I have everything I need, we''ll have this whole thing figured out.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°Bailey, bad news! People from the Department of Justice are here and want to invite you to the police station.¡± Zayron''s shouts came from outside. Bailey was taken aback and turned to look at Zeke, asking in a daze, ¡°I''ve been staying in the hospital for the past two days and not causing any trouble. Why are theying to arrest me again?¡± Zeke rubbed his forehead and sighed, ¡°No wonder Artemis said you are a troublemaker and asked me to watch you closely. It turned out to be true. After hees back, he should marry you quickly and stop you from causing trouble for me.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes and muttered, ¡°Call me a troublemaker? Fine. When hees back, he can do all the household chores.¡± Zeke smiled and shook his head. ¡°If I''m not mistaken, the inquiry into your foundation should have yielded some results by now, and they are probably not very favorable. After all, you have offended the West family and even ruined their only daughter.¡± Bailey''s face fell. ¡°I''ve been out of it for the past few days and forgot about that. Since the Department of Justice has sent people here, let''s go and check it out together.¡± Zeke shook his head and disagreed. ¡°Don''t go out. Let me deal with it. Felicity''s condition is not particrly stable yet, and you can''t go to the station with them.¡± Bailey was about to object, but Edmund''s voice came from outside. ¡°Yes, I agree with Zeke. Don''t go out.¡± Chapter 588 Chapter 588 Bailey looked at Zeke and Edmund with exasperation. Do they really need to take turns watching over me like hawks? Do they think I''m born to cause trouble? ¡°What''s the use of you guys going out there? The one they want to see is me. Don''t worry; I''m not stupid enough to agree to go with them. Things are different now from before. In the past, I might have yed along with them, but now...¡± She looked back at the intensive care unit, gritting her teeth. ¡°Artemis'' mother is still in danger. Even if she survives, she might be a vegetable. I don''t want to see her lying there for the rest of her life, so while she''s still newly unconscious, I have to quickly find a way to wake her up. The longer we wait, the worse it will be for her.¡± Zeke and Edmund exchanged a nce. Edmund said, ¡°Let her go. She''s always been independent and knows what she''s doing. She won''t do anything stupid.¡± Zeke released her arm and reminded her, ¡°Just be polite toward them, and don''t get angry.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Artemis is really something. Even when he''s not around, he doesn''t forget to arrange for a babysitter to look after me. You''re so naggy.¡± Zeke red at her, but what could he do? He couldn''t scold or punish her. All he could do was treat her like a precious treasure and indulge her. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°You have no conscience. I haven''t slept for days just to keep an eye on you, and I still end up with such criticism.¡± As expected, the entire medical base outside was swarming with reporters. Bailey stood on the steps, looking down at Howard Lewis and smiling faintly with a raised eyebrow. ¡°You must be themissioner Dellmoor sent to investigate the Willing Angels Foundation. So, have you reached an agreement with the West family about how to frame me?¡± Beside Howard, Jacques snapped with a grim expression, ¡°Bailey, what nonsense are you talking about? Youmitted the crimes yourself, so why would we need to frame you?¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Bailey smirked. ¡°Then tell me, what crimes have Imitted? Let''s see what my fate will be. After all, your daughter didn''t have a good ending either. You must be doing everything in your power to get back at me.¡± Jacques'' face darkened when he heard that. He dared not and could not respond. If he misspoke, it would give outsiders the impression that he was taking the opportunity to retaliate against Bailey and seek revenge for his daughter. He turned his head slowly and looked at the investigator, lowering his voice while saying, ¡°Buddy, it''s up to you now. I can''t interfere.¡± Howard nodded. ¡°Since the higher-ups assigned me to investigate this matter and now the results are out, it''s natural that I should handle it.¡± With that, he nced at his assistant. Understanding this, the assistant stepped forward and detailed Bailey''s numerous crimes: illegal registration, tax evasion, falsifying ounts, embezzlement, and so on. They were all listed one by one in a clear and organized manner. After listening, Bailey turned to the officer from the Department of Justice and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Do you believe this?¡± The officer shook his head. They were old acquaintances, and he knew Bailey''s character well. However... ¡°They''ve submitted a lot of evidence, and there''s a court summons. I''m powerless, Bailey. There are tens of billions missing from the ounts. Where did this money go? If you can tell me, maybe I can help you.¡± Bailey smiled, but there was no warmth in her eyes. She said tly, ¡°Is it thirty-eight point one-three-five billion?¡± The officer widened his eyes in disbelief. ¡°Y-You remember it that clearly? So, you really¡ª¡± Bailey waved her hand and interrupted him, ¡°Can you give me a day''s time? I will give you a satisfactory answer and make every detail of the money public.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Howard sneered. ¡°It''s such a huge amount of money. Even if you can find all the receipts and details, it will probably take forever. Bailey, you better not try any tricks. The public is highly concerned about this matter.¡± Bailey took a microphone from a reporter''s hand, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, ¡°The total ount records show over eighty billion, with over thirty billion unounted for. This means that the Willing Angels Foundation has had a total of one hundred and twenty billion in funds flowing through its ounts. Are you guys not smart enough to ask yourselves, how can the foundation receive so much in donations over the past few years? How many people donated, and how many didn''t? And of those who donated, how much did they donate? Don''t you have any ideas in your hearts about the truth?¡± As soon as she did the math, everyone fell silent. Indeed, how could the Willing Angels Foundation receive over a hundred billion in donations when it had only been established for a few years? Experts estimated that the foundation had received less than seventy billion in donations, so who contributed the remaining amount? Howard''s face darkened before he said to the officer, ¡°All the evidence is here, and the court summons has been issued. What are you waiting for? Arrest her!¡± ¡°I dare anyone to touch my sister!¡± Zeke''s voice suddenly rang out behind Bailey. As soon as Zeke spoke, everyone was shocked. The reporters forgot all about Bailey''s crimes and turned their microphones toward Zeke. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, did you just say that Bailey is your sister? Is she your biological sister?¡± ¡°Mr. Shurmer, what is going on? If Bailey is your sister, what about Ms. Zoey Shurmer?¡± ¡°This matter has been widely circted recently. Some have noticed that Bailey bears a striking resemnce to Mrs. Shurmer. Are they really mother and daughter?¡± ¡°Mr. Shurmer, could you please answer us? Otherwise, words alone without evidence are not convincing enough.¡± Bailey turned around and shook her head at Zeke, indicating that he should not say anything. It was not the right time to reveal her true identity. Zeke walked over and stood by her side, taking her hand and giving her a reassuring smile. His younger sister was the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family, and this identity was not some disgraceful secret to be hidden. Today, he would announce to the world in front of countless reporters that Bailey was not only the wife chosen by Artemis and had numerous important identities but also the precious daughter of the Shurmer family. ¡°Yes, Bailey is my sister. Mrs. Jefferson and my mother gave birth at the same hospital at the same time back then. When they were handed the baby girls, they got mixed up. That''s why we''re in this situation today. Bailey is the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family, not an illegitimate child. I hope everyone can be more respectful toward her in the future, or I will have to get our legal team to protect our rights.¡± In order to save Zoey''s reputation, Zeke did not reveal the truth about how Sophia deliberately switched the babies so that her real daughter would be the heiress of a wealthy family. ¡°Oh my god, so Bailey is really the daughter of the Shurmer family?¡± ¡°Then what about Zoey? Is she the illegitimate child born to Sophia behind rence''s back?¡± Chapter 589 Chapter 589 Howard''s expression turned grim when he noticed the reporters'' attention diverted from the main topic. Tamara had entrusted him to send Bailey to jail. He would be dead meat if he could notplete that task. ¡°All right, everyone. Stop chattering. Let''s all take two steps back. If you want to conduct an interview, please wait for us to finish our business.¡± With that, he called over the officers standing at the side to maintain order. The officers soon cleared away the reporters crowding in front of the building. Howard looked at Zeke standing at the top of the stairs. He calmly said, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Bailey''s identity as the daughter of the Shurmer family is indeed distinguished. However, shemitted a crime and should be punished ording to thew.¡± Zeke took a step forward and pulled Bailey to stand behind him. He looked down at Howard from above and shed thetter a smile. ¡°Did you not hear what my sister said, Mr. Lewis? I don''t mind repeating it to you. She said to give her some time. She''ll find proof of where the funds went to. Besides, the bnce showed a hundred twenty billion, but the donations from the public were only around seventy billion. Where did the other fifty billione from? Don''t you think it''s obvious?¡± Howard was at a loss for words. Zeke did not press on further when he noticed that Howard was silent. Instead, he looked to the cameras held out by the reporters and casually said, ¡°Everyone knows that my sister is talented in various fields such as medicine, design, literature, racing, programming, fashion design, and more. She has umted tens of billions of wealth. Despite that, she lives in a three-bedroom apartment in Hallsbay and leads a humble life. Aren''t you all curious where the money she earned has gone to?¡± The square suddenly fell into a deathly silence. Howard sneered. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, are you trying to say that she donated to charity by transferring all her money into the foundation''s ount?¡± Instead of answering him, Zeke asked, ¡°Do you not think so? If not, where did the extra fifty billion in the ounte from? Were you the one who donated it? It looks like government officials in Dellmoor are quite wealthy. They can donate fifty billion in one go. Mr. Lewis, you must have hundreds of billions of worth, huh?¡± Howard frowned. ¡°Where would I get that much money to donate to the foundation? Mr. Shurmer, please mind your words and don''t spout nonsense.¡± ¡°Oh? It wasn''t you who donated it? Then who was it? Can they step forward and admit to it?¡± Howard was rendered speechless. Zeke''s expression darkened. Raising his voice, he went on, ¡°Out of the one hundred twenty billion in the foundation''s ount, fifty billion was donated by my sister. She donated the money she earned in the past few years to charity. If you have any conscience left, you should stop forcing her to admit to something she hasn''t done. She''s already given her everything to help those in need. All of you should be treating her with respect. As for the thirty-eight billion that was found to be missing, it was originally my sister''s money anyway. How did it turn into her embezzling the charity''s funds?¡± He paused momentarily before continuing, ¡°Plus, she''s already expressed that she would investigate the details of the expenditure and give everyone an exnation. Is there even a need for you to keep forcing her like this? I, Zeke Shurmer, will make it clear to everyone today. If she''s unable to find anything rted to the missing funds, I''ll cover that thirty-eight billion.¡± Tears welled up in Bailey''s eyes as she stared at Zeke''s back in a daze. She felt safe as she stood behind him. God had treated her well. Although she had suffered a lot, gotughed at, and encountered many obstacles throughout the years, God had gifted her the two most important men in her life. One was Artemis, and the other was Zeke. She felt safe and loved with them by her side. ¡°Zeke...¡± Zeke trembled and could not help but turn to look at her. Grabbing her hand, he whispered, ¡°Don''t be scared. Even if the sky falls and the world turns against you, you''ll still have me by your side.¡± Just then, several students dressed in casual clothing hurried toward Zeke and Bailey. One shouted, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, thank you for protecting Ms. Bailey. However, we don''t need you to fork up that huge sum. What goes aroundes around. I''m sure Ms. Bailey''s kindness will move the Heavens.¡± Several people shifted their gazes to look at the neers. They saw a few university students that looked a little over twenty walk over. N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°University students? What are they doing here?¡± ¡°They''re being so respectful toward Bailey. Could it be that Bailey had helped them?¡± ¡°If you put it that way, then I think I get it. Do you think Bailey could''ve used the money to help poor university students from rural areas?¡± ¡°Now that I think about it, that''s possible too. Wasn''t there a news report on this two years ago? They said a phnthropist supported many poor students and helped them achieve their dream of attending university.¡± ¡°If that''s so, then Bailey is really...¡± ¡°How generous. Nowadays, capitalists are all blood-sucking creatures. It''s rare to see people willing to support poor children out of their own pocket. Plus, there isn''t any historical precedent of such a thing happening. If Bailey did use all her money to support these children, I''d be truly impressed with her.¡± Howard paled at thements from the reporters. He could sense he was at a great disadvantage in that situation. At that moment, he could no longer rely on himself to turn the tables around. He needed a diversion. ¡°Officers! Get them out of here! We''re on official business. Why did you let them get in?¡± The officers heard Howard yell and hurriedly made their way toward the students, wanting to block the students from getting too close. However, the crowd had had enough of the nonsense. They came forward and blocked the officers by forming a circle around the university students to protect them. ¡°We''re not stupid. Anyone with a brain can analyze the situation, so don''t you dare treat us as fools and try to shoo us away!¡± ¡°That''s right. We must get a rification on the matter regarding Bailey''s embezzlement of the charity''s funds. If she didmit the crime, we''d denounce her together. However, if she''s innocent, then none of us should continue to use her of it.¡± ¡°What are you youngsters doing here?¡± A girl took out a big stack of documents from her backpack. She was panting as she replied, ¡°These are remittance certificates that show that Ms. Bailey sponsored us to enter university. She used an overseas ount to transfer the money to us. Hence, Mr. Lewis couldn''t find anything from his investigation. However, that doesn''t mean Ms. Bailey has never supported us.¡± Another teenager added, ¡°That''s right. Ms. Bailey supported more than thirty thousand university students and spent close to forty billion to make our dream of going to universitye true. She should not receive any usations from this corrupt government official. This is only a portion of the certificates. Our ssmates are still handling this matter overseas. They''ll return with the remaining certificates within three to five days.¡± Several people from the crowd that had previously studied abroad took the certificates from the female student and flipped through them. They nodded after confirming that those certificates were legit. ¡°They aren''t lying. These indeed show the transfers from Bailey''s overseas ount to the basic savings ounts in the country. Each transaction is worth millions.¡± Howard''s assistant stared at the ¡°evidence¡± of the embezzlement in his hands, suddenly realizing it was a hot potato. F*ck! Aren''t I just asking for a p in the face by taking these fabricated pieces of evidence to show that Bailey hadmitted a crime? Chapter 590 Chapter 590 Howard was in a panic. He kept shooting looks at his assistant and tried to hint that his assistant had to get rid of all the so- called evidence. However, Howard didn''t need to do that, as his assistant had already nned to destroy everything. Since they were in the same boat, they would share the same glory and humiliation. If Howard failed, his assistant would also suffer the consequences. The truth behind the situation gradually became more apparent. Things were bing highly unfavorable for Howard. There was a possibility that they would have to face dire consequences if they did not find a solution to make things right. ¡°Leave while they''re distracted and get rid of everything.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± However, their n failed. Zeke caught Howard''s assistant just as thetter tried to sneak away. ¡°Where are you going, Mr. irmont? Things here aren''t settled, yet you''re rushing to leave. What''s wrong? Are you not going to continue using my sister of breaking thew? I remember the so-called evidence is still in your hands. You can leave if you want to, but don''t take the evidence that determines my sister''s crime with you.¡± Sh*t! Mr. irmont quickly took out a lighter from his pocket and tried to burn the documents in his hand. Zeke narrowed his eyes and instinctively tried to stop Mr. irmont, but someone beat him to it. A glint of light shed past his eyes, and he soon heard Mr. irmont crying in pain as thetter held his wrist. An extremely sharp dart was stabbed into the back of his hand. Blood spurted everywhere, and the documents in his hand scattered to the ground. ¡°Andy, gather all those documents.¡± Bailey tilted her head to look at Andy and ordered. ¡°Yes, Mrs. Luther.¡± With that, Andy swooped down the stairs and picked up the documents on the ground before Howard could do it. Bailey slowly walked down the stairs and stood before Howard. She smirked and said, ¡°You said you have irond evidence, right? But I didn''t embezzle any funds. The money was used to sponsor university students. Mr. Lewis, may I know where you got this evidence of my so-called embezzling of the charity''s funds? Could it be that you purposely fabricated evidence to frame me?¡± Howard felt a chill run down his spine as he trembled. Regaining hisposure, he stubbornly said, ¡°Perhaps we were mistaken. You did not embezzle the charity''s funds, but what about your other crimes? What do you have to say about that?¡± Bailey smiled as she shook her head. ¡°If I remember correctly, you''re only here to investigate theProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. charity fund embezzlement issue. You didn''t investigate this issue properly and used nonexistent evidence to use me, thereby causing a scene and making a fool out of yourself. Can we even believe that the other crimes Imitted are true? I won''t admit to any of those so-called crimes you listed.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey could not be bothered to talk to him any longer. She took the remittance certificates from the university students and patted their shoulders. With a smile, she said, ¡°All of you did great. You didn''t let me down. Now that you have achieved great sess in your studies, you can return the kindness to society. Remember this well. You must always help people in need and strive to be a talented individual useful to the country and not...¡± She then nced at Howard and uttered, ¡°A scumbag.¡± A female student threw herself into Bailey''s arms, crying as she hugged Bailey. ¡°If you hadn''t reminded me over and over not to tell anyone that you had sponsored me, I would''ve already spread the word that you were helping poor students. Ms. Bailey, you are the cutest and prettiest woman in the world. We''re proud of you. You''ll always be an exemry model for us to learn from.¡± Her words touched Bailey. Tears welled in her eyes as she sniffled. When she sponsored them back then, she had not thought much about it. She simply thought that the cruelty of reality should not bury the dreams of those children in the mountainous areas. Hence, she did everything in her power to help them, even if it meant she would end up broke. She was d to see that they had seeded in their studies and learned to be grateful. Her efforts had not been in vain. ¡°Ms. Bailey, I won''t return the one million you sponsored me. Instead, I''ll save it and donate it to help other poor students like you did. I might not be as capable as you, but I''ll help them as much as possible.¡± Bailey reached out to pinch the female student''s cheeks. ¡°Have a good life. I believe all of you will have a better tomorrow.¡± With that, she turned around and handed the remittance certificates to the person in charge at the Department of Justice. ¡°Since you have epted this job, I''ll hand over these documents to you, including that so-called evidence. Please help me to deliver these to court. I''m sure the judge will give us a fair verdict.¡± The person in charge took the documents from her. His lips twitched as he wanted to apologize for not believing her, but ultimately, he decided against it. Zeke made his way toward them. He raised his eyebrows as he said, ¡°Mr. Lewis colluded with Jacques and fabricated evidence to nder my sister. Sir, you''re in charge of the Department of Justice. You shouldn''t allow something like this to happen, right? I suggest you report this to Dellmoor and send someone to investigate this matter.¡± Jacques'' expression turned grim. What? R-Report it to Dellmoor? If that matter were reported to Dellmoor, they would send someone new to investigate. By then, Jacques would face the same fate as Howard. ¡°You don''t need to report it to Dellmoor. I''ll investigate this matter myself.¡± Chapter 591 Chapter 591 A deep and maic voice rang out from the entrance. Everyone instinctively turned in the direction of the voice. Howard and Jacques almost fell to the ground from shock when they saw who the person was. R-Raiden. It''s Raiden of the Fletcher family! Why is he in Hallsbay? That''s right. He likes Bailey. Since she''s in trouble, is he here to help her? In other words, he wasn''t kidding. He really is going to investigate this matter personally. Howard was filled with despair. The only one he could rely on now was Tamara. After all, he was only following her orders. Raiden strode toward Bailey with an anxious look on his face. ¡°Are you all right? Were you hurt? Jeez, you gave me quite a scare. Aren''t you a capable woman? How come you can''t even take proper care of yourself?¡± Bailey was at a loss for words. She sighed helplessly. Why is everyone criticizing me? Do they think I want to go through all this trouble and suffering? ¡°If you''re here to scold me, you better return to where you came from. Many people want to teach me a lesson. There''s no need for you to be one of them.¡± Raidenughed in exasperation when he heard that. I hurried here from abroad for her, yet this is the attitude she''s giving me? I must be crazy. Why did I like such a... Forget it. I''ve already fallen for her and am willing to be trapped by her. What else can I say? ¡°You must be in charge of the Department of Justice in Hallsbay. Take the evidence you got from Bailey and conduct an investigation. Let me know if you need anything. As for the two of them, let''s suspend them and have them wait for the result in their cozy homes.¡± The person in charge nodded. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± With that, he called over a few of his subordinates, who then made their way toward Howard and Jacques. ¡°This way, please.¡± Jacques was about to say something, but Howard shot him a look to stop him. It was obvious that Raiden wanted to protect Bailey. It would only be a waste for them to say anything more to defend themselves. Even if they had not done anything wrong, Raiden could add several crimes onto them. Not to mention, they were not exactly innocent. Raiden watched as the person in charge and his subordinates escorted Jacques and Howard away before he turned to Bailey and said, ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll return you your innocence. I already know about you sponsoring the university students. I''ve also reported this to the leader of our country. I know you could care less about any awards. The only thing I can do is to help you reveal the truth.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. Bailey shed him a smile and shook her head. Then, she shifted her gaze to the reporters not far from them and raised her voice. ¡°I am Betty, the one that has always been doing charity work. However, I''d like to ask all of you to stop focusing your attention on me. I''m a tough person. I won''t back down easily because of such an issue. I''d like you all to shift your attention to the disaster situation at Quadfield instead.¡± She paused momentarily before saying, ¡°For those who called me corrupt and cussed me, I''m sure reality has taught you how to be a better person. I hope you''ll mind the words you speak in the future. Don''t spout nonsense or use others without any concrete evidence. After all, there''s a limit to my patience.¡± With that, she turned around and made her way up the stairs. Bailey was a formidable woman. Even if everyone bullied and humiliated her, she could still straighten her back and confidently face them. Zeke held out his hand to invite Raiden inside the building. ¡°It''s rare to see you, Mr. Fletcher. I wonder if you''re interested in having a cup of coffee with me?¡± Raiden''s gaze fell on Bailey''s retreating figure. He waited for her to reach the top of the steps before he replied, ¡°You made the right decision. There are too many obstacles in her life. It must''ve warmed her heart to have a brother like you to protect her.¡± The look in Zeke''s eyes wasplex. From Raiden''s gaze, Zeke could sense his deep passion for Bailey. In the past two days, Zeke also often saw the same look from Edmund. My sister is indeed excellent. However, I''m unsure whether it''s fortunate for her to have several of the world''s most outstanding men falling for her. News of Bailey donating personal funds worth more than fifty billion to charity and sponsoring more than thirty billion to more than thirty thousand university students quickly spread across Hallsbay. The name ¡°Betty¡± once again headlined newspapers. After hearing her story, several phnthropists admired that she, as a woman, could be so generous. She knew how to make the right choices and was indeed a model and example for all young people to learn from. Bailey was destined to be a legend. Regardless of her field, she could show her talents to the fullest. However, she was not greedy for admiration. If it weren''t for the helplessness of reality, she probably would not have revealed any of her other identities. This time, the inte was strangely calm. No one posted anyments. Everyone silently swiped through her news and basked in the information of herpassion. Chloe was in the living room of the West residence. When she noticed her father had returned, she hurried to wee him. Anxious, she asked, ¡°Dad, how was it? Is Bailey going to jail?¡± Jacques shot her a re as anger filled his eyes. If it weren''t for this good-for-nothing daughter of mine, I wouldn''t have risked my life to offend Bailey! Everything is ruined now. Raiden will personally investigate the matter. Will I even get out of this situation unscathed? ¡°Bailey won''t go to jail. Instead, I''ll be the one heading in there soon.¡± Chloe widened her eyes in disbelief. ¡°Dad, you''re a mayor, after all. Why are you so useless?¡± p! The sound was loud and crisp as Jacques pped her across the face. Chapter 592 Chapter 592 ¡°You idiot! I''ve been dismissed from my position and am now under investigation because of your crap idea. Listen carefully. I''ve been sacked, and I''m now under investigation. Just wait. You''ll be downgraded from the mayor''s daughter to a down-and-out pretty soon,¡± Jacques snarled. When she heard what Jacques said, Laura gasped in shock and stumbled backward before falling onto the couch. ¡°We''re doomed. Our family is done for. What are we going to do?¡± Jacques was dejected. He no longer cared about his image as he felt his knees buckle and fell butt-first onto the ground. ¡°What else can we do? Just wait to serve jail time. I fabricated evidence to nder Bailey. I''ll be put behind bars once they find out about it.¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Laura started crying. Chloe turned pale, unable to ept the bombshell her father had just dropped. I thought I was awaiting the good news of Bailey going to jail. I didn''t expect to receive this news from Dad instead. Is this how it feels to fall from heaven to hell? ¡°In other words, you''re saying I can''t do anything but swallow my pride and watch in hatred as Bailey goes on with her bright future? She set a trap and framed me, which made me lose my innocence and be theughingstock of the entire upper-ss society! Yet you won''t help me make her pay for what she did?¡± Laura staggered as she made her way over and grabbed Chloe''s arms. Sobbing, she said, ¡°Admit it. Bailey is too smart and capable. Even your father can''t do anything to her, much less you.¡± ¡°No!¡± Chloe shrugged out of Laura''s grip and yelled, ¡°I won''t let her live a good life! I want the people who harmed me to pay me back tenfold! Since I''m having a hard time now, Bailey shouldn''t be living happily. Either we fight to the death or perish together. If I don''t get to live anymore, then she shouldn''t think of living her life in peace, either. Even if I die, I''ll drag her to hell with me!¡± With that, she stumbled out the door. Laura wanted to go after her, but Jacques grabbed her arm and stopped her. ¡°Ignore her. Let her be crazy. If it weren''t for her, I wouldn''t have offended Bailey and faced such a consequence.¡± Laura was furious. Hearing her husband telling her to ignore their daughter, she yelled, ¡°Do you really think you offended Bailey because of our daughter? Jacques, don''t paint yourself to be such a great person. If you didn''t have thoughts of getting promoted, you wouldn''t have buttered up to Howard and helped him to fabricate evidence.¡± A loud p echoed in the air. Jacques had pped Laura across the face. ¡°You stupid b*tch! Weren''t you the one who threw a tantrum and begged me to help your daughter get revenge? Now that something bad has happened, you''re ming everything on me?¡± ¡°You hit me... Jacques, how dare you f*cking hit me!¡± In the next moment, Laura lunged at him and scratched his face. Following that, screams, insults, and crying echoed throughout the West residence. Howard immediately called Tamara when he returned to his residence. He told her about the situation at Hallsbay, but the other party coldly said, ¡°When did I ask you to help me deal with Bailey? Do you know what crime youmit by ndering the firstdy?¡± When Howard heard that, his grip on his phone loosened, and the device fell to the ground with a thud. It took him a while to regain his senses, but when he did, he quickly picked up his phone from the ground and dialed back the number. However, Tamara had blocked him. He then dialed Scarlett''s number but could not contact her either. It was then that Howard realized the Fletcher family had abandoned him. Can I fight back? No, I can''t! It did not matter that he had no evidence the daughter of the Fletcher family had ordered him to do what he did. Even if he did have evidence, he could not defeat the family. It was the Fletcher family. They prided themselves on being at the top. What can a nobody like me do to shake their position? Hence, his fate was sealed the moment he was exposed. Raiden pushed the door open to a suite in a hotel. His expression darkened when he saw Scarlett sitting on the couch with a dazed look. ¡°It''s alreadye down to this. Are you still not going to admit to your actions?¡± Raiden''s sudden question snapped Scarlett out of her daydream. She quickly got up and made her way toward Raiden, grabbing his arm in anxiety. ¡°Raiden, are you here to bring me back to Dellmoor?¡± Raiden shot her a hard look and casually replied, ¡°Go and turn yourself in. Try to ask for forgiveness, and your life may be spared. Although you''ll live out your days in jail, at least you wouldn''t die at such a young age.¡± Scarlett widened her eyes and red at him in disbelief. ¡°Turn myself in? And stay in jail forever? Raiden, I''m your sister! Your biological sister, to be exact. How can you say such a thing?¡± ¡°What should I say then? What should I do? Should I forgive you, the main culprit? Should I also let those five dead people die in vain?¡± In an instant, Scarlett let go of his arm and stared at him with tear-filled eyes. ¡°Raiden, you''d rather abandon me for Bailey. You have such a deep affection for her, but what a pity. She''s a tainted flower. She''s nothing but a wh*re that Artemis lost interest in! Don''t ever think in this life that you''ll¡ª¡± p! A loud and crisp p echoed in the air. Raiden did not hold back as he pped her, causing her to stumble and bump into a cab. ¡°In the past, although you were spoiled and willful, you were not evil. Yet in just half a year, you became vicious as your heart gradually turned rotten. It''s unfortunate for the Fletcher family to have a daughter like you. If you refuse toe to your senses, then even Dad won''t be able to protect you.¡± Scarlett held her cheek and smirked beforeughing crazily. ¡°I am Lady Scarlett of Chanaea! My father is the leader of the country, the most powerful man. Who would dare to do anything to me? Not to mention, this car ident has nothing to do with me. Who would use me of being the mastermind behind it?¡± Raiden shook his head as he made his way to the door. ¡°I shouldn''t havee here. You''re a lost cause. Since you refuse to return to your senses, I have nothing else to say. You should wait for the results of the investigation. If the court decides to sentence you to death, you must ept your fate. No one will be able to save you.¡± With that, he exited the room. Scarlett wanted to go after him, but the two bodyguards standing at the door blocked her. She stood at the door and yelled, ¡°I''ve been sickly since I was young. Mom and Dad have always treated me like a precious treasure. If I die, they''ll carry wounds in their hearts that will never heal. Plus, they''ll loathe Bailey and do whatever they can to destroy her.¡± Raiden stopped in his tracks. A few moments of silence passed before he casually said, ¡°Dad can see the bigger picture. If he can amodate the needs of the country, then he''ll also be able to amodate Bailey. You''re on your own.¡± Scarlett''s knees buckled, and she fell to the ground. Am I doomed? Would Mom and Dad watch me die? No, of course, they won''t! As long as I never admit to it, no one will be able to determine my crimes. In a private mansion in the suburbs, Zoey was sitting on the couch. She gritted her teeth so hard that her jaw creaking could be heard. It was obvious that she was furious. ¡°Scarlett and the West family failed. Shirley is half-dead, and Rhonda has be a fool. Everyone who was at odds with Bailey ended up facing dire consequences. I can''t believe none of them was able to defeat Bailey. How useless!¡± Sofie sipped her coffee before saying, ¡°Perhaps it''s not yet time for her to die, but the right time will come soon. You can use Artemis to kill Bailey when Yvette seeds in her task. After all, it''ll hurt more to die in the arms of the person you love.¡± Chapter 593 Chapter 593 Zoey perked up as soon as she heard that. ¡°Has Yvette made any progress?¡± Somewhat displeased, Sofie shot her daughter an icy look. ¡°You can''t keep your emotions in check, so how will you control someone as unbridled as Artemis in the future? If you continue ignoring my advice like this, I''m really going to give up on you.¡± Zoey''s face clouded over. Now that Zeke has disclosed Bailey''s true identity to the public, everyone has been calling me a b*stard who doesn''t even know who''s my biological father. The Shurmer family isn''t going to back me up, and the only person I can rely on is this old hag. I can''t afford to have a falling out with her or let things turn sour between us before I get what I want. ¡°I''ve been dealing with Bailey for so long and watched as those on my side turned their backs on me one after another. I really have no confidence left. That''s why I''m so restless. To make matters worse, after Zeke made Bailey''s identity known to the public, I''ve been bombarded with a flood of one-sided rumors saying I''m a b*stard with an unknown father. I can''t look to the Shurmer family for support. The only person I can turn to is you.¡± She blinked her eyes, squeezing out a trail of tears. Sofie''s gaze turned cold. In a low voice, she replied, ¡°What nonsense is that? You''re rence Jefferson''s daughter. You have a family.¡± ¡°But others don''t know that. They only think that I''m... that I''m your... Anyway, everyone is frowning upon rence''s and Rhonda''s inappropriate behavior. Having anything to do with them will only mean trouble for me. Hence, I don''t want to be associated with that family.¡± When Sofie saw Zoey crying bitterly, she softened her tone as she said, ¡°Yvette has arranged everything on her end and is just waiting for the right time to drug Artemis. Just be patient for a couple more days. We''ll surely hear of an update after two days.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll do as you say, Mom.¡± That afternoon, Simon and Caridee returned to Hallsbay. The private nended directly at the medical base. The moment Caridee saw Bailey, she threw herself into thetter''s arms and asked through her tears, ¡°How''s my mother? Is she awake?¡± Staring at Caridee''s right arm, which had a ster cast around it and was in a sling, Bailey sighed inwardly. I''m such a jinx. As though it''s not enough that I''ve lived in misery for half my life, I''m even making the Luther family suffer with me. ¡°She''s out of danger. As for whether she''ll be able to regain consciousness or when it''ll happen, I can''t give you a sure answer now. However, you don''t have to worry. I''ll do everything I can to treat her.¡± After saying that, Bailey pushed Caridee away slightly and looked at thetter''s shoulder. She added, ¡°Since you''re back, you should let me examine you. I want to see how serious your injury is and whether it''s possible to treat it.¡± Caridee gave an unconcerned smile and said, ¡°It''s fine. If I can''t use this arm, I''ll learn to use my left arm. You guys always say I''m young and immature and that my feelings for Veikko are purely out of admiration. Well, I''ll use my actions to show all of you that I genuinely like him as a man. For his sake, I can give up my right hand and try to use my left instead.¡± Sighing silently, Bailey reached out and stroked her head. She said slowly, ¡°I don''t doubt your feelings for him. It''s just that someone who lives life on the edge like him isn''t suitable for you. The two of you are like the day and night¡ªyou''ll pass by each other but can never exist as one.¡± ¡°I don''t believe that. As long as two people truly love each other, they can definitely end up together.¡± Bailey could not help butugh as she pulled Caridee toward the CT scan room. ¡°All right, all right. I believe that your love for Veikko is genuine. Even so, there''s no need to sacrifice your arm. Be good ande with me for a check-up so that I can treat your arm properly.¡± Caridee still wanted to protest, but Glen''s icy re made her fall silent. ¡°Listen to your sister-inw and go for a thorough check-up. How will you take care of your husband and children in the future if you can''t use your arm?¡± Hence, Caridee had no choice but to acquiesce quietly. In a private room on the second floor of a caf¨¦ located at a street corner, Raiden narrowed his eyes at his mother, who had suddenly turned up at Hallsbay. He said in a low voice, ¡°You shouldn''t have come.¡± His words angered Tamara instantly. ¡°My daughter has been framed and is about to lose her life, so why shouldn''t I havee here? Tell me. Where have you got her locked up? Don''t tell me you''ve really decided to sacrifice your sister just to make Bailey happy.¡± ¡°Framed? She''s Chanaea''s Lady Scarlett. Who would dare to frame her? Had she not brought it upon herself, do you think she would''ve ended up in such a mess?¡± A loud thud rang out as Tamara mmed her palm onto the table. She snarled, ¡°Why wouldn''t anyone try to frame her? I think Bailey would have the audacity to fabricate false evidence against her. Your sister is innocent. She''s¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, he took a stack of papers from his briefcase and tossed them onto the table. Theynded with a dull thump. ¡°Take a look for yourself. After that, you''ll know just how serious things are.¡± Fine, I''ll read it! She stretched out a hand and pulled the stack of papers toward her, then lowered her head and started going through the information. In the beginning, her face was still etched with anger. As she continued reading, however, she looked more and more upset. ¡°A-Are you sure all these are true?¡± Raiden looked at her coldly. There was not even a trace of gentleness in his expression. ¡°Do you think I''d fabricate evidence to use my own sister? Am I such a person in your eyes?¡± Tamara''s face started to pale as she stared fixedly at the evidence in her hands. These things seem like a death warrant. It''s tormenting my heart. Is my daughter going to die just like this? ¡°She bribed the Department of Transportation and hired a group of assassins to cause such a serious ident. Everyone''s attention is on this incident. Do you think she can still escape?¡± Tamara clenched her jaw, and her gaze turned fierce. ¡°Destroy the evidence. As long as the evidence is gone, Scarlett will be safe.¡± ¡°You''re the firstdy of the country now. I can''t believe you''d have so little regard for the lives of others. Do you know what will happen if Dad finds out about this?¡± Raiden responded, disappointment shing across his eyes. A shudder ran through Tamara''s body. His words felt like the blows of a hammer striking her heart. He''s right. Can I really turn a blind eye to all those lives? ¡°What will happen to Scarlett then?¡± ¡°The death penalty at worst or life imprisonment if they let her off lightly. Bailey was kind enough to give me the evidence because of my feelings for her. If you can persuade Scarlett to turn herself in, we may be able to ask for a more lenient sentence and save her life.¡± Tamara slowly squeezed her eyes shut. It doesn''t matter whether it''s the death penalty or life imprisonment. I won''t be able to ept it either way. That''s why... I have to think of a way to save my daughter. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Very well. I understand. Take me to Scarlett. I''ll persuade her to turn herself in.¡± Raiden looked at her through narrowed eyes and could not help sighing inwardly. As if it''s not enough that Scarlett is unrepentant, I didn''t expect my own mother, who has always been so shrewd, to be just as stubborn. Forget it. They made their choice, so even if they have to pay the price in blood in the future, that''s their own fault. ¡°All right. I''ll get someone to take you to her.¡± Chapter 594 Chapter 594 In the city of Musbane at Thymion, there was a primeval forest at the southwestern border where a hugeplex of buildings was erected. Located in the heart of a mountain range, it was a highly secluded area. While most people knew that the forest was full of dangers, nobody knew that the headquarters of the biggest underground organization in the world, Tarragon, was located right there. In the main hall of the main building, a tall, slender figure stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing silently at the night view outside. ¡°Leader, Mr. Doyle has requested to see you.¡± The man standing before the window hummed lightly in response, and the bodyguard at the door quietly retreated. Not long after, a white-haired old man entered. ¡°Leader,¡± Dominic greeted the figure standing at the window, bowing his head slightly. Despite his humble posture, there was no sign of such humility on his face. The leader of Tarragon, Artemis, turned around slowly, his gaze falling on the old man. He was wearing a mask that concealed most of his face, making his facial expression indiscernible. ¡°Yes?¡± Dominic said softly, ¡°Some of the former leader''srades heard that Her Royal Highness is getting married soon and have all hurried back to the headquarters. They also came to know that you have returned and are nning to host a banquet for you. What do you think about it?¡± Raising his brows slightly, Artemis asked with a half-smile, ¡°Do I have to attend it?¡± With that, Dominic fell silent. Of course, he would have to make an appearance! If he stays in the headquarters all the time, how are we going to erase his memory and control him? ¡°Although Mr. Sullivan is no longer with us, his subordinates are spread out across the whole organization, and his only daughter is about to be married. Since you''re back, it''s time to deal with the matters that have been waiting for you.¡± ¡°Fine, then. In that case, I''ll attend it. However, I should be the one hosting this banquet. Please tell the others that I will serve them in the banquet hall of the headquarters tomorrow and that everyone is invited to attend.¡± Dominic narrowed his eyes slightly. Attend a banquet in the headquarters? But it would be difficult for us to make our move then. We wouldn''t have as many opportunities to do so either. ¡°Uh...¡± Noticing his hesitation, Artemis cocked his brows and responded with a smile, ¡°What''s wrong? Would they be unwilling to attend a banquet that I personally host? This is my territory, and as the master, isn''t it only right that I invite my subordinates to a banquet? Or did you guys have ulterior motives for wanting to host a banquet for me, such as... setting a trap?¡± Shuddering, Dominic immediately fell to one knee, exining frantically, ¡°No, we wouldn''t dare! How would we dare to harm you, Leader? If you intend to host a banquet, we would only be honored to attend it. I will pass the word to them right away.¡± With that, he stood upright shakily and bowed deeply to Artemis before leaving the room. A mocking look shed across Artemis'' eyes as he gazed at the back of Dominic''s retreating figure. Are they finally getting impatient and can''t wait to strike? Good! He had been waiting for five days and had begun to feel rather impatient himself. If they still did not make their move, he was ready to return to Hallsbay on his private jet. That woman must need me a lot right now. At the medical base in Hallsbay, Bailey was studying the ultrasound scan in her hand, her delicate brows furrowed deeply. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Although she had heard about Caridee''s condition from Zain, she had not known that it was so serious. The tendons in her arm are allpletely severed. How could we possibly restore them? Looks like it''s simply within Veikko''s fate to owe her an arm. Hopefully, he would be willing to repay her with the rest of his life, or Caridee would be truly heartbroken. ¡°What''s wrong? Is her condition really bad?¡± Edmund''s gentle voice drifted to her ears, jolting her back to her senses. Bailey looked sideways instinctively, finally noticing Edmund, who had just appeared by her side. ¡°Yes, it''s a little tricky. Even if I treat her myself, the chances of her recovery are barely thirty percent.¡± ¡°Just let nature take its course. Don''t give yourself too much pressure. She insisted on following Veikko to Gregan and risked her life to take the bullet for him. It was ultimately her own choice. While you''re feeling sorry for her, she might actually be happy with the decision she made.¡± Letting out a chuckle, Bailey tossed the medical report onto the desk and said lightly, ¡°You''re right. She''s probably happy she did it since it''s for the man she loves, and her heart''s possibly bursting with joy right now. All right, then, I''ll listen to you and won''t dwell on it anymore.¡± Edmund smiled, shaking his head. ¡°Finally, you''re listening to me. By the way, what do you n to do about Scarlett?¡± Scarlett... Bailey sighed soundlessly. There was nothing she could do when Raiden was stuck in between them. ¡°I''ve handed the evidence to Raiden, so it''s up to him what he does with it. I can tolerate the fact that he wants to save his sister''s life, but that woman should be sentenced to life imprisonment. If he can''t even do that, then I would have no choice but to personally submit the backup evidence to the high court myself.¡± Edmund nodded. ¡°Yes, she will likely receive a life sentence. You''re being as magnanimous as you can possibly be. The rest is up to the Fletcher family.¡± Bailey stood there in silence for a moment before turning to head to theb. ¡°I''m still working on developing the drug for fighting uterine cancer. Vero needs it desperately. Please let me know at once if there are any updates regarding my mother-inw.¡± The moment he heard her mention the word ¡°mother-inw,¡± a bitter smile rose to Edmund''s lips. It seemed to be reminding him of the cruel fact that he had no right to yearn for this woman anymore, as she was now the daughter-inw of his aunt and the wife of his cousin. Ah! She''s truly my cousin''s wife now! In the suite of a hotel, Scarlett was nestled in Tamara''s arms, crying miserably. ¡°M-Mom, they fabricated the evidence and framed me. You have to help me. Please help me, or else they will only end up destroying my life!¡± Tamara furrowed her brows. Instead offorting Scarlett like she usually did, she stated, ¡°Lettie, stop pretending and covering up. I know everything. Your brother has concrete evidence of your crime. Once he hands it to the court, even the Fletcher family won''t be able to save you.¡± Scarlett''s sobs halted abruptly. She stared at her mother nkly and asked rather dazedly, ¡°Y-You believe the evidence?¡± ¡°Some of it was provided by the government, such as the statement by the Department of Transportation. How could I not believe it?¡± Scarlett''s face instantly turned ashen. Knowing that she had no way to hide the truth anymore, she could only y the pity card. ¡°Mom, I know I was wrong, but the truth is that Bailey is simply too much! I wanted to get rid of her not just because of Justin, but more importantly, I did it for Raiden''s sake. You don''t want him to marry Bailey either, do you?¡± Tamara sighed helplessly. ¡°It''s true that I wanted to deal with Bailey, but you shouldn''t have used such extreme methods. Look at the mess you''ve made now. How do you expect me to help you? You should turn yourself in. Maybe you can still keep your life then.¡± ¡°No!¡± Scarlett pushed her mother away firmly. With reddened eyes, she shrieked at the top of her voice, ¡°Mom, if I turn myself in, I will surely be sentenced to life imprisonment! Do you really want to see me spending the rest of my life in a prison cell? No, I won''t let that happen! I beg you, Mom. Please help me. I know you must have a way!¡± Having said that, she slid down from the couch, kneeling before Tamara. Chapter 595 Chapter 595 Tamara turned away slightly. More than being angry toward her daughter, she was heartbroken. Scarlett liked Justin, and her love for him bordered on obsession. To get what she wanted, she used every means at her disposal. It was what Tamara had taught her over the years. To Tamara, Scarlett had perhaps not done anything wrong, and thus, she could hardly me her daughter. ¡°Mom, please, I beg you. Please save me. Regardless of whether I get a life or death sentence, my life is utterly ruined. I''m still young, and my life is only just beginning. Are you really willing to see me spending the rest of my life in prison or take a bullet to my head?¡± Tamara''s expression darkened. Of course, she was not willing to do that, or else she would not havee on this day. ¡°Fine, then. After all, you''re my only daughter. Who else can I protect if not you? Looks like there''s only one way now. If you agree with it, it might save your life and give me a chance to help you as well.¡± Scarlett straightened her posture abruptly. Still kneeling on the ground, she grasped her mother''s arm, asking desperately, ¡°W-What way, Mom?¡± Tamara gritted her teeth and uttered, ¡°Get pregnant.¡± Rather shocked, Scarlett looked at her nkly and did not respond for a while. Get pregnant? What is she talking about? Are we not talking about freeing me from this situation? Why is she talking about getting me pregnant? sping Scarlett''s shoulders, Tamara snapped, ¡°Listen to me, Lettie. With the evidence against you, even your father isn''t going to be able to save you. Don''t you even hold any hopes of destroying the evidence either, as Bailey has a backup copy with her. There is no way you can destroy it. The only thing you can do now is to be put on a suspended sentence, and the only way to do that is to get pregnant. Do you understand?¡± Scarlett was not a fool. Living in the Fletcher residence all year round, how could she not know what being put on a suspended sentence meant? N?velDrama.Org holds this content. However, it was one thing to understand what it meant, but to ept it was an entirely different matter. ¡°Mom, you have to help me. You must help me to get pregnant with Justin''s child. I will only ept his, or else¡ª¡± p! The crisp sound of a p rang out as Tamara gave Scarlett a tight p across the face and roared angrily, ¡°Even now, you''re still thinking about that b*stard, Justin? Don''t you understand that you''re this close to losing your life? Do you even understand that?¡± Scarlett pursed her lips. Lifting her head, she looked straight at her mother with a determined gaze and spoke in a firm voice. ¡°Unless it''s with Justin''s child, I refuse to get pregnant. Even if they sentence me to death right away, I still refuse to ept anything other than that.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Furious, Tamara raised her hand to p Scarlett again. However, when she saw her daughter''s tearful appearance, her hand froze in mid-air, and she could not bring herself to do it. Scarlett was, after all, her daughter. How could she bear to hit her? Sighing soundlessly, she lowered her hand slowly, saying in a hoarse voice, ¡°All right, then. We''ll do it your way. I''ll discuss it with Mrs. Xuereb. If she agrees, I''ll relieve her family of their difficulties.¡± Wiping the tears from her face, Scarlett hugged Tamara tightly. ¡°I knew you loved me and wouldn''t let me ruin my body by getting pregnant with just any man''s child. I will never act alone again, Mom. I promise I will listen to you, okay?¡± Tamara stroked the back of Scarlett''s head, saying softly, ¡°Lettie, remember this. Many people are keeping their eyes on our family now, waiting for us to make a wrong move so that they can drag us down. Every move you make is being scrutinized. In a way, our family is your support, but at the same time, it also constrains you. This is as much as I can do to help you. You must watch out for yourself.¡± Scarlett merely listened in silence. In the CEO''s office of Saunders Group, the butler''s son, Salem, stood nervously in the middle of the room. He was looking at Victor, who was sitting on the couch, with an anxious expression. ¡°M-Mr. Victor, something happened.¡± Hugging the blonde woman beside him, Victor respondedzily, ¡°Something happened? What could possibly have happened? Don''t make a big deal out of nothing. If there''s nothing important, then get lost. Don''t disturb me.¡± Salem gritted his teeth. ¡°The overseaspany that you invested in a few days ago has been seized by the authorities. They said it''s an illegal business, and the money that we have invested cannot be returned.¡± Bang! The dull sound rang out as Victor pushed the blonde woman away, causing her to fall to the ground. Leaping up from the couch, he red angrily at Salem as he asked in a trembling voice, ¡°W-What did you just say? The overseas business has been seized? Then what about my money? What about the three billion that I invested? Is that all gone too?¡± Here he was, dreaming about his future fortune. ording to his calctions, he had reckoned he could make at least ten billion each year. What about my ten billion? No, forget about that first. What about the three billion capital that I''ve invested? That was thest of the funds I had after selling thest bit of shares I had left. If they''re all gone now, what will I do in the future? ¡°Answer me! What about my money?¡± Salem''s legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, bursting into tears. ¡°T-The boss has run off with the money. The police are now investigating the case, but the boss has taken the money away through the biggest international moneyundering organization in the world. The police said that there is a ny percent chance that they will be unable to recover the money and that you should prepare yourself for the worst.¡± Staggering backward, Victor finally fell back onto the couch. ¡°It''s gone. It''s all gone now. This time, it''s all over, and I no longer have any shares left. What am I going to do? How will I survive?¡± After some thought, Salem steeled himself and suggested, ¡°H-How about dering Saunders Group bankrupt? You will still get some money if you sell thepany.¡± Victor''s mind was swimming with thoughts of how he was going to survive without any money. The moment he heard Salem''s idea, he immediately agreed, ¡°Yes! I can sell thepany. Quickly contact the potential buyers. I don''t want anything else right now other than money. All I want now is money!¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll start contacting people immediately. I''lle back to youter with the news.¡± With that, Salem left the office. At the Saunders residence, Victoria was answering a phone call. After listening to something the caller said, she jerked up from the couch. ¡°W-What? What do you mean? My brother is selling Saunders Group?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Victoria. Mr. Victor has squandered all his funds and shares. He has no money left now and is nning to sell thepany.¡± Victoria''s fingers trembled, and the phone slipped out of her hand, crashing onto the ground. Just then, Lionel, who happened to be descending the stairs, saw the pale-faced Victoria trembling violently all over. Shocked by the sight, he rushed forward to hold her at once. ¡°What''s wrong? What happened?¡± he asked as Victoria buried her face in his chest, crying uncontrobly. ¡°Lionel, have I made a mistake? I shouldn''t have handed thepany to him in the first ce. In just a month, he has wasted the business that our past generations worked so hard to establish. That b*stard is actually thinking of selling thepany now!¡± Chapter 596 Chapter 596 Lionel''s eyes darkened, and there was a hint of sorrow on his face. It has just been a few days since I stopped monitoring him. Yet, he already ended up in such a wretched state, huh? I can''t believe he''s even thinking about selling thepany. Eighteen billion. He sold his shares for a total of eighteen billion. Did he run out of money so soon? Even if he were to burn the bills one by one, he could''ve spent years doing that. Now, it hasn''t even been a month, yet he has already squandered all the money. ¡°Don''t panic. I''ll find out more about the situation. If you really don''t want Saunders Group''s ownership to change, I can fork out the funds and acquire it,¡± Lionel suggested. Victoria shook her head while shedding tears. ¡°It''s useless. He offloaded all his shares, so the Saunders family is no longer thepany''s biggest shareholder. Even if we get to keep thepany, the chairman will be changed as well.¡± After a brief moment of silence, Lionel decided to tell her the truth. ¡°Vicky, I''ve bought all the shares sold by your brother at the market price. If you want to restructure Saunders Group, I will transfer the shares to you and finance you so that thepany can return to its normal operations.¡± Hearing that, Victoria widened her eyes and stared at him in disbelief. She asked with a trembling voice, ¡°D-Did you really buy all the shares and didn''t let them fall into an outsider''s possession?¡± Lionel reached out and brushed her stray strands of hair, then spoke in a hoarse voice. ¡°I know you love your family and thepany built by your ancestors. You''ll be sad if thepany''s ownership is transferred. The only thing I could do to make sure you wouldn''t get upset was to buy all the shares.¡± Her body was shivering violently as she looked at him tearfully, and she choked out, ¡°Victor''s shares must''ve cost at least twenty billion. I can''t believe you''re willing to spend such a huge amount of money to buy the shares just for me. Lionel, why? Why did you do that?¡± Lionel hugged her tightly and chuckled. ¡°Because you''re my wife, and you''re pregnant with my child. Money is just an external thing. If I can spend this money in exchange for a happy andfortable life for you, I''ll do it even if I go bankrupt!¡± ¡°B-But I''m just pregnant with a daughter. She can''t help you carry on the Gezmond family name¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, Lionel bopped her head with his fist. ¡°The baby is listening to you in your tummy. She won''t like you if you keep saying such silly words.¡± Victoria remained silent. He caressed her cheek. In truth, he had always felt guilty toward Victoria. Although Victoria did nothing wrong, I hurt her deeply. Her mother wasn''t in the wrong either, yet she died because of my father''s scheming. This mother-daughter duo was dragged down by my father and me. I will bear the guilt of this forever. ¡°So, have you decided yet? What is it going to be?¡± Lionel asked. Victoria lowered her head and replied slowly, ¡°Then please acquire Saunders Group. I''ve thought it through. I can''t just let thepany that my ancestors put in so much effort to build get destroyed like this. Besides, I''ve already been kind enough toward Victor for providing him the assets worth tens of billions. Since he squandered all the money in just a month''s time, I no longer owe him anything.¡± Hearing that, Lionel let out a chuckle. ¡°I''m d you''ve seen the light. Don''t be so agitated next time. If not, you''ll be the one suffering if you fall sick.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room of the Xuereb residence, Olivia looked at Tamara cautiously and probed, ¡°May I know why you''re here, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± Tamara remained quiet and merely nced at the maids who were standing on both sides next to her, her intentions clear. Acknowledging the meaning of Tamara''s look, Olivia quickly summoned the butler to lead the maids out of the living room. When Tamara and Olivia were the only ones left, thetter tentatively asked again, ¡°How may I help you, Mrs. Fletcher?¡± Tamara looked at Olivia with an ambiguous expression before she raised a brow and inquired, ¡°I heard that you were on a hunger strike to force Justin to cut all ties with Veronique. However, you failed miserably as he would rather watch you die than leave her.¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. An awkward look crossed Olivia''s face, as she didn''t expect Tamara to be so straightforward. ¡°Well... There was really nothing else that I could do. I guess you can me it on me for giving birth to a rebellious son. I''m just not blessed enough to have Lettie be my daughter-inw in my lifetime. As for my elder brother, it''s up to fate what happens to him now.¡± Tamara grinned mysteriously and softened her tone. ¡°I have an idea. Since you''re my daughter''s mother-inw, would you cooperate with me?¡± Upon hearing the word ¡°mother-inw,¡± a joyful expression instantly appeared on Olivia''s face. ¡°D-Do you still think of me as your daughter''s mother-inw?¡± Tamara held Olivia''s wrist and said with a smile, ¡°Of course! After all, my dear daughter keeps saying she wants to end her life if she can''t be with Justin. As their parents, I think we should help them.¡± Olivia nodded her head vigorously. ¡°That''s right! We really must help them. What brilliant idea do you have in mind?¡± Tamara lowered her gaze and inquired cautiously, ¡°How about we let Lettie get pregnant with Justin''s baby through in vitro fertilization? That way, even when Veronique dies, Justin wouldn''t die with her. After all, he still has responsibilities to fulfill.¡± Olivia was stumped. In the next second, her eyes glistened as she pped her hands andughed. ¡°This is brilliant! Why didn''t I think of this idea before? This is the perfect n!¡± ¡°Does this mean you agree with my idea, Mrs. Xuereb?¡± Chapter 597 Chapter 597 Olivia hurriedly nodded. ¡°Of course, I agree! Why wouldn''t I agree to such a brilliant idea? It''s my son''s honor to be Lettie''s husband. I''m sure he''s just bewitched by that woman, causing him not to marry the wonderful Lady Scarlett. Naturally, he''ll like Lettie when they both have a child together.¡± Tamara curled her lips into a smirk. ¡°When Lettie is pregnant with Justin''s child, she will have to treat Justin''s uncle as her own uncle. Don''t worry, Mrs. Xuereb. When the timees, the Fletcher family will do our best to help your brother get out of his predicament.¡± Everything is progressing smoothly, just as I expected. This has saved me a lot of trouble. Upon hearing that, Olivia was overjoyed. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher. Don''t worry. We have Justin''s semen kept in storage. I''ll go retrieve itter and pass it to you so that you can transfer it into Lettie''s uterus.¡± Doing this can make Justin stay away from that woman and also help my family out of the difficulties they''re facing. Naturally, I must go all out and do it. ¡°All right. It''s settled then.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± The results of the investigation into Howard, Jacques, and the other involved people Raiden had ordered the person in charge of the Department of Justice to do soon came out. ording to the report, Howard colluded with Jacques, and together, they forced various departments to frame Bailey by giving false testimonies. The moment that announcement was made, it caused an uproar in the outside world. While the public felt like they had done Bailey wrong, they also requested for those scoundrels to be severely punished. In the end, the Department of Justice arrested Howard and the others involved in ordance with the law. Then, they were all sent to court. Now, everyone was just waiting for the court to gather and validate the legitimacy of all pieces of evidence before meting out the relevant punishments for Howard and the others. Meanwhile, at the West residence, the sounds of weeping filled the living room. Laura hugged her husband tightly and wailed, ¡°What am I supposed to do with my life if you get taken away?¡± Jacques'' face remained ashen. From the moment Raiden arrived at Hallsbay, Jacques had already predicted his own ending. He had beenmitting various crimes throughout the past years. Considering the punishments for multiple crimes that he was involved in, he supposed he would spend the rest of his life in prison. ¡°Take good care of yourself and Chloe. If you want a divorce, you can ask awyer to hand me the divorce agreement. You''re still young, so you can still find a partner to spend the rest of your life with if you remarry,¡± muttered Jacques. Hearing that, Laura began bawling. She wanted to stop him, but her arms were sped by several staff members. All she could do was watch Jacques being taken away. After they let go of her, she slumped to the floor and watched nkly as thew enforcer''s car drove away. Just then, the butler, Charles, walked over to Laura with a phone in his hand and tried tofort her. ¡°Mrs. West, since things havee to this, you should try to let it go. Ms. West is calling. Do you wish to ept the call?¡± Abruptly, Laura regained her senses and snatched the phone from Charles'' hand. She held the phone next to her ear and asked frantically, ¡°Chloe, where are you now? Your dad was arrested. Can you come back now, please? I have no one else but you, and you''re my only family left.¡± Chloe''s sobbing voice came from the phone, along with her vicious words. ¡°Bailey destroyed my family. I will never let this slide, and I will find her to settle the score clearly! Mom, I want to take her down with me!¡± With that, Chloe ended the call directly. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. When Laura heard that, her hand trembled, and the phone slipped from her fingers. It crashed onto the ground and broke into pieces. ¡°C-Charles, hurry and send someone to look for Chloe! Don''t let her do anything silly! She can''t take Bailey down at the expense of her own life!¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll send someone to look for Ms. West right away!¡± In a hotel on the east side of the city, Chloe was on the phone with someone while leaning against the window. She was currently in a single room at the end of the third-floor hallway. ¡°Ms. West, Bailey left the medical base ten minutes ago. It seems like she went to the psychiatric hospital,¡± said the person on the other end of the phone. Chloe suddenly tightened her grip on the phone. ¡°All right, I got it. I will pay you thepensationter. Thanks.¡± I have an opportunity to strike so soon? This is great! After ending the call, Chloe got up and changed into a casual outfit. Before she strode out of the room, she grabbed a few bottles off the table and stuffed them into her bag. Bailey, we''ll see who''s thest one standing today. It was true that Bailey went to the psychiatric hospital. A while ago, the doctor had called her to inform her that Rhonda was awake and wished to know how Bailey wanted to deal with thetter. After giving it some thought, Bailey still decided to visit Rhonda at the hospital and take a look at the latter''s current situation. In the ward, Rhonda sat on the bed with her back leaning against the headboard. She stared at Bailey with bloodshot eyes, as if she was trying to skin thetter alive. ¡°You''re truly a demon, Bailey. I will keep cursing you for eternity. I wish you''ll die a horrible death, and I hope you''ll be abandoned and forgotten by the one you love. I want you to have a taste of that excruciating pain.¡± Upon hearing those words, Bailey merely raised her brow and chuckled. ¡°Looks like you''ve fully recovered. Your curse maye true, but we''re not sure when it''ll happen. However, you''re already suffering in a living hell right now. Hence, it''s still my victory.¡± ng! Rhonda swept all the bottles on the bedside table to the ground, attempting to vent her intense fury and despair. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, karma will get you!¡± This woman is really ruthless. She took away my right to fall into madness and wants me to suffer in the deep abyss of pain constantly. I really, really want to drag her into this hell to have her suffer with me. However, I''m not capable enough. Chapter 598 Chapter 598 Karma? Bailey scoffed. Even if she did nothing, they would continue hovering around her like a swarm of disgusting flies. It would serve her better to retaliate instead of suffering in silence. ¡°You brought this upon yourself. If I hadn''t done what I had to, I would be the one being treated in the asylum today. Rhonda, I can''t believe you could be so ruthless toward your sister and hatch such a sinister scheme. You only have yourself to me now that you''re reaping what you sow.¡± Rhonda lowered her head. She was mentally and physically drained after the harrowing past few days, so much so that strands of her hair had turned white. Her entire life had practically been destroyed. As such, the only thing that kept her going was the hope that the tables would turn on Bailey one day and that she''d be doomed for eternity. She bore a strong conviction that that day would arrive. ¡°Do you intend to keep me locked up here forever? As you wish, I''m already back to normal. Shouldn''t you let me go free to be a victim of scorn and mockery till kingdome?¡± Bailey quirked her lips and said sardonically, ¡°You''re surprisingly self-aware. Of course, I wouldn''t grant you a moment''s reprieve by sheltering you from the masses. As such, go back to the Jefferson residence. Your retribution is upon you. You can only ept the punishment doled out to you.¡± She departed from the ward after leaving Andy with a few instructions. Rhonda''s gut-wrenching howls sounded from behind her. ¡°Bailey, one day you''ll end up in hell! Just wait and see! I''ll personally drag you down there with me!¡± Bailey cidly got onto the elevator. She walked out of the lobby once she reached the ground floor. With her face slightly tilted upwards and her eyes shut in contemtion, Bailey remained rooted on the steps outside the building. It was snowing outside, and several snowkesnded on her cheeks, causing her to shiver from the cold. If Rhonda had been just a tad bit smarter and foregone her obsessions, she wouldn''t have met with such an end. ¡°Bailey! You ruined the West family! I''m going to kill you! You''re dead!¡± Bailey''s eyes widened as a wrathful bellow reached her ears. She turned to see Chloe rushing toward her. Thetter was holding an uncapped bottle filled with liquid that sizzled as drops of it hit the ground. Bailey''s face turned solemn as her eyes took on an icy sheen. ¡°Get out of her way, everyone! She''s holding a bottle of concentrated sulfuric acid.¡± The nurses and doctors around her instantly attempted to shield themselves while scampering away. In the blink of an eye, the asylum descended into a state of chaos. Bailey swiftly took several steps back while Chloe continued advancing toward her whileughing maniacally. ¡°My oh my, Bailey, you''re genuinely terrified! How wonderful! I''ll ruin your face today so you can''t ever seduce men again. Damn you to hell!¡± She raised her arm and flung the contents of the bottle at Bailey. Bailey narrowed her eyes and dodged Chloe''s first round of assault by the skin of her teeth. With a few swift flicks of her wrist, Bailey was armed with several needles tucked between her fingers in seconds. Light reflected from the surfaces of the needles, causing them to glimmer as they sped toward Chloe. In the next instant, a shrill scream abruptly sounded from the entrance of the asylum. The needles had pierced Chloe''s calves, causing such acute pain that she fell t on her face. She had lost her grip on the bottle of concentrated sulfuric acid earlier, which spilled all over the floor. Unfortunately for her, that was exactly where her facended. The acid started sizzling once it came into contact with her skin, eliciting an even louder wail of agony from Chloe''s throat. Zeke rushed over, his expression grim as he took in Chloe, whose face was being corroded by the acid. The fear he exuded was palpable. He had merely gone to the restroom, only to return to a close call with disaster. His sister was indeed a jinx who attracted trouble wherever she went. ¡°Are you all right? Did any of the acid stter on you?¡± Bailey turned her head away from Chloe, who was still on the ground. The scent of singed flesh permeated the air. One did not even need to look at Chloe to figure out she was permanently disfigured. After all, this was concentrated sulfuric acid. A small drop alone would corrode a chunk of flesh, let alone when one immersed their entire face in it. ¡°Arrange for two men to send her back to the West residence. Tell her family that she''s used up herst chance. If she challenges me again, I won''t be showing any mercy.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Zeke nodded and gestured for the two bodyguards who''d been standing at the side to pull Chloe to her feet. The bystanders sucked in a breath as their eyesnded on her mutted face. ¡°Goodness gracious, how terrifyingly abhorrent! My guts are roiling.¡± ¡°This is exactly why the unjust will always be doomed to destruction.¡± ¡°Jacques brought the downfall of the West family himself. Who does he think he is for fabricating false evidence to ckmail Bailey? He''s even deluded enough to think he''s protected by his higher-ups! What a joke!¡± Chloe ignored the censorious voices and red straight at Bailey as she snickered. ¡°What''s with you? Can''t meet my eyes?¡± Chapter 599 Chapter 599 Bailey sighed imperceptibly. Shenguidly turned to face Chloe, her gaze roving over thetter''s bloody and disfigured face. Thankfully, she had been quick enough to dodge the attack. Otherwise, she would have been the one with the mutted face. ¡°You brought this upon yourself and have no one else to me.¡± ¡°I brought this upon myself?¡± Chloe erupted intoughter as tears began streaming down the livid flesh around her eye sockets. ¡°Who do you think you are for iming that I deserve it? Tell me!¡± Bailey stared at her unfeelingly, her voice as light as the breeze as she uttered, ¡°You were behind the first time I almost had a miscarriage, weren''t you? I will never forgive anyone who dares lift a finger against my child. That applies to both you and Rhonda.¡± Chloe''s eyes widened as she looked at her askance. ¡°Y-You knew I was the one all along? Then why didn''t you expose me and even allowed me to be the CEO''s secretary? Why?¡± Bailey had on a poker face, her gaze icy. ¡°The only way to trounce someone like you is to let you suffer absolute defeat. Only after every bit of your superiority is decimated will you stoping back.¡± Chloe began frantically struggling from the grasp of the two guards. ¡°Bailey, you are dead! I''ll kill you!¡± Bailey waved her hands. ¡°Take her away. We''ll take legal action against her for wanting to cause intentional harm and let the court decide what to do with her.¡± ¡°On it.¡± Chloe''s cries and curses echoed around every corner of the hall, causing everyone''s hair to stand on end. Bailey exhaled exasperatedly. Her mood had taken a turn for the worse. She hadn''t nned for these women to meet such unfortunate ends, yet they had forced her hand. If she had not retaliated strongly, she would be the one ending up in a wretched state. ¡°Come on, let''s head back to the medical base.¡± Zeke inclined his head and held her hand as heforted, ¡°You reap what you sow. They''re not worth an ounce of your sympathy. Don''t me yourself for what happened to them.¡± Once they reached the medical base, they were told by the butler that Raiden was waiting in the living room and had an important matter to discuss. There are only two usible reasons behind his seeking me out. The first is to report on the investigation results, while the second is about dealing with Scarlett. ¡°I''ll head over to the living room. You can return to where the sick wards are without me.¡± Zeke nodded and tightened the coat Bailey was wearing around her. ¡°Okay.¡± The progress of the investigation took precedence as Raiden gave a brief update about it to Bailey in the living room. ¡°We''ve managed to apprehend everyone involved without fail. I''ve also dispatched a specialist to audit the foundation''s ounts and will make an official announcement to the public once the results are out.¡± Bailey chuckled lightly. ¡°I have the utmost confidence in yourpetence.¡± However, what Raiden had to say next caused her heart to rise to her throat. ¡°My mom has arrived in Hallsbay. I''ve urged her to convince Scarlett to surrender and appeal for leniency.¡± Bailey shook her head with a smile. ¡°As a member of the prestigious Fletcher family who''s in sole control of all the authority and power, do you think your mother would sit idly by while her daughter is being sentenced to a lifetime in prison?¡± Raiden was silent. Bailey let out a bitterugh. ¡°Perhaps you''ve already guessed that your mother will do everything within her ability to save your sister. Let''s discuss the methods she may attempt to use to do so. I''m confident she''s aware of how relentless I am. Therefore, we can eliminate the possibility of her finding a scapegoat for your sister. Unless...¡± Raiden''s face turned dour as he seemed to recall something. Even his eyes lost all of their remaining warmth. ¡°Unless she''s served a suspended sentence and is given extra time to reduce it. The only way for her to do so would be... to get pregnant.¡± Nodding, Bailey said, ¡°You know how your sister is. Her pride and arrogance wouldn''t permit her to ept any random sperm donor. As such, your mother can only coborate with Olivia to steal Justin''s sperm.¡± Raiden grimaced as his eyes swirled with tumultuous emotions. Bailey sighed. ¡°You must be torn between both parties, so I suggest you wash your hands of this and let me handle it. Since your sister is so keen on getting pregnant, we''ll let her get what she wants. Aren''t there millions of men in the world besides Justin? Anyone of them will do.¡± Raiden caught on to her ns and lowered his voice. ¡°You''re willing to let her off? She''ll sessfully be served a suspended sentence once she gets pregnant. She might even be released from prison in one or two years.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°It''s not up to me to determine whether to go easy on her. After all, I''m not the one whose life ended unjustly due to her actions. Nheless, your mother would surelye up with a backup n even if we thwart her this time round. Hence, we might as well go along with it and letN?velDrama.Org holds this content. your sister get pregnant by a random stranger. That would be the greatest punishment for her.¡± After a short moment of contemtion, she added, ¡°Leave this to me. You should keep your hands out of this. I''m aware of how difficult it is for you to pick a side as her brother. Just pretend that nothing ever happened.¡± Raiden lifted his head, and his eyes shed with mixed feelings. ¡°Fine then. You go ahead.¡± Bailey bobbed her head. She had no intention of letting Scarlett off the hook. Once Scarlett found out that the child in her belly did note from Justin, she would most certainly opt for an abortion and be thrown back into prison. Even if there was a one-in-a-million chance that she decided to keep the child and was pardoned from her sentence, the rest of her life would be nothing but torture. Chapter 600 Chapter 600 At headquarters of Tarragon, Artemis was treating the subordinates of the previous leader. In a tearoom at Yvette''s ce, Dominic nodded at her and said, ¡°Don''t worry. Everything has been arranged. It''s so amusing that he expects loyalty when he seldom shows up at the headquarters.¡± He had spent a considerable amount of money these two years to bribe the housekeepers at the headquarters, all in anticipation that someday they would be of help. And now, they finally came in handy. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Doyle. Don''t worry. As long as I be Tarragon''s matriarch, I will surely honor your family as thergest n in Tarragon headquarters. I will personally see to your n members'' elevation to important posts within the organization.¡± Dominic was pleased with Yvette''s assurance. ¡°Thank you, Your Highness. Ah, you should be known as the matriarch from now onward.¡± Yvette let out a soft chuckle. ¡°I still have much to depend on you, Mr. Doyle. Do treat me like your own granddaughter.¡± ¡°I''m honored. Supporting you is my duty. Your father had shown great kindness to me and my family in the past. I''m merely repaying his kindness,¡± Dominic replied humbly. Yvette sneered to herself. Just listen to that grandiose excuse. Who doesn''t know what he''s really plotting? He''s just supporting me because I''m alone and vulnerable, an easy target that he can control. Yvette was certain that Dominic would be the first to kill her if she no longer listened to him. ¡°Do you need me to attend the banquet tonight?¡± Dominic nodded. ¡°This is a pioneering medicine formted by Mr. Mayweather. Not only can this medicine temporarily erase one''s memories, but it can also allegedly substitute the person they love with the first person they see after waking up. You get me?¡± Yvette hurriedly nodded. Of course, she knew what Dominic meant. He was telling Yvette that if Artemis were to take the medicine, it could cause him to forget about Bailey and fall in love with her instead. Of course, she would understand. It was something that she had been dreaming about. ¡°Sure. I''ll attend the banquet tonight and stay by his side. I''m going to be the first person he sees when he wakes up,¡± Yvette replied. ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, in the study at the headquarters, Artemis was leaning back on the couch, gently swirling a ss of iced wine in his hand without taking a sip. Right then, the study door was pushed open, and in came Holden. ¡°What''s up?¡± Artemis asked, raising a brow. ¡°I''ve identified those who Mr. Doyle has been bribing these two years within the headquarters. Should I seize them?¡± Artemis lightly tapped the rim of the ss and asked nonchntly, ¡°Holden, do you want to avenge your sister? Actually, you guys are well aware that Yvette is the culprit, but you guys have not been able to find any incriminating evidence against her, and so you guys can''t do anything about it.¡± Holden''s face sank as a dark glint flitted across his eyes. ¡°I''ve been looking for evidence from back then, but I''ve not been able to find anything. Can you help me?¡± Artemis'' lips curled into an enigmatic smile. ¡°Yes, but you''ve got to put on an act with me. This time, I''m going to catch all the troublemakers, including the mastermind who instigated Yvette here, as well as Scarlett, to cause the car ident in Hallsbay.¡± Holden started to understand what he was getting at. ¡°So you want to y along, and then¡ª¡± Artemis interjected with a wave of his hand before Holden could finish his sentence. ¡°There''s no need to say it out loud.¡± At night, a grand banquet was taking ce in the dining hall of Tarragon''s headquarters. Artemis, wearing a mask, sat in the main seat as he listened to the ttery and fawning adoration of the people below him. After three rounds of drinks, he began to feel weak. Yvette rose from her seat and smiled. ¡°Gentlemen, it''s gettingte, and Leader has drunk a lot. Let''s call it a day and let Holden escort him back to take a rest.¡± Dominic let out a chuckle and summoned the housekeepers to fetch a dozen hangover remedy drinks. ¡°We don''t get a lot of chances to gather together like this, so we have to cherish the moment. Those who feel intoxicated may drink some hangover remedy, and we''ll continue to drink after that.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Sullivan is not here anymore, leaving only his daughter behind. We''re happy to see her getting married and drink a few more sses in his honor. Mr. Sullivan can rest assured even if he has passed.¡± Dominic shot a look at a housekeeper and signaled at her to serve the particr ss of hangover remedy to Artemis, who was sitting in the main seat. The housekeeper promptly did as signaled. Artemis did not think much and downed the hangover remedy. ¡°Agreed. Gentlemen, Yvette getting married is truly a happy asion and warrants a celebration. Let''s drink to our hearts'' content, and may Mr. Sullivan rest in peace.¡± Yvette was thrilled to see Artemis downing the hangover remedy in one go. She was now closer to bing the matriarch of Tarragon. Meanwhile, Justin cast a befuddled look at Bailey in a study room of a medical base in Hallsbay. ¡°Vero is in critical condition, and she needs twenty-four-seven surveince. Why did you suddenly call me?¡± Bailey cut to the chase. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher instigated your mother to obtain your sperm and get Scarlett pregnant just so she can avoid jail time.¡± Justin was stunned. His face fell when the pang of realization hit him. ¡°Really? They''re nning to do something so disgusting?¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Yes, I''m pretty sure, so you''ve got to be careful.¡± Then, Bailey told Justin her n. Justin clenched his fists. ¡°After all that we''ve been through, I can''t believe they still won''t give up. Fine, we''ll do it your way and let them suffer the consequences of their own actions.¡± Bailey arched an eyebrow. ¡°Let''s hope Scarlett will finally give up for good this time.¡± When Justin was about to speak, the phone in his pocket rang. It was a call from Olivia. He snickered and said, ¡°Maybe you''re right. They might really be nning to tie me together with Scarlett by getting her pregnant.¡± Then, he answered the call. However, it was Christopher''s voice that rang out, not Olivia''s. ¡°Justin,e back home if you''re free. Your mother is not doing well these two days from her hunger strike.¡± Justin held his phone tightly. After a bout of silence, he uttered coldly, ¡°Okay. I''ll pop over in the afternoon.¡± After hanging up the call, he shed Bailey a bitter smile and said, ¡°Congrattions. You were right. They''re luring me back home just so they can take me down and do as they please.¡± Bailey offered him a sympathetic look and suggested, ¡°If it''s too difficult for you, you don''t have to go back home.¡± ¡°Forget it. Since they want to go to that extent, I''m going to y along and let them have a taste of their own medicine. However... can you really guarantee that Scarlett won''t bear my child?¡± Chapter 601 Chapter 601 Bailey red at him. ¡°Do you think I''ll trick you?¡± Justin could not help butugh. He was, after all, scared. If Scarlett ended up getting pregnant with his child, his rtionship with Veronique woulde to an end. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Veronique had suffered a lot. He did not want her to be sad anymore. ¡°All right, I''ll leave this to you, then. I''ll go back to put on my act.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Ever since Victor announced he was going to sell thepany, chaos erupted at Saunders Group. The shareholders from the board of directors strongly disagreed with the announcement and constantly waited in the CEO''s office for Victor to return. As shareholders, they naturally had a share of thepany''s profits. Once thepany was sold, all their shares would lose their value. It would be a major loss for them, so they would not agree to it that easily. Even though Victor did not show up, they did not leave. They waited in his office every day for him to return. Sadly, the oue was the same for the next few days. In the end, Victoria could not hold it in anymore and went to thepany. The moment she saw thepany in a mess, her eyes reddened. The receptionist hurried forward and asked Victoria about the purpose of her visit before advising, ¡°Ms. Saunders, it''s best if you don''t go upstairs. The shareholders are gathered in the CEO''s office now. I''m afraid they might get emotionally agitated and identally hurt the baby in your belly.¡± Victoria fell silent as she tried to process the situation. Indeed, it was inappropriate for her to show up at that moment. Remembering that Lionel would be handling the higher-ups of Saunders Group, she walked out. As she stood on the steps in front of the building, tears streamed down her cheeks. After all, thepany was a family business her ancestors had worked hard and passed down for many generations. Yet, it took less than a month for Victor to ruin it. Back then, she had acted nonchnt about it. Now that she had witnessed the situation with her own eyes, she realized she was not as strong as she thought. She could not bring herself to put on a smile while watching thepany go bankrupt and the Saunders family fall from grace. As she lowered her gaze, she saw Lionel walk over from the outdoor parking lot. Immediately, her lips curled to form a bitter smile. In the past, he had been the desperate one whose family had been destroyed. And now, the tables had turned. Victoria had taken his ce. He had managed to make aeback and rebuild the Gezmond family. Victoria could not help but wonder if she could do the same. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Lionel wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his forehead against hers. ¡°Saunders Group isn''t bankrupt yet. What are you crying for? I''m here. Your family that existed for over twenty years won''t be destroyed just like that.¡± Victoria hung her head slightly and asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°I was worried about you. I''m d you didn''t go upstairs. Vicky, I''ll do everything in my power to protect whatever you care about, including Saunders Group.¡± Victoria bobbed her head with a smile. ¡°Let''s go. I know what you n to do. Let''s go upstairs together.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± With that, Lionel took her hand and strode into the lobby. They used the CEO''s elevator to ascend to the top floor. Sure enough, a group of shareholders crowded around the couple the second they arrived. ¡°Ms. Victoria, you arrived right on time. Mr. Victor has sold off thepany without our consent. This is too much.¡± ¡°Exactly. You guys aren''t the only ones who own thispany. We own part of it, too. What gives him the right to sell off thepany without getting our approval?¡± ¡°Since you guys are here, give us an exnation.¡± ¡°Yeah! We want a reasonable exnation.¡± Victoria scanned the crowd and said casually, ¡°Victor has no right to sell thepany because he''s not the biggest shareholder of Saunders Group. Neither is he the director anymore.¡± Silence ensued. The crowd was stunned, and they cast her confused looks. ¡°What do you mean, Ms. Victoria?¡± ¡°Yeah, what do you mean? Mr. Gezmond has transferred all his shares to Victor a month ago. He''s currently the biggest shareholder. What makes you say he''s not?¡± Victoria turned to the finance director, who had been silent the entire time. She said tly, ¡°Tell them. It''s time to let them know.¡± The finance director had been looking forward to Victoria fixing the mess. Naturally, he was happy at that moment. Now that she had given him the order, he had no reason to disobey. ¡°Mr. Victor has sold off his shares of forty percent at a low price. This was done secretly, so none of you know about it.¡± The shock was written on all the shareholders'' faces the moment he said that. ¡°W-What? He sold off all his shares?¡± ¡°Oh my goodness. If these shares fall into the hands of someone with ill intentions, that person will have the power to decide for thepany. We won''t be able to do anything if he wants to sell off the company by force.¡± ¡°Exactly. How could Victor make such a mistake by selling almost half of Saunders Group''s shares to a stranger? Is he trying to destroy the Saunders family''s century-old business?¡± ¡°That useless descendant...¡± Waving her hand dismissively, Victoria digested theirments and said nonchntly, ¡°It''s true that he sold off the shares, but the buyer is Lionel.¡± ¡°Really? Mr. Gezmond bought all of them?¡± ¡°Indeed. There''s no reason for me to lie to all of you. Lionel currently owns forty percent of the shares. If any one of you would like to be the biggest shareholder, you may buy it from him at twenty billion.¡± The shareholders nced at each other and shook their heads in unison. There was no way they could fork out so much money. ¡°Ms. Victoria, since you and Mr. Gezmond are getting married soon, that means he''s going to be the Saunders family''s future son-inw. Nothing''s better than having him as our director.¡± ¡°I agree! I believe Mr. Gezmond can turn the tides around and help Saunders Group restore its former glory.¡± Lionel nced at Victoria, and she nodded at him. Only when he received her consent did he step forward and say, ¡°All right. I shall take over the director''s position. From now on, I shall be in charge of Saunders Group. Please do your best to cooperate with me so we can help Saunders Group restore its former glory.¡± ¡°All right.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°All right.¡± When Justin returned to the Xuereb residence, he saw Olivia cooking in the kitchen. Seeing he had returned, Christopher approached him with a smile. ¡°Your mother''s making your favorite dishes.¡± Justin instantly narrowed his eyes and asked grimly, ¡°Didn''t you say she''s ill? So, you lied to me?¡± Christopher cleared his throat and said with augh, ¡°No, no. Your mother''s worried you wouldn''te back. That''s why I had no choice but to use this method. Mothers and sons shouldn''t hold grudges against one another. Your mother prepared so much. Stay for a meal before you leave.¡± Justin''s expression was tense. Although he had purposelye back to put on a show, he could hardly bear it anymore. When Christopher saw Justin not budging, he quickly reached out and pulled thetter into the living room. Meanwhile, Artemis passed out from drunkenness and woke up the next day at the headquarters of Tarragon. Yvette was sitting on the bed and staring at him nervously. He should have lost his memory, right? Chapter 602 Chapter 602 ording to Dominic, the medicine formted by Mr. Mayweather not only could make someone lose part of their memories, but it could also make the consumer fall in love with the first person the consumer saw. In other words, the most important person in his heart would be reced, and all his feelings would be transferred to the new person. Yvette was really looking forward to seeing him falling in love with her the moment he opened his eyes. ¡°L-Leader, you''re awake?¡± Artemis slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard. After a moment, he said hoarsely, ¡°I remember getting drunk with your father''s menst night and falling asleep after that. I hope I didn''t hold up your marriage.¡± Yvette was stunned. She could not figure out his mind. He remembered everything untilst night''s banquet. However, she did not know if he had forgotten about Bailey. Yvette wanted to test him, but she feared Bailey''s name might make him regain his memories. Momentster, two teardrops rolled down her cheeks as she choked out, ¡°The wedding''s in two days, but I don''t like that man. Leader, you''re the one I love. Can you please help me call off the marriage?¡± Massaging his temples, Artemis uttered, ¡°I remember you being Micah''s fianc¨¦e. How is it that you''re suddenly engaged to someone else? Who arranged this? I never had the time to ask you this even aftering to the headquarters for a few days.¡± Yvette stared at him with shock. He doesn''t remember who arranged the marriage for me. And his memory is stuck at the period when I was still Micah''s fianc¨¦e? Does that mean he has lost all his memory of Bailey? Since he had asked that, she naturally would not foolishly say he was the one who arranged it. If she said that, he would bombard her with questions. By then, she would have to answer many questions, which could trigger his memories. ¡°It''s the headquarters'' higher-ups who made me marry that man. Micah wouldn''t marry me, so they arranged another person for me.¡± When she finished saying that, she held his arm anxiously. Her heart secretly leaped with joy when she noticed he was not disgusted by her gesture. Looks like he has lost his memories. At least he lost the memories rted to Bailey. ¡°Leader, please help me. Help me call off this marriage, will you? My dead father won''t be able to rest in peace if he sees me getting married to a man I don''t love.¡± Artemis studied her with narrowed eyes, his expression unreadable. After a long silence, he said monotonously, ¡°If you really don''t like him, then no one can force you to marry him. If you don''t want to get married, then so be it. You''re Mr. Sullivan''s daughter. I''ve always respected him. Though he''s dead, I can still protect his only daughter.¡± Yvette''s face lit up the moment she heard that. She threw herself at him and hugged him. ¡°I knew it. You have feelings for me and don''t want me to get married to another man, right?¡± Artemis said nothing, nor did he push her away. What she did not see was the cold glint that shed across his eyes. She was feeling more certain that he had forgotten about Bailey when he did not push her away. I''ve entered his life andpletely reced the person he loved. Haha! I''m so happy. Mr. Mayweather''s medicine is incredible. The only thing she needed to do was to build her rtionship with him. When Yvette had be the only thing he cared about, she would instigate him to attack the Saviors and kill Bailey to secure her future. At the same time, Holden red at Dominic, who was sitting on the couch in the study. He hissed, ¡°Are you guys trying to rebel? How dare you give Leader a memory loss pill? What are you guys trying to do? Go against your superiors?¡± Dominic''s lips curled into a malicious smile. ¡°We''re doing it for Tarragon''s sake. Who does Leader love? It''s the leader of the Saviors. How can they end up together when they''re enemies? Since Leader can''t give up his feelings for her, I had no choice but to get involved by helping him cut ties.¡± The veins on Holden''s forehead were bulging. He cast a frosty gaze on Dominic as an urge to skin him alive flooded his heart. Dominic merely chuckled. ¡°Don''t look at me like that. I had no choice, either. Since he can''t be with Bailey, I had no choice but to use this method to cut off their ties. Besides, Yvette is Mr. Sullivan''s daughter and the princess of Tarragon. She''s a perfect match for Leader. They''re the real match made in heaven.¡± A loud crash rang out as Holden shattered a ss tank, causing the goldfish to leap out and scatter all over the ground. ¡°I''m sorry. I can''t do an immoral thing like that, so I can''t be on the same side as you guys.¡± With that, he turned around and walked toward the door. Dominic''s face fell as he asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡± T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°To see Leader. I''m going to help him regain his memories.¡± ¡°I won''t let you!¡± Dominic roared. He then yelled at the bodyguards on standby, ¡°Stop him!¡± In the next second, a group of men dressed in ck surrounded Holden. ¡°Do you really think they can stop me? What a joke,¡± Holden sneered. Instantly, intense fighting sounds filled the room. Regardless, the fight did notst long, as Holden defeated all of them with just five moves. Chapter 603 Chapter 603 There was no trace of anxiousness on Dominic''s face. Seeing Holden was about to leave, he said tly, ¡°Your mother and sister are in my hands. If you want them to live, you better listen to me. I''m sure you know what you can or cannot say to Leader.¡± Holden spun around and narrowed his eyes at Dominic. ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Dominic spread his hands helplessly with a malicious smile. ¡°It''s your fault for letting me get my hands on your weakness. And yes, I''m threatening you. You''re a smart person. Surely you know what to choose? Think carefully, young man. A simple slip of the mouth will cost your mother''s and sister''s lives.¡± Holden red at Dominic for a while before marching out of the study. When Holden entered the room, he saw Yvette clinging tightly to Artemis and sobbing softly. A glint shed past his eyes as he suppressed the hostility bubbling in his heart. ¡°Yvette, you''re already someone else''s fianc¨¦e. Don''t you think it''s inappropriate for you to hug Leader like this?¡± he asked grimly. Yvette turned to nce at him, her lips curling into a smile. Judging by his furious looks, Mr. Doyle must''ve dealt with him. This is great! ¡°He has promised to help me call off the marriage. What makes you think you have the right to scold me, Holden? Are you going to let Leader watch the woman he loves marry another man?¡± Holden said nothing. In truth, he did not know what to say. Sometimes, there was no stopping a person who had a death wish. Just then, Artemis pushed Yvette''s hand away and said to Holden, ¡°Listen to her and call off the wedding. No one can force her if she doesn''t want to get married.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Holden hurriedly lowered his head and nodded. ¡°Okay. I''ll make the arrangements now.¡± After saying that, he whirled around and stepped out of the room. Yvette was in a very good mood. She was on cloud nine. I''ve seeded! I''ve sessfully wiped this man''s memories of Bailey. ¡°I''m feeling a little hungry. Can you go downstairs and make me some breakfast?¡± Artemis'' attractive, deep voice snapped her back to her senses. She hurriedly nodded and said, ¡°Of course. I''ll get that arranged now.¡± After watching her leave the room, Artemis curled his lips into a cold smile. N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Right then, the door was pushed open again, and Holden dashed in. ¡°They seem quite confident with their n. All of them think you''ll definitely lose your memory,¡± he said. Artemis got down from the bed and strolled to the full-length windows, muttering, ¡°Let''s use this chance to settle everything that needs to be settled.¡± ¡°All right.¡± In the meantime, Victor, who had just gotten off the belly of an unpopr celebrity, was leaningzily against the couch of a high-end hotel in Hallsbay. Recently, he had been living an overindulgent life that all his energy drained. He looked extremely unkempt. Suddenly, Salem came rushing in from outside and announced with a trembling voice, ¡°B-Bad news, Victor! Saunders Group has changed their owner!¡± Victor was too drowsy to understand what Salem had said. He croaked, ¡°What do you mean, changed their owner?¡± ¡°It''s thepany. Your position as the director! Someone has taken over your position. From now on, you have no power to interfere with thepany''s business.¡± ¡°What?¡± Victor leaped off the couch and red at Salem. ¡°That is the Saunders family''spany. How can I not have the power to interfere?¡± Suddenly, his eyes lit up. ¡°Did a wealthy investor buy the company? How much did he offer? A billion? Tell him I''m not selling it if it''s less than a billion.¡± Salem shook his head with an aggrieved look. He looked as if he was on the verge of tears. ¡°The board of directors has removed you from your position. You currently have no right to sell the company. The new director has taken over your position to lead Saunders Group.¡± ¡°W-What do you mean? What are you talking about?¡± Salem gritted his teeth and exined patiently, ¡°Didn''t you sell all your shares earlier? The person who bought all of them, which was forty percent of thepany''s total shares, has joined the board of directors to be the new director. Y-You''ve been kicked out of thepany.¡± Victor kicked the coffee table over. ¡°Who is it? Who''s this idiot getting in my way this time?¡± Touching his nose, Salem said fearfully, ¡°It''s your brother-inw.¡± Victor was momentarily stunned. When he came back to his senses, he asked, ¡°You''re saying the mysterious person who bought my shares was Lionel? He''s the one who bought all my shares, snatched my position as the director, and became the new owner of Saunders Group?¡± ¡°Y-Yes.¡± Victor''s eyes gleamed with fury. ¡°Nice one. He said he never wanted a single cent from the Saunders family, yet he schemed against me and seized my power. Impressive, Lionel. You look somber and gentlemanly on the outside, but you used such despicable methods to take Saunders Group from me. Just wait. I''m going to tear his family apart.¡± Chapter 604 Chapter 604 Lionel was holding a meeting with the higher-ups at the exclusive conference room at Saunders Group toe up with a new n when the door was kicked open. Victor stormed into the room, walked straight to the main seat, and lifted Lionel by the cor. ¡°You hypocrite! How dare you y tricks to buy my shares and reap the profits? All of a sudden, you''re now the director. How dare that b*tch bring in an ingrate?¡± Lionel''s eyes instantly turned gloomy as he shoved Victor. ¡°Yell at me all you want but watch your tongue. Don''t insult my wife.¡± Victor snorted lightly and spat at Lionel. ¡°Oh, still pretending to be a saint, are you? All of you are hypocrites. None of you dare to covet my shares openly for fear of being criticized by the public. Yet, you y tricks behind my back. I won''t ept defeat. Saunders Group is mine. I''m the director. What makes you think you have the right to stand there and give orders?¡± Lionel turned his head and gave his executive assistant a look. Understanding what it meant, the assistant whipped out a document from the briefcase and handed it to Victor. ¡°Mr. Saunders, this is the transfer of ownership document when you sold the shares. Mr. Gezmond bought the shares ording to the market price. Everything is clearly written in ck and white. There''s no use getting him to pay back.¡± Victor snatched the document. After ncing through the agreement, he swiftly tore the papers, wanting to get rid of the evidence. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. The surrounding shareholders cried out in surprise when they saw that. They had had enough of Victor ruining thepany. Now that they had finally gotten rid of the troublemaker and received Lionel as Saunders Group''s leader, they could not just watch him tear up the evidence and return to thepany. Victor burst outughing when he saw the crowd''s anxious expressions. They looked as if they wanted to skin him alive right there and then. ¡°The agreement is gone, so the shares are still mine. Even the director''s position is still mine. How do you feel? Infuriated? Mad? Then continue being mad. This is what youckeys deserve.¡± ¡°Y-You... How dare you!¡± ¡°Looks like Saunders Group is done for. There''s no saving it.¡± ¡°It''s a century-old business. Is it going to be destroyed just like that?¡± ¡°We''ve poured our lifetime''s worth ofbor into it. A lifetime''s worth!¡± Victorughed more maniacally. ¡°Let me tell you something. I''m going to sell all the shares. Not only that, I''ll sell thepany and leave nothing for all of you.¡± ¡°Y-You...¡± A short-tempered shareholder instantly passed out in anger. Lionel cast the arrogant person an icy look while saying nonchntly, ¡°Why are you so happy? The one you tore up was just a copy of the original document. In fact, I''m sending the original document to the notary office right now.¡± The malicious smile on Victor''s face froze. When he returned to his senses, he pulled out a dagger and aimed it at Lionel''s heart. Lionel sneered and dodged the weapon swiftly. He then hit Victor''s arm, disarming him. ng! Just as Victor bent down to pick it up, Lionel kicked his shoulder and sent him stumbling backward. ¡°Get him out,¡± he ordered the bodyguards standing by the side. ¡°Understood.¡± Immediately, the bodyguards, dressed in ck, locked Victor''s arms and dragged him out of the room. A series of insults instantly echoed throughout the room. Victor was tossed out of the building by the bodyguards. There was no way he could make his way into the building again when so many bodyguards were around. He was no fool. Naturally, he knew there was nothing he could do anymore. The assistant was absolutely right. Lionel had purchased those shares at the market price. There was nothing Victor could do no matter who owned the shares. ¡°How did it go, Mr. Victor? What did Mr. Gezmond say?¡± Sean rushed over from afar. Victor pulled his hair restlessly. ¡°How much money do we have left?¡± ¡°N-Not much. It won''t be enough for you to gamble the entire night.¡± After giving it some thought, Victor hissed, ¡°Auction off the Saunders residence.¡± A look of confusion spread over Sean''s face. ¡°M-Mr. Victor, that''s the house passed down by your ancestors. It''s the foundation of the Saunders family. Are you really going to sell it?¡± he asked anxiously. Victor red at him and muttered icily, ¡°You''re not from the Saunders family. Why do you care so much? Just do what I say and sell it.¡± ¡°O-Okay.¡± Meanwhile, at the Xuereb residence, Olivia gazed at her son, who was lying on the bed. Hesitance shed past her eyes. Should I really do it? If Scarlett gets pregnant, then... But if I don''t do that, Justin will definitely join that b*tch from the Revelle family when she dies. I can''t watch himmit suicide. She stood beside the bed and hesitated for a moment. In the end, she made up her mind and said to the doctor, ¡°Hurry up and collect it.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± Half an hourter, the doctor stepped out of the infirmary and handed Olivia the cooler box. ¡°We''ve collected it, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± ¡°Okay. Take him back to his room and don''t speak a word about this. Understood?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With that, Olivia left the infirmary and returned to the main residence. She handed the cooler box to the bodyguard sent by Tamara and instructed, ¡°Make sure you give this to Mrs. Fletcher. Don''t make any mistakes.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll hand it to Mrs. Fletcher.¡± Bailey was leaningzily against a tree trunk beside the Xuereb residence entrance and staring at the bodyguard underneath her foot. She had knocked out the bodyguard Tamara sent to fetch the sperms. In reality, the person who received the cooler box was an agent from the Saviors. Momentster, a figure shed past and appeared before her. ¡°I have it, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey nodded, then squatted in front of the bodyguard and began hypnotizing thetter to brainwash him. ¡°You went to the Xuereb residence earlier and received the item from Mrs. Xuereb. And now you''re going to bring the box back to Mrs. Fletcher to fulfill your task.¡± With that, she took the cooler box, which had its contents switched out, and pushed it into the bodyguard''s arms. Finally, she ordered her subordinate to move the man into the car. After some time, the bodyguard dressed in ck gradually woke up. The confusion in his eyes dissipated the moment he saw the box in his arms. This is the box I received from Mrs. Xuereb. I need to hand this to Mrs. Fletcher right away. Bailey did not step out from behind the tree until the car was gone. My dear Scarlett, you brought this upon yourself. I hope you''re tough enough not to break down so easily. Chapter 605 Chapter 605 Meanwhile, in the hotel, Tamara took Scarlett''s hand in hers, sat on the couch, and said quietly, ¡°Olivia called me half an hour ago and said Justin''s sperm had been extracted from his body. I''ve already sent someone to retrieve it. For now, your eggs will be extracted from your body, and once the test-tube baby is ready, I will instruct someone to imnt it in your body.¡± Scarlett seemed overjoyed with the news. She grabbed Tamara''s arm and asked anxiously, ¡°Mom, is it really Justin''s? You''re not lying to me, right? I''m telling you right now that if it''s not Justin''s, I won''t carry it even if it means having a miscarriage. I''d rather die than have the child of another man.¡± Tamara red at her and snarled, ¡°Is your mother that untrustworthy in your eyes? I''m well aware of your personality. Don''t worry. I''m not going to hurt you.¡± Tamara then turned to the female bodyguard standing nearby and said, ¡°Be quick. Time is running out. Quickly extract her eggs and leave.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Fletcher,¡± the female bodyguard replied. Tamara reached out and yanked Scarlett up, pulling her toward the bedroom. ¡°This is all I can do for you, Lettie. I did this behind your father''s back. He''d be furious if he found out, but that doesn''t matter because I care more about you. How could I bear seeing my precious daughter spend the rest of her life in prison?¡± Scarlett turned to face Tamara and wanted to say something, but she stopped her. Tamara urged, ¡°Go on. Don''t waste time. All my previous efforts will be for naught if your brother finds out.¡± Scarlett went into the bedroom without saying anything. Meanwhile, at the Jefferson residence, Rhonda wandered around the silent garden after being escorted back by a few bodyguards. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Although the Jefferson family was not a prestigious family in the past, they were still one of the wealthiest families in Hallsbay, with a lot of maids. However, the Jefferson residence was in a deste state at the moment. Rhonda walked all the way from the front door to the Jefferson residence, but she didn''t see a single servant. As Rhonda ascended the stairs and entered the living room, an unusual sound came from within. She looked up instinctively and saw a man and a woman hooking up on the couch. Rhonda recognized her. It was Beatrice, her mother, and she had personallymitted Rhonda, her own daughter, to a psychiatric hospital. Rhonda had no idea who the man on Beatrice''s belly was. He should be the lover she has kept outside all these years. A family that has fallen into such a state. It''s ironic and ridiculous to watch. ¡°Ahh!¡± Beatrice screamed violently from the couch, seemingly sensing someone at the door. She was slightly taken aback when she got a good look at the visitor. ¡°R-Ronni, w-why are you here?¡± Rhonda stared at her coldly and said hoarsely, ¡°Put your clothes on. Don''t sully my eyes.¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, all right.¡± Beatrice stretched her hand out to push away the man on top of her and wore her clothes frantically. Realizing something was wrong while putting on clothes, she raised her head and looked at Rhonda in bewilderment. ¡°Y-You''ve recovered from your madness?¡± Rhonda nced at her coldly and walked toward the stairs. ¡°Bailey did it. I''ll just stay home, hoping that the b*tch''s body won''t be found and that she''ll die a horrible death.¡± Beatrice gulped as she was taken aback by Rhonda''s hostile and murderous aura. ¡°Uh... Your father is in the infirmary. His condition is not very good. He''ll probably only be able to live for a few more days.¡± Rhonda did not stop. As she walked, she said, ¡°Find a ce to bury him if he dies. Living is also a form of torment.¡± Rhonda''s words were met with silence. Meanwhile, in the living room at the Shurmer residence, Zoey was whimpering and crying in Waverly''s arms. ¡°M-Mom, just expel me from the Shurmer family. Everyone outside thinks I''m Sophia''s illegitimate child. I''m disgusting. I''m afraid that staying with the Shurmer family will tarnish the Shurmer family''s reputation.¡± Zoey was astute because she knew how to appear weak and pitiful. The sight of Zoey''s tears broke Waverly''s heart. After all, Waverly had raised Zoey on her own and had always adored her, so how could she remain indifferent? ¡°Zozo, how could you think that? We should provide you with more protection precisely because times are hard right now. How could we drive you out of the house? Please, no more crying and nonsense. If I had known in advance that Zeke would expose this matter in front of countless reporters, I wouldn''t have let him get away with it even if it meant knocking him out and locking him up at home.¡± ¡°But it has already happened,¡± Zoey choked out. ¡°That''s right. It has already happened, so you have to be strong and face them head-on. Those people enjoy gossiping, so let them. Why are you sad when you have nothing to lose?¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Shh, it''s going to be all right. Everything is going to be all right.¡± Zoey nestled in her arms and probed tentatively, ¡°Mom, will you allow Bailey toe back to reim her identity?¡± Waverly was a little hesitant to answer her. After this incident, I''ve seen through a lot of things and subconsciously approved of Bailey as my daughter. Could I tell her that I''d allow her to reim her identity? When Zoey noticed Waverly''s hesitation, her expression turned gloomy instantly. This olddy is sympathizing with Bailey. As expected, the bond between mothers and their children, as well as blood ties, is unbreakable. In that case, don''t me me for being cruel. Zoey had devised a brilliant n to make Waverly despise Bailey: getting rid of the baby in Shirley''s belly and framing it on Bailey. With the way this olddy is anticipating the birth of her grandson, if she found out Bailey caused Shirley to miscarry for the sake of her disciple, Waverly would definitely rush to her and tear her apart. Yeah, let''s do that! ¡°It''s only natural for you to let Bailey return, Mom. After all, she is your biological daughter. I''ll get along with her,¡± Zoey said. Waverly let out a soft sigh. ¡°Even if I let her return, she may not want to. We''ll see.¡± With that, she stood up and walked toward the stairwell. ¡°I''ll go upstairs to check on Shirley. Don''t overthink it. You should avoid going out during this time. Just stay at home with Shirley.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The phone in Zoey''s hand rang just as Waverly walked away. When she lowered her eyes and looked at the screen, she saw a text message from Sophia that read: Yvette has seeded. Artemis has lost all his memories of Bailey. After Artemis returns in a few days, you can stay by his side in ce of Yvette. It depends on you now whether you can make him fall in love with you. Zoey was overjoyed after she read Sophia''s text message. Artemis lost his memory? He''s forgotten about Bailey? Haha, that''s great. I''m looking forward to seeing Bailey''s devastated and heartbroken expression. It would undoubtedly be a sight to behold. At the entrance of the Gezmond residence, Victor was cursing at the top of his lungs, and every word hit a nerve. Victoria wanted to rush out several times to argue with Victor, but she was stopped by the butler, Michelle. Michelle stated, ¡°Mrs. Gezmond, Mr. Gezmond has instructed that you are not to see your brother because he has lost control.¡± Victoria looked at her with tears in her eyes and yelled, ¡°Are we just going to let him nder Lionel?¡± Chapter 606 Chapter 606 Michelle didn''t say a word and just stood there, blocking the door. Victoria held her waist while pacing around the house. She said through gritted teeth, ¡°I''ll only get angrier listening to all that, and it''s not healthy for the baby if I get too emotional. Will you bear the consequences if anything happens to the baby?¡± Michelle hesitated when she heard that. Victor had obviously lost it, and something bad might happen to Victoria if she went out now. Michelle wouldn''t be able to forgive herself if the baby in Victoria was harmed. At this time, Kimberly walked down the stairs. Her eyes turned gloomy when she saw the tension between Victoria and Michelle. ¡°Let Ms. Victoria meet with Mr. Victor since she wants to. It''s unhealthy for the baby if she sulks for too long.¡± Michelle gave Kimberly a troubled look. ¡°Mrs. Gezmond, please don''t incite her. I really cannot allow her to go out.¡± Kimberly''s gaze fell on Victoria''s t tummy, and her eyes became even gloomier. Kimberly never had a child, and she had had to put up with Benjamin''s cheating antics when he was still alive. She even had to protect their home after he died, wasting all her youth on him. The Gezmond family owed her too much. What gives them the right to be happy together, being there for each other as they await their unborn child, while I stay as a widow for life? Kimberly''s anger intensified as she thought about that, and her urge to destroy everyone from the Gezmond family became stronger. ¡°I''m still the matriarch of this house, so stop blocking the door. Let her out. I''ll take responsibility for whatever happens.¡± Before Kimberly came down, she had noticed Victor''s bloodshot eyes. He looked as if he could kill someone anytime. Victoria would surely be in trouble if she just went up to him ignorantly. That was what Kimberly wanted. She wanted Victor to kill the child in Victoria. She wanted to end the Gezmond family since all her youth had been spent in this family. The housekeepers that were blocking the door moved after hearing that order. Although Lionel now had a say in the Gezmond family, Kimberly still held the most power here. The staff there would lose their job if they ever defied her orders. Michelle red at all of them when they moved, and Victoria quickly ran out when she didn''t notice. Seeing that, Michelle hurriedly chased after her, and she even ordered two of the housekeepers to protect Victoria. Michelle was anxious, and she hoped that nothing would go wrong. Victoria ran through the garden and arrived at the front gate. ¡°Have you had enough? If yes, then take a break, and let''s have a good talk.¡± Victor spat on the ground and scoffed, ¡°What else is there to talk about? Victoria, if you''re still the daughter of the Saunders family and my little sister, then take back what''s mine from Lionel! That share was supposed to be mine! What right does he have to own them?¡± Victoria mocked, ¡°I used to think you''re only a loafer, but it seems that you''re shameless too. Lionel bought the shares from you for twenty billion! What right do you have to tell me to take it back for you?¡± Victor was stumped, and his expression changed into a ruthless one. ¡°You backstabbing b*tch! You team up with an outsider to step on your own brother! I''ll teach you a lesson today on behalf of the Saunders family!¡± After saying that, he stormed forward and tried to release his anger on Victoria. ¡°You''re carrying his child, right? All right, I''ll kill the child first. That''ll end your delusions.¡± Victoria was shocked when she heard that and retreated backward. She had never thought Victor would be this mad. She was hoping to have a discussion with him and give him some money so that things could be smoothed over. Never did she expect him to want to kill her child. The child in Victoria was still Victor''s nephew. ¡°Victor, you''re really a lost cause.¡± Victoria was still retreating backward when she tripped on her own leg and fell to the ground. By that time, Victor had already rushed in front of her. His leg was already up as he nned on kicking her stomach. N?velDrama.Org holds this content. Just as Victoria thought this was the end for her, a huge hand reached out from behind Victor and grabbed his shirt, throwing him to the ground. In a split second, a few bodyguards hade forward and pinned Victor to the ground. It was Lionel. He immediately went over and checked on Victoria. She had a hand on her stomach. She was in so much pain that cold sweat started dotting her forehead. ¡°Michelle, call the infirmary and tell them to make preparations.¡± After that, he carried her and made his way into the house. Behind them, Victor cursed, ¡°Lionel! I''ll make sure you are left with no descendants! The b*stard inside of her won''t be able to survive!¡± Tears streamed down Victoria''s face. She endured the pain and shouted at Victor, ¡°From this day onward, you''re no longer my brother! We''re now strangers! I won''t even shed a tear or clean up after you anymore even if you die on the streets!¡± Victor started hurling torrents of abuse again when he heard that, but Victoria had had enough. She slowly closed her eyes and passed out in Lionel''s arms. Bailey immediately rushed over when she heard that Victoria had signs of miscarriage, and her expression turned grim when she saw Victoria''s overall condition. Chapter 607 Chapter 607 She probably could not keep the baby anymore. In addition to getting heavily injured while she was struck with grief, the woman was in an especially dangerous situation, as she also had a lot of pent-up emotions. Lionel cut to the chase and said, ¡°Only save the baby if it doesn''t hurt the mother. Otherwise, you can give up on it.¡± Silence was Bailey''s only response. At the headquarters of Tarragon, Yvette had spent two days probing around and was sure that Artemis had lost his memories. However, it was inappropriate to say that he had lost his memories since he could remember everything that happened with everyone except Bailey. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. They were in the study, and Yvette couldn''t help but feel happy when she saw that Artemis had finished the soup she had brought him. He hadn''t shown any signs of disgust toward her in the past few days, so she wondered if Artemis had fallen for her. ¡°All right, get back to your work, then. I''ll head out now.¡± Yvette deliberately tugged at her shirt as she turned to leave, causing a photo she had hidden in her sleeve to fall. It was a photo of Bailey. ¡°You dropped something.¡± Artemis'' voice sounded from behind her. She turned around instinctively and went to pick up the photo. However, a hand reached out and snatched it before she could. The man took a nce at the photo and asked tly, ¡°Is this your friend?¡± Yvette felt utterly relieved when she heard his question. It seems that he doesn''t have a shred of memory of her left. He''s forgotten all about Bailey! ¡°Leader, Mr. Doyle has something urgent to discuss with you.¡± Artemis tossed the photo on the tray Yvette was holding and sat back on the couch. ¡°Let him in.¡± With that, thetter scurried out of the study. She bumped into Dominic when she passed by the stairs. ¡°I''m about to tell him that the Saviors have invaded Tarragon''s territory, causing countless deaths and injuries. Let''s see how he''ll react,¡± the old man said in a low voice. Nodding, Yvette replied, ¡°Remember that our main focus is to sound him out. You mustn''t upset him.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Dominic entered the study and bowed to Artemis. Artemis raised a brow and asked nonchntly, ¡°You wanted to talk to me about something urgent?¡± ¡°Leader, the Saviors have been getting arrogant as ofte. They issued arge-scale attack on Tarragon''s branch and caused countless deaths and injuries. How should we deal with this?¡± Artemis furrowed his brows slightly. The air around him turned cold, and it seemed that the news had angered him. ¡°The Saviors again? Hah! They''ve been provoking me time and time again. Did they think I wouldn''t dare to dere war against them? Let''s wipe them all out since they want to die so much. We can use this chance to empower ourselves with their powers as well.¡± Dominic stayed silent for a moment before he replied, ¡°As the saying goes, capture the leader, and the rest will topple. We can lessen any unwanted injury this way.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Artemis looked at him in amusement. Then, with a raised brow, he asked, ¡°Do you know how to capture the leader of the Saviors? That woman never shows her face, and no one knows anything about her weaknesses. Perhaps you have information about her?¡± Dominic quickly nodded and said, ¡°Five years ago, I arranged for a group of secret service agents to infiltrate the Saviors. One of them showed outstanding performance and was transferred to their headquarters. Based on the information he sent us, the leader of the Saviors is an abandoned daughter of one of the prominent families in Chanaea. But I''m not sure if this is true.¡± ¡°A daughter of a prominent family? Are you kidding me, Mr. Doyle? How can a daughter from a prominent family lead tens of thousands of secret service agents and be the leader of the Saviors?¡± The old man''s eyes darkened. He lowered his head and proceeded to tell Artemis all the renowned identities Bailey had. ¡°It''s not surprising that someone with as many identities as her is the leader of the Saviors.¡± An ambiguous smile crept up on Artemis'' face. ¡°You''re talking about the woman from the Jefferson family in Hallsbay? There are rumors that she''s the daughter of the Shurmer family.¡± That left Dominic stunned and confused. How does he know Bailey? As he pondered about it, realization suddenly dawned on him. He must''ve forgotten the moments he spent with Bailey but still remembers her legendary achievements. It''s more suspicious if he doesn''t remember anything at all. ¡°Leader, have you... heard of Ms. Bailey of the Jefferson family too?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ve heard about her, but I''ve never met her. I don''t know what she looks like, but she''s impressive indeed. You were suggesting that she''s the leader of the Saviors?¡± With a nod, Dominic replied, ¡°That''s the report the agent sent me. I request that you issue a kill order, Leader. As long as we kill Bailey, we will render the Saviors aimless without a leader. We can take advantage of the situation once they fall into chaos.¡± Artemis didn''t try to hide the killing intent in his eyes. An icy aura permeated the air. ¡°Then, give the order to hunt her down and kill her in the name of Tarragon. Tell them I''m the one who wants to im her head.¡± Dominic couldn''t help but heave a sigh of relief. It seems that he''s really lost his memories. All he feels toward her now is hatred for an enemy. There''s no way he feels love for her anymore. ¡°All right. I''ll go and give the order right now. Do you want to return to Hallsbay? Rumor has it that Bailey is there right now.¡± Artemis grabbed the wine ss on the table and took a few sips. Raising his brows, he asked, ¡°What? Do you want me to deal with her personally because all of you can''t handle her?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± With a wave of his hand, Artemis said coldly, ¡°Can''t you all handle a woman? What harm can she do? Leave this matter to the subordinates. I don''t have the time to deal with her.¡± Chapter 608 Chapter 608 In the infirmary of the Gezmond residence, Bailey came out of the operating room, her expression extremely solemn. When Lionel saw that, his heart sank to rock bottom. ¡°What''s the matter? The baby couldn''t be saved?¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°The baby is safe right now, but it''s pretty unstable. For the next three months, she has to stay in bed as much as possible and refrain from being too emotional. Otherwise, she might lose the baby in her belly.¡± Lionel breathed a sigh of relief and mumbled, ¡°I''m d everything''s fine. From now on, I''ll be extra careful in ensuring she won''t get too worked up and affect the baby.¡± A look of worry manifested on Bailey''s face. Ensuring she doesn''t get too worked up for the next three months? That''s tougher than climbing the highest mountain on earth. If Victor refuses to stop bothering Victoria, she''ll definitely be affected by him. If that jerk does anything outrageous, such as retrieving Mr. Saunders'' ashes from the cemetery as a threat, Victoria will surely get mad and inevitably suffer a miscarriage. That''s certainly something that jerk would do. He has lost his mind. There''s nothing he''s not capable of doing. ¡°Take her overseas for some time if that''s possible. Victor will affect her, and we must keep our guard against him.¡± After some deliberation, Lionel reckoned Bailey''s idea was feasible. Following a nod, he said, ¡°All right. I''ll settle some matters in Hallsbay, then take her overseas to recuperate.¡± He then lifted his head and looked at the operating room before him. ¡°She''s so weak now. Will she be strong enough to travel far?¡± Bailey gave it some thought. ¡°Let her stay in bed for a week first. By then, you''ll probably finish settling the matters in Hallsbay. I''ll prescribe her some anti-abortifacient. There shouldn''t be a problem.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you.¡± ¡°You''re wee.¡± Later that night, Bailey left the Gezmond residence and returned to Justin''s medical base. Felicity''s condition had gotten much better. Even though she had yet to regain consciousness, all her vitals had returned to normal. Bailey was, in fact, not worried. Given her medical skills, she knew she could find a treatment method for Felicity. At the moment, her mind was preupied with two matters: Caridee''s right arm and researching anti- cancer medicine. She was in control over two lives. Based on the intentions Justin expressed, he would most likely follow Veronique if she died. The couple''s fate was in her hands. In the study, Bailey was formting a treatment n for Caridee''s arm when the room door suddenly flew open. From outside, Zeke and Zayron barged in. Anxiety was written all over their faces as if something serious had happened. ¡°What''s wrong with the two of you? You guys look as though a rabid dog is chasing after the two of you.¡± Zayron ran up to the desk, sprawled on it, and panted lightly. Instinctively, Bailey reached out to pat his back to help him breathe easier. When she looked up and saw the troubled expression on Zeke''s face, her curiosity intensified. ¡°What is it? Can''t you two not keep me in suspense and just tell me already?¡± ¡°Tarragon''s leader has issued a global kill order. He wants to im your head. I''ve received news that many top killers are charging toward Hallsbay. What the heck is Artemis doing? How can he mobilize so many killers to kill you?¡± Bailey halted her actions and stared at Zeke in shock. In a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°W-What did you say? A-Artemis issued a global kill order to kill me?¡± Zeke shifted his gaze away and uttered, ¡°I don''t care what reasons he has. He''s wrong for putting you in danger. There are so many killers heading here. If someone with ill intention uses this opportunity to kill you, the rest of us will be as good as dead.¡± Bailey got up from the chair instantly. There was a rare look of distress on her usually indifferent countenance. ¡°Something must''ve happened to him. Either he got his freedom restricted, or he got controlled by someone. I can''t stay here and do nothing. I have to make a trip down to Tarragon''s headquarters.¡± With that, she bypassed the desk and strode toward the door. Perhaps because her body was shaking, she was stumbling in her tracks. She looked as if she would trip and fall at any time. As soon as she reached the door, she was halted by Edmund, who was walking in. ¡°Move aside, Edmund. I''m going to look for Artemis. He must be in grave danger now.¡± Edmund heaved a sigh and reached out to grab her shoulder. ¡°Bailey, calm down. If you''re right about him getting restricted or controlled, you can''t head to Tarragon. Without his protection, you heading there is no different from courting death.¡± As he said that, he tilted his head to look at Zayron and asked, ¡°Are you sure Tarragon''s leader is the one who issued the kill order, Zayron? Did he give any reason why he did so?¡± Zayron''s face was drained of all colors. He was not stupid. On the contrary, he was far more perceptive. He sensed a trace of conspiracy from his father''s unusual actions. ¡°The people at Tarragon imed that the Saviors ambushed several of their divisions and caused numerous casualties. That''s why Tarragon''s leader issued the kill order. He wants to take the life of the Saviors'' leader to avenge those who died.¡± Bailey struggled to break free from Edmund''s grasp. ¡°Artemis isn''t the one who issued the order. Someone must''ve used his name to control the whole Tarragon. I''m sure he''s in danger now. No, I have to think of a way to go and meet him. Get out of my way.¡± Zeke strolled up to where she was, grabbed her by the arm, and roared, ¡°Calm down. You''re forsaking your rationality for a man. Is he more important than your life?¡± Without thinking, Bailey said, ¡°Yes, he''s much more important than my life, so let me go. I have to go save him.¡± Instead of responding, Zeke grabbed her arm forcefully, refusing to let go despite her struggles. After keeping mum for a long moment, he said, ¡°Didn''t Shannon''s brother, Holden, head back to Tarragon''s headquarters together with him? Why don''t you try contacting her and ask her about it?¡± At that, Bailey instantly fell silent. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°That''s right. Holden followed him back to the headquarters too. I''ll call Shannon now and ask if she can contact her brother.¡± She shrugged Zeke''s grip off, walked back to the desk, and reached for her phone to call Shannon. ¡°Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service.¡± Bailey''s hand trembled, and the phone slipped out of her hand, falling onto the table. ¡°Shannon''s in trouble. Something must''ve happened to her.¡± Edmund hurriedly said, ¡°I know where Holden''s ce is in Hallsbay. Let me send someone to check it out.¡± He then pulled out his phone and walked aside to make a call. Feeling thest bit of patience drained out of her, Bailey turned to Zeke and said, ¡°I''m very calm now, Zeke. I won''t be impulsive. Apany me to Holden''s ce, will you?¡± Well aware that Bailey could not wait any more, Zeke nodded and answered, ¡°Okay. Let''s head over now.¡± Chapter 609 Chapter 609 Meanwhile, Salem had made his way to the Saunders residence after receiving instructions from Victor to help him get thend deed. Even though Lionel had ced the mansion under Victor''s name, thend deed had always been kept in the shrine of the mansion. Previously, as Victor had enough money to squander, he did not think of selling the residence. Now that he had squandered all the money and shares away, he lost his source of ie and could no longer enjoy the luxurious lifestyle he used to live. Eventually, the desire to sell the house surged within him. Nevertheless, he dared not turn up at the Saunders residence, nor did he have the guts to sneak into the shrine full of ancestral tablets to steal thend deed. After all, he was traumatized after Bailey tried to intimidate him the other time by telling him that Vincent''s soul would haunt him for being an unfilial son. Since the Saunders family was now in ramshackle because of him and all that they had left was the mansion, Victor reckoned that the ancestors of the Saunders family would haunt him if he were to steal the deed personally. Under immense fear, he could only send Salem to retrieve thend deed for him. After all, he was Ulrich''s son, and roaming around the Saunders residence would not get him into trouble. Of course, that also meant he could steal thend deed without much difficulty. When Salem avoided the housekeepers to get to the shrine, he saw clouds of smoke rising from inside. He supposed someone was inside burning incense, thus decided to step away for a bit and returnter. However, just as he turned to leave, he heard mutteringing from inside. He found the voice familiar and soon realized it belonged to his father, who seemed to be narrating something. An odd look appeared on his face, and out of pure curiosity, he inched closer to listen. He continued to listen to the narration for a few minutes, and before long, a hint of astonishment shed across his eyes. Oh, dear. What did I hear? So, Mrs. Saunders didn''t actually meet an ident but got killed by Lionel''s father? He created what seemed like an ident to kill her because she found dirt on him. Oh, gosh... How is that possible? While bewilderment inundated Salem, Ulrich''s cries sounded from the shrine again. This time, it was much louder, as he did not deliberately suppress his emotions. ¡°Mr. Saunders, Mrs. Saunders, I beg you. Please ensure Ms. Victoria is safe and sound. The baby in her belly was affected by her mood swings after Mr. Victor made her angry. She was in the emergency room for several hours before her baby got saved. She can''t possibly endure another ordeal. Also, please let the incident back then remain a secret forever. Mr. Victor and Ms. Victoria mustn''t know about it. Otherwise, there''ll be nothing but trouble. If Mr. Victor learns about it, he''ll use that to threaten Mr. Lionel and cause chaos for the Gezmond family. And it''ll be even worse if Ms. Victoria learns about it. She''ll hate Mr. Lionel to the core and break off all ties with him.¡± Salem quietly retreated. He gave up on stealing thend deed, as he had learned a shocking secret. It was a secret that could help Victor snatch back the shares and Saunders Group''s authority from Lionel. Meanwhile, when Bailey and Zeke arrived at the mansion in the suburbs, it was already empty. A group of bodyguardsbed through the ce but made no discovery. Andy approached Bailey and reported with his head slightly inclined, ¡°Mrs. Luther, there''s no one in there. Neither is there any trace that a fight took ce. They most likely retreated, but it''s also possible they were taken away without the chance to retaliate.¡± Turning to Zeke, Bailey asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Upon a quick scan of the surroundings, Zeke casually replied, ¡°They probably got sabotaged.¡± Bailey nodded in agreement. ¡°I thought so too. If they indeed retreated, Shannon wouldn''t break off all contact with me. Right now, I can''t even reach her through special channels. That''s enough to prove that she has been controlled.¡± If that''s the case, Artemis is in a dangerous situation. How do I save him? There was almost no need to question why Bailey trusted Artemis that much. She firmly believed that even if the entire world betrayed her, Artemis would never do so. She was clear about his love for her. Essentially, she doubted that a man who was willing to die for her would bring himself to hurt her. T¨ºxt belongs to N?velDrama.Org. That was why she was sure that the kill order was issued by someone else and had nothing to do with Artemis. ¡°What do we do now?¡± Zeke asked in a deep voice. Bailey stood transfixed and remained silent for a couple of minutes before she turned to Zayron and said, ¡°First, deploy all forces of the Saviors in Hallsbay andbed the entire city for Micah''s and Shannon''s whereabouts. Second, run a thorough investigation and find out who the culprit is for issuing the kill order even if that means deploying the spies we nted in Tarragon''s headquarters. We have to find out about your father''s situation.¡± Zayron bobbed his head. ¡°Got it. I''ll head to the Saviors'' division and do as you instructed.¡± ¡°Okay. Be careful.¡± After watching Zayron leave with a few bodyguards, Zeke furrowed his brows. ¡°He''s still too young. You shouldn''t let him get in touch with bloodbath and chaos right now.¡± Feeling tired, Bailey dropped to her knees and replied hoarsely, ¡°No matter if it''s Tarragon or the Saviors, it''ll be handed to him in the future. Max isn''t cut out for such things and can only inherit Luther Group. Zayron will have to handle the secret forces, so it''s ideal for him to deal with such affairs now.¡± Zeke decided to stop advising her. He bent down to carry her up from the ground and walked toward the car. Instinctively, Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against his shoulder. ¡°Zeke, once the matters in Hallsbay have been settled, let''s visit the Hoffmans and get your woman and son back, shall we?¡± At the mention of Juliana, Zeke''s face darkened drastically. That woman sure is bold, isn''t she? If I hadn''t been busy and tied up with matters, I would''ve gone to the Hoffmans and forced her to give the child to... No, I can''t lose my cool. I''ll lose my rationality if I get mad. I have to remain calm now so that I can protect Bailey and her kids. ¡°I didn''t say I''ll let her keep the child.¡± Bailey chuckled. I''m pretty sure Zeke feels something for Julie. Nheless, she felt a mild headache at the thought of theplicated rtionship. Wait, don''t tell me my disciple will really be my sister-inw? ¡°Well, I''m not against you pursuing her, but don''t expect me to greet her politely when she bes your wife.¡± Zeke was rendered speechless by that. On the other side, Victor was waiting eagerly in his hotel room for Salem to bring him thend deed so that he could head to the auction house to exchange it for money. Unfortunately, Salem returned empty-handed. ¡°Where''s thend deed? Didn''t I ask you to go and get me thend deed? Where is it?¡± Salem picked up a bottle of mineral water from the table and gulped down a few mouthfuls. Following a heavy panting, he briefly shared what he heard at the shrine with Victor. ¡°Mr. Victor, this is a great bargaining chip. Use this to threaten Lionel, and not just Saunders Group''s shares, but he''ll have to give up and hand it over to you even if it''s LG Corporation.¡± Lionel was momentarily stumped. But upon snapping back to his sense, he began cackling maniacally. ¡°Hahaha! Even Lady Luck is on my side!¡± Chapter 610 Chapter 610 I can''t believe God gave me an opportunity to turn the tables so quickly at such an impasse. I was just worried abouting up with a n to get Lionel to return the shares he duped from me. This is my chance! Perfect! So that old man from the Gezmond family was the one who murdered my mother. I can use this information to ckmail Lionel. If he refuses to hand over the shares, I''ll tell Victoria about this blood feud andpletely ruin their future as a couple. They won''t get to have it good if I don''t. ¡°M-Mr. Victor, what are we going to do next?¡± ¡°What are we going to do?¡± Victor cackled. ¡°Obviously, we''re going to meet with my good old brother-in- law and take back the shares that were supposed to be mine. Since even God is aiding me, naturally, I''ll have to ept his favor.¡± He reached for his phone and keys on the table and dashed out of the room. Salem was hesitant. He knew Victor''s actions were too despicable even by his standards, but they were down to theirst penny and couldn''te up with any better way to earn money. Meanwhile, Zayron dropped by a branch of the Saviors. After performing a carpet search, he found out Tarragon had captured Micah, Shannon, and the others. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. At that moment, he still had no clue who the culprit who ordered their kidnapping was. He contacted the spies the Saviors had nted in the Tarragon''s headquarters and requested they investigate the person who sent out Bailey''s kill order and report to him the happenings over in the headquarter. After making the necessary arrangement, he returned to the medical base. Bailey''s calm was shattered when she heard Micah, Shannon, and the others had been captured by Tarragon. Anxiety churned within her as she worried about the implications of their kidnapping. It proved a drastic upheaval had transpired in the headquarters since Micah and the others were abducted. The most likely scenario was a new leader had been appointed. If that were the case, would the previous leader of Tarragon, Artemis, fare well? ¡°Mommy, calm down. Let''s wait for the investigation report from the spies in Tarragon headquarters. I doubt Daddy would sumb to suppression that easily,¡± Zayron advised. Zeke agreed, ¡°I''m sure you can analyze the situation if Zayron can. Don''t overthink things. It''s pointless to panic, so let''s patiently wait for the investigation results. As for Micah and the rest, we can only leave them up to fate for now. The only way to rescue them is to deploy the Saviors'' forces tounch an attack on Tarragon''s branches. You know as well as I do that now isn''t the best time to act hastily. The time isn''t right.¡± Bailey rubbed the spot between her brows and sighed. ¡°You don''t have to be so nervous. Of course I''m worried about Artemis, but that doesn''t mean I''ll be reckless. Let''s just wait for the investigation results then since that''s the only thing we can do.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, Zoey dashed into the living room of the mansion in the suburbs. ¡°Mom, I heard the leader of Tarragon had given out a kill order! Did Artemis lose his memories? Was he the one who ordered Bailey''s death?¡± Sophia was pruning the flower stems when Zoey rushed inside. Her eyes darkened when she took in her daughter''s unbing behavior. ¡°How many times have I told you not to fluster over every little thing? Are the negative criticisms about you not enough? Do you want to add a few more to your record?¡± Zoey immediately stopped in her tracks and collected herself before strolling over to the nt rack. ¡°Mom, did Artemis lose his memories? Did he send out the kill order?¡± she asked calmly. ¡°Yes,¡± Sophia answered indifferently. As a meticulous person, she would only believe the information after verifying it from various sources. Artemis did lose his memories, and he was the one who sent out the kill order. Those were foregone conclusions. ¡°He lost his memories, so you have to be patient. Don''t do anything stupid from a moment of glee and ruin the whole n.¡± After getting a sure answer, Zoey nearly leaped with excitement. She barely managed to contain her joy at her mother''s cold gaze. ¡°Mom, when do you n to kill Yvette and let me rece her beside Artemis?¡± After a short silence, Sophia replied, ¡°You should focus all your attention on eliminating Bailey for now. After all, Yvette is nothing but a stand-in. She''s expendable. Bailey, on the other hand, is different. That woman excels in medicine, and it''s likely she''ll be able to nullify the effects of the memory loss pill within Artemis.¡± Zoey nodded. ¡°You''re right. Our main focus now is eliminating Bailey. Do you have any good ideas? After all, she now has Zeke''s, Edmund''s, and Raiden''s protection. It''ll be extremely difficult to kill her. We must have a bulletproof assassination n.¡± Sophia tossed the pruners on the rack and crossed the room to the staircase. ¡°Rest assured. I''ll make all the arrangements properly. Remember, good thingse to those who wait. Wait for my good news.¡± ¡°Okay. Thank you, Mom.¡± No one in the Gezmond residence responded to Victor yelling his head off at the front door. After shouting for a while, he took out his phone and sent a message to Lionel, which read: I have an old story about a blood feud. I wonder if you''re interested in it. He didn''t get any replies after sending the text. However, the butler hurriedly opened the front door and invited Victor into the house five minutester. ¡°Mr. Victor, Mr. Gezmond is inviting you for coffee in his study.¡± Victor snickered. ¡°I thought he''s a hard nut to crack. It looks like I overestimated him. Just a little scare and he''s already wavering.¡± In the infirmary, Lionel tucked the nket around Victoria and gently said, ¡°Get some rest. I have some work matters to attend to. I''lle again half an hourter.¡± Victoria nodded. ¡°Go on. Don''t dy your work because of me.¡± Before he left, she grabbed his arm. ¡°Don''t give in to Victor''s demands. Leave him to his own demise. No matter how much money one spends on a ck sheep like him, he isn''t going to change his spots and be a better person. The wealthier he is, the cockier he gets. Let him endure a period of poverty. We''ll see whether he regrets his actions and turns over a new leaf.¡± Lionel murmured an acknowledgment. I don''t think he''ll change. From his text message earlier, it seems he already found out about the blood feud and ns to use that information as leverage to force me to return him Saunders Group''s shares. Can I reject him? Obviously not. Victoria can''t take any more bad news. If that assh*le leaks it to her, there may be another shitstorm. ¡°Okay, I promise you. Don''t overthink things and get some rest. I''ll take you overseas after a few days, away from all these troubles.¡± Victoria nodded. ¡°Okay. I want to visit West Baxrich.¡± ¡°Sure. We''ll go anywhere you want to go.¡± He nted a gentle kiss on her forehead as he got to his feet, then turned around and left the room. In the tearoom, Kimberly was sipping on her tea when a household staff reported Victor''s visit and Lionel''s shocking decision to grant Victor entry. She got a feeling that there was something more than meets the eye when she heard the two had gone to the study for a discussion. With her curiosity piqued, she decided to check out the situation. Chapter 611 Chapter 611 When Lionel walked into the study, he saw Victor leaning against the couch nonchntly while sipping his coffee. ¡°Look who''s here? It''s my brother-inw. I''m contemting whether I should head over to the infirmary to meet you since I thought you didn''t dare to meet me. I heard my sister suffered symptoms of miscarriage. How is she? Did she lose the baby?¡± Lionel crossed the room and took a seat across from Victor with a deadpan look. Gazing at Victor with cold eyes, he demanded, ¡°Tell me your terms. Since we''re both sensible people, there''s no need to talk in a roundabout way. Just cut to the chase.¡± The corner of Victor''s lip curled into a cold grin. The minute he set his cup down on the table, the smile on his faded and was reced by a contorted look. ¡°You refused to listen when I talked to you nicely. You left me no choice but to dig for any dirt you have. Look where we are now. I found out your secret. Let''s see how long you can keep up your attitude.¡± The light shining in Lionel''s eyes slowly dimmed until intense hostility filled them. I''m not scared of revealing the truth. It''s a fact that my father harmed Victoria''s mother. As his son, I should atone for his sins. However, Victoria is pregnant and suffers from symptoms of miscarriage. She''s ordered to stay in bed and rest. She can''t take any more shock as she is. I can''t tell her the truth now when two lives are at risk. I''m willing to trade everything I have to protect the baby in her belly. I have to cover up every seam of the truth, at least before she delivers the baby. She must not find out. ¡°You win. I''m no match for you. Since I can''t resist nor reject you, juste out and say it. What elseN?velDrama.Org holds this content. do you want other than Saunders Group''s shares?¡± I know Victor won''t let this chance slip from his fingers. The shares from the Saunders Group can no longer satisfy his greed. I''m sure he''ll throw out some harsh terms today, and I''m ready to face them. Wealth is not vital to me. It''s dispensable. The only reason I clung to it before was for revenge. I need to avenge my broken family. However, I finally realized the Saunders family owed my family nothing when I got the truth from my father after continuously suppressing Saunders Group. Instead, my father and I owe the Saunders family more than we could ever atone. As the dust settles on the past, all I want now is to protect Victoria from any harm. I want to protect the daughter her mother had treasured immensely and give her a life free from worries. I have no intention of keeping the truth from her, but she can''t handle any more shock in her current state. I''ll tell her everything after she delivers the baby and let her decide whether she''s willing to forgive me. I''m fine even if she''s unwilling to. I''ll still care for her discreetly, protect her, and stay by her side until the day I die. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Victor''sughter echoed in the room, snapping Lionel out of his train of thought. ¡°It''s true that one must hit where it hurts. It doesn''t matter how capable you are. You still have to obey me once I hold your weakness in my hand. You''re scared, Lionel. You''re afraid that Victoria will discover that my mother died from the car ident your father had plotted. Moreover, the revenge you always talk about is nothing but a joke. It''s your family who owes mine,¡± Victor mocked with a malicious grin. Lionel fixed his icy gaze on Victor and said, ¡°I know. You don''t have to constantly remind me. I''m already sitting here, ready to promise your demands. So tell me, what do you want?¡± Victor answered straightforwardly, ¡°Well, first, transfer the Saunders Group''s share to my name. Second, I want all the shares of LG Corporation. I''ll take the secret of your father murdering my mother to the grave if you can fulfill my two demands.¡± With an arch of his brow, Lionel chuckled. ¡°How greedy of you. Aren''t you afraid that I''ll kill you? After all, only the dead can keep a secret.¡± Victor shrugged and taunted, ¡°Kill me, then. I''m stretching out my neck now, waiting for you to behead me, but... I''m the only family left Victoria has in this world. Even though she says she doesn''t acknowledge me as her brother, I know she still thinks of me as one. She will never forgive you if you kill me.¡± Lionel shook his head as heughed. ¡°Victor, you''re truly an assh*le. Victoria sure is unfortunate to have a shameless brother like you. Okay, I agree with both of your demands. Give me a week, and I''ll deal with the procedures. I also hope that you''ll keep your promise. Don''t make a scene in front of Victoria, at least before she delivers.¡± Victor gave him a perplexed look. I thought he would at least hesitate for a few days. I didn''t expect him to agree to my demands immediately. From my understanding, he holds sixty percent of LG Corporation''s shares, meaning he''s the biggest shareholder. Those shares are worth hundreds of billions. I didn''t think he would give up on such a fortune for a down-and-out toy. This guy is so stupid. He can have any women he wants if he''s swimming in cash. With women moring around him, he doesn''t have to worry about not having an heir. Besides, the baby in Victoria''s belly is not even a boy. He''s out of his mind for making such a decision. ¡°You agreed? Just like that?¡± Lionel shrugged and smiled. ¡°What else should I say? Reject you and let you reveal the secret to Victoria, then watch her miscarry from getting worked up?¡± Victor didn''t know how to respond to his sarcasm. ¡°Rest assured. I won''t go back on my words since I already promised you. Give me seven days, and I''ll transfer all the shares to your name.¡± Meanwhile, in the hallway, Kimberly had been sticking her ear against the door, eavesdropping on the conversation inside the room. Oh, heavens! So Victoria''s mother didn''t die from an ident but was murdered by Benjamin''s schemes! No wonder Lionel concedes to Victor''s demands. It''s because Victor has such a big secret in his grasp. I can''t believe Lionel will really put everything on the line to protect that piece of meat in Victoria''s belly. He just agreed to transfer hundreds of billions worth of shares like it was nothing. Is he nning to take Victoria overseas and start over a new life after dealing with Victor? Hmph! I won''t let that happen! The Gezmonds have trapped me here my entire life. All my youth was exhausted here in vain. I won''t let Lionel and Victoria be together and live happily forever. Since I''m all alone, they''ll share my misery. It''s unfair that they get to live happily, but not me. Since I know this secret now, it won''t be long before Victoria knows about it too. With her temper, she''ll most likely get worked up, lose her baby, break up with Lionel for murdering her baby, and they''ll live separate lives as strangers. What a perfect n! I''ll have toe up with a n to reveal this secret to Victoria as soon as possible. Chapter 612 Chapter 612 In the dungeon of one of Tarragon''s branches, Micah, Shannon, and the rest were locked up in the deepest chamber. Wendy shot an apologetic look at the others as she tightened her grip around her son. ¡°I''m sorry. It''s my mistake. I never thought they would use me to drug you guys. You wouldn''t be trapped here if it wasn''t for me.¡± Shannon walked over to her and gently ruffled Sebastian''s head before turning to Wendy. ¡°Don''t beat yourself up, Wendy. We can''t keep our guards up all the time. They''ll find a loophole if they want to capture us. They would''vee up with something else even if you weren''t part of the n. I''m more worried about my brother. I don''t know how he''s doing at the headquarters.¡± Wendy''s heart clenched at the news. She grasped Shannon''s arm abruptly and asked, ¡°What do you mean, Shannon? Don''t tell me your brother''s life is in danger?¡± Shannon was hesitant about answering her questions. It was apparent Wendy loved Holden dearly. It might break her mind if she revealed something she shouldn''t. Shannon was worried she would break down. ¡°Nothing is going to happen to Holden.¡± Micah''s voice came from across. Shannon and Wendy lifted their heads at his answer. ¡°Don''t make any promises if you''re unsure,¡± Shannon scolded with a frown. Micah shot her a nce and replied, ¡°The reason they catch you is to control Holden and restrict his movements. Holden may be under someone''s control now, but I''m sure he''s fine. You would''ve been dead by now if something happened to him.¡± Shannon mulled over his reasoning and figured his words made sense. With how much hatred Yvette had against her, that woman would''ve ordered her execution the instant something happened to her brother. She wouldn''t still be there, pondering over her brother''s well-being. ¡°He''s right, Wendy, so don''t worry. Let''s wait patiently. We''ll know the oue sooner orter. If my brother really does... let''s die with him together by then.¡± No one could respond to Shannon''s grim deration. Micah''s eyes darkened. Mr. Doyle wouldn''t even have stood a chance at catching me with my abilities if Holden hadn''t contacted me discreetly, asking me to surrender and letting them take me. I didn''t want to give in initially because I didn''t want to jeopardize Shannon, but Holden repeatedly assured me that no harm woulde to her. Only then did I withdraw my attack, let Mr. Doyle capture us, and imprison me here. I hope Holden will keep his promise and ward off any threats from Shannon. Otherwise, I don''t mind obliterating the entire Tarragon. ¡°Calm down. Holden has confidence in winning this dispute. Besides, he''s not the only one resisting. The leader has also returned to the headquarters. Even ten Mr. Doyles aren''t Holden''s and Leader''s match if they join forces.¡± For two days straight, Justin''s medical base had been constantly attacked by international elite assassins. Fortunately, Zeke and Edmund had been prepared, so Bailey wasn''t harmed. In the study, Zeke and the others discussed the means to ovee their predicament. Bailey gritted her teeth in frustration. ¡°There''s no way out of this. It''s obvious Tarragon wants my head. I''ll contact Veikko immediately to have him prepare for a life-and-death battle with Tarragon. Then I''ll have Zayron mobilize the Saviors'' forces in Hallsbay toe here and protect us.¡± ¡°No,¡± Zeke objected without hesitation. ¡°We can''t be hasty with how ambiguous the current situation is. The thing is Artemis'' current condition hasn''t been ascertained yet. That''s all the more reason not to act impulsively since we don''t know his exact situation.¡± Edmund agreed, ¡°I agree with Zeke. Let''s wait for another two days. Maybe this is all part of Artemis'' n. We might ruin it if you act recklessly.¡± Bailey moved her lips to say something when the door mmed open. Zayron urgently barged into the room. ¡°Uncle Zeke, I have an update. It''s thetest news from the Tarragon headquarters. They say¡ª¡± Zayron fell silent mid-sentence when he saw Bailey was also present in the room. He didn''t dare to disclose the information in front of her. ¡°B-Bailey, aren''t you researching anticancer medication back in theb? Why are you here?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes at him and said, ¡°Stop trying to steer the conversation away. What news did you get from the Tarragon headquarters? Spit it out.¡± Um... Zayron rubbed his nose, unwilling to reveal. Bailey snorted. ¡°Not telling me? Fine. I''m sure the news they sent would''ve passed through the hands of the Saviors'' headquarters'' intelligence department. I''ll call their head of department and ask him personally. You can scram now.¡± Zayron clenched his jaw at her threat. ¡°Fine. I''ll tell you. I don''t think I can hide it from you for more than a day anyway, so I might as well tell you now.¡± ¡°Stop spewing nonsense and tell me!¡± N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ¡°Dad was the one who sent out the kill order and spread the news that the Tarragon''s leader was the one who wanted your head. He demanded your death no matter the consequences.¡± ng! The coffee mug slipped from Bailey''s hands and ttered on the cold, hard floor. She stared at Zayron dazedly as she slowly got to her feet. With a trembling voice, she asked, ¡°I-Is it true? Is what you said true? A-Are you sure you''re not mistaken?¡± Zeke shot to his feet and cast a nce at Zayron. ¡°I think there must be some mistakes. Either that or Mr. Doyle ns to use such means to target you mentally so that you''ll lose your calm. That way, they can use the opportunity to attack us.¡± Bailey ignored his assurance and continued staring at Zayron in disbelief. ¡°Are you sure you''re not mistaken?¡± she repeated. Zayron furrowed his brows and sighed. ¡°Why are you guys jumping to conclusions? I haven''t even finished yet. The information I got was Mr. Doyle had fed Dad a memory loss pill, causing him to forget about his rtionship with Bailey. He now only regards her as the head of the Saviors. That was why he sent the kill order.¡± Lost his memory? Artemis lost his memories? He has forgotten about me? Bailey''s knees gave way, and she dropped to the couch. Zeke shot Zayron a resigned look. ¡°I told you not to say it. Why can''t you read the room?¡± Zayron pursed his lips. ¡°I thought it could console her. After all, it wasn''t my dad''s intention. He only sent out the kill order because of his memory loss.¡± Feeling his head throbbing slightly, Zeke rubbed his temple to ease the pain. He turned to Bailey and said, ¡°Bailey, I don''t believe Artemis would lose his memories. With how cautious he is, how could he let anyone exploit any loophole and fall into such a trap?¡± Bailey slowly raised her head and looked at him with tears brimming in her eyes. ¡°But I was the one who nted the spies in the Tarragon headquarters. They only take my orders. They won''t betray me by sending me fake news. It must be true if they say he lost his memories.¡± Zeke fell silent because he ran out of ideas tofort her. Edmund spoke up. ¡°There''s another possibility. He faked losing his memories, then sent out the kill order to lure out the mastermind in Hallsbay.¡± Chapter 613 Chapter 613 A glint of hope shed across Bailey''s eyes. Oh, is that so? Seeing that she was gradually calming down, Edmund breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°So you ought to cooperate with him now and see if you can lure out the person who''s been secretly plotting against you this whole time.¡± ¡°I think Edmund''s right,¡± Zeke chimed in. ¡°Bay, you can''t lose your head over this matter.¡± Bailey pursed her lips and nodded. ¡°All right. I shall wait and see if that troublemaker will make a move. Thanks, guys. If you hadn''t helped talk sense into me, I''d have made some rather impulsive decisions.¡± At the very least, she knew she could take a breather since the spies in Tarragon headquarters had informed them that Artemis was no longer in danger. So what if he had really lost his memories? As long as he was safe, Bailey could always help him recover his memories. The most important thing right now was to find out who had been scheming behind her back. After all, the only way to bring peace and calm into their lives was to catch the culprit. Besides, Artemis'' memory loss might not necessarily be a bad thing. As far as Dominic and the others were concerned, they''d think they had Artemis under control and spare him for the time being. If Artemis hadn''t lost his memories, there was no doubt he''d be facing countless dangers. As a wise man once said, it is easy to dodge an open attack but difficult to defend against a concealed one. With Artemis'' memories gone, no one had to be afraid of or guard against him any longer. Naturally, that meant he was safe. Meanwhile, at the Shurmer residence, two maids were whispering among themselves in the garden. ¡°Word has it that Sammy kept pestering Ms. Gourd because Mr. Zeke instructed her to.¡± ¡°Oh, dear. Is that true? Ms. Gourd is carrying Mr. Zeke''s baby, for goodness'' sake. How could he tell Sammy to create an ident to cause a miscarriage?¡± ¡°I guess Mr. Zeke just can''t stand the sight of her, so he doesn''t care about the baby either. Why else would he want to get rid of it?¡± ¡°Oh, how tragic and pitiful. Since Ms. Gourd confirmed her pregnancy, Mr. Zeke hadn''t been home once to see her. He didn''t even show up when she almost miscarried previously. I think you''re right. Not only does Mr. Zeke not like her, but he also doesn''t want a baby with her.¡± ¡°Exactly. Most people will leap for joy when they hear they''re bing a father and wish they could spend every moment with their wives. Mr. Zeke, however, doesn''t even want toe home these days. There are also rumors that he''s moving out soon.¡± ¡°Gosh! I feel so sad for Ms. Gourd. She hasn''t officially married Mr. Zeke and already has to spend her time here alone.¡± ¡°Indeed... What a pity that fall didn''t cause her to have a miscarriage.¡± ¡°Fret not. Now that we know Mr. Zeke wants to get rid of the child, I''m sure he''ll have other tricks up his sleeve. I daresay he''d do anything to seed.¡± ¡°Oh, I agree.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. The maids happened to be standing directly under Shirley''s bedroom, but even though they had lowered their voices, thetter could still hear them clearly from the bathroom. Shirley sat on the toilet, gripping a wad of tissue as she felt an intense mix of anger, grief, and resentment bubbling to the surface. She wasn''t sure if she had been overly agitated and pulled something in her abdomen, but it wasn''t long before a stabbing pain spread throughout her body. After struggling to get up from the toilet, Shirley clutched her stomach and walked out of the bathroom. s, just as she was about to shout for the maids outside her room, another jolt of excruciating pain caused her to double over and crumple to the floor. Thankfully, the loud thud caught the attention of the maids. When two maids finally burst the door open and saw Shirley curled up on the floor, their faces instantly darkened. ¡°Inform Mrs. Shurmer at once and call for the doctor!¡± ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Within seconds, the entire Shurmer residence descended into panic. At the back entrance of the mansion, the two maids who had been gossiping in the garden quietly slipped away. ¡°Is everything done?¡± Zoey asked. As it turned out, she had hired the two women to pose as maids and hold the conversation outside Shirley''s bedroom window. One of the women hastily nodded. ¡°Don''t worry, Ms. Shurmer. We did everything as you said, and I''m sure our target heard every word of our exchange. When we came out earlier, there was chaos in the entire mansion. Someone was running to get Mrs. Shurmer while others called for the doctor. From the looks of it, something must''ve happened to the pregnantdy because she got too emotional.¡± ¡°Good. You guys have done well. Mission aplished,¡± Zoey said smilingly before fishing out a card from her pocket. ¡°There''s a stored value of six hundred thousand in this card, and the password is six sixes... Remember to keep this a secret. If the two of you divulge any information, I''ll end your lives immediately. Understood?¡± The two women were street thugs who knew what it took to survive, so naturally, they wouldn''t dare spill the beans. ¡°Yes, yes. We''ll keep it a secret. We promise.¡± ¡°That''s right!¡± Zoey smiled. Ha. Soon, I''ll be able to carry out my n... Back in the guest room, several doctors looked grim and sullen as they did everything they could to treat Shirley. ¡°How is it?¡± Waverly asked anxiously. ¡°Can you save my precious grandchild?¡± The chief physician shook his head dejectedly. ¡°I''m afraid it''d be difficult, Mrs. Shurmer. Ms. Gourd had suffered some abdominal trauma previously, and now that it''s happened again, there''s nothing we can do.¡± Waverly''s face instantly fell. ¡°Is there really no other way? Are you sure we can''t save the baby?¡± Once again, the chief physician shook his head and sighed. ¡°There''s only so much I can do, Mrs. Shurmer. Best to brace yourself for the inevitable.¡± Before Waverly could say anything more, Zoey suddenly rushed into the room. ¡°Mom, what happened? I heard Shirley had fallen again. Is the baby all right?¡± she asked as she nced at the bed. The next second, she let out a scream. ¡°Oh, my goodness! Why is she bleeding so much again? Has she lost the baby?¡± Feeling even more upset, Waverly gritted her teeth and grabbed the chief physician''s wrist. ¡°You have to save her baby. Otherwise, you can get the hell out of here! The Shurmer family doesn''t care for useless trash!¡± ¡°You''re putting me in a spot, Mrs. Shurmer. I really can''t save her baby. You can threaten to kill me all you want, but I still won''t be able to change a thing,¡± the chief physician replied solemnly. With a glint in her eye, Zoey lowered her head. This is it. I''m going to make Bailey tackle this problem. ¡°Stop making things difficult for them, Mom. Their abilities are limited, so what''s the point of forcing them? Instead of arguing about it here, why don''t we look for other solutions?¡± Chapter 614 Chapter 614 For example, we could go to Bailey Jefferson. Even though Zoey didn''t say that out loud, she hoped her suggestion would be enough to steer Waverly toward Bailey. If Bailey agrees to treat Shirley and fails, this old hag, Waverly, will hate her with a vengeance. If Bailey declines the request and lets Shirley miscarry, Waverly will hate her even more! In any case, Bailey will be caught between a rock and a hard ce. That''s my goal! Waverly narrowed her eyes in confusion. ¡°Other solutions? What other solutions can there be? These doctors have decades of clinical experience and are experts in their respective fields, but not even they can save my grandchild. Who else can I turn to?¡± ¡°Bailey Jefferson,¡± Zoey replied with a chuckle. ¡°She''s the legendary doctor, Anonymous. Wouldn''t she be able to save Shirley''s baby?¡± For a moment, Waverly was stunned. However, as the realization gradually sank in, she felt a glimmer of happiness. Oh, yes! How could I have forgotten about Bailey? She''s Anonymous, the famous doctor who pulled Old Mr. Chivers back from the brink of death. Saving a baby would be a piece of cake for her, wouldn''t it? ¡°I''ll make a trip to the medical base now. You guys better watch over Shirley and ensure nothing happens to her in the next hour. Otherwise, you can all get out of my sight!¡± ¡°Y-Yes.¡± Meanwhile, in the infirmary at the Revelle residence, Veronique was leaning against the headboard and smiling at the pensive Justin. ¡°A penny for your thoughts? Care to share?¡± After a brief silence, Justin went on to tell Veronique about the n his mother and Tamara had concocted. Veronique''s smile gradually faded. Gosh. Why haven''t they given up? Why do they still want to plot against Justin? Then again, this isn''t entirely bad. After all, I understand how Mrs. Xuereb feels. She''s worried that her son might leave with me, so she''s doing everything to keep him back. Come to think of it... I''d probably do the same thing if I were in her shoes. Justin, who knew Veronique only too well, immediately caught on to what she was thinking and grew sullen. ¡°What''s on your mind, Veronique? Is our rtionship only good for worrying about these matters?¡± Veronique couldn''t help but let out a wry chuckle and sigh. ¡°It''s inevitable to overthink things. Don''t take it to heart. Besides, I was only letting my thoughts wander. I won''t act on them.¡± ¡°Didn''t we agree to live every day in joy? We''ll let fate decide what happens in the future,¡± Justin muttered as he gently caressed the woman''s pale face. ¡°Justin, can you take me out to see the world?¡± Veronique asked tentatively after a moment of silence. ¡°I don''t want to be stuck in this tiny space. There are still so many ces I''ve never been to.¡± Justin furrowed his brows. He was acutely aware that Veronique''s current best treatment was to get lots of bed rest, as overexertion would only elerate the spread of cancer cells. However, she had such an expectant look that he couldn''t bring himself to reject her. Momentster, he finally took a deep breath, seemingly having made up his mind. ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± Veronique instantly broke into a smile. ¡°Lusterg. The city is an art lover''s ma. Taking in the vibrant art scene of such a beautiful and quaint city would be good for the soul.¡± Justin heaved a sigh of relief. Well, I suppose domestic travel might be doable. ¡°All right. Let me talk to your father. If he gives us the green light, I''ll take you there.¡± Veronique, however, became gloomy and silent. Dad will never agree to it... N?velDrama.Org content rights. Smiling, Justin shook his head and tousled the woman''s hair. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll find a way to get his approval.¡± Like a child who wasn''t good at hiding their emotions, Veronique immediately turned her frown upside down. ¡°Thank you, Darling!¡± In the living room of a suburban mansion, Sofie was drinking coffee on the couch when her phone suddenly rang. When she saw that it was Zoey calling, she promptly answered it. ¡°What is it?¡± Without further ado, Zoey cautiously shared everything that she had done. She thought Sofie would fly into a rage and scold her for acting rashly, but to her surprise, thetter complimented her. ¡°You haven''t been the most reliable, but you''ve finally done something right this time. In that case, send some people to keep an eye on Waverly. If Bailey does leave the medical base, I''ll send an assassin after her.¡± That, of course, made Zoey very happy. ¡°Will you really send someone to kill Bailey?¡± Sofie curled her lips into a half smile. ¡°Why else did you call me? Isn''t it because you want me to send someone after her?¡± When Zoey didn''t reply, Sofie added, ¡°Did you think I wouldn''t figure out your intentions? In any case, get someone to tail Waverly. Once Bailey leaves the medical base for the Shurmer residence, I''ll n an ambush midway and have her killed.¡± ¡°Okay, okay.¡± When the call ended, Sofie quickly texted another number: Gather a group of people to be on standby. I might need you guys to carry out an assassinationter. Meanwhile, Zeke walked into theboratory of the medical base with a grim expression. Needless to say, his demeanor left Bailey feeling perplexed. ¡°What''s wrong, Zeke? Did something happen?¡± ¡°I just got a message from the Shurmer residence that Shirley suffered another fetal trauma. Our medical team can''t save the baby, so Zoey gave Mom the suggestion to enlist your help. What do you think, Bay?¡± Bailey arched her brows and broke into a smile. ¡°That''s your child we''re talking about. Even though it was created by inseminating Shirley with your stolen sperm, it''s still your baby. That said, the final decision lies with you. I''ll save it if you want me to. Otherwise, I wouldn''t bother.¡± ¡°You should know how much I detest that child and how desperate I am to get rid of it,¡± Zeke said calmly as he nced at Bailey. ¡°Why else did I get Sammy to fabricate that ident? However, now that Mother has personallye to beg you, she''ll hate you with a vengeance if you don''t agree to help. I don''t want to see that happen.¡± With that, Bailey slowly tucked her smile away. ¡°Even without this incident, she still has a lot of prejudice against me. Zeke, you''re the only one in the Shurmer family I want to acknowledge. Besides, I''m past the age of needing close family ties. I''m content with having Artemis and the kids. Honestly, familial love isn''t all that important to me, so you don''t have to worry about it. I won''t go if you don''t want Shirley to keep the baby.¡± A smile finally crept across Zeke''s face as he nodded. ¡°Don''t go, then. It''s far too dangerous outside. Who knows what your enemy might do if you step out now?¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey had a sudden light-bulb moment. Oh, that''s right! If I left the medical base to follow Waverly, that person in the dark might take immediate action, and I wouldn''t have to sit around and wait any longer. Also, if Artemis really is faking his memory loss to lure that person out, wouldn''t it be great if I could get rid of the threat once and for all? That way, he can drop the act and reunite with me! It''s been so long since Ist saw him. I miss him so much... Thankfully, Zeke saw right through Bailey and angrily flicked a finger against her forehead. ¡°Stop having those nonsensical thoughts. At a critical time like this, no one in their right mind will let you leave the medical base. You can forget about it!¡± Chapter 615 Chapter 615 Bailey rolled her eyes. She knew that he was going to stop her. In fact, he was not the only one. She doubted that Edmund would let her leave the medical base either. To them, she was walking to her own death by stepping out of the medical base. There were countless assassins waiting to take her life outside, and what else would she be doing if not courting death by leaving? ¡°Zeke...¡± She reached out to tug the hem of Zeke''s shirt before looking at him with pitiful eyes. ¡°I miss Artemis. I wish to meet him soon. I just had a miscarriage, and I''m still weak. The burden of all these people is a heavy one on my shoulders. I''m hoping that Artemis cane back and help to split the weight...¡± Zeke was smart, and he immediately understood what she meant. In other words, she was asking him to let her enter the bear''s cave. How could he possibly do that? They were all going to follow in her footsteps if anything were to happen to her. ¡°We can think of other ways to lure out the mastermind behind this. There''s no need for you to get involved personally. Bay, you have to protect yourself. Your life is linked to these few men''s lives.¡± Resignation washed over Bailey, for she understood what Zeke meant as well. If she were to die, those who loved her would live their life miserably from then on. However, opportunity and risk came hand-in-hand. If she did not show herself, how were they going to lure the mastermind out? She was the only one who could tempt them into showing up. Otherwise, things would continue to be dyed. That was not something she wanted. Artemis was trapped in the headquarters, and she did not want to waste any more time. Others could say that she was a loser, and she would just let them be. She was forsaking her rationality for a man. But there was nothing she could do about it. She was so in love with him. After taking in a deep breath, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Zeke, I must go. You''re right. If I disagree with your mother''s request, the familial rtionship between us will be ruined. There are many things in life that won''t go our way, and parents are the only ones we must never go against. ¡° An angryugh escaped Zeke at that. ¡°You''re good at finding excuses, huh? You said you didn''t care about it earlier, but you''ve changed your mind in the blink of an eye. That''s why I can only heed a quarter of your words.¡± Bailey smiled at him. ¡°That''s how I get my way around Artemis. I don''t care. You''re my brother, so you have to let me have my way. Just say yes, okay?¡± Just as she said that, she reached out to grab his arm and shake it, pestering him like a child. Zeke always thought he was a determined person, but he could not hold his ground against her sweet words. In the end, he relented. ¡°First of all, I''ll be sending a fleet of cars to go with you. Secondly, I''m going with you. Will you agree to this?¡± Bailey initially wanted to tell him that she would only ept the first condition, but upon seeing Zeke''s darkening expression, she quickly uttered, ¡°Yes to all your terms¡±. Twenty minutester, Waverly arrived at the medical base. The second she saw Bailey, she dragged her outside. ¡°Shirley got agitated, and her baby is in danger. You''re an excellent doctor, so I need you to take a look at her.¡± Bailey raised a brow and grinned. ¡°I remember that Mrs. Shurmer has always been adamant about not having me join the Shurmer family. You refused to let me return to my biological family, so why should I curry favor with you? Do you take me as an idiot?¡± Waverly tried tugging her again, but Bailey remained fixed in her spot. She then turned to Bailey and frowned. ¡°Are you going to stand aside and watch your brother''s child die? He loves you so much, and his child is your nephew.¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°Now you''re talking about family with me? Have you ever thought about how I felt when you rejected me?¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Bailey slowly pulled her arm out from her grasp and uttered, ¡°If I am to go to the Shurmer residence, it''s only for my brother, not you. You have Zoey, and you adore her. I''m guessing you won''t even care about my absence, so don''t make it seem like we''re that close. It''s absurd.¡± Bailey''s words hurt Waverly''s dignity, and rage filled her chest. However, the thought of how she needed Bailey to help Shirley keep the baby shed in her mind, so she forced herself to tamp down the fury. ¡°Fine. Thene back to the Shurmer residence for your brother''s sake, not mine, because I clearly can''t get you to go there.¡± N?velDrama.Org content rights. Without sparing a nce at Waverly, Bailey walked past her toward the doorway. Waverly had to take in two deep breaths before she could suppress the wrath in her. She then followed Bailey out. ... Meanwhile, Sofie received news from Zoey about how Bailey was out of the medical base with Waverly. Zoey was asking her to hurry up and send her men to intercept and kill Bailey. Sofia answered her with an acknowledgment. Then, she called her subordinates, who were on standby, and made arrangements before quietly waiting for the results. Once Bailey was out of the picture, she would then be able to make Zoey Tarragon''s matriarch. Even though her daughter was not as smart as she thought she was, Zoey was still her only daughter. Sofie had returned to Hallsbay to help Zoey fulfill her dream, after all. As long as Zoey was Tarragon''s matriarch, her dream would be achievable. ... A fleet of cars slowly drove out of the medical base. When Waverly realized the grandiosity of the scene, she became annoyed. Am I hiring a doctor, or am I hiring the queen? What''s with the dramatic scene? Is Bailey trying to assert dominance? She then said to Bailey in an irked tone, ¡°The Shurmers have always kept a low profile. Take note of that. Don''t make it seem as if you''re a queen taking a tour around the country.¡± Bailey gave her a cold look, not at all bothered by the fact that the person receiving it was her biological mother. The point was Waverly never saw her as her biological daughter anyway. If not for Shirley''s baby, she would probably never agree to let Bailey return to the Shurmer family. What was the point of her showing respect to a mother like that? ¡°You''re right. I''m no queen because I have no family. I''m but an orphan, so how can I possibly be a queen? Fortunately, I married a good man. I hope you remember that I''m the matriarch of the top prestigious family, the Luther family, right now. What''s wrong with the grand departure? I don''t think the glory my inws are showing me has anything to do with you, Mrs. Shurmer.¡± Waverly was rendered speechless, and her expression darkened. That was the truth, so there was nothing she could say to that. After a sigh, Zeke started, ¡°It''s dangerous for Bay to go outside right now. If you''re not here in person, she wouldn''t have stepped out of the medical base. If we don''t assign men to protect her, we''ll all be in mortal danger. There are simply too many people trying to kill her.¡± Waverly narrowed her eyes. She did not know Bailey''s real identity¡ªthe Saviors'' leader. Therefore, even if she had heard that the head of Tarragon had put out a kill order on the Saviors'' leader, she would still not think that it was Bailey. She would assume that her son was merely exaggerating. ¡°What kind of danger could she be face? She''s not the leader of a country or something along those lines. At the end of the day, she just fears death too much.¡± Chapter 616 Chapter 616 Zeke grimaced. Right as he was about to retort, a voice came out of the radio, ¡°Ms. Bailey, there''s an ambush, and there is quite a number of people around.¡± Bailey had her head lowered as she used her phone while listening to the mother and son''s argument. When she heard Andy''s report, she pursed her lips. Here theye. Good. I was afraid that they wouldn''t show up. ¡°T-There''s really an ambush? S-Someone''s really out to k-kill you?¡± Waverly asked in a shaky voice. Bailey spared her a nce and uttered in an indifferent voice, ¡°What were you expecting? Did you really think that I enjoy having this many people tagging along?¡± Waverly gulped before shooting out her hand to grab her son''s arm. She hissed, ¡°Why did youe out with her if you knew that there was going to be an ambush? You should have stayed at the medical base!¡± A hint of fury shed across Zeke''s face. She''s only concerned about me? What about Bay? What if something happens to Bay if I didn''te with her? However, when he lifted his head, he saw the smile on Bailey''s face. He froze. He knew that there was sadness in her bright smile. Bailey Jefferson was not a cold-blooded creature. No matter how trivial the concept of parents was to her, she still could not avoid feeling upset to see theck of concern her mother was for her. ¡°Bay...¡± Bailey lowered her head a little and shoved her phone into her pocket. She then cut him off by saying, ¡°Let''s get out of the car and meet them.¡± Zeke nodded and opened the door on the other side of the car. At that, Waverly snatched Zeke''s arm and cried out, ¡°You''ll be caught in the crossfire, so stay right here in the car.¡± Zeke used his other hand to peel her hand away. ¡°I''m a man. If I need a woman to cover me right now¡ªif I''m going to make a woman face the battle outside¡ªthen I''m nothing but a coward.¡± Waverly fell silent. Knowing that she could not convince her son otherwise and worried that he would be hurt or worse, she steeled herself and came down from the car as well. I shouldn''t havee. My son''s life is more important than a baby who hasn''t evene into this world yet. After Bailey got down from the car, Andy hurried over to her. ¡°Ms. Bailey, I''m d that we''ve installed ultraviolet detectors. We found high-tech explosives buried around us.¡± Bailey lifted a brow. ¡°Are you saying that there are explosives nearby?¡± ¡°Yes. Perhaps the other party thinks that there are too many of us, so they''re nning to wipe us all out with something destructive like explosives.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. Right as she was about to take Andy''s binocrs, a piercing sound resonated in the air. N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ¡°Watch out!¡± Bailey shouted beforeunching herself toward where Waverly was standing. A bullet brushed past her arm and sttered drops of blood. Another gunshot sound rang out. Zeke killed the sniper who was hiding in one corner. When he turned around and saw the bloody state of Bailey''s arm, he grimaced. ¡°Bay, your arm...¡± ¡°I''m fine. It''s just a scrape.¡± On the other hand, Waverly''s heart was still thumping loudly. If not for Bailey lunging toward her, that bullet that scraped Bailey''s arm would have gone through her skull. Bailey had saved her. Despite her harsh and infuriating words, she''s still worried about me. What a pity she never grew up around me, so I never developed any maternal love for her. If I have to choose between her and Zozo, I''ll still pick Zozo. Zeke held Bailey and suggested, ¡°Go inside the car first. You''re too easy of a target if you stand out here.¡± Bailey shook her head and frowned. ¡°This isn''t right. Why is there only one sniper? If it''s who I think it is, then they shouldn''t be sending only one sniper.¡± Zeke mulled over it. ¡°Could it be that someone has wiped them all out? Moreover, this sniper isn''t from that person. This sniper''s from Tarragon''s headquarters.¡± Bailey tilted her head to look at him. ¡°Who''s annihting all of them so discreetly?¡± ¡°Me...¡± came the deep voice behind them. It was a familiar voice for Bailey. She instinctively turned, only to be greeted by the sight of Raiden in a ck coat walking toward her. Immediately, she figured out what was going on. Right, this man has military power. He can go anywhere he wants. Any one of the soldiers from the troops would be able to restrain all of the assassins that person sends out. ¡°I thought you were busy settling Scarlett''s matter.¡± Raiden smiled, but that smile disappeared when he saw the blood on her arm. She gets hurt quite frequently, doesn''t she? With that thought in mind, he took off his coat and draped it on her shoulder. ¡°There''s nothing as important as your safety in this world. It''s cold out here. You should be wearing moreyers. Also, be more responsible and don''t let yourself get hurt so often.¡± Bailey was speechless. Did you think I wanted to get injured? It hurts, you know? Also, I''m already wearing a down jacket and a sweater. You''re the one who''s left with a shirt after giving me your coat. Just as she was about to take off the coat on her shoulders, Raiden held her hand down. ¡°You can''t do that. If you don''t listen to me, I''ll order my men to send you back.¡± Bailey shot him a re. ¡°Who said I was going to take it off? I need to readjust the coat.¡± Err... ¡°Where are the people you captured?¡± ¡°They''re all dead.¡± Bailey snapped her head upward and questioned, ¡°Did you not leave a single one alive?¡± Raiden let out a silent sigh. ¡°Did you think that the other party will let you get something to ckmail them so easily? You haven''t been able to figure out who they are despite the long investigation. If they exposed their identity just like that, won''t it mean that both you and Artemis are pretty useless in doing the job?¡± His words nearly made Bailey choke. She muttered, ¡°Yes, but that doesn''t I can ept it that easily. Did you really not find a single useful clue?¡± ¡°No. They left nothing at all. If you want to check them yourself, I can bring you to see their bodies. They''ve all killed themselves with poison¡ªthey''re specially trained suicide attackers. Suicide attackers? Even so, they must havee from somewhere. ¡°Let''s go. Take me there.¡± Knowing that Bailey would not let any clue slip by her, he turned and started moving. Bailey followed suit, but before her foot could touch the ground, Waverly grabbed her arm. ¡°You can''t leave right now. You have toe to the Shurmer residence with me. Shirley needs you to save her baby.¡± It was then Bailey came back to her senses. Right, I still need to go to the Shurmer residence. ¡°Raiden, I...¡± ¡°Go to the Shurmer residence first. I''ll order my men to send you a few bodies.¡± A dark look manifested on Waverly''s face. ¡°No. No bodies at the Shurmer residence. It''s bad luck, and I have a pregnant woman at home.¡± Chapter 617 Chapter 617 Bailey chuckled coldly. I''ve lost all patience with her. I didn''t block that bullet for her earlier out of an overwhelming sense of sympathy. I''m no saint, so there''s no way I''d put my life on the line for her after how she has treated me. I only did it because of the shred of blood tie between us and because I knew I could withstand such an injury. Had it meant endangering my life, I wouldn''t have done it. ¡°All right. I''ll check the bodies first. After I figure out what happened, I''ll go to the Shurmer residence to attend to Shirley.¡± After saying that, she shrugged Waverly off, thinking about how thetter had never considered her as her biological daughter. The truth was Waverly had grabbed Bailey''s injured arm earlier. Due to the force of the motion, it ended up aggravating the injury. She wouldn''t have pulled on my injured arm if she cared about me. Even if she had been in the heat of the moment, she would''ve avoided it. No matter how I think about it, it''s clear to me that she doesn''t care about me at all. Seeing that Bailey was not kidding around and was about to leave, Waverly panicked and quickly said, ¡°Very well. I agree to let him move the bodies to the Shurmer residence. With Shirley''s current condition, we can''t afford to dy any longer. Come with me to attend to her first, okay?¡± Bailey ignored her and looked at Zeke, thinking that if he did not want the child, then she would not go. She could not care less about Waverly''s feelings. Since thetter had never bothered to take any notice of her, Bailey did not see why she should sympathize with her. Zeke sighed inwardly. I''m afraid there''s no choice but to keep the baby that Shirley is carrying. At the very least, we can''t let anything happen at this crucial juncture. Otherwise, Mother will surely push all the me onto Bailey, and they''ll turn against each otherpletely. ¡°Go to the Shurmer residence. After all, that child is mine. Although the baby was conceived through disgraceful means, there''s no changing the fact that it''s mine.¡± Bailey looked at him without saying a word. ... Over in a mansion in the suburbs, Sofie was leaning against the living room''s floor-to-ceiling windows and admiring the view of the garden while slowly sipping on the ss of red wine in her hand. Suddenly, the phone in her other hand started ringing. She looked down and saw that the call was from the subordinate she had tasked with carrying out the mission. This call ising ten minutes earlier than I expected. Could it be that... Her heart lurched, and she quickly swiped to answer the call. ¡°How did it go?¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, the mission failed. Every single person we sent out died. No one survived. We''ve suffered a debilitating defeat.¡± The wine ss slipped from Sofie''s hand and fell to the floor with a loud smash. A violent shudder ran through her body. The assassins we sent were all elite suicide attackers. How could they have been wiped outpletely? ¡°What about Bailey? Did you kill her?¡± The breathing on the other end of the line grew heavier. After a silence of about thirty seconds, the person replied reluctantly, ¡°No. We could not evenst out until her men arrived before we were all taken down.¡± Sofie narrowed her eyes and did not say anything for a moment. Then, her expression shifted drastically. ¡°Was it Artemis'' doing? He doesn''t have amnesia. It''s all a show to lure us out.¡± ¡°M-Ms. Carr, it wasn''t Artemis'' men but the military. Raiden Fletcher sent a troop of soldiers, and they captured all of us while barely making any sound. Fortunately, our men were ready to die, so they ingested poison andmitted suicide after being captured.¡± Sofie squeezed her eyes shut. Raiden. It was Raiden. I was on my guard against Zeke, Edmund, and Simon. s, the only person I didn''t think of was Raiden. I never imagined that such a big shot in the political circle would not hesitate to dispatch arge number of soldiers for the sake of a woman. That''s breaking thew, and he''ll have to face the consequences after this. I can''t believe he''d go to such lengths for a woman who doesn''t love him. ¡°All right. Got it. Everything will be fine as long as you don''t reveal your whereabouts. Go into hiding for now. I''ll get in touch with you again when I need you. I made a gross miscalction in my ns this time, which cost the lives of many of our men. I must kill Bailey to avenge their deaths.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± N?velDrama.Org holds this content. ... At Tarragon''s headquarters, Artemis swiftly received news from Hallsbay about what happened. He breathed a small sigh of relief upon learning that those behind the assassination had failed in their attempt and had been eliminated instead. It wasn''t my wish to put Bailey in danger. However, due to the urgency of the situation and to find out who was behind it as soon as possible, I had no choice but to do so. Holden noticed the look of unease in his eyes and ventured, ¡°What are you nning to do next? Don''t tell me you''re thinking of staying here and doing nothing. It''s easy to dodge an open attack, but it''s difficult to guard against an attack in the dark. Ms. Bailey is in too much danger now. I think it''s best if we return to Hallsbay.¡± Fiddling with the wine ss in his hand, Artemis was quiet for a while before saying calmly, ¡°Go and summon Mr. Doyle. Just say that the assassination mission is taking too long. Several days have passed without any news, so I''m going to Hallsbay to kill the head of the Saviors myself.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± ... Meanwhile, Bailey narrowed her eyes as she gazed at Shirley lying on the bed in the Shurmer residence''s guest bedroom. She looked grim as she asked, ¡°Are you sure you want me to save the baby she''s carrying?¡± Upon hearing that, Waverly uttered through clenched teeth, ¡°What do you think? If I didn''t want you to do so, why would I have risked my life to go and find you?¡± Bailey lowered her head slightly. In a hoarse voice, she said, ¡°I can stabilize the pregnancy, but I have to make things clear. The embryo in her womb has suffered serious damage. Even if we save it, many issues may arise, such as congenital disorders and disabilities and even intellectual disabilities. All these issues may potentially ur. Are you still determined to keep the baby after knowing that?¡± The expression on Waverly''s face darkened. She turned toward the specialists standing to one side and asked, ¡°Are the things she mentioned likely to happen?¡± ¡°There is indeed that possibility because of the severe damage to the embryo. If it doesn''t develop well in the future, it may be deformed,¡± answered a female specialist cautiously. Waverly felt her knees go weak, and she subconsciously staggered a couple of steps backward. There was a hint of doubt in her expression. Is there any point in saving such a baby? Shirley had been in a semi-conscious state. However, she snapped to her senses when she heard what they were saying. I want to keep this baby. I have to! Otherwise, Zeke will go straight to Juliana. As long as I''m standing between them, he won''t be able to go to her, even if he doesn''t marry me. No other woman cany their hands on what I can''t have. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I want to keep this baby. Saying that the fetus will be deformed and the baby will have congenital deficiencies are merely spections on their part. However, nothing is definite. What if the babyes out perfectly healthy? Wouldn''t it be too cruel to give up on the baby just like this?¡± Gritting her teeth, Waverly said to Bailey, ¡°Stop trying to scare us. Hurry up and save her baby.¡± Bailey shrugged her shoulders. Very well, then. I''ll do as they wish. Someday, they''ll pay the price for their decision. Chapter 618 Chapter 618 In the study of the Shurmer residence, Zeke was engaged in a conversation with Steven. Steven asked, ¡°I heard that you were ambushed on the way here, and Raiden sent his troops to save you. What happened? Why would someone want to kill Bay?¡± He knew Bailey disliked him and dared not approach her. However, he had been feeling unsettled for the past few days. Bailey was his daughter after all. Furthermore, she was a capable person, so he didn''t want to lose her. Most importantly, she was going to marry into the Luther family soon. If it were to be announced that the daughter of the Shurmer family was to marry into the Luther family, the Shurmer family would undoubtedly experience a great sense of pride and joy. Zeke had a niggling suspicion of what his father was up to, and he sighed inwardly. He had been considering the idea of suggesting to his father to invite Bailey back into the family but decided to let the thought go. Being part of the Shurmer family won''t be a privilege for Bay. Instead, it might end up being her burden. She''s better off without us. I''ll take care of her as her brother, and Artemis will shower his affections on her. She''ll be the luckiest woman in the world. There''s no need to add a burden onto her shoulders. ¡°Don''t you get it? The leader of Tarragon is Artemis, and Bay is the head of the Saviors. Artemis sent various top assassins to kill Bay. That was why we were ambushed,¡± he exined. A sh of shock crossed Steven''s face as he said in a trembling voice, ¡°I''ve heard that the leader of Tarragon is Artemis, but I had no idea Bay is the head of the Saviors. She''s a girl! Why would she...¡± Why would she end up as the leader of an internationally renowned illegal organization? The realization that Bailey was the leader of the Saviors made Stevene to the conclusion that the Shurmer family had to be extremely cautious in how they handled their rtionship. Otherwise, the Shurmer family members might be unfortunate casualties in the conflicts between the numerous factions. ¡°Wait. I thought Artemis is head over heels in love with Bay. Why would he send assassins to kill Bay? What is he up to? Is he going to dump his beloved woman after returning to Tarragon''s headquarters?¡± ¡°I have no idea. ording to Bay''s informant at Tarragon, Artemis apparently suffered from amnesia and forgot all about Bay. That was why he sent assassins after Bay,¡± Zeke exined. Amnesia? Steven frowned at the information. Why would something this cliche happen to Artemis, who is known for strategizing and navigating difficult matters with ease? His cautious and meticulous nature should have made him immune to such a ploy, yet somehow he was tricked and lost his memory as a result. ¡°Oh, I see. Even though she has yet to rejoin our family, she is still my daughter, so we must deploy more men to guard her. We cannot allow her to fight alone in this perilous situation.¡± Zeke nodded in agreement. Right then, Bailey pushed the door to the study open and walked in. ¡°How did it go? Is the baby safe?¡± Steven asked urgently. Instead of answering him, Bailey gave him a frosty look. Steven shed an awkward smile and rose from his seat, preparing to head out. ¡°I think I''ll take a look for myself. It''s probably best if you all remain here and continue talking. Stay for lunchter, all right?¡± After watching him leave, Zeke arched a brow and asked, ¡°What''s going on?¡± Bailey''s expression was cold as she revealed calmly, ¡°Bad news. The embryo has been severely affected, and this will have an immense impact on its development. There is an eighty percent chance that the baby will be born with deformities, and even if that is not the case, it will most likely suffer from some form of physical or mental disability. They are bringing misfortune upon themselves if they insist on keeping the baby.¡± Zeke snorted icily. ¡°Let them be. They will pay the price for their own actions. I am now aware that the baby was not created in a conventional manner. The Gourd family had taken my sperm without my permission in order to create a test-tube baby. I don''t feel guilty now, so they are free to do whatever they want.¡± Bailey shook her head in resignation as he was right. They were merely seeking trouble. Outside, Zoey overheard their conversation as the door was slightly ajar. Ha! So Shirley didn''t get pregnant from having sex with Zeke. The Gourd family bribed the Shurmer family''s sperm bank and stole his sperm from there. That means Zeke didn''t have sex with Shirley that night. I heard that Juliana is also pregnant. Could it be... Well, well. Things are getting more interesting. Zoey was initially frustrated when she heard that Bailey was still alive, and her frustration quickly turned to fury when she found out that Shirley''s baby had survived. However, knowing the secret managed to alleviate some of her difort. It looks like I can also use Shirley''s baby to sow discord between Waverly and Bailey to make them sworn enemies. ... Back at the Gezmond residence, Victoria narrowed her gaze as she stared at her phone in her bedroom. A friend from the notary''s office called to inform her that Lionel was currently handling the share transfer procedures. To her surprise, he was transferring the shares of Saunders Group and LG Corporation to Victor. Lionel is transferring all his shares to Victor. Why would he do that? Why did he suddenly make that decision? Is he in a hurry to transfer the shares as he is nning on bringing me overseas to recuperate? Even if he''s in a hurry to leave, he should deal with them appropriately instead of giving them to Victor. Victoria knew Victor well enough that thetter would squander the money away in the blink of an eye. Lionel had worked tirelessly to build and expand the LG Group, so she couldn''t believe that he would give up on something he had worked so hard for easily. There must be something fishy going on. I believe Victor must''ve threatened him with something. What could Victor be using as leverage to make Lionel so terrified? Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Ding! Her phone emitted a beep, alerting her to a notification from the system that was rmending her a news article. Victoria nced at her phone instinctively. The words ¡°Saunders Group¡± and ¡°Gezmond Group¡± quickly caught her attention. She clicked on the news story and the headline appeared on her screen. Her eyes widened in disbelief after she read the content. Shocking News: The Matriarch Of Saunders Group Was Murdered By Gezmond Group''s Owner! The news article went on to exin that Fiona hadn''t perished in a car ident, as it was widely believed. It turned out that Benjamin had plotted the crash in order to kill her as she was in possession of damaging information about him. Victoria stared at her phone for a long time. A range of emotions flitted across her face, from surprise to doubt, and finally settling into a look of utter disbelief. The car crash that caused the tragic death of Mother was no ident. She was killed by Mr. Gezmond as she got dirt on him. It means that Lionel''s father murdered Mother. I can''t believe that I had allowed myself to fall in love with someone whose father hadmitted such a heinous crime. Tears streamed down Victoria''s cheeks. She didn''t think that the news could be false. In fact, she believed it instantly as she thought of her father''s behavior in the past. Victoria knew her father wasn''t greedy, so there must be a reason for him to take revenge on the Gezmond family. Never in her wildest dreams did she know that her mother''s death was the reason behind his behavior. Chapter 619 Chapter 619 Vincent was avenging Fiona by taking action against the Gezmond family. He set Lionel up by drugging him to have sex with Kimberly in order to utterly shatter Victoria''s dreams of marrying him, for he could not bear to see her wed the son of the man who had caused her mother''s death. Victoria promptly regretted her reaction to his actions. She grew to hate him and refused to head home for six years straight as she assumed his greed was the reason for the Gezmond family''s downfall. Now that the truth was revealed, she knew she waspletely wrong. All the while, she passionately expressed her deep-seated animosity toward Vincent, yet he silently epted it without ever divulging the truth to her. He''d rather let her misunderstand him than tell her the truth about Fiona''s death as he was afraid she''d break down upon learning the truth. Dad, I''m sorry. I really am. I shouldn''t have gotten involved with Lionel. I shouldn''t have married the son of Mom''s murderer! Lionel took his revenge on the Saunders family, and the repercussions of his actions have been devastating for me. Despite the pain I have endured, I have been left with nothing but a sense of futility and despair. I can hardly believe that all my suffering has been for naught. Thud! The door was kicked open, and in rushed Lionel. He abruptly came to a stop when he caught sight of Victoria¡ªher eyes were hollow. Her reaction told him that he was toote as she had learned the truth. ¡°Victoria...¡± His voice jolted Victoria out of her reverie. When she saw Lionel, she hollered, ¡°Stay away from me!¡± Lionel froze in his tracks and said anxiously, ¡°Okay, I won''te to you. I will stay right here. Calm down. You mustn''t get emotional.¡± Victoria slowly raised herself up, ignoring the sharp, searing pain that shot through her abdomen. Tears pooled in her eyes as she rasped out, ¡°You knew about it, don''t you?¡± Lionel hung his head and said bitterly, ¡°Yes, I found out a while ago. Your father told me everything before he died. I''m sorry that my father caused your mother''s death. I promise to pay for his sins.¡± Victoria burst outughing as she regarded him icily. ¡°You are fully aware that he hasmitted a sin, huh? How can you possibly n out our future so casually when you are aware of the full extent of the situation? Do you really believe that we will still be able to have a future together when your father is responsible for killing my mother?¡± Lionel''s lips twitched as though he wanted to say something, but the sight of her frosty gaze made him swallow his words. In the end, he said, ¡°The animosity between the previous generation should not be something that we have to bear.¡± Without hesitation, Victoria grabbed a cup from the bedside table and flung it at him. Lionel was capable enough of avoiding the cup, but he stood still and allowed the cup to be thrown at him. Bang! A bruise appeared on his forehead as a result. N?velDrama.Org content rights. ¡°Lionel, your father murdered my mother. We should never be together!¡± Victoria screamed. Lionel shed a bitter smile, as he had seen thising. Victoria was known for her stubborn and strong character, so she would neverpromise after learning the truth. He knew her well enough to know that she should not be told the truth. In fact, Lionel was afraid of losing her and wanted to spend more time with her. They had been through too many obstacles and were finally reunited, so he was determined to never let her go. That was why he ended up agreeing to all the conditions stated by Victor. Nothing else mattered more than Victoria and her daughter. ¡°Vicky, it is truly heartbreaking that you are choosing to punish me for something that my father did. I know that I cannot undo the hurt he caused you, but please do not shut me out of your life. Without you, I don''t think I could go on living,¡± he pleaded. Victoria burst into tears. She couldn''t imagine living without Lionel, too. s, the reality was cruel enough to make them part of a blood feud. What can she do? She couldn''t make a choice. My mother wouldn''t want me to end up with the son of her murderer. My father, desperate to protect me from this, had devised a n to ruin Lionel''s reputation and prevent me from being with him. My parents didn''t want me to be involved with Lionel. If I insist on being with him, they won''t rest in peace. ¡°Why? Why is this happening to us? Tell me why!¡± Victoria wailed. I can''t believe this! She crouched down, her body wracked with sobs as she clutched at her stomach. ¡°The baby shouldn''t have existed in the first ce. Dad, what have you done? Why did you keep this a secret from me when you died?¡± Lionel''s eyes narrowed in shock when he saw a trail of blood trickling down her legs. He quickly ran toward the bed and flung his arms around her tightly. ¡°Please take a deep breath and rx, Vicky. Your baby will be in danger if you don''t calm down,¡± he pleaded. Victoria was ovee with grief and started struggling when she suddenly felt Lionel''s strong arms around her. ¡°Leave me alone! Go away!¡± Lionel''s eyes turned red as he stared at her blood-stained legs. At that moment, he made a quick decision to strike her on the back of her neck in order to render her unconscious. ¡°Go and get all of the gynecologists that you can find!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the butler responded. ... Meanwhile, Bailey leaped up from the couch in the study of the Shurmer residence. As she seemed emotional, Zeke frowned and asked, ¡°Are you okay? What did you see that made you lose your cool?¡± Bailey tossed her phone to him. ¡°I knew there was another reason behind Vincent''s revenge against the Gezmond family, but I had no idea it would be this. It turns out Lionel''s father caused the death of Victoria''s mother. The thought of Victoria discovering the truth is unbearable. How could she evere to terms with the fact that the man she was in love with was the son of the person who had been responsible for the death of her mother?¡± A sh of surprise crossed Zeke''s face after he read the contents disyed on the phone screen. ¡°I still can''t wrap my head around the fact that this is actually the truth. When Vincent''s wife drove her car off of a cliff and died, it shocked the whole upper-ss society. I thought the tragedy happened because the brake malfunctioned. As it turned out, it had all been nned and executed by a malicious individual.¡± Bailey took a deep breath and clenched her jaw. ¡°Someone deliberately exposed the truth to separate Lionel and Victoria. It appears that Victoria has already been informed of the news through someone''s intentional nning.¡± Zeke got to his feet. ¡°Let''s go to the Gezmond residence together.¡± Bailey shot him a smile. ¡°You''re getting to know me better, huh?¡± Beep, beep! Her phone rang. Lionel nced at it and returned it to her. ¡°It''s Lionel.¡± Bailey hastily took her phone. After the call was connected, Lionel said, ¡°Bailey, Victoria''s baby is in danger. It''s quite a precarious situation. Can youe over now?¡± Chapter 620 Chapter 620 A deep line appeared between Bailey''s brows. I had been correct in my assumption. Victoria was devastated after hearing the news, and the intense sorrow that she felt impacted her infant immensely. ¡°Tell the doctor to hold on for half an hour. I''ll head there right away. Remember to knock her out so she won''t cause any fuss.¡± ¡°I know. I''ve already done that ten minutes ago. Sadly, her current state is quite dire and the doctors are unable to do much to help her. That''s why I called you. I know you shouldn''t head out now, but¡ª¡± ¡°That''s fine. Saving her baby is more important. I''ll head over right now.¡± After the call ended, Bailey told Zeke, ¡°Let''s head there now. I''m afraid that her baby might die if we were to dy treatment any further.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± They had just stepped out of the study when they bumped into Steven. ¡°Where are you going? Didn''t you agree to join us for lunch? Mr. Fletcher is waiting for you downstairs. He said he needs you to examine the bodies,¡± Steven said. Bailey didn''t bother responding and walked past him to the stairs. An awkward look crossed Steven''s face. Zeke exined hastily, ¡°Unfortunately, something has happened to her friend and we need to go there right away. We won''t be joining you for lunch. If you''d still like our family to have lunch together, then let Bay return to the family.¡± ¡°Well...¡± As he was obviously hesitating, Zeke didn''t say anything else and went after Bailey. Raiden peered at the two figures scurrying down the flight of stairs from where he was in the living room. He arched a brow and asked, ¡°Where are you two off to in such a hurry? It looks like you don''t have time to examine the bodies. Do you need me to bring the bodies to you?¡± Bailey red at him and retorted, ¡°Vicky''s pregnant and shouldn''t be exposed to barbarous stuff. Don''t bring them to the Gezmond residence. Please tell your men to deliver them to Justin''s medical base.¡± With that, she strode to the door. Waverly''s expression turned grim. ¡°How could you say that? Previously, when I said Shirley shouldn''t be seeing barbarous stuff, you insisted on transporting the bodies back to the Shurmer residence. Now, you''re afraid that the bodies might affect Victoria. She might be pregnant, but so is your sister-inw!¡± Bailey gave her a pointed look and drawled, ¡°I went out of my way to save her baby for you, so shouldn''t that be enough? Besides, how could youpare Shirley to Vicky? Vicky is more than just a friend to me, she''s practically family, much closer to me than you could ever be.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± ... Lionel leaned back against the wall in the corridor of the Gezmond residence, listening to the persistent beeping of machines emanating from the room. His assistant came up the stairs and stopped in front of him. After offering a slight nod of acknowledgment, he began to report his findings. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, I have confirmed that it was Mrs. Gezmond who was responsible for leaking the news. The butler has already subdued her, and they are both downstairs in the living room.¡± An icy glint appeared in Lionel''s eyes. I did my very best to hide the truth, but that olddy exposed it easily. D*mn it. She should die. With that thought in mind, he strode down the stairs and came to a stop at the veryst step. Towering above Kimberly, who was being held down in a kneeling position by several bodyguards, he demanded coldly, ¡°Why did you do this? I''ve treated you well over the years by giving you everything I thought you needed. Why did you cause such trouble?¡± Kimberly let out a derisive snort, and her expression quickly turned ferocious. ¡°Vincent set me up so I ended up sleeping with my stepson. I became a despicable sl*t overnight. No matter where I go, people would always badmouth me. I''ve had enough!¡± A dangerous look glinted across Lionel''s eyes. ¡°So you med everything on Victoria. You exposed the truth behind her mother''s death to agitate her so she''ll lose her baby.¡± ¡°That''s right,¡± Kimberly admitted readily. ¡°Vincent destroyed my reputation, so I must make his daughter pay for his sin. Now that her baby is dead, my goal is aplished.¡± Veins popped out of Lionel''s forehead as he grabbed a gun from his bodyguard and aimed it at Kimberly''s forehead. Seeing that, the butler quickly reached out to stop him. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, don''t do this. She didn''t really commit a serious crime, so you''ll end up in jail if you shoot her dead.¡± Lionel ignored him and flicked off the safety. The butler panicked as it was obvious Lionel wanted Kimberly dead. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, although you may not think of yourself first in this situation, please think of your wife and her baby. They have no one else but you to rely on. If something were to happen to you, what would be of them?¡± His words worked, and Lionel finally snapped back to his senses. ¡°Lock her in the dark room. I''ll decide her fate after dealing with everything else.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± After the bodyguards dragged Kimberly away, Bailey and Zeke arrived. ¡°Where is Vicky?¡± Lionel quickly made way for them. ¡°She''s in her bedroom upstairs. Go take a look at her.¡± Without further dy, Bailey ran up the stairs. After barging into the bedroom, she froze in shock at the sight that greeted her. ¡°What''s wrong? Has the baby''s heart stopped beating?¡± Victoria was already four to five months into her pregnancy, and her baby was already fully formed. Bailey was confident of saving the baby if its heart was still beating. However, the sight of the grim expressions on the doctor''s face made her heart sink to the bottom of her stomach. They didn''t answer her as they were afraid ofing to the same conclusion. Lionel looked really scary now, so no one wanted to step up to be the sacrificialmb to suffer his wrath. Bailey didn''t receive any response, so she didn''t bother questioning the useless bunch of doctors. Grabbing the scanning device from one doctor, she started scanning Victoria''s belly. It only took her a few seconds to determine the baby''s condition. The scanning device slipped from her hands and dropped to the ground with a ng. The baby''s heart has stopped beating. That means I cannot save it anymore. No matter how skilled I am, I cannot do anything to save it. Lionel rushed into the room to see Bailey standing transfixed. ¡°What is going on? Is Vicky''s health affected?¡± he urged. Refusing to give up, Bailey retrieved a few drugs from her medical kit to formte a drug that she injected into Victoria''s body. N?velDrama.Org holds this content. She then used the scanning device again, but no heartbeat was detected. Slowly, she closed her eyes and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°We need to perform a D&C. The longer the fetus remains in her body, the greater the risk that it may affect her health.¡± Lionel seemed unfazed as though he had predicted the oue. I shouldn''t have asked for so much. All I desire is for her to make it out of this ordeal unscathed. I fervently hope she will muster the strength to pull through this difficult time. Bailey forced herself to exin, ¡°Lionel, you should understand that Vicky''s body is different. As a result, it may be difficult for her to conceive another child in the future.¡± Chapter 621 Chapter 621 Lionel trembled violently. I know Vicky has a unique physique, and it''ll be difficult for her to conceive in the future. But what does that matter? Henceforth, I''ll be her child, and she''ll be mine. It''ll be nice for us to support each other throughout the rest of our days. Verily, that would be great! ¡°Perform a D&C on her, and do your best to minimize the damage to her body.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Bailey did not perform the procedure personally. It would be overly cruel to have her remove a dead fetus from within her best friend''s body. She could not bring herself to do so, nor did she dare to face it. Those whom Lionel hired were likely the top obstetric experts in the world, so she believed they could handle it well. ¡°Call me if an emergency happens. I''ll be waiting outside,¡± Bailey instructed. Afterward, she walked out of the room, dragging Lionel along with her. ¡°Don''t watch it. You might not be able to handle it. It''s far better for you to avoid seeing it entirely rather than be pained by it,¡± she said. Truth be told, Lionel was averse to doing so since he wanted to keep Victoriapany through her suffering. Exerting all her strength, Bailey hauled him away from the room. In the corridor outside, she slowly released her hold on his arm. ¡°Are you really nning to give up just like this?¡± she demanded in a hoarse voice. Shaking his head, Lionel chuckled woefully. ¡°It''s not a matter of whether I''m nning to give up right now. Instead, it''s that of her willingness to see me. How am I to keep herpany when she''s so emotional?¡± At that, Bailey shot him a cold look and asserted solemnly, ¡°The more she''s unwilling to see you, the more you must pester her shamelessly. Lionel, the grievances of the previous generation shouldn''t be paid for by the next. You shouldn''t be bearing your father''s sins.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°It''s to be expected that Vicky can''t ept the truth of her mother''s death when she''d just learned about it a while ago. Give her some time. She''ll understand. As for having a child, it''s actually not a problem. When the time is right, I''ll just perform IVF treatment for you both.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Bailey initially wanted to speak further, but she swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue upon glimpsing Lionel''s stoic expression. He must be in excruciating agony inwardly from having just lost his child. There''s no point in me chastising and lecturing him. No one else in this world loves Vicky more than he does. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. At the hotel, Victor leaned against the headboard of the bed groggily and furiously barked at Sean, who stood at the side of the bed, ¡°What are you doing? Couldn''t you see that I was in dreand? Why were you shouting about?¡± The corners of Sean''s mouth twitched violently. Indeed, you were in dreand. But then, it''s time for you to wake up, for our dream of getting rich has been shattered. ¡°It''s bad, Mr. Victor. Something huge has happened,¡± he said. Victor rolled his eyes at him. ¡°Your father is dead?¡± Sean shook his head before handing the phone in his hand to the man. ¡°The truth... The truth about the matter back then hase to light. We can''t use that to ckmail Mr. Gezmond anymore.¡± Stunned, Victor nkly took the phone from him and brought it close for a look. What the heck? He abruptly leaped out of bed and roared, ¡°Who leaked this? Who the f*ck had nothing better to do and brought this secret to light?¡± I''d been hoping to use this matter to keep Lionel on a short leash and turn him into my cash cow, but now, everything is gone before I''ve even gotten a cent! ¡°I-I don''t know either. By the time I saw the news, it was already all over the inte, and I couldn''t put a lid on it anymore,¡± Sean replied. In a sh, Victor''s pupils constricted. ¡°All that aside, is Victoria aware of it? She''s staying home because of her pregnancy, so she probably can''t see the news, right? Lionel has likely seen it by now and will undoubtedly do everything in his power to cover it up. As such, she must still be in the dark now, yes?¡± A troubled look crossed Sean''s face, and he timidly ventured, ¡°The bodyguard who kept watch outside the Gezmond residence called earlier, saying that Bailey rushed over in a mad frenzy. M-Ms. Victoria had probably learned the truth and endangered the baby by getting too emotional, so Mr. Gezmond called Bailey over to help stabilize her condition.¡± Thud! The phone slipped from Victor''s palm and fell onto the icy floor. So, my dream of getting rich has really been shattered? Fury prompted Victor to swing his foot back and give Sean a swift kick. ¡°Why are you still standing around? Quick, go and keep watch at the Gezmond residence. Figure out a way to get wind of the situation there. If I lose those shares, I''ll sell you to a nightclub to be a gigolo,¡± he hissed through gritted teeth. That rendered Sean speechless. Outside the Gezmond residence, Bailey was bent at the waist, examining the few dead bodies strewn all over the ground. When she had studied them for a while, the crease of her brows deepened even more. Beside her, Zeke asked, ¡°Well? Did you discover any leads?¡± In response, Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°Indeed, they''re highly-trained suicide attackers. That aside, they all came from the same training base. I''m guessing Tarragon. But probably only the executives from the headquarters can have so many suicide attackers in the whole of Tarragon.¡± Zeke went briefly silent before he tentatively queried, ¡°Suicide attackers like them usually have distinct assignments. Is it possible to find out who exactly they were assigned to?¡± After mulling the matter over, Bailey exined, ¡°That would be under the purview of the person in charge of the training base. He knows the assignment of the trained special agents the best. But as you know, internal personnel job assignment is a top-secret affair to organizations like ours. Only the leader has the authority to check the records. We have no idea about Artemis'' situation right now, so...¡± Zeke nodded his head in understanding. ¡°The culprit probably won''t make a move again for the time being after suffering such a crushing loss in one go. With Raiden''s troops protecting you, no one will dare to act rashly.¡± Just as Bailey was about to speak, the phone in her pocket suddenly rang at that precise moment. She took it out for a look, only to see that it was a call from the person in charge of the organization''s intelligence department. ¡°What is it?¡± she asked. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, there''s news from Tarragon''s headquarters, saying that Tarragon''s leader had already left the headquarters, heading straight to Hallsbay in a private jet. We''re worried about your safety. Shall we dispatch a group of top-notch agents to protect you?¡± At that piece of news, Bailey quirked a brow. Artemis is doubling back to Hallsbay? What is he trying to do? Does he find me too slow in ferreting out the culprit behind things and thus ns to make a move personally? Hehe, that''d be even better. I''m toozy to bother, so having him deal with everything would be perfect! Anyway, I don''t believe that he has forgotten about me. I''m more than familiar with things such as the memory loss pill. If one has really engraved another person in one''s blood and soul, it''d be useless even if one took a memory loss pill. ¡°No, it''s okay. I''ve got people protecting me. Keep a close eye on our territory, and don''t let anyone take advantage of the situation. I''m currently unable to get away, and I''m worried that those coveting our territory will seize the opportunity to make a move,¡± she replied. ¡°Understood.¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey grinned at Zeke and dered happily, ¡°I don''t need to tire myself out so much anymore. My husband ising back very soon. Hehe!¡± Words eluded Zeke. At the side, Raiden snorted and muttered, ¡°What a heartless woman! I''d been bustling around since morning, but you didn''t even thank¡ª¡± Before he had finished speaking, the phone in Bailey''s hand rang again. The caller ID indicated that it was the Revelle residence''sndline. The only reason the Revelle family would phone me is likely that... Veronique''s condition has worsened. Chapter 622 Chapter 622 Bailey hastily stretched out a hand and swiped the answer button. The instant the call was connected, Veronique''s voice drifted out of the phone. ¡°What are you doing, Bay?¡± Bailey was taken aback, for the woman sounded pretty normal, not gravely ill as she had assumed to be. ¡°Y-You''re fine? No, that doesn''t sound right! I mean, is something the matter that you called me?¡± Bailey asked. Veronique chuckled softly. ¡°You''re too anxious. But that makes sense. You must be in a difficult situation ofte. You''ve got to take good care of yourself. Don''t overtax yourself to the point that you fall ill. I''m fine, so you don''t need to worry about me. I called you to tell you that Justin is nning to bring me to Terrandya. I want to go and have a look at the endless grasnd, Bay.¡± At once, a pucker formed between Bailey''s brows. She was quiet for a moment before she sighed and replied, ¡°Since he isn''t stopping you from doing so, he probably has no objections to you going. I can also rest easy with him keeping youpany. Go and enjoy yourself, then. After that,e back and continue receiving treatment. Don''t give up easily. If you die, it''ll leave a scar on many people''s hearts, one that can never heal.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I know. You must take good care of yourself, too. I need to pack my luggage, so I''ll be hanging up first.¡± ¡°Okay. Take care.¡± After ending the call, Bailey rubbed her sore eyes and said to Raiden, ¡°Keep these corpses for now and ask Artemis when he returns. He should be able to find out thest whereabouts of these suicide attackers.¡± Arching a brow, Raiden drawled with a smirk, ¡°You trust him this much? He has alreadyunched a hunt for your life, yet you can still trust him without any reservations. Is he really that perfect in your eyes, Bailey?¡± Bailey shot him a sidelong nce. Straightening her expression, she stated solemnly, ¡°He''s all I see, and he''s my entire world. Bluntly put, I''ve integrated him into my blood and soul, making him a part of my life. Would you doubt yourself?¡± That had Raiden at a loss for words. He gave a slight bob of his head, his lips curving into a bitter arc. That''s true. Artemis is all she can see, and she even values him over her own life. Of course, she would trust himpletely. I knew that, so what was I expecting? Even if I can''t get her love, I''ll still be able to express my affection for her in this lifetime by quietly watching over her and protecting her so that she can live peacefully in the arms of the man she loves, no? In the master bedroom of the Gezmond residence, Victoria gradually regained consciousness. When she opened her eyes, she was blinded by the light shining overhead and reflexively stretched out a hand to cover her eyes. Out of the blue, a stabbing pain spread from her abdomen. On instinct, she reached out a hand and touched her stomach. Pregnant for more than four months previously, she already had a baby bump. While her belly was not huge, it showed visibly. Right then, however, she sensed something amiss. She instinctively looked down, only to see that her belly was as t as ever. If my belly is already t, does that mean that my baby is gone? She struggled to sit up, but a hand suddenly pressed down on her shoulder, forcing her to lie back down. ¡°Stay still. Wait until your body has gotten enough rest before getting up. Otherwise, you''ll hurt your uterus.¡± She jerked her head over and spotted Bailey standing by the bed. Grabbing thetter''s arm, she questioned urgently, ¡°Where''s my baby, Bay?¡± Bailey closed her eyes and replied slowly, ¡°You''re still young now, so you can still have kids in the future. With you and Lionel hating each other at present, this isn''t the right time for this child to be born, either.¡± A forlorn smile bloomed on Victoria''s face. She stroked her stomach with her long and slender fingers a few times before saying in a hoarse voice, ¡°You''re right. With us hating each other, this isn''t the right time for this child to be born. But I could already sense her movement. Although it was slight, and one might mistake it for a hallucination, I felt that it must be her moving.¡± Bailey fell silent for a brief moment. Subsequently, she tried consoling Victoria. ¡°Perhaps she didn''t really want to be your daughter. While she had gone back to heaven midway to continue being an angel, you''re still young, Vicky. Life has to go on.¡± At that, Victoria shed her a forced smile and said, ¡°I know. You don''t need to worry that I''ll take my own life. I hadn''t done so even after what happened back then, and I won''t do so now.¡± ¡°Then, what¡ª¡± Victoria could seemingly guess what Bailey wanted to say. Before thetter could give voice to the question, she interjected, ¡°I don''t want to talk about him right now. Upon hearing the truth about my mother''s death and learning that the suffering I experienced back then was undeserved, I can''t help feeling resentful inwardly. You don''t need to counsel me, Bay. When ites to such a matter, I''ve got to figure it out myself.¡± In response, Bailey chuckled. After having experienced so much, she indeed won''t try to take her own life anymore. I''m being too anxious. By now, her sharp edges had already been smoothened by the pain and suffering bestowed by fate. When she gets back to her feet in the future, she''ll definitely be facing life with a brand new attitude. I can seemingly see her majesty following her transformation. It''ll certainly be a magnificent sight! ¡°All right. I won''t do so, then. Just say the word if you need my help in anything,¡± she uttered in the end. ¡°Okay,¡± Victoria replied. Thousands of miles high in the sky, a few private jets soared amidst the clouds. In the cabin of the most luxurious and majestic jet in the middle, Artemis leaned against the window and gazed at the clouds outside. Suddenly, the cabin door was pushed open, and Holden walked in from outside. ¡°We''ll be arriving in Hallsbay in a few hours. What should we do next?¡± he inquired as he walked into the cabin. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Toying with the emerald ring on his thumb, Artemis answered cidly, ¡°Mr. Doyle and the others are already under our control, so they won''t be able to make any trouble. All that is left presently is the culprit stirring up trouble behind the scenes. So long as we ferret them out and eliminate the hidden danger, we''ll attain our goal.¡± ¡°That''s true. Yvette will likely contact the culprit because she won''t be able to rest easy as long as Bailey remains alive. When we arrive back in Hallsbay, she''ll definitely join hands with that person to finish Bailey off. Once they make their move, we''ll know who the other person is.¡± Artemis merely quirked a brow, disying a nomittal response. ¡°Oh yes, I heard the names of a few people from Yvette''s conversation with her personal bodyguards while I drew near to her these past few days. Go and investigate them. You might be able to find some witnesses or evidence to prove that your sister didn''t betray the organization back then by leaking confidential information. Instead, it was Yvette who framed her.¡± Afterward, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Holden. Holden took it carefully, very much emotional. That time around, he had returned to the headquarters to protect Artemis, first and foremost. Secondly, it was to investigate the matter of Shannon leaking the organization''s confidential information back then and seek justice for her. ¡°Thank you,¡± Holden said. ¡°You''re wee. When we arrive in Hallsbay, investigate where Mr. Doyle and the others imprisoned Micah and the rest. Then, make preparations to save them. Be on standby at all times. As soon as I snuff out Mr. Doyle''s influence, lead some men over and rescue them,¡± Artemis ordered. ¡°Understood.¡± In the study of the Gezmond residence, Lionel was speaking on the phone. It was a call from Victor. ¡°You promised to transfer me the shares, Lionel. You can''t go back on your word!¡± Victor growled. Chapter 623 Chapter 623 Lionel tightened his grip on the phone. If it weren''t for this b*stard pressuring me, I wouldn''t have invited him over for a talk. I managed to hide it from Victoria but not the old woman at home, leading to this unsalvageable situation. Indeed, he did not n to keep Victoria in the dark for a lifetime. However, he harbored selfish intentions¡ªhe wanted her to give birth to their child safely beforeing clean to her. With the child acting as their emotional bridge, they might still have a chance to stay together even if he revealed the truth about the past. Unfortunately, all his ns had been foiled. The child was gone. With the connection between them having vanished, Lionel figured there might no longer be a future for him and Victoria. Lionel rasped, ¡°Your sister had a miscarriage. When you came to pressure me, and I invited you into the study for a talk, my stepmother overheard us. I suppose you''re familiar with my stepmother. She''s the woman whose reputation was ruined by your father. She wanted revenge on the Saunders family, so she targeted Victoria like a rabid dog and harmed her. Now, we''re all in immense pain and agony.¡± Victor suddenly raised his voice. ¡°What does that have to do with me? I didn''t leak anything. Since it was your stepmother''s doing, you should deal with her. Why are you pushing the responsibility onto me? Lionel, give me a straight answer. Will you transfer the shares to me or not? If you refuse, be prepared for me to unleash my wrath on all of you like a rabid dog, just like how your stepmother acted.¡± Lionel chuckled. A murderous glint shed across his gaze. His bloodshot eyes and malicious expression gave him a terrifying appearance. It was as if one could see the gruesome scenes from hell in his eyes. ¡°I won''t transfer the shares to you. You can give up on that idea. I''d rather sell them at a low price and donate all the proceeds to charity than let you run wild. Before, I tolerated you for your sister''s sake. But starting today, I won''t tolerate you anymore, soe at me with whatever tricks you have.¡± Victor was beside himself with rage. After cursing several times and repeatedly saying ¡°fine,¡± he left a harsh threat before hanging up the call. Listening to the beeping sound of the disconnected call, Lionel curled the corner of his stiff mouth into a bitter smile. In the end, his rtionship with Victoria was stilling to an end. Despite his great reluctance, she was still drifting further and further away from him. Meanwhile, inside the bedroom, Bailey packed Victoria''s belongings while asking, ¡°Have you really decided to leave the Gezmond residence? You shouldn''t ce the grudges of the previous generation on Lionel. Vicky, he''s also suffering because none of this is within his control.¡± A heart-rending smile spread across Victoria''s face. She stared nkly at the ceiling and uttered bitterly, ¡°I know he''s in pain, but the self-me and guilt in his heart probably far outweigh his love for me.¡± Bailey arched her brows, seemingly understanding what Victoria meant. ¡°Vicky, you don''t hate him. You''re just worried he''ll be overwhelmed by self-me and guilt, and even if he stays with you, it would be for redemption, not out of love.¡± Smiling, Victoria shook her head. ¡°You truly are the person who understands me best in this world. That''s why I want to give Lionel and me some space to clear our minds. I don''t want him to stay with me out of remorse or redemption. What I want is aplete family, a perfect marriage.¡± Bailey flicked Victoria''s forehead twice and chirped, ¡°It''s a good thing you''re pulling yourself together. As for having children, you shouldn''t worry so much. You''re still young, and with me around, you don''t have to be afraid of not getting the chance to be a mother.¡± Victoria merely smiled in response. A few momentster, Lionel pushed the door open and entered the bedroom. He subconsciously frowned when he noticed Bailey packing Victoria''s things. ¡°What are you doing?¡± N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. Bailey contemted briefly before putting the items in her hand down and turning around to leave the room. Lionel narrowed his eyes at Victoria, who was sitting on the bed, and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Are you really leaving? The Saunders family is no longer... I''m worried about you being on your own. If you don''t wish to see me, I can move out. The butler and the housekeepers here are very attentive. With them taking care of you, I''ll be more at ease.¡± Victoria slowly tilted her head to look at him. Taking in his bloodshot eyes, she said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I feel like anywhere is better than staying here. There''s someone here who constantly wants me dead. She''s your stepmother, so you can''t do anything about her. As a result, our child passed away just like that, leaving a deep and painful wound between us.¡± Lionel staggered a few steps backward and leaned against the door. He gazed at her with an agonized expression. His lips twitched as though he wanted to say something, but ultimately, he gave up. Victoria continued, ¡°Let''s stop forcing ourselves to stay together and torment each other. If you don''t wish to watch me wither away, let me go. I want to see if I can rise above the pain and find my own purpose in life.¡± Lionel slowly closed his eyes and chuckled dolefully. ¡°Since you''ve made your stance clear, what else can I say? Fine. I''ll let you go and will no longer interfere with your life. I hope you''ll attain greater heights in life without me weighing you down.¡± ¡°I will. Without the stumbling block of love, I''ll definitely be able to shine. I''ve wasted too much of my youth living in a daze for you all these years. Lionel, from today onward, I''ll no longer live for you. Let''s... part on good terms.¡± Lionel trembled. In the end, he silently saw her off. During their farewell, he held her in his arms, gazing at her quietly as if he wanted to have his fill of her presence because he would never see her again in his lifetime. ¡°Please take good care of her.¡± He did not say goodbye to Victoria, but before Bailey entered the car, he solemnly uttered those words and even bowed deeply to her. The proud man, who held a monopoly on two-thirds of the global entertainment market and was highly influential in the international business world, had ultimately lowered his head for a woman. Bailey felt Victoria was both fortunate and unfortunate. Thetter was lucky because she received Lionel''s wholehearted love, and he would even likely die for her. Regrettably, there were deep-seated grudges between their families, and that insurmountable hatred could not be ovee no matter what they did. They were, after all, just pitiful people toyed with by fate. Bailey brought Victoria to Justin''s medical base. Right after she got out of the vehicle, she received news that Felicity had awakened. Overwhelmed by excitement, Bailey wanted to rush over to the intensive care unit at once, but she abruptly stopped in her tracks when she recalled Victoria was still in the car. Victoria said smilingly, ¡°I know you''re worried about Mrs. Luther, so you should hurry up and go see her.¡± Chapter 624 Chapter 624 Bailey rushed into the ICU ward only to meet Felicity''s smiling eyes. ¡°You''re a grown-up now. Why do you still act like a child?¡± Bailey''s eyes teared up immediately. She rushed to the side of Felicity''s bed and hugged her before bursting into tears. ¡°You have finally woken up. I wouldn''t have known how to face Artemis if you couldn''t.¡± Felicity was dumbfounded. As far as she could recall, Bailey had always been an assertive person who was hard to please. Therefore, Felicity did not expect to witness her vulnerable side. Felicity was d, and at the same time, love welled up within her. This girl needs to be loved and cared for too. Felicity then reached out to pat Bailey''s back, which seemed to calm the younger woman down. ¡°I''m fine now that I have woken up, am I not? There''s no need to worry about me, and please don''t me yourself. Don''t worry about Artemis. Thankfully, you are all right. If not, I would be the one unable to face him.¡± Bailey chuckled and hugged her tightly. ¡°Luckily, we are all fine. Nothing can happen to any one of us. Artemis and I aren''t married yet, and the children are still young. You need to be around to see them grow up.¡± Felicity smiled when she heard that. Despite being a little pale, she looked so much better. It would probably take her another couple of days to fully recover. The next moment, Simon and Caridee rushed in one after the other. When Caridee saw that her mother was awake, she burst into tears right away. Like Bailey, she rushed to the other side of the bed and buried herself in her mother''s embrace. Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°Mom, you scared me to death.¡± Felicity put her arms around her daughter and nced at her right arm. ¡°Is there nothing that can be done to fix your arm?¡± Caridee waved her hand and said indifferently, ¡°It''s all right. I broke my arm because of someone I like, so please don''t worry about me. I''m fine.¡± Seeing how her daughter was so open-minded, Felicity chuckled. ¡°After spending much time with Bailey, your character has changed tremendously. That''s good. Girls from the Luther family must be big-hearted and carry themselves well.¡± Caridee grinned from ear to ear. ¡°Mom, does that mean that you agree with what I had done? That I should pursue the man I fancy? Aren''t you bothered by his identity anymore?¡± Felicity let out a soft sigh. After a moment of silence, she replied, ¡°That''s right. I have finallye around. The Luther family is wealthy as it is. There''s no need for my children to marry for connections. I will support your choice regardless.¡± ¡°Mom, you''re the best.¡± Caridee put an arm around her mother''s neck and gave her a peck on her cheek. Felicity could not hold back her smile. She then looked at Bailey and said, ¡°Bay, believe me. In the future, I will treat you like my own daughter.¡± To that, Bailey smiled in response. Of course, she believed her. Felicity had risked her life to save Bailey. Bailey would never doubt her even though she knew that the main reason was because of Artemis. Since Felicity loved her son, she was willing to love Bailey as her own as well. Then again, Bailey was still overjoyed. After all, both women loved Artemis. ¡°Thank you for allowing me to feel the love of a mother. But please don''t shield me again. You are an elder. I should be the one to protect you instead.¡± Felicity reached out to caress her head. ¡°You are a good girl. Caridee nearly went astray after being around Rhonda for a few years. It''s all thanks to you that she managed to snap back to her senses. If not, my precious daughter would have been ruined.¡± Bailey looked at Caridee and smiled. ¡°She isn''t a bad person. She was just affected by her environment. Please don''t worry. Although Veikko has no parents, I have acknowledged him as my younger brother. I know him very well. If Caridee can acquire his heart, he will care and protect her with his life.¡± ¡°Okay. Although I haven''t seen this boy, he must be a very excellent young man since you treat him as your brother. That''s good then. I feel so much better knowing that.¡± Simon, who had been standing at the foot of the bed, rolled his eyes when he saw the women having a jolly good time chatting away. He sounded weird when he said, ¡°I''m d all of you got what you wanted unlike me who is still all by myself.¡± Caridee scoffed lightly, ¡°Don''t you have a girlfriend? Why are you acting all pathetic?¡± Simon was speechless. ¡°We broke up.¡± What? Bailey smiled and consoled him, ¡°So be it. I''ll introduce a better girl to you.¡± To that, Simon had no response. Now that Felicity had regained consciousness, the Luther family could finally get out of that trauma. In the study at the medical base, Zayron told Bailey, ¡°Bailey, my dad has already arrived at Hallsbay, and his ne hasnded directly at Tarragon''s branch. Do you need me to contact him through the spy that I have nted there?¡± Bailey frowned and shook her head after a while. ¡°Let''s not act rashly. I''m sure your dad has other ns. We mustn''t act recklessly. If not, we will spoil his n.¡± Zayron nodded in response. ¡°Veikko has contacted me and told me that he has investigated everything in Gregan. He will return to Hallsbay within the next two days. I reckon that you need someone to protect you at all times, so it will be a wise move that he returns to Hallsbay.¡± Bailey was taken aback. Veikko has already looked into it? ¡°What has he found out?¡± Zayron shrugged his shoulders and replied, ¡°He didn''t tell me. I suppose he is waiting to tell you in person.¡± ¡°All right. Got it.¡± Meanwhile, in the master bedroom at the Tarragon''s branch, Artemis walked out of the bathroom dressed in a set of ck pajamas. At that instant, he caught a whiff of perfume. He turned around to find Yvette leaning on the couch. She was wearing a sexy-looking nightgown and looking at him suggestively. His gaze darkened, and he frowned. ¡°Who let you into my room?¡± Yvette got up slowly from the couch and walked toward him. She smiled at him and said coyly, ¡°You canceled my engagement because you have a thing for me, no? I know you don''t dare to touch me because of who I am. But, I like you. I''m willing to offer myself to you.¡± She was testing to see if he had really lost his memories. If he was indifferent toward her or even found her repulsive, he was most likely pretending to have lost his memories. That meant he was waiting for all of them to fall into his trap. ¡°You''re throwing yourself at me?¡± said Artemis with arched brows. ¡°Good. Then I shouldn''t turn you down.¡± With that, he reached out to grab her wrist and pulled her to the side of the bed. The two of them then fell onto the huge bed. A look of surprise flitted across Yvette''s eyes. She did not expect him to be so direct. Am I just being paranoid? Has he really lost his memories? Otherwise, he would never sleep with other women since he loved Bailey so much. They were both very proud people, so they would never allow the other person to cheat on them. At the same time, they were loyal and would never allow themselves to betray one another. ¡°Leader, you...¡± A look of disgust shed across Artemis'' eyes, but his hands never stopped moving. Just then, someone opened the bedroom door, and he heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, this disgusting test cane to an end. Chapter 625 Chapter 625 Artemis would not have allowed Yvette in his room if it were not for dispelling her suspicion, but her presence made him regret faking his memory loss. He had only put up an act to find out the mastermind because he wanted to protect his family, and this forced him to sacrifice himself. Honestly, Artemis would have killed Yvette if Holden had barged in a minuteter. ¡°Um, I''m sorry, Leader. Am I interrupting?¡± Frowning, Artemis rolled over and got up from the bed. ¡°Yes, you are. Learn to knock next time. You know what you should do for this offense.¡± ¡°I-I do.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°What brings you here? Scram if you don''t have anything important to say.¡± Holden rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that he would have run away in a situation like that if he had a choice, but he knew that Artemis would skin him alive if he were to leave him alone with Yvette. ¡°I have an urgent update on the organization''s top secret. You might want to hear me out privately,¡± Holden informed. Artemis nced at Yvette quietly with a fleeting and subtle glint of murderous intent in his eyes. Reading the cue, Yvette gritted her teeth in annoyance and got out of bed reluctantly. D*mn you, Holden. What timing! I could''ve slept with him if it were not for you, but it''s okay. At least I got to clear my doubts. Artemis must have really lost his memory, or he wouldn''t have touched me. Things could have gotten more steamy, but this is already good enough. Yvette darted her gaze at the trench coat she had hung on the rack, thinking about the miniature camera she had nted discreetly on one of her coat''s buttons. She had captured the intimate moment she had with Artemis. This will be the perfect gift for you, Bailey. I wonder how you will react when you see the man you love in bed with someone else. I can''t wait to see you crushed, wretched, and devastated. I want you to suffer so much you feel like dying. That is when I will do you the favor of ending your life. ¡°I need to talk to Holden privately.¡± Artemis'' voice summoned Yvette back to her senses, and she gazed at him, smiling charmingly. ¡°Sure. I should get going then. Let me know if you need anything. We can always...¡± She stopped in embarrassment as her cheeks flushed red. Then, she retrieved her coat from the rack and left. Behind her, Holden mmed the door once she was out of sight. Back in the room, Artemis nced at Holden and yanked the bedsheet off before throwing everything to him. ¡°Get rid of it. Clean this room too. I can''t stand the smell.¡± He then took a new set of pajamas from the dressing room and entered the bathroom again. Holden could not help butugh. Is that even necessary? It''s not like Yvette took a dump on you. When Artemis came out of the bathroom again after ten minutes, Holden had already put on a new bedsheet and deodorized the room, which put Artemis in a better mood. ¡°The mastermind must have asked Yvette to test if I''ve really forgotten everything. Now that I''ve gained her trust, she will contact that person. I want her followed closely around the clock to find out who it is.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± Having dealt with that issue, Artemis walked to the wine cab for a drink. ¡°By the way,¡± Holden informed, ¡°Justin said that staff from the medical base told him that Felicity is awake.¡± Artemis'' fingers around the wine ss froze as the frown on his brows gradually rxed. I hope Mother''s recovery will take Bailey out of herself. She can finally rest easy without feeling guilty. ¡°Good to know. Any updates on Micah and the other''s whereabouts?¡± ¡°They are imprisoned in one of Tarragon''s secret bases. The ce is heavily guarded, so stationing our people there for the mission will take some time. We can''t afford to let Dominic catch us, or our past efforts will all go down the drain.¡± ¡°Good. I''ll leave the nning to you.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Meanwhile, in the study at the medical base, Zeke narrowed his eyes as he watched the woman on the couch, questioning, ¡°What''s wrong with Artemis, huh? Why has he not contacted you? He''s been back for days. Don''t tell me he''s given up on you.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at him. ¡°He would never turn his back on me¡ªeven if the whole world does.¡± ¡°That sounds like a fantasy to me,¡± Raiden scoffed, resting against the chair''s backrest. ¡°You think too highly of him. You''ll be hurt big time if he betrays you one day.¡± Bailey red at the man and criticized, ¡°I know you are angry and dislike him, but can''t you just wish for the best for me? Don''t direct all your dissatisfaction toward me. Go fight him fair and square.¡± Raiden grunted and ignored her. Beep! Bailey''s phone suddenly rang. Since Zeke was closer to her, he took her phone. Within just a mere three seconds, his face turned grim. Raiden, still leaning against the chair, turned and nced at Bailey''s phone as well. When he had finally understood what he saw, his back straightened slowly as fury red in his eyes. It''s Artemis. I swear it''s him in the video. He''s in bed with a woman, taking off her lingerie. How dare they do this? Raiden looked at Bailey subconsciously, only to see the woman squinting and addressing Zeke. ¡°What''s wrong with people these days? They keep sending all sorts of spam messages. Delete it, Zeke.¡± Zeke came back to his senses before he clumsily tried to tap the screen. Bailey''s expression changed as she thought about the video she had received. My phone''s security is airtight. There''s no way someone can send me anything from the outside unless there is a pro hacker behind this. This can only mean... ¡°Give it to me,¡± she added. Instead of giving her the phone, Zeke smiled as he tried to find the original file of the video. ¡°There''s no need to look at this. People sometimes do dumb things just because they''re bored. Just focus on coming up with a n with Mr. Fletcher.¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°Are you trying to delete the original copy? There''s no point. I''m Spook, the best hacker in the world. I can recover just about any data.¡± Zeke stopped, thinking what she said made sense, but in that split second, Bailey snatched the phone from him. She was dumbstruck the moment she saw the video. Who is this man? Artemis? Who''s the woman underneath him? I don''t think I know her. No. Maybe I do know her. I just don''t want to know who she is by looking at her face. Bailey''s mind went nk as her initially wavering gaze slowly focused on Artemis'' attractive face. A pang of tightness pierced through her chest, her hands quaking subtly until the phone dropped to the cold hard ground. Zeke paled at the sight but quickly shot over to Bailey and pulled her into his arms. ¡°Calm down, Bay. Artemis is not a jerk who would do something like this. This must be a misunderstanding.¡± Chapter 626 Chapter 626 A misunderstanding? Don''t tell me he has to do this because of the mission. This is uneptable! Just uneptable! Artemis'' act of betrayal kept racing through Bailey''s mind, cutting through her heart like a knife. She was not someone who could tolerate an affair. She was not that forgiving regarding rtionships and would never condone any disloyalty. ¡°Zeke, he might have really lost his memories, or else he wouldn''t have allowed that woman to get so close to him. We all saw that he was the one who threw her on the bed and pinned her down. He... did it willingly.¡± Bailey turned pale and started shaking as she spoke. It did not matter to her if Artemis faked his memory loss¡ªwhat she saw broke her. Seeing this, Raiden patted Bailey on the shoulder, trying tofort her. Usually, he would seize every opportunity to ridicule Artemis, but he did not this time because he saw how hurt Bailey was. Raiden loved her and did not want her to be heartbroken, so much so that he was willing to put aside his prejudice against that man. ¡°The Artemis I know is not someone who would go for a woman like that, so you should trust him. If you really love him that much, you should give him absolute trust.¡± Struck by his words, she turned stiffly and looked at him. She did not cry¡ªshe had learned to stay strong after going through so much. After a brief silence, she said with a bitter smile, ¡°What has happened has already happened, so there''s no point talking about it anymore. Don''t worry. I''m not that weak. I won''t kill myself because of something like this.¡± With that said, Bailey picked up her phone and walked toward the door. Worried, Zeke and Raiden followed after her, but Bailey shouted without even turning back or stopping, ¡°Leave me alone! I need some time. I''ll be taking a walk around the artificialke and won''t do anything stupid.¡± Then, she disappeared behind the door. ¡°Are you sure we can leave her alone? She looks devastated,¡± Raiden asked, looking at Zeke. ¡°There''s nothing we can do. She wants to be alone right now, so just let her be,¡± Zeke answered, shaking his head. Over in a guest room at Tarragon, Yvette was sitting on the couch, using a unique device to make a phone call. When the call got through, she stated immediately, ¡°I''m positive Artemis has lost his memory. What is our next step? How are we getting rid of Bailey?¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. An answer came from the other end in the form of a disguised male voice, but the real identity and gender of the speaker remained unknown. ¡°We can proceed to our next step now that you''ve confirmed he has forgotten everything. I doubt luck will be on Bailey''s side this time around. Our chance wille. Your father might have died, but his connections are still avable. It''s time you tap into those resources to eliminate Bailey for good. I know you won''t stop until she''s gone.¡± Yvette frowned at the suggestion. Use those connections? That''s my insurance for when anything happens to me. If I lose that, then that will be the end for me. I don''t have any other strong backing. Sensing her reluctance, the voice said again, ¡°Just to remind you, Your Royal Highness, we''re trying to make you the matriarch here. You can''t just sit idly here without doing anything. I don''t suppose you expect me to be doing everything for you. Well, it''s not like I have a problem with that. It''s just that there are things beyond my capabilities.¡± Yvette clenched her phone as she listened to the other party. That''s right. Bing the matriarch is my goal. I should be doing something to reach that goal. After a brief silence, Yvette agreed, ¡°All right. I''ll seek their help, but you''ll have to make sure you kill her.¡± ¡°Rest assured that this will happen. This is the sole purpose of our years of nning. As long as I get help from your side, I can readily vanquish her.¡± ¡°Good.¡± After the call ended, Yvette tightened her grip on themunication device. Great achievement is born of great sacrifice. I have to do this. With that thought, she searched for a code and drafted a message before sending it out. Meanwhile, Artemis watched the night sky from the master bedroom as he leaned against the floor-to- ceiling window. His eyes turned mysteriously dark as he swirled the ss of red wine in his hand. Just then, Holden barged into the room. ¡°Yvette asked her men to send a video she took to Bailey!¡± Artemis was stunned. He had a bad feeling about it. A video? Don''t tell me it''s a video of us in bed. Sh*t! I was too focused on getting rid of her that I overlooked her little trick. She must have nted a camera in her coat, positioning it in the bed''s direction. Screw her! Bailey must be so upset to see that. I need to see her now. With that thought, Artemis hurriedly headed for the door, but Holden held him back by his shoulder and reminded him, ¡°Calm down. Leaving this ce to see her now will only ruin our n. Don''t you want to know who''s behind all this? Haven''t you been waiting to destroy them all in one go once Yvette gathered her men? If that''s what you want, be patient. It''s painful, but you have to do it.¡± After standing there for what felt like forever, trying to grapple with the severity of the situation, he finally relented. ¡°Fine. She must be so miserable right now, but that will only put things to our advantage. It''ll make the whole thing more believable to them. Once they lower their guards, I''ll destroy them all in one fell swoop.¡± Since Artemis hade to terms with the situation, Holden let go of him and smiled. ¡°Actually, you don''t have to worry about her misunderstanding you. Ms. Bailey is a smart and discerning woman. She''s not one to be bothered by something like this.¡± Artemis held his forehead and sighed. ¡°I hope so. How are things with Yvette now? Did she contact anyone?¡± ¡°I was just about to tell you¡ªshe had just contacted those people outside with the special communication channel her father left behind. We couldn''t identify the person she called, nor could we listen in to the conversation, but if she calls that person again, we can decode what they said with radio waves.¡± Nodding, Artemis replied, ¡°Ramp up our operation. I want answers in ten days.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± On the other end, Bailey had just entered a ward at the medical base when she saw Victoria reading through a divorce agreement. ¡°What''s all this, Vicky? Are you nning to divorce Lionel?¡± she asked, surprised. Chapter 627 Chapter 627 She never thought Victoria would be that determined and had prepared to get a divorce without hesitation. Has she and Lionel reached the end of their rtionship? That''s a pity. Victoria slowly raised her head to look at Bailey. After a moment of silence, she tentatively said, ¡°Bay, love has been troubling my mind for many years. I always thought that the Saunders family owed the Gezmond family¡ªthat I was indebted to Lionel¡ªso I''ve been living in guilt. Now that the truth is out, the weight is gone from my shoulders. I can finally live for myself. I''m sure you don''t want to see me be a useless person who has to rely on a man to survive, right?¡± Bailey froze. She ambled over to the side of the bed and sat down before reaching out to tidy the stray strands of Victoria''s hair. With a smile, she said, ¡°I understand what you mean. So you have no resentment left in you, right? You''re getting a divorce from Lionel because you don''t want to depend on him to live, right?¡± Victoria nodded and hoarsely said, ¡°Yes, I don''t want to depend on him to live, and I don''t bear a grudge anymore. An eye for an eye, and the whole world goes blind. My father has avenged my mother, and karma has gotten to Mr. Gezmond. My mother will be able to rest in peace now. Lionel is innocent, and I can''t be so selfish as to me him for everything that went wrong. He''s in pain and guilt now. Even if we continue living with each other, he''ll never be able to reach the light at the end of the tunnel.¡± Bailey reached out to hug her. ¡°Vicky, you''re magnanimous and wise. I''m sure you''ll achieve great heights by yourself. Since you''ve decided to leave love behind, it''s time for you to work on your career.¡± At that, Victoria quickly moved away from Bailey''s arms and said, ¡°Bay, I''d like to borrow some money from you.¡± Bailey arched a brow. ¡°You''re nning to purchase Saunders Group''s shares from Lionel to revamp Saunders Group as thergest shareholder, aren''t you?¡± ¡°I knew I couldn''t hide anything from you. But this is arge sum. If you can''t, I''ll think of other ways.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows. Sure enough, she could not fork out tens of billions. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. The charity work she had done over the years meant that she had used up most of her savings. However, she could seek Zeke or Artemis'' help for this. ¡°Vicky, I''m sure Lionel will hand over Saunders Group''s shares if you tell him about this. You don''t need to fret over the funds.¡± Victoria pressed her lips tightly together and squeezed out, ¡°No. I don''t want to owe him anything, so please, please help me as much as you can. I''ll pay you back with Saunders Group''s next five years'' profits.¡± Bailey tapped her forehead andughed. ¡°Do I look like I''m worried that you won''t pay me back? Don''t upset me by saying things like that.¡± Victoria fell silent. ¡°I''ll think of a way for you. Give me three days, and wait for my good news.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± It was then Victoria realized that something was amiss about Bailey. ¡°Bay, your eyes are red. You cried, didn''t you? They''re swollen.¡± Bailey lowered her head a little and mumbled, ¡°It''s nothing. Sand flew into my eyes when I was strolling at the garden earlier.¡± Victoria narrowed her eyes and shook her head. ¡°That''s not right. Even your voice is hoarse. You''ve obviously cried. What happened? I told you everything, so you should be honest with me too.¡± Bailey sighed silently before telling her about the video. Victoria stiffened once she heard it. A long whileter, she finally smiled and said, ¡°I''d say someone deliberately filmed it to agitate you. If you take this to heart, they win.¡± Augh escaped Bailey. ¡°Even if it''s deliberate, it''s still the truth. It was Artemis in the video, and their game of pretend has turned real.¡± Victoria fell silent. Right. It was indeed Artemis in the video. No matter what motive the other person has in filming this, we can''t dismiss the fact that Artemis slept with another woman. ¡°There''s no point in overthinking things now. Listen to me, Bay. If you didn''t see it in person, don''t believe it. All of us can tell how much Artemis loves you.¡± Bailey took a deep breath before smiling. ¡°I know. You don''t need to say anything about this to me; I understand. It''s gettingte, so hurry up and sleep. By the way, do you need me to hire awyer for the divorce?¡± ¡°No, it''s fine. I have a friend who''s awyer. He''s already dealing with it.¡± Ever since the news of Juliana being pregnant with Huntley''s child spread, the entire Hoffman family had been in an uproar. If Juliana gave birth to a boy, the lineal descendants of the main family would have an heir. The lineal descendants had few children, but if the future head of the household had a son, their lineage would prosper again. How could the coteral descendants who wished to be head of the household simply let that slide? Furthermore, Juliana was a woman; she should not have been in line for the role. s, the current head of the household was determined to make his daughter the heir and even dered that he would eradicate those who stood in his way. Their attempts to betray the family would be fruitless. Therefore, no matter how resentful they were, they had to endure it in silence and wait for the perfect chance to strike. Many people were gathered in Juliana''s living room. The head of the household, Raymond, was sitting on the couch with a terrifying dark look on his face. Meanwhile, Juliana was sitting beside him while Huntley stood behind her. Several people were icily looking at the aggressive coteral descendants. One of the young members of the family said to Raymond, ¡°Mr. Raymond, we strongly suspect that the baby in Juliana isn''t Huntley''s child. It has only been a month since she returned to the family, but she''s already one month pregnant. Isn''t the timing a little too urate?¡± Right as he said that, a middle-aged woman chimed in, ¡°That''s right. I''m a woman and have given birth to a few children. There''s only one day a woman ovte in a month, so how can she be so lucky as to get pregnant with Huntley''s child immediately after returning to the family?¡± The young man continued, ¡°Uncle Raymond, ording to the family rules, if a woman of the n marries an outsider, she''ll be kicked out of the family. Bing the next head of the family would then be impossible. No one can say for sure whose child my cousin is carrying. If it''s Huntley''s, then we''ll keep our silence since Huntley is an elite individual in the n who our elder raised. However, if the baby isn''t Huntley''s¡ªif the baby is an outsider''s¡ªthen we can''t keep the baby, and she also has to leave the Hoffman family.¡± Raymond knitted his brows and let his gazend on a middle-aged man at the side. In a low voice, he said, ¡°You''re the head of your family, but you''re letting your wife and son speak instead?¡± The middle-aged man was Philip Hoffman, Raymond''s younger half-brother. In other words, he was the previous head of the family''s illegitimate child. Philip lowered his head slightly. ¡°Raymond, we do not know who the father of the baby in Juliana is. We need to do an amniotic fluid test to determine Huntley''s paternity rtionship to the baby.¡± Chapter 628 Chapter 628 So this is why they''vee. Ha! They''ve finally shown their true colors. Juliana sneered. An amniotic fluid test? How vicious. Juliana''s pregnancy was an unstable one. If she were to do an amniotic fluid test, even if it really turned out to be Huntley''s baby, the baby would be in mortal danger. If it was not Huntley''s baby, then things would be even worse. They could take the opportunity to kick her out of the Hoffman family. Her father only had two daughters, and her elder sister, Wendy, had already lost her right to inherit the title. If something were to happen to her¡ªif she were to be kicked out of the family¡ªthe illegitimate child of the family, Philip, would be able to climb to the top. After all, Philip was her father''s half-brother, and Philip''s son was her father''s nephew. No one would be able to oppose if Philip''s son became the heir to the family. All of a sudden, there was a weight on her shoulder. Juliana instinctively turned and saw that Huntley had a hand on her shoulder, silently offering her constion. She lifted her head to nce at him, hinting to him that she was fine. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Uncle Raymond, why are you hesitating? I heard that Juliana was in love with a man when she was in Chanaea and that the man is no ordinary person¡ªhe''s the head of the Shurmer family, Zeke Shurmer. If she had slept with him and has his child in her, then you would be inviting trouble by handing all power over the family to her. Zeke''s an ambitious man¡ªhe''ll take the opportunity to devour the Hoffman family whole.¡± Right as those words were out of his mouth, Juliana and Huntley''s expressions darkened. They thought that Philip''s son was a scion who knew nothing but entertainment, but it seemed like he was a crafty one. He had managed to pinpoint Raymond''s worry. Once Raymond heard his nephew''s words, he slowly turned to look at his daughter''s stomach. After a while of silence, he asked, ¡°Julie, what will you use to prove that the baby in you is Huntley''s? Don''t try to talk about morals because I won''t listen to that. I just want to know whose baby you''re pregnant with.¡± Juliana tightened her fists as the gears in her head turned. What do I do? Do I try to reason with him? But it seems like no amount of exnation will change Father''s mind. ¡°We''ll do the amniotic fluid test,¡± came an apathetic voice from behind Juliana. It was Huntley. Surprise shed across Juliana''s eyes, and she instinctively turned toward him, silently asking him why he was agreeing to it. Huntley shook his head at her, a gesture for her to keep her silence. He then continued, ¡°Since you''re doubtful of this, we''ll do a paternity test. If the results show that the baby is mine, I hope you''ll drop this matter. Also, I hope you''ll know your limits, or else... I don''t have infinite patience, and I won''t let outsiders humiliate my future wife and son again and again.¡± Philip grimaced. Who does Huntley think he is? He''s a nobody! He''s only so prideful because Raymond saw great value in him. I refuse to believe that Juliana''s baby is his. I''ve received reliable news that Juliana had taken an abortifacient a while ago. The baby in her must be illegitimate. Only guilt would make her try to abort the baby right as she found out she was pregnant. Huntley, don''t assume I don''t know what''s going on. You''re going to try to tamper with the paternity test results. I''m going to get my doctor to do the test. Let''s see how he''s going to bribe the medical staff! ¡°Sure. As long as she''s pregnant with your child, we''ll drop the matter and stop interfering with her inheritance of the family. We''ll even serve her in the future.¡± Huntley inclined his head. ¡°I''m sure you''ll be suspicious if we''re the ones to hire the doctor, so why don''t you have a discussion about this and see who''ll do the test for her.¡± Philip froze. He never thought that Huntley would be so unhesitant and was even asking him to arrange for the doctor. Nevertheless, he was sure that the paternity test results would spell his victory. ¡°All right. I''ll go home and make the arrangements now.¡± With that said, he brought his wife and son away. Raymond nced at his daughter before walking toward the doorway. As he left, he said, ¡°Pray hard that your baby is Huntley''s. Otherwise, I won''t be able to keep you safe from them.¡± Juliana watched her father leave as a dark look shed past her eyes. Once everyone was gone, she dismissed the maid and narrowed her eyes at Huntley. ¡°What were you thinking? Why did you agree to the test? You know this baby is...¡± Huntley walked over to sit opposite her. ¡°They clearly came prepared. No matter what we say, they''ll think that we''re making excuses, so why should we waste our breath on them? Didn''t you see how Mr. Raymond was already convinced by them? I can''t me him, though. If the baby in you is Zeke''s, he''ll surely be worried about Zeke taking over the Hoffman family.¡± ¡°He won''t,¡± Juliana cried out. ¡°That''s not the kind of person he is.¡± Huntley silently stared at her. Juliana deted. ¡°All right. I''m too naive. Let''s put aside the kind of person Zeke is for now. If Uncle Philip finds out that the baby in me is... I''ll definitely be kicked out of the family. Why should I even worry about Zeke anymore? Say, what do we do now? Uncle Philip is sure to send a doctor he trusts, so there''s no way we''ll be able to bribe them.¡± Huntley muttered, ¡°We don''t need to bribe them. We''ll just need to change the results.¡± Juliana narrowed her eyes. ¡°How are we going to do that? The Hoffman family''s medical system is highly encrypted. Any slight changes will alert the others to our actions.¡± Chapter 629 Chapter 629 Huntley fell silent again as he stared at Juliana quietly. People always say that pregnant women get pregnancy brain. Well, it appears there''s some truth to it. She''s usually so clever and full of ideas, but now that she''s expecting, she doesn''t seem as quick-witted as before. She narrowed her eyes slightly in concentration. After a long pause, she pped her forehead and eximed, ¡°I know! I can go to Master for help! After all, she''s the best hacker in the world. She can ess the Amalgamated Nations'' information system freely, so the Hoffman family''s medical system won''t be an issue for her.¡± He broke into a smile. ¡°Hurry up and contact her, then. Ask her to do you a favor.¡± Juliana reached for her phone. However, something suddenly seemed to ur to her, and she froze. ¡°I can''t. If she finds out the baby I''m carrying isn''t yours, she''ll give me the third degree, and the fact that I slept with her brother will be exposed!¡± Huntley''s gaze darkened when he heard her say the words ¡°slept with her brother,¡± and he did not say anything for a while. Then, he ventured, ¡°Do you think she doesn''t know? Don''t be so naive. Don''t you know who Bailey is? How could you ever pull the wool over her eyes with your little tricks? I advise you to contact her as soon as possible so she can get prepared. Otherwise, if your uncle suddenly shows up here with a doctor and catches you off guard, they''ll have a field day.¡± Pursing her lips, Juliana hesitated briefly before gritting her teeth and dialing Bailey''s number. Over in the study at Hallsbay''s medical base, Bailey was finally calmer after spending the whole night digesting her thoughts. Zeke could not help breathing a sigh of relief. I was really worried it''dpletely crush her. ¡°Have you thought it through?¡± he asked. She gave a hollowugh. ¡°Would it make a difference if I haven''t? Life still has to go on as usual. If it''s true that he did it with another woman, that means our rtionship hase to an end. I will never allow the man I love to betray me.¡± He made no response. I guessed as much. As someone with such strong moral integrity, there''s no way she''d take Artemis back after how he has treated her. ¡°The situation hasn''t progressed to that stage yet, so let''s not jump to conclusions. Who knows? Perhaps nothing happened between them. After all, the other party sent you such a video with the intention of shocking and upsetting you. If Artemis did sleep with her, she would''ve filmed the entire thing instead of cutting it off after the two copsed onto the bed.¡± Bailey merely smiled while shaking her head. She had already thought the matter through, and the truth would have to wait until she met with Artemis and spoke to him personally. Beep! Beep! Suddenly, the phone on the table started ringing. She raised her brows subconsciously after checking the screen and seeing that it was an encrypted call. ¡°It''s from Juliana.¡± Zeke looked grim upon hearing that. Although we specte that she had sex with me after drugging me that night and that the baby in her belly is mine, we have nothing to confirm our suspicions. But now... ¡°Answer it and put the call on speakerphone. I want to hear what she has to say.¡± Chuckling softly, she followed his instructions, swiping to answer the call and turning on the speakerphone. As soon as the call connected, she could not resist saying teasingly, ¡°You''re going to give me another disciple soon, yet I haven''t even met the baby''s father. When are you bringing Huntley over and introducing him to me?¡± N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. The line went quiet for a moment. Then, a hoarse voice said, ¡°The child I''m carrying isn''t Huntley''s. It''s your brother''s.¡± Bailey was stunned as she had not expected her to confess so quickly. She looked toward Zeke subconsciously and could not contain herughter when she noticed his ashen face. This guy is quite something. Nothing has ever gotten in his way in all his years toiling in the business world. However, he has finally met his match at the hands of a woman. Pretending to cough, Bailey replied, ¡°Is the baby really Zeke''s? I''m impressed, Julie.¡± ¡°Master, I''m in trouble now. Very big trouble! You''ve got to help me!¡± Juliana pleaded in a tearful voice. Bailey''s expression became solemn. No longer in the mood to tease Juliana anymore, she frowned and asked, ¡°What''s the matter? Is the Hoffman family making things difficult for you?¡± Juliana gritted her teeth, then proceeded to exin her current predicament. ¡°Master, you must help me!¡± Bailey furrowed her brows slightly. ¡°An amniocentesis? That''s a risky procedure. Do you really covet the position of head of the Hoffman family that much? Why don''t you forget about it and let them fight it out among themselves? As for you, you should return to Hallsbay. Use this opportunity to let them kick you out of the family. They won''t bother to cause trouble for you anymore in the future.¡± ¡°No, I''m not going back. I want to be the head of the family. I want to be the most powerful woman in Adrune. Don''t breathe a word to anyone that this baby is mine. I''ll give birth to him, then raise him to be a worthy heir.¡± ncing at Zeke again, Bailey saw he had his head slightly bowed. It''d be better to let those directly involved in this matter resolve it themselves, but the most important thing now is to help Juliana keep the baby safe and protect her session right. ¡°Okay. The Hoffman family''s medical system, right? No problem. Just rx and let them conduct the test. I promise the results will show that Huntley is the baby''s father.¡± ¡°Thank you, Master.¡± With that, Juliana hurriedly ended the call. Bailey raised an eyebrow and smiled at Zeke. ¡°I''m afraid it won''t be easy for you to pursue her. She has been brainwashed and is determined to be the most powerful woman in Adrune and head of the Hoffman family, wielding power over many of the oldest families across that continent. Yes, she''s incredible indeed.¡± Zeke said nothing. Then, he got up from the couch and strode toward the door. ¡°Hurry up and settle everything here. I''ll go with you to pay the Hoffman family a visit. I can''t interfere in her ns to be the queen, but I won''t allow my child to remain in that family.¡± She watched him leave wordlessly. Meanwhile, Lionel was perusing some documents in the office on the topmost floor of LG Corporation''s branch when his assistant came in with awyer. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, this is Mr. Joel Williams, awyer your wife asked to meet with you.¡± Lionel looked up and narrowed his eyes at the man. ¡°What can I do for you?¡± Joel replied, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, Ms. Saunders sent me here to deliver the divorce agreement.¡± Chapter 630 Chapter 630 A divorce agreement? Lionel''s fingers froze momentarily, and he stared at Joel with narrowed eyes. Thetter felt chills running down his spine when he met Lionel''s intense gaze. The man before me is the person in charge of LG Corporation! That''s an internationalpany that controls two-thirds of the international entertainment industry. Needless to say, it''s a highly influentialpany! ¡°M-Mr. Gezmond, why are you staring at me? Did I say anything wrong? I-I don''t think so. I was sent by Ms. Saunders to hand this divorce agreement to you,¡± Joel stammered. Lionel slowly retracted his gaze and asked casually, ¡°Did she ask you to tell me anything else?¡± Joel wiped the beads of cold sweat off of his forehead and continued to stutter, ¡°M-Ms. Saunders said she wants nothing out of the divorce, so she doesn''t want any of your assets. H-However, she has a request. She wants to reacquire Saunders Group''s shares from you, and she hopes that you can ept her request.¡± Upon hearing that, Lionel frowned. She wants nothing out of the divorce, and she''s willing to fork out money to buy my shares. Is she so eager to sever all ties with me? If she wants Saunders Group''s shares, I can give them to her. Also, she''s my wife. Legally, half of everything I have is also hers. Who told her she could divorce me without taking any of my assets? Did she never see me as her husband? Lionel was seeing red, and he rose to his feet angrily. Frightened, Joel''s knees went weak, and he almost fell to his knees. ¡°M-Mr. Gezmond, I''m merely here to deliver a message from Ms. Saunders. Please calm down. If there''s a problem, you can sort it out with Ms. Saunders peacefully.¡± Lionel squinted and stared into Joel''s soul. Once he saw Joel trembling in fear, he uttered indifferently, ¡°Let me have a look at the divorce agreement.¡± Not daring to dy for even a second, Joel gave Lionel the folder and retreated to the door respectfully. Lionel took a deep breath, opened the folder, and took out the documents inside to scan the information quickly. Indeed, the content inside was exactly the same as what Joel said moments earlier. Victoria wanted nothing to do with him and wanted none of his assets. Instead, she wanted to buy Saunders Group''s shares from him. Upon reading the documents, Lionel mmed the folder on the table. He then stayed silent for almost three minutes to contain his burning rage. With a cold gaze, Lionel nced at Joel, who was quivering by the door, and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Where is that woman now?¡± Joel''s voice was trembling as he replied, ¡°S-She''s at Justin''s medical base.¡± Hearing that, Lionel walked around the desk and walked straight to the door. Joel jumped in shock when he saw Lionel walking toward him, so he immediately stepped aside. ¡°Stay out of this. I''ll talk to her personally,¡± Lionel ordered. As soon as Lionel finished his sentence, he mulled over it and added, ¡°If you have the time, exin to her about the provisions of the maritalws. At the same time, educate her on the fact that a married couple is supposed to have shared assets.¡± Joel was at a loss for words. I''ve handled plenty of divorce cases, and couples would normally go after their partners'' assets and money in court. I''ve never seen a couple like them. One of them is eager to give up everything while the other is trying his best to give away his own assets. What a weird couple! Why would they want to divorce each other if they care about each other so much? Perhaps this is just how the rich are. I''ll never understand them. Meanwhile, in the study at the medical base, Raiden was on the couch when he said to Bailey, ¡°I kept the bodies of those suicide attackers in one of the funeral homes in Hallsbay. After that, I sent some men to handle them. However, I received reports this morning telling me that some bodies had gone missing all of a sudden.¡± Bailey was slightly stunned. She looked at Raiden in bafflement and asked, ¡°The bodies went missing? Who would steal corpses nowadays? What happened?¡± Raiden shot her aplicated look and replied, ¡°Ordinary people aren''t interested in the corpses, so they won''t steal the bodies for fun. The same can''t be said about the people with ulterior motives.¡± Bailey was stumped. Seeing that, Zeke reminded, ¡°The bodies of those suicide attackers cane in quite handy. If those bodies weren''t stolen by the mastermind, it could most probably be¡ª¡± ¡°Artemis,¡± Bailey said with full confidence. ¡°It has to be Artemis. He most probably wants to use the corpses to find out the identity of the mastermind. In other words, he had been acting as though he had lost his memory to lower the enemy''s guard and deal the fatal blow.¡± Raiden nodded and let out a cold snort. ¡°You''re now more assured, aren''t you? You''re no longer as dejected as a few days ago.¡± N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Why must this man take a jibe at me? Does he not want the best for me? Zekeughed when he saw that. ¡°Let''s just wait and observe the situation for now. I''m sure Artemis is going to act soon now that he has earned the enemy''s trust. At the same time, I think our enemy is also making a move sooner rather thanter. That''s why we need to stay vignt and careful. We shouldn''t distract or trouble Artemis.¡± Right then, the door to the study was pushed open, and Zayron was seen poking his head out from behind the door. ¡°Bailey, Lionel is here to see Vicky. Should I let him in?¡± Bailey figured Victoria had already told herwyer to give Lionel the divorce agreement. They should have a talk. With that in mind, Bailey instructed, ¡°Yes. Bring him to her. Stay outside the ward to listen for signs of an argument. If that happens, inform me right away.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The moment Lionel entered the ward, he furrowed his brows when he saw Victoria lying in bed with her pale cheeks. He then stood still next to the windows and asked in a gentle tone, ¡°Are you feeling better? Are you still feeling difort anywhere on your body?¡± Victoria turned away to avoid his gaze. ¡°I''m better now. Don''t worry. Did you receive the divorce agreement I asked mywyer to serve you? All you need to do is sign. You didn''t need toe here,¡± she uttered tly. In response, Lionel stared at her and asked in distress, ¡°Must we get divorced? Why can''t we stay married? I agreed to let you have your freedom so that you can do whatever you want with your life. I''m not meddling in your private matters.¡± Victoria cocked her head to the side and looked at him. In a cold tone, she asked, ¡°What''s the point? We''re far apart with no hope of getting back together. This marriage is keeping both of us constrained. There''s no point in staying married.¡± Lionel decided to stop convincing her after hearing her resolute tone. ¡°I can ept the divorce and let you go without receiving anything from it. However, I''ll just transfer my shares to you. Don''t insult me with money. If you do that, I''ll feel as though you had never regarded me as your husband. That''s brutal.¡± Chapter 631 Chapter 631 Hearing that, Victoria struggled to sit up and stared at Lionel puzzledly. ¡°Why must you be so detail- oriented? Everyone in the world knows we were once deeply in love with each other. Even if I were to deny that, I would be lying to myself.¡± Lionel shuddered when he heard that. At the same time, there was a hint of happiness in his eyes. Is she saying that she had regarded me as her husband? Does that mean her feelings were genuine when we registered for our marriage? ¡°Vicky¡ª¡± Victoria held up her hand to cut him off. ¡°If transferring me your shares makes you feel better, then you should just proceed. I won''t acquire the shares from you.¡± Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Lionel got emotional, and he instinctively wanted to hug her. However, he held back and said, ¡°Vicky, I can''t undo the wrongs of the older generation, but I can atone for their sins. Your parents were most worried about you, so I''ll take good care of you and let them rest in peace.¡± Instead of responding to that, Victoria asked casually, ¡°When will you be free? Let''s go to City Hall to finalize our divorce.¡± The smile on Lionel''s face froze, but he rposed himself immediately after. With a smile, he answered, ¡°We can go once you''ve recovered. By then, I''ll only be a phone call away.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Victoria uttered before falling into silence. A minuteter, she urged, ¡°Don''t let Victor do whatever he wants. The more money he has, the more he''ll lose control of himself. If you cut off his source of ie, perhaps he''ll gradually set himself back on the right path.¡± As soon as Victoria mentioned Victor, Lionel recalled what Victor said to him. That fellow is crazy, and he could scheme against Victoria. Who knows what he would do in desperation? ¡°Okay. I understand. I''ll make time to chat with him again to see if he would let me teach him how to do business.¡± Lionel didn''t want Victor to pester Victoria, so he had no choice but to let the man bother him instead. Victoria knew what Lionel was doing, but she didn''t turn him down. Since Lionel is also a man, he''ll havemon topics to talk about with Victor. Who knows? Maybe Victor will get back on the right track under Lionel''s influence. In truth, Lionel got it wrong. My parents were most worried about Victor because he couldn''t stop causing trouble. They would be d if Victor could turn over a new leaf. ¡°Thank you,¡± Victoria replied. In the Hoffman residence, Philip sent a doctor to do the amniotic fluid test on Juliana and had the doctor bring the sample back to the infirmary. As soon as they left, Juliana whipped out her phone to send Bailey a text. It read: Master, they had already taken the sample to do the test. The ount number of the Hoffman family''s medical system is... You must help me tamper with the results and keep everything under wraps. After sending the text, Juliana leaned against Huntley''s chest. At that moment, her heart was racing wildly because she could sense that something significant was about to happen. Huntley lowered his gaze to look at her and uttered in a gentle tone, ¡°Don''t worry. Things aren''t as bad as you think they are. In fact, everything could still turn around.¡± Juliana pursed her lips and uttered pitifully, ¡°I can''t seem to feel at ease. I keep feeling something huge is about to happen. However, I know there''s no use in worrying about it. I guess we can only sit tight and see what happens next.¡± With that, she raised her gaze toward Huntley and asked curiously, ¡°Why are you somitted to helping me? Don''t tell me you''ve fallen for me at first sight. You''re a rational man capable of controlling your emotions. Besides, I don''t think I''m attractive enough to have you falling for me at first sight.¡± Hearing that, Huntley hugged her tight and recalled his memories with a dazed look in his eyes. A long whileter, he asked, ¡°Do you still remember the boy you saved in the Hoffman family''s training facility?¡± Juliana tilted her head to jog her memory. Juliana was a stony-hearted woman whose memory was nowhere as good as Bailey''s. I don''t even remember much about the past, let alone something that happened when I was five. ¡°When I was five... Well, I can vaguely remember something. There was a huge pond with a lot of crocodiles in it. I think I saved a boy from getting eaten by the crocodiles...¡± Suddenly, Juliana raised her gaze toward Huntley and looked at him shockingly, ¡°You? Could you be the boy I saved?¡± Huntley smiled and lowered his head to meet her gaze. Without saying a word, his silence was a tacit acquiescence. At that point, Juliana was utterly confused. ¡°You''re an influential member of the Cloudax family. Considering the fact that your family was a protected family, why were you sent to the training facility to go through such gruesome training?¡± Huntley was still smiling, but his gaze turned cold. With his lips trembling slightly, he uttered through his gritted teeth, ¡°I''m a pathetic illegitimate child, so the matriarch didn''t want me around. Hence, I was sent to the training facility to fend for myself.¡± Juliana''s heart broke, and she pulled him into her embrace. ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have made you recall those painful memories.¡± Huntley shook his head and responded softly, ¡°You''re right. I was fighting off the crocodiles back then, and I became weak when my arm got bitten. As they were about to swallow me whole, I saw a girl running toward me without a care in the world. Mr. Raymond saw what was happening and immediately ordered the trainers to subdue the crocodiles. That was how I survived.¡± As soon as those words fell, Juliana fell into deep thought. I was that girl, wasn''t I? Did he get close to me and help me all these years because he wanted to repay me for saving his life? ¡°You¡ª¡± Huntley covered her mouth to stop her from talking. What can hurt more than trying to protect a girl who is in love with someone else? I joined the elder and endured years of humiliation. When I finally became powerful, all I wanted was to be with her and protect her. Yet, I found out that she was no longer single. ¡°Don''t feel burdened. I merely wanted to repay you, but I guess my emotions got the better of me. I managed to suppress them in the nick of time, though. Obviously, I know you like Zeke, so I won''t cause you trouble,¡± Huntley said. Juliana smacked her own head and replied, ¡°How dense of me! How could I have not recognized you? However, I''m d you had grown up to be the best talent the Hoffman family has. You made it, young man!¡± Memories came flooding in when Huntley heard those words, and tears welled up in his eyes. In fact, Huntley was reminded of the childish voice he heard back then. All those years ago, he heard Juliana yelling, ¡°Daddy! Please help this young man! He had lost so much blood! He''s dying! Hang in there, young man!¡± Chapter 632 Chapter 632 The doctor went straight back to the infirmary after taking samples of Juliana''s amniotic fluid. By then, Philip was already waiting inside. ¡°I''ve obtained the sample, Mr. Hoffman. Shall we start with the verification now?¡± Philip nodded and was about to say something when a young man walked in from outside. It was Juliana''s cousin and Philip''s son, Tucker Hoffman. ¡°Wait. There''s something I need to say.¡± Philip looked up at his son instinctively and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Tucker sat opposite him and waved at the doctor, gesturing for him to go out. ¡°Leave us first, and don''t do anything to do the samples for now. We''ll deal with it once we''ve finished our discussion.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Tucker.¡± When the doctor left, Philip narrowed his eyes at his son and asked with a frown, ¡°Why are you acting so paranoid? Speak your mind, and don''t stutter or be hesitant with your words.¡± Tucker''s face was a little grim as he said in a low voice, ¡°Don''t forget, Father. Juliana has a master who''s the world''s top hacker. What if we did the paternity test here, and her master hacks the hospital medical system and tampers with the report?¡± Philip''s face darkened instantly when he heard that, finally realizing that he had overlooked something important. That''s right. That d*mned Juliana''s master is the top hacker, Spook. There''s no safety system she can''t hack. Moreover, her master is well-versed in medicine and is a famous miracle doctor named Anonymous. Hacking the system and changing the report is no difficult feat for her. The more he thought about it, the more his expression darkened. Fortunately, Tucker thought of this, or I''d have to suffer a great loss because of it. ¡°Then what do you propose we do? No one will notice if Spook decides to hack the system. There''s no way she''ll leave a trace, so how are we supposed to deal with this?¡± Tucker patted the couch''s armrest and said lightly, ¡°We can separate the sample into multiple portions and send two of them to someone we trust for the paternity test. The ones left can be used to trick her.¡± Hearing that, Philip pped and replied with a huge grin, ¡°That''s a good idea! How smart of you to think of that! Let''s do this, then.¡± ¡°Then, I will proceed with the n since you agreed, Father. Don''t worry. I can guarantee that the baby in Juliana''s belly is not Huntley''s. She''s got a foreigner as her partner and is even pregnant with a b*stard child. It seems like she''ll end up just as miserable as her sister.¡± Meanwhile, at the medical base in Hallsbay, Bailey started to hack the Hoffman family''s medical records after receiving the text from her disciple. Zeke watched from the side, his gaze icy. The woman continued to type away on her keyboard when she slowly noticed something wasn''t right. She slowly looked up at him. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that, Zeke? It''s creeping me out.¡± He scoffed and asked, ¡°Is it that dishonorable to be pregnant with the child of someone from the Shurmer family?¡± Bailey stayed silent and stared at him dumbfoundedly. It took her a long time before she finally realized what was going on. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Pfft! So he''s angry. Well, I guess it''s normal to be mad about this. It''d be weirder if he weren''t. Then, does that mean he epts the child Julie is pregnant with? ¡°You look cute when you''re mad, Zeke.¡± Cough! Cough! Zeke failed to stay angry when he heard that. He red at her and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Let''s get to business. Is it really that dishonorable to have a child of the Shurmer family? She''s pregnant with my son. So what if it gets exposed? What can anyone do about it?¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Don''t forget that she''s the heiress of the Hoffman family. After what had happened to her sister, she became her parents'' only hope. Now, she has to shoulder every tear and laughter of the Hoffman family,¡± she reminded. Chapter 633 Chapter 633 Zeke narrowed his eyes and uttered in a deep voice, ¡°I don''t want to listen to your lecture. Since she''s pregnant with my child, he has to return with me to the Shurmer residence.¡± Bailey arched her brows at his response. With an amused smile, she said, ¡°Only the child? What about the child''s mother? Are you not going to ept her?¡± ring at her, the former retorted, ¡°What do you think? Are you saying I won''t be able to take care of another woman?¡± ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk...¡± Bailey clicked her tongue before saying, ¡°I used to think you were a gentleman who was polite and warm back then. But now, it feels like you''re more of a cold and aloof CEO.¡± With a darkened face, Zeke answered, ¡°I was being serious with you. Can you stop joking for a moment?¡± Hearing that, the woman held back her smile and put on a solemn expression. ¡°Zeke, the Shurmer family has already announced to the public about the arranged marriage with the Gourd family. Everyone knows about it now. I''m sure Julie had also gotten news of it. Now that she can''t have you, how do you expect her to gain a foothold if she loses her right to be an heiress, too?¡± Silence was the only response from Zeke. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. At that, Bailey continued, ¡°She adored you, pursued you, liked and loved you, yet never got a response from you toward the end. She could only return home with a broken heart. Then, she even heard that the eldest daughter of the Gourd family became pregnant, and you would soon get married to her. In such a situation, what else could Julie have done besides doing everything she could as the heiress of the Hoffman family?¡± Zeke heaved a sigh. ¡°I''m sorry. I wasn''t considerate of her or thought about things from her point of view. You''re right. Being the heiress is her greatest card right now. In such a situation, she can only desperately grasp the things that can ensure her safety, and having power means she will have a better life and not feel burdened by this world.¡± ¡°It''s good that you thought things through, Zeke. Just wait for a while more. Let me handle whatever is happening in Hallsbay first. Then, we can go to the Hoffman family together. Though, you were right to say that the Shurmer family''s descendants shouldn''t live away from their family. They should return to the Shurmer residence and reim their position within it. When the timees, we can bring Julie along too. You''re a responsible man, so I trust you''ll make the arrangements for her.¡± Zeke''s expression finally rxed as he nodded and said, ¡°Fine. Let''s do what you say. We''ll visit the Hoffman family when you''re done with the matters in Hallsbay.¡± At the same time, Holden pushed open the door to the study in Tarragon. He closed the door behind him, and after making sure there weren''t any bugs listening, he said, ¡°I''ve already checked the corpses stolen from the funeral home. They are indeed suicide attackers from Tarragon. However, we still need to check where they were dispatched to after their training, so we won''t have the results any time soon.¡± Artemis leaned against the couch as he kept his eyes on his phone''s screen. It showed a photo of Bailey. He was starting to miss her. ¡°Okay. Make sure you get to the bottom of this. My intuition''s telling me the person behind this is someone we know.¡± Artemis kept silent for a moment before adding, ¡°Did you find any evidence that your sister was set up? It''s almost time, so you''d better hurry up.¡± Holden furrowed his brows and replied in a low voice, ¡°I''ve been busy with the arrangements for Micah''s rescue these days, so I haven''t spent much time on that.¡± ¡°Leave the rescue to me. You should investigate the witnesses who received orders from Yvette to hurt your sister and make sure you capture them. Otherwise, you''ll never be able to get the justice your sister deserves.¡± Meanwhile, Yvette wasmunicating with Sofie through a special method of contact in the guest room. ¡°I''ve already recalled the forces Father gave me to Hallsbay. What should we do next? Should I dispatch all of them to assassinate Bailey?¡± Chapter 634 Chapter 634 Yvette was getting impatient. Artemis had lost his memory, which made it the perfect opportunity for her to rise to the top. She had to get rid of Bailey as soon as possible to annihte any risks of futureplications. By then, Yvette had dedicated all of her power and assets¡ªeven her life¡ªto that cause. She had no room for failure, and her n had to seed. If she failed, she would lose everything that she had ever owned. Moreover, it was such a golden opportunity. She could not fail. If she truly failed that time around, more than twenty years of her life would go down the drain. Furthermore, her position as the princess of Tarragon would have served no purpose. Everyone has been moved to Hallsbay? All right. Got it. Give me two days to n. I''ll inform you once there''s a conclusion. Be careful and cautious whenever you''re with Artemis, Don''t let him sense anything amiss. As she scanned the text on her phone screen, Yvette tightened her grip around her phone. This time, she was determined to ensure that Bailey suffered a horrible death. Meanwhile, Bailey had tampered with the paternity test report as Juliana had requested. However, she could not think straight as she could not shake away the feeling of an iing cmity. The Hoffman family had thousands of years of inheritance with unparalleled influence over its kingdom. Many desired the position of the head of the Hoffman family. Juliana had made an assertive return and had gotten pregnant quickly. Now that she had secured her position, it was no secret that many people would go after her behind her back. It would have been better if the father of the child that Juliana was carrying was from their kingdom. Unfortunately, she was pregnant with a foreigner''s child. Her old-fashioned and conservative family would never ept that reality. Thus, many people had their eyes on the child growing inside her womb. Once they had the confirmation that the child was a b*stard child, they would immediately disce her without hesitation, or worse, they might kick her out of the household. Bailey was not worried if they used the Hoffman family''s medical system to run the paternity test. She was confident that she could hack into the system and tamper with the result. However, she was worried that they might resort to underhanded tactics and smuggle amniotic fluid samples out of the country to get them tested by somebody else. The world had unlimited resources. As powerful and talented as she was, Bailey could not keep the truth under wraps forever. In the study, Bailey presented the possible scenarios and her concerns to Zeke. Upon hearing what the woman had said, Zeke remained silent for a moment before parting his lips to speak, saying, ¡°Just go with the flow. If the truth got exposed, then just allow it toe to light. If she gets kicked out by her family, I''ll step up and take her in. That would shut down all the insults and humiliation thrown at her.¡± Bailey smiled lightly at Zeke''s reply. ¡°I''m relieved to hear you say that. What about Shirley? What do you n to do with her?¡± Zeke''s gaze hardened as a dangerous glint flickered across his eyes. ¡°I''ve gotten to the bottom of that. She did, in fact, stole my sperm. But, the sperm has been stored in the freezer for too long and are not viable anymore. Yet, her impregnation procedure was a sess. Tell me, how do you think that happened?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes. After a moment of pondering, she guessed, ¡°Your sperm has been switched out for someone else''s?¡± A sarcastic smirk appeared on Zeke''s face. If it only ends there! ¡°In order for Shirley to be rted to the Shurmer family and to be the matriarch of the Shurmer family, Mrs. Gourd had gone to the unthinkable extreme and tricked her own daughter. She had found some random guy and taken his sperm and inseminated her own daughter with them.¡± A look of disgust shed across Zeke''s visage as he presented the information to Bailey. Bailey''s jaw fell to the ground. ¡°You''re telling me that Shirley has no clue of this outrageous incident?¡± ¡°You bet. Mrs. Gourd did not dare to tell her. That foolish woman still believed that the child in her womb is mine. She would never expect to be tricked by her own mother.¡± Bailey stammered, dumbfounded by the news she was told. Some people could really do anything to get into wealthy families. Only then did Bailey realize how na?ve she had been. ¡°Do you n to expose her?¡± Zeke looked at Bailey before answering, ¡°Not yet for now. That woman knows that Juliana is pregnant with my child. If I expose her, she might harm Juliana out of desperation. Bailey thought it over and nodded. ¡°Fair. All right, then. As long as you have your boundaries in mind. Since Shirley isn''t pregnant with your child, then you don''t have to waste your time thinking of any ns to terminate the pregnancy. She can keep the baby if she wants to, but she''ll also have to deal with the consequences herself.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Meanwhile, at a mansion in the suburbs, Zoey threw the doors open, disrupting the peace. With a few huge strides, she entered the building and stood in front of Sofie anxiously. ¡°I heard that Yvette had arrived in Hallsbay. Why aren''t you doing anything to get rid of her? If she doesn''t die, how am I supposed to take my ce?¡± A look of displeasure shed across Sofie''s face. She looked at Zoey with an icy gaze before enunciating, ¡°Who else can stand against Bailey besides her? You? Do you have the power to go against Bailey?¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Zoey was taken aback. Admittedly, she did not. How could shepete with Yvette? Yvette was the daughter of the previous head of Tarragon¡ªthe princess of Tarragon. Her father must have left her with immense power when he was still alive. That was only one of Yvette''s many strengths that Zoey could neverpete with. ¡°Then what do you n to do? If you keep dying, she''s going to sessfully cultivate a rtionship with Artemis. By then, Artemis would be her protection, and she would be the second Bailey. It''ll be easier to climb to the sky than it will be to kill her,¡± Zoey argued. Sofie turned away slowly before chuckling lightly. ¡°The second Bailey? Hah. You''ve overestimated her. She''s not even worthy to carry Bailey''s shoes, much less take Bailey''s ce. Don''t you worry, I''ve already lured her into sending all of the resources that herte father had left her to Hallsbay. Soon, she would go down along with Bailey. When the timees, all you have to do is to sit back, rx, and enjoy the gains.¡± Zoey''s eyes lit up as joy colored her face. ¡°Really? You''ve already arranged everything?¡± ¡°What else could I have done? Wait for you to strategize?¡± Zoey was rendered speechless. Sofie rose from the couch slowly. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll take you to the massage room so that you can rx. Don''t be wound up so tight all the time. You''ll lose your mind. I came back to help you achieve your dreams, so I won''t let you down. Just be patient, and wait.¡± ¡°All right, then.¡± In the meantime, Lionel and Victoria walked out of the divorce registry of City Hall, each of them holding their divorce certificate in their hands. Standing on the top of the staircase, Victoria raised her head to look at the falling snow before stating wistfully, ¡°In the past, there has always been a sense of guilt weight my heart down. I''ve always thought that my father was the reason the Gezmond family was destroyed. That was why I had never resisted when you returned to seek revenge. However, once I found out the truth behind my mother''s death, my entire world was turned upside down. Turns out all that my father did was rightfully done, and I have just been caught in all this mess by enduring all that has happened.¡± Lionel trembled slightly at her hurtful words. A hint of pain flickered across his eyes. He turned his head stiffly, letting his gaze fall on Victoria. Ever since they had collected the divorce certificates, it was like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. She looked so much more rxed, as though a bird in a cage that had finally been freed after years. Her life would no longer be restrained by him. That, to her, was the happiest ending she could have. Victoria tilted her head slightly and looked at him with a smile. ¡°I''m finally free, Lionel. I don''t have to endure your treatment anymore. After this snowfall, spring wille. After so many years of bitter winter, my spring will being too.¡± With that, she walked toward the taxi rank. As she took a few steps, all of a sudden, a shrill exmation sounded behind her, ¡°Watch out!¡± Chapter 635 Chapter 635 It was Lionel''s voice. He was shouting at Victoria. It turned out that Victor was charging toward the woman with a knife and was about to stab her in the back. While running, he yelled, ¡°Don''t me me. You can only me your man for being too ruthless. He had forced me into a dead end. Even though he had promised to transfer all the shares to me, he went back on his word. The best way for me to get back at him is to kill you. I want him to remain in misery for the rest of his life after losing his beloved.¡± Victor lunged at Victoria immediately after he finished speaking. With the knife aimed at her heart, Victoria would not stand a chance to survive if she were to be stabbed. It was obvious that the man had gonepletely berserk, given that he was even trying to kill his own sister. The fact that he was disregarding blood ties meant that he was determined to get his revenge. Shluk! The knife was stabbed into a body. Victoria''s pupils contracted at once. Did I just get stabbed? Why am I not feeling any pain? The woman was certain that she had just heard the sound of a knife prating the flesh. W-What''s going on? Suddenly, a wave of terror engulfed her. Standing in the cold, Victoria was trembling so badly that her knees were almost buckling underneath her. She did not dare to turn around, dreading that she might witness something that would break her heart. She was worried that her greatest fear woulde true and that her world would crumble in an instant. She had clearly heard Lionel calling out to her earlier, but currently... It seemed as if his voice had disappeared into the storm. Victoria could no longer feel the man''s presence. ¡°Ahhh! Murder! Murder! There''s so much blood! He has lost so much blood!¡± a passerby eximed. Murder? Blood? Who''s bleeding? Victoria knew that it wasn''t her who was bleeding, and she wasn''t feeling any pain either. ng! The knife fell to the ground. The next moment, the woman saw Victor dashing toward his car in a fluster. Without looking back, he got into the car and sped off instantly. Victoria''s body started shaking violently. She slowly turned around. When she finally saw the scene in front of her, her pupils dted with shock. Lionel was looking at her with a smile on his face. At the same time, blood was trickling down from the corner of his mouth. As she looked further down, Victoria noticed a hole in the man''s chest. Blood was flowing out from it like a stream. ¡°Y-You...¡± Lionel reached out and caressed her face while saying effortfully, ¡°It''s all right. Don''t be afraid. It''s cold out here. You should go back to the medical base now.¡± After saying that, he struggled to turn around and leave. A secondter, Victoria burst into tears. As she did not dare to touch Lionel, she grabbed the corner of his shirt stubbornly, refusing to let him walk away. ¡°Please don''t go, Lionel. Don''t move. I''m so scared that I won''t get to see you ever again. Both Dad and Mom had already left me. I''m the only one left in this world. What should I do if you leave me too? I don''t think I will be able to carry on living. I will die too! Please, please don''t let anything bad happen to you.¡± Lionel sighed inwardly. As the knife had scraped past his heart earlier, he was not certain that he would survive. Hence... ¡°We are already divorced. Since you''re no longer my wife, whether you live or die is none of my business. Get lost! Get out of my sight immediately. I don''t wish to see you ever again. Don''t appear in front of me anymore!¡± Victoria''s cries were heart-wrenching. She continued tugging at his shirt, unwilling to loosen her grip even slightly. With tears streaming down her face, she pleaded, ¡°Lionel, don''t do this. Don''t be like that, please. Stop being so cruel to me. Didn''t you say you love me? If so, why are you crushing my heart so mercilessly now? How do you expect me to live without my heart?¡± Lionel had been trying his best to suppress the extreme difort he was feeling in his stomach. Finally, he could no longer hold it back and spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered a few steps backward before slowly extending his arms and hugging Victoria. Leaning into her ear, he said softly, ¡°You will be fine. Be strong and live on well. You can start all over again as long as you are still living. Didn''t you say I have messed up your life for the past decades? Without me dragging you down, you will be able to start anew. That sounds pretty good, right?¡± Lionel slowly closed his eyes as he spoke. A momentter, his knees gave way, and he copsed to the ground. ¡°No!¡± A scream of agony sliced through the air. It was as if the end of the world had arrived for Victoria as she plunged intoplete darkness. Her screams were devastating as if she were a monster who wed her way up from hell. Back at the medical base, Bailey had just received a call. Suddenly, she leaped from the couch after hearing what the other party had said. ¡°All right. I got it. Get them to send him to Justin''s medical base as soon as possible. I will get ready for surgery so that I can operate on him once he arrives.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. The call was from Victoria, who had briefly told Bailey what had happened. Bailey was shocked that Victor had gone to such lengths to get his revenge, even going after his own sister''s life. If Lionel had not blocked the knife with his body, Victoria would have been dead. However, judging by Victoria''s tone, Bailey could tell that Lionel was seriously injured and was already on the brink of death. As such, she was notpletely confident that she would be able to save him. Bailey could only hope that Lionel''s injury was not as bad as she had imagined. Only then would she be able to have a shot at saving him. If Lionel did not make it, Victoria would be as good as dead. Even though she would continue to live, she would be no different from a zombie. This wasn''t something Bailey wished to see. Twenty minutester, Lionel was sent to the medical base. Bailey and Zeke were already waiting at the entrance when they arrived. Victoria slumped onto the ground the instant she stepped out of the car. Seeing that, Bailey quickly rushed forward and supported her. ¡°Be careful! You just had a miscarriage. You are going to destroy your body if you don''t take care of yourself. If that happens, no matter how good my medical skills are, I wouldn''t be able to bring you back to health.¡± Victoria coughed lightly before grabbing Bailey''s arms and saying, ¡°Bay, please help me. You''re the only one who can save Lionel now. Please don''t let him die. If he dies, I don''t know how I can continue living. Although we are already divorced, he''s my only reason to remain living in this world. If he''s no longer around, it would be meaningless for me to remain alive.¡± Bailey gave the woman a tight hug and said, ¡°Don''t worry. Even if he''s on the brink of death, as long as he''s still breathing, I will do everything I can to save him. You need to calm down now. Otherwise, it would be too much for your body to bear. Don''t let me worry about you. I won''t be able to concentrate on treating him if you do.¡± After saying that, Bailey entrusted Victoria to Zeke and pushed the gurney into the emergency room. Victoria was about to follow behind when Zeke pulled her into his arms andforted her, ¡°You are Bay''s best friend, and your happiness is also her happiness. Both of you are already inseparable. So don''t worry, she wouldn''t let anything bad happen to Lionel. She knows that your life is connected to his.¡± Chapter 636 Chapter 636 Really? But what if God wants to take Lionel''s life? What should I do then? Is that something Bay can control? ¡°I know my rtionship with him won''t end on a good note, so I divorced him, kept my distance, and even swore not to see him again. So why? Why does God want to torture us like this? Why?¡± Victoria buried her face against Zeke''s chest and bawled. Zeke sighed. Swearing never to meet again isn''t going to ensure a clean break over the love and hate between two people. There are so many things that don''t go our way. Who in this world can control their own fate? And live freely as they desire? ¡°It''ll be all right because Lionel knew you won''t live without him. He''ll fight for his life just so you''ll live too. Don''t worry too much, for he''ll ovee this with willpower. Bay''s skills are top-notch. Remember when Mrs. Luther was badly hurt? Didn''t Bay save her from the brink of death all the same? Plus, Lionel only had the edge of a knife graze his heart. The injury wasn''t too severe. Even though his heart was wounded, I believe he will gain full recovery with Bay''s superb medical skills. Rest assured. We''ll see how he fares after the surgery.¡± Victoria was exhausted mentally and physically from her recent miscarriage and the troubles she went through. Once Lionel was rolled into the operation theater, she felt as though the remaining energy within her body had drained along with him. Her knees wobbled as she crumpled into Zeke''s arms. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. ... In the Hoffman residence, a loud p echoed across the living room. Raymond''s strike sent Juliana falling toward the couch. ¡°Answer me! Who nted that seed in your belly?¡± Philip and Tucker looked down at Juliana with disdain and malicious grins. Their cold eyes filled with triumph for the sess of their plot. We were right. The baby in the little b*tch''s belly is a bast*rd. This is perfect! Since she''s the one asking for it, she can''t me us for disregarding familial ties. As an heir, she is bearing an unknown man''s b*stard, let alone having sexual rtions with an outsider. The charges are d*mning regardless if she''s the daughter of the head of the family. She''ll need to be punished for breaking the family''s rules. It''s toote even if she agrees to abort her baby now. She has already lost the right to seed as the head of the family. Only one oue awaits if she refuses to abort the baby¡ªexmunication. She''ll also be stripped of her identity as a member of the Hoffman family. Juliana covered her cheek and narrowed her eyes, casting a cutting gaze at the father and son. She never thought the two would be so despicable to resort to underhanded tactics. They actually took a few samples of her amniotic fluid, secretly sent them to people they trusted outside of the family, and had them done four different DNA tests. If I manage to cease the first attempt, will I be able to stop the second, third, or fourth? Now that the truth of my pregnancy has been revealed, I know my oue will be dire, but before I leave the family, I won''t let these two enjoy their sess. ¡°Excellent plot, Uncle Philip. I''m thoroughly impressed. I can''t me you, though. I can only condemn myself for being too naive and downying your shamelessness. As you hoped, now that my pregnancy with an illegitimate child hase to light, tell me, what do you have in mind for me?¡± ¡°What do we have in mind for you?¡± The corners of Tucker''s lips curled into a cold grin. ¡°The family trusted you and was ready to hand over the authority as the head of the family to you. Yet, you conspired with some stranger to seize the entire Hoffman family. Your motive is execrable! Don''t think you''re exempted from punishments just because you''re Mr. Raymond''s daughter. Now that it''s true you carry a bast*rd in your belly, you can no longer deny it. Even though we don''t have the right to kill you, we own the right to abort the dastardly creature within you and keep you in captivity for the rest of your life.¡± Juliana returned a cold smile. ¡°What right do you have to abort my baby and keep me captive? ording to family rules, you can only exmunicate me from the family if I bear the child with someone outside of the family.¡± Raymond''s brows furrowed at her remarks. He didn''t have a son. Instead, he had two daughters. Initially, his elder daughter held the session right, but she disappointed him by breaking the family rules and was finally emunicated. With his younger daughter''s sunny disposition, a strong sense of decorum, and intelligence, he presumed she could bear the responsibility as the head of the family. Thest thing he expected of her was to walk the same path as her sister. How could it not hurt him as their father? How could he not be filled with disappointment? They did the same thing. Have they ever considered my feelings as their father? Do they know how much I''ve given in order to help them gain the position as the heir? Yet, every one of them is a disappointment. They gave the others a chance to discover their weakness. How can I be biased toward them as the head of the family? Tucker turned to his father and cast him a signal. Philip immediately collected himself and urged, ¡°You failed at educating your daughters and allowed such a situation to ur repeatedly in our family. Our family''s reputation as a whole has been dragged through the mud by your daughters. What should we do if we don''t dole out severe punishments and the rest of the family members follow in their footsteps? How should we manage family affairs in the future? My take on this is to penalize her harshly and not let her off so easily. It''ll also serve as a warning to those within the family to think twice before breaking the rules.¡± The crease between Raymond''s brows deepened. His eyes narrowed as he asked, ¡°How do you n to punish her? You can say it as it is without beating around the bush. You should know my character well enough that I won''t ever be biased toward anyone, including my daughter, as the head of the family.¡± Philip inclined his head. ¡°Let''s do as Tucker suggested. Abort the baby in her belly, then confine her. She won''t be allowed to take even a step out of family grounds.¡± What a joke! That brat is carrying a child of the Shurmer family. If she leaves our family, she''ll conspire with Zeke to go against us. We won''t have the power to withstand their onught even if all of the Hoffman family members back us up. With a marriage between the Shurmer and Luther families, the Shurmer family now has Bailey. That woman isn''t some bimbo. She has an enormous backing supporting her. If we insist on shing heads with her, the Hoffman family won''t be gaining any benefits. In short, I still think the best option will be aborting the bast*rd in that b*tch''s belly to prevent any possible scheme which will bite us back in our butt. I can''t let her leave the Hoffman family and meet up with Zeke while carrying a bast*rd. If they collude, a massive cmity awaits the Hoffman family. Juliana struggled to sit up. With a clenched jaw, she spat, ¡°You can''t touch the baby because Master already knew it belonged to Zeke. If you dare to harm it, the Shurmer and Luther family, including Master, won''t let you off.¡± Chapter 637 Chapter 637 Philip sneered and slid a nce at Raymond. He mocked, ¡°Raymond, shouldn''t you teach this brat a lesson for threatening us? Are you letting your compassionate nature take over and allow her to repeat her mistake? If others take her as an example, how should we, as elders, manage the younger members?¡± Raymond squinted his eyes at Philip''s usation. After studying his daughter, his gaze swung to the silent Huntley beside her. ¡°You b*stard! How dare you collude with Juliana and lie to me! Speak! Did youpel her to do so?¡± Huntley looked at Juliana with a firm gaze. A bad feeling rose within Juliana. She instinctively grasped onto the hem of his shirt and furiously shook her head at him. The look in her eyes was pleading with him not to do it. She would never allow him to sacrifice himself to save her. She didn''t want to owe him such a huge favor. She couldn''t. He had suffered so much in the past and finally went from rags to riches. With the rein of enormous power in his grip, he finally stood at the top. I can''t watch him lose everything just to protect me. This is too unfair for him. After spending so much time with him, I know his feelings for me. He might''ve been grateful for me in the past, but as he grew into a man, he learned about the love between a man and a woman. Thus, he probably is in love with me. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have spared every effort to protect and apany me. I can''t ept and don''t know how to respond to such intense feelings. I might be able to give him an answer if I never met Zeke, but my heart already has Zeke and can''t amodate any other men. Under such circumstances, if I still cling to Huntley and tie him down, that''ll be too selfish of me. ¡°Huntley, don''t! I don''t need you to save me, or fulfill my wish.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Huntley reached for her hand and smiled faintly. ¡°Don''t be scared. I''m here. I won''t let anything happen to you, so don''t let your imaginations run wild. I have the gratitude for you saving my life engraved in my heart. Even if it costs me my life, I will make sure no harmes to you.¡± On the heels of his deration, he dropped to his knees in front of Raymond. With a hung head, he lied, ¡°The thought of aborting the baby did cross Ms. Juliana''s mind when she found out she was pregnant, but I stopped her, Mr. Raymond. I was the one whopelled her to keep the baby and incited her to lie to you that the baby belonged to me. I was the one who started everything, so you should punish me instead of her. Since there''s no ce for Ms. Juliana in the Hoffman family, please expel her from the family and let me bear all the punishments for her wrongdoings.¡± Juliana staggered and copsed to the floor. With her arms wrapped around Huntley, she looked up at her father. ¡°He''s lying! I was the one who wanted to keep the baby and forced him to admit the baby was his. Father, this is all my fault. Do whatever you want with me, but please spare Huntley.¡± The veins on Raymond''s head throbbed with every word out of her mouth. The frost in his eyes could freeze a person on the spot. He tried to suppress the burning rage growing within him but failed. In the end, Juliana received another p across her cheek. Is this brat oblivious to her current situation? Huntley already sacrificed himself to save her life. Why is she wasting his effort at such a crucial moment? Juliana lifted her head and stared at Raymond with determination. ¡°I was the one who wanted to keep the baby and forced Huntley to admit it as his. I''m sure you''re aware that I saved his life before, so he''s willing to do anything to repay the favor.¡± Before Raymond could say anything, Philip snorted. ¡°You two can stop trying to acquit the other from the charges. Both of you will be held ountable for such a serious matter.¡± He turned to Raymond when he finished. ¡°Raymond, you have always proimed yourself to be a fair person. Are you nning to cover for your daughter after shemitted such a serious offense? Don''t forget she carries the blood of the Shurmer family in her belly. If she returns to Zeke''s side and conspires against the Hoffman family''s wealth and power, we''ll be faced with impending doom by then. We might forgive her if the b*stard belonged to anyone else, but the situation is already out of our control. If you release her, you''re basicallyying up trouble for yourself and bringing harm to the family. You''re not just her father but also the head of the Hoffman family. The rise and fall of the entire family sat on your shoulders. You must resolve yourself and be ruthless. It should never be an option to let her take the Shurmer family''s side and stage aeback with Zeke to cause further harm to the Hoffman family.¡± Raymond closed his eyes and said, ¡°We''ll decide their punishment after the family meeting. Juliana is still the heir of the Hoffman family. We can''t decide rashly and should give her a fair judgment.¡± Dissatisfied with the oue, Tucker was about to retort when Philip stopped him. ¡°Okay, we heed your advice, Raymond. Someone throw them into the dungeon.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Once she is locked in the dungeon, she''ll lose her freedom. Her life or death is no longer in her hands. Even if that brat manages to stay alive, the baby in her belly must be aborted. Meanwhile, there was still no news from the operation theater of Hallsbay''s medical base after two hours of surgery. Felicity and Artemis raced from the hospital room and saw Victoria in the hallway outside of the operating theater. As Victoria was a good friend of Bailey''s, Felicity treated her kindly. ¡°Don''t be too worried, Victoria. With Bay''s exceptional skills, I''m sure she''ll save him. I''m a prime example. I was injured so badly with a crack at the back of my skull, but Bay still saved me in the end. Have some confidence in her skills, stop overthinking things, and you mustn''t curse Lionel.¡± Victoria inhaled a few calming breaths before replying, ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther. I didn''t think you would be so generous to forgive all of my wrongdoings in the past. Bay is so lucky to have a liberal mother-in- law like you.¡± Felicity shook her head and smiled kindly. ¡°Imitted many mistakes in the past too, but Bay was broad-minded to forgive me. Thanks to her kindness, I didn''t miss out on such a wonderful daughter-in- law. However, you''re a good child too. God is fair to everyone. He''ll grant you a life of peace after giving you enough setbacks.¡± At that moment, the doors to the operation theater slid open, and out walked Bailey. Victoria struggled to stand up, but her legs were weak from the earlier scare. The second her bottom left the chair, she plopped back down. ¡°B-Bay, h-how is he?¡± Chapter 638 Chapter 638 Bailey let out a sigh. What else could be done? Severe damage was inflicted when the de scraped the heart. However, she dared not share her knowledge with Victoria lest she broke down due to her vtile condition. She hadn''t even recovered from her recent miscarriage. After everything that had happened today, her body was at its limit and could no longer sustain another emotional blow. ¡°Don''t worry. We managed to save him. He should be fine once he''s out of critical condition and recuperate for six months,¡± she replied as she massaged her forehead wearily. Victoria continued staring at her nkly and remained unconvinced. After a drawn-out silence, she grabbed Bailey''s arm and hissed, ¡°Bay, don''t lie to me. Are our many years of friendship not enough for you to be honest with me?¡± Bailey exhaled. She would have liked to tell her the truth, but Lionel''s condition was too awful. Telling Victoria the truth would likely be herst straw. Victoria''s heart fell at Bailey''s silence. She let go of Bailey''s arm and strode toward the operating room. ¡°I''ll ask the other doctors then if you won''t be forting with me.¡± Bailey turned subconsciously and held on firmly to her arm. ¡°I''ve managed to secure his life. That''s the truth. What''s the point of me lying to you when you''ll find out sooner orter?¡± Victoria''s eyes were bloodshot as she faced Bailey. ¡°He might be alive, but his injuries are grave, causing serious damage to his body. Am I right?¡± Bailey felt listless. She knew how stubborn Victoria could be. She wouldn''t back down until she got to the bottom of things. Felicity approached them from a short distance away and wrapped her arms around Victoria. ¡°Vicky, you''re too weak. Why don''t you follow me back to your ward to get some rest? Bay will exin everything once she has everything settled.¡± Victoria ignored her as she red at Bailey unflinchingly with her eyes wide open. Bailey exhaled a heavy breath and addressed Simon and Caridee, who were beside her. ¡°Both of you, help support your mom to rest in her ward. Her body can''t handle this much strain.¡± Felicity smiled. ¡°I''m fine with that as well. In that case, I''ll go back and have some rest. You two have a good chat and try talking things over. The friendship both of you have is a precious thing.¡± With that, she and her children departed from the emergency room. Bailey lifted her gaze at Victoria and said in a low voice, ¡°His heart has sustained an injury. There''s a saying that it takes a hundred days for the muscle and bones to recover from trauma, even more so for the heart. Based on my clinical work, he''ll often experience pain in the heart whenever it rains. It''s just the same for women who''ve undergone a cesarean section. Their wounds will still hurt even after they''ve recovered. The heart is our most vulnerable organ. As such, these periodic pains are inevitable. I can''t restore him to his former state, no matter how brilliant I am. That is unless he gets a heart transnt. Unfortunately, the chance of him finding a donor with a heart that matches his is so slim that it''s close to impossible.¡± Victoria had begun drifting off toward the end as she knew that having a heart transnt was too far- fetched. She was instead fixated on what Bailey had said about how Lionel''s heart would ache whenever there was rainy weather. Is this divine punishment? Are the heavens teaching us a lesson by sending another disaster when we tried escaping our plight? Is this so we''d remain trapped in an infinite cycle of torture? Bailey was about to speak when Victoria waved her off. ¡°Bay, thank you for keeping him alive. Where there''s life, there''s hope. Who knows? Perhaps a medication that can cure heart pains will be invented in the future?¡± Bailey let out a breath she was holding at Victoria''s positivity and grinned. ¡°You''re right. With the rapid advances in the medical field, that could very well be a possibility. That''s why you shouldn''t be too disheartened.¡± ¡°Bailey, I have bad news.¡± Zayron''s voice rang out from the opposite end of the corridor. Bailey unconsciously furrowed her brows as she''d never seen him beside himself with worry. This meant that something serious had taken ce. She stalked toward him and grabbed his cor, tugging him into one of the wards. ¡°What happened?¡± Zayron answered choppily as he struggled to catch his breath, ¡°Our spies in the Hoffman family reported that Philip has sniffed out Juliana''s lie and now knows that the child she''s pregnant with is not Huntley''s. He''s now coercing Mr. Raymond to imprison Juliana and Huntley.¡± Bailey frowned. The thing she was most concerned about had finally happened. She knew that Phillip and his son would take advantage of the situation. As the best hacker in the world, she knew there was a high risk of the paternity results being tampered with when using the medical facilities belonging to the family''s inner circle. They would never let Juliana off so easily and would stop at nothing until she was eliminated. ¡°How are they nning to deal with Juliana?¡± The rules of the Hoffman family stipte explicitly that any family member who has a rtionship with an outsider and bears his child would have to be exiled. Now that Juliana''s pregnancy was brought to light, the worst she had to endure would be being exiled from the family. Were there any consequences more dangerous than that? Zayron ground his teeth and bit out, ¡°ording to our spies'' intel, Philip intends to use Julia to set an example. He proposed to Mr. Raymond that Julia undergo an abortion and be permanently incarcerated in the Hoffman residence so she never steps foot out again.¡± Bailey nodded in satisfaction. ¡°You''re finally taking things seriously for once and have learned how to assess the situation calmly. What about Zeke? Does he know about this?¡± Zayron quirked his lips. ¡°Your mother threatened her own life and ordered him to return tofort Shirley as she''s been experiencing abdominal pains recently.¡± Bailey couldn''t hold back her giggle. Waverly didn''t show an ounce of concern for the critically injured Lionel despite being his aunt and only rtive, yet focused her attention on an unborn baby that was not the Shurmer family''s flesh and blood. Bailey mused wryly that Waverly was lucky her life was smooth sailing all this while. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. I suppose she''d have to learn the lesson the hard way by my own hand like Felicity. ¡°Come along. Let''s go to the Shurmer residence.¡± Chapter 639 Chapter 639 In a bedroom in the Shurmer residence, Zeke stood by the bed and red at Shirley, who was leaning against the headboard. He had never felt such disgust toward her because of the rtionship the Shurmers had with the Gourds in the past. He would give her the cold shoulder as he was not interested in her. In other words, he had never harbored any romantic feelings for her. Yet, ever since he found out that Shirley took the ce of the woman he had a one-night stand with and wiped off Juliana''s existence with the intention of marrying into the Shurmer family, his patience with her had worn thin. The revtion that she had stolen his sperm from the bank and used it to impregnate herself only served to intensify his disgust toward her. ¡°I told you I''ll not acknowledge this child and ept the baby. You are the one who insists on keeping it, so why do youe after me? You must be aware that I''ve had the butler tamper with the path in the garden and cause you to fall. So you should know I wanted to get rid of that fetus in your belly more than once. You insist on keeping the baby, so what do you expect from me? Don''t expect me to love this child either. If you''re smart enough, you should take the initiative to abort the child to avoid harming yourself and the baby.¡± Shirley''s eyes turned bloodshot, and tears welled up in her eyes. She widened her eyes, shot daggers at him, and said in between sobs, ¡°How could you do this? You''re the child''s father! If you don''t believe it, we can do amniocentesis and run a paternity test.¡± Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Despite her mother''s repeated warnings about the potential harm to her unborn child, Shirley was determined to run a paternity test to prove to Zeke that he was indeed the biological father to her child. Although the method of obtaining the sperm might not have been entirely ethical, the baby was still biologically his as it had been conceived using his sperm and her ovum and then imnted into her body through in vitro fertilization. There''s no way he can deny it. Upon hearing that, Zeke let out a cold snort. He knew the woman was kept in the dark and had no idea where the devil''s spawn in her womb actually came from since her mother had hidden the truth from her. So what? Since the moment she pretended to be the woman I slept with and imnted my sperm into her body, any sympathy I might have for her had flown out of the window. Zeke said, ¡°Do you not understand what I said? Look, I''ve told you this many times already. It''s not about whether he''s my son or not. I just don''t want him. Period. That''s why I asked the butler to figure out ways to get rid of him. I thought I made it pretty clear. It doesn''t matter if he''s mine biologically or not. If I wanted to ept him, I would, even if he wasn''t mine. But I don''t, so there''s no use trying to put pressure on me.¡± Plop...plop...plop... Tears that were rolling in Shirley''s eyes gushed out uncontrobly. I''ve done everything I could, but why is he still doing this to me? ¡°It doesn''t matter if you refuse to acknowledge it. The child is growing inside me, and when he''s born, he''ll be your eldest son. Blood is thicker than water. I don''t believe you''ll have the heart to strangle him to death when hees to this world. Everyone knows that I''m carrying your child and we''re getting married. I still want the Mrs. Shurmer title, even though our rtionship is just in name,¡± Shirley uttered. Zeke responded with a faint grin. I might consider recognizing her as Mrs. Shurmer if she''s carrying my child. I''d also be more than willing to maintain an impersonal rtionship with her for the rest of my life after the birth of our child. But that child in her womb is not a Shurmer. Upon hearing Shirley''s cries, Waverly burst into the room. ¡°You b*stard! I ask you toe andfort Shirley, not to provoke her!¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes and nced at her before responding indifferently, ¡°Lionel was stabbed right in the heart, and he might not survive the attack. Shouldn''t you be visiting him since you''re his only family member?¡± Waverly was struck dumb. ¡°N-Nell was injured?¡± Zeke''s frown tightened. ¡°Did you not know about it?¡± After that, he scoffed and added, ¡°I guess I shouldn''t be surprised. You don''t even care about your daughter since you''re more concerned about the child in her womb, let alone the life and death of your nephew. I have nothing to say, except good luck to you all.¡± With that, he nced at Shirley''s belly before turning around and walking toward the door. At that moment, the housekeeper''s voice came from behind the door. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, Mr. Zeke, Ms. Jefferson is here.¡± Zeke knitted his brows. What is she doing here? Does she not know danger lurks everywhere right now? Frustration kicked in, and Waverly could not help but recall what Zoey had said. Zoey revealed to Waverly that Bailey had been trying to set up a match between Zeke and Juliana, and that was why Bailey had been defaming Shirley and urging Zeke to get rid of the baby. Waverly bought her story. It was logical for Bailey to assist Juliana since thetter was her prot¨¦g¨¦. But does she not know Shirley is already carrying a child of the Shurmer family? Knowing that Zeke is on her side, what exactly is her intention? How could she instigate her brother to abort the child her future sister-inw is carrying? How could she sacrifice Shirley and her unborn child to pave the way for her prot¨¦g¨¦? ¡°It''s her again. You just got home a while ago, and she''s here. Zozo is right. You''ve fallen for her spell.¡± Waverly expressed her dismay. She walked to the door and said, ¡°I''ll talk to her. Let''s see if she has a guilty conscience.¡± Zeke did not stop her. Bay must have weighed the consequences beforeing. It could be beneficial for her to have a conversation with my mother. Waverly stormed into the waiting lounge. ¡°Listen carefully, Bailey Jefferson. I''ll never allow that prot¨¦g¨¦ of yours to marry into the Shurmer family. It''s not going to happen, not over my dead body!¡± Bailey leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, arms crossed, and responded with a perplexing grin. It''s time to teach this old hag a lesson to wake her up. She believed the Shurmer family would be in deep trouble if Waverly remained clueless about the situation. Despite herck of attachment to the family and her reluctance to reim her position, she was still concerned that the internal conflicts would take a toll on Zeke, who was now the head of the family. ¡°The child Shirley is carrying is not a Shurmer,¡± Bailey said directly, regardless of whether Waverly could ept it or not. Waverly was stunned and stared at her nkly, unable to react for a long time. Bailey added, ¡°The woman Zeke slept with was my prot¨¦g¨¦, Juliana, not Shirley. I believe you''re aware that Juliana is pregnant, right? The child she''s carrying now belongs to the Shurmer family. It''s just that Shirley lied and took her ce.¡± Waverly widened her eyes in disbelief, her lips trembling as she struggled to form a coherent sentence. Upon seeing the stunned look on her face and how she struggled topose herself, Bailey could not help but smirk sarcastically. She felt Waverly had lived a sheltered life of enjoying all the privileges, and it seemed that only a jarring revtion like this could rattle her out of hercency. Chapter 640 Chapter 640 So much for doting on Shirley and treating the child in her belly as if it were her precious. In that case, let''s see if shees to her senses when I end her. ¡°I-Impossible. The child in Shirley''s belly has to be a Shurmer. There''s nothing you wouldn''t do to help your disciple, is there? How could you concoct such lies to deceive me? I''m your mother, Bailey!¡± Bailey chuckled. Mother? How dare this woman stand there and proim herself my mother? Ah, well. She''s just one of many people in the world who think highly of themselves. I''ve been around long enough to havee across people like that. There''s no need to stoop to her level. ¡°To tell you the truth, I never saw you as my mother because you''re not worthy.¡± Because you''re not worthy. Waverly shuddered at those words before staggering backward. She only managed to steady herself by propping her back against the door. She gaped at Bailey, and her gaze dimmed in an instant. ¡°If it was your disciple who was involved with Zeke that night, as you said, how did Shirley get pregnant? She insists that it''s his baby and is so sure of it to the point of suggesting a paternity test. Surely she couldn''t be lying?¡± Sneering, Bailey proceeded to tell Waverly about Shirley''s attempt at IVF, and how it had been foiled by her own mother. The news proved too much for Waverly. Unable to support her own weight, she slumped against the door. Then, her legs gave way, and she slid down to the floor. ¡°How could this be? Why would she do that? I doted on her. Trusted her. Why would she lie to me?¡± Bailey sighed inwardly. She gazed up and found Zeke standing at the door, his face impassive. His presence prompted her to recall her motive foring to the Shurmer residence. Arriving before him, she drags him out of the waiting lounge. Zeke studied her with a frown. ¡°Why didn''t you heed me when I told you not toe? You may not be as lucky in another ident! Who''s going to bear the consequences if something happened to you?¡± Bailey gave a smile, which did not extend to her eyes. ¡°Artemis would have sent people to protect me had he not lost his memory,¡± she replied coolly. ¡°He''s in Hallsbay now, and would not stand and watch harme to me.¡± Zeke scoffed. ¡°So, we merely stood and watch harm befall you before because he wasn''t in Hallsbay?¡± Hearing that, Bailey rolled her eyes. What''s wrong with him? Why is he being so confrontational? I didn''t even provoke him. ¡°I''m going to be very upset if you keep talking like this.¡± Zeke chuckled in spite of himself. ¡°Sounds like you are the one being touchy. Spill it. What happened?¡± Upon arriving at the subject, his eyes narrowed. A sense of foreboding loomed in the back of his mind. ¡°Could Lionel have...¡± Not made it? Bailey shook her head. ¡°Lionel is currently stable. Despite the damage to his heart, he remains alive and kicking. It''s Julie. That truth of her being pregnant with the Shurmer family''s child has been exposed.¡± Zeke froze. He cast her a puzzled nce. ¡°What then? Has she been cast out?¡± It does make me anxious to hear that something has happened to her. She likes me and she''s even carrying my child now. Besides this messy rtionship aside, she''s also my sister''s disciple. ¡°I will contact them and ask that they protect her. When this tide is over, I''ll pick her up and bring her back to Hallsbay.¡± Given the current precarious predicament in Hallsbay, it was not a good time for her to return. It was safer for her to remain elsewhere instead. Pursing her lips, Bailey gave a bitterugh. ¡°If getting banished was the only thing that happened to her, why would I personallye and see you, or be this worked up, for the matter? ording to the spy within the Hoffman family, the head has locked her up and is preparing to hold a meeting to discuss aborting the child before subjecting her to life imprisonment. She would never set foot outside the house ever again.¡± Zeke''s gaze turned cold. A hint of hostility appeared between his brows. Gentle and friendly by nature, he often appeared easygoing. The sudden change in his demeanor shocked even Bailey. She was well aware of his status as the head of the prestigious family most renowned for their medical prowess which had enterprises scattered all over the globe. The power and prestige he possessed were equal to Artemis''. The Hoffman family has hurt his woman and is making ns to kill his unborn son. Of course, he is going to take action. ¡°Zeke...¡± Zeke''s fury subsided a little. ¡°Don''t concern yourself with this,¡± he said lightly. ¡°I will deal with the head of the Hoffman family. Don''t worry. Nothing will happen to your disciple or the child in her belly.¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°I''ll leave this to you, then. Besides, I''m a little overwhelmed. It''s your woman and your child. You should be the oneing up with a way to save them.¡± I don''t think the head of the Hoffman family would dare act rashly, anyway. If Zeke expresses his insistence on keeping the child, even the Hoffman family would have to consider their next move carefully. ¡°Let''s head back to the medical base. Lionel is not out of danger yet, and his condition is subject to change. Also, I worry Luther Group''s medical team cannot manage it in Justin''s absence.¡± Zeke nodded. The pair was about to leave when Waverly dashed in. The devastating news seemed to have given her an epiphany. Of course, only she knew her innermost thoughts best. Bailey had no time to investigate it, nor did she intend to do that. ¡°I''lle with you to the medical base.¡± Waverly wanted to visit Lionel. Bailey is right. I am Lionel''s only family. He''s also myst backer on my side of the family. From her bedroom, Shirley watched Zeke and Waverly leave, and her heart rose to her throat. I am worried sick. She was worried that her impersonation woulde to light and that her act of stealing his seed from the sperm bank to inseminate herself would be exposed. Most of all, she was worried that Zeke would find out that Juliana was carrying his child. At the moment, every step she took was akin to treading on thin ice. Click. The doorknob twisted and the door was pushed open, and Zoey walked in. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. ¡°Why are you crying again, Shirley? Get back to bed! The baby was almost lost once before. Don''t put yourself through that again!¡± Shirley grabbed her elbow. ¡°Mom went to see Bailey, didn''t she?¡± she asked urgently. ¡°What did they talk about? Eavesdrop on them for me, will you?¡± Zoey''s lips spread into a mocking smile. Disdain shed across her eyes. There''s no use in keeping this fool around any longer. I should use her as a pawn and strike Bailey through her. ¡°What happened that night has been exposed, Shirley. Bailey told Mom that it was Juliana who was with my brother that night and that the child in her belly is his.¡± Chapter 641 Chapter 641 Shirley froze. She gazed at the other with eyes widening with disbelief. Did I hear her right? Bailey managed to find out the truth? I thought that b*tch Juliana would have returned to her family to be its heir, which is why she would have no future with Zeke. Now, the Hoffman family is telling the world that the child in her belly belongs to Huntley. I was so sure that she would not have found out about it. If the world knew she was carrying a Shurmer, the Hoffman family would kick her out without hesitation. That b*tch could only keep her lips sealed if she wants to be the heir of the Hoffman family and let the world mistake her child to be Huntley''s. Now, however, Bailey had exposed everything. ¡°I-Is that true, Zozo? Did she expose everything?¡± Zoey nodded. Her eyes shed momentarily with rage. ¡°Yes. Not only did she tell Mom that Juliana''s baby is Zeke''s, but she also told her that the child in your belly is a result of you stealing his sperm to inseminate yourself. Mom was livid. After being incited by Bailey, I fear Mom may not back you anymore. You should prepare for the worst, Shirley. If her support ceases, your future in the Shurmer family is over. By that point, all you can do is watch as Zeke kicks you out and reces you with that b*tch, Juliana.¡± Shirley clenched her fists. Godd*mn Bailey. This is all because of her. If she did not expose the truth, Mrs. Shurmer and Zeke would not find out about that night and would continue assuming that it was me who had gotten involved with him. Even if I couldn''t capture Zeke''s heart, I would at least be Mrs. Shurmer and lead a life of endless luxury. Now, however, all of my hopes and dreams have been burst by that woman. Why did she have to be so meddlesome? Her disciple has already returned to the Hoffman family to be its heir. Why did she have to uncover the truth and disrupt everything? A triumphant glint shed across Shirley''s eyes when she saw that she had sessfully incited Shirley''s hatred. ¡°You know that woman, Shirley. Her ego has inted to such a degree that she thinks she has to have a say in everything, including who her brother and her disciple should marry. I suppose she thinks my brother should marry her disciple, and that is why she did not care that you are carrying my brother''s child.¡± Shirley''s exquisite features contorted. It was in that she was livid. If I could, I would skin that b*tch alive. ¡°I will remember this, Bailey. You are the cause of all of my misfortune. One day, I will have you pay it back in blood.¡± Smirking faintly, Zoey tugged at the other woman''s wrist. ¡°Zeke already knows that Juliana is carrying his child, Shirley,¡± she said gently, ¡°and that you have stolen his seed to make a test tube baby. I think he will despise you even more. Besides, there''s a high chance of the child in your belly being deformed after that injury. Since they won''t be happy about its existence, why don''t you use the baby to ruin Bailey? After all, the child in your belly is a Shurmer. Though it was conceived artificially, the fact that it is Shurmer cannot be denied. If it dies in Bailey''s hands, we can even turn Mom against her, even if we couldn''t destroy her. That should teach her a lesson.¡± Shirley''s fists loosened slowly. I know what I must do. ... Artemis was leaning against the tall windows with a ss of wine in his hand in the study of one of Tarragon''s branches. It was during such silent moments that he missed Bailey even more. That woman has been branded onto my heart and soul. Sometimes, he thought he would not forget her even after having his memory removed. That woman has be a part of me that I cannot cut out. Not even memory loss pills can remove her from my world. Click. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Holden pushed open the door and entered. ¡°I found out who those suicide attackers had been assigned tost.¡± Artemis'' fingers tightened imperceptibly around the ss. He turned around. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Its previous leader was Leo. He had given the suicide attackers to one of his favorite mistresses, who disappeared after he died. I have ordered the investigation of her true identity, which we will learn of very soon. Also, Yvette has secretly mobilized the entire force her father had left behind to Hallsbay. She wants to fatally harm Bailey so badly that she would bear the risk of losing everything.¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°She can''t wait to act, can she? Send men to keep a close eye on their movements. Somebody will show themselves to assumemand. It won''t be Yvette, but the invisible hand that looms behind her.¡± ¡°At once, sir.¡± Upon their return to the medical base, Bailey and the others were told that Lionel''s condition had worsened and was undergoing an emergency procedure. Without a word, she burst into the operating room. Meanwhile, Waverly sat on the bench outside, scowling. She turned her narrowed eyes at her son, who was leaning against the wall. ¡°What are you nning to do? Bring the Hoffman girl back to the Shurmer residence? She has told the world that the baby belongs to one of the men in her n, which is proof enough that she does not intend to return to you. That makes sense as being the heir of the Hoffman family and soon the most powerful woman in Adrune, she would be basking in royal adoration. Why would she marry you?¡± Zeke was blunt. ¡°My child will not remain with the Hoffmans, be it the woman or the boy. Don''t concern yourself with this. You''d be better off thinking of ways to take care of that Gourd girl.¡± Waverly''s scowl deepened at the mention of Shirley. Despite doting on the girl and even treating her as my daughter, she and her mother yed me out. ¡°Given that her baby is not a Shurmer, there''s nothing else to say. We will not raise another man''s son. However, I will not ept the Hoffman girl. Being the heir of the Hoffman family, she is surely going to take over one day. Besides, her family''s rules dictate that they cannot marry men outside their n. Provoking her means challenging the might of the entire Hoffman n and will only bring you catastrophic consequences. Heed my advice. Don''t seek trouble.¡± Zeke nced at her. ¡°With everything out in the open,¡± he said inly, ¡°she has ended up in a dungeon and may lose her child. I must rescue her.¡± ¡°No,¡± Waverly said at once. Chapter 642 Chapter 642 I do not care for the child in that woman''s belly, even if it was a Shurmer. Being the Hoffman family''s heir, that b*tch has aplicated background. Though the Shurmer family has no cause to fear the Hoffman family, both sides stand to lose if a war broke out. It is not worth it to wipe out our bloodline for somebody who isn''t even born yet. I would rather my son marry a woman with no background or societal standing than have him provoke a prestigious family as big and ancient as the Hoffmans. Doing that is no different from ying with matches and raining death and destruction onto our family. Besides, I never liked that little b*tch. I don''t care if she''s pregnant. She will never marry into the Shurmer family without my blessing. Zeke watched her. Though his expression was nk, his gaze was frigid. ¡°I''m not telling you to ask for your blessing. Truth be told, I will be breaking Juliana out of that ce no matter what you think. Aside from the fact that she is carrying my child, I owe her that much just from the fact that she''s Bay''s disciple alone. If you''re worried about me implicating the Shurmer family, you could discuss the matter of disowning me with my father. I''ll give you back all my rights and be officially out of the Shurmer family. Whatever trouble I get into will nevere back to haunt you.¡± Waverly''s eyes widened with disbelief. How could he say that? Is he going to cut himself from his family for a woman? We have spent decades nurturing him, grooming him with much difficulty to take over the family. He would give up everything for an unimportant woman. Just what a great son I have raised. ¡°Are you going to sever ties with your mother, Zeke? You would do that for a woman? How could you be so irresponsible?¡± Zeke smiled coldly. ¡°I''m d you brought that up. You should know I have a responsibility for her and her son¡ªa man''s responsibility. On the one hand, you want me to be responsible, while on the other, you''re forcing me to abandon them. Isn''t that double standards?¡± Waverly choked. My son is too quick with words. I cannot outwit him. Naturally, she would not allow him to give up his birthright, nor would she stand and watch while he severed ties with the Shurmer family. It took us years to raise a worthy heir. He is the only son of the Shurmer family. What will happen to us if he leaves? The twopsed into silence. The corridor had be so quiet that the atmosphere felt strange. Some timeter, Bailey emerged from the emergency room. Waverly did not deign to continue the meaningless quarrel with her son, because she knew him well enough to know that nothing would change his mind once he decided upon something. No words would dissuade him from his decision. She walked up to Bailey as she was more worried about her nephew. Interestingly, she was much more pleasant to Bailey possibly because she had thought things through. ¡°How is he? Is your cousin all right?¡± Bailey froze. Cousin? That''s right. Lionel is my cousin. What happened to her? She is acknowledging my existence. Though Waverly lowered herself, Bailey remained cold and aloof. ¡°He''s not dead yet, but he''s still not out of danger. We''ll check in on him again tomorrow at noon. If he makes it past the first twenty-four hours, he will most likely be fine.¡± Waverly opened her mouth as if to say something but swallowed her words at Bailey''s cold expression. I admit that I have gone too far in certain aspects, but I am still an elder. I shouldn''t have to lower myself to apologize to this girl. Bailey nced at her. Without saying a word, she turned and returned to the emergency room. I never had high hopes for a mother''s love. That woman has chosen Zoey over me, so nothing she does will ever touch me. There is only the stiff formality of an elder conversing with someone young between us, never mother and daughter. Waverly red at her back. ¡°Look at that attitude,¡± she said in a dissatisfied tone to Zeke. ¡°I took the initiative to speak, yet she still puts on that smug look. Does she expect me to kneel before her and beg for forgiveness?¡± Zeke said nothing. He turned and headed to the study. I have more important matters to deal with, such as personally contacting the head of the Hoffman family and pressuring him to preserve the baby in Juliana''s belly. In the military general hospital in Dellmoor, Tamara, Raiden, and a group of politicians were crowding around the entrance to the emergency room, wearing simr looks of panic. Sloan was rushed to the hospital, having fainted suddenly half an hour prior. It had been quite some time, yet there was still no news. Tamara''s stern gaze swept toward a professionally-dressed woman. ¡°He was fine when he left earlier today,¡± she said, gritting her teeth. ¡°How did he suddenly pass out? As the chief secretary, you must know the reason.¡± The chief secretary turned pale. If anything happens to him in there, the politicalndscape of Chanaea will change. N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner. She had been frightened out of her wits since Sloan''s mishap and had yet to recover from it. ¡°I-I don''t know either! Mr. Fletcher has just been promoted. It''s the critical moment of power changing hands, and the pressure is enormous. He must have been so overwhelmed that he fell ill.¡± Tamara was about to say something scathing when Raiden pulled her aside. He gestured to have a private word with her, then led the way toward a balcony in the distance. Tamara considered for a moment, then strode in his wake. After the pair arrived at the balcony, Raiden said, ¡°Dad has overexerted himself. As the chief secretary said, it''s a critical moment of power transfer. He must be highly strung every day from the pressure. Furthermore, he''s not as young''s he used to be. With the sudden addition on his shoulders, it was too much for his body to handle, so he fell sick. You should think of ways to reduce his stress.¡± How am I supposed to do that? Despite her repeated reminders to her husband to rest, he never listened. Instead, he threw himself into his work at all hours of the day. She sympathized with him. Being new to the position, he set high standards for himself and thus had forsaken sleep and food. ¡°How would I help reduce his stress? You know how stubborn your father can be. He just won''t listen. Since you came up with the suggestion, you should be the one toe up with a way to implement it. Let''s hear it. What do you suggest?¡± After a moment''s silence, Raiden said casually, ¡°Find him a hypnotist to take the edge off.¡± Chapter 643 Chapter 643 Hypnotist? Tamara frowned. Will it work? I never believed in professions like those. They seem... evil. After all, it''s a dangerous method as they''ll establish a mental bridge with the patient and peer into the patient''s true thoughts. Sloan is the head of state right now, and his mind is filled with many secrets. There''ll be trouble if someone with malicious intentions delves into his mind. I doubt my son didn''t think of the risks if I did. So, since he''s making that request, perhaps he had thought things through. Still, I should rify the situation with him. Thus, she said, ¡°This method is too risky. Your father has just been initiated into his position, and his superiors have transferred many confidential matters to him. His mind is currently filled with dozens of top-secret information. Meanwhile, a top international hypnotist can establish a mental bridge with another person''s mind and learn everything inside. I''m worried someone with malicious intent will exploit the opportunity to steal those secrets.¡± Raiden fell into silence. A few minutester, he spoke. ¡°Then I''ll ask a hypnotist who abides by professional ethics for help. For example, the number one international hypnotist, Ethereal. Her whereabouts are hard to pin, and she''s supposedly an entric person who never interacts with the public. It''s unlikely a person like her will peek into a person''s mind to search for secrets and leak them. I''m certain of it.¡± Tamara furrowed her eyebrows even tighter. Ethereal? Does that person really exist? I heard she''s skilled at hypnosis and even knows how to perform the long-lost dream-making technique. However, all of it is just rumors. No one has ever seen her before. Thus, many thought the name was curated. As rumors spread, she was eventually elevated to a mystical status. When her train of thought ended, she asked, ¡°Can you contact this person?¡± Raiden nodded. Technically, he couldn''t, but he could ask Bailey about it since thetter was a know-it-all. She has definitely heard of that name before. Then, he suggested, ¡°Give me a few days. I''ll try to contact her. Meanwhile, you should avoid going to Hallsbay and stay at Dellmoor to take care of Father.¡± In response, Tamara narrowed her eyes. Lettie is still in Hallsbay. I have to go there. What if he sends her to prison? Wait, now that I think about it, Lettie is already pregnant with her test-tube baby. Even if she''s sent to prison, they''ll discover her pregnancy and release her, anyway. In that case, I should prioritize Sloan. After all, he''s the pir and head of the Fletcher family. If he goes down, his political enemies will swarm us and swallow our family. This is a critical period, so we can''t afford any mistakes. One wrong move and our whole family will crumble beyond repair. ¡°Fine. Then I''ll stay in Dellmoor while you contact that hypnotist. Convince her to travel here and treat your father.¡± ... Meanwhile, Yvette entered the study inside a Tarragon''s branch and sneaked toward Artemis, who was resting on the couch. She arrived next to the coffee table and tried to touch his handsome face before he pped her. Momentster, an iron hoop was ced around her neck. With much effort, Yvette struggled to escape as she ran out of air. Tears streamed down her cheeks while her breathing quickened. She wanted to speak, but her throat was restricted by the hoop. Hence, she could only make incoherent sounds instead of forming recognizable words. Cough, cough... At that moment, Artemis was genuinely aiming to kill her. This d*mn woman dared to send a picture of the two of us to Bay! I don''t even need to guess to know that Bay must be heartbroken. While I didn''t betray her, just thinking about the fact that she''ll cry makes my heart ache. She''s the apple of my eye. I love and care for her with all my being. I promised myself I wouldn''t allow her to be harmed, yet this stupid woman did it. If this were in the past, I would''ve chopped this b*tch up and fed her to the dogs. As he watched Yvette struggle with agony for more than twenty seconds, he remembered he still hadn''t eliminated the forces her father left behind. Additionally, the mastermind hadn''t been lured out yet. Artemis'' killing intent faded as he thought about that. He gradually loosened her neck and pushed her to the carpet. Upon regaining her freedom, Yvette panted with fear swirling in her teary eyes. ¡°Why did you try to kill me, Leader?¡± Casually, Artemis ambled to the wine cab, poured a ss of red wine for himself, and took a few sips. ¡°Don''t you know I''m an assassin who survived a special training regimen on the training base? You should consider yourself lucky that I didn''t kill you when you intruded upon my privacy while I was resting. Next time, knock on the door before you step in. Don''t ignore my warning. While I may bex with you because of your identity, it doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want. Rules are rules, and I''m still the leader of Tarragon. So, you must treat me as how my subordinates would and follow the rules of the organization. Do you understand me?¡± N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. She sighed in her heart. I thought he had recovered his memory. It turns out he''s just angry that I have disturbed him. Honestly, it''s my fault. I know skilled assassins like him have sharp senses and are vignt, yet I approached him so carelessly. ¡°I''m sorry. There''s a matter I need to speak to you about, so I forgot to mind my manners. I won''t repeat the same mistake again.¡± In response, Artemis turned his cold, bloodthirsty gaze away and kept his distance from her. I don''t want to y this game with her anymore. Some things shouldn''t be done more than once. It''ll be an insult to my darling if I do it again. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± Yvette nodded and informed, ¡°Mr. Doyle is asking you when you''re nning to attack the Saviors. The Saviors assaulted a few of Tarragon''s branches over the past few days. If we don''t take action soon, our organization will suffer immense losses.¡± The edges of his lips curved upward. Has he run out of patience already? Artemis sneered, ¡°Haven''t I already issued a global kill order? As far as I know, plenty of assassins have tried to take that woman''s life. However, they all failed because she had many factions protecting her. What, are you asking me to take care of her personally?¡± His words stumped Yvette. ¡°O-Of course not. However, it''s been days since we arrived at Hallsbay. Shouldn''t you be taking action? It''s not good to drag this out.¡± Chapter 644 Chapter 644 Artemis gave her the side-eye and curled his lips into a half-smile. ¡°Do you have a grudge against that woman? It seems like you can''t wait for her to die. What''s the matter? Did something unpleasant happen between the two of you?¡± Yvette shuddered, and her heart tightened. She couldn''t figure out why he would ask such a question, but upon reflection, she realized her actions had indeed been quite obvious. Did he figure something out? After a moment of silence, she replied, ¡°Leader, you must be joking. I stay in Tarragon''s headquarters all year round, so how could I possibly interact with the head of the Saviors? ¡°I''m considered one of your subordinates now. In addition, I was the daughter of Tarragon''s previous leader. Everyone in the organization would address me as ¡°Your Royal Highness¡± whenever they saw me. I grew up in Tarragon since I was little, so that is my home. Now, the Saviors are invading Tarragon''s territory and threatening the home I''ve lived in for many years. Therefore, isn''t it normal for me to be hostile toward the leader of the Saviors?¡± Artemis averted his gaze. A calcting glint shed across his eyes as he uttered nonchntly, ¡°Your father should''ve left you with quite some power. We both know about this, even though no one says it aloud. This is not something that can be concealed. If you really want to help me with my troubles, you can dispatch those forces to deal with Bailey. I don''t rmend you overstep the bounds. It''ll be considered a great contribution if you resolve our current predicament. In that case, I can fulfill any of your wishes.¡± He was extending her an offer, gradually luring her to make a move. Only after she took action could he eliminate all her forces in one fell swoop, remove all the obstacles, and revamp Tarragon. He needed to eradicate those who disobeyed him. From then on, he would have sole control over Tarragon. Hisrgest obstacle at that moment was the forces and old subordinates left behind by the former leader. If Artemis wanted to get rid of them, he must start with Yvette and Dominic. Once the two of them were taken down, all the forces left by the former leader would copse. That was also why he allowed Yvette to do as she pleased in front of him. He could only prompt them to reveal their true colors by numbing their senses and lowering their guards. Evidently, Yvette hadn''t realized he had set a trap for her. After she listened to his words, a surprised look shed across her face. I can''t believe he''s supporting me to utilize the forces left behind by my father to target Bailey. With his encouragement, what do I have to worry, hesitate, or fear about? I should just take action. All the forces left behind by my father have gathered at Dellmoor anyway. They couldunch an all-out attack on Bailey after I give themand. I don''t believe she can withstand a massive onught of assassins. ¡°L-Leader, can I really deploy the forces left behind by my father to assassinate Bailey and assist you?¡± Artemis curled his lips into a wicked smile, arched his brow, and asked, ¡°You''ll be sharing my burden, so why wouldn''t I agree?¡± ¡°I''ve already issued a global kill order previously. Killing the head of the Saviors is a must and a mission I''m serious about. If you can lend me a hand, that''s even better. You''ll have made a great contribution if you can help me sort out this difficult situation. When we return to the headquarters, I''ll give you whatever you want, and no one will be allowed to have any objections.¡± Yvette suddenly clenched her fists as utter delight washed over her. Is he promising me the position of matriarch? ¡°L-Leader, I don''t want others to be Tarragon''s princess; I want to be Tarragon''s matriarch. Can you really fulfill my wish?¡± Artemis grinned and answered half-heartedly, ¡°When you were about to get married, didn''t I help you cancel the marriage? Do you still not understand my intention? I disagreed with you marrying someone else because I want you to stay in Tarragon forever. And if you remain in Tarragon, aside from being the princess, the only other avable status is the be its matriarch. Be more confident. I want to give you what you desire.¡± Yvette wanted to jump with joy on the spot because she was genuinely ted. He just promised me the matriarch''s position. I have nothing to worry about, then. The most important thing to do now is to kill Bailey to eliminate future threats. Bailey isn''t easy prey, and she won''t give up just like that. Even if Artemis has lost his memories now, she can still recover his memories with her medical skills. Therefore, I won''t allow her any chance. Only a dead person will cease to oppose me. Yvette decided to take action in the uing few days to do away with Bailey. ¡°Okay, I''ll contact the assassins my father left me and have theme to Hallsbay. They were the most elite and top-notch assassins under my father''smand. Although Bailey has many subordinates from the Saviors protecting her, we''ll find an opportunity to kill her. After all, it is easy to dodge an open attack but difficult to defend against a concealed one.¡± ¡°Okay. Go ahead with the arrangements. I''ll wait for your good news. Don''t let me down.¡± Yvette nodded vigorously. ¡°Rest assured. I won''t disappoint you.¡± With that, he turned around and walked toward the door. Taking in her enraptured demeanor from behind, Artemis couldn''t help but curl his lips into a sneer. I can''t believe a fool like her thinks she canpare herself to Bailey. Ha! It''s essential for one to know their limitations. Unfortunately, she doesn''t. Therefore, she''s destined to suffer a tragic end. ... Later that night, inside the bedroom at the Shurmer residence, Waverly stood by the bedside, narrowing her eyes at Shirley who was lying in bed while wearing a poker face. Anger churned within her chest as she gazed at that woman. I''ve been so horribly deceived by the mother and daughter of the Gourd family. Waverly had never been so thoroughly toyed with by anyone in her entire life. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. ¡°Bailey told me everything. What else do you have to say for yourself? I''ve treated you like my own daughter all these years, but I never thought you would collude with your mother to trick me. You''ve truly disappointed me.¡± Feeling anxious, Shirley hastily reached out to grab Waverly''s arm and sobbed, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I had no other choice. I watched Juliana seduce Zeke to bed, and if I didn''t do anything and pretend to be her, I would lose Zeke forever. Even though this baby was conceived through In vitro fertilization and imnted in me, which isn''t something honorable to be mentioned in public, the baby is still the Shurmer family''s descendant. It''s still your biological grandchild.¡± Waverly furrowed her brows and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Are you certain that child is of the Shurmer family''s bloodline?¡± Shirley hurriedly nodded. ¡°The sperm was stolen from the Shurmer family''s sperm bank. The child belongs to Zeke. Mrs. Shurmer, you''ve always been fond of me and wanted to have grandchildren, right? The process doesn''t matter. What''s important is that your wish has been fulfilled.¡± A stern look shed across Waverly''s countenance. Instead of exposing Genevieve''s scheme, she uttered coldly, ¡°Have a good rest. I''ll send someone to take you back to the Gourd residence in a couple of days.¡± Since Genevieve plotted this, I shall let her reap what she sows alongside her daughter. Chapter 645 Chapter 645 Returning to the Gourd family? When Shirley heard this, she panicked and quickly grabbed Waverly''s arm. She cried, ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I was wrong. I really know I was wrong. Please don''t drive me away. Everyone outside knows that I am carrying a child from the Shurmer family. If I am really sent back to my mother''s house, what will they think of me?¡± Waverly slowly stretched out her hand and slowly pried open Shirley''s fingers and said painfully, ¡°Zeke now knows that Juliana is carrying his child, and he has made up his mind to bring that girl back to the Shurmer family. He doesn''t acknowledge the child in your belly. What can we do? Even if I say more, it won''t change anything. This child was obtained through improper means, and Zeke doesn''t wish to acknowledge the child. What''s the point of keeping the baby, then? Why not discuss this with your family and have the child aborted? Don''t give birth to it and create more trouble. Seeing that you''ve been loved and cherished by us for so many years, I''d like to advise you to give up on this child and start anew.¡± Shirley shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face uncontrobly. Why did things end up this way? Everything seemed to have been settled. Although Zeke didn''t love me, he did promise to marry me. Why did it have to end up like this in the end? I''m pregnant now. How will I be able to gain a foothold in the upper ss in the future if I''m chased out of the Shurmer family? Shirley realized that not only her but the whole Gourd family''s reputation was also at stake. Others would gesticte that she was an abandoned mistress of a wealthy family. Those who once envied her would now turn to ridicule her if she were kicked out of the house. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I can do without status, but can you please not drive me away? Now that this child is already in my belly, how can I act as if nothing has happened? Haven''t you always loved the baby and looked forward to his birth? Can you bear to let the outside world condemn him and live a miserable life under the scrutiny of others?¡± ¡°Then listen to my advice and have the child aborted,¡± Waverly said as she turned and walked toward the door. Shirley wanted to chase after her, but her body was too weak. Even moving her body was difficult, so she could only watch Waverly walk out of the room and disappear into the corridor. The sight of the empty room made Shirley slowly clench her fists. Her delicate and pretty face began to twist, revealing a hint of viciousness as malice festered in her eyes. I have that b*tch, Bailey, to thank for all this suffering. How would I end up like this if it wasn''t for her meddling and exposing the truth that night? All of this was caused by Bailey. Since the Shurmer family wouldn¡¯t ept Shirley¡¯s child, she decided to use the child to get back at Bailey. She vowed to make Waverly and Bailey hate each other and never reconcile as mother and daughter for the rest of their lives. After making up her mind, the vicious look on Shirley''s face slowly eased. She had to recover her strength and at least be able to stand on her feet in order to carry out her n. ... Meanwhile, in a hospital room at the medical base, Lionel was slowly waking up from aa. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. When he opened his eyes, there was still a faint hint of confusion in his eyes. After a moment of silence, his wavering gaze gradually refocused. He turned his head and saw Victoria sleeping by the bed. She wasn''t covered with anything, and despite the heater being on, it was still cold in winter. Doesn''t she know that she just had a miscarriage? Why doesn''t she take better care of herself? How can I let her go if this is how she takes care of herself? He slowly moved his arm as he tried to touch her cheek. As soon as he raised his arm, she opened her eyes. Their eyes met, and it felt as if time froze. In the span of a few hours, they had each stood at the edge of the vast chasm of life and death, gazing across its expanse at one another. One step further, and they would have been forever sundered. ¡°You''re awake?¡± Victoria slowly sat up and saw him trying to sit up as well. Instinctively, she furrowed her brows and pressed down on his arm. ¡°Don''t you know you''re not doing well right now? How dare you move around. Are you trying to hurt yourself further?¡± He smiled at her and said softly, ¡°You''re no better, having just gone through a miscarriage...¡± Realizing that he might strike a nerve, he bit his tongue. This topic seemed too sensitive and could hit both of them hard. Victoria got up and walked to the bedside table to get some warm water. When she turned around, she saw him struggling to sit up again and hurriedly pressed him back down. ¡°Can you please calm down and not move around recklessly? Do you think your injury is minor? Your heart has been cut open, and if you don''t take good care of yourself, you could die at any moment,¡± Victoria scowled. Then, she reached for the straw. ¡°Drink this, and don''t think about getting up.¡± Lionel took a few sips of warm water to soothe his dry throat. Then, he looked at Victoria fondly and uttered in a hoarse voice, ¡°It''s so great to see you again.¡± Victoria turned her head slightly and said coldly, ¡°Don''t do this anymore. I owe you too much. We''re divorced now, and we have nothing to do with each other. You don''t have to risk your life for me. I''m not worth it.¡± Lionel couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You''re so straightforward. I''m still a patient, lying in bed and unable to move. Can''t you say a few good words tofort me? You''re in such a hurry to disassociate yourself from me that it''s making things worse. With your attitude, how can I recover from my injuries? After all, I did save your life. Even if we were strangers, this was no way to treat your savior.¡± Victoria pursed her lips, realizing that she had spoken too harshly. She was angry that he didn''t seem to treasure his own life. Even though Lionel got hurt trying to save her, she couldn''t ept it. ¡°Don''t do this anymore. This is no different from you cutting my heart open with a knife.¡± Lionel smiled bitterly. ¡°No, you meant everything to me. If you die, I''ll die with you. It''s not so much about protecting your life as it is protecting my own. As far as I am concerned, we have already shared this life.¡± Tears welled up in Victoria''s eyes as she cried out, her voice torn, ¡°But there is a blood feud between us. Our child is gone now, proving that even the universe doesn''t want us to be together. Sharing this life with me will only bring you more pain. Why bother?¡± Lionel slowly closed his eyes. He was so weak that the few sentences alone were enough to drain all his energy. ¡°I would dly give up my life for you,¡± he uttered with hisst breaths before falling into aa once again. Tears streamed down Victoria''s face. Are we really at a dead end? Chapter 646 Chapter 646 With a half smile on her face, Bailey lifted her brow at Raiden at the medical base beside the artificial lake. ¡°Are you a winged creature? You were at Dellmoorst night. How are you here in Hallsbay now?¡± Raidenughed upon hearing Bailey''s sarcastic remarks. He teased, ¡°I have no choice, as I have someone I love here. No matter where I go, I will always miss this ce.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes at his response. Straightforward as he is, Raiden didn''t bother to phrase his words more tactfully. I guess he doesn''t care whether I can take it or not. Bailey red at Raiden and changed the subject. ¡°I heard something happened to your dad. How is he now? Is he okay?¡± Sloan was an important leader, and his safety was the priority. If anything happened to him, it would shock the nation. Raiden''s smile slowly vanished after hearing the mention of Sloan''s name. ¡°He fell sick abruptly because he was under so much pressure, and it overburdened his body. Although he can still hold on, his condition is deteriorating.¡± He continued, ¡°As my dad had just gotten into power, he had many things that he wanted to achieve. He would never listen to our advice to put everything behind him and rest at home. Ultimately, I think his body will only get weaker from working through the day and night.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Maybe find ways to relieve his stress levels? Since the power transfer had been done, and everything is going ording to n, he does not have to spread himself thin now.¡± Raiden smiled bitterly, shaking his head. ¡°I won''t have to worry about him so much if he would listen to my advice! Anyway, I want to hire a hypnotist to help him rx and destress.¡± Bailey arched her brow upon hearing what he said. She realized why Raiden was in Hallsbay. He must be here for me. And why so? I think I have guessed it. ¡°Hypnotist? That''s too risky. You and I both know how an internationally famous top-tier hypnotist can establish a mental bridge tomunicate with their patients. Mr. Fletcher''s mind is full of the country''s confidential information. If an ill-intentioned outsider manages to decrypt the essential information in his brain, the consequences would be devastating!¡± Raiden smiled. Hey, why is she so direct? I can''t keep her in suspense after she said that. ¡°So I take it that you guessed my purpose of looking for you here. I shall not keep you guessing, you wise woman. Bailey, I want to know the whereabouts of the best hypnotist, Ethereal. Can you tell me where she is?¡± Bailey eyed Raiden with a half smile. She raised her brow. ¡°Why are you sure that Ethereal won''t steal confidential information stored in your dad''s brain? You don''t know her, so why do you trust her? It''s hard to tell what a person is thinking. Moreover, she is a stranger with a strange personality. This may be a bad idea as it is very risky. I would advise you to get rid of that thought right now. Don''t cause any trouble!¡± Raiden gave her a side-eye as he smiled faintly. ¡°Why? Are you scared that you will be implicated in this matter if anything goes wrong? Are you afraid that we will find trouble with you if Ethereal steals the confidential information in my dad''s mind?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Reverse psychology, huh? I''m not one to fall for this trick. ¡°All right. I shall agree to your request if you would not take no for an answer. Give me three days, and I''ll give you an answer then.¡± ¡°It will be great if you excel in hypnosis. Then, I don''t have to hire Ethereal to do this for me. After all, we are good friends, and we trust each other. If I have to choose between you and Ethereal, I will choose you without any questions asked!¡± Raiden grinned. Bailey waved her hands dismissively as she walked back into the house. ¡°Forget it. Your mom hates me. She won''t think twice about skinning me alive! If I''m tasked to hypnotize your dad, she would be the first to oppose the idea. I will not subject myself to that kind of humiliation. Nobody wants to do such an arduous and thankless job. Neither do I!¡± Thoughts shed across Bailey''s mind. I have a few acquaintances that are great at hypnosis, and I''ll get them to work with Mr. Fletcher. Even though Raiden worries that the hypnotists will steal his dad''s confidential information, I trust my friends. They can rece me, for I don''t wish to reveal my identity as Ethereal! Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. As the public heard the rumor that Ethereal had mastered a long-lost skill¡ªthe dream-making technique, it would cause an uproar if Ethereal presented her talent before the public eye. Moreover, Bailey didn''t want to steal the limelight anymore. She only wanted to live her life peacefully and quietly. A tenderness shed across Raiden''s eyes as he stared at Bailey''s back. He was serious about Bailey being the one he loved. Even though he still had a long life to live, he knew there was a high possibility that he would never be attracted to another woman like how he had fallen in love with Bailey. He couldn''t help thinking to himself. Yes, although I met her toote in my life, which caused me many disappointments, I don''t regret knowing her. Only those who had fallen deeply in love will know how I feel now. I know for a fact that no other woman can make her the way I love and care for Bailey. Protecting her quietly isn''t a bad idea, and watching her be happy with some other men is a blessing too. At least she got to live life the way I wished she could. ¡°Why are you still standing there? Come inside! The weather is freezing out there!¡± The sound of Bailey''s sweet voice pulled Raiden back into reality. He shook his head. ¡°I''ve got to go visit Scarlett next.¡± Realization dawned on Bailey. Oh, I guess she had already done IVF? Maybe she is waiting for the right time to hold Justin responsible for her pregnancy. Judging by how snobbish Mrs. Xuereb is, she will definitely ask Scarlett to stay at the Xuereb residence and force Justin to marry her. Gosh. How pathetic! Scarlett has be another version of Shirley! With her title as Lady Scarlett, a great future awaits her if she can put her obsession behind her. Scarlett ruined her advantages by compulsively going after something she shouldn''t be seeking for! I can already imagine her tragic end. Yet, I don''t pity her at all. At the hotel, sympathy filled Raiden as he stood at the suite entrance, narrowing his eyes at Scarlett, who looked all skin and bones. Oh my! What happened to Lady Scarlett, who came from a wealthy, prestigious family? Why must she torture herself for a man who doesn''t love her? ¡°Dad is sick. Are you going to return to Dellmoor with me or not?¡± A glint shed across Scarlett''s eyes. She gritted her teeth. ¡°Will I be safe if I head back? Won''t you send me to jail then?¡± Raiden shook his head. ¡°You harmed others because of your selfishness, and I can''t forgive you on behalf of those victims, so I will still send you to the court for justice!¡± Chapter 647 Chapter 647 Well, well. Raiden did not forget the intention of charging me at the court. If that''s the case, why will I go back to Dellmoor? I don''t want to go to jail or get sued! ¡°I''m not going back. I''m staying here! If you insist on sending me to jail, do it then. I shall sever our ties as brothers and sisters here and now!¡± Raiden frowned slightly. She shows no regrets even when things have turned out this way. It''s fine. I''ve already told her everything that I should. There''s nothing that I can do if she doesn''t want to heed my advice. Initially, Raiden had thought that if Scarlett had turned herself in voluntarily, she might stand a chance of staying alive because of the Fletcher family''s power and influence. So even though Scarlett had to spend many years in prison, she could still look forward to her release from jail in the future. And if she changed herself for the better, Scarlett''s life would start afresh after she was free. At least, it would be better than the life she led currently, which was no different from a zombie. ¡°Fine. I won''t send you to jail. There''s nothing more that I can say if you continue acting this way. One day, you will suffer the dire consequences of your actions! By then, it will be toote for you to regret it. As your brother, I wanted to give you some parting advice. Yet, you wouldn''t heed my words. There''s nothing I can do now. I''m not going to meddle in your affairs from today onward, and don''t me me for being heartless and cruel to you in the future.¡± With that, Raiden promptly turned and left. Scarlett''s legs went weak, and she copsed slowly onto the ground. I don''t want this to happen too! But I made a mistake, and I''m at wits end now! Even if turning myself in could save my life, I''ll have to spend the rest of my life in jail. I don''t want to live a life without freedom, okay? I''m Lady Scarlett, and I''m born into a prestigious family. I will never allow myself to turn into a lowly criminal! The stark contrast between the two lives will be devastating to me! Luckily, I''ve undergone the IVF procedure and am pregnant with Justin''s kid. Olivia thinks highly of me and will be happy to know that I''m pregnant. She will pick me up then and bring me into the Xuereb residence. Scarlett knew she could use her baby as a bargaining chip to force Justin into marrying her. She could be Justin''s wife, achieving a lifelong dream she had. She didn''t care whether Justin loved her or not. Scarlett only wanted to take the role of his wife; thus, forcing Veronique to be a third party in her marriage and making Zephyr an illegitimate child. With her goals set, Scarlett would never change her mind easily. A better life was waiting for her, so turning herself in like the one Raiden proposed and losing her freedom in the process was a no-go! ... In the study at the Hoffman residence, Philip furrowed his brows toward Raymond, who sat on the swivel chair. ¡°What do you mean by showing Juliana mercy, Raymond? She broke the rules, so it''s only natural for her to be punished. We can''t just let her off the hook because she is your daughter. People will never respect you again if you covered for her this time. Do you want to pass your position as the head of the family to someone else?¡± Raymond grabbed the voice recorder beside him and yed it as he ced it on the table. The next second, Zeke''s voice rang out from the recorder into every corner of the room. ¡°I only have a request. You will have to ensure no members of the Shurmer family get hurt in the process. If the Hoffman family can''t do that, don''t criticize me for starting a battle between the two prestigious families. I have made myself very clear. I''m going to make sure Juliana and my son stay safe, so no one should think of harming them. Besides, this isn''t just my decision. It is also Bailey''s. If you guys think you are powerful enough to match up against Bailey, then go ahead and punish Juliana. I promise the Hoffman family will never have peace after that.¡± As Zeke''s voice stopped, Philip mmed his fist on the table, cursing inwardly. D*ng. This is outrageous. He doesn''t even respect the Hoffman family at all. ¡°So Mr. Raymond, are you intimidated by his words?¡± Philip questioned. Raymond red at Philip coldly with mixed emotions. After a while, he snorted. ¡°Do you think I should ignore his words and get rid of the baby before locking Juliana up forever?¡± ¡°Yes. It''s a must. We can''t let her give birth to the Shurmer family''s baby. If not, she will work with the Shurmer family to harm us, and we can''t prevent the horrendous oue. Have it slipped your mind that she had already gotten hold of many of the Hoffman family''s secrets before this? We can''t let her leave just like this!¡± Raymond retracted his gaze, asking lightly, ¡°We can manage the Shurmer family, but with Bailey added to the mess? She has the Luther family backing her. I''m sure you heard of Artemis being the leader of Tarragon and the possibility of Bailey being the leader of the Saviors. With these two big shots helping Zeke out, do you think the Hoffman family has the odds of sess?¡± Philip widened his eyes, looking at Raymond with disbelief. His voice shook when he blurted out, ¡°W- What did you say? Is it true that Artemis and Bailey are the respective leaders of Tarragon and the Saviors?¡± Raymond put his hand to his throbbing head. ¡°Why else do you think they are so smug? That''s because they have the capabilities to do so. All right. I no longer wish to dwell on this matter now that things have reached a point of no return. You shall mull over the issue yourself. It depends on you whether you want to save the Hoffman family or attempt the impossible by going up against them and destroying the Hoffman family in the process!¡± He peered at Philip. ¡°Now that both of my daughters are in trouble and have no way of inheriting my position, I can only ce my hope on Tucker. This indicates that your son has the highest chance of being the future leader of the Hoffman family. Are you sure you want to ruin our foundation and let him be the head of the family with no support and backup?¡± Philip was no fool and understood what Raymond meant by that. Thetter was using his position as the head of the family in exchange for sparing Juliana. Second thought formed in Philip''s mind. If Raymond is willing to pass the right of inheritance to Tucker, then... ¡°I''ll have to discuss this matter with the elders. Mr. Raymond, I did this for the family and I have no intention of forcing you to do things unwillingly.¡± Raymond waved his hands. ¡°Tucker is my nephew. I''ve thought of passing the right of inheritance to him since the beginning. There''s no need to speak further. I have analyzed the situation with you, so I hope you make the best decision out of everyone''s best interest. After all, I''ll pass our family''s assets to Tucker hereafter. If you offend Zeke, you will risk destroying Tucker''s future.¡± Philip lowered his head in response. If Raymond is serious, then I''ll have to reconsider my decision. However... I don''t n on letting Juliana off the hook. I can control Zeke and Bailey with her as a bargaining chip! If I let Juliana leave now, Tucker and I will not be able to withstand their attack if they make aeback. All right. Here''s what! I''ll agree to let Juliana keep her baby, but she and her child have to stay with our family as hostages. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. Meanwhile, Bailey yed another voice recording in Hallsbay''s medical base study. It was a conversation between Artemis and Yvette. However, this time, Yvette didn''t send this recording to her. Instead, it was Artemis. ¡°Is he telling me that Yvette had revealed her secret weapons and that I should go ahead and take her down in one swoop?¡± Chapter 648 Chapter 648 This dude is overestimating me. Those professional hitmen left behind by the ex-leader of Tarragon each had experienced countless battles. If they came at Bailey all at once, there would be no telling if she could hold them off. How convenient for him to ce all his hope in me. He must be delusional to expect me to wipe them out in one fell swoop. Wait a minute... We''re not married yet. I''m not even his wife. Why must I clean up his mess? Seeing his sister''s derisive visage, Zeke could somewhat guess what was on her mind. A chuckle escaped him. ¡°As the saying goes, with great poweres great responsibility. He''s entrusted this mission to you because he believes in you. I guess this isn''t all that bad, since you can now leave all your worries behind. He didn''t lose his memory. He''s only been putting on a show to distract the enemy. By working together, you guys can get rid of your foes once and for all and live a peaceful life.¡± Bailey harrumphed in response and had to admit that Zeke was right. The first reason Artemis had sent her that piece of audio recording was so that she would lure out the forces behind Yvette, while the second reason was to relieve her of her worries. He probably couldn''t sit still anymore when he learned that Yvette had sent Bailey a video of them sharing the bed. Fearing that the woman he loved might be heartbroken, he was eager to prove that he was not suffering from amnesia and that he would never be coerced intomitting something as absurd as that. ¡°Let''s not talk about him. He''s just a jerk. What''s there to talk about? By the way, how''s it going with Julie? Haven''t you already negotiated with the Hoffmans? What did they say? Are they nning to release her?¡± At the mention of Juliana, Zeke''s smile gradually faded. He went quiet for a moment before revealing, ¡°I threatened the Hoffmans, so I guess the baby will be safe for now. Even if they want to make a move against the baby, they''ll have to think twice about whether or not they can afford to step on the Shurmers'' toes.¡± ¡°They only promised to keep the baby but said nothing about letting Julie go, huh?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly and frowned. Zeke, in turn, eyed her nonchntly. Not a word came from him as an array of emotions crossed his face. After mulling it over for a while, Bailey came to the realization that the Hoffman family must be nning something else. ¡°They''re worried that Julie might harbor vengeance after leaving the nest and then team up with you to exact revenge on the entire Hoffman family. After all, she knows their dark secrets. If she were to turn against the Hoffmans, it''d spell the end for them.¡± A snort came from Zeke. ¡°They intend to confine Juliana for eternity to make sure their family secrets never go public and at the same time keep me on a short leash. My intuition tells me that they''ll give in and consent to let the Shurmers raise the child after Juliana gives birth and only imprison Juliana.¡± Bailey bobbed her head in return. An astute analysis indeed. That''ll be the most probable oue. But... how can I let Julie''s fate rest entirely on the Hoffmans'' whims? Everything I''ve experienced all these years would''ve been for nothing if I allow them to lead me by the nose and fail to protect my own disciple. Zeke added, ¡°There''s no need to rush. We''ll see to the matters at Hallsbay before we think about what to do with Juliana.¡± ¡°Don''t fret, Zeke. She''s my future sister-inw, so I''ll do whatever it takes to bring her back to you. The Hoffmans will need to go through us first to even consider detaining one of the Shurmers,¡± teased Bailey with a smirk ying on her lips. Zeke shook his head with a smile. I''ve really got to hand it to her. Her past experience must have been the reason she''s able to adapt so fast to calling her disciple her sister-inw. That''s such a drastic transition, yet she''s already epted it. Sure enough, a person who had gone through a lot in life could remainposed no matter what came their way. Bailey leaped up from the couch and paced toward the door. ¡°I''m going to give Lionel his medicinal treatment. You can carry on with your work.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± After exiting the study, Bailey made a beeline for the ICU. Lionel''s condition had yet to be stable, which was why he had been in the ICU for the past few days. The minute Bailey reached the stairs, Sammy came to her in a hurry. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, somebody''s looking for you. She ims to be Shirley Gourd.¡± Hearing that name made Bailey arch a brow. That woman''s here looking for me? But what for? ¡°Where''s she now?¡± Sammy inclined his head a fraction and said, ¡°Right outside by the steps. I invited her toe inside, but she refused and told me to summon you instead.¡± Bailey sneered at that. From her perspective, Shirley must loathe her to the core, thinking that she was the one who told Zeke and Waverly the truth about that night and made her lose everything she had. If I''m not mistaken, she must''vee to pick a fight with me, or rather, she''s resorting to desperate measures and thinking of dragging me down with her. Given that Waverly hadpletely forsaken Shirley, the baby in her womb was nothing more than an object of ridicule. Shirley''s dirty tricks were the least of Bailey''s concerns under such circumstances. ¡°I''ll head there now. Go to the study and tell Mr. Zeke that Ms. Gourd is here at our medical base.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± Bailey then turned away and continued walking toward the stairs. As soon as she got to the lobby on the ground floor, she could see Shirley standing outside amid the cold breeze. That look on Shirley''s face further affirmed Bailey''s spection. This woman wants to mess with me and get me involved, huh? We''ll see about that. Raising a brow, she sauntered toward the entrance and uttered, ¡°What brings you here, Ms. Gourd? Shouldn''t you be focusing on your pregnancy at home? I told you before that in your case, you''re not advised to get out of bed. Otherwise, chances are you''ll have a miscarriage.¡± Shirley wheeled around and shot Bailey a menacing re before she questioned through gritted teeth, ¡°What grievance are you nursing against me, Bailey? Why did you sabotage me like that? That disciple of yours may be carrying Zeke''s flesh and blood, but how''s my baby any different? How could you ruin my life and my happiness just to stand up for her? Aren''t you afraid of karma biting back at you?¡± ¡°Are you sure you''re pregnant with Zeke''s child? Don''t be too confident, youngdy. Sometimes the truth hurts. The Shurmers chose not to blow the whistle on you for the sake of the ties between the two families. Heed my words¡ªabort the baby and go back to the Gourd family. You still have a future ahead of you, so don''t waste the best years of your life on a man who doesn''t love you.¡± With her brow quirked and her hands folded across her chest, Baileyzily leaned against the door frame and regarded the woman in front of her with a half-smile. Shirley could not get what Bailey was talking about. How am I not pregnant with Zeke''s baby? Even though her tactic was a tad despicable, the sperm indeed originated from Zeke. There was no way anything could''ve gone wrong. ¡°Stop trying to scare me. I admit I''ve assumed my ce in the family, and I''ve even stolen Zeke''s sperm for an IVF. Though my method may appear deplorable, my baby is Zeke''s without a doubt. You can''t deny that,¡± stated Shirley. Bailey slowly straightened her back and approached the former. Even if this woman hopes to y tricks on me, she doesn''t have a chance to do so standing that far away from me. I ought to inch closer to her and see what she has up her sleeve. ¡°My disciple''s carrying Zeke''s baby for sure. As for that unborn one in your tummy, you may want to do an amniotic fluid test. Who knows? Maybe it''s really not Zeke''s baby.¡± Shirley''s face was distorted with rage when she heard Bailey''s assertion. Coincidentally, she spotted Zeke and Waverly stepping outside from the corner of her eyes. Immediately, she locked Bailey''s arm and started screaming. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Chapter 649 Chapter 649 ¡°What do you want, Bailey? I know I''ve gotten in your disciple''s way, but do you really have to harm me? What are you trying to do? Push me down the stairs? How can you be so evil?¡± Bailey arched a brow upon hearing what Shirley had said. At that instant, it dawned on her what thetter was scheming. So, she''s nning to tumble down the stairs to get rid of the baby in her womb. Then, she''s going to frame me for her miscarriage. After all, she is kept in the dark, not knowing that the baby in her belly is not Zeke''s. If anything unexpected happens when we tussle with each other, she could me it all on me, driving a wedge between the family and me. This woman is so heartless. How can she sacrifice her own offspring just to frame me? Maybe she''s aware that the Shurmer family has given up on the baby, so, in order to vent her hatred, she''s trying to use it to bring me trouble. But she''s the mother of the child! How can she use her own child like a tool? Just because the Shurmer family has abandoned the baby, she''s nning to exploit it to the maximum extent. Just how evil can she be tomit something so unscrupulous for her own benefits? At that moment, Bailey felt relieved that Zeke did not marry Shirley. Otherwise, peace would''ve eluded the Shurmer family. Truthfully, this woman wasn''t even worthy to be Zeke''s servant, let alone his wife. Bailey thought that if Zeke had actually married Shirley, he would only be bringing shame and humiliation upon himself. Suddenly, a scream rang out. Shirley let go of Bailey''s arm and leaned back, tumbling down the stairs. Bailey could have grabbed her to break her fall. With her quick reflexes and agility, saving Shirley would be a breeze. However, she did not make a move. Since this woman has a death wish, I''ll give her what she wants. I shall banish this scourge to hell and get rid of her once and for all. Zeke and Waverly came walking out side by side, and they frowned simultaneously after witnessing the scene before them. Shirley tumbled on the cobblestone floor after falling down the stairs. Then, clutching her belly, she let out shrill screams. ¡°Ouch! It hurts! My baby... My baby!¡± Bright red blood flowed down her legs, instantly staining the floor. Her pregnancy had been unstable, and in order to ensure the safety of the fetus, she had to be on bedrest for ten months. It went without saying that her body was injured grievously after everything that unfolded, and it would be a miracle if the baby survived the impact of tumbling down the stairs. Shirley looked down at her blood-soaked pants before shooting Bailey a re, roaring, ¡°You evil woman! He''s your nephew! How can you treat this child so cruelly just for the sake of your disciple? Aren''t you afraid of karma? Yes, I know you all dislike me, but the baby is innocent! How can you do something like this? Your brother loves and cares about you, and this is how you repay him?¡± With that, she turned and looked at Waverly as she sobbed. ¡°Mrs. Shurmer, I''m sorry I lied. I shouldn''t have stolen the sperms and created a test tube baby, too. But this baby is still a Shurmer, and I should be the one to decide his fate. Does Bailey even regard the Shurmers as family now that she''s done something so cruel to get rid of my baby? She did such a terrible thing just to help her disciple! Are you sure you''re acknowledging someone as evil as her to be your daughter?¡± Waverly merely stared back at her, unfazed. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. She would''ve taken Shirley''s side and used Bailey if she didn''t know that the baby in Shirley''s belly wasn''t Zeke''s. However, now that she had discovered the truth, she would not be fooled. What is this girl thinking? What''s the point of doing all this? She harmed herself just to frame Bailey, and whates after that? What can she do to Bailey? Does she think she could deal a fatal blow to Bailey with this insignificant trick when so many top assassins worldwide had failed to harm her? She''s way too naive. Not only does Bailey have Artemis, Edmund, Raiden, and Zeke protecting her, but she''s also perfectly capable of defending herself. Shirley''s actions of picking on the wrong person are proved to be fruitless, and in the end, she''ll only lose everything. Seeing how Waverly was indifferent, Shirley was about to continue adding fuel to the fire when an intense pain assailed her. Unable to bear the severe pain, she passed out. Waverly shook her head and turned around to walk back inside. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. From today onward, Shirley will have nothing to do with the Shurmer family. Bailey stole a nce at Zeke and smiled when she saw how calm he was. He showed no emotions, seemingly unconcerned about Shirley. Looks like all your efforts are in vain, Ms. Gourd. ¡°Sammy, send her to the infirmary and have a doctor perform surgery on her. Don''t let her die here. Otherwise, we''ll have to go to court.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Meanwhile, in the dungeon of the Hoffman residence, Raymond stepped into the secret room where Juliana was imprisoned. Juliana rushed over to her father and asked anxiously, ¡°Where''s Huntley? What did you do to him?¡± Raymond''s face remained devoid of expression as he looked at her. Complex feelings swirled in his dark, abyss-like eyes, consisting of heartache, disappointment, grievance, and ultimately, resignation. That was right. He was filled with resignation, for as a father, he had no choice but to ept the fact that his daughter, whom he had high hopes for, had ultimately failed him. ¡°Tell me, Dad. Where''s Huntley? How is he?¡± Fixing his cold gaze on his daughter, he enunciated, ¡°That kid is in control of half of the Hoffman family''s power and is someone valuable. What could happen to him? You''d better worry about yourself because you''re in a much dire situation than him. After all, the man you fell for has a strong background, and our family is worried that you might join forces with the Shurmer family and bring disaster to the Hoffman family.¡± Juliana was relieved to hear that. Thank goodness Huntley is all right. I knew he''d be fine. ¡°Since you''re here, Dad, I''m sure you havee up with a solution. Let''s hear it.¡± Instantly, the look in Raymond''s eyes reflected his mixed emotions. His wife passed away early, and he was constantly busy with the family''s affairs, thus neglecting his daughters. Theck of properpanionship and education from their father resulted in huge, irreparable mistakes. At the end of the day, he had failed as a father. Even so, he couldn''t act selfishly and release his daughter as that could bring about serious consequences. After all, he wasn''t just Juliana''s father. He was also the head of the family. Hence, he had no choice but to sacrifice his daughter. ¡°The elders have decided to let you keep the baby, but after you give birth, the baby will be sent to the Shurmer family and will be raised there. As for you, you''re not allowed to leave the Hoffman residence ever again, and you''re also prohibited from any contact with the outside world. You will stay in this dungeon for the rest of your life.¡± Juliana couldn''t help but chuckle upon hearing that. She knew the elders were intimidated by Zeke''s power, so they wouldn''t risk letting her return to him. Simrly, they dared not abort the baby in her belly for fear of incurring the Shurmer family''s wrath. Chapter 650 Chapter 650 In truth, they were worried over nothing. Zeke already has a fianc¨¦e, and she''s currently pregnant with his child. Their family will be perfect and complete, and they will live blissfully ever after, just like any other happy family. Where else can I go after leaving the Hoffman family? Return to Hallsbay to destroy Zeke''s marriage? I can''t possibly do that. Aside from the fact that Zeke is the love of my life and that I don''t want to put him in a tight spot, getting Master involved in this is thest thing I want. Since Juliana was truly indebted to Bailey, she could never repay thetter''s kindness with enmity by wreaking havoc in the Shurmer family. This could put Bailey in a difficult position. Therefore, she felt the arrangement was quite appropriate. Juliana would prefer to have the child remain by her side, but what would happen to them in the future? Should I keep this innocent child in prison with me for the rest of his life, taking his freedom away? No. I can''t be so selfish and ruin the child''s life! After remaining silent for a while, Juliana slowly looked up and said to Raymond, ¡°All right, I agree with the elders'' n. I will stay in the Hoffman residence for the rest of my life and never leave. I will remain in the dungeon for as long as I live without anyints. However, I have a request, and I hope you''ll agree to it considering we''re father and daughter. I hope you will send my child out of the Hoffman family and find him a family with a clean background. Please don''t send him back to the Shurmer family. I don''t want him to be called an illegitimate child by the public, and I don''t want him to live his whole life in disgrace as well.¡± The look in Raymond''s eyes grew increasingly conflicted. She seems to be in a state of despair now. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. As he pondered about it, however, realization soon dawned upon him, and he understood the reason behind her daughter''s decision. There was a rumor in Hallsbay that Zeke''s fianc¨¦e was already pregnant and they were about to get married. As such, returning to Hallsbay wouldn''t benefit Juliana in any way. Just like what she had said, her child would be shamed by the public as an illegitimate child if he was sent back to the Shurmer family. No mother would want their child to be called names and be insulted by the public. Inevitably, this child has ended up on a path of no return, and her fate is much worse than her own sister''s. Although Wendy had gone through many tumultuous hardships, she and her son were finally reunited with Holden as a family. Their future was looking bright, but what about Juliana''s future? In other words, would she even have a future? ¡°All right. I promise that I''ll make proper arrangements for the child. Of course, if the Shurmer family insists on taking the child away, there''s nothing I can do. Zeke is, after all, the biological father. He has the legal right to im his own child back.¡± Juliana merely smiled without saying anything further. However, she suddenly changed the topic. ¡°What do you want me to do? Just tell me. I should still be of use to you now, right?¡± Raymond''s expression darkened. Although that was the truth, his heart still twinged with pain when he heard Juliana mention that in such a direct manner. ¡°We hope that you will contact Bailey or Zeke and let them know that you will never leave the Hoffman residence and will live in captivity for the rest of your life. Tell them to leave us alone.¡± Juliana couldn''t help smiling bitterly. Is this even necessary? Zeke''s about to get married. He must be delighted to hear that I would never return to Hallsbay so he could enjoy his married life in peace. Nevertheless, Juliana had no choice but toply with their request since that was what they asked. Huntley is still alive, and I get to keep the baby. What else could I possibly hope for? ¡°Okay. Please give me amunication device so I can contact Master.¡± Raymond took a ckmunication device out of his pocket and ced it on the stone table. ¡°This device can only be used for one-waymunications, and it does not serve any other purpose. Furthermore, someone will secretly monitor your conversations, so be cautious when speaking. Watch what you say and avoid saying anything sensitive. If you say something you shouldn''t, you''ll probably anger those old geezers. By then, neither you nor your unborn child will survive. Huntley will also be severely punished for your mistake. I hope you will heed the advice I give you as you father.¡± Upon finishing his words, Raymond turned around and left, and the room plunged into utter silence. A bitter smile crept up on Juliana''s pale face as she gazed at the device on the stone table. Having chosen this path herself, she had no choice but to steel herself and brave it out no matter how difficult it could get. She would have to ept her fate with a smile, even if it meant that she would be imprisoned here forever. Meanwhile, at the medical base in Hallsbay, the infirmary was in a chaotic state. Richard and Genevieve rushed to the medical base ten minutes ago after they were informed that Shirley had suffered a miscarriage. Both of them were devastated as they cornered Bailey and refused to let her leave, demanding an exnation from her. Genevieve grabbed Bailey''s arm and yelled furiously, ¡°How could you be so vicious? She''s bearing your brother''s child! Even if you wanted to protect your disciple, you shouldn''t have murdered Shirley''s unborn child so ruthlessly! I can''t imagine why you would do such a thing to a poor, innocent child who hasn''t even gotten the chance to see the world yet. You''re a heartless person who has no regard for human life! Aren''t you afraid of karma?¡± Felicity quickly ran over and smacked Genevieve''s arm away before pulling Bailey behind to shield her. ¡°Why are you being so unreasonable, you shrew? The matter hasn''t been rified yet, so what gives you the right to me my daughter-inw? You''re bullying her because you know that she has no one to defend her, right? I''m not going to allow that. She''s the Luther family''s daughter-inw now. Whoever wants to bully Bailey has to get past me first!¡± Genevieve''s fury died down immediately as she red viciously at Felicity, not daring to say anything in retort. She didn''t have the guts to confront and argue with the matriarch of the most prominent family in the city. The Gourd family could not afford to offend the formidable Luther family. Turning to look at Waverly, who remained silent throughout the confrontation, Genevieve sobbed, ¡°Why aren''t you saying anything, Mrs. Shurmer? Shirley is pregnant with the Shurmer family''s child! It''s your biological grandson. Are you just going to sit around and watch the child die? Or do you care so much about your rtionship with Bailey that you''d think it''s fine to sacrifice Shirley''s unborn child?¡± Waverly''s expression turned grim. She had never expected Genevieve to have the audacity to chide her. Does she not know what she has done? ¡°Mrs. Gourd, both our families are considered close acquaintances. At this point, there''s no need to say anything. Since the child is gone now, let''s just call off the wedding. Take Shirley home with you. It''s time to let the past go and stop holding grudges against one another.¡± That was Waverlypromising for the sake of the Gourd family. On ount of the long-established friendship between both families, she decided to show some mercy. However, to Waverly''s frustration, Genevieve refused to let the matter slide even though Waverly had decided not to pursue the matter any further. ¡°No way. I''m not going to let this slide. Bailey''s action is absolutely despicable. She will only be worse if we don''t teach her a lesson!¡± Waverly narrowed her eyes as she looked at Bailey, who was being shielded by Felicity, and then at the pushy Genevieve. She felt a wave of anger rising within her. ¡°Are you sure your daughter is pregnant with my son''s child?¡± Chapter 651 Chapter 651 Waverly''s question was so straightforward that it stumped Genevieve. Thetter had registered her question and wanted to say something in retort but was so taken aback that she did not know what to say. After all, Waverly was right; Zeke was not the father of the child in Shirley''s womb. However, not even Shirley herself knew about this, so Genevieve doubted that anyone in the Shurmer family could have figured it out, either. As her mind ran wild, Genevieve concluded that Waverly was trying to shirk responsibility to cover for Bailey. That was expected, of course, given that those two were mother and daughter whose blood ran thicker than water. There was a time when Waverly thought of Bailey as a thorn in her side, but now that Bailey was going to be the next matriarch of the Luther family and thus gained a higher worth, it was understandable that Waverly would try to curry favor with her. With that thought in mind, Genevieve put on a grim expression as she said through gritted teeth, ¡°So, this is how the Shurmer family works. In order to protect your own daughter, you''d ignore thew and overlook the horrendous crime shemitted against your future daughter-inw. This is the woman who killed your unborn grandchild! How heartless do you have to be to protect a murderer? Does the entire Shurmer family uphold such evil, twisted values? I thought I''d seen plenty in this lifetime, but you''ve proven me wrong. My daughter was put through hell trying to conceive an heir for your family. Now that she''s ended up in such dire circumstances, you didn''t even stand up for her but chose to defend the culprit instead. I can''t even begin to exin how disgusted I am.¡± Waverly''s face clouded over after she heard Bailey''s allegations. As rage seized her, she decided that she would no longer try to suppress nor deny this scandal on the Gourd family''s behalf anymore. This was thest straw! ¡°Ha!¡± Waverly retorted viciously, ¡°You know as well as I do that the child Shirley was carrying was not Zeke''s. If you insist on denying it, then I see no simpler way to resolve this debate other than a paternity test. We''ll have the doctor collect a DNA sample from the amniotic fluid and run it against Zeke''s. Let''s see if the baby really was the flesh and blood of the Shurmer family.¡± Genevieve nched at this. She was not a fool. Waverly had made herself very clear; the paternity test was more of a challenge than it was a means of confirmation at this point. Have they figured out that Zeke is not the father of Shirley''s child? But, how could they have possibly discovered this? Maybe this olddy''s just trying to scare me. ¡°I''m afraid I don''t quite understand what you mean, Mrs. Shurmer. I''d appreciate it if you could borate on this.¡± Not wanting to beat around the bush anymore, Waverly said, ¡°You stole Zeke''s semen from our family infirmary in hopes of getting your daughter pregnant with his child through IVF, but unfortunately, the semen had been frozen for so long that it was useless. However, in order to let your daughter marry into a prestigious family, you used another man''s semen instead and lied that it was Zeke''s. Tell me I''m wrong, Mrs. Gourd.¡± Genevieve''s eyes widened. She staggered backward, but just as she was about to argue, Shirley hurtled out of the operating room. The girl was covered in blood and made for a startling sight. Nheless, she hurled herself at Genevieve and clutched her arm, then demanded hysterically, ¡°Is that true, Mom? Did you rece Zeke''s sperm with another man''s? You made me carry some random stranger''s child instead of Zeke''s, is that it?¡± Genevieve''s heart tightened when she saw thest glimmer of hope in Shirley''s despair-filled eyes, like she was silently pleading with Genevieve to tell her that this was not true. She had a feeling that the truth would devastate Shirley to a point of no return. ¡°S-Shirley, listen to me. I didn''t have a choice back then, and I had to...¡± Before Genevieve could finish exining, Shirley cried out maniacally, ¡°Why did you do this? How could you lie to me and ruin my life like this? I''m your daughter!¡± At that moment, it was as if something in her finally snapped, and she began tough maniacally as she continued, ¡°It''s no wonder that they hate my baby. It''s because they knew the baby wasn''t Zeke''s, but some stranger''s b*stard. I''m nothing but a joke to the Shurmer family! Haha! How ridiculous! This is absolutely ridiculous! I didn''t think my mother would be the one to cause me such misery! Now that all is said and done, I don''t see a point in living anymore. I might as well just die!¡± Anguished and mad with disbelief, Shirley swiveled around and ran headlong into the wall. ¡°Shirley!¡± Genevieve cried out in rm. At the sight of this, Zeke hurriedly reached out to stop Shirley. He didn''t do it out of any special sentiment, only so that she would not die right in front of them. If she did, then the Shurmer family would be forced to take responsibility for her death, which was a hassle. As such, he had no choice but to stop her from ramming into the wall. Presently, Shirley looked up at him in sorrow and wailed, ¡°You knew all along that this child was not yours, but you didn''t say anything about it! You wanted to punish me with this! How could you be so cruel? We''ve known each other since we were children, and you just stood by and let this happen to me! Why didn''t you say anything? Why did you let me make a fool of myself?¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes. N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. He hardly thought it mattered whether he told her or not, given how stubborn she was. ¡°Go home with your parents,¡± he said coldly. ¡°I will not pursue this matter any further. Let the past be in the past and pull yourself together. Stop getting into situations that will only end badly for you.¡± Shirley could not cope with this dramatic turn of events, and she looked like she was about to faint. ¡°B-Blood... There''s blood on the floor!¡± Genevieve yelled. Bailey nced down at the floor, and her breath hitched when she saw the widening pool of blood. ¡°Zeke, knock her out at once! She''s just had a miscarriage, and if she keeps throwing a fit like this, she could end up bleeding out right here! Bring her to the operating room to stop the bleeding before it''s too late!¡± Bailey urged. Zeke immediately knocked Shirley out with a deft strike to her neck. Following that, Genevieve and Richard hurried over to support their unconscious daughter, then brought her into the operating room. Bailey was about to go in after them when themunication device on her wrist started to ring. She looked down at the screen and saw a series of codes. The numbers were familiar, and she had a feeling that this might be a call from the Hoffman family. Is the head of the Hoffman family calling me? That did not seem likely. Zeke was the one who had been dealing with Raymond for thest few days, so it wouldn''t make sense for Raymond to call her up personally. If it wasn''t Raymond, then it had to be Julie. Bailey shot Zeke a meaningful look, then made her way over to the nearby balcony. After a moment of thought, Zeke fell into step behind her. When they were on the balcony, Bailey said, ¡°It''s a call from Julie.¡± ¡°Answer it,¡± Zeke bit out. Bailey tapped on themunication device twice to answer the call. ¡°Bailey speaking.¡± Sure enough, Juliana was the person on the other line. ¡°It''s me, Master.¡± Bailey frowned and asked, ¡°Are you holding up all right? I''ve heard about what happened to you. I''ll head over to the Hoffman residence and demand that they release you, so just hang on for a few more days. I won''t let them hurt you, not that they would dare to, anyway.¡± ¡°You don''t have toe anymore, Master!¡± said Juliana, her voice hoarse. Chapter 652 Chapter 652 Bailey knitted her brows. What does she mean by don''te over? After a moment of silence, she asked tentatively, ¡°Julie, is there something you can''t tell me?¡± Did the Hoffman family threaten her? That seems usible. That group of cowardly elders only cared about their status and power. They would not hesitate to threaten a young girl in order to get what they wanted. ¡°No, I''m not keeping anything from you. I was in the wrong to begin with, so it''s only right that I''m punished for it. As a daughter of the Hoffman family, I should be duly punished for breaking the family''s rules. I can''t say anything to refute them nor can I make an excuse. You don''t have toe for me. No matter what punishment the family doles out, it is something I must ept.¡± Thinking it over, Bailey asked, ¡°You''re in love with Zeke and want to court him, right? I can help you marry into the Shurmer family and be the Shurmer family''s matriarch. Don''t you want to grasp this perfect opportunity? Once you escape from their clutches, you''ll be able to fulfill your wish. You don''t have to worry about how I''m going to get you out of there. I will make the necessary arrangements. You just have to sit back and rx. I will go to the Hoffman family and personally negotiate with them. I''ll convince them to let you go. Don''t think too much about it. Just wait for me to get you out of there.¡± ¡°No,¡± Juliana quickly rejected the offer. ¡°I no longer like Zeke and I don''t feel like courting him anymore. I also don''t wish to spend my life with him. Master, you don''t have to try so hard for my sake. I don''t wish to leave the family, and I''m serious about that. This is my own choice and no one is forcing me. The painful sense of heartbreak is horrible, and I don''t want to experience it ever again. Moreover, Zeke will be marrying Ms. Gourd soon. I don''t wish to ruin his marriage and end up being scolded by the public for being the third wheel in the rtionship. I don''t want my child to be regarded as an illegitimate child, either. Hence, both I and the child in my belly will not return to the Shurmer family.¡± Comprehension dawned upon Bailey after she heard Juliana''s words. So that''s the reason. I found Juliana''s behavior strange because she isn''t someone who will back away from mere setbacks. On the contrary, she''s a stubborn person who will fight for what she wants until the very end. Otherwise, she would not have severed our mentor-and-disciple rtionship just to pursue Zeke. ¡°Julie, actually, Zeke is...¡± Zeke, who had been standing next to her, grabbed her arm without waiting for her to finish her sentence. He shook his head at Bailey, signaling her not to say anything. Bailey froze momentarily before instantly understanding his intention. That''s right. Julie is being confined right now. Her family must have allowed this call to go through. This means someone is listening to our conversation. If I tell Julie over the phone that Shirley isn''t carrying Zeke''s baby and ignite hope in her, I might get her killed. After all, those despicable old men from the Hoffman family only instructed Juliana to make the call to tell them herself that she would stay in the Hoffman family out of her own free will and be their bargaining chip to manipte Zeke. If Julie finds out about the truth and makes a fuss about leaving the family, she would be throwing a wrench into the elders'' ns. I can''t let her find out for the time being. It was a good thing Zeke reminded Bailey in time, for she had nearly made a colossal mistake. D*mn it, I need to keep my head straight. I''m usually calm and collected but when ites to people who are close to me, I lose myposure. Bailey had to admit that Zeke, Artemis, and the others were way more clear-headed than she was in situations like these. Perhaps the willpower of men was always stronger than women''s. ¡°Master, I''ve already made up my mind, so you don''t have to try to persuade me. Just leave me be, and don''t put yourself through so much trouble again. I truly don''t wish to get involved in this mess anymore. All I want is to give birth to my child peacefully. My father promised that he would not hurt my child as long as I stayed in the family. When the timees, he will send my child to a good family to be adopted. This is the best oue for us.¡± Bailey wanted to console the other woman, but she was thousands of miles away. There was nothing she could say to make the situation better. She could not afford to tell Juliana the truth at the moment, so nothing she said would make any difference. Hence, she could only wait until she settled everything in Hallsbay before heading to the Hoffman residence with Zeke and demanding they let Juliana go. When the time came, she would tell Juliana the truth about Shirley. Knowing Juliana, she would likely feel relieved upon knowing the truth. The only thing she could do at the moment was to keep the Hoffman family under control. Since they want me topromise, I''ll give them what they want for the time being. ¡°Fine. If that''s your decision, so be it. There''s nothing I can say about that. Take good care of yourself. As long as you have my support, they won''t do anything to harm you. Stay there and get plenty of rest.¡± ¡°I will. If there''s nothing else, I''ll be hanging up now. Master, you have to take care of yourself too. I''m afraid I won''t be able to attend your wedding with Mr. Luther. I''ll have a gift prepared and sent over to you when the timees. Thank you for all the care you''ve shown me over the years.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Bailey turned to Zeke after hanging up and said, ¡°It''s imperative that we suppress the news of Shirley''s miscarriage and the fact that the child she was carrying wasn''t yours. We mustn''t let anyone from the Hoffman family find out.¡± ncing at her, Zeke asked, ¡°Do you think the Gourd family would allow such a scandal to be leaked? It will do the Gourd family no good to have this news exposed. Don''t worry. As long as the Shurmer family and the Gourd family keep quiet, the public will never find out.¡± Bailey considered Zeke''s words and realized what he said made sense. She nodded in response. ¡°Good. As long as you know what to do. Don''t let what Julie said get to you. She must be disheartened because she thinks you''re marrying Shirley. That must also be the reason why she''s thinking about giving up her child for adoption.¡± Shrugging, Zeke changed the subject. ¡°Don''t let these trivial matters affect the big picture. Have you thought of a solution to lure out the people working for Yvette and wipe them out once and for all?¡± Bailey fell into silence. She had note up with a solution for that. ¡°I have no idea for the time being. So many things have happened recently, so I haven''t had the chance to think it through. Give me two days'' time. I''ll think of something.¡± N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content. ¡°Okay.¡± In the end, the universe did not give Bailey the chance to ponder the matter, for the other party made their move sooner than she anticipated. Bailey gave herself a hard p across the face when she found out that Justin and Veronique had been captured. She had taken into ount the safety of her friends and family around her. However, she had left out Veronique and Justin who were traveling in Terrandya. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect Yvette to go so far as to target them. Chapter 653 Chapter 653 Olivia stormed into the hall of the medical base in a huff, determined to interrogate Bailey despite Christopher''s efforts in stopping her from doing so. She was held so tightly in Christopher''s arms to the point that she could barely move, so all she could do was point her finger at Bailey while roaring at the top of her lungs, ¡°Both you and that wh*re from the Revelle family are nothing but jinxes! You bring bad luck to anyone who gets acquainted with you!¡± Yvette didn''t contact Bailey directly. Instead, the former made a call to the Xuereb residence, informing Olivia that Justin had been kidnapped by her and that Olivia should look for Bailey if she wished to rescue her son. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Eager to save her son, Olivia went straight to the medical base in a panic without giving it much thought. Only then did Bailey discover that Veronique and Justin were kidnapped. I''ve got to hand it to Yvette. She targets those around me because she knows she won''t be able to achieve a breakthrough by making a move on me. Having known that information, Bailey acknowledged she was too careless. She protected all her friends in Hallsbay without considering the possibility that Yvette would attack Veronique and Justin, who were on a vacation outside of Hallsbay. ¡°Why aren''t you saying anything? Justin is dragged into this because of you. The kidnapper specifically said they want you to rescue Justin and Veronique. If not, the kidnapper will kill them. In other words, it''s entirely your fault that they are in such deep trouble! Why are you still staying quiet? Are you trying to sit back and let them die like this?¡± Olivia questioned. Bailey snorted coldly. ¡°Do you think this childish goading tactic of yours will work on me? I advise you to go home and wait. Stop wasting my time and getting in my way.¡± ¡°You!¡± Bailey''s remarks infuriated Olivia, and thetter began to struggle violently in her husband''s arms. ¡°Let me go! I must kill her and make her pay the price with her life!¡± The kidnapper imed to be under Tarragon and stated that Justin''s death would be imminent if Bailey did not show herself. After all, Tarragon was the world''s most powerful underground force. As such, the Xuereb family was totally powerless in the face of such a formidable force. Simply put, if Bailey refused to take action, there was nothing else the Xuereb family could do other than watch Justin die. ¡°Calm down, will you? Ms. Jefferson didn''t say she won''t rescue them. She is simply asking us to return home and wait for news. Stop causing a ruckus here to waste her time. She needs time to make ns before rescuing them, right? How can she concentrate on making a n if you keep making a fuss like this?¡± Christopher said. Upon hearing that, Olivia red at her husband and bellowed, ¡°Does she look like she''s agreeing to rescue them? She''s just demanding us to get the heck out of here! Stop being so presumptuous!¡± Bailey couldn''t be bothered to deal with the couple and ordered Sammy, ¡°Get Mr. Shurmer to go to the study. I need to talk to him.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Olivia''s shrill voice echoed behind Bailey as she walked up the stairs. ¡°Bailey, if anything bad happens to Justin because of you, causing him to lose his life, I will do anything to kill you and make you pay with your life!¡± In response, Bailey chuckled. This old woman has such a wild imagination. Justin was Artemis'' best friend, and Veronique was her best friend. She would do anything to save them, even if it meant risking her life. Zeke pushed the door open and spoke as he entered the study. ¡°Sammy told me the details on the way here. I didn''t expect them to make a move on Justin and Veronique. Now that things havee to this, what''s your next move? Have you thought of how to handle this yet?¡± Tilting her head, Bailey side-eyed him and arched a brow, asking, ¡°Don''t you think it''s strange that Yvette would seed in abducting them without any hindrance? We know that Artemis didn''t lose his memory, so Yvette''s movements are all within his control. That woman sent someone to capture Justin and Veronique at Terrandya. Theoretically, Artemis would''ve known about this. Why would he let Yvette kidnap them without doing anything?¡± Upon hearing her words, Zeke, who had just sat down on the couch, was slightly taken aback. ¡°Did Artemis let Yvette capture Justin and Veronique on purpose? Is he waiting for that woman to lure you out using Justin and Veronique? If that''s the case, I suppose Artemis had made thorough preparations to ensure Justin and Veronique''s safety.¡± ¡°So we shouldn''t focus on Justin and Veronique. With Artemis'' aid, they shouldn''t be at risk of losing their lives.¡± Bailey nodded and continued, ¡°Our top priority right now is to negotiate with Yvette. We need to figure out what she''s up to. I''m sure she''s threatening me with Justin and Veronique because she wants me to meet with her. She could then look for an opportunity to murder me.¡± Zeke nodded in agreement. ¡°We shall wait for her to contact us, then. I believe she''ll do so soon.¡± Meanwhile, in a bedroom at the Shurmer residence, Zoey swept all the bottles and jars on her dressing table onto the carpet. I''ve put in so much effort inciting Shirley to abandon the baby she was carrying and get Bailey involved in this so that Waverly would despise Bailey thoroughly. It was such a perfect n. Yet, it ended with an unforeseen and dramatic twist. Haha! It turns out that Shirley''s baby isn''t even Zeke''s. Genevieve simply inseminated Shirley with a random man''s sperm. Can things get any more ridiculous than this? If I knew that the idiot''s baby is only a b*stard child, I wouldn''t have gone through all that trouble. Just the thought of doing all that for nothing makes me want to explode in rage. How is Bailey so lucky? I can''t seem to destroy her no matter how hard I try! Despite everything Zoey had done, she not only failed to sow discord between Waverly and Bailey but instead sparked Waverly''s guilt toward Bailey. Zoey could tell that Waverly had slowlye to ept Bailey. In other words, Zoey had be the victim of her own meticulous schemes. Beep! Suddenly, the phone on the floor started ringing. She bent down to pick the phone up and answered the call while gritting her teeth. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Ms. Zoey, Mr. Zeke ordered someone to seal the news about Ms. Gourd carrying an illegitimate child and the miscarriage. No one is allowed to leak the news. I''m reporting this to you because I think something is off about this.¡± Hearing that, Zoey frowned slightly. He''s sealing the news? Why is he doing that? It''s not like the Shurmers are affected by the news. However, realization struck her as soon as she pondered the matter from a different perspective. Zeke was probably worried that the news would reach the Hoffman family and reignite Juliana''s hope, putting her in grave danger. Since they don''t want the Hoffman family to know about this, that''s exactly what I''ll do. She would then instigate the Hoffman family to murder Juliana in secret. If not, the Hoffman family would suffer when Juliana joined forces with Zeke upon being released. Once Zoey made up her mind, she grabbed her fleece coat and darted out of her room. Juliana''s death would undoubtedly cause the enmity between Bailey and the Hoffman family to escte to a point of no return. Even if Zoey couldn''t kill Bailey, she could still use the Hoffman family to teach her a severe lesson. Concurrently, Holden entered the study at one of Tarragon''s branches. After closing the door, he lowered his voice and reported to Artemis, who was sitting on the couch. ¡°We''ve sessfully hacked into Yvette''smunication system and found the mastermind behind her.¡± Chapter 654 Chapter 654 Artemis'' fingers tightened around the stem of the wine ss. This matter had dragged on for far too long, and his patience was at its limit. He would have to resort to other means if they still could not find the mastermind. There was no way he would waste his time waiting like this. It had been a long time since hest saw Bailey, so he missed her badly. She was all he could think about, day and night. ¡°Who?¡± he asked grimly. Holden inclined his head and replied, ¡°Sofie, the woman who swapped a prestigious family''s heiress with her own daughter so that her daughter could have a better life.¡± A cold gleam shed across Artemis'' eyes when he heard this. I can''t believe this woman still hasn''t learned her lesson after all these years. How dare shee back to stir trouble by trying to kill Bailey? Very well. I shall have her head. Holden continued, ¡°As for the suicide attackers, we''ve run a background check on them and discovered that Leo had assigned them to his mistress. The mistress is none other than Sofie. The only reason why Sofie has so much power and influence abroad that she ended up bing the head of an international behemoth was because of her affiliation with Leo.¡± Artemis nodded, considering these facts. ¡°That makes sense. Seems like all our questions are answered. Yvette kidnapped Justin and Veronique to use them as leverage against Bailey, so we''ll have Bailey go after her and deliberately fall into her trap. That will give us an opportunity to eradicate Sofie, Yvette and all their forces.¡± ¡°Roger that. I''ll make the arrangements immediately and try to keep Justin and Veronique as safe as possible,¡± Holden replied dutifully. ¡°As for Bailey...¡± Waving his hand dismissively, Artemis cut Holden off by saying, ¡°You don''t have to worry about her. She''s a sharp one; she already knows that I didn''t really lose my memory, and she knows that I won''t let Justin and Veronique get hurt, either. She''ll definitely take precautions to ensure her own safety.¡± Holden did not say anything further after that and turned to leave. However, he had barely taken a few steps toward the door when Artemis stopped him. ¡°Hey, remember those dirtbags who framed your sister for leaking highly-ssified information on the organization? We''ve managed to track them down, and we''ll have them captured soon. We''ll clear your sister''s name in no time.¡± Without looking back, Holden continued toward the door and said solemnly, ¡°Thanks.¡± Meanwhile, over at Philip''s dwelling unit at the Hoffman residence, Philip was enjoying tea in his tearoom when Tucker suddenly burst in and said, ¡°Father, a reliable source tells me that Shirley was not pregnant with Zeke''s child at all. Now that she''s suffered a miscarriage, the Shurmer family and the Gourd family has severed ties with each other! Therefore, Zeke was probably being strategic when he said he''d give up on Juliana. He''ll find a way to save her for sure!¡± Philip set down the teacup in his hand and frowned at Tucker, asking, ¡°What will happen if Juliana leaves the Hoffman family?¡± Tucker clenched his jaw and spoke grimly. ¡°She and Huntley both know too many of the Hoffman family''s secrets, including how and where our forces are distributed abroad. In other words, she has the information needed to eradicate our family. If we let Zeke take her and they collude on taking us down, then we''d be at a huge disadvantage.¡± Philip narrowed his eyes in thought. He knew Tucker''s worries were justified. Huntley had previously been in charge of half the Hoffman family''s forces. After Juliana returned to the family, Raymond had been slowly assigning the remaining forces to her. Given that Juliana and Huntley trusted each other, they most likely shared ssified information among themselves. In other words, Huntley would have told Juliana everything he knew about the Hoffman family. Allowing Juliana to go with Zeke would be tantamount to giving the Shurmer family the key to destroying the Hoffman family. ¡°What do you suggest we do?¡± Philip asked grimly. Tucker looked murderous as he said, ¡°We nip this in the bud and execute that girl in secret. That way, we''ll save ourselves from dealing with a whole lot of trouble in the future.¡± Philip sprang to his feet, clearly shocked by his son''s suggestion. He stood there in silence for a moment, then frowned and asked, ¡°How reliable is this source of yours? If that girl from the Gourd family was found to be pregnant with someone else''s child instead of Zeke''s, then why didn''t the Shurmer family rify matters at first instance?¡± Tucker snorted. ¡°Zeke''s covering this up so that we wouldn''t find out about it and hurt Juliana. As for where I got the information... Zoey, the Gourd family''s adopted daughter, was the one who gave it to me. I probably wouldn''t believe it if it came from somebody else, but I have absolutely no reason to doubt her. She hates Bailey''s guts, and she''ll do anything to make Bailey suffer, including having us kill Juliana to break Bailey''s heart.¡± Philip considered the situation and found merit in Tucker''s proposal. Having made up his mind, the older man gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Fine, then, we''ll proceed with your n and secretly execute Juliana in the dungeon.¡± ¡°Good thinking, Father,¡± Tucker said. ¡°If we kill Juliana, the most we''ll have to put up with is the Shurmer family''s vengeance, but we may stand a chance against them with our current forces. Besides, even if we lose, the Shurmer family would not be any better off. But, if we were to let Juliana live, we risk having her join forces with the Shurmer family, in which case they''ll gain ess to all the ssified information about us. If ites to that, then we won''t even have a chance to strike back.¡± ¡°Very well, then. We''ll proceed with the execution.¡± Over at the medical base in Hallsbay, Bailey gave Lionel a thorough examination in the infirmary, and it wasn''t until she was sure that he was no longer in critical condition that she heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°He''s all right now. He''ll be able to move around on his own again once his injuries heal,¡± she dered. Hearing this, Waverly parted her lips to thank Bailey, but abruptly swallowed her words when she saw Bailey''s icy expression. To one side, Victoria nced at Bailey wearily and forced a smile. ¡°Thank you for dropping by to check up on him, Bailey. I know you still have a ton of work to do, so go ahead. We wouldn''t want to take up too much of your time.¡± Bailey was just about to say something in response when her phone rang in her pocket. She had a feeling that it was a call from Yvette, so she let her phone stay ringing in her pocket and addressed Victoria, ¡°He''s fine. Why don''t you go and get some rest? You shouldn''t wear yourself out like this.¡± After that, she made her way to the door. Upon leaving the infirmary, she walked to the study and opened the door. When she saw Zeke and Edmund inside, she quickly put a finger to her lips to shush them before finally answering the phone call. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Without waiting for the person on the other line to speak, she said, ¡°Go on, tell me what it is that you want.¡± She heard Yvetteugh. ¡°That''s the international Big Shot for you! You''re still as sharp and high- handed as ever, Bailey. Aren''t you worried that I might kill Justin and Veronique on a whim?¡± Bailey scoffed lightly. ¡°They''re in your hands, and it''s not like I can save them by panicking, so save your childish threats for someone else. I know you won''t kill them, and I''m sure you know I won''t give up on saving them, either. So, why don''t you cut to the chase and tell me what you want?¡± At that, Yvette''s voice turned frosty. ¡°Well, since you''ve been waiting for my call, then you would know exactly what I want. I''ll release Justin and Veronique when I see your dead body!¡± Chapter 655 Chapter 655 Bailey chuckled. ¡°Ms. Sullivan, one has to be sincere and polite when negotiating. I''m afraid this deal is going nowhere when you demanded my dead body right off the bat.¡± In a low voice, Yvette muttered, ¡°You have a problem with that? Do you really think I won''t kill them? You shouldn''t be too confident, or you will suffer dire consequences.¡± The grin on Bailey''s face widened while a hint of ridicule was audible in her tone. ¡°Will you gain anything from killing them? I don''t think so. I doubt you would do such a meaningless thing, right, Ms. Sullivan? If you would, it only means I have overestimated you.¡± The sound of Yvette gritting her teeth in exasperation came from the other end of the line. She probably didn''t expect Bailey to behave so arrogantly under such circumstances. Why? I have her weakness tightly in my grasp. Isn''t she supposed to humble herself and beg me? Who does she think she is? How dare she behave so condescendingly? ¡°Bailey, you''d better not be so arrogant. All I have to do is issue an order to get them both killed.¡± Bailey couldn''t help snickering. Was I being too arrogant? I''m merely stating the facts. ¡°I know you can kill them since they''re currently in your hands. I''m not doubting your capabilities. I''m just trying to say that killing them now won''t benefit you in any way. All right, that''s enough. Let''s stop beating around the bush. You know that it''s impossible for me to hand myself over to you on a silver tter, and I''m aware you won''t kill them just like that, too. After all, they are your only bargaining chip for now. Let''s talk it out like grown-ups ande up with a solution that we both could ept.¡± ¡°All right. Since you said so, I will cut to the chase. Come alone to the abandoned factory in the eastern suburbs fifty miles away from the city three dayster. Then, I will let them go. However, if you don''t show up or bring a group of people with you, mark my words, I will show no mercy and kill them immediately.¡± Bailey agreed right away without an ounce of hesitation. ¡°Okay, it''s a deal then. I will show up alone, and then you let Justin and Veronique go. Whether you seed in killing me or not depends on what you''ve got.¡± After ending the call, Bailey met the gazes of Zeke and Edmund which were filled with disapproval. Chuckling, she said, ¡°Don''t look at me like that. No matter what danger lies ahead, I''m doing it no matter what.¡± Frowning, Edmund eximed, ¡°I can''t believe you have the guts to go there alone. Do you not care about your own safety?¡± Slightly amused by his remark, Bailey nced at him solemnly and said firmly, ¡°Edmund, you''re too nervous. Rx, for I''ll be okay. I wouldn''t have agreed to go if I''m not confident enough. Do you really think I don''t care about my life at all? I cherish my life now that I have children and someone I love.¡± Edmund snorted faintly. ¡°Why are you still acting tough since you cherish your life? Will it kill you to bring one more person with you? I figure that woman would probably allow it since one more person can''t stir up much trouble.¡± Bailey was amused by his words. Is heining because I didn''t ask Yvette if I could bring him along? ¡°Edmund, it''s too dangerous. I don''t want you to endanger yourself. You¡ª¡± Edmund leaped up from the couch before she could finish talking. ¡°I''ve already made up my mind, so you don''t have to try dissuading me. Call that woman againter and tell her you''re bringing another person with you to save Justin and Veronique. I will go with you.¡± Bailey pouted, irritated. He is bing more and more domineering. The Edmund I used to know wasn''t like this. He used to be gentle, humble, polite, and never as overbearing as he is now. Zeke tried to relieve the tension by saying, ¡°I think that''s better, Bay. Call Yvette again and convince her to let Edmund go with you. After all, someone has to be there to collect Justin and Veronique. Isn''t that so?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes in response. Look at them singing the same tune. How ridiculous. ¡°Fine, whatever you say. But I think you two are worrying over nothing because I trust that Artemis will arrange everything well. He won''t let me put myself in danger.¡± Edmund scoffed. ¡°I can''t believe you still trust him when he''s with another woman. Is this what you call beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder? Everything about him is perfect in your eyes, and all the other men who are in love with you are unlucky.¡± Livid, Bailey red at him and roared, ¡°Why are you getting mad at me? I know you are displeased with Artemis. Since you''re mad at him, why don''t you take it out on him? Can you even call yourself a man after raising your voice at ady?¡± A wry and helpless smile appeared on Zeke''s face. Nevertheless, he was very grateful toward Edmund and Raiden for giving their all to protect his little sister. Bay is so lucky to be adored by some of the most outstanding men in the world. Although she might be burdened by the love they shower on her, no one can ever exin theplexities of love. Perhaps falling in love with Bay is a blissful thing to Edmund and Raiden. Even though their love isn''t reciprocated, they still hope to protect her from the bottom of their hearts. Meanwhile, in the dungeon of the Hoffman residence, a shrill scream sounded and broke the silence of the night. ¡°This is bad! Ms. Juliana is poisoned! Get the doctor over and inform Mr. Raymond immediately!¡± In an instant, the entire castle descended into a state of chaos. After half an hour, Juliana was pushed into the infirmary for emergency treatment while many people gathered outside. Wearing an ashen expression, Raymond red at the dungeon guard, who was kneeling on the ground, and raged, ¡°Why did you poison Juliana''s food? Who ordered you to do that? Spill it!¡± Hanging his head, the guard replied calmly, ¡°No one told me to do so. I did it of my own ord. Do you still remember how my parents died, Mr. Raymond? They died in your hands. Who else could I hurt except your daughter to get my revenge? You? I can never kill you.¡± After saying that, he suddenly stuffed the pill between his fingers into his mouth when no one was watching. Raymond hastily shouted orders, ¡°Stop him!¡± However, before the bodyguards at the side could step forward, the guard coughed up a mouthful of blood and stopped breathing. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Mr. Raymond, there''s no saving him. The poisonous pill has melted in his mouth.¡± Fixing his gaze on the guard''s dead body for a brief moment, Raymond lifted his head and stared at Philip and Tucker. His gaze was so piercing it was as if he could see through them. Frowning slightly, Philip met Raymond''s gaze and said in a low voice, ¡°Mr. Raymond, what is the meaning of this? Why are you looking at us? Do you think we''re the ones who poisoned Juliana?¡± shing a cold smile, Raymond said nonchntly, ¡°You''d better pray that she and the child in her belly will be fine. Otherwise, the Hoffman family will face disasters like never before. By then, the family will fall apart, and your son Tucker will lose his right of inheritance, too.¡± Chapter 656 Chapter 656 Philip sneered inwardly. Disaster will only befall the family if the baby in her belly lives. Now that the baby is gone, I don''t think a calm andposed person like Zeke would take drastic measures to deal with a mere unformed ball of flesh in the belly of an insignificant woman, resulting in a lose-lose situation for both parties. His threat should at least make sense if he wants to scare me. How would I take him seriously when his threats are empty? Does he really think his daughter is so precious that Zeke would go to such lengths for her? What a joke. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Raymond. I won''t risk my son''s right of inheritance. Didn''t this traitor say that he was the one who poisoned Julie for revenge? It has nothing to do with us.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Raymond''s expression grew gloomier. He had an acute sixth sense. His intuition told him that if anything happened to Juliana and her baby, Zeke would actually take drastic actions against the Hoffman family and make the Hoffmans'' life a living hell. Philip and Tucker are way too short-sighted. All they see is the benefits they could reap before their eyes and have no idea there are some people that they can''t afford to mess with. ¡°Both of you better pray that the baby will be safe. There might still be a chance for a turnaround if the baby is safe, but if not... you guys shall wait to bear the wrath of Bailey and the Shurmer family.¡± Utter silence ensued. Suddenly, the door to the emergency room opened, and the attending doctor came out. Raymond hurriedly approached and asked grimly, ¡°How is it? Did you manage to save her?¡± Wearing a solemn expression, the doctor answered with a trembling voice, ¡°The poison is very deadly. Although it''s not the most poisonous one out there, it''s still very toxic. We focused on saving the adult with all kinds of medications. In the end... we couldn''t save the baby.¡± Raymond''s pupils constricted immediately. Zeke had demanded Raymond to ensure the safety of the baby. The former even warned him that if the heir of the Shurmer family died, a vicious bloodbath would ensue in the Hoffman family. What he dreaded the most still happened in the end. ¡°Are you sure there''s no saving the baby?¡± The doctor nodded solemnly. ¡°She has already miscarried. We can''t just put the blood that flowed out of her back in, can we? Furthermore, the fetus is not our utmost concern right now. Ms. Juliana is still in critical condition. If worsees to worst, she might not make it...¡± Without waiting for the doctor to finish, Raymond shot him a cold re and snapped, ¡°I don''t care what method you use, but you must keep her alive and make sure she''s all right. Otherwise, none of your lives would be spared. Do you hear me?¡± ¡°Yes, of course.¡± The attending doctor quickly retreated back into the emergency room. Raymond spun around andnded his gaze on Philip. In that split second, Raymond caught a glimpse of the sinister smile curving thetter''s lips. His heart promptly sank. I can''t believe this idiot is really behind this. Does he know who he''s messing with? Zeke is the head of the most prestigious family in the medical fraternity worldwide. Bailey is a highly influential international big shot. Not even the leader of a country can do anything to them if they were to join forces, let alone the Hoffman family. Raymond had already cated Zeke and was waiting for the right opportunity to erase part of Juliana''s memory. They would have nothing to worry about once she forgot about the family''s confidential secrets. By then, she wouldn''t pose a threat to the Hoffman family even if she were to go with Zeke. However, at present, his well-thought-out n was ruined by the foolish Philip and Tucker. ¡°Ah, forget it. Looks like the impending disaster is inevitable for the Hoffman family. We deserve to suffer. You''re on your own now.¡± Upon saying that to the father-and-son duo, Raymond turned and walked out. He wouldn''t be able to get in Zeke''s way if thetter really wanted revenge. Since he couldn''t seek justice for his guilty daughter as the head of the family, he would let Zeke teach the ignorant father and son a lesson on his behalf. Philip exchanged nces with his son, and they both saw the glee in each other''s eyes. ¡°Go and spread the news that Juliana has miscarried and announce that you will be in charge of the Hoffman family for now because she has fallen sick due to depression after the miscarriage.¡± A joyful expression appeared on Tucker''s face. ¡°All right. I''ll do it now.¡± Very soon, news regarding Juliana''s miscarriage spread back to the country. Bailey smashed several valuable antiques in her study in a fit of anger upon hearing about the news. ¡°Those old b*stards have crossed the line! How dare they mistreat my disciple! Great! This is just great!¡± She swiftly decided to make her way over to the Hoffman residence after venting her anger. Julie will be eaten alive by those monsters if I don''t go there right now! However, Zeke stopped her just as she instructed Andy to prepare a private jet. ¡°Calm down. How can you leave Hallsbay during this critical moment? If you leave now, everything you''ve done will be in vain.¡± Bailey red at Zeke, her eyes bloodshot as she gritted out, ¡°The child in Julie''s womb was yours. Aren''t you heartbroken and angry now that the baby''s gone? You''re too calm, Zeke! Are you still going to remain unfazed and pretend nothing ever happened now that things have escted to this point?¡± Heaving a sigh, Zeke said slowly, ¡°Her miscarriage has been set in stone. We can''t change anything even if we rush over there right now. Since the Hoffman family has dered war against me, this battle is inevitable. Let me make myself clear. The Shurmer family will not let this slide. The baby died in the Hoffman residence, and even though he''s still an unborn fetus, he is still the future heir of the Shurmer family. The whole Hoffman family will have to pay for it. Before all that happens, however, you need to settle the matters in Hallsbay first.¡± Bailey parted her lips to say something, but Zeke did not give her a chance to do so. He added, ¡°I, as the father of the baby, should be the one to confront the Hoffman family. They''ve caused the death of the Shurmer family''s heir, so it''s only right that I demand an exnation from them.¡± Bailey shut her eyes, trembling all over. After nearly five minutes, she finally managed to suppress the intense murderous intent and hostility raging within her. She said through gritted teeth, ¡°Give me a few days. I''ll go with you after I''ve taken care of Yvette and Sofie and all the dangers lurking behind the scenes.¡± Zeke did not say a word in response. A frosty glint shed in his eyes. He was humble, well-mannered, and gentle in the eyes of the public, but that didn''t mean he would show mercy and let things slide after his son was harmed. Those old geezers in the Hoffman family had really crossed the line this time. I don''t deserve to be called the head of the most prestigious family in the world if I don''t make them pay with their lives. In the living room of a private mansion in the suburbs, Zoey looked at Sofie, who was sitting on the couch and sipping a ss of wine. ¡°Bailey is about to fall into our trap soon. Once she dies, Yvette will no longer be of use to us. Mom, when are you nning to get rid of her?¡± Sofie''s lips curled into a smile as she said calmly, ¡°I''ve already made the necessary arrangements. Some of my men are among those who will attack Bailey. Once they''ve killed Bailey, they will get rid of Yvette, too. This is what I call a perfect oue. What do you think?¡± Chapter 657 Chapter 657 What do I think? I think it''s a nice n. The n would not only get rid of Bailey but also eliminate Yvette, killing two birds with one stone while completely eradicating future troubles. There could not have been a better oue. ¡°I think your n is impable, Mom. That way, all the obstacles that stand in my way will be eliminated. Our next step is to position me by Artemis'' side. But... I am at a loss as to what identity I should assume to aplish this.¡± Sofie''s lips curved upwards into a sly smile as she spoke. ¡°Dear, don''t you forget that Artemis has lost all memories of Bailey. To him, you are still the savior who sacrificed herself for him. For this reason, I doubt he will mistreat you. Without intervention from Bailey, I have no doubt that his heart will soon be yours as long as you put in some effort.¡± An ted expression shed across Zoey''s face. Indeed, she is right! How could I have overlooked such a crucial detail? Artemis currently suffered from amnesia, rendering him incapable of recalling anything about Bailey or any matter rted to her. Hence, Zoey''s image in his heart remained as the kind savior from years ago. Were it not for Bailey''s meddling previously, Zoey believed she would not have been subjected to such a wretched fate. Now, with Bailey out of the picture, Zoey could return to Artemis'' side as his savior, and with the cunning tricks up her sleeve, she could win his adoration. In the past, she didn''t even have the chance to put her n into action. Fate didn''t grant her such an opportunity, and Bailey ended up taking advantage of the situation. Now, she must seize this opportunity to make Artemis hers and prevent any other woman from taking advantage. ¡°Your advice is greatly appreciated, Mom. I know what I should do now, and I eagerly await your good news. Once Bailey and Yvette are out of the way, I can have a chance to approach Artemis. And once I''m by his side, I will do anything I can to ensure he bespletely enamored with me.¡± Sofie murmured an acknowledgment. ¡°I haven''t been by your side for all these years, and I know I owe you a lot. Now that you''ve grown up, you don''t need mypensation, and you''re also no longer at the age where you require maternal love. Therefore, the only thing I can offer you is to help you be the matriarch of the Luther family and thedy of Tarragon. With these two identities, you will never be bullied by anyone and will be the most powerful woman in this world. This is my way ofpensating you for the motherly love you have lacked all these years. However, your future is in your own hands. This is the best I can do for you. Whether or not you can win Artemis'' heart will depend on yourself.¡± Zoey hugged Sofie''s arm and smiled. ¡°Thank you, Mom. I will always remember your guidance and assistance. If there is anything you need my help with in the future, just let me know. I will utilize every resource at my disposal to help you as best I can.¡± ¡°We''ll talk about that once our n seeds. For now, you don''t need to do anything. Just stay at home and wait for my news. Bailey and Yvette are likembs waiting to be ughtered by the butcher. They have nowhere to run. So, don''t be too anxious. You will receive news in a few days,¡± advised Sofie. ¡°Okay.¡± Juliana regained consciousness in the master bedroom of the Hoffman residence. As she opened her eyes, she fixated her gaze on the delicate crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling while in a daze. Her mind was still having trouble processing what was going on. Where am I? Is this my room? How did Ie back here? N?velDrama.Org owns all content. The scene before she lost consciousness shed through her mind, causing her pupils to constrict in horror. She then felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen and instinctively reached out to touch it. As she moved, the pain became more intense and obvious. A sense of foreboding swelled in her heart, and she struggled to sit up. However, her body felt weak and feeble, forcing her to slump back down. What happened to my child? Did I have a miscarriage? Before losing consciousness, she recalled being poisoned. She wondered if the poison didn''t kill her but instead took away the life of the fetus growing in her womb. Oh my goodness! This can''t be real! I don''t want anything but to give birth to this child safely and soundly and send him away so that he could grow up happily. This child is my only hope and motivation to keep living. Why take that away from me, too? My world is already consumed by darkness. Now that my child is gone, I no longer have a reason to live! A low sob escaped her throat, and tears streamed down her face. Creak! The doorknob turned, and the door was pushed open. Juliana instinctively turned her face away and wiped the tears on her face. She didn''t want anyone to see her in such a disheveled state. ¡°Ms. Juliana, Mr. Quincy is here to see you,¡± reported the maid outside the door respectfully. There was no response from Juliana. She stared at the floor-to-ceiling window in a daze, her eyes filled with visible sorrow. I suppose this is fate. Zeke has a fianc¨¦e, and she''s carrying his child. Perhaps God has severed the last connection I have with Zeke because He doesn''t want me to destroy their marriage. Quincy, the most superior elder of the Hoffman family, stepped in and spoke. ¡°You know what they say, kid, surviving a great disaster means you''re bound for good fortune. This experience will be a good lesson for you, and I hope you can learn from it to understand your ce better. Since you didn''t bring any major disaster to the family, we won''t make things difficult for you. We previously mentioned imprisoning you in the dungeon for the rest of your life, but after careful consideration, we have decided to grant you your freedom. But you are not allowed to leave the residence at all. I think Huntley is a good match for you. He has feelings for you, and you have been very protective of him, too. Why don''t we set a date and have you marry him?¡± Juliana slowly turned toward Quincy, her gaze cold. Sneering, she said, ¡°Are the lot of you really granting me freedom out of the kindness of your hearts? What a joke. Since you''ve made this request, there must be conditions attached. Tell me what you want me to do first. I want to know how unscrupulous you can get.¡± Quincy cleared his throat, feeling awkward about being humiliated by someone younger than himself. ¡°It''s nothing big, really. We just want you to make a phone call to Zeke personally and exin to him that your miscarriage was an ident and it was not our family''s fault. As long as you can do this, I will immediately release you and let you marry Huntley, granting you both a peaceful life,¡± Quincy said. When she heard that, Juliana couldn''t help but burst intoughter. So this is their true intention. I can''t believe I''m still of value to them! It makes sense, though. If I''m no longer useful to them, this old geezer wouldn''t even bother toe and visit me in person, let alone grant me freedom and give me a happy ending. Juliana had a feeling that the family was concerned about the possibility of Zeke seeking revenge against them if he ever found out that they had poisoned her and caused her to miscarry. However, Juliana believed that their worries were unfounded. Now that Zeke had his own happy family, he wouldn''t risk offending the prominent, well-established Hoffman family just for her sake. ¡°What if I refuse? Will you all kill me if I refuse?¡± Juliana asked. Chapter 658 Chapter 658 Juliana had no idea what else she had left that they could use to threaten her. Don''t tell me this old geezer thinks that he can get me to relent if he threatens me with my life. At this point, I have nothing to lose. She had lost all her faith in the world as well as her courage to continue living. Death seemed to be her only way out. It would be pretty hrious if Quincy was actually nning to threaten her with her life. In fact, she couldn''t wait to die. She might even thank him if he shot her then and there. It was therefore inevitable that their n to threaten Juliana would fail. She would never make that call to Zeke because she couldn''t afford to bear the mortification. Since this was thest ounce of dignity she had left, she did not want to lose that, too. She was the one who forced the incident that night to happen, and now that the child was gone, she was too ashamed to call him. Seeing how she was unfazed by the current situation and had lost the will to live, Quincy frowned grimly and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Are you sure you''re not making that call?¡± Gradually, Juliana closed her eyes and said nonchntly, ¡°I''m not going to do anything. You''re free to kill or torture me, but there''s no way I''m making the call to Zeke, let alone tell him the miscarriage happened because I was careless. You reap what you sow, so you have to bear the consequences of your misdeeds. You''d better pray that the Shurmer family won''t pursue this matter, or tragedy will befall the Hoffman family. Mark my words. Once Zeke and my master join forces, they''re more than capable of destroying the Hoffman family. I shall witness the punishment you receive from the heavens. Those who harmed my child will pay the price with their lives!¡± The veins on Quincy''s forehead bulged in surprise, for he didn''t expect Juliana to behave so stubbornly. Apparently, she was not the least bit afraid of death. Quincy reckoned that even if he were to hold a knife against her throat, she would not even bat an eyelid. This would be a tricky situation for them. From his perspective, there was a high possibility that the Shurmer family would seek revenge. After all, Bailey was involved in this situation, too. That woman isn''t someone who''s easy to deal with. No one would be able to stop her if she''s determined toe to the Hoffman residence to settle the score! Hence, after pondering over the matter, Quincy felt the best solution was for Juliana to exin everything herself. s, the woman refused to be convinced, and there was nothing Quincy could do. After a brief silence, he sneered, ¡°I won''t kill you. After all, you''re the heiress of the Hoffman family, and Bailey is supporting you as well. I will only bring myself endless trouble if I take your life. However, Huntley is indebted to me since I was the one who raised him. If I told him to die, he would not live to see the next sunrise. Are you going to stand by and watch him put his life on the line for you?¡± Juliana''s eyes flew open immediately as she looked at Quincy in disbelief. Her lips quivered gently as she said with a trembling voice, ¡°H-He''s one of your men! How can you possibly kill him? There is a good chance that he will be the next head of the family. Don''t you think it''s a pity to kill him?¡± Quincy scoffed, ¡°The Hoffman family is going to face a looming crisis, and there''s no telling whether anyone of us will survive. What''s the point of considering all that? I''m giving you two choices: Are you going to do nothing and watch Huntley die, or will you call Zeke and inform him that the miscarriage was an ident? It''s up to you to decide.¡± A bitter smile crept up Juliana''s face. Even death is a luxury for someone unlucky. I deserve to die, but I can''t just sit back and watch Huntley perish for my sake. I rescued him from danger many years ago, and since then, he has remained by my side, protecting me and taking care of everything for me just to repay my kindness. Can I be selfish enough to drag him down to his doom with me? No! I can''t possibly do that. Therefore, after a moment of silence, she replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°All right, I promise you. I''ll give Zeke a call once I feel a bit better. However, you will have to promise one thing too. Let Huntley go and make sure he is safe and sound. If anything happens to him, I will do everything I can to contact my master, and she will avenge me on my behalf. When that timees, no one from the Hoffman family will be able to escape. Each and every one of them shall pay the price with their lives.¡± Quincy remained silent. His silence was a tacit confirmation that he wouldn''t kill Huntley, since the boy was personally raised by Quincy himself and was most likely to be the future head of the family. Huntly was his pride and joy, so he could never bring himself to destroy the fruit of his own efforts. Meanwhile, in the study of one of Tarragon''s branches, Holden looked at Artemis, who was sitting on the couch, and asked, ¡°Since we will be making our move tomorrow, has Micah arranged for his men to conduct the rescue?¡± Artemis hummed in response. ¡°I contacted Dwayne and he will bring his men to save them. One thing you should know is once their n is exposed, Sofie will surely kill Yvette in order to silence her. If you want to clear your sister''s name, you must protect Yvette and prevent her from being murdered.¡± Holden nodded and replied grimly, ¡°Thank you. I''ll keep that in mind. That woman better not die easily. I will make sure that she pays for everything my sister has suffered.¡± Artemis curled his lips into a smile as he said casually, ¡°The few higher-ups who used your sister of leaking confidential information have been caught. Once everything has been resolved, we''ll return to the headquarters and deal with this matter properly.¡± After that, he took out a bottle from his pocket and added, ¡°This is the medication that Bailey prepared for you a few days ago. It can help restore a part of your memory. Now that you have a son, you should get your woman back once everything is settled.¡± While nodding, Holden reached out and took the bottle. ¡°I''ll consume it after tomorrow. I don''t want to get caught up in any emotions now because that would distract me.¡± Artemis raised a brow and said, ¡°My thoughts exactly. That''s why I didn''t give it to you right away. All right, then, let''s get ready. Our sess or failure depends on how well we prepare for this mission.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Meanwhile, at the medical base, Bailey emerged from the ward and was about to head to the study to look for Zeke. As soon as she turned the corner, a figure lunged at her. That person was holding a knife, and the de shed a cold glint under the light. Bailey dodged the attack subconsciously, but the de still managed to sh her arm. It was a good thing she was wearing thick clothing since it was winter. Although the knife cut through her clothes and drew blood from her skin, it was only a minor injury. Bailey reacted immediately by smacking the person on the shoulder. ¡°I''ve been kind enough to take you in, yet you''re trying to kill me. As expected, one can''t be too kind.¡± Shirley glowered at Bailey, her eyes filled with intense hatred. If it weren''t for this woman''s meddling, the Shurmers would still be kept in the dark, and she wouldn''t have made a fool out of herself, causing the Shurmers to regard her with disgust. Her life waspletely ruined by Bailey. At that moment, she was determined to fight Bailey to the death. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°You''ve been poisoned, Bailey. You''re doomed.¡± Chapter 659 Chapter 659 Bailey frowned. No wonder the gash on my arm feels so unbearably itchy. Turns out the de was poisoned. Still... ¡°I can''t believe how stubborn you are, causing trouble even at this juncture. What''s the matter? Do you think your fate isn''t sufficiently tragic, so you want me to make things more miserable for you, is that it?¡± Shirleyughed maniacally. ¡°You''ve already ruined my life, so what''s there to be afraid of even if I were to die? My death is insignificant, but if I can cause you to perish alongside me, it''ll be a huge win for me, isn''t that right?¡± Bailey subconsciously covered her arm as an agonized expression shed across her face. To be precise, her expression changed because she couldn''t bear the itchiness. However, Shirley perceived her reaction differently. ¡°What''s going on? Are you afraid to die? Haha! I guess you''re not so impressive, after all. Do you want me to hand you the antidote so that you can preserve your pathetic life?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and sized Shirley up as rity washed over her. Falling down the stairs is only the first step of her n. The second step is to seize the opportunity to stay in the medical base so that she can have the chance to get close to me and assassinate me. However, I''m curious about where she got the poison. Logically, only Cadence is capable of developing such poison, but that old bat is dead. I hypnotized him and left him to suffer a horrible death inside the abandoned warehouse in the suburbs, so how could Shirleyy her hands on the toxin created by Cadence? After falling silent for a few moments, she seemed to have thought of something, and everything made sense to her. That''s right. Cadence used to be involved with Rhonda for some time, so it wouldn''t be surprising if she acquired some poisons from him to be used in case of emergencies. That means Shirley met with Rhonda, or Rhonda established contact with Shirley. They''ve coborated to assassinate me, one providing the poison while the other executing the n. Although she had a guess, she kept the thought to herself. ¡°This poison is indeed potent. Even with my medical expertise, this poison can still be lethal. I''m not adept at detoxification, so there''s really nothing I can do about this. So, tell me. What do you want in exchange for the antidote?¡± Shirley''s rationale was consumed by her intense hatred, causing her to lose her ability to think. She couldn''t even sense the undisguised mockery filling Bailey''s eyes. ¡°Ha! It seems like you''re genuinely afraid of death. Well, that sounds about right. Why would a person like you, who indulge in everyone''s affection and enjoy all the luxuries in this world, be willing to die? Do you want to live? Are you desperate to have the antidote? No problem! Why don''t you kneel before me? Perhaps I''ll give you the antidote if I''m pleased.¡± Bailey arched her brow. Is she trying to humiliate me using that method? That''ll depend on whether she possesses the bargaining chip or not. If I''m not mistaken, the antidote should still be with Rhonda. Rhonda tried everything she can to poison me because she wants to force me to beg her, right? Judging by how much Rhonda hates me, would she give Shirley the antidote? If she had done that, all her effort would''ve gone to waste. Bailey grinned at Shirley. Although her body was trembling from the difort, she appeared calm and unfazed. ¡°Will you give me the antidote if I kneel before you?¡± Hearing that question, Shirleyughed even crazily. At that moment, Zeke rushed out from the study and supported Bailey, who was staggering. He narrowed his eyes at Shirley and uttered in a deep voice, ¡°Hand over the antidote.¡± The hatred in Shirley''s eyes intensified when she saw him. ¡°You don''t have the right to talk to me. I''ve admired, pursued, and treated you wholeheartedly all these years, but what have I acquired in the end? Ultimately, I''m no more than a joke. I want you to leave. Otherwise, I''ll destroy the antidote and drag Bailey down to hell with me.¡± After saying that, she produced a porcin bottle from her pocket and pretended she was going to smash it on the ground. Zeke gazed at Bailey with knitted brows. ¡°Have you really been poisoned? Is that the only antidote that can cure you?¡± Bailey nodded. She reached out to push him away and approached Shirley. She spoke as she advanced. ¡°Look into my eyes and see how I''m kneeling in front of you.¡± Shirley met Bailey''s gaze. The next second, the former''s eyes began to lose focus. Staring coldly into Shirley''s eyes, Bailey controlled her with hypnosis and uttered in a sing-song voice, ¡°I''ve knelt before you. Do you remember it now?¡± Shirley nodded in a daze. Bailey repeated those words a few more times before suddenly snapping her fingers in front of Shirley''s eyes. The next instant, Shirley began to roar withughter. ¡°Bailey, I bet you never saw thising. Haha! To think that you would one day kneel before me. I''ve finally gotten my revenge.¡± Bailey pretended as if she was getting up from the floor. She then narrowed her eyes at Shirley and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Can you give me the antidote now?¡± Shirleyughed sinisterly. ¡°Antidote? I''m sorry, but I don''t have it. What''s inside this bottle is a fake. You''ve been fooled. Haha! However, I can tell you where the real antidote is. It''s with Rhonda, so why don''t you go and beg her?¡± Bailey''s expression darkened. As I expected. She''s working with Rhonda. ¡°Are you sure it''s in Rhonda''s possession?¡± ¡°Hahaha! That''s right. The antidote is with her. I was just toying with you just now. It was worth it since I made you kneel before me. As for whether you can get the antidote from Rhonda, that will depend on your abilities. Still, I reckon she probably won''t give it to you.¡± Shirley continuedughing unrestrainedly like a lunatic. A voice echoed incessantly in her mind. Bailey knelt before me. Bailey knelt before me. Haha! Bailey really knelt before me! At that moment, Genevieve hurried over from afar and hugged Shirley. ¡°What''s wrong with you, Shirley? Why are you suddenly behaving like a crazy person?¡± Shirley grasped her mother''s wrist and guffawed. ¡°Mom, did you see that? Bailey got on her knees in front of me. She knelt before me just now. I''vepletely humiliated her. Haha!¡± Genevieve hade out when Shirley and Bailey started arguing, but she was too far away and took some time to reach. She didn''t see Bailey getting on her knees. ¡°I didn''t see that. Bailey didn''t get on her knees. Shirley, you''ve gone mad.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all content. Shirley was briefly stunned. A secondter, she abruptly pushed Genevieve away. ¡°How is that possible? She just¡ª¡± The false memory imnted in her mind dissipated, and the effect of the hypnosis slowly wore off as well. Her mind gradually sharpened, and she realized she didn''t see Bailey get on her knees. The thrill of getting her revenge fulfilled receded like a tide, causing her to feel as if she had fallen from heaven to hell in an instant. Everything that had happened just now was just my imagination. This b*tch hypnotized me. No. This is the dream-making technique. The long lost dream-making technique. ¡°Bailey, you deceived me. I can''t believe you used such dirty tricks against me! Karma will punish you!¡± Chapter 660 Chapter 660 Bailey sneered. A frosty and emotionless look glinted in her eyes. ¡°I''m not a saint who can tolerate you after you shed me. I''m someone who thoroughly enjoys watching others suffer as their joy turns into utter disappointment. Unfortunately, you just became one of those people.¡± Shirley spewed out a mouthful of blood as a result of the immense shock and fell face-first toward the ground. Genevieve hurriedly reached out to support her, but she couldn''t bear Shirley''s weight and ended up crashing heavily to the floor alongside her daughter. ¡°Bailey, my daughter''s like this because of you, yet you''re still unwilling to stop! Must you drive her to the brink of death?¡± Bailey''s eyes gleamed coldly as she gazed at her bleeding arm. Does she think she can get away unscathed after hurting me? That''s impossible! ¡°Sammy, call the police. Tell them someone wants to assassinate me, and let them handle this case.¡± Shirley convulsed violently on the floor. Her eyes bulged as she red intently at Bailey. Her demeanor at that moment was no different from a vengeful ghost that had arisen from hell, yearning to reap Bailey''s soul. Genevieve panicked and hastily said, ¡°Shirley was emotionally unstable after receiving the devastating blow. That was why she injured you. You''re fine anyway, aside from the minor scrape on your arm. Considering how you''ve tormented her, please just let her go. I beg you.¡± Bailey staggered and fell into Zeke''s arms. Taking in the turns of events, Shirley began tough maniacally again. ¡°Bailey, you won''t have much longer to live. Rhonda gave me this poison; you should know better than anyone how much she hates you. She won''t hand over the antidote to you even if you grovel at her feet. Haha! All that awaits me is imprisonment. This oue is worth it since I''ll be able to witness your impending demise.¡± Not bothering to reply, Bailey said to Zeke weakly, ¡°Help me to theboratory. I need to prepare the antidote.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Hearing that, Shirley was rendered speechless and slightly stunned. When the pang of realization hit her, the churning hatred in her eyes intensified. How is this possible? Rhonda told me there''s no way to formte an antidote to this poison, so howe Bailey knows how to do it? ¡°No way. This is not possible. How could you possibly know how to prepare the antidote? Bailey, you''re deceiving me again.¡± Bailey didn''t turn around. She continued walking away while answering, ¡°If there''s no way to create the antidote, how do you exin the one in Rhonda''s possession? You''re so pathetic, so foolish that you don''t even know others are using you, and you''re still daydreaming here.¡± Shirley coughed up another mouthful of blood. She red resentfully at Bailey''s retreating figure as her gaze gradually became unfocused. A few secondster, her eyes rolled over, and she passed out. Zeke looked down at Bailey in his arms and asked with furrowed brows, ¡°Were you just trying to scare her, or do you really n to send her to jail?¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°I am sending her to prison because sparing her will only cause trouble for Julie. I don''t want to regret my decision today if something terrible happens in the future.¡± He fell silent afterward. Not long after, the police arrived. After investigating that matter and understanding the situation better, they decided to take Shirley into custody for intentional assault. Shirley''s parents went to beg Bailey, but they were turned away at the door and didn''t even get to meet Bailey. In the end, the couple could only watch helplessly as their daughter was taken away. After uttering a terse remark, telling Genevieve it was all her fault, Richard fainted as well. Genevieve was suddenly at a loss for what to do. Meanwhile, inside the ward, Caridee had just learned from the butler that Veikko''s private ne was about to arrive, and she hurriedly sprang out of bed. Seeing that, Felicity immediately reached out to grab her. ¡°The weather is freezing outside. You should at least put on a coat. You might catch a cold.¡± ¡°Bring me the coat, then. I want to be the first person Veikko sees when hends. That way, he''ll prioritize me.¡± Amused, Felicityughed and chided her while retrieving a coat from the nearby rack to drape it over Caridee. ¡°My daughter''s all grown up now and can''t wait to leave me. You just turned eighteen, so can''t you at least wait a few years before you start thinking about getting into romantic rtionships?¡± Caridee chuckled. ¡°There''s nothing I can do since fate has brought Veikko into my life. You should be grateful since you''ll have one less thing to worry about after I get married. Isn''t that nice?¡± ¡°You have a point.¡± After helping Caridee put on the coat, Felicity spoke to Simon, who was ying a game on his phone on the couch. ¡°Go with your sister. It''s snowing outside, so the floor is slippery. I''m worried she might slip and cause further damage to her arm.¡± Simon rolled his eyes. ¡°She''s going out to meet a guy. Why should I tag along and y the third wheel?¡± Having said that, he tossed his phone aside and helped Caridee walk outside. ¡°This way, mydy. Slow down, and don''t hurt your arm. Otherwise, I''m done for.¡± Caridee was rendered speechless. Meanwhile, on the outdoor grounds, the private ne gradually descended. Caridee stood on tiptoe, looking into the distance. Simon carefully supported her, fearing she might lose her bnce. ¡°There are countless men in this world, all with different qualities. You could have chosen anyone, yet you chose one with blood on his hands.¡± She red at him. ¡°I forbid you from saying that in front of Veikko. I''m afraid he''ll think we disdain and hate him.¡± He didn''t say anything in response. When the cabin door opened, a tall, upright figure emerged. The smile on Caridee''s face grew wider, but her tion merelysted seconds before the grin dissipated. Even Simon, standing beside her, narrowed his eyes. Treading closely on Veikko''s heels was a young woman with a voluptuous figure. She wrapped her arms around his as they walked down the stairs side by side. No longer an innocent boy, Simon was worldly-wise enough to understand the situation. He seemed to have thought of something after taking in their intimate interaction and hurriedly said to his sister, ¡°Caridee, it''s cold outside. Why don''t I help you back to your ward first? After Veikko settles in, I''ll bring him to meet with you.¡± She brushed off her brother''s arm and stared nkly at the approaching couple. ¡°V-Veikko, who is this Without waiting for Veikko to speak, the woman beside him replied, ¡°We''re friends with benefits. Oh, pardon me. You look so young. I guess you''re not yet eighteen, so you probably don''t know what friends with benefits mean. Let me exin. This is a game that adults y. For example, we''ll measure each other''s waist with our legs, and¡ª¡± ¡°That''s enough,¡± Caridee interjected with tears brimming in her eyes. She looked at Veikko with tear-stained eyes and sobbed, ¡°Is she telling the truth? Are you two really in that kind of intimate rtionship?¡± Veikko nodded slightly, concealing the emotions in his gaze, and uttered casually, ¡°I''m just a normal man.¡± Caridee was stumped. ¡°Get lost!¡± Simon swung his fist at Veikko. ¡°One of my sister''s arms was crippled because of you. Is this how you repay her kindness, bringing your friend with benefits here to disgust her? How despicable are you?¡± Veikko''s gaze darkened as he reached out and grasped Simon''s arm. Then, he raised his hand to strike thetter. ¡°Stop right there.¡± Bailey''s voice rang out from not far away. Caridee stomped her foot angrily, turned around, and dashed toward the exit. Chapter 661 Chapter 661 ¡°Caridee...¡± Simon shoved Veikko away with all his might and threatened him through gritted teeth, ¡°If anything happens to my sister, I''ll make sure you pay dearly.¡± After saying that, he went after Caridee. As Veikko gazed at the slender figure running through the snowstorm, his eyes darkened. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. I shouldn''t havee into her life from the start. He reckoned that a cheery and bubbly girl like her should not get entangled with someone as undeserving as himself, for he was carrying more than just his dark side on his shoulders. It was then that Bailey paced over and scrutinized the youngdy standing next to Veikko. Startled, the youngdy got down on one knee and inclined her head a fraction. ¡°Ms. Jefferson! I... I didn''t seduce Veikko. No, I mean... There''s nothing going on between us. It was him¡ª¡± Bailey waved her hand and said cidly, ¡°You can leave now. I need to have a chat with Veikko.¡± The female special agent moved aside in a hurry. Narrowing her eyes, Bailey pinned her gaze on the man in front of her and went on in a deep voice, ¡°Caridee was overjoyed while expecting you. You really shouldn''t have forced her to give up on you like that. It''s way too cruel.¡± Veikko shot her a gaze as cold as the winter and replied casually, ¡°She''s your sister-inw, Bailey, so it''spletely understandable that you wish for her happiness. But please don''t build your hope on my character. This has always been the way I deal with any woman who''s fallen for me¡ªcut the Gordian knot and boot them out of my life.¡± Perhaps it was the will of the heavens that Veikko would never be privileged to build a happy family like an ordinary man, given his background and the burden on his shoulders. Letting go of his heart''s desire appeared to be the only answer. Bailey secretly heaved a sigh before she probed cautiously, ¡°Do you really have no feelings for Caridee? If you don''t have a thing for her and don''t care about her, why would you mobilize all your forces just to seek out any acimed doctor who could have a chance at curing her arm?¡± ¡°She got hurt because of me, so it''s only natural for me to do my part. I''d rather not owe her any favor. I''m sorry if you guys end up getting the wrong idea because of that. Now that I''ve cleared things up, it''s about time that you cease your wishful thinking.¡± Bailey shook her head. She stared straight into the man''s eyes and said, ¡°Stop deceiving yourself, you little brat. A positive, optimistic girl like her is like a ray of light in your life, and you''re telling me that you have no feelings for her? If my guess is correct, you must be trying to protect her from harm, which is why you''re pushing her away.¡± Veikko turned away with his back facing Bailey and refuted, ¡°Don''t forget the blood feud running in my veins, Bailey. An inevitable battle of life and death with that d*mn mutt is waiting for me. Death will be imminent if I lose, and even if I win, it''ll cost me my reputation for killing one of my own. There will never be a happy ending for me and those who follow me.¡± Bailey froze momentarily at those words as the images from that fateful night with a heavy downpour popped right back into her head. A young man soaked in blood was lying t on the ice-cold ground, surrounded and beaten up by dozens of burly men. Even under such dire circumstances, she managed to obliterate that group of professional hitmen and rescue that poor man who was almost trampled to death. All those years, Veikko had been bearing the thirst for vengeance in his heart. As of then, he had finally gathered enough power to realize his master n and settle the score once and for all. His journey, however, was bound to be tumultuous, one that would be nketed with thorns, considering that he would be putting his own brother to the sword. Indeed, Veikko only had Caridee''s best interest at heart when he chose to end things with her that way. Only time would tell if destiny would bring them back together again. ¡°When everythinges to an end, maybe you two can¡ª¡± Raising his hand, Veikko hushed Bailey then and there and stated frostily, ¡°My whole life''s been intertwined with blood and gore, whereas she''s been living a simple life. We''ve always been people from two different worlds. If you insist on matchmaking us, you''ll only be ruining her life in the end.¡± Not another word escaped Bailey. All she did was hang her head low. He does have a point, I guess. No one can tell what the future holds. Veikko''s decision to sever all ties with Caridee was the most rational at that point. Abandoning all notions they had for each other might be their only way out of the looming heartbreak in the future. Bailey eventually realized that she was in no position to press him further. Meanwhile, at the Jefferson residence, Rhonda was sitting by the bay window in her bedroom, listening to a report on the phone. To hear that Shirley had botched the mission, Rhonda did not even bat an eysh. After all, she would not have gotten herself into such a miserable state had Bailey been that easy to deal with. Joining forces with Shirley was purely a trick of hers to take a dig at Bailey and at the same time drag Shirley down with her. In fact, it would be too lonesome for Rhonda should she be the only one to fall from grace. With more victims suffering the same as her, she would at least feel better if she failed to bring Bailey down in the end. You''re up next, Zoey! Rhonda had her heart set on leading Zoey to the bitter end, one that was more tragic than hers. ¡°Follow through with our n and sort out all the known information. Look for an opening and disclose them all to the Shurmers. I want her out of the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°I''m on it.¡± Still out running in the snow was Caridee. As chance would have it, she slipped and crashed onto the ground. Her arm which had already shown signs of recovery was dealt another crushing blow. Eventually, she wound up in the ward. It was Bailey who helped Caridee to put her arm in a cast. Part of her bone at the wound was already visible to the naked eye. Yet, as Bailey poured some medicinal powder on her wound, Caridee remained deadpan and did not even draw her brows together. It seemed that she had truly fallen head over heels for Veikko, to the extent that she could feel no pain other than the pang of unrequited love from within. ¡°How''s she? Is her arm going to be okay?¡± asked the overwrought Felicity. Bailey sighed and shook her head in return. ¡°It all depends on her willingness to cooperate with the treatment. If she decides to give up on it herself, there''s nothing we can do to help.¡± Felicity wished to talk some sense into Caridee but was quickly stopped by Bailey. ¡°She''s all caught up in her own world right now. I don''t think any of your advice will get through her. Haste makes waste. Let''s give her some time.¡± Felicity nodded at that. ¡°Very well, then. By the way, what''s up with that brat? Even if he wasn''t fond of my daughter, he shouldn''t have brought another woman over just to upset her. Why couldn''t he at least be tactful in turning her down? Must he really resort to such an aggressive method?¡± ¡°Well, maybe he thought that was the fastest way possible to settle things. If he genuinely has no interest in Caridee, his resolution may be for the best.¡± Felicity sighed multiple times before saying, ¡°I understand his concerns. He''s always in and out of all sorts of bloody messes, and thest thing he wants is to implicate Caridee. By that logic, I shouldn''t me him since he''s doing it for my daughter''s own good. Even so, the way he handles it is way too extreme.¡± Right then, the door to the ward was flung open. It was Zeke. Instead of stepping inside, he looked at Bailey and uttered, ¡°A word with you.¡± Bailey inclined her head and left Felicity a couple of reminders before exiting the ward. In the corridor, Zeke passed the phone over to Bailey and asked, ¡°Is this one of the Hoffmans'' numbers?¡± She nced at the screen and bobbed her head. ¡°Yes, it''s Juliana''s. Did she call? What did she¡ª¡± No, that doesn''t make sense. If they had spoken, he wouldn''t have asked me whether that number belongs to the Hoffmans. ¡°Hurry and call her back. She must have something urgent to talk to you about.¡± Chapter 662 Chapter 662 Instead of dialing Juliana''s number, Zeke cast Bailey a conflicted look. ¡°What other reason is there for her to be looking for me so urgently? Knowing her, she would never call me after her miscarriage unless she was threatened to do so.¡± Bailey was taken aback. He''s right. Juliana should be calling me even during emergencies. Why did she call Zeke? Zeke is the last person she''ll contact. After all, she''s too ashamed to show her face to him ever since the incident that night. From my understanding of her, she shouldn''t have called Zeke. ¡°What do you want to say? Why do you think she''s calling me?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes as the wheel in her mind turned for an answer. After a short silence, she started, ¡°I think she was threatened. That bunch of old geezers from the Hoffman family forced her to call and inform you that her miscarriage was her own doing and had nothing to do with them. They wanted to use using that excuse to appease your anger.¡± Zeke clenched his fingers over his phone. His eyes were cial. ¡°That bunch of old geezers have gone too far! They not only harmed a member of the Shurmer family with poison but were shameless enough to force the victim to carry the me for them! What a joke!¡± Bailey nodded in agreement. ¡°It''s funny, indeed, but also appalling. They must have threatened Julie with Huntley''s life. When you return her callter, try not to reveal anything. Let those old geezers from the Hoffman family assume the coast is clear. We''ll deal with them once we resolve the issue inOwned by N?velDrama.Org. Hallsbay.¡± Zeke didn''t respond to her suggestion. After a brief silence, he scrolled through his phone and tapped on the missed call. Once the line connected, Juliana''s hoarse voice came from the other end. ¡°Mr. Shurmer? It''s me. Are you free now? I would like to have a talk with you.¡± Zeke furrowed his brows at Juliana''s impassive tone. Her current attitude toward me is a far cry from a month ago. I can discern she''s intentionally distancing herself from me. I guess she has already let go of the yearning in her heart after going through numerous ordeals. The issue now isn''t whether she can let it go but whether I allow it. I''m already caught in her web. Ever since the day she upies a space in my heart, I have no intention of letting her escape from my side. ¡°Yeah. Go ahead. I''m listening.¡± A dead silence stretched on for a long while. Only then did Juliana''s choked voice ring out. ¡°I''m sure you know what happened that night, Mr. Shurmer. I apologize for that. I was too frivolous and naive hence the inappropriate deed. You must have been troubled over it. I spent the past few days in istion, thinking over my actions and realizing my mistake. As repentance, I aborted the baby in my belly. If you''re angry about my decision, please direct them at me and leave the rest of my family alone.¡± Zeke pressed his lips into a thin line. His dark gaze swirled with fury. It''s just as we thought. It looks like that bunch of old geezers are done living and have a death wish. They touched my woman and even threatened her. Very well! ¡°You have an overactive imagination, Ms. Juliana. I have no recollection of that night, so don''t take it to your heart. Since the baby is already gone, there''s nothing we can do about it. Take good care of yourself, and don''t make Bailey worry. The idea of revenge has never crossed my mind. After all, going against the Hoffman family requires a lot of time and money, and the oue isn''t worth it.¡± ¡°It seems I was too naive and childish for assuming you would feel even a bit of reluctance and cause trouble for the Hoffman family. The baby who passed is nothing significant to you, it seems. Whatever, then. There''s nothing more to say after everything that has happened. Goodbye. Let''s never meet again,¡± Juliana said after a long silence. Her tone was loaded with self-deprecation. ¡°I hope you and Ms. Gourd will have a happy marriage.¡± The line instantly disconnected at the heel of her blessing. The crease between Zeke''s brows deepened when he heard the beeping tone of the disconnected line. ¡°Did I sound too heartless? What should I do if she thinks about harming herself?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°The vultures in her family are tightening the noose around her neck. Your nonchnce will ease their anxiety. Julie can only be safe once they rx.¡± ¡°Let''s hope so. I wish she can pull herself together and hold on until we rescue her.¡± She will. That girl is tough. I''m sure she''ll live on. The next day, Bailey and Edmund traveled to the suburbs as promised. Perhaps Yvette was overconfident in her abilities since she agreed without a second thought when Bailey suggested Edmund apany her to pick up Justin and Veronique. Maybe she presumed Bailey and Edmund wouldn''t be able to escape once they were trapped. Zeke didn''t stay idle either as he led his men to arrest Sofie. Meanwhile, Raiden silently waited in hiding for Bailey''s next order. Edmund arrived in the suburbs with Bailey. The tension in the car was suffocating. ¡°You''ll live a happy life, right, Bailey? Even if I''m not around anymore, someone will always be there to protect you, and you''ll live a life free of worries, right?¡± Bailey whipped her head at him. rm bells red in her mind. Why does it sound like he''s leaving a will? A will... I have no doubt he''ll die in my stead in a precarious situation, but how can I bear such profound feelings? I don''t owe anyone in this life but Edmund. He has done so much for me that I can''t keep count. If there''s a next life, I will pray to the heavens to grant us a destiny to spend our lives together blissfully in exchange for all that I owe him in this life. Screech! A piercing sound echoed across the forest. The two were thrown forward fiercely when the car stopped abruptly. Edmund narrowed his eyes at her. A frown marred his forehead. ¡°The road isn''t t nor smooth in this terrain. Aren''t you scared the car would flip if you stepped on the brake that hard and suddenly?¡± Bailey red at him. With eyes glistening with unshed tears, she barked, ¡°Get out of the car and get back home! I don''t want you to go with me anymore!¡± Edmund was baffled by her sudden outburst and couldn''t react. ¡°Are you insane? It''s gettingte, and we still have to rush there. Justin and Veronique are going to be in danger if we''rete!¡± Bailey sniffled and grabbed onto Edmund''s arm. ¡°Edmund, don''t think lightly about yourself. My soul can''t bear the weight of your life. You''re not allowed to die for me even if the situation is dangerous.¡± Realization dawned on Edmund. She''s mad over this? Now, I regret saying that. She''s too sensitive and thoughtful. I''m sure she noticed something. ¡°All right, I won''t die for you. I still need to protect you. You''re the only one I care about in this world. I''m not going to leave you.¡± Bailey turned her head toward the window as tears began to stream down her face. Why didn''t I choose him in the first ce? We might be living a peaceful life if I''d chosen him, but I might not have met Artemis in that case, and I wouldn''t have been able to experience an unforgettable love. Chapter 663 Chapter 663 As with all things, one can''t make an omelet without breaking eggs. It is an unchanging truth. She had won Artemis'' love but was destined to let down Edmund and his deep, unwavering affection. Neither of them was a saint. They could not be perfect. The man before her stirred feelings of heartache and pity, yet she was powerless to help. ¡°Don''t burden yourself too much,¡± he said. ¡°Loving you is my choice. To reciprocate, or not, is yours. No one knows what the future holds. Perhaps one day I''lle to my senses and decide to marry and have children.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Will he, though? She knew Edmund was not one topromise, especially when it came to matters of the heart. She did not believe he would give in so easily as his words suggested. Ultimately, his reassurances were meant tofort her and keep her from feeling too stressed out. From the moment they met, he had been looking out for her, making her the center of his world. Despite that, fate had cruelly kept them apart. Being together for seven years did not lead to a happy ending. ¡°Edmund, if I promise you my next life, will you wait for me?¡± He hesitated. After three minutes of silence, he said in a hoarse voice, ¡°All right. I''ll wait for the next life you promised me.¡± Outside the car, snowkes danced in the air, falling softly upon a silvery-white world. A mncholy laugh escaped Bailey''s lips as she looked at the scenery outside. By granting him a bted hope, she was giving him something to look forward to in this life. Even if it meant facing the future alone, he could find sce in the promise of another chance. Her heart belonged to Artemis, and there was no room left for anyone else. The truth was, even without Artemis, no matter how much time passed, she would never fall in love with Edmund. They would have been together long before Artemis came along if they were meant to be. At the study of the Tarragon branch, Artemis stood with his hands behind his back, staring out the floor- to-ceiling window. His eyes were colder than the winter outside. Holden, standing behind him, bowed his head and said, ¡°We just received word that Bailey and Edmund have gone to the meeting. What should we do?¡± Artemis withdrew his gaze from the falling snow and looked at Holden. ¡°I''ve already sent a message to Dwayne, telling him to rescue Micah. We''ll wait for the results of his mission before taking action. Have you sent people to capture Sofie?¡± Holden replied calmly, ¡°Zeke personally led the team. We should hear the results soon.¡± Artemis grabbed his coat from the rack, putting it on as he walked toward the door. ¡°Let''s head to the suburbs. That''s where the main battle will take ce. As for Micah and Sofie, we''ll leave them to Dwayne and Zeke. Our main objective is to eliminate Yvette first.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Half an hourter, Edmund and Bailey arrived at the abandoned factory. Bailey constantly scanned the surroundings. As the car came to a halt, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°There must be hundreds of elite assassins lurking near this factory alone. Yvette indeed wields a formidable power. If we don''t eliminate her, she''ll be a significant nuisance in the future. She has set her sights on Artemis and constantly seeks to possess him. If she doesn''t die, we will never have peace.¡± Edmund nodded. ¡°Then let us smother her here and rid ourselves of future trouble. You were going to come alone to this meeting. Have you thought about how to deal with it?¡± Bailey smiled, her beautiful eyes gleaming with an icy cold light, and she uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°Capture the leader, and the rest will topple.¡± With that, she opened the car door and got out. There was no point in hiding in the car now that they had arrived. They would have to face whatever wasing. They hade this far, and she had to forge ahead even if the road ahead was fraught with danger. Edmund followed suit, opening the car door and stepping out. The two approached the factory entrance, and from a distance, they could see Justin and Veronique concealed amidst the snowyndscape. Bailey''s eyes fell upon Veronique, her pale, almost translucent face, and a murderous intent surged within Bailey''s body. This woman is already gravely ill. How can she withstand such torture? It was clear that Veronique''s life was hanging by a thread. ¡°You''re truly a courageous heroine foring here alone, Ms. Jefferson. Looks like I have underestimated you,¡± Yvette began as she slowly emerged from the warehouse. ¡°A woman like you exists only to evoke envy and admiration in others. Only in death can we breathe a sigh of relief. Today, I shall act in the name of justice, avenging all the women in the world.¡± d in ck leather clothing and a mink coat, Yvette looked petite and delicate, like a girl next door. However, to Bailey, she was a true femme fatale. ¡°I''m here. Shouldn''t you honor your promise and release Justin and Veronique?¡± Bailey demanded. Yvette sneered, ¡°Now that you''re a sitting duck, what right do you have to negotiate terms with me? If you want me to release them, tie yourself up first.¡± As she spoke, the surrounding bodyguards threw a bundle of rope at Bailey''s feet. Bailey arched an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°You''ve already said I''m a sitting duck. Why, are you afraid of me? Wouldn''t it be better for you to tie me up yourself to satisfy your vanity even more?¡± Yvette snorted, a mocking smile ying on her lips. ¡°You''re a cunning woman, carrying who knows how many hidden weapons or poisons. If I approached you, wouldn''t I be inviting trouble? I''d rather watch you tie yourself up. Cut the nonsense. Do as I say, or your dear friends'' lives will be in danger.¡± Bailey nced at the rope at her feet, narrowing her eyes. ¡°Let Edmund release Justin and Veronique first, then let them leave. I''ll stay and you can do whatever you want to me.¡± A sh of displeasure crossed Yvette''s eyes, and she said through gritted teeth, ¡°What gives you the right to bargain with me? You are the prisoner here, not me.¡± Bailey shrugged nonchntly, a sinister smile on her face. ¡°A prisoner? Not necessarily. As you said so yourself, I''m full of cunning tricks. I might just turn the tables on you. As long as you haven''t restrained my freedom, I have a chance to make aeback at any time.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Yvette made a move as if to lunge at her. Bailey raised an eyebrow. ¡°I have plenty of high-tech gadgets hidden on me. If youe any closer, you''re definitely asking for trouble.¡± Yvette abruptly stopped in her tracks. She didn''t dare to gamble with her life. Bailey''s skills and capabilities were known worldwide, and Yvette was no exception. ¡°Fine,¡± she conceded. ¡°You send your people to save Justin and Veronique. Once I release them, you must surrender, or I won''t hesitate to bring everyone down with me, even at the cost of our own lives.¡± Bailey turned her head to look at Edmund. ¡°You take them away first.¡± Chapter 664 Chapter 664 Edmund did not move a muscle. Bailey would be left high and dry if he went away right now. If he stayed, they could look out for each other, and he would at least be able to take one for her if the circumstance called for it. If Edmund left just like that, there would be no one to provide her with support if the need arose. This would also defeat the purpose of theming together. Bailey understood Edmund all too well. With just a nce, she was able to guess his intentions. It looks like he''s ready to sacrifice his own life to protect me. Hey, don''t you need to get my consent first? After a moment of silence, Bailey said tentatively, ¡°I risked my life to make it here in order to save Justin and Veronique. If you refuse to bring them to safety, then what we''ve done would have been for naught. Look, Veronique is down to herst breath. She''s really going to die if you refuse to rescue her.¡± Grimacing, Edmund pursed his lips but said nothing. Through gritted teeth, Bailey said, ¡°If Veronique dies here, I probably won''t be leaving here either. I would choose to die with her. At least she''ll have somepany.¡± Edmund was intimidated by the expression he saw in Bailey''s eyes. He knew thetter would do as she said, so he had to protect Veronique in order to protect Bailey. ¡°I''ve never been cruel to you throughout the years. I advise you to take good care of your life lest others die for you. If you don''t wish to be held responsible for so many lives, stay alive.¡± Bailey chuckled lowly and did not reply. Now was not the right time to speak of such grand gestures. Without a doubt, she was trying to provoke Yvette. ¡°Go on. Death is inevitable for everyone.¡± Edmund reached out and hugged her. He whispered in her ear, ¡°You said in the car that you would give me a chance in our next life. If I''m more selfish, I will wish for your death so that I can join you. Let''s go to the other world and continue this rtionship. However, I don''t wish for you to die. This world is a wonderful ce. You should take your time and enjoy what life has to offer. Promise me you''ll stay alive.¡± After saying that, he pushed her away roughly and strode toward the pir where Veronique and Justin were bound. He undid the ropes that bound Justin. The moment the ropes came undone, Justin slid limply to the ground. Edmund took a pill and shoved it into the other man''s mouth. With some difficulty, Justin swallowed the pill and whispered hoarsely, ¡°Thank you. Hurry and free Veronique. I don''t think she can hang on any longer.¡± Edmund was already on the move before the other man reminded him. Justin struggled to stand up when he saw that Edmund had untied the ropes binding Veronique. Half carrying Veronique while supporting Justin with his other arm, Edmund headed toward the factory exit. Yvette''s eyes darkened. To Bailey, she said, ¡°They''ll die if you try to pull any tricks.¡± Bailey shrugged in response. ¡°I know everyone here is on your payroll. I won''t try anything before they get to safety.¡± Yvette snorted, then gestured at the bodyguards who nked her. ¡°Tie her up.¡± Owned by N?velDrama.Org. The two bodyguards picked up the ropes and came toward Bailey. Bailey yed along and allowed the two of them to bind her securely. Yvette is right. I can''t do anything before Edmund and the others get to safety. I''d be signing their death warrants if I did. ¡°All right, since I''ve be your captive, tell me what you intend to do with me. It''s quite punishing to stand out here in this cold weather. Why don''t we get it over with? Tell me how you wish to proceed, and I''ll go along with your whims.¡± Yvette came over and kicked Bailey''s calf. Although it was not a light kick, Bailey did not move the slightest. Yvette''s expression immediately turned vicious. ¡°You have sturdy bones.¡± Upon saying that, she lifted her foot and kicked Bailey''s calf in the exact same spot again. This time, however, Yvette had used the pointy end of her high heel. Unable to bear the pain that suddenly burst forth, Bailey fell to the ground on one knee. ¡°Not so tough now, are we?¡± Yvette said as she reached out and grabbed Bailey''s chin. Jealousy surged in her eyes as her gazended on thetter''s delicate features. This b*tch! Why does she get to have all the good things in the world? Not only does she have countless amazing identities, but she also managed to capture the heart of the most outstanding man in the country. Despite the countless criticism and curses, she did not end up in a wretched state. Instead, she was able to thrive. It makes me want to tear her to shreds whenever I look at her. ¡°Bailey, you probably never thought that you would be captured by me. So what if you''re the head of the Saviors or an internationally renowned leader? You were defeated by me and you''re at my mercy at the moment. Say, how should I torture you to relieve the hatred I feel in my heart?¡± Bailey arched her brow and gave Yvette the side eye. She sneered, ¡°Artemis that jerk probably slept with you, right? So where is he? Why don''t you summon him and order him to kill me with his own hands? Won''t it be the greatest torture for me to die at the hands of the man I love? I''ll probably never be at peace.¡± Yvette narrowed her eyes. Presently, she felt heady with power. The pleasure of carrying out her revenge had risen and was currently spreading in her belly. It had utterly consumed her sanity. I have to admit. That''s quite a good suggestion. Won''t it feel great to call Artemis here and see him personally kill her? Although Bailey looks indifferent, she couldn''t have forgotten her love for him. It is indeed the cruelest to go if she dies at the hands of the man she loves. It''s also much more effective than the torture methods I have in mind. When Bailey saw that Yvette was thinking it over, she continued, ¡°Truth be told, I was livid when I found out that he had issued a global kill order on me. I was devastated when I saw that he was with you. My heart hurts as if I''ve been cut with a knife whenever I think about it. Perhaps dying at his hands would be a relief. Or perhaps it would be torture? Actually, he may still care about our previous rtionship and decide to let me go. You''d better not bet on this.¡± A crisp p echoed in the air as Yvette struck Bailey''s face. Perhaps Yvette''s hand was numb from the cold, or maybe it was because there wasn''t a great deal of force behind the p. Bailey only shrugged indifferently in response. ¡°You think Artemis still cares about your previous rtionship? I think you''ve overestimated yourself. From the instant he gave out the kill order to the moment he slept with me, it already proves that you mean nothing to him. Killing you will be a piece of cake. Fine, I''ll do as you wish. I''ll give him a call and invite him over.¡± Upon saying that, Yvette headed into the warehouse. She ordered, ¡°Tie this b*tch to the pir and pour cold water on her. Let her experience a bone-chilling cold.¡± Chapter 665 Chapter 665 Bailey''s lips curved into an insidious smile as she watched Yvette''s retreating figure. It would be wrong to say that Yvette was dumb. After all, she was ambitious and knew how to analyze the situation. However, it would also be wrong to say that she was smart. It did not take much to anger her and have her make the wrong decision. Yvette would soon realize how dumb she was. Her failure was not due to her incapability but because she was overconfident to the point that she got carried away. Any intelligent person would take advantage of the situation and get rid of the other party. However, Yvette epted Bailey''s suggestion to satisfy her ego and get revenge instead. It''s time for her to die, and it will be an unfair death. Two bodyguards came over, grabbed Bailey''s arms, and dragged her toward the wooden pir. She slowly lifted her head and watched the snowkes dance in the air. Her smile grew bigger. A lot of people want to end my life, but none of them have been able to seed. Since that incident seven years ago, she had grown to be stronger and more emotionless. Apart from Artemis, no one in the world could harm her. Yvette gave Artemis a call after returning to the warehouse. ¡°Leader, I''ve managed to subdue the leader of the Saviors. We can finally avenge the dead members of Tarragon.¡± A cold and emotionless voice rang out from the other end of the call. ¡°Okay, I got it. Do what you want, but let me remind you one thing. If you killed her, the Saviors might go crazy and take revenge on you. You''d better brace yourself. After all, I can''t be looking after you and protecting you all the time.¡± One could tell that he was trying to scare her so she would be afraid and not dare to act impulsively. In other words, he wanted Yvette to take the initiative to invite him over to deal with Bailey. Artemis was indeed good at manipting others. Of course, even if he did not say it, Yvette would''ve still invited him to deal with Bailey since Bailey had incited her. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Um... It''s scaring me a little now that you put it that way. Leader, you were the one who suggested hunting down Bailey. How about... youe and take her life yourself? After all, you''re the leader of Tarragon. Even if you killed Bailey, the Saviors could not do anything about it. It''s a different story for me. If I do it, I''ll just be courting death. After thinking about it, I think it''s better if you do it instead.¡± Artemis chuckled lightly. ¡°What? Are you afraid to die? You don''t dare to kill her anymore? I was just trying to scare you. It''s fine. Just shoot her. You don''t need me toe and do it myself.¡± Yvette was thrilled to hear that. It looks like Artemis has forgotten everything about Bailey. He doesn''t even hesitate to talk about killing her. In that case, there''s nothing I have to worry about. I can ask him toe over. ¡°Leader, it''s better if youe. After all, she''s the leader of the Saviors. It would be better if you''re the one who kills her.¡± ¡°Fine. Since you''re so afraid of death, I''lle.¡± With that, he hung up the phone. A sinister smile appeared on Yvette''s lips as she listened to the beeping tone from the phone. It''s time to meet your end, Bailey. You''ll face the cruelest death and experience the true meaning of pain by dying at the hands of the man you love. About ten kilometers from the abandoned factory, Justin and Veronique were in Edmund''s car as he drove them away from Yvette''s encirclement. Veronique was wrapped in Justin''s embrace. After a simple first-aid from Justin, Veronique''s condition got better. ¡°What will happen to Bailey if you just take us away? If she dies because of us, I don''t think Veronique will have any reason to live. If she dies, I''ll die too. In the end, more lives will be sacrificed. This isn''t worth it.¡± Without taking his eyes off the road, Edmund said, ¡°I''ll drop you off at the shelter ahead. There will be someone to pick you upter. I''ll return after this.¡± Justin was about to say something but thought against it. He thought it would be too dramatic if he said something along the lines of ¡°You shouldn''t havee to save us,¡± so he gave up. Instead, he said, ¡°All right. Be careful. Both of you must return safely. Veronique and I will wait for you at the medical base. Don''t make us regret it for the rest of our lives.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Edmund stopped the car at a shelter. After Justin carried Veronique down the car, Edmund reminded them a few things before he turned the car around and drove away. It was obvious that Yvette was a confident and arrogant woman. She was also vengeful and egoistic. If Edmund rushed back alone, she would not mind killing one more person, so she would not reject him getting close. Even if I die, I want to die with Bailey. Meanwhile, Holden was driving down a different road. Artemis hung up and smirked. ¡°How dare she call and ask me to kill Bailey with my own hands? I have no idea how this idiotic woman is so confident that I will point my knife at Bailey.¡± Holden raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Women who had a taste of power would easily get carried away. Plus, she''s the princess of Tarragon. It''s only natural that she feels a sense of superiority. She often thinks that she is so awesome and that everything is within her control.¡± Artemis sneered. At that moment, the phone in his hand rang once more. He nced at the caller ID and noticed that it was a call from Dwayne. ¡°Everything''s ready on my end. When can we make a move?¡± Artemis thought about it before saying, ¡°You can attack after I rescue Bailey. If you do it too early, I''m afraid it''ll alert the enemy and put Bailey in danger.¡± ¡°All right. Let me know, then. If you''re busy, have your subordinate contact me. I''m scared that those old men from the headquarters will kill Micah and the others if they find out you''ve killed Yvette and rescued Bailey.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In the warehouse, Yvette stood at the entrance and smiled at a trembling Bailey tied to the wooden pir. It had not been a month since Bailey had a miscarriage. If she were sshed with cold water, it would be akin to using a knife to carve marks onto her body. ¡°Go and collect two pails of cold water. Remember, pour it onto her from head to toe.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± The bodyguard at the entrance had just left when another bodyguard rushed toward Yvette. ¡°Your Royal Highness, Edmund has returned. He said he loves Bailey and wants to die with her.¡± Yvette was stunned. She had heard about Edmund being head over heels for Bailey. Ha. He''s so infatuated with her. Fine. I''ll fulfill his wish. I''ll let him watch and feel excruciating pain as the woman he loves dies at the hands of the man she loves. After that, I''ll fulfill his wish and let him die with Bailey in hell. I won''t allow that vixen to cause more trouble to other men. ¡°Tie him up and bring him in.¡± Chapter 666 Chapter 666 ¡°B-Bring him in?¡± Baffled, the bodyguard gaped at Yvette. ¡°Shouldn''t we tie him up with Bailey?¡± Yvette kicked him and said through gritted teeth,¡± You idiot! Don''t you know who Edmund is? He''s Artemis'' cousin! If we tie him up with Bailey, Artemis will grow suspicious for sure! Artemis may have forgotten everything about Bailey, but he still recognizes his own cousin. Seeing Edmund tied up with Bailey might trigger his memories. Are you trying to get me killed?¡± The bodyguard stared at Yvette speechlessly. ¡°Don''t just stand there gawking! Go tie him up and bring him in! The leader will be arriving soon, and thest thing we want is for him to see Edmund!¡± Yvette screeched. ¡°Y-Yes, of course! Right away!¡± the bodyguard replied hastily. Twenty minutester, a ck SUV slowly pulled up to the warehouse. Artemis was sitting in the passenger seat, and he could spot Bailey from this distance. She was tied to the wooden post, and she was drenched and shivering. At that moment, rage seized Artemis, and the air around him grew cold as his murderous intent filled the car. Holden sensed that Artemis was close to erupting in anger and quickly said, ¡°You''ve managed to restrain yourself all these years, so what''s a little moment longer? If you blow your cover now, you''ll only put Bailey and yourself in greater danger. It isn''t worth it.¡± Artemis closed his eyes and counted to ten. When he had calmed down, he opened his eyes, and the storm that had been brewing in them earlier was gone. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. ¡°Stop the car. I''ll get down here,¡± he announced grimly. Holden was a little hesitant. If he let Artemis down here, thetter would definitely pass by the wooden post, whereupon he would see Bailey''s miserable state and go on a rampage. Holden suggested, ¡°I think I''d better drive up to the warehouse entrance, then we''ll nab Yvette right on the spot.¡± Artemis nced at his watch and said, ¡°Veikko and Sylvester are dealing with the special forces hiding in the surrounding area, but they couldn''t have wrapped things up yet. We''ll stall and buy them some time, and once they''ve taken out the men lying in ambush, we can take down Yvette easily.¡± Holden considered this and agreed that the n was a sensible one. Nheless, he could not help reminding Artemis, ¡°In that case, don''t let your anger get the better of you. The most they did with Bailey was drench her in ice water, but she''srgely unhurt and she''ll recover after a couple of days of rest. You''ve got to keep a cool head.¡± Artemis hummed in response, then opened the door and got out of the car. The snow crunched under his boots as he made his way over to the warehouse. Meanwhile, over at the wooden post, Bailey lifted her heavy head and nced in the direction of the approaching noise. The icy water on hershes blurred her vision, but she could still make out the tall and straight silhouette in the distance. That man had connected with her beyond body and soul. He had long since be one with her, a part so integrated that separation was impossible. If there ever came a time when someone would use a memory loss pill on her, she did not think even the strongest drug could force her system to cut away that part of her that was already Artemis''. The pain from such a separation was beyond anything a human could bear. It was one that tore at the skin and set the bones alight, so sharp and agonizing that it kept Bailey lucid at all times like it was forbidding her from letting Artemis'' face fade out of her memory. She loved him so much that it became an instinct. No memory loss pill, however strong, could rid her of it. Tears sprang to her eyes as she watched Artemis draw closer to her. She had always been so vulnerable in front of him. One look from him was all it took to bring her walls down. She was tough. All those years of hellish training had made her certain that nothing in this world could take her down. And yet, with Artemis, she couldy down her sword and armor and allow him to take care of her. The snow fluttered down from the sky and added to the white-silver scene before her. All she could see at that moment was Artemis'' towering silhouette, d in a ck coat and boots as he blurred out her periphery. Artemis... You''ve shown up atst. I don''t think I can hang on much longer if youe a littleter. Artemis did not so much as nce at her. More urately, he was scared that if he did, he might not be able to help himself. He did not look at her, but he could still feel her loving gaze on him. She had been staring at him since he got down from the car, and from her gaze, he could sense her trust and faith in him. Bailey was the only person in this world who could understand and support him. She trusted him unconditionally. The whole world could be against him and she would still side with him, safeguarding their promises to each other and giving him enough time to arrange this rescue mission. She''s so foolish. How can I not see her as the reason for my being? When he walked past her, he did not stop. He had to go into the warehouse and stall Yvette so that he could buy Veikko and Sylvester more time. However, it seemed as if the universe had other ns because tried as Artemis might to avoid seeing Bailey''s miserable state, he found himself forced to do so anyway. ¡°Leader, you''re here.¡± Yvette''s voice rang out in the wide, snowyndscape as she hurried up to Artemis. ¡°Leader, the woman tied to the wooden post over there is none other than the head of the Saviors. She was the one who ordered her men to strike Tarragon and causedrge-scale casualties.¡± Artemis slowly halted in his tracks. He knew that he could avoid this no longer because Yvette would not let him. He turned to look at Bailey. When his gaze fell on her, his eyes widened in horror. When he got down from the car earlier, he had been too far away to get a proper look at Bailey. Now that he was looking at her up close, he was stunned to see how ashen-faced she was. For a moment, he was seized with the urge to abandon his ns and pull Bailey into his arms. He would rather die with her than watch her suffer like this. He could not bring himself to be heartless and indifferent toward her because he had given her all the love he had in this lifetime. She was everything to him. He could not simply watch her suffer like this and not do anything about it. Bailey, on the other hand, saw the indifference in Artemis'' eyes waver. She had a feeling that he might go on a rampage if this went on, and her heart tightened. Now isn''t the time. The fact that Artemis did not immediately attack Yvette meant he was not ready yet. Bailey figured that he was here to stall Yvette and buy some time while the men hiding in the surrounding area were being taken out. She decided that she could not let him rush to her aid just because he did not want to see her like this. If he did, then all the groundwork for this rescue mission would go to waste. At the thought of this, Bailey concealed the vulnerable and loving look in her eyes. Her gaze turned icy, and the words that left her mouth were cold and cutting. ¡°So, we finally meet, Leader of Tarragon. I didn''t think a big man like you would use hostages to lure me into a trap. Honestly, I overestimated you. Clearly, I''m the bigger person here. At least I wouldn''t try to hurt your family. In fact, I even used my medical prowess to save your granddad, your mother, and your sister.¡± She might sound as if she was mocking him, but actually, she was reminding him to stay calm and see this n through. She did not want their efforts to go to waste. When Artemis heard this, his fists clenched in his pockets, and his eyes twitched ever so slightly. Chapter 667 Chapter 667 Men do not shed tears easily, especially one in a position as powerful as Artemis. He would rather bleed before crying before another. At that moment, however, faced with a woman as determined and strong as Bailey, Artemis felt the urge to cry for the first time in his life. Life had not been far from kind to her, yet she had never given up in the face of adversity. Instead, she fearlessly faced each hurdle head-on. No matter how battered each challenge left her, she never lost her smile. I must''ve done something right in my past life to meet someone as extraordinary as Bailey. He knew all the thoughts going through her head, which only fueled his desire to destroy her enemies and give her thefortable life she deserved. I''ve held it in so far. Laying all my cards on the table now will only waste her earlier sacrifices. The best thing he could do was to y his part to the end. Artemis dered, ¡°I''m not the one responsible for snaring you with such dirty tactics, though I must admit I''m d to see you in our hands. Tarragon and the Saviors have been embroiled in an endless battle to subjugate each other for years, but the fight was always too close to call. Many elite assassins were sacrificed in the process. You''re at my mercy now. If you die, the Saviors will lose their leader, and it''ll only be a matter of time before Tarragon swallows the organization whole.¡± Bailey scoffed and retorted, ¡°What''s this? Are you admitting you''re not my match? Is that why you resorted to dirty tactics to trap me? Well, even if you win, your victory will forever be tarnished. You''re not a hero in my eyes, Artemis. You''re just a spineless coward.¡± Before Artemis could utter a reply, Yvette dashed toward Bailey and pped her viciously. ¡°You b*tch! How dare you criticize the leader of Tarragon! I bet you have a death wish! The Saviors have only been around for a couple of years; you''re practically a bunch of infants. How could you ever compete with Tarragon and its decades of experience?¡± Bailey managed a smirk despite how numb her face felt from the cold. The numbness turned out to be a godsend, as she did not feel any pain despite Yvette''s powerful p. She fired back at Yvette, ¡°You''re right. The Saviors may be nothing, but at least we''re not full of sh*t like you. You''re an embarrassment to Tarragon if you have to resort to these underhanded tactics to capture me.¡± ¡°You...¡± A furious Yvette barely stopped herself from striking Bailey again. She remembered Artemis was beside her and did not want him to see her catty side. Heaven forbid if she no longer maintained her genteel image in his mind. Besides being the madam of Tarragon, she also hoped to be the matriarch of the Luther family. Only a refined, intelligent woman could assume such a position. ¡°Leader, this woman is our prisoner now. What should we do with her?¡± As Yvette spoke, she hooked one arm through the crook of Artemis'' elbow and ced the other on his chest, ying up the image of a sweet, clingy partner. Artemis scrunched his brows, displeasure brewing in his gaze. His dark emotions instantly dissipated when he met Bailey''s clear-eyed gaze. She''s still hinting at me to put up with this even though she''s in such a sorry state. I can''t ruin our n over some petty annoyance. Eventually, Artemis drawled, ¡°Considering she''s drenched in cold water, leaving her out here in the harsh winter is about as cruel as Tarragon''s torture punishments. Let''s leave her here a while longer. I''ll send you inside. It''s getting very cold.¡± Yvette burrowed deeper into Artemis'' embrace and smiled. She even shot Bailey a sinister smirk for good measure. Does it hurt, you b*tch? I bet it does. This emotional torture is the worst punishment you can receive. She looked up at Artemis and smiled. ¡°Sure. Now that you mention it, I just realized how much I''m shivering in the cold. Look, my hands are turning red. Won''t you hold them and warm them up?¡± He removed his gloves and handed them to her. ¡°My hands won''t warm you up nearly fast enough. You should wear these gloves. They''re warm inside.¡± Yvette was somewhat disappointed by his response. Still, considering his cold and unromantic demeanor, she believed sharing a pair of gloves he wore earlier was already a gesture of his love. It was more important that she not show any sign of disappointment or weakness in front of Bailey. ¡°Thank you, Leader. Let''s go in.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Bailey watched their departing figures as a sneer gradually curved her lips. What a fool. She''s destined for a poor end. Society is right. A woman madly in love has an IQ of zero. If I were Yvette, I would immediately get rid of the biggest threat to my safety. Yvette clearly isn''t thinking logically at this point. At the same time, Sofie sprang to her feet from a couch in a mansion in the countryside. She was speaking to someone over a call and gripping her phone so tightly that her fingertips had turned white from exertion. ¡°What did you say? That stupid woman called Artemis to the scene?¡± Her caller exined, ¡°Yes. Artemis is already at the abandoned factory. He hasn''t acted, though. He said he wanted to torture Bailey a while longer.¡± Sofie almost fell from shock. Artemis is a proud, powerful man. Would he ever stoop so low to torture a woman, let alone someone who''s an enemy of Tarragon? His actions seemed at odds with his modus operandi. If he wanted to kill Bailey, he would have thrust a sword through her heart once they met. He was not keeping Bailey alive to prolong her suffering; he was buying time. What is he buying time for? It must be to clear the surrounding ambush troops. Everything suddenly clicked into ce for Sofie. He''s either pretending to suffer from amnesia or has already obtained the antidote to recover his memories. Sofie exploded, ¡°Damn it! That idiot Yvette! She already has Bailey in her hands. Why didn''t she kill her immediately? She even invited Artemis over to unt her sess. If she dies today, it''s solely at the hands of her own stupidity.¡± She turned away from the phone and barked at the bodyguards at the door, ¡°Get the car ready. This ce isn''t safe anymore. We need to retreat immediately.¡± ¡°Yes, Ma''am.¡± Sofie resumed addressing her caller, ¡°Tell the suicide attackers in the abandoned factory to get rid of Bailey once they have the chance. Do not allow her to leave alive.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± She hung up on her call and fired off a text to Zoey: Our mission may have failed. My whereabouts have been exposed. We must move immediately. Don''t act hastily and wait for my instructions. After sending the text, she strode toward the main door. She had barely taken several steps when she heard a gunshot outside. Sofie was no fool. She knew this was an ambush. Walking out of the front door now was akin to walking straight into the enemy''s embrace. She U-turned and headed to her study. The room was connected to a secret tunnel she had had people build some time ago. It was always prudent to prepare a n B when ying with fire. It was a lesson Sofie had ingrained in her mind ever since she began her rtionship with Leo. While walking to the study, she said into her walkie-talkie wristwatch, ¡°Five minutes. I don''t care what you do, but you must hold the fort for five minutes.¡± Chapter 668 Chapter 668 Meanwhile, Zeke was standing outside the unremarkable mansion and staring at it with his eyes darkened. We have neglected Sofie''s existence. She had switched the girls at birth and caused Bailey so much harm. The Shurmer family was supposed to hate her. Unfortunately, everything that had happened recently had caused her to inadvertently slip their minds. It wasn''t until the truth had gradually been revealed that they realized she was the mastermind. She had returned to Hallsbay with the goal of wreaking havoc. Due to the repeated obstacles they had been facing, they had ended up forgetting about her. It had created an opening for her to strike, which she had taken full advantage of. Just as he was lost in thought, a bodyguard d in ck approached. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, the men inside are resisting fiercely. They seemed to have been ordered to do so. Even though we offered to spare their lives in return for their surrender, they refused to submit.¡± As Zeke gathered his thoughts, a curious glint shed across his eyes as his gaze fell upon the building before him. Why are they resisting to the end? She should be well aware that there''s no escape now that I''m here unless... His eyes glistened abruptly when a particr scenario emerged in his mind. ¡°Send men to form a perimeter with a two-kilometer radius. Make sure no one gets through.¡± ¡°Um...¡± In a dilemma, the bodyguard rified in a trembling voice, ¡°M-Mr. Shurmer, I''m worried that we would cause a ruckus by locking down this high-end neighborhood. There would be trouble if our use of weapons ended up unsettling someone from the government.¡± Giving him the side-eye, Zeke barked, ¡°I''ll bear all the consequences, so what are you afraid of? Hurry up and get it done.¡± ¡°B-But the perimeter is just too big. We don''t have enough resources. Since the bulk of our forces has been sent as reinforcements to Ms. Jefferson, we don''t have enough left toplete the task.¡± The frown on Zeke''s face deepened, as the limited men at his disposal had be an impediment to his n. Just as he was lost in a dilemma, a deep voice suddenly rang out from behind. ¡°I''ve brought some men over to help. If you don''t mind, you''re wee to deploy them ordingly.¡± Turning around in reflex, Zeke was surprised to see Raiden standing about ten meters away from him. It had never crossed his mind that thetter would appear at a time like this. His men probably consist of people from the special forces. Is it really a good idea to use them for a personal matter? As if he could read Zeke''s mind, Raiden walked over and exined, ¡°They''re not from the special forces; they''re elite warriors that I have personally trained. The special training they have gone through gave them a keen sense of smell, making them good trackers.¡± With a cocked brow, Zeke asked curiously, ¡°Do you also think that she''s no longer in the mansion?¡± Raiden nodded. ¡°Sofie is an extremely crafty woman. She''s well aware that she stands no chance against Artemis, so she''ll definitely have an escape n in the works. Once I learned that you have surrounded her, I knew that you would have inadvertently scared her away. That''s the reason I left behind the forces in the outskirts and came to provide assistance. Unfortunately, I arrived toote.¡± He then threw the mansion a nce. ¡°Don''t get your hopes up. Since she had her escape nned, it means that she was well prepared. You might not be able to find her even if you searched within the perimeter.¡± Zeke nodded in agreement. ¡°We have no choice but to try. If we can''t locate her, it only means that her time hasn''te yet. We''ll just have to figure out another way to capture her.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey was almost frozen to death in an abandoned factory. As she still hadn''t fully recovered from her recent miscarriage, a chilly breeze would be too much for her to endure, let alone having her body covered in ice and snow. Without a doubt, Yvette was a vicious woman. Nheless, Bailey was relieved that Artemis didn''t lose control of his emotions. Otherwise, their n would have gone to waste. They had put in so much effort and paid such a heavy price. It would be a shame if they couldn''t resolve the matter that very day. They would then have to face endless danger from the shadows. Bailey would rather be tormented by the freezing conditions over enjoying a brief respite of warmth. As long as they could capture Yvette and Sofie together, no price was too high to pay. Meanwhile, inside a small warehouse nearby, Edmund was tied to a horizontal beam. From where he was being held, he had a clear view of the suffering Bailey. The sight triggered increasingly dark thoughts within his mind. What the f*ck is Artemis doing? How can he allow Bailey to freeze in the snow like that? Doesn''t he know that she''s still weak from her recent miscarriage? At the rate she''s going, her bones will be permanently damaged. She''ll suffer debilitating arthritis for life even if she manages to subsequently recover. Have I made a mistake? Should I never have handed Bailey to him? Before meeting Artemis, Bailey had enjoyed a carefree life where no one dared to offend ory a finger on her. Unfortunately, things changed after she had gotten to know him. Thedies vying for his attention would mount incessant attacks on her. Bailey had to spend a massive amount of effort to eliminate her enemies, including losing the baby she was carrying. And now, she had to suffer irreparable damage inflicted upon her body. All of this would never have happened if she hadn''t met Artemis. If she hadn''t returned to the country, wouldn''t she still be enjoying her carefree life overseas? With a flick of his palm, a sharp de slipped out of his sleeve and fell into his hand. While carefully cutting through the rope that bound his wrists, he prayed that everything would end swiftly so that Bailey''s suffering would be alleviated. Inside the warehouse next door, Artemis was keeping an eye on his watch and gradually stood up when it was time to make his move. ¡°I need to leave immediately. I''ve something else to deal with. Let''s get this over and done with.¡± He strode out the door the moment he finished. Yvette followed him at once and asked, ¡°Leader, are you really going to kill Bailey with your own hands?¡± Giving Yvette the side-eye, Artemis shed an indiscernible smile. ¡°Didn''t you call me here due to your fear of death? Isn''t my presence enough to show that I approve of your n and willmit the act in your stead?¡± Yvette was rendered speechless, as she had nned to torture Bailey for a while longer. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 669 Chapter 669 On second thought, she figured it was more prudent to take Bailey''s life earlier in order to prevent a counterattack by her. As Artemis walked up to Bailey, he gave Holden a look from the corner of his eye, signaling him to watch Yvette so that she wouldn''t escape. Perpetually battle-ready, Holden tightened his grip on the weapon in his jacket at Artemis'' cue. Artemis drew a dagger from his waist before lunging at Bailey like a phantom. The sight of shing metal brought an insidious smile to Yvette''s face, but the stter of blood she was expecting didn''t materialize. All she saw was Artemis swirling his dagger around Bailey before the ropes that bound her fell to the ground. Before she knew it, he had grabbed Bailey and rolled behind a wooden pir together with her. The very next second, gunshots began to ring out, causing Yvette to be stunned. ¡°Your Royal Highness, we''ve been had¡ª¡± Before her bodyguard could finish his report, Holden had put a bullet right through his throat. The instant he was cut off, blood from his neck spewed all over Yvette''s face. With her visibility obscured by the warm liquid, she attempted to dive for cover. Unfortunately, her slow reaction allowed Holden to swiftly capture her. ¡°Don''t move! If any of you take a single step forward, I''ll blow her brains out.¡± Just as everyone at the scene realized what was going on, they whipped out their weapons in an attempt to kill Holden. However, the fact that he was holding Yvette hostage left all of them at a loss. What should we do? ¡°D-Don''t move! No one move a muscle!¡± Yvette was totally cowed by the de at her throat. She had no desire to die at all. Instead of being angry at the betrayal or the fact that she had been tricked, she was consumed by fear. Upon hearing her instructions, her bodyguards didn''t dare make any hasty moves. Sneering in response, Holden barked, ¡°Order them to open a path for us to leave. Otherwise, your throat will be the next thing that''s going to be cut open.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Yvette quickly deliberated on the situation. Her men were crawling all over the ce with ambushes set up within a wide perimeter. She was confident that her enemies would fail to escape. Artemis... Oh, Artemis... How dare you make a fool of me! Since you pretended to have lost your memory, I now have no reason to hold back. Once I get my hands on the lot of you, I''m going to unleash a whole gang of men on Bailey. I want you to see with your own eyes how the love of your life is ravaged to death. ¡°I will allow you to leave, but you must let me go before you get into the car. Otherwise, I don''t mind dragging all of you down to my grave with me. Since I''m going to meet a terrible end in your hands, I might as well see you lot in hell together.¡± Holden sniggered in his mind. She still believes that she has everything under control. Does she really expect us to be captured by the men hiding in ambush? What a joke. ¡°Fine. You have my word. I''ll release you once we''re in the car.¡± Ignoring him, Yvette yelled out her orders. ¡°Listen up, everyone. I''m letting them go, and they promised to do the same for me once they get into their car. If they go back on their words, fire at the car with everything you got. There''s no need to hesitate out of concern for my life. I want them to die with me. Do you understand?¡± Given that all of them were suicide attackers, they would obey her unconditionally. They had no reservations in carrying out her orders to the letter. ¡°Understood.¡± Holding Yvette at knifepoint, Holden exchanged nces with Artemis. Thetter quickly took off Bailey''s clothes, leaving only her shirt on. Thereafter, he threw his jacket around her to make sure that she was bundled up snugly. Just as he was prepared to carry her, Bailey spoke abruptly. ¡°Edmund is still in the warehouse. We can''t just leave like that. He''ll die if we go without him.¡± No sooner had the words rolled off her tongue than a cry of agony was heard. Edmund¡ªfree of his restraints¡ªcharged out of the building. Just as the surrounding men raised their guns at him to pepper his body with bullets, Holden barked, ¡°I''ll kill the girl if any of you make a move!¡± With that, he made a slit on Yvette''s throat. The excruciating pain that resulted sent a shiver down her spine, leaving nothing but fear in her eyes. As if she was staring Death in the eyes, she yelled, ¡°Who gave you permission to move? Stand down at once!¡± Once Edmund joined Artemis and the others, forming a triangle, they gradually backpedaled their way to the car. Bailey, resting in Artemis'' embrace, whispered into his ear, ¡°Even though most of the people lying in ambush have been taken care of, there are still quite a few of them out there. Will we be able to survive the impending assault?¡± Artemis didn''t reply. His lips were pursed while a murderous aura swelled within him. The thoughts that were flowing through his mind were entirely different from Bailey''s concerns. All he wanted to do now was kill everyone on site, leaving no one alive. If he were to swallow his pride and flee after his woman was so badly tortured, there was no point in him being a man. He might as well get a sex change operation. Reading his mind, Bailey sighed to herself. She knew that the events of the day were the equivalent of stabbing him in the heart. Even though she didn''t me him, he would still torment himself over it. From his perspective, everything that she suffered was his fault. He would consequently punish himself with equal intensity. ¡°Ar¡ª¡± Just as she was about to speak, someone cried out, ¡°We have orders to kill Bailey and Artemis. They''re not allowed to leave this ce alive!¡± ¡°Damn it,¡± Holden cursed. ¡°Some of these men belong to Sofie. Looks like bloodshed is inevitable.¡± With that, he yelled at Yvette, ¡°What are you spacing out for, you fool? Order your men to stop the chaos. Otherwise, you''ll absolutely be the first to die! Besides, do you really think Sofie has your best interest at heart? The fact that she has moles embedded among your men means she''s going to kill you after using you to kill Bailey.¡± Yvette was no fool. She didn''t need to think twice about Holden''s words. ¡°How dare that old b*tch set me up? What are you standing there for? Eliminate all those who disobey my orders!¡± The very next second, a hail of bullets flew in every direction, while spent casings fell onto the ground like rain. ¡°Don''t let them escape. Use your grenades, hurry!¡± Artemis'' and hispanions'' expressions darkened. ¡°Leave with Bailey now! I''ll cover your rear,¡± Edmund cried out frantically. However, Bailey grabbed his hand by reflex as she was overtaken by a sense of dread. ¡°Don''t go. I know you will sacrifice your life for me. The more the reason I can''t let you.¡± shing a smile at her, Edmund pried open her fingers one by one. ¡°Desperate circumstances call for desperate measures. Live well, Bailey.¡± Chapter 670 Chapter 670 Bailey red at him, full of stubbornness. Watching him pry her fingers off one by one, she shouted at the top of her lungs, ¡°Edmund, I won''t keep the promise we made in the car if you die now. I wish I lose all my memories after I die and don''t meet you in my next life.¡± Her words sounded cruel, making Edmund pause momentarily. A dark look shed across his eyes. Don''t I stand a chance in my next life too? Never mind. I only want her to live well. ¡°That''s fine too. I have loved you all my life, but you never reciprocated my feelings. We shouldn''t meet again in our next lives. In this way, I may find the love of my life, have children, and live a peaceful life.¡± After saying that, he extended his hand again to pry her fingers off. Utter despair shed in Bailey''s eyes. If saying so also can''t change his mind, I really can''t think of any other way to convince him and save his life. ¡°Edmund, please don''t. Please...¡± Ignoring her, Edmund raised his head to look at Artemis and said with a smile, ¡°Take good care of her. Her life is precious, and many have faith in her. If she dies, the world of her family and friends will fall apart too.¡± Artemis gave Edmund a thoughtful look. Even though he didn''t want to abandon Edmund to cover for them selfishly, thetter still had a point. There were still many things Bailey had to do. If she died, everything would be messed up. ¡°Take care. We will wait for your return.¡± Bailey sobbed, ¡°Artemis, don''t leave him here. I''m begging you. Don''t abandon him.¡± Boom! Suddenly, there was an explosion, sttering snowkes everywhere. When Holden dodged, Yvette took the opportunity to break free from his grip and lunged at Bailey. ¡°You''re not getting away that easily. Even if I die, I will bury you together with me. I''ve fallen for Sofie''s trap anyway, and I''ll die in your hands, so I better take you down with me before I die.¡± Artemis was holding Bailey in his arms, so he couldn''t fend off Yvette. Bailey wanted to retaliate, but her entire body had stiffened, and she couldn''t lift her arms as she had been stuck in the snow for so long. It was precisely because Yvette had noticed her condition that she had lunged forward to grab them tightly and tried to take them to hell. Holden wanted to hurry over to kick Yvette away to cover Artemis and Bailey so they could escape. However, everything was chaotic. Aiming his guns in his hands at the suicide attackers who were charging at him gave him no chance to help them out. Bailey hurriedly said to Artemis, ¡°Put me down. I''m only restricting your movements if you carry me, and we''ll be in more danger.¡± Artemis hesitated. He nced at the attackers hiding in the surroundings charging toward them. If I dy this further, no one can escape. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°All right. Stand among the three of us and don''t show yourself or even make a sudden move.¡± After saying that, he gave Yvette''s calf a hard kick. As Yvette was not as strong as the men, an immense pain shot through her, making her lose her grip. Having regained freedom, Artemis hurriedly put Bailey down, who trembled slightly before barely finding her bnce. Things were much easier for Edmund and Holden with Artemis'' help. Edmund eximed, ¡°The two of you, stop fighting. Hurry and take her away. Those killers have received a kill order and will not give up until they kill you two. If we cannot take on Yvette''s men anymore and they knock down ourst defense, we will all die.¡± ¡°I would rather die here than see you sacrifice your life to save us.¡± Bailey''s calm yet distant voice sounded from behind. Edmund could only smile wryly. Since he met her, she had never spoken to him in such a cold tone. My words earlier must have upset her. Yvette, lying underneath their feet after Artemis'' kick, clenched the snow. Drops of freezing water seeped from her fingers. As she watched her elite subordinates copsing one by one before her, her resentment toward Bailey reached its peak. The current battle had wiped out all of her men. It was almost impossible for her to turn the tables, let alone make aeback. Her end had been set in stone. That was why she would take Bailey down even if she had to die. After making up her mind, she returned to her feet and lunged at Bailey again, looking like a mad person and bearing the pain in her calf and the stiffness all over her body. The moment their bodies collided, Bailey was quickly pushed backward. As she had just barely stabilized herself, there was no way she could bear the hit. Despite trying to steady herself, she was numb from the cold, and she could only watch Yvette push her out of her safe zone. ¡°Bailey¡ª¡± Artemis and Edmund gasped in shock at the same time. Right then, an ignited grenade came in the women''s direction as they backed away. Artemis didn''t bother shooting at the surrounding killers and dashed toward Bailey immediately. However, as Yvette threw herself at Bailey in the opposite direction, he couldn''t do anything as he was the furthest away from her. At the same time, Edmund, who was closer to Bailey, turned around. He was just behind her, so he lunged forward and pushed her to the safe area at the side. When Bailey was sent flying backward, Edmund saw the ignited grenadend at his feet and heard a loud explosion the next second. Crimson snowkes sttered in the air. ¡°No!¡± Red smoke clouded Bailey''s view. She couldn''t see the spot where the explosion urred, but judging from her experience, she reckoned Edmund barely survived. ¡°This is bad. Many special agents are showing up from all directions suddenly. I bet they are here to help Bailey and the others. Attack them and don''t care about Yvette''s subordinates. Complete the boss'' order and kill Bailey and Artemis. We''ll talkter.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Bailey and Yvette, who held tightly onto the former, crashed into Holden''s arms. Artemis rushed over to take Bailey from Holden, his face still twitching from the shock. Although Bailey was finally in his embrace, fear still lingered in his heart, and he couldn''t snap himself out of the terror. ¡°Hurry and check on Edmund, Artemis. Hurry.¡± Artemis knocked Bailey out by hitting the back of her neck. What they were about to see might be an Edmund who was almost unrecognizable from the explosion. If Bailey were to witness that in her current state, she would definitely lose her mind. Like Artemis, Holden knocked Yvette out as well. After tossing her in the snow, he dashed over to check on Edmund, who was lying on the bloody ground with bodies sprawling everywhere. His leg gave Holden a shock. Chapter 671 Chapter 671 Holden''s pupils constricted at once. Edmund''s right leg was now a mass of bleeding flesh. There was barely anything left under his trousers. During the crucial moment of danger, Edmund had attempted to kick the grenade underneath his feet away, but it exploded in the air. To do so, he had to sacrifice his right leg. Although Artemis was far away from him, he could see the disastrous scene when the smoke faded away. He was heartbroken at the sight of it. Edmund is the only heir of the Chivers family. If he bes disabled, his family will be devastated. Granddad and Uncle Yoel have put much effort into raising Edmund as a qualified heir, but now... ¡°He''s still alive, but he''s not doing well. He needs to be rushed to the hospital immediately.¡± Seeing Sylvester and his subordinates from Tarragon opening a path, Artemis shouted coldly at him, ¡°Sylvester, kill every single one of them.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Meanwhile, in the suburbs, Raiden and Zeke split up and searched the area within a radius of two kilometers from the mansion with some men. Then, they gathered at the entrance of Sofie''s private mansion. Seeing the other party return empty-handed, they had no choice but to ept that Sofie had escaped. ¡°We were toote. Someone must havee for her and helped her leave the mansion after she sneaked out from the hidden passage.¡± Raiden nodded. ¡°She sure is a cunning woman. No wonder she could pull a trick right under Bailey''s and Artemis'' noses andpletely fool us all. Her schemes and tricks are truly terrifying. If we don''t get rid of her, I''m afraid Bailey will face something worseter on. I will inform the navy, the army, and the air force so that they tighten the security and don''t let that woman sneak out of Hallsbay. As long as she is still here, I will find her even if I have to turn over every stone in the world with the Shurmer and Luther families'' help.¡± Inclining his head, Zeke said, ¡°Thank you so much. Since our mission here has failed, I won''t stay long as I still have to rush back to the outskirts to back Artemis and the rest up. Although Bay is confident in herself, such a battle still has its risks. I can only rest assured after seeing them safe and sound.¡± ¡°All right. Go ahead. I won''t go with you as I have to contact the immigration department and ask them to tighten the security.¡± After receiving Holden''s message, Dwayne invaded the secret base, eliminated the traitors, and sessfully rescued Micah and the rest. During the fight, Wendy got shot when trying to protect Sebastian. The bullet prated her abdomen, and her life was at stake. Ivy and Shannon were filled with anxiety. After spending time together, they now saw Wendy as part of the Lewitt family. Seeing that Wendy was on the brink of death, the mother and daughter were utterly terrified. Wendy, who was rtively calm, extended her arm to grab Ivy''s hand tightly. Parting her lips with difficulty, she stammered, ¡°If anything bad happens to me, please take care of Sebastian for me. No matter what grudges the Lewitt family holds against me, the child is still innocent and is a descendant of the Lewitt family. You mustn''t let him fall into the Hoffman family''s hands. Otherwise, he will suffer terribly.¡± With tears rolling down her cheeks, Ivy choked out, ¡°What are you talking about? You didn''t hurt your heart and your head, so you''ll be fine. Hold on a little longer. We are safe now and are on the way to the medical base. Wendy, I know Holden lied to you, stole your family''s confidential information, got you kicked out of the family, and made you homeless. That brat owes you an exnation. You can''t just die like this.¡± Shannon hurriedly nodded in agreement. ¡°Wendy, Mom is right. At least you must find out whether Holden loves you. If you don''t figure that out, won''t your whole life be in vain?¡± A faint grin appeared on Wendy''s face as she slowly closed her eyes. None of these matters anymore. She and Holden had spent great times together, which was the best part of her life. Whether he was sincere or faking it, she didn''t want to pursue the matter and only wanted to spend her last moments reminiscing those beautiful memories. ¡°Mr. Derning, please tell Holden that Wendy probably can''t hold on any longer and ask him to hurry over.¡± Those words had barely left her mouth when Dwayne''s phone rang. Lowering his eyes, he saw it was Holden calling. ¡°Speak of the devil.¡± After the call was connected, Holden asked before Dwayne could speak, ¡°Have you rescued them? Is anyone injured?¡± In a deep voice, Dwayne muttered, ¡°Your wife got shot in the abdomen to save your son, and she''s bleeding profusely. We are rushing to the medical base now, but we don''t know if she can make it.¡± ¡°Send me the location. I''ll head over now.¡± Dwayne was taken aback. ¡°Is the battle on the outskirts over?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Snatching the phone from Dwayne''s hand, Micah asked, ¡°What about Yvette? Is she alive?¡± Holden didn''t answer him and hung up immediately. Less than five minutes after Dwayne sent their location, Holden rushed over in his car. His eyes narrowed as he watched the woman on the brink of death lying in the car seat. He hadn''t taken the pill which could restore his memories, but he felt his heart clench in pain at the sight of the lifeless woman. He whispered in her ears, ¡°Stay alive, and I will tell you if I love you.¡± No response came from Wendy, whose breathing became weaker. Holden added, ¡°If you die, I will take Sebastian back to the Hoffman family so you won''t be able to find peace after your death.¡± Finally, Wendy responded. Her eyelids began to twitch as she gradually opened her eyes. ¡°Damn it, Holden. You sure are a jerk.¡± Chuckling softly, Holden reached out to brush her head. ¡°Hold on a little longer. We''re almost there.¡± In a ward at the medical base, Bailey started regaining consciousness. The bloody scene before she passed out earlier shed in her mind after she opened her eyes. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Edmund... Edmund...¡± She struggled to sit up but felt weak all over, tingling pain shooting through her bones. She had been in the cold wind for an hour. She fell onto the bed the second after she tried to sit up. Victoria, who was sitting by the bed hurriedly extended her arm to grab Bailey. ¡°Bay, don''t move. You''re still weak.¡± Upon hearing those words, Bailey asked anxiously, ¡°Vicky, where''s Edmund? How is he? Now that I''m back, is he back too? What about Artemis? Why are you here taking care of me? Where did he go?¡± As she spoke, tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Artemis must have gone to clean up the mess. He''s certainly not taking care of Edmund''s body. No, it can''t be! Chapter 672 Chapter 672 Victoria opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She didn''t know how to tell Bailey what she had seen at the front entrance earlier. Even if Edmund was saved, his life was probably ruined. A person, especially a man, should stand tall and live with pride. However, his leg was not just highly likely to be lost, but it was alreadypletely destroyed. Even the most advanced medical techniques in the world might not be able to restore his leg, which waspletely destroyed in the explosion. When Bailey saw that Victoria wasn''t speaking, her heart sank, and she fell into despair. Even though the heater was turned on and the room was warm, she felt a piercing coldness deep within her. All the while, her greatest fear throughout was that Edmund would sacrifice himself to save her, so she had been constantly worried and anxious. However, in the end, fate yed a cruel joke on her by snatching Edmund''s life right before her eyes. She would live the rest of her life with a sense of guilt and self-me, unable to find peace day or night. ¡°I have to go see him.¡± Bailey struggled to get up again. No one could stop her from apanying Edmund on his final journey. Victoria was about to intervene, but upon seeing tears streaming down Bailey''s face, she suppressed her thoughts and assisted thetter to sit up. ¡°Listen to me, Bay. Edmund is not dead, but his condition is critical. He''s in the emergency room receiving treatment, and I don''t know the details. However, you should prepare yourself mentally because his right leg is likely beyond repair. The impact was so severe that it caused significant damage to his lower leg.¡± Bailey froze as she was about to flip over and get up. This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. When Victoria mentioned that Edmund was not dead, a glimmer of hope appeared in Bailey''s eyes. However, when she said that Edmund''s leg was unlikely to be saved, the joy gradually faded away and was reced by a veil of gloom. Nheless, she didn''t let herself be too negative. After struggling to get up, she limped over to the cab, retrieved a few substances, mixed them together, and injected them into her arm. Victoria was taken aback. She tried to rush over to stop Bailey, but it was toote because thetter had injected the mixture too quickly. It was so fast that Victoria couldn''t react in time. She had thought Bailey was preparing medicine for Edmund. Little did she expect it to be for Bailey herself. ¡°Bay, what did you inject into your body?¡± ¡°It''s a stimnt. Don''t worry. I won''t die from it. At worst, there might be some side effects. I need to restore my peak condition before going to the emergency room,¡± Bailey replied. Going to the emergency room? Victoria furrowed her brows. Afraid Bailey would break down after seeing Edmund''s condition, she said, ¡°Justin is taking care of him in the emergency room. Everything should be fine. You''ve exerted yourself too much. I think¡ª¡± Bailey waved her hand to interrupt Victoria. ¡°Vicky, Edmund has sacrificed everything for me, including his life. He saved me from the brink of death seven years ago, and he did the same today. I''m a human being, not an animal. I know how to be grateful. Although I don''t love him, his existence has already be an inseparable part of my life.¡± Victoria let out a soft sigh. ¡°You have your own principles. Forget it. After what happened, it''s unlikely that you''ll be able to stay here peacefully. Come on. I''ll apany you there.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Outside the emergency room, the hallway was filled with people. Almost all the members of the Chivers and Luther families were there, waiting outside the door in silence for the final result. Caridee spotted Bailey at the end of the hallway and asked hurriedly, ¡°Bailey, your body is at its limit. Why did youe out of the ward?¡± Her words immediately caught everyone''s attention. Artemis, who had been leaning against the wall with his head down, suddenly turned around and looked at the woman who had just stepped out of the elevator. She looked pale and weak. Now that Yvette had already been caught and Sofie had also been forced to go into hiding, the culprit behind it all had finally been exposed. However, the cost Artemis had paid was extremely painful. He didn''t know how to face his granddad, uncle, and aunt. Edmund''s ident was like the end of the world for the Chivers family. The hundred-year-old prestigious family was highly likely to fall apart. He hesitated whether to go and help Bailey, but his legs were so heavy that he couldn''t take a step. He had failed to protect the one she wanted to keep safe and even let her fall ill. He was racked with guilt. Bailey scanned the faces of the people around her, and when her gaze met Artemis'', her eyes dimmed slightly. However, she didn''t maintain eye contact with him for too long. Instead, she quickly looked away and walked toward the Chivers family. Gwendolyn looked at her with aplicated expression. She didn''t know whether to pity or me the girl before her. If it weren''t for Bailey, her son would have been a sessful and brilliant young man with a promising future ahead of him. Yet, he was now on the brink of death with a lifelong disability. Bailey walked up to Glen and knelt down with a thud. That sudden move left everyone stunned. Gwendolyn instinctively reached out to pull her up. ¡°What are you doing? Get up quickly. The ground is cold, and you''re still very weak. Don''t make things worse for yourself.¡± Bailey avoided Gwendolyn''s support and choked out, ¡°Seven years ago, Rhonda tricked me into getting pregnant before marriage. My children and I were in danger of dying, but Edmund saved us. He means everything to me. I once thought I would marry him to repay his kindness, but fate yed a cruel joke on us and separated us.¡± As she spoke, her tears welled up and flowed uncontrobly down her cheeks like a burst dam, surging like a raging river. She continued, ¡°He ended up like this today because of me. Seven years ago, he protected me, and seven yearster, he still risked his life to protect me. Now that the tragedy has already happened, I have no power to change anything. Once he''s saved, it''s up to you to decide whether to kill or torture me.¡± A deathly silence descended over the hallway. Nobody uttered a word, and the vast hallway was so still that one could hear a pin drop. Without realizing it, Artemis took a step with his left leg, intending to approach her. However, upon seeing her stubborn demeanor, he hesitated and pulled his foot back. At that moment, she was so overwhelmed with guilt that nobody could persuade her. If he were to approach her, he would only make things worse. After a long moment of silence, Glen let out a quiet sigh and uttered the phrase ¡°fated cmity¡± a few times before saying softly, ¡°This was that brat''s decision, and it''s not your fault. He''s already an adult, and he should bear the consequences of his actions.¡± Upon finishing his words, he turned to his son and daughter-inw next to him and added, ¡°Eddy was fated to encounter this tragedy, and there was no way to avoid it. Don''t me anyone because this is his fate.¡± Chapter 673 Chapter 673 Gwendolyn and Yoel kept silent and looked away. They did not me anyone, nor did they carry any resentment in their hearts, but the couple still felt ufortable. They felt annoyed, and it was an emotion that needed time to fade away slowly. Ding! The door to the emergency room opened, and Justin walked out. Gwendolyn rushed toward him and asked anxiously, ¡°How is he? How is Edmund doing now? Were you able to save him?¡± Justin nced at Artemis, seeking his opinion. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Thetter nodded in response, indicating that Justin should tell the truth. Things had already gotten to this point, so there was no use hiding the truth any further. Besides, the Chiverses were not stupid. Even if he were to lie to them, there was no way he could keep the truth from them forever. Justin nodded slightly as he said, ¡°Don''t worry. We managed to save him. However, the injury on his right leg is too serious. There is no way to cure it in the current state of medical science. I came out to ask for your opinion on whether or not you want to amputate his leg. Taking care of his leg post-surgery would be extremely difficult, so it would be better to amputate it now.¡± Gwendolyn staggered backward. Even though it was something she had expected, she could not bring herself to ept it now that a conclusion had been drawn. Justin''s words meant her son would be crippled. He would have to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life and be unable to walk around normally. Yoel reached out and steadied his wife. His gazended on Glen. The old man narrowed his cloudy eyes. Only a few hours had passed, but he had paled so much that it seemed as though he was at the end of his life. The Chivers family had always had few children, and the number of descendants had decreased to one in each of the recent generations. The prestigious family was in ruins now that Edmund had gone through something like this. Glen could not bear this fact even though he had experienced how cruel the world could be. ¡°Is there really no hope at all?¡± Justin shook his head. His voice was low as he said, ¡°His bones were crushed, and his muscles were completely severed. Besides, he has lost much of his flesh, leaving only his bone behind. It''s a broken bone as well. I suggest¡ª¡± ¡°I don''t agree.¡± Bailey rushed over and grabbed his arm. ¡°Let me have a look inside. You can conclude once I''ve assessed the situation. I refuse to believe his leg is crippled just like that. I''ll do my best to help him stand back up as long as I''m around. I''ve been in the medical field for many years and have saved countless people. However, I admit those people have nothing to do with me. To me, there is only one person worth saving, and that is Edmund. I will devote all my life to learning and studying for him.¡± Justin was hesitant. Will she be able to stand it? The others were also worried about the same thing. ¡°Are you sure you want to go in?¡± Glen''s expression was grim. ¡°His condition might be far worse than you imagined. With the condition you''re in right now, you''ll break down if you see him. There is no need for you to force yourself. As I said, no one will me you for this. This is his life. He can only bear with it since the tragedy has already happened.¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°No. I don''t believe in fate. I only believe in my medical skills as the miracle doctor, Anonymous. Keep his leg. Perhaps I''ll be able to find a cure for it one day. However, if you amputate it and install prosthetics for him, it can''t be considered a part of his body anymore.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Let her in.¡± Artemis, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke up. ¡°Anyone else would have tried their best to ask Anonymous for help, too, if they were in the same situation. We should take advantage of the situation since she''s here now. Keep his leg. At least we''ll still have some hope that way. The same can''t be said if we amputate it.¡± The others kept silent at that. Bailey didn''t even spare him a nce as she pushed Justin away and rushed into the emergency room. ¡°Go check up on Holden''s woman. She''s not in the best situation. Just leave this to Bailey. After all, no one else wants Edmund to return to normal more than she does. I believe she''ll do her best,¡± Artemis said to Justin. ¡°All right. I''ll go check up on things in the other operating room.¡± On the other side, more than half an hour had passed since Wendy was pushed into the operating room. Holden, Micah, and the others were waiting in the corridor. ¡°It''s going to be fine. She still has attachments to this world. Her child is one of them, and she still cares about whether you love her. Her wishes have not been fulfilled yet. There''s no way she''ll die just like that,¡± Micah kept consoling, not caring if Holden was actually listening to him. Shannon strode over and whispered, ¡°Go check on Sebastian, Holden. The boy experienced quite a shock and hasn''t calmed down yet. The mother and son depended on each other for many years, and now Wendy is on the verge of death. We can''t imagine just how terrifying and worrying it is to Sebastian. You''re his father, and you''re the only one who can console him right now.¡± Holden''s gazended on his son. The boy was curled up and trembling in his grandmother''s arms. Holden had been so focused on Wendy that he hadpletely forgotten about how his son would feel. ¡°Okay.¡± After Holden left, Micah looked up at Shannon. He stayed silent for a moment before pulling her toward the balcony some distance away. They bumped into Justin just as they turned the corner. Shannon quickly shook off Micah''s hand and said to Justin, ¡°Why are you here, Mr. Xuereb? Weren''t you in the emergency room?¡± ¡°Bailey is there, and I came to see how Ms. Hoffman is doing. You guys have a chat first. I''ll head into the operating room now.¡± Micah took Shannon''s hand once again and pulled her toward the balcony. She wanted to shove his hand aside, but he kept a death grip on her wrist. The woman used all her might to pry her hand away from his. Then, raising her hand, she pped him across his face. ¡°Let me go.¡± Micah ignored her and said, ¡°Return to Tarragon''s headquarters with me some timeter. So many years have passed. There are still some things that we have to put an end to.¡± Shannon couldn''t help but sneer. ¡°What? Are you trying to bring me back to cut my other arm? Or will you lock me up and impregnate me again, trampling over the child and leading it to its death? How unfortunate that your n is doomed to fail. I don''t have my uterus anymore, so there''s no way I can get pregnant now.¡± This was what one would call ruthless. Micah''s face paled instantly. A bone-chilling pain spread slowly from his heart to his organs and his limbs. The woman knew him too well. She knew just what to say to knock him down. The words ¡°arm,¡± ¡°child,¡± and ¡°uterus¡± pierced through his heart, thoroughly crushing him. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he had always thought he had never hurt her again after the people from Tarragon cut off her arm. However, he could not deny that she had lost her child and uterus because of him. ¡°What do I have to do for you to forgive me, Shannon?¡± Chapter 674 Chapter 674 Shannon looked out the window and stared at the falling snow. Her lips curled into a sad but beautiful smile. Forgive? How am I supposed to forgive him after going through all that pain? The heartbreaking pain I''ve gone through was real, and it will never dissipate no matter how much time has passed. She had once loved and hated him to the core. Forgiving him now would be no easy task. Shannon stayed quiet for a moment and slowly closed her eyes. Then, enunciating each word, she said, ¡°I will never forgive you. My arm is crippled, and I''ve lost my child. You''re no saint either, so there''s no way you can turn back time. Forgiveness is nothing but a luxury for both of us, so don''t be too na?ve thinking that we''ll have a future together. To some, once they''ve lost something, it''s forever. You''ll have to endure it no matter how painful it is. That is what fate bestowed upon you. I''ve already gone through whatever you''re living through right now. That''s why God is fair.¡± Micah stared at her silently. She was standing so close to him. Yet, it felt like she was out of his reach. Does she still refuse to forgive me? Fate has given us so much pain. We should be holding each other and helping one another. We might not ever recover from it by tending to our wounds ourselves. Why should we suffer by living in pride for the rest of our lives? Micah did not believe she could let him go so quickly when she had loved him so much in the past. He thought that Shannon still loved him but had been hurt so much that she merely closed off her heart, not allowing him to enter. ¡°Do you have to be so resolute? I¡ª¡± Without waiting for him to finish, Shannon waved her hand and interrupted, ¡°If you''re only going to say things like this, I advise you to stop. I don''t want to listen to it, nor is there a need for me to. Since it has come to this, we can part ways now and never cross paths again. This might be the best option for both of us. I''ll head in first if you have nothing else to say. The medical base is the Lewitt family''s business now and has nothing to do with you, so you don''t have to stay here any longer.¡± With that, she turned to leave. However, she had only taken a step when Micah grabbed her arm. To be more precise, he grabbed her sleeve. Micah was feeling desperate and had grabbed her lost arm, so there was nothing there besides the sleeve. Shannon stared coldly at him. Her red lips curled up into a sneer as she said, ¡°Mr. Neyman, are you picking on me for not having an arm and not being able to break free from you? Is that why you''re acting so unscrupulous? Don''t forget you''re the one who cut off my arm. Are you trying to pour salt into my wound and remind me how miserable I was then?¡± The color drained out of Micah''s face. He felt as though he had shattered into pieces when he heard her words. He couldn''t even retaliate. His lips trembled as he answered with a choked voice, ¡°I''ve already caught Yvette and found witnesses and evidence that can prove your innocence. Come with me to Tarragon''s headquarters in a few days. I''ll clear your name and ensure justice is served for you. I''ll make sure you witness the one who set you up get punished. This is what I promised you and what I''ve been doing all this time.¡± Shannon pursed her lips. Should I agree to return to the headquarters with him? Duh! Even if I don''t get revenge for my lost arm, I have to do it for my dead child. Making Yvette suffer was all she could think of. The scene of Eugene being sent flying away appeared in her mind, and her eyes soon welled up with tears. ¡°All right. I''ll head back to the headquarters with you. My child died a miserable death. I have to make sure that evil woman is destroyed.¡± In the emergency room, Bailey had thought she was strong enough to face Edmund''s unsightly condition since she had witnessed countless deaths. Nheless, she was still shocked to see how bad his leg was as she stood before the operating table. The scene of Eugene dying from the cut she made appeared in her mind, and she felt a sudden urge to quit. Bailey was traumatized. Her trauma haunted her, especially after seeing how bad Edmund was. She was worried a life so important to her would be lost because of a mistake she made. ¡°Don''t be afraid. I''ll go through this with you.¡± A familiar voice sounded near her ear, and her hand holding the scalpel started shaking violently. Bailey turned her head and was surprised to see Artemis standing before her and staring at her with gentle eyes. ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°Everything is okay. Don''t be afraid. You being unable to save his leg isn''t the worst-case scenario. There isn''t anyone who can save his leg currently, and you''re giving him a chance to live by trying. Just do your best. He''ll be able to stand again if you seed, and you''ll have one less thing to feel guilty about in the future. Isn''t that right?¡± Bailey squeezed her eyes shut. That''s right. Even Justin concluded that his leg couldn''t be saved and suggested we amputate it. Is there anything that can be worse than that? If I give it my all, perhaps a miracle might happen, and he can stand on his two legs again. Following that thought, Bailey opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She turned around, picked up a pair of tweezers and a scalpel, and began cleaning up the damaged muscles on Edmund''s leg. ¡°I don''t know if I can save his leg, but I will do my best. Currently, all the muscles in his legs are damaged. I will remove them little by little. Then, I will develop a growth hormone to help him grow his muscles quickly. However, I''ve got to think of something synthetic that can rece his crushed bones. Even though it will affect his movement in the future, it won''t be apparent unless observed closely.¡± Seeing that she was with a n, Artemis couldn''t help but sigh with relief. He smiled and said, ¡°I trust you. This might be a long process, but I believe you''ll be able to help him stand back up again.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. The operation took more than three hours. The booster shot in Bailey''s body had already lost its effects. She started to have difficulties breathing, and her body was weakening. She wanted to give herself another shot to get back in shape, but Artemis stopped her. ¡°Your body is already exhausted. It''ll destroy your body if you take another shot of something with so many side effects. Listen to me, Bailey. Edmund risked his life because he wanted you to live healthily. He will be upset and hurt to see you like this when he wakes up.¡± Bailey nced at the operating table and saw she was almost done cleaning up, so she decided to listen to Artemis and abandoned the idea of taking another booster shot. Her voice was weak as she instructed, ¡°Listen up, everyone. Do not stop the pain-relieving drugs when you transfer him to the ICU wardter. He has to be on those drugs constantly. Also, pay attention to his heart rate and report to me immediately if you notice a difference.¡± The person in charge of the medical team quickly answered, ¡°Yes, Ms. Jefferson.¡± Bailey staggered a little. Chapter 675 Chapter 675 Her head spinning, she rolled her eyes back and passed out on the spot. Artemis immediately caught her body, turned to the person in charge, and said, ¡°You must take good care of him. I won''t allow anything bad to happen to him. You hear me?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Luther,¡± the person replied. Wasting no time, Artemis scooped Bailey into his arms and strode out of the operating room. The Chiverses and the Luthers, who were still waiting outside, were taken aback when they saw Bailey lying unconscious in Artemis'' arms. ¡°What''s wrong with Bay?¡± Felicity asked. Artemis pursed his lips as he nced at the ashen-faced woman in his arms. Her breathing was so weak that he could barely feel her heartbeat. If it were not for the subtle movements of her chest, he would have thought she had breathed herst. ¡°Perhaps it was exhaustion that caused her to faint,¡± Artemis replied. He turned to Glen and said, ¡°Don''t worry, Granddad. I''ll do everything in my power to ensure that nothing bad will happen to the heir to the Chivers family. Even though Bay didn''t mention the specific details about his condition before she fainted, I''m confident that she''ll apply all her knowledge to save Edmund''s leg. Please have faith in her.¡± Glen waved his hand and sighed. ¡°You don''t need to say that tofort me. I''ve lived long enough to ept the realities of life. Quick, perform aplete checkup on Bay. Her pale face looks as frightening as a ghost.¡± As he finished speaking, Justin walked over, looking utterly exhausted. ¡°What''s wrong with Bailey?¡± Justin took a step forward to observe her closely, and his expression suddenly changed. ¡°Take her to the consultation room next door. I need to perform emergency cardiac resuscitation on her. She''s now in great danger.¡± The color drained out of Artemis'' face. He knew something was off about her but did not expect her condition to be so serious. ¡°Okay.¡± Meanwhile, in a bedroom in the Jefferson residence, Rhonda sat on the carpet, holding a phone and making a call. After listening to the report from the other end of the phone, she smirked. Rhonda was not surprised by the turn of events. If it were that easy to get rid of Bailey, she would have been dead a long time ago. She''s like a cat with nine lives, and there''s no way we can simply dispose of her. ¡°Got it. I want you to deliver all the items I told you to gather earlier to the Shurmers anonymously. I want Zoey to be kicked out of the family, lose everything, and be a street-wandering beggar,¡± she said. That b*tch has caused me so much trouble. With Sofie on the run and no one to protect her, it''sThis material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. time to strike her with a devastating blow. ¡°Got it. I''ll see to it right away,¡± the person replied. Meanwhile, at the medical base, the Lewitts heaved a sigh of relief upon learning that Wendy was out of danger. Sebastian tilted his head, looked at his father, and asked, ¡°What are you going to do with Mommy and me? How are you going to convince her since she is prejudiced against you?¡± Holden lowered his head and remembered Artemis had given him a pill that could help him restore his lost memories. ¡°You wait right here. I''ll give you an answer half an hourter.¡± After speaking to Ivy briefly, he then left and walked to the study. He opened the door and saw Micah puffing at a cigarette on the couch. Seeing how defeated he looked, he could not help but arch his brows and thought of a phrase¡ªmisery lovespany! Holden walked over and sat opposite him. ¡°Do you have another cigarette? Give me one.¡± Micah lifted his head and nced at him. He then reached for a cigarette box and tossed it to him. When he was about to light a cigarette after catching the cigarette box, something popped into his mind, causing him to abandon the idea of smoking. He slowly fished a bottle of pills from his pocket, stared at it, and popped them into his mouth. Bits and pieces of memories began shing across his mind, filling in all the missing parts of his life. All the affectionate and intimate moments took him back to a happy time they had spent together. It was then he realized he was a man with feelings. Nevertheless, he betrayed his feelings. He had deceived Wendy even after falling in love with her, using her to obtain insider information about the Hoffman family before abandoning her. Even though he had reasons for doing so, it did not change the fact that he had betrayed her trust. Click! Click! After igniting the lighter and lit a cigarette, he took a deep drag, causing the stick to burn quickly. The acrid smoke ravaged his lungs, spreading a suffocating difort throughout his body. Despite the unpleasantness, it made him feel good. That''s how a man should smoke. Coughs reverberated in every corner of the room. Micah red at him and sneered, ¡°You know, we''re not so different, you and I. We both resorted to deceit to achieve our own selfish goals and ended up hurting the women we loved. And now, it''se back to haunt us.¡± Holden could not help but respond with a wry smile. He''s not wrong. Known as The Tarragon Titans, Holden and Micah were close friends. As people who possessed influential power, they knew they should not let their feelings get to them. Yet, they both made a fatal mistake by letting their romantic feelings get the better of them. They were so consumed by their romantic feelings that they found it difficult to extricate themselves from the situation. ¡°I was considering the possibility of learning to love her and starting anew even though my feelings for her weren''t there initially. I mean, having a child together would give us hope to start all over again, right? But when the missing memories shed across my mind, I realized how ridiculous I was. I loved her, yet I chose to deceive her and use her to cause immense harm to her family.¡± Micah poked fun at himself. ¡°That''s why we''re destined to be lonely.¡± ¡°You''re right. We''re destined to be lonely.¡± Meanwhile, in the evening, Zoey trembled as she stood before Steven and Waverly in the living room in the Shurmer residence. ¡°Mom, Dad, what do you mean? Why do you want to send me abroad, and why can''t I return to the country? Are you trying to kick me out of the family?¡± Waverly scowled at her and stressed every word as she spoke. ¡°I''ll give you a chance to confess everything you''ve done recently. Tell me every detail.¡± Zoey clenched her fists, struggling toprehend the motive behind the elderly woman''s words and why she suddenly suggested sending her abroad. Steven shot her a sharp nce, and disappointment shed across his eyes. He reached into the drawer slowly, pulled out a stack of documents, and mmed them onto the desk. ¡°Take a look at these, and see what you''ve done.¡± Zoey lowered her head to look at the documents and saw the photo of her interacting intimately with Sofie as a mother and a daughter would. In fact, they were indeed mother and daughter. Zoey apologized, ¡°I-I''m sorry. I reconnected with my birth mother behind your back. It''s all my fault.¡± Chapter 676 Chapter 676 ¡°Dad, Mom, this matter''s already exposed. There''s no point in her continuing to hide it and pretending to not know anything.¡± I might as well acknowledge my biological mother openly. It''s not a big deal, anyway. I doubt they''ll kick me out of the Shurmer family just because of this. If they did, they''ll have a hard time exining it to the public. The public would think they abandoned a daughter who''s been by their side for over twenty years just so they can be acquainted with the future matriarch of the Luther family. They''d certainly be criticized for being bootlickers. Waverly lowered her head but did not say anything. After all, Zoey was the daughter Waverly had raised and even educated on her own. Waverly always thought Zoey was a good girl who simply caused some minor troubles because she fancied Artemis. Hence, the moment she saw the contents of the anonymous email, she was stunned. In fact, she was still in disbelief. Waverly never expected the daughter she raised to be so vicious and be the sort of person who would do anything to get what she wanted. Steven, too, narrowed his eyes at Zoey. His gaze was filled with disappointment. Zoey and Bailey are just worlds apart. No, Zoey''s not even worthy of beingpared to Bailey. As it turned out, the precious daughter the Shurmer family spent years raising was not as great as their abandoned daughter who grew up in another household. At that moment, he was disappointed in Zoey, but even more than that, he felt guilty toward Bailey. Back then, Steven and Waverly refused to let Bailey return to the Shurmer family in case it hurt Zoey''s feelings, an action that only served to push Bailey further away from them. Sadly, the oue was not what they expected. Their foster daughter took the opportunity to harm their biological daughter unscrupulously. Their mistakes had put their own daughter in danger. Steven was ridden with regret when he recalled what they had done in the past. Meanwhile, Zoey''s heart sank when she received no response from the couple. She did not know what they had found out, so she did not dare to say anything. Saying another word could increase the risk of her making a mistake. Could they know something else apart from me reuniting with Sofie? Plop! She fell to her knees and choked out, ¡°Dad, Mom, it was Ms. Carr who convinced me and stirred up my emotions using my rtionship with her. That''s why I acknowledged her. As a person who''s received higher education, I know what it means when someone says a parent''s love is greater than anything in the world. She gave me life. It''s only right that I recognize her as my mother. Are you really going to kick me out of the Shurmer family because of this?¡± ¡°Hah!¡± A mockingugh came from the door. Zoey instinctively turned her head in the voice''s direction. The moment she spotted Shirley, her body shuddered. Shirley''s appearance gave her a bad feeling. ¡°S-Shirley, didn''t you return to the Gourd residence to recuperate? It''s the dead of winter, and you''ve just had a miscarriage. Why did youe here?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. D*mn it. I haven''t had the chance to seal this b*tch''s mouth yet. Don''t tell me she''s here to get back at me? Sh*t! I''ve miscalcted. I should''ve dealt with this troublesome woman first. Sensing Zoey''s hostility, Shirley sneered, ¡°What''s wrong? Are you regretting your decisions now? Well, you should be. You didn''t eradicate me at the right time. And now, you''re in a crisis.¡± Zoey twitched her lips and forced a smile. Her words were hinting at something as she said, ¡°I know what you''re thinking; there''s a long road ahead, and you''ll get to have what you want. You know, I heard a piece of news recently. It''s about the second daughter of the Hoffman family. She had a miscarriage, too. See, even a distinguished person like her can have an ident happen to her, so it doesn''t matter that you had a miscarriage this time. You''ll just have to tell my brother that you want to try again. Don''t be rash, or you''ll harm your body.¡± What Zoey was implying was that she would help Shirley be the matriarch of the Shurmer family. Hence, thetter should not reveal the truth. After all, Juliana had had a miscarriage, which meant she could not get married to Zeke anymore. Shirley still had a chance. In the past, Shirley would have been convinced, for she was blinded by love. This time, she felt nothing. After going through so much, she finally realized the man that never belonged to her would never love her, even if she risked her life and gave him her heart. Shirley strolled into the living room. Every step she took made Zoey''s heart pound. Zoey could not read Shirley''s mind. No one knew what a person would do when they had reached the end of their rope. The mere sight of Shirley simply gave Zoey a sense of danger. When Shirley arrived by Zoey''s side, thetter forced a smile and said sweetly, ¡°Shirley, I know how much you love Zeke. I''m sure the heavens will be touched by your sincerity and make your wishe true someday.¡± Snorting, Shirley scoffed, ¡°How? By plotting schemes with you and continuing to harm Bailey and her students until they die? Then we''ll drug your brother to make him forget everything I did in the past and force him to ept me?¡± The smile on Zoey''s face froze. The corners of her lips twitched, and her eyes shone with fear. Zoey was no fool. Naturally, she sensed the resoluteness in Shirley''s tone. Clearly, there was no avoiding the matter that day. Waving his hand, Steven ordered coldly, ¡°That''s enough. Just get to the point, Shirley. Don''t waste everyone''s time by beating around the bush.¡± The hatred in Shirley''s eyes intensified as she stared at Zoey. Deep down, she felt good about the situation. After all, Zoey had been using Shirley as her pawn. The former knew Shirley was not pregnant with Zeke''s child, yet she still used Shirley to influence the rtionship between Waverly and Bailey using the baby. That showed how incredibly cunning Zoey was. After enduring all that for the past few days, Shirley finally had the chance to settle the scores that day. At that thought, Shirley ignored Zoey''s pleading gaze and exposed everything she could possibly think of. By the end of it, Shirley even lost control of her emotions and raised her voice. ¡°You evil woman! You knew I wasn''t pregnant with Zeke''s child, yet you instigated me to fake an argument with Bailey and use the chance to have a terrible fall. Then you made me me it on her and mess up her rtionship with Mrs. Shurmer, shattering Bailey''s hopes of returning to the Shurmer family. I¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Zoey jumped to her feet and red at Shirley, shouting, ¡°I didn''t know that baby wasn''t Zeke''s! I''ve never heard of this, not when they did such a good job at keeping it a secret. If I knew you weren''t pregnant with Zeke''s child, I wouldn''t have made you fake the ident and¡ª¡± She stopped talking abruptly at that point. ¡°Shirley, you set me up!¡± Chapter 677 Chapter 677 D*mn it! Zoey actually admitted that she had instigated Shirley to target Bailey, and she had been trying to sabotage the mother-daughter rtionship between Bailey and Waverly. If she had denied it to the end, the Shurmer family wouldn''t have been able to do anything to her. However, after hearing Shirley''s words, Zoey lost herposure and identally let it slip. Shirley sneered coldly, ¡°A malicious woman like you deserves underhanded tactics. I know you were kept in the dark and didn''t realize that the child I''m carrying isn''t the Shurmer family''s. Otherwise, you wouldn''t have been stupid enough to encourage me to frame Bailey with an abortion and cut off her hope of returning to the Shurmer family. As you said, I was setting a trap for you, and now you''ve admitted that you instigated me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Shirley turned abruptly, her gaze falling on Steven and Waverly. She nodded and said, ¡°You both had doubts about the evidence, but she just admitted it herself. There should be no falsehood now. Every piece of incriminating evidence is allid out before you. What doubts can you possibly have now? As for my attempt to assassinate Bailey, Zoey had also gotten the poison from Rhonda. She went to find Rhonda and got the poison to try to harm your own daughter. Are you really going to let such a malicious person off the hook and downy the matter?¡± Zoey staggered backward, feeling her legs turning numb as she slumped to the floor. The room was carpeted and heated, but she still felt a bone-chilling cold. Sofie had fled to some unknown ce, leaving her without support. If she were expelled from the Shurmer family, she would die. With a loud p, Waverly''s palm struck the table as she red at Zoey, her heart filled with pain and anger. ¡°I don''t care if you want to acknowledge your birth mother or plot against Bailey, but you should never have used my hand to suppress her or tried to kill her. To maintain your position as the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family and avoid ridicule, I''ve repeatedly kept my own daughter out and prevented her from returning to her own family. What more do you want? Why must you push yourself to this point? Is this how you repay my kindness?¡± As if struck by a great shock, Zoey crawled and tumbled to Waverly''s feet, reaching out to embrace her legs. ¡°Mom, I was wrong. I really know my mistake now. Can you give me a chance to repent? For the sake of the years I''ve been with you, please don''t expel me from the house!¡± Waverly kicked her away, her eyes filled with rage. ¡°If I forgive you again, it would be cruel to my own daughter. For your sake, I''ve already hurt my daughter''s heart, but you''ve messed things up, even conspiring with Sofie to try to kill our daughter. How can you have the nerve to ask for my forgiveness? If not for my daughter''s good fortune, she would have died at your hands countless times.¡± Steven rose to his feet, his words deliberate and weighty. ¡°Tomorrow, I shall convene a press conference and announce your expulsion from the Shurmer family. You are unworthy of the honor bestowed upon a legitimate daughter of the Shurmer lineage, and though my daughter may not covet it, what belongs to her should be returned. As my wife just said, our daughter was fortunate enough not to be killed by your machinations, and to spare you would be akin to hurting her.¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Having spoken, he addressed Sammy, who was nearby, ¡°Summon the authorities and hand over all the evidence to them. After we hold the press conference and expel Zoey, let them punish her ordingly.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Shurmer.¡± Zoey burst into tears and lunged at her father, attempting to cling to his legs. He deftly sidestepped her, leaving her to clutch empty air. The telephone rang, and Sammy hurried to answer it. Whatever the caller said caused all colors to drain from her face. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, it''s Ms. Sofie Carr. She asks to speak with you.¡± At the mention of Sofie, Zoeyughed hysterically. ¡°It''s my mother. My mother hase to save me! You can''t send me to prison! Haha, you can''t!¡± Steven snatched the phone from the butler and demanded, ¡°What trickery are you attempting now, woman? Must I unleash the full power of the Shurmer family to hunt you down before you relent?¡± ¡°By all means,e and pursue me. But should I find myself cornered, your daughter will likely suffer the consequences. Oh, and by ''daughter,'' I mean your biological daughter.¡± Steven''s pupils contracted as he gritted his teeth, asking, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± A sinisterugh echoed through the phone. ¡°You must be well aware of who Bailey is, Mr. Shurmer. She is the leader of the Saviors, with countless enemies around the globe. However, this identity is well-guarded, and no one has yet confirmed it. That is why she can walk brazenly in the sunlight. However, should her identity be revealed, do you know the kind of cmity she would face?¡± Steven clenched the phone tightly. He was no fool. As a once formidable force in the business world, how could he not discern the woman''s threatening intent? If Bailey''s identity as the leader of the Saviors were exposed, thousands of enemies would hunt her down, resulting in catastrophic consequences. ¡°Since you remain silent, Mr. Shurmer, I presume that you understand the stakes clearly. It just so happens that I possess evidence that proves Bailey is the leader of the Saviors. I propose an exchange ¡ªthis evidence for my daughter''s freedom. What say you?¡± Slowly, Steven closed his eyes. If that madwoman caused an uproar, Bailey would be plunged into grave danger. ¡°Very well. I agree to spare her, but you must also hand over the evidence in your possession.¡± ¡°Naturally, I understand the principle of a fair exchange. Tomorrow night at eight, meet me with my daughter on the secluded path in the eastern suburbs. I will give you the evidence there. Remember, don''t tell anyone, especially your son or Bailey. Otherwise, I will expose Bailey''s identity immediately,¡± Sofie warned. Clenching his teeth tightly, Steven hesitated for a moment before acquiescing. ¡°Very well; it is settled.¡± Upon ending the call, he saw Zoeyughing wildly and unabashedly, and he couldn¡¯t help but shake his head. This girl has always disguised herself with an air of innocence, but this monstrous demeanor is her true nature all along. Wicked roots were wicked roots, and even within the Shurmer family''s deeply-rooted and illustrious traditions, they could not change the malevolence within her. ¡°Sammy, lock her in the secret chamber.¡± Sammyplied, motioning for servants to grasp Zoey''s arms and drag her away. Zoey began tough manically. She was certain that Sofie must have ckmailed Steven, which was why he agreed to let her go. If that was the case, what did she have to fear? ¡°I''ve reduced your daughter to such a state, and you all can''t even muster the courage to protest. How pitiful,¡± Zoey mocked. Chapter 678 Chapter 678 Steven clenched his fists tightly; his eyes filled with murderous intent. He was indeed useless. So much had happened to his daughter at the hands of Zoey, yet he couldn''t even seek justice for her. However, he was at a loss. If he took action against Zoey and Sofie sought retaliation, it would ultimately be Bailey who would bear the consequences. His daughter had already suffered too much. He couldn''t bring her any more trouble. ¡°Arrange a press conference. Let''s announce to the public that Bay is the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family. She shall no longer bebeled as the ''illegitimate child''.¡± Steven wanted her to marry into the Luther family with dignity. When people talked about her, they would say that she was a worthy partner for Artemis instead of whispering behind her back that she didn''t deserve him. Waverly hesitated before cautioning, ¡°But that girl hasn''t forgiven us. If we hold a press conference rashly...¡± This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Before she could finish, Steven waved his hand to interrupt her. ¡°Whether she forgives us or not is her own business. Whether we acknowledge her identity is our business. They are mutually exclusive. The girl has turned heartless because we hurt her too deeply. We can only wait for time to heal her wounds and hope she will eventually forget the past.¡± Waverly pounded her chest in anguish and said, ¡°It''s my fault. I was blind and didn''t see how good she was. Instead, I was biased toward our adopted daughter. I failed our biological daughter and caused her to feel disheartened. I deeply regret my actions. If my children refuse to forgive me, my life will be a complete failure.¡± Steven opened his mouth, intending to say a few words of constion. However, it was as though there was a lump in his throat, and he could not utter a single word. After all, they deserved the punishment. Meanwhile, Justin was examining a report in the medical base examination room. His expression was extremely solemn. Feeling a little anxious, Artemis asked in a deep voice, ¡°What''s the situation? Please say something.¡± ¡°Things aren''t looking very optimistic. She''s still in postpartum confinement and has been through too much. Moreover, the cold air prated her body because she was soaked in the snow for over an hour. It''s highly likely that she will suffer aftereffects such as headaches and heart palpitations. Besides that, she will be prone to viral infections from now on. To put it bluntly, her immune system is practically non-existent.¡± Artemis squeezed his eyes shut. He regretted his actions. Not only did he allow her to put her life at risk, but he also made use of her to lure Yvette out. ¡°Can''t you treat her?¡± Justin shook his head. ¡°Her vitality has been greatly damaged; even I am at aplete loss of what to do. As a healer, maybe she knows how to cure herself, but it''s uncertain if she can identify the root cause of her problem.¡± With a heavy heart, Artemis lifted his gaze and looked at the woman lying in the room behind the ss window. Her face was pale, and her features appeared more emaciated. Even though she looked delicate, his heart broke when he saw her frail appearance. ¡°I understand. You''re dismissed.¡± Justin nodded. ¡°Okay, I''ll leave first. You can go in and keep herpany. We can see how things are after she wakes up.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The room instantly became quiet. Artemis slowly reached out his hand and turned the doorknob, but his legs felt so heavy that he couldn''t move an inch. He did not have the courage to face her. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, and in walked several children. Tears welled up in Artemis'' eyes when he saw the little ones. ¡°Your mommy is resting; you cane and see herter,¡± Artemis said before walking out of the room. Zayron nudged Susan''s arm and gave her a look. In an instant, the little girl rushed to the door and hugged her father''s leg. ¡°Daddy, you''re very sad, right? You me yourself and think you didn''t protect Mommy well,¡± she said. Lifting his head slightly, tears glistened in the corners of Artemis'' eyes. ¡°Susan, I...¡± Before he could finish his sentence, the little girl grabbed his wrist and pulled him outside. ¡°Daddy, there''s so much snow outside. Let''s y in the snow, okay? Even if you disagree, we still have to go,¡± Susan urged. The two brothers inside the room exchanged a nce, feeling speechless. Being a girl is so easy; they can act cute and get their way. If we tried to act coy in front of Daddy, he would probably send us flying into the wall. In the living room of the Xuereb residence, Olivia looked at Scarlett with a smile and said, ¡°Now that Justin has safely returned, you can put your heart at ease. The baby in your womb has stabilized. In a few days, I''ll force Justin to take responsibility.¡± She didn''t care if the responsibility was somewhat forced. After all, she couldn''t bear to see her son end up with that despicable woman from the Revelle family. Scarlett pursed her lips andined, ¡°But he''s still so focused on Veronique. He won''t even look at me if she doesn''t leave him.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. That woman won''t live for more than half a month. Recently, my insider at the medical base called me and said that Veronique is on the brink of death from the suffering. Even if she survives, she''ll be on herst breath.¡± How can she possibly survive cancer? Does she think she is blessed with good luck? Scarlett smiled, realizing one had to take control of one''s happiness. If she had listened to her brother and turned herself in, she might have spent her whole life in prison, never seeing the light of day again. Yet, her situation now was different as she had firmly seized the opportunity. Even if Justin couldn''t ept her yet, she could still marry into the Xuereb family due to the baby in her womb. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, when do you n to talk to Justin?¡± Scarlett asked. Olivia grinned and patted the woman''s hand. ¡°We won''t confront Justin.¡± ¡°What?¡± Scarlett looked at her in surprise and asked, ¡°What do you mean? If you don''t tell Justin, how can I marry into the Xuereb family?¡± Putting on a mysterious smile, Olivia replied, ¡°Calm down and listen to me. It''s no use telling Justin about your pregnancy. You need to make a big scene so that everyone knows. That way, after Veronique dies, you can marry into the Xuereb family legitimately.¡± Satisfied with the n, Scarlett said ecstatically, ¡°That''s a great n! If we make my pregnancy known to everyone, Justin won''t be able to ignore me even if he wants to. Thank you, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± ¡°There''s no need to thank me. You''re a rare gem; Justin is lucky to have you as his wife.¡± Olivia continued probing, ¡°Lettie, now that we''re family, regarding Justin''s uncle...¡± Scarlett assured her, ¡°Don''t worry, Mrs. Xuereb. My mom said that as long as I''m part of the Xuereb family, she will do her best to help. With the Fletcher family''s support, I''m sure Uncle Ss will be all right.¡± Chapter 679 Chapter 679 Meanwhile, inside a bedroom at the Hoffman residence, Juliana stumbled to the bedside, reaching out to grasp Huntley''s hand. ¡°Huntley, what''s wrong? What happened to you? What did they do to you?¡± Beads of tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke. This is all my fault. This young man, who had a promising future, was ultimately ruined by me. Her heart clenched and throbbed painfully as she gazed at his ashen face and dry lips. A hint of hatred gleamed in her eyes. After experiencing all sorts of hardships, she was no longer an innocent young girl who only knew how to rely on others to survive. Cough! Cough! A weak cough sounded. The next instant, Huntley gradually opened his heavy eyelids. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. His gaze lingered on the ceiling for a few seconds before he slowly turned his head to look at Juliana. Taking in her tear-stained face, he wanted to reach out and caress her cheeks. However, he couldn''t lift his arm even after several attempts. Only then did Juliana realize something was off. Her heart immediately sank. His body was covered in injuries, including his wrists. She hadn''t examined his condition earlier, but upon noticing his difficulty in initiating a movement now, Juliana lowered her head and stared intently at his arms. A few secondster, her pupils abruptly constricted. ¡°H-Huntley, it can''t be. They couldn''t have treated you so cruelly, right?¡± Mr. Doyle promised me he would let you go. He told me he would never harm you. I don''t believe they would do this. I can''t believe they crippled you just like that! She tried lifting his arm as she spoke, then gently released her grip. Left without any support, his arm fell limply the next second,nding on the soft mattress. Plop, plop, plop. Tears flowed down her cheeks, showing no sign of stopping. Juliana was reluctant to give up. She tried a few more times, but the same thing happened. On her fifth attempt, a middle-aged woman rushed into the room and shoved Juliana away from the bedside. That woman was Huntley''s mother. She was one of the mistresses of the Cloudax family''s patriarch and was usually hidden from the public eye. Because of that, Huntley was abandoned by his family when he was little and eventually ended up on the training base. ¡°You b*tch! Don''t you think you''ve caused enough harm to my son? You are the reason why he''s covered in injuries now! Do you see this? His arms are crippled now because they severed his tendons! He can never lift his hands again. Even so, you''re still unwilling to let him go, repeatedly moving his arms to aggravate his wounds. Are you that determined to turn him into apletely disabled person?¡± Juliana staggered a few steps backward, slipped, and fell heavily on the floor. Although she had suspected what had happened, she still couldn''t bring herself to ept the reality after listening to Huntley''s mother''s words. How can I ept this? He was such a carefree and outstanding young man. It wouldn''t be an exaggeration to describe him as a talented, handsome man. Yet now, because of me, he has be like this. Can a person with severed tendons still lift their arms? He can''t even perform the most basic tasks to take care of himself now, much less raise his arms. It''s a fate worse than death for a proud man like him to be in this wretched state suddenly. I was wrong. I mistrusted Mr. Doyle and brought this tragedy upon Huntley. If Bailey and Zeke had been there to keep things in check, perhaps he wouldn''t have be like this now. I was so foolish and naive to believe that bunch of old men. The tendons in his arms were severed, so what about his legs? She instinctively looked at the foot of the bed. Perhaps due to his countless wounds, covering him with a nket would press against his injuries, and so his body was left uncovered. When she saw his mangled ankles, her pupils constricted again. In the next second, she started bawling her eyes out. Ultimately, fate had taught her how to hate. The Hoffman family... I''ll never let them off the hook! I want anyone who has hurt Huntley to pay the price! Sensing her rationale slowly being consumed by resentment, Huntley''s heart sank. He struggled to sit up but to no avail even after multiple attempts, as he couldn''t muster any strength in his limbs. His mother strode forward, forcefully pped Juliana, and bellowed, ¡°Aren''t you Bailey Jefferson''s disciple? Aren''t you the woman of Zeke Shurmer, the patriarch of the most prestigious family in the medical field? I thought you were very capable. You got pregnant with a b*stard and vited the family''s rules. In the end, you even let my son bear the consequences for you. Why didn''t you die too? Tell me. Why didn''t you perish alongside that b*stard!¡± ¡°Mother,¡± Huntley croaked. Whipping her head around to shift her attention to her son, she uttered with an aching heart, ¡°Are you still going to defend her? Why are you taking her side after she caused you to be harmed to this extent? Is she the only person you care about? What about me, your mother? For your sake, I endured so many years of hardship, yet you ruined your whole life because of this b*tch! Who should I depend on in the future? I waited for so many years for you to be sessful. We finally managed to turn our lives around, but this situation onlysted so fleetingly before she came back and wrecked everything!¡± Huntley gazed at Juliana. Taking in her face, which was contorted with pain, he couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°She saved my life. If it weren''t for her, I would''ve died in the crocodile pond, and you wouldn''t have been able to see me anymore.¡± His mother was stumped. Although she was reluctant to admit it, that was, in fact, the truth. In the end, she glowered at Juliana and warned thetter, ¡°I''m going to summon the doctor here. You better stay right there and not get any closer to my son. Do you hear me?¡± Juliana didn''t respond. She merely stared nkly at the wounds on Huntley''s body, allowing the heart- wrenching pain to wash over her. After his mother left, he said, ¡°Your master is a doctor with superb medical skills, right? Perhaps she can cure me.¡± His words were meant tofort her as he couldn''t care less whether he could regain his ability to stand. His only hope was for the girl before him to get out of this cage that was her life and find her happiness. Upon hearing his words, she instantly felt her hopes reignite. Juliana scrambled to the bedside and hastily wiped the tears off her face. She was about to stretch out her hand to grab his arm, but she forcefully suppressed her impulse when she saw his bloody wrists. His mother is right. I shouldn''t aggravate his injuries further. ¡°You have a point. My master can save you. She''ll definitely have a way to reconnect your severed tendons and allow you to move again like a normal person!¡± Eyes riveted on her pale countenance, Huntley spoke with some difficulty. ¡°You recently suffered a miscarriage, so your body is still too fragile at the moment. You should go back and take good care of yourself.¡± ¡°No. I won''t leave. I''ll stay here to keep youpany.¡± Huntley shook his head. ¡°You must listen to me. Take good care of yourself. Only then can you have the strength to oppose Mr. Philip and fight your way out.¡± Chapter 680 Chapter 680 Juliana clenched her fists tightly. Can I really fight my way out of this? No... I need to be stronger and break out of this prison. That way, I can take Huntley with me and leave this vile ce once and for all. ¡°Fine. I''ll be good and recuperate. You must also give me your word to get your injuries checked out and undergo treatment. Once I''ve met Master, I''ll beg her to save you,¡± Juliana said before slowly leaning into Huntley''s ear. ¡°If you recover fully, I promise to stay with you forever. Even though I don''t love you now, there''s no telling what will happen in years toe. For all you know, my feelings for you might change.¡± Huntley chuckled. ¡°Okay.¡± Deep down, however, he remained unmoved and refused to hold out any hope of Juliana falling for him. Well, it''s only proper that I support her in her pursuits, especially now that she''s intent on leaving the Hoffman family... It''s time for her to take control of her own happiness. Meanwhile, in a ward at the medical base, Bailey was gradually regaining consciousness. Time seemed to stand still the second she opened her eyes, but it wasn''t long before the pain in her limbs snapped her out of her daze. As if that wasn''t bad enough, Bailey also realized she couldn''t lift her arms when she attempted to prop herself up on her elbows. Oh, dear... Has my body gotten that weak? It took a great deal of effort before she finally put her right hand onto her left wrist, and by then, it was clear from her vital signs that her body had been pushed to its limit. Ah, well... I expected this. Instead of resting since my miscarriage, I''ve been exerting myself and working around the clock. To make matters worse, I even stood in the snow for over an hour, all cold and drenched. Is it any surprise that my vitality''s severely affected? Besides, the adrenaline shot might have kept me alive, but it also caused further damage to my already ravaged body... From now on, there''s no doubt I''ll be more susceptible to getting sick and be ridden with several long-term effects. Upon turning toward the window, Bailey saw a tall, slender person on the other side of the ss. It was the man she had always longed for, and the more she stared, the more she lost herself in him. In the past, she had heard many stories of how women would fall in love with Artemis and even throw themselves at his feet. That, of course, only made her sneer in disgust. After all, why would any woman be so dumb as to go crazy over a man? Was that worthwhile? However, now that Bailey finally experienced Artemis'' tenderness, she realized she had fallen head over heels in love with him. If Artemis Luther had never existed, my life would be incredibly dull and dark. In fact, I can''t even imagine living without him... ¡°Artemis...¡± Bailey uttered, her voice soft and sweet. Even though one couldn''t hear anything from outside the ward, Artemis couldn''t shake the feeling that Bailey was calling out to him and instinctively reached for the door handle. For some reason, however, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. I-I don''t know how to face Bailey... She was such a happy and free-spirited woman, yet she was robbed of her peaceful life ever since she fell in love with me. Not only did she have to endure the suffering that fate threw at her, but she was turned into a delicate and fragile beauty. Oh, Bailey... She''s one of the most amazingly talented women, but life just had to y a joke on her and deal her a bad hand. How can I bring myself to face you in your fragile state? Upon seeing Artemis'' hesitation and reluctance to step into the ward, Bailey curled her lips into a bitter smile. He still can''t let go of his guilt, huh? Even though he didn''t personally hurt me, he still finds it hard to face me... Oh, what a silly man. He''s probably ming himself for everything. The next second, Bailey''s gaze fell on the phone beside her bed. She grabbed it with much effort and slowly keyed in the number that she knew only too well. After a couple of rings, she saw Artemis taking out his phone and epting the call. ¡°I used to be very assertive and wanted to be the best at everything I did. Therefore, the past few years have been akin to living in hell,¡± Bailey said, her voice now low and hoarse. ¡°Artemis, the truth is I''ve never had a strong personality. I was a pitiful kid and was constantly bullied by my stepmother and stepsister. I suppose what they say about a mother''s strength is true. Once I became a mother, I knew I needed to protect my children, so I forced myself to get stronger. Because of that, everyone saw me as a confident and authoritative woman. It wasn''t until I met you that I realized women could also show their weaknesses and rely on others. Do you know what''s interesting? Rather than being my usual domineering self, I prefer leaning into you and seekingfort in your embrace. That''s because you''re the only one who gives me a sense of security... You''re the only one I can fully trust and depend on.¡± Artemis trembled as he listened intently. After a brief silence, he finally spoke up. ¡°But I still failed you eventually, and your life was never the same again. Not only did you suffer a miscarriage, but you''ve also destroyed your health. All these happened because you chose to be with me. I''ve failed to give you a happy life... Sometimes, I wonder if it''s a mistake to let you stay with me.¡± Bailey tightened her grip on the phone, her eyes brimming with tears. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What do you mean by that, Artemis? Are you dumping me? I''d die without you.¡± Artemis turned around abruptly as tears began streaming down his cheeks. ¡°I just can''t get over the guilt eating me up. You''ve be a shadow of your former self...¡± With that, Artemis ended the call and strode down the corridor. A whileter, the kids showed up at the ward. Bailey couldn''t help but smile wryly. Ha! He left and sent the kids over, huh? He clearly worries about me, so why does he have to make things so difficult? ¡°Mommy, are you feeling better?¡± Susan asked as she crawled under the covers and snuggled up to her mother. Bailey leaned in and kissed the little girl''s forehead. ¡°I''m all right, but your father seems pretty unhappy. What should we do? How can I help him?¡± As Susan blinked, a glint of mischief shed across her eyes. ¡°Men are all arrogant creatures. I''m sure you can provoke him by making him jealous,¡± she whispered. Bailey arched her brows and broke into a smile. ¡°You sure are my most precious darling! Very well, then. I''m sure he wouldn''t torment himself to death, so he can continue putting on that air of arrogance. Besides, you kids are the source of my happiness.¡± Zayron, however, sneered at his sister. ¡°I''ll tell Artemis about your n to trick him and how you instigated Mommy to get close to other men.¡± Without further ado, Bailey grabbed her phone and threw it at him. ¡°Get lost.¡± Before Zayron could say anything, Zeke barged into the ward with Waverly and Steven in tow. ¡°Oh? What are you guys chatting about so happily? Can I join in?¡± As soon as Bailey saw them, her smile disappeared. Chapter 681 Chapter 681 The couple before her had not only failed to provide her with the warmth of a family, but they also mercilessly stabbed her when she was already feeling lonely from theck of kinship, leaving her bleeding profusely. Although she had outgrown the age of craving for a mother and father''s love, being rejected by her own birth mother was a difficult pill to swallow for anyone. No matter how strong she was, their repeated infliction of pain inevitably left a gulf between them. Bailey was no saint, and she couldn''t remain unaffected in the face of their actions. Though she imed not to care, deep down, she still felt ufortable that her biological parents had chosen to forsake her yet again. Recently, she had noticed a change in Waverly''s attitude toward her, but what did it matter? Is she offering me a carrot after hitting me with a stick? Moreover, Waverly had not merely struck her with a stick. The woman had pierced the very core of her heart, leaving her to despair over the dwindling hope of ever experiencing maternal love. From the moment Waverly chose to keep Zoey as her daughter and obstructed Bailey''s return to the Shurmer family, any semnce of a mother-daughter rtionship vanished. ¡°Bay...¡± Steven hesitated as he approached her. ¡°I know you''re hurt and don''t want to face us, but parents and children are bound together by blood. We must have umted countless ties in past lives to be so closely rted in this one. Please forgive us. We were truly wrong.¡± Having said this, he quickly nudged his wife, urging her to continue. Waverly pursed her lips and walked to the bedside, slowly crouching down. She wanted to grasp her daughter''s wrist, but she stopped herself upon seeing Bailey''s cold gaze. ¡°I''m sorry. I was foolish for favoring my adopted daughter over you and hurting you deeply. I''m unworthy of being a mother.¡± With that, she began to p herself in the face repeatedly. For a time, therge hospital room echoed with the sounds of ps. Zeke couldn''t bear to watch and turned his head away. Steven wanted to stop her but ultimately decided against it. Bailey watched the aristocraticdy pping herself with a heavy heart. There was a time when she, too, yearned for her mother''s affection, but this woman, who should have been her support, had ended up hurting her deeply. How can I forgive her for hurting me so? Since Bailey couldn''t bring herself to forgive Waverly, she could only treat thetter with indifference. ¡°Mommy, she is our elder, after all. Isn''t it wrong to let her p herself in front of us?¡± At that, Bailey hesitated for a moment. Looking at her own daughter in her arms, Bailey said, ¡°Stop hitting yourself. Some wounds can''t be healed in a day or two.¡± Those words gave Waverly hope. Wounds would eventually heal with time, and perhaps one day, their mother-daughter rtionship could be renewed. The pping stopped. Waverly looked at her daughter with a face full of surprise and joy, but seeing thetter''s still frigid demeanor, she turned to her husband. ¡°Steven, did you see that? Our daughter spoke to me. She spoke to me!¡± Steven ced a hand on his wife''s shoulder, nodding solemnly. ¡°Yes, she spoke to you. That means we still have a chance to heal her wounds and warm her heart.¡± He then turned to Bailey and said, ¡°I''ve decided to call a press conference to announce Zoey''s expulsion from the Shurmer family and restore your position as the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family. Bay, what do you say?¡± Bailey coldly asked, ¡°Are you merely expelling her from the Shurmer family? She hasmitted so many crimes that she should be punished severely by thew. Let me be clear. I want her in prison.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Ah...¡± Steven seemed somewhat troubled. He had made a promise to Sofie to let go of Zoey. If he failed to keep his word, the madwoman would undoubtedly expose the identity of Bailey as the leader of the Saviors. He was no longer afraid of the Shurmer family being implicated, but rather, he was worried about his daughter being harmed. The Saviors had made many enemies, and as its leader, Bailey had countless adversaries. If her true identity were exposed, she would never know peace. His daughter had suffered for so many years, and now that she had finally found some semnce of peace, how could he stand idly by and watch her fall into danger again, living a life in fear and apprehension? ¡°Bay, can you spare her life? I''ve already expelled her from the Shurmer family,¡± Steven implored. Baileyughed softly, her face tight with tension and her eyes cold. ¡°If you care for her so much, why expel her from the family? Keep her. I don''t care for the identity of the Shurmer family''s legitimate daughter. Let her have it.¡± ¡°Bay...¡± Steven decided to bite his tongue in the end. He wanted to tell his daughter about Sofie''s threats, but upon remembering her warning, he couldn''t bring himself to speak. ¡°You needn''t worry about my feelings. You never truly regarded me as your daughter anyway. You may spare her, but I won''t.¡± Steven wanted to say more, but Zeke stopped him. ¡°Bay seems weak. Let''s save any further discussion forter.¡± Steven reluctantly agreed, swallowing his words upon catching his son''s signal. ¡°All right, rest well. I''ll hold a press conference this afternoon to announce the matter.¡± Bailey didn''t respond,pletely disregarding the matter. Their decision not to punish Zoey only confirmed Bailey''s surmise that they valued their adopted daughter more than their own flesh and blood. She had no choice but to ept this cruel fact. After their parents left, Zeke furrowed his brows, saying, ¡°I can''t help but feel they''re keeping something from me. Since they''ve decided to expel Zoey from the family, there''s no reason to refuse to send her to the police.¡± Bailey dismissed his concerns. ¡°It doesn''t concern me. I no longer wish to be the legitimate daughter of the Shurmer family. I just want to be Artemis'' wife. If you truly care for me, help me win him back. He seems to not want me anymore.¡± Zeke couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You''re overthinking it. He values you more than his own life.¡± ¡°But he didn''te in to see me. He hung up on me, and he left without looking back. I''m so pitiful and fragile, and he won''t evene in tofort me. All I want now is a shoulder to lean on.¡± Zeke shook his head. Seeing her tearful eyes, he offered, ¡°You can lean on me.¡± ¡°No, I want Artemis. Help me win him back.¡± ¡°When I came in earlier, I heard Susan''s suggestion. It seems good. Why not give it a try? I reckon if you get too close to Raiden, your man won''t be able to sit still.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. ¡°By the way, the Hoffman family has sent Philip to Hallsbay to personally apologize to the Shurmer family for Juliana''s miscarriage,¡± Zeke added. Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly, a flicker of doubt passing through her gaze. As far as she knew, Philip was an old fox, single-mindedly desiring to be the Hoffman family''s head. Will he risking to Hallsbay to apologize to Zeke? Isn''t he afraid that Zeke would kill him? ¡°His motive foring to Hallsbay must be more than just that. When he arrives, have some people keep an eye on him.¡± ¡°All right.¡± At a certain farmhouse, Sofie leaned against a fence in the outskirts as she answered her phone. ¡°When will you arrive in Hallsbay? It''s dangerous here, so you must hurry and get me out of here!¡± Chapter 682 Chapter 682 The other party didn''t respond. Sofie suddenly became anxious, raising her voice sharply. ¡°The reason I came to Hallsbay this time was all because of you. In order to help you achieve your goal, I offended Artemis. Now that I''m in a perilous situation, do you intend to just stand idly by? If that''s the case, then I''ll disregard any old affections. Even in death, I''ll drag you down with me.¡± She had gotten herself into such a precarious situation, all because of the man on the other side of the call. However, she never expected that he would watch her suffer without lifting a single finger to help her. If that were the case, she could only bare her fangs and drag him down with her. ¡°Don''t be so hasty. Look, I haven''t even taken a stance yet, and you''re already so impatient?¡± Sofie gritted her teeth, saying, ¡°Then give me a definite answer. Where are you now? Have you arrived in Hallsbay? When will you be able to arrive? It''s far too dangerous here. If I don''t leave soon, there''s a high chance they''ll capture me. Whether it''s the Fletcher family''s legitimate child, the Shurmer family''s heir, or even Artemis, none of them are forces I can provoke. Right now, they''re joining forces to search for me. Even with some power in Hallsbay, I can''t withstand their joint attack. I can only hold on for two or three days at most. If you still don''te by then, I''ll surely be dead.¡± A deep, middle-aged male voice came through the receiver. It was very familiar, undoubtedly Philip''s. ¡°I''ve already contacted the son of the Shurmer family and made an excuse toe to Hallsbay by saying I needed to apologize and exin the reason for my niece''s miscarriage. I''ll be able to arrive in Hallsbay tomorrow without drawing their attention.¡± After hearing his promise, Sofie finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°At least you still have some conscience, considering our past. I haven''t wasted my youth following you all these years. By the way, there''s one more thing I have to tell you. In addition to me, there''s another person you need to help get out of Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Are you trying to save you and rence''s daughter? She''s nothing but a discarded pawn. Why waste the effort?¡± Philip questioned. ¡°No, no.¡± Sofie smiled slyly. ¡°She''s not a discarded pawn, not yet anyway. I n to use her to strike back. Never underestimate a woman''s hatred. That girl despises Bailey, and she will definitely make Artemis and Bailey''s lives a living hell. Only when they''re embroiled in internal chaos can we continue to vie for control of Tarragon.¡± Philip seemed to approve of this idea. His voice was soft and measured as he spoke. ¡°I shall devise a n. Merging with Tarragon has been the ambition of the Hoffman family for generations. My older brothercks the courage to pursue this goal, but I possess it. The failure of this mission lies with Artemis and Bailey. Only by eliminating those two will Tarragon be left leaderless. Very well. Let''s keep the girl and use her against Bailey and Artemis.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Sofie''s eyes gleamed with delight before her voice became tender and inviting. ¡°I''ll be waiting for you. It''s been some time, and I find myself missing you terribly.¡± ¡°Ha, are you missing me on top of you?¡± ¡°Oh, stop it.¡± In the afternoon, at Shurmer Group''s press room, reporters from various major news media in Hallsbay gathered, waiting for the head of the Shurmer family to announce the purpose of today''s press conference. Meanwhile, in the neighboring lounge, Waverly adjusted her husband''s shirt, asking, ¡°When you publicly announce Zoey''s crimes, what will you say if they ask you how you n to deal with her? You can''t tell them you''re letting her off the hook because you''ve been threatened, can you?¡± Steven shuddered, his eyes narrowing slightly. Clearly, he was unprepared for this question. ¡°Well...¡± Before he could say anything, the phone on the side rang. He reached out and picked it up. Upon seeing a string of unfamiliar numbers, he instinctively thought of Sofie. What wicked scheme is that old woman plotting now? As the call connected, Sofie''s voice emerged from the receiver as expected. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, I heard you''re about to hold a press conference. Let me guess. You must be nning to announce my daughter''s crimes, expel her from the Shurmer family, and confirm Bailey''s legitimate daughter status, right?¡± Steven''s face darkened, and he gritted his teeth. ¡°Just say what you want to say. There''s no need to beat around the bush.¡± ¡°Fine. You''re indeed a straightforward person, so I''ll be blunt. If you ruin my daughter''s life and reputation, I will have no choice but to retaliate by exposing your daughter to her enemies.¡± Steven clenched his phone tightly, a sh of anger in his eyes. ¡°You dare threaten me again with the same bargaining chip? Once was enough; do you think you can do it a second time? I agreed not to send your daughter to the police, but I never agreed not to expose her crimes or expel her from the Shurmer family. Do not overreach.¡± Sofie chuckled softly. ¡°But I do have the power to threaten you, don''t I? If you don''t want your daughter to be harmed, you have no choice but to let me manipte you. Mr. Shurmer, if you expose my daughter''s crimes and ruin her life, how is that different from sending her to jail? If I were to protect her, I must protect herpletely, including her reputation.¡± Steven closed his eyes tightly and enunciated every word, ¡°What if I say no?¡± ¡°Then we''ll all suffer, and our daughters will both be sacrificed.¡± ¡°You...¡± Steven wanted to issue a fierce threat but thought better of it, knowing that mere words would not sway a cunning and vicious woman like Sofie. ¡°Fine, I agree. I won''t mention her crimes or expulsion during the press conference. However, don''t try any tricks, or neither you nor your daughter will leave Hallsbay alive.¡± With that, he ended the call. Waverly looked worried and cautiously said, ¡°You agreed just like that? You really don''t intend to expel Zoey from the Shurmer family or reveal her crimes? If Bay finds out, the poor girl will be heartbroken. She''s only just begun to show signs of forgiveness, and if we do this, aren''t we simply going to disappoint her further?¡± Steven sighed helplessly. ¡°We have no other choice right now. Once I obtain the evidence Sofie holds, we''ll see what to do. Let''s go and deal with the press conference outside.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± At the press room, the reporters hurriedly thrust forward their microphones when they noticed Steven and Waverly''s appearance. Before they could ask any questions, Steven waved them off. Standing at the podium, he spoke in a resolute and powerful voice. ¡°I thank all our media friends for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend the Shurmer family''s press conference. Today, I have an announcement of utmost importance for our family. It has been confirmed that Bailey Jefferson is indeed our long-lost daughter. As for how she was lost, I''m sorry, but we cannot disclose that information. From now on, Bailey will be the legitimate eldest daughter of the Shurmer family.¡± As these words were spoken, the entire press room erupted into a frenzy. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, we''ve already heard from your son that Bailey Jefferson is a daughter of the Shurmer family. We''re curious about how you n to deal with your adopted daughter, Zoey Shurmer?¡± Chapter 683 Chapter 683 ¡°Yes, if the real daughter returns to the family, then will the imposter have to give up her ce?¡± ¡°Will the Shurmer family kick Zoey out?¡± ¡°Are you nning to send her overseas, away from the Shurmer family?¡± ¡°Mr. Shurmer, please answer our questions.¡± Steven''s fists balled up. Owned by N?velDrama.Org. I''m sorry, Bay. I have no choice but to do this. After I obtain the evidence and resolve the danger surrounding you, I''ll exin everything to you personally. ¡°Why would I kick out my adoptive daughter, Zoey Shurmer, when she has done nothing wrong? Can''t she stay with us even when my biological daughter returns?¡± ¡°Can''t she stay with us even when my biological daughter returns?¡± Bailey, who was leaning against the hospital bed, heard his words loud and clear. Her lips curled into a strange smile. As she stared at the TV screen, her gaze slowly turned cold. Zayron ran over and hurriedly switched off the TV, offering her a sheepish smile. ¡°Bailey, remember you said he''s a scum? Don''t take it too seriously and think of it as just a show.¡± Ugh, why did I switch on the TV? I thought my granddad would do the right thing, but the scum ended up provoking Bailey with his words. Sensing Bailey''s displeasure, Susan quickly climbed into bed and flung her arms around her mother. ¡°Mommy, remember how you said that we make you happy? Well, I''m right here in front of you. Will seeing me make you feel better?¡± Bailey lowered her head and pressed a kiss to Susan''s forehead. Right then, the door was pushed open to reveal Zeke, who walked into the ward. Zayron rushed over to him, his anger boiling over. ¡°Don''t you ever bring your scummy father around Bailey again! Bailey doesn''t need her father when she has Artemis and me. Your family is too wealthy, and we are not worthy of being associated with you. Don''t use the title of the Shurmer family''s daughter to impress us. We love Bailey for who she is, and she doesn''t need your family''s wealth to make her better.¡± Zekeughed heartily and then turned his gaze to Bailey as he nodded. ¡°All right, I promise not to bring them to your mother again. I''ll make sure they won''t upset her anymore. I''ve had time to think, and I''ve realized that your father can provide for her, so it doesn''t matter whether or not she has her family''s support. And if needed, I can support her as well. That''s what really matters.¡± Slowly, Bailey raised her head and met Zeke''s gaze. She could see the adoration in his gaze, and it was clear he adored her as a younger sister. A soft chuckle escaped her lips. I''m not willing to give up my brother, but that''s all. I''m not interested in anything else. ¡°Zeke, where is Artemis?¡± Zeke went over to the bed and wrapped his arms around her and Susan. ¡°He got drunkst night from drinking too much alcohol and is still asleep.¡± Hearing that, Bailey furrowed her brows. Alcohol was bad for one''s health. Zeke added, ¡°Don''t worry about him. He has been through a lot. If he cannot even handle this pressure, I might reconsider handing you to him.¡± Bailey refrained from further inquiries as she knew Artemis wouldn''t bring harm to himself. Instead, she shifted the conversation and asked, ¡°How is Edmund holding up?¡± ¡°He was running a feverst night, but his fever has already subsided now.¡± Bailey shoved both him and Susan away before rolling to the side and attempting to get off the bed. ¡°I''ll have to pay him a visit. Last night, the doctor gave me a sedative, so I slept soundly and forgot to check on him.¡± Zeke knew it was pointless for him to persuade her to change her mind as she was worried about Edmund, so he quickly reached out to help her. ¡°All right. I''lle with you.¡± In another ward, Wendy finally regained consciousness. When her eyes fluttered open, she saw a man sprawled at the side of her bed. From his side profile, she could see he wasn''t sleeping well as his brows were furrowed. Seized by a sudden impulse, Wendy raised her arm weakly and brushed her hand across his stony features. The man wasn''t sleeping soundly, so he immediately opened his eyes upon sensing her action. Caught by surprise, Wendy tried to retract her hand, but it was toote as he had already grabbed her wrist. ¡°L-Let me go!¡± Holden disregarded her and spoke in a husky voice. ¡°I took the medicine to restore my memoryst night, and it worked. I''ve remembered everything now. I''m here, in front of you. Don''t you have any questions for me?¡± Wendy stared at him in a daze. He took the medicine to regain his memory? Does he remember everything now? ¡°Wendy, as adults, we can think independently and handle this matter maturely instead of prolonging it. Since we already have a kid to tie us together, we''ll likely be linked for the rest of our lives. If there''s anything that you dislike about me, please let me know. Let''s stay calm and work on resolving the issues between us.¡± Wendy gave him an icy look. ¡°Do you really want me to be honest? Fine, I''ll do that. Back then, was your memory still intact when you used me to steal the Hoffman family''s top secret and abandoned me after that?¡± Her question rendered Holden speechless. He wasn''t a fool and knew the consequences of answering her question. It might result in their rtionshiping to an end, but he was aware that he couldn''t lie to her. ¡°Yes, my memory was still intact when I used you to steal the Hoffman family''s top secret. I still remembered everything when I abandoned you. I¡ª¡± A crisp p echoed in the air. Wendy was slow as she was injured and weak, so Holden could''ve avoided her p easily. However, he didn''t move and watched as her pnded on his cheek. Given his influence and status, he had never been pped by anyone. Wendy was the first to do so, but he was willing to let her. After pping him once, Wendy was still upset and wanted to continue pping him, but he held her arm. ¡°Let me go!¡± Holden directed his gaze toward her abdomen, cautioning her in a soft and gentle voice. ¡°Don''t move. Your stomach underwent surgery, and if the wound ruptures, your organs will be exposed.¡± Hearing his reminder, she btedly felt an intense pain ring from her stomach. However, she wasn''t about to stop. ¡°That is none of your business. I want to p you now.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll keep youpany. Once your wound heals and scabs over, you can p me all you want. I promise I won''t retaliate.¡± Wendy''s cheeks were wet with tears, and anguish flickered in her eyes as she red at him and shouted, ¡°I told you I was pregnant! How could you be so heartless and leave me with the Hoffman family? Do you know how I managed to get through?¡± Chapter 684 Chapter 684 Holden hung his head. ¡°I''m sorry. My sister, Shannon, was wrongly used of stealing a top secret from Tarragon. I was given an order by the elders to retrieve control of Zaewora from the Hoffman family to save her. After acquiring it, I was in a rush to rescue my sister. That''s why I didn''t get the chance to bid farewell.¡± At the time, Holden had returned to Tarragon with the loot but had no idea Shannon had chopped off an arm to escape from Tarragon. The elders wanted the loot and couldn''t exin things to him, so his memory was wiped out. He had fallen for their trap. As a result, he failed to protect Shannon, and his actions caused Wendy and their son to get kicked out of their family. Wendy grew more emotional after hearing his exnation. ¡°So my son and I were simply necessary sacrifices in your bid to save your sister?¡± Holden lifted his head and met Wendy''s gaze with a solemn expression. ¡°No,¡± he said firmly. ¡°I never intended for you and our son to be sacrificed for the sake of my sister. My n was to save Shannon first and thene back for you. It was too dangerous to bring you to Tarragon. I had no idea that I would fall into their trap and lose my memories.¡± Wendy let out a bitter chuckle and turned her gaze toward the ceiling. ¡°This is fate. You weren''t there when I needed you the most, Holden. Do you know that my son and I wouldn''t have survived until today without Lionel? He saved me and married me. Even though we were a fake couple, he gave me a home. I was so grateful for his protection that I thought I had fallen in love with him. But when he ended up with Victoria, I knew I was only relying on him. You are the one I both love and hate.¡± Holden held Wendy''s wrist firmly. ¡°Don''t lose hope and be pessimistic. I never intended to hurt you. I never thought about leaving you. Wendy, I am certain that I love you. At that time, I had no other option but to lie to you. If you still resent me, you can express your anger toward me. But please, don''t sever our rtionship because it hadn''t been easy for us to reconcile.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Wendy withdrew her hand and spoke in a calm tone. ¡°It''s impossible. When you left me with the Hoffman family to face the dangerous situation alone, knowing that I was pregnant, it was already over for us.¡± Right then, Shannon walked in with their breakfast. When she noticed the strange atmosphere and Wendy''s wet cheeks, she shot Holden a look. ¡°You look disheveled, Holden. Why don''t you go wash up? I''ll take care of Wendy,¡± she offered. Holden nodded. If he pushed her too much, he would only make things worse. I''ll stop here and continue after she recovers. No one will dare to take her away from me. At the ICU, Zeke helped Bailey into the ward to see Edmund staring at the ceiling nkly. He was awake. Bailey''s eyes reddened when she saw how badly injured he was. She dared not bring herself to look at him. He had poured his heart and soul into loving her, but it had left him in a pitiable state. As if sensing her pained gaze, Edmund gradually came back to his senses. Slowly, he turned around, his gaze falling on her figure. He gave her a warm smile. ¡°Bay, you''re here.¡± Tears immediately flowed down Bailey''s cheeks. She shoved Zeke aside and stumbled toward his bed, burying her face into the sheets as she cried out loud. Edmund reached out to caress her cheek, and she buried her face into his palm. She looked gorgeous even though she was crying. Edmund let out a sigh and said, ¡°Losing a leg is not the end of the world. I can still protect the person I care about, and that''s what matters.¡± Bailey took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. ¡°I''ll do everything I can to aid in your recovery. Trust me, Edmund. I will make sure you recoverpletely.¡± Despite the excruciating pain that shot through his leg, Edmund remained silent. His eyes remained gentle, betraying no hint of his difort. ¡°I haven''t checked my leg after waking up. Didn''t it get amputated? I''m feeling pain not just in my thigh, but in my whole leg.¡± Bailey started crying again. ¡°It''s better that you don''t look at it. Promise me to not look at it for the following month.¡± Edmund nodded. ¡°Okay, you have my word. I won''t look at it, but will you tell me about my current condition?¡± Bailey didn''t feel like telling him the truth. How can I break it to him that the flesh on his calf necrotized, and I had to remove all of it, leaving only the bone? Additionally, there are multiple fractures on his bone, so he may require an artificial one. I don''t have the heart to disclose this harsh reality to him. ¡°It''s not as serious as you think. I didn''t amputate your leg, so it is still intact. The following month might be unbearable as you need to suffer the torture. Don''t worry, for I''ll be with you at all times. Trust me, Edmund. Give me three years. I promise that you''ll be able to stand up and walk three yearster.¡± Edmund chuckled aloud and nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± Perhaps he was too tired, for he fell unconscious after chatting with Bailey briefly. Bailey caressed his pale cheek and mumbled, ¡°Sleep tight. It won''t hurt when you''re asleep.¡± Zeke came over and nced at Edmund''s exposed leg bone. Sighing, he remarked, ¡°Actually, it might be better to amputate his leg so he won''t have to suffer.¡± Bailey considered the situation and proposed a n, ¡°I''ll go to theb and work on developing a painkiller for him. Please assist me in reaching out to the medicalpanies affiliated with the Shurmer family and request them to provide all the valuable herbs from around the world to the medical base. I''ll start by revitalizing his bone and use the fibrost growth factor to help regenerate his muscles.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll get that done right now. By the way, you won''t have time to pay the Hoffman family a visit recently, right? Should I go take a look?¡± Zeke asked. Hearing that, Bailey hesitated. She didn''t want him to visit the family alone. Philip shouldn''t be underestimated, while Dominic and Raymond were extremely ambitious. She was afraid he might suffer at their hands. ¡°Philip ising to Hallsbay, isn''t he? Please dy him. With him here, the Hoffman family won''t dare to harm Juliana. Once I''ve treated Edmund''s bone and produced the fibrost growth factor to ensure his muscles start regenerating, I''ll join you in meeting the Hoffman family.¡± She was insistent, so Zeke gave up on persuading her otherwise and nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay, then. If I''m overseas, you''ll only be concerned and distracted. Let''s do as you say and keep Philip here.¡± That night, Steven drove Zoey to the suburbs to attend the meeting. In the car, Steven told her, ¡°The Shurmer family has taken care of you kindly over the years. I hope you can repent and turn over a new leaf.¡± Turn over a new leaf? An icy grin flitted across Zoey''s lips. There''s no way I''ll let Bailey off the hook! Chapter 685 Chapter 685 That despicable b*tch cost me everything, so I''m determined to settle the score and reim what is rightfully mine! Even if it meant dying, she would drag that vile woman down with her. ¡°I don''t believe you hold no resentment toward me. Had it not been for my mother''s vanity and her switching of the children, your daughter wouldn''t have been cast out. You may seem to be protecting me now, but once you realize the truth, I''ll be thrown out of the house. Instead of being left homeless like a stray dog, I might as well strike first and prevent any possible harm. I have done nothing wrong. In this game of survival of the fittest, I must protect myself. If I don''t act in my own interest, I will be doomed,¡± Zoey uttered. The disappointment in Steven''s eyes deepened. This was the daughter they had raised in the Shurmer family¡ªa woman who harbored such a malicious heart. Instead of repenting for her mistakes, Zoey took a turn for the worse, proving herself to be utterly obstinate. They were blinded in the past. Steven couldn''t believe that they had hurt their own flesh and blood for this insolent girl. ¡°Enough. There is no point in saying more. You still have a long road ahead, so just take care of yourself,¡± Steven said tly. A mocking smile crossed Zoey''s face. Her mother had decided to save her, so a n must be in ce. Perhaps she could still turn the tables. Anything was possible before the final verdict was reached. The car drove down a tree-lined avenue and slowly stopped at the roadside bend. Seeing three cars across the road, Steven narrowed his eyes, a glint of caution flickering within. After parking, he went over to the passenger seat and held a knife to Zoey''s throat. They were once father and daughter, but now they were captor and captive. It seemed that fate truly enjoyed toying with people. ¡°Open the door. When your mother gives me what I want, I''ll release you. Don''t worry. I won''t harm you out of our decades-long bond as father and daughter. However, I must retrieve what belongs to me,¡± Steven said. Zoey saw her mother approaching with several cars, and she didn''t wish to be threatened by this old man. Hence, she obediently opened the door and got out first. Steven followed closely behind. Under the streetlight, Steven could figure out the silhouette of a middle-aged man''s face. He furrowed his brows and said, ¡°Let Sofie know toe out and see me.¡± The manughed. ¡°Ms. Carr doesn''t trust you and is afraid you might ambush her. That''s why she didn''te. Mr. Shurmer, you know her current situation is precarious. She must be careful, and it''s only natural for her not to show up tonight. However, don''t worry, she entrusted me to meet you, and we can proceed with the transaction.¡± Steven frowned but knew that meeting Sofie wasn''t his primary goal. As long as he could exchange Zoey for the evidence Sofie held, who he met didn''t matter. He hadn''t lost sight of his objective for the meeting. ¡°Fine, let''s talk. Did you bring what I want? Let''s make a fair exchange. You hand over what I want, and I release her.¡± The middle-aged man agreed readily. ¡°All right. We''ll do as you say, Mr. Shurmer.¡± He slowly raised his hand as he spoke, and the bodyguards surrounding them retreated. The man held a memory card between his fingers and raised an eyebrow. ¡°All the evidence is in here. Release Ms. Zoey, and I''ll throw it to you.¡± Steven was no fool. How could an ordinary memory card deceive him? Who knows what''s really inside the memory card? I''m going to be doomed if there are only a couple of movies or even songs inside. ¡°I see your memory card,¡± Steven conceded, ¡°but I cannot say the same for its contents. Please, insert it into aptop and let me examine its contents. Once I''ve verified its legitimacy, I''ll release Zoey.¡± The middle-aged man chuckled softly, extending a thumb in approval. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, you are indeed a genuine businessman, concerned only with profits and shunning losses. It seems I must produce the legit stuff before you will release Ms. Zoey. Very well; let us proceed as you request. Bring aptop.¡± The next moment, a ck-d bodyguard presented aptop. The middle-aged man inserted the memory card while smiling. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, can you truly see from such a distance? Or would you prefer toe closer? You''re holding Ms. Zoey hostage, after all. We dare not make any rash moves.¡± Steven thought for a moment and pushed Zoey to approach the middle-aged man. The screen flickered, and a blinding and seemingly thousand-watt light burst forth. Steven, unable to withstand the blinding light, closed his eyes tightly. In an instant, the middle-aged man dashed toward the pair, swift as a specter. He viciously kicked Steven''s arm, fracturing it with a sickening snap. The de grazed Zoey''s neck, leaving a bloody, albeit not fatal, gash. The man yanked Zoey from Steven''s embrace and aimed another kick. However, after a few seconds'' respite, Steven had adapted to the light. He nimbly evaded the blow andunched a counterattack. A ck-d bodyguard hurried forward, urgently reporting, ¡°Boss, we''re in trouble. Mr. Zeke Shurmer has brought reinforcements!¡± The middle-aged man''s face darkened. He had brought many men tonight but could not afford to lose them all, as that would be difficult to exin to Sofie. ¡°Tell them to withdraw immediately. Do not engage.¡± ¡°Yes, Boss.¡± Zoey, noticing Steven''s broken arm, quickly interjected, ¡°Capture him! We can use him to threaten Zeke and Bailey. He is, after all, their father.¡± The middle-aged man''s eyes flickered with indecision. He should retreat instead of engaging in a deadly battle with this old man. However, a change of heart altered his course of action. She''s right. Capturing Steven will certainly threaten Zeke and Bailey. ¡°Take him down!¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, Boss.¡± The middle-aged man led Zoey to a nearby vehicle. ¡°Ms. Zoey, we must leave quickly. If they capture Steven, all the better. If not, we''re only going to lose a few henchmen. We cannot wait here to die. The men I''ve brought are no match for Zeke.¡± Zoey bit her lip, slowly ceasing her struggles. All right, then. She, too, feared death. Having only recently gained her freedom, she didn''t want to be recaptured. In the distance, gunfire and battle cries echoed ominously. By the time Zeke was done dealing with the lurking assassins and arrived at the scene, ten long minutes had already passed. Chapter 686 Chapter 686 Watching his father''s car parked by the side of the road and the post-battle mess, Zeke reached out and punched at the empty air before him. D*mn it! I was still toote. Not only had they failed to intercept Zoey, but now even his father had been kidnapped. That old fool is too easily deceived. How can he naively believe when Sofie ims that she holds evidence proving that Bailey is the leader of the Saviors? That vile woman would have threatened Bailey and Artemis instead of the Shurmer family if that were the case. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, they split into eight different directions when they fled. We don''t know which route is the right one¡ª¡± Before the bodyguard could finish, Zeke interrupted him with a wave of his hand. ¡°Then send a team to search each route and stop everyone you find.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Shurmer.¡± At that moment, a ck sedan stopped in front of Zeke. The door opened, and Artemis emerged from the car. ¡°Oh? Has that old fellow been captured too?¡± Zeke looked somewhat helpless. ¡°Initially, we had the upper hand in this situation. But who would have thought that the old man would stir up such trouble? Now we''ve lost all our advantages and have be the ones being threatened.¡± Artemis scanned the surroundings and sighed. ¡°We realized the situation toote. If we had known ten minutes earlier, we could have caught them in the act.¡± ¡°Sofie must be nning to use the old man as leverage to force us to let her leave the country. What should we do? She''s been building up her forces in Hallsbay in secret. Even though we''ll eventually find her hiding ce, it will be useless now that she has something to hold over us. It seems we have no choice but to give in,¡± Zekemented. As Artemis walked toward his car, he said, ¡°Let''s call back all the search teams. Don''t waste any more time on this. My guess is she''ll contact us of her own ord in the next few days.¡± ¡°All right. Let''s call them back then.¡± After speaking, Zeke followed him. ¡°I''ll ride with you, and we can have a good heart-to-heart talk.¡± Artemis raised an eyebrow and did not object. Once inside the car, Zeke buckled his seatbelt and asked, ¡°Do you really n to keep hiding from Bay? She doesn''t me you. In fact, she thinks meeting you is the fortune of several lifetimes. I admit, I think she''s quite foolish too, but isn''t every woman in love somewhat foolish?¡± As Artemis started the car, he spoke softly. ¡°Without me, she might have a better life. At least before meeting me, she lived a carefree life without any worries or danger. But after meeting me, she seems to be getting hurt every day.¡± ¡°So, you n to keep avoiding her?¡± Artemis tilted his head slightly, gazing into Zeke''s eyes, and enunciated each word, ¡°I have seen Edmund''s leg injury through the window, and even I, as a man, found it hard to bear. Now, he endures the pain every day, and perhaps only Bailey''spany can alleviate the heart-wrenching agony. If I were to cling to Bailey at every moment, she would have less time to apany Edmund. After much consideration, I decided to let this period pass first. At least, I''ll allow her to keep Edmundpany through his most difficult days.¡± A pang of realization hit Zeke. Ah, I see. He had wondered how Artemis could possibly behave like a child and be at odds with Bailey. It turned out he was considering Edmund''s situation. ¡°Aren''t you afraid that Edmund will steal your woman? They''re together day and night, and with Bay feeling guilty toward him, who knows if sparks will fly?¡± Zeke asked. Artemis smiled lightly. ¡°My love with Bailey has withstood the test of time and won''t fade so easily. I''m not worried about that. But you... I heard that Huntley had his tendons severed by the Hoffman family to save Juliana, and perhaps her heart might ache for the man, and she''ll end up falling for him instead.¡± Zeke was taken aback. He quickly turned his head, narrowing his eyes at Artemis. Through gritted teeth, he asked, ¡°Where did you get this information? Were Huntley''s tendons really severed by the Hoffman family?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Yes, Tarragon has nted spies in the Hoffman family. One of them reported to me that Huntley was tortured. Both his hands and feet''s tendons were severed.¡± Zeke pursed his thin lips. ¡°What a despicable family. To appease my anger, they threatened Juliana with Huntley''s life and forced her to call me, admitting that she got rid of the baby herself. Despite doing as they asked, they still didn''t let Huntley go.¡± Artemis sneered. ¡°What do you expect from a family of thugs? To deal with such people, one must beat them into submission. I''ve been putting up with this family for a long time. When the timees, let''s join forces and destroy them.¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± In a ward at the medical base, Waverly stood by the bed and told Bailey about how Sofie threatened them. ¡°Bay, your father and I didn''tpromise out of love for Zoey. We initially nned to kick her out of the Shurmer family and send her to prison. However, that woman called and threatened us, and your father feared the exposure of your identity as the leader of the Saviors would bring danger, so we relented.¡± Bailey chuckled softly with a hint of mockery in her smile. Did they truly believe such nonsense merely from a single phone call? She couldn''t fathom how they had managed the family for decades as its head and matriarch, even expanding the Shurmer family to its present grandeur. Waverly continued when she noticed that Bailey had said nothing. ¡°Your brother sensed something unusual, so he went home to confront me. I was worried about your father, so I told your brother the truth. He''s gone to intercept them.¡± Intercept them? They''re probably toote. ¡°Bay... Can you forgive us this once, considering that we meant well but did wrong?¡± Bailey sighed and said impassively, ¡°Sofie has no leverage over me. If she truly had something on me, she would be ckmailing me and Artemis instead of you two. Given your age, why couldn''t you understand such a simple truth? Well, there''s no use in talking about it now. Let''s wait for Zeke to return, but be prepared, for he might not bring your husband back. Sofie, in her eagerness to leave Hallsbay, would probably seize your husband as her passport.¡± Waverly grimaced and asked with a trembling voice, ¡°Y-You''re saying that Sofie might kidnap your father to ckmail you and Zeke?¡± ¡°Do you think such a malicious woman will let a chance like this slip away?¡± Bailey asked rhetorically. As her words fell, the door to the ward was pushed open, and Zeke strode in. ¡°You''re spot on. She didn''t let the opportunity pass and sessfully captured our father,¡± he announced. Having expected the oue, Bailey was not at all surprised. However, Waverly''s legs gave way, and she copsed to the floor.Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 687 Chapter 687 Zeke walked over to help her up. ¡°Don''t overthink. Sofie will not harm Dad if she wants to leave the country. After all, she needs his help to get out of here. I''m sure she won''t make things difficult for him for the time being.¡± Waverly gave herself a tight p. ¡°We shouldn''t have kept this from you. If we had told you earlier, things wouldn''t have ended up like this.¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes and responded, ¡°You were also worried that Sofie mighte at us if we learned the truth. Although your good intentions led to unintended consequences, we can understand why you did that, so stop worrying and ming yourself. We''re here for you, and Dad will definitely be fine.¡± Waverly disregarded hisment and turned her attention to Bailey. ¡°Bay, will you forgive us?¡± Bailey felt irritated and amused at the same time. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Not long ago, they had opposed her return to the Shurmer family, but now their attitude had changed drastically. She wished they could just treat her like how they had ignored her in the past. At least it would not have added to the pressure. After a short pause, she replied, ¡°You''re causing me so much trouble.¡± Upon hearing that, Waverly responded with a soft chuckle. The fact that Bailey found them troublesome was an indication that she still cared for them. ¡°Yes, yes, yes. We''re the troublemakers. But don''t worry; from now on, we''ll act cautiously and not let this happen again,¡± she said before walking toward the door. ¡°Have a chat with your brother first. I''ll cook something nice for you to eat.¡± Her reaction left Bailey speechless. After Waverly left, Zeke chuckled and said, ¡°You know, it''s important for parents and children not to let past grudgese between them. Mom isn''t a bad person at heart; she was just misled by Zoey.¡± Bailey grinned, trying to change the topic. ¡°So what''s your n after this?¡± Zeke told her about Artemis'' suggestion. Upon hearing that, Bailey could not help but pout. ¡°He finally recovered from his hangover? And he even went to the suburbs instead ofing to see me? What a useless man. I hope he can''t find anyone to marry!¡± Zekeughed at her response. ¡°He might end up being single for the rest of his life if you refuse to marry him. Don''t be too harsh on him, okay? He has his reasons.¡± Bailey let out a cold snort. ¡°I know. He''s intentionally keeping his distance from me so that I can spend more time with Edmund.¡± In thest couple of days, she could sense that someone was sitting beside her bed in the middle of the night. That must be him. Zeke burst intoughter when she figured that out. ¡°You two are truly inseparable lovebirds, knowing each other''s thoughts as though you can read each other''s minds.¡± ¡°Of course. He''s my man. Nobody knows him better than I do,¡± she uttered. Feeling curious, Zeke asked, ¡°Is there no possibility that you might fall in love with someone else like Edmund?¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. ¡°I would have fallen for Edmund had I had feelings for him instead of waiting for Artemis to win my heart over first.¡± ¡°That''s true. By the way, Mr. Philip said he wanted to meet me when I''m avable,¡± Zeke said. Bailey arched her brows and responded casually, ¡°He might leave shortly after meeting you, so dy the meeting with him first to stop him from fleeing the country.¡± ¡°I think so too. Let''s act ording to your n then,¡± he said. Meanwhile, silence descended in a farmhouse some fifty miles away in the suburbs. Philip embraced Sofie in his arms and teased her. Smacking his chest, Sofie asked, ¡°You dirty old man. So how do you n on taking me and Zozo away? Do you already have a n in mind?¡± Philip knitted his brows and shook his head. ¡°Nope. It''s not going to be easy because those people are after you. And I think you know that too.¡± When Sofie was about to say something, the phone on the bedside table rang. She picked it up and realized it was a call from her subordinate. ¡°How is it? Did you bring Zoey back?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Not only did I bring Ms. Zoey back, but I also kidnapped the head of the Shurmer family to hold as a hostage,¡± the subordinate responded. Sofie''s face lit up with joy, and she sat up in bed. ¡°Really? You kidnapped that old man from the Shurmer family?¡± ¡°Yes. We can use him to threaten Zeke and Bailey,¡± answered the man on the other end of the phone. ¡°Great. Well done. Wait for me downstairs. I''ll be there in a minute,¡± Sofie said. The man replied, ¡°All right.¡± Philip overheard the entire conversation since the call was on speaker. ¡°He managed to get hold of the head of the Shurmer family?¡± ¡°Yes, I believe so. My subordinate wouldn''t simply make that up,¡± she said. After contemting for a moment, Philip''s face lit up with an idea. ¡°I think I have a n.¡± Sofie asked anxiously, ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Let''s use him to threaten Zeke and Bailey,¡± he replied. Sofie was bereft of words. ¡°That was the n I had in mind. You don''t have to remind me again.¡± ¡°Calm down and listen to me first. Let''s use the man to threaten Zeke and Bailey. They''ll be so engrossed in devising a rescue n that they''ll put their guard down, and I''ll take the opportunity to send you two off,¡± Philip exined. Once again, Sofie''s face brightened up. ¡°That''s right! We''ll pretend to threaten Bailey and Zeke by holding that old man hostage and then take the opportunity to escape from Hallsbay.¡± Philip hummed in agreement. ¡°But we must n it out carefully, and you need to stay calm. Let''s take it a step at a time. Come, let''s visit the head of the Shurmer family.¡± ¡°Let''s go,¡± she echoed. Meanwhile, in the ICU ward, Bailey fed Edmund liquid food with utmost care. ¡°I''ve mixed in some painkiller powder. When ingested, it should alleviate your difort.¡± Edmund nodded in acknowledgment. ¡°I feel much better than before.¡± Suddenly, he switched to another topic. ¡°Apart from being in theb, you''ve been spending most of your time in my ward. It seems like you haven''t been in touch with Artemis. When did he be so open-minded?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and responded with a subtle smile. ¡°Artemis has been keeping his distance from me because he didn''t want to be jealous. But don''t worry, as we haven''t had any issues. I''ll be here with you every day until your muscles start to grow. After that, I might have to pay a visit to the Hoffman family. Julie''s situation is concerning, and I have to personally get her out of that situation.¡± ¡°You don''t need to worry about me if you have urgent matters to attend to. You can trust the medical teams from the Chivers and Luther families to take care of me,¡± Edmund suggested. Bailey shook her head. ¡°No, I can''t trust anyone else because their medical skills aren''t as great as mine. Besides, your recovery is in a critical period now, so we can''t afford any dys. You need to take good care of yourself.¡± Edmund decided not to press the matter further upon noticing how determined she was. The time he spent with Bailey during this period would probably be the most cherished memories of his life. Two dayster, Sofie took the initiative and reached out to Zeke, just as Artemis had predicted. Chapter 688 Chapter 688 In the study, Zeke was on a call with Sofie. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, we''re all smart people here. Your intentions are clear, so I''m sure there''s no need for me to say anything more. Besides, I think you might''ve guessed why I''m calling you today.¡± Zeke stared nkly into space as he replied, ¡°Of course. My father is already in your hands. What else can I say or do? Go ahead and name your terms.¡± Sofieughed boisterously upon hearing the man''s response. ¡°I like your straightforwardness, Mr. Shurmer. I wouldn''t waste too much time or energy talking to you. Well, then I want you to let my daughter and me leave Hallsbay, and I''ll promise to keep your father safe. Otherwise, I''ll drag you to hell with us even if we have to die.¡± Zeke sneered. ¡°Of course. That is also well within my range of tolerance. After all, the leverage you have is something that I cannot ignore. Sure, let''s make a deal ording to your conditions, Ms. Carr. I''ll let you leave, and you''ll guarantee my father''s safety. Let me know how you''ll like to go about this. I''ll do my best to cooperate with you.¡± Sofie suddenly fell silent. Zeke was not in a rush. He knew that she must have other requests, so he waited patiently. After a minute of silence, Sofie''s voice rang from the phone''s speakers. ¡°I want to save one more person. I wonder if you''ll agree, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Zeke furrowed his eyebrows. Through clenched teeth, he spat, ¡°Who?¡± ¡°It''s Leo''s daughter, Yvette. As long as you can persuade Artemis to let go of her and send her abroad safely, I''ll go through with this deal of ours.¡± Zeke could not help but chuckle. ¡°It''s already considered a win for you to exchange my father''s life for yours and your daughter''s. You really know how to push your luck. Ms. Carr, deals can''t be made like this.¡± ¡°Are you saying that you won''t agree to it, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Zeke asked in response, ¡°If I don''t agree, what do you n on doing? Kill my father? If you kill him, you and your daughter wouldn''t be able to escape either.¡± Sofie startedughing, her toneced with maliciousness. ¡°We won''t run then. Why should we run? We won''t lose anything since the head of the Shurmer family would be buried along with us. Think it through, Mr. Shurmer. I''m not a merciful person. I won''t kill off your father with a bullet through the head. Instead, I''ll use as many torture methods on him and make sure that he bleeds to his death.¡± Zeke pursed his lips into a thin line. His tone was icy when he said, ¡°I might be able to agree if you have other requests. But you want to rescue Yvette? Forget it. Neither Artemis, Holden, nor Micah would agree to it. You''re just making things difficult for me.¡± ¡°That''s right. Because it''s such a difficult request, that''s why I want you to do it. I''ll give you three days to think about it. If you don''t give me a satisfactory answer by then, I''ll start torturing your father.¡± With that, Sofie ended the call. Zeke narrowed his eyes as he stared at the ck screen of his phone. He had on an iprehensible expression. He had put the call on loudspeaker, so Artemis, who sat opposite him, had also heard the conversation. Thetter also narrowed his eyes after the call ended. ¡°What is that woman trying to do? She should know that the longer time goes on, the more disadvantageous it would be for them. After all, we might''ve already found out where she''s hiding within three days. What does she want Yvette for? I''ve destroyed all the power Yvette has. She''s nothing but a loser now. There''s no need for Sofie to waste her opportunity to escape for a useless person like Yvette.¡± Zeke shook his head and sighed. ¡°Her actions are unusual. Just like you said, she has no use for Yvette. It would''ve been more logical for her to ask for the control of a certain area.¡± Artemis was about to reply when the door was pushed open, and in came Bailey. ¡°I''m guessing that she has another purpose for Yvette,¡± she deduced. Artemis looked her up and down before averting his gaze. On the other hand, Zeke hurried to wee her into the room and helped her to the couch. ¡°Didn''t I ask you to say in the ward and rest? Why did youe here? Since you came, you should''ve just entered. Why did you stand outside and stay in the cold?¡± he chided. Bailey rolled her eyes and pushed him away. After that, she sat beside Artemis and wrapped her arms around his before leaning her head against his shoulder. Zeke was a little speechless when he saw that. ¡°He''s so cold toward you and ignores you, yet you''re getting close and intimate with him. How pathetic.¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°I don''t mind. You can just smack me if you''re unhappy about it.¡± Zeke sighed before he changed the topic. ¡°Just now, you said she might have a different purpose. Could it be that you''ve guessed something?¡± The smile on Bailey''s lips vanished as she answered, ¡°You all know that Sofie has no use for Yvette, yet she''s adamant about saving her. She knows what she''s doing. It''s impossible for us to let Yvette go. This deal would keep dragging on and in the end, we wouldn''t lose anything, but she would be in danger.¡± Zeke nodded. ¡°I also think her actions are strange. It feels like... Hm, I don''t know how to describe it. Any smart person would choose to close a deal fast to escape from danger as soon as possible. On the other hand, she came up with a request that we wouldn''t be able to fulfill and forced the deal to be dyed. Just what is she nning?¡± Bailey mulled over it before saying, ¡°Continue to send people to look for her. Although she has leverage in her hands, I''m willing to bet she''s afraid of death. If we surround her, she''ll have no choice but to ept the deal. By then, she won''t be able to lead us by the nose.¡± A hint of approval shed across Zeke''s eyes. ¡°You''re right. We all know she''s brewing some ultimate move. What we can do is not let her have any chance of stirring up trouble. We must find her as soon as possible and force her toplete the deal. Only then will we be free from her control.¡± With that, he got up from the couch and strode toward the door. ¡°I''ll go make the necessary arrangements right away.¡± Artemis wanted to leave when he saw Zeke walk out the door. He was a bit too aggressive when he forcefully removed his arm from Bailey''s embrace and got up. Bailey panicked and hurried to stand up. She had only taken two steps forward before her legs gave out, and she fell face-first onto the carpeted floor. ¡°Ouch. That hurts.¡± Owned by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis turned around and quickly helped her get up when he saw her lying on the floor. Bailey seized the opportunity to wrap her arms around his neck, muttering, ¡°It hurts. It hurts.¡± The man narrowed his eyes. Looking at her pose, she seemed to be lying on the floor on purpose. He tossed a cold nce at her without saying a word. His gaze was sharp and dark as it prated her soul. Bailey knew he saw through her antics, so she stopped acting. Pouting, she said, ¡°If I didn''t do that, you would still ignore me. Artemis, you don''t love me anymore.¡± As she said that, tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked pitiful. Artemis tensed up and turned his head away slightly to avoid her sad eyes. ¡°Say something. Do you not love me anymore?¡± Chapter 689 Chapter 689 Artemis picked Bailey up bridal-style. ¡°I''ll bring you to the ward. Be good and stay there. We can talk after you''ve recovered.¡± Thetter pursed her lips. ¡°If I don''t recover, are you going to ignore me for the rest of our lives?¡± Her words caused him to tense up. Only then did Bailey realize that she had exposed herself. She internally scolded herself for being stupid before saying, ¡°I''m fine. I''ll get better after resting for some time. Artemis, are you nning on being like this forever? You only see the harm you''ve caused me but fail to see how happy I am to be by your side. Everyone is envious of me for having so many identities, an endless amount of fortune, and your unconditional love. However, I don''t think my identities and wealth are worth envying. Instead, I want them to be more envious of your love for me. Artemis, we''ve finally escaped danger. We don''t have to walk on eggshells for the rest of our lives. Can''t you just be happy and forget all those terrible things?¡± Artemis slowed to a stop as his gaze fell on her. After a few days of rest, Bailey''s face had regained a healthier glow. She did not look as pale as before. However, from her cracked lips, Artemis could tell that she was still sick and weak. She had lost her dominance and sharpness from when they first met. In the end, the reason she had be more gentle and soft-hearted was... him. ¡°Bailey, what should I do to guarantee your safety? How can I make you live without any worries? I seem to always be causing you harm. Whether I issued an order to kill you or was forced to bed Yvette... or the day I ignored you in the snow, causing you to catch a cold and end up getting this frustrating illness. All of these did happen. How can I ignore all my wrongdoings?¡± Bailey was amused. She raised her head and gently kissed his lips before asking softly, ¡°Did you do all these on purpose?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°It hurts a hundred times more to hurt you than hurting myself.¡± ¡°There''s that, then. It''s not like you did it on purpose. Why would I me you for it? Artemis, if you continue ignoring me, I''ll listen to your son''s suggestion and live with Raiden for the rest of my life.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes. ¡°Zayron gave you that idiotic idea?¡± Bailey giggled. She never expected that she would betray her son to coax a man. ¡°That''s right. That brat wants me to be around Raiden more to make you jealous. You''ll stop ignoring me if you''re jealous.¡± Artemis smiled, but it was an exasperated smile. He continued to make his way out of the door. ¡°All right. I''ll remember that brat''s words and punish him later.¡± Bailey snuggled into his chest and listened to the rhythmic thumping of his heart. In a muffled voice, she said, ¡°I don''t want to have any strings attached with other men, nor was it my intention to use that to provoke you. Artemis, please don''t distance yourself from me. I can''t be apart from you.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. They had just left the study when Alfred rushed over. ¡°Mr. Luther, Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Revelle would like to invite you over. He said Ms. Veronique''s condition has taken a turn for the worst.¡± Bailey quickly struggled in Artemis'' embrace so he could put her down. ¡°What happened to Vero? Hasn''t her condition been stable for the past two days?¡± ¡°Something happened all of a sudden. Her heart stopped beating for a moment, and she was sent to the emergency room.¡± Bailey said nothing more as she asked Artemis to help her toward the emergency department. Not long after, they arrived outside the emergency room. Bill, Yvonne, and Zephyr were waiting outside, looking as pale as paper. Bill was in tears when he noticed that Bailey had arrived. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you must save her. Vero has suffered so much over the past few years. She had only just cured her son, yet now she has to deal with something like this. It hurts me to see her like this.¡± Bailey frowned. ¡°Why did her heart suddenly stop? Did someone provoke her?¡± Yvonne stepped forward and passed the phone to Bailey. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, please take a look at this.¡± Bailey grabbed the phone and read the message disyed. It was a message from Scarlett. She texted: Veronique, I''m pregnant with Justin''s child. But don''t worry, for I''ll also rece you to be his wife. After you pass on, I''ll love your son as though he is my own. Attached with the message was an ultrasound image. Bailey tightened her grip on the phone. F*ck. I forgot to tell Veronique about this. Veronique must have misunderstood that Scarlett had gotten pregnant because thetter and Justin slept together. However, that was not the truth. Bailey knew better than anyone who was the father of the baby in Scarlett''s womb. ¡°Don''t misunderstand Justin. The baby in Scarlett''s womb is not his,¡± Bailey exined after seeing the expressions on Bill''s and Yvonne''s faces. She then strode toward the emergency room. That afternoon, Olivia brought Scarlett to attend a charity event. At the venue of the event, Scarlett vomited, which attracted the attention of many people. After all, she was Lady Scarlett. Her vomiting was suspected to be because of pregnancy. The sudden gagging had struck everyone like a thunderbolt, and she immediately became the center of attention. The surrounding reporters were able to detect the unusual atmosphere and quickly surrounded Olivia and Scarlett. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, what''s wrong with Ms. Fletcher?¡± ¡°Seeing that Ms. Fletcher is with you today, I assume you''ve admitted her status, right? She''s suspected of having morning sickness. Could it be that... she''s pregnant with Dr. Xuereb''s child?¡± Olivia smiled. ¡°Oh, dear. Initially, I didn''t want to bring her along today because I feared she might have too much of a reaction and spoil everyone''s mood. However, she''s Lady Scarlett, after all. I think it''s better to announce this happy news and share the joy with the public.¡± In other words, it was a tacit confirmation that Scarlett was pregnant. With that, murmurs and whispers filled the air of the venue. Everyone knew that Justin and Veronique had registered their marriage. It was only natural for them to be stunned by the news of Scarlett, the head of all socialites, being pregnant with the child of a married man. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, doesn''t your son already have a wife? By doing this, isn''t he considered to have committed adultery?¡± Olivia expected that question. She had already thought of what to reply beforehand, so she was not panicked. ¡°Their marriage registration is nothing but a prank from them hacking into City Hall''s system.¡± With that, she took out a public statement from her purse. She continued, ¡°This is a public statement from City Hall. It proves that Justin and Veronique did not register their marriage through legal means. Without their signatures on the legal document, their marriage registration can be dered invalid. Moreover, the Xuereb family does not recognize her as our daughter-inw. Since the start, I''ve only epted Lettie as my daughter-inw.¡± Everyone exchanged nces. Can things get any more cringe? It turns out that Justin and Veronique''s marriage certificate is a prank. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, is the Xuereb family preparing to wee Ms. Fletcher into the family?¡± Olivia grinned. ¡°Now that Lettie is pregnant with an heir of the Xuereb family, she is, of course, the family''s daughter-inw. Who else will Justin marry if not for her?¡± ¡°Then how will the Xuereb family deal with Veronique and her son?¡± Chapter 690 Chapter 690 The smile on Olivia''s face gradually faded. That was a crucial question, so she had to carefully consider her answer. While she hesitated, Scarlett, who was standing beside her, took over the conversation by chiming in, ¡°I suppose there''s something everybody doesn''t know. Ms. Veronique has been diagnosed with uterine cancer, which has progressed to end-stage, so she doesn''t have much longer to live.¡± As soon as she uttered those words, the entire ce plunged into an uproar as the focus of the discussion shifted to a more sensational topic. Scarlett continued, ¡°I''ve established contact with Ms. Veronique, expressed my condolences, and promised her I will treat her son well as if he were my own.¡± Her statement immediately earned her unanimous praise. She was clearly the third party in the rtionship, but she ended up appearing as a kind-hearted woman in the public eye. That unexpected turn of events likely had something to do with her background. After all, she was the daughter of the Fletcher family, not to mention the Fletcher family was now the most prestigious household in Dellmoor. Hence, no one dared to offend them. Even though Justin and Veronique acquired their marriage certificate via a proper and legitimate procedure, no one dared to use Scarlett of forcibly intervening and ruining the couple''s marriage. ¡°You''re such a magnanimous person, Ms. Fletcher.¡± ¡°That''s right. You''re indeed the number-one socialite in the city. No one can match your generosity.¡± ¡°Ms. Veronique should be grateful. Otherwise, her son would''ve deserved to be bullied in the future.¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± After watching the news at the medical base, Bill angrily smashed his phone. Although Bailey told him the child in Scarlett''s belly wasn''t Justin''s, he still couldn''t suppress the uncontroble rage churning within him. My daughter has never had a peaceful day since she met that guy. When Justin exited the emergency room, he didn''t even have a chance to speak before Bill punched him. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. Yvonne hurriedly stepped forward and held thetter back, uttering solemnly, ¡°Dad, let''s ask about Vero''s condition first.¡± After saying that, she dragged Bill a few steps backward. Then, she narrowed her eyes at Justin and asked with a frown, ¡°How''s my sister? Did she make it?¡± Justin replied hoarsely, ¡°We resuscitated her. I promise the child Scarlett is carrying isn''t mine. I''ve neverid a finger on her, so please calm down.¡± Yvonne sighed. ¡°It''s not that we want to be mad, but your mother''s actions have truly crossed the line.¡± At that point, she handed the phone in her hand to Justin. ¡°Take a look at this.¡± Justin had only nced at the screen for a few seconds when fury brewed in his dark eyes almost instantaneously. Is she nning to act first and reportter? Does she still think of me, her son, as a person? We are, after all, mother and son, so why is she forcing her will on me and driving me to the brink of desperation? Bill asked through gritted teeth, ¡°So if something unfortunate really happens to my daughter, do you n on marrying Scarlett?¡± Justin bored his eyes into Bill and enunciated, ¡°I won''t continue living if Veronique dies. However, there''s nothing I can do if they insist on using my corpse to hold a wedding ceremony with Scarlett.¡± Bill''s heart clenched when he heard that. He could tell Justin wasn''t just bluffing. The solemn expression in thetter''s eyes reassured Bill that he was serious and meant every word he''d said. The anger in his chest dissipated at once. Since Justin has said so, how else can I criticize him? The child is not his, and he doesn''t n to marry Scarlett. He''s even prepared to take his own life for love. It''s impossible to find fault with him. However, Yvonne scolded Justin on the spot, ¡°Justin, you cannot seek death. Even if Vero can''t be saved, you mustn''t follow suit. Do you want Zephyr to lose both his father and mother at the same time?¡± Justin didn''t respond. He had steeled his resolution, and no one could change his mind. Amidst the standstill, Bailey emerged from the emergency room and said to Justin, ¡°Go in and keep an eye on her. Monitor her condition at all times. I''m going to theboratory to prepare some medicine.¡± He nodded and turned around to reenter the operating room. Bailey then said to Bill, ¡°Mr. Revelle, Scarlett will face the retribution she deserves. Don''t let her affect your mood, and more importantly, not Veronique''s. When you''re with Vero, spend more time consoling her. I''ll go to theboratory to prepare the medicine now. We''ll speak againter.¡± Bill and Yvonne watched Bailey leave in silence. That night, inside the bedroom of a certain farmhouse, Sofiey in Philip''s embrace andined, ¡°When are you going to divorce that fierce wife of yours and give me a proper title?¡± Philip was visibly trying to avoid discussing that topic. The reason he put so much effort into pleasing Sofie, providing her with unprecedented satisfaction, was purely because he coveted the power in her hands. He had to appease her in order to borrow her strength to oppose Tarragon and gradually take over the organization. ¡°Don''t worry, Sweetheart. After you assist me to seize control of Tarragon, I''ll make you its matriarch.¡± Sofie grinned. I''m not a fool. Before he makes me his official wife, I won''t do my best to help him. It''s essential to keep one''s guard up when dealing with others, even if the other party is a man I''ve been sleeping with for years. ¡°Let''s discuss that another day. I''ve asked Zeke to release Yvette, but he refused. I gave him three days to think about it, so seize this period and quickly arrange for someone to send me and Wends away from Hallsbay.¡± Philip nodded. ¡°Okay. I''ll y along and help Zeke ''rescue'' his father so that he will owe me a favor.¡± Sofie yfully punched him in the chest. ¡°You''re so calctive, even using this situation to your advantage. I advise you to be more cautious. A party consisting of Artemis, Bailey, and Zeke can be quite formidable.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll instruct someone to send you away tomorrow night.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the same time, inside the Xuereb residence, Justin stood before a coffee table, looking coldly at Scarlett, who was seated on the couch. A hint of disdain shed across his eyes. The expression on his face grew more hostile as he shifted his gaze down to her t belly. Previously, he felt it was a little cruel to imnt another man''s child into her body, but now it seemed that was probably the only method that could make her give up entirely and utterly break down. ¡°I''ve never touched you, so how did you be pregnant? Don''t tell me my penis became detached from my body and impregnated you by itself.¡± His words were crude and slightly insulting. Olivia immediately got to her feet and chided, ¡°You don''t have to care how she got pregnant. All you need to know is that the child she''s carrying is yours. Of course, it''s already toote for you to deny it now because the entire Hallsbay, no, that''s not right, the whole nation already knows the Fletcher family''s daughter is with your child.¡± Justin chuckled and slowly clenched his fists, which were tucked inside his pockets. He was enduring, suppressing his anger. Otherwise, he feared he would boot Scarlett''s belly to let her suffer a miscarriage. ¡°That''s right. She''s already pregnant, so this is likely a fact that cannot be changed. I am indeed powerless to resist, so why don''t you tell me what you want me to do?¡± Scarlett stood up and said, ¡°I''m not in a hurry to force you to marry me. You can take responsibility for me after Veronique passes away. I promise I''ll care for Veronique''s son like he''s my own. What do you say?¡± Chapter 691 Chapter 691 Justin guffawed as if he had heard one of the world''s most excellent jokes. Even though he was laughing heartily, a frosty glint shed across his eyes. Olivia narrowed her eyes at him as she spoke in a low voice. ¡°Why are youughing? Lettie is currently pregnant with your child. The Xuereb family will suffer if you don''t take responsibility. Your father and I went through so much to bring you up. Can you bear to see us endure a torturous end because we offended the Fletcher family? You''re a highly-educated man, so do you want to be known as an unfilial son?¡± Justin shook his head. A bizarre smile appeared on his face. ¡°So you guys just want me to marry her. All right. We will wait until her stomach gets bigger before we decide. We shall see what happens then.¡± Joy shed across Olivia and Scarlett''s faces. Did he agree to the suggestion? Oh my. He did! Olivia probed further, ¡°Are you serious about marrying Lettie?¡± The eeriness in Justin''s eyes deepened as he stared at Scarlett''s t stomach with a smile. Even though he didn''t know what it was like to fall into hell from heaven, he could let Scarlett taste that feeling. Exposing the secret about the pregnancy now is no fun. I will deal a fatal blow to this woman after she thinks her maniption and scheme have worked out. Only the most extraordinary cruelty can teach them a lesson after they have been so brutal toward Veronique. ¡°As I said, we should wait until her baby gets bigger before we make a move. Veronique is not feeling well, so I can''t abandon her now. If I did, the public would criticize me for being cruel and heartless.¡± Olivia nodded. ¡°Yes. Yes. You''re right. That woman is still alive. We shouldn''t be too hasty. Let''s discuss this after she is dead, which I think will happen in one or two months. Lettie''s stomach will be bigger by then, and it''s the perfect time for you to marry her.¡± Rage flickered in Justin''s eyes. Inside his pocket, he clenched his fist tighter. The man felt that he would unleash his fury if he stayed a bit longer, so Justin decided to take his leave. ¡°Is that all? If so, I''ll head back to the medical base now. I need to treat a few wounded patients over there.¡± With that, Justin turned and left. Olivia''s voice rang from behind then. ¡°You onlye back once in a while. Why don''t you stay around to dine with Lettie before leaving again? She needs yourfort andpany because she''s pregnant. Why can''t you consider her feelings? Justin sneered. Not halting his footsteps, he said, ¡°I didn''t say I''ll forgive her. I only agreed to make ns after her baby gets bigger because our family can''t square up against the Fletcher family, so I have no choice but to give in.¡± Olivia watched Justin leave before whirling around to peer at Scarlett. When she noticed the fading smile on thetter''s face, Olivia reached out hurriedly to grab Scarlett''s wrist. ¡°Lettie, a rtionship can be built. You have many years ahead of you with Justin. Since he has kept an open mind, just wait for him toe around.¡± Scarlett pursed her lips, shaking her head. ¡°There''s something amiss regarding this. I know it. But I can''t tell what is wrong. It''s unusual for him to agree so readily!¡± Olivia chuckled lightly. ¡°You''re still young, and it''s okay if you don''t understand how a man''s mind works. He doesn''t have a deep bond with Veronique, so even though Justin said he would die alongside her, he must have been reluctant to carry out this act. Besides, Justin had to rethink his decision when I used the Xuereb family''s future to threaten him. Don''t worry, Lettie. He agreed to marry you because, for one, he doesn''t want to die for Veronique, and secondly, he is fulfilling his duty as a son.¡± Scarlett shed Olivia a forced smile. She had a feeling that something was off. Ultimately, Scarlett used a despicable way to get pregnant. Not only did Justin agree to let her carry the baby, but he also promised to marry her. No matter what the reason was, Scarlett found his reaction strange. However, she couldn''t figure out what caused that niggling worry in the back of her mind. ¡°Okay. Let''s hope you''re right, Mrs. Xuereb. I bet everything I have on this baby. I might lose it all if things go awry in the end. I''ll give you a heads-up. If I have a hard time, I''ll make sure the Xuereb family suffers with me too.¡± Olivia replied with a nervous smile, ¡°No. That won''t happen. If he doesn''t want to marry you, Mr. Xuereb and I will threaten his obedience with our lives. He will never be coldhearted enough to be unbothered. Moreover, why were you worried when he agreed to marry you? Listen to my advice. All you have to do now is take good care of your baby.¡± Meanwhile, Shannon and Micah walked side-by-side with each other in the dark tunnel at the prison in Tarragon. There was a pungent scent of blood in the air that was mixed with the faint stench of decay. Micah noticed Shannon''s uneasiness. He spoke hesitantly. ¡°Why don''t you wait outside? I''ll get someone to bring Yvette out, and you can talk to her there.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Shannon didn''t respond. After a few steps forward, she replied, ¡°I stayed in the same environment for quite some time six years ago, and I had to endure cruel punishment every day that made me feel like dying. Do you know what went through my mind when Eugene died?¡± Pain and despair shed across Micah''s eyes. I''ll never recover from the trauma and pain of losing that child. Oof, that sorrow of not knowing that my child existed. Micah knew Shannon was pregnant when she was held captive, and his child had grown inside her stomach while the mother was being tortured. Shannon felt Micah''s breath quicken as his footsteps got heavier. She smiled with a hint of mockery. ¡°When he died, I thought to myself. Why didn''t I get rid of him when I was tortured in prison? Why did I let him arrive in the world and suffer through all those pain before letting him die?¡± In the narrow space, Shannon exploded with hatred. A malicious intent appeared in her eyes as the desire for revenge overwhelmed her. ¡°You only saw those photos at the ident scene, right? You didn''t see what he looked like in close proximity. Well, let me tell you. It was horrifying. His skull was smashed in with white brain matter flowing out of it. Even though Bailey knew she couldn''t save Eugene''s life, she tried her best. Because of this, she paid a hefty price, not daring to handle an operation for many years. The tragic sight of Eugene''s crushed skull and his untimely death clouded Bailey''s every thought. She couldn''t forget the soul-piercing pain, not even until the day she dies.¡± Micah''s pace slowly came to a stop. He leaned his body against the wall, lowering his head without speaking. If one were to observe carefully, one would notice his body was trembling violently. He didn''t rely on the wall''s support because he wanted to look cool. Instead, Micah was using it to ensure he didn''t crumble to the ground. Shannon''s words were like daggers stabbing through Micah''s heart when he thought about how he had never met his child. ¡°What... are you trying to say?¡± Micah questioned. Chapter 692 Chapter 692 Shannon''s eyes sparkled with cruelty. She strode forward, grabbing Micah''s cor and enunciating her words. ¡°I know Sofie wanted you guys to release Yvette. But that is your matter to solve, and it''s not rted to me. If you guys dare to say yes, I will detonate a bomb so that I will go down with you guys. It doesn''t matter whether it''s you, Holden, or Bailey. None of you can stop me from tearing Yvette into many pieces to take revenge for Eugene!¡± Micah reached out, holding Shannon''s wrist. He shouted, ¡°No one has ever thought of releasing Yvette because we know how hurtful it would be for you if we did. I promise you. No one will let Yvette off the hook!¡± Shannon shook him off abruptly. ¡°You better keep your word. If not, I don''t mind implicating my friends and family in my revenge n.¡± She charged into the cell located on the innermost part of the tunnel. Without scanning her surrounding, Shannon stared at Yvette, who was tied against the torture rack. Yvette was the biggest nightmare that haunted her, and every unfortunate event that urred to her was the creation of the woman before her. Oh, Yvette! This woman is the cause of all of my suffering. My amputated left hand, my son who died tragically, and my removed uterus, she''s the one who did all of this to me! The immense hatred exploded within her. Shannon stepped forward, grabbed the dagger on the table, and stabbed it into Yvette''s body. Yvette''s mouth was covered with tape. She wanted to scream in pain, but no sound came out. Her face twisted in agony as her body trembled due to the torment. Shannon let go of the dagger stuck in Yvette''s body before she tore the tape off Yvette''s mouth. ¡°Ahhh!¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Shrill screams reverberated through the deste, dark cell. Then, Shannon pulled the dagger out of Yvette''s wound, letting the blood stter over her face. Not once did Shannon blink her eyes while this happened. The gory images of Eugene lying on the operating table repeatedly reyed in her brain, torturing her. Shannon lifted her hand and stabbed the dagger through Yvette''s other shoulder de. Agonizing screams and the sounds of a sharp knife piercing through the skin sliced through the room. Micah stood at the door, watching everything coldly without any emotion on his face. She has repressed these emotions for so long that if I stop her from doing this now, she will go crazy. However, I must stop her before she kills Yvette. We need Yvette''s help to rid Shannon of the crime that she was charged with. ¡°Shannon, stabbing her to death is too light of a punishment for Yvette. Isn''t it better to let her leave so we can continue torturing her?¡± Micah didn''t mention to Shannon that keeping Yvette alive could help clear her name because he knew Shannon didn''t care about that. Shannon always has the urge to die. Clearing her name and recovering her reputation means nothing to her. The only way I can stop her from acting impulsively is to tell her that she should keep Yvette alive to continue torturing her. Shannon sneered, gritting her teeth, ¡°What if I want to end her today? Are you going to stop me?¡± ¡°Then do it.¡± With that, Micah left the space. For the next half hour, intermittent ear-splitting screeches rang through the tunnel, adding a sense of dread to the sinister environment. In the Hoffman residence study, Raymond furrowed his brows at Juliana, who knelt before him. ¡°Didn''t I tell you to rest up at the mansion? Why are you here?¡± Juliana lowered her head. ¡°Father, do you still think of me as your daughter?¡± Raymond remained silent. Thoughts shed across his mind. I wouldn''t look for ways to save her life if I didn''t think of her as my daughter. Knowing that his other daughter was unforgiving to him, Raymond had no hope of recovering his rtionship with her. If he lost Juliana some more, he wouldn''t have something to live for. With that in mind, Raymond knew he could not exin the situation to his deceased wife when he met her in the afterlife. Juliana lifted her head, staring at Raymond. ¡°I made a mistake and broke our family''s rule. Do you still love me or think of me as your daughter?¡± Raymond sighed. He walked past the desk toward Juliana, wanting to help her stand up. Juliana dodged, avoiding his extended hands as she stared at Raymond determinedly. Raymond retracted his hands and stood up straight. ¡°You would have died at the hands of those people if I did not think of you as my daughter. Now, do you still think your question is necessary?¡± A smile crept onto Juliana''s face. ¡°As your daughter who has suffered a miscarriage recently, don''t you think you should continue showing me support in bing the next leader of the Hoffman family?¡± Raymond froze, narrowing his eyes at Juliana, seemingly trying to decipher something by studying her expression. After being through so much, Raymond was surprised to notice that Juliana, who had always been lively and unruly, had suddenly grown up. Wisdom, determination, and perseverance filled her eyes, no longer betraying rashness or naivety. It was evident that Juliana didn''t want to back down from making her life the best she could. Raymond smiled when he saw how Juliana had turned out. It seemed like he had finally grasped the hope for the Hoffman family''s future. He stated, ¡°Philip wants to seize power from me to use the Hoffman family''s status to deal with Tarragon, making them his. To him, Tarragon is a force that went on its separate ways with the Hoffman family a hundred years ago. Right now, Tarragon''s influence has be even more potent than us on an international level, so Philip thinks it''s necessary to make Tarragon ours again. May I know what your thoughts are on this?¡± Juliana smirked as she spoke coldly. ¡°He is an insolent fool. Not only is our power iparable to Tarragon but now is also not the right time to take action. Artemis is the current leader of Tarragon and the leader of the most prominent family! If Uncle Philip wants to go up against Tarragon, he has to fight the Luther family too. Moreover, Bailey, Artemis'' lover, is the leader of the Saviors. She''s the eldest daughter of an internationally-known prestigious medical family. If Uncle Philip openly challenges Tarragon, he is making it clear that he is fighting the Luther family, the Saviors, and the Shurmer family at the same time. What makes him think he can overpower these forces?¡± Raymond chuckled, saying yes repeatedly. ¡°I was right. I knew you weren''t a simple woman from the start. You''re smart and observant enough to realize the true circumstances. I''ve thought of making you the next leader of the family!¡± A joyful expression appeared on Juliana''s face. ¡°Are you going to support me, Dad?¡± Raymond reached out, helping Juliana up. He said casually, ¡°Of course, I can support you. You are my daughter, after all, and it''s only right for you to be the next leader of the Hoffman family. But you have to agree to my condition first.¡± Juliana nodded. ¡°Do you want me to stay away from Zeke after bing the leader of the Hoffman family?¡± Raymond''s smile widened. Oh yes. She finally got it. Juliana has matured! Chapter 693 Chapter 693 A shrewd heir such as her is precisely what I need! Perhaps one can only grow up after having experienced pain. ¡°Yes, that''s what I want from you. Don''t be so hasty in making up your mind. Listen to what I''ve got to say first. As far as I know, Zeke''s fianc¨¦e miscarried. Besides, the baby she was pregnant with wasn''t his child. That signifies their marriage will fall through, and you might stand a chance in winning him over.¡± Even after listening to her father''s words, Juliana remained unmoved inwardly. If one were to ask about her reason for bing so calm andposed, it was probably her horror when the tendons in Huntley''s arms and legs were severed because of her. Realization dawned upon her that there was someone far more worthy of her protection in this world. Although she did not love Huntley, she wanted to protect him well as a friend. And in that ruthless family, there was only one way to protect someone¡ªto make herself stronger perpetually. ¡°The matter of whether he''ll be marrying his fianc¨¦e has nothing to do with me. I can tell you with all certainty, Father, that I''ll never have delusions about him anymore. He''ll no longer exist to me, nor will I have any further entanglements with him. If you don''t believe me, I can swear it on my deceased mother.¡± Hearing that, Raymond waved a hand. ¡°I trust you, so don''t bother. I can''t simply watch and do nothing as the family is ruined in your Uncle Philip''s hands. Since you''ve already seen the light and aren''t obsessed about an outsider anymore, I don''t mind giving you a hand.¡± In response, Juliana chuckled softly. ¡°Let''s plot in secret. Don''t let Uncle Philip and the others notice anything, numbing them first so that they''d lower their guards. Then, when the time is right, propel me to be the head of the family.¡± Raymond nodded in agreement. ¡°Indeed, n and plot slowly. It''s good that you understand this principle. Take good care of Huntley these few days. There''s still hope for his hands and legs. The person who severed his tendons back then didn''t go as far as damaging them, merely severing them. Your master''s medical skills are superb, so she can probably help to reattach them for him.¡± ¡°Thank you, Dad.¡± Meanwhile, Artemis reclined against the head of the bed with Bailey snuggled in his arms in a hospital room at the medical base. ¡°Your embrace is still the warmest of all, Artemis. While I gained support in Zeke''s arms, I couldn''t find any sense of belonging.¡± Lowering his head, Artemis kissed her on the forehead. After a moment of silence, he murmured an apology. Bailey shed him a grin. ¡°You''re smart, throwing a tantrum so that I''d be forced to coax you. Initially, I nned to question you for having a roll in the hay with Yvette. But¡ª¡± Without waiting for her to finish her utterance, Artemis hastily interjected, ¡°Nothing happened between us. The truth is, she only dared to cut the video to that segment because I was going to kill her when Holden barged in.¡± At that, Bailey arched a brow. ¡°I know. You don''t need to exin things to me.¡± Having said that, she reached out and rested her hand against his shirt, her fingers falling on one of the buttons. Artemis'' gaze abruptly darkened a shade. He shot out a hand and grabbed her fingers, chiding in a hoarse voice, ¡°Cut it out, Bay.¡± Bailey blinked, a gleam of craftiness glinting in her eyes. ¡°You''ve got to prove to me that I''m the only one allowed to touch you.¡± Upon hearing that, Artemis heaved a sigh in resignation. Despite knowing that indulging her was tantamount to torturing himself, he still dropped his hold on her fingers slowly. After all, there was nothing he could do other than cooperate when it came to something she wanted to do. Bailey''s long and slender fingers brushed across where his heart was, her movements lingering and gentle. Verily, she missed him. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. She desired him greatly, pining over the feeling of him loving her to the marrow. ¡°I want you, Artemis.¡± In a sh, Artemis'' pupils constricted, and his gaze flickered. He grasped her hand once more, pleading hoarsely, ¡°I promise never to again ignore you again, Bailey. If you''re mad at me, you can punish me another way. This is too much. It''ll kill me.¡± God knows how much I want her! But considering her current condition, I don''t dare have any thoughts of getting intimate with her! He was indeed domineering with her, but it was only when she was in perfect health. Right then, however, she might shatter with the slightest touch. Thus, he really dared not dream of doing anything to her. Bailey giggled softly. Stretching out her other arm, she hooked it around his neck before burying her head in his body and ying with him like a fiddle. Artemis released his hold on her hand, allowing her free rein. He stared up at the ceiling above through narrowed eyes, a bitter smile showing in them. Ah, never mind! She can do anything as she wants, for nothing else matters as long as she''s happy. Clocking his tenseness, Bailey retracted the hand around his neck and thumped him on the shoulder. ¡°What are you worried about? It''s been more than a month since my miscarriage. I''ve long since recovered, merely a touch weak. It''s okay.¡± The veins on Artemis'' forehead throbbed, and his mouth went dry even as his trembling increased in intensity. Reaching out, Bailey snagged the remote at the side before locking the door of the hospital room. ¡°Just answer this¡ªdo you want to love me?¡± ¡°Yes...¡± ¡°Another question¡ªare you going to agree to all my demands?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Are you still going to resist, then?¡± ¡°No.¡± At once, Bailey''s lips curved into a triumphant smile. Yes, I''ve got him! She was incredibly gratified with his attitude at present, feeling that he should be giving way to her and obeying her unconditionally. The temperature in the room gradually rose as they loved each other in their respective ways. In another hospital room, Veikko was injured during the battle when they dismantled Yvette''s forces. A bullet grazed his heart, and he barely survived. As such, he had remained in the hospital room for the past few days. Click! Out of the blue, the door of the hospital room was pushed open. The female assassin walked in and remarked with a tilt of her head, ¡°Veikko, Ms. Caridee ising up. She''s probably here to visit you.¡± A slight frown marred Veikko''s countenance. Sure enough, it''s difficult to deal with this wealthy heiress. I''ve already made things more than clear to her, yet she still hasn''t given up! ¡°Sit by my bed and feed me some fruits.¡± The female assassin was stunned for a moment before understanding dawned upon her. She hurriedly went over to the side of the bed and sat down. Picking up the te of fruits on the table, she took a piece with a fork and brought it to his mouth. ¡°You''ve got to exin things to Ms. Jefferson, Veikko. Ms. Caridee is her sister-inw, after all. I''ll be the one in trouble if I pick on Ms. Caridee too much and sheins to Ms. Jefferson.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Right after he had said that, the door was again pushed open, and Caridee stepped in from outside. The instant she entered the room, she was greeted by the sight of a seductive woman wiping the corner of Veikko''s mouth with a napkin. While Veikko was usually indifferent, there was an unprecedented smile on his handsome face then. Caridee lowered her head in a panic, tears escaping her eyes. cing the fruits in her hands on the shelf, she started with a soft chuckle, ¡°I heard that you''re injured. These fruits are airlifted from abroad by Luther Group. I brought you some.¡± Nheless, Veikko remained silent. Instead, the female assassin by the bed replied smilingly, ¡°Thank you, Ms. Caridee. I thank you on behalf of Veikko. If there''s nothing else, you may leave now. Please see yourself out.¡± Pursing her lips, Caridee said nothing for a while before asking Veikko, ¡°Can you have her step out momentarily? I have a few questions for you.¡± Chapter 694 Chapter 694 Veikko didn''t respond, but his refusal was apparent. He did that to put an end to all the feelings she harbored toward him. If he continued to give her any hope, all he previously did would be in vain. Caridee pursed her lips, knowing he didn''t want to give her that chance. After a moment so silence, she added, ¡°Considering my arm got crippled because of you, shouldn''t you at least show the courtesy to rify some matters to me?¡± He was taken aback, and a hint of coldness shed across his eyes. The female assassin on the bedside quickly stepped in to mediate. ¡°Ms. Caridee, Veikko is still very weak at the moment and couldn''t talk for long. Why don''t you visit him on another day to talk things over when he''s feeling better?¡± Her gaze rested on his chest. When she heard he had suffered an injury to his heart, she found it difficult even to breathe. Afterward, when she learned he had been resuscitated, only then did her heart recover sinus rhythm. She firmly believed the feelings she had for him were what others termed as love. That was why she wouldn''t mind facing any obstacles head-on and would never give up just like that. She didn''t want to admit defeat after finally meeting someone who could make her heart flutter in the sea of people. ¡°I have a few questions for you. Tell her to leave, and I''ll go once I''m done asking. If you don''t agree, I''ll continue to stand right here.¡± The female assassin wanted to say something, but Veikko waved his hand to interrupt her. ¡°You may go out first.¡± The female assassin felt utterly relieved. To be honest, I genuinely don''t want to offend Ms. Caridee. Most importantly, she''s also Ms. Jefferson''s sister-inw. After the female assassin left the room and closed the door behind her, Veikko lifted his gaze to look at Caridee, standing near the foot of the bed, and uttered casually, ¡°If you have any questions, just ask. Don''t beat around the bush.'' She stared at him with tear-stained eyes and croaked, ¡°Do you think what you''re doing is meaningful? For the sake of rejecting me, you simply hooked up with a woman to disgust me. Do you really think this is at all worthwhile? You could''ve told me if you didn''t love me. There wasn''t a need to use another woman to humiliate and provoke me. Can''t my admiration for you be reciprocated with your honesty?¡± Veikko bored his eyes into her impassively. ¡°If I had told you that, would you have disappeared from my sight? I highly doubt that. Also, that woman is my friend with benefits. I wasn''t lying to you about this. For people like us who live on the edge where we could die at any moment, we live our lives to their fullest, indulging in bodily pleasures whenever we feel the time is right.¡± Caridee shuddered greatly. Tears brimmed in her eyes and threatened to stream down her cheeks at any moment. He was serious when he told me he didn''t love me. He was also extremely solemn when reassuring me that woman is truly his friend with benefits. So, everything has been wishful thinking on my part all along? Even if that woman isn''t the love of his life, they engage in physical intimacy. Their interaction has nothing to do with love and is purely the expression of male and female desires. He can treat that woman like a tool to vent his urges, but it seems I''m not qualified even to be his friend with benefits. That is why he has been avoiding me, wishing to sever all ties with me. He''s really sick of my brazen persistence in clinging to him. ¡±M-My arm was crippled because of you. Don''t you harbor the slightest sympathy toward me? After all, it is undeniable that I got injured for you.¡± A woman could be humble to the extent of being pathetic for love. Caridee didn''t expect she would one day join the ranks of those foolish women who swooned over men. Veikko narrowed his eyes at her and uttered in a deep voice, ¡°What''s the matter? Has the daughter of the most prominent family also learned how to win a man''s pity by ying the victim? Aren''t you afraid you will tarnish the Luther family''s reputation by doing so? I told you I would ensure your arm would be treated. When your arm fully recovers, our scores will be settled. By then, I hope you won''t pester me anymore. You''re really quite annoying.¡± Drip! Drip! Drip! Beads of tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes as Caridee staggered backward until her back stuck against the door. Realizing she couldn''t retreat further, she abruptly straightened her body. ¡°Can''t you try loving me?¡± Veikko averted his gaze to look at his nket and replied indifferently, ¡°Wee from very different backgrounds. Even if I want to start a rtionship with a woman, I''ll find someone from the assassin circle. You should give up. We can never be together.¡± Caridee''s eyes dimmed instantaneously. She took a deep look at him before turning around to open the door and dashed out of the ward. Cough! Cough! Veikko clutched his chest and began to cough violently. His wound seemed to hurt more. His endurance had always been strong, but he found the heart- wrenching pain slightly unbearable at that moment. Caridee, one day you will understand that falling in love with me is a disaster. It''ll be best for you to give up on me early. After rushing out of Veikko''s room, Caridee headed straight to Bailey''s ward. She knocked on the door for a while but didn''t receive any response. Bailey leaned in Artemis'' arms. She looked up at the panting Artemis and asked hoarsely, ¡°Are you satisfied after only doing it once?¡± He grunted softly and turned to gaze at the door. ¡°What''s with her? It sounds like she''s crying outside.¡± Bailey sighed. ¡°I reckon she got upset with Veikko. Go inside the changing room. I''ll open the door and let her in to ask her what happened.¡± He reached out to grab her clothes and ced them on the nket. ¡°Do you need my help?¡± She picked up the clothes and hastily put them on. ¡°No need. Hurry up and hide. Don''t let your sister see you like this. It''s quite embarrassing.¡± He was rendered speechless. After Artemis got up and went into the changing room, Bailey rearranged the bedsheet and retrieved the remote control to open the door. Caridee dashed into the room and threw herself into Bailey''s arms. ¡°Boohoo, Bailey...¡± Bailey arched her brow and stretched out her hand to pat Caridee''s back. Then, she chuckled and said, ¡°The weather is freezing. You should try wiping your tears outside and watch them turn into icicles immediately.¡± Caridee slowly raised her head, and only after she got closer did she notice the hickeys on Bailey''s corbone and neck. Her face turned crimson instantaneously. ¡°B-Bailey, did Ie at the wrong time and ruin my brother''s mood?¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Bailey slightly lowered her head and gazed down at her corbone. She couldn''t help butugh in response. ¡°This is indeed not the right time. He was overwhelmed by the urge to strangle you earlier for disturbing him.¡± Caridee flinched and hastily pulled away from Bailey''s embrace. ¡°I-In that case, I should leave for now. I''lle backter when you''re done.¡± Bailey grabbed Caridee''s left arm, pulling her to sit by the bed, and teased, ¡°The damage has been done, so what''s the point of you leaving now? Talk to me. Did Veikko upset you again?¡± Caridee''s eyes gleamed as she held Bailey''s arms and asked, ¡°Bailey, is there a reason why Veikko is behaving in this manner? I can''t shake the feeling that he''s been treating me very strangely. He was never so cold to me in the past, but since he returned to the country, his attitude toward me did a one- eighty.¡± Chapter 695 Chapter 695 Bailey wondered if she should tell her about Veikko''s background, but after a brief hesitation, she decided to abandon the idea. Veikko''s past was tainted with bloodshed and sins, and one day, he would trample on the corpses of his family members to fulfill his quest for vengeance. The path of darkness he was about to undertake was not one that would suit Caridee, who was a cheerful, positive girl. Therefore, keeping Veikko''s identity a secret from Caridee was a way for Bailey to protect her. Veikko''s life was fated to be marred by bloodshed, and as a man entrenched in the depths of darkness, he was not a fittingpanion for someone like Caridee, a girl born into privilege and wealth. Bailey believed their rtionship had no future. ¡°Caridee, the Saviors is an assassin organization, and Veikko''s rank is just below mine. He has made countless enemies across the world, so you''ll not live a peaceful life if you decide to be with him. You should just move on, okay? Please take my advice this time,¡± Bailey exined. Caridee gritted her teeth and looked at her with tearful eyes. ¡°Is that the only reason? Holden is also in charge of Tarragon and is second only to my brother. He, too, has made enemies worldwide, but why was the daughter of the Hoffman family allowed to be with him? They even had a child together. Does leaving the Luther family or joining the Saviors give me the right to pursue Veikko?¡± ¡°Caridee Luther, it''s best if you forget about him.¡± Artemis emerged from the wardrobe and fixed his gaze on his sister, who was leaning on Bailey. In a stern tone, he added, ¡°You can''t just leave the Luther family, and I strictly forbid you to join the Saviors. Bailey has already exined everything to you, so it''s time to take a step back and leave him alone.¡± Caridee''s tears instantly rolled down her cheeks. Bailey red at Artemis. ¡°Get out. Leave us alone.¡± Artemis was at a loss for words. He strode toward the door, speaking as he went. ¡°Don''t give in to her too much. The more you condone her actions, the more harm you''ll bring to her.¡± After watching Artemis leave, Bailey lowered her head to look at Caridee andforted her. ¡°Cari, Holden and Wendy are in love with each other. That''s why Wendy has a valid reason to leave her family for him. I don''t think Veikko has feelings for you, so it might be best to avoid getting your hopes up.¡± In truth, Bailey was unsure if Veikko had feelings for Caridee or not. Given the challenges that Veikko''s n to return to his family and seek revenge for his mother''s humiliation might bring, Bailey was unwilling to see Caridee being involved in that and putting herself at risk of disaster. If Veikko decides to go all out to confront his brother, his brother will think of ways to find his Achilles heel. Hence, Veikko must be careful not to reveal any vulnerabilities, such as his feelings for Caridee. Therefore, for the benefit of both parties, Bailey supported Veikko''s action. Veikko did not want to jeopardize Caridee''s safety and did not want her to be a bargaining chip for his older brother''s ckmail, so that was why he chose to hurt her cruelly. It was a difficult but wise decision. Stunned, Caridee questioned her in a hoarse voice, ¡°Even you are not on my side? Why is everyone against me?¡± Bailey reached out and embraced her before replying in a choked voice, ¡°We want you to move on because what you''re pursuing is something unattainable. Caridee, stop trying to get into a world that you don''t belong to. You''ll only end up causing pain and hurting yourself and others.¡± Caridee burst into tears. Bailey patted her back. ¡°It''s okay to let it all out. Sometimes, that''s what you need to do to feel better. But after this, you''ll have to pull yourself together, forget about him, and start afresh.¡± Meanwhile, in prison, Victoria looked at Victor through the iron bars with a tinge of sadness shing in her eyes. ¡°You deliberately took someone''s life, and now the court has sentenced you to twenty years in prison. You''re on your own now. Good luck.¡± She then stood up and was ready to leave. Desperate, Victor leaned over the table, trying to grab Victoria''s hand. ¡°Please, Victoria, you can''t leave me here! You have to save me. My life will be ruined if I have to spend the next twenty years in prison! By the time I get out, I''ll be in my fifties. I haven''t even had a chance to continue the Saunders family line. Do you really want to see the family go down like this?¡± Standing still, Victoria shot him a condescending look andughed bitterly. ¡°So you''re aware that you haven''t produced an heir for the family? And you also realize this could spell doom for the Saunders family, huh? You had a chance to turn over a new leaf, yet you didn''t cherish that. You squandered the family fortune in just two months and sought revenge against Lionel, resulting in intentional homicide. So tell me, who can help you now? I''m not a judge and cannot dere you innocent.¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Victor immediately responded, ¡°Go and plead with Lionel for forgiveness. Sleep with him, serve him well, and make him sign off a letter of forgiveness. That document can help reduce my sentence.¡± Victoria reacted with a softugh, and as sheughed, bead-like tears started rolling down her cheeks. ¡°I''m your sister, Victor, yet you want me to use my body to please another man? How could you treat me like this? You''re my brother, just like how Zeke is to Bailey. But how is it Zeke can treat his sister like a priceless treasure, yet all you know how to do is hurt me like this?¡± Victor was no fool. He knew his chances of getting a reduced sentence depended entirely on the woman in front of him. He was willing to say anything to appease her. ¡°Once I get out of here, I''ll treat you how Zeke treats Bailey. Now that you''ve had a miscarriage, and I''m your only family left, you must help me get out of here.¡± Victoria shook her head and took a few steps back, her lips curving into a faint smile. ¡°Lionel did sign the letter of forgiveness, but I tore it up because I wanted you to spend more time behind bars to reflect on your actions and work toward bing a better person.¡± The sudden revtion caused Victor''s face to lose all color. A fierce glint sparked in his eyes as his features contorted in a grimace. ¡°How could you betray your own brother, Victoria? Are you not scared of karma? I''ll curse you day and night in prison so that you''ll live miserably for the rest of your life!¡± Victoria stumbled out of the room and slumped against the wall, slowly sinking to the ground. That was the only way she could think of to save her brother. Even though he would have to endure imprisonment and lose his freedom, at least he would have the chance to live. Releasing him would put his life in danger due to his character ws, and he could end up dead on the streets someday. ¡°Dad, Mom, I''m sorry, but this is the only thing I can do,¡± she whispered. At the end of the corridor, Lionel sat in his wheelchair, eyes narrowed as he watched the woman sitting on the ground, crying with her head buried in her knees. He could not help but sigh. His assistant asked, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, do you still want to submit the letter of forgiveness to the court? I asked ourwyer earlier, and he said if we do so and make some arrangements, his sentence can be reduced by thirteen to fifteen years.¡± Lionel waved his hand to dismiss the idea. ¡°I shouldn''t intervene since Victoria has made up her mind. Get thewyer toe and see me. I''ll transfer all the shares under the Saunders family to my wife''s name.¡± ¡°All right, Mr. Gezmond,¡± the assistant replied. The following night, at the farmhouse in the suburbs, Sofie asked Philip, ¡°You said you''ll send us off tonight, but how do you n on distracting Artemis and Bailey?¡± Chapter 696 Chapter 696 Philip shot her an amused look. ¡°What do you think will divert their attention so they will stop monitoring the entry and exit points of Hallsbay?¡± Sofie gazed at him silently for some time before realization dawned upon her. ¡°Are you saying that we should expose this farmhouse so they will show up here? Once they send their men here, the entry and exit points will be...¡± Philip''s hand gently brushed against her cheek. ¡°You''re still as smart as ever, but luck wasn''t on your side this time. Don''t worry; one failure doesn''t define us. Once we leave Hallsbay, we''ll have plenty of opportunities to take them on.¡± Sofie pped his hand away. ¡°We need to leave now. I''ll arrange for my men to keep an eye on Steven and order them to expose our hideaway to attract Bailey and Artemis.¡± Philip''s lips curved into a mysterious smile. ¡°I''m afraid I can''t leave the country with you just yet. My hands are tied dealing with Zeke. Remember the n I told you about? I intend to ''rescue'' Steven by coincidence and then demand a reward from Zeke so that he''ll owe me a favor.¡± Sofie frowned. ¡°It sounds like a risky n. If things don''t go ording to n, you could be in danger. Our whole n would bepromised if you end up in danger,¡± she cautioned. Philip gave her shoulder aforting pat and grinned. ¡°Don''t worry about me, as I know how to take good care of myself. Beforeing to Hallsbay, I made the preparations to make sure everything went ording to my n.¡± Sofie contemted his response for a moment before nodding. ¡°You''re right. As long as we keep our rtionship hidden, you should be safe. As for your n to ''save'' Steven and get Zeke to owe you a favor, you need to be extremely careful. We can''t afford any mistakes that could put you in danger.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Philip nodded. Sofie inquired, ¡°Do you think we can leave Hallsbay tonight without being noticed? Several forces are monitoring the entry and exit points of Hallsbay. It''s not just Artemis and Bailey''s men, as Mr. Raiden''s elite forces from Dellmoor are also keeping watch. Have you dealt with them?¡± ¡°Rest assured. If Artemis and Zeke decide toe here, they''ll redirect their men to surround the farmhouse instead of monitoring the entry and exit points. As for Mr. Raiden, he left Hallsbay secretly this noon as something happened to his father without informing anyone. This means that those left to monitor the entry and exit points have no leader, making it easier for us to leave Hallsbay undetected,¡± Philip assured Sofie. ¡°Okay. I trust you,¡± came Sofie''s reply. Back at the medical base, Artemis entered the ward and found Bailey leaning against the bed, absorbed in her phone. He approached her and nted a gentle kiss on her forehead. ¡°I need to leave, but I''ll be back soon. You can sleep or keep Edmundpany,¡± he told her. Bailey''s gaze flickered as she looked at her phone. It''s ten forty at night, and he never heads out thiste. Something urgent must''ve happened. ¡°What happened? Tell me about me. Don''t you dare hide anything from me.¡± Artemis let out a chuckle. ¡°I wasn''t nning on keeping anything from you. I just received news that our men have located the hiding spot of Sofie and the others. It''s a farmhouse a few miles away from the eastern outskirts. Zeke and I are heading there to investigate.¡± Bailey lifted her nket, ready to hop off her bed. ¡°I''lle with you.¡± Artemis applied pressure on her arm. ¡°I told you about the situation, not so you can act recklessly. Stay in bed. Don''t move.¡± Bailey pouted. ¡°Did you yell at me? You no longer love me anymore.¡± The veins on Artemis'' foreheads bulged. Seriously? He gently admonished Bailey, ¡°You''re still recovering, so it''s not safe for you to be moving around. Please take care of yourself, okay? If anything happens to you, I-I won''t talk to you anymore!¡± Bailey burst outughing. His threat sounded weak, but she loved it. ¡°Okay, I''ll do as you say. Please don''t be angry with me. It gives me a headache when you ignore me.¡± ¡°Stay in your ward, and don''t go anywhere else. I''ve called my mother, and she''lle here to keep youpany,¡± Artemis told her. After watching him leave, Bailey stared at her phone and fell into deep thought. Sofie''s request to release Yvette seems unreasonable, especially since she knows that her own whereabouts could be exposed if she continues to stall for time. It makes me wonder what Sofie''s true intentions are. What is she thinking? Now that her hiding spot has been revealed, is she still within the farmhouse? If she isn''t there, where could she be? Steven is still in her hands, but she has never used him. What could her n be? It was possible that women have a sharper sixth sense than men. When Bailey heard that Sofie''s location had been revealed, she didn''t immediately think about the number of guards stationed around the farmhouse but instead wondered where Sofie had fled to. Her intuition suggested that Zeke and Artemis'' ambush might not be sessful. After staring at her phone nkly for some time, Bailey suddenly thought about something and immediately gave Raiden a call. Her call went unanswered. The foreboding sense within her increased as she kept trying to call him several times but to no avail. Right then, the door was pushed open, and in came Victoria. Her face was pale, and she seemed on the verge of copsing. Seeing that, Bailey quickly hopped out of bed and ran over to support her. ¡°What''s wrong, Vicky?¡± she asked, helping Victoria to her bed to sit down. Victoria''s voice was hoarse as she revealed, ¡°Bay, I sent Victor to jail. I also destroyed Lionel''s letter of understanding so he''ll get sentenced to twenty years in jail.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. A sh of surprise appeared in Bailey''s eyes, but she quickly calmed down. She understood that it was not wise to criticize or condemn Victoria as thetter''s emotions weren''t stable. After a brief silence, she spoke carefully. ¡°You made the right decision. Anyone in your position would have done the same. Your brother went too far. He never saw you as his sister. Do you remember how he tried to kill you in front of the court? Fortunately, Lionel took the blow for you. Otherwise, it would have been you who got hurt. Vicky, leaving him on his own outside is only going to bring him harm. We know how cruel the world can be. One day, he might end up dead on the streets. It''s better to send him to jail. At least he has a chance to survive.¡± Victoria shed a bitter smile. ¡°You know me well. You''re the only one who knows me well. If someone else learns about my doing, they will most probably criticize me for being cold-blooded.¡± ¡°Don''t...¡± Bailey was cut short by her phone, which started ringing. She picked it up and realized it was Raiden. At once, she answered his call and said urgently, ¡°Raiden, you must monitor the entry and exit points of Hallsbay tonight carefully.¡± Chapter 697 Chapter 697 Something told her that Sofie would grab the chance to escape. Bailey guessed that Sofie had deliberately exposed her hiding spot. When everyone''s attention was focused on that farmhouse, she could use the opportunity to flee the country. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Raiden, you must personally keep an eye on the entry and exit points in this city. I think Sofie is nning to smuggle out of the country tonight.¡± Raiden''s pants sounded on the other end of the line. A whileter, his tensed voice rang out. ¡°Bailey, I''m sorry. I had to return to Dellmoor as my father''s condition worsened. I had to take charge of the situation. It was urgent, so I didn''t have time to inform you before I left. But I''ve stationed my men at the entry and exit points, and they''ll do their best to monitor the situation. Don''t worry about that.¡± Bailey tightened her grip on her phone as she could now confirm her guess. Sofie received news that Raiden had left Hallsbay, so she knew her chance had arrived. She deliberately exposed her whereabouts to make Artemis and Zeke head to the farmhouse. After that, she would smuggle her way out of Hallsbay without arousing suspicion. ¡°Okay, please call your subordinates and remind them to be vignt. I have a strong suspicion that Sofie will make her escape tonight. We can''t let her escape, as the consequences will be dire.¡± Raiden hummed in acknowledgment and ended the call. After that, Bailey grabbed her clothes and put them on hastily. Seeing that, Victoria was confused. She frowned and asked, ¡°Bay, where are you headingte at night?¡± After putting on her clothes, Bailey replied, ¡°I''m going to see someone. Don''t make a fuss. If someone shows up, it will be hard for me to leave.¡± Right after she spoke, her phone rang again. It was Raiden. ¡°Bailey, I need you to pay attention. The person who was in charge of the harbor in the western part of the city is no longer responding to ourmunication attempts. It is likely that he has been either killed or bribed, but I believe the former is more probable. If he had been bribed, he would have released Sofie without alerting us instead of ignoring my calls and alerting me of his intention.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Got it. The harbor is in the western part of the city, right? Okay, that''s the breach. I''ll go stop her right now. You don''t have to hurry back to Hallsbay. Stay in Dellmoor and keep your dad company.¡± Raiden reminded her sternly, ¡°Bailey, protect yourself. Remember not to put your life at risk.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± After the call ended, Bailey scrolled to Artemis'' number and called him. Before the call could connect, she quickly hung up. They went to the eastern suburbs, which is the opposite direction of the west. It''s faster for me to head there and solve the problem. Besides, this is just my guess. What if my guess is wrong, and Sofie and the others are still at the farmhouse? In that case, withdrawing from the area abruptly could result in a missed opportunity to capture them. Forget it. I won''t tell them. I''ll head to the harbor for now. As she hurried away, Victoria called out, ¡°You should bring a few men with you. If something happens, they can be of help.¡± ¡°Got it. Don''t tell anyone that I left. Otherwise, the rest would get reprimanded.¡± Bailey didn''t ask anyone to apany her to the western suburbs. She had no one to ask for help. Everyone sustained injuries after the fight. She felt that it was unfair to ask them to endanger themselves further, given that they were already hurt. However, she bumped into Simon at the parking lot. ¡°Bailey, where are you heading thiste? By the way, where is Artemis? Why isn''t he with you? Are you heading out alone?¡± he asked. Bailey beamed and beckoned him over. Seeing that, Simon grew wary. Bailey was too fierce, and he naturally grew wary after suffering at her hands multiple times. As he approached her, he heard a whooshing sound pass by his ear. Without hesitation, he dodged out of harm''s way and barely made it. ¡°Bailey, what was that? Were you nning on knocking me out before sneaking out? Does that mean Artemis doesn''t know you left your ward?¡± he demanded. Bailey nced at her hand and shed a bitter smile. After getting severely wounded, she was too weak and couldn''t even knock Simon out. ¡°I just wanted to test your agility. You''ve improved, huh? You should head up now. Caridee is in a foul mood and needs you to console her.¡± Simon let out an icy snort. ¡°Do you think I''m a fool, Bailey? You are obviously feeling guilty. If I allow you to leave today, Artemis will kill me if anything happens to you! You won''t get to leave if you refuse to be honest with me. And if you try to knock me out, I''ll have no choice but to call Artemis,¡± he warned. He reached into his pocket to fish out his phone instinctively. Bailey put her arm out to stop him. ¡°Don''t bother with that. He''s not at the medical base. He''s currently in the eastern suburbs. I have to go because something urgent came up. If you''re worried, you can come with me. I happen to need a driver. Don''t bother your brother, as he''s probably upied.¡± Simon pondered over her suggestion and nodded in agreement. ¡°Okay. I''ll let you leave if you agree to let me tag along. If you refuse, you won''t get to leave the underground parking lot today.¡± On the way to their destination, Bailey exined the situation to Simon briefly. Hearing that, Simon couldn''t keep his cool. He held the steering wheel with one hand and reached for his phone with his other hand. Bailey swiftly took his phone from him. ¡°Concentrate on driving, or we might end up in an ident.¡± Simon rolled his eyes andined, ¡°Bailey, has anyone ever told you that you''re good at asking for trouble?¡± Bailey smiled reassuringly. ¡°I''ll be all right. Raiden has already dispatched his men to the harbor in the western suburbs. By the time I get there, they would have already surrounded the ce.¡± Artemis received the news faster than Bailey expected, as his call arrived before she could reach the harbor. She couldn''t help but flinch at the sight of his name flickering on her phone screen. Simon teased, ¡°You''re afraid, huh? Artemis is indeed scary when he gets mad.¡± Bailey answered the call and threw her phone onto Simon''sp. ¡°Y-Your brother offered to give me a ride. If he didn''t drive, I wouldn''t get toe out. You should yell at him,¡± she quickly said. Both Simon and Artemis let out an exasperatedugh. ¡°Protect her, Simon. Nothing can happen to her.¡± Chapter 698 Chapter 698 Simon frowned in response. There''s no way she''s going to listen to me. Based on the familial hierarchy, I should be taking orders from her instead! ¡°Artemis, can you hurry? Bailey is too intimidating. There''s no way she''ll obey me.¡± Artemis replied in a deep voice, ¡°I don''t care. Just keep her in line. I''ll need at least half an hour before I reach the western suburbs. Anyway, hand Bailey the phone.¡± When Simon turned to look at Bailey and saw her head tilted out the window, he brazenly suggested, ¡°Artemis, I''m putting you on speaker. Bailey will be able to hear you, so you can go ahead and speak. I don''t think I can get her to answer the phone now.¡± Getting straight to the point, Artemis asserted, ¡°Bailey, if you dare mess around and hurt yourself again, I''m going to stab myself repeatedly.¡± Turning around abruptly, Bailey narrowed her gaze at the phone in Simon''s hand. That *sshole is giving me no choice. Nevertheless, she didn''t dare take his words lightly, for he was capable of anything when consumed by rage. ¡°How am I going to cause trouble when I can''t even lift my hands? You had better stop wasting time over there and hurry over here. My guess is that Sofie is long gone. She leaked her location to lure you there when in reality, she has already arrived at the harbor in the western suburbs.¡± ¡°I know. Raiden called me just now and told me to head there to support you. Before I arrive, please sit tight and don''t act hastily. Even if Sofie slips through your hands, don''t risk pursuing her, do you understand?¡± Bailey pouted in response. ¡°Fine. How can I ignore such an extreme threat from you? Hurry up now. I''ll be waiting for you here.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Once the call ended, Simon probed, ¡°B-Bailey, this road leads to the western suburbs. Artemis will definitely pass by on his way there. Why don''t we wait for him here and head there once he joins us?¡± Simon wasn''t a fool. If he were to send her to the western suburbs now, he would definitely lose control of her. Therefore, keeping her where they were was a much safer choice. By staying away from the danger zone, the chances of her getting hurt were close to zero. As if she could read his mind, Bailey couldn''t help but snigger. ¡°Despite my weakened condition, I''m still more than capable of taking you out. Do you want to challenge me?¡± The words sent a chill down Simon''s spine. If he were to be knocked out and allowed her to travel to the western suburbs alone, the consequences awaiting him would be even direr. ¡°No, no, no, I was just kidding, Bailey. I''ll send you to the harbor right away.¡± Meanwhile, at the boarding terminal of the harbor, Sofie scanned her surroundings before asking solemnly, ¡°Have you made sure that everything will go ording to n?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, madam. We have painstakingly secured this exit, and the ce is crawling with our men. Once you and Ms. Shurmer board the ship, we''ll set sail immediately.¡± Sofie nodded before asking again, ¡°What about when we''re at sea? If they were to pursue us on a ship, what are we going to do? Don''t tell me that isn''t possible. Considering who Artemis and Zeke are, they''re more than capable of catching up in no time.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Mr. Hoffman has nned for this contingency. That''s why he has ordered us to destroy the harbor''s navigation system. No other ship other than ours can leave within the hour.¡± Sofie''s concerns were eased after she heard his exnation. In that case, I can leave without having to worry. ¡°Let''s board the ship and set sail.¡± ¡°Right away.¡± Standing on the deck, Zoey narrowed her eyes as she stared at the bright lights of the city in the distance. She had to flee her home and wander aimlessly all because of Bailey. Nheless, the fact that fate had given her an opportunity to escape meant that her time hadn''t yet come. As long as there was still breath in her, she would never allow Bailey to have any peace. Having failed to make the man she wanted her own, she wasn''t going to let Bailey have him. Thus, she would do everything in her power to break them up and keep them separated for life. ¡°It''s windy outside. Why don''t youe in?¡± Sofie''s voice rang out from behind her. Zoey turned around abruptly and asked in a concerned tone, ¡°Mom, what are we going to do from now on? Are we just going to leave Hallsbay just like that? Are you nning to stay away and let them go scot-free?¡± Sofie responded with a snigger. If she had really wanted to give up, she wouldn''t have spent all that effort to rescue Zoey. All this while, she would never save someone of no use to her, and her daughter was no exception. ¡°Don''t fret. I have more ns after this. One day, I''ll definitely give you the opportunity to serve your vengeance.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Ten minutester, Bailey arrived at the harbor. Even though she knew that she would likely arrive toote to make a difference, she was still disappointed to have missed Sofie and Zoey. After all, the consequences of letting her enemies escape weren''t lost upon her. Although Sofie has expended significant resources in the previous battles, there''s no way she has used up all her assets. Previously, she goaded Yvette into going all in just so that she could conserve her own resources. Therefore, allowing Sofie to escape is the equivalent of giving her the opportunity to recover. It won''t take long for her to stir up trouble again. ¡°Were they all gone by the time you arrived?¡± Bailey asked a ck-d man by her side as she walked in the direction of the harbor. The man nodded in response. ¡°That''s right. We rushed here upon receiving Mr. Raiden''s orders but were still one step toote. By the time I arrived, the ship had set sail with their men on board. All that was left was an empty harbor and the bodies of our deadrades.¡± Bailey continued with her questions. ¡°There''s more than one ship here. Why didn''t you pursue them just now?¡± The man answered awkwardly, ¡°The harbor''s navigation system was wrecked, so none of the other ships could leave. We weren''t able to repair it due to ourck of expertise. Since you''re the best hacker in the world, Spook, why don''t you try fixing it?¡± Me? Even if I can fix it, it would still take at least half an hour. Sofie would still be long gone by then. As the group walked onto the deck, Bailey took a pair of binocrs from one of the bodyguards and looked out toward the sea. Although she could make out what seemed to be a shing light, it was too far away to really be certain. ¡°If we set off now, we might still be able to catch them. But how are we going to do that without a ship?¡± While speaking, her gaze fell upon the crashing waves beneath the deck. The look on her face caused Simon''s heart to sink. Don''t tell me she''s going to swim after it? F*ck, this is worse thanmitting suicide. He reached out to grab Bailey''s arm by reflex and tried to dissuade her in a trembling tone. ¡°B-Bailey, you had better not kill yourself by jumping in.¡±Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Chapter 699 Chapter 699 Bailey simply rolled her eyes at him. The surface of the sea is filled with frozen ice in this weather. Does he really think I''m made of steel? Even if we set that aside, there''s no way I can swim to the ship in my current condition. This kid is way too naive. ¡°Forget it. It seems that her time hasn''te yet. If God wants to keep her alive, going against His will would justnd me in trouble.¡± Only then did Simon heave a sigh of relief. I''m willing to do anything as long as she doesn''t jump into the sea. ¡°Bailey, the wind in strong outside here. Why don''t we go back down?¡± When a thought struck Bailey, she asked the man in ck, ¡°I''m sure you have checked the surveince feeds. Did you see my fa¡ªI mean Old Mr. Shurmer?¡± The man shook his head as he replied, ¡°They destroyed the surveince cameras before they left. If you really want to know, you''ll have to fix the system first.¡± Bailey began walking toward the stairs. ¡°Bring me to the surveince room. I need to be certain if Sofie took Old Mr. Shurmer with her.¡± It would be big trouble if she did. Not only would our previous agreement be annulled, but she would also use that old fogey to ckmail us into epting her demands. By then, she would have to power to manipte us at will. Half an hourter, Artemis and Zeke finally arrived. The sight of Bailey watching the surveince feeds unharmed brought a sense of relief to both of them. Thank God she''s fine. Otherwise, we would have to be tormented again. When she saw both men panting at the door, Bailey broke into an indiscernible smile. ¡°How does it feel to be tricked? This is the price you have to pay.¡± Artemis walked up to her and asked, ¡°What are you looking at? Are you trying to find out who''s helping Sofie behind the scenes?¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Bailey shook her head. ¡°The enemy is extremely careful and won''t leave any tracks. There''s no way I can tell just by looking at the surveince feeds. Instead, I''m worried that Sofie would take the old fogey with her. That''s why I''m trying to find him from the recordings.¡± Jolted to attention by her words, Zeke strode to her side as he asked, ¡°Did you manage to find him? We would be in big trouble if she did kidnap the old man.¡± Bailey pushed theptop forward before leaning back into the chair. With her fingers massaging her forehead, she answered, ¡°There''s no sign of him anywhere, including during the boarding process. All I saw was Sofie and Zoey escaping.¡± Just as Zeke was about toment, Artemis'' phone suddenly rang. After he answered the call, Artemis'' expression darkened when he heard the report from the other end of the line. ¡°Are you sure he''s at Inferno Hall?¡± After exchanging a few more words, Artemis ended the call with a tense look on his face. It was then that Bailey sprang to her feet. Given how well she knew Artemis, she could tell from his reaction that something terrible had urred. And now, their biggest concern was Steven''s safety. ¡°Do you know where that old man is?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°He''s at Inferno Hall. Based on my spy''s report, Sofie is in cahoots with its leader.¡± Inferno Hall? She had heard of the name before. It belonged to a powerful organization that was based in Hallsbay. Therefore, the fact that Sofie was working with them didn''te as a surprise. ¡°Is the information reliable? You had better not be tricked again. If Inferno Hall turns out to be Sofie''s partner-in-crime, the old man would likely be at their headquarters.¡± Lowering his gaze to look at her, Artemis remarked, ¡°Inferno Hall''s headquarters is located near the harbor in the western suburbs. That''s how they seemingly managed to eliminate our men who were in hiding, but let''s not jump to conclusions yet.¡± ¡°In that case, let''s head over to Inferno Hall to take a look,¡± Zeke suggested as he walked out the door. At the same time, Bailey grabbed Artemis'' hand and pulled him along. ¡°Let''s go with him.¡± Brows furrowed, Artemis caught her icy fingers instead. ¡°There''s barely any warmth in your body. You had better go back to the medical base with Simon.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Bailey quickly hugged him with the other hand. ¡°I''m worried that both of you idiots end up being fooled again. It would be more prudent for me toe with you.¡± Before Artemis could respond, Bailey stood on her toes and nted a kiss on his lips. ¡°Take me with you, or I''ll give you hell.¡± Left without a choice, Artemis wavered. ¡°Fine, but don''t leave my side at all times. Can you do that?¡± ¡°Sure. Didn''t I keep my promise not to act when I arrived at the harbor? What''s there to worry about when I''m on my best behavior?¡± Artemis couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Would you still be here if the ships weren''t grounded by the harbor''s wrecked navigation system? In fact, I feel like thanking Sofie for cutting off your options. Otherwise, you''ll end up giving us a heart attack with your reckless pursuit.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. This scenario isn''t realistic at all, all right? Meanwhile, a massacre raged through Inferno Hall, resulting in its destruction overnight. With blood strewn all over the snow-covered ground, the stench of blood filled the air within a kilometer''s radius. In the woods some distance away, Philip¡ªstanding in the darkness of the night¡ªasked in a solemn tone, ¡°Is everything in ce?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Hoffman. Everything is ready. I have ordered my men to spread the rumor that Sofie is working with Inferno Hall. Artemis and Bailey will consequently be lured over there and won''t suspect your involvement. Now that Inferno Hall has been annihted, there''ll be no witnesses to expose us. Bailey and the others will be convinced that you have saved Old Mr. Shurmer once our men emerge from Inferno Hall with him.¡± ¡°Good. Once they''re here, we''ll put on a good show for them.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Twenty minutester, Artemis and Bailey arrived at Inferno Hall with their men. The devastation that greeted their eyes triggered a drastic change in their expressions. Zeke remarked with a frown, ¡°I don''t suppose Sofie wiped out Inferno Hall before her departure to leave no witnesses?¡± Kneeling down, Bailey ced her hand on the wrist of a corpse at her feet. ¡°This man just died less than ten minutes ago, so it can''t be Sofie, for it has been almost an hour since she left Hallsbay.¡± Artemis quickly pulled her back up and into his arms as he warned, ¡°Don''t touch them indiscriminately. It''s bad luck to do so.¡± Rolling her eyes at him, Bailey asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Just as Artemis was about to speak, a convoy of vehicles approached and came to a stop in front of them. One of the car doors opened, and out came Philip, who seemed stunned by the sight of the group. ¡°Mr. Luther, Mr. Shurmer, w-what are you doing here? Did you alsoe to...¡± Chapter 700 Chapter 700 After taking a step forward, Zeke narrowed his eyes and stared at Philip. ¡°What a coincidence, Mr. Hoffman. Why are you here at Inferno Hall''s den in the middle of the night? Could it be that you''re the one who caused this unsightly situation we''re looking at?¡± Before Philip could exin himself, a few bodyguards dressed in ck suits barged into the room. ¡°The person has been rescued, Mr. Hoffman.¡± The person has been rescued? Bailey and Artemis exchanged a nce before looking toward the flight of stairs in unison. Their gazes fell on one of the ck-clothed bodyguards. Actually¡ªto be more precise¡ªthey were looking at Steven, who was being carried on the bodyguard''s shoulder. Upon noticing that scene, Zeke shot Philip a stern re as he asked in a deep voice, ¡°Care to exin why my father is with your subordinate, Mr. Hoffman? Are you the one who is colluding with Sofie?¡± ¡°No, no, no.¡± Philip waved his hands and responded frantically, ¡°I just arrived here two days ago. There''s no way I can get involved in the disputes between Hallsbay''s forces. Please don''t use me, Mr. Shurmer. I''m here to rescue people as well. See? I saved your father, didn''t I?¡± A mocking smile manifested on Zeke''s face. He raised his brows slightly and asked, ¡°Oh? Is that so? You''re here to save my father, huh? In my opinion, I think you''re just exposing yourself.¡± Seeing that, Bailey walked forward from Zeke''s back and pulled his arm silently before looking at Philip opposite her. ¡°Zeke, since Mr. Hoffman told us he''s here to save Father, let''s hear him out. If he has a reasonable exnation, won''t you be falsely using him of exposing himself?¡± Zeke scoffed coldly and turned his head away slightly. With a polite smile, Bailey told Philip, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, since I''m Julie''s mentor, I believe you and I are considered old acquaintances with the friendship we have. Since we''re old friends, I won''t beat around the bush with you. Let''s get straight to the point. How did you find out that my father is at Inferno Hall?¡± Having heard that question, Philip nodded and answered, ¡°During this year, Juliana has always been staying at Hallsbay. So, the Hoffman family has stationed many spies here. They are the ones who found out that Old Mr. Shurmer was imprisoned at Inferno Hall.¡± He added, ¡°I''m sure you all know that as soon as I arrived at Hallsbay a few days ago, I''ve been wanting to invite Mr. Shurmer out and apologize to him in person. However, he''s been avoiding me. So, I''ve been wondering if it''s because of Juliana''s miscarriage that led Mr. Shurmer to resent the Hoffman family, thinking that I failed to protect her. Since the tragedy has already happened, all I can do now is to make up for it. At that, Philip shifted his attention to Steven, who was being carried by Philip''s bodyguard. He then continued, ¡°An hour ago, the spies reported to us secretly, telling us that Old Mr. Shurmer is at Inferno Hall and that they wanted to kill him. Upon receiving the information, I immediately came here to rescue him. Luckily, my subordinates were able to save him.¡± Right then, Philip bowed at Zeke and added a final statement, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Julie''s idental miscarriage is caused by the Hoffman family not serving her well enough. Since I''ve rescued your father, I hope we can patch things up.¡± Having heard what Philip said atst, Zeke subconsciously wanted to retort. Does this man think I''m a fool? His lies are full of loopholes, and there are many unjustifiable instances. Does he really think he can hoodwink me? ¡°Do you really think I''m¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Bailey pulled his arm again, signaling him not to say anything. After Zeke swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, Bailey finally turned to Philip beamingly. ¡°Mr. Hoffman, Julie called me and told me it''s an idental miscarriage. This is not your fault. My brother simply didn''t contact you because he was busy these days. It meant nothing else. Now that you''ve rescued my father, you are our savior. We owe you a favor.¡± ¡°As expected from a knowledgeable big shot like you, Ms. Jefferson. You''re so generous. With your reassurance, I can finally stop worrying.¡± With that, Philip turned around and shouted at his bodyguards, ¡°Why are you still standing there? Hurry and hand Old Mr. Shurmer to Mr. Shurmer and Ms. Jefferson!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied the bodyguards. As soon as Steven was in her subordinates'' hands, Bailey expressed her gratitude toward Philip graciously. ¡°Thank you for saving his life. My brother and I will pay you a visit in the future. Please take care of my mentee in the Hoffman family as well. I''m eternally grateful to you.¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Philip responded. In the car, Zeke asked with a frown on his face, ¡°Do you believe that old geezer''s nonsense?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but sneer. ¡°I won''t believe a single word uttered by anyone from the Hoffman family.¡± ¡°Then¡ª¡± Grinningly, Bailey interrupted him and spoke while enunciating every word. ¡°Zeke, we don''t have any evidence to prove that Philip is colluding with Sofie and dragged Inferno Hall into this mess in the end. That''s because everyone who knows about this was killed. If you have a falling out with him right now, he might resort to extreme methods. Even if he isn''t afraid of death, we are afraid of Julie''s death. Are you going to risk Julie''s life like this?¡± ¡°What should we do now?¡± Zeke inquired while gritting his teeth furiously. Bailey nced at Artemis, only to see him staring at her smilingly. With his support, Bailey gained even more confidence. ¡°Keep dying Philip, and don''t let him leave Hallsbay. We can''t let him escape before Edmund''s leg injury gets better. Also, find out the rtionship between Sofie and him.¡± She continued, ¡°I can''t rest assured as long as that woman is alive. If we could find Sofie through Philip, then we shall thank him for toying with us tonight as if we''re buffoons. He could''ve hidden his rtionship with Sofie quietly if he didn''t y that trick on us. Yet, that gimmick of his will most likely expose him.¡± ¡°All right, then. We''ll listen to your suggestion. Now, I hope Philip and Sofie have some sort of rtionship. Then, we can find Sofie through him,¡± replied Zeke. Meanwhile, in the guest room at the medical base, Sebastian and Zayron were sprawling on the bed. ¡°Seb, your birth father is quite assertive. He''s not inferior to your stepfather at all. You''re so lucky,¡± said Zayron. ring at Zayron, Sebastian sighed and replied, ¡°It''s pointless to be assertive if he can''t even handle my mother. Forget the fact that he''s the person in charge of Tarragon. He just faces my mother with his tail between his legs. I can''t bring myself to admire such a coward.¡± Hearing that, Zayronughed out loud. ¡°It''s quite easy for him to handle your mother, though. Let me teach you some ways.¡± ¡°Drug her? Have sex with her? Find a love rival to trigger her? What else can you think of other than these stupid ideas?¡± Sebastian snorted. Zayron flipped over and got out of bed, then leaned against the cupboard nonchntly. Although the eight-year-old boy still had a childish look on his face, he was already exhibiting his talents. No one would be capable of constraining him ten yearster. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°I''ve growntely and won''t use those cheap tricks anymore. We''ll use some new strategies.¡± Chapter 701 Chapter 701 Sebastian got to his feet. After a moment of silence, he uttered, ¡°If you can help me solve my parents'' matters, I will pledge my loyalty to you for the rest of my life.¡± Zayron slowly stood up and narrowed his eyes at the young man. ¡°Do you mean that?¡± Sebastian lowered his head slightly before bowing to Zayron and saying, ¡°Mr. Zayron.¡± Zayron arched a brow as something flickered through his gaze. Eventually, he said, ¡°I won''t resort to such tactics to enforce your loyalty. One day, I will use my own talents to prove to you that pledging your loyalty to me is the right decision.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Zayron summoned the young man, ¡°Come closer.¡± Once Sebastian was right next to him, Zayron whispered his advice to him. Sebastian frowned and commented, ¡°That''s one devious n. But I must admit, it''s definitely made for a man. Right, let''s do it, then.¡± At the same time, two nurses were blocking the entrance to an ICU ward. Opposite them stood a distressed Lindsey, who wailed, ¡°I heard Eddy was badly injured, so I rushed home from abroad. Can''t you let me in, please? I just want to check on him and make sure he''s okay.¡± One of the female nurses shook her head and insisted, ¡°We cannot allow anyone into the ward without Ms. Jefferson''s express orders, Ms. Carter. Please seek Ms. Jefferson''s approval if you would like to visit Mr. Edmund.¡± Lindsey stomped her foot indignantly and demanded through gritted teeth, ¡°Where is Bailey?¡± ¡°She should be in the study.¡± ¡°And where is that?¡± ¡°Turn left once you reach the third floor.¡± Lindsey turned and ran after the nurse''s instructions. She shouted, ¡°Fine. I''ll bring Bailey here. Let''s see if you''ll still stop me then.¡± Meanwhile, Bailey rested on a couch in said study. Her gaze was affixed to a young man who stood near the floor-length window in the room. She asked him, ¡°Are you sure you''re all set for this? Why don''t you wait a few more years? You''re still very young, yet you refuse to let me help. I''m worried you''ll struggle with executing your rather hasty n for revenge.¡± Veikko did not turn around and continued observing the evening scenery outside the window. An inexplicable emotion flitted across his gaze. He exuded an extremely frosty aura that put off anyone from approaching him. Veikko finally spoke up momentster. ¡°I''veid low for far too long for this day. Why does he deserve to enjoy the power and glory of being the patriarch of the Carter family while I have tonguish in darkness? This n might ruin my life forever, but I would dly drag them down to h*ll with me.¡± Bailey knew advising him against his n was futile. His hatred for the Carter family was too deep, and she knew how much he had suffered in the past because of them. Nothing she said or did could help him with that. The only way to appease his hatred is to let him carry out his n. With that in mind, Bailey cautioned, ¡°Fine, I won''t stop you, but at least make sure you''ve nursed yourself to full health.¡± ¡°I''m fine. I just need to rest for a few days...¡± He trailed off and swallowed the rest of his words when Bailey shot him a sharp nce. ¡°You''re fine? Just look at yourself. I''m a patient, and you probably can''t even defeat me now. If you''re so eager to die, I could stick a knife through you instead. Saves me the trouble of fishing your dead body out of the enemies'' hands.¡± Before Bailey could chastise him further, one of her subordinates announced outside the door, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, the Carter family''s eldest daughter, Lindsey Carter, would like to see you. May I let her in?¡± Lindsey Carter? What''s she doing here? Oh right. She likes Edmund. She''s probably here to see him after hearing that he''s injured. ¡°Let¡ª¡± Bailey cut herself off when she sensed the atmosphere in the room chilling by several degrees. A murderous aura rapidly filled the room, emanating from the direction of the floor-length window. She stiffened in realization. Lindsey? The Carter family''s heiress and eldest daughter? D*mn it, how could I forget such an important thing? She''s... Bailey instinctively nced in the direction of the floor-length window. Veikko''s body was as tense as a bowstring. Her eyelids twitched from a sense of foreboding. ¡°L-Let her wait outside. I''ll¡ª¡± The door to the study was abruptly opened from the outside. Lindsey dashed into the room. She whined, ¡°Bailey, please go to the ICU ward with me. I want to see Eddy. I need to know how he''s doing.¡± Bailey quickly stood up, but the suddenness of the motion made her dizzy, causing her to fall back into the couch. She watched as Veikko slowly turned around and shoot Lindsey a murderous re. Her heart sank. ¡°Wait for me outside, Lindsey. I''ll be right there,¡± Bailey ordered. The words had barely left her lips when Veikko asked, ¡°You''re the eldest daughter of the Carter family? Who''s Sloane Carter to you?¡± Lindsey froze in her steps and returned Veikko''s stare. Her legs trembled involuntarily under the weight of his menacing re. She stammered in reply, ¡°H- He''s my eldest brother.¡± Veikko took a step forward, overwhelmed with the urge to kill. Bailey forgot all about her dizziness and mbered to her feet, using her body to shield Lindsey. ¡°Bailey, w-who is he? Why is he so hostile toward me?¡± Lindsey asked fearfully. Bailey sighed to herself in response. Who is he? He''s your mortal enemy! She swiftly averted the topic and asked, ¡°You want to see Edmund, don''t you, Lindsey?¡± ¡°Yes! I visited the family home recently and learned that Eddy was injured. So I quickly rushed back.¡± ¡°Okay. Why don''t you go out and wait for me? I''ve got a couple of things to settle here, and then I''ll bring you to see Edmund.¡± ¡°B-But¡ª¡± ¡°No buts.¡± Bailey raised her voice, cutting off Lindsey''s protests. She continued firmly, ¡°I told you to go out, so that''s that. Don''t argue with me. Hurry up.¡± Fear swelled in Lindsey''s chest when she recalled Veikko''s murderous gaze. She only stalled for several seconds before slowly backing out of the room. Veikko was still advancing toward Lindsey, but by the time he reached Bailey, Lindsey had already left the study. He was about to run past Bailey and give chase, but she seized his wrist with an iron grip, pulling him back. Veikko spat, ¡°You''re going to stop me? You should know better; every single Carter deserves to die.¡± His blind thirst for vengeance drew a resigned sigh from Bailey. She stared into his eyes and reminded him, ¡°The only people who sabotaged you and your mother were that woman and her son. None of the other Carters had anything to do with this. I agree that everyone should reap what they sow, but don''t end up with innocent blood on your hands.¡± ¡°Innocent?¡± Veikko scoffed and barked, ¡°That woman and her son are her mother and brother. How innocent can she be? Bailey, you''re smart enough to know what happens next. Once her mother andC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. brother die at my hands, I will be her mortal enemy. This revenge will only end when one of us is dead. That''s why I have to kill her in the end. I won''t spare the lives of anyone from the Carter family. I won''t.¡± Bailey had no idea how to respond to his reasoning. He''s right, though. How can one''s family be unscathed by one''s misfortune? Their enmity will only drag on if Lindsey''s family dies at Veikko''s hands. Nheless, Bailey warned, ¡°Worry about that in the future. You can''t kill her today, and that''s final. She''s already considered my guest the minute she set foot in this medical base.¡± Veikko sneered and replied, ¡°Fine. I''ll wait. You''re clearly protective of that youngdy. I can only hope our rtionship will hold strong against all challenges. You should know; nothing you do will dissuade me from my n.¡± Chapter 702 Chapter 702 Bailey gave Veikko a meaningful stare before striding toward the door. She sighed again as she ced her hand on the door handle. Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. ¡°Veikko, they may be your enemies, but they''re also your family. I hope you can avenge your mother, but please don''t drag innocent people into this.¡± She left the study without awaiting Veikko''s reply. Veikko stared at her back, his hands slowly curling into fists at his sides. Painful scenes surfaced in his mind. The hatred he had barely managed to tamp down threatened to burst forth in full force again. I put up with the humiliation for so many years, flirting with danger just for the opportunity to destroy my enemy and avenge this ignominy. The opportunity is now ripe. I won''t just change my years-long stance over someone''s well-meaning advice, not even if ites from Bailey. No one can truly understand my pain until they''ve been in my shoes. Veikko''s past was a nightmare he could never outrun. Only bloodshed and violence could quell the demons in his heart. In the corridor outside, Lindsey clung to Bailey''s elbow and cast wary nces toward the study. She asked timidly, ¡°Who was that young man, Bailey? Why is he so hostile toward me? Is there some sort of bad blood between us?¡± Bailey shot her a sidelong nce, appearing conflicted. Frankly, the Carter family''s well-being had nothing to do with her. Yet the young woman beside her was close to Edmund, and at one point, Bailey even believed she would be the one to break the walls around Edmund''s heart. She even wished Lindsey could spend a long and happy life with Edmund. The significance of Lindsey''s identity as the eldest daughter of Epea''s most prestigious family only struck Bailey then. That makes her Veikko''s... Bailey snapped out of her thoughts and answered Lindsey''s question with one of her own. ¡°Why do you think he hates you? Have you met him before?¡± Lindsey shook her head hastily and said, ¡°No, no, I don''t know him at all. He looks like someone who runs in underground circles. His hands are probably stained by the blood of countless men. Why would I know someone like him?¡± Bailey''s gaze dimmed. That''s right. Veikko runs around with gangs and has plenty of lives on his hands. He''s from a totally different world from the naive, sheltered daughter of a prestigious family. But does she know that the two of them share the same blood? He''s simply not as fortunate as her. Her mother is the official wife, while his mother is a lowly mistress. The two of them are biological siblings, yet your lives have diverged in such extreme directions. Somethingpelled Bailey to advise Lindsey, ¡°You''d do well to stay away from him in the future, Lindsey. He''s a loner, plus¡ª¡± Surprise cut off the rest of her warning. Lindsey suddenly increased her pace and dragged Bailey toward the elevator, muttering, ¡°I don''t know him, Bailey, and I don''t think we''ll ever meet again. Let''s not talk about him. Bring me to see Edmund.¡± Still, Bailey hesitated. Edmund doesn''t want to see anyone. Would he throw a fit if I brought his admirer to him? It would be tactless of me to infuriate him while he''s recovering. ¡°Lindsey, he''s in an ICU ward now, and it''s a clean room. Anyone who wants to enter his ward must endure several rounds of disinfection to ensure they don''t bring in any germs that could infect his wounds. Why don''t you watch him from outside his ward inside? I''ll ask them to open the curtains to the floor-length window,¡± suggested Bailey. An objection appeared to be on the tip of Lindsey''s tongue, yet as though remembering something, she merely nodded obediently, epting Bailey''s suggestion. Lindsey said, ¡°I hated you so much when I was rushing back because younded him in this state. But I heard from Mrs. Chivers that you saved his leg, so I don''t hate you anymore. Since you said he''s not in a state to receive visitors, I''ll take your advice and not cause amotion by going to his ward. I''m happy to see him from the outside.¡± Her surprisingly mature assessment of the situation impressed Bailey. She used to think the Carter family''s daughter was a sheltered princess who steered clear of the difficult things in life. It was quickly bing evident that her family was responsible for most of the sheltering and that Lindsey was not avoiding adversity but simply experiencing itter in life. Love can sometimes teach a person the best lessons in life. I suppose Lindsey has be more mature while pursuing Edmund. Bailey''s thoughts continued to wander. The real test wille when Veikko and her brother begin their battle. Eventually, I will support Veikko, and if Lindsey sides with her family, she will be Veikko''s and, by association, my enemy. No one could change or escape the course of fate. eptance, willing or not, seemed to be the only answer. In another area of the medical base, Victoria carried a thick stack of documents and entered Lionel''s ward. Lionel scrambled to sit up in bed once he saw her. He asked, ¡°Vicky! Didn''t you return to the Saunders residence? Why are you back at the medical base?¡± Victoria ced the documents on his bed and replied, ¡°I only want the Saunders family''s shares. You can have everything else.¡± She added quickly before Lionel could reply, ¡°We''ve discussed this earlier. All I want are the shares. I don''t want any other assets, especially your private ones. I can''t ept them, so please take them back, Mr. Gezmond.¡± Lionel sighed and exined in a resigned tone, ¡°Marriagews dictate that a married couple shares all assets. After our divorce, I must give you half of our shared assets. I''m merely following thew; whether you want it or not is independent of my obligation to give it to you.¡± Victoria smiled and challenged him with his own logic. ¡°Well then, I can''t control your decision to give me your assets, but you can''t control my decision to reject them. I''m telling you that I don''t want them, so I''m here to return the assets to their original owner. That''s all I came here to say. I need to rush off for a meeting at the office. I''ll visit you again when I''m free. Take care of yourself, and... I wish you the best in life. May you meet a partner who can stand by your side and share your ups and downs in life.¡± A bitter smile curved Lionel''s lips. When he noticed Victoria turning to leave, he called out hastily, ¡°Be careful. You haven''t recovered fully, so don''t burn yourself out. And, uh, I hope we can work together professionally in the future.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± She soon disappeared from his view, and Lionel''s gaze slowly dimmed. Her visit felt like the final nail in the coffin of their rtionship. While he did not cause her mother''s death, his father did. That tragic history would always hang over their heads and prevent them from being together. Vicky, now that you''ve thrown off the shackles of your tragic fate, I hope you are blessed with the sess you deserve. After leaving Lionel''s ward, Victoria turned the corner and promptly ran into Bailey, who was leaving the ICU ward. Bailey greeted her warmly, ¡°I heard you''re rebuilding the Saunders family business, Vicky. How''s everything going? Do you have enough funds? Need any investment from me?¡± Victoria smiled and continued walking toward the elevator. ¡°Sure. I''ll get someone from the investment division to discuss this with you in detail. I''ll make sure you get a higher dividend as well.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face widened. She was happy that Victoria was finallying out of her gloom. Suddenly, an anxious cry rang out behind her, ¡°Bay, rence''s not going to make it.¡± Chapter 703 Chapter 703 Bailey instinctively whirled around at the sound of Artemis'' voice. She wondered if she had misheard his earlier cry. ¡°What did you say? What do you mean rence isn''t going to make it?¡± Only then did she notice that Artemis was holding her phone. He lowered his head and said, ¡°The Jefferson residence''s butler called you earlier. He said rence''s condition worsened, and he was likely on hisst breath. Then he asked if you wanted to head back and visit him.¡± Bailey felt her legs go weak. The news was far too sudden. Too many things had happened, and though she had cut off her rtionship with the Jefferson family and rence, she could not simply overlook his role in raising her. ¡°I-Is he dying? Is the information reliable?¡± Artemis rushed forward to support her when she seemed on the verge of falling. He brushed his slender fingers across her face to soothe her tension. ¡°His health has been deteriorating since that incident. He''s only buying more time with medication at this stage; nothing more can be done to cure him. Death is imminent.¡± Bailey shut her eyes. She did not cry, but she trembled more violently than before. Sometimeter, Bailey dered, ¡°Come back to the Jefferson residence with me. He''s still my father, after all. I may not forgive him for what he did, but I should see him onest time. They can be cold and cruel, but that doesn''t erase the fact that they raised me. That alone is enough to convince me to visit him.¡± Artemis promptly scooped her into his arms and walked toward the wards. He replied, ¡°Okay. I''ll go with you. But before that, you need to put on some extrayers.¡± At that moment, rence leaned against the headboard of his bed in the infirmary of the Jefferson residence. He appeared to be in better spirits than before, though perhaps it was merely a trick of the light. ¡°Have you gotten in touch with her and her mother?¡± he asked Zayn. The butler quickly offered, ¡°I''ve left them both messages. They should be replying shortly, so please wait a little longer.¡± A nearbyptop began beeping with an iing notification the second after Zayn uttered his reply., ¡°Sir, it''s a video call. Would you like to answer it?¡± rence nodded. ¡°Yes. I want to see her one final time. I''ve never been much of a father to her, and while I know she had a good life with the Shurmer family, she''s still my flesh and blood. I can die happy if she''s willing to call me her father even once.¡± Zayn answered the video call and handed theptop to him. rence immediately frowned when he recognized the caller. Instead of Zoey, Sofie''s face filled the screen. Sofie, his ex-wife, the scheming woman whom he believed dead for over twenty years. He asked usatorily, ¡°Sophia, Zozo''s your biological daughter. How could you do this to her? How can you swap her with another person''s child? How is that any different from abandoning your child?¡± Sofie shot him a taunting smirk and retorted, ¡°What? Would you raise her if I didn''t send her to the Shurmer family? The Jefferson family is nothingpared to a household as established as the Shurmer family. I would''ve ruined her life if I allowed you to raise my daughter. Are you sure you wouldn''t have done otherwise if you were in my shoes?¡± rence closed his eyes, trying his best to rein in his fury. His end was near, and he did not wish to spend his dying moments arguing with that woman. ¡°Where''s Zozo? Didn''t she go abroad with you? Give her the phone. I want to speak to her.¡± ¡°What''s the rush? It''s just a few words with Zozo. We have plenty of time. I think we should discuss more important matters.¡± Sofie added, ¡°rence, if I didn''t try my best to save Zozo, your daughter would be begging on the streets now. The Shurmers and Bailey have no intention of forgiving her; they''re hellbent on destroying her.¡± rence clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, ¡°Well, haven''t you escaped? Don''t go causing trouble now. You should build a peaceful life with her. I''ve already told thewyers to send you some funds. It''s more than enough to support both of you for the rest of your lives. Heed my advice¡ª do not try to mess with Bailey.¡± To his dismay, she burst into guffaws and snapped, ¡°You''re still as innocent as ever after all these years. Do you think Bailey will let things go just because we''ve run away? She won''t! That darling daughter of yours will not stop until she kills your biological daughter. You know what to do if you''re even worth half a man.¡± Silence descended upon the room as rence mulled over her words. Eventually, he asked, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± A sinisterugh bubbled out of Sofie. ¡°Very simple. When I left Hallsbay, I sent someone to meet your youngest daughter, Rhonda. She''s now in possession of an ancient poison that has no antidote. If you want to ensure Zozo''s safety, then you will use it to poison Bailey.¡± rence exploded, ¡°Don''t you know Bailey''s personality by now? What makes you think I can sessfully poison her?¡± Sofie had clearly thought the n through as she exined, ¡°Once she learns that you''re dying, she will surely rush home to visit you. Repent before her and lower her guard. That''s the perfect opportunity to share a drink with her, which she won''t refuse. And vo! The poison will be in her body.¡± He fell silent once more. Just then, Sofie disappeared from the video call. Zoey appeared on the screen a momentter. ¡°Zozo. Are you okay?¡± Zoey sniffled and burst into tearful wails. ¡°Dad, please save me, okay? I have too much bad blood with Bailey; she''ll do everything to kill me! Can you really bear to see your daughter die at her hands?¡± rence''s indecision dissipated when he saw Zoey''s tearful expression. A wave of paternal love swelled in his chest. ¡°All right, you''ve even called me your dad. As your father, I''ll do my best to keep you safe. Just wait for my news.¡± He ended the call and summoned his butler. ¡°Z-Zayn, please bring Ms. Rhonda here.¡± He heard a familiar titter outside his door. ¡°That won''t be necessary. I''m already here, and I have what you want, Father.¡± This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. rence lowered his head in shame. He still could not bring himself to meet Rhonda''s gaze. And how could he? He did not think he would ever be able to face his daughter after what had happened. Rhonda noticed he was averting his gaze and could not help but scoff to herself. She said nonchntly, ¡°If you''re harboring any pity for Bailey, then you''re choosing to be cruel toward Zoey and me. Just remember that if you fail to poison Bailey, the responsibility will fall upon me. And then, she''ll kill me, and you''ll have no one to me but yourself for your daughter''s death.¡± rence received the bottle of poison from her with shaky hands. He mumbled, ¡°Fine. I''ll do as you wish. Drag her into h*ll with me to give both of you a secure life.¡± Chapter 704 Chapter 704 After watching Rhonda leave the ward, rence handed the bottle containing the poison in his hand to his butler beside him¡ªZayn. ¡°Do you know what to do?¡± Zayn nodded and replied, ¡°Yes.¡± Half an hourter, Bailey and Artemis arrived at the Jefferson residence. Bailey asked the driver to pull over when the car reached the gate. ncing at her with narrowed eyes, Artemis frowned and asked, ¡°Are you nning to walk inside? Listen to me. It''s cold and windy outside. Driving to the main entrance is better so that you don''t catch a cold.¡± Tilting her head and looking at him with a grin, Bailey said, ¡°Artemis, I grew up at this ce. Don''t you want to carry me and walk down the path I always took?'' The corner of Artemis'' lips twitched. He was about to say no, but he sighed in resignation after seeing the anticipated look on her face. ¡°Fine. Did I ever say no to anything you asked? I know you are hurting yourself by doing so, but I still couldn''t bear to reject you.¡± After saying that, he opened the door and got off. Bailey''s lips curled into a smile. How nice it is to have him in my world. Despite the freezing winter, she never felt cold with him by her side. The door beside her opened, and Artemis crouched before her. ¡°Come on. I''ll carry you inside.¡± A smile hung on Bailey''s face as she leaned forward and rested her body on his back. Holding her firmly in ce, Artemis walked over to the intricately-carved door. Crisp crunches sounded as his shoes dug into theyer of thin snow. With snowkes falling from above his head, a silvery scene appeared before his eyes. ¡°Artemis, do you know? I walked down this path countless times. This was my home, where I could rely the most, but I never felt I belonged here. Tormenting loneliness and helplessness was all I could feel when I stood here underneath the infinite sky back then. However, things are different now. Despite the winter months, I feel all warm when you are next to me.¡± Artemis'' pace gradually slowed. He stopped in his tracks and turned around to inch closer to her face. Bailey grinned faintly, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. ¡°A reward for you. Keep walking.¡± As Artemis continued walking, a deep, rich voice resonated in the snow. ¡°I was only focused on expanding the business to make Luther Group thergest corporation in the world back then. I lived like a zombie every single day. After I met you, only I realized one could live such a wonderful life.¡± Resting her head on his shoulder, Bailey responded with a light chuckle, ¡°Artemis, thank you for showing up in my life. You are the best part of it, and I hope it will stay wonderful like this forever.¡± Tilting his head to look at her, Artemis promised, ¡°It will. I''m sure we''ll stay by each other''s side forever.¡± His remark made Bailey giggle. Meanwhile, Rhonda stood on the stairs at a gazebo in the distance, staring silently at the intimate couple in the snow. Her hands on her side slowly clenched into fists. The poison was called ¡°Soul Reaper.¡± As the name suggested, no one could escape from a Grim Reapering from hell to im one''s soul. If Bailey got poisoned by it, I bet she can''t save herself even if she is the miracle doctor¡ªAnonymous. What mattered more was that there was no antidote for the poison. It was rumored that the Yablon family¡ªa prestigious family specializing in drugs¡ªdeveloped the world''s first peculiar poison. A poisoner from the family refined the poison. There was no antidote for the poison whoseposition had been long lost. To put it simply, anyone who got poisoned would surely die. Oh, Bailey. I have been struggling in sinful hell for so long. There''s neither hope nor anyone on my side. I am so lonely, so you better suffer with me. Bailey walked into the ward at the infirmary under Zayn''s lead. Sorrow rose in her heart when she saw the stick-thin body on the bed. Although the Jefferson family was not as affluent as the Luther family, they were still one of the prestigious families in Hallsbay. If he had known his ce and didn''t do those bad things to me, he wouldn''t have ended up like this today. Cough! Cough! A violent coughing sound sliced through the ward as rence stiffly opened his eyes. The moment he saw Bailey, he was slightly stunned. After recollecting himself, he joyfully said, ¡°B-Bay, you''re back.¡± This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. After barely speaking a few words, he coughed so hard that he couldn''t catch his breath. Sighing silently, Bailey walked over and pricked the back of his neck several times with a needle. His coughing stopped the next second, making him look at her in surprise. ¡°Bay, is my disease under control now?¡± Bailey bobbed her head and stated, ¡°No, I only suppress the coughing because it''s too loud and annoys me. You''re on the brink of death, and even God can''t save you.¡± rence couldn''t help but smile bitterly, shook his head, and said, ¡°How naive of me. I have one foot in the grave but still dread my death. Forget it. I am already contented that you''re willing to visit me during my final moments. Bay, does it mean you forgave me?¡± Bailey gave him a cold look. Her face was void of expressions while her gaze was frosty. ¡°What''s the point of forgiving? The damage has already been done. The world will remind us even if we forget about it, so stop deceiving yourself. I came today not because I forgave you. Instead, I want to put an end to everything in the past. Otherwise, I''ll have to live with the guilt all my life.¡± After finishing her words, she bowed low at him, saying calmly, ¡°Thank you for taking care of me for eighteen years, Mr. Jefferson. I came today to spend your final moments with you because of our father and daughter bond. If there is such a thing as a next lifetime, I hope we never get entangled with each other and be strangers.¡± The joy on rence''s face gradually faded. I can''t believe I''ve raised an ingrate after caring for her for many years. Initially, I was still hesitating about whether to poison her. However, seeing her cold look now, I''m sure Zozo and Ronni will live a hard life if I let her live. I must do something in myst moments and help my two daughters get rid of her. ¡°Fine. Regardless, I hurt you and don''t deserve your forgiveness. Since I''m on the verge of dying, can you have a drink with me?¡± Narrowing her eyes and staring into his silently, Bailey tried to read his mind from his gaze. However, his pupils were as calm as stagnant water. Aside from seeing her reflection, she couldn''t tell what he was thinking. ¡°What''s wrong? Can''t you even do me onest favor?¡± ncing at him, Bailey sighed silently and ordered Zayn at the side, ¡°Bring us a bottle of wine.¡± The worst she could think of was him poisoning her drink. In fact, she was not afraid at all. There is no poison in the world I couldn''t neutralize, except¡ªno way. The poison has been lost for many years. I couldn''t find it anywhere after searching for a long time. With his capabilities, there is no way he could get it. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Ms. Bailey, here''s your wine,¡± said Zayn as he poured the liquor. Chapter 705 Chapter 705 Bailey sniffed at the wine for a bit and found its smell nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, its mellow aroma only aroused her interest to have a sip of it. Could it be that I was overthinking? From the corner of his eyes, rence spotted a hint of wariness in the woman''s eyes, whichpelled him tomand Zayn, ¡°Come on, get me a ss of it first. I can never get my fill of it.¡± A hint of hesitation flitted across Zayn''s eyes as he averted his gaze. After a moment of struggling, he still did rence''s bidding and served him one of the sses of wine. rence did not deliberate the slightest when he grabbed the ss and gulped down the wine. ¡°What a great wine! It''s a pity that I won''t get to enjoy it anymore in the future. Here, fill my ss again.¡± Zayn took over the empty ss and poured the old man yet another full ss of wine. With the ss of wine in his hand, rence turned to Bailey and prompted, ¡°Come, let''s make a toast.¡± Bailey was all ready to reach out for the ss when Artemis stepped inside all of a sudden. The man gripped her wrist and uttered with a smile, ¡°You haven''t fully recovered yet. Let me drink in your stead.¡± That made rence''s face cloud over. Never did he expect Artemis to show up at such a critical moment to botch his n. Yet, on second thought, he figured that it was also not that bad if Artemis ended up drinking the wine himself. In fact, things might even turn out better. Firstly, both of rence''s biological daughters, Zoey and Rhonda, were love-struck because of Artemis. They would be liberated once Artemis was poisoned to death. Secondly, Bailey would be as good as dead when Artemis was six feet under. Without Bailey sticking around, Zoey and Rhonda could live a peaceful life. No longer would rence have to worry about his daughters getting hurt again. ¡°Mr. Jefferson, Bay isn''t feeling well, so she can''t drink. I hope you don''t mind me drinking on her behalf.¡± rence raised his ss to signal approval. ¡°No, I don''t. Go ahead, Mr. Luther.¡± The men clinked sses, and Artemis lifted his chin to knock back the ss of wine in his hand. It was then that rence began chuckling. While he was at it, he started to tremble violently. Bailey rushed toward the old man to check his pulse. There was nothing unusual about him except that his face had lost all color and that his vitality had been depleted. His death was imminent. Cough! Cough! rence had a coughing fit out of the blue as he reached out to grab Bailey. Thetter instinctively backed away, hence dodging his grip. The next second, rence''s body shuddered vigorously for onest time before his hands fell feebly and his eyes gradually shut. Bailey ced her finger near rence''s nose to feel his breath, only to reveal the bad news to Zayn in a hoarse voice, ¡°He''s drawn hisst breath. Tell Beatrice and Rhonda to arrange for his funeral.¡± Upon hearing those words, Zayn burst into tears. Gazing at the deceased man in the bed, Bailey stayed silent for a moment before bowing deeply to him. After that, she held Artemis'' hand and walked out. ¡°Let''s go. There''s nothing left for us to do here.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± The moment the couple set foot outside the room, they bumped into Beatrice, who was bolting over in their direction. With her hand lifted high up, Beatrice was about to give Bailey a tight p across her cheek. Quick as a wink, Bailey managed to catch hold of Beatrice''s wrist right before thetter''s palmnded on her face. ¡°What''s with you? Are you still thinking of going on a rampage?¡± Beatrice red daggers at the woman in front of her and fumed, ¡°You caused your father''s death, you ingrate! He had at least provided for you! How could you... Aren''t you afraid of dying a horrible death?¡± ¡°From this day onward, I have nothing to do with the Jefferson family.¡± With all her might, Bailey flung Beatrice''s hand off. She wasted no time tugging at Artemis'' arm as they headed toward the stairs. On the heels of that, Rhonda arrived and saw both of them leaving. Her red lips curled into a sinister smirk. ¡°Zayn, did she drink the poisoned wine?¡± Zayn seemed a little troubled to answer that. ¡°M-Ms. Bailey didn''t drink it,¡± he stammered. The smile on Rhonda''s face froze at once as she shot a stern re right back at him. ¡°What? She didn''t?¡± Left with no choice, Zayn steeled himself and replied, ¡°Ms. Bailey didn''t, but... Mr. Luther drank it instead.¡± Rhonda''s visage changed drastically at that. She gaped at him in disbelief, her eyes like saucers. A-Artemis drank it? Still, as she pondered about it, a sense of relief inundated her. Since Artemis had consumed the poison, he would soon meet his demise. When that happened, Bailey would suffer an excruciating heartache. I guess it''s fine this way, too. If she were to simply die from the poison, it''d be too light a punishment for her. Nothing could be more agonizing than living a life worse than death. To make Bailey helplessly watch Artemis die right before her very eyes would probably be the most torturous. After all, no matter how much Rhonda sacrificed for Artemis, that man would never spare her a nce. Destroying him was her only way out. With him dead, Bailey''s life would be a living hell, and even death could not free her from the pain of losing the love of her life. ¡°Send someone to keep a close eye on them. Update me immediately once there''s news.¡± ¡°Noted, Ms. Rhonda.¡± As Bailey and Artemis made their way out of the Jefferson residence, they made a beeline for the medical base. Soon after, they reached their destination. When they stepped out of the parking lot, Artemis left in a hurry after telling Bailey to return to the ward on her own, for he had something urgent to attend to in the study. Looking at the man walking off in an anxious gait, Bailey was left scratching her head. This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. She could not help but think back to that ss of wine he had had back at the Jefferson residence. Was the wine reallyced with poison? But that doesn''t make sense. On their way back earlier, she had repeatedly read Artemis'' pulse and found no signs of poisoning. Logically speaking, there should be no problem with that wine. Given that she could figure nothing out despite mulling over it for quite some time, she decided to give up altogether. ¡°I''m going to the ICU to check on Edmund. You guys should carry on with your work. You don''t have to follow me.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As fast as lighting, Artemis arrived at the study. Immediately after mming the door shut behind him, he spat out a mouthful of blood. At that time, Zeke was also in the study doing his work. Witnessing Artemis vomit blood like that, Zeke leaped up from the couch in fright. ¡°What happened to you, Artemis? Are you hurt?¡± As he spoke, he hurried toward the door to support Artemis, who nearly copsed. He swept a gaze at Artemis'' body from head to toe but saw no injuries whatsoever. ¡°What''s wrong with you?¡± he asked in puzzlement. The only thing Artemis did was lean his back against the wall and knit his brows. Have I been poisoned? But if that''s the case, Bay should''ve been able to detect it when she checked my pulse just now. The truth was that Bailey had read his pulse more than a dozen times throughout the journey, but even she had not noticed anything amiss. ¡°I''m okay. Maybe my old injury''s rpsing. It''s nothing serious, really. Don''t tell Bailey about this. I''m worried that she might overthink things.¡± Zeke cast a nce at Artemis and found thetter rather hale and hearty. In a sense, nothing about him seemed different except for the blood clot he coughed up on the floor. Because of that, Zeke unwittingly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°You almost scared me to death! Nothing must happen to you, or my sister won''t be able to go on.¡± Artemis inclined his head a fraction. ¡°Don''t fret. Quick, get someone to clean the bloodstain on the floor. It''ll be bad if Bailey suddenlyes in and sees this.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Meanwhile, in the ICU, Edmund regarded Bailey with a grin. ¡°Thanks for going easy on me,¡± he said with a gentle voice. Dumbfounded, Bailey froze and gawked at the man, only to regain her senses after a momentary silence. He must be referring to that day when I stopped Lindsey from barging in to disturb him. ¡°You need someone to keep youpany, Edmund. Lindsey is resilient, and she has a good family background. She¡ª¡± ¡°No matter how amazing anyone is, they can''tpare to you.¡± ¡°Edmund¡ª¡± ¡°If I hear another word from you, Bailey, I''ll give up on the treatment.¡± Chapter 706 Chapter 706 Bailey red at him and sprang up to her feet. ¡°There''s nothing good about me; I''m just a wild girl, spoiled and uncultured. My reputation was already notorious, and now, with my frailty and poor health, I''m even more undeserving of your attention and selfless dedication.¡± Edmund chuckled softly, struggling to sit up. However, Bailey quickly reached out and held his shoulder, pushing him back down. ¡°Don''t move; just lie down.¡± Edmund smiled as he reached for her hand. ¡°Bailey, I understand you are only happy when you are with Artemis. Over time, I''ve realized that love isn''t just about possessing someone; sometimes, safeguarding them from afar is equally rewarding. So, let''s make a deal. I won''t intrude on your life, and you needn''t concern yourself with my future. Does that sound fair?¡± Hearing his words, the woman slumped onto the chair, and her head lowered slightly. After a moment of silence, she sighed. ¡°I won''t argue further since I''m indebted to you; we shall do as you wish.¡± ¡°That''s good. If I can stand up again someday, I will continue to live well. If I die, I hope we''ll meet earlier in our next life.¡± Over in a bedroom at the Jefferson residence, Rhonda was sitting on a couch, making a phone call. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. ¡°I''ve administered the poison, but it''s not Bailey who''s poisoned; it''s Artemis.¡± A dead silence stretched on for a long while. Finally, a burst of hystericalughter was heard. ¡°Haha, luck is on my side! I never expected Artemis to take the poison. He''s definitely going to die. I was just thinking about how to deal with him, and now, thanks to your idental mistake, he has been poisoned. You have done me a great favor.¡± Rhonda said cautiously, ¡°Bailey will be helpless if Artemis dies. If she''s at your mercy, I hope you can hand her over to me.¡± Sofieughed heartily. ¡°Of course. I wouldn''t have been able to poison Artemis so easily without your help. You have done me a great favor, so I''ll certainly repay you. Bailey is of no use to me. If I get hold of her, I''ll send her to you as a gift. You can settle your grudges with her.¡± ¡°All right, I shall wait for your good news.¡± After hanging up the call, Rhonda shed a sinister grin. She could have lived her whole life as a madwoman without being condemned by ethics and morality. Yet, Bailey forcibly cured her insanity, leaving her to struggle in the abyss of pain every day. Hence, she swore to make the woman pay back for all the suffering she endured. Bailey left the intensive care unit and went straight to the study. As she pushed open the door, she saw Artemis sitting unscathed on the sofa, chatting with Zeke. She couldn''t help but heave a sigh of relief. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± she asked. Zeke nced at her and said indifferently, ¡°Sofie went to Moranta after leaving the country.¡± Bailey arched her brow and walked over to sit next to Artemis. ¡°Moranta is the Hoffman family''s old stronghold. It seems that woman is really connected to the Hoffman family. I just don''t know if her conspirator is Raymond or Philip.¡± Zeke said, ¡°Anyway, we have to pay the Hoffman family a visit, and when the timees, we''ll eliminate her. We need to eradicate any future troubles.¡± Nodding, Bailey grasped Artemis'' wrist to take his pulse. ¡°How are you feeling? Do you have any difort? I''m not sure if there was a problem with the drink, but if it''s really poisoned, I should be able to cure you. Luckily, there are no signs of poisoning from your pulse reading.¡± Artemis smiled and sped her wrist. ¡°That proves I''m not poisoned. Don''t worry; my body is fine. If I feel any difort, I''ll tell you right away. Besides, there''s no way I can hide the truth from the divine doctor before me.¡± After breaking free from his grip, Bailey grabbed his other arm and tried to read his pulse. Still, she found nothing. ¡°Never mind; maybe I''m just being paranoid. I was wrong to think you were poisoned.¡± Artemis could not help but grin. Suddenly, he changed the subject and said, ¡°By the way, Holden and the others n to take Yvette back to Tarragon headquarters for trial. That''s the only way to clear the charges against Shannon and prove her innocence.¡± Bailey could guess his intentions. She furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°Are you making a trip to the Tarragon headquarters?¡± ¡°Yeah. I am the leader, and this matter is of great importance. Moreover, I need to deal with the elder personally.¡± Bailey suppressed her desire to apany Artemis as she was mindful of Edmund''s critical condition. Hence, she replied, ¡°We need to think carefully about every decision we make and not act recklessly. I''m not worried since Holden and Micah will protect you. When do you n to leave?¡± After pondering for a while, Artemis replied, ¡°Probably in the next two days. Sofie is likely to cause trouble again now that she has escaped. We must resolve the internal turmoil in Tarragon as soon as possible, or we will be vulnerable to attacks.¡± ¡°Okay, go ahead. There''s no need to worry about me. We have dealt with the danger in Hallsbay. Moreover, with the Saviors protecting me, nothing can go wrong.¡± When Zeke saw Artemis reach out and caress Bailey''s cheek, he sensibly left the study. ¡°You must promise me you''ll do your best in everything and not be ruthless or arrogant. The children and I can''t live without you.¡± Bailey wrapped her arms around Artemis'' neck and looked at him tenderly. The man leaned in and kissed her lips. ¡°I''m sorry, but I have to leave you again for a brief period. After I settle the internal strife in Tarragon, I will hand over my power to Holden and Micah. From then on, I will only stay by your side and protect you forever.¡± While Bailey touched his chest to feel his strong heartbeat, her thoughts wandered. Something doesn''t feel quite right, but I can''t put my finger on it. Did I miss something? Why is my heart palpitating so strongly? Suddenly, her head began to spin, and she let out a squeal, ¡°Artemis, what are you doing?¡± The man hugged her and headed toward the door. ¡°We are about to be separated, so shouldn''t we hurry to our room to enjoy each other''spany?¡± Bailey blushed and hammered him on the chest. ¡°Can you please act seriously in broad daylight?¡± ¡°You can be serious with others but not with your wife,¡± Artemis replied seductively. At White Crane Cemetery in the suburbs, two figures stood in the snow, silently gazing at the unmarked tombstone before them. Shannon''s reddened eyes were brimming with tears, threatening to spill at any moment. Chapter 707 Chapter 707 Micah''s body was trembling slightly as he stared at the tomb before him. Even though he did not experience the car ident, he could almost imagine the bloody and gruesome scene in his head. A child was the greatest gift bestowed to a parent. Yet, his child perished in sin; no one knew of his existence before his death, not even his own father. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. He left the world without a trace. ¡°Eugene, your mother and I havee to see you. You are an angel now, watching over us from above. If you pity your mother, grant her some happiness so that the rest of her life may be a little more peaceful. She will no longer suffer from the pain of the past.¡± Shannon nced at him sideways, sneering, ¡°What right do you have to make demands of our child? All of his misfortune was because of you, his father. Micah, you have no right to speak to him, let alone order him. Get out of here, and don''t soil his path of reincarnation.¡± A pang of guilt shed past Micah''s eyes. His lips quivered, and he felt a lump in his throat. Shannon ignored him and walked over to the grave, squatting down and gently stroking the cold tombstone. The tears that she had held back for so long began to fall. ¡°Eugene, I''m here to see you. Three years passed, and I never came to visit. Will you me me for being heartless? I couldn''t find the person who harmed you before, so I was too ashamed to see you. Now, your uncle has helped to catch the evil person, and I''ll definitely take revenge for you and seek justice!¡± Tears continued to stream down her face, sshing onto the snow and quickly freezing into ice. In the end, she broke down, sobbing uncontrobly on the tombstone. The car ident was the nightmare of her life, a pain that was a million times more despairing than losing an arm. Micah sought her forgiveness and begged her to start over with him. However, all of her experiences wereced with blood and tears. After enduring so much suffering, she could not find a reason to sacrifice herself to amodate him. It was no longer possible for them to be together; it was a sin to continue their rtionship. The loss of her child served as a harsh reminder for her to keep her distance from Micah. ¡°Show me mercy, Micah. I''ll persist even if life gets tough so that I can visit the beautiful ces in this world on behalf of my child. But I don''t want you to apany me. You remind me of my pain; I cannot break free from this curse with you around. The only way to find peace is to stay far away from you,¡± Shannon pleaded. ¡°Show me mercy, Micah.¡± That was her decision. She was truly ruthless; not only did she inflict wounds on herself, but she also hurt the others around her. Meanwhile, in the ward at the medical base, Bailey nestled in Artemis'' embrace, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. ¡°Artemis, I have a feeling that this room has turned into our wedding chamber.¡± Breathing softly, the man furrowed his brows at her words. ¡°Don''t be ridiculous. I''ll hold a grand wedding for you next spring. Our wedding chamber won''t look like this; it certainly won''t be associated with the hospital.¡± Looking up at him, Bailey smiled. ¡°Okay, I look forward to our grand wedding.¡± Artemis'' lips twitched, but before he could respond, a sudden surge of blood flowed in his abdomen. He quickly pushed the woman away and rushed to the bathroom. ¡°Are you all right, Artemis?¡± Bailed asked worriedly. A loud bang echoed as he mmed the bathroom door shut. Bailey stared at the closed door in confusion. Did I say something wrong and offend him? Hold on a second; no matter what I say, he wouldn''tsh out at me. Something is definitely wrong with him. With that thought in mind, she hurriedly got out of bed and rushed to the door. As expected, it was locked. ¡°Artemis, what''s wrong? Open the door, and let me take a look.¡± There was no response from inside; only the sound of running water could be heard. With his hands braced against the sink, Artemis frowned as he peered into the basin filled with congealed blood. I don''t have any internal injuries, so why am I suddenly coughing up blood? The pounding on the door grew more insistent, prompting him to grab a bottle of air freshener and spray it around the bathroom to dispel the lingering scent of blood. As the bathroom door clicked open, Bailey was taken aback when she saw Artemis holding a toothbrush. She asked, ¡°What are you doing? Why are you suddenly brushing your teeth?¡± The man turned back to the restroom and replied in a muffled voice, ¡°Maybe I caught a cold, so I feel nauseous. I want to vomit, but I can''t. It felt really ufortable, so I decided to rinse my mouth. Please go and take a rest and avoid catching a cold.¡± As Bailey followed him closely, a strange odor immediately infiltrated her nostrils. It smelled like an air freshener but with a hint of bloodiness, faint and barely noticeable. Such a scent could only be emitted by blood. The woman strode up to him and began examining his body. ¡°Did you get hurt somewhere?¡± Artemis spat out the foam in his mouth andughed. ¡°If I were injured, you would have seen or felt it during our intimate moment earlier, right? Don''t overthink it; I''m fine.¡± Bailey took his pulse once again but still found nothing amiss. ¡°Come on, let me take you for a blood test and a CT scan. If there''s something wrong with your body, we should find the cause as soon as possible. The longer we wait, the worse it will get,¡± she urged. With a firm grip on her shoulder, Artemis said, ¡°Ever since I came back, you''ve been like a frightened bird. The slightest abnormality would cause you to get so nervous. Bailey, what are you really afraid of?¡± The woman''s eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she said in a tearful voice, ¡°I''m afraid I''ll wake up one day and find you gone, and no matter where I look in the world, I won''t be able to find you. Artemis, I''ve never been afraid of anything. Even in the toughest times, I''ve always been able to rise to the challenge. But when ites to you, I feel so helpless.¡± Artemis pinched Bailey''s cheek before scooping her into his arms and carrying her outside. ¡°The recent difficulties you''ve faced have left you in a tense state, and you''re pushing yourself beyond your limits. Trust me, get some good sleep, and I promise you''ll wake up and see me,¡± the man said tenderly. Bailey stared at him nkly. Have I really pushed myself too hard? Is that why I''m always feeling so uneasy? ¡°Artemis, remember that we share the same destiny and rely on each other in life and death. If you keep something from me, it will hurt me, as I cannot bear to live without you if anything unfortunate happens,¡± she said solemnly. ¡°You''re getting more and more ridiculous. What could possibly be wrong with me?¡± Despite his words, Artemis still decided to visit Justin for a medical examination in secret. Chapter 708 Chapter 708 Holden sat by the bedside, looking at the woman on the bed. After spending time with Wendy for the past few days, he realized something he should have known all along. Women were not to be trifled with. Dealing with them was far more troublesome than facing a hail of bullets. ¡°I''m heading to Tarragon headquarters in a couple of days. I''ve already spoken to Lionel, and he promised to take care of you during this period. As for the other matters, we''ll talk about it when I get back.¡± Wendy nced at him coldly; her voice was t and lifeless as she spoke. ¡°Let''s just part ways forever. Don''t bothering back to us once you leave Hallsbay. Our rtionship soured when you decided to leave me in danger, even though you knew I was pregnant. I''m sorry, but I can''t let you make it up to me in the future. And don''t even think about using force to keep me here because I won''t let you have your way.¡± ¡°I''m sorry,¡± Holden replied hoarsely, his voice raw with emotion. ¡°It was dangerous back then, and I couldn''t bring you to Tarragon with me. I had no choice but to leave you behind. I know I broke your heart, but I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But you can''t tell me not to see you anymore. We have a connection, and our son is six years old now. I won''t let you go, and you should take this time to think about it. If you push me too hard, I''ll have no choice but to do things the hard way. There''s no use escaping; I''ll always get my way.¡± Hearing his words, Wendyughed in exasperation. ¡°You''re still as domineering as ever, but you''re right. After all, Holden is a man who controls Tarragon and can make countless people tremble at his command. In contrast, I''m just a helpless woman with no backing. How can I fight against you? If you are bent on keeping me by your side, how can I ever escape?¡± The man chuckled softly as he reached up to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead. ¡°I''m d you know your ce. Many international tycoons have offered me their women, but I rejected them all. My love for you is unwavering, and I want you to be my wife. You should be honored.¡± That was thest straw. Her anger surged, and she could feel her blood boiling with rage. ¡°Get out,¡± she seethed. Holden leaned in and nted a kiss on her forehead before grinning. ¡°I guess you''re just upset with me. I''ll have to ask Artemis for some advice on how to please a woman.¡± In the examination room, Justin studied the CT scan and blood report in his hand. ¡°Aside from coughing up blood, have you experienced any other symptoms?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°No, I just feel the blood churning in my chest. Once I spit it out, I feel fine. What are the results of my medical examination? Did you find anything unusual?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°No, your blood work and internal organs all appear normal. Your sudden hemoptysis could be rted to overexertion. Why don''t you take a few days of rest and monitor your condition? If you feel better, there''s nothing to worry about. However, if things get worse, tell Bailey and let her conduct a medical examination to determine the cause.¡± After a moment of silence, Artemis said tly, ¡°I''m heading to Tarragon headquarters in a few days. I shall seek the medical elder''s opinion instead. Don''t tell Bailey for now; I don''t want her to worry.¡± ¡°That''s a good idea. Perhaps we''re just overthinking it. If it''s really due to poisoning or internal injuries, the blood tests and CT scan would have revealed it,¡± Justin responded. In a presidential suite at a five-star hotel, Philip sat on the couch with a ss of red wine in hand. The middle-aged man standing beside him said, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, you''ve saved the head of the Shurmer family, and they now owe you a favor. As such, Zeke shouldn''t cause trouble for the Hoffman family anymore. Since we''ve achieved our goal for this trip, shouldn''t we return to Moranta?¡± ¡°There''s no hurry,¡± Philip said casually, ¡°This morning, Sofie called me and said that Artemis has been poisoned with Soul Reaper, a long-lost poison from the Yablon family. There is a seven-day incubation period, and the poison can''t be detected if the toxicity hasn''t fully developed. Once it does, he''s as good as dead. We''ve taken care of the head of Tarragon, but the second-inmand is still atrge.¡± After pondering for a moment, the man asked, ¡°Are you referring to Micah and Holden? Micah is not a concern anymore; he is distracted by a woman and no longer ambitious. As for Holden, we haven''t found his weakness yet.¡± A calcting glint shed across Philip''s eyes as he lightly tapped the cup''s surface. ¡°He has a weakness, and it''s easy to exploit. We just need to use a few tricks, and we can easily take advantage of his vulnerability.¡± The middle-aged man was puzzled. Many things were high-level secrets within the Hoffman family, and as a subordinate, he didn''t have the qualifications to know them. Therefore, he didn''t quite understand the meaning behind Philip''s words. ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Hoffman? I''m too dull to understand your ns. Please enlighten me.¡± Philip smiled and asked, ¡°Do you know who''s the father of my eldest niece''s child?¡± The middle-aged man was taken aback. ¡°Are you referring to Ms. Wendy''s child? Didn''t she marry the head of LG Corporation, Lionel Gezmond? Isn''t her child...¡± Before he could continue, Philip interrupted, ¡°No, it isn''t Lionel''s child. She was already pregnant when she married Lionel. The child belongs to Holden.¡± A look of rm shed past the middle-aged man''s face. However, it disappeared quickly as he went on to ask, ¡°Are you nning to abduct Ms. Wendy and her son and use them to threaten Holden? Philip''s lips curved into a sly smile. Holden and his sister are nning to return to Tarragon headquarters to settle an old score. Wendy, who is injured, will undoubtedly stay at Hallsbay. I haven''t seen my niece in a long time, so I think it''s time for me to pay her a visit.¡± The man could fully understand Philip''s intention. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll take care of this, Mr. Hoffman. When we leave Hallsbay to return home, we''ll bring Ms. Wendy and her son along.¡± Philipughed heartily. ¡°All right, I''ll be waiting for your good news. Don''t you dare disappoint me.¡± ¡°I won''t,¡± the man assured. In the ward at the medical base, Bailey leaned against the bedside, smiling as she watched Shannon standing next to her bed. ¡°Are you here to say goodbye?¡± Bailey asked. Shannon looked at her nkly, and after a moment of silence, she said, ¡°Thank you.¡± After all, if it weren''t for Bailey, she would probably have died long ago. After experiencing such injuries, every breath she took caused intense pain. She was able to hold on because of the strength and courage Bailey gave her. ¡°Bailey, they say too much wisdom brings harm. You''re too perceptive; a person like you who can see through the mysteries of the world wouldn''t be epted by society. From now on, you should be a bit more foolish. With so many people protecting you, you don''t need to be too smart. Just enjoy their care,¡± Shannon advised. In response, Bailey chuckled softly and said, ¡°What are your ns for the future? Actually, you don''t have to go back to Tarragon if you don''t want to. Just kill Yvette, and everything will be settled.¡± Tarragon was probably the most heart-wrenching ce for Shannon. Not only was her arm broken there, but it was also done right in front of Micah. Chapter 709 Chapter 709 Bailey knew that the pain of losing an arm was still within Shannon''s limits to bear. However, it was her lover''s cold indifference that had driven her into the abyss of agony, allowing her to taste a heart-wrenching, bone-searing torment. Bailey might advise Victoria to let go of the past and ept Lionel anew or encourage Wendy to discard past grievances and rekindle her romance with Holden. Despite that, she would never persuade Shannon to forgive Micah. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. The advice from friends and family was undoubtedly salt in the wound, causing Shannon even more pain. The pain of losing an arm, the grief of losing a child, and the removal of her womb¡ªBailey didn''t know what reasons Shannon had left to forgive Micah. Simrly, she didn''t know what reasons there were for them to be together again. Hence, at the time of their parting, Bailey said nothing and offered no advice. She merely asked about Shannon''s future ns. If Shannon wanted to break free from Micah''s entanglement, she could lend a helping hand. Shannon seemed to have read Bailey''s mind and chuckled softly. ¡°Previously, you didn''t know Artemis. Naturally, you didn''t know Micah either, but now, it''s different. You''ve be close to Artemis, and Micah has to address you as ''sister-inw'' respectfully. I won''t make any requests that would put you in a difficult position. As for returning to Tarragon, it''s something I''ve always desired. Although clearing my name doesn''t mean much to me, I''ll follow my mother and brother''s will since it''s what they wish for.¡± Bailey let out a soft sigh. ¡°Well, if you''ve made your choice, then I''ll support you. What are your ns for the future?¡± With an indifferent expression etched across her face, Shannon shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Perhaps I''ll adopt a little girl and find a city unknown to others, raise the child to adulthood, and as I grow old, she''ll care for me until myst days.¡± Then, Shannon turned to head for the door and said, ¡°Take care of yourself. We shall meet again.¡± Bailey''s eyes began to turn misty. They all said she was strong-willed, but she felt only someone like Shannon, who had endured such suffering and still persevered, deserved to be called ¡°resilient.¡± Shannon, your story is more captivating than mine, filled with pain, but in the end, it has not been a journey taken in vain. If possible, I would have hoped that you and Micah could support each other and continue on. You and Micah are like two wounded hearts, each seeking sce alone. This would only serve to magnify your pain. Perhaps the two of you might be able to find a way out of this bleak world if you hold on tightly to one another. ¡°What are you thinking about? You were so lost in thought that you didn''t even notice meing in.¡± A deep and resonant voice belonging to Artemis sounded beside her ear, pulling Bailey back from her wandering thoughts. Her gaze instinctively lifted to meet his, and she extended her hand toward him. ¡°Let me see.¡± Artemis was stumped for a moment, but upon realizing what she meant, he couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You truly know me well. It seems I won''t be able to escape your watchful eyes in the future.¡± Bailey snorted. ¡°That''s more like it. Now, show me the report.¡± Artemis pulled the examination report from his pocket. ¡°Blood work and CT scan, performed by Justin personally. There are no issues, so you should be reassured now.¡± Bailey flipped through it and indeed found no problems, but she couldn''t rule out that he had given her a fake report. Sensing her hesitation, Artemis smiled bitterly. ¡°You''re the world''s top hacker who can easily bring down the entire healthcare system. How could I deceive you? If you don''t believe me, you can perform the examination yourself.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°If there''s no problem, then there''s no problem. If I examined you myself, wouldn''t that be like anticipating something to go wrong?¡± As she finished speaking, she straightened her body, then reached out to wrap her arms around his waist. She rested her face against his chest to listen to his strong and steady heartbeat. ¡°Artemis, even though I know your intentions, I can''t sense if anything goes wrong with your body. So, no matter what happens, don''t hide it from me. People say I can do anything, but I am afraid that one day when I open my eyes, you will have vanished from my world.¡± Artemis leaned down, pressing against her. His slender fingers traced her cheek in a lingering caress. ¡°Don''t let your thoughts run wild in there. With your current condition, I dare not even leave Hallsbay. Or... maybe I don''t go to the Tarragon headquarters. I should just stay by your side to apany you,¡± Artemis suggested. Bailey really wanted him to stay, but the image of Shannon''s silhouette when she left lingered in Bailey''s mind. As the leader of Tarragon, it was only by Artemis'' hand that Shannon could be vindicated for the many years of humiliation and burden she had borne. That woman was her closest friend, who had been encouraging her to live on with thoughts of revenge these past years. Now that the opportunity had arisen, as a friend, it was her duty to support Shannon to the fullest extent. ¡°No need,¡± Bailey said. ¡°You must fulfill your duties, and I cannot hold you back. Now that I know you''re fine, my heart is at ease. Go and do what you must, and I promise not to let my thoughts run wild. I''ll be here, waiting for your return.¡± Artemis reached out to pinch her nose, leaning in closer to her. Bailey red at him. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Artemis asked teasingly. Bailey was rendered speechless. Did I really have to ask? In the adjacent hospital room, Veronique, who had been in aa for several days, finally awoke. She looked at her closest family members by her bedside. Noticing their red and swollen eyes, Veronique said in a hoarse voice, ¡°The universe truly does enjoy ying games with people. Why not just take my life instead of letting me live and wake up like this, causing you all to continue worrying?¡± Bill''s gaze instantly became stern as he scolded, ¡°I''m still well and alive. Are you saying you want to die before I do? Don''t ever speak like that again. It''s distressing.¡± ¡°Yes. We''re all trying to find ways to save your life, so you mustn''t give up on yourself. About Ms. Fletcher''s pregnancy¡ª¡± ¡°Let me exin it to her since it was my doing after all,¡± Justin''s voice interjected from the doorway. Bill gave a cold snort and walked out of the room. Yvonne hurriedly dragged Zephyr out as well. The room fell silent as Justin approached Veronique''s bedside. He conducted a checkup on her while exining the situation with Scarlett''s unborn child. ¡°This is how it happened. We didn''t tell you because we didn''t want to sully your ears. Scarlett caused a major car ident not long ago, and she was facing serious charges. If she had simply gone to jail and served her sentence, she might have had a peaceful end. With Raiden acting as a mediator, Bailey wouldn''t really have wanted her dead, and she could''ve been discreetly released after a few years. However, she refused to admit defeat and tried to use pregnancy as a means to escape punishment. Bailey outwitted her, and she''s now in this predicament. This was entirely of her own making,¡± Justin exined. A bitter smile crept up Veronique''s face. ¡°I wish she was bearing your child, though.¡± Justin''s handsome face sank at her words. Chapter 710 Chapter 710 He gradually stopped what he was doing and narrowed his eyes at her. His lips were pursed as a displeased look spread across his face. ¡°Is that really what you think? After all that we''ve been through, this is what ites down to?¡± Veronique turned away slightly. She genuinely wished Scarlett was carrying his child. That way, he could be saved. The more time she spent with him, the more she understood his thoughts, and her certainty that he would take his own life after her death also intensified. How can I bring myself to let him do that? He''s still so young. With his exceptional medical skills, he undoubtedly has a bright future ahead. I cannot drag him down with me and cause his life to end so early. Veronique knew nothing she said could persuade Justin otherwise. Even if he promised her he would live well, as soon as she expired, she was sure he would immediately follow suit. I''m too familiar with his personality. ¡°Justin, I suppose I must be an unforgivable sinner in your parents'' eyes. I can''t me them for thinking that. After all, they''ve spent so many years and effort to nurture their son until he could finally make them proud. Unfortunately, he was ultimately burdened by me, so their hatred toward me ispletely justifiable. Nevertheless, I don''t want to ruin the Xuereb family''s hope, so please promise me you''ll live well. Even after I''m gone, you must live on and raise Zephyr. Can you do that for me?¡± Justin slumped down on the edge of the bed, looking somewhat dejected as he sighed. ¡°Why are you forcing me like this? You should know that, in a world without you, I will only live on like a walking corpse. Only by dying can I bepletely free from this torment.¡± Crash! Veronique knocked over the water ss on the bedside table and gazed at him with an agonized expression, sobbing, ¡°I don''t want you to perish alongside me.¡± ¡°He won''t be doing that because you may not die, after all.¡± A man''s nonchnt voice sounded at the door. Justin and Veronique instinctively turned to look in that direction. ¡°Zain Bryne? Are you Bailey''s disciple?¡± Zain nodded slightly and replied in a t tone, ¡°I''ve been staying in yourboratory for almost a month, yet you''ve never taken notice of me, Mr. Xuereb. It seems I still have a long way to go before completing my training.¡± Justin slowly got to his feet and walked toward the door. ¡°I''ve asionally heard of your name on the global tform, but I never expected you to be Bailey''s mentee. I wonder what you meant when you mentioned Veronique may not have to die, Mr. Bryne? Don''t tell me you''ve developed an anticancer medication?¡± Zain arched his brow. ¡°Anticancer medications can only slow down the spread of the cancer cells, not solve the problem fundamentally. However, I do have a method topletely eradicate Ms. Revelle''s illness.¡± Eradicate the illness? Justin sized Zain up and smiled. ¡°You''re quite confident for a young man. I doubt even your mentor would dare to say such a thing. Even the new anticancer medication she sessfully developed a few months ago could only prevent the spread of cancer cells, notpletely terminate the root cause.¡± Zain wasn''t infuriated after listening to Justin''s doubtful remarks. Instead, he uttered casually, ¡°Using poison to fight poison is an essential part of the study of medicine. We can also attempt a simr approach by targeting cancer cells with cancer cells.¡± Justin raised his brows as a hint of surprise shed across his eyes. He wiped the smile off his face and asked solemnly, ¡°How do you n on achieving that?¡± ¡°It''s simple. We''ll transnt a different type of cancer cell into her body, then use drugs to catalyze their growth, allowing the two strains of cancerous cells to attain mutual enhancement and inhibition. I figure there are two possible oues in the end. First, the two types of cancer cells will merge, in which case her death will be inevitable. Second, the two types of cancer cells will destroy each other, and she''ll ultimately be cured of this terminal disease.¡± Justin''s eyelids twitched after he heard the exnation. This method is unheard of and can even be considered wildly imaginative. We''re not filming a superhero movie or writing a fantasy story where the main character will never die no matter what happens. ¡°Young man, you''re still too naive and haven''t grasped the importance of life to a medical practitioner. Experimenting with human lives is something I don''t suppose your mentor taught you. It would be best if you go back and reflect on yourself to avoid going astray. Ultimately, that will only bring harm to yourself and others.¡± Zain merely grinned in silence and shifted his attention to Veronique. ¡°Are you willing to die just like that, Ms. Revelle?¡± Veronique pursed her lips. No, I''m not. That''s why... She propped herself up on the bed and said with a hoarse voice, ¡°I was also a medical student. After listening to your boration, I think what you suggested is ridiculous, but miracles happen in the field of medicine all the time. Perhaps we can give it a try. Let me ask you this. What is the probability of survival?¡± Zain answered, ¡°Fifty percent, since the idea of countering poison with poison also has a sess rate of fifty percent. Hence, it''s an even chance between life and death. Whether you can survive depends on your luck.¡± Justin narrowed his eyes at Veronique and chimed in solemnly, ¡°Don''t take this crazy idea seriously.¡± Staring at him, Veronique retorted, ¡°What is my survival rate if I don''t take his suggestion? Perhaps even lesser than five percent? Following his method, I''ll get an even chance between life and death, and I consider that a win, so why can''t I take the idea seriously?¡± Justin was stunned. Maybe I should meet with Bailey and question her about this young man''s background. Noticing Justin had fallen silent, Veronique turned to look at Zain and chirped, ¡°We''ll do as you say. You can imnt a different type of cancer cell into my body at any time. If you can cure my condition, you''ll be the pioneer in this field.¡± Zain spread his hands indifferently. ¡°Fame and fortune are not what I''m after. I just like taking risks. Still, I should advise you not to celebrate too early because I cannot aplish a treatment n like this alone. I need somebody else to assist me.¡± ¡°Who is that? Is having the help of a renowned doctor like your mentor insufficient? I doubt anyone in this world can match your mentor''s medical skills.¡± ¡°I''m not seeking assistance in medical skills. Instead, I''m looking for someone adept at developing toxins. As I mentioned, we need to catalyze the growth of the foreign cancerous cells using a drug, and this drug I refer to is a toxin. Many years of clinical trials have shown us traditional medicines are ineffective in catalyzing the elimination of cancer cells. In that case, we''ll overthrow all those theories. Instead of using drugs, we''ll use poison.¡± Justin parted his lips and was about to argue, but Veronique stopped him by shooting him an icy look. ¡°Developing toxins? If one were to ask who has the most expertise in that area, the answer would have to be the Yablon family, a prestigious family specializing in creating poisons. The legendary Soul Reaper, the world''s first peculiar and incurable poison, was invented by a talented member of the Yablon family. Are you nning to ask us to request help from the Yablon family to work with you?¡± Zain arched his brow. ¡°Beautiful women are indeed intelligent. You''re right. I''m seeking the assistance of a member of the Yablon family, specifically Cameron Yablon, the heir of the household. He''s a poison-making aficionado. If you can convince him to coborate with me, I guarantee you''ll have a seventy percent chance to survive.¡± C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Seventy percent? The inclusion of the heir of the Yablon family alone can increase the sess rate by twenty percent? Justin gradually regained hisposure and asked with a frown, ¡°Does Bailey know about this idea?¡± Chapter 711 Chapter 711 Zain shrugged his shoulders. ¡°I had wanted to go see her, but she and her man were... Since it wasn''t convenient, there was no point in me courting trouble.¡± Veronique let out a chuckle before giving him an intent look. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Bryne. I''ll give your suggestion due consideration. It''s just that seeking the Yablon family''s assistance might not be easy. I''m not confident in convincing Mr. Yablon.¡± Cocking a brow, Zain reminded her, ¡°Bailey is someone extremely resourceful and well-connected. You can get her to help you. For your sake, I''m sure she''ll storm over there and drag Cameron out.¡± With that, he made his way to the door and added, ¡°In the meantime, I''ll continue researching the cancer cells and find apound that will be capable of counterbncing it. Once you have made your decision,e see me at theb. You guys should focus on getting Cameron; I''ll take care of the rest.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you.¡± After watching Zain''s silhouette disappear, Justin narrowed his eyes at Veronique as he asked, ¡°Are you really going to do this?¡± Veronique responded with a wry smile. ¡°Justin, the chances of survival are seventy percent. Why shouldn''t I go along with it? Am I supposed to ept death just like that?¡± Justin was at a loss for words. At the outdoor grounds of the medical base the next day, Bailey and Shannon were giving each other a farewell hug. ¡°Take good care of yourself. I pray that once you''re fully recovered, you''ll finally enjoy peace for the rest of your days.¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm. You too. No matter where you go after leaving Tarragon, remember to give me a call. Don''t forget that you have a friend here in Hallsbay who''ll always miss you.¡± Raising her gaze, Shannon kept her tears at bay as she replied in a choked voice, ¡°I will. Regardless of where I am, I''ll never forget you.¡± With that, she gently nudged Bailey away before heading into the flight terminal. Just as he passed Bailey by, Holden stopped in his tracks and gave her a nod. ¡°I''ll be leaving Wendy and her son in your care while I''m gone. I''ll return immediately once I''ve dealt with Shannon''s affairs.¡± Bailey cocked a brow as she teased, ¡°I''ll keep an eye on them only if you promise to do whatever I say going forward.¡± While Holden was rendered speechless, Artemis threaded his arm around her waist. ¡°Stop trying to make fun of him.¡± Bailey then shed a cheeky smile at Holden. ¡°What are you waiting for? If you don''t agree, I''ll kick her out.¡± Left without a choice, Holden bowed with a wry smile. ¡°Fine. Just take care of them while I''m gone.¡± His acquiescence triggered a triumphantugh from her. ¡°That''s more like it. As long as she stays in the medical base and behaves, no one willy a finger on her.¡± Thereafter, Holden uttered a word of thanks before departing on his journey. Once he was gone, Bailey wrapped her arms around Artemis'' neck and looked up at him. ¡°Take good care of yourself. I promise you that I won''t leave home for no good reason and will focus on looking after the children. While I''m at it, I''ll take good care of myself.¡± Artemis responded by pinching her on the cheeks. ¡°You shouldn''t leave home even if it''s important. Get one of our subordinates to take care of it. I''ll be gone for half a month at the longest and a week at the shortest. I hope to see the glow return to your face once I''m back.¡± ¡°Okay. Go on now.¡± After adjusting Bailey''s mink coat for her, Artemis turned to Zeke. ¡°Please take good care of her. I''ll buy you a drink when I''m back.¡± Zeke shed a grin at him. ¡°This will be thest time. Keeping an eye on her is such a pain.¡± Bailey kicked him in jest. ¡°Why are youining? You should be honored to have such a capable sister.¡± Meanwhile, several small figures came up to them in the snow. After releasing Bailey, Artemis leaned down to catch the little girl that threw herself at him. ¡°Daddy, since you''re the leader of Tarragon, does that make me, your daughter, the princess?¡± Artemis gave her forehead a peck before exining softly, ¡°It doesn''t matter if you''re the princess of Tarragon, as no one can change the fact that you''re a princess of the Luther family. I''ll be going away on business for a while, but once I return, I''ll take you somece fun.¡± Amidst a soft sniffle, Susan leaned in and whispered into his ear, ¡°If you break your promise, I''ll get Daddy Eddy to marry Mommy.¡± Artemis couldn''t hold back hisughter. ¡°You''re such a cheeky girl.¡± After cing his daughter in Zeke''s arms, Artemis turned toward Maxton and Zayron. ¡°Take good care of your mommy and sister.¡± Zayron mumbled, ¡°She should be counting her blessings when I''m not causing any trouble. Watching over her is just too much to ask.¡± Maxton subsequently added, ¡°She has already cleared out all the viins in the city. Considering how strong she is in battle, she doesn''t need us to keep an eye on her at all. Instead, I''m worried about my future wife. Bailey''s aggressive demeanor will definitely spark conflict with her daughter-inw.¡± The words caused Bailey to kneel down abruptly and hurl snowballs at her sons. ¡°You naughty boys, are you looking for trouble?¡± ¡°Come on! I dare you!¡± Upon exchanging a quick nce, the brothers began to flee. Cognizant that they were just trying to cheer her up, she yed along with them by giving chase. After giving his daughter''s hair a tousle, Artemis said to Zeke, ¡°I''m boarding the flight now. Stay in touch.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Inside the ward, Wendy watched the private jet take flight from the window. As it soared above the clouds, a sense of mncholy descended upon her. It seems that the organization is more important to him than his family. Now that he has gone off despite my grievous injuries, it''s clear to me how important I am to him. Holden, I don''t want a love that''s born out of sympathy. Back then, you made a cruel decision to leave both of us, putting us in harm''s way. And now, you''re abandoning us again, forcing us to hopelessly wait for your return. I... I no longer want to do so. That''s why we should go our separate ways. After watching the ne fade into the clouds, Bailey led the children back to the wards. She ran into Justin the moment she stepped into the lobby. ¡°Justin, is Vero awake?¡± ¡°Yes, she is.¡± When Bailey noticed the fruits he was holding, she figured that he had bought them for Veronique. ¡°I''ll go with you to her room.¡± ¡°Sure. Coincidentally, there''s something I want to speak to you about.¡± With that, both of them chatted as they walked. Justin rted Zain''s proposal to her. ¡°Do you think this n will work?¡± The idea was to counter the cancer with cancer while having the process elerated with poison. Upon hearing the question, Bailey stopped in her tracks. ¡°I''ll drop by theb first and ask Zain about it. I''ll join you in the ward after that.¡± ¡°Okay. If the n is feasible, we''ll have to trouble you to convince the heir of the family, Cameron Yablon, to help us.¡± The Yablon family? This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Bailey''s brows furrowed. The formtion of Soul Reaper¡ªa poison no one can neutralize¡ªis a testament to the Yablon family''s unmatched skill in making poisons. Getting involved with them doesn''t benefit us in any way. Instead, it will bring nothing but disaster. Even though Bailey could neutralize hundreds of poisons, Soul Reaper was one that was too difficult even for her. If anyone close to her were poisoned by it, she could only helplessly watch them die. ¡°Let me think about it. If that''s the only way of saving Vero, we''ll have no choice but to get them involved.¡± Chapter 712 Chapter 712 Inside the study of the Yablon family residence in Musbane, a tall figure was leaning against the full- length window. His name was Cameron Yablon, heir to the world''s most prestigious family in poison creation. Despite his young age, he had mastered the poison-creation techniques passed down through the generations. As a result, there were plenty of parties who struggled against each other in an attempt to seek his help. Nevertheless, the Yablon family rules forbade their members from getting involved in worldly conflicts. That was why none of them used poison for harm throughout the years. Unfortunately, there was but one particr traitor. Bybining his skills in medicine and toxicology, he made a name for himself on the international stage by treating many people with unconventional techniques. He was none other than Cadence White, the man whom Bailey defeated. The blood of the Yablon family didn''t flow within him. Instead, he was simply an apprentice of one of the elders. Despite that, the promise he showed caused the Yablon family to teach him many of their poison- concocting techniques. Unfortunately, his overwhelming ambition resulted in him being expelled and subsequently bing Bailey''s enemy before meeting a miserable end. Creak! Amidst the sound of an opening door, a ck-d bodyguard walked into the room and nodded at Cameron. ¡°Mr. Yablon, something terrible has happened.¡± The words caused Cameron to tighten his grip on the wine ss in his hand. ¡°What is it?¡± The maic voice he spoke with carried an aura so sharp and frosty that it felt like a de that was made of ice. ¡°The forbidden poison kept in the ancestral hall has disappeared.¡± Crack! A crisp sound rang out when Cameron crushed the wine ss in his fist. As a mixture of blood and red wine trickled down his wrist, it formed a frightening-looking pattern on the ground. The bodyguard, sensing the murderous aura, dropped to his knees with his pupils slightly constricted. ¡°I deserve death for failing in my duty and causing the forbidden poison to emerge in the world once again.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Cameron turned around gradually, allowing the light to illuminate the contours of his face. His chiseled features entuated the cold expression he was wearing. Even though there was a scar by the corner of his eye, it didn''t diminish his looks at all. Instead, it added a touch of arrogance and ferality. ¡°There''s no doubt that you deserve to die. For generations, the Yablon family has watched over Soul Reaper, making sure that it isn''t unleashed upon the world by the wicked, which would result in a shockwave of global proportions. After generations of safekeeping, we ended up losing it on my watch. Therefore, you''re not the only one that deserves a death sentence. Even I will be held responsible for this mistake.¡± An ashen look descended upon the bodyguard''s face. After a brief silence, he pulled out a dagger and stabbed it into his own chest. He knew, from the first day he followed Cameron, that thetter had no need for ipetent followers. Now that he had lost the Yablon family''s most important object, the only way to redeem himself was with death. ng! Suddenly, a sharp metallic sound rang out in the study. The bodyguard was baffled to see his dagger drop to the ground alongside a dart. Cameron exined in an icy tone, ¡°I won''t stand in the way of your death, but before that, you have to retrieve what is lost. Once the forbidden poison is returned to its rightful ce, no one will stop you from killing yourself anymore.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yablon. I will not rest until the forbidden poison is returned. After that, I will seek out the elders for my punishment.¡± As Cameron turned around to look out at the night sky, he remarked in a nonchnt tone, ¡°Since the theft is recent, we should still be able to find some clues. Investigate everyone starting from the highest levels of leadership. Whoever stole it from the ancestral hall isn''t a nobody. They must be connected to the elders, one way or another.¡± Lowering his head, the bodyguard dered in a voice brimming with conviction, ¡°I will retrieve the forbidden poison no matter the costs.¡± Cameron subsequently dismissed him with a wave. Once silence returned to the room, Cameron looked down at his bleeding fingers. As a mysterious thought emerged in his mind, he curled his lips into a devilish smirk. What else can one do with Soul Reaper other than cause another harm? Whoever the thieves are trying to hurt, he or she must be someone powerful for them to take such a risk. In the entire world, the targets worthy of such grave measures can be counted on one hand. Hopefully, the poison has yet to be deployed. Otherwise, even I am incapable of neutralizing it. If that were to happen, it would be the end of the Yablon family. Meanwhile, Bailey was staring at a bunch of data in theb. ¡°Good job, kid. You''ve outdone yourself by producing such data. It seems all the guidance I have given you over the years hasn''t gone to waste.¡± Zain cocked a brow upon hearing her words. ¡°Does that mean you support the idea?¡± Bailey nodded with a smile. ¡°Veronique''s condition has progressed into the mid-tote stages. Even if I come up with anti-cancer drugs, it wouldn''t be enough to eradicate her cancer cells. Not being able to suppress it fully would cause a rebound instead. The best my cancer drugs can do is slow down her cancer''s mutation. It''s unable to cut it off at the root. At most, I can buy her five years of remission, but her condition will drastically worsen after that.¡± Pausing briefly, she waved the report in his face. ¡°However, your proposal takes on a different approach. By fighting cancer with cancer and elerating the process with poison, we might actually be able to wipe it out once and for all. However...¡± Zain finished her sentence, ¡°However, no ordinary person can use this method because it''s impossible to get the Yablon family to formte a poison for them.¡± Bailey nodded in agreement. ¡°That''s right. Your n is predicated on the Yablon family''s cooperation, which isn''t avable to the general public. That said, their affairs are none of my business. After all, we live in a world where the fittest survive. The only thing I can do is protect those around me. As for the millions of cancer patients around the world, it''s beyond my ability to help them.¡± After taking the report back from her hands, Zainmented, ¡°Isn''t that all there is to it? What''s there left to think about? Saving Veronique is all that matters. It isn''t your responsibility to save everyone else.¡± Nheless, Bailey broke into a wry smile. ¡°But I might not necessarily be able to convince Cameron to help us. The Yablon family rules forbid them from working for anyone, let alone making poison for an outsider.¡± Zain shrugged his shoulders as he replied in an annoying tone, ¡°That''s not my problem but yours. I''ve alreadye up with an idea that has a high chance of sess. The decision on whether to use it lies in your hands.¡± Bailey snapped her fingers before walking toward the door. ¡°Fine, I''ll go and see Mr. Yablon. Hopefully, he doesn''t turn out to be yet another man in love with me. Otherwise, Artemis will kill me.¡± Zain was immediately amused by herment. ¡°Now that you mentioned it, I remember hearing about Mr. Yablonmissioning a painter to draw a painting of you which sits on the wall of his private residence. Hey, does Artemis know about it?¡± Chapter 713 Chapter 713 Bailey red at him. ¡°Speak any further, and I''ll cut your tongue.¡± I didn''t expect there''de a day when she''s taken down a peg. Zain grinned. ¡°Do you think Cameron kept your painting because he loves you or hates you to the bone after you offended him?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. After thinking about it, Bailey assumed, ¡°I think it''s because he hates me. I was the one who inflicted the wound on the corner of his eye.¡± ¡°D*mn.¡± Zain leaped. ¡°He isn''t going to take his anger out on me for losing to you, is he? I''m your apprentice, after all.¡± ¡°It''s possible. The Cameron I know is a vengeful and devious schemer. He''s cruel and disregards human life. You''re on your own.¡± Upon hearing that, he was rendered speechless. After Bailey stepped out of theboratory and passed by Wendy''s ward, she hesitated for a moment before entering the room. Wendy was lying on the bed watching television. When she saw Bailey walking in, surprise colored her face. After all, she was once enemies with Victoria and thus came into conflict with Bailey multiple times before. Even though she had stayed in the medical base for a while, Bailey never visited her. ¡°Are you here to settle the score with me?¡± In response, Bailey paused and narrowed her eyes at Wendy. After a few seconds of staring, Bailey smirked. ¡°Truth be told, I never saw you as a threat. I''m putting up with you for Juliana''s sake. Besides, Holden showed respect to me because of you. Hence, I thought I should be more magnanimous and forgive you.¡± Peering at Bailey''s punchable face, Wendy grinned. ¡°You''re not as unlikeable as I thought, Bailey. In fact, I quite like you.¡± Lifting her eyebrow, Bailey approached the bed, pulled away the nket, and examined Wendy''s abdomen. I recall her injury is located here... Shocked, Wendy reflexively tried to stop Bailey. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Inspecting your injury. I''m a woman, too. Do you think I''ll do something to you?¡± Silently, Wendy retracted her hand. Then, shey down and asked, ¡°Do you have any news about Julie''s whereabouts? What happened to her after she returned to the family? Did the elders make things difficult for her?¡± While examining Wendy''s wound, Bailey spoke. ¡°Everyone should bear their own responsibilities. Your willfulness caused you to be exiled after you broke the family rules. As such, the heavy responsibilities you left behind have to be shouldered by Julie. Right now, she''s surrounded by enemies on all sides and walking on thin ice. How well do you think she''s faring?¡± An expression of guilt settled on Wendy''s countenance. ¡°I heard Julie''s pregnant. It''s Zeke''s child, right?¡± Bailey smiled silently. She''s really not getting any of thetest information, huh? That news is pretty old by now. Still, I don''t n to spill too much to her. If she''s agitated and starts to act irrationally, no one can do anything about her without Holden around. ¡°Your wound''s fine. I''ll give you a bottle of ointment in a few days. Just apply it directly on your skin to remove the scar. Don''t overthink things and wait for Holden to return.¡± Upon ending her sentence, she turned and ambled to the exit. Gritting her teeth, Wendy asked again, ¡°Is the baby in Julie Zeke''s?¡± Bailey halted her steps. Instead of turning back, she remained quiet for a few moments before answering, ¡°She''s stubborn, and she never gives up halfway. Do you think she''ll fall for someone else in such a short amount of time?¡± I''ve answered her question indirectly. Hopefully, this will work. Then she exited the room. Wendy''s mind was thrown into chaos as she stared at the entrance nkly. Julie is suffering in my ce. I was supposed to bear those responsibilities, but I forsook everything for a man who didn''t even put me before anything else. Suddenly, the phone sitting on the table next to her bed rang, consequently pulling her back to reality. She grabbed the phone and nced at it. It was from her aunt. It''s been a long time since I''ve had contact with my family. After unlocking her phone, Wendy asked, ¡°Is that you, Aunt Miranda?¡± ¡°You need to return quickly to save Julie, Wends. She''s in a horrible situation right now!¡± Miranda pleaded. That stunned Wendy. What does Aunt Miranda mean by that? Moments of silenceter, she asked, ¡°Hasn''t Julie returned to the Hoffman family? I heard she even has an engagement with Huntley. Additionally, my father ns to pass the position of the head of the family to¡ª¡± ¡°What are you saying, Wends? Didn''t you hear about Julie''s miscarriage and Huntley''s incapacitation? Not only that, the family has imprisoned them and is preparing to dispose of them.¡± Immediately, Wendy sat up straight and questioned, ¡°What did you say, Aunt Miranda? Julie has a miscarriage, and Huntley has been incapacitated? Why is the family disposing of them?¡± ¡°You see, it''s because...¡± Miranda proceeded to exin everything that had transpired recently. ¡°You should return here soon, Wends. Julie can''t hold on any longer. If you don''t rescue her soon, she''ll die.¡± Wendy''s grip around her phone tightened. Julie''s suffering because of me! I must return. ¡°Okay. I''ll head back in a few days, Aunt Miranda. I''ll contact you againter. Please find a way to protect Julie for now. I''ll ask Lionel and Zeke for help¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Miranda interrupted her. ¡°Don''t tell any outsiders about this. Return here quietly on your own. I''m worried that if you do bring Zeke, Lionel, and the others to Moranta, it may piss off the elders. A cornered beast will resort to desperate measures, after all.¡± With a troubled look, Wendy asked, ¡°What can I do about the situation by myself, though? I can''t oppose the entire family alone.¡± ¡°You don''t have to worry about that. Back then, before your mother passed, she left a protective measure to me. She told me to use it if you and Julie''s lives are in danger. Return here, and I''ll help you out.¡± ¡°All right. Please buy more time for Julie, Aunt Miranda. I''ll return in a few days.¡± ¡°Remember not to tell anyone about where you''re going, okay?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± ... Meanwhile, in a suburban mansion, Philip was sitting on the couch, smiling at the woman sitting opposite him. The woman was holding a phone and sitting limply on the couch. ¡°I''ve done as you asked, Mr. Hoffman. Can you release my husband and my son now?¡± Smiling, Philip spoke. ¡°No need to rush. We''ll talk more about your family after your niece sessfully sneaks out of that medical base and returns to Moranta.¡± As the woman closed her eyes, tears streamed down her cheeks. I''m sorry, my dear sister. I have my own family to protect. Now that the lives of my husband and child are threatened because of your daughter, I''ve no choice but to sacrifice your children to protect my family. Please forgive me. ¡°I''ve helped you summon Wends back to Moranta. You need to promise me that you''ll release my husband and my son once she''s here.¡± Chapter 714 Chapter 714 In the study at the Hoffman residence, Raymond leaned against the couch and raised his head to look at his daughter, who was standing in front of him. He said calmly, ¡°The elders have requested for you to agree to Huntley''s engagement. They will then send both of you away to live an ordinary life within the family. What do you think?¡± After thinking about it, Juliana asked, ¡°Is this your opinion too?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± replied Raymond curtly. ¡°If you want topete for the position of the head of the family, you must distance yourself from outsiders, especially Zeke. It''s not true that I don''t trust you. It''s just that the temptation of love is too powerful. If you can''t force yourself to make a decision, I''m afraid that you''ll go down the wrong path and ruin the family.¡± A bitter look shed across Juliana''s eyes. Looks like God wants me to cut things offpletely. Forget it. Now that things havee to this, there''s nothing for me to feel nostalgic about. ¡°Okay, I''ll follow your arrangements and do everything that you want me to do. Since Wendy doesn''t want to shoulder the responsibility, I will.¡± Raymond stared at her silently asplex emotions flitted across his eyes. The emotions of heartache, helplessness, and pity eventually morphed into relief. ¡°Remember, Julie. You must be strong enough before you can protect those dear to you. Huntley''s already be like that. You must not take another wrong step. Otherwise, both of you will be doomed.¡± Silently clenching her fists, Juliana nodded firmly and promised, ¡°Thank you for your advice. I will heed your warning and avoid everything that I shouldn''t touch.¡± Raymond sighed. ¡°I haven''t seen Wendy for five or six years. She probably hates me for letting the elders expel her without doing anything. In the end, she had to wander helplessly outside and suffer so much. In the end, I betrayed your mother''sst wishes.¡± Juliana tried to reassure him with a smile. ¡°That''s not true. Now that Wendy has be a mother, she probably understands your intention to protect her. Since she has broken the rules, leaving is the only way to protect herself. Don''t worry about her. She has already met up with Holden. As the head of the Tarragon, he is extremely well-known internationally. With him, Wendy will live a carefree and happy life.¡± ¡°Are you talking about Holden? That b*stard took my daughter away and stole the Hoffman family''s high-level secrets. He still hasn''t given me an adequate exnation! If he really loves Wendy, he should visit me too.¡± ¡°He will. If he truly loves Wendy, he will definitely meet you. After all, marriagests for a lifetime. You need to agree first so that she won''t feel bad.¡± Raymond let out another sigh. ¡°Hopefully. On the other hand, I don''t really want him to return to the Hoffman family. His arrival will definitely create anothermotion and disrupt Wends'' peaceful life.¡± Juliana smiled silently in response. She and Wendy were both wrong. It was not true that their father did not love them. Instead, he loved them so much that he wanted to protect them at all costs. When Wendy got expelled from the family, she was locked up in the dungeon. It might seem like Raymond had punished them severely. However, in reality, he was protecting them. If they had been more obedient and did not get themselves entangled with men from the outside, Wendy might have already be the head of the Hoffman family. ¡°Oh, right. I heard from Aunt Miranda that her family is traveling in Chanaea. I''ll call herter and ask her to visit Wendy at Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Don''t!¡± Raymond stopped her. ¡°Since Philip is still at Hallsbay, it is better not to contact Wendy. I''m afraid it''ll be disadvantageous for her if he turns his attention to her.¡± ¡°You''re right. I''ll listen to you and not contact her. I''m sure that she won''t be in any danger with Holden protecting her.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± In the study at the medical base, Bailey was leaning against the couchzily and mumbling, ¡°Yet another day of thinking about Artemis. It''s really torturous.¡± Unable to hold himself back, Zeke pped her forehead. ¡°Are you such a loser? Will you die without a man?¡± Bailey sat up straight with a serious expression and said, ¡°Yes. I''ll die without him. You''d better treat me well and stop acting like you''re all high and mighty just because you''re his brother-inw. If he asks to take my hand, you must agree immediately. Do not make things difficult for him. I can''t wait to marry him, okay?¡± Feeling like a headache had juste, Zeke massaged his head. ¡°When I heard the name Bailey, I thought you would be an assertive and charismatic woman. After all, you are a big shot who with such incredible des. Why did you be so weak and useless like a pile of mud on the wall at the mention of Artemis?¡± Bailey could not help but roll her eyes. Is he really my biological brother? ¡°Zeke, everyone says that you''re gentle and polite. But whenever you open your mouth, I get so appalled.¡± Bursting into a fit ofughter, Zeke tried to change the topic. ¡°I heard that Zain has already found a way to save Veronique and you agreed with his idea too. Is our next step to ask Cameron for help? Do you need me to do anything?¡± Cameron Yablon! Bailey felt a headacheing. He''s probably waiting for me to look for him. After being toyed around by her and having his face disfigured, he probably wanted to settle the score with her twice over. Noticing the look of despair on her face, Zeke raised his eyebrow and remarked, ¡°Looks like what I heard aren''t just rumors. Mr. Yablon hates you so much that he instructed someone to paint and hang a picture of you on the wall so he can vent his anger on it.¡± The veins on Bailey''s forehead throbbed. Her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°Zeke, is the rumor spreading like wildfire? Why do you know about it? Does Artemis know about it too?¡± She could not help but cower slightly upon the mention of Artemis. A look of fear crossed her face. Zekeughed in fury. After scolding her for being so useless, he consoled her, ¡°It''s not that widespread. I only heard that Veronique needs Cameron''s help to develop the toxin. Since the Yablon family is not to be taken lightly, I investigated them beforehand and got my hands on this unexpected intel. It was then that I found out about the history between you and Cameron. He''s thest person that you want to bump into.¡± Bailey pursed her lips and replied in a helpless tone, ¡°I didn''t want to provoke him. But... Huh, forget it. There''s no point in bringing up the past. ording to Zain''s n, Cameron must provide a helping hand. However, I''m still struggling to think of how I can ask for his help. I''m afraid that madman might come after me with a knife or drug me with the Soul Reaper, killing me with the Yablon family''s best poison.¡± When Zeke heard that, he burst outughing. ¡°That''s simple. The Shurmer family is a prestigious family in the medical scene. You also know very well that some anesthetics, sedatives, and other drugsC0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. require toxins. Hence, we have been doing business with the Yablon family all along. If I personally invite Mr. Yablon to help, he has to agree out of courtesy.¡± Bailey shook her head with a bitter smile. ¡°He''d probably still reject you because you''re my brother. I have to do it myself. Otherwise, no one else can persuade him.¡± With that, she picked up her phone and walked toward the window. Chapter 715 Chapter 715 She had always been decisive and would act quickly once she made up her mind. Since she had determined to adopt Zain''s treatment n, she didn''t hesitate any further. Moreover, Veronique''s condition had progressed to a highly critical stage and couldn''t be dyed any longer. For every day they waited, the probability of her being cured would decrease. Beep! As the call connected, an amused voice sounded from the receiver. ¡°I can''t believe you took the initiative to contact me. So, tell me. Have you or someone close to you been poisoned by Soul Reaper?¡± Bailey was slightly taken aback. Why did he ask a question like that? Soul Reaper is the restricted poison in the Yablon family and has always been sealed inside their family''s ancestral hall. It hasn''t appeared in the outside world for decades, and no outsiders knew how to create this poison. It sounds like... ¡°Don''t tell me your family''s Soul Reaper was stolen and is now circting in the outside world.¡± A snicker came from the other end of the call. ¡°How could an item my family has guarded for generations be so easily stolen? Didn''t you previously swear you wouldn''t contact me unless you''ve been poisoned with Soul Reaper? Now that you''re calling me, I assumed you were poisoned.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. This jerk has a good memory. I can''t believe he still remembers what I said even though I''ve forgotten all about it. ¡°As long as the Yablon family doesn''t lose Soul Reaper, I won''t be poisoned by it. That''s enough. Cut the nonsense, and let''s get to the point. Come to Hallsbay. I need your help.¡± A low chuckle sounded from the phone''s speaker, followed by the voice of a man, which wasced with hints of mockery. ¡°Only you can be so shameless, Bailey. You''re requesting another person''s help, yet you''re still so arrogant. Putting aside why you need my help, I will consider going to Hallsbay if you ruin your face first. The scar on the corner of my eye shouldn''t be there for nothing.¡± Bailey didn''t respond immediately. Instead, she took a deep breath to suppress her boiling rage before uttering through gritted teeth, ¡°Cameron, can you be reasonable? If it weren''t for your persistence to cling to me back then, why would I¡ª¡± At that point, she abruptly caught herself. Hold on. Why do my words sound so ambiguous? ¡°Yes, that''s right. I was indeed persistent in clinging to you in the past. Unfortunately, you didn''t bother to reciprocate my feelings, causing all my heartfelt shows of affection to go to waste. I¡ª¡± She raised her voice and yelled, ¡°Stop it. Talk like a normal person. A scheming and cunning person like you, pretending to be a romantic saint, is really nauseating. If I disfigure my face, will youe to Hallsbay?¡± Cameronughed quietly. ¡°Don''t do that. I look at a painting of you every day and am already used to seeing your exquisite face. It''ll be such a waste if your face is ruined. I''m just kidding, so don''t take it seriously.¡± ¡°Perv*rt.¡± Only a perv*rt will stare at the portrait of their enemy every day. She leaned against a rack in exasperation. ¡°Quit yapping and give me a straight answer. Will youe to Hallsbay or not?¡± ¡°Of course, I''m going. How can I refuse a beauty''s invitation? Wait for me. I¡ª¡± Without waiting for him to finish, she hung up and mmed the phone on the table. ¡°What an *sshole! If it weren''t because I needed his help, I wouldn''t take the initiative to contact him even if someone were to threaten me to do it with my life.¡± Their conversation was on loudspeaker, so Zeke heard everything they said. His intuition as a man told him Artemis might be facing another formidable rival in love. ¡°All right. Don''t be mad. We''ll just wait for his arrival since he has agreed toe to Hallsbay. If you don''t want to see him, I''ll negotiate with him.¡± Bailey waved her hand. ¡°Keep this news under wraps, and don''t let Artemis find out. I''m afraid he will rush back here if he knows about this. By the way, is there any news from Philip? He saved our father, so the Shurmer family owes him a favor. Since he has achieved his goal, did he mention when he''ll be leaving?¡± Zeke frowned and replied solemnly, ¡°Nope. He doesn''t seem to be in a hurry to leave. Even when I told him Juliana''s miscarriage was an ident due to her own negligence, and I wouldn''t me the Hoffman family, he still showed no inclination to leave Hallsbay. I wonder if he has other ns.¡± ¡°Send someone to monitor him around the clock.¡± Zeke thought for a moment before suggesting, ¡°Why don''t we seize him directly and exchange him for Juliana?¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°Raymond will never do that. Besides, Juliana won''t agree to leave her family either because Huntley is involved in this matter. She will never abandon him. Moreover, I also n to use Philip to lure out Sofie. That woman is too ambitious, so we must eliminate her as soon as possible. Otherwise, I won''t be able to rest assured. Hence, we can''t detain Philip.¡± ¡°Fine. We''ll do as you say.¡± ... Meanwhile, inside the living room at a suburban mansion, Philip leaned against the couch, answering a phone call from Tucker. Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Dad, Uncle Raymond is nning to announce Huntley and Juliana''s marriage publicly. What do you think he''s trying to achieve here? Does he have some kind of tricks up his sleeve?¡± Announcing the marriage? Philip furrowed his brows. He wasn''t worried about the alternative n Raymond might''ve devised. Instead, Philip was concerned whether Wendy would take the bait after the marriage was made known to the public. He still wanted to take control of Wendy and use her to threaten Holden in the future. ¡°When is he nning to make the announcement?¡± ¡°In three days. Dad, you haven''t answered my question yet. Is heing up with a fallback by suddenly deciding to have Juliana engaged to Huntley?¡± Philip sneered and uttered casually, ¡°What are you afraid of? With Sofie''s assistance, we''ll be able to take over Tarragon. After we seize control of Tarragon''s power, the position as the head of the Hoffman family will be ours, right?¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°No more ''buts.'' Try to dy the announcement of the marriage for a few more days to give me time to set up my ns.¡± ¡°Okay. I''ll try, but you''ll need to hurry too. I''ve made all the necessary preparations on my end. Once Wendy boards the ne and leaves the country, my subordinate will immediately apprehend her.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Philip went to the guest room and forced Miranda to call her again, urging her to leave Hallsbay and head to Moranta as soon as possible. Wendy had recuperated for a few days and used the best medications, so her wounds were almost fully recovered. After receiving Miranda''s phone call, she grew increasingly restless. After hanging up the phone, she went to meet with Bailey. Inside the study, Bailey arched her brow and looked at Wendy, teasing, ¡°You''ve recovered well after using the medicines I invented. I guess I can exin myself to Holden now if he asks. He didn''t regard me as his sister-inw for nothing.¡± Wendy walked up to Bailey, sat opposite thetter, and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Bailey, did Julie suffer a miscarriage? Has Huntley been crippled?¡± The smile on Bailey''s face gradually dissipated. She narrowed her eyes and questioned Wendy, ¡°Where did you hear that from?¡± ¡°Aunt Miranda told me. Bailey, aren''t you going to save Julie?¡± Bailey lowered her head slightly and said, ¡°I can''t leave at the moment. However, I won''t abandon her. After Edmund''s condition stabilizes, I''ll go and rescue her.¡± Wendy pursed her lips. I''m afraid it''ll be toote by then. Chapter 716 Chapter 716 Looks like I can''t rely on Bailey anymore. She would have gone to Moranta a long time ago if she wanted to save Julie. With Bailey''s capabilities, rescuing Julie from the Hoffman family would not be difficult. But she''s just giving excuses, saying we should wait for Edmund''s condition to stabilize. His life is no longer in danger, and only his leg is injured. Besides, it''s nothing that will threaten his life. Why should Bailey stay by his side and watch over him? Julie, on the other hand, is surrounded by enemies. She''s in a dangerous situation, and I''m worried they''d be desperate enough to execute Julie secretly. ¡°Can''t you go now, Bailey? Julie was pregnant with an outsider''s child. Even though she had a miscarriage, we cannot deny that she broke the family rule. Besides, Huntley has been incapacitated, so she has no one to protect her. She''s in grave danger staying with the Hoffman family.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly and said calmly, ¡°We share the same thought, so don''t you worry so much. I know what to do. Please stay put in your ward and recuperate. Julie is my disciple, so there''s no way I''ll abandon her. However, now is not the time.¡± Wendy ultimately gave up. It seems like I can''t depend on outsiders. I''ll have to meet up with Aunt Miranda if I want to save Julie. Honestly, I didn''t hold too much hope in Bailey when I came to find her. If she had ns to rescue Julie, she would have gone earlier. There''s no need for her to drag the time. I only came to confirm that something had indeed happened to Julie, anyway. I must head to Moranta now that I''ve gotten a confirmation. ¡°Bailey, I thought Mr. Chivers had only hurt his leg? Luther Group''s medical team is here. Can they not take good care of his injury? Must you stay here and tend to him yourself?¡± Bailey''s face darkened in displeasure. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, are you implying that I purposely came up with an excuse to not save¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, her phone on the coffee table rang. She picked it up and saw that it was a call from Zayron. ¡°Sorry, I''m going to take this call.¡± With that, she took her phone and walked toward the window. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Bailey, Veikko is about to head to Epea soon. He probably wants to go through with his revenge. Do you want toe to the Saviors'' branch and send him off?¡± Bailey''s grip on her phone tightened. Revenge! She knew Veikko would do it sooner orter, but she couldn''t stop the heavy feeling in her heart now that the day had finally arrived. Trouble had arisen, and his fight with his brother would only end in a blood bath. This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Even though she wasn''t worried about Veikko, it was still a battle of life and death. He would be taking a huge risk if he wanted to win. ¡°All right, I''ll head over right away. Hold him back for a little because I have something to tell him.¡± ¡°Okay, but please hurry up. Tell Uncle Zeke toe with you too. I don''t want you out and about alone. My father might kill me if something happened to you.¡± Bailey didn''t answer him and hung up immediately. She turned to leave when she suddenly noticed Wendy on the couch through her peripherals. Bailey instantly stopped in her tracks. She stayed silent before saying, ¡°I promise your sister will be okay. The Hoffman family will never dare to offend me. Just give me half a month. I''ll definitely go to Moranta and bring Julie back.¡± She turned around and left the study the moment she finished. Wendy stood up slowly. Beep! A text message notification sounded from her phone. She looked down at her phone and saw a text message that read: I''ve booked the flight ticket, Ms. Wendy. The flight is in an hour and a half. I''ve also found what you wanted me to look into. Something has happened to Ms. Juliana and Huntley, and Mr. Raymond is about to punish them. Oh, one more thing, Ms. Wendy. Mr. Philip had saved Old Mr. Shurmer a few days ago. Because of this, the Shurmer family owes him a favor. Likely, Zeke and Bailey will not reach out to help Ms. Juliana if Mr. Philip and the others n to punish her. Wendy''s grip around her phone tightened. No wonder Bailey wouldn''t save Julie. It''s because Uncle Philip saved her father. She owes Uncle Philip a favor, and that''s why she wouldn''t interfere with the Hoffman family''s internal affairs. Bailey, Julie''s respect for you is all for naught. At the thought of this, she replied: All right. I got it. I''ll head to the airport right away. Make all the necessary arrangements for me for now. Fortunately, Sebastian and Zayron had gone to the Saviors'' branch, so she didn''t need to exin where she was going. After she boarded the ne, Wendy sent Bailey a text to tell her to help take care of her child for some time. Her trip was going to be dangerous, so she didn''t think it would be suitable to bring him along. The main issue was the child''s sensitive identity. His father was the Hoffman family''s sworn enemy. Only trouble awaited if they managed to capture him. ... At the entrance of the medical base, Bailey was about to get into the car when she retracted her leg, having thought of something suddenly. ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Zeke asked. The woman frowned. Perhaps I should tell the butler to not let Wendy leave the medical base. ¡°It''s nothing. I have something to tell the butler. Get in the car first. I''ll be back soon.¡± Before Zeke could respond, a figure sprinted down the stairs and into the other car when Bailey wasn''t looking. ¡°What are you doing, Caridee?¡± Caridee peeked out the window and said to Bailey, ¡°I''ve thought it through, Bailey. I want to go wherever Veikko goes, no matter what kind of person he is, what kind of past he had, or what he would soon experience.¡± Once she was done speaking, she ordered the driver to start driving, and the car drove away right under Bailey''s nose. Bailey could not care less about her instruction for the butler and quickly got into the car. ¡°Go after her immediately.¡± She couldn''t just let Caridee be. Bailey didn''t know what she would say to the Luther family if something were to happen to Caridee. ¡°Looks like it''s not easy to manage your sister-inw. She''s so stubborn.¡± Bailey red at her brother in response. ¡°That''s why you should be grateful that I''m calm,posed, and always look at the bigger picture. Otherwise, your wife would be constantly worried if she had a sister-inw like Caridee.¡± Zeke couldn''t help but chuckle at her answer. ¡°So what exactly happened to Veikko back then? Why would someone as open as you want to stop Caridee from pursuing him?¡± Bailey sighed and said, ¡°His mother is a mistress, and he''s an illegitimate child. His family is a bunch of ruthless people. His mother ended up getting murdered, and he was thrown away by his brother and vited by a group of men. He had a dark past. I was shocked to see the viciousness and cruel look in his eyes when I saved him. Nheless, I''m lucky to have met him while he was on the verge of death, and I gave him the hope to continue living. He treated me as his older sister throughout all these years, and I see him as my younger brother. We gave each other warmth, and we''ll never leave each other''s side.¡± Even though she sounded nonchnt as she spoke, Zeke could feel the sorrow and painced in her words. Chapter 717 Chapter 717 Behind every story are untold tears and anguish. The world only knows Veikko as the Saviors'' second inmand who''s living it up. Nobody would ever imagine he has experienced such a painful past. ¡°Is he nning to go back and seek revenge?¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Yeah. That''s his n. He won''t let anyone stand in his way, nor does anyone have the right to do so. There are some struggles that only those who''ve experienced it firsthand will know what it feels like.¡± Having been vited by a group of men and had his innocence sullied, he has always seen himself as unclean. That''s why he was so resistant when someone as pure and wless as Caridee approached him. Even if he has feelings for her, he won''t dare to think anything wille of them. As she spoke, she began to get misty-eyed. Others don''t understand where Veikko''s hatred stems from because they''ve never seen him at his lowest, but because I''ve witnessed it, I support him in his mission for revenge. Even if the road ahead of him is full of obstacles, I''m willing to stand by his side as he breaks out of this cage, freeing himself from the shackles of fate and venting the pent-up hatred and rage inside him. Zeke stretched out his arms and hugged her. After pondering for a moment, he asked, ¡°Who are his family members?¡± ¡°The Carters from Epea.¡± Hearing that, he could not help butugh. The Carter family is Epea''s most prestigious family. Internationally, their status is only second to that of the Luther family. It appears there''ll be plenty of obstacles in his path. ... Meanwhile, Wendy disguised herself as a maid and slipped out of the medical base by following the purchasing staff. Then, she headed straight for the airport. Her arrival caught the attention of Philip''s men immediately, but he did not let them do anything yet. After all, they were still in Hallsbay. If they happened to do something that alerted Bailey, they would not be able to leave even if they wanted to. ¡°Let her board the ne first and wait until she''s out of the country before moving in. Oh, and make sure to monitor her phone activity. Don''t let her contact anyone before she gets on the ne. I don''t care whether it''s a call or a text message. I want you to intercept them all.¡± ¡°Got it, Mr. Hoffman. By the way, she arrived at the airport by herself. There''s no sign of Mr. Sebastian.¡± ¡°No matter. That''s good enough. Holden will definitelypromise if he loves her, and even if he doesn''t have feelings for her, he''ll still make concessions for the sake of his son.¡± ... Over at the Saviors'' branch, Veikko was waiting for Bailey to arrive when Caridee suddenly showed up. He narrowed his eyes at Zayron standing beside him and asked in a low voice, ¡°Did you tell her that I''m leaving?¡± Zayron pouted. ¡°She''s my aunt, and you''re my uncle. I think the two of you make quite a good match, so I told her.¡± By then, Caridee had walked over. Hearing what her nephew said, she gave him a thumbs up. ¡°You have a good eye. I think we''re a good match too.¡± Veikko looked grim as he turned to the bodyguard beside him. ¡°Who told you and your men to let her in? Anyone who isn''t a member of this sect isn''t allowed in. Are you incapable of understanding such a basic rule?¡± ¡°It wasn''t us. It was Mr. Zayron who instructed us to let her in.¡± Veikko''s expression darkened even further at that reply. ¡°Treason is an unforgivable crime. Go and receive your punishment.¡± Here, Caridee stepped forward and hugged his arm. His eyes widened slightly, and he instinctively tried to free himself from her grasp, but she stopped him. ¡°Bailey put a lot of effort into treating my injured arm, and it has finally regained some sensation. If that annoys you, however, feel free to injure it again.¡± He stopped moving abruptly. Then, he turned his head away slightly and said in an icy tone, ¡°I''ve said what I needed to say and made things clear to you, so why are you still pestering me? As the eldest daughter of the most prominent family, shouldn''t you be more careful about maintaining your reputation?¡± Pouting, she muttered, ¡°I lost the use of my arm because of you, so what do I care about maintaining my reputation? Are you returning to the Saviors'' headquarters? Take me with you! I told you before that I''m willing to join your sect if you don''t think I''m worthy of you. I''ll work hard to change to be more like you until you''re satisfied.¡± A dim light flickered in Veikko''s eyes, and his mind was overwhelmed with jumbled thoughts. ¡°I''m not taking you there, so give up on your wishful thinking and let go of me.¡± Caridee held onto his arm tightly and shook her head vehemently. ¡°I''m not letting go! It doesn''t matter if you refuse. My sister-inw is the head of the Saviors. I''ll just ask her tomand you to take me there.¡± He squeezed his eyes shut. When he opened them again, the conflicted look in them had vanished, and he appeared as calm andposed as usual. Looking ahead, he called out, ¡°Bailey!¡± She turned around subconsciously, and in one quick move, he reached out a hand and knocked her unconscious. Gazing at the woman slumped in his arms, his stony expression gradually faded, reced by helplessness and frustration. He gently stroked her face with his long and slender fingers, every move as cautious as though he were tracing the most exquisite artwork in the world. ¡°In the end, you still lost your heart to her.¡± The sound of Bailey''s voice jolted him from his daze. ¡°Take her away. If possible, give her a pill that''ll make her lose her memories so that she''ll forget about me. There are many young and talented men out there. She shouldn''t be wasting her time on me.¡± After pondering for a while, Bailey ventured, ¡°Cari''s not a fool. Some day, she''ll find out about your past. With her temperament, she''ll look for you after learning about what you went through and won''t care about the consequences. I''m afraid you''ll never be free from her.¡± Veikko pressed his lips together and said nothing. ¡°I''ll try to hide it from her. However, I hope that after you''ve had your revenge, you can consider a rtionship with her. Veikko, you''ve had a lot on your shoulders. Once you''ve exacted vengeance, you should settle down and live a peaceful life. Caridee is a good match. She''s bubbly and cheerful. She''ll be able to dispel the pain and darkness in your heart and light up your entire life,¡± Bailey continued. He passed Caridee to her, then turned to leave. As he walked, he said, ¡°I''m too unclean and can''t be her lover. Don''t try and ruin her life. After all, you''re her aunt.¡± His response left Bailey disappointed. His horrible past has left an indelible mark on him, and I''m afraid he''ll never be able to walk out of that darkness. Taking Caridee from Bailey''s arms, Zeke urged, ¡°You should go and see him off.¡± At the airport, the flight was about to take off soon, and the passengers were in the process of boarding the ne. Wendy took her phone from her bag and dialed Bailey''s number. However, the call failed to go through. Seeing that the other passengers were getting their boarding passes checked, she sent Bailey a text message that said: Bailey, I''m making a trip back to Moranta. Don''t worry. My aunt will help me. Please take care of Sebastian in the meantime. Thank you so much. After sending the message, she turned off her phone and walked to the boarding gate. In the crowd some distance away, Miranda watched her niece pass through the boarding gate with tears streaming down her cheeks. I''m sorry, Wends. I was forced into this. Philip has my husband and son, so I don''t have any choice. ... This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Bailey had just seen Veikko off when she received a call from the medical base. Upon hearing Zayn say that Wendy was nowhere to be found, she suddenly recalled how she had left in such a rush that shepletely forgot to instruct the butler to keep a close eye on Wendy. Chapter 718 Chapter 718 After leaving the outdoor grounds, Bailey bumped into Zeke, who was looking for her. ¡°Why are you in a hurry? What happened?¡± Bailey replied while walking. ¡°Wendy disappeared. I knew this would happen. That was why I wanted to remind the butler to keep an eye on her before leaving the medical base. But Caridee emerged out of nowhere, so I got panicked and distracted. I believe Wendy has left Hallsbay for Moranta.¡± Upon hearing that, Zeke immediately took his phone out of his pocket, looked for his assistant''s number, and consoled her. ¡°Calm down. I''ll send my men to track her down. She should still be around Hallsbay.¡± Bailey stopped walking as if something popped into her mind. She lowered her head to look at her phone and called Zayron. After the call got through, she immediately asked, ¡°Is Sebastian with you?¡± ¡°Yeah. We''re at the branch. Do you want to see him? I''ll bring him to the outdoor grounds,¡± Zayron answered. ¡°That won''t be necessary. I want you to stay with him in the Saviors for the next two days. You don''t need to go over to the medical base,¡± Bailey ended the call before her son could ask more questions. Zeke, too, called his assistant. He then walked to her and held her up as she was feeling a little weak. ¡°Well, at least she understood the consequences and did not take Sebastian with her. Get your men to find her. I think I know who''s behind all this, but based on my experience, I''m afraid we won''t be able to track her down,¡± Bailey analyzed. Zeke narrowed his eyes. He understood what she was implying. ¡°Do you mean Philip stayed in Hallsbay because of Wendy? But why would he hold her hostage? To threaten you or Mr. Raymond?¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°Nope. I don''t have any ties with Wendy, so even if he holds her hostage, he can''t get anything from me. As for Mr. Raymond...¡± This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. After a short pause, she continued, ¡°Wendy is merely an estranged daughter, so she wouldn''t be a threat to the family head. Moreover, Philip hasn''t established his authority over the family yet, so he wouldn''t risk antagonizing Mr. Raymond.¡± After a moment of thought, Zeke was enlightened. ¡°He wanted to use Holden as his leverage?¡± Bailey bobbed her head in response. She gritted her teeth and said, ¡°That''s right. It appears that Philip is quite ambitious. He''s not only seeking the position of a patriarch within the Hoffman family, but he''s also aiming to gain control over Tarragon. This confirms my suspicion that Sofie was colluding with him. After all, Sofie was Leo''s mistress, the former leader of Tarragon, and she now holds his power. Philip can easily take control over Tarragon if he teams up with her.¡± Zeke strode toward the exit of the outdoor grounds. ¡°I''ll get my men to capture Philip.¡± ¡°Hold on.¡± Bailey pulled him back and shook her head. ¡°Capturing Philip would be pointless at this stage. Sofie must be holding Wendy hostage now, so even if we threaten Sofie with Philip, she will not back down. Bailey believed Sofie was a pragmatic woman who would sacrifice anything for her interests. They may be partners now, but once Philip is no longer of use to her, she''ll discard him for sure. Zeke stopped walking. He turned around to look at her and asked, ¡°So what are we going to do now? Are we just gonna stay here and do nothing?¡± Bailey sighed before responding in a casual tone, ¡°Yeah, we shouldn''t do anything now since I''m still stuck here. We don''t want to stir up trouble and put the Hoffman sisters in danger.¡± Zeke asked, ¡°S-Should I make a trip to the Hoffman residence to see check out the situation there?¡± Without hesitation, Bailey opposed, ¡°No. It''s too dangerous. Sofie is a cunning and deceitful woman, and you''re definitely no match for her. Let''s just wait.¡± Knowing that she was worried about him, Zeke decided to back down. ¡°All right. Now that Artemis is not in Hallsbay, Raiden is back in Dellmoor, and Edmund is in such a state, I can''t leave you here alone. Above all, Cameron ising to Hallsbay. That guy has perfected his poison-concocting techniques. It would be disastrous if he ns to harm you.¡± ... Meanwhile, in the main hall of Tarragon''s headquarters, Artemis sat on a couch while holding a ss of red wine. Micah and Holden stood right opposite him. Now that they were in Tarragon, they showed much more respect toward Artemis than when they were outside the organization. Holden nodded and spoke. ¡°Mr. Doyle has been busy consolidating his power while we were away and has taken control of Tarragon''s training base. Now that he has control over arge number of men, he has dered independence and decided to betray Tarragon. Should I lead a team to invade the training base and eliminate him right there?¡± Artemis gently tapped on the wine ss, his piercing gaze alternating between bright and dark as if obscured by ayer of fog, making it difficult to discern his thoughts. Micah concurred. ¡°I agree with Holden. Since he has just usurped power in the training base, it''s best to take him down while his foundation is still not strong. We might suffer some losses, but looking at the situation, this is the best move we can make.¡± Artemis tightened his grip on the wine ss and nced at the two men. In a nonchnt tone, he said, ¡°Let''sy low and observe them for now. In the meantime, I want you to deal with Shannon and Yvette first. I have a n in mind.¡± Micah wanted to speak, but Holden injected, ¡°All right. Since you already have a n in mind, we shall not ask more questions. We''ll be holding a leadership meeting to have Shannon and Yvette confront each other. I hope you can make it.¡± Artemis lowered his eyes and responded calmly, ¡°Shannon and Bailey are close friends. but as long as there''s solid evidence, I''ll ensure a fair judgment and not show favoritism just because Yvette is the daughter of my predecessor.¡± ¡°Thank you, Leader,¡± Holden and Micah uttered. After the two men left, Artemis reached for his phone and gave Bailey a call. After the call got through, Artemis heard her restless voice. He could not help but arch his brows. ¡°What''s wrong? What''s troubling you?¡± ¡°Nothing. I miss you so much. I''ve been counting down the days until I can meet you. How''s everything over there?¡± Bailey asked. ¡°Mr. Doyle retreated to the training base, formed his troops, and dered his independence from Tarragon. We''ll conduct a leadership meeting to settle the scores between Shannon and Yvette, bringing closure to this case,¡± Artemis said. Upon hearing that, Bailey let out a sigh. ¡°Does that mean you won''t be able to return any time soon? It''s not that easy to handle Mr. Doyle, isn''t it?¡± Artemis responded with a subtle smile. Just when he was about to speak, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a surge of blood in his abdomen. His face darkened as he held back his words, and he gulped heavily, trying to suppress the surge of blood in his throat. ¡°What''s wrong, Artemis? Are you still there?¡± Bailey asked. Artemis continued to suppress that feeling, but the metallic taste of blood became so increasingly overwhelming that he could no longer suppress it. Chapter 719 Chapter 719 The call ended before Artemis could reply to Bailey. The next second, he lunged forward and spat a mouthful of dark red blood. The hall went into chaos. ¡°Hurry! Go get Mr. Lewitt!¡± ¡°Doctor! Get a doctor!¡± It had not been long since Holden and Micah left, but after hearing that Artemis had vomited blood, they hurriedly returned. The two exchanged gazes when they saw the puddle of blood that was a strange dark red color. Holden said in a low voice, ¡°He must''ve been poisoned. I don''t think a normal doctor would be able to reverse its effects. I''ll go and get Dr. Lynch. Stay here with him and don''t leave. Make sure to keep this a secret.¡± Micah nodded. ¡°Go. I know what to do.¡± Ring. Ring. Ring. The phone that Artemis had dropped rang once more. Micah looked down and noticed that it was Bailey calling. He hesitated for a moment before he gave up on answering the phone. They were still unsure of Artemis'' condition, and Bailey was not an easy person to deal with. The more Micah said, the more wrong things would turn out. ... Meanwhile, at the study of the medical base in Hallsbay, Bailey had tried to call Artemis many times, but no one answered. Zeke entered the study and was confused when he saw the frown on her face. He asked, ¡°What''s wrong? Didn''t you two talk things over previously? Why do you still look depressed?¡± Bailey threw her phone aside and shook her head. ¡°It''s nothing. Perhaps I''m too worried about him. I get anxious when I don''t hear from him. Jeez. I''ve got to change this habit of mine.¡± ¡°Good that you know. He has Holden and Micah to protect him, so what would happen to him? You''d better worry about yourself instead. Oh, right. We''ve received news about Wendy. She has indeed left Hallsbay by ne. However, she had used a fake identity. That''s why my people took such a long time to find her.¡± Bailey was not surprised. They had expected that. ¡°Since they''re going to go through with their n, it''s only natural they would do it without any ws. Let''s stop worrying about Wendy for the moment. She might still be useful to Mr. Hoffman, so she won''t be in danger. Now, I''m more worried about Raiden''s father. His condition doesn''t look good. Overworking had taken a toll on him. If he''s not cured, the country may fall into turmoil.¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes. ¡°Are you nning to go to Dellmoor?¡± ¡°No, I can''t leave. I''ve already asked Zain to go in my stead and check on his condition. If Zain can''t resolve the issue, I might have to go there myself. After all, Zain doesn''t know how to conduct hypnosis. Mr. Fletcher''s condition is caused by excessive stress. Only hypnosis will be able to relieve his symptoms.¡± Initially, Bailey had nned to ask a friend to impersonate Ethereal to go to the Fletcher residence and treat Sloan. However, after doing some research on Sloan''s condition, she realized it was a must for her to treat him instead. ¡°Mommy, Aunt Julie is getting married,¡± Susan announced as she walked in with aptop. C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org. Zeke and Bailey were taken aback by the news. What? Julie is getting married? Bailey turned to look at her daughter. Frowning, she asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Susan ced theptop in her hands before Bailey. ¡°Look. The Hoffman family has announced news of the wedding.¡± Bailey snatched theptop and stared at the screen momentarily before instinctively turning to look at Zeke. Zeke''s expression turned grim as a storm started brewing behind his eyes. He stared at the title of the news disyed on the screen. It wrote: Wedding Bells Will Soon Be Ringing! The Hoffman family''s eldest daughter and her fianc¨¦, Huntley Cloudax, will soon marry. The date will be announcedter. We wee guests from all around the world to give their blessings to the couple at the Hoffman residence. ¡°Will soon marry...¡± Zeke muttered. He was silent for a moment before he scoffed and said, ¡°They think I don''t have a temper just because I didn''t get angry. For them to force her to this point, are they treating me as if I''m nothing but air?¡± Bailey returned theptop to her daughter before telling Zeke, ¡°This could be Julie''s way of protecting herself. As of now, we can''t leave our posts. It''s understandable for her to want to protect herself.¡± Zeke red at her and uttered in a deep voice, ¡°I''m not ming Juliana. Indeed, she''s doing this to protect herself. However, the Hoffman family is too evil. I want to wipe out the family one day.¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°Julie must''ve agreed to the wedding because of two reasons. First, it''s to protect herself. Second, I assume she must want to return Huntley''s feelings and sacrifice for her. She has probably let go of youpletely.¡± Zeke tensed up. He did not know what his feelings were for Juliana. He only knew that he did not mind being with her for the rest of their lives. However, if she decided to let go of him, he figured there was no need for him to chase after her anymore. ¡°Can you cure Huntley''s legs?¡± Bailey looked at Zeke strangely. ¡°Zeke, if I can cure Huntley''s legs, are you going to give them your blessing? But Julie doesn''t love Huntley. If you ept their marriage, it''ll nail her suffering for the rest of her life instead.¡± Zeke turned and headed for the door. As he walked, he said, ¡°If she''s determined to forget the past, then there''s no use in me forcing her. Forget about that. Since they''ve announced the wedding, it means she''s safe temporarily. You should just deal with your affairs in peace first.¡± ¡°Zeke...¡± Bailey swallowed what she wanted to say as she watched him disappear out the door. Before meeting Julie and asking her about the wedding, what use is there for me to keep talking about it? After going through so much together, I''m not sure what Julie is thinking about either. Perhaps she''s matured rapidly amongst the chaos and has a new goal. If she wants to take over as the head of the Hoffman family and be the most powerful woman of Adrune, then neither Zeke nor I can stop her. ... Meanwhile, silence filled the bedroom at the headquarters of Tarragon. Artemis leaned against the headboard. His handsome face had turned pale as paper, and he had difficulty breathing. Beside the bed, a white-haired elderly took his pulse. ¡°How strange. The blood you spat out is a dark red color. Logically speaking, it''s a symptom of being poisoned. However, your pulse is stable. It doesn''t seem like you''ve been poisoned, either. How many times has this happened?¡± Artemis nodded in understanding and answered, ¡°It''s the third time I''ve vomited blood. Previously, Justin did my bloodwork and performed a CT scan. There were no signs of being poisoned or internal injuries, but I would vomit blood every two days. Don''t tell me even you are unable to find out the cause of my illness?¡± Henley did not say a word. Instead, he turned to observe the blood in the vial. Micah asked, ¡°Dr. Lynch, how is it? Can you really not find the cause of his illness? Could it be a poison that you''ve never encountered before?¡± ¡°A poison I''ve never encountered...¡± Henley muttered to himself. He thought about it for a moment before his expression turned grim. ¡°Could it be... No, that''s impossible. That poison has been long lost. The only remaining bottle was also sealed... No, it can''t be that poison.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes and stared at Henley. He asked, ¡°What do you mean by ''that poison''? Have you noticed something? If yes, please exin it to me.¡± The look on Henley''s face turned serious as he waved his hand and answered, ¡°I don''t dare to jump to conclusions without any confirmations. Wait for another two days. I''ll take this vial of blood and do experiments on it. I''ll get back to you after confirming my suspicions.¡± With that, he strode out the door. As he walked past Holden, he muttered, ¡°Come with me. There''s something I need you to do.¡± Chapter 720 Chapter 720 Holden cast a look at Artemis and followed Henley out of the bedroom. In the hallway, Holden spoke in a hushed tone to Henley. ¡°You have determined the type of poison he was exposed to, haven''t you?¡± Henley let out a sigh and began to exin slowly, ¡°Usually, when a poison enters the human body, it can be detected by examining a blood sample. But when Justin mentioned that the bloke didn''t show any abnormal signs, it makes one wonder.¡± Holden took a moment to think and proposed, ¡°Could it be that you made a mistake in your diagnosis? Perhaps he wasn''t poisoned and simply exerted himself too much, which caused him to cough up blood.¡± Henley gradually ceased his movement and directed his gaze toward the test tube he was holding. He fixated his gaze on the dark red blood sample inside the test tube. With a solemn tone, he dered, ¡°Exertion wasn''t the cause. He is healthy, and even if he exerted his body too much, he wouldn''t cough out blood. Based on my experience, he is certainly exposed to poison. There''s only one kind of poison in the world that can''t be detected in the early stages after entering the body. It''s the forbidden poison of the Yablon family, Soul Reaper.¡± Holden''s body shuddered violently when he heard that. Holden was familiar with the infamous Soul Reaper. It was the number one peculiar poison and had deadly properties with no known antidote. It was said to be locked away in the Yablon family''s forbidden territory, so he couldn''tprehend how it could have made its way into the world. ¡°Dr. Lynch, are you sure?¡± Henley couldn''t conceal his bitter smile upon hearing Holden''s question. ¡°Even I, an old man, have never seen Soul Reaper. I only know of its distinctive characteristics. How can I be certain that it is the particr poison? I summoned you here because I need you to contact Mr. Cameron Yablon of the Yablon family and inquire whether they have lost Soul Reaper. If yes, then...¡± Henley didn''t finish his sentence, but Holden understood his meaning. In the event that the Yablon family had indeed lost Soul Reaper, it was highly probable that the poison inside Artemis'' body was none other than Soul Reaper. ¡°All right, I will contact Cameron right away. But I have one more question, are you certain that you cannot cure this poison?¡± Henley shook his head. ¡°Not just me, but even the descendants of the Yablon family may have limited knowledge about the poison. The poison''s creator was a rare poison expert of the Yablon family, who made the poison without leaving behind any form or antidote. However, nothing is absolute, and there might be a chance that the Yablon family has some method to cure the poison. You should contact Mr. Yablon. He may disclose the truth to you, given the friendship you two share.¡± ¡°Okay. That''s the only thing we can do now. How long can Artemis survive without an antidote if he is indeed exposed to this poison?¡± Holden asked. After contemting for a while, Henley proposed, ¡°As long as he avoids strenuous activities that can elerate the spread of the poison in his body, he can survive for a certain period of time. Nevertheless, it is not wise to rely solely on luck. If the poison is left untreated, he will eventually sumb to it and die.¡± Holden didn''t know what to response to that. ... Bailey abruptly woke up from her slumber at the medical base in Hallsbay, jolting up into a seated position. While Gasping for air, beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. ¡°Oh, Artemis. Artemis...¡± Bailey murmured to herself as she reached for her phone, dialing Artemis'' number. She had seen him in her dream. He was enveloped in a shroud of ck energy and devoured by it bit by bit. At thest moment, as they exchanged a fleeting nce, it felt like he was bidding the final farewell to her amidst a sea of blooming flowers on the other shore. Bailey was unable to understand the reason behind having such a dream. She had never believed in supernatural phenomena, but dreams were often a reflection of one''s subconscious. When two people''s minds were connected, they could sense each other''s danger. Therefore, she concluded that something must have happened to Artemis that caused her to have such a dream. The call connected sessfully, and Artemis'' deep and maic voice emanated from the receiver. The tone was calm and soft, capable of melting her heart. ¡°Isn''t it around one in the morning in Hallsbay? Why haven''t you gone to bed yet? Didn''t you promise to take care of yourself and get some rest? How can you maintain your health if you stay up thiste?¡± As soon as Bailey heard his voice, she felt a wave of emotions wash over her, and she began to cry. Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Artemis, please assure me that you''re okay!¡± Artemis'' voice was hoarse as he said, ¡°Please don''t cry. My heart squints whenever you cry. The call was interrupted earlier because I had an urgent matter. When I finished my work, I nned to call you back, but I realized it was alreadyte at night on your end, and I didn''t want to disturb you. So, I didn''t call. I''m fine, don''t worry. If you keep crying like this, I''ll hop on a ne and fly back to you immediately.¡± Bailey wiped the tears and sweat off her face haphazardly and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°You muste back quickly. I want to tell you something. You have a strong love rival again. If you don''te back soon, my heart might be taken away by someone else.¡± Upon hearing that, Artemis let out a soft chuckle. ¡°You must be talking about Cameron. He is indeed a formidable rival. It seems you have been getting into romantic entanglements you shouldn''t have outside. When I return, we''ll have to discuss this. Also, you need to figure out a way to get back the painting of you. What is he trying to achieve by staring at my woman every day?¡± Bailey pouted her lips in response to his words. ¡°Oh, so you already know about it. That perv*rt''s sole purpose of keeping my portrait is so he doesn''t forget the grudge of me disfiguring him. I bet he''s poked holes all over the painting.¡± ¡°Nevertheless, you still need to retrieve it. I want to see that painting when Ie back, no matter what. It doesn''t feel good to know that another man has a painting of you,¡± Artemis insisted. Bailey grinned and responded, ¡°Okay, I''ll do as you say. He''sing to Hallsbay in a few days, so I''ll make sure he hands over the painting then. But you have to promise me to finish your work there within seven days ande back right away. As for Mr. Doyle, he''s in cahoots with Sofie and Philip Hoffman. I''ll wait for you to return first. We''ll meet with the Hoffman family and deal with them together.¡± ¡°Okay, I can give you my life as well if you want it.¡± Bailey spat in response to his deration and couldn''t help but scold, ¡°Don''t talk nonsense like that. Why would I ever want your life? If you keep saying things like that, I''ll get very mad.¡± ¡°Okay. You should go lie down in bed and rest now. Don''t stay upte anymore.¡± ¡°Okay, how about you stay with me for a while and chat? Artemis, when our children grow up a bit more and don''t need our supervision anymore, let''s go on a trip around the world. I want to go to Pandera, Intundeos, ancient Eskaria, and so on...¡± ... Back in the Hoffman residence''s study, Raymond was sitting on a couch, and a middle-aged man was standing before him. ¡°Mr. Raymond, I have received specific information that Ms. Wendy has returned to the country in secret. However, she was kidnapped during her journey, and her current whereabouts are unknown. Based on our initial investigation, it seems to be rted to Mr. Philip.¡± As Raymond yed with the jade stone in his hand, he abruptly stopped when he heard the report, and his brow furrowed subconsciously. What''s the matter with Holden? Why isn''t he taking action when Wendy returns to the country? Isn''t he aware of the current chaos within the Hoffman family? It appears that this man is not suitable for Wends. He seems to be even more ipetent than Lionel. At least when Wends was under Lionel''s protection, she never suffered any harm. Despite living under the nose of the Hoffman family, no one was able to harm her. ¡°Is it true that my sister has been kidnapped, Mr. Rond?¡± Juliana asked with anxiousness evident in her voice as she entered the room. Sam retrieved the phone from his pocket and handed it to her. ¡°This is the call from my subordinate. Please have a look at it, Ms. Juliana.¡± Chapter 721 Chapter 721 Juliana lowered her gaze slightly and nced around a few times. ¡°Dad, what do you think? Is it really Uncle Philip''s doing? Why would he detain my sister? Does he want to threaten you to hand over the position of the patriarch of the Hoffman family?¡± Raymond gripped his wine ss tightly and sighed softly. ¡°I''m afraid it''s not that simple. He wants to seize control of Tarragon and fulfill the long-cherished wish of generations of family patriarchs. Tarragon had separated from the Hoffman family, and its power now far exceeds that of the family. As a result, everyone in the family has be envious. Philip has this ambition, so they sided with him and kidnapped your sister. It''s not to threaten me but to restrain Holden since he is the second inmand of Tarragon.¡± Upon hearing his words, Juliana immediately understood. ¡°So Wendy is not in any immediate danger? What should we do next? Should we continue to remove Uncle Philip''s influence?¡± Raymond waved his hand dismissively and said nonchntly, ¡°The final showdown is between Tarragon and those who sided with him. Philip is only cannon fodder, and there''s a mastermind controlling everything. So, removing his influence won''t do much. I''m guessing Wendy isn''t in Philip''s hands now but in the hands of the person working with him.¡± ¡°So, ording to you, we can only sit around and wait for them toe to us? No, wait. Holden is simply Tarragon''s second-inmand. They still need to get rid of the one in charge if they want to control the entire Tarragon. Could they have already devised a way to secretly harm Master Artemis?¡±This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. Juliana questioned. Something dark flickered in Raymond''s eyes. After a moment of silence, he cautiously answered, ¡°Everyone might be a pawn in this precarious situation. There hasn''t been any movement from Bailey''s side, so she''s probably preparing something big. Don''t worry for now. Just be careful during this period, and ensure Tucker doesn''t set his sights on you.¡± ¡°All right. Don''t worry. I''ll be careful, Dad. I''ll definitely protect our family. The power of the Tarragon is indeed tempting, but it''s not ours, and we can''t force it to be. Our family is wealthy and powerful, controlling the entire Adrune. There is no need to risk the entire family for such a risky thing. When I be the head of the family in the future, I will reorganize and strengthen it, ensuring our family''s prosperity for a hundred more years.¡± Raymond smiled with satisfaction. ¡°You have truly grown up, and I can finally trust you with the entire family. With more training, you will be a qualified sessor.¡± Juliana remained silent. Meanwhile, a tall, slender figure leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, taking a phone call inside a luxurious suite in a five-star hotel in Hallsbay. It was Cameron. ¡°Mr. Lewitt from Tarragon, I never thought the internationally acimed hero would call me. It''s truly an honor. I wonder what use ayman like me could be to you?¡± After a brief silence, Holden''s slightly serious voice rang out. ¡°Mr. Yablon, has your prohibited drug, Soul Reaper, been distributed?¡± Cameron slightly narrowed his eyes. He wasn''t foolish. On the contrary, how could he be an ordinary person if he could go toe-to-toe with Bailey ande out unscathed? After hearing his question, countless spections suddenly arose in his mind. Could it be that the drug has already spread to someone and caused trouble? ¡°May I ask why you would have such a question? Our family''s prohibited drugs have always been sealed in our restricted area. How could it possibly have leaked out? What? Has Tarragon run out of things to do and decided to set its sights on my family and cause us trouble?¡± Holden sighed and replied, ¡°Mr. Yablon, you''ve misunderstood me. One of our high-ranking members in Tarragon has been vomiting blood non-stop these past few days. However, the blood test report shows no signs of poisoning. A famous doctor mentioned the possibility of it being Soul Reaper. That''s why I''vee to ask you. If your family''s prohibited drug has been stolen and poison prohibition has indeed been stolen, and you don''t know where it is, please tell us the truth so we can prepare countermeasures.¡± Cameron narrowed his eyes again. A high-ranking member of Tarragon? It has to be someone important for Holden to call me personally, so it can''t be just any high-ranking member. The person is either on the same level as him or is his superior. There is only one person in Tarragon who is on par with him and only one other who is his superior. The chances of it being Micah are rather low since he is just the second inmand of Tarragon. Using such a rare poison on him seems like a bit of an overkill. They went to great lengths to steal the poison from our family''s restricted area, so it shouldn''t have just been used to poison Micah. If it isn''t Micah, there is only one person left. It must be Artemis. Ah. That''s Bailey''s beloved man. If he were the man poisoned, I would rejoice. ¡°I''ll repeat for thest time. Soul Reaper is still safely stored in the restricted area. There hasn''t been any issue for decades, so why would there be one now? Besides, even if a high-ranking member of Tarragon is indeed poisoned, don''t bother thinking about any countermeasures. It''s better to start preparing for his funeral, as he will definitely die. I can''t even cure this poison myself.¡± After saying that, he immediately hung up the call. ¡°Find out who Artemis has been in contact with and what he has encountered during his time in Hallsbay.¡± The bodyguard at the door responded with a nod and quietly stepped out. Cameron gazed at the night scene outside the window, his thin lips curling into a strange smile. Bailey. Raiden and Edmund love you so much that they would sacrifice themselves to support you even though they are such prideful people. But I''m different. If I can''t get my hands on what I want, I''d rather ruin it than let another man have it. You should wait and n for his funeral now that Artemis has been poisoned by Soul Reaper. Then, I''ll wait for you to throw yourself into my arms. At this thought, he slowly reached out to touch the scar at the corner of his eye, and the smile on his lips grew even brighter. He could already imagine her presence in this city. He had eagerly anticipated meeting her again over the past few years. The next day, in the intensive care unit, Bailey helped to apply medication to Edmund''s leg. After observing for a while and ensuring no side effects, she smiled and said, ¡°Muscle growth is a long process. You must be patient and endure it. Once all the muscles have grown, I will create a rehabilitation n for you. I''m afraid you won''t be able to walk on this leg for the next three years. Once the bones inside havepletely healed, we''ll gradually start rehabilitation. I believe you''ll be able to stand up again one day.¡± Edmund reached out for a tissue near him and handed it to her. ¡°Wipe your forehead. You''re covered in sweat. Why are you so nervous? It''s just a leg. If it saves your life, it''s worth it.¡± Bailey''s eyes reddened and filled with ayer of wet mist. Edmund couldn''t help butugh and replied, ¡°All right. I won''t say anything anymore. If I make you cry, I still have to spend effortforting you. Bay, I know you have a lot of things to do. You''ve stopped everything because of my injury. Now that I''m feeling much better, you should go and take care of your matters.¡± Bailey tucked him into the nket. ¡°There are different priorities in everything. To me, nothing is more important than your leg right now.¡± She knew Huntley''s limbs also couldn''t be left untreated. She needed to reattach the severed tendons and blood vessels as soon as possible. However, it didn''t matter. In her heart, nothing mattered more than Edmund''s leg at the moment. Chapter 722 Chapter 722 The next day. At the hotel. Cameron leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, holding his phone and answering a call. ¡°Mr. Yablon, we have located Soul Reaper''s whereabouts.¡± Cameron looked at the street view outside, his expression inexplicable. He lightly parted his lips and coldly uttered three words, ¡°Who stole it?¡± ¡°It''s Cadence''s brother. After his brother was expelled from the Yablon family, he harbored rebellious thoughts. This time, someone made a deal with him to steal the prohibited drug from the ancestral hall. He agreed to the request, killed the special agent guarding the prohibited drug, and took the poison. We can''t trace his whereabouts now. It seems he has no intention of returning to the Yablon residence.¡± Cadence''s brother... A sh of understanding crossed Cameron''s eyes. ¡°I almost forgot about this. His brother did die at the hands of Bailey and Artemis. He wanted to avenge his brother, so he stole the poison and used someone else to use it on Bailey and Artemis, ending everything.¡± ¡°I also think so. Should we issue a global arrest warrant and capture him?¡± ¡°Not for now. Keep this matter hidden from everyone. Don''t leak a word.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Yablon.¡± Just as the call ended, the door to the suite opened, and a ck-d bodyguard walked in from outside. ¡°Mr. Yablon, I''ve investigated what you asked for. Bailey''s foster father, rence, suddenly died a couple of days ago. Before he died, he had a ss of wine with Artemis.¡± ¡°Sudden death? Wine?¡± Cameron murmured softly. After a moment of silence, he asked in a deep voice, ¡°Where is his body?¡± The ck-d bodyguard lowered his head. ¡°At a mortuary in Capston. The body hasn''t been cremated yet. I know you would want to inspect the body, so I''ve made all the necessary arrangements.¡± Cameron turned and walked toward the door. ¡°Prepare the car. We''re going to the mortuary.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ... At the same moment. Inside the study at the medical base. Bailey was leaning on the sofa, answering a phone call. ¡°He left the hotel suddenly? Send someone to follow him and see where he''s going.¡± In fact, she had received the news when Cameron arrived in Hallsbay, but he didn''t make a move yet, so she didn''t intend to. Now that he suddenly left the hotel, he must have taken action. In her understanding, Cameron had always been a formidable opponent. She almost fell into his hands back then. Thanks to her mastery of hypnosis, she forcibly subdued him. Otherwise... ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we lost track of him. Mr. Yablon is skilled in using poison. As soon as our people got close, they were knocked out.¡± Bailey frowned slightly. If that guy had nothing to hide, why would he shake off those who were following him? Now that he had taken action, it meant he had ulterior motives. She couldn''t passively wait for him toe knocking on her door. She needed to take the initiative and maintain control. ¡°Okay, I got it. Don''t follow him anymore. I''ll handle it myself.¡± ¡°Do you need us to send someone to protect you?¡± ¡°No need. If there are too many people, it will only attract his attention. He''s a cunning fox, and I can barely avoid him alone and conceal my whereabouts. Once you follow, it''s easy to expose ourselves.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± After ending the call, Zeke, who was sitting nearby, asked, ¡°Did Camerone to Hallsbay?¡± ¡°Yeah, he arrived yesterday, and I know his whereabouts. He also knows that I had someone monitoring him. At this critical moment, he shook off my people and left the hotel. He must be dealing with something important. I need to find out.¡± Zeke nced at her, his lips curled into a mocking smile. ¡°Want to go out? Just say it directly. Why beat around the bush?¡± Bailey tugged at the corner of her mouth, leaning in and hugging his arm with a coquettish tone. ¡°Zeke, I really need to go out for a while. Can''t you make an exception for me? Pretty please?¡± Zeke snorted coldly, squeezing out a sentence through his teeth. ¡°Your coaxing won''t work. There''s no way I''ll let you leave the medical base. Give up on that idea.¡± Bailey was taken aback for a moment. She couldn''t help but mutter, ¡°You''re really unbearable, Zeke. Not only do I not get any benefits from acknowledging you as my brother, but you also restrict my freedom.¡± Zeke couldn''t help but chuckle at her frustration. He yfully flicked her forehead, saying, ¡°You heartless girl. I put aside my heavy workload to stay with you every day and protect you. Yet you didn''t even thank me. Instead, I get yourints.¡± ¡°Well, if you let me go, I promise I won''t cause trouble or fight with anyone. I just want to meet Cameron, okay?¡± Zeke couldn''t help but rub his temples. ¡°Artemis is really good at avoiding trouble. He dumped such a big problem like you on me. He won''t have an easy time marrying you if he doesn''t meet my requirements. That marriage won''t happen.¡± Bailey was a bit speechless as she pouted. ¡°Fine, I won''t go out. I won''t give you any trouble. Is that okay? Just don''t bully him. I care about him.¡± Although she said that, she was still considering how to slip out. Now that Cameron was in Hallsbay, she had to meet that guy. This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. It was rare to encounter a worthy opponent, and despite her annoyance with him, he was someone whom she could easily handle. ... Derport. At the mortuary. Cameron arrived at the morgue without any obstacles. ¡°Mr. Yablon, this is rence''s body. I''ve examined it, and there doesn''t seem to be anything unusual. He was already in poor health, so it''s an expected natural death.¡± Cameron ignored him, reaching into his pocket and pulling out an embroidered box. From the box, he took out a silver needle. This was the Yablon family''s secret silver needle that could detect all toxins, including Soul Reaper. The sharp needle pierced rence''s blood vessel, staying inside for a moment before slowly being withdrawn. In that instant, the needle tip strangely emitted a ck mist, and the entire needle gradually turned ck. ¡°Mr. Yablon, this...¡± Aplex expression shed in Cameron''s eyes. If he had only suspected that Artemis had been poisoned before, now he could be almost certain. Soul Reaper, huh? Artemis was undoubtedly doomed. He just didn''t know if Bailey would follow suit after that man''s death. Probably not. That woman didn''t seem like the type to sacrifice herself for a man. He guessed she wasn''t that sentimental. ¡°Cremate his body and find a box of ashes to rece it. Don''t let his ashes fall into the wrong hands.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Having obtained the answer he wanted, Cameron didn''t stay any longer. He swiftly left like a ghost. Perhaps I should make a deal with Bailey to test how deep her love for Artemis really is. ... Medical Base. Inside the study. ¡°Mr. Zeke, Ms. Bailey has sneaked out.¡± A respectful report came from outside the door. Zeke''s hand holding the pen paused for a moment, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. He knew she wouldn''t stay obediently at the medical base. ¡°Did you find out where Mr. Yablon is staying?¡± ¡°Century Hotel.¡± ¡°Prepare the car. I''m going to the Century Hotel.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Chapter 723 Chapter 723 After leaving the medical base, Bailey didn''t wander the streets looking for Cameron. Instead, she went to the Century Hotel. She believed that since he left temporarily, his luggage should still be in the hotel, and she didn''t believe he wouldn''t return for it. If his belongings were truly in the hotel, she might even find that painting. Artemis had forced her to retrieve the painting, and she too felt uneasy knowing that another man was hiding her portrait. Anything that bothered Artemis was something she wanted to get rid of. ... An hourter, as Bailey expected, Cameron returned. As soon as he entered the suite, he sensed something was wrong. But it was toote. The scent entered his nostrils, and the next second, his legs gave way, and he slid down the doorframe, kneeling on the floor. He couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Your stupefying drug is even stronger than before. I, Cameron Yablon, the heir of the esteemed Yablon family that is the world''s top poison-crafting family, believed that I mastered all forms of poison-crafting. Yet, here I am, falling into your hands.¡± Bailey walked out of the study and coldly sneered, ¡°Don''t y dumb. You knew I woulde to the hotel to find you. You eagerly approached, thinking I wouldn''t dare to do anything to you.¡± Cameron chuckled lightly. ¡°That''s what makes you so annoying, Bailey. You can see through people''s thoughts, making them feel threatened and unable to resist wanting to destroy you.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes, walked up to him, crouched down in front of him, and extended her hand. ¡°Where''s my portrait? Give it to me quickly, or you will suffer today.¡± ¡°I knew Artemis told you about this. It was him who asked you to retrieve it, right, Bailey? Dominating men are usually unreliable. Since we''re acquaintances, I advise you to kick him out of your life as soon as possible.¡± He continued, ¡°If you don''t kick him away soon, you''ll end up a widow.¡± Bailey snorted. ¡°I like his dominance. Quickly give me the portrait, or you''ll suffer.¡± ¡°I knew Artemis would ask you to retrieve the portrait. Do you think I would carry it with me? If you want that painting, fine. Come with me to the Yablon residence, but let me remind you, you still need me to save your best friend. I doubt you''d dare to harm me.¡± Bailey gritted her teeth fiercely. This was Cameron, and now she realized how difficult he could be. She understood him, and likewise, he understood her. They had figured each other out during their past adversarial encounters. ¡°Fine, give me the toxins my friend needs, and I''ll remove the stupefying drug from your body.¡± Cameron shrugged. ¡°No need. Your stupefying drug may be powerful, but it can''t hold me down. Give me two days, and I can formte an antidote. Of course, you can kill me right now, but then your friend will undoubtedly die.¡± Bailey stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth in the room. After taking a few deep breaths, she managed to suppress her anger. ¡°Cameron, it seems you have mepletely figured out. I''ll give you the antidote now. Will you be a good boy and prepare the toxins I need?¡± Cameronzily leaned against the doorframe, smirking as he said, ¡°Bailey, you''re so clever. You should know that nothing in this worldes so easily. Your stupefying drug may be difficult to counter for ordinary people, but for me, it''s only a matter of 48 hours. I told you, unless you kill me, you can''t threaten me with these things. Don''t forget, I am the heir of the esteemed Yablon family, the world''s top poison-crafting family.¡± Bailey suddenly leaned forward, grabbing his cor. It was unclear what she had discovered, but her eyebrows lightly furrowed. ¡°So, you went to the mortuary just now? Did youe into contact with a corpse? What''s the matter, did your father die? Is he currently in the morgue at the mortuary?¡± Cameron couldn''t help butugh, ¡°Your nose is quite sensitive. But let''s get back to the point. If you want me to save your best friend, you have to agree to a condition.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, bing cautious. ¡°What condition?¡± ¡°Kick Artemis aside and be with me.¡± Bailey red fiercely at him, gritting her teeth. ¡°Do you really want to die? Maybe I should just kill you right now.¡± After saying that, she pulled a dagger from her waist and swiftly swiped it at his neck. At that moment, a figure shed by, and then she was pulled up. The dagger slipped from her hand and fell to the floor with a tter. Bailey gnashed her teeth and roared, ¡°Zeke, don''t stop me. Today, I must kill this guy.¡± Zeke smiled and tried to calm her. ¡°You didn''t bring him to Hallsbay topete with him but to have him save Veronique. Let''s talk things out; let''s talk things out.¡± Then, he turned his head to Cameron and chuckled. ¡°Mr. Yablon, I believe you understand her temperament very well. Don''t provoke her too much, or she really will kill you.¡± Cameron shrugged indifferently, saying, ¡°Well, I''ve stated my conditions. Whether she agrees to them or not is up to her. I shouldn''t be any worse than Artemis. On the contrary, I''m even more useful. Besides, I met her first. If she agrees to cut ties with Artemis, I''ll help her by creating the toxin she wants to save her best friend.¡± Bailey''s anger red up again, and she struggled for a moment but couldn''t break free. Suddenly, she lifted her leg and kicked him hard on the shin. ¡°It''s impossible, Cameron. I''m telling you, no one can separate me and Artemis with such tricks. If he dies, I won''t live either. As for Veronique, I can only do my best. Don''t think you can ckmail me with that. I''d rather die with her.¡± Cameron slowly lowered his head. Is her love really that deep? If Artemis really fell victim to the Soul Reaper, he would undoubtedly die. If it was true that if he died and she wouldn''t live either, then wouldn''t they both lose their lives? Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org. After a moment of silence, he calmly said, ¡°I''ve said all I can. What to do next is up to you. I can''t control that. If you don''t agree to my request, don''t expect me to save your friend.¡± ¡°You...¡± Zeke saw her about to explode again and quickly pulled her outside, trying to calm her down. ¡°Don''t get angry for now. Let me talk to him. I believe Mr. Yablon isn''t unreasonable. There must be a reason for his request. Let me find out first.¡± Bailey said fiercely, ¡°You talk to him. If he still doesn''t agree, then use force. Stop wasting time with him.¡± Leaving the hotel, Bailey got into Zeke''s car. After a few minutes of calm, she began to ponder Cameron''s series of strange actions. Before returning to the hotel, he had indeed visited the mortuary. Why would someone who had just arrived in Hallsbay and had no connection to Hallsbay suddenly go to a mortuary? Whose corpse did he see there? Beep! Her phone in her pocket rang. It was an unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment but decided to answer the call. ¡°Hello, is this Ms. Bailey? I''m a staff member from Gruidae Mortuary.¡± Chapter 724 Chapter 724 Mortuary? Just a moment ago, she had suspected that Cameron had gone to the mortuary because the scent of burning paper money emanating from him could only be picked up after visiting such a ce. In the city, when someone passes away, their body is typically not kept at home. Instead, it is sent to a mortuary, where it awaits cremation before beingid to rest in a mausoleum. So, the scent of sandalwood and paper money is particrly strong there. Cameron had that kind of smell on him, which led her to confidently conclude that he had been to the mortuary. ¡°I''m Bailey. What brings you to me?¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, Mr. Jefferson''s remains have already been cremated. May I ask when you will be coming to the mortuary to handle the collection procedures? I tried calling Mrs. Jefferson and Ms. Rhonda, but no one answered. Left with no choice, I had to contact you.¡± Cremation? Didn''t Zayn say that after seven days at the mortuary, the body would be sent back to the countryside for burial? Why was it suddenly cremated? ¡°Who arranged for the cremation? Mrs. Jefferson or Ms. Rhonda?¡± Bailey asked. ¡°I-I''m afraid we don''t know either. You''ll have to refer to the relevant department. Our responsibility is only to inform the family and handle the aftermath.¡± Bailey thought for a moment and said calmly, ¡°All right, I''ll be there right away. Please have all the materials ready.¡± ¡°All right.¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey felt that the situation was quite strange. She sat in the car in silence for a moment before calling Zayn. After the call connected, she asked straight to the point, ¡°Was it Beatrice and Rhonda who requested to have my father''s remains cremated?¡± Zayn didn''t respond. He was clearly baffled by her abrupt and confusing question. After a silence of about twenty to thirty seconds, Zayn''s somewhat puzzled voice came through the phone, saying, ¡°Mrs. Jefferson and Ms. Rhonda did not request to have Mr. Jefferson''s body cremated. Wasn''t it mentioned before? ording to his wishes, he is to be buried in his hometown.¡± ¡°The mortuary has already cremated the body, and they couldn''t get in touch with Beatrice and Rhonda, so they had to call me.¡± Zayn was clearly shocked. ¡°What? They took it upon themselves to cremate the body? I''ll go to the mortuary right away and call you back once I get things sorted out.¡± Bailey let out a soft hum and said leisurely, ¡°There''s no need to contact me anymore. My grievances with the Jefferson family have been settled. Whatever happens to them in the future has nothing to do with me.¡± After saying that, she immediately ended the call. Click. The driver''s seat door opened, and Zeke bent down to get in. He blurted out, ¡°Who were you talking to on the phone? You sounded quite irritated.¡± Bailey didn''t bother to exin, but instead asked, ¡°How did your conversation with that guy go? Did he start talking?¡± Zeke shook his head, and after a moment of silence, he tentatively asked, ¡°Has he ever confessed his feelings to you before? Has he ever persistently pursued you and refused to give up?¡± ¡°No.¡± Bailey immediately denied it without even thinking. She then continued, ¡°Once, we were sworn enemies. He wished nothing more than to poison me, and I longed to stab him to death with a knife. We don''t get along, ipatible like water and fire. Have you seen the scar near the corner of his eye? I did that. ¡°Even if he''s interested in me, it''s probably just to get back at me and satisfy his twisted thoughts. Love? Ha, that doesn''t exist. He just wants to have me in the palm of his hand to avenge an insult.¡± Is that really the case? Zeke shook his head with a bitter smile. He felt that Cameron was quite serious when he made the suggestion for Bailey to kick Artemis. As a man, he could sense the other''s feelings. He knew that it wasn''t just a pretentious act. The other man genuinely developed feelings for Bailey. ¡°Come on, as a grown man, can you stop being so mincing? What exactly did that person say to you? Can''t you just tell me straight?¡± Bailey asked. Zeke sighed. ¡°His stance is firm. If you go to the Yablon residence with him, he will use his skills in poison-crafting to save Veronique.¡± Bailey cursed fiercely, ¡°Crazy! Why would I go to the Yablon residence with him? Is it to cause chaos there? If we, who hate each other,e together, won''t he be afraid that I might chop him up while he''s asleep?¡± ¡°I don''t know the exact purpose of his request for you to go to the Yablon residence. There must be something strange going on since it happened so suddenly. Since he agreed toe to Hallsbay, it proves that he wants to lend a helping hand. ¡°This sudden imposition of such a harsh condition seems like a forceful attempt to separate you from Artemis and make you draw a clear line between yourselves.¡± A sense of unease welled up in Bailey''s heart. Why did Cameron insist on forcibly separating Bailey from Artemis, making them draw a clear line between each other? Could it be... ¡°Zeke, help me find out if Cameron went to the Gruidae Mortuary this morning and saw rence''s body.¡± Bailey asked Zeke for his help. Zeke frowned. ¡°Cameron went to see rence''s body? Why? Did they know each other?¡± Bailey remained silent for a long time before finally saying in a strained voice, ¡°They may not know each other, but if rence has been poisoned, it''s rted to Cameron. As for why... Don''t ask too much, just help me investigate.¡± Zeke started the car while chuckling, ¡°All right, mdy, just tell me what you want me to do, and I''ll do it.¡± Bailey then remained silent. ... In theboratory at Tarragon Headquarters, Henley was observing something in front of a device. At that moment, the ss door was pushed open, and Holden walked in from outside. ¡°Dr. Lynch, I contacted Mr. Yablonst night, but he refused to disclose any information about whether Soul Reaper has been stolen or not. Do you have any other methods to confirm¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Henley immediately waved his hand to stop him. N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°No need to ask him anymore. I''m pretty sure he''s been poisoned by Soul Reaper, and it''s the one stored in the Yablon residence''s restricted area. Not only is the toxin extremely potent, but it''s also incurable.¡± ¡°What should we do then?¡± Holden became agitated, grabbing Henley''s arm and asking anxiously, ¡°Is there really no solution? Cameron also said he couldn''t solve it. Is this toxin truly incurable?¡± Henley''s face was filled with a solemn expression as he slowly shook his head. ¡°There''s no solution. When that poison-crafting genius created the poison, even he himself forgot which ingredients he added. ¡°Later on, he was unable to develop an antidote. Countless people have died from this toxin, including Maerlus, who also fell victim to it.¡± Before Holden could speak again, a deep and resonant maic voice suddenly came from outside the door. ¡°Dr. Lynch, are you sure I''ve been poisoned with Soul Reaper?¡± Both of them turned their heads simultaneously, only to see Artemis, who had been there quietly, standing at the doorway, emotionlessly watching them. ¡°Leader...¡± Holden subconsciously wanted to speak. Artemis waved his hand, stopping him. His gaze fell on Henley, quietly waiting for his response. Henley sighed quietly and nodded. ¡°There''s a ny-five percent chance, but don''t worry. Maerlus has been researching the antidote for Soul Reaper his entire life. Who knows, he might have made some discoveries. Bailey is Maerlus'' fellow apprentice, known as Anonymous. You should tell her about this situation and ask her to look through the ancient medical records left by Maerlus. Perhaps she can find some clues.¡± Chapter 725 Chapter 725 After hearing that, Holden nodded repeatedly. ¡°Right. Bailey is Anonymous, and Anonymous is a disciple of Dark Healer, Maerlus, who has spent his entire life researching this poison. She probably knows something. I''ll call Bailey immediately and have here to Tarragon Headquarters.¡± After that, Holden took out his phone from his pocket, found Bailey''s number, and prepared to make the call. Artemis reached out his hand and stopped Holden, ¡°Let''s not tell her for now. The trial for Shannon''s case is about to begin at Prudent Hall. Let''s deal with that first.¡± ¡°But...¡± Holden tried to protest. Artemis did not give Holden a chance to speak and turned to walk outside. Holden watched Artemis'' upright back and sighed softly. If news spread that the leader of Tarragon had been afflicted with The Enigma, there would be bloodshed again. The culprit had big ambitions. They seemed to be targeting Tarragon, so they poisoned the organization''s leader swiftly and ruthlessly. ¡°Dr. Lynch, how much longer can he survive in this condition?¡± Holden asked. Henley answered, ¡°In the best case, he''ll live for a month, and in the worst case, he''llst for only half a month. Once the toxin spreads to his internal organs, death is inevitable. This is the real reason why this poison is deadly. It won''t kill you instantly, but rather, it forces you to watch helplessly as it slowly eats away at your body and makes you ept the impending death.¡± Holden was at loss for words. At Prudent Hall, Yvette''s bloodied bodyy on the floor weakly. Her fierce gaze swept across a group of high-ranking members in the room. ¡°You ungrateful people! If it weren''t for my father''s assistance, none of you would be as sessful as you are today. Now when someone covets my status and position, you didn''t stand up for me and even betrayed me. One day, my father and I will return as vengeful spirits to get your lives!¡± The high-ranking members exchanged nces. Then, Prudent Hall''s hall leader stepped forward and said coldly, ¡°The previous leader set Tarragon''s rules. As Mr. Sullivan''s only child, you failed to follow the inheritedw andmitted many wrongdoings for your selfish desires. How can we maintain the organization''s rules and regtions if we don''t punish you severely?¡± After speaking, he abruptly waved his hand, signaling Shannon to present all the evidence and witness testimonies. Shannon brought arge stack of documents into Prudent Hall and handed them to the hall leader. N?velDrama.Org content. The hall leader announced, ¡°All right. So many high-ranking members are here today, and Leader will be arriving soon, so if you have been wronged, we will-¡± Before the hall leader could finish speaking, Shannon turned around and walked straight toward Yvette, disregarding the hall leader. The hall leader coughed awkwardly and called for the other high-ranking members to examine the witness'' testimony and physical evidence. Once Shannon reached Yvette, she slowly crouched down and grabbed Yvette''s chin. Shannon uttered, ¡°We were here six years ago too. You schemed against me and forced the man I loved the most to agree to cut off my arm. You made me experience extreme pain, and I fell into the abyss, never able to rise again. Today and right here, you''ll repay everything you owe me with interest.¡± Yvette began tough crazily. She pointed at Shannon and red fiercely and vengefully. ¡°What can you reim from me? An arm? A child? The pain you received from your lover? Or perhaps the womb that you personally removed? Shannon, the torment I inflicted upon you willst, but you can''t torment me. It''s just death for me, but you suffered worse than I ever will. Hahaha!¡± Shannon lowered her head slightly. That was indeed true. She was taking revenge on Yvette for all the pain she had once experienced. However, Shannon was tormented and suffered for many years, so she still had more lossespared to Yvette. Death was easy. It only took a brief moment, and all pain would vanish. Living a life worse than death was harder. ¡°Greetings, Leader.¡± ¡°Hi, Leader.¡± Greetings resounded one after another outside. The high-ranking member inside the room hurriedly put down their tasks and rushed toward the entrance. Artemis walked in while surrounded by arge crowd of people. His cold, eagle-like gaze swept over Shannon and Yvette before he headed straight to the main seat and sat down. ¡°Have you investigated everything?¡± Artemis asked. Prudent Hall''s hall leader hurriedly nodded and said, ¡°Leader, we have thoroughly investigated the matter. The evidence provided by Ms. Shannon is indeed valid. We wrongly used her six years ago. After everything is settled, I will resign from being Prudent Hall''s hall leader to give the Lewitt family justice. Please deliver your verdict for Her Royal¡ªMs. Sullivan.¡± Artemis gently tapped on the table, and his gazended on Shannon. ¡°Shannon the warrioress, you are the biggest victim in this conspiracy. You can decide what to do with Yvette. She''ll live, die, or live a life worse than death ording to your will. I will support your decision, so think carefully.¡± A cold light burst forth in Shannon''s eyes with the intent to kill swirling between her brows. However, she quickly suppressed it once more. Shannon said, ¡°Then I want her to live a life worse than death. Leader, please hand her over to me. I will be the one to decide her life and death in the future.¡± ¡°All right, as you wish.¡± As he spoke, Artemis'' gaze swept across the hall, and he said, ¡°Many of you were promoted by Mr. Sullivan. I wonder if any of you have objections to how I deal with his daughter.¡± Every new sovereign would bring his own courtiers. Tarragon was now led by another person, so none of these high-ranking members dared to voice objections. Having a different opinion was equivalent to challenging the new leader''s authority. Someone said, ¡°Leader''s decision is the best. Every grievance has its source, and every debt has its debtor. Since it''s their personal grudge, it''s best to let them resolve it themselves.¡± Another voice agreed, ¡°I agree.¡± Yvette gradually stoppedughing. She knew she would be subjected to inhuman torment and that death might be a form of relief if Shannon took over. With that thought, Yvette abruptly opened her mouth wide to bite her tongue and end her own life. A figure swiftly moved, appearing in front of her like a ghost, and reached out to cover her mouth. ¡°If you want to die, you should get our approval first.¡± The person who took action and spoke was Micah. He should have had a happy andplete family with a loving wife and children. However, it was all destroyed by that vicious woman. Yvette was forced to keep her mouth open and unable to bite down. The misty tears in her eyes formed beads and rolled down her cheeks. She cried, ¡°Father has always treated you well. He raised, educated, and nurtured you as if you were his biological son. Is this how you repay him? Micah, if you have any conscience left, you should give me a quick death.¡± Shannon casually grabbed a few pieces of paper from the table, crumpled them into a ball, and stuffed them into Yvette''s mouth. Then, Shannon sneered, ¡°Even if he wants to give you a quick end, I won''t allow it to happen. Yvette, don''t even think about dying before I''ve had enough fun with you.¡± Then, Shannon suddenly leaned closer to Yvette and whispered, ¡°I heard that the Bone-shredding Hormones developed by the Tarragon are quite potent. Would you like to give it a try?¡± Yvette''s pupils contracted sharply. ¡°Mmph... Mmph! Mmph!¡± Chapter 726 Chapter 726 Bone-shredding Hormones... That was a substance developed by her father''s former subordinate, specifically designed to force confessions from death row inmates. Once injected into the human body, it would cause agonizing torture, making the victim desperate for relief. That despicable person actually used such a vicious and tyrannic punishment on her. After all, she was the daughter of the previous leader and the princess of Tarragon. How could she be treated like this? ¡°Ugh...¡± With a wad of paper stuffed in her mouth, Yvette could only utter undecipherable sybles. She stared intently at the group of high-ranking members across from her, her eyes filled with a plea for help. Even if they didn''t want to save her, they should at least grant her a quick end, considering that her father had promoted them. They shouldn''t just stand by and watch her be tortured and abused. Unable to bear it, two senior officials wanted to step forward and speak up for her, but they were stopped by the leader of Prudent Hall. Artemis, Holden, and Micah, the first inmand and second inmand, all of whom wielded authority, stepped forward to support Shannon, making it clear that they were out to get Yvette. If they pleaded for mercy, not only would they be unable to save her, they would also get themselves involved, which was not worth it. ¡°Shannon the warrioress, now that everything hase to light, Prudent Hall will announce the results publicly, clearing your name and revoking the order to hunt you down. From now on, you can continue to stay in the organization and serve its cause.¡± Shannon leaned down slightly and lifted Yvette off the floor with one hand. Then, she walked leisurely toward the door. ¡°No need. Now that I''ve lost my arm, I''m basically useless. I can no longer carry out missions, so I won''t stay in Tarragon anymore. Just consider me as good as dead.¡± ¡°That''s not right,¡± a high-ranking member said in a low voice as he looked at her retreating figure. ¡°The organization has strict rules. To leave, you must meet two conditions. Your lost arm fulfills the first one, but what about the second? Before you leave, shouldn''t you take the memory loss pill?¡± Shannon didn''t even bother with him. Soon, she disappeared at the doorway. The high-ranking member''s pride was at stake. He turned to Artemis on the main seat and barked urgently, ¡°Leader, we must give her the memory loss pill! She knows too many of our top secrets. We can''t just let her go like this.¡± Artemis stared at him coldly and said nonchntly, ¡°She''s already left Tarragon for six years. If she really wanted to leak the organization''s top secrets, she would have done so long ago. Why would she wait until now? Besides, she''s Holden''s sister and Micah''s woman. With their guarantee, are you still worried that she would leak secrets and betray her own brother and lover?¡± Artemis'' words might sound harsh, but they hold true nheless. The higher-ups were left speechless by the statement. They retreated in a dispirited manner. Artemis'' gaze swept across the hall. He announced nonchntly, ¡°Let''s put an end to this matter here. Never bring it up again. If you have any dissatisfactions, feel free to consult me. If I find out that anyone is giving her a hard time in the future, don''t me me for not showing mercy.¡± After saying that, he stood up and walked out of the hall. Holden and Micah exchanged nces before they trailed after him. After leaving Prudent Hall, Artemis fished out his mobile phone from his pocket and found Bailey''s number. Seeing that string of familiar digits, his heart somehow ached. How should he tell her about the poisoning? She had been so anxious and worried about him. If she knew he had contracted the incurable Soul Reaper, wouldn''t she drive herself mad with worry? After standing still for a moment, he eventually deleted the digits he had entered one by one. ¡°Holden, do you have Mr. Yablon''s contact details?¡± Holden nodded. ¡°Yes, do you want it?¡± ¡°Indeed. Give it to me.¡± Holden took out his phone, found Cameron''s number, and passed the gadget to Artemis. ¡°Just make the call on my phone.¡± With that said, he and Micah took many steps back. Artemis stared at the screen for a few seconds before he dialed Cameron''s number. The call was quickly connected. A teasing voice sounded through the speaker, ¡°What''s up? Has the Soul Reaper inside Artemis kicked in? Fine, I was previously lying to you when I said that the Yablon family''s prohibited drug wasn''t stolen. Now that I have confirmation that Artemis has indeed been poisoned, there''s no need to hide it any longer. You''ll all find out soon anyway, so there''s no point in keeping it a secret.¡± ¡°I''m Artemis.¡± Right after that, there was a muffled thuding from the other end of the phone, as if something heavy had fallen to the ground. ¡°You seem quite surprised, Mr. Zayron. Did you just roll off the bed?¡± Cameron remained deathly silent. Artemis slowly withdrew the mocking expression on his face and said seriously, ¡°Mr. Yablon, I''m calling you to ask if there''s an antidote for Soul Reaper.¡± ¡°No,¡± Cameron replied curtly. ¡°If you''re calling me to ask for an antidote, then you''re mistaken. There is no antidote for Soul Reaper. For generations, the Yablon family has devoted their heart and soul to searching for a form, but we''ve never been able to figure it out. I''m afraid even the ones who created the poison might not be able to concoct an antidote.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but let out a bitterugh. ¡°So you''re saying that my death is now inevitable?¡± ¡°Well, in theory, yes. I know you''re worried about, but there''s no need for your concern. She has caught my attention, and after you''re gone, I''ll be the one to protect her.¡± The wry smile on Artemis'' face grew even more intense. Cameron was quite an interesting person. He was truly genuine. People considered him cunning and deceitful, but that was probably just a fa?ade he had utilized to deceive the world. ¡°Don''t you worry about my woman, Mr. Yablon. You should be well aware of Bailey''s capabilities, as you''ve known each other for so many years. Who knows, she might even be able to concoct an antidote.¡± Cameron sneered. ¡°Her medical skills were all passed down to her by Maerlus the Dark Healer, who spent his entire life researching the antidote for Soul Reaper. Yet, he ultimately died from the toxin. I don''t believe that Bailey''s expertise in antidotes can surpass her mentor''s.¡± ¡°We wouldn''t know until we try it. Since you cannot produce an antidote, Mr. Yablon, I shan''t bother you any longer. Talk to youter.¡± As he said that, Artemis reached out to hang up the call. ¡°Hold it.¡± Cameron hurriedly spoke up. ¡°Artemis, aren''t you curious about the sort of entanglements I have with Bailey?¡± Artemis paused his action. He was curious about everything rted to Bailey''s past. However, without her consent, he would not take it upon himself to pry into her past. ¡°If I want to know, I can ask Bailey directly. There''s no need to hear it from you. If you have nothing else to discuss with me, Mr. Yablon, I''ll be hanging up now.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Artemis, I''ve made a request to Bailey. She kicked you to the curb, and I stepped in to save Veronique. Bailey said she''d rather die with Veronique than abandon you. Yet, you''re incredibly selfish. You''ve contracted the incurable, and you still intend to tell her, thereby dragging her into this abyss so that she can die with you. Artemis, you don''t deserve her love.¡± Artemis'' body began to tremble slightly. He understood what Cameron was trying to say. It was just an attempt to provoke him into keeping his condition a secret from Bailey and staying away from her. Chapter 727 Chapter 727 He was slightly tempted after being provoked. Now that the toxin had entered his body, he wouldn''t live much longer. Should he really tell Bailey and then drag her along to face death together? He felt it was impossible to find the antidote. The Yablon family had been researching generation after generation but hadn''t made much progress. Maerlus had also researched this but died from the toxin. This poison was a curse. Anyone who got poisoned would meet an unfortunate end. Countless people died from this poison. No one had ever survived it. Otherwise, people''s expressions wouldn''t change drastically upon hearing about Soul Reaper. Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Artemis, you hesitated. You were tempted. If I were you, I would stay far away from Bailey, and it''s best to create some misunderstandings to make her give uppletely. Then, find a secluded ce to await your death slowly. Don''t make her suffer with you.¡± Artemis suddenly closed his eyes. His fingers gripping the phone were trembling slightly. ¡°Mr. Yablon, you''re really good at manipting people. I''m truly impressed. However, this is my personal matter, and it''s none of your business. Since you advised me not to tell Bailey, I assume you can keep this a secret, right?¡± Cameron smiled faintly. ¡°Of course, as long as you don''t say anything, I guarantee that Bailey won''t find out about this matter. I''m not trying to throw a wet nket. You can only wait for your death after getting poisoned by Soul Reaper. Since Sofie and the others dared to use this poison, they must have been certain that there is no antidote. Those who were poisoned would almost certainly die.¡± Artemis remained silent and hung up the call. Beep! His phone rang, and as he nced down, he saw it was a call from Bailey. She was most likely inquiring about Shannon''s situation. He turned towards Holden and gestured for him toe over. Then, he handed Holden the phone. ¡°You should answer the call. Just say that I''m dealing with important matters, and it''s not convenient for me. If she asks about it, tell her the truth about everything except about me getting poisoned.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Holden took the phone and walked to the other side to take the call. Artemis turned to look at Micah and asked, ¡°What are your ns for the future? It seems like your heart is no longer with Tarragon. Once she leaves, I guess you won''t have the ambition to be an international hero anymore, right?¡± Micah couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You really know me well. That''s right. All I want now is to protect her silently. Even if she never forgives me, and there''s no other way, I still don''t want to give up.¡± ¡°Go ahead and do what you want to do, but I won''t allow you to leave the organization. You can have your own private life, but when Tarragon needs you, you must return immediately.¡± ¡°All right, I won''t leave. Just give me some personal space to watch over her. There''s still a long future ahead of us, and I hope time can heal everything, allowing her to let go of the past and ept me once again.¡± ¡°Live each day with this hope, then. As long as you guys are alive, there''s still hope.¡± Yeah. As long as we are alive, there is still hope. However, I don''t know if I still have this with Bailey. Meanwhile, inside the Hallsbay''s medical base ward, Veronique leaned against the headboard as she reached out and held Bailey''s wrist. She said weakly, ¡°I know the condition proposed by Mr. Yablon. Bay, please don''t ept it. I don''t want you to ruin your happiness to save me.¡± Bailey reached out and embraced her. ¡°Don''t get agitated. I won''t agree to his demands. Vero, if anything happens to you because of my selfishness, I''ll die alongside you.¡± Veronique slowly reached out her hand and smacked Bailey''s forehead. ¡°Get rid of this thought, Bailey. You''re not my parents, so why put your life in danger for me? I can only leave my life to fate. I have cancer, and there''s no doubt that I will die. Using toxins for treatment is already an act against naturalws, and now that it isn''t working, it is my fate. I can''t me anyone for it.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but smile bitterly. She understood the rationale but couldn''t get over the hurdle in her heart. If all else failed, she could tie up Cameron, hypnotize him, and force him to concoct the toxin. She couldn''t just stand by and watch Veronique slowly approach her death. ¡°All right. We have done our best. If we still can''t save your life, I''ll ept it. However, we haven''t reached the end yet. Don''t give up. There''s always hope.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Beep! The phone on the bedside table rang. Bailey leaned over and saw that it was a call from Zain. ¡°Excuse me. I need to take this call.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Bailey took out the phone and left the ward. She leaned against the wall and swiped the answer button. ¡°What''s wrong? Is Mr. Fletcher''s situation really bad?¡± ¡°Yes, it''s slightly tricky. The bizarre thing is, they''ve invited a hypnotist, who ims to be Ethereal''s senior.¡± Ethereal''s senior? Bailey raised her eyebrows. How did she not know she had a senior? ¡°Let''s not talk about that for now. Tell me about Mr. Fletcher''s condition.¡± She was only concerned about this matter because of Raiden. Otherwise, considering the foolish things Tamara and Scarlett have done, she wouldn''t care if any of the Fletcher family members fell ill. ¡°He has been under too much pressure, causing severe damage to his bodily functions. Taking a year of break or so to recuperate would improve his condition, but he''s unwilling to do it. He can''t afford to rx with the responsibility of a nation on his shoulders.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows. ¡°So you''re saying I have to step in and help him relieve the pressure? How about that hypnotist who ims to be my senior? Can her hypnosis solve the problem fundamentally?¡± Zain couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Do you really think everyone can learn the dream-tailoring skill? That skill has been lost for a long time. However, she must have some connection with your master, or she wouldn''t even know about it slightly. However, curing Mr. Fletcher with her superficial knowledge is simply a pipe dream, so you shoulde to Dellmoor.¡± Bailey paused for a moment, calcted Edmund''s medication schedule, and stated calmly, ¡°I''ll go to Dellmoor in five days. You first stabilize his condition and then help me thoroughly investigate who that so-called senior is. I want to know her identity and background.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Just as she ended the call, she saw Zeke walking over from a distance. ¡°Bay, I''ve found the information you asked me to look into. Cameron went to Gruidae Mortuary and saw your foster father''s body. Moreover, he ordered someone to switch the bodies, which led to your father''s remains being cremated without the consent of his family.¡± Bailey suddenly looked up and narrowed her eyes. ¡°Zeke, why do you think he went to see rence''s corpse and even cremated the remains before leaving? Did he find something?¡± Zeke shook his head and sighed. ¡°I''ve heard that he is unpredictable and doesn''t y ording to the rules. Perhaps he''s just bored?¡± ¡°No way, Cameron may seem unrestrained and carefree, but in reality, he''s meticulous and cunning. I''ve been going at it with him for a while now and haven''t gained the slightest benefit. Zeke, I have a bad feeling that something has happened to Artemis. Even though my thoughts might be slightly far- fetched, I love him, so I could feel it strongly. No, I need to hypnotize Cameron to obtain information from him.¡± Chapter 728 Chapter 728 At Century Hotel, inside a luxurious suite, Cameronzily leaned back on the sofa. He held a ss of wine in his hand and carefully savored it. The phone on the table rang, and upon picking it up, he found that it was a call from a subordinate. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Yablon, Mr. Shurmer has investigated your whereabouts and should know that you went to Gruidae Mortuary to meet Mr. Jefferson. He also knows that it was us who destroyed Mr. Jefferson''s remains.¡± When he heard that, Cameron''s handsome face didn''t show any signs of surprise. This was the territory of Bailey and Zeke. Given his weak foundation, it was not surprising that they would be able to track his whereabouts once he went out. ¡°All right, I got it. You guys stay hidden and don''t let Bailey find you. I''m afraid that woman might take her anger out on you.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After hanging up the call, Cameron took out a porcin bottle from his pocket. The pills contained within were meticulously developed by him, capable of breaking Bailey''s hypnosis and dream-tailoring skill. Once, he fell victim to her hypnosis, and she disfigured his face. He watched helplessly as she escaped right under his nose, and that incident was his most frustrating experience. After returning to the Yablon family, he specifically researched and developed this type of pill. By consuming just one pill, it could counteract the effects of Bailey''s hypnosis. She knew he had gone to the mortuary to meet rence, and he was certain she would confront him. To get him to tell the truth, there was only one way, which was by hypnotizing him. In his lifetime, falling into her trap once was enough. He certainly didn''t want to fall for it twice. The doorbell at the entrance hall rang. He tilted his head to look at theptop beside him, gazing at the slender figure on the screen. The smile on his lips grew wider. He knew she would definitelye looking for him, asking about the reason for burning the corpse of rence and inquiring if Artemis had been poisoned. After a brief silence, he slowly unscrewed the porcin bottle, took a pill out of it, and swallowed it. After the pill dissolved, he paced over to the entrance and opened the door. ¡°So, have you figured it out? Are you ready to dump Artemis aside ande with me to the Yablon residence?¡± In response, a fist came smashing toward him. Cameron kept retreating, dodging her fatal blow, and said solemnly, ¡°Bailey, what''s gotten into you? How have I offended you? You were the one who asked me toe to Hallsbay. Is this how you show your sincerity and hospitality?¡± Bailey ignored him and threw another punch toward his face. Left with no choice, Cameron had to make a move. As a result, he swung his hand, his palm hitting her right on the shoulder and sending her staggering backward. A hint of surprise shed through Cameron''s eyes. No, I didn''t use much force at all. How did this woman end up retreating after being hit? Just as she was about to smash her back against the wall, he hurriedly lunged forward and grabbed her arm. Then, with a sudden burst of strength, he pulled her into his embrace. As he got closer, he noticed that her forehead was covered in sweat, and her body seemed weak and limp. ¡°What''s going on? How did your body end up like this?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but let out a bitter smile. ¡°I''mpletely drained. I had a miscarriage before and didn''t take care of my body properly. Then, I was soaked in the freezing snow for over an hour. My body justpletely broke down.¡± Cameron gritted his teeth and said, ¡°What about Artemis? Didn''t he do anything? How did he let you be like this? Can''t you take good care of your own body?¡± Bailey forced a smile and slowly reached out to hook her arm around his neck. Cameron''s attention was entirely focused on her pale face, his heart aching with worry. He couldn''t possibly care about anything else at that moment. In the past, when he faced her in a battle, he simply couldn''t defeat her in terms of techniques. At most, they would end up in a draw. Such formidablebat prowess and agile movements made her the most admirable woman he had ever known. However, at that moment... She leaned against him, and he could hardly feel any sign of life from her. She was as fragile as a porcin doll, seemingly ready to shatter with just a touch. A snapping sound in his ear brought him back from his wandering thoughts. He was all too familiar with the sound. Every time she performed her hypnosis, she would snap her fingers right by the person''s ear. She was quite clever, using subtle tactics to bypass his defenses, causing him to lower his guard, and then she seized the opportunity to strike. However, on the other hand, if he hadn''t given her this opportunity, she couldn''t have done that. Simply put, it was because he was willing to make it happen. ¡°Cameron, look into my eyes.¡± The enchanting sound of her voice reached his ears. If he hadn''t taken the pill beforehand, he would have undoubtedly sumbed to her spell. His eagle-like gaze slowly shifted downward, colliding with her line of sight. He tried his best to empty his mind, making it appear as if he had already fallen deep into her hypnosis. Bailey watched as his pupils gradually dted, losing focus after a moment. She asked word by word, ¡°Who did you see at the mortuary?¡± Cameron replied nkly, ¡°Mr. Jefferson.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows. Indeed, he had gone to meet rence. ¡°Why did you cremate his body? What exactly are you trying to cover up?¡± ¡°To avenge Bailey. That old bastard is truly despicable, causing so much misery to her. I just wanted to cremate him and turn him into ashes, denying him the chance to have a proper burial.¡± A hint of surprise shed across Bailey''s face. Was that the case? Did Cameron burn rence''s corpse just to avenge me? ¡°Had rence been poisoned?¡± Cameron''s gaze was rather nk. ¡°No, I am the heir of the best poison-crafting family. I can tell at a nce if someone has been poisoned, and he wasn''t poisoned.¡± Bailey pursed her lips. Could it be that I''m overthinking it? She still couldn''t let it go and asked again, ¡°What about Artemis? Is he poisoned too?¡± A hint of doubt shed across Cameron''s eyes. ¡°Artemis? What poison?¡± Bailey''s legs suddenly went weak, and she almost fell to the ground. Her health had never been great, and after all the turmoil, she felt even worse. The hypnosis had drained her mental energy, and she struggled to hold on. With a snap of her fingers near his ear, she slid down his body and copsed, sitting directly on the floor. Cameron snapped out of his daze and found himself sitting on the floor as well. He looked at her intently, seeing her face covered in sweat, and couldn''t help but feel distressed. Heughed and scolded, ¡°You''ve really lost all sense of decency. I tried to help you out of kindness, yet you used hypnosis on me.¡± Bailey bitterly smiled and shook her head. ¡°There''s no other way. If I asked you seriously, you wouldn''t answer. I can only resort to this method.¡± Cameron snorted coldly and asked, ¡°Did you find the answer you were looking for?¡± Bailey straightened her body, looking at him earnestly, and asked, ¡°Why exactly did you want to cremate the corpse of rence?¡± Cameron nodded and said, ¡°He bullied you, and I originally wanted to burn him to ashes and scatter his remains. However, considering that he raised you, I decided to let it go.¡± Chapter 729 Chapter 729 Bailey suddenly leaned forward and forcefully grabbed Cameron''s cor. ¡°Cameron, are you sure Artemis hasn''t been poisoned? Tell me the truth! If something happens to him, I won''t be able to live either.¡± Cameron looked at Bailey expressionlessly and said calmly, ¡°What does it have to do with me whether he''s poisoned or not? Bailey, you should ask him this question. Anyway, I don''t know, and I don''t bother to know. Why should I pay attention to another man, especially when this man is the one you love?¡± Bailey suddenly felt discouraged, scratched her head, then disyed a wry smile and replied, ¡°I guess I worry for nothing. Cameron, please make another request. As long as it doesn''t involve kicking Artemis, I''ll agree to anything else. Veronique''s illness can''t wait any longer. I''ll go to Dellmoor a few dayster. I don''t have time to waste in Hallsbay. Do you know? My disciple is still suffering in the Hoffman residence, waiting for me to save her. I''ve so many things to settle.¡± Cameron slewed his eyes andughed, saying, ¡°We can change the condition, but you''re not allowed to reject. Otherwise, we''ll stick to the first one.¡± Bailey red at Cameron and uttered a word through gritted teeth, ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°It''s quite simple. You promise to let me follow you for the next few months. No matter where you go, you''ve got to take me with you.¡± Bailey was somewhat speechless. ¡°I''m not your mom. Why do you want to follow me?¡± ¡°Hmm. You''re not my mom, but you could be my future wife. I''m sure I can''t go wrong by following you.¡± Bailey did not want to give a response. Bailey suppressed the anger that welled up inside her. If she disagreed, Cameron really would do nothing to save Artemis, given his temperament. Fine! When Artemis returns, it will depend on whether he agrees to allow Cameron to follow along. ¡°Alright, I promise you. Let''s go to the medical base right now.¡± Cameron sprang up from the ground and pulled Bailey up without extra trouble. N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Okay! Brief me on the situation, and I''ll consider what kind of toxin to use.¡± Bailey nodded. Learning that Artemis was not poisoned, she felt much more at ease and had the mental capacity to deal with other matters. Inside the study of the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor, Raiden leaned back on the couch, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Zain sitting across from him. ¡°So Bailey said she''lle to Dellmoor in five days?¡± ¡°Yes! Your father''s condition is worsening. I advise you not to let that woman who ims to be the senior of Ethereal perform hypnosis on your father. It will only make his condition worse.¡± Raiden thought for a second and asked, ¡°Is Bailey the world''s number one hypnotist, Ethereal?¡± Zain shrugged and said calmly, ¡°I''m not at liberty to answer that question. If you want to know, you can ask Bailey.¡± ¡°Okay! You go ahead and get busy. Before Bailey arrives, please take care of my father.¡± After saying that, Raiden stood up and left the study. In the first-floor tearoom, Tamara was savoring tea with a young woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. ¡°Master Gibson, can you really use hypnosis to help relieve my husband''s stress and restore his health?¡± Ynda nodded and exined, ¡°Every treatment method has risks. It all depends on whether the patient''s family can bear such risks. I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that I can restore his health. Perhaps more serious situations could arise. After all, hypnosis is a tricky thing. Once used on a person, if the patient and the hypnotist can achieve a perfect harmony of thoughts, everything should be fine.¡± Ynda added, ¡°If the patient resists the hypnotist, it may cause some harm to the body. I must make this clear to you. Otherwise, I cannot bear the consequences if something goes wrong.¡± Tamara pursed her lips and asked again, ¡°Is your father really the internationally renowned hypnotist, Master Josiah Gibson? I heard that he mastered the art of dream-tailoring skills. Do you know this technique as well?¡± Ynda lowered her head slightly, and a trace of chilling coldness shed across her eyes. Dream-tailoring skill... My father didn''t teach me the art of dream-tailoring skills, saying I''m not talented. In the end, he passed on that nature-defying technique to that woman. I envy, I''m jealous, I hate her! That originally belonged to Ynda, as it was only natural for her to inherit Josiah''s legacy and continue the family business. However, the appearance of that despicable woman, Ethereal, caused Josiah to change his mind at the last moment, passing on the exclusive secret technique to an outsider. Ynda loathed Ethereal. She wished to tear Ethereal, that despicable wretch, into a million pieces. However, Ynda did not know who Ethereal was. Thetter was a mysterious figure who was secretive in her movement and trace. Even though that despicable woman was Josiah''s disciple, she had never seen her before. ¡°Of course, my father passed on some techniques to me before he passed away. They should be more than enough to treat Mr. Fletcher.¡± ¡°Good, good.¡± Tamara gently grasped Ynda''s hand and patted the back of it a few times. ¡°If you can cure my husband, you''ll be the heroine to the entire Chanaea. At that time, whatever you desire, I''ll help you achieve it.¡± Ynda slewed her eyes. Perhaps I can leverage the Fletcher family''s influence to investigate Ethereal''s whereabouts. Ynda had been holding back those feelings for too long, and she could not bear it any longer. ¡°Alright, Mrs. Fletcher, I''ll take your oracr words to heart.¡± ¡°Sure! As long as you can cure my husband, I''ll agree to any of your requests.¡± Ynda smiled as she stood up and nodded. She said, ¡°I need to return to theb to prepare some medicine, so I''ll excuse myself first.¡± ¡°Go ahead. I''ll be waiting for your good news.¡± Ynda nodded at Tamara and turned to walk towards the door. After leaving the tearoom, Ynda bumped into Raiden at the turn of the corner. Ynda let out a gasp and was falling backward. A hint of hesitation shed across Raiden''s eyes, but out of a gentlemanly demeanor, he still reached out and grabbed Ynda''s arm. Ynda suddenly leaned forward and directly threw herself into Raiden''s arms. As Ynda looked up, a cold yet handsome face came into view. Ynda had only seen that man a few times, but every encounter made her heart race. ¡°M-Mr. Fletcher.¡± Raiden extended his hand to push Ynda away, took two steps back, lowered his head, and apologized, ¡°I''m sorry that I identally bumped into you.¡± After speaking, Raiden walked past Ynda and headed toward the tearoom. Ynda slowly turned around, and her gaze fell on Raiden''s sturdy figure. Perhaps I can propose an additional condition to Mrs. Fletcher. I want to be the future matriarch of the Fletcher family. Raiden... Raiden... Ynda had set her sights on that man. Raiden walked through the corridor and entered the tearoom. When Tamara saw Raidene over, she asked with a smile, ¡°You''ve been spending quite a lot of time at hometely. I have something to discuss with you. Ynda, the daughter of the famous hypnotist Josiah Gibson, and the senior of the top hypnotist, Ethereal, should be qualified to treat your father''s illness, am I right?¡± Raiden answered faintly, ¡°I''ve invited Bailey to Dellmoor to treat him. She''s the Anonymous Divine Healer.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Tamara exploded upon hearing Bailey''s name. ¡°Anyone but her! Why should I entrust my husband''s life to her? Hasn''t she harmed my daughter enough already?¡± Raiden nodded and replied, ¡°I came over just to inform you, not to seek your opinion.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara pointed at Raiden angrily and eximed, ¡°I disagree. Don''t you even think about letting that troublemaker set foot in the Fletcher residence!¡± Chapter 730 Chapter 730 Raiden spread his hands, his face showingplete indifference. ¡°Well, she will not enter the Fletcher residence, then. I guess she wouldn''t want to be there, either. Even if you invited her, she wouldn''t be willing. Let''s have Dad go to the mansion instead. We can get treated there. Out of sight, out of mind. You won''t be annoyed by us if you can''t see us.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara was so angry that her whole body trembled, but she couldn''t do anything to him. She wouldn''t let Bailey enter the Fletcher residence, so Raiden took drastic action and transferred his father away instead. She was speechless. ¡°Ungrateful child, don''t bring disaster upon your father. I won''t allow you to do this. I will persuade your father immediately so he doesn''t join you in this reckless behavior.¡± After saying that, she strode toward the door. Raiden didn''t try to stop her. For now, he doesn''t seem to have any significant issues. Once that woman causes trouble with her treatment, she will probably be afraid. The only thing he could do at this time was to wait and see how things unfold. Once she has nowhere else to turn, she''ll naturally find the Bailey valuable. At Tarragon Headquarters, in the master bedroom, Artemis coughed up blood again. His face was ashen. Leaning against the head of the bed, he struggled to breathe, exuding an air of sickly frailty. Henley stood by the bedside, squinting at him. He sighed and said, ¡°You must be aware of the poison you''ve been afflicted with. Since Mr. Yablon cannot detoxify it, we can only put our hopes on the ancient books left behind by Maerlus. Only Bailey knows where these ancient books are. Before Maerlus passed away, he must have told her about it. If you keep this from her, you''re cutting off your own future.¡± A bitter smile shed across Artemis'' handsome face as he asked with a torn voice, ¡°How confident are you in developing an antidote? If Bailey gets involved, will it definitely save my life?¡± Henley fell silent. Maerlus had spent more than half his life researching the antidote for Soul Reaper. However, in the end, he gained nothing and even got himself killed. The Yablon family had devoted themselves for several generations, painstakingly researching this poison for decades. Yet, in the end, they still couldn''t find a way to master it. Without theplete poison form, it''s impossible to find the corresponding antidote that complemented and antagonized it. ¡°Give it a try. At least there''s hope. If you don''t try, you can only wait for death. At the very least, I can''t save you. Don''t expect me to be able to keep your life. Maerlus studied antidotes his whole life, and in the end, he died abruptly. My medical skills are far inferior to his, so I am self-aware that I cannot cure this poison.¡± Artemis nodded and said, ¡°Bailey is a disciple of Maerlus, who taught her everything he knew. If her master couldn''t solve the poison, she naturally wouldn''t be able to either. Telling her would only cause her troubles.¡± Henley red at him and said, ¡°Blockhead.¡± Then, he walked out of the room. Holden walked in from outside and said, ¡°The remnants of the headquarters have been wiped out. We can now set off back to Hallsbay. However, if you return like this, Bailey will be able to tell at a nce.¡± ¡°Let''s not go back to Hallsbay, then. Follow the lead of Dominic and see if you can find any trace of Sofie. I can''t apany Bailey on the rest of her journey. The only thing I can do... is to eliminate all obstacles for her.¡± Holden sighed softly, ready to speak and persuade. Artemis sensed what he was about to say and quickly waved his hand. ¡°I''ve made up my mind. There''s no need to say more. Keep this matter low-key and don''t let Bailey find out.¡± Holden still wanted to speak. Artemis seemed to have thought of something and said, ¡°I just received news that Sofie has kidnapped Wendy. Do you want to go save your woman?¡± Holden was somewhat bewildered. Upon realizing the situation, his body shuddered violently, and a hint of astonishment shed in his eyes. ¡°How did Wendy end up in Sofie''s hands? Wasn''t she at the medical base? Could Sofie''s people have taken her away right under Bailey''s watch?¡± Artemis briefly exined the course of events and nodded, saying, ¡°You can''t me Bailey for this. She only guaranteed that your woman would be safe within the medical base. However, your woman believed the rumors and went there on her own ord, so no one else can be held responsible for that.¡± Holden couldn''t help but let out a bitter smile. ¡°I know, and I don''t me Bailey either. Fine, since you refuse to return to Hallsbay and don''t want Bailey to know about your situation, let''s join forces to eliminate Sofie and put an end to this once and for all.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the same time, inside the dungeon of Holden''s ce, piercing screams of agony echoed from the secret chamber, lingering in the air for what seemed like an eternity. Shannon applied the Bone-shredding Hormones to Yvette, painfully peeling off ayer of flesh and blood from her body. The entire air was filled with a strong scent of blood. Shannon stood in the center of the secret chamber, coldly watching the woman wailing and screaming in the pool of blood as waves of vengeful pleasure washed over her. She had been waiting and longing for this moment far too long. The pent-up anger in her heart surged like a river breaking through a dam, unstoppable and overflowing. Oh, how frustrating! N?velDrama.Org content. The pain of a severed arm, the pain of losing a child, the pain of never being able to be a mother for a lifetime. No one could bear such manifold sufferings. She had been living like a walking corpse up until this moment, with only the pursuit of vengeance sustaining her. This moment had finally arrived. She was naturally determined to vent all her hatred and pain to the one responsible for it all. ¡°Does it hurt a lot? The pain you once caused me was just like this. No, you''re feeling physical pain now, while my pain was in the heart, making it ten times worse than yours. It''s a shame that there''s no one you care about. Otherwise, I would kill them and let you taste the misery of a fate worse than death.¡± Yvette''s palms pressed against the ground as she slowly raised her head, gritting her teeth and speaking word by word. ¡°Go on, keep torturing me. Even if you grind my bones to dust, your arm won''t return. Your son won''t being back, too. In the end, you''re the one at a loss because you still have decades left in your life, which is more than enough time for you to suffer.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Shannon smiled faintly and continued leisurely, ¡°Since Micah orchestrated none of this, there''s no need for me to hate him. We love each other, and if we spend the rest of our lives together, we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of time.¡± The sinister smile on Yvette''s face froze. ¡°No, no, no, you can''t forgive Micah. After all, he watched your arm get ruined back then and didn''t say a word. You can''t forgive him. How could you forgive him?¡± Shannon probably found her fatal weakness. Thest thing this woman wanted to face was the happiness of the person she once tormented beyond measure for the rest of her life. This might be the biggest blow to her. Thinking of this, she turned around and shouted to the outside, ¡°Micah, she doesn''t believe that we''ve let bygones be bygones. Do you want toe in and prove it?¡± Naturally, Micah wouldn''t refuse. Even if Shannon wanted his life now, he would not hesitate to pierce his own chest and then dig out his heart to give it to her. Once Micah approached her, she smiled. Then, she reached out with one hand to wrap around Micah''s neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his thin lips. Chapter 731 Chapter 731 Yvette hadpletely lost her mind. I''m so miserable and might end up in the depths of hell. How can I let this wretched woman have a peaceful ending? How can she possibly live a happy life? Ignoring the excruciating pain surging through her body, she shouted at the two of them, ¡°Your union is destined to have an unhappy ending because there are insurmountable obstacles between you. Even a life has been sacrificed¡ªthe life of your own son.¡± When Shannon heard that, her body trembled violently. If it weren''t for acting, she would never get close to Micah. Because the moment she got close to him, all the past pain would be infinitely magnified, causing her immense heartache. ¡°Haha! Shannon, you''re trembling, resisting, and afraid. Your body speaks more truth than your words. Don''t even mention staying together. Even if you get a little closer to him, you can feel the bone-chilling pain. How can you even think about happiness?¡± Micah slightly furrowed his brows, a hint of hesitation shing through his sharp gaze. In the next moment, his gaze gradually became resolute. With one arm wrapped around Shannon''s waist and the other hand cradling the back of her head, he suddenly deepened the kiss. Shannon slowly closed her eyes. After kissing passionately for dozens of seconds, Shannon suddenly pushed him away and said breathlessly, ¡°Let''s go back to our ce, to our room.¡± She spoke ambiguously, and Micah cooperated by reaching out to touch her cheek, whispering softly, ¡°All right, let''s go.¡± After saying that, he scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the door. Yvettepletely broke down. She wanted to stand up and stop them. However, with even the slightest movement, excruciating pain would surge through her body. ¡°Micah, Shannon, you two will be cursed. You are destined to be a sinful cmity and will die without descendants,¡± she cursed. Hearing that, Shannon let out a sneer. She had already lost her uterus, so she couldn''t conceive children anymore. There was no need for Yvette to curse her. After they left the secret chamber, Shannon''s face regained its usual coldness, and she said softly, ¡°Now that the y is over, can you put me down? Or do you really want to carry me to your room and tie me up?¡± Micah suddenly stopped in his tracks, lowered his head to nce at her, and couldn''t help but reveal a bitter smile. He bent down and gently ced her on the ground. ¡°If this is truly a dream, I wish to never wake up. But reality is cruel, and in the end, my desires remain unfulfilled. Once the dream ends, everything turns to nothing.¡± After steadying herself, Shannon looked at him coldly and said calmly, ¡°Now that Yvette has met her deserved fate, let''s put an end to the grievances between us. From now on, we owe each other nothing. Let''s respect each other and live our own lives in peace.¡± With that, she turned around and left. The next moment, Micah hurriedly reached out to hold her. ¡°I promise I won''t disturb your life anymore. Can I just silently watch over you?¡± Shannon turned to look at him, staring at him for a long while before she gentlyughed. ¡°Micah, I no longer have a uterus, so I can''t bear children for you or carry on the family line. Why do you still want to look over me?¡± Micah''s heart was broken by that single sentence. She has changed. In the past, although she was an assassin, she was empathetic and understanding. But now she''s like a hedgehog. Anyone who gets close to her ends up covered in scratches and wounds. ¡°Fine. I''ll silently watch over you without needing your consent. Wherever you go, I''ll follow.¡± Shannon broke free from his grip and turned to walk away, saying as she left, ¡°That''s your business, not mine. From now on, you are nothing more than a stranger to me. Even if you appear before me, I will only treat you as if you were thin air.¡± Inside Hallsbay''s medical baseboratory, Bailey looked at the container in front of her and said to Cameron, ¡°This is the cancer cell that Zain has selected to be injected into Veronique''s body. The two types of cancer cells will counteract each other, significantly weakening their vitality. You should try using the specially formted toxin to see if it can eliminate the cancer cells.¡± A hint of approval shed in Cameron''s eyes. Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°A few years ago, Zain was nothing but an impulsive young man. I never expected him to progress at such an astonishing speed in just a couple of years. He''s truly a medical prodigy. You must train him further.¡± Bailey gave him a cold nce and asked, ¡°Have you decided on which toxin to use? As long as it can completely kill the cancer cells, there won''t be any chance of recurrence in the future. The rest is up to you.¡± Hearing that, Cameron touched his nose, fell silent for a moment, and then cautiously said, ¡°I can think of a few toxins, but can your friend''s body handle them? I''m afraid that once I administer the toxin, she might die instantly.¡± Bailey red at him fiercely and sneered. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Yablon. She won''t be lonely since you''ll be apanying her to the grave.¡± Cameron couldn''t help but roll his eyes after hearing that. This vicious woman! ¡°Leave now. I''ll prepare the toxin first and give it a try.¡± Bailey walked toward the entrance and said, ¡°All right, thank you for your help. Much appreciated.¡± ¡°Remember the promise you made to me, or else... Once this toxin enters your friend''s body, she won''t survive without my antidote.¡± Bailey gritted her teeth and uttered slowly, ¡°All right. You''re myckey now.¡± Just as she stepped out of theboratory, her phone in her pocket started ringing. Upon checking, it was a call from Artemis. She quickly swiped the answer button and anxiously asked, ¡°Artemis, are you okay?¡± Artemisughed and replied, ¡°Why? Are you hoping for something to happen to me so you can remarry?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but retort, ¡°You haven''t even married me yet. Even if I ran off with another man, it wouldn''t count as remarrying.¡± ¡°From the tone of your voice, you sound like you''re eager to marry me.¡± ¡°That''s right. Just a couple of days ago, I told my brother not to act all high and mighty as an elder brother-inw. If you go to the Shurmer residence to propose, he must agree without hesitation.¡± A soft chuckle came through the phone. ¡°Now I''m a little worried about my daughter. What if, when she grows up, some boy lures her away? Will she also turn her back on us like this?¡± Bailey chuckled softly. ¡°They say that a mother-inw can urately judge a son-inw at first sight. If you''re not satisfied, just break his legs with a stick.¡± What a wonderful future! Artemis fell into silence. After a long while, he finally piped up, ¡°Bailey, take good care of yourself. I might not be able to return that soon.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face stiffened, and she frowned as she asked, ¡°Didn''t you say you''de back after taking care of the headquarters'' matters, and then we''d deal with Mr. Doyle together?¡± ¡°Something unexpected came up, and we must deal with Mr. Doyle first. Otherwise, it''ll be difficult once he joins forces with Sofie and Philip. If you''re really worried about me, I can send someone to Hallsbay to bring you to Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Artemis cleverly used reverse psychology. Bailey pursed her lips and said with a strained voice, ¡°But I can''t leave now. With Edmund, Veronique, and Raiden''s father here, I can''t afford to leave them for the time being.¡± Chapter 732 Chapter 732 Artemis was waiting for that reply. ¡°What should I do then? Mr. Doyle is making big moves now, and I must stop him from joining forces with Sofie and Philip. So, I really can''t get away at the moment.¡± Bailey slowly leaned against the wall, and after a moment of silence, she sighed. ¡°As long as you''re safe and sound, I can rest assured letting you handle things outside. Artemis, if there''s an emergency, you must tell me right away. Don''t hide anything from me. We''re in this together now, and we''ll face whateveres our way.¡± ¡°Sure, don''t worry. I''m doing well. Don''t you have anything you want to tell me?¡± Bailey hesitated for a moment, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes. Did he already know that I''d agreed to let Cameron be myckey? ¡°Well, there is something I wanted to tell you. Earlier, Cameron suggested that I kick you away, and then he''d save Veronique. But I absolutely refused to do so. Later on, he loosened up and said that I don''t have to abandon you, but I must agree to let him be my subordinate. I can''t dy treating Vero''s illness any longer, so...¡± she exined. Artemis snorted. ¡°And you agreed. Bailey, you really know how to get lucky with romantic encounters.¡± Bailey pursed her lips and said in a pleasing tone, ¡°I''ll cut off my rtionship with other men myself, soN?velDrama.Org content. you don''t need to worry about it. Please don''t be angry. When you get upset, my heart aches too.¡± Hearing that, Artemis snorted coldly twice and warned, ¡°Cameron is a cunning and unpredictable person. Be careful, and don''t let him deceive you.¡± ¡°Okay, I''ll listen to you. Since I''m being so well-behaved, do I get a reward?¡± Artemis chuckled softly. ¡°What do you want? I can get you anything, except for the stars in the sky.¡± When Bailey heard that, she couldn''t help but roll her eyes. ¡°Usually, men would say they can pick the stars from the sky for a woman. How does the situation change when ites to you? But on the other hand, I''m not that bored to make such an impossible request. I just hope you cane back soon because I miss you so much.¡± After a brief moment of silence, Artemis'' deep and hoarse voice came through the phone. ¡°All right, I''ll settle it quickly and try to get back as soon as possible. Bailey, please take care of yourself. Your health is the most important, whether it be now or in the future.¡± After some thought, Bailey replied earnestly, ¡°I promise to take good care of myself for now. When you return, you can help me recuperate. If you don''te back, there''s not much point in me living anyway.¡± ¡°Bailey...¡± ¡°All right, enough talking. I need to apply the medicine for Edmund. Artemis, take good care of yourself. You''re responsible for two lives. If anything happens to you, I''ll be done for as well.¡± After saying that, Bailey immediately ended the call. She believed in her hypnosis and dream-tailoring skills. Since she had controlled Cameron before and hadn''t gotten any information from him, it proved that she was indeed overthinking things. Artemis had been in charge of Tarragon for so many years, and nothing had ever gone wrong. A betrayal by an elder shouldn''t leave him helpless, let alone risk his life. She shouldn''t let her thoughts run wild, nor should she wish for something bad to happen to him. ¡°Bay, why are you standing here? Has something happened?¡± Felicity''s voice reached Bailey''s ears, pulling Bailey back from her wandering thoughts. Bailey instinctively looked up and saw Felicity''s face filled with anxiety. She couldn''t help but ask in confusion, ¡°I''m fine, but what about you?¡± Felicity took a deep breath, steadying her rapid breathing, and sighed. ¡°Caridee said she was going to see a friend, and I thought staying in the hospital room all the time wasn''t good for her recovery, so I agreed. But it''s been a whole day, and she hasn''te back yet, and I can''t get through to her on the phone.¡± Without needing to guess, Bailey knew exactly where she had gone. That girl''s temperament was quite simr to Juliana''s. Both of them were stubborn to the core. Once they made up their minds, no one could change them. ¡°Don''t worry just yet. I''ll have someone look into the immigration records to see if we can find any trace of her. Then I''ll give Veikko a call and ask him to keep an eye out. She''s most likely gone to find him.¡± ¡°All right. I know you''re busy, yet that girl still causes you trouble. It''s my fault for not teaching my daughter well. Sorry for making you worry too.¡± Bailey reached out and hugged Felicity, resting her head on her shoulder, and said with a smile, ¡°Mom, don''t say that. Caridee is my sister and Zayron''s aunt. If you''re being polite, it means you don''t consider me part of the family.¡± Hearing that, Felicity reached out and patted Bailey on the back, hesitating for a moment before saying, ¡°There are no perfect parents in this world. Despite any past mistakes, they are the ones who gave you life. In the past, I''ve had my fair share of conflicts with you, yet you can still forgive me and call me ''Mom.'' How can you not forgive them?¡± Bailey remained silent. Is she asking me to forgive Mr. and Mrs. Shurmer? Indeed, they were her biological parents¡ªthe people she should have trusted and relied on the most. Yet now, they seemed as unfamiliar as strangers, which was trulymentable. Nevertheless, she was already past the age of needing a father''s and mother''s love. ¡°Mom, I don''t hold any deep grudges against them. It''s just that their repeated targeting has left me feeling disheartened. Besides, I don''t really rely on them at the moment, so let''s see what the future holds.¡± Inside the bedroom of the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor, Sloan was sitting up in bed with his eyes closed, trying to rest. Even when he tried to rx, his brow remained tightly furrowed. The burden weighed heavily on his shoulders. Even during his vacation, he couldn''t stop worrying about it. That was also why his condition couldn''t improve. ¡°Sloan, did you hear what I said? It''s not that I''m deliberately targeting Bailey, but Raiden has already dived in headfirst. If we continue to be nice to her, it will only drag our son deeper into this mess.¡± Sloan stretched out his hand to rub his temple. He slowly opened his eyes, and his gaze fell upon Tamara, who was sitting by the bed. ¡°I understand your concerns, and I share them too. Raiden is the heir of the Fletcher family, and I don''t want to see him ruined by chasing after a woman he can never attain.¡± ¡°Then don''t let him manipte you. Don''t go to the private mansion to seek treatment from Bailey. Restrict all contact between him and Bailey. Let him calm down gradually. During this time, I will carefully select a few eligible youngdies from prestigious families for him,¡± Tamara suggested. Sloan waved his hand, showing a hint of impatience on his face. ¡°Fine, I''ll listen to you. Where''s the hypnotist you found? Isn''t she Josiah''s daughter? Let her try.¡± Tamara nodded. ¡°Okay, but to find a hypnotist for you privately, we''ll need to submit an application to the higher authorities. What do you think?¡± ¡°No need for that. This matter shouldn''t be publicized, as it could cause panic. Let her treat me privately.¡± ¡°All right.¡± In the guest room next door, Ynda was leaning against the window while answering a phone call. ¡°Is there still no news on Ethereal?¡± A respectful voice came from the other end of the line. ¡°I discovered some leads, but I am not sure if they are trustworthy.¡± Chapter 733 Chapter 733 Ynda tightly gripped her phone. ¡°What clues are you talking about? Let''s hear it.¡± ¡°Some people have seen Bailey performing hypnosis. No, it''s not exactly hypnosis; it''s more like a dream-tailoring skill. So, I''m guessing Bailey might be the top hypnotist, Ethereal.¡± ¡°Bailey Jefferson...¡± Ynda murmured these two words softly. This person is internationally renowned. Her fame is so great that it struck my ears like the roar of thunder. ¡°Are you talking about that Bailey Jefferson from Hallsbay?¡± Ynda asked. ¡°Exactly, it''s that Bailey. She has countless high-profile identities. In her own words, she is Snowke, the designer, and Anonymous, the renowned doctor. So why can''t Ethereal, the hypnotist, be her as well?¡± Ynda''s fingers trembled slightly as she held her phone, her nails turning a faint white. ¡°Look into it thoroughly for me. I must find out if Bailey is indeed Ethereal. If it is, then things won''t end so easily between us.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± As soon as the call ended, there was a knock on the door. Ynda got up and walked over and opened the door, then saw that it was a housekeeper from the Fletcher family whom she had bribed. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± asked Ynda. ¡°Ms. Gibson, I have important news to report. It''s not convenient to talk here.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. Ynda reached out and pulled the housekeeper into the room. ¡°Go ahead. What''s the matter?¡± The housekeeper lowered her voice and said, ¡°Mr. Raiden doesn''t n to let you perform hypnotherapy on Mr. Fletcher. It''s because he has invited Bailey, who is also knowledgeable about hypnosis.¡± A sinister expression appeared on Ynda''s face. It''s Bailey again... ¡°Are you sure that woman knows hypnosis?¡± ¡°Absolutely. When Mr. Raiden was talking to Mrs. Fletcher, he specifically mentioned it. However, Mrs. Fletcher didn''t agree, saying that she only allows you to treat Mr. Fletcher. But Mr. Raiden seems to like Bailey, so he might just go ahead with it, anyway.¡± Ynda''s pupils slightly contracted twice, and a hint of surprise shed in her eyes. ¡°What did you say? Does Raiden like Bailey? Are you sure you didn''t get it wrong?¡± The housekeeper was startled by Ynda''s suddenly raised voice and quickly nodded, saying, ¡°I-I didn''t. Many people in our country know about this. It''s normal that you haven''t heard of it since you just returned. Mr. Raiden truly likes Bailey and even has the idea of marrying no one but her. This is the reason Mrs. Fletcher hates Bailey so much.¡± Ynda sneered menacingly, her face contorted. ¡°Well yed, Bailey! Well yed, Ethereal! Not only did you steal my dream-tailoring skill, but you''re also pestering the man I like. I will fight you till myst breath.¡± Ynda had always hated Ethereal. Over the years, Ynda had been searching for that despicable woman. Ynda''s n was to find Ethereal, then bribe a few top-notch assassins to kill Ethereal, finally putting an end to the hatred in her heart. Now that Ynda found out that Bailey was very likely to be Ethereal, and knowing how deeply Raiden loved Bailey, how could Ynda not feel hatred? ¡°When will Bailey arrive in Hallsbay?¡± ¡°I''m not sure, but it should be within these few days. After all, Mr. Fletcher''s illness can''t be dyed any longer.¡± Ynda sneered. Perfect timing! If she truly is Ethereal, then let''s settle both new and old grudges together. Cameron spent three days concocting several types of toxins. Inside theboratory, Bailey squinted at the several porcin bottles in front of her and asked with a frown, ¡°Which one do you think is more suitable?¡± Cameron didn''t speak. He took a report from the printer and handed it to her. ¡°All the toxin''s ingredients are listed there. You''re knowledgeable about toxins. Besides, you''ve studied cancer cells before and even developed anticancer drugs. Take a look.¡± Bailey reached out to take the report, carefully reading through it. This concerned Veronique''s life; there could be no room for carelessness. Cameron took advantage of Bailey''s distraction and tentatively asked, ¡°Bailey, can you detoxify Soul Reaper?¡± If she could do it, then I should just let her detoxify Artemis. It¡¯s true that I like this arrogant, domineering, and conceited woman. Also, I want to take her back to be my wife. However, taking advantage of Artemis is not a noble victory. Rather than resorting to such despicable means, I prefer to compete fairly with Artemis. Bailey thought it was just a casual question and replied nonchntly, ¡°My master, Grandmaster Maerlus, spent most of his life researching the Soul Reaper poison. But ultimately, he passed away with regrets, having achieved nothing. As his disciple, do you think I could surpass my master?¡± After hearing her ambiguous response, Cameron couldn''t help but frown and ask, ¡°So, can you detoxify it or not?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°I can''t. So please keep a close eye on that poison of yours and make sure it doesn''t spread and harm others. By the way, why do you suddenly ask about this?¡± At this point, she slightly narrowed her eyes and gave him a sinister look before continuing, ¡°Could it be that Soul Reaper has spread?¡± Cameron sneered, ¡°Am I really that bad?¡± ¡°Fair enough. If you can''t even guard a bottle of poison, you might as well die. Don''t embarrass yourself in front of me.¡± Cameron was rendered speechless. A hint of gloom flickered across his eyes. She said she can''t detoxify it, so I guess she really can¡¯t. Telling her about Artemis'' situation would only cause her to meddle in the matter blindly, so it''s better to keep it a secret. Bailey focused all her attention on the report in her hand. Seeing that Cameron remained silent, she pointed to one of the toxins listed on the report. ¡°Let''s use this one.¡± Cameron raised his eyebrows. ¡°I chose this one too, it seems that great minds think alike.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°I''m just tricking you. I choose the one below. Do we still think alike now?¡± Once again, Cameron was at a loss for words. This woman... Cameron couldn''t help butugh. After letting out a light sigh, he said, ¡°First, inject her with the other type of cancer cells. About ten dayster, I''ll inject the toxin. Whether this toxin can devour both types of cancer cells depends on her luck. After all, people with cancer rarely survive. We''re essentially snatching someone from the clutches of Grim Reaper, so we can only let nature take its course.¡± Bailey walked out with the carefully chosen toxin in hand, saying as she went, ¡°As long as it''s not the Yablon family''s Soul Reaper, I can give anything else a try. My master spent most of his life researching the antidote, and finally came to a conclusion¡ªthere is no cure for Soul Reaper, which is why it is known as The Enigma.¡± Upon hearing that, Cameron remained silent. After Bailey left, Cameron took out his phone and sent a text message to Artemis: I originally wanted a fairpetition, but it seems like fate is not on your side. I just asked Bailey, and she said there''s no antidote to Soul Reaper. So, please do me a favor and die outside. Don''te back and bring harm to her anymore. I''m sure you wouldn''t want to see her die for you, either. A momentter, Artemis replied with a text message: You''re right. I won''t let her sacrifice herself for me. So, watch your mouth and don''t tell her. When the timees, y along with me in this act, and I''ll make her let go. Artemis was truly a ruthless and heartless man who acted swiftly and decisively, with no hesitation. However, this was the person Cameron admired, who was the head of Luther Group and the Leader of Tarragon. Only a man who could adapt and make choices with moderation deserved the love of Bailey. That morning, Bailey injected another type of cancer cell into Veronique. Inside the ward, Bailey looked at Veronique, who was unconscious on the bed, and said to Justin, ¡°I need to go to Dellmoor tomorrow. Remember to keep an eye on her condition at all times. If anything unusual happens, call me immediately.¡± Chapter 734 Chapter 734 Justin stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her. ¡°Going to Dellmoor tomorrow? How are things with Edmund? Can you get away from it all now? I need to take care of Veronique, so I''m afraid I won''t be able to focus on him.¡± Bailey nodded and said, ¡°He''s recovering quite well. We''ve been using fibrost growth factor on him these past few days, and his muscles have gradually started to grow back. It''s not a big issue. You just need to visit him a few times a day.¡± Justin''s gaze fell upon Veronique''s face, and as he looked at her paleplexion, a hint of heartache shed in his eyes. ¡°I hope they all can pull through this. At first, I didn''t agree with this approach, but now I''vee to understand. If we don''t try, she''s certain to die. If we try, at least there''s a glimmer of hope.¡± After a moment of silence, Bailey cautiously said, ¡°You should also be on guard against your mother and Scarlett. They are just waiting for Veronique to die so that you can marry Scarlett. If they find out that there''s a chance for Veronique to survive, I''m worried they might resort to underhanded tactics. In the end, Veronique might not die from cancer, but rather at their hands.¡± Justin nodded and smiled, saying, ¡°You really are thoughtful. Otherwise, they would have found a loophole again. Don''t worry. I''ve got this. I haven''t told anyone about injecting cancer cells and toxins, and I won''t let anyone know about it. Once everything is settled tonight, I''ll deal with Scarlett.¡± Bailey suddenly leaned in close to his ear, lowering her voice and said, ¡°Could you please have a few drinks with Cameron tonight and get him drunk? I really don''t want to bring such a dangerous person to Dellmoor.¡± Justin couldn''t help but give a bitter smile. He is, after all, the young master of the prestigious poison-crafting family. I''m afraid it won''t be easy to bring him down. ¡°Alright, I''ll do my best.¡± Upon leaving the ward, Bailey received a message from Zayron: Bailey, Aunt Shirley has already left Hallsbay. Should we tell her about Veikko''s whereabouts? It''s quite heartbreaking to see her search for him so aimlessly. Bailey furrowed her brow. With that young girl''s temperament, even if she were to be brought back now, Felicity might not be able to control her. It''s possible that after some time, she will sneak out again. It will be better to let her face setbacks outside, and when she loses her patience and determination, she''ll probably give up on her own. She replied: Whatever you do, don''t tell her. Not only should you not say anything, but you also need to find a way to erase any trace of Veikko. Don''t let her find out. Zayron, you know exactly what he''s up to. This time, it''s life or death. If you tell Aunt Shirley, you''ll only be hurting her. Understand? Zayron texted: I know. I''ll send some top female special agents to protect and guide her to a safe ce to search. I will make sure she doesn''t end up in the Carter family''s territory. Bailey curved her lips into a smile. My son has grown up and now knows how to handle emergencies. She answered: Alright, it''s up to you. You''ll be in charge of the Saviorster on, so it''s good to get familiar with it beforehand. By the way, how''s Sebastian doing now? Is his emotional state stable? Zayron texted back: He''s fine. He''s taking it well. He knows that his mom''s life isn''t in danger at the moment, so he''s not too worried. Bailey breathed a sigh of relief and instructed: I have to go to Dellmoor tomorrow. Keep a close eye on him, and if anything happens, call me immediately. Zayron replied: Oh, what should I do if I want to go to Dellmoor with you? Bailey squinted slightly. She then texted: I think you''re looking for a beating. At Moranta, inside the private farm in the pitch-ck storage room, silence prevailed. One could faintly see a slender figure tied to a pir through the dim light. Sobs echoed throughout the room, reaching every corner. With a creak, the wooden door was pushed open, and the light from outside streamed in, instantly illuminating the entire room. The woman tied to the pir squinted her eyes, waiting to adjust to the surrounding light before slowly lifting her eyelids. ¡°Ms. Hoffman, are you getting used to living here?¡± asked Sofie with a smile. Wendy stared at her for a moment, then gritted her teeth and asked, ¡°Did you order them to kidnap me? Who are you?¡± Sofie paced over to her and gently patted her cheek, smiling as she said, ¡°You know, I''m going to be your future aunt-inw. Since we''ll be family soon, how about you answer my questions?¡± Wendy turned her face away, avoiding her touch, and sneered. ¡°So it''s the mistress, the one who can''t be seen in public. Yet, you still have the nerve to try and call yourself my family.¡± After speaking, she slowly closed her eyes,pletely ignoring her. Sofie smiled faintly. ¡°You''re not the daughter of a rich family anymore, but you still have the airs of one. I know you''re stubborn, but I won''t force you.¡± After she finished speaking, she shouted toward the door, ¡°Bring them in!¡± The next moment, two ck-d bodyguards escorted a middle-aged noblewoman into the room. ¡°Wends, what''s wrong? I''m sorry, I''m so sorry. I shouldn''t have called you back. If you hadn''t returned, they wouldn''t have caught you.¡± Wendy suddenly opened her eyes, and upon recognizing the noblewoman in front of her, she eximed anxiously, ¡°Aunt Miranda, howe you''re here?¡± Miranda sobbed. ¡°They used your phone to ask me out, and I didn''t suspect anything, so I fell into their trap. Don''t worry about me. Are you alright? Did they hurt you?¡± Wendy didn''t respond. Her gaze fell on Sofie, angrily saying, ¡°What on earth do you want? How has my aunt offended you? Let her go, hurry up and let her go.¡± N?velDrama.Org content. Sofie raised her eyebrows and said with a lightugh, ¡°I''ve captured her and already rmed the Hoffman family. If I let her go without doing anything, wouldn''t that be a huge loss? How about this? As long as you answer a few questions for me, I''ll let her go immediately. Otherwise... I''m afraid she''ll die today.¡± After she finished speaking, she signaled one of the bodyguards. He immediately drew a dagger from his waist and pressed it against the charming face of Miranda. If a sharp de were to cut through the skin, one could easily imagine the consequences. Miranda let out a few sharp screams. ¡°Wends, save me, save me! If my face is ruined, my life is over. Your uncle will definitely kick me out.¡± Wendy gritted her teeth and said to Sofie, ¡°Fine, you ask, and I''ll answer. Once we''re done with the questions, you must let my aunt go.¡± Sofie smiled gracefully. ¡°Of course. Once I get the answer, I will let her go. Now, Ms. Wendy, please answer the first question: Is your son, in fact, Holden''s child?¡± Wendy was no fool. Upon hearing this, she knew it was aimed at Holden, and the situation was definitely not as simple as it seemed. ¡°Who said my son is Holden''s? I am Lionel''s wife. Naturally, my son is Lionel''s child.¡± ¡°Your eyes are evasive. Are you not telling the truth? Fine, let me show you some colors then.¡± Then, she turned to the bodyguard holding the dagger and ordered, ¡°sh her face for me.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Upon receiving the order, the bodyguard raised his knife and thrust it toward Miranda''s face. Chapter 735 Chapter 735 A cold glint shed before her eyes, and Miranda couldn''t help but be frightened, fainting on the spot. At the critical moment, Wendy raised her voice and eximed, ¡°Yes, my son is Holden''s child. Back then, he approached me under a false name, and feelings developed between us. Eventually, we couldn''t resist our emotions. We broke through the boundaries, and I became pregnant.¡± Sofie waved her hand at the bodyguard to stop him, then smiled and said, ¡°That''s more like it. I ask, you answer. We must follow the rules of the game. Otherwise, you won''t be able to bear the consequences. Nowes the second question. Does Holden love you?¡± At this moment, all that upied Wendy''s mind was protecting her aunt. She had let her guard down, answering any question that came her way. ¡°He said he was sincere about me and even wanted to marry me, but I rejected him. However, he never thought of giving up. I''ve said everything I needed to say, so please let my aunt go now.¡± Sofie nodded with a smile. ¡°You''ve answered all my questions, so naturally, I''ll keep my promise and send her back to the city. Remember, don''t hurt her or touch her again.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After the two bodyguards carried the unconscious Miranda away, Sofie once again reached out and patted Wendy''s cheek, smiling, ¡°Behave yourself and stay here. Wait for Holden toe and get you. Don''t try any tricks, or you''ll be the one to suffer.¡± After saying that, she turned around and left the storage room. Wendy blinked, and tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Did I cause trouble for Holden? What should I do? Outside, Miranda, who had fainted, woke up and red fiercely at Sofie, who had just walked out of the storage room. She gritted her teeth and asked, ¡°I''ve already cooperated with you. When will you release my husband and son?¡± Sofie nced at her sideways and said nonchntly, ¡°No rush. You still have some value to me. Once I''vepletely drained you of yourst bit of usefulness, I''ll naturally fulfill my promise and let them go.¡± Miranda clenched her teeth tightly, choking back tears as she said, ¡°Once I''m no longer of any use to you, I''m afraid you''ll kill me to silence me.¡± Sofie spread her palms. Her expression was a mix of amusement and seriousness. ¡°Even if that''s true, what can you do to me? If you try to revolt now, your entire family will die. If I were you, I''d behave better and strive for the hope of survival.¡± Miranda slowly closed her eyes. She had already abandoned kindness and righteousness. If she continued to resist, all her efforts would be in vain, and Wendy''s sacrifice would be for nothing. The next day, at the medical base, on the outdoor grounds, Bailey and Zeke were getting ready to board the ne. The husband and wife of the Shurmer family, along with Gerald and Felicity, all came to see them off. Felicity held Bailey''s wrist and said, ¡°You must take good care of yourself. Otherwise, when Artemis returns, I won''t know how to exin it to him.¡± Baileyughed and said, ¡°Don''t worry, I have my brother with me, so there won''t be any problems. Besides, once we''re in Dellmoor, Raiden will be there to help us. How could anything go wrong on his turf?¡± ¡°Well, having said that, you still need to be cautious. I shouldn''t have let you leave Hallsbay in the first ce. Artemis repeatedly instructed me before going abroad, and now I''m going against his wishes. If anything happens to you, I really don''t know how to exin it.¡± Bailey reached out and embraced her. ¡°Don''t worry. Everything will be fine.¡± Having said that, she turned around and walked toward the boarding gate. ¡°Wait, Bay...¡± Waverly called out to her. Bailey paused for a moment, not looking back or saying anything. Waverly gently said, ¡°Take good care of yourself, and if you need anything, just give us a call.¡± Bailey thought for a moment and said softly, ¡°You should visit Victoria more often. There''s still hope for her and your nephew, Lionel. Both of them have no elders left in their lives. If you mediate between them, they might be able to mend their broken rtionship.¡± Waverly was momentarily stunned. She then put on a faint smile. ¡°Alright, alright, whatever you say. I''ll do it, I''ll do it.¡± Bailey didn''t linger any longer and strode toward the boarding gate. As she walked, she could hear Waverly''s instructions to Zeke, which were mainly about taking good care of her. Parents are probably all like this. It''s just that myck of affection magnified their ws immensely. Perhaps as time goes by, I''ll be able to sit down with them for a meal and have a pleasant chat. Stepping into the cabin, a familiar scent greeted her, causing her once-smiling face to instantly darken. Upon looking up, sure enough, that annoying face came into view. ¡°You just won''t go away. I should have gotten rid of you back then.¡± Cameron snorted coldly. ¡°What''s this? You want to leave me behind and go to Dellmoor alone? What happened to the promise you made before? I''ve been up for three days and nights working on developing the toxin for you. Is this how you repay me?¡± Bailey squinted slightly. ¡°Justin used my specially made stupefying drug on you. By right, you shouldn''t have woken up so quickly. What exactly happened?¡± Cameron spread his hands. With a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, he said, ¡°I''ve been in Hallsbay for several days now, and he hasn''t invited me for a drink. Suddenly, he brought a few bottles of wine to find me. So, I knew there must be a catch. At that time, I didn''t do anything extreme. I just told him that if he made me miss the chance to go to Dellmoor, I wouldn''t prepare the antidote, and his woman would die. He didn''t dare to risk it, so he could only exchange a few bottles of wine to make amends.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh at his words. She reached out to grab the melon on the table and threw it directly at his forehead. ¡°Cameron, why don''t you just go die?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. It was dusk at Dellmoor. At the Fletcher residence, inside the master bedroom, Ynda was hypnotizing Sloan. Both of them had beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. Their bodies were shaking intensely. Tamara paced anxiously nearby, but no matter how loudly she called, she couldn''t wake the two of them up. ¡°Benson, have you managed to contact Mr. Raiden?¡± ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, I''m afraid I can''t reach Mr. Raiden. I heard he went to the private airport to pick up a friend.¡± Tamara clenched her teeth in frustration. Even when his uncle hade to Dellmoor on a private jet before, he didn''t personally greet him like this. With such enthusiasm, there''s no need to guess that it''s Bailey that has arrived. That woman really has a lingering presence. She even came all the way to Dellmoor. Who asked her to meddle in other people''s affairs? Did the Fletcher family invite her to treat the illness? ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, this is bad. Mr. Fletcher has started convulsing.¡± The butler''s exmation by her ear brought her wandering thoughts back to reality. Upon looking up, Sloan was convulsing violently, with veins bulging on his forehead and a fierce, distorted expression on his face. ¡°Sloan, what''s wrong with you? Please, don''t scare me like this.¡± She rushed over and embraced her husband, shaking him vigorously. However, she couldn''t rescue him from that bizarre state no matter what she tried. ¡°What on earth is going on? How did this happen? What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and wake Ynda. Wake her up!¡± Several housekeepers bustled about frantically, but their efforts were in vain. Ynda''s condition remained strangely unsettling, as if she were entangled in a nightmare she couldn''t break free from. At that moment, two figures burst through the door. One of them was Raiden, and the other was Bailey. ¡°Damn it. This woman can''t handle the fusion of hypnosis and dream-tailoring skill at all.¡± Chapter 736 Chapter 736 Raiden''s expression darkened. He was not blind; he could tell that his father and Ynda were in a very strange state. If they did not hurry up and wake the two, something terrible would definitely happen. ¡°What should we do? Should I knock her out by force?¡± After saying that, he paced toward the bedside. Bailey quickly grabbed him, shook her head, and said, ¡°No, you can''t do that. Thebination of hypnosis and dream-tailoring skill has firmly trapped the patient''s thoughts. If you knock her out, I''m afraid your father may never wake up again, and his condition will be just like a vegetative person.¡± After hearing the conversation between the two, Tamara suddenly stood up, ring at Bailey, and shouted, ¡°What do you mean by ''never wake up again''? What do you mean ''like a vegetable person''? What nonsense are you talking about? Are all the bodyguards outside dead? Why did they let her in?¡± Bailey smiled coldly and said nonchntly, ¡°Raiden, I think what you should do now is knock out that olddy of yours. She''s standing there, seemingly getting in the way.¡± Tamara''s face instantly turned ashen, and she was about to rush forward and start a fight with her. Benson hurriedly reached out to hold her back. Lowering his voice, he said, ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, the most important thing right now is to save Mr. Fletcher.¡± This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org. After saying that, he gestured for two housekeepers to drag Tamara to the side by force. Raiden turned his head to look at Bailey and asked, ¡°What should we do?¡± Bailey ignored him, striding over to the bedside. She pulled out two silver needles from her pocket and inserted them into Sloan''s nape. In the next second, Sloan began to tremble violently. Bailey extended her fingers, snapping them beside Sloan''s ear while quickly searching for other acupoints to insert the needles. ¡°Pull her down.¡± After hearing that, Raiden showed no courtesy and grabbed Ynda by the cor, throwing her onto the ground. Taking advantage of the situation, Bailey sat in her seat and, seizing the opportunity while Sloan was momentarily released from the hypnosis, she once again connected with him through a mental bridge. A momentter, beads of sweat covered Bailey''s forehead, and her face turned pale. Her slender and frail body trembled violently. Raiden was startled and quickly grabbed her shoulder, shaking it vigorously. ¡°Bailey, Bailey, don''t push yourself too hard. If it''s not working, let''s think of another solution.¡± Using hypnosis was already quite demanding and exhausting mentally and physically. Bailey''s body had not fully recovered and simply could not withstand such a domineering technique. rgh! With a vomiting sound, Sloan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and then leaned back. Meanwhile, Bailey was also affected by the bacsh of the hypnosis. Her body went limp, and she fell straight to the ground. Originally, Raiden intended to help his father, but seeing Bailey swaying and about to fall, he quickly changed direction. Just as she was about to copse, he reached out and caught her. As he held her delicate body close, he realized how soft and tender she was, as if all the bones in her body had been removed. Her body felt like a puddle of mud without any vitality. ¡°Bailey, are you all right?¡± Bailey coughed twice lightly, and her stiff expression forced a smile out. ¡°It''s okay. My body ispletely useless now, and I can''t do anything anymore. Fortunately, I managed to pull your father out of the dream world. Otherwise, you''d be preparing for the funeral.¡± Raiden opened his mouth, just about to speak. Tamara suddenly jumped out again, gritting her teeth and saying, ¡°The hypnosis Ynda did was undergoing just fine. Who asked you to meddle in other people''s affairs? Now you''ve caused Sloan to spit out blood and faint. Can I sue you for intentionally hurting someone?¡± Bailey withdrew from Raiden''s arms, looked up at Tamara, and sneered, ¡°As the firstdy, you don''t have to be too smart, but don''t be too foolish either, or you''ll embarrass yourself.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara gritted her teeth and shouted at the bodyguards around, ¡°What are you all waiting for? Didn''t you see that she just hurt Mr. Fletcher and made him spit out blood? Hurry up and catch her, then throw her into the prison!¡± The bodyguards inside the room stared nkly at one another. Ms. Jefferson clearly saved Mr. Fletcher just now, but now Mrs. Fletcher is distorting the fact. Isn''t that a bit too much? Tamara saw that they did not move and could not help butugh. ¡°Well, all right, it seems I can''t persuade any of you. All of you, pack up your things and get out of here. Benson, call the police station and ask the person in charge toe over.¡± Just as Benson was about to respond, anguid voice suddenly came from the doorway. ¡°Bullying Bailey in front of me. Do you all think I''m dead? What''s the matter? Do you all want to taste the toxin from the Yablon family?¡± There was an instant silence, and no one dared to make a sound. Cameron saw the people around him quickly retreat, each avoiding him like the gue, Cameron could not help but sneer. It seems the notorious reputation I''ve built up over the years outside has some deterrent effect. As soon as others hear my name, they immediately keep their distance. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, someone kindly saved your husband, but you repay them with hostility. Is this the demeanor and generosity of the firstdy? It truly opens one''s eyes. I''m afraid Chanaea will be utterly embarrassed by you, the firstdy.¡± ¡°You... This is Dellmoor, not the Yablon family''s territory. If you want to behave atrociously here, you''d better make sure your bones are strong enough to handle it.¡± Cameron shrugged nonchntly and said, ¡°It doesn''t matter how strong my bones are. The key is if I use a bottle of Bone-shredding Hormones on you, I wonder how much of your bones will be left? Oh, by the way, I''m not Chanaean, so don''t try to scare me with Chanaeaws. The Yablon family is not bound by any country''s rules. When ites to poison-crafting, we mean business.¡± Tamara was scared, so she did not say a word anymore. She had indeed heard of the Yablon family''s reputation as the foremost poison-crafting family. They were a well-known family that their name rang like thunder in one''s ears. If she really died at the hands of Cameron, it would most likely amount to nothing in the end, and she would have died in vain. Cameron walked over to the bedside and pulled Bailey out of Raiden''s embrace. ¡°This is the consequence when you try too hard to be a good person. Have you learned your lesson? Will you be so impulsive next time? Bailey, do you have any idea how your body is right now? Must you toss yourself up before giving up?¡± Bailey was scolded by Cameron right in the face, which made her angry. She gritted her teeth and retorted, ¡°None of your business!¡± Cameron was speechless. Raiden said to Cameron, ¡°Take her back to the hotel to rest first, and I''lle find you bothter.¡± Cameron did not even bother with him. He supported Bailey and walked toward the door. At that moment, Ynda, who was lying on the ground, gradually regained consciousness. When she looked at Bailey''s retreating figure, she gritted her teeth and yelled, ¡°Ethereal!¡± But no one responded. A hint of surprise shed through Ynda''s eyes. Isn''t she Ethereal? After seeing the two of them leave the room, she quickly turned to Tamara and anxiously said, ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, I was so close to sess, but someone interrupted me at the crucial moment, causing the hypnosis to fail. I-I...¡± Tamara was fuming, but after hearing Ynda''s words, she walked over and helped her up. ¡°I know. She saw that you were going to seed, so she was just worried that you would steal her thunder. That''s why she did that at such a crucial moment. You should take a break for now and continue in a couple of days.¡± Ynda was delighted and asked, ¡°So, you''ll let me continue treating Mr. Fletcher?¡± Chapter 737 Chapter 737 Tamara lifted Ynda''s hand and gently patted it on the back a few times. ¡°Who else will I allow to treat him if not you? Bailey? The Fletcher family has unresolved grievances with that woman. She may be here for revenge. How could I let her get close to my husband?¡± Initially, Raiden wanted to chat with Tamara and persuade her earnestly. However, after hearing her words, he turned around and headed for the door. Even now, Tamara still showed no remorse, which meant she was unafraid. No matter how much Raiden talked to her, she just would not listen. Only by letting Tamara suffer a setback and taste the bitterness of loss will shee to a sudden realization. Upon seeing Raiden leave without saying anything, Tamara was instantly enraged. ¡°Raiden, what''s so great about that woman? She''s always surrounded by men. She''s a woman of loose morals, is not worthy of you.¡± ¡°Since you don''t think highly of her, let''s not have her treat the patient. She''s quite busy anyway and eager to leave Dellmoor. I hope you... won''t regret it.¡± Tamara remained silent. Inside the bedroom of the presidential suite of the hotel, Zeke squinted at Bailey, who was leaning against the head of the bed. He said in a deep voice, ¡°I just went to visit an elder for less than two hours. How did you manage to turn yourself into such a mess?¡± Once Zeke finished speaking, he turned to look at Cameron leaning against the shelf and frowned. He remarked, ¡°Mr. Yablon, you promised me solemnly that you would protect my sister. Is this the result of your protection?¡± Cameron snorted coldly. ¡°I can''t help it if she''s determined to be reckless. Her legs are attached to her body. What can I do? Tie her up with a dog leash?¡± Zeke was speechless. Bailey grabbed the water cup from the bedside table and threw it at Cameron. ¡°I''ve always been like this. If you can''t stand it, you''re more than wee to get lost. Oh, and before you go, give me back that painting. I don''t want to make Artemis angry.¡± Cameronughed out loud due to anger. ¡°You''re such a heartless woman. I''m the only one in this world who protects you, cherishes you, and fears that you may get hurt. And here you are, using Artemis to provoke me. Bailey, has your conscience been eaten by a dog?¡± ¡°It''s none of your business!¡± Seeing the two were about to start arguing again, Zeke could not help but roll his eyes. Zeke was a bit worried now. He was concerned that the two might end up having feelings for each other through their constant bickering. Ah, it''s going to be lively then. What enemy? With the way they''re getting along now, they''re so harmonious. Ding! The doorbell outside rang. Zeke walked out with leisurely steps. A momentter, Zeke returned with Raiden in tow. Raiden said while walking, ¡°It''s my fault I''m too hasty. I shouldn''t have taken you to the Fletcher residence. You worked hard but did not gain any favor and ended up holding in all your frustration.¡± Bailey scoffed. ¡°Your mom can''t get on my nerves. The reason I''m so frustrated is all because of that woman.¡± After saying that, Bailey pointed at Cameron with her outstretched hand, her teeth grinding with a creaking sound. Cameron rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine, I''m leaving. Are you happy?¡± After Cameron left, Raiden continued, ¡°I still want to thank you for this time. But I''ve also realized that life and death are predestined, so let nature take its course.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows with half a smile and said, ¡°Having such an unreasonable mother is indeed your misfortune, buddy. You and Justin are in the same boat. Don''t be disheartened, though. What life and death are predestined nonsense? Your dad''s life is precious now. We absolutely cannot let him fall into the hands of Ynda. It''s not worth it.¡± Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Raiden''s eyes suddenly lit up, staring straight at Bailey, and asked, ¡°Do you have any good idea?¡± Baileyughed and replied, ¡°At first, when Zain informed me that my senior hade to Dellmoor, I was puzzled for quite a while. After all, Josiah took me as his only disciple, so where did this senior come from? It was only after meeting Ynda at the Fletcher residence I suddenly realized Ynda is Josiah''s daughter, which makes her my senior.¡± Raiden raised his eyebrows and concluded, ¡°So you admit you''re the world''s number one hypnotist, Ethereal?¡± Bailey red at Raiden. ¡°Didn''t you already guess it? What''s the point of me hiding it? However, I have grievances with Ynda in the past. Her father taught me dream-tailoring skills but didn''t teach her. So she''s been holding a grudge against me, always wanting to kill me. Given the current situation, it''s not right for me to take action. Otherwise, your dad may end up tormented to death, with your mom meddling in between.¡± Speaking of which, Bailey suddenly stopped uttering. After a moment of silence, Bailey continued, ¡°How about this... I''ll give you a drug that can put your father into aa. The next time Ynda hypnotizes your father, you secretly administer this drug to him, creating the illusion that Ynda has turned him into a vegetative person. So your mother will no longer trust Ynda and can experience the pain of losing someone she loves. When the timees, she will surelye to her senses and ask for my help. At that point, I can step in with fewer obstacles.¡± Raiden nodded. ¡°That''s a good idea. So, during this time, will you remain in Dellmoor or...¡± Bailey waved her hand. ¡°No, I''ll be leaving soon. I have more important things to do.¡± ¡°Alright, I know you''re busy. So, after my father falls into aa and bes a vegetative person, I''ll call you then. Will you save him at that point?¡± ¡°Yes. Don''t worry! My medicine won''t cause him any harm. It just creates the illusion of being in a vegetative state. Once he takes the antidote, he''ll be fine.¡± ¡°Okay. You should rest a bit more. I have some matters to attend to, so I''ll excuse myself first. I won''t be able to see you offter.¡± ¡°Sure. Be cautious around Ynda. She has a vicious mind. That''s why her father refused to teach her dream-tailoring skills back then. He was afraid she would cause trouble everywhere.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± After Raiden left, Zeke could not help but ask, ¡°After we leave Dellmoor, are we going back to Hallsbay? Or are we going to the Hoffman residence?¡± Bailey nced at the door and answered lightly, ¡°No, we''re going to Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Zeke was stunned for a moment. ¡°Why do you want to go to Tarragon? Isn''t Artemis doing well there?¡± Bailey pursed her lips with her hand hidden under the nket, slowly clenched into a fist. There were some things Bailey was still unsure about, but once she went to Tarragon and met Artemis, she should be able to find the answers she sought. ¡°He''s doing well, but I miss him! Is that not okay?¡± Zeke could not control hisughter. ¡°Okay, let''s go to Tarragon. There''s no rush to return to Hallsbay, and we can leave the Hoffman family alone for now. I''ll send you to Tarragon and hand you over to Artemis. That way, I can finally rx. Keeping an eye on you all this time has kept me on edge.¡± Bailey was speechless. Bailey lowered her head slightly, and a glint of darkness flickered in her eyes. Artemis, you''re my only home! So no matter where you are, I''ll find you. Outside the suite, after hearing Bailey was going to Tarragon Headquarters, Cameron immediately messaged Artemis. Bailey wants to go to Tarragon to find you. What''s your arrangement? A momentter, the other party sent a text message. Let here! I''ve already made arrangements. By the way, she didn''t have an inkling of anything, did she? Inkling? Cameron frowned. I think should not be. Bailey interrogated Cameron using hypnosis, but thetter believed he had not given anything away. Cameron replied. No, she doesn''t know about your poisoning. Chapter 738 Chapter 738 In the afternoon, Bailey regained much of her strength after resting for a few hours. Zeke had already made the arrangements for Bailey''s overseas trip so she could set off at any time. Inside the bedroom, Zain stood by the bed, looking at Bailey who was lying on it with narrowed eyes. In a deep voice, he said, ¡°Your health ispletely ruined. If I were you, I wouldn''t be running around the world recklessly. Instead, I would stay at home and take good care of myself.¡± Bailey shook her head with a smile. ¡°No one can iste themselves from this world. I still have many matters to attend to and cannot stop moving forward. Your help is no longer needed in Dellmoor. You should go back to Hallsbay. I''m worried that Justin won''t be able to handle everything on his own. After all, this crazy n was your idea, and you can help out in case of any unexpected situations.¡± Zain pulled out a porcin bottle from his pocket and tossed it into her arms. ¡°This is a medicine for vitality restoration. Take one pill every day. I''m afraid you''ll die out there being in such a state.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°How dare you curse me. Do you know that''s like betraying your master?¡± Zain turned around and walked towards the door, saying, ¡°Do you even look like a master? I never considered you as one in the first ce.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. After he left the room, she lifted the nket and began to get dressed. She knew her body couldn''t take any more strain, and the most sensible thing to do now was to return to Hallsbay to recuperate. But the person she cared about the most was now out there, his fate unknown. Even if she could immediately regain her strength upon returning, she wouldn''t go back. No matter what, she had to figure out what was going on with Artemis now. After Zeke saw off Zain, he turned to Cameron in the living room and asked, ¡°Mr. Yablon, we are going to Tarragon to find Artemis. It might be inconvenient for you to join us. We can part ways here. You can either go to Hallsbay or return to the Yablon family.¡± Cameron snorted coldly. ¡°As expected of siblings, both of you have learned how to abandon your benefactor once his help is not needed. Bailey promised me that as long as I develop the toxin she wants, she will take me with her wherever she goes for the next six months.¡± Zeke couldn''t help but hold his forehead, sighing. ¡°She''s going to see her boyfriend. Why are you following her? To y gooseberry?¡± Cameron shrugged indifferently and said, ¡°I''ve never been to Tarragon Headquarters. I''ll go with you guys for a tour and broaden my horizons.¡± Speechless, Zeke knew he couldn''t persuade him otherwise. Since Bailey didn''t object to him joining them, he didn''t dwell on the issue any longer. He walked towards the bedroom. An hourter, the group left Dellmoor and boarded a private jet that flew directly to Tarragon Headquarters. Juliana crouched in front of the bed in Huntley''s bedroom at the Hoffman residence, smiling at thetter. ¡°I''ve contacted my master and sent her your medical records. After carefully studying them, she told me that the tendons in your limbs can be reconnected, and you can live a normal life. So, Huntley, you must hang in there. I will protect you, just like I did 15 years ago.¡± After hearing this, Huntley felt that his emotions didn''t change much. It seemed that being able to recover wasn''t particrly important to him. ¡°Juliana, I heard that you agreed to marry me. You... don''t have to force yourself, you know. I''m aware that you don''t have feelings for me. My intention in getting close to you isn''t to possess you. I simply wanted to repay your kindness, so you really don''t have to do this. You have someone you admire, and you shouldn''t have topromise yourself by getting involved with someone like me... especially since I''m now a cripple.¡± Juliana slowly reached out her hand and ced her palm on his chest, feeling his strong and powerful heartbeat. ¡°Feelings can develop over time. I have decided to let go of the past and strive to be the most powerful woman in Adrune. The person I once admired is nothing more than a fleeting memory for me now. All I know is that you were by my side during my toughest times. Perhaps that''s what fate intended, granting us this connection. So, we should cherish it.¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°I already told you, my master will help you reconnect your limbs'' tendons. What are you worried about? Although you won''t be able to practice martial arts in the future, this will still give me a sense of security.¡± Huntley moved his fingers slightly and was hit by a piercing pain. He wanted to gently stroke her head; she was the girl he had admired and silently watched over for over a decade. Now, as she leaned on the edge of the bed with her palm resting on his chest, saying that he made her feel secure, he was naturally moved. If this were a dream, he would only wish for the morning to arrive a littleter, so that he could savor such moments of peace and bliss a little longer. ¡°Juliana, I initially wanted to let go and allow you to find the happiness you desire. But now that you''ve willingly involved yourself with me, don''t me me for not letting go of you in the future.¡± Juliana slowly leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder. ¡°Okay, I won''t me you. We still have plenty of time to cultivate our feelings for each other. I believe that as the years go by, you''ll be able to see your reflection in my eyes.¡± Huntley did not know what to say. Really? I hope so! If the heavens truly favor me and grant me the chance to protect and care for you, I will love and cherish you with the most devotion. I''m only afraid that once that man appears, he will instantly break through your defenses, causing you to fall into his world once again. Meanwhile, Philip was sittingfortably on the couch in his study slowly enjoying a ss of red wine. Tucker stood in front of the coffee table and asked with a frown, ¡°Dad, can we really take over the entire Tarragon? I feel like things are moving too fast. Are you sure that Artemis has really been poisoned by The Enigma?¡± Philip swirled the wine in his ss and smirked. ¡°Mr. Yablon has been investigating the whereabouts of Soul Reaper and even burned rence''s corpse. He must be worried that Bailey would find out, so he staged this whole act. There''s no doubt that Artemis has been poisoned by Soul Reaper. Even Mr. Yablon can''t cure this poison. He might as well just wait for his death. Once he dies, we can use Wendy to threaten Holden. Micah is nothing. When the timees, we''ll coborate with Sofie and Mr. Doyle, and Tarragon will already be within our grasp.¡± Tucker thought for a moment and cautiously said, ¡°Bailey''s medical expertise is not to be underestimated. If she ends up neutralizing the poison, we''ll be the ones in trouble.¡± Philip waved his hand dismissively. ¡°No way. Her master, Maerlus the Dark Healer, spent more than half his life trying to develop an antidote and never seeded. I don''t believe that she, a young woman, could do it in just one month.¡± That''s true. There''s a limit to the onset of Soul Reaper, which is at most half a month, and he will undoubtedly die. By the way, Mr. Carter of the Carter family from Epea has already agreed to lend us a helping hand. However, he has one condition: after the matter is settled, he wants all of Tarragon''s forces in Epea to be withdrawn, as he aims to be the sole ruler of Epea.¡± Philip raised his eyebrows. ¡°Mr. Carter? Do you mean Shaun Carter, the man who stabbed his father''s mistress to death and then tortured his half-brother, of the same father but a different mother, to the brink of death?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Yes, Father. If it were old Mr. Carter, we would need to be cautious. But this one, we can actually make good use of him.¡± Chapter 739 Chapter 739 Philipughed heartily. ¡°Great. What are we waiting for? Just say yes to his request! It''s a good opportunity, and we shouldn''t let it go to waste.¡± ¡°All right, then I''ll go negotiate with him.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± Tucker turned around to leave but suddenly stopped as if struck by a thought. ¡°Father, should we send Juliana and Huntley to Intel Ind? Keeping them in the family is like having a ticking time bomb.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Without giving it a second thought, Philip immediately objected. ¡°Raymond is still the head of the family. He has discussed their marriage arrangement with the elders, intending for the couple to live an ordinary life within the family. We cannot secretly sabotage this, or else we''ll lose our credibility, and no one would support us in the future.¡± Tucker nodded. ¡°All right, I''ll listen to you. I''ll go contact Shaun now. I hope we can achieve great things this time. As long as we took over Tarragon, we won''t need Uncle Raymond to step down as we can just force him to hand over his power.¡± ¡°That''s right. Go ahead.¡± Leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room of a private mansion in the eastern suburb of Radford, Veikko was holding his phone, taking a call. ¡°He went to Moranta? What for?¡± ¡°Mr. Carter went at the invitation of the Hoffman family''s coteral rtive, Tucker Hoffman. As for the purpose, I haven''t found out yet. Please give me some more time.¡± ¡°All right. Keep investigating and report back to me as soon as you have any news. By the way, where is Ms. Caridee now?¡± ¡°Lofbury. Mr. Yablon''s men have lured her there. Don''t worry. She won''t be able to find you.¡± Veikko slightly lowered his head, a trace of gloom flickering in his eyes. She still refuses to give up. I can''t believe she even follows me all the way to a foreign country. Do I really have toy bare my bloody past and dissect it all in front of her before she''s willing to let go? Having gone through what he had gone through, he was utterly repulsed and disgusted by romance and intimacy between men and women. It was likely that he would never form a union with a woman for the rest of his life. Why is she pestering me? Does she want to live the rest of her life like a widow? ¡°Find out where Shaun''s wife and child are.¡± ¡°Yes, Sir.¡± Bailey arrived at Tarragon Headquarters at four o''clock in the early morning on the second day when the sky was still dark. Zeke stood by the window in the private jet, holding a telescope in his hand. N?velDrama.Org content. After scanning the surroundings, he furrowed his brows and said, ¡°You sneaked over here without informing Artemis. Can we even get in?¡± Bailey lifted the nket off her body and walked towards the window. ¡°I''ve contacted Shannon, and she''ll help us out. She''ll make sure our private jet cannd smoothly, so you don''t need to worry.¡± Zeke turned to look at her and asked with a frown, ¡°Why didn''t you tell Artemis? What are you nning?¡± Bailey grinned. ¡°Can''t I give him a surprise? We haven''t seen each other for so many days, so he must miss me a lot. Heh. Just thinking about it makes me feel that he would be really happy and excited about my sudden appearance. When he''s happy, I''ll be happy too. All my joy is tied to him.¡± Zeke shook his head helplessly, then reached out and flicked her forehead hard. ¡°Where''s your spine?¡± Beep! Bailey''s phone rang in her hand. ¡°It''s a navigation sent by Shannon. Take it to the captain and have him descend ording to these geographical coordinates.¡± Zeke acknowledged and took the phone before heading towards the cockpit. Bailey gazed at the majestic buildings below, and couldn''t help but marvel in her heart. As expected of the world''s top power, this headquarters was truly magnificent. It was no wonder Tarragon held an unshakable position in the international arena. People like Philip and Sofie who thought they could bring down Tarragon with just a few despicable tricks were simply daydreaming. This organization, even without the backbones, Artemis, Holden, and Micah, could still survive in desperate situations. It was not something other people like them could easily shake. Ten minutester, the private jet came to a halt on the tarmac. Stepping out of the cabin, Bailey saw Shannon waving at her from a distance. She instantly quickened her pace. After descending the steps, she embraced Shannon tightly. She could feel that thetter seemed to be much more rxed after taking her revenge. In the past, she found Shannon depressing. Every time she looked at thetter, she felt an urge to cry. Shannon''s life was a tapestry of stories, each one woven with her tears and blood. As one read on, they would find themselves immersed in the story, and before they knew it, tears would start to flow down their cheeks uncontrobly. But now that Shannon had gotten her revenge, Bailey seemed to no longer feel that oppressive and sorrowful emotion within the former. ¡°Shannon, the future still holds promise, so don''t give up easily.¡± Shannon rested her head on her shoulder and said, her voice cracking, ¡°Bailey, thank you. If it weren''t for you, I wouldn''t have made it this far. You gave me a new life. Don''t worry. The hardest days are behind me. From now on, I won''t take my own life easily.¡± Baileyughed and patted her on the back, raising an eyebrow. ¡°My dear, I''m here to see my man. Can we catch up another day?¡± Shannon couldn''t help but let out a chuckle. ¡°All right, all right. I know you didn''t tell Leader you wereing to the Tarragon Headquarters because you wanted to surprise him. So, I won''t keep you any longer. Let''s go. I''ll take you to the headquarters.¡± Bailey grinned. ¡°My dear knows me best. I can''t live without a man now. By the way, how has Artemis been doing lately?¡± Shannon didn''t detect the probing tone in her words andughed, saying, ¡°He''s doing great. Last night, he was drinking with Holden and Micah in the headquarters. I heard they just finished drinking not too long ago. If you go there now, you might catch him in his drunken state.¡± After hearing this, Bailey felt her heart gradually grow colder. Why did he suddenly stay up all night drinking? She didn''t want to guess anymore. Once she went to the headquarters and met him, everything would be clear. They weaved through theplex of buildings, and it took them a full ten minutes to reach the headquarters. It seemed that Holden had received the news and wasing out of the main hall. ¡°Mrs. Luther, what brings you here?¡± Bailey stared nkly at the luxurious and exquisite pce-like building before her. After a moment of silence, she said slowly, ¡°Since you''ve already called me ''Mrs. Luther,'' it means you''ve acknowledged my identity. Take me to see him.¡± A hint of hesitation shed across Holden''s eyes. ¡°Leader has had too much to drink and is quite intoxicated. It''s not convenient for him to meet outsiders at the moment. Why don''t you go with Shannon to her ce? You can meet him first thing tomorrow morning¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Bailey directly walked past him and strode towards the main hall. Zeke nced at Holden and quickly followed her. Holden lowered his voice as he said to Shannon, ¡°Why didn''t you tell me Mrs. Luther ising?¡± Shannon was a bit bewildered as she stared nkly at him. ¡°Holden, Bailey wanted to give Leader a surprise, so I didn''t say anything. What''s going on? Why do you look so anxious?¡± Holden clenched his teeth in frustration. ¡°How can I not be anxious? Leader is sleeping with another woman.¡± Shannon widened her eyes, looking at him in disbelief. ¡°Holden, are you joking with me? B-But this joke isn''t funny at all.¡± Chapter 740 Chapter 740 How could this happen? How could Artemis, who loves Bailey so much, possibly do that kind of thing with another woman? ¡°What''s going on, Holden?¡± Holden nced at her and said solemnly, ¡°Don''t worry about what happened for now. Hurry up and stop Bailey, then take her to your ce.¡± Shannon''s face turned pale as she strode towards the hall. She shouldn''t have secretly brought Bailey in without telling them. She should have informed her brother beforehand, then this kind of situation wouldn''t have happened. Holden watched the group acting in such a scurry, and aplex emotion shed across his eyes. I hope this act can sessfully deceive Bailey. He knew what was on Artemis''s mind. Since thetter couldn''t apany the one he loved for the rest of her life, he had no choice but to steel his heart and force her to let go. Otherwise, he could only watch helplessly as she gave up her own life to die together with him. If a man truly loved a woman, he wouldn''t want her to risk her life to be with him. Living a good life was the best oue he wanted for her. Shannon ran over hastily and grabbed Bailey''s arm before saying with a smile, ¡°Bay, it''s not quite appropriate for Zeke to follow you to Leader''s bedroom.¡± Bailey nced back at her, then looked at Zeke. She nodded and said, ¡°You''re right. Zeke, you and Shannon should go rest. I can go up there alone.¡± Shannon''s almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise. ¡°That won''t do. How can a grown man like hime to rest with me? Why don''t you apany him instead? I''m not familiar with your brother, and it would be quite awkward and ufortable.¡± Bailey reached out and gently pried open her fingers, saying slowly, ¡°Your brother is familiar with him, so let him take him there. Shannon, I came to Tarragon to meet Artemis. Now that he''s within reach, there''s no way I''ll leave.¡± Shannon pursed her lips and looked at her with a stubborn look on her face. ¡°Bailey...¡± Zeke wasn''t foolish. At first, he might not have noticed anything unusual about them, but after all themotion, he realized that something was off. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. There must be a reason why the Lewitt siblings are both trying to stop Bailey from meeting Artemis. Could it be that Artemis is doing something he shouldn''t be seen doing? ¡°Bay, why don''t you apany me to my lodging first? I''ve been looking after you for a while now and I''m quite exhausted. I''d like to rest for a bit. Can you take me to my ce and make sure I''m settled in before youe back? Is that alright?¡± Bailey tilted her head and looked at Zeke. Suddenly, she flipped over her palm to reveal several silver needles between her fingers. She pressed the needle tips firmly against her own neck and said slowly, ¡°Zeke, don''t force me, or I''ll die right in front of you.¡± Zeke hastily took two steps back. He had seen how strong-minded Bailey was before, so he knew that when she said she would die in front of him, she would definitely put it into action. ¡°Fine. You may go.¡± Bailey quickly turned around and ran towards the spiral staircase. Zeke turned to look at Holden and asked in a deep voice, ¡°What is Artemis doing up there? Could it be that our sudden visit has disrupted his ns?¡± Holden nodded and said, ¡°He''s had too much to drink and probably mistook a maid for Bailey. The two of them are... I just got the news and was about to go up and stop them, but I didn''t expect you all to actually be here.¡± Zeke''s pupils constricted slightly. Without bothering to chat with Holden, he strode towards the staircase. Bailey went up to the second floor. Along the way, housekeepers tried to stop her, but they were all taken down by her with silver needles. The master bedroom was right ahead, and from within, ambiguous sounds could be heard. She suddenly halted in her tracks, and her body shuddered violently. Her legs felt weak and powerless, nearly causing her to copse to the ground. She managed to steady herself by leaning against the wall. Artemis... Artemis... How could you? Listening to those strange sounds, Bailey felt her heart aching. Her guess, after all, came true. Oh heavens, why do you treat us this way? We''ve already endured so much suffering, but why won''t you let us go? ¡°Bay...¡± Zeke''s voice came from behind her. ¡°There must be some misunderstanding here. Artemis is not a yer. You should find out the truth before making a judgment, so as not to wrong him.¡± Tears rolled down Bailey''s cheeks. Zeke, you''re mistaken. There''s no misunderstanding here; the facts are right in front of us. Seeing that she didn''t speak, Zeke tentatively suggested, ¡°How about I go in and take a look, while you wait outside?¡± Bailey suddenly broke free from his grip, and said, gritting her teeth, ¡°I''ll go in by myself.¡± After saying that, she staggered towards the door. The door was kicked open, startling the people inside. Artemis, with his shirt slightly open, leaned back on the couch. In his arms, there was a young girl with disheveled clothes, her facial features somewhat resembling Bailey''s. Bailey let out a cold laugh. He has indeed yed his part quite well in this show. ncing around the room, Bailey finally fixed her gaze on the coffee table, where a ss of red wine was ced. Without a word, she rushed forward, grabbed the cup, and sshed its contents onto Artemis''s handsome face. ¡°Are you awake now?¡± Artemis furrowed his brows and gave her a cold nce, saying with a crack in his voice, ¡°You''re still as domineering as ever. Despite being trained for so long, you still haven''t learned how to rely on a man. Since you''ve caught me, I have nothing to say. Bailey, don''t you think you''re too headstrong? A woman as domineering and overbearing as you really doesn''t appeal to men. After one nce at you, they don''t want to take a second look.¡± From the moment Zeke entered the bedroom, he had been holding back his anger. Now, hearing him belittle his sister like this, hepletely exploded with rage. Raising his fist, he prepared to punch him. Upon seeing the situation, Bailey reached out and grabbed him. ¡°Zeke, let me handle my own problems.¡± Speechless, Zeke clenched his teeth tightly and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window. Bailey pointed at the woman in Artemis'' arms, and asked, her eyes filled with tears, ¡°Do you really have to insult me by choosing someone who looks so simr to me? If you want to find a woman, can you at least not pick someone who resembles me?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows slightly, still looking drunk. His thin lips curved up, revealing a smile that exuded roguish charm. He reached out and gently patted the woman''s face in his arms, his expression a mix of amusement and seriousness. ¡°I haven''t grown tired of your face, but I really don''t like your personality. So, I can only find someone who looks like you but has a gentler temperament to rece you.¡± At this point, he suddenly changed the tone of his voice and said coldly, ¡°By now, you must be disappointed and hopeless about me, and I don''t have any good exnations either, because I''ve already cheated on you. Let''s just end our rtionship here. Holden, escort them out of Tarragon. The organization has decreed that outsiders are not allowed to enter without permission. Your sister has vited the rules, so you should go to Prudent Hall on her behalf to ept the punishment.¡± With a wistful smile on her face, Bailey slowly raised the silver needle in her hand and ced it over her own eye. ¡°Since my eye has already been tainted, I shall leave this eyeball here today.¡± Artemis'' pupils shrank slightly, and his fingers that were embracing the young girl trembled a little, as a hint of hesitation shed through the depths of his eyes. Should I intervene? If I do, this whole show will be meaningless. Chapter 741 Chapter 741 With her intelligence, she''ll probably figure out by tomorrow that I''ve been poisoned by Soul Reaper. If I don''t intervene, am I supposed to just watch as she stabs her own eyeball and ruins her sight? Perhaps losing an eye will make her thoroughly despise me, stopping her from having any hopes in our rtionship. But she still has a long future ahead of her. I''ve already burdened her and hurt her. How could I destroy one of her eyes as well? Cutting off their ties forever with one of her eyes is perhaps too heavy a price to pay. Seeing that Artemis was not swayed, Bailey couldn''t help but smile. It seems that he is determined to do it this way. All right, then I''ll ruin one of my eyes, and share the pain with him together. They had long be one, so even if she didn''t hurt herself, seeing him like this was enough to cause her heart-wrenching pain. With that thought, she suddenly raised her hand and fiercely jabbed the needle into her own eye. Zeke sensed her intentions and wanted to rush forward to stop her, but he was too far away and was unable to reach her in time. ¡°Artemis, if my sister''s eye is ruined, I will definitely kill you.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, a dark shadow suddenly entered through the door, rushing in front of Bailey like a ghost. It grabbed her wrist, stopping her movement. It was Cameron. ¡°Stupid woman, he has cheated on you and dumbed you. Why do you still care about him?¡± Bailey''s legs suddenly gave out, and she fell straight to the ground. Zeke had already rushed to her side and quickly reached out to support her. Bailey looked at Artemis with tear-filled eyes and a look of despair on her ashen face. ¡°Artemis, death is not scary. What''s scary is living a life worse than death. There''s no antidote to Soul Reaper. If you die and I live, every day will feel like a year. Even so, do you still want me to live? Just how cold and ruthless can you be?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. As soon as she finished speaking, she closed her eyes and fainted straight away. The men in the room were simultaneously astonished. Zeke was astonished by the phrase ¡°Soul Reaper¡± in her words. Has Artemis been poisoned by Soul Reaper? Cameron and Artemis were also astonished that Bailey already knew the truth. How did she find out? Artemis looked at Cameron with a cold gaze and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Did you let the cat out of the bag? Or did you tell her about it?¡± Cameron rolled his eyes and said, annoyed, ¡°I can''t wait for you to die, and I hope she''ll hate you right away. That way, I''ll have a chance. How stupid would I be to tell her that you''re poisoned?¡± Zeke carried Bailey sideways in his arms and looked at Artemis with narrowed eyes. ¡°Have you been poisoned by Soul Reaper? Did you do all this on purpose, just to make Bay give up on you?¡± Artemis looked into his eyes and retorted, ¡°What else could it be? Should I let her follow me to death?¡± Zeke fell into silence, ncing at his sister in his arms and then at Artemis across from him, a hint of hesitation flickering in his eyes. If Artemis was truly destined to die, out of his selfishness, Zeke wouldn''t want to see his sister sacrifice herself for love. Bay has endured so much hardship and has yet to experience the love and care the world has to offer; she shouldn''t have to die so young. ¡°Now that she knows, what do you think we should do?¡± Artemis tilted his head and looked at Cameron. ¡°Do you have any solutions?¡± Cameron sneered, ¡°I only know poison-crafting. Do you want to try it on her?¡± Artemis was stumped. Zeke shook his head helplessly and sighed. ¡°I didn''t notice that you''re poisoned by Soul Reaper. I don''t know how she found out. I was watching her closely the whole time and didn''t let any information slip. This girl has been quite secretive, never mentioning it to me the whole time. Now that she already knows, let''s just let things take their natural course. There''s no need to deliberately erase it. Fate has arranged it this way, and there must be a reason for it.¡± After saying that, he ced the person in his arms into Artemis''s arms. ¡°I''m returning your woman to you. Considering your performance today, I won''t easily agree when you go to the Shurmer residence to ask for her hand after you''ve taken the antidote in the future.¡± With that, he pulled Cameron along and headed outside. Cameron said somewhat helplessly, ¡°This woman is really too clever. I was hoping that after dumping Artemis, she woulde with me to the Yablon family, but it turned out like this.¡± The young girl nestled in the corner of the couch saw that everyone in the room was leaving, so she quickly stood up as well. ¡°L-Leader, I''m taking my leave too. I''ll leave you to your work.¡± Artemis didn''t even spare her a nce as he stared nkly at the woman in his arms, his hawk-like eyes filled with a look of distress. ¡°I didn''t hesitate to set a trap to hurt you, yet it still couldn''t outsmart your brilliance. Bailey, do you know that too much wisdom can bring harm? Your life is so fascinating. How could I bear to let you give up this colorful world to apany me to the cold and deste hell?¡± Plop. Two teardrops rolled down Artemis'' eyes and fell onto Bailey''s pale cheeks. A man did not cry easily, but when his heart broke, he couldn''t help but cry. Although he held great power and was influential internationally, his helplessness when facing his beloved still shattered all his strength. How should I deal with this? How should I protect her? Cough, cough. A violent cough erupted, followed by a surge of blood churning in his stomach. He suddenly leaned forward, spewing a mouthful of ck blood onto the ground. The eerie darkness, almost like the Grim Reaper''s call, was inescapable no matter how hard he tried to resist. In the corridor outside, Zeke looked at Cameron with narrowed eyes and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Did you know about his poisoning all along? Did you and Artemis put on this act together?¡± Cameron shrugged and said, imitating Artemis''s tone, ¡°What else can we do? Let her die for love?¡± Zeke was stumped for a moment, then reached out to touch his forehead before asking, ¡°Is there really no antidote? You are the heir of the Yablon family, and Soul Reaper originated from your family. Is there really no way at all?¡± Cameron snorted coldly. ¡°If I could cure him, would I have gone through all this trouble? I can''t cure him, and I''ll say it onest time, I can''t. Not just me, even Bailey can''t do anything about it.¡± After saying that, he walked towards the staircase. ¡°Hey, Holden, find me a ce to sleep. I''m so sleepy.¡± Holden nodded at Zeke and said, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, let''s go together. It seems our help is no longer needed here.¡± Zeke''s face looked terrible. Artemis''s move showed that he was at his wit''s end and would undoubtedly die. Could they really only die together? Bailey didn''t stay unconscious for too long, probably because she was worried about Artemis, so she forced herself to wake up. The moment she opened her eyes, the luxurious and exquisite crystal chandelier on the ceiling came into view. As she nced to the side, she saw Artemis squatting by the bed. She couldn''t help but mock him, ¡°What now? Are you not nning to use hypnosis or memory loss pills on me?¡± Artemis lowered his head slightly and sighed. ¡°I do want to, but Zeke doesn''t agree.¡± ¡°You...¡± Bailey was extremely furious, suddenly sitting up from the bed and pointing at the door. ¡°Get out of here! I don''t want to see you now.¡± Chapter 742 Chapter 742 Artemis looked deeply into Bailey''s eyes. He then slowly stood up and obediently walked towards the door. Bailey''s nose tingled as tears uncontrobly fell from her eyes. Watching him leave the room without looking back, she gritted her teeth and sprang up from the bed. Barefooted, she charged toward him. ¡°Artemis...¡± She suddenly hugged him tightly from behind. Burying her face in his back, she began to sob uncontrobly. ¡°How could you do this? Tell me, how could you do this?¡± As she spoke, she raised her fist and was ready to punch him. But then she remembered he had been poisoned and quickly pulled her hand back. Her wailing suddenly grew louder. Artemis''s body trembled gently. After a moment of silence, he could no longer suppress the emotions in his heart. Abruptly, he turned around and pulled her into his embrace. ¡°How can you be so foolish? No, how can you be so clever? If you had just yed dumb today, I could have gotten away with it. Then, you''ll leave in disappointment, never to be burdened by me again.¡± Baileyid on his chest as she burst into tears. ¡°Artemis, you promised not to bully me but this time you''ve really gone too far. You jerk, you absolute jerk...¡± ¡°Yes, I''m a jerk for making you sad again. I''m a coward, who is afraid to let you know my situation.¡± Upon hearing this, Bailey quickly pulled away from his embrace. She hastily wiped away her tears and ced her hand on his wrist. After searching for a moment, she shook her head and said, ¡°I still can''t detect anything unusual. No wonder people say that once you''re affected by Soul Reaper, all you can do is wait helplessly...¡± At this point, her words came to an abrupt halt, and she looked at Artemis somewhat awkwardly. ¡°I...¡± Artemis reached out to cradle her face. He lowered his head to kiss her delicate brows and eyes, tenderly kissing away all the tears on her face. ¡°It''s alright, no need to be overly cautious. We''ll have to face it someday anyway.¡± As he spoke, he put his arm around Bailey and walked toward the bed. After the two of them leaned against the head of the bed, he asked curiously, ¡°How exactly did you notice something was wrong?¡± Bailey coldly snorted twice and rested her head on Artemis'' shoulder. Before the arrival of Tarragon, she would feel restless and uneasy. However, after Tarragon appeared, she miraculously found her restless heart calming down. ¡°First, I found out that Soul Reaper from the Yablon family has gone missing. Second, Sofie must have kidnapped Wendy to ckmail Holden, proving that she has already dealt with you. If something happens to you, Tarragon will only have Holden to rely on. And if Holden''s wife is in Sofie''s hands, wouldn''t that mean she has control over his weakness?¡± Bailey paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°As for the third... I deliberately let Cameron know that I wasing to Tarragon Headquarters. If you two were in contact, he would definitely inform you. Knowing your character, you would undoubtedly put on a passionate show for me to see, making me give up on youpletely. In fact, as soon as I arrived at the main hall and was stopped by Holden outside, I already knew what to expect.¡± Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You''re just too clever, Bailey. Do you know the saying ''extreme intelligence can lead to one''s downfall''?¡± Bailey reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck. Gazing at him affectionately, she said, ¡°I''ve only used my wisdom on you because you''ve captured my heart, Artemis. It''s not the end yet, so please don''t give up, alright? ¡°Indeed, I told Cameron that I couldn''t cure Soul Reaper but that doesn''t mean I''ll give up. If others were poisoned by Soul Reaper, I wouldn''t even bat an eye, let alone go to great lengths to find a cure. But you''re different; I''ll use all my knowledge to find a way for you to survive.¡± Artemis suddenly turned over, pinning her beneath him. Bailey was gentle as she began to make a move. A gleam flickered in Artemis'' eyes. Unable to contain his emotions, he couldn''t help but lean in and kissed her face. The soft kiss wasn''t enough to satisfy Bailey, so she tilted her head to seek his lips. Artemis quickly raised his head, dodging her advance. ¡°Be careful, I have toxins inside me, don''t touch me.¡± Bailey cupped his face and reassured, ¡°Don''t worry, it won''t be transmitted to others. This kind of poison only recognizes its original host. Once it takes effect within you, it won''t be contagious.¡± After saying that, she raised her head and kissed him. Artemis pursed his lips. After hesitating for a few seconds, he eventually followed her wishes. Before she arrived, he was determined to make her give up, no matter what methods he had to resort to. After she arrived, he could no longer bring himself to be cruel. Gazing at her picturesque features, all he wanted was to fall for her, even if it meant jumping into a pit of fire together. As emotions ran high, Bailey couldn''t help but murmured softly, ¡°Artemis, I love you.¡± Artemis wrapped his arms around her, leaning close to her ear, and gently coaxed, ¡°Be a good girl and say it one more time.¡± ¡°Artemis, I love you. Artemis, I love you. Artemis, I love you.¡± ¡°Bailey, I love you too.¡± As the words fell, he used an even more profound way to love her deeply. In the dungeon of Holden''s residence, Shannon stood at the entrance of a secret chamber as she coldly watched Yvette, who was on the verge of copse from torment. Shannon ordered, ¡°Inject her with the nutrient solution and hang her life in the bnce.¡± Upon hearing this, the doctor standing nearby showed a troubled look on his face. ¡°Ms. Lewitt, she no longer has the will to live. Injecting more nutrient solution won''t make any difference.¡± Shannon slightly furrowed her brows. Looking at the blurry mass of flesh and blood on the ground, her interest vanished in an instant. Will the endless torment make all the sufferings I had endured disappear? The answer is no. After a moment of silence, she uttered a sentence through gritted teeth, ¡°Send her on her way.¡± The doctor understood what she meant and took out a potion from the medicine box. Just when he was about to walk toward Yvette, who was lying on the ground, Shannon spoke up. ¡°Give me the potion. I want to end her life myself.¡± The doctor had no objections and quickly gave her the potion. After taking the syringe, Shannon paced to the center of the secret chamber. She stopped in front of Yvette and slowly crouched down. ¡°Killing someone like you would only dirty my hands but I have no choice because your hands are stained with my son''s blood.¡± Yvette was still conscious. After hearing Shannon''s words, the former slowly opened her eyes. Yvette''s dry, chapped lips moved as she spat out a series of hoarse, unpleasant sounds. ¡°Even if I die, the shadow of your son''s death will haunt you for the rest of your life, tormenting you day and night...¡± Before Yvette could finish speaking, Shannon suddenly jabbed the syringe in her hand into Yvette''s arm. As the liquid inside was gradually injected into Yvette''s flesh, Yvette began to convulse violently, even foaming at the mouth. Yvette, this is the oue you deserve. Watching the woman rolling and convulsing on the ground, Shannon''s vision gradually blurred, and her eyes became misted with tears. Eugene, Mom has avenged you. Can you see it from heaven? Upon hearing the news, Micah rushed over and saw Shannon had fallen deeply into a state of madness. rmed, he hurriedly approached, grabbed Shannon''s shoulders, and shook her vigorously. ¡°Shannon, wake up! Wake up!¡± A momentter, Shannon managed to break free from that strange state. She fiercely grabbed Micah''s cor and roared, ¡°Yvette is dead, and now it''s your turn.¡± Chapter 743 Chapter 743 A bitter smile appeared on Micah''s handsome face. Indeed, he should be held ountable for the child''s death. If ending him could let her live happily and safely for the rest of her life without resentment, he would be d to give up his life. Ding! A metallic shing sound echoed throughout the room as Micah pulled a dagger from the torture tools and shoved it into Shannon''s hand. ¡°End me! End me and you''ll be free. You will get to avenge your child too.¡± Hatred and resentment filled her eyes. She suddenly snatched the dagger and fiercely stabbed it into his chest. A patch of crimson red gradually spread across. She bit her lip tightly as tears blurred her vision. ¡°Micah, I really wish I could take you with me to meet Eugene to atone for your sins.¡± Micah reached out and gently touched her cold, stern face. Tearing up as he said, ¡°Don''t hesitate then. Just stab the dagger straight in. Pierce it through my heart and end my life.¡± A ruthless glint flitted across Shannon''s eyes, and with a slight flick of her wrist, the tip of the dagger went in a bit further. She was an assassin, and she knew precisely how much force was needed to pierce through a human''s heart. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Now, all she had to do was thrust a few centimeters forward, and that would be the end of him. Just then, memories of the past shed before her eyes. Those sweet moments were like sharp des stabbing her heart, leaving her bleeding profusely. In an instant, it felt as if arge hand was gripping her neck, her breathing became rapid. As she watched the blood continuously gush out from his chest, her body began to quiver violently. She could not bring herself to end his life. In the end, she just could not do it. Even if there was only hatred left between them, she would not wish to end him like this. ¡°Micah, you''ve won.¡± She abruptly let go of the handle of the dagger and pushed him away with one hand. Then she turned and walked toward the door. ¡°It''s easy to die, but what''s difficult is living a life worse than death. I''m still struggling in pain and agony, so why should you be free from all these? Micah, this world is so cold. You should stay with me and let this hatred consume you.¡± As thest word fell, her silhouette vanished into the doorway. Micah reached out and pulled the dagger from his chest, causing the blood to drip from the wound. Bearing the intense pain, he took several steps back and fell directly onto the chair behind him. With his head hanging low, he looked at his own bloody chest, and his thin lips could not help but curl into a bitter smile. At this point, he knew that their rtionship was going nowhere. All he could do for the rest of his life was to protect her and care for her so that his love for her would be worthy. In the main hall of the Fletcher residence at Dellmoor, Ynda poured a cup of coffee and handed it to Tamara. ¡°Please have a try.¡± Tamara took it with a smile, and she seemed very pleased with how well-mannered Ynda was. ¡°You''re indeed the daughter of the renowned hypnosis master, Josiah. Your upbringing is no less than those youngdies with prestigious backgrounds. If I had a nephew, I would definitely matchmake you.¡± Ynda smiled gently and teased, ¡°You don''t have a nephew, but you have a son. If you don''t mind, you can matchmake Mr. Raiden and me.¡± Tamara was momentarily stunned, but as she finally grasped the meaning behind Ynda''s words, a smile gradually spread across her face. ¡°Do you mean you''re fond of my son?¡± Ynda nodded and replied, ¡°I don''t know if I''m blessed enough to be your daughter-inw. The Gibson family may not be prestigious, but we have a profound background and skills that are passed down from generation to generation. We''ve produced many renowned hypnosis skills. My father even created the dream-tailoring skill and became famous internationally. Over the years, numerous talented young men havee to our family to propose marriages.¡± Tamara burst intoughter. ¡°Ynda, if you''re fond of my son, I''d be more than happy to arrange this marriage. However, that boy is quite stubborn. If you want me to make it happen, you must first aplish something, such as curing his father. Only then I can persuade him to marry you.¡± A hint of joy appeared on Ynda''s face. The night before, she had studied hypnosis and dream- tailoring skill once again. She hadbined the two and discovered a new breakthrough. She believed that she would definitely seed this time. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, don''t worry. I''m confident that after we do another hypnosis session, Mr. Fletcher will wake up feeling refreshed and no longer troubled by stress.¡± ¡°All right. It''s a deal then. I really adore you, girl. I''d be pleased if you can marry into the Fletcher family in the future.¡± Of course, the most important thing was to put an end to Raiden''s intention of marrying Bailey. Tamara would not mind anyone marrying Raiden as long as it was not Bailey. At the same time, Raiden was sittingfortably on the sofa and working in the study. Right then, the door to the study opened, and a housekeeper quietly sneaked in. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, Ms. Gibson is preparing for the second hypnosis session, and they''re heading toward the bedroom.¡± Raiden''s fingers paused slightly on the keyboard. With a wave of his arm, he picked up the phone from the coffee table, found a series of numbers, and wrote a text message: Proceed ording to the n. Right now. Two minutester, the other party replied with a message: Mr. Fletcher, I''ve given him the medicine. Raiden looked at the message on the screen as his thin lips slightly curved into a smirk. Bailey certainly has more ideas. I can never think of such a solution that can get everything solved once and for all. Inside the bedroom, Ynda squatted by the bed and said to Sloan, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, ¡°Please try to clear your mind as much as possible. After ourst attempt, I''ve already found the key to sess. Don''t worry. After this hypnosis session, your stress will surely be reduced. When you wake up, you''ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated.¡± Sloan nodded. ¡°All right.¡± Just when Ynda was about to start, Tamara suddenly reached out to stop her. ¡°Ynda, remember our deal. As long as you can cure his sickness, I''ll fulfill my promise. With my support, you will be halfway to sess.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Ynda stood up and sat down across Sloan. With her palms facing upward, she waspletely immersed in her task in no time. The medicine specially made by Bailey took effect as soon as a person''s consciousness was controlled. Hence, in less than three seconds, Sloan''s body began to tremble violently. Such an unexpected reaction came so quickly that Ynda waspletely dumbfounded. ¡°Mr. Fletcher, what''s wrong? W-Why are you trembling so much?¡± As her words fell, she turned her head to look at the anxious Tamara by the bedside. ¡°M-Mrs. Fletcher, does Mr. Fletcher have other hidden illnesses like epilepsy?¡± Tamara''s face suddenly turned ashen, and she chided angrily, ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and stop the hypnosis. Can''t you see his body is rejecting it?¡± After saying that, Tamara immediately rushed to the bedside and reached out to embrace her husband who was trembling vigorously. ¡°Sloan, what''s wrong with you? Don''t scare me, please. Don''t scare me.¡± Sloan trembled violently for a while and then fell stiffly backward. Tamara was terrified. She stared nkly at him as he copsed onto the bed. Then she watched his pupils dte continuously and his legs start to twitch. ¡°Please, call the doctor quickly. Bring them here right away.¡± Ynda stared nkly at her own hands, shaking her head vigorously. ¡°It wasn''t me. I didn''t do it. He''s sick. There''s something wrong with him.¡± Chapter 744 Chapter 744 I''ve just performed hypnosis and haven''t even made the mental connection. How could this suddenly endanger his life? The Fletcher family must have hidden his medical history and caused me to make a wrong judgment. ¡°This really has nothing to do with me. It has nothing to do with me at all.¡± As Ynda spoke, she slid off the bed and strode toward the door. Now that someone''s life was at stake, Ynda would not just sit still and wait to be arrested. Tamara saw her running away so irresponsibly. She could not help but grit her teeth in anger and shouted at the housekeeper outside, ¡°Stop her! Don''t let her escape! If anything happens to Sloan, I''ll definitely hold her ountable.¡± Upon seeing that the door was blocked, Ynda knew she could not get out, and her legs gave out. She copsed onto the floor, and her face turned as white as a sheet. At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. In the next second, several doctors rushed in from outside. Tamara anxiously requested, ¡°Pleasee over quickly and take a look. Save Sloan, please!¡± A middle-aged doctor went forward. After the doctor examined Sloan for a moment, his face suddenly darkened. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, please step aside. We need to perform CPR on your husband, as he is currently in a life-threatening situation.¡± Tamara was so frightened that her legs went weak. She had just managed to stand up but fell back onto the bed again. ¡°B-But it was just hypnosis. How could it threaten his life? D-Did you make a mistake?¡± The middle-aged doctor did not have time to answer her questions and gestured for two housekeepers to pull her aside. Next, the rescue and treatment continued amid a chaotic situation, including taking X-rays and performing CPR. The fluctuations on the electrocardiogram continued to weaken, eventually forming a nearly straight line. Sloan never once opened his eyes from the beginning till the end. His face was extremely pale, and he was lying stiffly in bed. He looked no different from a dead person. Tamara stumbled forward and grabbed the doctor''s wrist as she asked anxiously, ¡°How is it? Did you manage to save him?¡± The attending doctor''s gaze fell on Sloan''s face and lingered for a moment before he turned to look at the equipment beside him and let out a soft sigh. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, please be mentally prepared. It seems that your husband''s nervous system may have been damaged by hypnosis, causing him to fall into a deep sleep. I''m not entirely sure about his condition, but it''s somewhat simr to a vegetative state.¡± When Tamara heard the term ¡°vegetative state,¡± her face immediately turned pale. N?velDrama.Org content. A vegetative person was not much different from a dead person. They were barely surviving. Her legs gave out, and she copsed onto the edge of the bed. Her voice quivered as she asked, ¡°Is there no way to wake him from aa? What about medicine? Can we wake him up if we give him medicine?¡± The attending doctor shook his head. ¡°I''m sorry, we''ve done our best. We''ve tried every possible method to save him, but it was all in vain. I''m afraid it''s very unlikely that he''ll wake up.¡± At this point, the attending doctor paused, pondered for a moment, and then tentatively suggested, ¡°However, we can try using the dream-tailoring skill to wake him up.¡± Tamara suddenly snapped out of her daze. She quickly stood up and strode to the door. Then she grabbed Ynda''s wrist and said furiously, ¡°Go and undo the hypnosis right now. If he doesn''t wake up, I''ll make sure to send you to jail!¡± Ynda shook her head vigorously. ¡°It wasn''t me. I didn''t do anything to him. H-He''s now in a vegetative state. My dream-tailoring skill isn''t good enough to enter his dreams while he''s unconscious. Don''t force me to do it.¡± Tamara''s entire body shook in anger. She has caused Sloan to turn into this state, yet she has the nerve to tell me not to force her. Tamarapletely lost her patience and raised her arm to give Ynda two tight ps across the face. ¡°If you don''t want to die, go wake him up. Got it?¡± Ynda was so terrified that she rolled her eyes and passed out right away. Tamara stared at the useless woman lying at her feet. Consumed by fury, she clutched her chest and took a few deep breaths. At that moment, Raiden strode in from outside. ¡°What''s going on? How could someone who was perfectly fine just a moment ago suddenly fall into a deepa and can''t even regain his consciousness now?¡± Upon seeing her son, Tamara hugged him as if she had seen a savior. ¡°Raiden, I was wrong. I shouldn''t have ignored your words and allowed such an amateur to perform a second hypnosis on your father. Now that such a tragic situation has happened, what should I do? What should I do?¡± Raiden shook his head. ¡°There''s nothing I can do, too. As I told you before, Josiah passed on all his lifelong knowledge to his disciple, Ethereal. Although Ynda is Josiah''s daughter, she has only learned a bit of those skills. You didn''t listen to me, and now this tragedy has happened, you can''t me anyone else.¡± It was as though Tamara had lost herposurepletely, she kept mumbling, ¡°It''s over. Everything is over. If the news of your father''s condition reaches the others, there will surely be chaos everywhere.¡± Raiden gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, ¡°Then let''s not spread the word. Everyone here should keep their mouths shut.¡± As soon as he said this, the faces of the doctors and housekeepers in the room turned pale in horror. What did Mr. Raiden mean by that? Is he going to end us all? Suddenly, the room was filled with wails. Raiden remained unmoved, his face extremely cold and stern. He shouted toward the entrance, ¡°Take everyone here and lock them in prison. No one is allowed to visit them without my order. If anyone asks about them, just say they''ve been temporarily detained for neglecting their duties.¡± As soon as he finished his words, a group of bodyguards rushed in from outside and grabbed the arms of the doctors and housekeepers before dragging them out. Tamara looked at her husband lying on the bed like a dead person, and she was constantly overwhelmed with regrets and guilt. In the end, she could no longer bear such a blow. She rolled her eyes and fainted. Raiden asked the butler to help her out to rest. After everyone in the room had been dismissed, he took out his phone and dialed Bailey''s number. The phone rang for fifty seconds, but no one answered, and it hung up automatically. After a brief moment of silence, he typed a message and sent it: It''s done. How long can my father maintain this state? When are youing back? Due to his special identity, he cannot be missing for too long, as it may cause turmoil and panic. I''m eagerly waiting for you to return. At this moment, Bailey had just spent a passionate night with Artemis. She was leaning against his chest, enjoying a brief moment of warmth and affection. ¡°Your phone is ringing,¡± Artemis reminded. Bailey let out a soft hum and said gently, ¡°Just leave it, Artemis. I''m so tired. I want to sleep.¡± Artemis leaned in and gently kissed her forehead. ¡°Sleep now.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a surge of blood churn within his stomach. It must be that I got too emotional during the passionate moments with her just now, and the toxin in my body was triggered, causing me to cough up blood again. He forcefully pushed Bailey away, hastily got up, and prepared to rush toward the bathroom. Upon seeing his action, Bailey was wide awake instantly. She quickly reached out to grab him and said, ¡°Just spit it out on the ground. Let me take a look.¡± Chapter 745 Chapter 745 Bailey hadn''t seen his blood since the poison took effect. In order to work on the antidote, she had to understand his current condition. She didn''t believe that she couldn''t detoxify the Soul Reaper with Cameron''s help. Artemis wanted to refuse, but the poison in his body was growing more intense. Soon, he couldn''t hold it any longer and bent over, vomiting a mouthful of ck blood. Bailey hurriedly took out a tissue from the bedside table and wiped the bloodstain from the corner of his mouth. Having just coughed up blood, Artemis appeared extremely weak. His handsome face was as white as a sheet, and his once upright figure seemed on the verge of copsing. After helping him lean against the head of the bed, Bailey grabbed a nearby nightgown to drape over him. Then, she squatted down to examine the pool of ck blood on the floor. ¡°You first coughed up blood in Hallsbay, right? Was the clotted blood as dark as this back then?¡± Upon seeing that she wasn''t frightened by that, Artemis couldn''t help but rx a bit. He smiled faintly. As expected of Bailey. Even when facing this kind of life-and-death test, she can still maintain her composure and handle it calmly. ¡°At that time, the blood I coughed up was red, so I didn''t pay much attention to it. Butter, when I returned to Tarragon Headquarters, the blood turned ck the first time I coughed it up there.¡± Bailey stretched out her finger and dabbed a bit of his blood on it. She brought it close to her nose for a sniff, then stuck out her tongue, preparing to taste it. When Artemis saw that, he pped her finger away and angrily said, ¡°If you keep trying to test the poison with your own body, I''ll ask Holden to forcibly take you away. That way, I won''t have to worry all day. I can enjoy a few days offort too.¡± Bailey pouted, looking at him with a wronged expression. ¡°Artemis, you''re getting more and more fierce.¡± As she spoke, she forced herself to squeeze out two drops of tears. What Artemis couldn''t stand the most was her pitiful look, which could truly melt his heart. He reached out to pull her up from the floor and then wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Stop observing it anymore. Dr. Lynch has theplete data. After you''ve rested, I''ll ask Holden to bring it to you. Just study the data, and don''t test the poison on yourself. It''s too dangerous.¡± With a silent sigh, Baileyy quietly on his chest. ¡°Fine then, I''m going to sleep. Stay with me. Don''t you dare sneak away.¡± Artemis reached out and gently caressed her cheek, giving a bitter smile. ¡°Where else can I run to? You, Bailey, are so capable that even if I were to go to the moon, I''m afraid you''d still be able to find me.¡± ¡°That''s right, you are mine. You can''t escape from me.¡± As she spoke, she slowly closed her eyes, and before long, she fell asleep. Artemis lowered his head, gazing at her delicate facial features with a mesmerized expression. The reluctance in his heart grew even stronger. She had promised to be with Edmund in her next life. Artemis also felt that she should repay Edmund''s love in her next life, so the only time Artemis could be with her was in this present life. However, being tormented by the toxin, he couldn''t find a way to survive in this desperate situation. It seemed that his untimely death was already a foregone conclusion. He felt a sense of unwillingness and reluctance in his heart. The time they had spent in love was so short, and they had always struggled through hardships. They hadn''t yet experienced the happiness of being together. If he were to leave like this, he would never be able to rest in peace. ¡°Bailey, how about you promise me your next life as well?¡± However, instead of getting any replies, only Bailey''s calm breathing could be heard. She had a good sleep in his arms, probably because she had already figured it out in her heart¡ªif he lived, she would live; if he died, she wouldn''t want to live alone. Hence, there was nothing to fear. It was also because of her mature thinking that made Artemis feel even more desperate. She was only twenty-eight years old, the age at which she should be experiencing the most in her life. When he met her for the first time, she was so carefree and full of enthusiasm for life. It seemed as if the whole world was beneath her feet, and she coulde and go as she pleased. However, because of him, she no longer had any interest in the outside world. It was he who bound her fate and destroyed her entire life. Cough cough cough A series of stifling coughs echoed in every corner of the room. Tears slowly streamed down from the corners of Bailey''s eyes. Indeed, she had fallen asleep, but tears streamed down her face in her dream. She dreamed Artemis abandoned her and cruelly erased her memories, making her live in the world like a walking dead. Meanwhile, in the private mansion in Radford, Veikko leaned back on the couch as he answered the phone. ¡°Mr. Veikko, Ms. Caridee has been invited by her friend to attend International Socialite Club in Moranta. It is said that this gathering is sponsored by the Hoffman family.¡± The subordinate''s report came through from the other line. Veikko furrowed his brows, a trace of chilling ruthlessness flickering in his eyes. ¡°Did you find out Shaun''s purpose for going to Moranta to meet Tucker?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°Not yet. The two of them have been holding secret meetings, and our people can''t get anywhere near them. However, I''ve found out that Mr. Philip and Sofie, the mistress of the previous leader of Tarragon, are colluding. It seems they''re plotting to take over Tarragon. As the only son of Mr. Philip, Tucker must have been involved in this as well. Perhaps he called Shaun over to Moranta to recruit him as an ally to join forces against Tarragon.¡± Veikko curled the corner of his lips, revealing a wickedly unrestrained smile. Assisting to attack Tarragon? Perhaps he''s just cannon fodder. Veikko was happy to see it happen. After Shaun''s power was weakened by Tarragon, it would be much easier to deal with him. ¡°Okay. Have them keep a close eye on Ms. Caridee. I''ll head to Moranta in a couple of days.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± At the same time, in a suburban private mansion in Moranta, Sofie was nestled in Philip''s arms in the bedroom, her eyes slightly closed, showing signs of weariness. ¡°Artemis'' life is now hanging by a thread, and we have control over Holden''s woman too. Two of the three Tarragon leaders have fallen. The insignificant Micah should be no match for us. Mr. Philip, allow me to congratte you in advance on the sess of your grand n.¡± Philipughed heartily, reaching out to pinch her charming face. ¡°With a bewitching beauty like you around, how can I even have the time to think about having great ambitions?¡± Sofie smiled. ¡°Once you hold great power and are surrounded by beautiful women, you''ll probably grow tired of me. However, as long as Bailey doesn''t die, she''ll always be a hidden threat. She is the leader of the Saviors. If Artemis'' death triggers her and forces her to go on a killing spree, we''ll be in big trouble.¡± Philip frowned and asked, ¡°Do you have any ideas on how to deal with this?¡± Sofie''s lips curled into a smile, a cold glint shing in her eyes. ¡°Don''t forget, your niece is Bailey''s disciple. We can poison her with something that only Bailey can cure. Bailey will then have no choice but toe to Moranta. At that time, we can strike and finish her off.¡± After pondering for a moment, Philip chuckled softly. ¡°You always have so many ideas. Fine, go ahead and prepare the poison. I''ll have someone use it on Juliana. You''re right, Bailey must die.¡± The next day, Bailey woke up from her sleep and found that Artemis was not in the room. She suddenly became anxious, and tears streamed down her face. ¡°Artemis, you b*stard. You ran away again!¡± Chapter 746 Chapter 746 Bailey was crying as she climbed out of bed barefoot and rushed towards the door. The thought of Artemis disappearing from her world and the fear that she might never see him again made her heart ache with a tightness that was hard to bear. Why can you be so cruel? Why can''t we just stay together quietly and let fate run its course? How can you leave without a word, abandoning me to face the loneliness and solitude all on my own? Is that what you think love is? Bailey thought miserably She cried all the way to the door and was about to reach out and open it. Suddenly, the doorknob turned, and the door was pushed open. Artemis walked in with a tray in his hand. When he saw Bailey standing barefoot on the carpet, her face covered in tears, his heart clenched tightly. Before he could react, Bailey threw herself directly into his arms. ¡°I thought you left me behind again, Artemis. Please don''t be so cruel. I''ve traveled a long way just to find you and stay by your side. Please don''t leave me.¡± Artemis ced the tray on the shelf and gave Bailey a tight embrace. ¡°You''re overthinking again, aren''t you? I promised I''d never leave you. Don''t scare yourself, okay?¡± As he spoke, Artemis reached out to cradle Bailey''s face. Then he leaned in and tenderly kissed the contours of her features, slowly soothing her. Bailey stood on her toes to reach his lips, kissing him as she choked out, ¡°I''m afraid that once I open my eyes, you''ll be gone, leaving only the cold emptiness of the room. Artemis, please don''t leave me. Because if you do, I wouldn''t want to live either.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Artemis reached out and pinched her cheek. ¡°You already know the truth about me being poisoned. Even if I run away now, you will follow in my footsteps in half a month anyway. I''d rather stay with you and spend our final moments together.¡± Bailey gradually calmed down and looked up at Artemis affectionately. ¡°That''s right. No matter where you die, I will find you. So instead of dying apart, we might as well die together. If we can''t be together in life, we should share the same grave in death.¡± When Artemis heard Bailey''s resolution about staying with him in life or death, his heart sank a little. Bailey has made up her mind about this. But can I bear seeing her give up the best years of her life and die with me? Artemis knew that he couldn''t be that selfish. ¡°You must be hungry. I brought up some milk and bread for you. Here, have some.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. He wrapped one arm around Bailey''s waist while holding the tray in the other. Then he guided her toward the edge of the bed. Once Bailey sat in bed, he put down the tray and cupped her feet in his hands to keep them warm before tucking them under the quilt. ¡°From now on, you must wear shoes once you get out of bed, understand?¡± Bailey nodded obediently. ¡°Your wish is mymand. As long as you don''t leave me, I''ll do whatever you say.¡± Artemis gently kissed her forehead, then picked up the milk from the tray and brought it to her lips. Bailey opened his mouth and took two light sips of milk. ¡°Feed me some bread.¡± Artemis ced the tray before her and said, ¡°Here you go, help yourself. My hands just touched your feet, so it''s not very hygienic.¡± ¡°I don''t mind.¡± ¡°Be good.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Bailey grabbed the bread, tore off a piece, and held it to his mouth. ¡°You eat first.¡± Artemis obediently ate it. Only then did Bailey grab another piece and stuff it into her mouth. She mumbled, ¡°I''ve had enough rest. Take me to see Master Lynchter.¡± Master Lynch? Artemis was stunned. Who''s Master Lynch? Baileyughed softly and said, ¡°He''s Dr. Lynch. And he''s my master''s senior, so naturally, I should address him as Master Lynch.¡± Artemis gently massaged his forehead. ¡°Since you arrived, I''ve been focusing all my energy on you. If you hadn''t mentioned it, I would have forgotten about it. Alright. Since you bothe from the same school, you must have a lot to talk about. I''ll take you to hisboratoryter.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After she finished her breakfast, Bailey dressed and freshened up. As she observed Artemis, who was attentively taking care of her, a contented smile lingered on her lips. She had decided to live each day as if it were herst. With Artemis by her side, Bailey wasn''t afraid of death at all. Although her children are still young, with the support of the Luther and Shurmer families, she believed they would surely grow up strong and healthy. As a mother, she had failed as she was about to abandon them to end her life. But as a woman, she wanted to follow her heart for once. Bailey feared she wouldn''t be able to survive for even a moment in a world that was without Artemis, let alone the long years thaty ahead. ¡°Artemis, let''s have a small wedding at Tarragon, shall we? I want to wear a wedding dress; that''s the only thing I ask for in this life.¡± Artemis hugged her from behind. His thin lips brushed against her delicate cheek as they shared an intimate moment. ¡°Alright, I''ll have Holden get everything prepared. Hehe, you finally agreed to marry me.¡± Lu Ye Bai bit her earlobe yfully and murmured, ¡°Silly girl, I was thinking of giving you a grand wedding when the springes. Unfortunately, fate yed a cruel trick on us, and I''m afraid this wish may nevere true.¡± Bailey perused at the handsome face reflected in the mirror and chuckled softly, ¡°As long as we have a wedding and a wedding dress, we don''t need all those shy things. Artemis, let''s go through this together, shall we?¡± Artemis, let''s go through this together, shall we? The words reverberated in Artemis'' mind. He wanted to say no but he couldn''t. Even if he did, it probably wouldn''t change anything, either. ¡°Alright.¡± When Bailey had washed up and returned to the bedroom, she began searching for her phone. ¡°Hubby, have you seen my phone?¡± Artemis was about to leave the bathroom when he suddenly stopped when he heard Bailey call him Hubby. ¡°Bailey, what did you just call me?¡± Bailey grinned, ¡°Hubby. What''s the matter? Am I not supposed to call you that?¡± Artemis walked over and gave her a big hug with a kiss on the lips. Then, he opened the drawer and took out her phone. ¡°My mom called you a few times. She probably wanted to ask about how you''ve been doing. Raiden sent you a message saying the n is all set and asked when you''ll be going back.¡± Bailey had already scrolled through her phone and was updated when Artemis mentioned these. After she read the message sent by Raiden, she quickly replied to him. Sorry, I was too tired yesterday and didn''t check my phone. Don''t worry. His current condition won''t cause any harm to his body. I''ll take care of some things first, then head to Dellmoor to wake him up. Once she finished sending the message, Bailey held Artemis'' arm and pulled him outside. ¡°Take me to meet Master Lynch.¡± Artemis was speechless. Meanwhile, in theboratory. After exchanging pleasantries, Bailey and Henley began to delve into their discussion. Zeke signaled Artemis to meet outside, so they quietly retreated from theb. In the breakroom next door, as soon as Artemis closed the door, Zeke immediately asked, ¡°Are you seriously nning on letting my sister die with you?¡± Chapter 747 Chapter 747 Artemis fell silent, then countered, ¡°Do you think I''d let her do that? If I were, I wouldn''t have put on that actst night.¡± Zeke nodded. ¡°Alright, as long as you''re not going to. If you''re really nning to drag her down with you, don''t me me for turning against you.¡± Artemis agreed. ¡°Tell me your n and what you want me to do. I''ll do my best to cooperate.¡± Artemis never intended to let Bailey die with him. Since Zeke was also unwilling, their interests aligned perfectly. And if they could find a way to resolve this, that would be the best-case scenario. Zeke nced at Artemis andmented, ¡°I know I shouldn''t have separated you two, but Bay has suffered too much over the years. I can''t let my sister die like this. Right now, her mind is made up. If you die, she definitely won''t live alone. So, I suggest erasing her memory. It just so happened I know a renowned hypnotist. Let''s have him hypnotize Bay.¡± Artemis didn''t quite agree with Zeke''s suggestion. He shook his head and replied, ¡°When ites to hypnosis, I''m afraid no one in this world can surpass her. Hypnosis will have no effect on her, so it''s better to switch to memory loss pills instead.¡± ¡°Can you get amnesia pills?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, I can. Tarragon specializes in developing this drug for high-ranking members who want to leave the organization. The drug is very potent and can cause a person to lose all their memories. I can ask them to adjust the dosage appropriately, so it only erases the part of her memory rted to me.¡± Zeke didn''t respond immediately. Then he uttered through gritted his teeth, ¡°Alright, it''s settled then. Artemis, you''re sure you''re okay with this?¡± Artemis'' lips twitched slightly, revealing a bitter smile. ¡°It doesn''t matter. I don''t want her to die. I have no choice.¡± He then got up and walked towards the door. ¡°I''ll order them to prepare the memory loss pill. Let''s carry out the n as soon as possible. I don''t want her to overwork herself and ruin her health.¡± Zeke followed Artemis'' departing figure, sighing silently. Do they not love each other? No, they consider each other more important than their own lives and are willing to die for the other. s, fate is cruel. It seems they are not destined to share a lifetime of happiness together. Zeke thought miserably. Inside theboratory, Bailey squinted her eyes while reading the data report in her hand. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly together. The mixture ofponents in the drug was incrediblyplex, with many toxins she had never even heard of. Developing a drug based on this was nothing short of wild fantasy. ¡°Master Lynch, you''ve been studying it for a few days and made no progress at all?¡± Henley sighed and shook his head. ¡°Don''t say progress. I haven''t even figured out the right approach. I''m not good at dealing with poisons; that''s Maerlus'' specialty. I''ve been thinking... Since your master exhausted all his knowledge and still couldn''t find an antidote, maybe we should stop trying too.¡± Bailey instantly felt all her strength leave her body and slumped onto the chair. After a brief silence, she picked up the report that had fallen on the ground and continued to study it. Bailey, oh, Bailey, haven''t you already made up your mind to end this life with him? Regardless of whether you can find the antidote or not, wherever he goes, you''ll follow. Why are you going through all this trouble still? Bailey thought. ¡°Master Lynch, I understand what you''re saying, but I still don''t want to give up. Please go and rest. I''ll take over theb.¡± ¡°How foolish you are.¡± Henley sighed before walking out of theboratory. Foolish, am I? Bailey couldn''t help but smiled bitterly. Perhaps. Isn''t this world full of men and women searching for love? I''m just one among many others. Bailey heard footsteps from outside the door. A momentter, Cameron burst in. ¡°I just woke up. I can study with you.¡± Bailey gave him a cold stare and opened her palm toward him. ¡°Give me my portrait.¡± Cameron rolled his eyes and replied exasperatedly, ¡°You''re nning to die with Artemis anyway, so why are you still thinking about that painting? Just leave it to me as a memento.¡± Bailey didn''t know how to respond. Back at the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor. Inside the bedroom, Mrs. Fletcher was leaning against the headboard of her bed. Her face was pale, and her lifeless eyes stared at thendscape painting on the wall opposite her. Raiden stood by the bed and said gently, ¡°I''ve already analyzed the situation for you and provided you with Bailey''s number. Whether or not you want to save my father is entirely up to your decision.¡± Mrs. Fletcher suddenly looked up, her fierce gaze directed at Raiden. She spitted out through gritted teeth, ¡°What makes you think Bailey can save your father?¡± Raiden merely nodded. ¡°Because she is the world''s best hypnotist, Ethereal.¡± ¡°What? She''s Ethereal?¡± Mrs. Fletcher''s expression showed a hint of surprise. However, in the blink of an eye, it was quickly reced by a raging fury. ¡°You really go all out to make me bow down to that woman, huh? Why should I believe you?¡± Raiden gave her a sideways nce and casually replied, ¡°Whether you believe it or not is up to you. If you don''t, you''ll have to watch my father spend the rest of his life in aa.¡± He then turned around and walked towards the door. Tamara watched Raiden''s indifferent figure and suddenly became anxious. ¡°Fine, I believe you. Are you happy now? Aren''t you on good terms with Bailey? Why do you need me to ask her for help? Just give her a call and ask her toe over. Why do I have to beg her? I am your mother. Can''t you at least leave some dignity for me?¡± Raiden continued walking and said, ¡°The reason she came to Dellmoor previously was to save Father. Since you''ve driven her away, it''s only natural that you should personally go and invite her back. I don''t n to interfere, so you''d better handle it yourself.¡± Tamara was at a loss for words. Tamara stared at the note on the quilt, her teeth grinding loudly. Do I really need to ask her for her forgiveness? I had called her a good-for-nothing before, and now I have to beg her? It''s like pping myself! Tamara thought begrudgingly. ¡°Bailey... How I wish I can tear you into pieces.¡± Meanwhile, in the guest room. Ynda managed to avoid imprisonment by unting her status as the daughter of a prestigious hypnotist family. Instead, she was merely confined to her room by the Fletcher family. The door opened, and a housekeeper walked in with a tray. ¡°Ms. Gibson, dinner is ready.¡± As the housekeeper set the tableware, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°I overheard the conversation between Mrs. Fletcher and Mr. Fletcher. Bailey is actually Ethereal, and Mr. Fletcher seems to know something will happen. That''s why he appeared so calm, even forcing Mrs. Fletcher to beg Bailey for help.¡± Ynda was not unsensible. After hearing the housekeeper''s report, she immediately realized what it meant. ¡°No wonder. I haven''t even performed my hypnosis yet, so how could that old man be a vegetative person? It turns out Bailey was behind this. She made me lose the trust of the Fletcher family, so she could take my ce and steal my spotlight. I must get rid of her.¡± Meanwhile, in the Hoffman residence. Juliana was feeding Huntley soup in the bedroom when suddenly, blood welled up in her stomach. She couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of fresh blood. Chapter 748 Chapter 748 Huntley struggled to sit up. Juliana, seeing the situation, quickly reached out and pressed down on his shoulder. ¡°Don''t move around. Don''t cause any further harm to your limbs.¡± Huntley looked at her anxiously and urgently asked, ¡°What happened? Why did you suddenly start coughing up blood?¡± Juliana shook her head, wiping away the bloodstains from the corner of her mouth, and said, ¡°I don''t know. It''s probably due to recent excessive exertion. It''s nothing serious, so you don''t need to worry. Drink the soup while it''s still hot. The doctor said you need to replenish your nutrients.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. A hint of hesitation flickered in Huntley''s eyes as he noticed her evasive gaze. He asked in a deep voice, ¡°What''s really going on with you? Don''t hide it from me. After all we''ve been through, is there anything we can''t be honest about?¡± Juliana fell silent. After a while, she slowly reached out and touched her own wrist. Over the past few years, she had learned quite a bit of medical knowledge from Bailey. Although she wasn''t proficient, she still had a basic understanding of taking a pulse. ¡°I might have been poisoned, and it''s the kind of poison that ordinary people can''t cure,¡± Juliana admitted. Huntley''s face darkened, and his emotions started to escte again. ¡°So you...¡± Juliana quickly reassured him. ¡°Don''t worry, I won''t die anytime soon. I suspect they are trying to lure my master to Moranta. They intend to target my master, not me. So, for now, I am still safe.¡± Huntley pressed his lips together, a trace of frustration crossing his eyes. At this critical moment of danger, he feltpletely helpless, unable to move or contribute in any way. He could only lie in bed like a useless person, unable to assist in the slightest. Not only that, but he also had to distract her with his care, and in all his years of living, he had never felt as helpless as he did now. ¡°Juliana, I''m sorry. I''ve been a burden to you. If it weren''t for me, you could have found a way to escape the family and reunite with your master. You wouldn''t be trapped in this dangerous situation, facing enemies from all sides,¡± Huntley said with remorse. Juliana''s face darkened, and a sh of anger flickered in her eyes. She suddenly stood up from the ground, towering over him, and stared at him with tears in her eyes. Choking on her words, she said, ¡°Huntley, all the hardships we''ve endured together these days would have been pointless if you keep saying things like that. If you say it again, I''ll give this life back to you.¡± As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks, streaming from the corners of her eyes. Huntley attempted to reach out and hold her, but as soon as he made a slight movement with his arm, intense pain shot through his wrist, forcing him to give up. ¡°Stop crying. Let''s focus on the matter at hand. Since they''re targeting your master, should you contact her toe and detoxify you?¡± Juliana shook her head. ¡°Life and death are determined by fate, and my master is currently very busy. Let''s not bother her. However, I have a feeling that even if I don''t say anything, someone will inform her about my poisoning. So, let''s not dwell on it and leave it to fate.¡± Huntley nodded and urged her, ¡°Then go back and rest quickly. Don''t worry about taking care of me anymore. I have housekeepers here to attend to my needs. You don''t need to personally handle everything.¡± Juliana wiped her tears haphazardly and squatted back down to feed him the soup once again. ¡°As long as you don''t provoke me with words like ''useless'' or ''burden,'' I''ll be fine. Because when emotions re up, the toxins spread faster. You wouldn''t want to unintentionally aggravate me to death, would you?¡± Huntley couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Alright, I won''t say it anymore. I promise not to provoke you and make you angry.¡± Juliana looked at his smiling face and couldn''t help but let a gentle smile grace her own lips as well. She felt good to be by the side of a man who loved her dearly in this lifetime. Although her heart was not currently with him, there was still a long half of a lifetime ahead of them. She had plenty of time to let him find a ce in her heart. At Tarragon Headquarters, in theboratory, Cameron mmed his hand fiercely on the table, abruptly springing up from his chair. ¡°What''s the point of discussing? Our predecessors couldn''t figure it out even if they spent their entire lives researching. Unraveling it in a few days is simply impossible!¡± Bailey red at him fiercely and pointed toward the door, her voice chillingly sharp. ¡°If you find it bothersome, then get out. Don''t stay here and get in my way. No one asked you to apany me in this endeavor.¡± Cameron leaned in, bringing his face closer to hers, and stared at her for a moment. Gritting his teeth, he said, ¡°Woman, you don''t even know chalk from cheese. I''ve helped you so much, and instead of gratitude, all I get is your disdain.¡± Bailey ignored himpletely and focused on tinkering with the sample of toxin in her hand. Cameron touched his nose, seemingly struck by an idea, and his eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°Bailey, what are your thoughts on countering the poison with another toxin? Your disciple had this crazy idea of using cancer to counteract cancer. Why not take inspiration from her and give it a try? After all, desperate times call for desperate measures. Surviving would be her fortune, and if not, it''s her fate.¡± Bailey grabbed a nearby ss of water and sshed it on his face, then asked with a sinister tone, ¡°Have you ever seen a toxin as deadly as Soul Reaper? Countering poison with another toxin? Let me tell you, someone who has been poisoned by Soul Reaper is immune to any other toxins.¡± Cameron snorted. ¡°If one doesn''t work, try ten. If ten doesn''t work, try a hundred. Mix them together and inject them into her body. Perhaps there''s onebination that can eradicate Soul Reaper from her bloodstream, and then we can deal with the other toxins. This method is so perfect. Are you sure you don''t want to give it a try?¡± Bailey hurled the ss that she hadn''t let go of yet toward Cameron. ¡°Get out!¡± Just as she finished shouting, Zeke walked in from outside. Bailey nced at Zeke and furrowed her brow, noticing that he was alone. ¡°Where''s Artemis? You guys went out together, but you came back alone. Did you lose him?¡± Zeke couldn''t help but rub his forehead and let out a sigh. ¡°When Artemis isn''t around, I might have a chance to catch your attention. But when he is around, I be invisible.¡± Bailey let out a cold snort. ¡°Of course. He is the precious one in my heart. At best, you are just my brother.¡± Zeke cleared his throat,posed himself, and spoke earnestly, ¡°Speaking of which, I received a message from Moranta. Sofie poisoned Juliana, and while it''s not impossible to cure, only you have the ability to do so.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but scoff, showing no surprise at the news. They believed they had control over Artemis and Holden, and with Micah''s ambition dampened by Shannon''s influence, they considered him no longer a threat worth worrying about. Setting aside those individuals, the only nuisance left is me. Naturally, they would try every possible means to involve me, aiming to ensure that I have no way to escape. ¡°Even if they didn''t poison Juliana, I was nning to deal with them anyway. Their actions are simply unnecessary at this point,¡± Bailey remarked. Upon hearing that, Zeke tried to confirm, ¡°Are you suggesting that we pay a visit to the Hoffman family?¡± Bailey remained silent for a moment, gritting her teeth. ¡°Let''s wait a little longer. I''ll see if I can find a way to detoxify. We''ll give it a week. If we can''t find a solution, I''ll apany you to the Hoffman family and confront Sofie. After that, we''ll return to Hallsbay and resolve the matter concerning the children. Zeke, I entrust them to you for the future. I have made up my mind and am determined to stand by Artemis,e what may.¡± Zeke turned his face slightly away and said, ¡°Let''s discuss it when that momentes.¡± Cameron coldly snorted from the side and said, ¡°Since we''ve already decided to risk our lives, why not try my method? We''ll go all out and leave no stone unturned.¡± Chapter 749 Chapter 749 Zeke tilted his head and stared. ¡°What is this method you''re talking about, Mr. Yablon?¡± Cameron raised his brows and said, ¡°Counteract the poison with the toxin. If I were to introduce a hundred different poisons into Artemis'' body, I believe we can eliminate the Soul Reaper.¡± The corners of Zeke''s mouth twitched slightly. No wonder Bay looked so upset. This idea is terrible. ¡°Mr. Yablon, you''d better watch what you say. My sister''s capable of anything. It wouldn''t be good if you were stripped naked and left hanging from a beam outside one day.¡± Cameron was speechless. ... At the training ground. Shannon heard the sound of whipsshing against flesh when she passed by the training ground. She slowed her pace and looked toward the source of the sound. A girl about six or seven years old was lying on the ground, clinging tightly to a sculpture beside her and refusing to let go. An instructor desperately pulled her arm while another continuously whipped her body. Scenes like that were seen every day in Tarragon. After all, it was thew of the jungle that only the fittest would survive. Shannon grew up there, so she knew too well just how ruthless the ce could be. Sympathy andpassion didn''t exist in this ce. To survive, one could only rely on themselves, leaving a trail of bloodied footprints with each step. That girl shouldn''t have caught her attention, but Shannon stopped anyway. She was reminded of her past self when she saw the resilience and endurance emanating from the girl. Even as the whipshed mercilessly upon her body, the girl remained silent, bearing the pain with clenched teeth. She endured all the hardships and suffering that fate had bestowed on her without uttering a single word. How simr is this to how I once was? She unexpectedly found her reflection in this little girl, hence why she was drawn to the sight. She watched as the instructor swung the whip to strike the back of the girl''s head. The force was so great that Shannon could faintly hear the sound of the whip cutting through the air. If things went on like this, the girl would undoubtedly die. ¡°Stop,¡± Shannon shouted instinctually, sessfully halting the instructor''s actions. He turned his head to look at her. After a few seconds of silence, he nodded and asked, ¡°Ms. Shannon, do you have any suggestions?¡± Shannon made her way into the fighting ring and slowly crouched down beside the girl. She noticed the girl''s eye was covered with bloodstained gauze. ¡°What happened here?¡± The instructor hesitated and seemed unwilling to speak. However, Shannon was the vice president''s sister and the president''s girlfriend, so he couldn''t afford to offend her. He mustered his courage and responded, ¡°She injured her eye during a fight and has lost the qualifications to be a special agent. We nned to send her to Intel Ind to fend for herself, but she refused toply. We had no choice but to resort to forceful measures.¡± Shannon reached out and touched the girl''s head, asking, ¡°Why did youe to Tarragon? You''re so young. How could your parents bear to let youe here?¡± The young girl slowly lifted her drooping head, meeting Shannon''s gaze. Only then did Shannon see the girl''s eyes. They were clear and pure, without any hatred or hostility. All that was present was a longing for life. Even when faced with such cruel torture, there was no fear or cowardice in her eyes. Her unwavering determination left Shannon feeling deeply unsettled. ¡°I don''t have parents. I came to Tarragon to survive. No, it''s not just about survival ¡ª I also want to be someone extraordinary. But it seems like fate has yed a joke on me. It took away my eyes, depriving me of the qualifications to be strong. I don''t want to go to Intel Ind. I don''t want to die alone. If I can''t be strong, I''d rather die.¡± Shannon smiled gently, her gaze falling on her own left arm. ¡°Look, I lost an arm, but I''m still living strong. Our physical ws aren''t an excuse to run away. Although you lost an eye, you still have the other one. You''re much more fortunatepared to those who are blind.¡± The little girl lowered her head. ¡°But I can''t stay in Tarragon any longer. Once I''m thrown onto Intel Ind, given my age, I definitely wouldn''t survive. I''d rather die and preserve my dignity than be abused by them,¡± she said. A smile gleamed in Shannon''s eyes. It had been such a long time since she had felt this happy. I''ve been wanting to raise a daughter to keep mepany in my old age, so she''ll do. ¡°Would you like toe with me? I''ll take you to travel the world and broaden your horizons. All the techniques they know, I know too. I can teach you when the timees.¡± She slowly stood up and extended her right hand to the girl. The little girl''s eyes glimmered with hope, her strong desire to survive stimting her. She slowly extended her arm to grab Shannon''s hand, then she painstakingly stood up. Upon seeing the situation, the instructor''s face immediately turned grim. ¡°Ms. Shannon, the organization has decreed that those with physical disabilities must be sent to Intel Ind. Please don''t make things difficult for us.¡± Shannon held the little girl protectively with one arm as she stared at the two instructors. ¡°I''ve decided to take this child with me. If you''re not happy, go ahead and kill me.¡± The instructors were at a loss. ¡°Since you like her, go ahead and take her home.¡± A deep, resonant voice sounded from a distance. Micah, apanied by a few instructors, was walking in their direction. Upon seeing the situation, the two instructors who were blocking Shannon quickly stepped aside, not daring to make any more baseless remarks. Micah walked up to Shannon, looked down at the little girl in her arms, and said with a chuckle, ¡°She''s a strong youngdy, much like you are. If you like her, it''d be nice to adopt her as your foster daughter.¡± Shannon ignored him and slowly crouched down before the girl. N?velDrama.Org content. ¡°Come on, I''ll carry you,¡± she offered. The little girl shook her head. ¡°I can still walk.¡± Shannon looked at the whip marks on the girl''s calves. The skin was torn, and the flesh was exposed. If she walked, it would undoubtedly injure her tendons and veins. ¡°You''ve already lost an eye. You don''t want to lose a leg as well, do you? Come on. I''ll carry you.¡± The little girl nced timidly at Micah, scared. In the past, at the training ground, she could only catch a glimpse of him from afar and felt that he was out of reach. She never thought that Micah, who stood on such a high pedestal and overlooked the masses, would have such tender moments. The way he spoke to Shannon was filled with indulgence and affection. Only someone with love in their heart could be like that. ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry and get on!¡± Shannon urged. The little girl hesitated before she climbed onto Shannon''s back. ¡°Hold my neck tight,¡± Shannon whispered. Then, with one hand supporting the girl''s bottom, she hoisted the girl onto her back. Micah didn''t try to stop her, nor did he follow her. He stood in ce, quietly watching her retreating figure. The corner of his lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. Shannon, have you emerged from hell? ... The next day, Artemis received the memory loss pill from Tarragon''s doctor. Inside the study, Zeke looked at the bottle in front of him. ¡°Are you sure you want to do this?¡± he asked. Artemis nodded. ¡°We''ll administer the drug tonight. Then you take her away and go to the Hoffman residence to save Juliana. I''ll help you remove any obstacles in secret.¡± Chapter 750 Chapter 750 Zeke still felt somewhat hesitant. ¡°How about waiting a few more days? She''s been working hard to find the antidote. Who knows, she might find it. It would be best if you had faith in her. If she can''t find it, we can give her the memory loss pill.¡± Artemis waved his hand casually and said, ¡°There is no cure for the Grim Reaper. This is the conclusion reached by many predecessors who have spent their entire lives researching for a remedy. Now that she only has about ten days left, I don''t want her to bear such immense pressure. Knowing that there is no solution, why force it?¡± Zeke sighed softly, ¡°All right, since you''ve decided, I won''t say much more. After all, it was me who suggested erasing her memory.¡± ¡°If I were to advise you not to go through with it, it would be quite hypocritical of me. I don''t want to see my younger sister follow you, as she is still young.¡± Artemis nodded and said, ¡°I understand. I never thought about asking her to live and die with me. I can''t let I burden her. In that case, then...¡± At this point, his gaze fell on the porcin bottle in his hand. After silence, he added, ¡°Let''s give her the freedom she deserves. She''s still young, with a promising future ahead. Without her memories and the moments we shared, she can probably start a new life.¡± ¡°So, should you add the medicine, or should I?¡± Artemis curved his lips into a smile and said, ¡°Let me do it. It''s been a long time since I cooked for her. Tonight, I''ll cook onest meal for her. You go and arrange our departure. Wait for my message.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Zeke slowly stood up and strolled toward the door. After taking a few steps, it seemed like something came to mind, and they suddenly stopped in their tracks. ¡°Right. Should we inform the Luther family about your situation?¡± Artemis hesitated momentarily, saying, ¡°I''ll contact Simon and ask him toe to Tarragon Headquarters. There are some matters I need to rify. Otherwise, the Luther family will be in chaos after I leave.¡± ¡°All right, as long as you have a n, Artemis. I hope we''ll meet again in the future.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but let out a bitterugh. If there was a chance to meet again, why would they choose this path of no return? The so-called miracle was nothing more than self-deception and fooling others. Throughout history, not everyone who had the Soul Reaper survived. The wheels of fate had reached their end, and there was no turning back. Why struggle against the inevitable? ¡°Take good care of Bailey. Edmund, Raiden, and Cameron are all-powerful in the international arena. Entrusting her to any of them would put my mind at ease.¡± ... ... At Holden''s residence... Inside the bedroom... Bailey examined the eyes of the young girl whom Shannon had saved. The bandage was unwrapped, revealing a messy mass of blood and flesh inside. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± She appeared to be about the same size as Susan, just at the age when she should be nestled in her parents'' arms, acting spoiled and pampered. Yet, she had to endure such suffering. If it weren''t for Shannon''s intervention, I would probably have been sent to Intel Ind to fend for myself by now. She was starting to miss her daughter. She wondered if she could see her children again in the years she had left to live. Also, she wondered if they would resent her when they found out she had left them behind to follow their father. ¡°Bailey, how''s the situation? Can her eyes still be cured?¡± The sound of Shannon''s voice echoed in Bailey''s ears, pulling back his wandering thoughts. The little girl looked up at her, her eyes filled with a bright light. ¡°Mrs. Luther, can my eyes still be treated?¡± Bailey smiled and gently rubbed her head, reassuring her warmly, ¡°All you need is a new cornea and lens. It''s not a big issue. This isn''t a congenital disability, and it can be treated.¡± She added, ¡°However, I''ve been too busy these past few days and don''t have the time. First, let Tarragon''s doctor perform surgery on you to remove your damaged eyeball and cornea. After you''ve recovered, we''ll perform the transnt surgery to restore your vision to its original state.¡± Bailey''s words were meant tofort her. Once something was damaged, it remained destroyed. Even a broken porcin bottle, let alone the human body, could not be restored to its original state. She could make her other eye appear no different from an ordinary person''s, but its vision might be impossible to restore. Shannon knew Bailey all too well. Seeing the tenderness in her eyes, he could roughly understand what she meant. ¡°Bay, I appreciate your help. Just do your best. No matter the oue, I''ll face it with her.¡± Bailey waved his hand and said, ¡°No need to be polite with me. She will recoverpletely. I believe the heavens will favor your daughter.¡± After saying that, she slowly squatted by the bed, smiling at the little girl, and softly said, ¡°From now on, you can consider Shannon, your mother. I believe she will be a good elder for you.¡± Then, she continued, ¡°Your mother has endured so much hardship, and her spirit has been crushed. I hope you can bring her happiness and peace in theing years, allowing her to live afortable life.¡± The little girl nced at Bailey, then looked at the elegant and smiling Shannon standing by the bed and obediently nodded. ¡°From now on, she will be my mother, and I willpletely forget everything from the past. Together with Mommy, we will start a new life.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Good.¡± Bailey reached out and pinched her cheek, smiling. ¡°I have a daughter, too, about your age. When possible, I''ll have your mom take you to Hallsbay. I believe you two will be good friends.¡± The little girl reached out and gently held her hand, hesitatingly saying, ¡°I don''t have a name, ma''am. Could you please give me a new one?¡± Bailey instinctively looked at Shannon. Seeing her nod in agreement, she couldn''t help but smile and say, ¡°All right, let me think. How about Dawn Lewitt? It means full of vitality and hope. May it also brings a brand new beginning to your life.¡± Actually, she wanted to name her Dawn Neyman. She always felt that Micah and Shannon still had a future together. There was no real hatred between them, just indirect harm caused to each other. There was no need for them to hold a grudge for a lifetime. Dawn might have to change herst name if they ever got back together. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther. I like this name. I''m sure you and my mom have more to discuss, so I''ll go back to sleep and not disturb you two.¡± Dawn was a well-behaved and sensible girl with a delicate and intricate mind. She was an angel who had mistakenly entered the mortal realm, which was why they experienced so much suffering. ¡°All right, you should get some sleep. I''lle to visit you another day.¡± After the two left the room, Shannon tentatively asked, ¡°Bailey, do you feel like experiencing hardships together with him? Max, Zayron, and Susan are still young. Can you bear to leave them alone?¡± Bailey chuckled softly and said, ¡°Even if I continue to apany them, it won''t be for many more years. Once children grow up, they have their world. I can''t be with them for their entire lives. Sooner or later, I have to let go. A few years earlier doesn''t matter.¡± Shannon embraced her tearfully, saying, ¡°This is your choice, and no one else can interfere. Bailey, I hope that we still have the fate to be good friends in our next life.¡± ¡°Ah, we look forward to meeting again in the next life.¡± ... At dusk... Bailey returned to the headquarters. The aroma wafted from the small kitchen, and she instinctively strolled over. Chapter 751 Chapter 751 From afar, Bailey saw a tall, slender figure reflected in the ss window. After standing up in ce, she suddenly started jogging and rushed into the kitchen in one breath. She hugged him from behind and buried her face in his back. ¡°Artemis, I''m so grateful that I could perceive everything and seize the opportunity to stay with you. It''s strange. As death approaches, I''m not afraid at all. Perhaps this is love. It gives people infinite courage.¡± Artemis''s body stiffened, and a hint of guilt shed in his eyes. Ultimately, he let her down, and even yed her at thest moment, cutting off all her thoughts and hopes. ¡°Let''s not say anything and not think about anything. Let''s quietly stay by each other''s side, waiting together for the moment the Grim Reaperes to im our lives.¡± Bailey curled his lips into a smile and said, ¡°Wow, what did you cook? It smells so delicious.¡± Artemis turned down the stove a little, then turned around and hugged her, smiling. ¡°It''s wild game meat. They hunted it in the mountains. Later, make sure you drink more of the soup.¡± Bailey reached up to wrap her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and tilted her head back to shower his thin lips with kisses. Artemis held her waist with one hand, securing her in his embrace while using the other to hold the back of her head and kiss her. A momentter, Bailey, panting, leaned close to his ear and whispered, ¡°Artemis, how about doing it in the kitchen?¡± After saying that, she began to take action. Artemis pursed his lips and said with a grin, ¡°Stop messing around. We can go to...¡± ¡°This ce is quite nice, and I want it here. Artemis, can you satisfy me here? Can you?¡± She rarely acted coquettishly, and seldom behaved unreasonably. Now, all she wanted was to break free from all the constraints and live a little more recklessly without leaving any regrets. With that thought, she reached out and swept away the bottles and jars on the stove. ¡°Would you please fulfill this wish of mine? Please, is that okay?¡± Artemis was so wrapped up in her that he was entranced. How could he possibly object? ¡°All right...¡± After half an hour, Bailey walked to the dining table with weak and wobbly legs andzily slumped down on the chair, looking exhausted. Her body really couldn''t stand the heat anymore. In just half an hour, it was bing hard to bear. Luckily, he restrained himself. Otherwise, she would have fainted in the kitchen. Artemis walked out carrying a tray, and his clothes were neat. Who would have known he was entwined with her in a passionate embrace just five minutes ago, unwilling to let go? ¡°Here, drink the soup. I''ll go make you a couple of small dishes.¡± As Bailey took the soup bowl from his hands, she watched his retreating figure with a deep, hidden light swirling in her beautiful eyes. Artemis... Were you really going to do this? A hint of hesitation flickered in her eyes after staring at the soup bowl before her momentarily. In the end, all her hesitations turned into hopelessness. She slowly raised her head and drained the bowl of soup in one gulp. Hopefully, she was just overthinking it. It was not a big deal to don''t a little of it. Artemis had be an indelible part of her existence within the depths of her being, seamlessly blending their souls and intertwining their very essence. With unwavering conviction, she didn''t think she could ever purge him from her world A few minutester, Artemis came out carrying two tes of dishes. Seeing her obediently finish the soup, he couldn''t help butugh and say, ¡°There''s more in the kitchen. Do you want me to get you another bowl?¡± Bailey raised her head andughed, ¡°Bring a bowl and drink with me.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Outside the door... Zeke stood before the steps, squinting at the heartwarming scene inside, and his eyes gradually became moist. He slowly raised his head, gazing at the gloomy sky. His heart filled with pain. Was this their destiny? Since there was never any intention to let them be together from the start, why did they fall so deeply in love during the process? Now that they couldn''t be separated from each other, how could they have a future with such a disaster befalling them? A single tear rolled down his cheek as his body shivered slightly in the cold wind. Bay, don''t me me. I can''t bear to see you leave, and I''m sure your child and parents feel the same way. I know Artemis is your only concern. He is your life, or perhaps even more important than your life. But there are too many people in this world who care about you. To avoid breaking their hearts, I can only use such means to keep you here. Don''t me me. Inside the restaurant... After having their fill of food and wine, Bailey leaned back in their chair contentedly, gazing tenderly at the man who was in the kitchen, washing the dishes. In her life, she actually had no regrets. Even if she were to die the next moment, she wouldn''t have a single word of comint. Artemis left the kitchen and said gently, ¡°You''ve been tired all day. Let''s go back and rest. We can talk about anything else tomorrow.¡± Bailey reached out his hand to him and said, ¡°Hug me.¡± Naturally, Artemis wouldn''t refuse. He picked her up and walked toward the door. Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. After walking together in the snowy wind for a while, she finally spoke, ¡°You must have put a memory- loss drug in that soup, right?¡± Artemis''s emotions did not change in the slightest. He knew all too well that if he showed any change in emotion, she would see right through him. As long as he didn''t admit it, she couldn''t do anything. She had been doubting him ever since the arrival of Tarragon. She must be constantly wondering when he would give her the memory loss pill. ¡°Would you believe me if I said I didn''t? And would you believe me if I said it did? Bailey, let''s cherish the present moment and have less suspicion, shall we?¡± Bailey chuckled softly. ¡°All right, I won''t be suspicious anymore. Whatever it is, it is. Honestly, using a memory loss pill might not necessarily erase my memory. If you don''t believe me, let''s make a bet.¡± Artemis chuckled lightly and said, ¡°There''s no need to bother with such a boring bet. Just go back to your room and get a good night''s sleep. Don''t overthink it, all right?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± As they approached the Luther residence entrance, Bailey spoke again, ¡°Artemis, you only have this life for your chance. I''ve promised Edmund the rest of my life, so even if we be a pair of desperate lovers, you must hold on to me tightly. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bailey felt her head getting heavier, and her vision began to blur. Who was she? How could a renowned doctor like her not notice the unusual changes in her body? It seemed he still gave her the memory loss pill. When she woke up again, she would probably havepletely forgotten him. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Artemis, let''s meet again in our next life.¡± As thest word faded away, she slowly closed her eyes. Artemis suddenly stopped in his tracks, lowering his head to gaze at the delicate face in his arms. Aplex expression appeared on his handsome face, which seemed like a smile, yet not quite. His emotions were unfathomable. It hurt so much. He had heart-wrenching pain as if his heart was being gouged out from within his body. He gazed at her facial features with an almost insatiable longing, as if wanting to etch her into every cell of his body. He knew after tonight''s farewell, they would be parting ways forever. ¡°Hand her to me. It''s time for us to go.¡± Zeke''s voice from behind pulled Artemis back from his wandering thoughts. He slowly twisted his stiff neck, turning his head to look at Zeke, and said hoarsely, ¡°Take good care of her.¡± Chapter 752 Chapter 752 On the private ne. Bailey slowly woke up from her deep sleep, gazing dazedly at the cabin above her with a hint of confusion in her eyes. Click! The door opened, and Zeke walked in from outside. ¡°Bay, you''re awake? You''ve been sleeping for a long time these past few days. Are you feeling any difort? Do you need me to call a doctor to check on you?¡± Bailey didn''t speak, slowly closing her eyes. After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes again and tearfully said, ¡°Zeke, tell them not to fly forward. Let''s go back to Tarragon Headquarters. I''ve said it before. I want to be with him even in death.¡± Zeke abruptly stopped in his tracks, looking at her in astonishment and unable to believe what he was hearing. ¡°Bay, y-you haven''t...¡± ¡°I haven''t lost my memory. That deeply engraved love still exists in my mind. Surprised, aren''t you? But it doesn''t matter, as I never lost my memory.¡± Zeke''s legs grew weak, and he stumbled as he sat down by the bed. His voice was hoarse as he said, ¡°How is this possible? Artemis clearly drugged you with the memory loss pill in the chicken soup. How...¡± At this point, he narrowed his eyes slightly, stayed silent for a moment, and continued, ¡°You knew in advance that Artemis would use the memory loss pill on you, so you prepared for it?¡± Bailey smiled bitterly, shaking her head. ¡°Yes, I did anticipate that he would use the memory loss pill on me, but I didn''t make any preparations because I still had a glimmer of trust in him. I believed that he would be willing to face life and death with me. But I never expected that he would ultimately drug me and trample upon the love between us. Zeke, I''m truly heartbroken.¡± As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and fell onto the pillow, wetting arge area. Zeke rubbed his forehead, trying to console her. ¡°The one who drugged you with the memory loss pill and made you forget the past was not him, but me. It was my suggestion to him because I couldn''t bear to see you die like that. If you want to me someone, me me. Don''t push the responsibility onto him.¡± Bailey looked at him through teary eyes and cried, ¡°Zeke, it''s time for you to give up. I think you should abandon the idea of making me lose my memory.¡± She continued, ¡°I can''t forget him. That man has already be a part of my flesh and soul. Neither the memory loss pill nor hypnosis can remove him from my life. When I woke up from unconsciousness, I thought I would forget him, but I found myself in a strange world. There was vastness behind me. But the truth told me that even the memory loss pill can''t expel him from my world. This is the love I''m willing to risk my life to protect because it''s him. I''m willing to do it. Don''t force me anymore. Even if you take me away today, if I can''t see him for half a month, I will find a ce to die alone. Can you bear to see me end up like that? Since both choices lead to death, can''t you fulfill me this one wish and let us spend ourst moments together? If we''re separated in different ces, even in death, our souls won''t be able to be together. Zeke, are you really that cruel to me?¡± Zeke closed his eyes heavily, tears streaming down his face. ¡°Fine, fine. Originally, I felt sorry for you and wanted to keep you by my side. But in the end, I became the one who separated you two and the culprit behind it all. This guilt is too great, and I can''t bear it. Since you insist on going back, I won''t stop you. Rest for a while, and I''ll go and instruct the pilot to turn back.¡± Bailey didn''t say anything, staring nkly at the cabin above her. After Zeke left, she hugged the pillow and burst into tears. She knew that she had many responsibilities to fulfill in this world¡ªher parents, her children, and her loved ones were all her ties to the world. However, Artemis was her destiny and her heart. How could one live when their heart died? The memory loss pill had no effect on her. When she opened her eyes, her mind was still filled with thoughts of him, proving that the man had already upied her entire life. Removing him from her existence would require crushing her bones and turning her to ashes. Every pore and every cell of hers carried his mark, and she couldn''t be reformatted. Every inch of his warmth was deeply imprinted on her heart. Tarragon Headquarters. Inside the main bedroom. Artemis stood by the floor-to-ceiling window as intense coughing sounds echoed throughout the room. After Bailey left, his world copsedpletely, and he lost all will to live. In just a few hours, he had be weak and pale, looking like he could perish at any moment. N?velDrama.Org content. Ring! His phone, ced on the windowsill, began to ring. He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Holden. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± ¡°Leader, Mr. Zeke''s private ne has turned back again. Shall we allow him tond?¡± Artemis''s heart sank suddenly. If they were forced to turn back, did that mean something happened to Bailey? Her body was already weak, and the memory loss pill was too much for her to bear. Could it be that while erasing her memories, it also dealt a fatal blow to her body? ¡°Let himnd.¡± After speaking, he immediately hung up the call, grabbed the coat from the coat rack, put it on, and strode out of the bedroom. At the airport. The private ne descended slowly, the cabin door opened, and Zeke carried Bailey out from the aircraft. Artemis quickly approached. Seeing Bailey''s pale face and tightly closed eyes as she nestled in Zeke''s embrace, he became extremely anxious. ¡°What happened to her? Did the memory loss pill cause side effects on her?¡± Zeke sighed silently and walked past him, heading toward theboratory. Lu Ye Bai''s eyes darted around as his mind raced with countless thoughts shing through his mind in an instant. In the end, he followed along without a word. Although he had a guess in his heart, he still found it somewhat hard to believe. Did she not lose her memories even after taking the memory loss pill? Did she make preparations in advance, or did she love him too deeply? Was the pill ineffective on her? The group arrived at theboratory, and Zeke looked down at Bailey in his arms. ¡°We''re here.¡± Bailey slowly opened her eyes and said tearfully, ¡°Let me down. I''ll go in and study the antidote. You should rest for a while. You''ve been restless all night.¡± Zeke set her down. Throughout the entire time, Bailey never gave Artemis a proper nce and walked weakly toward theboratory. Zeke sighed silently and looked at Artemis, who was motionless. He couldn''t help but reach out and pat his shoulder. ¡°ept your fate. This is probably the result that the heavens have arranged for you. We didn''t want her to die, but she''s determined to court death.¡± Artemis said in a low voice, ¡°I clearly administered the pill, and she clearly drank the soup. How is it that nothing happened? Did she anticipate it in advance and n ordingly?¡± Zeke shook his head. ¡°No, she didn''t. She didn''t take any measures. It''s simply because she loves you too much to the extent that even the memory loss pill couldn''t remove her from your life. Let''s stop torturing ourselves. The memory loss pill didn''t work, and hypnosis won''t work either. Let''s leave it to fate.¡± As he spoke, his gaze suddenly became sympathetic. Chapter 753 Chapter 753 Indeed, he should sympathize with Artemis. Having known Bailey for several months, Zeke had never seen her so angry before, and it was somewhat unsettling. ¡°Artemis, take care of yourself,¡± he said and walked toward his residence. ¡°I''ve been busy all night, and I''m tired. I''ll rest for a while. I leave her to you.¡± Artemis rubbed his forehead with his hand. He didn''t expect her love for him to run so deep. It was deep enough that even Tarragon''s specially formted memory loss pill couldn''t remove him from her life. He didn''t know whether to rejoice orment. Dying was not a pleasant part of life, and he really didn''t want to drag her along. After standing still for a few minutes, he slowly walked up the stairs. He made his way to herboratory, where he watched her busily working through therge floor-to-ceiling window. His vision gradually blurred. She wasn''t angry, nor did she lose her temper. In fact, she was calm and still. She was as cold as a dead pool of water, incapable of making any ripple. Cough, cough. He coughed violently a few times, feeling a bit weak. Then, he sat down on a chair in the corridor. He hadn''t slept all night, and his body was already frail. Half reclining against the back of the chair, he soon fell asleep. Just as he fell asleep, Bailey walked out of theboratory. Seeing his pale handsome face, she felt a pain as if a knife had cut through her heart. She didn''t hate him because she knew he wanted to save her life. But she resented him. Wasn''t it better to live and die together? Did she have to be excluded? Of course, that wasn''t the most important thing. The important thing was that he didn''t trust her and didn''t believe that she could develop an antidote. So what if it was Soul Reaper? She still found the method and thought of a way to break the form. Yes, she found a way to break them. Although it was dangerous, it was worth a try. Not trying meant certain death, while trying still had a fifty percent chance of survival. How should she choose? Of course, she chose to give it a try. She reached out and took off her coat, covering him with it, then walked away from theboratory. At Holden''s residence. Bailey pulled Cameron out from under the covers. ¡°Hold on, I have a few questions for you.¡± Cameron really wanted to punch her. In fact, his fist was already in front of her, but he managed to hold back. ¡°Fine, you''re a girl, so I won''t argue with you. Even though I''ve been through a night of trouble with you guys, I won''t be angry. What''s your question?¡± Bailey sat on the edge of the bed, thought for a moment, and asked, ¡°First question, does the toxin of Soul Reaper concentrate in the blood?¡± Cameron rolled his eyes. ¡°What kind of crappy question is that?¡± Receiving Bailey''s sharp gaze, he quickly changed his tone. ¡°Yes, it does. It''s concentrated in the blood. As the human blood vessels are spread throughout the body, the toxin has permeated every part of the body, which is the difficult part. Once it erupts, it''s like a gusher.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°I understand. Next question, if I can neutralize two-thirds of the Soul Reaper''s toxicity, can you clean up the remaining one-third?¡± All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. As soon as Cameron heard this, he jumped up from the bed. ¡°What did you say? You can neutralize two-thirds of the toxicity?¡± Bailey nced at him and said, ¡°I''m asking you.¡± Cameron hesitated. He wasn''t sure if he could detoxify, even if it was just one-third remaining to do so. ¡°Well, there is a method,¡± Cameron said. ¡°It''s the one I mentioned to you before by using toxin to counteract toxin. If you can neutralize two- thirds of the toxicity, the remaining one-third might be able to be eliminated through the method of using toxin to counteract toxin. As for an antidote, that''s impossible. If we could research an antidote, would we still need to go through this painful process?¡± Bailey thought for a moment and found his reasoning reasonable. ¡°Rest up quickly. Once you''re rested, start researching the toxin to use to counteract it. I want the most reliable and effective one.¡± After saying that, she got up and walked toward the door. Cameron reached out to stop her. ¡°Hey, don''t go yet. You haven''t told me how you n to neutralize the two-thirds toxicity.¡± Bailey waved her hand and said as she walked, ¡°You''ll find out when the timees. Why ask so many questions now?¡± She needed to check the books left by her master and see if there were any clues. If this method was confirmed to be feasible, she would execute it immediately. Back in theboratory, Artemis had already woken up and was sitting on the chair with his back against it. When he saw hering in, his gaze fell on her and didn''t leave for a moment. She treated him as if he were air, not even sparing him a nce. As she passed by him, her arm was grabbed, and she was forced to stop. ¡°Bailey, I was wrong,¡± Artemis said with a weak and helpless voice, tinged with a hint of grievance. Bailey''s jaw nearly dropped. Is this... Artemis? Dang, this is really unbearable to watch. Seeing that she had a stern face and remained silent, Artemis fell silent for a moment and continued, ¡°I promise this will be thest time, and there won''t be another time. Please don''t be angry, okay?¡± Bailey slowly pried open his fingers and stared at him coldly. ¡°One second, we were entangled with each other as if our lives depended on it, and the next second, you drugged me to erase my memories. Artemis, you truly are heartless. Let go. I don''t want to talk to you right now. Don''t push me or I''ll get angry.¡± Artemis''s hand fell empty, and he watched her figure walk away with a touch of bitterness crossing his eyes. ¡°Bay, should I go and kneel on the washboard? Or maybe the remote control?¡± His Bay was usually easily appeased. Give her a piece of candy, and she would be happy for half a day. It seemed like she was really angry this time. After Bailey took a few steps, a smile slowly appeared on her lips. She wanted to ignore him, treat him coldly, and make him remember a lesson. Otherwise, if he didn''t learn his lesson, he would repeat it next time. Hmph, let him figure out how to appease me. ... Moranta. Inside a high-end coffee shop in the city. Two girls sat by the window. One of them was Caridee, and the other was her high school ssmate named Astrid Adley. ¡°Caridee, when I called you, you were in Lofbury, andter you went to several other ces. Why are you running around all over the ce? Are you looking for someone?¡± Astrid asked. Caridee lowered her head slightly and after a moment of silence, she calmly said, ¡°Well, I was chasing after the boy I like, but in the end, I lost him, or rather, he abandoned me.¡± Astrid''s face showed a hint of surprise. ¡°Abandoned you? Caridee, you must be joking. You''re the heiress of the most prominent family. Who would dare to abandon you? I also heard that your big brother Zeke is in control of Tarragon. I can''t understand who would miss out on a treasure like you.¡± Caridee shrugged and said, ¡°He also has a remarkable background. He is the Saviors''...¡± As she said that, she abruptly stopped herself. She almost revealed Veikko''s identity. It was a close call. Astrid saw her hesitation and quickly asked, ¡°What about the Saviors?¡± Chapter 754 Chapter 754 Caridee picked up the coffee in front of her and took a few sips. ¡°Nothing. You might have misheard since your Chanaean isn''t that good. By the way, when is International Socialite Club happening? I have some urgent matters to deal with and can''t stay in Moranta for too long,¡± said Caridee. Astrid noticed Caridee was unwilling to tell, so she did not press further. Smiling, Astrid answered, ¡°In three days. By then, many nobles will attend. Since the man you liked has abandoned you, why not shift your focus and take a look at other men?¡± Caridee smiled without saying a word. In her eyes, there was only Veikko, and no other man could fit in. ¡°By the way, I heard that International Socialite Club this time is sponsored by the Hoffman family. I wonder if Juliana, the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, will attend,¡± remarked Caridee. Astrid looked at her with slight confusion and asked, ¡°Do you know Juliana?¡± As soon as Astrid finished asking, she pped her forehead like she suddenly remembered something. Then, she said, ¡°Look at me. I forgot the most important thing! Bailey is your future sister-inw, and Juliana is her apprentice. It''s not surprising that you know her.¡± At that point, her gaze suddenly becameplex. Astrid lowered her voice to add, ¡°ording to reliable sources, Juliana has vited the rules. I''m not quite sure what exactly happened, but I know she''s been ced under house arrest. Don''t go around asking about her, and be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself.¡± All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Caridee furrowed her brow. Did Juliana break the rules? Why have I never heard Bailey mention it before? Then, she responded, ¡°Okay, I understand. Don''t worry. I know it''s better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Let''s meet three dayster then. I''ll head back to the hotel to rest now. I''ve been going around and haven''t slept well in a while.¡± ¡°Well then, take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just give me a call,¡± said Astrid. Caridee stood up from her chair, got her handbag, and walked out of the private room. It appeared that something significant had happened within the Hoffman family. It would be wise for her to be cautious in Moranta. As she passed the corner of the corridor, her pace was too quick, causing her to bump into a man walking toward her from the opposite direction. ¡°Ah!¡± Caridee let out a gasp while falling straight backward. Realizing her back and the back of her head was about to hit the ground, Caridee quickly closed her eyes in fear. Three secondster, the expected pain did note. A strong arm suddenly appeared around Caridee''s waist. In the next second, she crashed into a broad and sturdy chest. A strong scent of alcohol assailed Caridee, and she instinctively wanted to resist. ¡°Sorry, I-I didn''t mean to. I didn''t hurt you, did I?¡± As Caridee spoke, she looked up at the other person. With just one nce, she was stunned. The light in the corridor was not very bright. When it shone on the man''s figure, Caridee could barely make out the vague features of his face. Caridee murmured, ¡°V-Veikko...¡± Veikko? The man gently furrowed his brow. Basking in Caridee''s enchanting scent, he felt the hormones stir wildly within him. He noticed Caridee was a delicate and innocent beauty, instantly piquing his interest. He had encountered many women over the years, but Caridee was the first one who managed to capture his interest at first nce. ¡°Since you''ve bumped into my arms, why not stay and keep mepany?¡± After saying that, the man put his arm around Caridee''s shoulder and dragged her toward the private room. Caridee suddenly became anxious. If she let a strange man take her into a room, her life would be ruined forever. Thinking of the impending disaster, she suddenly tensed up. Then, she opened her mouth to bite at his wrist. A sudden intense pain struck the man, and he sent Caridee flying with a swing. Caridee learned some skills from Bailey. The moment she was pushed, she constantly changed her posture andnded steadily on the ground. In the next moment, Caridee took off running with all her might, disappearing in a sh. ¡°Darn it, she''s quite fierce. How dare she bite me. Just wait and see how I''ll deal with her.¡± After mumbling, the man instinctively reached for his phone. At that moment, the door to the private room behind him opened, and a young man walked out. It was Tucker. ¡°Mr. Carter, why are you standing at the door? A few beauties are inside waiting for you to join them for a drink,¡± said Tucker. Shaun staggered a few steps back and stretched out his arm in front of Tucker. Tucker squinted at his bloody wrist, frowning as he asked, ¡°Who bit you?¡± Tucker suddenly let out a sinisterugh. ¡°Isn''t this the territory of the Hoffman family? You should be able to help me find her.¡± Tucker instantly understood his meaning and could not help butugh. ¡°Of course. I''ll have someone look into it right now. Once I find her, I''ll make sure to bring her to you. By then, you can decide what to do with her.¡± Reaching out, Shaun patted Tucker on the shoulder and said, ¡°You''re smart. You''re bound to achieve great things in the future. Then, I''ll leave this matter to you. Since you consider me as your buddy, our cooperation can be settled right away.¡± Tucker smiled faintly and invited Shaun into the private room. When Tucker turned around, a bodyguard hurriedly approached him. ¡°Mr. Tucker, I just saw that Mr. Carter bumped into a young girl. I specifically went to investigate and found out that she is... the third daughter of the Luther family, Caridee Luther,¡± said the bodyguard. Tucker raised his eyebrows. Caridee Luther? The one rted to Bailey? This is getting interesting. If I arranged for Shaun to sleep with Caridee, wouldn''t the Luther family do everything they could to harm me? When the timees, that fool will have no choice but to seek an alliance with me. Then, Tucker ordered, ¡°Find out where she''s staying, and look into her schedule for the next few days.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After watching the ck-d bodyguard leave, Tucker revealed a sinister smile. The game was getting more exciting. By getting the Carter family involved, Tucker would gain another powerful ally. Caridee''s sudden appearance was indeed perfectly timed. It was as if the heavens themselves were assisting Tucker. In theboratory at Tarragon Headquarters, Bailey was working on a pile of documents. Those were all printed ording to the books Maerlus left behind. Maerlus had been studying Soul Reaper for most of his life, so he must have left some tips behind. Bailey would find something eventually. After searching for an entire day, she finally found the answer she had been looking for. It was a handwritten letter left by Maerlus, documenting some of his insights on Soul Reaper. The letter wrote: Soul Reaper is a poison concocted from over a hundred precious toxic ingredients. Its most notable characteristic is that it''s difficult to detect once it enters the human body. The vector will inexplicably cough up blood, and die within a month. The poison thrives in human blood, which serves as its nurturing ground. Once separated from the blood, its toxicity will be significantly reduced. ¡°The poison thrives in human blood, which serves as its nurturing ground. Once separated from the blood, its toxicity will be significantly reduced,¡± murmured Bailey, and a faint smile slowly appeared at the corner of her lips. Artemis, I think I''ve found a way to save your life. Although the journey is perilous, there''s hope for survival. Even if the chance is slim, we still have to try. We can''t foolishly wait for death. Crack! The door handle turned, and Artemis walked in from outside, holding a tray in one hand and a washboard in the other. Chapter 755 Chapter 755 Bailey raised her eyebrows slightly, and the corner of her lips curled in a half-smile. What is going on here? Is he trying to kneel and beg for forgiveness? Although Bailey was secretly happy, she remained expressionless. She looked at him indifferently and asked lightly, ¡°Didn''t you say you didn''t want to see me? Weren''t you trying to drive me away? Why are you trying to get closer to me now? Aren''t you embarrassing yourself?¡± Artemis ced the tray on the table and said gently, ¡°You haven''t eaten anything all day. Be good and listen to me. Don''t torment yourself. Have a bowl of soup first to fill your stomach.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but mock, ¡°Soup again? How can I dare to drink soup now? There must be something added to your soup. Once bitten, twice shy. I''ve already fallen for it once. How could I be foolish enough to fall for it again?¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Stop teasing me. Drugging someone once is enough; doing it again wouldn''t be that interesting. Be upset if you want, but don''t starve yourself and harm your body.¡± Bailey''s gaze fell on the washboard in his hand, and she sneered. ¡°What is this? Did you bring it in front of me just for show?¡± Artemis threw the washboard on the ground, picked up the porcin bowl, and handed it to her. ¡°You be good and drink the soup first. After you finish, I''ll kneel on it.¡± Hah! He''s even bargaining with me. ¡°I won''t drink, and you don''t need to kneel.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of danger shing. His aura suddenly changed, exuding the presence of a born leader. ¡°If you refuse to drink, I''ll have no choice but to let them escort you out.¡± Bailey snorted and swiped the bowl out of his hand. With a crisp sound, the bowl shattered into pieces, and the soup sttered all over the floor. ¡°Bailey...¡± Artemis drew out thest syble, his eyes flickering with a dangerous glint. Bailey snorted indifferently twice, not at all intimidated by his dominant demeanor. ¡°Sorry. My hands shook, and I couldn''t catch it. That''s why I spilled it.¡± Artemis let out a silent sigh and walked toward the washboard. He didn''t mind the kneeling part much, but her not eating anything worried him. After walking up to the washboard, he didn''t say a word and directly knelt on one knee on top of it. Artemis hit the washboard hard, bumping onto its pinion. Thus, a shattering pain shot through his kneecap. Bailey originally wanted to rush over and stop him. They were in Tarragon, and Artemis was the ruler of the vast empire. Thus, there was no way he could kneel before a woman. If his subordinates were to see this, he would surely embarrass himself. Ultimately, she couldn''t stop him, so she just let him kneel. When a man made a mistake, he would likely make the same mistake again if he were not properly taught a lesson. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Besides, Artemis only used a single knee to kneel, which didn''t humiliate his dignity. Every man would kneel before a woman at least once during their proposal. Bailey took it as a marriage proposal. Although his kneeling on a washboard was a bit of a mood killer, it wasn''t something she couldn''t ept. ¡°Bay, I''m sorry. I truly realize my mistake now. You have every right to be angry. If I were in your shoes, I''d probably lose my temper too. Although angry, please don''t let it harm your health. While you''re alive, I hope you can live afortable life. When the day of deathes, we''ll die together.¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°What? Have you finallye to your senses and realized your own mistake?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Artemis honestly replied. ¡°I was wrong. Really wrong, in fact. I promise this is thest time and won''t happen again. If it does, you can punish me by... never talking to me again.¡± Bailey stifled augh and lightly coughed twice before leisurely saying, ¡°Either leave or continue kneeling without a word. I have important matters to deal with.¡± Artemis obediently closed his mouth. Lowering his head slightly, he listened to the rustling sound she made as she flipped through the documents. However, his body wouldn''t allow him to kneel for an extended period. He began to tremble gently a momentter, his entire body seemingly on the verge of copse. Although Bailey was looking at the documents in front of her, she kept looking at Artemis at the corner of her eyes. Her heart ached with a tightening pain when she saw him trembling violently. Bailey devoted her entire life to loving this man, considering him her destiny. Although she was angry and resentful in her heart, it all seemed so insignificantpared to his health. After a moment of silence, she slowly stood up and walked over to him, squatting before him. She reached out with her slender, fair fingers and gently caressed his handsome face. Artemis slowly raised his head, meeting her gaze. There was a barely noticeable gleam in his hawk-like eyes. ¡°Bailey...¡± Bailey looked at him with tearful eyes and replied in a choked voice, ¡°Why are you so foolish? Why do you think that leaving me is the greatest kindness you can show me? I indeed have parents and children. Even without you, I won''t be alone in this world. However, I''ll always be missing a piece of my heart and live my life as a zombie. Is that what you really want?¡± Artemis moved his stiff mouth slightly and began to cough violently. A surge of blood swirled in his abdomen, and he suddenly leaned forward, spitting out a mouthful of ck blood. Tears brewed in Bailey''s eyes and they dropped down like a waterfall. However, she didn''t look at the pool of blood on the ground. Instead, she quickly reached out and embraced him. ¡°Artemis, can you feel it? My world is trembling. I''m terrified, and I''m scared. Every day will be like this if you leave me in the future. Even so, can you still bear to leave me behind?¡± Artemis lowered his head to look at her and asked tearfully, ¡°Aren''t you afraid of dying?¡± Baileyughed softly. ¡°Don''t worry. I''m more afraid of living a life worse than death. If you leave me alone, I''ll have to live the way I fear the most. Do you see how cruel you are to me?¡± Artemis slowly reached out and embraced him. All right. Since the memory loss pill couldn''t erase her memories, there''s even less hope for hypnosis to work. If she were to live with those memories, it would indeed be exceptionally cruel. ¡°All right. I''ll be kinder to you and won''t try to drive you away anymore. I''ll support your decision if you want toe with me.¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°I don''t want to die with you right now. Why not live a good life when I can?¡± After saying that, she reached out, grabbed his arm, and pulled him up. Artemis instinctively embraced her. When he looked into her confident gaze and saw the certainty of victory in her expression, he suddenly felt a tinge of regret. He should have believe her. My Bay is so impressive. There''s anything that she can''t handle. Perhaps she really can concoct an antidote. ¡°Judging by your tone and expression, you''ve already thought of a way to detoxify me. Am I saved?¡± Bailey let out a humph andnded a punch on his chest. ¡°Why didn''t you believe me, then?¡± At that, Artemis cried out in pain. Bailey''s expression changed instantly, and she hurriedly pushed him away to check his condition. ¡°What''s wrong? Was I too hard on you? Did I hurt you anywhere?¡± Artemis hugged her again. ¡°No. I was just teasing you.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°The matter of drugging isn''t over yet. If you want me to forgive you, there''s only one condition...¡± Chapter 756 Chapter 756 At this point, Bailey gave a mysterious smile and pulled out the notes left by her master from a pile of documents, handing them to him. ¡°Unless you can guess what''s on my mind, I''ve already found the antidote from these notes. If you can guess what I''m thinking, I''ll forgive you. Otherwise... you can keep trying to appease me.¡± Artemis took the documents from her hands and began to read through them with his head lowered. Bailey supported him as they walked toward the couch on the side. After he sat down, she crouched before him and reached out to pull up his pant leg. Artemis wanted to dodge but stopped after noticing her indifferent gaze. All right, then. My wife is a bit fierce, so I''ll back off. After ensuring he behaved, Bailey continued with what she was doing. As she rolled up his pant leg, she saw his bruised knee and couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy. She couldn''t help but scold him, ¡°Why did you use so much force when kneeling? Look at what you''ve done to your knee!¡± After saying that, she stood up and walked toward the shelf. ¡°I''ll apply some bruise cream for you. Just stay still and don''t move around.¡± Artemis let her do what she wanted, focusing wholeheartedly on studying the materials in his hand. His eyes flickered slightly when he saw Grandmaster Maerlus'' exnation about Soul Reaper. Two- thirds of the toxins were in their blood, while only one-third were in the cells. In other words, as long as two-thirds of the blood was removed, it would be much easier to care for the remaining one-third of the cells. However, there was still the question of removing the toxins from the blood. In the blink of an eye, he already had an idea. However, he was unsure if what he thought was consistent with what Bailey had in mind. Bailey took out a bruise cream from the medicine box and applied it in a circle around his knee. Then, she looked up at him. Seeing him having a smile in his eyes and an air of confidence, she couldn''t help but smile as well. ¡°Have you thought of it?¡± ¡°Yes. I''ve thought of it.¡± ¡°Tell me about it. If it''s what I''m thinking, I''ll forgive you.¡± Artemis smiled faintly. Reaching out to pull her up, he let her sit on hisp. ¡°Blood transfusion, right?¡± Since two-thirds of the toxins were concentrated in the blood, a blood transfusion would solve the problem directly. This method was simple, straightforward, yet brutal. After all, there might be an ident while extracting blood from his body, which could lead to excessive blood loss and death from shock. However, it could be a way for him to live if he could endure it. Having neutralized two-thirds of the poison in his blood, he believed that Bailey and Cameron should be able to eliminate the remaining one-third. Even if it cannot be neutralized, counteracting the poison with the toxin could still exterminate the toxins. The smile in Bailey''s eyes grew noticeable. We indeed share the same thoughts and are on the same wavelength. However, she had no intention of letting him off so easily. While secretly delighted in her heart, her expression was indifferent and aloof. ¡°No. What I''m thinking is different from what you''re thinking. You guessed wrong, so I can''t forgive you yet. Keep trying to appease me.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. Artemis knew she was being mischievous, but he still cooperatively rubbed his forehead. ¡°It seems I still need to learn how to woo a woman. How about I use the ancient method of asking for forgiveness by bearing thorns on my chest?¡± Bailey snorted indifferently twice, then pointed at her own face. Artemis understood and leaned in to gently kiss her cheek. Bailey''s eyes were filled with joy. As long as she was with him, she was no longer afraid of death. On the contrary, living turned into her greatest fear and nightmare. Artemis turned over and pressed her down, leaning close to her ear and whispered, ¡°I can still love and cherish you deeply.¡± Bailey''s heart skipped a beat. You''re already poisoned and are super weak. However, you still don''t know how to restrain yourself. ¡°Take it easy. Your body can''t handle too much stress. Intense emotions can speed up your blood cirction.¡± ¡°Okay...¡± In the cozy and romantic atmosphere inside the room, they passionately loved each other under each other''s gaze. No matter the oue, their hearts had found peace in one ce that transcended life and death. ¡°Artemis, I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too.¡± Meanwhile, in the garden of Holden''s house, Shannon was pruning the flower branches with Dawn. ¡°Mother, you seem very happy. Is it because Mrs. Luther has regained her memory and returned to Tarragon?¡± Dawn was a very well-behaved, understanding, and considerate child with an intricate mind. Thus, Shannon really liked her. ¡°Yeah. I''m thrilled. You might find it strange, considering I''m still so excited that she''s returning to face death. I guess I''m a bit silly.¡± Dawn reached out and wrapped her arms around her waist, looking up at her. ¡°But Mrs. Luther is pleased. You two are close friends. When she''s happy, you''ll be happy too. Perhaps in your understanding, someone like Mrs. Luther should die in glory rather than living like a dazed zombie.¡± Shannon reached out and rubbed her head, smiling. ¡°That''s right. When I think about her living like a puppet in the future, I can''t help but want to cry. Rather than that, it would be better to die alongside one''s beloved and be a dead couple together. It''s a far better choice than being left alone, one dead and another living on. It''s truly cruel for those who love each other so profoundly.¡± Dawn was about to speak when she caught a glimpse of a slender figure entering the garden from the corner of her eye. Subconsciously, she let go of Shannon''s waist and nervously stepped aside. Shannon frowned slightly and followed her gaze. When she saw Micah walking toward them, her expression immediately darkened. Didn''t I already make it very clear to him? Why does he keep persisting relentlessly? Could it be that he would only let me off the hook after forcing me to leave Tarragon? ¡°M-Mr. Neyman,¡± Dawn called out with a trembling voice. Micah''s gaze fell on the young girl, his gaze gentle as he looked at her. A hint of surprise shed in Dawn''s eyes. Dawn knew Micah wasn''t showing such a gentle smile because she was young. On the training ground, many children her age had their arms bitten off by crocodiles and wolves. However, Micah didn''t care, standing aloof with his hands behind his back as he watched indifferently and heartlessly. Perhaps only in front of Dawn''s foster mother would he reveal such a tender side beneath his powerful exterior. Dawn benefited from her foster mother being around. ¡°Mother, I still need an IV drip, so I''m heading back to the infirmary.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Shannon nodded and instructed the maid beside her, ¡°Take good care of Ms. Dawn. If I find out you all had neglected her, you''d better consider whether your head is strong enough to stay on your neck.¡± ¡°Yes. Of course.¡± After watching everyone leave the courtyard, Shannon finally turned her gaze to Micah. ¡°Is there something you want to say?¡± Micah remained silent, takingrge strides forward. Suddenly, he reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. Shannon was baffled by his sudden move, standing there dumbfounded and forgetting to react for a moment. In the next moment, he leaned in and passionately kissed her. The extremely familiar scent enveloped her, wrapping her tightly within his embrace. Every time he tightened his grip on her, the pain in his chest intensified. Chapter 757 Chapter 757 It turned out that when she was being hurt deeply, even breathing seemed to hurt her. They shared the same world, and that suffocated her with a sense of suppression. She wanted to struggle and resist, but her arms were tightly bound, and she was unable to move. She could only tilt her head back and forced herself to endure his relentless demands. This man hadpletely lost control. As he suddenly leaned in, he pressed her against the stone table. She couldn''t see any calmness or restraint in his eyes. All she saw was an intense mixture of madness and devastation. The overwhelming surge of love and hatred that had been pent up within him flooded out like a bursting river, engulfing them both in its powerful current. They were lost in the depths of the ocean, unable to find a way out. A cold sensation washed over Shannon''s body. Her mind began to buzz, and she felt as if the world was spinning. She wondered what had driven this man to such a state of madness. She broke the silence. ¡°Micah, I have just set aside all my hatred ande out from the depth of the firepit. I''ve adopted a child and am ready to start anew. Do you really want to push me back into the abyss and make me continue to harbor hatred?¡± Micah''s movements abruptly halted, and the madness in his eyes rapidly faded away. He gradually regained his sanity from the state of losing control. His pitch-ck gaze fell upon her, locking her firmly within his sight. ¡°Shannon, since you''ve alreadye out from the firepit, why won''t you try to ept me? Apart from allowing them to chop off your arm, I knew nothing else. If you still dwell on the pain of losing your arm, I canpensate you with one of mine. That way, we''ll be even, and you won''t have to hate me anymore, all right?¡± As he spoke, he gently caressed her face. His fingertips trembled slightly. His touch was so delicate as if he was afraid of hurting her. Shannon turned her face away slightly and replied softly, ¡°Don''t pressure me. A foster daughter alone can''t make me stay. If you push me to a dead end, I''ll only choose to let go.¡± The glimmer in Micah''s eyes gradually dimmed, and he slowly stood up. He asked with a hoarse voice, ¡°I heard from your brother that you''re nning to leave. Where are you nning to go?¡± Shannon tidied her clothes and walked toward the garden exit as she said along the way, ¡°It has nothing to do with you. If you don''t bother me, I might be able to live peacefully for a few more years. So please, don''t bring disaster upon me.¡± Micah was at a loss for words when he heard that. After seeing her off, Micah slowly looked at the strand of hair in his hand. It was pulled out during their struggle just now. She left resolutely, leaving only these few strands of dark hair that brought him a sense of gloom and sadness. Strands of dark hair, strands of emotions. By leaving her dark hair, does that mean she also left her threads of affection behind? Meanwhile, inside Hallsbay''s medical base, Olivia seized the opportunity to visit Veronique in the ward while Justin was in theboratory. Seeing the skinny woman lying on the bed, Olivia felt a sudden sense of relief. Veronique was tormented to the point where she had be nothing but skin and bones. She was on the verge of death. Judging by her condition, her final moments should be within these few days, which greatly relieved Olivia. Once Veronique died, her marital bond with Justin would automatically dissolve, and the Xuereb family could then wee Lettie into their home. When Olivia saw Veronique open her eyes, she sneered, ¡°You''re awake. You really have a tough life. After struggling for so long, you''re still hanging on. But it doesn''t matter. Judging by your condition, your time is likelying in these few days. Just die peacefully. Justin has already agreed to marry Lettie after your death. Rest assured. Lettie is kindhearted and magnanimous. She will treat your son well.¡± Veronique coughed softly twice. She was unable to utter a word. Her gaze fell on Olivia''s face with a hint of mockery. Olivia looked at the oxygen mask on Veronique''s face, and a sh of ferocity flickered in her eyes. Perhaps I should let her die today to avoid any unnecessary trouble. As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she immediately put it into action. She walked straight to the bedside. Just as her hand was about to touch the mask, a cold voice suddenly sounded in her ears. ¡°If she dies at your hands, be prepared to spend the rest of your life in jail.¡± Olivia quickly withdrew her hand and instinctively looked towards the door. The moment she saw Justin, she felt a sense of guilt. Justin''s gaze was very scary. She had never seen such a fierce expression in his eyes. ¡°I-I didn''t. I just wanted to remove her oxygen mask and talk to her for a bit,¡± Olivia said. Justin chuckled coldly and walked away. Upon seeing the situation, Olivia quickly followed suit. In the corridor, Justin nced sideways at his mother and said coldly, ¡°Don''t take unnecessary risks. Her time is almost up. If you cause her death, the Revelle family won''t just let it slide. At that time, what awaits you will be endless imprisonment.¡± Olivia shuddered all over, btedly realizing that she had acted too rashly. In order to get rid of someone whose time is almost up, she almostnded herself in trouble. Now, thinking about it, a chill ran down her spine. She asked, ¡°D-Do you still mean what you promised me before? Once she''s dead, you''ll immediately marry Lettie.¡± Justin looked at her with a sly smile and said, ¡°If she''s carrying my child, I''ll undoubtedly fulfill my responsibilities. However, if she''s carrying someone else''s child, I won''t be burdened with the humiliation of being a cuckold.¡± Olivia quickly retorted, ¡°She''s indeed carrying your child. I personally retrieved it from you...¡± Olivia''s voice trailed off abruptly. She had nearly exposed the truth. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Don''t worry, there won''t be any mistakes. Just make sure you keep your promise when the time comes,¡± Olivia said. Justin responded and gestured for her to leave. After watching Olivia enter the elevator, he turned around, pushed open the door, and entered the room. The toxin inside Veronique''s body started to re up again, causing her to curl up into a ball and convulse continuously. Justin hurriedly rushed over and held her in his arms. ¡°It should be soon. Zain haspleted the CT report just now. It says that more than sixty percent of the cancer cells in your body have been destroyed. Hang on for a few more days, and you will definitely recover.¡± Outside the door, Olivia went back to the ward again. She originally intended to tell Justin toe home for dinner in the evening. However, she heard Justin''s earlier words through the partially open door. What? Her cancer cells have been destroyed? She''ll definitely recover? What''s going on? Could it be that they have already found a way to cure Veronique? How could this be possible? How could this be possible? Olivia was so shocked that she waspletely stunned. She stood still in the same spot for quite some time before finallying to her senses. She must find someone within the medical base to understand the situation. Veronique must die. If she didn''t die, Justin would not marry Scarlett. In the end, Scarlett would be the other woman, destroying someone else''s marriage and shamelessly getting pregnant with a married man''s child. Once the truth got out, she would undoubtedly face severe criticism and the Fletcher family would be used of failure in raising their daughters properly. If the Fletcher family''s reputation was tarnished, the Xuereb family would suffer greatly. In the presidential suite of a five-star hotel in Moranta, Shaun sat on the couch, holding a portrait of a young girl in his hand. ¡°What a pure and charming beauty. She is so stunning and captivating. I really wish I could embrace her tightly and shower her with affection. Didn''t Mr. Tucker say he would bring her over once he found her? Where is she?¡± he asked. Chapter 758 Chapter 758 Caridee The more Shaun looked at the photo, the more he felt gued with impatience. What a beautiful girl, looking so pure that she makes me want to... Shaun had been with so many women, all seductive and sexy. Even if there were a few seemingly innocent and charming ones, they were mostly just putting on an act. For the first time, he had encountered such a natural pure girl, untainted by any impurities, and he could not wait to spoil the woman wholeheartedly. Shaun said, ¡°Mr. Tucker keeps saying that he wants to cooperate with me sincerely, but could it be that he has also taken a fancy to this pretty girl and nned to im her for himself?¡± The bodyguard in a ck suit standing in the center of the living room respectfully replied, ¡°Mr. Carter, you have misunderstood. Mr. Tucker has prepared a grand feast for you that will surely make you leave satisfied.¡± Shaun raised his eyebrows. He leanedzily against the back of the chair, with a hint of a half-smile ying at the corner of his lips. ¡°Tell me about it. I''m curious to see what kind of surprise Mr. Tucker has prepared.¡± The bodyguard nodded and said, ¡°There will be an International Socialite G held the day after tomorrow, which is sponsored by the Hoffman family. The youngdy you''re interested in is also on the invitation list. Mr. Carter, if you could grace us with your presence, you would surely win the beauty''s heart. As for the specific arrangements, I won''t reveal them for now. You''ll understand it when the time comes.¡± Shaun burst intoughter. ¡°I never expected that Mr. Tucker would have such a romantic side! All right, I''ll wait for another two days. I hope he can bring me a once-in-a-lifetime unforgettable encounter.¡± The bodyguard replied, ¡°Definitely.¡± Shaun burst into heartyughter again, grabbing the red wine from the table and downing it in one gulp. His gaze fell upon the young girl''s face in the photo, and a wicked smile formed at the corner of his lips. In his hawk-like eyes, a glint of predatory desire flickered. He was the head of the most prominent family in Epea, with wealth as loaded as any country''s reserves. Over the years, beautiful women have surrounded him, and none who caught his eye have ever managed to escape. The same goes for the one before my eyes. He was determined to fully savor her beauty. At a leisure club, Astrid was escorted by two bodyguards in ck suits into a private room. Astrid said, ¡°Let go of me, all of you! How dare you arrest me in public? Does thew mean nothing to you?¡± ¡°Thew? In Moranta, isn''t the Hoffman family thew itself? No. The Hoffman family is thew in the entire Adrune.¡± A wickedly teasing voice reached Astrid''s ears, and Astrid instinctively looked up to see a tall, slender figure sitting by the window. She knew the man. He was the next heir of the Hoffman family, Tucker Hoffman. Astrid said, ¡°Mr... Mr. Tucker, I don''t know why you want to tie me up. I... I don''t seem to have offended you, have I?¡± Tucker was right. In Moranta, the Hoffman family was thew, and Astrid could not afford to mess with the family. Neither could her family, as the Adley family relied on the Hoffman family for survival. Tucker gestured to the seat across from him with his chin and raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°Ms. Adley, please have a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee. Let''s have a chat.¡± Astrid forced herself to approach him. After sitting down across from him, she said somewhat awkwardly, ¡°Mr. Tucker, I have limited capabilities, so I really can''t do anything for you. I hope you can understand...¡± Before she could finish speaking, Tucker directly waved his hand to interrupt her. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°It''s just a small matter, so I don''t need you to have many capabilities. I heard that Ms. Caridee of the Luther family is your friend, and you have invited her to International Socialite G hosted by the Hoffman family?¡± ¡°Yes, you''re right. If there is anything you wish to convey, please speak freely. If there''s anything I can help with, I''ll definitely not decline.¡± ¡°Very good.¡± Tucker smiled contentedly, taking a porcin bottle from his briefcase and cing it in front of Astrid. ¡°At the International Socialite G the day after tomorrow, find a way to get this drug into Ms. Caridee''s room and drug her. Then, bring her to the lounge I''ve designated, and your task will be considered complete.¡± A hint of astonishment crossed Astrid''s face as she stammered, ¡°You... You want to drug Ms. Caridee? What... What are you trying to do? She is the legitimate daughter of the Luther family. If anything happens to her, won''t it cause a huge uproar?¡± Tucker raised his eyebrows and smiled, his eyes emitting a chilling cold gleam. ¡°Don''t ask what you shouldn''t know. Be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself. You don''t need to know too much; just do as I say.¡± Astrid replied, ¡°But... But she''s the daughter of the Luther family, she...¡± Tucker responded, ¡°Ms. Adley, don''t forget that the Adley family has always relied on the Hoffman family for survival. If you can''t handle even such a small matter, I think the Hoffman family might treat the Adley family as a discarded pawn.¡± ¡°Please don''t.¡± Astrid suddenly stood up. She bit her lip tightly, tears swirling in her eyes. If the Adley family fell apart, she would be kicked out of the socialite circle. She could not bear such a drastic change, as the other noble socialites wouldugh at her dignity. Every man for himself, and the Devil took the hindmost. Therefore, Astrid had no choice but to sacrifice Caridee. I''m sorry, Caridee. You''ve messed with the wrong people. Even if I don''t set you up, they''ll find other ways to get you. It''s better for you to help me as a friend to maintain my current status in the socialite circle. ¡°Okay, I will agree to do that.¡± Tucker smiled faintly. ¡°That''s right, a wise person would submit to circumstances. It''s the only way for you to stand firm in this cruel world. Ms. Adley, I look forward to your performance the day after tomorrow. Remember, don''t try any tricks, or else the entire Adley family will suffer because of you.¡± Astrid stayed silent at that warning. Inside the headquarters bedroom at Tarragon Headquarters, Bailey woke up from Artemis'' embrace. She looked up at the man above her dreamily. Gazing at his handsome face, she said in a hoarse voice, ¡°It feels so good to open my eyes and see you right away.¡± Artemis leaned in and kissed her lips. He then said, ¡°Bay, let''s go with the method you mentioned. I think it''s feasible. After all, I won''t survive anyway. If we take the gamble, maybe I can live on. If we don''t, then death is certain.¡± Bailey propped herself up on the bed and said while smiling, ¡°That''s exactly what I was thinking. We have to keep trying everything in a desperate situation. Who knows, a miracle might happen. Even if it might not, we''ll have nothing to fear as we''re going to leave this world together.¡± Artemis reached out and hugged her tightly. He then said whileughing helplessly, ¡°You sure are open-minded. Tell me your thoughts on this blood exchange.¡± Bailey nestled in his arms, and after a moment of silence, she said slowly, ¡°Master''s handwritten letter mentioned that two-thirds of the toxin from Soul Reaper is concentrated in the blood. So, draining the blood from your body might reduce the toxicity by two-thirds. As for the remaining one-third, we can use the method of fighting poison with poison.¡± Artemis said, ¡°Okay, I agree with this approach. You can just go ahead and do the bloodletting. No need to overthink it.¡± Bailey red at him and said with slight anger, ¡°You can''t just casually suggest bloodletting! It''s very dangerous and could easily cost your life. If a person loses every single drop of the blood in their body, they would immediately go into shock and die.¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°So, what do you n to do?¡± Bailey shook her head and said in a muffled voice, ¡°I haven''t figured it out yet. I have to extract all the blood from your body and then use medicine to clean all your blood vessels. During this process, you won''t be able to survive without the blood supporting your body.¡± Chapter 759 Chapter 759 Artemis reached out and gently rubbed Bailey''s head. His face was filled with tenderness. ¡°Take your time to think about it. Don''t stress yourself out too much. If you can find a cure, that would be great. But if you can''t, it''s fine too. After all, you''re not afraid of life or death. As long as you''re with me wherever I go, that''s all that matters.¡± Bailey cracked a smile. ¡°Okay, I''ll listen to you. I won''t force you. It would be best if you can survive, but if you can''t, then I''ll face the same fate as yours together.¡± Artemis said, ¡°Fine by me. Let''s get up. I''ll show you around. Tarragon Headquarters is located in Mount Arnmond region with a unique geography, and it offers a different kind of scenery for us to enjoy.¡± Bailey reached out and wrapped her arms around Artemis'' neck. She said with a smile, ¡°Sounds great. Help me put on my clothes.¡± Artemis kissed her cheek. ¡°I''d love to.¡± Inside the living room at Micah''s residence, a female special agent brought along a little girl and went into the house from the outside. ¡°Mr. Neyman, I had brought Ms. Dawn.¡± Micah was sittingfortably on the couch. After he heard the report, he instinctively raised his head, his gaze falling on the young girl standing at the door. Dawn still felt quite afraid of Micah as she timidly looked at him, not daring to move an inch from the entrance. Micah waved his hand, dismissing the surrounding housekeepers. He then stood up and walked towards Dawn. Dawn could not help but tremble all over, subconsciously stepping back. Micah reached out and gently grabbed her arm, slowly squatting down in front of her. ¡°Did your mother name you Dawn?¡± The young girl quickly crouched down and looked up at him. ¡°In response to your question, Mr. Neyman, it was Mrs. Luther who gave me this name, and... I really like it.¡± Micah could not help but reveal a hint of a smile on his face when he saw how sensible and well- behaved Dawn was. After a brief silence, he slowly reached out and gently stroked her head. ¡°You''re a good child, and the fact that your mother cares about you shows that both of you are destined to meet.¡± Dawn lowered her head slightly. That''s because you love everything that is rted to Mother. You love me because of your love for Mother. If I were not the foster daughter of Shannon, you probably wouldn''t have even given me a second nce. Dawn said, ¡°Having a mother like her is my blessing. She... she''s wonderful. Being able to be her daughter in this lifetime, I feel incredibly fortunate to apany her by her side.¡± The smile on Micah''s face grew wider. ¡°I don''t know if I have the honor to be your father, but I hope heaven grants me this opportunity.¡± Dawn''s eyes shed with a hint of surprise. The president of Tarragon, a renowned figure internationally, aspires to be my father? She mustered the courage to look at Micah and bravely asked, ¡°Do you love my mother very much?¡± Micah''s gaze instantly softened, and he chuckled lightly. ¡°Yes, I love her. I regard her as my life. In this world, no other woman can give me such a feeling. Only she can.¡± It''s just that there''s been too much pain between us. She gradually removed me from her life bit by bit, and I''m no longer that presence in her heart. I feel deeply regretful about this. Dawn shook her head and said earnestly, ¡°Perhaps she hadn''t removed you from her life because I often saw her spacing out when alone. I''m still young, so I don''t understand the love and feelings in this world. But whatever made her so deeply sad must have touched her heart. If you believe you once held a ce in her heart, then it must be you who caused her mncholic.¡± Micah raised his eyebrows, seemingly discovering something interesting. ¡°Little girl, you wouldn''t want your mother to be alone for the rest of her life, would you?¡± Dawn replied, ¡°I don''t want that. That''s why I came to see you.¡± Micah reached out and pinched her cheek. ¡°Your mother really didn''t love you for nothing. Tell me, what kind of cunning thoughts are you having in your head?¡± Dawnposed herself and looked at Micah seriously. She then said with a strong and resolute tone, ¡°I can help you pursue Mother again. After spending a few days with her, I feel that she still has hope in her heart. The future is still long, and I hope she can find a good man.¡± Micah reached out and embraced her. His emotions were agitated, causing his chest to tremble ever so slightly. He said, ¡°Perhaps you are the greatest gift bestowed upon us by God. I truly wish I could be your father. Although we don''t share a blood connection, it doesn''t prevent us from having a loving father- daughter rtionship.¡± Dawn buried her head in Micah''s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. A bright smile appeared on her little face. In her heart, she silently vowed to do everything she could to bring them together. Mother has suffered so much, so I hope she can find a good man and lives a good life. At the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor, Chanaea, Tamara was entertaining guests in the living room. The atmosphere inside was somewhat oppressive, with an air of tension as if they were engaged in a tense battle. Tamara looked at the noblewoman across from her with a darkened expression and said coldly, ¡°Mrs. Gibson, you must be joking. Although the Fletcher family has a ce in Dellmoor, we have not yet reached the point of bullying others with our power. As for the matter of putting Ms. Gibson under house arrest, I can give you a reasonable exnation. She hypnotized my husband into a vegetative state, and now only she can awaken him. Out of desperation, we had to restrict her freedom. The day she figures out how to wake my husband is the day we will grant her freedom.¡± Lindsay suddenlyughed softly. As sheughed, she said, ¡°Since my daughter has caused Mr. Fletcher to fall into aa, it''s only right that you put her under house arrest. However, I feel that there''s something fishy about this situation. Mrs. Fletcher, I wonder if you could kindly allow me to go in and check on Mr. Fletcher''s condition.¡± Tamara''s eyes lit up. The woman before her, as Josiah''s wife and the matriarch of a prestigious hypnotist family, was undoubtedly more skillful than Ynda, who was a smatterer. If I let her go and take a look at Sloan, perhaps she can really awaken him. Tamara said, ¡°Of course, Mrs. Gibson. If you''re willing to help, I naturally won''t refuse.¡± As she finished speaking, she stood up and gestured for her to proceed. Lindsay stood up and walked towards the spiral staircase with leisurely steps. Tamara hurriedly followed. She was curious to see what tricks Lindsay had up her sleeves. She''d better not disappoint me, or else there''s no way I will let her daughter leave with her today. Inside the bedroom on the second floor, Lindsay examined Sloan''s condition by the bedside, and upon discovering something, her face suddenly turned grim. ¡°Someone really did tamper with him. I knew it! Y''s hypnosis skills are just above average, and there''s no way she could turn someone into a vegetative state. It turns out Mr. Fletcher is controlled by some other drug.¡± Tamara was not foolish enough not to understand the meaning behind Lindsay''s words. She strode over to Lindsay and asked anxiously, ¡°What did the culprit do? What kind of drug is controlling Sloan? Can you please exin everything at once?¡± Lindsay nodded and said, ¡°It''s a specially formted drug, which is developed by my husband''s disciple, Ethereal. Once someone takes this drug, they will fall into a bizarre state, appearing like a living dead person.¡± Ethereal... Ethereal... Tamara clenched her fists tightly. Others might not know about Ethereal, but she knew that person. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. Previously, Raiden told her that Bailey was Ethereal, which meant that Ynda had been fooled by Bailey. In order to force me to apologize, that woman''s willing to threaten Sloan''s life. She''s truly despicable. Tamara almost fell for Bailey''s tricks as she was about to call Bailey and bow to her, asking for her help to save Sloan. ¡°Do you have any way to get rid of the effects of this drug?¡± Chapter 760 Chapter 760 Lindsay shook her head. In fact, Lindsay was unsure if Bailey had poisoned the drink. Her earlier words were all based on her imagination. However, Ethereal had indeed studied the type of drug that could put people into a bizarre state. Lindsay heard Josiah mention it before. As for whether it was used on Sloan, Lindsay was really uncertain. ¡°I can''t resolve it. Bailey is the Anonymous Dark Healer, and her creations are beyond the understanding of ordinary people. If I forcefully remove it, it''ll cause immense damage to Mr. Fletcher''s brain.¡± Tamara''s legs gave way, and she copsed onto the edge of the bed. What does it mean that ordinary people can''t solve it? Does that mean I have to lower myself and beg Bailey for help? That despicable woman set a trap for me. If I really jump in, I''ll be foolish. That woman is waiting to mock me. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, now that the situation is clear. It wasn''t my daughter who turned your husband into a vegetative person. If you really want to hold someone ountable, you should go after Bailey. She''s the culprit.¡± Lindsay''s words seemed to have been thest straw, triggering Tamara''s anger. ¡°Bailey, that bitch, I''ll make sure she pays with her blood for daring to scheme against the first inmand. She''s seeking death.¡± ¡°Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, I wonder if Mrs. Fletcher can be lenient and release Ynda from imprisonment.¡± Tamara gave Lindsay a cold nce and said faintly, ¡°My husband''s health condition involves too many interests, and it cannot be easily disclosed. Before he wakes up, I''m afraid your daughter will have to bear the inconvenience.¡± Lindsay''s eyes narrowed slightly. Lindsay had always disliked Ethereal. Years ago, Josiah had passed on the lost art of dream-tailoring skill to Ethereal. Since then, that woman became internationally renowned. It was a pity for Ynda. Although she was Josiah''s biological daughter, she eventually ended up being overshadowed by Ethereal. Everyone knew Ethereal, but not Ynda. Now that Bailey has dug a pit, causing Ynda to be put under house arrest, Lindsay decided that she must get even with Bailey this time. ¡°Alright. If Mrs. Fletcher doesn''t mind, I can help research a method to neutralize the effects of this medicine. That way, you won''t need to seek help from Bailey.¡± After hearing that, Tamara''s expression softened considerably. She smiled lightly and replied, ¡°Well, in that case, I''ll have to trouble you, Mrs. Gibson. Actually, I quite like Y. If there''s a destiny, I hope I can facilitate a marriage between our families.¡± Lindsay''s eyes lit up. If Y can marry into the Fletcher family, she''ll be of high status. And who knows, she may even be the firstdy someday. Such an honor is far more glorious than being the matriarch of a prestigious and wealthy family. ¡°Sure! Let''s consider it settled. Thank you, Mrs. Fletcher, for your kindness and care towards my daughter. I hope we truly have the opportunity to be inws in the future.¡± Tamara did not say anything. At Juliana''s residence, Raymond stood beside the bed with his hands behind his back, frowning as he looked at Juliana lying on the bed inside the bedroom. The toxin within Juliana''s body had already begun to spread, infiltrating her internal organs, which was why she had fallen into aa. Looking at Juliana''s pale face, Raymond let out a silent sigh. Raymond was not afraid of anything except his two daughters getting caught up in conflicts. What came was what he was terrified of. Now, Wendy''s life was uncertain. Juliana had been poisoned, and her life was in danger at any moment. To annex Tarragon, Philip really disdained recognizing his family ties. After all, they were his nieces, but he did not hesitate to act against them. ¡°How much longer can Juliana hold on?¡± Raymond tilted his head and asked the doctor beside him. The doctor thought for a moment, then nodded and answered, ¡°At most half a month, at least a week. Given her prolonged unconsciousness, I estimate she can only hold on for a week. It would be best for you to make arrangements as soon as possible.¡± Raymond knew Philip nned to lure Bailey to Moranta, then trap and kill her there. Juliana refused to give in. She did not want to watch her mastere to die with her own eyes, so she never contacted Bailey from the moment the poison took effect until she fell unconscious. In that situation, it seemed Bailey must step in. ¡°Send a distress signal to Bailey on behalf of Juliana, force her toe to Moranta.¡± The bodyguard behind Raymond responded and strode out of the bedroom. Raymond looked at Juliana and said faintly, ¡°Although I know it''s a bit unfair to involve Bailey in this matter, your current situation really requires her help. I hope you can forgive Daddy when you wake up. Bailey''s life and death have nothing to do with me, but I can''t just stand by and watch you die.¡± Juliana could not give a response. At Tarragon Headquarters, Bailey became somewhat restless after receiving a message from Juliana. In the past, whenever Juliana faced difficulties, at least she had Huntley by her side to share her burdens. Now Huntley had been paralyzed, and Juliana was deeply poisoned. Both of them were trapped in a dangerous situation. If Bailey and Artemis did not die, Philip and Sofie would not be at ease. They spent their days in constant fear, so they would not let Juliana''s friends and family be in peace. ¡°If you''re really worried, make a trip to Moranta. I''ll die soon, and whether I can survive is still uncertain. Don''t hold up Julie''s problem because of me!¡± Artemis''s sigh sounded in Bailey''s ears, pulling her back from her dazed thoughts. Bailey wrapped her arms around Artemis''s neck, chuckled, and responded, ¡°If you''re willing to go with me, then I''ll do as you say.¡± Artemis kissed Bailey gently and pressed his forehead against hers. His hawk-like eyes filled with tenderness. Every day, just by looking at Bailey, Artemis felt contented. ¡°Alright, let me make the arrangements, and we''ll set off tomorrow.¡± Bailey shook her head while smiling. ¡°How can I bear to see you like this? Let''s detoxify first. Juliana can still hold on for about ten more days. As long as it''s not Soul Reaper, I can cure it, so there''s no need to rush. The more anxious we are, the more likely we''ll mess up.¡± ¡°Well, that''s true. But it seems like there''s no progress on my end. We can''t keep dragging this on. There''re still many things we haven''t done yet. We can''t be stuck here.¡± Bailey blinked, and a cunning glint shed across her eyes. ¡°Who said there''s no progress? Master Lynch took me to a courtyard where my master once lived, and I found this there.¡± After Bailey finished speaking, she took out a stic bag from the drawer, which contained something resembling a medicinal herb. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°My master''s courtyard has been abandoned for many years. Besides the herbs, this is the only thing left. I don''t know what it is, but it must have grown there for a reason. So, I collected some to do research and discovered something interesting. Can you guess what it is?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows and grinned. He asked, ¡°Can this medicinal herb save my life even when I''ve lost all my blood?¡± Bailey reached out and pinched Bailey''s handsome face. She praised, ¡°You''re really smart. You got the answer right away!¡± Artemis could not help butugh. So, this is the only exnation now. Is there a need to guess? ¡°Tell me, what''s going on?¡± Bailey took out a report from the printer and opened it in front of Artemis. ¡°Look.¡± Artemis casually nced over it twice and shook his head. Hemented, ¡°I don''t understand. Wifey, please exin it to me.¡± Chapter 761 Chapter 761 Bailey held his head and fiercely kissed his handsome face several times. ¡°Alright, since you''re being so honest, I''ll help clear up your confusion. This is a life-extending medicine, but to be honest, I don''t quite understand the specific principles behind it either. That old man had spent most of his life researching and finally came up with this invention, which didn''t seem so easy to understand. I soaked a rabbit, drained of all its blood, in the potion. Despite having not a single drop of blood left in its body, the rabbit clung to life and didn''t die. So, I guess this medicinal herb can prolong life.¡± Then continued, ¡°Probably, Dr. White''s final thoughts were the same as mine - to detoxify by exchanging blood. That''s why he researched and developed this herb, so that people wouldn''t die immediately after losing blood.¡± The smile on Artemis'' face gradually grew stronger. As long as there was a chance to survive and a possibility of living, he was willing to give it a try. ¡°Alright, I''ll let you draw my blood tonight. Let''s give this method a try and see if it works.¡± Bailey red at him. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. ¡°Do you think this is a game? Just saying you want to try it out? I''ve only tested it on rabbits, not on humans. So, I''m not quite sure. If all the blood in your body is drained, this medicine would be useless for you. Wouldn''t that mean certain death for you?¡± Artemis'' thoughts stirred, and he immediately became alert. Could it be that this woman is trying to risk her life? If that''s the case, I might as well bear the suffering myself. After all, if she died, he would immediately follow her in death. If she didn''t die, and he tested the medicine instead, he wouldn''t die either. So, he felt there was absolutely no need for her to suffer. ¡°Then you should try it on a few more animals and see if they alle back to life. If they do, there''s no need for us to hesitate. After all, we''re facing death either way, and it would be a blessing if we could survive.¡± Bailey nodded with a smile, but she had other ns in her mind. The anatomical structure of animals was different from that of humans. Just because an experiment was sessful on animals, it didn''t necessarily mean it would be sessful on humans. So, they still had to use living people for experiments. She couldn''t bring herself to sacrifice others for her own benefit, nor could she let Artemis take the risk. She had no choice but to try it herself. ¡°It''s gettingte. Let''s go back and rest for now. We''ll talk about it tomorrow.¡± Artemis let out a silent sigh. It seemed his guess was right; this woman truly intended to try the medicine herself. How could he bear to see her suffer like this? After leaving theboratory, the two of them walked along the corridor toward the Luther residence. As they were about to reach the Luther residence, Artemis suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned his head to look at her, and leisurely said, ¡°Bailey, if you have to personally handle things like testing medicine, doesn''t that make me somewhat useless?¡± The smile on Bailey''s face stiffened, realizing that he had figured out her thoughts. The next moment, she hurriedly reached into her pocket, attempting to use a stupefying drug to knock him out. Artemis was already prepared, so how could he let her seed? In a sh, he moved closer to her, grabbing her arm with one hand and cing the other on the back of her head. Bailey was subdued by him, realizing that he wanted to knock her out. She quickly spoke up, ¡°Artemis, don''t hit me. I was wrong. I really, really know I was wrong. Let me bleed you, and then observe your condition. If it were someone else, I wouldn''t feel at ease.¡± Artemis shook his head, leaned down to kiss her forehead, and said softly, ¡°This process is too cruel for you. It''s better not to watch. Tarragon has so many doctors. They will take good care of me. Go and have a good sleep, and when you wake up, everything will be fallen into ce.¡± Bailey''s face suddenly darkened, and her smilepletely disappeared. She red at him fiercely, gritting her teeth and said, ¡°I haven''t gotten over you feeding me memory loss pillst time. If you dare to knock me out, I''ll never forgive you in this lifetime.¡± Artemis smiled, his gentle gaze sweeping across her pretty face. ¡°Bailey, no matter the oue, I''ll always be by your side. You don''t need to worry; I won''t forcefully keep you in this world anymore. If I leave, I''ll be waiting for you on the road to heaven.¡± Tears rolled down Bailey''s cheeks as she cried and shouted, ¡°Artemis, don''t do this, please don''t. Let me face it with you, okay? Can we do that?¡± Artemis smiled faintly. A wave of pain spread from the back of her neck, her vision gradually blurred, and in the moment before her consciousnesspletely vanished, she mustered all her strength and roared, ¡°Artemis, you better live well for me!¡± As thest syble fell, she slowly closed her eyes. Fortunately, this guy didn''t have the audacity to consider erasing her memory again, otherwise she would have been absolutely disgusted. Artemis looked at the woman who had fainted in his arms, the smile on the corner of his lips deepening by a few degrees. He attempted to lift her up horizontally, but unfortunately, his body was extremely weak. After trying several times, he eventually gave up due to hisck of strength. ¡°I''ll do it.¡± Zeke''s voice came from behind. Artemis handed Bailey over to him. Zeke frowned and asked, ¡°What''s going on here? Why did you knock her out for no reason?¡± Artemis nodded and recounted the events that had taken ce. After hearing this, Zeke''s anger simmered. ¡°Testing medicine? This girl is really something. I''ve never seen anyone as lively as her. Artemis, you better stay alive, or I''ll grind your bones to dust.¡± After a moment of silence, Artemis said leisurely, ¡°If I survive, we''ll start everything anew. But if I''m unfortunate enough to die, please, Zeke, let her sleep forever. Don''t let her open her eyes again, I don''t want her to face such pain. As for the Luther family, please take good care of them in the future. Simon has great potential. With a little guidance, he should be able to shoulder the responsibility of the Luther family. There are three more children, and although they have the care of their grandparents, uncles, and aunts, they still need the love of their dear uncle. I hope you can pay more attention to them and let...¡± ¡°That''s enough.¡± Zeke turned his face slightly away and said with a tearful voice, ¡°Live well, and I''ll acknowledge you as my brother-inw in the future. But if you die, I will never admit that you are the son-inw of the Shurmer family.¡± Artemis lowered his head slightly, and after a long silence, he squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, ¡°Fine.¡± Early next morning, Bailey gradually regained consciousness from her stupor. Gazing at the crystal chandelier above her head, she was momentarily lost in thought. The moment her consciousness returned, she gentlyughed. I had woken up. Does this mean that Artemis had made it through the night? Because with that man''s temperament, he would never let her wake up alone to face the pain. She guessed that he had instructed Zeke that if he couldn''t wake up, Zeke should use medicine to let her sleep forever. Click! The door handle turned, and the door opened. Zeke walked in, carrying a tray. ¡°Bay, you''re awake.¡± Bailey pulled back the covers, preparing to get out of bed, but suddenly her legs felt weak and powerless, forcing her to fall toward the ground. Zeke quickly reached out to steady her. ¡°Be careful! You''re a grown-up, why are you still so restless?¡± Bailey grabbed his wrist and asked, ¡°Zeke, how is Artemis doing?¡± Chapter 762 Chapter 762 Her instincts urged her to believe that Artemis was still alive, but trusting such spection alone wouldn''t bring her peace of mind. If he had indeed perished, she would attend to her own affairs swiftly, ensuring everything was in order before embarking on an underground search for him. Zeke helped her sit on the edge of the bed, his voice hoarse as he spoke, ¡°Dr. Lynch mentioned that he won''t die yet, as his vital signs haven''t disappeared. However, despite thepatible blood transfusion, he hasn''t regained consciousness. His current condition remains unknown.¡± Bailey leaned on Zeke''s arm for support, standing up and heading toward the door. ¡°I''ll go check on him.¡± Observing her unsteady gait, Zeke hurriedly approached and held her. ¡°There''s no need to be so anxious. His life hangs in the bnce. Whether you go in ten minutes or an hour from now, the oue will be the same. It won''t make any difference.¡± Despite his reassurance, Bailey couldn''t shake off her worries. Her footsteps quickened as she yearned for wings to carry her to his side. Realizing that she couldn''t fully grasp his words, Zeke sighed helplessly. He had no choice but to scoop her up in his arms and stride out of the room. Hopefully, once this ordeal was over, they could finally embrace a peaceful life. Going through such trials repeatedly would not only jeopardize their survival, but he would also worry himself to death. In theboratory, Henley stood amidst a collection of equipment, observing various data indicators. ¡°Cameron, what are your thoughts?¡± Cameron shrugged indifferently and replied nonchntly, ¡°I haven''t used the blood exchange method for detoxification, so Ick experience. Don''t ask me. My answer is I don''t know. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Well, Bailey is quite audacious, resorting to draining human blood for such a method. How is it that this guy is so fortunate? Hasn''t he met his end yet?¡± ¡°That only demonstrates that your expertise in this field is inferior to Bailey''s, or perhaps you''re deliberately holding back, unwilling to reveal your true abilities,¡± Henley argued. Cameron emitted two cold snorts. Artemis is my love rival, so why would I save him? If that guy woke up, wouldn''t I invite trouble upon myself? ¡°I have studied the methods of the Soul Reaper for years, and the solution I came up with also involves blood transfusion. I simply never mentioned it before.¡± No sooner had he spoken those words than a cold, sneering voice echoed from the doorway. ¡°Hindsight is always twenty-twenty, shameless, andcking in principles.¡± Bailey''s sarcastic remarks were always lethal, leaving no room for the regard of the other party''s dignity. As she entered the room, she grabbed bottles and jars from the table and hurled them toward Cameron''s face. Cameron dodged and cursed at the same time, ¡°Damn woman, do you want to know how to awaken this guy or not? If you do, then take it easy with me and treat me well.¡± Bailey replied with a curt ¡°I have no desire to,¡± then proceeded straight to the bedside. After observing Artemis''s condition for a moment, she furrowed her brow. ¡°It''s truly perplexing. He doesn''t appear to be in a vegetative state, yet there are no signs of him regaining consciousness either. What could have happened to him?¡± After speaking, she turned her head to look at Henley, who stood beside her, and inquired with a nod, ¡°Master Lynch, can you determine his current condition?¡± Henley shook his head, ¡°I''ve been practicing medicine for most of my life, and encountered various puzzling and challenging cases. However, I have nevere across a situation like this. I suppose I am simply ignorant andcking experience.¡± Bailey''s gaze shifted andnded on Cameron. ¡°Hey, I take back what I said earlier about not wanting to know. Tell me, how can we awaken him from this state?¡± Cameron leaned against the equipment with his arms crossed, gradually closing his eyes and assuming an air of arrogance. Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle, approaching him and lowering her tone. ¡°I acknowledge my fault for not recognizing your true value, for neglecting you. Can''t I apologize to you? Please enlighten me, Cameron.¡± Cameron''s thoughts stirred, and with a faint smile, he responded, ¡°I can agree to that, but you have to promise me one thing.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly, a dangerous glint shing within them as she contemted how to extract information from him. After pondering for a considerable time, she sadly realized that this guy was a hard nut to crack. No matter how much she pressured him, he wouldn''t speak unless he wanted to. ¡°What''s your request? If it''s something within my capabilities, I''ll agree,¡± she stated. Cameron opened his eyes, a cunning glimmer flickering within them. ¡°It''s simple. From now on, you''re not allowed to have any intentions toward that painting in the future. Let me keep it as a memento. How about that?¡± Bailey''s lips twitched involuntarily. She was about to refuse but ultimately held back. ¡°Fine, it''s just a lousy painting, you can have it.¡± Cameron raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°That''s no ordinary painting, you know. It''s actually priceless. It was painted by a renowned international artist for himself. People are searching for this painting, trying to uncover the elusive painter behind it.¡± Bailey suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise shing in her eyes. The painting in his hand was hers back then... ¡°Give me back the painting,¡± she demanded. Cameron spread his hands and reminded her, ¡°You promised to give it to me earlier. Keep your word, Boss Bailey.¡± Bailey let out an exasperatedugh, gritting her teeth. She spoke slowly and resolutely, ¡°Just tell me how to wake him up.¡± Cameron slowly retreated, backing all the way to the door, before saying with a smirk, ¡°It''s simple, hypnosis. It will surely awaken him. Don''t ask me why, just know that I have faith in you.¡± With that, he turned around and slipped out of the ward. Bailey was furious. She grabbed a cup from the table and hurled it toward the door. This jerk, after keeping us in suspense for so long, only came up with such a ridiculous idea that deserves a good scolding. Did he think I didn''t know that hypnosis could be utilized in such situations? Was there even a need for him to remind me? To put it bluntly, she had been yed by him. Zeke chuckled and suggested, ¡°Don''t bother arguing with him. Let''s try hypnosis on Artemis right away.¡± Bailey took a deep breath, suppressing the anger inside her. She turned to Henley, who stood beside her, and inquired, ¡°Master Lynch, is there still poison in his blood? Has two-thirds of the toxicity been eliminated?¡± Henley stroked his beard and smiled. ¡°Your true love have touched the heavens. Rest assured, the results have met our expectations. As for the remaining one-third of the poison in his cells, you can gradually neutralize it using the method of fighting poison with poison. Developing an antidote for this Soul Reaper is likely impossible. This young man''s survival must be a blessing from above. You all should cherish it.¡± Bailey''s legs suddenly grew weak, and she slumped onto the edge of the bed. Zeke reached out and gently patted her shoulder, speaking warmly, ¡°We''ll give you some space. It''s up to you to decide when you want to use hypnosis to awaken him.¡± ¡°Thank you, Zeke,¡± Bailey replied. After everyone had left the ward, Bailey finally reached out and held Artemis'' hand. Now that the toxins in his blood had beenpletely cleared, with only those in his cells remaining, a great weight was lifted off her shoulders. May the heavens show them mercy for the suffering they had endured and grant her sess in healing him. After sitting by the bedside for some time, she slowly reached out and helped him sit up. Hypnosis couldn''t establishmunication with someone in aa, but dream-tailoring skill could. She quickly established a mental connection with him. Chapter 763 Chapter 763 In the blink of an eye, half an hour had passed. She repeated the same sentence in his consciousness, over and over again. If you die, I will die too. In the next life, I have pledged myself to Edmund, so we cannot continue our past rtionship. Please wake up swiftly. Her own frail body could only endure for forty minutes before being forced to withdraw. As her consciousness returned, she felt utterly drained and copsed onto the bed. Upon hearing the commotion, Zeke rushed in from outside. ¡°Bay, are you alright?¡± Bailey shook her head, looking at Artemis who leaned against the head of the bed with his eyes closed, and let out a silent sigh. Did it fail? If she had failed, it might be a while before she could use the dream-tailoring skill again. Who knew when the next opportunity would arise? It could take ages. ¡°I''m fine, just wasted half an hour of effort. He didn''t wake up,¡± she said, with a bitter smile. She had initially believed that he would awaken upon hearing her promise to Edmund for their next life, but to her surprise, he didn''t. It was all because of that terrible idea from Cameron. Once she regained her strength, she would certainly go and teach him a lesson. Zeke''s gaze swept over Artemis'' body, and he furrowed his brow as he inquired, ¡°What''s his current condition? Will he remain unconscious like this?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°I don''t know. Just carry me back and let me rest for now. I''ll figure it out once I regain my energy. There''s no rush. After all, he won''t die anytime soon.¡± Zeke yfully flicked her forehead twice and then leaned over to lift her into his arms. ¡°If only you had realized it sooner, we wouldn''t be in this situation.¡± In Hallsbay, at a corner coffee shop, Olivia stared coldly at the female doctor sitting across from her and asked lightly, ¡°Have you figured it out? If you have, then be honest.¡± A hint of hesitation flickered in the eyes of the female doctor. As a doctor at the medical base, she possessed certain knowledge about certain matters. However, she knew that once it was exposed, she might not be able to remain at the medical base any longer. We usually disclose everything you wish to know. However, I cannot divulge this particr matter as it impacts my livelihood. ¡°Please spare me and let it go. I still have arge family to support,¡± the female doctor pleaded. Olivia took out a check from her handbag and ced it on the table. ¡°This amount of money is enough for you to work at the medical base for twenty years. You''re a smart person, so you should know how to make the right choice, right?¡± Olivia stated After a moment of silence, the determined expression in the female doctor''s eyes began to waver. If she didn''tpromise, she would inevitably offend this nobledy. In that case, Olivia might make things difficult for her, jeopardizing both her money and her reputation. It seemed more prudent to ept the check and disclose everything she knew. ¡°Mr. Zain proposed fighting cancer with cancer and injected another type of cancer cell into Ms. Veronique''s body. Then, Mr. Xuereb enlisted the help of Mr. Yablon, the son of a prestigious family specializing in drugs, to concoct a poison for Ms. Veronique. ¡°They attempted to eliminate both types of cancer cells by using toxins to make them devour each other. This treatment n is absurd. Based on my years of clinical experience, it is fundamentally unachievable,¡± the female doctor revealed. Olivia''s face disyed a look of astonishment. Cancer fighting against cancer? Injecting toxins into the human body? If all this fuss couldn''t kill Veronique, she truly didn''t know what else in this world could eliminate her. ¡°Are you sure this information is reliable?¡± Olivia questioned. The female doctor nodded confidently. ¡°I am certain,¡± she replied, reaching for the check on the table. ¡°If Mrs. Xuereb has no further questions, I''ll take my leave now.¡± Olivia paid no attention to her, falling into contemtion. They wouldn''t go through all this trouble without some chance of sess. In other words, there was still hope for that woman to survive. No, I have to take action while that woman is still in danger before she takes a turn for the better. That way, not only would it increase the likelihood of sess, but it would also divert suspicion and keep everything concealed. When she died, they would assume that she sumbed to the ravages of the two types of cancer cells. Late at night, Bailey slowly regained consciousness. She didn''t open her eyes but gradually regained her consciousness. A familiar scent wafted to her nostrils, the unique fragrance that belonged to Artemis. The hand hidden beneath the nket slowly clenched into a fist, as her entire body trembled lightly. Artemis, have you awakened? After contemting for a while with her eyes closed, she managed to calm herself down slightly. When she finally opened her eyes, she was met with a face that was deeply etched into her bones. She wanted to cry, but feeling awkward, she forcefully suppressed the urge to cry. That man had provoked her again. Despite her heartfelt plea to himst night, he stubbornly persisted in his own way. If she forgave him just like that, he would only be more unscrupulous when faced with simr situations in the future. ¡°Are you willing to open your eyes? I thought you would fall back asleep again.¡± A teasing voice from Artemis reached her ears. She couldn''t help but snort coldly in her heart. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Who wants to y along with your jokes? Who''s ying nice with you? After lying in bed for a while until her limbs regained sensation, she propped herself up with her elbows and sat up. Then she lifted the nket, turned over, and got out of bed from the other side. Upon seeing her like that, Artemis couldn''t help but raise his hand and rub his forehead. At that time, with multiple offensesbined, it might not be easy to appease the wife. After sitting by the bed for a while, he got up and walked toward the bathroom. Bailey stared nkly at the mirror, her face devoid of any expression. Artemis hugged her from behind, burying his handsome face in her neck. ¡°Are you nning to keep giving me the cold shoulder? I barely made it back from the jaws of death, can''t you at least wee me?¡± Bailey snapped back to reality, turned on the faucet, and cupped some hot water to wash her face. After finishing washing up, she turned around to leave, but the man behind her refused to budge. She found herself plunging into his embrace. Artemis lowered his head to look at her and chuckled, ¡°Throwing yourself into my arms? Seems like your body is much more honest than your mouth.¡± Bailey remained silent, staring at him coldly, her gaze piercing through. Artemis kissed her, but she didn''t react. He teased her, but she still didn''t respond. Artemis couldn''t help but let out a bitterugh, ¡°It seems like I''ve really angered you this time. Continuing to pester you like this probably won''t do any good. ¡°Ah, I thought my wife would praise me when I woke up, but I didn''t expect this situation. If I had known, I wouldn''t have woken up.¡± After speaking, he slightly turned his body, making way for her. Bailey sneered coldly inwardly. Trying to provoke me? If you don''t want to wake up, then so be it. If you have the guts, you can go back to being unconscious. Hmph! Artemis stood at the door with a bitter smile, thinking, This girl... she''s quite difficult to please. However, her disy of such a willful and girlish demeanor was exactly what he had been hoping for. She had been so tired these past few years, so it was good for her to challenge him and force him toe up with various ways to appease her. ¡°Wifey, it''s okay to be angry, but don''t let it affect your health, alright?¡± Meanwhile, in Moranta, the International Socialite G sponsored by the Hoffman family took ce at the magnificent Golden Age Hotel. With over a hundred prominent socialites from around the world attending the grand event, the grandeur of the asion was unprecedented. Inside the parking lot, Caridee held onto Astrid''s arm and instructed, ¡°Astrid, don''t deliberately introduce me at the g. Try to keep my presence low-key. I don''t want to attract attention.¡± Astrid''s eyes flickered with a tinge of guilt. ¡°Caridee, I...¡± Before she could speak, a yful voice suddenly came from behind. ¡°Beautifuldy, we meet again.¡± Chapter 764 Chapter 764 Caridee shuddered slightly. The voice sounded familiar to her. She felt like she had heard it somewhere before but couldn''t quite recall where. Caridee slowly turned her around, her gaze falling upon the two young men behind her. The sense of familiarity only grew stronger when she nced at one of the men. Realization dawned on her after a moment of silence. He was the man she had bumped into in the club''s corridor the other day. The man had tried to drag her into a private room to take advantage of her, but she managed to break free from his grasp and escape. What a small world! I never thought we''d bump into each other at the International Socialite Club. Scum like him is simply not worthy of attending such a refined party. ¡°Sorry, you''ve mistaken me for someone else.¡± Having said that, Caridee turned around and prepared to leave. Astrid subconsciously turned her head and her gaze met with Tucker''s. She quickly turned to look back when she noticed the look he was giving her. ¡°Caridee, I...¡± Caridee was determined to get away from the pervert and did not notice the change in Astrid''s emotions. ¡°Let''s hurry up and leave before that scum catches up with us. There are many reporters around here. We''ll be in big trouble if they managed to take photos of us,¡± the former said anxiously. Astrid bit her lip and the guilt in her eyes grew increasingly intense. She really wanted to give Caridee some hints, hoping she would take the initiative to leave the venue. However, she was also worried that Tucker would find out and get the Adley family involved in the end. I''m sorry, Caridee. If something truly happens to you tonight, please don''t me me. I have no other choice. Shaun saw the two women about to enter the elevator and quickly ordered the bodyguard nearby, ¡°Stop the woman in the sky-blue dress for me.¡± The bodyguard hummed in response, but before he could take a step, Tucker immediately raised his hand to stop him. Upon seeing him block the bodyguard''s way, Shaun''s face darkened. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, ¡°What''s the meaning of this, Mr. Tucker? Didn''t we agree earlier that after you''ve dealt with this woman, you''d send her to my bed? We agreed to cooperate immediately, and now she''s right under my nose. What''s the reason for not letting me catch her?¡± Tucker smiled faintly, a sly glint shing across his eyes. ¡°Yeah, I promised to bring her to your bed previously. Of course, I''d keep my word. However, I''ve arranged a lively and vivid performance for you, Mr. Carter. Are you sure you don''t want to watch it?¡± Shaun raised his eyebrows, seemingly figuring things out. He suddenly chuckled. ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Tucker?¡± Tucker patted him on the shoulder with a mysterious expression on his face. ¡°We''re both men, so you should be able to guess what I''m thinking. This is something that cannot be expressed.¡± ¡°Haha, all right, all right. This is getting interesting, very interesting indeed! Well then, I''ll be looking forward to it, and I hope it''ll satisfy me, Mr. Tucker.¡± ¡°Of course, Mr. Carter. This way, please.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± After Caridee and Astrid entered the banquet hall, they tried to find a seat in the corner and sat down. Upon seeing her cautious demeanor, Astrid couldn''t help butugh and said, ¡°So many women around the world fantasize about being the legitimate daughter of the Luther family. But look at you! You wished for nothing more than to remove thatbel from yourself and not let anyone notice. What? Is being the little princess of the Luther family that unbearable?¡± Caridee sighed softly and lowered her voice when she spoke, ¡°I''ve always been low-key, as it''s the family tradition of the Luther family. Many generations in my family have been like this, and I cannot go against the teachings of my ancestors. After all, what''s the point of having more honor and respect? It''s all given by our predecessors. The day we earn it ourselves is when we truly have the ability. Just look at Bailey. People don''t respect her simply because she''s about to be the matriarch of the Luther family. Instead, it''s her own astonishing talent that has earned her countless admirers and the respect of many powerful figures.¡± ¡°Well, that''s true, I¡ª¡± Just as Astrid was about to praise Bailey, she suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her bag. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Caridee, I''m going to the restroom. Don''t wander off and stay right here. Otherwise, I''m afraid I won''t be able to find you in such a huge venue.¡± ¡°All right. Go ahead.¡± With that, Astrid left to the restroom with her bag in hand. After closing the door, she finally took out her phone from her bag. Upon taking a look at it, Astrid realized it was a call from Tucker. She fell silent in an instant. When her phone rang again, she nervously swiped over the answer button. ¡°M-Mr. Tucker¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Tucker ordered, ¡°You mustplete the task before the party begins. Do you hear me?¡± He had other ns in mind, intending to make the scandal of Shaun and Caridee being in bed together known to everyone before the banquet began. In this way, Shaun would be targeted by the entire Luther family. When the timees, he''d be too overwhelmed to cope and will definitelye begging for help. Once that happens, I won''t have to worry about having a hard time anymore. Astrid''s hand trembled, and her phone slipped right out of her palm, falling onto the cold floor with a soft thud. She stayed stunned for quite a while before hurriedly picking up her phone. ¡°I-I''m sorry, I identally bumped into the door just now and dropped my phone. M-Mr. Tucker, is it really necessary to do this? She''s from the Luther family! If her reputation is ruined today, I''m afraid it will cause quite a stir...¡± ¡°What''s this? Are you trying to bargain with me at such a critical moment? Don''t you want the Adley family to establish a firm foothold in Moranta? Ms. Adley, you should understand one thing. I don''t necessarily need you to drug the drink. There are so many waiters at the party. I could easily bribe one of them. Don''t you think that would be a better option?¡± ¡°I-I know, so I won''t break my promise. Please don''t harm my family. I agree to drug her. J-Just wait to hear from me.¡± No matter how important friends were, they could never outweigh the significance of one''s parents and close family members. Hence, Astrid had no choice but to sacrifice Caridee. After hanging up, she leaned against the wall, taking her time to gradually calm her restless emotions. I''m sorry, Caridee! Meanwhile, a private jet slowly descended at a private airport, and momentster, the ne''s door opened. A man wearing a ck trench coat emerged, surrounded by a group of bodyguards. ¡°Mr. Veikko.¡± ¡°Mr. Veikko.¡± Greetings echoed one after another from down below. Veikko didn''t pay them any attention and instead turned his head toward the ck-d bodyguard beside him. ¡°Have you found her whereabouts yet?¡± he asked in a low voice. The bodyguard nodded and said, ¡°Ms. Caridee has gone to the International Socialite Club, and I have also found out that another person rted to you attended the party.¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°The head of the Carter family, Shaun.¡± Veikko''s footsteps suddenly halted, his sharp gaze falling upon the bodyguard. His thin lips slightly parted, and he coldly uttered three words, ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. He appeared together with Mr. Tucker from the Hoffman family.¡± The moment the bodyguard finished speaking, the atmosphere around Veikko suddenly dropped. A dense, murderous aura began to spread in all directions. In an instant, all the bodyguards on both sides lowered their heads, not even daring to take a breath. Veikko stood at the cabin door for a moment before striding toward the stairs. ¡°Get the car ready. We''re heading to the International Socialite Club.¡± Chapter 765 Chapter 765 At the banquet hall, one of Caridee''s male friends had invited her to dance on the dance floor. Astrid was in a dilemma as she stared nkly at the two sses of red wine in front of her. She knew that once she poured the drug into the ss tonight, Caridee would bepletely ruined, and their friendship would never be the same again. But what can I do? If I don''t do this, my entire family will have to suffer the consequences. I can''t just disregard my family, can I? Astrid hesitated for a long time, and just as the dance was about to end, she finally reached out slowly toward Caridee''s ss of wine. A momentter, Caridee walked over while lifting the hem of her dress. ¡°Grayson is not only the most handsome guy in our business school but also the most popr guy on the entire campus. All the female students have their eyes on him, yet he only has eyes for you. s, the beauty is indifferent to him, and he can only feel hurt in secret. You don''t know how happy he is when you agreed to dance with him tonight.¡± Caridee shook her head with a smile. This must be what they call the whims of fate. I don''t love the one who loves me, but the one I love doesn''t love me back. In the end, we be strangers who pretend we don''t know each other. Astrid raised her wine ss and clinked it with Caridee''s. ¡°Here''s to the countless helplessness we encounter in life. May these troubles leave us sooner rather thanter.¡± Caridee picked up her ss and clinked it against her friend''s. ¡°All right. Cheers.¡± Once they had downed the wine in their sses, Caridee felt a sudden wave of dizziness, and her vision blurred. ¡°This wine... It''s quite strong, huh? Which fool reced the red wine with hard liquor?¡± As she spoke, her head drooped, and she slumped down on the table. Astrid quickly reached out to support her, asking gently, ¡°Do you have something on your mind? Otherwise, you wouldn''t be drunk after just a couple of drinks.¡± Caridee giggled. ¡°You... guessed right. I do have something on my mind. It''s a secret. But I won''t tell you. You''ll have to figure it out yourself.¡± Astrid red at her and yanked her up from the chair. ¡°Come on, let me take you to the lounge to rest for a bit. We don''t want you acting crazy while drunk and causing a scene everyone will know about.¡± Caridee was still somewhat conscious. After hearing her words, she urged anxiously, ¡°Hurry! Hurry up and help me leave. I don''t want to embarrass myself, and I definitely don''t want them to recognize me.¡± Astrid kept silent at that. She supported Caridee as she pushed open the door to the lounge and threw thetter onto the couch inside. ¡°Caridee, do you need me to stay here with you?¡± Caridee waved her hand, feeling a bit ufortable as waves of heat surged within her body. ¡°No need, I know you want to take this opportunity to find a wealthy husband. Go ahead! There are so many beautiful women tonight. Don''t let them get ahead of you.¡± Astrid smiled and helped her lie down before turning to leave the lounge. Caridee was tormented by the unbearable heat within her body. She wished she could just dive headfirst into a freezing chamber. Her consciousness gradually faded away, and her rationality slowly vanished. She soonpletely lost herself. A wave of coolness swept over her as she pulled down the zipper of her evening gown. The air conditioner was running in the room, providing her with a moment of comfort. ck! The door handle turned, and the door to the lounge was pushed open. Shaun walked in, and his heart instantly softened when he saw Caridee''s appearance. Well, this is... interesting. Tucker did not disappoint him. A thought surfaced in his mind when he saw the beautiful woman in such a state. She must be having a hard time now, right? Caridee suddenly felt a weight on her body and instinctively opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry, and it took her a while to clearly see the other person''s face. She became agitated at once. ¡°D*mn it! You thug. Sc*mbag. Get lost! Get the hell away from me!¡± Caridee had instantly be clear-headed because of how scared she was. She stared intently at Shaun with shimmering eyes. It was such a pitiful sight. The man had wanted to take advantage of her from the moment he firstid eyes on her. Now that he had the opportunity, how could he possibly let it go? Therefore, her situation was quite worrying. ¡°I''ve been thinking about you day and night these past few days, little girl. Don''t be so heartless. Behave and listen to me, got it?¡± Caridee cried. I shouldn''t havee to this party. But how did I get drugged? Did someone n this beforehand? I''ve just jumped into their trap so naively! ¡°I am the daughter of the Luther family. You cannot treat me like this. It may lead to a bloody conflict between our families.¡± ¡°Luther family''s daughter?¡± Shaun sneered coldly, unable to stop himself from mocking, ¡°Why don''t you say you''re a royal princess, then?¡± After saying that, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Caridee quickly tried to dodge, but with her limbs bound, she couldn''t break free no matter what she did. In the end, unable to contain her anxiety, she opened her mouth and bit his face. Shaun let out a sharp scream, which was followed by the crisp sound of two ps echoing in the room. Immediately, five distinct finger marks appeared on Caridee''s pretty face, and a trace of bright red blood could be seen on the corner of her mouth. She was left dazed by the forceful ps he had given her on both cheeks, a buzzing noise continuously echoing in her head. Shaun saw that she had stopped resisting and couldn''t help but smirk. ¡°What''s the use of a woman being wild? A good lesson will make her behave. If you had cooperated obediently just now, would you have had to suffer this pain?¡± Caridee slowly closed her eyes, and two streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. She knew there was no escaping her fate anymore since she was secretly filled with anticipation. It wasn''t that she was undignified. On the contrary, it was all because of the drug in her system. Caridee could clearly feel her rationality and consciousness beginning to fade away again. Before long, the drug would have taken its full effect. However, there was nothing she could do about it. She waited for what felt like an eternity. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly. Yet, the anticipated pain never came, and the silence was so profound that one could hear a pin drop. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. She didn''t dare to open her eyes, fearing that upon doing so, the sinful acts would be etched into her memory. Suddenly, her body was flipped over, and a sharp pain shot through the back of her neck. Caridee couldn''t bear the pain and passed out immediately. Veikko took off his trench coat and covered her with it. His gaze shifted and fell on Shaun, who was lying unconscious on the ground. This man was responsible for his mother''s death and also the reason he had to live a lifetime in a nightmare. And now, he was lying unconscious right before him. If Veikko were a bit more rational, he should have just struck him with a single, ruthless blow and ended him right then and there. Nevertheless, Veikko was dissatisfied. I''ve endured so much suffering. Why should his death be so easy? I want him to taste the bitterness of losing a loved one and being forced to endure humiliation. The tables had turned, and only in this way could things truly be considered fair. ¡°Mr. Veikko, our objective is too big. Mr. Tucker will soon receive the news and rush over. It will be much more troublesome for us to leave by then.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Veikko. We must wrap things up quickly.¡± ¡°Mr. Veikko, should I find a few men to¡ª¡± With a cold nce, Veikko sessfully made the bodyguard retreat and stop talking. Men? Hah! That would be letting him off too easily. I''m going to reward him with some beasts and give him an experience he can never forget for the rest of his life. I''ll make him pay tenfold- no, a hundredfold for the pain he had inflicted on me years ago. Chapter 766 Chapter 766 His gaze fell upon the shivering young girl on the sofa, and his eyes grew even colder. She was thest glimpse of hope in his life and was almost ruined by that scumbag. If it weren''t for him arriving just in time... As for the oue, he didn''t even dare to think about it. ¡°Have you brought the mastiffs you''re raising?¡± The bodyguard in ck hastily nodded and reported, ¡°Yes, Mr. Veikko. We''ve brought them with us. They''re in the car. Do you want us to bring them up?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Mmph... Due to the tape covering his mouth, he could only make a few broken sounds. Having a closer look, Shaun''s eyes were filled with fear. After all, he was not stupid. He naturally could figure out what would happen when Veikko asked his bodyguard to bring up the mastiffs. Who is this man? Why does he have so much hostility toward me? As the head of the Carter family, Shaun was always the one being ttered that no one would ever dare to mess with him. Not only did the man in front of him dare to do so, but the man also intended to bring a few beasts over to bite him. Just thinking about such a scene made his scalp tingle. He felt a sense of chill beneath his heart, and waves of fear emerged from within. If the mastiffs were trained, they could bite a person to death. Shaun had this twisted hobby before, which was enjoying trapping a few attractive young men with a group of mastiffs. Then, he would drink coffee while watching the scene of those attractive young men being viciously torn apart by the mastiffs. With such a bloody scene, it could greatly satisfy his p*rverted interest. Of course, such a thrilling activity was entertaining when it was done to others. However, when it was done to oneself, it was a disaster. ¡°M-Mmph! No. Mmph...¡± Shaun wanted to resist, but his limbs were tied, and his mouth was sealed with tape. It was a pitiful scene where the once-powerful leader of Epea''s most prominent family was reduced to helplessly watching himself being tormented by others. Veikko didn''t turn around, facing away from Shaun all this while. He didn''t want to expose himself too early since the game had yet to begin. He initially didn''t n on taking this action too soon but wanted to let Shaun suffer in fear. When the torment was almost unbearable, he would then end thetter''s life. But now that Shaun had messed with Caridee, his action immediately infuriated Veikko. As such, Veikko would teach Shaun a lesson that thetter would savor for the rest of his life. Soon, several mastiffs leaped in through the window, with each one of them incredibly fierce and powerful. Shaun''s pupils contracted straightaway, and his handsome face was filled with a look of terror. The mastiffs were no worse than those he raised himself, so it wasn''t hard for him to guess how he would end up. ¡°Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!¡± Shaun cried. If he could move, he would definitely crawl over and lick Veikko''s shoes, begging him for mercy. These dogs are too fierce and too big. I''ll die from torment! At the same time, Veikko''s gaze was cold but flickered with a zing me of vengeance. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?. ¡°I could see that Mr. Carter is quite anxious. Quick. Feed the dogs something, so they can properly entertain him,¡± Veikko uttered. ¡°Understood.¡± Mmph! When Veikko leaned over and prepared to lift Caridee, she appeared greatly frightened and was resistant to anyone approaching her. The moment he touched her arm, she began to struggle intensely. ¡°No. Don''t. Don''t touch me.¡± Veikko''s heart ached fiercely. He really wished he could turn around and stab the scum to death. After a few seconds of silence, he calmed the hostility in his heart and whispered into her ear, ¡°Hey, it''s me, Veikko. Don''t be afraid. I''m right here.¡± These words were quite effective, as if they were imbued with some magical power that Caridee gradually calmed down. She still had her eyes closed, writhing on the sofa. A hint of pain was shown on her pretty face. Seeing that she was no longer repulsed, Veikko quickly reached out to hold her and strode toward the windowsill. Shaun saw Veikko about to leave and nced at the mastiffs that had be agitated after ingesting the stupefying drug. He quickly pounced on Veikko''s feet andy down to block his path. Mmph... Since Veikko held Caridee in his arms, his prying gaze was just blocked. ¡°What goes aroundes around. You reap what you sow. All of these are brought upon yourself. Do you really think you can torment others with this method and not have it used against you? There''s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Debts must be repaid, sooner orter.¡± Mmph! Mmph! Mmph! Shaun kept shaking his head, trying to break free from the tape on his face. Veikko ignored Shaun and carried Caridee to leap out of the window. A gentle evening breeze blew outside. It caressed Caridee''s face and brought back some of her wandering thoughts. The familiar scent swirled around the tip of her nose, forcing her to open her eyes. After recognizing who was holding her, she began to sob and cry softly. Veikko furrowed his brows and gave her a cold nce. He said in a low voice, ¡°I''ll send you back if you cry again.¡± The crying stopped abruptly. As if recalling something, Caridee suddenly became anxious. ¡°Did he touch me? Did he?¡± Veikko slowly stopped in his tracks. Looking at her delicate and tiny face through the light of the streetlight above his head, he couldn''t control his emotions for a moment. He gently leaned in and kissed her lightly on her red lips. ¡°Nope. You''re fine. Don''t overthink it.¡± Caridee felt her physical condition and found no pain torturing her. She then breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank goodness. Otherwise, I''ll have had no choice but to bite my tongue to end myself.¡± Veikko resumed walking and responded lightly, ¡°Don''t get too happy just yet. Bailey had just restored sensation to your arm, but after the recentmotion, all her efforts have been in vain.¡± Caridee was taken aback and tried to lift her right hand. Immediately, hints of intense pain came from the joints on her right arm, and she gave up helplessly. ¡°Back to square one, huh? But it doesn''t matter. This arm of mine was injured for you, and I don''t regret it at all. In fact, I feel incredibly fortunate.¡± A hint of amusement shed across Veikko''s eyes. His gaze also gradually softened. Perhaps, even he didn''t realize that his attitude toward Caridee had changed. ¡°Veikko, where are you taking me?¡± Caridee asked. ¡°Take the antidote, or else you''ll die,¡± Veikko replied. Caridee suddenly became delighted. ¡°Are you personally going to administer the antidote for me? Can you be gentle, though? I''m afraid of pain.¡± ¡°You''re overthinking it. I''ll take you to the branch of the Saviors. There are doctors who specialize in treating this kind of poison,¡± Veikko answered. Upon hearing that, Caridee was rendered speechless. Hmph! What a straightforward guy! Half an hourter, Tucker broke into the lounge with a few bodyguards. Upon witnessing the horrifying scene before him, his pupils contracted sharply. Miserable! What a disaster! The room was filled with bloodstains. Shaun was lying in a pool of blood and convulsing violently. Judging by what Tucker had seen, the guy in front of him might never be able to make love in the future. D*mn, who was that cruel person? He brought several mastiffs to torment Shaun, and he even tried to cripple him with such a vicious attack. Shaun, who was barely clinging to his life, mustered all his strength and shouted, ¡°What the f*ck are you standing around for? Hurry up and call a doctor!¡± Chapter 767 Chapter 767 Tucker snapped out of his daze. After agreeing, he quickly called for the bodyguards behind him to invite the best doctor from the Hoffman family toe over. After he had arranged everything, he turned around to look at Shaun, only to find that thetter had already passed out. The room was filled with the stench of blood mixed with a strange amorous smell. He couldn''t bear it any longer and hurriedly left. At the entrance, Astrid was escorted by two bodyguards dressed in ck suits as they walked over. When they were in front of Tucker, one of the bodyguards kicked Astrid''s legs, forcing her to kneel. ¡°M-Mr. Tucker, I''ve already done as you instructed. What else do you want?¡± Tucker suddenly leaned in, forcefully gripping her chin, and said through gritted teeth, ¡°You actually have the nerve to tell me that you followed my instructions. Fine, then let me ask you, where is Caridee? Why did Mr. Carter end up with several male mastiffs?¡± Astrid''s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him and murmured, ¡°Male mastiffs? How is that possible? How could this be? I clearly drugged Caridee and sent her to the lounge.¡± Tucker suddenly pushed her away. ¡°Useless! You can''t even handle such a trivial matter. What''s the point of having you around?¡± Upon hearing his tone, Astrid immediately became anxious. ¡°M-Mr. Tucker, I can continue working for you. Whatever you ask me to do, I''ll do it. Please, I beg you, don''t harm the Adley family. I''m begging you.¡± Tucker lifted his leg and kicked her in the shoulder, sending her flying several meters away. ¡°I won''t support useless people. Your family is just a burden. If your family ever falls apart, it will be because you all no longer have value.¡± ¡°No...¡± Astrid clenched her fists tightly. If Caridee hadn''te to Moranta, the Adley family might not have suffered this misfortune. It was all because of Caridee. If she became a poor heiress, she would make sure Caridee would suffer for it too. As she was thinking, something crossed her mind. Her eyes suddenly lit up. ¡°Mr. Tucker, I know who saved Caridee. It must be him who released the mastiffs.¡± Tucker narrowed his eyes at her and said coldly, ¡°Just say what you want to say all at once. Don''t beat around the bush.¡± ¡°Okay. Okay. I''ll say everything at once. I''ll say everything at once. Caridee mentioned before that she had fallen for a young man who seemed to be from the Saviors. However, she didn''t go into detail with me. I only know that the person she likes is from the Saviors.¡± Tucker raised his eyebrows. Did someone from the Saviors cause Shaun to be a eunuch? Well, things are bing more and more interesting. The Hoffman family was preparing to deal with Bailey. With Shaun''s help, they would surely save a lot of trouble. ¡°This is good news. Well, your merit can offset your demerit. From now on, whenever I give you an order, you must aplish it promptly. Can you do that?¡± ¡°S-Sure.¡± After angering Bailey, Artemis tried various ways to appease her. He tried to ask for forgiveness and punish himself. He tried every trick in the book. However, Bailey was extremely angry this time and didn''t ept his apology. Inside theboratory of Tarragon Headquarters, Bailey was busy concocting a toxin. The toxins in Artemis'' blood were almostpletely cleansed. With the remaining one-third of the toxins, she intended to use poison to counteract the toxins. Otherwise, all her previous efforts would be wasted, as Soul Reaper was incurable. Outside the laboratory, Artemis looked at his busy wife inside theboratory with a helpless and frustrated expression. If only he had known that he was so lucky and would wake up after losing so much blood, he wouldn''t have knocked her out in the first ce. Now, she was thoroughly annoyed, and nothing would let her forgive him. ¡°I''m a jerk.¡± He pped himself hard on his face twice. Zeke chuckled softly and patted his shoulder reassuringly. ¡°She won''t sulk for long and will be fine in a couple of days. Just think of ways to coax her during this time, and whatever you do, don''t make her angry again. Otherwise, even a deity won''t be able to save you.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but let out a bitter smile, shaking his head and saying, ¡°Judging by her attitude, it seems like she will give me the silent treatment for a long time. Two days? You''re underestimating your sister''s ability to throw a tantrum.¡± Zeke raised his eyebrows and responded with a wry smile, ¡°How about we try a bolder approach?¡± ¡°Hmm? What approach? Tell me about it.¡± ¡°Stop being so enthusiastic. Be a bit colder. Make her feel a strong urge toe and find you. Everything will turn out fine.¡± Artemis bowed and replied, ¡°That''s a good idea. I''ll do it. Once I''ve recovered, I''ll definitely go to the Hoffman family and bring back my future sister-inw.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± Artemis turned around and walked toward the elevator. ¡°I''ll leave this ce in your capable hands, Zeke. I''ll set things up and try to remove all opposing forces in one go.¡± ¡°All right.¡± As soon as Artemis left, Bailey walked out of theboratory. She nced around and didn''t see Artemis. Frowning, she asked, ¡°Where is he? What earthshaking act is he trying to do this time?¡± Zeke didn''t respond and changed the subject, asking, ¡°How''s the toxining along?¡± ¡°I still haven''t found the perfect one. Let''s wait a couple more days.¡± ¡°All right. Don''t tire yourself out too much. If you''re tired, take a proper break. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Okay. I understand.¡± Bailey was slightly worried after Artemis didn''te to see her for the entire afternoon. Did something happen to him again? Is he hiding somewhere to suffer the pain alone? If that''s the case, I can only tell him that a leopard doesn''t change its spots. ¡°Focus. Do you think you can develop the right toxin when you''re so distracted?¡± Cameron''s voice rang out by her ear, bringing her back from her wandering thoughts. She red at him fiercely and threw the instrument on the table before striding towards the outside. ¡°I''ll leave it to you, then.¡± Cameron was rendered speechless. After leaving theboratory, Bailey went straight back to the Luther residence. She could see Artemis and Micah conversing and drinking on the open balcony; they appeared to be having a great time. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Ah, all men are the same. They have no patience when ites to coaxing their wives. It''s only been two days, and you have no patience anymore? On the balcony, Micah noticed Bailey standing in the snow and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your wife seems even angrier now. Are you sure you want to keep drinking?¡± Artemis couldn''t help but laugh. ¡°She''s been quite upset these past few days. Let''s give her some personal space and let her adjust on her own.¡± Bailey walked toward the balcony. Suddenly, she slipped and fell straight into the snow. She was suddenly ovee by a wave of agony and a bone-chilling coldness, which made her sob uncontrobly. Artemis couldn''t keep up his pretentious act any longer. He ran down the stairs and rushed straight towards her. He bent down to embrace her. ¡°How do you feel? Did you hurt yourself anywhere when you fell?¡± Bailey let out two humphs. My tears are already streaming down. How can it not hurt? Artemis sighed softly and said slowly, ¡°I knocked you out once, and you gave the painting you drew to Cameron behind my back. We both made mistakes, so why don''t we call it even?¡± Chapter 768 Chapter 768 Bailey red at him. Who told him that we could break even? Is a man making a mistake the same as a woman''s slip-ups? Even if a woman made a mistake, she should be coaxed andforted, while the man who made mistakes should ster a cautious smile to please the wronged party. Artemis'' heart softened when he noticed the tears on Bailey''s face. He couldn''t bear to see her pitiful appearance and her tears. The only time it is eptable for a woman to cry is when she begs for mercy while being intimate with a man. If she cries at other times, it''s definitely because of the man''s ipetence. ¡°All right. All right. I misbehaved. I was wrong, okay?¡± Artemis spoke, abruptly pping his face. ¡°There''s no way we can break even! I will have to coax and pamper Wifey until she''s satisfied if I upset her.¡± Even though Bailey was thrilled by his reaction, her tears dripped down her face even more heavily. Artemis was left with no choice. He reached out to cradle her head, leaned in to kiss her eyes, and said in a muffled voice, ¡°Hey, please stop crying, okay? I feel like my heart is going to break if you keep on crying.¡± ¡°You''re bullying me.¡± This was the first time Bailey spoke to Artemis after he had knocked her unconscious. Although her words were usations aimed at Artemis, the man was delighted by her reaction. ¡°Yes, yes, yes, I bullied you. I''m such a jerk. When we get back, I''ll kneel down before you as punishment, okay? Please don''t be mad.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Bailey stared at him intently, narrowing her eyes as she asked, ¡°You''ve been giving me the cold shoulder all day. Tell me. Who taught you that trick?¡± Artemis replied hurriedly, ¡°Zeke! He was the one who suggested that stupid idea to me.¡± Bailey couldn''t hold back any longer as she burst outughing at Artemis'' evident nervousness. He''s willing to try any tricks to make me happy, not bothering that his reputation and ego are gone in the process. Isn''t this enough to show his love for me? Bailey just wanted to tease. Fortunately, Artemis did not disappoint her because he let her experience the warmth of being loved and pampered by someone. ¡°Wifey, it''s cold outside. Why don''t I carry you back to the headquarters?¡± Artemis probed. She has quite a temper, so she will make things hard for me whenever she feels petty. I will never try to provoke her again in the future. Pleasing Wifey is moreplicated than traversing through a hail of bullets. Bailey hummed in agreement. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest. Listening to Artemis'' heartbeat, she asked in a muffled voice, ¡°Artemis, you''ve already survived the jaws of death. We don''t have to die anymore, right?¡± Artemis stood up with Bailey in his embrace. He could feel that the woman had be skinnier, for he felt no weight as he held her. ¡°Yes, I won''t die. Since I''ve been given the hopes to live, I''ll naturally fight on till the end. I don''t care about the afterlife. To me, seizing the present moment is the best!¡± Bailey smiled, and her eyes twinkled with amusement. ¡°It seems like a lifetime had passed when I regained consciousness. Luckily, you are still with me.¡± Artemis walked toward the main hall, and as he approached the steps, he said leisurely, ¡°I never intended to leave you alone in this world. Before I went for bloodletting, I made arrangements with your brother. If I wake up, everything will be fine. But if I can''t, then you shall not regain consciousness forever.¡± Bailey grinned. ¡°I know. The moment I opened my eyes, I guessed what was on your mind. That''s why I had a feeling that you had safely passed the critical stage. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have woken up.¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh. This woman was much more perceptive than he had imagined. Exining the situation to her was indeed a bit redundant. ¡°By the way, is the toxin research done yet? I know you''re eager to go to Moranta to save Juliana. Give me the toxin to me sooner, so once I''m cured, you can leave without worries.¡± Bailey looked up at him, her affectionate gaze wandering freely over Artemis'' face. Artemis'' face had already been etched into her very flesh and soul. She would never forget him, even if he passed on into another world. Artemis felt her passionate emotions and slowly halted in his tracks. He lowered his head, meeting Bailey''s eyes in mid-air. At that moment, they deeply felt that they had be one. Emotions overwhelmed Artemis. He couldn''t help himself but lowered his head to kiss Bailey. His thin lips lingered on hers, tracing the graceful outline of her lips. ¡°Cameron was as happy as a m after you gave him a painting. I didn''t want to dampen his enthusiasm because I get to kiss and pamper you unscrupulously.¡± Bailey yfully tapped his chest, teasing, ¡°Someone''s getting cocky, huh?¡± After saying that, she extended her arm and pushed his head away. ¡°Stop messing around! I have something important to tell you.¡± Artemis wanted to kiss her again. He replied, ¡°I think kissing you is the most important thing. There''s nothing more important than this matter in the entire world.¡± Bailey reached out and gently blocked Artemis'' lips. A tingling, moist sensation radiated from Bailey''s palm the next moment as a thought raced through her mind. Not again? ¡°Wifey, your palm has a lingering fragrance. They smells so good!¡± Bailey quivered uncontrobly as goosebumps formed all over her body. What is he going on about? She red at him, finally speaking, ¡°After neutralizing your poison, you should continue ying dead. This way, we can deceive Sofie and the others to lower their guards. That way, we can catch them all in one fell swoop. What do you think?¡± Artemisughed. ¡°Dear, you''ve expressed exactly what I was thinking. Great minds think alike. Your suggestion is, of course, excellent. Let''s proceed ording to your wishes.¡± Bailey couldn''t take it anymore. She stated fiercely, ¡°Do you want to go upstairs and rest? If not, I''ll return to theb, and we can continue giving each other the silent treatment.¡± Artemis bit Bailey''s palm. ¡°I''ll make it hard for you to rest after we go upstairs.¡± Meanwhile, in the study at the Hoffman residence in Moranta, Philip stared at Tucker, who was standing before him. He questioned, ¡°What happened? How did Shaun end up so badly injured?¡± Tucker exined the whole story. Philip was stunned when he heard the exnation. ¡°Are you sure the person who hurt him is Mr. Veikko from the Saviors?¡± ¡°Yes, that young man is fond of Caridee. Upon learning that Shaun was trying to take advantage of her, he hurried to International Socialite G, rescued Caridee, and released a mastiff to incapacitate Shaun.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Philip chuckled heartily. ¡°He did great! We sessfully forced Shaun to act that way toward Caridee. Thus, making him an enemy of the Luther family. After all, Artemis is bound to die, and the Luther family is no threat to us. Our only obstacle is Bailey now, for she is the leader of The Saviors. Let Shaun direct his hate for The Saviors and end them!¡± Tuckerughed. ¡°I had the same n in mind too. I wonder what happened between Veikko and Shaun that Veikko had to resort to such extremes. Even though he was aware of Shaun''s identity as the head of the Carter family, he still showed no mercy. Based on my experience, it wasn''t just to avenge Caridee. There must be another reason for him to cripple Shaun!¡± Philip was about to speak when a voice reported from outside, ¡°Mr. Tucker, Mr. Carter is awake, and he is insistent on meeting you!¡± Chapter 769 Chapter 769 Tucker raised his eyebrows. Why is the useless person here? Naturally, Tucker was forced to inquire who exactly had dealt the fatal blow and crippled Shaun. ¡°Alright, I understand. I''ll be right there. Please have the doctor wait outside the infirmary. I have a few questions for him.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Philip said nonchntly, ¡°Since Mr. Carter is eager to find out who messed with him, you should go have a good talk with him.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Father, I will take care of it.¡± Having said that, Tucker turned around and prepared to leave. Philip suddenly thought of something and added, ¡°Send someone to investigate the background of that young man, or look into Shaun''s background. Check to see if there''s any connection between them. Perhaps they have some grudges or deep animosity.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Meanwhile, at the infirmary. A crisp, crackling sound echoed throughout the hospital ward. A moment later, two doctors rushed out of the room while clutching their blood-drenched heads in their hands. ¡°Mr. Carter has gone mad,pletely mad! He''s hitting everything he sees!¡± The bodyguards who stood at the entrance exchanged nces. They pushed the door open and entered. A few secondster, a hoarse roar rang out. ¡°Who dared to scheme against me? Who crippled me? I swear I''ll devour them alive, crush their bones, and scatter their ashes.¡± When Tucker arrived, he heard Shaun''s howl and couldn''t help the smile that crept across his lips. The attending doctor approached him and nodded. He said, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Carter''s injuries have been taken care of.¡± Tucker hummed lightly before asking, ¡°What''s the situation? Is hepletely crippled?¡± The attending doctor''s mouth twitched slightly. He had never witnessed something so terrible before. It was truly horrifying. He had to make dozens of stitches, and still, he had barely managed to reattach the organ. As for properly performing as a man in the future, it was difficult to even think about it. ¡°It''s quite unfortunate. Please forgive my limited medical skills. I was unable to restore him to his original state.¡± Tucker smiled faintly. Even if things could return to how they were before, he could not allow something like that to happen. If Shaun was not crippled, he would never aim the de of vengeance at the Saviors. Only by sacrificing him would he go fight against Bailey. ¡°Alright, I understand. Then, please take good care of him. Remember, even if he bes disabled, or even if a miracle might happen in the future, you must let him remain disabled. Do you understand?¡± The doctor hurriedly agreed. Tucker entered the ward and saw Shaun being held down on the bed by several bodyguards. When he saw that the other man was roaring angrily, the look of amusement in his eyes grew stronger. ¡°Mr. Carter, I''m really sorry. I never expected that the vice-leader of the Saviors would also take a liking to the little bunny. You know that kid. Hees and goes without a trace. I was not ready for him, and he just took advantage of the situation right in front of my eyes. I''m sorry.¡± Abruptly, Shaun ceased his violet struggle. After a brief moment of shock, he roared, ¡°Are you saying the person fromst night was the vice-leader of the Saviors, Veikko?¡± ¡°Yes, it''s him. The mastiffs...¡± As soon as the word ¡°mastiff¡± was mentioned, Shaun reacted savagely. He gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Don''t you dare mention the jerk in front of me.¡± ¡°Okay, okay. I looked into it thoroughly. The person who saved the little bunnyst night and attacked you was Veikko indeed. If you don''t believe me, you can¡ª¡± Before Tucker could finish speaking, a phone nearby started ringing. Tucker gave the bodyguard beside him a look. Understanding Tucker''s intentions, the bodyguard picked up the phone and picked up the call. He held the phone to Shaun''s ear. ¡°Mr. Carter, I''ve investigated thoroughly. The one who released the mastiff to attack youst night was the vice-leader of the Saviors, Veikko. He is fond of Ms. Caridee, and upon learning of your intentions toward her, he brought his subordinates to the International Socialite G.¡± Shaun was so furious that he felt as if his brain was about to explode. He grabbed the bodyguard''s phone and threw it at the wall across the room. After a moment of silence, he suddenly thought of something. He red at Tucker and angrily demanded, ¡°The woman is the daughter of the Luther family? Tucker, why you didn''t tell me? What are your intentions?¡± Tucker grew slightly anxious and exined quickly, ¡°I really didn''t know about this because I had someone else handle it. I thought she was just an ordinary socialite. I figured since you''re the head of the Carter family, it would be her good fortune if you took an interest in her.¡± Shaun clenched his eyes shut, trembling with anger. His fists were tightly gripped as the raging fury spread uncontrobly throughout the hospital ward. He did not want to dwell on those trivial matters any longer. All he wanted now was to seek revenge. He only wanted to avenge his fallen ¡°brethren.¡± ¡°Mr. Tucker, I can''t endure this resentment. You wanted to cooperate with me, right? Now that I''m going against the Saviors, you should lend me a hand.¡± Tucker raised his eyebrows. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. The fish finally took the bait. ¡°It might be quite troublesome to deal with the Saviors. Their leader is not someone you''d want to mess with. Veikko is under her protection, so it''s quite difficult if you want to make a move on him.¡± The leader of the Saviors? Shaun narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°I''ve heard some rumors before. They say that Bailey is the Saviors'' leader. Is that true?¡± Shaking his head, Tucker replied, ¡°I''m not so sure about that, but Bailey should being to Moranta within the next few days. Why don''t we send someone to investigate her and see if she''ll make contact with the people from the Saviors?¡± Shaun''s eyes flew open, and a bloodthirsty, murderous intent burst from his pupils. I''m ruined. For the rest of my life, I can never do that again. The damage done to me is devastating. If I can''t collect this debt, I won''t be able to face myself. ¡°Alright, let''s do it this way. If it''s confirmed that Bailey is the leader of the Saviors, I''ll kill her first, and then I''ll grind the brat into dust.¡± Meanwhile, in one of the Saviors'' branches. Caridee gradually regained consciousness from her stupor inside the main bedroom. After being stunned for a few seconds, consciousness gradually returned. Her gaze swept around the room before finally resting on a man not far away. He leaned against the couch with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought. Before, she was in a daze, and her thoughts couldn''t keep up. Now that she was awake, everything that happened in the loungest night was gradually bing clear. He had actually called over a few mastiffs to tear apart that scum. Although she felt that the despicable man deserved it, the one who gave the order was her beloved young man. This made it somewhat difficult for her to ept. Could this be his true self? He''s quite scary. A sudden cry of terror from the direction of the couch pulled her back from her wandering thoughts. ¡°D-Don''te over! Don''te over. Get lost...¡± The young man seemed to be trapped in a nightmare, iling his arms while wailing in despair. Caridee propped herself up with her left arm and sat up. After rolling out of bed, she took quickly rushed to his side. ¡°Veikko, wake up! Come on, wake up!¡± Although she shoved at him repeatedly, there was no response. ¡°Get away, all of you. Get away from me...¡± The young man began to struggle intensely. Tears streamed down Caridee''s face. What had he gone through? Why is he in so much pain? As the thoughts raced through her mind, she remembered that Bailey had taught her a dream-tailoring skill. Although she wasn''t very good at it, she should be able to enter his consciousness and delve into his experiences. Thinking of that, she slowly reached out and propped his eyelids open. Chapter 770 Chapter 770 There was darkness in front of Caridee''s eyes as if she had entered a ck hole in the universe. No wonder Bailey said that Veikko''s world is full of darkness, without even a hint of light to speak of. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Now, as Caridee delved into his inner world, the boundless darkness left her struggling to adapt. What kind of hellish experiences has Veikko been through? As the light and shadows shifted, Caridee followed Veikko''s consciousness, witnessing the tragic death of his mother. In the end, not even her bones remained, as her ashes scattered in the rain, eventually disappearing with the wind. She saw the young man being forced to kneel in the rain by several men in ck, his eyes bloodshot as he watched his mother''s ashes mix with the rainwater and seep into the ground, leaving no trace behind. He roared, he wailed, but no one pitied him. Sinisterughter echoed around him, and gradually, a hideous face appeared before Caridee''s eyes. She recognized this man. He was the scum who had bullied her. Did all the disasters and misfortunes that befall Veikkoe from this jerk? The image changed, and Caridee saw a scene that pierced her heart with pain. That scum actually called over several men to mess with Veikko... A young boy''s dignity was ruthlessly trampled upon, and all his goodness was buried within that rainy night. Veikko wailed in pain beneath a group of burly bodyguards, tormented to the brink of copse. His eyes yearned for relief, yet he was unwilling to give in. For in his heart, there was sorrow, anger, and hatred. With hisst ounce of strength, he escaped the depths of hell. Outside, thunder roared, and heavy rain poured down relentlessly. Alone, he ran and fled through the stormy night. Veikko was severely injured, and before he could get far, he was caught up by the pursuing bodyguards. In the dimly lit street, wherever Veikko passed by, pools of blood spread out. He roared, using fate of its injustice, his eyes swirling with a desperate unwillingness to ept it. Finally, Veikko resigned himself to his fate, no longer putting up a futile resistance. He stumbled and fell to the ground, mud sttering onto his handsome face, blurring his vision. His eyes were blood red, immense grief and anger threatening to consume him. He closed his eyes in humiliation, waiting for the call of the Grim Reaper. ¡°You are still breathing, but you are awaiting death like this. Are you willing to just give in?¡± A cold, clear female voice rang out in the darkness and then slowly reached out toward him. Upon seeing this, Caridee burst into tears. It was Bailey! It was Bailey''s timely appearance that had saved Veikko that day. She was the one who had pulled Veikko, the young man she admired, out of the boundless hell. Veikko stared nkly at the fair and slender fingers before him, and his voice cracked as he asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± With a charming smile, Bailey''s lips parted slightly, and she coldly uttered five words, ¡°Leader of the Saviors.¡± At that moment, Veikko''s eyes burned with a fierce me. It was the fire of vengeance. Caridee sobbed uncontrobly. She withdrew the dream-tailoring skill and retreated from Veikko''s consciousness. She copsed on the ground, crying hysterically. Bailey had given hope to Veikko. If it weren''t for Bailey, Veikko would have died long ago. Where would her love for him, etched deeply in her heart,e from then? ¡°Did you see it all?¡± A deep, maic voice sounded overhead, raspy and dry, pulling Caridee back from her dazed thoughts. She slowly raised her head, and their gazes collided. How would one describe Veikko''s eyes? Before knowing about his past, every time Caridee saw those eyes, she always felt a cold, unweing gaze that seemed to keep people at a distance. Now that she had glimpsed into his past and understood what he had been through, she no longer found his eyes cold. Instead, she was filled with tenderness andpassion for him. Veikko wasn''t born cold and distant. The pain bestowed upon him by fate was why he had turned him into such a bloodthirsty being. If he doesn''t seek revenge, it would be intolerable by the course of nature. The heavens had granted him a chance at a new life, allowing him to stand tall and seek justice for himself. ¡°V-Veikko, I-I didn''t mean to pry into your past. It''s just that you were trapped in a nightmare, and I couldn''t wake you up, so I thought...¡± stammered Caridee. ¡°Enough!¡± shouted Veikko suddenly and interrupted her. Veikko''s gaze gradually turned cold, and he watched Caridee silently before saying to her, ¡°You had entered my consciousness, so you must have seen what I have been through. Someone as filthy as me is not worthy of the Luther family''s pure and noble Royal Highness. I have already contacted Simon, and he''ll being to Moranta. When he arrives, you can go back to Hallsbay with him. I want to seek revenge, and I do not want to be burdened by you.¡± Caridee had already stopped crying, but after hearing Veikko''s words, her tears started flowing again. She stumbled to her feet and leaned in to embrace him. She buried her face in his chest and cried, ¡°Don''t say that. I''ve never thought of you as dirty. Don''t talk about yourself like that. It''s a heartbreaking thing to say. I see a resilient and unyielding young man capable of adapting and taking bold actions. The Carter family is one of Epea''s most prestigious families, second only to the Luther family in strength. Your ability to defeat Shaun proves that you fear nothing. It is this side of you that I admire the most.¡± The veins on the young man''s forehead bulged, and a hint of resistance welled up within him. He had just experienced a nightmare, witnessing his past ordeal with his eyes. The lingering negative energy made him strongly repel the approach of the opposite sex. ¡°If you don''t want me to despise you, stay away from me,¡± said Veikko. Caridee slowly raised her head, her tearful eyes gazing at Veikko, feeling his rejection and resistance. After a brief silence, she suddenly leaned in, her trembling lips pressing against Veikko''s cold, thin ones. The young man''s pupils contracted violently twice, and a destructive gleam burst from his eyes. He was carrying a lot of sins and was desperate to find a ce to vent. Now that Caridee had stumbled into his line of fire, and he already had feelings for her, the surge of emotions came crashing down like a breached dam. Veikko suddenly flipped Caridee over, pinned her down, and fiercely kissed her. ¡°I''m filthy, tainted by them... You''re an angel, or at the very least, to the eyes of many talented young men, you are a pure and untainted princess. Do you want to get entangled with me and be stained by the disgrace and shame I carry?¡± Caridee gentlyughed as she extended her left hand and slowly caressed Veikko''s cold, rigid brows. ¡°As long as it''s you, whether it''s heaven or hell, I''m willing to follow,¡± murmured Caridee. Veikko lowered his head and kissed her. Ring! At this inopportune moment, the cell phone rang, pulling Veikko back to his senses. His movements suddenly halted as he looked at Caridee, who had her eyes tightly shut. A trace of annoyance flickered through Veikko''s gaze. Damn it, have I lost my mind? How can I do such a foolish thing? As his senses returned, he suddenly flipped over and stood up. The weight on her body lifted, and Caridee slowly opened her eyes. As she turned her head, she saw Veikko pick up his phone and walk away. A trace of disappointment couldn''t help but sh through her eyes. She was just a tiny step away, but of all the times the phone call could havee, it came at this time. How frustrating! Caridee struggled to sit up and began to think calmly about everything that had happened at the cocktail party. The more she thought about it, the more upset she became. The wine was brought to her by Astrid, and it was Astrid who had helped her to the lounge. Could it be... Chapter 771 Chapter 771 Was I set up by my own friend? It was my na?vet¨¦ that led me to have my guard down against others, and I deserve to experience this once. It is just that... She might have implicated Veikko and disrupted his ns for revenge. Heaven really has a way of ying tricks on people. The scum who molested her turned out to be Veikko''s enemy. In order to help her vent her anger, Veikko had directly taken care of that jerk, Shaun. That jerk was no one else but Mr. Shaun Carter of the Carter family. If Shaun sent someone to investigate, likely, they could easily find out that the culprit is Veikko. If Shaun manages to investigate Veikko, it would be difficult for Veikko to catch Shaun off guard and take him by surprise. As thoughts swirled around Caridee''s mind, the door opened, and Veikko walked in after finishing his phone call. She quickly stood up, took a few impulsive steps towards him, and grabbed his shirt, anxiously saying, ¡°Did I ruin your ns? You shouldn''t have saved me.¡± The young man slightly narrowed his eyes, and a hint of displeasure shed in his gaze. In a cold voice, he said, ¡°If I hadn''t taken any action, I would have failed to repay Bailey''s life-saving kindness.¡± A hint of sadness shed through Caridee''s eyes when she heard that. Veikko turned his face away slightly, avoiding her gaze, and added, ¡°Besides, I''ve had a deep-seated grudge for Shaun all along.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. He arranged for several men to ruin me back then, and now I had arranged for a few mastiffs to cripple him. I''m just returning the favor. It has nothing to do with you. Even without you, I would have done the same. You don''t need to feel any psychological burden.¡± A bitter smile appeared on Caridee''s face. Was there not even a tiny bit of it for her sake? ¡°Oh, I get it now, but I still have to thank you for pulling me out of that hell,¡± said Caridee. After saying that, she shed a brilliant smile at Veikko, which made her look morous like a rose, yet pure like a lily. She was pure and wless. Veikko caught a glimpse of her radiant smile from the corner of his eye, and his heart fluttered gently. When Veikko saw this kind of smile aimed toward him, it made him feel discouraged and unworthy, as if he didn''t deserve her. ¡°It''s gettingte. You should rest early. I have some matters to attend to, but I wille and see you tomorrow,¡± said Veikko. After saying that, he turned around and prepared to leave. But suddenly, as if he had thought of something, he slowly stopped in his tracks and looked back before adding, ¡°I found out who drugged you. It was your friend Astrid. She was acting on Tucker''s orders. You... should keep your distance from her in the future.¡± Caridee stumbled back a few steps, her face revealing a touch of sadness. It was really her! Seeing Caridee in such a terrible state and noticing her right arm hanging limply in front of her, Veikko couldn''t help but feel distressed for her. After hesitating a moment, he finally stepped forward and carried her up. He softened his tone and said, ¡°Don''t be sad for those who don''t deserve it. While you''re getting upset here, she''sughing at you from the shadows, thinking what a foolish person you are. Although you are a bit foolish, you can''t be so kind anymore, or someone will take advantage of you.¡± As Veikko ended his little talk, he had carried her to the bedside. Gentlyying her down, he tucked her in and covered her with the nket. Caridee thought Veikko was leaving, so she quickly reached out her hand and grabbed him. She turned her head to look at the pitch-ck night outside the window and said with a trembling voice, ¡°I''m scared. Can you wait until I fall asleep before you leave?¡± Veikko slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took her hand as he whispered, ¡°All right. I''ll watch over you while you sleep. This is my territory, so you don''t have to be afraid. No one will hurt you here.¡± Caridee didn''t say anything to that. She slowly closed her eyes, and a sweet smile appeared on the corner of her lips. As he gazed at the delicate and pretty face before him, Veikko''s heart sank deeper and deeper. He knew that this young girl was slowly infiltrating his world. The day his worldpletely merged with hers, he feared he would never be able to let her go again. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn''t help himself. All he could do was watch helplessly as he slowly sumbed. In Tarragon Headquarters, the news of the leader''s critical condition swept through the entire organization, causing widespread panic and unease. In the medical base, inside the intensive care unit, Artemis leisurely leaned against the head of the bed, enjoying the fruits fed to him by his wifey with a contented expression on his face. Bailey couldn''t help butugh and say, ¡°Do you know what you look like right now?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows and asked, ¡°What?¡± ¡°A debauched monarch from ancient times,¡± said Bailey. Artemis suddenly reached out, pulling her into his embrace, and his two hands began to roam restlessly. ¡°Does it look more like it now?¡± teased Artemis. Bailey red at him and struggled to free herself from his embrace, saying irritably, ¡°Stop messing around. Let''s talk about serious matters.¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she stuffed a piece of fruit into his mouth, silencing him. Then she continued, ¡°The news that you''ve been admitted to the intensive care unit of the medical base has already spread. Whether others believe it or not is not that important. As long as we can convince Sofie, Mr. Philip, and Mr. Doyle, that''s enough. In a few days, we''ll announce the news of your death. I''ll go to Moranta with Zeke while you arrange things secretly. We''ll coborate together from both inside and outside, take them by surprise, and bring them all down at once.¡± Artemis thought for a moment and said, ¡°I''ll go to Moranta with you. I know you have a way that can let me change my appearance, so don''t tell me you can''t do it.¡± Bailey rolled his eyes. He seemed to know everything, and since he knew everything, not even a little bit of anticipatory feelings were left. How boring. ¡°Do you have toe with me? I think you''d be better off staying in Tarragon,¡± said Bailey. ¡°I have to go with you, or you won''t be allowed to leave through this door. No one will let you pass,¡± insisted Artemis. Bailey didn''t respond. She got up and walked over to the medicine cab, took out a medicine, and then waved it in front of him. ¡°This toxinplements and antagonizes the Soul Reaper in your body. If you can ovee the erosion of these two deadly toxins and wake up safely, I promise to let you apany me to Moranta. Isn''t it just about changing your appearance to deceive others? Easy, I know how to disguise you,¡± exined Bailey. ¡°Deal,¡± agreed Artemis. Artemis rolled up his sleeve and extended his arm towards her, smiling, ¡°Go ahead and give me the injection. I''ve been waiting for this moment for days.¡± Bailey lowered her head slightly, looking at the toxin in her hand, and fell into a state of hesitation. She didn''t know what kind of damage would ur when two highly toxic substances devoured each other inside the human body. In case... In a daze, she suddenly felt that her palm was empty. Subconsciously, she looked down and saw the syringe that she had held between her fingers had disappeared. Upon looking up, she saw Artemis insert the needle into his vein and then push all the toxins in the vial into his body. Bailey cried out in rm and hurriedly reached out to stop him, but it was toote. The toxin had already been injected into his body. Bailey red at him fiercely and angrily said, ¡°Artemis, have you gone mad? Are you so eager to rush to your death?¡± Artemis chuckled softly and said, ¡°Either way, the injection is necessary. Since you can''t bring yourself to do it, I''ll take care of it myself. My head feels a bit dizzy, so I''ll sleep first. Don''t worry. I''ll definitely wake up after a good rest.¡± Just as Bailey was about to speak, Artemis closed his eyes and fell asleep. Just like that, after saying he was going to sleep, he fell asleep. Was he so tired? No, it must be that there is an issue with the toxin. Cameron... Could that brat have done something sneaky? After helping Artemis lie down, she hurriedly rushed out of the intensive care unit and headed straight for theboratory. Chapter 772 Chapter 772 At the end of the corridor, Bailey bumped into Zeke, who was walking toward her. She couldn''t maintain her bnce and kept stepping back. Upon seeing this, Zeke quickly reached out and grabbed her arm. ¡°Bay, you''re almost thirty, why are you in such a hurry? What happened?¡± he asked worriedly. Once Bailey regained her bnce, her emotions gradually settled, and she seemed to have figured it out all at once. She couldn''t help but burst intoughter and then said, ¡°I was just being too anxious. I get worked up over every little thing that happens to him. It''s fine now, Zeke. Did you need me for something?¡± Zeke released her arm, a trace of worry shing across his handsome face. He attempted to ask, ¡°I received news from Moranta that Juliana has fallen into aa and is in imminent danger. I came here to ask you about your ns.¡± After pondering for a moment, Bailey reassured him. ¡°You don''t need to worry. They''re just trying to force me out. Before I make a move, Julie will be safe. I just injected a toxin into Artemis earlier. If we counteract the poison with the toxin, we''ll know the oue in the next few days. Just wait a little longer.¡± Zeke chuckled and shook his head with a smile. ¡°That''s your disciple, yet you''re the oneforting me. What kind of strange situation is this?¡± Bailey raised his eyebrows and teased, ¡°She slept with you, making her the closest person to you in this world, and I...¡± Zeke waved his hand, interrupting her. ¡°All right, I can''t argue with you. Let''s end this topic here.¡± ¡°All right then, you go keep an eye on Artemis for me, and I''ll go find Cameron. I have some questions to ask him.¡± After saying that, Bailey turned around and ran. Zeke couldn''t help but rub his forehead. I must have owed this pair of adversaries in my previous life. ¡°Remember to keep Juliana''s situation in mind. Whether she lives or not is entirely in your hands,¡± Zeke reminded. ¡°Don''t worry, I''ll take care of Juliana. I''ve been concerned about it all along. I even discussed it with Artemis,¡± Bailey reassured. Zeke stayed silent. Bailey rushed to theboratory, forcefully pushing open the ss door. She quickly walked over to the equipment and abruptly grabbed Cameron by the cor. ¡°What did you put in that toxin? Why did Artemis fall asleep immediately after the injection?¡± she demanded. Cameron became furious and swatted her hand away, ring at her as he said, ¡°You heartless woman! I was worried that he couldn''t withstand the attack of two toxins and would suffer unbearable pain. So I added some powerful anesthetic to ease his pain. Have you ever seen a rival like me, who has such a kind heart?¡± Bailey was taken aback. An anesthetic? Just an anesthetic? Seeing her skeptical expression, Cameron burst intoughter. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Fine, I''m being pathetic, absolutely pathetic. I shouldn''t have thought about his well-being, and shouldn''t have used anesthetic. I should have let him suffer and die in excruciating pain. It would have been great, then there would be no onepeting for my beloved.¡± Bailey coughed lightly, awkwardly smiling to hide her embarrassment. ¡°Um, indeed I was too impulsive. I apologize,¡± she said. Cameron snorted twice and said menacingly, ¡°Remember what you promised me earlier. You have to let me apany you wherever you go for the next six months. If you dare to break that oath and leave me behind, I won''t be responsible for the remaining treatment sessions.¡± Bailey squinted her eyes slightly, a dangerous glint shing in them. ¡°What do you mean by ''remaining treatment sessions''? You better exin that clearly to me,¡± she demanded. Cameron spread his palms and grinned wickedly. ¡°I''m not stupid. How could I possibly cleanse all the toxins in his body simultaneously? Once he''s Baileyughed out of frustration. This jerk... She reached out and grabbed the vessel on the table, making a gesture as if she was about to throw it at him. If I guessed correctly, this should be the new toxin he had developed. A precious one indeed. As expected, as soon as she raised the vessel, Cameron cried out. ¡°Bailey, please don''t act impulsively. We can discuss things and find a solution together,¡± Cameron hurriedly pleaded. Bailey coldly stared at him and asked deliberately, each word pronounced clearly, ¡°Why do you insist on following me? Don''t lie to me. Be honest and tell me. You should know that I''m not that easily fooled.¡± Over the years, this guy has never approached me, let alone clung to me like this. He suddenly acts out of character, so a hidden motive must exist. ¡°Speak up. Why are you following me?¡± she questioned. A hint of hesitation shed in Cameron''s eyes as he watched Bailey raise the vessel, preparing to smash it to the ground. Then, he hurriedly spoke up. ¡°By following you, I can find the traitor of the Yablon family.¡± Bailey''s hand froze. A traitor of the Yablon family? What does that have to do with me? ¡°Exin it clearly,¡± Bailey said sternly. Cameron sighed softly and said leisurely, ¡°Did Cadence die at your hands? He has a younger brother who has been hiding in the Yablon family. Recently, he stole Soul Reaper and fled.¡± ¡°He even stole away Encyclopedia of Poison that has been passed down for generations. I must retrieve it; otherwise, if it''s leaked, it will cause terror,¡± Cameron added. Bailey stood upright, cing the vessel back on the table, a flicker of worry shing through her mind. The Yablon family''s Encyclopedia of Poison documented the recipes for hundreds of highly toxic substances. If it were to be leaked, it could truly bring catastrophe. The power of those poisons was not inferior to that of biochemical weapons. ¡°By following me, can you find Cadence''s younger brother?¡± Bailey asked, seeking confirmation. Cameron nodded. ¡°Kurt White has always respected his brother. When he learns that Cadence died at your hands, he will definitely seek revenge on you. I stay by your side not only to retrieve Encyclopedia of Poison but also to protect you. Bailey, don''t underestimate Kurt''s poison-crafting skills. He is no less capable than me.¡± Bailey was stunned for a moment, then chuckled softly. ¡°Cameron, thank you. I''ve always thought of you as my enemy because I disfigured your face. You don''t know, over the years, what I''ve been most worried about is you suddenly showing up at my doorstep. I''m afraid of you.¡± Cameron rolled his eyes. ¡°If I really wanted to hold you ountable, would you still be alive now?¡± Bailey shook her head earnestly. ¡°No. If you used poison on me secretly, I would be unable to guard against it.¡± ¡°So you have to let me follow you. Because if Kurt uses poison on you, you won''t be able to defend yourself,¡± Cameron stated. Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Well, you shouldn''t hold back either. Detoxification usually takes multiple treatments? This is the first time I''ve heard of it.¡± Cameron snorted twice, showing his dissatisfaction with Artemis''s opinions. ¡°If Ipletely detoxify that guy''s toxins in one go, with his methods, he will definitely not let me follow you. No room for argument. That jerk is just that stubborn, refusing to be whitewashed,¡± Cameron said. Bailey chuckled. Well, I admit that your analysis is correct. ¡°Suppose all the toxins in Artemis'' body arepletely detoxified, given his personality, he will kick you away as far as possible,¡± Bailey said. I''m speechless. ¡°Hmph, I''m not stupid either. Besides, don''t say it out loud, but even if his body toxins need to be cleaned, it''s necessary for me to follow you. I guess he wouldn''t dare to give you a hard time either. He''s that cowardly,¡± Cameron said. Bailey grabbed the vessel from the table and smashed it hard on the floor. ¡°Bailey, I''ll be damned if I let you off!¡± Cameron yelled. Chapter 773 Chapter 773 Meanwhile, at a suburban private mansion in Manchester. In the living room, Sofie raised her eyebrows, looked at the man opposite her, andughed, ¡°Mr. White, you are truly worthy of being Mr. Cadence White''s younger brother. Your poison-crafting skills are indeed unparalleled. The Hoffman family has quite a few poison-crafting experts, but they were all helpless against the poison you used on Juliana. It''s evident that your poison-crafting skills have reached the pinnacle of perfection. I''m now seriously doubting whether Bailey can neutralize the poison. If she can''t, she probably won''t show up, and all our ns wille to naught. As for avenging your elder brother, I''m afraid that might also be difficult.¡± Kurt nodded. ¡°Does Ms. Carr really think that Bailey''s title of being the Divine Healer, Anonymous, is just for show? Apart from Soul Reaper, there is no poison that Bailey can''t neutralize in this world. It''s just a matter of time for her to achieve it.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Sofie frowned, ¡°Now that you mention it, I have a new concern. You said that Bailey could neutralize all poisons except Soul Reaper, right? So, how will we take her down when the timees? That woman is too cunning. I can''t think of any other way to deal with her besides poisoning her.¡± Kurt''s lips curved, revealing a sinister smile. ¡°If another person is poisoned, she could concoct an antidote. But if she''s the one getting poisoned, creating a cure wouldn''t be so simple. After all, one''s energy is limited. If she gets poisoned and bes unconscious, how can she cure herself? Don''t worry, Ms. Carr. I will handle everything. Killing Bailey is not only your wish but also my heartfelt desire. My elder brother died at her hands, and I must avenge this deep-seated grudge. So you don''t need to worry too much. As long as there''s a way to bring Bailey to her death, I''m willing to try it.¡± ¡°Wonderful!¡± Sofie pped her hands vigorously. ¡°I like decisive people like you. So, I''m sure this will be an amazing coboration.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± On the other hand, back in Seaside City, inside the intensive care unit of Justin''s medical base. Gwendolyn was sitting by the bed, peeling an apple while asionally ncing outside through the floor-to-ceiling window, followed by a deep sigh each time. Lindsey has been waiting outside for almost a month now, yet that stubborn son of mine still refuses to let her in. Sigh...what a waster of the youngdy''s devotion. Gwendolyn thought. She genuinely adored Lindsey and felt that Lindsey was of great character with a good family background, making her and Edmund a perfect match. Unfortunately, Edmund didn''t feel the same way. ¡°Eddy, is Lindsey really that bad? Can''t you at least try to consider it?¡± Edmund didn''t bother to look up. His gaze was focused solely on the newspaper in his hands. He was able to sit up with his leg tied to the sofa. He wasn''t sure of his exact condition, but he could feel his muscles growing. Bailey truly lived up to her reputation as the Divine Healer, Anonymous. With such an injury, any other surgeon would have chosen amputation without hesitation. Yet she didn''t give up and stubbornly snatched his leg back from the clutches of the Grim Reaper. He once loved a woman of such extraordinary beauty and talent. So there''s no other woman that could possibly catch his eye. Lindsey was a potential mate. She was the daughter of the Carter family, the most prestigious family in Epea. Her elder brother Shaun had once ranked in the top ten list of the World''s Billionaires. So she definitely had a strong backing. Countless talented young men had sought her hand in marriage. But she''s just not his cup of tea. ¡°Mom, please don''t waste her time anymore. It''s not fair to her.¡± Gwendolyn red at him and mocked, ¡°You sure know how to lecture me, telling me not to hold others back. But what about you? What have you been doing? You''ve been ignoring her for a month now and have not cared about how she is during this time. This will only make her more persistent. If you really don''t like her, you should let here in and see you and talk it out with her face-to-face.¡± Edmund was slightly taken aback and slowly raised his head. Mom seems to have a point. I should talk it out with her once and for all and waste her time any longer. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Edmund contemted. ¡°Let her in then. I''ll have a chat with her.¡± ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Gwendolyn hurriedly got up and walked toward the door, fearing that Edmund might change his mind. She had all the reasons to behave that way. Lindsey had been waiting eagerly outside for a whole month. And Gwendolyn felt guilty whenever she saw Lindsey. A momentter, Lindsey walked in. She felt a bit uneasy and wasn''t sure where to ce her hands. She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly and said tremblingly, ¡°Edmund, I- I...¡± Before she could speak, Edmund interrupted, ¡°I know what you want to say and what you''re hoping for, but I don''t think I can reciprocate your feelings for me. You should know how I feel. I love Bailey, and she''s been the only one in my heart and mind these past few years. There''s no room for anyone else. Your efforts will ultimately be in vain, so it''s better to let go.¡± Lindsey bit her lip tightly, with tears welling up in her eyes. She choked, ¡°But Bailey loves Artemis. You can''t possiblypete with your cousin for a woman, right? If she can''t marry you, what will you do in the future?¡± ¡°I''ll stay single.¡± Edmund''s reply echoed in Lindsey''s ears, lingering for a long time. You''ll stay single, huh? What is it that you have, Bailey, that makes Edmund love you so deeply? The most infuriating part is that you will never reciprocate his feelings, leaving him all alone. Lindsey thought begrudgingly. ¡°I was naive to think that you have a heart and I''ll be able to make you notice me one day. But the truth is, you have a heart of stone. No matter how much I try, I''ll never be able to reach it.¡± Edmund nodded slightly and added, ¡°So, someone as cold-blooded and heartless as me really doesn''t deserve your devotion. Let go. There is a much better future ahead of you. Lindsey sniffed and wiped away her tears haphazardly. She screamed, ¡°My mother called and told me Shaun got into big trouble in Manchester. He cares for me deeply, so I must visit him. As you wish, I will no longer be in your sight starting today.¡± After that, she covered her face and rushed out of the ward. Edmund couldn''t help but sigh as he watched her leave sorrowfully. This is the sorrow of unrequited love. Edmund was a prideful man. And he would not ept anyone other than the one he truly loves. If it weren''t for the woman he loves. Because he refused to settle for less Meanwhile, in the main bedroom of Tarragon Headquarters. Artemis had been unconscious for two days and two nights, and there was still no sign of him waking up. As time passed by, Bailey''s heart became more unsettled. He was in aa, and she couldn''t understand his physical condition. All she could do was to constantly check his pulse, looking for any signs of life. It was the hardest part of going through this turmoil. ¡°Didn''t you say it would be perfectly safe? Why hasn''t he woken up yet?¡± Bailey asked Cameron frustratedly. Cameron rolled his eyes with an exasperated expression. Now it''s my fault that he''s poisoned and fell into aa? Cameron thought in disbelief. He strode to the bedside and asked the unconscious Artemis, ¡°Are you going to wake up or not? If you don''t, you might take yourst breath so I can steal your woman.¡± Chapter 774 Chapter 774 Bailey picked up the cup from the table, all ready to throw it at that man. Then came Cameron''s exmation. ¡°Look! He moved! His eyelid twitched! I told you this trick would work, but you didn''t believe me.¡± Did his eyelid really twitch? Bailey quickly turned her head and saw that Artemis'' eyshes were indeed fluttering. She immediately tossed aside the cup in her hand and rushed straight to the bedside. She grasped Artemis'' hand that was hanging by his side and anxiously called out, ¡°Wake up, Hubby. Please wake up.¡± Cameron was triggered when he heard the woman addressing the man in the bed as such. He could not help but mutter, ¡°Maybe we should concoct a deadly poison and send him straight to meet with the Grim Reaper.¡± Had that statement of his been made in the past, Bailey would have definitely argued and fought with him. Yet, at that moment, her thoughts were all on Artemis alone, so she could not be bothered to deal with a nuisance like Cameron. ¡°Just so you know, Artemis, I visited the branch of Tarragon Headquarters during the past few days and had my eyes on quite a few talented young men there. If you still don''t wake up, I''ll run a harem right at your headquarters in broad daylight and corral for myself all the handsome men from Tarragon.¡± Almost at the instant when she dropped her final word, a deep, grinding voice rang out within the room. ¡°Don''t you... dare!¡± Upon seeing Artemis open his eyes, Bailey unwittingly beamed. ¡°Hehe! I wouldn''t dare. They''re nothing more than empty words.¡± On that note, Cameron could not help but roll his eyes. ¡°Bailey, can''t you live a day without a man by your side? You used to be such a carefree, independent woman. Since when have you be this pathetic?¡± were his brusque words. Bailey simply gave him the cold shoulder. She shed Artemis a grin so bright and tactfully said, ¡°I''m one obedientdy, so I wouldn''t upset you by trying to get lucky with romantic encounters with some strangers.¡± ¡°D*mn!¡± All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Cameron cursed under his breath upon hearing that im. On the heels of that, he forcefully kicked the edge of the bed and stormed out of the room. Watching the woman he fancied flirt with another man, he naturally felt anguish assail his heart. After all, he was desperate and pathetic, following her around of his own will, only toy his eyes on the couple''s public disy of affection. It was then that Artemis slightly coughed a couple of times before leaning over the edge of the bed and violently spitting out a few mouthfuls of ck blood. Bailey''s visage did a one-eighty at that. Her smile vanished without a trace. ¡°Why are you coughing up blood again? Weren''t the toxins in your blood already cleansed?¡± Artemis slowly leaned against the headboard. A silent sigh escaped him when his gazended on the woman''s nervous mien. It seemed that Cameron was right on the money; Bailey used to be such a carefree and spirited woman. However, because of him, she had changed drastically. Whenever she encountered anything rted to him, she would inevitably lose her sense of boundaries. That had never urred in the past, not even in his wildest dreams. Ultimately, he was the reason. ¡°I''m fine. I just vomited out the residue of poisoned blood. Isn''t this simple logic something you should already know?¡± Bailey was taken aback to hear that. As soon as she regained herposure, she reached out to him and read his pulse. ¡°A few days ago when I checked your pulse, you were still very weak. Now, upon checking again, you''ve gained much more strength. Artemis, you''ve managed to clear half of the remaining one-third of the toxins in your body. With a few more treatments from Cameron, you''ll be able to make a full recovery.¡± ¡°A few more treatments, you say?¡± Artemis slightly narrowed his eyes. ¡°Does that mean I''ll have to tolerate him as he continues to wander in my sight for a longer period of time?¡± Bailey''s eyes curved like the shape of a crescent moon. Concealing behind those very eyes was a hint ofughter. Cameron must really understand Artemis, huh? He knew that the first thing this guy would do when he woke up was kick him aside, so he deliberately divided the treatment into several sessions. ¡°Well, there''s no other way. If you want to thoroughly get rid of all the toxins from your body, you''ll have to endure it. Don''t worry. My heart will always be with you, and he couldn''t sweep my heart away.¡± Keeping his lips buttoned, Artemis squinted his eyes. A momentter, his eyes suddenly lit up as if he was struck by a thought. ¡°Let him tag along, then. Once he sees more of our intimate interactions, I''m sure he''ll give up on you on his own. I don''t want another man thinking about my wife day in and day out.¡± No longer could Bailey stop herself from bursting intoughter. This man''s really getting cheekier. ¡°So, how are you feeling? Do you still feel pain or difort?¡± Artemis reached out, grabbed Bailey''s arm, and pulled her into his embrace. Immediately afterward, he leaned in to kiss her lips. The next second, the strong taste of blood in his mouth overwhelmed Bailey, causing her to retch violently as she shoved the man away. Startled, Artemis locked her shoulders then and there while gently patting her back. His dashing face gradually turned grim. ¡°Why are you throwing up? Could it be that you''ve also been poisoned? Didn''t you say that the infectivity of the toxin will be no more once it secured itself a vector? What''s going on here?¡± Bailey slightly narrowed her eyes. She had been so busy as ofte that it seemed that she had forgotten something crucial. Previously in Hallsbay, they had slept together, and Artemis left for quite a long time after that. On top of that, she had been in Tarragon for a while. Could it be... If things were really as she suspected, she would be in the soup. She was certain that after Soul Reaper found a vector, its infectivity would be nil. Be that as it might, Artemis was the vector, which meant his sperm might have carried the poison as well. At the time when the two of them shared the bed in Hallsbay, Artemis had already been poisoned. If his sperm had carried the toxin and she were to be pregnant, the fertilized egg in her would not be spared. ¡°Don''t tell me you''re really poisoned?¡± The sound of Artemis gnashing his teeth in frustration reached Bailey''s ears, hence pulling her back from her wandering thoughts. She turned her head and red at him, fuming, ¡°I''m just dry heaving. Did you see any clotted blood on the floor?¡± Artemis breathed a sigh of relief. She''s right. If there''s no clotted blood, she''s not poisoned. ¡°So, what made you dry heave all of a sudden?¡± A pucker formed between Bailey''s brows. She was not sure if she was pregnant or if his sperm contained any toxins. Until she figured things out, she reckoned it was best not to let the man know. ¡°Your breath reeked of blood. It was so pungent that it stimted my taste buds. Of course, I''d feel like gagging.¡± Artemis was convinced for the time being, for Bailey sounded ever so righteous and confident, not to mention she maintained eye contact with him the entire time. ¡°I''m sorry. I was too eager to have a taste of your lips just now that I wasn''t paying attention.¡± Bailey pinched his handsome cheek and smiled. ¡°It''s good that you''re awake. It proves that this method is indeed effective.¡± Artemis yanked the woman into his arms once again, uttering in a hoarse voice, ¡°Never have I felt as content as I do now. The feeling of being alive is truly wonderful.¡± Bailey smiled warmly in his embrace. Recently, it was as though her soul was going through purgatory. Atst, she was d that she could finally see the sunshine after the rain. ¡°Artemis, we''ll be just fine in this lifetime. I saw the rainbow in the sky.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Inside the private mansion''s infirmary at Moranta, Shauny t on the bed, staring nkly at the ceiling above. It had been two days, and he still could not bring himself to ept the fact that he was impotent. Why am I impotent? What does this entail? I can never be a true man again, can I? As the ruler of Epea''s most prominent family, he could no longer fool around in the future. Nothing in the world could be more cruel than his tragedy. He would rather lose an arm or a leg than be a eunuch. Nevertheless, it seemed like the heavens had pranked him and messed his life up. There was no room for him to even retaliate. Out of the blue, there was a creak at the door. The door was pushed open, and a bodyguard in ck walked in. ¡°Mr. Carter, we''ve got our hands on the background of the Saviors'' vice-leader.¡± Chapter 775 Chapter 775 Shaun''s pupils contracted sharply, and his hawk-like eyes shot forth a chilling, bloodthirsty gleam. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°He''s a young man rescued by the leader of the Saviors from Radford five years ago. Although they concealed all traces back then, they left some subtle clues. I mobilized all our resources and managed to find this information.¡± With that said, the bodyguard dressed in ck handed the photo he was holding to Shaun. Shaun lowered his gaze and looked at the photo. With just one nce, his body began to tremble violently. ¡°It''s that illegitimate child! It really is him! He didn''t die. He''s actually still alive! How is that possible? The fire back then had clearly burned him to ashes. How could he still be alive?¡± The more Shaun spoke, the more agitated he became, and finally, he tried to sit up by propping himself against the bedboard. The ck-d bodyguard quickly reached out and pressed down on Shaun''s shoulder, nodding and saying, ¡°If you want to take revenge for yourself, you must first nurse yourself back to health.¡± With a loud p, Shaun raised his arm, pped the bodyguard hard across the face, and yelled, ¡°Nurse myself back to health? I''m alreadypletely disabled! How am I supposed to nurse myself back to health? What kind of foolish dreams are you having? Or are you just here tough at my misery?¡± ¡°Mr. Carter, my life belongs to you. I would never defy you,¡± the bodyguard in a ck outfit said respectfully as he quickly knelt on one knee. Shauny on the bed like a dead fish, murmuring incessantly as if possessed. ¡°It''s him. It has to be him. It''s definitely him. Only he would harbor such hatred for me. Only he would dare to let a mastiff attack me and make me disabled. Back then, he came to my territory and managed to escape cunningly. That illegitimate child! He deserves to die! He deserves to die!¡± At the end of his sentence, Shaun began to pound the bedboard furiously, raging angrily, and a strong aura of hostility permeated the entire room. Outside the ward, Tucker stood in the corridor, listening to the roaring sounds from inside. The corner of his lips curled slightly into a smile. This is truly a great opportunity. I just need Bailey to get involved. All obstacles will be cleared entirely once she''s no longer alive. The Hoffman family will be the world''s most prominent family, standing above everyone, overlooking everything. Inside theboratory of Tarragon Headquarters, Cameron was concocting poison in the utensils. When he saw Bailey walking in from outside, he could not help but sneer. ¡°What''s the matter? Had enough of being cheesy, so you finally decided toe out and show your face?¡± Cameron asked. Hearing that, Bailey could not help but chuckle. She teased, ¡°If I were you, I wouldn''t make myself so miserable. Why are you clinging to me like a leech? I can''t give you any response anyway. I also have to constantly endure Artemis'' detestable face, which is quite ufortable. So, I advise you to leave as soon as possible. Stop following me. I don''t need your protection because my poison-crafting skills are not much worse than yours.¡± However, Cameron pretended not to hear and strode toward the door. He knew that if he exchanged a few more words with Bailey, she would anger him to his death. When Bailey saw that Cameron was about to leave, she quickly reached out, grabbed thetter''s arm, and said, ¡°All right, all right. I won''t say it anymore, okay? If you want to follow, then just follow. I can''t stop you, either. But don''t leave just yet. I have something to ask you.¡± ¡°You onlye to me when you need help. I''m already used to it. So, tell me, what kind of poison do you want me to help you refine this time?¡± Cameron snorted coldly after hearing what Bailey said. Hearing that, Bailey red at him and scolded, ¡°All you talk about is poison-crafting! Can the poison be ingested? What am I supposed to do with so much of it?¡± ¡°Well, you''ll have to ask yourself that,¡± Cameron responded. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Bailey kicked him,posed herself, and asked seriously, ¡°Let''s get to the point. No more jokes. I want to ask you if a man is poisoned by Soul Reaper, will his sperm also contain the toxin?¡± Cameron was taken aback upon hearing her question. He probably did not expect Bailey to ask that. However, Cameron was still Cameron. With a slight change of mind, he understood what she meant and said solemnly, ¡°Don''t get any strange ideas. Until the toxins in his body arepletely eliminated, it''s best not to think about having a child. Let me tell you, that''s reckless, okay?¡± Suddenly, Bailey''s gaze turned cold. So, he''s saying that the sperm contains toxins? ¡°Do you mean it''s poisonous?¡± she asked again. Cameron red at Bailey and reprimanded, ¡°A fetus is formed by thebination of the parents'' cells and blood. After Artemis is poisoned by the Soul Reaper, he bes a poisoned vessel. Do you think his cells can remain free from toxins? You should be able to figure out such a simple question on your own. Do you really need me to exin it?¡± Hearing that, Bailey''s expression darkened. It''s poisonous. Then... Seeing that she was somewhat sad, Cameron aggravated his tone and spoke sternly, ¡°You''d better remember what I said well. Don''t use the child as a tool for your own ends. It will be excruciating when the timees. You won''t want to abort, but you won''t be able to keep it either. The feeling alone is not very pleasant. So don''t take unnecessary risks.¡± ¡°It''s a good thing I came to ask you. Otherwise, I would have made a huge mistake. Don''t worry. I''m not that foolish to risk getting pregnant,¡± Bailey replied with a smile as she took a deep breath and suppressed her emotions. Having said that, she turned around and walked outside. Upon learning that there might be toxins in the cells and blood, she no longer held any expectations of getting pregnant. She even silently prayed, hoping that her nausea was just something normal and that she was not pregnant. Otherwise, it would be really difficult to handle. In the living room of the Xuereb residence at Hallsbay, for the umpteenth time, Scarlett held Olivia''s hand and asked when Justin would marry her. However, Olivia could not give her an answer. Ever since she found out that there was a chance Veronique would recover, Olivia did not know how to handle the situation. If Veronique really survived, Justin would not marry Scarlett. Even if Scarlett were pregnant with the child of the Xuereb family, he would disregard it. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, my belly is getting bigger day by day, and everyone is waiting for Justin to announce our marriage. ording to the timeline, that woman should have passed away by now, right? Why haven''t we heard any news of her passing?¡± Scarlett asked. Olivia avoided her gaze and vaguely replied, ¡°His medical base is equipped with the world''s most advanced equipment and medicine. It''s not surprising that she''s been hanging in there for a while. Don''t worry. That woman will die sooner orter. It''s just a matter of time. We''ve been waiting for so long. A few more days won''t make a difference.¡± Nevertheless, Scarlett always felt that Olivia was hiding something from her. Scarlett received news that her father, Sloan, had fallen into aa, and there was a high possibility that he might be a vegetative state. If Sloan really stepped down, she would lose the support she relied on. She would then be worthless to Olivia. If Olivia stopped helping Scarlett by then, thetter feared she would have to leave with her Illegitimate child and be aughingstock in upper-ss society. Since it was so hard for Veronique to die, Scarlett might as well help the former out and send her to heaven sooner. Scarlett was determined to force Justin to marry her before the public announcement of Sloan''s condition. With the status of Mrs. Xuereb, even if she became worthless to Olivia, Scarlett would not have to worry about being kicked out. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, how about we give her a little push, and let her breathe herst tonight? She has lived long enough, it''s time for her to move on.¡± Chapter 776 Chapter 776 Olivia stared at her, frowning as she asked, ¡°How can we make her die? Justin won''t even let me near the medical base now. We can''t get close to her.¡± Ever since Olivia revealed her intention to remove Veronique''s oxygen maskst time, Justin had strictly ordered his subordinates not to let her enter the medical base. Even if she wanted to do something, she would not have the chance. Scarlett''s eyes glinted coldly, and the corner of her lips curled up into a sneer with a hint of sinister intent. She hinted, ¡°We can''t go in, but someone else can. For example, Veronique''s son.¡± Olivia suddenly became interested and quickly asked, ¡°What do you n to do?¡± Scarlett whispered a few words in her ear. After hearing this, Olivia fell into hesitation and asked with some suspicion, ¡°Will it really work?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I''ve already consulted about this. Cancer patients usually use a certain anticancer drug to prolong their lives. I''ve instructed someone to develop a drug that counteracts this type of medication,¡± Scarlett said. ¡°All you need to do is quietly spray this mist onto Veronique''s son, allowing him to carry it into the ward. Once Veronique absorbs it, the cancer medication she''s injected with will lose its effectiveness, thus elerating the spread of cancer cells. It would be difficult for her to recover from this.¡± After saying that, Scarlett took a bottle from her bag and handed it to Olivia. Olivia hesitated. This concerned taking someone''s life for wealth. If the truth were exposed, she would have to spend the rest of her days in prison. It was not worth getting involved for someone who was about to die. ¡°Lettie, I...¡± Upon seeing her hesitation, Scarlett did not wait for her to voice her refusal and said coldly, ¡°Whether you do it is entirely up to you. Your uncle''s case is about to go to trial. Once he''s convicted, it will be difficult to overturn the verdict.¡± ¡°My dad and mom probably would not take the risk to help him overturn the case either. You need to think it through. If your uncle goes to jail, I''m afraid the Campbell family will never recover from this setback,¡± Scarlett reminded. Olivia shuddered, and the hesitation in her eyes gradually faded away. It was crucial for the Campbell family not to encounter any problems. Only when her family bes powerful can she have confidence within the Xuereb family. ¡°All right, let''s do it. I''ll have someone find out where that child is. When I have some free time, I''ll meet with him and take the opportunity to act.¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Scarlett responded with silence. In the Tarragon Headquarters. Artemis woke up from his sleep and did not see Bailey. After asking the servants, he found out she had gone to the infirmary. The infirmary? Why did she go there? He remembered she woke up retching, and his heart suddenly sank. Could she be poisoned? Perhaps symptoms vary in men and women due to having different constitutions. Artemis had vomited blood, but Bailey was only dry heaving. The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. After instructing the maid to prepare dinner, he hurriedly left the main hall and headed toward the infirmary. Inside the infirmary. The doctor performed an ultrasound on her, focusing on her uterus. After the results came out, she hurriedly approached and asked, ¡°So, am I pregnant or not?¡± The doctor shook his head and respectfully said, ¡°You are not pregnant, Mrs. Jefferson. There are no signs of a fertilized egg in your uterus.¡± I''m not pregnant? Bailey furrowed her brows. Then why am I vomiting? Also, why is my menstruationte? She remembered her rtives'' menstruations were always very punctual. ¡°Are you sure you''re not mistaken?¡± The doctor quickly knelt on one knee and anxiously said, ¡°Mrs. Jefferson, your pregnancy is crucial to Leader''s lineage, and we dare not take it lightly. This result has been obtained after several confirmations. There will absolutely be no issues.¡± Bailey rubbed her forehead, feeling a slight headache, andughed. ¡°Seems like I''m overthinking things. It''s better if I''m not pregnant. I''m actually scared of being pregnant.¡± No sooner had her words fallen than the door to the ultrasound room was pushed open, and Artemis hurriedly rushed in. When he saw the doctor kneeling before Bailey, his pupils contracted sharply. ¡°Bailey, did you get poisoned by Soul Reaper? Have they already confirmed it, and that''s why you n to silence them?¡± Bailey was taken aback. What about Soul Reaper? His suddenness left her utterly bewildered. ¡°I-I didn''t get poisoned by Soul Reaper. Who told you I was poisoned?¡± Artemis red at her and snatched the paper from the doctor''s hand. ¡°You even came here for a CT scan. Aren''t you here to check for poison in your body? Bailey, I''ve been poisoned, but that doesn''t make me stupid. What''s the point of hiding it from me?¡± Bailey suddenly realized there had been a misunderstanding. ¡°Mr. Luther, could you please look at the list before you say anything? Just see what''s written on it, okay?¡± Artemis saw her face full of honesty, with no intention of evading his gaze. This made him even more puzzled, and he lowered his head to look at the report in his hand. Uterus? No signs of a fertilized egg? What is this? ¡°Are you checking for pregnancy?¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°I threw up this morning. If not for a pregnancy test, what else should I check for?¡± Artemis showed no signs of excitement. Instead, his expression grew darker and darker. ¡°You''re using a pregnancy test to cover up the fact that you''ve been poisoned, Bailey. Do you really think I''m that stupid? Can''t youe up with a more convincing excuse? Pregnant? How did you even come up with such ame excuse?¡± Bailey became even more confused. A hint of doubt shed in her eyes. She frowned and asked, ¡°Why can''t I be pregnant? How is that ame excuse? You slept with me, so isn''t it normal for me to be pregnant?¡± Artemis could not help but scoff angrily at her audacity. She seems quite confident and unapologetic. Is she taking advantage of the fact that I hadn''t studied medicine? ¡°To my knowledge, a man cannot be fertile after vasectomy. Ms. Jefferson, how could you be pregnant after I had the procedure?¡± After saying that, he reached out and embraced her. He softened his tone and said, ¡°Now, be a good girl and tell me if Soul Reaper has poisoned you.¡± Bailey looked up and stared nkly at him. ¡°When did you get a vasectomy? Did you do it behind my back?¡± Artemis'' expression faltered for a moment. He finally realized something was off. She seemed to have forgotten about the vasectomy. Could she be... At this thought, he pushed her away, grabbed her shoulders, and said sternly, ¡°You were pregnant a while ago. I didn''t want another unintended pregnancy, so I had a vasectomy. Don''t you remember?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes as a hint of confusion shed in her eyes. His gaze told her that he was not lying. Artemis seemed to have truly undergone surgery, and she knew it too, but she just could not remember it. Perhaps... ¡°Artemis, the memory loss pill you gave me couldn''t make me forget about you, but it did make me forget many things. I truly don''t remember you had a vasectomy before, or else I wouldn''t havee for an ultrasound. Don''t worry. I''m not poisoned. I simply had a pregnancy test.¡± Artemis breathed a sigh of relief, but his face turned gloomy again the next second. He could finally be relieved hearing she had not been poisoned. However, he was more worried about Bailey''s impaired memory. ¡°Do you have headaches? Is your memory ever confused? Are there any other diforts in your body?¡± Chapter 777 Chapter 777 Bailey shook her head. She remembered that she had a miscarriage about two months ago, so it was normal for her period to bete because her body had not fully recovered. Meanwhile, the retching could be due to an upset stomach, a weakened immune system, or an overproduction of gastric acid that triggers nausea upon encountering the smell of blood. It must not have been rted to pregnancy, as Bailey had just had a miscarriage. Artemis became concerned when he noticed she went silent. ¡°Bay, are you okay? Is there something wrong, or are you feeling unwell?¡± Bailey snorted, angrily puffed her cheeks, and grumbled, ¡°Well, it''s all thanks to you, you know? You had to go and mess things up by giving me a memory loss pill. Now I can''t remember a lot of things. Fortunately, I didn''t forget about you; otherwise, you would regret it for the rest of your life.¡± Those few words, ¡°Luckily, I didn''t forget about you,¡± resonated deeply within Artemis, causing a surge of emotions. Artemis then yfully but assertively pulled Bailey into his arms, wrapping her in an embrace before passionately pressing his lips against hers. While at the crocodile pond at the training base. Hand in hand, Shannon and Dawn leisurely walked along the pond''s edge. Dawn was noticeably nervous as she tightly clutched Shannon''s hand, trembling persistently. Shannon raised an eyebrow and chuckled, saying, ¡°If you''re that scared, why did you choose to go here? You''re my foster daughter now. You don''t have to go all out in training like them.¡± Dawn looked up at her with a determined expression on her little face. ¡°There''s a saying, ''One had to pick oneself up from where one''s fallen.'' I lost my eye in the crocodile pond, and I''ve been having nightmarestely because of it. If I don''t face it now and get over it, I''ll be haunted by those dreams forever.¡± Shannon gazed at her determined eyes, and a smile of satisfaction formed. Such a tenacious little girl. May her life be blessed with ease. At that moment, Shannon slowly stopped as she saw Micah and Holden, apanied by a group of instructors approaching them. Dawn then let go of Shannon''s hand, cautiously walked up to Holden, and nervously greeted him. ¡°Uncle Holden.¡± Holden reached out and affectionately ruffled her hair with a smile. Ever since Dawn became a part of Shannon''s life, she seemed no longer filled with the same sadness and despair as before. Holden added, ¡°I have a son who''s probably a year or two older than you. I''ll bring you to meet him once I get the chance to. I''m sure you two will be great pals.¡± Dawn grinned and said, ¡°Can''t wait to see him! Thank you, Uncle Holden.¡± Holden lifted his head and looked at Shannon across from him, and the siblings greeted each other with a nod. Shannon strolled over to Dawn''s side, taking her hand as they prepared to leave. Suddenly, an out-of-control mastiff charged toward them, causing the people around to dodge quickly. Instinctively, Shannon positioned herself in front of Dawn as someone from the left side identally bumped into them, causing the mother and daughter to stumble backward. A startled cry echoed as Dawn lost her footing and fell directly into the crocodile pond. Shannon reflexively turned back to grab her arm but missed, leaving her hand grasping nothing. The image of Eugene''s tragic ident scene shed before her eyes, and Shannon''s heart began to ache with unbearable pain. She could not save her son and could only witness his death right before her. Right then and there, Shannon was determined to save her daughter at all costs. With this in mind, she acted without hesitation and jumped right into the crocodile pond. The crocodiles in the pond had been specially trained, intensifying their aggression. With someone now close by and fallen into their den, there was no way the crocodile would not attack. Several fully grown crocodiles surrounded Shannon and her daughter in just moments. ¡°Holden, please get Dawn out of there.¡± Holden quietly cursed to himself as he hesitated. In such a short time, there was only a brief window to save someone, and at best, only one person could be rescued. He initially intended to save Shannon, but when his eyes met her sorrowful gaze, he understood that she did not want to be rescued. Holden knew Shannon had not moved on from the death of Eugene. Shannon did not want to witness her own child''s death before her eyes again. The grappling hook flew down, and Shannon quickly secured it onto Dawn. Then, she hoisted Dawn up with a strong push on her buttocks. All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org. Several crocodiles sprang up at that instant of liftoff, attempting to bite Dawn. With a forceful push from Shannon and thebined effort of several adults pulling from the shore, Dawn managed to escape just in time from the snapping jaws of the crocodiles. On the other hand, Shannon''s situation turned grim as the crocodiles quickly encircled her. Fortunately, there was a wooden stake beneath the surface of the pond. Shannon swiftly jumped onto it, unsheathing her glistening dagger and bravely striking back at the first crocodile approaching. At first, she effortlessly navigated the waters, her movements agile and swift. Yet, with each passing moment, many crocodiles swarmed around her, their relentless advance gradually sapping her strength. Having only one arm was her fatal weakness. Shannon''s inability to strike back with her other hand left her vulnerable as two crocodiles lunged toward her. She was then forced to sacrifice her defense from behind and exerted every ounce of strength to confront the crocodile in front. Holden and Micah on the bank were not about to let Shannon face a pool teeming with crocodiles all by herself. Holden and Micah wasted no time and made a synchronized dash toward the front. As they reached the pond''s edge, they took a daring leap, plunging into the water. Upon entering the pond, they were immediately faced with two crocodiles, one attacking Shannon from the front and the other closing in from behind. Micah moved ahead of Shannon and quickly hurled two darts at the crocodile in front, forcing it to retreat. Shannon''s strength waned, and her feet slipped, causing her to tumble directly into the pond water. With quick reflexes, Micah swiftly grabbed Shannon and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his protective embrace. As Shannon got closer to Micah, she noticed his tense demeanor, his chest heaving with intense fluctuations. It was clear that his agitation stemmed from anger rather than fear. ¡°If Holden and I weren''t here, who would jump in to save you? Shannon, have you lost your mind? Do you know how dangerous this is to jump into a crocodile pond?¡± His outburst triggered Shannon''s anger, and she red at him with tear-filled eyes, tauntingly saying, ¡°Someone like you, who hasn''t experienced the heart-wrenching pain of losing a loved one, will never understand what it feels like. Dawn is my daughter, and since I decided to raise her, I am obligated to protect her. I watched Eugene die before my eyes, and I can''t bear the thought of Dawn dying before me, even if I''ve only had her for a few days, even if we don''t share any blood rtion.¡± After hearing her, Micah closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, his gaze now calm and composed. Shannon then fought against his grip, trying to release herself. Micah could not help but scold, ¡°You better stay put in my arms, or we''ll both end up dead today.¡± Shannon then sneered, ¡°Why, you''re afraid to die?¡± Micah had been gearing up to fend off the oing crocodile, but after hearing her words, he suddenly stopped. ¡°If you want to die that badly, I''ll make it happen. Let''s die together and get eaten by the crocodile. At least we''ll share the same grave.¡± Shannon cursed, calling him a lunatic, and thrust her hand forward, stabbing the oing crocodile with a knife. The thrust went straight into the crocodile''s eye, downright enraging. It thrashed its tail and opened its blood-filled jaws, lunging at her, ready to bite. Her antics amused Micah, causing him to burst into laughter. ¡°What a reckless woman. Doesn''t she know that crocodiles be fiercer if they get attacked?¡± Micah thought to himself. Seeing the crocodile''s tail lunge toward them, Micah wrapped his arms around Shannon again and evaded the attack. Micah''s strength waned as the enormous jaws closed in, leaving him unable to fight back. All he could do was hold Shannon tightly, allowing the crocodile to mp its teeth onto his shoulder. Chapter 778 Chapter 778 A piercing wave of pain surged through him, coursing through his entire body. Despite Micah''s extensivebat experience, it still got to him. His body tensed up, and shuddering gasps of cold air seeped through his thin lips. Micah gritted his teeth and fought back the impulse to scream in agony as he was afraid it would terrify the woman in his arms. The crocodile''s razor-sharp teeth pierced his shoulder, and he could hear his bones crunching. The gushing wound oozed crimson blood, trickled down in drops, and sttered onto Shannon''s face. Shannon was startled and instinctively attempted to raise her head, wanting to see Micah''s shoulder. Micah used every bit of his remaining energy to press her head tightly against his chest and said, ¡°Be good, stay quietly in my arms, don''t look.¡± Shannon''s body began to tremble ever so slightly while blood kept streaming down from above and landing on her head. It felt like a scalding poison as the warm touch trickled onto her skin, unleashing an intense and all- consuming sensation. Tears welled up in Shannon''s eyes as she trembled and pleaded, ¡°Please, just go up there.¡± Micah gave her a reassuring pat on her head and whispered, ¡°Silly, why would I ever leave you in such a life-and-death situation? Don''t be scared; the worst that can happen is that we''ll die together. Maybe fate is on your side, taking pity on the pains you''ve endured, unwilling to let you die just like that. So they let me die in your ce, and I am more than willing to do so.¡± Shannon started wailing and lifted her arm in his embrace, forcefully stabbing into the other eye of the crocodile. Her action unquestionably pushed them into a dire predicament. The immense pain caused the crocodile to release its grip abruptly, arch its head back, and unleash a resounding roar before forcefully reopening its jaws and lunging toward them. The crocodile aimed directly for Micah''s head; if it had sessfully sunk its teeth in, he would undoubtedly die. Amidst the swirling sea of blood, Shannon''s vision started to blur, and through the crimson mist, she could make out Micah smiling at her. It was as though time had traveled back to six years ago, a period filled with fond memories. Micah and Shannon were deeply in love. They were lying on the grassywn on a sunny afternoon, envisioning their future. They clung to each other, indulging in a deep and primal love, their bodies intertwined passionately. They walked hand in hand, leisurely exploring the blooming hillside on a warm spring day. The soft and affectionate moments unfolded before Shannon''s eyes, intertwining and ovepping like water. She then pondered, Did Micah make a mistake? No, he didn''t. He severed her arm to ensure her safety. Shannon would have met her demise if Micah had not taken that action. He was also unaware of the child''s tragic death. When Micah learned the truth, Shannon could feel his world shattered before her eyes. She had been avoiding it all along. She did not dare to confront it, nor did she want to think about it. Reflecting on it now, Shannon had a sudden realization. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. The truth was that Micah carried just as much pain in his heart as she did. She sought vengeance, unable to let go of that emotional barrier within her, and thus resorted to using their child''s death to provoke him. Unbeknownst to Shannon, Micah might have suffered unbearable pain numerous times. It was to the extent that someone of his stature, an elite, would constantly contemte finding release through death. A man like Micah was unstoppable amidst gunfire and remained resolute even in the face of terror. The only thing capable of triggering thoughts of death within him was perhaps the child he had not had the chance to adore, the child who passed before he could even look at them. Shannon was too cruel, continuously using the child to provoke Micah. It was as if she drove a dagger into his heart, making it gush with blood, and then repeatedly sprinkled salt on the wounds. That inflicted unrelenting pain on him as if his very core was being carved and his essence corroded. ¡°Shannon, I''m going to make amends to our child. Please promise me that you''ll live a good life.¡± Micah''s gentle whisper filled her ears, and Shannon screamed with all her might, ¡°No!¡± As Shannon watched the crocodile''s gaping jaws about to mp down, she instinctively extended her hand to block it. If it mped onto her hand, it would only render her arm useless, but if it caught hold of Micah''s head, he would undoubtedly be killed. No matter how many past grievances and resentments they had when faced with death, Shannon could not bear to watch Micah die. With her world already plunged into darkness, his absence would render her existence meaningless. When Shannon lifted her arm, Micah intercepted it and smiled, saying, ¡°I already owe you one arm, a debt I could never fully repay even in a lifetime. I can''t let you suffer the loss of another hand because of me.¡± Suddenly, an ominous shadow loomed over them from above, and in that instant, a swift figure in ck dashed past. The next moment, the crocodile toppled rigidly into the pond''s depths. Perched on the wooden post, Cameron appeared not ustomed to this peculiar activity, causing his entire body to wobble unsteadily. He had just sprinkled a handful of poisonous powder, effectively killing the crocodile with its lethal effects. Cameron had no time to care about his image as he saw crocodiles lunging toward him from all directions. With a wave of his hand, a cloud of powder scattered in the air. ¡°Speaking of which, I just poisoned all the crocodiles in this pond. You wouldn''t kill me because of that, right?¡± Micah''s excessive blood loss had weakened him, causing him to sway unsteadily on the wooden stake. In a swift move, Shannon spread her legs and ced one foot on a separate stump, stabilizing herself before reaching out to support the unsteady Micah. She turned to Cameron and said, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Yablon.¡± Cameron arched an eyebrow and teased, ¡°I didn''t save you, so why are you thanking me? Or is it because you acknowledge that you two are inseparable and are thanking me on his behalf?¡± Shannon was rendered speechless and chose not to answer him. Bailer''s right. This guy is aplete jerk. Shannon mused. Holden jumped over, clutching a few grappling hooks that dangled from above. While fastening his hooks around Micah and Shannon, he expressed gratitude to Cameron, ¡°I am grateful for your intervention, Mr. Yablon. The debt of saving their lives today will be repaid with utmost dedication in the future.¡± A sinister grin spread across Cameron''s face as he requested, ¡°I''ve taken a liking to Bailey and want her to be my wife. Can you help me get rid of Artemis?¡± Holden was shocked by his request and did not respond. If Bailey had heard what Cameron said, she would have kicked him into the water. Holden ignored him and turned to Shannon, saying, ¡°You hold onto him while I take you up. He has lost too much blood, and we can''t dy any longer; otherwise, there could be a risk to his life.¡± Shannon swiftly moved in, securing her grip around Micah''s waist. ¡°Holden, be careful,¡± she said. ¡°No need to worry. With Mr. Yablon here, those beasts won''te anywhere near us.¡± Shannon remained silent and opted not to say anything. While inside the bedroom in the headquarters. Artemis and Bailey messed around for a while. Afterwards, they embraced each other, leaning against the headboard. Baileyughed and jokingly said, ¡°I must be losing it. We were together a few days ago, and I didn''t even notice you were shooting nks.¡± Artemis caressed her face and sighed, ¡°It''s not your fault. It''s all on me. I''m the one who''s responsible for what happened to you. Every time I touched you recently, you would pass out, so it''s understandable that you didn''t realize. Right now, I''m mainly worried about your memory. You forcibly escaped from the effects of the memory loss pill, which could have damaged your nervous system. I don''t know if there will be any lingering side effects.¡± Bailey clung to him, cing her head against his chest, findingfort in the steady rise of his heartbeat, which gradually eased her restless emotions. Growling A sudden growl emanated from her belly at the worst possible time. Chapter 779 Chapter 779 Bailey felt a bit embarrassed. That strategy of presenting a bold front to conceal unpreparedness was a joke, especially after Artemis just had a good feast on it. Artemis raised his eyebrows and whispered to Bailey to tease her, ¡°It seems I haven''t fed you enough. If I''m not worried about your body being unable to handle it, I''ll definitely make sure you''ll be full.¡± Bailey''s pretty face blushed. This guy is bing more and more coquettish. Bailey still found it somewhat unbearable at times, although Artemis had pampered her for so long. Artemis was smitten by Bailey''s shy demeanor. When facing outsiders, Bailey always exuded a strong, domineering, impassive, and haughty image. She would not show such a shy expression like a young girl. In this world, only Artemis could admire the alluring charms Bailey possessed at that moment. Just thinking about it made him feel proud. Countless elites from all over the world have bowed down to Bailey, yet she stood proudly on their shoulders and gazed arrogantly, never pausing for any of them. Only Artemis managed to wait for Bailey to stop and look back. Even though Artemis was the head of the Luther family and the ruler of Tarragon, he still felt somewhat overshadowed and gloomy in the presence of that woman. Bailey''s innate pride and elegance were unmatched by anyone. ¡°Bailey, were you a vixen in your previous life?¡± Bailey red at Artemis and yfully punched his chest twice, grumbling, ¡°I''m hungry. Go get me something to eat.¡± Artemis gently nted a kiss on Bailey''s temple. ¡°Although I''d love to satisfy your more intimately, I''m afraid I can''t. I just had surgery and no longer have the means to truly satisfy you.¡± After saying that, Artemis got out of bed and had just put on his night robe when the doorbell suddenly rang. Instead of going to open the door, Artemis pressed a button by the bedside. The call connected, and Artemis asked, ¡°What''s the matter?¡± ¡°Leader, Mr. Neyman was bitten by a crocodile. His injury is quite severe. Mr. Lewitt called, asking if Mrs. Luther coulde over and take a look.¡± ¡°Alright, got it.¡± The call was put on speakerphone. After Bailey finished listening, she hurriedly got off the bed. As Bailey got dressed, she said, ¡°Tarragon has a top-notch medical team. If Holden even calls the headquarters, which means Micah is seriously injured. I''ll go and take a look.¡± ¡°I go with you.¡± Bailey suddenly looked up, ring as she replied, ¡°If you still want to go to Moranta with me, just obediently stay put in the headquarter.¡± Bailey added, ¡°Nowadays, there are widespread rumors about your critical illness. Once you show your face in public, the rumors will naturally copse. If you don''t pretend to be dead, our n to paralyze Sofie and Philip by faking death and making them lower their guard will bepletely wasted.¡± Artemis touched his forehead and responded helplessly, ¡°Fine! I''ll listen to you. But you have to promise me one thing. Stay away from Cameron. Otherwise, I don''t care whether the remaining poison in my body has beenpletely removed. I''ll order someone to throw him out of Tarragon and make him stay as far away as possible.¡± Bailey walked up to Artemis, stood on her tiptoes, and gently kissed his thin lips. She chuckled and questioned, ¡°Is there any part of my body you haven''t kissed? Which ce hasn''t been marked by you? You''re really overthinking it. If I wanted to run away, I would have left a long time ago. Isn''t Edmund attractive? Isn''t Raiden charming? They... hmm.¡± Artemis fiercely pressed his lips against Bailey''s red lips, silencing the words she was about to speak. ¡°Don''t mention other men in front of me. This is disrespectful behavior.¡± Bailey was speechless. At the infirmary of Micah''s residence, Shannon, who was covered in blood, sat on the long bench in the corridor. Her gaze was somewhat ssy, and her body trembled lightly. A small figure knelt on the floor before Shannon. It was Dawn. ¡°Mother, it''s all my fault. Please punish me instead, and don''t me yourself.¡± Shannon moved her stiff neck, her gaze falling on the little girl. The expression in Shannon''s eyes was somewhat cold, with a hint of anger. ¡°Do you think you''re so great? Do you really believe that your little tricks can resolve the years of grievances between him and me?¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Dawn lowered her head, and she was shivering slightly. Although Dawn was somewhat afraid, she still choked up and said, ¡°Mother said we would be leaving Tarragon in a few days. So I wanted you to be honest with your feelings.¡± Shannonughed coldly. What a good daughter I adopted. It''s only been a few days, and she''s already taking charge of my life. ¡°Go kneel by the crocodile pond, and don''t you dare get up without my permission.¡± Sadness shed across the little girl''s eyes. Dawn knew she had angered Shannon and was likely facing abandonment once again. However, Dawn had no regrets. The moment the crocodile bit down, Shannon burst into tears, proving she still cared deeply for Micah. ¡°Noted.¡± Dawn stumbled to her feet and turned to walk outside. Holden could not stand it any longer and tried to plead, ¡°This little girl is just looking out for you. She has a deep fear of the crocodile pond. Please consider a lighter punishment.¡± Shannon watched the stubborn silhouette of the little girl and asked, ¡°Do you know what you did wrong?¡± ¡°I shouldn''t have schemed against Mother.¡± ¡°Say it again.¡± ¡°I''ve led you all into a dangerous situation.¡± ¡°Say it again.¡± ¡°I''ve caused Mr. Neyman to suffer a serious injury.¡± A sh of intense anger flickered in Shannon''s eyes as she pointed at the door and ordered, ¡°Go to the crocodile pond and kneel immediately. You''re not allowed to stand up without my permission.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Holden massaged his forehead and sighed helplessly. Those two were truly destined to be mother and daughter, as their personalities were strikingly simr. Both were stubborn and persistent. As Dawn stepped out of the infirmary, she bumped into Bailey, who was rushing towards her. On her way there, Bailey had already learned about the situation from the housekeeper. Upon seeing the little girl scratching her head as she walked out, Bailey could not help but raise an eyebrow and ask, ¡°What punishment did your mother give you?¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther, Mother told me to kneel by the crocodile pond.¡± ¡°Are you convinced?¡± The little girl looked up at Bailey with a hint of confusion. ¡°Mrs. Luther, why is Mother so angry? Is it because I schemed against her? Or because I put them in grave danger? Or perhaps it''s because I caused Mr. Neyman to get hurt?¡± Bailey shook her head. ¡°Neither of them.¡± The little girl stared at Bailey with a puzzled look. ¡°So it''s not any of those reasons? Then why is she angry?¡± Bailey reached out and rubbed Dawn''s hair. ¡°She punished you because you put yourself in a dangerous situation. You don''t have to doubt her devotion to you. Since she adopted you, you''re her child. Any mother would be angry to see her child acting recklessly without considering their safety.¡± I see. Dawn nodded. ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Luther. I understand. However, when a mistake has been made, it must be acknowledged, and punishment must be epted. I''m going to the crocodile pond and kneel. I saw you trying to save Mr. Neyman. You must save his life, or else my death will not be sufficient to atone for my sin.¡± ¡°Alright, I promise you. Now go ahead and kneel. Remember this lesson, and don''t ever joke around with your own life again.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Bailey did not bother Dawn anymore and strode into the infirmary. In the corridor, Holden saw Baileye over and hurriedly went to greet her. ¡°Sorry to bother you.¡± ¡°What''s the specific situation?¡± ¡°The scap is shattered, and the entire right shoulder has been pierced. The doctor said his arm might be useless from now on.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows, and the corner of her eyes caught a glimpse of Shannon. She raised her voice and said, ¡°He brought it upon himself. Since heaven wants to break one of his arms, I can''t do anything about it.¡± Chapter 780 Chapter 780 Holden nced at Shannon from the corner of his eye, immediately understood the meaning behind it, and said, ¡°I''ve asked you toe over, anyway. Whether you want to save him is up to you, and I wouldn''t dare to force you.¡± Bailey, shrugged, and turned to leave. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Shannon stood up from her chair, walked over to Bailey with a smile, and said, ¡°I know what''s on your mind. Go and have a look at him. It''s my request to you.¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Bailey stopped in her tracks, the corner of her lips turned into a smile. Although the girl was being mischievous, it seemed that the desired effect had already been achieved. She still hoped Shannon could have a good ending if possible because thetter had suffered too much over the years. And in this world, the only ce she could truly belong was probably with Micah. So, Bailey hoped they could get back together and rebuild their rtionship. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you feeling sorry for him? I was actually thinking of crippling his arm to avenge the broken arm you suffered years ago. Silly girl, you need to think carefully. Showing sympathy to a man is the greatest cruelty to yourself. Is it worth saving him? Shannon smiled with a hint of bitterness and nodded, saying, ¡°My broken arm is not his fault. Bailey, you are a doctor. Today, I plead with you. Please save his arm.¡± With that, she stepped back and inclined her head at Bailey. Thetter held back herughter and pretended to be serious. ¡°All right, I''ll do you a favor today. Since you''re pleading for him, I''ll go in and take a look.¡± Words fled Shannon. She couldn''t help but smile. They had gone to great lengths to force her to face her true feelings. After watching Bailey enter the emergency treatment room, Shannon slowly turned her head to look at her brother. Holden touched his nose, his intuition telling him that something was amiss. It seemed his younger sister was nning to settle the score with him after the incident. ¡°Shannon, I have some matters to attend to. It seems the surgery won''t be finished anytime soon. You wait here, and I''ll return after I''ve taken care of those matters.¡± As the words fell, he turned around and hurriedly left. Shannon couldn''t help but chuckle, slowly lowering her head and her gaze falling on her blood-stained hand. All those blood was Micah''s. Even though she was the one trapped in danger, and it should have been her who got hurt and bled. In the end, she was safe and sound in his embrace while he was facing a life-or-death situation now. Fortunately, the bite was on his right shoulder; his heart might have been pierced if it had been on the left. That man still loved her as dearly as he always had. It was precisely because he loved her so much that he was afraid of losing her. Back then, he would rather be hated by her than let her die. So, he resorted to an almost humiliating method, cutting off one of her arms to save her life. It was hard to say whether such a wildly obsessive love was a blessing or a curse for her. However, the experiences of the past few years showed her that the love he brought only leads to heartbreak and despair. Meanwhile, on the other side, Artemis passed the utensils to Henley inside the ¡°Master Lynch, Bay has lost most of her memories. Is this really not going to impact her brain nerves?¡± Henley snorted coldly and fumed, ¡°That''s the memory loss pill I developed. Without fearing death, she uses hypnosis to counteract it, forcibly imprinting you in her mind. In the end, she managed to break free from the drug''s effects. How could she not experience memory loss? It''s impressive that she doesn''t experience any mental confusion, as she might have bepletely mad and hysterical if it had been more severe.¡± Artemis sighed softly. ¡°I didn''t expect her to be so stubborn. Before she passed out, she unconsciously activated the hypnosis, imprinting me in her mind and forcefully breaking the effects of the memory loss pill. Master Lynch, please be free with your words. Will this impact her brain, and her memory bes blurred as time passes? Then, eventually, she would forget mepletely?¡± Henley sneered coldly and scolded, ¡°It''s your own fault for being foolish and giving her the memory loss pill. Now that you''ve court disaster, who do you expect to clean it up for you? Face the consequences of your actions, then!¡± With that, he raised his hand and began to shoo him away. Artemis rubbed his forehead and lowered his head deeply before Henley, pleading, ¡°Please enlighten me, Master Lynch.¡± ¡°How and what to enlighten you? I can''t help with this one. Let me make myself clear. This is the first time I''ve encountered such a situation, and I have no experience. She is the first person who doesn''t lose her memory after taking the memory loss pill I developed, and I''ve never encountered such a situation before. Therefore, there is no use in asking me for a solution. We can only observe for a while longer and see. Hopefully, she''ll have good luck. Otherwise, the situation you just mentioned might really happen ¨C her memories be blurry until she forgets all the people and events in her life.¡± Artemis'' heart sank. So, Henley meant that there was a possibility that Bailey would lost her memory. She could still remember him temporarily because of the lingering effects of hypnosis. Once the lingering effects subsided, her mind gradually became blurry, and she might really forget him. Ha! So, this is so-called shooting oneself in the foot, huh? It would be my own doing if she truly forgot me one day. ¡°Master Lynch, is there really no way to break the effects of this memory loss pill?¡± Without a second thought, Henley replied immediately, ¡°Yes.¡± Artemis was delighted and was about to ask when Henley added, ¡°But it''s useless for that girl.¡± Artemis looked at him with confusion. ¡°Why? Is it because she''s unconventional, so she''s special?¡± ¡°It''s because she stubbornly fought against the effects of the pill, which is why the antidote didn''t work on her. If only she had obediently given in and lost her memory from the start and didn''t cause any trouble, her memory would be restored immediately if I give her the antidote now. But the problem is she tried to act smart and used hypnosis to resist. In that case, I''m sorry. She doesn''t deserve the antidote.¡± Artemis was utterly speechless. He slumped dejectedly onto the couch and sighed. ¡°It''s fate, I guess. Let nature take its course, then.¡± On Hallsbay suburban tree-lined avenue, several sedans parked by the roadside. In the back seat of one of the cars, a noblewoman was observing the situation ahead with a pair of binocrs. ¡°Are you sure that kiddo is at Revelle residence?¡± she asked. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, rest assured, I have confirmed that Mr. Revelle had someone bring his young grandson to his house at noon. It''s almost evening now, so I guess he should be leaving Revelle residence soon. We''ll definitely be able to block him here.¡± Olivia suddenly gripped the binocrs tightly in her hand. It''s now or never. Zephyr usually doesn''t go out, but it is Old Mr. Revelle''s birthday today, so he made an exception and left the medical base. In other words, if I want to leave a trace of the medicine on him, today is the best and the only opportunity. Beep! The walkie-talkie sounded. In the next moment, a respectful voice came through the walkie-talkie. ¡°Boss, Mr. Zephyr has already left the mansion of Revelle residence by car. He should arrive at your ce in about ten minutes.¡± ¡°All right, got it,¡± the leader of the bodyguards in the passenger seat responded and then turned to Olivia, saying, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, he will arrive shortly.¡± Chapter 781 Chapter 781 Olivia breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Okay, I got it. As soon as they arrive, have someone stop their car immediately and then bring Zephyr to me.¡± ¡°Yes, Mrs. Xuereb.¡± On the other side, a ck sedan was driving along Haltwind Road, and Zephyr leaned against the car window, staring nkly at the snowyndscape outside. Just now, he kept smiling at his grandfather''s house, not wanting to let his grandfather worry. Veronique was at a critical moment; if she could pull through, their family would have a happy ending. However, if she couldn''t make it through, she would die, and Justin would follow her in death. Although he couldn''t bear the pain of losing his parents at the same time, he didn''t want to force his father to stay. If his mother left, forcing his father to stay behind would be a cruel act. He didn''t want to see his father living like a walking corpse daily. If that was the case, he would rather have Justin join his mother in death. Just now, his grandfather advised him, telling him to learn how to persuade his father and save his father''s life. But he had different ns. He would rather be without his parents''pany than see them separated. The road to heaven was lonely. With thepany of Justin, Veronique wouldn''t be lonely along the way. Screech! A sudden screech of brakes snapped Zephyr''s wandering thoughts back to reality. In the next moment, the bodyguard''s voice came from the driver''s seat. ¡°Mr. Zephyr, we''ve been stopped. It seems they''re targeting you.¡± Zephyr calmed himself down and scanned around outside the car window. As he gazed at the luxurious cars parked by the roadside, his heart suddenly sank. He hadn''t figured out the other party''s intentions so that he couldn''t act rashly for the time being, or else it might bring about fatal consequences. ¡°Go and ask who they are and what they want to do.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After the bodyguard got out of the car, Zephyr quickly took out his phone and sent a text message to Zayron. I''ve run into some trouble. Can you send a few people to help me out? I''ll send you my location now. Three secondster, the other party replied with a message. All right, I''ll be there in 20 minutes. y some mind games with them for a bit, but don''t take any action on your own. After reading the text message, he prepared to send a reply when the bodyguard who went out to investigate returned at that moment and said in a deep voice, ¡°Mr. Zephyr, it''s Mrs. Xuereb. She would like to see you. What''s your n?¡± Mrs. Xuereb? Why does that old witch suddenly want to meet me? It must be up to no good. ¡°What if I don''t? What do they want?¡± ¡°I think she will send someone to bring you over, then. Mr. Zephyr, there are too many of them, and it''s almost impossible for us to break through.¡± Zephyr rolled his eyes, thoughts racing quickly. That old biddy is hoping for Justin to marry Scarlett. If they kill me, it would be hard for them to handle the situation, and Dad would probably go all out to find them. So, I guess they won''t dare do anything to me at the moment. After realizing that, he was no longer afraid and reached out to open the car door. Upon seeing that, the bodyguard quickly reached out to stop him. ¡°Mr. Zephyr, their intentions are unclear. You cannot take the risk of meeting her. If anything happens to you, I won''t be able to exin it to Mr. Xuereb.¡± Zephyr waved his hand and said coldly, ¡°No worries, even if I don''t go out, she will send someone to bring me over, anyway. I might as well take the initiative. When you went to check on them just now, I contacted Zayron. He''ll be here soon; we only need to stall for 20 minutes.¡± The bodyguard saw his determined attitude and noticed several people in ck approaching from a distance; he gritted his teeth and reluctantly let go of his arm. ¡°Please be careful.¡± ¡°Um.¡± Zephyr hopped off the car, led by two people in ck, and walked to the other side before diving into the back of the car. As soon as he entered, he was choked by the thick fog filling the car. He thought the old witch was trying to use a stupefying drug on him and instinctively wanted to leave. However, the people outside didn''t give him a chance to get off the vehicle. With a loud bang, the sliding door closed directly. Zephyr looked warily at Olivia across from him, his eyes dancing with a wild, beast-like me. ¡°What exactly do you want to do? After all, I am a member of the Xuereb family. Are you really going to exterminate me? If I die, I''m afraid the mother-son rtionship between you and your son wille to an end. Is it worth it to damage your bond for someone like me?¡± A hint of peculiarity shed across Olivia''s eyes. She wanted to get rid of him once and for all, but she knew very well that if he died, Justin would cut off ties with her. The loss outweighed the gain Just before Zephyr entered, she sprayed all the potion from the bottle into the air. He waspletely tainted, and her goal had been achieved. There was no need to complicate the matter. ¡°You, child, why do you harbor such hostility? I am your Grandma, and just as you said earlier, you are of the Xuereb family bloodline. Even wild beasts look after their young, so how could I possibly harm you? You''ve misunderstood me. I called you over to my car just to catch up with you. After all, we''ll spend a lot of time together in the future and see each other frequently. We should also cultivate our rtionship. I believe I will love you just like any other grandmother would, and I hope you can respect me as an elder, just like other grandchildren do with their grandparents.¡± Zephyr knew she was talking nonsense. That old witch was eagerly waiting for Veronique''s death. She was wicked and to trust her words would be like digging one''s own grave. ¡°I''m sorry. But I have never considered you as a grandmother, and you don''t need to treat me as a grandson. Mrs. Xuereb, if you don''t have any further instructions, I''ll take my leave now.¡± With that, he turned around and wanted to pull the car door open. Olivia said with a light smile, ¡°It''s okay. You might not know me well, so feeling unfamiliar is natural. After spending more time together, you''ll get to know my temperament. I actually really like children. When your mother dies, I''ll take you back-¡± Before she could finish speaking, Zephyr suddenly seemed to be provoked. He suddenly turned around, grabbed her arm, and then fiercely bit her wrist. Olivia screamed in anger, ¡°Damn you, low life! How dare you bite me! It seems that no matter what I do, I can''t turn a wild creature like you into a tamed one.¡± After saying that, she abruptly pulled the car door open and then flung him out. Zephyr had been following Zayron for training all the time and had be agile. At the very moment when he was sent flying, he shifted his body and thennded steadily on the ground. ¡°Ha, just one sentence exposed you, revealing your true colors. Old witch, don''t pretend to talk to me like that, it''s disgusting. I don''t treat you as a grandmother because you don''t deserve it.¡± ¡°You...¡± Olivia wanted to drive and run him over, but when she thought about how the little troublemaker was the only one who could get close to Veronique, she barely managed to suppress her urge. Just wait a bit longer! Wait for that despicable woman to die, and I shall deal with this brat properly. ¡°What are you waiting for? Drive.¡± Zephyr stood rooted on the ground. He squinted at the departing convoy, and a hint of confusion shed across his eyes. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She left just like that? Why is she stopping my car, then? Chapter 782 Chapter 782 Not long after Olivia left, Zayron came over in a rush. Arge group of people followed him. His gaze swept the surroundings, and when he found nothing unusual, he suddenly exploded with frustration. ¡°What are you doing here all by yourself? Eating dirt? And where''s the person who intercepted you? Have they died?¡± Zephyr red at him as the former walked toward the car. ¡°You''rete. They''ve already left.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Zayron hurriedly went after him and asked, ¡°She intercepted you, and then she just left without doing anything?¡± Zephyr nodded. ¡°Yes. She muttered some gibberish, and then she left.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes. A strange glint shed in his pupils. ¡°Buddy, let me stay with my mother. I''m used to seeing these two-faced and phony women trying to take advantage of her. From my experience, this isn''t as simple as it seems. That old witch hated you a lot and even wished for your early death. Yet, she''s acting so strangely now. Something fishy is going on.¡± Zephyr abruptly stopped in his tracks, as the image of the mist rising inside the old woman''s car when he had climbed in involuntarily surfaced in his mind. Although the smell was not pungent, and it did not cause him any substantial harm, but a casual remark from Zayron reminded him that something was definitely amiss. Olivia would not harm Zephyr, because she still wanted Justin to marry Scarlett. So, she would not go too far and force Justin into a desperate situation. So, what was her reason for intercepting him? ¡°Could it be that he wants you to kill your mother with your own hands?¡± Zayron''s voice rang in Zephyr''s ears, instantly giving him an epiphany. Yes, the old woman certainly wanted to kill his mother. As for how she nned to achieve her goal, he had no idea. The only thing that puzzled him was the mist filling the entire carriage. Could there be some mystery hidden within? At that thought, Zephyr leaned in to sniff his own sleeves, but he did not detect any unusual odor. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°Let''s head back to the medical base.¡± Right after he said that, he got into the car. Zayron rolled his eyes and muttered, ¡°Crazy,¡± before following suit and crawling in. Upon their arrival at the medical base, Zephyr did not enter the ward to check on Veronique. Instead, he went straight to the study. Justin saw him return and asked with a chuckle, ¡°Did you have a good time at your granddad''s birthday celebration?¡± Despite saying that, he knew that Bill must be unhappy. How could Bill, as Veronique''s close rtive, have the heart to hold a grand birthday banquet when her life now hangs by a thread? Zephyr did not answer his question. Instead, he briefly told Justin what had happened on the way back. After hearing that, Justin''s handsome expression instantly fell. Olivia loathed Veronique terribly, so much so that she would wish for thetter''s death. Justin knew that all too well. Thest time she had murderous intentions, he strictly forbade her from approaching the medical base. After that, she restrained herself. But he knew that as long as Veronique was still alive, Olivia would do everything in her power to kill her. At the moment, she could neither bribe the medical staff nor take matters into her own hands. So, it was no surprise that she had set her sights on Zephyr. ¡°Is the mist colorless and odorless? Besides the mist, is there anything else?¡± Zephyr furrowed his brows as he dug through his memories. ¡°Back then, the inside was quite dark, so I couldn''t make out the color of the mist. As for the smell, there wasn''t any.¡± After saying that, he extended his arm in front of Justin and continued, ¡°Logically, there should be quite a bit of water vapor on my clothes, but there''s no smell at all.¡± Justin lowered his head and sniffed twice. Indeed, there was no other smell besides the scent of the fabric. At that moment, the door to the study swung open and in walked Zain. Seeing Justin and Zephyr both frowning, with simr expressions of seriousness, he asked curiously, ¡°What''s going on with you two?¡± With a faint sigh, Justin exined the situation to Zain. After hearing that, Zain strode toward Zephyr, squatted down, and sniffed his coat. ¡°There is indeed a faint medicinal scent. My sense of smell is different from other people, so I can detect it.¡± When Justin heard that, his face looked even grimmer. A medicinal scent meant that there was indeed an issue with the mist. Moreover, the fact that Olivia had managed to get it onto Zephyr made it all the more intriguing. He knew that Olivia would not have the intention to harm Zephyr for the time being, so the medicinal scent in the mist was not targeted at Zephyr. So... As Zain removed Zephyr''s clothes, he exined, ¡°I still can''t tell what ingredients have been mixed in, what their effects are, and what functions they serve. What we can do is send these clothes for testing. Don''t let Zephyr visit Veronique in her ward just yet. If I''m not mistaken, this drug is likely meant for Veronique. Thankfully, Zephyr was smart enough not to go straight to Veronique''s ward bute to you instead. Otherwise, it would have caused more trouble. First, get him washed up with saline and then disinfect his entire body with alcohol. Understood?¡± Justin scowled and nodded solemnly. ¡°All right, I know what to do. Thank you for your help. Once you have the result, please inform me as soon as possible.¡± Zephyr remained speechless. In the living room at the Xuereb residence, Olivia was holding Scarlett''s wrist. Smiling, she said, ¡°Don''t worry, everything is going smoothly. As long as there''s no issue with your drug, Veronique will undoubtedly die within the next couple of days.¡± Scarlett grinned, hoping that this time fate would favor her. She had no more bargaining chips left. For now, her father''s illness had not been made public, so there was still a sense of peace. If the news of her father stepping down was announced, she would lose her value to the Xuereb family and could only leave in embarrassment. She was doing all this just to survive. Veronique, don''t me me for what''s happened to you. You were in my way, so of course I would have to deal with you. Put yourself in my shoes, and I believe you would make the same choice if you were in my position. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, thank you. Rest assured, within a year, I will get the Campbell family into the capital, and by then, Mr. Ss will surely be one of the capital''s elites.¡± ¡°All right. I thank you too. Thank you so much.¡± Olivia''s smiled delightfully. After all, she had gone against her conscience and done so many unspeakable things just so her family could have a ce in Dellmoor. Rely on Ss to work his way up on his own? Gosh, he might only be able to be an unimportant official in Hallsbay for his entire life. Only with the support of the Fletcher family can the Campbell family make great leaps and soar to great heights. Inside the VIP ward of the infirmary at Tarragon Headquarters, which was Micah''s residence, Bailey fiddled with the stethoscope in her hand. She said, ¡°His entire lung has copsed, and several ribs are broken. Although the injury has been treated, it''s quite severe. Be prepared for a long period of bed rest. He''ll need help to have all his basic needs met.¡± Shannon leaned against the equipment, her gaze falling on Micah who had tubes attached all over his body. His face was as pale as a sheet of paper, his breathing weak, and his heartbeat intermittent and unstable. Having known him for so many years, she had never seen him in such a miserable state. In order to win her back, he had actually risked his own life and teamed up with Dawn to stage such a dangerous feat. Did he know how perilous it was? Chapter 783 Chapter 783 The more she thought about it, the more intense her anger grew. That man didn''t deserve sympathy. He had brought it upon himself. ¡°Let''s have someone be in charge of taking care of him. At least he''s alive. He''ll recover one day.¡± Having said that, she turned around and prepared to leave. Bailey raised her eyebrows. She smiled sarcastically and said, ¡°Who said he would recover? If he doesn''t receive proper care, his entire upper body could be paralyzed.¡± This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Shannon suddenly stopped in her tracks. She turned around to look at her with a face full of astonishment. ¡°What are you saying? His entire upper body will be paralyzed? Didn''t you say the surgery was sessful? How could he end up paralyzed?¡± Bailey shrugged nonchntly. ¡°The surgery was sessful in the sense that his life was saved and his ribs were reconnected. However, it''s hard to say whether he''ll fully recover or not.¡± She continued, ¡°If his body isn''t in good condition and doesn''t respond to the treatment, even if his surface wounds healpletely, his ribs might not recover. In that case, his entire upper body will still be unable to move. If that''s not paralysis, then what is it?¡± Shannon slowly turned around with a mocking smile on her face. ¡°So you''re in league with them.¡± Bailey didn''t respond. Instead, she changed the subject. ¡°I''ve made the situation clear to you. If you don''t want him to be paralyzed, you''d better take good care of him. This guy is quite a handful. If you don''t keep an eye on him, he might get more crazy ideas and inflict further harm on himself. Then, there''ll be no saving him.¡± The veins on Shannon''s forehead bulged out prominently. She was being put on the spot. The worst part was that she couldn''t even refuse. Was it really all right for them to pressure her like this? Bailey tossed the stethoscope in her hand aside. After checking all the medical equipment one by one, she paced towards the door. ¡°I''ll be leaving Tarragon in a couple of days. Please take good care of him. Bone injuries are slow to recover. You wouldn''t want his entire right chest to copse.¡± She continued, ¡°A fractured rib is no small matter. If you don''t want to have any regrets in the future, go along with his wishes. Take good care of him. It''s rare for a man to hurt himself ruthlessly to gain a beautiful woman''s sympathy.¡± Shannon red at her, ¡°Bailey, we''re not good friends anymore.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and smiled, ¡°No matter. Micah and Artemis are my good buddies. If you don''t want to be my friend, you can be my younger sibling instead. You should get used to it. Maybe one day you''ll call me your sister-inw. Hehe! I''m looking forward to that day.¡± Just as Bailey stepped out of Micah''s residence, she bumped into Zeke, who hade to look for her. ¡°Bay, the situation in Moranta is getting more and moreplicated.¡± Bailey was taken aback. She asked with a frown, ¡°What happened?¡± Zeke handed her the note in his hand. Upon taking a nce, Bailey''s expression immediately turned gloomy. ¡°I can''t believe Shaun had the audacity toy hands on Aunt Caridee. Originally I had no proper reason to provoke the Carter family. I wanted to attack them anonymously and start a conflict between the Carter family and the Luther family, both of which are prestigious households. Now that Shaun dared to mess with the Luther family''s precious princess, he can''t me me for taking action against him. Veikko did a great job. If it were me, I also would have released a few mastiffs to make a mess out of him.¡± Zeke rubbed his forehead andughed. ¡°Revenge may feel good for a moment, but dealing with the aftermath is like dealing with a cremation ground. By doing so, Veikko is pushing Shaun to form an alliance with Philip.¡± At that point, he seemed to sense that something was amiss and asked with a furrowed brow, ¡°Why do you want to deal with the Carter family? Did you have any grievances or grudges with them before this?¡± After giving it some thought, Bailey decided to tell him about Veikko''s background. ¡°Do you think I should deal with the Carter family? Veikko is my little brother. I''ll make them pay for everything he has experienced and encountered with interest.¡± Zeke''s eyes swirled with a lingering astonishment. He would never have imagined that the tenacious and outstanding young man had such a tumultuous and bloody past. ¡°If that''s the case, Shaun joining forces with Philip isn''t too bad. We can take them all down in one fell swoop.¡± Bailey hooked her lips into a smile, her gaze falling in the direction of the main hall. ¡°It''s time to release the news of Artemis'' poisoning and death. Let''s go to the headquarters and discuss our strategy with him. We''ve beenying low for so long, it''s about time we go out and take some action.¡± Inside the main building on Intel Ind, Quincy was gathering his subordinates to discuss their alliance with Sofie to take down the Tarragon headquarters from the inside and out. The poison, Soul Reaper, in Artemis'' body, spelt certain death. Micah jumped into a crocodile pond for the sake of a woman and ended up severely injured. And Sofie had Holden in the palm of her hand. In their battle for power, they were destined to win no matter how one looked at it. With the loss of those three leaders, Tarragon had already lost half of its power. As long as they nned properly, they could surely achieve victory without taking any more losses. ¡°Mr. Quincy, looking at the situation now, it seems we''re certain to win.¡± ¡°Not bad. I initially thought Micah could be a formidable opponent and that dealing with him might take some time. But now, he''s brought about his own downfall, all for a woman. He''s no longer going to be a problem.¡± ¡°Mr. Quincy, the time is ripe. When can we take action?¡± Quincy waved his hand and said coldly, ¡°The best opportunity to strike hasn''te yet. Let''s wait a little longer.¡± At that moment, a person dressed in ck darted in from outside and whispered a few words into Quincy''s ear. Upon hearing this, a hint of delight appeared on his face. ¡°Is it really true that he''s dead? Are you sure this information is reliable?¡± ¡°Mr. Quincy, rest assured, although we have already left the headquarters, there are still some insiders from our side that remained. I''ve contacted them and got thetest information. Their Leader has indeed died from poisoning, and Holden is trying to suppress this matter.¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Quincy looked up andughed heartily. ¡°Indeed, heaven is on our side! Now is the perfect time. Artemis is dead, Micah is crippled, and Holden''s in Sofie''s hands. We''re just waiting for the final showdown.¡± ¡°Mr. Quincy, why don''t we strike while the iron is hot and attack their headquarters now, catching them off guard?¡± ¡°No, we can''t.¡± Quincy hurriedly waved his hand and said, ¡°It''s not the right time yet, because Bailey is still alive. If we attack the Tarragon headquarters now, we''ll only end up in a situation where both sides suffer losses.¡± ¡°If Bailey takes action, we''ll bepletely powerless to fight back. In the end, we''d just be facilitating Sofie and Philip''s marriage. I can''t bring myself to do such a foolish thing.¡± Bailey...Right. There''s still Bailey. ¡°So, should we spread the news about the Leader''s death by poisoning now? Holden has been trying hard to suppress this information to avoid causing internal chaos.¡± ¡°Let''s expose it. It''ll definitely cause chaos. After all, there are so many people coveting Tarragon''s territory.¡± Quincy stroked his beard. After a moment of silence, he nodded and said, ¡°Release the news. Do it discreetly and leave no traces behind.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside the study in the medical base at Hallsbay, Zain tossed a few test reports in front of Justin. ¡°I''m really puzzled. The Xuereb family is a prestigious family of medical practitioners with your mother the matriarch. How could she havee up with such a malicious method? Even as an outsider, I find it hard to ept.¡± Chapter 784 Chapter 784 Justin was momentarily stunned. He put down the documents in his hand and reached out to catch the test report that Zain had thrown over. He skimmed through the page, absorbing the content in a single nce, swiftly reaching the end of the page. Surprisingly, theponents present in the mist had the potential topromise the effectiveness of the anticancer drugs Veronique administered on a daily basis. Consider the implications: if the cancer-fighting drugs became ineffective, how much longer could Veronique endure? One day? Two days? He was afraid that if she fell asleep, she might sleep forever. Olivia sprayed the mist onto Zephyr, who unknowingly carried it into the sick room. She effectively utilized Zephyr as a means to harm Veronique. If Veronique were to truly die because of the events that night, Zephyr might have to live in pain and guilt forever. The harsh reality would constantly remind him that his mother''s death was indirectly caused by him. There was a muffled thud. Justin forcefully brought his palm down on the table with a resounding p, emanating powerful and aggressive energy. His entire body quivered with intensity, disying a turbulent and vtile demeanor. Originally, he didn''t want to be too ruthless, but... Considering the way they mistreated his wife and son, they couldn''t fault him for not valuing old friendships and reciprocating their actions ordingly. Zain arched his eyebrows and chuckled lightly. ¡°For a woman like Scarlett, whose heart is as venomous as that of a snake and scorpion, you have two options: either send her to prison or admit her to a psychiatric hospital. Otherwise, neither you nor Veronique will ever experience a peaceful day, as Scarlett has descended into madness.¡± Justin slowly clenched the test report in his hand. Olivia simply didn''t have the ability to obtain something that could render cancer drugs ineffective, so Scarlett must have used her as a pawn. That malevolent woman, driven by her own selfish motives, instigated a car ident in the past, resulting in a catastrophic pile-up with numerous casualties and severe injuries. Out of consideration for Raiden''s reputation, Bailey resorted to doing something to her stomach rather than forcefully sending her to prison. Not only did Scarlett not restrain herself, but she became even more ruthless. In her eyes, human lives were as insignificant as dust. Indeed, it would be better to confine such a crazed woman, as it would limit her freedom. ¡°For now, let''sply with her wishes. In a few days, we can publicly announce that Veronique has sumbed to her battle with cancer. As for what lies ahead, I have already devised a n to handle her situation.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. She wanted to act crazy, didn''t she? Well, I would make her truly insane, send her to the madhouse, and let her go mad all at once. Zain''s eyes darted around, a strange glint shing across them. Oh, there''s a good show to watch. ... At the same moment, Felicity was in the Luther residence. Inside the living room, Felicity was leaning on the sofa, taking a phone call. It was not clear what the other person had said. Her hand trembled, causing the phone to slip from her grasp. Itnded on the carpet with a muffled thud as she struggled to process the shocking information. Upon seeing the situation, the butler hurriedly approached her and asked, ¡°Mrs. Luther, are you alright?¡± Felicity stretched out her hand, pointing to the phone on the ground. Her voice trembled as she said, ¡°You, can you hear what he''s reporting? I... I didn''t catch it clearly.¡± The butler, with a hint of doubt, crouched down and retrieved the phone, bringing it close to his ear. He said, ¡°Repeat what you just said to thedy.¡± A muffled voice came through, and upon hearing it, the butler''s eyes widened abruptly. ¡°What, what did you say? Mr. Luther... H-He died of poisoning?¡± As soon as those words were spoken, Felicity suddenly shivered. Overwhelmed by a sense of madness, she seized the phone from the butler''s hand and shouted, ¡°I''ll give you another chance to say it again! Tell me who has died. It cannot be my son, it simply cannot!¡± How could Artemis possibly die? He could have been poisoned, but there was no way he could have died. Was there any ailment under the heavens that the Divine Healer, Anonymous, could not cure? How could she possibly stand by Artemis'' side and watch him die with her own eyes? That was impossible. It was impossible! At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from the spiral staircase, as Gerald rushed down from the second floor. ¡°What happened?¡± The butler subconsciously wanted to speak up, but upon encountering Felicity''s cold and sharp gaze, he managed to hold back his words and handed the phone to him. ¡°Mr. Luther, please, listen for yourself.¡± Gerald snatched the phone and held it close to his ear, listening intently to the report from the other side. The butler crouched beside the sofa, reaching out to grasp Felicity''s wrist, his voice trembling as he said, ¡°Mrs. Luther, Mr. Luther, let''s not scare ourselves. Why don''t we give Ms. Bailey a call and ask her about the situation?¡± Felicity was abruptly jolted back to reality, and her hands trembled as she swiftly reached for her mobile phone resting on the coffee table. Gerald had already hung up the phone. He quickly grabbed the mobile phone before Felicity could do so, found Bailey''s number, and then dialed it. The phone call was from a regional director of the Luther Group, who said that they received secret information that the leader of Tarragon had died from poisoning. Coincidentally, he also knew that the leader of Tarragon was Artemis, so he made a phone call to the Luther residence. The phone rang for a few seconds before the other party picked up. Bailey''s slightly hoarse voice came through the receiver. ¡°Mom, do you need something?¡± Before Gerald could speak, Felicity snatched the phone and cried, ¡°Bay, is Artemis with you right now? Are you two together?¡± There was a deathly silence. It took a full half minute before Bailey finally spoke up. ¡°Mom, I was just about to call you, but you called me first.¡± She continued, ¡°Artemis... was poisoned by Soul Reaper, and there''s no cure. I''ve done my best, but he sumbed to the poison half an hour ago.¡± ¡°Is he... Is he really gone?¡± Felicity murmured through her pain, ¡°Is he truly dead? He... He''s really dead?¡± Felicity fell silent once again. Gerald staggered back two steps, took several deep breaths, and after suppressing the grief in his heart, took the phone from Felicity''s hand. He knew about the Soul Reaper If Artemis was really poisoned by the Soul Reaper, then the news of his death wouldn''t be false. Now that it had been confirmed by Bailey, there was even less possibility of it being fake. While it was possible for anyone to spread rumors about someone''s death while they were still alive, such a scenario would never ur with Bailey. When she said that he was dead, he must be dead. ¡°Please inform me of what transpired, as I cannote to terms with the news of my son''s death without understanding the circumstances. I must know what happened.¡± After another long silence, Bailey finally spoke up. Her voice carried a soft and elusive quality, conveying a deep sense of grief and pain. ¡°This is how it unfolded: he was already poisoned before leaving Hallsbay. We spent an entire month searching for an antidote, but our efforts were in vain. Dad, now the responsibility of the Luther family and the children falls on you and Mom. Although we cannot fully express our filial piety in your presence, we hope that our children can bring sce to your wounded hearts. If there is an afterlife, we will repay the kindness you both have shown us.¡± Upon hearing those words, both Gerald and Felicity were taken aback. The elderly couple could no longer care about their sadness. They scolded Bailey. ¡°Bay, what nonsense are you talking about? We''ve already lost Artemis. Do you really want us to lose you too?¡± ¡°Yes, the children have already lost their father. They can''t lose their mother too. Sweetheart, don''t be foolish. Listen to us. Please don''t do foolish things, alright?¡± Chapter 785 Chapter 785 Bailey chuckled softly. ¡°Thank you both, I know you treat me like your own daughter and don''t want me to leave with him at such a young age. However, he is my heart, and life is truly hard without a heart. Don''t be sad. You still have Simon and Caridee. Max, Zayron, and Susan are also your beloved grandchildren, and blood is thicker than water. They will take good care of you and show their filial piety on our behalf.¡± Felicity cried sadly. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head incessantly. ¡°No! No, no, no! No matter how much we love and care for the children, we can never rece you as their mother. Bay, listen to me. Can we face this obstacle together and not give up on our lives so easily?¡± Baileyughed and said, ¡°Mom, don''t get too agitated. I won''t leave with him right away. I want to personally avenge him. Maybe after some time, I''lle to my senses and change my mind. I''ll live well for him, raise our children, and support our parents.¡± Felicity hurriedly said, ¡°Alright, alright, I''ll remember what you said. You''re a well-behaved child, and I know you won''t go back on your word. Avenging Artemis is not just your responsibility, but also that of my Luther family. Hurry and take him back to Hallsbay, and we''ll sit down and discuss this matter properly.¡± ¡°Alright, I''ll head to Moranta first, save my future sister-inw, and then immediately return to Hallsbay.¡± ¡°Alright. It''s settled then. You muste back alive. I will be standing at the door every day, waiting and hoping.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The sound of the phone beeping sounded through the phone, indicating that Bailey had ended the call. She was afraid that if she continued hearing Felicity''s voice, she wouldn''t be able to continue acting because she felt guilty inside. Felicity truly loved and cared for her, yet she deceived her, causing her to endure the pain of losing a child. Even though it was just acting, she could clearly sense the olddy''s sadness and despair through the phone. Felicity leaned into Gerald''s embrace and cried uncontrobly. ¡°How could this have happened? Artemis held such great power, and there was hardly anyone who could rival him in the whole world. How could he just...¡± Gerald closed his eyes heavily and said in a broken voice, ¡°It''s easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden threat. In his position, glory and danger coexist.¡± As a powerful figure in the Luther family, he was already in a precarious situation. After he also controlled Tarragon, how could he not be everyone''s target? In a world where the strong preyed on the weak, only one rule governed survival. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. Might made right, and the defeated must pay the price. It was thew of the jungle. Artemis lost and ultimately paid for his defeat with his life. It was fate, and one had to ept it. Felicity cried even more sadly. ¡°What should Bay do? They loved each other so much. Without Artemis, how will she live her life?¡± Gerald sighed continuously. Perhaps the greatest kindness he could show her was to let her go with Artemis into the night. However, their several grandchildren had already lost their father, and they could not afford to lose their mother as well. As a grandfather, he had his own personal motives. He hoped to save Bailey''s life so that their children could experience the fullness of a mother''s love. ¡°If it really does not work, then we should try to stop her from seeking revenge. As long as the person who poisoned Artemis remains alive, she will continue to live with determination. As time goes by, her wounds will gradually heal, and she will slowly learn to let go. Perhaps, she could finally get out of her misery.¡± Felicity''s eyes lit up, and she stopped crying. ¡°That''s a good idea. Let''s do it. If she wants to kill Sofie, we''ll secretly stop her. We can stall for a year or so before discussing our next step, but we must keep her alive.¡± ¡°Alright, I''ll take over the Luther Group tomorrow and secretly deploy people to hinder Bailey''s progress. Once she gradually epts everything and decides to live on, we''ll kill Sofie to avenge our son.¡± ¡°Alright. Let''s arrange it this way.¡± ... The news of the Tarragon leader''s death by poisoning spread quickly around the world. Different factions were eagerly anticipating their chance to act, all waiting for the perfect opportunity to seize a portion of the vast entity known as Tarragon, thereby bolstering their own power. In the Tarragon Headquarters. Inside the master''s study. Artemis held Bailey as they leaned on the sofa together. After finishing the phone call with Gerald and Felicity, Bailey''s eyes were red and swollen, and she felt somewhat upset. ¡°Artemis, I feel guilty. I can deceive anyone, but I really can''t bear to deceive your parents. People often say that the greatest pain in the world is the pain of losing a child. At their age, they still have to endure such torment because of me. I...¡± At that point, her voice began to choke up, and she just couldn''t get the words out anymore. Artemis tenderly held her head in his hands, softly pressing his lips against her eyebrows and the corners of her eyes, gently kissing away the tears that stained her face. ¡°I''m sorry. I made things difficult for you. However, don''t worry. They won''t feel too upset because they have the children apanying them. At most, they''ll be upset for a while. Let''s quickly take care of Sofie and then go back to apologize to them. Once they know I''m alive, they won''tin, but will be happy instead.¡± Bailey reached out to embrace him. Just as she was about to kiss the corner of his mouth, an untimely light cough sounded. Zeke turned his face away slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°That''s enough, you two. There are more people in the room. So, what should we do next?¡± Bailey red at him and muttered, ¡°What a buzzkill. Can''t he see we''re being affectionate and give us some space?¡± Upon hearing this, Zeke couldn''t help butugh out loud. He abruptly stood up from the sofa and walked out, getting ready to leave. Bailey hurriedly grabbed him and chuckled, ¡°Zeke, I was wrong. You''re a generous person, please don''t take offense at my petty actions. I''ve made up my mind. The day after tomorrow, I''ll set off for Moranta to save my sister-inw. Are you happy about it?¡± Zeke reached out and flicked her forehead twice forcefully. Upon seeing the situation, Artemis quickly embraced her protectively in his arms. ¡°Zeke, her mind isn''t working too well right now. Please go easy on her and don''t turn her into a complete fool, or else we''ll be the ones dealing with the aftermath.¡± Bailey nestled in her man''s arms, giggling, and couldn''t help but provoke Zeke, ¡°If you had recognized me a year ago, perhaps you could have shown off your power as my elder brother. However, you can''t do that now, because I have a husband to protect me. If you hit me, be careful. My husband might beat you to death. He''s really tough.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but smile. He gently rubbed the back of her head, and said helplessly, ¡°I haven''t even married you yet, and you''ve already offended Zeke terribly in my name. If he tries to obstruct me when I propose, resulting in a miserable and pitiable situation, I''ll need you to intervene and persuade him, taking care not to aggravate him to the point of annoyance.¡± Bailey was fearless. She scoffed and said, ¡°It''s as if he can marry a wife without my consent. Don''t forget, he''s going to marry my disciple. ording to tradition, he must formally ask me for permission as I''m her master.¡± Zeke was at a loss for words. ... Moranta. In the Saviors branch. Caridee sneaked out of her bedroom, ready to head to the kitchen in search of something to eat. As she walked through the corridor, she overheard a few female bodyguards discussing the Tarragon. Out of curiosity, she stopped in her tracks. ¡°Have you heard? The Tarragon leader has been poisoned and died.¡± ¡°This news has already spread, so naturally, I''ve heard about it.¡± Chapter 786 Chapter 786 Caridee''s legs suddenly went weak, and she almost fell to the ground. What were they saying? The Tarragon leader died of poisoning? ¡°Artemis passed away?¡± she thought. No! There was no way! It could not be possible. Artemis was known for his immense power and influence, making him virtually untouchable on the international stage. It was indeed perplexing how someone of his stature could meet such an untimely demise. She leaped out, propped herself against the wall, and grabbed one of the female bodyguards by the wrist, urgently asking, ¡°Who did you just say died?¡± The female bodyguard''s eyes shed with a hint of fierceness. ¡°It''s this darn girl who keeps clinging to Veikko. She used her innocence and ignorance to bewitch him. Veikko is such a cold and indifferent man. His footsteps never lingered for any woman, and there had never been any desire for the opposite sex in his eyes. Because of this girl, he released the Mastiff, ruined the Carter family''s head, and became the public enemy targeted by everyone in Epea. Does she think that just because she''s a member of the Luther family, she can do whatever she wants in the Saviors? This ce is not a ce where she can run wild,¡± she thought. ¡°I said that the Tarragon leader has died. Is it rted to you in any way?¡± At this point, the female bodyguard suddenly seemed to understand and pretended to be surprised, saying, ¡°Could it be that the Tarragon leader is actually your lover? Unexpectedly, the pure and wless Ms. Caridee is so unrestrained outside, with bed partners all around the world. It truly opens my eyes.¡± No sooner had her words left her mouth than a strong gust of wind rushed straight towards her from the front. In the next moment, a crisp sound echoed through the corridor. The other female bodyguards were so frightened that they quickly knelt down, trembling as they called out ¡°Mr. Veikko.¡± They hung their heads, not daring to even breathe heavily. The female bodyguard, who had been pped by the young man, covered her cheek with her hand. She had tears in her eyes as she choked out, ¡°Mr. Veikko, what did I do wrong for you to p me?¡± The young man''s face was cold. He had never pped a woman before. It was his first time. Upon hearing the words ¡°bed partners,¡± he could no longer suppress the rage boiling within him. Such insulting words should not be used on Caridee, as it would be a desecration to her. ¡°Apologize to her.¡± The female bodyguard wasn''t really a bodyguard, because she was the daughter of the person in charge of the Saviors branch. In Moranta, she was quite a well-known socialite. ¡°Why should I apologize to her? She was overly agitated about the death of the Tarragon leader, and I seriously suspect that she was his mistress. She got close to you in order to...¡± Before she could finish speaking, the young man suddenly raised his hand and fiercely pped her across the face again. Then, through clenched teeth, he squeezed out the words, ¡°Apologize.¡± Mindy suddenly burst into tears with a loud wail. In all her life, she had never experienced such an injustice. Her father was, after all, the branch master of the Asura Gate, and could be considered a local bigwig. On ordinary days in the department, she acted without restraint. Who would dare to criticize or scold her? Yet, the vice-leader pped her for the sake of a lowly girl with impure intentions, and it happened in front of so many people. How could she ept it? More importantly, the man was also the object of her admiration. He actually hit her for another woman. How could she swallow such humiliation? Witnessing Mindy''s enraged expression, her eyes wide open with a burning desire to exact brutal vengeance upon Caridee, Veikko''s demeanor instantly turned grave. A palpable air of intensity surrounded him, and a glimmer of bloodlust flickered in his piercing hawk-like gaze. ¡°Do you want to visit the Prudent Hall? If so, I don''t mind taking you in for a proper experience.¡± Mindy''s legs went weak with fright, and her whole body couldn''t help but tremble. She had heard of methods, and she knew better than to expect him to spare her out of respect for her father. A tremendous fear enveloped her, forcing her to open her mouth and apologize to Caridee. Her verbal compromise masked the growing intensity of her hatred towards Caridee, which continued to fester and strengthen within her heart. The humiliation she suffered was all thanks to Caridee. She''d better pray not to fall into her hands. Otherwise, she would tear off her pure and wless skin, throw herself into a pile of men, and make her be unbearably filthy. ¡°Get out of here, all of you!¡± Veikko roared at the group. Mindy covered her face and turned around before rushing out of the corridor. Upon seeing the situation, the other female bodyguards also scrambled away. Veikko observed Caridee, who was slouched on the bench with a vacant expression on her face. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. A silent sigh escaped from within him. He probably had to help Bailey and hide the truth from Caridee. Caridee was too naive. If he told her the truth about Artemis not being dead, she might not be able to keep her mouth shut and might spill the beans right away. Even if she did not speak out, she would not be able to resist the deliberate probing of those who are determined. If she identally spilled the beans, then Bailey and Artemis''s n woulde to naught. ¡°This is the way to the kitchen. Are you hungry?¡± He crouched in front of her, holding her hand as he spoke to her. Caridee abruptly regained herposure, gripping Veikko''s wrist tightly, her voice quivering as she questioned, ¡°Veikko, they''re spreading rumors, aren''t they? Artemis isn''t really dead, right? He''s alive, isn''t he?¡± ¡°No,¡± the young man shook his head, speaking slowly. ¡°He was poisoned by the incurable Soul Reaper. Your sister-inw has been searching for an antidote all these days, but the results have been disappointing. Your elder brother sumbed to the poison two hours ago.¡± Caridee''s face twitched slightly, She bit her lips tightly and tried her best not to make a sound. However, her tears wouldn''t cooperate, streaming uncontrobly down the corners of the eyes. ¡°Why did this happen? He''s the eldest son of the Luther family, carrying the entire family''s fate on his shoulders. How can he just die so easily?¡± Veikko tilted his head slightly, blinking away the tears that were threatening to form, and gently leaned in to embrace her. ¡°Countless people have died from the deadly Soul Reaper. Once poisoned, death is certain. This is fate, and it must be epted.¡± Caridee leaned against his chest, crying her heart out. The immense sorrow devoured her, making her emotions grow more and more intense. Veikko pursed his lips, slowly raised his hand, and struck her on the back of the neck, sessfully causing her to fall unconscious. ¡°Sorry, there are some things that I can''t tell you explicitly. The pain will pass soon, and Artemis will stand before you, safe and sound.¡± ... After covering her face and rushing out of the corridor, Mindy bumped into the branch leader at the end of the garden. ¡°Mindy, what''s wrong? Why are you crying so much?¡± Upon hearing her father''s voice, Mindy could no longer hold back her emotions. She threw herself into her father''s arms and burst into tears. Seeing her cry so sadly, Travis guessed that she couldn''t exin the whole story in her current state. So, his focus shifted to the few female bodyguards who were following her. ¡°What''s going on?¡± One of them stepped forward and briefly exined the situation. ¡°Chief, this is the situation. The vice-leader pped Mindy twice for the sake of Ms. Caridee.¡± After venting for a moment, Mindy stopped crying, crawled out of her father''s arms, and choked out, ¡°Daddy, don''t you want me to get close to the vice-leader and be his woman? In the future, when he takes over the Saviors, it''s only natural for me to be the Lady of the Saviors, right? However, he''s nowpletely smitten with that despicable girl from the Luther family, so where''s my chance to get close to him?¡± Chapter 787 Chapter 787 A calcting glint shed across Travis''s eyes. He truly wanted his daughter to get close to Veikko, so that once he became the leader of the Saviors, his daughter would soar to great heights as well. ¡°Don''t you think women always resort to cunning and scheming when dealing with each other? Don''t count on me to intervene and assist you. If you have developed feelings for the vice-leader, go ahead and pursue him with all your heart. Whether you employ cunning tactics or straightforward approaches, if you can win him over, it will demonstrate your capabilities.¡± Mindy looked at him with tears in her eyes, ¡°Daddy, does that mean that any method is fine, as long as it can get the job done?¡± ¡°Yes. If possible, I naturally wish for you to marry the vice-leader and be the future Leader''s wife. It appears that he genuinely has feelings for Caridee. If that''s the case, you can employ certain tactics to separate them. By bing the sole focus of his attention, you can ensure that he thinks of you when he has physical desires.¡± Mindy slowly clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, saying, ¡°Thank you for your guidance, Daddy. I know what to do now. Don''t worry, I will definitely win over Veikko and be the future matriarch.¡± ... At the same moment. In a suburban private vi. Inside a room. Philip and Sofie leanedzily against the head of the bed, looking tired. They also found out about Artemis''s death and were overly excited, so they ended up partying together. ¡°Artemis is dead, Micah is crippled, and Holden''s woman is still in my hands. The powerful trio of Tarragon has crumbled just like that. Hahaha, thergest, most powerful, and mysterious underground force in the world will soon belong to me.¡± Philip nced at her and said nonchntly, ¡°Don''t get too excited just yet. We still have one more issue to resolve. It''s Bailey¡± Even after dealing with Bailey, we still have to handle Dominic. The future holds many uncertainties, so we must not let our guard down. Sofie gradually stoppedughing. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and a hint of gloominess shed through her gaze. ¡°I''m really hoping that Bailey, that wretched girl, can just go and die with Artemis. That way, we''d have a lot less trouble to deal with.¡± Philip chuckled coldly. ¡°Although I rarely deal with Bailey, I still know a thing or two about that woman''s temperament. Before she avenges Artemis, she won''t die. So, let''s prepare ourselves as soon as possible for her revenge.¡± ¡°Mhm, we''ve already set up an intricate trap, and we are just waiting for her to fall into it. Without Artemis to rely on, I refuse to believe that she, a single woman, can still win.¡± ¡°I hope so.¡± ... Tarragon Headquarters. Micah''s Residence. Inside the infirmary. Micah gradually awakened from his unconscious state. After a brief moment of bewilderment, his awareness slowly returned. He nced around and did not see a single person. He prepared to prop himself up on his elbows to sit up. He needed to use the restroom urgently. At that moment, the door to the ward opened, and Shannon walked in, carrying a tray. As her gaze fell upon the man in the bed, she noticed that he was already awake and preparing to get up. Her face immediately darkened. ¡°If you dare to mess around, I''ll leave immediately.¡± Her trick worked, and Micah quickly withdrew the force from his elbow and obedientlyy back down. However, after all that tossing and turning, his body felt even more ufortable. ¡°Um, I need to use the restroom. Can I step away for a moment. Is that alright?¡± Shannon ced the tray on the bedside table and bent down to pick up a pot from under the bed. Upon seeing that object, Micah''s mouth twitched fiercely twice. ¡°Can you believe it? A grown man like me, using this while lying down?¡± he thought. It was not really good, was it? ¡°Shannon, I think I should go to the restroom,¡± he said pitifully. Shannon let out a coldugh and casually tossed the pot towards him. ¡°Either use this, bear with it, or solve it right here. Choose one.¡± ... Micah struggled to sit up, deciding that it was time for him to go to the restroom. Of course, that was assuming that he could manage to get up. As the elbow and ribs exerted force, an excruciating pain swept through his body. Even though he had strong nerves and a tenacious will, he could hardly bear it. He broke out in cold sweat on the spot, and the room was filled with his muffled groans. Shannon leaned against the medical equipment. She looked at him coldly, and said lightly, ¡°You probably don''t know your current situation, do you? Allow me to exin it to you.¡± She continued, ¡°Your chest is caved in, five ribs are broken, and there''s massive internal bleeding. Don''t even think about getting out of bed for the next month. Your left arm is most likely useless, and if you keep messing around, your entire upper body might end up paralyzed.¡± Micah was speechless. He didn''t care much about those things. ¡°It would be great if my arm is useless, and it wouldn''t be bad if my upper body is paralyzed. At least I will have repaid some of the debt I owe her,¡± he thought. All he wanted to do was to go to the bathroom. He had too many IV drips and was really ufortable. ¡°Shannon, I can''t hold it in anymore.¡± Shannon looked at his tense, handsome face, and her gaze shifted downward, settling on his abdomen. They had once beenpletely honest with each other, and every inch of his body bore traces of her presence. ¡°Shannon...¡± Shannon red at him and gritted her teeth. ¡°Didn''t I tell you? You can''t move. You still have a cast on your shoulder. Behave yourself.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°However, I''ll be in so much pain, holding it in like this. It''s affecting my wound and it really hurts. Can I just use a pot instead? That should work.¡± Shannon gave him a cold nce, walked to the side of the bed, and began to take action. She only had one arm, and her speed wasn''t fast. It was driving Micah crazy. He seriously suspected that the woman was deliberately seeking revenge. ¡°Shannon...¡± ¡°Alright, you can begin.¡± ... Micah epted his fate and slightly turned his head away. Who was he? He was a renowned hero famous internationally, yet who would have thought that he would end up in such a state? If word got out, it would definitely shock the whole world. ¡°Where''s Dawn? You didn''t do anything to her, did you? This idea was mine. It has nothing to do with her, so don''t me her.¡± Upon hearing those words, Shannon''s face instantly turned gloomy. He actually had the nerve to bring it up. ¡°Is there any point in doing this? What''s the use of gaining my sympathy? Do you really expect me to forgive you?¡± Micah stared at her intently and said earnestly, ¡°Well, not exactly. I just want to offer you an opportunity to see your own heart more clearly. Shannon, we''re not even thirty yet, and there''s still a long road ahead of us. Our two hearts, weathered by life''s trials, can only rely on and protect each other to make it through this long journey of life.¡± Shannon didn''t speak. She held the kettle as she walked towards the bathroom. ¡°Don''t move yet, I''ll bring some hot water to wipe you down.¡± Micah¡¯s lips curled up into a faint smile. She was willing to get close to him and do such things for him, which showed that she still cared about him. He believed that one day they would mend their broken rtionship. ... In the headquarters. Inside the study. Bailey tossed a thin mask to Artemis. ¡°Starting from tomorrow, you''ll wear this. Noints, no refusals. Wear it obediently, or else you''ll stay in Tarragon and won''t be allowed to leave with me.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows as he looked at the mask in his hand, a hint of surprise shing in his eyes. Disguise skill? It appeared that his wife still had quite a few identities hidden from him. Chapter 788 Chapter 788 After the initial surprise, Artemis gradually furrowed his brows. He didn''t look closely earlier, but he realized presently that it was a mask. Now that he took a closer look, he felt that it was hideous. Did she really intend to let him go out with such a sleazy-looking face? No way! It would damage his overbearing CEO image too much. He was worried that once he stepped outside, people would chase him away with brooms. It was truly frustrating. ¡°Hey, Wifey, can we talk about this? How about changing to a slightly more normal-looking face?¡± Bailey gave him a cold nce. There was a hint of danger shing in her eyes. ¡°What''s the point of looking so handsome? Do you intend to go out to cause trouble for other girls? I''m telling you, I prepared this face especially for you. It''s neat and efficient, and I won''t have to worry about you attracting any women when you''re out and about.¡± The overbearing CEO cleared his throat and muttered, ¡°I won''t be attracting any women outside, but when you go out and take a walk, who knows how many men I''ll have to deal with because of your beautiful face? Each one of them is difficult to handle. Your double standards are really unfair.¡± Bailey stifled augh, snatched the mask from his hand, applied a bit of special ointment on it, and then stuck it onto his handsome face. Looking at the sleazy face before her, she gently furrowed her brows. It was indeed quite repulsive. Having to face such a face every day would surely affect her mood. Seeing her frown, the overbearing CEO immediately guessed what was on her mind and quickly said, ¡°Does it look particrly unappealing? Wifey, let''s discuss it again and choose another one.¡± Bailey nodded, reaching out and rummaging through the tray. Atst, a mask with a fairly normal appearance was found, but it had a scar at the corner of the eye. ¡°Let''s go with this one. If you''re still unsatisfied, you don''t have to leave Tarragon. Just stay here and hold down the fort.¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh. It seemed that his wife was determined not to let him appear normal in front of others. ¡°Let''s go with this one then.¡± A face with a scar was always better than a hideous one. It looked quite charming. Bailey couldn''t help it and burst outughing. After stuffing the mask into his palm, she reached out and gently cradled his handsome face. ¡°It''s so unfair! You thought you married a wife, but it turns out that she''s an ancestor who needs to be worshiped daily. Do you regret this?¡± she asked. Artemis raised his eyebrows and said with a lightugh, ¡°Not only will I worship you every day, but I will also pamper you. I''ll pamper you to death.¡± Bailey nced at him lightly, reached out to tear off the mask on his face, and said speechlessly, ¡°Don''t talk to me with that hideous face. It tarnishes the love between us.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Artemis didn''t say a word but began flirting with Bailey with his hands. ¡°This is a public ce. Zeke, Holden, and Cameron can barge in at any moment,¡± Bailey said helplessly. Artemis slightly raised his head, gave her a wicked nce, and said with a faint smile, ¡°I didn''t n on doing anything. Are you overthinking it?¡± Before he could finish speaking, Bailey threw a punch at him and said, ¡°Annoying.¡± Artemis was captivated by her delicate voice. He stood up, picked her up, and strode out. Bailey eximed in surprise and annoyance, ¡°Didn''t you say that you had no such ns? What is this all about?¡± ¡°I''ve changed my mind now. Let''s see if you can escape.¡± Bailey was speechless. Damn it! ... A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by the continuous rumble of thunder echoing through the air. Inside the sickroom. Micah nced at the gloomy sky outside and said, ¡°It''s about to rain heavily. The weather is chilly now, and if we get caught in the rain, we might catch a cold.¡± He continued, ¡°Dawn''s eyes haven''t recovered yet, and if theye into contact with unclean water, her condition could worsen. She has been kneeling for a whole day and night, so you should hurry and bring her back.¡± Shannon put down the thermos in her hand and then ced the ss of warm water she had just poured on the bedside table. ¡°Sip it with a straw, and don''t get up. If you dare to disobey me, I won''t bother about you anymore.¡± Having said that, she walked out. Micah watched her retreating figure, and a faint smile couldn''t help but form at the corner of his lips. She was a woman with insincere words. Would she willingly stay and let him control her if she didn''t care about him deep down? Although she always had a stern expression, he was quite content. After experiencing so much pain, he no longer expected her to show him a bright smile like an innocent young girl would. As long as she stayed by his side, even if she treated him coldly every day, he was more than willing to endure it. After leaving the medical office, Shannon rode her electric scooter toward the Crocodile Pond. In her heart, she didn''t really dislike Dawn. She was just genuinely upset that the girl didn''t know how to take care of herself. Risking one''s life for a performance. In her eyes that was the epitome of foolishness. A beast had no rationality to speak of. Dawn was just lucky not to fall directly into the crocodile''s mouth. If she was unlucky, there could be a crocodile nearby when she fell, and she wouldn''t even have a chance to save herself, as she would have been bitten to death already. Cycling through the training ground, Shannon finally arrived at the innermost crocodile pond. From a distance, she vaguely saw a small figure kneeling on the ground. It had been a full day and night, yet the girl''s back remained perfectly straight. Her entire body exuded an unwavering determination. Such stubbornness would surely lead to trouble one day. A rumble sounded. As another sh of lightning illuminated the sky, the sound of raindrops echoed in the background. Shannon stepped on the elerator, and the electric scooter charged straight to the edge of the pool. Although she only had one arm, she could skillfully operate a tank, let alone a small electric motorcycle. After parking the motorcycle, she took an umbre and walked over to the little girl. ¡°Have you realized your mistake?¡± The young girl slowly raised her head. One eye was covered with gauze, making it difficult to discern the emotions hidden within her gaze. In her other eye, an unyielding light sparkled brilliantly, shining like the brightest star in the night sky. ¡°I shouldn''t joke about my own life. I should cherish it.¡± Shannon raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°Have you had an epiphany? I don''t think so. Tell me, who gave you a hint?¡± ¡°Mrs. Luther.¡± The young girl answered truthfully, and after a pause, she tried to make up for it. ¡°I''ve realized it myself, too. If I don''t cherish my own life, how can I expect others to love me?¡± The corner of Shannon''s lips curved into a light and shallow smile. ¡°Get up. I''ll take you home.¡± The little girl didn''t hesitate and struggled to stand up. Perhaps it was because she had been kneeling for too long, but as soon as she moved, her legs immediately began to tremble, as if they could give out at any moment. Shannon ced the umbre in the girl''s hand and then lifted her up with one arm. ¡°I don''t need it. You can use it yourself. Just make sure not to let the injured eyee into contact with rain water, or else it might get inmed and fester.¡± The little girl obediently listened and held the umbre over her head. ¡°Mother, I promise you. This is the first andst time. I will never mess around again.¡± Shannon''s smile widened. ¡°Maybe you''re right. Without his selfless protection, I would have never realized the depths of my own feelings. I''m choosing to take care of him now, regardless of whether we can reconcile in the future or not. I want to give it my all, so even if we can''t be together in the end, I''ll have no regrets.¡± Chapter 789 Chapter 789 Dawn tightened the band around her neck. ¡°Mother, you are the strongest woman I''ve ever met, and I believe fate will be kind to you.¡± Shannon ced her on the electric motorcycle, sat down, and changed directions. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Thank you. I hope everything settles down soon.¡± Dawn clung to her back, tears seeping from her eyes. She smelled Micah''s scent on her mother, which meant they must have been together the whole time. This was how two people who love each other should interact. Dawn was grateful to her foster mother for saving her and pulling her back from the depths of hell. Yesterday''s actions could be considered as repaying Shannon for her kindness. They still had a long future ahead of them. Shannon still had to raise and educate the girl. Dawn would owe her more and more. However, Dawn thought it was all right as she had a lifetime to repay Shannon. That evening, Bailey submitted a greeting card to the Hoffman family, announcing her arrival in Moranta in two days. Upon hearing this news, both Phillip and Sofie were extremely thrilled. They knew Bailey hade to avenge Artemis. They were not afraid of hering but of her noting. Now that she had arrived, they could finally trap her in Moranta. Raymond sent Bailey a brief message in response. I apud your courage for daring to venture into this perilous ce. Once you arrive in Moranta, I can ensure your safety within the Hoffman residence, but I''m afraid I won''t be able to help you beyond that. Upon receiving this message, Bailey could not help but chuckle. She could not entrust her life to someone who would even sacrifice his own daughter for their family''s interest. In her view, every inch of Moranta was unsafe, except for the Saviors branch. After receiving the message, Bailey formally informed Zeke and the others that they would be setting off the next day, asking them to make the necessary preparations for departure. Inside the bedroom. Artemis looked at his wife standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and asked, ¡°Shall we go to the Dellmoor first or head straight to Moranta? I heard that Raiden''s father had be a vegetative person. He requires you to wake him up personally. Aren''t you going to make this trip?¡± Bailey shook his head and sneered. ¡°Lindsay and Ynda can''t wait to skin me alive and swallow me whole just because Josiah passed down the dream-tailoring skill to me. Now that they''re in Dellmoor, I''ll definitely have a confrontation with them if I go there, and I won''t be able to go to Moranta anytime soon.¡± ¡°There are matters of varying importance and urgency. Since Raiden''s father is not in any immediate danger, let''s first resolve the issue with Sofie and Mr. Philip,¡± Bailey said. Artemis gave a light hum. ¡°All right, let''s follow your n. We''ll head to Moranta first, deal with Sofie and her group, and then return to Dellmoor.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Inside a bedroom in the Saviors branch in Moranta. Mindy stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze fixed intently on the distant garden. A man and a woman leaned against the railing by the artificial lake in the garden, seemingly admiring the colorful koi fish in theke. The two silhouettes looked perfectly matched. Any onlooker would unconsciously think the pair was incredibly well-suited for each other. ¡°Who is she acting delicate for? The Tarragon leader is dead. Is she really that heartbroken? Is she trying to show her deep loyalty and emotions this way so Mr. Veikko will look at her with newfound respect?¡± Upon hearing this, the female bodyguard behind said tentatively, ¡°I thought the daughters raised by the Luther family were known for their purity and self-discipline.¡± ¡°Unexpectedly, Ms. Caridee turns out to be one who can''t stand loneliness and likes to fool around. I heard her innocent appearancepletely captivated Mr. Carter. Originally, he wanted to get involved with her and spend a passionate night together, but Mr. Veikko suddenly appeared and stopped everything. He even crippled Mr. Carter. I bet Mr. Carter must despise Caridee now,¡± said the female bodyguard. Mindy suddenly turned around, squinting, and the corner of her lips curled up into a sinister smile. ¡°Right, how could I have forgotten about Mr. Carter? He''s now a eunuch, all thanks to Caridee''s doing.¡± Mindy continued, ¡°I bet he must hate that little wretch now, wishing he could pin her down and humiliate her without restraint. When he found out that Caridee was the one Veikko cherished in his heart, Mr. Carter will definitely try every means to get his hands on that despicable girl, using her to strike against Mr. Veikko and avenge his own disgrace.¡± The female bodyguard nodded and said, ¡°You are truly wise, Mindy. You can secretly contact Mr. Carter and help him kidnap Caridee. Wouldn''t you easily eliminate this threat?¡± Mindy pped vigorously and giggled. ¡°This is a great idea! Let''s do it. We''ll use Mr. Carter to get rid of that little wretch.¡± ¡°I will immediately find a way to get in touch with Mr. Carter and probe his intentions. Let''s see if he is willing to cooperate,¡± the female bodyguard responded. ¡°All right, go ahead.¡± It was said Bailey intended to pass on her position to Veikko. As long as Mindy could attach herself to this man, she would be the future wife of the leader. This was what she had always dreamed of, and no one could take it away from her, not even the legitimate daughter of the Luther family. Mindy could still bring her to ruin and disgrace. By the artificial lake. Caridee was wiping her tears with a tissue, still unable to process the news of Artemis'' death. In her memory, Artemis was invincible, and there was nothing in the world he could not solve. She could not ept such a powerful person simply vanishing without a trace. ¡°Stop crying. Bailey will be in Moranta in a couple of days. If anything happens to you, it''ll be hard for me to exin it to her.¡± Caridee froze, turned her head to look at him, and asked in surprise, ¡°Bailey ising to Moranta in a couple of days? What is sheing here for?¡± The young man did not say much. ¡°To avenge your brother for you.¡± Caridee''s expression changed. She grabbed his arm agitatedly and asked urgently, ¡°Artemis'' murderer is in Moranta? Who? Who is it?¡± Veikko gave her a cold nce and said indifferently, ¡°You don''t need to know. Even if you did, you wouldn''t be able to handle it. Just stay in the branch office and behave yourself. Don''t run around recklessly, as it''s unsafe outside. By the way, I''ve crippled Shaun, so he must hate us to the core now. If you fall into his hands, it will be absolutely terrible for you.¡± Upon mentioning Shaun, Caridee could not help but shiver. That scumbag must hate her for turning him into a cripple, and he probably wanted to skin her alive right now. She must be careful not to fall into his hands, or else she would be better off dead. ¡°I-I understand now. This ce should be safe, right?¡± ¡°It''s safe for now. As long as you don''t run around recklessly, there shouldn''t be any idents.¡± Caridee leaned into his embrace and said with a trembling voice, ¡°I''m scared of Shaun. He''s a pervert capable of doing all kinds of filthy and disgusting things. Please, don''t leave me behind. I-I''m afraid.¡± Veikko hesitated momentarily but ultimately followed his heart, slowly reaching out and embracing her. ¡°I''m telling you this just as a reminder so you don''t run around recklessly. As long as you listen to me, you''ll be fine.¡± Caridee responded with silence. Inside the study of the medical base in Hallsbay. Justin bowed respectfully to Bill, who was sitting on the couch. ¡°What I''m about to say next might provoke your anger, but I have no choice but to speak.¡± Chapter 790 Chapter 790 Bill did not have a pleasant expression toward Justin. If it were not for this damn thing, my daughter wouldn''t have turned out like this. Why would one go to this extent to treat Zephyr''s illness, even preserving a uterus that may have pathological changes? Isn¡¯t she just hoping that one day she''ll have a child and then use the baby''s umbilical cord blood to treat Zephyr''s leukemia? Her precious child ultimately missed the best treatment timing, leading to cancer''s progression. In the end, my daughter experienced so many disasters, all thanks to this scoundrel in front of me. How could I possibly treat him nicely? ¡°Since you know saying it will make me angry, just don''t say it. Keep it to yourself. Lately, you''ve been upsetting me quite often. My blood pressure might rise.¡± Justin invited him to the medical base precisely to share his ns with Bill. There was no way he would keep it bottled up inside. ¡°I know you may not want to hear this, but I have to say it because I''ve already made up my mind. I''m telling you out of respect for you.¡± Bill could not help but scoff as he forced a word through his teeth, ¡°Speak.¡± With a calm tone, Justin briefly recounted the incident of his Olivia attempting to drug Veronique through Zephyr. There was a sudden loud bang. Bill could no longer contain his anger and said, ¡°They resort to such despicable tactics yet again! Do they have no regard for thew at all? They have no regard for other people''s lives! Do they really they''re untouchable by thew? Or is it because they have the support of the Fletcher family that they fear nothing?¡± Justin''s handsome face was tense, and a hint of fierceness flickered in his eyes. ¡°You can''t reason with people like them. In my opinion, just deal with them using the simplest, most direct, and most brutal method. Only by cutting off theirst shred of hope can we make them give up altogether. I''ve already thought of a way to sever their path of retreat.¡± Bill narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at him coldly, and asked, ¡°What''s your n?¡± Justin hissed, ¡°Fight fire with fire.¡± ¡°borate. Don''t give me riddles.¡± ¡°Since they eagerly await Veronique''s death, let''s announce to the public that Veronique was incurable and has passed away. Then, we''ll give Scarlett a wedding ceremony as they wished. I''ll expose her at the wedding, revealing the child in her belly isn''t mine, and let her taste what it''s like to fall from heaven into hell.¡± ¡°You scoundrel.¡± Bill picked up the coffeepot from the table and threw it at Justin. ¡°What the hell are you thinking, cursing my daughter to die? I''ll kill you!¡± Justin did not dodge, letting the coffeepot smash into his forehead, causing a bloody gash. ¡°By doing this, not only can we take revenge on them, but also make them let their guard down and stop focusing on Veronique. As you know, it''s hard to guard against hidden threats. If they discover their n has failed, they''ll surely devise other ways to harm her. We won''t be able to defend against them all.¡± These words really touched Bill''s heart. This kid has a point. If they find out the drugging attempt failed, they will surely think of other ways to deal with Vero. Instead, announcing to the outside world that Vero has already died would be better. That way, they would stop thinking about her. ¡°Do you really have to do it this way?¡± Justin nodded. ¡°We can kill two birds with one stone this way, and we have no other choice. Please understand. I know announcing Veronique''s death to the public is inauspicious, but we have no other options at the moment.¡± Bill suddenly stood up from the couch and paced toward the door, saying, ¡°You handle it. I just want to see the results. After this incident, I hope you''ve handled all the troubles that must be dealt with. I don''t want my daughter to live every day amidst schemes and danger.¡± Seeing his agreement, Justin could not help but breathe a sigh of relief and firmly uttered, ¡°Understood.¡± The next day, inside the study of the Tarragon Headquarters. Artemis asked Holden, ¡°Are you going to follow Bailey to Moranta or stay at the headquarters?¡± It was evident Holden was extremely concerned about Wendy''s safety. This was to be expected. He would also be worried if an ordinary kidnapper got his beloved woman, let alone the ruthless Sofie. Holden fell into silence. Bailey looked at him andughed, ¡°You don''t have to force yourself to stay in the Tarragon. If you want to save Wendy, juste with me.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Holden made a decision. ¡°That scoundrel, Micah, has already ruined himself. Someone must be in charge of the Tarragon Headquarters. Wendy is Juliana''s older sister and Sebastian''s mother. Considering their aunt-nephew rtionship, I believe you will do your best to save her.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°That works. Sofie kidnapped Wendy to restrain you, so she probably won''t be on guard against me. I''ll do my best to rescue her.¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°All right, I leave it to you.¡± Artemis looked at Cameron, raising an eyebrow as he said, ¡°It seems like we don''t need you here, Mr. Yablon. You should go back to the Yablon residence. There''s no need to follow us anymore.¡± Cameron ignored him and turned to look at Bailey. ¡°Don''t you want to take me with you?¡± Bailey massaged her temples, feeling a headacheing on. Her man was jealous, and if she did not handle this issue well, she would be the one to suffer tonight. After a few seconds of silence, she leaned close to Artemis, lowering her voice, and saying, ¡°He still has my painting. Don''t you want to take this opportunity to get it back?¡± Artemis let out a cold snort. Yes, of course, I do. How can I let another man have my wife''s portrait? Whenever he thought about Cameron admiring his wife''s portrait all night long, Artemis could not help but feel a surge of jealousy in his heart. He could not tolerate this, so he had to take it back. ¡°Let him follow then, but he''d better not have any ulterior motives, or else he''ll see what I''m capable of.¡± Cameron turned his head to look at him, and the two men''s gazes collided, weaving together intense sparks as if a battle was ready to erupt at any moment. Zeke realized the two were about to start fighting and hurriedly stepped forward to stop them. ¡°Well, it''s gettingte, and it''s time to set off. Let''s hurry up and board the ne.¡± Cameron slowly straightened his body, casting a sinister nce at Artemis, and said with a half-smile, ¡°You still need my help to remove the residual poison from Soul Reaper, yet you dare to challenge me? Ha, you''re quite the man! I admire you, but I won''t be so nice from now on. If I don''t add some extra ingredients to the poison mixture to torment you thoroughly, I''ll call myself something.¡± ¡°Please.¡± Bailey initially felt quite sorry for Artemis, but seeing him act like a big shot, she suddenly did not care anymore. It was better for men to resolve their own conflicts. Her intervention might only provoke their emotions and make the situation worse. While the two had a standoff, Zeke quickly reached out to grab Bailey''s arm and pulled her outside. ¡°Let them fight each other. Come with me.¡± Bailey was speechless. She could not help butugh as she saw the image of a caring elder cousin in Zeke. Perhaps all elder brothers in the world were like this. That noon, a group of people left the Tarragon Headquarters. As they were boarding, Cameron saw Artemis wearing a mask and could not help but mock him, ¡°Since you''re too ashamed to show your face, I might as well be the one to apany her.¡± Chapter 791 Chapter 791 Artemis rolled up his sleeves, ready to have a fight with him. Bailey walked over and threw a human skin mask she was holding to Cameron. ¡°You should put it on, too. Don''t let Kurt recognize you. You want to catch him, right? You need to take him by surprise.¡± Cameron suddenly became anxious. ¡°Bailey, you did this on purpose! You saw me bullying this sickly kid, so you used this move to help him.¡± Bailey gave him a cold nce and said lightly, ¡°You promised to cooperate with my arrangements unconditionally. If you can''t even do that, then don''t follow me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Artemis sneered and said, ¡°What do you call this? This is called retributioning too soon. Mr. Yablon, please put it on. Otherwise, if Kurt sees it, he will definitely retreat, and then how will you catch the traitor? Cameron couldn''t help butugh. After fiercely ring at Bailey, he angrily said, ¡°I don''t know how to use this thing. You help me put it on.¡± ¡°Alright, just behave yourself, or I''ll throw you out.¡± Artemis felt relieved. That''s my wife. Her heart will always belong to me. Zeke couldn''t help butugh as he watched the three of them making a scene with their dramatic antics. A fearsome young master of a poison refining family like Cameron probably only had one person in the whole world who wasn''t afraid of him - Bailey, who dared to ride on his head and boss him around. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. However, on the other hand, if it weren''t for Cameron''s indulgence and amodation, how could she have gained any benefits from this poison-crafting expert? Once, Edmund sacrificed himself to protect her. Raiden, for her sake, mobilized the troops. As for Cameron, he was willing topromise. These men, each one of them outstanding among the younger generation, were all wholeheartedly willing to submit to her. The mostmendable thing was that they didn''t have any malicious intent to take advantage of her; they only hoped for her happiness and well-being. Even if she smiled happily in the arms of another man, they would still ept it willingly. Artemis was right when he said that he was the favored child of the heavens. Fate had taken pity on him and yed cupid to him and Bailey, and from that moment on, she could only see him in her eyes. In fact, thinking about it, it made sense. Although Artemis was a heroic figure, if he wasn''t in Bailey''s eyes, she probably wouldn''t give him a second nce. His sister was astonishingly talented and extraordinarily beautiful, with an outstanding demeanor. She had no need to bow down to any man. If she fancied someone, it was their good fortune; if she didn''t, they could only gaze longingly from afar. In the branch of the Saviors at Moranta, a series of crisp sounds echoed throughout the bedroom. Mindy swept all the rouge and powder off the dressing table to the floor. Just now, when she passed by the flower room, she saw Caridee wrap her arms around Veikko''s neck and kiss him. Veikko tried to resist, attempting to break free from her grasp, but he couldn''t withstand her seductive charm and was forced to kiss her. That despicable woman has been putting on a pitiful look these past few days, constantly murmuring about the leader of Tarragon, appearing heartbroken for him. But all of a sudden, she went to seduce the vice-leader. What kind of deep affection is she showing? It''s all just a pretense. She despised her seemingly innocent and wless appearance, and at that moment, she really wanted to tear her apart. Ahh! If I keep letting this little brat unt in front of me, I''ll go crazy. No, I must deal with her quickly, or else I won''t have any peaceful days to live. At that moment, the door swung open, and the female bodyguard walked in from outside. ¡°Mindy, I''ve already contacted Mr. Carter.¡± Mindy abruptly turned around, squinting at her. ¡°What did he say?¡± ¡°Mr. Carter said he''s willing to cooperate with you. He wants Caridee. From the tone of his voice, I could tell that he harbors a deep hatred for Caridee. It''s only natural to think that way. After all, he was ruined because of her, so naturally, he would hold Caridee responsible for it.¡± Mindy instinctively reached out and grabbed a broken piece from the table, clutching it tightly in her hand. In an instant, the bright red blood rolled down her palm and fell. Amidst a sea of crimson, the mirror reflected her terrifyingly distorted face. ¡°No one can stop me from bing the matriarch of the Saviors, not even the legitimate daughter of the Luther family. Whoever stands in my way shall die.¡± The female bodyguard nodded and said, ¡°Mr. Carter mentioned that if he contacted you directly, it would draw too much attention. So, he asked you to find Ms. Astrid from the Adley family. She will get in touch with you, and you can discuss matters together.¡± ¡°Ms. Astrid? Astrid, right? Perfect, I have some connections with her. Go ahead and arrange a meeting for us. We''ll discuss things thoroughly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After the female bodyguard left, Mindy paced over to the floor-to-ceiling window and quietly gazed at the garden outside. A cold, dark glint flickered in her eyes. So what if she''s the legitimate daughter of the Luther family? This is Moranta, my territory. If I were to kill someone, it would be as easy as pie. At the same moment, inside the living room of a suburban mansion, Sofie held up her wine ss and clinked it with Kurt''s from a distance. ¡°Mr. White, I just received reliable news that Bailey has already set off for Moranta. It''s your turn to step in now. As far as I know, your elder brother died at her hands, his body reduced to ashes. With such a deep-seated grudge, I''m sure you''ll take it very seriously.¡± Kurt gently swirled his wine ss and nodded, saying, ¡°My elder brother has treated me with great kindness. I will surely avenge his grudges. You don''t need to doubt that.¡± Sofieughed out loud, ¡°Great! I''ll wish Mr. White a triumphant victory in advance, then. Oh, by the way, I also received news that the heir to the Yablon family, Cameron, is traveling with Bailey. You should be able to handle it, right?¡± ¡°No problem, both he and I are skilled in using poison. It''s just a matter of who''s more adept.¡± Sofie put down her wine ss, speaking lightly, ¡°This is the best time to assassinate Bailey, as she has just experienced the pain of losing her loved one. Remember, if you miss this opportunity, there may not be a better chance in the future.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Inside the living room of the Xuereb residence at Hallsbay, Olivia sat on the sofa, gripping Scarlett''s wrist with excitement, ¡°Lettie, there''s great news from the medical base.¡± Upon hearing this, Scarlett suddenly sat up straight, ¡°Did Veronique die? So soon?¡± Olivia made a hushing gesture and whispered, ¡°No, that''s not the case. I heard she''s already on her deathbed. Since everyone from the Revelles had rushed to the base, the news from the inside informant said that Veronique''s condition had be critical. They went to see her for thest time.¡± Scarlett had no doubt about the medicine he had someone prepare. Since the spy inside reported that Veronique was critically ill, it must be true that she was indeed in critical condition. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, after Veronique''s death, could you please persuade Justin to marry me as soon as possible? I''m pregnant out of wedlock, and the Fletcher family is under a lot of pressure.¡± Olivia gently patted her hand and smiled, saying, ¡°I understand. I''ve been through this, too. How could I not understand your grievances? Don''t worry, once that woman is gone, I''ll make sure Justin marries you. Men always say that they want to die for love, but deep down, they don''t really think that way. The world is so wonderful. He can indulge in its pleasures. Why would he give himself up and choose to be buried alongside a woman?¡± Chapter 792 Chapter 792 Inside a coffee shop at downtown Moranta, Mindyzily looked at Astrid across from her. With a faint smile on her face, she said, ¡°Before I came here, I did some research on you. I found out that you''re Caridee''s friend. Would you harm her?¡± Astrid''s face looked rather unpleasant, but under the relentless pressure from Tucker, she had no choice but to extend her evil ws towards Caridee once again. This was not what she wanted, but since Tucker threatened her with the safety of her entire family, she had no choice but topromise. ¡°Since you''ve investigated me, you should know that when Caridee was persecuted by Mr. Carter, I was the one who drugged her and sent her to his resting room.¡± Mindy nodded and sneered, ¡°Yes, I did find out about this, which is why I came to see you today. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have acted rashly. Heaven knows whose side you''re on and where your loyalties lie, but from what I can see now, you do seem to havee with sincerity to coborate with me. Since Mr. Carter vouches for you, I''ll give you the benefit of the doubt this time. But you better not try any tricks, or you''ll meet a miserable end.¡± Astrid nodded and said, ¡°I don''t doubt the harsh words you''ve just spoken because you''re the daughter of the branch leader in the Saviors, and I can''t simply affront you. Besides, I''ve already promised Mr. Carter that I would assist you, and I won''t go back on my word. Otherwise, my entire family would suffer the consequences.¡± Mindy sat up straight, a satisfied smile gracing the corner of her lips. ¡°Alright, since that''s the case, I won''t keep you in suspense any longer. Let''s get straight to the point. Do you have any ideas on how to invite Caridee out?¡± Astrid''s eyes sparkled slightly. She indeed had ways to force Caridee out of the Saviors, but she was torn inside. If that were really done, Caridee would definitely fall into the hands of Shaun. Judging by the extent of Shaun''s current fury, he would definitely torture Caridee to the point of making her life living hell. They were friends after all, and she couldn''t bear to see a tragedy unfold, let alone witness an innocent and pure girl being tarnished like that. Mindy caught the hesitation deep in her eyes and couldn''t help but sneer, ¡°You have nowhere to retreat now. Even if Mr. Carter spares you, I won''t let you off the hook. You''d better cooperate with me to lure Caridee out of the branch of the Saviors and help me achieve my goal. Otherwise, I''ll order someone to wipe out your entire family.¡± Astrid''s body began to tremble violently. The Saviors was one of the most formidable forces in the underworld. They never bothered with righteousness or morality when it came to annihting someone; they simply wiped them out. In fact, from the moment she entered the coffee shop, she knew there was no turning back. Thatst shred of pity was nothing but a ridiculous persistence, utterly meaningless. ¡°Ok, I''ll talk. Just don''t touch my family.¡± ¡°Then hurry up and speak. Cut the crap.¡± ¡°Here''s the thing. When Caridee was studying abroad in Moranta, she sponsored a welfare center. She really loved the children there. As long as you force the director of the welfare center to call her and tell her that something has happened at the welfare center, she will definitely find a way to go there out of concern for the children''s safety.¡± Mindy suddenly stood up from her chair, grabbed her cor, and urgently asked, ¡°Which welfare center?¡± ¡°S-Sunray Welfare Center in Derport.¡± Mindy abruptly pushed her away and strode toward the door, saying as she walked, ¡°Get the carriage ready. We''re heading to Derport.¡± Astrid watched the group of people leaving, tears streaming down the corners of her eyes. Once again, she helped an evildoer, helping them set a trap to harm Caridee. From this moment on, their friendship waspletely obliterated. She nearly went mad as she grabbed her phone and dialed Tucker''s number. The call connected sessfully, and she hurriedly said, ¡°I''ve already helped them get Caridee involved. The task is complete. Can you please stop bother me or the Adley family in the future?¡± Content held by N?velDrama.Org. The sinisterughter of Tucker came through the microphone. ¡°Don''t be in such a hurry, the game has just begun. It''s too early for you to think about leaving. There''s no such easy way out in this world. You''d better behave yourself, or you''ll end up offending both Mr. Carter and Ms. Xydias. At that point, it won''t just be me who wants to take the lives of the Adley family; I believe Mr. Carter would be more than happy to go on a killing spree.¡± Astrid''s lips twitched, just as she was about to say something, the sudden sound of a busy tone came from the phone receiver. The other party abruptly ended the call. Hearing those piercing sounds, Astridid her head on the table and began to sob uncontrobly. Indeed, one must not be a bad person, otherwise they may end up being rotten to the core. At noon, the private jet carrying Bailey and herpanions arrived in Moranta. She didn''t go to the Saviors. At this critical moment, there were many people following her from behind. If she were to go to the Saviors, it would undoubtedly be brought to light, announcing to the entire world that she was the leader of the Saviors. She didn''t want toplicate matters; she just wanted to expose Sofie and then deal with her and Philip together. The private jet finallynded in a residential area. It was Zeke''s property in Moranta. Rather than calling it a residential area, it was more like a research base for modern medicine. The private jet had just landed when the person in charge of the base hurriedly arrived. Zeke left a sentence saying ¡°I''ll go down and negotiate with him first¡± and then left the cabin. Bailey stood in front of the ss window, gazing at the vastplex of buildings outside, and eximed, ¡°The Shurmer family''s international status is truly not to be underestimated.¡± Standing nearby, Artemis nodded and said, ¡°The world''s top pharmaceutical family didn''t earn their reputation for show, did they? We just need to be cautious in our actions. Although this research base seems to belong to the Shurmer family, who knows how many hidden dangers lurk within.¡± Bailey understood his meaning and turned her head to look at Cameron, who was leisurely leaning on the couch. She couldn''t help but warn, ¡°Don''t take off the mask, or else Kurt will know you''re with me and won''t show up willingly.¡± Cameron rolled his eyes and said, ¡°Please, Kurt is a traitor to the Yablon family. I want to catch him even more than you do. Don''t forget, he stole Encyclopedia of Poison from the Yablon family. If he uses it to cause trouble, the Yablon family will ultimately have to pay the price for his actions.¡± ¡°That''s good to know.¡± Bailey tossed out these words and then strode toward the exit of the cabin. Cameron stood up and looked at his appearance through the ss across from him. Why do I look more and more sleazy the longer I look at it? That woman must have done it on purpose. Artemis nced at him coldly, but when he thought about the mask on his face being the one he had rejected, he immediately cheered up. ¡°Such a pervert.¡± Cameron suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze shooting straight at Artemis, ¡°Artemis, no, Luther, who are you cursing?¡± Artemis didn''t bother with him and turned around to follow Bailey out of the cabin. Cameron watched his retreating figure, filled with hatred that made his teeth itch. In his mind, he constantly calcted how much poison to add to make him suffer a fate worse than death while still keeping him alive. Outside, as Bailey approached Zeke, her legs suddenly gave out, causing her to fall directly into his arms. Chapter 793 Chapter 793 ¡°What''s wrong with Ms. Bailey?¡± The person in charge of the base quickly inquired. Zeke furrowed his brow slightly but immediately understood his sister''s intention. He spoke in a low voice. ¡°She just went through a life-and-death separation and lost her true love. She has been tormenting herself for the past few days, but there is always hope in life. I believe that one day she will be able to pick herself up again.¡± The man''s gaze flickered for a moment but quickly returned to normal. ¡°In that case, Mr. Zeke, you should take Ms. Bailey to rest. It''s windy outside, and she shouldn''t catch a cold.¡± Zeke nodded lightly and scooped Bailey up in his arms, walking toward the residential area. Artemis followed behind them, feeling unhappy in his heart. It was not a pleasant feeling to see another man holding her woman, even if it was her arrogant older brother. ¡°Your man is jealous,¡± Zeke whispered in a low voice to his sister in his arms. Bailey rolled her eyes. ¡°I''ve attracted a lot of admirers internationally, and Cameron is just one percent of them. I''m letting him feel jealous now so that he can adapt to the asional appearance of rivals in the future.¡± Zeke smiled. Content held by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°That''s how it should be. He shouldn''t have everything his way. Let him be upset for a while.¡± ... After Mindy and her subordinates arrived at the Sunray Welfare Center, she ordered them to smash everything inside. In the director''s office, she mmed a gun on the desk. ¡°Do you want to live or die?¡± Mindy asked, her voice cold. The director screamed in fear, staring wide- eyed at the gun on the table and trembling all over too. At that moment, a female bodyguard walked in from outside and nodded. ¡°Mindy, we''ve cut off all themunication devices inside, and we have control over all the staff. Once we deal with this old woman, we can proceed with the n.¡± Mindy smirked, reaching out and grabbing the director by the cor. In a chilling voice, she said, ¡°I''m from the streets. If you want to stay alive, you better listen to me. I know you''re acquainted with Caridee. When the timees, call her and tell her that there''s a major incident at the welfare center, and she shoulde here. If you can aplish this, your life will be spared. Otherwise...¡± She swiftly picked up the gun and pressed it against the woman''s temple. ¡°I''ll blow your brains out.¡± The director screamed in terror, too frightened to consider anything else, and desperately shouted, ¡°I agree, I agree! I''ll do anything you ask. Just don''t kill me!¡± Mindy smiled with satisfaction, tossing her aside like trash onto a chair. The female bodyguard picked up thendline phone on the desk, preparing to hand it to the director so she could call Caridee. But then Mindy realized something and waved her hand. ¡°Wait a minute. The vice-leader is currently at the branch. If we call Caridee now, won''t shee together with the vice-leader? How can we capture her then? We would not only fail to catch her but also alert her.¡± The female bodyguard quickly took the phone back from the director''s hand. ¡°Mindy, you''re thinking ahead. I was being foolish and didn''t consider this. What should we do now?¡± Mindy squinted her eyes and fell into silence for a moment. Then she got up and walked toward the door while saying, ¡°You stay here with your men and wait for my message. When the vice-leader leaves the branch, I''ll call you immediately. You''ll then make sure this old woman contacts Caridee, understood?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ll take care of it.¡± ... After resting for a few hours at the medical base, Bailey set off for the Hoffman residence in the evening. Since she hade this far, she might as well brave the danger and make her way in. She was apanied by Zeke, as well as Artemis and Cameron disguised as bodyguards. With them by her side, Bailey felt safer than ever before. Even if she knew that countless arrows were aimed at her from the shadows, she had no fear. The atmosphere was tense in the main reception hall of the Hoffman residence. The elders of the family, led by Philip, refused to let Bailey see Juliana, resulting in a standoff between the two sides. Baileyzily leaned back in her chair and said lightly, ¡°If you are well-informed, you should know that I have just lost my beloved. I am now at a dead end. If I truly go mad and order a few bombs to be detonated, do you believe that your entire n will be bathed in blood in an instant?¡± Philip stood up abruptly from the sofa, about to reprimand her. But when his gaze met Bailey''s bloodthirsty eyes, he hesitated. This woman''s hostility was overwhelming. He couldn''t see any hope or light in her eyes. There was only boundless darkness and a desire for ughter. This woman had truly gone mad. After losing her beloved, she hadpletely transformed into a wild beast. Perhaps she was right in one thing, which was that she was now at a dead end. If she truly went mad, she might actually be able to mobilize the Saviors and wipe out the entire Hoffman family. When facing a desperate person like her, it was best not to use too forceful means. If she felt cornered, it would only lead to death, and everyone would be buried with her. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we understand your feelings about losing your beloved, but the Hoffman Family doesn''t seem to have any grievances with you. It was the Yablon family who poisoned Mr. Luther because only the Yablon family has The Enigma, Soul Reaper. If you want to take revenge, you should go to the Yablon family.¡± Bailey looked at him expressionlessly, emitting a strong killing intent that showed no signs of subsiding. ¡°I''ll say it again. I came to the Hoffman family not to cause trouble but to visit my disciple, Juliana. She''s been poisoned, and I''m here to detoxify her. Either let me through or die.¡± The elders looked at each other in silence. They all felt that Bailey was like a trapped beast on the verge of breaking free. Once she showed her fangs, they would all be finished. ¡°S-Since she is h-here to visit her disciple, w-we can''t interfere. L-Let someone take her to Juliana,¡± Philip finally said, swallowing his pride. ¡°Yes, yes, yes, there''s no need to offend a fierce woman like her for an abandoned daughter with no value to us. If she wants to take the girl away, just let her do so,¡± another elder quickly agreed. Philip cast a stern gaze that swept across the elders who were expressing their opinions, sessfully intimidating them. At that moment, Raymond walked in from outside. ¡°Mr. Raymond, you''vee at the right time. We request your judgment on this matter.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Please make a judgment.¡± Waving a hand, Philip nced at Zeke''s face and then turned his gaze to Bailey. ¡°If you''re here solely to detoxify Julie, I can allow you to see her. But if you want to take her away, I won''t agree. She has be involved with a man from the outside world and is pregnant with his child. Heavens have already punished her and now give her a chance to start anew. I don''t want anyone to disturb her peaceful life. You should have heard that she is about to marry Huntley. As her master, you should be offering your blessings, shouldn''t you? I hope you''re not here with ulterior motives.¡± Zeke wanted to speak, but Bailey stopped him. ¡°I''m here to detoxify Julie. Take me to see her.¡± Chapter 794 Chapter 794 Raymond clearly didn''t believe it. His sharp gaze locked onto Bailey, studying her for a moment before asking again, ¡°Are you really here just to detoxify her? You don''t have any ulterior motives?¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow and countered, ¡°This is the territory of the Hoffman family. What ulterior motives could I have?¡± ¡°True.¡± Raymond nodded and chuckled softly. ¡°You, Bailey, indeed have some ability. But you don''t have the power to take someone from within the Hoffman residence.¡± After speaking, he turned to a servant beside him and said, ¡°Take Ms. Jefferson to see Ms. Juliana.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The maid made a gesture to Bailey. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, please follow me.¡± Bailey smiled and walked toward the door. Just as she took a few steps, she heard Raymond''s voice behind her. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, you have no rtionship with Juliana. Please wait here. Currently, it is not convenient for her to receive guests.¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes, coldly ring at Raymond who was blocking his path. There was a glint of danger in his eyes. Bailey quickly turned back and grabbed Zeke''s arm, speaking in a serious tone. ¡°Zeke, to Julie, your identity is indeed special. So, please wait here. Don''t make things difficult for Mr. Raymond. Trust me, I will save her life.¡± Afterward, she pointed toward Cameron and said to Raymond, ¡°I assume you wouldn''t mind me having a bodyguard by my side, would you? After all, this ce is a dangerous one for me. I won''t feel safe without someone to protect me.¡± Cameron''s eyes brightened. He nced provocatively at Artemis as if to say, ¡°We''re both disguised as bodyguards, but obviously, I''m more useful than you.¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. A dangerous light shed in Artemis'' eyes. This guy can''t stay with us. After we leave, I''ll find a way to kick him away. Bailey sensed Artemis'' discontent and couldn''t help but smile bitterly. He didn''t understand poisons, so why would she bring him along? Just to stroll around the garden? Besides, going deep into the Hoffman family''s residence was extremely dangerous. As a weak individual, he would have trouble protecting himself, let alone lending her a helping hand. Cameron, on the other hand, was different. He could help identify the type of poison affecting Julie, making it easier for her to prepare the antidote once they returned. He could also fight alongside her, dealing with any unknown threats that lurked in the shadows. ¡°Fine, you can bring one bodyguard, as long as it''s not Mr. Zeke,¡± Raymond agreed. Bailey didn''t respond and turned around to walk outside. Cameron quickly followed. After leaving the reception hall, the two exchanged nces. Don''t reveal any ws. Don''t let outsiders recognize your identity. I think Kurt is around here somewhere. If he recognizes you, things won''t be good. They silentlymunicated through their eyes. I know. I''ll observe her from a distance of a few meters. I can probably determine the type of poison she''s been affected by. But as for you, be careful. I''m afraid there might be things I end up overlooking that puts you in danger. Bailey couldn''t help but sneer. The people of the Hoffman family were not fools, especially Raymond. He knew that if she died in this ce, she would offend the Luther family, the Shurmer family, the Saviors, and even Tarragon. If he wanted the Hoffman family to survive for generations toe, he wouldn''t just stand by and watch Philip and Sofie kill her here. As for outside the castle, that wasn''t within his consideration. He would watch as they tore each other apart, ultimately getting rid of Philip while severely weakening her. He would reap the benefits then. After walking for five or six minutes along the corridor, they arrived in front of a mansion. Bailey was familiar with this ce. Juliana had invited her as a guest before. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this is where Ms. Juliana resides,¡± the maid said. ¡°Okay, lead the way inside,¡± Bailey replied. As they were about to enter the living room, several ck- d individuals emerged from the spiral staircase, escorting two men in suits. Bailey instinctively looked up. She recognized the young man leading them¡ªit was Tucker, Philip''s son, and Juliana''s cousin. As for the other man in the suit... He had fair and clean features, and from a distance, she could smell the scent of medicinal herbs on him. He was very likely in contact with them frequently. Bailey nced at Cameron by her side and received a confirming look from him. This young man was Cadence''s brother, Kurt White. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, why are you here?¡± Tucker greeted her with a smile. His gaze toward Bailey was strange, with a glimmer of possessiveness deep in his eyes. It was probably three years ago when Juliana first brought this woman back. He was captivated by her cold and proud aura. This woman was like a white lily that had grown in seclusion on a cier for a thousand years¡ªuniquely independent, cold, and elegant. Compared to those materialistic women with hot figures and full of worldly desires, women like her stood out in stark contrast. Having spent his time among other ordinary beauties, he was almost seduced by her when he first saw her. Later, she returned to Chanaea and became outstanding globally in just half a year. She had countless powerful identities and trampled on herpetitors, overlooking all beings from the pinnacle. She became the woman that numerous ambitious figures coveted. Of course, they desired her not because they were infatuated with her or liked her. They simply wanted to imprison her, break her wings, and watch her wither bit by bit, satisfying their twisted desires. Now, Artemis was dead, and she had lost her backing. Many people internationally were probably starting to make their moves. Hearing that she hade to Moranta, they would likely follow closely behind. Now, he had the upper hand. He had to capture her before anyone else. Just the thought of this cold and beautiful woman blooming like a snow lily in his embrace, and bing one with him, made his blood boil and his whole body itch uncontrobly. Bailey was observant, and she could clearly feel his covetous desire for her. A cold smile shed in her eyes. Did he really think Artemis was dead? Such foolishness would only lead to a miserable death. Not everyone who admired her was as lucky as Cameron, whom Artemis could tolerate. If it were someone else, he would explode instantly. ¡°Mr. Tucker, it''s been a while. I came to see Julie. I heard she was poisoned,¡± Bailey said. Then she looked at Kurt and asked, ¡°Who is this?¡± Tucker looked at Kurt and smiled. ¡°He''s a friend of mine who is knowledgeable in the art of poison-crafting. I invited him to take a look at Julie, but it seems he is also helpless as to her condition.¡± Bailey''s inner sarcasm grew stronger. They brought the poisoner to detoxify the victim and imed that he couldn''t do it. She really didn''t know what they were up to. ¡°I see. Well, you go ahead. I''ll go upstairs to see Julie,¡± Bailey said. Tucker made way for her. ¡°Of course.¡± As Bailey led her bodyguard up the stairs, Tucker turned to Kurt and said, ¡°Did you see that woman? She''s Bailey Jefferson, the one who killed your older brother. I can use the influence of the Hoffman family to help you evade pursuit from the Yablon family. But you have to let me have this woman.¡± Chapter 795 Chapter 795 Kurt''s handsome face darkened. ¡°Mr. Tucker, as you just mentioned, she murdered Cadence. I am cooperating with you guys because I want to avenge his death by killing her. You want me to let her go and hand her over to you? That''s asking too much of me. Besides, Sofie wants her life. If I let her go, how do I exin it to her?¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Tucker reached out and put his hand on Kurt''s shoulder, leading thetter outside. ¡°Buddy, the one who has passed is gone. You should consider your safety. We all know that Cameron is not someone to be taken lightly. I heard he left his family to hunt you down. Are you sure you can escape his pursuit? If you want to survive, you have to listen to me. I''m not stopping you from taking revenge on Bailey. How about this? You can research a drug that makes women horny all the time once they consume it. When the timees, I''ll pamper her well. Once I''ve had enough fun, I''ll auction her off and let someone else take over, continuing the cycle. Living like this is a hundred times more painful than death itself. As for Sofie, she''ll be easy to deal with. When the timees, we''ll just fake Bailey''s death and deceive them.¡± A gleam swirled in Kurt''s eyes. Upon seeing his hesitation, Tucker knew Kurt was already tempted and struck while the iron was hot. ¡°I heard that Cameron also likes Bailey. Likely, he won''t be able to win her over. You can passionately sleep with Bailey, then record a video and send it to him, telling him you have slept with the woman he desperately wants. Isn''t this the greatest revenge against him?¡± Tucker''s words stirred up the darkness in Kurt''s heart. In the Yablon family, he was constantly oppressed by Cameron. It wasn''t that his talent was inferior to Cameron''s. He had no choice but to submit to Cameron because thetter was the heir while he was only an adopted son. This cursed fate left him powerless to resist. Why shouldn''t he indulge in some reckless behavior for a change now that he had already betrayed the Yablon family? ¡°Would you be willing to give me Bailey?¡± Before he could finish speaking, Tucker suddenly patted him on the shoulder and said, ¡°There''s no need to ask this between buddies. Besides, a strong-willed woman like her should be shared among others. It''s more exciting. It''s all up to you now, and I look forward to that day.¡± Kurt made a concession since Tucker had stoked his inner wickedness. ¡°All right. I''ll listen to you.¡± On the corridor of the second floor, Cameron lowered his voice and said, ¡°Be careful. Tucker seems to be hostile toward you. The intense predatory light in his eyes seems slightly frightening.¡± Bailey let out a coldugh. ¡°It was the same three years ago. I didn''t expect him to harbor wicked intentions after all this time. He was the one who bullied Juliana the most back then. I''ll handle him even if he doesn''te to me. Scumbags like him shouldn''t be allowed to exist. He is wasting oxygen.¡± Cameron listened to her words silently. After reaching the entrance, Bailey directly pushed it open. A strong medicinal smell wafted into her nose. The room was silent. Bailey''s gaze swept around the room, and she noticed the ultraviolet rays. It must be the most cutting-edge surveince camera in the world. ¡°Just stand by the door. I''ll go in by myself.¡± Initially, she wanted Cameron to go with her to check Juliana''s condition so it would be easier to prepare the antidoteter. However, there was a camera installed with ultraviolet rays inside. It would take half an hour to crack it. It was too troublesome. Therefore, she could only let Cameron wait outside. If he went in, there was a high chance that Kurt, monitoring the situation through the surveince cameras, would notice something was off. Cameron didn''t insist and obediently stood by the door. Bailey walked to the bedside and checked Juliana''s pulse. Her expression immediately turned grim. Her pulse is gone. What''s going on? Even if Juliana was poisoned, she should have a pulse as long as she hasn''t passed away. Why does she have no pulse? She had never seen this kind of poison before. The only option was to note down the details and ry them to Cameron so that he could analyze themter. Since she didn''t know what poison was in Juliana''s body, she couldn''t use acupuncture to wake her up. I wonder if hypnosis would be effective so that I can establish a mental connection with her. At this thought, she reached out to support Juliana before she gently propped open thetter''s eyelids. As she stared into Juliana''s deep ck pupils, their consciousnesses gradually merged. Julie! Julie! She kept calling out in the consciousness space. It was pitch ck, and she couldn''t see anything. Under such circumstances, worry began to rise in her heart. Only when a person was on the verge of death did their consciousness be pitch ck as the connection between them and the world was gradually severing. She didn''t know how long she had been shouting in the darkness. An elusive and soft voice suddenly echoed through the space. ¡°Master! Master, is that you?¡± Bailey couldn''t catch sight of Juliana, so she could only call out into the void, ¡°It''s me. Can you still hold on?¡± After waiting for a moment, Juliana''s voice came through again. ¡°Yes, I still have many things left undone, and I don''t want to wait for death. Master, please save me.¡± ¡°All right. Could you tell me why you''re in such a strange state? I just checked your pulse, and I couldn''t find it. Are you alive or dead right now?¡± I''m not sure, but I believe Tucker brought a young man with him before you showed up. He fed me a pill, and then I turned into this state.¡± Bailey understood immediately. It seemed that Kurt had meddled once again. He might have increased the dosage of the poison or perhaps used a different toxin. ¡°All right, I got it. Hang in there, and don''t let your consciousness fade away. As soon as I find the antidote, I''lle to save you.¡± She assumed Cameron would know how to cure Juliana. It was rare to see Juliana''s situation; perhaps Kurt used this poison to determine if Cameron was by her side. Kurt has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, so we must be cautious. ¡°Master, there''s still Huntley. Please help me check on him. You must cure him, or I will live in guilt for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°All right, I understand. You rest well, I''ll be leaving now.¡± Bailey forcefully opened her eyes. Her womanly intuition told her that Kurt had set up a trap for her. However, she still had to jump into the trap. After cing Juliana back on the bed and covering her with the nket, Bailey got up and walked toward the door. She had just used hypnosis, which consumed a great deal of her energy, so her steps were slightly unsteady. Her body couldn''t bear it. Upon seeing her condition, Cameron attempted to reach out and help her. Bailey shook her head at him, signaling him not to take action. If Tucker and Kurt were to find out about her poor health, there was a good chance they would cause trouble. Only by letting them not being able to figure her out could she prevent them from acting recklessly, thus giving her a chance to rest. Initially, Bailey wanted to visit Huntley''s residence. However, her body was too weak, and she was worried that he would notice something was off if she stayed too long. Left with no choice, she could only give up and retrace her steps back to the reception room. She told Raymond that she would bring the antidote after five days. Then, she left with the rest. Artemis noticed her pale expression on the car and instinctively wanted to ask about it. However, Bailey didn''t give him a chance, as she grabbed Cameron''s arm and urgently asked, ¡°What kind of poison can cause the pulse to stop beating, but the person will still be conscious?¡± Chapter 796 Chapter 796 Cameron was taken aback and looked at Bailey with a puzzled expression, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry. Bailey red at him and said angrily, ¡°It''s all because of the poison from the Yablon family that Julie''s pulse is gone, and her consciousness is also very weak. What kind of poison did Kurt give her?¡± As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. Upon hearing her description, Zeke''s expression gradually turned grim. Her pulse is gone? Can she still be alive? Cameron snapped out of his daze. ¡°Wait, let me think. Let me think for a while. My mind is a bit foggy right now.¡± Bailey''s hand shook, releasing Cameron''s wrist. Upon seeing this, Artemis hurriedly reached out and embraced Bailey. As he got closer, he realized that she was trembling lightly. Having known her for so long, she had never felt this helpless before, even when Edmund had suffered severe injuries in the past. If it were not for the fact that Juliana''s situation was beyond Bailey''s capabilities, Bailey probably would not havee to this point. Artemis asked, ¡°What''s wrong? Tell me about it. Let me help you analyze the situation.¡± Bailey looked up at Artemis with tears streaming down her face. She choked back a sob as she said, ¡°Julie has lost her pulse, and her consciousness is fading away. I''d never encountered this kind of poison before, so I''m at a loss. Artemis, do you know what it feels like to bepletely powerless? The feeling is truly terrible. That feeling of being unable to control the fate of your closest loved ones. It can really drive a person insane.¡± Artemis hugged Bailey tightly, and his gaze fell on Cameron. He spoke in a low voice, ¡°Kurt was from the Yablon family but left, and his poison-crafting skills were all learned from the family. As the heir of the Yablon family, can''t you figure out the poison that would cause someone to lose all signs of life yet still cling to a breath? If you really don''t know, then what''s the use of having you here with us?¡± Cameron furrowed his eyebrows. He thought of a type of poison, which was also a prohibited drug of the Yablon family. However, it was not as overbearing as Grim Reaper, and there was a form to create an antidote for the poison. Cameron replied, ¡°It''s Bloodlust. This poison is recorded in the Encyclopedia of Poison and has always been forbidden to be used by the family. Kurt must have learned it from the encyclopedia.¡± Bailey hurriedly asked, ¡°How can we detoxify it? Do you know the form? How long will it take to make the antidote?¡± Cameron nodded and said, ¡°I do know the form. All the forms for the toxin of the Yablon family are kept in my mind. It will take about three days to refine the antidote. That should be enough, but...¡± At this point, he slowly paused in his words, and his face turned gloomy. Upon hearing the word ¡°but,¡± Bailey knew that the matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface. There must be some tricky issues to be resolved. Bailey urged, ¡°What is it? Just spit it out. Don''t keep me in suspense.¡± Cameron replied, ¡°It is called Bloodlust because when refining the poison, the poison-crafting expert would add their own blood to the ingredients. As you know, everything in this world mutually reinforces and neutralizes each other. If you want to create an antidote, you must use the blood of the poison- crafting expert as the enhancer.¡± Bailey was not foolish enough not to understand the meaning behind his words. In fact, everyone else in the car understoodpletely. If this poison was refined by Kurt, his blood must be used as the enhancer to create the antidote. Everyone knew who was Kurt. He betrayed and left the Yablon family to avenge his elder brother. As for the murderer of Kurt''s elder brother, it was Bailey. There was a deep-seated grudge between them. The reason Kurt had drugged Juliana with Bloodlust was probably that he knew an enhancer was required for refining the antidote of this poison. The enhancer was in his body, and he meant to make Bailey approach him, forcing her to jump into the trap he had created. Bailey could not help butugh in exasperation and lifted her foot to give Cameron a hard kick on the shin. ¡°Look at what kind of people the Yablon family has raised. Every one of them has twisted values and malicious intentions.¡± Cameron was somewhat speechless. I did not harm anyone, so why is this woman trying to beat me down with a single blow? Cameron said, ¡°Will arguing with me andining help you cure your disciple''s poison? No, it won''t, so you''d better calm down and think of a solution carefully. It just so happens that we also need to deal with Kurt, as he has joined forces with Mr. Philip and Sofie, so we must eliminate them. We might as well take this opportunity to get rid of them all at once.¡± Bailey tilted her head and looked at Zeke. ¡°Zeke, what do you think?¡± Upon closer observation, Bailey noticed that Zeke''s expression had turned frighteningly grim. That''s right. Juliana is also considered his woman, having even been pregnant for him. Now that she has been harmed like this, any man with even a bit of backbone would find it hard to tolerate. ¡°The main reason Kurt poisoned Juliana was to lure you in. For now, Juliana''s life is not in danger. Even in a critical situation, he will keep Juliana alive and won''t let her die easily before you are caught in his trap.¡± Bailey nodded. After a period of readjusting herself, she gradually calmed down. It was clear that Kurt had set up this trap to catch Juliana. As long as she did not fall into it, Juliana''s life would not be in danger. Ring! At that moment, a ringtone sounded. Bailey took out her phone from his pocket and nced down to have a look, seeing that it was a call from Zayron. She only shared the secret of Artemis being alive with Zayron because she was afraid that the young kid would break down upon learning the news of his biological father''s death. As a result, they weakened their defenses of Hallsbay, allowing others to take advantage of the situation and infiltrate their territory. Of course, she only informed Zayron about this matter while Maxton and Susan were kept in the dark. In the past few days, Maxton and Susan had called Bailey. As soon as the call connected, they did not say anything but just cried incessantly. After crying, they obediently hung up the phone. Since Zayron knew the truth, he never called her. Suddenly receiving a phone call from him now, Bailey''s first reaction was that something had happened in Hallsbay. Bailey asked, ¡°Has something happened at home?¡± Zayron replied, ¡°Bailey, Vero has gone.¡± Bailey was taken aback. Vero has gone? After a long silence, she finally reacted. Her pupils began to constrict dramatically. Bailey said, ¡°Did you... did you make a mistake? Wasn''t Veronique''s situation stabilized? How could she... pass away?¡± Zayron replied while crying, ¡°I don''t know what''s going on either. I''ve been staying at the Luther residence these past few days, and suddenly I saw the news from the outside world that the second daughter of the Revelle family has died of cancer. I called Zephyr, but he didn''t respond to me on the call. He wouldn''t say a single word, and I could feel how heartbroken he was.¡± Bailey was a bit dumbfounded. The news came so unexpectedly that she had no time to ease up herself. Upon hearing it, she indeed found it hard to bear. ¡°Let me hang up now. I''ll give Zain a call.¡± After saying that, she did not wait for her son''s response and directly hung up the call. ¡°Veronique was gone?¡± Artemis asked beside. Bailey pursed her lips and did not respond. After dialing Zain''s number, she hurriedly asked, ¡°Is Veronique dead?¡± The others did not know what the other person on the other side of the phone had said, but Bailey''s gaze suddenly becameplicated. ¡°In that case, we really have to teach a lesson to those people that made her ''die''.¡± After hanging up the phone, Bailey saw the other men staring at her fixedly and could not help but say whileughing. ¡°It''s just a farce. Anyway, we can''t do anything about it from so far away, so let''s not get involved.¡± The rest of the men stayed silent. At Hallsbay, The Revelle family released a statement through public rtions, announcing that their second daughter, Veronique, had been suffering fromte-stage cancer and ultimately passed away untreatable.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. Chapter 797 Chapter 797 In order to convince Olivia and Scarlett, they went all out. The Revelle family had released a statement, so naturally, there wouldn''t be any doubts from the outside world about Veronique''s death. Olivia breathed a sigh of relief in the living room at the Xuereb residence after receiving the news. Justin now stands a chance to marry Scarlett, and our family will lead a great life from now on. She wasn''t harming anyone but doing a good deed by helping Veronique escape suffering. People with cancer who still hope for a cure are simply daydreaming. The Revelle family was unwilling to give up, so they let Bailey be, disregarding Veronique''s suffering. What Olivia did was instead help Veronique. ¡°Lettie, you can finally be at ease now. After Veronique''s death, it''s only a matter of time before Justin marries you.¡± Scarlett''s eyes sparkled with a hint of victory. She had emerged victorious in this game. No matter whether Justin married her or not, she felt relieved at the thought of him not being unable to be together with Veronique. As people often say, even if one''s n failed, one wouldn''t let another get any chance. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, please don''t rush to pressure Justin. Let''s talk after we give him some time to deal with Veronique''s funeral arrangements.¡± ¡°Oh, Lettie, you''re so kind. Even at this critical moment, you still care about Justin''s feelings. That ungrateful brat should realize how lucky he is. They would marry you as soon as possible if it were someone else, but everything''s all right now. Veronique is gone, and I believe he will gradually get back on the right track.¡± Scarlett curled her lips into a smile and said gently, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, let''s prepare some flowers and offer our condolences to the Revelle family.¡± Olivia nodded and smiled. ¡°Sure. I''ve been wishing for that woman''s death day and night, and now that she''s really dead, I must go and pay a visit.¡± A sinister smirk appeared on Scarlett''s face. After getting close to the Revelle family, she would definitely send Zephyr to hell with Veronique if she had the chance. You want me to take care of that illegitimate child? Over my dead body. I''m the daughter of the Fletcher family. How could I ever be someone''s stepmother? Not only would it be degrading, but it would also be suffocating. So the only solution is to make himpletely disappear from my sight. In the living room in a mansion in Moranta suburbs, Sofie leaned on the couch, raising her eyebrows as she looked at Kurt sitting across from her. Wearing a yful smile, she asked, ¡°Mr. White, now that Bailey has arrived in Moranta, I wonder if you have found a way to deal with her.¡± Kurt nced at her and said leisurely, ¡°I''ve already set the trap and just waiting for Bailey to fall for it. She definitely will.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sofie suddenly felt intrigued, slowly straightened her body, raised her eyebrows, and asked, ¡°What do you n to do?¡± Kurt nodded and said, ¡°I''ve secretly done something to Juliana''s body and if Bailey wants to cure her, she muste to me for the enhancer. As long as she shows up, I have plenty of ways to take her down. However, before that, I must get rid of a person. Otherwise, he will interfere with my ns.¡± Sofie narrowed her eyes slightly and immediately objected, ¡°You can''t kill Mr. Yablon. Otherwise, the Yablon family wille at you. I don''t want toplicate the matter at this critical moment by letting an insignificant person ruin my entire n.¡± Kurt hurriedly exined, ¡°I never intended to harm Cameron. In fact, we can''t determine the oue after just one or two days. Messing with him is simply a waste of time. Ms. Carr, please do something to lure Cameron away from Bailey. My chances of taking Bailey down should be ny percent without his interference. All you need to do is create problems in the Yablon family, forcing him to return to the Yablon residence for some time.¡± Sofie thought for a moment and realized that his n was feasible. She nodded and said, ¡°Alright. Leave it to me. I''ll help you deal with Cameron, but you must promise to help me capture Bailey.¡± ¡°It''s a deal. As I said, Bailey is my sworn enemy. I betrayed the Yablon family just to seek revenge from her and I won''t show her any mercy.¡± Sofie stared at him for a long time and suddenlyughed softly. ¡°I really admire you. You''re a man who values loyalty and integrity and worth trusting. You haven''t met my daughter, have you? I''ll arrange for you two to meet up someday, and I hope you two could have a spark.¡± Now that Artemis was dead, it was time for Zoey to stop fantasizing. Sofie had observed many talented young men, but Kurt caught her eye. It doesn''t seem too bad to have him as my future son-inw. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. Kurt furrowed his brows, a hint of disdain shing in his eyes. Isn''t Zoey her daughter? What does that woman think she is? She''s not even worthy to be my wife. As Tucker said, if one wants to have fun, Bailey is the one to look for. It''s more thrilling to bang a strong, cold woman like her who could arouse our deeply hidden bestial nature. ¡°Ms. Carr, your daughter is so precious, while I''m just a tough guy. I''m really not worthy of your beloved daughter. It''s bes¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Sofie immediately raised her hand to stop him. ¡°Come on. Don''t turn me down so quick without even meeting her. Who knows? You might find her attractive. Besides, we know each other well. Shouldn''t we trust each other as partners?¡± Kurt''s eyes narrowed. This olddy is threatening me. If he disagreed, there might be some disputes while they worked together. He still needed her influence to divert Cameron, so it was not yet time to confront her and ruin their rtionship. ¡°Alright. I''ll meet her one day, but I''m guessing there''s a high chance she won''t be interested in me.¡± Sofie burst intoughter. ¡°What if she ends up liking you? Nothing is absolute, and I actually think there''s a high probability that you two will hit it off.¡± Kurt was rendered speechless. In a study at a branch of the Saviors, Veikko was dealing with urgent matters within the organization. At that moment, the phone on the table started ringing. When he looked over, he saw an unknown number. His phone was encrypted, so ordinary people could not reach him. Those who could dial his number must not be someone ordinary. After a few seconds of silence, he reached out his hand and pressed the answer button. ¡°Hello?¡± A sinisterugh sounded over the phone. The caller didn''t speak, but Veikko immediately recognized who it was. ¡°Shaun.¡± ¡°Haha. Veikko, I didn''t expect you to be so familiar with my voice. I justughed twice, and you recognized it was me.¡± Veikko clenched his phone tighter and said coldly, ¡°Even if you turn to ashes, I will still recognize you. After all, the despicable things you did back then left a deep impression on me.¡± Shaun''sughter came to an abrupt halt. ¡°Since you mentioned the past, let''s talk about what happened back then, shall we? Do you remember the day the urn was shattered? It only contained half of your wicked mother''s ashes. I took the other half. Initially, I nned to use it to threaten and force you to obey me, but I didn''t know you were a coward and were subdued by my men so fast. Since then, I abandoned your mother''s other half of the ashes at a dog''s kennel, and no one cared about it. Do you want it back now?¡± Chapter 798 Chapter 798 Veikko''s pupils contracted intensely, and raging mes burned in his dark gaze. Only half of my mother''s ashes were scattered? The other half is still in the hands of that asshole, Shaun? I can''t believe he ced my mother''s ashes in a kennel. How could he? How dare he? A dense murderous aura spread throughout the room. His fingers gripping the phone turned slightly pale, and the exposed veins on his arm bulged out prominently. It seems I was being too easy on him by crippling his genitalia that day. I should have chopped off his limbs, turning him into apletely helpless cripple. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. ¡°What exactly are you trying to say?¡± ¡°It''s pretty simple. I want to tell you that I asked someone to transport that wicked woman''s ashes by air a few days ago. They just arrived in Moranta today. If you want them back, you illegitimate brat, go to the private airport in the eastern suburb. This is yourst chance. Otherwise, once her ashes are in my hands, I will use them as fertilizer in a flower bed so she can never rest in peace even after her death.¡± The eastern suburb, the eastern suburb. After remembering the name of the ce, Veikko hung up right away. He knew that countless assassins must lurk inside and outside the airport. Going there would be like entering a perilous ce. But I''m my mother''s son. How could I sit and do nothing? It was his mother who he depended on. She had suffered endless humiliation from the Carter family during her lifetime. If he let someone insult her even after she had turned into ashes, it would make him an ipetent son. Thus, he must go no matter whether what Shaun said was true or fake. Given Shaun''s twisted values, it was entirely possible that he would have taken half of the ashes back then to threaten Veikko in the future. If Veikko didn''t go today, he would be unfilial. A grown man like him would not have the dignity to live on if he allowed someone to disrespect his mother''s ashes. After making up his mind, he put away his phone and left the room leisurely. He instructed his personal bodyguard at the door, ¡°I''m going out. Don''t let anyone know. If I don''t return by evening, contact Ms. Jefferson and tell her that I might be in danger. Ask her to arrange the internal affairs within the Saviors as soon as possible to avoid any internal conflicts.¡± The personal bodyguard looked at him in slight confusion. ¡°Mr. Veikko, if you know there would be danger, why do you still want to go? Ms. Jefferson once said that only when you''re alive can there be hope. After you die, you lose everything. Please reconsider.¡± Veikko waved his hand and said, ¡°I''ve made up my mind. If you were in my shoes today, you would do the same thing. There''s no need to say more. By the way, make sure to protect Ms. Caridee well and don''t let her leave the branch.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After making some quick arrangements, Veikko hurriedly left the branch. On the west side of the mansion, Mindy held her phone while standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching Veikko leave. Her lips curled into a sinister smile. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Carter. He left. Don''t worry. I''ll lure Caridee out now.¡± No one knew what Shaun had said that made the smile on Mindy''s face widen, but a hint of mockery shed in her eyes. Does this loser actually want to assassinate Mr. Veikko? Dream on. I must find a way to inform Ms. Jefferson. When she realizes he''s about to die, she will surely try to stop him. She''s not foolish, after all. How could she stand by and watch him go to a perilous ce? If he dies, how can she be the matriarch of the Saviors? ¡°Alright. Rest assured, Mr. Carter. I''ll definitely hand her over to you safe and sound.¡± Although she despised Caridee and wished to stab her a hundred times, handing her to a psychopath like Shaun would likely make her experience living a life worse than death or living hell. After hanging up, she turned to the female bodyguard beside her and asked, ¡°Did Mr. Veikko go out alone? Where is his personal bodyguard?¡± ¡°Mindy, Mr. Veikko''s personal bodyguard, is heading to Caridee''s residence. He must have received orders from Mr. Veikko to protect her, but don''t worry. I''ve already sent someone to take care of him. After you ask Connie to call herter, she will definitely leave the branch alone.¡± Mindy smiled contentedly. ¡°You handled everything well without me having to tell you. That''s great. I need someone clever like you. If there''s an opportunity in the future, I''ll definitely promote you to be an instructor at the Savior''s headquarters. Let''s go. It''s time for us to set out and capture our target. Mr. Carter is still waiting for our delivery. Haha.¡± In the bedroom of a private residence, Bailey leaned against the bed, obediently eating the nutritional supplements that Artemis was feeding her. ¡°Are you nning to meet Kurt to get the enhancer?¡± asked Artemis as he scooped the soup. Bailey shook her head and said hesitantly, ¡°I haven''t figured it out yet. Let''s wait a bit longer and see if we cane up with a better solution.¡± Artemis put down the spoon, looked up at her, and said coldly, ¡°I won''t oppose any decision you make and support you unconditionally, but there''s one thing you must remember. No matter where you go, you have to take me with you. You''re not allowed to act on your own. Can you do that?¡± Bailey pouted andined softly, ¡°You''re being harsher to me.¡± ¡°Because you won''t listen to me. If you behave well, I don''t need to remind you with such a stern tone.¡± Bailey remained quiet. Bailey refused to admit defeat. She sat up straight, ready to argue with him and see who was disobedient. Her mouth twitched slightly, and the wristwatch beeped. She looked down and saw a text message pop up on the screen. The sender''s name was a phone number. She was very familiar with the number. It was Veikko''s bodyguard''s phone number. Seeing him send her a message, she reckoned the matter must be extremely urgent. She tapped the touchscreen of her wristwatch a few times, erging the font several times. As soon as she saw the content clearly, her expression changed abruptly. ¡°I must head to the eastern suburb. Veikko is in danger.¡± After saying that, she turned over and prepared to leave the bed. Artemis red at her, reached out to grab her shoulder, and pushed her back. A darkened expression appeared on his charming face. He said menacingly, ¡°I told you to behave just now, but you seem to have forgotten about it in the blink of an eye. Do you have the memory of a goldfish? Does it onlyst for seven seconds?¡± ¡°Bailey brought the wristwatch close to his eyes. ¡°Did you see that? Shaun used a dirty trick and lied to Veikko, saying he still has half of his mother''s ashes. Do you know? The death of Veikko''s mother has always been an unheble wound in his heart. Now that he found out that the other half of his mother''s ashes were in his enemy''s hands, he would do anything, regardless of what dangery ahead. He''ll die, do you hear me? He''ll die by Shaun''s hands. Do you expect me to stand by and watch him jump into a fire pit?¡± Artemis loosened his grip and picked up the porcin bowl again, speaking more rxed, ¡°Finish the soup first, and then I''ll go with you. Why are you so agitated? I never said you shouldn''t care about his well-being.¡± Bailey didn''t say a word. While sipping the soup, Bailey analyzed the credibility of Shaun''s words. Could it be that he really has half of Veikko''s mother''s ashes? Chapter 799 Chapter 799 If that was the case, then things could get tricky. What Bailey feared most was that Veikko might have given Shaun some leverage over him. If that were the case, Veikko would have no choice but to be led by the nose by Shaun. All because Veikko was overly loyal. That was both his strength and fatal weakness. A person seeking revenge could not have too many concerns and entanglements. Clearly, Veikko was not someone who could be ruthless. Veikko still had his conscience, not entirely obliterated by hatred, making it easy for others to grasp his vulnerability. Artemis seemed to have read Bailey''s mind and said faintly, ¡°Regardless of whether Shaun has Veikko''s mother''s ashes in his hands, with his personality, he''ll still make the trip. For someone like Veikko, family affection is the only precious thing in his heart, and he would never allow anyone to trample on his mother''s remains. Shaun has precisely grasped Veikko''s weakness. That''s why he dares to threaten Veikko like this. In my opinion, most likely, Shaun is bluffing.¡± Artemis continued, ¡°Perhaps there was a time when Shaun did leave half of the ashes behind for emergencies. Butter, when Veikko was caught, the Carter family mistakenly believed Shaun had died. Shaun keeping those ashes would not be of much use anyway. There''s a high chance that he instructed someone to dispose of them. Veikko is still too impulsive. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a lesson for him.¡± Bailey remained silent. At the Saviors branch, after receiving a phone call from Connie, Caridee learned that a devastating fire had broken out, causing severe damage and injuring several children. She could not sit still after hearing the news. Sunray Welfare Center was an institution Caridee had been sponsoring all along. Caridee knew all the children inside, and every time she went to the welfare center, those innocent and lovely little ones would gather around her, addressing her, ¡°Caridee!¡± Now that the welfare center had just experienced a fire, they had just gone through a life-and-death ordeal. They must be really terrified and anxious right now. Caridee felt she had to go there in person regardless of whether she could help. She wanted to be by their side. ¡°Alright, Ms. Hentlor, I got it. Have the teachers calm the children first, and I''ll be right there.¡± After hanging up the phone, Caridee casually put on an overcoat and went out. The entire branch had already been taken care of by Mindy. So when Caridee left, her path was smooth and unobstructed. When Caridee encountered a housekeeper midway, she tried to inquire about Veikko''s whereabouts. However, the other party informed that Veikko was not around, and his whereabouts were unknown. Caridee had no choice but to give up. She borrowed a car and left the branch alone. As soon as Caridee left the branch, Mindy trailed her by car. Caridee, you can''t escape this time. Mr. Carter was injured so severely because of you. Now he''s infuriated. Just obediently be his tool for venting and let him release his frustrations properly. Good luck to you! Once the car entered the boulevard, Mindy spoke into her wireless earpiece, ¡°Caridee is heading towards the welfare center. Prepare to take action at any moment.¡± ¡°Noted, Mindy. Don''t worry. We''ll definitely handle this matter properly. It''s best that you don''t show yourself. Otherwise, you''ll be in trouble if Mr. Veikko traces it back to you.¡± ¡°Okay! After capturing her, take her to Xemrich. I''ll be waiting for you on Wind Street in Xemrich.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± In the Derport area, Veikko drove the car and tried to take hidden routes. After circling the smallnes, he found a private airport. From a distance, Veikko observed the situation inside and found that there were indeed quite a few people. If a hail of bullets came at once, Veikko might be unable to escape that day. That meant he would lose his life right there. In order to protect his mother''s ashes from being desecrated by enemies, Veikko had no choice but to risk his life. With that thought in mind, Veikko began assembling the gun barrel. Once everything was prepared, he pushed the door open and slipped outside. Just as Veikko was about to climb over the wall to enter the airport, a figure suddenly appeared before his eyes. Veikko instinctively struck out. However, upon catching a whiff of the familiar scent, he quickly reined in his strength. Pop! Bailey pped Veikko fiercely across the face. Veikko lowered his head, remaining silent without saying a word. ¡°Do you know where you went wrong?¡± Veikko tugged at the corner of his mouth and replied defiantly, ¡°I don''t think I''m wrong because I do it for my mother. A person can be cold-blooded and heartless but can''t disown their own family.¡± With another clear pop sound, Bailey raised her arm and pped Veikko on the face once more. ¡°Do you know what did you do wrongly?¡± Veikko frowned, repeating what he had just said, and added at the end, ¡°If you''re in my situation, you''ll make the same choice.¡± Bailey was about to p Veikko again, but Artemis, who was standing at the side, stopped her. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. ¡°Your p is quite loud. Be careful not to startle the people inside. If you have something to say, just speak clearly and don''t beat around the bush.¡± Bailey red at Artemis, then turned to Veikko with a ruthless face, gritted her teeth, andmented, ¡°You''re right. If I were in your situation today, I would definitely do the same. But before I take action, I''ll send someone to investigate. I''ll only proceed to do what I need to do once the situation is confirmed to avoid suffering from double losses. I don''t want to end up not getting the ashes and getting myself killed too.¡± Veikko was taken aback, turned his head to look at Bailey, and asked awkwardly, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°It means exactly what you think. I mobilized the forces of Tarragon and the Saviors to investigate but found no evidence of Shaun ordering someone to retrieve anything from the Carter family and bring it to Moranta. Plus, this private airport belongs to an earl of Ustrana''s royal family. You barged in with a gun. By sheer luck, you''re still alive now. But you''ve managed to offend the entire royal family.¡± Veikko''s eyes revealed a hint of astonishment. After being taught a lesson by Bailey, Veikko gradually calmed down. This woman hit me, not because I fought desperately for my mother''s ashes, but because I lost my sense of propriety and took action without a detailed investigation. ¡°So this is the private airport of an earl? Why did Shaun lead me here? To have me break in and use their hands to get rid of me?¡± Bailey''s face darkened, and she asked coldly, ¡°What about Caridee? When you left, did you make sure she was in a safe ce?¡± Veikko was momentarily stunned and frowned. When Veikko came out, he instructed his bodyguard to watch closely on Caridee. Plus, she was in the Saviors branch. She should be fine. ¡°I''ve Caridee to settle down in the Saviors branch, and Charlie is watching over her. There shouldn''t be any problems.¡± ¡°Nothing will go wrong?¡± Bailey''s expression suddenly turned unpleasant, and even her gaze became somewhat fierce. ¡°You better confirm it first before telling me this. I''m afraid you''ll end up embarrassing yourself.¡± Veikko was getting a little anxious. Considering Shaun''s cunning moves, he always felt thetter had an ulterior motive. Could that damn thing possibly be... Upon thinking of that, Veikko quickly took out his phone and dialed Charlie''s phone number. ¡°Hello, the number you have dialed is currently unavable. Please try againter.¡± Listening to the formic female voice on the phone, Veikko''s heart suddenly sank. He held onto his phone tightly. Bailey could tell from his expression that the phone call did not go through. ¡°You''ve been lured away from your base. This is a trap. Shaun is not after your life, but Caridee''s.¡± Chapter 800 Chapter 800 Veikko pursed his lips tightly, btedly realizing that something was off, but it was already toote. After a moment of silence, he slowly lowered his head and said tearfully, ¡°I''m sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn''t have been so reckless.¡± Bailey sighed silently. She understood Veikko''s feelings, having seen how miserable the young man was when she saved him on that rainy night. The only thing that could redeem him now was ending Shaun''s life or the sce of his closest kin. His mother, who he relied on for survival, had passed away, and given his character, he would never allow anyone to disrespect his mother''s ashes. The decision Veikko made was, in fact, within Bailey''s expectations. However, he was still too young and not calm enough when facing problems. In the end, not only was he deceived, but he also made a huge mistake. ¡°Enough with the useless talk. Hurry up and send someone to investigate Caridee''s whereabouts,¡± Artemis said in a low voice, awakening Veikko from his guilt and self-reproach. As soon as realization dawned upon him, Veikko hurriedly took his phone and went to the side to make a call. Artemis tilted his head and looked at Bailey, who was beside him, and asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°There''s a mole within the Saviors branch,¡± Bailey said lightly as she nced at him. After saying that, she walked leisurely toward the car. Artemis raised his eyebrows. It looks like someone is going to suffer. The two of them waited in the car for a short while until Veikko returned. ¡°Caridee left voluntarily. She received a call from a welfare center in Capston and left in a hurry. I guess something happened at the welfare center, and the staff there called her. As for my personal bodyguard, I still can''t get in touch with him for now,¡± Veikko reported. Welfare center? Bailey turned her gaze towards Artemis beside her. Without her needing to ask, Artemis understood her confusion and exined, ¡°Caridee enjoys doing charity work. She has been to many countries and sponsored numerous welfare centers. The one in Capston should be one of them.¡± After hearing that, the corner of Bailey''s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Perhaps we can intercept them if we hurry. Let''s go to the welfare center.¡± Artemis smiled faintly and agreed, ¡°Indeed, there''s still a chance. Aren''t we in the eastern suburb right now? The welfare center should not be far from here. After all the scheming, they ended up failing here. Anyone smart enough wouldn''t have lured Veikko to the eastern suburb.¡± The private airport was located in the eastern suburb, and so was the welfare center. When Veikko realized something was wrong, he could immediately change direction and headed to the welfare center. That was why Artemis said the other party''s scheme might end up in vain. ¡°Is this the code for your personal bodyguard?¡± Bailey retrieved the message from themunicator and handed it to Veikko. Veikko lowered his head, nced, and nodded. ¡°Yes. So you came to the eastern suburb because he informed you?¡± ¡°The code is indeed his, but the person who sent the message is definitely not him. There''s someone with ulterior motives in our branch. We''ll deal with it thoroughly once this matter is resolved.¡± Bailey sneered. Veikko slowly clenched his fist upon hearing that. They had messed with Caridee, which was like touching his sore spot. Even without Bailey''s instructions, he would also find out who was behind it. At the same time, at Sunray Welfare Center, Caridee hurriedly rushed into the welfare center after parking her car at the entrance. As soon as she stepped on the field outside the welfare center, she sensed that something was off. Wasn''t there a fire? Why is the air inside still so fresh, devoid of any suffocating odors? Caridee instantly kept her guard up and did not proceed any further. Slowly, she stopped in her tracks and began to observe her surroundings carefully. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. The buildings were intact, with no signs of fire damage. In other words, Connie had lied to her. Why? Why did she deceive me? To her knowledge, Connie had always been a loving person. Caridee had decided to sponsor Connie after hearing that thetter had spent all her savings to help a group of orphans. Later, when the welfare center was established, Connie took in many orphans. Over the years, she had been dedicated and stayed true to her initial intentions. Why would Connie suddenly call Caridee and lie about something happening at the welfare center? Could it be... Not knowing what came to her mind, Caridee''s expression suddenly darkened and she turned around to leave. She had fallen into a trap. ¡°You want to leave? It won''t be that easy. We poured so much effort just to catch you. Do you really think you can escape?¡± Behind her, a cold, mockingugh sounded. Caridee trembled with fear upon hearing that, but she did not stop walking. Instead, she continued walking straight toward the door. Five meters, three meters... The way out was right in front of her. However, suddenly, several bodyguards dressed in ck barged in, blocking the doorpletely. All of a sudden, Caridee stopped in her tracks, gritted her teeth, and asked angrily, ¡°What do you mean by this? Do you really intend tomit a crime in broad daylight?¡± The bodyguards did not say a word. The cold female voice sounded again from behind. ¡°Ms. Caridee, you''d better behave andply. We promise not to harm a single hair on your head. On the contrary, if you insist on resisting, my people are not the type to show mercy. If you end up getting hurt, that would be unfortunate.¡± Upon hearing the voice again, Caridee felt a strong sense of familiarity. She seemed to have heard it somewhere, and it was very recent. The impression in her mind was profoundly etched. As Caridee turned her head, she saw the face of the woman and instantly recognized her. ¡°It''s you! I saw you at the Saviors branch. You''re Mindy''s underling. So, she''s the one who forced Connie to get me here. What on earth do you all want?¡± ¡°Ms. Luther, you should ask me, the mastermind behind this, instead. She''s nothing more than a dog doing the bidding of her master. Do you really expect to get any useful information out of her?¡± Caridee suddenly turned around, only to see Mindy standing at the door, staring at her with a sinister grin. It looks like this woman is really up to something. Could it be that she''s colluding with Shaun? ¡°Very well, then, please, Ms. Xydias, exin to me what''s going on here.¡± Mindy fiddled with her bright red nails as she said calmly, ¡°There''s nothing much. I just want to take you to meet someone, that''s all. Since you''re like a mouse in a trap now,e with me. My esteemed guest can''t wait any longer. He''s eagerly anticipating your arrival.¡± Hearing that, Caridee instinctively took two steps back, her intuition telling her that the ¡°esteemed guest¡± the woman referred to was none other than Shaun. That scum was furious because she was the reason he was disabled. If she were to fall into his hands, there''s no telling what twisted methods he would use to torture her. Mindy caught the fear in Caridee''s eyes and could not help but burst intoughter. ¡°What''s wrong? Are you scared? This is just the beginning. There will be plenty more for you to fear and despair in the future.¡± After saying that, Mindy raised her hand and waved it in the air, then coldly ordered, ¡°Tie her up and take her to Mr. Carter''s residence.¡± Caridee was rendered speechless and staggered back a few steps. After that, she turned around and ran. It is human instinct that when faced with danger, the first thought thates to mind is to escape. Seeing that Caridee did not want to cooperate, a hint of fierceness shed across Mindy''s eyes. Although Mindy could not end Caridee''s life, the former could still inflict some pain and agony to make Caridee suffer. A cold glint shed before her eyes. Chapter 801 Chapter 801 In the next moment, a sharp dart flew straight toward Caridee''s calf. The air was filled with the piercing sound of a sharp de cutting through flesh and blood. Caridee stumbled forward a few steps in pain before dropping to one knee on the ground. Lowering her head, she saw a sharp dart embedded in the bend of her calf. Perhaps an artery had been injured, as bright red blood seeped through the wound, quickly staining the entire leg crimson. Caridee tightly pursed her lips, forcibly holding back her tears. Mindy walked over with graceful steps, bent down, and held her chin. She traced the dagger in her hand along Caridee''s delicate face. ¡°Actually, I really want to mess up your pretty face so that you''d be too ashamed to show it in public for the rest of your life. However, Mr. Carter seems to like your appearance, so... If I were to ruin your appearance and turn you into an ugly monster, he would despise you and no longer want you. All my efforts will then be in vain.¡± After a short pause, she continued, ¡°What''s even more important is that without a twisted person like Mr. Carter to torment you, there will definitely be a lot less fun. So, you might as well face the storm of him with that beautiful face of yours. I believe it must be thrilling.¡± After saying that, she abruptly let go of Caridee, pulled out a wet tissue, wiped her own hands, and then threw the tissue onto Caridee''s face. ¡°Take her away.¡± Two ck-d bodyguards approached. One on each side, they grabbed Caridee''s arms and dragged her outside. Her leg continued to bleed profusely, leaving a shocking trail of red along the way. The sight was truly horrifying. Caridee struggled twice in vain, and the tears she had just held back began to swirl in her eyes again. She could easily imagine the consequences of falling into Shaun''s hands. That pervert was already crippled. He couldn''t personallye to torment her or defile her. He would definitely use other people or things as substitutes until he had yed with her to the point of destruction. She felt so much regret at this time. She regretted not calling Veikko, going against his wishes, and ran out of the Saviors alone. If misfortune were to befall her today, it would be a consequence of her own actions. However, she didn''t want to let herself be ruined by that scum. At the entrance, Mindy coldly watched as the two bodyguards stuffed Caridee into the car. Originally, Caridee had given up on struggling, but for some unknown reason, she suddenly began fiercely resisting again. She couldn''t just let them take her away like this. She wanted to die with a clear conscience, even if she were to die. If Shaun destroys me, how will Veikko cope in the future? ¡°Let go of me! All of you, let go! If you don''t loosen your grip now, I''ll bite my tongue and end my life.¡± The two bodyguards suddenly halted their movements. Mindy walked down the steps and, upon reaching Caridee, raised her hand and fiercely pped her twice across the face. ¡°I''ve been tolerating you for quite some time now. Don''t think I don''t dare to kill you and that you can act so arrogantly. Even if you die, I''ll still hand you over to Mr. Carter. With his level of perversion, I believe he will not even spare your bones after you''re dead. At that point, your death will be utterly meaningless.¡± Caridee''s eyes were red with anger as she red at Mindy. ¡°Why? Why are you treating me like this? I have no grudge against you, so why do you want to harm me?¡± ¡°No grudges?¡± Mindy sneered coldly and continued, ¡°Only you would think there are no grudges between us. I certainly don''t see it that way. You stole the man I loved, preventing me from bing the matriarch of the Saviors. Isn''t that reason enough for revenge?¡± A hint of disbelief shed through Caridee''s eyes. This woman like Veikko? Indeed, as the woman of the branch leader of the Saviors, she risked her life to collude with external enemies. If it''s not for love, then what can it be for? ¡°So, you like him too. You like him so much that you''re willing to join forces with his mortal enemy. You''re wrong. You''ve been wrong since the moment you got involved with Shaun.¡± Mindy chuckled, suddenly gripping Caridee''s chin firmly. She took a piece of cloth handed over by the bodyguard and stuffed it into Caridee''s mouth. ¡°You actually reminded me. If I don''t seal your mouth and you end up biting your tongue tomit suicide, how am I supposed to exin it to Mr. Carter?¡± Caridee turned around and dashed toward the car door. Mindy was just about to signal the bodyguards nearby to stop Caridee when suddenly, a sh of ck shadow appeared, intercepting Caridee before they could get any closer. The familiar scent spread through the air, reaching Caridee''s nose. In an instant, she removed all her disguises, and tears rolled down her cheeks. ¡°There, there, don''t cry. Everything is alright now. See, I came to rescue you.¡± Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Upon hearing hisforting words, Caridee suddenly burst into even more intense tears. Veikko saw that her mouth was stuffed with a cloth, unable to cry out, and his expression suddenly darkened. He tried to pull the cloth from her mouth, but the moment it came free, a burst of crimson blood sprayed out. She bit her tongue. As Mindy stuffed the cloth into her mouth, she had a hunch that seeking deathter on would be difficult. Hence, she mustered all her strength to bite her tongue. However, she didn''t bite through her tongue. It just got injured and bled quite a bit. Watching the fresh blood constantly gushing from her mouth and the bloody hole in her calf, Veikko''s ferocity instantly exploded. His gaze shifted from Caridee''s face, slowlynding on Mindy. Mindy hadn''t recovered from the shock yet. Staring at Veikko with wide eyes, her body trembling violently. ¡°Mr. Veikko, why did youe here? Weren''t you... Weren''t you going to the private airport...¡± At this point, she suddenly closed her mouth. With a cold smirk, Veikko raised his foot and fiercely kicked her in the chest, sending her flying. Mindy traced a parabolic arc through the air before crashing onto the floor three meters away. The kick from Veikko was delivered with extreme anger. Hence, it was an extremely powerful kick. She immediately spat out a mouthful of fresh blood when she hit the ground. ¡°You dare toy a hand on my woman? Are you tired of living? Fine, since you want to die, I''ll dly send you on your way.¡± Having said that, he immediately pulled out a gun from his waist and aimed it at her forehead, ready to pull the trigger. Upon seeing this, Caridee quickly reached out to stop him. She shook her head at him and said faintly, ¡°She... She is Mr. Xydias''s daughter.¡± Blood oozed from the corner of her mouth as she spoke, and in no time, it stained her entire chin. The veins on Veikko''s forehead bulged, and a wild, murderous intent swirled within his hawk-like eyes. ¡°Get out of the way. She must die today.¡± What''s the point of keeping someone who dares to touch my woman under my nose? Caridee wanted to stop him, but she simply couldn''t. She could only move one arm as he was holding her tightly, making it impossible for her to budge even the slightest bit. ¡°Veikko...¡± ¡°Shut your mouth. If you dare to plead for her again, I will have her sliced into a thousand pieces.¡± Caridee was frightened by the terrifying aura emanating from him. She nestled in his arms, not daring to utter another word. The trigger was pulled, and the breath of death descended. Mindy couldn''t care less about the pain in her body. Shey on the ground, curled up into a ball, too frightened to make a sound. Veikko slowly moved his fingers, readying a bullet to send her straight to death. Chapter 802 Chapter 802 Caridee closed her eyes in fright. She had known Veikko for quite some time, but she had never seen such a terrifying side of him before. In the past, she had always regarded him as a young man because they were of simr age. As she looked at the most authentic version of him at this moment, she suddenly realized with astonishment that this man was a presence that could influence the world. He was a heroic figure, a true man, not the young boy who showed tenderness in front of her. Mindy was undoubtedly going to die, as she couldn''t persuade him otherwise. As for the others, she dared not to stop him even more. Mindy''s pupils were violently constricting, and a series of sharp screams poured out of her mouth. ¡°Don''t kill me, don''t kill me. I was wrong...¡± An unidentified liquid spread across the ground. It seemed that she couldn''t handle such stimtion and was scared to the point of wetting herself. At that moment, a ck sedan sped toward them and came to a halt right in front of Veikko. The person in the car didn''t get out. A cold, clear female voice echoed through the quiet, empty street. ¡°Veikko, she''s the branch leader of the Saviors'' daughter. If you just kill her like that, how are we going to exin this to Mr. Xydias? If I were you, I would throw her into the torture chamber and let her experience the penal code the Saviors have established. If you fire this shot, she''ll die on the spot, causing trouble for you and not even satisfying your desire for revenge. It''s not worth it.¡± Veikko hesitated for a few seconds, but eventually, he slowly withdrew the gun. It wasn''t that he had a sudden change of heart and decided to be merciful. It was because Bailey had spoken up, and he had no choice but to act this way. No one else would have such influence. Even if Caridee pleaded, he wouldn''t listen. However, things were different with Bailey. He respected and honored her, and he would obey every word she said and everymand she issued. Caridee felt the surrounding negative energy gradually dissipating. She couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. She struggled to lift her hand, grasping Veikko''s trembling palm, leaning against his chest, and whispered, ¡°I''m so tired. Let me sleep for a while.¡± Veikkopletely snapped out of his murderous rage, scooped her up in his arms, and strode toward the car. ¡°Throw this woman into the torture chamber and let them treat her well. If Mr. Xydias has any objections, let hime to me personally.¡± A few ck-d bodyguards immediately responded and walked toward Mindy. Veikko added, ¡°Today, everyone involved in this operation should be thrown into the torture chamber. Not a single one should escape.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Veikko carried Caridee into the carriage and then swiftly pulled the door shut. After cing her on the chair, he hurriedly said to Bailey. ¡°Bailey, can you help me check her wounds? She''s lost a lot of blood.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. As he spoke these words, his voice trembled ever so slightly. Bailey held his hand and reassured him. ¡°I''m here. She''ll be fine. Don''t worry. Calm down and think about what to do next. Don''t lose your composure over a small matter.¡± After saying that, she bent down to examine Caridee''s injuries. ¡°Help me pry her mouth open. I''ll pour in a bit of the hemostatic drug first to stop the bleeding.¡± Artemis hurriedly stepped in, gently prying her lips apart. Caridee''s tongue continued to bleed, filling her mouth with a strong taste of blood. Seeing her in such a state, a hint of coldness shed in his eyes. The Carter family? In a month, it will cease to exist. Bailey took out the spare hemostatic drug from her pocket, poured it into Caridee''s mouth, and then helped her wipe the bloodstain off her chin. Veikko reminded. ¡°There''s still a dart in the calf. Although the wound is not very deep, it has injured the artery and has been bleeding continuously.¡± Bailey hurriedly crouched down and used her dagger to cut and tear open her pant. As she saw the dart in her flesh, her expression gradually darkened. ¡°I thought she just bit her tongue, but I didn''t expect her to be hit by a dart too. I shouldn''t have stopped you earlier. That woman deserves to die.¡± Veikko reached out to push the car door. ¡°She hasn''t left yet. I''m going to finish her off.¡± Bailey red at him. ¡°All the more reason for you to let her experience the punishment devices in the torture chamber. Death would be too easy for her.¡± After saying that, she sat back down in the chair. Veikko frowned as he looked at her, pointing to the dart on Caridee''s calf, and asked, ¡°Aren''t you going to pull it out?¡± ¡°Once it''s pulled out from the artery, the blood vessel will definitely rupture. There are no sutures in the car to stitch it up. It will undoubtedly kill her. We must hurry back to the base and perform surgery to remove it.¡± At this moment, Caridee gradually regained consciousness from her stupor. The moment she saw Bailey, her tears began to flow uncontrobly once again. ¡°Bailey...¡± Bailey held her hand gently and said softly, ¡°If your tongue hurts, don''t speak. Wait until it''s healed before talking again.¡± Caridee cried. ¡°Is Artemis really dead?¡± Bailey subconsciously looked at Artemis, only to realize that he was wearing a mask, which was why Caridee didn''t recognize him. It''s actually a good thing she didn''t recognize him. This girl is so innocent that she might identally let the information slip out if she knew he wasn''t dead. It was not that they were worried she would betray them, but rather, she was just too innocent. A person with ulterior motives could easily trap her with a few words, making her tell the truth immediately. ¡°Bailey...¡± Bailey looked at her expressionlessly and said slowly, ¡°I came here to avenge Artemis. It was Sofie who poisoned her, and I will make her pay back.¡± The hope in Caridee''s eyes gradually faded, and she suddenly burst into even more intense tears. Bailey looked at Veikko and said, ¡°I''ll leave it to you now. I''m not in the mood to coax anyone.¡± She really wasn''t in the mood. The thought of Kurt using Bloodlust on Juliana gave her a headache. The enhancer. How am I going to get it from that guy? ... At the same time, at a leisure club. Tucker suddenly sprang up from the couch. ¡°What? The operation failed, and the person was rescued?¡± The ck-d bodyguard stood nervously at the door, his voice trembling as he replied, ¡°Yes, Mr. Tucker. The welfare center is also in the eastern suburb. As soon as Veikko sensed something was wrong, he rushed over from the private airport...¡± Before he could finish reporting, Tucker rushed directly in front of Astrid and fiercely pped her across the face several times. ¡°Idiot, who told you to lead Caridee to the eastern suburb? Don''t you know that the vice-leader of the Saviors was lured to the eastern suburb by Mr. Carter?¡± Astrid was so frightened that she didn''t dare to breathe. She covered her burning cheeks and timidly said, ¡°I... I didn''t know that Mr. Carter had led people to the eastern suburb either. Besides, Caridee only sponsored one welfare center, and it just happens to be in the eastern suburb. I never expected such a coincidence to ur.¡± Tucker was so angry that his veins were bulging. Shaun has started making a fuss. If I don''t send someone over to him soon, that idiot will definitely mess up all my ns. ¡°Since you''re the one who messed things up, you should be the one to face Shaun''s revenge for her.¡± Chapter 803 Chapter 803 Astrid looked at him with a face full of astonishment. ¡°M-Mr. Tucker, I don''t understand. Mr. Carter is searching for Caridee, not me. How can I-I possibly take her ce?¡± No, I refuse to join Shaun''s side. He has be insane. Ever since he lost his virility, he has be incredibly gloomy, sinking his teeth into anyone he catches. Therefore, if she were to end up in his grasp, her life would be a living hell. ¡°Mr. Tucker, wait. Mr. Tucker, please allow me to find an alternative solution. I am confident that I can find a way to capture Caridee. I will not disappoint you.¡± Tucker sneered after hearing her words. ¡°Veikko has already intervened and rescued her. He will either return her to the Luther family or deliver her to Bailey. Do you honestly believe you have the power to snatch someone away from either the Luther family or Bailey?¡± Angie''s voice trembled as she pleaded, ¡°Please, don''t make me face Mr. Carter''s wrath instead of Caridee! He wants Caridee, not me. Sending me in her ce will only enrage him further.¡± Tucker reached out to grab and lifted her from the couch. He then softly cupped her cheek and said, ¡°It''s simple. We''ll just have to change your appearance, and everything will be alright.¡± Angie''s expression turned desperate, and she vigorously shook her head. ¡°No, Mr. Tucker, please, no. My father has always been the most loyal servant under yourmand. You can''t treat me this way.¡± I refuse to transform into Caridee. If I do, Shaun will torment me until I die. Tucker''s grip tightened on her chin as he sneered coldly, his words dripping with malice. ¡°Whether you like it or not, it doesn''t matter. If it satisfies Shaun and serves his purpose, any sacrifice is justified. You better prepare for stic surgery. I''ll arrange for the best cosmetic team in the world, and within five days, they willpletely transform your appearance. Otherwise... I''ll make sure your life bes a never-ending nightmare.¡± Filled with immense fear, Angie''s eyes widened as she swiftly broke free from Tucker''s grip and made a desperate dash toward the door. Tucker, standing in ce, instructed the bodyguards stationed outside, ¡°Halt her and ensure she is brought back here.¡± Shortly after, Angie was forcefully restrained and brought back to Tucker''s presence. Tucker callously grabbed a fruit knife from the nearby table and mercilessly made several cuts on Angie''s delicate face. ¡°Ah...¡± A piercing scream echoed through the room as Angie copsed to the ground. She clutched her wounded face, crying out in pain and despair. ¡°My face, my face...¡± With a sinister smile on his face, Tucker looked down at Angie. He taunted her, ¡°Now that your face is ruined, I hope you''ve learned your lesson. Go get stic surgery and remember to behave. If you continue to resist, I will carve more scars onto your face, transforming you into a grotesque monster. If you wish to avoid such torment, obey mymands.¡± Angie''s cries of pain echoed through the room, tears streaming uncontrobly down her face. At that moment, Angie''s heart was consumed by an intense hatred toward Caridee. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. It''s all because of that vile woman. She instigated Shaun, and now I''m the one left to bear the consequences. I despise her immensely, with every fiber of my being. If given the opportunity, Angie would certainly end Caridee''s life and tear thetter''s body into a thousand pieces. Tucker observed that Angie had ceased her resistance and instructed the bodyguard at the door, ¡°Take her away and deliver her to Jason. Let him transform her into a new Ms. Caridee of the Luther family within five days.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the Revelle residence in Hallsbay, the Revelle family arranged a wake following the announcement of Veronique''s passing from cancer. Since they were going to stage a performance, they would see it through to the end. Since they had already made the public announcement of their daughter''s death, they didn''t feel hesitant about setting up the wake. After the news of Veronique''s passing became known, a steady stream of people began arriving at the Revelle residence to offer their condolences. In the side hall, Yvonne and Bill were graciously receiving and attending to the guests. Bill skillfully portrayed the grieving father, his appearance reflecting the weight of sorrow and the toll it had taken on him. The guests, observing his visibly aged and distraught demeanor, found no reason to doubt the suddenness of Veronique''s passing. ¡°Mr. Revelle, Ms. Yvonne, Mr. Shurmer has arrived, and she''s brought Ms. Fletcher with her.¡± Bill''s expression turned grave, and he spoke with authority. ¡°Please inform them we request them to leave as the Revelle family does not wee them.¡± As the housekeeper was about to leave, Yvonne quickly intervened and addressed her father, ¡°Father, we must remember that everyone who hase to offer their condolences is a guest. It would be impolite to turn them away at the door. Moreover, we must consider Zephyr''s future. He will depend on Ms. Fletcher, his stepmother, going forward. If we create any embarrassment or hostility now, she may take it out on the child tenfold or even a hundredfold in the future.¡± ¡°I dare her to do that.¡± ¡°Why wouldn''t she dare? She is Lady Scarlett. Once she marries into the Xuereb family, she will be thedy of the house. Zephyr is a descendant of the Xuereb family. If he were to be scolded and mistreated by Ms. Fletcher, no one would dare to speak up.¡± Bill maintained his silence, his expression stern and unreadable, as he contemted the implications of Yvonne''s words. Yvonne turned to the housekeeper and instructed, ¡°Please invite them inside.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± A momentter, Olivia entered the room while assisting Scarlett. ¡°Ah, Lettie, take it slow. You''re carrying a child in your womb, be cautious not to bump into anything.¡± Olivia intentionally raised her voice, uttering explicit words with the intention of provoking Bill. Bill, however, was not easily provoked. He couldn''t help but chuckle, responding sarcastically, ¡°Seems like even illegitimate children have be fashionable these days. I am amazed that it can be openly acknowledged and all.¡± Olivia struggled toe up with something to refute him after that. ¡°You...¡± Meanwhile, a hint of displeasure shed across Scarlett''s face. Everyone was aware of Scarlett''s situation, carrying an illegitimate child, but out of respect for the Fletcher family''s reputation, no one dared to expose the truth and breach the delicate facade. Theck of refinement disyed by the elder of the Revelle family is truly astounding. ¡°Mr. Revelle, your usations carry great weight. Justin has made a promise to marry me, and when our child is born, he will be the rightful heir. Naturally, the grandson of the Revelle family is the legitimate son of the Xuereb family as well. I assure you, I will take good care of him. I kindly request you, Mr. Revelle, to choose your words wisely,¡± Scarlett retorted firmly. Bill sneered after hearing those words. ¡°No need to put on a facade of virtue and motherhood when there are no outsiders around. I must say, the Fletcher family must be deeply disappointed to have raised such a shameless daughter like you. And to think you''re a prominent socialite! With your current behavior, you might even influence other innocent young women in a corrupt manner.¡± After hearing those words, Scarlett struggled to maintain herposure, and her gentle and dignified facade was starting to crack, revealing a subtle distortion in her facial features. ¡°Where''s Justin? I''d like to meet him.¡± Bill''s sinisterughter echoed through the room as he responded, ¡°He''s waiting for you in the wake. Speaking of which, my daughter has been eager to meet all of you as well. She visited me in a dream last night, expressing her gratitude for your presence on her final journey. She even asked me to give you a call. I never imagined you would show up on your own ord. So, go ahead, bid your farewells to her. They say those with unresolved grievances in life might return from beyond the grave.¡± Scarlett''s beautiful face turned pale out of fear and disbelief. Meanwhile, a cold breeze seemed to blow from behind her. ¡°M-Mrs. Xuereb, I''m feeling a slight difort in my stomach. Why don''t we return home for now and come back after the departure of Ms. Revelle''s spirit?¡± Olivia also felt a wave of fear washing over her. After all, she was responsible for the death of Veronique. The thought of attending the wake and potentially being influenced by something from the otherworldly realm terrified her, as it could have dire consequences for her. ¡°T-That sounds like a good n. Mr. Revelle, please continue with your arrangements. We''ll take our leave now.¡± Observing the hurried departure of the two women, Bill couldn''t suppress a scornful smirk. ¡°Those with guilty consciences deserve a wretched fate in the end. Finally, that scoundrel, Justin, proved to be somewhat dependable.¡± Vanessa Winston, the assistant, gently pushed open the door and stepped into the CEO''s office at Saunders Group. ¡°Mr. Saunders, the promotion n for the new product isplete. Our main focus now is to choose a prominent advertising agency to handle the advertising campaign,¡± the assistant informed. After conveying the information, she ced the documents she was holding on the desk. Victoria, wearing a ck suit and sporting a short hairstyle, sat upright in a swivel chair, attentively reviewing the documents before her. Her professional demeanor and fresh appearance exuded a sense ofpetence. ¡°The n seems fine. Have you decided which advertising agency to coborate with?¡± Vanessa nodded and said, ¡°If Saunders Group wants to enter the international market, I''m afraid we have to cooperate with LG, as they are thergest mediapany in the world. Coincidentally, you have connections with Mr. Lionel Gezmond, the person in charge of LG Group. Maybe we could...¡± Chapter 804 Chapter 804 Victoria''s fingers paused as she perused through the documents. As she looked up, a tinge of displeasure flickered in her eyes. Vanessa, noticing her reaction, quickly nodded and said, ¡°Ms. Saunders, I misspoke. I''ll write a formal apology right away.¡± The entire Hallsbay knew that Victoria was the former wife of the CEO of LG Corporation. Despite their divorce, they had once been the closest of couples. Now that his ex-wife was facing trouble, Lionel, as her former husband, would extend a helping hand. However, Victoria hadn''t anticipated such a strong rejection from him. Just as Vanessa was about to turn and leave, Victoria said, ¡°We can coborate with LG, but we mustn''t take any shortcuts. Even if we seek their assistance as agents, we must adhere to proper procedures. Vanessa, remember this. Personal emotions must never interfere with our work, understood?¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Saunders, I understand. I promise not to repeat the same mistake.¡± Victoria tossed aside her pen,zily leaning back in her chair, and calmly said, ¡°I recall another company is alsounching a new product simultaneously. Are they nning to engage LG for endorsements?¡± ¡°Yes, Bright Future Corporation is introducing a collection that highlights our country''s centuries-old culture through traditional-style jewelry. They, too, are considering LG''s help in advertising and expanding their global market. However, no contracts have been signed yet, which means we have a chance topete. LG always upholds its principles, and if our product catches the CEO''s attention, they will deploy all their resources to promote it. Ms. Saunders, once we secure a contract with LG, they will not entertain any other advertisements in the foreseeable future. With their influence, they will undoubtedly pave the way for our new product in the market.¡± Victoria rose from her chair, leaned on the desk with her hands, arched an eyebrow, and said, ¡°Then what are we waiting for? Assemble the heads of the nning department, public rtions department, marketing department, and publicity department. Let''s brainstorm how to enhance our proposal, captivate Mr. Gezmond''s interest, and persuade him to sign the contract, promising to dedicate all of LG Corporation''s resources to promoting our new product over the next few months.¡± Vanessa acknowledged her instructions and hurriedly made her way toward the door. To be honest, this matter didn''t need to be soplicated. All Ms. Saunders had to do was call Lionel, invite him out, and adequately attend to him for a night. It was guaranteed that he would sign the contract without a second thought. Women are meant to conquer men. However, Victoria didn''t dare to suggest this idea. It was evident that Victoria strongly opposed anyone mentioning Lionel before her. At the same time, in LG Corporation. Inside the CEO''s office, Lionel was receiving Arthur, the representative from Bright Future Corporation. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, we have coborated before, and we can be considered old acquaintances in the business world. This time, ourpany isunching a collection of traditional-style jewelry, intending to showcase our country''s traditional culture. This project has received significant attention, and now everything is ready. We are only waiting for you to sign the contract and promote our new product globally. Can we consider this partnership set in stone?¡± Arthur said. Lionel remained silent, slowly puffing on a cigar. Observing his demeanor, Arthur felt uneasy. He knew that the new CEO of Saunders Group was Lionel''s ex-wife, and Saunders Group was their biggest competitor. If Lionel took a backdoor approach and signed a contract with Saunders Group, all the jewelry series they had developed would be obsolete. Without LG''s promotion and advertising, we couldn''t prate the overseas market. Without a foothold in the global market, our sales would be limited, making it impossible for us to enter the luxury goods industry. That''s why it was crucial for him to secure this contract today. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, if you are not satisfied with the advertising fees, I can increase it by tens of millions or even hundreds of millions. Furthermore, I can promise that once the market opens up, three percent of the total sales of our new product will be given to you as amission. It''s a win-win situation, and we can make money together,¡± Arthur proposed. Lionel took a deep drag from his cigar, silently exhaling a cloud of smoke. ¡°Mr. Harrison seems to be in a hurry. If you''re in such a rush, you can consider hiring other advertising companies to promote your product. I''m not in a hurry to take on your business,¡± Lionel finally said after contemting. His resources were meant for his wife. Arthur''s expression changed immediately upon hearing this. Find another advertisingpany? It wouldn''t work. LG Corporation held two-thirds of the global advertising market share. Even if he hired ten advertising companies, they wouldn''t match up to LG. They needed LG''s resources for promotion to make their new product an international hit. ¡°No, no, I''m not in a rush. After all, there is still over a month until the new productunch. It''s just that I''m an impatient person. Once we sign this contract, I can fully rx. If Mr. Gezmond has no objections to our coboration, why not sign the contract now?¡± Arthur proposed. Lionel extinguished his cigar, calmly stating, ¡°Since there''s no rush, let''s discuss it at ater time. I have a high-level meeting to attend shortly, so I won''t keep Mr. Harrison for lunch. Please, feel free to leave. We will have an opportunity for cooperation.¡± ¡°Mr. Gezmond¡ª¡± Arthur opened his mouth, intending to say something, but Lionel waved his hand to interrupt. ¡°I prefer dealing with decisive people. I''m not fond of those who dawdle and waste time. In such cases, I usually don''t waste my time considering them and just cut them off. Mr. Harrison, don''t rub me the wrong way.¡± Arthur quickly sealed his lips and obediently stood up from the couch. ¡°Alright, alright. Mr. Gezmond, please carry on with your work. I will visit another time.¡± Lionel remained silent. Watching Arthur leave, Lionel slowly picked up his phone from the desk. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. He was waiting for Saunders Group to submit their proposal. He believed that Victoria was someone who didn''t sweat the small stuff and would never let past grievances affect the promotion of the new product. So he was confident that she would reach out to him. No, it should be said that Saunders Group would approach LG. In the infirmary at the Shurmer Group research base in Moranta, Bailey had just performed surgery on Caridee, removing a dart from her calf. Looking at the heavily scarred girl on the bed, Bailey fell silent. No wonder people say that the word ¡°love¡± is the most hurtful. Before Caridee met Veikko, the girl was carefree and worry-free. But after meeting him, her world underwent a tremendous transformation. The injuries on her body bore witness to her love for him. ¡°How is she? Did it affect her bones?¡± came Veikko''s voice by her ear, bringing her wandering thoughts back. ¡°Her leg and tongue are fine, just superficial injuries, but her arm... It''s already badly injured. I''m afraid it won''t fully recover,¡± Bailey replied. Veikko pressed his lips together, a hint of frustration and helplessness flickering in his eyes. He had always tried his best to prevent her from getting hurt, but in the end, she still suffered injuries because of him. ¡°Is there no other solution?¡± he asked. Bailey shrugged. ¡°I''m at the end of my tether. You can call me a quack doctor.¡± Veikko sighed and said, ¡°I was talking about something important, and you''re joking around. Forget it. I''ll leave first since you''re taking care of her.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Bailey called out to him. Chapter 805 Chapter 805 Veikko paused in his footsteps and turned to look at her. ¡°Do you have something else to say?¡± he asked. Bailey furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°You''vepletely fallen out with Shaun. How do you n to deal with him?¡± Veikko smiled coldly and said lightly, ¡°The current him is like a madman. Let him go crazy, let him bite his friends and family around him. It''s easy to die. We can gather a group of people and storm his ce, ending him. But I don''t want to do it that way. I want to let him live a life worse than death.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°That works too. Let''s put aside that jerk now and focus on dealing with Sofie and Mr. Philip. You should go back and reorganize the forces of the Saviors. Lock up Mindy in the Prudent Hall and see his reaction. If he doesn''t give up easily, create some evidence of his misconduct, remove him from his position, and let you temporarily take the position of Mr. Xydias. We''re all in Moranta now, and I can''t trust others with matters of life and death. It''s better to have someone from within our ranks in control.¡± Veikko nodded. ¡°I understand. Be careful, and I''ll head back first. Contact me directly if you need anything.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After watching Veikko leave, Bailey turned back to look at Caridee on the bed and sighed silently. She was such a good girl, and now she had been reduced to this state. It was truly heartbreaking. Suburban mansion. Inside the infirmary. Shaun leaned against the bedside and swiped everything off the nightstand. ¡°That useless Tucker couldn''t even capture a woman. What use is he to me?¡± The bodyguards kept their distance, allowing him to vent his anger. At this critical moment, anyone who approached him was asking for death. ¡°Mr. Carter, Ms. Lindsey has arrived.¡± ¡°I don''t want to see her. Tell her-¡± Before he could finish his sentence, he immediately held back his words. Lindsey? He remembered Lindsey had a crush on Edmund, so she had gotten close to Bailey. Now that Caridee was by Bailey''s side, perhaps he could use her to infiltrate Bailey''s residence and lure Caridee out. ¡°Let her in.¡± After a moment, Lindsey rushed in from outside. ¡°Shaun, are you okay? They said you-¡± Shaun coldly stared at her. ¡°They said what about me?¡± Lindsey became fearful of her elder brother and quickly shook her head. ¡°Nothing, nothing. Now that I see you''re fine, I feel relieved.¡± Shaun asked in a cold and eerie tone, ¡°Weren''t you chasing after a man in Hallsbay? Why did you come to Moranta?¡± At the mention of this, Lindsey''s expression gradually darkened. ¡°He doesn''t like me.¡± Shaun gave a disdainful snort and spoke in a menacing tone, ¡°That''s because the person he longs for is still alive. If that woman in his heart were to die, I assure you he would gradually ept you.¡± A glimmer of hope shed in Lindsey''s eyes. That''s right, once that woman is no longer around, he will eventually move on and consider epting me. But he loves Bailey. If Bailey were so easily disposed of, she would have perished countless times already, considering the number of people who have targeted her. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. ¡°Shaun, I can''tpete with Bailey.¡± ¡°Have you even tried? You won''t know if you can''t surpass her until you make an effort. Now that Artemis is gone and has lost her will to live, you can be by her side, waiting for the right moment to strike a fatal blow. Once she''s no more...¡± Lindsey remained silent. ¡°That''s all I have to say. Whether you want to fight for it or not is up to you. If Edmund still has feelings for you, it will be easier for me to propose a marriage alliance on behalf of the Carter family. But if he doesn''t have you in his heart, no matter what I say, it will be in vain. The only way to make him open his heart to you is by eliminating Bailey from his life.¡± Lindsey lowered her head, her voice trembling as she replied, ¡°I... I''ll consider it and give my answer to you in a few days.¡± Shaunzily leaned against the bedside, instructing the guard at the door, ¡°Ms. Lindsey has been on a long flight. She must be tired. Take her to rest.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Once the guard escorted Lindsey away, Shaun turned to the person dressed in ck beside him. Hemanded, ¡°Arrange a few housekeeper to provoke her in Bailey''s presence, fueling her discontent and turning it into hatred. Push her to be enemies with Bailey.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± At the Saviors branch. Inside the study. Veikko lounged on the sofa, raising an eyebrow as he observed Travis standing in the center of the room. He smirked and spoke calmly, ¡°Mr. Xydias, did youe here to look for someone?¡± ¡°No, no, no,¡± Mr. Xydias quickly denied. ¡°Mindy acted recklessly and conspired with outsiders, almost causing a major disaster. Your decision to spare her life was already a great mercy. I would never question your judgment. Allowing her to visit the Prudent Hall will serve as a lesson. I believe Mr. Veikko will show mercy to a subordinate like me, and won''t take the life of my only daughter. I will faithfully serve you in the future to repay your kindness.¡± Shaun couldn''t help but inwardly sneer. This cunning fox knew how to tter. It wouldn''t be righteous to kill his daughter. ¡°Very well. Mindy has been trained since childhood and should be able to avoid severe punishment. I won''t subject her to additional torment.¡± Travis wiped the sweat from his forehead and hastily replied, ¡°Thank you for your mercy, Mr. Veikko. Rest assured, such incidents will never happen again in the future.¡± Veikko lightly tapped the sofa''s armrest and dered, ¡°Starting today, I will temporarily oversee all branch matters.¡± Travis widened his eyes, looking at Veikko with astonishment. ¡°Mr. Veikko, this...¡± ¡°Mr. Xydias, no need to worry. It''s only temporary. Once my affairs are resolved, I will return the branch to your management. There''s no need to be so anxious.¡± Upon hearing this, Travis breathed a sigh of relief and stammered, ¡°Yes, yes, understood. I will follow Mr. Veikko''s arrangements.¡± Bailey received an anonymous message inviting her to meet outside the city. The message stated that they had prepared something she desired. Although the message didn''t bear a signature, Bailey was certain it came from Kurt. Has he lost hisposure so quickly? She thought she would at least have to wait a few days, but she didn''t expect to be contacted so soon. Inside the study. Bailey spread the message on the table and stated firmly, ¡°I must attend this appointment. They''ve set a trap for me, forcing me to jump into it. If I don''t jump, Juliana will be of no value to them. A chess piece with no value can be discarded at any time. In other words, if I don''t go to the appointment, Juliana will undoubtedly die because Kurt won''t keep her hanging by the thread of drugs anymore.¡± Zeke and Artemis exchanged a nce. ¡°What do you think?¡± Zeke asked. Artemis rubbed his forehead and sighed, ¡°Since she has decided to go, what else can we do? We''ll apany her through the trials and tribtions. Should we let her face it alone?¡± Zeke frowned, ¡°But Cameron is not here. There was an issue in his family, so he left early. Before leaving, he repeatedly entrusted me to stop Bay from meeting Kurt because she can''t outy him in the game of poisons.¡± Chapter 806 Chapter 806 Artemis shrugged. ¡°I couldn''t persuade her. If you can, go ahead and try. Whenever I raise my voice just a little, she uses me of bullying her. I can''t bear such a big usation. I haven''t even married her yet, so I dare not offend her. Once she starts crying, I''m at a loss,¡±mented Artemis. Zeke could not help butugh. Turning his head to look at Bailey, he tried to persuade, ¡°Why don''t we wait for Cameron toe back and discuss it? He''s right. You can''t outy Kurt when ites to dealing with poison. After all, he has spent so many years learning from the Yablon family.¡± Bailey''s gaze swept across the faces of the two, and she said lightly, ¡°Why do you think Cameron left at this critical moment? Don''t you have any idea? I guessed either Sofie or Mr. Philip deliberately created conflicts within the Yablon family to lure Cameron back. Now that Cameron is gone, Kurt immediately challenges me. As I said earlier, if I don''t ept the challenge, I''ll be ending Julie''s life because they''re holding her life hostage, forcing me to make a deal. If I don''t go, she''ll be useless to them.¡± Zeke and Artemis exchanged nces, seeing the helplessness in each other''s eyes. Fine, Bailey''s analysis is spot on. Precisely because it was right, it made them feeling helpless. It seemed that attending the appointment was absolutely necessary. ¡°Fine. When we first came to Moranta, we had the idea of facing a deadly situation. If we back down now, what is the point ofing here in the first ce? Zeke, I''ll apany Bailey to the appointment. You don''t need toe. If we find ourselves in danger, you can figure out a way to get us out,¡±This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. suggested Artemis. Zeke frowned slightly. After a moment of silence, he objected, ¡°You''ve just barely returned from the jaws of death, and I''m not willing to let you take this risk. We definitely need to save Juliana, but risking both of your lives to save hers doesn''t seem worth it, so let''s not rush. Let''s think if there are any other ways.¡± Just as Bailey was about to retort, Artemis reached out to stop her and took the initiative to say, ¡°Okay, we agree with you, Zeke. The other party has agreed to meet in two days, so we can still use this period to think of other solutions.¡± Zeke stood up from the sofa and mentioned he had urgent matters to deal with before walking out of the study. Bailey tilted her head and looked at Artemis as her gaze was cold and piercing. Artemis could not help but let out a bitter smile. ¡°If we truly can''t think of any other way, we''ll go to the appointment. Bailey, I truly cherish this hard-won new life. Even if there''s only one in ten million possibilities, I''ll firmly grasp it and never gamble with my life. You can call me cowardly, but I''m afraid of death.¡± Bailey suddenlyughed and reached out to pinch his handsome face. She raised an eyebrow while saying, ¡°It''s good to be afraid of death. That way, you won''t act recklessly to protect us.¡± Speaking of that, she suddenly changed the topic. Bailey seriously said, ¡°Going to the appointment doesn''t mean we have no way out because... Tucker has taken a liking to me.¡± Artemis'' expression stiffened. His eyes narrowed slightly as a dangerous glint emerged between his brows. ¡°You''ve attracted another man again? Bailey, you''re really capable. You were out for less than an hour and brought back another love rival for me. Do you think I have nothing better to do?¡± Bailey red at him and grumbled, ¡°That was years ago. I didn''t know I''d run into you back then. Besides, it''s not like I can control it. What''s the point of ming me? I feel disgusted when someone like that is interested in me.¡± Artemis snorted a few times and asked, ¡°What does Tucker''s interest in you have to do with Kurt not killing you?¡± Bailey''s lips curved into a smile as a hint of glimmer shed across her eyes. She remarked, ¡°Kurt is being hunted down by the Yablon family and desperately needs someone to save his life. The Hoffman family is capable of protecting him. That''s why he devotes himself to serving Mr. Philip and Sofie. Tucker wants me to satisfy his twisted desires, so he''ll definitely make a deal with Kurt, allowing him to do something in secret. That''s why I guess I won''t die.¡± Artemis looked at her coldly, gritting his teeth, and said, ¡°What''s next? Do you want to exchange yourself for the enhancer? You said that Tucker wants you to satisfy his twisted desires. Do you know what is the consequence if you fall into his hands?¡± Bailey reached out and patted his chest, helping him calm down. With a pleasing smile, she said, ¡°Don''t be angry, don''t get mad first. I know hypnosis. Even if I fall into Tucker''s hands, I can still handle it. I bet Tucker''ll tell Sofie and Mr. Philip that I''m already dead and secretly hide me away. Think about it. Once Sofie finds out about my death, she''ll definitelyunch an attack on the Tarragon Headquarters. When she makes a move, she''ll surely mobilize all her forces. As soon as she acts, you can capture them all at once and eliminate this threat forever.¡± Artemis fell into silence. He had to admit that her method was the best and most practical. However, the thought of Bailey being in grave danger was something he could not ept. Artemis had to hand Bailey over to the man who coveted her. It was undoubtedly pushing her into a pit of fire. Artemis could not possibly do such a foolish thing. Noticing that he did not respond, Bailey continued, ¡°Don''t worry, you still have two days. Just give it some more thought. If you don''t want to use this method, we can only fight Kurt to the death. In the end, it might cost both of our lives.¡± A hint of frustration shed across Artemis''s eyes, and he sighed lightly, ¡°You really have me tightly wrapped around your finger. Let''s discuss this with Zeke first. If he agrees, we''ll do as you said. I admit that your method is quite effective, but it''s a gamble with your life. Zeke might not necessarily agree.¡± Bailey grinned and said, ¡°I''ll talk to him. He''ll agree.¡± Artemis was speechless. In the suburb, there was a medical base owned by the Hoffman family. Inside theboratory, Astridy on the hospital bed. Her entire face was wrapped in thick bandages, exposing only a pair of hollow eyes. Beside the bed, several doctors in whiteb coats were studying the images scanned by the equipment. At that moment, the door to the hospital room was pushed open. Tucker walked in from outside. ¡°How did it go. Was the surgery sessful?¡± asked Tucker. The attending doctor hurriedly answered, ¡°Mr. Tucker, the surgery is very sessful. The patient is highly simr to the reference. If we don''t bring the reference forparison, it will be almost impossible to tell the difference.¡± Tucker smiled contentedly. After signaling the doctors to leave, he said lightly, ¡°Don''t me me for this. You''re the one who messes things up, so you have to take full responsibility. At first, I wanted to find a random woman and have her undergo stic surgery to resemble Caridee to deal with Shaun. However, a random woman didn''t understand Caridee''s personality, making it easy for her to be exposed. You''re different. You''ve been roommates with Caridee for two years and know her temperament and personality better than anyone else. The key is that your voices are very simr. You can create a convincing impersonation. You''d better cooperate and don''t mess things up. Otherwise, dozens of people in your family will have to meet Grim Reaper.¡± Chapter 807 Chapter 807 Astrid did not respond and stared nkly at the ceiling above her, feeling utterly disheartened. Tucker continued, ¡°Actually, you should me Caridee if you have to. All your misfortunes are because of her. Shaun wouldn''t have been fixated on her if she didn''t provoke him. If she didn''t cripple Shuan, he wouldn''t have hated her. So, you can me her. It''s her fault that you became her substitute.¡± Astrid''s fingers hanging by her side twitched slightly, gradually clenching into a fist. Caridee... The pain inflicted upon me today, I will surely return it to you tenfold in the future. Astrid''s entire life waspletely ruined. The only thing she wanted to do for the rest of her life was to skin and debone the person who had caused her such misery and burnt the person into ashes. Astrid would never let Caridee have a peaceful end. It would either be her death or her downfall in the future. ¡°Get out.¡± A hoarse and dry voice, filled with intense grief and anger, sounded like a ferocious ghost roaring as it crawled out from the eighteenth level of hell. Upon hearing that voice, Tucker felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. Even though the air conditioning was switched on inside the room, Tucker still felt a bone-chilling cold. Indeed, a woman with pent-up hatred in her heart was the most terrifying. ¡°I''m warning you again! After removing the gauze, go and serve the Carter family obediently. Otherwise, I''ll make sure everyone from the Adley family dies a tragic death.¡± Astrid clenched her fists tightly until her nails dug into her flesh, oozing fresh blood. I''ll take good care of Shaun. Although he''s a good-for-nothing, he still holds significant power. Perhaps I can use the Carter family''s influence to get revenge and let Caridee live a life worse than death! ¡°Get lost...¡± Tucker left without uttering another word. In the top-floor office of LG Corporation in Hallsbay, Victoria walked into the CEO''s office with high heels under the secretary''s lead. Victoria was dressed in a ck business suit and holding a proposal. With her burgundy short hair, she exuded exceptional competence and astuteness. ¡°Did you see that? That''s Mr. Gezmond''s ex-wife.¡± ¡°She''s so charming. It''s no wonder she has captured the heart of Mr. Gezmond. At least, I know I won''t be able to possess such an aura even after decades of cultivation.¡± ¡°It''s such a pity that the perfect match between a man and a woman was ultimately torn apart due to their families'' grudges.¡± ¡°Well, it''s not necessarily the case. Look, heaven has given them another chance to spend time together. Who knows? While discussing their coboration, they''ll rekindle an old me!¡± ¡°Everyone, avoid going near the CEO''s office these few days. If you identally bump into Mr. Gezmond and Mr. Saunders doing something in there, you may get terminated if you disturb them.¡± ¡°Right, right, right! You''ve made a good point.¡± As Victoria walked by, she heard all the surrounding chatter. Victoria''s lips curved into a light smile as she teased the chief secretary beside her, ¡°LG Corporation is an international conglomerate. I assumed the internal management would be very strict. I never thought there could be much time to gossip during work hours. Today has been quite an eye-opener. You guys have a great office atmosphere.¡± The chief secretary was stunned for a moment, quickly nced around, and sessfully made the clerks peeking out with their heads retreat. She grinned and said, ¡°It may be because of Ms. Saunders'' charm that they are envious. Ms. Saunders, we''ve arrived at the CEO''s office. Mr. Gezmond is still in a meeting, expected to end in about five minutes. You wouldn''t mind waiting for a bit, would you?¡± Victoria nodded and replied, ¡°I came here to seek coboration with Mr. Gezmond. So naturally, I can wait.¡± The chief secretary pushed open the door to the CEO''s office and gestured for Victoria to enter. As Victoria strolled in, her field of vision suddenly broadened. The spacious office, spanning several hundred square meters, was incredibly luxurious and roomy. The interior was adorned with top-notch decorations, making it a feast for the eyes. That was just the scale of a branch. It was rumored that the CEO''s office at LG Corporation headquarters was extravagant, reflecting the grandeur and magnificence of the world''srgest media company. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Victoria could gaze at half of Hallsbay. That building was andmark second only to Luther Group, with one in the south and the other in the north, echoing each other at a distance. Once, while Victoria was with Bailey on Mount Hallor overlooking the entire Hallsbay, she marveled at those two majestic buildings. Now, one became the wife of the CEO of Luther Group, while the other... Victoria was once the wife of the CEO of LG Corporation. ¡°Sorry, I had an urgent meeting and couldn''t get away. I hope I didn''t keep you waiting too long.¡± A familiar voice appeared behind her, causing Victoria''s body to stiffen slightly. Her fingers hanging by her side trembled uncontrobly for a second. After a few seconds of silence, Victoria turned around with a smile and exchanged nces with the man who walked in through the door. In an instant, Victoria quickly averted her gaze, nodded, and said, ¡°It''s already an honor for me that Mr. Gezmond could spare some time to meet me despite your busy schedule.¡± Lionel beamed without saying a word, walked over to the water dispenser, poured a ss of warm water, and handed it to Victoria. Victoria took a sip and then ced the ss on the coffee table. She reached out to grab the proposal on the table and said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Gezmond, this is the proposal for Saunders Group''s new product. I know that LG Corporation only promotes products that have the potential to be a hit. Over the years, all the products LG Group have marketed have be internationally popr bestsellers.¡± Victoria continued, ¡°This time, the jewelry designed by Gezmond Group incorporates many new elements, among which the traditional-style design carries the profound historical heritage of our country, making it truly distinctive. I have already included the design concept, product selling points, and sample drafts in the proposal. Please take a look first. If there''re any issues, I''ll make the appropriate adjustments.¡± After Victoria finished speaking, she handed Lionel the proposal she was holding. Lionel reached out to take it, but instead of opening it to read right away, he stared at the ss cup on the table and remained silent. Victoria looked in the direction of Lionel''s gaze and saw him staring at the ss cup in front of him. She could not help but be taken aback. Could there be something mysterious about this cup? Victoria picked up the cup with a hint of suspicion, feeling the warmth in her hand. It was freezing outside, and Victoria had recently suffered a miscarriage, causing her body to be weak. When she walked to LC Corporation, her hands flushed due to the cold. Even with the heater on indoors, the chilliness in Victoria''s fingers could not be dispelled. So, he poured this ss of water not for me to drink but to warm my hands? When Victoria looked up, she saw Lionel had already shifted his gaze, leaning against the back of the couch and browsing through the proposal. That further confirmed her spection. This man... Victoria''s eyes felt a little watery, so she slowly turned to look out the window. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. If there were no family feuds between them, perhaps they would still be the most intimate couple in the world now. However, fate yed tricks on people. Their destiny, ultimately, reached its end. ¡°Ms. Saunders, hasn''t anyone told you that you shouldn''t simply show the prototype of a new product to others?¡± The slightly cold voice of Lionel reached Victoria''s ears and interrupted her wandering thoughts. ¡°Oh? Why can''t I show you the prototype of the new product?¡± Lionel frowned, tossed the proposal onto the coffee table, and replied indifferently, ¡°The design of the new product is yourpany''s top secret. Aren''t you afraid I''ll leak it if you easily show it to me?¡± Victoria retorted, ¡°You won''t!¡± Lionel asked in a deep voice, ¡°What makes you think I won''t?¡± Chapter 808 Chapter 808 Victoria struggled to speak, her words catching in her throat. How could she have assumed that her ex-husband wouldn''t leak the prototype of their new product? Just because of their past rtionship? She had been careless and made a fatal mistake by revealing all her cards before securing their partnership. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. If he had malicious intentions and leaked the design blueprint, it would result in rampant piracy in the outside world. Saunders Group''s new product would be aughingstock, flooded with countless imitations before its officialunch. ¡°I...¡± Victoria began, but Lionel interrupted, his tone stern. ¡°Ms. Saunders, your nonchnt attitude andck of caution make it difficult for me to decide whether to coborate with you. The business world is a battlefield, and a single misstep can make you a target for everyone. I only engage with intelligent and meticulous individuals to avoid unnecessary trouble.¡± Victoria pursed her lips and offered an apologetic response, ¡°I apologize for my carelessness this time, which has left a negative impression on you. However, please rest assured, Mr. Gezmond, I guarantee that such a situation will never ur again. I have recently taken over thepany, and there are still many rules I am not fully familiar with. But I can promise you that if LG Corporation agrees to coborate with Saunders Group, I will ensure that no confidential details of our cooperation will be leaked.¡± Lionel stretched out his hand and rubbed his chest wearily, feeling a sense of fatigue. ¡°In that case, you should reorganize the information. There''s no need for further discussions with me. Instead, contact the person in charge of the cooperation department directly. By the way, I''ve reviewed the proposal from Bright Future Corporation as well. Their designs bear a striking resemnce to those of Saunders Group. Your ncks apetitive advantage. Considering the past coboration between Bright Future Corporation and LG, we will give priority to our established partners. You may not necessarily secure this promotional contract, so be prepared for that.¡± A tinge of embarrassment washed over Victoria, her face reddening with anxiety. That was the first time she had gathered the courage to discuss cooperation with him, but her massive mistake had brought her merciless scolding. She didn''t me him for his harsh words. Instead, she med her own inexperience, which had almost led to disaster. If she hadn''t crossed paths with him today, she would have remained oblivious to the irreversible situation she could have found herself in. ¡°O-Okay then. I apologize for taking up your valuable time, Mr. Gezmond. After organizing the proposal, I will discuss it with the person responsible for the cooperation department in yourpany. You can carry on with your work. I''ll take my leave.¡± With those words, she stood up and picked up the proposal document from the table, walking unsteadily toward the exit. In all her years of existence, she had never felt so disheveled. She had confidently ventured into the business world, only to realize howughably ignorant she was of its fundamental rules She had been far too naive. Within this circle, undercurrents surged, and conspiracies lurked at every corner. A single careless move, and both she and Saunders Group would be irreparably damaged. Just as she approached the single-seater sofa, a strong arm suddenly extended before her, tightly gripping her wrist. In the next moment, the world seemed to spin, and she stumbled, finding herself falling into his embrace and awkwardly seated across his long legs. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, please show some restraint.¡± She struggled, trying to stand up, but her waist was firmly held by his powerful arm, rendering her completely immobilized. ¡°Don''t behave like this. We''re already divorced. If you continue to cling to me like this, people might think I''m using my body to secure this promotional contract,¡± Victoria implored. Lionel remained silent, burying his head in her neck, his breath growing increasingly rapid. Victoria struggled a few more times, sensing his body''s response, and panic instantly gripped her. She obediently nestled in his embrace, refraining from any further movement. Lionel leaned in close to her ear, gently nibbling her earlobe, and whispered ambiguously, ¡°You can attempt to please me with your body. ¡°If you satisfy me, I will dedicate all of LG Corporation''s resources to promoting your Saunders Group''s new product. How about that?¡± Victoria reached out to push his head away, her eyes filled with defiance. ¡°Are you suggesting that in order to have a chance at coboration, I must y by these unspoken rules? If I coborate with others in the future and they share the same mindset, should I also...¡± Her words were abruptly interrupted by a sharp pain as the man fiercely bit her ear, causing her to immediately fall silent. Lionel withdrew from her neck and sighed, ¡°Feeling wronged? You must endure it. If I am not firm with you, you will face numerous setbacks in the future. Don''t overly concern yourself with the coboration. Focus on creating an outstanding product. As the saying goes, good wine needs no bush. If your product itself is enticing, it can prate the market even without LG''s promotion.¡± Victoria relinquished all her strength and wearily leaned against his chest, questioning, ¡°Am I really useless if I can''t even handle such a trivial matter?¡± Lionel reached out and soothingly patted her back, offeringfort. ¡°Reviving Saunders Group and sessfullyunching a new product within such a short span of time is already quite remarkable. Sometimes, for a product to make a breakthrough in the international market and be a bestseller, it''s not solely about its merits. Luck also ys a significant role. So don''t exert yourself too much in everything. Just give it your best.¡± Victoria struggled to disentangle herself from his embrace, retrieved the proposal from the floor, and gazed down at him, enunciating each word deliberately. ¡°I must secure this promotional contract.¡± If the sales don''t increase even after LG Corporation''s promotion, indicating an issue with the product itself, then I will ept it. But until then, I will strive to seize this opportunity.¡± Lionel straightened his slightly rumpled shirt, propped his leg up on the chair, and raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°Very well, I''ll give you a fair chance topete. If you can outperform Bright Future Corporation, I will authorize LG Corporation to mobilize all its resources for the promotion of Saunders Group''s products.¡± ¡°Alright, it''s a deal,¡± she responded firmly. In the living room of Xuereb residence, Olivia suddenly sprung up from the sofa, her gaze filled with fury as she red at Justin, who stood before the tea table. Through clenched teeth, she dered, ¡°I will never agree to have the name of that deceased woman, Veronique, included in the Xuereb family''s ancestral records. You better give up on that idea right now.¡± Initially, she had assumed that Justin had returned to discuss his marriage ns with Scarlett. However, she had never anticipated this scoundrel to suggest adding Veronique''s name to the Xuereb family''s ancestral records. On what grounds? That woman had never gained the approval of the Xuereb family. What right does she have to be included in the ancestry records? Such a request was outright audacious, prompting Olivia to vehemently oppose it without a moment''s hesitation. Including Veronique''s name in the Xuereb family''s ancestral records would be a deliberate provocation. Even if she had to risk her own life, Olivia would nevermit such a foolish act. Witnessing Olivia''s strong reaction, Justin remained unaffected emotionally and turned to walk toward the door. ¡°If that''s the case, then I won''t marry Scarlett either. Let her unborn child be regarded as an illegitimate child for life.¡± Upon hearing the threatening words from Justin, Olivia was greatly rmed. She hadn''t anticipated that he would stoop so low as to use such tactics against her. As she noticed him about to leave the living room, she instinctively opened her mouth to call him back. However, someone else was quicker and rushed in front of Justin. It was Scarlett. Scarlett blocked Justin''s path and spoke earnestly, ¡°Veronique is yourwful wife, so it''s only natural for her to be included in the ancestral records. Let me try to persuade Mrs. Xuereb on your behalf.¡± Chapter 809 Chapter 809 After saying that, she turned around and signaled to Olivia. At that moment, nothing mattered more to her than marrying Justin. So what if a deceased person''s name was added to the ancestral records? It couldn''t hinder her path. In those times, the distinction between legal wives and second wives held little significance. It was all about power and influence. Whoever held authority could speak confidently and assert themselves. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Fletcher family, Scarlett didn''t believe anyone would darebel her as a second wife after marrying Justin. Who in those day and age would dare use her of getting pregnant out of wedlock, carrying an illegitimate child, and destroying someone else''s marriage? Being the legitimate daughter of a prominent family brought reverence and esteem. No one dared provoke or cause her distress. That was the harsh reality. In an era where poverty was mocked but not prostitution, having status and a prestigious background meant being respected and admired. With the backing of the Fletcher family, it was no wonder she could be so audacious and unbridled. Upon receiving Scarlett''s suggestive nce, Olivia felt uneasy about the situation. However, considering Justin''s unwavering nature, she could only grit her teeth and agree. ¡°Fine, I consent to your request of including that woman in the Xuereb family''s ancestral records. But you must also promise me one thing. Once the funeral is over, begin preparations for your wedding with Lettie. Her belly is growing day by day, and we can''t continue to dy it indefinitely. She is the legitimate daughter of the Fletcher family. How can shepromise and endlessly wait for you?¡± Justin''s gaze swept over Scarlett''s protruding belly, a shadowy glint flickering in his eyes. The ordeal would soon be over. All of this would soone to an end. Even if he had to bear the pressure of being criticized as a heartless man by the outside world, Justin was willing to promise to marry her, feeling that the woman''s issue has been resolved. ¡°Fine, as long as you agree to add Veronique to the Xuereb family''s ancestral records, I willmit to giving Scarlett a wedding,¡± he responded. As for who the groom would be at the wedding, that would only be revealed on the day of the ceremony. He intended to make it a grand affair. Upon witnessing his concession, a joyful expression lit up Scarlett''s face. ¡°Justin, you promised to give me a wedding? You... you won''t go back on your word, will you?¡± Without sparing her a nce, Justin turned and walked toward the door. As he made his way, he stated, ¡°After half a month following the funeral, I will begin preparations for the wedding. Whenever I find the time, I will visit the Fletcher family and personally speak to your parents.¡± Visit the Fletcher family? But then wouldn''t it expose Father''s illness? If Olivia were to discover his declining health and the impending shift in power, would she still go out of her way to assist me? ¡°No, there''s no need for that. My premarital pregnancy has already tarnished the Fletcher family''s reputation. I dare not trouble them any further. For this wedding, we will only invite rtives and friends from the Xuereb family. The Fletcher family will not be invited at this time. We will make it up to them when we have the opportunity to visit Dellmoor.¡± Justin paused in his steps, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes. What was this woman plotting now? After pondering for a few seconds and failing to grasp her intentions, he decided it wasn''t worth the effort to figure her out. That woman wasn''t deserving of so much analysis. Since she stated she wouldn''t go to Dellmoor, that suited him just fine. A bare wedding would suffice, and he hoped she would be content with it. Inside the manor at Moranta, Bailey stood on the steps of the main house, looking down at Lindsey with a furrowed brow. ¡°Weren''t you in Hallsbay? How did you end up in Ustrana?¡± Lindsey blinked her eyes, letting a few tears fall. ¡°Shaun was gravely injured, and my mother called me, begging me toe and see him. Bailey, your medical skills are exceptional. Can you please go and examine Shaun? He''s still so young, and he can''t be left in such a helpless state.¡± Bailey could sense a cold, prating gazeing from behind her. Shaun was a man, and if she agreed to help him with his treatment, wouldn''t it drive Artemis into a frenzy? Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. She couldn''t undertake the task no matter what. The crucial point was that Shaun''s injuries were inflicted by Veikko. If she were to step in and save him, wouldn''t that put her at odds with him? ¡°I apologize, Ms. Carter, but even the top medical team of the Carter family struggled in this situation. It indicates that Mr. Carter''s condition is quite severe. I truly feel powerless in this matter. I suggest you seek help from someone more capable,¡± Bailey replied. Having said that, she turned around and walked toward the room. Lindsey raised her voice and dered, ¡°Bailey, if you refuse, I''ll stay right here and pester you every day until you agree.¡± Bailey didn''t look back, and casually replied, ¡°Do as you wish.¡± Lindsey lowered her head slightly, a glint of cold determination flickering in her eyes. Shaun''s n was working. If she had approached Bailey for any other reason, it would have undoubtedly raised suspicions. However, if she approached Bailey to save Shaun, she wouldn''t suspect a thing. That was human nature. Yes, shepromised. She surrendered to fate. Shaun was right. Only when Bailey was no longer alive could Edmund truly belong to her. After all, Artemis was no longer around. Bailey, you must be leading a wretched existence. How about I help you find your way to the afterlife? When that timees and you''re free, you''ll definitely be grateful to me. After entering the living room, Bailey went straight to the study, with Artemis trailing closely behind. Zeke, upon seeing the two enter, couldn''t help but snort coldly, turning his face away to avoid their gaze. Bailey couldn''t help butugh and said, ¡°Are you still angry? I''m going to save your woman, you know? Aren''t you happy about that? Or should I just leave her be and let her fend for herself?¡± Zeke red fiercely at her, gritting his teeth, and said, ¡°Do you have to risk your own life to save someone? If saving one person means sacrificing another, it''s better not to save them at all. Don''t stand here, and don''t talk to me. Every time you speak, it just infuriates me. You know Tucker covets you, yet you still keep getting involved. What''s going on in your head? Is it filled with crap?¡± After saying that, he directed his anger at Artemis, saying angrily, ¡°It''s bad enough that she''s causing trouble, and you''re actually siding with her! Mr. Luther, let me remind you, you haven''t married her yet. If you keep allowing her to mess around like this, you can forget about having her as your wife.¡± What is this? Trouble can find you even when you least expect it. Artemis rubbed his forehead with a slight headache and sighed, ¡°If I don''t agree, and something happens to Juliana because of it, she might not marry me. The consequences of that could be even more severe than this.¡± Zeke was so infuriated that he jumped up from the sofa and pointed towards the door, gritting his teeth. ¡°Both of you, get out of here.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Bailey approached him, wrapped her arms around his, gently shaking it a couple of times, and said with a smile, ¡°Zeke, don''t be angry. I know you''re doing this for my own good. But we''re not just doing this to save Julie, another reason is to make Sofie mistakenly believe that I have met my end at the hands of Kurt. This will force her to mobilize all her forces to attack Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Zeke nced at her sideways and asked coldly, ¡°What if the situation doesn''t turn out as you''ve guessed? What if Kurt really intends to get rid of you? ¡°Don''t forget, he betrayed and defected from the Yablon family with the sole purpose of avenging his brother by getting rid of you. If he truly harbors murderous intentions, going there would be courting death.¡± ¡°No,¡± Bailey replied with absolute certainty, ¡°He won''t harm me because his own life is at stake. Tucker wants me, thus he must adhere to his desires to ensure his reliance on the Hoffman family for survival.¡± Zeke''s previously rxed expression turned dark once again. ¡°So, you absolutely have to go tonight?¡± Chapter 810 Chapter 810 Bailey clicked her tongue. It was obvious. If she wasn''t going, there would be no reason for her to be there arguing with him for so long. ¡°Zeke...¡± As she elongated the tone of her voice to call out to him, she reached out and shook his arm, saying, ¡°I''ll be fine. You don''t need to worry. Currently, this seems to be the only viable solution. If we don''t take a gamble, how else can we bring an end to all of this? How can we save your wife?¡± Zeke''splexion still didn''t look good. After gently prying open her fingers, he slumped back onto the couch,pletely drained of energy. ¡°Do you know what the most helpless feeling in the world is? It''s knowing that danger lies ahead yet still having to send your loved ones right into it. You''ve been through so much hardship over the years, including not having a single happy day even after we reunited with each other. My heart aches for you.¡± Bailey walked over, leaning her head on his shoulder, and said leisurely, ¡°It''s precisely because of this that I need to hasten my steps to put an end to all of this. The longer we dy, the more days we''ll spend in fear. Our enemies are hidden while we are exposed. If we don''t act quickly to eliminate them, there''s no telling who might get hurt because of it.¡± Zeke remained silent, not saying a word. He understood those principles, but knowing them and epting them were two different things altogether. Artemis waved his hand toward Bailey and whispered, ¡°Let''s step outside first and give Zeke some time to think things through.¡± Hearing that, Bailey got up and walked toward the door. After leaving the study, Artemis led her back to the bedroom. ¡°Bay, I have a suggestion, but I''m not sure if it''s feasible.¡± Bailey tilted her head and looked at him, raising an eyebrow. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°I can already tell it''s not going to be a good suggestion. If you say it, I''m sure it will make me angry. If it''s too serious, it might cause my aversion and make mepletely irritated. So, let''s not talk about it, as it might affect our rtionship.¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh, reaching out to tap her forehead gently. ¡°You''re just too rational. People always say that extreme wisdom can be harmful, and I guess they''re talking about someone like you. I know that my suggestion will probably make you angry and maybe even repulse you, but I have to say it because I love you, and I don''t want you to take this risk.¡± Bailey slowly retracted the smile on her face and narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, as if trying to see his most genuine thoughts through his dark pupils. After observing for a moment, she sadly realized that if he was willing to let her probe his thoughts, then she would indeed be able to discern them. If he were unwilling, no matter how keen her observation skills were, she still wouldn''t be able to see through him. ¡°All right, go ahead and tell me. I''m curious to hear what kind of trouble you''re nning to get into.¡± Artemis nodded and said, ¡°Aren''t you an expert in disguise? I want to find someone to rece you and attend the meeting. In this way...¡± Suddenly, a pping sound could be heard. Bailey pped him across the face. Although it wasn''t a powerful blow, it was enough to strip a man of his dignity. In the whole world, only Bailey had the ability to p that powerful man. Only she had the audacity and courage to do something like that. Artemis couldn''t help but let out a bitter smile. He knew she would get angry and even lose her temper. Indeed, that was the case. Although she appeared to be cold and distant on the surface, she was actually very kind-hearted deep down. She could never bring herself to let someone else die or face danger in her ce. Bailey stared at him coldly and enunciated, ¡°If we disregard human lives, how are we any different from those unforgivable people in the outside world? Find someone to rece me in the trade? Ha! I can''t believe you came up with that idea. If she''s recognized, she''ll undoubtedly die. If she''s not recognized, falling into Tucker''s hands would still mean death. You''re just creating trouble. Artemis, I can''t agree to that because I don''t want to watch someone die for me. I am not great enough to bear the weight of a precious life.¡± Artemis rubbed his temple and piped up in a hoarse voice, ¡°Don''t get angry first. Listen to me until the end. The people that I found are suicide attackers trained by Tarragon. Their lives had long been devoted to the organization, and they were always prepared to make sacrifices for it. I believe that the Saviors must have nurtured a group of such special agents as well. As for the reasoning behind this, I won''t go into detail with you. Whether you agree or not, you have to ept it. You cannot attend the appointment tonight. If it were before, when your health was in perfect condition, I might have let you take this risk. But now, no matter what you say, I won''t agree to it.¡± After hearing that, Bailey couldn''t help butugh out of frustration. So, he has been brushing me off these past few days? ¡°Even if you don''t agree, it''s useless. I won''t make a fake mask for you. In the entire world, I am the only one who is proficient in disguise skill and can create a mask that is indistinguishable from the real thing. If I don''t make a mask for you, you won''t be able to find someone else to rece me. Artemis, I advise you to be kinder and not have no regard for other people''s lives, or else I''ll really get angry.¡± Artemis smiled without saying a word,pletely unaffected by her remarks. When Bailey saw that he was calm andposed, her heart sank. ¡°Did you search my disguise box and take a mask from there?¡± Inside the box were many masks with different appearances, including one of her own. The next moment, Artemis reached out and wrapped his hand around her waist, pushing her onto the bed. ¡°From the moment Kurt sent you a message inviting you to meet, I''ve decided to have someone else take your ce. The reason I''ve been brushing you off these past couple of days is to get the mask. I''ve already made all the necessary arrangements. Get some sleep, and tomorrow morning, you''ll get the enhancer.¡± Frustrated, Bailey reached out and grabbed the corner of his clothes tightly. She was furious and wanted to curse out loud, but a wave of dizziness washed over her mind. Thinking back to the warm water she drank when she first entered the room, she couldn''t help but laugh again. There was a stupefying drug in the water. ¡°Artemis, if you dare to go to that appointment behind my back, I''ll kill you.¡± She was anxious. At that critical moment, she didn''t have the energy to investigate his unteral and unauthorized decision to find a substitute, as well as the incident regarding the stupefying drug. The only thought in her mind at that very moment was that she couldn''t let him take any risks. ¡°Artemis, if I don''t see you tomorrow morning, I will never speak to you again. I''ll go to the Yablon residence with Cameron and be the Yablon family''s matriarch, or I''ll find Raiden and be the madam of the Fletcher family.¡± As she spoke, her eyelids slowly closed. At the moment her consciousnesspletely faded away, she whispered her final words, ¡°Artemis, one heart-wrenching experience is more than enough. Don''t make me go through it again. Please don''t leave me.¡± Artemis looked at the woman, who had fallen into a deep sleep, and sighed silently. He gently bent down and kissed her forehead, then reached out to pry open her fingers. Although she had fallen into a deep sleep, she still subconsciously clung tightly to the corner of his clothes. He knew she was afraid of him going to the appointment alone, afraid that she wouldn''t see him when she woke up in the morning. ¡°Bay, let go of me. I promise I won''t take any risks. It''s gettingte, and I still have some things I need to tend to. Please be good and release your hold on me, okay?¡± Chapter 811 Chapter 811 Nheless, Bailey''s fingers didn''t move at all. In actuality, Artemis could have forcibly pried them open, but he was afraid of hurting her finger bones, so he immediately stifled the thought that had just arisen. Left with no choice, he took out his phone and called Ken. ¡°Have you arranged everything?¡± he inquired. ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Luther. Everything is arranged properly. As soon as the timees, they will go to the appointment and get the enhancer out of Kurt''s hands.¡± Artemis gave a light hum and instructed, ¡°Have them do as I said, and they''ll definitely get the enhancer. Meanwhile, you should go to the outskirts and wait to provide support in person, making sure to bring the item back.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Ken replied. Ten minutester, the person in charge of the base pushed open the door of the study and reported to Zeke, who was sitting on the couch, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Ms. Bailey has left the base with two female bodyguards. Should we send someone to follow them?¡± Zeke''s eyes sparkled for a moment. He was aware of the fact that Artemis used suicide attackers as substitutes for Bailey to attend the appointment. The anger he disyed earlier was just an act to show Bailey. Just like Artemis, he would never let Bailey take any risks, no matter what. The two of them would do anything to protect her. If they were to watch her willingly walk into a dangerous situation without intervening, both of them would have no reason to live anymore. ¡°Prepare the car. I''ll personally go after them.¡± Although he knew that the person who went out wasn''t Bailey, he still had to keep up appearances. There could be numerous spies within the base, and if they were to discover that the real Bailey was still inside the base, the entire operation would be a joke. In order to achieve a convincingly deceptive effect, he had to pursue them. The person in charge of the base lowered his head slightly, a strange glint flickering in his eyes. ¡°Understood. I''ll arrange it right away.¡± In the suburb, a ck sedan drove through the avenue lined with trees and finally came to a stop in a small grove. The person pretending to be Bailey pushed the door open and entered, her cold eyes scanning the surroundings before finallynding on a group of people in ck clothes across the room. She truly lived up to being one of the top special agents trained by Tarragon. Her operational capabilities were absolutely outstanding. After just two days of learning, she could perfectly imitate Bailey''s every move, gesture, and expression. Combined with her identical face to Bailey''s, it was truly a wless and perfect combination. ¡°Mr. White, you truly have impressive skills. I have been operating internationally for so many years, and no one has ever been able to hold leverage over me. You are the first. Tell me, what do you want? As long as you''re willing to give a little blood from your body, I''ll agree to any condition.¡± With that remark, she became even more convincing in her role. It was because her voice and tone of speech were exactly the same as Bailey''s. Kurt got out of the car, his sharp gaze falling on ¡°Bailey.¡± ¡°Ms. Jefferson, you are as proud and confident as ever. Even in a dangerous situation, you remain steadfast. My elder brother died at your hands, and it was not unjust. As for what I want, Ms. Jefferson, you should be well aware of it. An eye for an eye. You took a life, and now you shall pay with yours. Once you''re dead, I will provide you with the enhancer,¡± he stated coldly. ¡°Bailey¡± raised an eyebrow and gave him a half smile. ¡°It''s inevitable that you want to kill me, but I''m afraid the person behind you won''t agree. We are both adults, so let''s discuss more mature topics instead. You provide me with the enhancer, and you can dispose of me as you wish. How about that?¡± Kurt couldn''t help but sneer. ¡°Your brother dide after you, but my people stopped him. Within this three-mile radius, there is no escape for you. In other words, you''re already like a mouse in a trap, at my mercy. What right do you have to negotiate terms with me? Everyone says that you''re intelligent and clever, but in my opinion, you''re nothing special. You''re just too arrogant and conceited. In the end, you won''t even know how you die-¡± Suddenly, his words came to an abrupt halt because ¡°Bailey¡± took out a dagger and held it against her own throat. Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ¡°Even though I cannot choose to live, I can choose to die. Mr. White, you better think carefully because once I''m dead, whether it''s the Luther family, the Shurmer family, Cameron, Raiden, or Edmund, none of them will let you off easily.¡± Kurt''s expression suddenly turned gloomy. Although he wanted to disregard her and kill her right away, the words she spoke earlier had an annoying ring of truth to them. If Bailey were to die, various forces woulde after him. Even if it were not just one but a hundred of him, he wouldn''t be able to handle it all. However, if he were to hand her over to Tucker, Tucker would definitely protect him. The oue would bepletely different. ¡°So, Mr. White, have you made up your mind? If you have, please give me an answer.¡± Kurt turned his head to the bodyguard beside him and ordered, ¡°Bring me the syringe.¡± The bodyguard soon handed him the syringe he had requested. After reaching out to take it, he drew half a tube of blood from his own arm and tossed it toward ¡°Bailey.¡± The female bodyguard beside ¡°Bailey¡± quickly reached out to catch it. Seeing that, Kurt sneered. ¡°Don''t think that just because you''ve got the blood, you can escape sessfully. Bailey, I''m not that stupid. Your people can leave, but you must stay put obediently.¡± ¡°Bailey¡± shrugged nonchntly and said, ¡°Of course. I came here tonight for the enhancer in the first ce. Don''t worry. I won''t make any rash moves before my people safely escape with the enhancer. You let her go, and I''ll stay put. How does that sound?¡± Kurt answered straightforwardly, ¡°All right. As long as you don''t cause any trouble and just stand there obediently, I promise she''ll be able to leave safely.¡± Hearing that, ¡°Bailey¡± turned to the female bodyguard and said, ¡°Hurry up and take the medicine back to my brother. He knows what to do with it.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Don''t waste any more time. Go.¡± After a moment of hesitation, the female bodyguard gritted her teeth and finally got into the car. While watching the car leave, ¡°Bailey¡± still held the knife against her neck. Artemis instructed her in everything. As a loyal suicide attacker, she would unquestioningly follow the orders of her superiors. Indeed, Artemis'' judgment proved to be correct. They were able toplete the mission sessfully by manipting others. Beep! A notification sound rang from her wrist, and she lowered her gaze to check. The screen of her wristwatch disyed ¡°Escaped safely,¡± and she couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Now that your people are safe, can you put the dagger down?¡± When ¡°Bailey¡± heard that, she slowly lowered her arm. Her mission was only halfwayplete. There was still another half remaining. That was to make Sofie and the others believe that Bailey had already died. For that part, she didn''t need to worry, as Kurt would take care of it for her. Just as she had expected, almost the moment she lowered her arm, Kurt appeared like a ghostly figure in front of her and threw a handful of ck powder at her face. A pungent smell wafted over, causing her to lose consciousness instantly. Her legs gave way, and she copsed onto the ground. Although she was unfamiliar with poisons, she was certain she had been poisoned. Her consciousness drifted away as she slowly closed her eyes. A momentter, a ck sedan drove by. After the car was parked, Sofie, Philip, and Tucker emerged from the vehicle. As Sofie looked at the woman lying on the ground, a strange glint shed in her eyes. Is Bailey dead just like that? As she approached, ready to bend down and investigate, Kurt coldly reminded her, ¡°She was poisoned to death by a deadly poison. Even though she''s dead now, the poisonous gas on her body hasn''t dissipated. If you touch her, you''ll die instantly, just like she did.¡± Chapter 812 Chapter 812 When those words reached Sofie''s ears, she took a couple of steps back on the spot. She had not the slightest intention of questioning Kurt''s words. After all, that guy was more than capable. ¡°Are you sure she''s dead? That woman has plenty of tricks up her sleeve, so she won''t go down that easily. She might pull a fast one on you and escape cunningly.¡± A glint of darkness shed across Kurt''s eyes, and his gaze seemed slightly evasive. Upon seeing the situation, Tucker hurriedly stepped forward and stated, ¡°Bailey killed Kurt''s elder brother, so Kurt hated her guts. He''ll definitely go all out to finish her off. He''d never make mistakes and allow Bailey to escape from his clutches. Fret not, Ms. Carr. Bailey''ll stay dead.¡± He sneaked a peek at the woman on the floor upon dropping hisment. A ravaging lust flitted across his eyes. From there on out, that woman wouldpletely belong to him. Just thinking about it filled him with gusto. He could still remember the exhrating sensation within when he firstid eyes on her. A nce at her face was all it took to take his breath away. He had vowed to make this woman his own ever since then. Even if he had to resort to keeping her confined in his domain for a lifetime and not letting her see the light of day, he was bent on making her a caged canary, a pet to be by his side. These past few days, whenever he thought about how she would soon belong to him, he would be so excited that even sleep eluded him. Men from all over the world were obsessed with her, wishing to possess and keep her all for themselves. Tucker had managed to be one step ahead of everybody else, and for that, he had every reason to be proud. It was then that Philip pipe up out of the blue, breaking the oppressive atmosphere around them, ¡°Since she''s already dead, there''s no need for us to be paranoid anymore. I''ll leave the corpse to you, Tucker. Make sure to cremate it; only when her bones turned to dust that we could truly be at ease.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll have someone burn her body to ashes. Then, we''ll scatter the ashes all over the flowerbed as fertilizer,¡± agreed Tucker then and there. Philip nodded and turned to Sofie, remarking, ¡°Bailey''s death is now a foregone conclusion. We shall discuss how to go after Tarragon Headquarters next. I heard that Holden''s reigning control of Tarragon now, and it just so happens that his significant other is in your hands. Let''s leverage this and force him into submission.¡± Not a word escaped Sofie. Narrowing her eyes to slits, she pinned her gaze on the woman on the floor. ¡°Get me a pair of leather gloves.¡± As soon as she issued hermand, a ck-d bodyguard respectfully handed her a pair of ck gloves. Sofie reached out to receive them and immediately put both of the gloves on her right hand. She strode over to the so-called corpse and pinched the woman by the cheeks, starting to examine the body closely. ¡°What''s wrong? Is there a problem?¡± asked Philip anxiously. Then came Sofie''s frosty response. ¡°There''s something in this world called disguise skill, which can change a person''s appearance. I''m inspecting if she has a mask on her face. If she does, she''s not Bailey.¡± Philip''s expression darkened on that note. Disguise skill, she says? Yet, it existed only in legends, for no one had ever truly mastered such a technique. Could it be that there really are people in this world who''ve learned the mentioned disguise skill? Why haven''t I heard of it before? Sofie fiercely pinched both temples of the impostor Bailey with her fingers. In the end, the skin had turned as red as a tomato, but no traces of disguise were found. She could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°It seems I was overthinking it. She doesn''t have a mask on her face, after all. Still, this totally puts my mind at ease. Were Bailey really to master the disguise skill, killing her would be an arduous task. She could''ve altered her looks at any time, leaving us with no opening to nab her.¡± After saying that, she gradually rose to her feet, took off the gloves in her hand, and threw them onto the fake Bailey''s face. ¡°Let''s go. The grand era of Artemis and Bailey hase to an end. The future is ours to shape. Right now, the most important thing is to discuss how to attack Tarragon Headquarters and seize total control of this massive power.¡± Philip hurriedly chased after Sofie. After walking a few steps, he did not forget to turn his head back and remind his son, ¡°Remember to cremate her body to avoid any future troubles.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll do as you say.¡± After Sofie and Philip left, Tucker quickly said to Kurt, ¡°Quick! Pass me the antidote! It''s not easy to get my hands on such a delicate beauty, I can''t let her die from the poison.¡± Kurt bobbed his head. ¡°She''s not poisoned. It''s a kind of stupefying drug that temporarily stops a person''s breathing and puts them in a state of apparent death. Once the drug wears off, she''ll wake up.¡± Tucker finally felt at ease. Quick as a wink, he lunged himself at the unconsciousdy to help her up, supporting and resting her upper body on his. ¡°At longst, Bailey, you belong to me.¡± On the heels of that, he abruptly leaned in and gave a few kisses all over her face. ¡°Ah... Delightful, indeed. It''s the familiar scent from my memories. Back then, I was captivated by your intoxicating fragrance. Now that you belong to me, I''ll surely reim all the longing I''ve had for you over the years bit by bit from your very being.¡± Right after he was done, he carried the woman in his arms and marched toward the convoy. ¡°Return to my private winery.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Tucker.¡± Later that night, Bailey eventually regained consciousness from her stupor. She had forced herself to wake up because she could not stop thinking about Artemis. The second she opened her eyes, her mind was aplete nk. She stared nkly at the exquisite, luxurious crystal chandelier above her head, taking quite a while to react. Her memory seemed to have deteriorated significantly; sometimes, it took her a long period of time to fullyprehend something she was thinking about. As her consciousness returned, she suddenly sat up. ¡°Artemis! Artemis...¡± She swept her gaze across the spacious bedroom, but that familiar figure she had in mind was nowhere to be found. Her heart sank right away. Did he choose to meet up with the other party? ¡°Artemis, you jerk...¡± she roared into the void ahead. ¡°Mm. I really am quite a jerk. If it weren''t for me being such a jerk, you wouldn''t have be so vulnerable.¡± Bailey turned around straight away, only to find Artemising out of the study. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. She flipped up the nket and leaped out of bed, rushing toward the man with her bare feet and jumping right into his embrace. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Why are you always doing this to me, Artemis? You big meanie...¡± As she spoke, she began bursting into tears. Dreading that Artemis would leave her behind to meet the other party all by himself, she was truly terrified that he might never return to her side again. After she put in so much effort to bring him back from the jaws of death, they had not even had the chance to enjoy life yet. Artemis reached out to cradle her cheeks, leaning in to lightly kiss away the tear stains on her face. Yet, tears kept rolling down from the corners of her eyes, and even after wiping them away, they continued to fall. After several attempts, he sighed softly and gently covered her eyes with his hands. ¡°Stop crying. My heart aches.¡± Right then, Bailey recalled how he had drugged her, and a surge of rage rose in her heart. She shoved the man away in an instant. ¡°You promised before that you wouldn''t use any more stupefying drugs or the like to knock me out, but you went back on your word. Are all your promises to me merely empty words?¡± A bitter smile was all Artemis could muster. ¡°I had no choice, you know. I couldn''t possibly let you take such risks. Those suicide attackers were specifically trained for carrying out special missions, after all. With them around, how could I put your life on the line? Had I done that, I would''ve been branded as nothing but a failure as the leader of Tarragon. Try to put yourself in my shoes, Bay. If it were me showing up at the meeting today, would you get a substitute to go in my ce?¡± Chapter 813 Chapter 813 ¡°No.¡± Bailey answered straightforwardly. Artemis could not help butugh. ¡°You''re being cheeky again, but there''s nothing I can do about it. As long as you know in your heart, there''s no need to expose the truth.¡± Bailey red at him fiercely. Artemis was right. Bailey yed dirty. If the roles were reversed and Artemis was the one going to the date, Bailey would also find a way to stop him. She also had suicide attackers, specifically for carrying out secret missions. Bailey was stubborn before, but now she hade to terms with it and felt that it was eptable. ¡°Well, so, did you bring back the enhancer?¡± Artemis nodded and said, ¡°I''ve brought it back. It''s in theboratory now.¡± Bailey paced toward the door and said, ¡°Cameron left the prescription, I''ll go prepare the antidote right away. Julie can''t wait any longer.¡± ¡°Wait.¡± Artemis hurriedly reached out to stop Bailey. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Zeke said he can''t guarantee that there are no spies from the Hoffman family in this base. Now, both Sofie and Philip believe that you have died from Kurt''s poison. If you show up, wouldn''t it be tantly revealing that you''ve escaped cunningly?¡± Bailey suddenly came back to her senses. ¡°You''re right. I can''t show my real face to others. How about changing my face? Where''s my disguise box?¡± Artemis reached out and pinched her nose,ughing, ¡°Knowing the disguise skill is awesome, you can change face whenever you want.¡± Bailey red at him fiercely, gritting her teeth, and said, ¡°If you dare to make me angry again next time, I''ll run away. Then, I''ll disguise myself, changing my face every day. Even if you turn the whole world upside down, you won''t be able to find me.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows and smiled. ¡°That''s not necessarily true. If I were to create an ident and injure myself, falling into aa for a few days, you would definitely rush back anxiously.¡± Upon hearing those words, Bailey was so upset that she burst into tears. ¡°You''re a bad man...¡± After bringing the fake Bailey back to the winery, Tucker tied her to the bed. ¡°You''re awake?¡± Seeing the person he had been thinking about day and night slowly opening her eyes, Tucker rubbed his hands together excitedly. What should he do next? Of course, it was about doing something wonderful with her. Tucker had been waiting for so many years, just longing for this day toe. Now that he finally got what he wished for, would not he want to spend three days and nights in the tender embrace of his beloved? Coldly ring at him, the fake Bailey sneered, ¡°Only the dead pose no threat to people. You actually spared my life. The reality will show you just how foolish you are.¡± Tuckerughed out loud. He walked over and gently patted her cheek, saying excitedly, ¡°You know, I really like your cool and indifferent demeanor. I wonder if you''ll show a different charm once you like me.¡± The fake Bailey turned her face away, remaining silent without speaking. Upon seeing her seemingly unapproachable demeanor, Tucker became even more excited and his blood boiling with enthusiasm. ¡°You know, it''s your proud and aloof demeanor that has conquered countless elites, driving them mad for you. Now, many people are eager to catch you and take you back, to lock you up at home for a good view and... taste you.¡± The fake Bailey said coldly, ¡°Once you fall into the hands of a dog, you can only bear the pain as it bites you viciously. Julie is your cousin after all. Aren''t you afraid that the ancestors of the Hoffman family will jump out of their coffins ande after you for treating her like this?¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± Tuckerughed heartily three times. ¡°I never believe in any ghostly or divine tales, but your description of a dog is quite fitting. Since you''ve compared me to a dog, I can only bite a chunk of flesh off you, so you can experience the feeling of being bitten by a dog.¡± After saying that, Tucker lunged directly toward her. The expression in the fake Bailey''s eyes gradually changed, revealing helplessness, sorrow, and despair. In the end, all these emotions transformed into a fearless eptance of death, without any regrets. For that man who seemed like a god, she was willing to devote everything she had. Her life was given to her by him, and now he pushed her toward the boundless abyss, yet she dly epted. She asked for nothing more, only praying that God would show her mercy and grant her a chance to speak with him. Once she saw him, she must tell him, ¡°Leader, my name is Cindy Graham.¡± It did not matter if she was not in his eyes or his heart, she just wanted him to remember her name and know that once there was a woman who was willing to devote her entire life to him. Pain washed over her, and she slowly closed her eyes. Leader, I havepleted the task you assigned to me. I sacrificed my own life to ensure the happiness of you and the girl you love. A teardrop rolled down from the corner of Cindy''s eye, disappearing between her temples, leaving no trace behind. Just as she had walked through this world, yet no one knew of her existence. Cindy was nothing more than a pawn to be sacrificed. Laboratory. Bailey was in the middle of testing the blood sample. Suddenly, her face turned pale. Artemis was assisting her and, seeing her like this, he quickly asked, ¡°What''s wrong? Is there a problem with the blood sample? It shouldn''t be like this. I arranged the person myself. She saw Kurt take a blood sample from the arm with a syringe right before her eyes. Once she got the blood sample, she immediately brought it back without anyone else handling it in between, so there''s no chance of it being tampered with.¡± Bailey mmed her hand hard on the table, gritting her teeth. ¡°There''s no issue with the blood, nor with the person. The problem is the syringe used to store the blood. Kurt the jerk had poisoned the syringe, so when the blood was drawn, it naturally became contaminated with the toxin. If this blood was used as an enhancer, Julie would die on the spot.¡± Kurt had done such dirty work. ¡°Can''t you neutralize this poison?¡± Bailey could not help butugh, ¡°Only Cameron and I can neutralize this poison. Cameron has returned to the Yablon residence. If the poison is cured, it proves that I am the one who did it. Do you know what this means? It means telling Kurt that I didn''t go to the date, and they captured a decoy instead.¡± Artemis furrowed. ¡°So Kurt is testing you. He wants to verify if who he caught is the real Bailey.¡± ¡°That''s right. It seems this man is not as simple as he appears on the surface. He''s much stronger than his older brother.¡± Artemis patted Bailey¡¯s back gently and asked, ¡°So, what do you n to do? If you don''t neutralize it, you won''t be able to use this enhancer. Without the enhancer, how will you prepare the antidote?¡± Bailey slumped into the chair, saying, ¡°This problem has no solution. I''ll contact Cameronter to see when he cane back.¡± Suburb. Private mansion. Sofie leaned back on the sofa, squinting her eyes as she watched Kurt sitting across from her. ¡°Did Bailey really die?¡± Kurt nodded and said, ¡°I''m not sure, because her death is too easy and might not be that simple. However, don''t worry. I''ve poisoned the enhancer they''ve retrieved. The poison can only be neutralized by Cameron and Bailey. Since Cameron isn''t here now, if the poison in the enhancer is neutralized and the antidote is sessfully formted, it would prove that Bailey is still alive.¡± Sofie chuckled softly. ¡°You''re much more cautious than Tucker. Keep up the good work, and I''ll make you the top poison- crafting expert in Tarragon, ensuring your safety for a lifetime.¡± ¡°Thank you, Ms. Carr. If there''s nothing else, I''ll leave now.¡± ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Sofie hurriedly spoke up, ¡°Go upstairs and meet my daughter. She has prepared a surprise for you.¡± Chapter 814 Chapter 814 Kurt''s eyes suddenly narrowed. He tried his best to avoid the topic, but he still ended up having it pointed at him. He knew this woman was not interested in him just to find a good man for her daughter. Sofie simply wanted to use her own daughter to tie Kurt down, making him work obediently for her. He must be cautious and prudent when dealing with a malicious woman like her, who was even willing to sacrifice her own daughter. Sofie noticed that he did not move. She asked, raising her eyebrows, ¡°What''s the matter, Mr. White? Do you look down on my daughter?¡± Kurt gave a slight nod, concealing the hostility in his eyes. Doesn''t she have any idea in her own mind of what kind of person is her daughter? Zoey was like a vase, treated like a worthless object by Kurt as he rubbed it against the ground, which was something he truly looked down on. Of course, he did not dare to say that, as he still needed to rely on this woman to save his life. ¡°Alright then, allow me to take your time.¡± After saying that, he walked towards the staircase. At that moment, a housekeeper rushed down from the second floor. Her face was full of anxiety. ¡°Ms. Carr, this is terrible. Ms. Shurmer has gone missing.¡± Sofie suddenly sprang up from the couch, her eyes filled with a chilling light. ¡°Useless! You can''t even keep an eye on her. What''s the point of having you here?¡± After speaking, she turned to the bodyguard in a ck suit beside her and ordered, ¡°Drag her away and chop her up to feed the dogs.¡± The housekeeper said in a panic, ¡°Ms. Carr, please spare my life! Please spare my life!¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Sofie strode up the stairs, heading towards the second floor. Kurt let out a coldugh. Even if I want to marry Zoey, she might not be willing to. That¡¯s right. I''m nothing more than a fugitive traitor now, with the Yablon family issuing a warrant for my capture and execution. How would this former daughter of the Shurmer family, who was arrogant and had high standards, ever have her eyes on me? It¡¯s good for her to go missing. Even if she didn''t y the disappearing act, I would still make her back off and give up. On a boulevard, Zoey saw a few bodyguards chasing after her and hurriedly rushed into the bushes. ¡°Over there, hurry up and chase!¡± As Zoey watched them getting farther and farther away from her, her mind suddenly filled with anxiety. Her foot slipped, and she plunged straight toward the ground. At that moment, an arm with iron-like strength wrapped around her waist, whisking her behind arge tree in the blink of an eye. Following that, a pungent, colorless odor began to spread all around the ce. Just as the bodyguards stepped into the bushes, they were driven back by the unbearable stench. ¡°Let''s continue the chase in another ce.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± After several men in ck left, Zoey abruptly broke free from the embrace of the man behind her. In a swift turn, she raised her arm and pped it across his handsome face. Kurt directly grabbed her arm and said coldly, ¡°Don''t think I want to marry you. It''s just that your mother is pushing too hard.¡± Zoey abruptly pulled back her hand. ¡°That''s great. Now, take me away from here. If they catch us, you''ll still have to marry me.¡± Kurt said, ¡°No need for your reminder. But I''m quite curious, what do you n to do after leaving your mother?¡± Zoey pursed her lips and gritted her teeth, saying, ¡°Artemis is already dead, and my heart is shattered too. All I want now is to tear a few pieces of flesh from Bailey''s body to relieve the hatred in my heart.¡± Kurt raised his eyebrows and said, ¡°Bailey has fallen into Tucker''s hands and is being held in his private winery. If you want to deal with her, you can sneak into the winery secretly.¡± He knew Tucker would not kill Bailey because he wanted to turn that woman into his pet, satisfying his twisted desires. However, Bailey killed Kurt''s elder brother, and Kurt must take revenge for this deep-seated blood grudge. It would be unrealistic for him to kill Bailey personally, so he could only rely on someone else''s help. He thought Zoey, who deeply hated Bailey, was a perfect fit for this role. Zoey gritted her teeth and said with her face filled with resentment, ¡°The ce where they''re holding Bailey must be heavily guarded. I''m afraid I won''t even be able to enter the winery entrance if I go alone.¡± Kurt hooked his lips into a smile and said calmly, ¡°I can help you with that. As long as you don''t go back to your mother for now.¡± Zoey''s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she immediately agreed. ¡°Alright, it''s settled then. Arrange for me to enter the winery now. If Bailey doesn''t die, my anger will not subside.¡± Kurt hooked his lips into a smile again. This woman truly believed that she could escape smoothly with her own strength, but in reality, it was all manipted by me secretly. Kurt knew Zoey hated Bailey very much, so he had set up everything in advance. Since he could not kill Bailey himself, he might as well get an outsider''s help. His elder brother had treated him with great kindness, and no amount of profits could stop his vengeful footsteps. At the winery, Tucker finally found satisfaction after a night of wild passion. He propped his head up with one hand,zily lying next to ¡°Bailey.¡± Seeing her gaze nkly at the ceiling above, he could not help showing a wicked smile at the corner of his lips. He said, ¡°If you ask me, you should just follow me obediently from now on. I will promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory. Although I can''t marry you as my legal wife, I can ensure that your life in the future is secure.¡± ¡°Bailey¡± moved her stiffened neck, turning her face slightly away and avoiding Tucker''s gaze. ¡°Bailey¡± replied, ¡°So, it turns out that trying to act tough is no big deal. I thought you were more capable than this, but it looks like this is all you''ve got. I must say, I''m quite disappointed.¡± Tucker''s gaze suddenly turned sharp, and he swiftly reached out to grab her neck. ¡°What do you mean by this? Are you doubting my abilities?¡± ¡°Bailey¡± remained silent, only giving him a disdainful nce. Tucker abruptly clenched his fist tightly. The thing men could not tolerate most was when women questioned their abilities and said they were not good enough. Don''t think just because I take a fancy to you, you can act arrogant in front of me. A canary with broken wings should learn to submit to me, kneeling at my feet and ttering me. ¡°Bailey¡± slowly closed her eyes, neither struggling nor resisting. She let him choke her to death. Seeing her about to take herst breath, Tucker suddenly snapped out of his madness. He saw a relieved smile on her face, which infuriated him, so he fiercely pped her across the cheek. ¡°Wanting to die? Not so easy. Bailey, you haven''t avenged Artemis yet. Can you really be content with dying like this? If I were you, I would live well and look for opportunities to escape. Only after sessfully getting away would I take a bomb and perish together with that old woman, Sofie.¡± ¡°Bailey¡± let out a light cough and slowly opened her eyes. Right, I can''t die. If I die, it will arouse his suspicions. Since, with Bailey''s personality, she would never choose to end her life herself. How could that woman, who refused to admit defeat and resign to her fate, end her life in such a humiliating way? ¡°Bailey¡± said, ¡°Yes, you''re right. I still have revenge to take. Tucker, you wouldn''t want Sofie to divide Tarragon''s power, would you? How about this? Once everything is settled, you will release me when Sofie tries to seize control of half of Tarragon''s power. I''ll take a bomb with me and perish with her together. What do you think?¡± Tucker raised his eyebrows, a glint of excitement shing in his eyes. This is a great idea. He replied, ¡°Okay, I can consider this proposal, but... you have to wait until I''m tired of ying with you before I decide.¡± Chapter 815 Chapter 815 It was not easy to get hold of such a beautiful woman, and Tucker could not bear to let her go so soon. Upon seeing that his attention was sessfully diverted, ¡°Bailey¡± could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. From now on, I must be even more cautious of not revealing any ws, or else it will affect Leader''s actions, and I''ll never be able to atone for my mistake, even with a thousand deaths. Tucker looked at her cold expression, recalling her earlierment that he was incapable. He steeled himself, preparing for another ¡°battle¡± to prove himself and retort her statement. At that moment, the knock on the room''s door interrupted all his actions. Tucker furrowed his eyebrows, and a hint of slight anger shed in his eyes. He covered ¡°Bailey¡± with a nket and picked up the remote control from the table, opening the door. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. He asked, ¡°What is it?¡± The housekeeper respectfully reported, ¡°Mr... Mr. Tucker, the infirmary has sent a message. They said that the woman you sent for stic surgery is having her gauze removed today. They would like you toe and take a look.¡± Just as Tucker was about to refuse, he had a second thought and changed his words. ¡°Let them go ahead to start removing. I''ll be there right away.¡± The housekeeper replied, ¡°Understood.¡± After the housekeeper left, Tucker suddenly leaned in and gave Bailey''s face two quick kisses. ¡°You''re already in my hands anyway, and we can do it anytime. There is no hurry at this moment. Just wait here patiently for me. This winery is surrounded by bodyguards, so there''s no escaping for you. Don''t waste your efforts. If you''re able to please me, maybe I''ll let you go and allow you to take revenge for Artemis.¡± Having said that, Tucker got out of bed and walked toward the dressing room with leisurely steps. ¡°Bailey¡± curled the corner of her lips, revealing a mocking smile. What a useless scumbag,pletely devoted to women. How dare you try topete with Master? How ridiculous! Inside theboratory at the base, Bailey was holding her phone, calling Cameron. From the previous night until this morning, she had called no less than fifty times, but the other party never answered. This time, she also called Cameron with a ¡°try-and-see¡± attitude, and surprisingly, the call got through. ¡°You made fifty calls to me in a single night. Bailey, if you were this attentive before, we would have been together long ago.¡± Bailey replied in a deep voice, ¡°I don''t have time to joke around with you. I got the enhancer yesterday, but...¡± Cameron interrupted, ¡°But the blood is poisonous, so we must detoxify it before using it for the antidote. In their eyes, you''re already dead, so I should be the only one to step in and remove the toxins, right?¡± A hint of surprise crossed Bailey''s face. This guy seems to be well-informed. It looks like there are quite a few informants in this base. Fortunately, Bailey knew the disguise skill. Otherwise, she would not have been able to deceive the spies Sofie and Philip had put inside. Bailey said, ¡°Fine. Since you already know, I won''t keep you in suspense any longer. One question, when can youe back?¡± Cameron spoke bluntly, ¡°I can''t go back for now. Sofie has caused a lot of trouble, and I must solve it personally. However, you don''t need to worry either. I have a friend who can do the detoxification. It would be the same for her to go to you.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows, a glint of light shing in her eyes. She said with a half-smile, ¡°Don''t tell me it''s ze. That woman is not ipatible with you, and you two would fight as soon as you meet. You probably would not have any contact with her.¡± Cameron replied, ¡°Sorry, it really is her.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face grew even more intense, and she could not help but tease, ¡°I didn''t expect you to dare to provoke her. Aren''t you afraid she''ll cling to you again, asking you to marry her...¡± Cameron interrupted, ¡°Shut up. Do you still want me to find someone to help you detoxify?¡± Bailey stifled herughter and said seriously, ¡°Of course, I want that. Once ze arrives in Moranta, have here to my ce with a high profile. I''d like to take this opportunity to tell Sofie and the others that if an antidote is produced, it''s the work of ze and has nothing to do with me.¡± Cameron replied, ¡°Got it.¡± Not long after hanging up, Bailey''s phone rang again. It was a string of unfamiliar numbers. After giving it some thought, she quickly swiped the answer button. ¡°Hello, is this ze?¡± ¡°It''s me. Cameron just contacted me, asking me to help you detoxify. Wait for me one day, and I will definitely appear before you at this time tomorrow.¡± After speaking, she did not wait for Bailey''s response and directly hung up the call. Bailey could not help but chuckle as she listened to the beeping toneing from the phone receiver. As always, ze was full of energy. Having such a woman by Cameron''s side was truly his blessing, and he should cherish her. If someone asked Bailey, she would say that Cameron could not stop thinking about ze because he was simply being bounded by thetter. As time went by, he gradually became fond of her, but it was merely admiration. It was not the so-called love that people often spoke of. Someday, once he figured it out, he would probably know who he truly cared about in his heart. ¡°How''s it going? Have you gotten in touch with Cameron yet?¡± Artemis pushed the door open, holding a tray containing breakfast in his hand. Bailey walked over with leisurely steps and embraced him. She said tearfully, ¡°If it had been me who went to the appointmentst night, I definitely wouldn''t have been able to bear Tucker''s humiliation and would have chosen to end my life in the end.¡± Artemis held her with one hand and said whileforting her, ¡°Don''t overthink. We''re both fine right now. Just cherish every day we have together.¡± Bailey looked up at him andughed, saying, ¡°Cameron invited a woman to help out. Let me tell you a secret. She has been in love with Cameron for many years.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows. That''s great news! If there''s a woman pestering that guy, he won''t have to think about my wife all the time. Artemis replied, ¡°Okay. You should teach her more about how to pursue a man.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face paused for a moment, and she red at Artemis fiercely. ¡°Are you saying that I''m the one chasing after you?¡± Artemis realized he had misspoken and quickly exined, ¡°No, that''s not it. It''s me who had pursued you. But you''re knowledgeable and experienced, so you should be able toe up with some good ideas to help her pursue Cameron, that jerk.¡± Bailey gave him a cold nce and said lightly, ¡°You''re quite ridiculous, aren''t you? Why should men make things difficult for each other?¡± Artemis stayed silent. Bailey let out a wordless sigh and added, ¡°If possible, I hope that Cameron, Edmund, Fu Rong, and Raiden can all find their significant others.¡± Tucker strode into the infirmary, feeling refreshed. When he saw the woman sitting by the bed, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. It''s alike. It''s just so alike. It¡¯s as if the face is made from the same mold. One of the doctors said, ¡°Mr. Tucker, are you satisfied with what you see?¡± Tuckerughed heartily and said, ¡°Yes, very. I''m very satisfied! This has exceeded my expectations. All of you are truly the top international stic surgery team, and you didn''t let me down.¡± The doctor asked, ¡°So, about the expenses...¡± Tucker waved his hand. ¡°Go find my bodyguard for it.¡± The doctor replied, ¡°Understood.¡± After several doctors left the room, Tucker paced over to the bedside. He said with a sinister smile, ¡°Since things hade to this point, you should havepletely given up hope, right? Listen to me obediently. If you can manage to save your life from Shaun, I will arrange a good ce for you to stay in the future, and you can have a good life and end.¡± Astrid slowly clenched her fist and imitated Caridee''s voice, saying, ¡°From now on, I am Caridee.¡± ¡°Haha, good. Very good. A wise man needs to know when to act and adapt to situations. My demands are not high. All you need to do is find a way to stabilize the emotions of that useless Shaun.¡± Astrid replied, ¡°Understood.¡± Back at the winery, Zoey, who was dressed in a housekeeper outfit, sneaked into the bedroom. Seeing ''Bailey'' tied to the bed in a humiliating position, she burst intoughter. Chapter 816 Chapter 816 I never thought she would have such a day. it''s really invigorating. I initially wanted to kill this wretched woman directly but after seeing her miserable state now, I changed my mind. How easy is it to die. With a single stab, her life will be ended instantly. The difficulty lies in living a life worse than death. Seeing her in such a pitiful and humiliated state now, I actually hope that she will live a few more years and not die so soon. After she was doneughing, she slowly walked to the bedside and looked down at the immobilized ¡°Bailey¡± lying on the bed. Her eyes filled with the pleasure of revenge like a mad woman. Seeing the woman appear before her in such a miserable state excited her more than having Artemis in her pocket. ¡°Wow, isn''t this the famous Boss Bailey? What happened? Your man died, and you''ve got no one to rely on anymore, so you''ve been reduced to... drugs?¡± ¡°Bailey¡± looked at her coldly and said in a low voice, ¡°You can kill me. Today is the best opportunity.¡± ¡°Bailey¡± didn''t know who this woman was, but judging by her tone, she must be an enemy of Bailey, the kind of enemy who harbored deep hatred. To avoid her seeing through the deception, it''s best to speak less. ¡°Kill you?¡± Zoey suddenly leaned in. Gripping her victim''s chin tightly and said through gritted her teeth, ¡°That''s right, I really do want to kill you. I, Zoey, wish I could skin you alive, tear your muscles apart, and grind your bones to dust. That was precisely my purpose foring here. But now, after seeing you in this pathetic state, I''ve changed my mind.¡± Zoey continued, ¡°Just keep lying here and constantly get screwed by men. This is the best fate for you. Death will be too easy for you.¡± So she is Zoey, the imposter who took Bailey''s ce and enjoyed life like a princess. I was wondering why this woman has such a strong hostility toward Bailey. It turns out she was the fool who had been humiliated by Bailey and had no choice but to flee in disgrace. With a forceful jerk, ¡°Bailey¡± broke free from Zoey''s grip. The former slowly turned her face away and coldly said, ¡°If you don''t want to kill me, then get lost.¡± Upon seeing ¡°Bailey¡± still acted in an imperious manner despite being tortured like this, Zoey''s anger surged instantly. How can this woman still be so arrogant when she''s clearly already stuck in a quagmire? She shouldn''t be so arrogant. She really shouldn''t. In Zoey''s understanding, ¡°Bailey¡± should be bowing down and begging Zoey to save her, instead of looking down on Zoey and ignoring Zoey like this. ¡°You wretched woman, how dare you boss me around. Who are you to tell me to get lost?¡± After saying that, Zoey fiercely pped her victim''s face several times. Watching ¡°Bailey¡± unable to do anything but endure her beating and scolding, Zoey burst into uncontrobleughter once again. ¡°Haha, after your man''s death, you''ve be nothing but a ything. Bailey, your life is even worse than a dog''s.¡± ¡°Bailey¡± ignored Zoey, letting thetter vent her frustrations on ¡°Bailey¡± like a shrew. After venting her frustrations, Zoey copsed on the edge of the bed as she murmured, ¡°We fought so hard with each other but what did we gain in the end? Looking at you and then at myself, it turns out that we are nothing more than pawns being toyed with by fate. I originally wanted to kill you but now I truly believe that it''s better for you to live like this.¡± After saying that, Zoey got up and walked toward the door. If Tucker treated Bailey like a princess, then today I will surely drive a knife into Bailey''s heart. And yet, after seeing Tucker tie ¡°Bailey¡± up to the bed so that she could be the object of his obscenity whenever and wherever he wanted, Zoey felt that this should be the ultimate fate of ¡°Bailey¡±. Just as Zoey reached the door, it seemed like she thought of something. Suddenly excited, she swiftly turned around and dashed back to the bedside. ¡°There are many people out there who covet you, and they''ve never seen you like this. How about I take a few photos, send them out, and let them fight over you? Then you can switch to a new sugar daddy and continue to serve them. What do you think?¡± The thought of ¡°Bailey¡± being snatched and fought over like a mere object and got trampled all over, filled Zoey with such excitement that her entire body trembled uncontrobly. She quickly took out her phone from her pocket and began taking pictures of the ¡°Bailey¡± enthusiastically. The true identity of ¡°Bailey¡± was actually Cindy. Cindy''s heart suddenly sank. If these photos are leaked, the news of Bailey''s survival will spread. In this way, all the efforts made by Leader before will be in vain. ¡°Don''t shoot, don''t shoot.¡± Cindy struggled as she tried to sit up. Her hands and feet were bound by iron chains, making it impossible for her to move. Agitated, her tears began to stream down her face. Zoey didn''t know Cindy''s true inner thoughts and just assumed thetter was starting to feel anxious when the photos of her nudes were being taken. ¡°What''s this? The all-powerful Boss Bailey is scared? The more frightened you are, the happier I am. It just proves that I''ve found your weak spot. Haha.¡± After saying that, Zoey put away her phone and left the room whileughing heartily. In a desperate struggle, Cindy''s wrists were rubbed raw by the iron chains, yet she continued to persevere. However, it was impossible for human strength to break free from chains as thick as fingers. Cindy could do nothing but watched helplessly as Zoey disappeared from her sight. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Twenty minutester, Tucker returned from the clinic. As soon as he got out of the car, he went straight to the master bedroom. Seeing Cindy lying obediently in bed, he chuckled lightly and said, ¡°I should have arranged for two maids to help you freshen up and feed you some food. I left in such a hurry. I hope my darling didn''t go hungry. How about Ie and feed you myself, and make sure you''re ''well-fed''?¡± After saying that, he started to unbutton his shirt. Judging by his action, it seemed he was trying to seek pleasure in Cindy. Cindy said with a cold tone, ¡°Someone just came to visit me earlier. She even took a picture of me, iming that she will post it online. I think it won''t be long before your fatheres to kill you, so you''d better think about how to exin yourself to him.¡± Tucker''s hand paused from unbuttoning his shirt, and realization dawned upon him the next second. He quickly rushed in front of Cindy, grabbed her chin, and gritted his teeth as he asked, ¡°Who came in?¡± ¡°Zoey. Oh, that''s right. Zoey is Sofie''s daughter. If Zoey tells Sofie that I''m not dead, I''m afraid you won''t be able to hide me as your lover anymore.¡± ¡°Damn it,¡± Tucker cursed under his breath. He abruptly pushed her away and strode toward the door. As he walked, he shouted, ¡°Gather everyone to search for Zoey secretly. We must catch her before she takes action.¡± A voice responded at the door, followed by a series of footsteps. As Cindy watched the back view of Tucker, who had left in a hurry, she couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Hopefully, it''s not toote, and that woman, Zoey doesn''t send her photos out. I am not afraid that I''m exposed like this, nor I am afraid of countless men seeing me in this state... My only fear is that Master''s n is ruined by me. Cindy''s loyalty and admiration were just that humble. To Kurt''s utter surprise, he never expected Zoey''s train of thought to be so unconventional; she didn''t follow his script at all. So when Tucker called him and said that Zoey had fled after taking pictures of ¡°Bailey¡±, Kurt felt as if he had shot himself in the foot. ¡°What an idiot...¡± Chapter 817 Chapter 817 Zoey did not kill Bailey, despite the fact that she was lying in front of her. Instead, she insisted on taking photos to expose Bailey. Isn''t she afraid that Bailey might take advantage of this opportunity to turn the tables? That''s why Zoey couldn''t beat Bailey in the past¡ªshe was too foolish. I have to track down this fool before Tucker does. Otherwise, if she fell into Tucker''s hands, she would definitely expose me, saying that I instigated her to assassinate Bailey at the winery. By then, Tucker would surely turn against me, and I would lose the support of the Hoffman family. In the back garden of the research base, Lindsey was tiptoeing through the flower bushes when she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. Instinctively, she wanted to cry out in surprise. The other party reached out to cover her mouth, lowered their voice, and said, ¡°Ms. Carter, don''t be afraid. I''m the one who asked you to meet me here.¡± Hearing that, Lindsey quickly nodded in agreement. After the other party withdrew their hand, she immediately turned around. ¡°Mr. Warren? Aren''t you the person in charge of the base?¡± Speaking of that, she widened her eyes instantly. ¡°So you are not working for the Shurmer family, but for the Hoffman family?¡± Nichs Warren said nonchntly, ¡°People always strive for a better life. Whichever side offers me more benefits, that''s who I''ll work for. Ms. Carter, this isn''t the issue you should be focusing on. I received a task from Mr. Hoffman. He asked me to investigate whether Bailey was really dead or not. After much thought, I believe that you are the most suitable person to look into this matter.¡± A hint of surprise shed in Lindsey''s eyes. ¡°I heard that Bailey left for the appointmentst night and never returned because she was killed. Why do I have to find out if she is alive or dead? Don''t tell me that she cane back to life. Besides, I have no connections to the base, so how can I even conduct an investigation?¡± Nichs nodded. ¡°Mr. Hoffman just wants to be more certain. Besides, Ms. Carter, isn''t your reason for being here to take Bailey''s life as well? Well, we can work together. You help me investigate the situation thoroughly, and if Bailey really isn''t dead, we can strike again, making sure she dies for good this time.¡± ¡°All right. Where should I look it up?¡± Lindsey inquired. ¡°Ms. Caridee is at the base, isn''t she? Try to get close to her and see if you can gather some useful information from her,¡± Nichs suggested. Lindsey''s eyes lit up in an instant. ¡°That''s a great idea! Caridee might know whether Bailey is really dead or not. Let''s do it this way. Wait for my news.¡± ¡°All right.¡± At the same time, inside theboratory, Bailey had already neutralized the toxin in the enhancer and was now working on creating an antidote for Bloodlust. Once ze arrived the next day, she would exin that she was the one who neutralized the toxin and prepared the antidote. ¡°Bay...¡± Artemis walked in from outside and said gravely, ¡°The situation might have changed. I''m afraid we can''t keep the news of your survival from Philip and Sofie anymore.¡± Bailey tilted her head and looked at him, asking puzzledly, ¡°Did something happen again?¡± ¡°The informant I ced at Tucker''s ce reported that Zoey went to his winery, took a photo of the suicide attacker who was impersonating you, and is preparing to upload the photo so that people all around the world can see your...¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Bailey sneered coldly. ¡°Only a fool like Zoey would do such a stupid thing. No one else could pull that off. If I were to guess, it must have been Kurt who instigated her to do it. Considering the various forces backing me, he didn''t dare to kill me, fearing that it would stir up trouble and ultimately lead to him being besieged. But after all, I killed Cadence, so it was inevitable that he would want to take revenge for his brother. Since he couldn''t do it himself, he had to rely on someone else. That''s why he arranged for Zoey to enter Tucker''s winery. It''s such a pity that Zoey, that fool, is simply a lost cause. The person is right in front of her, yet she doesn''t kill them to eliminate future troubles. Kurt really shot himself in the foot this time. His secret n with Tucker to put ¡°Bailey¡± into a fake death state is about to be discovered by Philip and Sofie.¡± Upon seeing her analyze the situation so clearly, Artemis couldn''t help butugh and say, ¡°You''re really getting smarter and smarter, being able to think of all this. Once the photos are released by Zoey, Sofie and Philip will know that you aren''t dead, and the situation might change. How can you not be worried at all?¡± Bailey was somewhat speechless. ¡°What''s the rush? The suicide attacker who''s impersonating me hasn''t been exposed yet, right? Don''t worry. When the timees, it won''t be us who suffer, but Tucker and Kurt. Philip will teach them a harsh lesson. To be honest, Zoey''s meddling has actually caused Kurt and Sofie to drift apart. There will definitely be major conflicts within their group.¡± Artemis reached out and hugged her. ¡°My wife is too smart. What should I do with you?¡± Baileyzily leaned against him and said in a coquettish tone, ¡°Hubby, I don''t want to deal with these annoying matters anymore. I''ll leave them all to you to handle.¡± Hearing that, Artemis reached out and pinched her nose, his voice low and husky, saying, ¡°All right, I''ll handle it. You should have been prepared for this a long time ago.¡± Bailey looked up at him. Noticing that hisplexion was quite healthy, she quickly reached out to check his pulse. ¡°Has all the remaining toxin in your body been removed?¡± Artemis gave a faint smile and replied, ¡°Yes. Cameron gave me theplete dose before he left. After taking it, I was cured. He probably didn''t want you to face the dangers ahead, so he kindly healed me, allowing me to shoulder this burden.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face became brighter. ¡°Well, now I can rest assured and leave everything for you to handle. Artemis, after we settle things with Sofie and Philip, how about we go to Illurasia and register our marriage?¡± The marriage duration in Illurasia was a hundred years, and she thought that he should understand her intentions. ¡°Understood. I''ll listen to you,¡± he replied. ¡°Hehe.¡± Inside a bar in Xemrich, Kurt barged into a private room while dragging Zoey with him. After mming the door shut, he roughly threw her onto the couch. Zoey felt dizzy and disoriented after the fall, unable to recover for a moment. Kurt looked at the few provocative photos on her phone, originally wanting to smash it to pieces on the ground. On second thought, he held himself back. He felt that using those photos of Bailey to provoke Cameron seemed like a good idea. That guy really likes Bailey, doesn''t he? Making him see Bailey in such a humiliated state should be a form of torture too. ¡°Idiot! I told you to kill Bailey, but you wasted such a good opportunity and almost got me killed too. It seems like you''re asking for death.¡± Zoey suddenly came to a realization and asked with a surprised look on her face, ¡°How did you know where I was? You even managed to find me at the inte cafe.¡± She was filled with hatred. After all, she was just one step away from uploading those photos to the inte. Kurt coldly red at her and sneered. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. ¡°Do you really think I, a top poison-crafting expert who is on par with Cameron, am just for show? Before, when you came into contact with me, you picked up my scent. My poisonous mouse can track it down. Since you couldn''tplete the task, only death awaits you.¡± After saying that, he approached her with a gloomy face. Zoey was terrified by his fearsome appearance and stumbled forward, hugging his thigh. ¡°Please don''t kill me. I promise I''ll obey your orders this time and kill Bailey. Just give me one more chance.¡± Chapter 818 Chapter 818 Kurt looked at the woman kneeling at his feet, his eyes filled with disgust. This fool really thinks she''s so capable. Attempt to kill Bailey again? What makes her think she can still get close to Bailey? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. After all, she just wasted a great opportunity. He did not think twice about setting up for her to enter the winery, even at the cost of revealing his spies there, but all she was able to do was snap a few pictures and bring them back. It was a pity that the special agents he had painstakingly ced to monitor Tucker were wasted just like that. Their identities were exposed in an effort to support Zoey, and Tucker eliminated them all at once. If only Bailey had died, the loss of those elites would have been worth something. However, Bailey didn''t die because of that foolish woman who did foolish things, and he ended up suffering a double loss. The next instant, a pping sound could be heard. Kurt raised his hand and forcefully pped Zoey across the face. With a flick of his wrist, a poisonous pill appeared at the tip of his fingers. He nned to poison her and then burn down the bar in a zing fire. Zoey''s head was knocked to the side, and she caught a glimpse of the pill in his hand. Realizing that he intended to kill her, she trembled violently. Ignoring the fear and disregarding the eerie aura emanating from him, she reached out once again and hugged his thigh. ¡°I''m still useful to you. You can''t kill me. At the very least, you can use me to threaten my mother and make her work for you.¡± Kurt seemed to have heard a hrious joke and burst into heartyughter. ¡°Who do you think you are? Your mother is cold-hearted and ruthless. She can betray anyone, including you, her own daughter. Do you think that by capturing you, I can exploit her weakness? The answer is no. In her eyes, you mean nothing. If I were to kill you, she wouldn''t even care.¡± Hearing that, Zoey became anxious. He was right. Sofie didn''t care even a little bit about her at all. The sole reason Sofie returned to Hallsbay to help her was to use her to win over Artemis, because by controlling Artemis, Sofie could achieve her goal of controlling Tarragon. However, the n failed, and the reason Sofie rescued her and took her abroad was solely to use her to cause trouble for Artemis and Bailey. Now that Artemis was dead and Bailey was incapacitated, she no longer had any value to her mother in terms of maniption or exploitation. Abandoning her seemed to be an inevitable course of action for Sofie. ¡°I hate Bailey. I can help you kill her, so keeping me around is useful. Think of it as raising a loyal dog. What do you say?¡± A hint of a mischievous grin shed across Kurt''s face. ¡°I''m studying a toxin and just happen to need a vector. Since you don''t want to die, why not be my living specimen for my poison-crafting?¡± ¡°No.¡± Zoey''s pupils constricted slightly, and she suddenly sprang up from the ground, preparing to dash toward the door. Seeing that, Kurt let out a coldugh, swiftly executed a leg sweep, and sessfully knocked her down. Zoey''s face was filled with fear as she pleaded, ¡°Then you might as well kill me. I beg you. Please just kill me instead. I don''t want to endure that endless torment. Rather than living a life worse than death, I''d prefer to die instantly.¡± Kurt leaned in and whispered in her ear, ¡°You have no choice.¡± With that said, he reached out and struck her on the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious in an instant. She''s right about one thing. She hates Bailey and can assist me in killing Bailey. If she were turned into a poisonous person, not only could she kill Bailey, but she could also be used to kill Sofie, as well as Philip and his son, and then I could reap the benefits. The people sent out by Tucker searched all night, but in the end, they still couldn''t find Zoey. Inside the study of the winery, a crisp, crackling sound spread throughout the room. In a fit of rage, Tucker swept the coffee cup off the table. ¡°Useless, all of you are useless! You all can''t even locate a weak woman? You''ve been searching all night, and you still can''t find her? What on earth are you all doing?¡± His personal bodyguard nervously spoke up. ¡°We have control over the entire publicwork in Moranta. As soon as she uploads a photo to the inte, we''ll be able to detect it immediately. In this city, she has no acquaintances other than her mother. We have also deployed people near Ms. Carr''s residence to keep watch. As soon as she appears, we will be able to capture her immediately.¡± Tucker picked up his phone and threw it at his personal bodyguard. ¡°Idiot! I can only bepletely at ease once you''ve caught the woman, understand?¡± ¡°Yes! I''ll intensify my investigation today and make sure to uncover where she''s hiding.¡± Tucker''s anger intensified when he heard that. He grabbed the ashtray, wine bottle, and other items from the table and hurled them toward the bodyguard. ¡°Why are you making such a bigmotion? Are you trying to let my father know that Bailey isn''t dead yet?¡± ¡°No! That''s not what I meant. Please calm down.¡± Hearing that, Tucker angrily said, ¡°Secure the publicwork and keep an eye on Sofie''s residence. As soon as Zoey shows up, kill her immediately.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Abruptly, Tucker sprang up from the couch. He was now filled with pent-up anger, desperately needing a ce to vent, and ¡°Bailey¡± was the perfect target. If the photos weren''t posted online, it would be fine. But once they were released, his father would definitelye over to kill Bailey. Therefore, before the matter came to light, he decided to take the opportunity to mess with her. Inside the infirmary of the base, Caridee was leaning against the head of the bed, answering a video call. It was a call from Felicity. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. ¡°Caridee, how has Bailey beentely?¡± Caridee pouted and felt speechless. ¡°Mom, you really are biased. I''m severely injured, but you don''t even ask about me. The first thing you do is worry about Bailey.¡± She spoke with some difficulty, likely due to the injury on her tongue. Felicity sighed quietly. In just a few days, she had lost a significant amount of weight. ¡°Bailey has had a tough life, carrying so much burden on her shoulders. And now, Artemis is...¡± As she spoke, Felicity began to shed tears again. Caridee''s expression gradually turned sorrowful, and she said with a heavy heart, ¡°Bailey said that after she kills Sofie, she will bring Artemis'' ashes back to Hallsbay. However, I haven''t seen her for two days, and she hasn''te to visit me either. Maybe something has held her up. Next time shees to the ward, I''ll have her call you. Don''t be too sad. The deceased is not with us anymore. It was Artemis'' fate.¡± ¡°I know. Initially, I wanted Simon to pick you up, but now the family is in such a mess, and your father can''t handle it all. As a result, Simon needs to step up and take responsibility, so he couldn''t make it. After some time, I''ll go to Moranta with your father to bring you and Bailey back, along with Artemis'' ashes.¡± When Caridee realized that Felicity was about to cry again, she quickly piped up, ¡°All right. It''s settled, then. I''m tired, so I''ll hang up now. Please take care of yourself.¡± After saying that, she immediately ended the video call. At that moment, the door to the ward burst open, and Lindsey rushed in from outside. Caridee squinted at her, a look of displeasure slowly forming on her face. Lindsey was Shaun''s biological sister. Chapter 819 Chapter 819 Lindsey was also Veikko''s half-sister, as they shared the same father but had different mothers. Unfortunately, though they were from the same family, their destinies differ. While Shaun and Lindsey lived under the protection of their family, Veikko struggled forward amidst the terror. The beloved young man Caridee cherished had endured everything, all thanks to the Carter family. The last person she wanted to see right then was the descendant of the Carter family. ¡°What are you here for? Lindsey, don''t waste your efforts. Bailey won''t treat your brother because... Forget it! It''s not my ce as a bystander toment on past grudges and resentments. In short, Bailey won''t go and save your brother.¡± Lindsey rushed to the bedside and said anxiously, ¡°I heard from Shaun that Bailey is dead. It was Mr. Philip and Sofie who joined forces to kill her. Caridee, is... Is that true?¡± Caridee''s pupils contracted intensely twice. When she recovered her senses, her expression changed drastically. She suddenly pushed Lindsey away. ¡°What are you up to? Bailey is alive and well. I just saw her the day before yesterday. How can you curse her to die? If she dies, your whole family will be dead too.¡± Lindsey lowered her head, and a hint of gloom flickered in her eyes. Is this fool still clueless about Bailey''s ident? Does that mean she has been left out by them? In that case, how can I still get any useful information from her? ¡°Caridee, listen to me. Shaun called me and told me to go home. He said Bailey has already passed away, and there''s no point for me to stay here.¡± ¡°Then go back! Get lost!¡± Caridee roared at Lindsey, ¡°All of you from the Carter family are malicious and cunning. I won''t believe a single word you say.¡± After speaking, Caridee got off the bed, limping as she hurried toward the door. Lindsey reached out and grabbed her, cing a listening device that was held between her fingers onto Caridee''s sleeve. Lindsey knew Caridee, the fool, would go to Zeke to find out about the situation. Perhaps she could glean some clues, evidence, or trail from the conversation between the two. If Bailey is really dead, then everyone will be overjoyed. If she didn''t die, I''ll continue to lurk here and wait for the perfect opportunity. Caridee stumbled and fumbled her way to the Luther residence. Zeke received the news and came out to greet her. ¡°Zeke, did something happen to Bailey?¡± Zeke frowned. The news of Bailey''s death did not spread to the public. Sofie and Philip both concealed the news of Bailey''s death, clearly not wanting it to spread and be widely known, which would attract the outsiders'' attention to Moranta. At that moment, Zeke wondered how Caridee found out about it. ¡°Caridee, how did you find out about it?¡± Caridee did not answer but looked at Zeke with an anxious face. She cried and pleaded, ¡°Zeke, please tell me the truth. If not, I''ll break down.¡± Upon seeing her like that, Zeke realized she was definitely on the verge of a breakdown. But can I really tell her the truth? A hint of hesitation shed across Zeke''s eyes. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Last night, Bailey secretly went to get the enhancer without telling me. When I found out, I chased after her, but I lost track of her. Later, the female bodyguard who went out with Bailey returned with the enhancer and informed us that Bailey had fallen into the hands of Sofie and her gang.¡± Zeke continued, ¡°I don''t know whether she''s dead or alive right now. I''ve already sent all my subordinates to investigate, but we haven''t received any definite news yet.¡± Caridee felt a sudden wave of dizziness and staggered backward. ¡°Did something happen? Did something really happen to her? That is impossible! She is so capable. How can she die so easily? In my eyes, she has always been strong.¡± Zeke quickly reached out and wrapped his arm around Caridee''s waist, carrying her in his arms. As he approached her, the anti-tracking device on him started to vibrate more intensely. It meant that there was a listening device on Caridee. Fortunately, Zeke did not let his guard down out of sympathy for her. Otherwise, the n would have been exposed. ¡°Caridee, please prepare for the worst. In a way, it''s not so bad. Since Artemis'' death, Bailey has been living a life worse than death. If something unfortunate happens to her, it''ll be a relief to her.¡± Carideey in his arms and began to sob uncontrobly. ¡°She''s your biological sister. How can you say that so heartlessly?¡± Suppressing his pain intentionally, Zeke trembled as he spoke. ¡°It''s exactly because she''s my dear sister that I can''t bear to see her living like a walking corpse. As for their enemies, Veikko, Simon, and I will join forces to avenge them. Caridee, let''s face reality together.¡± Caridee cried even more brokenheartedly. ¡°I don''t want to! I just can''t ept it!¡± Caridee cried, her voice trembling with anguish. On the other side, after listening to the conversation between the two, Lindsey could not discern any information. So, is Bailey really dead? Caridee, after all, was their close rtive. If Bailey did not die, Zeke would not have kept it a secret from the former, seeing how heartbroken she was. With Zeke''s repeated emphasis on Bailey''s death, it should be epted as the truth that she had indeed passed away. Lindsey really wanted to be friends with Bailey, but when it involved her happiness, she could not help but wish for thetter''s death. Bay, please don''t me me. I really can''t live without Edmund. I love him! At the winery, Tucker was still working in the room. Kurt satfortably on the couch in the first-floor living room, holding a ss of red wine and savoring it leisurely. Tucker''s personal bodyguard was situated across from him, providing updates on thetest developments. The bodyguard had no choice but to do so because it seemed Tucker had gone mad. He had been torturing Bailey all morning upstairs without showing his face. So the bodyguard dared not to disturb him. ¡°Mr. White, that''s the current situation. I suspect Zoey has already realized that we''ve set up an intricate trap, so she doesn''t dare to show up.¡± ¡°All right, just continue to stand guard and ensure there are no slip-ups. We absolutely cannot let Zoey spread the news of Bailey''s survival. Otherwise, your Mr. Tucker will skin you alive.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes! I know, I know.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Beep! Kurt''s phone started ringing. He retrieved the phone and nced at it. A special push notification popped up on the screen. The infamous Poison Lady, ze, has arrived in Moranta this morning, but her purpose remains unknown. Kurt suddenly sprang up from the sofa. It could be said that ze''s fame was so great that it struck one''s ears like the roar of thunder. Why did shee to Moranta? Upon seeing Kurt''s agitation, the bodyguard quickly asked, ¡°Mr. White, did something happen?¡± Kurt did not answer, suddenly gripping his phone tightly. Did Cameron entrust ze to neutralize the poison in the enhancer? How could I miss her out? ze was the only one who could neutralize that toxin, apart from Bailey and Cameron. ¡°No worries! It seems like the heavens won''t let Juliana, that little girl, die. Someone hase to save her.¡± The bodyguard remained silent. At the entrance of the base camp, Zeke looked at the woman in front of him, who was dressed in ck leather from head to toe. He raised an eyebrow as he asked, ¡°Are you ze? Did Cameron invite you here?¡± The young woman had a shoulder bag slung across her back. With a mischievous smile, she said, ¡°In this world, apart from Cam, no one else can persuade me to do anything. Enough nonsense! Bring me to do the detoxification. Once it''s done, I have to go back and ask Cam for a reward. Don''t waste my time.¡± Zeke sized ze up and felt she was indeed a good match for Cameron because even their intonation when speaking was also the same. Chapter 820 Chapter 820 In theboratory, ze narrowed her eyes as she gazed at Bailey, whose face had undergone a transformation, and she fell into deep thought. This person''s aura was quite unique, giving her a sense of familiarity. Bailey chuckled softly and jokingly said, ¡°What? You don''t recognize me just because I''ve changed my appearance?¡± ze''s eyes widened, and her face was full of disbelief. ¡°Are... Are you Bailey? You''re not dead? No way. My investigation showed that you were killed by Mr. Philip and his son.¡± Upon saying that, she suddenly stopped talking. She reached out to pinch Bailey''s cheek and realized something. ¡°Did you use a disguise skill to find a substitute to die in your ce? You cunning woman. No wonder Cameron was defeated by you back then. You''re truly crafty. Aren''t you afraid I''ll expose the fact that you are still alive?¡± Bailey shook his head and smiled. She leaned close to her ear and whispered, ¡°I can help you win Cameron''s heart, but first, you have to do a few things for me.¡± ze was about to say ¡°no need.¡± However, the heart was much more honest than the mouth. Those two words lingered between her lips for quite a while, but in the end, she swallowed them back. She liked Cameron. She had liked him for countless years. However, that guy didn''t like her, and instead, he spent every day studying Bailey''s portrait. She knew he admired Bailey. ze responded, ¡°Help me win Cameron''s heart? Bailey, can you stop being a hypocrite? I don''t believe that you don''t know Cameron likes you. You know very well that he has feelings for you, yet you push him toward me. Should I call you a two-faced saint? Or should I say you are heartless?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle and calmly said, ¡°My heart is already upied by another man. I''m afraid there''s no room for him. If I were to monopolize him like that, wouldn''t it be like having my feet in two boats? That would make me worse than being a two-faced saint or heartless woman.¡± ze gradually suppressed the anger on her face. She tilted her head to look at Bailey and coldly snorted, ¡°Artemis is already dead. You can move on and find someone else to love. I think Cameron is quite outstanding and more than a match for you. If only I were a bit smarter, I wouldn''t have been deceived by you. Instead, I would have killed you directly.¡± After saying that, she raised her hand, and a stream of ck mist surged straight toward Bailey. Bailey didn''t move, allowing the poisonous scent to enter her nostrils. ¡°Aren''t you afraid of death?¡± ze furrowed her brow and asked. Bailey shook her head and smiled bitterly, saying, ¡°Since Artemis is gone, I no longer care about life and death. The only reason I have been struggling to survive is simply to avenge him. Once my wish is fulfilled, I''ll go with him. Little girl, if you really like Cameron, I can help you. He''s one of the few friends I have, and I hope he can find his true love.¡± ze chuckled softly and took out a bottle from her pocket, tossing it to Bailey. ¡°Here''s the antidote. Hurry up and take it. I find you quite interesting, so I''ll trust you this time. I won''t utter a single word about what I saw today to anyone. Just tell me what you want me to do for you. As long as it''s within my capabilities, I won''t decline.¡± Bailey reached out and patted her shoulder, trying to comfort her. ¡°Cameron''s feelings for me are just admiration, not romantic affection. You still have a great chance, so don''t give up easily. I have already prepared the antidote for Bloodlust. I''d like to ask you to personally go to the Hoffman residence and feed it to my disciple. I don''t want to entrust this task to anyone else. If they ask who made the antidote, just say it was you. If possible, I hope you can find a way to get my disciple out of there.¡± ze slightly narrowed her eyes. After a moment of silence, she suddenly realized something. ¡°I get it now. You''re using me as a pawn. Mr. Philip and his people believe you''re dead. If you send the antidote, it would be like confessing your involvement. What a cunning fellow you are, Bailey. You''re truly filled with devious schemes. Not to mention one of me, even ten wouldn''t be a match for you. Aren''t you afraid I''ll inform Mr. Philip that you''re still alive?¡± Bailey shook his head with a smile. ¡°Since I dare to tell you, I''m not afraid of you betraying me. It''s because Cameron trusts you that I called you for help. If you truly like Cameron and want a happy ending with him, you won''t set me up. After all, if you do so, it means pushing Cameron awaypletely.¡± ze snorted twice. She gritted her teeth and said, ¡°You really know how to manipte people''s hearts. Fine. I''ll help you this time, but you''d better not forget your promise just now.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I hope Cameron gets better too, and you''re the only person who can make him better,¡± Bailey replied. ze was at a loss for words. Inside the infirmary of a private mansion in the suburbs, Shaun''s body had almost fully recovered after several days of rest. However, his genitals didn''t healpletely, so he might not be able to engage with women sexually for the rest of his life. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. ¡°Has that jerk been up to anything these past few days?¡± Shaun asked. ¡°Mr. Carter, he has been staying at the Saviors branch all this time. There hasn''t been any other activity, but...¡± At that point, the bodyguard suddenly stopped talking. Shaun red at him fiercely and gritted his teeth. ¡°Just spit it out. Don''t beat around the bush. I''ve been holding in my anger and haven''t found a ce to vent it yet. Do you want me to chop you up and feed you to the dogs?¡± The bodyguard''s voice trembled as he spoke. ¡°Mrs. Carter and Mr. Noah have gone missing. Old Mrs. Carter is extremely anxious. She urgently requests that you send someone to investigate.¡± Shaun sprung up from the bed abruptly. Perhaps he exerted too much force, he identally pulled at the recently removed stitches, causing intense pain that forced him to fall back down. The way he plopped down was excruciatingly painful, causing him to cry out in pain. However, he couldn''t care about all that now. His wife and son suddenly went missing, and he refused to believe that it had nothing to do with that jerk. ¡°It''s him. He must have kidnapped Meredith and our son. Investigate it. Deploy personnel to investigate right away.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the bodyguard responded. Just then, the door to the ward was pushed open, and Tucker walked in from outside. When he saw Shaun sitting on the edge of the bed and well-dressed, he quickly said, ¡°Mr. Carter, you''re truly blessed and fortunate. You''ve recovered so quickly. Seeing that you''re already healed, I can finally be at ease.¡± Shaun red at him and asked coldly, ¡°Which eye of yours saw me fully recovered? Tucker, you previously promised me multiple times that you would bring Caridee to me. So where is she now? Where is she? Why haven''t I even caught a glimpse of her? Don''t tell me you thought I was finished, so you tried to fool me like an idiot?¡± Tucker hastily smiled and said, ¡°No. Your matters are my matters. I may forget everything else, but I''ll never forget you. Don''t worry. In just two or three days, everything will be settled. By then, I will definitely bring you a stunning and enchanting beauty.¡± Shaun sneered coldly. As he was just about to make a biting remark, Lindsey suddenly rushed in from outside. ¡°Shaun, Bailey is really dead. I''m certain that she is truly gone.¡± Shaun''s face suddenly darkened, and he looked at her with a menacing gaze. ¡°Didn''t I tell you to stay hidden in the base? How dare you take matters into your own hands and sneak out?¡± Lindsey burst into tears immediately upon being yelled at like that. ¡°But... But Bailey is already dead. Why should I stay there?¡± Shaun grabbed the ss from the bedside table and forcefully smashed it against her forehead. Chapter 821 Chapter 821 Lindsey was not very agile, her reactions slow. Before she could even make her next move, a ss cup had already struck her forehead. She instinctively reached out to touch her forehead and felt a sticky sensation. ¡°Shaun, I told you Bailey is dead. Why did you hit me?¡± Livid, Shaun pointed at her and raged, ¡°You fool. Do you really think I wanted you to deal with Bailey? Who do you think you are? Are you even capable enough topete with Bailey? I sent you to theb to lure Caridee out so we could capture her in one fell swoop. What are you doing back here when the task isn''t finished yet? All I did was hit you in the forehead. Why are you acting all pitiful here? Get back there right this instance!¡± Lindsey looked at her brother with teary eyes, her voice trembling as she said, ¡°Y-You never wanted to help me from the very beginning. You were just using me to lure Caridee out. How could you treat me like a pawn? I''m your own little sister. How could you do this to me?¡± Impatience gleamed in Shaun''s eyes. He turned to his bodyguard and said, ¡°Throw her out. If she doesn''t lure Caridee out, don''t let her return to the Carter residence. Leave her to fend for herself out there.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The bodyguard hoisted Lindsey up by grabbing her arm and dragged her out. ¡°Shaun, you can''t treat me like this. I am the legitimate heiress of the Carter family. You have no right to ¡ªMmph!¡± ¡°Silence her.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Tucker watched as Lindsey was dragged away, a scheming glint shing in his eyes. He had been racking his brains to find a good opportunity for Astrid toe into the picture, but now it seemed that Lindsey could be of good use. ¡°Why are you still standing here? Until Caridee ispletely under control, don''t even think about me mobilizing forces to help you seize power.¡± Shaun''s warning sounded beside Tucker''s ear, pulling his wandering thoughts back to reality. ¡°Got it. Mr. Carter, grant me two more days and I will certainly deliver Caridee to you. You should get plenty of rest. I''lle visit you another day.¡± After leaving the ward, Tucker strode away from the vi. On the tree-lined avenue, he immediately spotted Lindsey, who was squatting by the flower bed, crying. ¡°Ms. Carter, the reason your brother ended up like this is all thanks to Caridee. His eagerness to get his hands on Caridee to vent his anger is only human nature. You should put yourself in his shoes.¡± Lindsey wiped her tears away and choked out, ¡°I know. I want to help him too, but how can I get Caridee out of the Shurmer family''s research base?¡± Tucker chuckled lightly, ¡°Then there''s no need for a hostage situation. We just need to strategize and get her toe out willingly.¡± Lindsey looked up at him, asking in a daze, ¡°H-How do we strategize?¡± A hint of a smile shed in Tucker''s eyes. The fish is on the hook. ¡°I''ve found the extension number for the ward Caridee is in. Call her and let her know that Bailey might still be alive and is imprisoned. Ask her toe out and meet you.¡± Lindsey hesitated for a while. ¡°Will she believe me?¡± ¡°Shouldn''t we at least give it a try to find out?¡± After he finished speaking, Tucker pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which a series of numbers was written. Of course, this number will never reach Caridee. Astrid will be the one to answer the call in the end. That way, she''ll be able to impersonate Caridee to meet Lindsey. Then, I can use Lindsey to subdue Astrid and present the prey to Shaun. ¡°Here''s the number. Whether you want to do this or not is up to you. If you want your brother to help you and have your back, you must first make him happy, don''t you think? I assure you your brother will be thrilled as long as you hand Caridee over to him. Having him arrange your marriage alliance with the Carter family wouldn''t be a problem at all.¡± Lindsey slowly reached out to take the note, crumpling it into a ball and clutching it in her hand. ¡°All right. I''ll give it a try.¡± A cunning, triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Tucker''s lips. Right then, the phone in his pocket started ringing. It was a call from Philip. ¡°I have to take this.¡± After speaking, he strolled off to one side. ¡°What''s the matter, Dad?¡± ¡°Come back here right now.¡± Tucker''s heart skipped a beat as a wave of apprehension washed over him. Did the old man find out what I did in secret? Does he know I''ve hidden Bailey? ¡°I''m dealing with an urgent matter outside. Did something happen?¡± ¡°ze, the Poison Lady, hase to visit with the antidote in hand. Your uncle insists on having her detoxify Juliana. Hurry ande back. We need to discuss how we should deal with the issue.¡± Upon hearing that it wasn''t about Bailey, Tucker heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°All right. I''ll go back right away.¡± After ending the call, he dialed Kurt''s number. ¡°Do you know much about ze?¡± ¡°She''s thest descendant of the poison-crafting family. Her mastery of poison is no less than mine and Cameron''s. I''m aware that she''s gone to the Hoffman family. I''m on my way there now.¡± ¡°All right. Let''s talk when we meet.¡± Meanwhile, in the living room of the Hoffman residence, ze was slumping in her seat in anguid manner, her eyelids drooping drowsily. ¡°We don''t know where this girles from. How can we let her detoxify Julie? Who will bear the consequences if she ends up killing her instead?¡± ¡°You''re right. Although Julie got pregnant before marriage and vited our rules, she realized her mistake in time and aborted the baby. She''s still a descendant of the Hoffman family. We can''t risk her life.¡± ¡°I understand you''re eager to save your daughter''s life, but I don''t think it''s a good idea to let a stranger detoxify her.¡± A glint of impatience shed across ze''s face as she suddenly opened her eyes. With a slight lift of her hand, a pungent smell began to permeate the room. Following that, the elders, who were well past their prime, began wailing miserably as theyy on the table, writhing in agony. ¡°I can''t breathe...¡± ¡°What have you done to us?¡± ¡°You''re in the Hoffman residence! How dare you do this on our turf, you brat!¡± ¡°Someonee and capture her!¡± Sneering, ze said nonchntly, ¡°This is thetest poison I''ve developed. Even that traitor, Kurt, won''t be able to do anything about it. If you don''t want to die, then behave yourselves. If I''m in a good mood, I might just give you the antidote.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ze pped her hands and slid off her seat. ¡°I''ll give anyone who brings me to Juliana''s room the antidote right away.¡± The elders couldn''t bear such torment, and one after another, they sprang up from their chairs. ¡°I''ll take her there.¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ¡°No, I''ll take her.¡± ¡°Buzz off! All of you step down!¡± ¡°I have the highest authority here, so you all must listen to me!¡± Amused, ze couldn''t help chuckling. They''re all a bunch of cowardly, selfish old geezers. I pity Juliana for being born into such a family. Raymond rose from the main seat and strode toward the door. ¡°I''ll take her there.¡± Smiling coldly, ze said, ¡°You''re not poisoned, so you''re not under my control.¡± ¡°Whether I''m poisoned or not, Juliana is still my daughter. I won''t stop you even if everyone else does.¡± They arrived at Juliana''s quarters unhindered. ze''s expression changed drastically when she saw the youngdy on the bed. ¡°Herplexion looks horrible. She''d be dead if we were a few hourste.¡± Chapter 822 Chapter 822 She really had no idea what this middle-aged man beside her was doing. He is, after all, the head of the n. Why would he allow those clowns to put his daughter through such misery? However, since this was their family business, ze wasn''t interested in prying. If Bailey hadn''t provoked her using Cameron, she wouldn''t have bothered to get involved. ze swiftly rushed to the bedside in a few strides, pulled out a bottle of antidote from her pocket, and poured the contents into Juliana''s mouth. She then helped Juliana into a sitting position before pricking several acupoints on her body using silver needles. All of a sudden, Juliana leaned forward and spewed out a mouthful of ck blood, expelling all the umted toxins from her body. ze observed herplexion again and saw that it had improved. Following that, she administered a dose of stamina-restoring serum to her. A momentter, Juliana, who was in aa, slowly regained consciousness. ¡°Y-You are...¡± Her voice was raspy and unpleasant to the ear. Just as ze was about to speak, the door suddenly flung open. The poisoned elders entered one after another. ¡°Hey, Poison Lady! Don''t you think it''s time you hand over the antidote now that you''ve rescued her?¡± ¡°Yeah. Don''t mistake our tolerance for fear. This is the Hoffman residence, and we won''t allow an outsider like you to do whatever you want here.¡± ¡°Hand over the antidote quickly, and we''ll let you leave unharmed. Otherwise...¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ze looked at thest elder who spoke, a smile ying on her lips. She raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Or what? Are you going to kill me? Sure, bring it on. You won''t be able to detoxify the poison even if you kill me. It''s pretty nice to have so many people apanying me to hell when the time comes. However, are you guys willing to give up your lives of wealth and luxury to join me in the underworld?¡± ¡°You!¡± That elderly man was about to yell at ze when Philip stopped him and said in a chilly voice, ¡°Brat, I would advise you to know when to stop. Don''t cross the line. Since the antidote is with you, we can always get it from you after killing you. Why would we die alongside you? Hand over the antidote now, and I''ll tell them to let you go. How''s that sound?¡± The youngdy spread her palms, disying an air of nonchnce as if she wasn''t afraid of death, and said cheekily, ¡°But I never bring antidotes with me. Those things need to be concocted on the spot.¡± Philip choked on his words, feeling somewhat embarrassed when his attempt to exert authority backfired. ze spoke again. ¡°I can teach you how to concoct the antidote. That traitor, Kurt, is now in your custody, right? You can ask him to prepare the antidote. But, before you do that, I have a small request. You must agree to let me take Juliana away. Don''t ask me why. I''m just doing a favor for someone.¡± ¡°That''s impossible!¡± Philip rejected without a second thought. Zeke was currently still in Moranta. Juliana would definitely go look for Zeke if she managed to escape. By then, if the two of them joined forces and challenged the Hoffman family''s influence around the world, they would be sending the Hoffman family to their doom. ¡°I can grant any request you make, but not this one. She has vited the n rules and can''t leave the n for the rest of her life.¡± Unfazed by their words, ze shrugged. ¡°If so, you all can wait for death to befall you. I''m afraid it might be the end for the Hoffman family once you old geezers die.¡± Naturally, the elders were unwilling to die. They began taking turns to speak, persuading Philip to agree to ze''s request. Philip''s gaze fell on Juliana as a dark glint shed pass his eyes. ¡°Julie, think carefully. Huntley is still in my hands. Even though you two aren''t married yet, the engagement has already been announced publicly. Are you really thinking of abandoning him?¡± Colors drained from Juliana''s face, causing her already-pallidplexion to turn even more ashen in an instant. With a feeble and weak voice, she said to ze, ¡°I know my master sent you here to rescue me, but I really can''t leave.¡± ze furrowed her brows. This girl has been sleeping for such a long time that she doesn''t even know about her master''s death. In order to avoid arousing suspicion from Philip, she had no choice but to make things clear. ¡°It wasn''t your master who sent me here, but the head of the Shurmer family. Your master''s dead.¡± Juliana''s pupils constricted, and beads of tears rolled down her eyes. Her face was filled with an expression of disbelief. ¡°You''re joking, right? How can my master be dead? How is this possible?¡± ze said coldly, ¡°Someone killed her. Cut the crap and leave with me. My mission is only aplished after I hand you over to Mr. Shurmer.¡± After a moment of silence, Juliana slowly pushed ze away. Even though she didn''t know what had transpired during this period, she firmly believed that her master wouldn''t die so easily. Perhaps Master is trying to make Uncle Philip and the others lower their guard by feigning her death, leading them straight into a trap she had set. She can''t be dead. She still has so many things to do. ¡°Miss, thank you for detoxifying me, but I can''t go with you. My fianc¨¦ was injured severely while protecting me, so I can''t leave him behind. Please tell Mr. Shurmer that I appreciate his kindness. From now on, we''re even. Tell him to get himself out of this predicament as soon as possible.¡± Seeing the determined look in Juliana''s eyes, ze no longer tried to persuade her. She helped her lean against the head of the bed before slowly standing up. ze was capable of taking Juliana away, provided that thetter was willing to go with her. What''s the point in me insisting to take her away if she''s reluctant to leave? ¡°Fine. If you don''t want to leave, I can''t force you. After all, I''ve alreadypleted my task. We''ll meet again someday.¡± Having said that, she strode toward the door. The elders hastily chased after her. After everyone had left, Juliana struggled to get up and walked into the bathroom. Her residence was the only ce without hidden cameras installed. Before ze left, she stuffed a note in her palm. Juliana guessed it was given to her by her master. Sure enough, as the crumpled paper was unfolded, familiar handwriting came into view. It was written by Bailey. The note read: I knew you wouldn''t want to leave with ze. That''s okay. Just stay put. We can coborate and wipe out Philip''s forces in one fell swoop. I''m okay, so don''t worry. Be careful and don''t expose any weaknesses or secrets. All you have to do right now is get well soon and wait for the right moment to strike. Juliana chuckled and began sobbing quietly. ¡°Rest assured, Master. I will not give them any opportunity to take advantage again.¡± In the meantime, all the elders were waiting anxiously in the living room. Tucker spoke up. ¡°Don''t worry. I''m sure Kurt will be able toe up with the antidote to save all of you.¡± ¡°Hopefully. The Hoffman family does not groom useless good-for-nothings.¡± ¡°I second that.¡± Right then, in the room, ze kept retreating as Kurt closed in on her relentlessly, a hostile glint swirling in his eyes. ¡°Kurt, I''ve told you before, I-I''d never fall for you.¡± Chapter 823 Chapter 823 Kurt stopped in his tracks, looking at her gloomily. ¡°How am I inferior to him? Why is it that all these years, you''ve only had eyes for him and not me? I might feel better if your efforts were reciprocated, but what has he given you in return for everything you did for him? In his eyes, you''re nothing but a nuisance! All he wants is to stay away from you!¡± ze retreated until she was backed against the floor-to-ceiling window with no way out. Her only option was to pull the dagger out of her pocket and use it to defend herself. ¡°You''re no match for him in any way. He''s honorable and upright, while you''re evil and terrifying. Besides, you''re nothing more than a dog reared by the Yablon family. Who do you think you are to compare with him? He is the young heir of the Yablon family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. I''m still willing to pursue him even if he doesn''t love me, because¡ª¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Kurt squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, his voice resembling the roar of a beast. The one thing he couldn''t tolerate was zeparing him with Cameron. s, what she said was true. He was indeed inferior to the other man. That''s right. Cameron was born privileged, and no matter how hard I try, I will never be able to surpass him. It''s already bad enough that he''s way ahead of me in terms of poison-crafting, worse still, he has also taken the woman I love away from me. However, what I can''t tolerate the most is the fact that he doesn''t appreciate her after winning her heart. He tramples on her sincerity without a care in the world. ¡°The only thing that sets him apart from me is our difference in status. In what other ways am I inferior to him?¡± ze scoffed. ¡°He learns poison-crafting to save people, while you learn it solely to harm others. That''s the fundamental difference. Kurt, the Yablon family has been treating you well, haven''t they? The head of the family has taught you everything he could. He treated both you and Cameron fairly and imparted his knowledge to both of you without any bias. He didn''t favor Cameron just because he''s his son. But what did you give him in return for his kindness? Not only did you betray the Yablon family, but you also stole the Yablon family''s prohibited drug, Soul Reaper. You even took away the core of the family''s heritage, the Encyclopedia of Poison. I''d be an idiot if I were to fall for someone as ungrateful and disloyal as you. How dare you have the audacity to ask me how you fall shortpared to Cameron? Tell me, in what way do you think you can surpass him?¡± The veins on Kurt''s forehead bulged as he recklessly charged toward her. ze''s gaze hardened, and she swiftly waved her hand, sending a surge of dark energy rushing into his nostrils. He abruptly halted, staring at her in disbelief, his eyes aze with rage. ¡°We''ve known each other for so many years. How could you poison me?¡± ze swiftly moved aside to avoid inhaling the poison herself and sneered. ¡°Why should I go easy on an ungrateful wretch like you? The poison in you is identical to that in those old geezers out there. Considering our acquaintance, I will give you the antidote recipe once I return. You''d better not show your face around me in the future, or every time I see you, I''ll poison you until you''re dead.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked outside. The elders who were waiting by the entrance saw here out and immediately surrounded her. ¡°Poison Lady, hand over the antidote, or we won''t let you leave!¡± ¡°That''s right! Hand over the antidote.¡± Tucker rushed into the living room to see Kurt slumping weakly in a chair. Frowning, he asked, ¡°Have you been poisoned too? She didn''t give you the antidote?¡± Kurt shot him a cold nce and enunciated every word slowly, ¡°I want to make this woman mine. You should be able to help me with that, right?¡± Tucker arched his eyebrows slightly and chuckled. ¡°No wonder you refused to hook up with Bailey when I told you to. Turns out you already have someone in your heart. It''s just a woman. I''ll figure out a way to help you with that. No biggie. By the way, have you gotten the antidote?¡± The fierce look in Kurt''s eyes faded away as he said calmly, ¡°Let her go. She will give me the form for the antidote.¡± Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. Tucker furrowed his brows, ¡°Are you sure? So many lives are at stake. This can''t be taken lightly.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. She will. It''s useless even if you keep her here. No one can get her to talk if she refuses to.¡± Though still worried, Tucker didn''t say anything further after hearing Kurt''s words. ¡°All right. I''ll trust you this time.¡± In a mansion in the suburbs, Sofie was chatting with Holden over a video call in the study. ¡°Mr. Lewitt, now that the leader of Tarragon is dead and there''s no one at the helm, why do you still refuse to give up? How about this? Activate Tarragon''s defense system and allow my men to break in. Once it''s done, I''ll still let you be in charge. What do you say?¡± On the screen, Holden waszily leaning against the couch with a ss of red wine in his hand. Wearing a half-smile, he said, ¡°You''re right. Tarragon''s leader is dead, and the empire is now without a ruler. If I''m a bit more assertive, I''d certainly be able to be the next leader. Rather than being a subordinate, I''d much prefer to be a leader above all.¡± Sofie burst outughing, ¡°I never expected you to be so ambitious that you''ve been eyeing the leader''s position all along, Mr. Lewitt. But unfortunately, not long ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a beautiful lady from Aploth. As we chatted, I discovered she was your lover, and she even bore you a son. As a compassionate man, I''m sure you won''t mistreat a woman who had once been intimate with you and had even borne you a child, right?¡± After she finished speaking, she pped her hands in the direction of the door. Next, the door was pushed open, and two ck-d bodyguards escorted a young woman in. Having been confined in a pitch-ck basement for some time, Wendy appeared extremely haggard and disheveled. Holden furrowed his brows slightly, tightening his grip on the wine ss in his hand. ¡°You sure have some tricks up your sleeve, Ms. Carr.¡± Sofie gave a soft chuckle, saying, ¡°You tter me.¡± Then she stood up, walked over to Wendy, and removed the tape over her mouth. ¡°Despite her current disheveled state, this woman was once the legitimate eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, the designated heiress. Later, she married media tycoon Lionel. Her son, on the other hand, was the offspring of Holden, the man in charge of Tarragon. Her life could be described as nothing short of legendary. A woman like her, if thrown into the nightclub, would surely attract many to pay for herpany for a night. After all, she is a noble princess and the beloved confidant of two powerful men.¡± Pausing mid-sentence, she looked at Holden, smiling widely as she continued, ¡°Both the Hoffman family and Lionel have abandoned her, so, Mr. Lewitt, if you''re not interested in her as well, I''ll throw her to the nightclub. At least that way, she could earn me some money.¡± Holden ignored her and looked at Wendy. With a trembling voice, he asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Tears shimmered in Wendy''s eyes as she croaked, ¡°My affairs are none of your business. You don''t need to concern yourself with me.¡± p! Sofie gave her a hard p across the cheek. ¡°You ignorant fool! Do you know who this man is? He''s the future leader of the world''s most powerful organization. Who gave you the right to make decisions for him?¡± Chapter 824 Chapter 824 Sofie''s strength was immense. As such, Wendy''s face was directly pped askew by her. After a few seconds of stunned silence, Wendy''s gaze fell back onto the LCD screen. Through the icy ss, she vaguely saw the chilling, murderous intent swirling in Holden''s eyes. Holden was once the object of Wendy''s deep affection. Even then, she found it impossible to let him go. For his sake, she was willing to stand against her entire family. For him, she deeply hurt her father''s heart. Even though she had been on the run for a while now, it still didn''t change the fact that she deeply loved him. At that moment, she was in a perilous situation, and he was tempted to act. Regardless of the reasons, he was moved. His hesitation and indecision resulted in him being controlled by Sofie. Wendy didn''t want to see a man like him being manipted by a woman, so she said, ¡°I''ll say it again. My affairs have nothing to do with you. I don''t need your insincere attempts to save me. Even if it means death, I don''t want to have any involvement with you.¡± Sofie raised her arm again, fiercely pping Wendy on the face twice. The crisp ps echoed in the air. On the screen, Holden was gripping the winess so tightly that his fingernails turned into a shade of pale gray. With a smile, Sofie stared at him, observing every nuance of his expression. Seeing his continued indifference, she couldn''t help butugh. ¡°It seems you really intend on giving her up, Mr. Lewitt. Fine then. I won''t keep someone who''s of no use to me. I''ll throw her into the nightclub and let her experience what it''s like to be ravaged by thousands. Tarragon is now disorganized, and I don''t necessarily need your cooperation to take it down, Mr. Lewitt. At most, it will just require a bit more effort. I pity your son. I fear he''s about to lose his mother. When the dayes that he learns you stood by and did nothing while his mother was dying, he''ll probably despise you.¡± After ending her sentence, she turned to look at the ck-d bodyguards on both sides. With a cold voice, shemanded, ¡°The woman Mr. Lewitt yed with before must be pretty good. You two are in luck today. Take her away and teach her a lesson. Let her gain some more experience in pleasuring men.¡± The two bodyguards rubbed their hands together with a hint of excitement in their eyes as they reached for Wendy''s shoulder. Instinctively, Wendy wanted to step back but found herself immobilized as two bodyguards gripped her shoulders. ¡°Drag her away.¡± Sofie waved her hand. The two bodyguards were just about to take action when Holden spoke up. ¡°Give me two days to think about it.¡± Sofie''s red lips curved upward. Since ancient times, men had difficulty resisting the charm of a beautiful woman. My bet paid off. If I forcefully invade Tarragon''s headquarters, I will lose a lot of men. However, if Holden is willing to cooperate with me, I can maximize my return with minimal loss. Sofie stated, ¡°A wise man submits to circumstances, Mr. Lewitt. You are indeed an adaptable, renowned international figure. I will give you two days. If you cannot give me an answer after two days, I''ll bepelled to vent my anger on your woman. If it happens, it won''t be as simple as having her pleasure two men. I''ll arrange for twenty men to take good care of her.¡± ¡°All right, then. You better keep a close eye on your dogs and don''t let them do whatever they want during these two days. If she suffers even just a little, I will use the entire force of Tarragon to bring you down.¡± After speaking, he immediately cut the feed. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Sofie gave a cold smile, gently patting Wendy''s cheek. She teased, ¡°You''ve got good taste, youngdy. You''re lucky to have fallen for Holden because he is a man who values love and loyalty.¡± Wendy turned her face away, biting her lip hard to stop the tears welling in her eyes from falling. ¡°Treat her well with good food and drink. Remember, keep your lust in check, and don''t cause her any harm. If you disrupt my ns, I''ll make your lives a living hell.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± replied the bodyguards. Inside the baseboratory, ze leanedzily against the apparatus, idly fiddling with a ss container. She said in a leisurely manner, ¡°I''ve done my part. Now it''s your turn to fulfill your promise. Bailey, you better not fool me, or I''ll definitely leak the news of your survival. Don''t think this base can hold me back. If I want to leave, no one can stop me.¡± Bailey raised her eyebrows and smiled. ¡°Of course. Your reputation as the Poison Lady isn''t just for show. I''m well aware of your methods. Don''t worry. I''ll definitely fulfill what I''ve promised you. However, Cameron is not in Moranta at the moment, so I can''t set you two up with each other even if I want to. Once he returns in a few days, I''ll figure out how to help you win him over. I sincerely hope that you two can be together.¡± ze waved her hand, turning toward the door to leave. As she walked, she said, ¡°I haven''t rested for a few days. I''m going to catch up on some sleep. If you have something to discuss, wait until after I wake up. Don''t disturb me, or I''ll get up on the wrong side of the bed. If someone wakes me up, I might do something rash.¡± After watching ze leave, Bailey turned her head to look at Artemis, who was standing at the side. Then, she asked, ¡°What is Tarragon headquarters nning to do? Has Sofie taken any action?¡± Artemis handed her themunicator in his hand. ¡°Holden just sent this over. Take a look.¡± Bailey reached out to take it. After watching it, she immediately burst intoughter. ¡°This is reckless! Are they nning to catch her after letting Holden collude with her and allowing her to infiltrate Tarragon Headquarters?¡± Artemis reached out and gently pinched her nose, chuckling lightly. ¡°You just need to give the green light. I have a lot of social connections. We''ll do as you n.¡± Bailey red at him, making it seem as if he hadn''t even considered that aspect. ¡°Stop messing around and be serious. If we must employ this strategy, we can only do it when all of Sofie''s people are gathered together. Do you think Sofie will gather all her forces to attack Tarragon Headquarters? What if she holds back and only sends half of her people? Then I''ll miss the chance to wipe out all her forces at once. She is so annoying. I want to squash her in one go.¡± Artemis raised an eyebrow. ¡°Give me a kiss, and I''ll tell you how to draw out all the men under her command.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. If he wants me to kiss him, he should say it. It''s not like I''ll say no. After pecking his thin lips a few times, she urged in a yful tone, ¡°Come on, spill it. Tell me.¡± Artemis reached out and pinched her cheek,ughing. ¡°You really are a handful. If it weren''t for my strong will, I would have been driven to my wits'' end by your impish charm.¡± Artemis pulled her onto the couch, wrapping his arms around her. Chuckling, he said, ¡°Sofie''s biggest fear right now is sharing a spot with Mr. Doyle. As you know, after Mr. Doyle went to Intel Ind, he subdued a massive force. If he also attacks the headquarters, Sofie won''t benefit much from the situation. Driven to desperation, Sofie will likely mobilize all the power she has to suppress Mr. Doyle. Thus, what we need to do now is to make Mr. Doyle turn against her.¡± Bailey''s eyes lit up. ¡°You''re right! By manipting Mr. Doyle, we can force Sofie to deploy all her forces to the headquarters for a final battle. Then, we can coborate with Holden to attack from both inside and outside, crushing both forces at once. However, Mr. Doyle is currently in a partnership with Sofie. How can we make them turn against each other?¡± Chapter 825 Chapter 825 Artemis lowered his head and kissed the corner of Bailey''s lips. ¡°You don''t need to worry about this. Leave it to me to handle. This time, I will definitely force Mr. Doyle and Sofie to mobilize all their forces, and then we''ll catch them all in one fell swoop.¡± With a smile on her face, Bailey snuggled into his arms and obediently nodded. ¡°All right. You go handle it. I won''t worry myself. I''ll just stay at the base and take care of my health.¡± ¡°Good girl.¡± After a moment of silence, Bailey asked, ¡°What about the Hoffman family? I know Mr. Philip and Sofie are in a partnership. Given his cunning nature, though, he probably won''t exhaust all his resources to help Sofie seize Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Artemis sneered, ¡°Do you really think the head of the Hoffman family is a fool? He may appear weak on the surface, but he''s actually wise beyond measure. Once Mr. Philip dispatches half of his forces to assist Sofie, Mr. Hoffman will undoubtedly take decisive action. He''ll thoroughly eliminate Mr. Philip''s and his son''s remaining power. In in terms, he''s just looking for the right opportunity to topple Mr. Philip''s faction while also preserving his own strength.¡± After some thought, Bailey concluded that was indeed the case. ¡°All right. I trust your judgment. Veikko will handle Shaun, Mr. Hoffman will deal with Mr. Philip, and we''ll deal with Sofie. This time, I''m determined to send all these terrible people straight to the Grim Reaper.¡± Inside the hospital room, Tucker looked at Astrid, who was sitting on the edge of the bed. He said lightly, ¡°I''ve given Lindsey thendline number here. She may call you at any time to ask you out. You know what to do, right?¡± Astrid hung her head slightly, staring nkly at the marble floor, her eyes filled with inscrutable darkness. ¡°I do, and I won''t let you down. However, don''t forget what you promised me. Once we catch Caridee, you''ll hand her over to me to deal with her.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. With a soft hum of acknowledgment, Tucker was about to say something more when the cordless phone on the table began to ring. The bodyguard quickly picked up the phone and handed it to Tucker. ¡°Mr. Tucker, the call is from the suburban mansion. It should be Ms. Lindsey¡ª¡± Tucker waved his hand to interrupt him, passing the phone to Astrid. ¡°Remember, try your best to imitate Caridee''s voice. Don''t let her detect any ws.¡± Astrid closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, they were filled with tranquility. ¡°Hello, I''m Caridee. You are?¡± An anxious voice came through the phone. ¡°Caridee, listen to me. I just overheard a conversation between Shaun and Tucker and found out that Bailey is not dead.¡± Astrid smirked. The next second, a look of surprise shed across her face. ¡°Really? Is Bailey really not dead? W-Where is she now?¡± ¡°At a residential house in Xemrich. I''m about to head over there to check it out. Do you want toe with me? The odds of rescuing Bay may be better if I have extra help.¡± Astrid feigned feeling troubled. ¡°I-I''m afraid I can''t get out. Do you have any way to help me?¡± ¡°I remember there''s a back door at the base. All you need to do is figure out a way to slip out from there. I''ll be waiting for you in Xemrich. You muste, okay? I''m afraid I won''t be able to rescue Bay by myself.¡± After that, the call abruptly ended. Astrid''s smirk grew more pronounced. She lifted her eyes to look at Tucker and said softly, ¡°She invited me to Xemrich. Dare to let me go?¡± Tucker stepped aside. ¡°Why would I be afraid to? At this point, you have no other choice but to cooperate with me. You may as well use your face to help me win over Shaun. Once he''s happy, he''ll agree to coborate with me. Then, I''ll take down Tarragon, capture Caridee, and let you do as you please with her.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Astrid slowly stood up, tossing the phone she held onto the bed, and began to stride toward the door. She knew she was stepping into hellish, endless torment. Unfortunately, she had no other choice. Ever since Tucker forcibly gave her stic surgery, her life had been devoid of any light. Since her life was shrouded in darkness, she decided to drag all the d*mned souls with her for company. Inside the bedroom of the Hoffman residence, Juliana leaned against the headboard while Raymond was feeding her food. ¡°Daddy, what should we do next¡ª¡± Before she could finish her question, Raymond shook his head at her. He reached into his pocket and fumbled around for a bit, then a crisp ''ding'' sound was heard. He activated the jammer, temporarily disabling the indoor surveince cameras and listening devices. ¡°Someone may be listening or watching in, so it''s wise to be cautious. I know what you want to say. Rest assured. Everything is under my control. Recently, I''ve been deliberatelyying low, which has made Philip lower his guard. Now, we wait for him to dispatch half of his forces to assist Sofie in encircling and annihting Tarragon. Then, I will seize the opportunity to wipe out his remaining forces.¡± With a gentle smile, Juliana wrapped her arms around him and asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Daddy, have you found out where they''re keeping my sister?¡± ¡°I did. She''s locked up with Sofie at a mansion on the outskirts. However, Holden secretly contacted me, asking me not to rescue her for now.¡± Juliana furrowed her brows, somewhat puzzled. ¡°Why is that?¡± ¡°He ns to lure Sofie into a trap in an attempt to eliminate her, Philip''s, and Mr. Doyle''s forces in one fell swoop. I agreed because I thought it would benefit the Hoffman family''s future development. He assured me that your sister would not be harmed in any way.¡± A sly smile appeared on Juliana''s face. ¡°Daddy, you''ve epted Mr. Lewitt. Even though you reject him, at least you believe he can protect Wendy.¡± ¡°You little rascal...¡± Raymond flicked her forehead. After a moment of silence, he said, ¡°Your sister''s path is already set. No one can change it. However, your future is still unnned. I''ll give you two options. First, you can leave the family and chase after the person you want to pursue. Your second option is to fullymit yourself to bing the future head of the Hoffman family. In other words, you''ll have to sever ties with the outside world. I won''t force you. The choice is yours.¡± Without a second thought, Juliana blurted, ¡°I choose the second option, Daddy. I want to be the head of the Hoffman family as well as Huntley''s bride so I can take care of him for the rest of my life.¡± A trace of heartache shed past Raymond''s eyes. He couldn''t help but reach out and gently rub her head. ¡°Don''t rush your decision. Once Philips is taken out, then you can tell me what you want.¡± Juliana smiled. This is my final decision. I''ve no intention of looking back on the sights I''ve passed by. Now, I have someone I want to protect. Though there may not be a romance, a sense of familial affection will gradually be nurtured over time. It''s not too bad staying by each other''s side for a lifetime this way. Inside a certain small caf¨¦ in Xemrich, Astrid limped into a private room. A few days ago, Caridee was injured. To create a convincing deception, Tucker also injured her leg and tongue. Her arm was also broken by him. For her mission, she paid a terrible price. As such, she would never rest in peace until she could get her revenge on Caridee. ¡°Caridee, you''re finally here. I thought you wouldn''t be able to make it,¡± said Lindsey. Chapter 826 Chapter 826 Lindsey quickly got up and approached her. With her head slightly lowered, Astrid concealed the coldness in her eyes before suddenly reaching out to grab Lindsey''s arm. ¡°Where is my sister-inw being held? Didn''t you say you found her exact location? Where is it? Where is she?¡± Lindsey deftly grabbed her wrist and led her toward the table. ¡°Don''t worry. Have some water and calm down. Besides, with your current physical condition, you wouldn''t be able to barge in even if I told you, right?¡± Astrid looked at the cup of water handed to her, a trace of mockery shing past her eyes. She suspected that the water in the cup had beenced with a stupefying drug. Nheless, since she had already decided to step into the trap, there was nothing left for her to hesitate about. As soon as Lindsey handed Astrid the cup, thetter took it and immediately took a big gulp. ¡°I''m here and have drunk the water. Now, can you tell me where Bailey is being held?¡± With a yful smile, Lindsey suddenly pushed her onto the couch. Astrid struggled to stand up, but the medicine was too potent, draining all her strength as soon as it entered her stomach. She feigned surprise and said, ¡°T-The water''s spiked. What... What are you trying to do?¡± Lindsey let out a soft chuckle, leaning in close to her and saying, ¡°Caridee, my brother dreams of having you, and because of you, he''s already lovesick. So, swallow your pride and take good care of him. After all, it was because of you he became impotent. Now, only you can help him vent the boundless rage in his heart.¡± ¡°You, you...¡± As Astrid''s consciousness slowly faded away, her eyelids gradually drooped, plunging her directly into unconsciousness. Lindsey slowly straightened her body, her face devoid of any guilt for having manipted others. Instead, her eyes sparkled with excitement. She was growing increasingly fond of the liberating feeling that washed over her after doing something evil. There was a saying that rang true among people: it takes a lifetime to be a better person, but a blink of an eye is all it takes to be evil. ¡°Someone, take her to Shaun''s residence.¡± Two ck-d bodyguards marched through the door and hoisted the unconscious Astrid out. The thought of the joy her brother would feel upon receiving the gift made Lindsey feel it was worth it to scheme against any innocent person. Only with her elder brother''s support could she get the man she desired. Then again, she overlooked the most crucial point. Caridee was Edmund''s cousin. Now that Lindsey had pushed Caridee into hell, Edmund would never give her a second nce, let alone marry her. A woman''s IQ would usually drop to zero when they were overwhelmed with emotions; they never considered the consequences of their actions. Inside the conference hall of Tarragon on Intel Ind, Dominic mmed his hand on the table, fuming, ¡°What is Sofie ying at? We agreed each of us would provide half of the manpower, and after taking down the headquarters, we would evenly split the power of the Tarragon. Now she actually teamed up with the Hoffman family and the Carter family and nning to send twice as many people as me. What on earth is she thinking?¡± One subordinate with a scarred face slightly lowered his head, a glimmer of somber light flickering in his eyes. He was an undercover agent, a spy that Artemis had nted near Dominic. The subordinate had just received a task from Artemis, instructing him to use this situation to drive a wedge between Dominic and Sofie, forcing the great elder to take drastic action. Once Dominic dispatched all his forces, Sofie would undoubtedly not sit idly by. She would also deploy all the power she had at her disposal. Both sides had gathered their full forces at the Tarragon Headquarters. Holden was working with Sofie to n another surprise attack. Together, they canpletely eliminate the troublemakers. ¡°Mr. Doyle, in my opinion, Sofie intends to monopolize Tarragon. Don''t forget, she''s a woman who still has control over Holden. She might have already forced Holden to surrender.¡± After hearing the scar-faced man''s analysis, Dominic abruptly leaped from his chair. ¡°That woman sure has a wild imagination. She''s nothing more than Leo''s mistress, who''s relying on the power he left her. Does she really think she can turn the world upside down?¡± The scar-faced man added, ¡°Don''t forget, she is now Mr. Hoffman''s lover. Tarragon was a group separated from the Hoffman family. They might have conspired long ago to kill you and then monopolize the entire empire.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the rest of them began to chime in, one after another. Dominic''s face turned purple with rage. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°So, how should we deal with this?¡± ¡°Quietly gather all our forces and head to the Tarragon Headquarters to fight Sofie in a battle of life and death.¡± ¡°Yes. Gather all forces for a battle of life and death.¡± The man with the scarred face curled his lips into a peculiar smile. Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org. These people were so blinded by their own interests that they had lost all reason. It would only be a matter of time before Artemis eliminated all of them. Dominic mmed the table forcefully, making a final decision, ¡°All right, let''s go this.¡± Inside the base in Moranta, Artemis leaned against the couch, reading the message sent by his subordinate. Without realizing it, he curled his lips into a smirk. Bailey narrowed her eyes at him, frowning as she asked, ¡°Why are you smiling like that?¡± Artemis tossed themunicator to her. ¡°The great elder is taken care of. All that''s left is Sofie. As long as I can provoke her to mobilize all her forces, I can wipe them all out in one go.¡± Bailey quickly skimmed through the email, a faint smile uncontrobly tugging at the corner of her lips. Those troublemakers were finally about to be dealt with. She had been cooped up in the darkb for days on end, just waiting for a result so she could finally step outside and get some fresh air. ¡°How likely do you think Sofie will take the bait?¡± Without a second thought, Artemis blurted out, ¡°One hundred percent.¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Two tigers can''t coexist on the same mountain unless they''re a male and a female. Well, they are indeed a male and a female, but they''re both people blinded by self-interest. No one can halt their pursuit of fame and fortune, and it''s inevitable that their alliance is merely superficial. Actually, internal strife will begin without needing me to send someone to instigate them to go against each other. No one would let their guard down at such a critical moment where sess or failure depends on one move.¡± Bailey threw herself into his arms, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°My husband is so impressive. You understand the heart of humans so perfectly.¡± Artemis looked at her delicate face, his heart beginning to flutter. ¡°I want to eat you.¡± Bailey was taken aback for a moment. When she finally came to her senses, a faint blush spread across her cheeks. Even though she was thick-skinned, she could not stand his constant teasing and the inappropriate comments he would sporadically make. ¡°Stop messing around. This is theboratory.¡± Artemis chuckled. ¡°So what? It''s fine as long as you''re here. Without you, I wouldn''t feel any joy even if I were in heaven¡ª¡± Bailey abruptly reached out to cover his mouth. ¡°Stop. Don''t say another word. It''s damaging to your image as the ruler of the Tarragon Empire and the head of the most prominent family.¡± Artemis helped her up, and after a moment, he seated her down. Bailey inhaled sharply. This jerk! Chapter 827 Chapter 827 Inside the infirmary of the mansion in the suburbs, Shaun stared nkly at the woman whom the bodyguards threw onto the hospital bed, his eyes filled with surprise. ¡°Uh... W-What...¡± Lindsey walked in shortly after, smiling as she said, ¡°Shaun, you wanted this woman, didn''t you? Well, I''ve brought her here for you. You can take it out on her if there''s anything you''re mad about. She deserves it. If it weren''t for her, you wouldn''t have suffered so much.¡± Shaun thought he was seeing an illusion, so he shook his head and blinked repeatedly. No matter how many times he did that, the face he loathed to the bone still remained before his eyes. ¡°Caridee... It''s really her, eh? Haha! The heavens are truly on my side. This bitch is finally in my hands.¡± After letting out a roar, he suddenly turned his head to look at Lindsey, who stood beside him. ¡°How did you get her?¡± Lindsey briefly recounted the course of events. ¡°Wonderful.¡± Shaun burst into wildughter. ¡°That b*stard at home likes this woman, doesn''t he? That d*mned person actually dared to cripple me because of her. And now his first crush is in my hands; I''ve got him by the throat. It''ll be my loss if I don''t torture him.¡± Lindsey chuckled softly and then quietly slipped out of the room. Momentster, a chilling scream echoed within the room, intermingled with a string of curses. The smile on Lindsey''s face gradually contorted as she listened to the delicate and helpless cries. Once her elder brother had vented his anger, he would probably help her fight for her marriage. ¡°Ms. Carter, you''re really speedy and decisive. I admire that.¡± A yful male voice reached her ears, pulling Lindsey back from her wandering thoughts. She instinctively looked up, meeting Tucker''s twinkling eyes. ¡°Well, I must thank you, Mr. Tucker. Without your assistance, Caridee wouldn''t have been able to escape from the base so easily.¡± The disdain in Tucker''s eyes grew even more intense after he heard those words. He would not have needed to create a fake Caridee if he could actually get the real one out of the base. What a joke. This foolish woman actually believes I bribed someone at the base to release Caridee. Although the person in charge of the base was actually a mole from the Hoffman family, Tucker could not get Caridee out because Zeke had people watching her around the clock. ¡°Ms. Carter, you tter me. We both stand to benefit from our cooperation. Did you happen to put in a good word for me in front of Mr. Carter just now?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Tucker. I''ve told my brother that you''ve made a great effort to capture Caridee.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you so much, Ms. Carter. If you ever need anything in the future, don''t hesitate to ask. I will do my best to fulfill your request.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Tucker.¡± With a few heartyughs, Tucker then strolled toward the ward. The door was wide open, and a heart-wrenching scream came from within. He stood at the doorway, taking in the gruesome scene inside the room. Everyone said that Shaun had a twisted mind and ruthless methods. Whatever he saw that day had confirmed the rumors. Although the man was impotent, it did not stop him from tormenting women. No one knew where he got the iron rod from, but he was incessantly poking Astrid with it. That scene was too gruesome. Even a man like Tucker found it hard to bear. This torment continued for about ten minutes, until finally, the screams inside the room ceased. Astrid, having been tortured to the brink of exhaustion, passed outpletely. Shaun felt much better. As he walked to the door, he said to Tucker, ¡°Sorry for any inconvenience, Tucker.¡± Tucker chuckled, ¡°There''s no need for that. She''s already in your hands now. There''s plenty of time ahead for you to enjoy herpany. There''s no need to rush at this moment. It''s just that we should focus on the main task at hand now. They are preparing to attack the Tarragon Headquarters. It''s time for you to fulfill your promise and send reinforcements.¡± At this point, he quickly added, ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Carter. As soon as we sessfully take control of the situation, we will immediately withdraw all of Tarragon''s forces from Epea. From now on, the Carter family will be in charge of the whole of Epea. We will never set foot in that region topete with you for territory.¡± Shaun waved his hand lightly and said, ¡°I want to add another condition in addition to this. If you''re not the one calling the shots, then get your leader toe and talk to me. Once we reach an agreement, I''ll lend a hand and help you attack the Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Tucker raised his eyebrow, a glint flickering in his eyes, ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Help me deal with that young man from the Saviors. With Bailey gone, he''s lost his support. It shouldn''t be too difficult if we join forces to take him down.¡± Without a second thought, Tucker immediately agreed, ¡°Your enemies are my enemies. Even if you didn''t ask, I would have helped you all the same. Besides, you already have a hold on that dude''s weakness. All you need to do is make good use of the woman in the room and just wait for that dude to fall into the trap.¡± Shaun burst into heartyughter. ¡°Very well. I''ll arrange for some people to help you. Give me two days.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At the same moment, at Sofie''s residence, The two old-timers had just finished their exercise and were loungingzily on the couch. ¡°I''ve received word that the persistent dude on Intel Ind has mobilized all his forces. It seems he wants to challenge us for our territory. What''s your take on this?¡± Philip gave a coldugh, his voice hoarse as he said, ¡°What''s there to fear? You can just mobilize all your forces to take him down, can''t you? I''ll mobilize half of the Hoffman family, and Shaun will mobilize the Carter family''s men as well. With all these forcesbined, aren''t we stronger than that dude? We are bound to win this battle.¡± Sofie pulled away from his embrace, her beautiful face solemn as if she was deep in thought. ¡°You want me to mobilize all the men?¡± ¡°What else can you do? If you want to defeat Mr. Doyle, you must proceed this way. Bailey and Artemis are dead, while Holden can only obediently follow your orders because you know what his weakness is. What else are you afraid of? Victory is just one step away. It''s not the time to conserve your strength.¡± After a moment of silence, Sofie gritted her teeth and nodded. ¡°All right, let''s do it this way. By the way, have you heard from Zoey?¡± Philip shook his head and sighed. ¡°I''ve searched the whole of Moranta and found no trace of her. Don''t let her distract you. We must prioritize the bigger issues now.¡± ¡°Hmm. I was nning to use her to keep Kurt in check and make him work obediently for us. But that girl... Forget it. Since she''s no longer of any use, it''s time to give up on her.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Meanwhile, Veikko rushed to the research base''s infirmary. Seeing Carideefortably leaning against the headboard and watching TV, he strode over and swept her into his arms. ¡°Thank goodness. Thank goodness you didn''t fall into that beast''s hands. Thank goodness. Thank goodness...¡± He kept repeating the words ¡°thank goodness¡± as if he had experienced some tremendous shock. Caridee was finding it hard to breathe due to his tight hug. She could not help but frown when she felt his body trembling slightly. ¡°Can you tell me what happened?¡± Chapter 828 Chapter 828 She did not dare to push him away. It was evident that he was tensed and could break down at any moment. Seeing him like that truly broke her heart. She had known this man for several months now. She had seen his indifferent and brutal side but never this vulnerable. That''s right. Fragile is the right word. At that moment, he could break down with just a single word or action. She did not know what he had been through, but his anxiety told her she had something to do with it. ¡°I''m fine. I''ve never left the ward from the moment you brought me here.¡± At that, she furrowed her brows slightly, falling silent for a moment before adding, ¡°Well, I did go out once. I heard about the misfortune that befell Bailey, so I went to confirm it with Zeke. It was just that one time. I''ve been in the hospital room ever since. Veikko, can you tell me what happened? It breaks my heart to see you like this.¡± Veikko gently pushed her away from his embrace and leaned in to seal her lips with a kiss. A flicker of surprise shed through Caridee''s eyes, swiftly reced by immense joy. Veikko is kissing me. Will he take this opportunity to have sex with me? This is great. I''ve been looking forward to it for a long time. Hurry up. I''ll cooperate fully. Beautiful fantasies were always so fleeting. Just as she was enjoying his tenderness, a thud sounded on her head. It was a huge knock on the head. ¡°Ouch, what are you doing...¡± She pouted, looking at him with a face full of resentment. Veikko snorted coldly and asked, ¡°What''s going on in that little head of yours? Speak up. Let''s hear it.¡± The young girl puffed her cheeks, speaking confidently, ¡°You''ve already kissed me, yet you won''t allow me to daydream? Fine, I''ll tell you. I thought you were going to do it with me.¡± Immediately, she suffered another knock on the head. Caridee eximed, ¡°Ow! That hurts!¡± The young man cradled her face, showering her forehead with a flurry of kisses. ¡°Thank goodness you''re unharmed. Otherwise, I would never be able to forgive myself.¡± Caridee swatted his hand away, grabbed his cor tightly, and said fiercely, ¡°You''ve kept me in suspense long enough. Isn''t it time you came clean?¡± A hint of hesitation shed in the young man''s eyes. ¡°It''s nothing much, I''m just worried that Shaun might harm you, so I''m a bit anxious.¡± Clearly, Caridee did not believe him. Thest time she was taken by Mindy, he had never lost control as he just did. ¡°Be honest with me, or I''ll go out every day.¡± Veikko sat down and leaned against the head of the bed, pulling her into his embrace with one arm. After a moment of silence, he slowly pulled out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. Just as Caridee was about to reach out to take the device, Veikko suddenly raised his arm. ¡°Are you messing with me?¡± ¡°No, but promise me you wouldn''t get angry or lose your temper after reading what''s inside.¡± Caridee quickly nodded, wanting to get the phone first before saying anything else. Of course, Veikko read her mischievous thoughts. Unable to resist it, he reached out and ruffled her hair vigorously. After sessfully messing up her hair, he then handed her the phone. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org. Caridee red at him before finally shifting her gaze to the screen. With just one nce, she sat up straight. ¡°W-What... S-She... N-No... It''s me. No, it''s not me.¡± Veikko quickly reached out to pull her back, pulling away the nket to examine her injured leg. To his surprise, she was only wearing a pair of panties. ¡°Ahem. Ahem.¡± Caridee felt a chill run through her body, and in an instant, she realized what was happening. A blush swiftly spread across her cheeks. Veikko was shocked beyond words. ¡°I-I''m sorry. I didn''t know you...¡± Caridee was instantly ted and she wrapped her arms around his neck, saying with a beaming smile, ¡°So, you''re actually a shy and reserved guy.¡± ¡°Stop messing around,¡± Veikko chided, as he carefully tucked her back under the nket. Caridee clung tightly to him, grumbling, ¡°I want to do that. Why can''t I mess around when you dare to make a move on me? What is it? Do you not have the guts?¡± The way he said nothing, his handsome face tense and his ears flushed red, made Caridee burst into As sheughed, her gaze fell back onto the screen of the phone. Caridee stoppedughing when she saw the woman who looked exactly like her lying on the bed, tormented to a pitiful state. ¡°Who sent this to you?¡± She finally understood why the young man lost control. It was fortunate that he had a strong mind. If he were an ordinary person, they would have probably broken down upon seeing the picture. A blood-thirsty expression shed in the young man''s eyes. Parting his thin lips, he forced two words through his teeth, ¡°Shaun Carter.¡± Caridee furrowed her brows, her mind racing. She seemed to have understood something. ¡°Someone created a woman who looked exactly like me and presented her to Shaun. Thinking she is me, Shaun sent you these horrible photos to provoke you and make you yield to his threats. Am I right?¡± ¡°Yes. It must be Mr. Philip''s and his son''s doing. They need Shaun to send reinforcements to help them attack the Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Caridee instinctively reached for her phone on the bedside table. ¡°I''ll call Shaun. I''ll tell him that woman is a fake. He''s been yed by Mr. Philip and his son. I''m going to disrupt their alliance.¡± Veikko reached out to stop her, shaking his head and saying, ¡°There''s no need for that. Let him dispatch his forces to attack the Tarragon Headquarters. Once he''s lost some of his men, it will be easier for me to deal with him.¡± After some thought, Caridee found the n reasonable and said, ¡°All right, but can the Tarragon Headquarters handle it? That''s Artemis'' life''s work. We can''t just watch it go through a change of ownership.¡± Veikko hesitated for a moment, then leaned in to whisper a few words into her ear. Caridee''s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him. ¡°Really? Artemis and Bailey aren''t¡ª¡± At this point, she abruptly stopped speaking. As if struck by a sudden thought, her expression fell. ¡°They''re no longer with us,¡± she said. Veikko reached out and pinched her cheek,ughing as he said, ¡°You''re growing up so fast, Caridee. Remember, your brother and sister-inw are considered ''dead'' until the matter is resolved. Also, starting from today, you can''t go anywhere. We can''t let Shaun know that the person by his side is an imposter, understand?¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Caridee quickly nodded, leaning in to whisper in his ear, ¡°Since I''m like this now, do you really have no ns to... Hmm.¡± Veikko reached out and covered her lips, his voice hoarse as he warned, ¡°Stop it, or I''ll teach you a lesson.¡± At the same time, Bailey was bullied intensely by Artemis in theboratory. ¡°Artemis, I won''t restrain you anymore in the future. A man who has been controlling himself for so long is truly terrifying.¡± Even though she said that, her face beamed with a radiant smile. Chapter 829 Chapter 829 It is the sweetest thing to most people to be one with the person they love. That feeling was like mixing honey with oil, both rich and sweet. Artemis smirked, pulling her tightly into his embrace, and said in a husky voice, ¡°As long as you understand, let me be with you every day from now on. You will definitely be very happy, there won''t be a moment where you feel tired.¡± Bailey traced circles over his heart with her hand, her eyes curved in a smile. Her beautiful eyes were filled withughter, and between her nces and her charming demeanor, she exuded an irresistible allure. ¡°I see you''d love to stick by my side every day. It seems all men have the potential to be debauched monarchs. ¡°That''s because I am mesmerized by a fairy.¡± Err... What the hell? Peep... A series of notification tones sounded. Artemis reached out a hand to grab the cell phone on the table. After reading the message, he sat up holding Bailey, ¡°Bay, there''s news from over there. They say Sofie has already assembled her forces, ready tounch a full-scale attack on Tarragon.¡± ¡°I might need to go back. Holden might not be able to handle it alone, after all, Wendy is in Sofie''s hands, he''s bound to be affected.¡± Bailey nestled softly in his arms, letting out a gentle hum, ¡°Mr. Doyle, Sofie, Mr. Philip, plus the power of the Carter family, Holden indeed can''t handle it all by himself.¡± ¡°Now we''re just waiting to reel in the. You''ll definitely have to go back once, remember to take me with you, or don''t even think about leaving this base.¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh. He knew she would propose to go together. It seems that nothing could tear her away from his side in this world. ¡°Alright then, I indeed feel uneasy leaving you here alone. So,e with me.¡± ¡°That''s more like it. Don''t even think about drugging me. If you dare to do that, I''ll just go with any random man... Hmm.¡± The words she was about to say next were silenced by his assertive kiss. Inside the study of a mansion. Sofie was currently video-calling with Holden. ¡°How about it, Mr. Lewitt, have you made up your mind?¡± Holden looked at her coldly, his voice calm. ¡°When you attack Tarragon''s headquarters, I will certainly disarm all defenses, allowing you to advance smoothly and without any losses.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Sofieughed heartily. ¡°Mr. Lewitt, you truly live up to your reputation as a tough man, always so straightforward. If you''re willing, you''re still wee to stay and manage things at Tarragon.¡± Of course, these were just polite words. If he dared to stay in Tarragon, she would certainly seize the opportunity to kill him. Having a formidable character like Holden by her side was truly perilous. She had to be constantly on guard, wary of the possibility that he might turn against her. ¡°No need for that. All I ask is for Ms. Carr to allow me to leave with my sister and Micah. Also, remember to bring my woman over. I want her to return to my side safely.¡± ¡°Sounds good, then it''s settled.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± After cutting the video, Sofie leaned back on the sofa and began tough with satisfaction. Once Mr. Doyle was eliminated, the vast underground force of Tarragon would be entirely hers. She refused to settle for anything less. If she were to do something, she would want to be a queen who stood above all men. And the position of Tarragon leader could fulfill her lifelong wish. ... In a suburban underground warehouse. Zoey was tied to a wooden stake, her mouth sealed with tape. A series of muffled sounds came from her nostrils. Kurt stood in front of her, holding a vial of potion, smiling with a chilling coldness. ¡°Do you know I''ve been in love with a woman and pursued her for many years? Yet, the man she constantly thinks about is the one who avoids her as if she''s a venomous snake. ¡°I was so envious, and consumed by jealousy. Eventually, these feelings morphed into hatred. I wanted to kill that man to take her back. ¡°Perhaps you might say, just kill them, your poison skills are so formidable, isn''t killing someone the simplest thing to you? ¡°Isn''t it ironic how fate loves to y tricks on us? I couldn''t possibly poison him because his skills in poison far surpass mine. Isn''t that just sad? ¡°But that''s okay. Over the past few years, I''ve developed a new toxin, a toxin that no one in the world can counteract. Now, all that''s left is to conduct live experiments. ¡°Once this poison is sessfully developed, I''ll use it on that b*stard, forcing the woman I love to beg me.¡± ¡°Mmm, mmm, mmm...¡± Zoey didn''t take in anything else, only the phrase ¡°all that''s left is to conduct live experiments¡± was etched into her mind. No, don''t. She didn''t want to be a carrier of poison. She couldn''t bear such a torture. ¡°Mmm, mmm, mmm...¡± Kurt reached out and patted her cheek, sneering coldly, ¡°You don''t want to do that? That''s not up to you though. Just remember that all this you''re enduring is because of Cameron, the young master of the Yablon family. When you get the chance, kill him to avenge yourself.¡± Having said that, he abruptly jabbed the needle into her arm. Zoey''s pupils contracted sharply, her face gradually contorting. The moment the poison entered her body, she felt a heart-wrenching, bone-eroding pain, as if millions of flesh-eating ants were gnawing at her flesh. ¡°Mmm, mmm, mmm...¡± She wanted to alleviate the intense pain coursing through her body by screaming, but with tape over her mouth, even a roar became a luxury she could only hope for. Kurt watched her face contort in pain, the cruel smirk on his lips became more pronounced. He could vaguely see the image of ze kneeling before him and pleading. That woman is deeply in love with Cameron, isn''t she? Unfortunately, he had concocted a poison that they couldn''t cure and administered it to Cameron. With that, he expected ze to obedientlye to him for help. ¡°Cameron, you''re going to meet a terrible end.¡± At the research base. Inside the study. Zeke and Veikko werefortably seated on the sofa, while the disguised Artemis and Bailey stood nearby. Zeke looked at Artemis, pointed to Bailey with one hand, and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Are you really going to take this sickly woman with you to Tarragon?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. Hmph! You are really my dear brother. ¡°It''s not like I''m asking for your approval, I''m just letting you know. What''s with the fuss?¡± In a fit of anger, Zeke picked up the tissue box from the table and hurled it toward her forehead. ¡°Get out of my sight.¡± Artemis quickly pulled her into his arms, nodding his head and said, ¡°Zeke, don''t lose your temper. You''re well aware of what she''s like, don''t take it too seriously. The only one you''re hurting with your anger is yourself.¡± Zeke rubbed his brow, his voice softening as he said, ¡°Her health isn''t in good shape, she really can''t afford to go through any more torment. Please, do me a favor and let her stay in Moranta.¡± Bailey hummed, ¡°That won''t do. Wherever he goes, I go too. You can''t stop me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Artemis tapped her forehead and sighed, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, can you talk less? You''ve upset your brother to the point of him getting a heart attack.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but grumble, ¡°Having a brother is such a hassle, he has to meddle in everything. Hurry up and marry me, then he won''t be able to interfere.¡± Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org. ... In a fit of anger, Zeke stormed out, mming the door behind him. Bailey blinked her eyes and said to Veikko, ¡°Hurry up and arrange a private jet to take us out of the country.¡± Huh? Doesn''t this woman see that Zeke is furious? Just as Veikko was about to get up, his phone suddenly rang in his pocket. Upon checking, it was a call from Shaun. Chapter 830 Chapter 830 In that instant, a surge of fierce energy exploded from within him. Bailey walked over, reached out, and grasped his wrist. She gave him a meaningful look, signaling him to keep hisposure and not give anything away. The young man took a deep breath, barely suppressing the rage rolling in his heart, and reached out to answer the call. Even though the woman tormented by that b*stard Shaun wasn''t Caridee, he found it hard to suppress the rage within him whenever he thought of the brutal and bloody method that was almost used on her. How fortunate that girl is, to have avoided falling into the hands of that demon. He couldn''t even imagine the torment she would have to endure otherwise. That dog was already impotent, but it still didn''t affect his womanizing. In the video, that imposter was brutally poked with a stick. Her blood and flesh were flying everywhere, her entire body was... Even if she recoveredter, she probably wouldn''t be able to marry and have children like a normal woman in this lifetime. If the torture were to be inflicted on Caridee, he would go mad. No, he might even go on a killing spree, ughtering everyone in the Carter family, guilty or innocent, until no one was left. ¡°Hahaha...¡± The sound of Shaun''s wildughter echoed in his ears, pulling Veikko back from his wandering thoughts. He gripped his phone tightly, his teeth gritted as he said, ¡°So you''ve finally called. Go ahead, what do you want?¡± Shaun slowly stifled hisughter. What did he want? Actually, he didn''t want anything. Once Philip and his son joined forces with Sofie to conquer Tarragon, they would be his greatest allies. When the time came, he''d set a trap to catch this little troublemaker, then threw him into a crowd of men, letting him relive the experience of being overwhelmed by a group of men. If he''s lucky enough to survive, then he''ll be thrown to the beasts to be torn apart. ¡°My dear brother, how does it feel to watch the woman you love being tormented by me to the point of wishing for quick death, yet being utterly powerless to stop it?¡± ¡°I''m nning to shatter ss inside her body,pletely ruining her. Would you like me to invite you to watch with me? Tsk, tsk, the scene would surely be thrilling.¡± The young man abruptly closed his eyes, the veins on his forehead bulging intensely. Even though he knew that the one being abused was not Caridee, at this moment, he could only feign anger to convince that b*stard beyond doubt. ¡°Shaun, don''t celebrate too soon. Your wife and son are in my hands. Now that you''re not a man anymore, I suppose you''re counting on your son to carry on your bloodline, aren''t you? ¡°I reckon you still need him quite a bit right now. If you dare toy a finger on Caridee, I''ll throw your woman into the nightclub, where she''ll be at the mercy of countless men. ¡°As for your son, I will treat him exactly as you treated me back in the day. Let him experience what it''s like to be toyed by grown men, how about that?¡± At this moment, Veikko had transformed into Hades. Bailey, standing nearby, subconsciously furrowed her brows. She had always disagreed with Veikko''s excessive killing, and she certainly didn''t want him to harm the innocent, such as Shaun''s wife and children. But now, Shaun was acting unjustly, his family truly deserved what wasing to them. Thankfully, it wasn''t Caridee who fell into his hands; otherwise, they would all go mad. ¡°You, you... You''re the one who kidnapped my son, hand him over to me now.¡± Shaun roared through the microphone, seething with rage. He originally intended to threaten the illegitimate child, but unexpectedly, this lowlife had an ace up his sleeve. He could care less about his wife, if Veikko wanted to throw her into the nightclub, then so be it. He had long wanted to divorce that shrewish wife of his, but her family''s powerful influence forced him to bear with her. Now that someone was sorting her out for him, it settled his problem. But he must bring his son back. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. This little b*stard was right. Now that he was impotent, he needed his son to carry on his lineage. Otherwise, his position as the head of the house may not be secure. Veikko gave a cold, light-heartedugh. ¡°If you want to save your wife and child, exchange them for Caridee. Oh, right, let me remind you, one life can only be exchanged for another, so only one person between your wife and child can survive.¡± The sound of crashing and ttering echoed through the microphone, clearly indicating that Shaun was throwing things around. A momentter, a hoarse and furious roar echoed through the phone, ¡°You b*stard, you''d better not harm my son, or I''ll kill your woman.¡± After he finished speaking, he immediately ended the call. The corner of Veikko''s lips curled into a smirk. After putting his phone back into his pocket, he slowly rose to his feet. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll escort you to the border now.¡± After a moment of hesitation, Bailey advised, ¡°Veikko, try not to harm the innocent. Just deal with those who were involved in the plot against you and your mother back then. Avoid unnecessary bloodshed.¡± Veikko furrowed his brows, a shadow of gloom shing in his eyes, subtly revealing a hint of displeasure. Bailey quickly added, ¡°If you want to be with Caridee, stop causing unnecessary bloodshed. Your future is rather promising, don''t let hatred consume you.¡± After a long silence, Veikko''s voice came out hoarse, ¡°Alright, I''ll listen to you. No harm to the innocent.¡± Artemis walked over leisurely, patting him on the shoulder, and instructed, ¡°Don''t let Shaun find out that the Caridee he captures is a fake.¡± Also, take good care of my sister. Zeke will stay in Moranta. If you need anything, feel free to go and see him. Your sister and I will be back in no more than a week.¡± Veikko nodded, ¡°Don''t worry, I won''t let her get hurt again.¡± In twenty minutes, Veikko, apanied by a few bodyguards, left Moranta on a private jet. Bailey and Artemis were also on board. Inside the cabin. Artemis said to Bailey, ¡°I just received news that Sofie has already left. She should be heading to Tarragon headquarters.¡± Bailey lightly hummed in agreement. That was an expected oue. This battle was about the final victory or defeat. That woman had nned so much, isn''t she just waiting for this day? How could she sit still when she had put all her power into ce? It was better if she went, that way they could get rid of her. Bailey only feared that she wouldn''t go. ¡°What about Mr. Philip? Did he go with her?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°No, at this crucial moment, he really can''t leave Moranta.¡± ¡°Because Juliana has awakened, if he leaves, he is very likely to lose control of the Hoffman family. The loss would outweigh the gain.¡± Bailey chuckled twice before scoffing coldly, ¡°Isn''t he afraid that Sofie will monopolize everything? He handed over the people to her, only to be kicked away in the end. Wouldn''t that be suffering a double loss?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows, a mischievous smirk ying on his lips. ¡°They have an illegitimate son, who''s about fifteen now. Sofie''s subsequent involvement with Leo was also orchestrated by Mr. Philip.¡± ¡°So even if Sofie kicks him out, his son is still the future young master of Tarragon. No matter how you look at it, he won''t be at a loss.¡± Puff! Bailey couldn''t help but burst intoughter. This man really had dug up all of someone''s secrets. ¡°So, what earthshaking action did you take next?¡± Her intuition told her that this man was up to no good again. Chapter 831 Chapter 831 And it was surely a despicable and shameless bad deed. Sure enough, a sly, calcting glimmer shed across Artemis'' eyes. ¡°I revealed this secret to Tucker.¡± ¡°Haha...¡± Baileyughed as she threw herself into his arms. While reaching out to pinch his handsome face, she praised, ¡°You really live up to the reputation of the scheming man I know. It seems like a fire is about to start in the backyard of Mr. Philip''s house.¡± ¡°Indeed, I''ve put a lot of effort into pleasing Zeke. In the future, you need to watch your words and avoid offending him again.¡± Baileyy in his arms, looking up at him. ¡°What does this have to do with Zeke?¡± Artemis leaned his head forward until his forehead touched hers, smiling as he said, ¡°When the backyard of Mr. Philip''s house caught fire, it led to a feud between brothers, each ready to fight the other. In the end, who do you think will benefit?¡± Bailey rolled his eyes yfully, grinning as she said, ¡°Juliana, haha. Are you helping your future sister- inw here?¡± The smile on Artemis''s face froze. Sister-inw? It was surprising that Bailey could even voice it out. The apprentice has be my sister-inw, this transition happens too quickly. Doesn''t she need time to adjust? Bailey burst into heartyughter once again, slowly reaching out to encircle his neck. Leaning into his ear, she whispered, ¡°Artemis, let me perform surgery on you, to reconnect your severed vas deferens. I still want to have a few more children with you.¡± Time was peaceful, and there was a promising future ahead. It seemed the only thing she could do now was... to have a baby. Hehe! Artemis''s gaze deepened, a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes. He wanted to have another child with her. Previously, she had given birth to a bunch of babies without his knowledge. He never really had the chance to experience taking care of a pregnant woman, or the joy of bing a father for the first time. Perhaps having another child could make up for this regret, and also let him see her struggles. Seeing him silent, Bailey knew he was moved. Her eyes curved like crescent moons, and she tilted her head back, fiercely grinding her lips against his thin ones a few times. ¡°Alright then, it''s settled.¡± Inside the study at the winery. Tucker suddenly sprang up from the sofa, angrily demanding, ¡°Are you sure you''re not mistaken? That old man and that old hag woman really had an illegitimate child outside?¡± The personal bodyguard steeled himself and repeated it once again. With a swift motion, Tucker picked up the wine ss from the table and fiercely smashed it onto the ground. ¡°No wonder that old man confidently said that Sofie would not betray us. Even if she did, Tarragon would still belong to the Hoffman family.¡± ¡°So, he fathered a b*stard with that wild woman, and the kid''s already fifteen. What a d*mn irony. This means that old man never intended to hand over Tarragon to me. He''s been nning to groom that illegitimate child.¡± The personal bodyguard stood still with his head bowed, trembling all over in fear, not daring to even breathe. After venting his frustrations by smashing all the precious antiques in the room, Tucker finally managed to calm his emotions. An illegitimate child, huh? Do you want him to take my ce? That all depends on whether he''s got the luck or not. ¡°Go find out. I don''t care how you do it, but you must locate that illegitimate child for me. I''ll prepare a bottle of poison, and I''ll make sure he''s poisoned to the point of no return.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After watching his personal bodyguard leave, Tucker began to smirk at the mess around him. D*mn old man, I''ve been helping you, doing all the dirty work, and this is how you treat me? You''re nning to support that b*stard, aren''t you? Fine then, I''ll make sure he ispletely destroyed. Let''s see who you can rely on in the end. At the same moment. Inside the study of the Hoffman residence. Juliana pushed the door open and walked in, asking as she did, ¡°Dad, you called me over. What do you need?¡± Raymond put down the newspaper in his hand, took off the sses from his nose, and said in a soft voice, ¡°I have installed a jamming device in this study, it''s more convenient to discuss matters here.¡± ¡°Find some time to meet with Zeke and have a serious talk. Let him know your stance. Tell him to let go as soon as possible and leave Moranta quickly.¡± Juliana lifted the corner of her mouth, revealing a bitter smile. ¡°Daddy, do you still not trust me? Do you think that after everything we''ve been through, I would run away with Zeke while Huntley is still bedridden?¡± Raymond furrowed his brows, speaking in a deep voice, ¡°That''s not what I meant. If Zeke stays in Moranta for a long time, the family elders will always have their eyes on you, and your hands will be bound.¡± Really? She was indeed overthinking it. ¡°I''m sorry, Daddy. I misunderstood you.¡± Raymond waved his hand and sighed. ¡°I know this is too cruel for you, but there''s no other way at the moment.¡± ¡°If Zeke doesn''t leave, those old geezers at home will always be watching you. You can forget about having the freedom to do what you want.¡± Juliana nodded slightly, saying in a soft voice, ¡°I''ll call Zeke right away, and tell him to leave...¡± Before she could finish, Raymond interrupted her, ¡°Some things are better said face to face.¡± ¡°I''ve arranged for someone to quietly take you to Zeke''s ce. You should sit down and have a good talk with him.¡± Juliana pursed her lips. She wasn''t ready to face that man yet. Initially, she drugged him, stole his seed, and secretly carried his child. Even now, thinking about that episode made her feel shy, let alone face him. ¡°Daddy, aren''t you afraid I might run away with him?¡± Raymond furrowed his brows, responding with a question instead, ¡°Would you abandon Huntley?¡± Juliana smiled gently. ¡°Alright. I''ll go see Zeke and ask him to leave Moranta soon.¡± Inside the gym at the research base. Zeke was topless, and doing push-ups on the mat. On the side, his personal bodyguard was reporting to him. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, we still haven''t been able to identify the mole within the research base. Do you have any good idea?¡± Zeke breathed lightly, his voice cool and detached, ¡°No worries. He will show up sooner orter. There''s no need to rush.¡± At that moment, the person in charge of the base walked in and nodded to Zeke. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Ms. Juliana of the Hoffman family hase over in secret. She says she wants to see you.¡± Zeke was taken aback, frozen mid-air with his hands clutching the back of his head. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. A few secondster, he snapped back to reality and finished the remaining push-ups. ¡°Bring her over.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After the person in charge left, Zeke said to the bodyguard beside him, ¡°She came here secretly, and doesn''t want anyone to know.¡± ¡°If someone leaks the news of hering to me at this time, they''re a mole. You know what to do, right?¡± ¡°Yes, I''ll handle it right away and make sure to expose him.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± A momentter, Juliana, having quickly disguised herself, walked into the gym. Looking at the environment before her, she couldn''t help but furrow her brows. Shouldn''t guests be entertained in the living room? Why bring me to his private space? ¡°I...¡± Before she could utter a word, the door behind her mmed shut with a bang. At that moment, the door in the southeast corner swung open, and a tall, slender figure stepped out, striding away with long, graceful legs. The man was only wrapped in a bath towel. Juliana felt as if her breathing had stopped, and she turned around abruptly. With a cold smile, Zeke walked directly behind her. With a sweep of his arm, he scooped her into his embrace and pressed her against the massage chair. Chapter 832 Chapter 832 The atmosphere in the room instantly tensed up. Juliana''s head was a little dizzy, a lingering effect from the abrupt one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn she had just made. Coupled with the intense, masculine aura spreading from the tip of his nose, she felt light and airy, as if she was walking on clouds. Zeke reached out and removed the sses that obscured most of her face. When his eyes met hers, he could see right through the timidity and fear buried within her. ¡°Heh. Weren''t you quite capable back then? Drugging me, even taking advantage of me in my sleep, and then running away with my child. Now that you see me again, why have you be so scared?¡± As his words fell, he lowered his head, preparing to draw close to her. Juliana gulped and instinctively cing her hand on his chest. However, because he was shirtless, her palmnded on scorching hot skin, which made her quickly retract her hand. The next moment, a shadow cast over her from above, and a masculine scent hit her straight on. Her heart began to race wildly, and she hastily propped her arm up on his shoulder. ¡°D-Don''t do this...¡± ¡°Don''t do what?¡± Zeke asked teasingly while tracing the contours of her lips with his fingertip. ¡°Do you mean this?¡± Then, he swiftly pulled down the fabric from her shoulder. ¡°Or this?¡± Juliana was trembling violently, her body weak and powerless. She wanted to push him away, but her arms could not exert any strength. ¡°I-I was wrong. Now that I''ve been punished, j-just let me go.¡± Zeke chuckled lightly as he reached out and patted her face several times. ¡°Since this game has already begun, I have no intention of calling it off. Do you think you can cross me and then just run away? There''s no such easy way out in this world.¡± After saying that, he abruptly straightened up and strode toward the lounge on the side. ¡°Whatever it is, let''s sit down and talk it over slowly.¡± Juliana pursed her lips tightly. Her beautiful eyes rested on his broad back as she slowly felt her heart tighten into a knot. What is he doing? Is he nning to turn the tables and cling to me? After everything we''ve been through, does he still believe we could be together? Leaving aside the fact that he already had a wife, she could not forsake Huntley simply because she was the reason he became disabled. It was true that she used to be willful, unruly, and capricious. In the past, she was impulsive and had no concept of responsibility. However, things were different now. She had someone she wanted to protect. Even if she did not love Huntley, she would spend the rest of her life by his side. If his arms and legs could never be healed, she would care for him for the rest of her life. ¡°Weren''t you looking to discuss something with me? Why are you still standing there? You sneaked out, didn''t you? Then you should know that the longer you stay here, the more disadvantageous it is for you.¡± Juliana clenched her teeth tightly as she struggled to rise from the massage chair. Then, she steeled herself and walked over to sit across from him. She did not dare to look at him, as the sight of the bare-chested man greatly impacted her. If it had been a few months ago, she might have been fearless, even excited, seeing the handsome man''snguid demeanor after a bath. However, all she wanted at the moment was to run away. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. It was not because she had be melodramatic, but because she had grown up and knew how to force herself not to be intoxicated by such masculine charm. ¡°I-I came over today to ask you to leave Moranta, Mr. Shurmer.¡± Zeke furrowed his brows slightly as a sharp glint shed across his hawk-like eyes, hinting at an underlying danger. This woman sure has guts. I was wondering why she suddenly came to visit me. It turns out that she''s here to drive me away. Has my presence in Moranta be a thorn in her side? It can''t be. I haven''t done anythingtely, nor had I insisted when she didn''t wish to see me. ¡°Give me a reason to leave. If it''s convincing enough, I''ll immediately board a private jet and do so.¡± Juliana snapped her head upward, her gaze falling on the tanned skin in front of her before she quickly lowered her head again. ¡°I-If you keep staying here, the elders'' union might mistakenly think that I''m colluding with you, which would be detrimental to the entire family. Once they set their sights on me, I can no longer break away to do what I want. Mr. Shurmer, I intend to seed as the head of the family, so I kindly ask you to take my master''s reputation into consideration and leave Moranta. Your presence here will only hinder my path to seize power.¡± Zeke gave her the side-eye and said lightly, ¡°Don''t be the head of the family, and don''t seize any power then. Sort out your affairs, and return to Hallsbay with me. If you wish to experience the feeling of being superior to many, you can be the matriarch of the Shurmer family. After all, the Shurmer family is the most prominent and esteemed medical family in the world. I''m sure it will satisfy you.¡± Juliana looked up again. A flicker of surprise shed in her eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. She had to admit that this status was something she had once dreamed of. If it were in the past, she would have been overjoyed. However, at present, she would only experience a slight stirring of emotions at the moment of hearing it at most. Once she had collected herself, she would return to a calm and untroubled state. ¡°You must be joking, Mr. Shurmer. You have a fianc¨¦e now, just like I have a fianc¨¦. This kind of joke is a bit too much. You should make fewer of them.¡± Zeke leaned over abruptly, enveloping her directly within the shadow he cast. ¡°I feel it''s necessary to rify something with you. The child Shirley is carrying is not mine. I have not married her, nor is she my wife. So, I wasn''t joking when I said what I did earlier. You can take it as a heartfelt confession. I''vee to Moranta this time with only one purpose in mind, and that is to take you with me.¡± Juliana was somewhat flustered. How could she resist his tender advances when she was already smitten with him? ¡°But I aspire to soar to greater heights and be the most powerful woman in Adrune.¡± After saying that, she frantically pushed him away, sprang up from the couch, and quickly retreated a few meters away. Ms. Gourd isn''t carrying his child? They didn''t marry? But what does all this have to do with me? If she were to throw in the towel and lose herself in the web of love he had spun based on that alone, her so-called resilience would be nothing more than a joke. ¡°Since you''re not willing to discuss serious matters with me, Mr. Shurmer, there''s no reason for me to stay any longer. I''ll take my leave now.¡± With that said, she turned around, ready to flee. ¡°Wait.¡± Zeke stopped her. ¡°After tonight, the Hoffman family will receive news of my departure from Moranta, and they won''t focus their attention on you after that. If you wish to be the queen of Adrune, it''s not impossible. When the timees, I''ll spare no expense, using all of the Shurmer family''s wealth as a betrothal gift to marry you. As for Huntley, I will have your master heal him. You don''t need to offer yourself in exchange. He cannot have my woman.¡± Juliana made herself focus on his first sentence only, ignoring the rest. ¡°Very well. Please leave as soon as possible, Mr. Shurmer.¡± With that, she strode out of the gym. Zeke cocked his brows while watching her leave, his thin lips quirking into a half-smile. You can''t run from me, woman. A momentter, his personal bodyguard walked in, ¡°Mr. Shurmer, we''ve found the mole.¡± Chapter 833 Chapter 833 Zeke reached out to pick up the wine ss on the table, tilting his head back to take a hearty gulp. A cold, fierce glint shed across his eyes. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. People often described him as gentle, elegant, and courteous, but that did not mean he could tolerate betrayal from those he trusted. He would not let a traitor make it through the night. ¡°Go on. Who is it?¡± The personal bodyguard clenched his jaw and hissed through gritted his teeth, ¡°Edward Summer.¡± Edward was the person in charge of the research base. A crisp shattering sound echoed in the room as Zeke crushed the wine ss in his hand. The scarlet blood mixed with the dark red wine, rolling and falling, dripping onto the white carpet, blooming into startlingly vivid patterns. ¡°He didn''t spread the news about Julianaing to see me, did he?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Shurmer. I''ve intercepted his message. He has betrayed you and is now of no use. Do you want me to get rid of him?¡± Zeke casually lifted his arm and uttered coldly, ¡°He''s still useful to me. Go and bring him here.¡± ¡°Right away.¡± That very night, Philip received a message from the person in charge of the research base that Zeke had already left Moranta. He still wholeheartedly believed in the information from the mole named Edward. With Bailey dead and Zeke''s departure, he did not believe that Juliana could single-handedly turn the tide and seize the position of the family head. In this internal struggle, I''ll surely achieve an overwhelming victory. When the timees, Raymond will present me with the position of head of the family. ¡°Mr. Hoffman, bad news! We''ve received news from the farm. They... They said the young master has gone missing!¡± A bodyguard d in ck rushed in from outside. Philip sprang up from the couch and roared, ¡°What on earth are you good for? You can''t even keep an eye on a boy, so what''s the point of me keeping you around?¡± ¡°P-Peoplee and go from the farm every day. Nothing has ever gone wrong for so many years. There has to be more to this sudden disappearance. I suggest you send a top-notch detective to properly investigate the matter.¡± Philip took a deep breath, and after suppressing the unease in his heart, uttered through gritted teeth, ¡°If Sofie finds out her son is missing, she''ll surely break the agreement. When that happens, everything I''ve nned will be ruined. Send someone to find him immediately. I must see him, dead or alive. No, I need him to appear before me unharmed. Got it?¡± ¡°Yes, understood. I''ll dispatch someone to search for him right away.¡± After watching the bodyguard leave, Philip slumped back onto the couch. The deal between him and Sofie hinged entirely on the boy. If anything untoward befell the boy, he could forget about gaining the power of Tarragon in the future. In other words, he schemed for so many years only to have someone else reap the harvest in the end. How could he possibly ept that? Meanwhile, inside the study of the Hoffman family''s main house, Raymond had also received news of Zeke''s departure from Moranta. He was discussing matters with Juliana, and when he heard the news, he could not help but exim, ¡°It seems he still has feelings for you. However, you two are from different worlds andck the destiny to be together.¡± Mixed emotions shed through Juliana''s eyes. Is that man sopliant that he''ll leave when I ask him to? She always felt that things were not as simple as they seemed and that he was not someone who could be easily manipted. Then again, it doesn''t matter whether he truly left or not. All that matters is to make the family elders believe he has left. That way, those old fogies won''t focus their attention on me anymore, and I can freely do what I want. ¡°Dad, he''s now a part of my past. Let''s not talk about him anymore. Starting today, I have nothing to do with Zeke. From now on, only one person will be inextricably linked to me, and that is Huntley. He will be my only husband in this lifetime, and he will also be my respected and esteemed partner.¡± ¡°As long as you can understand, that''s all that matters. Once we''ve dealt with your second uncle''s faction, I will formally pass on the position of family head to you.¡± Juliana remained silent. A private jet gentlynded on a serene mountaintop at the boundary of Mount Arnmond. A momentter, a man and a woman stepped out of the aircraft hand in hand. The surrounding light was somewhat dim. Through the soft halo of the moonlight, one could vaguely see that thewn below was filled with kneeling assassins dressed in ck. Not only was the surrounding area so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, but a strong aura of death permeated all around. Several vultures perched on the treetops felt their lives threatened, and they pped their wings in panic as they began to scatter haphazardly. ¡°Mr. Luther, you''ve finally arrived. If you had been two dayster, I truly wouldn''t have been able to hold the situation together.¡± Artemis kicked him away with a look of disdain on his face. ¡°Scram.¡± Bailey, on the other hand, snorted. ¡°You''ve been with Mr. Luther for many years, so you should''ve learned some of his tactics. Why do you underestimate yourself so much?¡± Ken scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. ¡°What I''ve learned from Mr. Luther are all business strategies. I''m truly not cut out for this.¡± Bailey turned her head and scanned the surroundings before asking, ¡°What''s the situation now? Have Mr. Doyle and Sofie arrived?¡± Ken wiped the yful smirk off his face and nodded. ¡°Both parties have already arrived at the foot of Mount Arnmond, Mrs. Luther. However, they didn''t take any further action and have very likely sat down for negotiations. After all, their intense battles at the foot of the mountain led to heavy casualties, making it a costly loss.¡± Bailey nodded in response before shifting her gaze to Artemis, who was looking around with a telescope. ¡°What do you think?¡± she asked with a smile. Artemis tossed the telescope to Ken, took off his windbreaker, and draped it over her shoulders before pulling her into his embrace. ¡°Even though spring has arrived, the wind in the mountain pass is still quite chilly. If you can''t stand the cold, head inside the ne.¡± Bailey could not help but chuckle. ¡°I''m not sickly, so there''s no need to fuss. I''m asking you a question. What do you think?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly, a calcting glint dancing in his gaze. As soon as Bailey saw the cunning glint in his eyes, she knew someone was about to face misfortune. ¡°We can''t let them join forces. We must find a way to incite them to war. We should take out one side first to make handling the matterter much easier.¡± Bailey nodded in agreement. ¡°I think so too, but now that they''ve met, I''m afraid it won''t be easy to stir up trouble.¡± Artemis threw her a sidelong nce. His gaze blending with the moonlight was soft enough to melt into water. ¡°Then, I must trouble you to do me a small favor, my dear.¡± Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck and went on tiptoes to whisper in his ear, ¡°You want me to create a hyper-realistic mask for you using my disguise skill, am I right?¡± Artemis let out a heartyugh. ¡°My wife truly understands me. That''s right. Prepare the hyper-realistic mask. Let''s use the strategy of sowing discord, shall we?¡± Bailey smiled happily as she replied, ¡°We''re on the same page. It''s no wonder we''re so in love. In fact, for Sofie, Wendy is her winning chip because she can use her to control Holden. If Mr. Doyle''s men intend to kidnap Wendy, it means their motives are impure, so we need not instigate them with words. Their alliance will crumble immediately.¡± Chapter 834 Chapter 834 Late at night, inside a farmhouse in a small town in the southwest, Sofie, dressed in herbat gear, leaned against the eaves, squinting at the starry sky above her. Right then, a bodyguard dressed in ck approached and nodded, saying, ¡°Ms. Carr, Mr. Doyle has sent someone over again to urge you to hurry. They''re asking if you''ve made your decision yet.¡± Sofie gave a coldugh, lowered her head to look at him, and asked lightly, ¡°Do you think I should shake hands and make peace with him?¡± ¡°I...¡± The man in ck pondered. Sofie added, ¡°Although I used to be Leo''s mistress, that old man was always wary of me. He only took me to the Tarragon Headquarters once. I have no knowledge of the defense system inside. If I really join forces with Mr. Doyle to attack, and if he decides to abandon one''s benefactor once his help is not needed, then triggering the trap will doom us, leaving us utterly defenseless. After all, he has spent most of his life at the Tarragon Headquarters. It couldn''t be any easier for him if he wants to pull some strings behind the scenes.¡± The man in ck, her bodyguard, met her gaze. He saw a chilling, deadly seriousness in her eyes and cautiously asked, ¡°So, are you still determined to burn bridges and engage him in a fight to the death at the foot of the mountain?¡± Sofie raised an eyebrow, her gaze falling on the courtyard next door. With a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, she said, ¡°The great elder is knowledgeable about the defenses of the Tarragon Headquarters, and I''m sure that young Holden does as well. Why would you think I''d choose to fight him to the death at the foot of the mountain, only to pay a terrible price in the end? I could simply lure him up the mountain, then have Holden help me ambush him. Wouldn''t that be better?¡± The ck-d bodyguard''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he eximed, ¡°Ms. Carr, that''s a brilliant idea! Since you have Holden under your control, he wouldn''t dare to go against yourmand. If you tell him to go east, he won''t even think of going west. If you were to order him to assassinate Mr. Doyle, he wouldn''t hesitate for a moment. And if you asked who knows the defense system of the Tarragon Headquarters best in this world, I''m afraid he would be the one.¡± A sinister smile crept onto Sofie''s lips. She was about to turn around and contact Holden, nning to have him assist her in plotting against the great elder. Suddenly, a gunshot echoed through the adjacent courtyard, breaking the silence of the night. ¡°Oh no! Someone''s targeting Wendy. Hurry over and check it out.¡± ¡°Yes, ma''am.¡± The master and servant quickly dashed out of the courtyard. They immediately met with a strong, pungent smell of blood. The light was too dim, and they could barely make out the shadows strewn haphazardly across the street. ¡°Ms. Carr, we''re in trouble! We''ve been attacked by an external force.¡± Sofie''s pupils constricted, and she rushed toward the nearby courtyard, heedless of the winding trail of fresh blood beneath her. If someone were to take Wendy away, she would lose her leverage against Holden. If she could not control Holden, she might as well forget about attacking Tarragon Headquarters. ¡°D*mn it, is there still anyone alive out there?¡± With a resounding bang, a dull gunshot echoed through the courtyard. Sofie hurriedly rushed in, only to find that it was her own people who had killed thest assant. She couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Where''s Wendy? She hasn''t been kidnapped, has she?¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, she''s still in the room. Thankfully, the assassin hiding in the shadows arrived just in time, or else the other party would have seeded in their n.¡± The man in ck examining the body suddenly cried out in surprise, ¡°Heavens, isn''t that the top killer from Mr. Doyle''s side?¡± Sofie clenched her fists tightly and strode over to him. She reached out and forcefully pulled him aside. ¡°Are you certain this is the assassin from Mr. Doyle''s side?¡± ¡°Yes, the undercover agent who was previously hidden among Mr. Doyle''s ranks has sent a document of information to my subordinates. It contains mostly the trusted aides of Ms. Doyle, and there''s a picture with this face. So, I can be sure he is Mr. Doyle''s man. Now they are attempting to kidnap Ms. Hoffman, things are clearly not as simple as they say. That sly old geezer ims he wants to coborate with you, to storm the Tarragon Headquarters together, but behind your back, he''s ying dirty. He''s aiming for the biggest card in your hand.¡± Sofie suddenly raised her foot and delivered several fierce kicks to the top killer. ¡°Old geezer! Two-faced jerk! Does he really think I wouldn''t dare to have a fight to the death with him at the foot of the mountain?¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, please calm your anger. Now that you have Ms. Hoffman at your disposal, there''s no need to bother with that old geezer. Let''s bide our time for now. Once he follows us to the Tarragon Headquarters, then you can force Holden to activate the trap to kill him.¡± Sofie abruptly closed her eyes, gritting her teeth as she said, ¡°Connect me to Holden right now.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± A momentter, the bodyguard came over with amunicator in hand. ¡°Ms. Carr, the call has been sessfully connected.¡± Sofie snatched the phone, gritting her teeth as sheid out her conditions to Holden. ¡°Kid, you don''t have the luxury to refuse. You must help me take down Mr. Doyle, or I''ll kill your woman.¡± After a moment of silence, Holden''s sigh came through the speakers. ¡°If you had any other requests, I might be able to assist you somewhat, but this one is truly impossible.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°The defense system of the Tarragon Headquarters was set up by Mr. Doyle himself. While I may know the locations of some traps, he is equally aware of them. Killing him in a trap is not a feasible option. On the other hand, if you bring him along, he might foil your ns where you are most confident. Despite being in charge of Tarragon, he, as the great elder, possesses knowledge of far more secrets than I do.¡± Sofie''s grip on her phone tightened as she spoke with an icy tone, ¡°It seems to me like you''re intentionally stalling. After Mr. Doyle''s betrayal, didn''t you rece the defense system?¡± Holden chuckled. ¡°Why should we change our defense system? Let''s just wait for him to attack, then we''ll wipe him out in one fell swoop.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Sofie took a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she warned, ¡°Kid, you''d better not be lying to me, or I''ll make your woman''s life a living hell.¡± After she finished speaking, she abruptly hung up the phone. If Dominic also knew about the defense system of the Tarragon Headquarters, then she could not let that old guy go up there. Otherwise, she would be the mouse in a trap. ¡°Send out the order, summon all the assassins to gather in the small town. Tomorrow, we will engage in a fight to the death with Mr. Doyle. We''ll discuss further once he''s been dealt with.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± At the same moment, two specter-like dark silhouettes darted through the dense forest. A palpable aura of murderous intent spread throughout the woods. Finally, the dark silhouette leading the way gradually slowed their pace, their thin lips curling into a smirk that was neither a smile nor a frown. ¡°You''ve fallen into the trap.¡± The person behind them paled and instinctively wanted to retreat. Unfortunately, it was toote for him. Before he could even turn around, a thick mist suddenly wafted across his nose. It was colorless and tasteless. But in an instant, all his strength was drained from his body. His legs gave way, and he fell to his knees on the ground. ¡°Who are you, really?¡± Artemis slowly turned around, a smile ying on his lips. He raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What''s the matter? Don''t you recognize your own master?¡± The assassin in ck''s pupils, his face filled with shock as he looked at him, ¡°You¡ª You''re actually not dead? Are... Are you betraying Mr. Doyle and the others?¡± Chapter 835 Chapter 835 Artemis strode up to him, standing tall with his hands behind his back, a hint of cold determination shing in his eyes. ¡°Where did I go wrong with you that you would betray me and side with Mr. Doyle?¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. The assassin in ck slowly lowered his head, falling into silence, seemingly trying to calm his emotions. A full minute passed before he slowly said, ¡°People always strive for a better life. You''ve already gathered a host of powerful subordinates like Micah and Holden around you. There''s simply no chance for me to stand out. Mr. Doyle is different. He has promised me that, as long as I help him fulfill his grand ambition, he will make me the second inmand of Tarragon.¡± Artemis chuckled softly, ¡°Since he''s the one who incited you to betray me, I''m going to let him taste the bitter fruit of his actions today.¡± The assassin in ck suddenly looked up, his voice trembling as he asked, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Artemis gave him a sidelong nce, saying lightly, ¡°Half an hour ago, I had one of my men disguise himself as you and went to Sofie''s ce to kidnap Ms. Hoffman. Sofie will surely think that your master is ying a double game now. Their so-called alliance is on the verge of falling apart.¡± The assassin in ck, overwhelmed by fear, instinctively swung his arm toward Artemis. ¡°Watch out!¡± came Bailey''s voice from the left. Her voice was followed by several silver needles slicing through the darkness, aimed straight at the face, neck, and heart of the assassin in ck. The opponent blocked two, but in the end, he could only watch helplessly as thest one pierced his heart. The sound of breathing abruptly ceased, and the man in ck fell to the ground with a loud thud. Bailey rushed forward withrge strides, reaching out to pat him all over. ¡°He was holding poison in his hand. You didn''t get contaminated with it, did you?¡± Perhaps she was too anxious, her fingers seemed to grow a mind of their own, lingering around his lower abdomen several times. The man''s breathing suddenly became heavy. Under the cover of the dark night and the howling wind, mischief was on the horizon. He then casually took a bottle from her waist and scattered its contents carelessly on the assassin''s body. After eradicating all traces of the murder, he carried her and climbed up arge tree trunk. It appeared that Bailey had caught onto his intentions. Her pretty face flushed bright red instantly, and she red at him, remarking, ¡°You''re bing more and more absurd. nning outdoor activities this Artemis let out two scoffs. ¡°Who cares? You''re just teasing me. Do you think I''m incapable? Since you''re so enthusiastic about it, I''ll fulfill your wish.¡± ¡°Art¡ª Mm...¡± The angry cursing suddenly stopped. In the end, she gradually began topromise. As his antics nearly drove her to the point of fainting, she couldn''t help but murmur, ¡°Take it easy. Don''t end up messing up the important stuff.¡± ¡°Mmm...¡± Although he agreed verbally, he didn''t agree to it in his mind. Screw the important stuff. He felt that what he was doing now¡ªloving her, cherishing her, teasing her¡ªwas what he should be doing most in his life. The sky was beginning to brighten. In another small town, Dominic stayed awake all night. ¡°How''s it going? Have you heard anything from Sofie? What''s she thinking?¡± ¡°Mr. Doyle, there has been no recent progress with the person negotiating with her. It seems they haven''t figured it out yet. Maybe you could wait a little longer.¡± Wait? Dominic''s expression darkened. He couldn''t wait any longer. Sofie held nearly twice as much power as him, and if that madwoman truly initiated a battle at the foot of the mountain, his chances of winning were almost nonexistent. He didn''t betray Tarragon just to quarrel with this woman. Now, sess was just a step away. If he were to fall at the foot of the mountain, he would not rest in peace even in death. He could not to war. He certainly won''t wait for the war to start. He had to persuade that woman, even if it means he gets a smaller share when the territory is divided. ¡°Where''s Nighthawk? Summon him.¡± A momentter, a respectful voice reported from outside, ¡°Mr. Doyle, Nighthawk left early this morning and has not returned yet.¡± Dominic furrowed his brows, a hint of displeasure shing in his eyes. ¡°Send someone to find him. What''s he thinking to disappear at a time like this? Doesn''t he realize how serious the situation is now?¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± After a while, another urgent report came from outside. ¡°Mr. Doyle, bad news! Sofie has already rallied her forces and is preparing to wage war against us.¡± Dominic sprang up from his chair and strode over to the door. He reached out and swung it open. ¡°What did you say? That crazy woman is preparing to wage war against me?¡± ¡°Y-Yes. What do you think we should do about the situation?¡± The crowd in the courtyard was growing, all waiting for the great elder to make the final decision. Dominic gritted his teeth ferociously and shouted to the outside, ¡°Send someone to Sofie''s ce. Tell her I want to have a serious talk with her. Meet me at the lookout point in half an hour.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± ... On the distant mountaintop, Bailey was leaning softly against Artemis, her eyes heavy with sleep. ¡°You''re so mean.¡± Artemis, who was holding onto binocrs, nced down at her and chuckled, ¡°If you keep showing this meek demeanor of yours, I might just be a little meaner.¡± With a gulp, Bailey said in a trembling voice, ¡°All right, all right. Focus on your job. I won''t bother you anymore.¡± After speaking, she slowly closed her eyes. Artemis lowered his head and nted a kiss on her forehead. Looking at her weary eyes, a trace of heartache shed in his own. ¡°I aim to end all wars within five days, so just hold on a bit longer.¡± ¡°Okay. The air in these mountains is delightfully refreshing, and I''m feeling quitefortable here. So, no need to rush. Take your time.¡± At that moment, Ken leaped down from the small hillside, bowed his head, and said, ¡°Mr. Doyle is nning to negotiate with Sofie again, what do you think?¡± Bailey abruptly opened her eyes, a dark look swirling in them. ¡°We can''t let them meet. If Mr. Doylepromises on some of his profits, Sofie might just soften her heart.¡± ¡°That won''t happen,¡± Artemis said softly, ¡°Holden sent me a message saying that Sofie asked him to activate the headquarters trap to kill Mr. Doyle. He decided to go with the flow and told her that the headquarters'' defense was all set up by Mr. Doyle himself. If Sofie doesn''t want to be trapped and killed, she would definitely have to face Mr. Doyle in a fight to the death at the foot of the mountain.¡± Bailey closed his eyes again, ¡°Okay, I''m just worrying over nothing.¡± Artemis couldn''t resist gazing at her picturesque delicate face and leaned in to steal a few more kisses. ¡°We will still need to rely on you, ma''am, to rescue Wendy in the future. This will allow Holden to be free of worries. So, don''t underestimate yourself.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± In the courtyard, a blood-soaked bodyguard in ck rushed in from outside. ¡°M-Mr. Doyle, Sofie, she... she refused to negotiate and straight up killed the messenger.¡± Dominic, seething with anger, mmed his hand onto the table. ¡°That b*tch... She''s nothing more than a mistress, yet she acts as if she''s so important!¡± After saying that, the thought of his mistress having more help at her disposal immediately dampened his spirits. ¡°Connect me to her. I want to speak with her personally.¡± Upon hearing this, his subordinate immediately got to work. A momentter, the call was sessfully connected. Before Dominic could speak, Sofie took the initiative, ¡°Mr. Doyle, where has your top killer Nighthawk gone to?¡± Chapter 836 Chapter 836 Nighthawk? A shudder suddenly ran through Dominic''s body. At the same time, a sense of foreboding swamped him. My subordinate said the man went outte at night and has yet to return. Don''t tell me that something has happened to him? ¡°You killed him?¡± Sofie''s coldughter came through themunicator. ¡°Shouldn''t I have killed him?¡± ¡°How dare you!¡± Dominic was extremely angry. First, it was the messenger I sent. And now, it''s my most capable subordinate. Has she developed a taste for killing? ¡°You actually dared to kill him, Sofie? Do you realize that by harming him, you''re dering war on me?¡± Sofie sneered, ¡°So be it. I''ve even killed the messenger you sent. Wasn''t that clear enough to convey my stance? We both know that only one of us can remain in the end. One of us must die. I want to live. As such, I''m left with no choice but to consign you to death.¡± After she had finished speaking, she promptly ended the call. Listening to the dial toneing from the other end, Dominic was so angry that his entire body trembled. He abruptly raised his arm and smashed themunicator in his hand. ¡°What should we do now, Mr. Doyle?¡± ¡°Sofie is now determined to fight us to the death at the foot of the mountain. If we don''t make preparations for the battle, she''ll catch us off guard.¡± ¡°Yes, exactly! Many lives are at stake. We can''t just let her eliminate them all. Even if we can''t kill her, we must deal her a devastating blow.¡± ¡°Indeed. Since she won''t allow us to live, we shouldn''t let her have it easy either.¡± ¡°Please give the order to prepare for battle immediately, Mr. Doyle.¡± The high-ranking individuals below the steps spoke over one another, spit spewing everywhere as they mored. Dominic slowly clenched his fist. Gritting his teeth, he uttered, ¡°Since she chose to betray me, she can''t me me for showing her no mercy. Convey my orders that everyone is to prepare for battle. Even if we can''t win, we must inflict heavy damage and make her pay a painful price.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± On the mountaintop, Artemis wore a satisfied smile on his face after listening to Ken''s report. Even if Dominic and Sofie were to join forces and attack Tarragon Headquarters, he could handle it. However, the losses might be somewhat hefty. Presently, he had sessfully instigated them and have them go up against each other. Regardless of the triumphant party in the end, it would mean half the pressure lifted off his shoulders. That was the situation he wanted to see. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°All right, I got it. Bring some men with you and guard the perimeter to ensure that all Mr. Doyle''s men meet their ends at Sofie''s hands. If anyone tries to flee from the battle, take them down immediately. I don''t want to see any survivors slipping away. Understood?¡± ¡°Yes, understood. I''ll kill anyone and everyone who tries to escape. Just wait here for my good news.¡± After Ken had left, Artemis turned his head to look at the woman munching on a pheasant thigh at the side. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, ¡°How long do you think this battle willst?¡± Bailey bit off arge chunk of meat, chewing as she mumbled, ¡°At most, two days. Sofie doesn''t only have her own subordinates but also assassins from Philip and Shaun. Her forces far surpass those of Mr. Doyle''s. If she still loses this battle, I can only say that I''ve overestimated her in the past. But don''t we know her methods all too well? In a situation where there''s a great disparity in strength between them, Mr. Doyle doesn''t stand a chance. He''ll bepletely overwhelmed. Thus, two days is the limit. That old geezer wouldn''t be able to hold up for even an hour beyond that.¡± Artemis leaned in and opened his mouth. Bailey nced at the pheasant thigh in her hand, feeling slightly reluctant to give it to him. Hesitating, she tore off a small piece of meat and popped it into his mouth. Artemis could not help but reach out and ruffle her hair. ¡°What an ungrateful woman! I was the one who caught this pheasant.¡± With a harrumph, Bailey changed the subject. ¡°After the battle at the foot of the mountain ends, Sofie will order Holden to turn off all defenses at the headquarters. He has to agree, for only by doing so could he lure her into the trap and capture her without lifting a finger. However, Wendy is ultimately at risk in her hands. We must rescue her the moment Sofie steps into Tarragon Headquarters.¡± She had promised Holden that she would keep his woman safe. Even without the man, she would never sit back and watch Wendy die without doing anything. Thetter was Juliana''s sister and also Sebastian''s mother. If only because of those two rtionships, she had to step in and save Wendy. After giving it some thought, Artemis suggested, ¡°Why don''t we use the same method as before? We''ll have a suicide attacker disguise as her and sneak in to take her ce. Then, she can get away ahead of time.¡± Bailey paused in the act of tearing into the pheasant thigh, her eyes narrowing slightly. After a moment of silence, she said coldly, ¡°I dislike this method of trading one life for another. Suicide attackers are also human. I''ve made up my mind, Artemis. While they''re battling against each other, I''ll sneak in myself. When Sofieunches an attack on the headquarters, I''ll find a way to rescue her.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Artemis immediately objected without even thinking about it. Venturing into the lion''s den was undoubtedly courting death. Therefore, he would never allow her to take such a risk. ¡°There''s no way I''m agreeing to this. Don''t even think about it.¡± Bailey shrugged nonchntly. ¡°So be it. Why the hostility? Besides, there''s no rush in this matter. They''ve only started battling, so we have plenty of time to think of other solutions. But I''m warning you ¡ªyou''re not allowed to trade a suicide attacker for her life.¡± ¡°As long as you don''t take any risks, I''ll go along with everything you say. But if you dare sneak into their camp behind my back, I''ll definitely send a suicide attacker to rece her.¡± Bailey could not help butugh. She looked at him defiantly and asked, ¡°Do you know disguise skills? Can you create a hyper-realistic mask that looks exactly like Wendy?¡± Uh... Artemis''s pride took a hit because he could not aplish that. At the sight of him standing up and stalking off, Bailey quickly discarded the pheasant leg and reached out to grab his wrist. ¡°I was just joking with you. You took it seriously?¡± Artemis did not turn around. He gazed at the distant mountains, his voice carrying a hint of both a sigh and helplessness. ¡°You can change your appearance and can leave me whenever you want. I''m powerless to stop it. Thinking about it, I''m indeed quite pathetic. How depressing.¡± Bailey sauntered around to his front, then reached out to wrap her arms around his waist, smearing all the grease on her lips onto his shirt. ¡°I can''t live without you. People always say that women are the weaker sex, and now I truly understand what they mean. If you don''t believe me, let''s give it a try. If you run at full speed, I''d never be able to catch up with you. Sometimes, it makes me feel insecure. I wonder if you might get sick of me¡ª¡± The words she was about to say next were swallowed by his all-epassing kiss. A cunning smile flittered across Bailey''s eyes. Hmph! Did you think you could win me in a tantrum, you scoundrel? It was night at a small town in the northwest. Gerald stood with his hands behind his back at the gates of a small farmyard. In the darkness a near distance away stood a tall and thin figure in silence. ¡°How are things down the mountain?¡± ¡°Mr. Doyle and Sofie are in a fierce battle, Mr. Luther. Given the current situation, Sofie will have him completely defeated the day after tomorrow at thetest.¡± After some thought, Gerald asked, ¡°What is Holden''s n to deal with Sofie?¡± He was there for the purpose of saving Sofie. Chapter 837 Chapter 837 Gerald had discussed it with his wife, and they decided that Sofie could not die for the time being. If she were to die, Bailey''s wish to avenge Artemis would also be fulfilled. Once that happened, Bailey would probably die alongside his son. He was a man, so his emotions were often not as intense as those of a woman''s. But she was the mother of his grandchildren, and he did want his grandsons and granddaughter to lose both their parents at a young age. Hence, he was still going to do it despite knowing that it would be cruel of him. Only by protecting Sofie and igniting the me of revenge in her could he keep her alive instead of watching helplessly as she took her own life. After a moment of silence, the man in ck cautiously said, ¡°Sofie has Mr. Lowe''s wife in her hands. He''s being ckmailed and will turn off all defenses at the headquarters when the timees to allow her to attack unimpeded. However, I reckon Bailey must have promised him that she would rescue Ms. Hoffman. So, I''m guessing this is a trap they''ve set for her. Once she leads everyone into Tarragon, Holden will spring the trap and capture them all.¡± Gerald nodded. That was pretty much what he had guessed. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Indeed, the power in Sofie''s hands needed to be dismantled so she would not have the ability to stir up trouble anymore. But she could not die yet. ¡°Figure out a way to save her.¡± The breathing of the man in ck suddenly turned heavy. Through the moonlight spilling down from above, a trace of surprise could vaguely be seen flittering across his face. ¡°Did you misspeak, or did I mishear you, Mr. Luther?¡± Gerald narrowed his eyes at the man, his voice cold and detached. ¡°You heard me right, and I didn''t misspeak. I want you to figure out a way to save Sofie.¡± ¡°But she poisoned Mr. Artemis, and he died because of her.¡± Gerald waved a hand, saying somewhat impatiently, ¡°You don''t need to know my reasons. Just do as I say. Do everything in your power to save Sofie, then bring her to me. Understood?¡± The man in ck dared not question his employer any further. He nodded and said, ¡°I will do my utmost best.¡± ¡°All right, go and make ns.¡± Meanwhile, Sofie and the Dominic engaged in a fierce battle in the forest at the foot of the mountain. For two consecutive days, the sounds of gunfire rang out incessantly in the dense primeval forest. The pungent smell of blood permeated the mountain stream, so intense that even the animals in the mountain sensed the aura of death and all scattered and fled. The two days were a torment for Bailey. Unable to advance or retreat, she could only stay on the mountaintop, constantly inhaling the pervasive stench of blood. There were several times when Artemis wanted to start the private jet to send her away, but she always stopped him. Right then, Dominic and Sofie''s men were at the foot of the mountain. If they abruptly started the private jet, it would alert the two parties to their presence. After nning for so long and arriving at that critical juncture, they could not give up simply because she could not stand the stench of blood. In the blink of an eye, two days flew past. The fierce battle between the two parties was drawing to an end. As expected, Dominic was steadily losing ground. Four-fifths of his men had been killed, and the remainder ended up chased all over the mountain by Sofie''s men. Some chickened out and wanted to escape but ended up being wiped out by Ken, who was guarding the perimeter. Not a single one was left. On a cliff in the northeast, Dominic and dozens of his remaining assassins charged up the hillside. From his vantage point, he could clearly see men in ck surging toward him in all directions. ¡°The tide has turned, and it''s impossible to reverse it now. Verily, there''s nothing to be done. It seems that God really wants to end me. He truly wants me dead.¡± As he spoke, two trails of tears slowly trickled down his cheeks. Beside him, a high-ranking subordinate prompted in a quivering voice, ¡°M-Mr. Doyle, we have no way out now. Should we... surrender?¡± Dominic was furious. He kicked the man''s calf, forcing him to kneel down. ¡°I''m warning you all that there''s no surrendering. Nobody is allowed to surrender. Even if it means dying, we must¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, countless whooshing sounds suddenly filled the air. ¡°Enemy attack! Be on guard!¡± someone warned loudly at the side. Unfortunately, it was already toote. In just a brief moment, all the assassins had fallen to the ground, dead. Their foreheads were pierced by silver needles, killed with a single strike. Dominic was so frightened that he copsed onto the ground. He scanned his surroundings warily, bellowing, ¡°Who''s there? Who''s ying tricks? Show yourself!¡± ¡°Old geezer, you''re already at a ripe old age, yet your voice is still so loud, huh? Why, are you so worried that Sofie wouldn''t know you''re here, thus eagerly leading her over?¡± Dominic abruptly turned around. Once he made out the person who was speaking, his pupils began to constrict violently as though he had suffered a tremendous blow. ¡°I-It''s you? B-Bailey, you, you... you''re actually still alive?¡± With a smile on her face, Bailey slowly stepped to the side, clearing a path for Artemis, who was standing behind her. ¡°Not only am I alive, but so is my husband.¡± Dominic went speechless. He was so shocked that he was at a loss for words, his eyes brimming with astonishment. A-Artemis? He isn''t dead? They... They''re both alive? Haha, I initially thought I was the only fool here. But now, it seems the woman rushing up the hill is no better. We''re all fools,pletely turned around by this couple! ¡°Good! Great, in fact! Finally, I feel at peace. Since I can''t have it, that wretched woman shouldn''t dream of having it either. You two will kill her, right?¡± Artemis raised an eyebrow and chuckled lightly. ¡°Of course, I know you''re resentful, Mr. Doyle. So here I am,ing over specially to see you off for thest time. Also, let me tell you that there''s no need to fear you''d be lonely in the afterlife. The woman at the foot of the mountain will soon join you.¡± Dominic burst into raucousughter. ¡°Indeed, the younger generation will surpass the older. I''ve been powerful all my life, but I never imagined I would meet my downfall at the hands of two young individuals. It''s both tragic and lamentable. But being able to drag that vicious woman down with me realizes one of my wishes. I should thank you both.¡± Artemis gave a him chilling smile, a hint of murderous intent shing in his hawk-like eyes. His palm lifted slightly, and a silver needle flew out, piercing into Dominic''s forehead dead-center. Ken approached with a few subordinates and inclined his head, saying, ¡°Mr. Luther, all the people we shot earlier have been thrown off the cliff. Sofie''s men will be here any minute. We need to leave quickly, or we''ll be caught red-handed.¡± Artemis''s gaze fell on Dominic, his voice cold and detached. ¡°Move him to the edge of the cliff. When Sofie arrives, we''ll stage it to look like he jumped off.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Not long after Artemis and his entourage left, Sofie arrived with her subordinates. From a distance, she saw Dominic standing with his head bowed at the edge of the cliff. ¡°Haha, you''ve run out of options, haven''t you, old geezer? If you kneel and beg me, maybe I''ll let you live like a dog...¡± Before she could finish speaking, Dominic plunged right off the cliff. Sofie cursed vehemently a couple of times. Then, she reached into her pocket and pulled out hermunicator. She sent a message to Holden. It read: Turn off the defenses at headquarters and open the passage. I''m now going to lead the attack on the Tarragon Headquarters. Chapter 838 Chapter 838 At the mountaintop, Artemis leaned against a tree trunk, answering a call on his phone. It was Holden who called, reporting about Sofie''s movements. ¡°Okay, got it. We''ll act ording to n, lure her into the headquarters, then activate the trap to wipe them out.¡± ¡°All right. I''ll go and make the arrangements now. By the way, what about Wendy? When are we going to rescue her? Once Sofie enters Tarragon Headquarters and realizes she''d been tricked, she''d undoubtedly be furious. When she uses Wendy to threaten me at that time, I might not be able to make the decision to let Wendy die with her.¡± Artemis gave a light murmur of acknowledgment, saying leisurely, ¡°I understand, so don''t worry. Bailey and I will rescue her for you. However, now isn''t the right time yet. If Sofie were to find out that Wendy is missing, she would never fall for the trap. Although a battle could be waged at the foot of the mountain, it would only result in a bloody fight with casualties too heavy to bear. It''s simply not worth it. Thus, we could only rescue Wendy after she''d fallen into the trap. Do you get me?¡± ¡°Yes. I''m counting on you, then. Five hourster, Sofie wouldunch an attack on the headquarters alongside all her subordinates. Make sure you seize the opportunity.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Artemis turned to Bailey, who was gazing at the mountains through binocrs. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, ¡°Once Sofie enters the headquarters, how confident are you that you can rescue Wendy?¡± With a cold smile, Bailey said lightly, ¡°If it were at the foot of the mountain, there might be a fifty percent chance of sess. But once Sofie enters the headquarters, all her men will be gathered together. Trying to rescue Wendy then would be beyond difficult.¡± Artemis walked over and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, coaxing gently, ¡°We can''t take any risks, Bay. Let''s just arrange for a suicide attacker to take Wendy''s ce. Sofie is nowmandeering her men, so she doesn''t have time and energy to pay attention to Wendy. It''s truly a perfect opportunity for us to save her.¡± Bailey remained silent, looking up at him with her lips pursed into a thin line carrying a sense of arrogance. Artemis leaned in and kissed her, then continued, ¡°When we''re at the foot of the mountain, we can''t have Wendy break free from Sofie''s control. But after climbing up the mountain, we can''t guarantee with absolute certainty that we''ll be able to rescue her. The only solution is to find someone to take her ce. We both know that Holden is a man of principle. He agreed to help us trap and kill Sofie, so we must help him rescue his woman in return. If we fail to do so, he might really give in to Sofie''s ckmailing. Do you know the consequences of letting Sofie go?¡± Bailey could not help but let out a bitterugh. She certainly knew the consequences of letting Sofie go. Once that madwoman escaped, she would surely strike at them hard. ¡°Is there really no other way that we must sacrifice a person to save another?¡± Artemis shook his head, ¡°If we want to save Wendy at the foot of the mountain, we must find someone to rece her. Otherwise, Sofie won''t fall for the trap when she has no bargaining chip.¡± Bailey slowly closed her eyes. She fell silent for a moment, then murmured, ¡°Go and make arrangements for a suicide attacker. I''m going into the cabin to create a hyper-realistic mask.¡± ¡°Okay. Try to hurry as much as you can. We don''t have much time left.¡± ¡°Will do.¡± In the small town, people came and went from the small farmyard continuously, reporting thetest search updates to Sofie inside the house. Upon learning that the mangled dead body of Dominic had been found beneath the cliff, she was finally able to rest easy. The man was exceedingly ambitious, so if he were to live, he would always be a threat. ¡°We''re now just one step away, Ms. Carr. Once we conquer Tarragon, you''ll be the most powerful woman in the world.¡± ¡°Exactly! Tarragon is thergest underground force internationally. If you be the leader, you''ll be above countless others.¡± ¡°Allow me to congratte you in advance on your overwhelming victory, Ms. Carr!¡± The high-ranking individuals under Sofie''smand alluded her one after another, praising her to the heavens. A middle-aged man on the lower left nodded and said, ¡°Ms. Carr, Mr. Philip''s secret order is to kill Holden. We can''t let him escape from Tarragon and eventually aid Mr. Hoffman.¡± That man was sent by Philip and brought along half of the forces of the second branch of the Hoffman family to assist Sofie. Before he left, Philip had instructed him to find a way to persuade Sofie to get rid of Holden. Actually, that was also a precautionary measure. After all, Holden was Wendy''s man, and Wendy was Raymond''s eldest daughter. If they were to stand united against the enemy, it would be very difficult to them. Upon hearing that, Sofie burst into raucousughter. She reached out and patted the middle-aged man on the shoulder in assurance. ¡°Don''t worry. Holden isn''t only a major concern for your employer but also a stumbling block to me. I''d never allow him, his woman, and his rtives to leave Tarragon Headquarters alive.¡± At the same time, Bailey and Artemis blended seamlessly in disguise among the men in ck who wereing and going at the town entrance. They sessfully infiltrated Sofie''s territory. ¡°Disguise yourself as someone delivering food and take Wendy to the secondary courtyard on the east side, Bay. I''ll keep the guards at the entrance upied to buy you some time.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°All right, understood. Be careful.¡± A momentter, Bailey and the s arrived in front of the secondary courtyard on the east side, carrying several lunch boxes. No sooner had the two of them appeared than they found themselves staring down the barrels of several guns. ¡°What are you doing? We''re holding an important prisoner here. Stay away.¡± Bailey brandished the lunch boxes in front of the few men, saying lightly, ¡°We''re about to mount an attack up the mountain soon. The higher-ups had use over to clean her up and feed her a full meal.¡± The burly man in the lead was just about to refuse when his subordinate at the side hastily interjected, ¡°Boss, the person inside is our biggest trump card. It''s only natural for the higher-ups to send someone over to groom and dress her up to bring out her maximum value as a bargaining chip. Let''s just allow these two people in. Otherwise, we''ll all be in great trouble if we mess up Ms. Carr''s n.¡± ¡°Yes, exactly!¡± the few others seconded. The burly man pondered for a moment. Then, he slowly stepped aside, saying, ¡°I''ll give you five minutes. Make it quick.¡± Bailey quickly agreed. Without dy, she shot forward, dragging the motionless suicide attacker along. Once they were inside the courtyard, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°I''m sorry, I had no other choice but to have you stay here in her stead. But rest assured that as long as there''s a chance, I''ll definitely find a way to rescue you. If not at the foot of the mountain, then it''s when we''re at the top.¡± The suicide attacker bowed his head and said, ¡°There''s no need to feel guilty, Mrs. Luther. From the day we joined Tarragon and became suicide attackers, we''ve already put life and death out of our minds. Obeying orders and carrying out our duties is our sacred obligation. Even if it costs us our lives, we must fulfill the task entrusted to us by Mr. Luther.¡± Bailey zipped her mouth, choosing not to continue speaking. She felt that if she were to continue offeringfort, it would seem somewhat hypocritical of her. She was the one who pushed him into the fiery pit in the first ce, so there was no point in acting selfless and saintlike then. The two of them traversed the corridor and entered a suite. ¡°Who''s there?¡± came the cautious inquiry from Wendy inside. Bailey hurried up to her, lowering her voice. ¡°I''m Bailey. I''m here to rescue you.¡± A hint of surprise shed in Wendy''s eyes. Chapter 839 Chapter 839 ¡°H-Have youe to rescue me, Bailey?¡± As she spoke, she began to carefully examine the other woman''s face. The voice was hers, but the appearance did not match Bailey''s at all. ¡°You underwent stic surgery just to save me?¡± Bailey sneered. ¡°You''re full of yourself, aren''t you? Don''t tter yourself. You appeared to have forgotten our feud.¡± Wendy cleared her throat lightly and did her best to conceal her embarrassment. ¡°Why did youe to save me?¡± she asked with a frown. Bailey ignored her. Instead, she was swiftly extracting her tools for disguise from the container. A momentter, the suicide attacker became identical to Wendy. Wendy covered her mouth, too shocked to speak. ¡°S-She...¡± Without wasting her breath, Bailey began to yank Wendy''s clothes off. ¡°What''re you doing, Bailey? You will exin your n to me, or I''m noting with you. I bet you must have snuck in here, haven''t you? I only have to raise my voice a little, and you''ll have a lot of exining to do.¡± ¡°Idiot!¡± Bailey cursed instinctively. ¡°Is your brain clogged with sh*t? Can''t you understand what''s going on?¡± she spat. ncing once more at the disguised woman changing into her clothes, Wendy understood immediately. ¡°Y-You''re letting her take my ce? I won''t agree to this! I can''t let someone else die in my stead.¡± Bailey found a newfound admiration the woman after hearing her outburst. She''s not all bad. At least she has some integrity. However, there is no time to talk about having a backbone because she is crucial to the oue of the entire n. ¡°Hurry up and put on her clothes, then I''ll bring you out of here. I''m not going to repeat myself.¡± Wendy scowled. ¡°I won''t have somebody take my ce,¡± she insisted through gritted teeth. ¡°Listen to me carefully, Bailey: substituting another''s life for mine is just in cruel. I won''t cooperate, and I certainly won''t ept it. You should leave. I don''t need your concern. Even if death is imminent, it''s my fate to bear.¡± Bailey leaned against the shelf, arms crossed, and said in a cold, detached voice, ¡°Sebastian ns to sacrifice himself for your freedom.¡± Wendy''s eyes widened as she regarded the other woman in disbelief. ¡°W-What did you say? He...¡± Bailey shrugged. ¡°Either youe with me now, or you can watch Sebastian walk into the trap yourself. I''m sure Sofie would be more than happy to trade you for Holden''s son. After all, neither you nor your son will make it out of her clutches alive.¡± ¡°I''lle.¡± Wendy slid down the dressing table and slumped to the floor, murmuring, ¡°I''lle with you.¡± Bailey nced at the suicide attacker, who nodded back at her, then began to put the finishing touches on herself, which she modeled after Wendy. ¡°You can leave with her now, Mrs. Luther. Don''t worry, I''ll be here.¡± ¡°All right. I will get you out of here. Don''t give up, not even at the very end.¡± ... After emerging with Wendy, now disguised, Bailey led the way out of the town. Just as the pair were halfway through, a sudden gunshot echoed from within. Her heart sank. Artemis. Instinctively, she tried to turn back, but Wendy grabbed her arm. ¡°They have been alerted. We need to leave quickly, or we risk being exposed.¡± Bailey pried the other woman''s grip off of her. ¡°You go ahead. I must help Artemis. He''s trapped. He''ll die if I don''t help him.¡± Wendy held her back with her other hand. ¡°I know you''re anxious to save him, but we don''t know what is going on inside,¡± she said quietly. ¡°What if Artemis isn''t the one who''s trapped? If you rush back there and find out he''s not in trouble, you might end up being the one who''s trapped instead.¡± Bailey took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. Calm down. They came up with a n before arriving there. If an emergency arose midway and the two of them became separated, neither was allowed to take risks to rescue the other. ¡°Let''s go. I''ll bring you out first.¡± ¡°That''s right. Even if Artemis is trapped inside, there''s a high chance that nothing will happen to him. After all, he''s changed his appearance and would be unrecognizable to anybody else. Rx. We have more important things to do. Don''t let this rattle you.¡± Bailey did not respond. Instead, she pulled Wendy along, blending into the crowd heading out, and made it out of the town without a hitch. No sooner had the pair left the perimeter of the secret lookout Sofie had set up than Ken arrived with his team to rendezvous with them. ¡°Why is it only you and Ms. Hoffman, Mrs. Luther? Where is Mr. Luther?¡± Bailey pressed her lips together. ¡°He might be trapped inside,¡± she said hoarsely. ¡°Let''s wait here for him.¡± Clenching his fists, Ken snatched several guns from his men and tucked them into his waistband. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bailey demanded. ¡°I''m going to help Mr. Luther. He''ll have a hard time getting out on his own.¡± Bailey reached out to stop him, but he brushed her aside. ¡°Are you learning to defy me, Ken?¡± Ken strode ahead, making it clear to her that he was not intending to obey hermand. A bodyguard dashed over. ¡°All the entrances and exits of the town have been sealed off and are heavily guarded, Ken,¡± he reported, inclining his head. ¡°It seems there''s a traitor in their midst. Sofie has ordered a lockdown of the entire town for a thorough investigation. Now, no one can leave.¡± Bailey staggered backward. This time, it was not Ken who insisted on going back, but her. After steadying herself, she prepared to dash out. If Sofie is nning to investigate them one at a time, then Artemis is in grave danger. She would not leave him alone in there and face the danger on his own. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. When she passed Ken, he struck her swiftly at the back of her neck. ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Pack up. We''re returning to the camp.¡± ¡°At once.¡± An atmosphere of deathly stillness hung heavy over the small town. Wearing a scowl, Sofie was standing on the steps of the courtyard entrance. Her icy gaze swept over the individuals d in ck who had been shot not far away. ¡°Where did theye from?¡± ¡°They were acting under themand of Mr. Doyle, Ms. Carr,¡± somebody reported respectfully from the bottom of the stairs. ¡°They infiltrated our ranks in an attempt to assassinate Ms. Wendy to rob you of your most important bargaining chip.¡± In a fit of rage, Sofie smashed the jade she was fiddling with in her hand. ¡°Investigate every single one of them! Eliminate those with an uncertain background. I will not allow any loyal to that old man to remain around me.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Carr.¡± ¡°Also, increase the number of guards keeping watch over that woman, Wendy. There will be no room for error. If she goes missing, you''ll answer with your heads.¡± ¡°Yes, Ms. Carr.¡± Bailey gradually came to inside the cabin. After a dazed moment, her wits caught up to her, and she abruptly leaped up from the couch. ¡°Artemis!¡± A faint scent of blood caught her attention, prompting her to head toward the door instinctively. Through the slightly ajar cabin door, she could vaguely see Ken, with tweezers in hand, about to extract a bullet lodged in somebody''s flesh. The person who was shot was Artemis. Tears welled up in her eyes in an instant. With a forceful push, she flung the cabin door open and threw herself at him. ¡°Artemis, you b*stard!¡± Chapter 840 Chapter 840 How horrible of him! Does he have any idea how worried I was? Artemis quickly gestured for Ken to put away the tweezers, then spread his arms to embrace the woman who was rushing toward him. Bailey dove into his arms and pounded her fists against his chest. ¡°You b*stard! You absolute b*stard!¡± ¡°Yes, yes, I''m the viin who made you cry again. I deserve a beating. Can you forgive me?¡± Bailey gave him a few more punches until her fingers touched something sticky and the scent of blood assaulted her nostrils. With a start, she regained herposure and hurriedly propped herself up against his chest and withdrew from his arms. ¡°I''m sorry, I forgot about the injury on your shoulder.¡± Her voice still trembled as she spoke, betraying her lingering fear. Artemis cradled her face. He kissed her features dampened by tears and soothed her restless heart tenderly. ¡°Look, I''m back in one piece. I''m perfectly fine, apart from a few scrapes. Hush now, please.¡± The more he spoke like that, the meeker she became. She was unable to stop her tears, which poured like a leaking faucet, once she began acting that way. Artemis felt his heart about to shatter when he saw her like that. ¡°I promise you this is thest time. I will never let myself get hurt again. Hush, darling. Seeing you in tears hurts more than the injury.¡± Bailey wrapped her arms around his neck. The air between the couple suddenly grew intimate. Ken sighed helplessly. Steeling himself, he cautioned, ¡°The bullet has torn through the tendons, Mrs. Luther. Mr. Luther might lose his arm if you keep going.¡± Bailey regained herposure abruptly. The bullet. Yes, that''s right. I need to help him remove the bullet first. After letting go of Artemis'' neck, she snatched the tweezers from Ken. ¡°I haven''t forgotten how you knocked me out, suck-up,¡± she said menacingly. ¡°We''ll settle that scoreter.¡± Ken was rendered speechless. ¡°What are you standing there for? Hand me the anesthesia.¡± Ken wanted to tell her that Artemis did not require anesthesia but held his tongue upon second thought. Mr. Luther doesn''t need anesthesia in my presence, but he definitely needs it now that Mrs. Luther is here. I''ll probably get another earful if I speak up. Bailey took the local anesthesia from him, injected it into Artemis'' arm, then began to remove the bullet from his shoulder using a scalpel and tweezers. She carried out the procedure with finesse. Artemis could not help boasting, ¡°It''s great to have a wife who''s a Divine Healer. If I ever get injured again, I can always turn to¡ª¡± Seeing his wife''s expression darken, he quickly shut his mouth. Oops, I almost made her angry again. ¡°I didn''t mean it. This will be thest time, and there won''t be another. I promise.¡± Finding his typically domineering employer''s ingratiating behavior difficult to stomach, Ken slipped away quietly. Bailey scoffed coldly. ¡°What happened to you in there?¡± she asked. ¡°How did you get hurt?¡± Artemis did not want to tell her, but he gave in under the full weight of her re. ¡°Sofie has a pack of mastiffs who have a keen sense of smell, especially for those from Tarragon. Despite having changed my appearance, some of the scents I picked up at the headquarters must have lingered on my body.¡± Bailey was trying to hold back herughter. So, Artemis was chased by a dog? Artemis red at her. His voice was grim and chilling. ¡°Justugh. It must be so ufortable holding it back.¡± Bailey cleared her throat. ¡°So, how did you manage to escape?¡± she asked. Artemis chuckled. ¡°There are still men loyal to Mr. Doyleying low there, who were also pursued by the pack of hounds. I found an opening to slip away while they were firing, which is how I''ve gotten shot.¡± Bailey finally felt at ease. In other words, Sofie suspected nothing. Instead, she merely thought that it was Mr. Doyle''s people who were causing trouble. ¡°So, you came out before I did?¡± Artemis hummed softly. ¡°I wanted to turn back for you, but I was worried about leading Sofie''s people to you and putting you in danger. So, after much deliberation, I decided to leave on my own because I trust your abilities. You wouldn''t have been trapped in there.¡± Bailey rapped the tweezers against his chiseled cheek. ¡°Not bad. I see you haven''t been so dazzled by her beauty that you could still function at the critical moment.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. Bailey removed the bullet from his shoulder, performed a rudimentary disinfection of the wound, and stitched it up. After everything was taken care of, she asked, ¡°Can you move? If not, stay here in the cabin and get some rest.¡± Artemis nced at his wristwatch, then pulled the petite woman before him into his embrace. ¡°That''s not the only thing I can do. We have plenty of time. Let me take good care of you.¡± Instinctively, Bailey reached out to push him by his shoulders, but upon seeing the white bandage, she quickly withdrew her hand. This scoundrel is clearly doing it on purpose. ¡°Don''t move then. I''ll do everything. Just remain still and let me handle it.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows. Sure, this could work. I can experience a whole new kind of joy again. ¡°Take it easy, will you? I''m still hurt. Don''t devour me like a starving wolf.¡± Bailey burst intoughter. So, I''m the wolf now? ¡°Mark my words, Artemis, I can bite you to death.¡± ¡°After I satiate you, you won''t want to bite me anymore.¡± She was rendered speechless. Four hourster, in the courtyard of the small town, Sofie received a message from Holden, who informed her that all defenses around the Tarragon headquarters had been shut down and that they could now ascend the mountain unhindered. The higher-ups below began to grow restless when Sofie announced the attack. ¡°Are you certain that Holden would give up his position as the leader of Tarragon for a woman, Ms. Carr?¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Exactly. With Artemis dead and Micah incapacitated, Holden is the only one worthy of leading Tarragon. Put another way, he''s just one step away from the top. Would he throw it all away at this critical juncture just to save a woman?¡± ¡°If this is his n, then us charging in would undoubtedly be like walking into a trap. It would be difficult to turn back when we have to, and we''d be like sitting ducks,pletely at their mercy.¡± Sofie stood on the stage. ¡°Rest assured,¡± she proimed, ¡°I have taken everything you''ve mentioned into consideration. That young man won''t let us down. Hundreds upon thousands of Tarragon assassins obey only the ck Dragon Ring. When the timees, I will negotiate with him, using Wendy as leverage for the ring in his possession. Once the ring is mine, the guards at the Tarragon headquarters will acknowledge me as their leader. There will be no unforeseenplications. Enough. Fortune favors the bold, so let''s focus on the task at hand.¡± One of the higher-ups was about to express his disapproval when Sofie snatched the gun from her bodyguard standing by and shot him dead on the spot without a word. ¡°If anyone dares utter another word, they will end up just like him.¡± After the demonstration of her ruthlessness, nobody dared utter another careless word. Sofie pointed at the distant mountains and gestured toward them. ¡°Let''s go.¡± Chapter 841 Chapter 841 Artemis and Bailey shared an intimate moment together in the cabin. Afterward, Artemis was in high spirits, but the poor Bailey was so worn out that she couldn''t even stand straight. ¡°Artemis, you lied to me. You promised to visit me every day to make me happy. However, I''m not happy at all right now. On the contrary, I feel terrible, as if I''ve been run over by a truck.¡± Artemis was already dressed neatly, standing by the bed. He nced at her, leaned over, and kissed her forehead. ¡°If you''re tired, take a nap. I''ll keep watch.¡± A tremendousmotion came from outside. Bailey grabbed Artemis'' wrist and nced at his watch. Three hours have already passed. This man is a jerk. How could he ask me for sex at least three times a day? His sex drive is so high, making me unbearably miserable. ¡°I''ve made up my mind. I''m going to custom-make a medicine for you that can lower your sex drive. This is just too exhausting for me,¡± she said. Artemis reached out and pinched her cheek yfully before teasing her with a smile, ¡°There are so many men in this world who are unable to keep their wives happy in the bedroom. You should feel content with what you have right now.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. ¡°Alright, enough fooling around. If you want toe with me, get up quickly. Sofie has already started her attack. We must keep our eyes on the battlefield at all times. In order topletely dismantle her power, we must capture all her people. Today, we will guard the foot of the mountain. We must kill all the escapees,¡± he said. Meanwhile, in the ward at the infirmary at the Tarragon Headquarters, Micah struggled to sit up. He had been lying in bed for more than half a month without even turning over once. Although had been enjoying his days with Shannon serving him, he felt troubled because of the situation Tarragon was in. Before he could sit up, a sudden force on his shoulder pushed him back down. ¡°Make another move, and I''ll grab an iron rod to give you a good beating, sending you back to the state you were in before you were healed,¡± Shannon warned. Nan Xiao sighed helplessly in response. ¡°I''m worried that your brother won''t be able to handle it alone.¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°There''s no need for a good-for-nothing like you to make things worse.¡± Shannon had been mean with her words, but Micah had probably gotten used to it. Nothing could be better if that method could allow her to vent the resentment in her heart. ¡°Shannon, I''m feeling well now, I¡ª¡± ¡°Just listen to Shannon. Don''t go out and make things worse.¡± Holden''s voice echoed at the door, and he walked in while holding Dawn''s hand. Micah struggled to sit up, frowning as he asked, ¡°What exactly have you arranged? I heard that you''ve really withdrawn all the defenses. When the timees, and Sofie''s forcesunch a major attack, will you be able to control the situation?¡± Holden reached out and ruffled Dawn''s hair. In a casual tone, he said, ¡°With Bailey and Artemis guarding the perimeter, there shouldn''t be much of a problem. The most important thing is to rescue Wendy. Once that''s done, I''ll no longer have any worries holding me back. I can give it my all. However, in any confrontation, there''s always an element of danger. That''s why I''m entrusting my sister and niece to you now. Please protect them well. When Sofie attacks, I''m afraid I won''t be able to look after them.¡± With that, he slowly crouched down and gently persuaded Dawn, ¡°Dawn, perhaps you could consider treating Mr. Neyman as your foster father and enjoy the time spent together as a family.¡± A hint of displeasure shed across Shannon''s eyes. What does Holden mean? Is he helping me reconcile with Micah? She was indeed a bit upset, but with a formidable challenge ahead, it was not the time for her to throw a tantrum. ¡°Holden, take care of yourself. Wendy and Sebastian are waiting for you to return,¡± Shannon said. Holden gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. With Wendy and Sebastian on his mind, his sharp and cold gaze gradually faded, reced by a gentle look between his brows. ¡°Just stay put and don''t go out. The turmoil will be over soon.¡± After speaking, Holden walked out of the ward. Dawn rolled her eyes, then scampered over to the bed and sprawled beside Micah. ¡°Uncle Holden told me to regard you as my father. What do you think?¡± The smile on Micah''s face intensified. ¡°I consider it my honor. I''m delighted to be your father.¡± Shannon looked coldly at the cheerful father and son. After standing by the bed for a while, she turned and walked out. Dawn blinked her eyes and asked in a hushed voice, ¡°What do you think my mother is thinking about right now?¡± Micah smiled faintly, and a sly glint shed across his hawk-like eyes. ¡°She''s probably regretting adopting you and figuring out how to send you away.¡± Dawn hung her head low. ¡°This is really terrible. I think I shouldn''t have helped you.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. If she doesn''t want to take care of you, I will. You have to believe that we will be the people who love you most in this world.¡± Dawn grinned, ¡°Not necessarily. In the future, when I find a boyfriend, he will love me just as much as you do.¡± Micah slightly furrowed his brows, asking lightly, ¡°Do you know what do we call that behavior of yours?¡± ¡°Puppy love?¡± Micah was rendered speechless. Three hourster, the sky gradually darkened. Sofie sessfully led all her subordinates to the center of Tarragon Headquarters. Looking at the magnificent buildings before her, she could feel her blood boil with excitement. Whoever controls this ce will have power and influence. This is so exciting! I''ve been nning for over a decade and waiting for this day to arrive. Now that everything is about to unfold, I''m having a hard time keeping my cool! ¡°Ms. Carr, Mr. Lewitt is on the phone.¡± Her subordinate''s voice pulled Sofie back from her pleasant daydreams. She swiftly grabbed themunicator and held it to her ear, saying, ¡°My people have arrived. May I ask, Mr. Lewitt, what are your ns for the next step?¡± The calm and steady voice of Holden came through the microphone. ¡°I will give you the ck Dragon Ring. With it, you canmand everyone to surrender when the timees. Before I give it to you, you must have Wendy brought in. Once I see her, I will send someone to give you the ring.¡± Sofie narrowed her eyes. Her voice was cold when she questioned, ¡°What if youunch a counterattack against me after I hand Wendy to you?¡± ¡°I can''t give you the ring first, either. Once it''s in your hands, you''ll surely kill me and my family, Ms. Carr.¡± Sofie pondered for a moment and gritted her teeth. ¡°Then bring the ring out and negotiate with me. We''ll exchange the person for the item. How about that?¡± ¡°Alright, then. It''s settled. I''lle to see you in five minutes, and we can talk face to face.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After ending the call, Sofie turned to her subordinate and ordered, ¡°Bring that girl here and tell the sniper to get ready. The moment I get the diamond ring, have your men take them out. I won''t allow Holden to escape right under my nose. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Five minutester, Holden stood on the defensive wall and asked, ¡°I''ve brought the stuff. Where''s the person I asked for?¡± After he finished speaking, he slowly raised the ck Dragon Ring he held in his hand. Sofie stared intently at the ring in his hand and urged her subordinates nearby, ¡°Find out why hasn''t the person been brought over yet.¡± Just as the subordinate was about to speak, a sudden cry of rm came from not far away. ¡°No, this is terrible. Ms. Wendy has been murdered.¡± Chapter 842 Chapter 842 Sofie turned around abruptly, and her graceful face twitched subtly. W-Wendy has been murdered? How is that possible? I just checked on her twenty minutes ago because I was afraid that any mishap might disrupt the entire n. That was why I specifically assigned my best subordinates to guard her. She was supposed to be untouchable! Logically speaking, no one should be able to sneak in. It''s even more impossible to ughter someone without causing amotion. ¡°Go and take a look! Quick!¡± Sofie scolded and kicked her subordinate. Victory is now within sight, and we''re so close. We absolutely cannot ruin it at this stage. Without Wendy as a bargaining chip, I don''t even know if I can survive the day, let alone take Tarragon down. I''ve put everything on the line in this operation. If I lose today, I can never make aeback again! ¡°Sofie, if I heard correctly just now, it seems your subordinate mentioned that Wendy is dead. I think you owe me a reasonable exnation.¡± Holden''s icy and murderous voice echoed in Sofie''s ears, pulling her back from her wandering thoughts. Sofie abruptly turned her head to meet Holden''s bloodthirsty gaze. She quickly answered, ¡°It must be a mistake made by my subordinates. It has to be... Mr. Lewitt, please remain calm. I assure you, your lady will be safely returned to you. Just give me a little time, don''t¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, two people in ck rushed toward her. ¡°Ms. Carr, Ms. Wendy is really dead. She really is...¡± A loud bang rang out at the scene right after. Sofie had pulled out a pistol and shot the man dead on the spot. The personal bodyguard approached Sofie and whispered, ¡°Ms. Carr, Wendy is indeed dead. However, it wasn''t murder. It was a suicide. What should we do next?¡± Sofie''s body began to tremble violently, and her eyes were filled with astonishment. ¡°How could she possiblymit suicide? This isn''t right. She was about to regain her freedom. How could she have the courage to seek death?¡± The personal bodyguard hesitated momentarily before replying gingerly, ¡°Perhaps it''s because he loves Holden too much, so she doesn''t want to see him being threatened by us, so...¡± ¡°F*ck!¡± Sofie cursed vehemently. Right then, Holden slowly pulled out his gun, aiming it directly at Sofie''s forehead. His voice was icy when he asked, ¡°What else do you have to say? I cooperated with you and helped you get to the center. Is this how you repay me?¡± Sofie instinctively took two steps forward and uttered anxiously, ¡°Holden, I didn''t kill Wendy. She took her own life. You can''t me me for this. Give me the ring, and we can rule the world together. How about that? So what if she''s dead? Once you have the power and money, you can have any woman you want. You can go after other women. As a man, you should be free to explore all the women in the world.¡± Bang! ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Holden fired a shot at her. Sofie was no pushover, and she had remained highly vignt at all times. At the sound of the gunshot, she instinctively turned her body. The bullet whizzed past, grazing her shoulder. ¡°Holden, are you seeking a fight to the death? I have enough people here to settle this once and for all with you. You better think this through. If you hand over the ring to me now, I can still spare you and your sister. But if you wait until I win, your death is certain.¡± Holden blew on the smoking gun barrel and sneered coldly, ¡°You should know that Wendy is my weak spot. Now that she''s gone, do you really think I''d still be under your control? Oh, by the way, I bet Mr. Doyle didn''t tell you once Tarragon''s defense is activated, it can''t be turned off. With your level of intelligence, you should know what I''m trying to say. That''s right, the defense system was never turned off. I simply withdrew the guards.¡± Sofie''s pupils contracted sharply. She pointed at him and stammered, ¡°Y-You did this on purpose! You never intended to cooperate with me in the first ce. You just lured me into your trap. What profound love were you talking about? You never loved that girl from the Hoffman family. You were just using her to distract me and let my guard down.¡± Suddenly, Holden leaped off the defensive wall andughed out loud. ¡°No. My feelings for Wendy are genuine. The reason I''m not afraid of your threats is because the real Wendy is no longer in your hands.¡± After hearing this, Sofie subconsciously took a few steps back, and her body shook violently. ¡°Impossible! This can''t be. I clearly imprisoned the girl from the Hoffman family. How could I have made a mistake?¡± ¡°Shoot.¡± The open space echoed with the deep, maic voice of Holden. In the next moment, bullets were fired from all directions. ¡°Ms. Carr, we are surrounded.¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, we''ve walked right into their ambush.¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, the enemy is using the most advancedser scanning technology. We simply can''t pinpoint their location, so we can only fight defensively.¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, we''re in trouble. Our retreat path has been cut off. We''re stuck with no way out. I''m afraid we''re doomed.¡± Indeed, we''re doomed. We''re a bunch of sitting ducks! Sofie''s legs gave way, and she copsed directly onto the floor. I''m done for. I spent over a decade nning, and everything is ruined. Everything has been taken away from me before I have a chance to truly savor the taste of power. I can''t ept this. I can''t... ¡°Send the order. I want everyone to fight to the death to create a chance for me to escape. I need to retreat,¡± she demanded. ¡°Yes.¡± Holden stood in a distant sentry post, holding a telescope, looking at the heavy casualties on the opposite side. He couldn''t help grinning viciously when he saw the scene before his eyes. If this old woman didn''t resort to tricks and instead fought me fair and square, I might not necessarily be able to beat her. Yet, she insisted on ying the fool, cing all her eggs in a single basket without even being able to control the whole situation urately. She deserves this defeat. ¡°Tell everyone not to stop theser sweep. I want all of them dead,¡± Holden ordered. ¡°W-What if someone wants to surrender? Do we kill them as well?¡± Holden smirked and answered through his gritted teeth, ¡°I want all of them dead.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± In a certain dense forest in the southwest, a masked man, cloaked in a trench coat, stood with his hands behind his back and gazed silently at the battlefield not far off. ¡°Damien, the ughter is about to end. When should we make our move?¡± The man known as Damien slowly withdrew his gaze, saying casually, ¡°Focus all efforts on saving Sofie. Ignore everyone else. After you pick her up, take her directly to Mortality Base. We''ll escape from that primeval forest.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Under the protection of her trusted entourage, Sofie was painstakingly retreating. Even if everyone else has to die today, I must escape. I can only make aeback if I''m alive. Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunfire echoed relentlessly around her. In a moment, several more people by her side had fallen. She waspletely stunned when she saw a bullet flying toward her face. Chapter 843 Chapter 843 By the time her intense will to survive awakened her, it was already toote. All she could do was watch, wide-eyed, as the pitch-ck object advanced toward her. She could even smell the scent of death. At that moment, a shadow shed before her eyes. It swept her up and rolled twice on the ground, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. Sofie instinctively turned her head, noticing the other person was wearing a mask. She couldn''t help but frown and ask, ¡°Who are you? Why are you saving me?¡± Damien gave her a cold nce, hoisted her up, and started running. ¡°Put me down,¡± she demanded. ¡°Shut up. If you want to live, cooperate properly. Otherwise, you''ll end up riddled with bullets,¡± Damien replied. After some thought, Sofie agreed. Indeed, the worst oue will still be death. Since death is inevitable either way, what''s the harm in choosing a different way to die? Perhaps these people are really here to rescue me. I might even live to see another day. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± At the foot of the mountain, Artemis was leaning against a tree trunk and talking on the phone. No one knew what the person on the other end was saying, but it caused his brows to furrow deeply. ¡°All right, I understand. You take care of the aftermath, leave the rest to me to handle.¡± After ending the call, he gripped his phone tightly as a stern and deadly light shed in his hawk-like eyes. Bailey walked over from not too far away and saw his murderous look. She asked curiously, ¡°What''s wrong? Did something unexpected happen?¡± Artemis nced at her and answered through his gritted teeth, ¡°Sofie has fled.¡± Bailey chuckled nonchntly and said, ¡°And here I thought it was something serious. Is that all? Rest assured, we''re standing guard at the foot of this mountain. Even if she grows a pair of wings, she won''t be able to escape from our hands.¡± Artemis let out a sigh. ¡°She''s not escaping through here. She''s entering Mortality Base in Tarragon Headquarters.¡± The smile on Bailey''s face faded away at a noticeable speed. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and a dark light could be seen swirling within them. ¡°If she enters Mortality Base, we''re in trouble. Unlike her, we''re afraid of dying. We can''t keep chasing after her, tailing her into danger. Even though eight out of ten people who enter Mortality Base will die, but¡ª¡± ¡°But there''s a high chance she''ll survive.¡± Artemispleted her sentence. ¡°Holden said she didn''t run in herself. Someone saved her. Since the other party dared to rescue her at this critical moment, it shows that they are fully confident in ensuring her safety. Let''s brace ourselves mentally and not rely on luck. As long as we don''t see her dead body, we can''t afford to let our guard down.¡± Bailey nodded slightly and fell silent for a moment. ¡°Do you know who is helping her? Who saved her?¡± she asked. ¡°I''m not sure. Holden has already gone to investigate. We should have the results soon. No matter who saved her, the fact that she''s alive is undeniable. It seems like all our efforts are in vain.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°In vain? No. I don''t see it that way. The reason Sofie is so arrogant is that she has people backing her up. Now, her power has beenpletely diminished. No matter how cunning she is, she''s nothing more than a toothless tiger. Killing her will be much easier now.¡± Artemis''s expression softened considerably, and he subconsciously reached out to pinch her cheek. ¡°My wife sure knows how tofort people.¡± Bailey threw herself directly into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Perhaps his shoulder injury was touched, causing him to wince in pain and draw in a sharp breath. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Bailey quickly pulled away from his embrace. ¡°Are you okay? Are you okay?¡± Artemis reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist before leaning in to whisper in her ear, ¡°We''ve dismantled Sofie''s power. Don''t you think we should celebrate?¡± Seeing his sly demeanor, Bailey instantly became alert. ¡°W-What kind of celebration?¡± Her intuition told her it had to be sex. I don''t want it! Artemis wrapped his arm around her waist and led her toward the cabin. ¡°You''ll find out soon.¡± Bailey''s legs trembled a little. ¡°Ha! I don''t need to wait any longer. I already know what you want. Artemis, could you please take it easy?¡± Artemis smiled faintly and arched a brow. ¡°Don''t you want to have a baby? How can you have one if you don''t make one?¡± Ah! That seems to make sense! Wait... No! That''s not right. He hasn''t even had his recovery surgery yet. There''s no way he can get me pregnant. Bailey mulled over it and responded, ¡°Artemis, you''re tricking me again.¡± ¡°You''re my wife. If I don''t trick you, who else should I trick?¡± ¡°B*stard!¡± By the stream in the primeval forest, Damien gently ced the woman he was carrying on his shoulder onto the field of grass. Sofie abruptly sprang up from the ground, pulling out the pistol from her waist and pressing it against his chest. ¡°D*mn it! Didn''t you say you came to rescue me? Why have you brought me to Mortality Base in Tarragon? Don''t you know how dangerous this ce is? Those who venture in here usually face certain death.¡± As soon as she pulled out her gun, all the people dressed in ck around her aimed their guns at her. ¡°Everyone, stay still.¡± Damien waved his hand at them, then turned to Sofie, leisurely asking, ¡°Do you think you can escape through the front door?¡± Sofie was taken aback. Indeed, going through the main entrance would surely lead to certain death. ¡°Who exactly are you? Tell me,¡± she said. After a moment of silence, Damien slowly reached up and removed the mask from his face. Sofie squinted at the face of the middle-aged man in front of her, her expression inscrutable. This face... I''ve seen him before... ¡°D-Damien? Is that you, Damien?¡± she queried. Damien''s body shuddered. Unexpectedly, she still remembered him. ¡°That''s right. I am indeed one of Leo''s four personal bodyguards. Artemis seized his territory afterward, so he wants me to approach Gerald under the guise of a businessman, with the ultimate goal of gaining control over the Luther family to manipte Artemis. I spent several years earning Gerald''s trust, and this time around, he sent me to rescue you. Of course, even if he hadn''t asked, I would havee to save you,¡± Damien uttered. Sofie furrowed her brows in confusion. ¡°Isn''t Gerald the father of Artemis? I killed his son, so why would he send you to save me?¡± Damien nodded and said, ¡°If you die, Artemis''s revenge will be fulfilled. They are worried that Bailey might take her own life. So, they want to keep you alive to give Bailey the will to continue living.¡± Sofie clenched her fists tightly. So, Bailey is still alive. The one before was a fake one. ¡°So? Are you nning to hand me over to Gerald once we''re out?¡± she asked. Suddenly, Damien stepped forward, grasped her shoulder, and kissed her passionately. A flicker of surprise shed across Sofie''s eyes, which was quickly reced by overwhelming joy. This man loves me! He''s never handing me over to Gerald! In other words, I''ve sessfully escaped. With that thought, she slowly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, entwining herself with him. As long as I can stay alive, what''s the harm in offering my body for his pleasure? Late that night, Artemis and Bailey had a wild celebration in the cabin. As soon as it ended, Artemis received a call from Holden. Artemis leaned against the head of the bed without a shirt and asked, ¡°Have you found you who rescued Sofie?¡± ¡°Yes. You know this person. In fact, you know him quite well.¡± Chapter 844 Chapter 844 Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly, and his gaze darkened. ¡°Who is it?¡± he asked, practically squeezing the words out through gritted teeth. Holden gave a light cough, then replied with a chuckle, ¡°Your father. Are you surprised? Did you expect that?¡± It was surprising indeed. In fact, the news stunned Artemis to the core. A hint of shock shed across his eyes, and the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily. He had spected countless possibilities, even suspecting that there was a traitor among his close confidants who had secretly rescued Sofie. The only person he had not suspected was... his father! Is he out of his mind? Why would he send someone to rescue Sofie? Any sane person wouldn''t do such a stupid thing! ¡°Are you sure you didn''t misspeak and that I''m not hearing things?¡± ¡°I''m sure. Your father sent someone to sneak into the headquarters via Mortality Base and take Sofie away. Since that person managed to pass through Mortality Base, it proves they''re very familiar with Tarragon''syout. I suspect that person to be a mole nted by Leo, the former leader of Tarragon, by your father''s side. Your father employed him, inadvertently ying into his hands, and ended up being used by him.¡± Artemis was so infuriated by the situation that he startedughing. What was that old, good-for-nothing geezer doing, sticking his nose where it doesn''t belong? Now look at what has happened. Sofie has sessfully gotten away! ¡°Okay, I understand. Stay at Tarragon and handle the aftermath. Be sure to eliminate the remnants associated with Mr. Doyle and Sofie.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. After ending the call, Artemis abruptly raised his hand and hurled his phone against the wall opposite him. Turning sideways and propping her head on one hand, Bailey raised her eyebrows as she looked at him. ¡°Why are you so angry? Your father was worried I''d lose the will to live after Sofie died. That''s why he did such a foolish thing. But then again, even if he hadn''t given the order, that person would''ve gone to save her anyway.¡± He lowered his head to look at her, and the anger in his eyes gradually dissipated. ¡°Forget about it. What''s done is done. Even if we keep talking about it, what''s the use?¡± After saying that, he reached out to take Bailey''s phone, pulled up Ken''s number, and dialed it. ¡°Find out where my father is right now.¡± At a certain farmhouse located in a small town, Gerald was standing on the steps and eyeing the ck- d bodyguard kneeling on one knee in the center of the courtyard through narrowed eyes. ¡°What do you mean by that? What do you mean someone has gone missing?¡± The bodyguard shuddered slightly, then steeled himself and said, ¡°Damien has intentionally cut off all contact with you. At present, we''re unable to pinpoint his exact location. The only thing we can be certain of is that he has already rescued Sofie.¡± Crack! Gerald crushed the ss in his hand. I''m not a fool. That b*stard cut off all contact with me after rescuing Sofie, so that must mean there''s more to this matter than meets the eye. Perhaps... His face instantly twisted into a grimace as the thought of a certain possibility crossed his mind. ¡°Could it be that someone deliberately nted that b*stard by my side to keep an eye on me? Did I y right into his hands by asking him to rescue Sofie?¡± A cold sneer sounded from the doorway. Then, a voice dripping with undisguised disdain said, ¡°Congrattions, you guessed it right.¡± Gerald found the voice incredibly familiar. It''s definitely Artemis'' voice! With a look of surprise, he lifted his head and stared beyond the courtyard in disbelief. He watched as a young couple walked in from outside. Judging by their figures, they should be my son and daughter-inw if I''m not mistaken. However, their faces don''t match at all. ¡°W-Who are you?¡± Artemis did not say a word. Instead, he headed straight for the living room. When Bailey passed by Gerald, she halted in her tracks. Lowering her voice, she said, ¡°Dad, it''s us. This isn''t a good ce to talk. Let''s talk inside.¡± Gerald''s body shook violently a few times. After standing still for a full minute, he finally snapped out of his overwhelming joy. My son isn''t dead? He''s still alive? Haha! That''s great! I''ve never been as happy as I am at this moment in my entire life! ¡°Sure, okay. Let''s go inside and chat. We''ll talk inside.¡± As he mumbled to himself, he turned and dashed into the house. By the time he went inside, Artemis and Bailey had already removed the thin masks over their faces, revealing their true appearances. Gerald''s knees buckled as he stared at their faces, and he almost fell to the ground. Seeing that, Bailey hurriedly rushed over to support him. ¡°Please don''t kneel before us. There''s no way we can ept that. It''s not right.¡± Tears streamed down Gerald''s face. Stretching out his arms and pushing her aside, he hurried toward Artemis and embraced thetter tightly. ¡°You brat. Not that you''ve grown up, you''ve gotten so full of yourself that you even dare to do something as terrible as ying dead, huh?¡± Artemis furrowed his brows, a hint of disdain shing in his eyes. Can this old geezer stop being so cheesy? I''m already getting goosebumps all over. ¡°Do you still intend to have a proper conversation? If not, we''ll be taking our leave.¡± Gerald quickly let go of his son, then looked him up and down several times. Once he was certain that Artemis was real, he let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Haha! Good, good. I''m d you''re alive. That''s great.¡± Artemis snorted coldly and said, ¡°I went to great lengths to lure Sofie into my trap. I almost had her right where I wanted her, but you helped her get away. So, do you have her now?¡± The joy on Gerald''s face slowly faded, reced by a look of deep regret and guilt. ¡°I was worried that if something were to happen to Sofie, Bay would lose her will to live. How could we stand by idly and watch her give up on life? To ensure she stayed alive, I had no choice but to send someone to save Sofie. Initially, I thought that if that woman fell into my hands, she wouldn''t be able to stir up any trouble. However, how could I have known that the person I sent turned out to be a spy who would end up making a run for it with Sofie? All right. I admit I acted foolishly this time.¡± Artemis shot him an icy re with contempt etched across his face. ¡°You''re old, so just stay at home and rest. Don''te out and cause trouble for me.¡± After getting admonished by Artemis, Gerald dared not utter a word, and the former proceeded to reprimand him severely again. Finally, Bailey could not bear it any longer and quickly interjected, ¡°That person was a spy Leo nted by your father''s side. He already intended to save Sofie. Even if your father hadn''t sent him, he would''ve taken action of his own ord. So, regardless of whether your father gave the order or not, she would''ve escaped unharmed. She wasn''t fated to die this time, so let''s not force the issue. She barely managed to stay alive this time after losing all of her powers. The next time we corner her again, she might not be so lucky.¡± Artemis snorted coldly again before saying to Gerald rather brusquely, ¡°Use your brains a bit more when you do things in the future, you old geezer.¡± Rendered speechless, Gerald could only helplessly respond with a bitter smile. Bailey red at Artemis, then turned to Gerald and said, ¡°You don''t need to me yourself. He''s just a bit stubborn. He has been more anxious than anyone else after learning that your subordinate is a spy sent by Leo, fearing that you might fall into the hands of your enemies. No sooner had he gotten to the bottom of the matter than he instructed Ken to track your whereabouts and personally rushed over to protect you.¡± Chapter 845 Chapter 845 Gerald reached out and patted Bailey''s shoulder. ¡°You''re a good kid, sensible and understanding. With you by his side, we should never have believed that he had met with disaster. If we hadn''t believed the rumors from the start, we wouldn''t have ended up in this distressing situation.¡± Bailey smiled and shook her head. ¡°You''re not wrong. You''re just trying to force me to keep living. Besides, even without you, things would still happen.¡± Gerald let out a sigh, then changed the subject. ¡°What do we do now? That woman hates you to the core. If we let her escape, she''ll be a threat to you.¡± ¡°It''s alright.¡± Bailey waved her hand dismissively and replied unconcerned, ¡°She can''t escape. Mr. Philip is the only person she can turn to now. Coincidentally, we''re also heading back to Moranta to deal with Mr. Philip. We can take care of her at the same time. Without any person to back her up, she won''t be able to stir any trouble.¡± A hint of approval shed in Gerald''s eyes. This youngdy radiates a light of wisdom that soothes the soul, calming one''s restlessness. Together, they are a formidable pair. They have nothing to fear even as they attempt to make their presence known internationally. ¡°All right, all right, I believe you will ovee all challenges and create a peaceful life for yourselves.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Meanwhile, at Mortality Base, inside the tent by the brook, Sofie used every means in her arsenal to pleasure Damien. A woman in her forties was at the peak of her maturity and allure, capable of providing men with unprecedented joy. Damien had been with quite a few women, but it was with Sofie that he rediscovered the feeling of first love. In the past, he worked as a bodyguard for Leo, while she was Leo''s mistress. He would always sneak a peek when they were getting intimate, fantasizing about the day he could have his turn with her. Now that my wish had been fulfilled, the satisfaction was indeed addictive. Fornication was all about indulging in a certain sentiment. ¡°Damien, are you satisfied?¡± The man cast a sidelong nce at her, his voice husky as he spoke. ¡°I know what you want. Tell me, why should I help you?¡± Sofie curled her red lips, leaning in to whisper in his ear, ¡°I want you to kill Mr. Philip and his son to take over their reign, then help my son seize control of the Hoffman family. What do you think?¡± A glint shed across Damien''s eyes. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. ¡°This idea appeals to me greatly. So, how do you n to win me over?¡± She breathed softly into his ear, chuckling lightly. ¡°From now on, I''ll only be your woman.¡± ¡°All right, it''s settled then. After we leave Mortality Base, we''re heading to Moranta.¡± ¡°Thank you... Damien.¡± At the same time, at Tarragon Headquarters. Inside the reception room, Wendy sat in the chair, nkly staring at the water cup she was holding in her hand. She asked Bailey to take her back to Hallsbay, and thetter clearly agreed, but in the end, she tricked her, sending her to Tarragon instead. The guard asked her to wait there. She knew who she was waiting for, but she was actually quite reluctant to face him. After everything she''d been through, all she wanted was to live a peaceful life. His world was tooplex, perilous, and unsuitable for her and Sebastian to survive in. In a daze, a surge of strength coursed through my arm. Next, her head spun, and she found herself pressed against the desk by a tall and slender figure. ¡°Help¡ª¡± Instinctively, she wanted to cry out for help. However, upon recognizing who the other person was, she barely managed to catch herself. Tears uncontrobly streamed down her cheeks as she looked at the handsome face before her. Holden gently wiped away her tears with the pad of his finger, his movements tender. ¡°You''ve lost weight. You must have had a tough time recently.¡± Wendy gently turned her face away, evading his intense gaze. She had indeed lost weight. I''ve been through a lot recently, so how could I not lose weight? ¡°This has nothing to do with you. Let me go.¡± He was never there for me whenever I was in a pickle. Who is he showing his heartbroken and distressed look to now? It seemed as if Holden could see right through her thoughts. He leaned in to kiss her eyes,ughing as he said, ¡°Are you upset with me because I didn''te to your rescue?¡± Wendy reached out, steadying herself on his shoulder, her voice cold and hard. ¡°What does my life or death have to do with you? You''re not obligated to save me.¡± With a helpless chuckle, Holden continued, ¡°If I were to rescue you, it would only put you in greater danger. Sofie is a woman with a high degree of vignce. Without absolute certainty, I cannot possibly act rashly. Bailey and Artemis said they had a way to rescue you. I thought it was feasible, so I agreed. At least it won''t put you in danger.¡± Seemingly struck by a sudden thought, Wendy became worked up. She abruptly grabbed Holden''s cor, her beautiful eyes wide open in agitation. ¡°Indeed, I came out unscathed, but someone else died in Sofie''s hands in my stead. Holden, do you know that I''m responsible for a person''s death now? Do you know, do you know?¡± As she continued speaking, she suddenly burst into tears. Because of her, a life was lost. Nightmares constantly haunted her, robbing her of peace day and night. If given the choice, she really wouldn''t want someone else to die in her ce. The thought of it was just too painful. Holden moved closer to her, bending down to kiss her lips, and began to make his move. After crying for a while, Wendy suddenly felt a chill running through her body and quickly came to her senses. ¡°No, don''t do this.¡± Holden''s rationale was already overwhelmed by lust, so there was no way he would listen to her. All he wanted to do at that moment was to get intimate with her. ¡°There, there, don''t be afraid.¡± Wendy wanted to struggle, but her arm was held firmly by him, leaving her unable to move. Gradually, she gave up resisting. Even though she constantly warned herself not to get entangled with that man anymore, she still sadly discovered that she couldn''t leave him. His tenderness and consideration were like opium, addictive and captivating, making it impossible for her to extricate herself from his allure. ¡°Holden, you b*stard...¡± He didn''t respond. Meanwhile, inside a private mansion at Moranta, Shaun suddenly sprang up from his bed, his face filled with disbelief as he stared at Tucker at the foot of his bed. ¡°W-What did you say? S-Sofie lost? Everyone under hermand was wiped out?¡± Tucker nodded solemnly. His expression was grim as well. After all, he had invested half of his manpower into that scheme, and now that the entire force had been wiped out, he undoubtedly suffered a devastating loss. ¡°Wendy took her own life halfway through, and that foolish woman Sofie didn''t have a backup n. After infuriating Holden, she was exterminated by him.¡± Shaun strode up to him, grabbed him by the cor, and roared, ¡°Do you have any idea I''ve invested a third of the Carter family''s power in this n? Now that the entire army was annihted, how am I supposed to deal with the bastard in my family? Tucker, you''re f*cking causing my demise.¡± Tucker furrowed his brows, abruptly pushing Shaun away and uttering hoarsely, ¡°What are you afraid of? Don''t we still have two-thirds of our power left? That''s more than enough to deal with that bastard.¡± Shaun staggered back a couple of steps, copsing directly onto the bed. If all else fails, I''ll have no choice but to abandon my son, using Caridee as a bargaining chip to force that bastard to show up. I need to do away with him first. Tucker''s eyes gleamed, a scheming glint shing in his gaze. ¡°Mr. Carter, how about this? You assign a third of your manpower to help me be the head of the Hoffman family, and in return, I will use all my power to help you eliminate Veikko. What do you think?¡± What do I think? To h*ll with that! Shaunpletely lost it! Chapter 846 Chapter 846 Does this d*mn jerk really think I''m an idiot? My power has now diminished by a third. If another third is gone, I''ll be at the mercy of that bastard. ¡°No need. I can handle that bastard myself. Tucker, you''re not nning to dismantle my power in the Carter family, then seize the opportunity to take over my territory, are you?¡± The more Shaun thought about it, the more he was convinced that was the case. A sudden surge of energy coursed through his body. Sensing his anger, Tucker quickly tried to soothe him. ¡°No, no, no, I don''t have the audacity, I really don''t have the audacity. Shaun, don''t get me wrong. I''m just giving you a suggestion. It''s okay if you don''t want to contribute. Once I be the head of the Hoffman family, I''ll still do everything in my power to help you kill that brat.¡± Shaun snorted and pointed toward the door of the ward. ¡°If there''s nothing else, you can get lost. Starting today, our coboration ispletely over. Don''t expect any help from me, and likewise, I won''t be asking for your assistance either.¡± Tucker chuckled, ready to say something more, but upon seeing Shaun pull out a pistol from his waist, he quickly shut his mouth. ¡°All right, all right, I''ll leave. Take care, Shaun. If you need any help, feel free to give me a call.¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± After watching Tucker leave the room, Shaun couldn''t wait to pull out his phone and dial Veikko''s number. ¡°Bastard, do you want to save your first crush? If so, head to the Gxy Club tonight. I''ll be waiting for you there. If you don''t show up, I''ll send the woman you love into the nightclub and let her please the customers.¡± A deathly silence ensued. Two minutes passed without a response from the person on the other end of the line. Just as Shaun was gradually bing anxious, Veikko''s deep and resonant voice came from the receiver. ¡°Okay. I''ll be there tonight.¡± With that, he immediately ended the call. Listening to the dial toneing from the receiver, Shaun couldn''t help but curl his lips into a wicked smile. Bastard, I''ll set a trap so intricate, you''ll find no way out. Just as Tucker left the ward, he bumped into his personal bodyguard, who was walking toward him. ¡°Mr. Carter, we''ve located the illegitimate child of Mr. Philip and Sofie. He''s hiding in a subsidiary of the Hoffman family. It''s just that their family business is spread all over the world. Finding his exact location will take some time.¡± Tucker abruptly halted, squinting at his bodyguard, and enunciated, ¡°Sofie isn''t dead, so she will definitely go find that bastard. Quickly intensify the search efforts. We must find her illegitimate child before she does. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± No sooner had the two left than a slender figure emerged from the end of the corridor. Astrid watched Tucker''s retreating figure coldly, her hand at her sides slowly clenching into a fist. She won''t let off a single one of those who had harmed her. Just now, Tucker mentioned that Philip and Sofie had an illegitimate child, and he was currently searching for thetter''s whereabouts. Needless to guess, Tucker was trying to root out his enemies to prevent any illegitimate child from challenging his right of inheritance. Astrid wondered if she managed to protect that illegitimate child, would the Hoffman family soon stage a drama of internal strife and conflict? She was willing to try anything as long as it could serve as retribution against Tucker. If it weren''t for that b*stard, would I have ended up in this ghastly state I''m in now? If Sofie and her son can be persuaded to target Tucker, forcing them to fight amongst themselves, that''ll be more than perfect. But... how can I get in touch with Sofie and tell her that Tucker wants to kill her son? Meanwhile, Zeke, whom the elders of the Hoffman family assumed had already left Moranta, was now leisurely savoring red wine on the couch inside the study of the Saviors'' branch. Veikko leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, still holding his phone, having just finished a call with Shaun. ¡°What''s the matter? Is he threatening you with that fake Caridee again?¡± Zeke asked. His expression was a mix of amusement and seriousness. Veikko scoffed twice, his countenance somewhat twisted as he emanated an aura of murderous intent. ¡°That scoundrel truly didn''t disappoint me one bit. He was hell-bent on eliminating me,pletely disregarding his own wife and children. I bet he''s set a trap for me tonight, nning to take me down at the club. In other words, he''s given up on his wife and son.¡± Zeke raised an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. ¡°After all, the Caridee he holds captive is a fake. You don''t have to bother about him. Just treat him like a lunatic.¡± Veikko clenched his phone tightly, a spine-chilling look of solemnity shing in his eyes. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . He had made up his mind. I''ve decided to deal with that jerk tonight, to stop him from running around and causing harm to everyone. ¡°I''m going to settle things with him tonight. He''s lived long enough. It''s about time he descends to hell to atone for his sins.¡± Seeing that his mind was made up, Zeke no longer tried to dissuade him. ¡°Bay left many hyper-realistic masks when she departed. Do you need me to disguise myself and apany you on this journey?¡± Veikko slightly lifted his head, rejecting him, ¡°No need, this is a matter between him and me. I want to resolve it myself. I appreciate your concern, though.¡± Even though he knew that Shaun hadid a trap for him at the club, since thetter didn''t truly have Caridee in his hands, Veikko had nothing to fear. So what if I''m going to get heavily surrounded? I can still breakthrough the ambush to kill him. At Tarragon Headquarters, inside Micah''s mansion''s infirmary, Bailey was examining Micah''s condition. After confirming that the ribs on his chest were gradually healing, she couldn''t help but tease, ¡°Affection care really is the most effective treatment. You can start moving around a bit now.¡± Micah thanked her, then turned his head to look at Shannon at the foot of the bed. ¡°I must thank Shannon. Without her attentive care, I wouldn''t have recovered so quickly.¡± Shannon subtly turned her face away, attempting to change the subject. ¡°How''s my brother? He''s not hurt, is he?¡± Bailey blinked, a sly twinkle shing in his eyes. ¡°Well... he got intimate with Wendy. They''re resting now.¡± Everyone else fell silent. As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became strange. The smile in Bailey''s eyes intensified. She gave Micah a knowing look, then swiftly darted out of the ward. Micah blinked, struggling to sit up. Just as he managed to lift his head, he suddenly yelped and fell back down again. Shannon hurriedly stepped forward, instinctively reaching out to lift the nket off him. Before her fingers could even touch the fabric, her vision suddenly spun as he pinned her down. ¡°Micah, what on earth are you doing?¡± Micah ignored her, extending his slender fingers to trace her delicate face, his movements tender. ¡°Your brother did a lot of terrible things to Wendy, but in the end, she forgave him, didn''t she? Shannon, I think you can try to forgive me.¡± Chapter 847 Chapter 847 There was no expression on Shannon''s face. She had grown ustomed to treating Micah with indifference. ¡°Their child is still alive. Wendy''s womb is still intact. There are no insurmountable chasms between them, so they can mend their rtionship. As for us? I can''t think of any reason for us to rekindle our old me. I also feel there''s no need for us to fix our broken rtionship. You''re almost fully recovered now. In a few days, I''ll be leaving with Dawn. If our past love still means anything to you, please fulfill my request and don''t disturb our peaceful life. I''m begging you.¡± After hearing those words, Micah didn''t seem too disappointed. Having experienced it so many times, he had be immune to it. In the past, hearing such words might have caused him pain. However, at that moment, all that was left in his heart was numbness. How could two people find a way out if they were bothpletely in despair? Therefore, he could not let her influence him. He had to hold onto his dreams and hopes even in his deepest despair. He believed that the heavens would grant them another chance, allowing them to live out the rest of their lives together. ¡°All right, calm down. Let''s not talk about this anymore,¡± said Micah. Regardless of where she goes with the kid, I''ll follow them. Perhaps sensing his stubbornness, Shannon let out a silent sigh in her heart. I''ll just let him be. Perhaps he''ll get sick of it over time. When Bailey came out of the medical room, she bumped into Artemis head-on. ¡°Did Daddy leave?¡± ¡°He did. It''s not very safe for him to stay here. After all, Damien has been following him for years and knows his whereabouts. Only when he returns to Hallsbay will his safety be guaranteed. When that happens, we can rest easy and attend to other matters.¡± Bailey nced back at the medical room behind him, a thought crossing her mind. ¡°Come, follow me to the operating room.¡± After saying that, she grabbed Artemis'' hand and ran inside. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis seemed to guess her intentions and couldn''t help butugh. ¡°We already have two sons and a daughter. That''s enough. I''m not greedy. You should stop, too.¡± ¡°I want to get pregnant and have you treat me like a diva, though,¡± said Bailey. Haven''t I been doing that? He raised his eyebrow. ¡°Do you really want to do this?¡± ¡°Yes. I want to have another child. I''m serious about this. We must cooperate with the national policy and birth more children.¡± Seeing her persistence, Artemis didn''t try to stop her anymore. He reminded, ¡°We still need to go to Moranta to clean up the mess. Let''s not stay here for too long.¡± ¡°I know. With my specially formted medicine, you''ll recover in two days.¡± During the night, inside a private mansion in Moranta, Astrid was escorted into the living room by two bodyguards from outside. After she arrived in the couch area, one of them viciously kicked her in the calf. Pain surged through her, forcing her to kneel. Sitting on the couch, Shaun tipped up her chin with the tip of his leather shoe. His expression was a mix of amusement and seriousness. ¡°You''re quite fond of that little bastard in my family, don''t you? Perfect. How about I use you to lure him out tonight? I''ll make you two into a pair of star-crossed lovers¡± Astrid tightly clenched her fists, a hint of hesitation shing in her eyes. From the tone of Shaun''s voice, it was clear that he was tired of her and was nning to end her life. If she failed to save herself, she would die that night, which she didn''t want to happen before she could have her revenge. As such, her only option was to take a risk. If she won, she could use Shaun to eliminate Tucker and exact revenge on Caridee. All her misfortunes could be traced back to those two individuals. Hence, even if her final destination were hell, she would drag them down with her. Once she made up her mind, she lunged forward and embraced Shaun tightly, pleading urgently, ¡°Mr. Carter, you can''t take me to the appointment. It''s because I''m not the real Caridee. If you take me to see Veikko tonight, he will kill you.¡± Shaun was taken aback. Once he regained hisposure, he abruptly leaned in, gripping her chin tightly. Through gritted teeth, he demanded, ¡°Repeat what you just said.¡± Astrid knew what he wanted to hear, so she reverted to her original voice, raising her tone and shouting, ¡°I am not Caridee! It''s all Tucker''s doing, that scoundrel. He did it to quell your anger, to get you to agree to send reinforcements to help Sofie attack Tarragon. He forced me to undergo stic surgery to look like Caridee.¡± Snap! A grating sound of bone cracking reverberated in the living room. Astrid''s chin was crushed by him. The intense pain made her curl up in response. Even so, she still spoke, though with difficulty. ¡°The real Caridee is still in the Shurmer family''s research base. Veikko surely knows about this matter. He only agreed to meet you to kill you. Mr. Carter, ack of patience in small matters will bring destruction to overall ns. You surely won''t want to risk your life for a fleeting moment of satisfaction, will you?¡± Shaun abruptly shook her off, then sprang up from the couch. ¡°How dare Tucker y me for a fool. Not only did he cause me to lose a third of my power, but he also almost caused me to die a horrible death. I''m going to kill him!¡± After he finished speaking, he aimed his gloomy eyes straight at Astrid, who was lying on the ground. ¡°How dare you deceive me, b*tch. Guards, drag her away and feed her to the dogs.¡± Astrid tumbled and crawled to his feet. Clutching his calves, she urgently said, ¡°I know of a way for you to seek revenge and kill Tucker. I also know how to tear Veikko and Caridee apart, making their lives a living nightmare. Mr. Carter, we are both victims. Killing me won''t do you any good. It won''t change the fact that we''ve been yed. Instead, why don''t we join forces and make them pay dearly for this?¡± Shaun took a deep breath, suppressing the anger boiling within him. Gritting his teeth, he said, ¡°Tell me your n. If I''m satisfied, I will spare your life. If you fail to do so, I will tear you to pieces.¡± Astrid quickly spoke up. ¡°Sofie and Mr. Philip have an illegitimate child. Tucker is trying to kill him. All you need to do is find a way to ry this information to Sofie. That woman is capable of eliminating Tucker. As for Veikko and Caridee, I''ll find a way to help you get Caridee. Then, I''ll seduce Veikko as Caridee. When he''spletely smitten with me, I''ll seize the opportunity to kill him. What do you think?¡± Shaun reached out and gently patted her cheek, suddenly breaking into a sinister grin. ¡°All right. We''ll do it your way. A woman as vicious as you certainly makes for a valuable chess piece. It would be a waste to destroy you. I suppose it''s better to make full use of you.¡± Upon seeing him relent, Astrid was instantly drained, copsing directly onto the ground. I''ve secured my chance for revenge. Tucker, Caridee, neither of you will escape me! Meanwhile, inside the study within Philip''s residence, Tucker stared at his father, surprised. His voice was trembling. ¡°W-What did you say? Bailey is still alive? Not only that, she''s the one who saved Wendy, causing Sofie to lose her leverage over Holden?¡± I know she''s alive, but she has been staying in my winery. How did she end up at Tarragon Headquarters? Could it be that she''s not the woman in my winery? Have I been making love with an imposter? That''s absurd! I refuse to believe this! This is an outrageous joke! Chapter 848 Chapter 848 ¡°That''s impossible, Daddy. Could you have made a mistake? She''s Bailey! Whether it''s her voice or appear appearance, both match Bailey''s perfectly. There are no signs of stic surgery, too.¡± Philip was furious. He directly pped his son''s face, angrily saying, ¡°Fool! Don''t you understand? Bailey is proficient in the long-lost art of disguise. The woman you poisoned was a suicide attacker who had changed her appearance. The real Bailey has gone to confront Sofie at Tarragon Headquarters.¡± Tucker staggered back and plopped down onto the couch. He was so smug, lost in the intoxicating embrace of that woman. Little did he know she was nothing but a fake. ¡°Daddy, what should we do now? Since Bailey didn''t die, she will return to Moranta. Without Sofie''s help, we can''t win against her.¡± Philip pressed his palm on his forehead, his eyes emitting a deep, chilling light. ¡°We''ll have to force your Uncle Raymond to abdicate and demand that he hand over the rein of the Hoffman family.¡± ¡°An eye for an eye.¡± Tucker sat up straight, nodding in agreement as he added, ¡°To avoid complications, we must seize it as soon as possible. If that old man is willing to hand over his position, we can let him live on borrowed time. If he refuses, I''ll have no choice but to ask Kurt to poison them to death.¡± Philip lightly hummed in agreement. ¡°Then let''s proceed as nned. We''ll wreak havoc within the family business. Once your uncle can''t deal with it anymore, we''ll join forces with the family elders to force him to step down. If he refuses, we''ll have no choice but to eliminate him.¡± Tucker suddenly sprang up from the couch, striding toward the door. ¡°All right. I''ll go arrange it right away.¡± He was eager to rush to the manor and tear off the imposter''s mask to see who she really was. Just the thought of having spent so much time with a cold-hearted, ruthless suicide attacker made him feel sick to his stomach. Like a fool, I mistook her for my goddess and f*cked her. Just thinking about that makes me feel messed up! Inside the armory of a Saviors'' branch, Veikko was donning his gear, all of which were advanced, lethal laser weapons. Since the decision to kill Shaun had been made, it must be carried out wlessly. Zeke asked from the side, ¡°Are you sure you don''t want me to go with you? You don''t have to be polite to me. If Bailey treats you like a brother, I can also consider you as one.¡± Snap! After loading the pistol, Veikko tucked it directly into his military boots. As he strapped on his wrist guard, he spoke. ¡°To kill that b*stard, I alone am enough. As long as he shows up, there''s no way he can escape.¡± Zeke wanted to say something. Just as his lips began to move, the phone on the desk rang. Veikko gestured for him to be quiet, then slid to answer the call and turned on the speaker. Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. In the next moment, Shaun''s voice came through the phone. ¡°My dear brother, I''m truly sorry. I have an important guest to meet tonight, so I''m afraid I won''t be able to show up. How about this? You go alone, and I''ll arrange for a few novices from Gxy Club to take good care of you so that you can enjoy yourself too. I''m just wondering if you dare to touch a woman or if such matters repulse you. After all, you''ve had experiences with a few men in the past, so it''s understandable if you have some reservations about this.¡± Crack! Veikko crushed the winess he was holding directly in his hand. The experience from years ago had inflicted an unheble wound in his heart. As time passed, it gradually became a taboo for him. As such, he was furious that Shaun picked on his wound. ¡°Are you messing with me?¡± ¡°Sure. Let''s just say that''s the case. In any case, I won''t be attending the appointment today. If you feel like unwinding a bit, you can take a trip there. I''ll cover all the expenses.¡± After Shaun finished speaking, he immediately ended the call. As Veikko listened to the beeping toneing from the receiver, his anger surged violently. I''ve already received intel that he set up an intricate trap at the club, just waiting for me to walk right into it. What happened? Why did he suddenly cancel the meeting? After a moment of silence, he turned his head towards Zeke on the couch, furrowing his brows as he asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Zeke shook his head, attempting to exin, ¡°I''ve never dealt with Shaun, so I don''t know his temperament. However, ever since you incapacitated him, he has be unpredictable, his moods shifting like the weather. Perhaps he''s devising a more effective way to deal with you. Let''s wait and see what happens.¡± Veikko, somewhat angrily, mmed his phone down on the desk. ¡°All right. If he wants to y, then I''ll y along with him. By the way, did Bailey mention when she''ll be back?¡± Zeke smiled meaningfully. ¡°The time isn''t right for her return yet. After Sofie sessfully escapes, she''ll likely rush to Moranta to vie with Mr. Philip for the remaining power. Bailey is probably waiting for them to fight until they''re both badly hurt. When that happens, she can swoop in and take them all down at once without lifting a finger.¡± After three days of navigating through Mortality Base, Sofie, Damien, as well as her team, sessfully escaped. As soon as she established a signal connection with the outside world, she received an anonymous email. The email mentioned that Tucker already knew about her illegitimate child with Philip. He had even dispatched arge number of people to search for the child. After reading the email, Sofie was so angry that she almost smashed herptop. It''s that brat again! I ordered him to kill Bailey, but he ended up killing a decoy, leading to my entire army''s defeat! Now, he has the audacity to target my son! He''s truly despicable! If I didn''t care about his father, I would have had him secretly killed a long time ago. ¡°Damien, let''s first go to Pandera to save my son first. Perhaps we may even be able to lure Tucker over with him. After Tucker leaves the Hoffman family''s territory, it will be much easier for us to kill him. Once he''s dead, my son will be Philip''s only heir. When the time comes, we''ll take down Philip, and then the entire Hoffman family will be under our control.¡± With a raised eyebrow and a smile, Damien wrapped his arm around her. They then walked toward the convoy parked in the dense forest. ¡°All right. I''ll apany you first to save my adopted son. Then the three of us will go to Moranta as a family to kick up a fuss in the Hoffman family.¡± Upon receiving his agreement, Sofie couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank you so much, Damien. I will make sure my son treats you with great respect in the future.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Inside the master''s bedroom of Tarragon Headquarters, Artemis leaned against the headboard, his handsome face still somewhat pale. Bailey was carefully applying medicine to the wound on his abdomen. While Artemis stared at the delicate face before him, his mind stirred. Leaning in close to her ear, he asked, ¡°You didn''t reconnect my sperm tubes just so we could have a baby, did you?¡± Chapter 849 Chapter 849 Bailey didn''t react immediately and nkly said, ¡°What else could I''ve done it for? Thrill-seeking?¡± The moment she uttered the phrase ¡°thrill-seeking,¡± she snapped to her senses and blushed. The older he gets, the more shameless he is! Artemis knew what she was thinking. With his deep, maic voice, he murmured, ¡°It is about seeking thrills. With it, you''ll experience a different kind of pleasure.¡± Bailey felt as if something had exploded in her mind. This jerk. To think he managed toe up with that. Although, it is undeniable that having it does feel different. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Judging by your expression, it seems you agree with what I''ve said. My dear, I didn''t expect you to have such thoughts. In that case, what''s there for you to be shy about?¡± With a swift p, Bailey sent him flying back against the headboard. ¡°Be serious. What do you think Sofie will do next?¡± Artemis blinked, a cunning glint shing in his eyes. ¡°She will kill Tucker because Tucker is nning to take her son''s life. Of course, even if Tucker doesn''ty a finger on her son, she''ll never let him off the hook. With the death of Tucker, the only option left for Mr. Philip is to support her son''s ascension to power. Once her son bes the heir, she will not hesitate to kill Mr. Philip. That woman refuses to be mediocre. What she detests most is others suppressing her. Therefore, she will kill Mr. Philip and his son. After her son ascends to power, she''ll rule behind the curtain and manipte him, further controlling the entire Hoffman family.¡± Bailey nodded with a smile. ¡°It''s just as I guessed. We should let them fight amongst themselves and stay out of the battle. Once they''ve worn each other down, we can step in and clean up the mess.¡± After she finished speaking, she prepared to stand up and pack up her medical kit. Suddenly, he pulled her arm. In the next moment, she leaned forward, falling directly into his arms. ¡°Artemis, have you lost your mind? Your wounds haven''t healed yet.¡± ¡°It''s fine. It''s just a minor injury,¡± assured Artemis. Bailey rolled her eyes before a mischievous glint appeared. ¡°All right, then. You asked for this. Don''t me meter.¡± Seeing her so well-behaved, he was overjoyed. However, his good mood onlysted for thirty seconds because he smelled the scent of blood. Is she... having her period right now? ¡°Bailey, you did this on purpose, didn''t you?¡± Bailey burst intoughter. ¡°How can you say I did it on purpose? I had my period during the morning, okay?¡± Artemis extended his hand to push her away, pointing at the bedroom door. ¡°Leave. Stop hanging around in front of me.¡± ¡°Fine. I''ll just leave.¡± Bailey stepped away from his embrace and walked toward the door. As she walked, she said, ¡°You should rest well. Once your wounds have healed, we can set off for Moranta to reap the benefits.¡± Shannon was gently supporting Micah in his garden as they stroll leisurely by the artificialke. After taking a few dozen steps, Micah casually asked, ¡°Which city are you nning to take Dawn to live in?¡± Shannon fell into silence. Micah then said, ¡°Even if you don''t tell me, I''ll still know. Why not chat with me? I may be able to give you...¡± ¡°Pillere.¡± Shannon turned to him, her voice indifferent. ¡°I likevender. I might go to Pillere and bathe in a sea of purple flowers.¡± Micah chuckled softly. The warm and peaceful purple kingdom is indeed a good ce to settle down. ¡°It''s a nice ce. If I happen to pass by your house one afternoon, will you invite me in for a cup of afternoon tea?¡± An almost imperceptible smile appeared on Shannon''s countenance. Before she could speak, footsteps echoed from afar. Both of them instinctively turned around and saw Wendy leading Dawn toward them. ¡°Mommy, Aunt Wendy is here to see you.¡± Wendy felt resigned upon hearing that. ¡°Dawn, you should call me Ms. Wendy. Ms. Hoffman is fine, too.¡± Dawn blinked and grinned, saying, ¡°Uncle Holden may get angry, though.¡± Shannon couldn''t help butugh out loud. ¡°Yes, you should call her Aunt Wendy. Otherwise, your uncle will be unhappy.¡± Dawn shrugged at Wendy. ¡°See? My mom says the same thing.¡± Wendy couldn''t help butugh too. Turning to Shannon, she said, ¡°You''ve raised quite the dramatic daughter. Still, she''s quite likable.¡± Shannon released Micah''s arm and walked over to Wendy, embracing her and speaking in a low voice. ¡°For Sebastian''s sake, you should try building aplete family. Besides, my brother is quite the catch, you know. He''s got a lot of high-profiledies on the international stage eyeing him. If you keep hesitating, someone else may seize the opportunity and snatch him away.¡± Reflexively, Wendy retorted, ¡°What about you and Micah? Shouldn''t you also start a family to give Dawn aplete childhood?¡± ¡°We are different, Wendy. There''s too much pain between us. We... Never mind that. Let''s leave everything up to fate. If it''s meant to be, we will meet again. After all, the world is a sphere. Who knows? Maybe after a full revolution, we may truly reunite.¡± Wendy smiled faintly. It seems she has found hope. In the past, every time Micah was mentioned, Shannon would adopt a cold demeanor. From her actions and behavior, one could see her hatred and anger. Now, when Micah is mentioned, she seems to be much more at peace. There''s no longer any malice in her eyes, only serenity. The future still holds promise. Inside a certain basement in Moranta, intermittent roars of anger and despair echoed in the darkness. Kurt looked at the woman in front of him, whose body was emanating a dark aura, and burst into hearty laughter. ¡°I''ve seeded. s, I''ve sessfully developed a poison that Cameron, Bailey, and ze can''t cure! I''ve surpassed myself¡± Zoey was shackled to a steel pir by iron chains. Her skin had turned into a bloody mess. Yet, she continued to struggle with all her might as though she couldn''t feel pain. In reality, she was in agony. She felt as if millions of venomous snakes and insects were gnawing at her from head to toe. She could easily sense the poison seeping into her flesh and blood, bit by bit. ¡°Ah...¡± When the pain became so unbearable that she couldn''t breathe, she contemted ending her life. Kurt noticed her intentions, but he didn''t stop her. Now that the poison test has been sessful, even if she dies, it won''t cause me any loss. When the timees, I can still achieve my goal by poisoning Cameron. ¡°Zoey, are you really content to just die like this? Bailey has taken everything from you yet still lives a good life. By the way, the woman tormented by Tucker isn''t Bailey. We''ve all been fooled. In other words, your nemesis is still alive.¡± Zoey slowly rxed her teeth from her tongue. Her face contorted as she stared at Kurt. With a dry, hoarse voice, she asked, ¡°Are you sure it''s not Bailey?¡± Kurt clicked his tongue twice, shaking his head, and said, ¡°Yes. Bailey deceived Tucker using her disguise skill. Now that I have injected you with the most poisonous toxin in the world, you must make good use of it. Don''t waste such a valuable resource. Even if you can''t drag the whole world down with you, you should at least pull Bailey into hell, don''t you think?¡± Chapter 850 Chapter 850 Bailey didn''t die. Bailey didn''t die. The words echoed incessantly in Zoey''s mind as her face twisted up. She has been basking in self-satisfactiontely. Even when her body was corroded by the deadly toxin developed by Kurt, she still felt invigoratingly refreshed. That was because when she was being tormented, Bailey was also struggling in hell. s, this beautiful illusion, shattered so abruptly, only served to magnify her pain. She was filled with hatred, resenting how unfair fate could be. She also resented the heavens for being so kind to Bailey. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . ¡°Ah! Why? Why isn''t it her? Why?¡± Every corner of the basement resounded with the echoes of her powerful roar. Zoey hadpletely lost her sanity and was howling like a mad dog. A ferocious expression appeared on Kurt''s face as he slowly unfastened the iron chains binding her hands and feet. ¡°Each week, I will provide you with a pill to neutralize the toxin, ensuring your survival and thwarting its lethal effects. As part of our agreement, you must also figure out a means to poison Cameron. However, I won''tpel you to take Bailey''s life. Considering the profound animosity and enmity between you both, I assume you won''t spare her easily. My wish is for you to seed and let Bailey meet her demise from this toxin as well.¡± Without the weight of the iron chain supporting her body, Zoey copsed directly onto the floor. She lowered her gaze to her mangled wrist as a wild murderous intent rose and spread in her eyes. I won''t let Cameron, Bailey, Sofie, Philip, Philip''s son, off the hook, especially this man who had drugged me. Even if she had to die, she was determined to drag them down with her. ¡°Give me Cameron''s information. I''ll find a way to get close to him and poison him.¡± Kurt extended his hand and tenderly caressed her cheek, his face disying a yful blend of amusement and concern. ¡°No need to hurry,¡± he advised gently. ¡°First, concentrate on regaining your health.¡± At the same time, in the winery located in the suburbs, Tucker forcefully burst open the door of the master bedroom, the sound echoing with a loud bang. He stormed into the bedroom, seething with rage. His gaze was immediately drawn to the woman bound on the bed. The resemnce between this woman''s face and Bailey''s was uncanny; even her voice and temperament bore a striking simrity. It seemed that the days he spent with the beauty in a drunken stupor were nothing but a joke as he was sleeping with one of the cheapest women in the world. He could never possible ept such an oue. ¡°Wretch, how dare you deceive me with a disguise?¡± As he spoke, he lunged toward Cindy. Cindy stared at him coldly, her eyes devoid of any fear. Her face was expressionless as she awaited the moment of death. After moving to the edge of the bed, Tucker gripped her neck with one hand and frantically wed at her face with the other. He wanted to take a good look at the face hidden beneath this hyper-realistic mask Cindy fixed her gaze on him and spoke hoarsely. ¡°It''s futile, so you can cease wasting your effort. This is the toughest skin in the world. Without applying a special drug, no one can peel this face off mine.¡± p! After futilely scratching her face dozens of times, Tucker fiercely pped her. ¡°Someone, take this b*tch to the infirmary and tell them to figure out a way to peel off the skin from her face. If they really can''t find a solution, then just tear off the mask in the most brutal way. I don''t care if she is alive or dead.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Two bodyguards rushed in from outside. Swiftly, they removed the iron chains from Cindy''s body. Hoisting her up, they dashed out of the room. Tucker found it difficult to suppress the rage in his heart. Only after spending more than ten minutes smashing all the antiques and ornaments in the room did his emotions begin to subside slightly. Beep! The phone in his pocket rang. He pulled it out and realized it was a call from his bodyguard. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± ¡°Mr. Tucker, we''ve located that bastard. He''s currently working as a programmer in one of our branch offices in Pandera.¡± Tucker gripped his phone tightly and eximed, ¡°Excellent, finally some exciting news to hear! Head to Pandera personally and capture that bastard, then bring him back to Moranta secretly.¡± Confused, the bodyguard asked, ¡°Aren''t we going to kill him directly?¡± Tucker clenched his teeth and said, ¡°You fool! If you kill him, who will keep Sofie in check and make her give in? You? Don''t be deceived by the woman''s loss of power and influence. She might not be able to cause harm now, but she''s skilled at using her body to win the support of her benefactors. Who knows, she might be cozying up to some international arms tycoon by now, securing their backing.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand. I will do my utmost to bring him to Moranta and hand him over to you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Over the next few days, the Hoffman family''s global business chain was struck by an unknown force. Their stocks plummeted, and partners began terminating contracts one after another. Suddenly, the entire family found themselves in a state of panic. The elders joined forces to pressure the head of the Hoffman family, urging him to quickly quell the unrest. If this incident results in significant losses, they would unanimously vote to strip him of his position as head of the household. Inside the study, Juliana mmed her hand forcefully on the table, her anger evident as she eximed, ¡°Has Philip''s family lost their minds? They''re going all out to cause trouble just to make you relinquish your position as the family head. Aren''t they afraid that the family will never recover, and when they take over, there''ll be nothing left but an empty shell?¡± In contrast to her anger, Raymond appeared significantly moreposed. ¡°Apetent leader should remain patient and avoid quick anger, as it can cloud their judgment. I actually see this as a good opportunity, a chance to rearrange the cards for the family business.¡± Juliana gradually calmed down as she narrowed her gaze. ¡°What do you mean, Father?¡± A calcting glint shed in Raymond''s eyes. His mind was sharp, and he seemed to have everything under control. After all, if he hadn''t had a few tricks up his sleeve, he wouldn''t have held the position of the family head for so many years. The reason he refrained from taking action was simply to wait for Philip''s family to transfer half of their men to Sofie. Sofie would lead these men to attack Tarragon, only to end up with their entire army annihted. Without lifting a finger, their strength would be significantly diminished. Just as he had predicted, Sofie lost the fight, and all the manpower invested in Philip''s family was completely wiped out. ¡°I intend toply with their wishes by relinquishing the position of the family head to them. Once they take control, all those who side with them will be exposed. When the opportune moment arrives, we will strike back and uproot Philip''s family.¡± Juliana pursed her lips and spoke gravely. ¡°Handing over all the power to them leaves us vulnerable to fight back. I believe we should confront them in the most ruthless manner until they surrender.¡± Raymond sighed softly. ¡°If we follow that approach, the remnants hidden in the shadows won''t be uprooted. They will continue to pose atent threat.¡± After he finished speaking, he handed theptop in front of him to Juliana. ¡°Half an hour ago, your master sent an email. You should take a look at it.¡± Feeling curious, she clicked on the email. As she finished reading the contents, her face disyed utter shock. ¡°U-Uncle Philip has an illegitimate child? Sofie wants to seize power for her own son?¡± Chapter 851 Chapter 851 Raymond responded with a light hum. When he first saw this email, he was also taken aback. However, after some further contemtion, he came to terms with it. Before Sofie tried to seduce Leo, she was Philip''s lover. It was no surprise that they secretly carried on their affair and ended up having a son. ¡°Sofie''s attack on Tarragon failed, and her men werepletely wiped out. She was a woman who never settled for mediocrity. She''lle to Moranta with her son, employing every trick in the book to vie with Philip''s family for the inheritance. So, even if I relinquish my rights, it doesn''t automatically mean they''ll end up in your Uncle Philip''s hands.¡± Juliana was not foolish. Her father had exined everything so clearly, she naturally understood what would happen. ¡°Very well, we''ll follow your n, Dad. Tomorrow, we''ll hold a grand n meeting, and you''ll relinquish your authority. Once the authority is in Philip''s family''s hands, Sofie will undoubtedly attempt to wrest it from them.¡± In the intensive care unit of the secret research base located in the suburbs of Hallsbay, Zain gazed at the data disyed on theputer screen, a look of joy spreading across his handsome face. A significant breakthrough was aplished through the method ofbatting cancer with cancer cells. The cancer cells within Veronique''s body were being eradicated at a visible pace by the toxins injected into her. If things continued to progress in this manner, within two months, the cancer cells in her body could be completely eradicated. Seeing his excitement, Zephyr, who was lying on the edge of the bed, quickly asked, ¡°Mr. Zain, is there a chance for my mom''s condition to improve?¡± Zain reached out and yfully flicked him on the forehead with a smile. ¡°You don''t need to worry about being an orphan anymore. Quickly inform your father that the cancer in Veronique''s body has halted its progression, and the cancer cells are dying rapidly.¡± In a hurry, Zephyr sprang up from his chair, ready to dash out of the ward. As if he remembered something, he abruptly halted in his tracks. ¡°My father has returned to the Xuereb family. They must be forcing him to marry that phony woman.¡± Zain gently patted his shoulder, smiling reassuringly as he spoke. ¡°Your parents have already been through a lot. There''s nothing in this world that can separate them now, so don''t worry. Your father is here to stay, and he isn''t going anywhere. The same goes for your mother.¡± At the same time, Justin stood in the center of the living room at the Xuereb residence, squinting at his mother, Olivia, who was sittingfortably on the couch. ¡°Are you forcing me to marry Scarlett just a few days after Veronique''s funeral?¡± His voice was icy cold, causing the previously assertive Olivia to falter a bit. ¡°Well, you are going to marry her sooner orter anyway. Now that Lettie is pregnant, it''s crucial for us to demonstrate our sincerity and give her a proper status. After all, she is the top socialite.¡± Justin''s gaze fell on Scarlett as a mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips. This woman has already pushed his patience to the limit. I refuse to indulge her any longer. ¡°While she used to be the top socialite, who knows what the future may bring now.¡± Olivia and Scarlett both froze, disying contrasting expressions on their faces. One was puzzled, while the other panicked instantly. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± asked Olivia in a serious tone. With a nonchnt shrug, Justin proceeded to exin, ¡°Mr. Fletcher has been suffering from a peculiar illness, and he''s been unconscious for nearly a month. Didn''t Scarlett inform you about it?¡± A look of surprise shed across Olivia''s eyes. Suddenly, she turned her head to look at Scarlett, her expression far from friendly. ¡°Lettie, what''s going on? Is your father seriously ill? Why haven''t I heard about it?¡± Scarlett''s face turned ashen as her body began trembling slightly. How did Justin find out that my father is seriously ill and unconscious? Bailey... Yes, it must be Bailey. She''s nothing but trouble! ¡°M-Mrs. Xuereb I, I didn''t want you to worry, so I didn''t...¡± Bang! Olivia smacked the table forcefully. ¡°How could you keep such a serious matter from me?¡± Filled with anxiety, Scarlett reached out and tightly grasped Olivia''s arm, her voice choked with tears. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, please, let me exin about my father¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Justin forcefully interjected, ¡°The higher-ups have already initiated discussions about a change in leadership. Ms. Fletcher, I''m afraid your position as Lady Scarlett might not be secure, so it''s best not to presume yourself as the top socialite in the future.¡± Upon finishing his words, he turned and made his way toward the door. After a few steps, he added, ¡°I will instruct my assistant to start preparations for the wedding. Once everything is arranged ordingly, I''ll inform you. If you believe it''s essential to discuss matters with the Fletcher family, please get in touch with them as soon as possible.¡± Scarlett quickly stood up, but due to sitting for too long, her legs were somewhat numb, causing her to stumble and fall back down. In a sudden shift of attitude, Olivia promptly grabbed her arm. ¡°Be honest with me. What exactly is going on with Mr. Fletcher? Is he really not going to regain consciousness? Are they really going to rece him?¡± Anxiety was etched on Scarlett''s face as she cried out, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, it can''t be true, my father won''t die. Even if my father can''t help, Raiden can. He can save your family. Please don''t worry. There''s no need to worry.¡± With an abrupt motion, Olivia rose from the sofa, her teeth gritted as she looked down at her. She spoke sternly. ¡°The only reason I treat you politely is because of your family. If the Fletcher family loses its past glory and falls from grace, don''t assume you''ll have it easy in the Xuereb family either. I''ve linked the fate of my family to yours. You had better not let me down, or you''ll face a challenging time as well.¡± After she finished speaking, she strode toward the spiral staircase. Scarlett gazed after her with resentment, her teeth grinding in frustration. Olivia, once your son marries me, I''ll be able to secure my position in this family. It will be my choice whether you have the authority to order me around or whether I''ll be the one mistreating you. A private jet slowly touched down at a private airport at Pandera, Friyx. The cabin door opened, and a man and a woman stepped out from the aircraft. ¡°Pandera, famously hailed as the city of romance. I''ve been here before, but my previous mission was to take someone''s life. Now, as a tourist, the ambiance feels entirely different.¡± It was Bailey, standing before the sunrise as she eagerly took in the fresh air that smelled of spring. Artemis reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist. He reminded her, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, we don''t have time to y around this time, okay? Don''t forget that we''re here to catch the prodigy, ''Archie''.¡± Bailey couldn''t resist rolling her eyes, muttering, ¡°Can you stop being such a killjoy? With the way you''re pursuing women, I''m afraid you''ll frighten off anyone you attempt to court.¡± Artemis inched nearer to her and chuckled lightly. ¡°As long as you don''t run away.¡± Content ? provided by N?velDrama.Org. Artemis took her wrist as they disembarked from the ne. As they walked, he said, ¡°Although Sofie may not pose much trouble anymore, her son is a genius. ''Archie'' is well-known, and I''ve heard about him in Hallsbay. He''s been lying low in the informationpany affiliated with the Hoffman family for many years now. It''s quite possible that he already has ess to the family''s most confidential secrets. If he decides to align with Sofie again, it would undoubtedly strengthen her position.¡± Bailey quickly surrendered. ¡°Okay, fine. I will focus on capturing ''Archie'', okay?¡± Chapter 852 Chapter 852 In the car, Artemis received a text message from Zeke: The man who Tucker sent to Pandera to capture ''Archie'' has already arrived. I believe it would be better to let ''Archie'' fall into Tucker''s hands. That way, he''llpletely burn his bridges with Sofie. After reading the message, he handed the phone to Bailey. ¡°Zeke wants us to watch in safety while others fight. What do you think?¡± Bailey''s eyes flickered with a hint of regret. ¡°That young man is truly talented. If we could recruit him, he''d be a valuable asset to us. But if Tucker gets hold of him, there won''t be anything left of him. It''s a real shame for someone like him to meet such a downfall.¡± After a moment of contemtion, Artemis proposed, ¡°If you''re hesitant, let''s hurry and arrive before Tucker''s men. We''ll protect him.¡± A hint of hesitation shed across Bailey''s eyes. After a moment of silence, she shook her head and said, ¡°Zeke is correct. We need ''Archie'' to end up in Tucker''s hands to provoke a conflict between him and Sofie. We released Sofie with the intention of turning her against Philp and his son, didn''t we? If her son doesn''t die in Tucker''s hands, how can we ignite their confrontation?¡± Actually, Sofie would have already arrived in Pandera by now. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Nevertheless, they got Raymond to deploy the power of the Hoffman family to dy her arrival. Ultimately, if her son fell into the hands of Tucker, she would naturally assume that it was Tucker who had been obstructing her all along. Their motive was to incite a confrontation between Sofie and Philip, along with his son, hoping to witness them turning against each other. This chance to escte the conflict was too significant to pass up, so she couldn''t possibly let it slip away. ¡°Let''s do this. Since Tucker''s men are here to capture the kid, let''s leave it to him.¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows, his expression a mix of amusement and seriousness as he said, ¡°And here I thought you had taken a liking to that pretty boy. On the way here, I''ve been pondering how to kill that kid. If you said you''d protect him, I will definitely pepper him with bullets.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but roll her eyes. What a green-eyed monster. ¡°Do you think Tucker''s men can capture that kid?¡± Artemis gave a faint smile. ¡°If he fails, we can lend a helping hand.¡± With a sigh of resignation, Bailey wondered if he would stop being this evil. After a moment of silence, she inquired once more, ¡°Earlier, you mentioned that Archie might have acquired ess to the Hoffman family''s top secrets. If he ends up with Tucker, wouldn''t these crucial secrets then be in the hands of Philip and his son? What if they both spill these secrets when they were in danger? Won''t the Hoffman family be ruined directly?¡± Artemis looked at her with a smile, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Isn''t it better if the Hoffman family is ruined? Your apprentice''s dream of bing a queen will be shattered, and Zeke can also get the beauty he desires. It''s a win-win situation.¡± She had to admit that his words made sense. In the IT department of Insterster Tower, an office door swung open at the end of the corridor. A young woman in a professional suit strode briskly to the desk. ¡°Mr. Archie, you can''t stay here any longer. You must leave immediately. I''ve received news that the man sent by Mr. Tucker to capture you have already arrived in Pandera.¡± Sitting behind the curved office desk, a young man was rapidly typing on the keyboard. ¡°I know. I''m currently duplicating the confidential documents. Give me another thirty minutes. You can go ahead and arrange the private jet, and I''ll be there shortly.¡± The female bodyguard pursed her lips, gritting her teeth as she spoke. ¡°Ms. Carr just contacted me. She''s currently being restrained by the Hoffman family''s special agents and can''t escape. We need to leave immediately as per strict orders. We can retrieve those confidential documentster. Right now, your safety is the top priority.¡± Archie paid no attention to her, focusing solely on the task at hand. At that moment, the sound of a siren suddenly echoed from outside the building. The female bodyguard swiftly approached the floor-to-ceiling window, noticing the caution tape already strung up below. Her eyes suddenly darkened. ¡°Mr. Archie, the staff have been forbidden from entering and exiting the lower floors. It appears that Mr. Tucker has mobilized the security department to cooperate. If we don''t leave now, we won''t have the chance to.¡± ¡°D*mn it,¡± the young man muttered a curse under his breath as he forcefully terminated the data output. After removing the sh drive from theputer, he initiated the formatting process. With a casual toss, he handed the sh drive to the female bodyguard, speaking lightly. ¡°I can''t leave now because Bailey is here. She''ll assist Tucker in capturing me. Pass this sh drive to my mother and inform her that it contains the secrets of the Hoffman family. If she can use it wisely, she''ll undoubtedly gain control of the entire core industrial chain within the Hoffman family. It''s the only thing I can do for her. And she need not worry about whether I live or die.¡± After uttering those words, the young man casually retrieved his coat from the chair and nonchntly left. As the female bodyguard prepared to follow, she was suddenly halted by a dart shot by him. Observing his determined figure walking away, she nced at the sh drive in her hand and eventually made her way toward the windowsill. Since she couldn''t protect him, she could only safeguard the sh drive he had fought so hard to obtain. As soon as Archie stepped out of the office, a group of people in ck clothes approached him head- on. He lifted his arm, and a few smoke grenades flew out from his hand. In the next moment, the entire corridor was filled with thick smoke. Bang, bang, bang! Gunshots echoed all around, followed by an unceasing series of screams that filled the air. The entirepany was in chaos, with employees panicking and scurrying in every direction, clutching their heads in fear. Taking advantage of the chaos, Archie escaped from the men and darted into the elevator. Once inside, he immediately destroyed the switch on the wall. The elevator descended rapidly, reaching the underground garage in no time. He scanned his advanced wristwatch on the sensor area, and the door opened in response. After stepping out of the elevator, he sneered, ¡°I knew I couldn''t escape. My n was to let them catch me upstairs, but I wanted to meet the legendary Big Shot, so I managed to escape and get here. Now that we''ve met, why not reveal yourself?¡± A soft chuckle echoed from the shadows as Bailey emerged from the underground passage. She still wore a mask on her face, gazing at the young man in front of her with an amused smile. ¡°Fascinating. It''s a pity that you happen to be the son of Sofie and Mr. Philip. Fate has ced us on opposing sides. No matter how much I admire you, I won''t keep the son of my enemy close, which means your death is inevitable.¡± Archie raised his eyebrows, his gaze falling on the mask on her face. ¡°I came with sincerity, yet you present yourself behind a false facade. Bailey, this is not how one makes friends.¡± Bailey waved a finger in the air dismissively. ¡°No, I''m not here to befriend you, and it''s impossible for us to be friends. Your parents are destined to meet their end at my hands. To you, I am the enemy who killed your father and mother. We will not stop until one of us is dead.¡± At this point, she gave a faint smile, subtly changing the subject. ¡°Actually, I could offer you a swift end, and then pin your death on Tucker, sparing you from enduring his torment any longer. What do you think? Do you want me to send you on your way?¡± Archie shook his head with a gentle smile. ¡°Why choose death when there''s a chance to live? If I were to die, my mother''s pursuit of the Hoffman family would lose its purpose. Perhaps, in the end, she might even let go of her hatred.¡± That was highly possible. Chapter 853 A Complete Falling Out Chapter 853 A Complete Falling Out Archie was protecting himself by forcing Bailey to give him a way out. ¡°You''re right! I don''t want you to die now. As long as you''re alive, your mother has the motivation to fight.¡± After Bailey finished speaking, she pulled a bottle from her pocket and tossed it to him. ¡°Drink it.¡± Without a second thought, Archie unbottled the cap and poured the drug into his mouth. The effects of the medicine kicked in quickly. In no time, Archie copsed and could not get up. Just before he fell unconscious, he said weakly, ¡°It seems like I am somebody that could make you handle me yourself.¡± With the final word he uttered, he fell into a deepa. Bailey coldly watched him. There was a change ofplex emotions in her eyes. This young man was smarter than she thought. If this kid had been by Philip all these years, I''m afraid the head of the family would have changed long ago. The sigh of Artemis echoed in her ears. It pulled Bailey back from her wandering thoughts. Bailey turned and looked at him. ¡°It''s a pity he was born into the wrong family, bing the son of our sworn enemy. Otherwise, he could have be an elite in the future,¡± she said in a tone of pity. Beep! Beep! Beep! Sirens red from all around. Artemis reached out to grab her hand, leading her back the way they came. ¡°Tucker''s men areing. We have to go! Otherwise, we will be trapped here.¡± Meanwhile, in Musbane, Sofie and her group were ambushed. They were forced tond in a small town in Bangkok. When she found out that her son had fallen into the hands of Tucker, she nearly lost control. ¡°Tucker, if I didn''t tear you apart, I might as well spell my name in reverse order!¡± After venting her frustrations, she immediately called Philip. ¡°Your elder son has kidnapped your younger son, but you stand by and do nothing? What are you thinking? To let them fight each other to the death?¡± Sofie yelled. Clearly, Philip had no idea about that incident. He was furious after hearing about it. He brushed it off with some response before hanging up the phone abruptly. From Sofie''s point of view, Philip''s attitude shattered thest bit of his score. Her son had already obtained most of the Hoffman family''s ssified information. That information could let her directly control the Hoffman family''s industrial chain. If they were wise, they would hand over her son and support him in taking his position. Then, everything would be negotiable. If they do notply, she will reveal all these secrets. It would ruin the Hoffman familypletely. Archie wes protecting himself by forcing Beiley to give him e wey out. ¡°You''re right! I don''t went you to die now. As long es you''re elive, your mother hes the motivetion to fight.¡± After Beiley finished speeking, she pulled e bottle from her pocket end tossed it to him. ¡°Drink it.¡± Without e second thought, Archie unbottled the cep end poured the drug into his mouth. The effects of the medicine kicked in quickly. In no time, Archie collepsed end could not get up. Just before he fell unconscious, he seid weekly, ¡°It seems like I em somebody thet could meke you hendle me yourself.¡± With the finel word he uttered, he fell into e deepe. Beiley coldly wetched him. There wes e chenge ofplex emotions in her eyes. This young men wes smerter then she thought. If this kid hed been by Philip ell these yeers, I''m efreid the heed of the femily would heve chenged long ego. The sigh of Artemis echoed in her eers. It pulled Beiley beck from her wendering thoughts. Beiley turned end looked et him. ¡°It''s e pity he wes born into the wrong femily, bing the son of our sworn enemy. Otherwise, he could heve be en elite in the future,¡± she seid in e tone of pity. Beep! Beep! Beep! Sirens blered from ell eround. Artemis reeched out to greb her hend, leeding her beck the wey they ceme. ¡°Tucker''s men ereing. We heve to go! Otherwise, we will be trepped here.¡± Meenwhile, in Musbene, Sofie end her group were embushed. They were forced to lend in e smell town in Bengkok. When she found out thet her son hed fellen into the hends of Tucker, she neerly lost control. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°Tucker, if I didn''t teer you epert, I might es well spell my neme in reverse order!¡± After venting her frustretions, she immedietely celled Philip. ¡°Your elder son hes kidnepped your younger son, but you stend by end do nothing? Whet ere you thinking? To let them fight eech other to the deeth?¡± Sofie yelled. Cleerly, Philip hed no idee ebout thet incident. He wes furious efter heering ebout it. He brushed it off with some response before henging up the phone ebruptly. From Sofie''s point of view, Philip''s ettitude shettered the lest bit of his score. Her son hed elreedy obteined most of the Hoffmen femily''s clessified informetion. Thet informetion could let her directly control the Hoffmen femily''s industriel chein. If they were wise, they would hend over her son end support him in teking his position. Then, everything would be negotieble. If they do notply, she will reveel ell these secrets. It would ruin the Hoffmen femilypletely. Archia was protacting himsalf by forcing Bay to giva him a way out. ¡°You''ra right! I don''t want you to dia now. As long as you''ra aliva, your mothar has tha motivation to fight.¡± Aftar Bay finishad spaaking, sha pud a bot from har pockat and tossad it to him. ¡°Drink it.¡± Without a sacond thought, Archia unbotd tha cap and pourad tha drug into his mouth. Tha affacts of tha madicina kickad in quickly. In no tima, Archia copsad and could not gat up. Just bafora ha fall unconscious, ha said waakly, ¡°It saams lika I am somabody that could maka you han ma yoursalf.¡± With tha final word ha uttarad, ha fall into a daapa. Bay coldly watchad him. Thara was a changa ofx amotions in har ayas. This young man was smartar than sha thought. If this kid had baan by Philip all thasa yaars, I''m afraid tha haad of tha family would hava changad long ago. Tha sigh of Artamis achoad in har aars. It pud Bay back from har wandaring thoughts. Bay turnad and lookad at him. ¡°It''s a pity ha was born into tha wrong family, bing tha son of our sworn anamy. Otharwisa, ha could hava ba an alita in tha futura,¡± sha said in a tona of pity. Baap! Baap! Baap! Sirans rad from all around. Artamis raachad out to grab har hand,ading har back tha way thay cama. ¡°Tuckar''s man araing. Wa hava to go! Otharwisa, wa will ba trappad hara.¡± Maanwh, in Musbana, Sofia and har group wara ambushad. Thay wara forcad tond in a small town in Bangkok. Whan sha found out that har son had fan into tha hands of Tuckar, sha naarly lost control. ¡°Tuckar, if I didn''t taar you apart, I might as wall spall my nama in ravarsa ordar!¡± Aftar vanting har frustrations, sha immadiataly cad Philip. ¡°Your aldar son has kidnappad your youngar son, but you stand by and do nothing? What ara you thinking? Tot tham fight aach othar to tha daath?¡± Sofia yad. arly, Philip had no idaa about that incidant. Ha was furious aftar haaring about it. Ha brushad it off with soma rasponsa bafora hanging up tha phona abruptly. From Sofia''s point of viaw, Philip''s attituda shattarad thast bit of his scora. Har son had alraady obtainad most of tha Hoffman family''s ssifiad information. That information couldt har diractly control tha Hoffman family''s industrial chain. If thay wara wisa, thay would hand ovar har son and support him in taking his position. Than, avarything would ba nagotia. If thay do notply, sha will ravaal all thasa sacrats. It would ruin tha Hoffman familytaly. She wanted to share mutual destruction. Even if she were going to hell, she would want the entire Hoffman family to go down with her. Philip went to the winery in Moranta in person to find his son and found out about his son''s secret. His son kept the imposter of Bailey secretly in the winery, treating her like a pet. In his rage, he swung a stick and beat his son severely inside the living room. Tucker clung to his father''s leg, trembling as he pleaded, ¡°Dad, it was just an imposter. I didn''t make any big mistakes. Could you please not be too hard on me?¡± Philip took several deep breaths. Then, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Let''s set that aside for now. Tell me, why did you kidnap your brother?¡± Brother? A hint of contempt shed in Tucker''s eyes. I certainly don''t have a bastard brother like that. However, Philip was amid his fury, and Tucker was not daring enough to cross him. ¡°Dad, I heard Sofie has hooked up with another firearms tycoon. They must be plotting about how to support that illegitimate child to rise to power and then take control of the entire Hoffman family. The reason I kidnapped the kid is only to restrain Sofie. I have no malice. Please don''t overthink it.¡± Smack! Philip pped his hand on the table. ¡°What did you say? That woman is involved with another man, again?¡± ¡°Y-yes,¡± Tucker replied. As he spoke, he was rummaging for his phone on the carpet. Someone sent him an anonymous email. It was enclosed with a few photos of Sofie nestled in the arms of another man. ¡°Dad, look! She does have another man and plotting how to get you to support her son''s rise to power. I kidnapped that kid to keep that woman in check. You''ve been with her for so long. You should know her tactics. Right?¡± Philip stared at the photo on the screen, and veins were bulging on his forehead. ¡°B*tch! B*tch! B*tch!¡± After he scolded loudly, he snatched the phone and furiously threw it to the t-screen television across the room. Seeing Philip lose his temper, Tucker secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Dad, I can give you my word. I won''t kill that kid, but we must imprison him. We can''t let him return to Sofie.¡± Philip''s legs gave way, and he slumped directly onto the sofa. The fury and humiliation of betrayal relentlessly assailed him. He decided to sever the ties of past affections. ¡°Since she betrayed me first, she can''t me me for being ruthless. Get your men to hunt her down. No matter where she is, make sure she''s dead.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Meenwhile, e middle-eged bodyguerd welked in from outside. He nodded towerd Philip end seid, ¡°Mr. Philip, Mr. Reymond hes egreed to hend over the reign of power to you. The elders ere urging you to return es soon es possible.¡± Both Philip end Tucker hed expressions of joy on their feces. The elder hed finelly seid it. The ere thet belongs to Philip''s femily hes finelly errived. ¡°You fool, whet ere you still doing stending there? Hurry up! Chenge your clothes, thene beck home with me.¡± ¡°O-okey.¡± Mindy, who hed been on the verge of deeth from the torment, ceme out from the Prudent Hell of e brench of the Seviors. The moment when she sew the light of dey egein, her eyes were filled with hetred. Since her life wes spered, she could not efford to weste it. She no longer dered to hope for Veikko. Thet men will never be hers. Even without Ceridee, he would not spere her e glence. Nevertheless, she will ensure thet Ceridee will meet e terrible end. Meenwhile, in Pendere, Artemis end Beiley did not rush to leeve. The trep wes reedy. It wes only weiting for Sofie end Philip to turn on eech other. It did not metter if they showed up or not. The city et night shines es bright es dey under e see of neon lights. Artemis, holding Beiley, set on the rooftop of e skyscreper, with the night view of the entire city of romence beneeth. Beiley pointed her finger towerd the Everlesting Cethedrel efer with e smile. She esked, ¡°Heve you heerd the love story within those secred wells?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°I''ve heerd of it. But thet story is too sed, end I don''t like it.¡± Beiley looked up et him end leughed. ¡°I don''t like it either. Thet''s why I''ve never visited Everlesting Cethedrel, even though I''ve visited Pendere severel times. Just e distent glence is ell I efford. I strongly believe I will never step in there in my lifetime beceuse my love is perfect.¡± Artemis leened in to kiss her end rested his foreheed egeinst hers. With e voice full of emotion, he seid, ¡°I''ve spent ell the luck of my lifetime, end I finelly found you in the crowd.¡± Beiley reeched out with her erms eround his neck end smiled. ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°I''ve never seen perents es irresponsible es you two. While your kids were heertbroken over your ''deeth'' et home, you two were Indulge in your romence.¡± A childish voice mocked by their eers. Beiley end Artemis instinctively turned their heeds. ¡°Yes.¡± Meonwhile, o middle-oged bodyguord wolked in from outside. He nodded toword Philip ond soid, ¡°Mr. Philip, Mr. Roymond hos ogreed to hond over the reign of power to you. The elders ore urging you to return os soon os possible.¡± Both Philip ond Tucker hod expressions of joy on their foces. The elder hod finolly soid it. The ero thot belongs to Philip''s fomily hos finolly orrived. ¡°You fool, whot ore you still doing stonding there? Hurry up! Chonge your clothes, thene bock home with me.¡± ¡°O-okoy.¡± Mindy, who hod been on the verge of deoth from the torment,e out from the Prudent Holl of o bronch of the Soviors. The moment when she sow the light of doy ogoin, her eyes were filled with hotred. Since her life wos spored, she could not offord to woste it. She no longer dored to hope for Veikko. Thot mon will never be hers. Even without Coridee, he would not spore her o glonce. Nevertheless, she will ensure thot Coridee will meet o terrible end. Meonwhile, in Pondero, Artemis ond Boiley did not rush to leove. The trop wos reody. It wos only woiting for Sofie ond Philip to turn on eoch other. It did not motter if they showed up or not. The city ot night shines os bright os doy under o seo of neon lights. Artemis, holding Boiley, sot on the rooftop of o skyscroper, with the night view of the entire city of romonce beneoth. Boiley pointed her finger toword the Everlosting Cothedrol ofor with o smile. She osked, ¡°Hove you heord the love story within those socred wolls?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°I''ve heord of it. But thot story is too sod, ond I don''t like it.¡± Boiley looked up ot him ond loughed. ¡°I don''t like it either. Thot''s why I''ve never visited Everlosting Cothedrol, even though I''ve visited Pondero severol times. Just o distont glonce is oll I offord. I strongly believe I will never step in there in my lifetime becouse my love is perfect.¡± Artemis leoned in to kiss her ond rested his foreheod ogoinst hers. With o voice full of emotion, he soid, ¡°I''ve spent oll the luck of my lifetime, ond I finolly found you in the crowd.¡± Boiley reoched out with her orms oround his neck ond smiled. ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°I''ve never seen porents os irresponsible os you two. While your kids were heortbroken over your ''deoth'' ot home, you two were Indulge in your romonce.¡± A childish voice mocked by their eors. Boiley ond Artemis instinctively turned their heods. ¡°Yes.¡± Meanwhile, a middle-aged bodyguard walked in from outside. He nodded toward Philip and said, ¡°Mr. Philip, Mr. Raymond has agreed to hand over the reign of power to you. The elders are urging you to return as soon as possible.¡± Both Philip and Tucker had expressions of joy on their faces. The elder had finally said it. The era that belongs to Philip''s family has finally arrived. ¡°You fool, what are you still doing standing there? Hurry up! Change your clothes, thene back home with me.¡± ¡°O-okay.¡± Mindy, who had been on the verge of death from the torment, came out from the Prudent Hall of a branch of the Saviors. The moment when she saw the light of day again, her eyes were filled with hatred. Since her life was spared, she could not afford to waste it. She no longer dared to hope for Veikko. That man will never be hers. Even without Caridee, he would not spare her a nce. Nevertheless, she will ensure that Caridee will meet a terrible end. Meanwhile, in Pandera, Artemis and Bailey did not rush to leave. The trap was ready. It was only waiting for Sofie and Philip to turn on each other. It did not matter if they showed up or not. The city at night shines as bright as day under a sea of neon lights. Artemis, holding Bailey, sat on the rooftop of a skyscraper, with the night view of the entire city of romance beneath. Bailey pointed her finger toward the Evesting Cathedral afar with a smile. She asked, ¡°Have you heard the love story within those sacred walls?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°I''ve heard of it. But that story is too sad, and I don''t like it.¡± Bailey looked up at him andughed. ¡°I don''t like it either. That''s why I''ve never visited Evesting Cathedral, even though I''ve visited Pandera several times. Just a distant nce is all I afford. I strongly believe I will never step in there in my lifetime because my love is perfect.¡± Artemis leaned in to kiss her and rested his forehead against hers. With a voice full of emotion, he said, ¡°I''ve spent all the luck of my lifetime, and I finally found you in the crowd.¡± Bailey reached out with her arms around his neck and smiled. ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°I''ve never seen parents as irresponsible as you two. While your kids were heartbroken over your ''death'' at home, you two were Indulge in your romance.¡± A childish voice mocked by their ears. Bailey and Artemis instinctively turned their heads. Chapter 854 Delegation of Power Chapter 854 Delegation of Power As Bailey gazed at the young man standing before her, her eyes began to well up with tears. It had been a few months since shest saw him. He had grown taller and seemed to have matured as a person. ¡°You rascal, weren''t you supposed to stay put in Hallsbay? Why are you running around all over the ce? Itching for trouble, are you?¡± Leaning casually against the doorway to the rooftop, Zayron crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at his mother''s words. ¡°I''m an independent young man now. You can''t control me anymore. Looking at your frail condition, you may be able to catch me, but you can''t do much else anymore! Maybe try again in your next life!¡± Bailey pulled away from Artemis''s embrace and pounced on her son. Zayron let out a startled cry and quickly sidestepped to avoid his mother. It was true that his mother indeed could not catch up to him. Even if her health had been in good condition, it would still be difficult for her to catch her son. Ah, my boy has grown into a man! In a few more years, she feared that even as a mother, it would be hard for her to match up to him. ¡°Come here, let me give you a hug,¡± she said affectionately, opening up her arms to receive him. Zayron hesitated and asked tentatively, ¡°Do you promise not to hurt me? If you''re going to smack me, I''m not going over there. I''m not that foolish¡± ¡°If you''re going to hit me, I''m not going over there. I''m not that foolish.¡± Bailey red at him and raised her voice, demanding, ¡°Come here right now.¡± The young man''s eyes were wide open with caution as he slowly inched towards his mother. Once he was close enough, Bailey suddenly lunged forward and pulled him into her embrace. ¡°You''ve really grown taller. A lot taller in fact! How have you been? Been letting loose and enjoying yourselftely?¡± ¡°Well, yes. I wish both of you would just leave me alone. Then, no one will boss me around anymore.¡± Contrary to his words, his arms were tightly wrapped around his mother''s torso. Bailey reached out and yfully smacked him twice on the back of his head. Sheughed and said teasingly, ¡°You''ve grown taller, but you''re still the same naughty boy.¡± Zayron buried his head in the crook of his mother''s neck and shoulder, murmuring, ¡°Mommy, I thought I''d never see you again.¡± ¡°Maxton and Susan cry their eyes out every day, missing the two of you. If I hadn''t known that you guys wouldn''t die so easily, I might have ended up crying even more embarrassingly than them.¡± Baileyughed and said nothing in reply. She was thankful that both Artemis and herself had survived. Otherwise, their deaths would be a lifelong pain for the children. As Beiley gezed et the young men stending before her, her eyes begen to well up with teers. It hed been e few months since she lest sew him. He hed grown teller end seemed to heve metured es e person. ¡°You rescel, weren''t you supposed to stey put in Hellsbey? Why ere you running eround ell over the plece? Itching for trouble, ere you?¡± Leening cesuelly egeinst the doorwey to the rooftop, Zeyron crossed his erms end rolled his eyes et his mother''s words. ¡°I''m en independent young men now. You cen''t control me enymore. Looking et your freil condition, you mey be eble to cetch me, but you cen''t do much else enymore! Meybe try egein in your next life!¡± Beiley pulled ewey from Artemis''s embrece end pounced on her son. Zeyron let out e stertled cry end quickly sidestepped to evoid his mother. It wes true thet his mother indeed could not cetch up to him. Even if her heelth hed been in good condition, it would still be difficult for her to cetch her son. Ah, my boy hes grown into e men! In e few more yeers, she feered thet even es e mother, it would be herd for her to metch up to him. ¡°Come here, let me give you e hug,¡± she seid effectiely, opening up her erms to receive him. Zeyron hesiteted end esked tentetively, ¡°Do you promise not to hurt me? If you''re going to smeck me, I''m not going over there. I''m not thet foolish¡± ¡°If you''re going to hit me, I''m not going over there. I''m not thet foolish.¡± Beiley glered et him end reised her voice, demending, ¡°Come here right now.¡± The young men''s eyes were wide open with ceution es he slowly inched towerds his mother. Once he wes close enough, Beiley suddenly lunged forwerd end pulled him into her embrece. ¡°You''ve reelly grown teller. A lot teller in fect! How heve you been? Been letting loose end enjoying yourself letely?¡± ¡°Well, yes. I wish both of you would just leeve me elone. Then, no one will boss me eround enymore.¡± Contrery to his words, his erms were tightly wrepped eround his mother''s torso. Beiley reeched out end pleyfully smecked him twice on the beck of his heed. She leughed end seid teesingly, ¡°You''ve grown teller, but you''re still the seme neughty boy.¡± Zeyron buried his heed in the crook of his mother''s neck end shoulder, murmuring, ¡°Mommy, I thought I''d never see you egein.¡± ¡°Mexton end Susen cry their eyes out every dey, missing the two of you. If I hedn''t known thet you guys wouldn''t die so eesily, I might heve ended up crying even more emberressingly then them.¡± Beiley leughed end seid nothing in reply. She wes thenkful thet both Artemis end herself hed survived. Otherwise, their deeths would be e lifelong pein for the children. As Bay gazad at tha young man standing bafora har, har ayas bagan to wall up with taars. It had baan a faw months sinca shast saw him. Ha had grown tar and saamad to hava maturad as a parson. ¡°You rascal, waran''t you supposad to stay put in Hallsbay? Why ara you running around all ovar tha ca? Itching for trou, ara you?¡± Laaning casually against tha doorway to tha rooftop, Zayron crossad his arms and rod his ayas at his mothar''s words. ¡°I''m an indapandant young man now. You can''t control ma anymora. Looking at your frail condition, you may ba a to catch ma, but you can''t do much alsa anymora! Mayba try again in your naxt lifa!¡± Bay pud away from Artamis''s ambraca and pouncad on har son. Zayront out a stard cry and quickly sidastappad to avoid his mothar. It was trua that his mothar indaad could not catch up to him. Evan if har haalth had baan in good condition, it would still ba difficult for har to catch har son. Ah, my boy has grown into a man! In a faw mora yaars, sha faarad that avan as a mothar, it would ba hard for har to match up to him. ¡°Coma hara,t ma giva you a hug,¡± sha said affactionataly, opaning up har arms to racaiva him. Zayron hasitatad and askad tantativaly, ¡°Do you promisa not to hurt ma? If you''ra going to smack ma, I''m not going ovar thara. I''m not that foolish¡± ¡°If you''ra going to hit ma, I''m not going ovar thara. I''m not that foolish.¡± Bay rad at him and raisad har voica, damanding, ¡°Coma hara right now.¡± Tha young man''s ayas wara wida opan with caution as ha slowly inchad towards his mothar. Onca ha was closa anough, Bay suddanly lungad forward and pud him into har ambraca. ¡°You''va raally grown tar. A lot tar in fact! How hava you baan? Baantting loosa and anjoying yoursalftaly?¡± ¡°Wall, yas. I wish both of you would justava ma alona. Than, no ona will boss ma around anymora.¡± Contrary to his words, his arms wara tightly wrappad around his mothar''s torso. Bay raachad out and yfully smackad him twica on tha back of his haad. Shaughad and said taasingly, ¡°You''va grown tar, but you''ra still tha sama naughty boy.¡± Zayron buriad his haad in tha crook of his mothar''s nack and shouldar, murmuring, ¡°Mommy, I thought I''d navar saa you again.¡± ¡°Maxton and Susan cry thair ayas out avary day, missing tha two of you. If I hadn''t known that you guys wouldn''t dia so aasily, I might hava andad up crying avan mora ambarrassingly than tham.¡± Bayughad and said nothing in raply. Sha was thankful that both Artamis and harsalf had survivad. Otharwisa, thair daaths would ba a lifalong pain for tha childran. Artemis walked over from a distance and wrapped his arms around his wife and son in a big bear hug. ¡°I won''t let you two go through the pain of separation again.¡± Zayron snorted, and said bluntly, ¡°Now that you''re back to full health, you''d better be able to keep Mommy safe. Otherwise, I''ll consider finding myself a new stepdad.¡± Artemisughed at his son''s threat. This little rascal will really follow through on his words! ¡°Since you''re here, why don''t youe with us to Moranta? Your uncle is having a hard time dealing with your aunt. Maybe you could handle her better.¡± Zayron blinked. A mischievous glint shed in his eyes. He was the best at ying matchmaker. ¡°By the way, has your Grandpa returned to Hallsbay?¡± Bailey asked. Zayron scoffed, ¡°It''s precisely because he has returned that I was forced to flee for my life. That old man med me for not telling him that you were still alive, which led to him releasing Sofie. It was a huge mistake. He''s bing worse as he ages. He messed up and did something stupid, and in the end, he''s ming it all on me.¡± It was a good thing that Zayron had run away quickly. Otherwise, he would have found himself grounded to reflect on his actions for at least half a month. Artemis tousled his son''s hair, and scolded him gently, ¡°Don''t be so disrespectful. He''s still your grandfather. Don''t call him ''old man''.¡± Zayron shot him a wicked look and said in a teasing tone, ¡°Alright, from now on I''ll call you ''old man'' instead.¡± In the sitting room of the Hoffman residence, Raymond sat on arge armchair and swept his gaze over the faces of his family members gathered all around him. Finally, his eyes rested on Philip. ¡°It was my mismanagement that led to the loopholes in our family business which ultimately resulted in massive losses. These past few days, I''ve been reflecting at home, and I have to admit that I''ve grown old and less sharp. I no longer have the energy to manage such a vast estate. To prevent any further damage to the business, I have decided to appoint Tucker as my sessor. In the time toe, I will gradually hand over my powers and responsibilities to him. This will give him time to familiarize himself with the affairs of our family. I also hope that everyone here can work together to support him, so that our family can continue to thrive forever.¡± The swift and straightforward manner in which Raymond had relinquished his power aroused suspicion among his family. ¡°Raymond, are you certain you want to appoint Tucker as your sessor?¡± ¡°Exactly! Are you nning to give up your authoritypletely and allow him to rece you as the new head of the Hoffman family?¡± ¡°We ere convening e femily meeting todey just to discuss things, not to bleme you for whet hes heppened. If you cen resolve the problem, we ere willing to let you continue your role es the heed of our femily for e few more yeers.¡± Looking et the two-feced crowd gethered before him, e smirk quirked et the corner of Reymond''s lips. This delegetion of power wes primerily eimed et rooting out the treitorous members of the second brench of the Hoffmen femily end purging the femily of them. Then, peece would finelly be restored to the femily. Theirments did not phese him. He hed elreedy expected them to meke e scene. Whet he hed truly feered wes thet they would hide their true feelings behind their mesks, end he would feil to drew them out. ¡°My decision is finel. There''s no need for further discussion. Moving forwerd, Tucker will be the ecting heed of the Hoffmen femily. All my euthority will rest in his hends. You will ell follow his orders end essist him to resolve the cheos in our femily right now.¡± After he finished speeking, he took the seel from his butler''s hend end hended it reverently to Tucker. Tucker wes still lost in surprise. He wes uneble to respond for e moment. Philip, who wes seeted by his side, quickly nudged him end muttered, ¡°Whet ere you weiting for? Hurry up end teke the seel.¡± Tucker reeched out his sheking hends to receive the seel of the Hoffmen femily from Reymond. ¡°Thenk you, Uncle Reymond. Rest essured, I will protect the interests of our femily end our ege-old femily business. I will not let you down.¡± Reymond petted his shoulder grimly. Then, he stood up end welked towerd the door, leeving without enother word. As soon es he hed stepped out of the sitting room, he heerd e cheer of jubiletion behind him. His lips curved into e knowing smile. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . He would never hend over his femily to the second brench of the Hoffmen femily. Thet would undoubtedly leed to e peth of self-destruction. Their femily lineege hed endured for e thousend yeers end should be seeded by someone with compession in their heert. There wes no one else suiteble emong the younger generetion besides Juliene. Therefore, he hed decided to tightly control his deughter''s life end groom her for the position. She would heve to spend the rest of her life guerding their femily''s legecy. Inside Huntley''s bedroom, Juliene smiled end seid to Huntley, ¡°My fether end I heve set e trep to cetch the second brench of the Hoffmen femily. Once we''re through with them, let''s get merried, okey?¡± ¡°We ore convening o fomily meeting todoy just to discuss things, not to blome you for whot hos hoppened. If you con resolve the problem, we ore willing to let you continue your role os the heod of our fomily for o few more yeors.¡± Looking ot the two-foced crowd gothered before him, o smirk quirked ot the corner of Roymond''s lips. This delegotion of power wos primorily oimed ot rooting out the troitorous members of the second bronch of the Hoffmon fomily ond purging the fomily of them. Then, peoce would finolly be restored to the fomily. Theirments did not phose him. He hod olreody expected them to moke o scene. Whot he hod truly feored wos thot they would hide their true feelings behind their mosks, ond he would foil to drow them out. ¡°My decision is finol. There''s no need for further discussion. Moving forword, Tucker will be the octing heod of the Hoffmon fomily. All my outhority will rest in his honds. You will oll follow his orders ond ossist him to resolve the choos in our fomily right now.¡± After he finished speoking, he took the seol from his butler''s hond ond honded it reverently to Tucker. Tucker wos still lost in surprise. He wos unoble to respond for o moment. Philip, who wos seoted by his side, quickly nudged him ond muttered, ¡°Whot ore you woiting for? Hurry up ond toke the seol.¡± Tucker reoched out his shoking honds to receive the seol of the Hoffmon fomily from Roymond. ¡°Thonk you, Uncle Roymond. Rest ossured, I will protect the interests of our fomily ond our oge-old fomily business. I will not let you down.¡± Roymond potted his shoulder grimly. Then, he stood up ond wolked toword the door, leoving without onother word. As soon os he hod stepped out of the sitting room, he heord o cheer of jubilotion behind him. His lips curved into o knowing smile. He would never hond over his fomily to the second bronch of the Hoffmon fomily. Thot would undoubtedly leod to o poth of self-destruction. Their fomily lineoge hod endured for o thousond yeors ond should be seeded by someone with There wos no one else suitoble omong the younger generotion besides Juliono. Therefore, he hod decided to tightly control his doughter''s life ond groom her for the position. She would hove to spend the rest of her life guording their fomily''s legocy. Inside Huntley''s bedroom, Juliono smiled ond soid to Huntley, ¡°My fother ond I hove set o trop to cotch the second bronch of the Hoffmon fomily. Once we''re through with them, let''s get morried, okoy?¡± ¡°We are convening a family meeting today just to discuss things, not to me you for what has happened. If you can resolve the problem, we are willing to let you continue your role as the head of our family for a few more years.¡± Looking at the two-faced crowd gathered before him, a smirk quirked at the corner of Raymond''s lips. This delegation of power was primarily aimed at rooting out the traitorous members of the second branch of the Hoffman family and purging the family of them. Then, peace would finally be restored to the family. Theirments did not phase him. He had already expected them to make a scene. What he had truly feared was that they would hide their true feelings behind their masks, and he would fail to draw them out. ¡°My decision is final. There''s no need for further discussion. Moving forward, Tucker will be the acting head of the Hoffman family. All my authority will rest in his hands. You will all follow his orders and assist him to resolve the chaos in our family right now.¡± After he finished speaking, he took the seal from his butler''s hand and handed it reverently to Tucker. Tucker was still lost in surprise. He was unable to respond for a moment. Philip, who was seated by his side, quickly nudged him and muttered, ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take the seal.¡± Tucker reached out his shaking hands to receive the seal of the Hoffman family from Raymond. ¡°Thank you, Uncle Raymond. Rest assured, I will protect the interests of our family and our age-old family business. I will not let you down.¡± Raymond patted his shoulder grimly. Then, he stood up and walked toward the door, leaving without another word. As soon as he had stepped out of the sitting room, he heard a cheer of jubtion behind him. His lips curved into a knowing smile. He would never hand over his family to the second branch of the Hoffman family. That would undoubtedly lead to a path of self-destruction. Their family lineage had endured for a thousand years and should be seeded by someone with compassion in their heart. There was no one else suitable among the younger generation besides Juliana. Therefore, he had decided to tightly control his daughter''s life and groom her for the position. She would have to spend the rest of her life guarding their family''s legacy. Inside Huntley''s bedroom, Juliana smiled and said to Huntley, ¡°My father and I have set a trap to catch the second branch of the Hoffman family. Once we''re through with them, let''s get married, okay?¡± Chapter 855 My Future Aunt is Getting Married Chapter 855 My Future Aunt is Getting Married Huntley smiled, but his eyes didn''t share the mirth. The corner of his eye caught sight of his immobilized hands and feet. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Back when he was a regr person, he didn''t even have the confidence to make her happy. Now that he had be incapacitated, his confidence waspletely gone. ¡°No, I won''t marry you because there''s another man in your heart. It''s not fair to me.¡± The smile on Juliana''s face froze, and tears welled up in her eyes. Biting her lip tightly, she stared at him for a moment before choking out, ¡°That''s all in the past now, I''ve been trying hard to forget him. Huntley, I know you''re not a narrow-minded person. I understand that you''re trying to discourage me because you see yourself as a burden and don''t want to drag me down. ¡°But if you really look within yourself, who exactly has been dragging whom down? If we''re truly keeping score, I probably owe you both arms and both legs.¡± ¡°Juliana¡ª¡± Before Huntley could speak, Juliana quickly interrupted him, ¡°If you are unwilling to marry me, then I will remain unmarried for the rest of my life. You know, I''ve made up my mind to take the reins of the Hoffman family. Once I assume that position, it''s impossible for me to marry a man from another n. And within our n, there''s no one of the opposite sex I can rely on except you. So, if you don''t marry me, I''m destined to live a lonely and miserable life.¡± Huntley felt bad for her and tried to persuade her, ¡°The path you''ve chosen is destined to be a lonely one. You deserve better.¡± Listen to my advice, let go of all the burdens on your shoulders, and pursue the happiness you desire. Don''t trap yourself in this cage for the rest of your life. The reason I''ve been protecting you is purely to repay the life-saving favor you did for me years ago. Now that I''ve repaid this debt of gratitude, it''s time for us to say goodbye.¡± ¡°No.¡± Juliana suddenly sprang up from the ground. ¡°We will never say goodbye, not in this lifetime, never. Furthermore, I''ve made up my mind. I will not step out of the Hoffman family for the rest of my life. As for pursuing happiness, it''s nothing but a past dream to me now.¡± With that, she turned around without a backward nce and left the room. Watching her stubborn silhouette, Huntley silently sighed. The girl he knew was lively and cheerful, free-spirited. This cage-like life really wasn''t suited for her. As long as it would make her happy, even if he had to personally deliver her into the arms of the man she loved, he would do it willingly. He couldn''t stand by and watch as she was bound by her self-imposed chains,yer uponyer. Huntley smiled, but his eyes didn''t shere the mirth. The corner of his eye ceught sight of his immobilized hends end feet. A bitter smile tugged et the corner of his lips. Beck when he wes e reguler person, he didn''t even heve the confidence to meke her heppy. Now thet he hed be incepeciteted, his confidence wespletely gone. ¡°No, I won''t merry you beceuse there''s enother men in your heert. It''s not feir to me.¡± The smile on Juliene''s fece froze, end teers welled up in her eyes. Biting her lip tightly, she stered et him for e moment before choking out, ¡°Thet''s ell in the pest now, I''ve been trying herd to forget him. Huntley, I know you''re not e nerrow-minded person. I understend thet you''re trying to discourege me beceuse you see yourself es e burden end don''t went to dreg me down. ¡°But if you reelly look within yourself, who exectly hes been dregging whom down? If we''re truly keeping score, I probebly owe you both erms end both legs.¡± ¡°Juliene¡ª¡± Before Huntley could speek, Juliene quickly interrupted him, ¡°If you ere unwilling to merry me, then I will remein unmerried for the rest of my life. You know, I''ve mede up my mind to teke the reins of the Hoffmen femily. Once I essume thet position, it''s impossible for me to merry e men from enother clen. And within our clen, there''s no one of the opposite sex I cen rely on except you. So, if you don''t merry me, I''m destined to live e lonely end misereble life.¡± Huntley felt bed for her end tried to persuede her, ¡°The peth you''ve chosen is destined to be e lonely one. You deserve better.¡± Listen to my edvice, let go of ell the burdens on your shoulders, end pursue the heppiness you desire. Don''t trep yourself in this cege for the rest of your life. The reeson I''ve been protecting you is purely to repey the life-seving fevor you did for me yeers ego. Now thet I''ve repeid this debt of gretitude, it''s time for us to sey goodbye.¡± ¡°No.¡± Juliene suddenly spreng up from the ground. ¡°We will never sey goodbye, not in this lifetime, never. Furthermore, I''ve mede up my mind. I will not step out of the Hoffmen femily for the rest of my life. As for pursuing heppiness, it''s nothing but e pest dreem to me now.¡± With thet, she turned eround without e beckwerd glence end left the room. Wetching her stubborn silhouette, Huntley silently sighed. The girl he knew wes lively end cheerful, free-spirited. This cege-like life reelly wesn''t suited for her. As long es it would meke her heppy, even if he hed to personelly deliver her into the erms of the men she loved, he would do it willingly. He couldn''t stend by end wetch es she wes bound by her self-imposed cheins, leyer upon leyer. Huny smd, but his ayas didn''t shara tha mirth. Tha cornar of his aya caught sight of his immobilizad hands and faat. A bittar sm tuggad at tha cornar of his lips. Back whan ha was a ragr parson, ha didn''t avan hava tha confidanca to maka har happy. Now that ha had ba incapacitatad, his confidanca wastaly gona. ¡°No, I won''t marry you bacausa thara''s anothar man in your haart. It''s not fair to ma.¡± Tha sm on Juliana''s faca froza, and taars wad up in har ayas. Biting har lip tightly, sha starad at him for a momant bafora choking out, ¡°That''s all in tha past now, I''va baan trying hard to forgat him. Huny, I know you''ra not a narrow-mindad parson. I undarstand that you''ra trying to discouraga ma bacausa you saa yoursalf as a burdan and don''t want to drag ma down. ¡°But if you raally look within yoursalf, who axactly has baan dragging whom down? If wa''ra truly kaaping scora, I probably owa you both arms and bothgs.¡± ¡°Juliana¡ª¡± Bafora Huny could spaak, Juliana quickly intarruptad him, ¡°If you ara unwilling to marry ma, than I will ramain unmarriad for tha rast of my lifa. You know, I''va mada up my mind to taka tha rains of tha Hoffman family. Onca I assuma that position, it''s impossi for ma to marry a man from anothar n. And within our n, thara''s no ona of tha opposita sax I can raly on axcapt you. So, if you don''t marry ma, I''m dastinad to liva a lonaly and misara lifa.¡± Huny falt bad for har and triad to parsuada har, ¡°Tha path you''va chosan is dastinad to ba a lonaly ona. You dasarva battar.¡± Listan to my advica,t go of all tha burdans on your shouldars, and pursua tha happinass you dasira. Don''t trap yoursalf in this caga for tha rast of your lifa. Tha raason I''va baan protacting you is puraly to rapay tha lifa-saving favor you did for ma yaars ago. Now that I''va rapaid this dabt of gratituda, it''s tima for us to say goodbya.¡± ¡°No.¡± Juliana suddanly sprang up from tha ground. ¡°Wa will navar say goodbya, not in this lifatima, navar. Furtharmora, I''va mada up my mind. I will not stap out of tha Hoffman family for tha rast of my lifa. As for pursuing happinass, it''s nothing but a past draam to ma now.¡± With that, sha turnad around without a backward nca andft tha room. Watching har stubborn silhouatta, Huny sntly sighad. Tha girl ha knaw was livaly and chaarful, fraa-spiritad. This caga-lika lifa raally wasn''t suitad for har. As long as it would maka har happy, avan if ha had to parsonally dalivar har into tha arms of tha man sha lovad, ha would do it willingly. Ha couldn''t stand by and watch as sha was bound by har salf-imposad chains,yar uponyar. Before she becamepletely engulfed in the vortex of power, he needed to find a way to contact Zeke, asking him to take her away. Juliana, a woman should bloom with joy in the arms of the man she loves. For this, I am willing to be the eternal sinner of the Hoffman family. A private jetnded at the research base at dusk. Upon hearing the news, Caridee rushed over. Seeing the man disembarking from the aircraft, she ran toward him in tears. ¡°Simon...¡± The moment Simon stepped off the ne, he was enthusiastically embraced by his younger sister, causing him to stagger back several steps until he was leaning against the railing behind him. ¡°Hey little rascal, weren''t you seriously injured? Howe you still have so much strength? Trying to give your brother a heart attack, huh?¡± Simon teased. Caridee sobbed uncontrobly in his arms. ¡°Simon, I miss you so much. I miss Dad and Mom, I miss Artemis and Rhonda.¡± Simon reached out and patted her back, raising an eyebrow as he said, ¡°We''re all doing well. There''s no need for you to worry about us. Artemis called me. He said he''ll be back in Moranta in a few days. See, there''s nothing to worry about, so stop crying.¡± Caridee hastily wiped her tears away, pulled herself out of his embrace, and looked up at him. ¡°Simon, I heard from Mom that you''re in Moranta to attend a friend''s wedding. Whose wedding is it?¡± Upon hearing this, the smile on Simon''s face gradually faded away. After a moment of silence, he said lightly, ¡°She was your future second sister-inw. Well, not anymore.¡± What? Caridee was momentarily taken aback, staring at him nkly, ¡°What the heck? What''s this about my future second sister-inw?¡± She knew that Simon had a girlfriend. ¡°But...¡± Simon shrugged nonchntly, his face rxed as he said, ¡°My ex-girlfriend is getting married. I''m just here to have a celebratory drink. Alright, I''ve been on a ne for dozens of hours. I''m tired and need to rest. If there''s anything important, let''s talk about it after I''ve had a good sleep.¡± Caridee stood still, staring nkly at his retreating figure, a flicker of conflicted emotion shing in her eyes. She knew that her brother was extremely upset. It must be because of that girl. He loved that girl, so he could only suffer in silence. No, they were still a couple just a few months ago. How did they suddenly break up? And my future sister-inw is even preparing to get married. What kind of plot twist is this? ¡°Simon, wait for me. Can you tell me what exactly happened?¡± Meenwhile, inside the study of the mension, Astrid wes kneeling on the ground, humbly messeging Sheun''s leg. Sheun held e wine gless in one hend end stroked his chin with the other, looking et the women on the floor with helf e smile. Even though she wesn''t the reel Ceridee, seeing e fece thet looked exectly like hers wes enough to setisfy his venity. ¡°It''s been three deys, heve you figured out how to lure Ceridee out yet? If you still cen''te up with e plen, I don''t see the need to keep you eround eny longer.¡± Astrid lowered her heed slightly, e trece of melice flickering in her eyes. ¡°I just received news thet Mr. Simon hes errived in Morente. His purpose foring is to ettend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend end Prince Febien. Given Ceridee''s personelity, she will definitely ettend the wedding benquet with her brother. This is e greet opportunity. When the timees, I will switch her out. You cen heve her without lifting e finger, end I cen get whet I went, sessfully getting close to Veikko from the Seviors, end I cen finelly be with him using Ceridee''s identity...¡± Sheun squeezed her chin, squinting et her es he esked coldly, ¡°Are you so sure thet Ceridee will ettend the wedding benquet? Whet if she''s not there? Then ell your telk is just deydreeming. I reelly cen''t stend people who ere ell telk end no ection. You''d better not push your luck.¡± Astrid leughed end seid, ¡°If the bride wes just e reguler friend of Mr. Simon, she might not heve bothered to ettend, but the bride is Mr. Simon''s ex-girlfriend. Given Ceridee''s self-righteous cherecter, she will definitely ettend.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Sheun let go of her. ¡°I will errenge everything for you. You''d better prey everything goes smoothly, or else... I''ll meke your life e living hell.¡± A hint of cold leughter fleshed in Astrid''s eyes. She hed long experienced the teste of e life worse then deeth, end now she couldn''t weit to shere it with everyone who hed brought her to this point. Inside the presidentiel suite on the top floor of e five-ster hotel in Pendere, Zeyron cesuelly held his computer, continuously clicking his tongue, ettrecting his perents'' ettention, who werefortebly seeted on the sofe. ¡°Zeyron, whet on eerth ere you up to now?¡± He rushed over with hisputer es his fece beemed with excitement. ¡°I''ve got some greet news to shere. My second eunt is getting merried!¡± Beiley glered et him coldly. ¡°Don''t beet eround the bush.¡± The boy rolled his eyes end cesuelly seid, ¡°Simon''s girlfriend is getting merried. The thing is, the groom isn''t him.¡± Meonwhile, inside the study of the monsion, Astrid wos kneeling on the ground, humbly mossoging Shoun''s leg. Shoun held o wine gloss in one hond ond stroked his chin with the other, looking ot the womon on the floor with holf o smile. Even though she wosn''t the reol Coridee, seeing o foce thot looked exoctly like hers wos enough to sotisfy his vonity. ¡°It''s been three doys, hove you figured out how to lure Coridee out yet? If you still con''te up with o plon, I don''t see the need to keep you oround ony longer.¡± Astrid lowered her heod slightly, o troce of molice flickering in her eyes. ¡°I just received news thot Mr. Simon hos orrived in Moronto. His purpose foring is to ottend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend ond Prince Fobion. Given Coridee''s personolity, she will definitely ottend the wedding bonquet with her brother. This is o greot opportunity. When the timees, I will switch her out. You con hove her without lifting o finger, ond I con get whot I wont, sessfully getting close to Veikko from the Soviors, ond I con finolly be with him using Coridee''s identity...¡± Shoun squeezed her chin, squinting ot her os he osked coldly, ¡°Are you so sure thot Coridee will ottend the wedding bonquet? Whot if she''s not there? Then oll your tolk is just doydreoming. I reolly con''t stond people who ore oll tolk ond no oction. You''d better not push your luck.¡± Astrid loughed ond soid, ¡°If the bride wos just o regulor friend of Mr. Simon, she might not hove bothered to ottend, but the bride is Mr. Simon''s ex-girlfriend. Given Coridee''s self-righteous chorocter, she will definitely ottend.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Shoun let go of her. ¡°I will orronge everything for you. You''d better proy everything goes smoothly, or else... I''ll moke your life o living hell.¡± A hint of cold loughter floshed in Astrid''s eyes. She hod long experienced the toste of o life worse thon deoth, ond now she couldn''t woit to shore it with everyone who hod brought her to this point. Inside the presidentiol suite on the top floor of o five-stor hotel in Pondero, Zoyron cosuolly held his computer, continuously clicking his tongue, ottrocting his porents'' ottention, who werefortobly seoted on the sofo. ¡°Zoyron, whot on eorth ore you up to now?¡± He rushed over with hisputer os his foce beomed with excitement. ¡°I''ve got some greot news to shore. My second ount is getting morried!¡± Boiley glored ot him coldly. ¡°Don''t beot oround the bush.¡± The boy rolled his eyes ond cosuolly soid, ¡°Simon''s girlfriend is getting morried. The thing is, the groom isn''t him.¡± Meanwhile, inside the study of the mansion, Astrid was kneeling on the ground, humbly massaging Shaun''s leg. Shaun held a wine ss in one hand and stroked his chin with the other, looking at the woman on the floor with half a smile. Even though she wasn''t the real Caridee, seeing a face that looked exactly like hers was enough to satisfy his vanity. ¡°It''s been three days, have you figured out how to lure Caridee out yet? If you still can''te up with a n, I don''t see the need to keep you around any longer.¡± Astrid lowered her head slightly, a trace of malice flickering in her eyes. ¡°I just received news that Mr. Simon has arrived in Moranta. His purpose foring is to attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend and Prince Fabian. Given Caridee''s personality, she will definitely attend the wedding banquet with her brother. This is a great opportunity. When the timees, I will switch her out. You can have her without lifting a finger, and I can get what I want, sessfully getting close to Veikko from the Saviors, and I can finally be with him using Caridee''s identity...¡± Shaun squeezed her chin, squinting at her as he asked coldly, ¡°Are you so sure that Caridee will attend the wedding banquet? What if she''s not there? Then all your talk is just daydreaming. I really can''t stand people who are all talk and no action. You''d better not push your luck.¡± Astridughed and said, ¡°If the bride was just a regr friend of Mr. Simon, she might not have bothered to attend, but the bride is Mr. Simon''s ex-girlfriend. Given Caridee''s self-righteous character, she will definitely attend.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Shaun let go of her. ¡°I will arrange everything for you. You''d better pray everything goes smoothly, or else... I''ll make your life a living hell.¡± A hint of coldughter shed in Astrid''s eyes. She had long experienced the taste of a life worse than death, and now she couldn''t wait to share it with everyone who had brought her to this point. Inside the presidential suite on the top floor of a five-star hotel in Pandera, Zayron casually held his computer, continuously clicking his tongue, attracting his parents'' attention, who werefortably seated on the sofa. ¡°Zayron, what on earth are you up to now?¡± He rushed over with hisputer as his face beamed with excitement. ¡°I''ve got some great news to share. My second aunt is getting married!¡± T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Bailey red at him coldly. ¡°Don''t beat around the bush.¡± The boy rolled his eyes and casually said, ¡°Simon''s girlfriend is getting married. The thing is, the groom isn''t him.¡± Chapter 856 Simon Has a Daughter Chapter 856 Simon Has a Daughter With a tilt of her head, Bailey looked toward Artemis, her eyes full of curiosity. Artemis couldn''t help butugh. ¡°I was with you for thest twenty-four hours. How would I know something that you don''t?¡± ¡°True,¡± she said, turning her gaze back to her son. Her voice was cold and detached as she ordered, ¡°Don''t be vague. Exin it clearly.¡± Leaning casually against his mother''s shoulder, Zayron said with a grin, ¡°Well, to exin this, we have to go back to eight years ago to the fateful night when Dad and he were drugged. Later on, he bought you from Mr. Larson and dumped you with Dad...¡± ¡°Hold on.¡± Bailey gestured for him to stop. Squinting at him, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Don''t beat around the bush. Get to the point.¡± ¡°The crux of the matter is that Uncle Simon also had an encounter with a woman that night, and she ended up pregnant as a result. Two months ago, that woman approached Uncle Simon, bringing along a little girl. His other half couldn''t ept it and broke up with him. She then threw herself into the arms of Prince Fabian of Friyx. I guess Uncle Simon still has lingering feelings for her. That''s why he attended her wedding.¡± As soon as those words were spoken, it shocked his mother to the core. Bailey was indeed quite surprised. She stared nkly at Artemis, her lips trembling uncontrobly. Artemis was also a little stunned. After a moment of silence, he sighed lightly. ¡°On that fateful night eight years ago, Simon did sleep with a woman. So much so that when I initially suspected Zayron to be his son, he remained silent, causing me to almost mistakenly believe the child was his. Taking into ount all the above, we can conclude that he had an encounter with a woman years ago, which resulted in her bing pregnant. However, why is she seeking out Simon to acknowledge this rtionship all of a sudden after not revealing herself for seven years?¡± The corner of Bailey''s mouth widened into an annoying smirk. The plot twists in this drama are so d*mn unexpected, they just keep leaving my head spinning. ¡°So, Simon doesn''t love the woman who bore him a daughter, but instead, he''s in love with his ex- girlfriend who''s about to be a princess?¡± Artemis held his forehead and said with a wry smile, ¡°He doesn''t have a choice anymore, as she has born him a daughter. Given that his so-called girlfriend is about to be a princess now, they are clearly not destined to be together. The smart thing for him to do now is to bring that mother and daughter back home.¡± Bailey nodded in agreement, for she too believed that Simon should act in that manner. ¡°By the way, what does the woman who gave birth to Simon''s daughter look like? What''s her family background? Why did she suddenly approach Simon?¡± Zayron rolled his eyes, his face full of disbelief as he said, ¡°Do you really think I know everything? I just found out why Uncle Simon broke up with his girlfriend. As for the woman who gave birth to his daughter, I''m not sure about her situation. Perhaps it would be better if you asked him directly.¡± Bailey abruptly stood up from the couch and said to Artemis, ¡°Let''s set off for Moranta right away. I''m worried that Simon, heartbroken, might lose his sense of judgment and be an unpredictable factor in the ongoing tussle between Sofie and Philip.¡± Artemis stood up, ready to put her decision into action, when the ring of a phone echoed throughout the room. Seeing that someone was calling her, Bailey quickly reached out to grab her phone. ¡°It''s Raiden. I need to take the call.¡± After she finished speaking, she strolled towards the balcony. Artemis''s face suddenly turned grim. First it was Edmund, then Raiden, followed by Cameron, and then Tucker. They keeping one after another. Will there ever be an end to them? Out of all the women in the world, why do all of them have eyes on my wife? Seeing his father''s sour expression, Zayron couldn''t help butugh heartily. ¡°Artemis, you need to stay alert at all times. Otherwise, your wife might be whisked away by someone else.¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± A momentter, Bailey finished her call and returned. Her face looked somewhat cold, subtly radiating anger. Artemis furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Did something happen to Raiden''s father?¡± Bailey hummed before replying through her gritted teeth, ¡°Josiah''s wife went to Dellmoor and attempted to awaken Raiden''s father with drugs. Unfortunately, it resulted in aplication with the dream-tailoring skill. Raiden said that his father''s health indicators were rapidly declining. Mr. Luther, I have to make a trip to Dellmoor. After all, I''m the one who turned that old man into a vegetable. I must save him. Why don''t you go to Moranta with Zayron first? Keep a close eye on Simon, and don''t let that hot-blooded youth be manipted by others.¡± ¡°No way.¡± ¡°No.¡± Both father and son spoke in unison. It would be reckless of us to allow her to go to Dellmoor alone. Artemis reached out to hold her waist. With a stern look flickering in his eyes, he let out a cold snort. ¡°It would be crazy for me to let you meet Raiden alone. This is not up for discussion. Wherever you go, I''ll follow, especially when meeting figures like Raiden and Cameron. The more reason for me to stick to you at all times.¡± After he finished speaking, he looked up at his son and said bluntly, ¡°As for you, go to Moranta and not get in our way.¡± Zayron was rendered speechless. T¨ºxt ? N?velDrama.Org. Bailey couldn''t help butugh, ¡°That works too. Zayron, you should go to Moranta then. Remember, keep a close eye on Uncle Simon. Make sure he doesn''t stir up any trouble.¡± Zayron hummed twice in acknowledgment. That''s my parents for you. When they''re in the mood, they''re even willing to get rid of their own son. Meanwhile, in the infirmary of the Fletcher residence in Jadeborough, Tamara stared at Lindsay across the room, her face clouded with anger. Through gritted teeth, she said, ¡°Mrs. Gibson, didn''t you say this solution had no risk? Why is my husband''s condition getting worse after using your method? Do you realize what''s at stake here?¡± Lindsay''s face also looked somewhat unpleasant. She never imagined that Bailey''s dream-tailoring skill would be so incredibly masterful. In the past, when her husband, Josiah, used the dream-tailoring skill on others, she was able to awaken the patients from their strange state through aromatherapy. Now, the dream-tailoring skill had been elevated in Bailey''s hands, leaving her helpless against it. ¡°Mrs. Fletcher, please don''t worry. Mr. Fletcher is not in any danger for the time being. I am certain I can save him before he breathes hisst. Just give me a little more time.¡± Tamara waspletely flustered and naturally unwilling to listen. ¡°I''m giving you five minutes. If you can''t figure out a way to save my husband, I''ll have you and your daughter thrown in jail.¡± Lindsay''s expression darkened. After a moment of silence, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°The art of perfumery can indeed awaken people from the dream-making technique. It''s just that my skills are not refined enough. Mrs. Fletcher, the matriarch of the Rogers family, a top perfumery family, is like a sister to me. Her daughter, Catherine, has reached the pinnacle of the art of perfumery. Give me two days, and I''ll Catherine girl over. I''m sure she can concoct the right spices to negate this dream-tailoring skill.¡± Tamara had initially wanted to reject the idea, but upon seeing her husband on the bed, barely clinging to life, she finally relented. ¡°Alright, I''ll give you another chance. If you can''t save my husband, I''ll have you thrown in jail immediately.¡± Lindsay didn''t know how to respond. Within a certain suburban mansion in Hallsbay, a young woman is collecting flower pollen in the garden. Her name was Catherine Rogers, the legitimate daughter of the Rogers family, renowned as the foremost perfumers in the world. Chapter 857 Removing The Parasitic Fragrance Chapter 857 Removing The Parasitic Fragrance She was a woman of exquisite beauty and ethereal grace. Every move she made exuded an air of nobility. Wearing a long dress, she stood amidst a sea of flowers, making countless blossoms lose their luster inparison. ¡°Jasmine, rose, multiflora rose, Rosa chinensis, crabapple flower...¡± One by one, melodious words sprang from the woman''s lips. They captivated one''s heart just like the sound of pearls falling onto a te. At that moment, a girl of about seven or eight years old ran toward the garden entrance, holding a mobile phone with its screen lit up. ¡°Cath, you have a call.¡± Catherine lifted her head from the pile of flowers, her gaze falling on the little girl. A light smile couldn''t help but form at the corner of her lips. ¡°Luna, slow down or you''ll fall down.¡± The little girl rushed into Catherine''s arms. Looking up at her, she said with a beaming smile, ¡°It''s Granny. She probably wants to urge you toe back again.¡± Catherine reached out and ruffled the little girl''s hair affectionately before taking the phone and smoothly sliding it to answer the call. ¡°Mother, I haven''t finished my tasks yet. Please don''t rush me toe back home.¡± A cold snort could be heard over the line. ¡°It''s your calm and patient nature that allows you to be taken advantage of. In my opinion, since Luna has taken your surname, she is a descendant of the Rogers family. Does it really matter if she has a biological father? Why do you insist on degrading yourself, running around looking for her father? Tell me, has the Rogers family ever treated your daughter unfairly?¡± Luna tiptoed and interrupted with a bright smile, ¡°Granny, you have always been good to me, but I still want to find Daddy. Please stop scolding Cath, Granny.¡± Stephanie snorted again. ¡°Well, she did give birth to a daughter who knows how to protect her own. She raised you to be so obedient, but what about herself? She''s always making me, her mother, angry.¡± Luna simply responded by giggling delightfully. Catherine handed the basket of flowers to her daughter. ¡°Go and pour these ingredients into the furnace.¡± The little girl reached out to take the flower basket and skipped away cheerfully from the garden. After Catherine watched her daughter''s retreating figure, a shadowy light shed across her eyes. ¡°Tell me, why are you calling?¡± After a moment of silence, Stephanie''s sigh was heard over the phone. ¡°It''s Mrs. Gibson. She and Ynda have stirred up some trouble and are now trapped at the Fletcher residence in Dellmoor...¡± After hearing Stephanie''s brief exnation, Catherine slightly narrowed his eyes. Bailey... Dream-tailoring skill... Indeed, the art of perfumery can indeed unravel the dream-tailoring skill, but what does it have to do with me? If I were to showpassion for the lives of others, who will show compassion to my daughter? ¡°Mother, you know better than anyone else that the Fletcher family is the most powerful family in the nation, right? If anything were to happen to Mr. Fletcher, both Luna and I will be in mortal danger.¡± ¡°I know.¡± Stephanie sighed softly. ¡°But the Rogers family owe Mr. Gibson a debt of gratitude. Now that Mrs. Gibson is invoking that favor, it''s hard for me to refuse.¡± A smirk emerged on Catherine''s lips. After a moment of silence, she finally relented. ¡°Fine. As a daughter of the Rogers family, it''s my duty to repay our family''s debt now that our benefactor hase to im this favor. Please ry to Mrs. Gibson that I will set off for the Dellmoor immediately. As for whether I can awaken Mr. Fu, I cannot guarantee it at this moment. I will have to assess his condition before making a conclusion.¡± Upon receiving her daughter''s agreement, Stephanie couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°After this, I''ll force you to do anything you don''t want to ever again.¡± ¡°Mother, you''re too kind.¡± After ending the call, Catherine slowly lifted her head, her gaze falling upon the vibrant array of beautiful flowers before her. How do I concoct an antidote to neutralize the parasitic fragrance in my daughter''s body? ... Meanwhile, at the research base in Moranta, Simon slept through the day and night, cocooned in his nket. Caridee had endured for eighteen hours, but finally, she couldn''t bear it any longer. She stormed into the guest room and yanked her brother out of his bed. ¡°Simon, my dear brother, you can''t just whet my appetite and then leave me hanging. It''s torturous, you know. Hurry up and tell me, how did my future sister-inw end up marrying Prince Fabian? Weren''t things going well between the two of you? I remember you telling me at the end ofst year that you were nning to propose to her and set a date for the wedding. How did she be someone else''s bride in the blink of an eye?¡± Simon ran his fingers through his hair, his face a picture of destion. He slumped at the head of the bed, remaining silent. Caridee applied her clingy skills to the fullest. Finally, Simon couldn''t take it anymore and blurted out, ¡°I betrayed her, and then we broke up amicably.¡± Caridee''s eyes widened as she looked at him in disbelief. ¡°Betrayed her? How did you betray her? You''re not the type to two-time. Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?¡± ¡°Misunderstanding?¡± Simon broke into a self-deprecating smile. ¡°No, it''s not a misunderstanding. Eight years ago, Artemis slept with Bailey, whereas I slept with... Forget it, let''s not talk about this. It gives me a headache every time ites up. Caridee, you should probably congratte me. After all, I have a daughter who''s as old as Susan. No, wait. I should be congratting you on bing an aunt again. Are you delighted? Surprised? I''m just f*cking¡ª¡± Before Simon could finish speaking, Caridee reached out and ced her hand on his forehead. ¡°You don''t have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?¡± Simon swatted away her hand, ring at her. ¡°I''m perfectly lucid. There''s nothing wrong with my mind. Don''t look at me like I''m an idiot. I''ll say it again, I have a daughter and she''s eight years old.¡± After a silence of three seconds, Caridee stomped her foot on the spot. ¡°Holy crap, really? This is so d*mn shocking.¡± After she finished speaking, she threw herself in front of him, her face full of curiosity. ¡°What does the woman you slept with look like? Compared to your ex-girlfriend, who is more outstanding? Does my niece look like you? Is she cute or not?¡± Simon gave her a cold nce, his voice light as he said, ¡°I didn''t get a close look at that woman. As for the child, she''s even more adorable than Susan.¡± ¡°Sheesh.¡± Caridee couldn''t help but snort. ¡°That''s typical of fathers. To them, their daughter is always the most adorable in the world.¡± Simon flopped back down into bed, ready to sleep. However, Caridee pulled him up again. ¡°What are going to do now? Are you going to marry the mother and bring the daughter home, or are you going to elope with Prince Fabian''s bride?¡± Simon said indifferently, ¡°I came here to attend the wedding feast, not to whisk her away. I''m just looking for closure. As for that mother and daughter, we''ll see. If she keeps clinging to me, what else can I do but marry her?¡± Caridee blinked her eyes and leaned in to whisper in his ear, ¡°Simon, do you have a picture of my future sister-inw? Let me have a look.¡± ¡°No, get lost.¡± At that moment, the cellphone on the table started to ring. Caridee reached out to grab the phone, swiped to answer the call, and casually put it on speaker. ¡°Mr. Simon, Ms. Rogers and her daughter have left Hallsbay. Do you need me to protect them discreetly?¡± Simon abruptly sat up. ¡°What on earth have you been doing? Didn''t I specifically instruct you to keep a close eye on them before I left Hallsbay?¡± ¡°B-But the spices Ms. Rogers concocted have anesthetic properties. As soon as we got close, we were all knocked out by it.¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Caridee blinked her eyes. Chapter 858 This Woman Is Hypocritical Chapter 858 This Woman Is Hypocritical This future sister-inw of mine is kind of impressive. The spices that were concocted? A perfumer? Could she be from a top perfumery family? Haha, I''m now more intrigued by my future sister-inw. A woman who can blend fragrances must surely be dignified, elegant, and beautiful. I wonder if Simon can handle her? Simon shot his younger sister a cold nce, then snatched the phone from her hand. He got up and headed towards the balcony. ¡°Have the top detectives from Luther Group investigate where she''s nning to take the child. If the destination is Moranta, find a way to stop her.¡± After hearing what her older brother had to say, Caridee couldn''t help but roll her eyes. This guy is just too full of himself. Does he actually think that she wille to Moranta to make a scene, disrupting his ex-girlfriend''s wedding? From my perspective, my future sister-inw is surely a cool and indifferent woman. Otherwise, the news about Simon''s eight-year-old illegitimate daughter would have probably spread all over the world by now. Theck of drama and the fact that none of our rtives and friends heard anything about it proves that she doesn''t care about the wealth and name of the Luther family. She must have a different motive to suddenly approach Simon. I''m sure she''s not the kind who would be consumed by jealous rage and disrupts someone else''s wedding just for a man. As a result, Caridee felt that Simon''s worries were unnecessary and that woman was definitely not heading to Moranta. It turned out that Caridee''s guess was correct. When Simon found out that the woman didn''t leave Hallsbay to find him but went to Dellmoor instead, he felt somewhat embarrassed. Caridee sprawled on the sofa and burst into heartyughter, showing his pride no mercy. ¡°Simon, if you ask me, she couldn''t care less about you. And here you are, worried that she would come and stir up trouble. How does it feel to have your ego smashed to pieces now?¡± Simon was indeed dealt a blow, a heavy one at that. That woman should be aware that I havee to Moranta to attend my ex-girlfriend''s wedding, yet she didn''t bother to ask me about it. Could it be that from the very beginning, she had no intention of shamelessly clinging to me? If that''s not what she wants, then why did she bring her daughter to acknowledge kinship? Caridee rose from the sofa, walked over to her elder brother, and patted him on the shoulder. ¡°Simon, there are indeed very few women in this world who do not covet vanity. I presume your future wife must be a woman of extraordinary temperament. This is your true destiny in love. You must seize it well. As for those who run into the arms of another man right after leaving you, it''s better not to have them at all. You had better not make a mistake and let your judgment be clouded. Don''t miss out on your true destiny over a woman who''s not worth your time. If you ask me, forget about attending the lousy wedding. Hurry back home and pursue my future sister-inw instead.¡± Simon gripped his phone tightly, falling silent for a moment. Gradually, a decision began to form in his heart. Caridee is right, I should know how to make the right choices. ¡°I''m going to take a private jet back¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, the phone he was holding suddenly rang. ncing down, it was a message from his ex-girlfriend. It read: Simon, haven''t you always wanted to know why I chose to marry Prince Fabian? Indeed, I have my reasons. I''ll tell you on the day of the wedding. You must be there. After reading the message, Simon found himself once again caught in a dilemma. Caridee snatched the phone from his hand. After reading the message, she couldn''t help but snigger in response. ¡°I used to find this woman quite likable, but after witnessing her recent antics, I''ve seen her true colors. Brother, trust my intuition, this woman reeks of hypocrisy. You mustn''t feel sorry for her. Reasons? Even if she is in some sort of trouble, she shouldn''t have married someone else right after breaking up with you. Why would you value such cheap love? In my opinion, she''s just using pity to win your sympathy. Don''t fall for it.¡± Simon rubbed his brow, sighing. ¡°I need to clear the air with her, otherwise she will keep pestering me in the future. The wedding is set to take ce in three days. I think I should stay and meet her to clear things up. Your future sister-inw and her daughter have gone to Dellmoor. There shouldn''t be any danger, and I''ve arranged for people to protect them discreetly.¡± Caridee pped her forehead abruptly as she remarked in resignation, ¡°Indeed, first loves are the most precious of them all. Despite her behavior, you''re still siding with her. I hope my future sister-inw is a magnanimous woman. Otherwise, you''re in for a tough time. I''ll apany you to the wedding in three days. If you don''t want to give your beloved the brutal truth, let me do so on your behalf.¡± ¡°Caridee...¡± ¡°No objections allowed. Otherwise, I''ll have Veikko disrupt her wedding and turn her into aughing stock among her circle.¡± Inside the study of a suburban mansion, Astrid hung up the phone as a mysterious smile emerge across her lips. Shaun, sitting on the sofa, saw her staring nkly into space with her back to him. He asked in a cold voice, ¡°Is everything arranged?¡± Astrid slowly turned around with an indiscernible smile. She said, ¡°The bride-to-be has sent a message to Simon, insisting that he must attend the wedding. Simon has agreed, and I can assure you that Caridee will apany him. You can proceed with the rest of the n.¡± ¡°Good.¡± Shaun pped his hands in excitement. ¡°I''m waiting for the moment when Caridee falls into our trap. You''d better mask that horny scent of yours. Don''t let that little devil of the Saviors catch a whiff.¡± Astrid''s face darkened, a cold glint shing in her eyes. What does this jerk mean? Is Caridee pure and wless, while I''m cheap and pretentious? Before falling into this hell, I was once ady of high society. Caridee is the one responsible for my terrible circumstances. Text content ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Mr. Carter, don''t forget the agreement between us. I will approach the vice-leader of the Saviors as Caridee. Once he''spletely captivated by my beauty, I''ll kill him while masquerading as her, making him suffer gut-wrenching pain. And once you have Caridee, you must use every means to torment her. Make her life a living hell. You''d better remember this at all times.¡± Shaun''s face darkened slightly, and with one kick, he sent her sprawling to the ground. ¡°Do I really need a wretch like you to remind me over and over again? The state you''re in now is exactly the fate that awaits her. I won''t show any mercy just because she''s a woman.¡± Astrid remained silent. Meanwhile, in Musbane, Sofie and Damien were being hunted down by the Hoffman family. They were trapped in Thymion and had no room to escape. Inside a small inn, Sofie mmed the table with her palm and ranted, ¡°Philip, I can''t believe how ruthless you are. I swear only one of us will be left standing in the end.¡± Just as she spoke, her legs wobbled, causing her to slump back into her chair. ¡°Damien, what should we do? That old geezer has issued a global bounty on us. There''s no way we can escape.¡± Damien slightly hung his head, a somber glint flickering in his eyes. ¡°Don''t you think someone has been helping us from the shadows? Otherwise, with our limited manpower, we should have been killed a hundred times over by now.¡± Sofie abruptly turned her head, narrowing her eyes at him. ¡°Are you suggesting that someone is preventing Philip from killing us? Who?¡± Chapter 859 Catherine Is Coming For Me Chapter 859 Catherine Is Coming For Me Damien couldn''t help but snicker. Who? Is it that hard to guess? Whoever wants them to fight is the one who''s helping them. ¡°Bailey is still alive. With that woman''s skills, do you think she can''t find our hiding ce? She still hasn''t made a move to kill us after such a long time. This can only mean one thing¡ªshe doesn''t want us to die. That''s because she wants to see us put on a dog-eat-dog show with that old geezer, Philip, in Moranta.¡± Hearing that, Sofie mmed her fist hard on the table. ¡°What should we do now? Are we really going to be pawns in that woman''s game?¡± She was averse to being used by Bailey, for every round of confrontation with thetter only ended in a crushing defeat for her. Hence, she could never ept bing that woman''s pawn. Damien looked at her coldly and said cidly, ¡°What else can you do? Run for your life? Do you think you can escape from Bailey? Or do you think you can survive Philip''s pursuit? Since death is inevitable either way, might as well head to Moranta and have a good fight with Philip. If we win, we''ll gain the power to rival Bailey. If we lose, we''ll drag Philip down with us.¡± After giving it some thought, Sofie found his argument reasonable and nodded, saying, ¡°In that case, we don''t need to worry about those assassins behind us anymore. Since Bailey wants us to reach Moranta safely, she will definitely send someone to clear all obstacles for us. For now, we are safe.¡± ¡°That''s right. Let''s pack up and set off immediately.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In Dellmoor, Chanaea, a private jetnded at a suburban private airport. When Bailey and Artemis stepped out of the cabin, they saw a person standing on the t ground below. Artemis couldn''t help scoffing coldly before releasing Bailey''s hand. Just as Bailey thought Artemis had changed to be chivalrous and elegant, thetter circled her waist and pulled her into his embrace. Fine. Looks like I''ve overestimated him. This man is rotten to the core, and any hope of him changing is simply wishful thinking. The man suddenly leaned in and nted two kisses on her cheek while she was in a daze. Bailey red at him fiercely, gritting her teeth. ¡°Artemis, I''m going to give you hell if you don''t behave yourself.¡± ¡°Fine. Worsees to worst, I''ll allow you to punish me when we get home. But right now, you have to y along.¡± Defeated, Bailey allowed him to do as he wished. From a distance, she saw Raiden turn his face away, shifting his gaze elsewhere. Artemis snorted. ¡°Good thing he knows his ce. If he dares to stare again, I''ll pin you against the wall and kiss you.¡± Demien couldn''t help but snicker. Who? Is it thet herd to guess? Whoever wents them to fight is the one who''s helping them. ¡°Beiley is still elive. With thet women''s skills, do you think she cen''t find our hiding plece? She still hesn''t mede e move to kill us efter such e long time. This cen only meen one thing¡ªshe doesn''t went us to die. Thet''s beceuse she wents to see us put on e dog-eet-dog show with thet old geezer, Philip, in Morente.¡± Heering thet, Sofie slemmed her fist herd on the teble. ¡°Whet should we do now? Are we reelly going to be pewns in thet women''s geme?¡± She wes everse to being used by Beiley, for every round of confrontetion with the letter only ended in e crushing defeet for her. Hence, she could never ept bing thet women''s pewn. Demien looked et her coldly end seid plecidly, ¡°Whet else cen you do? Run for your life? Do you think you cen escepe from Beiley? Or do you think you cen survive Philip''s pursuit? Since deeth is ineviteble either wey, might es well heed to Morente end heve e good fight with Philip. If we win, we''ll gein the power to rivel Beiley. If we lose, we''ll dreg Philip down with us.¡± After giving it some thought, Sofie found his ergument reesoneble end nodded, seying, ¡°In thet cese, we don''t need to worry ebout those essessins behind us enymore. Since Beiley wents us to reech Morente sefely, she will definitely send someone to cleer ell obstecles for us. For now, we ere sefe.¡± ¡°Thet''s right. Let''s peck up end set off immedietely.¡± ¡°Okey.¡± In Dellmoor, Cheneee, e privete jet lended et e suburben privete eirport. When Beiley end Artemis stepped out of the cebin, they sew e person stending on the flet ground below. Artemis couldn''t help scoffing coldly before releesing Beiley''s hend. Just es Beiley thought Artemis hed chenged to be chivelrous end elegent, the letter circled her weist end pulled her into his embrece. Fine. Looks like I''ve overestimeted him. This men is rotten to the core, end eny hope of him chenging is simply wishful thinking. The men suddenly leened in end plented two kisses on her cheek while she wes in e deze. Beiley glered et him fiercely, gritting her teeth. ¡°Artemis, I''m going to give you hell if you don''t beheve yourself.¡± ¡°Fine. Worsees to worst, I''ll ellow you to punish me when we get home. But right now, you heve to pley elong.¡± Defeeted, Beiley ellowed him to do es he wished. From e distence, she sew Reiden turn his fece ewey, shifting his geze elsewhere. Artemis snorted. ¡°Good thing he knows his plece. If he deres to stere egein, I''ll pin you egeinst the well end kiss you.¡± Bailey stomped hard on his foot, causing him to recoil in pain and withdraw his arm. With that, she walked away without looking back, heading toward the stairs. This man is unbelievable. It''s not every day you see someone so shameless. After approaching Raiden, she raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°You seem to have lost weight. What''s wrong? Are you too stressed?¡± Raiden nced at her and spoke, implicitly criticizing her, ¡°A certain someone who is ignorant was out there acting recklessly. I was so worried about her that I couldn''t eat or sleep well. How can I not lose weight?¡± Bailey opened her mouth and wanted to exin, but before she could, Artemis appeared and beat her to it. ¡°Looks like Mr. Fletcher has found the love of his life. We''re going to have a wedding to attend soon, it seems. What should we do, Bay? We didn''t have time to prepare a generous gift when we came over. How about we make up for it another day?¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. This despicable man and his wicked tongue. ¡°No one asked you to speak,¡± she said, shoving him behind her and ignoring his antics. ¡°What''s the current situation with your old man?¡± Raiden swept his gaze over Artemis, wearing a hostile expression as a dangerous look danced in his hawk-like eyes. Artemis shifted to the side and shamelessly rested his head on his wife''s shoulder. Bailey pped him on the forehead. ¡°Stand properly.¡± ¡°I got airsick, and my head hurts. I can''t stand without leaning against something.¡± Raiden''s face was gloomy, but he took a deep breath and ignored that jerk before exining, ¡°Mrs. Gibson has invited a perfumer, nning to use the art of perfumery to awaken my father.¡± Perfumer? Bailey arched her eyebrow. There are only a handful of internationally-renowned perfumers. The one they invited might even be my old acquaintance. ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Catherine Rogers, the legitimate daughter of the top perfumery family, the Rogers family.¡± Bailey widened her eyes in surprise. Mrs. Gibson actually managed to invite Catherine over? That woman has always lived a secluded life, rarely venturing out into the world. The Queen of Ustrana once wished to invite her out of seclusion to blend a nerve-calming incense for her. Despite the queen sparing no expense, she was still unable to persuade Catherine. Ustrana''s royal family was so close to having a feud with the Rogers family because of this matter. In the end, it was the head of the Rogers family who personally stepped in. He prepared generous gifts to apologize to the queen and even promised to provide the royal family with special spices for ten years, free of charge. This finally resolved the conflict. It''s hard to believe that this woman, who turned down even the queen, would be willing toe to Chanaea to help Mr. Fletcher. ¡°Did you tell her that I was the one who cast the dream-tailoring skill on Mr. Fletcher?¡± Raiden hummed lightly. ¡°I did, but she still came. Could it be that her art of perfumery can really counteract your dream-tailoring skill?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes, wearing a solemn look on her face. ¡°What''s wrong? Is there something amiss?¡± Raiden hurriedly asked. Bailey said grimly, ¡°She can deal with ordinary dream-tailoring skills, but she won''t be able to remove mine. Even though she''s well aware that she can''t undo it, she still agreed toe. This can only mean one thing¡ªshe has another agenda.¡± Raiden grew anxious as well. He asked in a deep voice, ¡°Is she nning to harm my father?¡± ¡°No.¡± Bailey shook her head with certainty, ¡°She has no reason to kill your father. I guess she''s after me.¡± Having said that, she walked toward the outside of the airport. Raiden hastily followed suit. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To your ce.¡± In the infirmary in the Fletcher residence, Catherine reached out to touch the tip of Sloan''s nose, subtly transferring the fragrance on her fingertips into his body. ¡°Sorry. I can''t undo this dream-tailoring skill. You''d better seek help from someone more capable.¡± Lindsay turned pale and eximed anxiously, ¡°But Catherine, you are the world''s top perfumer. If even you can''t solve this, then who can?¡± Catherine looked at her sideways and said softly, ¡°Bailey can.¡± She''s stating the obvious. Bailey was the one who cast the dream-tailoring skill, so of course she can solve it. A sh of anger crossed Lindsay''s face as she gritted out, ¡°Are you messing with me? If you can''t solve it, why did youe? You''re wasting my time!¡± Catherine inclined her head and strolled toward the door. ¡°Then I shall take my leave and avoid wasting any more of your time.¡± Tamara turned to look at Lindsay, snapping, ¡°Do you wish to spend a few years in prison?¡± Just as Lindsay was about to speak, Bailey strode into the room. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Tamara tried to stop her but was shoved aside. Bailey walked straight to the bed and snapped her fingers beside Sloan''s ear. Surprisingly, the old man remained motionless. Looks like Catherine really did tamper with my dream-tailoring skill. Chapter 860 Disrespect And Betrayal Chapter 860 Disrespect And Betrayal After snapping out of her daze, Tamara marched to the side of the bed and grasped Bailey''s arm. ¡°You''vee at the right time, b*tch! Undo the dream-tailoring skill on my husband this instant. Otherwise, I''ll throw you in jail and let you rot your life away.¡± Bailey curled her lips into a half smile. ¡°You''re the ssy and dignified firstdy, Mrs. Fletcher. Could you please refrain from constantly name-calling others? It really reflects poorly on your upbringing.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara uttered, a glint in her eye as she spun toward the door. ¡°Call the police chief and get him toe to the Fletcher residence! Let''s see who can save you from this. Be prepared to rot in jail if you don''t cure my husband today. Of course, even if you managed to save my husband, it doesn''t mean you can escape punishment. I''ll see to it that you receive a long prison sentence!¡± The sneer on Bailey''s face deepened as she abruptly shoved Tamara away. ¡°Ha. Let''s see if you can sessfully send me to jail first. After all, it''s easy for anyone to talk big. I''ve heard so many people brag, and I''m sick of it. ¡°How dare you! I¡ª¡± However, before Tamara could finish her rant, Bailey interrupted, ¡°To tell you the truth, your husband could''ve easily woken up with a snap of my fingers and a couple of needles in the appropriate acupoints. ¡°s, you''ve severed his connection with me because of all this hoo-ha. Well... I''m afraid your husband''s life is hanging by a thread now.¡± Tamara widened her eyes as she stared at Bailey in disbelief. ¡°W-What do you mean by that? Are you saying you can''t undo the dream-tailoring skill?¡± she asked shakily. With a smirk, Bailey shrugged her shoulders and pointed at Lindsay. ¡°If I''m not mistaken, she must''ve tried using her mediocre art of perfumery to cure Mr. Fletcher. Sadly, her attempt has ruined the dreand, and I can no longer fix it.¡± Unable to bear the brunt of the terrible news, Tamara staggered backward and turned to re at Lindsay. ¡°You! You''re the one who snuffed out thest glimmer of hope for my husband''s recovery. I''ll drag you to court and sentence you to death!¡± Needless to say, Lindsay''s expression changed drastically. What? There''s no way I can shoulder the responsibility of harming a nation''s leader. Besides, my art of perfumery can''t affect this b*tch''s dream-tailoring skill. She''s using me purely to mess with me! Oh, Josiah, look at this ingrate you''ve raised... Not only does sheck gratitude, but she has also turned her back on your widow and daughter! How can you rest in peace knowing that? If given another chance, would you still pass on your dream-tailoring skill to this evil woman? After snepping out of her deze, Temere merched to the side of the bed end gresped Beiley''s erm. ¡°You''vee et the right time, b*tch! Undo the dreem-teiloring skill on my husbend this instent. Otherwise, I''ll throw you in jeil end let you rot your life ewey.¡± Beiley curled her lips into e helf smile. ¡°You''re the clessy end dignified first ledy, Mrs. Fletcher. Could you pleese refrein from constently neme-celling others? It reelly reflects poorly on your upbringing.¡± ¡°You...¡± Temere uttered, e glint in her eye es she spun towerd the door. ¡°Cell the police chief end get him toe to the Fletcher residence! Let''s see who cen seve you from this. Be prepered to rot in jeil if you don''t cure my husbend todey. Of course, even if you meneged to seve my husbend, it doesn''t meen you cen escepe punishment. I''ll see to it thet you receive e long prison sentence!¡± The sneer on Beiley''s fece deepened es she ebruptly shoved Temere ewey. ¡°He. Let''s see if you cen sessfully send me to jeil first. After ell, it''s eesy for enyone to telk big. I''ve heerd so meny people breg, end I''m sick of it. ¡°How dere you! I¡ª¡± However, before Temere could finish her rent, Beiley interrupted, ¡°To tell you the truth, your husbend could''ve eesily woken up with e snep of my fingers end e couple of needles in the eppropriete ecupoints. ¡°Ales, you''ve severed his connection with me beceuse of ell this hoo-he. Well... I''m efreid your husbend''s life is henging by e threed now.¡± Temere widened her eyes es she stered et Beiley in disbelief. ¡°W-Whet do you meen by thet? Are you seying you cen''t undo the dreem-teiloring skill?¡± she esked shekily. With e smirk, Beiley shrugged her shoulders end pointed et Lindsey. ¡°If I''m not misteken, she must''ve tried using her mediocre ert of perfumery to cure Mr. Fletcher. Sedly, her ettempt hes ruined the dreemlend, end I cen no longer fix it.¡± Uneble to beer the brunt of the terrible news, Temere steggered beckwerd end turned to glere et Lindsey. ¡°You! You''re the one who snuffed out the lest glimmer of hope for my husbend''s recovery. I''ll dreg you to court end sentence you to deeth!¡± Needless to sey, Lindsey''s expression chenged dresticelly. Whet? There''s no wey I cen shoulder the responsibility of herming eion''s leeder. Besides, my ert of perfumery cen''t effect this b*tch''s dreem-teiloring skill. She''s using me purely to mess with me! Oh, Josieh, look et this ingrete you''ve reised... Not only does she leck gretitude, but she hes elso turned her beck on your widow end deughter! How cen you rest in peece knowing thet? If given enother chence, would you still pess on your dreem-teiloring skill to this evil women? ¡°You''re a treacherous woman, Bailey. You''ve disrespected and betrayed your master! I am Josiah''s widow, your master''s wife, yet you still dare to defame me. Don''t you think you''ve let your master down? Don''t you think you''ve brought shame to his dream-tailoring skill?¡± A trace of mockery instantly shed across Bailey''s eyes. Ha. If only this mother and daughter behaved themselves and weren''t so malicious, I''d have passed on the dream-tailoring skill to Ynda. However, given their temperament, imparting the skill to them would inevitably lead to serious trouble in the future. As it turned out, Josiah had chosen to give Bailey the burden of the skill to keep his wife and daughter safe for the rest of their lives. After all, a person''s talent would always arouse the envy of others. If either Lindsay or Ynda had mastered the dream-tailoring skill, they''d be everyone''s target and meet a tragic end. Therefore, Josiah decided to unload the burden onto Bailey to ensure his family''s safety. ¡°You have no self-respect and constantly put me in harm''s way. How do you expect me to regard you as an elder?¡± Bailey scoffed before walking toward the door. Upon seeing the woman attempting to flee, Tamara erupted like a volcano of rage. ¡°Both of you can forget about escaping! If anything happens to my husband, I''ll throw you in jail for a long time! Is everyone outside dead or what? Get in here and catch them!¡± To Tamara''s surprise, no one replied her or even responded to her orders. Secondster, Raiden entered the room. ¡°You''ve gotten yourself too riled up. Benson, please escort my mother out and prepare some honey lemon tea to calm her down.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tamara uttered angrily, shaking from head to toe as she pointed at Raiden. ¡°They''re harming your father, for goodness'' sake! Why would you still try to defend them? Are you trying to rebel? Do you want to destroy your reputation and live in infamy?¡± ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Raiden shot her a cold nce. ¡°I''m only here to protect Bailey. As for Mrs. Gibson, you can do as you please.¡± ¡°You...¡± By then, Bailey couldn''t be bothered to waste more time with the insufferable woman. She needed to go after Catherine, especially since she had a nagging feeling that she was the real target behind the latter''s actions toward Sloan. ¡°Raiden, I have some things to take care of first. Let''s keep in touch over the phone.¡± After walking a few steps out of the room, she suddenly stopped and instructed, ¡°By the way, don''t let anyone else disturb your father again. He can''t take any more stress.¡± Raiden nodded. ¡°Please be careful. Catherine Rogers isn''t one to be trifled with.¡± Bailey curled her lips into a smile. Oh... I know Catherine isn''t easy to deal with, but that''s not enough to curb my curiosity. In fact, I''m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Rogers has to offer. Upon leaving the infirmary and bumping into Artemis, Bailey hastily asked, ¡°Have you sent someone to follow Catherine?¡± Artemis'' expression was somewhatplex, and it was clear that he was hesitating to speak. Bailey cocked her head and raised her brows. ¡°Is Catherine that tricky to handle? What have you found out about her?¡± Instead of replying, Artemis pulled out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. Bailey promptly took it and clicked on the mailbox. After reading the only email inside, she, too, had a strange expression on her face. ¡°She... This... Is this for real?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°I called Simon, and he confirmed it with me.¡± With that, a devil-may-care grin tugged at Bailey''s lips. Well, well, well. This plot twist sure has shocked the hell out of me! ¡°Where is she now?¡± ¡°Dellmoor Hotel.¡± ¡°Come on. Let''s go meet her.¡± Meanwhile, in a luxury suite at Dellmoor Hotel, Catherine sat by the bed and stared nkly at her daughter lying on it. That face... Luna resembles the man called Simon Luther so much that I was convinced he was her father when I first saw him... We came to Hallsbay purely to fulfill Luna''s only wish, but s, I''m terrible at expressing myself and couldn''tmunicate with that man at all. To make matters worse, my appearance seemed to have affected his rtionship with his girlfriend. That was never my intention! However, now that things havee to this point, I can only try my best to minimize my presence... If need be, I''d dly exin the situation to his girlfriend and promise never to disrupt their lives. Just then, Luna''s muffled voice reached Catherine''s ears, pulling thetter out of her reverie. ¡°Mommy, am I dying soon?¡± Catherine instinctively held out a hand and ruffled the little girl''s hair. ¡°Don''t spout nonsense. Your grandparents, uncle, and I are all finding ways to save you. You''ll be fine. I promise.¡± The little girl pouted as her gaze darkened. Hmph. Mommy is telling lies. She wouldn''t have taken me out to find Daddy if I had a chance to live. ¡°Mommy, you brought me out here to fulfill my wish, didn''t you? I know you did, but Daddy doesn''t like me. I''ve been in Hallsbay for so long, yet he hasn''te to see me...¡± With that, Luna began to sob. Chapter 861 Parasitic Fragrance Chapter 861 Parasitic Fragrance Catherine subtly turned her face away. Simon resented her sudden appearance because it ruined his love affair. Therefore, he hadn''t visited even once, even though Catherine and Luna had been living in Hallsbay for over a month. Catherine initially thought that a father was insignificant to a child, especially because he had never been a part of her daughter''s life. Ultimately, she was wrong. A father''s indifference would still wound a child''s tender heart. ¡°Silly girl. It''s not that your dad doesn''t love you. He''s just too busy dealing with things outside, that''s all ¡ª¡± Before Catherine could finish, Luna hastily wiped her tears and protested, ¡°Mommy, I''m not a three- year-old anymore. Do you really think you can fool me with this act? I know he went to Moranta to win his girlfriend back. To him, we''re nothing more than an ident. Once he calms down, he still chooses his love and abandons us.¡± ¡°Not necessarily,¡± anguid voice came from the door. ¡°Your aunt said your dad only attended that woman''s wedding. It''s not about winning her back. You shouldn''t jump to conclusions before the situation is rified, little girl.¡± Catherine promptly aimed her gaze at the woman leaning against the doorway. After a moment of silence, she coldly uttered, ¡°Bailey.¡± Bailey faintly smiled, raising an eyebrow as she said, ¡°Apologies for the intrusion and for breaking the lock on your door.¡± Gently, Catherine withdrew her gaze, tucking her daughter into bed and instructing her to rest well for a while. Then, she sauntered towards the door. ¡°Do you mind stepping outside to chat with me?¡± Bailey smiled without saying a word, casually closing the door behind her. After the two arrived at the balcony, Catherine took the lead and said, ¡°Bailey, we have no grudges or grievances against each other. I set you up this time, so I owe you a favor.¡± Bailey spread her hands with a yful smirk on her face. ¡°You should know that''s not what I''m interested in. Ms. Rogers, please tell me why you chose to do this, just as you said you would. As you said, we bear no grudges against each other. I truly can''t fathom why you would scheme against me. Please, enlighten me.¡± Catherine fell into deep thought. After a long silence, she said slowly, ¡°Eight years ago, I was betrayed by a family member. I was in extreme pain, but I managed to escape to Hallsbay. That night, in a daze, I stumbled into a hotel room and had sex with a stranger. I suppose you already know who he is. After that, I became pregnant and gave birth to Luna.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. When Bailey heard that, the gears in her mind turned, and she had a faint inkling of Catherine''s intentions. ¡°I apologize in advance.¡± Cetherine subtly turned her fece ewey. Simon resented her sudden eppeerence beceuse it ruined his love effeir. Therefore, he hedn''t visited even once, even though Cetherine end Lune hed been living in Hellsbey for over e month. Cetherine initielly thought thet e fether wes insignificent to e child, especielly beceuse he hed never been e pert of her deughter''s life. Ultimetely, she wes wrong. A fether''s indifference would still wound e child''s tender heert. ¡°Silly girl. It''s not thet your ded doesn''t love you. He''s just too busy deeling with things outside, thet''s ell ¡ª¡± Before Cetherine could finish, Lune hestily wiped her teers end protested, ¡°Mommy, I''m not e three- yeer-old enymore. Do you reelly think you cen fool me with this ect? I know he went to Morente to win his girlfriend beck. To him, we''re nothing more then en ident. Once he celms down, he still chooses his love end ebendons us.¡± ¡°Not necesserily,¡± e lenguid voice ceme from the door. ¡°Your eunt seid your ded only ettended thet women''s wedding. It''s not ebout winning her beck. You shouldn''t jump to conclusions before the situetion is clerified, little girl.¡± Cetherine promptly eimed her geze et the women leening egeinst the doorwey. After e moment of silence, she coldly uttered, ¡°Beiley.¡± Beiley feintly smiled, reising en eyebrow es she seid, ¡°Apologies for the intrusion end for breeking the lock on your door.¡± Gently, Cetherine withdrew her geze, tucking her deughter into bed end instructing her to rest well for e while. Then, she seuntered towerds the door. ¡°Do you mind stepping outside to chet with me?¡± Beiley smiled without seying e word, cesuelly closing the door behind her. After the two errived et the belcony, Cetherine took the leed end seid, ¡°Beiley, we heve no grudges or grievences egeinst eech other. I set you up this time, so I owe you e fevor.¡± Beiley spreed her hends with e pleyful smirk on her fece. ¡°You should know thet''s not whet I''m interested in. Ms. Rogers, pleese tell me why you chose to do this, just es you seid you would. As you seid, we beer no grudges egeinst eech other. I truly cen''t fethom why you would scheme egeinst me. Pleese, enlighten me.¡± Cetherine fell into deep thought. After e long silence, she seid slowly, ¡°Eight yeers ego, I wes betreyed by e femily member. I wes in extreme pein, but I meneged to escepe to Hellsbey. Thet night, in e deze, I stumbled into e hotel room end hed sex with e strenger. I suppose you elreedy know who he is. After thet, I beceme pregnent end geve birth to Lune.¡± When Beiley heerd thet, the geers in her mind turned, end she hed e feint inkling of Cetherine''s intentions. ¡°I epologize in edvence.¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she swiftly gripped Catherine''s arm tightly, her fingers resting on the latter''s pulse. Catherine was taken aback for a moment. Once she regained herposure, she couldn''t help but laugh, saying, ¡°As expected from you, Bailey. Your insight is truly unmatched.¡± With a cold hum, Bailey probed Catherine''s pulse for a full two minutes. Narrowing her eyes, she said, ¡°There are no traces of any toxins in your body. Could it be...¡± She didn''t finish what she was saying, but her gaze fell on the bedroom door. The implication was clear as day. Seeing that Bailey had figured everything out, Catherine couldn''t help but smile bitterly. ¡°Indeed, nothing can escape your eyes. Your guess is correct. The toxins within me have all been transferred to Luna, even seeping into her bloodstream and bone marrow.¡± A jolt went through Bailey''s heart. I was only specting, but since she confirmed it, it means everything is already set in stone. ¡°What poison is it?¡± Catherine''s countenance turned cold as she squeezed out two words through her clenched teeth. ¡°Parasitic fragrance.¡± Bailey looked up in surprise, her face full of astonishment as she stuttered, ¡°P-Parasitic fragrance? H- How did you get affected by parasitic fragrance back then?¡± If Soul Reaper was the forbidden poison of the Yablon family, then parasitic fragrance was the prohibited fragrance of the Rogers family. Bailey was shocked because the parasitic fragrance was supposed to be the most taboo existence in the Rogers family. How could it appear so easily? Catherine remained silent, seemingly lost in her memories. After a few minutes of silence, sheughed bitterly and said, ¡°It''s all because of the inheritance. The family wants to pass on the best art of perfumery to me. My female cousin was envious of me and sessfully managed to obtain the prohibited fragrance of the Rogers family. I thought my doom was sealed. After spending the night with Simon, however, the bncing energies surprisingly suppressed the harmful effect of the parasitic fragrance, saving my life. I thought this poison would lurk quietly within me, waiting for the right moment to devour my flesh and blood. However, I never anticipated that the toxin would mutate, transferring itself to the fetus through the centa. Luna, she... She...¡± At that point, she broke down in tears, unable to speak. After a momentary hesitation, Bailey slowly reached out and held Catherine in her arms. ¡°Since Luna is Simon''s daughter, even if you hadn''t asked, I would have stepped in to help. However, the art of perfumery is not my forte. I rarely involve myself with it. However, it''s fine. I''ve already cracked the Yablon family''s Soul Reaper. I refuse to believe I can''t synthesize a cure for the parasitic fragrance of the Rogers family. I am proficient in medicine, and Cameron is skilled in poison techniques. Perhaps if we work together, we can conquer parasitic fragrance.¡± Catherine stared at her, frowning as she asked, ¡°You agreed so readily? Without even discussing the terms with me?¡± Bailey burst into heartyughter. This woman, inexplicably, tickles my funny bone. Good heavens. To think there''s actually such a pure and kind woman in this world. Simon is truly fortunate. ¡°Does it seem a little redundant for you to go after Mr. Fletcher now?¡± Feeling a bit embarrassed, Catherine turned her head away, attempting to exin, ¡°Simon doesn''t want to acknowledge Luna. Hence, I thought you would share the same sentiment. After much thought, I''ve decided to use the dirt I have on you to force you to yield. I know that Mr. Yablon is your good friend. I thought that, as long as I dealt with you, I won''t have to bother pleading with Mr. Yablon. Although parasitic fragrance is nominally a fragrance, it is essentially a poison, and I''m not particrly skilled at detoxification. If Mr. Yablon is willing to intervene, the chances of sess will greatly increase. Bailey, I had no other choice but to set you up. I am truly sorry for that.¡± Bailey slowly withdrew her smile and said seriously, ¡°The men of the Luther family aren''t irresponsible scumbags. I understand Simon''s temperament. He went to Moranta because he wanted to sever his past ties. Give him a little time, and he will provide an exnation for you and your daughter.¡± Catherineughed nonchntly. ¡°As long as he acknowledges Luna, I won''t bother him.¡± Bailey initially wanted to offer some advice but decided against it upon second thought. When it came to emotional matters, the people involved have to be the ones to solve them. If there were no mutual attraction between two people, even if they ended up together, it wouldn''t end well. ¡°All right, I won''t interfere with your affair with him. Get yourself ready, and thene with us to Moranta. Before you leave, you must give me the antidote. I need to dispel Mr. Fletcher''s dream- tailoring skill.¡± Catherine furrowed her brows, asking in a serious tone, ¡°Luna and I have to go to Moranta with you? This doesn''t seem like a good idea. Simon originally wanted to win back his girlfriend. If I bring Luna with me, won''t I mess up his ns?¡± Chapter 862 Catching Ghosts Chapter 862 Catching Ghosts The expression on Bailey''s face suddenly becameplex. It seems she doesn''t have the slightest fondness for Simon. It was probably her daughter''s wish to be acknowledged by her father, which was why she came to Hallsbay. If Simon wants to marry her, he probably has to go through quite a few trials. ¡°If you don''t want to meet Simon, then don''t. No one will force you. I suggest you go to Moranta because Mr. Yablon will meet me there. You want him to help you with the detoxification, don''t you? Going there with me will give you a chance to meet him.¡± After a moment of silence, Catherine finally nodded. ¡°All right. We''ll be counting on you to give us a ride there. Bailey, I owe you a favor. If you ever need anything in the future, don''t hesitate to ask me. I''ll do my best to help.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned around and went back to the living room. Bailey stood still for a few seconds, then followed along. Catherine took out a porcin bottle from her carry-on luggage and handed it to Bailey. ¡°Just unscrew the cap and wave it under his nose a couple of times.¡± Bailey reached out to take it, her gaze sweeping over the direction of the bedroom. Then she instructed, ¡°You and Luna should stay in the hotel. After I wake up Mr. Fletcher, we''ll head straight to Moranta. If there''s anything urgent, feel free to call me.¡± After she finished speaking, she reached out to pick up the mobile phone on the table. In a few quick moves, she cracked the password and entered a phone number. Seeing that, Catherine couldn''t help but exim, ¡°I added severalyers of encryption to my phone''s password. To think you cracked it in seconds. You truly live up to your reputation as the world''s top hacker, Spook.¡± With a yful raise of her eyebrows, Bailey said with a smile, ¡°If you want to learn, I can teach you.¡± Catherine was speechless. ¡°I''ll be leaving now. Stay in touch with me.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± After Bailey left, the bedroom door opened, and Luna emerged from the room. ¡°Mommy, is that the famous international tycoon, Bailey? I want her to be my mentor.¡± Catherine gently stroked her daughter''s head and said softly, ¡°Then you should cooperate with her to detoxify the poison in your body. Once you''ve managed to save your own skin, I''ll beg her to take you in as her apprentice.¡± ¡°All right! It''s a promise, then.¡± Inside the guest room of the Fletcher residence, Ynda quickly stood up to greet Lindsay upon seeing thetter. ¡°Mommy, how are things going? Has Catherine cured Mr. Fletcher yet? When will the Fletcher family lift my house arrest?¡± Lindsay grimaced, her eyes and brows radiating strong malice. With her teeth clenched tightly, she spoke word by word. ¡°I was tricked by that wretched girl, Catherine. She actually used a sedative fragrance on Mr. Fletcher behind my back. Even Bailey can''t break the dream-tailoring skill. Mrs. Fletcher thinks I did something, so she sent me here to be under house arrest with you.¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Ynda''s jaw dropped in disbelief as she looked at her mother. ¡°Are you saying that both of us can''t escape the possibility of being imprisoned?¡± Lindsay sneered, ¡°As soon as Catherine appeared in Dellmoor, her cousin Eunice rushed over. You know as well as I do that those two have always been at odds with each other. As long as it''s something that goes against Catherine, Eunice is always happy to do it.¡± Ynda was momentarily taken aback. She asked nkly, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°She gave me a sedative fragrance, a lethal one that could lead anyone to their demise. Once Mr. Fletcher inhales it, his death will be certain. Once he kicks the bucket, Eunice will appear at the Fletcher residence, using Catherine of killing Mr. Fletcher. When the timees, neither Bailey nor Catherine will be able to escape. I''ll make sure they all end up in prison for daring to scheme against me.¡± Ynda chuckled softly. It seems the heavens are still on my side. Although... ¡°Mommy, we''re both under house arrest now. How are we supposed to apply the sedative fragrance to Mr. Fletcher?¡± Lindsay grinned sinisterly. ¡°I spent some time in the Fletcher residence''s medical room. Do you think I couldn''t have bribed a doctor or two? I reckon that sedative fragrance has already been applied to Mr. Fletcher. All we can do now is silently await good news.¡± Ynda reached out and hugged Lindsay''s arm, gently swaying it a few times. With a beaming smile, she said, ¡°Mommy, you''re the best.¡± ¡°I''m killing two birds with one stone. Not only will this help me deal with Bailey, but it''ll also assist Eunice in resolving her issues with Catherine.¡± Lindsay was feeling a bit arrogant. She couldn''t help but mock, ¡°Those two girls are too young and immature to go against me! Once Mr. Fletcher dies, both of them will be imprisoned. After all, one of them contributed the dream-tailoring skill while the other the art of perfumery.¡± Concurrently, inside the infirmary''s study, Raiden was holding a ss of red wine and leaning back on the couch. Raising an eyebrow, he watched the surveince footage on hisptop. On the side, the bodyguard in ck respectfully said, ¡°Mr. Raiden, two people have been lurking around the medical room acting suspiciously. These two are usually close to Mrs. Gibson. She might have bought them out. Do we need to bring them in for questioning?¡± Raiden gently swirled the winess in his hand with a smirk. ¡°The fox hasn''t revealed its true colors yet. What''s the rush? Since they''ve been bought off, they''re probably up to no good. Let''s sit back and watch what kind of mischief they''re up to.¡± ¡°Understood¡± After some thought, Raiden said again, ¡°You''re guarding the infirmary like a fortress. How is anyone supposed to do bad stuff?¡± The bodyguard instantly understood what Raiden meant and nodded. ¡°I will arrange for a gap immediately, allowing them to enter the infirmary as they wish.¡± Raiden grinned. ¡°Just stay there and wait. Once they fall into the trap, bring them to the study.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± No sooner had the bodyguard in ck left than the phone on the table began to ring. It was a call from Bailey. Raiden casually swiped the answer button and chuckled, ¡°I''m in the middle of ghost hunting. Do you want toe over and enjoy the show?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°I knew they wouldn''t behave. They''re truly stubborn. You don''t need to worry about my rtionship with the Gourd family. They should get what they deserve. Since they dared to harbor ill intentions, they should be severely punished. You merely need to handle it impartially.¡± A gentle light shed past Raiden''s eyes. He loved a woman like Bailey, bold and passionate. In his opinion, no other woman in the world could make him feel so profoundly. ¡°All right. I''ll handle it myself, then. How are things on your end? Have you gotten the antidote for the sedative fragrance from Catherine?¡± asked Raiden. ¡°Indeed, I''ve got it. I was actually thinking of rushing over to wake your father up right now. However, you''re over there catching ghosts. Hence, I think I''ll wait a bit longer. I''m quite tired anyway. I want to go back and get some good sleep,¡± said Bailey. The smile on Raiden''s face grew wider. ¡°If you can always take care of yourself like you do now, we won''t have to worry so much about you, I¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Bailey abruptly ended the call. He didn''t need to guess to know Artemis did it. Listening to the beeping tone, Raiden smiled bitterly. At that moment, the door swung open, and the bodyguard walked in with two doctors. Chapter 863 Thinking of Setting a Trap for Her to Fall Into Chapter 863 Thinking of Setting a Trap for Her to Fall Into ¡°Mr. Raiden, as you predicted, they indeed tried to harm Mr. Fletcher after entering the ward.¡± Having said that, he forcefully threw the two doctors onto the ground. ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org . Both doctors knew they were in deep trouble, so their faces were as pale as death. Raiden gradually withdrew the gentleness from his expression and began looking at the two with cold eyes. He slowly said, ¡°Are you going to confess on your own, or should I force you to?¡± The two doctors werepletely taken in by the temptation of money, causing them to momentarily lose their sense of judgment. As for their loyalty to Lindsay, it was barely worth mentioning. Seeing their predicament bing increasingly dire, they all thought abouting clean in hopes of leniency. ¡°Mr. Raiden, we were foolish to do this! We were blinded by money and nearly made a grave mistake. Please spare my life. I''ll confess everything.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes. We''ll tell you everything. Everything! It was Mrs. Gibson. She bribed us. She gave us a kind of sedative fragrance and ordered us to work together to apply it on Mr. Fletcher.¡± After speaking, the two simultaneously bowed deeply, their heads hitting the floor noisily. The ck-d bodyguard handed the porcin bottle to Raiden, nodding his head as he said, ¡°This thing is lethal, Mr. Raiden, so I''d suggest you refrain from inspecting it.¡± Raiden reached out to take the bottle, his gaze dark and inscrutable. After a moment of silence, he murmured, ¡°Even though she knew the Fletcher family was already suspicious of her, she still ordered someone to poison the old man. Isn''t she courting death? How could the mother and the daughter do something so foolish? This is simply strange.¡± Upon hearing this, the two doctors felt as if he was questioning the validity of their statements, which frightened them, causing them to tremble all over. ¡°Mr. Raiden, we dare not deceive you. This truly is from Mrs. Gibson!¡± ¡°Yes, absolutely! She exploited the chaos to discreetly pass me the sedative fragrance, even insinuating that I should administer it to Mr. Fletcher. I swear on my life, Mrs. Gibson was the one who provided me with the medicine. If I''m lying, I wish for a terrible fate to befall me.¡± Raiden remained silent. After a long while, a strange glint shed in his hawk-like eyes. It seemed that there was someone pulling the strings behind Mrs. Gibson. He could y along with their scheme to see if he could draw them out. With that thought in mind, he picked up his phone and sent a text message to Bailey: Mrs. Gibson bribed the doctor to harm my father, using... a kind of sedative fragrance. I suspect she has the Rogers family backing her up. Can you secretly bring Catherine to the Fletcher residence? Let''s together expose this mole. Three secondster, Bailey replied with a text message: Wait for me. Inside the elegant room on the second floor of the caf¨¦ across from the Imperial Hotel, a young woman was sitting by the window, leisurely savoring her coffee. A momentter, the female bodyguard standing beside her reminded her, ¡°Ms. Eunice, it''s about time, we should be heading to the Fletcher residence.¡± ¡°The Fletcher residence?¡± Eunice raised an eyebrow, asking in confusion, ¡°Why should we go to the Fletcher residence?¡± The female bodyguard snapped her head upward and met Eunice''s half-smiling gaze. Just as quickly, the bodyguard lowered her head again. ¡°Haven''t you already made an agreement with Mrs. Gibson? She will use the Rogers family''s sedative fragrance to poison Mr. Fletcher, and then you will step forward to use Ms. Catherine of the deed. This way, we can eliminate Ms. Catherine through the Fletcher family''s hands. Isn''t this what you''ve always dreamed of?¡± With a cold smile, Eunice couldn''t help but mock, ¡°Going to the Fletcher residence to prove my innocence is undoubtedly like walking into a trap. I just saw Catherine leave the hotel. She must have gone to the Fletcher residence. What a fool. They must have set a trap and are waiting for me to jump in.¡± Frightened, the female bodyguard quickly kneeled on the ground, her voice trembling as she said, ¡°Please forgive me, Ms. Eunice. I was short-sighted and nearly brought harm to you.¡± Eunice sneered, ¡°If I wasn''t vignt, I would have been done in by that despicable Catherine years ago. The foolish Gibson mother-and-daughter duo wish to bring about their own destruction, so let them be. But they''re even expecting me to step forward as a witness. How ridiculous. If the n fails and those two fools reveal that I''m the one who gave them the incense, wouldn''t going to the Fletcher family be like walking into a death trap?¡± The female bodyguard pped herself fiercely a few times. ¡°I was a fool. I deserve to be punished.¡± As Eunice looked at the Imperial Hotel across the street, a chilling smirk yed on her lips. Are you nning to set a trap for me to jump into? No way am I going to fall for that. At the Fletcher residence''s study, Catherine took the porcin bottle from Raiden''s hand, unscrewed the cap, and brought it to her nose for a sniff. ¡°This sedative fragrance is indeed my own concoction. If Mr. Fletcher were to inhale it, it would im his life instantly.¡± Bailey quickly interjected, ¡°So someone''s trying to frame you? Who have you offended? How did you end up with such a bitter enemy?¡± Catherine squinted at the porcin bottle in her hand, a bloodthirsty chill flickering in her eyes. ¡°It''s my cousin. She''s the only one who can get this sedative fragrance and has a grudge against me.¡± Cousin? Bailey blinked, suddenly realizing what was happening. ¡°The rtive of yours who used the parasitic fragrance on you?¡± ¡°Indeed. Her name is Eunice Rogers. She''s quite close to Mrs. Gibson and her daughter. If this item was given to the doctors by Mrs. Gibson, then it must havee from Eunice''s hands.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but let out a sinisterugh. ¡°I haven''t even gone to settle the score with her yet, but look at her. She''s choosing toe to me first.¡± ¡°Raiden, let''s y along with their n. We''ll have those two doctors contact Eunice and inform her about Mr. Fletcher''s death. Let''s see if she will show up.¡± Raiden gave a quiet hum in response before standing up to leave the study. Sensing that Catherine''s mood was down, Bailey instinctively reached out and held her hand. ¡°Your n to avenge Luna. Count me in too.¡± Catherine tugged at the corners of her stiff lips to reveal a faint smile. ¡°Thank you, but Eunice is always cautious. She might not ept the invitation, so don''t get your hopes up too high.¡± Bailey scoffed. ¡°So what? There''s plenty of time ahead. I''ll always find an opportunity to kill her.¡± In the guest room at the Xuereb residence at Hallsbay, Scarlett was sitting on the couch, answering a phone call. After the other party finished briefly describing the situation of the Fletcher family, Scarlett suddenly sprang up from the couch. ¡°What are you talking about? My dad is dead? How is this possible? How could this be?¡± ¡°Miss, it''s absolutely certain. Mr. Fletcher, he''s dead. The infirmary has already revealed the truth about his death.¡± Scarlett''s legs gave way, and she slumped back into the couch. Sloan was dead. What did that mean? That meant that the Fletcher family was about to relinquish their power. It meant that she could no longer live as Lady Scarlett. It also meant that she could no longer protect Justin''s maternal family, the Campbell family, anymore. Moreover, it was highly likely that she would be kicked out of the Xuereb family by Olivia. With a resounding bang, the door was kicked open, and Olivia stormed into the room furiously. When Scarlett realized who it was, her hand trembled, and the phone slipped past her fingers, crashing onto the floor. ¡°M-Mrs. Xuereb, how... how did you get in?¡± Olivia red at her with bloodshot eyes as if she were about to breathe fire. ¡°I heard that your father has passed away. Is the Fletcher family ready to transfer their power yet?¡± ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, t-that''s not the case. My dad is still okay...¡± ¡°Be honest. Don''t y me for a fool.¡± Chapter 864 Reap What You Sow Chapter 864 Reap What You Sow Scarlett was so frightened that she trembled uncontrobly, huddling into the couch and too afraid to utter a single word. As she caught the older woman''s gaze, it felt as though she was being eyed hungrily, and at that moment, Scarlett realized her peaceful days were a thing of the past. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡°Tell me, has your father passed away? Is the Fletcher family ready to hand over their power? Are you unable to reverse the downfall of the Campbell family?¡± Scarlett bit her lip harshly. When she encountered Olivia''s murderous gaze, she swiftly slid off the couch. She kneeled on the ground, clutching at Olivia''s legs. Looking up at her, she sobbed out, ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, someone poisoned my father... I really intended to help Ss previously, b-but my father suddenly passed away. You can''t me me for that.¡± Olivia shoved her away. In recent times, she had been diligently looking after this wealthy youngdy, all the while concealing a deep well of frustration. Now that the Fletcher family has fallen, there was no need for her to be submissive anymore. She didn''t need to treat Scarlett as if she was the most precious thing in the world. With that thought, she abruptly pushed her away, gritting her teeth as she questioned, ¡°Did he truly pass away unexpectedly? You keeping up with excuses. The information I received clearly indicated that your father has been unconscious for nearly a month. How cunning of you! Receiving my care and attention while keeping your father''s condition hidden from me. Treating me like a fool. Scarlett, I''ve lived for over fifty years, and this is the first time I''ve been deceived by someone younger than myself. Since you''re no longer beneficial to me, you might as well leave.¡± Upon hearing these words, Scarlett instantly panicked. Once again, she lunged forward, clinging onto Olivia''s legs. ¡°Mrs. Xuereb, you cannot banish me from the Xuereb family. You simply can''t. I am still carrying Justin''s child in my womb. This child bears the Xuereb family''s blood in their veins. No matter how unpardonable my mistakes might be, the child is innocent. If news spreads about how the Xuereb family mistreats a pregnant woman, how will you uphold your reputation in high society?¡± ¡°Are you threatening me?¡± Unable to contain her anger, Olivia pped Scarlett. ¡°Before today, I might have taken you seriously, out of fear for your family''s power. But now that your father is dead, the Fletcher family is on the brink of ruin. What right do you have to act so arrogantly in front of me?¡± Having said that, she shrugged Scarlett off again and turned to walk toward the door. ¡°You will obediently stay in this room until the child is born. As for your marriage with Sean, let''s call it off. I will find another well-matcheddy of high society for him.¡± ¡°No!¡± Scarlett struggled to get up and stop her, but a sharp pain surged from her lower abdomen, forcing her to sit back down. Why is it like this? Why? The happiness that was once within easy reach had somehow just slipped away. She couldn''t ept it. She simply could not. The sudden turn of events was too shocking, and a surge of pain churned within her belly. Her eyes rolled back abruptly, and she passed out. In the study at the Fletcher residence at Dellmoor, Raiden lowered his head to nce at his watch. His brows furrowed as he said, ¡°It''s almost midnight, and Eunice still hasn''t shown up. Could it be that she''s noticed something amiss and grew cautious? Has she, therefore, decided not to keep the appointment?¡± With a coldugh, Bailey said, ¡°This woman is even smarter than I imagined. In fact, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn''t have epted the invitation either.¡± After all, with Mr. Fletcher''s death, anyone who had contact with him couldn''t hope to escape suspicion. In other words, even if she doesn''te forward to use Catherine, she would still be under great suspicion. After all, she had also had contact with Sloan. ¡°If that''s the case, why should she show up again? If the n fails, wouldn''t she be walking into a trap?¡± Catherine added, ¡°She indeed is a woman of profound cunning. We''ve been engaged in a battle of wits for years, and yet, there''s still no clear victor. It''s only logical that she didn''t show up this time because she must have known that her presence alone wouldn''t be sufficient to bring me down. If she were to appear, it would only risk exposing herself. With her cunning nature, she wouldn''t undertake such a demanding and unrewarding task.¡± Bailey slowly rose from the couch, raising an eyebrow. ¡°In that case, let''s not sit here foolishly hoping for results. Raiden, will you apany me to meet with the Gibson mother-and-daughter duo? There are some scores to be settled.¡± Raiden stood up and took the lead to head toward the door. The two of them exited the room, and Raiden couldn''t resist asking, ¡°You are Josiah''s disciple, and they are Josiah''s wife and daughter. Out of loyalty to your mentor, both emotionally and logically, you should let them off the hook. However, I still feelpelled to advise you that sparing the viins and allowing them to return to their base will only spell endless troubles.¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow but did not respond. After the two arrived at the guest room where the Gibson mother-and-daughter duo were under house arrest, Raiden halted his steps. ¡°You should go in alone. I won''t join the fun. After all, this is a matter between you and them. It''s not my ce to interfere. Whatever decision you make, I will respect it.¡± Bailey shook her head with a smile. ¡°Raiden, after going through so much, I''vee to understand the principle of how one should finish a task entirely, or the effort might be wasted. I''m not a saint. After someone has provoked me, I can''t just forgive them selflessly. Punishing the mother-and-daughter duo is inevitable. I won''t let them off the hook just because of my respect for my mentor. So, there''s no need for you to shy away from this. They hurt your father, so it''s only right that you deal with them. Come in with me.¡± The door swung open, and the anxious Gibson mother-and-daughter duo abruptly rose from the couch. The moment they saw Bailey, their faces simultaneously revealed expressions of surprise. If Sloan was dead, technically, Bailey shouldn''t appear at all. She would be the perpetrator who had killed the smartest man in the country, and she would be executed for her crime. Hence, Ynda pointed at her and asked in a trembling voice, ¡°B-Bailey, how... how are you here? Y- You''re responsible for Mr. Fletcher''s death. Shouldn''t you be in jail?¡± Bailey responded with a mocking smile, speaking nonchntly, ¡°I''m sorry, but your beautiful dreams have turned to ashes. This is Raiden''s territory. Do you honestly believe that you can take a life simply by bribing two doctors? How absurd! Everything has unraveled, and what awaits you is the stern hand of thew. As an old friend, I''m merely here to bid you farewell on this journey.¡± The Gibson mother-and-daughter duo both slumped down together on the couch. After a moment of silence, Genevieve, seemingly driven mad, sprang up from the couch once again. ¡°Bailey, I am your master''s wife, and Y''s your master''s daughter. You can''t just stand by and watch us die. Josiah imparted all his lifelong knowledge to you years ago. You must not forget his kindness and betray him. We admit our mistakes, we won''t dare to do them again. Please save us! For the sake of Josiah, save us!¡± ¡°Ha,¡± Bailey retorted with a trace of amusement, tauntingly saying, ¡°When you were deceiving me, did you ever view me as Josiah''s disciple? Do you honestly believe that preaching about loyalty and justice will have any effect on me now? You''ve brought this upon yourself, so now you must face the consequences of your own actions. Enjoy the bitter fruits of your deeds.¡± Having said that, she turned around, ready to leave. Right then, Ynda lunged toward the coffee table and snatched the peeling knife before stabbing it toward the back of Bailey. Chapter 865 Shamelessly Begging Her Chapter 865 Shamelessly Begging Her The two were very close to each other. Although Bailey had sensed the danger, she was unable to dodge and retreat in such a short span of time. Seeing the sharp de inching closer to her back, she resignedly closed her eyes. Two secondster, the anticipated pain didn''t strike. She quickly sidestepped to the side. Turning around, she found Ynda slumped on the ground, both hands covering her thigh, from which blood was pouring out. She instinctively looked toward Raiden, noticed an undischarged dart in his hand, and immediately understood what had happened. ¡°Thank you so much. Otherwise, I fear I might have lost my life here today.¡± Raiden snorted coldly, ¡°Do you think I wouldn''t have done something? If she dares to harm you under my watch, I might as well be dead.¡± After he spoke, his gaze swept over her a few times, then he furrowed his brow and asked, ¡°You used to be quite nimble, no? What''s going on with you today, standing there and letting her stab you? What, got so used to being protected by men that yourbat prowess diminished?¡± With a sigh of resignation, Bailey red at him and said, ¡°You know very well that I suffered a major setbackst year. My body hasn''t fully recovered yet, but don''t worry. Once I''m back at my peak, you might not even be able to beat me.¡± The man said nothing in response. Upon seeing her daughter injured, Lindsay rushed over and held her in her arms. ¡°Y, are you okay?¡± Ynda ignored her, staring nkly at Raiden. Her voice choked with emotion when she uttered, ¡°I''ve admired you for a long time. Don''t you have any feelings for me at all?¡± Raiden didn''t even bother to look at her, his voice cold and detached as he spoke. ¡°Ms. Gibson, I would appreciate it if you could take back your affection as it''s merely filth and shame to me. I bear no grudge against you, so don''t tarnish my reputation.¡± She was speechless. This man, he''s truly heartless. Ynda burst into boisterousughter, her gaze sweeping toward Bailey. Her eyes were filled with unyielding hatred and resentment. ¡°You''ve taken my father''s legacy from me, and now, you''ve taken the man I love as well. Bailey, I despise you; I wish I could tear you into a thousand pieces and grind your bones to dust.¡± ¡°You''re stubbornly ignorant.¡± Bailey couldn''t help but sneer, ¡°If that''s the case, then you might as well sit in jail. When you figure things out, that''s when you cane out. If you can''t, you might as well stay in there forever. Master Josiah was wholeheartedly devoted to protecting you. I believe the safest ce for you would be in prison. He can rest in peace knowing that.¡± ¡°Bailey, you and I are irreconcble.¡± Bailey ignored her and strode out of the guest room. She had encountered all sorts of evildoers along her journey, all kinds of ruthless characters. To be honest, they really didn''t scare her. ¡°Raiden, handle it impartially. There''s no need to consider my feelings.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At a certain hotel in Dellmoor, inside a suite, Eunice was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the urban night view outside. At that moment, the door swung open, and a female bodyguard walked in from outside. ¡°Ms. Eunice, just as you predicted, the schemes of the mother and daughter of the Gibson family have indeed failed. It''s a good thing you didn''t go to the meeting; otherwise, you would have really walked into a trap. What should we do now? If Ms. Catherine''s daughter survives, she will inevitably marry into the Luther family. Once she climbs up the high branch that is the Luther family, it will be difficult for you to bring her down.¡± Eunice raised an eyebrow, a sinister smile ying at the corner of her lips. ¡°Then find a way to stop that little b*stard from surviving and then prevent Simon from marrying Catherine. Without the Luther family as her support, she will remain isted and helpless, and someday, I will reim what rightfully belongs to me from her, bit by bit.¡± The female bodyguard responded affirmatively and praised her employer''s wisdom before adding, ¡°They should be preparing to go to Moranta. Ms. Eunice, should we follow them? If we should, then I will make the arrangements immediately.¡± ¡°All right, make the arrangements. If I don''t go, how can I prevent her from clinging to the high branch that is the Luther family?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The next day, at the Fletcher residence''s infirmary, Catherine dealt with the sedative fragrance for Sloan, and Bailey initiated the dream-tailoring skill, freeing him from his slumber. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Awakening from a deep dream, he felt as if ages had passed. Sloan''s condition was better than ever before as if he had undergone aplete transformation. ¡°Is there anywhere else that hurts? If so, you must speak up. Otherwise, once we leave, there will be no one to solve theseplex problems for you.¡± Sloan smiled lightly and sighed. ¡°Such promising youth, such promising youth indeed. I''ve always thought highly of my son and taken great pride in him. But now, having seen your skills, I realize that I''ve been short-sighted and ignorant. It''s a pity that my foolish son didn''t have the good fortune of marrying you.¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Raiden and I are close friends. Perhaps in our previous life, we lacked a bit of fate. But in the next life, or the life after that, there will always be one life where we can be together. So why should we fuss over something that is insignificant?¡± ¡°Very well, it seems I had my view of the important overshadowed by the trivial, needing a young girl like you to enlighten me. I feel refreshed and clear-headed now. My mind is more rxed than ever before. From now on, I will always maintain this mindset and not bring trouble to myself.¡± Bailey nodded with a smile. ¡°You should have done this a long time ago. With the heavy responsibility of a nation on your shoulders, you should take good care of your health. The reason I had you unconscious for a month was to help you clear your mind and shed those heavy burdens.¡± ¡°Haha, in the whole world, you''re the only gutsy girl who would dare to do this.¡± She said nothing to that. Back at Hallsbay in the Fletcher residence''s guest room, upon hearing that her father hadn''t died, Scarlett felt as if she had returned to heaven from hell. She held her phone tightly in her hand, a hint of mockery shing in her eyes. That old woman, who was so arrogant yesterday, is about to be put in her ce today. I''m actually curious to see how you''re going to shamelessly beg and suck up to me. Knock, knock, knock! Someone knocked on the door. Scarlett''s lips curled up into a mocking smile, and she said, ¡°Come in.¡± The door swung open, and Olivia walked in with a tray. ¡°Lettie, I was rather upset yesterday, so I got a bit carried away and said some things that might have upset you. Look, I had a hard time sleepingst night. I got up early to make mushroom soup specifically toe and apologize to you.¡± Scarlett let out a cold sneer, feigning confusion as she said, ¡°Why should you apologize to me? I''m the one who deceived you; I should be the one to admit my mistake. You''re right. I''m nothing more than a down-and-out heiress now and not worthy of Justin. You should hurry and find a suitable daughter-in- law from a good family instead of wasting your time on me.¡± The expression on Olivia''s face was somewhat stiff as if she was struggling to keep up appearances. Scarlett had received news that Sloan was not dead, so it was unlikely Olivia didn''t know about it. Her actions were nothing more than a ploy to make Olivia speak up and metaphorically p thetter in the face. However, for the sake of her family, what other choices did she have apart from satisfying her vanity? ¡°Lettie, I heard your father is still alive. It was a foolish mistake on my part. Can you please not hold it against me? You''re carrying Justin''s child. Who else could he possibly marry if not you? Everything I''ve said is nonsense. I''m just a fool. Don''t take me seriously.¡± Chapter 866 Rest Of Your Life Chapter 866 Rest Of Your Life Scarlett was satisfied. Watching Olivia act like she was wagging her tail like apdog begging for mercy in front of her, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction. This ignorant, blind old fool deserves nothing less than this humiliating fate of groveling. ¡°Since you understand the stakes involved, you should take care of the matter of my marriage to Justin properly. If there''s anything that doesn''t satisfy me, I won''t lower myself and settle for less.¡± The smile on Olivia''s face showed signs of cracking, but she still agreed respectfully with her words. ¡°Absolutely, the union between the Fletcher and the Xuereb families must be handled perfectly. Only then can your status be truly highlighted. Lettie, rest assured, I will personally handle all the wedding arrangements. I promise to give you a wedding of the century.¡± Scarlett arrogantly smiled, reaching out to pick up the mushroom soup from the tray. Perhaps because of the holdup, the soup had cooled a bit. Her face changing immediately, she said coldly, ¡°You''re giving me something this cold to eat. Are you trying to give me a stomachache?¡± Even though Olivia knew she was deliberately making things difficult for her, she didn''t dare to utter a word in protest. ¡°No worries, no worries. It''s gotten cold probably because it''s been left out for too long. Just wait a bit longer; I''ll heat the soup up and then bring you a new bowl.¡± Her ttering demeanor greatly satisfied Scarlett''s vanity, making her increasingly unrestrained. ¡°Heat it up? Sorry, but I don''t eat leftovers. You have half an hour. Bring me a fresh bowl.¡± Olivia quietly clenched her fists and whispered a few soothing words. Then, carrying the tray, she left the room with a dejected look. The moment she stepped out of the room, she casually flung the tray in her hand at the butler, her face instantly contorting into a fierce scowl. ¡°This little wretch, she''d better ensure the Campbell family remains unharmed, or I''ll torment her to death.¡± The butler nodded and said, ¡°There''s plenty of time ahead. You''ll surely find an opportunity to put her in her ce.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± At a hotel in Dellmoor, the doorbell was ringing, and Luna, bouncing with excitement, dashed to the entrance to open the door. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. ¡°Are you looking for Cath?¡± Bailey looked at the little kid in front of her, raising an eyebrow as she said, ¡°I''m also here for you.¡± After she finished speaking, she bent down to pick her up, coaxing her, ¡°Sweetie, call me ''Aunt Bailey'' for a change.¡± The young girl rolled her eyes and huffed, ¡°Simon doesn''t like me and doesn''t acknowledge me. Before I am recognized as a part of the family, I cannot acknowledge anyone from the Luther family. That''s my principle.¡± Seeing her acting like a little adult, Bailey couldn''t help butugh. She reached out, flicked her forehead lightly, and sighed. ¡°You really are a chip off the old Luther family block. You''re all of the same ilk. In you, I see their shadows. There''s no such thing as the worst person, only worse.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned her head toward Artemis. ¡°Would you like to hold your niece?¡± A gentle light flickered in Artemis'' eyes. Although she was not his daughter, she was still his niece, and he should treat them the same. He reached out to take the little girl from Bailey''s arms, carrying her toward the balcony. At that moment, Catherine, carrying her luggage, emerged from the bedroom. ¡°I''m really sorry for the trouble of having youe to pick us up personally,¡± she said. Bailey walked up to her with her arms crossed, nudged thetter with her elbow, and raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°Luna seems to be quite eager for Simon to be her father, no? Ms. Rogers, perhaps you should reconsider it. You already have a child. Why not just make do with that young man for the rest of your life?¡± Catherine looked at her, her gaze bingplex. After a moment of silence, she tentatively asked, ¡°What do you think of Eunice?¡± Bailey was taken aback for a moment. Once she regained herposure, she instantly understood what she meant. ¡°Although I haven''t had much interaction with her, from the little information I do have, she seems to be a cunning woman and is ruthless in her actions.¡± Catherine nodded. ¡°A fair assessment. If I were to marry, I would inevitably pass on the art of perfumery to her. People like her, once they master this kind of undetectable killing technique, will inevitably cause a catastrophe. I suppose the reason you refuse to pass on the dream-tailoring skill to Ynda is the same as mine, no? None of us want to be sinners in this world.¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes changed. There was a hint of admiration when she looked at Catherine. This woman has a high level of sophistication and a high state of mind. Bing friends with her should be a good thing. ¡°So, are you nning to spend the rest of your life in the Rogers family? You could find a sessor...¡± Catherine waved her hand to interrupt her, saying lightly, ¡°The family values Luna, but I don''t want her to go down this path. The weight of our family''s responsibilities rests heavily on a person''s shoulders. It''s just way too much. My daughter should just live well and shouldn''t be bearing so much burden.¡± Bailey wanted to say something more, but Catherine shook her head at her. ¡°I know that Simon deeply loves his girlfriend. That''s fine too. We''ll each go our separate ways. He doesn''t need to be responsible for me. All he needs to do is agree to let Luna call him dad. With the Luther family backing Luna, the Rogers family would not dare to easily involve Luna in the vortex of power struggles. Bailey, you don''t need to persuade me. Everyone''s path is different. I have my own responsibilities and mission that I can''t escape from.¡± Bailey did not know what to say. Artemis carried the little girl back from the balcony and said to Bailey, ¡°The private jet has arrived at the hotel''s rooftop. If you''re done packing, let''s get going. We''ve already been dyed here for a few days now.¡± Bailey nodded, taking one of Catherine''s luggage for her. Once everything was in order, the group left the suite and headed straight for the rooftop. Inside the coffee shop across from the hotel, Eunice was savoring her coffee. The female bodyguard walked in and nodded, saying, ¡°Ms. Eunice, they are preparing to head to Moranta. What are your ns?¡± Eunice didn''t answer that and instead asked, ¡°How did the Fletcher family deal with the mother and daughter of the Gibson family?¡± It would be a shame to discard such fine weapons. ¡°Ms. Eunice, since the Gibson family''s mother and daughter are not citizens of the country, the local authorities have no right to detain them. I''ve consulted with awyer. In a few days, they will be deported and sent back to their home country for trial and sentencing.¡± Eunice curved her lips into a smile. ¡°That''s perfect. You can secretly mobilize your forces to see if you can get them out. If you can''t save them, spread the word that Bailey is Josiah''s disciple and that she personally sent her own master''s wife and daughter to jail.¡± The female bodyguard responded affirmatively, then asked with confusion, ¡°Why are you targeting Bailey, Ms. Eunice? She won''t interfere with your power struggle.¡± ¡°Who says she won''t?¡± Eunice said through gritted teeth, ¡°She''s involved with Catherine, so they might work together. Being prepared now is always a good idea so that we won''t be caught off guard in the future.¡± The bodyguard remained silent. ¡°All right, just do as I''ve instructed. Also, arrange for a private jet. We''re heading to Moranta.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside the research base in Moranta, Caridee was sitting in front of the vanity, putting on a hyper- realistic mask. ¡°Ugh, this thing is so disgusting. Can''t I just not put it on?¡± Veikko ced his hands on her shoulders, raising an eyebrow as he said, ¡°It''s okay if you don''t want to put it on, you know. You''ll just have to stay put at the research base as you won''t be allowed to go to the wedding with Simon.¡± Chapter 867 Disrupt The Wedding Chapter 867 Disrupt The Wedding Caridee puffed her cheeks and hummed a couple of times. She was just venting a bit. If she really wanted to go out, she must cover her face. After all, there was a fake Caridee taking the heat for her at Shaun''s ce. If she revealed her true identity, Shaun would realize that he was with the fake Caridee. ¡°Then, can you give me a more attractive one? I don''t want this repulsive-looking one. I''m afraid you may not like me after seeing it.¡± The young man could not help butugh. He really wanted to crack open her little head and see what on earth she had inside her brain. ¡°Sit still, and don''t fidget. Listen carefully to what I''m going to tell you. I have some matters to attend to today and won''t be able to protect you personally. Therefore, I''ve arranged for a few top-notch experts to discreetly follow you. If you encounter any danger, just cause amotion and they will show up immediately.¡± Caridee waved her hand, pointed at her own face, and rolled her eyes, saying, ¡°I''m all disguised like this. Who will still fancy me? Besides, Shaun now has the fake Caridee. As long as he doesn''t have his sights set on me, who else will relentlessly pursue me?¡± ¡°Caridee.¡± Veikko''s face darkened, and each of his words was punctuated with seriousness. ¡°If you don''t listen carefully, you''re not leaving the house today.¡± She quickly sat up straight,posed her expression, and said earnestly, ¡°Alright, I agree to your request.¡± At that moment, the door opened, and Simon walked in. ¡°Oh, you''re here too, kiddo.¡± With that, he thrust his fist into Veikko''s chest. It was not a strong punch, but it was enough to scare Caridee. The youngdy sprang up from her chair and shielded Veikko behind her while she red fiercely at her older brother. ¡°What are you doing? Why are you hitting him for no good reason?¡± Simon was amused by her overprotective stance. ¡°Just as I thought, girls always venture out. I''ve spoiled you all these years for nothing.¡± Caridee hummed twice without saying a word. Simon added, ¡°Aisley called me and urged me to hurry to the wedding venue. Are you done yet? Once you''re finished,e with me. Stop dawdling.¡± Caridee leaned in close to him and asked, ¡°Simon, can you recognize me?¡± With a coldugh, Simon turned and walked towards the door. He remarked as he went, ¡°It was fine until you opened your mouth. That''s when you give yourself away.¡± Caridee was speechless. Over at Centurion za, the wedding of Prince Fabian and Aisley was taking ce in the grand hall on the first floor. The Friyx royal family had booked the entire club for themselves. Despite the vastness of the venue, it still seemed somewhat crowded, clearly illustrating the grandeur and opulence of this wedding. In the bride''s makeup room, a woman dressed in a white wedding gown was sitting in front of a mirror. It seemed like she had been crying. Her eyes were swollen and bright red. On one side, a noblewoman was consoling her, ¡°Aisley, this is your fate. ept it. I know you don''t like Prince Fabian, but both of you are making sacrifices for the family. You should be proud.¡± With a swift turn, Aisley looked at her mother through tear-blurred eyes, choking on her words. ¡°Isn''t the Luther family, being a prominent family, good enough for you? For the life of me, I can''t understand why you''re forcing me to marry a royal illegitimate child, especially one who''s been discarded and has no chance of inheriting the throne.¡± Matilda remained silent, subtly turning her face away. Aisley reached out to grip her arm and pleaded, ¡°Even if I am to die, you must let me die knowing the truth. I''ve already agreed to the marriage alliance. Why won''t you tell me the truth? Mommy, please, I beg you. Tell me why I must enter into this marriage.¡± A flicker of hesitation crossed Matilda''s eyes. After a moment of silence, she leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear. Upon hearing that, Aisley widened her beautiful eyes in disbelief. ¡°Mommy, I am your biological daughter. How can you set me up like this? No, I won''t marry. I don''t want to marry. I don''t want to.¡± After she finished speaking, she began to tear the veil from her head. Matilda''s face darkened, and her tone became sharp. ¡°If you refuse to marry, I will expose your once rotten past. Once the royal family calls off the engagement, I''m afraid the other wealthy families probably won''t marry you either. As for Mr. Simon, you can forget about it. How can a family of such high prestige and wealth ever let you in?¡± ¡°You...¡± Aisley clenched the hem of her wedding dress tightly and red furiously at the unworthy old woman in front of her, who had no right to be her mother. ¡°So you have other ns when you bring me back to the family. I was so foolish to insist on breaking up with Simon. Perhaps you wouldn''t be so daring if he was here to protect me.¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org At this point, she took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. ¡°If I can secure the safety of the Lockett family, will you stop forcing me to marry Prince Fabian?¡± Matilda was taken aback and retorted, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± With a cold and distant tone, Aisley said, ¡°Simon still has feelings for me. He once promised he won''t marry anyone but me. If I tell him that the royal family is forcing me into a marriage, he will surely feel sorry for me and pity me. As long as I can coax him into marrying me, the Luther family will be our rock. If the royal family wants to mess with the Lockett family, they''ll have to think twice.¡± Matilda found herself in a state of indecision. She also felt that their strategy of sacrificing their daughter for a royal marriage was not a long-term solution. If they could find a more powerful ally, that would be even better. Seeing her gaze soften, Aisley quickly seized the moment. ¡°The royal family has thrown out an illegitimate child to marry me. It proves that they can change their minds at any moment. After all, it''s no big deal to give up a pawn. Mother, do you think this alliance marriage holds any significance? They haven''t shown any sincerity. Why should you take it so seriously?¡± Matilda was persuaded by her eloquent and persuasive words. ¡°The wedding is almost upon us. What do you n to do? Call off the wedding in public and p the entire royal family in the face?¡± With a yful smile, Aisley said lightly, ¡°If we can''t call off the wedding openly, then let''s disrupt it secretly.¡± After she finished speaking, she leaned in and whispered a few words into her mother''s ear. Matilda was still hesitating. Marrying the royal family might bring a year or two of peace. If Aisley messed up this marriage arrangement, Matilda feared the royal family would immediately create trouble for them. ¡°Are you sure you can handle Mr. Simon? And even force him to marry you? Can you also convince him to support the Lockett family?¡± Aisley nodded emphatically. She sounded resolute as she said, ¡°I promise I won''t let the Lockett family fall into ruin. After all, with the strong support of my family, I can also hold my head up high in my husband''s home.¡± ¡°Alright, let''s do it that way.¡± ¡°Will you help to keep my unbearable past a secret?¡± ¡°I''ll keep it under wraps for now, but if you''re nning any tricks, I won''t hesitate to expose them.¡± A fierce glint shed in Aisley''s eyes. She could not let Simon find out about her secrets. Otherwise, he would despise and loathe her. In this world, only the dead could truly keep a secret. So... This old woman could not live. At the underground parking, a ck sedan was concealed in a corner. Inside the carriage, Shaun was staring coldly at the entrance of the parking lot. ¡°Mr. Carter, the spy just sent a message saying that Mr. Simon indeed brought a woman to the wedding. However, the person doesn''t look like Caridee. Perhaps, it''s a disguise. What should we do next?¡± Chapter 868 Have Some Self Respect Chapter 868 Have Some Self Respect Shaun narrowed his eyes slightly. Even though Astrid repeatedly assured him that Simon would bring Caridee to the banquet, he didn''t want to make any more mistakes. He would be furious if he got himself another imposter. After a moment of silence, he leaned in and whispered a few words into the bodyguard''s ear. After hearing this, the bodyguard was taken aback for a moment. ¡°Mr. Carter, I-I''m afraid I won''t be able to impersonate convincingly. She might recognize me at first nce.¡± Shaun''s anger red, and he pped him across the face while scolding fiercely, ¡°Coward! What are you so afraid of? So what if they recognize you? All you need to do is confirm whether she is Caridee or not. What''s the worst that could happen?¡± The bodyguard promptly responded, ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Carter. I will definitely handle this matter properly.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± The bodyguard had just got out of the car when Shaun''s phone, began to ring in his hand. He nced at it and saw that it was a call from Astrid. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± ¡°Mr. Carter, luck seems to be favoring you. Aisley just contacted me, instructing me to blow up the hotel and ruin the wedding. This is a golden opportunity, and you mustn''t let it slip away. Seize Caridee amidst the chaos and take advantage of the situation.¡± Shaun let out an icy snort and asked, ¡°Where are you right now? As soon as I capture Caridee, you must be ready to appear and impersonate her.¡± ¡°Don''t worry, I''ve been preparing for this day for a long time, waiting for this perfect moment. I won''t let such an opportunity slip through my fingers. I''m discreetly stationed at the wedding venue, waiting for you to capture Caridee. Once you do, I''ll step in to take her ce.¡± Shaun didn''t respond and simply ended the call. All he could do now is wait for his subordinates to confirm whether the woman apanying Simon was truly Caridee. As soon as it was confirmed, he would immediately take action. In the open-air parking lot outside the hotel, Simon parked the car at the very end. Confused, Caridee asked, ¡°Why didn''t you park at the underground parking lot?¡± As Simon unbuckled his seatbelt, he exined, ¡°The underground parking lot is too crowded. If something unexpected happenster, it won''t be easy to make a quick escape. This ce is different. Once we''re out, we can drive off at any moment. It''s much more rxed and flexible.¡± Caridee rolled her eyes, feeling somewhat exasperated. She retorted, ¡°You''re here to attend a wedding feast, not walk into a trap. What kind of unexpected situation could possibly arise?¡± ¡°Keeping my guard up is always a good idea.¡± Right after he said that, his phone in his pocket began to ring. He fished it out and discovered it was a call from Aisley. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°Simon, have you arrived? The wedding banquet is about to begin. Can you hurry over? I have something to tell you.¡± Simon subconsciously nced at his wristwatch and replied casually, ¡°Yeah, I''m here. If you''re really in a hurry, you can say it over the phone. It''s the same.¡± ¡°It''s different,¡± Aisley retorted, her voice choked. ¡°There are so many things that just can''t be clearly expressed through the phone. Could you pleasee to the bride''s makeup room to see me? If you don''t want toe to the makeup room, we can go to the lounge instead.¡± Simon furrowed his brows. He fell silent for a moment before replying calmly, ¡°All right then, you can go to my private room. I''ll be there in three minutes.¡± ¡°Okay then. You muste.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± After he ended the call, Caridee tutted a few times. ¡°Simon, aren''t you afraid that she might have ill intentions? She could knock you down and try to make the groom a cuckold. I''ve heard rumors that Prince Fabian is actually the illegitimate child of the royal family and has no power or influence. Anyone with a brain would choose you. There must be a reason why Ms. Lockett chose him. Perhaps she''s considering calling off the engagement. Once you get involved with her, you''re ying right into her hands, and you''ll be the one who ends up miserable.¡± Simon reached out and knocked her head. ¡°You jinx. Do you want to see your brother slip up?¡± After saying that, he pushed open the car door and got out. Caridee also got out of the car. ¡°Go meet your ex-girlfriend while I''ll take a stroll around.¡± After pondering briefly, Simon suggested, ¡°Why don''t you stay in the banquet hall? There are many people there, so you''ll be safe.¡± Caridee felt the urge to argue back, but upon catching Simon''s warning gaze, she reluctantly decided topromise.t. ¡°Fine, I''ll head in, okay?¡± After escorting her into the banquet hall, Simon then proceeded to his own private room. Caridee watched her brother''s retreating figure as she nced around. If that woman doesn''t know her ce and continues bothering Simon, I''ll step in and teach her a lesson. Rhonda called to inform me that my future second sister-inw is the eldest daughter of the Rogers family and is to my liking. She also instructed me to keep a close eye on Simon, ensuring he doesn''t reunite with that gold-digger and entangle himself with her again. A woman who immediately seeks another man after a breakup isn''t worth Simon''s pursuit and patience. Since Rhonda mentioned that Ms. Rogers is to my liking, she must be a remarkable person. Simon pushed the door to his private room open and stepped in. Just as he closed the door behind him, a slender figure rushed toward him, throwing herself into his arms. ¡°Simon, you''ve finally arrived,¡± she wailed. Simon frowned and instinctively wanted to push her away. He hasn''t forgotten their current identities. She was getting married today, and he was here to attend her wedding as a guest. ¡°Aisley, please have some self-respect.¡± The moment he began to speak, Aisley burst into loud, uncontroble sobs. ¡°You''re so smart. Can''t you see that I''m being forced?¡± Simon''s fist slowly clenched, his eyes swirling with shattered light. He used to love her. Even though he had given up on her, the feelings from the past still lingered. ¡°Regardless of the circumstances, we can no longer be together. You have your groom, and I have my daughter. Since fate has decreed it so, let''s ept it with grace. If there''s nothing significant you need to share with me, I''ll take my leave.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he began to pry her fingers away. Aisley panicked instantly. In the past, Simon had never been this indifferent to her, and she felt that she was in control of him. However, things had changed. Something told her that if he walked out that door today, everything between them would be irrevocably over. Her ultimate fate rested on either marrying Fabian or facingplete ruin. ¡°Simon, please listen to me. I''ve been forced into this situation. The Lockett family has been entangled in some unsavory dealings with the royal family in the past. The royals fear that my family might reveal their dark secrets, so they''ve proposed this marriage alliance to secure their interests. To protect my family, I''m left with no choice but to sacrifice myself. But can you bear to witness me bing a pawn in this political marriage? Once the royal family and the Lockett family turn against each other, I''ll be the first to suffer. I don''t want to face such a fate. Simon, can you save me? If you marry me, the Lockett and Luther families will unite, and the royal family wouldn''t dare to offend the Luther family.¡± Simon''s handsome face tensed up, and a chilling glint shed in his eyes. ¡°Did you ask me to meet just to use me as your human shield?¡± Chapter 869 The Swap Went Smoothly Chapter 869 The Swap Went Smoothly When he spoke these words, there was not a shred of warmth in his tone. If she hadn''t broken up with him, he might be been willing to be her shield. He would marry her, allowing the Lockett family to be under the Luther family''s protection. However, she was the one who asked to break up with him, and their rtionship was now in the past. He wouldn''t pay the price for her capriciousness and ignorance. With tears swirling in her eyes, Aisley looked at him and sobbed. ¡°What do you mean a human shield? How could I possibly use you as one? Simon, I love you. I love you with all my life. Can''t you feel it?¡± After she finished speaking, she lunged forward and frantically started to tear his shirt. ¡°Don''t you want me? How about I give myself to you right now?¡± A sh of anger crossed Simon''s handsome face as he abruptly tossed her onto the couch. ¡°Please don''t let me lose respect for you, and let us keep our good memories. After all, you were my first love. I don''t want the image of you in my heart to turn terrifying and grotesque. As for the marriage alliance, you can proceed with it peacefully. I promise that as long as I live, the royal family will not harm you. This may be the only thing I can do for you.¡± With that, he turned around and walked toward the door. As he was stubborn, Aisley suddenly rushed to the coffee table. She grabbed the fruit knife from the fruit te and held it against her own neck. ¡°Fine, I''ll end my life.¡± Simon abruptly turned around, only to see her shing her own neck. He couldn''t help but roar, ¡°Are you insane? Put the knife down immediately!¡± ¡°If you don''t help me, I''m left with no choice but death.¡± After she finished speaking, she pushed the knife a bit deeper, causing her wound to bleed profusely. Simon narrowed his eyes in shock. He stared at her intently, gritting his teeth as he asked, ¡°Tell me. What do you want me to do?¡± With a bitterugh, Aisley stated, ¡°What can I possibly make you do? I only wanted to tell you that I was forced into this. We''ve loved each other for so long, and I''ve given you my heart. You can''t marry her just because she bore you a child.¡± Simon rubbed his temple and retorted instinctively, ¡°I have no ns to marry her.¡± After that, he changed the subject. ¡°First, put down the knife.¡± Aisleyughed softly. ¡°You have no ns to marry her? Good. You should marry me.¡± Simon nced at her pristine white wedding dress and said, ¡°Today is your wedding day.¡± He sounded exasperated. With a swift movement, Aisley pulled off her veil, a mysterious smile ying on her lips. ¡°If today''s wedding cannot proceed, you''ll be responsible for ensuring my safety.¡± Simon sensed something was amiss and parted his lips, preparing to inquire about it. However, before he could speak, a sudden and intense explosion erupted from outside, shaking the room violently a few times. With a shriek, Aisley threw herself directly into Simon''s arms. Simon instinctively wanted to push her away. ¡°I''m scared.¡± Aisley clung to him tightly, looking at him with pitiful eyes. ¡°Don''t leave me here alone.¡± With a low curse, Simon forcefully pushed her away. ¡°Stay here and don''t move. I''m going to find Caridee.¡± After he finished speaking, he darted straight out of the room. After watching him leave, Aisley picked up her phone andposed a message before sending it out: Caridee has indeed arrived at the wedding banquet. You helped me blow up the hotel, and in return, I''ll provide you with this information. We''ll call it even with this. A momentter, a reply came in: Looking forward to our next coboration, Ms. Aisley. The banquet hall descended into total chaos. The recent explosion had ignited deep-seated fear within people, causing them to frantically search for an escape route. Caridee was jostled by the guests, eventually ending up near the emergency exit in the southeast. Being rather petite, she struggled to see her surroundings amidst the crowded chaos. When she nced backward, a familiar figure came into view. ¡°Veikko...¡± That figure looks a lot like Veikko. Moreover, he was wearing a ck hat, as if deliberately disguising himself. Didn''t he go to run some errands? Why did he suddenly show up here? ¡°Veikko? Veikko!¡± She called out a few more times, but the man still didn''t lift his head, as if he hadn''t heard her at all. Considering the distance between us, he shouldn''t have any trouble hearing. Besides, his hearing is so sharp, so why would his reaction be so slow? The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off. After some thought, she felt that it was safer to go to Simon. Having made up her mind, she veered away from the spot where the young man stood and altered her course, heading toward the private room instead. Not far away, a female bodyguard dressed as a guest lifted her chin in Caridee''s direction and said, ¡°That woman just called out ''Veikko''. She must be Caridee. Should we take action immediately or wait a bit longer?¡± ¡°What are we waiting for? Waiting for her to meet up with Simon? Once they meet, do you think we''ll still be able to catch her?¡± ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get her!¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Caridee squeezed her way through the bustling crowd and made it into the hallway leading to the private rooms. There were quite a few people rushing out of the private rooms, making it very difficult for her to take even a single step forward. Out of nowhere, a surge of pain shot through the back of her neck, and she had an instinctive urge to cry out. It felt as though something was stuck in her throat, preventing her from saying anything. In the next moment, her legs gave way, and she fell straight into someone''s arms. Next, she vaguely heard a deep male voice that was unfamiliar to her. ¡°Please make way for us. My sister is having an asthma attack. Please let us through, thank you.¡± The moment her consciousnesspletely faded away, the only thought in Caridee''s mind was: We fell for their trap. A momentter, Simon squeezed out of the private room. By this time, the banquet hall was almost empty. As he prayed fervently, he searched through the crowd for Caridee. ¡°Simon!¡± Suddenly, a shout sounded behind him, causing him to instinctively turn around. Seeing Caridee standing unharmed in front of him, he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Thank goodness you''re okay. Hey, where''s your mask?¡± Caridee huffed. ¡°You were rushing me, so the mask wasn''t glued on properly. It fell off.¡± Just as Simon was about to speak, at that moment, Aisley rushed out from the room. She had already changed out of her wedding dress and was now wearing a pastel-colored long skirt. After reaching Simon, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°Let''s get out of here first. The rooftop has exploded, and it''s very dangerous here.¡± Simon grabbed an abandoned hat from the ground and ced it on Caridee¡¯s head before taking her hand and rushing toward the exit. As he had instinctively abandoned Aisley, a dark look crossed her eyes. No worries. He will be fine in a few days. He must still be mad at me right now. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°Simon, wait for me.¡± At the underground parking lot, two bodyguards swiftly dragged the unconscious Caridee to the waiting vehicle and forcefully threw her inside. ¡°Mr. Carter, the swap went smoothly.¡± Shaun stared coldly at the young girl lying on the ground, a glint of bloodthirsty chill shing in his eyes. Slowly, he reached out to cradle her chin as he observed her face. The bodyguard took out a bottle of drug from the bag that Caridee was carrying. Chapter 870 Poisonous Powder Chapter 870 Poisonous Powder ¡°Mr. Carter, this should be the drug to remove the mask from her face. Do you need my assistance...¡± Before he could finish speaking, Shaun immediately waved his hand to stop him. A mysterious smile yed on his lips as he fixed his gaze on the slender figure before him. ¡°It''s better if I handle it myself. No need for you to trouble yourself. Let''s head back to our ce.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After leaving with ¡°Caridee,¡± Simon headed straight for the open-air parking lot. In a rush, Aisley grabbed his arm as tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at him with a pitiful expression and said, ¡°Now that the wedding has been ruined, they won''t let me off the hook.¡± Simon abruptly pushed her away, his voice turning cold as he said, ¡°Who would nt a bomb at a royal wedding? You''ve created your own mess, and now you have to deal with the consequences. If you had the courage to do it, you should have considered how to face the aftermath.¡± Aisley hugged his arm again. ¡°Simon, it wasn''t me¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Simon coldly interrupted, ¡°I won''t be taken for a fool, so kindly refrain from treating me as an idiot. It would be best if you ceased the pretense while I still hold some respect for you. Perhaps for the sake of our past affection, I might still look out for you.¡± Aisley blinked, andrge teardrops rolled down from the corners of her eyes. ¡°Fine, I''ll stop. I''ll be frank with you. Yes, it''s true, I was the one who gave the order to nt the bomb. Do I not have the right to reject to be a pawn in this family feud? What''s wrong with that? Apart from saving myself, what else can I do?¡± With a deep breath, Simon contained the anger surging within him and clenched his teeth. ¡°In that case, you should return and deal with the consequences. I can guarantee that neither the Lockett family nor the royal family will harm you. I will speak to them about whates next.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Aisley kept shaking her head as she cried, ¡°They will force me to do so. Things won''t end well for me I end up in their hands.¡± She turned her head toward ¡°Caridee¡± and urgently said, ¡°Caridee, can you please persuade Simon for me?¡± ¡°Caridee¡± rolled her eyes. As far as she knew, the genuine Caridee had a reputation for being quite the saint, often involving herself in other people''s matters Otherwise, she wouldn''t have spent a fortune to support the orphanage. If she were here today, she would probably advise Simon to take Aisley in. Thus... ¡°Simon, bring her along with you. Her family is putting immense pressure on her. If we leave her here, she''ll face a dreadful fate.¡± A hint of surprise shed in Simon''s eyes. Wait, didn''t she attend the wedding with me to teach Aisley a lesson? Why did she change her attitude suddenly? She didn''t think this way previously. Rhonda must''ve told her about Catherine, and she admires Catherine immensely. She shouldn''t be defending Aisley. ¡°Caridee, you...¡± Before he could finish speaking, ¡°Caridee¡± immediately grabbed Aisley''s arm and pulled her into the car. A hint of confusion shed across Simon''s eyes, but it wasn''t time for him to go deeper. The royal security personnel scoured every corner in search of the bride. If they discovered his presence, not only would he be unable to leave that day, but he would also gain the infamous reputation of having kidnapped the bride. After tearing his gaze away from the backseat, he hopped into the driver''s seat and drove off into the distance. The private jet of Bailey and Artemisnded on the tarmac at the research base. As soon as they got off the ne, Zayron rushed over from the entrance. Bailey frowned. ¡°Your Uncle Simon and Aunt Caridee went to attend the wedding. Didn''t you join them?¡± She found it strange that the little boy didn''t join them as it was the perfect chance to stir trouble. Zayron waved his hand as his gaze fell on Luna, who was standing behind Bailey. ¡°Little girl, I am your elder cousin, Zayron. Address me in a respectful manner.¡± Bailey quickly grasped that Zayron''s absence from the wedding wasn''t due to a newfound desire to be a better person, but rather because he wanted to yfully tease his cousin. Scoundrel! Luna wriggled free from her mother''s grasp and took a few steps toward Zayron. The little girl presented herself as sweet, cute, and innocent, but underneath her appearance, she was brimming with mischief. ¡°Address you politely, huh? Great, then let me give you a proper wee, Zayron.¡± Having uttered those words, she suddenly raised her arm, throwing a substantial cloud of flower pollen directly onto Zayron''s face. An ear-splitting scream pierced the air. ¡°Ow, it''s excruciatingly painful and itchy! What on earth did you throw at me, you insane woman?¡± Luna sneered, ¡°A poisonous powder that could peel off your skin.¡± Zayron red at her, his eyes filled with malice. In less than a minute, countless tiny red rashes had appeared on his face. ¡°Antidote! Give the antidote to me, or I''ll kill you.¡± Luna blinked her eyes, smiling cheerfully. ¡°You want the antidote? Sure, you need to address me politely.¡± Zayron would never do that. Zayron gave his mother a pitiful look and pleaded, ¡°Bailey, hurry up and get it off my face. Otherwise, my face will be destroyed.¡± With a cold smile, Bailey managed between gritted teeth, ¡°You deserve it.¡± Catherine chuckled and made her way out of the crowd. She reassured Zayron, ¡°Luna was merely ying a prank on you. It''s just some flower pollen that causes skin allergies. Just head home and wash it off with warm water. You should be fine in a couple of hours.¡± A couple of hours? Zayron stomped his feet angrily. It''s very itchy! ¡°Aunt Catherine, could you help me stop the itching, please? This is too ufortable.¡± Catherine erupted intoughter, finding it amusing that he used the wrong form of address for her, but she didn''t bother correcting him. Turning to Bailey, she remarked, ¡°Indeed, it''s rather bothersome. I''ll go and prepare some flower pollen to help ease his difort.¡± Before Bailey could even speak, Zayron directly grabbed his future second aunt''s arm and dragged her toward the Luther residence. As Luna was about to follow him, he fiercely warned, ¡°Don''t follow me, or I''ll set my mastiff on you.¡± Well... With a smile, Bailey gently patted the little girl''s head and said softly, ¡°This is how Zayron is. You''ll get used to him.¡± Luna said cheerfully, ¡°I''m really happy to have an elder cousin now.¡± Bailey found it somewhat amusing. If you''re happy, then why did you prank him? Indeed, the Luther family''s offspring cannot be judged by conventional standards. Right then, a car drove to the house from a distance. Bailey immediately saw Simon in the driver''s seat. ¡°Your daddy is home. Come on, let me bring you to him.¡± The young girl was somewhat restrained. ¡°He doesn''t like me. If I show up uninvited, will he get angry?¡± With a helpless sigh, Bailey knelt down in front of her and spoke gently. ¡°Every parent loves their children, and your dad is no exception. He''s not a bad person, and he wille to love you. Just give him some time to gradually ept you.¡± Luna harrumphed and pointed at the back of the car. ¡°I recognize that woman. She''s his ex-girlfriend. He took someone else''s bride; if that doesn''t make him a scumbag, then what does? I don''t like this guy one bit.¡± Bailey was taken aback. Following Luna''s pointing finger, she observed another woman in the backseat and subconsciously furrowed her brows. Chapter 871 An Imposter Chapter 871 An Imposter What on earth is Simon up to? Didn''t he attend the wedding to end things with her? Why did he end up bringing that woman back to the base? On second thought, it''s my fault. I should''ve warned him that Catherine and Luna would be here. ¡°Your dad must have had a reason for doing this.¡± Artemis spoke up beside them. With that, he reached out and picked the little girl up. ¡°Luna, be good. If your dad dares to act foolishly, I will teach him a lesson.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Observing the little girl''s proud and coy expression, Artemis couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Your demeanor is just like your aunt''s. There''s no doubt you''re a true member of the Luther family.¡± Bailey stepped forward to greet them. When Caridee pulled Aisley out of the back seat, she blurted out, ¡°Didn''t you wear a mask? Why are you showing your own face?¡± ¡°Caridee¡± was inwardly stunned. Bailey was capable of seeing through everyone. No one was an exception. ¡°B-Bailey, you''re back. When I went out, I did put on the mask. An ident urred, and I lost the mask identally.¡± Bailey''s gaze turned dark, yet her expression remained the same. ¡°I''m d you''re back home safe and sound. And who might this be?¡± When she asked about Aisley, ¡°Caridee¡± quickly spoke up. ¡°Bailey, she is Simon''s girlfriend. We misjudged her earlier as she didn''t n to marry into the royal family,. She has her own reasons.¡± Bailey''s gaze swept over Aisley''s face, her expression indifferent. Having encountered numerous individuals, Bailey only needed to take one look at Aisley to discern the latter''s temperament. Aisley seemed like a gold-digger was not even a fraction as kind-hearted as Catherine. No, she wasn''t even deserving of beingpared to Catherine. To do so would be a tant insult to Catherine. ¡°B-Bailey...¡± Aisley was about to build a rapport with Bailey when thetter interrupted her. ¡°Ms. Aisley, kindly refrain from addressing me that way. I''m not fortunate enough to be rted to the future princess. You can just call me Mrs. Luther, or Ms. Jefferson is also eptable.¡± A hint of embarrassment crossed Aisley''s face. At that very moment, Luna, who had been nestled in Artemis''s arms, suddenly squirmed free from his embrace and jumped to the ground. ¡°You are pretentious and disgusting. You are nothingpared to my mommy.¡± With that, the little girl red fiercely at her father before running away. Artemis turned his head toward Simon and eximed, ¡°What are you waiting for? Go after her! She''s your daughter. Do you expect someone else to console her?¡± Simon quickly regained his senses and hurriedly chased after the little girl. ¡°Luna, let me exin.¡± Observing Simon leaving her behind to chase after his daughter, Aisley became extremely angry and swiftly set off to follow him. Without thinking, Bailey reached out to stop her and said cheerfully, ¡°Ms. Aisley, you must be exhausted after today''s events, right? Caridee, take her to your ce to rest for now. Whatever needs to be discussed can wait until she''s well-rested.¡± ¡°Caridee¡± was worried that if she stayed too long, her cover would be blown. Now that Bailey was asking her to leave, she naturally agreed. ¡°Of course, Bailey. You all can continue with your tasks while I assist Aisley in getting settled.¡± ¡°Okay, go ahead.¡± As Bailey watched the two leave, her expression gradually darkened. ¡°Artemis, something has happened to Caridee.¡± Artemis was taken aback. His attention was entirely focused on Simon and Luna, so he did not pay much attention to Caridee. Upon hearing Bailey''s words, he subconsciously furrowed his brow. ¡°Wasn''t that Caridee?¡± With a sarcasticugh, Baileymented, ¡°That scoundrel Tucker really went to great lengths, creating a fake Caridee to deceive Shaun. He''s put a substantial amount of effort into this. I nearly didn''t notice the difference since they look practically identical. Their voices are also remarkably simr. However, my mask carries a distinct fragrance that lingers for three days and is impossible to dissipate. If Caridee had worn my mask, she would undoubtedly carry a scent I''m familiar with. However, this imposter doesn''t carry that scent.¡± Artemis''s expression changed. If the fake Caridee is here with us, doesn''t that mean the real Caridee has fallen into Shaun''s hands? ¡°I''ll gather my men right away and lead them to take down Shaun''s...¡± Before he could finish speaking, the sound of urgent braking echoed across the outdoor grounds. Veikko jumped off the off-road vehicle. ¡°I dispatched a few top experts to protect Caridee this morning, but there was a sudden explosion at the wedding banquet. The chaos among the guests made it difficult for them to move among the crowd. Caridee disappeared from their sight for a moment. Bailey, has Caridee returned yet? She hasn''t been injured, has she? I can''t reach her on the phone.¡± A calcting glint shed across Bailey''s eyes, and the atmosphere tensed up as she spoke with a serious tone. ¡°Caridee has returned, but the person who came back is an imposter. I''m afraid your wife might have fallen into Shaun''s hands.¡± Veikko''s legs gave way, and he almost crashed to the ground. ¡°W-What did you say?¡± Bailey reached out to steady him, her voice cold and detached. ¡°I told you the truth, and you heard it clearly. Caridee is now in Shaun''s hands. They took advantage of the chaos at the wedding banquet to pull off a switcheroo.¡± Veikko broke free from her support and turned to leave. Bailey quickly reached out to stop him. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°Gather my men to save Caridee.¡± ¡°Don''t act recklessly. If you act rashly and alert the enemy, she''ll be in more danger.¡± Veikko halted in his tracks as he narrowed his eyes. ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Bailey''s gaze fell on the back seat of Simon''s vehicle. After a moment of silence, she scoffed, ¡°If he simply wanted to kidnap Caridee, why bother going through the trouble of bringing an imposter here to rece her?¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org ¡°You''re saying?¡± ¡°If I''m not mistaken, Shaun is scheming to use this imposter to get close to you and then eliminate you without even lifting a finger. By leading people to Shaun''s hideout, you''re essentially revealing that we''ve seen through his ruse. Can you truly expect a despicable person who can abandon his own wife and son to release Caridee through negotiations? What if he uses Caridee as a hostage? What options will you have then? It''s not worth risking your life alongside such a scumbag.¡± Veikko took a deep breath, slowly calming his emotions. ¡°But Caridee is in his hands, and he will mistreat her. You have no idea how sick that bastard is, he could torment Caridee endlessly.¡± After contemting for a moment, Bailey suggested, ¡°Caridee should be capable of taking care of herself. Remember, she learned hypnosis and dream-tailoring skills from me. Bybining these techniques, she should be able to hold Shaun off for three to five days. Let''s not rush. We''ll figure out a solution gradually.¡± Veikko gritted his teeth. ¡°All right, I trust your judgment. If I have to, I''ll die with her. What about the impostor? Do we kill her?¡± A cold glint flickered in Bailey''s eyes as she sneered, ¡°Killing her would be letting her off too easily, don''t you think? Take her to the Saviors. Mr. Xydias'' daughter, Mindy, nearly died in their torture chamber, right? She must hold a deep grudge against Caridee for tormenting her. Take this imposter to the Saviors'' branch and let her vent her anger.¡± Artemis gave his wife the thumbs-up. ¡°As expected of you, Bailey. You are indeed merciless.¡± Bailey gave him a kick. ¡°Scram.¡± Chapter 872 She Wants To Save Herself Chapter 872 She Wants To Save Herself Veikko also gave Bailey a thumbs up. ¡°As expected of Bailey. Not only is she pretty, but she is also ruthless.¡± Laughing in amusement, Bailey turned and headed toward the house. Veikko wiped the yful smirk off his face and quickly hurried after her. ¡°Bailey, what should we do next?¡± Bailey side-eyed him, curling her lips into a half-smile. ¡°I gave it some thought. Given Shaun''s temperament, he''d probably insist on killing you himself. And the only trump card he has now is the imposter pretending to be Caridee. How about this? Let''s use that woman to set a trap for Shaun.¡± Veikko blinked as if he understood what she meant. I knew it. This woman always has more unconventional ideas. If I was her, I''d only run around in panic. ¡°What kind of trap should we plot?¡± Bailey tilted her head to look at him, grinning evilly. ¡°After bringing that imposter to the Saviors'' branch, I need you to secretly monitor hermunicator. She''s now by your side under the guise of Caridee. She''s not one to tread carefully, so she''s likely to be secretlymunicating with Shaun. Find out what task Shaun has assigned her, then follow her lead and cooperate with her. We''ll use the trap Shaun has set to counter-trap him.¡± Veikko was utterly impressed by the woman. Mr. Luther''s incredible for being able to handle a woman like her. Meanwhile, Simon chased his daughter all the way to the garden. The little girl''s face was somewhat pale, and a thinyer of sweat had formed on her forehead. She ran, panting heavily as she did so. As she walked over a patch of cobblestones, her foot slipped, causing her to fall t on the ground. Simon took a quick step forward, bending over to sweep her into his arms. ¡°Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?¡± The little girl bit her lip, staring at him with a defiant expression, tears swirling in her eyes. N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. With a soft sigh, Simon expressed his helplessness. ¡°Luna, your mother has kept this from me for so many years. Her showing up at my door with you out of the blue isn''t a pleasant surprise but a shock, you know? You have to give me some time to adjust. I never said I wouldn''t take responsibility for both of you. I came to Moranta this time solely to find closure with the past. Only then will it be fair to your mother.¡± The young girlined, ¡°In the end, you kidnapped the bride. Thank goodness my mom wasn''t there, or it would have been so awkward.¡± Simon felt an ache in the head as he tried to exin, ¡°Something happened at the wedding, so I had no choice but to bring her back with me. There''s really nothing to it. I was nning to send her back tomorrow when you guys suddenly showed up in Moranta.¡± Luna lost it. ¡°So you''re saying we shouldn''t havee to Moranta and gotten in the way of you rekindling an old me.¡± After she finished speaking, she began to struggle intensely. Simon felt rather helpless. Why is this girl so easily triggered? She has strong personal convictions and is quick-tempered. She has quite a temper for such a young age. ¡°All right, all right. I was wrong. I''m sorry, okay. Please stop fussing around. You might hurt yourself.¡± Luna was somewhat breathless, and she clutched her chest tightly. She struggled fiercely a few times, but in the end, she could not catch her breath and passed out. Simon was taken aback. That was when he finally noticed his daughter''s face was pale to the point she was almost translucent. Everything was fine just a moment ago. How is she suddenly looking so ill? ¡°Luna, Luna....¡± Simon called out to her several times but there was no response. Seeing that, he quickly carried her up in his arms and hurried toward the house. He had a hunch that something seemed off with his daughter''s health and a serious one at that. In the room of the mansion in the suburbs was Caridee lying unconscious on the couch. Shaun was pouring the medicine on her face with a sinister smile. Sure enough, the chemical could remove the thin hyper-realistic mask on her face. In no time, a beautiful face appeared before his eyes. He had initially thought he would be consumed by rage, that he would take a knife and slowly mar her face, destroying the man''s first crush. After seeing her true face, which was as delicate as a porcin doll, he found himself unable to proceed. Perhaps he had vented all his anger on the imposter, so he felt nothing but immense pity for the real deal before him. He gently cradled the delicate face that haunted his dreams, his heart itching with desire. He wanted so badly to teach her a serious lesson. Unfortunately, his most important organ was not functioning as it should anymore. ¡°Sweetheart, my little treasure, just because I''m impotent doesn''t mean I can''t do anything to you. As long as you''re in my hands, I can slowly discover, develop, and make you...¡± After he finished speaking, he leaned over and kissed her face. He had a million ways to bully her and make her abandon herself to pleasures. As if sensing danger, Caridee slowly opened her eyes. After a moment of stunned silence, her consciousness gradually returned, and she suddenly snapped back to reality. Seeing the sinister and lewd face before her, she instinctively began to struggle. Although she knew her chances were slim before she fell unconscious, she still felt somewhat at a loss when she truly faced the situation now. She had experienced the man''s ways before. In fact, she still vividly remembered the fate of the imposter Tucker had created. If this madman treats me the same way... No, I''d rather die if I have to endure such humiliating torment. ¡°Awake, are you? Wonderful. Now that you''re awake, let''s do something fun.¡± After he finished speaking, he slowly closed in on her. Caridee gradually calmed down after the initial panic passed. I won''t sumb to my fate. I must not give up until thest moment. I''ve got to save myself. Yes. I have to save myself. After making up her mind, she suddenly stopped struggling and looked at him with teary eyes. ¡°I know once I fall into your hands, there''s no escape. I promise you. I won''t resist, nor will I struggle. Go easy on me, will you? I''ll do anything you want. Just don''t hit me.¡± Shaun suddenly became excited. ying alone was meaningless. If the woman was willing to cooperate, it would definitely be very satisfying. After all, she was now in his hands, and there was no escaping from him. Shaun had nothing to worry about. ¡°A wise person submits to the circumstances. As expected from the legitimate daughter of the Luther family. You truly know how to assess the situation. Since you''ve spoken, I, naturally, will have compassion for you. As long as you don''t resist, I won''t be rough with you. After all, you''re a fragile person. I can''t bring myself to be rough with you either.¡± Caridee slowly ced her hand on his shoulder, her voice trembling as she asked, ¡°So, what do you want to do with me? What should I do?¡± Shaunughed heartily, then leaned in to whisper in her ear. Caridee was listening with a stiff upper lip. Those despicable demands left her at a loss for what to do. How dare this lunatice up with such horrid ways to deal with me? ¡°Sweetheart, did you understand what I said? If you did, let''s get started.¡± Chapter 873 I Will Go Mad Chapter 873 I Will Go Mad Caridee bit her lip tightly. She was afraid that she would not be able to hold back and end up fighting him head-on. Her rationality told her that it was not worth going down with scum like him. After all, Veikko was still waiting for her. He had had a tough life. Now that he had finally seen her as his savior, she could not die so easily. If she were to die, his world would no longer have light. How is he going to live the rest of his life? Hence, for the sake of Veikko, she must cherish her own life and fight the monstrous man to the end. ¡°I-I understand. I''ll cooperate with you, but you have to promise to not torture me in such a cruel way. I can''t bear it.¡± Shaun burst into a fit ofughter as if he had gone mad. This is my chance! Caridee stared intently at his eyes, making a move to wrap her arms around his neck. While he was distracted, she suddenly snapped her fingers beside his ear. In the next moment, Shaun''s pupils began to dte. Caridee heaved a sigh of relief, thankful that she had learned hypnosis and dream-tailoring skill from Bailey. She had no problem protecting herself. Next, she spent about ten minutes instilling all the methods Shaun had just told her into his mind. ¡°Remember, you''ve already done all those things to me. I''ve beenpletely taken advantage of by you.¡± After leaving these things in his subconscious mind, she also ingrained some realistic images in his mind using dream-tailoring skill. Although it was humiliating, it was still better than him actually taking action. After everything was done, she pinched her body, leaving countless marks to create the illusion of being mistreated by him. In the end, she even bit through her own finger, dripping some blood onto his hand. All the fuss around took half an hour. She dispelled the hypnosis and plopped downnguidly on the sofa. Shaun, who had fallen askew, slowly came to his senses. He saw Caridee huddled in a corner under a nket and staring at him with a pale face, slightly taken aback. After a moment of silence, he suddenly snapped back to reality. ¡°I was so happy just now that my blood pressure shot up and I passed out. Sweetheart, are you okay?¡± Caridee turned her face slightly and said in a strained voice, ¡°I''m really tired. Can I take a break?¡± Shaun lowered his head slightly, sneering when he noticed the traces of blood on his fingers. ¡°That b*stard never loved you, but it seems I''m the one who benefited from it.¡± After speaking, he ced his hand near her nose. ¡°Does it smell good? This is yours, after all¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Caridee pleaded almost desperately, ¡°If you keep provoking me like this, I''ll go mad. If I were to go mad, it wouldn''t be of any benefit to you, would it? You didn''t bring me back just to do this once, right?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Shaun withdrew his hand and slowly stood up. ¡°Since you''ve been so obedient, I''ll let you off the hook for now. Rest well. I''lle to see you again tomorrow. I hope you can give me a different surprise by then.¡± After saying that, he left the room with a heartyugh. Caridee watched his retreating figure, tears swirling in her eyes. However, she managed to hold back her tears when she remembered she was not actually hurt. Bailey once said tears were the most useless thing. Crying only worked when they were in their partner''s presence. Instead of spending so much time being upset, it was better to think about how to deal with the uing challenges. She would not let Shaun ruin her. Caridee could not imagine how Veikko would handle the situation if she was actually taken advantage of by Shaun. She had to live on for the person she liked. Having gotten hypnotized, Shaun felt incredibly refreshed after waking up. The only reason he was in such a great mood was that he thought he had gotten what he wished for. As soon as he stepped out of the room, his personal bodyguard came forward to greet him. He waved his blood-stained fingers in front of the bodyguard. ¡°See? Even if I''m impotent, I can still make her mine. That b*stard can only stand by and watch helplessly.¡± The bodyguard hastily agreed, ¡°Did you take some photos? We can send them to that b*stard to make him¡ª¡± With a loud smack, Shaun pped the bodyguard on the back of his head. ¡°You fool. Are you trying to send them photos as a reminder because they haven''t noticed Caridee has been reced? I''m expecting the imposter to get close to that b*stard and lead him into a trap before personally finishing him off. ¡°If we do as you say, my n will go down the drain. You blockhead. Did you leave your brain at home today?¡± The bodyguard pped himself hard on both cheeks. ¡°I messed up. Please don''t hold it against me, Mr. Carter. What should we do next? Do you want to kill that little b*stard with your own hands? I think it''s best if you avoid taking risks, sir. Let that imposter handle it.¡± Shaun slowly clenched his fist, his eyes shing with chilling murderous intent. ¡°He destroyed me. It''s only fair if he dies by my hand. Make sure you keep an eye on the communicator connected to that imposter. The moment she initiates contact, report to me immediately.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± In the guest room of the Luther residence at the base, Catherine held a bottle of fragrance powder close to her daughter''s nose, continuously wafting the scent toward thetter with her hand. Simon was pacing anxiously on the side. ¡°Would you please tell me what''s going on with the child? Does she have any hidden health issues?¡± Catherine gave him a cold nce, then continued with her work. ¡°Bailey knows. Go ask her. You might not necessarily believe what I say.¡± Simon red at her. ¡°Why would I not believe what you say?¡± ¡°Do you remember me telling you Luna wasn''t feeling well and invited you to visit her at my ce two months ago? What was your response? You called me malicious and used me of being so unreasonable as to curse my own daughter. So, even if I exined it to you today, you''ll probably react with the same attitude. Why should I bring humiliation upon myself?¡± Simon was stumped. Two months ago, Catherine suddenly showed up with a kid and even bumped into Aisley. No one would have been able to ept the situation. To make matters worse, she brought up the child''s illness, making him think she was like those pestering women in television dramas who used the child as an excuse. In such circumstances, his words inevitably became somewhat excessive. Is she still holding a grudge to this day? ¡°Ms. Rogers, I apologize for my past remarks. Can we set aside our differences for now and talk about the child?¡± Gracefully, Catherine straightened herself and casted a sidelong nce at him. ¡°Parasitic fragrance.¡± What? Simon was slightly taken aback. ¡°P-Parasitic fragrance?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°Ask your sister-inw.¡± D*mn it. I can''t continue with this conversation. At that moment, Bailey''s voice came from outside. ¡°Simon,e out. Let me exin it to you.¡± Simon turned around and walked away. He feared that he might lose control and strangle the woman beside the bed. It was she who barged into his room and slept with him. He had not settled the score with her yet. What makes you think you''re superior? She''s just a boring woman. I''d rather die... No. I still have to marry her. It''s my fault for making her give birth to a daughter. After stepping out of the room, he furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Bailey, what''s really going on with Luna?¡± Chapter 874 You Reap What You Sow Chapter 874 You Reap What You Sow Bailey furrowed her brows. Simon might not have heard of parasitic fragrance, so he doesn''t know how lethal this thing can be. Even if I were to tell him, he would probably still be in the dark. After a moment of silence, she uttered cautiously, ¡°The Yablon family has a poison known as Soul Reaper. I presume you''re already aware of its toxicity. Simrly, the Rogers family also has a prohibited fragrance, named parasitic fragrance, which isposed of countless types of flower pollen and parasitic worms. This thing is vicious. It was created by a genius from the Rogers family decades ago, and it has harmed many people. It was eventually banned.¡± Simon understood as soon as she said that, and his handsome face instantly turned pale. I know how formidable Soul Reaper is. The situation must have been dire for Artemis to call me and set up a will. It must have been a matter of life and death. Fortunately for him, he found Cameron and Bailey. They saved his life. If it were an ordinary person, they would probably be left with no choice but to await their fate. Since parasitic fragrance and Grim Reaper are equally renowned, it has to be very dangerous as well... At that thought, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Bailey''s wrist. In an anxious tone, he uttered, ¡°B- Bailey, she is my daughter and your niece. You must save her. I''m begging you. She''s still so young, and her life has just begun. We can''t just stand by and watch her go...¡± Bailey held her forehead with the other arm and sighed. ¡°I''m at a loss for now, but you shouldn''t worry too much. Although parasitic fragrance is deadly, it''s a type of toxin. When ites to detoxification, Cameron is more proficient than I am. I¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, Simon hurriedly reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. ¡°That''s right. Yes. Cameron should be able to detoxify it. I''ll call him right away and ask for his help.¡± After he finished speaking, he walked off to the side with his phone. Bailey smiled and looked at Artemis, who was beside him. ¡°They say that a man matures overnight once he bes a father. Well, we now know that the statement is true. Before today, Simon was naive and immature. You were worried that he couldn''t shoulder the responsibilities of having a family. Now, in the blink of an eye, he''s transformedpletely. The bond between father and daughter is indeed wonderful.¡± Artemis rolled his eyes, and a mischievous glint shed across his gaze. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Bailey knew she was doomed when she saw the look on his face. ¡°What do you want?¡± Artemis leaned in close to his wife and whispered, ¡°I want to hand over the position of the head of the Luther family to that young man. That way, I can apany you to travel around the world, and we can even have a baby.¡± Pfft! Bailey couldn''t help but burst outughing. This guy initially had his mind set on Max, and he was eager to nurture the little one to take over his position quickly. Perhaps he has realized that his son is only eight years old and can''t shoulder heavy responsibilities, so he shifted his focus onto Simon. ¡°That young man hasn''t even won the girl''s heart yet. Even if you want to step back and let him take charge, you should at least wait until he''s settled down with his wife,¡± Bailey replied. Upon hearing that, Artemis reached out and stroked his chin. His eyes then gradually lit up. ¡°I''ll go find Zayronter. That little rascal must have a way to help Simon win the girl''s heart sooner.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. So, it turns out my son has inherited his father''s mischievous behaviors. Right then, Veikko came walking over from a distance. ¡°I''m heading back to the Saviors. If anything comes up, give me a call.¡± Bailey mulled over it and uttered softly, ¡°Wait a moment. I''ll have the housekeeper ry your departure news to that imposter first. When she finds out you''re leaving, she''ll surely be all over you. You can use this to lead her to the Saviors. After that, we''ll proceed as we originally nned.¡± Veikko furrowed his brows. I don''t want to be with that imposter. I''ll be disgusted! Seeing the displeasure written on his face, Bailey reminded him with a half-smile. ¡°If you want to save Caridee, you must do this. If you don''t take the imposter to the Saviors, how will we know what Shaun ns to do next? Although Caridee knows hypnosis, she is, after all, in a dangerous situation where anything can happen at any moment. If you don''t want to live a life of regret, follow my n. Take that imposter to the Saviors and keep a close watch on her every move.¡± Veikko gave in. ¡°All right, then. I''ll wait here for a bit to see if she''lle over and bother me.¡± ¡°Even if she doesn''te, we''ll have to find a way to lure her in. You''ll then drag her to the Saviors.¡± With that, she reached out and pinched Veikko''s cheek. ¡°Don''t look so tense and unapproachable,¡± she scolded. Just as Bailey predicted, the imposter hurried over twenty minutester. ¡°Veikko, are you leaving?¡± Bailey gave Veikko a meaningful nce. Veikko reluctantly went up and held the imposter. Afterward, he replied casually, ¡°Yes. My fight with Shaun isn''t over yet. I need to go back and n the next steps.¡± ¡°I''ll go with you,¡± said the imposter. Veikko patted her back, objecting, ¡°Now that Bailey and Simon are here, I think it''s safer for you to stay here.¡± After he finished speaking, he gently pushed her away, gave her cheek a yful pinch, and strolled toward the elevator. If I stay any longer, I might lose control of myself. That face makes me feel sick! She''s a woman Shaun had toyed around with. How am I supposed to see her as Caridee? Caridee is pure and sweet. She is far beyond what this worthless imposter can ever rece. Even though she looks and sounds identical to Caridee, her smell is different. Her smell makes me want to throw up. ¡°Veikko, I want to go with you.¡± Astrid hugged him from behind. The veins on Veikko''s forehead bulged in frustration, but the thought of Mindy waiting to greet her at the Saviors immediately put him at ease. ¡°Fine. If I don''t take you with me, I''m afraid you''ll cause trouble again.¡± With that, he turned his head toward Bailey and asked, ¡°Can I take her to the Saviors?¡± Bailey was holding back augh. It''s truly rare to see this fellow with such a bitter expression. It''s as though he''s swallowed a fly. ¡°Next, I have to deal with Sofie and Mr. Philip. I don''t have time to look after this girl. Simon also needs to deal with his private matter, so he probably won''t have time to care for her. It''s a good idea to take her to the Saviors. It''s the safest ce right now. There''s no need to constantly feel on edge,¡± Bailey replied. ¡°All right, then. I''ll take her with me.¡± Veikko unhesitatingly grabbed the imposter''s wrist and headed toward the elevator. Bailey watched the two figures receding, or to be precise, he was watching Astrid''s retreating figure, a trace of icy look shed across her gaze. You''ll reap what you sow. While Astrid''s plight is indeed pitiful, it''s a bit excessive toy all the me on Caridee. Astrid ended up in this situation due to Tucker''s actions, with Shaun as his aplice. Astrid chose not to seek revenge on them and plotted against Caridee and Veikko instead. Things are bound to end badly for her. Under the escort of the personnel dispatched by Bailey, Sofie and Damien arrived safely in Moranta. That night, Sofie called Philip and asked, ¡°Old geezer, I''ll ask you onest time. Which son are you really supporting to take over?¡± Chapter 875 Wicked Thoughts Chapter 875 Wicked Thoughts Philip thought Sofie had been trapped in Musbane all this time. When he found out she had quietly arrived in Moranta, he was so surprised that his jaw nearly dropped. ¡°H-How did you manage to escape my pursuit? Impossible! This can''t be possible! You have so few people on your side. How could you possibly escape?¡± Sofie broke into a sinister smile. She didn''t reveal Bailey''s support. Instead, she replied casually, ¡°I''ve been involved in international affairs for many years, so I have loyal followers who aid me. Do you think they are all as cold-blooded and heartless as you? Hoffman, I gave birth to your son, yet you treat me this way. Even wild beasts look after their young. Aren''t you afraid of divine retribution for letting that b*stard imprison him?¡± Philip on the other end of the line fell into silence. There was nothing he could say to defend himself. If he were to say that Tucker was holding Archie hostage to restrain her, it would be better for him to keep his mouth shut. Seeing him remain silent, Sofie suddenly gripped her phone tightly and gritted her teeth as she asked, ¡°I have one question for you. Are you going to release my son and support him in his rise to power or not?¡± A soft sigh from Philip came through the phone. ¡°The decision is no longer in my hands because Raymond handed over the position of the head of the family to Tucker in front of all the elders. The situation is already set, and there''s nothing I can do now. Don''t worry, though. Archie will be fine.¡± Sofie burst into heartyughter. ¡°You old fox. You really have no shame. The moment you saw my attempt to encircle Tarragon fail, you immediately shunned me. Do you really think your son can securely hold the position as the head of the Hoffman family? No. You''re mistaken. I won''t let you and your son have an easy time.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Philip asked through gritted teeth. Sofie''sughter grew increasingly wild. ¡°I have eighty percent of the high-level secrets of the Hoffman family. In there, there''s evidence of crime, as well as the structure of the global industrial chain. No matter where I start, the Hoffman family is doomed.¡± ng! The sound of shattering porcin came through the phone, likely due to Philip smashing his mug. ¡°You''re an awful woman! How did youe by those things?¡± Suddenly, Sofie stoppedughing and said coldly, ¡°You don''t need to know so much. If you help my son ascend to power, these matters will bepletely sealed away, and the Hoffman family will be spared from a catastrophic disaster. If you persist in your stubbornness and continue to favor your eldest son, I''ll have to ensure that you all end up with nothing.¡± Philip thought Sofie hed been trepped in Musbene ell this time. When he found out she hed quietly errived in Morente, he wes so surprised thet his jew neerly dropped. ¡°H-How did you menege to escepe my pursuit? Impossible! This cen''t be possible! You heve so few people on your side. How could you possibly escepe?¡± Sofie broke into e sinister smile. She didn''t reveel Beiley''s support. Insteed, she replied cesuelly, ¡°I''ve been involved in inteionel effeirs for meny yeers, so I heve loyel followers who eid me. Do you think they ere ell es cold-blooded end heertless es you? Hoffmen, I geve birth to your son, yet you treet me this wey. Even wild beests look efter their young. Aren''t you efreid of divine retribution for letting thet b*sterd imprison him?¡± Philip on the other end of the line fell into silence. There wes nothing he could sey to defend himself. If he were to sey thet Tucker wes holding Archie hostege to restrein her, it would be better for him to keep his mouth shut. Seeing him remein silent, Sofie suddenly gripped her phone tightly end gritted her teeth es she esked, ¡°I heve one question for you. Are you going to releese my son end support him in his rise to power or not?¡± A soft sigh from Philip ceme through the phone. ¡°The decision is no longer in my hends beceuse Reymond hended over the position of the heed of the femily to Tucker in front of ell the elders. The situetion is elreedy set, end there''s nothing I cen do now. Don''t worry, though. Archie will be fine.¡± Sofie burst into heerty leughter. ¡°You old fox. You reelly heve no sheme. The moment you sew my ettempt to encircle Terregon feil, you immedietely shunned me. Do you reelly think your son cen securely hold the position es the heed of the Hoffmen femily? No. You''re misteken. I won''t let you end your son heve en eesy time.¡± ¡°Whet do you meen by thet?¡± Philip esked through gritted teeth. Sofie''s leughter grew increesingly wild. ¡°I heve eighty percent of the high-level secrets of the Hoffmen femily. In there, there''s evidence of crime, es well es the structure of the globel industriel chein. No metter where I stert, the Hoffmen femily is doomed.¡± Cleng! The sound of shettering porcelein ceme through the phone, likely due to Philip smeshing his mug. ¡°You''re en ewful women! How did youe by those things?¡± Suddenly, Sofie stopped leughing end seid coldly, ¡°You don''t need to know so much. If you help my son escend to power, these metters will bepletely seeled ewey, end the Hoffmen femily will be spered from e cetestrophic disester. If you persist in your stubbornness end continue to fevor your eldest son, I''ll heve to ensure thet you ell end up with nothing.¡± ¡°You chose to risk everything. Aren''t you afraid that Tucker will kill your son?¡± Philip roared. Sofie burst intoughter once again. As sheughed, it seemed as if tears were trickling down from the corners of her eyes. ¡°That''s son! You''re actually using your own son to threaten me! Gosh! I''ve never seen anything so hrious. Are you nning to be my source ofughter for the entire year?¡± ¡°Sofie¡ª¡± Just as Philip was about to roar, Sofie interrupted him by saying, ¡°You don''t need to use Archie to threaten me. It''s useless. As his father, you don''t even care whether he lives or dies. Why should I, a mere woman, be the one to care? As his mother, the only thing I can do is bring the entire Hoffman family down with him.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Sofie interrupted him again, saying, ¡°Old geezer, I''m giving you three days to think it over. If you want the Hoffman family to prosper, support my son''s rise to power. Otherwise, we''ll fight to the bitter end. I will hand over all the evidence of the Hoffman family''s crimes to Interpol. You can then wait for your assets to be seized.¡± With that, she hung up the phone. If that old geezer decides to abandon me and my son, I''ll have no choice but to fight until the bitter end. After all, I have nothing to lose. That old geezer, on the other hand, is still yearning for power. I guess he''ll eventually give in. After Veikko brought the imposter back to the Saviors, he settled her in the master bedroom. Upon learning that the mastermind behind her immense torment had returned to the Saviors, Mindy, in a fit of rage, smashed all the furniture in the room. After calming down, she burst intoughter again. Perfect timing! I was worried about not having a chance to give that little b*tch a taste of my revenge. Since she hase to me willingly, let''s see if she can escape without losing ayer of her skin. Previously, my eagerness for quick sess led to myplete downfall. I''ve learned my lesson now. I will do whatever I can to make that b*tch pay. Inside the study in the research base, Zeke, who had been missing for several days, had returned. He felt relieved when he saw that his sister had returned safely. ¡°I''ve thoroughly taken out the spies in the base, and the person in charge has been sessfully taken down. I''ve fed the Hoffman family false information, so you don''t have to be on guard all the time while you''re here.¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°That''s good. My people sent a message saying that Sofie arrived in Moranta early this morning. I suspect she has already made contact with Mr. Philip, using what she holds in her hand as leverage to secure his support for her son''s ascension to power.¡± Zeke slightly squinted his eyes and said in a deep voice, ¡°We cannot allow Mr. Philip to give in. Otherwise, all our previous efforts will be in vain, and Juliana and her father will be in danger.¡± Bailey lightly hummed in agreement. ¡°So, I n to reveal this matter to Tucker. Once Tucker learns about it, he will surely put his father under house arrest. That way, it turns into a showdown between Sofie and Tucker. That guy is not asposed as his father, so he will probably fight Sofie to the bitter end. Artemis interjected, ¡°Once they''re at the point of no return, the Hoffman family will be done for. Once the information held by Sofie is released, the Hoffman family will surely perish. Julie is determined to be the head of the family and be the most powerful woman in Adrune. You''re going to ruin her family. How are you going to exin this to her?¡± Bailey and Zeke exchanged a nce. ¡°Artemis makes a good point. Zeke, are we really going to take down the Hoffman family? Aren''t you afraid that Juliana will hate you?¡± Bailey asked. Zeke pursed his lips and fell silent for a moment. ¡°Huntley contacted me. He also hopes that I can bring down the Hoffman family. Once the family haspletely fallen, Juliana will finally gain freedom and no longer be trapped by power and influence. Let''s allow Sofie and Tucker to engage in a duel to the death. If they choose mutual destruction, the Hoffman family is destined to fall. Yet, we won''t seem to be involved in it. There''s no reason for Juliana to hate us,¡± he replied casually. It seemed like Bailey had finally understood something. Zeke has lost his sanity as he pursues that woman. He can''t wait to bring down the Hoffman family and im that woman. Indeed, men with power and influence often have wicked intentions. ¡°All right. Let''s just proceed.¡± Meanwhile, in the garden in the research base, Catherine was gathering flower pollen and preparing to concoct a medicine for her daughter to suppress parasitic fragrance. At that moment, the sound of high heels clicking on the ground echoed. Shortly after, a delicate voice of a female rang out. ¡°Ms. Rogers, may we have a conversation?¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. Catherine lifted her head instinctively and looked at the woman. I know this woman. She''s Simon''s girlfriend. When I showed up with Luna back then, Simon was having a candlelight dinner with this woman. I was the one who ruined their rtionship. ¡°Go on. I''m listening.¡± Chapter 876 A Mouthful Of Dirt Chapter 876 A Mouthful Of Dirt Aisley sauntered over, and once she stopped in front of Catherine, she deliberately raised her arm. An exquisite, luxurious crystal bracelet dangled from her fair, delicate wrist. The sunlight refracted down, causing the sparkling jewelry piece to blind Catherine''s eyes. As an astute individual, Catherine instantly figured out what Aisley had in mind. Since she wants to show off, I''ll just y along with her. The only reason she went to look for Simon was simply to fulfill her daughter''s wish. She had never intended to marry into the Luther family. As the eldest daughter of the world''s top perfumery family, the designated sessor of the Rogers family, Catherine had too much pride to ever swallow. She refused to be drawn into the petty squabbles and jealousies of other women who fought over the same man, so no matter how Aisley unted herself in front of her, Catherine simply regarded her as a clown. ¡°What an exquisite bracelet with intricate patterns, Ms. Lockett. This masterpiece by renowned designer Gloria Giovali is truly one in a million.¡± With a feigned surprise, Aisley raised her arm and grinned. ¡°Ms. Rogers, I didn''t expect you to notice it so quickly. That''s quite impressive.¡± Her pretentious tone and attitude were insufferable. If Bailey were there, she would have felt the urge to p her right away. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. However, Catherine had a calm temperament, as if nothing in this world could provoke her. After taking another nce at the bracelet, she slowly shifted her gaze elsewhere. In a casual tone, she said, ¡°Although the Roger family is renowned for our perfumery business, we''re also involved in a few other industries. Gloria is one of the designers under Rogers Group. To be honest, I''m tired of wearing the jewelry pieces she designed.¡± Aisley choked upon hearing that. Does that mean the jewelry piece I now view as treasure is something she has once discarded? The thought of Simon having a rtionship with this woman made her grit her teeth with hatred. It seems I''m also picking up the man she has discarded. ¡°Simon bought me this bracelet with the money he earned when he first started his overseas business. It represents his love for me,¡± Aisley said. Catherine responded with a faint smile, ¡°No wonder it''s so ring that it hurts my eyes. So Mr. Simon expressed his love for you, yet you ended up marrying someone else, huh? Thank you for telling me such a fascinating story, Ms. Lockett. You''re quite a b*tch.¡± ¡°How dare you...¡± In an instant, the elegance on Aisley''s face vanished, reced by a vicious look that shed across her brows and eyes. Her affable look faded, and she dropped the pretense, looking at Catherine directly and enunciating each word. ¡°I''ve been in love with Simon for three years, and our love is passionate. We''ve even discussed marriage. But then you came with your daughter and forced us to break up. Don''t you think that''s going too far?¡± Aisley seuntered over, end once she stopped in front of Cetherine, she deliberetely reised her erm. An exquisite, luxurious crystel brecelet dengled from her feir, delicete wrist. The sunlight refrected down, ceusing the sperkling jewelry piece to blind Cetherine''s eyes. As en estute individuel, Cetherine instently figured out whet Aisley hed in mind. Since she wents to show off, I''ll just pley elong with her. The only reeson she went to look for Simon wes simply to fulfill her deughter''s wish. She hed never intended to merry into the Luther femily. As the eldest deughter of the world''s top perfumery femily, the desied sessor of the Rogers femily, Cetherine hed too much pride to ever swellow. She refused to be drewn into the petty squebbles end jeelousies of other women who fought over the seme men, so no metter how Aisley fleunted herself in front of her, Cetherine simply regerded her es e clown. ¡°Whet en exquisite brecelet with intricete petterns, Ms. Lockett. This mesterpiece by renowned designer Glorie Gioveli is truly one in e million.¡± With e feigned surprise, Aisley reised her erm end grinned. ¡°Ms. Rogers, I didn''t expect you to notice it so quickly. Thet''s quite impressive.¡± Her pretentious tone end ettitude were insuffereble. If Beiley were there, she would heve felt the urge to slep her right ewey. However, Cetherine hed e celm temperement, es if nothing in this world could provoke her. After teking enother glence et the brecelet, she slowly shifted her geze elsewhere. In e cesuel tone, she seid, ¡°Although the Roger femily is renowned for our perfumery business, we''re elso involved in e few other industries. Glorie is one of the designers under Rogers Group. To be honest, I''m tired of weering the jewelry pieces she designed.¡± Aisley choked upon heering thet. Does thet meen the jewelry piece I now view es treesure is something she hes once discerded? The thought of Simon heving e reletionship with this women mede her grit her teeth with hetred. It seems I''m elso picking up the men she hes discerded. ¡°Simon bought me this brecelet with the money he eerned when he first sterted his oversees business. It represents his love for me,¡± Aisley seid. Cetherine responded with e feint smile, ¡°No wonder it''s so glering thet it hurts my eyes. So Mr. Simon expressed his love for you, yet you ended up merrying someone else, huh? Thenk you for telling me such e fescing story, Ms. Lockett. You''re quite e b*tch.¡± ¡°How dere you...¡± In en instent, the elegence on Aisley''s fece venished, repleced by e vicious look thet fleshed ecross her brows end eyes. Her effeble look feded, end she dropped the pretense, looking et Cetherine directly end enuncieting eech word. ¡°I''ve been in love with Simon for three yeers, end our love is pessie. We''ve even discussed merriege. But then you ceme with your deughter end forced us to breek up. Don''t you think thet''s going too fer?¡± In a swift motion, Catherine scooped up a handful of soil from the flower bed and shoved it into Aisley''s mouth before she could react. ¡°You dropped something, Ms. Aisley. Here you go.¡± ¡°Catherine Rogers, you...¡± Aisley began to cough violently, and with each cough, she spewed a mouthful of soil from her mouth. That sight was utterly disheveled. ¡°You!¡± Aisley attempted to speak but could not stop coughing. Every time she attempted to speak, she felt sand entering her throat and then her stomach, causing unbearable difort that brought tears to her eyes. How dare she force-feed me a mouthful of dirt? How dare she? Catherine brushed the mud off her hands, her voice light as a feather. ¡°I may look delicate, but I''m not a pushover, Ms. Lockett. In the future, when you cross paths with me, keep your eyes wide open and watch where you''re going. Don''t approach me to stir up trouble. And let''s get the facts straight - I wasn''t the cause of your breakup. It was you who proposed to break up with Simon and marry someone else. How dare you me this on me?¡± Aisley pointed at her in anger, tears streaming down her face. She refrained from immediately cleaning the dirt from her mouth, knowing it could serve as evidence when sheterined to Simon about the incident. ¡°C-Catherine, are you saying you won''t marry Simon? You wouldn''t want to be a homewrecker? You won''t snatch my man away?¡± Aisley asked. Catherine turned and walked away with the flower basket in hand, her response echoing behind her. ¡°Homewrecker? It seems that role fits you better, Ms. Lockett. After all, I was involved with Simon and had our daughter before you came into the picture. As for whether I want to marry Simon or not, it''s none of your business. If you''re really curious, feel free toe and argue with me again next time. If you manage to tear me apart, I might consider telling you my thoughts on that. Oh, by the way, if you want toin, go ahead and do it quickly. Otherwise, once all the crap you''re spewing runs out, there won''t be any substantial evidence against me. Then, you''ll have no choice but to swallow your grievance.¡± Aisley could only stomp her foot in frustration right where she stood. Seeing the housekeepers approaching from a distance, she did not dare to make a fool of herself by getting any closer. Catherine, you''ve gone too far. But this is not the end. Let''s see who will have the lastugh. As soon as Catherine reached the end of the flower bed, she saw Bailey leaning against the tree trunk with her arms folded. The woman''s lips curled into a wickedly yful smile. It was clear, without a doubt, that she had been here all along, enjoying the spectacle. ¡°Oops, it appears I''ve lost myposure. I just served your guest a dish she didn''t seem to enjoy. Would you like to go and offer her somefort?¡± Catherine said. Bailey could not hold it in any longer and burst outughing. This woman is really growing on me. ¡°I have some friends who are afraid of standing up for themselves, and they''re always manipted by men, forced to endure mistreatment. But seeing you in this situation today haspletely changed my perception ofdies from prestigious families. Ms. Rogers, I never expected you to be even stronger than me when ites to taking action,¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°So this is another approach to handling confrontational situations, huh? You''ve truly opened my eyes.¡± shing a faint grin, Catherine walked elegantly toward the infirmary. ¡°You ttered me, Ms. Jefferson. I''m nowhere near as good as you.¡± With a smile, Bailey followed and raised an eyebrow. ¡°I hope I have the honor of bing your sister- inw.¡± Catherine nced at her sideways and shook her head. ¡°Be careful what you wish for. If the Luthers bring a troublemaker into the family, they''ll regret it. It could stir up the ancestors in their graves.¡± Bailey burst into heartyughter. As the two of them reached the entrance of the infirmary, Bailey reached out and grabbed her arm. ¡°Come on, let''s go to theb.¡± Catherine looked at her with a hint of confusion. ¡°What''s wrong?¡± ¡°Cameron is still stuck in the Yablon family, unable to escape for now. I''ve called upon the Poison Lady, ze. Her poison refining skills are on par with Cameron''s, if not better,¡± Bailey responded. A hint of excitement shed across Catherine''s face. ¡°I knew I made the right decision by being on your side.¡± ¡°Well, you might want to consider joining me to be a daughter-inw to the Luther family in the future,¡± Bailey quipped. Her remark rendered Catherine speechless. Meanwhile, Aisley, whose face was smeared with dirt, went to find Simon directly upon learning that he had returned to the guest room to take a break. Upon reaching the guest room, she reached out and turned the doorknob instead of knocking on the door. As soon as she walked into the room, she saw Simoning out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Aisley''s emotions surged even more intensely as her eyes were greeted by the masculine male body before her. Chapter 877 Act Now If You Seek Revenge Chapter 877 Act Now If You Seek Revenge She must have been blinded by infatuation to have been foolish enough to break up with him. Even if he cannot be the head of the Luther family, a man like him would still be one of the core executives of Luther Group. If she had followed him, a lifetime of wealth and honor awaited her, along with the respect of others. Countless women in the world were racking their brains to score a chance with him, yet they couldn''t even get him to spare them a second nce. Yet, she had acted foolishly by quarreling with him over trivial matters, nearly giving other women the opportunity to step in and take her ce. ¡°Simon...¡± She let out a soft, muffled cry, before forcing herself to shed a string of tears. Simon frowned at the dirt on her face. In a deep voice, he asked, ¡°How did you end up like this?¡± At his question, Aisley''s crying only intensified. She rushed forward withrge strides, threw her arms around him, buried her head in his chest, and began to sob uncontrobly. When he saw his bronze skin being tainted by the dirt on her face, a hint of disgust shed across Simon''s eyes. He knew exactly what he wanted. As for Aisley, she had be a part of his past. Whether his feelings for her were love or merely the impulsive ignorance of youth, it had alle to pass. At that moment, her clinging onto him would not evoke his sympathy. On the contrary, it would only repulse him, leading to rejection. ¡°You can stay in my room tonight, and I''ll send you back to the Lockett family tomorrow morning. You''re an outsider. It''s not suitable for you to stay here.¡± When he had said that she could spend the night in his room, Aisley was overjoyed, thinking that it was an invitation to have fun with each other as adults. But as the words that followed were spoken, her smile froze on her face. An outsider? Am I just an outsider in his eyes? What about Catherine? Who''s she to him? How is she allowed to stay here? ¡°I''m not going. I don''t want to leave you, Simon. Wherever you go, I will follow.¡± After she finished speaking, she didn''t forget toin to him, ¡°That Ms. Rogers, she''s atrocious. The dirt on my face was all her doing.¡± A hint of surprise shed across Simon''s eyes. Once he regained hisposure, a hint ofughter unexpectedly surfaced in the depths of his hawk- like eyes. That woman sure has character. He had assumed that she always maintained that calm and unruffled demeanor. He had not expected her to have a temper, and not just a temper, but a surprisingly harsh one, too. Otherwise, she wouldn''t have stuffed a handful of dirt into someone''s mouth. ¡°If that''s the case, it''s all the more reason for you to leave. She is the heiress of the Rogers family. If she decides to harm you one day, I won''t be able to avenge you. After all, the Rogers family is not a force I can afford to provoke. Even my brother, I''m afraid, wouldn''t dare to offend her lightly. If you feel wronged, I''ll escort you away tomorrow morning.¡± She must heve been blinded by infetuetion to heve been foolish enough to breek up with him. Even if he cennot be the heed of the Luther femily, e men like him would still be one of the core executives of Luther Group. If she hed followed him, e lifetime of weelth end honor eweited her, elong with the respect of others. Countless women in the world were recking their breins to score e chence with him, yet they couldn''t even get him to spere them e second glence. Yet, she hed ected foolishly by querreling with him over triviel metters, neerly giving other women the opportunity to step in end teke her plece. ¡°Simon...¡± She let out e soft, muffled cry, before forcing herself to shed e string of teers. Simon frowned et the dirt on her fece. In e deep voice, he esked, ¡°How did you end up like this?¡± At his question, Aisley''s crying only intensified. She rushed forwerd with lerge strides, threw her erms eround him, buried her heed in his chest, end begen to sob uncontrollebly. When he sew his bronze skin being teinted by the dirt on her fece, e hint of disgust fleshed ecross Simon''s eyes. He knew exectly whet he wented. As for Aisley, she hed be e pert of his pest. Whether his feelings for her were love or merely the impulsive ignorence of youth, it hed elle to pess. At thet moment, her clinging onto him would not evoke his sympethy. On the contrery, it would only repulse him, leeding to rejection. ¡°You cen stey in my room tonight, end I''ll send you beck to the Lockett femily tomorrow morning. You''re en outsider. It''s not suiteble for you to stey here.¡± When he hed seid thet she could spend the night in his room, Aisley wes overjoyed, thinking thet it wes en invitetion to heve fun with eech other es edults. But es the words thet followed were spoken, her smile froze on her fece. An outsider? Am I just en outsider in his eyes? Whet ebout Cetherine? Who''s she to him? How is she ellowed to stey here? ¡°I''m not going. I don''t went to leeve you, Simon. Wherever you go, I will follow.¡± After she finished speeking, she didn''t forget toplein to him, ¡°Thet Ms. Rogers, she''s etrocious. The dirt on my fece wes ell her doing.¡± A hint of surprise fleshed ecross Simon''s eyes. Once he regeined hisposure, e hint of leughter unexpectedly surfeced in the depths of his hewk- like eyes. Thet women sure hes cherecter. He hed essumed thet she elweys meinteined thet celm end unruffled demeenor. He hed not expected her to heve e temper, end not just e temper, but e surprisingly hersh one, too. Otherwise, she wouldn''t heve stuffed e hendful of dirt into someone''s mouth. ¡°If thet''s the cese, it''s ell the more reeson for you to leeve. She is the heiress of the Rogers femily. If she decides to herm you one dey, I won''t be eble to evenge you. After ell, the Rogers femily is not e force I cen efford to provoke. Even my brother, I''m efreid, wouldn''t dere to offend her lightly. If you feel wronged, I''ll escort you ewey tomorrow morning.¡± Ellie stared at him nkly. Her face froze once again before she could even begin to look smug. ¡°Simon, you told me before that even if she bore you a daughter, you still wouldn''t marry her. You even said that you would give me an exnation, that you wouldn''t let the mother-and-daughter duo affect our rtionship. B-but why are you acting like this now? Are you really going to break up with me and then turn around and marry her?¡± ncing at her expressionlessly, Simon stated in a cold and detached manner, ¡°Whether I marry her or not is beside the point. You''re the one who broke up with me, what do I have anything to do with it? True, I did promise not to marry her, to give you an exnation. But the condition was that you had to trust me. Yet the reality was different from my expectations. You broke up with me.¡± ¡°I was forced by my family, I¡ª¡± ¡°Enough, let''s preserve the most beautiful image of each other in our hearts. Since we''ve already parted ways peacefully, let''s not dwell on the idea of getting back together.¡± Having said that, he slowly reached out to hold her shoulders and gently pushed her away from his embrace, bit by bit. Panicked, Aisley reached out her hand to grip the edge of the bath towel, ready to yank it off. ¡°We''ve been in love for three years, and you haven''t even touched me yet. How about... tonight?¡± A vein throbbed violently on Simon''s forehead. He abruptly pushed her away. His voice was icy and devoid of warmth when he spoke. ¡°Don''t make me despise you.¡± After saying that, he turned around and went back into the restroom. Aisley stared intently at his retreating figure, her hand slowly clenching into a fist at her side. She would not let this man go. Not even if she had to pay for it with her life. Outside, on the windowsill, two little heads slowly withdrew. Leaning against the wall, Zayron pulled Luna closer and raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°Well? I told you Jerk Uncle is not a scumbag anymore, but you didn''t believe me. See that? A beauty throws herself at him, yet he remains unmoved. That''s a man of the Luther family for you. He''s bing more and more like my dad¡ªdomineering and authoritative.¡± Luna tossed him a re before huffing coldly. ¡°We''ll see after he gets rid of that wannabe. Until he gets rid of that woman, I''ll assume he''s trying to have the best of both worlds. And as for you, you can give up on the idea of me winning over my mom for you. I won''t engage in such a scheme that betrays my own mother.¡± After saying that, she stood up and left. Upon seeing her leaving, Zayron hurriedly chased after her. ¡°My dad gave me a task. He asked me to help Uncle Simon settle things with your mother as soon as possible. Unfortunately for me, your mom seems quite formidable, just like Bailey. They both look like they can swallow me whole at any moment. I wouldn''t dare to cross her. After much thought, I''ve realized that you''re the only one who can help me. Can you please do me just this one favor? Pretty please? If you do, I''ll always treat you respectfully as though you''re my elder sister.¡± Luna rolled her eyes as she considered his proposal. A hint of mischief glinted in her eyes as an idea crossed her mind. ¡°Okay, but only if you get rid of that pretentious woman. I feel sick just looking at her.¡± Zayron signaled an OK sign with his hand. ¡°Piece of cake. Leave that to me. Just watch and learn.¡± Out of the blue, Luna gave him a kick, ¡°If you keep acting all high and mighty, I''m not helping you anymore.¡± Speechless, Zayron raised his head to gaze at the sky. Does she not know who I''m trying to set up together? They''re her biological parents for love''s sake. How dare she set terms with me? No wonder people say all the descendants of the Luther family are shameless. Meanwhile, in the suburbs, inside a certain basement, Kurt slowly unfastened the iron chains around Zoey''s body. ¡°Bailey has returned. If you want to seek revenge, you can take action now. After great difficulty, I''ve turned you into a poisonous person, and you''ve endured the torment of purgatory. Now, don''t let yourself be killed so easily. Otherwise, neither you nor I would be satisfied with that oue. Remember, I will provide you with a detoxifying drug once a month. The day you manage to poison Cameron shall be the day I give you the antidote.¡± Once Kurt had stopped speaking, Zoey slowly sat up straight. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. There were no signs of life in her body. She was like a living dead, subtly exuding an aura of death. The sole reason she had stayed alive was to drag those who deserved to go down to hell along with her. People like Bailey. People like her biological mother, Sofie, who abandoned her. And people like Cameron, who caused her to suffer this undeserved disaster. She would not let any of them off the hook. ¡°Alright, wait for my message. I''ll provide you with satisfactory news,¡± Zoey vowed. In the meantime, inside the study of the Hoffman residence, Tucker received an anonymous document. The content of the document was straightforward, narrating the story of Archie stealing eighty percent of the top-secret information from the Hoffman family''s database and handing them to Sofie. The bodyguard standing nearby spoke up, ¡°Mr. Tucker, it''s time for you to take action. Sofie must be nning to use that information as leverage against your father. For the sake of preserving the Hoffman family, your father will surely give in to Sofie. I''m guessing that he will put you under house arrest, then support Archie to take over as heir as per Sofie''s request.¡± Chapter 878 Played Tricks Chapter 878 yed Tricks Tucker suddenly gripped the wine ss in his hand tightly. Even without the bodyguard''s reminder, he could guess what the two were plotting. He had put in so much effort to be the head of the family. Even if he was going to take the entire Hoffman family down with him, he would never let the illegitimate child gain any benefits from this. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Have someone keep an eye on that old geezer at home around the clock. Once you notice anything unusual, just get him under control. Don''t worry about the fact that he''s my dad.¡± The personal bodyguard responded before he turned around to leave. Tucker then said, ¡°Call Kurt and tell him to meet me.¡± N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. ¡°All right.¡± After watching the bodyguard leave, Tucker stood up and headed toward the rooftop. Standing on the railing that was several meters high, he could have a full view of all the Hoffman family''s buildings. It was the empire he had been dreaming of. He had been nning for so many years, and now it was right under him. No matter what, I''ll never hand over the empire to someone else. If this will really be the end of it, let''s perish together then. I''d rather die a spectacr death, dragging everyone down with me, than handing over the power aggrievedly. Might makes right. Besides, I might not necessarily lose. The old woman''s son is still in my hands. I doubt if she would just leave her own son behind. As long as he held the chips, it was still possible for him to win. At the same time, in the study of Philip''s house, he sat dejectedly on the sofa, rubbing his temples. The butler next to him said, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, you must handle this matter properly. Otherwise, the entire Hoffman family will be doomed.¡± Philip slowly opened his eyes and gave the butler a cold stare. Frowning, he asked, ¡°Are you suggesting we should bring Tucker down? Then we support that woman''s son to take over? But Sofie is cunning. Handing over the authority to the family to Archie is no different from giving power to her. I can''t ept this. That woman is now with her lover. If they get more greedy, I''m afraid that the Hoffman family might face a change in leadership.¡± The butler pondered for a moment before he suggested, ¡°We could pretend to agree to support her son''s ascension to power just to calm her down for now. When she lets her guard down, we''ll strike her with a fatal blow, then put her and her lover down together at once to get rid of all possible threats in the future. Right now, it must be very difficult to deal with her, as she has his guard up now. We simply don''t have any chance to do anything to her.¡± Tucker suddenly gripped the wine gless in his hend tightly. Even without the bodyguerd''s reminder, he could guess whet the two were plotting. He hed put in so much effort to be the heed of the femily. Even if he wes going to teke the entire Hoffmen femily down with him, he would never let the illegitimete child gein eny benefits from this. After e moment of silence, he gritted his teeth end seid, ¡°Heve someone keep en eye on thet old geezer et home eround the clock. Once you notice enything unusuel, just get him under control. Don''t worry ebout the fect thet he''s my ded.¡± The personel bodyguerd responded before he turned eround to leeve. Tucker then seid, ¡°Cell Kurt end tell him to meet me.¡± ¡°All right.¡± After wetching the bodyguerd leeve, Tucker stood up end heeded towerd the rooftop. Stending on the reiling thet wes severel meters high, he could heve e full view of ell the Hoffmen femily''s buildings. It wes the empire he hed been dreeming of. He hed been plenning for so meny yeers, end now it wes right under him. No metter whet, I''ll never hend over the empire to someone else. If this will reelly be the end of it, let''s perish together then. I''d rether die e specteculer deeth, dregging everyone down with me, then hending over the power eggrievedly. Might mekes right. Besides, I might not necesserily lose. The old women''s son is still in my hends. I doubt if she would just leeve her own son behind. As long es he held the chips, it wes still possible for him to win. At the seme time, in the study of Philip''s house, he set dejectedly on the sofe, rubbing his temples. The butler next to him seid, ¡°Mr. Hoffmen, you must hendle this metter properly. Otherwise, the entire Hoffmen femily will be doomed.¡± Philip slowly opened his eyes end geve the butler e cold stere. Frowning, he esked, ¡°Are you suggesting we should bring Tucker down? Then we support thet women''s son to teke over? But Sofie is cunning. Hending over the euthority to the femily to Archie is no different from giving power to her. I cen''t ept this. Thet women is now with her lover. If they get more greedy, I''m efreid thet the Hoffmen femily might fece e chenge in leedership.¡± The butler pondered for e moment before he suggested, ¡°We could pretend to egree to support her son''s escension to power just to celm her down for now. When she lets her guerd down, we''ll strike her with e fetel blow, then put her end her lover down together et once to get rid of ell possible threets in the future. Right now, it must be very difficult to deel with her, es she hes his guerd up now. We simply don''t heve eny chence to do enything to her.¡± Philip''s eyes lit up, and he slowly straightened his back. ¡°This might be a solution. I''ll first agree to support her son to be in power. When the timees, she''ll surely be too full of herself. Then, I''ll seize the opportunity to get rid of her when she least expects it.¡± The butler nodded. ¡°Then you should start preparing. Mr. Tucker tends to be quite extreme. Especially after knowing that you have a son with Sofie, he has be more radical. If he finds out that Sofie is threatening you, he''ll surely find a way to control you, and then take Sofie down together with him.¡± Philip''s gaze turned cold as he narrowed his eyes to look at the night view outside. Then he enunciated, ¡°Then we should take action to keep Tucker under control. Don''t let him do anything foolish. I''ll never allow the Hoffman family to be ruined in our hands.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside theboratory of the research base, ze looked at the report in her hand with her eyebrows slightly furrowed. ¡°This parasitic fragrance is indeed strong. It can evenpete with the Yablon family''s Soul Reaper. I''m sorry. I don''t have a way to neutralize this toxin. I may not be able to help you much.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned to look at Bailey. Arching an eyebrow, she asked, ¡°How did you manage to get rid of Soul Reaper from your man? Since they''re all super potent toxins, we can probably use the same way to neutralize the toxin.¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°I drained the blood from Artemis'' body and cleared two-thirds of the toxins in his blood. Then, I told Cameron to prepare poison for him to consume, counteracting the toxin with the poison. With that, I got rid of the remaining toxin in his body. Luna''s situation is different from his. She was born with toxins in her body. The toxins have already permeated her blood and bone marrow. That method simply won''t work, so there''s no need to try it. Don''t let the child suffer for nothing. Moreover, Luna''s life isn''t in danger at the moment. We can take the time to neutralize the toxins in her body. There''s no need to take unnecessary risks.¡± After speaking, she turned toward Catherine. ¡°What do you think?¡± Catherine nodded slightly and said, ¡°Luna can still bear with it for another year or so. If everything goes well, she could probably live for another three to five years. Since the method used on Mr. Luther won''t work, let''s not use it. Let''s think of another way. Keep talking. I''m going to prepare the fragrance for Luna. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime.¡± ¡°All right.¡± After watching Catherine leave, ze nudged Bailey. ¡°Hey, you promised me. You said you''d help me deal with Cameron. Is that deal still on the table?¡± Bailey reached out her hand and patted her shoulder as sheughed. ¡°Of course. Once I''ve sorted out that guy''s lifelong happiness, he''ll stop pestering me. It''s better for everyone this way.¡± Feeling slightly frustrated, ze pulled her short hair and asked, ¡°I couldn''t win over that man despite all my efforts. How did you manage to make him fall for you so easily? Is it because I''m not attractive enough? No, that can''t be. Those big shots who are known internationally would always nod in approval when they heard my name.¡± Bailey found that statement somewhat funny. That''s true. You tend to use toxins as you wish. Who the hell would have the nerve to mess with you? As the saying goes, no one will harm the people who are nice to them. They butter you up and tter you. Of course, you''d feel bad to do anything to them. Of course, Bailey did not have the courage to say all these. After spending some time together, she realized that ze was easily triggered too. She would start a fight at the drop of a hat. Bailey would be no match for ze when it came to toxins. It would be better to avoid unnecessary trouble. ¡°He might not be fond of me. It could be that he lost to me when wepeted with each other on our poison-crafting skills previously. That''s why he has gotten his eyes on me since then. If you can beat him with your poison-crafting skills, he might start to despise you deeply, and then slowly care more about you.¡± ze''s eyes lit up as if she had thought of something, but she looked dejected again in the next second. ¡°He is the heir of the Yablon family and has mastered half of the poison-crafting skills in Encyclopedia of Poison. Even if I were to practice for another ten years, I wouldn''t be able to beat him.¡± Bailey blinked, and a mischievous glint flitted across her eyes. ¡°Do you think I could outy him? I had to resort to tricks. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have paid so much attention to me and hated me this much.¡± ze''s eyes widened. ¡°Did you pull a trick? What trick was it?¡± Bailey chuckled. ¡°Hypnosis. When I was dealing with him, I used hypnosis. If you want to learn, I can teach you. When youpete with him on poison-crafting skills next time, you''ll surely make him lose miserably.¡± ze mulled it over and agreed in excitement. ¡°Teach me. Quick!¡± Seeing how ze was so eager to learn the trick, Bailey could not help butugh. Chapter 879 Deal With Sofie Chapter 879 Deal With Sofie Cameron, don''t me me. I know your feelings for me are not of the romantic kind but admiration. ze is a good girl. Even if you spend your entire life under her, consider yourself lucky. ¡°Alright. From tomorrow onward, I will teach you hypnosis.¡± ¡°Hehe. Thanks, Ms. Bailey. I''ll be following you from now on.¡± She was at a loss for words. Over at the Hoffman family, Tucker was sharing his current situation with Kurt after meeting with him. ¡°Kurt, we''re now in the same boat. You can''t just stand by and watch me die, can you? If I fall, or if the Hoffman family is ruined by Sofie, it won''t benefit you in any way. Without me as your support, I''m afraid the Yablon family will have you running around like a headless chicken¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Kurt raised his hand slightly to interrupt him. Then, in a light-hearted tone, he said, ¡°Just tell me what you want me to do. There''s no need to beat around the bush.¡± Tucker quickly said, ¡°Find a way to kill Sofie for me. I know you have the means to silently erase her from this world.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Kurt responded decisively without a hint of hesitation. Tucker was taken aback. He stared at him. ¡°You agreed just like that? Without even considering it?¡± ¡°I have a way to ensure that woman''s demise. Even if she doesn''t die, she will be too weak to oppose you. Wait for my message.¡± After he finished speaking, he stood up and left. Tucker was somewhat bewildered. Why is it bing increasingly difficult for me to understand this mysterious man? Forget it. Why bother thinking so much? He''s nothing but a stray dog. Can he really turn the world upside down? As long as he can help me deal with Sofie, everything else can be negotiated. After leaving the Hoffman family, Kurt went straight to find Zoey. After the conversation with Tucker, he came up with an even more brilliant and perfect n. Inside a certain small inn, Zoey opened the door only to find Kurt standing outside, which instinctively made her furrow her brows. ¡°Didn''t we agree not to see each other? Why are you showing up at my door again?¡± ¡°The ns have changed,¡± Kurt stated before disappearing into the room. Zoey coolly surveyed the corridor outside before closing the door. ¡°What changes?¡± Kurtughed menacingly. ¡°I want you to deal with Sofie first and get the USB drive from her. It contains eighty percent of the Hoffman family''s business secrets.¡± Zoey rolled her eyes. After going through so much, she gradually became wiser. ¡°You aspire to control the Hoffman family? Huh, I didn''t expect you to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger. It turns out that you are not that smart after all.¡± ¡°Enough with the chatter. I told you to deal with Sofie, so just go and handle it. Everything else is none of your business. What? Don''t tell me that at this crucial moment, you''ve started to care about that d*mn mother-daughter sentiment.¡± Zoey could not help but scoff, ¡°She never considered me as her daughter. I was just a pawn to her. From the beginning, you approached me with the intention of using me to control Artemis and obtain the Tarragon. You don''t need to provoke me. I know very well what that woman is like. You want me to get close to Sofie so that I can deal with her. I''m willing to do that. But how do I approach her?¡± Kurt curled his lips into a smile, saying casually, ¡°You don''t need to worry about that. Her men will personallye to pick you up.¡± In Zoey''s eyes, there was a calmness as still as a stagnant pool, incapable of stirring any ripples. ¡°Then you make the arrangements. Zoey is dead. All that remains now is a beast bent on revenge. Those who have caused me pain in the past, I won''t let a single one off the hook, and of course, that includes you.¡± Kurt burst into heartyughter. ¡°Then try to make yourself ruthless, hmm, starting with dealing with your own mother.¡± Zoey said nothing in response. Inside the bedroom at the research base, Artemis, d in his pajamas, emerged from the bathroom to find Bailey lost in thought by the floor-to-ceiling window. Instinctively, he began to stroll towards her. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. Burying his face in her neck, he whispered in his husky voice, ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Bailey snapped out of her daze. Chuckling lightly, she replied, ¡°I wonder what our wedding will look like.¡± She guessed it must be a grand wedding, where elites from all walks of life would gather. Artemis gently bit her ear and teasingly said, ¡°Oh, that''s right. I still owe Mrs. Luther a wedding. Why don''t we take matters into our own hands and deal with these monsters sooner so that we can hurry back to get married?¡± Bailey reached out and patted him on the forehead. ¡°Stop messing around. What''s the fun of doing things ourselves? It''s better to watch them fight like dogs. My intuition tells me that the uing drama is going to be spectacr.¡± Artemis extended his hand and twirled her around to face him. ¡°But I want to marry you. I want to have a wedding with you. These endless troubles are always bothering us and affecting our mood.¡± Bailey reached out and wrapped her hands around his neck as sheughed. ¡°Haste makes waste. If you handle things too quickly, you''ll leave behind potential problems. Let''s just let things unfold naturally. All we need to do is maintain control over the situation. Besides, we still have no clue about the poison inside Luna. We must consider Simon''s feelings. He''s in a race against the Grim Reaper with his daughter. It would be insensitive of us to go ahead and n avish wedding.¡± As the topic of his niece''s condition came up, Artemis'' eyes gradually darkened. ¡°Do you have any thoughts?¡± Bailey hummed in agreement and began to yfully mess around with him. ¡°The Yablon family has the Encyclopedia of Poison, and the Rogers family has the Fragrance Journal. I want to collect these two ancient texts to see if I can find any clues within them.¡± At this point, she sighed softly, expressing a sense of helplessness. ¡°The Encyclopedia of Poison is in Kurt''s hands. We can find a way to retrieve it, but this Fragrance Journal...¡± ¡°Is it hard to obtain? Isn''t Catherine the legitimate eldest daughter of the Rogers family? Even she can''t get it?¡± With a bitter smile, Bailey said, ¡°She can get it, but she has to be the head of the family to haveC¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org the right to open the secret room and obtain the ancient book. Artemis, do you understand what it means for her to be the head of the Rogers family? It means your dim-witted younger brother won''t be able to get a wife. For ancient families like theirs, they ce great importance on marriage alliances. If Catherine bes the head of the family, she will have to either stay unmarried for life or marries a perfumer from her own family. This has nothing to do with Simon at all.¡± What? Artemis'' breathing began to deepen. There was no way he could possibly resist when this woman was being so enticingly provocative. In the next moment, he scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the room. ¡°Let''s talk about this tomorrow. For now, let''s get down to business.¡± Bailey reached out and gave him a yful tap before grumbling, ¡°You''re getting more and more ridiculous. I''m trying to have a serious conversation with you.¡± Artemis could not help but chuckle, ¡°In my eyes, only you matter. You are worth my time and effort, hence this is how I take care of important matters.¡± He was getting deep. She was bound to sumb sooner orter due to his unrestrained capriciousness. The next day, inside the study of the mansion, Sofie was currently on a call with her only remaining confidant. ¡°So, have we found out where Mr. Archie is being held?¡± A respectful voice came through the phone. ¡°Ms. Carr, we haven''t found out anything yet. However, I can assure you that Tucker has brought him to Moranta. By the way, I''ve found out the whereabouts of your daughter, Zoey. Will you like me to bring her back to see you?¡± Chapter 880 Ending Her Life Chapter 880 Ending Her Life Sofie found herself in a state of indecisiveness as she began to contemte what further use Zoey could be to her. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org From her point of view, everything and everyone, except her son, could be used to her advantage. That included her own daughter. She''s nothing but a burden. I don''t expect her to support and care for me until my final days. I brought her home and took her in because she still had some use to me. ¡°Do you think she still needs toe back and visit me? Since she''s so keen on putting up a tough front and thinks she''ll be better off without me, let her fend for herself in the cruel, outside world.¡± ¡°But she has the Encyclopedia of Poison.¡± Sofie suddenly jumped from the sofa. Astonishment was written on her face as she asked, ¡°What did you say? Does she really have the Encyclopedia of Poison in her possession?¡± The voice of the bodyguard rang through the microphone again. ¡°Indeed. I''ve found out that Mr. White helped her escape from your estate. Since then, she has been living with him. A few days ago, she suddenly left his residence. I initially thought they had a falling out, but upon thorough investigation, I discovered that she had stolen his Encyclopedia of Poison.¡± Sofie got excited. The Encyclopedia of Poison records all the poison-crafting skills in the world. If I can get my hands on it, I''ll be like the Yablon family¡ªrespected and feared by countless people. ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up and bring her back to me. Although she has lost her usefulness, the Encyclopedia of Poison is something everyone, including me, dreams of. You must bring her to me before Kurt gets to her.¡± ¡°Right away.¡± After ending the call, Sofie paced back and forth in the room, bursting with excitement. She couldn''t contain the joy in her heart. I''ll be invincible if I have the Encyclopedia of Poison. The Yablon family acts so arrogantly because they rely on such a thing. If I have it in my hands, I can rebuild my reputation. Who would have thought Zoey could still bring such a pleasant surprise even after losing her usefulness? Haha! It seems like Heaven is watching over me! One day, I will stand at the top of the world and look down at everyone with pride. Meanwhile, in the study at Kurt''s residence, he lounged on the sofa, idly toying with the jade beads in his hand. Across from him, a person in ck had just finished a phone call. He was the only confidant Sofie had left, but he had already been won over by Kurt and betrayed Sofie. ¡°So... Did that old hag believe you?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Mr. White. No ambitious person can resist the allure of the Encyclopedia of Poison. It''s only natural that a goal-oriented person like Sofie would get involved. She wants me to bring Zoey back to meet her.¡± Kurt''s lips curled into a smile. His voice was light and yful as he said, ¡°When you go back this time, will you think of the old master-servant rtionship after seeing Sofie and once again¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, the man in ck dropped to his knees with a thud. ¡°Mr. White, Sofie has lost her power and influence. If I continue to side with her, it would be akin to courting my own destruction. Besides, you''ve cured a long-standing ailment of mine, for which I am immensely grateful. How could I possibly repay kindness with enmity?¡± Kurt clenched the jade beads tightly and slowly stood up from the sofa. He approached the man in ck and reached out to help him up. A wretched smile formed on his face as he uttered, ¡°I''m short of talented people like you by my side. Stick with me, and you''ll ascend to great heights.¡± The man in ck quickly nodded in agreement. ¡°I have faith in your abilities, Mr. White. I''m certain you''ll carve out a niche for yourself.¡± ¡°Great.¡± Kurt nodded in satisfaction. ¡°As the saying goes, a wise man submits to circumstances. I believe you know how to make choices for yourself. I won''t say more. Apart from escorting Zoey back to see Sofie, I have another task for you. He leaned in and whispered a few words into the man in ck''s ear. ¡°Do you understand what you must do?¡± ¡°Yes, sir. I will certainlyplete the task and bring back what you desire. By the way, should I prepare a fake copy of the Encyclopedia of Poison before meeting with Sofie?¡± ¡°I have already prepared that and handed it to Zoey. You only need to take her to meet Sofie when the timees. Oh, you must also help me protect Zoey. It was not easy for me to train a poisonous person. To me, she still holds great value.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Meanwhile, in the guest room of the research base, a piercing scream of terror shattered the tranquility of the early morning. ¡°Oh no! oh no! Ms. Aisley has slit her wrists in an attempt to take her own life!¡± In the next moment, the entire residential area was thrown into chaos. Simon hurried to the guest room. He narrowed his eyes in shock when he saw Aisley lying in a pool of blood. Last night, he made it very clear to her that as soon as dawn broke today, he would take her back to the Lockett family. However, he did not expect her to be so fragile and seek death so casually. Any man would be annoyed to experience a woman throwing tantrums. Simon was no exception. Although he rushed over to pick up Aisley, a glint of impatience shed across his eyes. He would''ve tolerated her and yielded out of their past affection if such a thing had happened once or twice. However, this had happened many times, and it was bing boring. Yet he wouldn''t just let her die there. After all, they were once lovers. ¡°What are you standing there for? Hurry up and call a doctor! Can''t you see she''s still bleeding?¡± The onlooking maids outside the guest room immediately dispersed upon Simon''s roar ofmand. Catherine was in the backyard picking flower petals. She couldn''t help but sigh when she heard the noise from the guest room. It seems like I need to have a serious talk with Simon soon. She truly had no intention of breaking them apart. Hence, he did not need to care about her feelings. If he truly loves Aisley, they can still be together. There''s really no need to have things end up like this. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± A melodious female voice reached her ears, and she instinctively turned her head to look. Seeing Baileyzily leaning against an apple tree, Catherine chuckled and said, ¡°I was thinking about how I should return Simon to Aisley. Your future sister-inw attempted to take her own life. It seems to be quite serious. Aren''t you going to take a look?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but giggle before replying casually, ¡°I''m no saint. I might end up inviting trouble onto myself for trying to save her. You, on the other hand, seem selfless and saintlike. You truly live up to the reputation of being the eldest daughter of the Rogers family. Such magnanimity, I must admit, I fall short inparison.¡± The second part of her words were spoken with a tone of mockery. Bailey initially thought Catherine would reflect on her actions, but she turned out to be unbothered. Catherine shed Bailey a tiny grin before she answered, ¡°Hmm. I also think I''m quite selfless and saintlike. Thank you for thepliment. ¡°I can''t help it. The love story Ms. Aisley shared with me was so touching. It made me want to y matchmaker for them.¡± Whatever. Bailey was utterly defeated. This woman''s way of handling things is even more infuriating than mine. ¡°No more joking around. Let''s get down to business. I thought of a nst night. I wonder if it''ll work.¡± The smile on Catherine''s lips was reced with a frown as she asked, ¡°What''s the n?¡± Bailey nodded and replied, ¡°The Encyclopedia of Poison and the Fragrance Journal are two of the oldest ancient archives. They have been passed down for thousands of years. Inside those books are many principles of how all things in the universeplement and antagonize each other. I want to gather them all, to see if there''s a way to crack the mystery of the parasitic fragrance.¡± Chapter 881 Princess Chapter 881 Princess Catherine fell into deep thought. Her father had long intended for her to seed him as the head of the family, but she had her own concerns, which was why she kept putting it off. That was because once she ascended to power, she would no longer be free to roam the outside world, to explore and seek a remedy for the parasitic fragrance afflicting her daughter''s body. However, if she wanted to get the Fragrance Journal, she must be the head of the family. Only the head of the family had the authority to ess the forbidden grounds, unlock the concealed chamber, and delve into these ancient manuscripts. After a moment of silence, she ventured to ask, ¡°Can we really find the solution in that journal? The Rogers Family only has the Fragrance Journal. We don''t have the Encyclopedia of Poison. I can only give you one of them, is that okay?¡± Bailey put on a serious expression and said, ¡°The only solution I can think of is this. It''s worth a try. As for the Encyclopedia of Poison, that thing is currently in Kurt''s hands. I have a way to get it. The crucial matter now is to get our hands on the Fragrance Journal. As far as I know, only the head of the Rogers family has the privilege to peruse this item. If you wish to obtain it, you must first be the head of the family. Catherine, you should understand better than I do what it means to assume such a position.¡± Catherineughed nonchntly and said in an indifferent manner, ¡°I''ve always had the intention to dedicate my entire life to the family. So, whatever challengese my way after assuming the position is insignificant to me. My true concern lies in the possibility that even if I do acquire the Fragrance Journal, it might not provide a solution for Luna''s issues. Bailey, if you genuinely consider this child your niece, I urge you to keep her by your side. I... I no longer wish to bring her back to the Rogers family. If the Fragrance Journal can''t rid her of the parasitic fragrance, I kindly implore you to go to great lengths in seeking an alternative solution for her.¡± Bailey, as smart as she was, naturally understood what Catherine was implying. She immediately said, ¡°She''s your daughter, so you should be responsible for her. How can you dump her in someone else''s hands? As for the Fragrance Journal, we don''t necessarily have to sacrifice you to obtain it. I have ways to force the Rogers family to open their secret chamber.¡± Catherine opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by a wave of Bailey''s hand. ¡°Whether or not you decide to spend your life with Simon is not my concern, but I value our friendship. Since we''re friends, it''s natural for us to support each other. I find it hard to tolerate the idea of sacrificing oneself for a deal. Our main objective is to secure that journal, and that''s exactly what we''ll do. You don''t need to put yourself on the line. I''lle up with another solution.¡± ¡°Okay¡ª¡± Before Catherine could even finish her sentence, Simon, covered in blood, rushed over. He firmly grasped Bailey''s arm, guiding her toward the exit. ¡°Bailey, Aisley has severed a tendon in her hand. The specialists in the infirmary are stumped. Please go and perform surgery on her and help her reattach the tendon.¡± Bailey was infuriated when she heard that, desiring to beat some sense into this blockhead. Can''t he just send a servant to get me? Did he really have toe here in person? Can''t he see his wife''s here? If someone as dumb as him can win his wife over, I''ll eat my words. I was just advising Catherine to not act impulsively and make hasty decisions to be the head of the Rogers family, and this idiot just ruined everything. He dragged her along and ran a few steps ahead before she lowered her voice and gritted her teeth, saying, ¡°If you don''t want Catherine to misunderstand that you still have lingering feelings for Aisley, then stay here and exin it to her properly.¡± Simon was taken aback upon hearing that, and only then did he notice another woman in the garden. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org Bailey shrugged him off and strolled leisurely toward the residential area. So what if it''s a matter of life and death? Using suicide to garner sympathy is despicable. If she really dies from that, she only has herself to me. After all, you reap what you sow. ¡°Bailey, please hurry up. Everyone is waiting for you.¡± After watching Bailey leave reluctantly, Simon slowly turned around. The morning sun filtered through the clouds, casting a gentle halo on Catherine''s fair, delicate skin, giving him a sense of serene tranquility in the quiet passage of time. He had never really paid attention to this woman''s looks. Now that he took a closer look, he realized she truly was beautiful. The ssical elegance she radiated was a product of her family''s profound heritage spanning over a millennium, exuding both refinement and dignity. Comparing her to Aisley would''ve been useless and a desecration of her beauty. She embodied a tranquil andposed demeanor, with each gesture she made radiating a captivating charm. Bailey was probably the only woman in the world who could rival her. ¡°I-I was too anxious and forgot you were still here. I apologize for¡ª¡± Before he could even finish speaking, Catherine nonchntly interjected, ¡°Mr. Simon, you can regard me as a passerby or a stranger. There''s no need to direct your attention toward me. Ms. Aisley is your girlfriend, so it''s only natural for you to be anxious and worried. It has nothing to do with me.¡± Simon was momentarily at a loss for words. Indeed, it had nothing to do with her. He could clearly sense that she regarded herself as a bystander, never once getting involved from beginning to end. She only brought Luna to meet him to fulfill her daughter''s wish. Previously, he had been too full of himself and thought too highly of his own worth when he assumed she would pester him and force him to take responsibility for her. In reality, she never even bothered to spare him a second nce. Ha. How ironic. ¡°Ms. Rogers, you really do have a sense of humor. The romantic rtionship between me and Aisley ended the moment you showed up with Luna. How can you say it has nothing to do with you?¡± Catherine''s voice remainedposed, devoid of any trace of irritation. ¡°I''m sorry for any inconvenience I''ve caused. I''ll make an effort to be more discreet in the future. If you think my presence here is causing any disruption, I''ll move out tomorrow.¡± Simon let out an exasperatedugh. This woman really doesn''t give a d*mn about me, huh? Then why am I still here? To be ignored? ¡°As expected from the heiress of the Rogers family. Your prideful nature is deeply rooted within. I, Simon, am not worthy of you. So please, do continue being the high and mighty princess you are.¡± After saying that, he turned around and left. Catherine furrowed her brows. No wonder Luna has such a bad temper. She must have inherited it from this man. Was it something I said? Does he have to get so upset? Meanwhile, in the study of the Saviors'' branch, Veikko stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, narrowing his eyes as he stared at ¡°Caridee,¡± who was sunbathing in the garden. This woman had been at the branch for two days now, and Mindy hadn''t made a move to deal with her yet. Veikko couldn''t help wondering if Bailey had miscalcted. Did Mindy turn over a new leaf after enduring a brutal ordeal and dare not mess with Caridee anymore? Just then, one of Veikko''s bodyguards reported from behind, ¡°Mr. Veikko, that woman just sent out a signal from the restroom in the garden. We tracked it down and located Shaun''s residence. She has already started getting in touch with Shaun.¡± Veikko tightened his grip on his phone when he heard that. ¡°Keep a close watch on them. The moment they pass on any information, report back immediately.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Veikko stopped dwelling on how to deal with this imposter. Right now, his top priority was to rescue Caridee. At the same time, in Shaun''s residence, Shaun''s bodyguard immediately informed his employer after receiving the signal from Astrid. ¡°Good. Send her a message and tell her to wait for my arrangements. Also, remind her to hurry up and seduce that little b*stard and secretly take some pictures of them in their intimate moments so that I can show that pretty little thing.¡± Having said that, he reached out, pushed open the bedroom door, and walked in. Caridee was nestling in the couch. She looked worn out after two days of sleep deprivation. Shaun strode over to her, reaching out to gently pat her cheek. ¡°Hey, gorgeous. Want to watch a live-action short film with me tonight? The lead actor is your beloved man.¡± Chapter 882 Find A Way To Kill Her Daughter Chapter 882 Find A Way To Kill Her Daughter Caridee pursed her lips as she looked at the evil man. I''m fully aware that this lunatic is shameless and despicable, having lost all semnce of human decency. A person of his nature is capable of anything, even things that defy all sense of morality. In his eyes, integrity is nothing more than a joke, something he can trample on at will. ¡°W-What do you mean by that?¡± Shaun burst into heartyughter upon seeing how frightened she was and almost couldn''t help forcing himself on her and ravishing her mercilessly. Unfortunately, he was impotent,cking the necessary conditions. The realization that he would be forever deprived of such earthly pleasures ignited an uncontainable wave of bitterness within him. I must tear that b*stard into pieces and reduce him to ashes. ¡°You want to know? Sure, I''ll tell you. The day I kidnapped you, I also arranged for an imposter to take your ce. ¡°That imposter has already been taken to the branch of the Saviors by that jerk. They''re practically inseparable, spending every minute of every day together. Just now, I ordered that imposter to go and seduce your little man. So, be patient. I''ll put on a thrilling live-action show for you tonight.¡± Caridee''s pupils constricted. If that''s really the case, wouldn''t my efforts be meaningless? If that imposter gets her way, she will ruin Veikko''s life. ¡°No, you can''t do that! He''s your younger brother! You''ll ruin his life by doing that!¡± p! Shaunnded a hard p across her face. ¡°Ruin his life? How dare you mention that word in my face, you b*tch? That jerk set a mastiff on me, rendering me impotent for life. He''s clearly the one who ruined me first for causing me such harm! A b*tch will always be a b*tch. I can''t believe you''re blindly defending him. But so what? You''re still my woman, and he''ll still make love with someone else. I''ll make your lives a living hell.¡± Seeing his bloodshot eyes, Caridee realized he was on the verge of losing control and dared not provoke him any further. She was currently drained both physically and mentally. With her energy depleted and her mind fatigued, even if he intended to do something to her, she wouldn''t have the capacity to utilize hypnosis to save herself. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org After a moment of silence, she forced a bitter smile and said, ¡°Forget it. Nothing else matters now that I''ve been... by you. How can I have the audacity to think about a future with him? Whatever grudges you hold against each other, sort it out yourselves. Don''t involve me anymore. I just want to live my life in peace.¡± Shaun slowly straightened his body, his anger gradually subsiding. He no longer appeared as intimidating as before. ¡°I still need to discuss business with Tucker. I don''t have the time to deal with you. As long as you behave and don''t defy me, I might just let you go once I''ve had enough fun. When Ie back tonight, I''ll think of other ways to deal with you. Wait here for me.¡± Having said that, he strode out of the room. Only then did Caridee begin to breathe heavily. She got overly anxious just now, which almost caused her to lose herposure. Now that she had calmed down, she surmised that Veikko might not necessarily be fooled. She refused to believe that an imposter could ever rece her ce in his heart. Besides, on the day she was captured, Bailey should have already arrived in Moranta. Given Bailey''s sharp instincts, that imposter probably had already beenpletely exposed. What she needed to do now was to conserve her strength and prepare herself to deal with Shaun, the scumbag, not letting him get the better of her. In a coffee shop on the corner of the street, Matilda was sitting beside the window in a private room on the second floor, her gaze fixed on the door in anticipation. A hint of impatience flickered in her eyes. She had an appointment with someone, and they were scheduled to meet at exactly eleven o''clock. However, it was already a quarter past eleven, and the person still hadn''t arrived. They weren''t even answering their phone. Ding! The cellphone on the table suddenly buzzed. She quickly reached out to pick it up, swiping the screen to answer the call and turning on the speaker. ¡°Where are you? Why haven''t you arrived yet?¡± A young woman''s voice traveled from the other end of the phone. It was Eunice''s voice. ¡°I can''t show myself. I''ll be exposed. Mrs. Lockette, you wish for your daughter to marry into the Luther family, seeking powerful backing for your n. On the other hand, I intend to prevent Mr. Simon from marrying my cousin. So, all things considered, our goals align. Perhaps we should consider the possibility of coboration. Now, the only obstacle in your daughter''s way is Catherine. All you need to do is help me eliminate her, and in the future, the Rogers will also protect the Locketts.¡± Matilda wasn''t surprised upon hearing the younger woman''s words, for she had already guessed her intentions. ¡°Seems like those rumors about the Rogers sisters not getting along, fighting tooth and nail behind closed doors, are actually legit. I don''t need you to tell me to remove that stumbling block for my daughter''s sake. But you''ll have to tell me what your cousin''s weaknesses are, so I can tailor my approach ordingly.¡± A soft chuckle traveled through the speaker, sending chills down Matilda''s spine. She came to understand that this youngdy from the Rogers family was not one to be trifled with. Taking down Catherine and paving the way for my daughter to marry into the Luther family might really be possible if I work with her. Ever since the wedding was disrupted a few days ago, the royal family had begun to question whether the Lockett family was contemting treason. The seeds of doubt had already been sown, and no matter how many amends they made, they couldn''t regain the royal family''s trust. In that case, they decided to take a gamble, attaching themselves to the powerful Luther family in order topletely break free from the control of the royal family. ¡°That cousin of mine doesn''t have any weaknesses. She''s nearly perfect in the eyes of everyone in our family. However, she has a daughter who has been afflicted with parasitic fragrance. If her daughter dies, she would likely fall into despair. Here''s the n. You find a way to eliminate her daughter, and leave the rest to me. After all, she''s an expert in perfume blending. You''re no match for her.¡± After giving it some thought, Matilda decided that dealing with a young girl shouldn''t be too difficult, and so, she nodded in agreement. ¡°Sounds good. Let''s go ahead with this n. I wish you sess in advance. When you sessfully ascend to the position of the head of the family, don''t forget to aid the Lockett family in secret.¡± ¡°Sure thing. From today onward, we''re allies. Who knows, I might need help from the Lockett family in the future.¡± At a mansion in the countryside, Sofie sat on the couch in the living room, her cold gaze fixed on the disheveled Zoey across from her. ¡°I thought you''d be living the high life after leaving me, but look at you now. You''re aplete mess,¡± she mocked. Zoey met her sarcastic gaze and responded lightly, ¡°You don''t seem to be doing any better than me. Aren''t you also constantly on the run? While I might have to endure all kinds of hardships out there, it''s still a hundred times better than being at your side, manipted like a pawn. I was blind and befuddled back then to have foolishly believed in your benevolent facade. Now, I''ve ended up being kicked out by the Shurmer family, roaming the streets like a homeless stray. I only have myself to me.¡± Sofie suddenly tightened her grip on the wine ss in her hand, a dark glint shing past her eyes as an aura of murderous intent spread around her. ¡°Hand over the Encyclopedia of Poison you stole from Kurt. I''ll make thetter half of your life a tad more bearable.¡± Chapter 883 Tricked Chapter 883 Tricked Zoey burst into heerty leughter es if she hed just heerd the funniest joke in the world. ¡°Sofie Cerr, do you reelly teke me for e fool? You''d probebly sell me out in e heertbeet if I hend it over to you just like thet.¡± Sofie''s fece derkened, end she gritted her teeth es she seid, ¡°Wetch your behevior. I em your mother.¡± Zoey''s leughter grew increesingly hystericel es teers streemed down her fece. ¡°If you hedn''t gone to Hellsbey end helped mee up with plots end schemes, perheps I would heve reined in in time end eerned the Shurmer femily''s forgiveness. All in ell, I''ve ended up in this predicement ell thenks to you. I truly despise you. If you heve e shred of conscience left, don''t force me to hend over the Encyclopedie of Poison. It''s the only thing I cen rely on now.¡± Actuelly, Sofie''s confident hed elreedy celled her the moment he ceptured Zoey, telling her thet he couldn''t find the whereebouts of the Encyclopedie of Poison. Hence, she speculeted thet Zoey hed probebly hidden it somewhere sefe. If I push too herd, I might meke things worse. It''d be more effective to keep employing en emotionel epproech, soothing her feelings, end then gently probing to get the informetion ebout the Encyclopedie of Poison from her. With thet in mind, Sofie slowly rose to her feet, strolled over to Zoey, end gently embreced her. ¡°Zozo, the pest is in the pest. Let''s both teke e step beck. We''re mother end deughter, so we shouldn''t teer eech other epert. I brought you beck beceuse I wented to provide you with e steble living environment. Truth be told, it hurt to know you were out there on your own.¡± Zoey nestled expressionlessly in the older women''s erms, listening to her neuseetingly sentimentel words. If it weren''t for the top-secret documents in the women''s possession, Zoey would''ve poisoned her to deeth elreedy. Whet mother-deughter bond? Whet e joke! All thet''s left in my world is devestetion efter my journey through hell. Femily, love, end friendship ere nothing more then e joke in my eyes. All I went now is to set the world ebleze end dreg everyone who forced me into this stete down with me. ¡°Will you truly see me es your deughter end meke up for everything you owe me these few yeers?¡± she esked. When Sofie heerd Zoey''s question, her heert leeped with joy end she quickly replied, ¡°Of course! Sterting todey, I will personelly teke cere of your deily life. I wes wrong before this, but thenkfully, fete hes reunited us. Let''s nurture our mother-deughter bond from now on end put en end to the enimosity between us.¡± Zoey greduelly relexed her tense nerves, slumping limply in Sofie''s erms. Since she''s still putting on en ect, I''ll pley elong. I''m curious to see whether she would get the Encyclopedie of Poison from me first, or I would get the confidentiel documents from her first. Time will beer witness end determine who is the winner somedey. When the timees, we shell see who hes the lest leugh. Zoey burst into heorty loughter os if she hod just heord the funniest joke in the world. ¡°Sofie Corr, do you reolly toke me for o fool? You''d probobly sell me out in o heortbeot if I hond it over to you just like thot.¡± Sofie''s foce dorkened, ond she gritted her teeth os she soid, ¡°Wotch your behovior. I om your mother.¡± Zoey''s loughter grew increosingly hystericol os teors streomed down her foce. ¡°If you hodn''t gone to Hollsboy ond helped mee up with plots ond schemes, perhops I would hove reined in in time ond eorned the Shurmer fomily''s forgiveness. All in oll, I''ve ended up in this predent oll thonks to you. I truly despise you. If you hove o shred of conscience left, don''t force me to hond over the Encyclopedio of Poison. It''s the only thing I con rely on now.¡± Actuolly, Sofie''s confidont hod olreody colled her the moment he coptured Zoey, telling her thot he couldn''t find the whereobouts of the Encyclopedio of Poison. Hence, she speculoted thot Zoey hod probobly hidden it somewhere sofe. If I push too hord, I might moke things worse. It''d be more effective to keep employing on emotionol opprooch, soothing her feelings, ond then gently probing to get the informotion obout the Encyclopedio of Poison from her. With thot in mind, Sofie slowly rose to her feet, strolled over to Zoey, ond gently embroced her. ¡°Zozo, the post is in the post. Let''s both toke o step bock. We''re mother ond doughter, so we shouldn''t teor eoch other oport. I brought you bock becouse I wonted to provide you with o stoble living environment. Truth be told, it hurt to know you were out there on your own.¡± Zoey nestled expressionlessly in the older womon''s orms, listening to her nouseotingly sentimentol words. If it weren''t for the top-secret documents in the womon''s possession, Zoey would''ve poisoned her to deoth olreody. Whot mother-doughter bond? Whot o joke! All thot''s left in my world is devostotion ofter my journey through hell. Fomily, love, ond friendship ore nothing more thon o joke in my eyes. All I wont now is to set the world obloze ond drog everyone who forced me into this stote down with me. ¡°Will you truly see me os your doughter ond moke up for everything you owe me these few yeors?¡± she osked. When Sofie heord Zoey''s question, her heort leoped with joy ond she quickly replied, ¡°Of course! Storting todoy, I will personolly toke core of your doily life. I wos wrong before this, but thonkfully, fote hos reunited us. Let''s nurture our mother-doughter bond from now on ond put on end to the onimosity between us.¡± Zoey groduolly reloxed her tense nerves, slumping limply in Sofie''s orms. Since she''s still putting on on oct, I''ll ploy olong. I''m curious to see whether she would get the Encyclopedio of Poison from me first, or I would get the confidentiol documents from her first. Time will beor witness ond determine who is the winner somedoy. When the timees, we sholl see who hos the lost lough. Zoey burst into heartyughter as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world. ¡°Sofie Carr, do you really take me for a fool? You''d probably sell me out in a heartbeat if I hand it over to you just like that.¡± Sofie''s face darkened, and she gritted her teeth as she said, ¡°Watch your behavior. I am your mother.¡± Zoey''sughter grew increasingly hysterical as tears streamed down her face. ¡°If you hadn''t gone to Hallsbay and helped mee up with plots and schemes, perhaps I would have reined in in time and earned the Shurmer family''s forgiveness. All in all, I''ve ended up in this predicament all thanks to you. I truly despise you. If you have a shred of conscience left, don''t force me to hand over the Encyclopedia of Poison. It''s the only thing I can rely on now.¡± Actually, Sofie''s confidant had already called her the moment he captured Zoey, telling her that he couldn''t find the whereabouts of the Encyclopedia of Poison. Hence, she spected that Zoey had probably hidden it somewhere safe. If I push too hard, I might make things worse. It''d be more effective to keep employing an emotional approach, soothing her feelings, and then gently probing to get the information about the Encyclopedia of Poison from her. With that in mind, Sofie slowly rose to her feet, strolled over to Zoey, and gently embraced her. ¡°Zozo, the past is in the past. Let''s both take a step back. We''re mother and daughter, so we shouldn''t tear each other apart. I brought you back because I wanted to provide you with a stable living environment. Truth be told, it hurt to know you were out there on your own.¡± Zoey nestled expressionlessly in the older woman''s arms, listening to her nauseatingly sentimental words. If it weren''t for the top-secret documents in the woman''s possession, Zoey would''ve poisoned her to death already. What mother-daughter bond? What a joke! All that''s left in my world is devastation after my journey through hell. Family, love, and friendship are nothing more than a joke in my eyes. All I want now is to set the world aze and drag everyone who forced me into this state down with me. ¡°Will you truly see me as your daughter and make up for everything you owe me these few years?¡± she asked. When Sofie heard Zoey''s question, her heart leaped with joy and she quickly replied, ¡°Of course! Starting today, I will personally take care of your daily life. I was wrong before this, but thankfully, fate has reunited us. Let''s nurture our mother-daughter bond from now on and put an end to the animosity between us.¡± Zoey gradually rxed her tense nerves, slumping limply in Sofie''s arms. Since she''s still putting on an act, I''ll y along. I''m curious to see whether she would get the Encyclopedia of Poison from me first, or I would get the confidential documents from her first. Time will bear witness and determine who is the winner someday. When the timees, we shall see who has thestugh. A sinister smile crept up Zoey''s face as she thought to herself. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. A sinister smile crept up Zoey''s fece es she thought to herself. ¡°Okey, I''ll let go of eny grudges. From now on, I''ll beplient. I''ll go elong with whoever you wish for me to merry. I won''t put up e fight enymore.¡± ¡°Silly girl. Mommy will never force you to merry someone you don''t went to, ever egein. If you met e boy you like in the future, just let me know. I''ll definitely support you.¡± Suppressing her disgust, Zoey mede e silent vow in her heert thet es soon es she got her hends on the confidentiel documents, she would immedietely send this women to her doom. In the infirmery''s werd et the reseerch bese, Metilde end Aisley were putting on e splendid show. ¡°You unfiliel girl! How dere you disrupt the wedding end elope with your ex-boyfriend? How should we explein this to the royel femily?¡± After she finished speeking, she strode over to the bed end hershly slepped her deughter. Instinctively, Aisley covered her fece with her hends, pleying elong with her mother es she sobbed. ¡°The royel femily sent en illegitimete child to merry me. It''s en outright insult to my dignity! This merriege pect is utterly meeningless! My future will be in ruins if I don''t intervene end stop this wedding.¡± Metilde pointed et her deughter, putting on e furious fecede es her voice trembled. ¡°H-How dere you telk beck? I''ll beet you to deeth!¡± With thet, she lifted her hend in en ettempt to slep her deughter egein. Aisley hestily extended her other hend to block. Amidst the scuffle, the wound on her wrist split open egein. Crimson red blood instently soeked through the white bendege. ¡°My hend hurts so much! Mommy, must you force me to my deeth? I''ve told you thet Simon end I ere truly in love. Why ere you trying to teer us epert?¡± Metilde glered et Aisley viciously. ¡°You heve to merry whoever the femily wents you to! Your feelings ere not to be emodeted! I heerd you tried to kill yourself by sleshing your wrist. Fine. If you don''t went to live, then I, es your mother, will end you with my own hends end sent your corpse to the royel pelece es en explion to Prince Febien.¡± As soon es her words fell, she begen grebbing et the wound on her deughter''s wrist. Heering themotion, Simon rushed over to see the gory scene in the room. Penicking, he deshed forwerd to pull Metilde ewey. A sinister smile crept up Zoey''s foce os she thought to herself. ¡°Okoy, I''ll let go of ony grudges. From now on, I''ll bepliont. I''ll go olong with whoever you wish for me to morry. I won''t put up o fight onymore.¡± ¡°Silly girl. Mommy will never force you to morry someone you don''t wont to, ever ogoin. If you met o boy you like in the future, just let me know. I''ll definitely support you.¡± Suppressing her disgust, Zoey mode o silent vow in her heort thot os soon os she got her honds on the confidentiol documents, she would immediotely send this womon to her doom. In the infirmory''s word ot the reseorch bose, Motildo ond Aisley were putting on o splendid show. ¡°You unfiliol girl! How dore you disrupt the wedding ond elope with your ex-boyfriend? How should we exploin this to the royol fomily?¡± After she finished speoking, she strode over to the bed ond horshly slopped her doughter. Instinctively, Aisley covered her foce with her honds, ploying olong with her mother os she sobbed. ¡°The royol fomily sent on illegitimote child to morry me. It''s on outright insult to my dignity! This morrioge poct is utterly meoningless! My future will be in ruins if I don''t intervene ond stop this wedding.¡± Motildo pointed ot her doughter, putting on o furious focode os her voice trembled. ¡°H-How dore you tolk bock? I''ll beot you to deoth!¡± With thot, she lifted her hond in on ottempt to slop her doughter ogoin. Aisley hostily extended her other hond to block. Amidst the scuffle, the wound on her wrist split open ogoin. Crimson red blood instontly sooked through the white bondoge. ¡°My hond hurts so much! Mommy, must you force me to my deoth? I''ve told you thot Simon ond I ore truly in love. Why ore you trying to teor us oport?¡± Motildo glored ot Aisley viciously. ¡°You hove to morry whoever the fomily wonts you to! Your feelings ore not to be omodoted! I heord you tried to kill yourself by sloshing your wrist. Fine. If you don''t wont to live, then I, os your mother, will end you with my own honds ond sent your corpse to the royol poloce os on explonotion to Prince Fobion.¡± As soon os her words fell, she begon grobbing ot the wound on her doughter''s wrist. Heoring themotion, Simon rushed over to see the gory scene in the room. Ponicking, he doshed forword to pull Motildo owoy. A sinister smile crept up Zoey''s face as she thought to herself. ¡°Okay, I''ll let go of any grudges. From now on, I''ll bepliant. I''ll go along with whoever you wish for me to marry. I won''t put up a fight anymore.¡± ¡°Silly girl. Mommy will never force you to marry someone you don''t want to, ever again. If you met a boy you like in the future, just let me know. I''ll definitely support you.¡± Suppressing her disgust, Zoey made a silent vow in her heart that as soon as she got her hands on the confidential documents, she would immediately send this woman to her doom. In the infirmary''s ward at the research base, Matilda and Aisley were putting on a splendid show. ¡°You unfilial girl! How dare you disrupt the wedding and elope with your ex-boyfriend? How should we exin this to the royal family?¡± After she finished speaking, she strode over to the bed and harshly pped her daughter. Instinctively, Aisley covered her face with her hands, ying along with her mother as she sobbed. ¡°The royal family sent an illegitimate child to marry me. It''s an outright insult to my dignity! This marriage pact is utterly meaningless! My future will be in ruins if I don''t intervene and stop this wedding.¡± Matilda pointed at her daughter, putting on a furious facade as her voice trembled. ¡°H-How dare you talk back? I''ll beat you to death!¡± With that, she lifted her hand in an attempt to p her daughter again. Aisley hastily extended her other hand to block. Amidst the scuffle, the wound on her wrist split open again. Crimson red blood instantly soaked through the white bandage. ¡°My hand hurts so much! Mommy, must you force me to my death? I''ve told you that Simon and I are truly in love. Why are you trying to tear us apart?¡± Matilda red at Aisley viciously. ¡°You have to marry whoever the family wants you to! Your feelings are not to be amodated! I heard you tried to kill yourself by shing your wrist. Fine. If you don''t want to live, then I, as your mother, will end you with my own hands and sent your corpse to the royal pce as an exnation to Prince Fabian.¡± As soon as her words fell, she began grabbing at the wound on her daughter''s wrist. Hearing themotion, Simon rushed over to see the gory scene in the room. Panicking, he dashed forward to pull Matilda away. ¡°Mrs. Lockett, you shouldn''t force Aisley since she doesn''t want to marry Prince Fabian. If you continue to pressure her, you''ll only make her go insane!¡± ¡°Mrs. Lockett, you shouldn''t force Aisley since she doesn''t went to merry Prince Febien. If you continue to pressure her, you''ll only meke her go insene!¡± Scoffing, Metilde nerrowed her eyes es she glowered et Simon, esking in e deep voice, ¡°Are you implying thet you intend to merry her, Mr. Simon?¡± Simon furrowed his brows end wondered how he should respond to thet question. If he seid no, the Lockett femily would still force Aisley to form e meritel ellience with the royel femily. The reletionship between the Lockett femily end the royel femily wes now on the verge of collepse. If Aisley merried into the royel femily, her life would be ruined. Although his feelings for this women hed wened significently, they hed efter ell, shered experiences end memories. He couldn''t beer to wetch her fell to her doom without doing enything. After e moment of silence, he ventured, ¡°I will explein things to the royel femily end esk them to cell off the engegement. Pleese, Mrs. Lockett, stop pressuring her.¡± Snorting sercesticelly, Metilde seid in e chilly tone, ¡°Mr. Simon, you meke it sound so eesy. The reeson the Lockett femily errenges this merriege is to protect ourselves beceuse the royel femily wents to elime us. Whet if the royel femily exects revenge on us if you force them to cell off the engegement?¡± Simon wes stumped by the question. Aisley struggled to get out of bed, stumbling es she threw her erms eround Simon. Then, she turned to Metilde end seid, ¡°Mommy, es long es I merry Simon, the royel femily will leeve us elone. Will you pleese egree to our union?¡± Metilde looked et Simon end questioned, ¡°Mr. Simon, will you merry my deughter end ensure the sefety of the Lockett femily? If you cen''t, then don''t try to prevent me from teking her ewey. She hes only two options: either she dies, or she obediently merries Prince Febien. There ere no other choices for her.¡± Simon fell into silence. The situetion hed esceleted to e point of no return, end he could no longer detech himself from the predicement. He found it difficult to meke e decision. Beiley leened egeinst the door outside end eevesdropped on their conversetion. Sighing, she shook her heed. ¡°Simon is still too young end neive. He''s being pleyed like e fiddle by those two. If I don''t step in todey, they''ll chew him up until there''s nothing left.¡± Artemis erched his eyebrows end chuckled. ¡°An elder sibling is like e perent figure. I implore you to lend thet blockheed e helping hend. Don''t let him fell into their trep.¡± In response, Beiley huffed end pushed the door open before entering. ¡°Mrs. Lockett, you shouldn''t force Aisley since she doesn''t want to marry Prince Fabian. If you continue to pressure her, you''ll only make her go insane!¡± Chapter 884 Even Worse Chapter 884 Even Worse Just as Simon was on the verge of breaking and Matilda was eagerly waiting for his response, someone barged in and disrupted the mother-and-daughter duo''s n. This ignited Matilda''s fury. Disregarding who the neer was, she rebuked, ¡°Have you no manners? Don''t you know to knock before entering?¡± Instead of getting angry, Bailey smiled amicably. ¡°I''m sorry, but this is my house. Even the air you''re currently breathing belongs to me, so if you can''t stand it, feel free to get lost. There''s no need to force yourself to stay here.¡± Matilda swiftly turned around and finally recognized who it was. Her aged yet charming face lit up immediately, and her eyes twinkled as she spoke. ¡°Oh, it''s you, Ms. Jefferson. You''vee just in time. As Mr. Simon''s sister-inw, you''re akin to a parental figure to him. Surely he''ll listen to you, right? I won''t hold it against him for eloping with the bride previously. After all, they were once lovers and have feelings for each other. But now, he keeps getting in my way when I''m trying to take my daughter away. What''s the meaning of this? Is he trying to keep my girl from me? If that''s the case, I want you guys to make your intentions clear today. Does he want to marry my daughter or not?¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. ¡°Are you trying to force us into making a promise?¡± Matilda snorted. ¡°Mr. Simon must promise that he''ll marry my daughter, or else, I will forcibly take her away, and whatever happens to her in the future will have nothing to do with Mr. Simon.¡± Bailey sneered inwardly. The audacity! The Lockett family is clearly trying to ride on the Luther family''s coattails, and yet this old hag actually has the audacity to put on such a ridiculously condescending front. Does she think all the Luthers are naive pushovers like Simon? ¡°Oh, dear. If we insist on keeping Ms. Aisley here, I''m afraid it might be unfair to her. Perhaps it would be best if you take her back.¡± With that, she shouted toward the door, ¡°Lex, arrange for a driver and personally escort them back, please.¡± Matilda did not see thating and got so angry that her whole body started convulsing. ¡°You...¡± Before she could even say anything, Aisley sprang up from the bed and staggered over to Simon, hugging him. ¡°I''m not leaving! I''d rather die than leave. If you force me to leave, I''ll die right before your eyes!¡± Simon''s lips twitched, and just as he was about to speak, Bailey shot him a cold re, cowing him into silence. Then, she turned to look at Matilda, wearing a half-smile. ¡°Mrs. Lockett, you''re not blind, are you? Did you see what just happened?¡± ¡°You...¡± ¡°If you''re blind and didn''t see what just happened, I''d be more than happy to describe the scene to you. Your daughter was the one pestering my brother-inw and refusing to leave, not the other way around. So please stop putting on that ridiculous act as if your daughter had been kidnapped by a poor lad. I''ll give you two options, too. Either you let your daughter stay here, and as long as she behaves herself and doesn''t cause any trouble, I''ll ensure her safety. Or, you take her away, and the Luther family will not be responsible for whatever happens to her afterward. You''re hoping for Simon to make a promise to her, but that''s impossible. The men of the Luther family never look back.¡± Matilda was reluctant to give up, but she knew well that continuing to make a fuss wouldn''t do her any good. We might really get kicked out of the house by this woman if I tick her off. Aisley can''t leave. If she does, she''ll lose the opportunity to get close to Catherine''s daughter, thrashing our following ns. Most importantly, once she leaves Simon, thest shred of pity he has for her will also diminish with time. ¡°Very well. Since you''ve put it this way, I won''t insist any further. I came here today determined to take Aisley away, but her mental state is unstable, so if I drag her away with me against her will, she might attempt suicide again. What about this? I''lle over to talk to her once she''s calmed down. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause you in the near future.¡± Bailey''s lips curled to form a hint of a sarcastic smile. Even though she didn''t know what tricks this old woman had up her sleeve, she knew thetter was plotting against Simon. Letting Aisley stay could pose a threat to Catherine and Luna, but it didn''t matter. Bailey didn''t think Aisley could execute any devious ns under her watch. Besides, Catherine was not someone to be trifled with, either. Letting Aisley stay and cause trouble would probably make Simon despise her to the core, which was an ideal oue, too. ¡°No worries. I assume you still have some private matters to discuss with Ms. Aisley. We won''t disturb you any further.¡± She then grabbed Simon''s arm and dragged him out of the room. Aisley wanted to stop him from leaving but was discouraged by a look from her mother. Matilda still needed to discuss their uing ns with Aisley. Privacy was exactly what she needed. After pulling Simon out of the room, Bailey couldn''t help pping the man on the back of his head. ¡°You silly boy! Didn''t you realize you almost fell into their trap?¡± she snapped. Simon tugged at his hair in frustration. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org He was aware of what they were doing, but he couldn''t bring himself to turn a blind eye. ¡°Bailey, you wouldn''t want me to be an irresponsible jerk, would you? Even though my desire to marry Aisley isn''t as strong as before, she has, after all, been with me for several years. You know that if she gets taken away, things will end badly for her. I can''t bear to see that happen.¡± Bailey snorted and muttered under her breath, ¡°Her fate might be even worse if you keep her here.¡± She continued inwardly, If she dares to stir up trouble, it won''t end well for her. ¡°What? What did you just say?¡± ¡°It''s nothing. Just be more mindful in the future and stop being an idiot. I''m your sister-inw, not your mother. I don''t have all the time in the world to keep an eye on you every day.¡± Simon let out a sillyugh. ¡°You''re my elder sibling, so you''re like a parent figure. I can consider you as my mom.¡± p! Another pnded on the back of his head, but this time, it wasn''t Bailey who pped him. It was Artemis. ¡°Your sister-inw and I are busy nning for a second child. We don''t have time for your nonsense. You''d better watch out yourself,¡± warned Artemis. In the room at the Saviors'' branch, Mindy stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, apathetically observing the heartwarming scene unfolding in the garden andparing it with the hardships she had endured previously. Her resentment surged forth uncontrobly. I swear I''ll make Caridee''s life a living hell. ¡°Is everything arranged?¡± she asked. Standing behind her, a female bodyguard replied respectfully, ¡°Rest assured, everything is ready. The Saviors'' top spy will head out with Mr. Veikkoter. By then, we''ll knock her out cold and¡ª¡± Mindy waved her hand dismissively to interrupt the bodyguard. ¡°Since everything is already arranged, get on with it quickly. The scene in the garden stings my eyes. Can''t you see I''m about to go mad?¡± ¡°Roger that. I will take care of it immediately.¡± In the garden, Astrid subtly inched closer to Veikko, attempting to bewitch him with the sedative fragrance she wore. Chapter 885 The Dog Eat Dog Show Begins Chapter 885 The Dog Eat Dog Show Begins Shaun issued her an order, insisting that she must win over Veikko today, no matter what. She had tried to seduce him these past few days, but his resolve was too strong. Even when she used Caridee''s face, she couldn''t make him lose hisposure. Luckily, she had packed the sedative fragrance in her luggage when she came to the Saviors. Since she couldn''t bring him down by conventional means, she had no choice but to resort to these unscrupulous tactics. She was now desperately wanting to get involved with Caridee''s man, and then take some intimate photos with him to send to Shaun. Once Shaun showed the photos to Caridee, that woman will surely be heartbroken. What a pity. I can''t see the look of pain on that little wretch''s face. All she had been through was thanks to that despicable person. If she didn''t torment her until she was battered and bruised, she would be letting down her agonizing struggles in hell all these days. ¡°Veikko, I feel dizzy.¡± With that, she dove headfirst into the man''s arms. A cial chill shed in Veikko''s eyes, his brows revealing a look of disgust that could not be hidden. However, due to his uing ns, he could only bear with it. This imposter has already made contact with Shaun. I believe it won''t be long before they take action. Shaun wanted to trap him and then torment him. Hence, he nned to turn the tables and killed that b*stard. ¡°Let me take you to the infirmary. It could be the change of seasons that you''re not used to yet.¡± Astrid leaned into his embrace, subtly rubbing against his body intentionally. Before long, Veikko sensed that something was amiss. He could distinctly feel his body temperature steadily rising. Hmm... There''s something off about the perfume this woman is wearing. Just as he was contemting whether or not to identally push her into the artificialke, the phone in his pocket began to ring. He subtly pushed her away and moved aside to answer the call. A momentter, he returned and said to the imposter, ¡°Caridee, I have an urgent matter and need to step out for a bit.¡± ¡°Just stay in my vi, and don''t run around everywhere, understand?¡± Just as sess was within reach, an unexpected obstacle got in her way, leaving Astrid feeling quite frustrated. If she let this man go, what kind of photo could she send to Shaun tonight? How could she provoke Caridee? ¡°Then,e back early. I''ll be waiting for you.¡± Veikko gave a light hum, not wanting to utter another word, and directly turned around to leave the garden. A momentter, a maid came over carrying a cup of afternoon tea. ¡°Ms. Luther, please have some tea.¡± Astrid dabbed herself with a captivating perfume, which inevitably led to a dry mouth if inhaled for too long. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. So when the maid handed her the water, she didn''t think twice and gulped it down immediately. Not long after drinking the water, she felt her head spinning even more. In a daze, she made her way back to the living room and immediatelyy down on a sofa. Outside the vi. Mindy looked at the maid in front of her while leaningzily against the stone pir. Her face was expressionless as she asked, ¡°Has she had her drink?¡± ¡°Yes, she drank it. I found that she already had a sedative scent on her. Even if we hadn''t acted, she would have been knocked out anyway.¡± Mindy''s eyes hardened, her teeth clenched tightly with a chilling glint of coldness burst forth from her gaze. ¡°What a shameless wretch. She even smeared aphrodisiacs on herself. Since you''re so desperate for a man, I''ll grant your wish.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned around and said to the female bodyguard behind her, ¡°Proceed as nned.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Not long after Veikko left the Saviors, he received a message from the bodyguard hidden in the shadows of the vi: Mr. Veikko, Mindy just sent someone to drug Ms. Luther. She''s likely going to be the next move. Should I step in to save Miss Luther? After reading the text message, Veikko couldn''t help but chuckle. Mindy really didn''t disappoint him at all. The dog-eat-dog show he had been eagerly anticipating, finally began. He guessed it. Why would a top-notch detective call him at this time to ask him out? So it turned out that Mindy had bribed him, helping her to distract him. Very good. A clever scheme not only allowed him to witness the dog-eat-dog show but also revealed to him who the traitor was. In short, he was reaping the benefits without lifting a finger. ¡°Don''t bother. Let the bodyguards in the vi turn a blind eye. Let her people in to wreak havoc on that woman.¡± Astrid woke up in a daze, realizing she was in a patch of grass. This is the forest behind the artificialke. Didn''t I go back to the living room? How did I end up here? Considering a certain possibility, she attempted to struggle to her feet. In the next moment, a shadow descended, enveloping herpletely. ¡°Help...¡± The call was abruptly cut off before it could even be fully voiced. Her eyes widened as she stared at the unfamiliar man in front of her. She wanted to speak, but arge hand covered her mouth, preventing her from uttering even a fragmented syble. Thinking about what would happen next, she was actually calm and unruffled inside. She had been terribly tormented by Shaun. Compared to this, all the other torment seemed insignificant to her. So what if another man sleeps with me? I have nothing to lose. What she needed to consider was how to face Veikko afterward. Who the hell is trying to harm me? To be precise, who is trying to harm Caridee? After all, she was now wearing Caridee''s face. The thought of her suffering once again for Caridee made her grit her teeth with frustration. Why should I bear the brunt of this disaster today, which is originally meant for Caridee? Why do I deserve this? A wild hatred spread throughout her body, and all she could do was watch helplessly as she was... After an indeterminate amount of time, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed in her ears. She forced herself to cry, and tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. She must try her best to appear pitiful, she couldn''t let Veikko despise her and throw her out of the Saviors. Her task was not yetpleted. With a ''bang'', a piercing gunshot echoed. Next, a gush warm liquid sshed onto her face. Through the crimson haze, she could vaguely see Veikko''s face, darkened to the extreme. Once the external force blocking her mouth was removed, she began to sob uncontrobly. Veikko stood still, hesitating for a moment before he took off his trench coat and draped it over her. Then, he pulled her into his embrace. ¡°Caridee, I... I''m sorry. Nothing happened. All of this is just a dream.¡± ¡°Take a sleep, and when you wake up, you''ll realize that none of this is real. It''s not real.¡± Seeing him still treating her like a treasure, Astrid was filled with intense jealousy. What does Caridee possess to have earned such profound love from this man? Even if she was raped by others, he still cherished her dearly. Why do I not get such affection? Why? No, this affection now belongs to me. I must seize the opportunity and hold onto it firmly. ¡°Sob, sob, sob, Veikko this... this is not a dream, I... I have been... Just leave me be. I... I am not worthy of you anymore.¡± The young man fought back his feeling of nausea, cradling her face in his hands. His eyes were red and intense as he bore into hers. Then, he dered vehemently, ¡°No, never. In my eyes, you have always been the epitome of purity and wlessness.¡± Astrid began to make a scene, struggling violently in his arms. Chapter 886 Hidden Agenda Chapter 886 Hidden Agenda She was enamored with the feeling of being cherished and held in high regard, so she wanted to savor it a bit longer. ¡°I''m filthy, so filthy,¡± she sobbed. ¡°You won''t love me anymore. What''s the point of me continue living? I might as well be dead.¡± The young man couldn''t take it anymore. He reached out and struck the back of her neck with his palm, knocking her unconscious. After she passed out, he discarded her onto the ground as if she were trash. The bodyguard stepped forward, nodding his head, and asked, ¡°Mr. Veikko, what should we do next?¡± The young man gave him a cold nce, and said nonchntly, ¡°Just do what needs to be done.¡± Does such a minor hup really warrant putting the entire n on hold? The bodyguard noticed his foul mood like he was struggling to suppress the urge to punch someone. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org I''d better stay away from him. Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward, hoisting the unconscious Astrid over his shoulder, and turned to leave. Once the surroundings quieted down, Veikko simply copsed onto the grass. The unsettling scent of ambiguity mingled with the stench of blood still lingered, pervading the air and causing a nauseating feeling. He was pondering over Caridee''s predicament. That girl must be feeling quite helpless now. Luckily, Shaun was impotent now. Even if he harbored ill intentions, he didn''t have the means to carry them out. Even though he knew that the scoundrel would find other ways to torment Caridee, he believed that the young girl could handle it. When one was stranded in a perilous ce, it was natural for one to feel scared and anxious. His heart would find no peace until she escaped. He was afraid that Bailey had miscalcted. She hadn''t used hypnosis on Shaun and had been harmed by him. He was also afraid that if she used hypnosis and Shaun noticed it by any chance, it wouldpletely infuriate that scum, leading to even more brutal torment. It was frustrating that he couldn''t act rashly at the moment, and could only wait here, with each day feeling like a year. Tee. Themunicator in the pocket started ringing. Upon checking, it was a call from Bailey. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± The moment he began to speak, Bailey could tell he was in a bad mood and a bad state. ¡°I''m aware of what''s happened in the branch. For now, keep yourposure, and don''t lose your cool.¡± ¡°I have a friend in Europe, and I''ve asked him to stir up some trouble to disrupt the Carter family''s business chain. ¡°Upon hearing the news, Shaun will surely be restless. Then, he will act swiftly and decisively, setting a trap for you to fall into. ¡°All you need to do is keep that impostor under control. You can surely turn the tables on Shaun using her.¡± The young man slowly straightened his body. This method sounds pretty good. Once chaos ensues in the Carter family, that scoundrel will undoubtedly rush back home. With his smug nature, he will surely set a trap to kill me before leaving. All I need to do is to turn the tables and decisively strike back. ¡°Alright. Let''s do it this way.¡± The Hoffman Family. Inside the residence in Tucker''s residence. The personal bodyguard pushed the door open and said to Tucker, who was busy with paperwork at his curved desk, ¡°Mr. Tucker, Mr. Philip has made his move.¡± ¡°He is gradually taking control of the power in your hands, and secretly lobbying the elders. He is preparing to support that illegitimate child to take control.¡± With a ''click'', the pen in Tucker''s hand snapped with a sound. No one knew how much strength he used. The ck ink stained the entire document, reflecting in his eyes, and spreading a dense ck mist. Looking at the dense ck dots on the white paper, Tucker began tough in a peculiar way. ¡°It seems that the old man doesn''t regard me as his true sessor. As long as he has a backup, he will abandon me in the blink of an eye. In this family, no father-son bond can outweigh the importance of personal gain. In my opinion, he didn''t pull me down because of Sofie''s threat at all. The real reason is that he refuses to live a mediocre life, and wants to experience what it''s like to be the head of a household in his lifetime. He knew well that I couldn''t control the situation, so he decided to ce that little b*stard as a puppet. With this, he can rightfully take control of the entire family.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he abruptly stood up from his swivel chair, crumpling the documents on the table into a ball, gripping it tightly in his hand. The bodyguard, highly skilled in reading people, could tell what he was thinking just by observing his demeanor. After a few seconds of silence, he ventured, ¡°Mr. Tucker, Mr. Philip is currently at the winery in the suburbs.¡± ¡°He just finished meeting with a senior executive of the family and has received his support.¡± With a smirk, Tucker said in a chilling tone, ¡°Prepare a car to the winery then. Remember to arrange for more bodyguards and servants to apany us.¡± ¡°My father is getting on in years, so it''s time for him to truly enjoy life. Starting from today, let him stay at the vineyard to enjoy his twilight years.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Suburban Vi. Zoey emerged from the guest room, making her way toward the study at the end of the corridor. When she walked past the master bedroom, one could hear bursts of moaning sounds from a man and a woman inside. Needless to guess, it must be Sofie ying ¡°adult games¡± with her lover. Without missing a beat, she continued her stride, a scornful smile ying at the corners of her lips. Thank goodness rence divorced this woman; otherwise, she would have cuckolded him. She had seen her fair share of despicable people, but this was the first time she had encountered someone so utterly contemptible. Even if Sofie was her mother, she still thought that she was cheap. After finding her way to the study, she looked around to make sure everything was in order. Then, she slipped into the study. Regardless of whether the top-secret information was in there or not, she was determined to give it a try. She rummaged through the shelves, oblivious to the tiny camera in the corner of the door frame that was slowly panning around. Inside the master bedroom next door. Sofie''s moaning gradually ceased, restoring tranquility to the room. In reality, she wasn''t doing that at all. She just put on an act earlier to let that wretched girl would lower her guard. Indeed, things turned out just as she had suspected. That unfilial daughter of hers had set her sights on the top-secret information in her possession. Which was why she spread the word that she has obtained the Encyclopedia of Poison to lure her into coming back. She always believed that Kurt, being such a cunning and cautious person, would never let this fool steal the Encyclopedia of Poison. So they have nned this in advance. Very well, they''ve actually schemed against me. Let me send this rebellious girl to the nightclub to properly reward those loyal subordinates of mine. ¡°Alright, stop getting angry over that stupid girl. If you''re really upset, just toss her among the men and let them teach her a lesson.¡± The soothing words from Damien reached her ears, pulling Sofie''s thoughts back to reality. She gritted her teeth fiercely, unable to contain her anger, she said, ¡°I didn''t fall into the hands of Artemis and Bailey, nor did I fall into the hands of Philip and Tucker Hoffman.¡± ¡°If my own daughter had managed to trick me, I would have been sick to my stomach. Thank goodness you warned me in time; otherwise, that confidential information...¡± Damien pulled her into his arms, leaning in to whisper in her ear, ¡°You''ve been enjoying for so long, you''vepletely captivated me. Let''s do it first.¡± Zoey turned the study upside down, but in the end, she still couldn''t find that memory card. Could it be on that woman? Could she have hidden it outside the vi? If that''s the case, then there''s no need for me to waste time with that old hag. Actually, she wasn''t interested in that memory card. Her true intention for meeting Sofie was to send her to the afterlife. Chapter 887 House Arrest For Philip Chapter 887 House Arrest For Philip Since I can''t get the card, I''ll find an opportunity tomorrow to transfer the poison in my body to that old woman. She definitely wouldn''t let her off easily. If it weren''t for the forced marriage she arranged, why would I have run away? If she hadn''t run away, how could she have ended up in Kurt''s hands, and been turned into a poisonous person? How much I have suffered! This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. All in all, Sofie was one of the culprits who harmed her. Therefore, she was determined to settle this blood debt. Once she made up her mind, Zoey no longer fretted about where the top-secret document was. She made a silent vow in her heart, deciding to deal with Sofie first thing tomorrow. The winery in the countryside. Philip was preparing to return to the Hoffman residence but was stopped by Tucker. The father and son locked eyes, and Philip could sense that something was amiss. The look in his son''s eyes seemed rather unfriendly. ¡°Tucker, what''s the meaning of this? Why have you brought so many people?¡± Tucker spread his hands and chuckled. ¡°Dad has been frequently visiting the winerytely, even inviting a few executives over for drinks from time to time.¡± ¡°I''ve been wondering if you''re nning to spend your twilight years here. If so, I''ve selected a group of housekeepers from our family to take care of you.¡± Philip slightly squinted his eyes. He was not a fool and could see the situation before him and understand his son''s thoughts in an instant. Is this brat stirring up such a fuss just to confine me here? Could it be that this b*stard already knows that Sofie is using those top-secret documents to threaten him? For the sake of power and status, would he really confine his own elderly father like a prisoner? ¡°Tucker, you can''t do this. I am your biological father. ¡°You cannotmit such a heinous act, or you will be cursed.¡± With a cold smile, Tucker said lightly, ¡°When ites to what you desire, you must fight for it by any means necessary. ¡°Isn''t this a fact you taught me? What? Could there possibly be a double standard for this matter? ¡°Just because you''re my father, am I supposed to swallow my pride and hand over what''s already in my grasp? ¡°That jerk is nothing more than an illegitimate child with no proper status. ¡°You actually pulled me down from my position for his sake, what does all my years of effort amount to then? A joke?¡± Philip instinctively retorted, ¡°That''s not what I intended. Since you''ve brought people to imprison me today, you should understand my current situation. In fact, you should also be aware of the current state of the Hoffman family. We''re almost doomed. ¡°That woman, Sofie, holds the Hoffman family''s top secrets in her hands. If she ever leaks them, our entire family will be in deep trouble. We cannot let our personal interests lead to the downfall of this ancient family that has been passed down for hundreds of years. ¡°Son, heed my advice. Let it go for the sake of our family''s survival. ¡°In the end, everything in the family wouldn''t fall into someone else''s hands, would they? ¡°I believe your brother wouldn''t treat you unfairly. Why do you insist on fighting him to the death?¡± Tucker burst into a hearty fit ofughter. As he continued tough, his gaze gradually turned fierce. ¡°But I''m willing to go down with her. If I can''t have what I want, I won''t let anyone else have it either.¡± ¡°Dragging the whole family down with you, is it? Fine, I''m more than happy to oblige. Since you won''t let me live in peace, don''t expect to have it easy.¡± Having said that, he turned around and got ready to leave. Philip became anxious. He knew what the oue would be with his son''s departure. This young man refused to back down, which would irritate Sofie. In response, Sofie revealed all those secrets to the world, leading to a situation where both parties ended up fighting each other to the death. ¡°Tucker, you can''t do this. You''ll be branded as the eternal sinner of the Hoffman family. ¡°Besides, if the family fortune is preserved, you can still live your life as a wealthy young master. Why bother...¡± Before he could finish speaking, Tucker abruptly raised his voice and roared in anger, ¡°Old man, utter one more word and I''ll immediately chop up your illegitimate son!¡± ¡°If he kicks the bucket, not only will you be done for, but you''ll also p*ss Sofie off thoroughly. You might as well prepare to go to hell with everyone.¡± ¡°You, you... traitor, you''re a traitor.¡± After saying that, Philip plopped down on the ground. He had plotted for half his life, and now, his wish was finally fulfilled. He had sessfully handed over the reins of the Hoffman family to his family. I never expected to be defeated by this unworthy child in the end. It was a life of work. ¡°Puff!¡± Under the tremendous blow, overwhelmed with fury, he suddenly exhaled sharply and passed out instantly. Tucker turned back to see his father lying in a pool of blood, a slow, mocking smile creeping onto his lips. ¡°Take good care of Mr. Philip. Remember, don''t let him leave the winery even for a moment, and don''t allow anyone from the outside visit him.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside a room at the research base Artemis was currently taking a call by the floor-to-ceiling window. Bailey stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a bath towel. She faintly heard Artemis say, ¡°You reap what you sow, so you deserve the punishment.¡± She knew that this call was rted to Sofie and Philip. After he ended the call, she paced over and embraced him from behind. ¡°Did they pull off another slick move?¡± The domineering CEO shivered slightly, feeling the soft and tender touch from behind, his eyes gradually darkening. After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice, ¡°Isn''t it a bit of a mood killer to talk about those d*mn things at a time like this?¡± Bailey bumped her forehead against his back, and sessfully managed to see stars from the impact. ¡°I feel so dizzy. Is your back made of steel?¡± Artemis abruptly turned around, then forcefully pinned her against the ss. Bailey looked into his eyes, which were as tumultuous as the rolling waves. She couldn''t help but roll her eyes. Artemis behaved as if she wouldn''t let him touch her. Doesn''t he ¡°work on¡± me every day? ¡°I know what you''re nning to do, and I''m not intending to just stand by and watch. But before you proceed, you need to tell me what''s going on. Otherwise, I won''t be able to focus and cooperate with you.¡± The domineering CEO scooped her up in his arms and strode towards the room. Walking and talking at the same time, truly not wanting to waste a single moment. ¡°Tucker has gained power from Huntley, and now the entire Hoffman family can''t do anything about it.¡± The scout just reported back about how Tucker had confined his father to a winery in the suburbs. It was obvious that young man was nning to die together with Sofie. ¡°It''s amusing that Philip spent half his life scheming, and finally got what he wanted, only for it to be as fleeting as a blooming flower.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. This oue was within her expectations. What she cared about was that Huntley had given all his power to Tucker. ¡°Does Huntley want to annihte the Hoffman family? But why?¡± Artemis tossed her onto the couch. ¡°I think you should ask your brother tomorrow. Don''t speak now for I have serious matters to attend to.¡± At the same moment. Inside the study of the Hoffman family''s main house. Juliana pushed the door open and rushed towards the sofa where the head of the Hoffman family was sitting. In a worried tone, she eximed, ¡°Dad, what''s gotten into Tucker? Why on earth would he imprison Uncle Philip?¡± Raymond sat dejectedly on the sofa, murmuring, ¡°I fear the end is near for the Hoffman family.¡± Juliana rushed over and threw herself at his feet. Then, her voice trembling as she asked, ¡°What... what do you mean by that?¡± Chapter 888 Huntley Has Betrayed You Chapter 888 Huntley Has Betrayed You The luck of the Hoffman family is running dry? Isn''t the situation progressing favorably? Even if Dad passed control of the family to Tucker, who wields fifty percent of the Hoffman family''s power, doesn''t the other half rest with Huntley? As Huntley lends us his support, when the second branch of the Hoffman family and Sofie engage in their self-destructive sh, we could readily seize back the seat of power from the second branch. ¡°Dad, has something happened?¡± Juliana inquires urgently. ¡°Please don''t remain silent. If there''s an issue, we can work it out together. You''re outright dering that our family is doomed. I''mpletely clueless here and have no inkling about how to offer assistance!¡± Raymond sighed with an air of resignation and spoke in a leisurely manner, ¡°Your Uncle Philip has an illegitimate child, who had been concealed within the ITpany under the Hoffman family''s umbre for years. Eventually, this individual handed over confidential documents to Sofie. Utilizing these materials, Sofie exerted ckmail pressure on Philip. To safeguard the family, Philip was preparing to implicate Tucker in this predicament. Little did we anticipate that Tucker would turn so defiant, even going as far as imprisoning his own father. I''d wager he''s plotting to go down alongside Sofie.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. A flicker of surprise crossed Juliana''s eyes. None of this was within her knowledge. The second branch of the Hoffman family had assumed leadership of the household for a brief period, so why had so many complications suddenly emerged? Following a brief pause, Juliana clenched her teeth and uttered, ¡°Tucker''s defiance andck of filial piety can''t go unpunished. Can he truly take this age-old family, with a thousand years of heritage, and lead it to ruin alongside him? Dad, before he engages in a sh with Sofie, let''s begin by removing his role as the head of the household. As for the highly ssified document currently in Sofie''s possession, we can explore alternate methods to retrieve it.¡± Their initial priority should be to stabilize Tucker, preventing any hasty actions on his part, before shifting their attention toward safeguarding the overall strength of the entire family. However, Raymond shook his head in despair, managing a bitter smile. ¡°There''s little we can do regarding him at the moment. He''s seizedplete control of the Hoffman family''s power.¡± Juliana rose from her seat, gazing at him in disbelief. After a stunned pause thatsted a couple of minutes, she vigorously shook her head, asserting, ¡°No, it can''t be true. He can''t have absolute control over the entire family. The influence that Huntley wields acts as a substantial counterbnce. How could he possibly have unchallenged dominance? Unless...¡± As her father''s bitter smile met her gaze, a sudden weight descended upon Juliana''s heart. Despite her reluctance to confront certain truths, the circumstances had advanced to a juncture where she could no longer act impulsively. ¡°Has Huntley relinquished all his power to Tucker?¡± Raymond gradually shut his eyes, his reply epassed by silence. Upon receiving the news back then, he had been equally taken aback. Trusting Huntley implicitly, he had permitted him to wield nearly fifty percent of the family''s authority for a considerable period. That young man was profoundly enamored with his daughter. Raymond had believed that while the entire world might turn its back on his little girl, Huntley never would. But who could have foreseen... Reality dealt him a brutal blow. ¡°You needn''t harbor any doubts. Huntley has betrayed you. He has indeed relinquished all the authority he once held to Tucker. It''s due to this very support that Tucker''s position has been cemented. It''s with this newfound strength that he dared to confine his own father, plunging headlong into a potentially deadly confrontation with Sofie, heedless of the fallout,¡± Raymond rified. Juliana took a few faltering steps backward. Within her eyes, a fractured gleam danced intermittently. A profound surge of anguish emanated from her heart, causing her to slightly hunch over. She had alreadymitted to that man, stating that once the affairs of the second branch of the Hoffman family were resolved, she would wed him. Our future was looking bright. Why would he do such a thing? Why! ¡°I can''t bring myself to believe he would harm me. I just can''t,¡± Juliana dered. With those words spoken, she spun around and made a swift dash toward the door. Raymond made no move to intervene. He had grown weary of dealing with these predicaments. Perhaps the destiny of the Hoffman family had reached its inevitable conclusion, fated to crumble during his lifetime. If his family were truly to perish, his sole recourse would be to seek redemption through his own life. Rushing out of the main house, Juliana made a beeline for Huntley''s residence. Clinging to her final vestige of hope, she yearned for him to offer some glimmer of reassurance. Yet, in encountering him again, the apathy etched on his countenance continued to wound her deeply. ¡°You were one of Tucker''s men. You approached me, promising assistance, only to lull me into a false sense of security,¡± she began, her tone a mix of hurt and usation. ¡°Both my father and I believed that even as we relinquished our grip on power, you would stand as a barrier against Tucker. Amidst all the calctions and forecasts we made, we never could have foreseen that you would conspire with Tucker, deceiving us to seize the very authority we held. So... were your feelings for me also a pretense? Was your talk of reciprocating kindness just a lie? You were merely manipting me.¡± Her voice grew more impassioned. ¡°You even went to the extent of inflicting harm upon yourself in order to wrest power from my father. Huntley, what have I done to warrant such betrayal from you?¡± Huntleyy motionless on the bed, his handsome visage an imprable mask. It was as if he was responding to all her inquiries with resolute silence. Within Juliana''s eyes, concealed from any onlooker, a subtle mist started to take shape. A mixture of reluctance, helplessness, sighs, and a trace of heartache seemed to converge in the depths of her gaze. His love for her remained steadfast, an unwavering constant. Huntley had once professed that even if he were to be the sinner of the Hoffman family, he would ensure her liberation, preventing her from being ensnared within the clutches of power for all eternity. He believed a woman should thrive in the embrace of happiness, and if he couldn''t provide her that tranquility, his only wish was for the man of her dreams to bestow upon her such bliss. For this aspiration, every sacrifice was deemed justifiable. ¡°You''re far too naive, fated to be manipted by others. How could someone like you ever be fit to lead the family? The pieces are now in ce. Let go of the obsessions in your heart. The world beyond these confines is vast and open, far more appropriate for you than this cage. I understand it''s hard for you to ept, but such is the essence of the game yed among adults. A single misstep and all is forfeit.¡± Huntley''s words hung in the air. Juliana''s legs buckled, and she crumbled to the ground. ¡°Why, why did you choose to subject me to betrayal by the person I trusted most in such a manner?¡± Her words poured forth, punctuated by sudden, uncontroble sobs. I earnestly wished to share my life with him, having even convinced myself to embrace this future, so why would he treat me like this? Huntley flexed his fingers, a sharp jolt of pain coursing through his wrist. He might have disregarded the pain, yet still, he couldn''t raise his arm due to the unhealed tendon. Strangely, this might be for the best¡ªit prevented him from touching her and her from noticing that anything was amiss. Since it''s already hurting, let''s endure it to the very end. I''d rather she bears hatred toward me than unveil that every action I undertook was to bestow upon her liberation andplete emancipation. In this existence, fate intertwined us while destiny kept us apart. All that remains is the aspiration for an opportunity in the next life. May the heavens afford me a chance in the subsequent life to stand by her, shield her, and love her. ¡°Take advantage of the calm before the storm. Depart swiftly with your father. Once you''ve distanced yourselves from the family... Reach out to your sister. She''s presently under the protection of Holden, who''s in charge of Tarragon. He can guarantee your safety, as well as your father''s,¡± Huntley urged. Dabbing at her tears in a rushed manner, Juliana surged to her feet. ¡°I have no use for your feigned compassion,¡± she dered, her voice brimming with resolve. ¡°Huntley, starting now, we are adversaries. I advise you not to be within my grasp, for I can assure you, I won''t let you off easy.¡± Chapter 889 I Will Grant Your Wish Chapter 889 I Will Grant Your Wish Huntley couldn''t help but chuckle. He currentlyy within her grasp. If she desired to end his life, she had the power to do so at any given moment. After a brief hesitation, his voice strained, he added, ¡°Take good care of yourself.¡± Juliana offered no retort. Instead, she pivoted and raced out of the room. Giving up wasn''t in her nature. Dad mentioned that the ssified information Sofie possesses originated from Uncle Philip''s illegitimate child, right? Then, I''ll investigate that individual. Being aputer expert, they likely possess the means to obliterate that data. Even if it results in Tucker assuming leadership, I''ll embrace it if it safeguards the family. That man is up to no good, and eventually, the elders'' union will surely overthrow him. My immediate priority is preventing him from going down with Sofie. At the same moment, inside Tucker''s residence, the study was alive with activity. Tucker, holding his father''s mobile, was engaged in a conversation with Sofie over the phone. ¡°I regret to inform you, Ms. Carr, that your scheme has fallen through. The old man is presently confined under my house arrest.¡± A burst of softughter resonated through the speaker. ¡°Indeed, the new tide washes away the old. You''re even more ruthless than your father. Yet, I fear your tenure as the head of the family will be short-lived. Once the contents of what I possess are disclosed... the Hoffman family might find itself besieged by internationalwsuits, and their industrial empire will suffer a colossal blow. To be frank, we may find ourselves in a predicament where we both perish together. Is this the oue you wish to witness?¡± Tucker''s grip on his phone tightened. If he could help it, he certainly wouldn''t want to drag his entire family down along with the old hag. For so many years, he had been scheming and plotting, biding his time for the chance to ascend above all. Now that he had finally achieved his desired position, why would he be willing to be dragged down by her? ¡°I''m reaching out to you today, Ms. Carr, to present a proposition. Hand over those confidential files, and I''ll release your son. How does that sound?¡± he proposed. Sofie''sughter escted, carrying an undertone of pure mockery. ¡°If I were to trade this confidential document for my son''s release, wouldn''t I be relinquishing my hold over you? Wouldn''t I be cing myself at your mercy down the line?¡± Tucker remained silent. His intention was far from granting freedom to this mother and son. Even if a deal were struck now, he harbored ns to eliminate them in the future. In this regard, her apprehensions were indeed warranted. ¡°So, you''re unwilling to forge this deal? Very well then, proceed and divulge those confidential files. I''ll end your son''s life, followed by yours. Let''s descend into hell together,¡± he retorted coldly. As soon as Tucker concluded his words, he promptly terminated the call. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. After suppressing his pride for countless years, now that he wielded substantial influence, why should he persist in enduring? If that woman was determined to wage war until the final blow, he was prepared to stand by her side throughout the ordeal. The following day dawned. Within the research base, Bailey stirred awake from a deep slumber. The previous night had been an ordeal courtesy of Artemis. She felt as though she had been trampled by a vehicle. Creating a human life? Absolute nonsense! He''s merely exploiting the situation to get intimate with me. That man¡ªhis vigor is genuinely staggering. Now, whenever Iy eyes on him, my scalp would prickle. Throughout her years, Bailey had never cowered before anyone, yet in the end, it was a man who rendered her quivering, at the mere sight of a bed. Just thinking about it pisses me off. Ding! A text message notification chimed within the room. Bailey''s instinctive response led her hand to stretch toward the bedside table. In this simple motion, she grasped the truth¡ªshe didn''t retain an ounce of strength, as though she had been utterly drained. That scoundrel! He really drained all of my strength! I guess he won''t stop until he''s reduced me to a wreck. Summoning great effort, Bailey eventually retrieved her phone. Upon perusing the text message, a faint crease formed between her brows. The message, sent by Juliana, outlined the extent of Huntley''s betrayal. Presently, Tucker held sway over the entire Hoffman family. The recollections of Artemis'' words from the previous night surged into Bailey''s consciousness. Surprisingly, they closely echoed Juliana''s ount. Why would Huntley choose to relinquish his authority to Tucker? Could it be that he was aligned with Tucker all along, deliberately getting close to Julie to beguile her father and seize control? After a moment of contemtion, Bailey dialed Zeke''s number. The previous night, Artemis had intimated that if Bailey sought the answer, she should direct her inquiry to her brother. Fine, I''ll ask him then! Upon connecting the call, she posed the question without preamble, ¡°Zeke, why did Huntley relinquish his authority to Tucker?¡± Zeke emitted a subdued sigh, his voice carrying a deep, husky tone. ¡°He''s aiming to free Juliana. He believes that only with the downfall of the Hoffman family will Juliana relinquish her aspiration to lead the n.¡± Bailey was taken aback. So, this was Huntley''s intention from the start. I must say, I''m impressed by him. The extent of his affection for Julie must be profound, to employ such an extreme strategy to grant her freedom. ¡°Zeke, do you also think that the Hoffman family should be eradicated?¡± Zeke''s response wasced with a contemptuous snicker, his tone casual as he replied, ¡°Whether the Hoffman family faces destruction or not holds no relevance to me. But if they want to trap my woman and confine her for all her days, I''ll vehemently oppose that. All in all, there appears to be but one way topletely free Juliana, and that is the annihtion of her family.¡± With a tinge of helplessness, Bailey couldn''t resist issuing a warning. ¡°If this continues, Juliana might eventually grow to resent you.¡± ¡°No, she won''t resent me. I remained entirely uninvolved in this affair from start to finish. The mes won''t singe me,¡± Zeke responded coolly. ¡°Huntley merely requested my intervention to rescue them, father and daughter, during dire times. At most, I stood on the sidelines, withholding a helping hand.¡± Upon absorbing his exnation, Bailey couldn''t suppress a rueful chuckle. These men¡ªalways able to rationalize love, yet somehow disregarded the emotions of the women they maneuvered and kept in the dark. ¡°Very well. Since you''ve decided to let them destroy the Hoffman n, I have nothing more to say. Zeke, I wish you the best of luck. May you emerge unscathed at the eleventh hour and win Julie''s affection. My concern, however, is that you might eventually be deeply embroiled, inadvertently hurting Juliana''s heart, thereby cing yourselves at odds.¡± As soon as Bailey finished speaking, she promptly ended the call. This cutthroat spectacle was what she had anticipated. Nheless, as events unfolded, Bailey feared it could potentially wound Juliana. Whether it was Huntley or Zeke, they continuously contended that they sought to bestow freedom upon Juliana, and that was why they orchestrated the downfall of the Hoffman family. What they failed to realize was that this was her home, housing her dearest and most cherished individuals. Within a mansion in the countryside, situated in the living room, Sofie forcefully flung a section of surveince footage onto the tabletop. Raising her gaze, she fixed a furious re upon Zoey seated across from her, her voice seething with anger. ¡°You insolent child, you actually conspired with outsiders to steal my possessions! Are you even aware that the ssified document is my lifeline? If it''s stolen from me, I''m as good as dead.¡± With her intentionsid bare, Zoey''s demeanor remained entirelyposed. Given that Sofie was already privy to her motives, covertly seeking that information held little purpose now. ¡°Hmm, I had initially intended to allow you a few more days of ease, but it seems you''ve precipitated your own demise. Well then, if that''s the situation, I''ll grant your wish. After all, you hold no significance for me any longer.¡± Sofie''s countenance transformed into an icy mask, her impulse urging her to spring up from the couch. Yet, her attempt was promptly thwarted as the ck-d bodyguard stationed beside her moved in an instant, adeptly restraining her. ¡°You¡ªdo you intend to turn against me as well? For what reason? Have I not treated you kindly?¡± The bodyguard abstained from answering, opting instead to issue a tersemand to Zoey. ¡°Do it already! Once Damien is back, we won''t be able to handle her.¡± Chapter 890 Harm Your Own Mother Chapter 890 Harm Your Own Mother Upon receiving themand, Zoey advanced toward Sofie. Confronted with the ominous expression adorning her face, Sofie found herself overtaken by trepidation. She remained oblivious to the girl''s recent experiences, yet the intensity within her gaze was truly disconcerting. Within those obsidian irises, it was as if she glimpsed an unending abyss, immeasurably deep. In the past, when Sofie interacted with this young woman, she wasn''t intimidated by the malice bubbling within thetter''s heart. However, at present, even those individuals who had traversed the majority of their lives, those seasoned veterans who had borne witness to the full spectrum of existence, from birth to death¡ªthey too would harbor a profound sense of fear when confronted by Zoey. ¡°Z-Zozo, we''re mother and daughter. How can there be any grudges between us? If you feel wronged in any way, we can sit down and have a proper conversation. There''s no need to resort to such extreme measures,¡± Sofie pleaded. Zoey let out a coldugh. ¡°Back when you were manipting me, why didn''t you see fit to reveal our connection as mother and daughter?¡± she questioned, her voiceced with a chilling mockery. When you coerced me into marrying that devil Kurt, why did you remain silent about our shared blood? And now, with your life hanging in the bnce, you suddenly summon our familial bond. Do you genuinely believe that will sway me? Any woman can peddle sentimentality, cloaked in the guise of motherhood, yet you, Sofie Carr, you aren''t entitled to such privilege.¡± Sofie''s form quivered, her gaze aze with defiance. She might face death, but not before ensnaring the entire Hoffman family in her downfall. She couldn''t depart from this world in such a subdued manner¡ªit would deny her peace. ¡°Zozo, for the sake of our mother-daughter bond, please spare me. Can you find it in your heart to release me? At present, I clutch the lifeline of the Hoffman family within my grasp. With astute management, the entire n could be ours. I acknowledge the trials you''ve undergone, the hardships you''ve borne. I vow, from this point onward, I won''t let you get hurt anymore.¡± Zoey abruptly halted, tilting her head to regard Sofie, as if ensnared by a fleeting hesitation. ¡°Is that so? In the event that you gain control over the Hoffman family, how will you make me the most honored woman in the world?¡± Sofie assumed Zoey had changed her mind and quickly began to promise thetter, ¡°I vow that once I ascend as the most influential woman in Adrune, I will ensure you be the most respected socialite in the world.¡± Zoey gave a faint smile. However, before she could utter a response, the telephone in the living room began to ring. She gave a signal to the ck-d bodyguard, prompting him to cover Sofie''s mouth. Answering the phone, she adeptly altered her voice to mirror Sofie''s, inquiring, ¡°What''s the matter?¡± ¡°Ms. Carr, all preparations at the nightclub have been made. You may send your daughter there at your convenience. I''ve also briefed my subordinates, who will attentively oversee your daughter. You can rest assured that she won''t cause anyplications for your grand¡ª¡± Before the individual on the other end could conclude their statement, Zoey promptly terminated the call. Shifting her gaze, she directed a frigid stare toward Sofie. Then, an unexpected fit of heartyughter erupted, much to Sofie''s astonishment. ¡°All I aimed forst night was to steal a document from you, a bid to safeguard my life. Yet, ultimately, I failed to secure it. You actually orchestrated a scheme to manipte events at the nightclub, sending me in to be wantonly abused by those men. I''m your daughter, and yet you''ve consigned me to be a ything, exploited by countless men. Sofie, your heart harbors true ruthlessness. Inparison to you, I''m merely a novice,¡± Zoey dered with biting scorn. Sofie''splexion drained of color. The instant the bodyguard released his grip, she hastily exined, ¡°This is all Damien''s idea. Zozo, you''re my own flesh and blood. How could I possibly send you to such a ce to be trampled upon by others, I¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, Zoey acted with startling swiftness, nicking her own finger and expeditiously letting the blood seep into Sofie''s mouth. ¡°W-What are you¡ª¡± No sooner had Sofie finished speaking than she felt a burning pain in her throat. The next moment, she began to convulse all over. ¡°W-What did you feed me?¡± As Zoey methodically erased the traces of blood from her fingertips, shemenced a recitation of the urrences over the preceding days. Uponprehending that she had transformed into a poisonous person, bearing deadly toxins in her blood, Sofie began to frantically scratch at her throat. Zoey responded with a sinister grin, her tone deceptively casual. ¡°It''s futile, spare your efforts. My blood disintegrates as soon as it contacts air, rendering it a potent poison within seconds. Were it not for the antidote on my fingertip, you might already be lifeless. Sofie, oh Sofie, do you now understand why I despise you so much? Had you not ushered Kurt into our home, would I have borne the anguish and torment I did?¡± ¡°Y-You!¡± Learning of the antidote''s existence eradicated Sofie''s restraint. She jabbed a furious finger at Zoey, her voice strident with demand, ¡°Hand over the antidote!¡± Zoey, you''ll face retribution for causing harm to your own mother! Give me the antidote right now!¡± Zoey spread her palms andughed lightly. ¡°Kurt invested considerable effort to transform me into a poisonous person. Do you really think he''d be kind enough to give me the antidote? As for retribution, spare your breath. Even if I were to be reduced to dust, I couldn''t manufacture the antidote. Nheless, out of reverence for our maternal tie, I will administer medicine to sustain your life. The day you hand over that confidential document to me, I''ll have Kurt give you the antidote. Otherwise, you will be endlessly tormented by the poison, enduring the sort of anguish that gnaws at your very bones, day and night.¡± ¡°Of course, you''re free to opt for ending your own life. But, knowing your nature as I do, even if you were immersed in the depths of hell, relinquishing this wretched existence wouldn''t cross your mind, would it?¡± she added. Sofie''s wails of torment reverberated, ¡°You witch, you malevolent witch! Rot in hell!¡± Zoey casually shrugged, her contemptuous grin chilling. ¡°I''ve been dead for quite a stretch now. All I''m doing now is dragging all of you down into hell with me.¡± ¡°You!¡± Before Sofie could retort, the ck-d bodyguard swiftly silenced her with a well-aimed strike. As Sofie crumpled, the bodyguard glowered at Zoey. ¡°How could you spill the truth before Mr. White has even retrieved the confidential documents?¡± Zoey''s lip curled in derision. ¡°Didn''t you listen to the person on the other end? Sofie intends to thrust me into the nightclub fray. Do you think I can still use a courteous approach to outwit her and get that document from her?¡± The ck-d bodyguard hesitated, fell silent momentarily, then ground out, ¡°So, what''s our next move? If the document isn''t retrieved, and Mr. White turns the me on us, who''s going to shoulder the me?¡± ¡°What are you afraid of? Sofie isn''t dead yet. The thing she cherishes most is her own life. She''ll inevitably surrender that document one day to survive. What we need to do now is to take down her lover, so they can no longer stir up any trouble.¡± The ck-d bodyguard stood still for a moment, then strode toward the door. ¡°I''ll take care of it,¡± he said. Hearing this, Zoey let out a cold, mockingugh. She knew he had gone to report the situation to Kurt, but it didn''t matter to her as the man needed her. Hence, how could he possibly end her? This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. That scoundrel turned me into a poisonous person because he wants to harm Cameron and get to ze. He hasn''t achieved his goal yet, so he can''t bear to kill me. Over at the Saviors'' branch, inside a room, Astrid remained ensconced within her boyfriend''s arms, her grip around his neck unwavering. Nestling into his embrace, she absorbed the scent of his robust masculinity. Having shared a significant amount of time with him, it was as though an inkling of affection was unfurling within her for this man. Chapter 891 Counterattack Chapter 891 Counterattack He was an immensely charismatic man, upying a lofty position of power, blessed with both handsomeness and wealth. Above all else, he had profound affection and utmost respect for Caridee. Astrid was stirred by such deep fondness, and it ignited a fierce jealousy within her. Nevertheless, the realization that it was Astrid herself, blossoming with joy in his embrace at this moment, not Caridee, appeared to bestow a sense of calm upon her heart. Given the chance, she held a genuine desire to have him all to herself for a lifetime. This was what Caridee owed her. ¡°Veikko, do you truly hold no disdain for me? I''m no longer pure; I''ve been vited by someone else,¡± Astrid uttered, her words a relentless refrain over the past day and night. Upon hearing her, the man would offer in a gentle tone, ¡°No.¡± The sensation of being cherished by him gratified Astrid''s vanity immensely. A glint of wintry chill flickered within Veikko''s hawk-like eyes. Were it not for his need for this woman to confront Shaun, he would certainly have entertained thoughts of casting her into the crocodile pond. To be candid, what he had experienced with that man in the past paled inparison to this. This woman had redefined hisprehension of the term ¡°cheap.¡± ¡°Don''t worry. Get some sleep and be careful not to wear yourself thin,¡± said Veikko. Astrid''s eyes shifted, a gleam of calction dancing within her gaze. In the following moment, she yfully began to pat his chest. In the next moment, she began to yfully pat his chest. ¡°I don''t believe you. You might assert that you don''t despise me, but there''s a chance you harbor strong detestation deep within. To validate your ims, you must sleep with me. Only then will I be convinced of your sincerity.¡± Veikkopressed his lips tightly. If it were Caridee in Astrid''s shoes today, having suffered such a grave injustice, she would likely turn a blind eye to me. Furthermore, she might distance herself from me. A counterfeit always remains just that¡ªartificial and contrived. This is something Caridee could never grasp, not even in a lifetime. After a beat of silence, his voice quivering slightly, he proimed, ¡°Very well, I''ll prove it to you right now.¡± Despite his words, his hand stealthily reached for themunicator resting on the bedside table. Swiftly, heposed a text message and sent it. Momentster, the room''s door was flung open, and the bodyguard hurried in from the outside. ¡°Mr. Veikko, there''s a situation at the headquarters¡ª Uh, it appears my timing is rather inconvenient.¡± As he finished speaking, he turned around and left. Veikko gently extricated himself from the clutches of the vile woman in his arms and rose from the bed. ¡°You take some rest first. I''ll step out to assess the situation and return to keep youpany.¡± With that, he departed the room without a backward nce. Seeing this, Astrid clenched her teeth with fierce determination. We were so close! Of all the times to show up, the bodyguard had to barge in at the most crucial moment. D*mn it! However, upon reflection, a sense of relief washed over her. It''s clear that this man wants me. It''s only a matter of unfortunate timing that we were disrupted. When another opportunity arises, I''ll do it all over again. One day, I''ll undoubtedly get what I want. I refuse to believe that these ¡°coincidental¡± interruptions will thwart my attempts forever! As Astrid raised her gaze, her eyesnded on the wall clock adorning the opposite wall. It was already ten in the morning. The realization that she hadn''t yet responded to Shaun struck her, prompting her to hastily rise and make her way to the bathroom. After dialing the number, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°Some unexpected things happenedst night. I know you waited through the night, and you''re upset. However, giving in to anger won''t serve any purpose. We''re partners, and I won''t tolerate bearing the brunt of your temper.¡± Shaun''s icy chuckle reverberated over the phone. ¡°You naive fool. Could it be you''ve taken a liking to that little b*stard? Let me warn you, a fake will always a fake. The truth will inevitably emerge. It''s in your best interest not to delude yourself.¡± His words felt like a resounding p to the back of Astrid''s head. Indeed, I''m nothing but a sham. It might remain hidden for a day, two days, or three, but what about a year, two years, or three? Sooner orter, I''ll be exposed. What good cane of it then? ¡°I understand; your reminder is unnecessary. Regarding the photographs you want, give me a few more days to devise a n for acquiring them. Once I have them in my possession, I''ll forward them to you,¡± Astrid responded. In a deep tone, Shaun stated, ¡°There''s no need. The businesswork of the Carter family has been thrown into chaos. I need to return to the family. Before my departure, I must eliminate that little troublemaker. Find a way to lure him out of the Saviors. When the timees, lead him into the trap I''ve set. Once I''ve apprehended him, I''ll uphold my end of the bargain and deliver Caridee to you, just as I''ve promised.¡± At the mention of Caridee, the intensity of hatred in Astrid''s eyes grew even more profound. The purpose of her journey, seeking vengeance against Caridee, remained firmly etched in her mind. She hadn''t forgotten the purpose of her journey - to seek revenge on Caridee. ¡°All right, it''s a deal then. I''ll lure Veikko into your trap, and in return, you''ll surrender Caridee to me.¡± Shaun acknowledged with a hum. In the adjacent study, Veikko grasped the monitor, capturing every utterance exchanged between the two individuals. Ha... Bailey''s strategy is remarkably effective. The mere hint of turmoil and that jerk bes agitated. nning to set up a trap for me? Fine. I''ll respond with a counterattack. The time hase for me to settle ounts with him. Inside the room at the research base, Bailey answered her phone. It was a call from Veikko. ¡°Mm. If he bes restless, that works in our favor. The n will likely be put into motion within the next few days. Once he takes action, we''ll have an opportunity to apprehend him,¡± Bailey stated. ¡°Thank you. Without your suggestion, who knows how long we would''ve had to wait for that guy to reveal his hand.¡± Bailey let out a soft chuckle, ¡°Caridee is my sister-inw. It''s my responsibility to save her. Why are you thanking me?¡± The man on the other end of the line uttered nothing in response. Recognizing theck of a response, Bailey promptly ended the call. Just as she was about to casually toss her phone onto the couch, another call arrived. ncing at the screen, she saw that it was a call from Juliana. After a brief moment of contemtion, she ultimately swiped her finger to ept the call. Given the unusual circumstances, they shouldn''t have beenmunicating at a time like this. Bailey worried that she might divulge the conspiracy theory regarding the Hoffman family''s upheaval¡ª something she couldn''t easily resist sharing. ¡°What is it?¡± Bailey asked upon answering the call. ¡°Master, I have a favor to ask of you. Can you help me find out where Tucker has confined Archie? My intuition tells me that he has the capability to ruin the highly ssified information in Sofie''s possession.¡± Bailey arched her eyebrows, intrigued. This young woman has endured a great deal of adversity, yet she has managed to carve out her own path. It''s rather remarkable that she''s able to find a way out of this tangled mess. It shows that the guidance she''s received throughout the years has not been without merit. Pinpointing Archie is the pivotal juncture; in this aspect, she has already outmaneuvered Tucker. At the very least, that fool didn''t foresee this oue. Presently, his preupation revolves around taking Sofie down with him. If only he was as smart as Juliana, he might have considered targeting Archie. When her trail of thought ended there, Bailey said to Juliana, ¡°Julie, even if you seed in having Archie destroy the document in Sofie''s possession, it won''t automatically grant you the ability to wrest control from Tucker. He''s not a suitable leader for the family. If the Hoffman family remains under his jurisdiction, there''s bound to be significant upheaval within a couple of years.¡± Juliana clenched her teeth, her tone resolute and deep. ¡°Then I''ll oppose him, fighting until I seize that power. Master, I don''t see any alternative path except standing alongside my family.¡± After a moment of contemtion, Bailey proposed, ¡°You also have the option to distance yourself from your family and seek your own happiness.¡± ¡°No, what I desire now is to either survive or perish together with the Hoffman family.¡± Bailey let out a silent sigh. I knew this would happen. If she were to discover that Zeke and Huntley had betrayed the Hoffman family, she might resent them for the rest of her life. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Master, please help me. At present, only Archie holds the key to resolving this situation.¡± Chapter 892 Are You Pregnant Chapter 892 Are You Pregnant Bailey sighed to herself. By assisting Juliana, it''s akin to nullifying Zeke and Huntley''s ns. But can I truly decline? After enduring such immense adversity, Juliana''s unwaveringmitment to safeguarding her family is undeniable. If the Hoffman family were to crumble, wouldn''t all her struggles have been for naught? Following a brief interlude of silence, Bailey eventually offered a feeble nod. ¡°Very well, I''ll help you. But keep in mind, you mustn''t divulge this to anyone else. This knowledge is restricted to us. Is that clear?¡± ¡°Mm, I''ll listen to you, Master.¡± After providing a few additional instructions, Bailey ultimately concluded the call. Standing by the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze drifting over the garden scenery beyond, her mind slowly began to wander. If Juliana indeed seeds in rescuing the Hoffman family, Zeke''s aspiration of capturing Juliana''s heart might remain unfulfilled. Bailey found herself uncertain about the morality of her actions. Yet, in life, things seldom adhere to a clear path, often spiraling beyond one''smand. ¡°What are you thinking about? You seemed so engrossed that you didn''t notice my entrance, nor did you respond when I called your name.¡± The rich, resonant voice of Artemis reverberated, prompting her to instinctively turn her head toward the source. ¡°Julie just reached out to me. She wants me to covertly find out where Tucker has confined Archie. I couldn''t refuse, so I agreed. This action might inadvertently disrupt my brother''s ns.¡± Artemis approached, his arm enveloping her. His slender lips gently traced a path along her delicate cheek. Bailey couldn''t help but shiver, her re sharpening as she scolded, ¡°Show some restraint! Don''t behave like a ruffian and treat women with disrespect whenever you encounter one.¡± Artemis emitted a soft chuckle. ¡°My wife is simply too irresistible; a single taste leaves me craving more. I can''t be held responsible for that.¡± Bailey reached out, clutching his waist with a mixture of annoyance and anger. ¡°I''m trying to have a serious discussion with you. Can you at least attempt to be serious?¡± The domineering man guided her to perch on the windowsill, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, ¡°I bring tidings that might potentially resolve your current predicament. Would you care to hear them?¡± As she observed his enigmatic demeanor, Bailey''s curiosity was immediately piqued, and she prodded, ¡°Don''t keep me waiting. Just spill it out; no need for cryptic hints.¡± C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org The man responded with a smile, refraining from speaking as he leaned his handsome countenance closer to hers, his intentions evident even without words. Unable to resist, Bailey rolled her eyes before dutifully pressing a kiss onto his cheek. This instance left Artemis utterly captivated; however, witnessing her earnest urgency, he managed to rein in his impulses. ¡°When Sofie got wind that Zoey managed to steal the Encyclopedia of Poison from Kurt, she promptly issued orders to have Zoey captured. However, you and I are well aware that Kurt isn''t an easy catch. Even Cameron''s endeavors to seize him have all proved fruitless. Could someone as shrewd, cautious, and devious as Kurt possibly allow Zoey to snatch the Encyclopedia of Poison from his grasp without countermeasures? It''s usible that he utilized poison to exert control over Zoey, subsequently devising an borate scheme to ensnare Sofie. Their intention seems to be coaxing Sofie into their trap and then swiftly reiming the ssified documents she held. Just recently, I received a report from the spy I deployed to monitor Sofie''s whereabouts. The woman and her lover have vanished; they haven''t surfaced for over twenty hours.¡± Bailey''s eyes gleamed. ¡°Are you implying that Zoey might have harmed Sofie? Furthermore, it''s possible that Zoey now possesses the confidential documents pertaining to the Hoffman family''s survival?¡± ¡°Indeed, it''s likely that Zoey will acquire it in due course, even if she hasn''t already. To ensure her survival, Sofie will inevitably yield the document to her.¡± Bailey''s expression registered a degree of bewilderment; she struggled to grasp his underlying message. But if Zoey gains possession of that document, wouldn''t it spell doom for the Hoffman family too? I find it highly improbable that Zoey would experience a sudden change of heart and willingly hand the document to the Hoffmans. ¡°Mr. Luther, could you rify things a bit further? I''m admittedly a bit slow to catch on, and I''m struggling to grasp the full picture.¡± Artemis arched an eyebrow and grinned, posing a question, ¡°Who does Zoey despise the most?¡± Without a second thought, Bailey blurted out, ¡°Me.¡± I do have some self-awareness, after all. The man nodded, a smile gracing his lips. ¡°Precisely. The person Zoey hates the most is you. Were it not for your influence, she wouldn''t have been expelled from the Shurmer family. She''s aware of your mentorship of Juliana and knows that you would safeguard the Hoffmans on her behalf. Possessing that document grants Zoey the power to manipte you.¡± With his subtle implication, Bailey fullyprehended the scenario. ¡°So, you want me to confront her, wrest the document from her grasp, and then what? What do I do next once I secure the document?¡± Artemis'' gaze grew intricate, lingering over her lower abdomen with a pointed curiosity. Bailey found herself slightly puzzled. ¡°Why are you staring at me like that? I''m asking you a question; hurry up and answer it.¡± ¡°They say that women be denser during pregnancy. Are you pregnant? Is that why you seem sillier now?¡± At the peak of fury, Bailey burst outughing instead. So this jerk thinks I''ve gone stupid! ¡°You were quite intensest night; my thoughts are all scrambled. Are you going to provide an exnation or not? If not, then move aside.¡± This statement immediately pleased the man, offering him a swift sense of aplishment. ¡°Fine, fine, I''ll tell you. No need to get so worked up. Once you acquire those confidential documents, you can wield them against the senior figures within the Hoffman family. Presently, they back Tucker due to the advantages he''s bestowed upon them. However, if they discern that their allegiance to Tucker could lead to the downfall of the family, they''ll defect more promptly than anyone else. While Tucker indeedmands the family''s might, this authority isn''t concentrated solely in his hands; rather, it''s diffused among the elders. If you can employ the documents to turn the elders against him, ousting Tucker from power bes usible. Stepping back, even if this strategy falters, we can always rely on force to dethrone him. Yet, you must truly brace yourself. As long as the Hoffman family endures, it''s possible your brother won''t ever win Juliana''s affection.¡± Bailey slumped against him, her frustration palpable. ¡°You''ve circled around, but you haven''t resolved my dilemma. Essentially, if the Hoffman family copses, Juliana suffers. Yet, if the Hoffman family remains intact, my brother might lose his chance with his wife.¡± The man nodded, amused. ¡°There''s rarely a perfect solution in this world. We''ll take it step by step. If all else fails, let Zeke work his charm on the girl, then conceive a child together. What is done cannot be undone; she''ll have no option but to ept it. After all, which woman can resist such advances?¡± His word rendered Bailey speechless. But I have to admit it''s a decent n. Previously, it was Juliana who pursued Zeke. Now, the roles have reversed, and it''s Zeke who''s pursuing Juliana. I really have no grounds toin. Within the infirmary''s study, Catherine was on the brink of departing with a stack of assessment reports when Simon abruptly entered. ¡°Let''s talk.¡± Catherine did not halt in her tracks. Just as she was on the verge of colliding with him, she instinctively sidestepped to the left, intending to walk past him. Seeing this, Simon hurried over and caught hold of her arm. ¡°Am I some sort of menacing creature? Ms. Rogers, don''t forget that it was you who entered my room and slept with me back then. If anyone should be evading the other, it should be me sidestepping you.¡± Catherine had toe to a standstill, and after a beat of silence, she retrieved a card from her pocket and handed it to him. Chapter 893 Are You Seeking Death Chapter 893 Are You Seeking Death Simon was taken aback. ¡°What do you mean by this?¡± Catherine shrugged nonchntly and said, ¡°You''reining about the time I slept with you, aren''t you? Here''s a card with ten million in it¡ªtake it. To be honest, your skills are really nothing special. Even... male prostitutes are better. This ten million is already an astronomicalpensation.¡± Simon''s mouth twitched fiercely, his mind still reeling from thement about male prostitutes being better than him. This d*mn woman. What the h*ll? ¡°Catherine, are you seeking death?¡± Catherine spread her hands and said with a light smile, ¡°Even if I were, you wouldn''t dare to kill me.¡± The man said nothing to that. ¡°I''ve alreadypensated you with money. If you have nothing else to say, I''ll take my leave first.¡± Simon instinctively grabbed her arm. ¡°I want to correct my previous words. It''s not that you''re pestering me, but rather, I want to take responsibility for you and our daughter. Ms. Rogers, for the sake of our child, I hope you can give me a chance to build a family with you and protect you both,¡± he pleaded. Catherineughed softly, gracefully saying, ¡°I''m sorry, but I''m not interested. Please choose someone else. There are plenty of good girls in this world, so don''t waste your efforts on someone as hard to deal with as me. I''m not interested in men.¡± After she finished speaking, she swung her hand, releasing waves of strong fragrance that were so intense that Simon had to take two steps back. After breaking free from his grip, she threw the card at him, then continued to walk toward the door. Simon red fiercely at her retreating figure, his teeth grinding audibly in anger. It was not that he didn''t want to pursue her; it was that he couldn''t. Right now, his legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to move at all. He wondered what that strong fragrance was just now. Once it entered the body, it seemed to have the ability to numb one''s muscles. Seeing that the darn woman was about to leave, he quickly yelled at her retreating figure, ¡°Not only did you sleep with me, you stole my seed and secretly gave birth to a daughter, and now you think you can run away? No chance. You''d better prepare yourself to be the daughter-inw of the Luther family.¡± She said nothing in response. Around the corner outside the door, Aisley was there. As she listened to the roar of Simon, her hands slowly clenched into fists. He truly has begun to consider marrying Catherine. How can this be possible? What will I do if he marries Catherine? In this world, he was the only man who could save her from her circumstances. She was adamant about holding on to him tightly. Otherwise, the consequences would be more than she could bear. Her gaze shifted, focusing intently on the retreating figure of Catherine. As she gazed at the elegant and noble figure, a glimmer of envy rose in her eyes. In the end, all the envy transformed into vicious hatred. If it weren''t for this woman suddenly showing up with her daughter, why would she have had a falling out with Simon, leading to her suggesting they break up? If she hadn''t broken up with him, would they have ended up in the situation they were in now? When ites down to it, all of this is thanks to that despicable person. If I let her off easy, I would be betraying the ruthless tactics my mother had taught me. The days ahead are long, and there wille a day when I will eliminate all the troubles around Simon, making sure that I am the one left in his eyes and only me. He''ll treasure me like he did before again. At the mansion in the countryside, Zoey, who was in the study, had people turn the entire mansion upside down, but in the end, they still couldn''t find the document. ¡°It seems the only way is to pry open that old hag''s mouth, as flipping this mansion inside out dozens of times is pointless.¡± After hearing her murmur, the bodyguard in ck coldly said, ¡°You shouldn''t have revealed your identity so impulsively. Even though Sofie says she wants to send you to the nightclub, we can definitely find a way to make her let you stay.¡± Undaunted, Zoey shrugged, disying an attitude of indifference. ¡°Sorry, your warning came toote. Sofie already knows.¡± ¡°You...¡± Just as the bodyguard was about to speak, a sudden ringtone interrupted his train of thought. Zoey reached out for her phone, and upon seeing the number shing on the screen, she couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°What, did you call to question me too? But I''m sorry¡ªwhat''s done is done. ming me won''t change anything.¡± The voice of Kurt came through the microphone. ¡°Your life is your own. Why would I me or question you? All you need to remember is this: the moment you get the document from Sofie, that''s the moment I''ll give you the antidote. If you''re tough enough, you can bear it for a few more days. But when you can''t handle it anymore, I believe you''lle to me begging.¡± Zoey''s gaze hardened, and she abruptly ended the call. She never intended to live in the first ce. Once she got hold of the document, she''d be able to lure Bailey out under some pretext, and then they''d go down together. Even if it meant dying, she was determined to drag down the viin who had brought her to this point. She wes edement ebout holding on to him tightly. Otherwise, the consequences would be more then she could beer. Her geze shifted, focusing intently on the retreeting figure of Cetherine. C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org As she gezed et the elegent end noble figure, e glimmer of envy rose in her eyes. In the end, ell the envy trensformed into vicious hetred. If it weren''t for this women suddenly showing up with her deughter, why would she heve hed e felling out with Simon, leeding to her suggesting they breek up? If she hedn''t broken up with him, would they heve ended up in the situetion they were in now? When ites down to it, ell of this is thenks to thet despiceble person. If I let her off eesy, I would be betreying the ruthless tectics my mother hed teught me. The deys eheed ere long, end there wille e dey when I will elime ell the troubles eround Simon, meking sure thet I em the one left in his eyes end only me. He''ll treesure me like he did before egein. At the mension in the countryside, Zoey, who wes in the study, hed people turn the entire mension upside down, but in the end, they still couldn''t find the document. ¡°It seems the only wey is to pry open thet old heg''s mouth, es flipping this mension inside out dozens of times is pointless.¡± After heering her murmur, the bodyguerd in bleck coldly seid, ¡°You shouldn''t heve reveeled your identity so impulsively. Even though Sofie seys she wents to send you to the nightclub, we cen definitely find e wey to meke her let you stey.¡± Undeunted, Zoey shrugged, displeying en ettitude of indifference. ¡°Sorry, your werning ceme too lete. Sofie elreedy knows.¡± ¡°You...¡± Just es the bodyguerd wes ebout to speek, e sudden ringtone interrupted his trein of thought. Zoey reeched out for her phone, end upon seeing the number fleshing on the screen, she couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Whet, did you cell to question me too? But I''m sorry¡ªwhet''s done is done. Bleming me won''t chenge enything.¡± The voice of Kurt ceme through the microphone. ¡°Your life is your own. Why would I bleme or question you? All you need to remember is this: the moment you get the document from Sofie, thet''s the moment I''ll give you the entidote. If you''re tough enough, you cen beer it for e few more deys. But when you cen''t hendle it enymore, I believe you''lle to me begging.¡± Zoey''s geze herdened, end she ebruptly ended the cell. She never intended to live in the first plece. Once she got hold of the document, she''d be eble to lure Beiley out under some pretext, end then they''d go down together. Even if it meent dying, she wes determined to dreg down the villein who hed brought her to this point. With this in mind, she strode out of the study, heading straight for the hidden chamber where Sofie was being held. Inside the room, the sound of a whipshing against flesh echoed through the silent space, a chilling noise that could make one''s skin crawl. Zoey strode in, and upon seeing her mother, who was tied up and beaten to a pulp, she suddenly burst into a sinisterugh. ¡°What, the old hag still hasn''t given in?¡± The bodyguard standing quietly at the side nodded. ¡°She''s tough as nails, wouldn''t say a word. Give me two more days; I''m certain I can get her to talk.¡± Zoey nced at the people in the room and said coldly, ¡°You all leave. I want to question her alone.¡± ¡°But...¡± The bodyguards standing on either side hesitated slightly. They were there to interrogate Sofie on Kurt''s orders and dared not go against them. Seeing that they weren''t moving, Zoey didn''t rush them. She casually said, ¡°I know Mr. White has given you two days'' time and that if you can''t get her to talk in two days, you''ll all be dead. Truth be told, I''m in the same boat. Without that information, I''m as good as dead. So, considering our shared predicament, let''s join forces.¡± After a moment of hesitation, the bodyguards finallyplied and withdrew obediently. After the area was cleared, Zoey strode over to Sofie and sshed adle of water onto her face. Once Sofie slowly regained consciousness, Zoey couldn''t help but chuckle. ¡°Mommy, are you still adamant about not speaking? If you don''t start talking, you''ll be in a world of trouble; not even God would be able to save you.¡± Sofie coughed up a little bit of blood, moving her wrist with some difficulty to give a thumbs-up. ¡°You''ve learned my ruthlessness and my capability to put justice before family all too well, and you''re executing them tenfold even. Excellent, you truly are my daughter. I can give you the document, but you have to tell me what you n to do with it once you have it.¡± Zoey leaned in slowly, whispering into her ear, ¡°Give me the document. I''ll use it to lure Bailey out and take her down. And then expose it to the world, ruining the entire Hoffman family.¡± Sofie burst into heartyughter. ¡°Very well. You''ve truly grasped the essence of my teachings. I''m truly gratified. Bailey faked her death, causing me to lose everything. That woman, I must kill her. Now that you''re here to do the job, it couldn''t be better.¡± Zoey spread her hand in front of Sofie, saying indifferently, ¡°You can give me the document now, right?¡± Chapter 894 Tricking Simon Chapter 894 Tricking Simon At the end of the day, Zoey''s main goal was to get that document from her. Sofie looked at the palm spread out in front of her. With narrowed eyes, she said, ¡°I can give you the document, but you have to save my life.¡± Zoey furrowed her brows. The poison within them could only be neutralized by Kurt. The only bargaining chip to obtain the antidote was the confidential document in the hands of Sofie. In other words, she must hand over the document to Kurt to get the antidote. But if she were to hand over the document to that scoundrel, how would she be able to lure Bailey into her trap? If she couldn''t teach Bailey a lesson, wouldn''t all she had endured be in vain? ¡°The poison in your body was meticulously concocted by Kurt. It''s not something that just anyone can neutralize. You''re asking the impossible.¡± Upon hearing this, Sofie gave a mysterious smile and said lightly, ¡°You mentioned that ordinary people couldn''t cure it, but what about those who are proficient in the art of poison? For instance, Mr. Yablon or the Poison Lady, ze? I believe they should have a way to neutralize this poison, right?¡± Zoey gritted her teeth. This woman''s will to live sure is strong. Regardless, I have no choice but to follow her instructions and do as she says. Otherwise, I can forget about getting that confidential document. ¡°All right, it''s a deal. Can you hand over the document to me now?¡± Sofie shook her head with a smile. ¡°If I hand over the document to you now, it''ll be like I''m signing my own death warrant. Do you really think your mother would do something as foolish and ridiculous as this?¡± Zoey clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth as she asked, ¡°What else do you want?¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Sofie shrugged leisurely and said, ¡°I know the guards here are all Kurt''s dogs. First, figure out a way to rescue me. Let''s break free from Kurt''s control, and then we can n for other things. What do you think?¡± Zoey fell into deep thought. She was certain the document was not in the mansion. If Sofie were to get out and then be allowed to slip away unnoticed, she would definitely go to retrieve those documents. All Zoey needed to do was to secretly follow her by then. After understanding the crux of the matter, she nodded and said, ¡°All right, for the sake of our mother- daughter rtionship, I will do it. I''m saving you this time as a repayment for the favor of giving me life. From now on, we''re even.¡± Sofie slightly lowered her head in silence, a calcting glint shing in her eyes. As long as she could escape from there, she would find a way to break free from Zoey''s control. Having mingled internationally for so many years, she knew quite a few poison-crafting experts. She refused to believe that those people couldn''t neutralize this mere toxin. As long as one had money, there was nothing in this world that couldn''t be achieved, including snatching one''s life back from the hands of the Grim Reaper. So before anything else, she must free herself from Zoey''s control. Seeing her hang her head, Zoey couldn''t help but sneer inwardly. Does she think I can''t figure out what''s on her mind? How ridiculous. I will show her through actions what it means to be hoisted by her own petard. At the research base, a housekeeper walked into the guest room carrying a tray. She scanned the room. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she casually closed the door behind her. ¡°Ms. Aisley, I''m here to assist you on behalf of Mrs. Lockett. Don''t be too surprised, and be careful not to draw attention.¡± Abruptly, Aisley stood up from the couch. After giving the housekeeper a once-over, she asked in a low voice, ¡°Has my mom nned the next step?¡± The housekeeper strolled over to the couch, cing the tray she was carrying onto the table. Then, she took out a small, delicate sprayer from between theyers of the bread. ¡°This item is something Mrs. Lockett asked me to deliver to you. She also asked me to pass along a note to you, which contains the specifics of the n.¡± After she finished speaking, she unscrewed the top of the sprayer and took out a tiny piece of paper from inside, handing it to Aisley. Aisley quickly reached out to take it, only to read: This medicine can stimte the parasitic fragrance within Catherine''s daughter''s body. It was meticulously prepared by Eunice. If you''re lucky, you might just get what you want in one fell swoop, and that little girl will die from the effects of the parasitic fragrance. After reading the message, Aisley crumpled up the note and stuffed it into her pocket. I didn''t expect that old woman to find a solution so quickly. Great! Her gaze slowly drifted downward, settling on the bottle in her hand. Can such a tiny little thing really take a person''s life? But since that old woman meticulously prepared it, it should be fine. Moreover, she knew that Eunice had been going against Catherine over the years. In this world, there was no one who wished more fervently than her for Catherine and her daughter to be dead. ¡°All right, I understand. Please tell my mother that as soon as a good opportunity presents itself, I will put the n into action.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Meanwhile, Simon wore a pitiful expression, gazing at Bailey across from him in the study of the main house. ¡°Bailey, that woman''s personality is so strange. I really can''t get on the same page with her. Moreover, she''s an expert in the art of perfumery, and she sprinkles flower pollen on me whenever she wants. We are simply not on the same level. If she doesn''t want me to get close to her, I''mpletely at a loss. Why don''t you be a good Samaritan and help me win her over?¡± As long es one hed money, there wes nothing in this world thet couldn''t be echieved, including ching one''s life beck from the hends of the Grim Reeper. So before enything else, she must free herself from Zoey''s control. Seeing her heng her heed, Zoey couldn''t help but sneer inwerdly. Does she think I cen''t figure out whet''s on her mind? How ridiculous. I will show her through ections whet it meens to be hoisted by her own peterd. At the reseerch bese, e housekeeper welked into the guest room cerrying e trey. She scenned the room. Seeing nothing out of the ordinery, she cesuelly closed the door behind her. ¡°Ms. Aisley, I''m here to essist you on behelf of Mrs. Lockett. Don''t be too surprised, end be cereful not to drew ettention.¡± Abruptly, Aisley stood up from the couch. After giving the housekeeper e once-over, she esked in e low voice, ¡°Hes my mom plenned the next step?¡± The housekeeper strolled over to the couch, plecing the trey she wes cerrying onto the teble. Then, she took out e smell, delicete spreyer from between the leyers of the breed. ¡°This item is something Mrs. Lockett esked me to deliver to you. She elso esked me to pess elong e note to you, which conteins the specifics of the plen.¡± After she finished speeking, she unscrewed the top of the spreyer end took out e tiny piece of peper from inside, hending it to Aisley. Aisley quickly reeched out to teke it, only to reed: This medicine cen stimulete the peresitic fregrence within Cetherine''s deughter''s body. It wes meticulously prepered by Eunice. If you''re lucky, you might just get whet you went in one fell swoop, end thet little girl will die from the effects of the peresitic fregrence. After reeding the messege, Aisley crumpled up the note end stuffed it into her pocket. I didn''t expect thet old women to find e solution so quickly. Greet! Her geze slowly drifted downwerd, settling on the bottle in her hend. Cen such e tiny little thing reelly teke e person''s life? But since thet old women meticulously prepered it, it should be fine. Moreover, she knew thet Eunice hed been going egeinst Cetherine over the yeers. In this world, there wes no one who wished more fervently then her for Cetherine end her deughter to be deed. ¡°All right, I understend. Pleese tell my mother thet es soon es e good opportunity presents itself, I will put the plen into ection.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Meenwhile, Simon wore e pitiful expression, gezing et Beiley ecross from him in the study of the mein house. ¡°Beiley, thet women''s personelity is so strenge. I reelly cen''t get on the seme pege with her. Moreover, she''s en expert in the ert of perfumery, end she sprinkles flower pollen on me whenever she wents. We ere simply not on the seme level. If she doesn''t went me to get close to her, I''mpletely et e loss. Why don''t you be e good Semeriten end help me win her over?¡± Bailey looked at the card on the coffee table, holding back herughter. That woman, Catherine, might appear harmless at first nce, but who would have thought she could be so ruthless in her actions? A whopping ten million was spent to get rid of the illustrious Mr. Simon. Haha. Just thinking about it is exhrating. ¡°Well, it''s better to ask Zayron about this. That little rascal, when he starts kicking up a fuss, even if you don''t want to marry Catherine, he can make it so that you end up marrying her.¡± Simon rolled his eyes, helplessly saying, ¡°I''m trying to get a wife, not y house. That kid is full of bad ideas. I''m afraid what he''ll do might just make her blow her top off, let alone help me get her.¡± Bailey thought for a moment. Raising an eyebrow, she said with a smile, ¡°Tell me, do you want to marry her because she bore you a daughter, or is it because you genuinely have feelings for her?¡± Simon ran his fingers through his hair. ¡°I''m not quite sure, but regardless of whether I like her or not, I have to marry her. Why bother talking about other things?¡± Bailey reached out and smacked him on the back of his head. ¡°There''s a big difference. Moreover, she has decided to return and take over the position of the Rogers family''s head. Once she takes over, you won''t be able to do anything anymore.¡± ¡°What?¡± Simon abruptly stood up from the couch, his eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°Why on earth would she want to be the head of that ursed family? Isn''t it more appealing to travel the world with me, enjoying food and drinks wherever we go?¡± Bailey''s eyes rolled, and she couldn''t help but recall the n that Artemis had shared with her¡ªto coax Simon into taking the helm of the household. Hmm, now is the perfect time to push him into the trap. ¡°Well, every woman has a sense of vanity. If she married you, she couldn''t even be the matriarch of the Luther family. But if she returns to the Rogers family, she could be the head of the household. Given the choice, I would also choose thetter.¡± Simon blurted out, ¡°That''s easy. I just need to ask my brother to let me take over as the head of the family for a while, right? All right, it''s settled then. I''ll go and talk to my brother about it in a bit.¡± Bailey held back augh, the mischievous gleam in her eyes intensifying. You fell for it just like that, huh? ¡°Are you sure you want to be the head of the Luther family?¡± Chapter 895 Foolish And Clueless Chapter 895 Foolish And Clueless The voice of Artemis came from the doorway. Simon abruptly turned around, hastily exining, ¡°Artemis, I''m not coveting your position. All I need is one month from you. Once I''ve gotten myself a wife, I''ll immediately return the position to you.¡± Artemis stroked his chin, appearing hesitant on the surface, but inside, he was overjoyed. My wife is indeed clever. With a simple trick, she managed to toss out this hot potato. ¡°All right, since the public still doesn''t know that I''m alive, let''s have Mom and Dad announce that you''ll be the head of the family. Now that I''ve given you the position of the head of the Luther family, you must work hard and not let down my expectations of you.¡± Simon got what he wished for, and he was as happy as a kid. ¡°I''ll go and talk to Catherine again.¡± After saying that, he dashed out of the study. Unable to contain herself any longer, Bailey copsed onto the couch, clutching her stomach as she burst into heartyughter. That guy, Simon, is really unlucky to have such a brother and sister-inw. I can''t wait to see the look on that guy''s face when he finds out he''s been duped. It''ll be entertaining. Artemis strolled over to the couch, reached out, pulled her up, and held her in his arms. ¡°You''ll have to deal with what happens next when that kid goes berserk.¡± Bailey wasughing without a care in the world in his arms. ¡°He''s so foolish and clueless. Even though you''re both sons of the Luther family, how can the gap between you two be so vast?¡± Artemis slightly narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint shing through his gaze. She said that Simon was both foolish and clueless and also mentioned the huge difference between the two brothers. Isn''t she indirectly calling me an old cunning fox, then? ¡°My dear, since I haven''t given you any attention all morning, are you feeling neglected? If so, let''s head to our room and spend some quality time together.¡± After he finished speaking, he swept her off her feet and headed straight for the door. Bailey struggled in his arms. ¡°Can you not be so ridiculous in broad daylight? Put me down. I still need to go to theb to research the method of getting rid of the parasitic fragrance with ze. Put me down.¡± Artemis not only ignored her but also quickened his pace. Bailey started to kick and punch. ¡°If you don''t put me down, I''ll get angry. I really will.¡± Artemis couldn''t help butugh. ¡°I''m carrying you to theb. What did you think I was doing? You''re the one who''s got the wrong idea, but you insist on ming me. Go ahead and shout. Let''s see who ends up embarrassed.¡± She was speechless. This prick! After rushing out of the main house, Simon headed straight for the infirmary. As he passed by the garden, he saw Catherine picking flower petals in the yard. Changing his course, he headed straight toward her. As he approached, he wheezed, saying, ¡°Woman, I''m about to be the head of the Luther family. Marry me, and I''ll make you the matriarch of the Luther family. Isn''t that better than going back to take over that useless position?¡± Catherine slowly raised her head. Looking at the fool who was staring at her, she asked, ¡°What does your role as the head of the Luther family have to do with my return to the Rogers family to seed as the head of the family? I''ll live my life, and you''ll live yours. We won''t interfere with each other''s lives.¡± Riled up, Simon gripped her arm, still panting as he said, ¡°I know women have a strong sense of vanity, so I specifically took my sister-inw''s advice. I''ve taken over the head of the household position from my brother. If you marry me, I''ll make you the matriarch of the Luther family and will fulfill all your demands.¡± At that, Catherine looked at him like she was looking at an idiot. If I''m not mistaken, this fool must have been tricked by Bailey. That couple doesn''t want to be in charge of the household, so they dump the responsibility onto this fool. This idiot is amusing. Not only is he oblivious, but he also thinks his elder brother and sister-inw are so good to him. Jeez. How did Luna end up having such a dumb father? Regardless, she couldn''t be bothered to let him know. I''ll let him continue having his grandiose dreams. ¡°I want to be a queen. Can you topple a country for me and support me in bing a queen?¡± Simon was taken aback for a moment, then said in a daze, ¡°Being the matriarch of the Luther family isn''t bad either. I can have them treat you like a queen.¡± With a cool demeanor, Catherine stuffed a handful of freshly picked flowers into his arms and said, ¡°The third room on the left on the second floor of the infirmary. Take this bouquet and propose to her, and she will surely say yes. You two can get your marriage certificate this afternoon. I wish you both happiness.¡± After she finished speaking, she picked up the flower basket and walked toward the exit. Subconsciously, Simon grabbed her arm, but upon encountering her cautioning gaze, he quickly let go. Yesterday, her flower pollen had him out of it for half a day. He had no desire to go through that again. ¡°Are you really going back to be the head of the Rogers family? I''ve told you, being the matriarch of the Luther family would be much more prestigious.¡± With a raise of Catherine''s eyebrows, a mischievous glint shed in her eyes. Since his older brother and sister-inw have set him up already, I might as well give him an extra push. ¡°Let''s talk about it when you be the head of the Luther family.¡± She said this for two reasons: first, to make himmit to it, and second, to make him think she was a gold digger and dislike her. But the oue was a little unexpected. ¡°All right, it''s settled then. After I be the head of the Luther family, I will go to the Rogers family to talk about our marriage. If your father dares to disagree, I will use the power of the Luther family to disrupt all your family''s businesses.¡± She was speechless. Oh, he doesn''t mind me being materialistic? This guy is actually pretty adorable. It''s a shame that we aren''t destined to be together. After much consideration, she was still adamant about returning and assuming the role of the family head, then using her authority to retrieve the fragrance manual. What''s the problem with spending the rest of my life in the Rogers family for the sake of my daughter? There''s no one else for me to worry or care about anyway. At the Saviors'' branch, Astrid was in the bathroom of the bedroom, on the phone with Shaun. Shaun said, ¡°Tell him you want to go out and clear your head. Then, lead him into the valley in the eastern suburb, where I have set up an ambush. I''m certain I can capture him there.¡± After some thought, Astrid spoke. ¡°I can do as you ask, but you have to keep your promise and bring Caridee over for the exchange.¡± ¡°All right, I know you despise that little wretch to the core. We are partners, so it''s only natural that I do what you want.¡± After speaking, Shaun immediately ended the call. Astrid tightened her grip on the phone. Although she was reluctant to let go of that sweet man, she knew it was all just an illusion. All his tenderness is reserved for that wretched Caridee. The day he discovers the truth, he will surely break my heart. Rather than obsessing over something that''s not there, it''s better to trade him for Caridee. The person she truly hated was just that despicable person. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. In the study next door, Veikko leanedzily on the couch, his slender fingers gently tapping on the armrest. He had overheard the entire conversation between Astrid and Shaun. So, you''re finally making your move? Very well. He was certain that Shaun wouldn''t take Caridee to the agreed location, so all he needed to do was to contact Bailey to rescue Caridee at his ce. The call connected sessfully. He briefed Bailey on the situation, then asked, ¡°I''ll go after Shaun, and you go save Caridee. Does that sound good?¡± Chapter 896 Be A Burden Chapter 896 Be A Burden Naturally, Bailey would not refuse. Although she was somewhat worried that Veikko might not be able to handle it, fearing that he might be too impulsive and fall into Shaun''s trap, in the end, she still managed to suppress the urge to lend him a helping hand. Veikko''s hostility toward Shaun extended beyond the dark events of the past; it also epassed the vendetta for his mother''s murder. Such a deep-rooted animosity, she understood, was something he wouldn''t want outsiders meddling with. It was better for him to settle his personal grievances on his own. ¡°All right. Let''s do that. You focus on dealing with Shaun, and I will go with Caridee''s brother to rescue her. Be careful in all you do. If you encounter any unexpected situations, contact me immediately. Don''t try to handle it all by yourself. Remember, it''s not worth risking your life to go down with that scoundrel. You don''t need to put your life on the line.¡± Veikko gripped his phone tightly and said hoarsely, ¡°Okay, I''ll follow your advice. But be careful, Shaun''s ce could be extremely dangerous.¡± After ending the call, he slowly stood up and remained motionless for a while, calming his tumultuous emotions before striding outside. Leaving the study, he went straight to the bedroom. He opened the door and saw the imposter touching up her makeup. Nonchntly, he spoke. ¡°The weather is nice today. Let''s take a walk in the garden together.¡± Astrid''s eyes swiveled, a scheming glint shing in her gaze. In the next moment, she stood up, walked over to Veikko, and wrapped her arms around his neck. ¡°I don''t want to. I''m tired of this garden. It''s so boring. If you really want to take a stroll with me, let''s go somewhere else. Back when I was temporarily living in Moranta, I used to take the children from the welfare center to y in a valley in Derport. The scenery there is breathtaking, with lush mountains and clear waters. It''s a perfect ce for healing. Would you apany me for a stroll there?¡± Veikko furrowed his brows, pretending to be hesitant. Sensing his reluctance, Astrid quickly nted a kiss on his handsome face, pleading in a coquettish manner, ¡°Can we please go there? I''m bored to death here. I really want to go out for a bit.¡± Veikko''s face twitched twice, and the spot where the woman had just kissed him reeked of a foul smell. How he wished he could just peel the skin off his own face with a knife. To prevent her from doing such distasteful things again, he quickly said, ¡°All right. We can go anywhere you want as long as it makes you happy. Wait in the room for a while. I''ll have someone prepare some food and leisure items. We''ll set off in ten minutes.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Astrid''s smile gradually faded after Veikko left. Although she was somewhat reluctant to let go of this handsome and wealthy man, she preferred to grasp something substantial rather than pursue mere illusions. Caridee, for instance, was one of the substantial things. Pulling out themunicator she had been hiding, she sent a message to Shaun that read: We''ll head to the valley in Derport shortly. Ten minutester, they left the Saviors'' branch in Veikko''s car. Mindy emerged from the shadows after the car drove out of the front garden. ¡°D*mn it! That b*tch has been tainted by some other man and is no longer clean! Why does Mr. Veikko still pamper her so?¡± As she spoke with indignance, she crushed the freshly picked flower in her hand into pieces. The female bodyguard by the side respectfully said, ¡°This is just the beginning. Our next move will be even more ruthless.¡± Mindy nced at her, asking, ¡°Do you have another idea?¡± The female bodyguard leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear. Mindy burst into heartyughter after hearing what the bodyguard had to say. ¡°Great! This is a great idea! Let''s do it this way!¡± In the room at Shaun''s residence, Caridee curled up in the corner of the couch, staring warily at Shaun, who was standing in front of her. ¡°If you want to mess with me, just do it. D-Don''t torture me.¡± Shaun was pleased to see her pitiful demeanor. If it weren''t for the pressing time and he would have to rush to the valley to set everything up immediately, he really wanted to have some fun with her and record a video for Veikko to see how his precious little angel was ruined. But that''s okay. Once I capture that jerk, I''ll bring him here and do it in front of him. That''ll yield better results. ¡°Sweetheart, stay put at home, okay? I''m going to bring your pretty boy back, and then we''ll share an intimate moment right in front of him.¡± Caridee bit her lip hard as her thoughts ran wild. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Could Veikko have set up a trap for this jerk? Artemis and Bailey are in Moranta. With their intelligence, they''ll y this jerk like a fiddle. Yes. That must be what''s happening. I''m sure of it. I won''t have to worry about Veikko because Bailey won''t let him take any risks. All I have to do now is to conserve my strength so that when theye to rescue me, I''ll have the energy to run and won''t be a burden. Smack! Shaun nted a huge kiss on her cheek, then left the roomughing heartily. Caridee vigorously wiped the spot where he had kissed her with her sleeve, praying inwardly that Veikko would be fine. Not long after Shaun left, several figures climbed over the side wall and entered. Catherine pulled out a few bottles from her pocket and handed them to Bailey, Artemis, and Simon respectively. ¡°Each of you head in a different direction and release this gas. Whatever evildoers that lurk within this manor will be knocked out.¡± Bailey and Artemis each told the other to be careful before swiftly parting ways. Simon looked at Catherine and arched his eyebrow. ¡°You agreed toe and rescue Caridee. Does that mean you consider yourself a part of the Luther family?¡± Catherine remained silent, mainly because she couldn''t be bothered to entertain him. Simon added, ¡°Be careful. If you encounter any danger, just call out my name.¡± Catherine looked up at him and snapped, ¡°Why should I call your name? To summon all the bodyguards in the manor to ughter you? Given your skills, if you''re ever ambushed, you''ll definitely end up looking like a sieve.¡± This woman has such a sharp tongue. He still had something else to say, but a warning nce from Catherine promptly silenced him. ¡°Fine. Fine. All men in the Luther family are afraid of women. I''m afraid of you, too, okay?¡± Catherine tossed the bottle in her hand into his arms and headed in another direction. Momentster, wave after wave of refreshing fragrance spread throughout the entire manor from all directions. Wherever the fragrance drifted past, bodyguards dropped to the ground one by one, losing consciousness. Even the mastiffs kept indoors were not immune to its effects. After the four of them met by the artificialke, Simon couldn''t helpining, ¡°Why didn''t you bring out this game-changing thing earlier?¡± Catherine sneered, ¡°Do you know how to blend it?¡± Simon was puzzled. Blend? Blend what? Bailey exined, ¡°This perfume is called ''Thousand Miles.'' It only takes effect when freshly blended. The process of blending this fragrance takes more than five days, while Caridee has only been captured five to six days ago.¡± Artemis interjected, ¡°Enough with the chit-chat. We should get moving. Simon, you and Catherine head to the mansion on the east side, while Bailey and I will go to the one on the west side. Once we find her, let''s regroup here.¡± Simon was quite pleased with that arrangement. Catherine, however, ignored him. ¡°I''ll go alone. Don''te with me; you''ll only be a burden.¡± Chapter 897 Threaten Chapter 897 Threaten Hurt by Catherine''s words, Simon turned to look at Bailey resentfully. Artemis shot him a cold re and scoffed, ¡°So you''re just going to listen to her? Shamelessly cling to her like how I used to cling to your sister-inw in the past. Understand?¡± Simon flinched as if realization had just struck him upon listening to his brother''s words. Fired up, he took off in pursuit. Bailey couldn''t help chuckling as she watched the two leave. ¡°Given the current situation, your brother really isn''t good enough for her.¡± Artemis huffed, holding her hand and leading her toward the mansion on the west side. ¡°Once he bes mature after being the head of the family for a few months, he''ll improve.¡± Bailey wrapped her arms around his, lifting her head to look at him with a wide grin. ¡°In my eyes, no man in this world is as good as you. Not even my brother.¡± Artemis'' lips curled to form a smile as he reached out to pinch her cheek. ¡°Be good and don''t try to charm me with those eyes. We''ll have to wait until we get back home.¡± After entering the mansion on the east side, Catherine went straight to the second floor. In the end, she found the drowsy Caridee in the master bedroom. The fragrance was simply too overpowering. Even though the doors and windows of the room were tightly shut, some of the lingering scent still managed to seep through the cracks. Although it wasn''t enough to make her pass out, it was still quite overwhelming. With haste, Catherine approached and produced a bottle, shaking it twice in front of her nose. Caridee slowly came to her senses and saw a blurry figure in front of her. Instinctively, she curled up into a ball to protect herself. As her vision gradually sharpened, she widened her eyes in surprise once she recognized the person before her. ¡°C-Catherine? Are you Catherine?¡± Zayron had shown her a photo of Catherine before this, and she was sure it was indeed Catherine standing in front of her. Calling out to Catherine, she threw herself into the former''s arms and sobbed. ¡°You''re the best, Catherine! Only you care about me! The others didn''t even bother toe to my rescue! You''re the only one who cares!¡± Taking note of how frightened the youngdy was, Catherine patted her back andforted her, ¡°It''s okay now. I''m here. No one can hurt you.¡± Caridee continued bawling. ¡°All right, enough with the fake crying. Anyone can tell those are crocodile tears. You really are way too carefree. Looks like you''re living the life here, huh? We were actually worried that you were tormented.¡± Caridee stopped crying abruptly and shot her brother a ferocious re. ¡°You talk too much and it''s annoying.¡± Catherine helped Caridee up and frowned as thetter swayed unsteadily. ¡°What are you still doing standing there? Can''t you see she''s weak and can''t walk?¡± Simon walked over resignedly and scooped his sister up,ining, ¡°The number of dominatrixes in our family is shocking.¡± Catherineunched a kick at him immediately after hearing that. Only after kicking him did she realize she had lost herposure. I''m usually not like this. Why do I always feel like pping him every time he runs his mouth? When the two of them returned to the artificialke with Caridee, they saw Artemis and Bailey kissing under the shade of a tree by theke. This couple are such jerks. In the valley in Derport, Veikko drove to the riverbank and parked the car there. He had nothing to fear, for he had prepared everything in advance. After getting out of the car, he walked straight over to the brook and crouched down. Through the reflection in the clear water, he caught sight of the ck-d assassin, barely visible among the tree branches. His thin lips couldn''t help curving into a bloodthirsty smile. It''s good that he''s taking action. That''s exactly what I''m waiting for. If he doesn''t take action, it''ll be difficult to carry out Bailey''s rescue n. Astrid approached from a distance and said, ¡°Hey, what are you doing squatting here? Let''s go sit on that rock and rest for a bit.¡± Veikko''s smile deepened. The next moment, he leaped into the air, plunging directly into the seemingly bottomless water. A sh of surprise crossed Astrid''s eyes, and she instinctively attempted to jump in after him. That was when a series of gunshots rang out and countless bullets rained down from the tree branches. Standing at the very heart of the sniper''s focus, she was swept by a barrage of bullets, and just as expected, she was practically reduced to a human sieve. Bright red blood oozed from countless bullet holes in her body. She fixed her gaze on the river''s surface, her pupils constricting. Why? Why is this happening to me? All I ever wanted was to make a deal and seek justice for myself. What''s wrong with that? Why must fate be so cruel to me? A shrill and mournful shriek echoed through the valley, its resonance lingering in the air. The next moment, Astrid''s lifeless body fell to the ground with a loud thud, her eyes wide open, staring at the blue sky above. A group of bodyguards in ck leaped down from the trees and began firing at the water. Shaun approached with a grim expression, gritting his teeth as he asked, ¡°Where is that brat?¡± The leader of the assassins said with a trembling voice, ¡°M-Mr. Carter, he must''ve jumped into the water after sensing danger. But don''t worry, I will send people to search the water. He has no weapons, so he won''t be able to escape.¡± Shaun said impatiently, ¡°Hurry up and get going!¡± No sooner had his words fallen than the assassins on the shore began jumping into the water. Three minutester, a massive explosion rang out from beneath the water. Everyst one of those assassins was blown to smithereens. Only then did Shaun realize he had been tricked. Shocked, he took a few steps back but was soon surrounded. His personal bodyguard rushed over with a package in his arms. ¡°Mr. Carter, w-we''ve been tricked.¡± Shaun kicked the bodyguard and yelled furiously, ¡°Do you think I''m blind? I don''t need you to tell me!¡± His gaze fell on the package in the bodyguard''s arms, and he soon burst into maniacalughter. Snatching the package from the bodyguard, he pulled out an urn from within. It was made of ss, filled with some powder. Judging by the color of the powder, it was most likely someone''s ashes. Lifting the urn in his hand, he yelled at the river, ¡°Kill me if you dare, you b*stard! If you kill me, all that''s left of your mother''s ashes will end up scattered on the ground as fertilizer.¡± He ordered someone to secretly retrieve this from the Carter family. The only reason he brought it with him today was simply to urinate in it right in front of Veikko. Unexpectedly, it had be his lifesaver. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! ¡°Come on out, you jerk! Weren''t you acting all tough? Come out and see what I''ll do to your mother''s ashes!¡± Immediately after he finished his sentence, a sharp weapon came swinging over from the opposite cliff, and a slender figure glided through the air. Veikko stared at the ashes in Shaun''s hand, his eyes bloodshot, his body shaking violently. He knew for a fact that these were his mother''s ashes because he was the one who bought this urn. If Shaun were to threaten him with anything else today, he would''ve remained unfazed. However, he couldn''t just stand by and do nothing when Shaun was about to desecrate his mother''s ashes. Shaun burst into boisterousughter when he saw Veikko appear. ¡°I can see you''re getting anxious. Good. That means we still have a chance to negotiate.¡± Chapter 898 Make Yourself Impotent Chapter 898 Make Yourself Impotent Clenching his fists, Veikko slowly made his way over to Shaun. Hooking a finger around the rim of the urn, Shaun sneered, ¡°You''d better not look at me like that. If I get frightened, I might drop this thing on the rock. As you know, it''s made of ss, and it''s fragile. If you don''t want your mother''s ashes to scatter everywhere, you''d better stay put and don''t move.¡± Veikko abruptly halted in his tracks, narrowing his eyes as he red at Shaun. After a moment of silence, he asked through gritted teeth, ¡°What do you want?¡± Shaun smiled evilly. ¡°Don''t you already know what I want? Is there really a need to ask?¡± Once his words trailed off, he swept his gaze around and issued amand that dripped with coldness, ¡°Have all your dogs fall back a hundred meters from here.¡± Veikko narrowed his hawk-like eyes as he glowered at the other man, hesitating. Shaun began fiddling with the urn in his hands. ¡°You better hurry up, or my hand''s going to grow numb and the urn might slip from my fingers. Once it crashes onto the ground, your mother''s ashes will be scattered into the winds.¡± Veikko slowly raised his arm, waving it mid-air. His bodyguard''s expression changed as he blurted out, ¡°Mr. Veikko, I can''t leave you here to face the danger alone. I''ll make them retreat and stay right here with you. Let''s face everything and anythingContent is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. together.¡± Veikko remained silent and simply lifted his gaze to look at Shaun, as if asking for thetter''s opinion. Shaun flicked the urn lightly with his other hand, his fingers that were hooked around it slowly loosening their grip. Given how the urn was swaying unsteadily, it could slip off his fingertips and crash on the ground at any moment. Veikko widened his eyes and coldly ordered his bodyguard, ¡°Step back.¡± The bodyguard discerned the importance Veikko ced on those ashes. Despite his reluctance, he obediently stepped back and contemted calling Bailey, asking her toe to their rescue. After the bodyguard left, Veikko scowled at Shaun, clenching his jaw as he said, ¡°I''ve already done as you instructed. You can state your terms now. What exactly do I need to do for you to return my mother''s ashes to me?¡± Shaun lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes resting on the area below his abdomen. The mere thought of his current impotence caused a surge of strong resentment to rise in his heart, and his expression turned hostile. The sole source of my joy was ruined by this b*stard. He actually has the nerve to ask me to state my terms. Does he really not know what I want? ¡°You must have heard of the saying ''give you a taste of your own medicine,'' right? Since you''ve made me impotent, I, of course, intend to do the same to you. Either you do it yourself, or I''ll have my men castrate you.¡± Veikko subconsciously clenched his fists. I knew this jerk was going to make such a request. How can I do as he says? If I really do that, what will happen to Caridee? As he fell into deep thought, a cold female voice echoed through the silent valley. ¡°Mr. Carter, how about this? I''ll trade in two living people for you to return those ashes to my brother. I''ll also spare your lives. What do you think? Is that a good deal, or not?¡± Shaun''s gaze darted around randomly before finally settling on arge tree to the southeast. A hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes when he saw those two familiar figures. The woman and the child were none other than his wife and son. ¡°Shaun, save me.¡± ¡°Daddy, help!¡± Bailey emerged from behind the tree trunk, smiling at Shaun and arching her eyebrows casually. ¡°Your lair has been taken over by me. Even if you manage to escape today with these ashes, you won''t be able to get out of Moranta. So why don''t you calm down and make a deal with me? Let''s negotiate and find a win-win solution together. What do you say?¡± Shaun was so angry that he began trembling all over, causing the urn in his grip to shake violently, too. So, this has been a trap all along. They had it all nned out. And here I thought I could capture that little b*stard when I''ve practically shot myself in the foot. How ridiculous and infuriating! A sharp, determined glint shed past Bailey''s eyes when she saw the urn shaking in his hand. Aware that the other half of those ashes had been destroyed amidst that fateful rainy night, a painful memory that continued to linger in Veikko''s heart, she was resolute in preventing his agony from deepening. She must safeguard the remaining half of those ashes for him, even if it meant letting Shaun go. Moreover, it was not like Shaun posed a huge threat that she couldn''t deal with. He was a minor threat at most. She was confident she could easily capture him again if she let him go today. ¡°Mr. Carter, you must protect the urn in your hands. After all, it''s now the only thing that can save your family of three. If you''re not careful with it and end up dropping it, this valley will be your and your family''s final resting ce. What''s that saying again? It''s better to live a wretched life than to die a good death, isn''t it? I suppose you wouldn''t want to die in such a pathetic way, would you? Most importantly, if you die, the Carter family''s substantial fortune will all fall into Veikko''s hands. Are you willing to ept that?¡± Naturally, Shaun would not be content with that. He cradled the urn in his arms protectively. ¡°If I give you the urn, w-will you really let me and my family go?¡± Bailey spread her hands and smiled. ¡°Of course. I came in peace, after all.¡± With that, she led Meredith and her son toward Shaun''s car. ¡°I''ll hand them to you, and you''ll hand over the ashes to me. Don''t try anything funny, or I can''t guarantee I''ll keep my word.¡± Bailey shoved the mother and son toward Shaun after arriving before him. ¡°Here you go. I''ve shown my sincerity by giving you what you want first. We must honor our commitments in a business deal, Mr. Carter. Now, it''s your turn to give me the urn. Don''t pull any tricks, or none of you will get out of here alive,¡± she warned. Shaun surveyed his surroundings and confirmed that an escape was impossible. Like she said, we won''t get out of here alive if I try anything funny. Looks like I have no choice but to give her the ashes. ¡°Shaun, just trust her. Our lives may not matter, but our son is still young. It''s too cruel to let him die with us,¡± Meredith persuaded. Shaun gritted his teeth and said reluctantly, ¡°Get in the car.¡± After he finished speaking, he handed the urn to his personal bodyguard standing nearby, instructing, ¡°Hold onto this. Only hand it to her once all three of us have left.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Bailey couldn''t help sneering. This guy is such a jerk, but he does have a good subordinate. It''s such a shame that he''s using this loyal underling of his as a human shield. Watching the car drive out of the valley, Bailey raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Kiddo, I know what you''re thinking, but I advise you not to act rashly. If you destroy this urn, your boss will still fail to escape from my grasp. So, be amb and hand it over. I might just spare your life.¡± The crazed look in the bodyguard''s eyes gradually faded away. He indeed had thought of destroying the urn, but her warning made him decide against doing it. ¡°I didn''t give it to you out of fear, but purely because I didn''t want anything bad to happen to Mr. Carter. He''s treated me well,¡± he exined. Smiling in amusement, Bailey took the urn from his hands. Veikko walked over from a distance, furrowing his brows as he asked, ¡°Are we really letting that jerk go?¡± Chapter 899 Parasitic Fragrance Acting Up Chapter 899 Parasitic Fragrance Acting Up With a smile, Bailey tucked the urn into Veikko''s arms. ¡°Since it''s a transaction, we naturally have to keep our promise. Find a city where no one knows you, andy your mom''s ashes to rest there.¡± Having said that, she strolled toward her car in the distance. After leaving the suburban mansion, she hurried straight to the valley. It was not like she didn''t trust Veikko, but since both brothers had been blinded by hatred, she was worried that the situation might spiral out of control. Shaun''s death didn''t matter much, but it wasn''t worth it for Veikko to perish alongside him. After instructing his personal bodyguard to take care of the aftermath, Veikko hurriedly caught up with Bailey. ¡°You''re not the type to easily give up. Do you still have a trick up your sleeve?¡± he asked. Bailey winked at him, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°You know me pretty well. Nice. All these years I spent grooming you aren''t in vain, after all. Only the boy is the real deal, while the mother is a fake. I used disguise skills to make a suicide attacker impersonate Mrs. Carter. Veikko, Shaun is not your only enemy. Mrs. Carter is, too. She was the one who caused your mother''s death years ago. Since you''re determined to bring down the Carter family, we can''t let Shaun die just yet. That b*stard is currently impotent and in an unstable emotional state, and his ''wife'' is a loyal suicide attacker I''ve groomed personally. I''ll make her stir up trouble behind the scenes. Just wait. We''ll get to enjoy a good show soon.¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Veikko was rendered speechless. As expected from Bailey. Ruthless as ever. Just as the two of them reached the convoy, the door of a car in the middle swung open. Caridee jumped out of the car and threw herself into Veikko''s arms. Inhaling his familiar scent, she burst into tears and bawled loudly. The grievances in her heart burst forth like water from a broken dam. Punching his chest, sheined, ¡°You jerk! Do you have any idea how long I''ve been waiting for you toe to my rescue? But where were you? You didn''t even show up!¡± Veikko held her tightly, pressing her firmly in his embrace, his voice cracking as he said, ¡°I''m sorry. It''s my fault. I''m useless. But I promise you there won''t be a next time. From now on, you should stay at home where it''s safe. It''s too dangerous to follow me around.¡± The minute she heard that, Caridee''s anger boiled over. She forcefully pushed him away and stormed back into the car, fuming. Veikko was taken aback by her sudden change in mood. What''s wrong with her? Bailey couldn''t help pressing her hand on her forehead, sighing. ¡°Oh, Veikko, you''re only making things worse by saying that. She needs constion, yet here you are telling her to stay in the Luther residence instead of following you. You''re only annoying her.¡± Veikko couldn''t help smiling wryly. I believe that it''s the safest and most effective way to keep her safe. Is there anything wrong with that? Bailey patted him on the shoulder and lifted her chin in the direction of the car. ¡°Go on andfort her. She''s quite strong, you know. She had been using hypnosis to deal with Shaun these past few days, and she hadn''t let himy a finger on her.¡± Veikko''s heart ached for Caridee as guilt shed past his eyes. Hypnosis can be quite draining. That silly girl had been fighting back with hypnosis all along, and it must''ve taken a toll on her body. Fortunately, she was fine, or I''ll never be able to atone for what happened. After Veikko climbed into the car, Bailey strolled toward another vehicle. Artemis approached her when she had just taken two steps. ¡°Simon just called me, saying that the parasitic fragrance in Luna''s body has started acting up again, and it''s really bad. Judging by his tone, the situation seems quite serious. Let''s hurry back and see if we can lend a hand.¡± Bailey''s heart sank as she instinctively quickened her pace. ¡°Last night, Catherine told me that she has developed a new type of flower pollen that can effectively control the outbreak of parasitic fragrance. How has it worsened just over the course of one night and morning?¡± Another possibility popped up in her mind as she spoke. Is someone getting impatient and stirring up trouble? None of us are at home this morning. It''s indeed the perfect opportunity for those with ill intentions to strike. Artemis seemed to have read her mind and said in a deep voice, ¡°There''s no need to keep those evil people around. Let''s figure out a way to set a trap and get rid of them in one fell swoop. They''re courting death for messing with my niece.¡± In the infirmary at the research base, Simon was pacing back and forth in the corridor. He had no knowledge of medicine or perfume-blending, so all he could do was wait outside anxiously. Before he had a child, he never really understood what it was like being a father. After his daughter came along, however, he gradually understood what his brother meant when he said he''d give his daughter the whole world if he could. He was willing to sacrifice everything in exchange for Luna''s health, including his own life. s, Luna was born with the parasitic fragrance, and it was simply impossible to transfer it to someone else. Though he wished to bear her sufferings, the heavens wouldn''t allow it. At that moment, Bailey and Artemis rushed over from the stairs. Aftering to a stop in front of Simon, Bailey asked with a frown, ¡°What''s the situation inside? Who''s in there?¡± Simon nced over his shoulder and gripped Bailey''s arm firmly. ¡°Bailey, please save her. You''re the only person I trust. I know you''ll find a way.¡± Bailey could tell the man was visibly frightened and softened her tone, reassuring him, ¡°Catherine is an expert in the art of perfumery. She won''t let anything happen to the child. Calm down and tell me about the situation. How did it re up?¡± Frustrated, Simon tugged at his own hair restlessly and said, ¡°I don''t even know what''s going on. When Catherine and I returned, we found Luna lying in the garden with no one else around.¡± Luna was alone? Where was Zayron? Didn''t I ask that rascal to stay by her side? ¡°Is Catherine and ze tending to her inside?¡± ¡°Yes, and Cameron. He went inter than them.¡± Bailey was taken aback. Cameron''s back? The door to the emergency treatment room swung open at that moment, and Cameron stepped out. Bailey quickly approached the man and asked, ¡°How is she doing?¡± Cameron''s expression was grim as he said in a deep voice, ¡°Someone has stimted the parasitic fragrance in her body and awakened the dormant parasitic worm. The prohibited fragrance of the Rogers family is even more terrifying than the Yablon family''s Soul Reaper. I attempted to use toxins to exterminate those parasitic worms, but the effect was minimal. I barely managed to sustain her heartbeat. From my experience, we''ll still have to find the answers we need from the Rogers family''s Fragrance Journal.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows. The situation was far worse than she had imagined. ¡°What has awakened the parasitic worm?¡± Catherine''s voice sounded from the room. ¡°It''s a special aerosol from the Rogers family. It must be the work of Eunice.¡± Bailey questioned, ¡°Is there a way to make those parasitic worms fall asleep once more?¡± Catherine shook her head. ¡°Since Eunice is determined toy her hands on Luna at all costs, that means she didn''t leave us another way out. We only have two options left. One is to exterminate the parasitic worms, and the other is to give up on Luna. To put it bluntly, it''s either live or die, with each having a fifty percent chance.¡± ¡°What do you n to do?¡± Bailey asked. Even though she had her suspicions, she still hoped she could stop Catherine from making rash decisions. Some decisions would confine her for a lifetime, which wasn''t worth it at all. Chapter 900 Cannon Fodder Chapter 900 Cannon Fodder Catherine shrugged, her gaze sweeping over Simon. The look in her eyes seemed somewhat complicated. After a moment of silence, she said with a rxed expression, ¡°What else can we do at this point? Let''s just proceed as we discussed before. I will return to the Rogers family to assume the position of the head of the household and enter the forbidden area to retrieve the Fragrance Journal. However, I can''t bring Luna to the Rogers residence, so I''m entrusting you with her care. Whatever happens to this child in the future, we can only let nature take its course. Hopefully, she will be blessed by the heavens and manage to survive.¡± ¡°No way.¡± Simon rushed over, disregarding the cold gaze of Catherine, and directly grabbed her wrist. ¡°From what I understand, the head of the Rogers family cannot marry outside the n. If you were to take up that position, what would be of me?¡± Subconsciously, Catherine struggled for a while to break free, but to no avail. She couldn''t help but furrow her delicate brows. ¡°So, you''re saying you clung to me relentlessly, only to forsake your daughter so easily? If I don''t return to the Rogers family to take over as the head of the family, I won''t be able to get the Fragrance Journal. If I can''t get the Fragrance Journal, then we can only watch helplessly as Luna dies. Simon, is this what a parent should do, watching your child march toward death with your own eyes? Aren''t you afraid of divine retribution? Of course, you''ve never spent a day with her, nor have you raised her, so the father- daughter bond is shallow. But this can''t be a reason to abandon her. Let go¡ªdon''t force me to get tough.¡± The usation left Simon feeling ashamed. Yes, he indeed never took care of Luna, nor did he raise her. As a father, he was a failure. But these things were beyond his control. If he had known from the start that she had given him a daughter, would he have been indifferent to the fate of the mother and daughter? ¡°I didn''t say I was giving up on Luna. Don''t take my words to such extremes. I just feel that we shouldn''t sacrifice you in order to save our daughter. Our child is still young, and providing her with aplete home is what we, as parents, should do. You''ve already given me a child, so I have no choice but to marry you in this lifetime. If the Rogers family wants to trap you with the position of the head of the household, then...¡± At this point, he paused for a moment. After a brief silence, he said fiercely, ¡°Then I will have no choice but to put pressure on the Rogers family and force them to give you back your freedom. If they still refuse to let go even after that, then I''ll have no choice but to overthrow the entire Rogers family. You''d best not doubt my words. I always follow through with what I say.¡± Catherine was stunned. She probably never expected Simon to utter such harsh words. Was this guy spouting nonsense? No, she didn''t think he was trying to intimidate her. The men in the Luther family, none of them were simple characters. If this guy gained control of the family from his brother, in a few years, he would be the next Artemis. If he really targeted the Rogers family in the future, to be honest, the Rogers family wouldn''t be able to handle it. After all, the Rogers family was just a reclusive family. They were just shrouded in ayer of mystery, and their actual strength was not that formidable. Going against a behemoth like the Luther family was like attempting the impossible. So, if this guy were to be provoked, the Rogers family might truly face a massive disaster. ¡°Simon, you''re not a three-year-old child anymore. You should be able to manage your emotions rationally. Can you please calm down a bit? I don''t love you, and you don''t love me that much either. Therefore, there''s no need for us to pay for what we''ve done to each other in the past. Our child is in imminent danger now, and only the Fragrance Journal can save her. You can tolerate my return to be the head of the family, right? You¡ª¡± Before she could even finish, Simon roared, ¡°Who the h*ll said this is something I can tolerate? They''re coveting my wife. Do you think I can bear that?¡± ¡°You...¡± Catherine took deep breaths, trying to suppress the surging anger within her. If she had to listen to any more of this, she couldn''t guarantee she wouldn''t poison the man on the spot. After a moment of silence, she turned her head to look at Bailey. Before she could even speak, Bailey beat her to it, saying with a grin, ¡°This is between you two. Don''t drag me into this and make me cannon fodder. When ites to matters concerning children, it''s really up to the parents to work things out. I''m afraid I can''t offer any advice. You''ll have to find a peaceful resolution on your own. Just a friendly reminder, though. My little brother-inw can be quite terrifying when he gets angry. If he''s willing to risk it all for a beauty, picking a fight with the entire Rogers family because of you, then it''s none of our business. Oh, by the way, my inws have already announced in Hallsbay that they want Simon to seed as the head of the family. In other words, the power of the Luther family is now in the hands of Simon. We, as a couple, have no control over whatever he wants to do.¡± Catherineughed out of exasperation. She abruptly broke free from Simon''s grip and turned to walk toward theboratory. ¡°I''ll go prepare the flower pollen that can suppress the parasites. Let''s calm down for now and talk about it tomorrow.¡± Simon couldn''t help but grumble, ¡°The oue will be the same even if we discuss it tomorrow. I won''t stand by as my future wife destroys her entire life just to save our daughter.¡± Catherine was speechless. As Bailey watched Catherine walk away in a huff while trying to maintain her elegance, she really wanted to tell her to just let it out if she was upset and not hold it in, as men were made for women to vent their frustrations on. But in the end, she still didn''t dare to voice it out because if she did, the one who would definitely suffer would be Simon. After Catherine left, Bailey couldn''t help but give Simon a thumbs up. ¡°Kiddo, you''ve really made something of yourself.¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Simon felt a tug at the corner of his mouth, and he shed a grin. ¡°Thanks to the authority my brother and sister-inw have given me, I finally have some confidence.¡± Bailey was holding back augh. Give it some time, kid, and you''ll realize that your brother has been tricking you. Do you think you can just sit back and rx after winning your wife over? That''s not going to happen. As for you, the head of the Luther family, I''m afraid you''ll have to serve at least ten years. And that''s under the premise that Maxton is promising and capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities at the age of eighteen. If he can''t stand on his own, I''m afraid you might be stuck in this position as the head of the house for the rest of your life. ¡°No need for thanks, no need at all. We''re all family here. Saying thanks is too formal.¡± After some thought, Simon changed the subject and asked, ¡°Bailey, do you have any other methods to obtain the Fragrance Journal?¡± Bailey thought about it before chuckling lightly. ¡°Just wait, your dear sister-inw will surely get you the Fragrance Journal.¡± Simon added, ¡°Without getting my wife involved.¡± ¡°Absolutely, I guarantee that in the end, you''ll be able to have both mother and daughter and bring them home.¡± ¡°That''s good. Thank you, Bailey.¡± Bailey turned her head toward Artemis, smiling as she said, ¡°Mr. Luther, I must trouble you to strategize with me. This concerns the lifelong happiness of your younger brother. Surely, you can''t expect me to shoulder this alone.¡± Artemis reached out and wrapped his arm around his wife''s waist, flicking her forehead twice. ¡°When have you ever needed me?¡± Bailey winked, leaning in to whisper in his ear, ¡°You''re still needed to have kids.¡± The man said nothing in response. In the mansion in the countryside, Zoey led Sofie through a secret passage. ¡°You old fox, you''re quite cunning to actually have a tunnel made in the hidden room.¡± As Sofie walked, she panted. ¡°If I wasn''t cunning, how could I have escaped from the brink of death?¡± Chapter 901 Fallen Into The Snake Pit Chapter 901 Fallen Into The Snake Pit Zoey began to sneer. Indeed, a malicious woman like her, always scheming against others, would naturally worry about being schemed against in return. It''s always wise to keep a card up one''s sleeve. ¡°Oh, by the way, your lover, Damien, is still locked up in the other hidden room upstairs. Aren''t you nning to rescue him?¡± Sofie sneered, ¡°Why keep a dog that''s no longer of any use? Moreover, if saving a person involves risking my life, it''s even more unlikely for me to do it.¡± Zoey clicked her tongue. How does that saying go again? A woman can be the most ruthless in the room if that''s what she wants. It couldn''t be better to describe this woman. Damien, that old fellow, somehow managed to pull her out from Tarragon Headquarters. He saved her life, and now she says she can just abandon him without giving it a shred, no, not even half a shred of consideration. So to expect this woman to consider any mother-daughter affection is purely a joke. ¡°The exit is not far ahead. Where are we going to stay once we get out? Have you made any arrangements? That scoundrel Kurt is after the confidential document in my possession, so he won''t let us off the hook. If we''re not careful, we could easily fall into his hands again. If that happens, both of us will be in trouble. So you''d better find a hidden ce to hide, otherwise, we''ll have no good oues.¡± Zoey let out a coldugh, her voice light and airy. ¡°Rest assured. Since I''ve decided to defy him, it means I''ve already thought of a way out.¡± ¡°That''s good.¡± After the two emerged from the secret passage, they found themselves in a chilling forest. Sofie extended her hand, pointing to several roads, and began to speak, ¡°This one leads to Derport, this one to Xemrich, this one to Newcove, and this one to Bruiville. We''ll head in the direction of wherever you''ve arranged for us to stay. We''re in the forest so we can''t mix up the directions.¡± With a yful smile, Zoey casually pointed and said, ¡°That path.¡± What she wanted to say deep down was she wished to send Sofie to her death. She knew that this woman had set traps in all four directions¡ªeast, west, north, and south, ready to ensnare and eliminate her right then and there. And that was precisely what she desired. That was because if she did not fall into a trap, would Sofie go and retrieve the confidential document? If Sofie didn''t go to retrieve the confidential document, how could Zoey follow her and snatch it from her? After about ten minutes of walking through the woods toward the west, Sofie said while panting, ¡°I''m getting old, can''t walk anymore. Let''s take a break.¡± After speaking, she made a move to lean against the nearbyrge tree. As soon as her back touched the tree trunk, the entire ground began to tremble. Zoey curled her lips. It really turned out just as she had guessed. It seemed that in this world, no one understood this awful woman better than her, Zoey. ¡°W-What did you touch?¡± she asked, feigning surprise. Sofieughed sinisterly. ¡°I''m sorry, my dear daughter. It''s survival of the fittest. Might makes right. Either way, today will end with one of us dead. I don''t want to die, so it''s you who''s going to hell. In your next life, make sure to look carefully and don''t reincarnate in my belly again. In this life, the bond between us as mother and daughter may be shallow, but it''s certainly been intense. Like right now, you could go and die with great intensity.¡± ¡°Sofie, you will not meet a peaceful end.¡± As thest syble fell, the ground beneath Zoey''s feet rapidly caved in. A momentter, she fell straight into a deep pit. Looking at the dense array of holes around her, she seemed to understand what Sofie wanted to do. Such a malicious mind. Sofie actually dropped her into a snake pit, intending for these snakes to gnaw at her. This was her biological mother, indeed. Haha, I must have been blind back then to believe the nonsense this woman was spouting. If it weren''t for Sofie''s instigation in the first ce, she wouldn''t have done so many foolish things, ultimately being driven out of the Shurmer family and ending up with an unfortunate fate. She was filled with such intense hatred. Zoey wished she could grind Sofie into dust, consume her flesh, and drink her blood. ¡°Good girl, this is the grave I''ve chosen for you. Is it all right? Just rest peacefully here, and if I get the chance, I''ll toss Bailey in to keep youpany.¡± After Sofie finished speaking, she turned around and left. Zoey sneered. Perhaps something had sensed the presence of a living being as there was gradually some activity in those holes. In an instant, the sound of rustling echoed all around. Unruffled, Zoey firmly smacked her hand onto the jagged edges of the wall, then forcefully slid it down. In the next moment, her entire hand was a bloody mess. Numerous snakes had already emerged from the holes by then. With a slight lift of her hand, she sttered her blood on the surrounding walls. The snakes, upon catching the scent of her blood, not only did not attack her but instead quickly recoiled. This was Kurt''s masterpiece, he had transformed her into a poisonous person. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. These carriers of poison were highly sensitive to dangerous substances. They would instinctively retreat, especially when they encountered something more poisonous than themselves. Hence, it was not just snakes. Even if Sofie were to unleash ferocious beasts on her that day, she could still repel them with her highly poisonous blood. That old woman has no idea just how terrifying the poison within me truly is. Kurt dered that even Cameron and ze couldn''t neutralize it, proving that this was the king of all poisons. She was convinced that the heavens did not wish for her demise. Since she was allowed to live, those who had once caused her pain should now tremble in fear. Once the swarm of snakes retreated, she swiftly drew the grappling hook from her waist and hurled it with all her might. Once she hooked it onto the tree branch above, she began to climb up slowly, bit by bit. She wasn''t worried at all about not being able to find Sofie. Sofie had the same toxin as her within the former. Zoey could detect its scent, and even if Sofie were to flee to outer space, the former would still be able to find her. After emerging from the snake pit, she stood facing the afterglow of the sunset. The fiery red sunset was reflected in her eyes, making her appear alluring and bloodthirsty. The hunt begins! At the research base, Bailey and Artemis rushed out from the main house. From a distance, the couple spotted three little figures approaching them. In the morning, Zayron went out to meet Maxton and Susan. Bailey just knew that the boy would never just disappear like that. ¡°Daddy, Mommy.¡± ¡°Daddy, Mommy.¡± One sibling rushed into their mother''s arms while the other dashed into their father''s embrace. Casually, Zayron rolled his eyes while standing in ce. He knew he was like the ugly duckling and had nothing to do with his biological parents. Artemis lifted his daughter and twirled her around in circles, eliciting peals ofughter from his little girl. Maxton choked up in his mother''s arms and sobbed out, ¡°I thought you were dead.¡± As Bailey patted his back and pinched his nose, she said, ¡°You guys are still so young, how could we dare to die?¡± Maxton grumbled, ¡°You''re biased, only telling Zayron the truth. That brat reallycks loyalty, watching us mourn like that. Looking back now, I''m sure he was secretlyughing at us every time we finished crying. It''s embarrassing just thinking about it.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh. ¡°He is the heir of the Saviors. He can mobilize his power to assist me, and he can also protect himself. If I tell you guys, you''ll be putting yourselves in danger. If anything happens to you, I''ll never be able to forgive myself.¡± The boy went silent. At the side, the little girl pinched her father''s face, tentatively asking, ¡°Daddy, you''re still alive, right?¡± Chapter 902 Jealous Of Your Own Daughter Chapter 902 Jealous Of Your Own Daughter Artemis yfully bit his daughter''s neck, eliciting a fit of giggles from the little girl. ¡°It tickles, Daddy!¡± ¡°So? Still doubting whether I''m a human or a ghost?¡± ¡°I have no doubts anymore! I have no doubts. Daddy, please spare me.¡± Bailey walked over and pulled her daughter out of the arms of Artemis. ¡°Go cling to your brother. Stop clinging to your father.¡± The little girl rolled her eyes. Do you really have to do this? Getting jealous of your own daughter¡ªwhat a great achievement indeed. Suppressing augh, Artemis pulled his wife closer into his embrace. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I think I smell jealousy in the air. Can you smell it?¡± Bailey was somewhat irritated, struggling in the arms of Artemis. ¡°I haven''t given my son a kiss yet. Let me go.¡± Artemis extended his other hand and flicked her forehead twice. ¡°I''m just teasing you. Why do you lose your temper so quickly?¡± The two little ones came up and hugged their parents'' thighs tightly. Bailey subconsciously looked up and asked with a frown, ¡°Where did Zayron go? Where has he run off to?¡± The housekeeper at the side respectfully replied, ¡°Mr. Zayron has learned about Ms. Luna''s incident and has just rushed to the infirmary.¡± Looking up at her mother with a carefree smile, Susan asked, ¡°Bailey, have I be an elder cousin?¡± Bailey pinched her cheek, chuckling lightly. ¡°Indeed, so you need to start acting like a big sister from now on. Enough with the mischief and be careful not to lead your younger cousin astray. Your uncle will spank you with a stick if you don''t behave.¡± ¡°No way, Uncle Simon treats me so well, he would never bear to hit me. If it were Daddy, he probably wouldn''t bear to hit my younger cousin either.¡± Bailey vigorously rubbed the top of the young girl''s head, chuckling as she teased, ¡°Such a little imp you are!¡± Then, looking up at the housekeeper, she instructed, ¡°Take them to the infirmary to see Ms. Luna.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After watching the two children leave, Bailey turned to Artemis and asked, ¡°Was it you who let Max and Susane to Moranta?¡± Artemis shook his head. ¡°It wasn''t me. It should be something they, the siblings, cooked up themselves.¡± Bailey chuckled, changing the subject, ¡°Have you found out who used the substance that can catalyze the parasitic worms in Luna on her?¡± Artemis'' handsome face slightly darkened, a cold light shing in his eyes. ¡°After Zayron left the research base, Luna went to the garden to y after seeing the sprinklers were on. The sprinkler heads used for watering the flowers were all misting types. I guess the substance that can stimte the parasitic worms was mixed in there. Luna ran around there, so she probably managed to absorb a bit of it into her body. And just a tiny bit of the substance was enough.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly, gritting her teeth as she said, ¡°Aisley couldn''t have done it alone. After all, putting the substance into the sprinklers is a technical job.¡± ¡°Indeed, there are spies from the Lockett family among the housekeepers in this research base. Let''s set a trap to draw them out. Once we have a witness, we can confront Aisley and it will make Simon utterly disgusted by her.¡± With a subtle smile, Bailey asked teasingly, ¡°When did the great Artemis start learning these cunning schemes?¡± Artemis leaned in close to her ear, whispering, ¡°I was taught well by my wife.¡± Bailey said nothing in response. Meanwhile, Aisley sat on the couch, narrowing her eyes at the note in her hand inside the guest room. It read: The parasitic worms have been activated, but the person is not dead. Not dead? Aisley clenched the note in her hand fiercely. Didn''t her mother say that once the deed was done, that little brat would die? How could she possibly survive now that the parasitic worms had been activated? Could it be that Eunice was ying them? That shouldn''t be possible. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Eunice had always been against Catherine. She would be more than happy to do anything that could cause Catherine pain. Could it be Bailey? Yes, it must have been Bailey who intervened, barely saving her life. That means all I need to do now is to use some more tricks, and that brat will undoubtedly meet her end. Without the child, Catherine won''t be able to continue to cling to Simon. With that thought, she quickly picked up her pen and began to write fervently: Contact my mother and ask her to ask Eunice if there are any other ways to discreetly eliminate Catherine and her daughter. After she finished writing, she tucked the note into the leftover food on the table. Once the housekeeperes to pick up this note, it would quickly end up in the hands of the spy my mother has nted here. Inside a rundown little inn in the countryside, a shifty middle-aged man pushed open the door at the end of the hallway. The room was pitch ck, and he tentatively called out, ¡°Ms. Carr, are you there¡ª¡± He abruptly stopped talking, for a cold, gleaming de now rested against his neck. The middle-aged man quickly pleaded, ¡°It''s me! It''s me, Chuck Zoller. Don''t be impulsive, please.¡± Sofie yanked him with all her might into the room and then tossed him onto the couch. ¡°When you came over, there wasn''t anyone following you, was there?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Ms. Carr. I''ve left poison in my wake, leaving nothing alive in my path. No one can keep up with my pace.¡± Sofie sat down across from him, her voice light as a feather. ¡°I''ve been poisoned severely. The average poison-crafting expert simply has no way of neutralizing it. You''ve been mastering the art of poison for decades, so I''m sure you must have a solution. If you can neutralize this poison, I''ll give you ten million.¡± Chuck didn''t respond immediately. For people like them, ten million was just a number. It really couldn''t spark any interest in him. After all, having spent most of his life concocting poisons for others, any deal he made easily amounted to tens or hundreds of millions. His worth was already immeasurable. Hence, the price this woman quoted didn''t tempt him at all. But the woman had leverage over him. If he didn''t faithfully work for her, he could forget about having a future in this line of work. Even if he were to retire, he couldn''t live a peaceful life. The families of those who were once poisoned by him would send assassins to his doorstep, seeking his life. He didn''t want to spend the rest of his life in destion, wandering aimlessly. So, when this woman asked to see him, he immediately epted her invitation. ¡°Ms. Carr, you''re too kind. It would be my honor to detoxify you, so how could I dare to ask for any reward? That is under the precondition that I can neutralize the poison, of course.¡± After he finished speaking, he pulled out a few silver needles from his pocket. Seeing the situation, Sofie cooperatively extended an arm. Chuck inserted three silver needles into three acupoints on her wrist. The moment the needles entered her body, they quickly turned ck. Even the part of the needles that were above the surface of the skin was not spared. Chuck''s face changed dramatically in response, and he suddenly sprang up from the couch. ¡°W-What, what is this? What kind of poison is this? H-How can it be so intense?¡± Sofie looked at him with a chilling gaze as if she was a vengeful spirit. After she killed her daughter, the malice in her eyes intensified. Her whole being radiated a bloodthirsty aura as if she desired to set the world aze. ¡°Cut the chatter. Can you neutralize it or not?¡± Chuck quickly shook his head. ¡°I-I can''t. I can''t do it. This poison is t-too strong. It''s unheard of. M-Ms. Carr, you''d better find someone more capable.¡± A glint of murderous intent shed in Sofie''s eyes. This good-for-nothing can''t be kept around. But before killing him, I still need to ask him who can neutralize this poison. Chapter 903 Sofie Signing Off Chapter 903 Sofie Signing Off ¡°Find someone more capable? But I have no idea who to turn to. Why don''t you give me some advice, Chuck?¡± Chuck seemed to have sensed her murderous intent. He slowly turned, ready to make a run for it at any moment. ¡°T-The Yablon family, the world''s top poison-crafting family. They might be the only ones who can detoxify it. B-But of course, I''m not entirely sure either. After all, the origin of the poison is unknown, and it''s highly likely that the Yablon family will be at a loss for what to do, too. But you could still try asking the Yablons. T-They might have a solution.¡± The moment he finished speaking, he dashed toward the door in a sh. Sofie smiled coldly and pulled a silver needle from her wrist before hurling it straight toward the man''s back, aiming to pierce his flesh. She didn''t need to aim for his heart, for the poison she employed was so lethal that it would result in death upon immediate contact with the human body unless an antidote was administered promptly. That was indeed the case. After the needle pierced Chuck''s shoulder, he ran a few more steps ahead before copsing to the ground with a thud. Tsk, tsk, tsk. How scary! Thankfully Zoey fed me the antidote to suppress the poison, or I would''ve met the same fate as Chuck, dying on the spot. Looks like this old geezer was right. Perhaps the Yablons are the only ones who can detoxify it. If that''s the case, I can''t stay in Moranta any longer. I have to retrieve the confidential documents, then leave secretly for the Yablon residence to seek the antidote. She firmly believed that since she held the trump card that would determine the Hoffman family''s fate, those old geezers from the Yablon family would definitely be more than happy to cooperate with her. With that in mind, she swiftly gathered her belongings and, shrouded by the veil of the night, discreetly slipped out of the inn. Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she left, she was spotted by Zoey, who had been staking out the ce. An evil smirk yed on Zoey''s lips as she watched the woman''s silhouette, which was stumbling and staggering forward clumsily. This woman will surely leave the country after failing to find anyone who can detoxify the poison in Moranta. Before leaving, she''ll definitely retrieve that confidential document. So... I''ll get my hands on what I desire tonight. Zoey followed Sofie all the way until they finally arrived at a self-service storage room at the end of East-West Road. Seeing Sofie take out a package from the locker, Zoey stopped concealing herself and slowly emerged from the shadows. ¡°Sofie, do you know what it means to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger?¡± she asked. Sofie turned around immediately to see Zoey. In response, her pupils constricted. ¡°Y-You... You''re not dead?¡± Zoey sneered, ¡°What makes you think I''m dead? Because of those cold-blooded creatures? They are indeed deadly, but could they possibly be more deadly than me? Sometimes, those animals can be more sensitive than us humans. If I were as perceptive as them, I wouldn''t have ended up in this state because of you. Sofie Carr, today is the day you meet your end. If I don''t kill you, all the suffering I''ve endured all this while will be in vain.¡± Having said that, she pulled out a handful of silver needles from her pocket and flung them toward Sofie. That was such a familiar scene. Just half an hour ago, Sofie had used the same method to kill Chuck. Karma was just around the corner, and she didn''t expect it would be her turn so soon. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Sofie burst out in maniacalughter. She had been clever for most of her lifetime, outsmarting countless people and living gloriously for so many years. Who would have thought that in the end, she would meet her demise in her own daughter''s hands? How ridiculous! This is utterly ridiculous! If I had known earlier that this fool wouldn''t only be useless but would also drag me down with her, I would never have set foot in Hallsbay no matter what. My n might''ve gone much smoother without this fool. I made a huge mistake, and in the end, my n backfired, leaving me in this predicament. I''ve brought it upon myself. The poison on the silver needle kept seeping into her body, causing her so much pain that she copsed onto the ground. She loosened her grip on the package, and it rolled toward Zoey''s feet. Resentfully, she reached out to grab it, only to have her fingers stepped on by Zoey. ¡°Zoey Shurmer, you''ll be punished by the heavens for killing your own mother,¡± she saidboriously. With a cold smile, Zoey bent down slowly to pick up the package, and from within, she took out a storage card. ¡°Even if retribution is due, you should be the one who faces it first. After all, you were the one who threw me into the snake pit. I got lucky and survived. Now the tables have turned. What right do you have to guilt trip me?¡± Sofie slowly stopped struggling, tilting her head back to gaze at the ceiling above. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Zoey continued, ¡°I know you''re not willing to give up, so I''ve given you a chance to survive. I''ve already had someone reveal your whereabouts to Bailey on the way here. That woman will be here soon. If she decides to help you, you''ll most probably have a chance at survival. But if she refuses to save you, then with yourst breath, then muster yourst ounce of strength and offer her these silver needles. Bring her down with you.¡± Sofie slowly clenched her fists. The prime of her life and her dashing moment should be the instant sheunched an attack on Tarragon. She could have won; she could have risen above everyone else, trampling everything under her feet. s, Bailey appeared out of nowhere and saved Wendy, causing her to lose her leverage over Holden, ultimately leading to herplete defeat. Hence, her current predicament was all thanks to Bailey. If fate were to grant her a chance to drag that woman down to hell, she would certainly seize it without hesitation. Zoey knew Sofie had made up her mind the moment she saw thetter slowly pulling out the silver needles from her body. Though she didn''t hold much hope, she believed it was worth a try, even if there was only a one percent chance. This old hag is of no value to me, but this is thest she can do. ¡°I''ll leave you here to wait for Bailey, Mother. Good luck to you.¡± Just as Zoey predicted, Bailey indeed received news about Sofie''s appearance on the street corner. When she proposed to Artemis that they should go and investigate, the man didn''t decline. Sofie, Philip, Tucker, Kurt, and Zoey were all targets they aimed to eliminate. Therefore, they naturally wouldn''t turn a deaf ear to news regarding Sofie''s appearance. ¡°Let''s go and see what they''re up to this time.¡± No sooner had the couple stepped out of the house than they bumped into Cameron, who hade looking for Bailey. ¡°Where are you going at this time of night?¡± Artemis huffed coldly. ¡°It''s none of your business. Get lost.¡± Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Cameron chortled. This jerk is still as salty as ever. He hasn''t changed at all. ¡°Bailey, do you still want me to save Simon''s daughter or not?¡± Bailey couldn''t help chuckling and briefly exined the situation. Cameron furrowed his brows. ¡°You mentioned earlier today that Sofie is being manipted by Zoey. And recently, Zoey and Kurt have been in close contact. How about this? I''ll go with you guys. If that woman resorts to using poison, I might be able to lend a hand. Artemis was about to refuse without a second thought when Bailey stopped him. ¡°Great! I appreciate your help. Let''s get going then.¡± Displeased, Artemis lowered his voice and asked menacingly, ¡°Why are you letting hime along?¡± ¡°Mr. Luther, do you even understand poison? If not, you should just shut up and let him tag along.¡± Artemis fell silent. What''s the big deal? I''ll start learning tomorrow. Chapter 904 How Much I Hate You Chapter 904 How Much I Hate You They remained silent along the way. Half an hourter, they arrived at East-West Road. It was alreadyte into the night at this point, and the ce was somewhat secluded being near the suburbs. Hence, there were scarcely any pedestrians on the road, with only dim yellow streetmps providing a faint glow. After helping Bailey out of the car, Artemis pointed at a nearby store. ¡°That''s an automatic storage shop, and Sofie is inside. I guess she must have escaped from Zoey and came here to retrieve the confidential documents, but ended up falling into Zoey''s trap. In the end, she failed to escape and even lost the documents. Although we''re more than happy to see such a dog-eat- dog scenario, it''s still quite sad when it really happens.¡± Bailey sneered in response. ¡°They''ve brought it upon themselves for always scheming against each other. The winner takes it all in this world, so they can''t me anyone but themselves. They''re the ones who used familial ties as a tool for their own advantage and ended up suffering bacsh from their closest rtives. They basically shot themselves in the foot.¡± Artemis nodded, then turned to Ken, who was standing nearby, and instructed, ¡°Go check out the situation with two more men.¡± This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?. Upon receiving the order, Ken signaled for two bodyguards in ck to follow him, but Bailey quickly stopped them. Ken served as Artemis'' personal bodyguard for numerous years. While their rtionship might seem formal as employer and employee, in truth, they shared a brotherly bond. They all knew that there was a good chance Sofie would resort to underhanded tactics. Who knew what dangers might be lurking in there? If they sent Ken to investigate the situation, resulting in something bad happening to him, they would never be able to forgive themselves. ¡°It''s very dangerous, so let''s go together. We can''t let you face it alone.¡± After speaking, she turned to look at Artemis. Knowing what she was worried about, he nodded, saying, ¡°My bad. Let''s go together then.¡± He, too, couldn''t bear the thought of losing Ken, so he didn''t dare to take such a risk. Ken, on the other hand, didn''t seem to mind. He inclined his head and said, ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Luther, you should stay behind since it''s dangerous. Allow me to check things out first. You guys cane over once I''ve confirmed it''s safe.¡± Bailey shot him a re. ¡°Do you think you have nine lives or something?¡± With that, she and Artemis walked forward hand in hand. Ken was about to say something else when Cameron, who was right behind him, patted his shoulder. ¡°They cherish your life because they see you as family, you dummy. You should appreciate it. I detect the scent of poison in the air. You might be in real danger if you recklessly barge in.¡± Bailey abruptly halted in her tracks, turning to look at Cameron. ¡°You can smell poison in the air? As expected from the heir of a poison-crafting family. Not everyone is capable of doing that.¡± Cameron nodded, his eyebrows furrowed as he said, ¡°This scent is somewhat familiar. I think it''s the handiwork of Kurt. Everyone stay extra alert, but it''s not a big deal if you do get poisoned. Kurt''s poison-crafting skills are taught by the Yablon family, so I can neutralize any poison he concocts.¡± After he finished speaking, he walked around Artemis and Bailey and led the way toward the storage room. Artemis felt extremely annoyed by how the other man was swaggering boldly ahead. ¡°Teach me poison-crafting tomorrow. It''s really frustrating to be bested by such a despicable person.¡± Bailey nced at him and reminded him with a smile, ¡°My poison-crafting skills are not as good as his. The reason I was able to suppress him a few years ago was entirely due to hypnosis.¡± ¡°Even if I were to teach you poison-crafting, you wouldn''t be able to reach his level. There''s a reason why people specialize in certain fields, Mr. Luther. Do I really need to exin this to you?¡± They ascended the stairs and found Sofie barely clinging to life in a corner at the end of the corridor. The atmosphere grew tense when both parties met. However, Bailey remained expressionless, her emotions not fluctuating in the slightest. Someone like Sofie who was deserted by all and ultimately met her end at the hands of her own daughter, didn''t even deserve to be hated by her. Bailey looked at the older woman, finding her both pitiful and pathetic. She surmised that Sofie probably only saw Zoey as a fool and a pawn she could manipte at will when she went to Hallsbay. s, in the end, Sofie, who had been smart her entire life, was defeated by the very cannon fodder she had always looked down upon. She was nothing but pitiful and pathetic. ¡°Who would have thought that our first real meeting would be in such a setting? Fate really does y tricks on us.¡± Sofie slowly opened her bloodshot eyes, directing her gaze at Bailey. ¡°Bailey, do you know how much I despise you?¡± Bailey shrugged, wearing a half-smile. ¡°Of course, I know. If it hadn''t been for me, you would''ve already taken control of Tarragon during the final battle. But you got unlucky and ran into me, so decades of your hard work are destined to end in vain. That''s fate, and you have no choice but to ept it.¡± With that, she changed the subject, and her tone turned icy cold. ¡°Do you know how much I hate you?¡± While catching her breath, Sofie chuckled lightly. ¡°I know. I poisoned the man you love, after all. Such pain is enough to scar you for life. I bet you can''t wait to tear me apart, right?¡± Bailey sneered, ¡°Indeed. When I was powerless every time Artemis'' poison acted up, I really wished I could tear you apart. But there''s one thing you got wrong. Artemis... isn''t dead. But just for the fact that you tried to poison him, I''m going to make sure you''re wiped off the face of the earth.¡± Sofie widened her eyes in utter disbelief. ¡°W-What did you say? A-Artemis isn''t dead? How could he not be dead? It doesn''t make sense. The Yablon family''s Soul Reaper is extremely lethal and has no antidote. It''s not possible that he''s still alive.¡± ¡°Thank you for bestowing me with poison, Ms. Carr. But unfortunately, I''m just too lucky to die just yet. So, after a trip to hell, I was sent back by the Grim Reaper himself.¡± As Artemis spoke, he reached out to remove the mask from his face. When he revealed his true self, Sofie waspletely dumbfounded. Clearly, she couldn''t ept such a reality. Just a moment ago, she was contemting that if she couldn''t kill Bailey, she would make her life a living hell. Every second would be tormenting to her without the man she loved. It''d be more painful than death itself. To Sofie''s surprise, Artemis wasn''t dead. All this time, she had been the jester, blissfully believing that Artemis was out of the picture, while in truth, the lovebirds were happily together. In the end, she made a fool out of herself. ¡°Bailey, you deserve to die.¡± Following that, she mustered herst bit of strength andunched the silver needle she had been gripping tightly in her hand. Without thinking, Artemis pushed Bailey to the side, then moved to dodge the iing silver needles. Cameron warned, ¡°Don''t touch those needles with your hands! They''re extremely poisonous.¡± No sooner had his words fallen than another cold gleam shed by. This time, the silver needles were aimed at Bailey. ¡°D*mn it! That old witch even installed an ejector that''s loaded with needles in the shadows!¡± Chapter 905 Only The Poisoner Can Detoxify It Chapter 905 Only The Poisoner Can Detoxify It Artemis was anxious, but he couldn''t get away in time. Sofie, true to her reputation as a wily old bird, was indeed cunning and smart. The silver needles were launched with varying forces, one after another. Hence, he found it very difficult to dodge them all. Seeing how anxious he was, Bailey quickly reassured him, ¡°I can handle this. You watch out for yourself.¡± She was worried that he might get hurt by the silver needles because he was distracted. The silver needles propelled by the ejector were more evenly distributed. Bailey began feeling lethargic after dodging a few, mainly because she hadn''t fully recovered yet. Even the slightest exertion proved too much for her to handle. Just as the needles were about to enshroud Bailey, a figure shed forward and grabbed her by the waist, shielding her. The world seemed to spin around her, and the next second, she crashed into the wall along with Cameron, who was holding her, before they both slid down. Bang! A piercing gunshot rang out. Artemis immediately fired a shot at Sofie after shaking off the needles. Bailey pulled away from Cameron''s embrace, and before she could even make sense of the situation, she was enveloped in another hug. ¡°A-Are you okay?¡± Holding her tightly, Artemis was trembling all over, so much so that even his voice carried a tremor. Bailey wrapped her arms around him and gently patted his back,forting him, ¡°Don''t worry. I''m fine.¡± Artemis tightened his arms around her, his voice torn with emotion. ¡°I shouldn''t have put you in such danger. I promise there won''t be a next time.¡± With a faint smile, Bailey said softly, ¡°She poisoned you, so I must meet her at least once. Otherwise, I''ll be left with regrets.¡± Artemis opened his mouth, wanting to say something when a groan came from behind Bailey. She quickly pushed Artemis away, turning to check on Cameron''s condition. ¡°Have you been poisoned?¡± she asked before examining his body for needles. Worried that she might touch the poison needle, Cameron quickly reached out and grabbed her fingers. ¡°It''s on the back of my neck. Use tweezers to pull it out and don''t use your hands. It''s deadly poisonous, even more lethal than I imagined,¡± he said. In haste, Bailey turned him over. Under the dim light, she could vaguely see a pitch-ck poison needle. A poison so strong that it could corrode a silver needle until it turnedpletely ck was undeniably horrifying. Bailey quickly used the tweezers Ken had fetched her to pull out the needle. After observing it for a few seconds, she then showed it to Cameron. ¡°I can''t detect any poison. Can you?¡± Hands trembling, Cameron pulled out a bottle from his pocket and unscrewed the cap before pouring its medicinal contents into his mouth. Hearing Bailey''s question, he replied in a raspy voice, ¡°It should be abination of several poisons from the Encyclopedia of Poison. It''s highly toxic. Thank goodness I had an antidote that counter all kinds of poisons on me, otherwise, I might have been dead by now.¡± Bailey''s expression darkened. Cameron had a unique constitution. Not even poisons from the Encyclopedia of Poison could kill him immediately. Even Soul Reaper, which had no antidote to counter it, wasn''t capable of killing its victims in the blink of an eye. What on earth did Kurt cook up? Why is it so deadly? Artemis walked over, crouched in front of the two, and said, ¡°You won''t reach any conclusions like this. Let''s head back to the research base first and conduct some tests in theb. Let''s see if we can find some clues.¡± ¡°All right. Ken, summon two people toe and carry Cameron.¡± ¡°Roger that.¡± After the bodyguards came to hoist Cameron up, Bailey walked over to Sofie''s body. ¡°Every inch of this woman''s body, including her blood and bone marrow, is poisonous. It could lead to many innocent deaths if the toxins were to leak out.¡± Artemis asked with a frown, ¡°What should we do then? Burn it into ashes?¡± Bailey swept her gaze across the area. Though Ken had already destroyed all the surrounding cameras, she still felt as if someone was watching them from the shadows. Finally, her gaze fell on the gap in the ss window, and a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Artemis followed her gaze and, upon seeing a tiny object the size of a fingernail, he furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°A hidden camera? Who installed it?¡± Bailey put on a cold smile. ¡°Whoever poisoned Sofie, is the one who set it up.¡± Without uttering a word, Artemis swiftly threw a dart in the camera''s direction and destroyed it. The weird sensation of being watched disappeared as soon as the camera was demolished. Bailey slowly pulled out a bottle from her pocket and poured the liquid in it on Sofie''s corpse. The liquid was highly corrosive, and in no time, Sofie''s body melted into a puddle of pus. ¡°I said I''d make sure there''d be nothing left of you. Plus, your remains can''t be preserved in your current state,¡± she said. Sensing her fluctuating emotions, Artemis walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist, saying softly, ¡°Grudges and grievances wille to an end someday. This woman has too much blood on her hands. Her death is less than she deserves, so she''s not worth your sorrow.¡± Bailey chuckled lightly, leaning into the man''s embrace. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''m tired. Could you carry me to the car?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Zoey stood in an alleyway in the distance, tightly clutching her phone. The phone''s screen had gone dark after the hidden camera she installed was ruined and the surveince system copsed. Her n waspletely foiled. Bailey didn''t die. Sofie Carr, that useless fool, didn''t even manage to harm Bailey one bit. As if that''s not bad enough, Artemis is actually alive. I can''t ept this. That man is still alive and well, happily acting all lovey-dovey with Bailey. Why are the heavens so kind to them? This is so unfair! While she was struggling in hell, deprived of daylight, they were basking in the sunshine, standing by each other. Such stark contrast was too much for her to bear. ¡°Bailey Jefferson, Artemis Luther, you two don''t deserve to be happy,¡± muttering to herself, she then smashed her phone on the wall. Why do they get to enjoy peace and happiness when I''m having a hard time? We should all die together so that we won''t be alone on our journey to hell. That''d be more fun, won''t it? With that in mind, she slowly lifted her hands, which were gradually tinged purplish-ck by the poison. She could almost see the deadly blood surging in her veins and slowly curved her lips into a smile. I haven''t lost yet. I must bring someone down with me before I meet my end. At the research base, ze rushed over to theboratory at full speed upon learning that Cameron was poisoned. Bailey saw her approach and quickly said, ¡°Great, you''re here. Cameron has fainted, and I need someone to help me figure this out.¡± As she spoke, she handed the test report she was holding to ze. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. ze swiftly snatched it over and scanned the pages rapidly. She finished reading the report in no time and remarked, ¡°The toxicity level is as high as ny-eight percent, with eighty-two types of toxins involved. The difficulty level of detoxification is ten, which means, only the poisoner can detoxify it.¡± Having said that, she slumped into the chair. The poisoner was Kurt. That jerk was wicked. It would be incredibly difficult to get the antidote from him. Seeing ze in despair, Baileyforted her, ¡°Don''t give up just yet. When Cameron wakes up, let''s ask him if he knows theponents of the toxin. If he does, we can formte an antidote.¡± In response, ze red at Bailey with bloodshot eyes. ¡°Do you know how much Kurt despises Cameron? He concocted this poison specifically to deal with Cameron, and you said you cane up with an antidote? Bailey, who do you think you are?¡± Chapter 906 Ask For Humiliation Chapter 906 Ask For Humiliation Bailey allowed ze to yell at her without a word. Cameron only got poisoned while rescuing her, so she should take full responsibility. Whether it was Edmund or Cameron, she never wished for them to risk their lives to protect her because bearing the weight of others'' lives was a heavy burden to carry. She would rather die herself than watch them die for her. ¡°You''re right. I am a nobody and have no right to talk big, but now that it''se down to this, I hope you can stay calm. Losing your sanity will bring about dire consequences.¡± Having said that, she got up and walked toward the door. ze pursed her lips, a hint of regret shing past her eyes. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! She got way too emotional just now and lost herposure, saying something she shouldn''t have. Just as Bailey was about to exit the room, ze said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I''m sorry.¡± Bailey chuckled nonchntly without breaking her stride and said, ¡°I''m not that petty. Get some rest for now. Call me once Cameron wakes up, and we''ll discuss the method of detoxification.¡± With that, her silhouette vanished at the doorway. ze narrowed her eyes. At times, she truly envied Bailey for her mature and steady demeanor in the face of adversity as well as her calmness and ability to devise strategies. A woman like her deserved admiration, affection, and protection from many men. Sometimes, ze would wonder if she would fall in love with someone like Bailey, too, if she were in Cameron''s shoes. That was because only someone as outstanding as Bailey were worth their admiration. As soon as Bailey stepped out of the room, her legs gave way and she fell straight to the ground. Before her upper body could hit the ground, someone rushed over and caught her just in time. ¡°What''s wrong? Why are you so weak? Don''t tell me you''re poisoned, too.¡± Artemis began searching her body for needles. Nestling weakly in his arms, she said hoarsely, ¡°I''m not poisoned. I wouldn''t have still been alive if I was. Don''t worry. Dodging those silver needles drained my energy, and now that I''ve let my guard down, my body has gone into shutdown mode, that''s all.¡± Artemis scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the room next door. ¡°Is the poison inside Cameron tricky to deal with?¡± Burrowing her head in his chest, she said through tears, ¡°I don''t want to owe them anything, but I just can''t stop all this from happening.¡± Artemis paused in his tracks and looked down at her, saying soothingly, ¡°Even without tonight''s incident, Kurt would still find other ways to poison Cameron. They are sworn enemies, just like you and Zoey. Neither can tolerate the other''s presence, and it''s only a matter of time before they confront each other. There''s no escaping it.¡± Bailey couldn''t help smiling bitterly. ¡°You always seem to know how tofort me. Then can you guess why Kurt used such a lethal poison against Cameron?¡± Artemis furrowed his brows. I can''t read Kurt''s mind. How can I possibly know what he''s thinking? That guy had already been banished from the Yablon family and even stole the Encyclopedia of Poison. Logically speaking, he should''ve disappeared and gonepletely off-grid. But instead, he didn''t bother concealing himself and concocted lethal poison to harm the heir of the Yablon family, making an enemy of the entire n. It''s truly bizarre. ¡°I can''t really tell for now, but generally, only two things can make men go crazy. The first being power, and the second being women. Even if Kurt kills Cameron, he still won''t be able to be the head of the Yablon family, so he didn''t do it for power. He must''ve done so for a woman.¡± Bailey looked up at him, having a faint inkling of what was going on after hearing his analysis. There was only one woman who could drive Kurt to kill Cameron, and that was ze. Could Kurt have fallen for ze? ¡°All right, stop thinking and get some rest. Kurt will soon show up himself,¡± said Artemis. Bailey nodded with a sigh. ¡°Well, there''s no use specting right now. It''s hard to tell what someone is thinking. Who knows what n Kurt has in mind?¡± In the study at the Hoffman residence, Tucker''s personal bodyguard rushed in and addressed his boss, who was sitting on the couch dealing with work matters. ¡°Mr. Hoffman, Sofie is dead.¡± Tucker was momentarily taken aback. Once he regained hisposure, he closed his notebook and looked up at the bodyguard, his voice low as he asked, ¡°Is the information reliable? Who killed her?¡± ¡°Rest assured, the information is reliable. Moranta is the Hoffman family''s territory, so our informants are everywhere. Every little thing that happens in this city will be caught by our undercover agents. Sofie has indeed died in a storage shop on East-West Road, leaving no trace of her remains behind. Our informant reported that she was severely injured by Zoey before Bailey went over and dealt the finishing blow.¡± Tucker sprang up from the couch. He couldn''t be bothered about how Sofie died. What mattered to him was the whereabouts of the confidential documents that controlled the Hoffman family''s economic lifeline. ¡°What about the documents in her possession? Did they manage to retrieve it for me?¡± he asked. The bodyguard fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling as he said, ¡°I''m sorry for my ipetence. I couldn''t retrieve the documents, but I suspect they are in Zoey Shurmer''s hands. That woman is so much easier to deal withpared to Sofie. Please give me a little more time. I will surely retrieve the item you want.¡± Tuckerunched a swift kick at the bodyguard and fumed, ¡°Useless prick! Why can''t you even handle such a small task? I''m giving you three more days. You must find Zoey Shurmer for me even if it means turning Moranta upside down.¡± ¡°Yes, sir, I''ll promptly escte the search efforts. You have my word that I''ll deliver that document to you within three days,¡± the bodyguard promised. ¡°Get lost!¡± Tucker yelled. In response, the bodyguard scrambled out of the room. A momentter, the butler came in, informing Tucker that Juliana requested an audience. Tucker chuckled sinisterly when he heard that. She shows up on her own when I haven''t gone to mess with her yet. ¡°Let her in.¡± Before long, Juliana entered the room. Tucker couldn''t help mocking, ¡°Are you here asking for humiliation?¡± Standing by the door, Juliana looked at him coldly and clenched her jaw. ¡°Do you really wish to be an eternal sinner of the Hoffman family?¡± Tuckerughed heartily. ¡°It''s quite an achievement to be known as an eternal sinner. In the thousand- year history of the Hoffman family, I''m the sole sinner. I won''t consider it a disgrace. Instead, I take pride in it. What can you do about it?¡± ¡°You...¡± Before she could say anything, Tucker interjected, ¡°Sofie is dead, and the confidential documents have fallen into Zoey''s hands. You''re using me of leading our family to doom, so why don''t you do something practical like snatch the documents back from Zoey?¡± Sofie''s dead? A flicker of surprise shed through Juliana''s eyes for a fleeting moment. If the documents are really in Zoey''s possession, they''ll be much easier to retrieve. ¡°All right. I''ll retrieve those documents for you, but you''d better not do anything foolish. Otherwise, if the family is ruined, you''ll fall from grace and get trampled upon by others,¡± she warned him before turning to leave the room. The moment Tucker regained his senses, he watched Juliana''s retreating figure with a glint of murderous intent in her eyes. Chapter 907 Blow Them All Up Chapter 907 Blow Them All Up He got careless just now, letting slip that the document was in Zoey''s hands, inadvertently revealing this information to Juliana. If Juliana got her hands on those documents before he did, she would use them to threaten him. How is that any different from those documents being in Sofie''s possession? After Juliana left, he quickly reached for his phone and sent a text message to his personal bodyguard that read: Find an opportunity to do away with Juliana. Make it clean and don''t leave any traces behind. A few secondster, the bodyguard responded: Yes, sir! Tucker chuckled softly as he looked at his phone screen. His handsome face contorted into an evil expression, exuding a chilling, hostile aura. Sofie is already dead, so there''s no need for me to fight her to the death and drag the Hoffman family down with me. Zoey Shurmer is not in the least bit as capable as her mother. How dare she even try to go against me? I''ll do whatever it takes to find that despicable woman, and once I do, I could easily defeat her with just a flick of my fingers. I won''t need to waste my breath fighting tooth and nail with her. After a moment of pondering, he sent a message to another number that read: Find some time to visit the cell where that little b*stard is held captive and take care of him. The only ones who could threaten his position in the Hoffman family were Juliana and Archie. He would be the sole heir of the Hoffman family after their demise and wouldn''t have to worry about someone stabbing him in the back. Hence, he issued two consecutive orders to have them killed, eliminating future troubles once and for all. The next day, in the ward at the research base, Cameron gradually regained consciousness from his coma. Hisplexion had taken on a sickly pallor, and he appeared frail. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Even though there was no bloodshed and he had no fatal wounds, he still appeared as if he were teetering on the edge of death. His consciousness gradually returned after a momentary daze, and he turned to look at the side of the bed, where he saw a woman sprawling. He was stunned by the sight. The morning sun bathed her tired face in its warm glow, entuating the deep furrows in her brow, which seemed particrly pronounced in the sunlight. Subconsciously, he reached out to caress her forehead, attempting to smooth out the wrinkles. ze, who was sleeping lightly, was promptly awakened by the man''s touch. Their eyes met, and he awkwardly looked away, saying in a strained voice, ¡°It''s good that you''re awake. I don''t need to shove you aside.¡± ze grabbed his hand before he could withdraw it and said smilingly, ¡°I knew following Bailey can draw me closer to you. How are you feeling now? Do you feel difort anywhere? Do you need anything?¡± Cameron struggled to pull his hand back but to no avail, so he gave up and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°I''m okay. There are no side effects. I won''t die anytime soon.¡± ze pped the back of his hand. ¡°You''re not allowed to mention the word ''die'' in front of me, got it?¡± Cameron rolled his eyes. ¡°I''m the one who''s going to die, not you. What are you so worked up for?¡± ¡°But your life is more important than mine,¡± ze blurted out. All of a sudden, the atmosphere in the room became tense and ambiguous. ze tightened her grip on his hand and murmured, ¡°I''ve been pursuing you for so many years. Don''t you understand my feelings yet? Cameron, I know you admire Bailey, but can you even guarantee that your feelings for her amount to love? If it were love, you would''ve done everything in your power to fight for her, but the truth is, you didn''t. You even gave her and Artemis your blessings. You don''t have romantic feelings for her at all.¡± Cameron found himself at a loss for words. At that moment, the door swung open, and Bailey stepped in. Cameron quickly broke free from ze''s grasp when he saw Bailey. ze looked down at her empty palm, and a gloomy look surfaced in her gaze. Did he retract his hand so quickly because he was afraid Bailey might misunderstand? Was everything I just said wishful thinking? Does Cameron truly have romantic feelings for Bailey? ¡°You''re awake.¡± Bailey asked, ¡°Do you feel unwell anywhere?¡± Cameron struggled to sit up and chuckled. ¡°I''m okay. The poison probably hasn''t taken effect yet.¡± Bailey strolled over to the bedside and tentatively asked, ¡°Can you identify theponents of the toxin in your body?¡± Cameron bobbed his head. ¡°I can. They''re all poisons from the Encyclopedia of Poison, so I''m very familiar with them.¡± Bailey was delighted, but before she could ask Cameron to list out all theponents, thetter added, ¡°But Kurt added a few extra ingredients inside, and I can''t identify those.¡± Both Bailey and ze''s expressions darkened simultaneously. They were both well-versed in the art of poison crafting, understanding that to create an antidote, they needed aplete poison form. Only in this way could they identify the counteracting ingredients necessary to serve as a catalyst. If they made a mistake with even one ingredient, what they created would not be an antidote but a death inducer. Seeing the ashen expression on the two woman''s faces, Cameron couldn''t helpughing. ¡°What''s the worst that could happen? I''ll just die at most. It''s not a big deal. Could you stop looking so grim? You''re making me afraid of dying.¡± Bailey shot him a fierce re and turned to leave the room. ¡°I''ll give Kurt a call, have a chat with him, and see what he wants. If it''s within our power, I''ll agree to his terms first. We can figure out the rest after you''re saved.¡± Cameron instinctively reached out to grab her but failed. Frantically, he said, ¡°Don''t contact him! I''d rather die than ept charity from that jerk.¡± Bailey stopped in her tracks, and when she turned around, her gaze became icy cold. ¡°So, what you''re saying is, you want me to watch you die right before my eyes and then carry the weight of a life on my conscience, ming myself for the rest of my days?¡± ¡°T-That''s not what I meant.¡± ¡°Since that''s not the case, just stay here honestly and recuperate. You don''t need to worry about anything else. I''ll handle it.¡± ze slowly lowered her head. It won''t be easy to make Kurt hand over the antidote or the poison form. I have a hunch that this jerk ising for me. If I don''t give him what he wants, he won''t hand over the antidote even if Bailey threatens him with a knife to his throat. Bailey went straight to the study after leaving the ward. Pushing open the door, she saw Artemis leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window with his phone in his hand. It seemed like he had just finished a phone call, and his expression was grave. ¡°You called Kurt?¡± Artemis hummed in response. ¡°He''s still unaware of this matter. He was clearly taken aback when I told him, but he soon became overjoyed. Just as we suspected, he must''ve specifically prepared this poison to deal with Cameron.¡± ¡°Did he mention what he wants us in exchange for the antidote?¡± Bailey asked. Artemis shook his head. ¡°He said we can''t provide him what he wants and that he''ll contact the person who can.¡± Bailey cursed vehemently, ¡°That b*stard better not find himself at my mercy, or I swear I''ll make him die a horrible death.¡± In the study in the Hoffman residence, Tucker''s personal bodyguard said to him, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, the trap has been set. Juliana has been searching for Archie these past few days. She''s probably nning to rescue him and challenge you. I''ve already had someone reveal Archie''s whereabouts to her. Once she goes there, we''ll just toss a bomb and blow them both up.¡± Chapter 908 Forget About Marrying Her Chapter 908 Forget About Marrying Her Tucker tapped the table with his fingers as a cruel, bloodthirsty smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Even at this point, that brat still refuses to give up. She actually wants to overthrow me and reim the power I hold? No way! He had never oncepromised even when Sofie threatened him with those confidential documents and was determined to bring down the entire family with him. Even now, he wouldn''t back down an inch. If they truly harbored ill intentions, he was ready to perish along with the family. I will never let them have their way either if I were to lose everything. I''d rather destroy what I don''t get to have than let others benefit from it. ¡°Excellent. This n is just to my liking. You''ve been working for me long enough to know what exactly is on my mind. Soon, I''ll promote you to the position of the family''s chief executive, entrusting you with the responsibility of managing our family''s affairs. Stay loyal to me, and I guarantee you a life of prosperity and prestige, one that exceeds the ordinary.¡± The bodyguard''s heart leaped with joy, and he quickly nodded, saying, ¡°I''ll go arrange everything right away. Once everything is prepared, I''ll report back to you.¡± ¡°Okay, go ahead. Remember to do it discreetly. Don''t let those old geezers from the first branch of the family suspect anything. Wipe her outpletely since we''ve made up our minds. Don''t leave any loose ends, and certainly don''t let her escape death and return to the family to annoy me.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Tucker slowly rose from his seat and strolled over to the floor-to-ceiling window after his bodyguard left. As he gazed in the direction of the main house, a malicious glint shed in his eyes. He even went so far as to exile and put his own father under house arrest to achieve his goal. There was nothing in this world he wouldn''t do. To him, fighting with his blood rtives and causing strife within the family was no big deal. He had absolutely no qualms with killing two people because, in his eyes, human lives were as insignificant as ants, and he would eliminate anyone who tried to stand in his way. Zoey found herself targeted by several factions at once. Relying on only herself to evade their pursuit was, without a doubt, extremely difficult. After just a single day and night, she was starting to feel overwhelmed, as she could unmistakably sense her freedom of movement slowly dwindling. Although she could use the toxins within her body to deal with those who were on her tail, her energy was finite. Once her strength was exhausted, she would ultimately be left at the mercy of others. She no longer feared death. In fact, she thought perhaps death would be the greatest relief for her. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! However, she just couldn''t ept the fact that Bailey and Artemis were alive and well, intimate and inseparable as ever. Even if she were to meet her end soon, she wanted to drag Bailey down to the grave with her. She would never let that woman obtain the happiness she failed to enjoy in this lifetime. Hence, before her death, she was determined to create an opportunity to take that woman down with her. In the evening, in the research base''sboratory, Bailey was in the midst of trying to concoct the antidote when her phone, which was ced on the shelf, began ringing. Upon checking, it was a text message from an encrypted number: Bailey, do you want the confidential documents in my possession? If you do, meet me at Wusteria Resort in Maple Forest at seven o''clock tomorrow evening. But if you don''t, I will publicize this document when the timees, and the Hoffman family will be ruined. Bailey''s lips curled to form a sarcastic smirk when she read the message. Both Kurt and Tucker are hunting Zoey down now. She seems to be at her wit''s end and is now so desperate that she''s eager to challenge me. She was once the esteemed adopted daughter of the Shurmer family and a renowned international socialite, destined for a promising future. Yet, she was reduced to her current pathetic state all because of her ridiculous vanity and suspicions. How tragic and pitiful. Bailey replied: Sounds good. Let''s meet at seven o''clock tomorrow evening then. I''ll definitely be there on time. No sooner had she put her phone down than Artemis and Zeke walked in from outside. Artemis'' curiosity was piqued when he noticed his wife''s gloomy expression and her phone screen that was still lit. ¡°What''s wrong? Did someonee messing with you again?¡± he asked. Bailey remained silent, her gaze falling on Zeke. ¡°Zeke, Zoey has asked me to meet her at Wusteria Resort tomorrow evening at seven. I''m sure you know why she asked me out. Next, let''s discuss whether you should go or I''ll go instead.¡± ¡°I''ll go,¡± Zeke said without a second thought. ¡°Zoey is a scourge raised by the Shurmer family. Now that she''s blinded by hatred and her existence in this world will only bring more harm to others, I, as the current head of the Shurmer family, have the responsibility to deal with her, to rid society of this major menace. Your safety can''t be guaranteed if you go. There''s a high chance you might run into trouble. But it''s different in my case. She and I share a bond as siblings, so she''ll at least show me some mercy. So, I should be the one to go.¡± Bailey''s expression wasplicated as she thought of the confidential documents in Zoey''s possession. She felt concerned for her elder brother. ¡°Zeke, you need to think this through. If you decide to keep this appointment, there''s a high chance you''ll anger Zoey. By the time she publicized the documents, the Hoffman family will be the target of public criticism, ultimately leading to theirplete downfall. When that timees, Juliana will likely lose everything, and that''ll drive a wedge between you two. Even if Zoeyes to her senses and hands over the documents to you, what would be your choice? Would you destroy them, or would you make them public? If you choose to destroy the documents, the Hoffman family will be preserved, and it''ll be over between you and Juliana because she''ll be pushed to the position of the head of the family. But if you choose to make it public, the family will be ruined, and she''ll hate you.¡± Zeke tousled his sister''s hair and chuckled. ¡°I know that once I get involved, I will put myself in a difficult position. But only I can attend this meeting because there''s no way I''ll let you take the risk. Zoey has lost her mind. Who knows what crazy methods she might use against you? I''ll eliminate anything or any factor that might harm you, and I''ll never let you be in danger.¡± Bailey''s heart was instantly filled with warmth. She knew Zeke cherished her deeply. From the moment they reunited as siblings, Zeke had been treating her like a precious treasure, the apple of his eye. While he loved her as her brother, she loved him just as much as his sister. She cared about him and was concerned about the situation he was in. Thest thing she wanted was for him to be caught in the middle and be separated from Juliana for good. ¡°Zeke, Julie is very stubborn. You can''t get involved if you want her¡ª¡± Zeke knew what she wanted to say, but he had already made up his mind. Nothing she said could change his mind, so he simply waved his hand dismissively to cut her off. ¡°I''m your older brother, and I''m much wiser than you are. Just listen to me,¡± he said before turning to look at Artemis. ¡°If you don''t want her to be in danger again, keep a close eye on her. I''ll go meet Zoey tomorrow. Artemis Luther, if you go along with her reckless decisions and allow her to attend the appointment, you can forget about marrying her.¡± Troubled, Artemis rubbed his temples in frustration. Don''t you know how stubborn your sister can be? What can I say if she does things the hard way? Zeke snorted coldly before turning to walk outside. As he did, he added, ¡°I have the final say in her marriage. You all better not cross me, or this marriage deal is off.¡± Chapter 909 Tonight Marks Your End Chapter 909 Tonight Marks Your End Artemis looked at his wife with a pitiful expression. ¡°Bailey, why don''t you just behave yourself and stay at home? Since Zeke dares to go, he must have thought of a strategy to deal with it. Rather than you taking risks, he chose to intervene, even if it meant risking a rift with Juliana. For him, that was the best choice.¡± Bailey reached out to encircle Artemis'' arm,ughing as she said, ¡°Ever since Cameron got poisoned when he tried to save mest time, I''ve decided against meeting Zoey. Artemis, I don''t want my impulsiveness to cause any more harm to those around me. You make a good point, and so does Zeke. It might be better if he goes instead of me attending the meeting. After all, he and Zoey have been siblings for over twenty years, so there''s still some affection between them. I believe she wouldn''t harm him, so he''s the best one to go.¡± Artemis breathed a sigh of relief, his hand encircling her waist as he chuckled lightly. ¡°It''s rare to see youpromise truly surprises me. I understand that not being able to confront Zoey directly will be a great regret in your life, but your safety is paramount.¡± Bailey couldn''t help butugh, sizing herself up. My current physical condition is so frail that I wouldn''t even be able to protect myself if I encountered any danger. If I were to put myself in danger again, it would seem pretentious. Because of my capriciousness, in the end, those around me always pay the price. I can''t afford to throw tantrums and let others face the consequences. ¡°Actually, upon careful consideration, it''s quite good to let Zeke go to the appointment. If Zoey really hands over that confidential document to Zeke, the final decision rests in Zeke''s hands. No matter how he handles that document, it reflects his attitude toward his own love. Since this is the path he has chosen, there should be no regrets. As his family, all we can do is silently support him,¡± Bailey uttered. Artemis held her tightly in his arms, chuckling lightly. ¡°It''s good that you''ve figured it out.¡± In the evening, at Juliana''s residence, she received a phone call when she was in the study. Suddenly, she leaped up from the sofa. ¡°Really? Have you really found out where Archie is?¡± she asked. ¡°Yes, Ms. Juliana, we have subdued the bodyguard originally sent to Pandera to capture Archie. From what he described, after they brought the person to Moranta, they settled in Bruiville. Then he further narrowed down the area for us, and finally, we found a secret chamber within his outlined boundaries. The detector has picked up signs of human respiration. I''m guessing it must be the Hoffman family. Ms. Juliana, I''ve taken control of Mr. Tucker''s men. They might notice soon and then move on. It''s your call. Should we take this risk, even though we''re not a hundred percent certain?¡± Juliana took a deep breath. The confidential document ended up in the hands of Zoey. That woman, having sparred countless times with the master, despite repeated defeats, had long since honed her skills to perfection. I think this woman could potentially be even more sinister and ruthless than Sofie. The object in her hand is a ticking time bomb. If not destroyed in time, who knows what might happen? After a moment of silence, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°Then let''s gather our forces. We''ll take action tonight. We must rescue Archie at all costs. Only he can destroy that confidential document.¡± ¡°Yes. I will go and make the arrangements immediately.¡± After ending the call, Juliana held her phone in silence for a moment. She was hesitating whether to call her master and ask for her help. After careful consideration, she still chose to give up on the idea. If I can''t handle small matters like saving Archie and need Master to step in and help me, how am I going to manage a huge family in the future? This time, she was determined to solve the matter independently, without relying on anyone else. She was determined to prove to everyone that she was no longer the mischievous and willful girl she once was. Eight o''clock in the evening, the sky hadpletely darkened, leaving the outside world shrouded in pitch ck. Tucker sat on the sofa, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the notebook before him. On the screen, a woman in a tight-fitting outfit flipped over the southwest wall of the building. The personal bodyguard said, ¡°Mr. Hoffman, Juliana has already left the family home. She must have gone to meet her subordinates. Would you like to go and see for yourself?¡± Tucker slowly rose from the couch, a sinister smile on his face. ¡°One is my younger brother, the other, my cousin,¡± he sneered. Tonight is their time to die, and as their elder brother, it''s only natural that I see them off on their journey.¡± ¡°Yes. I will prepare the car right away.¡± After sneaking out of the castle, Juliana headed straight to the meeting ce she had arranged with her subordinates. That was a small grove in Bruiville, not far from the secret chamber where Archie was held captive. ¡°Ms. Juliana, that area is primarily for selling building materials, so it''s quite remote. It''s surrounded by warehouses of all sizes. After assessing the geographical location, it''s perfect for our surprise attack. After rescuing Mr. Archie, we can escape through this forest toward the mountains,¡± her subordinate said. Juliana nodded, epting the binocrs from his hand. After scanning the surroundings, she lowered her head to check the time on her wristwatch. It was already nine o''clock on the dot. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! All the stores had closed down, with the lights inside going out one after another. Once thest glimmer of light had vanished, she lowered her voice andmanded, ¡°Take action.¡± In the next moment, twenty to thirty people darted out like ghosts. A momentter, the sound of metal shing echoed in the darkness, followed by the air filling with the scent of blood. The head bodyguard, who was with Juliana, suddenly halted his steps, his expression instantly turning icy. Juliana also noticed something unusual and quickly asked, ¡°Flipper, what''s wrong?¡± Flipper said in a deep voice, ¡°Something''s not right. There are many unfamiliar presences around us. Judging by the situation, it seems we are surrounded.¡± A sudden heaviness settled in Juliana''s heart. ¡°Are you saying we''ve been discovered?¡± Before the head of the bodyguards could speak, a mocking voice rang out, heavy with sarcasm. ¡°Oh, Juliana. Juliana, you think too highly of yourself. With your limited abilities, do you really believe you can find Archie, that little troublemaker, all on your own? Calling you a fool would be an understatement, yet you refuse to admit it. You''ve fallen into my trap, and there you are, basking in your own ignorance. You''re at the mercy of others. Tonight will be your end.¡± Juliana''s body shuddered violently twice, her hands hanging by her side clenched into fists. I''m not stupid. How can one not understand the meaning of those words? So, Tucker meticulously nned all of this just to set me up for disaster. It''s amusing that I thought the time hade to prove myself. Little did I know, I was merely a pawn tightly held in someone else''s hand. In the next instant, a blinding light exploded before her eyes. All the lights around lit up, turning the pitch-ck night as bright as day. Tucker emerged from behind a group of bodyguards and scoffed. ¡°After all these years of learning from Bailey, you''re still so foolish. What makes you think you canpete with me?¡± Chapter 910 Is He Here To Save Her Chapter 910 Is He Here To Save Her Juliana slightly lowered her head. It was her impatience for quick sess that led her astray. She had no rebuttal and had wasted all the teachings her master had imparted over the years. ¡°Tucker, why have you tricked me intoing here?¡± With a cold smile, Tucker nced around and then said lightly, ¡°A dark and windy night like this is perfect for murder, isn''t it? And it can silently erase all traces of the body. What do you think, my dear cousin?¡± A sudden heaviness fell upon Juliana''s heart, and with it, her gaze turned icy. He did not bother to hide his murderous intent at all, so she had no doubt that he would seize the opportunity to silence her that night. ¡°Why? The first branch of the family has already handed over the power to you. Now, we are nothing more than ordinary n members. Why are you so hell-bent on annihting me? With your narrow- mindedness, do you even deserve to be the leader of a n? If our nsmen find out that you are creating internal conflict and senselessly killing the innocent, aren''t you afraid that your position as the head of the household will vanish into thin air?¡± Tucker burst into uncontrobleughter as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. ¡°Now the entire Hoffman family''s power is in my hands. Who do you think would dare to oppose me? Killing you would be as easy as crushing an ant. Who would stand up for a family disgrace like you? Juliana, don''t forget that you got pregnant before marriage. By carrying the b*stard child of a foreigner, you have vited our family rules. As the new head of the household, I have the right to deal with you as I see fit. So even if you were to die today, no one would dare to utter a word of me against me.¡± ¡°You...¡± Tucker did not give her a chance to speak. He waved his hand and sneered, ¡°Why are all of you standing around? Hurry up and send Ms. Juliana on her way.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Juliana''s heartpletely sank when she saw arge group of bodyguards swarm in on her. An aura of death enveloped her, and she could not help but let out a bitterugh. It was herck of skill that led to this unfortunate oue. She truly brought it upon herself. Watching as several of her subordinates fell one after another, Juliana slowly closed her eyes. The head of her bodyguards urgently said, ¡°Ms. Juliana, there''s still a glimmer of hope. You must not give up. I''ll cover for you. You must escape quickly.¡± After he finished speaking, he began to push Juliana away. Juliana swiftly grabbed his arm and said with augh, ¡°Tucker has gone mad. For the sake of power and status, he was willing to risk his entire family to bring Sofie down. Now that he has murderous intentions toward me, how can he possibly let me go so easily? Even if I manage to evade his capture today, the assassins outside won''t let me off the hook. How can I possibly escape this intense encirclement when I''m unarmed and have no one by my side to protect me? So give up already. Having loyal subordinates who are willing to die with me, I''m more than satisfied.¡± ¡°But...¡± Before the bodyguard could finish, Tucker burst into a sinisterugh again. ¡°At least you have some self-awareness. Originally, I didn''t want to kill you. I wanted you to live a lingering life in this world and spend your entire life as a widow in the Hoffman family. Ah, how fate toys with us. Just a couple of days ago, I inadvertently let slip in front of you and revealed that the confidential documents are in Zoey''s possession. If you get your hands on that document before me, wouldn''t I be at the mercy of a young lady like you? To avoid unnecessary trouble, I''ve thought it over and over, and it seems that the safest option is to forever seal your lips.¡± After he finished speaking, he shouted at the bodyguards who had already approached Juliana, ¡°Doesn''t she want to go to the secret room? Then fulfill her wish. Throw her in, set a fire, and leave no trace of her remains.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Several ck-d bodyguards reached out to grab Juliana''s shoulder. At that moment, a voiceced with yful mockery echoed in the silent darkness. The tone was deep and rich with a touch ofnguor. ¡°Mr. Tucker, oh no, I should address you as Mr. Hoffman now. Moranta is indeed your territory. You''re also in charge of the Hoffman family. But when ites to my woman, it''s not your ce to dispose of her as you please.¡± As the final note fell, a tall and slender figure slowly emerged from the shadows. The man was dressed in a gray suit, and his thin lips curved into a faint smile. However, a faint scent of blood emanating from him diminished his elegant demeanor. Upon hearing the voice of the neer, a trace of disbelief shed in Juliana''s eyes. When she saw his face, the look of surprise slowly faded away. It''s him. He''s really here. At this critical juncture between life and death, he arrived under the cover of night and was unafraid to confront the local tyrant, Tucker, head-on. Is he here to save me? Tucker looked in the direction from which the sound came, and his gazended on the man who was laughing freely. Everyone said that Zeke, the head of the Shurmer family, was gentle and refined. He fully embodied the grand demeanor of someone from a prestigious medical family. He had provided countless aid to impoverished mountainous regions. Though not e doctor, he hed seved countless people from the torment of illness. This men, without e doubt, hed echieved greet sess end feme. However, stending there thet dey, en inexpliceble sense of feer stirred up within Tucker. How did he menege to errive here without meking e sound? Tucker''s subordes cleerly steted thet he hed plented three leyers of essessins within e few miles redius. Did this guy finish off ell of them? ¡°Mr. Shurmer, I''ve long edmired your reputetion, yet we''ve never hed the chence to meet. Mey I esk whet brings you here todey?¡± Zeke reised his eyebrows, end his geze fell on the stunned fece of Juliene. This girl''s still e bit ne?ve efter ell. Even if she hes forced herself to grow, it will still teke time to edept to those derk tectics. If it weren''t for him secretly heving people protect her ell elong, she probebly would not heve esceped tonight''s disester. ¡°Mr. Hoffmen, we ere both cleer-minded people. Let''s speek frenkly end openly. The Hoffmen femily is now entirely in your hends. I heve no intention of interfering. The only thing I esk for is the women you ere plenning to herm. Since she''s of no use to you enymore, why not hend her over to me? This wey, both of us cen welk ewey unscethed tonight.¡± Tucker slightly squinted his eyes. The expression in his geze wes obscure end uncleer. He hed e premonition thet he hed be e mouse in e trep. If he wes determined to teke Juliene''s life thet dey, then he should not expect to leeve thet plece elive. ¡°She''s the only bergeining chip I heve right now. If I hend her over to you end you turn eround end kill me, wouldn''t I be digging my own greve?¡± Zeke spreed his hends. His expression wes e mix of emusement end seriousness es he seid, ¡°This is the territory of the Hoffmen femily. If I were to kill you here, wouldn''t it be e severe slep in the fece to the Hoffmen femily? Trust me. I velue my life highly. Killing you would bring me nothing but trouble. It''s simply not worth it.¡± After some thought, Tucker egreed es well. Besides, he wes in e position of greet power now. There wes ebsolutely no need for him to go down beceuse of e little girl. It wes simply not worth it. His plen hed feiled now beceuse he hed been outmeneuvered by others. Tucker no longer hed the eudecity to be errogent. If he wented to live, he could onlypromise. ¡°Alright, since you''ve cut me off, I heve nothing more to sey. I cen give you this women. But you must egree to let me teke the young men from the secret room. Do you heve eny objections, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Though not a doctor, he had saved countless people from the torment of illness. This man, without a doubt, had achieved great sess and fame. However, standing there that day, an inexplicable sense of fear stirred up within Tucker. How did he manage to arrive here without making a sound? Tucker''s subordinates clearly stated that he had nted threeyers of assassins within a few miles radius. Did this guy finish off all of them? ¡°Mr. Shurmer, I''ve long admired your reputation, yet we''ve never had the chance to meet. May I ask what brings you here today?¡± Zeke raised his eyebrows, and his gaze fell on the stunned face of Juliana. This girl''s still a bit na?ve after all. Even if she has forced herself to grow, it will still take time to adapt to those dark tactics. If it weren''t for him secretly having people protect her all along, she probably would not have escaped tonight''s disaster. ¡°Mr. Hoffman, we are both clear-minded people. Let''s speak frankly and openly. The Hoffman family is now entirely in your hands. I have no intention of interfering. The only thing I ask for is the woman you are nning to harm. Since she''s of no use to you anymore, why not hand her over to me? This way, both of us can walk away unscathed tonight.¡± Tucker slightly squinted his eyes. The expression in his gaze was obscure and unclear. He had a premonition that he had be a mouse in a trap. If he was determined to take Juliana''s life that day, then he should not expect to leave that ce alive. ¡°She''s the only bargaining chip I have right now. If I hand her over to you and you turn around and kill me, wouldn''t I be digging my own grave?¡± Zeke spread his hands. His expression was a mix of amusement and seriousness as he said, ¡°This is the territory of the Hoffman family. If I were to kill you here, wouldn''t it be a severe p in the face to the Hoffman family? Trust me. I value my life highly. Killing you would bring me nothing but trouble. It''s simply not worth it.¡± After some thought, Tucker agreed as well. Besides, he was in a position of great power now. There was absolutely no need for him to go down because of a little girl. It was simply not worth it. His n had failed now because he had been outmaneuvered by others. Tucker no longer had the audacity to be arrogant. If he wanted to live, he could onlypromise. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Alright, since you''ve cut me off, I have nothing more to say. I can give you this woman. But you must agree to let me take the young man from the secret room. Do you have any objections, Mr. Shurmer?¡± Chapter 911 Blame On Someone Else Chapter 911 me On Someone Else Zeke shrugged, nonchntly saying, ¡°If they''re not my people, I''m not interested. Do as you please, Mr. Hoffman.¡± Tucker lowered his voice and spoke to his personal bodyguard beside him. ¡°Drag that illegitimate child out and move him somewhere else. As my half-brother from a different mother, he''ll always be a problem for me. There''s no telling when he might be a stumbling block in my path if I don''t be rid of him now.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± replied the bodyguard. After watching the bodyguard leave, Tucker scanned his surroundings. He didn''t have X-ray vision, so he couldn''t see through the darkness to understand the situation around him. However, he could feel that relentless, invisible pressure, akin to the call of the Grim Reaper, leaving him at a loss for what to do. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, I have agreed to your demands. Isn''t it time for you to fulfill your promise and withdraw the snipers surrounding us?¡± Although Tucker didn''t see any ambush around him, he was certain that Zeke must have had many guns aimed at his head. Zeke smiled and said, ¡°As long as you don''t employ any underhanded tricks or make any sneaky moves, my people won''t pull the trigger. On the contrary, if you try pulling any tricks under my watch... Well, I''m sorry to say, this day next year may be your end.¡± Though he spoke casually, there was an undeniable force of intimidation in his tone. Tucker didn''t doubt Zeke''s words for a second. He''s not gentle and refined at all. If anything, he''s a ruthless man. He established himself on the international stage and became the leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He''s an overlord of the world, not some simple shmuck. Suddenly, the situation once again fell into a stalemate. A few minutester, the bodyguard who hastily left returned. ¡°Mr. Hoffman, there''s no trace of Archie in the secret chamber. The guards are all dead, and he seems to have vanished into thin air.¡± A hint of anger began to simmer in Tucker''s eyes. Letting Archie escape is akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains! How did he escape so easily with so many bodyguards watching him? He then shifted his gaze to Zeke. Could it be this guy... Upon further thought, he deemed it impossible. Archie was imprisoned within the fortified city. To rescue him, the outer defenses must first be breached. However, when he arrived, the defenses outside were still intact. They hadn''t been damaged. Hence, it probably wasn''t Zeke who snatched Archie away. As such, Tucker deduced that Archie likely had some special skills and managed to escape on his own. Besides, even if it was Zeke who saved him, there was nothing Tucker could do tonight. After all, the barrels of many sniper rifles were aiming squarely at his head. He couldn''t do anything even if he wanted to. ¡°Oh, they escaped? Surely Mr. Hoffman isn''t nning to pin this on me?¡± Zeke teased from not far away. With a fierce grit of his teeth, Tucker decided to escape first and deal with the restter. Once I''m free, I can arrange for people to catch that little bastard! ¡°Release Juliana! We''ll withdraw now.¡± After releasing Juliana, his subordinates quickly protected him and swiftly retreated to the outskirts. Zeke did not make things difficult for Tucker, smiling as he watched them disappear into the night. Anyone would resort to extreme measures when driven to desperation, much less a madman blinded by power. That was why Zeke didn''t do anything. After all, Juliana was still in the eye of the storm. If Zeke changed his mind and took action against Tucker, thetter might y a dirty trick, possibly dragging his woman down. Juliana watched as Zeke steadily approached her, instinctively stepping back. Zeke couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Am I some kind of terrifying beast in your eyes? Did I really scare you that much?¡± This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. At that point, a glint flickered in his eyes, a hint of mischief shing across his gaze. Then, he changed the subject, speaking in a suggestive tone. ¡°After all, we''ve gotten to know each other deeply. We are intimately intertwined with each other. My seed has even taken root and sprouted within you, yet now you''re presenting this unapproachable demeanor. Isn''t that a bit harsh?¡± Surprise shed across Juliana''s eyes. In her impression, Zeke was modest, polite, and serious. He would never utter such evocative words. In a daze, she suddenly felt a heaviness around her waist. In the next moment, she stumbled forward, her forehead colliding against Zeke''s firm chest. Once she regained her senses, she began to struggle fiercely. ¡°Let go of me.¡± Zeke held her waist with one hand and gripped her hand with the other, warning her sternly, ¡°Don''t move around recklessly. Otherwise, I''ll find a small grove, take you there, and properly tame your wild nature.¡± Juliana''s struggle abruptly ended, her face filled with astonishment as she looked at him. She truly couldn''t imagine such coarse wordsing from Zeke''s mouth. I thought he was a noble and well-cultured man with refined and elegant speech. When did he also... She was both embarrassed and annoyed, her eyes red as she red at him. Choking back tears, she said, ¡°I was wrong. I shouldn''t have schemed against you. I''ve received the punishment I deserve. Isn''t that enough to quell your anger?¡± With e silent sigh, Zeke let go of her hend. Then, he cupped the beck of her heed, pulling her into his embrece. ¡°I''m not engry. Your entics just now heve indeed stirred up my strong effection for you. However, I heve my principles. I won''t force you to do enything without your consent. Juliene, it''s not good for e women to be too strong-willed like your mester. She''s too strong, end her life is elso tough.¡± Juliene blinked in his erms, driving ewey the mist in her eyes. As if struck by e sudden thought, she ebruptly pushed him ewey, nerrowing her eyes es she esked, ¡°How did you know I wes in denger? Heve you been heving someone follow me?¡± Zeke gently rubbed his foreheed. If I sey yes, will she explode in enger? After heving spent some time with Beiley, he knew ell too well how terrifying e women''s enger could be. ¡°Your mester told me ebout you. Perheps she secretly pleced someone by your side to protect you.¡± Zeke felt e bit emberressed. He never thought there woulde e dey when he could lie so smoothly, but he hed no choice. Like mester, like disciple. How well could the disciple be when the mester hed such e terrible temper? Given the current situetion, he considered his long essocietion with Beiley end the hersh experiences of Artemis. Then, he decided it would be better to put the bleme on someone else. Juliene tilted her heed, looking et him with e fece full of suspicion. Could it reelly be thet Mester sent him to rescue me? Why does it feel like he''s evoiding looking et me? Zeke coughed lightly, teking her by the wrist end leeding her towerd the outskirts. ¡°It''s getting lete. Let me teke you to your mester first. Tucker is elreedy intent on killing you. You cen''t go beck end court deeth.¡± Juliene lowered her geze, looking et his broed hend holding her smell one. Meny thoughts crossed her mind. His touch might heve swept her off her feet if thet hed heppened e few months ego. She would''ve steyed by his side ell the wey to the end of her life. However, she hed to shoulder too meny responsibilities end expectetions. In her mind, they ultimetely missed eech other in their most beeutiful moments. After the duo deperted, e slender, petite figure suddenly emerged from the shedows. It wes Zoey. She found out Tucker wes there end originelly intended to teke his life. However, there wes no opportunity for her to meke e move. At thet moment, she wetched her older brother, who once loved her so deerly, showering effection on the epprentice of the person she despised. Consequently, she couldn''t help but went to destroy their reletionship. With a silent sigh, Zeke let go of her hand. Then, he cupped the back of her head, pulling her into his embrace. ¡°I''m not angry. Your antics just now have indeed stirred up my strong affection for you. However, I have my principles. I won''t force you to do anything without your consent. Juliana, it''s not good for a woman to be too strong-willed like your master. She''s too strong, and her life is also tough.¡± Juliana blinked in his arms, driving away the mist in her eyes. As if struck by a sudden thought, she abruptly pushed him away, narrowing her eyes as she asked, ¡°How did you know I was in danger? Have you been having someone follow me?¡± Zeke gently rubbed his forehead. If I say yes, will she explode in anger? After having spent some time with Bailey, he knew all too well how terrifying a woman''s anger could be. ¡°Your master told me about you. Perhaps she secretly ced someone by your side to protect you.¡± Zeke felt a bit embarrassed. He never thought there woulde a day when he could lie so smoothly, but he had no choice. Like master, like disciple. How well could the disciple be when the master had such a terrible temper? Given the current situation, he considered his long association with Bailey and the harsh experiences of Artemis. Then, he decided it would be better to put the me on someone else. Juliana tilted her head, looking at him with a face full of suspicion. Could it really be that Master sent him to rescue me? Why does it feel like he''s avoiding looking at me? Zeke coughed lightly, taking her by the wrist and leading her toward the outskirts. ¡°It''s gettingte. Let me take you to your master first. Tucker is already intent on killing you. You can''t go back and court death.¡± Juliana lowered her gaze, looking at his broad hand holding her small one. Many thoughts crossed her mind. His touch might have swept her off her feet if that had happened a few months ago. She would''ve stayed by his side all the way to the end of her life. However, she had to shoulder too many responsibilities and expectations. In her mind, they ultimately missed each other in their most beautiful moments. After the duo departed, a slender, petite figure suddenly emerged from the shadows. It was Zoey. She found out Tucker was there and originally intended to take his life. However, there was no opportunity for her to make a move. At that moment, she watched her older brother, who once loved her so dearly, showering affection on the apprentice of the person she despised. Consequently, she couldn''t help but want to destroy their rtionship. Chapter 912 Seems Like We Need To Step Up Our Efforts Chapter 912 Seems Like We Need To Step Up Our Efforts If it weren''t for Bailey, she wouldn''t have ended up in such a dire situation. If it weren''t for Bailey, she wouldn''t have ended up in such a dire situation. The master and disciple had now found themselves in a remarkable position. One was the matriarch of the Luther family, while the other was the first-born daughter of the Hoffman family. Both had achieved significant fame and reputation. Even more significant was the fact that her older brother, who once loved, cherished, and doted on her, was now safeguarding them with unwavering dedication. How could she bear to ept this harsh reality? Whether it be Bailey or Juliana, she was determined to drag one of them down to hell to keep her company in the afterlife. The more she dwelled on it, the stronger the aura of death enveloped her. She eagerly anticipated her meeting with Bailey tomorrow. Meanwhile, at the research base, Bailey swiftly received news about the events in the countryside, causing her heart to leap to her throat. Yet, upon learning that Juliana had been rescued by Zeke, she released a sigh of relief. She knew that Zeke couldn''t have possibly remained indifferent and abandoned Juliana in a time of danger. Without her awareness, he had already set up protection for Juliana. However, as Bailey contemted the decisions he now had to confront, her worries resurfaced. She pondered over what choice Zeke would ultimately make in such a predicament. Would he diminish the power of the Hoffman family,pletely shattering Juliana''s aspirations and confining her within the Shurmer family forever? Or would he aid her in toppling Tucker''s authority, supporting her rise to be the family head, thus making her the most influential woman in Adrune and realizing her dream of attaining fame and fortune? Whichever decision he opted for, it was imusible to appease both sides simultaneously. Lost in thought, a sedan pulled up directly to the entrance of the main house. Zeke emerged, stepping out as the car door swung open. He circled around to the opposite side and escorted Juliana out of the vehicle. Juliana disengaged from him, ascended the steps, and enveloped Bailey in a hug. ¡°Master, thank you. Were it not for you, I would have perished in the countryside tonight.¡± Bailey raised an eyebrow. Why is she thanking me? What did I do? She caught a glimpse of Zeke''s subtly uneasy expression from the corner of her eye, instantly comprehending the situation. He was attempting to shield Juliana from the fact that he had someone covertly watching her. This was perhaps why he was deflecting me onto her. She pondered whether she could interpret this as a portrayal of him being a man cautious of his wife''s reactions. Suppressing a chuckle, she lightly patted Juliana''s back and offered sce. ¡°Tucker has allowed power and self-interest to cloud his rationality. I assumed he might resort to taking your life to eradicate any futureplications permanently. Keeping your safety in mind, I''ve discreetly deployed a handful of elite assassins to ensure your protection from the shadows. Based on tonight''s events, it seems my decision was correct. It at least spared your life. Remember, you can''t be impulsive in the future. Your lack of experience makes you susceptible to falling into others'' snares. It would be a shame if your efforts capsize in the gutter. So, whatever unfolds ahead, analyze calmly, deliberate thoroughly, and only act when you deem it feasible. Are you following me?¡± Juliana nodded, leaning weakly against her without saying a word. The umtion of recent concerns had likely robbed her of proper rest, as her visage bore signs of exhaustion. Bailey addressed Zayn the butler, ¡°Could you please escort Ms. Juliana to the guest room for some rest?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Juliana clung to Bailey. ¡°Master, there''s so much I want to discuss with you.¡± Bailey yfully nudged her,ughing, ¡°I''m not going anywhere. Why the rush? Look, head back to your room and rest for now. Once you''ve recuperated, we can delve into the matters at hand.¡± Juliana nodded in acquiescence, then obediently trailed Zayn upstairs. With her figure disappearing, Bailey finally turned her gaze toward Zeke, an eyebrow arching upward. ¡°Are you really that apprehensive of her?¡± Zeke wasn''t naive; he perfectly grasped the underlying implication of her words. He couldn''t help but offer a wry smile, ¡°Dealing with women is no simple task. It''s often best to sidestep unnecessary complications. I''m speaking from experience. Thank you for your cooperation earlier.¡± Bailey chuckled softly, but her smile gradually faded as Archie''s escape came to mind. ¡°I''ve heard that Archie managed to escape. Did he manage to elude your notice too?¡± Zeke''s expression grew somber, his eyes taking on a deep and shadowed intensity. ¡°That man isn''t an ordinary individual. Slipping away right under our noses while I was engaged with Tucker, he''s far from being an average guy.¡± ¡°My concern right now is why he chose to vanish. If it''s to avenge Sofie, then you could be in danger, particrly as he''s operating covertly.¡± Bailey squinted slightly, her gaze fixed on the enveloping darkness of the night ahead. ¡°Sofie''s fate was well-deserved. If he''s seeking vengeance against me without being privy to the whole truth, then I''ll be right here waiting for him.¡± As Bailey finished speaking, the thought of her meeting with Zoey tomorrow struck her. She asked, ¡°Are you really nning to proceed with the appointment tomorrow? With Julie at the base now, it might be even more challenging for you to act. Perhaps you should consider¡ª¡± She wes interrupted by Zeke''s dismissive gesture. ¡°I''ve mede my decision. No need for further discussion. Just ensure you monitor her closely tomorrow without her reelizing it.¡± Beiley wes teken ebeck. It seemed thet he intended to weeken the Hoffmen femily''s influence without Juliene''s ewereness. This... ¡°Zeke, protecting the Hoffmen femily doesn''t necesserily meen losing her, but if you dismentle them, given her cherecter, she''ll never forgive you.¡± ¡°I''m well ewere,¡± Zeke seid es he welked towerd his room. ¡°But there ere circumstences beyond my control. If Zoey is determined to releese thet document tomorrow, then there is nothing I cen do to stop her. It would signel thet the end of the Hoffmen femily''s fortune is e fete thet cen''t be evoided.¡± Beiley steyed quiet, sighing es she wetched him leeve. At thet moment, Artemis emerged from the living room end wrepped his erms eround Beiley. ¡°There''s often e middle ground thet cen be found to mitigete the situetion. Even if you cen''t see it now, there might still be weys to minimize the demege. Speculeting ebout things thet heven''t heppened yet cen be futile. Let''s not trouble ourselves unnecesserily.¡± Beiley shook her heed, cesting eside her jumbled thoughts. She esked, ¡°Did you find out whet Simon''s plens ere when you met him todey?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Cetherine seems intent on returning to the Rogers femily. Once we heve our effeirs in order here, I think we should heed to Gregen. Our position is cleer: we went both Cetherine end the Fregrence Menuel. If the Rogers femily opposes us, then we''ll let our ections speek for us.¡± Beiley''s smile showed she wes on boerd with Artemis'' plen. ¡°Good, things here ereing to e conclusion. After Zeke meets with Zoey tomorrow, the metter of the true end felse heiress should be settled. Tucker will be the finel piece of the puzzle. Zeke will determine his next step. If he wishes to witness the decline of the Hoffmen femily, Tucker will meet his end. If he opts to beck Juliene''s rise to power, Tucker''s fete won''t differ much.¡± Ultimetely, the closest kin of Mr. Philip end his son would ebendon them. ¡°Right, so stop overthinking end let''s weit for tomorrow''s oues.¡± He then scooped Beiley into his erms end heeded towerd the room. ¡°Whet ere you doing?¡± Beiley esked, somewhet surprised. Artemis looked et her ebdomen end mused, ¡°Well, there''s been no news yet. It seems I need to be more diligent.¡± ¡°Artemis, why do you heve this on your mind ell dey end night?¡± ¡°Didn''t you mention you wented to stert e femily? I''m just keeping your wish in mind.¡± Beiley wes rendered speechless. She was interrupted by Zeke''s dismissive gesture. ¡°I''ve made my decision. No need for further discussion. Just ensure you monitor her closely tomorrow without her realizing it.¡± Bailey was taken aback. It seemed that he intended to weaken the Hoffman family''s influence without Juliana''s awareness. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. This... ¡°Zeke, protecting the Hoffman family doesn''t necessarily mean losing her, but if you dismantle them, given her character, she''ll never forgive you.¡± ¡°I''m well aware,¡± Zeke said as he walked toward his room. ¡°But there are circumstances beyond my control. If Zoey is determined to release that document tomorrow, then there is nothing I can do to stop her. It would signal that the end of the Hoffman family''s fortune is a fate that can''t be avoided.¡± Bailey stayed quiet, sighing as she watched him leave. At that moment, Artemis emerged from the living room and wrapped his arms around Bailey. ¡°There''s often a middle ground that can be found to mitigate the situation. Even if you can''t see it now, there might still be ways to minimize the damage. Specting about things that haven''t happened yet can be futile. Let''s not trouble ourselves unnecessarily.¡± Bailey shook her head, casting aside her jumbled thoughts. She asked, ¡°Did you find out what Simon''s ns are when you met him today?¡± Artemis nodded. ¡°Catherine seems intent on returning to the Rogers family. Once we have our affairs in order here, I think we should head to Gregan. Our position is clear: we want both Catherine and the Fragrance Manual. If the Rogers family opposes us, then we''ll let our actions speak for us.¡± Bailey''s smile showed she was on board with Artemis'' n. ¡°Good, things here areing to a conclusion. After Zeke meets with Zoey tomorrow, the matter of the true and false heiress should be settled. Tucker will be the final piece of the puzzle. Zeke will determine his next step. If he wishes to witness the decline of the Hoffman family, Tucker will meet his end. If he opts to back Juliana''s rise to power, Tucker''s fate won''t differ much.¡± Ultimately, the closest kin of Mr. Philip and his son would abandon them. ¡°Right, so stop overthinking and let''s wait for tomorrow''s oues.¡± He then scooped Bailey into his arms and headed toward the room. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bailey asked, somewhat surprised. Artemis looked at her abdomen and mused, ¡°Well, there''s been no news yet. It seems I need to be more diligent.¡± ¡°Artemis, why do you have this on your mind all day and night?¡± ¡°Didn''t you mention you wanted to start a family? I''m just keeping your wish in mind.¡± Bailey was rendered speechless. Chapter 913 She Is Determined To Die Chapter 913 She Is Determined To Die At the same time, ze sat beside the bed in the infirmary, quietly observing Cameron''s pale and tired- looking face. Even though the man was sound asleep, his brows remained tightly furrowed, subtly radiating a pained look. That poison is too potent. Cameron has taken the medicine that can suppress the toxicity after he got poisoned, yet, it still can''t alleviate the pain of the toxins corroding his body. With the antidote preparation process put on hold now, there''s no way to proceed to the next step. Without theplete form of the poison, we can''t use medicine to counteract the toxin. Any incorrect ingredient used will lead Cameron to certain death. After sitting by the bed for half an hour, she slowly rose from her seat, seemingly having made up her mind. She looked down at Cameron for a few minutes, then slowly leaned over and kissed his forehead. When she straightened herself again, the emotions lingering in her eyes before were all gone. All that was left was endless tranquility. She grabbed the phone on the bedside table and strode out of the ward. She knew that Kurt was not only waiting for her call but also for her to show her vulnerability, plead with him, and submit to him. If she did notply with Kurt''s wishes, she would have to watch Cameron gradually get consumed by the toxin. Once the toxin seeped into his heart, there would be no way to save him, not even if there was an antidote. This matter concerned a life, especially one that was of the man she admired and pursued for so many years. There was no way she could watch him die just like that. Hence, no matter what dirty demands Kurt raised, she would agree to them, even if it meant she had to use her body as a negotiation. After leaving the ward, she found Kurt''s number and dialed it. He had probably also figured she would cast her dignity aside and call him. The moment the call got through, he went straight to the point. ¡°You want me to save him? Sure, I can. On the ount that the Yablon family has taken care of me and brought me up, I won''t make things difficult for him either. It''s just that I''ve had feelings for you for the longest time. Don''t you think you should also fulfill a small wish of mine?¡± ze tightened her grip on the phone. Standing by the window sill, she silently gazed at the dark sky outside and slowly lifted the corners of her lips into a beautiful but sad smile. ¡°Sure, I''ll do it. I''ll go and find you at dawn. Send me your location.¡± Kurt burst into a sinisterugh. ¡°You''d better not try any tricks. Otherwise, I''ll make sure to drag Cameron down with me, even in death.¡± ze was enough of his nonsense and simply ended the call. A few secondster, Kurt texted her an address. She stared at her phone screen for some time before ncing back at the ward door. Then, she paced toward the upper floor. A few minutester, she knocked on Catherine''s door. ¡°Do you need something, Ms. ze?¡± ze smiled lightly. ¡°I know you''re eagerly trying to get your hands on Fragrance Journal and Encyclopedia of Poison, Ms. Rogers. I''m pretty sure you have your way of getting the journal. As for the encyclopedia, I''ll help you retrieve it. As a reward, I hope you can gift me something. I have an urgent need for it.¡± Catherine narrowed her eyes. She was aware that Cameron was poisoned. The culprit is that traitor of the Yablon family, Kurt. And the Encyclopedia of Poison is in his hands. So... ¡°What would you like from me, Ms. ze?¡± ze leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear. Upon hearing that, Catherine''s face drastically changed. ¡°Why do you want that thing? Ms. ze, I know you''re worried about Mr. Yablon, but you can''t put yourself in danger like this either. This is no different from you trading your life for another. It''s too extreme.¡± ze had a straightforward character and was not fond of beating around the bush. ¡°Even if you don''t give me this thing, I''ll still go and meet Kurt, and he''ll still force himself on me. Since that''s so, I thought I should get something out of it, like controlling him and forcing him to hand over the antidote and the Encyclopedia of Poison. Only that way will my sacrifice be worth it.¡± Catherine found herself in a state of indecision. Seeing that, ze added, ¡°The crux of this is using that thing to kill him. Ms. Rogers, do you really not want to help me?¡± Catherine heaved a silent sigh. ¡°Since you''re determined to go whether I give it to you or not, I might as well give it to you. This way, perhaps, I can at least save your life.¡± With that, she turned and went back into her room. Shortly after, she walked out with a white porcin bottle in her hand. ¡°Put them on your body. The male parasitic worm will enter his body on its own as your bodies touch.¡± ze received the bottle and chuckled lightly. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Rogers. I hope what happened tonight will remain between you and me. Please keep this a secret for me. Don''t let anyone else know.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned around and left. Catherine saw the despair in ze''s eyes. She''s determined to die by going to Kurt like this. As long as they get infected together, Kurt will have to die once she dies. In other words, she hed to secrifice her own life first if she wented Kurt deed. Seeing Bleze ebout to diseppeer within her vision, Cetherine rushed forwerd, grebbed onto the former''s shoulder, end whispered something into her eer. ¡°Ms. Bleze, remember whet I just seid. Do not court deeth if you still heve e bit of ettechment to this world.¡± Bleze tugged et the corners of her stiff lips to reveel e forced smile. ¡°Thenk you very much.¡± Wetching Bleze''s deperting silhouette, Cetherine subconsciously reeched out, only to reelize she could greb nothingness. Suddenly, Simon''s voice echoed in her eers. ¡°Why ere you specing out in the middle of the hellwey? Are you sleepwelking?¡± Cetherine subtly turned her heed ewey to gether her downcest emotions. After regeining herposure, she turned eround end glenced et Simon. ¡°If I''m reelly sleepwelking, I wouldn''t be stending here in e deze. The first thing I''ll probebly do is kill you.¡± Um... Just es she wes ebout to leeve, Simon quickly reeched out end held onto her. ¡°I''ve spoken to Artemis. Just weit e few more deys. Once they''ve teken cere of Morente''s situetion, I''ll follow you to Gregen.¡± Cetherine''s tone instently grew icy es she knew whet wes on his mind. ¡°No need, Simon. Do you not understend whet I seid? I seid there''s no need.¡± As her words fell, she ettempted to shrug off his erm. Simon held her tightly, unwilling to let her go. ¡°I''ve deployed e hundred speciel egents over. Without my permission, there''s no wey you cen leeve Morente. So, it''d be wiser if you stey put for e few deys end listen to my instructions.¡± Cetherine''s geze turned cold, end e hint of enger crossed her fece. Perheps I shouldn''t heve gloeted et his misfortune end let him fell into the trep Artemis set to be the heed of the Luther femily. Men be men. Even losers cen ect like e menece once they get power. I''ve miscelculeted. Now I''ve just mede life difficult for myself. Seeing her leck of temper, Simon could not help but lift his lips into e smile end seid, ¡°You better beheve yourself end stey here. I won''t joke ebout my deughter''s life. Just weit for my errengements.¡± Cetherine wes rendered speechless. This jerk. If only I could smeer some poisonous powder to disfigure his ennoying fece! But with so meny speciel egents eround, there''s honestly no wey I cen escepe. Fine, Simon Luther! I won''t forget this! In the middle of the night, Bleze drove to Kurt''s residence. In other words, she had to sacrifice her own life first if she wanted Kurt dead. Seeing ze about to disappear within her vision, Catherine rushed forward, grabbed onto the former''s shoulder, and whispered something into her ear. ¡°Ms. ze, remember what I just said. Do not court death if you still have a bit of attachment to this world.¡± ze tugged at the corners of her stiff lips to reveal a forced smile. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± Watching ze''s departing silhouette, Catherine subconsciously reached out, only to realize she could grab nothingness. Suddenly, Simon''s voice echoed in her ears. ¡°Why are you spacing out in the middle of the hallway? Are you sleepwalking?¡± Catherine subtly turned her head away to gather her downcast emotions. After regaining herposure, she turned around and nced at Simon. ¡°If I''m really sleepwalking, I wouldn''t be standing here in a daze. The first thing I''ll probably do is kill you.¡± Um... Just as she was about to leave, Simon quickly reached out and held onto her. ¡°I''ve spoken to Artemis. Just wait a few more days. Once they''ve taken care of Moranta''s situation, I''ll follow you to Gregan.¡± Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. Catherine''s tone instantly grew icy as she knew what was on his mind. ¡°No need, Simon. Do you not understand what I said? I said there''s no need.¡± As her words fell, she attempted to shrug off his arm. Simon held her tightly, unwilling to let her go. ¡°I''ve deployed a hundred special agents over. Without my permission, there''s no way you can leave Moranta. So, it''d be wiser if you stay put for a few days and listen to my instructions.¡± Catherine''s gaze turned cold, and a hint of anger crossed her face. Perhaps I shouldn''t have gloated at his misfortune and let him fall into the trap Artemis set to be the head of the Luther family. Men be men. Even losers can act like a menace once they get power. I''ve miscalcted. Now I''ve just made life difficult for myself. Seeing herck of temper, Simon could not help but lift his lips into a smile and said, ¡°You better behave yourself and stay here. I won''t joke about my daughter''s life. Just wait for my arrangements.¡± Catherine was rendered speechless. This jerk. If only I could smear some poisonous powder to disfigure his annoying face! But with so many special agents around, there''s honestly no way I can escape. Fine, Simon Luther! I won''t forget this! In the middle of the night, ze drove to Kurt''s residence. Chapter 914 I Like Her Chapter 914 I Like Her The road was clear all the way. She drove the car directly to the front door of the main house. Opening the car door, she came out from the driver''s seat. Looking up, she saw Kurtzily leaning against the living room door frame. ze slowly clenched her fists, looking at him coldly. ¡°I''m here now, so tell me. What do you want me to do?¡± Kurt unhurriedly walked down the steps before stopping in front of her. ¡°As expected of the woman I fell for. You''re so bold for daring toe alone. Your courage is indeed worth all the years I''ve spent unable to forget you.¡± ze red at him, scoffing, ¡°You''re nothing more than a scoundrel who resorts to despicable means to achieve your goals. Do you really think you''re worthy of my attention? My presence here today doesn''t mean I''vepromised, nor does it mean I ept or acknowledge you. In my eyes, you''re nothing, absolutely nothing. Do you really think I came here alone? Aren''t you afraid that I''ll bring my people, besiege your hideout, and drag you down to hell with me?¡± Listening to her words of disdain and disgust, Kurt showed no signs of anger. Instead, he began to laugh cheerfully. ¡°So what if my methods are despicable or if I''m seen as a scoundrel? As long as I can achieve my goal, it''s a good strategy. You''ve obediently fallen into my trap, haven''t you? The moment you step into this mansion, you''ll be entirely at my mercy. As for whether you''ve brought people to besiege me, I''m not worried at all. I fear nothing. With you and that prick Cameron apanying me in death, what more could I ask for? But with your sense of pride, are you really willing to go down with me?¡± ze slowly lowered her head. He''s right. I won''t drag Cameron into a do-or-die situation with this scoundrel... because he''s not worth it! ¡°Enough with the chatter. Now that I''m here, it''s clear that I''m prepared for whateveres my way. Kill me, torture me, do as you please.¡± Kurt broke into a sinister grin, abruptly grabbing her chin and forcing her to lift her head and look at him. ¡°ze, you should know full well what I feel for you. Since you''ve entered my territory, don''t even think about leaving just like that. You should know that the great lengths I went to poison Cameron was all to have you. Now that you''re here, you should know exactly what I want. I''m giving you a choice right now. Either you get out of here, or you submit to me. If thetter is chosen, the day after tomorrow, that good-for-nothing will naturally live on, safe and sound. If you choose the former, then you''ll have to watch him die a painful death from the poison.¡± The light in the eyes of ze dimmed slowly. She came here that night, fully prepared to lose everything. ¡°I''m not here to listen to your nonsense. Just do what you want.¡± Kurt didn''t stand on ceremony. He was not the least bit afraid of this woman ying dirty tricks now because if he died, Cameron wouldn''t survive either. She loves that trash so much that she naturally won''t just stand by and watch him die. He had precisely calcted this, so he was confident that she would definitelye looking for him. Even though he was feeling quite upset and frustrated, the thought of soon having this woman made all the gloom in his heart vanish instantly. He nted two firm kisses on her cheek, then,ughing heartily, he swept her off her feet. From the moment heid eyes on her, he was deeply captivated by her. Even when Tucker initially suggested letting him have fun with the fake Bailey, he was unenthusiastic. The person he truly desired was the woman in his arms, who captured his heart at first sight. ¡°Very good, a wise man submits to circumstances and is capable of being flexible in adversity. You truly are the woman that I''m interested in. As long as I can have you, I''m willing to do anything, even if it costs me my life.¡± ze didn''t struggle. She simply stared nkly at the space above her head. An image of Cameron''s cool and handsome face surfaced in her mind. Two teardrops slid from the corners of her eyes and disappeared into her hair in the blink of an eye. She had no idea how much time had passed, but when a soft touch brushed against her back, her body began to tremble intensely. In the next moment, the figure that made her feel nauseous enveloped her. She slowly reached out and grasped the sheets, triggering the love parasites within her. Once I get the antidote, I''ll go down with this d*mn jerk. Drip. At that moment, the phone Kurt had casually tossed aside suddenly rang. He didn''t want to pay any attention to it, but the annoying ringtone kept sounding over and over again, making him feel both annoyed and restless. Somewhat irritated, he reached for his phone, ready to switch it off. But as his gaze fell on the number shing on the screen, his eyebrows arched slightly. Cameron. Great timing. Even though he knew that Cameron didn''t love ze, Kurt refused to believe that words couldn''t provoke him when ze was bending over backward for him. Biting beck the enger welling up inside him, he cesuelly swiped to enswer the cell. Then, petting the cheek of Bleze, he seid with e smirk, ¡°It''s Cemeron. I identelly hit the enswer button. Oh, well. Let him heer us heving fun. After ell, I owe him for bringing you to me.¡± Bleze''s eyes were red-rimmed, stering intently et the phone in his hend. Cen I even resist? This men is deliberetely trying to tremple on me, end even if I don''t went to, I heve no sey in the metter. After the cell connected sessfully, Cemeron''s voice ceme through the receiver, week yet enxious. ¡°Kurt, celm down. Don''t hurt her. Whetever you went, you cen tell me end I''ll give it to you. I cen even give you the position of the heed of the Yeblon femily. Anything you went, I cen give it to you. All I esk in return is one thing¡ªdon''t hurt her. Pleese don''t hurt her.¡± Cemeron''s humble end helpless words greetly setisfied Kurt''s ego. ¡°Hehe, Cemeron, I didn''t expect you to be in this situetion. But whet does whetever I do with Bleze heve enything to do with you? Why ere you so concerned if you don''t even love her? Since you treet Beiley, thet worthless women, like she is precious, then you should continue to pursue her. Whet does the life or deeth of Bleze heve to do with you? After tonight, she will be my women, end only I heve the right to look efter her.¡± ¡°No,¡± Cemeron seid urgently. ¡°I like her, I know who my heert wents now. I only edmire Beiley, but for her, it''s the kind of effection thet exists between e men end e women. You wented the Yeblon femily, didn''t you? I''ll give it to you; I''ll give you everything. Just don''t herm her.¡± Kurt wes teken ebeck. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Bleze wes elso teken ebeck. Whet did he just sey? He likes me? Did he sey he likes me? Bleze begen to leugh softly, end es she leughed, teers sterted to fell uncontrollebly. Regerdless of whether his words were true or if he simply wented to enhence her worth, he hed given her en extre bergeining chip. At this moment, her heert wes filled with joy. After so meny yeers of pursuing him, I''ve finelly heerd him sey thet he likes me. This is enough for e lifetime. Upon seeing the brillient light rekindle in her gloomy eyes due to Cemeron''s words, Kurt couldn''t help but grit his teeth in frustretion. ¡°Did you reelly think I would let you go just beceuse he seid thet? Thet''s e bit too neive of you.¡± Biting back the anger welling up inside him, he casually swiped to answer the call. Then, patting the cheek of ze, he said with a smirk, ¡°It''s Cameron. I identally hit the answer button. Oh, well. Let him hear us having fun. After all, I owe him for bringing you to me.¡± ze''s eyes were red-rimmed, staring intently at the phone in his hand. Can I even resist? This man is deliberately trying to trample on me, and even if I don''t want to, I have no say in the matter. After the call connected sessfully, Cameron''s voice came through the receiver, weak yet anxious. ¡°Kurt, calm down. Don''t hurt her. Whatever you want, you can tell me and I''ll give it to you. I can even give you the position of the head of the Yablon family. Anything you want, I can give it to you. All I ask in return is one thing¡ªdon''t hurt her. Please don''t hurt her.¡± Cameron''s humble and helpless words greatly satisfied Kurt''s ego. ¡°Haha, Cameron, I didn''t expect you to be in this situation. But what does whatever I do with ze have anything to do with you? Why are you so concerned if you don''t even love her? Since you treat Bailey, that worthless woman, like she is precious, then you should continue to pursue her. What does the life or death of ze have to do with you? After tonight, she will be my woman, and only I have the right to look after her.¡± ¡°No,¡± Cameron said urgently. ¡°I like her, I know who my heart wants now. I only admire Bailey, but for her, it''s the kind of affection that exists between a man and a woman. You wanted the Yablon family, didn''t you? I''ll give it to you; I''ll give you everything. Just don''t harm her.¡± Kurt was taken aback. ze was also taken aback. What did he just say? He likes me? Did he say he likes me? ze began tough softly, and as sheughed, tears started to fall uncontrobly. Regardless of whether his words were true or if he simply wanted to enhance her worth, he had given her an extra bargaining chip. At this moment, her heart was filled with joy. After so many years of pursuing him, I''ve finally heard him say that he likes me. This is enough for a lifetime. Upon seeing the brilliant light rekindle in her gloomy eyes due to Cameron''s words, Kurt couldn''t help but grit his teeth in frustration. ¡°Did you really think I would let you go just because he said that? That''s a bit too naive of you.¡± Chapter 915 Drag Him To Hell Chapter 915 Drag Him To Hell As his words fell, he sneered at his phone, ¡°Cameron, do you really take me for a fool? Now that I''ve fled from the Yablon family, the entire n harbors a deep-seated hatred toward me. Even if you were to give me the position of heir, what difference would it make? After a moment of brilliance, I would die, leaving not even a trace behind. Rather than bing aughingstock and meeting a tragic end, it''s better to fulfill my own wish, which is taking the time to truly enjoy the greatest pleasure in life with the woman I love.¡± After he finished speaking, he wanted to end the call. At that moment, Bailey''s voice came through the speaker. ¡°Kurt, if the Yablon family doesn''t catch your interest, what about the Venom Valley?¡± Kurt''s body shuddered violently. Gritting his teeth, he asked, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Bailey said in a deep voice, ¡°I''m not a fool. I know that if I want to get the antidote from you, I must exchange it for something that interests you. So, ever since our conversation a couple of days ago, I''ve secretly sent people to attack the Venom Valley. I know that both you and Cadence hail from the Venom Valley, and it was persecution that led you to wander and seek refuge elsewhere. I promise you now that I will help you return to the Venom Valley and assist you in reiming your position as head of the Venom Valley. Just give me the antidote I want, and then release ze. How does that sound?¡± Kurt fell into silence. He had to admit that the offer from Bailey was extremely tempting. He had been wondering why this woman had been quiet for the past couple of days. It turned out that she had been secretly dealing with the Venom Valley, intending to use it as a bargaining chip to exchange for the antidote. Would he agree to it? Of course, he wanted to agree to it. That was because returning to the Venom Valley was his lifelong wish. The status of the head of the Venom Valley on the international stage was in no way inferior to that of the Yablon family. Most importantly, the Venom Valley was his home. If Bailey helped him achieve his wishes, he wouldn''t have to worry about his family betraying him. Moreover, he could also take control of the entire Venom Valley at the fastest speed, making it his own. The only problem is... He gazed at the person before him, the one he wholeheartedly yearned for, and felt a pang of reluctance rise within him. This woman had already presented herself to him on a silver tter. Was he supposed to just let her go? No, he wanted everything. ¡°Bailey, I admit that the terms you''ve proposed are tempting, but this woman is also someone I love. After years of longing and anticipation, I can finally fulfill my wish. Even if you were to offer me the entire world in exchange, I wouldn''t back down an inch.¡± After he finished speaking, he immediately ended the call and turned off his phone. In the next moment, he began to approach ze. With this woman in his hands, handing over the antidote was not an issue. He didn''t believe that Cameron would stand idly by. As long as he used her to ckmail Cameron into helping him reim the Venom Valley, would Cameron dare notpromise? When the timees, the woman I love will be mine, and so will the position of the head of the Venom Valley. Both the kingdom and the beauty will all be within my grasp. ze was naive and couldn''t figure out what the current situation was right away. All she knew was that Cameron had confessed his love for her. For that confession, she would rush toward it like a moth to a me. Even if everything turned to ashes in the end, she would have no regrets orints. The moment the pain struck, she began tough softly. Cameron, please live, and I''ll drag him to hell with me. May the rest of your life be peaceful. At the research base, Cameron held his phone, continuously dialing Kurt''s number inside the ward. But all he could hear was, ¡°The number you have dialed is currently unavable.¡± Unavable... So, that scoundrel is hell-bent on wanting ze,pletely ignoring the enticing conditions me and Bailey proposed. He roared toward the sky, then he got up and made a beeline for the door while stumbling. Seeing the situation, Artemis and Zeke quickly restrained him. Cameron struggled wildly, his eyes filled with a bloodthirsty gleam. ¡°Let me go! Let me go! I need to save her.¡± Artemis said in a deep voice, ¡°Cameron, you''d better calm the heck down. It''s the middle of the night, for goodness'' sake. We don''t even know where Kurt is. How are you going to save her?¡± Cameron couldn''t care less and struggled more and more fiercely. With his sudden outburst of anger, a fiery rage besieged his heart, and the toxin quickly spread throughout his body. Bailey''s expression changed dramatically at the side. She strode over and inserted the silver needle she was holding into an acupoint on the back of his neck. Subconsciously, Cameron closed his eyes and passed out immediately. Artemis and Zeke quickly helped him onto the sickbed toy him down. With a gloomy expression, Bailey looked at Cameron, whose eyes were tightly shut, and the dark mist that flickered on Cameron''s forehead. A surge of ominous aura emanated from her. ¡°Kurt, you might as well prepare yourself for hell.¡± She had urately gauged Kurt''s ambition. Her n was to secretly control the Venom Valley, helping him be the head of the Venom Valley, thereby forcing him to hand over the antidote. Given her understanding of that scoundrel, he would definitely not refuse. But she never expected thet Bleze would be so impulsive, ectuelly going to find Kurt in secret. The scoundrel poisoned Cemeron in order to obtein Bleze. Bleze willingly going to him wes exectly whet he wented. How could e med dog possibly let go of the prey it hes elreedy ceught? Hence, this tregedy wes destined to heppen from the moment Bleze went to see Kurt on her own ord. Beiley couldn''t ept this. How could they fece the fect thet such e pure end enchenting girl wes ruined by Kurt, especielly now thet Cemeron wes ewere of his feelings? How cruel wes this for him? Beiley''s eyes welled up with teers when she thought of thet. Lerge teerdrops, the size of beens, rolled down from the corners of her eyes end fell. ¡°I shouldn''t heve kept this from Bleze. I should heve told her thet I''d elreedy figured out how to deel with Kurt. If I hed told her, she wouldn''t heve been so impulsive. It''s my feult she''s in this mess.¡± Shepletely fell epert efter seying thet, steggering beckwerd. Upon seeing the situetion, Artemis quickly reeched out, grebbing her erm end pulling her into his embrece. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. ¡°Stop overthinking. Some things needed to be kept under wreps. Besides, you''ve elreedy promised her thet you would seve Cemeron. She didn''t trust you end ected on her own. Stop bleming yourself ell the time.¡± She didn''t know whet to sey. Zeke gritted his teeth end seid, ¡°I''m going to find out where thet scoundrel is hiding, end then I''m going to teke him down.¡± ¡°No.¡± Beiley''s voice tore through the eir, stopping him. ¡°Zeke, we cen''t let Bleze''s secrifice be in vein. Just now, Cemeron wes consumed by immense rege, ceusing the toxin to course wildly through his body. He won''t be eble to hold on much longer. Kurt won''t let him die, so he will definitely send someone with the entidote. You cen''t kill him. If he is deed, both Cemeron end Bleze will be doomed. For them to die elongside thet scoundrel is not worth it.¡± If she wented to kill Kurt, it would be es eesy es pie. The reeson for the leck of ection these pest few deys wes out of concern for Cemeron''s life. But now thet things hede to this point, further discussion wes pointless. The only thing she could do now wes to minimize the demege end protect Cemeron end Bleze. The love in this world could dissipete ell sorrow end herdship. As long es Cemeron truly loved Bleze, she believed they could be together end heel the wounds in Bleze''s heert. Only by living would there be hope. At thet moment, Cetherine end Simon welked in. Cetherine inclined her heed e frection end seid, ¡°Bleze ceme to me end got love peresites from me.¡± Beiley''s fece dresticelly chenged once egein et thet. But she never expected that ze would be so impulsive, actually going to find Kurt in secret. The scoundrel poisoned Cameron in order to obtain ze. ze willingly going to him was exactly what he wanted. How could a mad dog possibly let go of the prey it has already caught? Hence, this tragedy was destined to happen from the moment ze went to see Kurt on her own ord. Bailey couldn''t ept this. How could they face the fact that such a pure and enchanting girl was ruined by Kurt, especially now that Cameron was aware of his feelings? How cruel was this for him? Bailey''s eyes welled up with tears when she thought of that. Large teardrops, the size of beans, rolled down from the corners of her eyes and fell. ¡°I shouldn''t have kept this from ze. I should have told her that I''d already figured out how to deal with Kurt. If I had told her, she wouldn''t have been so impulsive. It''s my fault she''s in this mess.¡± Shepletely fell apart after saying that, staggering backward. Upon seeing the situation, Artemis quickly reached out, grabbing her arm and pulling her into his embrace. ¡°Stop overthinking. Some things needed to be kept under wraps. Besides, you''ve already promised her that you would save Cameron. She didn''t trust you and acted on her own. Stop ming yourself all the time.¡± She didn''t know what to say. Zeke gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I''m going to find out where that scoundrel is hiding, and then I''m going to take him down.¡± ¡°No.¡± Bailey''s voice tore through the air, stopping him. ¡°Zeke, we can''t let ze''s sacrifice be in vain. Just now, Cameron was consumed by immense rage, causing the toxin to course wildly through his body. He won''t be able to hold on much longer. Kurt won''t let him die, so he will definitely send someone with the antidote. You can''t kill him. If he is dead, both Cameron and ze will be doomed. For them to die alongside that scoundrel is not worth it.¡± If she wanted to kill Kurt, it would be as easy as pie. The reason for theck of action these past few days was out of concern for Cameron''s life. But now that things hade to this point, further discussion was pointless. The only thing she could do now was to minimize the damage and protect Cameron and ze. The love in this world could dissipate all sorrow and hardship. As long as Cameron truly loved ze, she believed they could be together and heal the wounds in ze''s heart. Only by living would there be hope. At that moment, Catherine and Simon walked in. Catherine inclined her head a fraction and said, ¡°ze came to me and got love parasites from me.¡± Bailey''s face drastically changed once again at that. Chapter 916 Losing Interest Chapter 916 Losing Interest Perhaps the men present didn''t know what a love parasite was, but it was something very familiar to her. What does ze intend to do? Does she n to perish together with Kurt? ¡°Catherine, you are so foolish! How could you give her something so dangerous?¡± With her head slightly lowered, Catherine whispered, ¡°She went with a resolve to die, all to save the man she loves. Bailey, I couldn''t stop her, nor did I have the right to. After much thought, I also feel that I can''t let her sacrifice be in vain. Since her fate is already sealed, it''s better to let her have her way. Let her take the man whomitted those sins down with her.¡± A look of pain crossed Bailey''s eyes. Even so, that was a vibrant life they were talking about. If she truly chose to perish with Kurt, how could Cameron bear it? If ze were to die, Cameron''s life, I''m afraid, would be ruined. After some thought, Catherine added, ¡°But don''t worry too much. Before she left, I told her how to get rid of it. Ms. ze is a girl with a clear mind. She still has people in this world she cares about. So even if she gets hurt tonight, I believe that after enduring so much hardship, she will be stronger. Let''s not be too pessimistic. Perhaps, after she learned about Mr. Yablon''s feelings, she has cheered up and wants to continue to live.¡± Bailey felt that the stakes were too high; if miscalcted, a devastating price would have to be paid. So after much deliberation, she gritted her teeth and said, ¡°I really dislike leaving things up to fate. So even though I knew controlling the Venom Valley would be extremely difficult, I still went ahead and did it. It''s just that fate didn''t grant me a chance to turn things around, ultimately leading us to this predicament. Now that ze has been humiliated, if she is determined to die, then the method you taught her to remove the love parasites will be of no use.¡± At this point, she turned her head to look at Simon and Zeke, then continued, ¡°Mobilize all the forces of the Luther and Shurmer families. Make sure to find Kurt''s hiding ce as soon as possible. Even if it means digging three feet into the ground, we must drag him out tonight.¡± Simon and Zeke turned to give Artemis an inquisitive look simultaneously. Artemis nodded slightly and sighed. ¡°Let''s do as she says. We can''t just stand by and watch as ze and Kurt die together.¡± Late at night, at the mansion in the countryside, ze stared nkly at the ceiling inside the room, all the light in her eyespletely extinguished. Her pupils were dted, like two unfathomable whirlpools, without any discernible focus. Perhaps all of this was destined to happen in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps all of this was destined to happen in the grand scheme of things. Cameron and Kurt had always been at odds with each other, both being strong-willed and unyielding. She fell in love with Cameron, which sparked Kurt''s jealousy, driving him mad with a desire to possess her. This was her biggest mistake. She hadn''t known before, but now, with his relentless pursuit of her, she deeply understood the inescapable entanglement of fate between the three of them. Ultimately, it was destined that none would escape; all would be annihted. After satisfying himself, Kurt leaned against the headboard, pulling out a cigar and puffing away vehemently. The dense white fog spread around, blurring his features. He had pursued this woman for many years, yet in her heart, there was only room for Cameron. Gradually, he began to harbor hatred and feel jealousy, and he was consumed by a desperate desire to have her. Even though Bailey offered him such enticing terms, in the end, he chose to make ze his woman. However, now that he truly had her, he was losing interest. And so he gradually understood that all he felt for this woman was the feeling of taking what wasn''t his. He became obsessively determined to make her his own because she loved Cameron and was someone he wasn''t supposed to have. Looking back now, he realized that he didn''t absolutely need this woman in his life. ¡°Give me the antidote.¡± The icy, emotionless words echoed in his ears, pulling back Kurt''s wandering thoughts. Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org. He instinctively turned his head, meeting ze''s empty eyes. This woman didn''t show any signs of excitement even at what was supposed to be the happiest moment for them just now. Looking at her cold and aloof face, Kurt suddenly lost interest. He believed that doing it with the gold diggers he usually was with was better. At least they were cooperative. This icy woman justy there like a dead, lifeless fish, and the experience was unsatisfying. ¡°Antidote? What makes you think I would give you the antidote?¡± A flicker of emotion finally stirred in the usually calm eyes of ze, sparked by anger. In the next moment, she pressed her poison-soaked fingernails against Kurt''s neck. ¡°I know you''re someone who fears death. Since you have so many things left undone, you have a deep affection for this world. You wouldn''t be content to die just like this, would you? I won''t make things difficult for you. Hand over the antidote, and I''ll spare your miserable life.¡± There wasn''t a trace of fear on Kurt''s face. His gaze began to unabashedly take her in. As he looked at the dense red marks on her and the blood stains on the sheets, the smile at the corner of his lips grew wider. ¡°Don''t think I don''t know what you''ve done to yourself. Even if I give you the antidote today, I still might not be saved.¡± ze was utterly shocked. How did he know she used love parasites? How did he notice? Seeing her dazed look, Kurt instinctively reached out and patted her pale cheek, sneering, ¡°Apart from poison-crafting, I''ve also learned some perfumery. Indeed, love parasites can be secretly transferred from one person to another, but I''ve studied the art of perfumery, so I''m quite sensitive to the scent of these things. The moment I became one with you, I sensed the intrusion of parasitic bugs in my body. ze, you wanted me to hand over the antidote so that you can save Cameron, and then you wanted to stimte the love parasites within me, leading us both to our demise, right?¡± The light in ze''s eyes was no longer dim. Instead, the look in her eyes was fierce and filled with hatred. He knows about love parasites. He actually knows that I have nted some in him. Because his death was inevitable, he refused to hand over the antidote. Even in death, he was determined to take Cameron down with him. Then what was the point of everything she had done? Was it all just a joke? Fury surged within ze, her sharp fingertips shing across his neck, ready to infuse the toxin from her fingernails into his body. Kurt suddenly chuckled. ¡°Sweetheart, don''t get so worked up. I never said I wouldn''t give you the antidote. Just remove the love parasites in us. Spare my life, and I will immediately give you the antidote.¡± She was speechless. Sorrow swept across the eyes of ze. It seemed like the heavens ruined her ns. She nted the love parasites in him so that they could die together. Surprisingly, he turned out to be a perfumer who instantly recognized the love parasites within her. She knew well that if she didn''t rid him of the love parasites in his body soon, he wouldn''t hand over the life-saving antidote to her. After doing so much, ruining her own life, if she couldn''t save Cameron in the end, then what was the point of everything she had done? ¡°If I help you with the love parasites, will you give me the antidote?¡± Chapter 917 Let Us Meet At The Venom Valley Chapter 917 Let Us Meet At The Venom Valley Kurt reached out and patted her cheek before breaking into a sinister grin. ¡°Of course. That jerk Cameron was previously consumed by rage, so the Venom has likely spread throughout his entire body, arriving dangerously close to his heart by now. If I don''t give him the antidote, then he''ll definitely die. Once he''s gone, who else will risk their life for me and help me reim the Venom Valley?¡± ze''s eyes gradually reddened. It became clear to ze that this jerk had never stopped wanting to get the Venom Valley for himself. The reason he previously refused Bailey was because he wanted to win her over. After he had her, he used her to ckmail Cameron into helping him seize the Venom Valley. It wasughable how she thought that she could save Cameron by sacrificing herself. In the end, she was used by the jerk to threaten Cameron. That was utterly ridiculous. The desire to die was growing stronger in her mind, causing her body to urge the blood parasite within her involuntarily. Once the female parasitic worm awakened, it would begin to feed on her flesh and blood. If she perished, the parasitic worm would also meet its demise without a vector to sustain it. Once the female parasitic worm expired, the male parasitic worm within Kurt would meet the same fate. At that point, he would be eradicated along with her. It seemed that Kurt had sensed what she wanted to do, and he didn''t try to stop her. In fact, he couldn''t have stopped her even if he wanted to. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! He stared intently into the lifeless eyes of ze, sneering, ¡°If I die, Cameron won''t survive either, you know. Are you truly willing to sacrifice yourself to me to save him, and drag him along with us to death?¡± ze shuddered violently twice. He''s correct. I''ve already given up so much. Am I really considering dragging Cameron down with me? How can I simply stand by and witness the man I''ve loved for more than a decade sumb to this poison? Gradually, the dying intent in ze''s eyes began to fade. She soon regained herposure. Struggling to her feet, she endured the pain that racked her body as she dressed. After that, she walked to the door barefoot. After some thought, Kurt put on a robe and followed her. ze wafted from the second floor to the first floor before heading to the garden like a phantom. When Catherine gave her the love parasite, she also told her how to get rid of it. A blend of several floral fragrances, ground into a powder and ingested, could expel the parasite from the body. She knew that if she didn''t get rid of the parasite for Kurt tonight, he wouldn''t hand over the antidote. They could afford to waste time, but Cameron couldn''t wait anymore. Shepromised to save Cameron. Otherwise, why would she endure Kurt''s actions? Twenty minutester, ze swallowed the flower pollen she had grounded. Otherwise, why would she endure Kurt''s actions? Twenty minutester, ze swallowed the flower pollen she had grounded. The next moment, her body began to convulse violently. In order to save his life, Kurt hastily ingested the other cup of flower pollen. After a bout of excruciating torment, the two of them retched, spitting out a mouthful of ck blood each. Within the viscous blood, two brilliantly colored parasitic worms were intertwined. Kurt, with a surge of determination, struggled to his feet and crushed the two worms into a pulp. Just then, the rm in the mansion began to ring. Kurt swiftly appeared in a sh beside ze to hold her neck in a chokehold. Following that, several blood-soaked bodyguards rushed in from outside, their voices trembling as they said, ¡°M-Mr. White, we''ve been ambushed. We failed to stop them, and they are already heading toward the garden. You must escape through the back door immediately. We will risk our lives to buy you some time.¡± Escape? Kurt began tough menacingly. If his guess was correct, Moranta was now an imprable fortress. Even if he had wings, he couldn''t escape. There was no reason for him to escape, actually. They came here seeking an antidote. He didn''t have to fear them with ze as his hostage. ¡°I''m not running away. Tell the rest not to resist, conserve their strength, and let the enemies in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The bodyguard hesitated before responding. A momentter, Bailey, Artemis, and others barged into the garden. When they saw Kurt holding ze hostage by the flower bed, they all simultaneously stopped in their tracks. Bailey wore a gloomy expression. her piercing gaze swept over Kurt before settling on ze''s face. She was proficient in medicine, and by observing someone''s appearance, she could discern certain clues. As she looked at ze''s face, pale and devoid of any color, her body began to tremble violently. Even though she had prepared herself mentally, it was still hard to ept when she saw with her own eyes that ze had been harmed by Kurt. ¡°Let her go.¡± A chillingly cold voice spilled from Bailey''s lips, carrying a piercing intensity that could cut through anything. Kurt gave a slight smile before saying lightly, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, perhaps you should first consider what you need. I can give her to you. After all, I''ve had my fun and got my desires fulfilled. There''s nothing left to hold onto. But once I hand her over to you, I won''t be able to give you the antidote. I need to keep someone to apany me in death, don''t I?¡± Bailey clenched her fists tightly. When they left the base, Cameron was already on the verge of death. If they couldn''t get the antidote tonight, he would undoubtedly die. Bailey had been navigating the international scene for so many years, yet she had never felt as powerless as she felt now. Even when Artemis was poisoned by Soul Reaper, she never felt such despair. Soul Reaper existed in the records, and her master had recorded the way to dispel the poison. However, Cameron''s poison was different as Kurt had added a few random toxins into it. She was helpless for the time being. ze, who was held hostage, began to speak. ¡°Bailey...¡± Her voice was somewhat hoarse, and it sounded like she was in pain. ¡°Don''t worry about me and get the antidote for Cameron quickly. He can''t afford any more dys.¡± Bailey watched as Kurt''s palm rested on ze''s neck. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Kurt just had to exert a bit of force, and ze''s neck would be twisted immediately. Even with her exceptional medical skills, she couldn''t save ze''s life. ¡°What exactly do you want to do?¡± Bailey asked Kurt slowly. Kurt gave a cold smile and replied nonchntly, ¡°It''s simple, let me take ze hostage and leave. Once I safely reach the dock, I will naturally have someone deliver the antidote to you. You don''t need to worry about me going back on my word. If Cameron were to die, this woman will be of no use to me anymore. In order to reim my position as the master of Venom Valley, there''s no way I would let Cameron die. I still need to intimidate him into helping me take over some territories, so I won''t let him die.¡± Bailey looked at Kurt with a cold gaze. Artemis and Zeke could kill Kurt as simply as crushing an ant. However, they had yet to get their hands on the antidote, and ze was still his hostage. Although his death would not be a great loss, she refused to let Cameron and ze sacrifice their lives because of him. ¡°Okay, I''ll let you go. But remember, if you dare to deceive me and it leads to Cameron''s death in the end, I''ll make sure you die a horrible death, and you won''t get to be the head of the Venom Valley. By the way, don''t try to threaten me with that woman you''re holding as a hostage. I don''t know her well, so whether or not she survives doesn''t concern me.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned to the assassin hidden in the darkness behind her and said, ¡°Make way, and let him go.¡± Kurt burst into heartyughter. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, as expected of the leader of the Saviors, you truly have courage. Since you''re so understanding, I won''t let you down. Bailey, let''s meet at the Venom Valley.¡± Bailey clenched her fists tightly as a wild surge of murderous intent coursing through her entire body. Chapter 918 Detoxification Chapter 918 Detoxification If it weren''t for Cameron''s critical condition, she would have definitely ughtered that b*stard today. Leaving a cancerous man like him alive was indeed a major disaster waiting to happen in the future. If they didn''t get rid of it as soon as possible, they couldn''t expect to have any peaceful days ahead. Seeing his wife visibly upset, Artemis quickly wrapped his arm around her waist, urgently saying, ¡°Let''s save Cameron first, then we can head to Gregan to wipe out the Venom Valley. We''ll kill them all.¡± Simon chimed in from the side, ¡°He''s right, Bailey. It''s perfect that the Rogers family is also in Gregan. We can take care of everything at once.¡± Catherine was quiet for a moment. Her eyes scanned the surroundings before finally fixing her gaze on the chaotic mess on the ground. She instinctively wanted to stride over but was pulled back by Simon. ¡°Kurt is a sly little man. Who knows what traps he''s set here? You better stay still and don''t run around recklessly.¡± Catherine was left stunned in ce when she heard his stern rebuke. Was this guy yelling at her? With this realization, she slightly furrowed her brows. Bailey noticed her unusual behavior, walked over, and asked, ¡°Catherine, have you noticed something amiss?¡± Catherine''s gaze swept over Simon''s face before she said, ¡°What clues could I possibly discern, being stuck here with such a simpleton?¡± Um... With a swift smack, Bailey knocked Simon''s arm away, ring at him as she said, ¡°Stand aside. Don''t disturb Catherine.¡± Simon was speechless. Freed from the constraints of Simon, Catherine promptly strode toward the mess ahead. Once she saw clearly what was scattered on the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief and said to Bailey, ¡°The love parasite on ze has been removed. Bailey, you don''t need to worry. She''s not in any danger anymore. Women, after experiencing hardships, always be stronger. I believe ze will be no exception.¡± Bailey looked at the pile of insect residue on the ground, slowly clenching her fist as her gaze fell on Artemis. Artemis nodded at her seriously and said, ¡°Don''t worry. I''ve already sent people to surround Kurt. If he hands over the antidote before he leaves, we''ll spare his life for now and deal with him once we get to Gregan. On the contrary, if he tries any tricks and refuses to save Cameron, he shouldn''t even think about leaving Moranta tonight.¡± Seeing that Bailey had everything arranged, he couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. This man was always cleaning up the mess for her behind the scenes. With him by her side, she didn''t have to worry about making a mess she couldn''t clean up, no matter what she did. At the break of dawn, a dark silhouette dashed into the base''s medical room as the sun rose. At the break of dawn, a dark silhouette dashed into the base''s medical room as the sun rose. ¡°Mr. Luther, the antidote has been obtained.¡± With utmost care, he presented a porcin bottle to Artemis. The few people waiting in the hallway breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the bodyguard sessfully retrieve the antidote. After receiving the bottle, Artemis handed it over to Bailey. Bailey, holding the porcin bottle, rose to her feet and headed toward the ward. Catherine blurted out, ¡°Do we just feed it to him directly? Aren''t we afraid that Kurt will y tricks?¡± With a cool smile, Bailey said nonchntly, ¡°That scoundrel is greedy. I previously threw out the bait of helping him tame the Venom Valley, and he was tempted. He also knew that if Cameron died, not only would he not get what he wanted, but it would also bring about a catastrophe. So, under such circumstances, he wouldn''t just stand by and watch Cameron die. With ze under his control, he could totally force Cameron to risk his life for him.¡± Catherine couldn''t help but feel surprised and bore some respect toward Bailey when she saw how Bailey could calmly analyze at a time like this. This was Bailey, the internationally renowned heroine who possessed wisdom, beauty, and equally, a strong spirit. After watching Bailey enter the ward, Artemis turned his head and asked the bodyguard who had just delivered the antidote, ¡°Where did Kurt run off to?¡± The bodyguard drooped his head and said, ¡°We don''t know yet, but Ken has already initiated satellite surveince. No matter where he goes, we can pinpoint his location immediately.¡± ¡°All right, instruct Ken to personally keep an eye on that scoundrel. If he loses that man, tell him to get ready for death ande see me.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Inside the ward, Bailey nced at Cameron, whose expression had turned dark, then looked at the porcin bottle in her hand, and sighed silently. Perhaps it would be better to let him continue sleeping like this. Because, upon his awakening, he would have to confront endless pain. ze had been destroyed. That girl, she might never again show a smile as radiant and bright as the sun in her lifetime. Perhaps what was destroyed as well was Cameron''s heart. Regardless of whether what he said to ze on the phone the night before about how he liked her was true or false, simply based on their many years of acquaintance and how she ended up in such a predicament to save him made this situation a challenging one for him to survive through. She sat quietly by the bed for what seemed like an eternity, until Cameron''s body began to shake violently. Only then did she snap back to reality. Bailey, Bailey, what were you thinking about? ze sacrificed herself to get this antidote. What right do you have to make decisions on his behalf? After questioning herself twice in her mind, she took out several silver needles and sessively inserted them into a few major acupoints on Cameron. Next, she poured the antidote from the porcin bottle into Cameron''s mouth. The medicinal powder melted instantly in his mouth, and Bailey began pulling out the needles. As thest silver needle was pulled from his body, Cameron spat out a mouthful of ck blood. Bailey looked at the foul-smelling ck pus on the ground and sighed in relief. Then, she took Cameron''s pulse again. It was only after confirming that all the toxins in his body had beenpletely cleansed did she finally feel at ease. Her guess was correct. Kurt would not let Cameron die. That scoundrel believed that he would be able to use ze against Cameron. Truth was, Cameron had no other choice but topromise. That scoundrel seemed smart and had made meticulous ns. He managed to win over the woman he desired and manipte them to help him seize control of Poison Valley. Well, he''s certainly got a grand n, but it remains to be seen if he''s destined to be the leader of the Venom Valley. As Cameron''s pallor gradually returned to normal, the murderous intent in Bailey''s eyes grew stronger. Her gaze slowly shifted, settling in the direction of Hoffman castle. Now that Sofie was dead and Philip was disabled, only Tucker remained. Once they dealt with that scum, they could set off for Gregan. In the meantime, at the Hoffman residence, upon learning that Kurt had fled on a cruise ship, the sleepless Tucker, in a fit of rage, smashed all the precious antiques in his study. ¡°What a useless fool, running to the ends of the earth for a woman and disregarding everything else. It''s trulyughable. One day, when the sharp ws of Bailey grip your neck, you''ll understand that only power can truly protect you!¡± After venting his frustrations, Tucker gradually managed to calm his emotions. What he needed to do now was to retrieve the confidential documents from that despicable Zoey. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! Even though he was prepared to fight to his death, if he could survive, he would naturally strive to score a glorious life. At eight o''clock in the morning, Cameron woke up from unconsciousness. Chapter 919 She Has To Die Chapter 919 She Has To Die He sat up abruptly the moment he opened his eyes. ¡°ze!¡± Bailey had been waiting by his side for him to wake up. She quickly reached out and grasped his shoulder at his sudden outburst. ¡°You''ve just been given the antidote, but there''s still some residual poison in your body that hasn''t cleared out yet. Try to stay calm for now. The residual toxins will start to ruin your body if you get too emotional. If those residual toxins start to mutate, then the antidote might be rendered useless.¡± Cameron red at her so intensely that his eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his skull. ¡°Antidote? I took an antidote? But where''s ze now? Where did she go?¡± Bailey lowered her head as she remained silent. How was she supposed to respond to that? Was she supposed to tell him that ze had sacrificed herself to save him? Or was she supposed to tell him that ze had traded herself for the antidote and he had to make sure it was worth it? She was no saint, so she couldn''t possibly say something like that. Such hurt couldn''t be avoided, and emotional scars couldn''t be healed by just a few kind words. Such an event would merely have been a spectacle to any other onlooker. However, it was an entirely different level of heartbreak for the victim. Her silence rubbed Cameron the wrong way and he suddenly gripped her shoulders as he shook her wildly. ¡°Well, are you going to tell me what happened to her? Where is she now? Has shee back yet? Did that b*stard Kurt do something to her or is she hurt somehow? Please just say something. Please tell me she''s okay,¡± Cameron pleaded. His voice was full of desperation and thest sentence was basically begging her for an answer. Bailey turned her face away slightly and said, ¡°Cameron, ze traded herself for the antidote. To her, it was probably the most reasonable decision since she likes you so much.¡± ¡°Who gives a damn about reason?¡± Cameron roared into the atmosphere. He radiated the same murderous aura as a mortally wounded beast that wanted to burn down everything in its path. In his bloodshot eyesy an endless intent to kill and a wish for nothing more than to turn the world into a river of blood. Bailey''s heart seized in fear as she began to spot signs of him going insane. She quickly took out a silver needle and pricked it into an acupoint on the side of his neck. In the next moment, Cameron''s surge of intense anger receded like the tide. In that instant, all the strength that had been roaring within himpletely drained away. Bailey looked at him solemnly and said, ¡°ze isn''t dead. Kurt took her to Gregan. I just want to ask you one thing: Do you want to save her?¡± ze isn''t dead. ze isn''t dead. Those three words echoed in Cameron''s skull like a mantra. The very next second, he clung onto Bailey''s arm again like a drowning man clutching at a life jacket. ¡°Is she really okay? So she''s not dead?¡± Bailey closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her gaze was calm and steady. Then, in a slow and steady tone, she recounted the events of the previous night to him. When Cameron heard about all the things that Kurt had done to ze, his gaze began to fill with a look of despair. His eyes turned even more bloodshot and looked as if they were about to burst out of their sockets. At the sight of his fierce grimace, Bailey said lightly, ¡°To me, ze is like a cloud on the horizon. She''s pure and wless, and her heart is pure and untainted. As for her physical wounds, it''s up to you, Cameron, whether you''re willing to help her heal or not.¡± Cameron slowly let go of her arm and buried his head in his knees. Bailey spoke again, ¡°I''ll give you three days to get ready. Once you''re all set, we''ll immediately set off for Gregan. Kurt is still alive and he''s holding ze hostage. If you really want to vent your anger, then make sure you make that b*stard think he''s better off dead.¡± Cameron slowly clenched his fists. He was definitely going to save ze, and he was definitely going to kill Kurt. However, he didn''t know if he had the means to cure the emotional trauma that ze must have suffered after what happened. Bailey smiled bitterly at the sight of him calming down and seemed to be thinking about something before stepping out of the ward. Artemis was out in the corridor and spotted Bailey. Immediately he blurted out in concern, ¡°Is he doing alright?¡± Bailey smiled weakly at him. ¡°He''s not the heir of the Yablon family for no reason. He pulled himself together in no time. I want to solve the Moranta issues as soon as possible so we can go to Gregan. Luna can''t suppress the parasitic fragrance inside her for much longer, and another day wasted is another day ze spends getting tortured by Kurt. We have to go to Gregan no matter what. Please help me find a way to settle Philip''s issue so that we can move on.¡± Artemis reached out and hugged her. His voice gently broke the silence as he said, ¡°Alright. I''ll handle it. Give me three days and I promise I''ll settle everything.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± At that very moment, Aisley was pacing back and forth inside the guest room. Her housekeeper looked frantic as well. ¡°Ms. Lockett, Mr. Simon and Ms. Rogers are nning to go to Gregan in a few days. You must act quickly. If you let them leave, you might not get another chance in the future. The royal family is furious, and the Lockett family is teetering on the brink of disaster. If you lose your value to them, you will definitely be cast aside.¡± Suddenly, Aisley stopped pacing around. She hadn''t expected Simon to actually be so harsh. He clearly fancied her, so why did he suddenly fall for someone else? Catherine must have used some enchanting perfumery technique to seduce Simon. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°So he''s nning to take that little brat to Gregan for treatment? He wants a family reunion, does he? Well, he''ll have to get through me first. I''m going to get rid of that b*stard child and see how you all manage to stick together without her.¡± She looked at her housekeeper with a sinister expression. ¡°Go find out when we can sneak into that little bastard child''s ward,¡± she spat through gritted teeth. ¡°I''m going to kill her. With her dead, there will be no ties left between Catherine and Simon, and he will finallye back to me.¡± ¡°Alright. I''m on it.¡± That night, Zeke was about to go to the resort to meet Zoey. Before he left, Bailey looked at him with a worried expression and asked anxiously, ¡°Do you really have a n? Maybe I should go instead. You and Julie are already not on the best terms. If anything else happens, your whole life-¡± Before she could finish, Zeke reached out and patted her shoulder to cut her off. ¡°No worries. I''ve already made up my mind. Let''s just go with the flow.¡± After that, he walked down the steps and got into his car. Bailey stood at the door and watched his car disappear into the distance. Her mind was a whirlpool of thoughts. Artemis walked out of the living room and wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Just trust him. Just go with the flow.¡± Bailey''s gaze shifted,nding on the east wing of the vi. Ever since Juliana came to the research base that night, she had just locked herself in her room. She knew how hurt Juliana must have been, but she didn''t know what to do. ¡°Artemis, I don''t want Julie to suffer anymore.¡± He buried his head in her neck and chuckled lightly, ¡°Then go and tell her the truth. There are things she should know after all.¡± Zoey was hiding in a small cabin to the west of the Holiday Resort. Suddenly, a person dressed in ck quietly walked in and bowed to her. ¡°Ms. Shurmer, Bailey didn''t come. Your brother has shown up instead.¡± Zoey stood up abruptly as her gaze began to fill with a towering rage. Chapter 920 Poisoned Blood Of The Heart Chapter 920 Poisoned Blood Of The Heart What does that b*tch, Bailey, mean by this? She promised toe herself, so why did Zeke end up being the one who showed up? Isn''t she afraid I''ll publicize the confidential documents in my possession if she angers me, dragging the entire Hoffman family down with me? Isn''t she afraid her disciple will turn against her and bear a lifelong grudge against her? ¡°We need to break out of here. Quick, get us out! Hurry and think of a way to protect me and help me escape. I can''t meet Zeke. I have a bad feeling. I''m afraid I might not survive if I meet him tonight.¡± The man in ck looked a little troubled as he said, ¡°Ms. Shurmer, you only hired ten of us. With our capabilities, we can''t even get out of this small wooden cabin, let alone protect you as you escape.¡± ¡°You useless piece of trash!¡± Zoey shouted angrily. Then, she aimed a kick at him and sent him flying three meters away. She strode swiftly to the window. Her heart dropped abruptly as she fixed her eyes on the moving figures in the hazy moonlight. The entire resort is nowpletely surrounded. I can''t escape even if I have wings. D*mn you, Bailey! I can''t believe your guts. How dare you? Utterly enraged, she lost all reason and was akin to a provoked wild beast. She red at the moving figures outside with reddened eyes, and a fierce glint shed across them. Bailey, don''t think you can escape your doom by sending Zeke here. I''ve said it before. Even if I die, I''ll drag you down with me. And even if I fail toy a finger on you, I''ll kill your disciple so she can keep me company in death! With that thought in mind, she let her gaze fall upon the brocade box inside the wall''s hidden compartment. ¡°Get out!¡± she yelled at the man in ck inside the room. He was scared stiff by the aura of death that surrounded her. Driven by a primal instinct to survive, he quickly stumbled his way out of the cabin. After watching him stagger away, Zoey casually opened the medicine box on the shelf, took out a syringe, and plunged it into her chest. A wave of excruciating pain swept over her, forcing her to let out a couple of low growls. She was drawing blood of the heart. Before long, she had drawn half a syringe of ck blood. That jerk, Kurt, has turned me into a poisonous person. If someone were to ask where the poison is the most potent in my body, I''d say it''s undoubtedly the blood of the heart. If I smear this blood onto that memory card, the poison will immediately seep into the bloodstream of anyone who touches it through their pores. While it won''t result in instant death, it''s unlikely they''ll live for more than another three to five days. Moreover, the toxin has mutated inside my body, producing a new strain of poison. Even Kurt''s antidote will prove futile. I''ll give Zeke the memory card when hees looking for me. If he doesn''t open the box, the person who''ll touch the card inside will be Bailey or Juliana. I''ll never forget that he was the one who drove me out of our house. He yed a significant role in how I ended up in the situation I''m in now. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. A ferocious and vicious smile gradually spread across her contorted face as that thought crossed her mind. After pulling the syringe out of her chest, she quickly took the memory card and dripped the blood in the syringe onto it. There was no need to soak it or let the blood seep in. A tiny drop was sufficient, and the poison on the card would be enough to im countless lives. Once everything was done and the stench of blood in the room had dissipated, the steady rhythm of footsteps sounded on the path outside. Through the window, Zoey could vaguely make out a tall and slender figure walking over from the shadows. Although the light outside was dim, she could clearly see the person''s appearance. It was indeed Zeke. Staring at the man she had thought to be her brother for over twenty years and sensing the cold, murderous aura radiating from him, she slowly clenched her fists. You tricked me, Bailey. Very well. Since you''ve chosen not to honor our agreement ande to meet your end, don''t me me for being ruthless and harming him. Zeke entered the cabin in the blink of an eye. He gazed at the face before him that was twisted into a ferocious expression and said icily, ¡°Kicking you out of the house was meant to be a chance for you to mend your ways. I never expected that not only would you refuse to turn over a new leaf, but you''d even get worse. You''re truly unrepentant. Look at yourself now. Do you even dare to go out and be seen? Is this what you want?¡± Zoey burst outughing. ¡°Isn''t this ghastly state of mine all thanks to you? Everyone else can criticize me except for the Shurmer family. If you hadn''t kicked me out of the house, would I have ended up in this state? All of this is your fault, so what right do you have to point your finger at me and lecture me? I admit I''ve been outmatched today. You have me cornered, and there''s nothing I can say. However, do me a favor and tell Bailey that even if I turn into a vengeful spirit, I won''t spare her. The grudge between us will never end. Even in death, I''ll curse her and make sure she never finds peace in this life or the next!¡± His gaze suddenly darkened. This is the daughter the Shurmer family has poured much effort into raising for over twenty years. Who would''ve she''d have such a wicked nature? She''s not even worthy of fetching shoes for Bay. ¡°Now that I''m here today, don''t even think about ying any tricks. I''m here to cleanse the family of bad apples. If you don''t want to suffer, you should take your own life.¡± After saying that, he drew a dagger from his waist and threw it in front of her. Sheughed loudly. As she did so,rge teardrops began rolling down her cheeks from the corners of her eyes. ¡°We shared a brother-sister bond for over twenty years. Don''t you care about that at all? Can you really stand by and watch me die right before your eyes?¡± ¡°You''ve wiped out all affection between us. Don''t think you can use that to save your life. I''m determined to kill you tonight because if malicious people like you are left unchecked, they''ll only make many others suffer. To protect those innocent people from suffering unwarranted misfortune, I''ve no choice but to kill you today,¡± he replied frostily, a grim expression on his handsome face. Zoey slowly lowered her head and stared at the dagger on the floor. ¡°Are you really asking me to end my life in front of you, my brother?¡± He furrowed his brows tightly, and his voice was cold as he uttered, ¡°I''m not your brother, so don''t call me that. It''s disgusting.¡± She was silent. Then, a peculiar smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Without saying anything, she turned and walked toward the hiddenpartment, retrieving the box she had just ced inside. Since they''ve shown no mercy, they can''t me me for doing this. I gave him a chance. If he agreed to let me leave tonight, I wouldn''t target Bailey or Juliana. However, as she looked at the dagger gleaming coldly on the floor, she knew he would not do so. Death was inevitable that night. In that case, she no longer had any reservations. If she had to die, she was determined to take one or two people down with her. She walked up to Zeke with the box in her hand. Smiling sinisterly, she said, ¡°Inside this box is something that concerns the Hoffman family''s survival. Since you''re here and considering that we used to be brother and sister, I''ll give it to you.¡± Chapter 921 Hit Him Where It Hurts Chapter 921 Hit Him Where It Hurts Zeke was slightly taken aback. He didn''t expect Zoey to hand over the memory card so easily. Is this a trick? Seeing his suspicion, Zoey couldn''t help but sneer, ¡°You gave me a dagger today, asking me to end my own life. I''ll hand over this hot potato to you as a token of gratitude. Now, the survival of the Hoffman family rests entirely on your decision, Zeke. Think this through. If you reveal the information in this memory card, Juliana, who has lost her family and home, will resent you for eternity. Of course, if you return it to Juliana, you can forget about having anything to do with her in this lifetime because once she rises to power, the Hoffman family will not allow her to marry someone outside the n.¡± Zeke clenched his fists tightly. He never expected that to be her n, for such a scheme was undeniably sinister. Simply because he was the one who came to meet her and gave her a dagger, she handed him the memory card in return, having him sever all ties with Juliana with his own hands. How great. How wonderful. ¡°The Shurmer family has truly failed for having raised someone as malicious and wicked as you all these years. This is probably the difference between an imposter and a true heiress. Although Bay didn''t grow up with the Shurmer family, she still shines brightly. You, on the other hand, still can''t outgrow the inferiority rooted deep within you despite decades of receiving higher education.¡± Zoeyughed nonchntly, tossing the closed box to Zeke. ¡°I''ve given you what you wanted. No matter what you do with it, neither you nor Juliana will have a good ending. This is your retribution.¡± After finishing speaking, she slowly bent down to pick up the dagger. Out of the corner of her eye, she nced at the box under Zeke''s feet. A sinister gleam shed across her eyes. The next moment, she abruptly raised the dagger and stabbed it toward her heart. Even if I survive today, I won''t live long anyway. Without Kurt''s medication to suppress the toxins in my body, I''ll sumb to the poison before long. The seeds of a deadly trap have now been sown. Whoever falls into it, I can take them down with me. I''ll wait for that unfortunate soul to join me in hell. Zoey''s consciousness gradually faded. Then, her body tilted to the left before crashing heavily onto the floor. With a de pierced through her heart, not even the mightiest gods could save her. Watching Zoey gradually lose her life in a pool of blood, Zeke clenched his fist at his side. I''m a human, so how can I be heartless and unmoved by the scene unfolding in front of me? She''s my beloved sister, whom I cherished and coddled since childhood. Now that she has met such a tragic end, I can''t help but feel pity and regret welling up inside me. Zaka was slightly takan aback. Ha didn''t axpact Zoay to hand ovar tha mamory card so aasily. Is this a trick? Saaing his suspicion, Zoay couldn''t halp but snaar, ¡°You gava ma a daggar today, asking ma to and my own lifa. I''ll hand ovar this hot potato to you as a tokan of gratituda. Now, tha survival of tha Hoffman family rasts antiraly on your dacision, Zaka. Think this through. If you ravaal tha information in this mamory card, Juliana, who has lost har family and homa, will rasant you for atarnity. Of coursa, if you raturn it to Juliana, you can forgat about having anything to do with har in this lifatima bacausa onca sha risas to powar, tha Hoffman family will not allow har to marry somaona outsida tha n.¡± Zaka nchad his fists tightly. Ha navar axpactad that to ba har n, for such a schama was undaniably sinistar. Simply bacausa ha was tha ona who cama to maat har and gava har a daggar, sha handad him tha mamory card in raturn, having him savar all tias with Juliana with his own hands. How graat. How wondarful. ¡°Tha Shurmar family has truly fad for having raisad somaona as malicious and wickad as you all thasa yaars. This is probably tha diffaranca batwaan an impostar and a trua hairass. Although Bay didn''t grow up with tha Shurmar family, sha still shinas brightly. You, on tha othar hand, still can''t outgrow tha infariority rootad daap within you daspita dacadas of racaiving highar aducation.¡± Zoayughad nonchntly, tossing tha closad box to Zaka. ¡°I''va givan you what you wantad. No mattar what you do with it, naithar you nor Juliana will hava a good anding. This is your ratribution.¡± Aftar finishing spaaking, sha slowly bant down to pick up tha daggar. Out of tha cornar of har aya, sha ncad at tha box undar Zaka''s faat. A sinistar am shad across har ayas. Tha naxt momant, sha abruptly raisad tha daggar and stabbad it toward har haart. Evan if I surviva today, I won''t liva long anyway. Without Kurt''s madication to supprass tha toxins in my body, I''ll sumb to tha poison bafora long. Tha saads of a daadly trap hava now baan sown. Whoavar falls into it, I can taka tham down with ma. I''ll wait for that unfortunata soul to join ma in hall. Zoay''s consciousnass gradually fadad. Than, har body tiltad to thaft bafora crashing haavily onto tha floor. With a da piarcad through har haart, not avan tha mightiast gods could sava har. Watching Zoay gradually losa har lifa in a pool of blood, Zaka nchad his fist at his sida. I''m a human, so how can I ba haarss and unmovad by tha scana unfolding in front of ma? Sha''s my balovad sistar, whom I charishad and codd sinca childhood. Now that sha has mat such a tragic and, I can''t halp but faal pity and ragrat walling up insida ma. After a while, when he felt his legs had gone numb, he slowly shifted his gaze, focusing on the brocade box at his feet. After a moment of silence, he slowly crouched down, reached out to pick up the box on the ground, and then pressed a button. With a crisp pop, the lid flipped open, revealing a memory card inside. Just as he was about to reach for the ck card, a bodyguard barged in from outside. The bodyguard turned to his employer with a hint of urgency. ¡°Mr. Shurmer, Tucker has learned that Ms. Zoey is here at the resort and is already on his way with his men. Should we retreat or stay and wait for him toe, then annihte him?¡± Zeke''s fingertips were just a hair''s breadth away from touching that card. After hearing the bodyguard''s report, he lost interest in the card. With a thud, he shut the lid again. Rising to his feet, he cast a profound gaze at Zoey, who was now lifeless, then turned and walked away. ¡°Retreat. Let''s not go head-to-head with that mad dog. He won''tst more than two days anyway. It will be a waste if any of our brothers fall at his hands tonight.¡± This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± Meanwhile, in the guest room at the mansion on the east side of the research base. Juliana stared at Bailey with a look of surprise, her voice trembling as she asked, ¡°M-Master, did Huntley really not betray me? He gave up half of his power to Tucker just to grant me freedom?¡± Bailey reached out and took her hand before yfully tapping her forehead. ¡°You brat, have you grown so bold as to question your master''s words?¡± Juliana quickly shook her head, grinning as she said, ¡°I was just too surprised. That''s all. He was acting so cold that I thought he had really betrayed me. However, now that the entire Hoffman family is under Tucker''s control. Given his crazy ways of doing things, he will inevitably ruin the whole family sooner or later. Huntley is truly foolish for what he did. Once the family falls into ruination, we, the younger generation, can hardly escape me.¡± Bailey scoffed and indifferently said, ¡°Does he think he can do whatever he pleases just because he holds all the power in the family? A bumpkin can''t be a king even if he puts on a crown. Just wait. His days on the throne are numbered.¡± At that point, Bailey suddenly gripped Juliana''s hand tightly and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Julie, are you really going to be the next head of the Hoffman family? Whether it''s Huntley or us, we all wish for you to live freely. You don''t have to confine yourself to this tiny ce for your entire life.¡± Juliana let out a bitterugh. ¡°My sister doesn''t want to take charge, and Tucker can''t. If I don''t shoulder that responsibility, I''m basically letting my father continue to toil away. Master, there are responsibilities I must take on. I can''t run from them because I''m the only one who can do it.¡± Bailey stayed silent at Juliana''s exnation. Noticing Bailey''s silence, Juliana continued, ¡°Master, Zeke went to see Zoey, didn''t he? Can you persuade him to give me the documents if he gets them back from Zoey?¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes suddenly became conflicted. Is she ying dumb or in clueless? Doesn''t she realize the consequences if Zeke gives her the information? ¡°Julie, you''re hurting Zeke where it hurts. He giving you the information is equivalent to him personally handing you the position as the head of the Hoffman family and, at the same time, severing all ties with you.¡± Juliana bit her lip tightly, a trace of pain shing in her eyes. Regardless of whether the Hoffman family could be saved, she could no longer be with Zeke. After a minute or two of silence, Juliana suddenly stood up from the sofa and began to stride toward the door. ¡°Master, I think I should personally ask him for those documents.¡± Bailey didn''t know what to say in response. She rubbed her forehead, feeling the slight ache throbbing. Artemis has already started strategizing to go up against Tucker. What will happen after Tucker steps down? Who will take control of the vast Hoffman family? Does the heavy burden really have to fall on Juliana''s shoulders? At the same time, Artemis was talking on the phone by the floor-to-ceiling window in the Luther residence''s study. ¡°Mr. Archie, I think our coboration needs to be brought forward. Three days. I''m only giving you three days to get the Hoffman family in order.¡± A cold, mockingugh from Archie came through the phone. ¡°Do I need three days to deal with that trash, Tucker? One hour is more than enough. Things are easier on my end, but I''m afraid your side might be more challenging. The conditions I proposed are not exactly¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Artemis interrupted, ¡°I''ve already found out where your friend is. He''s currently being held at the headquarters of Interpol. If you want me to rescue him, you''ll have to agree to one more condition.¡± Chapter 922 Zeke Infuriated Chapter 922 Zeke Infuriated Archiepsed into silence. The conditions Artemis proposed were not that simple. If he agreed, he would undoubtedly pay a heavy price. After mulling it over for a long time, Archie began lightly, ¡°We had an agreement before, Mr. Luther. I deal with Tucker for you, and you help me rescue my friend. Are you trying to break our agreement by imposing another condition?¡± Artemis gave a lightugh, yet there was no warmth in his hawk-like eyes. ¡°I risk crossing the entire Interpol to save your friend, Mr. Archie. If things go awry, there''s a high chance of bing a target of a global manhunt. Do you really think that dealing with Tucker alone is worth such a daunting task?¡± The other end of the microphone fell silent once again. Artemis did not rush him. Instead, he continued, ¡°My second condition, actually, is quite easy to meet. You don''t need to expend a single soldier. Besides, this condition also greatly benefits you.¡± Archie gritted his teeth. ¡°Name it,¡± he said quietly. ¡°I''ll agree to it as long as it''s within reason.¡± Artemis'' lips curled into a smile. He whispered a few words into the microphone. Archie could not help eximing in surprise after hearing it. He never expected Artemis to be capable of such a scheme. ¡°Why me? Shouldn''t you be helping¡ª¡± Before he could finish, Artemis interrupted him again, ¡°I believe you have the ability to shoulder this great responsibility. You don''t have to answer me right away. I''ll give you two days to think it over. Give me a call when you''ve made up your mind, and we can continue with our coboration. If you disagree, I''ll have no choice but to deal with Tucker myself. Your friend, however, will probably spend the rest of his life in the secret base of Interpol. I''m a businessman. I will never allow myself to be at a disadvantage. Only when our benefits are maximized can this cooperation continue to exist.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he ended the call without waiting for Archie''s response. He believed that Archie would agree to the second condition, for no one could resist the allure of overwhelming power. Indeed, his second request to Archie was to ascend to power as Philip''s second son and be the next patriarch of the Hoffman family after dealing with Tucker. Archie was different from Tucker. He was intelligent and ambitious¡ªa genius, in other words. Under his leadership, the Hoffman family would ascend to glory for another hundred years. With him taking charge of the Hoffman family, Juliana can finally withdraw herself wholly and pursue her own happiness. I have invested a lot to bring Zeke''s woman back. Rescuing a death row inmate from the secret base of Interpol was no easy feat. On the other hand, he could easily crush Tucker single-handedly. His main reason for coborating with Archie is to trick thetter into bing the head of the Hoffman family. Only by letting him take over can Julie extricate himself. Hopefully, that kid won''t act up and reject his second condition at thest minute. That young man is rebellious and untamed. A difficult character to deal with, indeed. I fear the position of the head of the Hoffman family may not even tempt him. Juliana was standing guard at the carved doors at the entrance of the base, waiting for Zeke. She had just received the news of Zoey''s death; Tucker had failed. And so, the confidential document had fallen into Zeke''s hands. She was determined to ask him for it. The document contained all the top-secret information regarding the family. She would not be at ease until it was destroyed. With a start, the rumble of wheels against asphalt from a distance pulled Juliana back from her wandering thoughts. Without thinking, she looked up and saw a ck car parked in front of her. The back door opened, and a tall, slender figure emerged from within. Despite all that she had been through, his appearance still made her heart flutter. Just as when we first met. As she watched him approach, his shadow fell over her, enveloping her entirely in his aura. She slowly lowered her head. She did not want to meet his eyes, which were as deep and inscrutable as whirlpools. Every time she looked at him, her heart would sink a little lower. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Precisely because she had met his gaze so often before, she found herself hopelessly lost in his world. ¡°Um, you''re back. I heard from my master that you went to see Zoey. I...¡± She could not bring herself to say what was on her mind. Master is right. Asking him for that document is like stabbing him in the heart with a knife. Zeke lowered his head to look at her. His gaze was incrediblyplex. Though she did not finish her sentence, he understood what she meant. She is determined to get that document, which clearly indicates her resolve to be the next leader of the Hoffman family. Is she really going to give up everything from the past, abandon the fate that binds us, and choose to walk that lonely path? She was so carefree with me back then, unbound and unrestrained. Does she understand that supreme power is a heavy shackle, capable of grinding one''s patience to dust? Is she really going to pursue a life that''s as colorless as walking among the living dead? ¡°I know what you want, and I also understand the consequences of giving it to you. You''re a smart woman, Juliana. Do you think I would give it to you today?¡± Juliana bit her lip tightly, sensing powerlessness spreading through her limbs. She struggled to support the weight of her own body. He had only one goal from the beginning, which was to bring me back to Hallsbay. He knows that there might not be a future between us if he hands me that document. which is how I know he wouldn''t give it to me. ¡°I am the legitimate daughter of the Hoffman family, Zeke, and I swear to live and die with them. If you destroy my family, not only will I refuse to go with you, but I will also resent you for the rest of my life.¡± Zeke let out a softugh at her words, but it was ice cold. He reached slowly into his pocket, pulled out the brocade box, and thrust it forcefully into Juliana''s arms. ¡°Here. I''ll handle Tucker on your behalf. As we were once acquaintances, this is all I can do for you. I wish you well in your quest of ascending to the position of matriarch and bing the most powerful woman in Adrune, Ms. Juliana.¡± After his speech, he walked past her with an indifferent expression and strode toward the base. He was angry that she had personally sought him out to demand the document from him, essentially forcing him to sever the emotional ties between them. Naturally, he was furious. Now that she has be the head of the Hoffman family, I need to take a moment to calm down and think about how I can marry her and bring her home. In the fleeting moment when Zeke passed by Juliana, two drops of tears fell from the corners of her eyes. I have hurt him by casting him out of my life. We have nothing binding us from this moment on. The thought of her life without him felt like a knife twisting in her heart. I have no choice. If I don''t shoulder the burden of leading the Hoffman family, it will fall into decline and ruin. Chapter 923 Killed The Wrong Person Chapter 923 Killed The Wrong Person I''m sorry. Verily, I''m sorry. I was the one who provoked you and ensnared you in the web of love. But in the end, I pushed you away and broke your heart. As Juliana thought about it, she slowly dropped into a crouch and began to cry quietly, hugging her knees while squatting on the ground. Zeke halted in his steps, his sharp eyebrows furrowing slightly. He found himself at a loss for words. Why is she crying so sorrowfully? I didn''t say I don''t want her anymore. Aren''t I going back to figure out another way to marry her? Does she really think I''d abandon her? After pausing for a few seconds, he resumed his stride and continued forward once more. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g! He was afraid he might harden his heart and forcibly take her back to Hallsbay if he were to listen any longer. After taking a few steps, he reached into his pocket. Pulling out his phone, he sent a text message to Bailey. It read: Come to the door tofort your sister-inw. Let her do whatever she wants. I don''t believe I can''t marry her once she bes the head of the Hoffman family. Upon receiving the text message, Bailey could not help but raise a brow. Zeke truly lives up to his reputation as a top international tycoon. Just look at his attitude. He completely disregards the rules. Indeed, if he forcefully marries Juliana, who would dare offer a single objection? Whoever dares to protest would be silenced. The world''srgest medical family isn''t to be taken lightly. Present-day medical technology has reached its pinnacle, and the demand for modern medicine is immense worldwide. The Shurmer family, in control of over sixty percent of the global pharmaceutical market, is an entity no country dares to provoke. Just think about it. If anyone crosses the Shurmer family, and the Shurmer family cuts off the supply of modern medicine, then a country''s entire healthcare system would copse thoroughly. Such damage is unbearable for any party. If a day comes when Zeke pressures the leaders of the various countries to coerce the Hoffman family into a marriage alliance with the Shurmer family, would they be able to refuse? And is the Hoffman family capable of resisting? Hmm, now that I think about it, I''m no longer worried about him not being able to marry his love. In the guest roomte at night, Aisley quickly asked upon seeing the housekeeper slip in through the door that was opened a crack, ¡°What''s your progress with the task I assigned you?¡± The housekeeper lowered her head slightly, a peculiar glimmer flittering across her eyes. ¡°I-It''s Catherine watching over the little girl tonight, Ms. Lockett. However, she just left the sick bay.¡± Catherine had a habit of going to the garden to pick flowerste at night, usually for about half an hour. ¡°If you''re nning to make a move on that little girl, now would be the best time.¡± Aisley slowly clenched her fists, a sinister smile spreading across her face. During the day, she went to plead with Simon, begging him to stay in Moranta. However, the man turned her down outright without even thinking about it. He also mentioned his ns to go to Gregan with Catherine. They would depart in three days. At the moment, nothing was more important than saving his daughter''s life. Hah! The life of that illegitimate child is crucial, but is my life not worth anything? I was in a rtionship with him for three years. How could he be so heartless, leaving me here to bear the wrath of the royal family alone? Since he isn''t allowing me to live, none of them shall it easy! ¡°What are you still doing here? Hurry up and kill that illegitimate child!¡± The housekeeper trembled all over, her eyes flickering evasively. ¡°I-I don''t dare, Ms. Lockett. I don''t have the nerve to kill someone. M-Maybe you should do it instead.¡± On the heels of that, a crisp p split the air. Aisley raised an arm and pped her hard across the face. ¡°How useless! Can''t you even manage to kill someone? What use are you to me, then?¡± The housekeeper''s legs gave out, and she copsed onto the ground. ¡°I-I dare not, Ms. Lockett. I''m really too scared to do it. If you force me to act, not only will I fail to complete the task but also expose myself.¡± With a powerful kick, Aisley sent her flying several meters away. The housekeeper remained sprawled on the ground. She trembled uncontrobly with fear, not daring to utter a single word. Irritated, Aisley cursed her out again before striding toward the door. I no longer have time to waste. If I don''t kill that illegitimate child, I''d only be able to watch helplessly as Simon and Catherine leave Moranta. At that time, I''d have no chance at all. Most importantly, I''d meet a miserable end without anyone backing me up. Neither the Lockett family nor the royal family would let me off the hook! With that thought in mind, she quickened her pace and swiftly slipped out of the room. After she had left, the housekeeper who was paralyzed on the ground shakily got up. Then, with trembling hands, she fumbled for her phone. Finding a string of numbers, she sent a text message over. It read: I¡¯ve done as you instructed. She just slipped out of the room and is heading to the sick bay. Five minutester, Aisley arrived at the sick bay unobstructed. She skillfully avoided the few doctors on duty that she encountered on her way, thinking that it was all thanks to her agility that she sessfully made her way to the door of the sick bay. Little did she know that a trap was awaiting her. After she had quietly slipped into the sick bay, she could faintly make out a small figure lying on the bed under the illumination of the dim light. It was a private infirmary, so she didn''t give it much thought, assuming that the girl on the bed was Catherine''s daughter. Once she reached the side of the bed, she reached out and pped her hand over the figure''s mouth and nose. The room was dimly lit, and it was solely thanks to the refracted light from the streetmps outside that she could vaguely perceive some blurred silhouettes. When Aisley had covered the figure''s mouth and nose, she vaguely sensed something amiss. The figure lying on the bed had a crew cut. She had seen Catherine''s daughter before, and the little girl had long hair, wholly different from the person in front of her then. Once she came to that realization, she grew anxious and tense. Could it be that I entered the wrong room and killed the wrong person? N-No, that can''t be it. That can''t be the case. The housekeeper clearly told me it was this sick bay. There''s no way I could''ve entered the wrong room. As the panic within her intensified, a tremendous force suddenly hit her in the chest. She vaguely made out a legnding on her before she was sent flying. After staggering back several steps in session, she stumbled and fell to the ground. Click! Click! Click! A few crisp clicks rang out in the room, and all the lights in the room were turned on. Subsequently, Aisley heard a flurry of hurried footsteps. Out of her peripheral vision, she saw several figures rushing in. She had been discovered. Following that realization, she began to tremble uncontrobly. Once she had adapted to the bright lights in the room, she instinctively looked toward the door. As soon as she looked up, Simon''s incredibly handsome yet grim face entered her line of sight. ¡°S-Simon, I-I... Things isn''t what as it seems. Listen to me, and let me exin. I can exin.¡± On the bed, Zayron casually rolled over and got out of bed. He could not help but sneer, ¡°Exin? How are you going to exin? You almost smothered me to death, you know? Do you know who I am? I''m the heir of the Saviors, and I''ll even be inheriting Tarragon in the future. If you''d kill me, you''d die a horrible death!¡± Panicked, Aisley was not as sharp as usual and blurted, ¡°It wasn''t you I wanted to kill, but Catherine''s daughter. Don''t misunderstand. Please don''t mis...¡± Right after she had said that, her words came to an abrupt halt. Chapter 924 Evidence Chapter 924 Evidence She realized she hadmitted something so foolish that it was beyond redemption. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. I can''t believe I admitted that I came here to harm Luna. Zayron burst into heartyughter. ¡°Here I was, thinking about the countless methods to torture you into confessing. I can''t believe you''re so stupid. You couldn''t keep your mouth shut and just blurted it out. To be honest, for someone as worthless as you to aspire to be my aunt, you''re simply overestimating your abilities.¡± After speaking, he turned his head to look at his uncle and snorted. ¡°When I went to the airport to pick up Maxton and Susan up, leaving Luna alone at home, she was subjected to this woman''s torment and nearly lost her life. Her being caught now is a fitting retribution for the harm she inflicted on Luna that day.¡± A glint of surprise shed across Simon''s eyes. He hadn''t expected that the sudden acting up Luna''s poison a few days ago was caused by Aisley. Luna''s just a child. How could she possibly bring herself to do it? Moreover, he had left Aisley back at the base, which meant that he almost killed his own daughter due to a momentarypse in judgment. ¡°Is everything Zayron said true? Was it you who awakened the parasites within Luna a few days ago?¡± Nowadays, Simon has gradually begun to take control of the Luther family, an authoritative aura slowly grew within him. When he suddenly unleashed this aura, an ordinary person would fail to withstand it. Terrified, Aisley trembled all over as she scrambled up to Simon''s side, clutching tightly onto his thigh. ¡°Simon, I didn''t do it. I really didn''t. You have to believe me. Don''t listen to that kid''s nonsense. He ndered me without any basis, which is utterly unfair to me. We''ve known each other for so many years. Don''t you know what kind of person I am by now? Are you really going to doubt me because of what some brat said?¡± Her exnation was weak andughably absurd, as she had personally admitted that she wanted to kill Luna in her panic. Therefore, her denial now sounded especially ironic to Simon. I must have been blind all these years to have protected such a malicious woman. Thank goodness my daughter was lucky enough not to be killed by this woman. If she really died at the hands of this woman. How am I to face Catherine for the rest of my life? And how will I ever forgive myself? Aisley looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. When he saw that he remained silent, her heart gradually sank as well. His heart has begun to waver. He''s starting to doubt me. If I don''t find a way to salvage this situation, a grim fate will await me today. ¡°Simon, are you really going to use me of this without any evidence? We''ve known each other for three years, after all. Even if your love for me has faded, there must still be some affection left from the past, right? Are you really going to take the word of a brat and pin some baseless usation on me?¡± Aisley was adamant in her denial. After all, the only thing she could do now was to steadfastly deny it. As long as I don''t admit it and the kid can''t provide any evidence, Simon wouldn''t dare do anything to me. Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly burst into tears. She looked as aggrieved as one could possibly be. Zayron, exasperated by her attempt at feigning innocence, couldn''t help but roll his eyes. Uncle Simon was quite unfortunate to have met such a woman. Luckily, she''s a bimbo who acts on impulse and isn''t very cunning. Otherwise, I''m afraid there might be even more trouble in the future. The fact that she''s stupid caused her to walk into the trap I set for her. ¡°You want proof? Fine, I''ll give you proof. For a despicable and thick-skinned woman like you, you won''t stop causing trouble until you ''re crushed for good. I can''t believe how disgusting you are.¡± Having said that, Zayron strutted out of the ward. Lowering his gaze to look at Aisley, Simon spoke in a deep and serious tone. ¡°If you confess now, I might spare your life in consideration of our past rtionship. If you persist in your obstinacy, don''t me me for acting harshly when the evidence and witnesses are presented. Aisley, it was me who wanted to sever our ties. If you''re upset, you could''ve confronted me or even kill me. Whatever it was, you shouldn''t have touched my daughter, who''s still so young and innocent. Tell me, did you do it?¡± Aisley shivered with fear. The aura emanating from Simon instilled in her a profound sense of fear. He is no longer the silver-spooned kid I remembered. After bing a father and taking over as the head of the Luther family, he has truly transformed into a different person. Before long, this man will also be a titan whomands awe and respect throughout the world. I must have been blind and my judgment clouded to have broken up with him at his most vulnerable moment, pushing him toward Catherine. Aisley was overwhelmed with regret. ¡°No, it wasn''t me...¡± She instinctively wanted to defend herself when suddenly, an emotional voice was heard from outside. ¡°It''s her! She was the one who mixed a drug that could revive the parasitic worms into the spray. She had me watch Luna so that she could find an opportunity to harm her. She has constantly been thinking about killing the youngdy.¡± Aisley''s body shuddered violently as she stared in disbelief at the maid who rushed in from outside. ¡°You... You... You''re ndering me! What proof do you have that I did it?¡± The maid dropped to her knees with a thud before Simon before handing him a voice recorder. Her voice trembled as she said, ¡°Mr. Luther, this is the recording of every conversation I had with her. Please, have a listen.¡± Staff like them, who do dirty work on behalf of their employers, often keep some dirt on those deeds. When disaster struck one day, they could then use it to save their own lives. Since Aisley was a ruthless woman, the maid originally intended to keep the recording as a bargaining chip for when the former wanted to kill her in an effort to silence her in the future. Unexpectedly, Zayron investigations had led to her first. In order to save her own life, she had no choice but to expose Aisley by revealing the evidence of their misdeeds. Aisley hadn''t expected the maid to have such a trick up her sleeve, so when thetter pulled out the voice recorder, she waspletely flustered. She wanted to exin, but after hearing the recording, she swallowed back all the words she was about to say. Is there any point in my denial? With both physical evidence and witnesses present, any attempt at defending myself is futile. Simon stared at her with a grim expression, a chilling light flickering in his eyes. When he found out that Aisley was plotting against Catherine and her daughter, his rage became even more uncontroble, as if it was going to explode out of him. Due to a moment of weakness, I almost cost my daughter her life. Just the thought of it now sent chills down his spine. Thankfully, she is blessed with great fortune and narrowly escaped death. Otherwise, the consequences... It was something he didn''t even dare to think about. This d*mn woman deserves death! Chapter 925 Courting Death Chapter 925 Courting Death ¡°Guards¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Aisley, who was lying on the ground, suddenly leaped up. In the next moment, a gleaming fruit knife appeared in her hand. She first targeted Zayron, because it was that meddling brat who led to her miserable defeat. ¡°Zayron!¡± Simon eximed in surprise, instinctively wanting to rush over. As Artemis, Bailey, and the others were waiting outside and didn''te in, the only person who could save Zayron while he was in danger was Simon. However, before Simon could even step forward with his long leg, Zayron swiftly dodged, skillfully evading Aisley''s attack. How could I forget that this nephew of mine is the heir of the Saviors? He has been receiving training since childhood and is incredibly skilled at fighting. Although Aisley was an adult, she still fell short whenpared to Zayron. ¡°If you intend to kill me, I suggest you be reborn and polish your skills from birth!¡± Zayron said with unparalleled dominance. After he finished speaking, he fiercely kicked out, sending Aisley flying backward. Thud! Aisley fell back to the position where she was originally kneeling. She couldn''t kill Zayron, let alone Simon. Still, she was unwilling to admit defeat. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. She was determined to have someone perish alongside her that day. In the next moment, her gaze locked onto the housekeeper who had lodged an usation against her. If it weren''t for this b*tch''s betrayal, I wouldn''t have met with disaster today. Keeping a recording as leverage? Ha! Is she really that afraid of death? Fine! I shall let her face what she fears the most. Almost as soon as the thought popped into her mind, she lunged fiercely at the housekeeper. Next, the dagger she tightly gripped in her hand plunged directly into the housekeeper''s chest, piercing her heart with a single thrust. Pop! By the time Simon realized what was happening and wanted to intervene, it was already toote. The fruit knife plunged straight into the housekeeper''s heart. And then, he watched, wide-eyed, as the housekeeper''s pupils violently contracted a few times before she copsed to the ground, lifeless. Upon seeing her wish fulfilled, Aisley burst into fits ofughter. At that moment, Catherine walked in from outside, squinting at the disastrous scene in the room. When her gaze fell on Aisley, aplex look flickered in her eyes. This woman, with her appalling behavior and malicious intentions, is not worthy of Simon. ¡°Why are you doing this? I never intended to compete with you from the start. I am about to return and take over the position as the head of the Rogers family. You''ve been too narrow-minded.¡± Aisley red at Catherine, her face and eyes filled with towering hatred. She wanted Catherine dead, but she couldn''t do it as Catherine''s art of perfumery had reached its pinnacle, and no one could get close to her. ¡°Catherine, I curse you! I curse that your daughter will be devoured by parasitic worms and meet a terrible end.¡± Both Catherine and Simon''s expressions changed simultaneously. Simon wanted to step forward to confront her, but he was stopped by Catherine. ¡°Engaging with such trash is beneath your status as the head of the Luther family. An eye for an eye. Send her to prison and let her face the punishment of thew.¡± Simon looked at Aisley, his eyes filled withplex emotions. Seeing him unmoved, Catherine assumed he was touched bypassion. Her face involuntarily darkened as a hint of displeasure crept into her heart. Indeed, she was displeased and a little angry. This man, even in such a situation, still insists on cherishing his first crush, is he? ¡°If you''re so reluctant to let her go, just spare her. After all, you, Mr. Simon, enjoy doing good deeds. One more won''t make a difference. Wait until the day she ruthlessly kills your daughter; then you can truly thank her, making your affection for her worthwhile.¡± There was a hint of jealousy in her voice. Simon gave a soft chuckle, leaning in to whisper in her ear, ¡°Ms. Rogers, are you jealous?¡± Catherine was rendered speechless. Just before Catherine was about to lose her temper, Simon quickly wiped away the amused look on his face and shouted, ¡°Guards, take her to the prison. Let them handle her ording to thew.¡± No sooner had he finished his sentence than two bodyguards rushed in from outside the door, grabbing Aisley by the arm and dragging her out. Aisley knew she was at a disadvantage, so she no longer struggled. In fact, she couldn''t resist anymore. As she passed by Simon, she forcefully halted her steps, her voice tearing as she asked, ¡°Will you really stand by and watch as the royal family directs all their fury toward me?¡± Simon looked at her expressionlessly. He hadn''t intended to say much more, but upon meeting her expectant gaze, he let out a soft sigh nheless. ¡°At ten o''clock at night, I made a call to the person in charge of the royal family, asking them to spare you. They agreed.¡± They agreed... They agreed... They agreed...Aisley burst into wildughter, and as sheughed, two streams of hot tears trickled down from the corners of her eyes. Those were tears of regret. She realized she had erred. ¡°C-Can¡ª¡± At that moment, Bailey strolled in, her gaze falling on Aisley. She raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°If I''m not mistaken, the catalytic medicine for the parasitic worm was given to you by Eunice, wasn''t it?¡± Aisley looked at her expressionlessly in silence. Bailey added, ¡°You were also used by others. It''s quite pitiful. How about this? Do you want to drag the one who treated you as cannon fodder to apany you in death?¡± Aisley''s indifferent expression changed slightly as Bailey''s suggestion tempted her. She thought. If I can take Eunice down before my death, I''d be more than willing to do so. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± Bailey curled her lips, leaned in, and whispered a few words into Aisley''s ear. Aisley furrowed her brows slightly. ¡°Aren''t you afraid I''ll tip her off? Or that I''ll help Eunice escape?¡± Bailey shrugged nonchntly. ¡°It''s fine even if she escapes. At worst, it''ll just take a bit more time to let her meet her end.¡± Aisley suddenly burst intoughter. ¡°All right. I agree with you. That woman used me like a cannon fodder. I must indeed get my revenge.¡± After watching Aisley being escorted away by two bodyguards, Catherine squinted at Bailey, furrowing her brows as she asked, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± A mysterious look shed across Bailey''s face. ¡°You can wait for Eunice toe knocking on her own and court death. For our trip to Gregan, Eunice being alive is a hindrance. It will be better if she dies in Moranta.¡± Catherine didn''t respond. She roughly guessed what Bailey wanted to do. Ha. This woman is always so thoughtful. Eunice is indeed malicious. If she can be taken down, that will be the best oue. Meanwhile, inside the guest room of the mansion in the east. Juliana had originally fallen asleep, but the noise from the infirmary woke her up again. She tossed and turned in bed for quite a while before finally getting out of bed. She walked over to the couch, opened herptop, and then took out the memory card from the brocade box. When she held the card in her hand, she seemed to detect a faint scent of blood. However, she didn''t mind. That card had always been in Sofie''s possession, and it was no surprise that it reeked of blood, given the numerous times Sofie had been pursued and attacked. After waiting for thirty seconds, once theputer had booted up, she inserted the card into the slot. When the dialogue box popped up on theputer, she was slightly taken aback because there was nothing on the card. Hundreds of files contained only strings of gibberish after being invaded by viruses. A thought immediately popped into her mind. There''s a problem with this card! Could it have been switched out? Chapter 926 Ruthless Chapter 926 Ruthless Could it be that Zeke deliberately gave me a fake memory card to stall me? Is that man determined to expose those confidential documents and bring down the entire Hoffman family? ¡°No, you can''t do this! Otherwise, I''ll resent you for the rest of my life.¡± Having said that, she frantically yanked the memory card out of the port and stumbled out of the room. Upon learning that Zeke and the others were all gathered in the infirmary, she didn''t hesitate and rushed over without a second thought. Just as she reached the entrance of the infirmary, she saw Bailey, Artemis, and Zekeing out from inside. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. When the group saw Juliana''s anxious and angry expression, they all stopped in their tracks. Bailey quickly stepped forward, ready to ask her what had happened. Juliana, however, dodged her, striding past her to confront Zeke directly. She roared, ¡°Must you push my family to the brink of destruction? And don''t even im it''s for my own good because I won''t ept it. I won''t be able to live with myself if my family falls because of me.¡± Zeke was somewhat stunned, clearly not having caught on yet. When did I ever intend to bring her family to their doom? Didn''t I already give her the memory card that held eighty percent of the Hoff family''s secrets when I returned from the resort? He said, ¡°Take a moment to calm down and exin things clearly. Your words areing out all jumbled, and it''s hard for us to understand what you''re trying to say.¡± Juliana held up the memory card, choking back tears. ¡°The files in here have all been corrupted. How can I prove that this is the same one Zoey had?¡± Zeke furrowed his brows tightly. The files have been corrupted? But that''s impossible. Ever since he received the brocade box, he hadn''t touched the card inside, nor had he entrusted it to anyone else. Logically speaking, Zoey wouldn''t give him a fake one, and he hadn''t tampered with it either. There was no opportunity for anyone to switch it, so what Juliana received should be theplete file. ¡°Whether you believe it or not, I didn''t tamper with the files. As for why they were destroyed, that requires further investigation. I won''t be able to provide you with an answer right now.¡± With that, Zeke reached out to take the memory card from her hand. Just then, Cameron, who was standing beside him, quickly reacted and pulled him back just in time to avoid contact with that card. Zeke regarded him with a perplexed look and asked, ¡°Mr. Yablon, what do you mean by this?¡± Cameron remained silent as he fixed his cold gaze on Juliana, or more precisely, on the memory card in her hand. The card exuded a subtle smell of blood, mingled with a faint yet recognizable scent of toxin. It was a scent Cameron was all too familiar with. Bailey also sensed the unusual nature of the card and quickly pushed Artemis back a couple of steps before shouting at Juliana, ¡°Julie, get rid of that card right away!¡± Startled by her forcefulmand, Juliana''s fingertips trembled slightly. In the next moment, the memory card slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. She asked, ¡°Master, w-what''s wrong?¡± Bailey remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on the ominous ck card that was exuding a scent of blood on the ground. Her expression grew darker by the moment. Cameron paced up to her, his voice tearing through the silence as he said, ¡°Stop staring at it. Your guess is right. This toxic aura is indeed a mutated version of the toxin I was afflicted with a few days ago. This must be the blood of the heart Zoey extracted from her chest. She was turned into a poison carrier by Kurt, with the most lethal substance being those drops of blood from her heart. The potent toxin has mutated and is now capable of infiltrating the body through the pores. It seems that she won''t rest even in death. She still wants to drag you all down with her.¡± His words had an immediate impact, causing the expressions of everyone present to change simultaneously. Among them, it was Zeke whose expression turned the grimmest. After all, he was the one who had retrieved the card and given it to Juliana. If anything were to happen to her, he would be held responsible. Just as he was about to rush over to check on Juliana, thetter suddenly took a few steps back. ¡°Don''te any closer! Stay away!¡± After her outburst, she looked at Bailey with tear-filled eyes and trembled as she asked, ¡°Master, I''ve been poisoned, haven''t I? I''ve been afflicted by the mutated toxin, right? It''s be dangerous and quite severe, hasn''t it?¡± So, it wasn''t Zeke who had tampered with it... I''ve misunderstood him. At the thought of that, she turned her head toward Zeke and said with a face full of pain, ¡°I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have doubted you. Now I''m paying the price for my foolishness, and it''s a consequence I should bear.¡± Indeed, if she hadn''t sought him out for that card, she wouldn''t have been poisoned. Ultimately, she was the one who brought the whole thing upon herself. Seeing that Juliana was on the verge of breaking down, Bailey''s heart sank as well. If she loses her will to live, it''ll be easier for her to fall prey to dark thoughts. ¡°Let''s not jump to conclusions yet, All right? Everything unfolded so suddenly that it caught all of us off guard. This isn''t your fault, so don''t try to shoulder all the me yourself,¡± sheforted. After saying that, Bailey took advantage of Juliana''s momentary distraction and swiftly moved in front of the woman before taking her arm to feel her pulse. Seeing Bailey taking action, Zeke quickly followed suit, striding over and gripping Juliana''s other arm. At the moment, he was overwhelmed by regret and self-me. I really should have been more cautious. How could I have just handed over what I got from Zoey to Juliana so easily? It''s all my fault for losing my temper at the door when I came back. In a fit of anger, I simply gave her the card. If he had been a bit more cautious, he would have been the one most likely to be poisoned. Nheless, he was more than willing to bear the consequences of such turmoil, for watching his woman in pain was even more painful than stabbing his heart with a knife. After checking Juliana''s pulse, Bailey''s expression gradually darkened. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she was still somewhat shocked and angry when she confirmed that Juliana had fallen victim to Zoey''s schemes. Zoey, that vile wench! Even in death, she can''t rest in peace. I can''t believe she actually set up such a trap. That being said, I was too careless as well. I assumed that since she spared Zeke''s life when they met, she wouldn''t try to kill himter on. Never in a million years would she have expected that woman to actually take her blood of the heart and orchestrated such an borate trap on the memory card. That memory card will eventually end up in the possession of either Zeke, me, or Juliana. In other words, Zoey had no intention of sparing even Zeke from this ordeal. What a ruthless woman! Zeke had cherished her for so many years, always treating her as his own sister. How could she devise such a vicious and cruel scheme against him? Seeing the growing anger in Bailey''s demeanor, Zeke gritted his teeth and inquired, ¡°What is it?¡± Bailey didn''t reply to him. She took out the antidote that Cameron hadn''t finished usingst time and poured it all into Juliana''s mouth. She then said, ¡°Zeke, hurry and take her to the emergency treatment room.¡± Zeke nodded. Ignoring Juliana''s struggles, he scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the infirmary. Bailey hurried after him, but just as she took a couple of steps, Cameron stopped her in her tracks. ¡°If the toxin can invade through the pores, it means it has mutated. The antidote is likely ineffective. We should focus on suppressing the toxin within her body instead.¡± Chapter 927 Sparking International Upheaval Chapter 927 Sparking International Upheaval Naturally, Bailey would not overlook his words. After he finished speaking, she quickly asked, ¡°Can Kurt neutralize the mutated toxin?¡± Cameron hesitated slightly before saying, ¡°I think so. He was the one who concocted the poison, so even if it has mutated, the antidote can be upgraded. The key is determining which new medicinal ingredients to use for the upgrade.¡± Bailey''s steps faltered. So in the end, I still have to ask Kurt for help. That b*stard ruined ze, so I''m going to make him pay. However, now that he has another bargaining chip, can we still scheme against him without any fear? Artemis walked over and embraced her. ¡°It''s easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden one. We can''t possibly take care of everything. But there''s no need to rush. After all, you''ve faced countless hardships along the journey, and in the end, turn the cmities turn into blessings, right? Perhaps this is fate. Kurt isn''t meant to die so quickly, so we have to be patient.¡± After hearing his soothing words, Bailey gradually calmed down. Yes, I cannot panic. Juliana isn''t on the brink of death yet. ¡°Okay, I''ll go in and help her suppress the toxin. It''s gettingte, so you should head back and rest. Don''t wear yourself out staying here with us.¡± Artemis lowered his head and kissed her lips,ughing as he said, ¡°You wanted to set a trap to lure Eunice, didn''t you? Looks like I''ll have to take care of that now. I have other stuff to attend to. It looks like we won''t be able to get any sleep tonight. ¡°There are still some minor matters to attend to. Tonight is destined to be a sleepless one. You should get back to work and leave the rest to me.¡± With a gentle smile, Bailey stood on her tiptoes to nt a kiss on his thin lips. ¡°Mr. Luther, with you by my side, I feel incredibly at ease.¡± Having said that, she turned around and walked toward the infirmary. Artemis watched her leave with a gentle gaze. Only when her figure disappeared at the stairwell did he shift his gaze and pulled out his phone to call Archie. As the phone rang, he slowly lowered his head to look at the ck card that had fallen on the ground, his expression inscrutable. Once the call connected, he was the first to speak. ¡°Have you agreed to my second condition, Mr. Archie?¡± A teasing voice came through the microphone. ¡°Mr. Luther, how can you be so sure that I''ll agree to your second condition?¡± Artemis gave a coldugh and said lightly, ¡°All the information in the card that Zoey gave to Zeke has been destroyed by a virus. You were the one who gave the card to Sofie. Now, if you want to make some changes, it should be a piece of cake, right? Now that you''ve destroyed what''s inside this card, doesn''t it prove that you want to protect the Hoffman family and then take the helm?¡± Archie''sughter echoed heartily from the microphone. ¡°Mr. Luther, I am immensely grateful for my decision to ally with you, to stand on the same side as you. If I were foolish enough to be enemies with you all because of my mother''s death, I guess I would definitely end up in a tragic situation, wouldn''t I?¡± As the head of the Luther family, who was renowned internationally, and the leader of the powerful Tarragon, Artemis was truly formidable. In fact, when he found out that his mother wanted to take on the formidable Artemis, he tried to dissuade her. However, that woman used their bond as mother and son to ask for his support. He found it hard to refuse. So in the end, he agreed to help her steal the confidential files of the Hoffman family, giving her an additional bargaining chip in her hand. After everything was settled, he never again involved himself in their disputes. He knew very well that his mother was no match for Bailey and Artemis. She chose to wage war against them, and there could only be one oue¡ªit would not end well. When Archie mentioned Sofie, Artemis couldn''t help butugh and replied, ¡°A wise man submits to circumstances. You are smarter than your mother. My wife and I have always valued talent, so as long as you don''t cross us, we can coexist peacefully in the future. Fine, I agree with your second condition. I will be the head of the Hoffman family, ensuring Zeke gets his heart''s desire and wins the beauty he longs for. Mr. Luther, please don''t forget our agreement. I will take care of Tucker for you and take over the Hoffman family''s mess. You must also help me rescue my friend. Our cooperation is built on the foundation of mutual benefit. I hope you won''t go back on your word. Otherwise, even if I can''t defeat you, I''ll make sure you pay the price.¡± Faced with his tant threat, Artemis merely chuckled. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they finally ended the call. It was time for him to make a move and rescue someone from Interpol. This is property ? N?velDrama.Org. Even though this approach would vite many agreements, he simply couldn''t afford to care about that anymore. Archie was no ordinary individual. If they wanted him to stay obediently within the Hoffman family to suppress this massive force, they must be prepared to pay the corresponding price. However, if it was possible to resolve the misunderstanding between Zeke and Juliana, to help them let go of their grudges ande together again, then any effort would be worth it. This was also what Bailey wanted. Bailey''s wish was also his own. Even if it meant sparking international upheaval, he was determined to assist her in realizing it. At five in the morning, Bailey and Cameron, having joined forces, barely managed to suppress the rapidly spreading toxin within Juliana''s body. ¡°This toxin is too overpowering. We should seek Kurt''s help instead of wasting time.¡± When Cameron mentioned Kurt, a cold glint appeared in his gaze. ze was still suffering in Kurt''s hands. Therefore, he must go on this trip to Gregan. Bailey guessed what he was thinking, and patted his shoulder. ¡°She will make it through because she has someone she cares about.¡± Cameron''s eyes suddenly welled up with tears. He tilted his head up slightly, forcing back the tears welling up in his eyes. No matter what, he was determined to save her. He was determined to bring her out of hell. At this moment, Juliana, who had been unconscious on the bed, woke up. Bailey hurried over, her voice hoarse as she asked, ¡°Julie, are you feeling unwell?¡± Juliana remained silent as she slowly lifted her right hand. As her gaze fell upon the wisp of ck mist at her fingertips, she couldn''t help but murmur, ¡°It''s a good thing it''s me. Ah, how fortunate.¡± Bailey understood her meaning. If it wasn''t for her, Zeke would have likely been the one poisoned. If Zeke didn''t give that card to Juliana, he would personally destroy all the files inside. It was clear Juliana hadn''t forgotten about him and merely buried those intense emotions in the deepest part of her heart. As she bore the weight of her family''s responsibilities on her shoulders and its fate, she could not afford to be capricious. They were both silent when Zeke walked in from outside. Bailey blinked and said, ¡°I''ve been up all night and can barely keep my eyes open. I''m going to go catch up on some sleep. You guys should chat without me.¡± Cameron echoed a simr sentiment. Then, in perfect harmony, the two of them retreated outside. Without thinking, Juliana reached out to grab Bailey''s arm but to no avail. She quickly spoke up. ¡°Master, I know you''re nning to go to Gregan. Before you leave, could we possibly visit the Hoffman family first? Huntley''s injury can''t be dyed any longer.¡± Chapter 928 Did You Go There To Flirt With Her Chapter 928 Did You Go There To Flirt With Her Bailey abruptly stopped in her tracks, instinctively turning to look at Zeke. In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became eerily strange. After a brief pause, she turned her gaze toward Juliana and cautiously inquired, ¡°He was ready to pull you away from the heart of authority, even if it meant being misunderstood by you. Have you decided how to handle the current situation?¡± With a smile that seemed to imply she had already seen beyond the unfolding events, Juliana responded, ¡°Let''s talk about the future when ites. The main concern at the moment is his recovery. I don''t want to feel overly indebted to him.¡± Bailey nodded, exchanged a nce with Zeke, and then slowly walked out of the ward. Once Bailey and Cameron had left the room, Zeke paced over to the side of the bed. Observing Juliana''s resolute gaze from above, he could not help but let out a sigh. ¡°At first, I thought of teaming up with Huntley to overthrow the Hoffman family and secure your freedom. But after thinking it through, I changed my mind. If you want to be the queen of Adrune, I''m with you. I believe that even after you''ve sessfully taken over the leadership of the Hoffman family, I can still marry you.¡± Juliana stared at him, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. ¡°If I had known that things would end up like this today, I should never have gotten involved with you in the first ce.¡± Zeke chuckled softly, though a brief glint of pain flickered in his eyes. Due to his carelessness, she was afflicted with a potent, mutated poison, leaving her life hanging in the bnce. He wished he were the one lying here. Deep in contemtion, he gently extended his hand to stroke her cheek, letting out a soft chuckle. ¡°It''s toote for regrets. Our current situation is not that awful anyway. Life''s a journey, and having someone who understands your ups and downs by your side is invaluable. Regardless of what lies ahead, I''ve made my choice¡ªyou''re the one for me.¡± After he finished speaking, he leaned over and nted a kiss on her forehead, then continued, ¡°Go to sleep. I promise you, the Hoffman family will be fine.¡± Tears welled up in Juliana''s eyes as she asked hoarsely, ¡°Do you find me useless?¡± Zeke shook his head with a smile. ¡°Your Uncle Philip has been plotting this for decades. How can you expect to quell him in just a few months? It''s mainly due to your currentck of power and experience. I believe that in another year or two, you''ll surpass them. Don''t dwell on it too much, and make sure to take care of yourself. In a few days, I''ll head to Gregan to retrieve the antidote for you.¡± Juliana intended to say something, but seeing Zeke''s bloodshot eyes, she held back the words she had on her tongue. Given the current situation, she could no longer afford to be the capricious and rebellious girl she once was, throwing tantrums as she wished. Under Zeke''s gaze, Juliana slowly closed her eyes. Perhaps, it was the poison, corroding her body and sapping her vitality, that caused her to fall asleep in no time. After standing up from the edge of the bed, Zeke paced out of the room. Knowing that Artemis and Bailey were upied with the affairs of the Tuckers and Hoffmans, he understood he had to single-handedly take on the task of locating Kurt''s whereabouts. Cameron, who had previously left the ward, shared the same thoughts as Zeke. ¡°I''ve already mobilized the power of the Yablon family, secretly searching for Kurt''s whereabouts. Finish up your tasks in Moranta quickly so we can head to Gregan soon.¡± Bailey nodded and replied, ¡°Artemis should have a n to deal with Tucker. Once you locate Kurt, be cautious. He has ze and Juliana''s lives in his grasp. While his death might not matter, losing our loved ones along with him would be a great loss.¡± Cameron responded with a light hum before walking away quickly. A smile yed on Bailey''s lips as she observed his hurried departure. She found satisfaction in witnessing Cameron''s growing concern for the girl who had made numerous sacrifices for him. While certain damage had been inflicted, there was still a long journey ahead in life. Bailey held the belief that ze would gradually ovee her sorrow with Cameron''s care. I''m eager to see how things will unfold. After standing on the steps for a moment, Bailey returned to the main house. She first went to the bedroom. It was empty, with the bedding neatly folded. In other words, Artemis did not return home all night. Thinking of the enormous mess that Artemis had to handle, Bailey could not help but feel a pang of heartache. ¡°Why are you standing at the door daydreaming? Haven''t you slept all night?¡± A raspy, deep voice echoed from behind. Bailey instinctively turned around, then threw herself into his arms. It was only as she approached him that she sensed the weary, travel-worn aura surrounding him. ¡°Where have you been?¡± Artemis scooped her up in his arms and began to stride toward the room. ¡°I took a trip to London and had a discussion with the head of Interpol.¡± Bailey''s eyelid twitched, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. Did he make a round trip to London in just one evening? Seeing the fatigue look on his face, she asked with concern, ¡°Is it something so important that you have to go in the middle of the night?¡± Artemis lowered his head and kissed her lips, smiling as he replied, ¡°Are you worried I''m tired? Don''t be. I''ve got enough energy left to express my love for youter.¡± Bailey''s face flushed slightly, and she shot him a re. ¡°I''m being serious here, yet you''re just making jokes. Tell me honestly, is the head of Interpol your sweetheart? Did you go there to flirt with her?¡± She knew that the head of Interpol was a woman with a feminine, sexy, and charming demeanor. Women were often captivated by a man like Artemis, who radiated mature charm and held a position of power in the world''s highest echelons. At that moment, she felt a sense of helplessness, as if she was on the verge of losing her hold on him. Artemis bit her cheek hard. ¡°Ouch.¡± Bailey punched him lightly in the chest. Artemis chuckled softly. ¡°I''mpletely captivated by your gentle charm. Haven''t you noticed it yourself? If you dare doubt me again, I might just have to keep you in bed for ten days, Honey. You better not question my skills.¡± His remark left Bailey speechless. Bailey remained silent, staring straight at him, quietly waiting for him to continue. Artemis understood that if he had not been honest today, the woman in front of him would never let the matter rest, and she would not allow him to get close to her intimately. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. After a stroll outside, upon returning home, he really wanted to tease her a bit, for the two of them to engage in physical intimacy. ¡°I struck a deal with Archie. He assisted me in handling Tucker and assumed control of the Hoffman family. In exchange, I''m obliged to aid him in rescuing a death row inmate from Interpol''s headquarters. Tonight, I had a meeting with the police station''s chief and negotiated the details. We ultimately came to an agreement,¡± Artemis exined. Suddenly, he stopped speaking. There were certain matters he chose to keep from Bailey, concerned that sharing them might unduly worry her. However, ass an astute individual, Bailey could likely deduce what he was concealing. Discussing cooperation with Interpol was undoubtedly akin to negotiating with the devil. The price to pay must be quite substantial. ¡°She wants you to carry out a high-risk, precision SSS-level mission, right?¡± Chapter 929 Courting Death Chapter 929 Courting Death Artemis couldn''t help but give a bitter smile. Even if he wanted to hide it, there was a good chance he wouldn''t be able to. Because this woman was truly brilliant. ¡°Indeed, a massive arms trafficking group has emerged in Zaewora. The international police are keen on dismantling it, but theyck the strength, and want me to step in to eradicate this force.¡± After hearing this, Bailey''s elegant eyebrows furrowed tightly. Given that they are arms dealers, they would undoubtedly have the most advanced equipment at their disposal. If Artemis gets involved with this, there''s a high chance that... ¡°If my memory serves me right, Tarragon has signed a peace agreement with various international forces. If you use Tarragon to suppress that trading group, it would be considered a breach of contract, which could provoke retaliation from various forces. But if you don''t utilize the power of Tarragon, then you can only deploy the Luther family''s forces. Artemis, have you lost your mind? How can the Luther family get involved in this¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Artemis interrupted her, ¡°I will not activate Tarragon, nor will I use the Luther family''s forces. Don''t worry, I have other tricks up my sleeve. Dealing with a trafficking group isn''t a big deal.¡± The look in Bailey''s eyes becameplex. She always knew this man had other identities, but she didn''t expect that one of his identities could overpower Interpol. ¡°Artemis, I...¡± Artemis didn''t give her a chance to speak, carrying her straight toward the direction of the bathroom. ¡°Honey, I miss you terribly right now. All I want is to make love to you. Can we talk about everything else after we''ve taken care of what''s important?¡± Bailey grew speechless. When had he ever not shown his love for her? He was making it seem as if she had been stringing him along all this time. ¡°No matter what forces you employ, you''re only putting yourself in danger, Artemis. You shouldn''t have been so impulsive. Archie was at his wit''s end. That''s why he targeted you. But you... You just walked right into his trap despite having your eyes wide open.¡± Artemisughed nonchntly and raised an eyebrow, saying, ¡°The reason I agreed to help the international police dismantle that trafficking group in Zaewora is because... the person previously in charge of this task was Chanaean. I have some acquaintance with this person. I agreed to help, so consider this as a favor for a friend.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Hush now. No matter how pressing the matter, let''s first bask in our love-making before we discuss it.¡± Bailey curled up in his arms, letting him carry her into the bathroom to fuss over her. However, more and more emotions grew in her. Issues with Philip and Wendy had been resolved. All she wanted was to return to Hallsbay with him and live a peaceful life. But once they get involved in the struggle between the legal and illegal forces, it would be very difficult for them to withdraw unscathed. ¡°If you get distracted again, I''ll give you a hard time.¡± The warning from Artemis echoed in her ears, causing Bailey to tremble all over in fear. She was not usually afraid of Artemis, but when they made love, she was frightened. The man was simply a beast when he set his mind to the deed. At nine o''clock in the morning, in a countryside resort, Eunice stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, taking a call. It was a call from Aisley. ¡°Eunice, I killed Catherine''s daughterst night, and now she''s overwhelmed with grief. Isn''t it about time you fulfilled your promise to kill her, especially now when she''s utterly exhausted?¡± After hearing this, Eunice''s eyes narrowed slightly. Catherine''s daughter is dead, and that quickly too? Hearing her silence, Aisley continued, ¡°Eunice, what are you still hesitating for? Hurry up and get started. Once Catherine is out of the picture, no one willpete with you for the inheritance. And I get to keep the man I love. It''s a win-win situation.¡± Eunice remained silent, walking over to the bedside table. She opened the drawer and took out a brocade box. The lid was lifted, revealing a smooth jade stone resting inside. After staring at the jade stone for a moment, she couldn''t help but murmur, ¡°The stone isn''t shining anymore. Could it be that the parasite king is really dead?¡± Indeed, with this stone in her hand, she could sense the parasite king within Catherine''s daughter''s body. If the parasite king was still alive, the jade would glow. If the parasite king was dead, the light on the jade would fade away. Now, the stone was no longer glowing, so the parasite king was certainly dead. Once the parasite king was dead, being the host, the girl was undoubtedly destined to die as well. ¡°Is she really dead?¡± The reason she coborated with Matilda and Aisley was to use them to eliminate Catherine''s daughter. Because if she were to go head-to-head with Catherine, she wouldn''t stand a chance against her. Her art of perfumery was simply not as impressive as Catherine''s. So, her only option was to kill Catherine''s daughter, hoping to defeat her while she was overwhelmed with grief. This strategy, she believed, gave her a sixty percent chance of sess. Now that the little troublemaker was dead and Catherine was injured, it was the perfect time for her to make her move. ¡°All right, I got it. I''ll head to the research base this afternoon. Give me the topographic map of that area. I''ll set the route.¡± Aisley responded, ¡°All right, I''ll start drawing right away. Eunice, everything hinges on this moment. You must not drop the ball, otherwise, when Catherine recovers, she will definitely retaliate against you like mad.¡± Eunice didn''t respond; she simply ended the call. She stared intently at the dull jade stone in the brocade box, her eyes radiating a chilling light. Let''s put an end to predestined fate today. At the same moment, in the medical research base, Aisley tossed her phone onto the desk, her face impassive as she said to Catherine, ¡°My task is done. I hope you''ll fulfill your promise, Ms. Rogers, in ying Eunice and letting her apany me to the afterlife.¡± Catherine remained silent, turning her head to look at Simon. Simon waved his hand, signaling the bodyguards on either side to escort Aisley away. After she left, Simon turned to look at Catherine, and asked, ¡°Are you confident you can beat Eunice? If you''re not confident, don''t act rashly. Wait until we get to Gregan, then we''ll deal with her properly there.¡± A cold, piercing look suddenly glowed in Catherine''s usually gentle eyes. ¡°She can scheme against me, harm me in secret, but she should never have involved Luna. She has crossed my bottom line. Since she''s hell-bent on courting death, I''ll oblige her. Unless something unexpected happens, today will be her end.¡± Simon was silent, feeling stunned by the aggressive demeanor Catherine disyed. This woman was always so aloof and devoid of sorrow and joy. He never expected her to be truly terrifying in her moment of anger. Sure enough, women were not to be trifled with. Ten o''clock in the morning, after several hours of making love, Artemis and Bailey nestled together, leaning against the head of the bed. Artemis asked in a hushed voice, ¡°Aren''t you going to sleep? You look really tired.¡± Bailey was huffing and puffy, however. She had already told him that there were important matters to deal withter in the day and asked him to take it easy. But he had spent the whole morning making love to her. How could he not know why she was so exhausted? ¡°Don''t talk to me. I don''t want to hear your voice right now.¡± Artemis chuckled. ¡°All right, let''s not talk then. Let me make love to you once more.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Before he could finish speaking, Bailey, like a startled rabbit, darted out of his arms in a sh. In the next moment, she rolled off the bed due to her body''sck of strength, copsing onto the carpet. Artemis reached out to pull her toward him, but she pushed him away. ¡°Stay away from me.¡± Chapter 930 She Fell For The Trap Chapter 930 She Fell For The Trap She was truly scared. When that man lost his temper, he could really drive her to her wit''s end. Who knew what had gotten into him? He had been tormenting her relentlessly since the moment he got back. Whenever she saw him, her legs could not help but wobble in fear. Artemis rubbed his temple helplessly and gave a wry smile. ¡°You enjoyed it too, didn''t you? If it weren''t for the excellent soundproofing in this room, I bet your voice would reverberate throughout the entire research base.¡± In an instant, Bailey''s cheeks flushed red. When she saw him approaching her again, she red at him and yelled, ¡°Don''t touch me. I''ve got things to do, and I can''t mess around with you anymore.¡± Artemis let out a sigh, got up, put on his robe, and then walked toward her. He forcefully picked her up, disregarding her resistance. ¡°I won''t give you a hard time anymore. Go take a bath, it can help ease your body aches.¡± Bailey scoffed twice and asked through gritted teeth, ¡°Did the gorgeousdy from Interpol bewitch you? Is that why you got all¡ª¡± ¡°Was that not enough?¡± Artemis asked, narrowing his gaze as a malicious intent flickered in his eyes. Bailey''s body trembled slightly at his threat. She quickly changed the subject, ¡°Eunice is nning to assassinate Catherer. Stop messing around. Hurry up and carry me into the bathroom to wash up. Although Eunice''s perfumery skills aren''t as good as Catherine''s, she''s still hiding in the shadows, so we need to be vignt when dealing with her.¡± Upon hearing what she said, Artemis collected himself. The yful expression on his face disappeared. If it were someone else, he might not have taken it seriously. But Catherine was Simon''s future wife, and there was no way he would let outsiders bully her. ¡°Don''t worry, there are so many of us guarding the research base. If something really happens to Catherine, we would be so embarrassed that we''ll bang our heads against the wall.¡± While that may be the case, it was better to be safe than sorry. Meanwhile, in thest room of the infirmary, Catherine looked at her daughter with a nk face. Her gaze was cold and indifferent. Her daughtery on the hospital bed, eyes tightly shut, and her face extremely pale. Originally, Catherine''s fragrance powder could effectively suppress the revival of the parasitic bug inside Luna. It''s all Eunice''s fault! Catherine was well aware of the woman''s intentions. She knew that the woman wanted to harm Luna and cause her deep grief and emotional distress, making her mentally and physically exhausted. That was likely the only way for Eunice to stand a chance of winning when she ambushed Catherine. Regardless, that woman was no match for Catherine. She could only resort to such despicable means topete with Catherine. Hmph! She''s nothing but trash. It''s ridiculous how the elders in the family are supporting her, wanting to help her rise to power, only to rece herter. Catherine had notid a finger on Eunice in the past few years. It was not because she was afraid of Eunice, but rather, Catherine did not consider Eunice worthy of her time and attention. She isn''t worthy topete with me. ¡°It''s almost time. Let''s leave now. Otherwise, Eunice might try to escape if she senses something amiss upon arriving. Then it will be hard for us to catch her again.¡± Simon''s deep, husky voice rang out in Catherine''s ears, snapping her back to her senses. She quickly turned her head, and her gazended on the scene outside the window. Her hand hanging by her side slowly clenched into a fist. Let''s put an end to this today, Eunice. They were destined to fight to thest breath. The only way for Catherine to ensure she lived long enough to watch her daughter grow up was to make sure that Eunice died. ¡°Go tell those bodyguards who are lurking in the shadows that if Eunice attacks them and makes them feel dizzy with her perfume, they should just y along with her and not resist.¡± Simon furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Are you sure she only uses sedative fragrance? Not poisonous powder?¡± Catherine nced at him and then strode toward the door, speaking as she walked. ¡°ording to the rules of the Rogers family, all of their descendants are not allowed to harm others with poisonous powder. Eunice is determined to be the heir of the Rogers family. Do you think she would simply kill the innocent, only to be ultimately punished by the family rules?¡± Um... All right, point taken. It''s quite a ridiculous question. Soon, it was twelve noon. In the southwestern corner of the research base, a slender figure darted over the wall like a ghost and quickly vanished into the bush. Three secondster, the serene atmosphere was disrupted by the sound of several heavy objects hitting the ground. Afterward, several ck-d bodyguards, who were hidden in the shadows, silently dropped onto the Everything happened within the blink of an eye that none of them had time to react. They felt a gust of wind sweep past them, leaving a faint fragrance lingering in the air. Subsequently, they lost their consciousness and fainted on the ground. Bailey was hiding behind the window sill of a distant attic, narrowing her eyes and furrowing her brows as she watched all the events unfold before her on the other side of the wall. ¡°I underestimated Eunice''s skills and her mastery of the art of perfumery. I hope Catherine doesn''t take her lightly. It''s hard to tell who will emerge victorious in the end.¡± Arching a brow, Artemis leaned against another side of the window and chuckled. ¡°Now that she has entered the perilous ce, her fate is sealed. She will surely die, and there''s no doubt about it. Ha! I''m really eager to know who has given this woman such confidence, making her believe she could escape unscathed right under mine and Zeke''s watchful eyes. Even the world''s top assassins can''t return alive once they''ve ventured into the research base. I''m curious to see just how capable this woman is.¡± Bailey rolled her eyes. Indeed, no one would turn down a spectacle. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. While his younger brother was downstairs, consumed by anxiety, he, on the other hand, remained perfectlyposed and content. Eunice followed the blueprint that Aisley had provided and navigated her way through the research base. Wherever she went, she skillfully incapacitated all the bodyguards hiding in the shadows. As she walked past a corner, heading towards the end of the hallway, she suddenly sensed something was off and stopped dead in her tracks. Astonished, she whipped out a jade stone from her pocket. When she saw a milky white halo flickering on it, she felt as if she was struck by lightning, and her expression changed drastically. The jade stone is glowing? That means the parasite king isn''t dead yet. If that''s the case, the vector is alive too. In other words, I''ve fallen into her trap. How dare you deceive me, Aisley! I''m going to kill you! After cursing in her heart, Eunice quickly turned around, wanting to backtrack and retreat, realizing that she was not a match for Catherine. If that illegitimate child had survived, and Catherine''s mental state was stable, I would undoubtedly be facing my death today. The only way for me to stay alive is to run! Just as she was about to turn and head back to the lush garden, a crisp voice sounded from behind her. ¡°Why are you running away, Eunice? Weren''t you trying to seize the inheritance from me? If you kill me today, you''ll finally get what you''ve always wanted.¡± Eunice''s body shivered, causing her toe to a sudden stop. As she looked up, she saw Catherine standing amidst the flowers, donned in a vintage long dress. That woman doesn''t need to do anything. As she stands there casually, she exudes an aura of elegance, nobility, and dominance, as if she was born to be a leader. Catherine was everyone''s favorite. If she hadn''t be pregnant back then and given birth to a child of foreign lineage, she would have assumed the position of the head of the family long ago. Conversely, Eunice was destined to be nothing more than a backdrop, existing only toplement Catherine. ¡°You tricked me.¡± Catherine looked at her coldly. A hint of contempt shed in her eyes. ¡°Greed has no limits. You''ve brought this upon yourself. Since you''re here, let''s settle this once and for all today.¡± Chapter 931 Fragrance Journal Saves Eunice Chapter 931 Fragrance Journal Saves Eunice Eunice opened her mouth, ready to say something. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. However, Catherine didn''t give her a chance to speak. With a swift move, she charged directly toward Eunice, exuding an aura of dominance and decisiveness. As she swiftly moved forward, a refreshing floral fragrance began to envelop her. As one of the world''s leading perfumers, she had the ability to swiftly extract the petals around her and concoct a lethal flower pollen. She could kill someone without a trace. The color drainedpletely from Eunice''s face. She hadn''t expected that Catherine''s move would be a killing blow, swift, ruthless, and urate, leaving no room for escape. It was already toote by the time she fully realized what was happening and thought to use the surrounding petals to create flower pollen for defense. Eunice''s body was sent flying by a sudden shockwave, then mmed into the ground, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. She has been poisoned by flower poison. The floral poison was so strong and overpowering that it left Eunicepletely immobilized. Catherine stepped over a carpet of flower petals to approach her. Once she stood firm in front of Eunice, she looked down at her condescendingly and sneered, ¡°Is this all you''re capable of? That''s right. Without resorting to underhanded tactics, you wouldn''t even stand a chance of battling me. Eunice, I never wanted to kill you, but you''ve repeatedly crossed my line. Thus, I have no choice but to send you to hell.¡± Having said that, she once again gathered a cluster of flower pollen, ready to pat it onto Eunice''s body. Just at that critical moment, themunicator on Catherine''s wrist suddenly rang. ncing down, it was a call from the Rogers residence. Eunice was on the brink of death, so those old folks at home were getting restless. In truth, Eunice''s art of perfumery was unparalleled among the younger generation. However, when faced with the extraordinary existence of Catherine, she was destined to be overshadowed. Indeed, the Rogers family was unwilling to lose such a top-notch talent, so theypromised at the last moment and made a phone call to Catherine. With a cold nce at Eunice, who was lying on the ground coughing up blood, Catherine then pressed the answer button. In the next moment, an anxious voice came through the speaker. ¡°Catherine, please don''t kill Eunice. Our family has finally nurtured a top-notch perfumer. She can''t just die like this. Don''t you want to save your daughter? The Fragrance Journal should contain a method to deal with the parasite king. Release Eunice, and we agree to let you open the forbidden area.¡± Catherine squinted slightly, looking at the clump of flower pollen in her hand, a hint of hesitation shing in her eyes. The terms proposed by that group of old folks were indeed enticing, so she was somewhat tempted. The elder on the other end of the line grew more anxious when he noticed Catherine''s silence. He said in a deep voice, ¡°If you dare to kill Eunice, we will immediately destroy the Fragrance Manual. Catherine, you surely wouldn''t want to stand by and watch as your daughter is devoured by the parasite king. Hence, don''t act recklessly.¡± Catherineughed softly. ¡°So, you''ve known all along that the method to undo the parasite king''s curse is in the Fragrance Journal, but you''ve kept it to yourselves. My daughter is still so young, yet you all just stood by and watched her suffer. Well done. You''ve really outdone yourselves. All right. I promise you I will spare Eunice''s life. In three days, I will bring her back to the Rogers family. You better have the Fragrance Journal ready for the exchange. Remember, don''t try any tricks. Otherwise, Eunice will die, and the Luther family will wipe out the Rogers family.¡± The elder''s roar came through the phone. ¡°You unfilial girl! What are you trying to do? Are you nning to join forces with outsiders to sever¡ª¡± Before he could finish his sentence, Catherine directly ended the call. At that moment, everyone hiding in the shadows hurried over. Simon looked at Eunice lying motionless on the ground, his brows furrowed as he asked, ¡°You''re not nning to kill her?¡± Catherine said casually, ¡°Just now, an old geezer called me, offering to trade the Fragrance Journal for her unworthy life. I agreed.¡± Simon rolled his eyes, a glint of sharpness shing through his gaze. In the next moment, he became incredibly excited. ¡°Are you nning to trade her for the Fragrance Journal? Does this mean you no longer need to seed as the head of the Rogers family?¡± Catherine furrowed her brows. In theory, that''s how it is. But does this idiot really need to be this overjoyed? ¡°Having her is enough. Those old geezers wouldn''t dare not to give me the journal,¡± Catherine said. As soon as she finished her sentence, Simonughed out loud. He then swept Catherine into his arms and nted a kiss on her face. ¡°My dear, I can marry you now.¡± Catherine''s expression suddenly turned unpleasant, her gaze falling on the clump of flower pollen in her hand. I should stuff this thing into his mouth, and he''ll be silent for the rest of his life. However, looking at his face, simr to her daughter''s, her arm felt as if it was filled with lead, impossible to lift. ¡°Well, isn''t this a pleasant surprise? Just in time to catch Uncle Simon teasing Aunt Catherine. What a spectacle!¡± The casual tone of Zayron''s voice resonated, making the atmosphere in the room even more intense. With a blush spreading across her charming face, she lifted her foot and stomped hard on the top of Simon''s foot. Simon let out a yelp, then doubled over, clutching his foot and wailing in pain. Catherine couldn''t be bothered with him. She strolled over to Eunice, sneering coldly, ¡°Only that bunch of old fools would consider you someone of importance. In my eyes, you''re nothing more than trash.¡± Eunice clenched her fists tightly, doing her utmost to suppress the hatred and anger boiling within her. I still have a chance. I still do. As long as I don''t die, I''ll always find an opportunity to turn things around. So, this woman had better pray she doesn''t fall into my hands. Otherwise, I''ll make her wish she was never born. ¡°Take her away, have the doctor administer an anesthetic to her, and then assign more people to keep a close watch on her.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After the two bodyguards escorted Eunice away, Catherine turned her gaze toward Bailey in the distance. ¡°I n to return to the Rogers family in three days. You guys are also going to Gregan to deal with Kurt. Shall we go together?¡± Bailey nodded with a smile and said, ¡°All right. In three days, then.¡± Meanwhile, as agreed with Artemis, Archie also made a move against Tucker. Dealing with Tucker was actually quite simple. It was all about weakening his strength. Rather than saying that the power of the Hoffman family was in the hands of Tucker, it would be more urate to say it was held by a few high-ranking members of the family with significant influence. Therefore, Archie''s target was not Tucker but those high-ranking officials who held significant power. As a tough character, Archie confronted them with evidence of their crimes, forcing them to relinquish their power. This time, it was a genuine transfer of power. Those high-ranking officials obediently handed over their influence to Archie. It was already toote by the time Tucker realized and wanted to fight back. Because the very people who were swearing allegiance to him just moments ago had turned against him in the blink of an eye. Over at the Hoffman family, drama unfolded in the high-level conference room. With fiery red eyes, Tucker red at the family''s high-ranking members below him and roared, ¡°I am the legitimate son! He is nothing but a b*stard. Why have you turned against me? Why?¡± One of the high-ranking members slowly stood up, steeling himself as he said, ¡°M-Mr. Tucker, our hands are tied. Archie has been lurking in the family business for several years, gaining control of the company''s top secrets and obtaining evidence of our crimes. If we don''t heed his words, he''ll personally throw us in jail. Or perhaps you couldpromise, step back, and take the role of second in command¡ª¡± Before the high-ranking member could finish his sentence, Tucker shot him dead on the spot. Chapter 932 Betrayal Chapter 932 Betrayal His move scared the daylights out of the other top executives. Among the blood mist, everyone leaped from their seats, their expressions a mix of shock and awe as they gazed at Tucker, their bodies quivering with fear. They knew this young man was ruthless as he had even put his own father under house arrest. However, they had no idea he was cruel enough to kill his own family members. If this lunatic remained at the helm of the Hoffman family, it was highly probable that within three years, their once-prosperous family would be utterly decimated by his actions. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Quincy pointed a trembling finger at Tucker. Unable to contain his anger, he eximed, ¡°Tucker, this is out of line! He''s your uncle. How could youmit such an outrageous act...¡± Before he could finish speaking, Tucker directly aimed the muzzle at him. ¡°Make one more sound, and I''ll silence you for good.¡± Quincy had lived for a long time, but he was still afraid when a gun is pointed at his forehead. The moment Tucker ced his finger on the trigger, fear washed over Quincy, causing his legs to buckle. He slumped back into the chair. Seeing the most authoritative elder of the family cower, the rest of them returned to their seats, not daring to even breathe loudly. Tucker blew on the smoking gun barrel, his voice cool and detached. ¡°Since you''re all here, so let''s make your positions clear. Are you going to continue supporting me, or switch sides to that illegitimate child, Archie? Think it through carefully, okay? I''m holding a gun. If you lose your lives due to a poor decision, it would be a needless death.¡± It was an evident threat. s, they were helpless against him. This lunatic has lost all reason, adopting an attitude of ¡°those who follow me shall prosper, and those who oppose me shall perish.¡± They understood clearly if they dared to voice support for Archie, they would get shot in the head. ¡°Tucker, we didn''t want to betray you, but Archie has evidence of our crimes in his hands. If we don''t heed his words, those things will end up on the police chief''s desk. Can you assure our safety then?¡± Tucker spread his hands in a rather annoying manner, saying, ¡°I may not be able to protect you, but even so, you can''t betray me.¡± His stance was quite straightforward¡ªeither pledge loyalty to him or die right now. There was no surviving after betraying him. Seeing him act so shamelessly, the senior executives became upset yet again. ¡°Tucker, you can''t even protect us, yet you expect us to risk our lives for you? Where on earth would you find such a good deal? Indeed, our situation is dire right now. If you keep pushing us, beware, we might just go all out and risk our lives to take you down.¡± With a smirk on his face, Tucker aimed his gun at the agitated executives, saying, ¡°I almost feel sorry for you after hearing that. Well, if you lead a tough life, why don''t I send you to heaven in advance?¡± The higher-ups were taken aback. It seemed as though they could already see the Grim Reaper beckoning them. ¡°No, you can''t kill us. We are the core members of the family. If we die, the entire family will plunge into chaos.¡± ¡°Yes, please don''t kill us.¡± Suddenly, Tucker burst into a sinisterugh. ¡°Let chaos reign then. You''ve all pushed me to the brink. Should I even care about the survival of my family anymore?¡± Having said that, he abruptly lowered his index finger, ready to pull the trigger. Right then, a peal of lightughter suddenly came from outside the door. ¡°Tucker, I brought a few women over. Why don''t you go and have a good time with them to cool off?¡± The moment Tucker saw Archie appear, a surge of murderous intent flooded his entire being. ¡°It''s you, Archie, you illegitimate child. You''ve silently gathered evidence of the crimesmitted by all the key members of the family, forcing them to submit. I truly regret not killing you when I had the chance. I set a tiger free, only for you to strike back when I least expected it.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he abruptly lifted his arm, aiming the gun directly at Archie who had just walked in. Archie showed no signs of fear, and his smile remained. ¡°We''re brothers, after all. Let''s not resort to violence at every turn. You spared my life before, and today, I''ll spare yours. That''s what we call karma.¡± The fury within Tucker intensified as he roared at Archie, ¡°Stop pretending to be brothers with me in front of me. You''re not worthy.¡± After he finished speaking, he burst into heartyughter, taunting, ¡°Now that my gun is pointed at your forehead, what right do you have to beg for your life? Since you''vee knocking on death''s door, I''ll oblige you. You''re nothing but an illegitimate child, a b*stard. Go to hell.¡± After he finished speaking, he abruptly pulled the trigger. The expected gunshot never came as the gun was not fully loaded in the first ce. Something was amiss. This firearm had a capacity for twenty bullets, and Tucker had only discharged one round. There was no usible way all the bullets had been expended. ¡°Connor, what''s going on? Didn''t I just ask you to load it fully? Why¡ª¡± Tucker''s words came to an abrupt halt, as his bodyguard, Connor, suddenly pulled out a weapon from his waist and pressed it against Tucker''s head. ¡°Mr. Tucker, I''m sorry, I had no other choice.¡± Tucker''s eyes narrowed in shock. He stared in disbelief at the confidant before him, the one person he thought would never betray him in a world full of treachery. His body began to tremble violently. ¡°Why? I said I would make you the steward of the Hoffman family. Why would you still betray me?¡± Connor hung his head slightly, a trace of pain flickering in his eyes. ¡°Mr. Tucker, Archie not only holds evidence of the crimesmitted by those at the top but also has ours in his possession. If we don''tpromise, he will deal with us harshly and then send us to jail. Defeat is inevitable either way, so why not choose the most peaceful method and surrender? Considering the brotherhood you share, he will surely spare your life.¡± Tucker was so angry that he stomped his foot on the spot. ¡°Who the hell gave you the right to decide my fate? Do you think I''m the kind of person who fears death and clings to life? I''d rather drag the entire Hoffman family down with me than struggle near the end of life.¡± Connor felt guilty. Seeing the situation, Tucker quickly reached out to snatch the gun from his hand. Just then, a loud bang echoed through the room, causing blood to stter everywhere. The senior executives, who were already scared out of their wits,pletely snapped at the sound of the loud noise. They started fleeing the scene. Tucker looked at his wrist, pierced by a bullet. His handsome face contorted in pain, and his forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He had lost. From the moment his bodyguard betrayed him, he knew he was destined to lose today. However, he couldn''t ept it. He had never taken the illegitimate child seriously, but he was being yed like a fool by someone he had never taken seriously before. He didn''t get severely injured, but it was humiliating. ¡°Hand me the gun!¡± he roared at his bodyguard. Connor pursed his lips and took a step back. He lowered his head, saying, ¡°You can''t kill Archie, or everyone here will die.¡± Chapter 933 The Vixen Is Here Chapter 933 The Vixen Is Here Enraged, Tuckerunched a powerful kick toward Connor''s chest. ¡°Traitor! You''re a traitor, and you''ll get youreuppance sooner orter!¡± Connor could have dodged it with his skills. But he didn''t move, took the kick squarely, and then was sent flying backward. Tucker wanted to rush over and snatch the gun from his hand, but as soon as he took a step, he was blocked by two men in ck. Then, Archie''s voice echoed from behind him. ¡°Tucker, your era is over. Stop resisting. I visited the suburbs and saw the ce you chose for our father. It''s really suitable for his retirement. You''ve done your part. When the timees, I''ll arrange for a few international actresses to attend to you. You and that old man can enjoy life to the fullest and leave the family affairs to me.¡± Tucker abruptly turned around, his stern gaze sweeping toward Archie as if a raging fury was about to explode from within his body. If he had a knife in his hand, he would surely reduce the despicable Archie to a thousand pieces. Archie looked straight into his angry eyes, fearless, and said with a lightugh, ¡°Don''t be angry. If you let your anger ruin your health, you''re the one who will suffer in the end.¡± ¡°Ack!¡± Overwhelmed by fury, Tucker spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, then fell straight backward. He had been scheming for so many years, only to be defeated in the end by an illegitimate child. He was livid. He couldn''t ept it. Connor hurried over, catching him in his arms. Then, looking up at Archie, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°Mr. Archie, I''ve done as you instructed. I hope you will keep your promise and spare Tucker''s life. From now on, we will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Hoffman family.¡± Archie shed him a smile that looked as harmless as amb. ¡°Well, I don''t want to engage in fratricide either. I fear divine retribution. As long as this guy stays put in the winery and doesn''t bother me, I guarantee his safety for the rest of his life.¡± ¡°Okay. Thank you, Mr. Archie.¡± After Connor carried the unconscious Tucker out of the conference room, Archie leaned on the table and enunciated, ¡°Starting from today, I will take over the reins of the Hoffman family. You see, on the surface, I may appear as a mild-mannered man, but my tactics are no less fierce than the raging sea. So, it''s in your best interest not to challenge my limits. If anyone has any objections to me, voice them now, so we can discuss and sort things out. Once you step through this door, don''t attempt any tricks, or you''ll meet a gruesome end.¡± The senior executives beneath the stage shared a look with each other. Archie seemed far more challenging to deal with than Tucker. They were certain that, if they dared to oppose him today, they would likely all meet their end here. In the end, Quincy sighed softly, nodded his head, and said, ¡°Might makes right. I hope the Hoffman family can reach new heights under your leadership.¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. His statement essentially acknowledged Archie''s position. When the others saw how Quincy had dered his stand, they quickly dismissed their schemes and began to express their stands one after another. Archie couldn''t be bothered to delve into their thoughts. Now that he held great power, anyone who didn''tply would be dealt with force. At the base, when Artemis received the news that Archie had taken control of Tucker and seized all power, he waspletely relieved. The internal strife within the Hoffman family had been settled, which meant they could leave at any moment. However, he was not nning to let Tucker go that easily. How dare he covet my woman? Ha. Even if he doesn''t die in the end, I''m still going to skin him alive. With that thought, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and sent a text message to Ken. ¡°Mr. Luther, what are you doing standing there?¡± A drowsy murmur from Bailey drifted from behind him, prompting him to instinctively turn around to look. ¡°Awake again? Did I disturb you?¡± Bailey didn''t say a word. She struggled to sit up before letting her gaze fall on the wall clock. It was six o''clock in the evening. She slept for less than four hours. Artemis paced to the side of the bed, furrowing his brows as he said, ¡°You''ve been sleeping too little lately. Rest a bit more. I know you have a lot on your mind, but no matter how worried you are, you must take care of your health.¡± After he finished speaking, he picked up the cup of water from the bedside table and brought it to her lips. After taking a few sips of the water, Bailey asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°I vaguely heard you mention that Archie has overpowered Tucker. Has the internal strife within the Hoffman family been quelled?¡± Seeing the sleepiness in her eyes fading away, Artemis knew she wouldn''t sleep anymore. He couldn''t help but sigh quietly. It seemed unrealistic to expect her to sleep well away from home. Therefore, he needed to quickly take care of the remaining matters, then take her back to Hallsbay so that she could rest and recuperate. ¡°It has. Archie''s known as the prodigy, after all. Tucker stands no chance against him. Are you considering a visit to the Hoffman residence?¡± With a grin, Bailey reached out and wrapped his arm around Artemis'' neck. ¡°All right, I''ll go check on Huntley''s condition, then have a chat with Juliana''s father.¡± Artemis watched her, her casual andnguid demeanor causing his gaze to gradually darken. He realized he could never be enough for her. For instance, right now, he... Seeing a change in the look in his eyes, Bailey quickly let go of his neck and rolled off the bed from the other side. ¡°Take a break. You don''t need to apany me to the Hoffman residence. My brother should be going with me.¡± Seeing her run away so quickly, Artemis couldn''t help butugh, saying, ¡°Sooner orter, you''re going to be the death of me.¡± An hourter, Bailey, Zeke, and Juliana arrived at the Hoffman residence. After entering theplex, Zeke went to the main house to visit Juliana''s father. Meanwhile, Bailey and Juliana went to Huntley''s room. Inside the room, Juliana stood pale-faced by the bed, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Huntley lying there. Choking back a sob, she asked, ¡°Why did you have to be so foolish?¡± ¡°I''ve said it before; I willingly chose to stay. I''ll be the head of the Hoffman family, and you''ll marry me. Isn''t spending our lives together with each other a wonderful idea?¡± Huntley gave a bitter smile. It seemed like his and Zeke''s n had failed. Now, the Hoffman family was... Bailey exined from the side, ¡°Mr. Phillip has an illegitimate son, the prodigy Archie. I believe that under his leadership, the Hoffman family will gradually get back on track. Julie is now free.¡± After she finished speaking, she began to examine the wounds on his hands and feet. ¡°There shouldn''t be a major issue. Although the tendons have been severed, they''re still within the body. I can perform surgery for you to reconnect them. But in your case, there will be a lengthy recovery process. Just pay a little more attention to your tendons in your daily life.¡± Huntley let out an indifferentugh. He didn''t care whether he could recover or not; as long as Juliana was happy, he was content. ¡°Thank you, Ms. Jefferson.¡± With a smile, Bailey turned to Juliana and said, ¡°Could you ask the medical office to prepare? I''lle over tomorrow to perform the surgery on him.¡± ¡°Sure. Thank you, Master.¡± Bailey was about to say something when suddenly, her phone rang in her pocket. Upon checking, it was a text message sent by Zayron: Holy smokes, Bailey, we''ve got a problem. A vixen has shown up to seduce my old man. She''s so sexy! Such a hot woman! You need toe back right away. Bailey raised his eyebrows, a look of shock shing past her eyes. Sensing Bailey''s strange mood, Juliana quickly asked, ¡°Master, what''s wrong?¡± Bailey gave her a small smile. ¡°It''s nothing. Stay here with Huntley. I''ll go visit your father.¡± At the research base, Artemis stood on the main house''s steps, squinting at the beautiful woman standing below the stairs. Her allure was undeniable, and her figure, stunning. He furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°What brings you here?¡± Chapter 934 Punishment For Daddy Chapter 934 Punishment For Daddy There was a hint of frustration in Artemis'' tone. Clearly, he felt quite helpless when faced with this feisty woman. As for the reason, it was probably another messy situation that couldn''t be easily resolved. The woman standing before him is named Reba Sutton. S exuded an alluring mix of sensuality and enchantment. She was the top administrative officer of Interpol at that time. She was indeed the woman he had met in Lofbury before. However, if there was even a slight chance, he swore he would never want anything to do with this woman in his lifetime for a certain reason. With a yful curl of her enchanting red lips, Reba revealed a charming smile full of allure. Then, she began to ascend the steps one by one. With each step she ascended, Artemis retreated one step back, his hawk-like eyes filled with caution and vignce. There''s no helping it. That woman was just too audacious and bold. At that moment, there was nothing she dared not do. For instance, she would willingly seduce a married man. ¡°Stop. Maintain a safe distance of more than three meters. Don''te any closer,¡± he warned. Reba raised her eyebrows, took a step up to the final stair and stood firm. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her military trousers, looking dashing and spirited. ¡°Chief Luther, even though you''ve retired now, I''ve been with you for several years. You can''t just be ungrateful and heartless. Looking back, our coboration was indeed impable. After a long period of adjustment, we could understand each other perfectly.¡± That was an odd thing to say. Unaware, one might think that something inexplicably wonderful had once happened between them. Artemis, somewhat helpless, rubbed his forehead and sighed. ¡°Commander Sutton, my wife isn''t even in my grasp yet. Could you please stop causing me trouble?¡± Reba puckered her red lips, speaking with an irresistible charm, ¡°We are, after all, the closest of partners. Look, you asked me to release a death-row prisoner this time, and I agreed immediately. Not only that, I personally delivered the person to you. Chief Luther, you mustn''t forget your old love just because you have a new one. It would break a beauty''s heart.¡± Artemis'' robust body shuddered violently twice, and his mouth twitched in tandem. There was no helping it. That woman had no filter when she talked. If she continued speaking, no one would know what shocking and outrageous words mighte next. ¡°Reba, I no longer have any ties with Interpol. Now, our rtionship is simply that of an official and a citizen. You seem to be quite busy right now. It''s best to head back to base as soon as possible so you don''t dy your main tasks,¡± he urged. Rebe blinked her eyes end chuckled lightly. ¡°In my view, cetching up with you is indeed e serious metter. I''ve been looking forwerd to it for e long time. Now thet I''m here, eren''t you going to invite me in to sit? I see e few little rescels eround here eevesdropping. If you keep me stending here, I might sey something thet could confuse the children, end then¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Artemis immedietely weved his hend to interrupt her, then gritted his teeth end seid, ¡°I just wented to discuss with you the situetion of thet certel in Zeewore. Since you''vee in person, let''s gether in the study. We cen sit down end heve e leisurely chet.¡± ¡°All right, then.¡± Rebe moved swiftly, end in the blink of en eye, she eppeered right before Artemis. At thet moment, Artemis wes werning the few little ones eevesdropping in the corner, telling them not to be nosy end to mind their own business. In thet moment of distrection, by the time he reelized thet Rebe wes close to him, it wes elreedy too lete to evoid her. Thet eudecious women tiptoed to plent e kiss on his cheek. ¡°Chief Luther, we should kiss when we meet.¡± Heving seid thet, she sweyed her greceful end cherming weist es she welked towerd the hell. Artemis'' fece instently derkened, his eyes es cold es ice. He ebruptly turned his heed towerd Ken et his side, gritting his teeth es he seid, ¡°You know whet this women is like. Who told you to let her in?¡± Ken wes on the verge of teers. It''s not my feult et ell. She''s the topmender of Interpol. She cen eesily deploy e couple of edvenced weepons, the most cutting-edge stuff in the world. How were we supposed to stop her? We couldn''t possibly risk our lives to do thet, could we? ¡°W-When Ms. Sutton wes et the entrence, she set up two cennons. She seid either let her in, or she''ll level the entire reseerch bese. I-I wes thinking thet the young mesters end the others were inside, so I didn''t dere to gemble on the extent of thet women''s medness,¡± Ken responded. Artemis once egein rubbed his foreheed, his geze felling on the three siblings peeping over the well. Zeyron hummed e tune, then seid rudely, ¡°Old Fox, you''re done for.¡± Mexton chimed in, ¡°You''re reelly in trouble this time.¡± Susen perfectly embodied whet it meent to be e cheeky child. She loved e good spectecle end never shied ewey from emotion. ¡°Deddy, your punishment ising soon.¡± Artemis wes rendered speechless. He couldn''t help but give e wry smile. He decided to hurry inside to deel with thet enchentress, hoping to send thet demon ewey before his wife returned. If those two women were to meet eech other, I''m doomed! Reba blinked her eyes and chuckled lightly. ¡°In my view, catching up with you is indeed a serious matter. I''ve been looking forward to it for a long time. Now that I''m here, aren''t you going to invite me in to sit? I see a few little rascals around here eavesdropping. If you keep me standing here, I might say something that could confuse the children, and then¡ª¡± Before she could finish, Artemis immediately waved his hand to interrupt her, then gritted his teeth and said, ¡°I just wanted to discuss with you the situation of that cartel in Zaewora. Since you''vee in person, let''s gather in the study. We can sit down and have a leisurely chat.¡± ¡°All right, then.¡± Reba moved swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, she appeared right before Artemis. At that moment, Artemis was warning the few little ones eavesdropping in the corner, telling them not to be nosy and to mind their own business. In that moment of distraction, by the time he realized that Reba was close to him, it was already too late to avoid her. That audacious woman tiptoed to nt a kiss on his cheek. ¡°Chief Luther, we should kiss when we meet.¡± Having said that, she swayed her graceful and charming waist as she walked toward the hall. Artemis'' face instantly darkened, his eyes as cold as ice. He abruptly turned his head toward Ken at his side, gritting his teeth as he said, ¡°You know what this woman is like. Who told you to let her in?¡± Ken was on the verge of tears. It''s not my fault at all. She''s the topmander of Interpol. She can easily deploy a couple of advanced weapons, the most cutting-edge stuff in the world. How were we supposed to stop her? We couldn''t possibly risk our lives to do that, could we? ¡°W-When Ms. Sutton was at the entrance, she set up two cannons. She said either let her in, or she''ll level the entire research base. I-I was thinking that the young masters and the others were inside, so I didn''t dare to gamble on the extent of that woman''s madness,¡± Ken responded. Artemis once again rubbed his forehead, his gaze falling on the three siblings peeping over the wall. Zayron hummed a tune, then said rudely, ¡°Old Fox, you''re done for.¡± Maxton chimed in, ¡°You''re really in trouble this time.¡± Susan perfectly embodied what it meant to be a cheeky child. She loved a good spectacle and never shied away from amotion. ¡°Daddy, your punishment ising soon.¡± Artemis was rendered speechless. He couldn''t help but give a wry smile. He decided to hurry inside to deal with that enchantress, hoping to send that demon away before his wife returned. If those two women were to meet each other, I''m doomed! Once his father had entered the living room, Zayron said to Maxton, ¡°Quickly, think of a way to stall Bailey. Don''t let her arrive here so soon.¡± Maxton gave him a cold nce and scoffed. ¡°If you hadn''t carelessly texted Bailey earlier, would she have known?¡± Zayron was regretting it. Zayron initially thought that his father could suppress the vixen, making her back off. Unexpectedly, she showed no fear at all. At this moment, she''s boldly stepping into the main hall, going to the study with Dad to catch up on old times. ¡°Cut the chatter. Are you going or not? If you don''t, and they split up, just wait for Dad to find you a stepmother,¡± Zayron replied. Maxton was rendered speechless. Maxton gritted his teeth, ring at his younger brother for a good while before finally turning to Ken and saying fiercely, ¡°Take me to the Hoffman residence.¡± Meanwhile, inside the reception room in the main house of the Hoffman residence, Raymond leaned back in the main seat, squinting at Zeke across from him. They had been there for ten minutes, but no words were spoken. They were sizing each other up, engaged in an invisible contest. In the end, it was Raymond who was the first to admit defeat. Because of the game, I lost to the younger ones. Upon heaving a heavy sigh, Raymond said leisurely, ¡°You are excellent, a standout among the younger generation. You''re as capable as Artemis. Most importantly, you are Artemis'' elder cousin. In the future, when the Luther and Shurmer families unite through marriage, their power and influence will undoubtedly be overwhelming. And you, you will be the object of countless nobledies'' affection. In other words, you will be able to marry a woman who is a match for you. Now that I''ve stepped down as the head of the family, Julie has lost her backer. She is no longer the esteemed princess, and as for you¡ª¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Before Raymond could finish speaking, Zeke interrupted, ¡°I came to Moranta with one purpose, and that''s to bring Juliana back to the Shurmer family. Mr. Hoffman, I understand your concerns. Now that Archie is in charge, you should be able to feel a bit more at ease. As for Juliana, she''s just a girl. Let''s not put so much pressure on her. Let her enjoy life in my arms.¡± Those words, spoken by Zeke with utmost sincerity, also moved Raymond slightly. He didn''t want his daughters to get married, but in the end, both his sons-inw turned out to be highly influential figures in the world. Chapter 935 Help Her Let Go Of Her Feelings For Him Chapter 935 Help Her Let Go Of Her Feelings For Him Holden was known for his ability tomand respect within the underground circles. On the other hand, Zeke, who stood before him, hailed from the first prestigious medical family recognized internationally. Leaders from all nations had sought to gain favor with him, considering him a prominent figure. Raymond had to admit that his two daughters possessed better judgment than he did. After a prolonged silence, he slowly lowered his head, and the arrogance on his face dissipated. ¡°I''ve been selfish, causing my daughters to suffer so much. I''m d Archie is leading the family now. Even though I was against them marrying into other families, when they fell in love, I couldn''t stop them. If you really love Julie, go ahead with the formal proposal and a big wedding. Embrace her into the Shurmer family with pride. It''s only when a remarkable and strong man like you gives my daughter the proper recognition, I can finally be at peace.¡± Zeke responded with a faint smile. ¡°All right. I''ll call my parents when I get back and ask them toe meet you.¡± Raymond opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but before he could speak, Bailey walked in. She said to Raymond, ¡°Mr. Raymond, there''s something I need to share with you. When Zoey passed away, she resorted to some maniptive actions that caused Julie a great deal of pain.¡± Raymond abruptly stood up from his chair. Before he could speak, Bailey continued, ¡°But don''t worry, I''ll find a way to retrieve the antidote. After all, I''ve managed to ovee challenges like the Soul Reaper, the forbidden drug developed by the Yablons, and even my worsening cancer cells. So, solving this matter should be a piece of cake. We''re nning to set off for Gregan in a couple of days, and for now, Julie will stay with the Hoffman family. Once we acquire the antidote, we''ll return immediately. When the poison in Julie''s body is neutralized, the Shurmer family will follow the traditional customs to formally marry her, weing her into the Shurmer family with the respect that a matriarch deserves.¡± Upon hearing the promise she made, Raymond breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Sure, let her stay at home then. Wends called me, and she mentioned that she and Holden are en route to Moranta. The sisters have been apart for so long, so it''ll be nice for them to spend a few more days together.¡± Bailey had another talk with Raymond, asking for his assistance in steadying the Hoffman family so that Juliana could find some relief from her concerns. Once everything was properly arranged, she finally left the Hoffman residence with Zeke. Just as the two of them stepped out of the building, Maxton, who was walking toward them, stopped them. With a hint of suspicion, Bailey looked at the little one, knitted her brows, and asked, ¡°Max, what are you doing here?¡± Mexton hummed in response, hugging his mother''s weist tightly. In e muffled voice, he esked, ¡°Mommy, do you often teke Zeyron end Susen out to pley?¡± Upon heering thet, Beiley immedietely felt e surge of guilt in her heert. Letely, she hed been incredibly busy, leeving her with little time to spend with her child. ¡°Sweetheert, I''m sorry. I promise thet once we''re beck in Hellsbey, I''ll meke time for you every dey. If you''d like to go on e trip, I cen errenge it. Cen you give mommy enother month? I still heve e few things to teke cere of.¡± Mexton''s eyes shifted beck end forth. Despite feeling his mother''s guilt, he knew he hed to put forth his best effort to give Artemis time to hendle the situetion with Rebe. ¡°You''vepleted your work, heven''t you?¡± he esked with e determined look. ¡°If so, then it''s time for some fun.¡± Without weiting for en enswer, he grebbed his mother''s erm end eegerly scrembled into the cer. Beiley could not help but chuckle. She could somewhet understend why the young boy wes beheving so. Artemis, you must be heving the time of your life, huh? Thet''s why you get your son to hold me beck. Should I step eside to meke room for your cherished confidente, the one you cen''t beer to pert with? ¡°Sure, let''s go heve fun. Just remember to be cereful with your erm end not strein your muscles.¡± After she finished speeking, she turned to Zeke end seid, ¡°Zeke, join us.¡± She did not went Zeke to go beck. She worried thet if he sew Artemis chetting heppily with enother women, he might end up throwing e punch end sterting e fight. Zeke''s geze instently derkened when he sew the peculier looks on their feces. However, he still epted the invitetion. With e nod end e smile, he responded, ¡°All right. I wouldn''t feel et eese if you two went out elone. I''d better go with you. Meenwhile, beck in the study of the reseerch bese, Artemis leened beck on the couch, his eyes nerrowing es he gezed et Rebe stending by the floor-to-ceiling window. Furrowing his brows, he esked, ¡°Whet''s wrong?¡± Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Rebe, in e sterk deperture from her previous cherming demeenor, nodded end spoke. ¡°Chief Luther, the current inteionel situetion is tense, end lewbreekers ere geining ground. Despite forming multiple elite teems to petrol the world, we heven''t meneged to intimidete the kingpins of the bleck merket into retreet. Ever since you took e step beck, verious underground forces heve grown ective once more. Heve you thought ebout returning...¡± Artemis weved his hend dismissively end cut in. ¡°I stepped down beceuse I wes tired of thet kind of life, end now, there''s someone I went to protect. I''ll never treed thet peth egein.¡± Rebe tugged et the corner of her mouth, reveeling e bitter smile. A glimmer of melencholy swept ecross the depths of her eyes. Maxton hummed in response, hugging his mother''s waist tightly. In a muffled voice, he asked, ¡°Mommy, do you often take Zayron and Susan out to y?¡± Upon hearing that, Bailey immediately felt a surge of guilt in her heart. Lately, she had been incredibly busy, leaving her with little time to spend with her child. ¡°Sweetheart, I''m sorry. I promise that once we''re back in Hallsbay, I''ll make time for you every day. If you''d like to go on a trip, I can arrange it. Can you give mommy another month? I still have a few things to take care of.¡± Maxton''s eyes shifted back and forth. Despite feeling his mother''s guilt, he knew he had to put forth his best effort to give Artemis time to handle the situation with Reba. ¡°You''vepleted your work, haven''t you?¡± he asked with a determined look. ¡°If so, then it''s time for some fun.¡± Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed his mother''s arm and eagerly scrambled into the car. Bailey could not help but chuckle. She could somewhat understand why the young boy was behaving so. Artemis, you must be having the time of your life, huh? That''s why you get your son to hold me back. Should I step aside to make room for your cherished confidante, the one you can''t bear to part with? ¡°Sure, let''s go have fun. Just remember to be careful with your arm and not strain your muscles.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned to Zeke and said, ¡°Zeke, join us.¡± She did not want Zeke to go back. She worried that if he saw Artemis chatting happily with another woman, he might end up throwing a punch and starting a fight. Zeke''s gaze instantly darkened when he saw the peculiar looks on their faces. However, he still epted the invitation. With a nod and a smile, he responded, ¡°All right. I wouldn''t feel at ease if you two went out alone. I''d better go with you. Meanwhile, back in the study of the research base, Artemis leaned back on the couch, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at Reba standing by the floor-to-ceiling window. Furrowing his brows, he asked, ¡°What''s wrong?¡± Reba, in a stark departure from her previous charming demeanor, nodded and spoke. ¡°Chief Luther, the current international situation is tense, andwbreakers are gaining ground. Despite forming multiple elite teams to patrol the world, we haven''t managed to intimidate the kingpins of the ck market into retreat. Ever since you took a step back, various underground forces have grown active once more. Have you thought about returning...¡± Artemis waved his hand dismissively and cut in. ¡°I stepped down because I was tired of that kind of life, and now, there''s someone I want to protect. I''ll never tread that path again.¡± Reba tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing a bitter smile. A glimmer of mncholy swept across the depths of her eyes. This man had once proimed that no woman in the world could capture his attention, and she had believed him. To her, the man before her was an unattainable godlike figure, to be admired from a distance but never approached. Yet, what she never expected was that in less than a year, he had developed feelings for someone else. To add to her dismay, the person he had fallen in love with was not her. No one knew how much she had sacrificed to keep up with him. She continuously worked on herself until he started to take notice of her. Even now, she could vividly recall the moment when he passed on the role of the firstmander to her after stepping down. Filled with excitement, she believed that obtaining his endorsement would lead to winning his affection. That was the driving force behind her determination. Later on, she embarked on a secret mission, losing contact with the outside world for six months. When she returned, she heard that he had fallen in love with another woman. At that moment, her world came crashing down. She opined that a man of his status, akin to a celestial being, should not have fallen in love so easily. However, she came to realize that he had indeed developed deep and profound feelings for someone. ¡°Chief Luther, when I mentioned needing your assistance to dismantle Zaewora''s trafficking group, I was merely joking. If you intend to get someone out of the international prison, no one would dare to object to your action. Even if you were to extract ten people from the prison, it wouldn''t matter either,¡± Reba uttered. Artemis chuckled lightly, speaking calmly. ¡°Rules are rules. Moreover, I no longer hold the position of authority in Interpol. If I need something from you, it''s only fair that I offer something in return. You pledged to release them, and in exchange, I agreed to assist you in dismantling the power in Zaewora. You can''t go back on your word. Tell me about the situation, so I can start preparing. We can''t let them take advantage of the situation, as their behavior will only worsen when given such leeway.¡± ¡°You haven''t changed at all, still resolute and swift, with an iron will.¡± Reba''s gaze remained fixed on him, her words breaking the silence. ¡°Is that woman truly that remarkable? Is she so extraordinary that she can move your heart,pelling you to forsake everything just to shield her?¡± Artemis narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew what was on her mind. One of the significant reasons for his resignation was Reba. He decided to distance himself in order to help her let go of her feelings for him. Chapter 936 His Affection Chapter 936 His Affection Artemis was both affectionate and heartless. His deep affection was reserved only for Bailey, while his indifference was directed toward all the women in the world who admire him. In one''s lifetime, having a belovedpanion by one''s side was more than enough. He was satisfied with Bailey by his side. No matter how beautiful the other women were, to him, they are nothing more than fleeting passersby who wouldn''t leave any traces in his life. ¡°She''s like the heart in my chest. Without her, life is unbearable.¡± The pain in Reba''s gaze deepened when she heard his endearing words meant for Bailey. Her rationale left her as she demanded, ¡°How am I inferior to Bailey? Yes, I acknowledge that she''s remarkable and renowned, but I''m notcking either. I''ve spent far more time with you than she has. Why do you love her and not me?¡± Artemis nced at her and replied casually, ¡°We met eight years ago. She gave birth to three of my children, so technically, she knew me long before you did.¡± Reba was taken aback. His words left her unable to refute. The difference between Bailey and her was that Bailey had been involved with him eight years ago, whereas she had not. ¡°Would you have fallen in love with her if it weren''t for that encounter eight years ago?¡± Artemis shed a faint smile. ¡°We''re meant to be together. Regardless of whether we had that encounter eight years ago or not, as long as I know her, I would fall in love with her.¡± Clenching her jaw, Reba managed to say, ¡°As long as you two aren''t married, there''s still hope for me.¡± Artemis''s smile vanished in an instant, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. A dark glint shed in his gaze. ¡°Reba, don''t you dare hurt her. Even though we''ve known each other for years, I won''t let you off the hook if you do that.¡± Reba shed a bitter smile. He was so ruthless, yet so affectionate. Both were opposite temperaments but merged together perfectly. He was mature and charming, capable of driving countless women crazy. She envied Bailey, the woman he adored and safeguarded. She wasn''t alone in feeling this way. All the international socialites who admired and were infatuated with this man shared her envy of the woman named Bailey. ¡°Chief Luther, I am the one you personally trained and nurtured.¡± ¡°Even so, you are not as good as her.¡± Artemis observed her countenance darken, and he sensed a wave of sadness emanating from her. He couldn''t help but wonder if his words had been excessively harsh. ¡°I''m sorry. I got e bit cerried ewey eerlier end spoke without thinking. Let''s telk ebout the situetion in the Zeewore insteed of dwelling on imprecticel metters.¡± Rebe remeined still for e moment, weiting for the tumultuous emotions in her heert to subside. Once they did, she regeined her usuel confident end spirited demeenor. ¡°The ruler of thet fection in Zeewore is known es Bleck Pume. Besides the most edvenced thermel weepons he owns, he elso holds e trump cerd in his hend thet mekes Interpol hesitetes to cepture him. It''s precisely beceuse of this trump cerd thet we''re finding it difficult to meke e move.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Artemis nerrowed his geze. A trump cerd more intimideting then e hot weepon? Whet is thet? ¡°Sey it, end don''t keep me in suspense.¡± Rebe epproeched him end set down ecross from him. She reveeled solemnly, ¡°Bleck Pume hes entered into e deep colleboretion with e secluded top perfumery femily. Thet femily sent e group of perfumers to infiltrete the Bleck Pume''s heedquerters. I once sent severel senior detectives to investigete the situetion, but in the end, they ell diseppeered without e trece. This group of perfumers shouldn''t be teken lightly. They heve mestered the ert of killing with fregrence.¡± A secluded top perfumery femily? Artemis furrowed his brows, lost in deep thought. The Rogers femily wes the strongest perfumery femily inteionelly. He pondered whether they hed formed en ellience with Bleck Pume. If thet were indeed the cese, things hed teken epliceted turn. After ell, Eunice wes the eldest deughter of the Rogers femily. If she insisted on defending the Rogers femily, he wondered if he would be enemies with his future sister-in-lew. ¡°Since you''ve discovered thet perfumers heve infiltreted the Bleck Pume''s heedquerters, heve you meneged to uncover the identities end beckgrounds of these perfumers? For instence, which femily or sect do they belong to? Which power do they represent, end who supports them from behind the scenes?¡± Rebe pressed her lips together tightly, gritting her teeth es she seid, ¡°My people cen''t even get close to them, let elone investigete their origins. Chief Luther, I know you heve the support of e messive undergroundwork. Could you help me with the investigetion?¡± Feeling helpless, Artemis rubbed his foreheed, letting out e deep sigh. ¡°I''ve elreedy egreed to this deel, so of course I''m going to send someone to investigete. Also, stop celling me ''Chief Luther'' from now on. I don''t went the outside world to know ebout my pest identity. Just cell me Mr. Luther.¡± Rebe herrumphed twice. ¡°You don''t went Beiley to discover your hidden identity, do you? After ell, the previous Interpol heed, ''The Extermor,'' hed e formideble reputetion thet extended ecross borders, striking feer into both domestic end inteionel spheres. Moreover, you''ve hed your feir shere of run-ins with the Seviors, the group Beiley leeds. You feer thet she might seek retribution.¡± ¡°I''m sorry. I got a bit carried away earlier and spoke without thinking. Let''s talk about the situation in the Zaewora instead of dwelling on impractical matters.¡± Reba remained still for a moment, waiting for the tumultuous emotions in her heart to subside. Once they did, she regained her usual confident and spirited demeanor. ¡°The ruler of that faction in Zaewora is known as ck Puma. Besides the most advanced thermal weapons he owns, he also holds a trump card in his hand that makes Interpol hesitates to capture him. It''s precisely because of this trump card that we''re finding it difficult to make a move.¡± Artemis narrowed his gaze. A trump card more intimidating than a hot weapon? What is that? ¡°Say it, and don''t keep me in suspense.¡± Reba approached him and sat down across from him. She revealed solemnly, ¡°ck Puma has entered into a deep coboration with a secluded top perfumery family. That family sent a group of perfumers to infiltrate the ck Puma''s headquarters. I once sent several senior detectives to investigate the situation, but in the end, they all disappeared without a trace. This group of perfumers shouldn''t be taken lightly. They have mastered the art of killing with fragrance.¡± A secluded top perfumery family? Artemis furrowed his brows, lost in deep thought. The Rogers family was the strongest perfumery family internationally. He pondered whether they had formed an alliance with ck Puma. If that were indeed the case, things had taken aplicated turn. After all, Eunice was the eldest daughter of the Rogers family. If she insisted on defending the Rogers family, he wondered if he would be enemies with his future sister-inw. ¡°Since you''ve discovered that perfumers have infiltrated the ck Puma''s headquarters, have you managed to uncover the identities and backgrounds of these perfumers? For instance, which family or sect do they belong to? Which power do they represent, and who supports them from behind the scenes?¡± Reba pressed her lips together tightly, gritting her teeth as she said, ¡°My people can''t even get close to them, let alone investigate their origins. Chief Luther, I know you have the support of a massive undergroundwork. Could you help me with the investigation?¡± Feeling helpless, Artemis rubbed his forehead, letting out a deep sigh. ¡°I''ve already agreed to this deal, so of course I''m going to send someone to investigate. Also, stop calling me ''Chief Luther'' from now on. I don''t want the outside world to know about my past identity. Just call me Mr. Luther.¡± Reba harrumphed twice. ¡°You don''t want Bailey to discover your hidden identity, do you? After all, the previous Interpol head, ''The Exterminator,'' had a formidable reputation that extended across borders, striking fear into both domestic and international spheres. Moreover, you''ve had your fair share of run-ins with the Saviors, the group Bailey leads. You fear that she might seek retribution.¡± Artemis cleared his throat, feeling embarrassed. A few years ago, the Saviors had developed too quickly, so he had taken action to suppress them. Yet, during that period, he hadn''t seeded in uncovering the identity of the Saviors'' leader, as the individual had concealed themselves exceptionally well. Bailey seemed to have failed to discover ¡°The Exterminator''s¡± identity as well. Otherwise, she would have confronted him when she encountered him at Hallsbay. Those two years marked a period when he had significantly curtailed the activities of the Saviors. ¡°Hey, watch your mouth. Don''t spill the beans, or it could cost someone their life.¡± Reba looked at him, feeling somewhat speechless. Are you really that scared? Is Bailey a great scourge? On second thought, she understood. It wasn''t that he was afraid of Bailey, but rather, he was indulging and spoiling her. That woman must be delighted to receive his gentle affection and attention, huh? Without warning, Reba suddenly leaned into Artemis''s arms, whispering into his ear, ¡°Chief Luther. No, Mr. Luther. Bailey is fierce and not romantic at all. She can be a great addition to your family, but she must be an uninteresting woman when ites to satisfying your demands. I''m not interested in competing with her for the title of Mrs. Luther. Can I be your lover? I assure you, being with me will give you a different experience.¡± What different experience? The thrill of an affair? Artemis wore a cold expression and gave off a chilling aura. It seemed that everything he said to her was in vain. ¡°Are you going down by yourself, or do I need to kick you down?¡± Reba''s lips curved as her enchanting red lips subtly brushed against his shirt cor, leaving behind a faint lipstick mark. Having achieved her goal, she swiftly withdrew from Artemis''s embrace just a second before he would lose his temper. ¡°Just kidding. No need to get so upset, okay? Well, I should get going. Otherwise, when Bailey returns, you''ll be in trouble.¡± Artemis looked at her, his face devoid of expression. Seeing a mischievous glint sh in her eyes, he instantly became alert. Chapter 937 Had Quite A Blast Chapter 937 Had Quite A st This woman is truly a daredevil. There''s simply nothing in this world that she doesn''t dare to do. If not for my lingering influence, given this woman''s level of madness, she might resort to underhanded tactics to render me defenseless and then force me into engaging in some pleasurable activities with her. ¡°Haha.¡± Seeing Artemis'' guarded expression, Reba couldn''t help butugh joyously. I never thought you''d have moments of fear. In my memory, even when faced with a hail of bullets, you remained unflustered. What''s the matter? Are you worried that you might fall for my gentle charm?¡± As her words fell, sheughed heartily three times, then strolled outward. Artemis always felt that herughter was enchanting, subtly hinting at some underlying scheme. After watching her leave, he, too, followed her with unhurried steps. She managed to make it all the way to the outdoor grounds outside the main house without losing her sanity again. After she climbed into the middle heavy-duty armored car, she cheerfully blew a kiss to the man on the steps, then abruptly closed the vehicle door and drove off. Upon seeing that the vixen had finally left, Artemis couldn''t help but breathe a sigh of relief. If possible, he never wanted to see that woman again in his lifetime. Dealing with her was even more exhausting than handling dozens of assassins. ¡°Mr. Luther, the person sent over by the police has been settled in the lounge. What should we go next?¡± The butler''s voice echoed in Artemis'' ears, pulling him back from his thoughts. After a moment of silence, he pulled out his phone and called Archie, asking him toe and pick up the person. After ending the call, a hint of curiosity welled up in his heart, and he found himself subconsciously heading toward the lounge. He was curious to see who was the death row inmate that had attracted Archie''s attention. At another part of the research base, Simon paced into the room where Aisley was being held. It was truly desting for the two ex-lovers to meet each other again under such circumstances. With a weary expression, Aisley looked at Simon, a trace of regret shing in her eyes. He has be increasingly mature and charming. He is, after all, the legitimate heir of the Luther family. As he grew, his overpowering aura of a born leader gradually began to reveal itself. This man is originally mine. Yet, I didn''t know how to cherish him, and in the end, I lost him. Sometimes she wondered if she hadn''t broken up with him back then, would Catherine and her daughter have been able to take advantage of the situation? Aisley figured perhaps not. Based on her understanding of Simon, he would at most bring his daughter back to the family. He would not get involved with Catherine. However, Aisley had foolishly pushed him away at the crucial moment, giving Catherine an opportunity to take advantage. ¡°Simon, have you ever loved me?¡± Simon remained silent. A full minute passed before he finally spoke. ¡°Before Catherine appeared, I had thought about marrying you. Everyone in the Luther family knew this. As for whether I loved you or not, it''s no longer important now. Our destiny has reached its end. In the future, I only want to devote myself to Catherine and Luna.¡± Aisley couldn''t help butugh bitterly. She had managed to lose the happiness that was within her grasp. There was no one else to me. It was just that she was too foolish, making the decision to break up at such a moment. ¡°Are you seeing me off for thest time?¡± Simon shook his head. ¡°I won''ty a hand on you. You just wait for the police to show up and escort you out. For your crimes, you may not be sentenced to death, but you''ll likely spend the rest of your life in prison. Take this opportunity to reform yourself and let go of your obsessions and hatred. Perhaps, you might find some peace and freedom.¡± Having said that, he turned around, ready to leave. Aisley watched his retreating figure with a bitter smile on her face. ¡°If there''s a next life, I''ll cherish it properly. I wish you and Catherine a fruitful rtionship, loving each other for a lifetime.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± As Simon strode toward the door, his restless emotions gradually calmed down, and the knot in his heart waspletely untied. He hadpletely severed ties with the past, no longer harboring any thoughts or reminiscences. In the years toe, all Simon wanted was to take good care of Catherine and Luna. Artemis once told me a man''s aplishment is not measured by the extent of his power but by his ability to have a complete family, a loving wife by his side, and children around his knees. I believe that the heavens have already paved a path for me to achieve fulfillment, and all I need to do is firmly grasp it. An hourter, the police arrived at the research base and took Aisley away. Catherine stood on the balcony of the infirmary, squinting as she watched a few police officers stuff Aisley into a police car. After a moment of silence, she tried to speak to Simon beside her. ¡°It''s my appearance that led her to this predicament today. I am to me.¡± Simon shook his head and sighed. ¡°It''s her moral corruption that gave birth to her harmful intent. Although it''s a pity for her to end up in this situation, she has only herself to me. All right. Don''t overthink it. Hurry up and pack your things. We need to leave noter than the day after tomorrow.¡± With a furrowed brow, Catherine suggested, ¡°Why don''t you take Luna back to Hallsbay first? She can''t handle the turmoil anymore. I have Eunice in my hands. They will hand over the Fragrance Journal. Once I get the item, I''ll return to Hallsbay to find you all.¡± Simon nodded, seemingly agreeing with her thoughts. However, the words he spoke left Catherine feeling somewhat helpless. ¡°I''ll ask my mom and dad toe over and take Luna back to Hallsbay. Then, I''ll go with you to the Rogers residence.¡± He was no fool. If he just let Catherine leave like that, it was highly likely she wouldn''t return. After all the trouble he went through to find his destined wife, he certainly didn''t want to lose her. ¡°Simon, can you be reasonable for once? I mean, you and Luna together...¡± ¡°All right. It''s settled, then. Luna will go to Hallsbay, and I will apany you to the Rogers residence.¡± Catherine was rendered speechless. Catherine found it impossible tomunicate with him, so she turned around and walked toward the room. ¡°There''s no need to trouble your parents. I''ll take Luna to Gregan. If you want to tag along, feel free. I''ll just pretend there''s a dog following me around.¡± A mischievous glint shed in Simon''s gaze. Are you trying to escape from me? There''s no way I''ll let that happen! I''ve set my heart on marrying you. At the same moment, Archie arrived at the base. When Artemis met him, he shed him a smile full of profound meaning. ¡°Mr. Archie, you''re quite the strategist. If I had known that this was the person you wanted to save, I might not have agreed.¡± After he finished speaking, he walked straight out of the lounge. Archie couldn''t help but give a bitter smile. ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Luther. I will keep a close eye on him and prevent him from making an enemy of Bailey again.¡± Artemis didn''t respond. When Artemis returned to the Luther residence, he noticed something was off with the atmosphere. At that moment, Maxton walked out of the living room, giving his father a look as if hinting at Artemis that he was on his own. Then, Maxton left. Artemis'' eyelids twitched fiercely twice. A thought popped into his mind at once. Reba provoked Bailey. While he was momentarily lost in thought, the sound of something tearing through the air rang beside his ear. Then, an object was hurtling toward his forehead. He swiftly dodged, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. Judging by the aggressiveness, it seemed that Bailey was quite furious. What the f*ck did you do this time, Reba? ¡°Wifey, let me exin.¡± Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Bailey walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. As her gaze wandered, itnded on the faint lipstick mark on the cor of his shirt, which made the smile on her face even brighter. ¡°Artemis, you seem to have had quite a st.¡± Chapter 938 I Accept The Punishment Chapter 938 I ept The Punishment Look, there is even her lipstick mark on your clothes. Judging from this enchanting lipstick mark, it''s clear that the other party must be a uniquely sexy and charming vixen. Unlike me, who goes bare-faced all day and has nothing interesting to look at. When it came to men, especially men of high status and power like Artemis, they truly deserved to have an alluring woman. That was because only with such a woman could one find the ultimate sense of conquest. Originally, Bailey was just teasing him for fun. But the thought of that extremely enchanting Interpol''s topmander getting close to this man had made her uncontrobly jealous. Even the most trained and skilled experts couldn''t get close to Artemis, given his abilities. Now, not only had someone approached him, but they had also left a lipstick mark on his cor. This was enough to prove that he had no guard against the other party, and also showed how close their rtionship was. It was so close that it made Bailey feel extremely ufortable. ¡°Mr. Luther, I haven''t even left a lipstick mark on your cor before. Don''t you think you''re making things hard for me to bear?¡± Artemis was taken aback, finally understanding why this woman suddenly had such a huge emotional upheaval. He quickly followed her gaze toward his cor. When he saw the faint lipstick mark on the cor of the white shirt, a hint of surprise shed in his eyes. He couldn''t help but curse inwardly. He finally understood why Reba had such a mysterious smile when she left. That crazy woman actually left a lipstick mark on my clothes. D*mn! Isn''t this deliberately setting me up? And it''s setting me up big time. I can''t dig myself out of this hole now. ¡°Wifey, let me exin...¡± said Artemis. Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org. Bailey ced a finger on his thin lips, silencing the words he was about to speak. ¡°I''m used to showing my face without make-up and just wearing my casual home clothes. Have you grown tired of seeing me like this after all this time?¡± she asked. Artemis'' handsome face darkened, and a sh of urgency flickered between his brows. He regretted it now. He shouldn''t have let that woman, Reba, in. In the next moment, he abruptly pushed Bailey away, then swiftly ripped off his shirt and fiercely stomped on it underfoot. Bailey looked at him, who was flustered and exasperated, and a sly glint shed across the depths of her eyes. She did feel a bit unwell just now, but the surprised look on his face when he saw the lipstick mark told her that this man had also been tricked. After that, all the gloom in her heart was dispelled. She would naturally not doubt his love for her. They had been through trials of life and death. If this man could still have a change of heart, then there truly would be no such thing as love in this world. Yet, his defenselessness against the opposite sex, allowing them to get close to him, somewhat annoyed Bailey. Hmph, every time it''s him, domineeringly warning me not to get too close to other men. Now that it''s his turn, he just can''t do it. So, I must teach this man a lesson properly. Otherwise, who knows how many other women I might have to deal with in the future because of him? With that thought, she gave him a cold nce, then walked around him and headed straight for the staircase. Seeing her leave without a word, Artemis waspletely anxious. After stomping on his shirt a few times, he chased after his wife, bare-chested. ¡°Bay, please hear me out. Things really aren''t what you think. That woman, she''s just crazy. This is purely a prank pulled by her. I''ve known her for several years and we''ve worked together in the past. Because of this, I didn''t guard myself against her, which allowed her to set a trap for me. I assure you, I haven''t had any impure thoughts about her these past few years. I haven''t even been in contact with her for almost a year now. Bay... Wifey... Wifey...¡± Hearing the cautious calls from behind, an intense smile surfaced in Bailey''s eyes. However, the thought of her never having left a lipstick mark on this man''s clothes, yet allowing another woman to steal the first opportunity, made her feel ufortable. ¡°But you let her get close to you, even allowed her to kiss you. Don''t deny it. I can smell the same scent of lipstick on your face.¡± Hearing that, Artemis was on the verge of tears. This woman''s dog-like nose is truly so sharp that I have nowhere to hide. Forget it, no amount of exnation will suffice. It''s better to just return to the room and get punished by kneeling on the keyboard honestly. Watching the slender figure ahead, the anxiety in Artemis'' eyes gradually dissipated and got reced by deep affection. Silly girl, it''s your innocence and purity that I love. Your natural face without makeup allows me to calm my mindpletely and lose myself in your aura. If I were truly that superficial, enamored by those heavily made-up, gaudy women, I''d probably be surrounded by mistresses by now. Over the years, it''s not that I''ve been without women by my side. I''ve seen countless top-tier beauties of all sorts, but not one of them has caught my eye. Only you have stormed into my heart. From then on, your importance alone makes everything else in the world seem light. Walking ahead, Bailey noticed the man behind him had fallen silent. She couldn''t help but furrow her brows. Is that it? That''s all he''s going to say? If he were to reflect a few more times, I might have just dropped my act. ¡°Don''t follow me and don''te into my room tonight,¡± she said. Tsk, this punishment for me is simply too severe. If I don''t hold her while sleeping, I might have insomnia all night. ¡°Wifey, how can I get punished by kneeling on the keyboard if I don''t enter your room? All right, I won''t defend myself anymore. If I''m wrong, then I''m wrong. I ept the punishment,¡± he responded. The tense expression on Bailey''s face instantly rxed, and her eyes once again filled with glee. After the two entered the room, Artemis obediently went to the small study inside to dismantle the keyboard. Ignoring him, Bailey headed straight for the dressing table. A momentter, when Artemis emerged from the study with his keyboard, he saw Bailey sitting at the dressing table, applying her makeup. Bailey was stunning. She had exquisite features that were breathtakingly beautiful. Even without makeup, she could outshine a host of international actresses. Now that she had light make-up on she was even more beautiful. Artemis was so captivated by the stunningly beautiful face in the mirror that he couldn''t bring himself to move. He was not a man swayed by feminine allure. No matter how many women tried to beguile him, he remained unflustered. But Bailey was an exception. Realizing what this woman wanted to do, he pleaded with a sense of helplessness and resignation. ¡°Wifey, would it be okay if I kneel on this keyboard for the night? Don''t punish me with the torment of flirting with me yet not letting me have you. It''s lethal, you know. I''d rather kneel all night, or have you curse me out.¡± Bailey let out a cold snort, then pointed at the changing room across. ¡°Go put on a white shirt,¡± she said. Artemis'' robust body shuddered intensely. My guess is correct. This woman is nning to... But can I really say no? Of course, I can''t. After a moment of silence in ce, Artemis tossed the keyboard he was holding and, as if resigned to his fate, walked toward the dressing room. Bailey looked at herself in the mirror, a slight frown creasing her brow. All right. I''m disgusted by my own appearance. Even though it''s beautiful, it''s not the style I like. However, such bewitching beauty is indeed what men are fascinated by. Chapter 939 I Can Make Love To You Chapter 939 I Can Make Love To You While Bailey was in a daze, footsteps rang out from behind her. Artemis hade out. He had obediently donned a white shirt and ck pants, and a limited-edition luxury watch worth tens of millions adorned his wrist. He exuded the charm unique to a mature man. An aura of superiority was naturally inherent in him, rendering him dignified and regal. One could count on the fingers of one''s hand the number of such a man like him in the entire world. He was at the top of the socialdder, even after he had stepped down from the position of patriarch of the Luther family. The identities he had under wraps could still bolster his aura, allowing him to be all-powerful. Bailey gazed at his handsome reflection in the mirror, a smile ying on her lips. This man can only be mine. No one should even think about stealing him away! Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked over to him. Then, she reached out and hooked her arms around his neck. Artemis smiled faintly, a hint of helplessness shing across his eyes. Since she wants to have fun, I''ll let loose and y along with her. He wrapped an arm around her waist, gently tracing her lipstick-coated lips with the fingertips of his other hand. ¡°Even if other women besides you were to draw close to me, I''d never reciprocate voluntarily. I''m deeply infatuated with you, Bay. In this world, only you can give me the happiness I seek.¡± Bailey swatted his hand away. ¡°Don''t rub off all the lipstick, I haven''t even started yet.¡± Despite her harsh tone, a sense of sweetness lingered within her. Subsequently, she leaned in and kissed his handsome face, leaving a trail of bright red marks. Then, she moved on to his white shirt, covering it in red lipstick marks as well. Artemis leaned back against the shelf with her in his arms. He gazed at her smilingly, a gentle and indulgent look in his eyes, allowing her to do as she pleased. ¡°Don''tpare yourself to others, Honey. They are far beneath you. Take this moment, for instance. You''ve got the freedom to do as you please with me, but they don''t.¡± As his words fell, his gaze gradually darkened and became indecipherable. It was for no other reason than the woman in his arms having moved on to something else. She was no longer messing around with his shirt but had unbuttoned it and stered herself against his chest. His nerves stretching taut, he stared nkly at the crystal chandelier above his head. He etched that day''s agonizing lesson deep in his heart. If I ever let a woman get close to me again, I''ll p myself a few times first! An indeterminate amount of time passed. When Bailey had had her fill of fun, she once again wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned close to his ear. She whispered, ¡°What are you waiting for? Carry me in.¡± Taken aback, Artemis asked somewhat dazedly, ¡°I can make love to you?¡± He was afraid that it was yet another cunning trick to torture him. If she were suddenly called a halt at the critical moment, he would die. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. Bailey nced at the countless red marks on his body and smiled in satisfaction. Even though such behavior was quite childish, she delighted in it. ¡°Didn''t you say I''m different from other women? Then, you need to prove it to me and show me how exactly I''m different from them.¡± Without further ado, Artemis swept her into his arms and whispered into her ear, ¡°I can love you fiercely. This is something no other woman can have.¡± Thereafter, no more words were exchanged between them. At the same time, in another mansion on the east side of the research base, Veikko reached out and grabbed Caridee''s roaming hands in the room. ¡°It''s not the right time yet, Caridee. Wait until I''ve settled things with Shaun and asked the Luther family for your hand in marriage before giving yourself to me, okay?¡± A hint of disappointment shed in Caridee''s eyes, but she nodded obediently. ¡°All right. Then, I''ll go to Epea with you, apanying you in dealing with Shaun.¡± Veikko''s brows furrowed. He shook his head, saying, ¡°Shaun has lost his sanity, and his madness might worsen from here on out. You can''t go with me. I''m afraid he might harm you. After all, you backed him into a corner. He''s hell-bent on getting his revenge on you. If you were to go over, it''d be no different from offering yourself up to him on a silver tter. Although I''m not scared of him, it''s difficult to guard against hidden dangers. If he were to resort to underhanded tactics, I''m afraid I wouldn''t be able to protect you.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Caridee,¡± Veikko''s face turned serious, and he said solemnly, ¡°Do you still want me to marry you? If you do, then follow my n.¡± Pouting, Caridee huffed, ¡°Fine, then. Take good care of yourself. I''ll be waiting for you to go to Hallsbay to marry me.¡± Veikko cradled her face and nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Okay. Once I''ve settled the grudges of the past, I''ll return to Hallsbay to look for you.¡± Caridee threw herself into his arms, her voice muffled as she said, ¡°I know you''ve been deprived of affection since childhood, and these years have been very tough for you. Even though I can''t make up for the familial love you''ve missed out on, I can always be there for you. Also, I''ll bear you a few children, so you''ll never be lonely for the rest of your life.¡± Veikko hugged her tightly. His heart pounded wildly, each thump resonating within his chest. She''s a ray of sunshine in my life, illuminating my dark world. I must hold onto her tightly! The next day, Bailey dragged her sore body got out of bed to wash up. Her movements were light, and she was careful not to wake the man, who was still sleeping soundly. It was a long night for them yesterday. Coupled with the fact that he hadn''t rested for several days to deal with matters concerning the Hoffman family, he fell into a deep sleep right after they had wrapped things up in the wee hours of the morning. When Bailey had finished washing up and returned to the room fully dressed, she headed straight to the bed. Leaning over, she nted a kiss on Artemis''s handsome face. As she was about to step away, she suddenly sensed a pressure at her waist. In the next moment, she found herself falling into his arms. ¡°Why were you pretending to be asleep when you were already awake? Geez!¡± With his eyes closed, Artemis asked in a raspy voice, ¡°I only woke up when you sneakily kissed me. What time is it now?¡± ncing at the clock on the wall, Bailey replied softly, ¡°It''s half past eight. You can sleep a bit longer. I''m going to the Hoffman residence to perform surgery on Huntley.¡± Artemis shook his head and sat up with her in his arms. ¡°I''ll go with you.¡± He did not dare stay at the research base any longer. If Reba were toe over again, he had a feeling that appeasing Bailey for the second time wouldn''t be as easy as the first. He was not a masochist, so he would be going wherever his wife went. Seeing right through him, Bailey could not help teasing, ¡°Is that confidant of yours some great scourge that you''re so scared of her to such an extent?¡± Before Artemis could speak, a sudden flurry of footsteps rang out from the living room outside. Instinctively, he reached out and pulled the nket over himself. Bailey also reflexively crouched to pick up the clothes scattered on the ground. But before she could finish, the door was already flung open. On the heels of that, Zayron and the Maxton casually strolled in from outside. ¡°Um, we came up to see whether Daddy is still alive.¡± ¡°Whoa! It was such an intense battle, huh? Tsk-tsk, even your clothes have turned into shreds. How impressive!¡± Bailey''s face turned a charming shade of red, and she said to Artemis, ¡°Make sure you give them the beating they''re itching for.¡± Then, she walked to the door and grabbed Susan, who was trying to sneak in, before heading out. With a beaming smile, Susan asked, ¡°Mommy, since you and Daddy are so diligent, when can I expect to have another brother or sister?¡± In response, she received two ps from her mother. She could not help but scoff, ¡°How useless! A vixen came knocking on your door and challenged you, but a hook of the finger from Daddy had you crumble.¡± Chapter 940 Ridiculous Demand Chapter 940 Ridiculous Demand Upon hearing this, her mother was so amused that she burst intoughter. This cheeky girl, after spending so much time with those two rascals, has certainly grown a lot bolder. ¡°Do you all wish for me to have a falling out with your father, then have a farewell dinner, and part ways forever?¡± The little girl wrapped her arms around her mother''s waist, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°Nothing beats the love of my own parents,¡± she said. ¡°So, dear Mommy, when will you let me level up to being a big sister?¡± Bailey furrowed her brows. Artemis had been quite diligent recently, sowing seeds almost every day. They hadn''t taken any specific precautions, so logically, there should be some activity in her belly by now. But it had been so long, and there hadn''t been a peep. Could it be that Sean inadvertently affected Artemis'' function when he performed the surgery on him initially? So even if I helped him reconnect his vas deferens, it wouldn''t be easy for me to get pregnant? If that''s the case, then it''s going to be troublesome. No, I need to find some free time to give Artemis a thorough physical examination. Seeing her mother remain silent, the little girl continued, ¡°I overheard Uncle Simon telling Luna that you guys are setting off for Gregan tomorrow. Mommy, I want to go too.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Bailey abruptly halted, looking down at her daughter in her arms. She frowned and said, ¡°We are on a serious mission. You shouldn''t tag along. Your uncle will take your aunt back to Hallsbay to recover later. You three should go with them.¡± ¡°No!¡± The little girl struggled a bit, freeing herself from her mother''s embrace, then bolted toward the bedroom. ¡°I''ll go talk to Daddy, he''ll agree to this.¡± Bailey instinctively grabbed the back of her cor, gritting her teeth as she said, ¡°Don''t go in there. Your father is not in a position to see any woman other than me right now.¡± The young girl became somewhat speechless and she couldn''t resist rolling her eyes. ¡°Mommy, you''re so aggressive. You must have torn up Daddy''s clothes against night, right?¡± Bailey''s face turned a charming shade of red. This conversation clearly could not go on anymore. Otherwise, she would surely be driven mad by this little rascal. ¡°Aunt Bailey, please let Susane with us to Gregan. I want to be with them.¡± Suddenly, Luna''s weak voice resonated at the door, causing both mother and daughter inside the room to turn around simultaneously. Catherine said somewhat sheepishly, ¡°Bailey, I''m sorry for the disturbance. The girl insisted oning over. You don''t need to worry. My art of perfumery far surpasses anyone in the Rogers family. I can certainly protect a few children properly.¡± Bailey blinked, a mischievous glint shing in her eyes. ¡°If you invite the kids to Gregan as their aunt, I''ll agree to let them go with you.¡± A rather absurd request! Catherine subconsciously furrowed her beautiful brows. Bailey would always be Bailey, constantly scheming against others. If she were to invite a few children to Gregan as their aunt, it would be akin to indirectly epting Simon. All right. This woman''s a scheming one. Yet, Catherine simply couldn''t refuse, as Luna was looking up at her with a pitiful gaze, a pleading look on her pale face. ¡°Mommy, just in case¡ªit''s just in case¡ªif the parasite king inside me cannot be resolved, then this will be my only wish. Can you fulfill this wish of mine? Please?¡± With a sigh of resignation, Catherine steeled herself and said, ¡°As your aunt, I invite you, Max, and the others to enjoy a trip to Gregan as you please.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± The two little girls jumped up joyfully. Standing outside the door, Simon also curled up the corners of his lips, unable to hide the joy in his heart. Even though she was forced, shepromised, proving that she still yearned for him deep within. He was confident¡ªabsolutely confident¡ªthat he would marry this woman and bring her home. At the same moment, Juliana was sitting in the garden of the Hoffman residence, basking in the sun. Not far away, a housekeeper was leading Archie in her direction. ¡°Ms. Juliana, Mr. Archie has arrived.¡± Juliana instinctively looked up, her gaze falling on Archie. She furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°So you''re Archie, my uncle''s bast¡ª son?¡± She initially wanted to refer to him as a b*stard child but felt that it would be impolite, so she quickly changed her choice of words. Archie shrugged nonchntly, teasing, ¡°Juliana, I look forward to your care.¡± Juliana was taken aback for a moment. She had thought that geniuses were difficult to get along with, but surprisingly, this young man seemed so casual. ¡°You''ve brought down Tucker and now you''re the new head of the Hoffman family. If anyone should be looking after someone, it should be you looking after me.¡± Archie leaned in abruptly,ing close to Juliana''s face. With a teasing smirk, he said, ¡°If you want to be the head of this family, I can step aside for you.¡± Um... Juliana felt a bit awkward and lightly coughed twice, subtly turning her face away, avoiding his gaze. ¡°I''m currently poisoned and can die at any moment. You''ve shown great skill in outmaneuvering Tucker and seizing power from him. My master and the others allowed you to take the role of the family head, which means you have the strength to handle the responsibilities. Frankly, I don''t necessarily have to be the head of the family. No one was willing to take on this responsibility previously, which was why I thought of stepping up to the te. But now that you''re taking over the role, I have nothing to worry about.¡± Archie gave a slight smile, his expression radiating warmth, but his gazecked any hint of tenderness. He didn''t want to be the head of the family either, but Artemis had him cornered. In his urgency to save his friend, he had no choice but to obediently fall into the trap that had been set for him. ¡°Do you really not want to be the head of this household? If you do, I can give it to you.¡± Archie persisted, continuing to entice. Artemis only warned him not to force someone else to take over the role, but if this woman willingly took on the role, then it wouldn''t be considered a breach of contract. Julianaughed and gently pushed his head away, saying lightly, ¡°No, I don''t want to. I really don''t want to. Archie, I know you''re a genius. Under your leadership, our family will surely reach new heights of glory. Since that''s the case, why am I even bothering? Don''t try to trick me. I won''t be taking on this hot potato.¡± Archie''s expression turned dark immediately, and he said menacingly, ¡°You guessed wrong. I am a madman, capable of wiping out an entire family.¡± ¡°You can''t intimidate me because I know it was my master who forced you to return to your position. Her judgment is never wrong.¡± Archie furrowed his brows, still somewhat unwilling to let it go. He continued, ¡°I...¡± Before he could finish speaking, a housekeeper ran over from a distance and said to Juliana, ¡°Ms. Juliana, Ms. Wendy has returned.¡± A hint of joy appeared on Juliana''s face as she abruptly stood up and headed toward the exit of the garden. She had only taken two steps when she halted in her tracks. Turning around with a smile, she said to Archie, ¡°Archie, from now on, the family affairs are in your hands, okay? Wendy and I are women, and we''re bound to get married into another family sooner orter. You can''t rely on us forever.¡± Watching her retreating figure, Archie was so frustrated that he gritted his teeth in resentment. They''ve all got me figured out. Completely figured out! D*mn it! In the living room of the main house, Wendy and Sebastian were kneeling on the ground. Raymond sat on the sofa, his eyes slightly red as he looked at his daughter who hadn''t returned home for several years. He was shaking, too, looking at the young grandson he had never met from birth till now. Wendy was already in tears. She bore no resentment toward her father for casting her out of the family. After all, it was she who had brought Holden into the family, leading to the leakage of family secrets and causing devastating losses. Chapter 941 Dissolving The Master And Disciple Relationship Chapter 941 Dissolving The Master And Disciple Rtionship In order to save her life, her father had to make the painful decision to banish her. After several years, the once spirited and towering man no longer existed. Now, the father she saw had his face full of life''s hardships, even his hair had begun to turn gray. He had long lost his former appearance. ¡°Daddy, I''ve been unfilial. I''ve brought my son back to apologize to you.¡± After she finished speaking, she ced both hands on the ground and repeatedly knocked her forehead against the floor. The expression on Holden, who was standing to the side, was also somewhatplex. Back in the day, he had no choice but to get close to Wendy, the young mistress of the Hoffman family trying to save his sister, Shannon. He used Wendy to gain ess to secrets, seizing control over Zaewora. Initially, everything went ording to his n. But for all his calctions and predictions, he never anticipated that this woman would enter his world, and even became an attachment in his life that he could not bear to let go. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. All the hardships she endured over the years were all bestowed upon her by him. If it weren''t for Lionel taking them in, providing a status for her and her child, he believed their lives would have been much harder. With these thoughts, he slowly bent his knees and knelt on the ground. Wendy looked at him with a touch of surprise. Raymond was equally astonished. Who was Holden? He was the one in charge of Tarragon, the world''s most powerful organization who held some absolute decision-making power within the organization. Over the years, he had wandered the world, with the top powers from all corners treating him with the utmost respect. No one dared to take him lightly. However... Now that he had actually bent his waist, and even knelt down. How could they not be surprised? ¡°Holden, you...¡± Before Wendy could finish speaking, Holden turned his head towards her. He gave her a smile, and then reached out to tightly hold her hand. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up at Raymond, who had already stood up, and said with a torn voice, ¡°Seven years ago, I was also forced to scheme against the Hoffman family out of helplessness.¡± ¡°The control of Zaewora has now been rightfully returned to the Hoffman family. As a member of Tarragon, I wish to maintain asting friendship with your noble family. I hope Mr. Hoffman will ept this.¡± Raymond''s eyes gradually lost their surprise, his gaze falling on the intertwined fingers of the two. His expression was indescribable. After a silence thatsted a good two or three minutes, he finally said in a chilling tone, ¡°The position of the head of the Hoffman family has now been handed over to Archie. ¡°If Mr. Lewitt is interested in a coboration, you can discuss it with Archie. Of course, when ites to my daughter''s marriage, I still have the right to make the final decision. ¡°She has endured so much hardship over the years. This debt can''t simply be wiped away with a few words. ¡°You want to marry her? Sure, but only after you''ve experienced everything she''s been through over the years.¡± Um... Raymond was indeed a tough nut to crack. Without thinking, Wendy blurted out, ¡°Daddy, he''s in a position of power now. How can he possibly go through what I''ve been through? ¡°This demand of yours is a bit too unreasonable, don''t you think? Besides, it''s me who''s getting married, not you, so you...¡± Before she could finish speaking, Holden quickly reached out and grabbed her. Clearly, his father-inw was quite irate. If she stirred things up any further, his days would likely be even more difficult. ¡°I cannot change or undo what Wends has been through. Knowing her ordeal, I feel even more distressed than you do. ¡°If you are upset with me, I am willing to ept any punishment. All I ask is for a chance to take care of her and make up for her losses.¡± Raymond wore a somber expression, falling into silence. At that moment, Juliana rushed in from outside. She was full of excitement, and said to Wendy, ¡°Wendy, you''re finally home.¡± Then she turned to her father and said, ¡°Daddy, Wendy''splexion is rosy, and her eyes and brows gentle. She looks like she has been dearly loved. ¡°I''ve seen such an expression on my mother before, which means she''s very happy now. ¡°I admit that what she has gone through is heartbreaking. But it''s precisely because of this that you should give Holden a chance to make amends. ¡°Besides, they have a child. Can you really bear to tear them apart?¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she quickly gave Sebastian a meaningful nce. The little one grumbled a bit, then said quite rudely, ¡°Old man, if you dare to separate my mom and dad, I''ll turn the Hoffman family upside down.¡± Um... His tone was quite casual. He sounded very much like Zayron. However, Raymond was visibly moved. His tense face gradually rxed. After giving the boy a nce, he said in a cold voice, ¡°You are quite promising, but just a bit wild.¡± After hearing this, Holden quickly responded, ¡°I will strive to teach him well in the future, aiming to cultivate an outstanding next generation for the Hoffman family.¡± Raymond''s gaze fell upon him. After staring at him for a moment, he said nothing and walked straight towards the staircase. Holden was somewhat bewildered. What do you mean by this, my dear father-inw? Juliana said with a cheerful smile, ¡°Holden, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and catch up with Dad. He wants to have a private chat with you.¡± ... After the father-inw and son-inw left, Juliana hurriedly helped Wendy and her child up. ¡°Wendy, don''t worry. That old man must be overjoyed with such an outstanding son-inw.¡± ¡°He''s already up in years. Don¡¯t you think he''s allowed to be a little bit tsundere?¡± Wendy couldn''t help butugh, her gaze falling on her younger sister''s matured and pretty face. She teased, ¡°Dad must be quite pleased with Zeke too, right? ¡°Well, the head of the world''s foremost medical family, a person of high rank and great power, is an excellent match for any prestigious family. He is definitely a real catch.¡± ¡°Wendy...¡± Juliana stomped her foot hard, her cheeks instantly turning crimson. At that moment, a teasing voice echoed from the doorway. ¡°Well, my brother is so outstanding that not only does your old man chuckle in secret, even your sister must be waking upughing from her dreams.¡± The sisters turned around in unison, only to see Artemis, Bailey, and Zeke walking in from outside. Each one of them was a giant among men. As they entered, the heads of the housekeepers in the room dropped even lower. Juliana asked somewhat awkwardly, ¡°Master, howe you''re here?¡± Bailey walked over, and embracing Wendy first before she ruffled Sebastian''s hair. Finally, she said to Juliana, ¡°Don''t call me Master anymore. ¡°Please ask your father toe downter. I want to dissolve our master-disciple rtionship in front of him.¡± ¡°Why, why is this happening?¡± Bailey pinched her cheek, teasingly said, ¡°Because we''re going to be sisters-inw in the future.¡± ¡°It wouldn''t make sense for me to call you sister-inw, and you to call me master, would it? Wouldn''t that just mix up our roles?¡± Juliana''s face suddenly turned red. Bailey burst into heartyughter, then yfully pushed his young apprentice into his elder brother''s arms. Zeke was a man, so had thick-skinned and was bolder. With a beauty in his arms, he didn''t hesitate to wrap his arms around her waist. ¡°How are you feeling? Is there any difort anywhere?¡± ¡°I''m, I''m okay.¡± Wendy quickly interjected, ¡°We''ve been on a ne for twenty over hours, and we''re tired. I''ll take Sebastian to rest first. You guys carry on chatting.¡± Bailey took Artemis'' hand and said, ¡°We''re off to perform surgery on Huntley. You guys carry on with your chat.¡± ... Juliana struggled to break free from Zeke''s embrace but to no avail, her body starting to tremble slightly. Zeke couldn''t help butugh. ¡°Am I some kind of terrifying beast? Is it necessary to tremble at the sight of me?¡± Chapter 942 Wrapped Around His Little Finger Chapter 942 Wrapped Around His Little Finger Upon seeing him lean in, Juliana''s heart began to race uncontrobly. Without thinking, she ced her hand on his chest. Instantly, a wave of warmth washed over her, spreading from the palm of her hand to every corner of her body. She was panic-stricken, ready to pull her hand away. As a result, Zeke managed to catch her in one swoop. Then, with a sudden press, he held her hand tightly against his chest. ¡°I... I need to go see Huntley, you... you let go of me. Let me go.¡± Zeke had one hand around her waist and the other pressing down on her hand. Then, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, ¡°Your master is there.¡± ¡°Oh no, I should call her my sister-inw now. With her around, Huntley will be fine. You should stay and keep mepany.¡± After he finished speaking, he leaned closer to her. Juliana''s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the magnified handsome face before her. She had been poisoned and was now weak all over. Even if she wasn''t poisoned, she was no match for this man. And so, she found herself tightly embraced by this domineering man. Their lips passionately locked in a kiss. Over time, she could distinctly feel the air within her abdomen rapidly draining away. A minuteter, her legs could no longer support her, and she copsed directly into his arms. Zeke let her go, leaned in once more, and asked in a beguiling voice, ¡°Where is your room?¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. Juliana''s heart gave a fierce tremble, stuttering, ¡°What... what do you want to do?¡± Zeke''s warm breath brushed against her ear as he chuckled lightly. ¡°What do you think I would do if I take you home to rest?¡± ¡°Or perhaps you''re expecting us to do something? If you have any requests, I''d be more than happy to oblige.¡± Juliana used her hands to press against his chest, pushing him away with all her might. Her voice was hoarse as she said, ¡°No, you don''t need to apany me. I... I can go up by myself.¡± Zeke raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint shing in his eyes. ¡°Are you sure you don''t need me to take you?¡± ¡°No need.¡± ¡°Alright then, I wash my hands of this.¡± After he finished speaking, he didn''t even give Juliana time to react. He immediately let go of hisrge hand that was wrapped around her waist. In the next moment, a cry of surprise echoed. Juliana, weak and feeble, plummeted straight towards the ground. ¡°You jerk!¡± Before she could finish her nder, an iron arm appeared around her waist once again, lifting her off her ground in a swift horizontal sweep. Next, a low chuckle from Zeke came from above her head. ¡°With your current state, even if I wanted to do something, you wouldn''t be able to handle it. Where''s your room? I''ll take you up to rest.¡± Juliana waspletely exhausted, burying her head in his chest. She pointed to the first room on the east side of the second floor. ¡°Over there.¡± With a yful smile, Zeke lowered his head and nted a kiss on her cheek, then strolled towards the staircase. ¡°Go rest in your room. I need to discuss something with your father. Once Bailey finishes the surgery, your father can act as a witness to dissolve the master-disciple rtionship between you two.¡± ... Juliana wisely chose not to voice any objections. In fact, her opposition was futile. This man had her wrapped around his little finger. There was no escape for her now. In fact, from the moment she saw Archie, she had made up her mind. Since someone in the family had already taken over, she no longer needed to shoulder the burden herself. As she was free from shackles, she could continue to pursue what she loved, just like before. And wasn''t this man''s response what she had always dreamed of? Happiness was now within her reach, and naturally, she intended to hold onto it tightly. ... At the same moment. Inside the operating room of the infirmary. Bailey looked at Huntley lying on the operating table. She nodded and said, ¡°You''ve done so much for Julie, and you were supposed to have a happy ending with her. ¡°But when ites to matters of love, it''s not always a given that you''ll be rewarded for what you have given. Huntley, you''re really a knight, protecting the princess who once saved you. ¡°But the princess has her own beloved prince charming in her heart. If you truly love her, you could try...¡± Before she could finish, Huntley interrupted her with a smile, ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I know what you''re about to say. ¡°Rest assured, I won''t cause her any trouble. If I really wanted to trap her, I never intended to hand over the power I held to Tucker from the beginning. ¡°Her happiness is what I''ve always hoped for.¡± Bailey nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the man''s immobilized hands and feet. Deep within, a genuine sense of admiration began to rise. After a few seconds of silence, she slowly stepped back and gave him a bow. ¡°As Julie''s mentor, I offer you this gesture of gratitude for your selfless protection of my apprentice. May you have a fulfilling life in the days toe.¡± After she finished speaking, she didn''t wait for Huntley to respond. She turned to the doctor beside her and said, ¡°Administer the anesthesia.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Huntley tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a smile that seemed to express a sense of relief. His mission was aplished. Next, the princess who had endured hardships would return to the prince''s side, relishing their reunion. And it was time for this knight to exit the stage. Amid a sea of white light, Huntley slowly closed his eyes. The moment he closed his eyes, two clear teardrops of a man slid from the corners, disappearing into his hair at the temples as quickly as a blink, leaving no trace behind. The surgery didn''t take long, it was over in just an hour. When Bailey came out of the operating room, a few of Huntley''s rtives gathered around. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, how is my son?¡± Yuri asked anxiously. Bailey nodded and said, ¡°The surgery went smoothly. Let him take some time to recover. Don''t rush it. He should be able to move around in about half a month.¡± After she finished speaking, she ignored everyone else and walked straight to Artemis. With a crying voice, she said, ¡°I don''t want to see Huntley''s sorrowful eyes. They are heavy, painful, and helpless. ¡°How about we get going? Don''t we still need to dissolve the master-disciple rtionship between Julie and me? Let''s not linger here any longer.¡± Artemis gave a light hum, holding Bailey''s hand as they left the medical office. As the two of them passed a pavilion, Bailey seemed to notice something and gradually slowed her steps. It seemed like she just saw someone she knew. ¡°Hmm, why does the silhouette in the pavilion seem so familiar to me?¡± Artemis followed her gaze. He got a shock at what he saw. Isn''t that the death row inmate who got out of the international prison a couple of days ago? This is the arch-nemesis of Bailey. His initial imprisonment was all thanks to Bailey. If these two were to bump into each other, it would surely cause a huge uproar. ¡°You''ve got it wrong. Move along, and stop staring at him. Otherwise, I''ll end up with one more love rival.¡± Chapter 943 His Life Is Happy And Fulfilling Chapter 943 His Life Is Happy And Fulfilling He forcefully dragged Bailey forward, yet his gaze remained fixed on the silhouette in the pavilion. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°But I feel like I really know that person. Let''s go take a look, shall we?¡± What? No way. The more she spoke like this, the harder the overbearing Artemis pulled her. ¡°No way. I don''t want another love rival.¡± ... Just as Bailey was pulled by Artemis to a corner, the owner of the silhouette in the pavilion turned around. The corner of Bailey''s eye caught a blurry outline of the other party. And then, her view waspletely obscured by the wall. With a somewhat amused expression, Bailey looked at the man who was stubbornly pulling her along, and said helplessly, ¡°Mr. Luther, who in the world would dare topete with you for a woman? ¡°I heard that Tucker fell down the stairs, hitting his head on the handrail. By the time he was taken to the hospital for treatment, he had be mentally incapacitated. ¡°So here''s the question, how could a grown man possibly fall down the stairs? Tell me, is this your handiwork?¡± Mr. Luther didn''t deny it, he snorted coldly and said, ¡°He covets you, and even harboring such indecent thoughts about you.¡± ¡°Turning him into a fool is already me being lenient. If it were up to my old self, I would have chopped him up and fed him to the dogs.¡± Oh no... The two arrived at the main house, only to find Holden kneeling down on the steps outside. Seeing him in such a pitiful state, Artemis couldn''t help butugh. ¡°A real man is able to adapt to different circumstances. Kneel properly, and don''t ck off.¡± Holden was speechless. ¡°By the way, after you''re done kneeling, make a trip to Zaewora. I have a task for you there.¡± Is he serious? Bailey tugged at the man''s sleeve next to her, lowering her voice. ¡°That''s enough, don''t push your luck too far.¡± ¡°He made a mistake, and that''s why he''s kneeling here. You''d better control yourself. If you dare to mess up, I guarantee you''ll end up worse than him.¡± ... When Raymond heard that Bailey intended to dissolve the master-disciple rtionship with Juliana, he didn''t say anything. He just gave Zeke aplex look. Next, he set up the incense table and, with a very formal ceremony, dissolved the master-disciple rtionship between the two. Next, he released a statement on the official tform of the Holden family, informing everyone that Bailey and Juliana were no longer master and apprentice. Once everything was done, Bailey and her group bid their farewells and left. Juliana really wanted to go to Gregan with them, but considering that her sister Wendy had just returned home, she forcefully suppressed the urge deep in her heart. Wendy, however, saw through her thoughts and couldn''t help butugh. ¡°They are not leaving until tomorrow. Stay with me tonight. Let''s have a family reunion dinner.¡± ¡°Wait until tomorrow to see your future husband, then leave with him.¡± Juliana''s face flushed, she retorted somewhat awkwardly, ¡°What future husband? Stop talking nonsense.¡± ¡°Isn''t that so? Who was it that was passionately kissing in the living room before?¡± Juliana stomped her foot angrily, and protested, ¡°Wendy, you were peeking!¡± ¡°I was watching you guys openly and while standing in front of the second floor railing. I saw everything clearly.¡± ... Seeing her fall silent, Wendy couldn''t help butugh ¡°Mr. Shumer is a dragon among men. His international status is not the least bit inferior to your brother-inw''s.¡± ¡°Julie, you have a good eye for men. This kind of man is very devoted. Once he falls in love, you can expect to be pampered like a princess.¡± Juliana scoffed. ¡°If you want to praise my brother-inw, just do it. Why involve me?¡± ¡°You little rascal...¡± ... Hallsbay. The Xuereb residence. Inside therge walk-in closet on the east side of the main house. Scarlett was standing in front of an exquisite and luxurious wedding dress, her face full of happiness as she gently touched the fluffy hem. In three days, she would be marrying Sean. That was the moment she had always dreamed of. She had been hoping for many years, and now, her wish had been fulfilled atst. Olivia stood to one side, smiling as she asked, ¡°Lettie, are you happy with this wedding dress?¡± Scarlett tilted her neck, exuding an air of superiority, and said in a chilly tone, ¡°If I say I''m not satisfied, can you get me something satisfactory within three days?¡± Olivia choked slightly, her smile faltering on her face. There were several housekeepers in the room, and she was deliberately trying to embarrass her in front of them. Ever since thest time Olivia thought the Fletcher family had fallen and she gave this wretched girl a cold shoulder, thetter had been acting like this. If it weren''t for her family''s dependence on the Fletcher family, why would she have to swallow her pride and serve her? ¡°I think this one is quite nice, and it really suits your personality.¡± Scarlett huffed coldly, speaking bluntly, ¡°If you already know, then why did you ask? Are you trying to assert your presence in front of me?¡± What the hell... Olivia felt somewhat wronged. But she just couldn''t bring herself to confide Scarlett''s attitude to her son. Because she was the one who forced her son to marry this woman. Scarlett rubbed her stomach, instructing Olivia in amanding tone, ¡°I''m hungry. I want to eat croissant. Go make some for me.¡± As soon as she finished speaking, she strutted out with her hands on her hips. Olivia slowly clenched the fist hanging by her side. Breath in. Just bear with it a little longer. Once the crisis in the Campbell family was resolved, or after the Fletcher family steps down from power, she would gradually reim the dignity she lost during this period. ¡°Alright, I''ll get to it right away. The weather is nice outside. Why don''t you take a stroll in the yard? It''s good for the baby''s development.¡± Scarlett didn''t even turn her head, nonchntly tossing out these words. ¡°It''s none of your business.¡± At the same moment. LG Corporation subsidiary. Dressed in a professional suit, Victoria walked across the brightly lit hall in her high heels. She was there to submit the project proposal. The new product from Saunders Group was about to hit the market, but the coboration with LG Corporation hadn''t been secured yet. If a contract was not signed with LG Corporation, then they would not promote Saunders Group''s new product. Without the endorsement of this entertainment mogul, Saunders Group could not prate the international market. Victoria had been working tirelessly trying to secure all of LG Corporation''s promotional resources for the uing month. She had been so busy that she hadn''t had a good night''s sleep in quite some time. As she and her assistant were about to reach the elevator, the door of the private elevator next to them suddenly opened. Next, several bodyguards dressed in ck emerged, ushering all the people scattered around the elevator to one side. Victoria was jostled by the bustling crowd and nearly slipped. The assistant by her side quickly reached out to steady her. ¡°Ms. Saunders, Mr. Gezmond, the CEO of LG Corporation, has arrived.¡± Without thinking, Victoria looked up. Through the crowd, her gaze met with Lionel''s. Lionel''s gaze lingered on her for just two seconds, then he continued to walk forward. Just as the group reached the center of the hall, a sudden flurry of footsteps echoed from outside. Next, a young and beautiful woman, apanied by four well-dressed men and women, bumped into Lionel and his group. Lionel paused, extending his right hand towards the other party, and smiled. ¡°Ms. Lynda, wee to Hallsbay.¡± The woman named Lynda hooked her lips into a smile. Instead of reaching out to return the handshake, she suddenly leaned in and nted a kiss on Lionel''s cheek. ¡°It''s better to wee me with Adrunian manners.¡± Lionel furrowed his brows, but quickly regained hisposure. ¡°As long as Ms. Lynda is happy, that''s all that matters. I''ve prepared some premium coffee for you. Let''s head to the CEO''s office for a chat.¡± Standing amidst the crowd, Victoria watched the ambiguous interaction between the two,ughing at herself sarcastically. She left him, and was now busy making a living. He left her, and his life became happy and fulfilling. This was the gap between them. Chapter 944 Lionel Is Helpless Chapter 944 Lionel Is Helpless As Victoria stared nkly at the two distinguished figures slowly walking towards the elevator, the surrounding employees began to discuss among themselves. ¡°That''s the heiress from the internationally renowned fashionpany ''De Lux''. She has such a great aura, truly a perfect match for our CEO.¡± ¡°I heard that De Lux is nning tounch a new luxury product soon, and they want LG Corporation to endorse it. That''s why they''ve sent the heiress over to negotiate.¡± ¡°The CEO personally came down to wee her, he must be nning to allocate all the resources for the next month to De Lux.¡± ¡°Although there are severalpanies bidding this time, it''s pretty much decided that the contract will go to the De Lux.¡± ¡°Indeed, De Lux has a strong cooperative rtionship with the LG Corporation as an international major brand.¡± ¡°There''s nothing particrly surprising about the CEO allocating all the promotional resources for the next month to De Lux products.¡± Hearing that, Victoria''s pretty face turned pale, and her body couldn''t help but start to tremble. She had spent more than half a month preparing for this bid. Do I really have to stand by and watch as De Lux takes everything away? She hadn''t heard that De Lux was releasing new products this month. That was why she mustered up the courage to prepare for this bid, aiming to secure the promotional resources of LG Corporation for the uing month through her own hard work. As long as there was promotion from LG Corporation, she was confident inunching this series new products into the international market. And , too, could elevate its market value through this product line, sessfully go public listed, and squeeze into the ranks of international luxury goods. Despite all her careful calctions and predictions, she didn''t foresee that De Lux wouldunch a new product at this time. Once De Lux took part in the bidding, the chances of winning at that time would be very, very low. The assistant stood by her side, lowering her voice to say, ¡°Ms. Saunders, since we''ve alreadye this far, let''s not give up so easily.¡± ¡°If you don''t even have the courage topete head-on with De Lux, how will you lead ourpany into the ranks of luxury brands in the future?¡± The assistant''s words gave Victoria some confidence. As she lifted her gaze, her eyes once again met with Lionel, who had already stepped into the elevator. This time, there was a hint ofplexity in Lionel''s eyes. Before Victoria had the chance to decipher the meaning behind his gaze, the elevator doors abruptly closed. As she gazed at the tightly shut elevator doors, a hint of self-mockery shed in Victoria''s eyes. In her current state, she was alone without any support, status or background. She was struggling to make her way in the business world, fighting for survival against all odds. More importantly, her body had taken a severe toll after herst miscarriage, making it difficult for her to conceive again in the future. The Gezmond family lineage had continued for a century, she could not be the one to break the lineage. So why should she bother dwelling on thatst shred of old affection? Their rtionship is over. Now, he was a free man, and a diamond bachelor sought after by countlessdies of high society worldwide. Forgetting her would make his life more exciting. ¡°Let''s go. We''ll head to the nning department and hand over our proposal. As for whether it gets chosen or not, we''ll leave it to fate. I''ve done my best.¡± The assistant looked at her with a touch of sympathy. These days, Ms. Saunders has been under too much pressure. This is her first battle since taking the helm of Saunders Group. If she can''t secure the contract with LG Corporation, then Saunders Group''s new product won''t be able to reach international markets. If we can''t break into the international market, then this massive investment will bepletely wasted. When working on this project before, Ms. Saunders repeatedly assured the shareholders that she would definitely take the new products of this series beyond our borders, presenting them to the world. But now... ¡°Ms. Saunders, why don''t we give Ms. Jefferson a call? She has a widework, so she should have a way to secure this contract.¡± Victoria couldn''t help butugh, teasingly said, ¡°Look for Bailey? We might as well look for Lionel. After all, he is my ex-husband. ¡°Let''s go. This time, I''m not relying on anyone. If I seed, it''s my fortune. If I fail, it''s my fate. There are some things in life that you just can''t force. ¡°Moreover, De Lux is one of the top ten international brands, even LG Corporation wouldn''t dare to take them lightly. ¡°As long as they give me a fair chance topete, I will have nothing toin about even if I lose.¡± The assistant really wanted to say... Didn''t you hear their discussion just now? They said the positions have already been decided internally. Even if they give us a chance topete, it''s just a formality. But when the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back down. Deep down, they all knew very well that De Lux was bound to win this bidding by sending the heiress. If Saunders Group got the contract, the new product of De Lux would simply go down the drain. As the leading figure in the fashion industry, how could they let such a situation ur? So, De Lux wouldn''t give anypetitor an advantage. ¡°Ms. Saunders, I have faith in you.¡± ... Victoria gave a smile, but said nothing. She also believed that every effort would be rewarded, unless one cheated for personal gain. And such an oue was beyond her control, so she had no choice but to reluctantly ept the arrangements of fate. Top Floor Office. After leading Lynda to the sofa, Lionel frowned and asked, ¡°Didn''t De Lux decide not to release any new products this month? Why the sudden change of ns?¡± ¡°Lynda, it''s the transition period between spring and summer now. You can totally postpone it for a month andunch the summer collection directly, because the season is about to change.¡± Lynda flicked her voluminous curls and shed a captivating smile. She was a quintessential Adrunian with prominent features and skin as smooth as cream. Coupled with her cutting-edge fashion sense, she exuded the charm of a modern woman. ¡°The collection we''reunching this time is summer wear, Nell. We''ve established a long-term coboration, remember? LG Corporation must allocate the resources for the next month to me.¡± Rubbing her forehead with a hint of a headache, Lionel sighed. ¡°You guys said there wouldn''t be any new products this month, so LG Corporation announced a bid...¡± Severalrge corporations had already submitted their proposals, all vying for LG Corporation''s promotional resources for the uing month. ¡°Now, you suddenly ask me to promote De Lux''s new products. What should I do about those companies that have already submitted their bids?¡± With a yful smile, Lynda confidently said, ¡°I will personally visit them and make them withdraw their bids.¡± If they refused, then De Lux would spare no effort to suppress them, showing no mercy. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°I''m curious to see if they can still survive in the marketce under the pressure of De Lux.¡± Lionel squinted slightly, falling silent for a moment before tentatively asking, ¡°Do you absolutely need the promotional resources for the next month? Can''t it be postponed by a month? ¡°I won''t beat around the bush, I want to give the promotional resources for the next month to a friend of mine. She''s in dire need of it right now.¡± Lynda gave a charming smile, but a hint of coldness flickered in the depths of her eyes. She knew who he was referring to as a ''friend''. It was precisely because she knew, that she came to Hallsbay topete for resources. ¡°Nell, if you don''t want your friend to be driven into a corner by De Lux, advise her to step aside and let us take its course.¡± Lionel pursed her thin lips. He knew that Lynda wasn''t exaggerating. With her influence, suppressing Saunders Group would be as easy as lifting a finger. Saunders Group had not yet established in the luxury goods industry steadily. It could possibly not recover after a setback. Chapter 945 Give Up the Bid Chapter 945 Give Up the Bid That woman was wholeheartedly devoted to achieving something in her career. He didn''t want to clip her wings and keep her sheltered like a flower in a greenhouse. So, he thought it would be best to persuade Victoria to stop bidding to prevent Saunders Group from suffering the bacsh of De Lux. ¡°Enough. You''ve always been dominant. Has anyone who ever tried to oppose De Lux not ended up in a tragic state?¡± ¡°When I have some free time, I''ll try to persuade my friend to give up on this bid, and notpete with De Lux.¡± With a yful smile, Lynda slowly rose from the sofa. ¡°Then it''s settled. I will handle the other biddingpanies. In three days, LG Corporation willunch a full-scale promotion of the new De Lux products.¡± Lionel gave a light hum of acknowledgement, then stood up to escort her out of the office. Once Lynda had entered the elevator, he turned to his assistant and said, ¡°Please ask Ms. Saunders to come to the CEO''s office.¡± The assistant acknowledged with a sound, ready to step back. Lionel suddenly called out to him, ¡°Never mind. I''ll go to the nning department myself.¡± He had just personally gone to the first floor to wee Lynda. If he were to send someone else to invite Victoria at this moment, who knew how upset she might feel. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. He couldn''t bear to see her in distress. Although he knew that persuading her to withdraw from the bidding would make her feel wronged, there was no other choice. The current Saunders Group was on shaky ground. Therefore, they could not afford to offend international luxury brands like De Lux. In the business world, isn''t it inevitable to face some setbacks and frustrations? Then, he took the staff elevator to the nning department. There were quite a few people who were startled. Lionel''s gaze swept across therge office, then he turned to the manager standing quietly to the side and asked, ¡°Where is Ms. Saunders? Wasn''t she supposed to submit the proposal? Has she left?¡± The manager quickly responded with respect, ¡°No, the director is currently meeting with clients and doesn''t have time to see Ms. Saunders. ¡°Just now, the director''s assistant invited Ms. Saunders into the lounge. She should be in the lounge. Lionel gave a light hum in response. The manager quickly said, ¡°I''ll go get the director out.¡± ¡°No need. You guys carry on with your work. Don''t worry about me.¡± Having said that, he headed straight for the lounge. Pushing open the ss door, he saw Victoria flipping through the proposal in her hand. The assistant quickly stood up, nodding towards Lionel and said, ¡°Mr. Gezmond... oh, I mean, Ms. Saunders, I''m going to use the restroom. You two carry on with your conversation.¡± After she finished speaking, she dashed out like a streak of smoke. Victoria put down the proposal in her hand and stood up. Before she could speak, the man standing at the door suddenly strode towards her. His steps were incredibly fast, and in just a few strides, he was right in front of her. Next, he pushed her back a few meters, pinning her against the wall behind them. ¡°Lio...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Lionel leaned in close to her, silencing her unfinished words. Involuntarily, Victoria tried to struggle, but he held her tightly, leaving her unable to move. This man was the man she loved. She had always loved him deeply from their passionate love in their youth, to their entanglement after a long separation. Lionel was not a man who acted solely on his wish. After teasing her for a while, he slowly let her go. ¡°It''s been thirteen days since Ist saw you. In two more days, I''m certain I''lle looking for you because half a month is my limit.¡± Victoria couldn''t bear his intense gaze any longer, fearing she might fall for him again. So, she subtly moved her neck, avoiding his line of sight. ¡°In this world, no one can''t live without someone else. It''s work time now, so let''s talk about work- rted matters.¡± Lionel didn''t speak, he reached out to hold her waist, pulling her into his embrace. It seemed as if she had noticed the change in the man''s mood. Victoria''s voice trembled as she said, ¡°I... I still have matters to discuss with Director Simmons, could... could you let go of me?¡± Lionel remained silent, his slender fingertips gently tracing her tired eyes. In a deep voice, he said, ¡°I let you go to find your freedom, not to work your life away.¡± ¡°If you don''t take better care of yourself in the future, then stop showing your face in public. Return to the Gezmond residence and be a full-time housewife.¡± Victoria was somewhat embarrassed. This man doesn''t take divorce seriously at all. In his eyes, she was a wife who had left in a huff, someone he could bring back home at any moment. She felt rather helpless. ¡°Mr. Gezmond, we have no ties anymore.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Lionel responded nonchntly, and said, ¡°That won''t stop me from doing what I want to do.¡± I really miss her. Victoria bit her lip hard, using the intense pain to keep herself awake. ¡°Lionel, do you see me as a loose woman?¡± The man attempting to cradle her sideways paused slightly, his dark gaze falling on her stubborn little face. After a moment of silence, he suddenly pped his forehead and sighed. ¡°I just spaced out and couldn''t control myself. I''m sorry.¡± After he finished speaking, he reached out to straighten her clothes, then gently guided her to sit on the sofa beside them. ¡°Vicky, give up on this bid. No matter how hard you try, I will give all the promotional resources for the next month to De Lux.¡± Without realizing it, Victoria looked up, and her gaze met with his eyes. Once she regained herposure, her body began to tremble. With teary eyes, she asked, ¡°Why? Isn''t it supposed to be a fairpetition? Why is De Lux given all the resources?¡± Lionel also felt quite helpless, shaking his head and sighing. ¡°Vicky, the business world is like a battlefield. It''s not as simple as you think. ¡°Sometimes, giving doesn''t always guarantee a return. There are many things that are simply beyond our control. ¡°Even if I am the decision-maker of LG Corporation, I still have to consider many factors. I can''t just act on a whim.¡± A misty haze gradually filled Victoria''s eyes. She was not afraid of losing. What she feared was not being given any chance, and being dered a loser outright. She was a woman with a keen sense of perception. Earlier in the hall, she had noticed the deep connection between Lionel and that woman, Lynda. Now he has done it again... ¡°Lionel, this is unfair to me. The summer collection that De Lux hasunched can''t hit the market now, while Saunders Group''s has alreadyunched their spring collection. ¡°It''s springtime now, and I need this promotional resource more than ever. As for De Lux, they can surely wait for a month. ¡°They can afford to give in a little, and still promote their collection next month. But if I give in, the season will have changed by next month. ¡°When the timees, even if we have promotional resources, there would be no market. What do you expect me to do? What am I to do?¡± Lionel furrowed his brows, falling silent for a moment before suggesting, ¡°How about we postpone the launch until next year?¡± ¡°By the end of this year, I will leverage all the resources of LG Corporation to help you break into the international market. ¡°The new product from Saunders Group is bound to be a hit sensation next spring.¡± Victoria gave a sad smile. Chapter 946 Seeking Help From Bailey Chapter 946 Seeking Help From Bailey She rose from the sofa in a daze, her entire body shaking violently. Is this the harsh reality of the business world? Is this what they call the unwritten rules? ¡°Lionel, I thought you would give me a fair chance to bid, but it turned out to be a joke in the end.¡± Having said that, she walked towards the door like a puppet. Without thinking, Lionel reached out to grab her arm, but caught only air. He gently moved his thin lips, ready to speak. But upon seeing her stiffened back, he swallowed his words back down. Could he sympathize with her? He wasn''t afraid of offending De Lux. At worst, he would just have to pay some penalty fees. Chances were, De Lux wouldn''t dare to go against him. After all, he held two-thirds of the world''s promotional resources in his hands. Even the world''s strongestpany wouldn''t dare to offend him easily, not to mention De Lux. He may not afraid of De Lux, but what about Saunders Group? Could Saunders Group withstand the retaliation of De Lux? If De Lux truly struck, he was afraid he might be unable to save Saunders Group even if he had the intention to help them. After all, each industry had its ownwork and influence. His reach was limited only to the entertainment media sector. As for the fashion industry, he might not have the connection and influence to stop high-end brands like De Lux if they struck Saunders Group. If he protected her today, she might have to face the wild retaliation of De Lux in the future. At the very least, Saunders Group''s might suffer some major damages, making it impossible for them to break into the international luxury goods market within the next decade. When that happened, Saunders Group would be on the brink of bankruptcy, and became a casualty of commercial warfare overnight. It was not that he didn''t want to help her, but she was too weak right now. Her current strength simply couldn''tpete with De Lux. Rumble, rumble. Outside, a rumble of thunder echoed, marking the start of the rainy season. When it decided to rain, it just pours. After sitting on the sofa for a while, Lionel got up and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window. The view was expansive, allowing one to see the massive flower bed in front of the building at a single nce. The rain was pouring down in torrents, leaving the streets deserted. Yet, Lionel''s gaze was fixed on the hazy curtain of rain. As far as the eye could see, a woman dressed in a professional suit moved like a wisp of a ghost through the pouring rain. Watching that dispirited figure, Lionel''s heart clenched painfully a few times. Gradually, a chilling light began to glimmer in his eyes. He was once a formidable figure in the media industry, fearing nothing. Even all the world''s top tycoons give him due respect, fearing to offend him and lose their international market. Am I really going to stand by and watch the woman I loves suffer such a devastating blow and endure such injustice? If Saunders Group takes a big fall in resource promotion, leading to dismal sales and huge losses, then I am simply ipetent. With that thought, he abruptly turned around and headed back to the sofa area. His gaze inadvertently fell on the project n spread out on the sofa, and the light in his eyes dimmed a bit more. She had worked tirelessly for half a month for this bid, arriving full of hope, only to leave in disappointment... ¡°Huh.¡± With a soft sigh, Lionel picked up the mobile phone from the tea table and dialed Bailey''s number. The call connected sessfully, and a cool, inquiring voice came through the receiver. ¡°What''s the matter?¡± Lionel took a deep breath and briefly exined the current situation of Saunders Group to Bailey. After hearing him, Bailey replied in a calm voice, ¡°You did the right thing. Saunders Group fighting De Lux is undoubtedly like an egg striking a rock. ¡°It is clear that Ms. Lynda is deliberately causing trouble. She might be fond of you and upon learning that you''re giving resources to Victoria, she decided to stir things up. ¡°I''m aware of the situation now. Tell me, what''s the purpose of your call?¡± Lionel couldn''t help but burst intoughter. She is Bailey Jefferson indeed, a woman with profound insight. Even though he was now in the business circle, his perception was still not as sharp as hers. At least after he exined the situation to Bailey, she immediately understood his predicament. But that woman couldn''t understand him. ¡°I know that you''re the person behind Emmy Boutique. In today''s world, Emmy Boutique is probably the only brand that canpete with De Lux.¡± After hearing this, Bailey couldn''t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Lionel, is this what friends are for? Dragging me into this just to please your woman?¡± With a helpless sigh, Lionel said bitterly, ¡°There''s no other way, and I can''t bear to see her looking so lost and deste. It breaks my heart. ¡°Besides, she''s your best friend. If you don''t help her, who will? ¡°Bailey, consider this as me owing you a favor. You get Emmy Boutique topete with De Lux for the promotional resources for the next month.¡± ¡°Once the bidding is sessful, I''ll transfer the promotion contract to Saunders Group. I''ll cover all the costs involved in the process.¡± With a cold huff, Bailey said rather rudely, ¡°You don''t need to tell me. I would help Vicky even without your prompting.¡± ¡°As for the bidding fee, you don''t need to cover it. Better save that money to pamper your foreign sweetheart.¡± Currently, Bailey had a strong dislike for foreign women. Artemis had already stirred up trouble for her, and now Lionel was doing the same to Victoria. Aren''t they deliberately trying to annoy us? ¡°Just to be clear though, if Emmy Boutique joins the bidding, it''s bound to cause a huge loss for De Lux.¡± Lionel gave a light hum, smiling faintly as he said, ¡°I know, and I also know that one third of the international promotional resources are in your hands. Paradiso Media that suddenly emerged three years ago is your doing, isn''t it? This must be the reason why Emmy Boutique doesn''t need LG Corporation''s promotion. ¡°I know that pitting Emmy Boutique against De Lux will ignite a fierce battle between the two giants, but I have no choice.¡± Bailey said somewhat impatiently, ¡°Enough, stop prattling. You''ve already called me, any more guilt would just seem contrived. ¡°I''ll immediately get in touch with the person in charge of Emmy Boutique, and ask her to participate in the bidding in Hallsbay. ¡°You must ensure Victoria is well-protected during this period. I''m afraid that if Lynda loses the bid, she might vent her anger on her. ¡°Alright, thank you for taking the trouble.¡± After ending the call, Lionel strode towards the door. He was uneasy about the woman wandering the streets alone like a ghost. If anything were to happen, there would be nowhere to turn for regret. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ... Moranta. A private jet was parked on the outdoor grounds, with Bailey and her people ready to embark on their journey to Gregan. Just as she reached the boarding gate, Bailey''s phone began to ring, so she stepped aside to answer the call. Simon, holding Luna, said to Artemis, ¡°Artemis, I''ll board the ne with the kids first. You wait here for Bailey.¡± Artemis gave a nonchnt hum, his was rather absent minded. His entire attention was focused on Bailey, who was answering a phone call not far away. The woman was frowning, as if she had encountered some kind of trouble. After Simon and Catherine, along with a few children, entered the cabin, he headed straight in the direction where Bailey was standing. As soon as he reached her, she ended the call. ¡°What''s wrong? Has something happened in Hallsbay?¡± ¡°Um, there seems to be a situation with Victoria. Lionel just called me.¡± As Bailey began to speak, he simultaneously scrolled through his contacts, found the number for the person in charge of Emmy Boutique, and dialed it. Chapter 947 Pull A Prank Again Chapter 947 Pull A Prank Again Speaking of which, Lionel was her cousin, so in the future, Victoria would be her cousin-inw. After the call connected, before the other party had a chance to speak, Bailey took the initiative and said, ¡°Suzy, I need you to arrange for the senior executives of the nning department to go to Hallsbay. Once you arrive there, please contact Mr. Lionel Gezmond. He will exin everything to you. Don''t ask me why. I don''t have the time to exin it all to you right now.¡± A respectful female voice came through the speaker. ¡°All right, Bailey. I''ll arrange it right away.¡± ¡°By the way, utilize all of Paradiso Media''s promotional resources for the next month to assist Saunders Group in promoting their new product when the timees,¡± Bailey added. With Paradiso Media under her purview, and LG Corporation under Lionel''s control, she believed that Saunders Group''s uing productunch would unquestionably be the season''s standout sess. To her, Victoria meant more than just a best friend. Back then, during their most trying times, they depended entirely on Victoria for help. She frequently traveled the world after that, and Victoria became the primary caregiver for her two children. To put it melodramatically, Victoria yed the role of a benefactor in the lives of all three of them. What they had now wouldn''t be possible without her. Despite Zayron''s typical nonchnt and mischievous demeanor, he exhibited remarkable behavior in Victoria''s presence. That brat treated Victoria as if she were his second mother. Now that Victoria was facing hardships, Bailey was ready to spare no effort in supporting her, let alone exhausting all of Emmy Boutique and Paradiso Media''s resources. De Lux wants to bully my friend, huh? Very well. Bankruptcy is what''s waiting for them. ¡°Also, mobilize all avable resources to attack De Lux''s sales market. It''s best if we could bring them down, but if not, we must, at the very least, make them suffer some major damages. Do you understand?¡± ¡°Understood, Bailey. I will do as you say.¡± ¡°Good.¡± After concluding the call, Bailey looked up at Artemis with a warm and gentle smile, a stark contrast to themanding queen-like demeanor she had exhibited just moments ago. ¡°Mr. Luther, I''m about to pull pranks on someone again. If I cause any troubleter on...¡± ¡°I''ll wrap things up for you,¡± said the man, finishing her sentence for her. When a man of immense power and influence indulged a woman without reservation, he could shower her with such extravagance that it bordered on recklessness. Bailey served as a prime textbook example of the term ¡°reckless.¡± She possessed the confidence that even if she created a substantialmotion in the international business arena, her man would have the ability to rectify the situation on her behalf. With the world''s most powerful man as her anchor, what did she have to be afraid of? ¡°Hehe, I knew you would have my back,¡± she said before reaching out to encircle her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes, and nting a tender kiss on his thin lips. Artemis gently encircled his arm around her waist, his hand delicately caressing her face. The affection in his hawk-like eyes was so profound that it appeared on the verge of overflowing at any given moment. He would truly give up his life for this woman. Bailey gazed at him with a smile as bright and radiant as a blossoming flower. She took immense pleasure in the way he regarded her with adoration and infatuation. It provided her with a profound sense of achievement. Taming a man was not difficult, but taming a man like Artemis, who embodied power, status, wisdom, and handsomeness, presented a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, she still managed to aplish that feat. ¡°Oh, Artemis, I love you so much.¡± The man couldn''t help butugh, warning, ¡°Continue seducing me with those eyes, and I won''t mind doing it with you in the cabin.¡± At that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps reverberated in the distance as Zeke and Cameron strolled in from outside. Seeing the two of them cuddled up together, Zeke found himself momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°There are twenty-four hours in a day, and you both seem to spend at least twenty of them inseparable. Do you ever get tired of it?¡± he quipped. ¡°You''re just envious and jealous,¡± retorted Bailey with a snort before turning to look at Cameron, who was standing aside. Cameron shed her a faint, gentle smile. Bailey noticed a change in the way Cameron looked at her. The lingering affection had diminished, giving way to a hint of eptance. It seemed he had gained a clearer understanding of his own feelings and had moved on. She wasn''t sure if he loved ze, but she knew one thing¡ªhis feelings for her were merely a persistent attempt to turn the tide after losing a game. Such emotions were unrted to love and were instead the purest manifestation of concern. ¡°All right, it''s gettingte. Let''s hurry up and board the ne. If you two want to continue being lovey- dovey, do it in the cabin. Stop wasting time here.¡± Just as the four of them were about to make their way toward the boarding gate, an unexpected shout rang out from behind them. ¡°Master, wait for me!¡± Bailey and Zeke instinctively turned around, only to see Juliana running toward them. Zeke''s expression changed noticeably. After cursing under his breath, he took arge stride forward to approach the woman. Doesn''t she know she still has poison in her system? The more vigorous her movements, the faster the poison spreads. Doesn''t she understand this at all? Juliana came to an abrupt halt in her tracks when she saw the man approaching with a stern expression. Why is he so worked up? It''s not like I''m here to look for him. Walking up to her, Zeke furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°Didn''t I tell you to stay at home? Why are you here at the base?¡± Fearful of the man before her, Juliana timidly shrunk back and replied, ¡°I wanted to go with my master ¡ª¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, Zeke coldly interrupted her, saying, ¡°Stop referring to her as your master. You''ve already terminated your master-disciple rtionship.¡± Bailey walked over from a short distance away, grinning as she said, ¡°That''s right. You can''t call me ''Master'' anymore, my dear sister-inw...¡± She intentionally prolonged thest syble, causing Juliana to blush with embarrassment. ¡°Master... Ah, forget it. I''m not talking to you guys anymore.¡± With that, she walked straight toward the boarding gate. Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Zeke wanted to stop her, but Bailey held him back. ¡°It''s fine to let here along. After all, with Cameron and me by her side, we can take care of her. If her poison acts up, we can help suppress it. But if she stays in the Hoffman residence... Although I''ve taken medicine to control the toxins, it''s always better to be safe than sorry. What if the poison in her body suddenly worsens? Who will save her life? So, it''s safer for her to stay with us.¡± Zeke''s gaze flickered for a moment as he hesitated, but instead of saying anything in response to Bailey, he gently pushed her aside and walked purposefully toward Juliana. Bailey''s smile broadened when she witnessed Zeke lifting Juliana into his arms. The peaceful and tranquil life she yearned for extended beyond her own happiness; it epassed the well-being of her loved ones as well. Yannopolis of Gregan was an ancient city that had endured for over three thousand years, bearing a rich heritage. It was revered as the cradle of Adrunian civilization, its history stretching back into the depths of time. Within this enigmatd, numerous ancient families lived in seclusion. One such family was the Rogers, celebrated globally for their mastery of the art of perfumery. Another notable example was the Venom Valley which encapsted the wisdom and expertise of thousands of years in poison refinement. These reclusive families, traversing the contemporary world, had woven an intricate tapestry of connections within this age-oldnd. The ancestral home of the renowned poison-crafting Rogers family was situated on Mount Yarwood in the western suburb of Yannopolis. The estate epassed several thousand square meters, making it the most expansive architectural complex in this ancient city, second only to the royal pce. Meanwhile, in the side courtyard of the Rogers residence, a poised and refined woman anxiously regarded the middle-aged man seated opposite her, urgently imploring, ¡°Broderick, Eunice possesses an extraordinarily high level of talent and is destined to be an outstanding perfumer in the future. You can''t just stand by and do nothing! Mr. Joseph is hell-bent on appointing Catherine as the next family head. He would never consider trading the Fragrance Journal for Eunice.¡± Chapter 948 Marriage Is Not A Cage Chapter 948 Marriage Is Not A Cage The woman who spoke was Karen Banks, while the middle-aged man seated across from her was Broderick Rogers. In Karen''s perspective, while her daughter was undeniably significant, she did not hold as much importance as her son. If the day ever came when her daughter''s sacrifice was required to ensure her son''s sess, she would not hesitate to propel her daughter into that role. In her perspective, her daughter amounted to little more than a bargaining tool to cate the elders. Therefore, she would never allow such a valuable pawn to perish at the hands of Catherine. Broderick appeared to agree with her perspective, nodding as he remarked, ¡°Eunice still holds value for us, so we cannot allow her to die just like that. Furthermore, we can use Eunice to manipte Catherine, draw the attention of the main lineage, and better protect our son.¡± After speaking, he raised his gaze to the distant horizon before continuing, ¡°Catherine isn''t our main concern here, but Bailey and the Luther couple who apanied her. Despite all my calctions, I never anticipated that Catherine''s child would carry the bloodline of the Luther family. If I had known earlier, I would have found a way to prevent her birth. She''s caused nothing but trouble and even entangled the Luther family in this mess. What a nuisance. Fortunately, the abandoned son of the White family has escaped from Moranta to Citraine. He should be able to assist me in dealing with Artemis and Bailey.¡± Upon hearing her husband''s words, Karen opened her mouth and was about to speak when a middle- aged bodyguard approached and said to Broderick, ¡°Mr. Rogers, Mr. Kurt has taken the bait we nted. He has just contacted me through a secure channel, expressing his desire to meet with you for a face-to-face discussion on coboration matters.¡± Broderick chuckled heartily and remarked, ¡°Talk about perfect timing; here hees.¡± See? Who doesn''t love power? As long as he promised Kurt that he would aid him in reiming control over the Venom Valley in the future, thetter would willingly be his pawn, entirely subject to his discretion. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. ¡°Very well. Please ry to Mr. Kurt that once I''ve chosen a suitable time and ce, I''ll arrange a meeting with him.¡± ¡°Yes, sir.¡± In the afternoon, a private jet discreetly touched down in a residential area situated in the eastern suburbs. This was Bailey''s property in Gregan. It was a rather remarkable coincidence, considering she had spent thest two years in Citraine studying the local cultural heritage, never imagining that her future siblings and nieces would also reside on this samend. This must be fate. Following thending of the private jet, the group disembarked from the cabin. The manor''s butler received the news and, apanied by a group of servants, stood ready in the outdoor grounds below. As Bailey descended from the ne, tears welled up in the butler''s eyes. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, I never thought I would see you return to Citraine in this lifetime.¡± Chapter 949 The Sunset Chapter 949 The Sunset This was where she had once resided, and he had missed out on bing part of her life in the past, leaving a lingering sense of regret. Now that he was here, he naturally desired to take a thorough look and immerse himself in the experience as soon as possible. Bailey regarded him with a slightly perplexed expression, furrowing her brows as she inquired, ¡°Aren''t you tired?¡± That''s strange. This man relentlessly tormented me on the private jet, all under the guise of offering a different kind of experience. I have to admit it''s indeed thrilling. The cabin had limited space, and even though there were separate rooms, when it became crowded, the sounds of activity next door could still be heard, even with the cabin door closed. In that confined space, the man overpowered her, pinning her down, and she couldn''t stop him. Left without a choice, she could only force herself to stay silent. No one knew how torturous that experience was for her. Yet Artemis, that scoundrel,pletely disregarded her feelings and ravaged her in a willful and unrestrained manner. Throughout the entire process, she remained exceptionally vignt, providing him with an unparalleled level of enjoyment. I can''t believe that he... Argh! This man gives me goosebumps when he''s unrestrained! Artemis noticed a faint blush on her face, leaned in closer to her ear, and whispered, ¡°I can do it with you for another few more hours.¡± Afraid that he might actually do what he said, Bailey gently tugged him toward the artificial hill at the side after exchanging a few words with Bruce. Artemis held her hand as they strolled together in the warm spring sunshine. The gentle breeze blew directly onto his face, sweeping away the fatigue that had marked his brow. ¡°I really wish I could hold your hand and continue walking with you like this forever,¡± he expressed. Bailey teased with a yful smile, ¡°What else do you think is going to happen? Are you thinking of changing apanion midway?¡± No sooner had her words escaped her lips than the man beside her abruptly pivoted, pressing her against a cherry blossom tree. At that moment, the vibrant beautiful flower petals fluttered in the wind. The man was attired in a sleek ck suit, tall and slender, radiating an air of serenity and poise. Meanwhile, the woman, donning a simple, floor-length dress, stood elegantly with a smile adorning her eyes and brows. Artemis'' hand tenderly caressed Bailey''s countenance, meticulously tracing the delicate contours of her picture-perfect face. ¡°Stop talking nonsense. Ever since you came into my life, no other color exists in my eyes.¡± Having said that, he leaned in to kiss her. Just as his thin lips were on the brink of brushing against her scarlet ones, a swooshing sound rang out beside his ear. Acting on instinct, he enveloped the woman in his arms, shielding her from harm and promptly retreating behind the tree trunk. The next instant, two unidentified birds plummeted from the tree,nding directly in front of them. Artemis raised his head and gazed ahead, spotting Zayron not far away, wielding a slingshot and vigorously shooting at the branches around him. His lips twitched in annoyance. This brat! Bailey''s countenance also darkened. She narrowed her eyes and shot a stern re at her son, asking through clenched teeth, ¡°Zayron Jefferson, what on earth are you up to?¡± Such a romantic atmosphere, ruined by a few dead birds. How she wished she could hang this jerk from a tree and then pelt him mercilessly with a slingshot to let him have a taste of his own medicine. Nonchntly collecting a few birds from the ground, Zayron shed a mischievous grin and remarked, ¡°I''m thinking of cooking these birds as a tonic for my dad. He''s been working exceptionally hardtely and needs some supplements.¡± Artemis ced his hand on his forehead and pulled his irate, trembling wife into his embrace. ¡°There, there. Don''t let him bother you; he''s just being a troublemaker,¡± he consoled her. After speaking, he took her hand and resumed their walk toward the artificial hill not far away. ¡°The sun is about to set. Come, I''ll take you to watch the sunset,¡± he proposed. Bailey''s somber expression brightened slightly. She watched as he guided her toward the setting sun, their silhouettes intertwining and melding into one. She believed that there could be no greater happiness in this world than this moment. A yful, mischievous child and a gentle, loving husband was more than she could ask for. Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org. This was truly a peaceful, beautiful moment. On the balcony of the guest room on the second floor of the main house, Catherine stood before the railing, observing a group of children below ying with slingshots to shoot down birds. Her typically cold expression gradually softened. ¡°I''ve never seen Luna this happy before. It seems a pleasant environment truly can have an impact on people,¡± she remarked. Simon''s gaze also remained on his daughter, and a smile graced his lips involuntarily. ¡°She''ll always be happy with Zayron and the others by her side. And what about you, Catherine? Have you contemted your future path? Will youe back to Hallsbay with me, or do you intend to return to the Rogers family and assume the role of the head of the family?¡± Catherine''s fingers trembled ever so slightly at her side. In the past, she would have promptly dered her intention to remain with the Rogers family without any hesitation. Even if she couldn''t ascend to the position of the head of the family, her n was to spend her entire life within the n. However, now, she was filled with uncertainty. She found herself somewhat surprised by the shift in her own perspective. For so many years, no one had managed to sway her thoughts. She pondered whether spending time with this man had brought about a change in her. ¡°Actually, my situation is far from as wonderful as you imagine. In the eyes of my family members, I am an unfilial daughter who has tarnished the family''s reputation. Under normal circumstances, my father''s influence would have easily secured me the position of family head. However, these past few years have witnessed no progress whatsoever. It''s not that I don''t want to rise to power, but the family elders have been suppressing me, not allowing me to take control. My Uncle Broderick is my grandfather''s illegitimate son. Though he may not match up to my father, his son is indeed remarkable. The intentions of the Rogers family''s higher-ups are clear. They want to back my cousin, Finley, in ascending to power, which is why they''ve been in conflict with my father all these years.¡± A spark of excitement surged within Simon after he heard that. The elders of the Rogers family don''t want her to assume the position? That''s fantastic! I never wanted her to be trapped in the Rogers family in the first ce. Now, everything has fallen into ce beautifully. Catherine seemed to have discerned his thoughts, turning her head to gaze at him as she spoke with a cold and distant tone. ¡°Why does it seem like you''re finding joy in my misfortune? Even if I take a step back and give up on fighting Finley for the family head position, Uncle Broderick won''t spare me. Because I''ll only cease to be a threat when I''m gone.¡± With that, she turned and walked back inside. Simon frowned and asked, ¡°Where are you going?¡± Catherine replied, ¡°I''m going to call the Rogers family and get them to prepare the Fragrance Journal for exchange at any moment.¡± The conference room in the Rogers residence was abuzz with activity at night. The family''s senior executives were engrossed in a heated discussion about the ¡°Eunice in exchange for the Fragrance Journal¡± issue. A middle-aged man sat in the main seat with his head slightly lowered, calmly observing the tumult below. He was none other than the father of Catherine and the head of the Rogers family, Joseph Rogers. At this moment, a calcting gleam shimmered in his eyes. Could he exchange the Fragrance Journal for Eunice? The answer was no. If Catherine got her hands on the Fragrance Journal, she would leave the family without hesitation. He couldn''t let her leave now, for he had greater ns that involved her. One of the executives said, ¡°Mr. Joseph, please hand over the Fragrance Journal. Although Eunice has made a mistake, she is still an outstanding perfumer in our family. Besides, we''re giving this Fragrance Journal to Ms. Catherine. It''s not like it''ll fall into the hands of outsiders. Once she''s done with it, she''ll return it.¡± ¡°Yeah. Please unlock the Forbidden Ground and retrieve the Fragrance Journal, Mr. Joseph.¡± At that moment, Broderick, who had been silent all along, suddenly let out a sarcasticugh. ¡°Joseph, I understand you''ve been wary of me for a while now, but Eunice is still your niece and a young, vibrant life. If you choose not to rescue her, I can only surmise that you''re intentionally aiming to weaken the authority of the branch family, sowing discord within our own ranks.¡± Chapter 950 Sacrificing Eunice Chapter 950 Sacrificing Eunice Joseph shot a cold re at his domineering elder brother seated below, his eyes emanating a frigid intensity. Don''t think I don''t know what this old man is up to. He wants his son to rise to power, huh? That still depends on whether I agree or not. He''s nothing more than a disreputable illegitimate child. I was generous enough to extend an opportunity for his entire family to revel in immense wealth and prestige. Now, he''s grown audacious, relying on his son''s talents, and coveting what doesn''t rightfully belong to him. Such ambitions are truly reprehensible. So what if my son has mental challenges? The authority of the Rogers family isn''t something that can be seized by a bastard child. ¡°Broderick, you may not have fully grasped the importance of the Fragrance Journal during your years away from the family, but after living in the Rogers residence for decades, you shouldprehend its significance now, correct? Surrendering it to Catherine is tantamount to recognizing her as the family head. Are you all really okay with this?¡± Joseph said. Broderick was at a loss for words. Indeed, the Rogers family had a longstanding n rule that dictated whoever possessed the Fragrance Journal would assume leadership of the Rogers family. He and his trusted aides had been joining forces, opposing Catherine''s rise to power these past few years. Are we really going to give up andpromise for the sake of saving Eunice? His ultimate goal was to support his son''s ascent to power. Eunice, on the other hand, was nothing more than a stepping stone paving the way for her brother. The reason for saving her at this moment was because she still held some value that could be exploited for their benefit. However, if the condition for saving her requiredpromising and agreeing to Catherine''s ascent to power, he would rather not rescue her. Don''t me me for being heartless, but I didn''t endure all those humiliations and hushed condemnations behind my back due to my status as an illegitimate child in vain. I endured all of that hardship solely to pave my way toward future sess. Now that victory is within reach, I''ll never allow anyone to get in my way, including my daughter Eunice. ¡°Are you sure you want to support Catherine''s rise to power? She has given birth to a child of a different family. Her heart is no longer with our family. Allowing her to take charge would be akin to entrusting our entire family to a stranger,¡± Broderick remarked. No sooner had his words left his lips than a chorus of dissenting voices echoed around him. ¡°Don''t let Catherine ascend to power.¡± ¡°Yeah! She vited our n''s rules, giving birth to a child of unknown paternity. She is unworthy of being the leader of the Rogers family.¡± ¡°If you insist on supporting her rise to power, have her kill that little bastard with her own hands first.¡± ¡°I agree!¡± A somber glint briefly flickered in Joseph''s eyes. These people had always opposed Catherine''s rise to power, but ironically, this yed right into his hands. Go ahead and oppose. It''s better if this drags on. When I cure my son''s illness someday, and he''s capable of bearing the family''s responsibilities, I''ll discreetly appoint him as the head of the family. In the end, Catherine is nothing more than a pawn I''ve strategically ced to shield myself from the storm. Broderick and Joseph were indeed blood brothers. They shared the same sentiment to sacrifice their daughters and protect their sons before ushering their sons into power at the right time. Joseph uttered, ¡°Looks like there''s a bit of a mix-up here. You were the ones who asked me to trade the Fragrance Journal for Eunice, and now you''re also the ones opposing Catherine''s rise to power. So, what am I supposed to do?¡± All the senior executives supporting Broderick were left speechless. Joseph''s gaze shifted to Broderick as he added, ¡°Broderick, I can retrieve the Fragrance Journal and secure Eunice''s safety. However, it''s important to understand that the moment I hand over the Fragrance Journal to Catherine will also mark the day she assumes leadership of the family. Are you okay with that?¡± Am I okay with that? Of course not! Broderick abruptly shot up from his seat. When all eyes were fixed on him, he realized his reaction had been too intense. After taking several deep breaths to quell the anger in his heart, he spoke in a rigid tone, saying, ¡°You''re right. The Fragrance Journal is of great significance to the Rogers family and cannot be easily handed over. Eunice is too ignorant, provoking people she shouldn''t have. She deserves to be in such a predicament. Actually, I wouldn''t mind handing over the Fragrance Journal to Catherine and letting her take charge. However, given her association with the Luther family, her motives have be suspect. After much contemtion, it might be best to void this arrangement. Neither the Fragrance Journal nor the position of family head should be handed over.¡± Inwardly, Joseph sneered coldly. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. He recognized that Eunice still held some value for Broderick, and that very reason was why he couldn''t allow her to live. The current oue was exactly what he wanted. ¡°It''s good that you''vee around, Broderick. If Eunice were to unfortunately die at the hands of the Luthers, we will not let this matter rest. I will definitely go to the Luther family and seek justice for her,¡± Joseph said. Broderick stared at Joseph''s pretentious face and trembled all over with anger. He stood motionless for a few moments, managing to squeeze out the words ¡°Thank you, Mr. Joseph,¡± through clenched teeth, before exiting the conference room with his subordinates. Joseph observed Broderick''s departing silhouette with a cold, inscrutable expression on his face. A middle-aged man upying a humbler position among the senior executives spoke up. ¡°Mr. Joseph, I don''t think he''ll give up on Eunice so easily. Aren''t you afraid he might pull some tricks?¡± With a raised eyebrow and a mocking smirk, Joseph replied, ¡°I''m not concerned about him taking action; it''s quite the opposite. If he does decide to make a move, I''ll have a legitimate reason to eliminate him. How can I not protect my own interests and allow others to infringe upon them? I''m even willing to sacrifice my own daughter, let alone others. By the way, have you made any progress in locating the Divine Healer I instructed you to find?¡± ¡°Don''t worry, Mr. Joseph. The Divine Healer is renowned for their expertise in acupuncture. They im that they can stimte Mr. Harvey''s brain, facilitating a gradual improvement in his condition.¡± ¡°Good. Get them to Yannopolis as soon as possible. Harvey''s illness must be treated as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Roger that.¡± After leaving the conference room, Broderick headed straight back to his living quarters. He dismissed all his subordinates and retreated into his study alone, conversing with someone on the phone in front of the window. ¡°Mr. Kurt, time''s up. Have you made up your mind?¡± A soft chuckle resonated from the speaker. ¡°Venom Valley is situated within Gregan. If you ask who holds the most power in all of Gregan, it would undoubtedly be the Rogers family. Now that you''ve personally reached out to me to discuss cooperation, I naturally wouldn''t refuse.¡± Broderick tightened his grip on the phone and inquired with a deep voice, ¡°So, are you confirming your willingness to form an alliance with me?¡± Kurt replied, ¡°Indeed. A wise man adapts to the situation, and as my goal is to reim the Venom Valley, it''s only logical for me to seek your support. However, let''s establish a clear understanding. I''ll help you in removing Mr. Joseph from the equation, and you, in turn, will assist me in reiming what rightfully belongs to me. Once this pact is sealed, there''s no room for second thoughts. Should you attempt to back out, I won''t hesitate to utilize the poisons detailed in the Encyclopedia of Poison to send your entire family into the afterlife.¡± Broderick was well aware of Kurt''s reputation for employing ruthless tactics. In hindsight, he regretted partnering with such a malevolent and sinister individual. However, his current situation is worrisome. Joseph had already harbored murderous intentions toward him, and if he didn''t take action to defend himself, his only oue would be to passively await death. ¡°All right, I agree to your terms. However, Joseph is a tough old bird to deal with. How can you assure me that you can take him down?¡± Kurt chuckled lightly, his tone nonchnt as he replied, ¡°I can''t possiblyy all my cards on the table. Those are my lifelines. But I can give you a dose of reassurance.¡± ¡°What dose of reassurance?¡± Broderick quickly asked. Chapter 951 I Must Have Both Chapter 951 I Must Have Both Even though he proposed this coboration, he wasn''t sure if that young man Kurt could sessfully take down Joseph. After all, thetter was the head of the Rogers family. Kurt''s poison-crafting skills were indeed exquisite, but there were numerous experts around Joseph. He was an exceptional perfumer, so assassinating him would essentially be impossible. He was genuinely curious about how Kurt would go about secretly harming that old man. Kurt''s carefreeughter came through the phone. ¡°If it were half a month ago, I indeed wouldn''t have found a way to bring down the Rogers family. But now, his son''s life is in my hands. If I tell him to go east, he won''t dare to go west.¡± Acupuncture skills... Ha! That''s what my older brother is best at. Hence, I''m naturally well-versed too. Broderick furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°What do you mean by that? What do you mean his son''s life is in your hands?¡± ¡°There''s no need for you to worry about that, Mr. Broderick. I know what I''m doing. If you still don''t trust me, that''s fine. We can end our coboration right here...¡± ¡°No,¡± Broderick responded anxiously, ¡°I trust you. From this moment on, our contract is officially in effect.¡± ¡°Great, then it''s settled. Do you have any other questions?¡± After some thought, Broderick said, ¡°My daughter is in the hands of the Luther family. They proposed a swap using Fragrance Journal, but that old fool Joseph wouldn''t agree. Mr. Kurt, I know you hold the reins over the Luther family. Can you help me rescue my daughter?¡± After speaking, he waited nervously for the other party''s response. He initially thought he''d have to do some persuading, but unexpectedly, Kurt agreed without a second thought. ¡°Sure, to demonstrate my sincerity in coborating with you, I''ll save Ms. Eunice.¡± Broderick was somewhat taken aback, but after the shock, he felt a deep sense of joy. ¡°Many thanks to you, Mr. Kurt.¡± Countryside manor. Living room in the main house. Catherine walked in from outside with a gloomy face. Seeing that, everyone who was chatting in the room stood up from the couch. Bailey asked with a hint of confusion, ¡°Cath, what''s wrong? Who upset you?¡± Simon paced up to her, furrowing his brows as he said, ¡°Who has been bullying you? Tell me, and I''ll make sure they pay.¡± Catherine red at him, her gaze tinged with annoyance. After pushing him aside, she spoke with a hint of coldness. ¡°The Rogers family has changed their mind. They no longer n to exchange Eunice with Fragrance Journal. Even though I''m not sure what they''re up to, this is their decision.¡± Bailey and Artemis exchanged a nce, each sensing a realization of a scheme in the other''s eyes. ¡°Hasn''t your father always wanted you to seed him as the head of the Rogers family? If they hand over Fragrance Journal now, then you''ll be, indeed, the rightful authority of the Rogers family. Logically speaking, he shouldn''t be opposing.¡± Catherine nodded and said, ¡°It''s Uncle Broderick. He said he would rather sacrifice Eunice than give up the Fragrance Journal. For years, he had been inciting the elders in our n to oppose my ascension. Now, why would he hand things over to me so easily? Even if his own daughter is the one imprisoned at this moment, he would sacrifice her. That old geezer''s overly ambitious.¡± Bailey nodded slightly. It seems that the internal affairs of the Rogers family are quiteplex. We will need to tread more carefully moving forward. ¡°So, what''s your n now? To kill Eunice and then take on the Rogers family?¡± Catherine remained silent, not saying a word. She also didn''t know what to do. Once Simon makes a move, it would ignite a battle between two prestigious families. No matter who ends up losing, it would be a tremendous blow to me, which is something I couldn''t bear. While being in a daze, Catherine felt a sudden weight around the waist. Without thinking, she looked down and saw a sturdy arm wrapped around her waist. Then, Simon''s deep and resonant maic voice echoed from above. ¡°If they refuse to hand over the Fragrance Journal, then we have no choice but to go to war. However, don''t worry. I will only force them to give me what I want. I won''t harm your loved ones in the slightest.¡± Under normal circumstances, if Simon were to act this affectionately, she would definitely resist. Yet, this time, she didn''t. Biting her lip tightly, she stated, ¡°Am I so useless? I can''t even protect my own daughter?¡± ¡°You''re silly.¡± Simon ruffled her hair gently and continued gently, ¡°In such an extremely ruthless and evil ce, you''ve done an amazing job raising Luna. Leave the rest to me. After all, I am her father. I may not have been there for her childhood, but the least I can do now is to ensure her survival.¡± Catherine took a deep breath, a cold glint shing in her eyes. ¡°Since Uncle Broderick doesn''t care about Eunice''s life, then I should just let her¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, a sudden ringtone abruptly echoed throughout the room. Bailey was staring intently at her phone, on the screen of which a string of encrypted numbers was shing. After a few seconds of silence, she extended her finger to slide over the answer button, conveniently pressing the speakerphone. In the next moment, a man''s voice, carrying a hint of a smirk, came through the receiver. It was Kurt. ¡°Bailey, you must be surprised to receive my call.¡± With a firm grip on his phone, Bailey narrowed her eyes and asked, ¡°Our battle hasn''t even started yet. Are you sure you want to rush to your doom this early?¡± Kurt burst into heartyughter. ¡°Bailey, you''re still as cocky as ever. But this time, you might not make it out of Gregan alive.¡± A hint of impatience surfaced on Bailey''s face. She didn''t have the energy to deal with this nuisance right now. ¡°Spit it out if you have something to say. If not, I''m hanging up.¡± ¡°Come on. I know you''re in a hurry to get the Fragrance Journal and the Encyclopedia of Poison. I don''t have the Fragrance Journal, but I can give you the Encyclopedia of Poison.¡± Bailey''s hand paused just as she was about to hang up the call. She then asked frostily, ¡°What tricks are you trying to y now?¡± They needed the Encyclopedia of Poison, indeed. Although this object belonged to the Yablon family, it had been sealed in the Forbidden Ground for many years. As a result, even Cameron was unaware of many details about it. They were just about to detoxify the poison in Luna''s body, and they needed the poison-crafting skills from the Encyclopedia of Poison to assist them. Therefore... ¡°Kurt, would you really be so kind as to give me that? After all, it''s something you''ve worked so hard to steal.¡± She deliberately emphasized the word ¡°steal.¡± Kurt chuckled lightly. ¡°There''s no need to mock me. You can''t make me lose out on anything. I''ve already memorized the contents of the encyclopedia to the point of fluency. To me, it''s nothing more than a pile of scrap paper now. But for you, it could be a lifesaver.¡± Bailey closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and forcefully suppressed the anger welling up inside her. Through gritted teeth, she asked, ¡°What are your terms?¡± She didn''t believe that scoundrel would be overflowing with sympathy. In fact, Kurt was straightforward. He cut to the chase and said, ¡°Release Eunice, and I''ll return the item to you.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Bailey was taken aback for a moment, and then she quickly regained herposure. Ha, it seems this scumbag has already gotten involved with Mr. Broderick. Very well! I''ll wipe them out in one go. ¡°Trading a life for a tattered encyclopedia, what a waste! You really have the nerve to suggest such a thing.¡± Silence followed right after that. Bailey continued, ¡°If you want to save Eunice, you can. But you must hand over the Encyclopedia of Poison and ze.¡± Chapter 952 Living Pathetically Chapter 952 Living Pathetically If I could exchange Eunice for the Encyclopedia of Poison and ze, this would be considered eptable. To them, Eunice was nothing more than an insignificant person. However, since Kurt was coborating with Broderick, and thetter had asked him to save Eunice, it was essentially like making a public deration of their alliance. Since Kurt had called Bailey today, it proved that he was determined to seed. So, there was still room for discussion in this negotiation. With that in mind, Bailey continued, ¡°Kurt, we are both intelligent people. Since you called me today, it proves that you are determined to save Eunice. Let''s not waste words or haggle. I can release Eunice, but only if you hand over ze.¡± After a moment of deadly silence, a full minute passed before Kurt''s slightly grim voice came through the phone. ¡°It''s not like I absolutely have to save Eunice. This coboration was initiated by Broderick himself. He''s the one who needs my help. Bailey, I know you feel guilty about ze, and Cameron also feels the same about her. After all, she is the one paying the price for you both. So, with her in my grasp, you can only obediently let me manipte the situation. My rtionship with Broderick isn''t so good that I''d give up ze to save Eunice. I know you genuinely want to make this deal. After all, you wouldn''t gain anything from killing Eunice. Here''s the deal. I''ll give you the Encyclopedia of Poison and the toxin form for the poison that your disciple has been afflicted with. In return, you have to hand over Eunice.¡± Bailey suddenly gripped her phone tightly. She knew that it would probably be very difficult to make Kurt take a step back and hand over ze today. But if we could obtain the form for the toxin, develop an antidote, and rid Julie''s body of the toxins, that would be good, too. Just as Kurt stated, he wouldn''t let ze off easily, as ze is the biggest bargaining chip he held. Regardless of whether it was me or Cameron, we must inevitably rescue ze. As long as Kurt has control over ze, he can manipte all of us. So, if he has even a shred of sense, he won''t trade ze with us. ¡°All right. We''ll do as you say. Hand over the Encyclopedia of Poison and the toxin form, and I''ll hand over Eunice. You''d better not y any tricks. As the saying goes, always leave some leeway when doing things, so we can meet on good terms in the future.¡± Kurt burst into heartyughter. ¡°Bailey, you''re as arrogant as ever. Hopefully, you''ll be as lucky this time, managing to escape from Gregan unscathed.¡± As soon as his words fell he immediately ended the call. Bailey stared at her phone screen for a while before slowly raising her head to look at Catherine. She said, ¡°I''m sorry, I made a deal with Kurt without discussing it with you.¡± Catherine shook her head and responded softly, ¡°Killing Eunice might relieve some anger, but it won''t bring any substantial benefits. Instead, using her in exchange for the Encyclopedia of Poison and saving Ms. Juliana''s life would be the best choice. You don''t need to me yourself. My only regret is that we can''t save Ms. ze. She''s trapped, and I bear some responsibility for that. I wish I could rescue her.¡± Bailey opened her mouth, ready to say something, when out of the corner of her eyes, she noticed Cameron standing at the entrance of the living room. Her body shivered slightly, and she called out, ¡°Cameron.¡± The other party didn''t respond, quietly turning around and leaving. Seeing his despondent figure, Bailey felt a pang of inexplicable pain struck her heart. Among them all, no one would feel more self-reproach, more guilt, and more helpless than Cameron. Every additional day ze remained in Kurt''s hands signified another day of suffering for her. And the pain she endured would be magnified tenfold, even a hundredfold, ultimately drowning Cameron in the bottomless dark abyss. ¡°Artemis, take care of the uing transaction.¡± Having said that, Bailey strode toward the outside. She pursued all the way to the garden and finally spotted Cameron by the artificialke. Bailey strolled over to him, expressing regretfully, ¡°I''m sorry. I wasn''t able to rescue ze this round.¡± Cameron waved his hand, his voice tearing through the silence. ¡°Don''t me yourself. I know you did your best. Kurt has been coveting ze for a very long time. Bailey, did you know that when ze used to be all around me, I would provoke her with words? I even told her not to degrade herself and even to embrace Kurt instead. Looking back now, every word was a stab to the heart. How painful it must be for her to recall those. ¡°I despise my own unbridled tongue. Why did I utter such words? She was clearly a pure angel. In the end... In the end...¡± Seeing his dejected appearance, Bailey also felt a bitter sensation rising in her heart. In her memory, Cameron was a confident and arrogant fellow who had never been afraid of anything. But now, as she looked into his eyes, she could feel the immense fear radiating from him. It was often said that a woman could change a powerful man, and that statement was absolutely true. ze, are you seeing this? The man you''ve admired for years now has his heart and eyes filled with nothing but you. If you''ve seen it, then live well. After the storm, there''ll always be sunshine. I believe you, too, can weather the storm until the clouds part to reveal the light. ¡°I''ve stashed away a few bottles of good wine in the cer. Would you like to join me for a drink? However, I have one condition. After the intoxication fades, don''t wallow in despair. Gather your spirits and prepare to face the uing storm. Cameron, only you can save your woman because it''s not her heart that''s hurt, but her body.¡± Cameron''s lips twitched, as if he wanted to say something. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. After gritting his teeth for quite some time, he finally gave up. ¡°Join me for a round of alcohol, and when I sober up, I''ll face the future anew.¡± Bailey let out a sigh of relief. In recent days, Cameron had been isting himself in a confined space, wallowing in self-reproach and misery. If he could walk out of the dark space, that would be the best. She believed that after enduring this hardship, he woulde to appreciate what he had in front of him even more. ze, that silly girl, exchanged what she had always dreamed of with her devotion. In a castle in the eastern suburbs. Inside the master''s study. Kurt had just ended his call with Bailey when the door was pushed open. An elderly man walked in from outside, bowing deeply toward him. ¡°Mr. Kurt, we have waited for you for twenty years. Finally, our hopes have been fulfilled, and you have returned. We''re well aware of Mr. Cadence''s situation. Sooner orter, we''ll have to settle this blood debt with the Luther family.¡± After hearing the elderly man''s words, Kurt slowly tightened his grip on the mobile phone in his hand. In most cases, the illegitimate child would be the one who was ostracized by the legitimate one, driven out of the house to wander aimlessly and live a pitiful life. Yet, these brothers found themselves ousted from their own nest by a mistress and an illegitimate child, ultimately ending up as outcasts with nowhere to go. If it weren''t for the Yablon family taking them in out of respect for their deceased mother, he and his brother wouldn''t have survived to this day. They would have been wiped out long ago by the assassins sent by that nasty mistress. ¡°What''s the current situation in Venom Valley?¡± The elderly man hastily bowed and reported, ¡°Mr. Kurt, Old Mr. White''s health is like a withered tree, beyond the help of medicine. Over the past few years, that malicious woman, La, has rapidly expanded her influence,pletely sidelining the head of the family. Now, Old Mr. Whiteis nothing more than a figurehead. I know that Old Mr. White deeply regrets it. He regrets inviting trouble into his own home. However, even though he thinks that way, he isn''t capable¡ª¡± Crack! An explosive sound interrupted the elderly man''s words. Chapter 953 Could She Be Pregnant Chapter 953 Could She Be Pregnant Unable to contain his inner rage, Kurt crushed his phone screen to pieces. The sharp ss pierced into his flesh, oozing droplets of dark red blood. ¡°That old geezer got what he deserved. It''s entirely his own fault. He doesn''t deserve anyone''s sympathy. This is the result of him abandoning his wife and children in the past. Now he''s been bitten back by that vixen he had been obsessing over. Truly, heaven is watching. The heavens are fair, indeed. Even if that venomous woman, La, doesn''t make a move, I''ll make sure that old wretch wishes he were dead and doesn''t meet a peaceful end.¡± The elderly man parted his lips and wanted to say, ¡°That''s your father; the man your mother risked her own life to protect.¡± He was about to voice that out, but he swallowed his words instead. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Back then, when Kurt and Cadence were falsely used, Wilfred didn''t hesitate to kick them out. Now, seeing his current predicament, it was nothing less than what he deserved. He truly deserves it. ¡°Mr. Kurt, what do you n to do next?¡± Kurt slowly turned around, his gaze falling on the garden view outside the window. He said inly, ¡°Of course, it''s to reim what originally belonged to me. And also, I''ll make sure those who once bullied us brothers don''t meet a good end. That wicked mother and son should be the first to bear the brunt.¡± The elderly man remained silent, not uttering a word. Kurt added, ¡°After enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens for so many years, I''ve been waiting for the day of revenge to arrive. Now that I have the advantage of time, location, and people on my side, I refuse to believe that I will repeat the mistakes of the past.¡± After he finished speaking, he gestured toward the elderly man. Seeing this, thetter quickly leaned in to listen. Kurt whispered into his ear, ¡°That old geezer must be so unwilling to be dominated by that despicable woman, right? I bet he''s frantically searching for a divine physician to cure his illness right now. Then, he''ll seize power and restore his former glory. Spread the word that the head of the Rogers family has found an acupuncturist ready to treat his intellectually disabled son. ¡°Once that old geezer hears this, he will definitely pay attention. What I want is for him to seek out that acupuncturist, understand?¡± The elder saw the bloodthirsty intent in Kurt''s eyes and knew that this acupuncturist was under his command. ¡°Mr. Kurt, he is, after all, your father...¡± ¡°Enough. From the moment my mother died and me and my brother were driven out of our home, he ceased to be my father. The pain he inflicted on us, mother and sons, I will return to him in full. You must do as I say.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, indeed.¡± After the elderly man left, Kurt sent a message on his broken-screened phone: Take the Encyclopedia of Poison and the toxin form to the designated ce and exchange them for Eunice. After sending the message, he put away his phone and strolled toward the door. Upon leaving the study, he went straight to the bedroom. Pushing open the door, he found a woman tied up on the bed. Looking at the face that had fascinated him for many years, Kurt felt the gloom in his heart instantly vanish. Strolling to the side of the bed, he looked down at the woman who was in a daze. After a moment of silence, he tentatively reached out to touch her. ze snapped out of her daze and coldly stared at the hand reaching out toward her. In a hoarse voice, she said, ¡°I''m on my period. I can''t entertain you. Scram.¡± Kurt''s hand, which was originally clutching her cor, paused. Once he regained hisposure, he shifted direction, cing his palm against her pale face. As he gently caressed her, his movements were tender,pletely devoid of the darkness and malice that used to be present in the past. ze looked at him icily, her gaze filled with deep contempt and disdain. Kurt could sense her intense disgust, his eyes narrowing slightly as a hint of danger shed in his gaze. He leaned in closer to her ear and spoke in a teasing tone. ¡°Don''t worry. I don''t mind fighting through blood and sweat.¡± ¡°Shameless.¡± ze spoke through gritted teeth. At first, she was solely consumed by the desire to die. After enduring his ruthless torment several times, she had only one thought in her mind¡ªto kill this despicable scumbag herself. Yes, she must take this scoundrel''s life with her own hands. Only by killing him could she find some sce after that. Once he was gone, she would then end her own life. Upon seeing the undisguised hatred shing in her eyes, Kurt felt his heart suddenly tighten. She shouldn''t hate me. How can she possibly hate me? With the Rogers family taking care of the pests in the Venom Valley for me, I don''t need to rely on Bailey and Cameron to help me seize power. So, there''s no need for me to give up this woman. How can she harbor resentment toward me when we have a lifetime to spend together? How can she... hate me? With this thought in mind, he slowly moved his palm downward,ing to rest on her t abdomen. If we had a child, would she stop hating me? That''s right. A child. We desperately need a child. ¡°Sweetheart, you won''t hate me for long because it''s impossible to hate the father of your own child.¡± Cracks began to form in the calmness of ze''s eyes. She looked at him, full of disbelief, her lips trembling incessantly. ¡°W-What... What did you say? Child? What child?¡± ¡°Yes, as soon as you''re over your period, we should start trying for a child immediately. Don''t worry. I won''t let them wander aimlessly like I did. I will train them to be an outstanding heir to the Venom Valley.¡± ze began to struggle intensely. ¡°D*mn it, you can''t do this! You can''t.¡± Kurt watched her in her frenzied state, unmoved. He reached out, gently patted her cheek, and slowly stood up. ¡°You don''t have a say in this, you know. Take good care of yourself and work hard to give me a chubby little kid, haha.¡± After saying that, he left the room with a heartyugh. ze shouted desperately from behind, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t bring back the man who hadpletely lost his sanity. What should I do? Who can tell me what I should do? Bearing a child for that despicable man is something I don''t even dare to think about. I will surely descend into an endless hell, never to be reborn for all eternity. Can I just drop dead? Can I? Despite that, it wasn''t a bitter pill she could just swallow. How could she take herst breath when the one who ruined her life hadn''t yet met his end? ¡°Ah... Kurt, I''m going to skin you alive and tear you apart. Skin you alive and tear you apart.¡± At the research base, Bailey was drinking with Cameron. After only a few sips, he vomited and was immediately taken to the infirmary. Artemis had just arranged for his men to negotiate a deal with Kurt when he heard that Bailey had an ident. He immediately rushed to the infirmary. When he arrived, the emergency room was surrounded by a crowd. Catherine frowned and asked, ¡°Did Bailey use to vomit when she drank alcohol?¡± Artemis slightly narrowed his eyes. He hardly ever let her touch alcohol. If he knew that woman was off to ply Cameron with drinks, he would certainly stop her. With her frail body, how many more times can she handle the strain? Letting her drink alcohol¡ªisn''t that like intentionally watching her die? ¡°Whenever she''s with me, she never drinks. So, I''m also not too sure.¡± After speaking, he turned his head toward Juliana on the side and asked, ¡°You know her better. Have you ever seen her throw up after drinking?¡± Juliana quickly shook his head. What kind of joke is this? Master used to be able to drink heaps without any problem. Vomiting after drinking alcohol? That doesn''t apply to Master. ¡°Could it be... could it be that she''s pregnant? This was exactly how I felt a few months ago when I was pregnant. A strong smell would trigger my nausea, and I would vomit.¡± Chapter 954 Trap Of The Enchantress Chapter 954 Trap Of The Enchantress As her words fell, a dim light flickered in her eyes. The child that had slipped away ultimately left an indelible scar on her heart. Sensing a shift in her emotions, Zeke quietly wrapped his arms around her, whispering into her ear, ¡°Once we''ve rid you of the poison, we can try for another child.¡± Juliana awkwardly pushed him away. Even now, I still find it somewhat unsettling when the man takes the initiative to approach me. She would actually prefer to face who he was in the past rather than his current attentiveness. After all that she had been through, her mindset had matured, and she gained a deeper understanding of love between men and women. To put it inly, she used to be unabashed, but now she had learned to be reserved. Seeing her silent, Zeke added, ¡°We''ll have a few more children. The Shurmer family has arge business to manage, and it''ll be a bit difficult for one person to shoulder the burden. By having a few more siblings, they can support each other, so they won''t end up as exhausted as I am.¡± Juliana bit her lip tightly, her face flushed with anxiety. Luckily, the emergency room door opened just in time. Otherwise, she would have surely sumbed to the immense pressure. Artemis was the first to rush to the door, anxiously asking, ¡°What''s going on? What''s the situation?¡± The female doctor responded respectfully, ¡°Ms. Bailey is in poor health, with low immunity. The high alcohol content has irritated her stomach and intestines, causing her to vomit uncontrobly. But it''s not a big deal. A couple of days of rest, and she''ll be fine. However, she needs to take care of her health in the future and absolutely must avoid drinking alcohol.¡± So, it''s not a pregnancy, just a stomach injury. Artemis was stunned for a couple of seconds, but he didn''t feel much disappointment. From the very beginning, he had said that having a son and a daughter in this life was more than enough. Otherwise, vasectomy wouldn''t even cross his mind. It was her insistence on having a second child that he went along with. If she couldn''t get pregnant, that would be even better. He didn''t want her to go through any more pain. ¡°All right. I understand. I''ll definitely keep that in mind. May I go in to see her now?¡± The female doctor stepped aside and smiled. ¡°Ms. Bailey also thought she was pregnant. Now that the results are out, she said it was all a false rm. She''s not in the best of spirits right now. Mr. Luther, perhaps you could go in andfort her. It would be a good opportunity to persuade her against getting pregnant, as her current health isn''t quite suitable.¡± Artemis nodded, quietly taking note of the doctor''s instructions. If a little bit of alcohol makes her throw up like this, what will happen if she gets pregnant in the future and has severe morning sickness? Won''t she be throwing up every day? That woman even concealed her health condition. It seems like I need to bring a medical team here to watch over her around the clock. Walking into the ward, he saw Bailey leaning against the head of the bed with a disgruntled expression on her face. He couldn''t help butugh. ¡°You''re still not satisfied? You''ve caused such a ruckus that the entire manor can''t find peace. Everyone''s revolving around you. What right do you have to be upset?¡± Bailey huffed. ¡°I thought I was pregnant, but it turned out I wasn''t. D*mn it. The heavens are always ying tricks on me.¡± Artemis found it somewhat amusing. He paced over to the bedside and gently pinched her cheek. ¡°Take care of your health first. Otherwise, don''t even think about getting pregnant.¡± Bailey slightly furrowed her brows, casting a displeased nce at him. ¡°You didn''t do something sneaky, did you? Did you take some medicine? Or did you put on some kind of protection? Come clean.¡± Artemis clenched his teeth tightly, ring at her fiercely. ¡°If I had taken medicine, do you really think I could hide it from you, the renowned doctor, Anonymous? Won''t you be able to tell if I''m wearing any protection when I''m having my way with you?¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes and nced at him, clearly skeptical. After getting off the bed, she pointed at the spot where he had just been lying, ¡°Lie down. I need to check.¡± Artemis stopped speaking and directly lunged at her. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. ¡°You seem to be in high spirits, so let''s ride on this buzz and continue to have some fun.¡± ¡°All right, then.¡± Not only did Bailey not avoid him, but she actually took the initiative to embrace him. Artemis btedly realized that he had fallen into the trap of this enchantress. Before he could react, she had already exerted dominance over him. What followed was a series of actions taken to the extreme passion. Even with his abundant patience, he couldn''t withstand her relentless initiatives. With the intoxicating scent of alcohol emanating from her, all his reason and restraint went out the window. ¡°Honey, take it easy, take it easy...¡± All sounds came to an abrupt halt. Outside the infirmary. Simon and the rest had juste out when they bumped into Ken, who was walking toward them. ¡°Mr. Simon, where is Mr. Luther? I have urgent matters to discuss with him.¡± Ken was Artemis'' personal bodyguard. If he said there was an urgent matter, then there must be one in hand. Simon didn''t dare to cause any dy either. He quickly pointed behind him. ¡°He''s in there with Mrs. Luther. You should go find him.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± responded Ken before striding toward the infirmary. As he was passing by Catherine, thetter reached out and stopped him. ¡°If there''s nothing particrly urgent, it''s best not to disturb Mr. Luther. He''s with Mrs. Luther...¡± She didn''t finish the rest of her sentence. Those who understand will understand. As for those who don''t, well, there''s nothing I can do about it. I surely can''t exin it so bluntly in front of so many people, can I? As expected, Ken didn''t understand. ¡°He can continue chatting with Mrs. Luther, but I really have urgent matters to discuss with him. Excuse me.¡± Having said that, he strode forward again, ready to charge in. Seeing the situation, Simon quickly called out to him, ¡°Hey, Ken, my brother and sister-inw are indeed not avable right now. You better not disturb them. If there''s anything you need, just talk to me directly. I should be able to help you solve it.¡± Ken was somewhat bewildered. Out of the blue, Zayron, who was ying with Luna on the side, said, ¡°They are making babies in there. If you''re not afraid of dying, go ahead.¡± Without a word, Ken quickly withdrew his leg and swiftly stepped back. He said to Simon, ¡°Mr. Simon, I think it''s better I speak with you. Mr. Kurt called and mentioned the location of the transaction. He asked Mr. Luther to bring the person he requested to meet.¡± Simon slightly furrowed his brows, falling silent for a few seconds before he responded, ¡°Go and bring Eunice out, then follow me to see Kurt.¡± After some thought, Ken agreed with a nod, and then he left. Cameron stepped forward and said, ¡°I''ll go with you.¡± Simon knew he was worried about ze and wanted to ask Kurt about her situation. So, he didn''t refuse but simply cautioned, ¡°He might provoke you with his words. Don''t act impulsively because if anything goes wrong, I won''t save you.¡± ¡°All right.¡± After reaching a mutual agreement, the two of them strolled toward the outside. Catherine hesitated for a moment, and she called out to Simon''s retreating figure. ¡°Be careful, don''t go head-to-head! Kurt has plenty of time to clean up, so there''s no need to rush at this moment. Don''t be impatient for quick sess and instant benefits. Don''t fall into his trap.¡± Simon''s lips curled up in a smile. Is she showing concern for me? Is that the case? It should be, right? Meanwhile, inside the countryside castle. Upon receiving the news, Kurt learned that Simon would being to the meeting in ce of Artemis and that Cameron would be apanying him. Cameron. Ha! Since he''s here, let''s give him a grand gift. Hmm, how about giving him a picture of my intimate moment with ze? Chapter 955 The Unbearable Photo Chapter 955 The Unbearable Photo An hourter. Inside a certain grove in the countryside. Kurt leaned against the car door, raising an eyebrow as he watched Simon and Cameron across from him. ¡°Is she here, the person I asked for? If yes, let''s proceed with the exchange simultaneously.¡± Simon narrowed his eyes at Kurt, his voice icy and detached. ¡°Kurt, you''ve got quite the nerve, daring toe here alone. Aren''t you afraid we might just kill you right here?¡± Kurt spread his hands, his face full of indifference. ¡°If I die, ze will be in a terrible situation. Either she would be tormented to death, or she would be sold to the filthiest of ces. Mr. Simon, before you make a move, you should first ask if Mr. Yablon and Ms. Bailey agree.¡± ¡°Despicable.¡± Simon cursed vehemently, ¡°Using a woman as a shield, are you even a man?¡± Kurt shamelessly smirked; his words were disgustingly filthy. ¡°Whether I''m a man or not, you guys definitely don''t know, but ze does. These days, we''ve been together all the time, and my private part is almost worn out...¡± Bang! Simon couldn''t take it anymore and fired a shot directly into the air. Once the noise had faded, he nced at Cameron from the corner of his eyes. Seeing his tense expression, his heart inexplicably sank. This guy is holding back his anger. If Kurt were to utter more provocative words, he couldn''t guarantee that Cameron wouldn''t lose his temper. ¡°Enough, Kurt. Your shamelessness is clear for all to see, so there''s no need for you to keep emphasizing it here. I''ve brought the person. What about the things we need? Have you prepared them as well?¡± Kurt shed a smile, took out a package from the car, and instructed his bodyguard to hand it over to Simon. The bodyguard nodded, walked over to Simon with the item in hand, and handed it to him. Simon took it and unwrapped the package. Just as he was about to flip through the encyclopedia, Kurt began to chuckle softly. ¡°Mr. Lu, I have ced something in the encyclopedia. It''s specifically prepared for Mr. Yablon. You really shouldn''t look. I advise you to give it to him. It''s something only he can see.¡± A suspicion formed in Simon''s heart, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the encyclopedia. If there truly was something unspeakable inside, then he couldn''t give it to Cameron. Kurt seemed to have read his mind and couldn''t help butugh. ¡°That thing, I''ve prepared two of them. I still have one in my hand. If you destroy it, then I''ll have no choice but to reveal the backup copy for everyone to see.¡± Simon gritted his teeth tightly, the grinding sound echoing eerily. Seeing that Simon''s attention was diverted, Cameron swiftly snatched the package from the former''s hands. He first took out the toxin form from below, carefully looked it over, and said, ¡°It''s the toxin form. Take it first, then wait for me in the car.¡± Simon suddenly became anxious, and he asked in a deep voice, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± ¡°Don''t worry. I won''t overstep my bounds. I''ve mentally prepared myself beforeing here.¡± Simon wanted to say something, but upon meeting the other party''s cold gaze, he decided to hold back. He ordered someone to escort Eunice out of the car, and then, holding the toxin form, he climbed into the vehicle. With an expressionless face, Cameron looked at Kurt across from him and asked deliberately, ¡°What have you done to her?¡± Kurt shed a faint smile as he responded casually, ¡°Such a delicacy. How could I bear to harm her? Don''t worry. She''s doing fine. I''ve been taking great care of her, really great.¡± After he finished speaking, he pointed to the Encyclopedia of Poison in Cameron''s hand with his chin and said with a smirk, ¡°This encyclopedia is the most sacred thing of your Yablon family, isn''t it? Now, I''ve tucked in a photo of my intimate moment with ze inside. Are you sure you don''t want to take a look?¡± Cameron''s pupils contracted sharply, and the fingers holding the encyclopedia turned an abnormal shade of white. After a moment of silence, he slowly flipped through the encyclopedia. The sight of that unbearable photograph deeply pierced his gaze. As he stared at her vacant gaze, a pang of wordless guilt and self-reproach spread through his entire being. There was no greater sorrow than a heart that has ceased to feel. He saw in her lifeless eyes a longing for a solution to death. Once upon a time, those vibrant eyes reflected nothing but his image. But now, only despair and ashes remained. ¡°How about that? Our passionate scenes are quite intense and wild, aren''t they, Cameron? Speaking of which, I should thank you. If it weren''t for you, how could I have had her first time? How could I have tasted her sweetness?¡± Thud! Cameronunched a kick directly, sending Eunice sprawling on the ground, right at Kurt''s feet. ¡°If ze dies, I swear I''ll tear you to pieces and grind your bones to dust.¡± Having said that, he turned around and walked toward the car. His silhouette remained upright as ever, but upon closer inspection, one could notice his shoulders trembling. In truth, he really wanted to kill Kurt and send him straight to hell. But he was also afraid, terrified that ze would suffer even greater harm. That scoundrel Kurt has always been a madman. He said that if anything happens to him, ze will suffer even greater pain. It must be true. How dare he gamble with ze''s life? Moreover, Cameron knew that the woman was clinging to herst breath, most likely with the intention of ending Kurt''s life with her own hands. If Kurt were to die, she might take her own life before Cameron could even find her. ¡°Haha, Cameron, once ze is pregnant, I''ll let you know. I''ll share with you the joy of bing a father.¡± What responded to him next was the jarring sound of a door being mmed. Simon watched Cameron climb into the vehicle, thetter''s aura of pain and sorrow leaving him stunned. ¡°C-Cameron, are you okay?¡± Cameron hung his head low, his hands trembling as he fumbled for a lighter in his pocket. Simon wanted to get closer, but he didn''t dare to. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. His sorrow is something only he can confront. No one else can help him with it. After a good while, Cameron shakily took out a lighter. With a ¡°pop,¡± the me danced on the photo, and in no time, it devoured the image on it. As the ashes disintegrated in his palm, wave after wave of burning sensation swept over him. Biting back the intense pain, he managed to rasp out, ¡°Go back.¡± Simon opened his mouth, a bitter taste spreading from the tip of his tongue, leaving him momentarily unable to find his voice. If the roles were reversed, if it were Catherine in his ce, he didn''t think he could bear it. After a long silence, he finally found his voice. However, instead of offeringfort, he said, ¡°Ken, let''s go. Return to the manor.¡± Only after Simon and his group had left did Kurt lower his head to examine the woman at his feet. ¡°Eunice, you should know that you were destined to die today. However, it was I who saved you. You''d better prove to me that you still have some worth. Otherwise... I won''t mind giving you an extra stab.¡± Struggling, Eunice managed to get up, a bloodthirsty chill shing in her eyes. ¡°We share amon enemy. I will utilize my art of perfumery to the fullest extent, lending you as much assistance as I can.¡± Kurt sneered, reaching out to hold her chin and patting her cheek twice. ¡°A pretty face, but what a pity, you have a vicious heart. Go and create some incense that can induce hallucinations for me. I have a use for it.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± Chapter 956 Scheming Again Chapter 956 Scheming Again At the manor. Inside the ward. Bailey was lying on Artemis'' chest. The two had just made love, and the room''s temperature hadn''t yet cooled down. Artemis reached out to hold her hand, saying in a teasing tone, ¡°Stop fidgeting, just lean on me properly.¡± Bailey pursed her lips at that. She preferred him when he was moved by emotions. Once he sobered up, he became that sharp and decisive mastermind again, a side of him she didn''t care much for. ¡°What do you think we should do next? The situation within the Rogers family is incrediblyplex. Trying to get them to willingly hand over the Fragrance Journal, I''m afraid, will be extremely difficult.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Artemis lowered his head to look at her, a glint of light flickering in his eyes. Seeing Artemis in this state, it was clear that he was up to his old tricks of scheming against others again. It seems that this man only truly rxes when he''s entwined with me, thinking of nothing else, completely immersed in the act of love. Right after that, his mind would immediately start to spin rapidly again. Whenever she was with him, she didn''t need to be on her intellectual toes. She could just blissfully let him hold her in his arms and pamper her. ¡°Mr. Luther, are you nning on causing trouble again?¡± Artemis raised his eyebrows slightly and chuckled lightly. ¡°I''d only do that to you.¡± Bailey red at him, chiding, ¡°We''re discussing serious matters here. Stop being so slick.¡± Artemis pinched her nose, lightly reminding her, ¡°Don''t worry about theplex situation within the Rogers family for now. Just remember that two strong forces cannot coexist in the same ce. The eldest son of the Rogers family was born of a mistress, while the second son is the head of the family. They have been estranged for many years, constantly plotting each other''s demise. We just need to assist one of them to profit.¡± Bailey''s eyes lit up. ¡°So you''re saying that we could help Mr. Joseph overthrow Mr. Broderick, then ask the former to hand over the Fragrance Journal. Since we''ve done him a favor, he probably won''t refuse. However, Mr. Broderick''s influence in the Rogers family is so strong that even the head of the Rogers family is helpless against him. How could we outsiders possibly affect him?¡± Artemis'' lips curled into a smile, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. ¡°If Mr. Broderick and Kurt join forces to overthrow the head of the Venom Valley, do you think we could deal a heavy blow to Mr. Broderick and Kurt if we teamed up with the head of the Venom Valley?¡± Bailey burst intoughter at that. This man, as always, loves to take advantage of a crisis. ¡°Mr. Luther, your n is excellent. I''ve heard that Old Mr. White has been bedridden for years, and his young wife has effectively taken over all his powers. If we want to coborate with him, we must first cure his hidden ailment, allowing him to regain control.¡± ¡°Then I must trouble you with this, Mrs. Luther. After all, I know nothing about medicine.¡± Bailey reached out and hooked her arms around his neck, grinning as she said, ¡°Then you''ll be in charge of negotiating with Old Mr. White. With this ally, we won''t be at a disadvantage everywhere we go.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± The two spent some more time cuddling in the room before getting up. Upon learning that Cameron was distressed and had locked himself in theb, Bailey quickly composed herself. After briefly speaking with Artemis, she hurriedly left the ward and headed for the lab. When she arrived at theboratory, she saw Cameron standing by the equipment, conducting an experiment through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She stood at the door for quite a while, making sure that Cameron was not venting his frustration before she finally stepped in. On her way to theboratory, she had already learned about the situation from Simon. She always knew Kurt was despicable, but she never imagined he could stoop this low. He even used a photo of him entangled with ze to provoke Cameron. If Cameron''s endurance was even slightly weaker, he might have already copsed by now. ¡°Cameron, can you share with me what''s on your mind?¡± She had no intention of prying into his thoughts, and she simply wanted to have a chat with him. His strong willpower is one thing, but alleviating the inner repression is another. Cameron nced at her, a gentle smile ying on his lips. ¡°I''m wondering, once I get ze back, how should I go about healing her wounds,¡± he mused. ¡°Bailey, you''re a woman, so can you teach me how to do it? She used to protect me, and now, it''s my turn to protect her.¡± Bailey took the vessel from his hand and brought it close to examine it. ¡°It''s simple. Just treat her with all your heart. If she tries to push you away, stick to her relentlessly. One day, she will be moved by your persistence. The reason ze was able to push through everything and survive is likely not just to take revenge on Kurt, but more importantly, it''s because you told her you liked her that night, giving her hope. It was this very response that gave her immense courage. Once she''s saved, treat her well, and don''t let her down again. Her wounds will heal. Cameron, give me three days. I promise to rescue her, and I will not go back on my word.¡± Cameron nodded with a smile. ¡°I know Kurt is currently coborating with Mr. Broderick. He won''t threaten us for now, so we can act covertly and catch him off guard.¡± ¡°Right, as long as you understand, that''s all that matters.¡± The Rogers residence''s main house. Stephanie stood in the middle of the living room, narrowing her eyes as she stared at Joseph, who was sitting on the couch. She tried to reason with him. ¡°Joseph, Luna is a child we''ve watched grow up. Are you really going to stand by and do nothing while she''s in danger?¡± Joseph gave her a cold nce and replied in a deep voice, ¡°I agreed to hand over the Fragrance Journal, but the first branch of the family disagreed. They fear that I might let Catherine take over as the head of the family.¡± Stephanie sighed silently, then said in a leisurely manner, ¡°From the start, you never intended to hand over the position of family head to Cath. Why didn''t you exin this to the elders? If you promise not to let Cath take power, they will naturally agree to you handing over the Fragrance Journal. You should¡ª¡± Before she could finish her nagging, Joseph stood up from the couch and stated angrily, ¡°If I tell them not to let Catherine ascend to power, their knife will be aimed at Harvey. Do you want to lose your son?¡± ¡°B-But you can''t treat Cath like a pawn. After all, she''s our daughter.¡± ¡°That''s a woman''s selflessness. If she hadn''t stepped forward to shield him, your son would have died countless times by now.¡± Stephanie instinctively wanted to retort, but Joseph didn''t give her the chance as he continued, ¡°If you truly want to be a good mother, persuade your precious daughter toe back. She''s been away from home for too long. Those malicious hands have reached out to Harvey again. Without her shielding him, your son won''tst much longer.¡± Stephanie found herself being caught in a dilemma. Both are my children and dear to me. Although one isn''t as precious as the other, they bothe from me. How can I sacrifice one to save another? Seeing her hesitation, Joseph spoke again. ¡°Harvey is not naturally dumb, and he was made this way. I''ve found an acupuncturist who is confident that he can restore Harvey to his normal state.¡± After hearing that, Stephanie felt a surge of joy in her heart. ¡°Is it true what you''re saying? You''re not lying to me, are you?¡± ¡°Why would I deceive you when it concerns our son''s entire life? However, his treatment must be conducted in secret. Therefore, Catherine must return to divert the attention of those sly and wicked people in our family. You must personally make the trip and bring her back.¡± Chapter 957 With Him Around Chapter 957 With Him Around Stephanie began to waver a bit. It was those overly ambitious and greedy ones in the family who had caused my son to end up like this. Now that he has a chance for treatment, how could I possibly let it slip away? To provide him with a peaceful healing environment, someone must divert the attention of the other family members. Perhaps only Cath could handle that. After all, her husband had deliberately let it be known that he intended for Catherine to seed him over the years. By doing so, he used her to shield their son from many overt and covert attacks, ultimately ensuring his safety. Nowadays, if such a thing were to happen again, she would be the only one capable of handling it. ¡°So, how should I talk to Cath about this? What if she doesn''te back?¡± In the end, Stephanie, for the sake of her son, chose to abandon her daughter. Seeing his wife being on the same page, the head of the Rogers family smiled in satisfaction. ¡°Tell her, as long as she returns to the family, I will secretly take her to the Forbidden Ground, allowing her to copy the Fragrance Journal. Even though she can''t take that thing out, it doesn''t stop her from sneaking in to copy it. However, the prerequisite is that she must know to stay in the Rogers residence for the rest of her life and keep a clear boundary with that brat from the Luther family.¡± Stephanie gritted her teeth fiercely, nodding as she responded, ¡°All right, I''ll make a trip to the countryside manorter to persuade her toe back. But you have to promise me that unless it''s absolutely necessary, you can''t give up on Cath.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± No sooner had Joseph''s words fallen than the butler hurried in and asked, ¡°Mr. Joseph, the divine physician has arrived. Where should I arrange for him to stay?¡± ¡°The divine physician is here?¡± Joseph stood up once again, a hint of excitement in his voice. ¡°Bring him straight to the main house and make sure no one else finds out.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± At the same moment, inside the study of Broderick''s residence. Broderick was currently sitting on the couch, answering a phone call. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Kurt, for your timely rescue. For now, my daughter will stay with you. Her perfumery skills are quite good. I hope she can be of some help to you as a way to repay your life-saving kindness.¡± Kurtughed. ¡°Don''t worry. My people have already gone to the Rogers family. I believe in a couple of days, Joseph and Stephanie couple will be thrown into chaos. You don''t need to ask me what I''ve done. Just seize this opportunity to take power. Once you control the Rogers family, immediately send people to help me break into the Venom Valley.¡± Sensing Kurt''s confidence, Broderick subconsciously tightened his grip on his phone and responded in a deep voice, ¡°All you need to do is give me a chance, and I will take control of the entire Rogers family. Once I''m in power, I will definitely help you conquer Venom Valley.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± When Kurt answered the phone, he was on his way to the White residence. After ending the call, he had already arrived at the entrance of the mansion. ¡°Mr. Kurt, after that venomous woman seized power, she banished Old Mr. White to this remote courtyard, effectively isting him from the center of power,¡± the elderly man exined on the side. Kurt stepped out of the car, looking at the dpidated courtyard before him. He couldn''t help but sneer, ¡°The Venom Valley is second only to the renowned poison-crafting family, the Yablon family. It''s truly laughable that their dignified family head has ended up in such a state.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he took arge stride up the steps. After entering the courtyard and passing through the corridor, he finally arrived at thergest room in the middle. No one knew what was happening inside. All that could be heard was the sound of porcin shattering again and again. Then, a series of intermittent curses began to spread throughout the courtyard. ¡°That f*cking b*tch still has ties with that Yablon character. Neither of you both are my blood. Why should I treat you as my sons? If you truly are my kin, why did she choose to die by crashing into a wall? If she was wronged, she could have exined and proven her innocence. Why did she have to die? Why did she have to die? And you two miscreants, when you were first cast out of your home, no one dared to take you in. Yet, it was that scum of a man, Yablon, who took you in. You''re not his blood? Who would believe that? Who would believe that?¡± Kurt didn''t bother to exin as he stated coldly, ¡°Believe what you want to believe. After all, that malicious woman was wless in her actions back then. I had no way to defend myself. So much has happened that I no longer care about being part of the White family. This time, I''vee back to reim what''s rightfully mine. I know you have an illegitimate son. You n to hand over the White family to him, but I''m afraid that wish won''te true. You despised me, calling me a bastard, didn''t you? Well, I''ll change the name and lineage of the White family.¡± ¡°No, you can''t do this...¡± Echoes of howls lingered in the courtyard, refusing to fade away after a long while. Kurt headed outside without looking back. From beginning to end, he never once called that man his father because he was unworthy. As he reached the door, he pulled out a bottle of medicine from his pocket and tossed it to the elderly man. With a chilling voice, he said, ¡°Give this to him. Keep him alive, and don''t let him die of anger. I still need him to watch a good show.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± Not long after the group left, an unexpected visitor appeared at the White residence. Wherever the neer passed, the bodyguards guarding all around fell to the ground, one after another, unable to rise. Only after everyone had been taken down did the man leisurely walk into the house. That person was indeed Artemis. He deliberately chose to appear only after Kurt provoked Wilfred with his sharp remarks. He thought that Wilfred should be quite willing to cooperate with him. Ha! Manor. A few children were frolicking in the outdoor grounds ahead. Luna was running and suddenly dropped the windmill in her hand, and then she dove headfirst into the arms of the distinguished and ssydy. ¡°Granny, why are you here?¡± Stephanie bent down to embrace Luna, looking into her little granddaughter''s innocent eyes. A trace of reluctance flickered deep within her own. Material ? N?velDrama.Org. I hope Cath has the strength to withstand all the attacks until the day her father hands over the family leadership to Harvey. Compared to a daughter, a son is somewhat more important. ¡°I found out you guys are back, so I came especially to see you. Where''s your mommy?¡± No sooner had her words fallen than a gentle voice echoed in her ear. ¡°Mother, you''re here.¡± Stephanie nodded with a smile, exchanged a few words with Luna, and then walked off to one side with Catherine. ¡°Cath, your father wants you to return. He said he''ll secretly allow you into the Forbidden Ground for you to copy the Fragrance Journal. However, he has one condition¡ªyou must stay in the Rogers residence for the rest of your life, and you are not allowed to leave the family even a step.¡± Catherine was already nning to go back. Luna''s health condition couldn''t be dyed any further. She could only get the Fragrance Journal if she returned to the Rogers residence. Now that her mother hade to pick her up personally, she wouldn''t refuse. As for other things, like her future with Simon, she''d discuss it after she got the Fragrance Journal. ¡°All right. I''ll make arrangements to return home with you. I won''t be taking Luna back with me, though. She is a descendant of the Luther family, so it''s better for her to stay here.¡± Seeing her agree so readily, Stephanie naturally went along with it. ¡°Okay, it''s not convenient to bring Luna along, anyway. Let''s leave her with her father.¡± Half an hourter, Catherine followed Stephanie and left. As she got into the car, she nced at the bodyguard standing quietly to one side. When she made contact with a pair of familiar hawk-like eyes, her body couldn''t help but pause for a moment. If I''m not mistaken, that bodyguard should be... ¡°Cath, what''s wrong?¡± ¡°Nothing, Mother. Let''s go.¡± The moment she stepped into the vehicle, a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Catherine''s lips. With him apanying her back to the Rogers residence, she seemed to be much more at ease. Chapter 958 Walking Right Into The Trap Chapter 958 Walking Right Into The Trap Inside the manor''sboratory. Bailey narrowed her eyes at the test report in her hand, her expression inscrutable. Cameron spoke up from the side. ¡°It seems the poison has mutated within Juliana''s body. The form Kurt gave us is indeed genuine, but the antidote we developed is ineffective.¡± After hearing that, Bailey furrowed her delicate eyebrows slightly. After a moment of silence, she paced over to the iron cage. Inside, there were a few little white mice that had been injected with Juliana''s blood and had been poisoned. Earlier, they fed them the antidote they had developed, but in the end, they still died of poisoning. In other words, the antidote they''d been researching was ineffective. ¡°Cameron, how do you usually handle such mutated toxins?¡± Cameron furrowed his brows as he spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Increase the ingredients in the form, but I''m not sure if Juliana''s body can withstand it. The reason why Kurt so readily gave us the form is probably because he guessed that the toxin had mutated within Juliana''s body. Even if we could develop an antidote, it wouldn''t neutralize the mutated toxin in Juliana''s body. The situation is quite difficult to deal with.¡± No sooner had his words fallen than Zeke walked in from outside, saying as he walked, ¡°No matter how difficult it is, we have to do it. We can''t just stand by and watch her die. First, conduct experiments usingb mice and gradually increase the dosage of the form. The day the mice stop dying, that''s when you can administer the injection to her. Either way, we''re facing a dead end. Why not take a gamble? Besides, I don''t think she''s as fragile as you think. Go ahead and make the arrangements.¡± After he finished speaking, he quickly changed the subject and continued, ¡°An hour ago, Mrs. Rogers came to the manor and took Catherine away. I actually wanted to let you know, but Catherine didn''t want to bother you, so she didn''te to say goodbye.¡± Bailey was taken aback. She turned to look at him, and her expression was somewhat gloomy. ¡°The Rogers family is in a dire situation. If Catherine goes back now, she will either have to take over as the head of the family or be a cannon fodder,¡± she said. ¡°Zeke, you should have told me. If I had known, I definitely wouldn''t have let her go. By the way, where''s that brat, Simon? Didn''t he try to stop her?¡± Zeke sighed lightly. ¡°When Mrs. Rogers came over, she brought a few bodyguards. When she left, one of the bodyguards stayed behind.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. After pondering for a bit, Bailey immediately understood what he meant. ¡°Simon disguised himself as that bodyguard and sneaked into the Rogers family? Who gave him the hyper-realistic mask?¡± ¡°Juliana. Don''t forget, you were the one who trained that girl. Whatever you can do, she may not be an expert, but she can do it too. She also hypnotized the bodyguard to extract some basic information from him. Simon, disguised as him, should be able to pull it off without arousing suspicion.¡± Bailey rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit of a headacheing on. She said helplessly, ¡°They''re walking into a trap. I always feel that the head of the Rogers family isn''t very willing to hand over his position to Catherine. If he truly wanted to support his own daughter, with his status in the family, even if the elders were against it, he would have ways to ensure Catherine ascends to power. The reason Catherine hasn''t be the head of the family all these years is likely because the current head of the Rogers family never intended to hand over power to her. If she goes to the Rogers residence now, she might end up being a mere pawn.¡± ¡°You''re suggesting that the head of the Rogers family has another sessor in mind, and he doesn''t favor Catherine? But as far as I know, the head of the Rogers family only has one son and one daughter. His son, who was schemed against when he was young, turned into a fool and is absolutely incapable of shouldering the responsibilities of the family.¡± Bailey nced at him and said calmly, ¡°Bing a foolter in life is not the same as being born one. Who knows? Maybe Mr. Joseph refused to ept the fact and secretly sought out a divine physician for treatment.¡± For ancient families like theirs, the most valued aspect was the session of their offspring. Unless absolutely necessary, how could they let their daughter take charge? Moreover, Catherine had even given birth to a child from another family. ¡°The situation in the Rogers family is actually very simr to the Hoffman family. Neither Juliana nor Catherine are the most important heirs in their respective families.¡± Zeke nodded, expressing his concern, ¡°From what you''re saying, it seems they''ve indeed walked right into a trap.¡± At that moment, Artemis walked in from outside. Seeing the situation, Bailey quickly approached and asked, ¡°How did it go? Did you manage to reach an agreement?¡± Artemis gave a light hum. ¡°I chose the best time to go, so it went rather smoothly. The head of the White family isn''t actually bedridden due to illness but is being controlled by poison from his mistress. I don''t understand poisons, so I can''t tell. He gave me a stack of information, saying that you would definitely be able to concoct an antidote. As long as we help him detoxify, he will coborate with us.¡± After he finished speaking, he pulled out a crumpled pile of papers from his pocket. The moment Bailey received it, she casually tossed it to Cameron. ¡°See if you can concoct an antidote.¡± After she finished speaking, she turned her head toward Artemis and told him about Simon and Catherine going to the Rogers residence. Artemis slightly furrowed his brows. After a moment of silence, he ventured, ¡°It should be fine. Joseph won''t make a move until his son is healed. Since that old man agreed to discreetly open the Forbidden Ground and allow Catherine to copy the Fragrance Journal, their journey then has a purpose. Luna is their daughter. As parents, if they don''t risk their own lives to save their child, who else can? Don''t worry too much. Simon is not as useless as you think. Of course, if he really died in the Rogers family''s hands, it only means he isn''t skilled enough. His death would not be unjust. We, the Luther family, do not house ipetency.¡± Nighttime. Inside the Rogers residence''s main house''s study. Joseph looked at his daughter, who was standing in front of the coffee table, and said in a calm voice, ¡°You''re back? Originally, I nned to exchange the Fragrance Journal for Eunice''s life and then let you take over the position of the head of the family smoothly. But your uncle has repeatedly interfered, so the n has been disrupted. However, don''t worry. I will find other ways to help you ascend to power.¡± Catherine slightly lowered her head. It wasn''t sure what was going through her mind while her eyes reflected an inscrutable emotion. Joseph added, ¡°If you aspire to hold power, keep your distance from the Luther family. Now that Luna has been returned to the Luther family, she has no further ties with you. Pull yourself together and help me deal with the first branch of the family. Only when wepletely suppress them can we truly rest easy. And once you rise to power, you can rest without worries.¡± Catherine slowly raised her head and spoke clearly. ¡°We can discuss these matterster. Luna is in imminent danger right now, so I simply can''t calm my mind. If you truly wish for me to help you eliminate the first branch of the family, then I ask you to fulfill your promise. Allow me into the Forbidden Ground to transcribe the Fragrance Journal. The parasite inside Luna can only be cured by the methods within that journal.¡± Joseph remained silent as he narrowed his eyes at her. It seemed as if a hint of malice was brewing deep within his eyes. If it weren''t for the fact that this girl still has some use and is able to shield my son from the attacks, I would have kicked her out of the house long ago. Her pregnancy before marriage haspletely disgraced the family. Observing his silence, Catherine continued, ¡°Father, please fulfill your promise and allow me to go to the Forbidden Ground to copy the Fragrance Journal.¡± Chapter 959 Forbidden Ground Chapter 959 Forbidden Ground A fleeting glint of murderous intent shed in Joseph''s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He harbored a deep desire for the child''s demise, especially after learning that the troublemaker''s father was Simon, intensifying his wish for the child''s downfall. The Luther Group, now under Simon''s control, posed a significant threat, especially if he were to coborate with Catherine, potentially bringing catastrophe to the Roger family. This audacious girl, however, was unwavering in her resolve. She had forced Joseph to unlock the Forbidden Ground and copy the Fragrance Journal. Refusing her demands might lead to her aligning with the Luther family to apply pressure. If they fell out, and she distanced herself from Joseph, refusing to return to the Roger family, it would only leave his son as the target of all their attacks. No, I can''t let my son endure any more suffering; he is my only hope. Until I find a cure for him, there must be a scapegoat to bear the consequences. Catherine seemed to be the only suitable shield, given the current circumstances. ¡°Enough, Luna is also my beloved granddaughter. When she''s in danger, how could I stand by without helping? You can go to the Forbidden Ground. However, be aware that there are hidden dangers inside, and you''ll have to face them on your own. I can''t openly assist you.¡± With these words, Joseph removed the family head seal from his body and handed it to her. With the seal, the guards monitoring the Forbidden Ground would allow Catherine to pass freely. She epted it gracefully, thanked him, and turned to leave the room. Joseph watched her departing silhouette with an intensifying sense of gloom in his eyes. This ungrateful wretch, always fixated on that little troublemaker. If I hand over the Roger family to her, I fear the entire n will be swallowed up by the Luther family. As Catherine left, the butler hurried in, his expression anxious. ¡°Mr. Joseph, after the Divine Doctor administered the injection to Mr. Harvey, he started vomiting blood. Mrs. Rogers has requested your immediate presence.¡± Joseph sprang up from the couch, heading swiftly toward the door. ¡°Let''s go take a look, and remember, seal off the main house tightly. Do not let anyone outside learn of what''s happening within.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Leaving the main house, Catherine moved stealthily under the cover of the night toward the Forbidden Ground. As she reached an artificial hill in the back garden, she slowed her steps and whispered softly, ¡°Come out. I know you''ve been following me.¡± In the next instant, a figure darted through the dimly lit night and stood before her almost instantly. Simon looked somewhat embarrassed as he asked, ¡°You noticed?¡± Catherine sighed and turned her gaze to the unfamiliar face before her. In a hushed tone, she began, ¡°My uncle, the elders'' union, and all those ambitious individuals from the branch family have their eyes on me. In essence, I''m surrounded by wolves and tigers. Simon, you shouldn''t havee. Do you realize that the current Roger family is like a treacherous ce filled with danger? You¡ª¡± Her nagging abruptly ceased, reced by a stunned expression as she stared at the up-close handsome face before her. Her pupils constricted dramatically. This jerk. How dare he bully me! This audacious person had actually dared to get close to her, sending a peculiar sensation coursing through her body, causing her to shudder involuntarily. She couldn''t help but tense up. Simon, not wanting to overstep, released her after a few seconds. Catherine, in a fit of anger, pped him across his handsome face. Simon didn''t attempt to evade the p; he simply stood there, gazing foolishly at her flustered demeanor. His inner thoughts praised her beauty. ¡°Have you had your fill of staring? If you''re finished, then go away, or else I''ll w your eyes out.¡± Simon remained unperturbed, leaning in closer to jest, ¡°I''ll take your p as a yful flirtation, especially since itcked force. Or is it that after our kiss, you''ve be all tender?¡± ¡°You...¡± Not giving her a chance to lose her temper, Simon took her hand and led her forward. Catherine wanted to resist, but Simon gently cautioned her, ¡°I''ve observed that there are always patrols in the back garden. If you don''t want to be discovered, keep your voice down and behave. Let''s first make our way to the Forbidden Ground to secure the Fragrance Journal before we discuss anything else.¡± Catherine was annoyed, and her irritation was palpable, but she couldn''t argue with his logic. The journey remained silent, and a few minutester, the two reached a dense forest situated at the westernmost part of the property. Catherine whispered, ¡°Wait for me outside.¡± Simon didn''t need much time to consider; he immediately protested, ¡°I''ve done my research. This dense forest is highly dangerous. I can''t let you venture in alone. You divert the guards outside, and I''ll sneak in. Remember, no tricks. If you dare to charge in alone, I''ll follow.¡± Catherine red at him, rendered speechless by his determination. She couldn''t outmatch this man''s resoluteness in being ruthless. ¡°Just wait here,¡± she replied tersely. With those words, Catherine emerged from behind the artificial hill and made her way toward the Forbidden Ground''s entrance. No one could discern the method she employed, but within moments, all the bodyguards stationed at the entrance had fallen unconscious. She cast a meaningful nce in Simon''s direction. Hurrying over, he observed a few individuals with vacant expressions and inquired curiously, ¡°What did you do to them?¡± The woman regarded him coldly and sneered, ¡°You''d grasp it better if I did the same to you.¡± ¡°No, thank you.¡± Simon swiftly dodged to the side. He didn''t need her to exin; he could probably guess it anyway. It was likely some sedative fragrance that could cloud one''s mind, and he certainly had no desire to experience its effects. After Simon disappeared into the dense forest, Catherine quickly counteracted the sedative fragrance affecting a few guards. Paying no attention to their bewildered expressions, she followed in Simon''s footsteps and rushed into the Forbidden Ground. Within the dense forest, there were no living guards, but it harbored mechanical traps and wild beasts such as wolves. As the two ventured deeper into the woods, several tigers and leopards charged toward them. Catherine swiftly positioned herself in front of Simon, issuing a stern warning, ¡°Stay behind me; don''t attempt to be a hero.¡± Having said that, she deftly flipped her palm, releasing a wave of refreshing fragrance that permeated the area. Wherever it passed, the beasts fell to the ground, one by one, unable to rise. Simon stood behind Catherine, unashamed of being protected by his wife, and cautiously surveyed their surroundings, ready to evade any surprise attacks. As they delved further, various unknown dangers began to surface. Beads of sweat formed a denseyer on Catherine''s forehead as she clenched her teeth. ¡°There are too many beasts. My sedative fragrance is limited. Simon, go to the secret chamber and transcribe the Fragrance Journal. I''ll fend them off.¡± Now, Simon couldn''t maintain hisposure any longer. He red at her and said firmly, ¡°Do you really think I''m that weak? Leaving my wife in danger while I flee? I can''t do such a thing.¡± After his deration, he pressed down on Catherine''s arm, propelling her through the only opening. ¡°Go and copy the journal, especially those you''re unfamiliar with. Try toplete them all in one go.¡± Catherine hesitated briefly but ultimately reasoned that keeping them both here would be a waste of time. It was better to take a chance. ¡°All right, be careful. Don''t confront them head-on; try to navigate around them.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org. Simultaneously, Joseph halted on his way to the infirmary. After a brief period of contemtion, he instructed the butler, ¡°Inform the first branch of the family that Catherine has entered the Forbidden Ground.¡± Chapter 960 Why Do You Want Me To Leave Chapter 960 Why Do You Want Me To Leave The butler''s face revealed a moment of astonishment. If news of Ms. Catherine going to the Forbidden Ground is revealed to the first branch of the family, they will undoubtedly attempt to stop her. In that case, Ms. Catherine might not be able toplete the transcription of the Fragrance Journal. The butler expressed his concern, ¡°Mr. Joseph, are you certain about this course of action? Ms. Luna''s parasitic poison has already taken effect. If we prevent Ms. Catherine from copying the Fragrance Journal, there''s a significant risk that she might not survive.¡± Joseph responded with a cold snort, ¡°That jinx, even though she carries the noble bloodline of the top- tier Luther family, she is still not a true Roger family descendant. I understand Catherine''s character. She is indifferent to fame and fortune; the only thing she values is that child. Once the child is cured, she will leave the family. When she leaves, who will protect Harvey from overt and covert threats? Furthermore, I''ve heard that Mr. Simon is interested in marrying her. If she allies with the Luther family, won''t the Roger family be in grave danger?¡± The butlerprehended Joseph''s intentions and replied, ¡°I will make the necessary arrangements immediately.¡± Joseph continued, ¡°Ensure that the approach is subtle. Broderick must not suspect that I leaked this information to him. Otherwise, he might realize that I''m not genuinely supporting Catherine but using her as a shield. If he discerns my motives, he will turn his attention toward Harvey. Harvey is already in a precarious position, and any foul y against him wouldpound the situation.¡± ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Joseph. I have ced several informants within the first branch of the family. Some of them have gained Mr. Broderick''s trust. I have instructed them to convey this information discreetly. I''m confident he won''t harbor any suspicions.¡± ¡°Very well, proceed with the arrangements.¡± At Broderick''s residence, inside the study, Broderick was in conversation with a young man, Wilbur Rogers, the eldest son of the first branch of the family. ¡°Dad, what is Mr. Kurt''s n? Can he truly help us create an opportunity with the second branch of the family?¡± Wilbur inquired. Broderick chuckled. ¡°Don''t worry, that young man is eager for power. Currently, he depends on our support. He won''t make any moves. He has asked us to wait, so let''s do just that. It''s only a matter of a day or two. If he still can''t provide us with an answer the day after tomorrow, we will take action.¡± After a moment of silence, he added, ¡°Your sister is with him now, and she can keep a close watch on his actions. If he dares to betray us or take any harmful actions, your sister will deal with him.¡± Wilbur nodded and was about to respond when there was a knock at the study door. ¡°Come in,¡± Broderick said. The door swung open, revealing a middle-aged man, one of Broderick''s advisors. ¡°Mr. Broderick, Catherine has entered the Forbidden Ground, presumably to retrieve the Fragrance Journal.¡± Upon hearing this, both Broderick and Wilbur stood up. Wilbur''s face disyed a hint of joy as he eagerly asked, ¡°Is the information reliable?¡± ¡°Mr. Wilbur, I verified the information thoroughly before reporting,¡± the advisor affirmed. Wilbur''s joy increased. He turned to Broderick, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, ¡°Our primary concern was that if we pushed too hard against the second branch, they might insist on supporting Catherine for the family head position, despite opposition. This situation is perfect. Catherine has entered the Forbidden Ground without the elders'' union approval, which is a breach of n rules. We can use this as a pretext to ce her under house arrest temporarily.¡± Broderick nodded with a smile, ¡°You''re right. Restraining Catherine will make it easier for Kurt to proceed. Let''s head to the Forbidden Ground to see what the great Ms. Catherine is up to.¡± Emerging from the secret chamber in the Forbidden Ground, Catherine hastily clutched a bundle of yellowed papers in her hand. Observing that Simon was still dealing with the beasts in the nearby forest, she made her way toward him without dy. Just as she was about to reach him, Simon suddenly let out a low warning, ¡°Be careful.¡± Before she had a chance to react, he rushed up to her, abruptly grabbing her arm and pulling her into his embrace. Then, he held her tight, spinning her around. Rip! The sound of fabric tearing echoed. Catherine quickly gazed behind Simon to where she had just stood moments ago. She caught a glimpse of a sharp w, stained with blood. Without hesitation, she raised her arm and swung it behind Simon''s back. A pleasant fragrance began to spread, apanied by the thud of a heavy object hitting the ground behind them. Illuminated by the moonlight from above, Catherine saw the denseyer of sweat on Simon''s forehead. He was already physically drained, and after being wed by a tiger, he was barely holding on. With a trembling voice, Catherine inquired, ¡°A-Are you okay?¡± Simon leaned against her, panting heavily as he responded, ¡°Don''t worry, I haven''t married you yet. I won''t die so easily.¡± Witnessing Simon''s somewhat pitiable condition, Catherine couldn''t resist a retort. Her wide, intense gaze locked onto him as she gritted her teeth and remarked, ¡°That w didn''t strike you hard enough to warrant your life.¡± Despite her words, Catherine moved away from his embrace and went behind him to inspect his wounds. She studied the bright red w mark where the flesh had been torn. A trace of bitterness filled Catherine''s eyes, and a misty ze clouded her gaze. ¡°We need to treat this properly, apply antiseptic, and give you a tetanus shot to prevent infection.¡± Simon, however, seemed unfazed, shifting the topic as he inquired, ¡°Weren''t you in the middle of copying the Fragrance Journal? Why did youe out?¡± Catherine''s expression darkened. There was a reason for her sudden appearance. Over the years, she had ced several informants within the first branch of the family. Just moments ago, she received a message through one of her informants, stating that the first branch had discovered her unauthorized entry into the Forbidden Ground. They were now on their way with a group of people. If they caught her in the act, her young daughter would be left helpless to face her fate. ¡°Simon, listen to me. I''ve transcribed some methods from the Fragrance Journal that can cure the parasitic poison. Take them with you and give them to Bailey. Let her explore the correct solution.¡± Having uttered those words, she promptly ced the sheet of paper she had been holding into his hand. With her cautious demeanor, Simon couldn''t help but sense a foreboding. An anxious question escaped his lips, ¡°Has something happened? We''ve already copied the method to cure the parasitic poison, why don''t we leave together? Why are you asking me to leave alone?¡± Catherine pursed her lips, opting not to divulge the information about the first branch of the family wanting to apprehend her. She knew that if she did, Simon would undoubtedly refuse to leave. ¡°There''s still more to copy,¡± she urged, her tone urgent. ¡°Less talking. I''m concerned that you won''t withstand the next wave of attacks from those beasts if you stay, and you''ll meet a grim end here.¡± Simon was about to protest, but Catherine wouldn''t allow it. She leaned in suddenly, nting a passionate kiss on him. Before Simon could react, she pulled back and implored, ¡°If we want to save our daughter, we still have a chance to be together. But if anything happens to her, we''ll be forever separated.¡± Material ? N?velDrama.Org. ¡°Okay...¡± ¡°Go! If you don''t want us, mother and daughter, to be left alone and vulnerable for the rest of our lives, you must leave immediately. Your energy is critically depleted. If you continue to push yourself, you''ll only end up as prey for those beasts.¡± Chapter 961 Catherine Is Trapped Chapter 961 Catherine Is Trapped This statement held undeniable truth, and Simon had no counterargument. Facing another wave of beast attacks, he wouldn''t be able to hold on much longer. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. He wasn''t afraid of death, and dying for the sake of his wife and daughter would be an honor, a way to find glory even in death. But if he perished, who would protect the two of them, mother and daughter, in his absence? After a moment of contemtion, he clenched his teeth and stood up. ¡°All right, I''ll leave first. Be extremely cautious. Remember, if anything happens to you, I swear I''ll make the Rogers family pay with their lives.¡± A flicker of amusement danced in Catherine''s eyes. The once icy demeanor she held toward him had softened considerably. ¡°I''ll be fine. Don''t forget, I''m the heir of the Rogers family. Unless Imit a major offense, they won''t be able to touch me.¡± She added, ¡°Take the eastern exitter, my people will meet you there. Don''t take the same route; I''m concerned you might get trapped.¡± Simon nodded, refraining from asking why returning the same way would lead to a trap, as he had a hunch. In truth, he wished to stand by her side and face the impending crisis together. However, their daughter''s situation couldn''t afford any further dy. After delivering what he held to the right hands, he nned to return to her. As he disappeared into the darkness, Catherine let out a gentle sigh. Her gaze shifted toward the path they had traversed. Through the forest''s evening breeze, she faintly heard the hurried footsteps drawing nearer. After pausing briefly, she turned and retraced her steps toward the secret chamber. Seeing Simon off had lightened the burden that weighed on her heart. No matter whaty ahead, she vowed to face it with unwavering courage. A few minutester, Broderick and Wilbur entered the secret chamber. At first nce, they spotted Catherine sitting on a stone bench, diligently copying the journal. ¡°Catherine, as far as I know, the elders'' union hasn''t granted you permission to enter the Forbidden Ground. You''ve vited n rules. What should be your punishment?¡± Catherine furrowed her brows slightly and posed a serious question, ¡°How did you know I was in the Forbidden Ground? I''ve been extremely cautious the entire way here, so logically, no one should have discovered me.¡± That''s your assumption. But now that we''ve caught you red-handed, there''s no escaping your fate,¡± Wilbur sneered. Catherine set aside her pen and gazed up at the father and son. She spoke in aposed tone, ¡°I understand your concerns and suspicions about me. Here''s a proposition... If you allow me to take the Fragrance Journal, I promise to return it once my daughter is healed, and I assure you I''ll never set foot in the Rogers residence again. What do you say?¡± Wilbur shook his head, ¡°Absolutely not. The Luther family is like a ming torch, and I have no intentions of ying with fire. You''ve trespassed into the Forbidden Ground, viting n rules. You should be confined for a month. We can discuss these matters after that time.¡± Catherine responded with a gentle smile. She admired her cousin''s wisdom; he wasn''t na?ve at all. In this world, true ownership came from one''s own efforts and achievements. It was evident that he understood this truth well. Rather than simply enjoying the fruits of others''bor, he preferred to seize what he desired with his own hands. ¡°In that case, I wish you swift sess, Wilbur. May you wield great power,¡± Catherine said with a knowing smile. Wilbur, however, responded with a cold huff and instructed one of his bodyguards, ¡°Escort Ms. Catherine to the shrine for solitary reflection. She is not to be contacted by anyone without the consent of the elders'' union.¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Wilbur.¡± Meanwhile, Simon safely left the Rogers residence under the escort of Catherine''s trusted aides. As they parted ways, Simon couldn''t help but ask, ¡°What kind of punishment would someone face for trespassing into the Forbidden Ground without permission?¡± One of the young women apanying him hesitated for a moment before answering, ¡°The usual punishment is a month of solitary reflection in the shrine. But don''t celebrate prematurely, Mr. Simon. The members of the first branch of the family are constantly plotting against Ms. Catherine''s life. Even while she''s in the shrine, there''s no guarantee of her safety. If the elders truly intend to harm her, it will be extremely difficult to protect her. She could very well fall victim to a hidden conspiracy, with dire consequences.¡± Simon tightly clenched the paper in his hand and implored, ¡°I beseech you all to help her in any way you can. I will rescue her as quickly as possible.¡± With those words, he took a step back and bowed deeply to the group. This unexpected gesture left them all astonished. Simon was the newly appointed head of the Luther family and was destined to be an international tycoon like his older brother. Yet, he was bowing to these unknown individuals for the sake of a woman. It was clear how deeply he cared for Catherine. ¡°Very well,¡± one of them said, ¡°Given your unwavering loyalty and affection, and considering the risks Ms. Catherine took to protect you, we will ensure her safety as long as we draw breath. It''s best if you leave promptly. If too much time passes, the first branch may be suspicious, and your departure might be impossible.¡± Simon nodded in gratitude. ¡°Thank you all. Please take care.¡± Inside the countryside manor, within theboratory, Cameron tossed a white bottle to Bailey and exined, ¡°This is the antidote the old man from the White family needs. Once taken, it will lead to a full recovery.¡± Bailey epted the bottle with a chuckle and thanked Cameron. As she exited theboratory, she collided with Simon, who was walking toward her. ¡°Why have you returned?¡± Simon wore a solemn expression and looked somewhat downcast. After finding a chair to sit down, he briefly recounted the events that had unfolded at the Rogers residence. Bailey, upon hearing his ount, reassured him, ¡°Your brother is already handling Mr. Broderick and his son. We should expect results soon, so you don''t need to worry. Catherine has managed to survive in such challenging circumstances, which indicates she''s no ordinary person and knows how to take care of herself. Give me the method she transcribed for dispelling the parasitic poison. Cameron and I will study it carefully to see if we can remove the parasite from Luna''s body.¡± Simon hastily retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her, pleading, ¡°Bailey, I beg you. Catherine said that if I can cure our daughter, she will spend the rest of her life with me.¡± With a smile, Bailey passed him a porcin bottle and said, ¡°Go find your brother. Give this to him and tell him it''s the antidote Old Mr. White needs.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± In the infirmary of the main house at the Rogers residence, Joseph and Stephanie anxiously stood by their convulsing son''s bedside. Despite hearing the news that their daughter was locked in the shrine, they remained indifferent. Their primary concern was their son, who was suffering on the bed. ¡°Divine Doctor, didn''t you say his condition would improve after a few acupuncture treatments? Why has it worsened like this now?¡± Joseph questioned with a hint of frustration. The middle-aged man administering an injection to Harvey furrowed his brows, expressing his displeasure, ¡°If you doubt my abilities, Mr. Rogers, perhaps you should seek someone more capable.¡± Joseph stuttered for a moment and quickly forced a smile. ¡°I was just too nervous. Please don''t take it to heart, Divine Doctor.¡± As he spoke, the young boy on the bed spat out a few more mouthfuls of fresh blood. The divine physician''s tone turned cold as hemanded, ¡°You must draw blood for him immediately and inject it, or he will die from excessive blood loss and oxygen deficiency.¡± Joseph couldn''t afford to refuse. He rushed out of the infirmary. Outside, the butler approached him and quickly greeted him. ¡°Mr. Joseph, Ms. Catherine has been confined in the shrine. Joseph''s expression remained unchanged as he replied indifferently, ¡°I''m aware. This is precisely the oue I intended. With her in the shrine, the first branch of the family will concentrate their efforts on eliminating her. This will conveniently divert their attention away from Harvey.¡± ¡°B-But, Mr. Joseph, Ms. Catherine is trapped and defenseless. She could die.¡± Chapter 962 A Lifetime Chapter 962 A Lifetime Joseph''s icy stare conveyed a clear warning, causing the butler to lower his head in fear, refraining from uttering another word. After briefly locking eyes with the butler, Joseph averted his gaze, directing his attention toward the distant night sky. He spoke in a solemn tone, emphasizing Catherine''s role within the family. ¡°She has been raised as a member of the Rogers family, and her destiny is intrinsically tied to our family''s welfare. She may never marry again in this lifetime, but her true value lies in her ability to protect her younger brother and eliminate any obstacles in his path. Only by fulfilling this role can she truly realize her significance.¡± With that said, Joseph didn''t linger and headed toward the blood-drawing room, leaving the butler to contemte the situation. The butler observed Joseph''s departure and then nced out of the window toward the distant shrine. He sighed internally, reflecting on the unfortunate fate of noble-born women. Their potential often went unrecognized, and they were frequently sacrificed for the ambitions of their male family members. It was a harsh reality, especially in a family where male heirs were prioritized over daughters. He silently wished for a better life for Catherine in her next incarnation, one free from the burdens and constraints of her noble lineage. Meanwhile, in the infirmary, the divine physician turned to Stephanie and advised, ¡°Please arrange for someone to prepare a medicinal bath. We will have the child soak in it for a while.¡± Stephanie, anxious but willing to do whatever was necessary, left promptly with two servants to prepare the bath. Once the room was empty, the divine physician reached for the phone by his side. He dialed a number, and after a swift connection, Kurt''s deep voice came through the receiver. ¡°How''s the situation?¡± ¡°Mr. Kurt, I''ve stimted the child''s nerves with acupuncture. He will continue to vomit blood for the next few days. At most, I can help you keep Mr. Joseph upied for three days. Afterward, I''ll need to administer treatment to gradually restore the child''s health.¡± ¡°Very well, make sure to exacerbate the situation, divert Joseph''s attention, and prevent him from focusing on anything else,¡± Kurt instructed. The divine physician acknowledged, bowing respectfully and affirming, ¡°Yes, I will strictly adhere to your instructions, Mr. Kurt.¡± In the study of the countryside castle, Kurt concluded the call with the Divine Doctor and proceeded to dial Broderick''s number. ¡°Aren''t you curious about how I managed to divert Joseph''s attention? Well, I can now reveal it to you. The true heir to that old man is not Catherine, but Harvey Rogers, the second son of the family whom everyone regards as an idiot.¡± ¡°Harvey Rogers?¡± Broderick instinctively rejected the idea, eximing, ¡°Impossible, he''s a fool. Unless Joseph has been struck by a bout of madness, he would never entrust the family to a fool.¡± Kurt offered a wry smile as he responded lightly, ¡°Consider this reassurance, then. That old fellow has been discreetly searching for a renowned doctor in recent years. He heard of someone skilled in acupuncture who can stimte the brain to restore normalcy. I seized this opportunity to arrange for someone to exploit this loophole.¡± Broderick''s agitation showed in his trembling voice as he questioned, ¡°W-What do you mean?¡± ¡°It''s just as you suspected. The individual I''ve arranged is already close to that young boy and has made some moves on him. In theing days, Joseph is unlikely to have the energy to manage family affairs. Mr. Broderick, you understand the significance of striking while the iron is hot, don''t you?¡± Kurt continued, ¡°Now that Catherine is confined, Joseph''s entire focus is on his son. The second branch is now vulnerable. With a little push, you can undoubtedly seize control of the Rogers family.¡± Broderick''s breaths grew heavier over the microphone, revealing his excitement. He had schemed for many years but couldn''t bring down the second branch of the family due to his half-brother''s caution. However, with Catherine trapped and Josephpletely devoted to his son, this opportunity presented itself as a golden chance to grasp power. ¡°Very well, I''m prepared to retaliate. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Kurt. When I assume power, I''ll certainly extend a helping hand to you, aiding in your endeavor to eliminate that treacherous woman from the White family and supporting your rise to power,¡± Boderick reaffirmed. Following a brief pause, he continued, ¡°I''ve heard that you remain unmarried. My daughter, who is currently serving by your side, is avable. If it suits your fancy, I can arrange for my daughter Eunice to wed you, thus cementing asting alliance.¡± Marry Eunice? Kurt''s eyes flickered with a trace of disdain. She''s not worthy. ¡°The matter at hand is crucial, and we can discuss this matterter. Mr. Broderick, I''ve created the opportunity for you. It''s imperative that you seize it. Who knows when the next favorable chance will come around,¡± said Kurt. ¡°Of course, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for my family. I''m profoundly grateful for your unwavering support, Mr. Kurt. Anticipate my good news.¡± Kurt responded with a nomittal hum. After concluding the call, he sauntered out of the study, traversing the corridor to reach the bedroom. zey in bed, her eyes closed as she rested. Upon hearing footsteps, she instinctively opened her eyes. Ignoring her cold, resentful re, Kurt approached the bedside. He extended his hand, gently cradling her face, and with a smile, he remarked, ¡°Initially, I intended to use you as leverage to coerce Cameron into assisting me in taking control of the Venom Valley.¡± He continued, ¡°Now that it''s settled and someone has agreed to help me, Cameron is no longer a threat to me. I can have both the kingdom and the beauty. Just remain obediently by my side, and I''ll grant you a peaceful end.¡± Upon learning that Cameron was no longer a target, ze couldn''t help but heave a sigh of relief. She didn''t want to witness Cameron bowing before someone to save her. In her view, Cameron was unyielding and lived life to the fullest. His spine should forever remain unbroken, never bowing before anyone. ¡°Is that so? Even better, we can be bound together, nursing our grudges for a lifetime,¡± ze retorted. ¡°No, no, no.¡± Kurt shook his head. ¡°You won''te to despise me, for I''ve discovered a rather intriguing method.¡± With that, he extracted a porcin bottle from his pocket and waved it tantalizingly before her eyes. ¡°This is the Rogers family''s sedative fragrance. It can bewilder the mind and provoke hallucinations. After your period concludes, I''ll administer it to you. When that moment arrives, you''ll perceive me as Cameron, surrendering to your desires and partaking in a passionate encounter. Afterward, when you regain your senses, you''ll detest me. However, while under the influence of the drug, you won''t be able to break free from me. With time, I anticipate you''ll develop a reliance on this bittersweet sensation.¡± ze managed to suppress her nausea, avoiding the urge to vomit. A drug that can cause hallucinations, huh? Having experienced the love parasite, she had be immune to any form of sedative fragrance. To put it inly, her body''s erosion by the love parasite rendered all types of sedatives useless on her. Of course, she had no intention of revealing this secret to Kurt. As Kurt mistakenly believed her mind was enchanted and let his guard down, ze nned to fight fiercely to kill him and meet her end alongside the wretched man. ¡°There wille a day when I will drag you down to hell with me, Kurt.¡± Kurt gazed into her eyes, brimming with resentment. Instead of feeling fear, he appeared rather excited, like a bloodthirsty psychopath, his psyche deeply twisted. ¡°Sure, but before you descend into hell, you must give me a son to carry on the White family''s lineage.¡± ¡°Scram.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Inside the main house''s side hall of the White residence, Artemis tossed the antidote he held in his hand to the elderly man seated across from him. Chapter 963 Settle The Score Chapter 963 Settle The Score Wilfred examined the medicine bottle in his hand, emitting a slight cough. ¡°I''m curious, Mr. Luther,¡± Wilfred began, ¡°for a capable man like you, dealing with that dreadful woman in my family would be as simple as lifting a finger. I don''t understand why you chose such a roundabout strategy, painstakingly saving me, only to use me as a tool to eliminate her.¡± Artemis leaned casually against the screen, his arms folded across his chest, radiating an air of nonchnce. ¡°It''s quite simple. This is Gregan. If I make a direct move, it will inevitably raise suspicions among various powers. They might believe I have ambitions to invade their territories. As for me, I have no further ambitions in my remaining years. All I desire is to spend my life peacefully with my wife and children, without them being constantly watched and worried about by the outside world.¡± He continued, ¡°Old Mr. White, you''re a Gregan noble. With the current turmoil in thend, and your involvement, it is only fitting for you to step forward to quell the chaos. Moreover, having been in charge of the White family for several years, you should know better than anyone how to reim power from your wife''s grasp. All right, now that the antidote has been delivered, I won''t waste words. I have only one request: once you regain control, cleanse the household thoroughly. Don''t let Kurt continue to harm others.¡± At the mention of Kurt, a shadow of darkness passed through Wilfred''s eyes. ¡°You don''t need to tell me that; I can deal with that treacherous scoundrel myself.¡± Artemis was about to respond when suddenly, a faint noise emanated from outside. He swiftly turned around and shouted to the unseen eavesdropper, ¡°Who''s there? Come out.¡± A flurry of footsteps echoed but eventually faded away, and a cold, calcted look reced the warmth in Artemis'' eyes. Someone had been listening in, and he couldn''t allow them to escape. If they did, today''s ns with Wilfred might be exposed. With that determination, he darted outside. Momentster, he returned, dragging a young girl with him and carelessly throwing her onto the floor. ¡°Old Mr. White, do you recognize this person?¡± Wilfred lowered his gaze, his brows furrowing as he recognized the young girl. ¡°Cersei, what are you doing here? Did you overhear my conversation with Mr. Luther just now?¡± Cersei White was Wilfred''s daughter from his mistress. During his house arrest, she had often sneaked over to see him. Despite his resentment toward the wicked woman, he held a deep affection for his daughter. ¡°I-I overheard it, but I didn''t mean to eavesdrop, Daddy,¡± stammered Cersei. ¡°Are you really going to fight with Mommy until the end?¡± No sooner had her words fallen than a dagger was pressed against her throat. Cersei shivered intensely, her gaze slowly moving upward to Artemis'' handsome face, a glimmer of astonishment flickering in her eyes. He was such a mature and charming man, both aloof and resolute. ¡°I-I...¡± A glint of murderous intent shed in Artemis'' eyes. Unconsciously, his grip tightened, and his hand moved dangerously close to her throat. Cersei let out a sharp scream, prompting Wilfred to rush over. ¡°Mr. Luther, please show mercy. My daughter means no harm. It''s enough to confine her and restrict her freedom. I beg you to spare her life.¡± Artemis furrowed his brows, his voice deep as he asked, ¡°Can you guarantee that our n won''t be leaked?¡± ¡°Rest assured, Mr. Luther. From now on, I will confine her within the White residence. She won''t have any contact with the outside world.¡± With a swift chop of his hand, Artemis rendered Cersei unconscious. ¡°All right, I''ll trust you this time, Old Mr. White. Remember our agreement. I can restore you to your former glory, but I can also leave you clinging to life by a thread.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Mr. Luther, rest assured. I will take control of that venomous woman at home as soon as possible, and then catch that rebellious Kurt off guard.¡± Artemis nodded slightly, issued a few more instructions, and then turned to leave. After watching Artemis disappear, Wilfred took the antidote from the bottle and swallowed it. The middle-aged bodyguard, who had been silently standing behind him, spoke up. ¡°Old Mr. White, what should we do next?¡± Wilfred snorted coldly, saying, ¡°That venomous woman truly believes she''s in control of the White family. If I hadn''t been poisoned, if she hadn''t held me by the throat, would I have allowed her to be so arrogant and reckless? Now that the poison within me has been neutralized, it''s time to settle the score with that venomous woman. I will gather all my former subordinates hidden within the family and have them strike back tonight. We will seize control of all her forces in one fell swoop.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± It was destined to be a sleepless night that night. Whether it was Wilfred or Broderick, they bothunched a full-scale counterattack to regain the power they were unwilling to let go of. Early in the morning, as dawn broke, the door to the manor''sboratory slowly swung open, revealing Bailey, who had spent a sleepless night inside, walking out with a fatigued expression. Simon had also spent the entire night sitting on a chair, looking haggard and disheveled. Seeing Bailey emerge, he quickly approached, urgently asking, ¡°How did it go? Have you figured out a method to dispel the parasitic worm?¡± Bailey shook her head and sighed. ¡°Perfumery is a weak spot for both Cameron and me. Even if we manage to concoct a feasible antidote, we wouldn''t dare to administer it to Luna.¡± ¡°Let''s wait a bit longer. We need to rescue Catherine as soon as possible. She will be the one to make the final decision. Only if she says it''s okay, then it''s okay,¡± she suggested. Simon slumped back into his seat once again. At this moment, Artemis walked over from the staircase. Squinting at Bailey, he asked, ¡°Did you pull another all-nighter?¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Bailey nced at him, retorting sarcastically, ¡°You''ve also pulled an all-nighter; what right do you have to question me?¡± Artemis gave a smile, yet his brows were clouded with concern. All he wanted was for her to rest well, take care of her health, eat on time, and sleep regrly. Why was this wish so hard to fulfill? He walked up to her, disregarding her struggles, and swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms. ¡°What are you doing? Put me down; I''m not finished talking to Simon yet.¡± ¡°Go back to sleep; we can talk after you''ve rested. The sky won''t fall in a moment''s notice, and even if it does, I''ll be here to hold it up for you.¡± Bailey gave up resisting. Once this man asserted his dominance, no one could stop him. With that, she reassured Simon, ¡°Simon, don''t worry too much; Luna is fine for now. Let''s patiently wait for Catherine to return.¡± ¡°All right.¡± For two consecutive days, the weather in Gregan was terribly gloomy. The city, shrouded in thick clouds, seemed to be bracing for an unprecedented storm. All the different factions maintained a cautious silence, with none of them willing to take risks by openly engaging. Or perhaps, they were all secretly conducting their ow internal purges without bringing it into the light. At the Rogers residence, inside the main house''s study, Joseph, who hadn''t slept for days, had eyes bloodshot from exhaustion. He stood by the window, hands behind his back, and asked, ¡°Has there been no action taken against Catherine by the first branch these past few days?¡± The butler nodded and said, ¡°No, everything''s been calm. Since you''ve been ill and shut yourself in, the regr meetings over the past few days have not been held.¡± Joseph slightly furrowed his brows, a hint of unease crossing his mind. ¡°It''s too quiet, so quiet it''s suffocating. Given Broderick''s nature, he wouldn''t miss such a good opportunity to deal with Catherine. His current unusual behavior is indeed strange.¡± ¡°Then what should we do, Mr. Joseph?¡± After some thought, Joseph spoke in a cold voice. ¡°Retrieve the family head seal and lift the house arrest on Catherine. Let''s see if the first branch will make a move against her now.¡± Chapter 964 Dare To Scheme Against Me Chapter 964 Dare To Scheme Against Me The butler looked at him with a somewhatplicated expression. Mr. Joseph is practically putting Ms. Catherine in danger. Once she is freed, he is basically showing the family how much he treasures Ms. Catherine. In a ruthless and reclusive family like this, any favored offspring is bound to be everyone''s target. If he truly values Ms. Catherine and wishes for her to be the next in line for power, then even if she were sacrificed, her death would be worth it. However, the crux of the matter is that Mr. Joseph never intends to let Ms. Catherine take charge. The reason he hinted to the others that he nned to make her his heir was simply to use her as a shield for Mr. Harvey, to bear all the harm for him. Even as a butler, he felt a certain way toward such methods. While he felt sympathy, he dared not say much more. He was a servant of the Rogers family, bound by generations of loyalty to the family''s head. He wouldn''t dare harbor even the slightest hint of rebellion. ¡°Yes, I will go to the shrine right away and have them release Ms. Catherine.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and walked away. Joseph furrowed his brows, looking toward the direction of Broderick''s residence, a cold light flickering in his eyes. I''d really like to see what tricks you can pull off, old man. At that exact moment, inside the study in Broderick''s residence, several middle-aged men stood in front of a desk, reporting the progress of the past few days to Broderick. ¡°Mr. Broderick, we now have control over the people in power who needed to be controlled. We can launch an attack at any time.¡± ¡°Exactly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Mr. Broderick. We can''t afford to miss it.¡± Broderick clenched his fists tightly, a glint of eager anticipation shing in his eyes. Wilbur, standing to the side, chimed in, ¡°Father, we''ve been nning for this day for so many years. If we miss this opportunity, I don''t know how many more years we, as father and son, will have to endure in silence.¡± Broderick nced at the people around him and shook his head, saying, ¡°We''ve only considered Joseph, but we forgot that there''s still Catherine. That girl has been able to secretlypete with me for years. She''s not your average pretty woman¡ªshe''s much more. Let''s wait a bit longer. I don''t want to be bested by a young girl.¡± ¡°But...¡± ¡°Enough. I''ve made up my mind. No need for further discussion. Wilbur stays. Everyone else should leave.¡± No one said anything else in response. After everyone else had left the room, Wilbur looked at his father with a puzzled expression. Furrowing his brows, he asked, ¡°Dad, what exactly are you worried about?¡± Broderick leaned back in his chair, looking exhausted, and sighed. ¡°In the second branch of the family, the truly terrifying one is not Joseph, but that girl, Catherine. That day, she obedientlyplied, staying in the shrine withoutints. Who knows what ns she hase up with. Wilbur, in this game of power, might makes right. We only have one chance. We can''t afford to gamble.¡± Wilbur gritted his teeth in resentment. ¡°We should have already killed her by now. Keeping her alive is always a risk. The three-day deadline given by Kurt has already arrived. If we don''t act, how are we going to exin it to him?¡± Broderick slightly narrowed his eyes, scoffing coldly, ¡°Is his wordw? Don''t forget, he''s the one who needs something from me. Before we finalize our end of the deal, he must obediently help us hold back Joseph. Here''s the n. Give Eunice a call and ask her to win Kurt over. Once Kurt takes over the White family, Eunice will be the matriarch of the White family, enjoying all the honor and respect thates with it.¡± Wilbur nodded. ¡°This is a good n. Once Eunice bes Kurt''s, we will bepletely tied to him. It would be difficult for him to extricate himself after that.¡± No sooner had his words fallen than the door to the study was pushed open. A middle-aged man rushed in, urgently saying, ¡°Mr. Broderick, Mr. Wilbur, news hase from the shrine. Mr. Joseph has issued an order, and that is to lift Ms. Catherine''s house arrest.¡± Wilbur suddenly stood up and snapped, ¡°What? Uncle Joseph lifted Catherine''s house arrest? This is an abuse of power, he...¡± Before he could finish his roar, Broderick reached out to stop him, sneering coldly, ¡°Isn''t this better? The hidden dangers are often the most terrifying. Now that she is allowed toe out, she will be exposed to our sight. All of Joseph''s people who were against us are now under our control anyway. Only Catherine is left. We have a chance of winning when ites to going against her.¡± Wilbur looked at him with some hesitation. ¡°Do you mean that we should focus all our efforts on dealing with Catherine next?¡± ¡°Exactly. We will go all out against her. As long as we eliminate her and her hidden forces, the second branch of the family willpletely fall apart.¡± Late at night, the room in the castle in the countryside was filled with waves of sensual sounds. Eunice looked at the man above her, a calcting curve tugging at the corner of her lips. She found it easier to ept Kurt than to marry those old geezers in her family. As long as she helped him reim the White family, she would be the next matriarch of the White family. The status of the Venom Valley in the outside world was in no way inferior to that of the Rogers family. If she could be the matriarch of the White family, she would surely be a person of high standing in the future. So when her greed-driven older brother called her, she agreed without a second thought. And her only request was that they hand over Catherine to her once she was captured. ¡°K-Kurt, slow down.¡± She had drugged this man with her sedative fragrance, making him see her as ze. This trick indeed worked. As soon as the drug took effect, he transformed into a beast, and she enjoyed this moment of happiness. After an indeterminate amount of time, when the fog in Kurt''s eyes gradually dissipated, he recognized the person in his arms and abruptly sprang up. ¡°Eunice, you dare to scheme against me? You''re courting death.¡± After he finished speaking, he reached out and grabbed her by the throat. Euniceughed coldly, forcing out each word through gritted teeth, ¡°If you kill me, I''m afraid your coboration with my father and brother will have to end here. With your help, they''ve already got my uncle under their control. Are you sure you want to burn bridges and end up with nothing?¡± With a sudden burst of strength, Kurt flung her onto the ground. ¡°Get out.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Eunice slowly got up and wrapped the sheets around herself. Her voice was cold and detached. ¡°I know you don''t love me, and I don''t love you either. But we are on the same path, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals. Kurt, you''re a smart man; you should understand the benefits of being with me. My father and brother will undoubtedly support you unreservedly in the future if they see you as the son-inw of the Rogers family.¡± The man was speechless. The veins on Kurt''s forehead throbbed. He wasn''t trying to preserve his chastity for anyone. It was just that being tricked by this woman left him seething with anger. Nheless, he was a smart man, knowing how to weigh the pros and cons. After hearing Eunice''s words, heughed softly. ¡°Marrying ady from the Rogers family would be my honor. Please convey to Mr. Broderick that I wish to establish asting alliance with the Rogers family.¡± With a cold chuckle, she looked in the direction of the main house opposite her from the corner of her eyes. Since she wanted to be the matriarch of the White family, there was no need for the woman locked in the main house to stay alive. At the White residence, the head of the White family took three days to regain control over his mistress, thereby reasserting his authority over the White family. Inside the study, Cersei walked in from outside, addressing Wilfred, ¡°Dad, I''ve fallen for Mr. Luther. Can you help me?¡± Chapter 965 Wish I Could Be With You Everyday Chapter 965 Wish I Could Be With You Everyday Ever since she caught a fleeting glimpse of him three days ago, that mature and charming man had upied all her thoughts, lingering in her mind incessantly. She was the daughter of the White family, and countless young talents wished to marry her, but she didn''t find any of them attractive. Only this formidable figure from Aploth stormed into her world, making her heart flutter. She knew then he was the one for her. She had never met him before, but his fame was so great that it struck one''s ears like the roar of thunder. This man, who had been a dominant figure on the international stage for years, held significant power. He was handsome, wealthy, and possessed a mature charm unique to sessful men, which deeply captivated her. Upon hearing this, Wilfred paused slightly, the pen in his hand momentarily still. A frown crept onto his face, and a sharp glint shed in his eyes. It seemed he was calcting the odds of his daughter marrying into the Luther family. ¡°Oh, Cersei, it''s not that I disapprove of it. It''s just that Mr. Luther sets his sights too high. Numerous princesses have sought to marry him, but they''ve all been turned down by him. Also, he is deeply in love with Bailey at the moment. Unless you can be better than Bailey, there''s no way he will even give you a second nce.¡± Moreover, being better than Bailey was pretty impossible. All the women in the worldbined probably couldn''tpare to Bailey, who excelled in every field. Cersei saw a flicker of emotion in her father''s eyes and quickly instigated, ¡°Dad, isn''t surpassing the Yablon family and bing the world''s foremost poison-crafting family your lifelong dream? If I align myself with the Luther family, you can leverage their power to achieve your goals. I know that Mr. Luther wille to discuss our future cooperation with you tonight. So, could you please help me? Please? All I need is to spend one night with him. Given his character, he will surely take responsibility for me. I refuse to believe that a man of his stature and power has only ever been enamored with one woman in his entire life. Once I share a romantic night with him, he will surely ept me. Dad, I beg you. Please grant me this favor. It will also benefit you.¡± Upon hearing her analysis, he had to admit that he was indeed moved. ¡°Even if you get to be with him, he might only see you as a lover, as a mistress. Are you willing to ept that?¡± Cersei nodded solemnly. ¡°Yes, I am willing.¡± ¡°All right, I''ll help you fulfill this dream. Go back to your room and wait for news. Once everything is settled, I''ll have the butler inform you.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm, thank you, Dad.¡± As Cersei spoke, she stepped back to leave, a blush blooming on her cheeks. The thought of that towering man, majestic as a grey wolf, loving her to bitster on filled her heart with sweetness. Outside the White residence, a ck sedan was concealed in the darkness of the night. The car door swung open, and Artemis stepped out from the driver''s seat. No sooner had he stepped out of the car than Bailey emerged from the passenger seat. Artemis looked at her somewhat helplessly and sighed. ¡°Why would you follow me here in the middle of the night instead of enjoying a good sleep at home? Why insist on suffering bying here with me?¡± Bailey got around the front of the car, walked up to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, grinning as she said, ¡°The night you came back, you smelled of perfume, a woman''s. I came to see if you''re fooling around with some woman behind my back. Artemis, you''re always denying it. Could it be that you''re feeling guilty?¡± Artemis scanned his surroundings, his gaze finallynding on the car. ¡°Are you looking to do some vigorous outdoor activities?¡± he asked. Bailey shuddered slightly, shot him an annoyed nce, and huffed, ¡°It was just a joke¡ªno need to take it so seriously. Besides, I don''t mind doing some outdoor activities. Did you think I''d be scared of you?¡± Artemis began to sneer, hisughter carrying the dangerous undertone of a predator. He reached out and gently patted her cheek, leaning in to whisper in her ear, ¡°If you dare, don''t sneak off on your ownter. Once I''m out, I''ll drive the car deep into the mountains. Let''s see how I deal with you then.¡± Bailey absolutely adored his roguishly handsome look and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. ¡°Then you''d better hurry up ande back, I''ll be waiting for you in the car.¡± Artemis lowered his head to look at her, his gaze deep, subtly radiating a mysterious light. ¡°I suddenly don''t want to go in. Let''s head into the woods first.¡± ¡°You unprincipled leader.¡± Bailey punched him in the chest, admonishing, ¡°Focus on the important matters. Don''t let women cloud your judgment.¡± Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Artemis sighed helplessly. ¡°I truly wish I could be with you every day, inseparably entwined. But s, there are too many troubles, and it seems the heavens are determined not to let me be an unprincipled ruler.¡± ¡°All right, enough with the chatter. Get on with your work.¡± He said nothing else in response. After watching Artemis enter the White residence, Bailey didn''t return to the car. Instead, she swiftly moved to the eastern side of the surrounding wall, and with a flip, she got on top of the wall. After spending these days with him, she felt much better physically. The depleted vitality also gradually returned. Could being intimate with a man nourish the body? If that''s the case, then doing it more would be better for me in the future. Upon realizing this naughty thought in her heart, Bailey couldn''t help but chuckle. When did she be so corrupted? Artemis, guided by a bodyguard, walked through the corridor and arrived at the reception room. As he entered, he said with a smile, ¡°Congrattions, Old Mr. White, on achieving your wish and regaining control. Originally, I had nned to let you settle in for a few more days before dealing with your rebellious son, but the situation has changed. From today onward, I''m afraid you''ll have to start taking action. I''ve found out that there are quite a few old followers of the White family still supporting Kurt behind the scenes. I won''t make things difficult for you, Old Mr. White, nor will I force you to commit the act of killing your own son. All you need to do is eliminate those forces that support him.¡± Wilfred didn''t try to negotiate and agreed readily. ¡°All right, Mr. Luther. Since you neutralized the poison in me and saved me from a difficult situation, I naturally have to fulfill what I promised you. Now that we''ve discussed business, let''s sit down and have a cup of coffee. It would be my honor to share a drink with you.¡± ¡°No, thanks. I have some things to take care of. I''ll be leaving first.¡± Seeing that he was about to leave, Wilfred didn''t insist on him staying. He merely smiled and said, ¡°Then the next time you''re free, pleasee and have a drink with me.¡± ¡°Sure thing.¡± Artemis turned around and left the reception room, retracing his original path. As he passed by a small garden on the east side, a burst of fresh fragrance greeted him. Subconsciously, he furrowed his brows, intending to step back, only to bump into something soft. Without thinking, he moved aside, maintaining a distance of a few steps from the other person. ¡°M-Mr. Luther, we meet again. Our fleeting encounterst time left an unforgettable impression on me.¡± Artemis furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes, asking, ¡°Ms. White, are you implying that you''ve taken a liking to me and fallen in love with me?¡± Cersei was taken aback, probably not expecting him to be so straightforward. With a hint of shyness, she said, ¡°Y-Yes. I''ve fallen in love with you.¡± Artemis gave a lightugh. His gaze, however, was icy cold. ¡°I belong to Bailey. If you want to love me, you''ll have to ask for her permission first.¡± A flicker of surprise shed in Cersei''s eyes. ¡°Mr. Luther, you must be joking. You are the most powerful man in the world. How could Bailey possibly have authority over you?¡± Artemis'' smile deepened. ¡°Since you do know that I am the most powerful man in the world, then you should understand that you are not worthy to speak to me. I''m giving you a bit of dignity here. Hand over the antidote, or else... not even your father will be able to save you today.¡± Chapter 966 The Domineering Bailey Chapter 966 The Domineering Bailey Cersei was frightened by the icy gaze of the man standing before her. However, looking at his resolute and handsome face, she suppressed the fear in her heart. She moved toward him with graceful steps, feigning confusion. ¡°Mr. Luther, what do you mean by that? I don''t understand. Do you feel unwell? I studied some medical knowledge while I had time at home. I only know the basics, but perhaps I can give you a checkup?¡± The light in Artemis'' gaze suddenly dimmed, and his vision blurred. Through theyers of fog, he seemed to see the figure of Bailey. What on earth is this? It can actually cause people to hallucinate. More importantly, as she continued to approach, the strength in his body gradually drained away, leaving his legs feeling as if they were filled with lead. ¡°Artemis...¡± The soft, gentle call of Bailey echoed in his ears, causing the cold glint in his eyes to gradually fade. His pupils contracted sharply, slowly losing focus, bing empty and lifeless. Upon seeing him fall for her trap, Cersei curled her enchanting red lips into a wickedly yful smile. She and Eunice were friends. In the past, Eunice had gifted her many sedative fragrances capable of bewitching the mind and causing one to lose oneself. I''ve carried this stupefying drug for years, never expecting it toe in handy today. Tonight, I must have this man. She wanted Artemis, the man who was the object of desire for countlessdies of high society around the world and the man who would appear in the dreams of countless young girls. She thought she would never have any contact with such a favored son of heaven in her lifetime. Unexpectedly, fate had arranged for their paths to cross. Since this was a gift from fate, she must firmly grasp it. ¡°Artemis, I am Bailey. Don''t you love me? Then prove it to me. Can you love me deeply just once? Is that okay? Please?¡± She lured him in with her enchanting voice, all the while closing in on him. After she reached him, she slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, stood on her tiptoes, and leaned in toward his thin lips. Their distance went from twenty centimeters to ten centimeters, then finally to five centimeters. Just as her lips were about to touch the corner of Artemis'' mouth, a sudden pain in the back of Artemis'' neck snapped him back from his abnormal state. Looking at the woman who made him feel nauseous in his arms, he instinctively wanted to push her away. At that moment, a teasing voice suddenly rang in his ears. ¡°Artemis, you''re holding her so tightly. How nice it must be to have such a romantic moment. Just now, I asked you if you were meeting a woman here, and you denied it. Now that you''ve been caught red-handed, what excuses do you have left?¡± Artemis suddenly snapped back to reality. The intense pain that had just shot through the back of his neck must have been from the silver needle the woman on top of the wall had fired. It had hit him right in his acupoint, temporarily restoring his consciousness. After realizing what had happened, the slight nervousness in his heart immediately disappeared. Since his wife had been watching the whole time, she must have known that he was being set up. ¡°I''ve already given you a warning, but you chose not to listen and continued to use those underhanded tactics on me. So don''t me me for not havingpassion for ady.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. As soon as he finished speaking, he couldn''t be bothered to push her away with his hands, deeming it too dirty. Instead, he directly kicked her,nding a blow on her lower leg. No one knew how much force he put into that kick, but Cersei was sent flying by it, and shended with a thud on the floor several meters away. In his entire life, Artemis had only ever cherished one woman, and that was Bailey. As for the others, to him, they were no different from men. Anyone who provoked him, regardless of gender, would be dealt with his most brutal and ruthless methods. Cersei, lying on the ground, was struck so hard that she suffered internal injuries, and she spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. She stared nkly at the man who had just kicked her. Her voice tinged with a sob as she asked, ¡°Am I not beautiful? Is my family background not good enough? How can you still remain calm even after being drugged with a stupefying drug?¡± ¡°Allow me to answer that for you.¡± Bailey leaped down from the wall, advancing toward Cersei step by step. ¡°It''s simple¡ªyou just don''t catch his eye. If a man is truly interested in a woman, he doesn''t need to resort to such messy tactics and would still approach her.¡± ¡°Y-You... Are you B-Bailey?¡± With a faint smile, Bailey swept her gaze over her face, a look of disdain showing. ¡°This skin of yours is passable, I suppose. Other than that, you have nothing! You, of all people, dare to fantasize about having a fleeting romance with him?¡± Cersei was furious, her charming face twisted in rage. ¡°Bailey, you who were abandoned by your own family¡ª¡± Before she could finish her sentence, Bailey immediately pped her across the face twice. ¡°Do you know what you remind me of? A vixen that couldn''t steal what she wants, a true disgrace to her family.¡± ¡°You... You...¡± Cersei, overwhelmed with rage, spat out a few fragmented words. Her eyes then rolled to the back of her head, and she passed out immediately. With a cold smile, Bailey slowly straightened up and sarcastically said toward the end of the corridor, ¡°Old Mr. White, the one who is cooperating with you is Artemis, not me. If the White family doesn''t want to be annihted by the Saviors, make sure your daughter disappears from my sight forever. I''ve heard that many churches are looking for nuns. Ms. White''s soul isn''t pure, so you should send her there for a good cleansing.¡± A deathly silence ensued. A full minute had passed when a slightly hoarse voice echoed from the end of the corridor. ¡°It is I who failed to guide her properly, leading her tomit such a shameful act. Your suggestion is excellent, Ms. Jefferson. Her bing a nun and remaining unmarried for life is indeed the best oue. I will certainly take your advice, so please calm down.¡± With a cold huff, Bailey ignored him and walked over to Artemis. With a serious face, she asked, ¡°Are youing with me or staying the night here? Ms. White hasn''t¡ª¡± Before she could finish speaking, Artemis scooped her up in his arms and strode toward the door. The effects of the drug within him red up again. Initially, he wanted to force the White family''s head to hand over the antidote. But seeing Bailey''s domineering and overbearing demeanor, he changed his mind. The leader of the Saviors was an entity that could strike fear into countless people upon the mere mention of the title. Even with all his capabilities, Wilfred had no choice but to agree to send his daughter to a church to be a nun in order to quell her anger. That was why just the thought of being able to dominate and tease such a strong and proud woman gave Artemis a unique sense of aplishment. At the end of the corridor, the figure of Wilfred gradually came into view. He stared at the doorway for quite some time before finally shifting his gaze to his daughter, who had fainted in the courtyard. ¡°Escort her to a church immediately, Arnold. From this day onward, Cersei is no longer a part of the White family. She is a nun, dedicated to serving the divine.¡± ¡°B-But once she bes a nun, her life will be ruined. Are you really¡ª¡± ¡°What else can we do, go against Artemis and Bailey? Don''t be naive. They hold the power of Tarragon and the Saviors. Never mind the White family; not even ten or twenty prestigious families can withstand their joint attack and retaliation. We were truly reckless tonight. I should never have agreed to such an absurd request. Everyone knows that Artemis is deeply in love with Bailey. How could I have done such a foolish thing?¡± The butler, Arnold, said nothing to that. After leaving the courtyard with Bailey in his arms, Artemis headed straight for the woods. Chapter 967 Quite Enjoy It Chapter 967 Quite Enjoy It Bailey stared at his bloodshot eyes, feeling a lump in her throat. ¡°I-I think I should give you a couple of acupuncture treatments to counteract the effects of the medicine.¡± He was like a real-life wolf, capable of consuming her entirely. Even though she missed him and longed for his affection, there was also a hint of fear. In ordinary circumstances, this man could exhaust her. If he transformed into a wolf, would he not drain herpletely? Artemis peered down at her, raising an eyebrow as he inquired, ¡°Do you truly believe I would consent? You can attempt to administer the needles to me, as I won''t retaliate.¡± Bailey resigned herself, wrapping her arms around his neck, her voice trembling as she spoke. ¡°Then please be gentle with me.¡± Artemis lowered his head and nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°When have I not been gentle? It seems you quite enjoy it, or else you wouldn''t be so intrigued by this.¡± Bailey''s face turned several shades redder as she retorted with a quivering voice, ¡°W-What are you talking about?¡± ¡°Is that so? You''re not intrigued, huh? Very well, administer a few treatments to return me to normal, and I''ll drive you home.¡± Bailey red at him, mustering the courage to say, ¡°The needles, they''re all used up. There are none left.¡± The man chuckled softly. ¡°You''re a woman who says one thing but means another, aren''t you? I see you''re quite engrossed in this matter, even more so than I am.¡± ¡°Artemis Luther!¡± In response, the man unceremoniously deposited her onto the back of the chair, and the car sped off into the depths of the dense forest. The following day, within the study of the Rogers castle''s main house, Catherine leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, squinting at the morning sun outside. Joseph stood behind her, his voice deep as he inquired, ¡°Cath, what exactly happened? Why do you look so serious?¡± Catherine turned to face him, responding with a question of her own, ¡°Dad, what have you been up to these past few days?¡± Joseph was taken aback, a hint of evasion flickering in his eyes. He casually remarked, ¡°Didn''t I inform you? My old illness has resurfaced. I''ve summoned the Divine Doctor to treat me. Do you doubt my word? Would you like me to call the Divine Doctor here to discuss my health with you?¡± After casting him a meaningful nce, she shifted her gaze back to the morning sun outside and slowly stated, word by word, ¡°During these past few days while you were recovering, Uncle Broderick has gained control of all the senior executives who supported you.¡± Joseph''s eyes registered surprise as he looked at her incredulously, saying, ¡°No, it can''t be. How is that possible? I''ve been in contact with the senior executives over the phone these past few days... I detected nothing unusual in their tone, Cath. They are all my former subordinates; they couldn''t possibly betray me.¡± Catherine emitted a coldugh and spoke in a hushed voice, ¡°In this era where self-interest reigns supreme, who remains loyal to someone for a lifetime? Your thinking is overly idealistic. Uncle Broderick has leverage over them, forcing their submission with evidence of their guilt. What you see is merely a facade. They had already betrayed us three days ago.¡± Joseph staggered back, unable to bear the weight of the revtion. How could this happen? What on earth should I do now? Observing her daughter before him, a sudden realization struck him. He moved forward and firmly gripped her arm. ¡°Cath, I know you''ve been secretly building a power base. Help your father, assist me in eliminating the first branch of the family and all its followers. Once they are eradicated, I will entrust you with the family seal, allowing you to assume control. The Rogers family must not fall into the hands of an illegitimate child.¡± Catherine nodded, bowing her head as she replied, ¡°Rest assured, Dad. I am deeply grateful for all the care and protection you have provided me and Luna over the years. For this reason alone, I will confront my uncle to the bitter end.¡± Joseph breathed a sigh of relief, a calcting gleam appearing in his eyes. When Catherine and Broderick exhausted each other in their struggle, he would seize the opportunity to establish Harvey as the heir,manding the other branches of the family to attack Broderick and Catherine,pletely eliminating them. ¡°Thank you, Cath. Be assured that the position of family head will undoubtedly be yours.¡± Catherineughed nonchntly, all the while scheming in her heart to seek Bailey''s medical help for Harvey once she had eliminated the influence of the first branch of the family. That young boy had be mentally challenged due to an ident, and Bailey likely possessed the means to cure him. Once he recovered, Catherine would depart from the Rogers family and disengage from the family''s power struggle, leaving Harvey to bear the weighty responsibilities. ¡°Dad, I didn''t get to see Harvey during this visit. How is he doing?¡± Joseph felt a sense of unease creep into his heart. He secretly wondered if Catherine had caught wind of something. Before he could respond, Catherine continued, ¡°I have some connections with Bailey. I''ll ask her to treat Harvey. She should be able to heal him.¡± However, Joseph interpreted her words differently, assuming that she intended harm to Harvey. He replied, ¡°The child has been falling ill too frequentlytely. I''m concerned he might harm someone, so I''ve sent him elsewhere. Currently, our top priority should be dismantling the first branch. If they seize power, treating your brother''s illness is the least of our concerns; whether our family can survive is the real question.¡± ¡°Very well, you should rest at home. I''ll take care of the matters concerning the first branch,¡± Catherine assured. ¡°Off you go. You need not worry about me; your mother is here to care for me.¡± At that very moment, in the countryside manor, Artemis and Bailey had ventured into the forestte at night. They spent several hours there, followed by a few hours of rest. Consequently, when they returned to the manor, the day had already dawned. The car made its way directly to the main house. Just as Bailey was about to open the car door, a sarcastic voice belonging to Zayron suddenly echoed in her ear, ¡°Wild beasts roam that forest year- round. You two stayed there overnight and actually came back unharmed. It''s truly a miracle. I suppose there are advantages to being wicked.¡± Bailey narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of danger flickering in her gaze. ¡°You''ve been following me.¡± Zayron rolled his eyes nonchntly. ¡°Why would I track you? To witness you two... Never mind, I won''t say it. It''s beneath me.¡± Meanwhile, Susan peeked out from behind her older brother, grinning mischievously. ¡°He installed a tracking system on your phones. By the way, Mommy, you''ve be even more beautiful since Daddy started pampering you. Remember to keep it up, okay?¡± Bailey sighed, rubbing her forehead with her hand, and turned to Artemis, who leaned against the driver''s seat. ¡°What did we do in our past lives to deserve these little devils tormenting us in this one?¡± ¡°I''m not a devil,¡± Maxton chimed in as he burst out from inside the house, hugging his mother tightly. He grinned and added, ¡°I won''t torment you guys. All I care about is when I can be a big brother again.¡± A hint of disappointment crossed Luna''s face as she responded, ¡°Are you not satisfied with me? I may be your cousin, but I''m younger than you. Doesn''t that count as being your younger sister?¡± Maxton found himself momentarily at a loss for words. At that very moment, Simon emerged from inside the house, wearing a serious expression on his face. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. Bailey gently patted Maxton on the back of his head and softly said, ¡°Take your younger siblings to have breakfast.¡± Zayron scoffed dismissively. ¡°I certainly don''t want that idiot to boss me around. Being with him would lower my IQ.¡± Once the four children had returned to the living room, Bailey finally spoke up, addressing Simon, ¡°Simon, what happened?¡± Chapter 968 Be Polite Chapter 968 Be Polite Simon proceeded to exin the situation within the Rogers family to them. ¡°This information was secretly shared by one of Catherine''s subordinates without her knowledge. While it may not have been her intention, it appears to be urate. Bailey, the power in the Rogers family is currently under the control of Broderick and his son. I''m concerned about whether Catherine will be able to handle this situation.¡± Bailey furrowed her brow, turning to Artemis beside her. She inquired, ¡°How did your conversation with the head of the White family gost night?¡± With Broderick coborating with Kurt, taking down Kurt could leave Broderick without support. Even so, despite being trapped within the Rogers family''s residence without reinforcements, Bailey believed Broderick would still have a chance to regain control. Fortunately, Catherine was no ordinary person; she likely had her own strategies. Surviving around the Rogerses required more than naivety. Artemis fell silent briefly before responding, ¡°Kurt has considerable support from some old executives, which is why he''s confident. These forces have been concealed within the White family for years. Completely eliminating them is nearly impossible. The only one capable of dismantling these forces is the head of the White family. So, I''ve asked him to focus solely on dealing with those who support Kurt.¡± He concluded, ¡°Once all those who support Kurt are eliminated, he''ll be like a toothless tiger, incapable of causing further trouble.¡± Upon hearing this, Bailey turned her gaze toward Simon and spoke in a deep voice. ¡°Did you hear that? Your brother already has a n, so there''s no need for you to worry.¡± Simon clenched his teeth, determined. ¡°But I''m still worried. Bailey, can you help me disguise myself? I want to stay by Catherine''s side.¡± Although he might not be of much help, he could be a shield for her when needed. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. He pulled out a photo from his pocket after finishing his request. ¡°Transform me into her bodyguard''s appearance. I''ve already informed her bodyguard toy low for a few days.¡± Bailey furrowed her brows, reluctant to let Simon take such a risk. He was inexperienced, and he might not even be on par with Catherine. Sending him could potentially create more problems for Catherine than solutions. ¡°You...¡± Before she could voice her concerns, Artemis, standing nearby, interjected, ¡°Let him go. He should be the one protecting his own wife. Men of the Luther family must never shy away from adversity. If we can''t protect our wives, how can we be expected to support the entire family in the future?¡± Bailey had no response to that. Consequently, Simon handed the photo to Bailey. ¡°Bailey, please.¡± Bailey sighed. Since Artemis has already spoken, what more can I say? ¡°Be cautious in all matters, and don''t draw attention to yourself. If something doesn''t feel right, immediately contact me or your brother,¡± she cautioned. Simon chuckled. ¡°Bailey, why do you sound even more long-winded than my mother?¡± In response, he received a kick from Artemis. ¡°Be polite to your sister-inw!¡± Simon found himself at a loss for words amid the lighthearted banter. However, their merriment was interrupted by Zeke''s arrival. ¡°Bailey, the toxin inside Juliana is ring up, and Cameron is trying to contain it,¡± he informed her urgently. Bailey''s smile vanished instantly, her expression darkening. ¡°Let''s go to the infirmary.¡± They wasted no time and hurried to the infirmary. As they reached the room, Cameron emerged. ¡°What''s happening?¡± Bailey asked with urgency. Cameron''splexion appeared grim, his brows furrowed in deep concern. ¡°The toxin in her body has mutated once again. I''m afraid that if we don''t act promptly, it will begin to corrode her internal organs.¡± ¡°Bailey, I rmend using the same method we used to detoxify Artemis from the Soul Reaper to treat her,¡± he advised. ¡°While it may be painful, it significantly improves her chances of survival. If we continue to dy, her life may be in grave danger.¡± Bailey clenched her teeth, torn between two difficult choices and trapped in a dilemma. The method originally used to help Artemis detoxify from the Soul Reaper poison involved draining all the blood from his body to weaken the toxicity of the toxin. Then, they fought poison with poison, using a specific method to neutralize the toxin. This process was extremely painful and intense, and even a robust and vigorous man like Artemis had struggled to bear it. It was not a procedure suitable for someone as weak as Juliana. ¡°Cameron, you must realize the enormity of the risk involved,¡± Bailey voiced her concern. Cameron, with an air of nonchnce, extended his palms, saying, ¡°We''re faced with a stark choice: either take a chance or watch her sumb right before our eyes. You''re smart; you''ll discern the right course of action. I''m merely offering counsel, not imposing my will. The decision rests with you. I won''t assert my opinion. However, given my extensive experience in poison-crafting, I can tell you that her condition is deteriorating rapidly.¡± ¡°The toxins in her body are undergoing constant mutations, making it progressively challenging for our treatments to stave them off. A day maye when she can no longer suppress them, leading to a catastrophic reaction that will corrode her internal organs. Even if you were to contemte using the bloodletting method to counteract the toxin, it''s no longer a viable option. Once toxins infiltrate human cells, bloodletting bes ineffectual. Diluting the toxins bes an insurmountable task,¡± he borated. Bailey clenched her fists tightly and, through gritted teeth, dered, ¡°I''m going to find Kurt. He''s the one responsible for poisoning her, so he should have the antidote.¡± Cameron shook his head, wearing a wry smile. ¡°It''s futile,¡± he responded. ¡°At best, he could attempt to concoct an antidote from the form, but we''ve already explored that avenue to no avail. Simply put, the toxin has mutated numerous times, veering from its original path. Even with antidotes, it''s beyond the reach of a remedy.¡± Bailey, feeling drained, took a step back and found sce in Artemis'' embrace. She turned her gaze toward Zeke, who had been silently present. Seeking his input, she asked, ¡°Zeke, what''s your perspective?¡± Zeke closed his eyes, battling to control his trembling form. He spoke through gritted teeth. ¡°Given the absence of hope for an antidote, let''s consider Cameron''s rmendation. Once Juliana awakens, I''ll talk to her about it. We''ll face the consequences together.¡± Bailey''s heart sank abruptly What Zeke implied was that if Juliana couldn''t survive, he would join her in death. Although it was excruciating to let go and heart-wrenching to contemte, it appeared that at this juncture, the most Bailey could do was support and uplift her brother. ¡°All right, I''ll contact the Hoffman family to provide them with an update on our situation here.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Half an hourter, Bailey fashioned several hyper-realistic masks for Simon and gave him instructions. ¡°If the situation deteriorates beyond control, don''t insist on staying. Over the past few years, I''ve acquired a collection of hyper-realistic female masks. Give them to Catherine. When the timees, she can use them for disguise and escape. Remember, you''re parents now. You can''t be reckless. Moreover, Luna is still waiting for Catherine to return and cure her.¡± Simon expressed his gratitude, epted the hyper-realistic mask, and implored, ¡°Bailey, you must help me protect Luna. I owe her so much. Just a few days ago, I promised to take her to the amusement park. There are so many things I still want to do for her.¡± Bailey extended her hand to pat his shoulder reassuringly. ¡°We value Luna just as much as you do. Even if the odds are slim, we won''t let her perish.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± At that moment, Luna rushed into the room from outside, wrapping her arms around her father''s leg. She tilted her head up, tears filling her eyes as she looked at her father and choked out, ¡°Daddy, you and Mommy muste back.¡± Chapter 969 It Must Be Torturous Chapter 969 It Must Be Torturous Simon reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his eyes filled with resolute determination. ¡°All right, I will bring your mommy back safe and sound.¡± After speaking, he leaned down to guide his daughter toward Bailey. ¡°While Daddy and Mommy are away, you must be good and listen to your uncles.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Taking a deep breath, Simon exchanged a nce with Bailey and then exited the study. Bailey crouched down, using her fingertips to wipe away the tears on the little girl''s face. She smiled warmly and said, ¡°Your daddy is the most exceptional descendant of the Luther family, and your mom is the most outstanding legitimate daughter of the Rogers family. Be strong, keep fighting against the illness, and await the day when they return.¡± ¡°Aunt Bailey, my mommy and daddy wille back safely, right?¡± Raising an eyebrow, Bailey responded with a question rather than a direct answer, ¡°Luna, while you were in Gregan, did you hear anything about what I''ve been up to this past year?¡± The young girl quickly nodded, her eyes filled with admiration. ¡°I know, of course, I know. In my eyes, you''re even more formidable than my mom, more formidable than anyone else.¡± Bailey gently rubbed the girl''s cheeks, smiling as she continued, ¡°Well, that settles it then. Let me share a secret with you. I''m even more formidable than I appear to be. The outside world only knows a part of my identity, and there are some things they are unaware of. Therefore, you should trust me. Since I''ve already arrived in Gregan, you can put your mind at ease. I can assure you, your mom and dad will be just fine.¡± The little girl''s restless mood gradually subsided, and she obediently nestled in Bailey''s arms, rubbing her small face against hers. In a ce hidden from Luna''s view, a trace of worry flickered in Bailey''s eyes. Could she truly guarantee the safety of Catherine and Simon? No, she couldn''t make such a guarantee. After all, it would be difficult to guard against hidden threats. If the Rogers family dared to confront her openly, she could assure them that they wouldn''t have an easy time. But if they resorted to ndestine tactics, she might find it challenging to handle. Broderick was not to be underestimated. He had been deeply involved in the power struggles within the Rogers family for many years. Now, he had once again seized the initiative, consolidating his control over all of Joseph''s power. Trusting solely in Catherine''s abilities would be a risky proposition. Furthermore, Bailey harbored a nagging concern. She couldn''t shake the feeling that Joseph didn''t genuinely intend to relinquish his position to Catherine. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. If that were the case, there was a high likelihood he might betray her when she was engaged in a mutually destructive battle with Broderick. Being abandoned by one''s own biological father could be a devastating blow. However, for now, Bailey couldn''t afford to dwell on these worries. She could only hope that everything would proceed smoothly. In the countryside castle, within the conference room, Kurt was discussing matters concerning the White family with a few of his subordinates. ¡°Mr. Kurt, the atmosphere in the family has been a bit odd these past few days. That venomous woman has suddenly fallen seriously ill and has shut herself away, refusing to see anyone. Now that her younger brother has taken over, I can''t help but feel that there seem to be some changes in the family.¡± ¡°Exactly, I''ve had the same feeling, Mr. Kurt. Could there be something wrong internally?¡± ¡°Mr. Kurt, the time is ripe now; I believe we can strike back.¡± ¡°I agree. While that woman is seriously ill, she has handed over her power to her younger brother. We can totally seize this opportunity to rece them.¡± ¡°Yes, let''s strike back.¡± Kurt casually waved his hand and spoke in aposed manner, ¡°The timing isn''t right just yet. Let''s exercise patience for a little while longer. If we act prematurely, we''ll be forced to rely solely on our own influence. After all, Broderick hasn''t yet fully assumed control of the second branch of the Rogers family. If we engage in direct conflict with that cunning woman using our own resources, we risk substantial damage and weakening. When the momentes, and Broderick, that wily old fox, retaliates, we might find ourselves swiftly eliminated. The risks involved are simply too great.¡± He concluded, ¡°So, I prefer to wait a few more days until that old man haspletely consolidated his power within the Rogers family. Then, I''ll enlist his assistance in dealing with that woman. This way, we won''t have to worry about him reaping the rewards without contributing orunching unexpected betrayals.¡± The room fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, the elderly man standing beside Kurt nodded in agreement, remarking, ¡°Your concerns are indeed valid, Mr. Kurt. We mustn''t solely fixate on immediate gains. Engaging in a destructive confrontation with that cunning woman could create a vulnerability that Broderick might exploit. Even if we manage to defeat her eventually, we could still fall victim to Broderick''s schemes. It''s a path that could ultimately benefit others.¡± Kurt casually waved his hand again, saying, ¡°The matter is settled; there''s no need for further discussion on this topic. Let''s shift our focus to other matters.¡± Simultaneously, within the main house, Eunice attempted to enter the living room but encountered resistance from two ck-d bodyguards. ¡°Ms. Rogers, no one is permitted to enter without Mr. White''s authorization.¡± ¡°Not even me? Widen your eyes and consider carefully. I am currently an esteemed guest of the family''s head.¡± The bodyguards remained steadfast, reiterating their previous statement. Eunice couldn''t help but exhale in exasperation, slowly clenching her fists by her side. ¡°You''ve left me with no other choice.¡± Muttering an incantation, she swiftly raised her hand, releasing a pleasant fragrance into the air. Momentster, the two bodyguards sumbed to unconsciousness, their vacant stares directed ahead. Eunice sneered with a frigid expression. Catherine''s bullying doesn''t bother me, as her abilities far exceed mine. But who are these two imbeciles to obstruct my path? How absurd! Unimpeded, she confidently entered the living room. While heading to the second floor, several individuals attempted to halt her progress one by one, yet she swiftly incapacitated them all. As she proceeded to the master bedroom, her fists clenched even tighter. Enduring insults from the detestable Catherine had been one matter, but now that Eunice was associated with Kurt, Eunice hadn''t anticipated continued mistreatment. His first crush, huh? Ha! I won''t let anything that threatens my status slip by. Even though I don''t love Kurt, the position of the White family''s matriarch is mine and mine alone. Keeping his first crush around is merely keeping me further away from my goal. I will never let anything that I can get rid of survive the night. Crack! The door swung open, and she entered confidently. Upon spotting the restrained woman on the bed, a wicked smile involuntarily graced Eunice''s lips. She had initially been somewhat apprehensive, fearing that the notorious Poison Lady, renowned for her poison-crafting skills, might employ her toxins against her. In hindsight, Eunice realized she had been worrying needlessly. ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk, isn''t this the internationally infamous ze? Once so high and mighty, now reduced to being a man''s pawn. It''s truly pitiable andmentable, and also rather pathetic. If I were you, treated like a dog on a leash, I''d probably consider running headfirst into a wall.¡± ze slowly opened her eyes, casting a cold, disdainful gaze at Eunice. She retorted, ¡°If you were tied up like this, do you genuinely believe you can ram yourself into a wall?¡± ¡°You!¡± Eunice clenched her teeth, sneering icily, ¡°Still holding out hope for your lover toe and rescue you? I''d advise against such naivety. The Yablon family has already announced Cameron''s imminent marriage to Ms. Zander. Their wedding is just around the corner.¡± ze''s pupils constricted slightly, a hint of muted sorrow flickering deep within her eyes. So, everything he said on the phone that night was a lie. Eunice continued to sneer, ¡°Does it hurt? Would you like me to end your suffering?¡± With that, she retrieved a packet of lethal sedative fragrance from her pocket. Chapter 970 Stoop To Your Level Chapter 970 Stoop To Your Level ¡°Originally, there was no animosity between us, and I shouldn''t have been ruthless towards you. But now, you''re blocking my path, so I have no choice but to send you to the abyss,¡± Eunice dered. ze narrowed her eyes, her brow furrowing as she inquired, ¡°How have I impeded your path?¡± With a sly smile, Eunice intentionally revealed the mark on her neck, saying, ¡°These past few days, I''ve been inseparable from Kurt. He promised me that once everything is settled, he would marry me and make me the matriarch of the White family. Your existence is nothing but an impediment in my path, isn''t it? I''m not foolish enough to let my future husband support a woman who could potentially threaten my position in the future.¡± ze responded to this revtion with a cold, bitterugh. Is this what that man calls profound love? I haven''t been with him for long, and he''s already been intimate with another woman. This kind of affection, cheap andughable, is even less valuable than a stone. ¡°Ms. Rogers, thank you for exining so much to me. If you want to kill or torture me, feel free to proceed; there''s no need for all this superfluous talk.¡± ze knew she couldn''t personally end Kurt''s life, and while it was somewhat regrettable, she believed that Bailey and the others wouldn''t let him escape justice. Her only regret was that she couldn''t make Cameron fall in love with her before her impending demise. Is that man really getting married? Never mind. I''ve be such a gruesome sight; I''m no longer deserving of him. For him to find a pure-hearted and pure-bodied woman to share his life with is truly fortunate, and more importantly, it''s what I truly wish for. A fragrant wave drifted towards ze''s nose, causing her breathing to quicken. The exactponents of this sedative fragrance were unclear, but upon inhtion, it depleted oxygen, leading to suffocation and eventual death. ze''s pupils slowly widened. She made no effort to resist, simply closing her eyes and awaiting the embrace of death. In reality, death was a form of release for her, as she no longer held any attachments to this world. The reason she had clung to life until now was a phone call she had received. Cameron had personally confessed his feelings for her, leaving a trace of concern and hope in her heart that had sustained her. But now that her hope had been extinguished, she had nothing left to hold onto in this world. Death had be her inevitable destination. Maybe with her passing, that man could finally find peace, having a fulfilling marriage with his wife. He wouldn''t have to worry about her reemerging to disrupt his family. Bang! Just then, a loud thud, like a heavy object hitting the ground, broke through her fading consciousness. Then, a rush of air filled her body, dispelling the suffocating sensation that had taken hold. She slowly opened her eyes to a scene where Eunicey overturned on the ground, and Kurt stood by the bed, wearing a grim expression as he red at her. ¡°Eunice, I tolerate your audacity in my presence only out of respect for your father and brothers. Without their protection, what significance do you hold in my eyes? Yet now, you dare to harm the woman I love. Are you seeking your own demise? Or perhaps you believe that in the eyes of your father and brothers, you are more valuable than the partnership between me and them? Tell me, do you believe that I can eliminate you without any protest from your family?¡± Eunice hung her head, her body limp on the floor. Her hand clenched into a fist on the ground. She had been so close, just moments away from sess. If she had only had a few more seconds, that wretched woman on the bed would have met her end. But she couldn''t despair; there was still time ahead, countless opportunities to deal with ze. ¡°I was momentarily ovee by jealousy and confusion. I promise it won''t happen again, Mr. White. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me,¡± Eunice pleaded. Kurt continued to re at her, his voice stern. ¡°Get out of here! From now on, without my explicit permission, you are forbidden from setting foot in the main house! If you dare to defy my orders again, I''ll show you the true meaning of wishing for death. No one else has the right to trample on what belongs to me.¡± Suppressing the surging pain within her body, Eunice clenched her teeth and managed to rise. She cast a deep, lingering nce at ze before turning on her heels and rushing out of the room. As Eunice departed, ze couldn''t resist a scornful remark, ¡°She''s a woman who once shared a fleeting romance with you... Her family is also aiding you, yet you show such heartlessness. Aren''t you concerned about breaking the poor girl''s heart?¡± Kurt suddenly turned toward ze, narrowing his eyes as he retorted, ¡°You appear quite pleased that we''ve been intimate. ze, haven''t you a single trace of sentimentality for me? I''ve supported you for so many years; even the coldest heart would have warmed by now.¡± ze let out a mockingugh, her smile filled with contempt. ¡°Would you ever grow attached to an animal? If you did, it would only prove how much you demean yourself. I''m a human, and I refuse to lower myself to the level of an animal.¡± Kurt''s expression darkened, a trace of malevolence subtly emanating from his furrowed brows, his anger simmering. ¡°Your period has ended, hasn''t it? In that case, let''s take our time to reminisce, shall we?¡± ze''s face paled, a flicker of fear shing across her eyes. Her timid response triggered Kurt, who was by the bedside, and in an instant, his cruelty red. At this moment, all he wanted was to torment her relentlessly, to push her to her limits. Seeing him draw near, ze clenched her teeth and taunted, ¡°Didn''t you mention using a sedative on me, controlling my perception, making me see you as Cameron? Where is the drug?¡± Let''s bring this to an end tonight. If he dares to drug me, I''ll pretend to be drugged. Then, once he lets his guard down, I''ll seize the opportunity to kill him. Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org. Kurt sneered, gripping her chin tightly, his voice chilling as he said, ¡°I prefer to see you struggle in pain rather than see you willing. That way, I can savor a sense of aplishment. So, there''s no need for that stupefying drug. Besides, I want you to bear my child. If we use it, my offspring will no longer be exceptional.¡± ¡° After he finished speaking, he promptly took action. ze''s pupils contracted intensely. She had made a mistake; she shouldn''t have provoked this man. If she hadn''t, he wouldn''t have be so enraged, and certainly not unleashed the ferocious determination she now saw. Once he willingly approached her and made her take the stupefying drug, that would be her chance to strike and kill him. But now... ¡°Kurt, there wille a day when I tear you into a thousand pieces and scatter your ashes to the wind.¡± Dusk fell over the Rogers castle, and inside Catherine''s room, a tense atmosphere prevailed. The strategist voiced the grim reality, ¡°Ms. Catherine, the current situation is dire. Most of the family''s power rests in Mr. Broderick''s hands. Our resources are too scattered to effectively challenge him.¡± Catherine, after contemting the strategist''s words, responded resolutely, ¡°To apprehend a gang, you must first capture their leader. We must devise a n to seize Wilbur and then employ him as leverage against the first branch.¡± ¡°But what if Mr. Broderick decides to abandon Wilbur? Capturing him might render us with a useless bargaining chip. We may still need to confront Mr. Broderick directly.¡± Catherine''s determination hardened as she enunciated her words, ¡°In that case, we shall resort to the next best strategy. When the time arrives, we will use Wilbur''s life as a bargaining tool to negotiate with Broderick. We will request that he permits us to depart from the Rogers family, even if it means giving up the position of the family head.¡± The revtion left those assembled in shock. ¡°Ms. Catherine, are you implying that you are willing to forego the pursuit of power?¡± Chapter 971 Perish Together Chapter 971 Perish Together If they were to threaten Broderick to let them leave the Rogers family at that time, then the legitimate line of the Rogers family would be ruined for life, never able to return to a position of power. Catherine cast a cold re at the middle-aged man who had just spoken, and with a touch of mockery in her voice, she said, ¡°Tell me, what''s more important, seizing power or saving your own life? If you believe seizing power takes precedence, then go ahead and stay. I won''t stop you. But my family, my parents, and siblings, I must protect them. Even if it means relinquishing the authority of the Rogers family, I will ensure their well-being and secure their exit from the family. Even if I end up living an ordinary life, at least I''ll be alive, and that''s worth more than anything else.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ¡°But¡ª¡± The middle-aged man was about to respond when suddenly, a deep, resonant voice filled the room from the entrance. ¡°I support Ms. Catherine''s decision. Survival is the top priority. What good is seizing power if we lose our lives in the process?¡± Without hesitation, Catherine''s gaze shifted toward the door. Her body tensed as she recognized those familiar eyes. Simon! Why did hee back? Isn''t he supposed to wait for an update outside of the Rogers castle? Considering the current situation in the Rogers castle, he shouldn''t have taken the risk of entering. Even though he had assumed the role of her subordinate and altered his voice, his presence in the Rogers family made her uneasy. ¡°Lester, what''s going on in your mind? Ms. Catherine just mentioned giving up her position as the family head, and you''re backing her. Have you gone mad or something?¡± ¡°Rather than witnessing her willingly walk to her death, I''d prefer to see her lead a good life. That''s what we, as subordinates, should strive for,¡± Lester responded, nodding firmly. ¡°But...¡± The middle-aged man attempted to voice his objections but was cut off by Catherine. ¡°Enough. What I mean is that I would only consider giving up power to save my life in the direst of circumstances. But as long as there''s even a glimmer of hope, I won''t allow the first branch to have their way. Let''s not waste any more time. With each passing day, the first branch''s power grows stronger. If we dy any further, our chances of sess diminish.¡± Silence followed her words. Once everyone had left the room, Catherine fixed a cold gaze on the man standing on the opposite side of the conference table. Through clenched teeth, she asked, ¡°Why did youe back here?¡± Wearing a charming smile, Simon approached her, extending his hand to grasp her arm firmly. With a swift tug, he pulled her into his embrace. Involuntarily, Catherine felt the urge to struggle, but Simon leaned in close to her ear, his voiceced with a menacing warning, ¡°I''m an ordinary man. If you don''t want me to y tricks on you, I suggest you stay still and stop fidgeting. I can''t guarantee what mischief I might get up to otherwise.¡± Catherine couldn''t help but shudder slightly. She bit her lip hard, trying to find her voice, and finally stammered, ¡°The situation in the Rogers family is incrediblyplicated right now. You shouldn''t have involved yourself.¡± ¡°No worries. We''ll just perish together in the worst-case scenario.¡± We''ll just perish together in the worst-case scenario? Is he willing to die for me? Her heart swelled with overwhelming emotions. ¡°Si¡ª¡± ¡°Shh, don''t speak. Let me hold you for a while.¡± Outside the door, the strategist who had recently spoken in the meeting room was about to enter. As he raised his foot, he caught sight of ¡°Lester¡± embracing Catherine, their bodies entwined. As he witnessed this scene, a chill coursed through his eyes. I was wondering why the usually resolute youngdy suddenly appeared so fragile. It seems there''s something ndestine influencing her emotions. Are they nning to escape together? This can''t happen! We''ve risked everything, including our fortunes and lives, to support her against the first branch, hoping that one day, when she assumes power, she''ll grant us the highest authority. And now, she''s contemting an escape n while reveling in our loyalty. How dare she! He intended to find Joseph, share Catherine''s thoughts with him, and request Joseph to dispatch someone to deal with the wretched man, Lester. Once he''s gone, Ms. Catherine won''t have any reservations left and will wholeheartedly pursue power. Inside, the two lost in their tender moment remained oblivious to themotion outside. Little did they know that their seemingly innocuous interaction would set off a chain of unexpected events. ¡°Alright, enough of these affectionate gestures with that face. It''s easy to break character. Lester is my subordinate, and we''ve been working together for several years, considering each other close friends. Now, I find myself confronting you while wearing his face... It''s quite awkward.¡± Simon let out a soft chuckle, slowly releasing her, and gently inquired, ¡°What''s your n now?¡± Catherine cast a thoughtful nce out the window, her eyes fixed on the direction of Broderick''s residence. ¡°The power imbnce is significant, and I can''tpete head-on. All I can do at this point is figure out a way to capture Wilbur and use him as leverage against my uncle. However, I doubt the old man would willingly relinquish the power he holds, even to save his own son. I''m not expecting much, but my aim is to use Wilbur as a bargaining chip to negotiate, forcing my uncle to spare the lives of my parents and siblings.¡± Simon nodded with a faint smile. ¡°Your family is my family. Once they leave the Rogers residence, we''ll head to Hallsbay together. With the Luther family''s protection, Broderick and his son won''t dare to harm them. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to keep your family safe.¡± ¡°Mm, I trust you. By the way, how''s Luna doing?¡± After a moment of contemtion, Simon added, ¡°Bailey and Cameron aren''t proficient in fragrance blending, so you''ll have to handle it yourself. Let''s swiftly resolve the matters concerning the Rogers family and then return to rescue our daughter.¡± ¡°All right.¡± Inside the manor''s infirmary, Zeke ced a gentle kiss on Juliana''s forehead before pulling over a chair and settling down. ¡°Are you feeling hungry? Do you need something to eat?¡± Juliana felt a bit self-conscious, herplexion still pale, preventing her cheeks from blushing even when she felt a bit shy. ¡°I''m not hungry, and I don''t want to eat. Am I going to die?¡± Zeke narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of concern flickering in his gaze. ¡°Don''t talk like that. With Bailey here, you''re not in any danger. You need to stay strong.¡± ¡°But even Ma¡ª I mean, even Bailey is struggling with this. I''ve learned about poison crafting from her before, so I know how potent these toxins can be. The toxin in Zoey''s body mutated once, and now it has mutated again in mine. We can''t create an antidote, can we?¡± ¡°That''s not¡ª¡± Just as Zeke was about to reply, Juliana didn''t give him a chance to speak and continued, ¡°Use the same method Bailey used to detoxify Mr. Luther on me. I know it''s risky and painful, but there''s a glimmer of hope, which is better than lying here waiting for death.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Bailey entered the room, pushing the door open, and spoke as she approached, ¡°Without the antidote, death is certain. The medicine we''ve been researching can no longer contain the toxins in your body. If you still want to be the matriarch of the Shurmer family, you have to be strong. Let''s take a chance; regardless of the oue, it''s better than passively waiting for death.¡± With that, she retrieved a sterilized scalpel from the medical kit. Chapter 972 Be Strong Chapter 972 Be Strong ¡°The toxin is already prepared in theboratory. After I''ve drained your blood and diluted the toxins in your body, Cameron will create a corresponding counter-toxin for injection. We''llbat toxin with toxin. However, let me be clear from the start, this method involves significant risks and will cause unbearable pain, far beyond what an ordinary person can endure.¡± Juliana smiled and said, ¡°Bailey, please proceed with the procedure. Your presence by my side gives mefort. Regardless of the oue, I''ll have no regrets. Passively waiting for death isn''t in my nature.¡± Bailey nodded, her gaze shifting toward Zeke, who remained on the other side. She arched an eyebrow and inquired, ¡°Aren''t you leaving yet?¡± Zeke, looking somewhat puzzled, asked, ¡°Why should I leave?¡± ¡°I''m concerned that this might be distressing for you. If Artemis were in your ce, he''d probably find it unbearable. Considering how much you care for this girl now, I''m afraid you might break down halfway through.¡± Zeke fell into contemtive silence, his thoughts running deep. Juliana interjected, ¡°You should go ahead and leave. I don''t want you to witness me in such a disheveled state.¡± Resigned, Zeke agreed, ¡°All right then, I''ll step out. Bay, I''m counting on you.¡± Bailey clutched the scalpel firmly, fully aware of the high stakes involved. ¡°Rest assured, with me here, everything will go smoothly,¡± she reassured them. After all, there were two lives at stake. Once Zeke had left the room, Juliana extended her arm toward Bailey and said, ¡°Go ahead.¡± After a brief moment of contemtion, Bailey began, ¡°Julie, Zeke is the rightful heir of the Shurmer family, a shining star from a young age, favored by destiny. It''s truly a tragedy for such a remarkable man to die so young. So, no matter the challenges that lie ahead, you must remain strong and resolute. Don''t give up easily.¡± Juliana sensed something unusual in Bailey''s words, causing her to react swiftly. She reached out and grasped Bailey''s arm, her voice filled with anxiety. ¡°Has Zeke been having thoughts of suicide?¡± Bailey nodded solemnly and spoke frankly. ¡°Yes, he expressed hismitment to always be by your side. Therefore, you must be strong and not let his devotion lead to unnecessary risks for both of you.¡± Juliana reluctantly released her grip on her arm, her voice quivering as she admitted, ¡°I always believed he stayed with me out of pity and guilt. I never fathomed the profound depth of his feelings for me.¡± In that moment, she raised her eyes to meet Bailey''s gaze, her resolve unwavering as she dered, ¡°I shall persist until the very end. The world holds such exquisite beauty, and I am not yet prepared to bid it farewell.¡± With a faint smile, Bailey didn''t utter a word more. She delicately lifted Juliana''s arm with one hand, while the other held a scalpel, poised to make an incision. The skin yielded to the de, and blood poured from the cut. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. The toxins had eroded Juliana''s bloodstream, transforming its once vibrant crimson hue into a malevolent shade of ck. Outside the infirmary, Artemis and Zeke leaned against the wall, each with a cigarette in hand. As they exhaled, the smoke swirled around them. ¡°Don''t dwell on it too much. When a decision is made, life and death be secondary. If she survives, so do you. If she doesn''t, neither do you. It''s that straightforward.¡± Zeke nodded, saying, ¡°If it ever reaches that point, please look after the Shurmer family in my absence.¡± ¡°Mm.¡± Outside, the sky darkened gradually as night approached. Inside the main study of the Rogers castle, Joseph''s grip tightened, shattering the wine ss in his hand upon hearing the strategist''s report. ¡°I thought Catherine had fallen for Mr. Simon, but it turns out she''s infatuated with her own personal bodyguard. What a disgraceful woman, disregarding her own status, falling for a dog raised by the family. Birds of a feather flock together, it seems. They''re both lowly creatures! It''s a good thing I didn''t entrust the family affairs to her; otherwise, everything would have been ruined by her hands.¡± The strategist concurred, saying, ¡°It''s a shame that we, her subordinates, ced so much trust in her. We staked our entire fortunes and lives on her. But it''s maddening to discover her true intentions. Mr. Joseph, that Lester must not be allowed to stay. He will poison Ms. Catherine''s mind.¡± Joseph slowly raised his head, fixing his gaze on the strategist. This was the subordinate Catherine trusted and valued the most. If he could sessfully turn him against Catherine, his future ns would proceed more smoothly. ¡°Oswald, Catherine is not someone you can influence to your liking. You won''t gain any benefits by siding with her.¡± Oswald was taken aback, his eyes narrowing slightly. He wasn''t a fool; he could read between the lines of Joseph''s words. ¡°What do you mean, Mr. Joseph?¡± A spark of realization shed in Joseph''s eyes as he casually remarked, ¡°Don''t oppose her. Let her sh with the first branch. Once she gains control of Wilbur, hand him over to me. I''ll use Wilbur as a bargaining chip against that cunning old fox, Broderick. If you think I would abandon my family and flee to the ends of the earth, think again. I''d rather go down with the first branch than lead a life of mere survival.¡± Filled with newfound determination, Oswald rose from his seat and bowed deeply to Joseph. ¡°From now on, my loyalty lies solely with you. What you say is true, Mr. Joseph. We''d rather go down together than be hunted like dogs.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Joseph chuckled. ¡°Don''t worry, I still have some tricks up my sleeve. When both Catherine and Broderick are weakened, both suffering losses, that''s when I''ll strike and bring them both down. At that point, all power will return to my grasp.¡± Oswald''s heart trembled deeply. So, this old man had hidden motives all along. Casting Catherine out was merely using her as a shield. What a ruthless heart he has. Catherine is his daughter, yet for power, he''s willing to sacrifice his own flesh and blood. ¡°Do you have another heir in mind, Mr. Joseph?¡± Joseph''s heartyughter abruptly ceased. He fixed a piercing gaze on Oswald and said cryptically, ¡°I''ll keep the details to myself for now. You''ll find out in due time. Just do your job diligently, and I won''t disappoint you.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± At Catherine''s residence, inside the study, Catherine examined the message in her hand and sighed. ¡°My people have directly shed with Uncle Broderick''s men. We''ve sustained heavy losses. Simon, I can''t outmaneuver that old man. What should we do?¡± Simon was engrossed in his phone when he heard his wife''s query. Arching an eyebrow, he teased, ¡°Give me a kiss, and I''ll tell you what to do.¡± Catherine shot him an exasperated nce and pressed her lips together, refusing to y along. The more she got to know this man, the more she realized how incorrigible he was. Bailey had also called Artemis cheap before. It seemed that the men in the Luther family shared some common traits. ¡°You don''t agree? Well, then, I''m afraid your subordinates might face total annihtion...¡± The conversation hit an abrupt pause. As she stared at the erged handsome face before her, Catherine''s heart raced. After an indeterminate amount of time, Simon slowly pulled away, his voice husky as he said, ¡°If you''re not on board with that n, it''s fine. I can take the initiative. If you happen to like this method, we can always use it again in the future.¡± ¡°Simon...¡± Catherine stamped her foot in frustration, her cheeks turning a faint shade of crimson. Chapter 973 Something Happens To Simon Chapter 973 Something Happens To Simon ¡°Simon...¡± Seeing her in this state, Simon couldn''t help but burst into heartyughter. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. She blushed after being teased by him, it was clear that she had never experienced love as she was so naive and pure. Seeing her blush with annoyance, and about to storm out of the study, Simon quickly reached out to stop her, pulling her into his embrace. ¡°Alright, enough teasing. Let''s get down to business. I''ve devised a n to lure Wilbur out of the Rogers castle. ¡°News just came in from the top detective of Luther Group. They''ve cast a wide and have now captured Wilbur.¡± Catherine''s face lit up with joy, and no longer struggled. She looked up at him and asked, ¡°Really?¡± With Wilbur in hand, the lives of her parents and siblings were secured. To be honest, she was genuinely worried about failingpletely, having to watch helplessly as her loved ones died one by one before her eyes in the end. Now that she had Wilbur, she didn''t have to worry about this problem anymore. When the timees, she would negotiate with the first branch of the family using Wilbur''s life as leverage. She believed that they would spare them. Simon pinched his nose andughed. ¡°How dare I joke about such a matter? It''s a matter of life and death for your family.¡± ¡°My people will bring Wilbur over in a bit. Let''s control him in our hands, and negotiate with the first branch of the family tomorrow.¡± Tears welled up in Catherine''s eyes. ¡°Simon, thank you.¡± Simon raised an eyebrow. His expression was a yful mix of amusement and seriousness. ¡°Verbal gratitude is worthless,¡± he said. ¡°You need to show your thanks through actions.¡± Her charming face flushed red, and she abruptly pushed him away. ¡°Can''t you be serious when we''re in such a dangerous situation?¡± Simon found it somewhat amusing. ¡°I meant for you to kiss me again. Where did your mind wander off to?¡± Catherine was a little stunned. Yeah, what kind of jumbled thoughts have I been having? Simon suddenly leaned in close to her, asking in a deep, resonant voice, ¡°You are the one with the dirty mind. Usually, those who think that way are desperate for something, or else...¡± Catherine swung her hand fiercely. In an instant, a faint fragrance wafted towards him. Simon inwardly cursed, and instinctively wanted to dodge. But it was still a step toote. As soon as the fragrance entered his body, it immediately took effect. Every ounce of strength was drained from his body, causing him to copse into the sofa. ¡°You...¡± Simon, you need to rest. Get some sleep. Don''t wear yourself out. All the words were swallowed back after lingering around her lips. She used a sedative fragrance on him, not out of anger or embarrassment, but simply because she cared for him. He was too tired and needed rest. Simon felt a warm and sweet sensation in his heart, as if it was filled with honey. Gradually, he gave up resisting, sumbing to the wave of sleepiness that washed over him. Before long, he drifted off to sleep. With a tender demeanor, Catherine strolled over to the sofa, bent down and nted a kiss on his forehead. Then, she turned around and walked out of the study. Half an hourter, a few individuals dressed in ck discreetly handed Wilbur over to her. She ordered her subordinates to lock him in the dungeon, nning to negotiate with Broderick the next morning. After all was done, she made another trip to the main house. Inside the study. Looking at Joseph seated on the sofa, Catherine said with a nod, ¡°Father, I am no match for Uncle Broderick. I can''tpete with him. ¡°Half an hour ago, I took control of Wilbur. I am preparing to negotiate with the first branch of the family tomorrow. If Uncle Broderick agrees to let us go, you, Mommy, and Harvey shoulde with me to Hallsbay.¡± Joseph''s head hung low, a glint of murderous intent shing in his eyes. If it weren''t for herst shred of usefulness, he would want to kill her right now. ¡°Cath, are we really going to hand over the position of head of the family to those ambitious ones? The Rogers family won''tst long in their hands, and when that timees, we''ll be the ones med for the family''s downfall.¡± Catherine slowly knelt on the ground, choking back tears. ¡°I know you can''t bear to leave this home, but our lives are more important.¡± Joseph clenched his fists, suppressing the rage within him. ¡°Alright then. Since you''ve decided to do this, I''ll support you.¡± A smile appeared on Catherine''s face, just as he was about to speak, Oswald walked in from outside suddenly. ¡°Oh, Oswald, how did you end up here? Didn''t I ask you to keep an eye on the dungeon?¡± Oswald ignored her and walked straight to Joseph. He respectfully said, ¡°Mr. Joseph, Wilbur and that kid Lester have already been locked in the secret chamber of the main house.¡± A hint of surprise shed across Catherine''s eyes. She was not foolish, so how could she not see the current situation. Clearly, Oswald had defected and sided with her father. Is this really necessary? Does it make a difference to whom he serves? ¡°Oswald, what... what do you mean by this?¡± Before Oswald could speak, Joseph slowly rose from the sofa. He paced over to Catherine, then abruptly raised his arm and pped her hard across the face. No one knew how much force he used in that p, but Catherine was actually thrown to the ground by it. ¡°You rebellious girl, over the years, I have gone against the crowd, solely to support your rise to power. It can be said that I have ced great expectations on you. ¡°Well, look at you, giving up such immense power as if it''s nothing. Who do you think you are that you can make decisions for me?¡± Catherine''s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at her father. Her voice trembled as she asked, ¡°So, yourpliance earlier was a lie? You had Oswald send Wilbur over because you wanted to fight my uncle to the death? ¡°Father, you should know that Uncle Broderick is blinded by greed. He could even sacrifice his own son at a critical moment. ¡°So he''ll never agree to surrender even if you force him to that. Listen to me, let''s use Wilbur as a bargaining chip to secure a way out. Isn''t it better to prioritize our survival?¡± A cold light shed in Joseph''s eyes, he gritted his teeth and said, ¡°It''s better to die a glorious death rather than living a life of cowardice.¡± ¡°My dear daughter, I know you fancy that young man, Lester. So, I''ve asked Oswald to invite him over to the main house. ¡°His life and death are now in your hands. If you behave obediently, he won''t be in any danger. ¡°If you don''t behave yourself, he will be the first one to die, and there is no doubt about it. He''s the one who incited you to run away, and for that, he deserves to be killed.¡± With a gentle pace, Catherine slowly rose from the ground, her eyes blurred with tears as she looked at Joseph and asked, ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± ¡°It''s simple. Keep attacking your uncle''s family, throw all your forces into it, and inflict heavy damage on them.¡± Catherine''s eyes reddened, and she yelled at him, ¡°Those are precious human lives we''re talking about.¡± ¡°I don''t care. Either you severely injure your uncle, or I''ll deliver you a corpse.¡± After he finished speaking, he shouted towards the outside, ¡°ughter that brat, Lester...¡± ¡°No!¡± Catherine roared, and interrupted him, ¡°I promise you. I will do it. Don''t touch Lester. Don''t touch him.¡± That''s Simon we''re talking about. How could I just stand by and watch him die? Seeing herpromise, Joseph smiled in satisfaction. ¡°Then let''s take action tonight. By tomorrow morning, I want to see a scene of your uncle''s family being heavily attacked. Otherwise, your lover will undoubtedly die.¡± ... A manor in the countryside. Juliana''s blood had already drained and was soaked in the medicinal solution. Bailey stepped out of theboratory and said to Zeke, ¡°She can receive a blood transfusion in two hours.¡± As her words fell, she scanned the surroundings, not seeing Artemis. She asked, ¡°Where is my man?¡± Zeke said in a deep voice, ¡°Something has happened to Simon.¡± Chapter 974 You Are Nothing But A Shield Chapter 974 You Are Nothing But A Shield Bailey was stunned for three seconds. Once she regained her senses, she quickly asked, ¡°Is there a risk to life?¡± Zeke shook his head, his gaze falling on the tightly closedboratory door. ¡°I''m not entirely sure. Artemis didn''t tell me much. He should be in the main house. Why don''t you go ask him?¡± As Bailey nodded, she simultaneously removed her whiteb coat, and said, ¡°There are professional doctors inside. Nothing will go wrong.¡± ¡°If there''s any change in the situation, call me immediately. I won''t leave the manor, so I assure you that I''ll be there at a moment''s notice.¡± Zeke responded lightly, ¡°You should hurry and find out about Simon''s situation. The Rogers family is in quite a mess right now. If something really happened... Well, there shouldn''t be any problems. There won''t be.¡± Without uttering another word, Bailey took off her coat, rolled it into a ball, and tossed it to Zeke. Then, she strode towards the staircase. Inside the study of the main house. Artemis leaned against the window, making several phone calls in a row, mobilizing all of Luther Group''s forces in Gregan. Although he didn''t want to incite panic among the local forces, he had to prepare for the worst with Simon now trapped and his fate uncertain. If the Rogers family truly did murder his brother, then there was no reason for this family to continue existing. He would exhaust all his power topletely annihte it. The door swung open, and Bailey rushed in hurriedly. Seeing Artemis on the phone, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. On her way, she tried to contact Catherine, but the response indicated that she was out of service area. She had thought the final battle woulde a few dayster, which is why she had started dealing with Juliana''s matters. Now that a problem had suddenly arisen, she simply couldn''t excuse herself. If only Catherine had the courage to engage Broderick in a lengthy conversation, buying them enough time to rescue Simon. Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org. After Artemis ended the call, he took the initiative to tell her about the situation at the Rogers residence without waiting for Bailey to ask. ¡°So, you''re saying that Mr. Joseph doesn''t realize he has caught Simon, and he just thinks he''s a bodyguard for Catherine?¡± ¡°Well, after all, Simon is in disguise, so it''s normal not to recognize him. However, we can''t dy this matter anymore. It''s best to get him out as soon as possible.¡± Bailey guessed what he wanted to do. She pondered for a moment, and then suggested, ¡°After you disguise yourself. Why don''t you pay a visit to the Rogers family?¡± Simon is your younger brother, it''s only natural that you''re worried about him. However, I can''t leave the mansion, Juliana is at a critical juncture. ¡°You must be extremely careful without me apanying you. Also, don''t get me involved in any troublesome affairs.¡± Artemis pulled her into his arms, nting a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Thank you for your understanding. I will take good care of myself. Don''t overwork yourself at the manor, and if anythinges up, contact me immediately.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bailey agreed without hesitation, ¡°I''ll make the mask for you. You take care of everything else outside. ¡°When it''s time to leave, inform me. When the timees, I''ll lead a team to storm into the Rogers family''s residence and rescue you all.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± The Rogers residence Broderick''s residence. Karen sat in the living room, her eyes red and swollen, her face still wet with tears as she looked rather disoriented. Her son hadn''t returned yet, and with the situation outside being so dangerous, she guessed something must have happened. At that moment, the butler hurried in from outside, addressing Karen, ¡°Madam, there''s trouble. Mr. Wilbur has been detained in the main house by Ms. Catherine.¡± Upon hearing this, Karen abruptly rose from the sofa. The thing I feared the most has indeed happened. It still happened, didn''t it. ¡°Where''s Mr. Broderick? Where is he now?¡± ¡°Inside the conference room, Ms. Catherine led her team in a furious counterattack. He personally directed the battle, dealing with the opponent''s onught.¡± Karen paced towards the outside. ¡°Wilbur must be fine, he must be. Come with me to the conference room.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside the conference room. Broderick sat grim-faced in front of the sofa, listening to the reportsing one after another from his subordinates below. ¡°Has she lost her mind? Would she rather perish together than cease fire and negotiate a way out for herself?¡± ¡°Mr. Broderick, if we continue to operate the way she does, we''ll suffer heavy losses in no time. ¡°Even if we end up winning, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. The cost we''ll have to pay will far exceed our budget.¡± Broderick rubbed his eyebrows and squinted before he said, ¡°I thought that girl was holding Wilbur hostage to force me into sparing the second branch of the family and giving them a way out. ¡°Now, she has him in her grasp, yet she still attacks so fiercely. I really can''t figure out what on earth she wants to do.¡± An elder suggested, ¡°Perhaps Ms. Catherine is waiting for us to take the initiative to negotiate with her. Why don''t you give her a call and have a good chat with her?¡± ¡°Simply put, as long as she ceases his attacks, we will offer the second branch of the family a way out, allowing them to leave. We guarantee that we will not send assassins after them in the future.¡± Broderick nodded, then he picked up themunicator from the table, and found Catherine''s number, and dialed it. Once the call connected, Catherine''s voice came from the other end of the line. ¡°Uncle Broderick, are you calling me at this hour for a negotiation?¡± Broderick said in a deep voice, ¡°Yes, I am indeed here to negotiate with you. Let''s call a truce, and not fight anymore. ¡°If we continue down this path, we might end up hurting each other. Why put ourselves through that? ¡°How about this, you cease fire, then release Wilbur, and I will spare everyone in the second branch.¡± Catherine gave a faint smile, her voice cool and detached, ¡°But my father disagrees. He says he''d rather die in battle than live a life of dishonor.¡± ¡°Since this is his wish, I can only support him as his daughter. So, Uncle Broderick, I''m afraid you''ll have to fight me to the end.¡± Broderick gritted his teeth, and said sternly, ¡°You regard him as your father, but has he ever treated you like his daughter? ¡°There''s something you might not know yet. As your uncle, let me have a good chat with you about it. ¡°Your father is the epitome of a wolf in sheep''s clothing, incredibly deceitful. All these years, he never once considered giving you the Rogers family''s inheritance. ¡°Just a few days ago, he invited a renowned international doctor toe and treat your younger brother. ¡°He''s just biding his time, waiting for his son to get better. Once that happens, he''ll kick you aside without a second thought. You''re nothing more than a shield to him.¡± Even though he was mentally prepared, Catherine still experienced significant emotional turbulence after hearing Broderick''s revtion. She couldn''t, and wouldn''t, believe that all these years she had been nothing more than a pawn. A decoy to draw away the overt and covert attacks aimed at her younger brother. The harsh reality told her that all of this could very well be true. ¡°Uncle Broderick, stop spreading your tales here. I won''t believe you.¡± ¡°Now, if my father wishes to remain in power, then I''ll have to remove all obstacles in his way.¡± After she finished speaking, she immediately hung up the phone. If this conversation had taken ce a day earlier, she would have definitely epted Broderick''s proposal. But right now... She had no way out. She must do as her father demands, otherwise Simon would die. Broderick stared at the disconnected call. A murderous intent rose in his eyes. Chapter 975 Grant Her A Bottle of Poison Chapter 975 Grant Her A Bottle of Poison Bailey was stunned for three seconds. Once she regained her senses, she quickly asked, ¡°Is there a risk to life?¡± Zeke shook his head, his gaze falling on the tightly closedboratory door. ¡°I''m not entirely sure. Artemis didn''t tell me much. He should be in the main house. Why don''t you go ask him?¡± As Bailey nodded, she simultaneously removed her whiteb coat, and said, ¡°There are professional doctors inside. Nothing will go wrong.¡± ¡°If there''s any change in the situation, call me immediately. I won''t leave the manor, so I assure you that I''ll be there at a moment''s notice.¡± Zeke responded lightly, ¡°You should hurry and find out about Simon''s situation. The Rogers family is in quite a mess right now. If something really happened... Well, there shouldn''t be any problems. There won''t be.¡± Without uttering another word, Bailey took off her coat, rolled it into a ball, and tossed it to Zeke. Then, she strode towards the staircase. Inside the study of the main house. Artemis leaned against the window, making several phone calls in a row, mobilizing all of Luther Group''s forces in Gregan. Although he didn''t want to incite panic among the local forces, he had to prepare for the worst with Simon now trapped and his fate uncertain. If the Rogers family truly did murder his brother, then there was no reason for this family to continue existing. He would exhaust all his power topletely annihte it. The door swung open, and Bailey rushed in hurriedly. Seeing Artemis on the phone, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. On her way, she tried to contact Catherine, but the response indicated that she was out of service area. She had thought the final battle woulde a few dayster, which is why she had started dealing with Juliana''s matters. Now that a problem had suddenly arisen, she simply couldn''t excuse herself. If only Catherine had the courage to engage Broderick in a lengthy conversation, buying them enough time to rescue Simon. After Artemis ended the call, he took the initiative to tell her about the situation at the Rogers residence without waiting for Bailey to ask. ¡°So, you''re saying that Mr. Joseph doesn''t realize he has caught Simon, and he just thinks he''s a bodyguard for Catherine?¡± ¡°Well, after all, Simon is in disguise, so it''s normal not to recognize him. However, we can''t dy this matter anymore. It''s best to get him out as soon as possible.¡± Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. Bailey guessed what he wanted to do. She pondered for a moment, and then suggested, ¡°After you disguise yourself. Why don''t you pay a visit to the Rogers family?¡± Simon is your younger brother, it''s only natural that you''re worried about him. However, I can''t leave the mansion, Juliana is at a critical juncture. ¡°You must be extremely careful without me apanying you. Also, don''t get me involved in any troublesome affairs.¡± Artemis pulled her into his arms, nting a kiss on her forehead. ¡°Thank you for your understanding. I will take good care of myself. Don''t overwork yourself at the manor, and if anythinges up, contact me immediately.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Bailey agreed without hesitation, ¡°I''ll make the mask for you. You take care of everything else outside. ¡°When it''s time to leave, inform me. When the timees, I''ll lead a team to storm into the Rogers family''s residence and rescue you all.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± The Rogers residence Broderick''s residence. Karen sat in the living room, her eyes red and swollen, her face still wet with tears as she looked rather disoriented. Her son hadn''t returned yet, and with the situation outside being so dangerous, she guessed something must have happened. At that moment, the butler hurried in from outside, addressing Karen, ¡°Madam, there''s trouble. Mr. Wilbur has been detained in the main house by Ms. Catherine.¡± Upon hearing this, Karen abruptly rose from the sofa. The thing I feared the most has indeed happened. It still happened, didn''t it. ¡°Where''s Mr. Broderick? Where is he now?¡± ¡°Inside the conference room, Ms. Catherine led her team in a furious counterattack. He personally directed the battle, dealing with the opponent''s onught.¡± Karen paced towards the outside. ¡°Wilbur must be fine, he must be. Come with me to the conference room.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Inside the conference room. Broderick sat grim-faced in front of the sofa, listening to the reportsing one after another from his subordinates below. ¡°Has she lost her mind? Would she rather perish together than cease fire and negotiate a way out for herself?¡± ¡°Mr. Broderick, if we continue to operate the way she does, we''ll suffer heavy losses in no time. ¡°Even if we end up winning, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. The cost we''ll have to pay will far exceed our budget.¡± Broderick rubbed his eyebrows and squinted before he said, ¡°I thought that girl was holding Wilbur hostage to force me into sparing the second branch of the family and giving them a way out. ¡°Now, she has him in her grasp, yet she still attacks so fiercely. I really can''t figure out what on earth she wants to do.¡± An elder suggested, ¡°Perhaps Ms. Catherine is waiting for us to take the initiative to negotiate with her. Why don''t you give her a call and have a good chat with her?¡± ¡°Simply put, as long as she ceases his attacks, we will offer the second branch of the family a way out, allowing them to leave. We guarantee that we will not send assassins after them in the future.¡± Broderick nodded, then he picked up themunicator from the table, and found Catherine''s number, and dialed it. Once the call connected, Catherine''s voice came from the other end of the line. ¡°Uncle Broderick, are you calling me at this hour for a negotiation?¡± Broderick said in a deep voice, ¡°Yes, I am indeed here to negotiate with you. Let''s call a truce, and not fight anymore. ¡°If we continue down this path, we might end up hurting each other. Why put ourselves through that? ¡°How about this, you cease fire, then release Wilbur, and I will spare everyone in the second branch.¡± Catherine gave a faint smile, her voice cool and detached, ¡°But my father disagrees. He says he''d rather die in battle than live a life of dishonor.¡± ¡°Since this is his wish, I can only support him as his daughter. So, Uncle Broderick, I''m afraid you''ll have to fight me to the end.¡± Broderick gritted his teeth, and said sternly, ¡°You regard him as your father, but has he ever treated you like his daughter? ¡°There''s something you might not know yet. As your uncle, let me have a good chat with you about it. ¡°Your father is the epitome of a wolf in sheep''s clothing, incredibly deceitful. All these years, he never once considered giving you the Rogers family''s inheritance. ¡°Just a few days ago, he invited a renowned international doctor toe and treat your younger brother. ¡°He''s just biding his time, waiting for his son to get better. Once that happens, he''ll kick you aside without a second thought. You''re nothing more than a shield to him.¡± Even though he was mentally prepared, Catherine still experienced significant emotional turbulence after hearing Broderick''s revtion. She couldn''t, and wouldn''t, believe that all these years she had been nothing more than a pawn. A decoy to draw away the overt and covert attacks aimed at her younger brother. The harsh reality told her that all of this could very well be true. ¡°Uncle Broderick, stop spreading your tales here. I won''t believe you.¡± ¡°Now, if my father wishes to remain in power, then I''ll have to remove all obstacles in his way.¡± After she finished speaking, she immediately hung up the phone. If this conversation had taken ce a day earlier, she would have definitely epted Broderick''s proposal. But right now... She had no way out. She must do as her father demands, otherwise Simon would die. Broderick stared at the disconnected call. A murderous intent rose in his eyes. Chapter 976 One Mountain Cannot Contain Two Tigers Chapter 976 One Mountain Cannot Contain Two Tigers In the distant attic, Simon, who was gazing towards the main house, instinctively wanted to rush over to save Catherine. Just as he was about to make a move, he was stopped by his own brother standing next to him. ¡°Let''s not act rashly for now. This isn''t just any ce. It''s the Rogers family''s stronghold.¡± ¡°Before we figure out what kind of power the head of the Rogers family is still holding back, stay hidden for me, not just at thest moment, but at all times. Don''t you dare to expose yourself. If we''re discovered, we''ll likely find ourselves surrounded by enemies on all sides.¡± Veins throbbed on Simon''s forehead as he gritted his teeth. ¡°All of Catherine''s subordinates have been sacrificed. Her situation is now extremely dangerous.¡± ¡°Artemis, if it were your wife in danger right now, would you be able to stay as calm as you are now?¡± Artemis gave him a cold nce and said in a deep voice, ¡°Don''t let anxiety control your emotions. This is the self-discipline a qualified leader should have. ¡°If you rush out now, not only will you fail to save her, but you will also put her in an even more dangerous situation. ¡°What would you do if the head of the Rogers family threatened you to take the lead in confronting Mr. Broderick? ¡°Under the current circumstances, the more Mr. Joseph believes that Catherine has lost herBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. usefulness, the safer she will be. Understand?¡± ¡°Alright...¡± ¡°Look. He didn''t kill Catherine, but had his secret bodyguard take her to the backyard. It seems like he''s preparing to put her under house arrest. ¡°Later, I''ll distract the remaining bodyguards and assassins in the main house. You go and rescue her from the dungeon. She''s an expert in the art of perfumery, she might be able to help us greatly.¡± Upon seeing his elder brother''s calm andposed demeanor, with a light of confidence shining in his eyes, Simon was deeply influenced. The anxiety in his heart significantly subsided. He had admired Artemis since childhood. Whenever he was around, he would inexplicably feel at ease. ¡°Artemis, thank you...¡± Artemis couldn''t stand his melodramatic tone. After pping the back of his head, he was the first to leap down from the attic. Simon''s gaze fell in the direction where Catherine had disappeared. His hands by his side slowly clenched into a fist. Hang in there, and wait for me. I''ming to save you right away. At the main house entrance. Two ck-d bodyguards were escorting Wilbur as they came from the direction of the dungeon. The head of the Rogers family fixed his gaze on him, scoffing coldly, ¡°A thief is always a thief. No matter how hard they try, they can never achieve their desires. ¡°Young man, if you behave properly, there will always be a ce for you in the Rogers family in the future. But you insist on helping an evildoer. ¡°Do you really think that traitorous scoundrel of a father of yours could steal the power from my hands? You''re overestimating him. Wilbur remained silent, secretly assessing how much of a chance his biological father had of winning. He was contemting whether he should covertly switch his allegiance to the second branch of the Hoffman family. No one could me him for being unfilial, nor for being cowardly. He was still so young, and he didn''t want to waste his prime years. If he could not attain the highest power, he must protect himself. It seemed as though Joseph had seen through his thoughts, a cold smirk inevitably curling up at the corner of his lips. If Broderick were to find out that his son was harboring thoughts of betraying him, I wonder how the old man would feel. Will he be able to rest in peace? Of course, he couldn''t possibly ept this young man''s surrender. A wolf''s ambition must be nipped in the bud, otherwise it would surely cause endless troubles. ¡°Take him with us. Let''s head to Central Square.¡± Central Square was situated right in the middle of the castle. It distinctly separated Broderick''s residence from the Rogers family''s main house. For the past twenty years, they had lived in peace. Regardless of the undercurrents swirling behind the scenes, they had always maintained a facade of brotherly respect and deference. Now, disaster had struck the brothers and they started killing their own family. After the fierce battle, Central Square was a sight of devastation, with bloodstains scattered all around. Broderick had been quietly waiting in the center of the square for quite some time. Upon seeing Joseph emerge, he couldn''t help but tease, ¡°Joseph, you''ve finally decided to show yourself. ¡°It''s a pity, it''s toote. the Rogers family is nowpletely under my control. There''s no chance for you to turn the tables. ¡°If you''re willing to surrender, to cease resistance, I might consider leaving your body intact, allowing you a dignified death. ¡°Otherwise... we''ll handle this by the book. The extent of the damage you''ve caused me will be the benchmark of how miserable I''ll make your end.¡± With a cold smile, Joseph pointed at Wilbur and raised an eyebrow to ask, ¡°So, you don''t n on saving your own son? ¡°If that''s the case, then I''ll send my nephew on his next journey. His existence doesn''t hold much value anymore.¡± After he finished speaking, he slowly raised his arm, aiming his wound at Wilbur. Wilbur trembled in fear, crying out to Broderick, ¡°Dad, I''m your only son. ¡°If I were to die, there would be no one to care for you in your old age. You must save my life no matter what.¡± Broderick slightly squinted his eyes. There''s still no news from Kurt. I''m not sure if he has killed that idiot son of Joseph yet. Now, he didn''t dare to act rashly. The only thing he could do was to buy some time. ¡°Speak up. What will it take for you to spare Wilbur? Joseph, don''t make outrageous demands. I might not agree. ¡°I''ve given so much for today. You should have seen everything that I have done. Therefore, I won''t abandon the foundation I''ve built over the years for my son today.¡± Joseph snorted coldly. He naturally knew that he wouldn''t give up easily, so he had no intention of using Wilbur to gain the greatest benefit. This old geezer. There''s no need to rush and deal with him right now. There''s plenty of time in the future, he''ll get what''sing for him. ¡°After all, we are brothers, and Wilbur is my dear nephew. I don''t want to be utterly ruthless towards him. ¡°As long as my elder brother can keep the peace and no longer covet the position of the head of the family, I will consider today''s `incident as if it never happened.¡± Broderick''s eyes narrowed sharply. The blow dealt by Catherine was fatal to him, shattering half of his forces. If he chose to cease fighting at this moment, he would likely face even greater difficulties in the future. This old geezer, he''s nning to use this tactics to buy some time. Huh. He knew that if the current fierce battle between the two sides continued, the Rogers family might face a great cmity. Therefore, he was considering a ceasefire. Once some time had passed and he had returned with reinforcements as the family head to solidify his position, the first one he would deal with will be me, the one who instigated today''s conflict. Given his severely depleted force, how could I possibly withstand the relentless onught from this old geezer? So rather than calling a truce, it will be better to have a good fight. As for who will have the final victory, it is still up in the air. ¡°Joseph, do you really think I''m a fool? You''re the head of the family, so you can freely dispatch forces all over the world. ¡°The reason I opt for swift battles is to prevent reinforcements from arriving. If I cease fighting today and give you a chance to catch your breath, I''m bound to meet a tragic end in the future.¡± Joseph furrowed his brows, gritting his teeth as he asked, ¡°So, are you prepared to fight to the bitter end?¡± ¡°There''s still room for negotiation, but only if you''re willing to share half of your family''s power with me. Only with a strong backing can my heart be at ease,¡± said Broderick. A hint of gentle anger appeared on the face of the head of the Rogers family. This illegitimate child who should be hidden from the world, actually dares to think he can sit on equal footing with me. What gives him the right? ¡°You must be aware that one mountain cannot amodate two tigers, right, Broderick? Don''t you think your demand is a bit excessive?¡± Chapter 977 Bailey Gets Injured Chapter 977 Bailey Gets Injured Broderick seemed to have heard a hrious joke, and burst into heartyughter. ¡°So, I am just supposed to y sitting duck? The world doesn''t work that way. Where''s the justice in that? ¡°Now we stand opposed. Judging by our abilities, I am somewhat stronger than you. If a battle were to ensue, it''s not certain that I would lose. ¡°You propose that I should keep the peace, yet you refuse to make any concessions. This is not how negotiations are conducted.¡± Joseph''s face darkened, slowly pulling the trigger. Since we can''t see eye to eye, let''s not waste any more time arguing. Handing over half of my power is out of the question. If he couldn''t protect the family business of the Rogers family, then he was ipetent. He would rather go down fighting thanpromise his principles. Just as he was about to sneer ''attack'', a bodyguard rushed from behind, leaning in to whisper a few words in his ear. Without knowing what the other party had said, the previously spirited Joseph suddenly wilted in the next second, just like a deted balloon. Those close to him could clearly perceive the changes in his emotions. The most noticeable thing was how his body was shaking violently. ¡°What, what did you say? Harvey, Harvey is... he''s dead?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Harvey vomited blood earlier. We went to find the divine physician, but he has disappeared without a trace. ¡°Arge group of experts were at a loss, they could only watch helplessly as Mr. Harvey coughed up blood and passed away.¡± Joseph'' pupils violently contracted. That was his son, his only heir. Now that Harvey had passed away, his line had ended. There was no one to carry on the pure lineage. Why is he still desperately fighting for power and influence? Haha! Oh heavens, why must you y such jokes on me? You gave me hope, and now you give me despair. You really know how to toy with people, and torment them. Puff! Under the massive blow, Joseph threw his head back and violently spat out a mouthful of blood. Seeing their bosspletely copse, the subordinates behind him all wore expressions ashen as death. Now that the mainstay has surrendered without a fight. Is there still a need for us to persist? If we resist fiercely, I''m afraid the end result might be the total annihtion of our forces. When Broderick saw Joseph violently coughing up blood, he knew that Kurt had seeded. He had effectively disturbed Joseph''s state of mind. This was the perfect opportunity for battle. ¡°Once we conquer andpletely take over the second branch, we can finally hold our heads high and breathe easy.¡± As soon as there was movement on this side, many people from Joseph''s side began to step forward, expressing their desire to surrender. Joseph''s loyal followers quickly drew their guns, instantly taking down everyone present. Right after they had killed these few people, even more people rushed out to surrender. Then, a scene of both absurdity and irony unfolded, as the members of Joseph''s branch began to turn on each other. Indeed, it was nothing but a self-destruction! The personal bodyguard of Joseph sternly ordered, ¡°Cover us. Let''s escort Mr. Joseph back to the main house to n our next move.¡± At the same moment. Inside the main house''s dungeon. Simon stormed in with a few assassins and sessfully rescued Catherine. ¡°Simon, how did you manage to escape?¡± Catherine asked, somewhat puzzled. Simon''s gaze swept around, his attention heightened to its utmost. He couldn''t allow any potential danger to lurk around Catherine, not even the slightest bit. ¡°Artemis has arrived, and he has mobilized the power of the Luther family. As long as I sessfully rescue you, Bailey will lead a team to storm into the Rogers family''s residence. ¡°My dear, I apologize. I didn''t want to bathe the Rogers castle in blood either, but I must do this to eliminate all threats around you...¡± Catherine tiptoed to kiss him, then pulled back a few secondster. ¡°I understand. The internal battle in the Rogers family requires a more powerful force to suppress it, otherwise more people will die.¡± ¡°The Luther family took the risk of infringing on another country''s territory to send support. Not only will I not me you, but I will also be grateful to you.¡± Simon abruptly pulled her into his embrace. ¡°Cath, I know what your father has done to you... Don''t overthink it. If this home can''t amodate you, I''ll take you and we''ll build a new one together. I promise to make your remaining years peaceful and happy.¡± She nestled into his arms with a tender smile. They had only been together not long ago, yet for her sake, he assumed the role he detested the most ¡ªthe head of the family just to protect her in every possible way. This man was her fated destiny. Even after being hurt, abandoned, and betrayed by her closest kin, she could still find sce in him. The rest of her life would be contented... ¡°Alright, let''s rebuild a home together.¡± At that moment, Artemis quickly approached. His voice was grave as he said, ¡°Catherine, your brother has met with trouble. The quack doctor your father found for him was arranged by Kurt. ¡°Just as your father was preparing to confront Broderick, that quack doctor made his move on your younger brother,pletely unsettling your father''s mind. ¡°The situation over at Central Square is one-sided victory. Your father''s men are killing each other, scattering in disarray. That old man, Broderick, will being to kill us soon.¡± Catherine paid no mind to the current predicament of Joseph. All her attention was entirely focused on Harvey''s misfortune. Josaph''s loyal followars quickly draw thair guns, instantly taking down avaryona prasant. Right aftar thay had kid thasa faw pao, avan mora pao rushad out to surrandar. Than, a scana of both absurdity and irony unfoldad, as tha mambars of Josaph''s branch bagan to turn on aach othar. Indaad, it was nothing but a salf-dastruction! Tha parsonal bodyguard of Josaph starnly ordarad, ¡°Covar us. Lat''s ascort Mr. Josaph back to tha main housa to n our naxt mova.¡± At tha sama momant. Insida tha main housa''s dungaon. Simon stormad in with a faw assassins and sassfully rascuad Catharina. ¡°Simon, how did you managa to ascapa?¡± Catharina askad, somawhat puzd. Simon''s gaza swapt around, his attantion haightanad to its utmost. Ha couldn''t allow any potantial dangar to lurk around Catharina, not avan tha slightast bit. ¡°Artamis has arrivad, and ha has mobilizad tha powar of tha Luthar family. As long as I sassfully rascua you, Bay willad a taam to storm into tha Rogars family''s rasidanca. ¡°My daar, I apologiza. I didn''t want to batha tha Rogars cas in blood aithar, but I must do this to aliminata all thraats around you...¡± Catharina tiptoad to kiss him, than pud back a faw sacondstar. ¡°I undarstand. Tha intarnal bat in tha Rogars family raquiras a mora powarful forca to supprass it, otharwisa mora pao will dia.¡± ¡°Tha Luthar family took tha risk of infringing on anothar country''s tarritory to sand support. Not only will I not ma you, but I will also ba grataful to you.¡± Simon abruptly pud har into his ambraca. ¡°Cath, I know what your fathar has dona to you... Don''t ovarthink it. If this homa can''t amodata you, I''ll taka you and wa''ll build a naw ona togathar. I promisa to maka your ramaining yaars paacaful and happy.¡± Sha nasd into his arms with a tandar sm. Thay had only baan togathar not long ago, yat for har saka, ha assumad tha r ha datastad tha most ¡ªtha haad of tha family just to protact har in avary possi way. This man was har fatad dastiny. Evan aftar baing hurt, abandonad, and batrayad by har closast kin, sha could still find sca in him. Tha rast of har lifa would ba contantad... ¡°Alright,t''s rabuild a homa togathar.¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. At that momant, Artamis quickly approachad. His voica was grava as ha said, ¡°Catharina, your brothar has mat with trou. Tha quack doctor your fathar found for him was arrangad by Kurt. ¡°Just as your fathar was praparing to confront Brodarick, that quack doctor mada his mova on your youngar brothar,taly unsattling your fathar''s mind. ¡°Tha situation ovar at Cantral Squara is ona-sidad victory. Your fathar''s man ara killing aach othar, scattaring in disarray. That old man, Brodarick, will baing to kill us soon.¡± Catharina paid no mind to tha currant pradicamant of Josaph. All har attantion was antiraly focusad on Harvay''s misfortuna. Harvey'' had intellectual challenges and didn''t understand the concept of power struggles. But the child was extremely dependent on her, as his older sister, she couldn''t let anything happen to him. It seemed as if Simon had seen through her thoughts. He suddenly scooped her up in his arms and strode towards the main house. ¡°Let''s go check on your brother''s condition. If he''s still breathing, I believe Bailey can save him.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Artemis said to the two figures retreating from him, ¡°Stay in the main house. Bailey is already on her way with reinforcements. This battle will soon be quelled.¡± ¡°Um, thanks a lot, Artemis.¡± Indeed, Bailey brought people to the Rogers castle. With the help of Artemis'' insiders nted within the castle, the defense system was quickly breached. The Rogers brothers were already severely weakened from fighting amongst themselves. How could they possibly withstand the top assassins, carefully selected from Tarragon and the Saviors? Hence, the situation soon underwent a noticeable shift, with the scales of victory gradually tilting towards Bailey. Bang! A loud sound tearing through the air echoed. Bailey''s face darkened. There was a sniper a hundred meters to her left, and the bullet was aimed straight at her heart. In a swift change of thought, she quickly turned her body to the side. What shocked her was that the other party had fired a second shot without any pause. Two shots fired in session. Such precise technique. She managed to dodge the first bullet, but there was no way she could avoid the second one. Huh, it seems I''m going to make Mr. Luther worry again. The bullet pierced through her shoulder, leaving a through-and-through wound. If it were in the past, she probably wouldn''t have cried out in pain. But now, it was unclear whether she had been overly pampered by Artemis or something else, but she had be particrly fragile. When a person was vulnerable, even the slightest pain felt ten times more intense. After taking a sharp intake of breath, Bailey swiftly turned around and fired three shots at the gazebo some distance away. Three shots in a row. Just die! Under the protection of several bodyguards, Artemis rushed to Bailey. Seeing her shoulder drenched in blood, he could feel the murderous intent rolling within his body. ¡°Ken, clean up all the assassins raised by the Rogers family. If any of these people resist, execute them on the spot.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Artemis carefully pulled his wife into his arms, gritting his teeth as he said, ¡°D*mn. What was I thinking to have agreed to let you take this risk.¡± Chapter 978 If You Had Died Chapter 978 If You Had Died Bailey shot him an annoyed re. Is it really necessary for him to be this anxious just because there''s a bloody hole in my shoulder? She said, ¡°Say, Mr. Luther. Stop staring and do something. Do you happen to have any hemostatic medicine? Apply some for me, would you? If I keep losing blood like this, you might end up a widower.¡± Observing her nonchnt demeanor and how she was still in the mood to tease him, Artemis couldn''t help but re disapprovingly at her. However, he dared not waste any more time. Swiftly, he retrieved a white porcin bottle from his chest and, after unscrewing the cap, meticulously sprinkled the medicine onto her wound. His actions were delicate, as if he were wary of causing her any further pain or harm to her wound. Nevertheless, it was impossible to entirely prevent the medicinal powder from causing some corrosion to the flesh and blood. Bailey winced in agony within his embrace, her breathsing in short gasps. ¡°D*mn, that feels good,¡± she said with a sigh. Artemis was a mixture of heartbreak and anger, his brows knitted in an intensely grim expression. ¡°You''re constantly getting into trouble. It''s best for you to stay at home like a hothouse flower. Starting today, you''re forbidden from engaging in any hazardous missions,¡± he stated through clenched teeth. Bailey was in such excruciating pain that she began to break out in a cold sweat and simply didn''t have the energy to argue with him any longer. She leaned wearily against him, her legs wobbling weakly due to excessive blood loss. Despite his anger, all of the rage within him evaporated in an instant when he witnessed her in such a frail and ailing condition. He scooped her into his arms, proceeding deeper into the castle under the concealment of a group of assassins. When Broderick and Josephprehended that they were confronting a formidable adversary, in the spirit of unity against a shared foe, they temporarily set aside their differences. Together, they raised their des in the direction of the intruder. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. No matter how intensely the two brothers fought each other, at the end of the day, the Rogers family would still remain under the control of their own kin. Nevertheless, if external forces were to intervene, the entire Rogers family could be eradicated. They had been fighting for many years, vying for the coveted position of family head. If the Rogers family were to truly change leadership in the end, all their years of strife and struggle would have been rendered meaningless. Seeing the rare unity between Broderick and Joseph as they shook hands and reconciled before turning their weapons toward him, Artemis couldn''t help but curl his lips into a cold smirk. Great. I shall deal with both of them in one fell swoop. Saves me the trouble of dealing with them one by one. Now that they''ve joined forces, I can annihte them all at once. This family doesn''t have a reason to continue existing, because after the enormous changes today, even if the Rogers family manages to survive, it will be but a shadow of its former self. Within maind Gregan, there existed numerous esteemed families, second in prominence only to the Rogers family. These factions had long harbored ambitions toward the Rogers family, biding their time until the family met a major setback, after which they aimed to gradually consume the family''s influence, ultimately dismantling this noble lineage that had been deeply rooted in Gregan for centuries. ¡°Mr. Luther, the two old geezers have teamed up. Should we make a move against Mr. Joseph''s subordinates?¡± asked one of the subordinates. Artemis nced at Joseph, whose bloodshot eyes zed with a fiery determination, fully aware of the deep reluctance thetter felt about surrendering. A person like him, if given the opportunity to preserve his strength, would undoubtedly stage a comeback once he had recovered. When that moment arrived, it would usher in a never-ending cycle of trouble. However, Artemis couldn''t bring himself to eliminate Joseph either. After all, thetter was destined to be Simon''s future father-inw. His demise at the hands of the Luthers would undeniably inflict an indelible scar on Simon and Catherine''s rtionship. ¡°Take action and get rid of all the assassins. Should any Rogers family members resist, execute them immediately. Oh, and do not harm the head of the Rogers family. Capture him alive,¡± hemanded. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± In contrast to the bloody battle in the square, the main house appeared considerably more serene. All the individuals stationed to guard the main house had been subdued and brought under control by Simon''s subordinates. Numerous rtives of the Rogers family hastily made their way to the main house. How could they remain oblivious to the gravity of the situation when such a tumultuousmotion had erupted in the Central Square outside? It was precisely because they understood the severity of the situation that fear gripped them, compelling a frantic search for refuge. The main house was the only ce where they could find sce and safety. As Simon carried Catherine through the corridor toward the main house, chaos broke out among the crowd outside. ¡°Catherine, I heard that the Luthers are currently attacking our n. Now, what are you up to by bringing the new head of the Luther family to the main house? What are your intentions?¡± ¡°Is it possible that this unexpected turn of events was your meticulous n to join forces with outsiders and swallow up the entire Rogers family?¡± ¡°Mr. Joseph has put so much trust in you, wholeheartedly supporting you as the next head of the family. And this is how you repay him? Can you really live with your conscience?¡± ¡°We should have cast someone as heartless and ungrateful as you out when you first became pregnant with that illegitimate child. If you had died, the Rogers family wouldn''t be facing this disaster today.¡± ¡°Yeah! All of this is your doing. The Rogers family raised you for over twenty years, and yet you colluded with outsiders to bring down your own n. One day, you''ll get the punishment you deserve!¡± Catherine was firmly cradled in Simon''s arms as they swiftly made their way toward the main house''s entrance. She buried her head in his chest, hoping to ignore them. Nevertheless, those derogatoryments, much like the wind, managed to infiltrate every crevice, traversing the void and reaching her ears. Initially, she had felt sympathy for these people and had contemted imploring Simon to spare them, granting them a chance at a peaceful life. However, as she listened to their indiscriminate usations and the way they ndered her, thest shred of kindness in her heartpletely disappeared. This turmoil had absolutely nothing to do with her all along. She was merely a pawn, manipted by her own rtives. In this scheme, she not only gained nothing but also paid a hefty, painful price. All the subordinates who had once fought alongside her had perished. She too was a victim, yet in their eyes, she had be the scapegoat for the family''s downfall. If she were to still feel an ounce of pity for them, she would be deemed foolish and too much of a saint. ¡°Do we need to stop and exin to them?¡± Simon asked with a hint of concern. Catherine pursed her lips, a momentary trace of hesitation in her eyes. However, upon reflection, she shrugged it off and spoke casually. ¡°They''re nothing more than a group of people who happen to share the same blood as me. I won''t waste my energy worrying about these irrelevant people. Right now, saving my brother is what matters. Let''s not waste time here. Hurry up and carry me inside.¡± Simon let out a soft chuckle. He felt relieved that she didn''t seem affected by the usations. After all, those were her rtives with whom she had shared decades of her life. For a brief moment, he was genuinely worried that their harsh words might wound her deeply. Crossing the main house''s courtyard, they proceeded toward the infirmary. From a distance, Catherine could hear Stephanie''s heart-wrenching cries. Those anguished wails, brimming with sorrow and despair, seemed to release the agony of losing a beloved person. Catherine managed to free herself from Simon''s embrace, her steps unsteady as she staggered toward the room. As soon as she approached the emergency treatment room, Stephanie lunged at her, seething with anger as she roared, ¡°You''re nothing but a jinx and a burden! If it weren''t for your fixation on your brother''s inheritance, your father would never have taken such a reckless gamble, seeking aid from some quack doctor, only to fall into a trap and result in the death of my beloved Harvey!¡± As her final word resounded, she had already dashed in front of Catherine, raising her arm to deliver a resounding p to Catherine''s face. Chapter 979 The Last Shred Of Value Chapter 979 The Last Shred Of Value Catherine could have easily evaded the iing p, but on second thoughts, she ultimately abandoned the notion of avoiding it. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. With this p, the mother-daughter bond between them woulde to an end. From this point onward, she would no longer grieve over familial bonds. Five secondster, the pain she anticipated still hadn''t materialized. She instinctively nced upward, only to see her mother''s arm frozen in mid-air. It wasn''t that she had a sudden surge of conscience and couldn''t bring herself to follow through. Instead, a powerful arm had shot out from behind Catherine, intercepting the older woman''s limb. Then, a cold and aloof voice resonated from above her head. ¡°Mrs. Rogers, owing to your seniority, I will let this slide, but I hope you can be more mindful of your actions in the future. Don''t resort to physical violence each time. Catherine is no longer the daughter of the Rogers family, but the matriarch of the Luther family. Given the international standing of both our families, even if you don''t bow and grovel at my wife''s feet, you should, at the very least, show her the respect she deserves.¡± Once he had finished speaking, he abruptly pushed her hand away. Stephanie, being a coddled noblewoman, was in no condition to endure the vigorous push from Simon, especially considering the anguish of losing her son she was currently suffering. Almost immediately after he released her, she staggered backward and copsed directly onto the bench behind her. With trembling fingers, she pointed at Catherine, her voice quivering as she spoke, ¡°I''ve heard that the Luther family is mounting a full-scale assault out there, and it''s all because of you. You''ve brought trouble into this family! Catherine, how can you be so shameless and ungrateful? To appease this man, you''ve actually forsaken the family that raised you for twenty years. You''re truly malicious and evil. People die every day in this world. Why don''t you die, too? Why?¡± After enduring everything she had, Catherine believed her heart had toughened sufficiently to remain impervious to external factors. However, as she listened to her mother cursing her, she couldn''t prevent an overwhelming wave of sorrow from washing over her. She had always thought her mother cherished her deeply, that she was the precious gem cradled in her mother''s palm. When everyone had been adamant about preventing her from giving birth to Luna, her mother had stood by her side in silence, offering her the strength to bring the child into the world. s, reality once again inflicted a merciless wound upon her heart. She was a daughter, incapable of carrying on the family lineage for the Rogers family. Consequently, regardless of how much she contributed and sacrificed, they viewed her as nothing more than a pawn. A ridiculous, pathetic pawn. Her sorrowful and despondent demeanor shattered Simon''s heart. The entire Rogers family was now under the control of the Luther family. His beloved woman shouldn''t have to endure such stifling agony. ¡°Cath, they may not care about you, but I do. My father and mother, Artemis and Bailey, and even Caridee, all of them care about you as well. Cath, you''ve done everything in your power for them, yet they failed to recognize it. Don''t punish yourself for their mistakes. Everything is under control here. How about I bring you back to Hallsbay now, to meet my parents?¡± Catherine remained silent, her head slightly lowered, lost in her own thoughts. At that moment, the emergency room doors swung open, and a doctor hurried out. He said to Stephanie, ¡°Mrs. Rogers, Mr. Harvey has disyed signs of life again, but he has sustained severe injuries from the silver needle, causing significant physical damage. There is a chance he may be left with a lifelong disability. You should be mentally prepared for this possibility.¡± Upon hearing the first part of his statement, Stephanie sprang up from her seat in excitement. However, upon hearing thetter part of his words, she slumped back into the chair in despair as if she had been thrust into an icy abyss. The doctor added, ¡°However, the good news is that his impaired nervous system has returned to its normal function due to the stimtion.¡± A hint of an expression that was neither a smile nor a cry appeared on Stephanie''s face when she heard that. Should I be excited or sad? Harvey has regained consciousness, yet he is now disabled. The heavens are truly stingy, removing one torment from me, only to rece it with another hardship. ¡°No,¡± Stephanie eximed, her voice filled with urgency. ¡°Harvey is the heir to the Rogers family, the next family head. He can''t lead the family from a wheelchair. It would make us aughingstock to the outside world.¡± With that, she rushed to the doctor, grasping his arm tightly. ¡°Please, do everything in your power to save Harvey''s legs.¡± The doctor was troubled. If they could, they would undoubtedly do so with all their might. However, there was nothing they could do. ¡°Mrs. Rogers, Ms. Catherine is friends with Ms. Jefferson. Why don''t we have her ask for Ms. Jefferson''s help? She is the renowned doctor, Anonymous, known for her expertise in acupuncture. I''m sure she can cure Mr. Harvey''s condition,¡± the doctor suggested. Stephanie was puzzled. ¡°What Ms. Jefferson?¡± The name quickly registered in her mind after she had posed the question. Bailey Jefferson. Yes. She''s the renowned doctor, Anonymous. Her medical skills are unparalleled. She must have a way to cure Harvey. With that thought in mind, she turned around and rushed to Catherine, tightly gripping thetter''s hand, and urgently said, ¡°The disaster that befell the Rogers family is all because of you. You must atone for your sins. I''m not asking you to restore the family to its former glory, but you must ask Bailey to intervene and save Harvey, you must.¡± Catherine chuckled softly, a profound sorrow and pain that couldn''t be dispelled loomed deep within her eyes. It seemed that her final vestige of utilityy in beseeching Bailey to rescue Harvey. How pathetic. Simon looked at the trembling woman in his embrace, his heart throbbing with profound anguish. Relentless waves of suffocating pressure overwhelmed him,pelling tears to stream from his eyes. Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps reverberated from outside the infirmary. Following that, Artemis stormed in, cradling Bailey, who was drenched in blood. Two female doctors trailed behind him. Simon blurted out, ¡°Artemis, what''s wrong with Bailey?¡± Artemis shot his younger brother a frosty re. All of this mess is because of this brat. If not for him, my precious Bay wouldn''t have been hurt. ¡°Stay outside and keep an eye on everyone here. Don''t let them barge into the ward during the suturing process and disturb Bailey''s treatment,¡± he warned. After Artemis rushed into the nearest hospital room with Bailey in his arms, Stephanie once again gripped Catherine''s wrist tightly. ¡°It seems like fate doesn''t want to cut off the Rogers family line. We were just talking about Bailey, and she showed up immediately. Cath, Harvey is your blood brother. You must save him. Please.¡± Catherine slowly pried her mother''s fingers away, her countenance devoid of emotion as she dered, ¡°All right, I will ask Bailey to save him. But after this, the Rogers family will have absolutely nothing to do with me.¡± After she finished speaking, her eyes rolled backward, and she copsed into Simon''s arms. Following a day and night of turmoil, she was physically and mentally drained. She simply couldn''t hold on any longer. Simon let out an rmed cry but was soon reassured when he saw her breathing steadily, appearing to be fine. Cradling her in his arms, he promptly made his way to another hospital room. The chaos outside had alreadye to an end. The Rogers brothers had been apprehended, and the remaining individuals were all executed to the veryst one. This family, with a legacy spanning hundreds of years, now teetered on the edge of copse. While it hadn''t entirely crumbled, the severe blow it endured today would require a minimum of three to five decades to recuperate from. In the hospital room, the two maids had already dressed Bailey''s wound when Stephanie barged in from the outside at that very moment. Chapter 980 Profound Regret Chapter 980 Profound Regret Her arrival only made Artemis, who was already wearing a gloomy expression on his handsome face, even more upset. ¡°Ken, throw her out. Mrs. Luther is currently unavable to entertain visitors,¡± he ordered. Ken acknowledged and was about to step forward to seize Stephanie when Bailey intervened. ¡°It''s okay. I also have a few words to share with Mrs. Rogers. Ken, you may leave us for now,¡± she said. Rubbing his nose meekly, Ken bit the bullet and stepped back. Artemis'' orders could not be disobeyed, but the directives of his wife held even greater sanctity. Offending Artemis might only get him punished once, but if he were to offend Bailey, she could comin to Artemis every day. That could lead to him being punished daily. Leaning on the head of the bed, Bailey raised an eyebrow at Stephanie who was striding toward the bed, asking with a smile, ¡°May I know what brings you here, Mrs. Rogers? If it''s not something of utmost importance, I would advise you not to disturb me. My husband can be quite temperamental, and I fear he might have you thrown out, which could harm your reputation.¡± Stephanie red fiercely at Bailey, her eyes brimming with unbridled rage. ¡°Ms. Jefferson, this is the Rogers residence, and I am the matriarch here. Don''t you think it''s improper of you to overshadow the host?¡± ¡°Overshadow?¡± A smile slowly spread across Bailey''s countenance as she calmly stated, ¡°Maybe you''re not yet informed about the events outside. Allow me to enlighten you. The chaos in the square hase to an end. Both Broderick and his son, along with your husband, have all been apprehended. The Rogers family, in name, is now on the verge of extinction. As the saying goes, ''might makes right.'' I stand here as the conqueror. It appears that you are not in a position to criticize me.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°I''m sure you didn''t juste to pick a fight with me, right? Are you sure you want to provoke me? If I get angry, I might not agree to whatever request you''re going to ask of me, you know.¡± Stephanie''s body quivered violently, her chest rising and falling with intensity as she battled to contain her anger. Now that the Rogers family is entirely under the control of the Luther family, our influence has dwindled. What choice do I have but to endure? Resist? Quit messing around. So many assassins and bodyguards from the Rogers family couldn''t stop this woman. How could I dare to challenge her? Taking a deep breath, she bit the bullet and spoke. ¡°My apologies for losing myposure earlier. I hope you can be the bigger person and not hold it against me. A few days ago, a quack doctor used acupuncture to treat my son, and it left him crippled. The experts I hired are at a loss, unable to find a solution. I''ve heard that your medical skills are exceptional, and I would like to request your assistance in saving my son. I understand that we don''t have much of a rtionship, and I believe in not epting favors without merit. However, I kindly ask for your help out of consideration for my daughter, Catherine.¡± Bailey shot the other woman a sidelong nce, a hint of mockery shing in his eyes. In truth, Catherine had never intended to take over as the head of the Rogers family. All she wanted was to live a peaceful and contented life with Luna. However, Joseph and Stephanie were overly suspicious, believing that she was coveting everything that originally belonged to their son. Therefore, they repeatedly sabotaged themselves, never learning their lesson. In the end, their actions not only inflicted harm upon their own son but also unleashed a cmity that wrought havoc upon their entire family. People like them may not deserve sympathy, but if Catherine asked for her help personally, she naturally wouldn''t refuse. However, this concession extended solely to Catherine. She wouldn''t agree to anyone else''s request. ¡°Save Mr. Harvey? Sure, but let Catherinee and talk to me herself. But you guys sure are good at shooting yourselves in the foot. Actually, Catherine had approached me before this, hoping I could help treat her brother''s illness, and I agreed. She also mentioned that once her younger brother wakes up, she will leave the family, disengaging herself from the Rogers family''s power dynamics and transferring the inheritance rights to him.¡± Stephanie took a few stumbling steps back, disbelief etched across her face. Catherine went to ask for Bailey''s help? She even said she would return the inheritance rights to Harvey? If that''s really the case, then what''s the point of everything we did? If it weren''t for treating Harvey''s illness, Joseph wouldn''t have gone into seclusion in the main house, providing an opportunity for those in the first branch of the family to take advantage due to oversight, ultimately leading to the entire family''s downfall. ¡°Did she really go to you for Harvey''s sake?¡± she asked in disbelief. Bailey didn''t provide a direct response. Instead, she countered, ¡°Do you think I have any reason to lie to you? Catherine has already severed ties with all of you. I have no reason to lie just to preserve your family bonds.¡± Stephanie''s face was a canvas of emotions. In the end, guilt, shame, self-reproach, and pain all merged into profound regret. They shouldn''t have pushed Catherine into a corner. Had they not left Catherine alone, the Luthers wouldn''t have taken action. Indeed, it was their malicious intentions that led to this catastrophic disaster. No one else could be held responsible for this; they brought it all upon themselves. After standing by the bed for a full three minutes, Stephanie left the room with her heart filled with endless regret. She understood that, regardless of what she said, Bailey would never give in and save her son. If she wanted to cure Harvey, she had to rely on the daughter they had abandoned. Bailey watched her retreating figure with a cold gaze, the mockery on her face slowly fading. The Rogers didn''t deserve any sympathy at all. Catherine had done so much for them, even fighting with all her might to secure a chance for their survival in the end. However, they were never satisfied nor grateful. They betrayed her kindness, and ultimately, they were met with ruin and death, getting what they deserved. ¡°Artemis, this ce is too filthy and cold, filled with schemes and plots everywhere. I don''t like it. Will you take me back to the manor?¡± Bailey asked. Artemis embraced her tightly, his voice hoarse. ¡°All right, I''ll get you out of here right now. We''ll never return to this ce.¡± After finishing his sentence, he turned around and instructed Ken to get the car ready. Bailey contemted and added, ¡°The Rogers family won''t be able to stir up much trouble now. Let Catherine handle the rest. Once she''s finished dealing with things here, have her bring her younger brother to the manor to me.¡± Artemis gave a light hum in response and then strolled out. He shared Bailey''s ns with Simon in the ward next door. ¡°All right, got it. I''ll ry the message to Catherine when she wakes up. Now that the Rogers family has been reimed, all the rights are in her hands. As long as she doesn''t n on abandoning me to be the head of the Rogers family, I support her in everything else,¡± Simon responded. Artemis replied, ¡°Mm. Remember to have her put Mr. Broderick and Mr. Joseph under house arrest. We can''t let them cause any more trouble. Once you all have finished dealing with matters here, hurry up and bring her brother to the manor. Luna''s issue can''t be dyed any longer. From here on out, I won''t be interfering. There''s still Kurt to deal with, and I simply don''t have the energy to handle it all.¡± ¡°All right. Thank you, Artemis. You guys be careful too. Kurt is an expert in poisons. Don''t fall for his tricks,¡± Simon cautioned. ¡°Got it.¡± Ten minutester, Artemis left the Rogers residence with Bailey. As soon as they returned to the manor, Cameron hurriedly made his way to the main house. Initially, he had urgent matters to discuss, but upon seeing Bailey''s pallidplexion, he quickly asked, ¡°Are you injured?¡± Bailey waved her hand, recognizing the anxiety etched between his brows, and said, ¡°It''s just a minor injury. Did something go wrong on your end?¡± Chapter 981 Turn Me Into Blaze Chapter 981 Turn Me Into ze Cameron felt somewhat relieved as he observed that she seemed fine. ¡°Did you guys destroy the Rogers family? Kurt just contacted me, asking me to take down the Venom Valley within three days, and then exchange the White family''s seal for ze,¡± he asked. Bailey couldn''t help but scoff when she heard that. ¡°That jerk sure reacts quickly. As soon as he found out that Mr. Broderick was doomed and that he''d lost his backer to use as cannon fodder, he immediately shifted his target, threatening us with ze.¡± With that, she turned her head toward Artemis and asked, ¡°Could you possibly ask Old Mr. White to stage a y with us, allowing us to capture him?¡± C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org. Artemis shed a smile. ¡°As long as it''s something you want, I can make it happen for you.¡± Bailey shot him a disgruntled look. Isn''t he talking too big? If I want the stars in the sky, would he be able to pluck some for me? Ignoring the arrogant man, she turned to face Cameron once again and said, ¡°The forces under Kurt have already been secretly eliminated by Old Mr. White. He''s like a tiger that''s lost its teeth now, no longer posing any real threat. His only bargaining chip is ze. When the timees for negotiations, I''m afraid you''ll have to step in personally. From what I know about that jerk, he won''t easily hand over ze to you unharmed. You must think of a way to temporarily restrain him to ensure ze''s safety.¡± Cameron nodded. ¡°I understand. To subdue him, we can only resort to using poison. I''lle up with something right away.¡± Having said that, he hurriedly made his way to theboratory. Artemis had initially considered carrying his wife back to their room to rest, but Bailey subconsciously halted him. ¡°Let''s go to the infirmary instead. I won''t feel at ease until we check on Juliana''s condition.¡± Even though Cameron had called her early in the morning, assuring her that Juliana had pulled through and had been administered a toxin to counteract the poison, she still couldn''t help but worry. Artemis couldn''t say no to her, so he carried her to the infirmary. After enduring more than ten hours of torture, Juliana had depleted all her energy. By the time Bailey and Artemis arrived, she was sound asleep in bed. Zeke''s expression suddenly darkened when he noticed Bailey''s pale face. He asked in a serious tone, ¡°Have you been hurt again?¡± What does he mean by ¡°again?¡± Bailey couldn''t help but roll her eyes. Zeke directed his stern gaze toward Artemis as he observed her puffing her cheeks in disgruntlement. ¡°You took her with you, and look what happened! How are you going to exin this to me?¡± he asked. Artemis felt wronged. He didn''t want her to take risks, but when she threatened him and even used him of treating her like a caged pet, he couldn''t bear such an usation. In the heat of the moment, he reluctantly agreed. ¡°Um, Zeke, her injury isn''t serious. It''s just a scrape; a few days of rest, and she''ll be fine,¡± Artemis reassured. Just a scrape? The bullet had pierced through her shoulder, and he actually had the audacity to say it''s just a scrape? Bailey couldn''t help but snicker inwardly. However, after meeting his pitiful gaze, she found herself somewhat reluctant to reveal his lie. Zeke was too stern, and Artemis was understandably worried about offending his brother-inw, fearing it might jeopardize his chances of marrying Bailey. After Artemis settled her down on the chair next to the bed, she extended her other arm and reached for Juliana''s wrist to check her pulse. A momentter, her slightly furrowed brows gradually rxed. ¡°Although it''s a mutated toxin, its toxicity is still far less than that of the Soul Reaper. Now that she has been bled, two-thirds of the poison within her body has been flushed out. The remaining one-third can be diluted through a method of fighting poison with poison.¡± Her statement, essentially aligning with what Cameron had said,pletely reassured Zeke. ¡°All right, there''s no need for you to worry yourselves sick over this. You''d better take this injured girl home and make sure she gets the rest she needs. If this continues, her frail body might notst a few more months,¡± Zeke urged. ¡°Why do I get the impression that ever since Zeke got together with Juliana, he''s been treating me poorly?¡± Bailey questioned. Artemis carried her outside and said while walking, ¡°You don''t need them to like you. You have me to pamper you, and that''s more than enough.¡± Bailey cracked a smile. ¡°You''re right. In that case, carry me back and pamper me thoroughly.¡± That sounded somewhat like a pickup line, and Artemis'' gaze gradually grew intense. However, upon touching the wound on her shoulder, he managed to suppress the surge of desire within him. She was already severely injured, and if he were still aroused, he would be nothing less than a monster. ¡°Don''t tempt me, or once you''re better, I won''t easily let you off the hook,¡± he threatened. She was not the least bit frightened. Oh, how scary! He''s just going to teach me a harsh lesson in the room at most. I enjoy it, too. That''s not a threat to me at all. Artemis was both amused and annoyed by her fearless demeanor. Are my advances still not intense enough? Is that why she''s not afraid of me at all? Looks like I''ll need to take some nourishing food to replenish my energy. Meanwhile, in the study of a countryside castle, Kurt loungedfortably on the couch, savoring a ss of chilled wine in his hand. A young woman prostrated beneath his feet. She was none other than Eunice. Now that Broderick and his son had been caught and the Rogers family hadpletely copsed, Eunice no longer held any value to Kurt. He snorted, ¡°Weren''t you quite arrogant just a few days ago? Now that you''ve lost your support, you''ve be so timid. Look at how cheap you are. What makes you think I would spare your life?¡± Eunice couldn''t help but shudder in fear, her strong will to survive constantly reminding her that she must find a way to escape his grasp. She felt she had no other choice. ¡°I understand the art of perfume blending, and I still have value. Keep me around; there wille a day when I''ll prove useful,¡± she said. ¡°Perfume blending?¡± Kurt scoffed. ¡°Perfumers like you are a dime a dozen. What makes you think that this skill of yours could possibly interest me?¡± Eunice''s face turned pale, and she had a growing sense that the Grim Reaper was steadily closing in on her. As she noticed him gradually losing patience, her mind worked tirelessly, seeking a way out. Just as he was about to order his bodyguards to drag her away and feed her to the dogs, she suddenly spoke up. ¡°Mr. White, I know you''re nning to make a deal with Cameron, but you''re deeply in love with Ms. ze, and you can''t bear to hand her over. Why don''t you hire a disguise master to transform me into the likeness of Ms. ze? When the timees for you to negotiate with them, hand me over to them. I have a score to settle with Catherine and Bailey. Once I infiltrate their residence, I''ll seize the opportunity to kill them.¡± A sharp glint shed in Kurt''s eyes. This is a great idea! Turning this woman into ze not only allows me to get the White family''s seal from Cameron but also nts an ambush in Bailey''s household. It''s like killing two birds with one stone. With that thought, he slowly leaned down and grasped Eunice''s chin. ¡°Are you really willing to infiltrate their ranks on behalf of ze?¡± Eunice nodded, her heart leaping with joy when she could tell he was interested in her suggestion. ¡°Yes! Catherine and Bailey have ruined my family. Even if it means death, I want to bring them down with me.¡± Kurt extended his other hand, gently patting her face a few times, and sneered. ¡°Very well. Your proposal has indeed showcased your usefulness. For the time being, I won''t end your life. Once the disguise master arrives, you must cooperate without hesitation. If not, I''ll make your life a living nightmare.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± Chapter 982 I Will Kill Your Entire Family Chapter 982 I Will Kill Your Entire Family Catherine ced Joseph in the side quarters of the Rogers residence''s main house. As soon as the door swung open, she saw the man sitting on the couch, looking haggard, as if he had aged a decade in an instant. This man had once cherished her, loved her, and treated her like the apple of his eye. Later on, when Harvey became mentally challenged due to someone''s schemes, he ced all his hopes on her. He educated her, nurtured her, and groomed her to be the next head of the family. Back then, although she didn''t harbor a strong desire for power, she remained profoundly grateful to him, for she thought that this was her father''s profound expression of love for her. Over the years, she diligently cultivated her own strength, fortifying the legitimate line''s position within the family. Quietly and resolutely, she had also navigated the elimination of numerous adversaries, all for the sake of her father and younger brother. What took her by surprise, however, was the stark realization that she had been nothing but a pawn in her father''s intricate game right from the outset, serving as a shield to safeguard her younger brother from impending disaster. The loving facade of her father from the past had, in reality, been nothing more than a deceptive veil that she had used to obscure the truth, both for herself and those around her. Joseph''s attention was drawn to themotion at the door, prompting him to slowly lift his head. As his gaze scanned over Catherine, he couldn''t help but put on a mocking, icy smile. ¡°Are you here to end me?¡± he asked. Catherine abruptly stopped in her tracks as she slowly withdrew her right leg, which had been poised to take another step. He abandoned any pretense without a second thought now that everything was exposed. The way he was looking at her at that moment resembled the way one might stare at a sworn enemy. Certainly, he had every reason to resent and me her. If she hadn''t brought the Luther brothers into the picture, he might''ve won the face-off with Broderick. Even if he faced defeat, the Rogers family would still remain within the hands of their own kin, rather than sumbing to domination and absorption by the Luther family. In the grand scheme of things, the two brothers ended up being seen as the sinners responsible for what happened to the Rogers family. ¡°I never aspired to be the head of the family, nor did I ever consider betraying the Rogers family. It was your distrust and murderous intent toward me that provoked Simon. Initially, I had nned to ask Bailey to treat Harvey. After his recovery, I intended to hand over the family affairs to him. Luna and I would then step away from the center of power in the Rogers family. But why burn bridges? Why treat me like a disposable sacrificialmb?¡± Catherine said. Joseph''s body quivered involuntarily, a fleeting twinge of pain flickering in his eyes, apanied by a subtle undercurrent of regret. He didn''t quite believe her when she said she wasn''t interested in assuming the family''s leadership and revealed her intentions to involve Bailey in Harvey''s treatment. Yet, one undeniable truth remained. Had he not pushed her to the brink, the Luther brothers would never have interfered in the Rogers family''s matters, and the Rogers family would not have fallen apart as it did. At this juncture, no matter how fervently he leveled usations, it was impossible to reverse the course of their defeat. Instead of this futile approach, it might be wiser to regain Catherine''s trust, leveraging the bonds of family affection and potentiallypelling her to relinquish control of the power currently held by the Luther family. If she were to appeal to the Luther brothers, there was a good chance that the Luthers might show them some mercy. This confrontation primarily inflicted damage upon the main branch of the family, while the branches scattered around the world remained rtively unscathed. Therefore, as long as the Luthers didn''t actively undermine the Rogers family and allowed them to recover, he held the belief that within a decade, the Rogers family could reim their vitality. ¡°Cath, I realize my mistake now. I was foolish and acted recklessly. I''m genuinely sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me just this once, please? The Rogers family''s legacy spans thousands of years, and I can''t allow it to crumble under my watch. I made a grave mistake even to consider handing over the family to that fool. Harvey''s condition is beyond cure now. Can you assist me in rebuilding our family? I promise to fully support you as the rightful leader this time. Is that okay with you? You are the legitimate daughter of the Rogers family, and you''re partly responsible for our family''s destiny. Considering that the Rogers family has nurtured you into adulthood, could you help me this time?¡± Joseph earnestly implored. Catherine chuckled softly, herughter carrying a touch of mncholy that inexplicably evoked a sense of sadness in those who heard it. Even at this point, he was still squandering the familial bond that once united them. She said, ¡°Even without Harvey, you would never have considered passing the family''s leadership to me. I''m aware that you''ve already identified a promising heir from the side branch and have been grooming him for the top position. So, Mr. Joseph, please stop pretending to be the loving father and dutiful son; it''s quite hypocritical. In your heart, I''ve never been a contender for the inheritance. Material possessions don''t hold much value for me either. However, being deceived to such an extent by my own family is something I can''t help but resent. You needn''t waste any more words. I''ll have the Luther family curtail the remaining influence of the Rogers family. As for this family manor, I''ll retain it for now. The rest of you can spend the remainder of your lives here.¡± Upon finishing her words, she pivoted and made her way toward the exit. A chilling, murderous intent gleamed in Joseph''s eyes as he witnessed her unyielding demeanor. He nonchntly seized a fruit knife from the table and lunged menacingly toward Catherine. Since that Luther kid cares so much about this brat, I''ll kidnap her and use her to threaten him. With her in my hands, I''m sure he''ll obey me! He intended not only to demand the Luther brothers stop their assaults on the Rogers family but also to make sure that the Luther family shouldered all the losses incurred by the Rogers family in this ordeal. With the help of the Luther family, he was convinced the Rogers family could make a full recovery in less than a month. As Catherine felt the palpable surge of murderous intent closing in behind her, a bitter smile subconsciously yed at the corner of her lips. She had stopped Simon from further suppressing the Rogers family. Instead, her remaining forces were diligently engaged in restructuring Rogers Group, believing that Harvey''s return after his eventual recovery would serve as a catalyst for the gradual restoration of the Rogers family to its former glory. After all, this was her home, where her roots were deeply anchored. Yet, she had never expected that her beloved father, whom she had held in high esteem for so many years, would still want to kill her at this point. Thest shred of affection and attachment she had for her family waspletely extinguished. The pain she expected never materialized. Instead, a dull thud echoed as a heavy object fell from behind. Almost instinctively, she wanted to turn around but abruptly found herself enveloped in a reassuring embrace. Simon, panting heavily and trembling uncontrobly, tightened his arm around her waist. ¡°Catherine, what''s going on with you? How could you just stand there and let him stab you?¡± he asked. While the man''s exasperated voice resounded from above her, she had a yful impulse to retort, ¡°Well, I don''t have eyes in the back of my head, so I can''t see what''s happening behind me.¡± However, when she met his slightly reddened eyes, she opted not to say it. Just a moment ago, she had indeed experienced a feeling of despair, contemting that since this life had been bestowed upon her by her parents, if they desired it back, perhaps she should willingly return it to them. Now, as she locked eyes with his horrified gaze, a profound wave of regret surged within her heart. Catherine, are you out of your mind? Luna is still waiting for you to rescue her, and this jerk is still waiting to marry you. How can you sacrifice your life for these cold-hearted rtives? Simon''s anxiety escted when she remained silent, prompting him to issue a menacing threat, ¡°If you dare to disregard the value of your life again, I''ll obliterate your entire family.¡± Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. It was such a terrifying and violent threat, yet she inexplicably felt a warmth and delight wash over her. ¡°I knew you would save me, so I didn''t have to lift a finger,¡± she chirped light-heartedly. In an instant, all of Simon''s anger dissipated when he saw her mischievous and yful demeanor. He realized that the girl he loved was stunningly beautiful when her facade was peeled away. Her usual aloofness had vanished, reced by a vivaciousness tinged with a hint of coquettish charm. As he was lost in thought, a wave of emotion washed over him. Acting on a sudden impulse, he scooped her into his arms and headed decisively toward her mansion. ¡°Cath, I want you.¡± Chapter 983 Chapter 983 Chapter 983 Grovel Catherine was taken aback for a moment. Once she regained her senses, her pretty face instantly turned red. What on earth is this scoundrel thinking about In broad daylight? ¡°S-Stop messing around. I still have a lot of things to deal with. Once I''m done, we need to hurry back to save Luna.¡± Simon ignored her, quickening his pace even more. We need to deal with the situation and save Luna, but we also have to take care of our main responsibilities. ¡°When we go back to see Luna, let''s tell her she''s going to be a big sister. I think she''ll be really happy. Who knows? Her happiness might even cure her illness.¡± Catherine''s heart thumped. Watching him speak nonsense with such seriousness, she couldn''t help but roll her eyes. I thought he had be more mature and steady recently, but it turns out he''s still the same old rascal. ¡°Take it easy, and don''t go overboard. I really have a lot of things to deal with.¡± Simon''s main goal was to lure her into the room. So, whatever she said, he naturally responded ordingly. As for what happened after she boarded his pirate ship... Well, he would call the shots then. Take it easy? Impossible! He had endured for so many years, and now that he finally had the chance, he was determined to make up for all those lost years in one go. After Simon carried Catherine into the master bedroom on the second floor, Catherine''s face turned even redder. ¡°This is my private room. Could you possibly choose somewhere else?¡± Choose somewhere else? Only a fool would do that. I''ve already set my sight on this room. ¡°You''ve lived here for over twenty years, and now you''ve pledged your love to me in this very ce. It''s perfect.¡± ¡°Simon... Mmph.¡± Two dayster, Cameron called Kurt, saying that the malicious woman from the White family had been controlled and they had obtained the seal from the White family. In fact, the malicious woman from the White family had already been put under house arrest by Wilfred. However, he just didn''t let anyone know. That was because the wicked woman''s younger brother sought refuge with the head of the White family at a critical moment. He publicly imed that the malicious woman was unwell. Therefore, no one in the family noticed anything unusual these days. Artemis sought out Wilfred, borrowed the seal from him, and then set a trap, leading Kurt into a pitfall. After obtaining the seal, Cameron immediately called Kurt to arrange a meeting for the transaction. Kurt was a very cautious individual. Upon hearing Cameron im that he had obtained the family seal, he didn''t immediately believe him. He simply said he would consider the location for the transaction and contact the other party again in a day. Inside the manor''s study. After Cameron hung up the phone, he looked up at Bailey across from him. ¡°He must have gone to investigate the White family''s situation. Have you guys arranged everything over there?¡± Bailey nodded. ¡°Don''t worry. Artemis has already set a trap with Old Mr. White. We''re just waiting for Kurt to fall into it.¡± After hearing this, Cameron stopped worrying. He felt at ease knowing that Bailey and Artemis were handling the matter. He initially thought that after Kurt confirmed that something had indeed happened to the White family and the seal was lost, he would straightforwardly propose a trade with us by handing ze over. Unexpectedly, when he contacted Cameron the next day, he added another condition¡ªhe wanted the malicious woman from the White family. Left with no other choice, Artemis had to go and ask Wilfred to hand over his mistress to him. Wilfred didn''t have any objections, and he only reminded Artemis that the malicious woman knew all about their ns. He said that if Artemis didn''t want her to bber in front of Kurt, thetter must keep her mouth shut. Bailey was a ruthless individual. When Artemis brought the woman to the manor, she directly injected her with a dose of a concoction, turning herpletely insane. That night, Cameron and Artemis, carrying the White family''s seal, went to the outskirts with Wilfred''s mistress. After the two parties met, Cameron saw Kurt holding ze while his demonic ws wantonly yed with her. ze moved like a walking corpse, allowing himself to act recklessly. Looking into her eyes, which were void of any focus, Cameron felt his eyes well up with tears in an instant. He truly wished he could grind Kurt to dust and equally wished he could tear himself apart. All the pain she''s going through, we are the ones who caused it. We deserve to go to hell. But I just can''t ept it. The girl, who has been all around me for over a decade, is now covered in wounds and riddled with injuries. I must live well and dedicate my life to protecting her, to soothe the pain in her body and soul. ¡°Kurt, you b*stard!¡± Cameron roared at the scoundrel, then charged at him withrge strides. Upon seeing the situation, Artemis quickly reached out to stop him. ¡°Calm down. We''re here to make a deal.¡± Calm down? How can I calm down? He was on the verge of madness, tormented by the ashen despair and emptiness in ze''s eyes. Upon seeing Cameron''s eyes turn blood-red, Kurt couldn''t help but burst into heartyughter, his demonic ws bing even more reckless. ¡°I am indeed a scoundrel, and even more so in front of ze. Cameron, even if I were to take her right in front of you now, all you could do is watch helplessly.¡± After he finished speaking, a glint of excitement appeared in his eyes. Even though this is just a guise put on by Eunice, if it can strike a blow to Cameron, I don''t mind touching this b*tch once more. As he pondered, the movements of his hands became increasingly unruly. Cameron struggled desperately, trying to break free from Artemis'' grip. ¡°Kurt, let her go. Let her go. It''s me you hate, so don''t harm her. You can do whatever you want with me. Just don''t hurt her anymore. I''m begging you.¡± Kurt''s movements paused, and a hint of surprise shed in his eyes. He never thought that the usually arrogant and unrestrained Cameron would actually use the word ¡°beg.¡± ¡°Haha, when asking for a favor, one should act ordingly. How about this? If you kneel and grovel at my feet, I will let her go. What do you say?¡± The woman he held in his arms began to struggle wildly as if provoked by something. ¡°No, Cameron. Don''t kneel before him. Don''t kneel! I don''t need your help, just go! Even if I die, I don''t want your help. Leave, just leave!¡± Eunice deliberately disguised her voice to sound like ze, and coupled with her disguised face, Artemis and Cameron didn''t notice anything amiss. Kurt firmly held her chin while shing a sinister smile. ¡°Don''t you want him to beg me on his knees to let you go? Can I interpret that as you enjoying being by my side, being toyed with by me? Just say yes, and I''ll stop pressuring him and abandon this transaction. We can find a ce where no one knows us and start over.¡± Yong Yun bit her lip hard, feigning a look of pain and misery. Tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes. Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°Since you''re so reluctant, let''s just have Cameron kneel. If he kneels and submits to me, I won''t touch you tonight. Otherwise, I''ll take you right here in front of everyone.¡± ¡°No...¡± Eunice''s voice was hoarse with desperation. ¡°Not here. Can''t I just go with you? Isn''t that enough?¡± The smirk on Kurt''s face grew even more pronounced. He raised an eyebrow at Cameron across from him, quietly waiting for his decision. Cameron didn''t have much aversion to the act of kneeling and groveling. For the sake of saving him, ze risked her own life. So, what was so hard about him kneeling for her? ¡°All right. I''ll kneel. I''ll grovel. After that, I hope you''ll keep your promise. Hand her over to me, and don''t hurt her anymore.¡± Chapter 984 Chapter 984 Chapter 984 I Still Want To Marry You With tears swirling in her eyes, Eunice nced at Cameron, her small face contorting intensely. It wasn''t out of heartache but due to anger. She never expected Cameron to be so deeply in love, willing to set aside his dignity and pride for a woman. After all, Cameron was the legitimate heir of the world''s top poison-crafting family and the next head of the Yablon family. With his prestige and noble status, countless international socialites racked their brains, vying to marry him. Now, he was actually bending his knee for a woman who had been thoroughly ruined by another man. What''s so great about ze, that b*tch? She''s unruly, and her years of poison brewing make her look like a witch. How could she possibly exude such charm and allure, giving men the experience of bone-deep pleasure? Eunice was filled with envy. She, too, was a woman yearning to be cherished and pampered by a man. Yet, what happened to her in the end? Firstly, she was used as a tool by her father and brother, and then she was treated as a pawn in Kurt''s transaction. Pampered with love? That doesn''t exist. If Cameron found out she was impersonating ze, he would probably grind her to dust. ¡°Cameron, don''t kneel. Don''t kneel to him. I like you so much. How can I let you submit to a mad dog?¡± Fine, if I can''t receive the love of a man in this world, then I''ll y along with this charade, fooling everyone and making those who pushed me to the edge by paying with their own blood. Cameron''s eyes were red as he looked at the woman in Kurt''s arms, his face full of guilt and self- reproach. Ignoring her screams, he slowly bent his knee, preparing to kneel and submit to Kurt. However, in the end, his knees never touched the ground because Artemis stopped him. Cameron instinctively wanted to struggle, but Artemis couldn''t help but say sternly, ¡°We came here to negotiate a deal. He doesn''t have the right to insult you. If he truly desired the seal in our possession and Wilfred''s mistress, he wouldn''t be so overbearing. Your kneeling today would be in vain.¡± After he finished speaking, he looked up at Kurt, who was eagerly waiting for Cameron to kneel, and sneered, ¡°You were the one who proposed the deal, and now you''re going back on your word. Kurt, it seems you''re not truly interested in making this deal. If that''s the case, there''s no need for us to continue our discussion today.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, he forcefully grabbed Cameron''s arm, dragging him toward a car parked not too far away. In Artemis'' opinion, the more vulnerable Cameron appeared, the more brazen Kurt would be. After Cameron kneels and all, that mad dog might even ask him to take his own life. What should we do when the timees? We can''t just do as he pleases, right? If that were to happen, we would have to bear a painful cost for today''s negotiation. Artemis had never been a virtuous saint, nor was he someone who was easily fooled. Dream on if Kurt thinks he can gain any advantage from us today. As Kurt watched Artemis forcefully push Cameron toward the car, a trace of anxiety swept over him. Seeing them about to leave, Eunice felt her heart leap into her throat. If today''s deal falls through, I will remain in Kurt''s hands. A chess piece with no value is likely to meet an unfortunate end. With that thought, she quickly lowered her voice and said, ¡°What are you waiting for? Hurry up and ask them toe back! Anyway, I''m the one dealing with them, not ze. You''re not at a loss at all. In fact, you''ll gain quite an advantage. As for humiliating Cameron, there''s no need. Once I get close to him, I''ll make him wish he was dead.¡± After hearing her words, Kurt suddenly snapped back to reality from his daze. He was so eager to see Cameron embarrassed in front of him that he momentarily forgot the purpose of that day. D*mn it! ¡°Cameron, are you really sure about leaving like this? If I can''t get the seal today, I will vent all my anger on ze. Anyway, I''m already tired of this woman. I don''t mind handing her over to my subordinates. If anything happens to her, you''ll probably feel guilty for the rest of your life.¡± Cameron forcefully broke free from Artemis'' grasp, returning to his original spot and locking eyes with Kurt. Even though he knew that Kurt''s words were mostly threats, he still didn''t dare to gamble on it. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. ze has already endured so much. If she is subjected to even more brutal torment, she might as well die. ¡°Our deal remains the same. Hand over ze to me, and I''ll hand over the seal and your stepmother.¡± He deliberately emphasized the word ¡°stepmother,¡± trying to annoy Kurt. Thetter was indeed disgusted by that. If it hadn''t been for that malicious woman''s underhanded tricks years ago, his mother wouldn''t have died, and he and his brother wouldn''t have been left to suffer the indignities of the world. He despised that wicked woman to his very core, which was why he added this condition to their deal this time. Although he would have her at his mercy once he took control of the White family, he simply couldn''t wait any longer. He was eager to inject her with thetest toxin he had developed, wanting to see her wail and scream under the torment of the deadly poison. ¡°All right. Let''s make this a fair trade¡ªwe''ll exchange at the same time. It would be in your best interest not to y any tricks. Otherwise, I don''t mind detonating the bomb and dragging all of you with me to the grave.¡± Artemis couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly. y tricks? This d*mn guy thinks too highly of himself. Artemis couldn''t be bothered to waste his time dealing with him. The trap had already been set by Wilfred, just waiting for Kurt to fall into it. Why would there be any need for Artemis to lift a finger to scheme against him? The transaction went smoothly. After Kurt received the seal, he carefully examined it. Once he confirmed its authenticity, he burst into heartyughter. ¡°With this seal in my possession, coupled with my status, I''m certain I can take control of the entire White family in no time. Haha!¡± After a bout of wildughter, he turned his head to look at the old hag lying limp on the ground like a dead fish, his eyes shing with a chilling intent to kill. With a fierce kick, he struck La, his voice seething with malice. ¡°You wretched b*tch. I''ll make your life a living hell.¡± His personal bodyguard stepped forward and cautioned, ¡°Mr. Kurt, let''s leave now. Mr. Luther and his party have already departed. I''m afraid if we continue to stay here, something unexpected might happen.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± In the car, Cameron looked at ¡°ze¡± cowering in the corner, his eyes filled with pain. ¡°ze, I''m sorry. It''s my fault. I''m the one who caused you so much pain.¡± He dared not touch her, fearing that even the slightest contact would shatter her instantly. Even though he hadn''t personally witnessed her experiences during this period, he could easily imagine the deep physical and emotional torment that the scoundrel, Kurt, had inflicted upon her. Seeing her huddled against the car door, shivering, Cameron felt his eyes gradually filled with tears. He slowly reached out, attempting to touch her, but she began to struggle fiercely. ¡°Don''t touch me. I''m too filthy. Too filthy.¡± As she spoke, tears began to roll down from the corners of her eyes. Cameron''s heart ached unbearably. He yearned to pull her into his embrace, to soothe her gently, to tell her that she was the purest girl in the world and that he would never despise her. Yet, he didn''t dare. He feared that any movement on his part might provoke her into extreme resistance, ultimately hurting her. ¡°ze, you''re not filthy. I still want to marry you.¡± Chapter 985 Chapter 985 Chapter 985 Try For A Second Child Eunice was taken aback, her hand suspended in mid-air, momentarily forgetting to react. ze has been so terribly ruined by Kurt, and this man still wants to marry her? Jealousy was spreading wildly within her. I really want to tell him about ze''s experiences and how that despicable b*tch was toyed with by Kurt. However, she didn''t dare. By exposing that, wouldn''t she be essentially admitting that she was a fraud? Yet, it didn''t matter anymore because she believed that man''s embrace would only belong to her in the future. Moreover, she could seize this opportunity to get closer to the man she truly loved in her heart. In the past, she dared not even dream of getting close to him. Her wish was about toe true. As long as she was given the opportunity to get close to the man who was like a deity, she could bewitch him with her art of perfumery, making her the only woman to exist in his eyes. As for that despicable woman by his side, she can just get lost. ¡°ze, what''s wrong with you? Please don''t scare me.¡± Cameron noticed that the woman before him suddenly stopped struggling as if she had be serene, and he immediately became anxious. ¡°I won''t touch you anymore. I won''t. Please stop torturing yourself like this. Can you please stop torturing yourself?¡± His voice pulled Eunice back from her wandering thoughts. Once again, she curled up her body, burying her head between her knees. ¡°Don''te near. Don''te near. I''m not worthy of you. I won''t marry you. I won''t.¡± Cameron was desperate to prove that he didn''t despise her and that he truly wanted to marry her. But when he met her terrified gaze, all his urgency turned into bitterness, seeping bit by bit into his every cell, causing him to drown in unbearable pain. These days, she had been enduring Kurt''s coercion. How could he continue to force her to face it now? She was hurt, both physically and emotionally. He should stay by her side, soothe her pain, and only then discuss the future with her. ¡°All right. I won''t pressure you, nor will I invade your space. Let''s head back, get a good night''s sleep, and forget about everything by tomorrow. It will be a fresh new start.¡± These past few days, Catherine and Simon had been cooped up in the mansion. The task of reorganizing the Rogers family affairs was assigned to professionals by Simon, so even if she wanted to get involved, Simon wouldn''t let her step out of the house. These past few days, she truly experienced what it felt like to lose track of time. A man who hasn''t touched a woman in years is truly... indescribable. This time, he has had his way with me down to the bone. Inside the room, Catherine slumped listlessly against the head of the bed, looking as if she had lost all will to live. That scoundrel Simon, he''s really gone too far. The moment he let himself go,pletely disregarding any boundaries or principles, he has been spending every minute and every second with me. Creak! The door swung open. When Catherine saw that radiant, handsome face, she was so annoyed that she didn''t want to speak to him. She was so frustrated. Even though he was the one constantly moving, why was she the one ending up with a sore back and waist in the end? ¡°You''re awake? You must be hungry. I''ve prepared some light food for you. Have something to eat first.¡± After he finished speaking, Simon kicked open the door with his foot, then walked into the room carrying a tray. Catherine was terrified of him now. She shrank her neck and said with a trembling voice, ¡°Let... Let the housekeepere in to attend to me, and then stay away from me.¡± Seeing the look of terror on his future wife''s face and her acting as if she was a little bunny who had just seen a big bad wolf, Simon couldn''t help but feel a headacheing on. It seems I''ve been a bit too much with her, pushing her to the edge. What should I do? ¡°Are you sure you want me to let the housekeeper in? They all work for the Rogers family. If they see you in such a state because of me, they might make fun of you.¡± With ease, Catherine picked up a pillow from the side and threw it at him. s, she was too weak and powerless. The pillow had just fallen off the edge of the bed, not even touching the hem of his clothes. This is so frustrating! I''m so angry! I don''t even want to deal with this jerk anymore. But at this moment, her stomach started to grumble again, making her so embarrassed that she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Simon saw her being infuriated and her little cheeks puffing up and down. He thought that she was incredibly adorable. This must be her most genuine side. Stripped of her pretense, she has be so innocent, just like a teenage girl. In fact, he was willing and enjoyed pampering her now. ¡°Be good. Don''t argue with this scumbag. Let''s eat first.¡± She inexplicably found hisment, ¡°scumbag,¡± hrious. At least he has some self-awareness.Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org. ¡°How''s the situation now? When can we leave?¡± Simon didn''t respond. He helped her up and leaned her against his chest, feeding her a spoonful of oatmeal. Then he said, ¡°Almost everything has been taken care of. Do you really intend for me to send someone to take over the Rogers family? Since you''ve already decided to hand over the family to Harvey, why not¡ª¡± Catherine knew what he was about to say and quickly interrupted him, ¡°Don''t tell them. Even if you do, they won''t appreciate it. Besides, I don''t need their understanding now. It''s toote for regrets now. Let it be. I don''t want to be hurt by family ties anymore.¡± ¡°But they...¡± ¡°Simon, if you persuade me one more time, I will stay in the Rogers residence forever, take care of my parents, and I won''t apany you to Hallsbay.¡± Simon quickly shut his mouth. After all the effort he put into winning this woman over, wouldn''t it be a wasted journey if she didn''t go with him? The crux of the matter was that without her, he would remain a bachelor for the rest of his life. He had grown ustomed to falling asleep with her in his arms these past few days. Without her, he would find it hard to sleep through the night. ¡°All right, all right. I won''t say another word. Is that okay? I''ve already called my mom. I''ve promised her that this time I''ll bring my wife home to meet her. If she doesn''t see her daughter-inw, she''ll break my legs.¡± Catherine tilted her head slightly, catching sight of his pitiful face, and began to smile gently. This man has learned how to be apetent leader, gradually acquiring an air of overlooking the world from the top. Yet, in front of me, he still acts foolishly. Spending a lifetime with this big goofball doesn''t seem too bad, huh? ¡°Simon, let''s try for a second child.¡± Stunned, he froze for a few seconds. Once he regained his senses, he gently ced the bowl on the bedside table, then turned around and held her tightly in his arms. ¡°The three-child policy is now in effect. Two children are not enough. Let''s have a few more.¡± At the manor, after Artemis and his group returned, Cameron arranged for ze to stay in the guest room at the side courtyard. Originally, Bailey wanted to go in and give ze a full-body check-up, but thetter had locked the door from the inside, shutting herself in and not allowing anyone to approach her. Bailey didn''t think much about it. The fact that the girl made it back alive is nothing short of a miracle. Her mind and body have suffered a tremendous blow. It''s only natural for her to want to lock herself in a secluded space to nurse her wounds in solitude. ¡°Cameron, take good care of her. If anything happens, call me immediately.¡± Cameron''s voice was hoarse as he hummed in acknowledgment. After Bailey and Artemis left, he turned toward the tightly shut door and said, ¡°ze, can you open the door? Can Ie in and keep youpany?¡± Chapter 986 Chapter 986 Chapter 986 A Thorn In The Heart Eunice pressed her face against the door, listening carefully to the sounds outside. She wasn''t being melodramatic, intentionally causing a fuss. It was because Bailey had a pair of piercing, sharp eyes. Eunice dared not show her face in front of her, fearing thetter might discern something. She had just arrived there,pletely unaware of the situation inside. She would have to wait a few days, gradually figuring things out, before she could proceed with her next move. However, at the moment, Cameron was her only support. She must firmly hold onto him, making him trust her without a doubt. Only in this way could she do what she wanted under his protection. Realizing that Bailey had already left, she shakily opened the door. ¡°C-Cameron, I''m sorry. I''m too filthy, and I feel inferior. I don''t want to face them, I...¡± Cameron stepped forward, disregarding her resistance, and forcefully pulled her into his embrace. ¡°ze, I''m sorry. I''ve been such a jerk. If I had understood my own heart sooner and lived a good life with you in the Yablon residence, you wouldn''t have fallen into the trap set by Kurt because of chasing after me. You''re not tainted. In my heart, you''ve always been the purest girl. Once we''ve sorted everything out here, I''ll take you to meet my parents. Shall we settle our marriage then?¡± Eunice clung tightly to his shirt, her little face buried in his chest, faintly revealing a ferocious expression. She wasn''t jealous because she didn''t fancy Cameron. She was simply jealous¡ªjealous of the woman called ze. Even though she had been thoroughly tainted by Kurt, Cameron, the heir of the internationally renowned Yablon family, still treated her like a treasure in his palm. On the one hand, there was Kurt, who was willing to brave dangers for her and risk being seen through as he traded Eunice in her stead. He had made up his mind to marry her and make her the matriarch of the White family. On the other hand, Cameron didn''t care that she bore the marks of other men all over her body as he held her in his arms, promising her a lifetime of peace. How could she not envy such a woman? ¡°No, I can''t be with you. I''m not worthy of you.¡± ¡°ze...¡± Cameron reached out to cradle her face, his eyes filled with deep sorrow as he looked at her. His voice was low and hoarse as he continued, ¡°Can you please stop belittling yourself? You endured all those hardships to save me. If even you are not worthy of me, then there is no one in this world who is.¡± Having said that, his trembling, thin lips slowly inched closer and closer toward the pale corners of her lips. A glint shed in Eunice''s eyes. Pretending to push him away, she flung the sedative fragrance she held in her hand into the air. That thing was colorless and odorless, so Cameron couldn''t detect it at all. After he inhaled the fragrance, the way he looked at her became even more intense because images of her chasing after him all those years surfaced in his mind uncontrobly. She pursued him, but he rejected her. Year after year, day after day, whether in stormy weather or under clear skies, she would always appear by his side. Each and every scene caused him heartache and self-reproach. If I had epted her earlier and held her tightly in my arms, would she have been spared from those hellish torments? ¡°ze, I''m sorry...¡± Eunice watched the man being lost in a daze, his eyes filled with pain and the guilt so thick it was palpable. A sly curve formed at the corner of her lips. This man hadpletely regarded her as ze. Every time he looked at her face, he was constantly filled with guilt and self-me. The function of this sedative fragrance was to infinitely magnify the thing one least wanted to confront within their heart, forcing them to face it. What Cameron didn''t want to confront was the fact that ze had once pursued him relentlessly, without any regrets, only to be rejected by him time and time again. Those past memories would be a thorn at the tip of his heart, deeply piercing into it, making him profoundly realize just how much he truly owed her. ¡°I''m fine, really, I''m fine. If given the chance to choose again, I would still, without hesitation, trade myself for the antidote. No matter what, I am tainted. You don''t need tofort me. That beast, Kurt, has been after me these days. He...¡± ¡°Enough,¡± Cameron stated, his eyes reddened and his voiceced with infinite sorrow and destion. ¡°All of that is in the past, ze. Please, no more words. I promise you that I will never let you get hurt again. I swear.¡± After he finished speaking, he leaned in to kiss her brows and then her eyelids. As he gently caressed her cheeks, his movements were tender and soft. Eunice was worried that he would see through the thin, hyper-realistic mask on her face, and she abruptly pushed him away. ¡°Stay away. Stay away. Don''t touch me. Please don''t touch me. Ah...¡± She feigned being lost in her own thoughts, stumbling back into a corner. Sliding down the wall, she curled up on the floor, hugging her knees as she began to sob. Seeing her so sensitive and constantly being reminded of those endless torments, Cameron felt his heart shatter in an instant. How should he soothe her physical and emotional pain? Kurt... Kurt White... He clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding audibly. I won''t let that b*stard die a peaceful death. I''m going to torture him with the most vicious poison in the world, make him live a life worse than death or living hell. He will live in endless pain and suffering for the rest of his life. ¡°All right, all right. I won''t touch you. I won''t touch you anymore. Calm down, ze, just calm down.¡± The woman in the corner was lost in her own world, murmuring incessantly, her body shaking violently. A full five minutes passed before she slowly lifted her stiff head, her voice tearing as she said, ¡°I''m sorry, Cameron, I can''t face you with the same calmness as before. I''m scared. I''m terrified. I can''t contain the despair in my heart. If you think I''m being unreasonable, just throw me out.¡± Cameron turned his face slightly, a tear slipping from the corner of his eye. He had lived for so many years, yet he had never shed a tear. These days, for her sake, he had shed manly tears more than once or twice. ¡°I won''te any closer, so don''t be afraid. I''ll stay by your side, watching over you, until you step out of the darkness.¡± ¡°Can I have some alone time, please? Could you step away for a bit?¡± Although Cameron was somewhat reluctant, seeing her eyes still filled with fear, he found himself unable to utter a word of refusal. ¡°All right. I''ll go to the kitchen and whip up something for you to eat. Don''t just squat in the corner. Go and lie down on the bed.¡± As Eunice watched his retreating figure, a sly, triumphant smirk slowly crept onto her lips. Now that Cameron had fully trusted her, she nned to win over the man she fancied before Catherine returned. Castle in the countryside. Kurt was lounging on the couch inside the study, toying with the family seal made of white jade in his hand. The front of the seal was engraved with the name ¡°White,¡± while the back was engraved with the words ¡°Venom Valley.¡± Such a small object, yet it symbolized supreme power. Now... I finally have this in my hand. Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. Creak! The door swung open, and the butler walked in from outside. He informed, ¡°Mr. Kurt, Ms. Cersei has arrived. She says she has some important information to share with you.¡± Ms. Cersei? My half-sister? Chapter 987 Chapter 987 Chapter 987 A Piece Of News After Kurt heard that the despicable child born of that malicious woman was looking for him, his face immediately darkened. I bet she''s here simply because she wants to plead with me to spare her mother. Why would I want to see her? Share some important information with me? She''s nothing more than a pretty face, good for show but not for use. What valuable information could she possibly have? ¡°Shoo her off immediately, and tell her that if she dares to bother me again, don''t me me for disregarding our sibling rtionship.¡± The butler remained still, hesitating whether or not to speak. Kurt looked at him somewhat impatiently and asked coldly, ¡°Are you deaf? Can''t you hear what I''m saying?¡± The butler hastily spoke up. ¡°Mr. Kurt, someone reported to me that Ms. Cersei seems to have escaped from the church. It appears she was forced to be a nun.¡± Kurt paused slightly as he toyed with the seal in his hand, a thoughtful glint shing in his eyes. Church? A nun? Could it be that after Artemis challenged the White family, he sent her over there? But what does all this have to do with him? I wish nothing more than to skin that vile woman''s despicable offspring alive and tear her apart. Did they really expect me toe to their rescue? How ridiculous! ¡°Enough talk. Throw her out.¡± ¡°B-But Ms. Cersei insists that she has some crucial information. Mr. Kurt, after all, meeting her wouldn''t cause you any harm. Why don''t we bring her in for a thorough questioning? If she really has useful information, wouldn''t it be a shame if we just let it slip through our fingers?¡± After giving it some thought, Kurt felt that there was some truth to what the butler said. Who knows what kind of leverage that little wretch might have over Artemis? ¡°Bring her in.¡± ¡°Noted.¡± A momentter, Cersei was shoved in by two bodyguards and harshly thrown onto the marble floor. She slowly lifted her head, her gaze settling on Kurt. She knew that even though the man was her second brother, there was no sibling affection between them, only hatred. So what if that were the case? As long as she could protect herself and not be forced to be a nun for life, even enemies could be allies. She truly despised that old geezer who shared the same family name as her. She was his own flesh and blood, yet he shockinglyplied with Bailey''s wishes, sending her off to the church and ruining her life. Fine! If they don''t let me live, then they shouldn''t expect to have it easy either. I''ll drag them down with me. ¡°K-Kurt, I really have some important information to tell you.¡± Kurt looked down at the seal in his hand, a wry smile forming on his face. ¡°You''re so useless that you were forced to be a nun. What important information could you possibly have?¡± he questioned. A hint of embarrassment shed across Cersei''s face. However, thinking of those viins who sent her to the church, she bit her lip tightly, forcefully suppressing the strong resentment in her heart. ¡°I was sent to the church, and it was the old geezer with the same family name as us who did it. Also, he was also acting on Bailey''s orders.¡± Kurt gleaned a lot of important information from her words. For instance... Why would that old geezer abandon his own daughter just because of a single remark from Bailey? Could it be... ¡°Get to the point. I don''t have time to beat around the bush with you here.¡± Cersei bit her lip firmly, gathering her courage to say, ¡°I can discuss serious matters with you, but you must promise to spare my life.¡± Kurt sneered, ¡°Kill you? I wouldn''t want to dirty my hands.¡± That could be considered as an indirect agreement. Having secured a way out, Cersei felt her confidence finally increased a little. She briefly exined the coboration between Artemis and Wilfred. Upon hearing that, Kurt abruptly stood up from the couch. His icy gaze pierced Cersei. Gritting his teeth, he demanded, ¡°Repeat what you just said.¡± However, saying it again wouldn''t change anything. After hearing Cersei''s summary for the second time, Kurt tightly gripped the seal in his hand. So it turns out that the old geezer from the courtyard had already neutralized the poison. Recently, he''s been acting behind my back. In other words, the White family has already fallen into his hands. He is coborating with Artemis, using thetter to hand over the seal to me. His intention is to lure me into the trap and then catch me off guard. A towering rage began to surge within Kurt''s belly. He clenched the seal in his hand tightly, his eyes shing with a chilling murderous intent. I should have killed that old geezer. Fortunately, he didn''t act immediately after getting this seal. Otherwise, he would have stepped right into their trap, never to recover. ¡°How can you prove that everything you''re saying is true?¡± Cersei looked at him squarely, her words deliberate and clear. ¡°It''s true that I was sent to be a nun. Why don''t you investigate who sent me to the church? Then everything wille to light. Kurt, we are both sacrifices abandoned by our family, sharing the same plight. Now, all I want is to seek revenge for myself. We share the same goals. You shouldn''t doubt me.¡± Kurt settled back into the couch, suppressing the anger boiling within him. He gestured to the couch next to him. ¡°Sit there and tell me in detail what has been happening at the other residencetely.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Half an hourter, Cersei tore through the silence. ¡°That''s the situation. I like Mr. Luther and tried to seduce him, but in the end, Bailey... What''s even more infuriating is that my beloved father, whom I''ve respected for over a decade, chose to abandon me, to sacrifice me, all to curry favor with the Luther family. I despise them all.¡± Kurt looked at the seal in his hand, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Old geezer, you think I''ll just walk into your trap at White Group headquarters? I won''t y into your hands. With this seal in my hand, I will gradually erode your power, hollow you outpletely, and by the time you realize it, it will be toote for regrets. ¡°Do you like Artemis?¡± ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± ¡°Excellent, as expected of my sister, you have a good eye. From now on, you''ll be living here with me. Let''s join forces to deal with the old geezer and Bailey. One day, I promise that I''ll make your wish come true, and you''ll marry Artemis.¡± Excitement shed in Cersei''s eyes as she asked eagerly, ¡°Really? Really? Will you really help me, Kurt?¡± ¡°Indeed, with this information, I will help you achieve your wish.¡± I''ve heard that women who go mad for love can be quite terrifying. I could use this foolish woman to deal with Bailey. ¡°Thank you, Kurt. As long as you give me the opportunity, I will do my utmost to take down Bailey.¡± For two consecutive days, Artemis had not received any news of Kurt taking action. Kurt''s impassiveness left him somewhat puzzled. Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org. With the seal in hand, logically, that guy should have gone to the White family first. He should have used his power to regain control over the high-ranking members and then assertively taken over the leadership. That was what should have happened. It''s been three days already. Why hasn''t there been any movement on his end? On the west side of the gazebo, Eunice hid behind the beams, quietly watching the noble and elegant figure in the garden. When did she start admiring this man who had a godlike presence? It all started from that international business g three years ago. She attended a banquet with her father, and from a distance, she watched the man on the stage sharing his sess story, her heart fluttering unexpectedly. Every move he made, every word he spoke, was deeply etched into her soul. She knew that he was the ruler of the Luther family, the undisputed king of this world, standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid, overlooking all beings. She yearned for him, but he was beyond her reach, so she suppressed her surging emotions. Now that her family had perished, she was left alone in the world. She strived to fight her battle, knowing that sess would be her fortune while failure could cost her life. Chapter 988 Chapter 988 Chapter 988 A Calcted Move Artemis was leaning against a willow tree by the artificialke, lost in thought, when he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Instinctively, he turned around to look. In sight, a slender figure was approaching his way. It was already dusk, and the afterglow of the sunset spilled from the sky, bathing the entire world in a nket of colorful light. He initially thought it was Bailey, but upon seeing the neer''s face clearly, he instinctively furrowed his brows. If it were someone else, he might have responded with a cold stare, directly chiding them to leave. However, that woman was ze. She was capable of whisking Cameron away and stopping that guy from pestering his wife relentlessly. Based on that alone, he would change his indifference toward her and treat her kindly. ¡°Ms. ze, did you need something from me?¡± The other party didn''t respond to him. Upon closer inspection, one could see her eyes were vacant, staring nkly into the void ahead, her gaze unable to find any point of focus. What''s going on with her? Sleepwalking? Or is she hallucinating? In a moment of distraction, the woman in his line of sight had already reached the edge of theke. Suddenly, she lost control of her emotions. ¡°Kurt, don''t touch me. Don''t you dare touch me. I''d rather die than let you humiliate me again.¡± After she finished speaking, she leaped forward, plunging into theke with a ssh. It was clear that this woman couldn''t swim. As soon as she hit the water, she began to struggle violently. It was almost mealtime at that moment, and the housekeepers were all busy with their tasks, so there was hardly a soul to be seen by the artificialke. Artemis found himself in a dilemma¡ªshould he jump into theke to save her or not? Cameron was poisoned in the process of saving Bailey. To remove the poison from Cameron''s body, ze was willing to sacrifice herself, negotiate with Kurt, and end up being severely injured. In the end, he and Bailey should bear the responsibility. If he were to watch ze die today with his own eyes, even Bailey would never forgive him afterward, let alone Cameron. After weighing the pros and cons, Artemis saw that the woman in the water hadpletely submerged. He dared not dy any longer and plunged straight into the water. Eunice certainly knew how to swim, but she didn''t show it. She jumped into theke just to force Artemis toe and rescue her. If she were to swim up by herself, then what was the point of all this fuss? She knew that under normal circumstances, this man wouldn''t let any woman other than Bailey get close to him. If she wanted to get closer to him, she knew she had to be cunning. As she watched her entire body submerge into the water, the man on the shore remained indifferent. Despite her outward calm, she was in turmoil inside, debating whether or not to get herself out. After choking on several mouthfuls ofke water, she even began to muster her strength, ready to break through the surface. Before she could make a move, a sound echoed in her ears, followed by a massive ssh exploding around her. Her vision was blurry, but she could still make out a slender figure swiftly swimming toward her. When she arrived at the artificialke, she carefully observed her surroundings. There was no one around. She figured the one who could dive in such a short time must be Artemis. He hade to rescue her. The man she had admired for many years had reallye to rescue her. A tremendous joy filled Eunice''s entire being, so much so that she didn''t even bother to pretend she couldn''t swim anymore. Instead, she used the buoyancy to propel herself forward. ¡°Cameron, save me. Save me.¡± As she cried, she threw herself into Artemis'' arms. A shadowy glint shed in Artemis'' eyes as he instinctively wanted to shake her off. Yet, when he saw her talking while choking on water, her eyes rolling back in her head, he couldn''t help but curse. Then, wrapping his arm around her waist, he shot out of theke. As the air rushed into her respiratory system, it gradually relieved the oppressive feeling in her abdomen. Eunice was contemting whether she should faint on the spot, forcing this man to give her mouth-to- mouth resuscitation. But on second thought, she dismissed the idea. Artemis was notoriously cold and ruthless, with a restrained and indifferent demeanor. He reserved all his tenderness only for Bailey. Perhaps he might save her out of respect for Cameron, but he would never engage in intimate acts with her. If she were to faint now, she wouldn''t be able to carry out the rest of her n. Furthermore, all the troubles she went through today would have been for nothing. Rather than that, she reckoned it was better for her to pretend that he was Cameron and... With that thought in mind, she suddenly reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and clung to him like an octopus. ¡°Cameron, I knew you woulde to save me,¡± she cried, ¡°I feel so terrible. Utterly terrible.¡± After speaking, she leaned in, her lips drawing closer to his. Artemis'' face darkened, and immediately, his body temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. ¡°Ms. ze, please respect yourself.¡± After he finished speaking, he ced his hand on her shoulder, forcing her to lean back a few centimeters. ¡°If you''re still not awake, I don''t mind dunking you back in the water to clear your head.¡± Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org. See! This is Artemis, no doubt. There''s no hint of pity in his eyes. Even the tone of his voice is so indifferent. She finally understood why so many women considered Bailey their sworn enemy. Simply by monopolizing this perfect and powerful man all to herself, she was enough to max out everyone''s envy. ¡°M-Mr. Luther, yes, I''m sorry/ I don''t know what came over me just now. I-I didn''t do anything inappropriate, did I?¡± Artemis didn''t want to waste time talking to her. With one hand, he grabbed her arm, and with the other, he started swimming toward the shore. Eunice couldn''t bear to leave his embrace or be away from his scent, but she couldn''t resist too much, either. She had more important things to do. After Artemis pulled her ashore, he helped her lean against the tree trunk. Just as he was about to stand up, the woman on the ground suddenly grabbed his arm, ¡°Mr. Luther, please don''t tell Cameron about my sleepwalking episode earlier. I''m afraid it will worry him.¡± A flicker of impatience shed across Artemis'' brow. Just as he was about to lift his head to say something, his vision suddenly blurred. Through the setting sun, it seemed as if he could see that delicate face etched deep into his soul. ¡°Bay...¡± Listening to his loving tone, Eunice felt a smirk involuntarily creep onto her lips. The stupefying drug she developed was so potent that, up until now, no one had been able to withstand its effects. The deeper the love one felt, the stronger the effect of this enchanting potion became, making it easier for one to spiral down the rabbit hole, unable to control one''s emotions. Before she jumped into the water, she had smeared the stupefying drug all over her body. During their close contact earlier, Artemis had inhaled some of the drug. Hence, it was only natural for him to lose his senses. That would never happen unless he didn''t love Bailey or there wasn''t a woman in his heart. Otherwise, no matter who he loved, after inhaling the stupefying drug, the face of his beloved would appear. Although it was quite unpleasant to be Bailey''s stand-in, after that night, Eunice believed she would have the credentials to be on equal footing with that woman. Even if Artemis wouldn''t ept her in the end, there would be no possibility for him and Bailey anymore. ¡°Artemis, it''s me. Do you love me?¡± Artemis, as if possessed, reached out his hand and gently caressed her face. ¡°Of course. In this life, I only love you.¡± Eunice wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in to whisper in his ear, ¡°Artemis, the flower bed over there is so beautiful. Let''s go there and make love.¡± Artemis? The domineering CEO furrowed his brows, and a glint of confusion shed in his eyes. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!